Greater Lincoln Real Estate Podcast with Jeff Searcy

Home Seller Checklist

Success@SearcyTeam.com (Jeff Searcy) — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 09:52:00 -0700

Selling your home requires many steps. Some of the most important ones are staging and decluttering your home.

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Aside from pricing, the best things to focus on for a successful home sale are staging and decluttering.

We don’t live in our homes in the same way that we showcase them. There is a huge difference between the two. There are probably a lot of things in your home that you’ll need to get rid or put in storage to properly prepare your home.

Curb appeal is the number one attractant of buyers.

When you remove those personal items, knick-knacks, and general clutter, you can maximize the space in your home. That is crucial for opening up the imagination of buyers who come and see the home. When they can imagine their own furniture and personal items in your home, they are only forming a stronger bond with the house.

Curb appeal is the number one attractant of buyers outside. Even if it’s just a quick landscaping fix or some peeling paint, get it shored up to attract more buyers. It can actually make the difference between somebody stopping and setting up a showing and just simply driving by. If your house doesn’t look pristine, the buyer might not come back.

If you have any questions for us or need help getting your home ready for a quick and profitable sale, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We would love to hear from you soon.

Down Payments Don’t Have to Be an Obstacle for Homeownership

Success@SearcyTeam.com (Jeff Searcy) — Thu, 1 Jun 2017 09:27:00 -0700

There are a lot of loan options out there with low down payment options. There are even some that don’t require a down payment at all. Here are some options you have for an affordable down payment as a homebuyer.

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What's the biggest obstacle to homeownership?

According to a recent survey, "saving enough for a down payment" comes at the top of the list. A whopping 55% of prospective homebuyers cited this as their main stumbling block.

And with the continuing growth of home prices, things aren't getting any easier. In fact, homeownership rates reached a 20-year low last November.

It wasn't always like this.

A decade ago, many lenders were offering easy, no-money-down mortgages.

However, after the financial crisis, mortgage standards have become more restrictive.

Here's the good news.

If you have decent credit and a steady income, you might be qualified for a number of specialized programs that require no or very little down payment. Here are a few of the top options.

First, there's the USDA loan, which is valid for homes in certain regions, such as rural and suburban areas.

With zero money down and lenient credit requirements, the USDA loan can be a great choice for many homeowners.

Second, there’s the VA loan, which you can apply for if you or your spouse served in a branch of the military.

It's possibly the most generous zero-money-down mortgage because of low interest rates and low closing costs.

Third, there's the FHA loan. It does require a 3.5% down payment.

Finally, there are a number credit unions and first-time homebuyer programs that might apply to your particular situation.

There’s one important thing you should know.

If you get one of these no-money-down mortgages, chances are good you will be required to pay private mortgage insurance, which can drive up your monthly payments.

Fortunately, private mortgage insurance will disappear after your mortgage balance is under 80%. Also, the money you do pay will be tax deductible in most cases.

In short, there are lots of options to make owning a home a reality for you, even if you haven't saved up tens of thousands of dollars.

If you're considering buying a home, check out some of the great homes that have come on the market around Lincoln recently:

Click here for all available Lincoln homes for sale

And if you need more advice on getting a no-money-down loan, give me a call at (402) 475-5555. I can put you in touch with some experienced Lincoln, Nebraska area lenders who can answer your questions and help get you started.

The Latest in Lincoln Real Estate News

Success@SearcyTeam.com (Jeff Searcy) — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 13:40:00 -0700

The Lincoln market is pretty crazy right now. There is a big opportunity out there currently, for sellers.

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We’re already into the second quarter of 2017, but today we’re taking a look back at the first quarter to give you a better idea of what’s going on in the Lincoln real estate market.

It seems like everyone out there is talking about how crazy the market is. They’re right though, and the statistics back it up.

The average price is going up and it’s a great time to sell.

The number of closed sales in the first quarter was 740, while only 623 homes are currently listed for sale. That number is way too low. We need more inventory. If you have been thinking about selling and taking advantage of this historic market, there isn’t going to be a better time than today.

The average sale price is going up, and now sits at $195,000 for the Lincoln area. It’s an incredible time to be in the market, whether you’re looking to buy or sell. If you are looking to do either, we would love to take care of you. We’ve been in this industry for 40 years and you can always expect success with Lincoln’s leaders in real estate, The Searcy Team. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Why Use a New Construction Specialist?

