Author: Connie - Gadget Girl

5 Ways to Increase Your Home’s Value for under $500

If you’re trying to sell your house you can do a lot to increase the value without spending a lot of money. Here are five ways that can cost less than $500.

If you’re trying to sell your house you can do a lot to increase the value without spending a lot of money.  Here are five ways that can cost less than $500.

1.  Paint
I will never get tired of saying it.  Paint your house if you want to increase its value!  Not only do neutral colors make your home seem more desirable to the majority of people, but freshly painted rooms also look clean and updated… a strong selling point!

2.  Clean
Even if you clean your house regularly, there are most likely spots you overlook or can’t get to.  If you hire a cleaning service to come and do the dirty work then your house will be able sparkle from top to bottom and make the best possible first impression to potential home buyers.

3.  Go Green
Replacing loud, broken, or simply outdated light figures or ceiling fans with new, energy efficient fixtures will increase your bottom-line without costing too much.

4.  Scrape off the popcorn
If your home has popcorn ceilings, dedicate a weekend to bringing it into the 21st century by scraping the popcorn away.  Getting rid of this dated look will instantly update the value of your home.

5.  Update the Bathroom
Even if you can’t afford an entire remodel, spending a little bit of cash on a face lift will increase your bottom line.  Things like replacing old wallpaper, a fresh coat of paint, new light fixtures, and new faucet & hardware can make the room seem brand new!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Weekend Update: June 29th-July 1st

It’s Weekend Wednesday at the Cooper Realty blog! Here are just a few of the things happening around town this weekend:

Friday, June 29th – Celtic Fire: Irish Music and Dance
Michael Londra of Riverdance fame will bring his group Celtic Fire to perform at The Freeman Stage at Bayside (31750 Lake View Drive in Selbyville). This performance is full of energy and sweeps the audience right away with it! World class vocalists present the culture of Ireland and amazing Irish dancers jig the night away. Cost is $10 and kids are free. Performance begins at 7pm. For more information call 302-436-3015.

 It’s Weekend Wednesday at the Cooper Realty blog!  Here are just a few of the things happening around town this weekend:

Friday, June 29th – Celtic Fire: Irish Music and Dance
Michael Londra of Riverdance fame will bring his group Celtic Fire to perform at The Freeman Stage at Bayside (31750 Lake View Drive in Selbyville).  This performance is full of energy and sweeps the audience right away with it!  World class vocalists present the culture of Ireland and amazing Irish dancers jig the night away.  Cost is $10 and kids are free.  Performance begins at 7pm.  For more information call 302-436-3015.

Friday, June 29th-Sunday, July 1st: Rehoboth Beach Bandstand
Head down to the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand this weekend to see some great bands perform.  Friday, June 29th features talented Elvis tribute artist Jesse Garron performing some of the King’s famous hits!  Saturday, June 30th you can enjoy Journey tribute band Separate Ways The Band who will be performing for the first time at the bandstand this year!  Sunday, July 1st will feature the U.S. military band, U.S. Army Downrange.  All shows are free and begin at 8pm.

Sunday, July 1st: Breakfast At The Firehouse
Bring the family to join the firefights at the Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company for a delicious, all you can eat breakfast at the firehouse in Bethany Beach (215 Hollywood Street).  Enjoy a tour of the firehouse plus an all you can eat feast of eggs, French toast, biscuits and gravy, potatoes, muffins, bacon, sausage, juice, and coffee.  There are also special activities to keep the kids busy.  Breakfast is $10 for adults and $5 for children over 5 and free for kids ages 5 and under.

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.

Free Family Movie Tomorrow

Canalfront Park in Lewes is a great place for family-friendly events all summer long, and this week is no different! Enjoy a family friendly movie in the great outdoors tomorrow night. Bring a picnic dinner, spread a blanket out in the park, and enjoy time with your family. The Great Outdoors will be playing tomorrow night, Wednesday, June 27th. Other films in this summer’s Cinema By The Canal series are The Muppets on Wednesday, July 25th and Big Miracle on Wednesday, August 15th. Call 302-644-0107 or email info@lewescanalfrontpark.org for more information.

Canalfront Park in Lewes is a great place for family-friendly events all summer long, and this week is no different!  Enjoy a family friendly movie in the great outdoors tomorrow night.  Bring a picnic dinner, spread a blanket out in the park, and enjoy time with your family.  The Great Outdoors will be playing tomorrow night, Wednesday, June 27th.  Other films in this summer’s Cinema By The Canal series are The Muppets on Wednesday, July 25th and Big Miracle on Wednesday, August 15th.  Call 302-644-0107 or email info@lewescanalfrontpark.org for more information.

