Real Estate Information Archive

As a first-time homebuyer in Omaha, you've likely been eagerly anticipating this milestone for some time. With pre-approval and a real estate agent secured, it's time to consider what you want in a house. One common question is whether to choose a starter home or a forever home. It's important to weigh the pros and cons of each option before making a decision.

When deciding between a starter home and a forever home, there are several factors to consider. 

What is a Starter Home?

Beginner homes are homes you know won't suit you forever, but are within your budget at an early stage of your life. There may be fewer bedrooms and bathrooms, a townhome or condo instead of a single-family home, or an older home that needs some TLC. You may also be forced to move to a less desirable neighborhood.

Generally, starter homes meet the needs of the buyer, but they won't last forever. There's a good chance that you'll outgrow this home as your family grows, or that you have other plans for the future that will make it impossible for you to reside here for the rest of your life.

What is a Forever Home?

Living in a forever home is something you can imagine yourself doing for the rest of your life. It may not be a property you live in for the rest of your life, but it's one you can grow into, one that has everything you need for decades to come. Almost always, this means a much higher price, and some of the features you've always wanted in a dream home.

Let Your Home Do the Work

Although most people would love to buy the home they can live in for decades, this is often the path that will require you to work harder than you need to. Saving for a down payment and closing costs on a much larger and more costly home is a massive undertaking while getting into a more affordable home now can open up opportunities to work toward your dream home goals with the passive building of equity rather than actively saving your pennies.

If you are ready to buy a home in Omaha now but are not quite ready to buy that dream home, it often makes more financial sense to begin building equity with that starter home to more efficiently work toward the goal of owning a forever home.

Homeownership of any property will maximize your savings toward a larger property, allowing your home to passively increase in value even when you are not aggressively saving for a bigger house. In many cases, just a few years in that starter home can lead you to be financially ready to upgrade to the dream house.

In nearly every case, becoming a homeowner in Omaha earlier is the best course of action, even if it means compromising on the first home you purchase.

Have your home needs changed in the past year? Perhaps you’ve outgrown your present home, or need to downsize to a more suitable home. If you’re ready to make a move, let’s connect and talk about all the amazing opportunities that are available to you!

Do you have a small bedroom in your Omaha home that you can't seem to fit into? Or maybe you're living in a tiny home in Omaha? The key to making the most out of a small bedroom is to know how to decorate it. There are many tips and tricks that can be used to decorate a small bedroom and make it look great. With a little creativity and ingenuity, a small bedroom (or home) can be transformed into a cozy and inviting space. 

Storage Beds

Space is a major problem in small bedrooms. An effective way to tackle this is to get multi-purpose furniture or beds. This way, you can make the most of the limited space you have.

Additionally, sofa-cum-beds are a great option for those who want to save even more space. They can significantly free up a lot of space, allowing you to make the most of the space you have.

Raise Your Storage

An effective way to create storage and leave space on your bedroom floor is to build shelves on the walls. This can be done by utilizing the vertical space in your room and installing shelves from the floor to the ceiling. This will allow you to store items such as books, clothes, and other belongings up off the ground, creating more floor space.

Additionally, you can also use this space to hang lamps or other decorations, further freeing up the floor area. With this measure, you can significantly reduce the clutter in your bedroom and create a more organized and spacious environment.

Awkward Corners

If your bedroom has weird angles, you can find creative ways to turn them into shelves or cupboards for storage. Look online for inspiration and ideas that will help you make the most of the space.

Lighten Up

When decorating a room, make sure to not cover up windows and allow plenty of light to come in. This will create an illusion of airiness and make the room feel more open. To further this effect, use lighter color curtains to make the space seem more minimalistic and less cluttered. Doing so will give the room a look of freshness and take away the compact, closed feeling.

Use Mirrors

Mirrors can be a great way to add dimension and make a room look larger. When placed in front of a window or light source, the reflection creates an optical illusion of more space. This can give a room a chic and spacious look at the same time.

Visual Trickery 

One of the major drawbacks of small rooms is the height of the ceiling. However, you can use visual tricks to give the illusion of more height and room. For instance, you can hang curtains from the ceiling to the floor to make the walls look longer.

