Tips For Staying Within Your Renovation Budget

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If you’re planning a renovation, whether small or large, staying within your budget is a huge stressor and can be difficult!  One of the best ways to preemptively avoid breaking the budget is to work with a designer to work out all of the details of your project before hiring a contractor.  Yes, you will have to pay up front for the design plan, but then you will have specific details to ask contractors to bid on and you will have specific parameters and can make adjustments from there.  Without that plan, you are susceptible to every unexpected thing that comes up which is usually what blows the budget.  Another thing you can do is prioritize your materials to what is going to make the biggest impact on your room and then surround those materials with less expensive things rather than choose the priciest materials for every surface.  Finally, avoid last minute changes which are the costliest of all!  One delay or change can set off a chain of delays and cost adjustments that make a budget a thing of the past.  Again, this is where an initial plan will be helpful because putting time and thought into these decisions in the first place negates the need for last minute switches later on.

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.

Spotlight on Fins Fish House and Raw Bar in Rehoboth Beach

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Fins Fish House and Raw bar (243 Rehoboth Ave) in Rehoboth Beach is one of the top rated restaurants in Rehoboth.  Serving an impressive variety of fresh oysters, daily fish options, and seafood entrees, you really can’t go wrong no matter what you order.  Fins prides themselves on pairing delicious, fresh food with craft brews and select wines.  With a friendly atmosphere, good service and great food, Fins has definitely earned its top spot among Rehoboth Beach eateries.

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

5 Things To Know About Homeowner’s Insurance

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Homeowner’s Insurance is something that everyone has to deal with, but not everyone understands.  Here are five tips for dealing with it:

1.  Shop around.  You shouldn’t just shop around for the best price, you should also shop around for the best agent.  If you need to file a claim, you will have to work with an insurance adjuster.  Knowing, liking, and trusting your agent can make this process much smoother.

2.  Lower your premium.  Insurance companies figure out your premium from formulas that are based on how much risk they forsee in your property.  Taking some preventative measures can lower your premium by up to 20%!  Examples of preventative measures that affect your premium are installing smoke detectors, dead bolts, and alarm systems just to name a few.

3.  Replacement v. market value.  The policy you choose will either cover the “replacement cost” of your home or the “market value” of your home.  A market value policy is typically less expensive, but in the event that your home is ruined by a serious disaster you may not recoup enough to rebuild.  A market value policy will pay out based on how much someone would pay for your home and accompanying land in whatever condition it is in – so basically the insurance company will buy you out at market value after a disaster.  A replacement policy will pay out based on how much it will cost to replace your entire home.  Replacement coverage is definitely recommended, and sometimes even required by mortgage companies.

4.  Time limits.  When you purchase your homeowner’s policy, be sure to ask about time limits for reporting claims and then follow them.

5.  Jewelry coverage.  Many homeowner’s policies limit the coverage of jewelry.  If you have expensive jewelry in your home, even if it is just a couple of wedding rings, be sure to note the jewelry limits in your policy and purchase a supplemental policy (often called a rider) if necessary.

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.

3 Simple Storage Solutions

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If you’re looking to add storage to your home, try one of these tricks:

1.  Utilize Your Foyer.  Add a storage bench to your foyer for both storage and seating.  You can also stretch mesh, rubber boating straps, and a myriad of other materials around painted frames for both decorative and storage purposes.

2.  Over The Fridge.  If you don’t have cabinets above your fridge, build or purchase some storage boxes that match the décor of your kitchen and store odds and ends that you don’t use every day.

3.  Think Outside The Box.  Many handy organizers can be used for things other than their intended purpose.  For example, install an over the door shoe holder in your pantry to store small bottles, spice packets, and more.

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.

Weekend Update: September 20th-22nd

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If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, check out one of these local events:

Thursday, September 19th: Local History Tour
Hop on the Jolly Trolley in Rehoboth Beach for a local history tour.  The tour begins at the Anna Hazzard House at 17 Christian Street in downtown Rehoboth.  Tickets are $10 per person, and you must call ahead to reserve a spot.  Contact 302-227-7310 if you want to reserve your spot.