Success@SearcyTeam.com (Jeff Searcy) — Tue, 4 Apr 2017 09:31:00 -0700

If you plan on building a home in the near future, working with a New Construction Specialist will make it happen faster and at a higher quality.

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Working with a New Construction Specialist such as myself, is just one more level of service you’ll receive when working with the Searcy Team. I work with several builders here in town, with the Home Builders Association of Lincoln Nebraska, on both high end and entry-level homes.

I’ll match a builder with your project!

I’ll match a builder with your project so that you can go from the scrap booking phase to a completed home.

If you have any questions about building a home, give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you!

How We Help Our Clients in Their Own Words

Success@SearcyTeam.com (Jeff Searcy) — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 08:11:00 -0800

We work hard to get the results our clients deserve.
Here’s what they have to say about that effort.

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We often talk about the nuts and bolts of real estate. The ins and outs of what goes into a successful transaction. But what really matters at the end of the day? The results for our clients, of course. Rather than us talking about how hard we work and how much we care about our clients, we think they say it best. Here are what a few of our recent clients had to say about working with us: "I first met Hannah a long time ago and when I was ready to buy a house, she was the first person I contacted. She did a great job helping me find a house that I really liked that fit within my budget and my needs. She did a great job of walking us through the process, giving us tips along the way. It was overall a very positive experience and much easier than I thought it would be." -Lori "We used Hannah Searcy as our Realtor. She did a great job. We ultimately found the house that we wanted and we're happy with it. She definitely went above and beyond." -Jake “My husband’s friends had used them and really enjoyed the service that Jeff had provided. They thought he’d be very helpful for me, and recommended that I connect with them. He did a great job and found us a nice house that is working for our family. I know he keeps crazy hours, as most Realtors do. I know there were nights where it was 10 p.m. and he was trying to get offers in. A lot of things that are standard fare for Realtors these days.” -Julie

Results are really what matter.

“I knew of Jeff, I had gone to his open houses and he just generally started a conversation. My wife and I were looking on and off, and finally we got some estimates on fixing up our old house. Long story short, we decided instead of remodeling, we would like to move after 20 years. Knowing other Realtors, we wanted somebody that was serious and could get the job done quickly. We knew that was Jeff and his team. That’s what made us go with him. Our new house is being built and we wanted to get in and see it. Mary gladly said she was available and would meet us there shortly. I don’t know what she was doing on Sunday, it could have been her afternoon at home, but she gladly came right over and allowed us to get in. I just don’t think you could go wrong. They’re serious about what they do. If you’re serious and you're ready to go, they’re definitely the ones to have represent you.” -Rod Thanks so much to Lori, Jake, Julie, and Rod for their kind words. To hear more of what our customers have to say about us, click here. If you have any questions for us or if you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.

Join Us for an Exclusive Searcy Team Success Session

Success@SearcyTeam.com (Jeff Searcy) — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 09:34:00 -0800

Whether you’re buying or selling, we’d love to sit down with you for a success session. This is the best way for us to help you reach your goals.

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You might be listening to the mantra "You should get involved in real estate," but don't know how to start the process of buying or selling a home. What can you do?

Here at the Searcy Team, we always recommend sitting down with us for an Exclusive Searcy Team Success Session, whether you’re buying or selling. During the session, we'll sit down to really analyze all your needs, wants, and which direction to go in.

These sessions are
extremely valuable.

We think these sessions are extremely valuable. Before you get any further along in the process, let’s get off to a great start. If you’re considering getting involved in buying or selling real estate, give us a call or send us an email to set up an Exclusive Searcy Team Success Session. We’d love to help get you started on the right foot.

If you have any other questions about the Lincoln market or anything else, give us a call or send us an email. We’d love to hear from you.

This Year Marks Nebraska’s 150th as a State

Success@SearcyTeam.com (Jeff Searcy) — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 13:24:00 -0800

2017 is going to be a great year in the state of Nebraska!
Nebraska's Centennial Mall is ready,
and together we’re celebrating 150 years as a state.

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We’ve got an exciting topic to discuss with you today that’s a little off the beaten path from our usual real estate topics, but it’s something I’m just as excited about.

I say this topic is exciting because I am absolutely thrilled about the fact that we have a newly revitalized and energized Nebraska's Centennial Mall for many sesquicentennial activities in 2017!

