Sussex County Real Estate Matters – Affecting Seaford, Georgetown, Lauel, Milton, Delmar, Bridgevil
Today’s food for thought is from Plato: “If a man neglects education, he walks lame to the end of his life.” (Fred) “Just remember that education takes many forms.”
Today’s Bargain from www.fredsporch.com is MLS #608355-From $530,000 to $499,999. Here is a Dewey Beach DE ½ Duplex that has amazing Bay Views. The home has 3 BR, 2.5 BA and is 125’ from Rehoboth Bay and 1500’ to the Ocean. There are no ground rent or Condo fees. Call me to see the Duplex at 302 258-6983.
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!
When you are buying a home, the industry standard is a 30-year mortgage. However, if you can swing it there are definite advantages to a 15 year mortgage instead. The biggest benefit of a fifteen-year mortgage is, of course, that you pay your home off in half the time and wind up saving a lot of money in interest. In addition you will also accumulate equity in your home faster as you pay off the principal, which could free you up to take out a home equity loan if needed. Of course, you shouldn’t bury yourself to be able to afford a fifteen-year mortgage. Remember that you don’t want to spread yourself too thin… your home should not be your only source of savings. You also want to make sure you can save for retirement and emergencies each month.
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.
The idea of flipping a home is less popular now than it was a decade ago, but it’s still out there. If flipping a home is something you’ve ever thought of, here are three tips for you:
1. Remember the 70% rule. In order to profit from your purchase, take the price that the home will sell for after renovations and factor 70% of it. Subtract your renovations from the 70% and that leaves you with the maximum price you should pay for the home.
2. Remember the rules. If you’re considering a short sale or REO because of a great deal, be sure to research the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines that restrict resale of such properties within a set amount of time from the original sale.
3. Remember the inspection. Even though you intend to flip the home you buy, you should not forgo the home inspection. You will want to know if there are hidden problems that are more of commitment than you are financially prepared for.
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.
Today’s food for thought is from Plato: “Honesty is for the most part less profitable than dishonesty.” (Fred) “Daugh”
Today’s Bargain from www.fredsporch.com is MLS #610018-From $164,900 to $154,000. A Millsboro DE, Townhome with Rehoboth Bay and Indian River Bridge views and has 3 BR, 2 BA in 1920 sq. ft. This is a Fannie Mae property. Call me to see this Townhome at 302 258-6983.
Today’s food for thought is from Plato: “He was a wise man who invented beer.” (Fred) “A still wiser man knows how to handle beer.”
Today’s Bargain from www.fredsporch.com is MLS #606561-From $999,995 to $964,000. A Bethany Beach, DE Estate with 4 BR and 4 BA. The estate has a private owners retreat and an indoor pool. The estate is a short walk to the Ocean. Call me to see the Estate at 302 258-6983.
They key to successful staging is a clean & clutter free space that prospective buyers can imagine themselves living in. If it is done well, nobody will be able to tell you’ve done anything at all!
Bathroom: Remove personal items such as toothbrushes, make-up, hair products, etc. from counter space. Be sure the entire room is clean, and invest in a new shower curtain and some hand towels. (Do NOT stack towels, tie them with a ribbon, fold the toilet paper into a pocket and put flowers in it, or in any other way make your home bathroom look like a maid from a luxury hotel cleaned it.)
Kitchen/Dining Room: Be sure the table and chairs and clean and clutter free place a simple centerpiece on the table – a vase of fresh flowers is always a nice touch! Be sure that kitchen counters are clear and clutter free (put any large appliances away in cabinets or closets) – a simple bowl or basket of fruit gives a clean, open look – go for multiple colors! (Do NOT set the table with a full place setting!)
Bedroom: Invest in nice bedding and be sure there are night tables on each side of the bed. For the master bedroom include a dresser and chest of drawers. If the room seems crowded, use a double bed and put your larger bed in storage for the time being. (Do NOT drape a throw, stack multiple books on the end table, or place any kind of tray on the bed or otherwise stage in a way that in no way reflects the way you live!)
Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.
Today’s food for thought is from Plato: “For a man to conquer himself is the first and noblest of all victories.” (Fred) “Know thyself and you will go far.”
Today’s Bargain from www.fredsporch.com is MLS #607576-From $119,900 to $109,900. A home in Laurel DE with 3 BR, 1 BA in 1736 sq. ft. that has a roughed 2nd bathroom, a fenced back yard with a large storage shed. Call me to see this home at 302 258-6983.
