Author: Connie - Gadget Girl

Weekend Update: March 1st-3rd

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This weekend is one of the most delicious weekends in town!  Plus there are some other events going on as well…

Saturday, March 2nd: The Jasper String Quartet
The Jasper String Quartet performs as part of the Coastal Concert Series this Saturday at Bethel United Methodist Church (129 W. Fourth Street) in Lewes.  This critically acclaimed group is the winner of various awards and will be concentrating on the works of Bartok and Schubert.  For more information or to purchase tickets, check out this link.

Saturday, March 2nd: 23rd Annual Chocolate Festival
Chocolate lovers will unite at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center from 11:30am-3:30pm on Saturday for a day of decadent desserts and family fun!  Admission is only $2 (free for children under 5) and tastes are 50 cents each.  Delicious!

Of course the heart of the chocolate festival is the baking contest, which is open to anyone who wishes to enter.  The categories are restaurants, bakery, professional/chef, amateur, showpiece, children under 12 & showpiece for children under 12.  Each category has the 7 subcategories of cookies, cheesecake, brownies, candy, pies, cake, and most unusual.  There are prizes and it’s not too late to enter.  All you have to do is bring your entry or entries and this entry form to the Convention Hall between 7am-8:30am the day of the contest.

Have fun and enjoy the amazing treats!

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.

Aesthetic Issues That Affect A Sale

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When you are selling a home there are a lot of details to pay attention to.  Buyers can be picky and many complain about a lot.  But there are several simple aesthetic fixes that can stop buyers from being turned-off from your home.  The first is overgrown and/or dead landscaping.  Pruning and raking only cost a bit of time and can add some serious curb appeal.  The next thing that you can easily fix to appeal to a wider variety of buyers is paint.  Painting is a relatively inexpensive and simple fix to make.  Ugly wallpaper and paneling can also turn-off buyers.  Although it’s more difficult to take care of, replacing unattractive wallpaper with paint will make a huge difference.  If you have options to remove your paneling and paint those walls too, you should take it, although removing paneling can be very tricky, so be sure to consult an expert before you begin any projects.  Although there are many more buyer turn-offs that sellers can easily take care of, the final one I am going to mention are doors.  Make sure all of your doors are on, hung straight, moving freely, and working properly before you begin showing your home.

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.

All About Staging

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Staging your home is one of the best ways to help it sell.  Staging is about creating a mood giving the illusion that your home is brighter, warmer, and sometimes even larger than it might otherwise seem.  Done correctly, staging helps create an environment that makes potential buyers want to bite the bullet.  Staging is the final stage in prepping your home for sale.  It should follow de-cluttering, cleaning, painting, and making any necessary repairs.  To dress a room you can use a variety of items.  Some popular ones are mirrors, lamps, flowers and plants, area rugs, pillows, throw blankets, baskets, etc.  Most stager recommend using sparse furniture and accenting to make the room’s purpose apparent.  For example, in your kitchen you can rub orange oil into dry cabinets to revive them and make them shine and put out large bowls of bright, polished fruit such as apples and oranges.  It helps your bathroom to add spa baskets with towels tied with ribbon, scented soaps and lotions, etc.  Stagers also recommend that you stage your yard too.  Add plants and flowers as necessary, and remember that potted plants work too.  You can also dress any patio furniture that you have with a fun tablecloth or other bright solution.

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 Garage Update Ideas

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If you have a garage that is tired and in desperate need of an update.  Try one of these ideas:

1.  Cover the floor.  Paint an epoxy garage floor covering over dirty, old concrete floors.

2.  More Storage.  Add an overhead storage system to add a lot of usefulness to space that would otherwise remain empty.

3.  Keep things handy.  Utilize pegboard for covering at least one full wall so that well-loved tools and equipment can be easily reached and well organized.

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 El Dorado Restaurant in Rehoboth

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El Dorado Restaurant (18766 John J Williams Hwy) in Rehoboth specializes in fresh, made-to-order, Baja style fish tacos.  They are open from 11am-9pm Monday-Saturday and receive rave reviews for both their food and service.  The atmosphere is super casual, but you can’t beat the freshness!  Everything is made to order and you can fix up your choices exactly how you’d like with the complimentary salsa bar.  Although they’re famous for their fish tacos, all other varieties are delicious too, as are the burritos!  If Mexican food is your thing, definitely check out El Dorado!

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.

