Real Estate Information Archive

There is something to be said about the charm and character that comes along with buying an older home. And while you should always check on various areas of the house you are purchasing, plumbing is one that should not be overlooked - especially if you are eyeing an older property. 

Below we have listed some areas in the plumbing department that should be checked on prior to finalizing the sale of a new home. Doing so could save you time, money and major headaches down the road. Let’s dive in:

-Checking the age of the water heater is very important. If you find that it’s more than ten years old, it more than likely is time to replace it. Also, identifying the location of the water heater is a good indicator of potential damage that could arise if it were to leak and allows you to plan accordingly. 

-Go through each toilet in the house and check for leaks and/or damage at the base, as well as discoloration, rocking or warping. You will also want to go through and flush the toilets to ensure there are no clogs. 

-Depending on the occupancy of the house over the last few years, you may find rust or corrosion when turning on the tap water. It is better to know the condition prior to moving in and plan for those costs if repairs need to be made. 

-Bringing in an expert to check the sewer line in the street via video camera is a great way to detect potential issues such as corrosion, clogs, etc. - all of which can damage the line and cause major issues down the line.

-Water supply pipes are another major area to investigate. Finding out when they were installed and if they were ever replaced, as well as what type of material they are can make a huge difference in potential repairs and/or needing to replaced prior to move in.

Be sure to check back each week for more real estate and Omaha, NE community information! Also, are you following us on Facebook? If not, be sure to check us out here! 

With the official start of Autumn just a week away, now is a great time to begin fall maintenance on your home. And while it would be great if lighting pumpkin spice candles and hanging festive fall colored wreaths were all you had to do to prepare your house for the season, we have a couple (arguably more important) items to add to your list. 

Below we have outlined a checklist of things you should do to transition your Omaha, NE home from those warm summer days to the crisp nights of fall. Let’s dive in: 

-Check Drafts: Did you know that loss of heat through windows accounts for roughly 30 percent of heating energy use (according to the U.S. Department of Energy)? One of the most cost-effective ways to lower your heating costs in the winter is to utilize weatherstripping. A great way to see if you are facing a draft issue is to close a window or door over a piece of paper. If you are able to easily slide the piece of paper it may be time to check the weatherstripping. 

-Clean Gutters: Many people are so used to their gutters working properly that they forget they may need a little attention now and again. Keeping them clean, and even replacing them if necessary, is a great way to avoid interior and exterior damage. 

-Fix Cracks In Driveway: Some homeowners don’t realize that when water gets into the cracks it freezes, expands and can eventually end up making the crack bigger, which leads to larger problems down the road. 

-Drain Outdoor Faucets: Prevent water freezing and pipes bursting this winter by draining and disconnecting all gardens hoses from the outside spigots. This is a simple way to avoid an unwanted headache. 

-Keep Critters Out: To prevent little critters from coming inside to escape the cold make sure to cover large holes in walls and, if you have an attic, check the insulation for any damage. 

-Lastly: Remember to change your filters and schedule a chimney cleaning/heating system maintenance. 

Are you interested in hearing what our amazing clients are saying about us? Be sure to check out the Testimonials page here!

If you are thinking of selling your house in Omaha, NE chances are you have done a mental walkthrough of everything you need to fix, paint and/or redecorate before the listing goes live. And while the list may seem a mile long, there are certain projects that should be bumped to the front and be top priority. 

In today’s blog post we are going to be discussing four things that you should repair before selling your home - let’s dive in: 

Paint: If you are looking for an easy and cheap way to update the interior/exterior of your home, grab a paint brush! Old chipped paint can be a huge turnoff for potential buyers. Light, neutral tones are a safe bet when it comes to choosing colors as they will make your home appear brighter and appeal to a wide range of people. Also, be sure to remove any old wallpaper as it tends to date a house.

Damaged flooring: One area that potential home buyers take notice of is the flooring throughout a house. If you have worn and damaged flooring, especially hard wood flooring, it’s not only an eyesore but can also take away from the value of your house. If it’s in your budget, replacing the floors is best. If not, you can refinish/deep clean them and bring some life back into your home. 

Exterior: You never get a second chance at a first impression, so be sure to make it a good one when buyers come to tour the house. The first thing people will see is the exterior of your home so its crucial to make it look good. Pull the weeds, mow the lawn, plant some flowers, replace missing fence boards, remove any junk, fix the roof and add a fresh coat of paint to the front door. 

Pet damage: Even though you love your furry four-legged friends, you can’t deny the impact they can have on a home. If you are thinking of selling your house, be sure to repair any damage that resulted from your pets. Everything from the scratches on the doors to the urine stains on the carpets. Potential buyers touring the home should (ideally) have no idea that pets live in the home. 

If you are looking to sell your Omaha, NE house, be sure to contact our team for more information. Our dedicated, knowledgable agents are here to provide you with the expert services you need. 

