Apr 22, 2015
Due to the increasing popularity of smart homes, many companies have been able to advance the technology necessary to bring affordably priced smart home products to the market.
People are investing in smart home products every day. Whether it’s an automatic coffee maker, a thermostat, or an entire home security system, many families are making their homes a little bit smarter, and a lot more convenient.
Unfortunately, as with most things, a smart home has its advantages and disadvantages. We hope that this post will help you determine whether a smart home is something you’d like to invest in, or not.
Advantages
Adding Convenience to your Daily Life –
When you convert your home into a smart home, you’ll have all of your products programmed to your specific needs. Additionally being able to control your home, no matter where you are, can be extremely beneficial.
Customization –
There are many smart products on the market right now and you certainly don’t need to buy all of them at once. As the consumer it’s up to you to decide which product you want most, determine if you like it, and then add on to your collection of smart home products as you go.
A good product to start with would be a thermostat or home security system if you’re in the market for either of those.
Security –
Smart home security systems allow you to view your home no matter where you are. You can have cameras installed, motion detectors, locks, etc, and you will be notified immediately if something is out of the ordinary. Many of these systems will even let you know of any unexpected temperature changes so that you’re alerted if there is a possible fire.
Ease of Use –
Almost all smart home products can be installed without much hassle, many of them don’t even require you to bring someone into your home. Additionally if you’re already someone who’s tech savvy, learning how to use most of these products is a breeze.
Save Money and the Environment –
Smart homes feature products like thermostats, air conditioners, and lighting. Having the ability to put these things on a timer, or turn them on and off when you’re away from home will likely help you save money on your electricity bills. Many of these products allow you to track your energy usage and expenditures.
Disadvantages
Cost –
Most families are able to purchase smart home products, but that doesn’t mean it won’t leave a dent in your wallet. You can purchase the products one at a time and it won’t seem like too much, $50 here, $300 there, but by the time you have the smart home system you want, you will likely have spent a larger sum than you would have if you had purchased non-smart products.
Slight Learning Curve –
I know I stated in the advantages that most smart home systems are actually very easy to use, but at the same time there is still somewhat of a learning curve for most people. For anyone already immersed in technology, converting your smart home will be a breeze, but for anyone not so tech savvy, it may make for a lot of time spent reading manuals.
If you think you might have trouble learning how to use a smart home device, the answer may be simple. Ask for help! Asking someone to show you how to run your smart home can far less confusing than trying to make heads or tails of an instruction manual.
Reliability –
A smart home will be extremely reliant on your internet connection. If your connection drops you’ll be left with a lot of smart products that won’t work. Additionally, wireless signals can possibly be interrupted by other electronics in your home and cause some of your smart products to function slowly or not at all.
There are plenty of pros and cons to consider when deciding whether you’d like to convert your home into a smart home. Smart homes aren’t for everyone. They can help bring down your electricity bills, simplify your daily tasks, and help to give you a feeling of security. But for some people smart home product will simply turn into an economic burden. It’s ultimately up to you to decide which category you fall into.
Apr 15, 2015
The color you choose for certain rooms in your home can affect your perception of the space around you. Color can alter your daily mood and help to make a room feel spacious or cramped. Your color choice has a huge effect on how your home will live.
Many people make the mistake of simply choosing the rooms color first, and then building the room around that color. Unfortunately this method does not work. If you pick the color first, the rest of the room’s décor is going to have to focus around that color. The color of the room should accent of the room, the room shouldn’t accent the chosen color.
There are certain things you can do to help you choose the perfect color scheme for the rooms of your home.
Find Inspiration
You can find inspiration anywhere. Whether it’s from a favorite work of art, a picture in a magazine, or images of home décor you’ve found on pinterest, start by collecting these inspiring images in one spot.
Once you’ve found your inspiration try to determine why you like certain images or color schemes over others.
