June 11 ,2013

Today’s food for thought is from Napoleon Bonaparte:  “Soldiers generally win battles; generals get credit for them.”  (Fred)  “Employees do the work, CEO’s get the credit and hopefully stockholders get the money.”

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS # 600595-$512,000 to $514,000 and yes pieces are bottoming out and starting to go in the opposite direction.  A to be built Pilot House on Pilings in Bethany Beach DE, has 5 BR, 3.5 BA in 2604 sq. ft. on .21 acres and you can add your personal touches.  Call me at 302 258-6983 to see this development.  www.fredsporch.comJune 11, 2013

Weekend Update: June 14th-16th

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It’s a big weekend in the area, with several area stages opening for the summer entertainment season.  Check out these events for something fun to do this weekend:

Thursday, June 13th: Rehoboth Beach History Tour
Hop on the Jolly Trolley for a local history tour of Rehoboth Beach offered by the Rehoboth Beach Museum.  Cost is $10 and the tour begins at 9am at the Anna Hazzard House (17 Christian Street) in downtown Rehoboth.  Call 302-227-7310 to reserve a seat.

All Weekend (Friday-Sunday): Family Boat-Building Weekend
Head down to the Lewes Canal this Father’s Day Weekend for the fourth annual family boat-building weekend.  Sponsored by the Lewes Historical Society, there are events all weekend.  For more information, call 302-645-7670.

All Weekend (Friday-Sunday): Opening weekend at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand
The season officially opens at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand  this weekend with the Friday night performance of local modern rock band, Love Seed Mama Jump.  Saturday’s performance is by buzzy new country group The Stickers.  Sunday wraps up opening weekend with the classic soul music of Jimi Smooth & Hittime.  All shows are free and begin at 8pm.

Friday, June 14th: Flag Day on Front Street
Head down to Front Street in Lewes to celebrate our nation’s red, white & blue!

Friday, June 14th:  Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra
Enjoy opening night at the Freeman Stage at Bayside with the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Julien Benichou.  In addition to classic symphony pieces the Orchestra will also perform pop favorites and some other surprises as well.  Tickets are $10 per person and kids 18 & under are free.  Bring your own chair.

Saturday, June 15th: Lewes Garden Tour
The 23rd annual Lewes Garden Tour is a self-guided tour of seven private gardens and one public one.  The tour runs from 10am-4pm and tickets are $20 in advance or $25 the day of.  Tickets can be purchased at the Lewes Chamber of Commerce.  The tour also includes vendors, food and beverages, and a free shuttle service for ticket holders.  For more information call the Chamber at 877-465-3937.

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.

Home Inspection Help

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After you’ve found your dream home and had your offer accepted it is time to hire a home inspector.  Home inspection isn’t a step of a home transaction that you want to skimp on, so for your peace of mind and to save potential trouble be sure to find the right home inspector.  To find a trustworthy home inspector you should start by asking your real estate agent, friends and family for recommendations.  Once you have a list check the qualifications and references of the recommended inspectors and narrow down your list.  At that point you can ask inspectors to see a sample inspection report or checklist so that you can insure that hiring the inspector will turn up a thorough inspection with explanations and not just a simple checklist.  Additionally, it would be beneficial for you to hire an inspector who has membership in a national or state association of home inspectors.  Home inspectors can easily make errors or overlook problems so ask the inspector for his or her company’s policy in such situations.  Ask questions such as whether the company has insurance for errors or omissions, whether it is the company or the individual inspector who stands behind the report and whether or not there is a guarantee and if so, how long it lasts for.  Finally, ask the inspector whether or not you are allowed to be present during the inspection.  Walking along with the inspector can teach you a lot about your property and give you a great idea of the types of issues you might deal with in the future.

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.

Keep Your Sale On Track

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Selling your home can be a stressful experience, especially if you’ve had offers fall through in the past.  However, there are some things you can do as a seller to do your best to insure a successful sale the first time.  The most common reasons for an offer to fall through is because of the buyer’s financing, appraisal issues, title issues and inspection issues, so the best way to protect your sale is to deal with these issues up front.

Buyer’s financing is to blame for a majority of home sales that fall through, so first you should educate yourself about financing and know what kind of financing your buyer has.  Concentrate on buyers who have been preapproved and if possible, focus on those with conventional loans versus FHA loans.  And if you get a cash offer, seriously consider it.  Even if it is a lesser offer, cash sales do not have to go through appraisal and can move much more quickly and fall through less often than buyers who have to work with a lender.

