Author: Connie - Gadget Girl

Thank You Veterans!

vetthanks2Everyone here at Cooper Realty Associates would like to take a moment to thank all of the men and women who have served our country and are currently serving in the military right now.  Most members of our armed services make great sacrifices to serve our country, and so do their families.  If you are interested in truly thanking our nation’s veterans, here are two articles that offer some excellent suggestions.  The first article “9 Ways To Say Thank You” can be found here.  The second, “6 Ways To Thank Veterans Every Day” can be found here.  Now, go thank a veteran!

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.

Down Payment Advice

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It’s always best to put 20% (or more) down on a mortgage when you are buying a home.  The main reason for this is so that you can avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI) payments.  PMI costs you a percentage of your mortgage depending on how close your down payment was to 20%.  At first glance it might not sound like much, but over the course of a year PMI could cost you between $500-1500 or more depending on the sale price of your home and how much you put down.  In addition to saving on PMI, putting 20% down can help you negotiate better loan terms and rates.  Without putting a sizable down payment into your mortgage you will not be building equity in your home for a long time.  If you can’t save 20%, saving as much as possible is definitely the best route.

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 Great Projects To Tackle Now

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With the holidays just around the corner and the weather beginning to chill, November is a grea time to do these projects around the house:

1.  Add insulation.  To keep your home comfortable and energy costs down the most important place you can insulate is your attic, and specifically your attic floor.  The basic purpose of insulation is to keep heat from escaping, and to do that there are certain guidelines that you can follow.  With a little research and a little work you can stay warm and save a bundle too!

2.  Seal drafts.  Even a tiny draft can ruin the benefit of good insulation.  Seal gaps around electrical outlets, ducts, windows and doors with foam sealant.  If you live in an older home or have old windows in your home you may even want to consider covering them with a layer of plastic for the winter.  It’s not the prettiest solution, but it will lower your energy costs, perhaps even significantly.

3.  Inspect your ductwork.  This is the perfect time of year to have your ductwork inspected for leaks and other issues.  Repairing faulty ductwork not only helps your energy efficiency, but it also extends the life of your furnace.  An expert can also recommend other ways to improve your energy efficiency and save money on your heating costs, so it’s not a bad idea to have one come 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.

Weekend Update: November 8th-10th

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

Friday, Nov. 8th-Saturday, Nov. 9th:  Del Tech 30th Annual Craft Fair
Delaware Technical Community College presents their 30th Annual Craft Fair this weekend.  It will run Friday from 3pm-7pm and Saturday from 9am-3pm.  Admission is free and there will be door prizes and refreshments available.  Vendors this year include floral arrangements, woodwork, ceramics, needlework, jewelry, glass art, clothing and more.  The fair takes place on Del Tech’s campus.

Friday, Nov. 8th: Lewes Lunch and Learn
This edition of the Lewes Lunch and Learn will present the history of the US Post Office in Lewes.  The presentation will take place at the Hotel Rodney with Ned Maull presenting.  The presentation begins at noon and is free.  Don’t forget your lunch!

Saturday, Nov. 9th:  Celebrate Native American Day
Join the Nanticoke Indian Museum from 10am-4pm to celebrate Native American Day with food, special speakers, traditional storytelling, traditional dance and music, face painting, Native American crafts and more.  This is a rain or shine event at the Nanticoke Indian Museum (26673 John J Williams Hwy) in Millsboro.

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.

Feel Better About Yourself: Organize Your Junk Drawer

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There is one home project that everybody can do relatively quickly and easily that will immediately make you feel better about yourself… organizing your junk drawer!  Nearly everyone has one, and although we say it’s filled with “junk” it is more likely filled with plenty of things you would actually use if you could find it when you needed it!  If you want to feel productive and feel better about yourself in an hour or so then start by dumping everything on a table, counter, or floor so you can spread it out and see it.  Once you can see it, sort it into piles… one pile for things to be thrown away, another for recycling, and another pile for things you need (or want) to keep.  Don’t save everything just because you feel you have to.  You don’t really need to keep the business cards of everyone you’ve ever met… chances are the important numbers are in your phone anyway.  If something broken has been sitting there for months (or years!) waiting to be fixed, toss it.  If you haven’t missed it enough to fix it already chances are you never will.  Test all your pens/markers, etc. if they don’t write, toss them.  (This is an excellent way to get children involved if they’re bugging you!)  After you’ve purged, look at everything in your “keep” pile and decide where it’s permanent home should be.  For example, receipts, old bills, appliance manuals, etc. should be filed away.  Loose change should be put in your wallet or a piggy bank, paper clips/rubber bands/thumb tacks/etc. should be moved to your office, and so on.  Once you’ve decluttered, take everything that is left and organize it.  Ice cube trays make excellent organizers for small items, and empty margarine tubs or Tupperware containers are great for everything else.  Silverware drawer inserts are also a great way to organize without spending too much.  Finally, keep it all organized by adding a quick cleaning of the junk drawer to your monthly to-do list.