Did you know the photos that are used in your home listing are a crucial part of the home selling process? It’s true! They can be a large factor in the amount of initial interest your listing receives, and can be a great tool to showcase your home with homebuyers out of state. Below we discuss a few tips and tricks to help ensure your images not only turn out well, but stand out from the rest. Let’s dive in: 

-Our first tip is to ensure that your home doesn’t appear too “lived in.” You want to spend some time decluttering your home to help that the images turn out clear and allow buyers can focus on the home - not your things in it.

-If you are finding you need extra space to store bulky furniture or miscellaneous items, you may want to consider renting a storage unit. It is a great way to keep your items safe and in good repair until the home sells, while also decluttering the space. 

-Staging a home is known to increase not only the amount of offers that come in, but also the price of those offers. You can either stage the home yourself or bring in a professional staging company to help ensure the home looks its best and is staged to sell. 

-You want to make sure to highlight all the natural light and/or pretty views as those features are a huge selling point for potential buyers. Make sure all your curtains are open and windows are cleaned. For a better photograph, you want to make sure all lights and lamps are turned on, inside and out, but to make sure that all ceiling fans are turned off.

-Lastly, it is important to take some time to depersonalize your home. This includes excessive family photos, refrigerator door clutter and kids toys. You want the images to showcase the home itself and not have potential buyers be distracted by the other items throughout your home. 

Are you interested in hearing what our amazing clients are saying about us? Be sure to check out the Testimonials page here!

With the holiday season in full swing, now is the perfect time to begin decorating the outside of your home to add some Christmas flair and festive curb appeal. Below we have listed a few simple ways to achieve this and bring a little holiday spirit to your neighborhood. Let’s dive in: 

-Holiday wreaths are a simple and wonderful way to bring a little holiday cheer to the outside of your home. They serve as a warm welcome to your guests as they enter your front door.

-While on the topic, you can also add a holiday door mat and/or a festive garland to really deck out your front entrance. Garlands are perfect for wrapping columns, framing doorways and draping over railings. 

-Incorporating vibrant, traditional colors to the front of your home is sure to bring the holiday spirit to any passersby. Potted poinsettias are a great way to achieve this with their bold green and red coloring, as well as evergreen trees or plants. You can use them to line your walkway or simply cluster them together at your front entrance. 

-Another great way to add Christmas curb appeal to your home is through winter props. Items such as wooden sleds, warm lanterns, nutcrackers, stocking, artificial trees, lights and other holiday decorations are a wonderful way to elevate the outside of your home. 

Are you interested in hearing what our amazing clients are saying about us? Be sure to check out the Testimonials page here!

Buying a home is one of the largest purchases most people will make in their lifetime. Many people will find their desired community and ultimately the home they want to settle into - but what if that home seems to come with a questionably high price tag? 

Below we have a couple ways to help you figure out if the asking price matches the property - let’s dive in! 

-One way to figure out if the price is right is to compare the desired home to other properties in the area.  Comparing apples to apples will allow you to see how it matches up to other houses with similar features, which is ultimately a good indicator of how much you should be paying. You can look at homes that just sold, as well as similar properties that are currently for sale.

-Speaking with a reputable and knowledgeable real estate agent is another great way to figure out if a home is priced correctly. A good agent will have a pulse on the community and give you an idea if you would be paying too much for the property by doing a comparative market analysis. Additionally, if the home you are looking at does not pan out they should be able to show you other communities that are similar and fit within your set budget.

-Patience can be key when it comes to purchasing a home, especially if you believe it is priced too high. Some sellers will end up pricing the property too high because of their emotional attachment instead of setting a price that is more in line with what the home is actually worth. You may have to wait things out to see if the seller will either lower the price or be more willing to accept a lower offer if the listing has been on the market for a while. 

Are you interested in hearing what our amazing clients are saying about us? Be sure to check out the Testimonials page here!

A few weeks ago we talked about ways to transition your home from summer to fall when it comes to decor (see post here), but today we are going to be discussing the maintenance side of things. Not quite sure where to start? We have you covered with a few items below to check in on around your home. Let’s dive right in!

-Keep an eye on your irrigation system and be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instruction to protect the integrity and functionality of the sprinkler system. *Also, keep in mind that seasonal rainfall will hydrate your foliage so you may want to set (or reset) the system accordingly. 

-To prevent little critters coming inside to escape the cold, make sure to cover large holes in walls and, if you have an attic, check the insulation for damage from the pesky critters. 

-Fix any cracks in your driveway. Many people don’t realize that when water gets into the cracks it freezes, expands and can eventually end up making the crack bigger which leads to larger problems down the road. 

-Check around the exterior of your home for inexpensive maintenance projects that you will be able to tackle quickly such as cleaning the gutters/downspouts, trimming greenery to prevent damage, check the roof for missing/loose shingles, caulking, etc. 

-Consider adding whetherstripping around the frames of doors and windows in your home to help keep the warmth in and energy costs down. If you have drafty doors, you can also add door sweeps to the base to help keep cold air out.

-In order to prevent water freezing, drain and disconnect all garden hoses from outside spigots. 

-Lastly, remember to change your filters and schedule a chimney cleaning and heating system maintenance. 

From new, modern homes to old fixer-uppers - whatever your taste let our experienced team help you find your dream home in Omaha, NE. Be sure to sign up for our listing alerts here!

