Feb 24, 2016
Thinking about building your dream home, but don’t really know where to start? There are many mistakes to avoid when building a new home in Omaha. Of course you’ll be sure to check references and look at other homes the builder has built. That’s a given and something everyone would know to do without prior home building experience. If this is your first time building a new home you might feel overwhelmed and end up overlooking some obvious and not so obvious issues that could turn into big mistakes. Building a new home is time consuming, it costs a large amount of money, though arguably less than buying a used home in many cases, and if you don’t know where to start it can be overwhelming. This guide can help you avoid the bigger mistakes that many home owners have faced.
Top mistakes to avoid when building a new home
- Poor Planning – Planning is everything and your builder should be asking you how you and your family live in your home so he can design a home that is just right for you. Important things to consider are the size of your family – will it grow in the future? Do you like to spend your time at home or are you out most nights? Will you have pets in the new home? Do you plan on aging in place? How long until retirement? These are just some of the important questions you and your builder should discuss as you plan out your new home.
- Closed Floor Plan – What used to be a maze of living room, dining room, kitchen, pantry and mud room has turned into a main level that is easy to navigate, offers more space, and is better designed. Open floor plans have been trending for many years and it doesn’t look to change anytime soon. Still, many people prefer to have rooms that can be shut off from the rest of the house like an office or craft room. The choice is yours so let your builder know what you want.
- Master Bedroom in the Wrong Location – Choosing where to place the master bedroom is important if you’re planning on aging in place – you may want it on the main level to reduce stair climbing in later years. If you’re younger, you may want the bedroom as far away from the noise of the house – noise generated by teenagers. Depending on the style of floor plan you choose, the location of the bedroom is extremely important.
- Laundry in the Basement – Where you place your laundry room can have a big impact on how you manage your home. If you put it in the basement, you’ll be walking up and down stairs a lot. On the first floor you’re going to hear the machines while eating a meal or watching TV. The trend has been to put the laundry room on the same level as the bedrooms. This placement reduces the need to climb up and down the stair with baskets of laundry. Put the laundry room in a location that is convenient yet away from the main entertaining areas.
- Bonus Rooms – Who doesn’t want a fitness room or a craft room? No one, but if those rooms never get used you’ve wasted space and money. Additionally, unused rooms end up collecting all the stuff you don’t know what to do with but don’t want to throw away or donate. Don’t build a specialized room unless you know you’re going to utilize it.
- Electrical and Low Voltage – You can never have too many outlets so make sure you have enough in your home so you never need to use another extension cord. The same goes for in home wifi, and cable outlets. Install a system that can grow with you as tech evolves.
The bottom line is you want to have great communication with your new home builder. You can avoid many of the mistakes listed above simply be being an attentive and proactive homeowner. Let your builder know what you want and don’t let them talk you into something you don’t want or don’t need.
Feb 17, 2016
This month’s featured floor plan is the Sandlewood. The Sandlewood is a lovely ranch style home with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, a spacious 2 car garage, and 1754 square feet all on one level. This ranch style home is an affordable floor plan priced between $250k and $300k making this floor plan perfect for the first time homeowner or someone who is looking to build a custom home for the first time.
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The main level of this lovely floor plan includes a spacious master bedroom suite. The master bath has a soaking tub and separate shower, private toilet, and large walk in closet. You can choose to vault the ceiling in the master bedroom. The master bedroom is located at the rear of the house providing privacy and quiet.
Located in the front of the home are the other two bedrooms. Both bedrooms are spacious with plenty of closet space and located just steps away from the main bathroom. Either of these rooms would also make a wonderful study, craft room or home office.
Continue down the hallway to the back of the home to partake in the Great Room! The great room is nearly 20ft by 20ft with a corner fireplace and open into the kitchen. The kitchen features an open dinette, large island and butler’s pantry where the laundry is located! Access to the two car garage is through the pantry where optional lockers can be placed for added storage and organization.
The lower level of this ranch home has an area for a large family room or entertainment area, a 4th bedroom and 3rd bath, and plenty of storage!
Sandlewood Floor Plan
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Garages: 2
Actual Floors: 1
Square Ft.: 1754
Contact Regency Homes of Omaha to learn more about this lovely and affordable home. Call 402-916-9883 to find out more!
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Feb 10, 2016
Excitement is building for the 50th Annual Omaha Home & Garden Expo to be held Thursday, February 18th through Sunday, February 21st at the CenturyLink Center Omaha, 10th Street & Capitol Ave. The Omaha Home & Garden Expo unites with the Omaha Lawn, Flower and Patio Show to become the Most Complete showcase of the latest products and services for the Home – Inside and Out!