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.

Landscaping For A Great First Impression

If you’re trying to sell your home (or thinking about it), then you want to brush up your home’s curb appeal to make a great first impression on your potential buyers. Here are a few landscaping tips that don’t require too much cash to make happen.

If you’re trying to sell your home (or thinking about it), then you want to brush up your home’s curb appeal to make a great first impression on your potential buyers.  Here are a few landscaping tips that don’t require too much cash to make happen.

First, plan for some low maintenance landscaping.  Adding some greenery and bright plants to your yard will bump up the curb appeal of your home, but for a low-cost, low-maintenance fix be sure to purchase plants that are native to our region.  Water-conserving plants that are drought-tolerant are also a good bet for a low-maintenance fix.  Another good idea is to plant a shade tree.  Although a tree won’t mature quickly, if you’re thinking ahead, planting one now will be planning for the future of your home.  Again, stick to native vegetation.  Planting a tree helps with curb appeal, offers shade, and can even cut cooling costs if properly placed.  Be careful about placement though because you don’t want to plant any trees too close to your house.  My last tip is to curate your lawn.  Overgrown grass, lawns with patches of dead grass or dirt, or lawns that are overrun by weeds all make a negative first impression on potential home buyers.  Luckily, these issues are easy to fix.  Consider hiring a landscaping company to clean up your yard, shape hedges, trim trees, etc.  Spending a couple hundred dollars fixing up your home’s curb appeal is worth it to attract home buyers that might otherwise be unimpressed.

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 Cottage Café in Bethany Beach

Whether you’re in the mood for fish, fowl, or something else altogether, The Cottage Café in Bethany Beach (Route 1 in Bethany Beach, ½ mile south of Garfield Parkway/Route 26) has you covered. Although I certainly haven’t tried everything on the menu, everything I’ve had has been delicious and what I haven’t tried has all gotten rave reviews as well! You can also check the schedule and enjoy life music every Friday night and DJ’d tunes throughout the week. So, if you’re in the mood for some amazing, all-American food head down to Bethany Beach and enjoy a delicious meal at The Cottage Café. You won’t be sorry.

Whether you’re in the mood for fish, fowl, or something else altogether, The Cottage Café in Bethany Beach (Route 1 in Bethany Beach, ½ mile south of Garfield Parkway/Route 26) has you covered.  Although I certainly haven’t tried everything on the menu, everything I’ve had has been delicious and what I haven’t tried has all gotten rave reviews as well!  You can also check the schedule and enjoy life music every Friday night and DJ’d tunes throughout the week.  So, if you’re in the mood for some amazing, all-American food head down to Bethany Beach and enjoy a delicious meal at The Cottage Café.  You won’t be sorry.

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 Things to Know About Pricing Your Home

They key to selling a home quickly is the right price. Whether we’re in a buyer’s market or a seller’s market, the thing to remember is that houses are only worth as much as they sell for. Here are a few things to remember when trying to come up with your list price:

They key to selling a home quickly is the right price.  Whether we’re in a buyer’s market or a seller’s market, the thing to remember is that houses are only worth as much as they sell for.  Here are a few things to remember when trying to come up with your list price:

1.  Get the research
Get your home appraised or have your agent pull the comps for your home before you determine a list price.

2.  Distance yourself
It’s difficult to be emotionally detached when selling your home, especially if you’ve lived there for a long time.  But you need to remember that your buyers do not have that kind of sentimental attachment.  Emotions should not inform your price, just stick to the facts.

3.  Get out of the past
Just like emotions can’t inform your price, neither can the past.  Forget what you paid for your home, or what your neighbor down the street sold their home for a few years ago, or even last week.  If you have to sell your home in today’s market you may not see the kind of appreciation you were banking on when you bought your house.  If selling is what you need or want then you need to let go of the past and remember that you need to price your home to sell in today’s market.

4.  Don’t pick the highest price
Pricing too high will most likely cost you in the long-run.  Choosing a lower price than you were hoping for might be a difficult reality to face, but if you don’t price right for the market in the first place you will be forced to drop your price anyway, and at that point you will be chasing the market which is most often fruitless.  Plus, with all of the real estate websites that allow buyers to access pricing information with a few swipes of the mouse, potential buyers will know that you’ve dropped the price and may be able to sense your desperation to sell.  In the meantime, whether or not you move, you’re still saddled with the mortgage payment.

