October 2013 – Page 2 – Cooper Realty Associates

3 Ways To Organize Your House Hunt

If you’re looking to buy, you know that after looking at house after house, things start to run together in your memory. Here are a few hints to help you stay organized.

1. Take Notes. Snapping some pictures on your phone (or bringing a camera along) won’t hurt either. Carry a notebook with you and dedicate a sheet to each page you see. Write the address of the property at the top and then fill the page(s) with any notes to help you distinguish the home in your memory later. Include in your notes any questions you have about the property. Which leads me to number two…

2. Ask Questions. Ask any and all questions that come to mind while you’re at the property. If you have a good realtor, he or she should be able to answer many on the spot. Jot these answers in your notes. If your realtor doesn’t know the answer, they can check on it and get back to you, so write the questions in your notes if you’re waiting for answers. (See number one!)

3. Know Your Priorities. Prioritize your wish list and know your priorities. If you know that you need four bedrooms, don’t waste your time looking at three bedroom houses. If a large yard is a deal breaker, then skip the homes that don’t fit your criteria. Most importantly, know what’s most important to you – price or location. If you’re lucky you’ll find your dream home in both your price range and your desired location, but many times one or the other has to bend a bit to fit your needs, so be clear before you go in on which one you’re willing to flex if necessary.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

October 16, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Henry David Thoreau: “It takes two to speak the truth: one to speak, and another to hear.” (Fred) “The art of listening is a disappearing talent.”

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS #597948-From $325,000 to $289,900. Here is a Millsboro, DE, Class C home with 4 BR, 2 BA, in 1790 sq. ft. on 23.05 acres. The property also has two other outbuildings. Call me at 302 258-6983 to see this home. www.fredsporch.com

Weekend Update: October 18th-20th

If you’re looking for something fun or different to do this weekend, check out these local options:

Saturday, October 19^th: Delmarva’s Best Ghost Stories
With Halloween just around the corner, head to Wilmington University (41 Rehoboth Ave) in Rehoboth Beach to beef up your repertoire. This workshop includes ghost stories from Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Stories include Bigg Lizz, Patty Cannon, the haunted governor’s mansion, Fort Delaware, phantoms at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry and more. Cost is $25 and you must be preregistered to attend. The workshop runs from 11am-noon. Call 302-227-6295 to register.

Saturday, October 19^th: Herbal Soap Making from Scratch
You can learn the secrets of handcrafted soap in this introductory course. The class includes hands on demonstrations and instruction about ingredients, safety, and more. Attendees will take home their own freshly made soap to cure and cut at home. This class will take place at “The Soap Fairy” in Milford Delaware and is sponsored by the Rehoboth Beach campus of Wilmington University. Cost is $50 per person and includes all materials. The class runs from 1pm-3pm and you must pre-register. Call 302-227-6295 to register, and be sure to wear clothes that can get dirty.

Saturday, October 19^th: Wine, Cheese, and Beer Tasting
The Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park will host their 8^th annual Wine, Cheese & Beer Tasting at the Officer’s Club in Cape Henlopen from 4pm-6pm. Admission is $20 in advance or $24 at the door. You can purchase tickets (which also cover your entrance to the park) at the park office or the Lewes Chamber of Commerce.

Saturday, October 19^th: Haunted Southern Delaware Tour
Another great way to prepare for Halloween, the Sussex Heritage Tour Series will explore the topic of “Haunted Southern Delaware” this weekend. The tour runs from 4pm-10:30pm and begin and end at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal in Lewes. Stops on this tour include the Cannonball House in Lewes, haunted hotels, Unknown Sailors Graveyard and more. Tickets are $40 and must be purchased in advance. Dinner is included in the price. You can claim one of the limited spaces by calling the Lewes Historical Society at 302-645-7670 ext. 10.

Saturday, October 19^th: Orion String Quartet
If classical music is more your style, Coastal Concerts presents the Orion String Quartet at 7pm on Saturday night. The concert takes place at Bethel United Methodist Church (Fourth & Market Streets) in Lewes. Tickets are $30 to see one of America’s top chamber ensembles perform.

