Real Estate Information Archive

When building a home in Omaha, it's important to be aware of common construction issues to avoid. By staying proactive, you can save time, money, and ensure a smooth experience. Here's an overview of the most common issues to watch out for during the home building process.

Poor Budgeting

Poor budgeting is a common issue in construction. Building a home is generally cheaper than buying a pre-built one, but many homeowners underestimate the cost. They often overlook major expenses and forget about smaller ones like legal fees and warranties. Unforeseen expenditures are also common.

It's recommended to have a contingency budget of 10-25% to account for changing costs. To budget effectively, start by creating a home building checklist and doing thorough research on the accurate costs involved.

An Unsuitable Location

When it comes to building a new home, choosing the right location is crucial. The wrong choice can result in major construction issues. There are several factors to consider when deciding on the best location for your home construction.

Before purchasing land for construction, it is important to consider the soil condition and water table. Testing the soil quality will ensure a suitable foundation can be laid. Additionally, determining the water table height is crucial as it may require costly dewatering measures.

Thirdly, during new home building, ask if the area is prone to flooding and water damage. Visit the site during the rainy seasons to assess drainage. Also, avoid sloppy regions, as you need to level the surface. Finally, consider the accessibility of the area and proximity to essential amenities such as powerlines, water, gas, etc.

Not Hiring Reputable Professionals

To ensure the smooth and timely execution of the project, it is essential to have a team of professionals with diverse expertise. This team should include builders, architects, engineers, interior designers, surveyors, contractors, and more. By assembling the right team, you can ensure that the project is completed efficiently and within budget.

When looking for service providers, it's important to do thorough research. Take your time and consider recommendations from other homeowners or check online. This will help you find reputable options and avoid potential construction issues.

When selecting a home builder, it is important to gather as much information as possible to ensure their credibility. Take the time to read through both positive and negative reviews from various sources to get a comprehensive understanding of their reputation. By doing so, you can make a more accurate assessment of their credibility.

Then, narrow down to 1-3 contractors for each category. Contact them for quotes and references to help you narrow down further. Conduct interviews with the most suitable candidates and hire the ones that come up as the best fit. 

Poor-Quality Materials

Using poor-quality materials in construction can have serious consequences. These materials weaken the structural integrity of the building, making it vulnerable to damage from rain, wind, and earthquakes.

Additionally, they often have a shorter lifespan, leading to frequent and costly repairs. Functional and aesthetic issues may also arise. Moreover, poor-quality materials can pose safety hazards and result in legal and regulatory problems if they don't meet building codes and standards.

To avoid these issues, it is important to consult with professionals and use high-quality products that adhere to regulations. Regular quality control checks and sourcing materials from reputable suppliers are also crucial.

Not Adhering to All Applicable Regulations

The building and construction regulations differ from state to state, with some being more widely known than others. It's important to be aware of these regulations to avoid potential fines, construction delays, and approval issues for future projects.

To ensure compliance, consult your home builder and reach out to your local government for specific information on the regulations and codes that apply to your new home building project.

When building your home in Omaha, it's crucial to avoid costly mistakes. To ensure a smooth construction process, make sure to address key issues such as choosing the right location, budgeting properly, using high-quality materials, and following all applicable regulations. Before hiring a home builder, take the time to read reviews to make an informed decision.

Have your home needs changed in the past year? Perhaps you’ve outgrown your present home, or need to downsize to a more suitable home. If you’re ready to make a move, let’s connect and talk about all the amazing opportunities that are available to you!

Are you selling your Omaha home and thinking about staging your home? Staging your home is worth paying for. Realtors highly recommend it to increase the chances of selling. While it's an extra cost, it helps make a positive impression on potential buyers and showcases the full potential of your property. Professional staging can highlight the best features, create a welcoming atmosphere, and allow buyers to envision themselves living in the space. Ultimately, staging can lead to a quicker sale and potentially higher offers, making it a worthwhile investment.