5.  Adjust if necessary
No matter how much research you have backing you up, if your home isn’t selling, it’s not priced right.  If there has been interest but no offers, ask your agent to find out why.  Your agent can talk to other agents to find out what they liked and didn’t like about the house and what they thought about the price.  Find out what buyers didn’t like about the house and change it if necessary.  If it’s not possible to make adjustments based on feedback, then you should think about lowering the price accordingly.

As a general rule of thumb, houses that are priced right sell within 3 months of hitting the market.  So, do your research, distance yourself, and adjust your price if necessary to get your home sold!

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

Thursday Three: 3 Professionals You Should Consider Hiring For Less Than $100

If you’re thinking of selling your home (or just want to make updates to enjoy yourself!), hiring any or all of these professionals to give you their opinions can make a huge difference in the long-run, and all of them should cost you less than $100!

If you’re thinking of selling your home (or just want to make updates to enjoy yourself!), hiring any or all of these professionals to give you their opinions can make a huge difference in the long-run, and all of them should cost you less than $100!

1.  Interior Designer
Shop around because a standard hourly consultation fee is often less than $100.  Make it clear beforehand that you are looking for ideas and suggestions, not a room makeover.  Tour your house and in an hour the suggestions you receive, can go a long way to making huge improvements in the way your home looks and feels.  Even tips on things like paint colors and furniture placement can be huge changes!  If you don’t want to shell out the money for an interior designer and you are serious about selling, your realtor may be able to help you with this too.

2.  Get It Inspected
Many homes face hidden problems like termite infestation, outdated electrical systems and deteriorating roofs.  All of these and the many other problems that homes can hide all negatively impact the value of your home.  By hiring an inspector to check out these unseen areas you may be able to fix small issues now before they become huge problems.  The relatively small upfront cost of a home inspection now (inspection costs can vary widely) can save you tons of cash in the long-run.

3.  Cut Energy Costs
Call your utility company and ask if they offer energy audits of customers’ homes.  Many providers do this for free!  An auditor can show you how to maximize your home’s energy efficiency which will help you conserve power and water.  An energy efficient home helps you save money, and since this service is often free there’s really no reason you shouldn’t do 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 – 302-856-6434.

Weekend Update: June 22nd-24th

There are lots of great events taking place in and around Sussex County this weekend. Here are some of our picks:

Friday, June 22nd – Concert By The Canal
Dogfish Head is sponsoring a free concert at Lewes Canalfront Park from 6:30pm-8pm. The featured band will be Chester River Runoff which plays original bluegrass tunes.

There are lots of great events taking place in and around Sussex County this weekend.  Here are some of our picks:

Friday, June 22nd – Concert By The Canal
Dogfish Head is sponsoring a free concert at Lewes Canalfront Park from 6:30pm-8pm.  The featured band will be Chester River Runoff which plays original bluegrass tunes.

Friday, June 22nd – Broadway At The Beach
Clear Space Theatre Company’s talented ensemble will perform a revue of contemporary and pop/rock hits from popular musical theater shows at the Freeman Stage at Bayside.  Performaces will include everything from classics like “Les Miserables” to contemporary hits like “Rock of Ages” and blockbusters like “Wicked.”  Tickets are $10 and kids are free!  Venue address is 31750 Lake View Drive in Selbyville.  For more information call 302-436-3015.

Saturday, June 23rd – CHEER Classic International Car Show
This event showcases classic cars from all over the world to raise funds for Meals On Wheels.  This year’s event will include world famous racer Mario Andretti’s Indy Car.  The event takes place at the CHEER Community Center (20520 Sand Hill Road in Georgetown).  Tickets are just $5 for anyone ages 10 and up.  Hours are from 10am-2pm.  For more information call 302-945-7122 or 302-856-5187.

Saturday, June 23rd-Sunday, June 24th – 2012 Mid-Atlantic Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival
Head down to the Lewes Historical Society Complex (110 Shipcarpenter Street) and for just $5 you can buy a pass good for both days of this unique festival.  The weekend will include more than 40 sea glass artists, other artists from all over the U.S., collectors, guest speakers, and more.  Hours are 9am-4pm Saturday and 9am-3pm Sunday.  For more information, check out the above link.

Sunday, June 24th – Heritage Shores Car Show
Head down to Heritage Shores Golf Club in Bridgeville for the 2nd Annual Car Show from 11am-2pm.  The afternoon will include food as well as fun and all kinds of cars!  Prizes are awarded for the top 20 cars, including the coveted Best in Show.  Come on down and vote for your favorite!  For more information call 302-337-9926.

