Home Projects – Page 5 – Cooper Realty Associates

Thursday Three: 3 Improvements for a Tight Budget

If you want to increase the value of your home, but you only have a little bit of cash, try any of these ideas which should each cost under $200.

1. Scrape the popcorn. Popcorn ceilings seriously date your home, so if you’ve currently got them spending the time to scrape them away will add instant value without a whole lot of money. All you need is something to soften the texture and some time to dedicate to scraping!

2. Plant a tree. As a shade tree matures over time it will add curb appeal (and value!) to your home. Not only are shade trees desirable, but properly placed it can actually cut your cooling costs significantly.

3. Filter your water. Installing a water filtration system in your kitchen allows you to get the luxury of bottled water right from your faucet. It’s an inexpensive addition that adds value because it seems luxurious!

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 – 302-856-6434.

5 Ways To Make Your Laundry Room Work For You

The laundry room is an often underutilized part of the home. Here are 5 ideas to give your laundry room more life and function:

1. Add storage. Add as many shelves and cabinets as you can and your laundry room can store not only cleaning supplies and toiletries, but also craft supplies, a gift wrap station, inbox for household mail, office space, and really anything that would benefit you that doesn’t need a huge amount of square footage elsewhere.

2. Make it a mudroom. Install durable flooring, a sink for washing grungy hands, a bench for removing shoes and a rack to store them on, and some hooks for coats. Voila! You’ve got a great transition area between the outdoor living space and indoor living space of your home!

3. Make it pet friendly. If you’ve got to keep your pet confined during the day, the laundry room is a great place to do it. If it would work for your situation, you could even add a doggie door so that Fido can let himself in and out during the day!

4. Add amenities. Adding things like a drying rack, hanging rod, and counter space for folding can help speed up the chore of laundry and cut down on your ironing.

5. Boost your appliances. If you have a front loading washer and dryer, put them on pedestals so that loading and unloading them isn’t so back-breaking. But not only should you put them on pedestals, make those platforms work for you by building drawers or other storage into them!

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.

5 Quick Fixes For Your Kitchen

Yesterday we looked at some quick fixes to update your bathroom, and today we tackle the kitchen!

1. Switch your faucet. There are many styles of faucet on the market, so replacing your old one can quickly up the style factor in your kitchen. Choose a faucet with the personality you want, but be sure that it will run well with your existing sink so you don’t have to change everything!

2. Replace an appliance. If it’s in your budget, replacing an old refrigerator or dishwasher can instantly update your kitchen. And, replacing an old appliance with a new energy efficient model can save you quite a bit on your utilities, almost paying for itself.

3. Replace your hardware. If your cabinets are in good condition, you can give them a whole new look by replacing the handles and pulls. Hardware stores, home improvement stores, and even antique shops have an unlimited variety to choose from, so you can pick the style that fits with your vision for the room. Depending on how many cabinets and drawer you have, replacing everything should only take a couple of hours, if that.

4. Add lighting. Replacing existing light fixtures with a more sophisticated model can quickly give your room new life.

5. Dress it up. For a more time extensive project, consider replacing your backsplash. Many companies make tiles that come in sheets but look like individual glass tiles. With unlimited style and color options, the sky is the limit!

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.

Thursday Three: 3 Quick Fixes For Your Bathroom

If you’re looking to give your bathroom a quick face lift, try these three relatively inexpensive updates

If you’re looking to give your bathroom a quick face lift, try these three relatively inexpensive updates:

1. Hang a medicine cabinet. If you choose a cabinet that can mount directly on a wall, this project should take less than an hour! You can choose a cabinet that suits your style, use a stud finder and a drill to hang it and voila, your bathroom has some new personality.

2. Replace your showerhead. A new showerhead can make your existing shower feel like a spa. There are many models on the market. A low flow model can save you money on your water bill, and as far as style, water flow, and price range, the choices are virtually endless, so you can pick the one that’s perfect for you.

3. Change the sink. Changing your sink is a bit more time consuming, but if done correctly can be relatively painless. Choose a model that gives your bathroom the look you’re going for, but be sure it fits your needs as far as storage, rim room, and practicality as well as style.

