Category: Home Projects

Three Questions You Should Ask Before A Remodel

Question-Marks

If you are thinking of remodeling your kitchen or any other part of your home here are three questions you should ask yourself before you start anything:

1.  What is the purpose of this remodel?  Do you want a fresh look, completely new function, or a serious overhaul?

2.  What is most important?  Create a list of your priorities in the order of their importance to you before you begin and you will have a much easier time making budget choices in the long run.

3.  What investment can I afford?  Regardless of your personal budget, consider the value of the other homes nearby and the current value of your own home.  Over spending may give you the results you want immediately, but it might not be the best long term investment, so be sure to consider your options.

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.

Kitchen Makeovers on a Budget

handy-kitchen-cabinet-tips

Yesterday I talked about kitchen makeovers, but the thing about totally redoing a kitchen is that it can be very pricy.  If you’re wanting to give your kitchen a face lift in a more budget-friendly way, consider some of the following suggestions.

Stick to the Ws.  Window and walls that is.  There are basically endless options for wall coverings that can be easily cleaned.  A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for a room!  Changing up the window treatments can also give the room a whole different feel.

Keep what you have.  Installing new cabinets can be expensive, but your whole kitchen can feel like new if you refinish your existing cabinets.  Just make sure you do your research and use high-quality prep products.

Repurpose other pieces.  Consider using an armoire as a pantry or a unique table as an island.  Repurposing individual pieces of furniture can save you money and add interest to an otherwise neutral room.

Appliances only.  If you have some money to work with, but not enough for a full makeover, consider replacing only your appliances.  Especially if they are showing signs of wear and tear.  And remember that appliances can be expensive if you get all the fancy gadgets, but basic appliances that will fit your requirements can be just as nice if you are on a budget.

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.

Kitchen Remodeling Tips

Kitchen-Remodel

It is no secret that kitchens and bathrooms sell homes, but they are also the centerpieces of family life too.  A kitchen makeover can give your home a whole different feel.  Whether you want a kitchen update to help sell your home faster or just to enjoy yourself, here are some helpful tips for design planning.

Plan for space.  Kitchen design pros recommend walkways of at least 36 inches in all kitchen areas with 42 inch pathways in cooking areas and more if there is more than one cook.

Plan for traffic.  Place the refrigerator accessible to anyone wandering in looking for a drink, but still convenient to cooking and cleanup areas.

Plan your corners.  Keep all cabinets and appliances fully functional by planning space for the doors clearance and swing.  Keep appliances away from corners and make sure doors won’t bang into each other if they are open at the same time.

Plan your landings.  Landing space is work space for cooking.  There should be a minimum of 15 inches of counter space on each side of the refrigerator and stove top as well as 15 inches near the microwave.

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 Things To Consider Before Starting A Project

article-new_ehow_images_a04_q5_oq_plan-room-remodeling-project-800x800

If you’re thinking of doing any projects or renovations in your home, here are three things to consider before you begin:

1.  Budget.  This is probably the most important aspect to decide on before you begin.  Setting a budget will help you make decisions about everything else from whether to do it yourself or hire a contractor to what materials to choose.

2.  Time Frame.  Once you have a budget in mind, do research so that you can come up with a time frame within which you’d like to see different steps of the project completed.  Keep in mind that the more custom your job is, the longer it will take.  This is especially important if you are renovating a kitchen or an only bathroom, as you will need to make alternate arrangements for day-to-day activities such as cooking/eating and showering.

3.  Work Sequence.  If you’re doing the project yourself, think about the job as a whole and come up with a specific work sequence for your projects.  Sticking to a specific order can save a lot of headaches, cleanup and mistakes.  Always start at the top and work your way down.  Ceiling, walls, and finally floors to prevent damage to newly renovated areas.

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.

5 Quick Kitchen Updates

kitchen-open-shelving

Freshen your kitchen with one of these relatively quick and easy updates:

1.  Open it up.  Add some open shelving, which can be as simple as removing the doors from a few cabinets and show off your colorful, collective, or otherwise interesting or beautiful dishes.