Sunday, June 24th – Fish ‘n Kids
Lewes Canalfront Park will host this event sponsored by Quest Fitness & Kayak once again this year.  There will be fishing games and activities geared toward kids ages 3-12, including the chance for kids to make their own fishing poles!  If you bring a t-shirt kids can even make their own fish-embossed t-shirts.  This event runs from 12pm-2pm and admission is free!

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!

Understanding Contingencies

Whether you are buying or selling a home, you will most likely have to deal with contingencies during contract negotiation. Contingencies are conditions placed on the contract that, if not met, allow the buyer to either back out of the deal. Of course in the case of an unmet contingency, buyer & seller can always renegotiate, if they would prefer. If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home contingencies may seem a little overwhelming, so here’s some help explaining some of the most common:

Whether you are buying or selling a home, you will most likely have to deal with contingencies during contract negotiation.  Contingencies are conditions placed on the contract that, if not met, allow the buyer to either back out of the deal.  Of course in the case of an unmet contingency, buyer & seller can always renegotiate, if they would prefer.  If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home contingencies may seem a little overwhelming, so here’s some help explaining some of the most common:

  • Contingent on appraisal means that the home must be appraised and its appraised value must meet or exceed the offer price on the contract.
  • Contingent on inspection means that the house must pass any professional inspections that the buyer desires.  In addition to a general home inspection, this might also include specific inspections such as structural engineering, termites/pests, radon, mold, electrical, plumbing, roof, etc.  If any inspections turn up any problems that could be potential problems for the buyer or problems that would impact the price of the home the buyer may wish to renegotiate or to back out altogether.
  • Contingent on financing means that the buyer must secure a loan for the specified amount of the offer price.
  • Contingent on repairs means that the seller must repair any evident issues or issued turned up by the home inspection up to the agreed upon amount.
  • Contingent on closing costs means that the seller must pay the specified amount (up to 100%) of the closing costs.

There are many other contingencies that can be written into real estate contracts, but these are just some of the most common.  For help through the whole buying or selling process, including help through any and all possible contingencies, give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.


Quick Updates To Sell Your Home

If you’re in the process of selling your home (or thinking about it), you might be thinking about what kind of remodeling you should do to put your home in the best light. As a rule, you should never undertake any big remodeling projects before putting your home up for sale, but there are a few things you can do with just a little bit of money to make your house more appealing on the market.

If you’re in the process of selling your home (or thinking about it), you might be thinking about what kind of remodeling you should do to put your home in the best light.  As a rule, you should never undertake any big remodeling projects before putting your home up for sale, but there are a few things you can do with just a little bit of money to make your house more appealing on the market.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, one of the least expensive ways to increase your property value is to paint the walls!  Neutrals are key, but don’t just buy a bucket of white and paint everything… that’s boring!  Browns/beiges, grays, and even some shades of blue and green can be considered neutral.  The idea is to get rid of any extremely personal colors in the house – you might love your red living room, but chances are most of your potential buyers won’t.  Another relatively easy fix that will attract buyers is nice flooring.  If you’re lucky enough to have hardwood under your carpeting, rip it up and have the floors refinished.  If hardwood isn’t an option, consider replacing your carpeting for a fresh look that will attract buyers.  To save money, go for a mid-range carpet, but put the best padding you can afford underneath… this cushiony layer really affects the look and feel of the carpet.  Updating your light fixtures can also really improve your home’s salability.  Replace any dated fixtures with something more classic for an instant pick-me-up.  Pay special attention to the lighting in your kitchen, bathrooms, and hallway.  You want your home to be well lit so that buyers can see it, don’t’ you?  And while we’re discussing fixtures, if your bathroom or kitchen seem dated, changing out the hardware for something new can make a big impact for not much cash.  If you can swing it, switching your old faucets with something newer can give new life to a room.  My final budget suggestion is another one I’ve mentioned several times before… check your curb appeal!  Most potential buyers will judge your house on their first impression, which is the outside!  So be sure your home is putting its best foot forward by trimming any hedges/bushes and trees in the yard, mowing the grass, trimming any weeds, and edging your driveway and sidewalks.  Power washing your side walks can make a surprisingly big impact too.  Finally, invest a little cash by painting the front door and placing some potted flowers by it.  For maximum impact, change out the hardware on your door with something new and think about getting a new mailbox.  Finally, be sure that your house number is visible.  If it isn’t, buy some new numbers and hang them immediately!