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.

The Truth About Driveway Repair

Driveway repair can be costly, and unfortunately is considered to be a maintenance issue of home ownership. Believe it or not, a damaged driveway can be a deal-breaker on an otherwise marketable home, but offers extremely low (and often no) return on investment. If you’re thinking of selling your home and your driveway needs some repairs you should ask your agent if they feel your driveway is going to hurt the sale of your home. If you decide that you need to go ahead with repair, or if you aren’t selling your home and just want to fix up the driveway for yourself, speak with several contractors and get multiple bids (ask friends, family, and even your agent for recommendations!). Finally, depending on how damaged your driveway is, consider resurfacing instead of replacing, which is likely to be much more affordable.

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.

5 Projects That You Can Do This Weekend

Looking for a quick pick-me-up for your home? Try these projects, which shouldn’t take more than a day or two to complete!

1. Add Molding: Any room can be improved with the finishing touch of crown molding, and you can match the style of molding not only with your own personal taste but also with the architectural style of your home – it’s win, win!

2. Change Up Your Interior Doors: Your interior doors are often overlooked as necessary, but they don’t necessarily have to be boring to be useful. Considering replacing interior doors with more unique or stylish counterparts.

3. Put Your Lights on Dimmers: Adding dimmer switches to your light fixtures is one of the quickest, easiest, and least expensive ways to add ambiance to any room.

4. Install a Ceiling Fan: Installing a ceiling fan is a relatively inexpensive way to cut down on your cooling costs and shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours.

5. Style Your Staircase: By adding some distinctive rails, architectural embellishments, or even a coat of paint you can give your staircase a whole new look. The best part of this project is that you can get as creative as you’d like!

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.

To Update or Not To Update…

If you’re considering selling your home, you might be considering whether or not to add updates before you put it on the market. There is no definite answer to whether or not updating your home is the right decision and no guarantee that you will recoup your investment, but if it is something you are thinking about, here are a couple of things to consider:

If you choose not to add updates, you will end up selling for a lower price than similar homes with upgrades. However, in many areas home with updates and a higher price tag will still sell more quickly than older homes with discounted prices. If you’re on the fence, this is something you should discuss with your realtor. A good agent will be able to give you info about comparable homes and provide you with information about whether or not updates or a discounted price will be more likely to help you sell. In addition to selling faster with updates, you may find that it’s a less costly route in the end too. Buyers who put offers on homes that need updates (whether it’s paint, flooring, appliances, fixtures, etc.) will often request a credit off of the home price. In a lot of cases, the discount that buyers request is significantly more than the amount it would cost the seller to just make the updates themselves, especially if you shop around for good deals. Again, this is something that you should consult your agent about.

So, to update or not to update? This is a question that each individual seller needs to answer for themselves. You should definitely consider the cost-effectiveness and return-on-investment that updates would provide. But remember, there are no guarantees in the real estate market. With the differences in the real estate market even from neighborhood to neighborhood, definitely consult your agent for information about what might be the best decision in your local market before making the decision that is right for you.

Are you considering selling a home in the Sussex County area and looking for a great agent to be on your team? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

Tips for Getting the Best Remodel Bid

Yesterday I wrote about tips for finding a contractor. Today, I am following up with tips for getting the best bid. When you’re planning an addition or remodel, knowing the average costs of the job you hope to do is helpful. One helpful guide for figuring average costs is to judge by the square footage of your space. Generally speaking, for a gut remodel, a kitchen remodel falls between $170-180 per square foot, a powder room averages around $130-140 per square foot, a full bathroom averages around $155-170 per square foot, and a family or living room runs about $85-$100 per square foot. Once you factor the average range for your space, adjust for labor costs in your location (whether they are higher or lower than the average in the nation). In the Sussex County area, increasing the general estimate by about 30-40% is probably a good average. Once you’ve done that, you can adjust your estimated cost up or down based on the finishes you desire. These averages assume mid-range fixtures, but if you’re going for upgrades such as granite countertops or stainless steel appliances in a kitchen or stone tile, heated floors, and soaking tubs in the bathroom, you need to raise your number again, by at least 30-50% depending on the number of upgrades you want. Once you have a very general idea of the kind of estimate you are looking at, you can adjust your project to fit your budget (consider less updates or skip the gut remodel and replace or refinish what you’ve got instead!). Then, go out there and get your (minimum of 3!) estimates. Finally, be upfront with the contractors you choose about your bottom line and they will be able to help you get the most bang for your buck!

