Three Tips For Avoiding Sellers Remorse

remorse_bucket_20500

In many ways, it is easier to be a buyer than a seller in the real estate market.  When you’re buying you are in control of the situation and can back out through contingencies if you need to.  When you’re selling however, there really aren’t many options for you except to sit back and wait to see what happens.  Here are three tips for avoiding seller’s remorse:

1.  List Only When You Are Ready
This means having a clear plan for what you are going to do when your home sells, where are you are going to go, and the time frame you are looking at to make everything happen.  This also means cleaning, decluttering, and fixing up anything that is necessary so that your home can go on the market clean, crisp and ready to show!

2.  Have A Solid Pricing Strategy
Work with your agent to develop a pricing strategy that is both realistic and competitive.  When your home enters the market priced correctly it should generate immediate interest.  The last thing you want is to waste the precious (and generally most active) first two to four weeks on the market with no interest because you’ve priced yourself out of the market.

3.  Be Ready To Negotiate
In many places, sellers are finally in control of negotiations for the first time in awhile and should take that into account when negotiating with buyers.  Don’t discount lowball offers, rather be ready to negotiate with your agent’s help and see where it gets 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.

Weekend Update: August 9th-11th

keep-calm-it-s-almost-the-weekend-2

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

Friday, August 9th-Saturday, August 10th:  Eastern Shore AFRAM Festival
This annual festival runs from 5pm-10pm on Friday night and 8am-8pm on Saturday.  The event includes performances, presentations, vendors and more.  The event takes place at the Seaford Sports Complex.  This year’s festivities will include two new additions: mascot mania where kids will eat free breakfast and play games with Sherman the Shorebird and other area mascots, and the Car & Cycle Show on the grounds of the Governor Ross Mansion.

Saturday, August 10th: 40th Annual Outdoor Fine Art & Fine Craft Show
More than 100 artists and artisans will be exhibiting work at this 40th annual festival in Rehoboth.  Refreshments, music, entertainment, and children’s activities will be provided.  The show runs from 10am-4pm at the Rehoboth Art League Campus (12 Dodds Lane) in Rehoboth Beach.

Saturday, August 10th: The Sounds of Michael McDonald
Five time grammy winner Michael McDonald will be performing at the Freeman Stage at Bayside (31750 Lake View Drive) in Selbyville.  Tickets start at $35 and are assigned seating.

All Weekend: Free Concerts at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand
On Friday night, Robert Eric will perform their Billy Joel tribute set.  On Saturday, Oh Boy! will perform a tribute to rockabilly, and Sunday NOMaD (North of Mason Dixon) will perform their new country sound.  All concerts are free and begin at 8pm.

Whether you’re buying or selling a home, we can help!  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

August 7, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Democritus:  “The wrongdoer is more unfortunate than the man wronged.”  (Fred)  “This is only true if the wrongdoer has a moral compass and many times they don’t.”

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS #603249-$75,000 to $73,900.  A modified singlewide trailer in Ocean View DE has been reduced.  The 2 BR, 1 BA mobil home on its own .26 acre wooded lot is a great get-away.  Call me to see this home at 302 258-6983.  www.fredsporch.comAugust 7, 2013

Mortgage Rates Are Rising

images

The average mortgage rate dropped to an all time low of 3.3% in 2012, and is now rising rapidly.  In June, mortgage rates in the US averaged 4.35%, but for those interested in buying, even though mortgages are at the highest rate in two years, they are still a great deal.  Economists estimate that these rates will keep rising along with the improvement in the economy, so if you’re looking to purchase or refinance, now’s is a great time to do so, before the window on low mortgage rates closes for good.  Prices are rising in the housing market too, making this a great time for sellers for the first time in awhile.

Whether you’re buying or selling a home, we can help!  Give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-629-6693.

August 6, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Desiderius Erasmus:  “Concealed talent brings no reputation.”  (Fred)  “One, who does not use his God given talent, is one to be quickly forgotten.”

Fred’s pick of the Day is MLS #604054-$450,000 to $425,000.  A boaters Paradise in Selbyville DE has been reduced.  The 75’ x 131’ lot is bulk headed with a 75’ deep water dock on Roy Creek.  The home and sheds are tear downs.  Call me to see this property at 302 258-6983. August 6, 2013