Five Bathroom Fixes On A Budget

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If you’re looking to add value to your bathroom without doing a total remodel, consider some (or all!) of these ideas:

1.  A new sink.  A new sink is a great way to add both form and function to your bathroom.  Sinks can be stylish, whimsical, luxurious, and more.  And there are plenty of affordable options.  Be sure to pay attention to the faucets and handles too… not only do they update your look, those details add value.

2.  Light it up.  Updating your lighting can give your room a whole new feel.  For the bathroom there are many options including task lighting, recessed lighting, and track lighting.  Be sure to consider the function and ambiance that you’re going for.

3.  Update the floor.  Porcelain, ceramic, and natural stone tiles add both value and design to your bathroom.  Using simple designs instead of detailed ones to save even more money.

4.  Shower yourself.  Installing a luxurious shower head will add instant value to your room.  A rain head is a simple update that buyers love.

5.  Give your cabinets some love.  If it’s not in your budget to replace your cabinets, refacing them by replacing just the doors and drawers can give your room a whole new look and a lot of value.  Of course, if that’s not in your budget either, giving your cabinets some TLC in the way of cleaning and a facelift can work wonders 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 – 302-856-6434.

Weekend Update: Feb. 22nd-24th

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Here are a few events going on in and around Sussex County this weekend:

Friday, Feb 22nd – Rehoboth Beach Film Society presents Oscar Nominated Live Action Shorts
The film society will present the five Academy Award contenders for Best Live Action Short Film in the upstairs screening room at the Movies at Midway at 7pm Friday night.  Admission is $4 for Society members and $6 for non-members.  Tickets are sold first-come, first-serve.  For more information, including a description of the films, check out this link.

Saturday, Feb. 23rd – Big Fish Grill Cooking Class
Learn how to cook with the experts!  Class is from 10am-1pm, with doors opening at 9:45am.  Participants must be pre-registered.  Cost is $75 per person.  Hands-on participation is expected!  Class includes coffee & breakfast, meeting the chef, question and answer session, wine & cheese tasting, and cooking instruction including three courses, plus more.

Saturday, Feb. 23rd – Nanticoke Health Fair
The Nanticoke Health Fair takes place at Laurel High School (1133 S. Central Ave in Laurel) from 7:30am-2pm Saturday.  This community event is for all ages and includes health screenings, demonstrations, and activities for the whole family.  Health screenings include cholesterol, glucose, body mass, blood pressure, 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.

 

Financial Tips

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When you are in the market for a new home you are prepared to spend a huge chunk of money, but just because the bank offers you a $400,000 mortgage doesn’t mean that it is wise for you to take the full amount.  Generally speaking, you should take at least 20% less than the bank offers you in order to protect your financial security.  By purchasing a home at the very top of your budget, you risk being in a tight financial position for very many years in the future if anything should go wrong.  Additionally, unless you are willing to take a risk, you should always go with a fixed-rate mortgage for a set period of time.  A traditional 15 or 30 year mortgage will protect you against a jump in your monthly payment in the future.  Finally, don’t get caught off guard by unexpected costs.  In addition to the down payment and closing costs be prepared to pay appraisal fees, broker fees, loan application fees, inspection fees, plus ongoing costs like property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, homeowner’s association or condo fees, and hazard/flood insurance in addition to your monthly mortgage payment.  To be best prepared for all of these costs, be sure that you keep a significant portion of cash available rather than using it all toward your down-payment.  This will help insure better financial security for your family and your future.

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.

Things You Should Know Before You Buy A Home

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Whether you’re in the market for your first home or your fifth, there are several lessons you can learn from homebuyers before you to help make the process smoother.  For one thing, choose your neighbors carefully.  Just because you’ve had good luck with neighbors in the past, doesn’t mean you always will.  Before you buy a home try to meet the neighbors.  Ask around to see if anybody has animals that cause issues, loud parties, or constant traffic.  The neighbors can be an excellent source of information about the home, history, and most importantly each other and habits of the neighborhood.  Secondly, do not underestimate the unexpected costs of homeownership that creep up.  Spending all of your cash on a down-payment can seem like a good plan, but depleting your emergency fund before you even move in is a terrible mistake, especially since upkeep and maintenance costs never stop.  The best way to prepare for those costs is to keep a reasonable amount of money stowed away in your emergency fund while using the rest for your down-payment.