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

Tips for Hiring a Contractor

If you’re thinking of building or remodeling and you need to hire a contractor, consider these tips from the Contractor State License Board (CSLB). The CSLB is a state organization in California that licenses and regulates the state’s construction industry and protects consumers. Although we are several time zones away from California, the suggestions they offer are an excellent take away for consumers in any state.

Hire only state-licensed contractors and check public records, the BBB, and state licensing organization to check that licenses are up to date and the contractors have a good reputation.
Get bids from at least three licensed contractors before making a decision.
Ask for several references from each contractor bidding and take the time to actually check them.
Get everything in writing. No detail is too small. If you want to protect yourself, get it in a contract. And then keep all relevant paperwork together in a file that is easily accessible.
Ask to see copies of insurance documents or call the contractor’s insurance companies to make sure that their liability and worker’s comp coverages are up to date and adequate to cover your job.
Don’t pay more than 10% as a down payment. (If 10% is less than $1,000, a down payment of $1,000 is acceptable.) And if you’re making progress payments throughout the job, whatever you do don’t let your payments get ahead of the job.
Whatever you do, do not make your final payment until you 100% satisfied with the work, including any last minute touch-ups and the clean-up.

If you’re thinking of remodeling, keep these tips in mind! If you’re thinking of buying or selling, give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-629-6693.

3 Ways To Improve Your Outdoor Space

With the weather being so great, have you been spending a lot of time outside? I know I have! If you have too and you’re just tired of the same old outdoor space, consider some of these quick tips to improve your deck, porch, or other outdoor space.

1. Container Gardens. Gardens are always beautiful, but by utilizing containers to plant some beautiful and colorful flowers you can stager the height and really use your plants as décor. If flowers aren’t your thing, certain veggies like tomatoes are great for container planting, and an herb garden is always an excellent choice!

2. Pillows. Pick up several beautiful, fun, fluffy pillows made from outdoor fabrics. They’ll withstand sand and rain, are easy to clean, and will brighten up your seating in a jif! Find some that appeal to your sense of style, or pick up a few bright prints to add a pop of color to your space.

3. Rugs. You can make your deck or porch seem much more like an outdoor room if you utilize a beautiful outdoor rug. A rug will add a cozy feel to the space, help define the area, and add texture which is always a great styling tip.

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.

Update Your Kitchen This Weekend

I’m tired of my kitchen! But, since I don’t have the budget to redo my entire kitchen, I’ve been looking for some smaller scale ideas. Here are a few of my favorites:

Fix a leaky faucet. Okay, this isn’t really an update, but leaky faucets are annoying, so it’s nice to know they are an easy diy fix! Once you turn off the stop valves to the faucet in question remove the handle by unscrewing it. After the handle is off remove the chrome cylinder and the nut that holds it in place. Pull out the stem, replace the washer, put everything back together and voila! the leak is gone! If you have a newer faucet, you will need to purchase a “seat” which is basically a special washer specially made for your particular faucet.

I’m tired of my kitchen! But, since I don’t have the budget to redo my entire kitchen, I’ve been looking for some smaller scale ideas. Here are a few of my favorites:

Fix a leaky faucet. Okay, this isn’t really an update, but leaky faucets are annoying, so it’s nice to know they are an easy diy fix! Once you turn off the stop valves to the faucet in question remove the handle by unscrewing it. After the handle is off remove the chrome cylinder and the nut that holds it in place. Pull out the stem, replace the washer, put everything back together and voila! the leak is gone! If you have a newer faucet, you will need to purchase a “seat” which is basically a special washer specially made for your particular faucet.

Install a new faucet. Purchasing a new faucet for your kitchen sink can instantly change the look of your room. Just make sure it matches your sink unless you want to replace the whole thing!

