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.

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.

Popular Floor Plan Requests

My exclusive home builder relationship with Nathan Homes gives me unique insight into what’s popular and trending in new construction floor plans. Today’s popular floor plans are highly influenced by what’s common in today’s lifestyles meaning family size, number of family members working at home, schooling at home, grown children returning home and how much we now stay at home. And staying at home more brings activities that families are considering now when they create their floor plans such as gaming spaces, larger dining spaces, functional kitchen stations and theater spaces.

The Avalon

One of the reasons this one is popular is because it has a three-car garage that provides an extra automobile space for your driving age child that has returned home from school or to live with you because of a change of circumstances like job loss. The Great room has that desirable open concept giving you more space for entertaining the family at home. One of the greatest features about this one is that the Master bedroom is separated from the spare bedrooms which are located on the opposite side of the house. Just because the kids have returned home to live, doesn’t mean that you have to be next to them all of the time. Something that actually helps families stay closer in their relationships. A large dinette helps with space for family gatherings or for home schooling. By putting headphones on the kids, everyone gets their own privacy and they’re in a separate space so they’re out of the way. No need for a formal dining space in this house. They’re often not use anyway. A really good amount of square footage here to accommodate everyone staying home more often and helping to keep them healthy. A total of five bedrooms is one of the more popular things about this particular floor plan since we have smaller children at home and older children coming back plus, I’m hearing a lot of need for a second home office from the two working parents’ households. A large deck is great for outdoor congregations with immediate family. No reason to have to stay cooped up in the house. Add an outdoor fire pit for extra ambience and your outdoor space is complete. I’m also hearing that a finished basement is critical like this one with a media room, game area and full bar. Another space for entertainment options for the family that now stays put more often.

The Taylor II

This floorplan from our Laid Back Lifestyle designs has been another very popular one for many reasons. Clients have been telling us that they like the practicality of having five bedrooms for extra family members and two work at home parents. The Great room with the master bedroom on one side and the guest bedrooms on the other again gives mom and dad the privacy they need considering all the together time we have these days. Families enjoy the three-car garage for the extra cars or for extra storage when there are more family members at home. This finished basement has a large central recreation space that can be used as a television room for watching movies together as well as a gaming area with a large pool table. Two of the bedrooms are on the lower level which can easily be used for one of your two home offices or for home schooling, so everyone has separate areas. Separate spaces are the key for new floor plans in 2021.

The Prairie Zen

This home is by far one of our more popular builds primarily because it has over four thousand square feet. The square footage is used by family to be together but still have privacy. It’s has home office space and plenty of bedrooms with five. It’s a story and a half so with the finished basement it has multiple levels to get away on. The modern design is sleek and keeps everything clean and unclutters which also helps with how you feel when you’re in this home. There is even a loft area on the second level that give the kids a chance to watch television or play games while mom and dad sneak away to the basement for a cocktail or to watch a movie. With five bathrooms everyone has enough space to get ready for the day each morning. No kids arguing over space at the sink. Again, we have a large, covered deck for a safe and healthy outdoor family gathering. This everything you need to stay home but get away. It’s the perfect combination.

For photos of all these homes, visit the Priority Group web site at www.omahaprioritygroup.com