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Today is a great day. The war to end all wars was over today in 1918. I have chosen this day to close my career in Real Estate. I take my leave and bid you adieu!

Everyone have a good “Good Friday”.

Today’s food for thought is from Josh Billings: “It ain’t often that a man’s reputation outlasts his money.” (Fred) “People that lose their money become less important in the scheme of things, which is regrettable; our Lord was the one glaring exception.”

Today’s words of wisdom are from Jack London: “You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” (Fred) “I am not sure the club is the right noun, however, don’t sit still, inspiration is a state of mind.”

Today’s BARGAIN FROM FREDSPORCH.COM IS MLS # 617008-A NEW LISTING. Here is a Laurel DE Contemporary with 3 BR, 2.5 BA in 1816 sq. ft. one 1.04 acres that boasts vaulted ceilings, an open floor plan, a gas fireplace, a first floor Master Suite with access to the rear deck, a screened-in porch, and a deck with a cover.

Happy Birthday America!

Today’s food for thought is from John Adams, one of our founders and the second President: “Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There was never a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.” (Fred) “Let us hope that this prediction proves to be long delayed or an exception.”

Enjoy today with Family and Friends and put your flag out!!

Article for Fred Sponseller’s blog from my friend Emily Dressler.

Real property in Delaware must be transferred by a deed in writing. In years past, before a transfer in writing became mandatory, land was transferred through a public process called livery of seisin. The term “livery” is related to (or is synonymous with) delivery and “seisin” is an estate in land, so the phrase roughly means delivery of and estate. This was a physical transaction that required the grantor to give an actual piece of the land (a clump of dirt or sod) to the grantee. This certainly is a far cry from all of today’s closing documents and title transfer procedure.

The first officially recorded land title in the state of Delaware is from 1646 when Delaware was still a colony under English rule. At this point, Delaware did not yet have counties. However, the first settlers in what is now Sussex County arrived in 1631, but the county itself was not organized until 1683. The first settlement was near present-day Lewes. Sussex County was originally known as Deale County, when it was under the control of James Stuart, Duke of York. The county has been known by different names over the years, including Susan County, Hoorenkill County (or Whorekill County, as named by the Dutch prior to 1680), Deale County, and Durham County.

In 1682, all real estate deeds and land transactions had to be recorded within two months of the original transaction or the purchase would become void.

The most commonly used deeds in Delaware are special warranty deeds (also called limited warranty deed), general warranty deed, and quitclaim deeds.

A quitclaim deed is a deed that transfers interest in property from a grantor to a grantee.

A grant deed transfers ownership from the grantor to the grantee. The grantor warrants that the title has not been previously transferred and that there aren’t any encumbrances on the deed, except for those that might be stated in the deed.

Warranty deeds are the most commonly used deeds in traditional real estate purchases. The grantor in a warranty deed guarantees that the title is good and marketable.

In a special or limited warranty deed, the grantor warrants there are no title defects only during the grantor’s period of ownership. This type of deed offers more protection to the buyer than a quitclaim deed and less protection than a warranty deed.

The recorder of deeds in Sussex County is responsible for recording all documents related to the buying and selling of real estate. To purchase a real estate deed for Sussex County, or to learn more about real estate deeds, go to deeds.com.

Emily writes for deeds.com, a one-stop destination for all things related to real estate deeds. Our county- and state-compliant forms are available for purchase and immediate download.

 

Today I take the time to reflect on the service that my family gave for this Great Nation. They all came back safely but a great many did not. Let us honor them all!

My family served this Country in the Civil War (my Great, Great, Great Grandfather-John P Sutton), WW1 (my Grandfather-Ralph W Sponseller), WW2 (my father-Ralph W Sponseller Jr.), the Vietnam Era (Myself and my Wife-Fredrick and Donna Sponseller) and Today (our Son is on Active Duty-Hugh Sponseller.

When you’re on vacation and having a great time it’s natural to want to come back.  If you’re ready to pull the trigger on purchasing a summer home here are a few tips:

1. Know what you can afford.  Use a mortgage calculator and/or talk with a lender and really figure out what your bottom line is.  You do not want to spend more on a vacation home than you can afford.
2. Find a knowledgeable agent.  It’s always important to work with a knowledgeable agent, but if your only experience with an area is vacation time, this tip is especially important.  Ask around, interview agents, and find one that you trust to work with you through the entire process.
3. Find out about all twelve months.  You might know what to expect from your new home’s area in the summer, but what about the rest of the year?  Do your research before you buy.  Know what to expect.
4. Location, location, location.  If you’re looking to make your new home an investment and not simply a place that you visit a few weeks each year, be sure to prioritize location.  Make sure that both the home and the location make your home a desirable rental, should you decide to go that route.

