December 17, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Harriet Tubman:  “Every great dream begins with a dreamer.”  (Fred)  “Dreamers with persistence usually become successful.”

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS # 607123-From $129,900 to $124,900.  An in-town Georgetown, DE Rancher that is a Short Sale is waiting for a new owner.  This home will provide plenty of work for that DYI guy or gal.  Call me to see this home @ 302 258-6983.  www.fredsporch.comDecember 17, 2013

December 16, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Harriet Tubman:  “I freed a thousand slaves I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.”  (Fred)  “They are many types of slavery, only the obvious are illegal.”

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS # 607863-From $135,000 to $121,500.  A Bethel DE Farm House is going to Auction 12/22/2013.  The home has 3 BR, 2 BA, on .79 acre, a new kitchen, updated BR’s, living room and dining room and one bath that needs rehab.  A 5% buyer’s Premium will apply.  Call me to see this diamond in the rough at 302 258-6983.  www.fredsporch.comDecember 16, 2013

Christmas Preparation: Decorations

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With Christmas just days away, you may be doing a lot of holiday entertaining.  Here are a few inexpensive and relatively easy decoration ideas you can do in an afternoon:

Create an Ornament Wreath.  All you need for this one is a styrofoam wreath and about 100 glass ball Christmas ornaments (you can get lots at the dollar store to keep costs low!).  Find the instructions for this simple & gorgeous creation here.

Candy Cane Vase.  Slide a thick and close-fitting rubber band over a cylindrical vase and slide candy canes between the vase and rubber band one by until the vase can no longer be seen.  Once the vase is fully covered, tie or hot glue a ribbon around it to hide the rubber band.  Fill the vase with a favorite flower, evergreen branches, or whatever your heart desires.  (See above photo.)

Decorate Your Kitchen.  Choose a thick, holiday inspired ribbon and “wrap” your kitchen cabinets by running the ribbon over the top and bottom and taping the ribbon to the insides of the cabinets.  This is a simple & elegant decorating idea that can fit any taste or budget!

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.

Christmas Preparation Tips

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With Christmas just days away, here’s a few helpful preparation tips:

Prepare the gifts.  If you have young children, prepare any before wrapping them.  Open the box and remove the “childproof” wires and such that most toys contain.  Add batteries if necessary, and clear out any unnecessary packaging then rebox the toy and wrap it.  This will prevent the toy from getting broken or fingers from getting pinched in the rush to play with new toys!

Keep the receipt.  As you do your shopping, keep an envelope for all receipts and keep it in your purse or wallet until all gifts have been given.  This way you have the receipt handy if something needs to be returned or exchanged and you are not frantically trying to remember where you put an important slip of paper.

Go around.  To avoid losing gifts, money, and small pieces of new toys clean up the wrapping paper after each round of gift opening.  Give each member of the family a gift to open.  Take turns opening and then immediately clean up the trash from that round before handing out new gifts.

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.

Remodel To Increase Livability

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If you google home remodeling, it’s easy to come across lists of which improvements give you the most bang for your buck and which improvements will be difficult to recoup in selling costs should you ever decide to move.  However, if you know you’re going to be in your home for the long haul, should renovating be about what works best for your family and not what is going to get you the most money if and when you ever decide to sell?

If your object in remodeling is to enjoy living in your home even more than you do now, then consider a few of these improvements instead of some of the more traditionally encouraged renos:

1.  Rethink bathrooms
There are a few ways you can get creative if you’re looking to change up your bathrooms.  First, consider sharing the master bath.  Meaning, position the floor plan so that the tub and sink are accessible to the rest of the house.  This can prevent you from needing a separate half bath.  Think about it!  How often do you use the toilet/sink portion of your master bath during the day?  You could always have a second sink in the “master” portion of the master bath as well.  That’ll still save you money!

Another idea is to do a similar thing with a second bathroom.  Tuck the toilet and shower away, and have a nice double sink in a separate attached area.  This will allow three people to get ready at once without needing three separate bathrooms!

2.  Consider a walk-in pantry or two
Cabinets can be very expensive and depending on how tall you are and how they are positioned, can also be a pain to utilize efficiently.  Consider using kitchen wall space for windows and building a couple of walk-in pantries instead.  They save space, store a lot more stuff in a more convenient configuration, and they cost less to build than cabinets do to install.

