Tag: tips

Holiday Entertaining Tips

Have you planned a holiday get together or are you thinking about it? Here are some tips to help:

Have you planned a holiday get together or are you thinking about it?  Here are some tips to help:

1.  Timing is everything.  If you’ve waited too long to book your holiday party, most likely everyone is booked up.  Sunday afternoons tend to be good times for a get together because most people are booked on Fridays and Saturdays.  Another option is to go with the week between Christmas and New Years.  Technically it’s still holiday season, but most people are in a post-Christmas lull by that point.

2.  Set a theme.  If you take the time to set a simple theme everything else including music, décor, and food will fall into place much more simply.

3.  Consider the flow.  Be sure to consider the flow of your home when you set up for a party.  For maximum efficiency you should set your buffet in the main room with plenty of space to walk around it.  If possible place drinks in a separate room and set bowls of snacks all around.

4.  Take advantage of nature.  Take advantage of the natural beauty and scent of winter greens and other local flowers.  For an added touch, sprinkle shiny Christmas bulbs throughout.

5.  Soften your lighting.  For a festive glow, switch your normal light bulbs for gold, red, green, blue, and/or silver.

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.

Thursday Three: 3 Tips for Dealing with Hurricane Clean-up

I can’t believe it’s November already! For the many out there now dealing with Hurricane clean-up here are a few tips from people who have been in your shoes:

I can’t believe it’s November already!  For the many out there now dealing with Hurricane clean-up here are a few tips from people who have been in your shoes:

1.  Safety first.  Don’t start clearing debris and downed trees/branches from your yard until you are totally sure that there are no downed power lines nearby.  For large, hanging limbs, cleanup is best left to a professional.  For smaller branches you should cut them back to the trunk or main limb and discard.

2.  Disinfect immediately.  The longer your floors and walls stay moist the more likely it is that mold will grow.  Begin by pumping out all standing water immediately.  You can get a utility pump at most home improvement or hardware stores.  Once the water is gone scrub all surfaces that came into contact with floodwater with bleach.

3.  Protect yourself.  If you’re struggling in Sandy’s aftermath I am sure that you first instinct is to get your life back to normal as quickly as possible, but don’t let your safety be overtaken by your desire for normalcy.  Make sure that you and anyone else involved in cleanup wears a mast and gloves at all times.  Also wear long pants, long sleeves, and boots.

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.