Real Estate Information Archive

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!

Important Factors to Consider in a Construction Company

• Commitment to safety. When undertaking new construction projects it is imperative that safety be the paramount priority of any organization. Ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, having comprehensive insurance and taking every feasible measure to ensure the safety of all workers greatly avoids potential issues on multiple levels. Firstly, there is a moral responsibility to prioritize safety over other aspects of a project. Additionally, there is an economic logic; by prioritizing safety companies drastically reduce their chances of experiencing delays due to accidents. Furthermore, employee morale and thus productivity often increases when employees feel secure in their work environment.
   
• Areas of specialty. What are the areas of expertise and specialty held by this construction company? Are they competent at building the type of house you want?
   
• Options and customization potential. How many options do you have when building a house with this company? Increasingly, construction companies are trying to streamline the design and preparation phase, relying on templates and simple modules for customization. If you're looking for something more unique, you'll need to find a construction company that can accommodate you.
   
• Past work/portfolios. How many houses has this company built? Can you tour some of them? What are the strengths and weaknesses of these houses, as you see them?
   
• Ratings and reviews. It's important to weigh in the opinion of past customers when considering a construction company. Be sure to read all customer ratings and reviews, as they can provide valuable insight into their experiences with the firm. Are there mostly positive or negative critiques? What are some of the most consistent compliments and complaints? Careful analysis of client ratings and reviews will help you get an informed sense of the quality of work this company does.
   
• Pricing and payment schedules. Cost is an important factor when choosing a construction team—some may be pricier than others, for a number of reasons. Make sure to take payment schedules into consideration, too: What are the respective amounts and due dates?
   
• Timelines. When building a new house, the typical timeline is 7-8 months from the point of obtaining permits to completion. However, it is important to note that this duration may extend or shorten depending on a range of factors. Be sure to clearly establish an understanding of the timeline and associated variables before starting the construction process.
   
• Contractors and subcontractors. When it comes to a construction project, it’s important to understand who is handling the work. The construction company no doubt relies on both its employees and contracted subcontractors as needed for each job. It's critical that the work meets quality standards, so make sure you know more about any contractors or subcontractors before committing; be sure to ask for references and reviews from previous customers. Additionally, ensure that all parties are properly insured and licensed so you can have confidence throughout the building process.
   
• Customer service. Client satisfaction is vital to ensure successful communication, organized progress, and an overall positive experience. Are you assigned a project manager for this process? If so, does this individual make themselves available as needed and respond to your queries objectively and truthfully?
   
• Terms and conditions. What other terms and conditions apply to this contract with this construction company? Do they make any assurances or guarantees? What happens if they can’t meet the original timeline? Will the price increase if the cost of materials increase?

Other Important Tips

• Set your priorities in advance. What are your biggest priorities when buying a house? You should know what these are long before you start looking for a construction company. For example, do you have a strict budget that's going to limit your options? Or are you willing to extend your budget if it means completing the house by a certain date?
   
• Shop around. Don't go with the first construction company you encounter. It's important to shop around and review many different options so you can properly evaluate each.
   
• Take your time. This is a huge decision, and not one you can afford to rush. If a construction company representative tries to pressure you into finalizing a deal before you're ready, push back.

Do you have a small bedroom in your Omaha home that you can't seem to fit into? Or maybe you're living in a tiny home in Omaha? The key to making the most out of a small bedroom is to know how to decorate it. There are many tips and tricks that can be used to decorate a small bedroom and make it look great. With a little creativity and ingenuity, a small bedroom (or home) can be transformed into a cozy and inviting space. 

Storage Beds

Space is a major problem in small bedrooms. An effective way to tackle this is to get multi-purpose furniture or beds. This way, you can make the most of the limited space you have.

Additionally, sofa-cum-beds are a great option for those who want to save even more space. They can significantly free up a lot of space, allowing you to make the most of the space you have.

Raise Your Storage

An effective way to create storage and leave space on your bedroom floor is to build shelves on the walls. This can be done by utilizing the vertical space in your room and installing shelves from the floor to the ceiling. This will allow you to store items such as books, clothes, and other belongings up off the ground, creating more floor space.

Additionally, you can also use this space to hang lamps or other decorations, further freeing up the floor area. With this measure, you can significantly reduce the clutter in your bedroom and create a more organized and spacious environment.

