Real Estate Information Archive

Do you remember all the emotions that came when buying your first home? Excitement, uneasiness, and jitters may have been a few of the many feelings that came along with the home buying experience. Well, get ready to feel them all again if you are planning to sell your Omaha, NE home.

One way to calm the nerves and to ensure the home selling process goes as smoothly as possible is to hire an experienced listing agent. In today’s blog post we are going to be discussing a few things you should know about choosing the right listing agent and a couple of questions to ask before they come on board. Let’s dive in: 

First, let’s talk about what a listing agent is and what they do for a seller. A listing agent, also commonly referred to as a selling agent, is a real estate professional who helps the homeowner get the most money for their home and helps to find the most qualified buyer. They handle a number of tasks including marketing the home, vetting potential buyers, conducting showings and driving negotiations. The listing agent works in the best interest of the seller and helps them navigate the process from beginning to end. 

How to find the best listing agent in Omaha, NE: 

-Interview a couple of agents to make sure the one you pick is the right fit for you and your needs. If possible, it is best to do this in person. Take time during each interaction to make sure the agent is not only trustworthy but also has a knowledge of the local market and connections in the industry. 

-Are they a certified realtor?  Very important to know as many agents work in real estate but do not have the education or certification as a "Realtor".

-Getting referrals is a great way to vet potential candidates. Hearing another person's experience with a real estate agent can give you a feel for what it would be like to work with them and what you can expect in terms of communication, quality of work, and how they treat their clients. (Check out our client testimonials here!)

-Dig in and verify the experience of a potential selling agent. You can do this by simply searching their name and visiting their website, which will show their previous and current listings and client testimonials. This will give you a better idea of the homes they have sold and how they compare to yours, as well as if they are familiar with your neighborhood. 

Lastly, it is important to be prepared with questions when meeting potential listing agents, so we have listed some questions below that you can use to better familiarize yourself with the agent:

-Are you a full-time listing agent? - This will let you know if this is what they live and breathe each day, or if it is a side gig. 

-What do you think my home is worth? How did you get to that price? - This will help you get a sense of if you are on the same page, especially if you had a price in mind. 

-What would be your marketing plan for my home? - A good selling agent will have a detailed plan of action to promote your listing. This can include things such as 3D virtual tours, open houses, professional photography, broker tours and/or “Just listed” mailers. 

-What are the comps in my neighborhood? - Asking this question will give you a better feel for the agents' knowledge of the area.

-What is your commission rate? - This question will ensure you understand what you will be charged for their services so there are no surprises.

Learn more about our experienced and dedicated Heim-Berg Team here.  Then let's talk and get your home sale started today.  We treat all our clients like FAMILY!!

Be sure to check out our other tips for selling your Omaha, NE home here! 

It is no secret that the housing market is booming! If you are looking to purchase a home, chances are you are having to act quickly and are most likely up against many other buyers who are bidding for the same home. 

In today’s blog post we are going to be talking about some facts when it comes to selling your home in Omaha, NE - let’s dive in:

-With more and more families looking to purchase a home in Omaha, NE, inventory remains tight. Sellers are controlling the market and are in a better position than ever. It is not uncommon for sellers to receive competitive offers on their homes, many of which are over asking with a fast closing. 

-Mortgage rates have hit record lows over the last year, mainly due to economic uncertainty from the pandemic. How long will this last you ask? While no one can say for certain, the Federal Reserve is intending to keep interest rates low until the economy steadily improves, which is a big draw for buyers. This means that sellers can expect many eyes on their listing and interested buyers at their doors. 

-First-time homebuyers will be a crucial part of shaping the Omaha, NE real estate market in the years to come. During the pandemic, many people yearned for more space and are opting for a spacious house versus a one-bedroom rental. Millennials are tired of tight living quarters and expensive rent payments, which is why they will continue to be a large part of the real estate market moving forward. 

-While no one knows what the future holds for the real estate market, one thing that will always hold true is that local expertise will always win. Having a knowledgeable real estate agent by your side is a great way to ensure you are getting the most money for your home, no matter what the market conditions look like. 

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! 

If you are in the market to sell your Omaha, NE home, the process may seem daunting and overwhelming at first. There are a lot of things to consider and clutter to sort through. To help alleviate those unpleasant feelings, we have broken down the selling process into a few easy steps to help you understand the steps a bit more. Let’s dive in:

-Find a knowledgeable and qualified real estate agent that knows the market and will work hard in your best interest. This is one of the most important steps as a great real estate agent will be able to walk you through each step of the process and ensure your home is sold quickly and for top dollar. (Learn more about our team here!)

-Determine the list price for your home. This is something your real estate agent will be able to help you determine based off current market trends, comps in the area, etc. Pricing your home too high could lead to your house sitting on the market for a while, and an underpriced house will leave money on the table.

-Get your home ready to sell by decluttering, making repairs and staging. You want potential buyers to walk in and feel like they are home. You should strive to make it comfortable, yet depersonalized enough that buyers can picture themselves living in the space. 