Since none of these projects cost all that much, the best part about them is that you’re pretty much guaranteed to recoup your cash when your home sells, which will probably be a whole lot sooner than if you hadn’t made the changes in the first place!

Looking for an agent who can help you with more great tips?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-629-6693.

Spotlight on Father’s Day

Father’s Day is tomorrow, so take a minute to think of all the wonderful fathers that you know and call a couple to tell them how awesome they are! If you’re in a bind because you didn’t plan ahead for Father’s Day, here a few quick ideas that can be pulled off at the last minute by heading into Rehoboth:

Father’s Day is tomorrow, so take a minute to think of all the wonderful fathers that you know and call a couple to tell them how awesome they are!  If you’re in a bind because you didn’t plan ahead for Father’s Day, here a few quick ideas that can be pulled off at the last minute by heading into Rehoboth:

Breakfast on the Beach
Stop for an delicious egg sandwich or pastry at The Bake Shoppe (222 Rehoboth Ave.) and head down to the beach to enjoy breakfast with your favorite dad!

Father’s Day Fish
Take your favorite father to Fins Fish House and Raw Bar (243 Rehoboth Ave) or Big Fish Grill (20298 Coastal Highway in Rehoboth) for a delicious seafood dinner.  Or, if your dad is the do-it-yourself type, take him fishing and grill up what you catch (assuming you catch some keepers, of course)!

A Country Celebration
Bring your favorite dad to the bandstand in Rehoboth for a “new country” style performance by popular artist Jamie McLean.  The concert is free at starts at 8pm.

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 Household Items That Can Be Art

Looking for versatile, easy to use artwork for your home? Try hanging items you probably already have laying around. Here are five quick fixes for a blank wall.

Looking for versatile, easy to use artwork for your home?  Try hanging items you probably already have laying around.  Here are five quick fixes for a blank wall.

Baskets.  Shallow wicker or woven baskets can make great art.  They add texture to a wall, which is a decorating must, and can easily liven up any casual room.

Mirrors.  Hanging a single, oversized mirror will bring life to room in an instant.  Look for mirrors with something interesting about them… great details in the frame, an interesting shape, etc.  If one huge mirror isn’t your style, try grouping several smaller mirrors together for an equally stunning look.

Serving Trays.  If you don’t have any laying around, check antique stores for beautiful vintage pieces.  The great thing about serving trays is that they come in lots of different sizes, shapes, and colors, so you’re bound to find one that will appeal to you and complement your décor!

Vintage Posters.  Choose a theme for your room and scour flea markets, garage sales, and antique stores (or the internet!) for vintage posters that can be framed and hung.  Framing is key when you hang posters… be sure to frame them well so it looks vintage and not like a college dorm!

Calendars.  Turn your schedule into art by purchasing a unique frame and removing the glass.  Line the back of the frame with fabric or an interesting, patterned paper and adhere the month’s calendar to the paper.  Hang it in a prominent place in need of some art and change the calendar out from month to month.  You can even change the background paper/fabric seasonally too if you so desire!  Alternatively, beautiful pictures from calendars can look great framed and hung too.

Looking to buy or sell a home in Sussex County?  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266!

Thursday Three: 3 Fun Things To Do In Dewey Beach Next Week

There are lots of things “Dewin’ in Dewey” this week! Head down to the beach at Dagsworthy Street to check them out:

Monday, 6/18: Free Movie Night
Fun for the whole family! Bring a blanket and snacks for Dewey’s free family movie night! Movies are shown on the beach at Dagsworthy Street and begin at 8:30pm. Monday Night Movies begin this Monday and run through the end of August. In case of inclement weather, cancellations will be announced by 7pm. Call the Rehoboth/Dewey Chamber of Commerce for more information – 302-227-2233! Here’s the schedule for the summer:

There are lots of things “Dewin’ in Dewey” this week!  Head down to the beach at Dagsworthy Street to check them out:

Monday, 6/18: Free Movie Night
Fun for the whole family!  Bring a blanket and snacks for Dewey’s free family movie night!  Movies are shown on the beach at Dagsworthy Street and begin at 8:30pm.  Monday Night Movies begin this Monday and run through the end of August. In case of inclement weather, cancellations will be announced by 7pm.  Call the Rehoboth/Dewey Chamber of Commerce for more information – 302-227-2233!  Here’s the schedule for the summer:

