Jul 26, 2017
There’s not a whole lot of summer left, hopefully you can get away on vacation yet. If you do go away, you’ll want to be sure to follow these tips for taking care of your home before you leave on vacation. As home builders in Omaha, we know how important it is to prevent disaster from happening. These tips for taking care of your home before you leave on vacation will provide you a stress-free vacation.
Of course not all disasters can be prevented, but by following these tips you can prevent some of the worst home accidents from happening.
Taking Care of Your Home Before You Leave for Vacation
Turn off Water – Water damage is the number one cause of damage to a home when the homeowner is away. You can prevent it 100% by turning the water off when you leave for weekends or longer trips. Not only will your home remain water free, but you’ll have peace of mind while you’re gone.
Repair Leaks – If you’re not going to turn off your water main while away, at least be sure to check and repair any leaky faucets. A small drip in the bathroom sink won’t do much damage – it may stain the porcelain depending on your water source – but it can increase your water bill if left untreated. Fix leaky faucets before leaving for vacation.
Stop Newspaper – If you still get the newspaper, remember to have them suspend service while you are away. Alternatively you can ask a neighbor to pick up your newspapers and mail so your home doesn’t look empty and becomes an invitation to would-be burglars.
Stop Mail – Nothing screams an empty home like a mailbox stuffed with mail or packages left at the door. Suspend mail service if you go on vacation. For weekend jaunts it’s fine to ask the neighbors to grab your mail and newspapers, but for longer forays you’ll want to be confident there aren’t packages, magazines and bills strewn all over the front porch.
Clean Garbage Disposal – a 1/2 cup of distilled vinegar down the drain with the disposal running and you can come back to a fresher home. It will eliminate odors that would otherwise build in a closed up home.
Leave a Light On – Leave a light on to make the house look as though someone is home. Today you can find affordable high tech gadgets and apps that can be controlled by your phone while away, but leaving a light on can produce a similar result.
Clean out the Fridge – Before you leave on vacation toss any food in the fridge that will spoil while you are away. Nothing is worse than coming home to refrigerator full of rotten food. Check dates on dairy products too and toss before you leave. Leave an opened box of baking soda for added freshness.
Take a Picture – If you tend to worry about whether or not you turned off the stove, coffee pot, iron or the water you can rest easy. Take a picture of the appliance or valve in the off position so you can reference it easily while away. You’ll have peace of mind and can enjoy your vacation.
Jul 19, 2017
If you’re looking for 3 bedroom home for sale in the Falling Waters community you’ll want to be sure to check out this new home for sale in the Gretna School District. This lovely home features 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a three car garage and many amenities you don’t find in older homes.
Location:
6885 S 199th Street
Omaha, NE
This new home for sale in Omaha has been designed with today’s fast paced lifestyle in mind. The floor plan is open yet intimate, making it perfect for entertaining large family gatherings or smaller get-togethers like book club or the weekend game. The kitchen is open and features a large island perfect for food prep, eating in or even helping with homework. The pantry provides organization and storage out of the way. The dinette is perfect for family dinners at the end of the day.
The kitchen is open to the great room with corner fireplace and plenty of room to make family memories. Whether you’re catching the big game together or having a rousing game of Monopoly, there’s plenty of room for family fun in this great room.
Beyond the great room you’ll find the master bedroom suite and powder room. The master bedroom is spacious with a tiered ceiling and ample room for bed and sitting area. The master bath features a walk-in shower, private commode area and dual vanity. The walk-in closet is spacious with ample storage and organization.
Head up the stairs to the second and third bedroom and loft area. Both bedrooms are spacious with large walk-in closets and shared bathroom with combination shower and tub. The loft is perfect for an upstairs sitting room, game room or study area.
This is a lovely home, perfect for those who are just starting out, looking to pare down or who might want to age in place. The main level provides easy access for those who need wheelchairs or walkers while the upstairs is perfect for live-in help.
If you’d like to learn more about this home for sale in Falling Waters of Omaha, please call Walter Fredrickson at 402-896-9200.
