Real Estate Information Archive

Whether you have experience in the real estate world or are dipping your toes in for the first time, hiring the right real estate agent is key when it comes to buying and/or selling a home. How can you be sure you have the right person working with you? We are glad you asked!

You will not always hire the first agent you speak with, which is why asking the right questions when interviewing real estate agents is crucial. Below we have listed four questions for you to ask that will give you better insight into their experience as an agent and what you can expect if you choose to work with them. Let’s dive in:

How long have you been a licensed real estate agent? 
When choosing an agent, you want a professional who is knowledgeable when it comes to all things real estate. That level of understanding is only gained through experience which is why ideally you want someone who has at least a few years under their belt. 

How many homes have you helped clients buy/sell in the last year?
It should be noted that there is a big difference between ‘working’ with clients to buy and sell homes versus actually getting the job done. You want to have confidence that the agent you hire will be able to successfully help you achieve your goals with buying and/or selling a property. 

Do you have specific neighborhoods that you specialize in? 
While it’s great for an agent to have a general understanding of different neighborhoods, you want the person you work with to have vast knowledge of the specific areas you are looking to buy and/or sell in. If you are looking to buy, they should be able to provide information regarding current home prices for the area as well as schools, safety information, nearby entertainment and more. If you are looking to sell, they should be able to provide information about other comps in the area and what they are selling for. 

Can you provide testimonials from previous clients that you have worked with?
Many agents will be able to provide testimonials from clients they have worked with in the past. Reviewing these will allow you to see what other people are saying about their experience working with the agent and give you a better understanding of what you can expect if you choose to hire them.

If you are looking to sell your Omaha, NE house, be sure to contact our team for more information. Our dedicated, knowledgeable agents are here to provide you with the expert services you need.

Spring is in full swing around Omaha and we have an impressive list of events and adventures happening in and around our beautiful city over the next two weeks. You will find everything from spring festivals and comedy shows, to First Friday nights, music concerts, plays, Easter celebrations, events at the gardens and more! 

What: Wonders Under Glass at Lauritzen Gardens
When: March 23rd - May 8th
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: Block Party
When: March 23rd - May 1st
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th Street Omaha, NE

What: Common Senses Festival: Up and Away at The Rose Theatre
When: March 23rd - April 4th
Where: The Rose Theatre | 2001 Farnam Omaha, NE

What: Nelson Mandela: The Official Exhibition
When: March 23rd - July 3rd
Where: 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Forever Forest
When: March 23rd - April 16th
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th Street Omaha, NE

What: The Color Purple
When: March 23rd - 27th
Where: Omaha Community Playhouse | 6915 Cass Street Omaha, NE

What: The Capitol District Igloos
When: March 23rd - April 3rd
Where: The Capitol District | 1022 Capitol Avenue Omaha, NE

What: 2022 Spring Festival, An Arts and Crafts Affair
When: March 25th - 27th
Where: Liberty First Credit Union Arena | 7300 Q Street Ralston, NE

What: Landlocked Artists Spring Showcase
When: March 25th - April 3rd
Where: Landlock Gallery | 4011 Farnam Street Omaha, NE

What: The ARENA at The Backline
When: March 25th
Where: The Backline Comedy Theatre | 1618 Harney Street Omaha, NE

What: Aquarium Backstage Experience
When: March 26th
Where: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium | 3701 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Orchard Show and Sale at Lauritzen Gardens
When: March 26th & 27th
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: Salsa Saturdays at Howard’s Charro Cafe
When: March 26th
Where: Howard Charro Cafe | 4443 S 13th Street Omaha, NE

What: Bagels & Sometimes Bach
When: March 27th
Where: Gallery 1516 | 1516 Leavenworth Street Omaha, NE

What: Teddy Bear Weekend at Omaha’s Zoo
When: March 26th & 27th
Where: 3701 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Joslyn Castle Public Tours
When: March 27th - May 29th
Where: Joslyn Castle | 3901 Davenport Street Omaha, NE

What: Benson First Friday
When: April 1st - December 2nd
Where: Military Avenue & 60th Street Omaha, NE

What: First Fridays in the Old Market
When: April 1st
Where: Old Market | Harney to Jackson Streets & 10th to 13th Streets

What: Giraffe Backstage Experience
When: April 3rd
Where: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium | 3701 S 10th Street

What: Common Senses Festival at KANEKO
When: April 3rd - 30th
Where: KANEKO | 1111 Jones Street Omaha, NE

