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Decorate Your Omaha Home on a Budget

by Nancy Heim-berg

Many Omaha homeowners are interested in decorating according to their individual tastes while coming up with a visually appealing look. Those magazines make it seem so simple, but it can also be quite expensive. Even if your budget is limited, you can still get the look you want. You can save money by redecorating your home with these ideas.

Reuse

Before buying new furniture, bedding, and fixtures that will quickly consume your budget, take stock of what you already own. Try to repurpose items. A simple piece of furniture can be transformed with new hardware or a fresh coat of paint.

It is possible to use different types of furniture for different purposes. An unused dining table can be turned into a desk. An old sofa table can be transformed into a mobile bar by adding wheels. Or, you can recycle and revamp an old dresser.

Simple Appearances

Bigger isn't necessarily better. Without spending a lot of money, a few simple changes can have a considerable impact. One way to achieve this is to paint a feature wall or change the color scheme. The throw rugs and light fixtures can also be changed. Even the simplest of changes, like changing the lamp shade, can have a significant impact.

Pillow covers and duvets can be added to bedspreads. But what is a duvet? A duvet is similar to a pillow case for a bedspread. You can pair duvets with existing bedspreads for a unique look. You could also make your own cover if you are looking for something more customized.

Shopping on a budget

If you want to purchase some items, consider purchasing used items. You can find inexpensive décor items in thrift stores and second-hand stores. In addition to wholesalers and liquidation merchants, salvage yards can save some money. It is also important to consider other uses for items.

Be on the lookout for items that people are trying to sell. Visit flea markets and yard sales in the Omaha area, especially now that Spring is here. There are many items available for cheap on eBay. Swap meets can also provide you with what you need, while also letting you get rid of items that no longer fit your needs.

Artwork

Rather than buying expensive reprints or originals, create your own. Use your decoupage or painting skills. Display your child's artwork. You can download free artwork to print at home. Repurpose some old wooden frames. Sponging and foiling can be used to create decorative displays.

One at a Time

It's important to take things one step at a time. Don't redecorate every room at once. Consider dividing your budget into chunks for each room that you would like to redecorate. If you look at each room individually, you may find that there is some money left over for other rooms. By taking on one room at a time, you can avoid becoming overwhelmed by taking on too much all at once.

No matter how small your budget is, there are numerous options for redecorating on a budget. With redecorating, you can make huge or small changes, both of which impact the end result. It's up to you to choose an environment that best represents your tastes in your Omaha home.

Have your home needs changed in the past year? Perhaps you’ve outgrown your present home, or need to downsize to a more suitable home. If you’re ready to make a move, let’s connect and talk about all the amazing opportunities that are available to you!

Celebrate Memorial Day in Omaha!

by Nancy Heim-berg

Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of summer is almost here! If you live in or near Omaha, check out these fun events scheduled this weekend that will help you remember the sacrifices of our fallen heroes and celebrate the freedom we enjoy as a result.

Memorial Day Picnic at Joslyn Castle

Mon, May 29, 11 AM – 2 PM
Joslyn Castle & Gardens
3902 Davenport St, Omaha, NE

Meet outside the Joslyn Castle grounds at the north side of the building for a potluck picnic followed by an historic walk around the grounds by Judy A., who has worked at the Joslyn for many years. Cost – $5 to help cover baked or fried chicken, which will be provided. Please bring a side dish and your own beverage. RSVP by May 22 to Judy A. at 402-213-6474 or [email protected].

Kris Lager Band's Summer Kickoff Cookout

Sun, May 28, 5 PM – Mon, May 29, 10 AM
Falconwood Park and Outlandia Music Festival
905 Allied Rd, Bellevue, NE

Kris Lager Band's Summer Kickoff Cookout w/ Dr. Webb and DJ Nate Reedy. Memorial Day Sunday, May 28.

Gates 5 p.m. | Show 7 p.m. | $20 Advance/Day Of

Ticket includes FREE tent camping! Live Music, Food by Family Traditions BBQ, Games and More!

ICON's Memorial Day Picnic

Mon, May 29, 1 PM
Danish Vennelyst Park
9100 N 31st St, Omaha, NE

It's time to kick off summer with ICON's annual Memorial Day Picnic at Vennelyst Park. $10 cover for.adults and $5 for.children 12 and under. Enjoy great music, games and prizes. This year we are changing things up a bit with a food truck, Sauce Bosses, corn hole boards and new volleyball equipment.