-Market and list your home. Most of this process will mostly fall on your real estate agent as they will be the one to list your home on the MLS database. Additionally, they may market your home in other ways such as holding an open house, a broker/agent showing, coordinating professional photographs of the home and posting sale signage in the yard. 

-Show your home. The more potential buyers that come through your doors, the more likely you are to receive an offer. Make sure that your home can be tidy and clean at a moments notice and you are able to leave your home during the showing as to not distract buyers. 

-Review offers that come in and negotiate if necessary. Besides the offer price, other areas to consider before accepting an offer include buyer pre-approval, seller concessions, closing costs, timeline and buyers contingencies. 

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! 

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!

Whether you are the buyer or seller in a real estate transaction, the home inspection is a very important part of the process. While the inspection is designed to protect the buyer of the sale and alert them of damage to the home, a poor result from the inspection can open the door to renegotiation. In today’s blog post we are going to be discussing what a home inspection is and all the ins and outs of the process. Let’s dive in:

A home inspection is a ‘non-invasive’ examination of the property and a crucial part of the home buying process. A licensed home inspector will come to the property and review the home for structural, mechanical and/or electrical defects. The process is designed to give the buyer a more comprehensive overview of the house they are purchasing and ensure there are minimal surprises when they move in. 

The home inspection process is not required by law, but it is definitely worth the money. It acts as a protection of the investment the buyer is making, while also giving them peace of mind that the integrity and condition of the home is in good repair. The inspection will typically take place a short time after the offer is accepted by the seller.

During the process, the inspector of the home will look for any issues having to do with the home’s electrical system, heating/cooling system, plumbing, windows, doors, foundation, roof and more. If you are the seller and are looking to prepare for a home inspection, there are a few things you can do. First, you need to ensure that all your paperwork is in order and begin addressing repairs that you know will be red flags to the inspector and need attention right away. Second, about a week before the inspection is scheduled, begin removing any clutter or items that could interfere with the inspection. Lastly, ensure your home is clean and everyone is out of your home on the day of the inspection.

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! 

When selling your home, there are many factors that determine whether your property will sell quickly or sit on the market for a while. If you are in the process of selling your Omaha, NE home and are wondering why it hasn’t sold yet, we encourage you to keep reading as we have outlined a few reasons why the “For Sale” sign may still be up. Let’s dive in:

-The price is too high.
We understand the attachment people have with their homes, however you have to make sure the emotion doesn’t push you to overprice the property and expect people to pay more than it's actually worth.

-The home needs renovations.
Is your home needing those repairs that you have been putting off for years? Are your appliances and fixtures outdated? While some buyers enjoy the challenge and freedom that comes with home renovations, many buyers are looking for a house that is move-in ready. You are better off taking the time and money to do at least some light renovations and updating before your home hits the market. 

-The home is not staged well. 
When potential buyers view your home either online or in person you want them to feel as if the space is livable and functional for them and their family. One way to achieve this is by staging your home and giving buyers an idea of how certain spaces can be used and rooms can be laid out. 

-The listing photos don’t show the house well.
Buyers will typically begin their home search online by scrolling through listings and zooming in/out of images of properties (this is especially true given the current climate). That is why it is so important to have a professional snap the images of your home. Ideally you would use a photographer who is familiar with real estate photography as they will know all the right angles and shots to capture. You want to put your best foot forward and showcase all the wonderful features of your property. 

-The time of year.
Your home not selling could come down to something as simple as timing. Especially when it comes to time of year, as spring and summer months tend to be a better time to sell a home than winter and fall. 

-Your home appeals to a specific buyer.
If your home is unique and unlike others in the area, it can definitely prove to be an advantage in many ways. On the flip side, it  may also mean that you have to wait a bit longer for the right buyer to come along and fall in love with the property. 

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! 

During your hunt for a new Omaha, NE home you may come across properties that are listed as a short sale. If you are not familiar with this real estate phrase then you are in the right place as today we are going to be discussing not only what a short sale is, but also the pros and cons that can come along with it. Let’s dive in: 

What is a short sale?
When a property owner owes more on the outstanding mortgage than the home is worth a short sale can take place. Essentially, the bank or mortgage company will allow the owner to list and sell the home for “short” of the amount that is still to be paid. Even though this causes the lender to lose money in the deal, it is still seen as a better route for the bank and property owner than foreclosure. 

Pros of a short sale:
-The obvious upside of a short sale is price. A buyer has the potential to purchase a home for a lower price and get into a house/neighborhood they otherwise may not have been able to afford. 

-A short sale can be less risky than purchasing a foreclosure as the homeowners are likely to still be occupying and taking care of the property. 

-Another pro of a short sale is that you are likely to find way less competition as many buyers tend to shy away from situations that are not a standard transaction - this is especially true with first time home buyers. 

Cons of a short sale: 
-Homes are sold as-is in a short sale and the buyer is not able to negotiate price based on necessary home repairs, updates or improvements. 

-On that same note, you may find the home needing repairs/updates/improvements so it is a good idea to get a home inspection and factor these costs into your budget. 

-A short sale transaction has the potential to take longer than a traditional home sale as the lender that holds the mortgage has to approve the offer in addition to the seller. 

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! 

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!