Omaha Real Estate Expert - Mike Beacom

Selling in Today's Hot Market

2017-03-23T13:10:00.001-07:00

If you're selling your house in the hot Omaha market, you need to be ready for things to happen at a very fast pace by carefully mapping out your strategy with your Realtor.

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If you're selling your house in today's hot market, things are going to happen at a very fast pace.

You'll stick a sign in the yard, showings will start right away, and you might receive an offer (or multiple offers even) very quickly that commands a fast response time. How do you handle all this?

As the seller, you obviously want to get the most money for your home, and this is achieved by giving your home market exposure. If someone sees your home in the morning, submits an offer two hours later, and they want a response right away, you haven't exposed your home to the market.

On the other hand, if you have 15 showings and five offers on the first day, how do you handle them all? You want to plan this strategy out with your Realtor and keep a few things in mind.

First, remember that if you keep your home on the market for a longer time, you will at least give the most interested buyers time to get to your property to see it and possibly write an offer, giving you a number of competing offers. If you take the first offer that comes to your door, you might miss the opportunity to get really great terms or an even better price.

In a hot market like ours, you need to map out your strategy with your Realtor.

What if another buyer wants to offer $5,000 more or they want to pay all cash and close in just two weeks? What if a buyer will waive the inspection or warranty? Many different factors could come together to make the situation ideal for you as the seller.

You want to map this strategy out with your Realtor. Will you have an open house and wait 48 hours before looking at any offers? Will we just look at the first offer that comes in and accept it if it meets all your needs? There are many good possible outcomes for you as the seller, but you need to be prepared to handle the frenzy of what could happen if you want the opportunity to get the highest price and best terms for your house.

If you have any questions I can help you with or you're thinking about selling your Omaha home, don't hesitate to give me a call. I'd be happy to help you!

The Process of Buying a Relocation Property

2017-03-10T10:09:00.000-08:00

The process of buying a relocation property isn’t much different than buying a normal property. There are a few small details to be aware of, however.

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Buying a relocation property isn’t all that much different than buying any other property. However, there are a few small differences that we think you should be aware of.

When you’re negotiating a contract on a relocation property, you can still ask for the same kinds of terms you would on any other property. You can negotiate closing costs, a home warranty, title insurance, and various inspections. However, throughout the process you will have to do a lot of paperwork. Because the relocation company never occupies the property, they will require the seller to sign a lot of things up front, including disclosures.

Another difference in the process of buying a relocation property is the fact that you are penalized for not closing on time. Usually, they will charge a daily per diem penalty. To get around this, make sure you give yourself adequate time when writing your offer. If you want to close in 45 days, write in the contract that you will close in “60 days or sooner” so if there is a problem, you won’t get penalized.

Make sure you give yourself adequate time to close.

The relocation company may also handle repairs differently than a typical seller. Instead of fixing each item on an inspection report individually, they will likely want to put all of those repairs together into some sort of credit.

All in all, purchasing a relocation property isn’t much different than buying a regular property, but you should be aware of these things.

If you have any questions for me about relocation properties or anything else relating to real estate, give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you.

3 Tips for Home Selling Success in 2017

2017-01-20T13:05:00.000-08:00

If you're thinking about selling your house in 2017, I have three tips that will help you update it easily and inexpensively to sell faster and for more money.

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Are you a homeowner thinking of selling your house in 2017? I have three ideas for New Year's resolutions for you that I wanted to share that will help your home sale.

These will help you get your home in position to sell successfully in the next few weeks or months. Even if you don't plan on selling, your home will be better off thanks to these three things:

Painting. It's an easy and affordable way to increase the character of your home on the inside. According to Inman News—a real estate news service—the popular colors that buyers want to see this year are beiges, grays, taupes, reds, and even some greens. There's even a color of the year called 'greenery' that you can find at your local paint store.

Painting is an easy and affordable way to update the character of your interior.

