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September Home Maintenance Tips for Omaha Homeowners

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

by Nancy Heim-berg

As summer begins to fade and the first hints of fall color the trees, September is the perfect time for Omaha homeowners to prepare their properties for the cooler months ahead. With Nebraska's diverse climate, taking proactive steps now can save you time, money, and headaches down the road. Let's dive into some essential home maintenance tasks for September.

HVAC System Check-up

With cooler temperatures on the horizon, now's the time to ensure your heating system is ready to keep you warm.

Schedule a professional HVAC inspection
Replace air filters
Test your thermostat for accuracy
Contemplate energy savings by upgrading to a smart thermostat.

Seal the Envelope

Keep drafts at bay and your energy bills in check by sealing your home's envelope.

Check weatherstripping around doors and windows
Caulk any gaps or cracks in exterior walls
Inspect and repair any damaged siding
Add insulation to your attic if needed

Gutter Maintenance

Omaha's fall foliage is beautiful but can wreak havoc on your homes' gutter systems.

Clean leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts
Check for proper drainage and repair any leaks
Reduce future maintenance by installing gutter guards.

Roof Inspection

Before winter storms hit, make sure your roof is in top shape.

Look for damaged, loose, or missing shingles
Check flashing around chimneys and vents
Trim any overhanging tree branches

Lawn and Garden Care

Prepare your home's outdoor spaces for the changing seasons.

Aerate and fertilize your lawn for solid spring growth
Plant spring-blooming bulbs
Trim perennials and remove annuals
Clean and store garden tools and outdoor furniture

Windows and Doors

Ensure your windows and doors are ready to keep the cold out.

Clean window tracks and lubricate as needed
Check for drafts and add weatherstripping if necessary
Consider installing storm doors for added insulation

Fireplace and Chimney Maintenance

If you have a fireplace, now's the time to get it ready for cozy evenings.

Schedule a professional chimney cleaning and inspection
Check the damper for proper operation
Stock up on firewood, storing it in a dry place

Outdoor Plumbing

Prevent frozen pipes and water damage by winterizing your outdoor plumbing.

Drain and cover outdoor faucets
Blow-out sprinkler systems
Store hoses in a dry place

Safety Check

Ensure your home is safe and secure for the months ahead.

Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms
Replace batteries if needed
Review and update your family's emergency plan
Check fire extinguishers

Pest Prevention

As temperatures drop, pests may seek shelter in your warm home.

Make sure to seal cracks or holes in the foundation or exterior walls
Ensure the attic & basement are free of pests.
Store firewood at least 20 feet from the house

By tackling these September home maintenance tasks, you'll ensure your Omaha home is well-prepared for the fall and winter seasons. These steps will protect your investment and make your home more comfortable and energy-efficient in the coming months.

Remember, while many of these tasks can be DIY projects, don't hesitate to call in professionals for more complex or dangerous jobs. It's always better to be safe and do the job correctly.

If you're considering buying or selling a home in Omaha this fall, or if you have any questions about maintaining your property, don't hesitate to reach out. Your home is one of your most significant investments, and we're here to help you protect and maximize its value.

For all your Omaha real estate needs, contact The Heim-Berg Team:

Phone: 402-677-9024
Website: www.OmahaAreaLiving.com

Stay proactive, stay comfortable, and enjoy the beautiful fall season in Omaha!

Home Selling Tips for the 2023 Market

Monday, January 16, 2023

by Nancy Heim-berg

No doubt you’ve most likely received solicited and unsolicited advice from family and friends about selling your home this year. But are they really in a position to offer advice in this area? With a challenging market, economic uncertainty, and relevant local market conditions, it’s easy to get lost in the chaos of it all. Add to that high inflation and interest rates and it can make your head swirl. But what it really means is that in this market, as in any competitive market, you NEED the knowledge and resources of an excellent real estate team to help you win!

Working with a Top Real Estate Team is the single greatest decision you’ll make when selling your home. Experienced agents have been through challenging markets before so they are better equipped to advise you through every step of the process, from getting your home ready for the market- upgrades & repairs, showings, negotiating contracts, and more. Today’s home buyers are more discriminating, the market is NOT what it was 6 months ago. Deferred maintenance on homes is not going to be acceptable, showings have to be readily available, and contingencies are not going to be waived. Your real estate agent is worth every penny you will pay them and more. The resources they have available to them, and you can be the difference between a sale or no sale, and possibly thousands of dollars on the sale itself. Did you know that most homeowners who opted to sell on their own netted 16% less on the home sale? (National Association of Realtors)

Clean & Repair- This is the first step in preparing your home. Go through the house room by room. Deep clean every square inch- after you’ve purged items you no longer need or want and packed away unnecessary items to make each room and closet look larger. Once you’ve accomplished that goal, make a list of all repairs needed in each room and complete them one by one. You’ll want each room move-in ready without defects or repairs needed.

