Author: Connie - Gadget Girl

Holiday Home Safety Tips

As merry and bright as the holiday season is, did you know that it is also one of the most dangerous times in your home? Home safety is often compromised during the holiday season.

As merry and bright as the holiday season is, did you know that it is also one of the most dangerous times in your home?  Home safety is often compromised during the holiday season.  Falls, fires, and trips to the emergency room are more common during the holiday season than any other time of year.  To keep yourself, your home, and your family safe consider the following:

Lights – carefully inspect all strings of holiday lights for frayed cords, cracked bulbs and loose connections.  Be sure to unplug the string of lights when replacing burnt out bulbs and always check the wattage to be sure you aren’t overtaxing the strands.  In addition you should always, always turn off all holiday lights when leaving your home or going to bed.  If you can, it is best to place all outdoor lights on a timer to switch on after 7pm.

Trees – if you have a fresh tree be sure to keep it well watered and far away from any fireplaces or candles.  If you have an artificial tree be sure that it is labeled fire-resistant.  Either way, be sure that your base is steady so that the tree won’t tip over easily.

Entertaining – when cooking for a crowd be sure to keep an eye on the stove.  Unattended ovens/stoves are the number one cause of home fires in the U.S.

General Safety – keep all matches and lighters up high and out of reach of children.  Test all smoke alarms and replace batteries as necessary.  Do not discuss holiday travel plans publically or with strangers.  Store scissors and ribbons used to wrap gifts well out of children’s reach.  Inspect all toys, decorations, and gifts for small objects which can be choking hazards or sharp edges which can be dangerous.

 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 Coping With Holiday Stress

The holidays are a stressful time of year for many people. There are many things you can do to help make the stress of the season more bearable.

The holidays are a stressful time of year for many people.  There are many things you can do to help make the stress of the season more bearable.  First, realize that it is okay to feel sad, depressed, stressed or anything other than the happy person that people expect.  Next, be realistic – know that situations change and with them traditions and rituals change as well.  Change isn’t always easy, but creating new traditions when its time will help ease any stress you feel.  Perhaps the most effective way to relive holiday stress is to learn to say no when you need to.  Saying yes to every get together, work assignment, and friend while leaving no time for yourself and your family is the number one way to burn-out during this festive season.  By limiting yourself to only what is absolutely necessary and/or most important to you, you will limit the amount of stress you allow into your life which makes it easier to spend a few minutes on yourself.  Making time for yourself during the next couple of hectic weeks is important for your mental health.  Even if you just spend 15 minutes alone to take a quick walk, read a magazine, or listen to music, spending time alone and clearing your mind can reduce stress and help you stay calm as things heat up.  Finally, recognize that along with being stressful, the holidays can be a sad, lonely, and depressing time for many people so don’t hesitate to reach out to your friends, family, community, or support groups if you need to and by all means, seek professional help if you need it.  The holidays should be a time filled with joy and not stress!

Spotlight on Bon Appetit in Seaford

Bon Appetit is located in a classic storefront at 312 High Street in Seaford. With a charming and welcoming atmosphere and absolutely delicious food the title of “Seaford’s Gourmet Secret” is well deserved.

Bon Appetit is located in a classic storefront at 312 High Street in Seaford.  With a charming and welcoming atmosphere and absolutely delicious food the title of “Seaford’s Gourmet Secret” is well deserved.  Both the quality of the food and the service are top notch.  It’s a great place for a romantic meal or a friendly dinner and has consistently high ratings from a variety of reviewers.  Bon Appetit serves lunch Tuesday-Friday from noon until 2:30 and dinner, including a 5 course prix fixe menu Tuesday-Saturday from 5pm-9pm.  Reservations are recommended.

Holiday Entertaining Tips

Have you planned a holiday get together or are you thinking about it? Here are some tips to help:

Have you planned a holiday get together or are you thinking about it?  Here are some tips to help:

1.  Timing is everything.  If you’ve waited too long to book your holiday party, most likely everyone is booked up.  Sunday afternoons tend to be good times for a get together because most people are booked on Fridays and Saturdays.  Another option is to go with the week between Christmas and New Years.  Technically it’s still holiday season, but most people are in a post-Christmas lull by that point.

