November/December 2020
REAL ESTATE + TEAM WEBSTER S GROOVE TO
. g n Livi SHOP LOCAL
Favorite downtowns: Newark, DE, Middletown, DE, Kennett Square, PA, Chesapeake City, MD. TeamWebster
EXP
REALTY
TEAM WEBSTER S GROOVE TO
REAL ESTATE +
Living.
Before you buy a bunch of “stuff” for family and friends this holiday season, try asking them what they really NEED. Maybe they need help with a utility bill, or a car payment, or their rent. Maybe they need a kid-free night, and could use a free babysitter. Maybe they need a night off of cooking, and could use a homemade meal. Maybe they need help with gas for their car. Maybe they need a night out with friends. Maybe they need a cup of coffee, and someone to just listen. Maybe they need help making the holidays bright for their children. Maybe they need help in some other way, but they either don’t know how to ask for help, or are embarrassed to ask. Maybe YOU could be the one to give them what they really need this season, rather than just more “stuff”.
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TRI-STATE MARKET RECAP
SEPT/OCT 2020
New Castle/N. Kent County, DE
1,817
NEW LISTINGS
1,698 LISTINGS PENDED 1,527 LISTINGS SOLD Jay Webster REALTOR® SRES, Certified Home Stager Certified Home Selling Advisor Certified Home Buying Advisor
Bill Webster REALTOR® CRS, SRES, ABR, GRI, SFR, ePro Certified Home Selling Advisor Certified Home Buying Advisor
TeamWebster
302-375-5660 Broker
888-543-4829 x136 teamwebsterhomes.com Licensed in DE, PA, MD
We help people maintain their wealth in real estate. 2020 TEAM WEBSTER NOT INTENDED TO SOLICIT ALREADY LISTED PROPERTIES. INFORMATION HERE WITHIN IS NOT WARRANTED.
Cecil County, MD
394 NEW LISTINGS 309 LISTINGS PENDED 293 LISTINGS SOLD Southern Chester County, PA
681 NEW LISTINGS 556 LISTINGS PENDED 529 LISTINGS SOLD Source: Bright MLS
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A friend gave us some organic grown veggies from their garden and in the bag were two beautiful beets; so I made a Beet Borscht!
BEET BORSCHT RECIPE:
2 medium beets (peeled and diced) 2 cups of veggie broth, 2 cups water 3 medium red potatoes diced 2 carrots scrubbed and diced 2 celery stalks diced 1 red pepper diced
1 medium onion diced 1 can white beans 1 can (small) tomato paste Bay leaves, dill, garlic diced, black pepper, red cider vinegar
In a large soup pot, sautee the diced beets in a little veggie broth, splash of red cider vinegar, black pepper and garlic about 15 minutes (until beets are tender). Add the 2 cups of veggie broth and 2 cups of water. Add the potatoes. In another pan sautee all the other diced veggies in broth with pepper, garlic and the tomato paste. When the potatoes are tender add the beans (with juice), couple bay leaves, a little more red cider vinegar, chopped garlic (to your taste...I like a lot), black pepper and some chopped dill. Then add all the sauteed veggies for another 5-10 minutes. Served with vegan corn muffins made with plant based milk, plant based butter, and aquafaba (liquid from can of chick peas), and vegan sour cream!
“
I have had the pleasure of working with Team Webster twice. They sold both my homes in one day! They are very responsive and knowledgeable. They do their research and have a firm handle on the home values in the area. They are upfront and very clear on the details and
what it takes to sell and purchase a home.� -Dot S.
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Whether buying or selling trust TeamWebster to stage or more to get your home SOLD! Or perhaps give you ideas to make your new house the home of your dreams!
Original Dining Room Area
This is the plan I discussed with sellers how to add value and appeal to the house. They agreed to taking the wall down between kitchen and dining room to open up the kitchen. Designing to sell a house, the want list is more what are buyers looking for; range hood for gourmet kitchen look, white cabinets, lots of drawers and a large island with warm wood flooring.