Memorial Day Parade

Mon, May 29, 10:30 – 11:30 AM
The Relevant Center
21220 Elkhorn Dr, Elkhorn, NE

Bring the family to downtown Elkhorn for the Memorial Day Parade followed a special service in Veterans Park by the memorial.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Have your home needs changed in the past year? Perhaps you’ve outgrown your present home, or need to downsize to a more suitable home. If you’re ready to make a move, let’s connect and talk about all the amazing opportunities that are available to you!

Easier Ways to Remove Old Wallpaper in Your Omaha Home

by Nancy Heim-berg

"I love removing old wallpaper!" said no-one ever. When it comes to removing old wallpaper, most people would put it up there on the "not fun" list with getting teeth pulled.

But alas, removing old wallpaper is a task that must be done sometimes, especially if you buy an older home in Omaha. So how can you remove it an keep your sanity as well?

Check to See If Your Walls Were Primed

If your wallpaper is primed, that's a "prime" situation, as it will definitely speed up the removal job. Priming paper became a common practice in the 1990's, as it kept the glue from forming too strong of a bond with the plaster.

It's easy enough to check if your walls are primed. Just loosen a corner or seam with a putty knife and pull. If it comes off in one sheet, success!

With well-primed walls, dry stripping should work for the entire job and you could finish a room in a couple of hours at most.

Water Works Miracles

If your wallpaper is not primed, all is not lost. Wallpaper glue is water-based, so you can still remove it if your walls are not primed.

Here's a technique the pros use:

  • Score or perforate the paper and its backing in sections so water can soak through and loosen the glue. The pros recommend a scoring tool called the PaperTiger (under $20) because it doesn’t harm the wall.
  • Douse the perforated paper with hot water using a pump or compression sprayer. The big mistake most people make is using a regular old spray bottle or damp rag to wet the paper. This leads to hours of fruitless scraping because the paper and its backing don’t get sufficiently saturated. The sprayer, on the other hand, gives you the firepower to really soak the glue.
  • Let the paper soak for about 15 minutes and scrape it off with a putty knife.

This process will take about 6 hours for an average room, but it's better than how long it would take if you didn't know how to do this.

Avoid Chemical Strippers Because of the Fumes

You can go with chemical wallpaper strippers, which is what the pros use. But the downside is the fumes, and it costs more than using water (of course).

Don't Try the Fabric Softener Trick

You may have heard that using fabric softeners with diluted water will remove wallpaper. Yet, no expert agrees with that method.

In fact, fabric softener makes removing wallpaper even more complicated and messier than just using water, as it ends up mixing the glue with the fabric softener. The fabric softener can also harm drywall.

So when it comes to removing wallpaper, the happiest journey (assuming your walls aren’t primed) involves water — and patience.

Have your home needs changed in the past year? Perhaps you’ve outgrown your present home, or need to downsize to a more suitable home. If you’re ready to make a move, let’s connect and talk about all the amazing opportunities that are available to you!

Is it Better to Buy a Home in Omaha with Cash?

by Nancy Heim-berg

It's common to hear the term "all-cash buyer" during real estate shows. It's often used as a way to sweeten a deal, but what's the reality? You can buy a house in Omaha with cash or with a mortgage, and each has its own pros and cons.

Buying a House with Cash Is Increasingly Uncommon

You're in the minority if you're able to buy a house with cash. Considering the median home sale price is in the mid-300,000s, most people cannot afford it. In 2020, the National Association of Realtors' Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers estimates that around 87% of home buyers finance their purchase.

There is no requirement that you show up with a suitcase full of cash if you have enough savings to buy a home outright.

What it means is that you're not getting a loan. The money may come from savings, the sale of another property, or the use of investments.

The Upsides of Paying Cash

If you can pay cash for a home, there are undoubtedly some benefits, including:

  • Sellers find you more attractive as a buyer. Right now, this is a big deal. Omaha has a limited inventory of homes and a high demand for them. Bidding wars are inevitable. When making an offer, paying cash can help you be more competitive. That’s preferable to sellers because then they don’t have to worry about what happens if your mortgage financing falls through. A cash-only transaction is also usually faster, so you can get to the closing quicker, which sellers tend to like.
  • You don't have to worry about mortgage payments when you buy a house in cash, but you also won't be paying the interest and fees associated with a home loan.
  • Omaha home buyers who pay cash have lower closing costs because they aren't paying fees associated with mortgages like lender fees.
  • It's not just the seller who benefits from a faster closing. It’s advantageous for the buyer as well. You might be able to close on a home within a week of your offer being accepted. If you buy with a mortgage, it can take a month or more.
  • Once you close, the home really is yours. You don’t have the fear of not being able to make the payments and subsequently losing your home.

