Tips For Buying A Summer Home

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When you’re on vacation and having a great time it’s natural to want to come back.  If you’re ready to pull the trigger on purchasing a summer home here are a few tips:

  1. Know what you can afford.  Use a mortgage calculator and/or talk with a lender and really figure out what your bottom line is.  You do not want to spend more on a vacation home than you can afford.
  2. Find a knowledgeable agent.  It’s always important to work with a knowledgeable agent, but if your only experience with an area is vacation time, this tip is especially important.  Ask around, interview agents, and find one that you trust to work with you through the entire process.
  3. Find out about all twelve months.  You might know what to expect from your new home’s area in the summer, but what about the rest of the year?  Do your research before you buy.  Know what to expect.
  4. Location, location, location.  If you’re looking to make your new home an investment and not simply a place that you visit a few weeks each year, be sure to prioritize location.  Make sure that both the home and the location make your home a desirable rental, should you decide to go that route.

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

Tips for Selling Your Home This Summer

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Spring and summer tend to be the busiest season for the real estate market.  And living near the beach, that is especially true in our area – when tourists come for a week and often decide to stay!  If you’re looking to sell your home and want to make the most of the busy market, consider these tips:

Maintain an immaculate lawn.  Keep your lawn mowed, bushes and trees trimmed, gardens weeded, and sidewalks edged and clear.

Plant some flowers.  Choose some seasonal blooms and plant them to brighten up your yard.  Another option is to plant some in containers near your home’s entrance and change them out with the seasons.

Check your lighting.  Make sure all of the light bulbs both inside and outside your home are working properly and replace any that are burnt out.

Give easy access.  Home showings are inconvenient for sure, especially if you’re living in your home, but if you’re super restrictive about when your home can be shown, chances are you won’t have showings.

De-clutter.  Go through each room of your house and box up anything that is super personal then put it in storage.  Also declutter – get rid of as much as you can so that your home appears spacious and more inviting to people thinking of living there.

This is a great time of year to sell your home.  I hope you will take advantage of some of these tips to help 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.

Recipes For A Bug Free Summer

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If you’re looking to keep your summer bug free naturally, here are a few options you might want to try:

Natural Bug Repellant.  Using essential oils, mix the following – 4 drops thyme, 4 drops lavender, 4 drops peppermint and 8 drops lemongrass.  Mix 5 drops of the blend with 1 tablespoon witch hazel and 5 tablespoons of water – mix well and apply to skin.

Natural Indoor Spray.  If you’ve got an indoor pest problem whether it be spiders, ants, rodents, or something else, try this recipe for a natural, indoor spray.  Mix 20 drops of peppermint essential oil, 1 tablespoon of vegetable glycerin and 2 ½ ounces of water.  Mix well and then spray around doorways, windows, cracks and anywhere else that pests might enter your home.

Natural Mosquito Repellant.  Several plants act as natural mosquito repellants.  Try planting them around your yard, in containers near your doors and around your outdoor living spaces to keep mosquitoes away.  Plants that work include: catnip, rosemary, basil, citronella, lemongrass, and marigolds.

Garlic Supplements.  Garlic is a natural bug repellant.  Taking a no odor garlic supplement along with your regular diet can help ward off pests, as can rubbing raw cloves on your skin.  Although one will smell admittedly worse than the other!

I hope that some of these tips help you have a bug free summer!

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 – 302-629-6693.

Jolly Trolley Tours Begin Again

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Jolly Trolley Tours begin again for the season tomorrow.  The tours leave from the Anna Hazard Museum (17 Christian Street) in Rehoboth at 9am sharp.  You must reserve a space by calling ahead of time.  Cost is $10 and only cash is accepted.  This season’s tours will be May 15th, June 5th, June 19th, August 21st, September 4th, September 18th, and October 24th.  These tours are enjoyable and a fascinating way to learn about the history of Rehoboth Beach.  Be sure to call and reserve your spot today.

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.