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.

Spotlight on Jimmy’s Grille in Bridgeville

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If you’re down at the Punkin’ Chunkin’ Festival this weekend and you’re looking for a nearby place to eat, check out Jimmy’s Grille in Bridgeville.  I spotlighted this area favorite last year, so here’s the review:
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.

Things to Consider Before Refinishing a Basement

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Basements are versatile rooms that add useful living space to any home, but refinishing them poorly is not only a waste of money, but can also detract from the value of your home.  Spending time planning, researching, and fixing any existing issues before you begin work will save you a lot of hassle and money in the long run!  Consider these five basement refinishing tips…

Safety Standards and Zoning Codes.  Make sure all access points meet safety standards – do the stairs from the inside of the house meet building codes?  Are there any exterior entrances or does there need to be?  Is the ceiling high enough?  Will any structural support be altered?  Is there enough airflow?  Have you gotten any permits that you need for the work you’re planning to do?  And if you’re planning to refinish your basement as a rental unit, you will need to check with your local municipality to be sure that rentals are allowed in your neighborhood.

Have a Plan for Keeping It Dry.  Lots of basements flood.  If you want to finish your basement, you need to make sure the exterior of your house has good drainage.  If you have an older house, this is especially important.  If you’ve recently purchased your house, consider living in it for a year before making any plans to finish the basement.  See what it’s like in all seasons, so that you know what kind of moisture issues you are dealing with.  If your basement has moisture issues, take care of them before you do any finishing work.  Whether you need to install a drain, re-landscape for better drainage, reroute your gutters, install a sump pump, or waterproof the exterior of your house, not taking care of the issue before you finish your basement is like throwing time and money down the drain.

Know Your Purpose.  Finishing a basement just to have it finished is a bad idea.  Decide beforehand how the space is going to be used.  Will it be a family room?  An office?  Converted into bedrooms?  A media room?  A game room?  Your plans for the room will factor into your design and ultimately the amount of time and money it takes to do the work.  For example, a game room might just need some walls, flooring, and paint.  But more extensive projects will require you to think about electrical wiring, plumbing, and ventilation well in advance of starting the project.

Decide How To Weather-Proof.  There is no sense in refinishing an area that is too cold to use in the winter and too hot to use in the summer.  There are many different methods of insulating, and you should research them to decide what type will work best for your house.  In addition to insulation you want to make sure you have the proper heating and/or air conditioning installed in the space as well.  This might mean rerouting or adding duct work to your home, installing small wall units, or even upgrading your home’s existing system if it is not equipped to handle heating or cooling the extra space.  Again, you will want to do all of this research before you start any work so that you don’t end up with any big, unexpected costs, or worse, a lovely finished basement that can only be used for a few weeks out of the year due to climate control issues.

Choose the Finishing Touches.  There are so many options for finishing the ceilings, walls, and floors of your newly improved space that you will want to do some research ahead of time.  A lot of these choices will depend on what you plan on using the space for (see #3), and I’m not suggesting you have every last detail down to your paint colors chosen before you start any work.  It is in your best interest, however, to do some research and narrow down your decisions ahead of time.  Putting this thought in before any work begins will prevent your costs from skyrocketing at the very end of the project.

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.

Three Ways To Lower Your Insurance Premium

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If you’re looking for a lower homeowner’s insurance premium try one of these tricks:

Call competitors.  This can be time consuming, but calling several companies for rate quotes can end up saving you quite a bundle in the long-run.  Just make sure the quotes you are getting match the coverage your currently have, otherwise it’s not a good comparison.  In some cases, switching carriers could save you up to 10% annually!

