Real Estate Information

Kitchen remodeling is always high on the list of projects that provide an excellent return on investment. The top kitchen remodel projects will not only make this room look extraordinary, but will increase the functionality of it as well.

A professional-grade range is listed as one of the top features people desire in a kitchen, even among those that do not cook often. The type of range most people prefer is one that contains features such as a griddle or grill space along with double ovens. While people like the functionality of a chef's stove, they also prefer appliances that are eco-friendly. As such, one that contains special features and also uses less energy could score double points.

Certain other appliances also top the list of must-have features for a kitchen remodel. More people than ever are adding convention ovens and wine coolers than ever before. Stainless steel continues to be a popular choice for all appliances, regardless of their size or function.

Granite is still a popular choice for countertops; however, quartz and marble are also increasing in popularity. Regardless of the material used for a countertop, consumers cannot go wrong with a tile backsplash. The reason for its popularity is that it allows for a splash of color without detracting from the overall look of the kitchen.

The top kitchen remodel projects also involve new flooring. Recent surveys by Houzz show that most people prefer hardwood to other flooring options. Tile in its various forms is also an excellent option, being the second most popular choice behind hardwood. Linoleum and concrete are two of the least-favorite options, which means that homeowners who choose these materials could have difficulty selling their property as a result.

White and gray are two popular color choices when it comes to decorating kitchens. White cabinets have always been in style, and continue to attract people from all walks of life. For a somewhat different look, homeowners could add gray panels or accents to provide visual interest while still maintain a timeless and classic look.

The top kitchen remodel projects will increase a kitchen's appearance as well as its functionality. Even small changes can go a long way toward improving the look of what is a very vital room in any home.

Maintaining curb appeal is important all the time, but is especially challenging during the winter months. These tips for winter home selling provide good information on how to showcase a home when the outside weather is less than cooperative.

Clear away Snow and Ice

Sellers should make sure their driveways, sidewalks, and steps are clear of ice and snow before potential buyers visit. People might not want to view a home if they have to track through ice or snow to get inside, which could mean a missed sales opportunity.

Add Color Wherever Possible

One of the best tips for winter home selling involves adding color wherever possible. A bright mailbox or door wreath can go a long way toward brightening up a home and making it appear cheerful. Even simple touches such as a new welcome mat will help provide curb appeal, while also allowing a home to seem warm and inviting.

Light Things Up

The odds of someone visiting when it's dark increases during the winter months. As such, sidewalks, decks and porches should all be well illuminated during a showing. Likewise, the entrance should also contain adequate lighting so that people can see easily. Adding some large reflective house numbers will ensure potential buyers are able to identify the home they are looking for.

Add Greenery

Planting some evergreen shrubs near the foundation of a home will help add some visual contrast against the stark winter landscape. Greenery can also be added in the way of décor, as a few small Christmas trees located throughout the house will also add charm. These trees can stay up even after Christmas is over if the decorations on them are switched up to reflect other holidays such as President's Day or Valentine's Day.

Following these tips for winter home selling will require some additional effort; however, they are nonetheless important. Taking the time to provide winter curb appeal can help homeowners make a sale during what is an otherwise slow time for real estate purchases.

Homebuyers in 2014 will face sweeping new changes when it comes to obtaining a mortgage. The National Association of Mortgage Professionals has listed some of the top changes for buyers.

Lenders will now be scrutinizing buyers more carefully in order to ensure they are qualified to take out a loan. Buyers will now be required to undergo an Ability to Repay Mandate, which amounts to a new set of guidelines concerning assets, income and other financial obligations in order to obtain what is known as a qualified mortgage.

Those who were previously concerned about origination fees could possibly breathe a little easier in 2014. New laws dictate that mortgage origination fees may not exceed 3% of the loan’s value. This rule only applies to those who are taking out a “qualified mortgage,” so those who apply for other types of loans could nonetheless pay higher origination fees.