This year’s Show will combine all the latest ideas for today’s home consumers. From kitchens, bathrooms and home improvement products and services to the beautiful aroma of spring! Stroll the areas largest and most colorful showcase of beautifully landscaped gardens with ponds, waterfalls and blooming flowers. Uniting the two shows into one presentation becomes “the Home and Garden Event of the year in the Omaha area” says Mike Mancuso, Show Director.
This four-day multi-event extravaganza will have attractions for adults and children alike.
Whether you are looking for ways to remodel your home, decorate, build a new one or explore creative landscaping, you’ll find millions of ideas and everything for the home – inside and out. The Expo is an excellent opportunity for home consumers to view the latest innovations, compare products and visit with experts in the industry. At this year’s Expo you’ll find a wide variety of products and ideas for the do-it-yourselfers, interior decorating trends, contractor services, energy-saving products, patio furniture, lawn and garden equipment, room additions, replacement & new windows, doors, siding, roofing, fireplaces, bathrooms, kitchens and much more with over hundreds of displays.
The Show offers Lawn & Garden Ideas and solutions with an opportunity to visit The Greater Omaha Garden Clubs and “Ask the Master Gardener” Answer Desk. More Americans than ever are discovering the joys of gardening. National surveys show that millions of Americans spend time gardening, making it the country’s #1 leisure time activity. There is also a surge in water gardening, developing a peace and serenity of their own. The 2016 Show will again feature informative programs in the Show’s Garden Theater.
“For the Midwest home consumer, it is the time when they can find the indoor and outdoor products needed all at one time and in one place,” said Mike Mancuso, President of Mid-America Expositions, Inc., the Show Producer. In addition, Mancuso said, “You can pick up ideas at the show and adapt them to everyday living. If you’re looking for ideas, products, services, tremendous savings, or if you are going to build, remodel, decorate or landscape, this is your opportunity to do so in a relaxed and casual atmosphere.”
The 50th Annual Omaha Home & Garden Expo and Annual Omaha Lawn, Flower & Patio Show exhibits will be open to the public Thursday, February 18, from 5 PM to 9 PM; Friday, February 19, from 11 AM to 9 PM; Saturday, February 20, from 10 AM to 7 PM and Sunday, February 21, from 11 AM to 5 PM.
Feb 3, 2016
Ah, February – that time of year when we all start getting the itch to get back outside. It’s during these dark days when many of us start mentally planning our spring and summer gardens. Thankfully it’s Home and Garden Show season with several scheduled in the next few weeks. If the DIY scene isn’t your scene, there are still many great events in Omaha this February for you and your family to attend.
Events in Omaha the February:
Saddlebrook Super Bowl Event
When: Saturday, February 6th | 1-3pm
Where: Saddlebrook Community Center
Come celebrate the Super Bowl a day early with Saddlebrook Community Center and the Library with a kick competition and other games!
KANEKO | WATER
When: February 5th – April 23rd
Where: KANEKO, 1110 Jones Street
WATER is essential to life, at times calming, at other times powerful and difficult to control; seemingly abundant, but increasingly scarce. Exploring and understanding WATER in a multitude of forms – as a conduit for transportation and civilization, as an environmental resource, and as one of nature’s most versatile tools – is the theme of KANEKO’s Spring 2016.
WATER will explore issues impacting water quality and sustainability both within the midwestern region and globally. These concepts will be highlighted through the combination of scientific data and fine art, while encouraging visitors to consider their own relationship with water – how water impacts our community, our health, and our perspectives.
Science and Art Exhibit
When: Saturday, February 6th | 1-3pm
Where: Strategic Air & Space Museum
28210 West Park Highway
Ashland, NE 68003
Science & Art traveling exhibit is organized into five “mini” exhibits featuring projects created by artists who have specific masteries in scientific areas. The displays are designed to show that art and science have much in common while experiencing science from a fresh point of view. The displays show how art can be used to convey scientific ideas. Come see how a nanometer of water can be fun, how Origami uses geometry, why a worm is considered art, and how music is created from a micro-chip.
From Nebraska to the World: Buffalo Bill’s Wild West
When: Now through May 1st
Where: The Durham Museum
801 South 10th Street
Omaha, NE 68108
On May 19, 1883, an American legend was born. William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody held his first Wild West show in Omaha, Nebraska. Just a few years later, the show was traveling the world, providing a highly dramatic, highly romanticized glimpse into the fading frontier of the American Old West. Buffalo Bill’s depiction of cowboys, Indians, sharpshooters and rough riders influenced Hollywood and history alike, reshaping the American experience in the process.
The Durham Museum is proud to present From Nebraska to the World: Buffalo Bill’s Wild West, an exciting exhibition developed in partnership with the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, exploring the contributions of Nebraska and Iowa to the worldwide phenomenon. From the first show in Omaha in 1883, the exhibition will trace the colorful characters, the spectacle, the rise and fall and the lasting impact of the traveling show. The exhibition features numerous artifacts, photographs and rare video footage of one of the show’s final performances.
