Real Estate Information Archive

If you are searching for a new home, chances are you’ve come across some properties that need some serious love, attention and renovations. And if you initially turned an eye to those homes you may be missing out on an opportunity to turn that eye sore into your dream abode. 

In today’s blog post we are going to be covering the pros and cons of purchasing a fixer upper. This information will give you an overall picture of what you are getting with an older property and allow you to examine if that route is one you want to take. Let’s dive right in!  

Pros of buying a fixer-upper:
-Customize the home to your liking. Purchasing a fixer-upper allows you the opportunity to personalize and customize the home to your specific taste and wants when doing the repairs/upgrades. 

-Your dream neighborhood. Do you have a part of town you love but the price tags don’t fit your budget? A fixer-upper may allow you to buy a home in your price range in a part of town that otherwise may have been too expensive. 

-Potentially save money on your home purchase. In some cases, what it would cost you to purchase and fix up and older home can end up being less than what it would have cost you to purchase a new house. 

-Adding value to your home. Certain home renovations, such as bathrooms and kitchens, can add value to your house. This is especially true if you purchased the property below its market value.

Cons of buying a fixer-upper:
-Time and budget. As renovations go, it is not uncommon for the project timeline to take longer than initially expected and cost more than was originally quoted. Things happen – expect the unexpected.

-Invisible repairs. While many repairs are obvious and can be seen with the naked eye, there is potential for some real work to be hiding behind the walls. Rewiring the house to accommodate modern appliance standards, for example, can leave you with a large, unexpected bill.

-Living in and financing the renovations. You will be living in a construction zone until the project is completed if you are not able to find alternative living arrangements. Additionally, you will either need to secure a home renovation loan or have cash in-hand to finance the renovations. 

-Time-consuming. Be prepared to spend time on the home renovation project, whether it’s picking out finishing’s, redesigning layouts, settling on paint colors, etc. you will be busy and consumed until things are wrapped up. 

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!

Listing your home to sell is an exciting time as you prepare to say goodbye to one chapter and welcome the next with open arms. But before you put your home on the market there are a few steps you should take to increase your chances of selling quickly and for top dollar. 

The home staging process is crucial to ensure your property shows well and potential buyers can see themselves living in the space. Below we have listed a few tips and tricks to help you stage your Omaha, NE home – let’s dive in! 

-The first step in staging your home is to de-clutter the space. Too much furniture can make your home appear small and closed off and too many items around can distract potential buyers. This will also allow for a clean canvas for you to stage.

-You will also want to depersonalize your home. We understand this may sound strange but having family photos everywhere and kids’ artwork hanging on the fridge can make buyers feel like they are visiting your home, instead of envisioning themselves settling in and making a home for themselves there.

-Steam clean the carpets (you can do this yourself or hire a company) to make sure there are no stains or odors. 

-Paint rooms that are looking dull. It is a good idea to stick to white or neutral colors as to not throw off potential buyers with colors that don’t match their taste and preference. It will also make rooms appear larger. 

-Natural light is a huge selling point for potential buyers, so make sure windows are clean to allow the sunlight to shine through. You may also opt to replace dark window treatments with lighter ones.

-Style your dining room table to make the space welcoming and fun. This is an area that is largely forgotten about when it comes to staging and can really make a big difference.

-Rooms should not be left unfurnished but instead staged by how the spaces can be best utilized. This will help potential buyers easily see how each room can be used and designed. 

-Crank up the curb appeal with a freshly painted front door, add a welcoming wreath, trim the grass and plant colorful flowers all around. A first impression is crucial – especially when it comes to buying a home! 

Be sure to check out our "Seller Tips" page here for more information on selling your Omaha, NE home!

Today concludes our three-part deep cleaning series and we believed we saved the best for last. We will be giving you all the tips and tricks for common areas and the laundry room – let’s dive right in!

Common areas:

-Couches and chairs: Arguably some of the most used furniture in your home, especially in your common areas, are couches and chairs which is why you want to ensure these areas stay clean and clear. Start by removing cushions and vacuum the base, paying special attention to corners and nooks where crumbs are sure to be hiding. Depending on your couch, you can also rotate your cushions to make sure they stay firm and hold shape. Tip: Use a lint roller to remove pesky pet hair from cushions. 

-Wooden furniture: Start by removing any and all items from the wood furniture and eliminate any surface dust with a dust rag. Next, take polish or wood cleaner and go over the entire wooden surface. Tip: If your furniture has water stains, try blowing a hair dryer at a close range and using mineral oil or furniture polish to treat the wood after. 

