Prudential Ambassador Real Estate - Blog

Downtown Omaha's Up & Coming Neighborhood

ben.proctor@prudentialambassador.com — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Just over the 10th Street Bridge from Omaha’s Old Market is one of Omaha’s most historic neighborhoods. Dubbed Little Italy by Omaha residents, recent announcements of the Blue Barn Theatre and KETV relocating to the area is furthering the regeneration of one of Omaha’s first settled neighborhoods.

Recently KETV, Omaha’s ABC affiliate furthered their longtime dedication to the city of Omaha by announcing the purchase of the historic Burlington Station and plans to relocate business to the landmark. With KETV’s announcement a once beautiful landmark will find new life and add more energy to a growing urban neighborhood in Little Italy. Loaded with late 19th century architecture by Thomas Kimball, one of Omaha’s prized architects, Omaha’s Burlington Station was designed to welcome travelers to the progressive city of Omaha and opened on Independence Day of 1898 just in time to welcome visitors for the Trans-Mississippi Exposition.

Towns at Little Italy

In 2006 and 2007 new residential development quickly made Little Italy home to urban young professionals and empty nesters with developments like the Towns at Little Italy, Giovanna Rows, and Dunsany Flats. Little Italy offers ownership options in these developments that allow the buyers’ dollar to stretch a little farther while still offering excellent pedestrian access to attractive downtown amenities. For example a modern 1200 square feet townhouse with garage and great finishes fetches around $200,000. Additional bonuses for residents are found in residing in a growing and previously established neighborhood. Enjoying pizza, fresh baked goods, and italian deli selections from Orsi’s or a donut and fresh cup of joe from Olsen’s are regular and convenient occurrences. Ben Proctor, Associate Broker at Prudential Ambassador and owner of Benjamin Realty group, has been involved in the sales of many of the homes in the area and downtown. Proctor says “Little Italy is a really unique offering for those seeking downtown’s lifestyle. Great living spaces at great prices and excellent access to all that is downtown. Adding KETV to the Burlington Station and a new Blue Barn are going to enhance the first impression of the neighborhood dramatically.”. Currently Proctor represents what he calls one of Little Italy’s stand-outs in 709 Pacific Street, a three bedroom townhouse with north of 2000 square feet. “You just don’t get space and finish for this kind of price anywhere downtown but here.” Proctor says noting that the home is attracting second home seekers from out of town, young professionals, young families, and empty nesters.

The new residents of Little Italy have inherited the long standing pride of the neighborhood by adding public art, scheduling neighborhood clean-ups, and planning annual festivals like Fork Fest. This Saturday, June 15th, Fork Fest will host it’s fourth annual celebration with music, food, and of course… bocce ball.

If you are pursuing or just kind of thinking about purchasing a downtown omaha condo or townhouse certainly don’t pass by Little Italy without taking a close look at a great neighborhood with a great lifestyle. If you’d like to reach Ben Proctor to bounce questions off him or maybe even take a look around, call him at 402-965-1848.

Packing Tips for Summer Moves

chelsey.rawley@prudentialambassador.com — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Packing Tips for Summer Moves

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

(BPT) - Let's face it - moving is hard. Along with the stress of leaving a familiar place and adapting to new surroundings, moving means packing, loading, transporting, unloading and unpacking everything you own - as well as everything you forgot you owned.

While relocation may never be completely carefree, there are ways to ease the anxiety. A well-thought-out approach to boxing up belongings can help simplify the moving process and bring you one step closer to making your new house a home.

Box it up. To be prepared for packing, seek out a large quantity of clean, sturdy containers in a variety of shapes and sizes. When selecting boxes, you may choose to purchase new ones, helping to ensure they can withstand the rigors of moving. You can also purchase dividers, which come in handy for packing glasses and other small, fragile items. No matter what you are using, remember not to over-pack. As a general rule, heavier items should be placed into smaller boxes to avoid too much strain on the box (and your back).

Leave it. The easiest packing is no packing at all. Moving is the perfect time to clear the clutter out of your life. Before boxing up your belongings, decide what to keep. Clothing and housewares in good shape can be donated, and broken or unused old items can be tossed or given to someone who can repurpose them.

Mind the supplies. The right tools can go a long way toward easing the moving process. Pick up plenty of quality wrapping material, like Bubble Wrap Brand cushioning, as well as strong packaging tape to help make boxing up your belongings a painless process. Don't get caught up in common frustrations that cause stress and waste time, such as tape that constantly tears or splits or struggling to find the tape end. Choose a quality tape, like Duck brand EZ Start packaging tape (packagingtape.com), for your moving needs; the brand's Frustration Free special release technology ensures that you never lose the tape end.

Organize and prioritize. Pack from room to room and label boxes based on box contents, where boxes will be unpacked in the new location and priority. EZ Start packaging tape provides a solution here, too - with different prints to choose from, boxes can be organized and prioritized according to the particular design used.

Get help. Be organized to help the entire moving day run smoothly, so that your volunteers aren't waiting around for a job to do. Providing tasty snacks and drinks is a thoughtful way to say thank you, as are gift cards for coffee, movie theaters or their favorite stores.

Pack a survival kit. Moving can be exhausting, and an all-day move may not wrap up until late in the evening. Don't spend your first night in your new home unpacking. Instead, pack a survival kit or an "Open Me First" box with essentials to get you through that first night. Make sure to include some fun items, such as your favorite movie or a batch of brownies, to reward yourself for a hard day's work.

Moving day may never rival a beach vacation, but these simple tips can make it a lot less stressful and help you enjoy your new home faster and easier.

