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5 Things You Should Avoid When Buying A House

by Nancy Heim-berg

5 Things You Should Avoid When Buying A HouseIf you are starting the journey of buying a new house the excitement of what’s to come can be all consuming. Everything from interior design to landscaping to paint colors - a whole new world is in your future. 

However, you have to remain practical and keep in mind that the first big step of the process is getting pre-approved for a mortgage, and your actions prior to the lender agreeing to fund the loan are important. Knowing this, we have listed five things you should avoid doing up until closing day. Let’s dive in:

-Because overusing credit can be a red flag, you want to make sure to keep your available credit as high as possible - which means keeping low balances on any lines of credit you have open. Essentially, you don’t want to buy all new furnishings for your new home before your loan closes.

-Making mysterious deposits or withdrawals is another action you want to avoid as the lender will keep a close eye on your bank statements during the pre-approval and underwriting process. There will need to be an explanation for unusual activity so it’s best to avoid large deposits or withdrawals that don’t normally take place. 

-Being late with bills before closing can really hurt you, and potentially even ruin your deal. Some lenders will require 12 months of consecutive on-time payments in order to qualify for a loan as roughly a third of your credit score is comprised of your payment history.

-It’s best to avoid co-signing a loan and making yourself financially liable for someone else’s debt during the loan process. Lenders will see this as another financial obligation which will be a factor when they determine your ability to take on a mortgage. 

-Changing jobs is another action you shouldn’t take during the approval process because lenders want to see reliable, stable income. Job-hoping can create hurdles for you and raise red flags. 

 

Be sure to check back each week for more real estate and Omaha, NE community information! Also, are you following us on Facebook? If not, be sure to check us out here! 

4 Common Home Buying Myths To Move Past

by Nancy Heim-berg

4 Common Home Buying Myths To Move Past Buying a house is the largest purchase most people will make in their lifetime. And while the internet is a wonderful place to find information when it comes to home buying, there is also a lot of information out there that is misleading or downright not true. In today’s blog post we are going to be discussing four common myths about home buying - let’s dive in: 

1. The first myth that we are debunking is that you need a 20% down payment. While sometimes this is true and putting that much down can have its benefits, you don’t always need that much to buy your dream home. There are some loan programs that allow for half of that, or even less. 

2. The second myth that we are busting is that you have to be completely out of debt before you are able to own a home. Yes, that means if you are carrying student loans or other forms of debt, you could still qualify. Mortgage underwriters like to see you using and managing credit responsibly, so ensuring your payments are made on time is crucial. 

3. Piggybacking off our last myth, number three is that your credit score needs to be perfect to buy a home. Of course having a good credit score will only help you, but don’t stress if its not great. For a conventional loan approval, the minimum FICO credit score is around 620. 

4. The last myth we are exposing is that it is cheaper to rent than to own. In the short term there may be some truth to this statement, however if you plan on renting for a few years or longer, it could be in your best interest to put that money towards an asset you own. Renting is a great option for someone who moves around a lot, but if you are planning to stay in one place for a while buying can be a great option. 

 

Have other home buying questions and/or myths you want to discuss? Contact our experienced team today and let us help you find your perfect home in Omaha, NE! 

What To Look For When Buying A Home In Omaha, NE

by Nancy Heim-berg

What To Look For When Buying A Home In Omaha, NEIt is no secret that buying a home is one of the biggest purchases you will make in your lifetime. And with the right real estate agent and professional guidance, it can also be one of the most exciting times for you and your family as you navigate the home buying process. 

There are a lot of factors to consider when you begin looking at potential homes in Omaha, NE, which is why we have outlined some things for you to look for and think about when you begin your search:

How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need?
Consider how many bedrooms and bathrooms you will need for the next decade – are you planning on growing your family, do you have children leaving for college soon, will you be caring in-home for elderly parents, do you need a home office or gym? These are all factors to consider when figuring out your ideal bedroom and bathroom count. 