Title and inspection issues should be dealt with as early as possible.  Instead of waiting for the buyer’s inspection or title search to turn up problems, sellers should prepare themselves ahead of time.  It is smart to get your own inspection before listing.  Many of the repairs that turn up on inspections can be simple fixes that you can do yourself before sellers are scared off or request more off the price than it would cost to fix.

Finally, to keep your sale moving in the right direction you should prepare for the appraisal before you list by getting a professional opinion and pricing your home in line with the comparables in your area.  Even then you can still run into problems, but at least you will be more prepared.

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.

June 10, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Napoleon Bonaparte:  “Throw off your worries when you throw off your clothes at night.”  (Fred)  “You know your worries will be waiting for you in the morning.”

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS # 600889-$425,000 to $420,000.  Here is a Millsboro DE Colonial with 4 BR, 3.5 BA in 3190 sq. ft. on .51 acre that has a granite kitchen, a library, a gas fireplace, and an in ground pool.  Call me at 302 258-6983 to see this home.  wwwfredsporch.comJune 10, 2013

Spotlight on Adriatico Ristorante

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Adriatico Ristorante (First St. & Baltimore Ave.) in Rehoboth Beach has been a Rehoboth Beach staple for over thirty-five years.  Specializing in Italian and seafood dishes, they serve up delicious dishes and a great selection of Italian and American wines as well.  Adriatico is also participating in Restaurant Week 2013 by serving a three course dinner featuring grilled salmon, seafood lasagna, prime rib or chicken italiano for $35 including a glass of house wine or a non-alcoholic beverage.  But don’t forget, restaurant week ends tonight!

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 Bedroom Oasis Ideas

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If you’re looking to add a little coziness to your bedroom, here are a few ideas:

1.  Add texture.  Cover the walls in a paintable, textured wallpaper.

2.  Accent it.  Pile on pillows and add color and pattern to the room through accents.

3.  Create coziness.  Amp up the cozy-factor by installing a remote-controlled gas fireplace.

4.  Upholster it.  Choose a favorite color, patter, or texture and have the headboard upholstered.

5.  Block the light.  Use room darkening shades or add a light-blocking liner to your drapes for added coziness.

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.

June 7, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Nicholas Malebranche:  “Just as our eyes need light in order to see, our minds need ideas in order to conceive.”  (Fred)  “Our brains need to be stimulated to work properly.”

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS # 604042-$329,900 to $324,900.  Here is a Rehoboth Beach De townhome that has 3 BR, 2.5 BA, new appliances, and the community has tennis courts and a pool.  Call me to see this home at 302 258-6983.  www.fredsporch.com

Congratulations to the Laurel High School Girls Softball Team.  For the first time in 24 years they won the State of Delaware Championship on Saturday June 1, 2013.  To put icing on the cake sophomore Regan Green pitched a Perfect Game in the 3-0 victory over Polytech.June 7, 2013June 5, 2013-1

Three Restaurants to Try During Restaurant Week

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If you haven’t taken advantage of restaurant week in Rehoboth this week, what are you waiting for?  Here are five must-try restaurants that are participating:

1.  a(MUSE).  Enjoy “progressive mid-Atlantic cuisine” a(MUSE) focuses on small, inspired plates of food and drink made with locally sourced ingredients.  The restaurant week menu features a $45 prix-fixe option.

2.  Blue Moon.  This award winning restaurant is housed in a beautiful, restored Victorian beach house and serves great food alongside unique entertainment.  The $45 three course prix-fixe menu features Miso Glazed Scottish Salmon, Crispy Barnyard Chicken, and a Stout-Brined Berkshire Pork Chop as the entrée choices.

3.  Salt Air.  Featuring locally inspired dishes with fresh, local and sustainable ingredients with an emphasis on organic choices, this restaurant is a popular local choice.  The three course $35 prix-fixe restaurant week menu features several entrée choices including seafood, chicken, and steak choices.

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: June 7th-9th

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

Saturday, June 8th: Secret Lives of Horseshoe Crabs
Explore the beach and find out what goes on inside the horseshoe crab.  This program is run by Cape Henlopen State Park and is for ages 5 & older.  Cost is $3 per person and limit is $20 people.  Call 302-645-6852 to register.

Saturday, June 8th: Inland Bays Clean Up
Do some good for the environment by volunteering to help clean up at Massey’s Landing.  Boats with captains (gift cards for gas are available) and volunteers are needed.  Call 302-226-8105 for more info.

Saturday, June 8th: 3rd Annual Disc Golf Learn & Play
Join disc golf professionals at Cape Henlopen State Park from 8am-12pm to learn how to play disc golf!  Cost is $10 per person.