Friday, September 20th: “Fun Friday” Oktoberfest
This event will take place from 4-6:30pm on Market Street between Front and Second in Lewes.  There will be Bavarian-style dancers, a German Oompah band, local restaurants will feature German cuisine, and more.

Saturday, September 21st: Millsboro Country Festival Car Show
The Millsboro County Festival Car, Truck, and Bike Show will take place from 8am-3:30pm on Monroe Street in Millsboro.  Judging is at noon with awards at 2pm.  If you’d like to register a vehicle, it’s $15 and you can register the day of.

Saturday, September 21st: Millsboro Country Festival
This festival will take place all day on Main Street in Millsboro.  The car, truck & tractor parade will begin at 10am.  The day will also include rides, music, games, crafts, children’s activities, bed races, and more.  For more information call the Millsboro Chamber of Commerce at 302-934-6777.

Sunday, September 22nd:  Farmer & Foodie Festival
This fourth annual festival will take place at The Circle and the Brick Hotel Property in Georgetown from noon-4pm.  Admission is free for all and the day includes children’s activities, hay rides, a pig roast, live entertainment, and more.

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

Tips For Working With Contractors

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Home improvement projects are stressful, and unfortunately working with contractors can make this even more difficult at times.  Contractors are busy people and they don’t want to work with difficult customers any more than you want to work with a difficult contractor.  To make the relationship smoother, avoid disputing payments unless there is an extreme legal reason, be gracious about filling online reviews in a timely and truthful fashion, and offer to serve as a reference for completed work.  These tips will help you build a relationship with your contractor and pave the way for a smooth transaction.

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.

A Guide To Molding

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Molding is a beautiful, decorative architectural detail that is a part of many homes, but since it comes in so many different types and forms it can also be very confusing.  Here’s an alphabetical guideline to follow:

  • Baseboard.  Baseboards usually measure 3-5 inches.  It trims walls where they join with the floor.
  • Batten.  This type of molding is also called board-and-batten is used to hide the joint between pieces of paneling.
  • Bead.  Bead molding and pearl molding are similar types of trim that have a row of small spheres that are often paired with crown or chair moldings.
  • Casing.  This is the type of molding that goes around door and window frames to fill the gap.  Typically this type of molding is 2-3 inches wide.
  • Chair Rail.  This molding is installed partially up a wall and is supposed to protect walls from being damaged by furniture, but many people use it just for decoration.
  • Crown.  This molding is a beautiful architectural detail that fills the transition between wall and ceiling.  They can also be called cornice moldings and range in size from very small and simple to extremely large and ornate.
  • Dentil.  This type of molding is made up of small, evenly spaced blocks in a repeating pattern.  This type of molding is typical of historic homes and is usually just a part of more intricate crown molding.
  • Picture Rail.  Picture railings are hung anywhere from a few inches to a few feet below ceiling height and allow artwork to be hung without driving nails directly into the wall.

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.

Natural Ways To Get Rid of Pests

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If your yard or home seems to attract pests, but you don’t like the idea of using chemicals to combat the problem, consider these natural solutions:

  • Plant Basil.  This will help block flies, which hate the smell of basil.  Planting pots at doorways or on windowsills or countertops can help repel flies.  Dried basil will also work, as long as the smell stays strong.
  • Vitamin C.  Citrus fruits are good for you and spiders hate them!  Mix unsweetened lemon or lime juice with water and wipe your countertops, doorways and windowsills with it.  If you have a spider problem in your garden spread around lemon, orange, or lime peels.
  • Vinegar.  A half water/half vinegar solution will destroy scent trails that ants use to navigate, thus helping to destroy your ant problem.  Just be sure to wipe down any surface where you’ve spotted ants multiple times a day for best results.
  • Trick Wasps.  Wasps are territorial and will not built a nest within 20 yards of another one.  You can purchase a fake wasps nest that is similar to a paper lantern.  Hang several around your property and you won’t have to worry about wasps taking over.
  • Catnip.  If cats are an issue, this is probably not a good idea, but according to a scientific publication catnip repels mosquitoes more effectively than DEET.  Grow it in your garden to keep mosquitoes at bay.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar.  If fruit flies are an issue, trap them in a glass filled three-quarters of the way with apple cider vinegar, than add 6-8 drops of dishwashing liquid and fill the rest of warm water… fruit flies will be a distant memory!

