Real Estate Information

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.

In the past, buyers who were interested in finding just the right home had to look through hundreds of listings in order to narrow down their search. That’s no longer the case, as automated email home searches can show people homes that have all the right features at a price that is within their budget.

By entering some basic information in an online form, one can easily activate automated email home searches. Users can then select from a number of different home features including location, property type, price range, number of bedrooms, and number of bathrooms. The system will then look through all the available listings in order to find ones that meet these criteria. Information about these listings is then sent to that person’s email address so that he or she can immediately see data concerning suitable properties.

After the initial email, follow-up emails are sent every morning. These emails provide information about any newly listed property, as well as any existing ones that have had price reductions. Potential buyers can always stay up-to-date with the latest offerings without having to constantly perform new data searches in order to obtain it.

Data can be modified at any time in order to change search results. Each time information is changed, new listings are sent reflecting these changes.

Automated email home searches are free and do not obligate consumers in any way. Many people find this service helps them streamline the home-buying process by allowing them to obtain information about new listings sooner than they would have otherwise. Those in the Omaha, Nebraska area are encouraged to take advantage of automated email home searches by signing up today.

Nebraska football began this past weekened when the Cornhuskers played their first game against the University of Wyoming. Looking ahead, the final game is scheduled for Friday, November 29th against the Iowa Hawkeyes.

The Cornhuskers are coming off of a strong 2012-2013 season, in which they were 10-4 overall. This team won all of their home games with the exception of one game that was played against the University of Wisconsin Badgers. They also made an appearance in the Capitol One Bowl on New Year’s Day, where they lost to the University of Georgia Bulldogs by a score of 45-31.

Coach Bo Pelini will head the Cornhuskers for the fifth straight year this season. In each of the past four seasons, the Cornhuskers have lost exactly four games. They’re hoping to change that record this year, and they have several key players returning to help them meet their goals.

Among those coming back are running back Ameer Abdullah, offensive tackle Jeremiah Sirles and defensive end Jason Ankrah. The Cornhuskers also welcome defensive end Randy Gregory to their ball club this year. Gregory was rated the top junior college defensive lineman for the 2012-2013 season.

According to several sports analysts, defense will play a major role in how well the Cornhuskers do this season. The fact that most of the team’s defensive players are new could effectively work against them. Even so, they are expected to be one of the top contenders in this year’s Legends Division, mostly because the team’s offense is one of the best in the entire Big Ten conference.

Many are waiting to see how well the Cornhuskers fare against the UCLA Bruins later in September. If they hold their own against this team, they have a good shot at being undefeated as they head into November, where they’ll face tough teams such as Northwestern, Michigan and Michigan State. Their performance against these teams will largely determine whether or not the Cornhuskers are selected to advance to post-season conference play.

Nebraska Football - 2013 Schedule

• Aug. 31st vs. Wyoming
• Sep. 7th vs. Southern Miss
• Sep. 14th vs. UCLA
• Sep. 21st vs. South Dakota State
• Oct. 5th vs. Illinois
• Oct. 12th @ Purdue
• Oct. 26th @ Minnesota
• Nov. 2nd vs. Northwestern
• Nov. 16th vs. Michigan State
• Nov. 23rd @ Penn State
• Nov. 29th vs. Iowa

Selling a house is one of the biggest decisions that homeowners will ever make. Numerous factors are involved in the successful sale of a home. Choices such as selecting an agent, preparing the home, timing, and price all play a major role in a positive experience for homeowners, buyers, and real estate professionals.

The one decision most homeowners wrestle with is deciding on a sales price. Pricing your home to sell involves careful planning, looking at the market, and accessing the condition of your home. Many things are taken into consideration before deciding on a price.

Location

Being aware of your home’s location will provide additional insight into the pricing of your property. Things like power plants, busy roads, and a less than desirable view may all make your sale price lower, while benefits such as neighborhood parks, easy access to shopping, and beautiful views drive prices up.

Staging

Planting flowers, painting, and purchasing new throw pillows may seem insignificant, but these small changes can actually add up to thousands of extra dollars in a home's sale. Presenting a house in the best possible light is important. Creating an environment that is warm and inviting, and that prospective buyers can see themselves in, is the key to selling a house.

Comparative Market Analysis

Given all of these factors, one of the tools that a real estate agent will use to help determine a home's value is a comparative market analysis. This CMA can vary from a short document to one laden with details, but they all have basic things in common. All of them will look at the active listings, pending listings, and sold listings. Additionally, they may look at items such as properties withdrawn from the market and expired listings. A CMA is going to compare your home to other homes with the same square footage and amenities. This information will assist your real estate agent in pricing your home to sell.

When it comes time to sell your home, allow the real estate professionals at Prudential Ambassador Real Estate assist you through every step of the process. With years of superior service and satisfied customers, we are prepared to find the right buyers for your house and to help you find the home of your dreams.

Mortgage rates are on the rise according to some news sources. Reports are that the average rates on a 15-year fixed mortgage escalated above the three percent mark in late May. This was the first occurrence in more than a year, but many feel this rise in interest rates is only the beginning.

Freddie Mac reported that the average rate on a 15-year mortgage was 3.03% at the end of May. This was an increase from an all-time low rate of 2.56%. 30-year mortgages saw rates rise from 3.3% in early May to 3.91% at the end of that month. According to Doug Duncan, a chief economist with Fannie Mae, mortgage rates are unlikely to ever be that low again.

One of the reasons for record low rates was that the Federal Reserve had been purchasing around $85 billion a month in mortgage-backed securities and treasury bonds. This resulted in mortgage lenders being able to offer their loans at record low interest rates while still making a hefty profit. The Federal Reserve never intended these rates to carry on indefinitely, but rather were to taper off later this year. That timeframe has since been moved up to late summer or early fall.

Although mortgage rates have risen somewhat, they have nonetheless stayed low enough to help stimulate an increase in home purchases during 2012. In addition, home sales and market values have both increased across the country during the past two months.

Since mortgage rates are on the rise, potential buyers should strongly consider whether or not to take advantage of these lower rates. There are numerous advantages to purchasing now, and many people could find it in their best interest to go ahead and invest in the American dream of home ownership.