One of the biggest mortgage changes to know in 2014 involves FHA loans. Previously, borrowers could apply for FHA loans of up to $729,750, but the cap in 2014 will be limited to $625,000. This change is unlikely to affect people in most parts of the country, as the average home price is already much lower than that figure. Even so, homebuyers in areas that have a high cost of living could find themselves having difficulty obtaining FHA loans as a result.

Self-employed individuals will also have a harder time obtaining a mortgage loan in 2014. That’s because the new rules will make it more difficult for those without a W-2 form to prove their income and asset-to-debt ratio. As a result, a number of self-employed individuals might find they are unqualified for a mortgage, even if their credit score is well above average.

The goal of these new changes is to ensure that faulty lending practices do not result in another housing market crash, as the economy is still recovering from the bubble that burst a few years ago. Only time will tell whether the laws will be effective at doing so, or whether they will only make it more difficult for the average person to become a homeowner.

New Year’s Eve is a special time for people to celebrate the old year while looking ahead to the new one. There are a number of New Year’s Eve events in Omaha, Nebraska, so make plans now to attend one or more of them.

The New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular will be held at the Gene Leahy Mall beginning at 7 p.m. on December 31. This fireworks show is the closing event of the Omaha Holiday Light Festival, and is among the biggest fireworks shows in the area. This year, the event is expected to attract over 30, 000 people. The fireworks will be set to music, and you can tune into The Christmas Station, Star 104.5 to hear the synchronized tunes.

Double Tree by Hilton is hosting a New Year’s Eve event at their downtown location. The gala will include live music by two local bands, and a champagne toast at midnight. This hotel is also offering special overnight accommodation packages for those who would like to stay over. These packages include a prime rib dinner buffet, entertainment, and accommodations for two.

The Night of Stars 2014 bash will be held at Stir Live and Loud in nearby Council Bluffs. The event features a live DJ, dancing, drink specials and special prize giveaways. There will also be a film crew on hand to videotape the action live as it occurs. Tickets are required in advance, and can be obtained by calling the club.

Ring in Blue Year's Eve at the Omaha Hilton beginning at 6 p.m. Watch the Creighton vs. Marquette game on the big screen, while also enjoying some pre-game food beforehand and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are available for $30 per person in advance or $35 per person at the door.

If you’re looking for New Year’s Eve events in Omaha for children to participate in, consider visiting the children's museum. Some of the activities that are planned include face painting, dancing and balloon artists along with a concert by the String Beans.

In addition to these New Year’s Eve events in Omaha, there is also the ice rink, Christmas at Union Station, and Christmas at Boy's Town that can all be enjoyed that evening as well. Make plans now to celebrate, and welcome 2014 in style.

Have you noticed as you’re walking through your house that there are cold pockets that make you feel as if you just walked through a ghost?  Before you call the Ghostbusters however, there is a pretty good chance that you just need to follow some home winterization tips.  With just some basic steps, you can make your home more comfortable, protect your property, and take control of your energy bills this winter.

Keep the Cold Air Out

Houses have a tendency to shift and settle with time, which can cause gaps that are easy entry points for cold gusts and inclement weather.  Towards that end, you should make a detailed examination of those areas of your home that might not be as secure as it needs to be.  Typical problem areas are found around window sashes and doors.  Additionally, holes and small cracks along the baseboards might serve as an access point for cold air.

To help make sure that the cold air stays outside, you should consider installing door sweeps on exterior doors, as well as basement and attic entry points.  Windows should be sealed with weather stripping tape around the edges, and any portable air conditioning units should be removed during the winter season.  Finally, caulking those small cracks in the baseboards and walls will stop the flow of cold air into your home.

Keep the Warm Air In

Although potentially pricey, if you are serious about keeping your house well-insulated then you should consider installing insulation in your attic and basement to help temper the loss of your expensive heat.  Additionally, now would be the time to inspect your heating system, fireplace and heating ducts to ensure that they are all operating at their maximum capacity when it comes time to explore home winterization tips.