Preparing your home to list and sell can be a stressful process as you want it to show well and appeal to potential buyers. And while there is no love like a pet's love, your furry family members can definitely wreak havoc on your property and create more work to get your home show-ready. 

Below we have outlined a few things to look for and pet damage to repair prior to buyers entering your home for showings. Let’s dive in: 

-The first and most pressing pet issue to address is odor. Not only can pet odor be quite difficult to get rid of, it is also very obvious to potential home buyers and can be one of the first things they notice upon entering your home. And although getting rid of odors the right way can be expensive (i.e replacing flooring, new paint, etc), it is well worth the investment and can greatly benefit your resale value. You also want to be sure to vacuum everyday while your home is on the market and being shown to keep odors away during the selling process. 

-Scratches - they are common in most homes, but are likely to be more prominent in ones with pets. There is a good chance if you have been living in your home for a while that you have grown accustomed to seeing them on walls and floors, but when selling your home you want to take inventory of what needs to be fixed up. You can look into having your scratched hardwood floors professionally refinished, and having scratches on trims, walls, doors and cabinets lightly sanded, speckled and painted. 

-The outside of your house will be potential buyers first impression of your property, so you want to ensure to take extra care of any pet damage that may be in the front of your home. This can include anything from filling in holes your pets have dug up, replacing plants they have chewed and fixing damage to fencing, porches and home exterior.

-Lastly, even though your furniture will be going with you in the move, having chewed surfaces in your home can make the space appear sloppy during showings and broadcast that pets live there. You can either repair the damaged pieces, replace the furniture altogether or maneuver the furniture in a way that the damage doesn't show to guests. 

Selling your Omaha, NE home? Allow our team of professional, knowledgable and trustworthy real estate agents to go to work for you! Additionally, don't miss our "Seller Tips" page here! 

There is no denying that Omaha, NE is a hot real estate market! With that said, if you find the perfect home in the city it helps to be equipped with knowledge to help make your offer stand out from the rest. These tools may be the competitive advantage you need for sellers to accept your offer. Let’s dive into this more below: 
 
-Find a great rest estate agent that has a broad understanding of the current Omaha, NE market and who not only communicates well, but also is proactive during the entire process. Your agent will represent you and will be communicating with the listing agent to help push your offer over the finish line by inquiring on items such as timelines, seller’s goals, etc. 

-To make your offer appealing to the seller, it is best to keep your offer as simple as possible. This means fewer contingencies, making sure the offer price is reasonable and competitive, offering a quick closing, etc.

-Show that you are a serious buyer by providing the seller proof that you can afford the home. You can do this by obtaining a mortgage pre approval letter or if you are a cash buyer, you can submit proof of funds in combination with the offer.

-Lastly, you can make your offer stronger by offering to speed up the inspection time. A standard time period is around ten days, but offering to have the home inspector come out right after the contract is accepted can really make your offer stand out. 

Be sure to check back each week for more real estate and Omaha, NE community information! Also, are you following us on Facebook? If not, be sure to check us out here! 

There is no denying that preparing to sell your home can be a very stressful time for you and your family - now tack on a global pandemic and the process can seem downright overwhelming. The little items on your to-do list seem never-ending as you do your best to make your home as appealing as possible to potential buyers. 

In an effort to ease some of the stress, we have broken down a few items below for you to review and start checking off your list. One step (and check mark) at a time, you got this!  

Bedrooms:
-Make all beds each day (invest in new linens if any are looking worn)
-Clear off surfaces of furniture items such as bedside tables and dressers
-Keep floors clear and mop/vacuum frequently so no dust builds up
-Organize closets and be sure to keep doors closed for showings 

Bathrooms: 
-Make sure all surfaces are clean and clear of clutter
-Replace old hand towels with new decorative ones 
-Run your shower curtain through the washer (or purchase a new one if yours looks worn)
-Sanitize countertops and any moldy areas within the bathroom (corners of sinks and bathtubs, etc.)
-Clean toilet bowl and always be sure to keep toilet lids closed during showings 
-Make sure garbage cans are completely empty and clean
-Replace caulking if necessary 

Living and Family Rooms:
-Remove any furniture that makes the area feel small and closed off
-Make sure tables are clear of clutter
-Put away any toys from children/dogs
-Incorporate decorative throws and pillows to make the space soft and inviting 

Kitchen:
-Clear off all unnecessary items from countertops 
-Organize the pantry so it looks neat and tidy 
-Deep clean the microwave, stove and oven
-Remove any magnets and/or pictures from the refrigerator doors 
-Clean tile grout (bleach it if necessary)
-For showings, put away pet food and water dishes
-Make sure the garbage is empty prior to each showing

Laundry:
-Remove all clothing from the room (dirty or clean)
-Put away (or organize) any laundry soap and supplies
-Make sure floors are clear and clean – vacuum and mop frequently
-Keep all surfaces clear and clean 

From new, modern homes to old fixer-uppers - whatever your taste let our experienced team help you find your dream home in Omaha, NE. Be sure to sign up for our listing alerts here!