Depersonalize each room- You want the house to look uncluttered, clean, and organized and presented as a ‘clean slate’ for potential buyers to be able to envision themselves living in the home. In order to achieve this it is important to remove personal items, collections, and photos from walls and shelves.

Give dull rooms a coat of paint- Refresh dull-looking rooms with a fresh coat of paint. Nothing perks up a room better than a fresh coat of paint. Just remember to keep things neutral so your new buyers can decorate the home to suit their needs.

Boost your Curb Appeal- You have one chance to make a great first impression, and for some home buyers, that is going to be driving past your home. Make sure the outside of your home is well-kept and welcoming. In wintertime, it’s important to ensure sidewalks and driveways are cleared of snow and ice and that your front door/porch area is well-lit. Make it more welcoming by adding a wreath or chair and mat.

Your chosen agent will assist you in staging your home for its entrance to the market and all home showings. They will also work diligently to price your home appropriately for the market today and then negotiate all offers and guide you hand-in-hand through the process.

If you’re considering selling and have questions, please reach out to our team. We’re happy to sit down with you and review the process, and our enhanced marketing plan and get you on your way to a SOLD sign in your yard.

Nancy & The Heim- Berg Team

402-677-9024

www.OmahaAreaLiving.com

home selling tips Home seller tips Nancy Heim Berg Heim Berg Team Omaha Area Living Omaha Home Sellers

Staging Tips To Help Sell Your Omaha, NE Home For Top Dollar

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

by Nancy Heim-berg

Staging Tips To Help Sell Your Omaha, NE Home For Top Dollar

Whether you are a first time seller or have sold tens of properties over the years, there is always much to learn when it comes to staging your home to sell quickly - and for top dollar! That is where we come in. In today’s blog post we are going to be discussing a few tips and tricks to help you stage your Omaha, NE home in order to attract the most buyers and get the best offers in this hot real estate market. Let’s dive in:

-Our first tip is one we are sure you hear often, and that is to declutter your home. It is important to remove items throughout your house that you no longer want or need to not only make space in your home, but to ensure you aren’t hauling unnecessary items to your new home. Make sure to clean and clear surfaces, closets, floors, and pantries so potential buyers can get a good sense of the space in the home.

-Adding a few elements such as a bowl of lemons by the sink, vases with colorful flowers or a basket of fresh fruits and vegetables is a great way for buyers to feel right at home. You want your house to feel cozy, clean and livable, and these little touches are a great way to accomplish that.

-The front of your home is the first impression buyers will have of the property, so make sure its a good one! Complete tasks such as power washing walkways and siding, wash windows, mow the law and/or reseed, repaint the front door, stain the porch floor and plant bright flowers.

-Setting your dining room table is a warm touch to add to your home when staging. You don’t necessarily need to break out your fine china, but having a nice arrangement is a wonderful way to show buyers where they will be making future memories with family and friends.

-Make sure each room has a clearly defined purpose. If you have extra bedrooms in the house, it may be a fun idea to transform one into an office space or a fun lounge area/game room. This is a great way for buyers to see how extra space in the house can be utilized.

-Don’t forget to stage your outdoor areas as well. Some people only think to stage the inside of their homes, but many families love to see how the outdoor space can be utilized as well. Adding some cozy chairs, a lawn game, warm blankets and even a fire pit is a great way to add to the outdoor space of your home.

-If you have pets, be sure to take extra care to neutralize odors and/or stains in spaces throughout your home. This can be a big one for buyers, so bringing in a professional team to clean and steam your carpets could be a great investment.

-Lastly, you always want to make sure your home is cleaned prior to showings. Wipe those counters, clean those windows, dust that mantle - potential buyers will be impressed to see the house in great condition!

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!

Nancy Heim-Berg Omaha Real Estate Stage your home to sell Staging Tips To Help Sell Your Omaha NE Home For Top Dollar Staging your Omaha home Home seller tips

Displaying blog entries 1-3 of 3