Setting Up Your Surround Sound Speakers

When you move into a new house, there are numerous things you’ll want to do early on to get your house in live-in shape, and one thing you should think about early is setting up the surround sound system in your new home.

Techies love this sort of stuff, but not everyone is adept at understanding all the wiring and how to properly set up speakers and an audio system. While you could hire someone to come in and do the job, watching a few DIY videos on YouTube may be enough for you to handle it yourself.

One of the most vital components of the surround system is the speaker and the placement of the speakers around your media room is paramount in creating an ideal surround sound system environment.

Start by locating the “sweet spot” in your room where you will most likely be sitting to watch TV. Of course, multiple people watch at one time, and you might not always sit in the same place, but try to find the central area so you can work everything off of that area.

When it comes to setting up each speaker correctly, it is important to follow the display model. For example, the center channel speaker should be located directly above or below the display as the majority of the dialogue from a TV show or movie comes through this speaker. It’s recommended to place the center speaker as close to the television as possible while also being careful to angle the speaker towards your ears.

The front left/right speakers provide the off-screen effects and project all the stereo soundtrack information including the background environments. Avoid placing these speakers too close together to avoid a sound stage or placing them too far apart, which will create a large gap in the sound stage. It’s best to place them as close to ear level as possible. One common mistake is putting them in corners, but that will muffle their sound.

The surround speakers are primarily the area in which homeowners tend to mix up the most. Despite their name, they aren’t supposed to be behind you, and are actually best when they are set up directly on your left and right. Most experts recommended that surround speakers be placed approximately 2 feet above ear level.

TVs are getting bigger and better and it would be a shame to have the HD picture of your dream and just the standard sound emulating from the set. Invest in a nice surround sound system and feel like you’re at the movies every time you watch.

Interested in more real estate tips? Feel free to contact me directly! Sallie Elliott, 402-630-5953

Eco-Friendly Tips With Low Costs and High Savings

Most homeowners have weather-stripped their doors to maximize climate control, and have switched out traditional incandescent light bulbs with eco-friendly CFL models. Short of installing double paned windows or making other costly home improvements, what more can you do to make your home “greener” without emptying your wallet?

Change filters often. Change air conditioning filters monthly to keep the system running at peak performance.

Dry bigger loads. Your dryer has more capacity than you think. Dry two or more loads at once so the dryer cools down and heats up less frequently. And clean out the lint filter often.

Check the fridge seal. Feel for cold air around your closed refrigerator door to be sure the seal is in good condition.

Adjust stove top cooking. Avoid wasting heat by matching up your pot/pan size to the correct burner.

Unplug battery chargers. Many chargers continue to draw power even when not connected to a device, so unplug yours after charging.

Use a laptop. They use less energy than your desktop computer, so use them instead when you can.

Reduce hot water consumption. Install low-flow, aerating faucets and shower heads. Select a shower head with a flow rate of less than 2.5 gallons per minute.

Choose drought-tolerant plants. Any number of plants and ground covers can add greenery to a yard without gulping lots of water – including clover, certain breeds of grass like Bermuda and Zoysia, and edible plants like herbs and strawberries. (Note: you may want to put in some type of wood or brick border to contain groundcovers or plants in the area you want them to stay in.)

Local Real Estate Market Update

Although there’s been some marginal improvement in the market, existing home inventory remains low and the average closed price of homes are still higher than last year in Douglas and Sarpy counties. Now is a great time to sell. Contact Sallie Elliott at 402-630-5953 for more information.

Down Bedding Primer

Few textiles for the bed offer the luxury and comfort of down. It’s lightweight, warm and fluffy, with unique breathability. Explains the Down Association of Canada, down wicks away moisture, allowing water vapor to pass through the down. This keeps you warm without clamminess or heaviness, and you can sleep in cooler air while staying warm. 

Down is part of the plumage grown by waterfowl for warmth. It clusters under and around the flight and body feathers, on the breast and under the wings. The geese and duck molt or shed the down just as they shed their larger feathers. As they preen their feathers, they loosen down and feathers. The farmer collects the loose down for “dry-harvesting,” a painless process much like brushing a dog to get rid of loose fur. 

A top-quality down product should have at least 90% down to no more than 10% feathers. The advantage is more “loft” which means the fibers buoyantly trap air for warmth while remaining fluffy and uncompressed. Look for lightness and bounce and avoid products with sharp feather quills or “down fiber,” a down dust that offers no value.  For comforters, choose a high thread-count, baffle box construction that compartmentalizes the down to keep it from shifting. 

You can buy comforters and pillows ready-made, so look for clear, concise labeling so you know exactly what you’re buying. You can also have duvets, feather beds and other products custom made for you at bulk down manufacturers.  