Original Kitchen Area
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Tri-State MARKET SNAPSHOT
SOLD $386,550 NEW CASTLE COUNTY, DE Community: West Branch BEDROOMS, BATHS: 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,550 s.f. LOT SIZE: .38 acres ORIGINAL PRICE: $381,900 DOM 6 CONCESSIONS: NO
SOLD $375,000 CECIL COUNTY, MD Community: Pembrey BEDROOMS, BATHS: 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 1 half bath SQUARE FOOTAGE: 3,300 s.f. LOT SIZE: 1.17 acres ORIGINAL PRICE: $399,000 DOM 25 CONCESSIONS: NO
SOLD $395,000 CHESTER COUNTY, PA Community: None (Kennett Twp.) BEDROOMS, BATHS: 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,400 s.f. LOT SIZE: 1.6 acre ORIGINAL PRICE: $395,000 DOM 6 CONCESSIONS: NO
Moving Tips and Tricks 1. Set a timer and pack for an hour each day. 2. Declutter so you can pack less. 3. Give each room a different color packing label. 4. Use the right size boxes. 5. Make sure to set up your utilities before move in day. 6. Don’t overpack a box.
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When I saw this post on the internet, I got so excited to try! This weekend will be out looking for pine cones...wonder how long before you see the tree sprout? Here are the instructions: Go to the woods. Bring a pine cone or a few home. Put the pine cone in a pot, so that most of it stands sits on top of the soil. Pour water on it everyday; make sure it is a small smount of water . . . as excess water could rot the pine cone. After some time, a tiny tree will appear. (Don’t know how much time). Congratulations! You just started oxygen production and you have a piece of forest in your own home. Make sure the soil/dirt is under the pine cone and if you want use moss and decorative rocks on top of the soil . . . and water regularly (small amounts).
Proud to Shopping locally makes a
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Downtown Newark, DE
Downtown Middletown, DE
Here, a small-town charm is accompanied by a vibrant selection of activities. Home to the University of Delaware with shops that sell hip and trendy merchandise and fashions. Bars and pubs offer entertainment and live music. There are also plenty of other businesses, services, and eateries that serve the students, faculty, staff, and anyone else who wants to check out this bustling small city. As Delaware locations are reopening, please note that capacity requirements may be in place. Pack a face covering and hand sanitizer as well.
Experience the friendly, quaint and unique atmosphere of historic Main Street. Downtown truly offers something for all ages. Art, entertainment, dining, history and shopping. Downtown Middletown, the heartbeat of the community and the center for town government, is a cultural and entertainment destination that promotes the arts and heritage tourism, in a clean, safe, attractive environment highlighted by well-preserved historic architecture, quality special events and activities and thriving, viable, inviting retail and dining establishments.
Local small businesses make to live, work, and play. Shop local to keep these downtowns and others close-by to offer...you might be surprised! Make the in your town. This
be Local. difference for these downtowns!
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Downtown Chesapeake City, MD
Downtown Kennett Sq., PA
Chesapeake City’s Main Street is Bohemia Avenue. Retail and dining can also be found on Second, Third, and George Streets. But make a point of walking down to the shore and enjoy the scenic waterfront views. You can even watch the cargo ships moving up and down the canal as they pass under the Chesapeake City Bridge. Chesapeake City is located in Cecil County in Maryland’s Upper Eastern Shore region. Other nearby Main Street communities worth checking out include Chestertown, North East, and Havre de Grace.
The Mushroom Capital of the World, producing 500 million pounds of mushrooms a year. But Kennett Square is also home to a wide variety of unique shops and one-of-a-kind boutiques. No chain stores here. Due to it’s central location in the Brandywine Valley, Kennett Square is close to several nearby attractions, including Longwood Gardens and Historic Brandywine battle fields. Kennett Square’s Main Street is State Street, which is part of Baltimore Pike. Another charming “Main Street” community is close-by West Chester.
our communities an exciting place your dollars in your neighborhood. Explore you and find out what they all have commitment to make a positive difference year, #ShopLocal!