Stage Your Home To Sell

home-staging-austin-travis-heightsa_-5384

Staging your home is one of the best ways to help it sell.  Staging is about creating a mood giving the illusion that your home is brighter, warmer, and sometimes even larger than it might otherwise seem.  Done correctly, staging helps create an environment that makes potential buyers want to bite the bullet.  Staging is the final stage in prepping your home for sale.  It should follow de-cluttering, cleaning, painting, and making any necessary repairs.  To dress a room you can use a variety of items.  Some popular ones are mirrors, lamps, flowers and plants, area rugs, pillows, throw blankets, baskets, etc.  Most stager recommend using sparse furniture and accenting to make the room’s purpose apparent.  For example, in your kitchen you can rub orange oil into dry cabinets to revive them and make them shine and put out large bowls of bright, polished fruit such as apples and oranges.  It helps your bathroom to add spa baskets with towels tied with ribbon, scented soaps and lotions, etc.  Stagers also recommend that you stage your yard too.  Add plants and flowers as necessary, and remember that potted plants work too.  You can also dress any patio furniture that you have with a fun tablecloth or other bright solution.

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.

August 5, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Desiderius Erasmus:  “A nail is driven out by another nail.  Habit is overcome by habit.”  (Fred)  “Habits can be overcome, or altered by another habit; but choose wisely, overcoming more than one bad habit can become daunting.”

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS #604676-$225,000 to $199,000.  A Contemporary in Milton, DE (Short Sale) with 3 BR, 2 BA, in 1580 sq. ft. on .83 acre boasts a split floor plan and a spacious galley kitchen with a breakfast bar.  Call me at 302 258-6986 to see this home.  www.fredsporch.comAugust 5, 2013

Update Your Home For $500 or Less

 

paint-brush_300

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!

August 3, 2013

Today I want to talk about an innovative business for the Vacation Crowd at the Delaware Beach.  I ran across this new company that takes a lot of stress out of that week at the beach.  Their name is “Sheets at the Beach”.

This company will rent you high quality sheets, towels, Beach Canopy, Beach Chairs, Beach Blankets, Aerobeds, Cribs, Strollers, and many other products.  Now you don’t have to pack all this stuff or if you are flying in, it is a whole lot less to bring.  Check out their website:  http://sheetsatthebeach.com/

Have a great vacation this Summer!

Fred

August 2, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Mark Twain:  “The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work.”  (Fred)  “Today, special interest groups are hell bent on changing the definition of established words that just confuses the public.”

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS # 603398-$499,000 to $475,000.  A secluded villa in Millsboro DE with 4 BR, 3.5 BA, in 3302 sq. ft. which boasts 2 master suites, 2 side porches and is in a golf community.  Please call me to see this gem at 302 258-6983.  www.fredsporch.comAugust 2, 2013

Find Space In Your Bathroom!

small-bathroom-towel-racks-pictures

If your bathroom is seriously lacking in storage, consider these options:

A true space saver:  Hang a decorative hook next to the sink, fill a beautiful bucket with your toiletries and then hang the bucket from the hook.  Voila!  Instant storage, and since you can get creative with the finishes of both the hook and the bucket there are a million different options for how this can look!

Pretend you’re in a hotel:  Install a towel rack above the tub, over the toilet, or next to the sink – wherever you need to keep towels handy.  Be sure the rack includes both shelves and hooks for maximum storage.

Hang shelves:  Most people severely underutilize the wall space in their bathrooms.  Make the most of yours by hanging shelves to open up many more storage options!  Narrow shelves along a wall or the perimeter will add architectural interest as well as offer storage.  Hanging shelves on a narrow or oddly shaped wall can offer an instant “closet” without any of the remodeling effort or cost!  A small shelf directly above the sink will add the perfect place to stow away often used toiletries.  There are many other ways to utilize shelving in your bathroom as well, so be creative!

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!

Weekend Update: August 2nd-4th

John_Donato1

Can you believe it’s already August?  Here are a few events going on to this weekend to kick off the new month:

Friday, August 2nd: History Happy Hour
The topic for this week’s History Happy Hour is “Jacob Jones: Naval Hero of 1812.”  Retired Navy Captain and university professor William H.J. Manthorpe will present the talk at the Lewes Historical Society at 4pm, followed by a question and answer period.

Saturday, August 3rd: Lewes Historical Society’s Antique Show
Head to the Lewes Historical Society to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the annual antique show.  The show runs from 9am-4pm and admission is $5, children under 12 are free.  The proceeds benefit the educational and preservation programming of the Historical Society.  Over 60 dealers will present 18th-20th century antiques.

Saturday, August 3rd:  Children’s Painting Class
Local artist John Donato will delight the whole family with an energetic and educational painting class.  The class is hand-on and free for all.  The class will take place at 10am at the Freeman Stage at Bayside (31750 Lake View Drive) in Selbyville.  Don’t forget lawn chairs!

