From all of us at Cooper Realty Associates to all of you, Happy Easter!
Month: March 2013
Spotlight on Easter Sunrise on the Beach
With tomorrow being Easter Sunday, enjoy Easter Sunrise Service on the beach! There will be a Community Sunrise Service at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand at 6:30am and another on the beach at Lewes at 6:30am. And if you missed the Egg Hunt fun around town today, enjoy Easter brunch at the Rusty Rudder (113 Dickinson St.) in Dewey Beach followed by a free Egg Hunt at 2pm. Happy Easter!
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!
March 29, 2013
Today’s food for thought is from Francis Bacon: “A bachelor’s life is fine at breakfast, a flat lunch, and a miserable dinner.” (Fred) “This quote is a thumbs up for marriage.”
Today is Good Friday, lest we forget, today is the day that God’s only Son died for us!
Five Signs You’re Looking At The Wrong Home
Last week I wrote about five issues that should raise red flags in your mind if you’re looking to buy. Here are some more:
1. Locked Doors. If there are any areas of a home that are off limits during your tours, be sure that you arrange to see them at some point before you put any kind of offer on the house.
2. Missing Walls. If there has been any major remodeling to the home keep in mind that moving walls can shift the weight of the house around, which will cause issues if load bearing walls were not properly cared for. Be sure to check for signs that there aren’t any structural issues.
3. Window Issues. Check out all the windows, make sure they work and don’t stick, check to make sure that there isn’t water damage between window panes.
4. Pests. Check for signs of unwelcome pests – roaches, mice, termites, etc. do not make good house guests! Look for traps, scat, and other tell tale signs that pests might be an issue.
5. A Questionable Area. If a home you are interested is in an area where there are lots of boarded up homes or businesses or if it’s in a neighborhood where there are many other homes for sale, ask around and find out what’s up. If there’s a reason that so many people are leaving the area then you will want to know about it before you buy.
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.
Three Tips for Window Treatments
If you’re hanging curtains try these three tips:
1. Hang high. Hang your curtain rods at the ceiling and add floor length drapes, even if your windows aren’t floor length. This draws the eye up and gives the impression of enlarging the room.
2. Go full. Using full length window treatments on small windows give the illusion of a larger window.
3. Utilize Architecture. Use curtain rods and other window treatment hardware with some architectural interest to add some drama to the room.
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.
March 27, 2013
Today’s food for thought is from Francis Bacon: “Hope is a good breakfast, but is a bad supper.” (Fred) “If you hope for a good dinner and it is dinnertime, your hope is in vain, replace hope with action and maybe the outcome will be a good dinner.”
Fred’s pick of the day is MLS # 590683-$198,500. A new home in Seaford DE, has 3 BR, 2 BA, in 1620 sq. ft. on .68 acre that boasts an open/split floor plan with vaulted ceilings. Call me at 302 258-6983 to see this home.
Weekend Update: March 29th-31st
This weekend is Easter weekend, and there are several great events going on in and around the area:
Friday, March 29th: 45th Annual Great Delaware Kite Festival
This fun, family event takes place on the Cape Henlopen State Park Parade Grounds from 10am-3pm Friday. There is no entry fee to compete and competitions take place in three age groups. Children (12 and under), Teens (13-17), and Adults (18 and up). Each category presents awards for store-bought and home-made. There are special class awards for Open Individual Ballet and Individual Precision, as well as awards for most senior flyer, youngest flyer, flyer furthest from home, smallest kite, and largest kite. The Highest Kite Competition is open to everyone and takes place around 12:15pm. There is no fee to watch, although entrance fees to Cape Henlopen do apply. Competition begins at 10am, and there will be several vendors on site selling kites and supplies for those who wish to compete but do not have the necessary equipment. Registration begins at 9am. The Child and Teen competitions are in the morning, followed by the Highest Kite at 12:15 and then adult, individual ballet and individual precision competitions in the afternoon.
