The Importance of Home Repair

There is simply no reason to neglect your home repair. You lose value, quality and aesthetic appeal when you don’t engage in regular home improvements and cleaning.

Whether it’s a professional, a handyman or yourself, you can’t afford to skimp on home maintenance! You don’t want to end up waiting until something goes wrong, and then quickly scramble to get it fixed when you are unprepared.

Benefits, Benefits, Benefits

On top of keeping your home in good condition, keeping up with home repairs will ensure that the value of your property appreciates over time. In the long run, you will be thankful you did, and you will reap the benefits financially, especially if you know you will be selling in the future. Remodeling and renovations also help raise your home value, but may require more work. Overall, though it may be costly, home maintenance goes a long way in lowering the risk of future damage.

Safety First!

Many aspects of the home require checking more often than others due to safety issues. Appliances like smoke detectors, heating systems and other mechanisms that can prevent or create hazards should be checked monthly. Most people cannot see items that need repair by doing a simple walk through, so sometimes, closer examination is needed. Things like loose wires can be easily overlooked, but can result in energy overload or even a fire.

What am I Looking For?

Virtually nothing in your house is maintenance free, so it is wise to check everything – but you don’t have to do it all at once, and some areas require more attention than others. The first thing you need to decide is who will be doing the maintenance and checks. You may not have the eye, time or motivation, in which case it might be wise to hire a handyman. If you decide to take the responsibility on yourself, here are a few general things to look for in each area of the home:

Exterior – Chimneys, roofs and gutters should be regularly checked for any kind of blockage, cracks or loose parts. If you have brick siding, you should check for deterioration. For your doors and windows, be sure to check the caulking and weather stripping for quality, especially before the summer and winter to make sure you’re not losing money on heating and air. If you have a wooden garage or patio, be sure to check for termite infestation, which can weaken the strength and support. To avoid broken or falling limbs, be sure to trim all landscaping with overhanging or dead branches.

Interior – Inside your home, walls and ceilings should be monitored for cracks, and areas behind drapes and curtains should be especially checked for mildew or mold, as little airflow is received there. In the attic, look for water leakage from the roof and make sure rafters and insulation are in shape.

Electrical – Once a year, you should make certain you check the main electrical panel for water marks and rust. Also, if you smell anything out of the ordinary, like burning, you should call your electrician. Indoor and outdoor wiring shouldn’t be overlooked, either.

Pest Control – Earwigs, ants, cockroaches, termites and fleas can easily make it into your home undetected. Having pest control come spray your house twice a year is a good choice. Also, though they live only one year on average, mice can bare up to eight litters in their lifetime, so keep things clean! Being sanitary is a simple solution to avoid those creepy critters.

You Can’t Do it All

You might save money by repairing your home on your own, but there are five home repairs that you should never attempt to do on your own:

1. Plumbing: one small leak can result in thousands of dollars worth of damage – leave it to the pros!

2. Electrical Repairs: an electrical shock can be fatal, so don’t even risk it if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing

3. Gas Appliance Repair: Gas has a high chance of leaking, and could potentially lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

4. Roof Repairs: The hazard is obvious – it’s easy to fall off of a roof. It’s safer and more worthwhile to hire a roofer.

5. Asbestos Removal: Found mostly in older homes, asbestos is toxic and it’s recommended that you get it professionally removed.

All in all, many minor repairs and maintenance actions can be easily completed by you and shouldn’t be disregarded; but if you're unsure, do not hesitate to hire a professional to help out. Take caution where needed and look at everything closely. Remember that taking action now to maintain the quality of your home will benefit you greatly down the road.

For more tips and tricks about the importance of home care, or if you want to talk real estate, feel free to contact me at 402.680.2500 or email me at bill.black@cbshome.com.

Celebrate May, Celebrate a Closing!

May is a month that usually brings a sense of happiness and relief. Those dreary winter months are coming to an end, flowers are blooming all around and mothers are being celebrated! While May is a month of transition in weather, for many it’s also a month of transition in living. Many people are closing on homes this month, but we should rethink the phrase “closing.” Everything else is being celebrated this May, and closing is no exception!

First of all, let’s get a better idea of what’s really involved in closing on a house so we can better understand why it's worthy of a celebration!

The Process

Binding yourself to a home – verifying your homeowner’s insurance, committing to the terms of the mortgage and getting keys in your hand – can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be! It is exciting that you possess a new living space, and it’s easier to feel optimistic about closing when you are more familiar with the process. After your long search for the perfect home, you still have to negotiate, get the house inspected and apply for and commit to the mortgage. Then comes that dramatic moment where you sign the dotted line, and voila, the house is your home! All those tense and stressful months or house hunting are extinguished in the quick and painless process of closing.