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

Spring and summer tend to be the busiest season for the real estate market.  And living near the beach, that is especially true in our area – when tourists come for a week and often decide to stay!  If you’re looking to sell your home and want to make the most of the busy market, consider these tips:

Maintain an immaculate lawn.  Keep your lawn mowed, bushes and trees trimmed, gardens weeded, and sidewalks edged and clear.

Plant some flowers.  Choose some seasonal blooms and plant them to brighten up your yard.  Another option is to plant some in containers near your home’s entrance and change them out with the seasons.

Check your lighting.  Make sure all of the light bulbs both inside and outside your home are working properly and replace any that are burnt out.

Give easy access.  Home showings are inconvenient for sure, especially if you’re living in your home, but if you’re super restrictive about when your home can be shown, chances are you won’t have showings.

De-clutter.  Go through each room of your house and box up anything that is super personal then put it in storage.  Also declutter – get rid of as much as you can so that your home appears spacious and more inviting to people thinking of living there.

This is a great time of year to sell your home.  I hope you will take advantage of some of these tips to help you.

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.

If you’re looking to keep your summer bug free naturally, here are a few options you might want to try:

Natural Bug Repellant.  Using essential oils, mix the following – 4 drops thyme, 4 drops lavender, 4 drops peppermint and 8 drops lemongrass.  Mix 5 drops of the blend with 1 tablespoon witch hazel and 5 tablespoons of water – mix well and apply to skin.

Natural Indoor Spray.  If you’ve got an indoor pest problem whether it be spiders, ants, rodents, or something else, try this recipe for a natural, indoor spray.  Mix 20 drops of peppermint essential oil, 1 tablespoon of vegetable glycerin and 2 ½ ounces of water.  Mix well and then spray around doorways, windows, cracks and anywhere else that pests might enter your home.

Natural Mosquito Repellant.  Several plants act as natural mosquito repellants.  Try planting them around your yard, in containers near your doors and around your outdoor living spaces to keep mosquitoes away.  Plants that work include: catnip, rosemary, basil, citronella, lemongrass, and marigolds.

Garlic Supplements.  Garlic is a natural bug repellant.  Taking a no odor garlic supplement along with your regular diet can help ward off pests, as can rubbing raw cloves on your skin.  Although one will smell admittedly worse than the other!

I hope that some of these tips help you have a bug free summer!

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

Jolly Trolley Tours begin again for the season tomorrow.  The tours leave from the Anna Hazard Museum (17 Christian Street) in Rehoboth at 9am sharp.  You must reserve a space by calling ahead of time.  Cost is $10 and only cash is accepted.  This season’s tours will be May 15^th, June 5^th, June 19^th, August 21^st, September 4^th, September 18^th, and October 24^th.  These tours are enjoyable and a fascinating way to learn about the history of Rehoboth Beach.  Be sure to call and reserve your spot today.

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.

If you’re in a home with any sort of outdoor space, chances are you’re under-utilizing it’s potential.  Here are some tips to make the most of your outdoor space:

1. Make it cozy.  If your patio or porch is just a blank canvas, consider hanging a porch swing and adding some decorative indoor/outdoor throw pillows to cozy it up.
2. Add finishing touches.  Add some great finishing touches such as some brightly potted plants, a nice indoor/outdoor carpet, vintage lighting fixtures or other unique touches.
3. Create an illusion.  Hang a large mirror from an exterior wall or fence to create the illusion of another room, larger space and more light.
4. Take advantage of the green.  Add a pergola and grow climbing vines such as grape or ivy to provide extra protection from the elements and add a sense of sophistication to your space.
5. Engage the senses.  Adding details such as a fire pit or fire bowl creates a sense of warmth.  Adding a fountain or water feature adds soothing sound to your space.  Planting pots of great smelling herbs such as lavender or mint engage the senses 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 – 302-856-6434.

Now that the weather is nice it’s time to do all of outdoor repairs that you kept putting off over the winter.  Enjoy the weather and up your curb appeal all at the same time!