Friday, March 29th-Saturday, March 30th: Delaware Music Festival
Rusty Rudder (113 Dickinson Street) in Dewey Beach brings back its annual Delaware Music Festival this weekend. Over the course of two evenings there will be 25 different bands on 4 different stages. The event is free, but for ages 21 and up only. Concerts start at 9pm Friday and 6pm Saturday. For more information call 302-227-3888.
Saturday, March 30th: First Annual Lewes Egg Hunt
Bring the whole family to Canalfront Park for Lewes’ 1st annual egg hunt! The Easter Bunny will be there and thousands of eggs will be hidden. In the event of rain, the hunt will take place indoors at the park building. This event is recommended for children 10 and under. Children must have a ticket to take place, and tickets are limited. Cost is $5 for one ticket or $10 for 2 or more children in the same family. To purchase tickets, go to lewescanalfrontpark.org.
Saturday, March 30th: 13th Annual Easter Egg Hunt in Georgetown
The annual Georgetown Egg Hunt is held at the Marvel Carriage Museum from 11am-1pm. Admission is free and includes crafts, food, face painting, moon bounce, train rides, pictures with the Easter Bunny and more. The egg hunt starts at noon. For more information call 302-856-1544.
Saturday, March 30th: 5th Annual Alley Oop Egg Scoop
This year, Alley Oop Skim will host three separate egg hunts in Dewey Beach at New Orleans Street. Ages 5 and under will hunt at 10am, ages 6-8 at 11am, and ages 9-11 at noon. Children must be registered, and a $1 admission fee is due at check in. To register call 302-227-7087.
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.
March 26, 2013
Today’s food for thought is from Albert Einstein: “If you can’t explain it to a six-year-old, you don’t understand it yourself.” (Fred) “If that is true we are in real trouble.”
Fred’s pick of the day is MLS # 599099-$169,900. A Millsboro DE brick rancher with 3 BR, 1.5 Bath in 1256 sq. ft. that boast an in-town location, partial fencing, a patio, storage shed, an eat-in kitchen, and a wood burning fireplace. Call me to see this home at 302 258-6983.
Best Bathroom Upgrades For Your Money
According to several surveys updating a tired bathroom is the single best project to undertake before selling your home. But all updates are not considered equal… some updates have a better return on investment than others. If you can’t afford an entire room make-over you definitely want to replace the sink and faucet. This sets the tone for the rest of the room, and although it can be costly, it also returns the entire investment plus some upon sale. After the sink and faucet, changing out the counters and vanity for something function but stylish and replacing the flooring both offer a good return on investment. If you still have some room in the budget, replacing your current toilet with a water saving model and replacing a worn tub/shower with something is also a good idea, but if you can’t do it all these are the two areas you will want to skip for sure. It is often said that buyers make offers based on the kitchen and bathrooms, so if you have the budget for a project, making your bathroom a buyer’s dream before you sell is well worth it!
Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-629-6693.
Quick Tips For A Cleaner Home
Whether you’re selling your home and trying to keep it as clean as possible, or just desire a cleaner home, here are some chores you can do in 5 minutes or less:
- Swiffer/sweep/vacuum the floor in any room
- Make the bed
- Fold laundry
- Clean the toilet bowl & wipe down the bathroom sink
- Dust the television and wipe off the screen
- Open the refrigerator or freezer and throw away everything that needs to be tossed
- Choose a room and dust all surfaces with a once-over
- Wipe down kitchen counters
- Clean out the kitchen sink
- Load or unload the dishwasher
- Wipe down door knobs and/or cabinet handles and/or light switches with disinfectant
- Open a drawer and clean it out
- Clean out the medicine cabinet
- Recycle old magazines and newspapers
- Wipe down sofa or other upholstery and fluff pillows
- Choose a room and clean any spots on the wall with a magic eraser
- Sort laundry and start a load
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.
