What are Home Projects for Summer?

Labor Day is the official end of summer.  Which means back to the school grind and fall weather on the horizon.  This also means that you have a few months to get all of your summer projects done before it’s too late.

Roofing Repairs and Installs- Have a professional come and inspect your roof to ensure you don’t have any leaks or need a repair.  Waiting too long can cost you even more money.

Tree Service- Winter can cause damage to your trees and even kill some of your branches. Having the dead and broken branches cleared out can save your home.

Major Remodels- Home remodels can be a great investment, but they can also be stressful. Starting a remodel while the weather is still mild will make it easier for the prod to prep your home.

Gutter Cleaning- Before the big storms come, make sure your gutters are clean to ensure they don’t get backed up. Backed up gutters can lead to unexpected water in your home.

Landscaping- The ideal temperatures to redo your landscaping is when it is still a little cooler.  Waiting until it’s the end of summer or starting it early will help grow your new landscape.

Window Installation- Having new windows can save you tons of money of your energy.  They will keep the hot air out and cool air in.

Decks and Porches- Having a relaxing night on your porch or deck can be just what the doctor ordered! Make sure your furniture is stable and there are no issues with your porch or deck.

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What are Home Improvements that Will Save You Money on Energy?

Who doesn’t want to save on their energy costs? It can take a financial strain on everyone especially during the heat of the summer and the cold of the winter. It can also cost you the sale of your home if it is not up to code. There are many ways to save on energy.

Weather Stripping- Weather stripping is a process that involves sealing up all those small cracks and drafts in your home where the outside meets the inside.

Check Your Insulation- Having properly insulated home means that your summertime cooling costs will be lower than uninsulated homes.

Install “Low Flow” Water Fixtures- Low flow fixtures are additions to your faucets to make water flow at a slower rate. Less water means more savings.

Install Ceiling Fans- Help move air around your home with ceiling fans. They will help circulate air and typically far more energy efficient than air conditioners.

Invest in a Tankless Water Heater- Tankless water heaters save you money because they only heat water as you need it.

What are Summer Maintenance Projects to Do Around the Your Home?

Summer is coming and it may seem like your “to-do” list is adding up.  But there’s no point of waiting until the heat of the summer to start your list.  There are many things that need to be done to the outside and inside of your home.

Exterior Paint Touch-Ups- Winter can be rough on the exterior of your home with the weather change, so touch up the spots on your home that need it.  If you don’t have the exact color, take a paint sample to a local hardware store to match it.

Wash the Exterior Windows- Let the sun shine in! Wash your exterior windows to clean off the dust and dirt from the spring.

Replace Damaged Windows and Screens- Having your windows open during a nice summer day can help add fresh to your home but make sure all of your windows and screens aren’t damaged. The worst thing you would want is for bugs to come into your home.

Clean or Replace You’re A/C Filter- We all know a Nebraska summer can be hot! You wouldn’t want you’re A/C to go out because you didn’t replace your filter.

Get Your Patio Summer Ready- Inspect your patio to ensure there is no damage from winter. Remove your furniture from storage and clean it before setting it up.

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How to Improve Your Credit Score?

Your credit score, the three-digit number that helps lenders decided whether or not you are approved for a loan.  The higher your scores, the more likely you are to qualify for loans and credit cards on favorable terms which can save you money.  If your credit score is low, it’s important to improve your score before you apply for a loan.  Here’s how you can improve your score.

Pay your bills on time- When lenders review your credit report and request a credit score for you, they’re very interested in how reliable you are when it comes to paying your bills. 

Get credit for making utility and cell phone payments on time- If you’ve been making utility and cell phone payments on time, there will soon be a way for you to improve your score by factoring in these payments.

Pay off debt and keep balances low on credit cards- Pay off your credit cards either over a period of time or every month.  Try to keep your monthly balances low and not over spend.

Apply and open new credit accounts as needed- Don’t open accounts to have a better credit mix- it won’t improve your score and can harm it. 

Don’t close unused credit cards- Keep unused credit cards open as long as they aren’t costing you annual fees.

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It’s no secret, selling your home can be a whirlwind.  One thing you may not be thinking of is what role does your security system play in both your home’s selling value and the value to your next destination. 

Use it as a selling point- Use your security system as a selling point to attract a new owner.  If your home is pre-wired for a security system, don’t forget to mention that.

Talk to your provider- If your provider offers monthly subscriptions, contact them to inform them you will be moving.  Ask them how to transfer the new service to a new owner and how you can add their service to your new home.

Take portable products with you- If your home has WIFI-connected smart cameras and lights- take them with you.

Upgrade when you move- If you love the latest gadgets, add them to your new home and upgrade them in your new home.

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How to Remodel Your Bathroom on a Budget

Taking on a remodeling project can cause anxiety and stress especially if you don’t know where to start or have the right budget set up.  But remodeling your bathroom can be simple and as detailed as you want it to be. Once you set up your budget, there are simple ways to remodel your bathroom without breaking the bank.

Add New Tile- Simple way to give your countertops looking new and fresh is by adding new tile.  Adding new tile is simple and can be done without a professional.

Refresh Bathroom Fixtures- Replace or refinish your existing fixtures to add an updated look. You don’t need to replace the cabinets or shower/tubs to add a new look.

Paint or Refinish the Floors- Paint your floors instead of replacing them or stain the floors if you have wood flooring.

Choose Light Colors- Adding a fresh coat of paint can do wonders for sprucing up your bathroom. Choose a light color to make the room look bigger and more open.

Get Chandeliers- Turn the focal point of the room onto an elegant chandelier.  Choose a piece that draws attention to it.

