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Northwest Omaha’s Building Boom: Your Builder Guide to Success

by Nancy Heim-berg

As the leader of one of Omaha's most trusted real estate teams, I've watched Northwest Omaha transform into a thriving hub of new construction. Today, my team and I want to share our expert insights about the exciting developments around 180th Street and West Maple Road, an area we know intimately well. I'm excited to share more detailed insights about our standout communities in 2025. Let me walk you through what makes each of these neighborhoods unique. 
 
Read on to learn about the most popular communities in Northwest Omaha's Growth Corridor. I'll bullet point some of the most important highlights for you.
 
Prairie Ridge This master-planned community has become one of our most sought-after developments in 2025. Located just northwest of 180th and West Maple, Prairie Ridge offers amenities that truly set it apart. The community features a resort-style pool complex, which opened in late 2024, with a children's splash pad and adult lap lanes. We're particularly impressed with its extensive walking trails—over five miles of connected pathways that wind through native prairie landscaping and connect to the neighborhood's two parks.
The variety of lot options draws our clients to Prairie Ridge. The community offers:
Estate lots backing to green space (1/3 to 1/2 acre)
Standard lots with walkout options (averaging 9,000 square feet)
Villa lots for low-maintenance living (starting at 6,000 square feet)
 
Andresen Meadows Just south of West Maple on 180th Street, Andresen Meadows has emerged as a premier choice for families seeking excellent schools and community amenities. The development's proximity to the new Elkhorn Public Schools campus (opening in fall 2025) has been a significant draw. Its innovative approach to mixed housing styles sets this community apart while maintaining high architectural standards.
The community center, completed in early 2025, includes:
A fully equipped fitness facility
Multi-purpose community room
Year-round indoor/outdoor entertainment space
Basketball and pickleball courts
 
The Preserve at Indian Creek While this isn't a new community, the latest phase opening in 2025 has garnered significant attention. Located just east of 180th Street, this established neighborhood is releasing its final phase of luxury homes with incredible wooded lots. We're seeing strong interest in these new lots because they offer:
Dense tree coverage for privacy
Natural wildlife corridors
Creek views
Walkout lot options
 
Maple View Heights This emerging community near 192nd and Maple deserves special mention. Breaking ground in early 2025 represents Northwest Omaha development's next wave. We're particularly excited about:
The modern community design incorporating smart city features
Dedicated green spaces with native plantings
A planned commercial district with boutique shopping and dining
Direct access to the West Papio Trail system
 
Each of these communities has unique builder relationships:
Prairie Ridge: Exclusive agreements with Celebrity Homes and Pine Crest Homes
Andresen Meadows: Features Charleston Homes, Pine Crest, and custom builder options
The Preserve: Limited to custom builders with strict architectural controls
Maple View Heights: Partnership with Celebrity Homes and Charleston Homes
 
Price points vary by community:
Prairie Ridge: $400s to $800s
Andresen Meadows: Mid $300s to $600s
The Preserve at Indian Creek: $600s to $1M+
Maple View Heights: Starting in the mid $400s
 
As your local experts, my team and I have worked extensively in each of these communities. We understand their unique characteristics, building requirements, and future development plans. We've built strong relationships with the builders and developers, allowing us to provide our clients with insider knowledge and often early access to prime lots.
 
The growth in Northwest Omaha continues to impress us, and these communities represent some of the best new construction opportunities in the metro area. Whether you're looking for a move-in ready home or planning to build from the ground up, we can help you find the perfect fit in these exceptional neighborhoods. 
 
The corridor along 180th Street has become a showcase for innovative home design and community planning. An impressive mix of builders is bringing their best work to the area, each offering unique advantages for potential homeowners. We have relationships with some of the top builders in the area. Working closely with all major builders in the region has given our team unique insights into their strengths.
 
Celebrity Homes has impressed us with its energy-efficient designs and competitive pricing structure. We've been particularly impressed with its new smart home integration packages, which were introduced this year.
 
Charleston Homes continues to excel in customization options, and we've noticed that their warranties now include extended coverage for structural elements—a significant advantage for our clients. Their new communities near 180th and Fort Street showcase some of their best work.
 
Pine Crest Homes has emerged as a leader in energy efficiency. Their 2025 models feature advanced HVAC systems and enhanced insulation packages that exceed industry standards. Numerous clients have appreciated their attention to detail in the finishing work.
 
Energy Efficiency Standards have become an essential aspect of our client builds.  One of the questions we frequently address with our clients concerns energy efficiency. The good news is that Northwest Omaha's new construction sets the bar high. HER, ratings are consistently below 60, with some builders achieving even better scores. This means significant savings on utility bills, something our team always factors into the total cost of ownership discussions.
 