Sunday, June 9th:  Adelante in Concert
Relax in Olly’s garden at All Saint’s Episcopal Church (18 Olive Ave) in Rehoboth Beach and enjoy the smooth jazz trio of Adelante.  No charge, bring a lawn chair or blanket.  The concert runs from 2pm-3pm.

Sunday, June 9th: Fish ‘n’ Kids
Head down to Lewes Canalfront Park from 10am-12pm for the 3rd annual Fish ‘n’ Kids event hosted by Quest Fitness and Kayak.  The day will be filled with events for kids from ages 3-12.  Favorite events include building and using your own fishing rod and embossing a fish t-shirt.  The first 50 kids get a free t-shirt, or you are welcome to bring your own.  Water and fishing related games will be plentiful and a surf-fishing/net-casting demonstration will be provided.  This event is free for everyone.  For more information call 302-644-7020.

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.

June 5, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Julius Caesar:  “As a rule, men worry more about what they can’t see than about what they can.”  (Fred)  “Trying to plan for every eventually usually causes inaction and that is not how things get done.”

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS # 603020-From $223,250 to $212,000.  A lovely Contemporary in Delmar DE which has 4 BR, 2.5 BA, in 2268 sq. ft. on .34 acre and has a gas fireplace, irrigation system, a security system, a rear deck and hardwood and ceramic tile floors.  Please call me to see this gem at 302 258-6983.  www.fredsporch.comJune 5, 2013

Living Room Update Ideas

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The living room is one of the most used rooms in the house, but it is often overlooked when it comes to freshening and updating.  Whether you just want to enjoy your own home more, or are looking to freshen the space before selling, here are a few tricks to update your living space:

  • Create a focus by framing a large panel of dramatic wallpaper behind a sofa against the wall.
  • Add a black or boldly colored coffee table to an otherwise neutral room.
  • Tile the fireplace in a bold color or freshen it with a coat of white paint and a new mantle.
  • Add a free standing divider to an open floor plan.
  • Add a window seat with drawers or a lid for storage space to bay window or other large window space.
  • Paint the walls with a fresh coat of paint and add accents such as pillows and accessories in bright and bold hues.
  • Play with your accessories – an arrangement of art or photos on the wall or a mantel display of cohesive but varied elements can really set a room apart.

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.

June 4, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Josh Billings:  “There are lots of people who mistake their imagination for their memory.”  (Fred)  “Is this a revisionist memory or an unconscious attempt to have a better memory?”

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS # 604057-from $229,900 to $215,000.  A good size Rancher in Laurel DE with 3 BR, 2 BA in 1650 sq. ft. on .96 acre has a permanent staircase to a huge floored attic, a sun porch and abundant landscaping.  Call me at 302 258-6983 to see this home.  www.fredsporch.com  June 4, 2013

Enjoy Restaurant Week

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It’s restaurant week in Rehoboth Beach this week, which means many of Rehoboth’s favorite restaurants are serving prix fixe dinner specials and some are offering lunch specials as well.  Here are a few restaurants I’ve spotlighted before that you may want to check out this week:

Café Azafran (18 Baltimore Ave) is serving dinner from 5pm, featuring a 3 course menu for $35 with entrée selections including Grilled Ribeye Steak, Bacon Wrapped Pork Chop, Azafran Crab Cake or a Seafood & Pasta Sauce.

Dogfish Head Brewery (320 Rehoboth Ave) is offering a $25 three course prix fixe menu including entrée choices such as Pork Confit, Woodgrilled Rainbow Trout, Woodgrilled Brined Chicken, and more.

Eden Restaurant (23 Baltimore Ave) is offering a $45 three course prix fixe dinner menu which includes entrée choices such as Grilled Brazilian Strip Steak, Roasted Pork Tenderloin, Cioppino, and Wood Oven Roasted Rainbow Trout.

Jam Bistro (21 Baltimore Ave) is offering a $35 three course prix fixe dinner menu including entrée choices such as Pork Flat Iron, Herb Marinated Sirloin, and Stuffed Flounder.

Mariachi Restaurant (14 Wilmington Ave) is offering a two course lunch menu for $15 and a two course dinner menu for $30 with choices such as Salmon Salad, Pechuga Empanadas, Seafood Fajita, Salmon Relleno and more.

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.

June 3, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Julia Ward Howe:  “The strokes of a pen need deliberation as much as the sword needs swiftness.”  (Fred)  “Loose lips sink ships and a sloppy pen cause innumerable problems and many unintended consequences.”