What: Easter Extravaganza at Lauritzen Gardens 
When: April 4th - 18th
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: Michael Ray at Barrel and Vine
When: March 24th
Where: Barrel & Vine | 1311 S 203rd Street Omaha, NE

What: Madagascar The Musical
When: March 26th
Where: Orpheum Theatre | 409 S 16th Street Omaha, NE

What: Alton Brown Live: Beyond the Eats
When: March 25th
Where: Orpheum Theatre | 409 S 16th Street Omaha, NE

What: Broken Magic Comedy at Tiny House Bar
When: March 31st
Where: Tiny House Bar | 1411 S 13th Street Omaha, NE

What: Bon Jovi 2022 Tour
When: April 1st
Where: CHI Health Center Omaha | 455 N 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Sister Hazel at Barnato
When: March 31st
Where: Barnato | 225 N 170th Street Suite 95 Omaha, NE

What: BockFest 2022
Where: April 2nd
Where: Crescent Moon | 3578 Farnam Street Omaha, NE

What: Korey David at The Broken Magic Comedy Hour
When: April 2nd
Where: The Backline Comedy Theatre | 1618 Harney Street Omaha, NE

What: Writing Hike for Beginners
When: April 2nd
Where: Fontenelle Forest | 1111 Bellevue Blvd. 

What: Ben Folds
When: April 5th
Where: Holland Performing Arts Center | 1200 Douglas Street Omaha, NE 

Choosing the best home and neighborhood for your needs is of utmost importance to our team.  Please contact us with any questions you may have and check back to view our blog weekly for great home buying and selling tips!

Sunday marks the first official day of spring! As we prepare for all the fun things we will do with longer days and warmer weather we don’t want to forget to transition our home for the new season as well. 

Below we have listed six simple ways to get your Omaha, NE home spring ready. Let’s dive in: 

Spring Cleaning
There is nothing like a little spring cleaning to really make it feel like a new, warmer season is upon us. While many people do not look forward to this task, setting a plan and slowly tackling each room is a great way to make it feel attainable. Organizing, selling, donating and/or throwing away items will make your home feel less cluttered and a deep clean will make the space feel fresh and rejuvenated. 

Freshen Up The Porch
The porch is the first part of your home that visitors see and you want it to feel warm and inviting for spring. Take some time to clear out cobwebs, sweep the walkway, add some colorful plants and hang a fresh wreath on the front door. Little things can make a big difference. 

Clean Out The Gutters
Winter months can be rough on your gutters leaving them clogged with debris and leaves. You want to be sure to clean them out and clear the downspouts prior to the rainy season starting in order to avoid flooding and other headaches. 

Prep The Garden And Lawn
Adding fertilizer, clearing winter debris, pruning shrubs, trimming the trees and other landscaping projects are great ways to get your garden and lawn ready for spring. Additionally, now is a great time to check your lawn equipment and make sure everything is ready for when summer rolls around. 

Check The Windows
Going window by window, check the seals to make sure there is no damage and reseal any cracks you find. This will help to ensure your home is energy-efficient and prevent the warm air from getting in and the cool air escaping. 

Service AC Unit
Contact a qualified heating and cooling contractor to come and clean/service the outside unit of your AC system. Scheduling an annual service appointment will allow the system to work more efficiently and allow you to keep up with any repairs. Also, consider changing interior filters on a more regular basis to keep the indoor air clean and aid in seasonal allergy relief. 

What type of community and home are you searching for? Put our years of local experience and real estate knowledge to work for you. Give us a call or start your customized home search today right here.

With spring on the way and warmer weather in sight, now is a great time to grab your calendars and schedule in some serious fun around our beautiful city of Omaha, NE! Below we have listed all the can’t-miss fun happening around town. You will find everything from block parties and theatre plays, to art exhibits, castle tours, music concerts, comedy shows, St. Patrick’s day celebrations and much more! 