Define the Mood of the Room
Think about what mood you’d like to create in each room. Whether you’re trying to create peace and tranquility in a room or productivity, proper color choice can help achieve these moods.
Use Key Elements in your Home to Help Decide the Color
Make sure to consider the items that already exist in your home. It’s highly likely that you already have some items that you’re planning to put into the room you’d like to paint. When choosing a color keep these items in mind. Look at the colors of rugs, pictures, upholstery, and statement items, and when you’re choosing your paint, try to choose a color that flows with these items.
Consider the Entire House
It’s important to consider how each room of your house flows into the next, especially if you have a home with an open floor plan. In open floor plans, carefully selected accent walls are your best option.
Think about your Lighting
The same color can look very different under different types of lighting. When choosing your paint color you need to consider the type of light that is already in the room, and the type of lighting you’re going to be adding to the room.
If you’d like to make a room have a warm feeling, an incandescent bulb between 2700k and 3000k will work best. If you’d like to make the room feel cooler, a bulb between 3500k and 4100k will work best. Or, if you’d like to imitate the suns natural light, a bulb between 5000k and 6500k should be your choice.
These general guidelines are a great starting point to help you choose the perfect color for your home. The color you choose can have a huge effect on your mood throughout the day, so make sure you choose a color that you enjoy!
Apr 8, 2015
Available immediately is this model, based on our Crescent floor plan, located at 1703 S 211th Street, Omaha, NE. This home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a three stall garage the third stall is a tandem stall. The home was built with livability in mind, and at 1882 sq ft of living space this home is extremely spacious and versatile, and at only $340,000 you had better act soon or this home will be gone!
The three stall garage is perfect for families with multiple cars, or for those who would like to use the additional garage space as a workshop.
If you’re looking for a home that is easy to maintain but has plenty of space for everyone, this beautiful new home in the Quail Hollow Community of Omaha has all the amenities you could ask for but is still a home that is easy to navigate as well as easy to maintain.
The kitchen is gorgeous, warm and open to the great room. It has energy star rated stainless steel appliances and expansive granite countertops that make preparing meals a breeze. This kitchen has beautiful wooden cabinetry that allows for plenty of storage space. Additionally it also has a large pantry where you can store more food and appliances. You’re sure to find a place for everything in this kitchen. The large island is great for preparing, serving and eating at, and is a great addition for families who like to entertain.
The kitchen is openly connected to the great room and the dining room.
The great room features a gas fireplace to add warmth and ambiance to your home, as well as expansive windows. The great room is connected to the kitchen to allow for an open feeling in the home as well as allow light to flow freely throughout the living space, but it is also disconnected from the kitchen in that it has a plush carpet where the kitchen has gorgeous hardwood floors.
If you’re concerned about making the great room a little more intimate than an open floor plan usually allows for, push the thought out of your mind. Making intimate spaces in an open floor plan can be as easy as painting the rooms different colors and using furniture to separate the areas. To learn more about carving out intimate spaces in an open floor plan view our past post. How to Carve Out Intimate Spaces in a Home with an Open Floor Plan.
The master bath has a double vanity that will make getting ready for the day, or bedtime, a breeze. This bathroom also has a large, private, soaking tub, and private toilet. This bathroom is perfect for anyone who comes home from a long day and simply needs to find a place to relax. The master bedroom itself if quite large and has a huge walk-in closet with built in storage racks.
The basement of this home is currently not finished, but if you don’t need the extra room, it’s perfect for storage. If you do decide to finish it, you’ll have an additional bedroom, bathroom, and large recreation room. This home is great for smaller families that want a little room to grow.
The back of this home has a large back yard as well as a back patio that will make BBQ’s a breeze.
To learn more about this new model home for sale in Omaha, NE please contact Regency Homes. If this home isn’t quite what you’re looking for, be sure to take a look at our Available Homes, or our Models and Plans library.
Elevation as shown may not represent base elevation. All Plans are approximate. Some optional items may be shown. Copyright holder will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law for copyright infringement.