Declutter. The holidays are over and now is a great time to get some things out of the house now that you've brought in some new things. Start by getting a few boxes and cleaning room by room or even just certain parts of the house. If you donate things you don't need anymore to the Goodwill or to friends and neighbors, your rooms will look both better and larger. This is a great thing for buyers to see.

Update hardware and fixtures in your home. This is another easy thing you can do over time. Hardware would include cabinet pulls and handles, for example, and fixtures include things like ceiling fans and light fixtures. If you feel it's old and dated (or doesn’t match), it's a great time to consolidate the look of everything in your house. Replace outdated fixtures and hardware like gold and brass with modern touches and make sure they all match and flow throughout the house with common design features.

These upgrades are all both easy affordable. When you end up selling your home, it will look great thanks to updated paint and fixtures, and it will look larger thanks to the decluttering.

If you have any other questions or you're looking to buy or sell a home in the Omaha market, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

What Will Our Market Look Like in 2017?

2017-01-10T11:22:00.001-08:00

What are the experts saying about the market in 2017? Today, we'll take a look at some market predictions at a nationwide level and on a local level here in Omaha.

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Today I wanted to offer up my predictions for what the Omaha real estate market will hold in 2017.

First, let's examine things from a national perspective.

Inman News has done surveys recently that show 70% of respondents feel positive or very positive about the state of the market as we head to 2017. Much of this comes back to our excellent employment figures and rising salaries, as well as rising rents. These factors all contribute to a positive real estate market.

A similar survey by Inman News also revealed that 50% of respondents feel very favorable about the new president because they see him as someone who knows and values real estate and its place in the market. Love him or hate him, there are many people out there who think a Trump presidency will contribute to a healthy real estate market in 2017.

Some experts even predict a 4.5% rise in home sales. This would likely be caused by the low inventory we have, job growth, and rising interest rates. Really, it creates a perfect storm for home sellers.

Locally, what do I think will happen?

If you're a first-time home buyer, get in the market before rates rise again.

I agree a lot with these national predictions. My thoughts are that thanks to Omaha's low unemployment rate and excellent salaries, we'll continue along the same path of these trends. Rising salaries will cause renters to want to get out of a lease and into a home they can own. Most of the things that contribute to a healthy national market should continue to do the same here in Omaha.

The main takeaway, though, is if you're a first-time home buyer, don't wait to buy a house!

If you're a first-time buyer, get in touch with a good Realtor and get the process started before interest rates go up again. Feel free to give me a call with any questions, or if you're ready to buy or sell a home in Omaha. I look forward to helping you!

What Is Proper Moving Day Etiquette as a Seller?

2016-11-28T14:19:00.002-08:00

When you sell your home, it's important to follow certain etiquette standards to make the buyer's transition smooth and easy. I'll discuss a few things you should do in this position.

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As a home seller, there is proper moving day etiquette that you should follow. You obviously have to plan for moving day, so what is this etiquette?

I always advise my sellers to plan on being out of the house a day before closing. This is the day when you should hire a mover or have friends helping you out. That way, if something comes up beyond your deadline, you won't be left scrambling the morning of closing.

You should also be thorough about cleaning the inside of the house, from the floors to the cabinets and drawers. Also be sure that all the appliances you're leaving behind are clean; no one should have to move into their new house and open the fridge to find crumbs and spills in the there. Bathrooms should be thoroughly cleaned, as well.

Consider leaving a token of appreciation like a bottle of champagne.

Don't overlook the outside of the house or the garage. Only leave essentials like touch-up paint, extra shingles, or extra tiles in the garage. You shouldn't leave behind clutter or garbage. If you're moving during a certain season, be sure to mow or rake leaves a day or two before closing. In the winter, be sure to clear the driveway and sidewalks for your buyers.

I also advise my clients to leave a token of appreciation to their buyers, like a bottle of wine or champagne or a gift card to a local restaurant. It should just be your way of saying thanks for buying your home. You could take it a step further by writing a note of gratitude, as well. It will help create a good vibe during and after closing for them.

