When Karen Schwartz gets the chance to make up a yummy dessert for guests, she gravitates towards making her Almond Joy Cheesecake! A crowd pleaser every time! Serves 10-12

INGREDIENTS

• 1 ½ cup chocolate cookie crumbs (28-30 cookies)
  
  
• 3T sugar
  
  
• ¼ cup butter melted
  
  
• 4-8 oz cream cheese bars
  
  
• 3 large eggs
  
  
• 1 cup sugar
  
  
• 14 ounces flaked coconut
  
  
• 11.5 ounce pkg milk chocolate chips
  
  
• 1 tsp vanilla
  
  
• ½ cup slivered almonds, toasted
  
  
• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. Stir together the cookie crumbs, sugar, and butter; press into the bottom of 10” springform pan.  Bake at 350 for 8 minutes

2. Beat cream cheese, eggs and sugar at medium speed until fluffy.  Stir in coconut, milk chocolate chips and vanilla.  Pour into the prepared crust.  Bake at 350 for 1 hour.  Cool on wire rack.  

3. Place semi sweet chips in plastic bag; seal, submerge bag in warm water until the morsels melt.  Snip a TINY hole in the corner of bag and drizzle chocolate over cheesecake.  Garnish with toasted chopped almonds.

4. Cover and chill 8 hours; store in refrigerator up to 5 days

Learn more about Karen Schwartz Here

Looking for an amazing kitchen to whip this up in? Click below to see a list of homes that have the drool-worthy kitchens! VIEW HOMES WITH DREAMY KITCHENS

Kim is big on making it easy as possible during the week when it comes to dinners for her family. She shares one of her faves of all-time!

INGREDIENTS

• 3 tbsp.extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  
  
• 2 lb. bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  
  
• Kosher salt
  
  
• Freshly ground black pepper
  
  
• 1 lb. baby red potatoes, quartered
  
  
• 2 tbsp. butter, softened
  
  
• 5 cloves garlic, chopped
  
  
• 2 tbsp. fresh thyme
  
  
• Freshly chopped parsley
  
  
• 2 tbsp. freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for serving

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and sear until golden, 3 minutes per side. 

2. Meanwhile, in a large slow cooker, toss potatoes with remaining 2 tablespoons oil, butter, garlic, thyme, parsley, and Parmesan and season generously with salt and pepper. Add chicken and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours, until potatoes are tender and chicken is fully cooked. 

3. Garnish with Parmesan before serving.

Learn more about Kim Here

Looking for an amazing kitchen to whip this up in? Click below to see a list of homes that have the drool-worthy kitchens! VIEW HOMES WITH DREAMY KITCHENS

These Chocolate bars are something Tracy came across years ago and it is a great go-to when you head to a party and need a quick last minute idea.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 ½ cups Refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough, divided
  
  
• 1 ½ cups Semi-sweet morsles, divided
  
  
• 1 cup Mini pretzels broken into ½ pieces
  
  
• 1 cup Honey roasted peanuts

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 13 by 9 baking pan

2. Place 2 cups of dough in prepared pan. Using fingertips, pat dough gently to cover the bottom of pan.

3. Sprinkle 1 cup morsels, pretzel pieces & peanuts over dough. Drop 1 inch pieces of remaining ½ cup cookie dough over peanuts. Sprinkle with remaining ½ cup morsels and gentle press down.

4. Bake for 23-27 minutes or until browned around edge. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars

*Feel free to experiment with variations. For example, substitute chocolate morsels with peanut butter chips or perhaps add almonds.

Learn more about Tracy Here

Looking for an amazing kitchen to whip this up in? Click below to see a list of homes that have the drool-worthy kitchens! VIEW HOMES WITH DREAMY KITCHENS

Homebuyers are savvier than ever and know how to look for good deals that will increase in value over the years. Today’s buyers are determined and careful on which homes they consider because of the housing market meltdown in the late 2000’s, they are extra cautious. You need to price your home attractively and make notice of the features that the homebuyer will find most valuable.

You could take a gamble and try to figure out how to do it yourself, but most likely, your home will sit on the market while you end up wasting time, money, and energy. However, an experienced real estate agent will get the strategy right the first time. It will save you valuable time and get your home sold at a much better price.