2.  Set a theme.  If you take the time to set a simple theme everything else including music, décor, and food will fall into place much more simply.

3.  Consider the flow.  Be sure to consider the flow of your home when you set up for a party.  For maximum efficiency you should set your buffet in the main room with plenty of space to walk around it.  If possible place drinks in a separate room and set bowls of snacks all around.

4.  Take advantage of nature.  Take advantage of the natural beauty and scent of winter greens and other local flowers.  For an added touch, sprinkle shiny Christmas bulbs throughout.

5.  Soften your lighting.  For a festive glow, switch your normal light bulbs for gold, red, green, blue, and/or silver.

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 Easy Holiday Centerpieces

If holiday entertaining is on your horizon, try one of these simple yet elegant centerpiece ideas to quickly cross one of the items off your to-do list!

If holiday entertaining is on your horizon, try one of these simple yet elegant centerpiece ideas to quickly cross one of the items off your to-do list!

1.  Ornamental Elegance – a centerpiece doesn’t have to be elaborate to be gorgeous.  Try stacking glass ornaments on a cake dish or in a bowl.  You can adhere them to one another with glue dots (which can be found in the scrapbooking section at any craft store).  Fill in the gaps with beautiful ribbon or fresh greenery and to round out the look, consider stacking glass balls on top of candlestick holders as well.

2.  Stack of Gifts – choose a color theme and stack boxes wrapped in varied patterns of that theme on top of a pedestal or cake plate.  Then top the tower with a bow and wrap a thick piece of matching ribbon around each side.  Secure the ends of the ribbon to the underneath of the cake plate for a crisp, clean look.

3.  Fresh flowers with a twist – To dress up the classic centerpiece of fresh flowers, fill a vase with greens and then remove the heads from roses or whatever flower you choose and hot glue them to the outside of the vase.  You will have a gorgeous centerpiece that will wow guests… of course don’t do this too far in advance!

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: Dec. 14-16

Visit Santa in Lewes this weekend…

As we head into the holidays there’s not too much going on this weekend, but you can visit Santa in Lewes this weekend to get yourself in the spirit of the season!  The Santa House is open in front of Citizens Bank (corner of 2nd and Bank Streets) in Lewes from 5pm-7pm Friday and 1pm-4pm Saturday.  Enjoy!

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 Refinancing

With mortgage interest rates remaining so low, you may be considering refinancing. But keep in mind that refinancing is not for everyone. To figure out if it is right for you, begin by figuring out how long it will take you to recoup your closing costs if you refinance at a lower rate.

With mortgage interest rates remaining so low, you may be considering refinancing.  But keep in mind that refinancing is not for everyone.  To figure out if it is right for you, begin by figuring out how long it will take you to recoup your closing costs if you refinance at a lower rate.  If you can cut your interest by a significant amount, say a point or maybe even half a point, it might be worth it, but keep in mind that a new mortgage is going to carry thousands of dollars in closing costs, so even if what you’re paying monthly is lower, it will take time to break even.  If you decide to go for it, be sure to shop around just as you would if you were in the market for a new mortgage.  Rates can vary significantly from lender to lender, as do fees and customer service, so do research and find a lender you trust.  Once you find a lender with the rate that you want, be sure to lock it in and hold them accountable to close your deal before the lock expires.  Most locks last for 60 days.  Finally, understand that although many lenders are advertising no or low closing-cost loans, all loans come with a price.  Even if your lender is not charging you when you close the loan, rest assured that you are paying for the fees associated with your loan somehow, whether it is with traditional, up-front costs, rolled into your mortgage balance or in the form of a higher interest rate than you would otherwise receive.  Educate yourself and ask your lender to lay out all the different options for you before accepting any offer.  And if you do decide to refinance, good luck!  Making your way through all the paperwork and documentation that is required can be exhausting, but in the end if you wind up with a significantly lower monthly payment it is 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.