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.

Spotlight on Espuma in Rehoboth Beach

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Espuma (28 Wilmington Ave) in Rehoboth Beach serves delicious Mediterranean fare made with fresh, local, seasonal ingredients.  The cocktails at Espuma are legendary, the food is amazing, the atmosphere is warm, intimate and lovely, and the service is great.  A meal at Espuma is an all around memorable experience.  Espuma opens daily for dinner at 5pm.  If you have a special occasion to celebrate or are just looking for a fine meal, definitely go to Espuma!

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

5 Ways To Make Your House Smart

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If you’re looking to increase your home’s technological presence, check out these five cool ways to make your home smarter:

1.  Home Automation Systems.  Hooking your lighting and appliances up to a home automation system is a great way to ease into smarter home technology.  Many companies sell this type of technology at a variety or price points.

2.  Video Doorbell.  A video doorbell will allow you to see and even talk with visitors before you open the door.  And if you’re not home, you can view snapshots of who was at your door while you were away.

3.  Programmable Thermostat.  If you don’t already have a programmable thermostat, getting one can save you a significant portion of your heating and cooling costs.  Some are so intelligent they can even program themselves after learning your schedule!

4.  Water Saver.  There are systems available that keep track of your water usage and automatically alert you to your water usage so that you can save water… and they really work!

5.  Smart Lock.  There are new locks available that use keyless technology downloaded to a smart phone to control your locks.  With these you can even let guests in remotely and keep track of who has locked and unlocked your door without ever being home.  Many of these can also be operated manually so that during a phone, internet, or power outage there are no issues.

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.

3 Bathroom Storage Solutions You Can Do Yourself

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Everyone needs more storage in their bathroom.  Take advantage of these handy, do-it-yourself ideas to create more in yours:

1.  Hidden Toothbrush Holder.  Cut notches in your medicine cabinet shelf for storing toothbrushes and they will be kept vertical and out of the way.

2.  Install a Glass Shelf.  Installing a shelf in the shower is a great way to get the clutter of bottles, etc. under control.  There are many options, but a tempered safety glass shelf won’t break up the visual line of the shower either, keeping things crisp, clean, and clutter free.

3.  Corral Cords.  Installing PVC piping on the inside of your vanity door to store curling irons and their cords – you need 5” lengths of 2” diameter piping for the curling irons and 3” pieces of 1 ½” diameter piping fo the cords.

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.

Weekend Update: September 13th-15th

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If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, check out one of these local events:

All Weekend: Polkamotion By The Ocean
The 34th annual polka festival, Polkamotion By The Ocean will be held at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center (229 Rehoboth Ave) in Rehoboth this weekend.  There will be live music Thursday, 9/12 from 6pm-midnight.  The theme for the evening’s dress will be “Beachcomber.”  On Friday, 9/13 music will run from 4pm-1am and the theme will be “Friday the 13th Mardis Gras.”  On Saturday, 9/14 music will run from 4pm-1am and on Sunday, 9/15 events run from 11am-6pm.  The kitchen will be open during all events.  Tickets are sold by the day and range in price from $10-$17 depending on your age and the day.  Children under the age of 16 are always free.  For more information, including a full schedule, check out this link: http://www.rbpolka.com

Saturday, September 14th: Woodland Ferry Festival
Head to the Village of Woodland, near Seaford for the Woodland Ferry Festival.  Enjoy good food, free ferry rides across the Nanticoke River, vendors, games, music, and more.  The festival runs from 8am-4pm.