3.  Shower vs. Bath
The idea of a big bathtub is nice, but unless you use it often, it’s probably not worth the space it’s in.  Consider installing a large shower instead.  You will use it more often, guaranteed!  Plus, it takes up less space and saves you money since it uses less hot water.

4.  Skip the vaulted ceilings
Unless you are absolutely convinced that the drama of a vaulted ceiling will make your life better, consider skipping it.  It might add square footage, but it isn’t square footage you can actually use.  Rooms with high ceilings are harder to clean and decorate and cost way more money to heat and cool as compared to rooms with average ceilings.  If you really want high ceilings, go for the 10 foot ceiling and cap it there.  There are plenty of tricks for adding the illusion to height of a room if you feel too claustrophobic.

5.  Go for the view
If you have a great view somewhere, capitalize on it!  Instead of placing a couple of windows in each room, choose a room that faces the view and put (almost) all of your windows there!  Trust me, you won’t regret it.  One of the most beautiful homes I’ve ever been in was in Alaska.  It was not that fancy or that large, but two walls of windows in the living room looked out over one of the most amazing views I’ve ever seen!  I just wanted to sit in that living room all day long and stare!  I still drool when I think about that otherwise plain house.

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

 

December 13, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Hector Hugh Munro:  It’s no use growing older if you only learn new ways of misbehaving yourself.”  (Fred)  “Is this only the bad die young?”

December 13, 2013Fred’s pick of the day is MLS # 606867-From $699,900 to $649,900.  A charming 1900’s Colonial in downtown Lewes, DE which has 3 BR, 3 BA on .12 acres is available.  The home has HW floors, exposed beams, open kitchen with island, a gas fireplace, a master suite with a sitting room, and a patio with pool and waterfall.  Call me at 302 258-6983 to see this gem.   www.fredsporch.com

Simplify With A Routine

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Creating a weekly routine that works for you is the best way to keep your house clean.  Here’s a list of chores that should be done once a week to keep your house in the best possible shape.  Assign one room to each day of the week, and viola! you’ve got a weekly cleaning schedule that will help you keep your whole house spic and span in less than an hour each day!

Each Day
-wash and put away dishes
-wipe down kitchen and bathroom counters
-wipe out kitchen and bathroom sinks

Kitchen
-mop the floor
-wipe down cabinet doors and the exterior of the appliances

Bathroom
-polish fixtures
-scour the tub
-disinfect the toilet and wipe down the base
-mop the floor

Living Spaces
-dust shelves, furniture, and trinkets – don’t forget the things hanging on the wall!
-vacuum carpets and mop hard-surface floors

Bedrooms
-same as living spaces, plus
-wash bed linens

And don’t forget to sweep and de-clutter your front entry area/foyer each week too!  If you don’t like the idea of spending one day per room you can always change it up and do the kitchen one day, bathroom one day, and then spend one day dusting all rooms, one day vacuuming, and one day mopping all hard-surface floors!  Adjust as needed and do what works best for you!

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.

Features That Catch A Buyer’s Attention

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There are a few features that will almost always catch a buyer’s attention.  Of course, your home may not have all of these, but a few of them are easy to “fake” and others are affordable to update!  So go on, catch the attention of your potential buyers!

A Nice Entryway – fake it with a fresh coat of paint on the front door and clever furniture placement.  A table or chest of drawers added near the front door can create the illusion of an entryway in a home that doesn’t necessarily have one.

Hardwood Floors – there really isn’t an easy way to fake this, but an affordable wood laminate can still make a big difference in selling your home if your carpet has been a turn-off to buyers.

Nice Countertops – It doesn’t have to be granite, but if your kitchen currently has tile or laminate counter tops, consider replacing them if you’d like to appeal to more buyers.  Any kind of slab countertop is appealing to buyers, but of course granite is the favorite!  Other options are butcher block, marble, Corian, concrete, and many other stone slabs.

Organized Closets/Cabinets – Spaces that are pre-organized suggest to the buyer that they too will be nicely organized if they moved into this home.  If you have closet organizers, be sure they aren’t dated.

Landscaping – Simple, clean landscaping with nice open lawn space is universally appealing.  Remember, massive landscaping projects might look beautiful, but when buyers see that they see maintenance.  If your yard space is a lot of dirt, growing some grass will help a lot!

Of course, other features like lovely bathrooms, and gorgeous kitchen appliances always catch a buyer’s attention too, but it is difficult to “fake” or cheaply upgrade those.  Of course, if you can figure out a way to do it, it will help your house sell all the more!