5 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Outdoor Space

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If you’re in a home with any sort of outdoor space, chances are you’re under-utilizing it’s potential.  Here are some tips to make the most of your outdoor space:

  1. Make it cozy.  If your patio or porch is just a blank canvas, consider hanging a porch swing and adding some decorative indoor/outdoor throw pillows to cozy it up.
  2. Add finishing touches.  Add some great finishing touches such as some brightly potted plants, a nice indoor/outdoor carpet, vintage lighting fixtures or other unique touches.
  3. Create an illusion.  Hang a large mirror from an exterior wall or fence to create the illusion of another room, larger space and more light.
  4. Take advantage of the green.  Add a pergola and grow climbing vines such as grape or ivy to provide extra protection from the elements and add a sense of sophistication to your space.
  5. Engage the senses.  Adding details such as a fire pit or fire bowl creates a sense of warmth.  Adding a fountain or water feature adds soothing sound to your space.  Planting pots of great smelling herbs such as lavender or mint engage the senses as well.

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.

Spruce Up Your Curb Appeal

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Now that the weather is nice it’s time to do all of outdoor repairs that you kept putting off over the winter.  Enjoy the weather and up your curb appeal all at the same time!

  1. Clean your windows.  Make your windows sparkle by cleaning them both inside and outside.  You’d be surprised what a pick me up the extra sunlight will do for your home!
  2. Clean your gutters.   Make sure your gutters are clean and functioning at their highest capacity.  This will keep them looking good and doing their job so that your home doesn’t suffer damage when the rains and snow come.
  3. Rent a power washer.  Clean up your home’s exterior with a power washer and brighten it up immediately.
  4. Spruce up the front door.  If your front door needs fixing or painting, now’s the time to do it.  If it just needs a little sprucing try adding some potted flowers near the entry, updating the house number, and switching out the hardware for something fresh.

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.

More Mother’s Day Ideas

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If you haven’t decided yet where to take your mother for Mother’s Day, here are a few last minute options that might fit the bill for tomorrow:

Baywood Greens
Baywood Greens in Millsboro is a great place to take your mother for Mother’s Day.  Reservations are required – 302-947-9225.

Nage
The Rehoboth Beach location of Nage is known amongst the locals as the place to enjoy a scrumptious dining experience.  Their Sunday Brunch is affordable and immensely popular, and I’m sure Mother’s Day will be no different!  302-226-2037

Blue Moon
Blue Moon has been a Rehoboth Beach staple for over 30 years.  Sunday brunch is served from 10:30am-2pm and given this reputation I am sure the Mother’s Day selections will be delicious!  302-227-6515

The Summer House
If your mom is the type who likes something a little more low-key then brunch at Rehoboth Beach staple, The Summer House is the place to go.  With lots of great a la carte options there is something for everyone.  302-227-3895

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.

Ideas For Mother’s Day

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Mother’s Day is on Sunday.  Do you have plans with the special moms in your life?  If not, you might want to consider making Mother’s Day reservations today.

Magnolia’s Seafood Bar & Grill
Known for their quality seafood and great service, Magnolia’s is a great place to take Mom on her special day!  Their Mother’s Day Brunch will be served from 10am-2pm.  You really can’t go wrong with this local favorite!  30415 Cedar Neck Road in Ocean View – 302-539-5671 – don’t forget to make reservations ahead of time!

Victoria’s at the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel
Tea at Victoria’s in Rehoboth Beach would be a great way to celebrate Mother’s Day, or if Tea isn’t your thing, Victoria’s is known for serving a delicious brunch as well!  302-227-7169

The Buttery
Located in historic Lewes, the inviting atmosphere of this restaurant is great for Mother’s Day.  They are known for a delicious Sunday brunch, and if it were up to me I’d make reservations for Mother’s Day just be on the safe side!  102 2nd Street in Lewes – 302-645-7755.

The Back Porch
Serving delicious home cooked food in Rehoboth for over 36 years, if you’ve never enjoyed Mother’s Day brunch at The Back Porch Café, now is your chance!  With an a la carte brunch menu full of mouth-watering choices, you really can’t go wrong!  302-227-3674.

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.

Summer Efficiency For Your Home

 

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With the temperature rising and summer heading our way it’s time to consider making a few changes to become more energy efficient for summer.

