Thursday Three – Cooper Realty Associates

Three Things To Consider Before Starting A Project

If you’re thinking of doing any projects or renovations in your home, here are three things to consider before you begin:

1. Budget. This is probably the most important aspect to decide on before you begin. Setting a budget will help you make decisions about everything else from whether to do it yourself or hire a contractor to what materials to choose.

2. Time Frame. Once you have a budget in mind, do research so that you can come up with a time frame within which you’d like to see different steps of the project completed. Keep in mind that the more custom your job is, the longer it will take. This is especially important if you are renovating a kitchen or an only bathroom, as you will need to make alternate arrangements for day-to-day activities such as cooking/eating and showering.

3. Work Sequence. If you’re doing the project yourself, think about the job as a whole and come up with a specific work sequence for your projects. Sticking to a specific order can save a lot of headaches, cleanup and mistakes. Always start at the top and work your way down. Ceiling, walls, and finally floors to prevent damage to newly renovated areas.

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.

Three Quick Ways To Add Color To Your Home

Looking for ways to add a quick pop of color? Check out these ideas:

1. Choose your favorite. Take a look around and choose your favorite fabric of pattern already in the room. Find the dominate color in that pattern and then add 5-10 accents in the same color around the room. The amount depends on the size of the room and the accents you choose. Keeping all of your accents in the same color scheme will add a pop to the room while still keeping a cohesive feel.

2. Make seasonal changes. Adding collections of seasonal decorations is a great way to add color. Keep them simple and bright and don’t forget to change them out regularly!

3. Remember the rule. Designers recommend using the 60-30-10 formula as a guide for adding color to a room. The rule is that 60% of your room should be the predominate (usually neutral) color, 30% of the room should be your secondary color – typically found in floor and window coverings, and the final 10% should be your accent color.

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 Reasons to Consider Getting a Home Inspection Before Selling

Most people don’t ever have their homes inspected, but most potential buyers do. Here are three reasons you should consider getting your home inspected before you put it on the market:

1. Your buyers are 99% sure to get one anyway. Since your buyers are going to get one anyway, you can be one step ahead. Yes, a home inspection costs money, but having a heads up about what will surface in an inspection will keep you and your buyer from any surprises and keep the process moving along smoothly.

2. You can make repairs now. If your home inspection turns up repairs that you can fix before putting your home on the market it will save you money in the long run. Most buyers over estimate the cost of small repairs, so if you’re a step ahead and fix everything now, you won’t have to bump your price down later to compensate for repairs that the buyers first hear about at inspection.

3. You’ll be prepared. In the unfortunate case that an inspection turns up costly repairs and you choose not to fix them, you can disclose the information to buyers or be prepared to negotiate your price after their inspection, rather than be caught off guard.

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 Great Coffee Tables For A Small Space

If you’ve got a small living room, consider your coffee table as an opportunity to maximize space. Here are three great choices for small spaces:

1. Think Clear. An all glass or clear acrylic coffee table in an excellent choice for a small space because it “floats” in your space, allowing the eye to skim over without breaking anything up. This will make your room look and feel larger and more open.

2. Think Convertible. Choose a table that will do double duty. There are many coffee tables on the market that lift up or otherwise unfold into a full height table, allowing you flexibility, which is critical in a small space! There are several of these style tables on the market, allowing choices for every style!

3. Think Small. Instead of a coffee table, consider several smaller tables that can be blocked together and taken apart. Whether you use two tables next to each other, three in a row, or four grouped in a square or line, they can always be taken apart and spread throughout the room when extra space is needed. Additionally, many tables that are sold for this purpose can also be stacked or used as extra bench seating, when the need arises. It’s a win, win!

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 Things To Do Before Saturday

Thursday, July 5th – Free Family Movie
Dolphin Tale will be playing tonight beginning at sunset on the Community Center Lawn in the Village of Five Points (Lewes). This will be the first of a series of summer movies that will continue every Thursday evening until August 9th. See this link for a complete schedule.

Since the holiday prevented us from our usual Weekend Update, we will be sharing some fun weekend activities as part of the Thursday Three & Friday Five this week! First up… three things to do before Saturday!

Thursday, July 5^th – Free Family Movie
Dolphin Tale will be playing tonight beginning at sunset on the Community Center Lawn in the Village of Five Points (Lewes). This will be the first of a series of summer movies that will continue every Thursday evening until August 9^th. See this link for a complete schedule.

Friday, July 6^th-Sunday, July 8^th: Rehoboth Beach Bandstand
As usual, some great entertainment can be found at the bandstand in Rehoboth this weekend. Friday, July 6^th you can enjoy the 287^th Army Band De National Guard in their first ever performance at the bandstand! The show is free and begins at 8pm.

