Real Estate Information

Selling your home can seem like an overwhelming process, especially when you stop and think about all the little items that need to be completed to make the house ready and appealing to buyers. Knowing this, we wanted to help break some of these tasks down in hopes to ease your mind and make the process a little easier for you and your family. With that said, this week and next weeks’ blog topics are centered around items to keep in mind before the house goes on the market, as well as while the house is being shown. We are going to start this week with a checklist of everything you still need for the indoors. Enjoy!

Kitchen:
-Make sure to organize the pantry so it looks neat and tidy 
-Clear off all items from the countertops 
-Clean the microwave, stove and oven
-Remove any magnets and pictures from the refrigerator doors 
-Put away and organize any cleaning products/mops/brooms
-Clean tile grout and be sure to bleach it if necessary 
-For showings, put away pet food and water dishes
-Make sure the garbage is empty prior to each showing

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

Bedrooms:
-Clear off any surfaces such as dressers and bedside tables
-Organize closets and keep closet doors closed
-Make beds everyday and invest in new linens if necessary 
-Repair any holes in the walls
-Keep floors clear and be sure to vacuum frequently 

Bathrooms: 
-Make sure to keep out hand soap or a new bar of soap
-Make sure all surfaces are clear and clean
-Replace old hand towels with new decorative ones if necessary 
-If you have a shower curtain, make sure it looks fresh or purchase a new one
-Sanitize countertops and any moldy areas within the bathroom
-Organize countertops so they look neat and clean 
-Always keep toilet lids closed during showings 
-Make sure garbage cans are empty
-Replace caulking if necessary 

Laundry:
-Put away (or organize) any laundry soap and supplies
-Remove all clothing from the room (dirty or clean)
-Make sure floors are clear and clean – vacuum and mop frequently
-Keep all surfaces clear and clean 
-Since many laundry rooms do not have any natural light coming in, it may be a good idea to use high watt light bulbs to make it look brighter in the room

As the first weekend of February came and went, we are left with the excitement and anticipation of Valentine’s Day quickly approaching. There are many fun family events being held throughout Omaha to celebrate this happy and loving time of year. Everything from storytime and craft making, to charity events and swim classes - there is sure to be something for every age and interest. We have listed a few of these events below and hope they are the perfect destination to create beautiful and lasting memories for you and your family!

What: Helping Hands for Valentine’s Day
Where: The Wonder Nook
When: February 4th from 2-4pm 
*This is a free event 

What: Valentine’s Family Swim
Where: Mockingbird Hills Community Center
When: February 2nd from 7-9pm
*$1 per person

What: Tween/Teen Valentine’s Program
Where: La Vista Public Library
When: February 3rd from 2-3pm 

What: Movie Day – “Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown”
Where: Ralston Public Library
When: February 4th at 2pm

What: Valentine’s Day Storytime
Where: Florence Branch Library
When: February 9th from 10:30-11:30am
*This is a free event

What: Valentine’s Day Storytime 
Where: Washington Branch Library
When: February 10th from 10:30-11am
*This is a free event 

What: Families Love Nature
Where: Hitchcock Nature Center
When: February 10th from 3-5pm
*Free entrance with purchase of a $3 park permit 

What: Valentine’s Day Family Craft
Where: Abrahams Branch Library
When: February 11th from 1:30-2:30pm
*This is a free event 

What: Valentine’s Day Party 
Where: Sorensen Community Center
When: February 14th from 10am-12pm

What: Get Crafty: Valentine’s Day Bird Feeder Craft for Kids
Where: Washington Branch Library
When: February 14th from 4-5pm
*This is a free event

What: Valentine’s Day 
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum
When: February 14th from 10am-4pm

What: Valentine’s Day Bingo 
Where: Ralston Public Library
When: February 14th at 3:30pm 

What: Teen Valentine’s Day Aftermath Party
Where: Abrahams Branch Library
When: February 15th from 6:30-8pm
*This is a free event

Image this: you found your perfect home, made an offer and have come to find out the seller has accepted. What an exciting time! You completed the next step of signing the contract, as well as paid the deposit. And while you are floating on cloud nine, you are approached with some less than exiting news – you find out from the appraiser that the house is worth less than what you offered and the bank will not grant you a mortgage. We know this may seem like a huge set back, but there is something that can protect you if a situation like this arises. It is called can appraisal contingency and we are going to be covering the basics on what it is and how it can help you!

Now, you may be asking yourself what a contingency is and how does it relate to real estate. A contingency is a condition (or conditions) that must be satisfied in order for a real estate contract to become legally binding. The three most common contingencies found in real estate contracts include a finance contingency, an inspection contingency and an appraisal contingency. The deal is off and you are eligible for a refund of your deposit if these conditions are not fulfilled within a set and agreed upon time frame.