On behalf of the Nebraska Capitol Environs Commission and the Nebraska 150 Foundation, we're proud to say 'Mark your calendars!!' September 22-23, 2017-- A Salute to the Good Life! a Centennial Mall Spectacular!

We’re celebrating 150 years
of statehood in 2017.

So have fun, take part in many year long state wide festivities, and enjoy them as we commemorate 150 years of statehood by looking to the future, celebrating the past, and realizing what is happening today.

Check it all out at www.ne150.org.

If you have any questions for us or you’re looking to buy or sell a home in Lincoln, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

10 Things That May Turn Buyers Away

Success@SearcyTeam.com (Jeff Searcy) — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 09:48:00 -0800

The way you live in your home is not the same way you sell a home.
Today we have ten tips to help you avoid house trends that will turn buyers off.

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If you sell your home, you want to appeal to as many buyers as possible. Today, I wanted to share the top ten trends that can turn away buyers to help you avoid them in your home.

1. Boldly painted walls. Stick with neutral colors that are buyer-friendly. If you want colors that pop, do it with accessories.

2. Wallpaper. It's a personal preference, but it's very time-consuming to remove. That's the first thing a buyer will think about.

3. Lavish light fixtures. They should enhance your home, not be a centerpiece that steals the show. Like with paint, the more neutral, the better.

4. Gleaming colors. Stay away from metallic and bold colors. The more neutral, the better!

5. Converted areas like garages or bedrooms. Buyers prefer to walk into a bedroom and see it in its original intended purpose. If you've used a room for something other than the intended purpose, consider staging it.

Landscaping is good for curb appeal, but too much signals a lot of required maintenance.

6. Carpet. Get the carpet cleaned and fresh and get rid of any old shag carpet. Stay with the soft plush in neutral colors. 7. Covering hardwood floors. If there's hardwood under your carpet, you can get rid of that old dingy carpet and refinish the hardwood. Remember, most buyers prefer hardwood.
8. Overly lush landscaping. Landscaping is awesome for curb appeal, but overgrown landscaping will lead buyers to believe it requires too much maintenance.
9. Pools and hot tubs. Some people love pools and hot tubs, but here in Nebraska, we can't use them year round, so many buyers would rather have the yard space or save the time and money needed for maintenance.
10. Pet products out around the house. Get them all put away and hidden so that buyers can see your fresh and clean home, not evidence of pets. Remember, you don't live in a home the same way you show a home! These tips will help you fine-tune your home to appeal to the maximum amount of buyers.

If you have any more questions about this topic or you're thinking about buying or selling a house, give us a call or send us an email today. We'd love to hear from you!

5 Tips to Boost the Value of Your Home

Success@SearcyTeam.com (Jeff Searcy) — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 16:04:00 -0800

Thinking about selling your home? Make sure you know these
five ways to add value to your home.

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When you list your home on the market, it’s always a good idea to make sure your home highlights its value to ensure you get the best price possible. Here are five ways you can add value to your home:

1. Clean up and clear out. You can do this one on your own. It’s all about decluttering and depersonalizing your home. This will make a huge impact when the buyer takes that first step into your home.

2. Spruce up your kitchen. The kitchen can make or break any sale, so whether you do a full remodel or just spend $300 to do some updating, make sure you put some work into that room.

The kitchen can make
or break any sale.

3. Freshen up the bathroom. Again, this can be anything from a few simple improvements to a complete remodel, but this room needs some attention as well.

4. Selectively paint rooms. This is the quickest and easiest way to transform the look of any room in the house. You can either hire someone to paint or do it yourself. Add a pop of color, but be sure to stay away from bolds and metallics.
5. Enhance the exterior. Make sure everything looks clean and neat. You might even consider getting some landscaping done. People will look at pictures of your home online and possibly do a drive by. The last thing you want them to see is an unkempt lawn or overgrown bushes. If you have any other questions about how to enhance the value of your home or any other real estate related questions, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We are always happy to help!

Check Out The Boulders at Wilderness Ridge

Success@SearcyTeam.com (Jeff Searcy) — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 08:46:00 -0700

The Boulders is an exciting new project that will feature luxury townhomes and will be completed by spring of 2017.