Looking to buy or sell a house in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and let us help you make your dream a reality – 302-644-2266.

December 11, 2013

December 11, 2013Today’s food for thought is from Harry Banks:  If at first you do succeed – try to hide your astonishment.”  (Fred)  “I love being astonished.”

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS #605935-From $382,000 to $381,000.  A Lewes DE rancher with 3 BR, 2 BA in 2100 sq. ft. on 3.34 acres is available.  The home has just been updated with new paint, plumbing fixtures, appliances, countertops and hardwood flooring.  Call me to see this home @ 302 258-6983.  www.fredsporch.com

December 10, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Gustave Flaubert:  “Nothing is more humiliating than to see idiots succeed in enterprises we have failed in.”  (Fred)  “Our failures should be our lessons learned and idiots have the lord to protect them-don’t be jealous.”

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS # 605410-From $339,000 to $319,000.  A Contemporary 4 BR, 2.5 BA home in Ocean View, DE has been reduced.  The home is in excellent shape and is only 2 miles to the Ocean.  Call me at 302 258-6983 to see this home.  www.fredsporch.comDecember 10, 2013

What To Do If Your House Won’t Sell

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Has your house been on the market for awhile and it’s still not selling?  Assuming it is in saleable condition, if your home is still on the market, it is most likely priced too high for the area.  Luckily for you, of the three basic elements that sell a home (location, condition & price), price is the one you, as a seller, can control!

So, how do you know if you need to lower the price of your home?  Ask your real estate agent what the average time is for houses to be on the market in your area.  If your house has been on the market for longer than that, then you should consider lowering your price.  Another indicator that you may need to lower the price is if your house has been on the market for several months with low to no interest.  In many areas, home prices are continuing to fall, so even if your home was pried well when you first listed it, if it’s been sitting on the market for awhile, you may need to adjust it.

Once you decide that you need to lower the price of your home, you need to decide how low to go.  That decision should be based on local market research.  Again, to make the best decision you need to have a real estate agent that you trust and seek out their advice.  Ask your agent for a new comparative market analysis (comps), and be sure that the comps are recent.  If you put your home on the market without having it appraised, having it done now could help you even more.

Trying to sell your home?  Looking for an agent you can trust?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty and let us help you sell your home – 302-856-6434.

December 9, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Gustave Flaubert:  “I love good sense above all, perhaps because I have none.”  (Fred)  “Good sense keeps us grounded, but don’t let it stop dreaming.”

 

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS # 607854-From $127,900 to $124,900.  A newer home in Delmar, DE with 3 BR, 2 BA that has SS appliances, new flooring, countertops and a first floor Master Suite is now available.  Call me  at 302 258-6983 to see this home.  www.fredsporch.comDecember 9, 2013

All About Home Inspection

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After you’ve found your dream home comes the scary part… inspection!  Home inspections are meant to educate the buyer about the home they are interested in and ultimately give them piece of mind about the decision they make.  Inspections are scary because they are not intended to uncover every nitty gritty detail about the house, so even a home that passes inspection with flying colors still might have an issue that was undetected.  Home inspectors are not always able to pinpoint specific problems, but they are trained to examine the details of a home and determine if there might be any serious underlying issues.  At the very least, a home inspector should be able to suggest that you get the expert opinion of a plumber, electrician, or other specialized contractor if they feel there might be a problem.  When the home you love is being inspected, you should keep in mind that there are many problems that are fairly easy and cost efficient to take care of – these types of issues can even be bargaining chips in your negotiations with the seller.  There are several key problems, however, that can be a matter of safety.  If your inspector reports any of the following issues, you definitely want to keep in mind that these can be very costly and time consuming to fix.  Here are the issues that might cause you to reconsider the house, or at least reconsider how much you are willing to pay for it, considering you will most likely have costly repairs to make:

  • Foundation problems
  • Roof problems
  • Structural problems
  • Moisture issues (pooled water, wet basement, moisture in crawl spaces, improper drainage, etc.)
  • Mold issues (usually caused by moisture issues)
  • Fire, carbon monoxide, and/or safety hazards
  • Electrical hazards

In addition to finding out whether or not the home is plagued with any big problems like these, you should also be sure to find out how old the roof is, how old the furnace and water heater are and the condition they are in, whether or not the routine maintenance of the house appears to have been kept up, and whether or not the home’s exterior has proper drainage, which is especially important if the home has a basement.