A recent report from the National Association of Realtors shows that homes sold through a real estate agent averaged $230,000 while the average seller without a real estate agent sold their home for just $184,000. That is a big difference.

Steer Clear of Bad Agents

Your home is your largest asset, do not trust a rookie agent who doesn't have experience dealing with buyers in today's housing market. You need an agent who has been in the business for years and has a proven record of selling homes.

Also, stay away from agents who cut their commission to get your business.  Often, they're cutting the services that are essential to marketing and selling your home for top dollar.

What Makes a Great Agent?

Finding an expert agent in today's market isn't hard if you know what to look for. Interview at least three agents and pick the one who:

1. Is respectful, listens, and is professional.
2. Makes you feel comfortable and is willing to answer all your questions.
3. Uses the Multiple Listing Service, a system that real estate agents use to help advertise your home to thousands of people.
4. Has at least four years of experience as a full-time real estate agent.
5. Consistently sells at least 40 homes a year.

The Easiest Way to Find a Great Agent

If you already know of an agent who has those qualifications, great – stick with them. But, if you don't already know one with those qualifications, consider us to help you out. Our team of agents collectively has 30 years’ experience selling homes in our area and ARE experts. We are a top selling team with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage and know how to consistently sell homes for top dollar in less time.

For a list of upgrades that you may want to invest in, or if you want an in depth analysis of what your home would sell for in today’s market, contact us at 910-202-3638. A few short minutes speaking with one of our expert agents can save you thousands of dollars!

This is one of Debbies favorites to make for her family! It is an easy, hearty, and delicious meal to whip up in no time.

Ingredients:

• 1 package (10oz) frozen mixed veggies thawed
  
  
• 1 cup diced cooked chicken
  
  
• 1 can (10 ½ oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
  
  
• 1-2 cans (16.3 oz) Refrigerated Original biscuits
  
  
• ¼ potato cooked and diced
  
  
• Cheese, salt, pepper and garlic powder to your liking

1. Preheat oven to 375F.  

2. In medium bowl, combine all ingredients.

3. Cut biscuits in ½ and press each biscuit into greased muffin tins making sure to cover bottom and sides of muffin tins. 

4. Spoonful mixture into each cup.  Add extra cheese on top.

5. Bake 25-30 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown.  Let cool 5 minutes

Learn more about Debbie Here

Looking for an amazing kitchen to whip this up in? Click below to see a list of homes that have the drool-worthy kitchens! VIEW HOMES WITH DREAMY KITCHENS

Our agent Karen Coyle shared this crowd pleaser of an hors d'oeuvre with all of us. It is one of her favorite dishes to bring along to parties and gatherings and is gone within minutes! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup firmly packed Light Brown Sugar

• 1/4 cup chopped pecans

• 1 tablespoon bourbon

• 1/2 package (17 1/4 ounces) frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed

• 1 (13.2-ounce) round Brie

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Stir together light brown sugar, pecans and bourbon.

3. Place puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface. Roll out fold lines. Spread pecan mixture in a 5-inch circle in the center of pastry. Place Brie on top of pecan mixture. Wrap pastry around Brie, pinching to seal tightly, and place on aluminum foil lined baking sheet, folded side down.

4. Bake for 25 minutes or until pastry is lightly brown. Cool 10 minutes on baking sheet. Serve warm with French baguette slices, crackers, and apple and pear slices.

Learn more about Karen Coyle Here

Looking for an amazing kitchen to whip this up in? Click below to see a list of homes that have the drool-worthy kitchens! VIEW HOMES WITH DREAMY KITCHENS

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Curious about local real estate? So are we! Every month we review trends in our real estate market and consider the number of homes on the market in each price tier, the amount of time particular homes have been listed for sale, specific neighborhood trends, the median price and square footage of each home sold and so much more. We’d love to invite you to do the same!

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You can sign up here to receive your own market report, delivered as often as you like! It contains current information on pending, active and just sold properties so you can see actual homes in your neighborhood. You can review your area on a larger scale, as well, by refining your search to include properties across the city or county. As you notice price and size trends, please contact us for clarification or to have any questions answered.

We can definitely fill you in on details that are not listed on the report and help you determine the best home for you. If you are wondering if now is the time to sell, please try out our INSTANT home value tool. You’ll get an estimate on the value of your property in today’s market. Either way, we hope to hear from you soon as you get to know our neighborhoods and local real estate market better.