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What To Do After You Purchase Your First Omaha, NE Home

by Nancy Heim-berg

There is no better feeling than signing the final paperwork on your first home! And while the difficult hunt of finding your perfect property is over, there are still many items to check off your ‘to-do’ list before you can kick your feet up. 

We have dedicated today’s blog post to a list of items for you to consider after you purchase your first Omaha, NE home. Let’s dive in! 

-One of the first things you want to do after purchasing your Omaha, NE home is to change the locks and garage codes. This will ensure no one with previous access to the home is able to enter moving forward. You may also consider updating the home technology such as the security system for an added layer of protection. 

-You will want to use your home inspection report as a guide to address any issues that were flagged, and the seller did not fix. You don’t have to tackle these all at once – you can prioritize what needs to be completed on what timeline and gradually check items off. 

-Be sure to connect the utilities, such as electricity and gas, prior to your move in date. This will make for a smooth transition as you settle into your new abode. 

-Don’t forget to check carbon monoxide and smoke detectors to ensure they are in good working condition. You may need to change out the batteries or consider replacing the entire units if you feel they need to be updated. 

-Prior to your move in date you may consider hiring a professional team to deep clean the space before your belongings are hauled in. You can’t be sure what dust and/or allergens have accumulated and it’s always good to start with a clean, clear space. 

-In case of emergencies, be sure to familiarize yourself with emergency shut-offs, appliance manuals and the circuit box right when you move in. The least ideal time to search for these is in moments when you need them! 

-Lastly, don’t forget to update places such as your employer, insurance companies and banking institutions with your new address. Additionally, if you are moving from out of state be sure to set a date to visit the local DMV to update your license. 

 

Are you interested in hearing what our amazing clients are saying about us? Be sure to check out the Testimonials page here!

Pros And Cons Of Buying An Omaha, NE Fixer-Upper

by Nancy Heim-berg

The Pros And Cons Of Buying An Omaha, NE Fixer-UpperIf 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!

Can’t-Miss Omaha, NE Events For The Next Two Weeks (Virtual And In-Person)If you are looking for fun activities to fill your summer calendars, then look no further! Below we have listed all the can’t-miss virtual and in-person events for the Omaha, NE area over the next two weeks. You will find everything from farmer’s markets and virtual summers camps, to zoo experiences, spring lectures, online forums, music events and much more! Enjoy! 
*Please remember to observe social distancing guidelines for all in-person gatherings

What: The Durham Museum Virtual Summer Camp
When: June 15th – 19th 
Website: https://durhammuseum.org/summer-camp/

What: Virtual Art Camp: Mixed Media – Layers of Meaning 
When: June 15th – 19th
Website: https://www.joslyn.org/education/classes/art-camps/

What: Virtual Fontenelle Nature Camp: Week 3
When: June 15th – 19th | 10am & 2pm
Website: https://fontenelleforest.org/camps/

What: Drive-In Rave On! The Music of Buddy Holly
When: June 17th – June 28th | Wednesday – Saturday 7:30pm/Sunday 6:30pm
Where: Omaha Community Playhouse | 6915 Cass Street Omaha, NE

What: Virtual Desert Dome Backstage Experience at Omaha’s Zoo
When: June 17th – 24th | Wednesdays @ 12:00pm
Website: http://www.omahazoo.com/virtual-clases

What: Spring Lecture Series Virtual Event
When: June 18th – 25th 
Where: Joslyn Castle | 3902 Davenport Street Omaha, NE

What: Virtual Asian Highlands Backstage Experience at Omaha’s Zoo
When: June 18th – 25th | 12:00pm
Website: http://www.omahazoo.com/asian-highlands

What: Art Adventures: Parts of Art
When: June 19th | 10:30am – 11:15am
Website: https://www.joslyn.org/education/classes/art-adventures/

What: Junkstock: Underneath the Stars
When: June 19th – 21st | Friday 4-11pm/Saturday 2-11pm/Sunday 10am-4pm
Where: 1150 River Road Drive Waterloo, NE

What: Virtual Madagascar Backstage Experience at Omaha’s Zoo
When: June 19th – June 22nd | Starting at 12:00pm
Website: http://www.omahazoo.com/virtual-clases