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There is a great new project being built here in Lincoln. Located in the southwest corner of Lincoln near the Wilderness Ridge Golf Course, The Boulders will feature beautiful, luxury townhomes. This is a very exciting project!

If you want to move out of your current home and into a luxury townhome, you need to check out The Boulders. Just give me a call–we have the blueprints ready to go. We are able to design whatever you want on the interior. There are some strict rules for the exterior of the home in order to create a friendly neighborhood, however.

We are able to design whatever you want on the interior.

The view from the backyard shows off the 5th green, and you can see all the way down to the fairway. This is a truly beautiful area. We hope to have these townhomes completed by spring of 2017 in time for the Spring Parade of Homes!

If you would like to know more details about The Boulders, just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

*Listings for The Boulders are coming soon

Your Source for New Construction Information

Success@SearcyTeam.com (Jeff Searcy) — Fri, 7 Oct 2016 13:13:00 -0700

Who would've believed we'd be building in this area back in the day?

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I'm here today at the Waterford Estates, which is the kind of site you would see me at as a new construction specialist. This one project has taken many years to build out!

It's just one of many projects like this that I know about far in advance. I take tours all the time, and we've got places north, south, east, and west. Another site we like right now is called The Boulders at Wilderness Ridge near 27th and Rokeby Road. Additionally, another area experiencing tremendous growth is called Grandview Estates, near 70th and Rokeby Road.

Who would've believed we'd be building in this area back in the day?

Who would've believed we would be working in that area in 2016? Not long ago, it was nothing but gravel roads and fields of wheat and corn.

If you're looking for somebody to help you build, give me a call or send me an email with any questions you may have. I'd love to help you out!

How I Can Match a Builder With You

Success@SearcyTeam.com (Jeff Searcy) — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 11:18:00 -0700

As a home construction specialist with the Searcy Team of HOME Real Estate, my job involves being on projects and often onsite. I wear muck boots and sometimes I get so stuck in drywall mud that I feel like I’m a toy wobbler.

I’m on project and onsite.

This is what I’m trying to tell you: I’m on project and onsite. If you’re interested in knowing more about new construction and how I can match a builder with you, whether you have an entry-level home or a high-end one, I have a select few builders I like to work with, and I’d be happy to help you out.

If you have any questions, just give me a call or shoot me an email. I look forward to hearing from you.

How The Searcy Team Quickly Found a Home for Melissa

Success@SearcyTeam.com (Jeff Searcy) — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 08:31:00 -0700

“We had Hannah as our realtor. She showed us a lot of houses and had a really good experience with her. The house we ended up buying was one that hadn’t even been put on the market yet. She happened to tell us about it and we came to look at it and made an offer on it that day.”

-Melissa

How the Searcy Team Helped Lori Buy and Sell Her Home

Success@SearcyTeam.com (Jeff Searcy) — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 08:30:00 -0700

“I first met Hannah a long time ago and when I was ready to buy a house she was the first person I contacted. She did a great job helping me find a house that I really liked that fit in my budget. The process was really smooth. When it was time to sell the house, she was of course, the only person I would’ve considered using. She did a great job of walking us through the entire process, giving us tips along the way and it was overall much easier than I ever thought it would be. “

-Lori

We're in for a Record-Setting 2016

Success@SearcyTeam.com (Jeff Searcy) — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 07:54:00 -0700

Today we're talking about the market here in Lincoln, because I think up to this point in 2016, there's a bit of a misconception. Yes - it has been a stellar year as we've been predicting, but it's an interesting year at the same time.

It's not a record year - yet.

For example, up until the end August of 2015, there were 3,651 homes sold in Lincoln. During that same time frame in 2016, 3,235 homes have sold. Does that mean we are having a banner year? Or should we be asking what is the matter?

The next four months will be record-setting in real estate.

No, it means that the end of this year - the next four months of 2016 - are going to be record-setting months in the Lincoln real estate market. You may as well participate! It's still interesting that the average time it's taking to sell a home in Lincoln (depending on pricing) has hovered in that two-month range. As you move up in price point, that kind of grows, and that's the norm.

Well, we have seen everything but the norm when it comes to 2016 real estate, so get ready for the next four months.

If you're thinking about participating in this record-setting market in 2016, call me or send me an email. I'd love to help you prepare in any way that I can.