1. First Impressions Are Everything

When potential buyers enter a chaotic and disorganized home, they can quickly become disinterested. Comparing a messy property to a clean one, it's clear which one they will prefer. Professional staging can transform a space and create an inviting atmosphere.

Home staging is a transformative process that enhances your property's appeal. It is akin to a professional photoshoot, accentuating its best features. In a competitive market, first impressions are crucial when selling a home. By staging your property, you can capture buyers' attention and increase the likelihood of receiving offers.

2. Accelerate the Sale

When your home remains unsold, it incurs ongoing expenses such as mortgage payments, utilities, and property taxes. However, staging your home can significantly expedite the selling process. On average, staged homes sell 30 times faster than those that are not staged. By utilizing staging, you can save weeks, or even months, of time. Selling your home quickly allows you to cease paying for household expenses and transition to the next phase sooner.

3. Larger Offers

Staging a home can lead to higher offers from buyers, resulting in significant financial gain for sellers. It goes beyond superficial fixes and is an important aspect of marketing efforts.

Staging a home can have a significant impact on buyers. When a house is staged, it helps buyers visualize themselves living there, leading to a higher likelihood of them making a higher bid. The investment you make in staging could potentially result in a larger sale price. Whether your real estate agent covers the cost or you pay for it yourself, home staging is a worthwhile investment that should not be dismissed as just another expense.

4. Enable Buyers to See Themselves in Your Space

Home staging is a powerful tool that bridges the gap between different buyer preferences. It transforms a home into an inviting space that appeals to a wide range of potential buyers. By neutralizing unique tastes, staging creates a blank canvas that still exudes character. This allows buyers to envision themselves making lasting memories in the property.

Professional home stagers employ psychological tactics to create an inviting and appealing atmosphere. It goes beyond simply arranging furniture; home staging aims to establish a seamless flow that evokes a sense of excitement and possibility for potential buyers. By strategically placing items and creating a harmonious environment, home staging communicates the message, "Your future life here will be amazing."

Paying for Home Staging is Worth It

Selling a home can be an emotional and financial roller coaster. Fortunately, staging is a helpful tool for finding buyers. Staging acts as a safety harness, ensuring a smooth and quick sale process. The benefits of home staging make it a worthwhile investment when listing your home.

Have your home needs changed in the past year? Perhaps you’ve outgrown your present home, or need to downsize to a more suitable home. If you’re ready to make a move, let’s connect and talk about all the amazing opportunities that are available to you!

Fall is in full gear at the local farms and orchards near Omaha. If you still need to pick up some epic pumpkins or just want to enjoy the wonders of the season, check out these local pumpkin patches and farms near Omaha!

Roca Berry Farm

16531 S. 38th St.
Roca, Nebraska 68430

Visit Lancaster Counties largest pumpkin patch, conveniently located just south of Lincoln, NE. They offer a wide range of fun activities suitable for all ages. The pumpkin patch is open daily from 9am to 7pm, with activities closing at 6:30pm. If you're coming from Omaha, it's less than an hour's drive away. In addition to an impressive selection of pumpkins, they also have 4 haunted attractions and over 60 other attractions for you to enjoy. And don't forget to treat yourself to delicious funnel cakes and apple donuts.

Activities: Animals, Corn Maze, Food, Kids Activities, Live Shows, Pumpkin Patch, U-Pick

Nelson Produce Farm

10505 N 234th St
Valley, Nebraska 68064

With pumpkin picking, hayrack rides, and a massive hay pyramid, there are countless highlights to enjoy. And don't forget about the over 50 varieties of pumpkins available! Be sure to treat yourself to an apple cider slushie, apple nachos, donuts, and a warm drink made with homemade syrups from the Coffee Barn in our indoor market.