Budget Friendly Holiday Decorating Ideas

The holidays are just around the corner. If part of your home is bare, consider some of these budget friendly holiday decorating ideas:

The holidays are just around the corner.  If part of your home is bare, consider some of these budget friendly holiday decorating ideas:

  1. Dip pinecones in gold paint (a mixture of water, glue and glitter will make them sparkle) – add gold ribbon and place them wherever you need extra cheer!
  2. Tie your throw pillows with holiday colored ribbon and they’ll look just like Christmas presents!  Add bows, rhinestones and jewels for extra glitz.
  3. Create card swag – drape cards over a long strand of pretty ribbon and tack the ends to your mantle or across a doorway.
  4. Wrap your furniture – cover dining room chairs in holiday fabric and tie them with a bow for a more formal holiday look.
  5. Put cranberries to work – fill vases or bottles with water and float a generous amount of cranberries to add some Christmas red to any room – add some evergreen, holly, or other holiday plant for added decoration.
  6. Homemade luminaries – line a staircase, hallway, or outdoor walkway with homemade luminaries.  Use battery operated candles for a safer approach.
  7. Colored vases – fill clear vases with water and add a few drops of food coloring – make a grouping of several and float candles in the vases for a warm holiday glow.
  8. Jingle bells – tie jingle bells to your door handles for some holiday cheer!  Feel free to spray paint the bells any color you’d like.
  9. Tie it up – if you’re having guests for the holiday season, stack red, white, green or holiday guest towels together and tie with a  coordinating ribbon for a festive look in the guest bath.
  10. Create art – slide holiday wrapping paper into a matted frame for instant holiday art.
  11. Tie a bow – fill gaps in your tree with bows tied from beautiful holiday ribbon.
  12. Think outside the tree – hang ornaments in doorways, windows, entryways, hallways, and any place you could use some extra cheer.  Groups of Christmas tree balls make fantastic decorations for more than just the tree.
  13. Decorate with scent – Simmer any combination of apple slices, orange peel, cinnamon sticks, dried cloves, vanilla or peppermint in a few tablespoons of simmering water on the stove for a lovely holiday smell.
  14. Create your own ice sculpture – fill balloons with colored water, let them freeze and then remove the balloons – the colored ice balls will look like giant Christmas ornaments lining your walk.
  15. Bring the outdoors in – string up natural greens to brighten up any 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 – 302-644-2266.

THINKING ABOUT A PUPPY FOR CHRISTMAS? CHECK OUT THIS FABULOUS BREEDER IN SUSSEX COUNTY, DE!!

THINKING ABOUT A PUPPY FOR CHRISTMAS? CHECK OUT THIS FABULOUS BREEDER IN SUSSEX COUNTY, DE!! Holly Black.

I have a great idea for a Christmas gift for all of you animal lovers out there.  HOW ABOUT A NEW PUPPY???  There is a fantastic breeder in Sussex County, DE who has puppies ready to be adopted.  I can personally verify the quality of her puppies, because I got my little Shi-Poo from this breeder almost two years ago.  My dog, Karma, has an amazingly loving disposition!  She is smart, healthy, well behaved, and she loves people and other dogs.  Karma is definitely a perfect addition to our family!!

If you or someone you know is looking for a new puppy, I completely endorse Holly Black, the breeder!!  Check out her website – CLICK HERE!!

Connie Cooper – Cooper Realty Associates 302 841-4185

5 Reasons to Have Your Fireplace Inspected

It’s the most wonderful time of year….. for fires crackling in the fireplace that is. But before you use your fireplace too often – you might consider having it inspected by a good chimney sweep. Here are five reasons why:

It’s the most wonderful time of year….. for fires crackling in the fireplace that is.  But before you use your fireplace too often – you might consider having it inspected by a good chimney sweep.  Here are five reasons why:

1. If your chimney isn’t capped properly you can suffer leaks from both rain and snow as well as have problems with birds, rodents, or other critters building nests and/or making their way into your house uninvited.

2. If your flue liner has excessive buildup they can clean it.  Excessive build up in the flue is the number one cause of house fires from fireplaces, so it’s definitely important.