If you have any other questions for me about real estate here in Omaha, just give me a call or send me an email. I'd love to help you out!

How Do Pre-Inspections Benefit Buyers & Sellers?

2016-11-10T09:34:00.002-08:00

Pre-inspections benefit both home buyers and sellers in a number of ways. I will go over a few of them today.

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A pre-inspection is when a seller orders a home inspection before putting their home on the market. Whether you are buying or selling a home, a pre-inspection can benefit you in many different ways.

As a seller, the pre-inspection helps you understand which trouble spots exist in your home. Some of these problems might be surprises, while others may be pre-existing issues that you forgot about.

Either way, the pre-inspection gives you the opportunity to fix those issues so that your home is in even better condition before it hits the market.

The pre-inspection also helps you hold the contract together. Since there will be fewer issues with your home, there will be fewer things for you and the buyer to negotiate.

Finally, if the buyer decides to accept the results of your pre-inspection, you could be looking at a much shorter escrow period. The buyer won’t need to wait a week and a half to schedule the inspection and get the results back; you will have taken care of that already.

If you are buying a home that has undergone a pre-inspection, that demonstrates that the seller cares about their home. This means that they were willing to make sure the property was in good, marketable condition before they listed it on the market.

The pre-inspection can shorten the escrow period.

If the seller has made any repairs as a result of the pre-inspection, you have the opportunity to verify those repairs firsthand. Examine receipts or invoices to make sure that the repairs were made by qualified professionals.

Another benefit to the repairs being done is that the home will be more livable. You will have fewer things to worry about because there won’t be as many problems lurking in the background after you close.

Finally, if you accept the results of the pre-inspection, you could save about $500 in out-of-pocket expenses. If you trust the results of the home inspection and the subsequent repairs, you don’t have to spend that money on your own home inspection.

There are many benefits to ordering a pre-inspection before your home hits the market. Anything that minimizes the risks during a transaction is a good thing. If you have any other questions about pre-inspections, just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

How Covenants Affect Omaha Homeowners

2016-09-26T08:04:00.002-07:00

If you live in a neighborhood with a covenant, you probably have mixed feelings about it. While covenants do good things for a neighborhood, they can sometimes feel like a nuisance.

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If you're living in a neighborhood with restrictive covenants, there are times when you really like the fact that covenants exist, and times that you really hate the fact that covenants exist.

We love covenants because they regulate the improvements in our neighborhood, and establish and maintain a harmony in the way the neighborhood looks. They also help improve property values, because when the neighborhood looks good, it helps everyone.

We hate covenants firstly because it's a lot of red tape. If you want to make an improvement to your house, you have to fill out a form, submit it, and wait for approval, and that can be a headache. People also don't like covenants because of the dues they have to pay and the fact that they're not always evenly enforced.

People love and hate covenants for many reasons.

Make sure you read your covenant's rules to see how they affect you. There is no harm in being a rule follower, but keep in mind that an HOA board does have the power to place a lien on your property if those covenants are not followed.

If you have any questions about covenants and how they affect homeowners, give me a call or send me an email. I'd be happy to help you out.

How Agents Can Prepare You for the Unexpected

2016-09-26T07:48:00.001-07:00

When buying or selling a home, you need to find an agent who knows how to avoid certain circumstances and can educate you on each step of the process.

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Ignorance is bliss, right? How many times do you hear people in life say things like "I didn't know" or "Nobody told me?"

In real estate, you can get yourself in a real bind if you don't partner with an agent who is prepared to educate you and make you feel comfortable every step of the way during a real estate transaction. You want to find an agent who knows how to avoid certain circumstances, prepare you for whatever is going to happen next, and really make you feel comfortable and educated on every step.

A seasoned agent will use their experience to your advantage.

An example might be a seller who is getting ready to respond to a buyer about home inspection items. Say the buyer has asked for 10 things and the seller only wants to do five of them. Did you know that if the seller doesn't like that response they can turn and walk away from the deal? Or say you're the buyer - are you aware of what your options would be in that situation?