Saturday: August 3rd:  35th Annual Sandcastle Contest
Over 100 teams and 800 people will participate in this year’s sand castle contest!  Contest takes place at Fisherman’s Beach at the North end of the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk.  Registration begins 8:30am and judging begins at 3pm.  Call 302-227-2233 for more information.

All Weekend: Free Concerts at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand
The US Army Jazz Ambassadors will perform on Friday, 8/2.  Sounds of Society, a Chicago Tribute band will perform on Saturday, 8/3, and Herbie D. and the Dangermen will perform their Blues set on Sunday, 8/4.  All concerts are free and begin 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.

July 31, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Mark Twain:  “If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.”  (Fred)  “Always having to remember what you said and collate all that information turns into an impossible task, just ask a politician.”

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS #603076-From $499,000 to $399,900.  A bulkheaded lot in Ocean View, DE with 3 BR, 2 BA on .02 acre that has a first floor master, an open floor plan and a rear deck overlooking the canal.  Call me to see this home at 302 258-6983.  www.fredsporch.comJuly 31, 2013

Tips for Finding a Seller’s Agent

agent-6

If you’re thinking of putting your home on the market and you aren’t going the “for sale by owner” route, you need a listing agent.  There are many choices when it comes to real estate agents, so here are a few tips to help you evaluate the agents you are considering.  First, considering asking the agents for their data.  Looking at the sale-to-list ratio (how much the homes your agent has listed have sold for as compared to what they were listed for) as well as how long their homes have been on the market will give you a good idea of how well they know the local market.  Just remember that there is no absolute rule here since everything is relative so there is no “magic number” you are looking for when you look at these statistics, but if you are comparing several local agents this information can help you.

At Cooper Realty Associates we would be happy to share our experience and local stats with you.  Feel free to give us a call and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.

July 30, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Mark Twain:  “A lie can travel around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.”  (Fred)  “The internet has made this quote more timely, too many people don’t take the time to evaluate the facts before they issue sound bites.”

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS # 604856-From $194,900 to $179,000.  A country rancher in Laurel, DE with 3 BR, 2 BA, in 2250 sq. ft. on an acre which boasts large rooms, a large fenced back yard with a barn, and SS appliances.  Call me at 302 258-6983 to see this home.  www.fredsporch.comJuly 30, 2013

Get Your Home Ready To Sell

House-for-Sale1

Selling your home?  Here are some tips to help make it more marketable:

Depersonalize. Hide anything-family photos, awards, trophies, your collection of antique teacups-that might interfere with a buyer feeling like your home could be theirs. People get really distracted when they’re surrounded by someone else’s personal stuff. Make your bathroom look like a hotel’s: no one wants to see your soggy loofah and half used bar of soap. Put all your beauty products in a shower caddy, so they can easily be stowed under the sink when you have a showing.

De-clutter. Most people have too much stuff, whether it’s knick-knacks or paperwork or furniture. The goal is to create a sense of space in a room-and in all your closets. Fight the urge to shove all your stuff in your closets, since you have to be prepared for prospective buyers to open every last cabinet. An organized closet can send the message that as an owner, you’re the kind of person who doesn’t slack on any aspect (a leaky roof, a busted water heater) of maintaining your home.

Clean. No one wants to walk into a dirty house. Bathrooms and kitchens in particular should be sparkling. Don’t just do a surface clean-pay attention to hidden corners like the nook behind a toilet or the inside of your refrigerator. You never know where people are going to look. Use a deodorizer to remove any odors, and invite a neighbor over to make sure there are no leftover scents, since living there may make you immune to the smell. Only about a third of Americans live with pets, so to be sure you’re not alienating the other two thirds of the population, remove all traces (leashes, litter boxes, dog beds) of animals.

Lighten and Brighten. You want to have as much light as possible filtering through your space. Start by cleaning the windows. Ditch the screens, which just add one more darkening layer. During an open house, make sure your shades are up. Check to see if all your bulbs are working, and replace low-watt bulbs with high-watt ones to ensure the place feels bright.

Paint. Walls are the bones of your home, and it’s super important to make sure they look fresh. Painting is relatively inexpensive if you do it yourself, and can have a huge impact on the way a place looks. Avoid non-neutral colors like red, purple, or loud yellow, since they won’t appeal to the majority of people. White can feel stark and cold, which doesn’t do anything to add to the appeal of a room. Try warm beige tones instead.

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 Local Farmer’s Markets

fresh-fruits-vegetables-2419

Who doesn’t love fresh, locally produced fruits and veggies?  We are lucky enough to have several local farmers markets worth checking out, and since they’re open different days of the week, you can have fresh food all summer long!  Here are three to check out:

Historic Lewes Farmers Market – 110 Shipcarpenter Street
Open every Saturday through the end of September. 8am-12pm.  No pets allowed.  Vendors sell everything, including fresh beef & pork, homemade jellies and jams, fruits, veggies, organic baked goods, gourmet cheeses, and more!  For a full list of vendors, check out this list.