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

Reasons To Choose A Local Agent

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When you are looking to sell your home, the most important relationship to cultivate is the one with your agent.  A local agent who is smart, prepared, and aggressive can be the difference between making settlement and continuing to make mortgage payments.  Although you should keep in mind that agents are not magicians, (even the best agent is not going to be able to sell a home that is not market friendly when it comes to price and preparation), working with one is definitely in your best interest as a seller. Here are 3 reasons that you should consider listing your home with a Cooper Realty agent:

1.       We know what people are looking for.
Cooper Realty agents work with a lot of people looking to buy in the area and have seen a lot of local homes.  We’ve seen it all, and we know what sells and what doesn’t!  I’m sure you’ve heard that when you’re trying to sell your home it is important to find “comparables.”  At Cooper Realty we have seen those comparables first-hand and will translate that experience into advice on how to best price, stage, and market your home.

2.       We know how to market in this area.
Agents at Cooper Realty know the protocol of selling a home in this area and can use it to your advantage as a seller.  For example, we know what day/time is best to hold an open house in the area that you are trying to sell.

3.       We know people.
Agents at Cooper Realty will get the word out about your home in a way that nobody else can.  We have been through this process before and have relationships with other agents, inspectors, appraisers, and lenders that might come in handy.  Local agents (such as those at Cooper Realty) are also likely to be members of the Chamber of Commerce, a school board, town council, or other local agency.  We also have friends, neighbors, colleagues, and acquaintances in the area.  All of these networks can potentially translate into more traffic for your home.

Now that you know why you should list your home with a local agent, give Cooper Realty Associates a call and let us help you get your home on the market!  We are Southern Delaware’s best local agents – we know what people are looking for, how to market it, and we have the contacts that can get your home sold!   Call us today – 302-644-2266!

Advice for Downsizing

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There are many reasons to downsize.  Maybe your kids are all grown and out of the house, maybe you are retiring, maybe you hate keeping up with the yard and housework, maybe you’re tired of spending so much money to heat and light rooms that you rarely use.  Whatever the reason, downsizing is typically a part of everyone’s life at some point.  When you’re ready to downsize the first thing you should do is evaluate your finances and your credit to see what you can afford.  After that you should make a “wish list” for your new home.  Ask yourself all the same questions you asked yourself when you bought your previous home and prioritize the things you want and need in your new home.  Finally, begin to tour homes.  Homes with less than 1200 square feet and condos are the best bets for those looking to downsize.  Of course, with downsizing the real estate adage of “location, location, location” still holds true.  And when it comes to school district, remember that even if it doesn’t matter to you, it may matter when it comes time for you to sell.  Finally, when it comes time to move remember that you are going to have to get rid of both furniture and stuff.  Downsizing can be difficult, especially if you have a lot of “things” that you are attached too.  A good rule of thumb is to sell, donate, or pass on anything that you haven’t used in the past year.  If your kids are still storing things at your home give them a time frame to remove their goods before they get donated.  And don’t forget about scale of your items too.  If your furniture is oversized, you will want to sell it and buy new, smaller pieces for downsizing.  In a large home, oversize furniture is cozy, but in a small home it is cramped at best and at worse doesn’t even fit.  Downsizing can be stressful, but when it is all said and done it is so much nicer to have less to take care of, and the lower utility bills that generally come with downsizing are a nice perk too!

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.

December 6, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Gustave Flaubert:  Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original in your work.”  (Fred)  “Trade violence for aggressive and I agree.”

 

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS # 605156-From $287,500 to $258,000.  Here is a Townhome in Bethany Beach, DE that has 3 BR, and 2.5 BA.  The perfect vacation spot, you can walk to the beach and it has a good rental history.  fred@fredsporch.comDecember 6, 2013

Recipes for Homemade Cleaning Products

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Wanting to go green with your cleaning products?  Try these well rated solutions:

1.  All Purpose Cleaner.  With gloves on, mix 1 tsp. washing soda, 2 tsp. borax, 2 Tbsp. white vinegar, 2 ½ cups hot water, 5 drops lavender essential oil & 7 drops of lemon essential oil in a 32-oz spray bottle.  Shake well, add ¼ cup liquid castile soap & shake again.  Once mixed, use as you would any multi-purpose pray.

2.  Glass Cleaner.  With gloves on, mix 3 cups water, 2 Tbsp. rubbing alcohol, and ¼ cup white vinegar into a 32-oz spray bottle and shake well.  Add ½ Tbsp. liquid castile soap and shake again.  Spray onto windows and wipe clean with newspaper.