Among the items on display will be Buffalo Bill’s buckskin coat, personal travel kit, saddle and Nebraska National Guard Medal; a shotgun and Winchester rifle used by Buffalo Bill and his partner in the show; and Annie Oakley’s rifle, glove, pistol case, target disc and balls. From Nebraska to the World offers a unique opportunity to reexamine Buffalo Bill, the American icon, from a local perspective, and will be The Durham Museum’s first exhibition of the exciting 2016 year.
Omaha Home and Garden Expo
When: February 18th – 21st | 1-3pm
Where: Century Link Center
445 N 10th St.
Omaha, NE
This year’s Show will combine all the latest ideas for today’s home consumers from kitchens, bathrooms and home improvement products and services to the Smells of SPRINGTIME! A chance to stroll the Area’s Largest and Most Colorful Showcase of beautifully landscaped gardens with ponds, waterfalls and blooming flowers with the largest Home Expo presented in the Omaha Area. Uniting the two shows into one presentation becomes “the Home and Garden Event of the year in the Omaha area” says Mike Mancuso, Show Director.
The Omaha Home & Garden Expo is a showcase of the latest products and services available and will have experts at the Show discussing ways you can improve your home and help the environment. In most homes as much as half of all the energy used in the home is wasted. The City of Omaha Recycling Department, Keep Omaha Beautiful and others will be sharing how you can be involved. The Show will have a Fresh Local showcase featuring locally grown plants, and products made in the Omaha area.
The Show offers Lawn & Garden Ideas and solutions with an opportunity to visit The Greater Omaha Garden Clubs and “Ask the Master Gardener” Answer Desk. More Americans than ever are discovering the joys of gardening. National surveys show that millions of Americans spend time gardening, making it the country’s #1 leisure time activity. There is also a surge in water gardening, developing a peace and serenity of their own. The 2016 Show will again feature informative programs in the Show’s Garden Theater.
Feb 1, 2016
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_text]Square Ft.: 2657
Bedrooms: 4 + Bonus Room
Garages: 3
Community: North Shore
Agent: Colleen LeVier
Phone 402-614-6088[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_text]Price: Sale Pending
Bathrooms: 4
Plan: Northbrook 2440
School District: Papillion-La Vista Schools
Availability – Sale Pending[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_content_boxes settings_lvl=”parent” layout=”timeline-vertical” columns=”1″ icon_align=”left” title_size=”” title_color=”#ffffff” body_color=”#ffffff” backgroundcolor=”#4e748b” icon_circle=”no” icon_circle_radius=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordersize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordersize=”” icon_size=”” icon_hover_type=”” link_type=”” link_area=”” linktarget=”” animation_delay=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.1″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=””][fusion_content_box title=”” icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordersize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordersize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”no” image=”” image_width=”35″ image_height=”35″ link=”” linktext=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=””] PLANS[/fusion_content_box][/fusion_content_boxes][fusion_text]
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[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_content_boxes settings_lvl=”parent” layout=”timeline-vertical” columns=”1″ icon_align=”left” title_size=”” title_color=”#ffffff” body_color=”#ffffff” backgroundcolor=”#4e748b” icon_circle=”no” icon_circle_radius=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordersize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordersize=”” icon_size=”” icon_hover_type=”” link_type=”” link_area=”” linktarget=”” animation_delay=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.1″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=””][fusion_content_box title=”” icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordersize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordersize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”no” image=”” image_width=”35″ image_height=”35″ link=”” linktext=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=””] PHOTOS[/fusion_content_box][/fusion_content_boxes][fusion_text]
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[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_content_boxes settings_lvl=”parent” layout=”timeline-vertical” columns=”1″ icon_align=”left” title_size=”” title_color=”#ffffff” body_color=”#ffffff” backgroundcolor=”#4e748b” icon_circle=”no” icon_circle_radius=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordersize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordersize=”” icon_size=”” icon_hover_type=”” link_type=”” link_area=”” linktarget=”” animation_delay=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.1″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=””][fusion_content_box title=”” icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordersize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordersize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”no” image=”” image_width=”35″ image_height=”35″ link=”” linktext=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=””] MAP[/fusion_content_box][/fusion_content_boxes][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_map address=”10124 S 124th Avenue, Papillion, NE” type=”roadmap” map_style=”default” overlay_color=”” infobox=”default” infobox_background_color=”” infobox_text_color=”” infobox_content=”” icon=”” width=”100%” height=”300px” zoom=”16″ scrollwheel=”yes” scale=”yes” zoom_pancontrol=”yes” animation=”yes” popup=”yes” class=”” id=””][/fusion_map][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding=”” margin_top=”20px” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_text]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.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
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