-Dust (Everything): One of the most time-consuming activities, depending on how many decorative items you have around the house, is dusting. We recommend removing all items and dusting them individually, versus just dusting around the items, but that is totally up to you and how much patience you have. 

-Clean the electronics: How many times do you touch your TV remote? And times that by how many people in your household use that remote – yikes! What we are getting at is your TV remote is another breeding ground for germs so be sure to disinfect it regularly. Make sure all the electronics around your home get a good wipe down and use a microfiber cloth for the front of the screens. 

-Wipe down ceiling fans, baseboards, light fixtures: You can utilize vacuum extensions for those hard to reach places such as high ceiling fans and corners. Use streak-free glass cleaner for windows and gently wipe down light fixtures. When it comes to baseboards, you should use a damp cloth to gather and catch the dust that has accumulated. And another reminder to disinfect those doorknobs! 

Laundry room

-Wipe down countertops and laundry machines: As lint tends to settle on pretty much every surface in the laundry room, take a damp cloth to remove any buildup. Additionally, take a moment to throw away any empty detergent bottles and misplaced, used dryer sheets. 
-Sanitize the washing machine: After time your washing machine can start to develop mold buildup, which is why it’s a good idea to sanitize it at least once a year. You can do this by running the self-cleaning cycle using hot water with a little bleach – be sure there are no clothing items in the machine when sanitizing. Tip: To clean the rubber seal around the door use a vinegar solution or multi-purpose cleaner. 

-Clean dryer vent: You should be removing lint from the lint trap after each load of laundry to prevent buildup and a potential fire hazard.

-Vacuum and/or mop the floor: Remove all items from the floor prior to vacuuming and moping and be sure to pay close attention to corners of the room where dust and lint are sure to accumulate.

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Welcome to part two of our deep cleaning series! Today we are going to be covering three new areas of your home - bathrooms, bedrooms and closets. Let’s jump right in:

Bathrooms: the place where all dirty hands are washed, business is handled, and germs like to gather. Be sure to pay extra attention and disinfect just a little more here!

-Door knobs and handles: Using disinfectant wipes or multi-purpose cleaner, take some time to thoroughly wipe down these areas as they are some of the germiest in your home. Handles are used multiple times a day and many people don’t think do disinfect them often – so here is your chance! 

-Sinks, toilets, bathtubs and showers: The first thing you should do is spray all areas with disinfectant cleaner and let it soak for a while to break up any build up that has accumulated. After a few minutes, scrub all areas including the base of the toilet. 

-Bath mats, hand towels, cloth shower curtains: Before doing anything, be sure to check the care tags to ensure they are machine washable. If they are, throw those puppies in! To keep them from wrinkling in the dryer, you want to set your heat to low, take them out while they are still slightly damp and hang them up to finish drying. 

-Drawers and under sinks: No matter how hard you may try to keep these areas clean they always seem to get cluttered and messy overtime. The first thing you should do is take all the items out and put them on the floor. Next, sort through and throw out any products/items that you no longer use or need to clear the clutter. You then want to wipe the bottoms of the drawers and cabinets. Lastly put back all your items, making sure to put the most used items near the front so you can easily access them.

-Mirrors and light fixtures: Taking a small amount of vinegar on a damp rag, thoroughly wipe down all mirrors and light fixtures in your bathroom. Pay special attention for any buildup that has settled into corners and edges of the areas. 

-Glass shower doors: Fewer things are more frustrating than water spots and/or soap scum build up on your glass shower doors. To remedy this, try spraying warm distilled white vinegar and let it sit for about thirty minutes before sprinkling baking soda on top. Lastly, scrub everything away to reveal your sparkling glass doors! If you don’t have white vinegar and baking soda, you can also try using a damp dryer sheet to remove the buildup. 

Bedrooms:

-Bedding: First, remove all the bedding and throw it in the wash. If for whatever reason you are unable to wash certain items, such as pillows or down comforters, you can look into taking them to a dry cleaner for a freshen up. 

-Dust/clean surfaces: Clean any mirrors and/or windows in the room with appropriate cleaner and rag, and dust surfaces such as nightstands and dressers. Additionally, don’t forget those often-neglected surfaces such as ceiling fans (use damp paper towels to collect dust), window treatments and headboards.

-Vacuum and/or mop floors: Don’t forget to pay extra attention to baseboards and corners of the rooms where dust and allergens are most likely to accumulate.

-Flip and freshen your mattress: To freshen your mattress, try sprinkling baking soda on top and letting it sit for just under an hour before vacuuming it up. Additionally, if you have a pillowtop mattress you should consider rotating it to help keep its shape. 

Closets: 

-Wipe down shelves and drawers: When deep cleaning, it is best to remove all the items so you can do a thorough clean of the surface. Take a damp rag to remove any buildup.