Package it.  Depending on your carrier, you may be able to get a better rate if you bundle your homeowners insurance with your auto coverage.  If you currently have separate policies, call both companies and ask about package discounts.  Who knows, maybe you’ll even save some money on car insurance while you’re at it!

Raise your deductible – A deductible is the amount of money you will have to pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in.  If you’ve got some money set aside to cover unexpected expenses then raising your deductible can save you a significant amount each month.

Looking to buy or sell a home in Southern Delaware?  Give Cooper Realty Associates a call and put us to work for you – 302-629-6693.

Weekend Update: November 1st-3rd

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Can you believe that it’s almost November?  It’s crazy!  Celebrating Halloween tomorrow and then this weekend it is time for the area’s foremost unique event… Punkin’ Chunkin’!

The annual World Championship Punkin Chunkin competition will be held all weekend long in Bridgeville.  The field is full this year!  The competition is hosted by the World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association (WCPCA) which raises money for scholarships and other organizations that benefit youth in the local community.  This year’s event begins at 7:30am when the gates open on Friday, competition begins at 8am.  Competitions continues on Saturday and Sunday and the weekend is rounded out with a Cooking Contest, Chili Cookoff, Miss Punkin Pageant, and fireworks!  For a full schedule of events, ticket information, and more, check out www.punkinchunkin.com.

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

Quick & Easy Halloween Decorations

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With Halloween just days away, here are a few quick, easy decoration ideas to get you in the spirit:

Ghost Garland.  You can make a ghost garland by covering each light in a string of lights with white fabric tied off to look like a ghost head.  So cute!

Dancing Lawn Ghosts.  Poke a styrofoam ball through the top of a stake or dowel and poke the other side into the ground.  Cover with a lightweight, white fabric that will pick up the wind to make the ghosts dance!

Hanging Bats.  Cut a bat pattern out of black craft foam, glue on some googley eyes, punch a hole through the tail with a hole punch and hang it from a tree with fishing line.  Viola!

Ghost Lanterns.  Decorate the outside of an empty gallon jug with a black sharpie marker to have ghostly eyes and a mouth then put a string of lights or a candle inside to light up a porch or other outdoor space.

Halloween Ornaments.  Cover Christmas ornaments with Halloween inspired paper mache and fill a basket, or just string or place them in strategic places.

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.

Blue Hen Women’s Golf Team Wins Inaugural Delaware Fall Invitational

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UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE – WOMEN’S GOLF

Over the past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the U of DE Fall Invitational “Battle at the Beach”, held at the Rehoboth Beach Country Club. 

Eight of the top collegiate teams from the Mid Atlantic area, including Ivy League Schools – University of Pennsylvania and Brown University, and Rollins College, from Florida, participated. 

The caliber of play, skill, and talent of the women players was very impressive, to say the least.  More impressive to me was the poise, congeniality and appreciation displayed by these classy young ladies. 

University of Delaware head coach, Patty Post, did a wonderful job of organizing this first ever event and was hands on in seeing everything went flawlessly, as planned. 

I also feel local RBCC pride in recognizing the great job Head Professional, Charlie Schuyler, and his staff did in supporting and helping to organize this wonderful event. 

If you missed this year’s event, stay tuned for next year’s tournament, which I predict will grow and become bigger and better.

Tommy Cooper

President

Cooper Realty Associates

Tips For Upping Your Curb Appeal

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You only get one chance to make a first impression, and first impressions are lasting.  We know this, yet when many people put their home on the market they don’t take the time to make sure that the first impression is a good one.  When you’re trying to sell your home, you want buyers to fall in love at first sight!

Here are a few tips to boost your property’s curb appeal:

