November 11, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Charles Dickens:  “If there were no bad people, there would be no good lawyers.”  (Fred)  “If that is the only justification for lawyers then get rid of them both.”

 

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS #606303-From $199,900 to $188,000.  This home just north of Laurel, DE, is a New Quality Built Home with 3 BR, 2 BA, in 1800 sq. ft. on 1.21 acres.  This home has an Open Floor Plan and is ready NOW!  Call me to see this home at 302 258-6983.  www.fredsporch.comNovember 29, 2013

More Tips For Selling During The Holidays

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If your home is on the market during the holiday season consider these tips for taking advantage of the opportunities you have:

1.  Price to sell.  Just like always, if your home is priced right it will get the attention that it deserves.

2.  Pay attention to curb appeal.  Again, this is a year-round tip, but at this time of year in particular be sure that leaves a raked, stairs and walkways are kept free of ice and snow, and gutters are cleaned.

3.  Decorate reasonably.  If you decorate during the holidays be sure not to go overboard.  Keep things scaled to your home and decorate to emphasize your home’s best features, not cover or detract from them.  If you want to avoid offending potential buyers it is best to decorate with general winter themes rather than religious items.

4.  Focus on motivated buyers.  People who house hunt during the holidays are generally motivated buyers.  Work with your agent to target buyers who are on a deadline and looking to buy before the end of the year.

5.  Hire a trusted agent.  At this time of year in particular it is important to have a real estate agent who is reliable and not someone who will disappear during the holidays.  Some who will go above and beyond to work for you will help get your home sold.

Looking to buy or sell a home in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-856-6434.

Holiday House Hunting

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If you’re house hunting during this busy holiday season you have a couple of things working to your definite advantage.  First, there aren’t too many people house hunting, so with less competition you may in for a good deal.  Additionally, home prices in December are typically lower than any other month, while interest rates are at their lowest.  Sellers who keep their homes on the market over the holidays are usually motivated sellers who are willing to negotiate on all reasonable offers.  Finally, if you close on a home before the end of the year you can deduct any mortgage interest and closing costs on your taxes.  So, if you’re in the market for a new home, it might be to your advantage to make time for your hunt during this busy season.

Looking to buy or sell a home in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

November 27, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!  Please stay home and celebrate this great Family Holiday and if you must do your shopping on Black Friday, not Thanksgiving.

Today’s food for thought is from Charles Dickens:  “Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen six, result happiness.”  (Fred)  “Living within ones means created contentment.”

 

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS #603930-$339,500.  Here is a Milton, DE home in Slaughter Beach with 3 BR, 2.5 BA with views of Delaware Bay.  The home boasts a Fire Place, corian counters, rinnai Hot Water, a wraparound porch and an enclosed sunroom.  Call me to see me this home at 302 258-6983.  www.fredsporch.comNovember 27, 2013

Tips for Selling Your Home During The Holidays

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With Thanksgiving just a few days away, one of the busiest times of year is getting under way… the holiday season!  Selling a home during the holiday season can be tough, and there are advantages and disadvantages to both leaving your home on the market & pulling it off and relisting in January.  You might want to keep your house on the market because buyers who look for a home during the holidays are serious buyers looking for a home during a time when there are less homes on the market than after the new year.  Additionally, many buyers want to close the deal before the end of the year for the tax advantages.  However, you might want to pull your home off the market if you love to go overboard with the holiday decorations, have lots of company during the holidays, or want the advantages of relisting your home in January to generate new traffic during a home-shopping period that it usually busier than the holiday season.  What is best for your home depends on your neighborhood, home, family schedule, and your agent’s advice.

Looking to buy or sell a home in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-629-6693.

November 26, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Charles Dickens:  “Reflect upon your present blessings, of which a man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes of which all men have some.”  (Fred)  “Learn from yesterday but relish today.”

 

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS #604552-From $134,900 to $129,900.  Here is a totally renovated Colonial in Downtown Laurel, DE, which has 3 BR, 1.5 BA on a 50’x97’ lot.  Call me to see this home @ 302 258-6983.  www.fredsporch.comNovember 26, 2013

New Thanksgiving Recipes To Try

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Thanksgiving is just days away.  If you’re looking for some traditional recipes with a twist, try these options that put a twist on traditional favorites:

1.  Northwest Fruit Stuffing – made with cherries, pears, apples, and raisins this sweet twist on a Thanksgiving staple is sure to please.