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to:realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com

Real Estate Spending Trends - Grounds, Lawn and Landscape Care

chelsey.rawley@prudentialambassador.com — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Real Estate Spending Trends - Grounds, Lawn and Landscape Care

Friday, June 07, 2013

A new U.S. online survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of PLANET, the national trade association of landscape industry professionals, shows that consumers are looking to increase spending on hardscapes (outdoor kitchens, patios, decks, water features, and walkways) and other specialized services (irrigation and lighting). Hardscaping is comprised of outdoor living spaces and paved, non-living components of a landscape.

The study surveyed 2,219 adults ages 18 and older, of whom 1,830 have a lawn or landscape. Consumers were asked about their spending on professional lawn and landscape services from lawn care and landscape maintenance to tree care, water features, and outdoor lighting.

Overall Spending Trends

While overall consumer spending is expected to remain steady in most categories, landscape maintenance (mowing, edging, leaf cleanup) will see a modest increase in spending ($700 on average in the coming year vs. $600 in the past year), while spending will increase to hire a professional for hardscapes and specialty services ($2,300 on average in the coming year vs. $1,680 in the past year).

“Despite the sluggish economy, our core landscape maintenance services are holding steady, while consumers are deciding to increase their investment in projects that encourage ‘staycations’ and outdoor entertaining, and ultimately improve the resale value of the home,” said PLANET CEO, Sabeena Hickman, CAE, CMP.

Who is spending the most on landscape services?

Men outpace women when it comes to hiring professional landscape help over the past year (39 percent vs. 32 percent), and younger adults, ages 18 to 34, stand out as most likely to have hired professionals for the building of outdoor living spaces, patios, and walkways over the past year (9 percent vs. 3 percent of those age 35+).

In general, 35 percent of those with a lawn/landscape have hired professionals to do lawn and landscape services over the past year, with those in the South (38 percent) and West (40 percent) being more likely to have hired a professional than those in the Midwest (29 percent.)

Why do consumers find value in hiring landscape services?

The most often cited reasons for hiring a professional for lawn/landscape services are as follows: “They don’t have the knowledge, skills or physical ability” (42 percent), and “they don’t have the right equipment” (42 percent) to do the landscape work themselves.

Interestingly, younger adults (18 to 34) were more likely than their older counterparts to say “don’t have the patience” as a reason to hire a professional.

“Eighteen to 34 year olds might be more digitally connected than their parents, but they are still putting a high priority on outdoor entertainment areas. They are looking to landscape professionals to take on work that is not only time-consuming, but also requires a high degree of expertise to be done well,” added Hickman.

Source: www.loveyourlandscape.com

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to:realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com

Hearth Stone VS Newer Existing home which way should I go?

shelli.novotny@prudentialambassador.com — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

New Constuction VS Existing home. This home is a 2009 Hearth Stone home with 1149 sq. foot finish on the main and upper level with an additional 134 sq. foot in lower level. This home is an ideal comparable when you are looking at a New Hearth Stone home.

Why?

It is simple. When you go through and you are buying a new home, you never put all the expenses into play. For example there are expenses for appliances, upgrades for fireplace, a fence, a bigger lot, window blinds and landscaping. All of these items can be yours with an existing home. This home features a large corner lot, fenced in back yard, fireplace in lower level, there are faux wood blinds on the windows that could be an extra cost in your new construction.

So stop before you make your decison. Run the numbers and see how much you can save when it comes to a newer home. This home is so lovely and clean it is move in condition. You won't be disappointed!

Call and ask for more details. See the benefits and features of this home!

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Master Bedroom Trayed Ceiling

8’ height flat ceiling in Master Bedroom

Carpet: Baywatch Carpet

3/4 Master Bath

2 ‘ Faux wood blinds will stay

Plantation style white doors through out

Acrylic white base boards though out home

Polo Style Interior Door Handles

Fireplace has Energy Efficient Direct Vent gas fireplace

Front Exterior White Aluminum Storm Door Self/Storing and Steel 6 panel front entry door

Insulated Garage Door/ Garage Door Opener

8 X 8 Deck Storage Shed under deck on patio

Water Faucet in garage added after build

Large Laundry area 17.5 by 8.5 could be finished or just great storage.

40 Gallon Hot Water Heater

Shutters Tuxedo Grey

Siding

Dining area attached to kitchen and deck making entertaining simple

Formal living room greets you as you enter this lovely well cared for home.

Great detail and design went into this one owner home.

Kitchen Appliances Stay

Range, Microwave, Dishwasher, Refrigerator with ice and water

Electrical Range with self cleaning oven and ceramic cooktop

Stainless steel microwave with non venting circulation

Dishwasher stainless steel 4 cycle super capacity with 5 level sheer clean wash system, hard food disposal

30 inch Winstead Flat panel Maple Cabinets with corner cabinets with roll out base cabinets, pantry, Kitchen Cabinet Crown Molding, laminate counter tops with 4” preformed backsplash

Windstead Maple cabinets in Bathooms

Master bath with 48 inch Shower with seat glass shower doors

Home sits on Large corner lot

Minutes to Exit to interstate. Location Ideal for down town access, mid town or West Omaha.

Community Parks

Morton, Boyd and Northwest Schools

Nice landscaping to the front porch

Seller maintains home, move in condition

Extra Storage in lower level and under stairs

Cozy family room

4 foot wood dog eared fence for the backyard

Patio

Curb Cut drive way

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Whether you are interested in learning more about new construction or how to buy an existing home. Call your local Real Estate Expert and ask them to run the number and help you decide which will benefit you the most, especially on the resale.

Shelli Novotny Associate Broker

Prudential Ambassador Real Estate

402-250-7042

This property is located in Omaha Ne at 6955 N 88th Ave in Popular Glenmoor Subdivision. It is an inexpensive home with all the bells and whistles. You will love the price! $129,000. Check it out!