3.  Furniture Polish.  With gloves on, mix 2 Tbsp. olive oil, ¼ cup white vinegar, and ¼ tsp lemon oil or fresh lemon juice in an 8-oz squirt bottle and shake well.  Make sure it is very well mixed.  Squirt polish onto a microfiber cloth and polish wood furniture with the grain.  Remove excess polish with a clean microfiber cloth.

4.  Toilet Bowl Cleaner.  Pour ½ cup baking soda into the toilet bowl.  Follow with 10 drops of tea-tree essential oil.  Follow oil with ½ cup white vinegar.  Let sit and bubble for 10 minutes then scrub with a toilet brush and flush.

5.  Laundry Soap.  With gloves on, mix ½ cup washing soda, ½ cup borax, and 1 bar of lavender castile soap (grated), ¼ cup baking soda, and 15 drops of lemon essential oil in a tightly lidded 24-oz plastic container.  Cover, shake well, and use 3 Tbsp detergent per load.  This detergent is HE friendly, but don’t use too much.

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.

December 4, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Guillaume Apollinaire:  “Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.”  (Fred)  “The most difficult thing is to realize what happiness is to you and not to over pursue.”

 

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS # 608284-From $849,000 to $829,000.  A Millsboro DE Coastal Contemporary home with 5 BR, 5 BA, 2 ½ BA, in 4636 sq. ft. on .12 acre in the Peninsula is available.  The home has 3 levels with an elevator, all the BR’s are Master Suites and there are porches everywhere.  This is a Golf Community.  Call me to see this gem at 302 258-6983.  www.fredsporch.comDecember 4, 2013

Be Safe In Your Home This Holiday Season

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As merry and bright as the holiday season is, did you know that it is also one of the most dangerous times in your home?  Home safety is often compromised during the holiday season.  Falls, fires, and trips to the emergency room are more common during the holiday season than any other time of year.  To keep yourself, your home, and your family safe consider the following:

Lights – carefully inspect all strings of holiday lights for frayed cords, cracked bulbs and loose connections.  Be sure to unplug the string of lights when replacing burnt out bulbs and always check the wattage to be sure you aren’t overtaxing the strands.  In addition you should always, always turn off all holiday lights when leaving your home or going to bed.  If you can, it is best to place all outdoor lights on a timer to switch on after 7pm.

Trees – if you have a fresh tree be sure to keep it well watered and far away from any fireplaces or candles.  If you have an artificial tree be sure that it is labeled fire-resistant.  Either way, be sure that your base is steady so that the tree won’t tip over easily.

Entertaining – when cooking for a crowd be sure to keep an eye on the stove.  Unattended ovens/stoves are the number one cause of home fires in the U.S.

General Safety – keep all matches and lighters up high and out of reach of children.  Test all smoke alarms and replace batteries as necessary.  Do not discuss holiday travel plans publically or with strangers.  Store scissors and ribbons used to wrap gifts well out of children’s reach.  Inspect all toys, decorations, and gifts for small objects which can be choking hazards or sharp edges which can be dangerous.

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.

Dealing With Holiday Stress

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The holidays are a stressful time of year for many people.  There are many things you can do to help make the stress of the season more bearable.  First, realize that it is okay to feel sad, depressed, stressed or anything other than the happy person that people expect.  Next, be realistic – know that situations change and with them traditions and rituals change as well.  Change isn’t always easy, but creating new traditions when its time will help ease any stress you feel.  Perhaps the most effective way to relive holiday stress is to learn to say no when you need to.  Saying yes to every get together, work assignment, and friend while leaving no time for yourself and your family is the number one way to burn-out during this festive season.  By limiting yourself to only what is absolutely necessary and/or most important to you, you will limit the amount of stress you allow into your life which makes it easier to spend a few minutes on yourself.  Making time for yourself during the next couple of hectic weeks is important for your mental health.  Even if you just spend 15 minutes alone to take a quick walk, read a magazine, or listen to music, spending time alone and clearing your mind can reduce stress and help you stay calm as things heat up.  Finally, recognize that along with being stressful, the holidays can be a sad, lonely, and depressing time for many people so don’t hesitate to reach out to your friends, family, community, or support groups if you need to and by all means, seek professional help if you need it.  The holidays should be a time filled with joy and not stress!

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.