What: Omaha Farmers Market: Old Market
When: June 20th & 27th | 8:00am – 12:30pm
Where: 1011 Jackson Street Omaha, NE

What: Village Pointe Farmers Market
When: June 20th & 27th | 8:30am – 12:30pm
Where: Village Pointe Shopping Center | 17101 Davenport Street Omaha, NE

What: Omaha Farmers Market: Baxter Arena 
When: June 21st & 28th | 9:00am – 1:00pm
Where: Baxter Arena | 2425 S 67th Street Lot 26 Omaha, NE

What: Virtual Gorilla Backstage Experience at Omaha’s Zoo
When: June 21st & 28th | Starting at 12:00pm
Website: http://www.omahazoo.com/virtual-clases

What: Virtual Art Camp: Creative Reclaim
When: June 22nd – 26th 
Website: https://www.joslyn.org/education/classes/art-camps/

What: Art Adventures: What a Relief!
When: June 26th
Website: https://www.joslyn.org/education/classes/art-adventures/

What: Law and Order on the Railroad: Virtual Presentation 
When: June 16th
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/599348524008554/

What: Lunch + Learn: Collaging New Worlds
When: June 16th
Where: Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts | 724 S 12th Street Omaha, NE

What: Shakespeare Nebraska’s Scholars’ Forum (Online)
When: June 16th
Website: https://www.nebraskashakespeare.com/events

What: Virtual Aquarium Backstage Experience at Omaha’s Zoo
When: June 16th & 23rd
Website: http://www.omahazoo.com/visitorexperiences

What: Live on the Stream: Andrea Von Kampen
When: June 17th | Starting at 12:00pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/1333758113681354/

What: Live on the Stream: Mario Powell
When: June 24th | Starting at 12:00pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/556823181697178/

 

Selling your Omaha, NE home? Allow our team of professional, knowledgable and trustworthy real estate agents to go to work for you! Additionally, don't miss our "Seller Tips" page here ! 

Five Mortgage Closing Terms And What They Mean

by Nancy Heim-berg
Five Mortgage Closing Terms And What They MeanReal estate terminology can really throw you for a loop, especially if you are a first-time home buyer and haven’t dealt with the home buying process before. If you can relate, then we are sure you will enjoy (and benefit from) today’s blog post! 
 
Below we are going to be talking about five common mortgage closing terms and their meaning. Our hope is to simplify these phrases so you can not only understand things a little better as you navigate, but further enjoy the home buying process. Let’s dive right in! 
 
1.) Down Payment:
A home buyer must provide money up-front in order to secure the amount that is being borrowed, and that money is referred to as a down payment. Most mortgage lenders require a cash down payment ranging from 3%-20% in order to be approved for a home loan. 
 
2.) Annual Percentage Rate (APR):
APR is a broad measure of the cost you, as the borrower, have when taking out a loan and could refer to costs such as broker fees, interest rate, points, etc.
 
3.) Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI):
If you are planning to put less than 20% of the home’s value down (for your down payment – see first bullet), you typically will be required to pay private mortgage insurance when you take out a conventional home loan. This insurance serves as protection for lenders in the event you end up in foreclosure. 
 
4.) Loan Estimate (LE):
The loan estimate refers to the details of the agreed upon terms of your loan, in addition to the estimated closing costs. 
 
5.) Closing Costs:
Both parties (the buyer and the seller) are responsible for paying closing costs. These costs can include things such as property fees, application fees, title insurance, title examination, attorney charges and settlement documents. 
 
 
Are you interested in hearing what our amazing clients are saying about us? Be sure to check out the Testimonials page here!
 

Can’t-Miss Events For The Next Two Weeks In Omaha, NE

by Nancy Heim-berg

Can’t-Miss Events For The Next Two Weeks In Omaha, NEHappy first day of June! A new month brings endless adventures, roaring events and new things to learn. That is why we have listed a lineup of incredible events below that are being held by local Omaha, NE businesses both virtually and in person (with social distancing measures in place). Enjoy! 

What: Virtual Art Camp: Drawing Together 
When: June 1st – 5th
Website: https://www.joslyn.org/education/classes/art-camps/

*This daily Zoom camp will teach participants new art skills that are inspired by the shapes, values and lines that are found all throughout the galleries in the Joslyn Museum. 