Jul 12, 2017
Here’s an encouraging article from the National Association of Home Builders about how home buying provides a strong boost to the overall economy.
From the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB):
A new consumer spending analysis from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) highlights another reason why home building helps drive a healthy economy: In their first year of ownership, new home buyers spend about $10,601 on appliances, furnishings and home improvement projects – 2.6 times as much as other home owners in a typical year.
NAHB economists studied the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey to help quantify the wave of activity – and cash – spent to install new refrigerators, buy couches and make other improvements as new owners personalize their homes.
“While construction jobs are the most obvious impact of new homes on the economy, it’s important to realize that it doesn’t stop there,” said NAHB Chairman Granger MacDonald, a home builder and developer in Kerrville, Texas.
“It’s the architects, the heating technicians, the lumber suppliers. And it’s the mom-and-pop owners at the local furniture or appliance store who are helping these buyers make their house a home,” he said.
During the first two years after closing on the house, a typical buyer of a newly built single-family home tends to spend on average $4,500 more than a similar non-moving home owner.
A previous NAHB study based on 2004-2007 data collected during the housing boom showed somewhat higher spending by home owners overall. But the tendency of buyers to outspend non-moving owners on appliances, furnishings and home improvements was similar.
In the aggregate, most of the demand for appliances, furnishings and remodeling projects in a given year is generated by non-moving home owners, because they outnumber home buyers by such a wide margin.
But new owners’ impact is noticeable – and vital, MacDonald said. “The health of housing – and new home buying – is key to the overall state of our economy.”
See the study at: http://www.nahb.org/spendingpatterns.
Jul 5, 2017
Summer is heating up and that means there are all kinds of activities and events in Omaha this July! Check out the list below of family friendly events taking place this month. From RiverFest to Gretna Days, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Omaha!
Events in Omaha this July
Stinson Concert Series: The Confidentials
When: July 8th, 2017
Where: Aksarben Village
67th and Center Streets
Omaha, NE
Join your friends every Saturday night in Stinson Park at Aksarben Village for the Saturdays @ Stinson Concert Series, sponsored by First Data, H&H Automotive and DJ’s Dugout. You will be entertained by the most talented bands in Omaha and the best part its FREE! There will be food and drink vendors, face painting, balloon artists, kids will play in the fountain and on the playground equipment. For the concerts you may bring chairs, blankets, an umbrella, and coolers. Please bring koozies for your cans and plastic cups for other drinks as no glass is allowed. Please do not bring tents, canopies or stake anything into the ground. Please have fun and enjoy your time in Stinson Park! Aksarben Village…where there is always something fun going on!
Playing with Fire
When: July 14th – 15th, 2017
Where: Midtown Crossing
31st Avenue and Farnam Street
Omaha, NE
Playing with Fire sizzles along the edges of incendiary blues, rock, funk, R&B, and soul. Even more, Playing with Fire speaks to the heart of the musical community in Omaha. Through grants, corporate, private and fan donations and the amazing hard work of volunteers. Playing with Fire, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, supports local community causes and the youth artist development program, BluesEd, which promotes music awareness and education for the children of the Omaha region.
RiverFest
When: July 21st and 22nd, 2017
Where: Haworth Park
Bellevue, NE
Top notch regional festival involving Live Music, Beer Garden, Kid Zone, Fireworks, Helicopter Rides, Hot Rods at RiverFest Car, Truck & Motorcycle show and State Championship BBQ Competition. An annual event attended by over 30,000 that is filled with fun and food along the banks of the Missouri River at Haworth Park on the third full weekend of July.
Gretna Days
When: July 27th – 30th, 2017
Where: Various Omaha locations
A big slice of Americana well after the Fourth of July! Enjoy a weekend celebration with parade, carnival, golf scramble, tractor pull, shows, beer garden, pool party and fireworks.
Native Omaha Days
When: July 31st – August 7th, 2017
Where: Various Omaha Locations
Omahan’s from around the globe are joining in the week long North Omaha community festival.
Live Music, Dance, Parades, Food and all the best of the best of African American Culture from Omaha. It just keeping bigger ever year so you won’t want to miss this.
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