2.  Spiced Cranberry Jelly – This tart cranberry sauce has less sugar than most, is super easy to make, and can be refrigerated for up to a week.

3.  Harvest Casserole – This casserole is made with veggies and a hint of parmesan cheese.  It is a great dish to accompany turkey or ham.

4.  Chipotle Smashed Sweet Potatoes – This simple to make sweet potato recipe comes from Alton Brown.

5.  Amaretto Pumpkin Pie with Almond Praline – This delicious twist on a crowd favorite is time consuming but delectable.

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.

November 25, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Calvin Coolidge:  “Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence.  Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.  Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.  Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.  Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.  The slogan ‘Press On’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”  (Fred)  “I dislike absolutes, however persistence does trump most other venues for good or bad.”

November 25, 2013

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS #-$125,000.  This is a charming Rancher with 3 BR, 1BA in 1100 sq. ft. on 2.36 acres outside of Seaford, DE.  This charming starter or retirement home needs some updating but has original HW floors and a nicely landscaped yard.  Call me to see this home @ 302 258-6983.  wwfredsporch.com

Pre-Qualification vs. Pre-Approval

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It’s a good idea to be pre-approved for a mortgage before you begin house hunting.  In fact, many realtors won’t even work with you until you’ve gone through this process.  There is a bit of confusion out there though, about the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval.  Many times these terms are used interchangeably, but they are, indeed, different.  Pre-qualification is basically a letter from a loan officer saying how much they believe you will be able to borrow based on your income, debt, work history, etc.  Pre-qualification is given without pulling credit scores, and is a “good faith estimate.”  However, even if you are pre-qualified you can still have trouble with your financing, since nothing about a pre-qualification is guaranteed.

Pre-approval takes everything a step further and involves pulling your credit report (which typically involves a small, non-refundable fee).  This process involves a lot more paper work, but shows that the bank is ready to work with you should you find a home that you love.  It is important to note that pre-approval does not guarantee a mortgage, but it does guarantee that the bank is ready and willing to work with you which shows that you are a serious buyer.
Many realtors will work with you if you are pre-qualified, but it is really in your best interest as a buyer to be pre-approved before you start the house hunting process.  It is heart breaking to fall in love with a home and then find out that it is way over your budget when you try to finance it.  When you’re ready to start house hunting, shop around for a mortgage and find a broker that you like and trust.  Once you have your pre-approval letter it shows your agent and the sellers that you are a serious buyer worth working with.

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

Selling Your Home? Things You Should Hide

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If you are trying to sell your home then you definitely don’t want to turn off potential buyers as soon as they walk into your home.  In order for your home to show as well as it possibly can, there are several things you should clean up and put out of sight (out of the house, if possible!) to help your home show off its best features.  According to a survey of house hunters and their agents, pet stuff and toys/baby stuff top the list of things that buyers don’t want to see (or smell!) when they walk in your house.  When it comes to pets, they really shouldn’t even know that you have one.  Potential buyers with allergies may not even give your home a fair shot if they know about your animals.  Even though it’s inconvenient to make arrangements for your pets and their things every time there is a showing, it really is important if you want to get your home sold.  When it comes to the baby stuff, you should have a dedicated area for storing your children’s things, such as a large toy chest or two.  Then, when you have a showing you can just shove everything in, close the lid, and be done!  Clear baby clutter such as bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers, etc. off counters and tables and put it out of sight!

Speaking of clutter… that’s another big turn off.  I know I’ve said it before, but it really is important to clear clutter off the kitchen counter, including any small appliances, wash and put away dirty dishes, and put away personal items.  It is equally important to clear clutter and stow personal items in the bathroom.  And when it comes to the bathroom, keep the sink and toilet cleaned at all times, and keep the toilet seat and lid down!  Nobody wants to see a dirty toilet when they are imagining their dream home!

Of course, its difficult and sometimes impossible to keep your house in tip-top shape when you’re trying to sell, but it really is worth the time and effort invested to get the best offer on your home and quickly as possible!