  1. Clean your filters.  Clean your filters monthly and get your system checked yearly to make sure it’s running efficiently.  Ignoring this simple step could be costly in the long run because you’ll end up needing a new unit instead of simply making minor fixes to yours when necessary.
  2. Check for leaks.  Feel around light switches, electrical sockets, doors, windows & baseboards to see if any air is leaking.  If you find problem areas use foam or caulk to seal it wherever possible.
  3. Cook outside.  Avoid turning on the oven when possible.  Using a crockpot or the grill whenever you can will save a significant amount of energy.
  4. Keep it dark.  Close your blinds or shades whenever you aren’t home and the more you can keep them closed on the sunny side of your home, the better.
  5. Check the tank.  Make your toilet more efficient by filling a soda bottle with sand or water and putting it into the tank that way the toilet uses less water each time it flushes.
  6. Shut it up.  If you have any unused rooms in your home be sure to shut the doors and vents to lighten the load for your a/c unit and make your home more efficient.

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.

Dewey Beach Arts Fest This Weekend!

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Head down to Dagsworthy Avenue in Dewey Beach this Saturday, May 10th from 9:30am-4:30pm for the Third Annual Dewey Arts Fest.  The day includes free parking and admission, arts and crafts from over 40 artists and vendors, a children’s arts gallery, activities and crafts for kids, food and refreshments from area restaurants, live music from 11am-1pm, pony rides, bounce houses, and two live magic shows at 11:30am and 2:30pm.  The rain date is Sunday, may 11th.  Support the community, the Dewey Beach Lion’s Club and the arts by checking it out!

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.

Local Farmer’s Markets To Frequent

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Who doesn’t love fresh, locally produced fruits and veggies?  We are lucky enough to have several local farmers markets worth checking out, and since they’re open different days of the week, you can have fresh food all summer long!  Here are three to check out:

Historic Lewes Farmers Market – 110 Shipcarpenter Street
Open every Saturday through the end of September. 8am-12pm.  No pets allowed.  Vendors sell everything, including fresh beef & pork, homemade jellies and jams, fruits, veggies, organic baked goods, gourmet cheeses, and more!

Rehoboth Beach Farmers Market – Next to the Rehoboth Beach Chamber of Commerce (501 Rehoboth Ave.)
Open every Tuesday from noon-3pm, rain or shine.  In addition to the usual farmers market vendors you can also enjoy chef’s demos!

Milton Farmers Market – Downtown Historic Milton… you can’t miss it!
Open every Friday from 3pm-6pm through the end of October.  This farmers market has only been around for a few years, but it’s a local staple!

So, what are you waiting for?  Check out these local markets… you won’t be sorry!

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.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

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Today is Cinco de Mayo!  Celebrate in style with some delicious Mexican food at one of these local restaurants:

La Tonalteca.  La Tonalteca (4578 Rt 1) in Rehoboth serves up delicious tacos, fajitas, enchiladas and more alongside their famous margaritas.  With reasonably authentic lunch and dinner options including pork, chicken, beef, seafood, salads, and more La Tonalteca serves up good food with good service for reasonable prices.  In addition to the restaurant in Rehoboth, there are locations in Milford and Millsboro as well.  Not only is La Tonalteca a great place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, it is also the place to enjoy a Mexican fiesta any time of year.

Mariachi.   Mariachi (14 Wilmington Ave) in Rehoboth serves up some of the best food from all over Latin America.  Locally owned, Mariachi serves up flavorful Cuban, Mexican, Portuguese and Spanish food, delicious desserts, and happy hour Monday through Friday.  Their fresh, homemade salsa is delicious, as are the enchiladas and margaritas.  Prices are fair, the service is great, and you really can’t go wrong no matter what you order.  Definitely worth a try if you like Llatin cuisine!

El Dorado.  El Dorado Restaurant (18766 John J Williams Hwy) in Rehoboth specializes in fresh, made-to-order, Baja style fish tacos.  They are open from 11am-9pm Monday-Saturday and receive rave reviews for both their food and service.  The atmosphere is super casual, but you can’t beat the freshness!  Everything is made to order and you can fix up your choices exactly how you’d like with the complimentary salsa bar.  Although they’re famous for their fish tacos, all other varieties are delicious too, as are the burritos!  If Mexican food is your thing, definitely check out El Dorado!

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.