Awkward Corners

If your bedroom has weird angles, you can find creative ways to turn them into shelves or cupboards for storage. Look online for inspiration and ideas that will help you make the most of the space.

Lighten Up

When decorating a room, make sure to not cover up windows and allow plenty of light to come in. This will create an illusion of airiness and make the room feel more open. To further this effect, use lighter color curtains to make the space seem more minimalistic and less cluttered. Doing so will give the room a look of freshness and take away the compact, closed feeling.

Use Mirrors

Mirrors can be a great way to add dimension and make a room look larger. When placed in front of a window or light source, the reflection creates an optical illusion of more space. This can give a room a chic and spacious look at the same time.

Visual Trickery 

One of the major drawbacks of small rooms is the height of the ceiling. However, you can use visual tricks to give the illusion of more height and room. For instance, you can hang curtains from the ceiling to the floor to make the walls look longer.

Alternatively, you can choose a longer headboard for your bed or a poster bed to complement the size of your room. Moreover, you can try painting the ceiling and the walls to give the illusion of a larger un-ending room.

Add Dimension

When choosing a statement wallpaper or paint color for the wall behind your bed you have a few options. Lighter colors will create an airy atmosphere, while darker colors will make the room feel cozier.

Alternatively, you could opt for alcove walls to give the illusion of more space. Horizontal wall paneling is also a popular choice as it adds width to the room. Ultimately, the decision is yours and should be based on the vibe you want to create.

Multi-purpose Furniture 

Instead of trying to fit every piece of furniture into a small room, look for multi-purpose furniture. This is one of the most cost-effective decorating ideas for a small room. For example, you can get a workspace that doubles as a vanity. This will save you both space and money.

Additionally, you can get a dresser that doubles as a nightstand. This will provide you with a convenient place to store important accessories.

The purpose of decorating any space is to make it your own. Creating a space that is uniquely yours should be a fun and individualistic process. When decorating a bedroom, it is important to make sure it is comfortable and relaxing. These tips can help make the process easier and can be applied to any small space.

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!

Whether you have been in your house for two years or two decades, there comes a point where things start to feel stale and you may even catch yourself daydreaming about a different, newer home. Unless you have the budget (and patience) for a home renovation, you may be wondering how you can breathe new life into your current home. 

In today’s blog we are going to be covering five ways for you to fall back in love with your home all over again through a couple of simple changes. Let’s dive in:

-Getting organized is a great way to revitalize your space and make your home feel larger and more alive. Spend some time getting rid of junk, clutter and items that you don’t need/use in areas such as drawers, shelves, closets, countertops, etc. With the items that are remaining utilize organizers such as boxes, bins and holders to make your rooms feel new and manageable. 

-A fresh coat of paint is a great and cost effective way to completely transform the look and feel of your home. You can express your style and personality with a fun accent wall color or go crazy with funky color in the spare bedroom. You will be amazed how much paint can transform your space and make your home feel fresher, newer and brighter.

-Lighting is another feature of a home that can drastically impact the feel of any room.  Updating light fixtures, incorporating lamps and even cleaning windows can bring more light in and brighten up your entire space. 

-Adding an area rug is a relatively small change that can make a big impact on a room. Utilizing a larger rug can make a room can appear larger and add warmth, color and texture to any space. 

-Lastly, rearranging furniture has transformative powers to when it comes to changing the way you feel about your home. You can make a space feel brand new by moving existing furnishings around and even adding in new pieces here and there. You will feel like you are vacationing in your own home!

Selling your Omaha, NE home? Allow our team of professional, knowledgable and trustworthy real estate agents to go to work for you! Additionally, don't miss our "Seller Tips" page here! 

If you are looking to sell your Omaha home, chances are you have made a list (either on paper or in your head) of all the projects and improvements you would like to complete before the listing goes live. This can be a stressful time for homeowners and many of the tasks you've outlined may seem daunting from a time perspective as well as a budget. 