-Vacuum carpet: Again, remove all items from the floor and do a onceover with your vacuum paying attention to the corners of the closet. Also be sure to check the corners of the ceiling for any cobwebs or dust bunnies that have accumulated. 

Selling your home in Omaha, NE? Be sure to check out our 'Home Selling Tips' page here for more useful tips and tricks!

Due to the world’s current events, cleanliness is on everyone’s mind now more than ever. And while washing your hands is a great way to stay healthy you also want to make sure to keep your household surfaces clean and disinfected.

In a three-part series, we are going to be covering the best and most effective ways to deep clean the rooms of your Omaha, NE home. Let’s dive in!

*Before you actually get your hands dirty there are a few things you want to do to prepare. First, take a few minutes to clear away clutter on your floors, tabletops, countertops, etc. to ensure you are able to reach all the places you need to. Next, make a game plan. Take a few minutes and do a walk-through of your home to map out what rooms you will tackle when and which areas will need a little extra attention (i.e. bathrooms and kitchen). Lastly, take note of what products you will need and make sure you have everything prior to starting your cleaning journey. Trust us, you will thank us later when you don’t have to make a last-minute run to the store! 

Kitchen: 
-Wipe down and disinfect countertops: Countertops are one of the most commonly used surfaces in your home and therefore can harbor endless amounts of germs. Before starting, remove ALL items off the surfaces and use disinfectant sprays and/or cleaning wipes to clean every part of your countertops – do not forget the corners and backsplashes. Don’t forget to wipe down appliances and other items as you place them back on the countertops. 

-Disinfect the sink: Using bleach or a disinfectant, give your sink basin a good scrub. Especially if you cook raw meats in your home, your sink can be home to many germs and bacteria. You will also want to throw away old sponges as they are germ magnets!

-Cabinets: Use a damp rag to clean off dirt or dust that has accumulated on both the outside and inside of the doors, as well as inside the cabinets themselves – being sure not to forget the top of the cabinets! *Tip: Be sure to really ring out your rag and dry surfaces down immediately as to avoid the cabinets from swelling

-Refrigerator: Many people will want to clean around the food that is already in their fridge, but this is not the way to go when deep cleaning. Remove ALL the food from your refrigerator, throw out any food that is expired, and thoroughly disinfect the entire area. You may also want to remove the shelfing to ensure you can reach all the surfaces.

-Pantry: This is a great excuse to clean out and organize your pantry – we are sure it’s been on your to-do list for a while! First, start by taking everything out of your pantry. We mean everything! Wipe down every inch of the shelving, paying close attention to the crumbs that have accumulated in the back. Next, go through your food and throw away anything that is expired to ensure you are not keeping old food you won’t be able to use. Then start to put things back by category so they are easy to find. For example, put all the baking goods together, canned vegetables together, etc. 

-Microwave: The microwave just may be the easiest task in the entire kitchen – don’t let the splattered spaghetti sauce fool you! By simply mixing a cup of water with a tablespoon of vinegar and microwaving it for five minutes you will make the surface easier to wipe down. 

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If you are in the process of listing your home to sell, then you understand just how important it is that your house appeals to a range of buyers. And while the thought of major home renovations seems very daunting and costly, you can rest assured that route is not always the way to go. 

Since you will have a variety of people touring your home, many with vastly different tastes and preferences, it may be best to keep things simple when it comes up fixing things up as to not deter potential buyers. There are many time-efficient and cost-effective ways to spruce up your home and bring a little life back into the living spaces. 

Below we have listed a few DIY home improvement projects that you can tackle over a few weekends to ensure your home shows well to potential buyers in the weeks to follow:

-The first weekend, before you do anything else, you will want to take time to declutter your home in a big way. Nothing screams chaos and closes off a space more than having too many unnecessary items around. Take a few days to donate or throw away items you no longer need (including clothing, toys, furniture, decor, etc.) and clear a clean space to conduct the rest of your DIY projects.

-There is no better or cost-effective way to liven up your home then a fresh layer of paint. We recommend coating your walls with neutral colors that complement each other. If you can’t do every room in the house, stick to the high-traffic areas such as the living room, kitchen and family room. 

-On that note, if your kitchen is looking a little outdated, a way to save money but also freshen up this space is to paint your kitchen cabinets. This option is much more inexpensive then replacing them altogether and you may be shocked at how it changes the whole aesthetic of the area. 

-Another inexpensive project is to replace and update the hardware in your kitchen and bathrooms. Your goal should be to achieve a cohesive style throughout which will help make your home appear more up-to-date and move-in ready. 