  • 6/18: The Muppets
  • 6/25: The Smurfs
  • 7/2: Dolphin Tale
  • 7/9: Judy Moody & the Not Bummer Summer
  • 7/16: Yogi Bear
  • 7/23: Tangled
  • 7/30: Cars 2
  • 8/6: Kung Fu Panda 2
  • 8/13: Puss In Boots
  • 8/20: Happy Feet Two
  • 8/27: Big Miracle

Tuesday, 6/19: Restaurant Olympics
This annual event takes place on the beach at Dagsworthy Street from 11am-2pm on Tuesday with registration beginning at 10am.  30 teams from some of your favorite local restaurants will take place in fun competitions including kayak racing, tray carrying, and an obstacle course.  Last year’s champion was Jake’s Seafood House with The Cultured Pearl and The Lighthouse rounding out the podium.  Which local eatery will be this year’s champion?  In case of rain this event will take place on Thursday, 6/21 at the same time.  Come out and cheer on your favorite!

Wednesday, 6/20: Bonfire on the Beach
Dewey kicks off their weekly Wednesday Night bonfire this week on the beach at Dagsworthy Street.  Bonfires will take place every Wednesday (except July 4th) through the end of August. Bonfires are from 7:30pm-11pm and are weather dependent.  In case of inclement weather, cancellations will be announced no later than 6pm.  Bring some beach chairs and some marshmallows to roast (you might want to throw some graham crackers and chocolate bars into your bag too!) and enjoy some summer fun with the whole family!

So, what are you waiting for?  Head down to Dewey and have some summertime fun!

Weekend Update: June 15-17

This Sunday is Father’s Day! With that in mind, you should take some time out and find something fun to do with the whole family! Maybe even through in a special lunch or dinner to make dad feel extra special! Here are some ideas to get you started:

All Weekend: Family Boat-Building Weekend
From Friday, 6/15 through Sunday, 6/17 enjoy a view of Lewes’ historic roots as a shipbuilding town hosted by the Lewes Historical Society. Stop by the Lewes Life-Saving Station and watch participants build 12 foot wooden boats called “Bevin Skiffs.” These fishing and recreational boats fit 4 people comfortably and are made on site. Saturday from 10am-4pm you can view the 16 boats and Sunday at approximately 1pm you can enjoy the launching of the ships at Lewes Canalfront Park.

This Sunday is Father’s Day!  With that in mind, you should take some time out and find something fun to do with the whole family!  Maybe even through in a special lunch or dinner to make dad feel extra special!  Here are some ideas to get you started:

All Weekend: Family Boat-Building Weekend
From Friday, 6/15 through Sunday, 6/17 enjoy a view of Lewes’ historic roots as a shipbuilding town hosted by the Lewes Historical Society.  Stop by the Lewes Life-Saving Station and watch participants build 12 foot wooden boats called “Bevin Skiffs.”  These fishing and recreational boats fit 4 people comfortably and are made on site.  Saturday from 10am-4pm you can view the 16 boats and Sunday at approximately 1pm you can enjoy the launching of the ships at Lewes Canalfront Park.

Friday, 6/15 – Concert: MSO & USAF Blue Steel Band
Enjoy the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra and United States Air Force Academy Band at the Freeman Stage at Bayside (31750 Lake View Drive in Selbyville) for this wonderful program of classics, jazz, patriotic pops, and good ole’ rock n’ roll!  Tickets are $10 and kids are free!

Saturday, 6/16 – USAF Blue Steel Band for Kids!
Take the kids to a free concert of the US Air Force Academy Band.  The band is made up entirely of active-duty military members and they incorporate the story of the air force into a kid-friendly performance!  All ages are welcome, but this show is geared toward the kids.  The concert is free.  Located at the Freeman Stage at Bayside (31750 Lake view Drive in Selbyville).  For more information call 302-436-3015.

Saturday, 6/16 – 22nd Annual Lewes Garden Tour
This popular annual event is hosted by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce.  Enjoy this beautiful self-guided tour from 10am-4pm on Saturday.  There are ten gardens on the tour this year, 1 public and 9 private.  In addition to touring the gardens you are also welcome to enjoy the garden market, food tent and working artists.  At 1pm there will be a lecture entitled “Using Flower Essence of Life’s Stresses – The Power of Flowers” in Zwaanendael Park.  Tickets are $15 in advance of $20 on Saturday.  You can purchase tickets in advance by visiting the Lewes Chamber of Commerce (120 Kings Highway in the Fisher-Martin House).