Sunday, October 20^th: Birding Field Trip
Birding guides will lead a Birding Field Trip from 8am-noon at the Prime Hook National Wild Life Refuge. Come prepared for any weather and learn about the bird species that frequent the refuge in fall. Bring your binoculars, field guide and a spotting scope if you have one. Materials will be available to borrow if you don’t have your own. Trips are free and open to everyone. Call 302-684-8419 if you have any questions.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

Save Money on a Kitchen Remodel

Last week I wrote about tips for budget friendly makeovers. All of those still apply here, but there are also some specific tips that apply only to kitchen remodels that can be of use if you are trying to stick to a budget.

First, in addition to prioritizing, make sure to consider your culinary needs when choosing appliances. If most of your cooking consists of reheating or calling for takeout, then choosing an expensive, top of the line stove just for looks is not your best use of money. Another way to save money on your appliances is to skip options and extras that aren’t necessary for your needs.

Additionally, rather than focusing on buying things such as a light fixture or faucet at a discount, do your best to take advantage of savings on your big-ticket items such as cabinets, counter tops, and appliances to get the most bang for your buck.

Another great tip is to mix and match high and low end products for an affordable blend. For example, affordable cabinets with decorative high end hardware can have the look of custom cabinets, or since the eye is drawn up rather than down, put your money into a beautiful backsplash and scale back on the countertop material.

Another way to save on cabinetry is to forgo custom and retrofit the cabinets that you choose with roll-outs, dividers and other similar items from storage shops for a far less expensive solution than custom work.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-629-6693.

How to Attract Young Homebuyers

If you’re selling your home and you’d like it to appeal to younger buyers, here are some tips to help you market your home smarter.

Make it multi-functional. Young buyers don’t necessarily need a ton of space as long as the space they have is organized and can be used in multiple ways. Good ways to demonstrate this are by turning a guest bedroom into a home office and adding a pull-out sofa to show that it can still be used as a guest room when needed. If your home is not already set up to utilize the space in the smartest way possible it may be in your best interest to bring in a stager to help you make the best decisions for marketing purposes.

Know their priorities. Many young buyers are tech-driven and almost all are tech-savvy. Including in your marketing materials information about local internet service and cellular service options, quality and costs will be noted and appreciated by younger buyers.

Take note of transportation. Also include in your marketing materials information that shows your home in the best light for alternative transportation methods such as bikes, public transportation, and car-sharing services. Young buyers are often very interested in saving money on transportation so that they have more to spend on housing. If your home can play to these wishes, then be sure to highlight it!

Sell the community. Providing information on the neighborhood and greater community that your home is in will provide a service that will only benefit both you and your young buyer. By helping them see the benefits of living in your community you may provide more of a need for your home.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

Spotlight on the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival

The 24^th annual Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival will take place next weekend, October 17^th-20^th on five stages throughout Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. This years venues include The Performing Arts Theater at Cape Henlopen High School, the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, the Epworth Church, and the Delaware Distilling Company. Many local restaurants and bars will also offer live entertainment in conjunction with the festival. There are over twenty featured artists including Marion Meadows, Matt Marshak, Four80 East, Steve Cole and many more. Ticket prices vary, but $1 from every ticket purchase will be donated to support the Breast and Prostate Cancer health initiative at Beebe Medical Center. For more information, including ticket information, a full list of artists, or a full schedule of events, check out www.rehobothjazz.com.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

Tips for Budget Friendly Makeovers

Whether you’re looking for a quick makeover or a complete renovation, here are a few tips to help you stick to your budget.

1. Negotiate. Ask everyone if there’s any flexibility in the price and negotiate your heart out! You’d be surprised where you can get discounts.

2. Prioritize. If you have a limited budget chances are you won’t be able to do everything on your “wish list,” but you can do the ones you care most about if you prioritize before you begin the work.

3. Shop Surplus. Ask vendors and showrooms about overstocks, floor models, closeouts and other sales and be flexible with your vision to include these deals when possible.

4. Shop Secondhand. Salvage yards, flea markets, thrift stores, yard sales and stores like Habitat For Humanity’s ReStore are great places to source inexpensive makeover materials. You never know what you might find, so they’re definitely worth checking out.

5. DIY. Do-it-yourself is a good way to stick to a budget. Doing your own grunt work can save you a bundle, just don’t try to do things you can’t handle, because then you’ll end up paying someone extra to come in and fix your mistakes before they can do the work.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-629-6693.

3 Storage Tricks Anyone Can Use

If you are in need of some extra storage, take a look around at what you can do with what you already have:

1. Bookcase Sides. If you have a bookcase, armoire, or any wall mounted cabinet you can attach racks, hooks, or shelving to the outer sides for additional storage.