-Consider adding a mosaic backsplash to your kitchen. This is something you can do on your own, is relatively inexpensive and can completely transform the look and feel of the space. 

-If you have carpets in any area of your home, be sure they are deep cleaned prior to the start of showings. Although vacuums help, your carpets are home to dirt, dust, allergens and odors that can only be removed through deep cleaning. It will be a major turn off to buyers to have unpleasant odors around while touring your home, so this is a must!

Selling your home in Omaha, NE? Be sure to check out our Home Selling Tips page here for more useful tips and tricks!

If you have or are currently in the process of selling your Omaha, NE home then you understand just what goes into the process and the importance of your home showing well to potential buyers. And with the prime selling season just around the corner, now is a great time to get your home in tip top shape to get top dollar for your property.

With that said, we have dedicated today’s blog post to a few home improvement projects that are sure to increase your home appeal and aesthetic without breaking the bank. Let’s dive in!

-Our first tip is paint, as it is one of the most cost effective and transformative home improvement items on the market. Many people will be shocked at how a new coat of paint can bring a room back to life and/or completely alter the look of your home. Your local hardware or paint store can usually give you a few samples of colors you are interested in so you can patch-test at home and find one that brings your vison to life.

-Have you ever wanted to renovate your kitchen but cringe at the thought of the bill staring back at you? We get it! And while kitchens can be one of the most expensive reno areas in your home, simply upgrading your countertops can make a huge difference in the look and feel of the space. There are quite a few affordable, environmentally friendly materials on the market to choose from including stone, laminate, ceramic tile, terrazzo composites and concrete. Kitchens are usually the heart of the home so making this upgrade can go a long way.  

-If we have said it once, we have said it a thousand times on this blog – upping your curb appeal can make all the difference in the overall aesthetic of your home! Especially when it comes to ‘wowing’ potential buyers. When a buyer pulls up and has a positive first impression of your home, they then enter the home with a good feeling, which has the potential to really work in your favor. Simple things such as adding a wreath to your front door, planting flowers, trimming the shrubs, redoing your walkway and upgrading your front porch light are inexpensive ways to increase the curb appeal of your home.

If you are looking for more information on selling your home in Omaha, NE check out our 'Home Selling Tips' page here!

If you are in the market to sell your Omaha, NE home, chances are you will have to go through the appraisal process *cue groans*. And while there are certain factors that are out of your control, such as square footage, layout and location, there are a few things you can do to help ensure that your home appraisal comes back at maximum value. 

Before we jump into all the tips and tricks, we first wanted to make sure that our readers understand exactly what a home appraisal is. So, let’s begin at step one: a home appraisal is the process in which a certified appraiser comes to your home to perform an in-depth inspection in order to determine how much your property is really worth. Now please keep in mind the appraisal amount is not always equal to what the listing price will be set at, but it should provide an accurate understanding of the appraised value of the property. 

Now for the fun part – ways to help increase your home appraisal: 

-Our first tip for you is to fix - everything! You know those seemingly small home repairs that have been on your “to-do” list for ages, but you just haven’t gotten around to yet? The running toilet, the squeaky patio door, the dent on the wall from your kid’s skateboard accident – sound familiar? While these things may not seem like a big deal to you, they can be a red flag to the appraiser and potentially reduce the perceived overall condition of your abode. 

-Cosmetic upgrades can go a long way in helping your home look fresher and newer. We aren’t saying splurge on a full-on remodel (because really, who wants to take on that job?!), but investing in areas such as new carpets, a new coat of paint, an updated bathroom vanity, etc. can actually go a long way!

-Staying on the last point, it doesn’t hurt to keep track of all the improvements/upgrades you did in a list to show the appraiser as they may not be familiar with homes in your area. This is a great opportunity to stand out and display any added value that your home provides. Additionally, if you can include any paperwork, like contractor invoices, that will help your case tremendously and provide weight to the claims you make.

-Arguably one of the most important areas of your property to keep in mind is the front of your home. Curb appeal is everything and as they say, you don’t have a second chance at a first impression. The appraiser’s initial judgement and assessment of your home will be as they walk up and it is a great opportunity to impress. Paint the front door, trim the weeds, plant colorful flowers, add a wreath and doormat – anything that you think will add some spice to the front of your home. 

-Lastly, be sure to clean! We understand this may seem obvious, but a spotless house will most likely increase the chances of the appraiser viewing your home in good condition. So, whether you take a weekend to hit every nook and cranny or hire an in-home service, just make sure that things are squeaky clean for appraisal day! 

Have you been wondering what your Omaha, NE home is worth? If so, be sure to check out our instant market valuation page here!