Win Free Tickets to the Nebraska State Fair

Success@SearcyTeam.com (Jeff Searcy) — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 12:45:00 -0700

It's a beautiful time of the year in Lincoln - the sun is shining, the crops are growing, and the birds are singing. It's also time for the Nebraska State Fair!

We used to hold that fair every year right here in Lincoln, and those grounds have turned into the gorgeous Innovation Campus - a great addition to our city and state.

you could win tickets to the state fair!

After years of enjoying the State Fair event's we want to give you a chance at free tickets so you can enjoy them this year! We've got five sets of tickets to give away, so just email us at success@searcyteam.com and put "Pick me!" in the headline. We'll also pick a grand prize winner who will receive tickets to the concert of their choice at the Nebraska State Fair. *The concert of your choice is subject to availability.

If you're thinking about getting into the real estate market, now is the time. If you have questions about getting into the market, give us a call or send an email and we'll talk soon!

Should You Keep Renting, or Buy a House?

Success@SearcyTeam.com (Jeff Searcy) — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 15:31:00 -0700

Is now the right time to buy, or should you keep renting? Our answer is simple: stop paying someone else’s mortgage.

Stop paying someone else’s mortgage.

The fact of the matter is that you have to live somewhere. You’re either going to be paying rent, or you’re going to be paying a mortgage. If you purchase your home now, you’re going to be automatically setting yourself up for home equity down the road. That is to say, home equity acts as an automatic savings account you build for yourself by paying your mortgage each month to own your own house.

Right now, interest rates are still at an all-time low. The amount of house you can get for these lower interest rates is huge. With prices estimated to increase by 5.5% over the next 12 months, now is the time to act, and we want to help you do it. Our buyer’s success session is going to set you up for success. That’s the whole point! We want you to know how the process works, what we can do for you, and how we work on your behalf.

If you have any questions, give us a call so we can help you go from liking a house on Zillow to actually living in that house.

What Are People Saying About the Searcy Team?

Success@SearcyTeam.com (Jeff Searcy) — Thu, 4 Aug 2016 13:12:00 -0700

Buying or selling a home can be tough. Finding a real estate team that's going to help and listen to your needs can be even TOUGHER!

With nearly 40 years of experience the Searcy team strives to give you the best experience possible.

Don't take our word for it though, see what our clients are saying about us on Zillow.

Below are just a few examples. For more click here!

Sold a Single Family home in 2016

"We cannot say enough great things about Jeff Searcy and the Searcy team! We lived in our house for 20 years. Jeff was straight forward about transitioning our home from lived in to making it ready for the market. It was an 8 week process of prepping the home to sale. We started by DE-cluttering, to replace carpet and make other needed updates. After everything I kind of wanted to change mind and possibly keep my house haha. Through the process the Searcy team was extremely patient and respectful of our family’s busy schedule. But, kept us on track of the goal. After 8 weeks the team evaluated and decided we were ready put a sign in the yard on Friday afternoon. Within 16 hours we had four viewings scheduled and a scheduled open house for Sunday. By noon on Saturday we had two offers. Jeff reviewed each offer with us pointing out the details communicating with potential buyers. Needless to say our home sold for above asking price. Jeff Searcy and the Searcy team worked with us every step of the way. This isn't a hello and put a sign in the yard. It is a journey to make large transitions and family changes as smooth as possible. We always felt that the Searcy team had our family's best interest at heart. Answering calls and texts quickly. Jeff helped us find are new home. The next time we are in the market for real estate we will definitely be using the Searcy Team again."

Bought a Single Family home in 2016

"Thank u so much for introducing us to Jasper! I definitely have the best Realtor ever! I walked into this process knowing nothing at all and she stepped me through the whole way. I feel like I have run into every situation possible in the process and she always has had a solution. She has answered each and every one of our questions and believe me there were many and the few she didn't have answers to she found out for me. She has always been very prompt in contacting and replying to each and every text or call. Very accommodating to our crazy schedule. I felt from the beginning that she was someone I could trust and not just "try to make a sale" She even pointed out anything that was bad when we were looking at houses. I felt like she was a friend looking out for us the whole time even though just a stranger. She gave us her all and put tons of time and effort into finding "the house" for us. I'm sure there's plenty more to be said but she is beyond AWESOME to say the least. Thank u for all u have done for me and my family Jasper!! You're amazing!!"