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS # 603764-from $179,900 to $169,900.  A lovely Rancher with 3 BR, 2 BA, in 1327 sq. ft., on .56 acre in Seaford, DE boasts Geothermal Heat and Ranni HW, an open floor plan and a screened porch.  Call me to see this home @ 302 258-6983.  www.fredsporch.comJune 3, 2013

Spotlight on Restaurant Week in Rehoboth Beach

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Restaurant Week 2013 begins tomorrow, June 2nd and runs all week long, ending on Saturday, 6/8.  During Restaurant Week thirty of Rehoboth’s best restaurants serve prix-fixe dinner specials and several offer lunch specials as well.  The restaurants participating this year include a(MUSE.), Back Pork Café, Blue Moon, Café Azafran, Eden Restaurant, Espuma, Iguana Grill, Jam Bistro, Salt Air, Stoney Lonen, Summer House, Victoria’s, and more.  For more information, check out this link or call 302-227-2772.

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.

May 31, 2013

Today’s food for thought is from Miguel de Cervantes:  “There are only two families in the world, my old grandmother used to say, the Haves and the Have-nots.”  (Fred)  “Today’s plan is to make only one family of Some.”

Fred’s pick of the day is MLS # 604350-$239,900.  Here is a lovely rancher in Lincoln DE with 3 BR, 2 BA in 1976 sq. ft. on 1.11 acres.  All the rooms in this home are oversized.  There is a large front and rear yard, a storage shed, and a nice rear deck to entertain.  The home is move-in ready.  Call me to see this gem at 302 258-6983.  www.fredsporch.comMay 31, 2013

Five More Ways to Save on Air Conditioning Costs

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Yesterday, I wrote about three ways to save on air-conditioning costs this summer.  Here are five more:

1.  Watch the thermostat.  Consider turning the thermostat up a single degree.  It can make a big difference in cost!  Additionally, keep lamps and other heat-producing objects away from the thermostat.  If you have a programmable thermostat set it to up the temperature when nobody is home and lower it about an hour before you arrive home.  If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, install one!

2.  Turn it off.  Lights that is, although turning off the a/c will surely save a bundle too!  Turn off any lights that are not in use.

3.  Upgrade your bulbs.  Switch any regular incandescent bulbs out for CFL bulbs which are more efficient anyway.

4.  Add insulation.  If your home is not well insulated, insulating attics, crawlspaces, garages and any other un-airconditioned spaces can save a bundle and will continue to save you on heating costs in winter as well.

5.  Change the filter.  Maintain your system yearly at a minimum and change the filter regularly for the best efficiency.

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 Ways To Save On Air Conditioning Costs

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With the heat and humidity of summer fast approaching, energy costs can skyrocket with the nearly constant use of air conditioning.  Here are some simple tips to reduce your a/c costs, sometimes significantly!

1.  Reduce appliance use.  Keep the stove off and use microwaves, crockpots, toaster ovens and grills as much as possible.  Run heat-producing appliances like the dishwasher and dryer in the evening after the sun goes down, and consider hanging your clothes to dry and avoiding the dryer all together.

2.  Close it off.  Keep curtains, blinds, and shades closed during the day, or at least during the hottest parts of the day.

3.  Plan for shade.  Keep the area around your condenser unit shaded so that the system doesn’t have to work as hard to cool your home.

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

Weekend Update: May 31st-June 2nd

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Summer season is officially underway!  Here are some fun activities going on this weekend:

Saturday, June 1st: Prime Hook/Lower Sussex Bassmasters’ Youth Fishing Tournament
This 10th annual event takes place on the Broadkill River in Milton Memorial Park.  The tournament begins at 9am with registration starting at 8am and ends at 1pm.  The event is for anglers 15 years of age and younger.  There will also be t-shirt printing, hot dogs, soda, and prizes!  Everything, including bait, hooks and weights are free!  Just bring a fishing pole.  Fishing can be done by boat (provided by volunteers) or by bank.  Raindate is Sunday, June 2nd.

Saturday, June 1st: National Trails Day
Join in helping to clean up the trails at Cape Henlopen State Park to celebrate National Trails Day.  Cleanup is from 9am-1pm and volunteers are meeting at the “Hawk Watch” pavilion.

Sunday, June 2nd: Picnic in the Park
The Friends of Canalfront Park will host their second annual “Picnic in the Park” at Canalfront Park in Lewes from 12pm-3pm on Sunday.  Fourteen Lewes restaurants, including The Buttery, Café Azafran, and Irish Eyes will offer tasting at this event and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be served.  Kids are welcome and events will include old-fashioned carnival games, face painting, a balloon artist and more.  Admission is $10 in advance, $15 at the door and $5 for kids under 12.  Food & beverage tickets are $2 at the event.  For more information check out this link.

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.