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.

November 22, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Calvin Coolidge:  “Economy is the method by which we prepare today to afford the improvements of tomorrow.”  (Fred)  “Governments pay heed.”

November 22, 2013

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS #606833-From $274,900 to $259,900.  This Milton DE Colonial is 6 years old and has 3 BR, 2 BA, 2-1/2 BA, in 2584 sq. ft.  The home has a Rinnai Hot Water system, a screened deck, a patio with fountain, a finished basement with home theatre and a sunroom with a fireplace.  Call me at 302 258-6983 to see this gem.  www.fredsporch.com

Types of Home Loans

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If you’re in the market for a home, chances are high that you are not paying cash for it which means you will need to get a mortgage.  There are two basic types of mortgages, conventional and government sponsored.

Conventional mortgages are come in two basic varieties, fixed rate mortgages (FRM) and Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARM).  As the name suggests, fixed-rate mortgages have a set interest rate that stays the same throughout the length of the loan.  Usually fixed-rate loans are paid off over either 15 or 30 years.  These tend to be the most popular home loans.

In an adjustable rate mortgage the interest rate rises and falls throughout the length of the loan.  Typically, adjustable rate mortgages have a lower interest rate than fixed-rate mortgages, especially for the first year or so, but they can be risky, depending on the market and how long you plan to stay in your home.

With conventional mortgages, you are typically required to make a down payment of twenty percent.  Buyers who aren’t able to put that much down are required by their lenders to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI) until you’ve paid down a full twenty percent of the home’s value.  PMI increases the monthly payment, and should usually be avoided if at all possible.

The other type of mortgage is though loan programs sponsored by the government.  These include Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans, Veteran’s Administration (VA) programs for veterans, and Rural Housing Service (RHS) programs for families living in rural areas.  Government sponsored loans are intended for homebuyers with low income.  Most of these programs require low down payments and have more lenient qualification terms than conventional loans.  To finance a home through any government sponsored loan program, you still have to go through traditional banks or mortgage lenders to get your money.  In these cases, the government does not actually lend the money, they just guarantee the loans.

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

 

Electrical System Updates

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If you fall in love with an older home, chances are you will need to update the electrical system at some point.  Here are three things to keep in mind.  First, electrical needs have changed significantly since your home was built.  One hundred years ago and even fifty years ago, home just didn’t have the large number of electricity sucking appliances that we have now.  In order to run your home’s electrical system safely and efficiently the average home needs a 200-amp panel at minimum.  Next, you need dedicated circuits for your heavy electronics.  Remember that devices that such a lot of electricity such as stoves, air conditioners, microwaves, and clothes dryers will need their own dedicated circuits.  It is okay for most lights and outlets to share a circuit.  Also, don’t forget to protect yourself.  Be sure that any outlets and switches near water sources (including sinks, toilets, hose nozzles, etc.) need to be protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter.  A GFCI shuts off the circuit as soon as water is present.  This safety precaution can prevent shock and even death.  All of the outlets outdoors as well basements, garages, and bathrooms are also required to have this protection.

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.

November 20, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Calvin Coolidge:  “No enterprise can exist for itself alone.  It ministers to some great need, it performs some great service, not for itself, but for others; or failing therein, it ceases to be profitable and ceases to exist.”  (Fred)  “Every enterprise must have its customers because nothing happens until something is sold.”

November 20, 2013

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS #608321-From $167,900 to $157,900.  Here is a Milton, DE Cape Cod that needs some updating but has 5 BR, 2 BA in 2240 sq. ft.  Call me to see this home @ 302 258.6983.  www.fredsporch.com

Winterize Your Home Now

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We are well into fall now, and winter is quickly approaching.  Now is the perfect time to winterize your home if you haven’t already.  Here are some winterization steps that every homeowner should take:

1.  Change your furnace filters.  This maximizes your home’s efficiency in one easy and inexpensive step.

2.  Check the roof.  Examine your roof for leaks and replace shingles as needed.  Heavy snow and ice can cause minor leaks to become major leaks in a hurry which is not only dangerous, but also much more expensive.