Sold a Single Family home in 2016

"Hannah helped me buy my house 5 years ago, when I knew absolutely nothing about the process. She really listened to what I was looking for and why, and helped me find the perfect house for my situation. She explained the process every step of the way and I never felt overwhelmed. When I was ready to sell, I didn't even think about calling another realtor. Hannah, again, was great. She met with me to go over what easy fixes I could do to get the house ready to sell. She's incredibly responsive and answers text messages about the tiniest things. She's really there for her clients and makes them feel that they're the only house she is dealing with. Hannah got me a great price on our home and I couldn't be happier with my experience. If I ever move back to Lincoln, the first person I'm going to call is Hannah!"

The Searcy Team is Moving

Success@SearcyTeam.com (Jeff Searcy) — Fri, 8 Jul 2016 11:33:00 -0700

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We’re used to helping you find or sell a home but now it’s OUR turn to invite YOU into our new “home!”

After 17 years on Cotner Boulevard, we’ve moved to 5322 O Street and can’t wait to better serve Nebraska’s Capital City.

We would love to visit and catch up with you at the new Home Real Estate office at our GRAND OPENING, Wednesday July 13th from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

We hope to see you there! If you can’t make it, feel free to stop in when you can.

Sell First, Then Buy Your Next Lincoln Home?

Success@SearcyTeam.com (Jeff Searcy) — Wed, 25 May 2016 10:18:00 -0700

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We've been getting a lot of questions lately from buyers and sellers, wondering if you can buy a new home without selling your existing home first. Do you find a home you want to buy first and then list your home and sell it, or do you list your home and get it under contract before finding your next house? There's not an exact science and no precise answer to the question. Every real estate transaction is different and personal circumstances vary. That's why we strongly suggest a brief conversation to discuss your unique situation.*

In our experience, it can often make more sense to get your home on the market, know what your selling price is, and then go out and find the next one. That way you're ready and you know where you stand on the next home. If you are in the advantageous position of being able to acquire a bridge loan, utilize special financing, or have a strong cash equity in your current property, you may wish to secure your new place first. If not, it's nice to know your sale situation so you can turn around and find your next home quickly and effectively.

"There's not an exact science to this."

Sometimes a contingent offer is the only course-and if that's the case-a professional and seasoned Realtor can offer excellent assistance-especially in multiple offer scenarios. Check out our video for more insight, and reach out to us to discuss your unique and individual situation in 2016. We would love to hear from you!

How I Got My Start

Success@SearcyTeam.com (Jeff Searcy) — Tue, 17 May 2016 10:23:00 -0700

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I’m excited to be here because I wanted to share with you how I started in the real estate business. When I was a little girl, I’d go to showings and open houses with my grandparents, then with my dad, and then with my mom when she got licensed. As I got into high school, my sister and I helped with a lot of behind-the-scenes work like campaigns and mailings, and also washing signs and putting up open house baggies.

"When I got out of high school, I realized that I wanted in."

When I got out of high school, I decided that I wanted in. Now, 11 years later, I’ve had the opportunity to help hundreds of individuals and families realize their real estate goals.

May I help you too? Call me today!

The Spring Market in Lincoln is Fantastic

Success@SearcyTeam.com (Jeff Searcy) — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 10:18:00 -0700

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Spring is in full bloom, can you believe it? We certainly can, judging by the Lincoln real estate market. If you’ve been thinking of selling a home, there’s a great opportunity to do so right now. Our inventory is so low, it’s a perfect time to make a move.

Speaking of making a move, The Searcy Team is getting ready to do just that. In mid-June, we’re going to be moving to our brand new office building at 5322 O St. We look forward to welcoming you to our grand opening at the new office.

"It’s sure to be a magical year in real estate."

There is a lot of moving in the air, and the biggest year for moving in quite some time is 2016. It’s sure to be a magical year in real estate. If you have any questions for us, give us a call or send us an email. We would love to hear from you.

Hear What Some of Our Customers Are Saying About Us!