How to Ensure Your First Mortgage Gets Approved?

Planning on buying your first home can be nerve-racking but it can also be exciting at the same time. Taking the first step to your future home is making sure you can get approved for the loan.  Mortgages sometimes are not easy to come by and you may have to submit additional information to ensure you get approved.

Document Your Income- When you are submitting your loan application, make sure you submit your correct income with your tax returns from the last 2-3 years.  You will also have to submit documents proving your income is still the same and you are currently employed.

Shine Your Credit Score- Lenders may require a higher credit score these days than years prior.  Be sure to check your credit score before looking at homes and submit a pre-approval to a mortgage lender.

Buy the Right Property- Make sure your pre-approval from your lender doesn’t come with any contingencies such as having your home as a rental property or an owner-occupied home.

Get the Right Appraiser- Your lender will contact an appraiser to take a look at your home to ensure you are not overpaying for your home and your loan will be approved.

Pick the Right Lender- Pick a lender you trust and is willing to work with you. Your lender will be helpful when it comes to giving you the correct guidance and information about your loan.

How to Decide on the Perfect Paint Color?

Home improvement projects can be fun, but they can also be scary.  Putting that first coat of paint on your walls can be difficult if you aren’t sure if it’s the right color. It can also be a big investment if you truly aren’t satisfied with the color you picked.  Find out how you can pick the perfect color:

Don’t Pick Your Paint Color First- First pick all the furniture and décor you want to go in the room you intend to paint first. Once you have selected that, it’s time to pick your paint color. 

Use an Inspiration- Use a color board or build your room online to help match paint colors. You may even explore Pinterst for ideas or have a favorite piece in your home to match the color.

Go with the Neutrals- Don’t avoid color all together but you don’t want to go over the top with colors.  Color can be good, but you need to decide which wall or room you want the attention to go to.

Get Samples- Select a few colors you like and test them in the room you are painting. Select the best color that goes with your décor, furniture and natural light.

Select the Correct Sheen- If your room has a lot of flaws, choose a sheen that has little sheen as possible.  Choosing a flat sheen will help with hiding flaws in your room.

What are 5 Extra Storage Spaces You Many Not Have Thought Of?

After living in your home for a while, you may not notice all the “new” places to store your items. If storage was available you would think that you would have already notices it, but that may not be the case.  Your home probably has at least two new places to store your items.

Above kitchen cabinets- Store your party platters you may not use all the time to add some color to your home and keep your cabinets clear.

Inside a windowsill- If your window has deep casements you can prop up a floating shelf or two inside the recess.  

Airspace- Screw a hook into a ceiling joist, hang items from each hook such as pots and pans or other kitchen items.  You may also hang bikes, shelves, or even seating to free up space.

 Behind the Couch- Bump your couch out 6 inches from the wall to store extra folding chairs or a fold up table.  If your couch is not against a wall, rest a console along the back of it and stash it with extra dishware, linens, or kids; toys.

Inside the Shower- This may sound kind of crazy but if you don’t have a linen closet you may need extra room to store your items.  Find a roomy stool and place it far away from the nozzle then stack the bench high with your linens.

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What are a Few Resolutions You Want to Keep for Your Home?

It’s a new year and a new you with new resolutions to conquer.  Like many of use, we tend to crush our New Year’s resolutions for the first few months of the new year but tend to forget about them as time passes. For instance, that gym membership you said you would use four times a week but haven’t been in a week or two. They can be difficult to keep but holding yourself and family accountable can really help.  The same goes for your house projects.  Putting together a list of items you want to focus on with your home can help you crush your home resolutions.

Clean room by room- Instead of trying to tackle the whole house all in one weekend, focus on one room at a time.  Focus on the rooms that may need it the most- cleaning up wrapping paper from Christmas, taking down decorations or the tree, deep cleaning your kitchen after hosting Christmas, etc.  Instead of focusing on the whole house at once, try to focus on one room at a time.

Purge your spaces- Cleaning can be a great start to your home resolution but creating a real change will require some real purging.  It can seem overwhelming at first but once you are finished you will feel so much better.  If certain items haven’t seen the light of day in moths, it’s time to get rid of it.

Donate- Once the purging is complete, label each item and separate them into two piles- one for trash and one for donate.  Take the gently used items to a place for others to create new memories with your items.

Decorate your home with fresh flowers- Fresh flowers can really have an impact on you and your rooms.  Flowers can be the least expensive makeover you can bring to a space.  They can also help clean your air to provide an at home aromatherapy to lift your mood.

Plan for this year and next- None of these resolutions can be done every day or month, one of the best ways to make sure you’ll come back to them is to plan them out in advance.  Decide when you want to tackle each room and which room you want to tackle first, spread out your purging over a few months, and so on.  Once you have a plan, you are ready to tackle 2019! 

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How’s the Market in 2019?

New year, new market? Sort of. I get asked this question more than any other question, How’s the market? With the new year here it is important to talk about to expect. My quick answer is expect more of the same. Most reports are showing a similar market to what we have experienced the past 2 years, with a change from being a seller’s market to more of a “normal” market, due to the increase in the inventory levels we are seeing. The first time home buyers price range inventory is still low, and probably will remain that way in 2109, but seeing an increase inventory in the higher priced homes for sure!

Another question that comes into play here is will interest rates continue to increase? Yes, I do believe they will, but not as much as originally predicted. And remember these are still amazing rates! However, it is important to know that a 1% increase in your rate will change the price point of the house you are able to purchase.

2019 is a great year to buy a new home and/or sell your current one! If you or someone you know is looking to make a move this year, please give me a call, as I would love the opportunity to earn your business!