Next, lets break down how the appraisal contingency works. A licensed appraiser will typically be hired through your bank, and their job is to conclude what the fair market price of the home should be based on things such as location, similar comps in the area and the condition of the home. Now to keep things simple, lets use an example. Let’s say that the home you want to purchase is $400,000 with a $40,000 down payment and a $360,000 mortgage. Let’s also say that the home is appraised at $350,000 and since the bank will only loan you that amount, you are left $10,000 short. Enter the appraisal contingency stage left. Now if the seller does not agree to lower the price to make up the difference, you are allowed to walk away from the deal and get your deposit back, all thanks to the appraisal contingency. And while the finance contingency has the potential to cover similar risks as the appraisal contingency, it is important to have everything spelled out clearly in your contract to help ensure you are covered from all angels. 

We understand the process of staging and selling your house may seem like a long and daunting one, especially if you throw work, family and outside commitments into the mix. But what many people don’t stop to realize is just how long and daunting the next step of packing up and moving all your belongings can be. The days spent sorting, bubble wrapping and taping can seem never ending, but the actual moving day can tend to be a little stressful and overwhelming - even for the most organized of people. And while (unfortunately) there isn’t a magic trick to take all the stress of the day away, we have listed a few tips and tricks below to help make the day a little more tolerable. Happy moving!

1.) Make a list before moving day to keep yourself organized. Be sure to include any phone numbers you may need so they are able to be referenced easily, and also a list of everyone’s tasks that day.

2.) We suggest an early wake up time on moving day to ensure you are awake and organized, and also have time for a good breakfast (you will need it!).

3.) Be sure to wear appropriate clothing that you are comfortable in and are able to move easily in.

4.) Make sure your cell phone is fully charged to avoid needing to plug it in during the day.

5.) See if you can convince family and/or friends to come help out (food is usually a good bribery tool).

6.) If you have kids and/or pets, see if you can have someone watch them for the day to make sure you can focus and be as productive as possible. 

7.) Make sure to carry all jewelry and important documents on you at all times. Nothing is more stressful than loosing something of value to you on moving day. 

8.) Be sure to label all boxes to keep things organized.

9.) Make cleaning arrangements ahead of time. Once everything is moved out of your house, there is a good chance it will be a total mess and having cleaning plans ahead of time will take some stress off your back.

10.) Keep a smile on! We know moving day is stressful but it is also an exciting day of new beginnings and beautiful memories.

If you live in Omaha, you are no stranger to the beauty and excitement the city has to offer its residents. There are adventures to explore and wonderful history to discover around every corner. But for those of you who may have never been to Omaha but are interested in visiting or moving to the area, this post is for you. Continue reading below for a few reasons we believe Omaha is one of the best destinations in the country to call home!

The Food: The restaurants in Omaha are bursting with vibrant flavors and mouthwatering dishes. There is something for every palate and even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy the restaurant scene around town. And if you are wanting to dine in, you will find a variety of Farmers Markets throughout town that offer the freshest local produce.

Friendly and Safe Neighborhoods: Omaha is often referred to as a big city filled with small-town charm. There are many quaint and friendly neighborhoods that are perfect for you and your family to settle into.

Thriving Arts and Music: Omaha has an incredible arts and music scene, and is known as having one of the most diverse music scenes in the country. It offers music goers a non-stop concert line up, as well as fascinating museums and art galleries all around town. There is always something to do or a place to visit to allow your imagination to run wild.

There is always something to do: You will never be at a loss of things to do around Omaha. The city is filled with activities for all ages, old and young alike. From catching a cold beer at a local brewery, to visiting one of the best zoo’s in the country, you will spend your days creating beautiful memories and enjoying everything that this wonderful city has to offer! 

With the winter months in full swing, have you been looking for activities around Omaha that are good for colder days? Maybe you want to get out of the house with the family, but it is simply too cold to enjoy a day outdoors. We hear you! And that is why we have listed below a list of fun, free indoor activities around the city that are perfect for a day out of the house, but away from the frigid temperatures. We hope you enjoy!

-Take a trip to the Union Pacific Railroad Museum, where families can learn about the past, present and future of America’s premier railroad through educational programs and interactive exhibits.

-Visit your local library to look at books, share in story time and participate in local events. The public libraries around town include Bellevue, Omaha, LaVista, Grenta, Baright Public Library and Sump Memorial Library.

-If you have active children, let them burn off some energy at the indoor children’s play areas located within Westroads Mall and Oak View Mall.

-Let your imagination run wild while exploring the ArtWorks interactive space at the Joslyn Art Museum, where children can spend their time doing creative, interactive activities!

-Spend an afternoon at the Do Space Technology Center, which is a technology library that provides free access to the latest devices, software and internet. Let your kids run around in the Kids Room or participate in programs and events.

-Boys Town is also a fun stop, where you can visit the Hall of History, Father Flanagan House, Dowd Chapel and the world’s largest ball of stamps at the Leon Myers Stamp Center.

-If you are looking to snuggle up on the couch after a long day at one of the above activities, be sure to rent a free movie at Family Video, where you will find an outstanding selection of family-friendly movies – for free! 

Purchasing a house is a very personal decision as you want your home to reflect your personal style and taste. Many families hang pictures of beautiful memories and paint the walls different colors to reflect their personalities. But when it comes to selling your home, you may want to rethink some of these homey, personal touches to ensure the house appeals to a wide variety of buyers. If you are looking to sell your home, staging your home to sell is always a good idea, even in the strongest of markets, and we have a few tips below on how to accomplish this in your home.