Agents can't possibly predict every little thing that will happen in the future, but a seasoned agent will do their best to use their experience to your advantage so that there are no surprises along the way.

If you have any more questions about this topic or you're thinking about buying or selling a home in the Omaha market, give me a call or send me an email. I'd love to help you out.

How We Helped Paul by Caring for His Well Being!

2016-08-30T14:41:00.002-07:00

“I’ve known Mike for a long time so, working with him was a personal experience. I truly felt that he cared about my well-being. We looked at a few houses and he was very honest and forthright with us. He knew what we wanted. If there was an issue or something that he felt that we wouldn’t be comfortable with he definitely made it clear to us. My fiance is a nurse so, her schedule is pretty hard to work with. There was a number of occasions where he met us when she got off work at six in the morning on weekends. I don’t know many people that would do that so, that was really thoughtful of him, to work around our schedule.”

- Paul Golwitzer, Home Buyer

How to Deal with Multiple Offers in Omaha

2016-08-29T08:51:00.002-07:00

It’s not uncommon in our market to be involved in a multiple offer situation.

As a buyer, you will have to compete against other offers, and as a seller, you’ll have to decide between them. We’ve got some advice to share that will demonstrate how you should approach a multiple offer situation whether you’re buying or selling.

If you’re a buyer involved in a multiple offer situation, you want to make sure you’re doing a few things. First, you want to offer your best terms with the fewest contingencies and lowest risk. That’s what the seller wants.

As a buyer, keep in mind that the seller has to be sure that they're being fair to all competing parties, and may not respond to your offer right away. At the same time, the seller should make sure that they don't wait too long to make a decision because that could hold up one buyer from making an offer on another house.

It can be exciting and nerve-racking.

Throughout the process, it’s important that communication is consistent throughout all parties. It’s very exciting and nerve-racking to be in a multiple offer situation. When you are working with a trusted real estate agent, they make everything easier.

If you have any questions for me about multiple offer situations, give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you.

Watch Out for These Common Concrete Issues in Omaha Houses

2016-08-03T09:48:00.002-07:00

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If you have concrete in your home, there are some common issues that can arise that you should be aware of.

If you have concrete on your property, you might have an issue.

The first thing you'll see and the most common concrete issue is settled sidewalks or driveways. You may have portions of the driveway or sidewalk that have settled. An issue we hear about here in Omaha and all over the Midwest is called "street creep," which can affect your foundation. When the temperature rises and causes concrete to expand, it pushes the driveway into the garage floor, which can then push into your foundation.

You can fix this by cutting expansion joints into the driveway, which allow more give when expansions occur.

On the other side, you can also see settling with concrete patios. If a concrete patio settles toward the house, it can cause rain or snow runoff to run toward the house and settle down through the foundation, or even get under the patio. A common repair is to have the sections mudjacked.

The last concrete item susceptible to issues is the foundation itself. Whether it is a poured or block foundation, the stability is very important. As a seller, you want to make sure it's kept in good shape, and as a buyer, you want to be sure there is no bowing or shifting with issues of hydrostatic pressure from poor water drainage outside the house.

A common fix, of course, is paying good attention to the water drainage on the outside of the house, or the installation of a sump pit.

These are issues that are equally important to both buyers and sellers and should not be ignored by any means. If you have any questions about potential concrete issues, I'd love to help you out. Give me a call or send me an email, and let's talk soon.

Potential Drawbacks of Older Omaha Homes

2016-08-02T12:42:00.003-07:00

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If you're buying an older home in Omaha, you may run into certain sets of issues that you might not see in newer homes. While older homes have a little character, charm, and curb appeal, you need to be wary of getting caught up in the excitement that comes with buying a home that has those features.

Trees, for example, are said to make a neighborhood or house feel charming and distinct. However, many buyers don't look ahead to the maintenance that comes along with mature trees, like the constant trimming and cleanup required every fall. Cleaning gutters and raking leaves always seem to be bigger chores than you think they should be.