2. Use The Underside. Stow baskets or bins underneath your sofa, living room chairs, or any other sturdy furniture that can handle it, as well as under your beds.

3. Decorate Doorknobs. If space is at a premium, hanging decorative tote bags to closet doorknobs can add extra storage space for small items that need to be stowed.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

Weekend Update: October 11th-13th

If you’re looking for something fun or different to do this weekend, check out these local events:

All Weekend: The 51^st Annual Rehoboth Christmas Shop
All Saints Church in Rehoboth will host their annual Christmas Shop this weekend at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. The sale runs from 10am-6pm on Friday and Saturday and 11am-4pm on Sunday. There will be many different crafters and vendors present to get a good start or even finish all of your holiday shopping. Call 302-227-7202 for more information.

Friday, October 11^th-Saturday, October 12^th: The Apple-Scrapple Festival
This huge festival takes place every year in Bridgeville. It begins at 4pm Friday and runs until Saturday evening. Friday night festivities include live music, food court, carnival, and more. Saturday kicks off at 7am with an “all you can eat” scrapple breakfast until 11am. The festival opens at 9am and the day includes a car show, craft show, children’s area, antique crafting demonstrations, live music, the Scrapple Chunkin’ Contest and more. The festival ends at 10:30pm on Saturday. For more information, check out www.applescrapple.com.

Friday, October 11^th: A Taste for Art of Southern Delaware
The 4^th annual “Taste for Art of Southern Delaware” will take place from 6pm-9pm at the Clubhouse at Baywood Greens in Long Neck. Guests will mingle among featured works from area artists and artisans while sampling creative dishes from gourmet restaurants across southern Delaware. 25% of all sales will benefit Children & Families First.

Friday, October 11^th: Coastal Storms Workshop
This workshop will be hosted at Wilmington University (41 Rehoboth Ave) in Rehoboth Beach and will run from 2pm-4pm. The cost is $25 per participant, and the workshop will include discussion on notable storms that have affected Sussex County as well as general information on storm impacts to property, infrastructure and natural resources, community sustainability and resilience, and measures that individuals can take to prepare for storms. You must pre-register for this lecture. You can register by calling 302-227-6295.

Saturday, October 12^th: Bethany Beach Sidewalk Sale
The businesses of downtown Bethany Beach will participate in the annual fall sidewalk sale this weekend. Each business keeps its own hours, so be sure to check with your favorite if you’re looking for something specific.

Saturday, October 12^th: Artisan Festival
The Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company will host their annual craft and artisan festival at the station (215 Hollywood Street in Bethany Beach) with over 45 artists on hand. Breakfast, lunch, and baked goods will also be available for purchase. Admission is free and all proceeds benefit the Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary. The festival runs from 9am-3pm.

Saturday, October 12^th: Fall Festival at The Cove
The Cove Bar & Grill is celebrating fall with a fall festival at the restaurant (31806 Lakeview Drive) in Selbyville. The festival runs from 1pm-4pm and will include fall foods, horse drawn hayrides, live music, pumpkin painting, scarecrow building, and more. Cost is $15 for adults and $6 for kids. Kids under the age of 5 are free. Call 302-436-3200 for more information.

Saturday, October 12^th: Sussex County Heritage Tour – Slavery & the Civil War
This all day tour will center on the title “Where North Meets South: Slavery & the Civil War.” The tour will begin at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal in Lewes at 9:30am and conclude in the same location at 4pm. Stops include Middle Point Mason/Dixon Monument in Delmar, the Confederate Memorial in Georgetown, the Governor Ross Mansion and slave quarters in Seaford and many more places. Tickets must be purchased in advance. They are $40 and include a meal. You can reserve your spot by calling the Lewes Historical Society at 302-645-7670 ex. 10. Space is limited.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

Make A Great First Impression

Whether you’d like it to or not, the front door of your home gives people their first impression. Not only is it where people enter your home for the first time, but it’s often the first thing that catches the eye of anyone who is driving by. It also helps set the tone for your home, so whether you’re looking to sell your home or just to make it more inviting consider giving your front door a face lift so that it conveys the message and first impression you want it to give.