Activities: Animals, Corn Maze, Food, Kids Activities, Live Shows, Pumpkin Patch, U-Pick

Arbor Day Farm

2611 Arbor Avenue
Nebraska City, Nebraska 68410

Arbor Day Farm, spanning 260 acres, offers a multitude of fall activities. Visitors can immerse themselves in the unique Treetop Village, indulge in apple and pumpkin picking, and explore the expansive farm. Additionally, a variety of fall treats such as caramel apples, fresh-pressed cider, and apple pie are available for enjoyment. For those interested in U-pick activities, the schedule, which includes apple picking starting on September 16th, can be found on arbordayfarm.org. It is highly recommended to purchase tickets in advance through the website.

Activities: Apple Orchard, Food, Kids Activities, Pumpkin Patch, U-Pick

Camp Fontanelle's Split Oak Hollow

9677 County Road 3
Fontanelle, Nebraska 68044

Camp Fontanelle is the perfect fall destination for the whole family. Since 2007, they have been offering a variety of family-friendly activities including a corn maze, pumpkin patch, zip line, bunnies and goats, barrel train and hayrack rides, pedal karts, special event days, yard games, Human Foosball, and new this year, a climbing tower. Open on Saturdays and Sundays from September 30th to October 31st.

Activities: Animals, Corn Maze, Food, Kids Activities, Pumpkin Patch, U-Pick

Martin's Hillside Orchard

2024 Ashland Rd
Ceresco, Nebraska 68017

Martin's is a popular destination for apple picking in the fall. They offer a variety of fun activities for kids, including wagon rides on the weekends. In addition to apple picking, they also have caramel apples, cider slush, and a pumpkin patch. Overall, Martin's is known as the best little orchard in the area.

Activities: Apple Orchard, Corn Maze, Food, Kids Activities, Pumpkin Patch, U-Pick

Have your home needs changed in the past year? Perhaps you’ve outgrown your present home, or need to downsize to a more suitable home. If you’re ready to make a move, let’s connect and talk about all the amazing opportunities that are available to you!

Setting up a smart home can be overwhelming if you're new to it. With the ability to control various devices through voice commands, smart homes in Omaha have transformed daily living. From adjusting the lights and thermostat to closing the garage door and playing music, the possibilities are endless. However, it's important to familiarize yourself with the setup process to make the most of this technology.

To quickly get up to speed and start enjoying the benefits of a smart home, follow these simple steps.

1. Is Your Internet Fast Enough?

Before investing in smart home devices, it is crucial to ensure that your internet connection is capable of supporting them. A reliable internet connection with a high data cap, or no data cap at all, is necessary in order to fully utilize the potential of a smart home.

When you have multiple smart devices connected to your network, the total bandwidth usage can increase significantly, especially if you are streaming video or performing other data-intensive tasks simultaneously.

2. Give Your Home a Voice

When considering purchasing gear for your Omaha home, it is important to determine if you want a smart assistant to help control it all. Amazon's Alexa, Apple's Siri, and Google's Assistant are all excellent options, each with their own strengths. However, it is worth noting that the smart devices they integrate with for voice control can vary significantly. This means that you may need to choose your devices based on their compatibility with a specific assistant.

Alexa

Alexa has the most integrations among all the assistants, making it the top choice for voice control of your smart home. It is available on smartphones as well as the Amazon Echo line of devices.

Siri

Siri, among the three voice assistants, has the fewest integrations and is limited to Apple devices only. It is generally considered the worst of the three as a voice assistant. However, Siri is best suited for those who are heavily invested in Apple's systems. It is available on iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and HomePod speakers.

Assistant

Google Assistant is positioned between Alexa and Siri, offering a smaller number of integrations compared to Alexa. However, it excels as a digital assistant for answering questions due to Google's impressive machine learning capabilities. Additionally, Google Assistant is available on various platforms, including the Google Home smart speakers.

3. Start Adding Your Devices

When choosing the right assistant, it's important to consider compatible devices. For smart home beginners, popular options include smart thermostats, video doorbells, and smart lighting.