It's that time of year again when we gather together with families and friends to welcome in the Holiday Season! Here in the Omaha area, there will be some fun community festivities that you won't want to miss!

• Holiday Lighting Ceremony at Midtown Crossing: Perhaps the first annual event to kick off the Holiday Season will be the exciting Holiday Lighting Ceremony at Midtown Crossing! This free family event will take place on Saturday, November 23rd, with the holiday lighting starting at dusk.
• Miracle on Farnam: In conjunction with the Holiday Lighting Ceremony at Midtown Crossing, the Miracle on Farnam will also begin November 23rd at 2:00 PM at Midtown Crossing. This holiday tradition is a glorious celebration of holiday lights, cheer and top notch window displays! The window displays will be voted on by the public for the most dazzling and creative display, and the winner will receive a $3,000 donation to their business, courtesy of the Baer Foundation. This holiday display will be with the community all season long and wrap up at 1:00 AM on News Year's Day.
• 2013 Holiday Lights Festival at Gene Leahy Mall: At 6:00 PM on Thursday, November 28th, Mayor Stothert will lead a countdown which will kick off the 2013 Holiday Lights Festival! Join friends and family for this all-ages event at Gene Leahy Mall to see Downtown Omaha come to life with thousands of tiny white holiday lights! Show up a little earlier at 5:30 PM to enjoy musical performances by MasterSingers and the Jingle Brass Bells. These holiday lights will be set aglow each evening at 5:00 PM until 1:00 AM beginning with this event and will conclude January 5th, 2014.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and holiday season!

If you're house hunting, whether it's for your first home or your fifth, you will eventually need to obtain a detailed copy of your credit report. And thanks to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), initially passed in 1970, you are allowed to request a free copy of it once every 12 months.

The three companies responsible for distributing the vast majority of credit reports are Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. These reports are what lenders use to underwrite mortgage loans.

It does not diminish your credit rating to use this program; rather, it allows you and your financial backer the opportunity to ensure the information listed therein is accurate, complete and up to date. Armed with this knowledge, among many other mitigating factors, you will be able to ascertain how easy or troublesome it will likely be to garner a home loan.

Credit Rating

The aforementioned credit reporting companies utilize a formula to calculate your credit rating. The results of this calculation are often referred to as your FICO score. Here is a simplified look at the primary factors that go into determining your FICO score, along with the percentage with which each is weighted:

• Payment history (35 percent)
• Amounts owed (30 percent)
• Length of credit history (15 percent)
• Types of credit used (10 percent)
• New credit (10 percent)

Credit scores generally fall into the 300 to 850 range, with 850 being at the top. Most people tend to score in the 600s to 700. So it stands to reason that people with better scores get better interest rates and more options when applying for mortgage loans.

There are a number of things you, as a prospective homebuyer, can do to raise your credit score.  Such tactics include making sure you're current on payments, keep your balances low on revolving credit card accounts (higher balances will lower your score), avoid making major purchases while applying for a mortgage, connect with your agent's preferred mortgage lender to find the best package for your financial circumstances and, finally, watch out for imposter sites. Be sure to check with your real estate agent for certified credit report companies during this process.

On Friday, Nov. 15, the sparkling new Nebraska Crossing Outlets in Gretna will open its doors to the public, just in time for all of the holiday shopping madness.

Ever since construction on the 350,000-square-foot open-air shopping mall got underway in March, Nebraskans yearning for something fresh, new and exciting to enter their shopping and dining lives have followed the project's progress with the intensity of a young child watching Christmastime toy commercials on TV.

The $112 million mall, located approximately 20 miles southeast of downtown Omaha at the confluence of U.S. Highways 31 and 6 and Interstate 80, is, to say the least, an upgrade from the 20-year-old outlet mall it is replacing, which was demolished this past spring.