One very simple thing that you can do is to decorate it and update it regularly. Decoration could be a wreath, dramatic home numbers, shutters, door knocker and knobs, etc. This option is great for everybody because no matter what your personality, likes, or budget there is an option for you! Another quick decoration idea is to add planters to either side of the door. This is a quick solution for adding color, texture and beauty to your entryway. If you live in an area where flowers or plants can’t survive year round you can use the planters to display seasonal décor during colder seasons.

Another easy thing to do to improve your home’s first impression is to install lights at your front door if you don’t already have them. Lighting is another thing that has many options. You can opt for sconces on either side of the door, spotlights installed at the ground and aimed at the door, or overhead lighting if your front door is under a porch are all great options. And while we’re on the subject, please make sure your house number is well lighted too.

Finally, if you’re trying to sell your home, studies show that replacing your home’s front door can increase the perceived value of your home, so you might want to think about a full replacement if it’s needed. In the study, the home’s perceived value when the entryway was updated was as much as five times the cost of the door itself. If you’re going to update your entryway with something new, consider enlarging it to include a windows to the side or above the door as well to add natural light to the home as well as increase the value of the entryway.

No matter what you decide to do, remember that your entryway is the first and last impression that your guests and potential buyers see, so make the lasting impression a good one!

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-856-6434.

Tips for Keeping Countertops Looking Brand New

Whether your countertops have seen better days or you’ve got new countertops that you want to keep in good shape, here are some tips for caring for different types of counter surfaces to keep them looking great!

Laminate: You can keep laminate looking good with a thick paste of baking soda and water. Leave the paste on stains for 3-5 minutes and most stains will disappear. For tougher stains rub household bleach into the stain with a cotton ball until clean and then rinse with soapy water and rub down with a clean, damp rag.
Granite: If your granite is properly sealed all you need to do is wipe it down regularly with a wet cloth. To find out if your granite is sealed, splash some water on it and wait for 10-15 minutes. If the water is still beaded, you’re good to go. If it has soaked in head to the hardware store to purchase a do-it-yourself sealer which is pretty easy and inexpensive.
Marble: Food stains can be removed with a thick paste of water, baking soda, and dish soap. Oil stains can be removed with hydrogen peroxide or mineral spirits. Etching and corrosion can be buffed away with marble polish.
Wood/Butcher Block: The best way to care for wood counter surfaces is to apply mineral oil on a monthly basis. Stains can be removed with lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide.
Quartz: Quartz countertops are made to take a beating, however if stains do happen they can be taken care of with a paste of flour and hydrogen peroxide. Apply the paste and allow to sit for 24 hours then wipe away and clean the surface with water.
Stainless Steel: Stainless steel scratches easily, but these scratches can be buffed out with an abrasive pad. Rust stains can be cleaned up with a paste of lemon juice and baking soda, but it is best to avoid rust altogether by not allowing pots and pans to touch counter surfaces directly.
Solid Surface: Buff scratches out with a mild abrasive and take care of stains with a paste of baking soda and water or lemon juice.
Ceramic Tile: The best way to keep tile countertops looking new is to care for the grout regularly with a toothbrush and mildew-fighting solution. Stains can be cleaned up with a toothbrush and diluted household bleach and then wiped up with soap and water.

Hopefully these tips will help you keep your kitchen looking shiny and new for a long time to come!

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Real Estate Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

Spotlight on Nicola Pizza in Rehoboth Beach

Nicola Pizza (8 N First St) in Rehoboth has been serving up their famous Nic-O-Boli and delicious pizza in Rehoboth since 1971. The family owned operation still serves up a natural homemade product that is well loved by both locals and tourists who have made it a tradition. Nicola Pizza also gives back to the community in the form of fundraisers and will ship their famous homemade spaghetti sauce and Nic-O-Boli by the case anywhere in the US. Even if you’re a local with another favorite pizza joint, you really should make it a point to try Nicola at least once and see what all the fuss is about!

Thinking of buying or selling home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

5 Simple Tips to Maximize Kitchen Storage

No matter how large your kitchen is, it always seems that every kitchen needs more storage. Here are five tips for maximizing the storage your kitchen already has:

1. Corral your lids. By mounting a drawer for pot lids directly under your pot shelf you will be able to corral your lids and create a more efficient kitchen.

2. A second utensil drawer. Utensils drawers tend to be a deep jumbled mess of interlocking utensils and other handy tools. By building a sliding tray that creates two shallower spaces in one drawer you can organize your utensils more efficiently.