Also, consider the windows of an older home. They've likely been painted over several times - are they painted shut? Do they even open? If they do open, are they in good enough shape to stay open for you to enjoy those Nebraska breezes?

Plumbing can also be an issue in older Omaha homes. The condition of cast iron waste lines, as well as the connection from the sewer line to the street, are plumbing issues that buyers often overlook. Be sure to ask or look at the disclosures about the plumbing and how it has been updated, if at all.

Aesthetically, buyers are also drawn to wood floors in older homes because the charm and character they bring can truly be special. You should be very careful and pay attention to the settling of these wood floors, as well as nicks and cuts from old carpet that was laid over the wood at some point. Carpet tacks can really have an effect on the visual appeal of wood floors, so be on the lookout.

Finally, pay attention to the condition of the foundation, and whether the home has been retrofitted with a sump pit. Many older homes don't have the same kind of technology that modern homes having in making themselves watertight. If an older home needs to be retrofitted with a sump pit, it can get very expensive if you need to take it on after buying the home. Look out for bowing or sagging of foundation walls, and see if any previous homeowners have put in a sump pit to help with water intrusion.

The character of old homes is unmatched, but is the structure?

So there's a lot to enjoy when it comes to buying an older home, but be sure you do your homework thoroughly so you know exactly what you're getting into. If you have more questions about older homes, or you're thinking about buying or selling a home in Omaha, feel free to contact me.

Hire a Pilot You Trust in Omaha Real Estate

2016-06-15T08:49:00.001-07:00

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Do you know who all the players involved in a real estate transaction are? There may be more than you think when dealing in the Omaha real estate market.

Whether you’re buying or selling, there are a lot of moving parts, and it’s hard to control them every step of the way. For example, if you’re buying a home, the other players are the seller and their agent. If you’re talking about the actual purchase, then there’s a home inspector, an appraiser, the lender, the lender’s underwriters, the title company, the title officers, a surveyor, a pest inspector, lawyers, and movers.

I guess the point in all this is that one can’t be in complete control of a real estate transaction with so many people involved. What you can do is hire someone to represent you, who really knows how to manage all of those steps and all of those players. You can stay calm through any bumps in the road because anyone you trust who you’re working with will help see you through that.

Imagine you’re taking a flight; you have to give up control on an airplane and trust the pilot and his or her decisions, and trust that if there’s turbulence, that they will make it through it just fine and get back to smooth air. In a lot of ways, real estate is the same way. If you hire a trusted professional, that person knows how to manage all of those things.

You get to choose your pilot.

You deserve things to go smoothly for you. So don’t let the complexities make you feel overwhelmed - let an expert be a resource for you that can help you get the best result possible.

If you have any more questions about this process and how I can help, please fell free to reach out to me.

Mobile Communication Is the New Norm in Real Estate

2016-06-15T08:28:00.001-07:00

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I wanted to take a minute to talk about the use of email and text messaging in real estate. The world has continued to become as mobile as possible, and with that, we see a decrease in use of actual phone calls between Realtors and their clients. Obviously, that means more email and texting in the real estate transaction.

To save time, my clients are using texting and email to handle transaction details rather quickly. It’s not uncommon to not actually speak much over the phone with your Realtor or with third-party providers, because we’re busy sending texts and emails to make things happen more efficiently.

The benefits of texting and emailing are of course that they make things quicker and more efficient, and quite honestly, it gives everyone a “paper trail” so to speak about transaction details. If you’ve forgotten something that would have otherwise been said on a phone call, you can go back through your text message or email string and see the conversation, along with the time stamps of those details.

Phone calls are more personal and can sometimes avoid confusion, but the trade-off of having a record of the exact conversations in a text or email string outweighs the benefits for many. With more and more buyers in Omaha real estate and real estate across the country moving into the mobile world, please don’t expect that it’s going to end anytime soon! Get to know your real estate expert beforehand, so when you get to the point of relying more on texting or emailing, you feel comfortable with the communications.