The Downsides of Paying Cash

There are a few cons of paying cash for a home that you do have to think about as well.

  • There is no liquid money in your account. Your cash won't be easy to access if you use it all to buy a house.
  • If you invest your money in something other than a house, you could make better returns.
  • The mortgage tax deduction will not be available to you. Your taxable income goes down when you itemize deductions for the first $750,000 of mortgage interest.

Talk to a financial professional before buying a house in cash if you're weighing the option. You can discuss all the different scenarios and how that choice could affect you.

Of course, if you’d still have money in savings or investments after buying a house with cash, then it might make the decision easier.

Have your home needs changed in the past year? Perhaps you’ve outgrown your present home, or need to downsize to a more suitable home. If you’re ready to make a move, let’s connect and talk about all the amazing opportunities that are available to you!

Show Mom Your Appreciation with These Special Events in Omaha

by Nancy Heim-berg

Mother's Day may be 2 weeks away, but why wait? If you live in or near Omaha, there are a number of events starting this week that will help you show your appreciation for mom. Here are a few events that will help this be the best Mother's Day ever.

Mother’s Day Market Pop Up Shop
May 6 (1:00 – 5:00 pm) Free

No matter if you are shopping for yourself or someone special, you will be sure to find something unique at The Mother’s Day Market! Come shop for one of a kind gifts while supporting local small businesses! There will be a variety of items including beauty, candles, jewelry, clothing, treats, handmade items, and more! Mingle while shopping from our 40+ local small businesses, enjoy live music, food, raffle prizes, fun activities and more! You won’t want to miss this FREE event so mark your calendars and bring your friends!

Mother’s Day Tea & Cupcake Tasting
May 7 (12:00 – 2:00 pm) $30

Join SmallCakes at Diana’s Tea Shop in Papillion for a tasting like no other! We are excited to pair cupcakes and tea that will dazzle your taste buds. Bring Mom or another loving person in your life and introduce them to the world of flavor.

Each ticket includes:

4 cupcakes,*4 teas, History of teas by tea shop owners Tim & Angie, Cupcake presentation by Amanda from SmallCakes, 1 Entry into drawing for a giveaway of a Mother’s Day giftbox ($25 value!)

Mother’s Day at TCBY
May 8 (all day),  TBA 2023

TCBY is celebrating moms with the first 6 oz. free!

*Participating locations only. Offer valid Sunday, May 8th. Call or see store for details.

A Mother’s Love Inc Presents a Sip & Paint for New/Expecting Mothers 
May 12 (6:00 – 8:30 pm) $25

Come enjoy a night of artistic fun and sipping delicious Ital Vital Juices and smoothies. All supplies will be included. Just bring your creativity. Be sure to wear something you don’t mind getting paint on.

Spring Tea 2023  
May 13, 2023, (12:00 pm & 2:00 pm)  
Adults: $32 Youth under 12: $10

Celebrate Spring and Mother’s Day and join us for tea. Bring your appetite for an afternoon of tasty cakes, dainty sandwiches, and assorted sweets served with a variety of exquisite teas in unique, antique tea cups.

This unique event is perfect for girlfriends, treating someone special or a mom you love to a memorable Mother’s Day outing. Or, give your little one a reason to play dress up and wear her tiara!

Happy Mother's Day!

Have your home needs changed in the past year? Perhaps you’ve outgrown your present home, or need to downsize to a more suitable home. If you’re ready to make a move, let’s connect and talk about all the amazing opportunities that are available to you!

Displaying blog entries 1-5 of 5

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Photo of Heim-Berg Team Real Estate
Heim-Berg Team
Berkshire Hathaway
331 Village Pointe Plaza
Omaha NE 68118
(402) 677-9024
(402) 679-7108 | (402) 830-6123
Fax: 402-493-4805

Stacey OHara CMG financial 515-306-2360

 

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