home projects – Page 5 – Cooper Realty Associates

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Many homes face hidden problems like termite infestation, outdated electrical systems and deteriorating roofs.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.

Thursday Three: 3 Ways To Create An Office In Space You Already Have

If you’re in need of a work space but don’t have a whole room to spare for an office, check out these options:

1. The Kitchen Office
Tuck a small desk into the kitchen and slide a chair or stool underneath for an instant office. Add a drawer underneath and cabinet above for storage.

If you’re in need of a work space but don’t have a whole room to spare for an office, check out these options:

1. The Kitchen Office
Tuck a small desk into the kitchen and slide a chair or stool underneath for an instant office. Add a drawer underneath and cabinet above for storage.

2. The Family Room Office
Choose a larger room in your home and create a cozy office by cornering off a space. Define the space with a beautiful desk. A large bookcase on one wall and shelving on another will create plenty of storage. Add some lighting and you’re good to go. Just make sure the space you choose has plenty of outlets for any electronics you need.

3. The Simple Solution
Choose a gorgeous, classic secretary desk and tuck it away in corner and you will have an instant work space. Most secretary desks offer pull-out or pull-down desks that offer plenty of workspace. With so many styles of furniture on the market, you are sure to find a secretary that will fit your needs. Choose a style with shelves or drawers for plenty of storage.

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 Maximize A Small Bathroom

If your home has a small bathroom, but you are constantly dreaming of renovating and making something a bit more spacious, then this is the post for you! Here are a few easy tricks to make a small bathroom seem larger!

Replace the cabinets under your sink with a vanity. Although it won’t give you as much hidden storage, utilizing baskets or open shelving under the vanity sink will provide storage while making the room feel more open. A pedestal sink is also a great option for opening up floor space and giving the illusion of square footage!

Create a focal point. Change out the existing lighting for a beautiful chandelier. Switch some of the tiles out for colorful tiles or mosaics. You could even pull several tiles from the same area to create a mosaic mural or redo a whole wall in beautiful glass tiles. Replace your existing “boring” sinks with an eye catching bowl and faucet. There are many ways to create a focal point in the bathroom, and no matter which one you choose, drawing attention to a gorgeous feature will definitely draw attention away from the fact that you are in a cramped space. Just be cautious not to overdo it… you just want one focal point. Too many will just make the space feel busy and even more cramped, and that is not the feeling you’re going for!

Creative storage. Adding a tall, skinny cabinet behind the toilet or a pedestal sink can add storage to your space without adding bulk. Alternatively, cutting some recessed shelving in between wall studs can make the most of unused space and won’t take up even an inch of floor space!

Create an illusion. By trading your shower curtain for clear glass doors, you will create an illusion of space. Hanging a larger mirror is also a great way to give the illusion of space, just be sure to hang it so that it reflects one of your bath’s assets, or if you want to be really daring, hang two mirrors across from each other! Alternatively, using light colors throughout the whole room and allowing as much natural light into the space as possible will also give the illusion of space.

Replace your door. Trading out a standard door for a sliding pocket door opens enough floor space to make it worth the switch!

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

Thursday Three: 3 Creative Bathroom Storage Solutions

A true space saver: Hang a decorative hook next to the sink, fill a beautiful bucket with your toiletries and then hang the bucket from the hook. Voila! Instant storage, and since you can get creative with the finishes of both the hook and the bucket there are a million different options for how this can look!

A true space saver: Hang a decorative hook next to the sink, fill a beautiful bucket with your toiletries and then hang the bucket from the hook. Voila! Instant storage, and since you can get creative with the finishes of both the hook and the bucket there are a million different options for how this can look!

Pretend you’re in a hotel: Install a towel rack above the tub, over the toilet, or next to the sink – wherever you need to keep towels handy. Be sure the rack includes both shelves and hooks for maximum storage.

Hang shelves: Most people severely underutilize the wall space in their bathrooms. Make the most of yours by hanging shelves to open up many more storage options! Narrow shelves along a wall or the perimeter will add architectural interest as well as offer storage. Hanging shelves on a narrow or oddly shaped wall can offer an instant “closet” without any of the remodeling effort or cost! A small shelf directly above the sink will add the perfect place to stow away often used toiletries. There are many other ways to utilize shelving in your bathroom as well, so be creative!

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!

Splurges For Your Bathroom

Yesterday I suggested some ideas for remodeling your bathroom on a budget. Today I’m focusing on the best splurges to make if you’re planning a bathroom upgrade and have some money to spend!

Heated flooring – add this luxurious benefit to any bath and your feet will thank you!

Water resistant entertainment – a sound system or television specially designed for bathroom installation might interest you if you want to enjoy your time in the bathroom a little more!

Go for luxury – adding a fireplace gives the feel of a luxury suite every day. Mmmm!!!

A double vanity – many people consider this a “must have,” but if you don’t, a spacious double vanity should definitely be added to your list.

A fancy shower – many “dream” bathrooms contain beautiful tubs that their owners rarely use. If you’re more of a shower person, invest in your shower instead. Adding dual showerheads, a body spray, and/or a bench can take your shower to a whole new level of luxury!

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!

Update Your Bathroom On A Budget

It’s bathroom week here on the Cooper Realty blog! Everyone spends time in the bathroom every day, so shouldn’t it be a room that you enjoy? 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!

5 Remodel Ideas to Increase Your Home’s Livability

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 (see above pic)! 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 and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266!

Thursday Three: 3 Ways to Save Money on a Contractor

Thinking of remodeling? Here are a few ways to save money on a contractor:

1. Get Several Quotes
Let the contractors you are interviewing know that they have competition. Haggling isn’t really the best option, since contractors might give you the price you want to hear and then cut corners to make it happen. But if contractors know you are considering others they are more likely to give you their best price.

2. Throw Out a Lowball Offer
Before the contractor bids, name a ball park budget that is around 20-25% less than you are really expecting to spend. He might laugh in your face, but he’ll be thinking about your “budget” when he puts together your quote.

3. Work With Your Contractor
After you decide on a contractor, work with him. Ask him to suggest ways you could modify the project plans to save money, and be willing to make some changes.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty and let us help you — 302-856-6434.