Did you know Kathy Lee owns a home in Rehoboth? She has always frequented the area, especially since she grew up here. Her co-host, Hoda, also has a family summer home here.

Recently the two women visited and brought along their show! Check out the video here. Pretty cool having mini-celebrities here, huh?!

-Lee Ann

WOW! The NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) has rated Rehoboth and Dewey Beach as two of the top cleanest beach water sites in the country! This is an amazing honor, especially wonderful since only four beaches nationwide earned the honor.

Consideration for the award is based on five factors: water quality in 2010; water quality overall for the past 3 years; frequency of testing; issuing advisories and posting closings (if needed).

The locals take a great deal of care to keep the beaches safe, clean and fun. In fact, Prudential Gallo holds an annual beach-cleanup day, where this past May I rolled up my sleeves, along with members of The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group, to do our part. It's a rewarding experience.

And the news gets better! For 3 consecutive years, we’ve had the cleanest beach water in the US. The EPA reports on beaches nationwide. Find out all about your beach here. The Natural Resources Defense Council’s website provides a quick look at Americas most popular beaches and their five-factor ratings.  The ‘Best and Worst Beach Water Quality’ article can be found here.

So, as we (quickly) approach the 4^th of July, I wish your family nothing but fun in the sun on Lewes and Rehoboth Beach.

All the best,

Lee Ann

** Happy 4th of July! **

Well, the Fourth of July is nearly upon us. Can you believe how fast its come? Seems just like yesterday we were all wishing the snow would stop! There are some great activities coming up for you and the family this 4th.

July 2: Sidewalk Art and Artisan show at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, starting at 9am.

July 4: Old-fashioned 4th of July Children's activities on Second Street, starting at 9am.

July 4: Lewes Boat Parade on the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal, starts at 2pm.

July 4: Lewes Doo-Dah parade in the late afternoon. (route: Kings Hwy to Second St, to Market St and up Savannah)

July 4: Rehoboth Beach Fireworks. Sit beach-side and enjoy the great show! Fireworks will be launched approximately 9:15 and last for 45 mins. Afterward, a concert by the US Navy Country Current band will be held at the bandstand.

Stay safe, wear sunscreen and have a wonderful 4th of July!

-Lee Ann

(Note: Fireworks are illegal in the State of DE and officers will be out enforcing the law. Please leave the fireworks to the professionals and don't risk fines, arrest or injury.)

Don't make plans for Sat, April 23, 2011!

We will be holding 6 open houses' in Lewes, DE from 12-3pm that day. Bring your friends, bring your family....

4 Delmar Avenue

412 Mulberry

320 Pilottown Road

114 Coleman Avenue

431 Kings Highway

4 Dunes Terrace

Need directions or more information? Call anytime (302) 645-6664

As yet another way to bring real estate buyers and sellers together, the Lee Ann Wilkinson Group of Prudential Gallo Realtors has incorporated Microsoft’s Tag in its advertising, among other places, that will direct users to various related websites.

This tag is a type of two-dimensional bar code that, when used with a mobile application, allows the user to review websites, receive messages, get access to special deals and more from the advertiser. The particular tag in the weekly Cape Gazette ad sends participates to the group’s real estate search page at lewesrealestate.com.

“It’s fascinating that it’s possible to go from medium to medium via mobile phone,” said Wilkinson. “This tag will connect newspaper readers to our website. Its cutting-edge technology that I think will benefit both buyers and sellers.”

Currently, very few real estate companies in the country have implemented this technology, and this is the first in the area.

Get the tag reader by visiting http://gettag.mobi on your mobile phone. Then test it with the tag below.

For more information about that tag application or general information, call (302) 645-6664. The office is located at 16698 Kings Highway, Suite A, Lewes, DE 19958.

Epworth United UM Church is hosting a free thanksgiving Day diner at 1 PM at the churfch on Holland Glade Road, just North of Rehoboth Beach, DE. Call 302-227-7743, ext 125 and leave them your name and how many people you will be bringing. Long Neck United Methodist Church will also be hosting a free thanksgiving dinner from noon to 2 pm at the church on Long Neck Road, east of Millsboro, DE. For details call 302-947-9221.

For more information visit www.rehobothartleague.org

Delaware Comedy Theatre presents "Who Stole Santa's Sleigh?", an interactive mystery for all ages including a kid-friendly dinner and treats, 6 p.m. at the Rehoboth Beach Public Library, Rehoboth Ave. Cost, $10 per table that seat four to six people. Each table will work together to try and solve the mystery and win a big prize. For details, call 888-446-7763.

I saw this clip on the Today Show last Thursday and I had to forward it to everyone I know. Selling a house in this market is tough but "Real Estate Guru" Barbara Corcoran makes some great points. Here are some highlights and a link to her clip. Let me know what you think...

Advice for Sellers:

• Sellers should intentionally underprice their home - Underprice what you think your home is worth by 10-15% if you REALLY want it to take off right from the starting post. You'll get a lot more people looking at your property, your home will look better by comparison to other homes in that price range, and it might even end up with a bidding war.
• Get rid of the clutter - Cluttered homes look small! Buyers typically want to get the most space for their dollar.
• Take pictures of your home on a sunny day and with a wide angle lens - Makes your house look like the Taj Majal and your yard a football field.
• Hire a Killer Broker - Barbara pointed out that 20% of the realtors in this country produce 80% of the income. Translation: you want to hire a "Killer Broker" when you're looking for someone to represent you if you want the best outcome.

Advice for Buyers

• Pick the right town - Barbara's definition- great schools, a charming downtown, and less than one house for sale per three blocks...In her words, "Don't buy a clunker town"
• Buy a House with Character - Old moldings, high ceilings, climbing roses....etc. etc. "People like to buy a storybook house, so if you're house looks like a storybook house, you're going to get the best price always in any market"
Here's the link address if you can't click on it above: Recession Proof Your Home - from the Today Show June 12, 2008 Here's the address if the link above doesn't work for you. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25113929#25113929

From NewsweekShowcase.com - Delaware - A Small State With A Large Appeal For Retirement Living

• Fiddler's Festival
• Horsedrawn Hayrides
• Sea Witch Hunt
• Scarecrow Making
• Costume Parade & Contest
• Maryland Rough Riders Horse Show on Beach
• Orange Glow on the Boardwalk
• FREE Shuttle Service
• Games on the Beach
• Kid's Treasure Trail
• 5K Foot Race
• Broom Tossing Contest
• Big Dogs® Best Costumed Pet Contest
• Pumpkin Dash
• Register to win a FREE ride in WBOC's Chopper 16 and more....

For attendees — who come from all over the country and even abroad — the weekend is equal parts education, networking, socializing, and enjoying the local flavors. Dozens of hotels now allow the greyhounds, and most of their rooms are booked a year in advance.

Among the weekend’s activities are morning walks on the beach, educational seminars, an ice cream social, a blessing of the hounds, and a memorial service to remember greyhounds that have passed

• Stroll through the shaded canopy of old growth trees and explore the old buildings on the historic campus of the Rehoboth Art League while you savor the works of our talented local artists. Where? At the Rehoboth Art League headquarters in Henlopen Acres. When? Saturday August 10th and Sunday August 11th from 10 am to 5 pm. Here's a tip: don't wear heels!