The Good Neighbor moves into town

There are few things one cherishes more than a reliable friend, and businessmen Mike Kappes and Danny Day understand that better than most. The two have known each other for nearly a decade, and they’re now combining their knowledge and cooperation into a new venture, The Good Neighbor.

“There are a lot of responsibilities that come with owning a beach house,” said Kappes, “and it’s not always easy to keep up with them.” The Good Neighbor is a home management and resort concierge service, providing clients with general upkeep and security for their beach homes.

Kappes, one of the owners of Beach Liquors in Bethany Beach, has had his hand in the real estate business for almost 11 years. Day has been working in the landscaping business throughout the area since 1999, and owned and operated his own company for seven years.

“Our businesses have helped us meet a lot of people in the community,” Kappes explained. “Combined, we have a big client base, and it’s quickly spreading by word of mouth. The Good Neighbor allows us to supplement our work.”

In his time with real estate, Kappes has witnessed a growing need for such a service.

“Over the years,” he said, “I’d have customers ask me to give them a hand at their house, whether it was putting up their furniture before a storm or swinging by when a delivery guy stops over.”

Their home management business provides simple services such as this, and much more, including rental by owner service, storm inspection (both before and after), seasonal property openings and closings, and lawn care and grounds maintenance.

“We handle everything for our customers,” said Kappes, “from checking up or lining up contractors. Danny’s got the experience outside and around the home and, together, we make a pretty good team.”

The two friends had wanted to work on a project together, but the opportunity had not developed until recently. In the past, the two had recognized the complications that homeowners experienced.

“Our job takes the hassle and frustration away from owning a place at the beach,” said Kappes. “Everyone’s always complaining about finding somebody to show up. No one wants to have to wait around for an electrician or plumber. We’ll handle the billing details. The job will get done, and it will get done right.”

Both Kappes and Day have established relationships with professional service providers in the region, including specialists in carpentry, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), plumbing, electrical, landscaping and maintenance, roofing and siding, interior design, painting, general contracting, cleaning home security and more. They proudly boast a first-name basis connection with the area’s top real estate professionals, real estate attorneys and business owners.

“Someone who lives far away,” said Kappes, “doesn’t always know who to call. You could go straight to the phone book, but then you’re not guaranteed quick or efficient service. You’re better off calling two people you can trust.”

“To emphasize the importance of the things we can help with,” said Day, “we got a call from a friend the other day whose back door to their house was completely left open. We stayed around until the locksmith showed up. It was something that the homeowner wouldn’t have been able to tell from the inside, but it was a multi-million-dollar house that was completely unsecured. Having a service like ours around can really make people happy.”

The Good Neighbor program is not only convenient, but the businessmen emphasized that it’s affordable, as well. The average customer will spend less than $100 for The Good Neighbor’s monthly service. And, recently, the two have incorporated the growing trend of cyber-rentals into their customer base.

“Our service really gears toward vacationers and second-home owners,” said Kappes. “The big markets today are focusing more on cyber-rentals and working with real estate over the Internet. A lot of people who have homes down here don’t have an active real estate office to work in. We want people to know about our company and feel comfortable to come to us if they need.”

For more information about The Good Neighbor, call Kappes or Day at (302) 245-6733 or (302) 228-9910, or stop into Beach Liquors on Route 1 in Bethany Beach for a brochure.