Freddie Mac’s Home Possible Loans

With as little as 3% down payment required, Freddie Mac’s Home Possible Mortgage loans are ideal for low to moderate-income borrowers with few savings, first-time homebuyers, borrowers with shallow credit histories or retirees on a limited budget. 

The benefits to borrowers are more flexible sources of funds for the down payment that can include gifts, grants, employer assistance, secondary borrowing, the borrower’s money, and other approved sources. Because the down payment is lower than the benchmark 20% down, you’ll pay private mortgage insurance. This protects the lender should you default, and the cost is based on your loan-to-value ratio and credit scores. Expect to pay $40 to $80 per month for every $100,000 you borrow. However, Home Possible mortgages have reduced mortgage insurance for loan-to-value ratios greater than 90 percent. 

Other benefits include flexible property options, including condos and 1-4 unit homes, caps on credit fees, mortgage flexibility including 15-to 30-year fixed rate loans and some adjustable rate products, income flexibility and refinance options. 

Required credit scores depend on the type of loan product you want and whether or not you're buying a single unit or up to four units in the same building, but you should have a credit score of at least a minimum of 660 to 680 for single occupancy.

If you’re hesitant about getting into a low-down payment loan, don’t be. These loans are only available through your lender if they meet Freddie Mac’s underwriting standards. Freddie Mac wants you to build wealth and security through homeownership. 

For more information, contact Sallie Elliott at 402-630-5953.

Lauritzen Gardens

Lauritzen Gardens is a living museum of unique four-season plant displays, maintained to the highest standards consistent with environmental stewardship. It provides memorable educational and aesthetic experiences for all.

Escape to an urban oasis of beauty and tranquility to experience the glory of the garden. Discover a hidden sanctuary in the heart of the city. Relax while cultivating your mind in this living plant museum, conveniently located in the beautiful riverfront hills.

Lauritzen Gardens has several educational programs and tours as well as a summer camp and you can have a birthday party of wedding there.  Become a member and get special perks.

Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary

The arboretum and Oberman Bird Sanctuary is a four-acre site with seven regional plant communities: prairie, savannah, oak hickory forest, maple linden forest, farmstead windbreak, marsh and flood plain river margin.

The word arboretum literally means “garden of trees.” In this area, they planted many different species of trees and shrubs appropriate for a Nebraska landscape. They used both native trees and shrubs as well as plants which have the ability to adapt to our harsh environment. It will take many years for this garden area to mature due to the slow growth habit of the plants. The site, however, is a relaxing place to stroll and enjoy the young trees and the beautiful vistas to be seen from this vantage point. This area along the Missouri River corridor is a natural flyway for migratory birds. There are feeders and nest boxes located throughout the sanctuary so the arboretum provides a unique area to observe the birds.

In the spring, keep your eyes and ears peeled for polliwogs, tadpoles and frogs in the marsh area!

“End of Day” Sculpture

The arboretum and bird sanctuary is the perfect setting for this bronze sculpture of sand hill cranes. Artist Dee Clements, a member of the National Sculptors’ Guild, captured the grace of these magnificent native birds. He was commissioned to design this original sculpture for Lauritzen Gardens from his studio in Loveland, Colo.

“Sunflowers, Snowbirds & Lizards” Sculpture

This round bronze sculpture near the arboretum and bird sanctuary entrance beautifully depicts snowbirds as they prepare to dine on the seeds of sunflowers. It was sculpted by Sharles for the city of Palm Desert, Calif. His deep appreciation for birds, fish and reptiles is reflected in his art.

Children's Garden

No other garden better illustrates their educational focus than the children's garden. It is the site of many of the children's activities including school tours, youth organization projects, and garden children’s programs.

Children have the opportunity to engage in hands-on gardening as well as receive a formal tour and presentation by education staff. Children are involved in the planning, planting, maintaining and harvesting of this garden area.

Adults enjoy visiting the garden as well to see bright colors, unique artwork and unusual plants not found elsewhere at Lauritzen Gardens.

“Dina”

Ronald Weise, a welder from Dunlap, Iowa, created this friendly dinosaur, “Dina,” using scrap metal and old farm equipment parts. Dina has an oil-pan head and antique hay rake tine ribs.

English Perennial Border

Opened in 2006, the English perennial border is located between the Victorian garden and Garden in the Glen. The English perennial border is a plantsman’s dream come true. More than 300 different plant species and cultivars are displayed amongst the thousands of individual sun and shade-loving perennials. They all are organized as a traditional English border would be.

English gardens are known for their masses of colorful plants and informal design style. Early English gardeners were plant enthusiasts and collectors. They enjoyed filling their gardens with as many different plants as possible.

For more information on Lauritzen Gardens click here.  For more information about the Priority Group or Sallie Elliott click here.