Does your current (or future) situation call for a single-story home?
If you have anyone in your household that will have an issue utilizing a staircase then it may be better to opt for a single-story home. This may include small children, elderly parents, guests with physical limitations or if you simply are planning on growing older in the home yourself and foresee a staircase being an inconvenience. 

How much storage space do you need?
Storage space can be an afterthought for many people when it comes to looking for a home – that is, until they move in! If you are someone who needs a lot of storage it is important to note that for your realtor prior to your search. You can also always get creative and find different ways to create storage areas if needed, but it is important to have that on your list if it’s important to you. Also, be sure to take into consideration garage space if you need to accommodate multiple vehicles. 

What does your ideal yard look like? 
Some people dream of a spacious backyard to host summer BBQ’s and birthday parties, others want a low maintenance property with little upkeep. And some families fall in the middle. 

What are you looking for in a neighborhood?
What neighborhood you live in can impact many things such as commute times, school districts, distance to local conveniences, walkability, accessibility to amenities, etc. It is important to think about this off the bat, so you don’t waste time touring potential homes in areas that do not meet your needs and wants. 

Do you want to do repairs and renovations? 
Some people are open to (and even get excited about) the thought of home repairs and renovations as it allows them to put their own personal touch and incorporate their style into the property. Others run far and fast when renovations are muttered in a sentence and want a move-in ready home. Which do you prefer? 

 

Whether you relocating to Omaha, NE or simply moving neighborhoods, be sure to check out our Home Buying Tips page here!

Looking to move to a new neighborhood? Don’t miss this blog!

by Nancy Heim-berg

If you are looking to move into a new neighborhood you understand what an exciting and fun time it can be for you and your family. A fresh chapter brings new experiences, exciting adventures and endless memories that will stay with you forever. But along with all the exciting things also come aspects that you want to be sure to look into before making the big move. Below we have listed a few things that you want to make sure to look into while you begin your search for your new home. We hope this brings you some insight and helps make the journey a little easier and sweater for you!

One thing you will want to make sure to check out are the local conveniences such as the nearest grocery store, bank, and specialty stores. Make a mental note of places you visit frequently and map where they are in relation to your desired neighborhood. This may not seem like a big factor to take into consideration when moving, but you will find it will make a huge impact on your day to day life. Another thing to look into are places such as hospitals, doctors’ offices and pharmacies so you know how quickly you can access these locations in the event of an emergency. If you want peace of mind knowing you have a hospital up the road then you may not want to fall in love with a neighborhood that is far from one.

If you have children, which school district you fall into may be a high priority for you and your family. You want to look at things such as where the district falls in terms of academics and teacher ratings, as well as athletic programs. And lastly, you want to be sure to check out how far you are from local entertainment and restaurants. If you want to be able to bring your children to a local park before dinner time or have a quick date night with your husband/wife on Friday nights, then you want to ensure that you are situated in an area that has these conveniences nearby.

Buying a home? Watch out for these red flags

by Nancy Heim-berg

We understand that buying a home can be a very exciting time! As your mind wanders from room to room, you think of what décor you will use, what paint colors will dance on the walls and what colorful plants you will line the front walkway with. But understanding the structure and how well the home was maintained and built is also very important as it can help alleviate potential costly repairs in the future. Below we have listed a few items to watch out for, especially if you are a first-time home buyer, that can serve as warning signs for potential issues. 

Roof:
-Singles that are cracked, missing, curled or warped 
-Substantial wear and tear
-Materials that do not match

Plumbing:
-Leaking faucets
-A terrible odor
-Low water pressure
-Water stains that appear around the tub, toilet or under sinks

Foundation: 
-Any cracks that appear in the sidewalks, driveway or walls
-Doors inside the home that have large gaps at the top or jam up
-Crooked windows and doorways
-Unleveled floors 

Electrical:
-Visible signs of electrical tape
-Lights that flicker when turned on
-Exposed wires

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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

 

©2015 BHH Affiliates, LLC. Real Estate Brokerage Services are offered through the network member franchisees of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Most franchisees are independently owned and operated. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ambassador Real Estate and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ambassador Real Estate symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc®. Equal Housing Opportunity. Equal Housing Opportunity Realtor License