What: Virtual Fontenelle Nature Camp: Week 1
When: June 1st – 5th 
Website: https://fontenelleforest.org/camps/

*Join the week-long Fontenelle Nature Camp that will feature two daily Zoom meetings, ideas for spending time outdoors, green space exploration and much more! The camp will provide engaging and fun nature-themed adventures geared towards fostering and developing life skills and a love for the natural world. 

What: Virtual Desert Dome Backstage Experience at Omaha’s Zoo 
When: June 3rd – 24th
Website: http://www.omahazoo.com/virtual-clases

*Take a look through the world’s largest indoor geodesic dome and desert while meeting animal inhabitants of the Red Center Desert of Australia, Namib Desert of Southern Africa and the Sonoran Desert of the Southwest United States. Take a peek at how the Desert Dome staff care for the animals that call this special place home. 

What: Virtual Asian Highlands Backstage Experience at Omaha’s Zoo
When: June 4th & 11th
Website: http://www.omahazoo.com/virtual-clases

*This virtual journey explores the grasslands of Northern India and the mountains of the Himalayas. Guests will see animals like snow leopards, sloth bears, red pandas, Indian rhinos and more.

What: First Friday Old Market
When: June 5th | 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Where: Old Market | Harney to Jackson Streets And 10th to 13th Streets

*Enjoy an evening strolling the beautiful brick streets of the Old Market where you will find incredible art, live music, a free Trolley and much more! 

What: Spring Lecture Series
When: June 4th & 11th | 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Where: Joslyn Castle | 3
902 Davenport Street Omaha, NE

*This lecture will feature a discussion about your gardens and help you cultivate a beautiful green space in your backyard, porch, deck and/or balcony. 

What: Virtual Madagascar Backstage Experience at Omaha’s Zoo
When: June 5th – 22nd
Website: http://www.omahazoo.com/virtual-clases

*Join the Zoo staff as they present and up-close look at some of the planet’s rarest endemic species. This expedition to the island of Madagascar will also feature a lesson on why lemurs play such an important role in their ecosystem. 

What: Omaha Farmers Market: Old Market
When: June 6th & 13th | 8:00am – 12:30pm
Where: 1011 Jackson Street Omaha, NE

*Enjoy a morning strolling the market for fresh produce, meats, unique specialty items and more! 

What: Village Pointe Farmers Market
When: June 6th & 13th | 8:30am – 12:30pm
Where: Village Pointe Shopping Center | 17101 Davenport Street Omaha, NE

*Located in the southeast parking, this farmers market is one you won’t want to miss! You can look forward to organic vegetables, farm fresh eggs, cheeses and more! 

What: Virtual Gorilla Backstage Experience at Omaha’s Zoo
When: June 7th & 14th | 12:00pm
Website: http://www.omahazoo.com/virtual-clases

*This virtual behind the scenes tour features the gorillas that call the three-acre Hubbard Gorilla Valley home. Participants will hear from the staff that train and care for these incredible gorillas. 

Virtual Fontenelle Nature Camp: Week 2
When: June 8th – 12th
Website: https://fontenelleforest.org/camps/

*Join the week-long Fontenelle Nature Camp that will feature two daily Zoom meetings, ideas for spending time outdoors, green space exploration and much more! The camp will provide engaging and fun nature-themed adventures geared towards fostering and developing life skills and a love for the natural world. 

What: Virtual Elephant Backstage Experience at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium
When: June 6th & 13th | 1:30pm
Website: http://www.omahazoo.com/virtual-classes
 
*Get an exclusive behind the scenes look of the Zoo’s herd of African elephants and the exhibit they call home. Participants of this incredible virtual event will not only tour the barn but also hear from the staff that care for these marvelous animals. 

What: 46th Annual Omaha Summer Arts Festival – Gone Viral 
When: June 6th | 10:00am – 4:00pm
Website: https://www.summerarts.org/

*The Omaha Summer Arts Festival has gone viral! This 46th annual event is a celebration you won’t want to miss! Check the website above for more details to come. 

 

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!

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Photo of Heim-Berg Team Real Estate
Heim-Berg Team
Berkshire Hathaway
331 Village Pointe Plaza
Omaha NE 68118
(402) 677-9024
(402) 679-7108 | (402) 830-6123
Fax: 402-493-4805

Stacey OHara CMG financial 515-306-2360

 

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