Alternatively, you can choose a longer headboard for your bed or a poster bed to complement the size of your room. Moreover, you can try painting the ceiling and the walls to give the illusion of a larger un-ending room.

Add Dimension

When choosing a statement wallpaper or paint color for the wall behind your bed you have a few options. Lighter colors will create an airy atmosphere, while darker colors will make the room feel cozier.

Alternatively, you could opt for alcove walls to give the illusion of more space. Horizontal wall paneling is also a popular choice as it adds width to the room. Ultimately, the decision is yours and should be based on the vibe you want to create.

Multi-purpose Furniture 

Instead of trying to fit every piece of furniture into a small room, look for multi-purpose furniture. This is one of the most cost-effective decorating ideas for a small room. For example, you can get a workspace that doubles as a vanity. This will save you both space and money.

Additionally, you can get a dresser that doubles as a nightstand. This will provide you with a convenient place to store important accessories.

The purpose of decorating any space is to make it your own. Creating a space that is uniquely yours should be a fun and individualistic process. When decorating a bedroom, it is important to make sure it is comfortable and relaxing. These tips can help make the process easier and can be applied to any small space.

Have your home needs changed in the past year? Perhaps you’ve outgrown your present home, or need to downsize to a more suitable home. If you’re ready to make a move, let’s connect and talk about all the amazing opportunities that are available to you!

Now that spring is getting closer, it's time to ramp up the fun in Omaha! This weekend offers an old-fashioned St Patrick's Parade, a car show, a film festival, and much more. Check out some of the highlights below.

St Patrick's Parade

Sat, Mar 11, 9 – 11 AM
The Old Market, Omaha, NE

144th Annual St Patrick Parade. Sponsored by the Omaha Fr Flanagan Ancient Order of Hibernians. The parade will start at 10AM on 16th and Harney St, travel East on Harney to 11th Street, head South to Howard and travel West to 13th and Howard.

World of Wheels

Fri, Mar 10, 3 – 8 PM
CHI Health Center
455 N 10th St, Omaha, NE

The 68th annual Omaha World of Wheels at the CHI Health Center, showcasing America's Finest Hot Rods, Custom Cars, Trucks & Motorcycles. Mar. 10 - 12.

Disney On Ice presents Road Trip Adventures

Sat, Mar 11, 3 – 7 PM
CHI Health Center
455 N 10th St, Omaha, NE

Buy Disney On Ice: Road Trip Adventures in Omaha tickets for the 03/11/2023 performance at CHI Health Center Omaha.

Omaha Film Festival

Tue, Mar 7, 8 AM – Sun, Mar 12, 10 PM
Aksarben Cinema
2110 S 67th St, Omaha, NE

This year's incredible slate of films will be screened during the 18th Annual Omaha Film Festival, featuring short films, documentaries, and feature films.

Sing Omaha Loves the 90's

Sun, Mar 12, 6:00 – 6:30 PM
Stocks n Bonds
8528 Park Dr, Omaha, NE

Join Sing Omaha's adult choirs for an evening of 90's hits! Sing and dance along as we throw it back with songs you know and love, accompanied by a live band!

10th Annual Kegs & Eggs Fun Run

Sat, Mar 11, 8 AM
Keg Creek Brewing Company
22381 221st S, Glenwood, IA

It is with great excitement that we invite you to participate in the 10th Annual Kegs & Eggs celebration! The St. Patrick's Day themed event will be held Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Keg Creek Brewing Company, 22381 221st St, Glenwood, IA 51534. Runners check-in at 8am, 8:15am start! The Mills County Chamber of Commerce has the pleasure of hosting Kegs & Eggs each year, which benefits chamber special projects & our local partner, the Glenwood Eagles Club #3784. We hope you join us for this year's event, which will include a 5K fun run, 1K fun run, breakfast catered by Tobey Jack's Mineola Steakhouse, cash bar, silent auction, and live band!

Have your home needs changed in the past year? Perhaps you’ve outgrown your present home, or need to downsize to a more suitable home. If you’re ready to make a move, let’s connect and talk about all the amazing opportunities that are available to you!