Sunday, 6/17 – 14th Annual Chautauqua Tent Performances
You can enjoy this year’s performances from 1pm-8pm in Zwaanendael Park.  This year’s theme is The War of 1812.  This year’s performers include a story-teller, musicians, a food demonstrator, a historian, and a theatrical reenactor.  For more information and a complete schedule of performances check out the link above.

Sunday, 6/17 – Breakfast at the Firehouse, 8am-11am
Celebrate Father’s Day by taking the whole family to a delicious breakfast at the Firehouse in Bethany Beach (215 Hollywood Street).  Enjoy a tour of the firehouse plus an all you can eat feast of eggs, French toast, biscuits and gravy, potatoes, muffins, bacon, sausage, juice, and coffee.  There are also special activities to keep the kids busy.  Breakfast is $10 for adults and $5 for children over 5 and free for kids ages 5 and under.

Tips To Lower Your Cooling Costs

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the past couple of days have been H-O-T!!! With weather this hot, cooling bills can be astronomical. In fact, the EPA estimates that the average household spends over $1,000 a year on heating & cooling costs annually. In our region, heating and cooling costs are pretty much split evenly since we enjoy all four seasons and that means that the cooling costs can really add up, but if you’re willing to put in a little bit of effort, there are ways to reduce your cooling costs.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the past couple of days have been H-O-T!!!  With weather this hot, cooling bills can be astronomical.  In fact, the EPA estimates that the average household spends over $1,000 a year on heating & cooling costs annually.  In our region, heating and cooling costs are pretty much split evenly since we enjoy all four seasons and that means that the cooling costs can really add up, but if you’re willing to put in a little bit of effort, there are ways to reduce your cooling costs.  First, and most obviously, you can up the temperature you set your thermostat to by 1 or 2 degrees.  If you normally keep the temperature at 70, try it at 72.  Even if you run a fan to adjust to a warmer temperature, the savings can still equal over 10% of your heating bill.  If everyone is out of your house during the day, programming the thermostat to be even higher during the day and kick in the a/c about an hour before you come home.  If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, get one!  Older thermostats alone can cost you $150 or more in energy costs.  I just had the thermostat in my home replaced, and I can already tell you I’ve seen an increase in savings in the past month!  Cleaning you’re a/c will also save you money.  Be sure to change the filter monthly for even greater savings.  Seal any air leaks in your home to help save more – check windows, door frames, and seals around attics and crawl spaces especially.  Lastly, if you’re able to prevent your home from heating up you will need to run your a/c much less often.  Try tips like closing curtains during the day and avoid using hot appliances such as ovens and dryers as much as possible.  When you do need to use them, try to use them during the early morning or evening when it isn’t as hot.  Replacing an old a/c unit with a new energy efficient model can add up to significant savings too, but with the cost of a new system it could take a season or two for the savings to kick-in.  Still, it might be something you want to consider.  Happy savings and good luck keeping cool in this summer weather!

Clean Your House In Just 5 Minutes

Keeping your house clean is a never ending job. It’s easiest to do when you don’t let things pile up and become overwhelming. I recently read an article about tips for cleaning your home, and one of their suggestions was to do a few small jobs whenever you’re on the phone or watching television. I thought that was a good tip, so I put together a list of quick jobs you can do while you’re somewhat distracted. Just think how clean your house will be after all those extra five minute cleaning sessions add up! Here are some suggestions to get you started:

Keeping your house clean is a never ending job.  It’s easiest to do when you don’t let things pile up and become overwhelming.  I recently read an article about tips for cleaning your home, and one of their suggestions was to do a few small jobs whenever you’re on the phone or watching television.  I thought that was a good tip, so I put together a list of quick jobs you can do while you’re somewhat distracted.  Just think how clean your house will be after all those extra five minute cleaning sessions add up!  Here are some suggestions to get you started: 

  • Load or unload the dishwasher
  • Wipe countertops
  • Sweep the floor
  • Wipe down kitchen appliances
  • Clean out the kitchen or bathroom sink
  • Polish faucets
  • Choose a room and dust
  • Dust picture frames and knick knacks
  • Choose a room and clean the windows
  • Dust the television and other electronics
  • Clean mirrors
  • Empty wastebaskets throughout the house
  • Sort laundry and start a load
  • Fold and put away clean laundry
  • Make beds
  • Choose a room and pick up/organize clutter
  • Iron
  • Organize a cabinet, desk, closet, or drawer

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

Spotlight on Georgia House (Various Locations)

Georgia House is a family restaurant well loved by locals. The original Georgia House is in Millsboro (119 Main Street), but there are also locations in Selbyville, Milford, and Laurel, so chances are you’re close to one of them!