Prices subject to change.
Apr 1, 2015
Spring has officially arrived, and there are plenty of excuses to get yourself out of your homes this April. This month there is an Easter event, a horse jumping competition, a health and fitness expo, and an IT convention!
Nano Science Day
When: Saturday, April 4th
10am – 2pm
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum
500 S 20th St, Omaha, NE 68102
Tickets: $9 Adults 16-59 & Kids 2-15, $8 Seniors 60+, FREE for Children under 2 & Members
Enter a minuscule world where materials do special things and new technologies could change our lives. Children and families will enjoy hands-on Nano experiments throughout the museum and special nano science shows!
To learn more, visit their website and view their special events page.
Jones Bros. Cupcakes Easter Egg Hunt
When: Saturday, April 4th
1pm – 3pm
Where: Aksarben Village
67th & Center Streets, Omaha, NE 68106
Meet in Stinson Park at 1pm sharp for an Easter egg hunt and 8,000 eggs filled with toys and candy! The Easter Bunny will be at the Jones Bros. Cupcakes patio. Hop on over and receive a spray tattoo from a Peapod Production artist.
The International Horse Jumping Competition
The exciting event, featuring the highest-level of international riders, will bring three days of family fun to CenturyLink Center Omaha. The main event jumping competition will be held at 7 p.m. on April 10 and 11. During these two days, families can experience all The International Omaha has to offer, through a family-friendly horse expo.The daylong expos, free to the public, will feature many interactive displays and activities designed to educate, entertain and engage attendees of all ages. Expo events will include the opportunity to meet eight different breeds of horses, participate in a treasure hunt, and view demonstrations and many hands-on exhibits, such as The National Pony Club, Mane Street and much more.
When: April 9, 10, 11, 2015
7:00 pm
Where: CenturyLink Center
455 N 10th St, Omaha, NE 68102
(402) 341-1500
Tickets cost $15, $25, and $35 depending on where you sit. The upper bowl seating will cost you between $15 and $25 and the lower bowl will be $35. If you’d like to buy tickets for your entire family, you’re in luck! They also offer a family package of 4 upper bowl tickets for only $50.
Tickets available at all Ticketmaster retail ticket center locations, Ticketmaster charge-by-phone 1 (800) 745-3000, online at Ticketmaster.com or at CenturyLink Center Omaha Box Office.
Omaha Health, Wellness & Fitness Expo
When: Saturday April 11, 10am – 5pm
Sunday April 12, 10am – 4pm
Where: CenturyLink Center
455 N 10th St, Omaha, NE 68102
(402) 341-1500
Tickets: Adults: $9.00
Ages 5-12: $4.50
Ages: 4 & Under: Free
The 2015 Omaha Health Expo is the largest health event pertaining to wellness, fitness, mind and body. Learn how to improve your lifestyle, ways to live longer, better and happier. Learn from the experts and ask them about the benefits. Health seminars will be going on both days. Participate in the Alzheimer’s Walk held on Saturday and the Bike ride on Sunday that will start and finish at the Expo. Don’t miss this year’s kickoff to a healthier lifestyle! For more information, please visithttp://www.showofficeonline.com/omahahealthwellnessfitnessexpo.html.
Infotec 2015
When: Tuesday April 21st
Wednesday, April 22nd
Where: CenturyLink Center
455 N 10th St, Omaha, NE 68102
(402) 341-1500
Tickets: Early Bird Pricing – $315 if purchased before March 15th 2015
Regular Pricing – $350
IT Changes Everything – Discover how tech can transform your business!
Infotec connects technology and business professionals with the latest technology innovations to help drive business forward. The conference is the largest annual gathering of technology professionals, executives, and vendors in the Midwest. Technical breakout sessions, a vibrant exhibition floor, and inspiring keynotes are presented to our community by our community.
For more information, please visit http://infotec.org/.
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