Are you ready to buy your first home in Omaha?

The returns on investments in real estate can be daunting at first, but everyone appreciates their investments once they see them. Rather than giving all your money to a landlord, when you buy a home, you're saving for a better future.

Do you want to become a first-time home buyer in Omaha but aren't sure where to start? You can find your perfect home by following these five helpful tips.

1. Large Down Payments Aren't Always Necessary

We've all heard that an aspiring homebuyer needs to save 20% of their dream home's value for a down payment. Down payments are important as they reduce interest payments over the course of time, but huge savings aren't a requirement.

Many lenders will be willing to work with you on adjusting your down payment, depending on your credit score. Even if your credit score isn’t perfect, you can usually still make a lower down payment if needed.

2. Your Monthly Payment Isn't Just Your Mortgage

Once you become a homeowner, you have to do a lot of math to figure out how much your bills will change. There are other costs that you cannot overlook in addition to your mortgage.

In addition to taxes and repairs, insurance can also take a bite out of your paycheck. Make sure you can afford your entire home rather than your mortgage.

3. You Should Shop for Mortgage Loan Officers

You aren't stuck with a mortgage from your bank once you're ready to start shopping for houses. You should shop for mortgage providers before house hunting so you can secure the greatest deal.

Not only should your mortgage be large enough to allow you to purchase your favorite home, but it should also come with a low-interest rate that won't bury you in debt over the years.

4. Your Home Search Should Include Surrounding Areas

If you're a homebody, then the home itself will be a major factor when it comes to your sale. However, you should also pay attention to the surrounding area as well.

Does the neighborhood feel safe? Will you have plenty of nice stores and activities nearby when you feel like getting out of the house?

5. You Can Always Tweak to Create Your Dream Home

You can't be too nitpicky when you're browsing homes. You'll never find a home you adore unless you build one from scratch.

Learn to be lenient and focus on homes that have great potential rather than turning away good homes that need small improvements.

Being a first home buyer comes with all kinds of emotions. After absorbing these tips, you can get ready to face any worries you may have and find a stunning new property to call home in Omaha.

If you're ready to start your first-time home buying journey, contact us today.

Have your home needs changed in the past year? Perhaps you’ve outgrown your present home, or need to downsize to a more suitable home. If you’re ready to make a move, let’s connect and talk about all the amazing opportunities that are available to you!

It's long been argued that pizza is the perfect food. And when you live in a city like Omaha that's filled with amazing pizza restaurants, that point is easy to prove. So, no matter how you like your pies, there's something for the whole family at these top pizza places in Omaha.

Zio's Pizzeria

7834 DODGE ST, OMAHA, NE 68114
1109 HOWARD ST, OMAHA, NE 68102
12997 W CENTER RD, OMAHA, NE 68144
18110 WRIGHT ST. OMAHA, NE 68130

Down-to-earth parlor featuring hand-stretched dough for pizzas, plus hoagies, pastas & calzones. Serving the Omaha area for over 30 years. Now with 4 locations.

Piezon's Pizzeria

15605 W Center Rd, Omaha, NE 68130

Piezon's Pizzeria is a locally owned and operated carryout restaurant serving Omaha's finest pizza, pasta, calzones and fresh salad. Partnered with Rotella's Italian Bakery to provide customers with the best Gluten Free option on the market.

Tasty Pizza

1418 S 60th St, Omaha, NE 68106

Tasty Pizza is an independently-owned, local pizza restaurant in Omaha, Nebraska. Customers order at the counter and seat themselves. Reservations are not accepted. They serve traditional and unique pizzas such as bacon gouda, uding fresh ingredients to make pizzas from scratch.

Brick Oven Pizzeria

624 S 72nd St, Omaha, NE 68114

Brick Oven Pizzeria is an Eat-In/Carry-Out/Delivery Pizzeria located in Mid-Town Omaha. Whether you are looking for a traditional Pizza Dinner or Late Night Snack (Delivery until 2 a.m.) or a Catered Event (Call for Catering Details) Brick Oven Pizzeria will consistently meet your needs.