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Holiday Decorating Compromises to Guide Sellers During Holiday.
You don’t have to altogether avoid putting up a Christmas tree, menorah, or any other seasonal displays, but you should aim to keep the decorations to a minimum. Here are some tips for sellers who can’t resist the urge to decorate for the holidays: Don’t block or cover up important selling features such as fireplace mantels, stairs, or stained-glass windows. Tone down the size of the tree, if you plan on getting one. In place of a 10-foot tree, try decorating a table-top, four-foot version. Stack wrapped presents in one corner or a closet. Use more splashes of red than green—red is an emotionally appealing color. Resist the urge to hang banners, and use greenery instead, such as evergreen or rosemary garlands. Display centerpieces made from pine cones or other wintry pieces of nature. Set a plate of cookies on the counter, next to festive paper napkins for guests. Simmer spicy apple cider on the stove, and set out cups and serving utensils. Consider hiring a home stager to do seasonal home staging with the buyer in mind. The kitchen of yesterday is not the kitchen of today. Buyers always ask: How do I make this kitchen or any room work! This kitchen we helped a buyer redo.
Helping our buyer envision their dream kitchen.
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For the holidays here are some recommended reading for kids and adults. A great book is a wonderful way to cozy up with the kids, each other or for some yourself quiet time. Kids Book Recommendations:
For kids up to 5 and fans of “Goodnight Moon” parodies (when our daughter was this age she loved Goodnight Moon), now there’s “Good Morning Zoom,” written by a mom isolated with her kids in April, soon after the pandemic took hold. One page reads: “Good morning room. Good morning Zoom. Good morning friends you hope to see soon. Good morning light. And a world not quite right.” By Lindsay Rechler and illustrated by June Park. Widely available. $14.99. Another possibility: The kid boredom buster “The Highlights Book of Things to Do.” Hundreds of activities between covers for $24.99. Widely available.
Recommendations for a Great Life Book:
What better time to ask, “Um… How did I get here?” as 30-year-old entrepreneur Kathi Sharpe-Ross does in her book “Re:Invent Your Life! What Are You Waiting For?” The self-published, self-help guide includes 30 interviews with executives to artists on their a-ha moments. Quincy Jones writes in a short foreword: “I believe that we are the biggest barriers to our own creativity and growth because of paralysis from analysis.” Available on Amazon and elsewhere. $19.99. Need to go in another direction? AcroYoga instructors Max and Liz Lowenstein are out with “Yoga for Inflexible People,” a beginner’s guide to Zen. $19.99. Not available until Nov. 11.
Follow us on Instagram:
instagram.com/teamwebsterhomes STAGE...
with great photos that tell the unique story of your home to capture a buyer’s interest.
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Moving to protect sea animals, wildlife and humans from the effects of litter, Delaware bans plastic bags for large stores beginning in Jan. 2021.
BRING YOUR
BAG,
OR OURS! Call for our FREE Canvas Resuable Bag
Should You Buy A House During A Pandemic? Rock-bottom rates make homebuying an attractive option, but there are still many unknowns and challenges when it comes to assessing how the pandemic will affect the market and consumers’ financial lives. Millions of Americans have filed for unemployment. Some states have begun to reopen businesses, but there’s no telling what kind of ripple effect the shutdown will have on employment for months to come. Buying a home when your job stability is uncertain is a risky prospect. The next year might present once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to buy, but that doesn’t mean you should go for it if you aren’t prepared. No one can ever predict the market, and we strongly believe that the right time to buy is when you are financially ready to. The good news for prospective homebuyers with stable income and plenty of cash on hand is that if layoffs continue, we may see more inventory coming up in the next few months; at maybe better prices, making it a buyer’s market. The uncertainty and indicators of a recession may slow some buyers. Don’t let history repeat itself . . . we think if you can hold out, purchasing a tangible item such as real estate is the best route to take, as long as you are smart about your finances and do not overextend yourself. Got questions or curious about anything real estate? Email us: info@teamwebsterhomes.