Update your cabinets. If you’re looking for an easy way to dress up your cabinets, try swapping out the door inserts. Glass, tin, painted or stained wood, and stainless steel just begin the list of options. Replacing just some of the cabinet inserts is also a good option if you don’t want to go all the way.

Update your hardware. Another way to breathe new life into your kitchen quickly and for relatively little money is to replace the hardware on your drawers and cabinets. With virtually limitless options this is somewhere that you can really let your personal taste shine through.

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

Home Repairs You Can Do Yourself

If you’re not the handiest of people, you may not realize that you can probably do a lot more fix-it projects around your house than you realize. Here are a few small projects you can probably take on yourself.

Replace a broken tile. If you’ve got a cracked tile in your kitchen or bathroom, fixing it probably isn’t as hard as you think. All you need to do is get yourself a grout saw, remove the broken pieces, and glue a new tile in place. This is easy enough for most people to do.

Replace a broken tile. If you’ve got a cracked tile in your kitchen or bathroom, fixing it probably isn’t as hard as you think. All you need to do is get yourself a grout saw, remove the broken pieces, and glue a new tile in place. This is easy enough for most people to do.

Remove stain from grout. If the grout around your kitchen or bathroom tiles is a mildewy or moldy mess all you really have to do is clean it. What, you say? You’ve tried cleaning it and it is still stained and moldy? You probably aren’t doing it right! You need a strong tile cleaner (like Tilex), but after soaking the stain well you need to let it sit for at least a few days without getting it wet, etc. Mold and mildew will turn white when they die, but it takes time to kill it. If your grout is stained with something other than mold or mildew this method won’t work.

Defrost a frozen ice maker. If your icemaker isn’t making any ice, the solution could be an easy fix. Remove the ice bin and find the tray where the water freezes into ice cubes. Once you get that opened, find the pipe that brings water to the tray. If it’s frozen you’ve got yourself an easy fix. Just dethaw the pipe (a hair dryer works best!) and within minutes you should have yourself a working ice maker again!

Tighten a loose countertop. If you have laminate countertops an adhesive (like Liquid Nails) specially marked for projects can work wonders. All you have to do is apply it beneath the countertop, press down, and put something heavy on top of the spot until it dries.

Replace loose or dirty caulk. If you have yucky, dried, dirty, or worn caulk in your bathroom you can replace it by using adhesive remover (apply with a damp sponge and allow time to soak in), removing the caulk, and cleaning the area. After it dries, all you have to do is recaulk!

Fix scratches in wood (cabinet, table, shelf, etc.). This one is so easy even a child could do it. All you need to do is head to a hardware store and buy a scratch filler which is basically a brown pencil/crayon looking object. (They also sell pen versions which are filled with colored ink if you prefer that route.) Find the shade that is closest to the wood you need to fix (it would be helpful to bring a piece of the wood if possible, or at least a blown up picture). When you get home color in the scratch and rub it in to smooth 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 — 302-629-6693.

Tricks To Make A Small Kitchen Seem Larger

In keeping with yesterday’s topic, let’s continue to talk about kitchen remodeling! If you are like me and have a small kitchen, it may seem like kind of a drag to spend so much time there. If you’re thinking of remodeling, consider some of these tricks for opening up the space and making it seem larger.

Bleach It. Okay, not literally, but I’m sure you’re probably tired of hearing me say that paint is a great solution for everything! By going for an all white kitchen (walls, countertops, cabinets, etc.) you are tricking the eye into thinking the room is much larger than it is. Of course, if you’re going to go all white, be sure to choose a variety of textures and beautiful fixtures to keep your room from feeling bland. You’ll also want to throw in an accent color or two through the use of accessories to create interest.

Let In The Light. As I’m sure you know, natural light makes any space seem more open. Of course, adding windows or a skylight may not be an option for you. If that’s the case, keep any windows you do have clean and use minimal window treatments. Valances and sheers work well to dress up kitchen windows without blocking light. If it’s privacy you’re after, consider splurging on a shade that will block prying eyes while still allowing the light in.