March 25, 2013
Today’s food for thought is from Albert Einstein: “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.” (Fred) “I just can’t understand how it is alright to spend what you don’t have and not think there will be consequences.”
Fred’s pick of the day is MLS # 601367-$149,500. A Rancher in Laurel DE with 4 BR, 2.5 BA, in 1800 sq. ft. in .33 acre and has an updated kitchen and new paint. Call me to see this home @ 302 258-6983.
Spotlight on Jake’s Seafood House in Rehoboth
Jakes Seafood House has two locations (29 Baltimore Ave. & 19178 Coastal Hwy) in Rehoboth. Jake’s serves a variety of succulent and delicious seafood. Their lemon-butter scallops, steamed clams, whole Maine lobster, and salmon all come highly recommended, but their crab cakes are legendary! Jake’s began as a family restaurant as one of Baltimore’s first seafood houses and grew to the Rehoboth Beach area over 25 years ago. Both locations are still family owned and operated and run by the high, family standards that have been a part of Jake’s from the beginning. This means that all the food is prepared fresh daily and made to order. If you love seafood, Jake’s is definitely worth checking out, even in the off season!
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.
March 22, 2013
Today’s food for thought is from Albert Einstein: “If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” (Fred) “Fairy tales can be kind of gruesome but usually have happy endings after some trials and tribulations.”
Fred’s pick of the Day is MLS # 602139-$129,900. A charming Bridgeville, DE Colonial which has 3 BR, 1 BA, in 1300 sq. ft. on .29 acre, with a wood burning fireplace and hardwood floors throughout. Call me to see this home @ 302 258-6983.
Five Signs You Should Step Back Before Making An Offer
When you find a home that seems perfect for you, be sure to look carefully for potential problems before you put in an offer. Here are a few red flags to look for:
1. Lack of Maintenance. If you can tell that a home hasn’t been well maintained just by looking at it, think hard about whether or not you are up for the challenge. Chances are that in a situation like this there will be more to fix than just the cosmetic.
2. Foundation Issues. Comb the foundation for damage. Look for noticeable cracks, bulges, and grading issues in the yard which could mean that water has run down the foundation.
3. Old Wiring. If there are outlets or switches in the home that do not function, or if the outlets are double pronged instead of triple, if any lights flicker or circuits don’t work that is all a sign that there may be wiring issues.
4. Funky Smells. If you smell bad smells inside or out it could be a sign that there are bigger issues. Additionally, if you smell strong overlying scents like potpourri, candles, etc. then just keep in mind that it may be masking other not-so-nice smells.
5. Limited Fresh Paint. New paint is the number one way for sellers to spruce up their homes before selling, but if you only see new paint in certain areas, look for deeper issues which may be hiding under the paint, such as mildew or mold.
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.
Three Quick Floor Updates
If you need to freshen your floor in a relatively quick and easy way, try one of these three options:
1. Carpet Tiles. Carpet tiles are relatively easy to install and can define an area or add color to a room instantly.
2. Area Rugs. If you have an open floor plan, using different area rugs will define separate areas quickly without too much trouble.
3. Laminate Flooring. In hard to maintain areas like a mudroom, bathroom, or laundry room, consider light-colored laminate flooring. It is easy to install and even easier to maintain.
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.
Weekend Update: March 22nd-24th
Saturday, March 23rd: Children’s Easter Party
The American Legion Post 17 in Lewes is hosting an Easter Party for all children 10 and younger. There will be eggs, games, and refreshments from noon until 2pm.
Saturday, March 23rd: Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert
The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra will perform at Mariner’s Bethel United Methodist Church (81 Central Ave at the corner of Rt 26) in Ocean View. For more information call 888-846-8600.
Saturday, March 23rd: Battery 519 Lantern Tour
Tour the gun battery in Cape Henlopen State Park by lantern light and learn how soldiers defended the Atlantic coast during World War II. Tour begins at 5:30 and is for ages 10 and above only. $5 per person. For more information contact Cape Henlopen State Park.