Saturday, September 14th: Town-Wide Yard Sale
The town of Milton will host their annual fall town-wide yard sale from 9am-12pm on Saturday.

Saturday, September 14th: Arts By The Sea Party
Head to the Freeman Stage at Bayside (31750 Lake View Drive) in Selbyville for the Arts & Jazz Festival from 10am-6pm on Saturday.  Many jazz artists will share the stage, and some of Delmarva’s finest artists will display their work.  This event is free for all.  Don’t forget a lawn chair!

Sunday, September 15th: Lewes Dragon Boat Festival
The Lewes Dragonboat Festival will be held at Lewes Canalfront Park this weekend from 11am-4pm.  The day will include food, fun for the whole family, and of course, dragonboat races.  For more information, check out this link: http://lewesdragonboat.com

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.

Back To School Storage Solutions

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If you or someone you know has gone off to college recently, chances are you’ve noticed that storage space is at a premium in college dorms and apartments.  Luckily, there are a few great storage ideas that can help any student make the most of their space.

  • Combine storage & seating.  Find items that do double duty such as a bench with storage inside or underneath.
  • Use everyday items for décor.  For example, hang a couple of hooks on the wall and attach a basic chain at both ends and then hang your jewelry for instant storage and décor for just a few dollars or hang some painted crown molding to display heels from. 
  • Make it mobile.  Add wheels to a bookshelf or bench and then place it in front of your closet door.  Added storage in an instant and you can just wheel it out of the way when you need access to your clothes!
  • Charging station.  Although it will take up space, creating a charging station will keep you and your space more organized, giving the feel of actually having more space.
  • Shoe rack.  If your space has a common area, create a shoe rack for everyone to keep the place cleaner and free up some valuable closet space.
  • Use old drawers.  If you can find some old drawers, painting and lining them and stacking them vertically will give a homey feel and much needed storage space in a small area.  Or, if you can find beautiful old drawers or baskets, filling them with the items that remain in plain sight (like lotions, toothpaste, etc.) will just make everything look nicer as well as be easy to move around if necessary.

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.

Mistakes to Avoid When Buying

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If you’re looking to buy a home there are some common mistakes that you should avoid at all costs.  The first is passing up homes that can be easily fixed.  If a home is in your desired location keep in mind that cosmetic issues can often be easily fixed for a relatively small amount of money.  Of course, a home that needs an entire new kitchen might not be worth your time and money, but a home that just needs a facelift, a coat of paint, or new carpeting can be well worth your time and money.  Another thing to consider is the total cost of homeownership.  Many homeowners forget to factor in the cost of home maintenance which is, on average, 1 to 3 percent of the full purchase price of the home, annually.  When you are buying a home, a good realtor can lead you away from the most common mistakes and more, so the best protection is a realtor you can trust!

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.

Spotlight on the Beijing Buffet in Rehoboth

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The Beijing Buffet (18908 Rehoboth Mall Blvd) in Rehoboth has been recognized by Delaware Today as one of the top all-you-can eat restaurants fin Sussex County.  Serving all the classics that Chinese buffets are known for, this restaurant also offers some classic American fare, sushi rolls, and more.  Great for family dining, a quick meal, and those on a budget, Beijing Buffet is worth the stop if you’re looking for Chinese food, a buffet, or both.

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

3 Kitchen Trends To Avoid

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If you are redoing your kitchen, or even just thinking about it, you may be tempted to update this popular room with some of the current trends.  Some trends, however, should be avoided so that your kitchen will age well and not be outdated in just a year or two.  Here are five current trends to avoid in order to add years to the life of your kitchen:

1.  Farmhouse Sinks.  These popular sinks are beautiful and all over design shows and floor rooms, but these trendy sinks may be outdated in just a few years.  For a sink that will stand the test of time go for something deep and stainless.