3. They can ensure that the gaskets around any openings can be replaced if necessary to ensure proper operation and prevent damage.

4. They can clean the blower if your fireplace has one.  This will help extend the life of your blower and prevent it from becoming a fire hazard.

5. An inspection can reveal broken, cracked, or hazardous bricks both in the lining and outer fireplace and chimney.  Fixing or replacing broken bricks or mortar is important to ensure the safety and longevity of your fireplace.

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

Three Ways to Build Your Credit

If you are in the market for your first home, or have struggled with your credit in the past the first step to buying your dream home is to build your credit so that you can get a mortgage and hopefully at a good rate! Here are three tips to help you:

If you are in the market for your first home, or have struggled with your credit in the past the first step to buying your dream home is to build your credit so that you can get a mortgage and hopefully at a good rate!  Here are three tips to help you:

1. Don’t have too many credit accounts. You do need to open a few lines of credit to establish your credit record, but you don’t want to have too many.  One to three accounts is usually sufficient for establishing credit, but don’t open them all at once.  Opening these accounts and maintaining them is key.

2.  Open a variety of credit lines.  Credit cards, department store cards, auto loans, bank loans, etc. are all good ways to open your credit lines.  To truly build your credit you should try to have a variety of credit accounts, not just several credit cards.

3.  Maintain your accounts wisely.  Don’t open all of your accounts at once or you will actually lower your credit score.  You also need to use your accounts.  If you open them but leave them at a 0 balance, they don’t help build your credit record since it doesn’t show a lender that you have a history of responsibility in paying off your bills.  To truly build your credit you need to use your accounts, but not to their limit – 30% of your credit limit is a good number to shoot for, and you also need to pay your bills on time every single month, with no exceptions.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Real Estate Associates and put us to work for you – 302-629-6693.

Weekend Update: November 30th-December 2nd

Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out these events in and around Sussex County:

Looking for something to do this weekend?  Check out these events in and around Sussex County:

Friday, November 30th:  Holiday Art Show & Sale
The Holiday Art Show & Sale kicks off the holiday season in Lewes on Friday, 11/30 from 6pm-9pm with an opening reception for the Holiday Art Show & Sale that will continue all weekend.  All funds raised support the Children’s Beach House.  Tickets start at $65 and include food, cocktails,valet parking, entertainment, and more!  For more information or to purchase tickets, check out this link.

Saturday, December 1st: Lewes Historical Society House Tour
One of the most popular holiday traditions in Lewes is back this Saturday from 10am-4pm.  Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event.  All proceeds benefit the Lewes Historical Society.  This year 8 private homes and the Society’s museums will be decorated and open to the public.  The Christmas Antiques Bazaar & Bake Sale will be going on simultaneously at the Rabbit’s Ferry House (3rd & Shipcarpenter St.) in the Lewes Historical Complex.  For more information, including where to purchase tickets, check out this link.

Saturday, December 1st: Lewes Hometown Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting & Caroling
The theme for this year’s Christmas Parade is “Let It Snow!!!”  This great Lewes tradition is from 5pm-7pm.  It begins on Savannah Road at Sussex Drive and ends in front of King’s Ice Cream Shop on Second Street.  The parade includes floats, marching bands, cards, dogs, and many other participants.  The rain/snow date for the parade is Sunday, December 2nd at the same time.

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

Restoring the Northeast: What Homeowners Need to Know After Sandy

This article is written by Erik Braunitzer, a writer for Douglas Elliman, brokers for NYC, Long Island and Hamptons Real Estate.

New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware continue to experience devastating consequences of Sandy as a new nor’easter closely followed the hurricane. Homeowners have filed millions of claims, and the estimated damage is somewhere in the billions. Despite these two storms, homeowners must rebuild, but many look at their flooded and broken homes as impossible scenes of destruction. Getting started is just half the battle.

This article is written by Erik Braunitzer, a writer for Douglas Elliman, brokers for NYC, Long Island and Hamptons Real Estate.

New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware continue to experience devastating consequences of Sandy as a new nor’easter closely followed the hurricane. Homeowners have filed millions of claims, and the estimated damage is somewhere in the billions. Despite these two storms, homeowners must rebuild, but many look at their flooded and broken homes as impossible scenes of destruction. Getting started is just half the battle.