3. Add upright storage. Keep baking trays, cutting boards, and other difficult to store items that take up a lot of flat cabinet space upright by adding a divider to one of your cabinets and creating an upright storage space.

4. Add shelves. Take a look in your kitchen cabinets… is there a lot of wasted space? If so, add an additional shelf to your cabinet by cutting some plywood to fit and purchasing a bag of shelf supports.

5. Utilize cabinet doors. Your cabinet doors offer many storage options such as a built in knife rack, hooks for storing measuring cups or spoons, narrow racks for storing spices, and more. Depending on what would best suit your space, a quick internet search is bound to bring up many suggestions for cabinet door storage that I would recommend taking a look at.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-856-6434.

3 DIY Fixes for Plumbing Problems

Some common plumbing problems can be easily fixed with just a few dollars and a little bit of elbow grease. Here are three common problems that you can fix on your own:

1. Stop Sprayer Woes. If your sink sprayer always seems to be caught, it’s probably getting caught on the shut-off valves below. Covering the pipes and shut-off valves with ½ inch foam pipe insulation will take care of the problem for just a couple of dollars. If it won’t stay on, just add a bit of tape to keep it in place.

2. Get The Creak Out. Copper piping can creek a lot when it expands and grinds against joists and other things above it. If this is your problem, just purchase some adhesive-backed felt at the hardware store, cut it into strips, remove each hanger and wrap the pipe in the felt before refastening it to the hanger, which will silence the creaking.

3. Fix Your Toilet. If something hard like a toy, toothbrush, or other foreign object is dropped in your toilet, using a plunger may only lodge it further down. Using a wet/dry vac instead to suck out the water and the object is a much better option.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

Weekend Update: October 4th-6th

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, check out one of these local events:

All Weekend: Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Annual Fall Sidewalk Sale
The annual fall sidewalk sale begins on Friday and ends on Sunday running from 10am-8pm daily although hours may vary from store to store. For more information call the Rehoboth-Dewey Chamber of Commerce at 302-227-6446.

Friday, October 4^th: Lewes Merchants’ Fall Sidewalk Sale
The shops in the Historic Lewes Commercial District will participate in the annual fall sidewalk sale from 10am-5pm.

Saturday, October 5^th: Lewes Historical Society October Craft Fair
The Fall Craft Fair will run from 9am-4pm at the Historical Complex and Second & Shipcarpenter Streets in Lewes. The fair will feature of sixty talented craftsmen and women and will benefit educational and preservation programs at the Lewes Historical Society.

Saturday, October 5^th: Boast the Coast Maritime Festival
This 18^th annual festival will run from 11am-8pm with maritime-themed activities all day and into the evening. Activities take place at 1812 Park and the City Dock and begin at 11am. The day will end with the Lighted Boat Parade at dusk on the canal.

Saturday, October 5^th: Wings & Wheels Fall Festival
The 6^th annual Wings & Wheels Festival will run from 10am-4pm at the Sussex County Airport. Admission is free and the day includes live entertainment, children’s activities, craft and food vendors, a classic car show, vintage plane “fly in” and a WW2 special event including testimonies, encampments, parachute jumpers and more. In case of rain the event will take place on Sunday, October 6^th.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

Tips for Maximizing A Small Bathroom

If you have a small bathroom, try these tips for maximizing your space:

Brighten it up. A space that is light and bright always seems larger, and light actually improves functionality, so adding both recessed and task lighting to your bathroom will help maximize your space. Task lighting around the mirror and over the shower are particularly important.
Utilize your medicine cabinet. Choosing a medicine cabinet that is flush with the wall will offer just enough storage for essentials and open up the space at the same time. Choosing a deeper medicine cabinet might store more, but it also protrudes into the room and takes up space.
Wall mount your sink. A wall mounted sink can be stylish and take up far less space than traditional sinks. If you don’t like the look of a wall mounted sink, choose a pedestal sink over a full vanity for greater space efficiency.
Get rid of the tub. Unless you absolutely need a tub, consider getting rid of it and opting for a walk-in shower instead. You can build a comfortably sized shower in fraction of the space that a tub takes up, and in addition to giving the room more space, the convenience of comfort of this type of shower is often underestimated.
Use your corners. Corner sinks can make the most of your space, adding both form and function without taking up too much space.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-856-6434.