Realtor: First-time buyer credit isn’t hard to use

KEARNEY - First-time home buyers should not be intimidated by the government’s tax credit program that could give them up to $8,000, says a longtime Kearney real estate agent and broker. “It’s all pretty straightforward. People shouldn’t be concerned that it’s too difficult to understand,” says Rocky Geiser, owner of Re/Max Executives in Kearney. “We are seeing buyers benefit from it and walk away very happy about their experience with the program.”

Take the guesswork out of finding flooring

If you haven’t shopped for flooring in the past few years, prepare yourself. The vast array of hard-surface options is extensive, to say the least. From stone to tile, wood to vinyl, linoleum to laminate, the choices can seem endless. How do you sift through the features and benefits of each to choose the product that is best for your home and your needs, from installation to maintenance and upkeep? And, equally important, how much is it going to cost to get the floor of your dreams?

Welcome to the newest neighborhood

Although construction work is still under way at the new Gretna CROWN, a low-income, single family neighborhood, a grand opening is scheduled next week to introduce it to the community.
Joan Bertolini, CEO of the Douglas County Housing Authority, said this is the first DCHA development in Sarpy County.

New @home pages feature decor, landscapes

The Daily Nonpareil’s @home pages feature decor, landscapes and lifestyles.

Spending on your home can save in the long run

(ARA) - Now that warmer weather is here, people are gearing up to make some repairs and updates to their homes. From new roofs and siding to adding state-of-art kitchen and other household appliances, people have more options than ever when it comes to making purchases that can help them save money and the environment.

Easy ways to protect your landscape from deer

(ARA) - When Bambi invites all his friends to dinner, make sure it’s not in your yard. If you don’t protect your landscaping, Bambi and his friends will be crunching tulips like candy and popping peas right off the vine. You can bet they’ll be stealing your prize tomatoes this summer and munching your mums in the fall.

Adding, upgrading a deck is great alternative to vacation spending

(ARA) - Instead of spending on pricey vacations, more Americans are turning to money-saving alternatives in their own backyards. Upgrading or adding a deck is a great way to take advantage of outdoor living spaces. Homeowners today are viewing their outdoor living space as extensions of their home. Among the 40 million homeowners who have an available outdoor living space, less than one-third prep their decks appropriately for the season, according to a Glidden brand survey.

Weekend home upgrades: fast, affordable fix-ups

(ARA) - With today’s falling home prices, one family’s well-worn dwelling can quickly become another’s dream “starter” home. Interest rates are at historic lows, meaning buyers can get more house than they could a year ago for the same monthly mortgage payment, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

Realtor: Housing market looking up

The housing market in Council Bluffs may already be picking up, according to a local realtor. “I think in the May figures we’ll have more starts,” said Jason James, who works at Heartland Properties. “We’re doing well. We have a lot of custom homes that aren’t yet completed that already are sold.”

Take a peek into history - Omaha’s Brandeis mansion will get designers’ touch

The Brandeis mansion has had some nips and tucks through the years, but overall, it’s aging gracefully. For all the changes of ownership, ravages of weather and multiple uses, the Jacobethan Revival mansion is remarkably well preserved going into its next phase as an American Society of Interior Designers and Joslyn Castle Trust Designer Showhouse.