Go For Open Concept. If your budget allows it, knocking down a wall or part of a wall that separates your kitchen from the rest of your house will make the room appear much larger without actually increasing the size at all. If a wall isn’t in the budget, consider creating a pass through, which will have the same effect on a much smaller scale.

Clear The Clutter. If your small kitchen lacks storage space you probably use a lot of counter space for storage. (I know I do!) Consider installing an appliance garage in the corner of your counter to hide all that clutter (but still keep in close at hand) and your space will seem instantly larger.

Simulate Height. By adding decorative molding around the tops of your cabinets, or displaying colorful pieces that mesh with your kitchen décor around your soffit, you can draw the eye upward, giving your ceiling the illusion of height, thus making your room feel larger. If you have dead space between the tops of your cabinets and your ceiling, consider a cabinet design that extends all the way up. This gives you valuable extra storage without taking up any added space.

Use Glass. Consider changing out solid cabinet doors for glass. Of course, if you use glass for your cabinets you will need to keep your cabinets neat and organized! If you don’t think you can keep clutter-free, consider using glass in some, but not all cabinets.

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

Tips for Remodeling Your Kitchen

It’s no secret that one of the rooms homebuyers focus on most is the kitchen. Whether you are thinking of remodeling to sell or remodeling to enjoy, money spent in the kitchen is almost always wisely spent. If you’re thinking of remodeling your kitchen, here are some design tips to keep in mind.

Conserve Energy. Your energy, that is. Think about the layout of your kitchen before you do anything. For example, storing cutlery and dishes near the dishwasher will make unloading a breeze. Similarly, placing the dishwasher near the sink is much wiser than placing it halfway across the room! Another great tip is to put your refrigerator in a space that is open to both the cook and anyone who may wander in looking for a drink. This way, someone grazing in the fridge won’t block valuable work space during hectic meal prep time!

Clear Space. Make sure the walkways through your kitchen are wide enough. Consider whether you want a one or two cook configuration and plan your space accordingly. You don’t want anyone bumping into a hot stove when you’re hanging out in your new kitchen.

Think Counter Space. Any cook will tell you that counter space is a necessity, but not all counter space is created equal. The most important counter tops are those on either side of the stove and refrigerator and the space near the microwave. Make sure these areas have plenty of work space. In addition, people who spend a lot of time in the kitchen will want a good range of space in between the sink and cook top.

Consider The Details. Little details such as multiple outlets along your backsplash or in your island make plugging in small appliances a breeze whenever you need them. A pot filler installed near your cook top eliminates the need to lug heavy pots back and forth from the sink. Shelves near your cook top can hold oils, spices, and other often grabbed ingredients. You get the picture. Think of things that will make your life easier and strive to build them into your new kitchen. Many of these ideas do not cost very much money, but they all add great value to the space.

When done well, remodeling the kitchen can add a lot of value to your home. Make the process as stress-free as possible by considering the way you use your kitchen and designing around your needs.

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.

5 Ways to Increase Your Home’s Value for under $500

If you’re trying to sell your house you can do a lot to increase the value without spending a lot of money. Here are five ways that can cost less than $500.

1. Paint
I will never get tired of saying it. Paint your house if you want to increase its value! Not only do neutral colors make your home seem more desirable to the majority of people, but freshly painted rooms also look clean and updated… a strong selling point!

2. Clean
Even if you clean your house regularly, there are most likely spots you overlook or can’t get to. If you hire a cleaning service to come and do the dirty work then your house will be able sparkle from top to bottom and make the best possible first impression to potential home buyers.

3. Go Green
Replacing loud, broken, or simply outdated light figures or ceiling fans with new, energy efficient fixtures will increase your bottom-line without costing too much.

4. Scrape off the popcorn
If your home has popcorn ceilings, dedicate a weekend to bringing it into the 21^st century by scraping the popcorn away. Getting rid of this dated look will instantly update the value of your home.

5. Update the Bathroom
Even if you can’t afford an entire remodel, spending a little bit of cash on a face lift will increase your bottom line. Things like replacing old wallpaper, a fresh coat of paint, new light fixtures, and new faucet & hardware can make the room seem brand new!