Don’t let that discourage you. Here are five areas to focus your efforts to get a great start:

1. While decluttering your home, be ruthless in what you purge. Whether you are selling, donating, or throwing things away, you want to ensure any items that are left in your home are intentional. Potential buyers want to be able to see themselves living in the space, so an uncluttered, neutral space allows them a clean slate to envision their lives in your home. 
2. Details matter! Walk through each room of your home with a discerning eye. Check light switches, baseboards, light fixtures, door handles & hinges, flooring, and walls. Make a list of any and all damage that needs to be fixed. Small items like patches in a wall or replacement of switches or hinges are fairly easy. However, if you find you need faucet replacements or larger items, you may want to hire a handyman to take the stress off of you and knock out chunks of your list at once. 
3. A fresh coat of paint is a great way to refresh almost every room of your home. Not only will it look brighter, it also gives the room and home a "new home" feel. As a side note- remember to choose a neutral palette in your color choices. This allows your potential home buyers to decorate according to their personal style. 
4. You never get a second chance at a first impression. Knowing this, give your front porch and yard a little extra TLC. Look into low-cost projects that offer big-impact curb appeal such as porch lights, new house numbers, a fresh mailbox, welcoming doormat, planters and/or a wreath for the front door. 
5. Finally, we can’t overstate just how important it is to give your home a thorough, deep clean before potential buyers start to tour the space. If you don’t have the time to do this yourself, look into hiring a cleaning service to make sure each surface is shiny-clean and your home is able to put its best foot forward. This includes cabinets, closets, the basement, and the garage. 

If you are looking to sell your Omaha, NE house, be sure to contact our team for more information. Our dedicated, knowledgeable agents are here to provide you with the expert services you need.

With Omaha experiencing exceptionally cold weather, we thought it would be the perfect time to discuss ways in which you can protect your home against the elements. Below we have listed six things you can do to ensure your home is safe during these chilly temperatures. Let’s dive in: 

1. -Ensure all holes and cracks in your home are sealed prior to temperatures dropping. This is a great project to conduct annually as even the smallest holes allow freezing air in and warm indoor air out. 
2. -Make sure your home is properly insulated! It not only increases indoor comfort but also helps with energy savings. Pay special attention to areas such as exterior walls, unheated garages, and attics. Insulation also protects pipes running through exterior walls. 
3. -A great way to ensure that pipes don’t freeze and burst (and cause a major headache) is to wrap exposed pipes, especially in unheated spaces such as attics and crawl spaces. Pro tip: Insulation sleeves are a great item to use for this! 
4. -Maintain a steady level on your thermostat. While it is common to lower your heating levels at night, it is important to keep an even level of heat during the daytime hours.  Continually switching up the heating temp can cause issues with the materials in your home and attics and basements. 
5. -To avoid ice from forming on the roof of your home, take some time to make sure the gutters are clean. You can also look into gutter screens which is a great tool to help prevent leaves from clogging this area. 
6. -Protect the water pipes in your home by disconnecting garden hoses, shutting off water sources to outdoor faucets, and draining the lines. 

​For more homeowner tips and real estate updates, make sure to follow us on our Facebook page and check our blog frequently. 

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With the new year in full swing, many homeowners find themselves eager and invigorated to finally tackle those pesky home improvement projects that have been sitting on the “to-do” list for ages. And while there are some DIY projects that can be completed with minimal headaches and fuss, there are some that are better left to the professionals. In today’s blog post we are going to be discussing five home DIY projects to avoid. Let’s dive in:

1. Redoing plumbing in the bathroom: It is strongly advised to call in a professional when it comes to redoing the plumbing in the bathroom. A running toilet is one thing, but there are serious risks, such as flooding and electrocution, that arise when tackling this on your own without the proper expertise. ​

2. Removing chipped paint: If you live in an older home there is a high probability that lead-based paint was used throughout. Even a job as simple as removing chipped paint has the potential to pose serious health issues if proper precaution is not taken. A professional has the experience necessary to keep everyone safe and get the job done right. 

3. Repairing drywall: Just because you have the tools and instructions on how to drywall a room does not mean that you should. Skill and extensive knowledge is required to ensure the job is done well and unfortunately many DIY jobs aren’t completed correctly. 

4. Window replacement: It’s true that replacing old, drafty windows can lower your utility bills. However, this statement only holds true if the job is done correctly. Any mistakes made during the installation process could leave your home vulnerable to the elements and costing you more in the long run. 

5. Drilling into walls: This task may seem simple enough, but it can be dangerous for amateurs who aren’t familiar with the wires and pipes that are potentially running behind the wall. Mistakes can lead to electrocution, a gas leak or a burst pipe if done incorrectly. 

Even though the official start of winter is still two weeks away, the cold weather has officially landed in Omaha, NE! 