Georgia House is a family restaurant well loved by locals.  The original Georgia House is in Millsboro (119 Main Street), but there are also locations in Selbyville, Milford, and Laurel, so chances are you’re close to one of them!  Serving classic home-style favorites such as delicious fried chicken, finger-lickings ribs, and their much-lauded meatloaf, even the pickiest eaters are bound to find something that pleases them at Georgia House.  Their famous cream of crab soup is a must… it is what put them on the culinary map after all!  All in all, if you’re looking for something new and different, you might want to skip Georgia House, but if you’re looking for a classic, home cooked meal that is sure to be delicious, Georgia House is the perfect place.

As a bonus, kids eat free on Tuesday nights and they also offer a rewards card that includes a free dessert on your birthday, $10 off on your anniversary, and a $10 gift certificate for every 250 points earned, plus a few more great perks!

All locations are closed on Mondays, but Tuesday-Saturday it’s a great place to eat!

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.

Five Ways to Get Organized This Weekend

If you feel like your home is too cluttered, try a few of these tricks to get organized. Best of all, none of them should take very long at all!

In the entryway. Prime and paint an old bookshelf, adjust shelves and add buckets or baskets to match your décor. For even more organization, personalize buckets or baskets, one for each member of the family and charge everyone with taking charge of their own clutter!

If you feel like your home is too cluttered, try a few of these tricks to get organized.  Best of all, none of them should take very long at all!

In the entryway.  Prime and paint an old bookshelf, adjust shelves and add buckets or baskets to match your décor.  For even more organization, personalize buckets or baskets, one for each member of the family and charge everyone with taking charge of their own clutter!

In the kitchen.  Purchase an over-the-door shoe organizer with clear pockets.  Label each pocket, hang the organizer over the pantry door, and use it as a catchall for kitchen utensils and supplies.  These pockets are perfect for measuring cups & spoons, pens/pencils, spices, seasoning packets (taco, gravy, etc.), wooden spoons, boxes of jello, and much more!

In the bedroom.  Organize your jewelry by creating a piece of artwork.  All you have to do is find a beautiful picture frame and paint it to match your décor.  Frame a radiator cover or wire screen, or run ribbon back and forth across the frame and back it with a piece of fabric.  Then hook earrings through the grid and add hooks for necklaces and bracelets.

In the office.  Hide cluttered bookshelves with bookcase shades.  Measure openings and sew shades out of canvas or another weighted material.  Use tension rods to hang the shades over shelves.  Be sure to leave some shelves unshaded and display artwork and accessories to create an elegant look.

Anywhere.  Corral electronics and their cords by creating a charging station.  Decorate a shadow box with paint and/or fabric, replace one side with a power strip.  Cover the power strip by adding decorative paper to a piece of foam board and fitting it into the box.  Plug cords in, feed the wires under the foam board (chipping a notch in the bottom of the foam if necessary), plug in your electronics and store them on the shelf you have created.

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

Thursday Three: 3 Window Treatment Ideas

Are you looking for some creative ways to dress up your windows? Check out these ideas…

Think Outside the Drapes
If you want something a bit more creative, think about using lovely pillow cases, vintage tablecloths, or other beautiful piece of fabric that you have and turn them into curtains with just a few snips & stitches. A quick google search will give you all the instructions you need!

Are you looking for some creative ways to dress up your windows?  Check out these ideas…

Think Outside the Drapes
If you want something a bit more creative, think about using lovely pillow cases, vintage tablecloths, or other beautiful piece of fabric that you have and turn them into curtains with just a few snips & stitches.  A quick google search will give you all the instructions you need! 

Dress It Up
By adding color & texture to your curtains you will give them a whole new life.  A quick, easy way to do this is by accessorizing your curtains.  Adding a contrasting tie-back to a curtain is a lot like adding a tie or necklace to an outfit… it dresses it up and gives it final touch.  Another creative idea is to buy matching women’s pashminas or dress scarves and drape them over the top of the curtains (as pictured above) to give them a splash of color or pattern. 

Personalize It
There are many ways to personalize window treatments.  You can stencil or paint, add buttons, bows, or flowers, trim them with ribbon, add a contrasting fabric panel to the top or bottom, use ribbon or fabric to add stripes, and much more.  There’s really no limit to what you can do.  Just think about your dream window treatments and chances are you can make them happen!

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