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.

Downsizing Tips

At some point in our lives, some of us will have to downsize our home. Perhaps the kids are grown and you’re an empty nester or your just getting to an age where you no longer care to do all the cleaning and year work your home requires. Or maybe you’re just ready to simplify your life and get rid of the stuff you don’t need. Whatever your reason, these ten tips will help you achieve your goal. Downsizing done right!

1. Write a list of all the items you love and can't live without; it will help you bid adieu to things that didn't make the list. "It's hard to persuade people they can't take everything with them," "But by keeping what's on your wish list, you won't be upset about the things you can't keep."

2. Start thinning out your belongings at least three months before the move. Take some time each day, or one morning each week, to go through that jammed coat closet or overflowing filing cabinet. "Paper is the real killer," so tackle it one box at a time. The same goes for photos, which require a lot of attention.

3. Get a feel for the size of your new rooms by comparing them to rooms of similar dimensions in your present home. For instance, your living -room-to-be might be roughly the same size as your current bedroom. You may think you can squeeze in two sofas, but this kind of reality check could help you realize that only one will fit comfortably.

4.  Heavily edit areas with items that don't have as much sentimental value. Take the kitchen, for example; most people don't need l O mixing bowls and won't get emotional over losing a second spatula. If you're downsizing from a house to a condo, target the garage. Snow shovels, the lawn mower, ladders - you won't need any of them.

5. Don't throw anything in the garbage. Recycle, reuse, sell and donate instead. As tempting and easy as it is to pitch wire hangers, musty clothes and shabby furnishings, be environmentally responsible and find a home for everything. A can of Comet with a few shakes of powder left could make someone else's sink sparkle if you don't want it; consider giving supplies to a shelter, neighbor or cleaning lady.

6. Label three bins To Keep, To Sell and Charity (bins should be manageable when full). For the average downsize, keep only one-third to one-half of your belongings

7. Get an objective opinion. If you can't decide whether to keep or kiss those cookie tin collectibles good bye, "It's good to have someone who'll say, 'Oh, please, you never use that!'" It might just be the kick you need.

8. When selling your goods, try an auction for high-end items. Then look for reputable antique and secondhand dealers. Often, they can buy all of your wares or put you in touch with booksellers and other specialty dealers. "Some dealers will come to your home, take what you don't want and even drop off the charity stuff," "That way you won't be trudging all over town." If you can't sell an item, donate it to a shelter.

9. Use floor plans to prearrange your furniture before the move. This is another useful reality check. To start, draw plans if you don't have any, and sketch in a furniture layout. Then look at the plans realistically; if you've crammed in side tables, armoires and chairs, you need to edit more. Don't wait until after you move to contend with furniture you'll just end up tripping over.

10. Once you get to the packing stage, use a color-coded system to organize all of your boxes. Choose a color for each room and mark the boxes destined for that room with a coordinating color sticker. You can also do the same thing numerically; for example, if room No. 1 is the kitchen, then all boxes marked No. 1 will go there. A simple and efficient organizing idea to make the move that much easier!

For help with downsizing your home reach out to us at the Priority Group. We’re the experts. www.omahaprioritygroup.com

Tips on Accessorizing Your Home

When you think about interior design, you most likely think about furniture choices.  Choosing the right color furniture and the right size to fit your rooms as well as the right fabric and the correctly placing it so that it looks aesthetically pleasing.  In reality, interior design also includes a lot of other things like paint and, of course, accessories. There are many ways to complete a design with accessories and many types of accessories that you can use to do something like balance out a space, fill an empty space or bring a pop of color to a room.  What you might not think about is that accessories are also a cost-effective way to design.  They can be used to bring a luxury, finished look to your home while not breaking the bank.

Plants and Artwork

House plants are a great touch to bring life and color into your design.  Whether they are artificial or live, remember that they’re a great accent but don’t over do it.  You want to use them to bring a freshness into this room but not make it look like a jungle.  A little goes a long way when it comes to plants.  Use different heights to give the impression that a space is taller and different breeds for dimension. When it comes to artwork, less is also more.  You want to use artwork for similar reasons as plants, to bring color and dimension to a space and to tie your furniture colors together with paint colors, etc.  But don’t fill every single wall with a painting or mirror.  That will only give your house a cluttered look and take away from what you’re trying to achieve.

Accent Tables and Chachkas

Small tables in various shapes help to finish off your design.  They give your furniture a completed look and, once again, fill spaces.  And you don’t have to spend a fortune on them.  Some of the neatest looking tables can be repurposed from an estate sale or at your local thrift store.  I love a good table refinishing project.  It gives you lots of satisfaction in a weekend project that doesn’t take too long.  And what’s a chachka?  It’s a small inexpensive item that gives you an expensive look.  A vase for example can give you the color and sparkle you need for your design and they come is many different sizes and shapes.  Another example might be a bowl or and urn or a floral center piece. 

Curtains, Pillows, and linens…oh my!