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 Crabby Dick’s in Rehoboth

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Crabby Dick’s offers up casual dining with great service along Route 1 in Rehoboth (18831 Coastal Highway).  The cuisine is classic American, including steaks, burgers and salads along side pasta and seafood dishes.  There are specials for under $6 several nights a week.  Crabby Dick’s is a great bet for a good meal in Rehoboth both in season and out.  Whether you are a local or just visiting it’s a must try.

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

5 Off Season Activities to Enjoy

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Off season at the beach can be very relaxing.  If you’re looking for something to do in the Lewes/Rehoboth Beach area, check out the following activities:

1.  See a movie.  Check out Movies at Midway for a popular feature film, or check out rehobothfilm.com for a more artsy choice and schedule of events.

2.  Visit an Art Gallery.  Lewes and Rehoboth are both brimming with art galleries and many of them are open during the off season.  They are definitely worth a look.

3.  Visit Cape Henlopen State Park.  I know I keep going on and on about Cape Henlopen, but it’s seriously worth a visit!  Visit my previous post for more info.

4.  Shopping.  Route 1 through Rehoboth Beach is brimming with outlets that are much more pleasant to shop at when they aren’t filled with beach-going tourists.

5.  Walk on the beach or boardwalk.  Walking on the beach in the winter, when it is all yours to enjoy alone, is a beautiful way to spend an afternoon.  If walking on the sand doesn’t thrill you, you can stroll the Rehoboth Boardwalk instead.  The view is equally lovely.

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 Ways to Add Romance to Your Decor

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In honor of Valentine’s Day here are three ways to add some romance to your décor:

1.  Metallic Accents.  A metallic accessory or two can be unexpected and glamorous and lend a feeling of romance to a room.  Something like a chest of drawers, side table, or chair in a warm, metallic shade are perfect!

2.  Monochromatic Colors with a Pop.  A monochromatic color scheme can be give a room a crisp, romantic feeling as long as the shade is lovely and warm.  But to keep it from becoming too boring, pop a bright color in the mix like bright pink or a warm violet in just one or two places.

3.  Black and White.  Black walls can be very sensual.  Paint a wall black and hang white accents such as wall art in white mats for a very stunning look!

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: February 15th-17th

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If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, check it out:

All Weekend – “The Mousetrap” at Clear Space Theatre
Check out Clear Space Theatre’s rendition of Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” all weekend long (and until the end of the month!)  “The Mousetrap” is a murder mystery with a crazy ending that you won’t see coming!  For more information or to purchase tickets check out this link.

Friday, February 15th – Market Street Studios Gallery Opening Party
Enjoy the opening party at Market Street Studios Gallery in Lewes, followed by gallery sales all weekend.  The gallery is located at 328 West Market Street in Lewes.  For more information call 302-645-9030.

Saturday, February 16th – Merchants’ Attic & Public Garage Sale
Delaware’s annual largest indoor garage sale will be held at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Hall (229 Rehoboth Ave) this Saturday.  Hours are 9:30am-1:30pm and the event is free, although donations are welcome.  There are tons of vendors – all the space is sold out, so it’s definitely worth checking 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 — 302-644-2266.

Paint Your Home Happy

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Last week I mentioned that painting your home using the science behind color theory can be a simple and beneficial way to improve the quality of your home quickly and relatively easily.  I was unable to find a way to explain this idea myself, but I did find an interesting article about the psychology behind paint colors that is an interesting read.  This blog post takes some of the information and breaks it down into simple tips for using each color and ideas for decorating eating and office spaces putting color theory to use.  So if you’re thinking of updating your home with a fresh coat of paint, consider the way the colors make you feel and paint for less stress and more happiness!

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.

Make Your Entrance Grand

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Whether you believe it or not, the front door of your home is a powerful tool to help you sell.  Your front door provides the first impression for everyone who comes to your home and helps them form an opinion of your home before they ever even come inside.  To help give your home the grand entrance that architecturally appealing homes have, first you need to be sure that your entrance is apparent from the street.  This doesn’t mean it has to be magnificent, just that any old person passing by needs to be able to identify it.  Some ways to do this are add a pediment, trim it out, or place it under a roofed porch.  An unsheltered front door should never be flush with the house – that will give it the look of a side door.  At the very least the front door should be recessed or projected from the house a noticeable bit.  For the most welcoming atmosphere, provide a separate path for walking to your front door and keep electric meters and other utilities, garbage cans, or other unfortunate outdoor storage areas out of the path and vision of your entrance area.  Remember, a great front entrance means a better first impression, which can mean an easier sale!