Perfect Projects To Tackle Now

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There is a small window of time when the weather is beautiful and it’s not unbearably hot, and we are currently in it!  So, it’s the perfect time to get some of those outdoor projects done.  Here’s a quick rundown of a few projects you should do now:

Prep Your Mower – If you do your own yard work, chances are you’ve already been out mowing this year, but if you haven’t already, you should sharpen those blades before you cut any more grass!  Also check to make sure your other lawn & garden tools are in good operating condition.
Gutters and Downspouts – Check them out carefully to be sure none have gotten loose over the past year and clean out leaves and other debris.  Also check for sags and water stains that may indicate a problem.
Fans & Air Conditioners – Dust them, wash them, remove any debris or building, and clean or replace the filters.  If you don’t have central air and need to install window units, now’s the time.  Make sure to seal the area around them well!  While you’re at it, change the filter to your furnace, especially if you use the fan year round.
Roof Inspection – If your roof is older or you think there might be an issue now’s the time to get up there (or hire someone to do it for you!) and check it out.  Be on the look-out for missing shingles or shingles that may be loose.  Pay careful attention to the areas around chimneys, pipes, vents, skylights, and other such areas.  While you’re up there take a good look around and become aware of anything that might be a potential problem if there’s a nasty storm (such as nearby tree limbs, etc.)
Foundation Vents– Check your vent blocks and remove or open the covers to let some air circulate.  Clean them out if dirt has built up around them over the winter, and check to make sure the soil hasn’t shifted in a way that is allowing groundwater to drain into your basement or crawl space.
Outdoor Faucets – If they’ve been covered, uncover them and turn on the water supply if you shut it off over the winter.

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

Designer Show House and More

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The Lewes Merchants’ Spring Sidewalk Sale will run from 10am-5pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday in downtown Lewes.

Additionally, the Rehoboth Beach Village Improvement Association will present a Designer Show House on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as well from 10am-4pm.  The Show House is located at 46 Columbia Avenue in Rehoboth Beach.  It is a 1940s cottage that is currently 3700 square foot, 4 bedroom home after undergoing several transformations over the years.  Tickets for the Designer Show House are $25.  If you miss it this weekend, there will be additional Designer Show House weekends from May 9-11 and May 16-18.

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.

Signs That The Season Has Started

It’s May first, and the quiet days of the “off season” are quickly drawing to a close.  I’m sure you’ve noticed many sure signs that spring is in full bloom and the “beach season” is beginning to pick up speed.  Here are three of my favorite:

1.  The Dairy Queen in Lewes has reopened!
I don’t know about you, but I get a little depressed when the Dairy Queen closes because it means that winter is on it’s way.  Now that they’ve reopened for the season I’m ready to get myself a Blizzard, take a walk on the beach and enjoy the last days of peace and quiet before the tourists descend upon us for summer!

2.  Cape Henlopen State Park is charging for entry again.
Delaware State Parks charge their entry fee beginning each spring, and although I love getting into Cape Henlopen for free during the winter, I don’t mind paying because it means that beach weather is just around the corner!

3. Fishing is picking up.
The local boat ramps are ready, tackle shops are open and fishing is picking up.  The surf, piers and waterways are full of fishermen and women waiting for the perfect catch!

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty and let us help you find the property that is perfect for you – 302-644-2266!

Prep For Spring

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There is a small window of time when the weather is beautiful and it’s not unbearably hot, and we are currently in it!  So, it’s the perfect time to get some of those outdoor projects done.  Here’s a quick rundown of a few projects you should do now!

Prep Your Mower – If you do your own yard work, chances are you’ve already been out mowing this year, but if you haven’t already, you should sharpen those blades before you cut any more grass!  Also check to make sure your other lawn & garden tools are in good operating condition.

Gutters and Downspouts – Check them out carefully to be sure none have gotten loose over the past year and clean out leaves and other debris.  Also check for sags and water stains that may indicate a problem.

Fans & Air Conditioners — Dust them, wash them, remove any debris or building, and clean or replace the filters.  If you don’t have central air and need to install window units, now’s the time.  Make sure to seal the area around them well!  While you’re at it, change the filter to your furnace, especially if you use the fan year round.

Roof Inspection – If your roof is older or you think there might be an issue now’s the time to get up there (or hire someone to do it for you!) and check it out.  Be on the look-out for missing shingles or shingles that may be loose.  Pay careful attention to the areas around chimneys, pipes, vents, skylights, and other such areas.  While you’re up there take a good look around and become aware of anything that might be a potential problem if there’s a nasty storm (such as nearby tree limbs, etc.)