The best way to complete a window is to put some curtains up.  There are so many fabrics to choose from.  Use heavier ones in the winder and lighter weight ones in the warmer months to give your room a seasonal feel that matches the time of year.  My favorite is velvet in the winter and it’s practical, helping to keep the cold air out and insulate the windows.  And don’t forget patterns.  You don’t want to over do it with patterns on your windows but don’t be afraid of it either.  Pillows and linens also make for a great seasonal décor if used in the same way as your curtains.  Change out your pillows and your bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen linens to match your décor or even for a holiday.  Linens in general, soften a room and fill up empty spaces as well.

Littles

I call them littles.  I’m referring to items like old books, photo frames, bowls, vases, and other random finds.  There are tons of choices when it comes to littles.  You can find them at your local home décor store, and you never know what they will be.  Using things in unique ways can bring a splash of interesting to your home.  It can be things like recycled barn wood, old tile or and old wood ladder for hanging throws on.  Just use your imagination or do like I do…check out the internet for ideas.

For more design ideas or to find out how we can help stage your home, click here to learn more about the Priority Group and Sallie Elliott.

Around Town – Nebraska Golf Courses

What is Nebraska primarily known for? Well, we have the Henry Doorly Zoo which we talked about in my last blog and it’s one of the highest rated zoos in the world.  We have the College Baseball World Series, which happens to have just begun and attracts thousands of spectators. Of course, we’re best known for our agriculture because, who hasn’t driven through miles and miles of corn fields when passing through Nebraska.  We grow many things here and raising cattle is a big deal here as well. What you may not have know is that we’re well known for our golf courses and the national events they host so I’m here to tell you about them in today’s blog.

The Club at Indian Creek – Omaha, NE

This is Omaha’s premier 27-Hole Public Golf Course which thrills golfers with 37 acres of fairway, 80+ well-placed bunkers and 15 holes with the threat of water. It’s surrounded by an exclusive residential neighborhood of course with homes ranging from around $370K to $1.2M.  And you’ll pay the premium if you want to live on the course. Each year Indian Creek hosts an amateur golf Invitational as well as the Pinnacle Bank Championship as part of the PGA Korn Ferry Tour which happens to be a world-famous tour.  The course is actually made up of three nine-hole courses; Red Feather, Black Bird and Gray Hawk.  The course has been honored by the Nebraska Section of the PGA as the Golf Facility of the Year.  You can check out aerial footage of each individual hole for each of the courses here.  Everyone I know who has tried this course out says it’s a must play.

Omaha Country Club – Omaha, NE

Omaha Country Club is a private country club in Omaha, Nebraska, located in the northern area of the city. It was established in 1899 in the Country Club Historic District and selected its present site in 1925. The golf course opened in 1927 and was renovated in 1951 by Perry Maxwell. The club hosted the U.S. Senior Open in 2013, won by Kenny Perry. The Omaha Country Club hosts the U.S. Senior open each year which just finished last weekend.  Not only is the course beautiful but the country club grounds are gorgeous, and the historic buildings are something to be seen. Since the course is private, you have to be a member or the guest of a member to play.

Tiburon Golf Club – Gretna, NE

Tiburon Golf Club is a beautiful 27-hole golf course, with over 12 acres of natural rolling hills and lakes. This course is also surrounded by beautiful homes.  Some of which are older and a bit statelier and there is also a new phase of this neighborhood where you can build a brand-new home. The course is a beautiful 27-hole course founded in 1989 by Drella Inc and began as an 18 hole golf club with a 4,500 square foot clubhouse surrounded by corn fields and gravel roads.  It has certainly come a long way.  There’s even a sports bar to enjoy after the game.

The Pines Country Club – Valley, NE

The Pines Country Club, located in Valley, Nebraska has some of the best greens in the state of Nebraska.  Their manicured golf course along with undulating greens and beautiful scenery provide an enjoyable round of golf at an affordable rate.  It is situated on level terrain ideal for walking, and the greens are the most challenging aspect of the course.  The Pines features a putting green, chipping green, practice bunker, and driving range ideal for honing your golf skills.  As a semi-private golf club, they are open to the public except during member exclusive weekend hours.  They also have daily specials and exceptional values on weekday green fees.  And their clubhouse is also nice.

For more information on the Priority group or to find yourself a new home on one of our fine golf courses, check out at www.omahaprioritygroup.com.

Design on a Dime – How to Spruce up your Home on a Budget

There are many reasons why you might be ready to decorate your home. Perhaps you’re looking to get rid of an outdated look or just want to freshen up. Maybe you’re looking to change things up for the summer season, just want a change or you’re having a special party. Regardless of the reason, it doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. There are many ways to spruce up your home without expensive renovations or even a lot of time. But do take your time doing the research before you tackle a DIY project because preparation goes a long way toward a professional look. Remember what your mom used to say, “Anything worth doing, is worth doing correctly.”

Paint your Hearth

Do you have an outdated fireplace? Maybe an old brick hearth in an outdated color? Light grey, white or black paint are the most popular colors to paint that old, ugly fireplace with. It updates the entire room when you freshen a fireplace and, done correctly, it becomes a beautiful focal point in the room and not the thing you wish you could unsee. And if you want to go the extra mile, you can add new mantle at a low cost and with little effort. You just need to be the slightest bit handy with tools and voila, you have a brand-new look that seems expensive but isn’t. You don’t want to do a poor job on a fireplace painting job because it will be difficult to undo it.