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.
March 20, 2013
Today’s food for thought is from Cicero, 55 BC: “The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed, lest Rome become bankrupt. People must learn to work instead of living on public assistance.” (Fred) “There is nothing new under the sun, history repeats itself, and the definition of an idiot (doing things the same way and expecting different results), all come into play here. We have done it again!
Fred’s pick of the day is MLS # 600007-$124,000. This is a Fannie Mae property in Georgetown DE, with 6 BR, 4BA, in 4710 sq. ft. on 5 acres, that has just been reduced. Call me to see this home at 302 258-6983.
Tips for Viewing Houses
If you’re house hunting the last thing you want to do is waste your time looking at a bunch of properties that are wrong for you. To make the most of your time and effort, start by working with a realtor. Find someone you trust, but also someone you like since you may be spending a lot of time with them! Once you have a realtor and they have your wish list you can start touring homes. If at all possible drive with your realtor when you go on tours. This gives you time between homes to discuss and debrief so that your realtor can help you narrow your search, and insures that nobody will get lost or separated. When you go on a buyer’s tour make sure you have plenty of time free. If you have to rush back to work or on to your next plans you won’t be able to spend time truly exploring homes that you actually like. And while we’re talking about exploring, if you don’t like a place a cursory once-over is plenty of time to spend, but if you really like a place open every cabinet, drawer, and door in the place. After you’ve looked at a home, be sure to discuss all the details with your realtor. Voicing any concerns and criticisms that you have can help your realtor narrow down your home search so that you can use your time and effort much more efficiently. And finally, if you want to make your life easier wear shoes that you can slip on and off. Often homes with new carpet also have signs that ask you to remove your shoes, and being able to slip your shoes on and off will make the whole process much faster! Happy house hunting.
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.
March 19, 2013
Today’s food for thought is from William Shakespeare: “We know what we are, but not what we may be.” (Fred) “Opportunity can change the course of one’s life in unexpected ways.”
Fred’s pick of the day is MLS # 601769-$999,000. Here is a waterfront home in Dagsboro DE with 4 BR, 2.5 BA, in 4016 sq. ft. on 1.09 acres, that boasts an open floor plan with water views throughout, a Chef’s Kitchen, hardwoods, large sunroom, and a pier with a boat lift. Call me to see this gem at 302 258-6983.
Advice for Downsizing
There are many reasons to downsize. Maybe your kids are all grown and out of the house, maybe you are retiring, maybe you hate keeping up with the yard and housework, maybe you’re tired of spending so much money to heat and light rooms that you rarely use. Whatever the reason, downsizing is typically a part of everyone’s life at some point. When you’re ready to downsize the first thing you should do is evaluate your finances and your credit to see what you can afford. After that you should make a “wish list” for your new home. Ask yourself all the same questions you asked yourself when you bought your previous home and prioritize the things you want and need in your new home. Finally, begin to tour homes. Homes with less than 1200 square feet and condos are the best bets for those looking to downsize. Of course, with downsizing the real estate adage of “location, location, location” still holds true. And when it comes to school district, remember that even if it doesn’t matter to you, it may matter when it comes time for you to sell. Finally, when it comes time to move remember that you are going to have to get rid of both furniture and stuff. Downsizing can be difficult, especially if you have a lot of “things” that you are attached too. A good rule of thumb is to sell, donate, or pass on anything that you haven’t used in the past year. If your kids are still storing things at your home give them a time frame to remove their goods before they get donated. And don’t forget about scale of your items too. If your furniture is oversized, you will want to sell it and buy new, smaller pieces for downsizing. In a large home, oversize furniture is cozy, but in a small home it is cramped at best and at worse doesn’t even fit. Downsizing can be stressful, but when it is all said and done it is so much nicer to have less to take care of, and the lower utility bills that generally come with downsizing are a nice perk too!
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.