Real Estate Information Archive

Soon it will be time for your overnight guests to arrive. The decorations have been hung, the deep cleaning is done and you’re ready to celebrate with beloved family and friends. Now it’s time to check off the items to ensure your guests feel comfortable when they stay in your home.  After all, making your guests feel comfortable and at ease is the true essence of etiquette.

Let’s take it from the Guest Room to Bathroom and Kitchen.

Guest Room

• Have the WIFI password written down and provide a phone charger on the nightstand along with fresh holiday flowers and bottled water, of course.
• Prepare the bed with fresh, soft linens. Included an extra blanket and pillows too.
• Clear out the closet space so your guests have a place to put their belongings.

Bathroom

• Add extra towels and washcloths that are easily accessible. Or add a personal grouping to the guest bedroom.
• Provide a basket of extra toothbrushes, skin care products, and basic medications. Don’t forget easy access to the essentials of toilet paper, shower & hair care products, blow dryer, and shaving needs.
• Add a calming candle and soft subtle holiday décor to set the mood.

Kitchen

• Check with your guests ahead of time to learn of any food allergies you’ll need to be made aware of in preparing your holiday food
• Schedule your grocery shopping or pick them up the day before their arrival.
• Skip the paper products and utilize your fancy dishes! What better time than when surrounded by the ones you love?
• Prepare or purchase snacks and drinks that are easy for everyone to grab when they are hungry. You want your guests to feel welcome to eat/drink at any time.
• Prep as much as possible for your holiday menus before your guests arrive so you can enjoy your time with them, and not be stuck in the kitchen.

Overall, you want your home festive, comfortable, and welcoming. Add a few cozy blankets, easy access to games, and lots of non-cluttered spaces for everyone to gather and enjoy their time together.

WISHING YOU A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!!

Sunday marks the first official day of spring! As we prepare for all the fun things we will do with longer days and warmer weather we don’t want to forget to transition our home for the new season as well. 

Below we have listed six simple ways to get your Omaha, NE home spring ready. Let’s dive in: 

Spring Cleaning
There is nothing like a little spring cleaning to really make it feel like a new, warmer season is upon us. While many people do not look forward to this task, setting a plan and slowly tackling each room is a great way to make it feel attainable. Organizing, selling, donating and/or throwing away items will make your home feel less cluttered and a deep clean will make the space feel fresh and rejuvenated. 

Freshen Up The Porch
The porch is the first part of your home that visitors see and you want it to feel warm and inviting for spring. Take some time to clear out cobwebs, sweep the walkway, add some colorful plants and hang a fresh wreath on the front door. Little things can make a big difference. 

Clean Out The Gutters
Winter months can be rough on your gutters leaving them clogged with debris and leaves. You want to be sure to clean them out and clear the downspouts prior to the rainy season starting in order to avoid flooding and other headaches. 

Prep The Garden And Lawn
Adding fertilizer, clearing winter debris, pruning shrubs, trimming the trees and other landscaping projects are great ways to get your garden and lawn ready for spring. Additionally, now is a great time to check your lawn equipment and make sure everything is ready for when summer rolls around. 

Check The Windows
Going window by window, check the seals to make sure there is no damage and reseal any cracks you find. This will help to ensure your home is energy-efficient and prevent the warm air from getting in and the cool air escaping. 

Service AC Unit
Contact a qualified heating and cooling contractor to come and clean/service the outside unit of your AC system. Scheduling an annual service appointment will allow the system to work more efficiently and allow you to keep up with any repairs. Also, consider changing interior filters on a more regular basis to keep the indoor air clean and aid in seasonal allergy relief. 

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With the official start of Autumn just a week away, now is a great time to begin fall maintenance on your home. And while it would be great if lighting pumpkin spice candles and hanging festive fall colored wreaths were all you had to do to prepare your house for the season, we have a couple (arguably more important) items to add to your list. 

Below we have outlined a checklist of things you should do to transition your Omaha, NE home from those warm summer days to the crisp nights of fall. Let’s dive in: 

-Check Drafts: Did you know that loss of heat through windows accounts for roughly 30 percent of heating energy use (according to the U.S. Department of Energy)? One of the most cost-effective ways to lower your heating costs in the winter is to utilize weatherstripping. A great way to see if you are facing a draft issue is to close a window or door over a piece of paper. If you are able to easily slide the piece of paper it may be time to check the weatherstripping. 