Nebraska Crossing Outlets will offer 65 outlet or factory stores and retailers. Some of the most popular name brands include the following:

• Columbia
• Old Navy
• Tommy Bahama
• Forever 21
• Bose

And to ensure you don't go hungry or thirsty during your visit, Nebraska Crossing serves up a cornucopia of fine eateries, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Big Cheese
• Burger Star
• Pieocracy
• Bakery Express
• Scooter's
• Voodoo Taco

Buying a home is a time filled with many emotions, questions, a little stress, and plenty of excitement. To make your house hunt go smoothly follow these tips on home buying:

• Buy a home that you can afford. The best way to determine what price range you should shop in is to get pre-approved. A pre-approval means that a financial institution has looked at your employment, income, credit history and debt to determine your credit worthiness. While a pre-approval is not the final word in the financial aspects of your home ownership, you can feel confident shopping within the range that your financial institution provides. With that said, it is also wise to look slightly above your range. This sometimes means that you can get a better house with more amenities for a decent price. Even if your real estate agent isn't able to negotiate a lower price, every $1,000 only adds $6 - $7 to your monthly mortgage payment.
• Do your homework before putting in an offer. Knowing a little bit about the market, the neighborhood and the surrounding homes can help you make a better decision. For example, you may want to buy a home in a great school district. Since this is an important factor to many people, homes in an area with a strong school district have a better resale value.
• Insist on a home inspection. Most homebuyers are in the home on one to three occasions for approximately 30 minutes each time prior to putting in an offer. Not only is that not enough time to completely assess the home, most people are unaware of what items are crucial to look at. Hiring a licensed inspector helps to ease the fears of hidden concerns by performing a thorough examination. The inspector will look at all of the mechanical systems and structural components in the home.

While purchasing a home can be filled with anxious moments, having a real estate professional and using the tips on home buying can save you the stress of going in uninformed and under-represented. The joys of home ownership are definitely worth taking the time to study and select the right people to help you through every step of the process. Welcome home will soon become your favorite phrase!

A strong agricultural economy, healthcare sector, and a government jobs expansion are to thank for the Nebraska employment rate recovery. While employment had slumped to a loss of 33,000 jobs in a two year period from 2008-2009, those jobs and more have now been recovered thanks to a growth in metropolitan areas.

The financial services and retail sectors have experienced tremendous recovery fueled in part by the agricultural sector. While the size of farms increasing might not add directly to the Nebraska employment rate recovery, the money that is made from these large agricultural areas helps to bring jobs in other areas. With money to spend, farmers have helped to increase employment in areas such as leisure and hospitality, healthcare, vehicle sales, and food service.

Gaining an average of 750 jobs per month since January 2010, Nebraska set a preliminary employment record in May and then surpassed that in July. New records show that over 970,000 people in Nebraska are now employed.

With neighboring states like Colorado and Missouri coming in with 7.1% unemployment and Illinois and Nevada coming in with over 9% unemployment, the 4.2% rate that Nebraska has risen to is truly something to celebrate. While Nebraska is now rated number three in a CNN lowest unemployment poll, there are still a few sectors that have not met their pre-recession employment numbers.

• While manufacturing and construction have regained some momentum, employment levels are not yet what they were before the recession. As buyer confidence grows, these jobs will experience an increase in employment.
• Airline travel has declined almost 12%, reaching a level that hasn't been seen since 2004. While personal travel is one item that is often cut when the budget is tight, businesses are also not sending employees on discretionary trips during a time when money is an issue. This area is also expected to rebound quickly.
• While the economy isn't the only factor in the decision to have a baby, Nebraska's birth rate, and all sectors related to it, continue to come in with numbers below the pre-recession total.

Nebraska continues to use its strong sectors to bring jobs into the other areas, so they are slowly rebounding as well. Economists are confident that the Nebraska employment rate will continue to recover and that the recovery will move further out into rural areas and sectors that have yet to fully feel the effects of the rebound.