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Getting the Home You Want in Omaha's Hot Spring Market

by Nancy Heim-berg

10 Expert Tips From the Heim-Berg Team

Spring has arrived in Omaha, and with it comes one of the most active real estate seasons we've seen in years. Today, we want to share tips with you to help you navigate Omaha’s Spring Rush. If you want to buy a home in Omaha, prepare for the challenges of this market. Homes are moving quickly, often receiving multiple offers, with many buyers in competitive situations that they weren't quite prepared for.

We often tell our clients that preparation isn't just helpful in today's Omaha market—it's essential. With over twenty years of experience helping Omaha families find their perfect homes, our team has developed strategies that work even in the most competitive market conditions.

Today, we're sharing our top 10 insider tips to help you navigate Omaha's spring market and succeed in finding and securing the home you truly want. Let's dive in!

1. Move Quickly When You Find "The One"

The Omaha market is moving remarkably this spring, with homes selling in an average of just 22 days, and that timeline is shortening as we head deeper into the season. What does this mean for you as a buyer? When you find a home that checks your boxes, you need to be ready to act immediately.

Nancy's advice to our clients is straightforward: "Don't sleep on it. In today's market, the home you tour in the afternoon could have multiple offers by evening." The Heim-Berg Team helps our clients prepare for this reality by ensuring they've seen enough properties to recognize value quickly and having all paperwork ready so we can submit offers within hours when necessary.

2. Secure Financing Before You Start Shopping

Nothing strengthens your position as a buyer like having solid financing in place. Having your documentation ready before you begin looking at homes puts you ahead of buyers still figuring out their funding. In the current Omaha market, sellers and their agents scrutinize the offer price and the buyer's ability to close the deal.

Getting pre-approved - not just pre-qualified - is non-negotiable in today's market. Our team works with several trusted local lenders who can provide you with a solid pre-approval that gives sellers confidence in your offer. 

3. Leverage Omaha's Affordability Advantage

One of Omaha's greatest strengths as a housing market is its continued affordability compared to national averages. With median home prices around $270,000 (up 8% from last year but still well below national figures), Omaha offers tremendous value, particularly for those relocating from more expensive markets.

The Heim-Berg Team has helped numerous families relocating to Omaha maximize this advantage. Understanding what your dollar can buy in different Omaha neighborhoods is key. Our team's hyperlocal knowledge helps our buyers stretch their budget while still getting the features they truly value.

4. Focus on Location Over Perfection

In any competitive market, perfect homes at perfect prices don't last. The Heim-Berg Team encourages buyers to prioritize location and fundamentals over cosmetic perfection.
The home with the correct location, good bones, and the right floor plan – even if it needs updates – is often the better long-term investment. We help clients recognize solid value by seeing past dated décor or minor fixable issues. Remember, you can change almost anything about a house except its location.

5. Take Advantage of Omaha's Transportation Developments

Omaha has made significant investments in transportation infrastructure over recent years, and savvy buyers are taking note. Areas with good access to major commuter routes or near the expanding transit options are seeing robust demand.

The Heim-Berg Team is knowledgeable about Omaha's transportation developments and how they affect neighborhood desirability. We're seeing particular interest in homes near the new transit corridors. These areas often represent excellent value today with strong appreciation potential tomorrow.

6. Time Your Home Search Strategically

While spring is traditionally busy, the March to June window offers a sweet spot in Omaha real estate. This period typically brings a good balance of inventory and motivated sellers. "Many of the best properties have already been claimed by late summer.
The Heim-Berg Team helps clients develop a strategic timeline for their home search, identifying the optimal periods to find the type of property they seek. Our experience has shown that different property types and price points often follow slightly different market rhythms.

7. Prepare for Competitive Bidding Situations

According to our data and reliable industry sources, Omaha's market competitiveness scores 80 out of 100. Buyers must be mentally and financially prepared for multiple offer situations. This doesn't necessarily mean they'll need to overpay dramatically, but it does require strategy. In our experience, the winning offer isn't just about price—it can be about terms, flexibility, or the seller's confidence in your ability to close smoothly. 

We've successfully guided clients through hundreds of competitive bidding situations. The Heim-Berg Team's negotiation expertise helps buyers craft competitive offers that don't break their budget.

8. Research Neighborhood Growth Potential

Are you aware of Omaha's growing reputation as a tech and business hub and the micro-markets being created within the city? We're seeing some neighborhoods appreciating faster than others. We can help you understand these patterns and identify areas with strong future potential.

We're seeing particular growth near Omaha's expanding employment centers. The neighborhoods surrounding major healthcare facilities, financial service employers, and transportation hubs are experiencing robust demand. The Heim-Berg Team's analysis of these trends helps buyers identify emerging opportunities before they become apparent.

9. Work with Agents Who Tell You the Truth

In a competitive market, you need advisors who will give you straight talk, not just tell you what you want to hear. The Heim-Berg Team has built its reputation on honesty and transparency, even when the truth is challenging.

Sometimes the most challenging part of our job is telling clients when a property is likely to sell above their budget or pointing out issues they may have overlooked in their excitement. However, our clients appreciate our honesty because it ultimately leads to better decisions and successful purchases.

10. Stay Informed About Inventory Trends

Understanding broader market inventory patterns helps you recognize a good opportunity. While Nebraska's housing inventory has increased slightly year-over-year, new listings have decreased, creating an interesting dynamic for buyers to navigate.

We closely track what's on the market and what's coming soon. Our team's extensive network gives our clients access to potential properties before they're widely available, which can be a game-changer in this market. Start your Omaha journey with the Nancy Heim-Berg Team. The Omaha Spring real estate market doesn't have to be intimidating. With the proper preparation, strategies, and team support, you can successfully find and secure the home you want, even in competitive conditions.

The Nancy Heim-Berg Team brings unmatched local expertise, proven negotiation skills, and a genuine commitment to your success. We don't just want to help you buy a house—we want to help you find the right home to support your goals and lifestyle for years.

Ready to start your Omaha home search with confidence? Contact the Nancy Heim-Berg Team today at 402-677-9024 or visit https://www.omahaarealiving.com/ to discover how our personal, customized approach can make all the difference in your home-buying journey.
The Nancy Heim-Berg Team: Your trusted Omaha real estate advisors since 2003.

Things To Look For When Walking Through A Omaha, NE Home

by Nancy Heim-berg
The home buying process, while stressful at times, should be a fun and exciting time for you and your family. Touring new potential homes is a great way to see if each would be a good fit for your needs, but there are also certain things to pay special attention to while touring the property. Below we have listed a few things for you to keep in mind during your walk through:
 
1. While walking through the home, make sure to take note of the layout and if there are any areas/rooms that you will need to renovate. Rarely will you see a home that checks every item off your wish list, so noting what things you will want to change/update is a must. 
 
2. Next, you will want to pay close attention to any evidence of water - especially when it comes to ceilings and under sinks. You will also want to check for wet spots or water stains under windows.
 
3. Third, be sure to check the condition of the floors around the home. Keep an eye out for any stains, fading and/or buckling flooring as these costs can add up if you need to replace down the road.
 
4. Make it a point to check any and all appliances that would be staying in the home after the purchase. You may even want to turn them on to ensure they are in good working condition and will not have to be replaced immediately. 
 
5. Finally, take a walk around the exterior of the property to check for foundation issues, as well as caulk around doors, windows and siding. 
 
 
Be sure to check back every week for more Omaha, NE real estate information! Also, don't forget to follow us on Facebook

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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