2.  Go glamorous.  Add a beautiful or interesting chandelier over an island or kitchen table too add some architectural interest to the room.

3.  Add some red.  The color red is known to enhance the sense of smell, sensitize the taste buds, and stimulate appetite.  If your kitchen is neutral, add a splash of this appealing color to the room’s palate.

4.  Organize.  Fit your silverware drawer with dividers, add a pot rack, and fit disorganized cabinets with wire shelving to clear the clutter and keep things neat.

5.  Add an artful touch.  Tile a backsplash for a simple, relatively inexpensive custom touch.  To keep costs down choose a simple tile and throw in just a few accents.

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

Five Tools You Definitely Need In Your Toolbox

images

Whether you’re a die-hard do-it-yourselfer or you just tackle a project occasionally, here are five tools you definitely need in your arsenal:

1.  Multi-bit Screwdriver.  A screwdriver with interchangeable bits will tackle pretty much any job you will encounter and is a definite necessity in every homeowner’s tool kit.

2.  Cordless Drill.  Second only to the interchangeable screw driver in usefulness, the cordless drill is a versatile and necessary part of any tool kit.

3.  Tape Measure.  A tape measure is the first tool you use in many projects, but you don’t just need any tape measure.  A quality tape measure is worth its price in the time it saves with improved accuracy.

4.  Quality Level.  A weighted level/straight edge is a definite must for all kind of projects from hanging photos to heavy repairs, and a magnetic level can be even more useful.

5.  All Purpose Saw.  There are many options for a small, power saw, so you just need to find a versatile one that you are comfortable with and learn to use 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 – 302-644-2266.

Improve Curb Appeal to Help Your Home to Sell

house_curb_appeal

Selling your home can be a stressful experience, but you can make it easier on yourself with a few easy improvements to make your home stand out in the market.  The first thing to do is to up your curb appeal.  Curb appeal is the first impression potential buyers get of your home, so make it the best impression possible by improving your landscaping.  Keep the lawn mowed, prune your bushes and trees, weed the garden, and plant flowers.  In addition to landscaping, pressure wash your home’s exterior, clean the gutters and shutters and clean up any clutter in your yard as well.  To really help your home’s curb appeal pop, give your front door a fresh coat of paint in a color that contrasts with your home and add new house numbers that are easily visible.  Finally, add a new welcome mat to send the subliminal message that your home is open and inviting and that they are welcome.

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.

Patching Up Your Driveway

1659

If your driveway is in need of a little TLC, now that the weather is warming up, it’s a perfect time to patch it up.  You definitely want to patch driveway cracks because it will slow deterioration and keep moisture out.  When moisture gets into your driveway it can cause expansion and contraction that works away at the concrete, further damaging it.  Patching the cracks before they become a huge problem will give your driveway many more years of usefulness and will save you the time and money of a massive driveway overhaul.  When you are getting ready to patch your driveway you should begin by finding and eliminating the origin of the problem.  The most common causes of driveway cracks are roots and water.  Once you are able to find and eliminate the source problem, it is time to prep the cracks.  If there is grass or weeds growing up between the cracks in your driveway you should kill them with a strong herbicide and give them time to die.  Make sure to kill them at the roots.  Afterward, or if you don’t have plants, chisel off any loose pieces of concrete and use a wire brush to loosen debris.  What you need to do is create a clean, solid surface so that the patching material will bind well.  Once you’ve chiseled and brushed, use compressed air or a shop vac to clean all the dust, stones, etc. out of the crack.  If your cracks are small, about a half inch in width or less, there are several easy options for sealing them, including concrete sealer, pourable concrete, and textured caulk.  Just make sure you choose a product that will flex with the movement of the driveway, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions completely.  For cracks that are wider than a ½ inch you need to chisel out a piece of the driveway under the crack so that the bottom portion of the crack is wider than the surface crack.  This will keep the patching material stable so that it will stay fixed even with the expansion and contraction that concrete undergoes.  Whatever option you use to seal the cracks, again, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and be sure to work in multiple steps of about ¼ inch of depth at a time to ensure that proper drying and shrinkage takes place so that the seal will hold tight.  When you are finished patching your cracks be sure to blend the sealer with the surrounding area  with a brush or broom to form a good seal.