It's also essential for you to understand new construction home warranties. As your local experts, we've developed a comprehensive understanding of warranty offerings and will help you compare them. Most builders in the area now provide a one-year comprehensive warranty, but we're seeing significant variations in long-term structural coverage. We help our clients understand these differences and their implications for long-term homeownership.
 
The area near 180th and West Maple has several standout communities we're excited about in 2025. The Prairie Ridge development has impressed us with its thoughtful amenities and various lot sizes. We're also seeing strong interest in the Andresen Meadows community, where the combination of location and builder options has created exceptional value.
 
Working with numerous buyers in this area has given our team a clear market picture of Price Points and Value Analysis. Depending on location and specifications, new construction prices range from the mid $300s to over $700k. We're finding excellent value in the $400-500k range, where builders offer impressive standard features that would have been upgraded just a few years ago.
 
The Construction Timeline can become very frustrating if your expectations aren’t set correctly. One advantage of working with our team is our deep understanding of the construction process. We help our clients navigate everything from lot selection to the final walk-through. Currently, we're seeing average build times of 6-8 months, though this can vary by builder and complexity of the project.
 
As we look ahead into 2025, Northwest Omaha’s future looks bright, and we're excited about the developments planned for the coming years. The city's infrastructure investments in the area, including new schools and parks, continue to enhance property values and community appeal.
 
The Heim-Berg Team will provide you with Expert Guidance when needed! We bring years of new construction expertise to every client relationship. We know the intricacies of builder contracts, the importance of thorough inspections, and the value of having an advocate throughout the building process.
 
We've built strong relationships with all major builders in the area while maintaining our independence to represent our clients' best interests. This allows us to provide unbiased guidance based on your needs and preferences.
 
Building a new home is a big decision, and it helps to have the right partner to support you throughout the process. We can share detailed insights about specific local builders and communities that align with your vision for your new home.
 
Contact us to learn how we can help you navigate the exciting world of new construction in Northwest Omaha. Our team's expertise ensures you'll make informed decisions every step of the way. Let's grab a coffee at one of our local spots and discuss your Omaha Dreams. Contact The Heim-Berg Team at 402-677-9024 or visit www.omahaarealiving.com. We'll guide you through the intricate process of building a new home so you can avoid painful pitfalls along the way. We’ll also help you find the ideal balance of amenities, lifestyle, and value. 
 

Let’s be honest - no matter how you spin it, buying a home is not cheap. And whether you are a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned professional, we are sure the previous sentence comes as no surprise to you (you may have even found yourself nodding and smirking in agreeance). But what many people tend to focus on are the larger costs that are associated with home buying, such as mortgage payments and down payment costs, and many tend to overlook the lesser fees that may arise during the buying process. But fear not, as after today’s blog post we are confident you will leave with a better, more thorough understanding of not only what these fees are, but also what they could end up costing, so you can plan accordingly. 

-Application Fees: When you are applying for a loan, your lender will pull your credit report to get a better understanding of your financial health to see what you qualify for. They in turn will charge you an application fee, which is usually combined with the credit report fee. You should be sure to request a breakdown of the fees, but this can cost you $75-$300 dollars. 

-Home Inspection: When it comes to home buying, planning for a home inspection is curial. Think of it as an extra layer of protection to ensure you are not purchasing a home with major hidden issues that can mean huge dollar signs down the road. During the appointment, the inspector will search for general and structural issues within the home, many times finding things not visible to the naked eye. Home inspections can cost between $300 and $500.

-Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI): If you are planning to put down less than 20% of the home’s purchase price, the lender will most likely require you to purchase private mortgage insurance. This will protect the lender in the event that you stop making payments on your loan. And while PMI rates can vary, they tend to hover around 0.3% to 1.5% of your original loan amount annually. 

-Title Services: Fees such as government filing fees, title search of public records for the property, notary fees and more are covered under title services. It is crucial for you to get a line item breakdown for each cost, and you should budget around $150 to $400. 

-Appraisal Fee: First, the appraisal itself can cost between $200 and $425 and take around two hours to complete. Next, the appraisal report is then sent to the lender to confirm that the property is indeed worth the amount that was agreed upon. 

For first time home buyers, the feelings of excitement for their new abode can often be accompanied (and at times overshadowed) by feeling nervous and overwhelmed by the whole home buying process. Fear not, this is totally normal! However, with a little knowledge under your belt, the whole process can begin to feel more familiar - thus calming the nerves – and allowing you to get back to enjoying the experience. And as you may have guessed, that is exactly what we are going to be chatting about in today’s blog. Below we have listed ten tips to help first time home buyers understand and navigate the home buying process with ease. Enjoy!
 
1.) The first tip is to attain a copy of your credit report. There are numerous online websites you can get this from to better understand the health and history of your credit so there are no surprises.
 
2.) The second tip is to improve your credit score if necessary. There are various ways to do this such as paying down high balances on cards that are currently open.
 
