As the temperature rises, so do our energy bills.

Don’t want to deal with sky-high A/C costs this summer? Here’s how to cut back:

• Buy a smart thermostat. These help you pre-program temperatures and save on energy when you’re not in the home.
• Block air leaks. If air is getting out around your windows, doors or attic, it means higher A/C usage (and higher energy bills).
• Clean your A/C system. Clear away debris from the unit, dust off intake vents and replace your filters regularly.

Have quality drapes and blinds in place, too. This will keep sunlight from heating up your home, increasing your need for A/C.

We might love the hot, summer sun, but our lawns? That’s another story. Here’s how to keep your yard healthy and prevent dried-out grass this summer:

1. Leave the grass longer. Mow regularly, but don’t cut too short. Longer grass holds in moisture and shade better.
2. Water early in the day or late at night. Watering in times of high heat or sunlight will cause the moisture to evaporate.
3. Aerate often. If you have a small lawn, poke small holes with a garden fork to give the grass plenty of oxygen. For larger lawns, you could rent an aerator machine from your local hardware store

If you have a sprinkler system, schedule at least two waterings per week, ideally before 6 a.m.

Homeowner’s insurance is necessary to protect our properties, our belongings and our loved ones. But does that mean we should break the bank buying it?

Definitely not. Here’s how to make your homeowner’s insurance just a little more affordable:

• Shop around. You don’t have to go with the first quote you get.
• Consider bundling. Bundling your homeowner’s insurance with your car or life insurance may qualify you for a discount.
• Consider job-related discounts. If you’re a teacher, public servant or first responder, there may be discounts you’re eligible for.

Make sure to ask your agent for insurance recommendations. They may know local vendors who can offer you a great deal.

Furnishing your new home doesn’t have to break the bank.

Use these tips to find great pieces that won’t run you dry:

• Watch for garage and local estate sales. Your city’s newspaper is a great place to start.
• Use the NextDoor app and Facebook marketplace. Neighbors may be selling items just down the street.
• Hit up thrift stores and consignment shops. These are especially great for finding art and decor.
• Know your area’s bulk trash day. Drive the neighborhood on bulk trash day to find any discarded furniture that could be rehabilitated.

You can also ask friends, family members and coworkers if they have unused furniture they’d part with.

Tiring of your years-old decor, but don’t have a lot of time to shop, paint or redesign it all?

Here are some fast, no-hassle ways to change up your space:

• Get new pillows and throw blankets. Add a few colorful or patterned pillows and transform your old furniture instantly.
• Rearrange. Move furniture from room to room and floor to floor, creating entirely new looks throughout.
• Try peel and stick. There are peel-and-stick options for everything. Use them to quickly re-face cabinets, appliances, counters and doors—even walls.

Interior design doesn’t have to be a huge investment of time and money. Get creative, re-use what you already have, and enjoy the ride.

Furnishing your new home doesn’t have to break the bank.

Use these tips to find great pieces that won’t run you dry:

• Watch for garage and local estate sales. Your city’s newspaper is a great place to start.
• Use the NextDoor app and Facebook marketplace. Neighbors may be selling items just down the street.
• Hit up thrift stores and consignment shops. These are especially great for finding art and decor.
• Know your area’s bulk trash day. Drive the neighborhood on bulk trash day to find any discarded furniture that could be rehabilitated.

You can also ask friends, family members and coworkers if they have unused furniture they’d part with.

Keeping your house neat and tidy is one of the hardest parts of selling — especially if you have kids or pets.

Here’s how to make things easier:

• Invest in storage bins. When a showing comes up, throw everything from the floor, counters and tables into the bins and stow them in a closet.
• Use a robot vacuum. Turn it on as you leave the property, and the floor will be spick and span by the time buyers arrive.
• Declare some rooms off limits. Keep some rooms closed off to limit messes.

If you anticipate substantial interest in your home, you could also stay at a friend’s house or rent a hotel room until showings are over.

Want to speed up your purchase? Here’s how:

• Act fast when there’s a home you like. If you like a property, put in an offer that day.
• Get preapproved for your mortgage. This will speed up your loan approval.
• Have all your financial documentation organized for your preapproval. This should include recent bank account statements, pay stubs, W-2s, tax returns, etc.
• Respond quickly. When your agent needs your input or your loan officer requests something, respond immediately.

Remember that any delays on your end will only delay your closing, so act with urgency and stay in touch.

402 Customs is proud to present the 8 Penrose Cottages of Fallbrook! Each Penrose Cottage has its own distinct personality and style that can be adapted to fit your specific needs. Each walkout home features parking on the back side of the home that is accessed by the paved alley, and a community friendly front porch to sit and relax on while watching the kids play, or the sun set. The floor plans are well thought out and open, with vaulted ceilings that can be changed to create more living space on second floor, or left soaring depending on your personal style preference. Every detail is planned out to get the most out of both form and function. Our Model Home features designs and selections by local design store, Gotcha Covered.

Contact us today for an appointment today to tour the model home and let us help you find your perfect cottage style!

Did you know that a Reverse Mortgage could be used to purchase a home?

Meet the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) for Purchase. Buyers must be 62 or older to qualify. It’s a federally-insured loan. As long as you live in the home, you will never make a mortgage payment. The loan increases over time and the interest accumulates and is added to the principal balance. The balance is due when you sell, move out for 12 months or more or die.

The catch: it requires about a 50% down payment. That creates enough equity to cover the accrued interest on the loan. The down payment can come from the sale of another home, from savings or a gift from a family member.

You just can’t borrow the down payment. Most folks will use the proceeds from the sale of a home as their down payment.

The Great Recession’s impact on the housing industry has some people wondering if real estate is still a great investment. After all, home values fell nationwide. But as the saying goes, time really does heal all wounds.

If you look at real estate over a long period of time, home values have proven to be resilient. In fact, more than half of U.S. homes are now worth as much or more than they were at the peak of the national housing boom in April 2007! National home prices are expected to rise another 5.5 percent this year.

Visits with Santa, activities with Santa’s elves, holiday music, cookies and hot chocolate. Bring your camera to capture the memories!

A FREE event for the whole family!

Santa will be there 10 AM – 12 PM & 2 – 4 PM

Neighbors
575 Fallbrook Blvd
Suite 102
Lincoln, NE