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 Flowers To Plant Now

phlox

In keeping with this week’s theme of landscaping, one great way to up the quality of landscaping in your home is to add some color with flowers.  Here are five options you can plant now:

1.  Petunias.  Petunias come in a wide range of sizes and colors, so they work in many situations.  They are fast growing and will grow just as well in a pot as they will in a garden.  For best growth, plant petunias in full sun to part shade areas.  Petunias are annuals, meaning that you will only get one growing season from them.

2.  Impatiens.  These impactful flowers come in hues of reds, pinks, oranges, and white.  They can survive with limited watering.  These flowers do need some shade and also do well in areas that are fully shaded.  Like Petunias, Impatiens are also annuals.

3.  Carnations.  Always popular, carnations are a fragrant flower that grow naturally in pinks, whites, and yellows.  Carnations need full sun and are a perennial, meaning that they will grow back each year.

4.  Geraniums.  These flowers are hearty and colorful.  Once you plant them they will bloom until frost, which gives them a nice, long season.  Geraniums do best in areas that are partially or fully shaded and are a perennial bloom.

5.  Phlox.  This vertical flower is a great choice for adding multiple levels of interest to your garden.  It comes in shades of pinks, blues, purples, and whites.  Planted behind ground level blooms, Phlox makes a brilliant and colorful backdrop.  Phlox is a perennial bloom that does best in areas of part to full shade.

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 Options For Your Adding Shade To Your Yard

shade-tree-summer

This week I wrote a couple of posts about how to have a lush lawn.  With landscaping on the brain, here are three great options if you’re looking to add a bit of shade to your yard:

1.  Plant a tree.  Obviously… trees are good for the environment, fantastic for the local ecosystem, and provide shade to boot.  But not all trees are created equal.  You have a lot of options, everything from evergreens to deciduous trees, from trees that fruit or flower to trees that only leaf.  What you plant should depend on your budget, taste, and of course climate.  The downside is that trees may take several years to provide the kind of shade you’re looking for, and they require care and clean-up throughout the year.

2.  Add a pergola.  A pergola can be a great option for adding both shade and style to a lawn.  You can build a pergola to any kind of specification that you want top it with beams with an outdoor material woven through.  Another option is to top it with lattice and vining plants intertwined with the lattice.

3.  Consider a cover.  A patio cover, that is.  A patio cover can be as simple as a sloped roof that is either attached to your home at one end with beams supporting the other, or with beams supporting all four sides.  Depending on your budget you can have a patio cover shingled to match your roof so it looks like a cohesive structure.  Patio covers can be expensive to build, but they offer solid shade and year round protection from the elements, which can be a benefit to some people.

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.

 

Steps To A Healthy Lawn

images

Yesterday I wrote about how landscaping and a healthy lawn can actually bring up the value of your property.  But how do you get that money-making, weed-free lawn?  Whether you do it yourself or pay a professional, the best thing to do is start by removing any weeds.  If your lawn is primarily covered in weeds, you may want to use an herbicide or other weed-removal product that you can pick up at your local home improvement store.  Otherwise, you can remove the weeds yourself manually.  Just be sure to remove the weeds by the root; using a handheld weeder or hoe (there are several types of each) is your best bet.  After you remove the weeds you should detatch your lawn.  Dethatching is loosening the matted debris that settles under the grass, stealing nutrients from the grass.  You can detatch your lawn with a thatching rake or power dethatcher.  Be aware that after detatching you will wonder if your lawn will ever look good again, but it will heal in a month or so.  After dethatching you should check a section of your lawn to check on the roots.  You want the roots of your lawn to extend 2 or more inches below the surface.  If that’s not the case, you should water your lawn and aerate it a day or two later.  Finally, find out what type of grass you have and overseed to cover any any bare spots, but be sure to evenly spread seed over the whole lawn.  If you have a cool-season grass you should seed in early spring or early fall.  If you have a warm-season grass you should seed in early summer.  Whenever you seed, be sure to water immediately to help set the seed.  Of course, once you go through all the trouble of establishing a healthy lawn you need to be sure to mow, water, and feed consistently and appropriately.