  1. Take a picture.  You’re so use to seeing the outside of your house that you might not notice it anymore.  If you take a photo (or several photos) you may be able to see the property with new eyes.  Show the photos to friends, family, neighbors, etc. and ask them to point out any concerns they would have if they were thinking about buying the place.  Make a list and address as many of the concerns as you can, especially recurring concerns.
  2. Paint – It’s amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do for the exterior of a home.  If the entire home doesn’t need to be painted, consider freshening the trim, doors, shutters, and/or garage door.
  3. Clean & repair the driveway – Take the time to repair small cracks and rent a power washer to get that driveway clean.  If your drive way is a major mess, think about getting it redone.
  4. Spruce up landscaping – Keep your grass mowed and fertilized.  Rake your yard.  Edge along your sidewalks.  Plant some bright, low maintenance flowers – marigolds are a good choice!
  5. Replace your door – If your front door has seen better days, consider replacing it.  Remember, the door is what will welcome potential buyers into your home.  Make it a nice welcome!
  6. Clean – Wash your windows and doors (including screens), rent a power washer and spray down the deck, driveway, sidewalks, consider power washing the exterior of your home if you aren’t going to paint.
  7. Replace light bulbs – check the view of your home at night and replace any burned-out bulbs.  Consider adding lights if the property is in need of better lighting.

Of course the front of your house will offer the first impression to potential buyers, but don’t forget the back and side views as well!

Considering putting your home on the market?  Let us help.  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266!

 

Spotlight on The Buttery

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The Buttery is a great restaurant right in the midst of Historic Lewes.  The Buttery serves lunch and dinner and is well known for their Sunday brunch service!  The atmosphere is comfortable and welcoming, and the food is creative, flavorful, and delicious!  The food can be pricey, but is also well worth it.  The Buttery is the perfect place for a relaxed Sunday brunch with family, and is equally great for a lovely dinner or just about any special occasion!  The Buttery also hosts their own special events.  Locals love The Buttery and after just one visit it’s not hard to see why.  You should definitely check it out!

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

Are You Ready To Buy A Retirement Home?

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Retirement often means moving.  After retiring, many people wish to move to a smaller home or a home that requires less maintenance.  Others finally have an excuse to move to their dream location after years of being stuck in a certain area because of their job.  Still others choose to make a vacation home their full-time residence.  There are many reasons to choose a purchase a home to retire to, but moving can be tricky and it can be difficult to feel like you’ve made the “right” decision when it comes to a retirement home.  Here are some tips that might help make the decision easier.

“Active Adult Community” vs. Traditional Community
They can be called active adult communities, 55+ communities, or a myriad of other things, but the truth is that these types of communities can be a great option.  If you are interested in having a lot of recreational and social activities to choose from then an active adult community might be for you.  These communities usually offer golf, tennis, swimming, and/or other recreational activities for a monthly fee.  This fee is usually a fraction of what it would cost you to pay for all of the individual amenities yourself.  When you are trying to decide whether or not to look at 55+ communities or purchase a home in a more traditional community seriously consider how often you think you will use amenities such as tennis courts, a swimming pool, or a clubhouse.  If the answer is “not often” then it might be worth it for you to live in a more traditional community and pay a-la-carte for the things you desire, such as someone to mow the lawn or take care of snow removal.

Location
Make a list of all the things that are most important then look for a home that is located near all of the amenities.  This list might include the beach, quality healthcare, shopping, golf, restaurants, and much more… whatever is on your list, do your best to find a home that is in the vicinity of your top choices.

Amenities
If you choose an active adult community the amenities should be part of your consideration, but don’t forget to consider amenities if you choose a more traditional path as well.  Is it important for you to have a garden?  Do you dream of sitting on a porch in the evenings?  Do you plan to host large family dinners? Consider what is most important to you and look for a home with these amenities or the ability to add these amenities easily and within your budget.

Monthly Upkeep
When you are determining where to buy a home be sure to factor in the “hidden” costs of ownership.  For example, how much will it cost you monthly to have someone mow your lawn and keep up with the yard maintenance when the time comes that you no longer want to do it yourself?  If you choose an active adult community, be sure you know what the monthly fees are, what they cover, and when they were last raised and by how much.

Safety and Layout
Not only do you want a house in a safe and secure neighborhood, but you also want to consider the future.  If there comes a time in the very far future when you need a wheelchair or other medical equipment, will the home you choose be able to accommodate you.  These are things that nobody wants to think of when they retire and have plenty of life left in them, but the time to plan for these things is before they happen to you.

Cost
Everyone’s goal should be to retire debt-free, so the overall cost of your home is, of course, something to keep in mind.  Be sure you can afford your home.  Just think of the freedom you will have in retirement if you are living mortgage-free!

Above all, when considering where you will live after retiring, be sure to evaluate and consider both your current desires as well as your long-term needs.  And, of course, hire a real estate agent to help you through the process!