2.  Colorful Appliances.  White appliances are trending right now, but stainless is what will last forever.  Because stainless goes with every décor from country to contemporary to traditional, it’s really the best bet for anyone.

3.  Decorative Range Hoods.  Although still trendy, range hoods as a kitchen focal point is waning in popularity.  Avoid it to help your kitchen stand the test of time.

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: September 6th-8th

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If you’re looking for something fun to do this weekend, check out one of these local events:

Friday, September 6th: History Happy Hour
This week’s history happy hour will feature Jim Bertholet presenting “The Life and Work of a Surfman in the US Life Saving Service 1870s-1915.”  This talk will take place at the Lewes Life Saving Station at the canal and Front Street.  All talks begin at 4pm.

Saturday, September 7th: 8th Annual Chocolate Tasting in the Park
The Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park sponsor this annual event at the Biden Center in Cape Henlopen State Park.  The event featuring all homemade chocolate runs from 1pm-4pm.  Admission is $5 and gets you 6 tastings.  For more information call 302-858-6127.

Saturday, September 7th; Chicken Plunge & Beach Party
The chicken plunge and beach party is a fun, family event.  It runs from 11am-2pm and cost is $10 per adult and $5 per child.  The beach party is held on the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk at Grenoble Place.

Saturday, September 7th: 13 Annual Riverwalk Freedom Festival
Head to downtown Milford for the 13th Annual Riverwalk Festival on Saturday for all day events including a burger eating contest, downtown scavenger hunt, cornhole tournament, children’s activities, and more.  For more information, check out this link.

Saturday, September 7th: 35th Annual Bethany Beach Boardwalk Arts Festival
The town of Bethany Beach will hold their annual arts festival downtown from 10am-5pm on Saturday.  The event includes over 100 fine artists featuring paintings, wood work, metal work, pottery, baskets, jewelry and more.  This year will also include sections for farmers market goods, wine tasting and a children’s corner.

Saturday, September 7th-Sunday, September 8th: Nanticoke Indian Powwow
The 36th annual Nanticoke Indian Powow will include American Indian drummers and singers, Native American foods, Authentic Indian Arts and Crafts and more.  Over 40 tribes from across the USA will be present.  This event runs from 10am Saturday through 5pm on Sunday.  Cost is $10 per vehicle for parking and entry.  For more information call 302-945-7022.  Don’t forget to bring a lawn chair!

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.

What’s The Big Deal About Home Warranties?

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A home warranty can be a good investment or a complete waste of money.  Whether or not a home warranty is right for you completely depends on your situation.  There are many different companies that offer home warranties and they all offer different services for different prices, but in general a home warranty costs $300-$500 a year and will cover the cost of repairing or replacing almost any malfunctioning appliance or system in your home.  With a home warranty, when something in your home, like a dishwasher, oven, water heater, etc. breaks you call the home warranty company and they contact the repair company that the contract with and send someone out to fix the problem.  The home warranty would cover the costs, minus a small co-pay.  You can purchase a home warranty at any time that you own a home, but it is a particularly great incentive to offer if you are putting your home on the market.  For usually less than $500 you can offer a year’s worth of peace of mind to potential buyers, which can go a long way to helping your home show well and even sell!

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.

Housing Numbers To Consider

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When you are looking for house, whether it is to rent or to buy, there is always math to consider.  The first number that is important regardless of whether you’re going to rent or buy your credit score is vastly important.  If you have stellar credit, such as a score over 740, use it to your advantage to negotiate a better rate for yourself.  Mortgage rates are another important number if you’re looking to buy a home.  For every one percent that a mortgage rate increases, a home becomes twelve percent more expensive for buyers, so locking in the lowest possible interest rate you can is in your definite best interest as a buyer.  Finally, if you’re thinking of buying consider the total cost of home ownership which includes your mortgage, insurance and taxes.  The best rule of thumb is not to let the total cost of home ownership exceed twenty-five percent of your monthly income.  A good realtor can help you crunch these numbers and find the best fit for your family.

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.