Freshen your kitchen with one of these relatively quick and easy updates:
1. Open it up. Add some open shelving, which can be as simple as removing the doors from a few cabinets and show off your colorful, collective, or otherwise interesting or beautiful dishes.
2. Go glamorous. Add a beautiful or interesting chandelier over an island or kitchen table too add some architectural interest to the room.
3. Add some red. The color red is known to enhance the sense of smell, sensitize the taste buds, and stimulate appetite. If your kitchen is neutral, add a splash of this appealing color to the room’s palate.
4. Organize. Fit your silverware drawer with dividers, add a pot rack, and fit disorganized cabinets with wire shelving to clear the clutter and keep things neat.
5. Add an artful touch. Tile a backsplash for a simple, relatively inexpensive custom touch. To keep costs down choose a simple tile and throw in just a few accents.
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.
Consider these professional storage tips to declutter your home:
1. Sliding drawers. Add shelves on rollers to any deep, difficult to access storage space, such as a linen closet.
2. Divide and declutter. Set up busy drawers like nightstand drawers and junk drawers with compartments to keep things organized.
3. Mobile office. To help tame clutter keep your office mobile. A cart with wheels allows you to move about and work wherever you want, but it also limits the amount of clutter you can stow, keeping you organized and clutter-free.
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.
Today’s food for thought is from Plato: “Democracy passes into despotism.” (Fred) “We are in a stage where the Progressives are becoming Elitists (They know better than you do) and heading toward despotism—full speed ahead.”
Today’s Bargain from www.fredsporch.com is MLS #609456-From $825,000 to $790,000. A Rehoboth Beach DE Home is being sold full furnished. This 4 BR, 2 BA home has a separate Master Suite, a large Family Room, and a patio with an In ground Pool. Go to the Beach in the AM and come back to the Pool in the PM. Call me at 302 258-6983 to see this Great Vacation Home.
Whether you believe it or not, the front door of your home is a powerful tool to help you sell. Your front door provides the first impression for everyone who comes to your home and helps them form an opinion of your home before they ever even come inside. To help give your home the grand entrance that architecturally appealing homes have, first you need to be sure that your entrance is apparent from the street. This doesn’t mean it has to be magnificent, just that any old person passing by needs to be able to identify it. Some ways to do this are add a pediment, trim it out, or place it under a roofed porch. An unsheltered front door should never be flush with the house – that will give it the look of a side door. At the very least the front door should be recessed or projected from the house a noticeable bit. For the most welcoming atmosphere, provide a separate path for walking to your front door and keep electric meters and other utilities, garbage cans, or other unfortunate outdoor storage areas out of the path and vision of your entrance area. Remember, a great front entrance means a better first impression, which can mean an easier sale!
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.
Whether you’re a die-hard do-it-yourselfer or you just tackle a project occasionally, here are five tools you definitely need in your arsenal:
1. Multi-bit Screwdriver. A screwdriver with interchangeable bits will tackle pretty much any job you will encounter and is a definite necessity in every homeowner’s tool kit.
2. Cordless Drill. Second only to the interchangeable screw driver in usefulness, the cordless drill is a versatile and necessary part of any tool kit.
3. Tape Measure. A tape measure is the first tool you use in many projects, but you don’t just need any tape measure. A quality tape measure is worth its price in the time it saves with improved accuracy.
4. Quality Level. A weighted level/straight edge is a definite must for all kind of projects from hanging photos to heavy repairs, and a magnetic level can be even more useful.
5. All Purpose Saw. There are many options for a small, power saw, so you just need to find a versatile one that you are comfortable with and learn to use it.
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.
Today’s food for thought is from Plato: “Better a little which is well done, than a great deal imperfectly.” (Fred) “There is that word little again; I hope it is just behind a lot.”
Today’s Bargain from www.fredsporch.com is MLS #581988-From $265,000 to $249,000. A Seaford DE Rancher in Rivers End that has 3BR, 2 BA in 2161 sq. ft. on a large lot that features Double Sided FP, a fantastic Master Suite and a large rear Deck. Call me to see this gem at 302 258-6983.