Mama's Pizza

715 Saddle Creek Rd, Omaha, NE 68132

Long-running local chain serving pizza, pasta, sandwiches & American entrees in a casual setting. Mama’s Pizza strives to be a favorite gathering spot for pizza in Omaha and La Vista for families, teams, birthday celebrations, work related gatherings, holidays and re-unions.

Have your home needs changed in the past year? Perhaps you’ve outgrown your present home, or need to downsize to a more suitable home. If you’re ready to make a move, let’s connect and talk about all the amazing opportunities that are available to you!

There's a lot of work involved in keeping a home looking clean and tidy, whether or not your house is on the Omaha market and you're preparing for showings. Particularly when you have a family, keeping your home clean can seem like a full-time job.

If you’ve ever been to someone’s house and felt like it’s always clean and you’ve wondered their secret, they probably have a few, including the following.

Stop the Marathon Cleaning Sessions

Many of us put off household chores and try to do everything at once, which makes us feel like we'll never be able to keep up. You may pile up clutter all week and then tackle it on Saturday.

That’s fine, but you could develop a negative relationship with cleaning because it’s always frustrating to tackle such a big project.

If you can make goals to clean your house a little at a time, it changes your habits and becomes a natural part of your routine rather than a once-in-a-while dreaded task.

Try focusing on things you can do right now that will make a difference over time, even if they are small. As a result, you won't feel overwhelmed. By gradually adding these small tasks to your daily routine, you'll stop thinking of them as cleaning. You'll just accept them as part of your daily routine.

Try the 20/10 Rule

The 20/10 rule is an approach that can help you stop being a marathon cleaner.

By using a timer, you train yourself to clean briefly throughout the week. For example, you can set a timer for 20 minutes. You focus on cleaning something during those 20 minutes. Then, you give yourself a 10-minute break to do whatever you want, and once that ends, return to cleaning.

Make the Beds Everyday

One of the best things you can do for yourself to feel mentally more in control of your home and your day is to make your bed every day. Make it even on the weekends or when you don’t feel like it.

Making your bed has an immediate impact. You can feel calmer knowing that at least one thing in your home is tidy, no matter what.

Put Things Away As Soon As You’re Done Using Them

Take a moment to consider how many things you use throughout the day without putting them back. Every day, we do it unconsciously. You might leave something on the countertop for now instead of putting it back in the drawer.

Clothes are another example. Instead of hanging them up, you start throwing them on the floor or your bed, so try to change that habit.

These things add up.

If you consciously promise yourself you’ll put everything back after you’re done using it, you’ll notice a difference in your home.

Do One Room At a Time

When you do clean, focus on one room at a time. It gets overwhelming to tell yourself you have to clean the entire house.

You can stay motivated and encouraged when you focus on one room at a time.

Have a Schedule

Having a schedule can help people maintain a clean home consistently. It is up to you to come up with something that works for you, but one way to do it is to separate tasks by day and do them on the same day every week.

You might dust and do laundry on Monday, and vacuum and clean bathrooms on Tuesday. You can go from there, but as you’re doing more frequent cleaning, things have less of a chance to become big messes.

Finally, aim to do a load of laundry a day. That means washing it, folding it, and putting it away. Laundry can create piles and messes all over your home if it gets out of hand, so taking control of those before they become problematic will keep floors and other areas tidier.

Maybe you come up with a routine for the load you do every day. For example, you could put a load in in the morning before leaving for the day. You put it in the dryer as soon as you get home, and you put it away before bed.

Have your home needs changed in the past year? Perhaps you’ve outgrown your present home, or need to downsize to a more suitable home. If you’re ready to make a move, let’s connect and talk about all the amazing opportunities that are available to you!

Valentine's day is just around the corner and it's not too late to reserve the perfect evening for you and your SO. If you're still looking for the perfect way to spend Valentine's Day, then check out these top romantic restaurants in Omaha.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

140 Regency Pkwy, Omaha, NE 68114

High-end steakhouse chain with aged prime beef & classics such as lobster tails. Omaha Fleming’s is located on Regency Parkway just a half-mile south of Dodge. Fleming's in Omaha is an outstanding choice to enjoy an exceptional Prime steak, glass of wine or handcrafted cocktail. Valentines' Day Dinner consists of Tomahawk Ribeye, Lobster tail, and shrimp.