Until next time! If you have any questions about real estate in Omaha, please feel free to give me a call or shoot me a text or email. Have a great day.

Save Resources with Digital Signatures

2016-05-27T10:35:00.001-07:00

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Technology has made life easier for all of us, and it holds true for Omaha real estate. In real estate, we now have the use of electronic or digital signatures. So what are the benefits, exactly?

Firstly, it's a huge time saver. With digital signatures, there's really no need to meet in person or to drive around town for a meeting just to sign documents. The second and more practical part is, it saves money. We don't have to use gas driving around to homes and offices to sign documents.

Thirdly, it makes document signing very easy. Your digital signature can be applied from your electronic device or even a desktop computer. And of course, being on the computer, it's universal and can be used all over the world.

Finally, electronic signatures are secure. They use top of the line technology to keep your information safe. It can be a bit confusing the first time you use it, but after one time, you won't want to go back to pen and paper. Ask your Realtor if they incorporate this kind of technology, like I do with all of my clients. It really makes life easier.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email me.

How to Approach Moving in Omaha

2016-05-18T10:00:00.002-07:00

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So you’ve sold your existing home and bought a new one, now it’s time to make the move. Ultimately, the burden is on you to make sure everything goes correctly. I’ve got some tips to share with you that will help you do exactly that.

The first thing you should do is start calling around to get price quotes, whether it’s for a moving company, storage facility, or anything else you’ll need for your move. You want to plan and prepare to vacate your house at least a day before closing, if not sooner.

When you begin the moving process, start small. Take the things that you’ll never use to goodwill or another charity. You could also sell unwanted things on Facebook or Craigslist if you have time. It’s okay to disassemble some of your larger items and store them in the garage for an easy and quick move when the day comes. While early move-in on a new house is most of the times not possible, your Realtor is a trusted expert who could facilitate that.

Once you’re done moving everything out of the home, be sure to allow extra time to thoroughly clean it once it’s completely vacant.

If you need your proceeds to be able to close on your new house, schedule the closing in the middle of the day and have the existing home close earlier in the day. When you move, have simple items like water, toiletries, and snacks on hand to help minimize breaks and keep you moving on moving day.

If you have any questions or want more tips on moving, give me a call or send me an email. I would love to hear from you.

Renting vs Buying in Omaha

2016-05-03T08:28:00.001-07:00

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There are both advantages and disadvantages to home ownership in Omaha. We are very lucky to have a median income of $50,000 and a very low unemployment rate of 3%.

If we take a rental allowance of $1,100 we all probably know what that could get us. A two-bedroom apartment with 800-1000 sq. ft. This is a terrific deal compared to other parts of the nation, but you’re still paying someone else’s mortgage.

If you look at purchasing a home, you could buy a $150,000 home and pay roughly the same amount on a monthly mortgage for a 30-year loan. This could allow you to buy a three-bedroom, two-bathroom, two-car garage home with 1,500 to 1,800 sq. ft.

So, which living situation sounds better when you’re paying the same amount? Keep in mind that when you buy a house, your monthly mortgage payments are pretty much going right back into your pocket. This means that you will no longer be throwing your money away towards rental payments.

To put 5% down on a $150,000 home, you would only need $7,500 and you’re in! It’s that easy. I recommend that you speak with a lender as soon as possible to jumpstart this process. I know of a lot of great local lenders, and all you need to do is ask about them!

Tackling Inspection Issues When Buying in Omaha

2016-05-02T09:04:00.000-07:00

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Today I wanted to give you some tips on handling inspection challenges that can arise during the contract phase, whether you’re buying or selling in Omaha.

Let’s say we’ve got a home that’s under contract. It doesn’t matter if you’re the buyer or the seller. It gets to the point when we need an inspection: who knows what’s going to happen? Typically inspections go well, but sometimes we run into unpredictable things. These hang ups can create anticipation and anxiety for both the buyer and seller.