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.

Sell Your Home Faster Than Your Neighbor

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If you are looking to sell your home, check out these tips to give you a head start on your competition:

1.  Know what your home is worth.  In the neighborhood, that is.  If you are going to sell you definitely want to know the comps for your home.  Your real estate agent can help you with this.  You can always start going to open houses to see what’s selling in your neighborhood, and utilize online listings to help you learn more.  Just remember that “comps” are comparable sales, not comparable listings.  It doesn’t matter what people are asking for their homes, only what the homes actually sell for.

2.  Get inspected.  Of course, inspection falls to the seller, but if you want to give yourself a leg up consider paying for an inspection yourself.  If you do you will know what needs to be repaired before you begin negotiating.  If you can plan for repairs in advance you will be able to fix them for less money than they would cost you in buyer credit down the road, or you can price your home with the repairs factored in.  Either way you will save money for the long run.

3.  Stage your home.  By hiring a designer or stager, you will be able to show your home in the best possible light.  Again, even though this is an up-front cost, it will save you money in the long run!

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.

Make Your Home More Appealing to Buyers

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If your home is on the market, but it’s not selling, consider putting in some time and elbow grease to make it more appealing to potential buyers.  Here are five relatively inexpensive tips to help you market your home:

1.  De-clutter

You want to show off your home to potential buyers, not your stuff.  Even if you feel like your stuff is organized, the truth is it is still taking up space… space that will seem more appealing to buyers if it is empty, giving the illusion of more square footage.  Here are some tips to help you:

  • If you haven’t used it in over a year get rid of it – donate it or throw it away.
  • Pack up knick-knacks, books, photos, etc. – you want potential buyers to envision themselves in your home, but they won’t be able to do that if they see your family everywhere they look.
  • Get a small box for essentials (toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc) and put them out of site (like under the sink) when not in use.
  • Rent a storage unit – all homes show better with less furniture.  Remove pieces that are too bulky for their space, block walkways or doorways, or are not necessary.  For example, take the leaves out of your dining room table and store extra chairs – this will make your dining room seem larger.  If your guest room doubles as an office, either remove the desk and all office furniture or store the bed and other pieces of bedroom furniture.  You don’t want potential buyers to walk into a room and wonder what it’s used for.

Remember, de-cluttering goes for all areas of your home, so don’t think that boxing up your stuff and putting it in the garage, basement, or closet is helpful.  You want to be prepared for potential buyers to open every last door, drawer, and cabinet and scrutinize every last square inch of space.  What kind of impression would it give to open a closet door and see piles of stuff jumbled up?  At best this is distracting to potential buyers and at worse it can deter them.  Get rid of your stuff, get organized, and get potential buyers thinking about the space in your home as theirs.

 2.  Clean

When a house sparkles it give buyers the impression that you are the kind of people that take good care of your things.  Everyone wants to buy a house that has been well cared for, so keep your house clean and increase your odds of selling.  In addition to daily cleaning, consider doing the following:

  • Rent a power washer and spray down your driveway, sidewalks, and exterior
  •  Wash windows inside and out
  • Dust for cobwebs
  • Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks
  • Polish all faucets and mirrors and keep them polished
  • Get your carpets professionally cleaned and then vacuum daily
  • Dust not only your furniture, but light fixtures, picture frames, electronics, fan blades, and anything else that collects dust
  • Hang clean, fresh towels
  • Replace any worn out bedding or curtains
  • Eliminate any odors – all odors should be avoided, but be especially aware of pet odors.  You are accustomed to them, so ask a friend or neighbor who does not have a pet to come over and let you know if there are lingering odors.  As much as you love your pets, others may not and may even be allergic.  If you want to sell your home, don’t alienate buyers who are not “pet people.”
  • Wax floors

3.  Check Curb Appeal

You don’t want potential buyers to walk away before they even come inside!  Walk around your house and think about how it comes across to potential buyers.  If you can’t be objective ask a friend or neighbor for help.  Consider the following: edge sidewalks, trim bushes, plant flowers, add potted plants, mend fences, keep sidewalks cleared, keep the lawn mowed, paint faded trim, be sure that your house number is clearly visible.