3.) The third tip is to get pre-approved before you start your house hunting search. This will allow you to understand what you can afford and thus search areas/neighborhoods accordingly. The last thing you want to do is fall in love with something that is out of your budget range. 
 
4.) The fourth tip is to see if you qualify for an FHA loan, which is a government-backed mortgage that is insured by the Federal Housing Administration, and popular for first time home buyers.
 
5.) The fifth tip is to know and fully understand your down payment options. 
 
6.) The sixth tip is to hire an experienced real estate agent to represent and work with you during the home buying process. This is a very crucial step as you will be working closely with your agent and you want to be sure they are familiar the local market and understand your wants/needs.
 
7.) The seventh tip is to budget for all homeownership expenses. Many people only focus on what the house itself with cost, but sometimes do not consider all the other costs that will arise. Again, you want to do your best to alleviate all surprises for the future.
 
8.) The eighth tip is to understand your debt-to-income ratio, and to make adjustments where needed.
 
9.) The ninth tip is to check for first-time home buyer grants and programs to see if you can take advantage of any that are being offered. 
 
10.) And finally, our tenth step is to fully understand the different types of loans that are available. This will ensure that you are making the right decision for you and your family. 

First Time Home Buyers - A Quick Guide

by Nancy Heim-berg

So the time has finally come to start the search for your first home. Your mind starts racing as you begin thinking of the style you like, the finishes you want, and how you will decorate to turn the house into your very own home. What an exciting time! As you begin your search, we wanted to leave you with a few tips and tricks that we hope will prove to be helpful during a time that can seem a little overwhelming. Enjoy! 

-Do your homework: It is very easy for your excitement to take over as you jump into the search for your first home. But it is very important to take the time to do your homework and see what are must haves and what you can live without. This will help you organize your thoughts and stay focused during your search. 

-Start shopping: After you do your homework, you will have a better idea of exactly what you are looking for and can start looking online for house information and listings. 

-Find a good agent: We can’t stress this step enough. Especially for first time home buyers, the process of buying a house can be a little stressful and overwhelming at first. You want to make sure you find an agent that not only takes the time to understand exactly what you want and is experienced, but one that is also going to be by your side and fight for your best interests during the entire process.

-Choose and lender and pick a loan: This is something you will want to also do a lot of homework on and find the right lender and mortgage that is right for you. 

-Go look around: While the World Wide Web is filled with information, nothing can trump actually going to open houses, walking the properties and seeing homes in person. 

-Make an offer: Once you find your dream home, you and your agent will craft an offer that works for you and spells out items such as price, contingencies and closing dates. 

Pre-qualified vs. Pre-approved – what’s the difference?

by Nancy Heim-berg

As you start your home buying journey, as exciting as the process is, we understand the confusion and stress that can arise from certain situations and steps that need to be done along the way. You may have new words and phrases thrown at you that you may want to skip over and not pay too much attention to, but at the end of the day it is so important to equip yourself with all the knowledge you possibly can. Two terms you may run across on your home buying journey are pre-qualified and pre-approved. And while the two terms sound similar, there are some pretty significant differences that we believe are crucial for you to understand and for us to touch on in today’s blog post.   

One of the first steps that home buyers will go through in the mortgage process is to get pre-qualified, which can typically be done over the phone or online. This step essentially is when you provide your lender with an overview of your financial picture, including things such as incomes, debts and assets. After evaluating all the information, the lender will then provide an estimate of the mortgage that you may qualify for. We want you to note that the pre-qualification process will not incorporate your credit report and is not a complete look at your ability to purchase the home you may have your eye on. It is simply a process that can give you an idea of potentially what you may be approved for.

On the other hand, the pre-approval process is a little more in depth and and can be much more of an involved process. Instead of just a financial overview as in the pre-qualification process, the pre-approval process will require the home buyer to complete an official mortgage application, as well as provide things such as bank statements and credit reports. After a thorough assessment is made, the lender will be able to give an exact mortgage amount that the buyer is approved for. It is important to note here that being pre-approved will give the seller more confidence in you as a suitable buyer because you will be able to attain financing in order to purchase the home, therefore making the buying process a little smoother – and lets face it, that is always a good thing!

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Photo of Heim-Berg Team Real Estate
Heim-Berg Team
Berkshire Hathaway
331 Village Pointe Plaza
Omaha NE 68118
(402) 677-9024
(402) 679-7108 | (402) 830-6123
Fax: 402-493-4805

Stacey OHara CMG financial 515-306-2360

 

©2015 BHH Affiliates, LLC. Real Estate Brokerage Services are offered through the network member franchisees of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Most franchisees are independently owned and operated. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ambassador Real Estate and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ambassador Real Estate symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc®. Equal Housing Opportunity. Equal Housing Opportunity Realtor License