Success@SearcyTeam.com (Jeff Searcy) — Wed, 9 Mar 2016 11:41:00 -0800

“We used Hannah Searcy as our Realtor and she did a great job. My work schedule is really hectic so any of the showings she did for us she did after hours, Saturday, Sunday sometimes 9 p.m. so she definitely went above and beyond.” -Jake
“Hannah Searcy sold our house to us the first time ten years ago. This time Hannah put our house on the market and had it sold in two weeks. We were in a new house a week after we left our old house. Hannah did a really good job and did everything we asked her to do. With the schedules we had it was hard for us to get in the houses and look at them. So we went at weird times of the day and on Saturday's and Sundays and she arranged times for us and got everything set up.” -Kyle
“Everything went really smoothly. Hannah is a good friend of my wife’s. We got the house cleaned up and ready as fast as we could and then when everything went down, it was a very quick turnaround time. The house that we got, her sister Jasper also had ready to go and even before it was on the market we were able to look at it. Everything went quick it was really simple.” -Brett
“We actually were on the seller side of things. Hannah Searcy brought a buyer to us. It was definitely a positive experience she was very fair to make sure she got the best deal for not only for the buyers who were her clients but also for us as the sellers. We had other realtors come in and bring their clients through and we felt immediately defensive like they were trying to make sure they sealed their commission rather than get the best deal for their buyers and it was really the opposite experience with Hannah. She came in open and made sure we were comfortable with her in the process.” -Kristen
“I worked with Hannah in selling my house, she was actually the one I used when I bought my first house by myself. So when I got married and sold my house we used her again. We had some renovation projects that weren't done that we were supposed to be doing before we sold our house. So she was really great to work with and understanding in that whole process and still getting the ball moving in getting our house sold. Then we worked with her when we purchased our house that we bought. We did not have a great home building experience and she was really supportive in all of that and came to our aid and defended us against our builders so we were really appreciative of that service that she provided.” -Jennifer
“I was just starting to look for houses and realized I couldn't do it on my own so I was connected with Hannah Searcy and Jeff as well. They were very welcoming and understanding that I knew nothing about the real estate business life. They took the time to help me understand things and it was just a really great experience overall.” -Ashlee

Insight into Lincoln Real Estate in 2016

Success@SearcyTeam.com (Jeff Searcy) — Mon, 7 Mar 2016 08:51:00 -0800

Buying a Lincoln Home? Search all Homes for Sale

Selling a Lincoln Home? Check out our FREE Home Value Report

Today we have some important insight regarding Lincoln real estate in 2016. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors, was in town to speak recently, and he shared his thoughts and predictions for 2016! Lawrence is a wealth of information, and when he talks, it's worth listening to-- so enjoy this episode of Searcy's Real Estate Video Blog and get ready for a record-setting 2016 in Lincoln Nebraska!

Mr. Yun thinks that 2016 will outpace 2015. This is incredible because 2015 was a chart-topping year in real estate! He also thought that inventory would remain extremely low for many reasons, among them the fact that people are staying in their homes longer, with the national average inching up from moving every 7 years to approaching 10 years.

On top of this, there are 30,000 more people employed in Lincoln today, compared with the year 2000. These people will need to live somewhere! That’s 30,000 people that just may buy, sell, or invest in real estate!

At the same time, the one thing that may hold us back is the lack of inventory. Buyers are motivated to quickly act on nice properties that are coming on the market. If you’re thinking of selling, and you're priced right with acceptable to excellent condition, you have a very good chance for a successful sale with acceptable terms!

There’s no other way to put it: we need more homes to sell to absorb the current demand in the Lincoln area.

Please contact us if you want to sell in 2016. The spring market is coming soon!

Take Advantage of Low Inventory in Lincoln

Success@SearcyTeam.com (Jeff Searcy) — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 10:25:00 -0800

Buying a Lincoln Home? Search all Homes for Sale

Selling a Lincoln Home? Check out our FREE Home Value Report

Last year was an absolute record year in Lincoln! Today, we’ll be discussing an excellent opportunity if you’ve been thinking about selling your home.

According to the Realtors Association of Lincoln, there were 4,704 homes sold last year in our local Midlands MLS system! We experienced 300 more home sales compared to the last record year. Additionally, there were 600 new construction properties purchased in 2015. That’s exciting news for real estate and for you!

Record low inventory means it’s a great time to sell. It’s a great time to get into the market. Prospective buyers currently have less options available to choose from. This is an opportune time to shine and stand out!

If you’re looking to buy, sell, or build, 2016 will be a great year for you. We expect a very robust year in Lincoln real estate. Reach out by phone or email at your earliest convenience if you would like to explore your options! Now is the time to make your dreams come true with The Searcy Team!