Foundation Vents– Check your vent blocks and remove or open the covers to let some air circulate.  Clean them out if dirt has built up around them over the winter, and check to make sure the soil hasn’t shifted in a way that is allowing groundwater to drain into your basement or crawl space.

Outdoor Faucets – If they’ve been covered, uncover them and turn on the water supply if you shut it off over the winter.

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

Remodel Ideas 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!

Budget Bathroom Updates

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If you’ve been dreaming of updating your bathroom, but you don’t have a huge budget, consider these tips.

Go white to save green!  Sticking to traditional white features such as sinks, tubs, and toilets will save you a ton of money because they are more readily available than their colorful counterparts.

Change out your hardware.  If you don’t have the budget to replace cabinets, give them a low-cost face lift with new hardware.  For a more dramatic impact you can paint or otherwise refinish cabinetry and then replace the hardware!

Organize your cabinets.  Adding pullout shelves to cabinets will maximize your storage space and ease the frustration you feel when you can’t find what you’re looking for!

Go for style.  Keep most of what already exists, but change out a few key pieces to add style and drama to your space.  For example, replace your faucets and/or showerhead with a lovely new piece or switch out existing lighting for a dramatic chandelier.

Change the color.  Painting is a fairly inexpensive weekend project.  Follow-up by replacing hand towels and adding colorful accents such as vases, candles, and soaps.

Save on tile.  If you love a specific tile that is far too expensive for you to afford, consider using a more affordable alternative (or keeping your existing tile!) and using the tile you love for a border or randomly placing a few here and there to create an interesting pattern.

Pinpoint your complaint.  Sometimes changing just one aspect of a room will make you feel like you’re in a whole new space, so determine what it is that really bothers you about your space.  For example, if your sink is in good condition, but the vanity bothers you, would replacing just the counter do the trick?  Could you keep all of your features and just replace the floor?  Keep the tub but replace the shower head and faucet?  Specifically identifying problems and addressing them individually will save you a ton of cash!

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!

Benefits of Different Mortgage Types

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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.

Tips For Pricing Your Home

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The price of the home is the aspect that sellers have the most control over.  Even though the right pricing strategy can take a home off the market quickly, it’s amazing how many people still make mistakes when pricing their home.  Here are five tips for pricing your home right the first time!

Find an agent you trust:  Don’t just hire the agent that quotes you the highest list price for your home.  If they quote you a high price to insure that they get your listing, but then your home sits on the market forever because the price is too high, that’s counterproductive and you end up having to slash your price anyway.  The best idea is to interview several agents and choose someone who can back up their suggested list price with recent comps.  Which brings me to point number two…

Get the comps:  Once you have an agent you trust, ask them to prepare a comparative market analysis of similar homes that have sold recently in your area.  This is more important than looking at the list price of other homes for sale in your area, because the comps will tell you what the home actually sold for, which is often quite a bit lower than the original list price.

Pick the correct price:  Pricing your home correctly right out of the gate will gain the attention of serious buyers and sell your home faster.  If you have to list your home for less than you’d like to make this happen, think of it this way… it will cost you more in the long run to pay the costs associated with owning your home if it sits on the market for several months while you’re dreaming about an unrealistic asking price.  Then you’ll have to lower the price anyway, so wouldn’t you rather just price it right from the get go?

Price with the market:  If your house is priced to high from the start, you will most likely find yourself making price drops after several months on the market with no interest.  Dropping your price is a good strategy, but everyone else (whose homes were priced more reasonably to begin with) is dropping their prices too, meaning that your home is still the highest priced home on the market and will never catch up with the competition.  Instead of dropping the price several times causing buyers to wonder what’s wrong with your property, price it competitively from the start, rather than holding out for the high end of the market.  Remember, the more competitive the price you start with, the better the chance you will sell quickly for a higher price than if you wait it out and negotiate 6 months down the road.

Don’t balk at lowball offers:  When selling your home it’s hard not to be emotionally attached, but buyers most likely aren’t feeling the same way, so don’t be offended by lowball offers.  Use them as a jumping off point for negotiation and let it drop only if the buyer makes it clear they are not serious about buying.

Looking for a real estate agent you can trust to help you through the whole process of pricing and selling your home?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and let us show you why we’re the best — 302-629-6693.