Kitchen Cabinets

You don’t have to be a decorating expert to give your kitchen a new look that looks like high end without a complete renovation. Painting your kitchen cabinets is the best way to make your kitchen look brand new without a complete renovation. But make sure you learn how to do it correctly and take the time to do a quality job or you’ll just make it look cheap. Using the correct type of quality paint makes a difference as well. White is a popular color right now or a light gray. Then add some new cabinet pulls to complete the look. This project may take time but it well worth it if you’re trying to save a ton of money.

Small Décor

Artificial plants (not the great big fake trees of old) like some small succulents in a cute decorative pot can make a big statement without breaking the budget. Pillows, pillows, pillows! They are the best bang for your buck. They add texture, color, and take up empty spaces on your furniture. Get plenty of them in different sizes and fabrics. Artwork doesn’t have to be expensive anymore. You can find some very pretty stuff at some of the more budget friendly stores around town. My favorite is Home Goods. They have quality items at good prices. And don’t forget linens. Changing your bedding is a cost-effective way to brighten up a room with colors and textures and you can add some curtain that blend. New towels in the bathroom also give you a way to decorate without spending a fortune.

Do the Simple Stuff

In some cases, a little goes a long way. Cleaning up your home is one of the best and least expensive ways to freshen it up. Don’t just scrub it up but also organize. For instance, organizing any open shelving, decluttering rooms, and putting things away can make a huge difference. Also, fix things that you’ve been putting off like lose door handles or obvious things that are esthetically obvious and take away from the pretty décor in your home. And lastly, paint it! Updating paint colors and painting high traffic rooms where there may be scuffs and dirty paint is an excellent way to freshen it up. Paint an accent wall in your main entertainment room of a master bedroom to create some contrast and update the design of your home on a dime. And if you have a green thumb, update the outside of your home by landscaping. Yes, landscape is a form of design on the exterior of your home. Part of your landscape plan can be some new patio furniture, lighting, and pillows. Hang some large bulb string lights to brighten it up and create a cute design element. You don’t have to be an expert to do any of these things. It’s all online these days. Just Google it and find out how to.

Need to find out how to stage your home for sale? Find out more about Sallie Elliott and the Priority Group here. We’re here to help.

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.

Old MacDonald Had a…Farmer’s Market?

Oh yes, he did. Especially here in Omaha, Nebraska. We have lots of farms and farmer’s markets. I wanted to share a little bit of information on these wonderful places, and highlight one of my favorites, Nelson Produce & Farm. I really enjoy taking my grandson to this place and boy does he ever enjoy going there. We like to go when they first open in June. You can find a list of all the local farms here and a list of farmers markets here.

Nelson Produce & Farm

For over 12 years Tyler and Pam Nelson along with our 4 girls, has supplied Omaha and surrounding areas with their farm fresh produce. In 2019, they opened their farm to the public to help bridge the gap between rural and urban Nebraska! Guests at the farm have the opportunity to tour the farm, pick fresh produce, and engage with barn yard animals. Families have a chance to jump hay bales, ride pedal trikes, and spend hours getting creative in their natural playground. Not only can you pick and take home their fresh produce you can enjoy a home cooked meal and yummy treats baked in Pam’s Farmhouse Cafe. And don’t miss out on Baby Animal Days from June 3rd to June 6th. Farm season opens on June 3rd. You can also buy season passes. When you buy a season pass there is Private Pizza Night on June 4th. And lastly there is a Farm to Table night on June 11th featuring all their dairy products. Plus there are many other events to check out here.

Benson Bounty

Fresh, quality produce from a family-run farm right next door. Michelle and Mark Brannen own and operate Benson Bounty LLC, a family farm located on 1.5 acres of land in the Benson neighborhood of Omaha, Nebraska. They utilize sustainable practices to care for their land and pride themselves on producing clean, healthy food for the community. They grow Nebraska’s finest heirloom garlic as well as countless varieties of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs—both culinary and medicinal. Benson Bounty has a Thursday night farm stand, you can shop online, buy flowers either at their stand or get a flower subscription. Their web site has information on their farm, new and events, like their spring plant sale on May 6th and their blog.

Barreras Family Farm

Barreras is a neat family farm because they not only sell premium beef and pork, but they host a variety of events. To start with they have a bundled meat choices that are nice. You choose your bundle; they box it up and ship it to you along with recipes to show you how to cook the items that you’ve ordered. In addition, they have an impressive line up on events that they put on for the public. Some of these are things like a summer farm camp where kids can visit the farm and explore everything there is to know about farm animal, from the cute and cuddle to the strong and massive. If you child is wanting to take things to the next level, they have a Farm STEM Camp that teaches them about tractors, implements, weather, butchery, animal veterinary science and a whole host of other things. The web site includes online learning as well. And they have the cutest rent-a-chick educational program which allows you 1 week and two baby chicks giving you the opportunity to enjoy the simple pleasures of farm life at home. Too cute! They also have group field trips and tours and other special events.