Where to Begin
Once allowed to return to a dwelling, homeowners need to check that it is safe to inhabit the structure. The damage must be assessed right away. Debris, flood waters and other wreckage may have left your home unstable. With down power lines, fallen trees and uprooted trees, homes can still suffer other forms of destruction weeks later after a storm. Only a home inspection can determine whether or not your home is truly safe to inhabit. In addition, inspectors let you know what kind of damage your home has suffered and what parts of your home need to be immediately restored, which will allow a homeowner to file a substantial claim.

Talking to Insurance Companies
The next step is to file the claim. If you were unable to get a copy of your claim before the storm, you should be able to request a copy over the phone or talk about your coverage options. In addition, take pictures of all damage and debris with detailed notes. These come in handy when insurance companies send out appraisers to estimate the cost of repairs. With pictures and evidence, you can often get a bigger amount from the insurance companies to help repair your home.

Avoid Scavenging Contractors
It’s a sad but true fact that contractors come to life in the aftermath of destructive storms. Many repair companies swoop in offering all kinds of deals and promising much more to homeowners who just need help. If you need substantial work on your home, you still want to check out references and really get to know contractors before signing any contract for work. You also need to obtain formal quotes with written materials and labor costs. Contractors should be licensed, bonded and insured to work on your property.

Getting the Money
After the appraiser estimates the damage, you need to provide proof of physical loss with photo documentation as well. Once you provide all the evidence to the insurance company, you pay a deductible and the insurance provider sends a payment to replace damaged property. This process can take up to 3 weeks or more, depending on whether you accept the initial appraisal, so filing early is recommended. In addition, if the deductible is too high, pay for the repairs on your own instead of going through the insurance company.

Pay Attention to Time
Cleanup is never easy after a storm, but mold and further damage can follow quickly if you don’t take necessary precautions to protect your home. In addition, filing a claim, particularly on flooding, has a time limit, so it’s best to get documentation early and start the process. Some insurance companies do extend time following a destructive event, but you should never wait to take photos and start documenting the damage to your property.

Prepare for the Next Storm
If you don’t already have a plan formulated, you need to write an emergency plan right away and start restocking your supplies to survive subsequent storms. Many families following Sandy were not prepared for the winter storm. Stocking up on water, non-perishable food items, clothes, blankets and batteries can seriously help when another storm arrives. In addition, remember important documents and place these somewhere safe, such as a deposit box.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Real Estate Associates and put us to work for you — 302-629-6693.

The Importance of Finishes in Your Home

A lot of times when people are remodeling, they look to cut costs wherever they can. However, a penny saved is not always necessarily worth it. Cutting corners on the finishes of your home such as paint, plaster, the floors, the ceiling, the roof, or anything else that you notice on a daily basis can leave you with a sloppy looking house.

A lot of times when people are remodeling, they look to cut costs wherever they can.  However, a penny saved is not always necessarily worth it.  Cutting corners on the finishes of your home such as paint, plaster, the floors, the ceiling, the roof, or anything else that you notice on a daily basis can leave you with a sloppy looking house.  If you are remodeling, the best option is to put aside a set portion of your budget for the finishes before the project even begins.  Otherwise, you may begin running out of money just as the job is wrapping up, which will tempt you to cut corners on all of the visible portion of your job.  The better way to cut costs is to look for bargains on items such as lumber, piping, wires, etc.  As long as the unseen portions of your job are safe, sufficient, and up to code nobody will notice if you cut corners, but when it comes to flooring, roofing, painting, and so on you should definitely make sure it’s done well, even if it means not getting a bargain, otherwise it won’t matter how much you spent on the remodel because what you look at daily will seem cheap.

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

Spotlight on Jimmy’s Grille in Bridgeville, Delaware

Jimmy’s Grille & Family Restaurant in Bridgeville (18541 S. Main St.) is a great place to go for a down home family meal. They are well known for their fried chicken which has been called, “to die for,” “best at the beach,” and “greatest chicken ever!” but their Cream of Crab soup is also the best of the best.