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 the Pickled Pig Pub

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The Pickled Pub (18756 Coastal Highway) is a casual and creative pub in Rehoboth modeled after British Gastro Pubs.  The menu is full of creative American fare that is consistently great.  The fried pickles and barbeque hog wings come highly recommended, and there are many great, local beers on tap.  The atmosphere at the Pickled Pig is welcoming and the service is great.  This restaurant is definitely worth a try!

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 Improve Your Basement

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If you have a finished basement that just isn’t very appealing, try these five relatively easy ways to finish off the space…

1.  Install flooring – a floating, engineered-wood floor can be installed directly over concrete and will change the entire look of the space in amazing ways.

2.  Paint – make the space feel warmer by choosing a warm, neutral color to cover the walls.

3.  Camouflage – Keep the entire room bathed in the same warm, neutral tone to make the space seem more open and to downplay any unappealing aspects of the architecture.

4.  Add light – If your basement does not allow in any natural light, consider installing a false-lighted window to add some light and warmth to the space.

5.  Add interest – Take an area of your basement that is underutilized and add some interest – a great example would be to build a wine cellar under the basement stairs.

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.

3 Quick Ways To Add Color To Your Home

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If you’re looking to give your home a quick pick-me-up, try one of these options to brighten and freshen your look…

1.  Add a variety of fabrics.  Change the draperies and add some throw pillows in differing patterns, shapes, and colors.  Just be sure that there is a common color typing everything together.

2.  Rearrange out of the box.  Instead of just rearranging all the things in a room, move things from room to room for a completely new and fresh look.

3.  Decorate.  Don’t just hang a few photos on your wall and be done – combine groups of objects to create interesting wall art.

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 – February 8th-10th

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Here are a few events to consider for this weekend:

Friday, Feb. 8th – Go Red For Women 2013
Help the American Heart Association fight heart disease in women by supporting this annual event.  The Southern Delaware “Go Red” event takes place at the Sheraton Dover Hotel (1570 N. DuPont Highway in Dover) this year.  Tickets are $35 each and include lunch, entertainment, gift bag, $10 gift card from Macy’s, and extensive health screenings.  There will also be a silent auction.  The event begins at 10am and the program starts at noon.  For more information or to reserve tickets, check out this link.

Saturday, Feb. 9th – Lewes Winter Fest Barkfest Pet Pagaent
This 7th Annual event takes place in downtown, historic Lewes (around Second Street).  Bank Street is renamed Bark Street for the event and pets of all kinds can strut their stuff.  Categories include formal wear, leisure wear, companion look-alike, and kids freestyle.  You can pre-register your pet at P.U.P.S. (Pawsitively Unique Pet Shop) at 117 Second Street or register the day of in front of Citizens Bank from between noon-1:30pm.  Each entry is $5 and the money benefits the Georgetown SPCA.  Registrants must be present by 1:30pm and the event begins at 1:45pm.  For more information contact the Lewes Chamber of Commerce at 302-645-8073.

Saturday, Feb. 9th – Savory Sussex
This program, sponsored by the Zwaanendael Museum, highlights the “unique and delectable local flavors of Sussex County.”  This event is free and takes place at the Zwaanendael Museum at 2pm on Saturday.

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.

Easy Home Improvements

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Improving your home is helpful if you’re trying to sell, but it’s also beneficial for you and your family if you intent to stay in your home for the long term.  An improved home helps you feel more organized and just all-around better.  If you’re looking for relatively easy and inexpensive ways then start by going around your home and fixing everything that’s broken.  Repair the broken leg of your coffee table, clean out your showerhead so that you get a complete flow, reseal windows and doors that are drafty, take your broken toaster to the repair shop (or throw it away!), etc.  Spend a week taking care of all the little things in your home that need some TLC and throw out what you don’t need anymore.  After you’ve done that, take it a little further and purge your home of the items you no longer need, want, or use.  By getting rid of all the excess in your home you will remove stress and create space that will improve your quality of life in your home.  If you’re not sure where to start, begin by donating clothes that no longer fit or you no longer wear, get rid of books that you’ve already read and movies that you’ve already watched, and move on from there.  Finally, as I’ve said a thousand times before, a good paint job really can improve the quality of your home.  There are studies that show that certain paint colors in certain rooms actually make people happier.  Do a little research and spend some time painting your home.  Begin with the two or three rooms you spend the most time in and see what a difference it makes!

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.