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.

Maintain Your Lawn To Increase Your Property Value

images

Now that it’s Spring and hopefully Spring weather will be on the way soon, it’s time to start thinking about landscaping projects.  Landscaping is a great way to add both curb appeal and value to your home.  All good landscaping starts with a lush lawn.  An ugly yard brings down your home’s value, while a lovely lawn creates an excellent first impression and actually raises the value of your property.  To bring up the value of your lawn on your own start by removing any trash, clutter, dead plants and weeds from the area.  Spread seed or sod in areas that are just dirt patches and follow up by watering and mowing your lawn consistently.  Look for lawn maintenance products such as fertilizers, etc. at your local home improvement store and use them for maximum impact.  If you have the money, consider hiring a lawn professional who can treat your lawn for pests and fertilize it.  Just keep in mind that proper watering and consistent maintenance is the key to a healthy lawn.

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 Tips for Window Treatments

images

If you’re hanging curtains try these three tips:

1.  Hang high.  Hang your curtain rods at the ceiling and add floor length drapes, even if your windows aren’t floor length.  This draws the eye up and gives the impression of enlarging the room.

2.  Go full.  Using full length window treatments on small windows give the illusion of a larger window.

3.  Utilize Architecture.  Use curtain rods and other window treatment hardware with some architectural interest to add some drama to the 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 – 302-856-6434.

Best Bathroom Upgrades For Your Money

corstone-bathroom-sink-anderson-90

According to several surveys updating a tired bathroom is the single best project to undertake before selling your home.  But all updates are not considered equal… some updates have a better return on investment than others.  If you can’t afford an entire room make-over you definitely want to replace the sink and faucet.  This sets the tone for the rest of the room, and although it can be costly, it also returns the entire investment plus some upon sale.  After the sink and faucet, changing out the counters and vanity for something function but stylish and replacing the flooring both offer a good return on investment.  If you still have some room in the budget, replacing your current toilet with a water saving model and replacing a worn tub/shower with something is also a good idea, but if you can’t do it all these are the two areas you will want to skip for sure.  It is often said that buyers make offers based on the kitchen and bathrooms, so if you have the budget for a project, making your bathroom a buyer’s dream before you sell is well 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.

Quick Tips For A Cleaner Home

60543087_1

Whether you’re selling your home and trying to keep it as clean as possible, or just desire a cleaner home, here are some chores you can do in 5 minutes or less:

  • Swiffer/sweep/vacuum the floor in any room
  • Make the bed
  • Fold laundry
  • Clean the toilet bowl & wipe down the bathroom sink
  • Dust the television and wipe off the screen
  • Open the refrigerator or freezer and throw away everything that needs to be tossed
  • Choose a room and dust all surfaces with a once-over
  • Wipe down kitchen counters
  • Clean out the kitchen sink
  • Load or unload the dishwasher
  • Wipe down door knobs and/or cabinet handles and/or light switches with disinfectant
  • Open a drawer and clean it out
  • Clean out the medicine cabinet
  • Recycle old magazines and newspapers
  • Wipe down sofa or other upholstery and fluff pillows
  • Choose a room and clean any spots on the wall with a magic eraser
  • Sort laundry and start a load

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

Five Reasons a Fixer Upper May Be For You

fixer-uppers-00

Yesterday we talked about reasons you may want to forgo a fixer-upper for a finished home, but fixer uppers can be a great option for many people.  Today, here are five options that you may want to consider a fixer-upper for your next home:

1.  You are looking for a home in a specific neighborhood.  If you’re looking for a home in a very specific area and there just aren’t very many available considering a fixer-upper may help you settle into your ideal location.