When it comes to staging your home, the bedrooms and bathrooms are great rooms to start with as they can be staged without breaking the bank. When it comes to bedrooms, think cozy and serene. You can do things such as painting the walls in soft, neutral tones, clearing away clutter such as shoes, photos and reading materials, professionally steaming and washing the carpets, clearing out your closet so it appears larger and purchasing fresh linens and throw pillows. It is also a good idea to make sure the master bedroom appeals to both sexes and, again, this can be achieved by incorporating a lot of neutral colors throughout. 

When it comes to bathrooms, a little TLC can go a long way. Sellers can do things such as replacing old bathroom fixtures, cleaning away mold and dirt from shower doors and between tiles, hang beautiful decorative towels, and incorporating items such as candles, glass container holders and scented soaps. And when it comes to other rooms in the home, doing things such as removing clutter, rearranging furniture so it's easier to move through each room, taking down personal photos and improving the lighting so the house feels brighter are great ways to make your home appeal to potential buyers. Happy staging! 

Goodbye 2017, thank you for the memories. Hello 2018, we are ready for you! As we say goodbye to another year next weekend, we hope you take the time to look back on the last 12 months and reminisce on all the beautiful times had with family and friends. With the closing of one year comes the promise of growth and new memories for the next. There are many awesome family friendly events held throughout Omaha that are the perfect place to ring in the New Year. We have listed a few below that we hope bring a smile to your face. We wish you a wonderful year ahead and hope 2018 proves to be your best year yet!

Noon Year’s Eve at Gretna Public Library 
When: Friday, December 29th from 11:30 until 12pm
Where: Gretna Children’s Library 

Noon Year’s Eve at The Durham Museum
When: Saturday, December 30th from 10am until 2pm 
Where: 801 South 10th Street, Omaha, NE

Noon Year’s Eve at Saddlebrook Branch 
When: Saturday, December 30th from 10:30am until 12:30pm
Where: 14850 Laurel Avenue, Omaha 

Noon Year’s Eve at the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
When: Sunday, December 31st from 11am until 1pm
Where: 3701 South 10th Street, Omaha

New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular 
When: Sunday, December 31st at 7pm
Where: Gene Leahy Mall, 14th and Farnam Street 

New Year’s Eve Bash
When: Sunday, December 31st from 6-8pm
Where: The Omaha Children’s Museum 

As hard as it is to believe, Christmas week is upon us! Yes, that means 2017 is quickly coming to an end and 2018 is right around the corner. But before you start making your New Year’s resolutions, be sure to soak up all the holiday festivities around Omaha over this next week. There are many events, plays and holiday cheer that are sure to put a smile on everyone’s face! 

We have listed a few below that we hope bring lasting holiday memories for you, your family and friends! 

A Christmas Carol 
Where: The Omaha Community Playhouse
When: Through December 23rd 

Gingerbread House Display
Where: The Mormon Trail Center
When: Through December 31st 
*Free

Holiday Lights Festival 
Where: Downtown Omaha
When: Through January 1st
*Free 

Santa’s Magic
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum 
When: Through December 23rd 

Holiday Poinsettia Show
Where: Lauritzen Garden
When: Through January 4th 

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical
Where: The Rose Theatre 
When: Through December 23rd

Storytime with Santa 
Where: Village Pointe
When: December 19th
*Free

Angel Guardian’s Santa’s Workshop
Where:  15677 Spaulding Street
When: December 18th-21st 
*Free

Family Nights with Santa 
Where: The Durham Museum 
When: December 19th 

If you are looking to sell your home for top dollar, you know you have to put your best foot forward in order to gain interest and have offers coming through the door. One thing sellers should look to do when they are putting their house on the market is to spruce up their home in order to make the home as appealing to buyers as possible. While this sounds like an overwhelming and expensive project, there are ways to make it a little less painful for you and your wallet. In this post we will be covering inexpensive and simple things for you to do to update your home and add a little more appeal for potential buyers.  

The first home improvement task we want to touch on is landscaping. Now this is a great area to spend some time on as even a little bit of improvement goes a long way. Look into doing things such as replacing old bushes with new ones, putting down fresh sod and adding in some color through vibrant potted flowers or flower beds. Potential buyers form their first impressions of your home when they walk up so having updated landscaping can prove to be a relatively inexpensive way to spruce up your home. The next area is your entryway, which can be improved by painting the front door or purchasing a new one if needed. You may also want to look into buying and installing a new house number and mailbox if they are starting to look a little tired.

Changing out items such a light and plumbing fixtures can also go a long way. Updating ceiling fixtures, bathroom faucets and replacing outdated fixtures with more updated versions is great to make your home look more updated and modern, and in turn more appealing to buyers. And if you have popcorn ceilings, you may want to consider removing them as it is a notable characteristic of an older home. Another relatively inexpensive improvement task that can go a long way is painting. While your teenage daughter may love her bright fuchsia room, chances are buyers will not feel the same. Other tasks such as updating window treatments, replacing worn and dirty carpets and deep cleaning can go a long way as well.