Friday, July 6^th – Concert on the Green
Come down to the Community Center Lawn in the Village of Five Points (Lewes) at 7:30pm to enjoy a free show by Love Seed Mama Jump!

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!

Thursday Three: 3 Ways to Find Out What Your Home is Worth

If you’re thinking of selling your home, one of the most important things to do is price it right. In order to do this, it is imperative that you know the value of your home. Guessing at a home price is definitely not the right strategy, so before you list, be sure to use at least one of these methods to figure out what your home is worth

1. Appraisals
This method begins with a property inspection and ends with the recommendation of a listing price as well as an assortment of other valuable information. An appraisal is really the best way to know what your home is worth, and although it’s not free, the cost of an appraisal (often several hundred dollars) is well worth it if it helps you price your home right the first time and thus sell it more quickly. Just be sure to look for an appraiser who is state licensed and has a wealth of experience in the area in which you’re trying to sell.

2. Automated Valuation Methods
Otherwise known as AVMs, these online programs use all kinds of information including public records of sale and demographics, and information that you input about size, location, and layout to determine the estimated value of your home. Although this method is quick, easy, and free, it’s not actually the best method for determining your home’s value because it’s just a software program and can’t account for characteristics like curb appeal, noise levels, and safety. If you want to use an AVM to get a general idea of your home’s value it might be a good first step, but it shouldn’t be the only information you get before determining your list price.

3. Comparative Market Analysis
Otherwise known as CMAs, or more commonly referred to as comps, the process involves asking your agent to examine your home and then look around the local area for comparable homes that have sold recently. CMAs are free and experienced agents are well-versed in preparing them. It’s often a good idea to get comps from several agents and ask them to explain their process so you can understand how they came to their recommended list price before you make a decision.

For help determining an appropriate listing price for your home, give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266!

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!

Thursday Three: 3 Staging Suggestions

They key to successful staging is a clean & clutter free space that prospective buyers can imagine themselves living in. If it is done well, nobody will be able to tell you’ve done anything at all!

Bathroom: Remove personal items such as toothbrushes, make-up, hair products, etc. from counter space. Be sure the entire room is clean, and invest in a new shower curtain and some hand towels. (Do NOT stack towels, tie them with a ribbon, fold the toilet paper into a pocket and put flowers in it, or in any other way make your home bathroom look like a maid from a luxury hotel cleaned it.)

Kitchen/Dining Room: Be sure the table and chairs and clean and clutter free place a simple centerpiece on the table – a vase of fresh flowers is always a nice touch! Be sure that kitchen counters are clear and clutter free (put any large appliances away in cabinets or closets) – a simple bowl or basket of fruit gives a clean, open look – go for multiple colors! (Do NOT set the table with a full place setting!)

Bedroom: Invest in nice bedding and be sure there are night tables on each side of the bed. For the master bedroom include a dresser and chest of drawers. If the room seems crowded, use a double bed and put your larger bed in storage for the time being. (Do NOT drape a throw, stack multiple books on the end table, or place any kind of tray on the bed or otherwise stage in a way that in no way reflects the way you live!)

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

Thursday Three: 3 Tips for Organizing your Entryway

At its best an entryway should welcome people into your home and be an organized spot that makes your life easier! Here are three tips for organizing your entryway to allow for both beauty and function…

The entryway of a home is often either abused or underutilized. At its best an entryway should welcome people into your home and be an organized spot that makes your life easier! Here are three tips for organizing your entryway to allow for both beauty and function.

Limit clutter – Don’t drop everything you’re holding in the entryway as soon as you enter. Mail, keys, bags, shoes, coats etc. can clutter an area faster than you can blink, so make sure everything has a designated spot and put it away as soon as you walk in!
Utilize multifunctional pieces – Multifunctional pieces that offer storage and fit your space are the key to having a welcoming, organized entryway. For example, a chest can offer both seating and storage, a coat rack/bench combo has many uses, and a basket rack gives you a place to hang your coat as well as out of site storage for keys, mail, pet leashes, or anything else you might need to stash on your way in or out of the house.
Have a key rack – Be sure to have a designated spot to put your keys as soon as you walk in the door. Having your keys on hand will save you time and energy later when you need to run a quick errand or make it to an appointment on time!

Of course, once you put the time and energy into making sure your entryway is organized and inviting be sure to keep it that way by making new habits and maintaining them every time you walk through the door!

Are you looking to buy or sell a home in Southern Delaware? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.