-Clean Gutters: Many people are so used to their gutters working properly that they forget they may need a little attention now and again. Keeping them clean, and even replacing them if necessary, is a great way to avoid interior and exterior damage. 

-Fix Cracks In Driveway: Some homeowners don’t realize that when water gets into the cracks it freezes, expands and can eventually end up making the crack bigger, which leads to larger problems down the road. 

-Drain Outdoor Faucets: Prevent water freezing and pipes bursting this winter by draining and disconnecting all gardens hoses from the outside spigots. This is a simple way to avoid an unwanted headache. 

-Keep Critters Out: To prevent little critters from coming inside to escape the cold make sure to cover large holes in walls and, if you have an attic, check the insulation for any damage. 

-Lastly: Remember to change your filters and schedule a chimney cleaning/heating system maintenance. 

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With spring in full swing and warmer weather in the forecast, now is the perfect time to prepare your backyard as you get ready for more time spent outdoors. As you prep, is important to consider the common hazards that are present to your pets in your yard in order to keep them happy and healthy. In today’s blog post we are going to be acknowledging those threats and some ideas you can implement to make your yard safe for your furry, four legged family members. Let’s dive in:

-Toxic Plants: Did you know there are many plants that are toxic to dogs and cats? It’s true, and many of them are commonly found in backyard gardens. It’s best to avoid planting these toxic beauties to ensure your pet doesn’t decide to snack on them. Some of these dangerous plants include: Lilies, Iris, English Ivy, Chrysanthemum, Begonia and Daffodils. *You can always check with your local nursery to find some pet-friendly plants. 

-Fleas and Ticks: It is no secret that fleas and ticks can be dangerous to the health of your pets. To help avoid this issue, you can limit the habitats in which they thrive by removing dry or long grass and maintaining your lawn. Additionally, you can put your pet on a preventative medication for an extra layer of protection.

-Dangerous Tools: Pets can be curious creatures and therefore it is best to remove any tools that could be dangerous to them. Keeping the tools in the garage, shed or basement is a great way to stay organized and ensure your pets don’t get ahold of them.

-Fencing: As we mentioned above, pets can be curious and want to explore the busy world beyond your home. Installing a fence is a great way to make sure they can enjoy the backyard space without having to keep an eye on them at all times. If you already have a fence in place, take some time to ensure it is in good repair. 

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With the holiday season in full swing, now is the perfect time to begin decorating the outside of your home to add some Christmas flair and festive curb appeal. Below we have listed a few simple ways to achieve this and bring a little holiday spirit to your neighborhood. Let’s dive in: 

-Holiday wreaths are a simple and wonderful way to bring a little holiday cheer to the outside of your home. They serve as a warm welcome to your guests as they enter your front door.

-While on the topic, you can also add a holiday door mat and/or a festive garland to really deck out your front entrance. Garlands are perfect for wrapping columns, framing doorways and draping over railings. 

-Incorporating vibrant, traditional colors to the front of your home is sure to bring the holiday spirit to any passersby. Potted poinsettias are a great way to achieve this with their bold green and red coloring, as well as evergreen trees or plants. You can use them to line your walkway or simply cluster them together at your front entrance. 

-Another great way to add Christmas curb appeal to your home is through winter props. Items such as wooden sleds, warm lanterns, nutcrackers, stocking, artificial trees, lights and other holiday decorations are a wonderful way to elevate the outside of your home. 

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A few weeks ago we talked about ways to transition your home from summer to fall when it comes to decor (see post here), but today we are going to be discussing the maintenance side of things. Not quite sure where to start? We have you covered with a few items below to check in on around your home. Let’s dive right in!

-Keep an eye on your irrigation system and be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instruction to protect the integrity and functionality of the sprinkler system. *Also, keep in mind that seasonal rainfall will hydrate your foliage so you may want to set (or reset) the system accordingly. 