Jimmy’s Grille & Family Restaurant in Bridgeville (18541 S. Main St.) is a great place to go for a down home family meal.  They are well known for their fried chicken which has been called, “to die for,” “best at the beach,” and “greatest chicken ever!” but their Cream of Crab soup is also the best of the best.  Their down-home desserts are also sure to please, and you can even order whole pies to go for special events or really any reason you’d like!  The service is friendly and the atmosphere is casual and welcoming.  If you’re looking for good food in a casual atmosphere, definitely try Jimmy’s.

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

Five Tips for Selling Your Home During the Holidays

If your home is on the market during the holiday season consider these tips for taking advantage of the opportunities you have:

If your home is on the market during the holiday season consider these tips for taking advantage of the opportunities you have:

1.  Price to sell.  Just like always, if your home is priced right it will get the attention that it deserves.

2.  Pay attention to curb appeal.  Again, this is a year-round tip, but at this time of year in particular be sure that leaves a raked, stairs and walkways are kept free of ice and snow, and gutters are cleaned.

3.  Decorate reasonably.  If you decorate during the holidays be sure not to go overboard.  Keep things scaled to your home and decorate to emphasize your home’s best features, not cover or detract from them.  If you want to avoid offending potential buyers it is best to decorate with general winter themes rather than religious items.

4.  Focus on motivated buyers.  People who house hunt during the holidays are generally motivated buyers.  Work with your agent to target buyers who are on a deadline and looking to buy before the end of the year.

5.  Hire a trusted agent.  At this time of year in particular it is important to have a real estate agent who is reliable and not someone who will disappear during the holidays.  Some who will go above and beyond to work for you will help get your home sold.

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 – 302-856-6434.

Weekend Update, 11/23-11/25

This holiday weekend will, of course, be filled with shopping for many, but if you’re looking for something different to keep you busy, consider checking out Clear Space Theatre’s presentation of “A Christmas Carol!” which is opening this weekend.

This holiday weekend will, of course, be filled with shopping for many, but if you’re looking for something different to keep you busy, consider checking out Clear Space Theatre’s presentation of “A Christmas Carol!” which is opening this weekend.  Shows are Friday at 7:30pm, Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 3pm.  Tickets range from $15-$30.  Kick the holiday season off with a new holiday tradition!

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.

Holiday House Hunting

If you’re house hunting during this busy holiday season you have a couple of things working to your definite advantage. First, there aren’t too many people house hunting, so with less competition you may in for a good deal.

If you’re house hunting during this busy holiday season you have a couple of things working to your definite advantage.  First, there aren’t too many people house hunting, so with less competition you may in for a good deal.  Additionally, home prices in December are typically lower than any other month, while interest rates are at their lowest.  Sellers who keep their homes on the market over the holidays are usually motivated sellers who are willing to negotiate on all reasonable offers.  Finally, if you close on a home before the end of the year you can deduct any mortgage interest and closing costs on your taxes.  So, if you’re in the market for a new home, it might be to your advantage to make time for your hunt during this busy season.

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.

Tips for Selling During the Holiday Season

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, one of the busiest times of year is getting under way… the holiday season! Selling a home during the holiday season can be tough, and there are advantages and disadvantages to both leaving your home on the market & pulling it off and relisting in January.

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, one of the busiest times of year is getting under way… the holiday season!  Selling a home during the holiday season can be tough, and there are advantages and disadvantages to both leaving your home on the market & pulling it off and relisting in January.  You might want to keep your house on the market because buyers who look for a home during the holidays are serious buyers looking for a home during a time when there are less homes on the market than after the new year.  Additionally, many buyers want to close the deal before the end of the year for the tax advantages.  However, you might want to pull your home off the market if you love to go overboard with the holiday decorations, have lots of company during the holidays, or want the advantages of relisting your home in January to generate new traffic during a home-shopping period that it usually busier than the holiday season.  What is best for your home depends on your neighborhood, home, family schedule, and your agent’s advice.

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 – 302-629-6693.