One of the easiest ways to add interest to your décor is to utilize your walls. Whether they are solid or windowed, white or colorful, painted or wallpapered, walls are basically the blank canvas of your home. If you’re looking to update your home’s look, one thing you can consider is installing crown molding, or if your home already has crown molding, install picture molding just below ceiling height to extend the look. In your dining room, installing a chair rail is a nice touch. If you’re looking to add some color you can stencil a favorite quote or look into the awesome wall decals that are available from many reputable dealers – many have a professional look and finish, but you can apply them yourself! Another colorful option is to paint a thick stripe of color around the room, about two-thirds of the way up the wall. Outlined with thin strips of white paint of chair rails above and below the stripe, this gives a real pop of color that can be a great accent to an otherwise drab room. If you like the idea of a pop of color or texture, but aren’t willing to make the commitment to your walls, consider lining the backs of bookshelves, the entertainment center, or other open storage with wall paper that suits your taste and accents your room. Another great way to add interest without a long-term commitment is to mat and frame artwork or black and white photo prints and group them in arrangements at eye level. If you want your home to reflect your tastes, start with the walls – they are the easiest and fastest place to add personality, and can be (relatively) easily changed when you’re ready for something new!
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.
Today’s food for thought is from Plato: “Astronomy compels us to look upwards and leads us from this world to another.” (Fred) “The heavens really make you feel insignificant.”
Today’s bargain from www.fredsporch.com is MLS #609614-From $249,000 to $229,000. A Milton DE # BR, 2BR Contemporary Ranch Home in Overbrook Shores boasts an open layout with kitchen, den/dining area. The home has 2 living areas with a 3 Season Room and a 1 car garage. Call me to see this home @ 302 258-6983.
If your home has been sitting on the market for longer than you’d like, or if you’d like to put your home on the market and have it sell quickly, consider that you might need to get creative! One way to help your home sell quickly is to help it make an incredible first impression. Some of the best ways to do this are to update things like carpeting, appliances, and wall coverings (strip wall paper, cover unique paint colors in a soothing neutral) just to name a few of the things that make a huge impression on buyers.
A good impression starts before the buyers even get in your front door. If you want your home to sell quickly, you should start with curb appeal. Try power washing the exterior and driveway, mulching flower beds, adding a fresh coat of paint to your door and freshening up your house number so that it’s easily visible.
You might also consider staging your home or having it professionally staged. This includes de-cluttering, rearranging furniture, and more. The point of staging is to attract as many potential buyers as possible by appealing to wide variety of people. A professional stager can help your home sell more quickly by creating an inviting atmosphere that potential buyers can picture themselves in, as opposed to the personal space that they may be seeing by viewing your home as you live in it.
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.
Today’s food for thought is from Plato: “As the builders say, the larger stones do not lie well without the lesser.” (Fred) “Society needs all of its parts to be strong.”
Today’s Bargain from www.fredsporch.com is MLS #609104-From $199,500 to $159,900. A Selbyville DE Short Sale that has 2 BR, 1 BA, in 1480 sq. ft. on 1.03 acre is a perfect retirement home. The home has a FP, work shop, an above ground pool with privacy fence. Call me to see this home at 302 258-6983.
If you are thinking of remodeling your kitchen or any other part of your home here are three questions you should ask yourself before you start anything:
1. What is the purpose of this remodel? Do you want a fresh look, completely new function, or a serious overhaul?
2. What is most important? Create a list of your priorities in the order of their importance to you before you begin and you will have a much easier time making budget choices in the long run.
3. What investment can I afford? Regardless of your personal budget, consider the value of the other homes nearby and the current value of your own home. Over spending may give you the results you want immediately, but it might not be the best long term investment, so be sure to consider your options.
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.
Yesterday I talked about kitchen makeovers, but the thing about totally redoing a kitchen is that it can be very pricy. If you’re wanting to give your kitchen a face lift in a more budget-friendly way, consider some of the following suggestions.
Stick to the Ws. Window and walls that is. There are basically endless options for wall coverings that can be easily cleaned. A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for a room! Changing up the window treatments can also give the room a whole different feel.
Keep what you have. Installing new cabinets can be expensive, but your whole kitchen can feel like new if you refinish your existing cabinets. Just make sure you do your research and use high-quality prep products.
Repurpose other pieces. Consider using an armoire as a pantry or a unique table as an island. Repurposing individual pieces of furniture can save you money and add interest to an otherwise neutral room.
Appliances only. If you have some money to work with, but not enough for a full makeover, consider replacing only your appliances. Especially if they are showing signs of wear and tear. And remember that appliances can be expensive if you get all the fancy gadgets, but basic appliances that will fit your requirements can be just as nice if you are on a 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 – 302-629-6693.