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An artist I follow on Instagram @mrdoodle featured a video of him doodling a microwave. His characters are so cool and fun. If a manufacturer
Fun artwork and idea, how do you like it.
would make available this microwave I would buy it. Wonder how other appliances would look!!
Do you know the VALUE
of your home?
Find out with a FREE home value report:
teamwebsterhomes.com/sell.php
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News
The Future is Plant-Based, Now More Than Ever
The vegan movement has been growing in recent years, and the vegan economy has skyrocketed in response to the demands of vegan, vegetarian, veg-curious and flexitarian consumers. According to The Good Food Institute, sales of plant-based foods that replace animal products grew by 29% in the US since 2018, for a total value of $5 billion. It would be reasonable to believe the plant-based food industry took a hit during the COVID-19 crisis, along with so many other sectors during these trying times. But the facts have been quite the opposite, for a number of reasons. Upon hearing of the severity of the pandemic, many people in the US started panic buying. Toilet paper was near the top of everyone’s list. But despite the fluffy paper’s sudden claim to fame, it still couldn’t surpass another category: food. The reason for this is obvious. But the answer to why consumers were purchasing more plant-based alternatives is less apparent. Sales in this area grew 35% faster than total retail food, according to data released by the Plant-Based Foods Association and SPINS®. Even before the pandemic, the most developed of all plant-based alternatives was in the milk section. Plant-based meats, not surprisingly, came in at number two, and have performed especially well during the crisis. The food shopping frenzy in March brought sales of animal meat up by 100% compared to the same period last year. Sales of plant-based meats, on the other hand, saw a rise of 454%. Among the most popular were Beyond Meat -which rapidly increased production to meet the surge in demand- and Impossible Foods. But the COVID-19 impact goes beyond the plant-based meats aisle. Interestingly enough, British vegan baby food brand Mamamade recorded a
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300% surge in sales during lockdown. The founder, Sophie Baron, attributed the shift to an increase in delivery requests during that time. Either way, the pattern is an indication that more and more parents are raising their children on plant-based diets. The reasons for the apparent plant-based explosion as a result of the pandemic are many. Among them is a more adequately informed public. Finding out that 60% of human diseases come from animals, most of which come from livestock, may be enough to turn people away from animal consumption. The news that some of the worst outbreaks were taking place in slaughterhouses, where workers were being forced to labor regardless of the situation, was also off-putting to most compassionate people. Then there is, of course, the industrialized animal cruelty. The meat and dairy industries have been struggling to stay afloat as consumers progressively switch to a healthier, more sustainable and ethical food system for a plethora of reasons. In the US, despite receiving an average of $38 billion a year in subsidies, the animal agriculture industry is tumbling. If not for such subsidies, the industry would be financially unsustainable. Regardless, consumption of animal products is in decline, and COVID-19, though dreadful for obvious reasons, has strengthened the winds of change. As aforementioned, plant-based milks have been a hot topic for quite some time now. Plant-based meat substitutes have also gained traction in recent years. As companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods reach economies of scale, prices can compete with those of animal foods, irrespective of the billions in subsidies the latter receives. Plant-based baby food could also become a key player in a post pandemic world, where the plant-based foods industry as a whole appears to be changing hearts and minds, virus or no virus. Toilet paper, on the other hand, may sadly remain in second place.
“
Working with Bill and Jay was an awesome experience. Although we had a few hiccups along the way with selling our house, they were both there reassuring us throughout the whole process. They were always available by phone or email to answer our questions or to offer honest advice. We could not have navigated this process without them. Thank you Bill & Jay!� -Chena W.
A home that speaks for itself, with help from its Realtor.
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