4.  Make Minor Repairs

Even inexpensive repairs can make a big difference in showing a home.  Consider the following: tighten leaky faucets, patch holes in walls (even nail holes from those family photos you removed!), caulk or plaster where necessary, replace cracked tiles, fix doors that don’t close properly, fix windows or drawers that jam, replace burned out light bulbs or broken light fixtures, fix broken blinds, oil squeaky hinges or windows that get stuck, replace any window or door hardware that is broken or “tricky”

5.  Paint

Painting is relatively inexpensive (if you do it yourself) and is perhaps the one thing you can do to make the biggest impact on the way your home shows to potential buyers.  Paint all the walls in your home in neutral shades.  Stay away from white which can feel cold and clinical, and instead choose from one of the lovely, warm beige tones that exist.  Definitely avoid non-neutral colors – you don’t want potential buyers to remember your home as the “one with the green room.”

None of these suggestions require a large amount of money, but if you combine them with some time and elbow grease your home will be much more appealing to potential buyers.

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.

Update Your Kitchen Cabinets

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Kitchen cabinets can really be the thing that make or break a house.  If yours are in need of an upgrade, but you don’t have the money to replace them, consider refacing them instead.  When you reface cabinets you replace the cabinet doors and fronts but keep the frames intact and just refinish any showing pieces, such as end pieces to match the new cabinet doors.  Refacing takes less time and is less expensive than a complete replacement.  Even less expensive, is refinishing all of the cabinetry yourself, although this is not a project for those with little patience.  Refacing or refinishing cabinetry won’t do anything to improve the layout or functionality of your kitchen, but it can be a good facelift for a tired, but otherwise useful kitchen.

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.

Great Ideas for Garage Storage

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If your garage is in need of some organization, consider some of these storage ideas, specifically intended for the garage:

An Overhead Storage Rack:  These racks come in many styles and sizes and are ideal for maximizing unused space to store off-season items that are used infrequently.

Metal Pegboard:  Metal pegboards are several times stronger than conventional pegboards and can be customized with pegs, hooks and brackets to fit whatever organizational needs you have.

Utility Shelving:  Utility shelving can be made in any configuration to fit a variety of spaces, sizes and needs.  You can include shelves, baskets, drawers, hooks, etc. to create the ideal shelving for your situation.

Commercial Bins:  A commercially designed bin rack can organize tools and much more.

Bike Hoist:  A bike hoist can raise and store your bike with a simple pulley system to free up floor space and take advantage of underutilized vertical storage space.  Bike hoists don’t have to be used exclusively for bikes, you can also use them for your kayak, ladders, or other bulky items as well.

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 Rehoboth Ale House

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Rehoboth Ale House (15 Wilmington Ave.) in Rehoboth Beach is a great, low-key bar with friendly service, decent food, and over a hundred beers available.  If you’re looking for a sports bar with a welcoming atmosphere, look no further.  Ale House also features barside games and trivia and live entertainment on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.  A full and reasonably priced menu is served every day beginning at 11am and each day of the week features a different special.  Try the Rehoboth Ale House for decent food and good service in a laid-back atmosphere.

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 Ways To Organize Your House Hunt

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If you’re looking to buy, you know that after looking at house after house, things start to run together in your memory.  Here are a few hints to help you stay organized.

1.  Take Notes.  Snapping some pictures on your phone (or bringing a camera along) won’t hurt either.  Carry a notebook with you and dedicate a sheet to each page you see.  Write the address of the property at the top and then fill the page(s) with any notes to help you distinguish the home in your memory later.  Include in your notes any questions you have about the property. Which leads me to number two…

2.  Ask Questions.  Ask any and all questions that come to mind while you’re at the property.  If you have a good realtor, he or she should be able to answer many on the spot.  Jot these answers in your notes.  If your realtor doesn’t know the answer, they can check on it and get back to you, so write the questions in your notes if you’re waiting for answers. (See number one!)

3.  Know Your Priorities.  Prioritize your wish list and know your priorities.  If you know that you need four bedrooms, don’t waste your time looking at three bedroom houses.  If a large yard is a deal breaker, then skip the homes that don’t fit your criteria.  Most importantly, know what’s most important to you – price or location.  If you’re lucky you’ll find your dream home in both your price range and your desired location, but many times one or the other has to bend a bit to fit your needs, so be clear before you go in on which one you’re willing to flex if necessary.

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