Now is a great time to start preparing your home for the chilly months ahead. Below we have listed a few tasks that aren’t too time consuming and will make a big difference in protecting your home from the low temperatures. Let’s dive in:

-If you frequently use your fireplace during the winter months, be sure to have it thoroughly cleaned by a chimney sweep. This will ensure any creosote buildup, nests and debris are removed, which can be not only dangerous for your health but become a fire hazard as well. This is also a great time to inspect the chimney for cracks and check that the furnace or boiler is running safely and efficiently. 

-While we are on the topic of reducing the risk of house fires, checking the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should also be on your list this winter. During the chilly winter months, 27 percent of structure fires are caused by heating (according to the U.S. Fire Administration). You can understand the importance and necessity of these detectors working properly in your home to keep you and your family safe.

-A crucial part of preparing your home for winter is ensuring that pipes don’t freeze. As water freezes it expands, and the expanding is what causes pipes to burst (and a migraine to set in). To avoid this you will want to insulate all the pipes throughout your home that are near doors, windows and in any other areas that are not heated. Additionally, you will want to ensure the heat is not set lower than 55 degrees fahrenheit and to drain the garden hose/sprinklers if you have them. 

-Lastly, go to each ceiling fan in your home and set it to the reverse direction.  On most models there is a switch that will allow the fan blades to spin clockwise. Allowing the blades to run in a clockwise direction will push the heated air down and thus create a warmer, cozier atmosphere during the chilly winter months. 

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!

There is something to be said about the charm and character that comes along with buying an older home. And while you should always check on various areas of the house you are purchasing, plumbing is one that should not be overlooked - especially if you are eyeing an older property. 

Below we have listed some areas in the plumbing department that should be checked on prior to finalizing the sale of a new home. Doing so could save you time, money and major headaches down the road. Let’s dive in:

-Checking the age of the water heater is very important. If you find that it’s more than ten years old, it more than likely is time to replace it. Also, identifying the location of the water heater is a good indicator of potential damage that could arise if it were to leak and allows you to plan accordingly. 

-Go through each toilet in the house and check for leaks and/or damage at the base, as well as discoloration, rocking or warping. You will also want to go through and flush the toilets to ensure there are no clogs. 

-Depending on the occupancy of the house over the last few years, you may find rust or corrosion when turning on the tap water. It is better to know the condition prior to moving in and plan for those costs if repairs need to be made. 

-Bringing in an expert to check the sewer line in the street via video camera is a great way to detect potential issues such as corrosion, clogs, etc. - all of which can damage the line and cause major issues down the line.

-Water supply pipes are another major area to investigate. Finding out when they were installed and if they were ever replaced, as well as what type of material they are can make a huge difference in potential repairs and/or needing to replaced prior to move in.

Be sure to check back each week for more real estate and Omaha, NE community information! Also, are you following us on Facebook? If not, be sure to check us out here! 

Homeowners across the country are becoming more aware of their impact on the environment and searching for ways to live a more sustainable lifestyle. One way to achieve this is by improving aspects of their home to align with their eco-friendly mission.

By making your house more sustainable you are not only helping the world around you, but it can actually lower the cost of running your home. This is achieved by saving energy, maintenance and water on appliances and systems, all while making a healthier environment for your family. 

Before we jump into actionable ways to improve your surroundings, we first wanted to clearly define what it means to have a ‘sustainable home.’ This refers to a house that is either built or retrofitted to be efficient while optimizing water and energy usage through the use of low-impact, high-performance materials. Due to the high-quality of the materials, systems tend to last longer and have fewer issues, which results in less waste in the environment. 

1. Energy efficient light bulbs have gained popularity in the last few years as homeowners become more educated on their effectiveness and ability to save money. These bulbs use less electricity compared to traditional ones and don’t need to be replaced nearly as often. 

2. Installing a low-flow or aerated shower head can decrease water consumption by forty percent or more. It is also a great way to conserve water while saving energy and money.

3. Properly insulating your home is another great way to cut back on energy consumption and a great avenue to save money. A home that is well-insulated is able to properly hold in heat, meaning less energy is required to keep your home at the ideal temperature. Be sure to check the walls, roof and window insulation as these are common areas for leaks to happen. 

4. When it comes to selecting materials, there are a few areas to consider that can help your home be more sustainable. Reclaimed wood, cork and bamboo are great options for flooring and/or furniture and opting for water-based paints that contain natural pigments are a great eco-friendly alternative to oil-based.