Smart Thermostats

Thermostats like the Nest Learning Thermostat provide several benefits:

• The system adapts to your preferences, minimizing the need for adjustments on your part.
• The Nest thermostat is highly energy efficient, allowing it to pay for itself in energy savings within approximately two years. After that, all the savings go straight into your pocket.
• Controlling your devices remotely is now possible with just a smartphone. You have the power to adjust the temperature of your home before you even step foot inside.

Nest is highly regarded in the market due to its sleek design and excellent performance. It has gained significant attention and is often a topic of conversation. With its appealing aesthetics and impressive functionality, it is considered one of the top choices in the industry.

Video Doorbells

Video doorbells are a popular choice for homeowners. They allow you to see and communicate with visitors without leaving your seat, even when you're away from home. Additionally, they serve as an effective deterrent against package theft, a growing concern. Ring is a highly recommended brand for video doorbells.

Smart Lighting

Smart lighting, such as the Philips Hue, is a popular choice due to its smartphone control and automation features. In addition to this convenience, smart lighting offers a wide range of colors, allowing users to set the perfect mood. The ability to customize the color and color temperature is truly remarkable. Furthermore, these bulbs have a long lifespan and consume minimal power, making them cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

There are countless smart home options available, with new ones constantly being added. However, the following list will provide you with a dependable and secure starting point. So, what are you waiting for? Take action now and begin experiencing the advantages of a connected home.

Have your home needs changed in the past year? Perhaps you’ve outgrown your present home, or need to downsize to a more suitable home. If you’re ready to make a move, let’s connect and talk about all the amazing opportunities that are available to you!

Is the bathroom in your Omaha home need a bit of a renewal? If you want to spruce up your bathroom without breaking the bank, you're in luck. According to HomeAdvisor, the average bathroom remodel costs $10,354. However, there are ways to achieve a fresh new look for a fraction of that price. Here are some money-saving tips and tricks to consider.

Keep the same layout

Moving the tub, vanity, and toilet to a completely new layout can be quite costly. According to HGTV's Scott McGillivray, each of these items will cost approximately $2500 to move. This expense could potentially exceed your budget and should be taken into consideration before making any decisions.

Do your own tilework

Tiling your own bathroom floor and shower can be satisfying and money-saving. Before you start, it's important to watch tutorials and practice your technique on a piece of MDF with inexpensive tile. This will help you gain confidence and avoid mistakes when working on your wall or floor.

When considering professional installation, it's important to note that opting for large-scale tile can lead to cost savings. According to McGillivray, the complexity of the pattern and the size of the tile both impact installation costs.

Go garage sale-ing

You can find great accessories at garage sales, estate sales, flea markets, or online platforms like Craigslist or Nextdoor. Look out for larger pieces as well, like old dressers that can be transformed into vanities. This not only saves money but also adds character to your space.

Frame it

According to HGTV, adding a frame to a builder-grade mirror not only enhances its appearance but also conceals any signs of wear and tear. Home stager and decorator Karen Gray Plaisted recommends framing mirrors to hide flaking around the edges and give them a more modern look. This affordable solution is a great way to upgrade your mirror without the expense of purchasing a new one.

Resurface

An old tub or shower can show signs of aging over time. Instead of replacing it with new, which can be expensive, consider resurfacing. While this is not typically a DIY project, you can have your tub or shower professionally resurfaced at a much lower cost than buying a new one.

Look for leftovers

Stone yards, tile shops, and contractors often have leftover materials that you can purchase or even obtain for free. Consider asking if they have any countertop remnants that could be a perfect fit for the vanity you are interested in. This approach can save you a significant amount of money, allowing you to afford the vanity without breaking the bank.

Have your home needs changed in the past year? Perhaps you’ve outgrown your present home, or need to downsize to a more suitable home. If you’re ready to make a move, let’s connect and talk about all the amazing opportunities that are available to you!