1. Clean your windows.  Make your windows sparkle by cleaning them both inside and outside.  You’d be surprised what a pick me up the extra sunlight will do for your home!
2. Clean your gutters.   Make sure your gutters are clean and functioning at their highest capacity.  This will keep them looking good and doing their job so that your home doesn’t suffer damage when the rains and snow come.
3. Rent a power washer.  Clean up your home’s exterior with a power washer and brighten it up immediately.
4. Spruce up the front door.  If your front door needs fixing or painting, now’s the time to do it.  If it just needs a little sprucing try adding some potted flowers near the entry, updating the house number, and switching out the hardware for something fresh.

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.

If you haven’t decided yet where to take your mother for Mother’s Day, here are a few last minute options that might fit the bill for tomorrow:

Baywood Greens
Baywood Greens in Millsboro is a great place to take your mother for Mother’s Day.  Reservations are required – 302-947-9225.

Nage
The Rehoboth Beach location of Nage is known amongst the locals as the place to enjoy a scrumptious dining experience.  Their Sunday Brunch is affordable and immensely popular, and I’m sure Mother’s Day will be no different!  302-226-2037

Blue Moon
Blue Moon has been a Rehoboth Beach staple for over 30 years.  Sunday brunch is served from 10:30am-2pm and given this reputation I am sure the Mother’s Day selections will be delicious!  302-227-6515

The Summer House
If your mom is the type who likes something a little more low-key then brunch at Rehoboth Beach staple, The Summer House is the place to go.  With lots of great a la carte options there is something for everyone.  302-227-3895

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.

Mother’s Day is on Sunday.  Do you have plans with the special moms in your life?  If not, you might want to consider making Mother’s Day reservations today.

Magnolia’s Seafood Bar & Grill
Known for their quality seafood and great service, Magnolia’s is a great place to take Mom on her special day!  Their Mother’s Day Brunch will be served from 10am-2pm.  You really can’t go wrong with this local favorite!  30415 Cedar Neck Road in Ocean View – 302-539-5671 – don’t forget to make reservations ahead of time!

Victoria’s at the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel
Tea at Victoria’s in Rehoboth Beach would be a great way to celebrate Mother’s Day, or if Tea isn’t your thing, Victoria’s is known for serving a delicious brunch as well!  302-227-7169

The Buttery
Located in historic Lewes, the inviting atmosphere of this restaurant is great for Mother’s Day.  They are known for a delicious Sunday brunch, and if it were up to me I’d make reservations for Mother’s Day just be on the safe side!  102 2^nd Street in Lewes – 302-645-7755.

The Back Porch
Serving delicious home cooked food in Rehoboth for over 36 years, if you’ve never enjoyed Mother’s Day brunch at The Back Porch Café, now is your chance!  With an a la carte brunch menu full of mouth-watering choices, you really can’t go wrong!  302-227-3674.

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.

 

With the temperature rising and summer heading our way it’s time to consider making a few changes to become more energy efficient for summer.

1. Clean your filters.  Clean your filters monthly and get your system checked yearly to make sure it’s running efficiently.  Ignoring this simple step could be costly in the long run because you’ll end up needing a new unit instead of simply making minor fixes to yours when necessary.
2. Check for leaks.  Feel around light switches, electrical sockets, doors, windows & baseboards to see if any air is leaking.  If you find problem areas use foam or caulk to seal it wherever possible.
3. Cook outside.  Avoid turning on the oven when possible.  Using a crockpot or the grill whenever you can will save a significant amount of energy.
4. Keep it dark.  Close your blinds or shades whenever you aren’t home and the more you can keep them closed on the sunny side of your home, the better.
5. Check the tank.  Make your toilet more efficient by filling a soda bottle with sand or water and putting it into the tank that way the toilet uses less water each time it flushes.
6. Shut it up.  If you have any unused rooms in your home be sure to shut the doors and vents to lighten the load for your a/c unit and make your home more efficient.

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.

Head down to Dagsworthy Avenue in Dewey Beach this Saturday, May 10^th from 9:30am-4:30pm for the Third Annual Dewey Arts Fest.  The day includes free parking and admission, arts and crafts from over 40 artists and vendors, a children’s arts gallery, activities and crafts for kids, food and refreshments from area restaurants, live music from 11am-1pm, pony rides, bounce houses, and two live magic shows at 11:30am and 2:30pm.  The rain date is Sunday, may 11^th.  Support the community, the Dewey Beach Lion’s Club and the arts by checking it 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.