2.  You live for do-it-yourself projects.  Turning a fixer-upper into a dream home requires a lot of time and money.  The ideal situation is to do as much work as possible yourself.  So if you don’t mind giving up your free time for the foreseeable future to get your hands dirty, or if you even enjoy hands-on work then a fixer-upper may be just what you’re looking for!

3.  You have financing in order.  If you are prepared for the cost of your fixer-upper to be much more than the cost at settlement and you have financing in order to cover the cost of renovations either through cash-on-hand, a renovation loan, or other lines of credit then you are probably ready to consider a fixer-upper.

4.  You have extensive repair knowledge.  If you don’t have the extensive knowledge base necessary to successfully bring a fixer-upper into dream-home territory you at least need the willingness to learn and the time and money to “practice” with since there is a large margin for error when you are leaning these things.

5.  You can see your dream house potential.  If you can walk into a home and envision it just as you’d like, then you probably have the vision to walk through the remodel a step at a time.  Just remember that fixer-uppers take time to renovate.  If you’re willing to wait months, or even years for your dream home then go ahead and offer on that fixer-upper in the perfect location!

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 Reasons To Skip The Fixer Upper

fixer upper(1)

Buying an fixer upper can be a great way to move into your ideal neighborhood or buy more home than you could otherwise afford, but it’s definitely not for everyone.  Here are three reasons you may want to skip the fixer upper and put an offer on something that needs less work:

1.  The home needs significant structural improvements.  Replacing or repairing major things such as plumbing and electrical systems, foundation upgrades, etc. are expensive, time consuming, and rarely ever offer a return on investment that actually increases the value of the home enough to make it worth it.

2.  You shy away from getting your hands dirty.  The most cost-effective way to turn a fixer-upper into a dream home is to do as much of the work as you can yourself.  You don’t have to do everything yourself, of course, but the more you contract out the more time and money you will spend turning your home around.  If you’re not a do-it-yourselfer you may want to skip it.

3.  You aren’t prepared to spend money.  Sure, the price on a fixer-upper seems like a steal, but once you add in the (often extensive) costs of renovation the total cost of your home goes way up.  If you’re not prepared for that bottom line going in, you should probably walk away.

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.

Technology For Your Home

blog-bg-image

Pretty much everybody has a television, computer, and cell phone in their home, but technology in your home does not have to be limited to only the most popular of devices.  Integrating technology into other aspects of your home can make your life easier and your home more valuable.  One such project is adding a security system, which adds value and ensures safety.  A sound system can be a great way to step-up your entertainment area.  Wireless lighting allows you to control appliances and lighting by remote and adds energy efficiency and a sense of security.  Another big technological project for your home that adds value with minimal effort is automation.  Connecting all of your home technology like lighting, sound, home theater, and more to one main port which can be controlled remotely is adds great advantage in both value and security for your home.  These technological improvements vary in price, but each add some return on investment and create a more secure living environment.

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.

Energy Efficient Projects For Your Home

go-green1

Going green is trendy and good for the environment, but it can also be overwhelming.  There are many projects you can do to make your home more environmentally friendly, starting with your insulation.  Installing energy-efficient insulation will help maintain a uniform and comfortable temperature in your home, lowering your utility bills.  Installing a high-efficiency water means using 10-50% less energy than a standard water heater.  If your appliances need replacing, choosing Energy Star rated versions will conserve both water and electricity.  Replacing windows and doors with energy efficient versions will prevent air leaks and improve insulation, saving energy and lowering your bills.  Adding solar panels to your home is, perhaps, the greenest choice in the long run, but with the most up-front cost.  All of these improvements mean more green in your wallet and in the environment.

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

Three Garage Update Ideas

GarageOrganization_tip

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

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

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

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

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