-To prevent little critters coming inside to escape the cold, make sure to cover large holes in walls and, if you have an attic, check the insulation for damage from the pesky critters. 

-Fix any cracks in your driveway. Many people don’t realize that when water gets into the cracks it freezes, expands and can eventually end up making the crack bigger which leads to larger problems down the road. 

-Check around the exterior of your home for inexpensive maintenance projects that you will be able to tackle quickly such as cleaning the gutters/downspouts, trimming greenery to prevent damage, check the roof for missing/loose shingles, caulking, etc. 

-Consider adding whetherstripping around the frames of doors and windows in your home to help keep the warmth in and energy costs down. If you have drafty doors, you can also add door sweeps to the base to help keep cold air out.

-In order to prevent water freezing, drain and disconnect all garden hoses from outside spigots. 

-Lastly, remember to change your filters and schedule a chimney cleaning and heating system maintenance. 

From new, modern homes to old fixer-uppers - whatever your taste let our experienced team help you find your dream home in Omaha, NE. Be sure to sign up for our listing alerts here!

With this week marking the first days of Fall, there is no better time to start transitioning your home from the warm, sunny summer months to the coming cozy days of Autumn. Below we have outlined a few tips and tricks on the best ways to prepare your home for the cooler weeks ahead. Let’s dive right in!

-Prepare your fireplace: Nothing is more welcoming in the cold winter months than walking into a home with a roaring, cozy fire. Make sure to sweep or vacuum away last season’s ashes and dispose of them safely. Also, make sure your tools are in good working condition and check that you are stocked up on wood and starter.

-Switch out pillows and other decorative items: Swap out summer colors in items such as pillows and blankets throughout your home with richer, warmer tones such as browns, greys, deep blues, beiges and oranges. You will be amazed at how this simple trick can completely transform the feel of any room. 

-Buy seasonal fruits: A quick trip to the grocery store is all you need to help to make the transition to fall in your kitchen. Place a bowl of seasonal fruit such as pears, apples and clementines for family and guests to much on. 

-Add seasonal plants: Seasonal plants such as hydrangeas, marigolds and mums are the perfect way to spruce up your mantel and/or entryway for fall. 

-Incorporate a fall scent: Incorporating candles throughout your home is a wonderful way to play with the senses and add a warm aroma to any room. Look into burning rich fall scents such as tobacco, pumpkin spice, and amber. 

-Decorate with pumpkins: Pumpkins are in season and are the perfect accessory to transition any room in your home for fall. From Halloween to Thanksgiving - your pumpkin decor will carry you through the coming months! 

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With 2020 right around the corner, now is the perfect time to start organizing yourself for the new year – starting with your home! Having a clean and organized space ensures that you and your family are able to find things quickly and that every item has a ‘home.’ Below we have listed a few tricks to help you get and stay organized for the new year and beyond! 

-The first place to start in your organization journey is figuring out exactly what needs organizing. To accomplish this, our advice is for you to stand in the middle of the room and do a 360-degree turn. Take note of what areas catch your eye and make a list so you can stay on track.

-To ensure you don’t get overwhelmed by the project, write down a day/time that you would like to have each area completed by and do your best to stick to it. Maybe each weekend you tackle a different room/area of the house and keep on the schedule until you are satisfied with the results. Doing this will make the project manageable, keep your stress level down and give you something tangible to work towards. 

-Our next tip is probably the most important in your organization journey – and that is to declutter your space! Take some time before you start to organize any room and go through drawers, cabinets, countertops, etc. and throw away/donate anything that no longer serves you. This will ensure that you are only organizing items that you need and will use throughout the year and get rid of items that don’t need to take up space. 

-Organizing and storing your things with similar items will make it easy when you or a family member go to look for something. For example, keeping a drawer with pens/pencils/markers/envelopes/stamps/paper clips, etc. is an effective way to organize office supplies and keep everything in order.

-Don’t be afraid to utilize storage bins, containers and drawer organizers, as these items will end up being your best friends! Investing in, and utilizing, storage containers can go a long way and help to keep everything in its place. 

-Our last tip for you is to make organizing a habit. Just taking a few minutes here and there to check in and touch up will go a long way in keeping things organized and your home running smoothly in 2020! 

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