Dolce

12317 W Maple Rd, Omaha, NE 68164

Contemporary choice crafting upmarket New American fare & tasting menus amid a warm, relaxed vibe. Choose from market fish uniquely prepared daily, scallops, lamb rack, duck breast, and other culinary delights.

Mahogany Prime Steakhouse

13665 California St, Omaha, NE 68154

Prime Steak. Fine Wine. Premier Service. Conveniently located just north of West Dodge Street between North 144th Street and North 132nd Street, provides an intimate and classic fine dining atmosphere.

801 Chophouse at the Paxton

1403 Farnam St, Omaha, NE 68102

Prime cuts of beef, seafood & a large wine selection offered in an elegant, clubby setting. 801 Chophouse is located in the heart of Omaha’s Old Market, nestled inside The Paxton. Enjoy a comfortable but upscale dining atmosphere with romantic lighting, dramatic finishes, and signature leather booths modeled after authentic New York steakhouses of the 1920s. 

Le Voltaire French Restaurant

569 N 155th Plaza, Omaha, NE 68154

Chef-owned restaurant serving traditional French dishes along with an extensive wine selection. Creole gratin de fruit de Mer, Assiette de Charcuterie, Escargots de Bourgogne, and Saumon Fumé et Ses Condiments are just some of the featured menu options to complete your romantic setting.

Have your home needs changed in the past year? Perhaps you’ve outgrown your present home, or need to downsize to a more suitable home. If you’re ready to make a move, let’s connect and talk about all the amazing opportunities that are available to you!

Are you moving to Omaha in 2023? If you have school-aged children, then you'll probably be interested in finding the best schools in the area. Omaha boasts many top-rated schools for kids of all grade levels. Niche.com has compiled their list of best schools in Omaha for 2023. Here are the top 3 schools they rated for your review.

Brownell Talbot College Preparatory School
400 N HAPPY HOLLOW BLVD
OMAHA, NE 68132

#1 Best High Schools for STEM in Nebraska
#1 Best Private High Schools in Nebraska
#1 Best Private K-12 Schools in Nebraska

Brownell Talbot College Preparatory School is a top rated, private school located in OMAHA, NE. It has 441 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 9 to 1. Tuition is $19,950 for the highest grade offered. After graduation, 100% of students from this school go on to attend a 4-year college.

A happy parent comments: "Brownell Talbot's Points of Pride make up a comprehensive approach to moral development. Consisting of six components present throughout our school community, they promote core ethical values as the basis of good character."

Search Homes for Sale Near Brownell Talbot College Preparatory School

Mount Michael Benedictine High School
22520 MOUNT MICHAEL RD
ELKHORN, NE 68022

#1 Best College Prep Private High Schools in Nebraska
#1 Best Catholic High Schools in Nebraska
#1 Best Boarding High Schools in Nebraska

Mount Michael Benedictine School is a Catholic college preparatory residential/day high school rooted in Benedictine values for young men committed to excellence. Students develop spiritually, intellectually, and socially through the comprehensive curriculum and communal experience to become future leaders.

One student remarks: "Absolutely love the small student population. Really got to know all of my fellow students super well and the boarding aspect only helped in that. Amazing teachers who love their job, and I truly enjoyed going to school everyday!"

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Millard North High School
1010 S 144TH ST
OMAHA, NE 68154

#1 Best Public High Schools in Nebraska
#1 Best College Prep Public High Schools in Nebraska
#4 Best High Schools for STEM in Nebraska

Millard North High School is a top rated, public school located in OMAHA, NE. It has 2,592 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 18 to 1. According to state test scores, 71% of students are at least proficient in math and 75% in reading.

A Senior had this to say: "I love how diverse Millard North is. You are introduced to people of diverse backgrounds, thoughts, and experiences. Also, there are many ways to get involved and make an impact at our school. You can join many different clubs and activities to explore your passions. You can also customize your academic experience at Millard North. There are college level, honors, or standard courses here."

Search all Homes for Sale in the Millard School District