What: Wonders Under Glass at Lauritzen Gardens
When: March 7th - May 8th
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: Block Party
When: March 7th - May 1st
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th Street Omaha, NE

What: Mean Girls
When: March 8th - 13th
Where: Orpheum Theater | 409 S 16th Street Omaha, NE

What: Forever Forest
When: March 7th - April 16th
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th Street Omaha, NE

What: Nelson Mandela: The Official Exhibition
When: March 7th - July 3rd
Where: 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: The Capitol District Igloos
When: March 8th - April 3rd
Where: The Capitol District | 1022 Capitol Avenue Omaha, NE

What: FORM: Monumental Works
When: March 10th - 20th
Where: KANEKO | 1111 Jones Street Omaha, NE

What: The Color Purple
When: March 9th - 27th
Where: Omaha Community Playhouse | 6915 Cass Street Hawks Mainstage Theatre

What: Outside Mullingar
When: March 10th - 13th
Where: Omaha Community Playhouse | 6915 Cass Street Omaha, NE

What: Landlocked Artists Spring Showcase
When: March 11th - April 3rd
Where: Landlock Gallery | 4011 Farnam Street Omaha, NE

What: Jitterbugs’ Night Out
When: March 11th
Where: 201 S 24th Street Omaha, NE

What: The ARENA at The Backline
When: March 11th
Where: The Backline Comedy Theatre | 1618 Harney Street Omaha, NE

What: Pace Art Exhibit
When: March 11th - May 14th
Where: 1001 South Street Council Bluffs, IA

What: Bagels & Sometimes Bach
When: March 13th
Where: Gallery 1516 | 1516 Leavenworth Street Omaha, NE

What: Joslyn Castle Public Tours
When: March 13th - May 29th
Where: Joslyn Castle | 3902 Davenport Street Omaha, NE

What: Saturday Family Time at KANEKO
When: March 12th
Where: KANEKO | 1111 Jones Street Omaha, NE

What: Candyland Family Fun Weekend
When: March 18th - 20th
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th Street Omaha, NE

What: Adult Raptorology at Fontenelle Forest
When: March 15th - December 13th
Where: Fontenelle Forest | 1111 N Bellevue Blvd. 

What: 6th Annual Shamrock Run 5k
When: March 12th
Where: 6750 Mercy Road Omaha, NE

What: St. Patrick’s Day Parade
When: March 12th
Where: Old Market | 15th & Harney Streets Omaha, NE

What: Enter the Haggis
When: March 11th
Where: Holland Performing Arts Center | 1200 Douglas Street Omaha, NE

What: Billie Eilish: Happier Than Ever, The World Tour
When: March 16th
Where: CHI Health Center Omaha | 455 N 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: St. Patrick’s Day at Omaha Children’s Museum
When: March 17th
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th Street Omaha, NE

What: Heather McMahan: The Farewell Tour
When: March 19th
Where: Holland Performing Arts Center | 1200 Douglas Street Omaha, NE

What: Lucky’s St. Patrick’s Day Crawl
When: March 19th
Where: Dubliner Pub | 1205 Harney Street Omaha, NE

What: Improbably Ascent with Maureen Beck
When: March 22nd
Where: Holland Performing Arts Center | 1200 Douglas Street Omaha, NE

What: Disney Princess: The Concert
When: March 20th
Where: 409 S 16th Street Omaha, NE 

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! 

If you have ever purchased a home you understand just how costly and emotional the process can be. There are so many checklists to complete and checks to write. One of the optional costs is to have a home inspection completed, which leaves some buyers unsure if the $200 to $500 invoice is worth it. 

Ultimately the decision on whether or not to schedule a home inspection is up to you. However, if you are on the fence we have outlined four reasons why it would be a benefit to you during the home buying process below. Let’s dive in:

Safety. 
First and foremost, a home inspection can bring to light any issues around the home that could negatively affect your family’s safety and health. Things such as mold, carbon monoxide, radon, outdated electrical wiring, foundation issues, traces of lead in pipes and deteriorating plumbing materials are all issues that, if not for a home inspection, may have been overlooked. 

Negotiate. 
Based on the inspection report that comes back, the buyer has the opportunity to request repairs to be completed and/or a reduction in price. Your realtor should be able to work with you to fully understand what asks should be made to achieve the best deal possible. A home inspection can be a great negotiation tool. 

Avoid inheriting costly repairs. 
By opting out of a home inspection, buyers are accepting the risk that major issues may go undetected and costly repairs may need to be completed down the road. Larger issues such as roofing, foundation, HVAC system and plumbing can potentially cost thousands of dollars to fix and pose a large financial setback. 

Peace of mind.
At the end of the day a home inspection will allow you to paint a clearer picture of the homes condition and exactly what you are stepping into once those keys are in hand. Not fully understanding all the details of the house can cause unnecessary anxiety, stress and uncertainty. A home inspection allows buyers to safeguard their budget and adds an extra layer of protection to what is probably the largest purchase they will may in their lifetime. 

If you are looking to sell your Omaha, NE house, be sure to contact our team for more information. Our dedicated, knowledgeable agents are here to provide you with the expert services you need.