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

Landscaping For A Great First Impression

If you’re trying to sell your home (or thinking about it), then you want to brush up your home’s curb appeal to make a great first impression on your potential buyers. Here are a few landscaping tips that don’t require too much cash to make happen.

First, plan for some low maintenance landscaping. Adding some greenery and bright plants to your yard will bump up the curb appeal of your home, but for a low-cost, low-maintenance fix be sure to purchase plants that are native to our region. Water-conserving plants that are drought-tolerant are also a good bet for a low-maintenance fix. Another good idea is to plant a shade tree. Although a tree won’t mature quickly, if you’re thinking ahead, planting one now will be planning for the future of your home. Again, stick to native vegetation. Planting a tree helps with curb appeal, offers shade, and can even cut cooling costs if properly placed. Be careful about placement though because you don’t want to plant any trees too close to your house. My last tip is to curate your lawn. Overgrown grass, lawns with patches of dead grass or dirt, or lawns that are overrun by weeds all make a negative first impression on potential home buyers. Luckily, these issues are easy to fix. Consider hiring a landscaping company to clean up your yard, shape hedges, trim trees, etc. Spending a couple hundred dollars fixing up your home’s curb appeal is worth it to attract home buyers that might otherwise be unimpressed.

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.

Thursday Three: 3 Professionals You Should Consider Hiring For Less Than $100

If you’re thinking of selling your home (or just want to make updates to enjoy yourself!), hiring any or all of these professionals to give you their opinions can make a huge difference in the long-run, and all of them should cost you less than $100!

1. Interior Designer
Shop around because a standard hourly consultation fee is often less than $100. Make it clear beforehand that you are looking for ideas and suggestions, not a room makeover. Tour your house and in an hour the suggestions you receive, can go a long way to making huge improvements in the way your home looks and feels. Even tips on things like paint colors and furniture placement can be huge changes! If you don’t want to shell out the money for an interior designer and you are serious about selling, your realtor may be able to help you with this too.

2. Get It Inspected
Many homes face hidden problems like termite infestation, outdated electrical systems and deteriorating roofs. All of these and the many other problems that homes can hide all negatively impact the value of your home. By hiring an inspector to check out these unseen areas you may be able to fix small issues now before they become huge problems. The relatively small upfront cost of a home inspection now (inspection costs can vary widely) can save you tons of cash in the long-run.

3. Cut Energy Costs
Call your utility company and ask if they offer energy audits of customers’ homes. Many providers do this for free! An auditor can show you how to maximize your home’s energy efficiency which will help you conserve power and water. An energy efficient home helps you save money, and since this service is often free there’s really no reason you shouldn’t do 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 – 302-856-6434.

Quick Updates To Sell Your Home

If you’re in the process of selling your home (or thinking about it), you might be thinking about what kind of remodeling you should do to put your home in the best light. As a rule, you should never undertake any big remodeling projects before putting your home up for sale, but there are a few things you can do with just a little bit of money to make your house more appealing on the market.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, one of the least expensive ways to increase your property value is to paint the walls! Neutrals are key, but don’t just buy a bucket of white and paint everything… that’s boring! Browns/beiges, grays, and even some shades of blue and green can be considered neutral. The idea is to get rid of any extremely personal colors in the house – you might love your red living room, but chances are most of your potential buyers won’t. Another relatively easy fix that will attract buyers is nice flooring. If you’re lucky enough to have hardwood under your carpeting, rip it up and have the floors refinished. If hardwood isn’t an option, consider replacing your carpeting for a fresh look that will attract buyers. To save money, go for a mid-range carpet, but put the best padding you can afford underneath… this cushiony layer really affects the look and feel of the carpet. Updating your light fixtures can also really improve your home’s salability. Replace any dated fixtures with something more classic for an instant pick-me-up. Pay special attention to the lighting in your kitchen, bathrooms, and hallway. You want your home to be well lit so that buyers can see it, don’t’ you? And while we’re discussing fixtures, if your bathroom or kitchen seem dated, changing out the hardware for something new can make a big impact for not much cash. If you can swing it, switching your old faucets with something newer can give new life to a room. My final budget suggestion is another one I’ve mentioned several times before… check your curb appeal! Most potential buyers will judge your house on their first impression, which is the outside! So be sure your home is putting its best foot forward by trimming any hedges/bushes and trees in the yard, mowing the grass, trimming any weeds, and edging your driveway and sidewalks. Power washing your side walks can make a surprisingly big impact too. Finally, invest a little cash by painting the front door and placing some potted flowers by it. For maximum impact, change out the hardware on your door with something new and think about getting a new mailbox. Finally, be sure that your house number is visible. If it isn’t, buy some new numbers and hang them immediately!