Who and What is Involved?

Usually the process involves documents like loan papers, title insurance, contracts, a title and the down payment, to name a few. These items ensure that you will get everything just the way you’d like. Timing is very important to make sure the closing goes smoothly and successfully. Remember, you’re not in it alone! You can search around for a settlement agent to prepare the documents for your closing, or you can simply use a recommendation from your real estate agent or lender.

It’s Not a Closing, it’s an Opening!

While many people use the common phrase “closing,” it’s actually the complete opposite. Sure you may have closed down the house hunting process, but remember who got you to that point? Most likely it was with the help of your real estate agent. Agents, especially me, are dedicated and caring. We don’t like to drop clients by the wayside just because we have helped them close on a home. I take this process as an opportunity to grow with my client and help them in their transition. So let’s celebrate! Here are some fun ways to commemorate your newly owned house!


Get to Know the Neighborhood - Invite some of your neighbors over and take time to enjoy your new home. Celebrate with food and drinks to make everyone feel welcomed!

Unpacking Party - Throw and “Unpacking Party” by inviting friends and family over to make the process easier and quicker! It’s always nice to make some kind of treat to show your appreciation.


Show that You Care - Take time to write personal thank you letters to everyone who aided you in your moving process. It shows people you care, and make you appreciate this transitional life event.

Stay in Touch with Your Agent - Again, please don’t think that your real estate agent is left behind in the moving process. We care and want to help you make the most of your new home through the end!

So with all the celebration going on in May, why shouldn’t closing on a home be included as well? This month emits a refreshing zest of life and it should be appreciated and embraced. Do not just be relieved you have finally “closed” on a house but rather let’s rejoice in new homes, lasting relationships and beautiful spring!

I’ll help you celebrate! And I can also answer your questions and provide real estate advice directly. E-mail me at bill.black@cbshome.com or call my cell at 402.680.2500!

Moving Senior Citizens to a Retirement Community

Unfortunately, there comes a time when senior citizens can no longer live independently in their family homes. Whether it is physical impediments or mental health that beings to deteriorate, various factors can make a transition necessary.

Many questions arise in the process that can be difficult to answer: What kind of care will he or she receive? How close is it to family? Who’s going to pay for all of this? What to do I do with all of my loved one’s belongings? There are several tips and a lot of information available to make the move easier for both you and the senior citizen.

When is the Right Time?

You may come across many indications that it’s time to move senior citizens into a more accommodating living environment. Not being able to go to the bathroom without assistance, forgetfulness and disorientation are just a few of the possible signals that it may be time. No longer being able to care for oneself may be embarrassing for some, and sometimes the elderly will hesitate to tell others about this. Be sure to be observant, ask questions and let them know you care.

Timing is essential, not only because your loved one might need time to mentally and emotionally prepare, but also because the moving process takes a bit longer for elderly folks. Furthermore, you can ease the realization of moving for them by being approaching the subject delicately. Take time out and really discuss the need to move, get them involved in the process, and make sure they are comfortable. Do some research ahead of time so there are lots of options available.

What Do I Throw Out?

Usually, the elderly person will be downsizing in terms of living space, so not all of his or her belongings will be able to fit in the new place. The issue of packing becomes especially difficult when seniors must leave behind cherished goods. It is important to let them have a great deal of say in what they would like to keep. A good idea is to have some kind of organizational system that indicates the level of importance each item in the home has.

Take into account the new living facility, which might even require the purchase of smaller furniture or carpet. Allow lots of time to set aside items to sell, as well. There is sometimes a great profit to be made by selling older possessions, that can often times be valuable antique and vintage items. So before you toss something in the garbage, make sure you’re not throwing away an item of great value!

Get Familiar with the New Place

If you have the opportunity, take your elderly loved one to see the new living space as often as possible. This way, you can both imagine where certain furnishings will go, and the senior citizen can become more comfortable and accepting of the space. You may even bump into other residence, making the move-in process that much more exciting.

On move-in day, be sure to take your time. Make sure everything is placed in its desired position. Taking things slowly also helps your loved one not to feel abandoned or left alone in his or her new home.

You can always suggest support groups, recreational services and groups and other socially engaging clubs to make them feel connected to others. Moving a senior citizen is a big change and presents many frightening realizations; however, if executed in the correct fashion, it can turn into an exciting transition, and even presents opportunity to connect with your elderly loved one.