If you run into an unexpected issue with an inspection, the first thing to keep in mind is not to panic. Remember, you’re represented by a Realtor, so trust that expert, because they know how to handle it step by step. Instead of worrying and walking away, keep in mind that your Realtor will guide you to the next step to making good decisions.

As a Realtor, I take steps to ensure you can take the next step in the process. For example, if there’s a problem with a roof, we’ll contact a roofer and get an insurance expert out. I’m a Realtor, not a roofing expert; that’s why we’ll get the right people to get the right advice.

Proper disclosure is key as well, meaning as a Realtor, I’m going to be sure to disclose what I know to the buyer and the buyer’s agent, so they are in the loop as well.

Once we have all of our info, we simply need to put our heads together for a fair course of action.

Once we’ve hired licensed and certified experts, everyone is happy and we can close with confidence knowing that things have been taken care of properly.

Have more real estate questions? I’d love to help you, so just give me a call or send an email and we can start a conversation!

How Much Landscaping Should I Do Before I List in Omaha?

2016-04-07T08:07:00.005-07:00

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Today, I want to talk about outside landscaping in the surrounding Omaha area this spring. Hardscape landscaping has grown in popularity recently. However, simple landscaping can provide just as much charm and identity to your home. It’s also more affordable and cost-efficient.

Tree rims can be done fairly easily, and the procedure is pretty popular. Planting perennials can add color and class to your lawn with little maintenance. The same can be done about the perimeter of your yard. River rock, on top of weed barrier, helps maintain the grade around your home.

All these additions add touches to your property and, ultimately, boost curb appeal without investing a ton of money. Plus, these plants return every year, so it’s nearly effortless to maintain. You can even set potted plants on top of the river rock for an extra pop.

Consider cinder blocks if you’re interested in simple, do-it-yourself hardscaping. Use Google for some inspiration. These ideas you’ll find can help you save money that you’d otherwise spend on an expensive, professional service. All it takes is some sweat equity to make it happen!

If you’re thinking about buying or selling an Omaha home, contact me by phone or email. Let’s talk! I’d be delighted to serve your real estate needs and answer any questions you might have.

How Is Real Estate REALLY Handled in Omaha?

2016-03-24T07:08:00.002-07:00

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Home improvement television does a good job of exploring perspectives and making everything nice and polished for a 30-minute reality show. But what is shown on TV is a whole lot different than what actually happens in real estate.

A good agent is going to view your home differently; they are going to bring a new perspective to your home. You may fall in love with a home for its features, but your agent will bring up pertinent questions about its functionality. Are there signs of latent defects that you didn’t notice? Is there a glaring problem that you missed? Is it a home without resale value?

Your agent will bring up questions like these throughout the process so that every decision you make is an informed one. If you’re selling, for instance, you can avoid costly remodels that won’t get you a return on investment if you’re properly advised. They will ensure your home gets the proper scrutiny against sold comps and what’s available in today’s inventory. Unfortunately, with a good agent, all news is rarely good news, so be prepared to get some hard truths during the process.

There is more to real estate than “lights, camera, action,” as HGTV would have you believe. A successful buying or selling experience is all about what goes on behind the scenes. The expert you partner with is really what matters in making the happy ending come true!

If you would like real estate assistance or advice, feel free to reach out to us at any time. We look forward to being your real estate resource!

A Quick Update on the Omaha Market

2016-02-22T09:31:00.002-08:00

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Today I’ve got a quick market update for you for the Omaha area. Our local market is still pretty healthy, and the spring time is nearly here. Sellers who stage their homes are getting great results right now. Buyers are still getting good deals as well, but the best inventory is at a premium.

For sellers, if you get your home staged and priced correctly, you’ll see amazing results. For buyers, making a strong offer will get you the home you want. If you wait, the inventory will disappear right out from under you.

If you’re a buyer, there is really no reason why you shouldn’t at least visit with a mortgage lender and see what your buying power is. Rates are still very low right now and if you need a referral for a lender, I can get you a great one.

If you have any questions for me, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you!