Since none of these projects cost all that much, the best part about them is that you’re pretty much guaranteed to recoup your cash when your home sells, which will probably be a whole lot sooner than if you hadn’t made the changes in the first place!

Looking for an agent who can help you with more great tips? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-629-6693.

Best Tips for Painting

Everyone knows that a fresh coat of paint goes a long way to improving just about any surface, but a fresh coat of paint and a good coat of paint are two entirely different things. Here are some great painting tips to help you make the most of a coat of paint!

Buy Good Quality: You might try to save a couple bucks by buying the cheapest gallon of paint you can, but if you put out the cash for high quality paint and it will go on smoother, cover more, splatter less, and will be less likely to fade. Trust me, it’s worth the extra money!

Choose Your Gloss Wisely: Remember that the flatter the finish, the harder the paint is to clean. Flat paint is a good choice for ceilings, but be sure to use an eggshell for walls and semigloss in rooms that are cleaned more often.

Test It: The pros know that testing a paint out on a wide surface of wall is key to choosing the ride shade. The best way to do this is to buy sample sizes (or quarts if they aren’t available) of a few different colors and paint several chunks of wall. Make sure you leave the paint there for a few days so you can see it in all different lighting and then make your final choice.

Work Your Way Down: Begin painting at the ceiling and work down the wall for the smoothest results.

Mix It Together: If you’re using more than one gallon of the same color paint, mix all the gallons together in a bucket to guarantee a uniform color throughout the whole room.

Wrap Up Brushes: If you’re going to take a break wrap any brushes and rollers in plastic bags. Be sure there is no air in the bag and close it with a rubber band or twist tie. If you’re planning on taking a long break, like overnight, seal all the tools up and store them in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.

With tips like these, you can turn any paint project into a success story!

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!

5 Ways To Create A Backyard Oasis

To develop a backyard oasis, you really need to view your yard as an extension of your living space. With summer approaching, there’s never been a better time!

Develop atmosphere. Many decks are underutilized wooden structures and often a patio is just a slab of concrete, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Create an oasis feel to these spaces by adding texture and color. This can be done through plants, furniture, paint, architectural elements, and more. Remember, your backyard should be an extension of your house, so when you are considering your outdoor space, think of it as another room to decorate.

To develop a backyard oasis, you really need to view your yard as an extension of your living space. With summer approaching, there’s never been a better time!

Develop atmosphere. Many decks are underutilized wooden structures and often a patio is just a slab of concrete, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Create an oasis feel to these spaces by adding texture and color. This can be done through plants, furniture, paint, architectural elements, and more. Remember, your backyard should be an extension of your house, so when you are considering your outdoor space, think of it as another room to decorate.

Make it private. Your outdoor space will seem more glamorous if it seems enclosed. Adding lattice, a pergola or landscaping to create a privacy screen will help create the feeling of an oasis. Of course, a fence always works too, but it might not be as elegant!

Create shade. To create a welcoming space that you want to stay in all day, there needs to be a spot where you can find relief from the sun. Add some trees, an awning, or an umbrella for immediate shade. Or you can combine privacy and shade by growing vines along a pergola.

Add lighting. A true outdoor oasis should be utilized throughout the year, not just on the longest summer days. In order to do this you need to add some outdoor lighting. Porch lights, dimmable lamps, solar-powered lights are all good options.

Furnish for use. There are so many great options for outdoor furniture these days, and much of what is available is just as beautiful and comfortable as indoor furniture. Wood, aluminum, iron and synthetics are all options. Think about the style you would like your outdoor space to convey and go from there.

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.