Rehoboth Beach Farmers Market – Next to the Rehoboth Beach Chamber of Commerce (501 Rehoboth Ave.)
Open every Tuesday from noon-4pm.  In addition to the usual farmers market vendors you can also enjoy chef’s demos!  Check out the website for lots of info, suggested recipes, and a weekly newsletter.

Milton Farmers Market – Downtown Historic Milton… you can’t miss it!
Open every Friday from 3:30pm-6:30pm through the end of October.  This farmers market is only in its second year, but it’s already become a local staple!  You can friend this market on Facebook for updates and more info!

So, what are you waiting for?  Check out these local markets… 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.

Make Your Bathroom Bigger!

toxmystery_bathroom

If your home has a small bathroom, but you are constantly dreaming of renovating and making something a bit more spacious, then this is the post for you!  Here are a few easy tricks to make a small bathroom seem larger!

Replace the cabinets under your sink with a vanity.  Although it won’t give you as much hidden storage, utilizing baskets or open shelving under the vanity sink will provide storage while making the room feel more open.  A pedestal sink is also a great option for opening up floor space and giving the illusion of square footage!

Create a focal point.  Change out the existing lighting for a beautiful chandelier.  Switch some of the tiles out for colorful tiles or mosaics.  You could even pull several tiles from the same area to create a mosaic mural or redo a whole wall in beautiful glass tiles.  Replace your existing “boring” sinks with an eye catching bowl and faucet.  There are many ways to create a focal point in the bathroom, and no matter which one you choose, drawing attention to a gorgeous feature will definitely draw attention away from the fact that you are in a cramped space.  Just be cautious not to overdo it… you just want one focal point.  Too many will just make the space feel busy and even more cramped, and that is not the feeling you’re going for!

Creative storage.  Adding a tall, skinny cabinet behind the toilet or a pedestal sink can add storage to your space without adding bulk.  Alternatively, cutting some recessed shelving in between wall studs can make the most of unused space and won’t take up even an inch of floor space!

Create an illusion.  By trading your shower curtain for clear glass doors, you will create an illusion of space.  Hanging a larger mirror is also a great way to give the illusion of space, just be sure to hang it so that it reflects one of your bath’s assets, or if you want to be really daring, hang two mirrors across from each other!  Alternatively, using light colors throughout the whole room and allowing as much natural light into the space as possible will also give the illusion of space.

Replace your door.  Trading out a standard door for a sliding pocket door opens enough floor space to make it worth the switch!

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

3 Ways To Lower The Cost Of Homeowner’s Insurance

 homeowners-insurance

There are many reasons that your homeowner’s premium might go up, but if you’re looking to lower yours, try any of these quick tips:

  1. Call competitors – Yes, it 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!
  2. 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!
  3. 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 Sussex County?  Give Cooper Realty Associates a call and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266!

Weekend Update: July 26th-28th

seafood-and-art-12

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

Friday, July 26th: History Happy Hour
Marilyn McMahon will present a talk on “Life-Saving: The Breeches Buoy & The Surf Cart” at the Lewes Life-Saving Station.  This presentation is free for all and begins at 4pm with a question and answer session to follow.  History Happy Hour is presented by the Lewes Historical Society.

Saturday, July 27th: Ran D’Shine Magic Show
Magician Ran D’Shine is an engaging magical experience entitled “Now You See It, Now You Don’t.”  The show involves audience interaction, optical illusions, magic, and storytelling.  The show is at the Freeman Stage at Bayside, begins at 10am, and is free for all.  Don’t forget your lawn chairs!

Saturday, July 27th: Tour the Lighthouse
Tours depart from the pier behind the Cape May-Lews Ferry terminal in Lewes.  Reservations are required and are required.  Tours are only available to those ages 13 and older.  Call 302-644-7046 for reservations.

Saturday, July 27th: Seafood & Arts Festival
Head to the beautiful Indian River Marina for this 5th annual festival from 10am-6pm.  Enjoy fresh seafood, delicious treats, live music, children’s activities, and lots of artists and vendors!

All Weekend: Rehoboth Beach Bandstand
Friday, July 26th Paul Cullen will present his unique mix of jazz, current, classic & original works for a groovy performance.  On Saturday, July 27th the City of Fairfax Band will play its concert band set, and The Uptown Band will round out the weekend on Sunday, July 28th with their top 40/Motown sound.  All shows begin at 8pm and are free to the public.

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.