3.  Check weatherstripping.  Check the areas around your doors and windows to be sure that you are keeping your heat in and drafts out.  Replacing and adjusting weatherstripping as necessary creates a seal and keeps warm air in and cold air out, which effectively saves you money.

4.  Care for your yard.  Rake and bag leaves, put away all loose outdoor tools and furniture, and consider fertilizing your lawn with a winter fertilizer.  This will keep your yard safe when winter winds blow and set you up for having a gorgeous lawn in the spring.

5.  Close foundation vents.  Foundation vents should be open during the spring and summer to let moisture escape from your crawl space and closed during the fall and winter to protect against freezing.  Now’s the time to close them up!

Looking to buy or sell a home in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

November 19, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Buddha:  “Three things cannot be hidden:  the sun, the moon, and the truth.”  (Fred)  “The trouble here is that the sun and the moon are in known cycles, the truth is interpretable to a degree.”

 

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS #578743-From $149,900 to $139,900.  A nice modular Rancher in Seaford DE that boasts 3BR, 1.5 BA and a rear deck.  Call me 302 258-6983 to see this home.   www.fredsporch.com

Mistakes That Many Home Buyers Make

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Buying a home can be stressful and time consuming.  The right agent can make your home search less painful, but it can still be quite a process.  There are a few common mistakes that many home buyers make that can make the process more painful than it has to be.  The first, extremely common mistake that buyers make is failing to see the potential in the homes they view.  While it is important for buyers to see both the positive and negative aspects of each home they visit, passing on a home that is otherwise perfect just because the walls are an ugly color or the carpets are dated is a common mistake that can be avoided.

Another common mistake is getting so caught up in the moment or in the charm of a particular home or location that buyers forget that they need three bedrooms instead of two or need more need an eat-in kitchen versus a dining room.  Compromise is a natural part of the home search, but compromising on a “deal breaker” because a buyer is caught up in the moment is a huge mistake.  To that end, I located this awesome home buyer’s chart put out by HUD that can help buyers rate each home they see and keep the important things organized in several different categories.  Of course, having a great agent makes these mistakes and others much less common.

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

November 18, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Calvin Coolidge:  “I have never been hurt by what I have not said.”  (Fred)  “I have never been hurt by what I have not posted on Facebook.”

November 18, 2013

Today’s pick of the day is MLS #607194-From $129,900 to $119,900.  A lovely Craftsman home in Seaford, DE has just been reduced.  The home has 3 BR, 1BA and a rear deck.  Call me to see this home at 302 258-6983.  www.fredsporch.com

Best Language for Marketing Your Home

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When you are working with your agent to write the listing for your home you should put more than a few moments of thought into it.  Your online listing is your advertisement to potential buyers.  If you want buyers to come and look then you will need to pique their interest.  The first and most important thing you should do is include a handful of pictures.  The second thing you need to do is write the description.  To help you, begin by avoiding general “filler” words.  Examples of such words are things like fantastic, gorgeous, spacious, charming, great, etc.  In addition to avoiding those types of filler terms, you should also avoid overly-common “code language” such as “cozy” and “up and coming.”  Buyers in today’s market know that those terms just mean “small” and “not a great neighborhood,” so it’s better to just avoid them entirely.  So, what should you say?  Think of your description as the best way to shine a light on the very best that your home has to offer.  If your home is in a desirable neighborhood, name it specifically.  If your home has top-notch finishes (marble, granite, etc.) name them specifically.  If your home has any largely desirable built-ins or custom work such as cabinets, bookshelves, etc. you should list them.  You should also take the time to list any little luxuries that your home includes that appeal to a wide range of buyers.  These types of luxuries include gourmet kitchens, spa-like showers, breakfast nooks, walk-in closets, etc.  If your home is in a walkable neighborhood, list nearby “walkable” places.  Really take the time to paint a picture of your home’s ideal location.  Additionally you will want to list anything that separates your home from the rest of the competition.  Use your listing to make potential buyers come to your home instead of the home next door, across the street, or around the block!  Lastly, no matter what you say in your description, make sure to prove it with pictures!  Whatever you do, be sure that your written description and your photos match.  Do not give potential buyers any reason to doubt your honesty or question your description.  Make them come check it out in person!

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.