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A Home Inspection. Should You Skip? Or Schedule?

by Nancy Heim-berg

A Home Inspection. Should You Skip? Or Schedule? 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 Things such as mold, carbon monoxide, radon, outdated electrical wiring, foundation issues, traces of lead in pipes and deteriorating plumbing materials are all issues that, if not for a home inspection, may have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.

Check These Plumbing Issues Before Buying A Omaha, NE Home

by Nancy Heim-berg

Check These Plumbing Issues Before Buying A Omaha, NE HomeThere is something to be said about the charm and character that comes along with buying an older home. And while you should always check on various areas of the house you are purchasing, plumbing is one that should not be overlooked - especially if you are eyeing an older property. 

Below we have listed some areas in the plumbing department that should be checked on prior to finalizing the sale of a new home. Doing so could save you time, money and major headaches down the road. Let’s dive in:

-Checking the age of the water heater is very important. If you find that it’s more than ten years old, it more than likely is time to replace it. Also, identifying the location of the water heater is a good indicator of potential damage that could arise if it were to leak and allows you to plan accordingly. 

-Go through each toilet in the house and check for leaks and/or damage at the base, as well as discoloration, rocking or warping. You will also want to go through and flush the toilets to ensure there are no clogs. 

-Depending on the occupancy of the house over the last few years, you may find rust or corrosion when turning on the tap water. It is better to know the condition prior to moving in and plan for those costs if repairs need to be made. 

-Bringing in an expert to check the sewer line in the street via video camera is a great way to detect potential issues such as corrosion, clogs, etc. - all of which can damage the line and cause major issues down the line.

-Water supply pipes are another major area to investigate. Finding out when they were installed and if they were ever replaced, as well as what type of material they are can make a huge difference in potential repairs and/or needing to replaced prior to move in.

 

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! 

Tips To Getting The Best Deal On A New Omaha, NE House

by Nancy Heim-berg

Tips To Getting The Best Deal On A New Omaha, NE HouseBuying a house is likely the largest purchase an individual will make in their lifetime. It takes time to save for a downpayment, find the right real estate agent, tour potential homes and finally put an offer together. 

It is so important to be prepared when buying a house, especially first time home buyers, and make sure that you are getting the best deal you can. And as you may have guessed, that is exactly what we are going to be discussing in today’s blog post. Let's dive in: 

-One way to help ensure you are getting the best deal you can when buying a house is finding a great lender and figuring out the right mortgage for you. Taking time to shop around and finding the right fit could mean the difference of thousands of dollars over time.

-Finding a good real estate agent is another great way to ensure you are getting the best deal possible. You want to find an agent who is not only knowledgeable of the area and dedicated to helping you find your dream home, but also someone who will always keep your best interest in mind. 

-Buying a home during an off-peak time could work in your favor when trying to get the best deal. With spring and summer being peak housing sales seasons, trying your luck in the winter could get you the most bang for your buck. 

-Another way to get the best deal on a home is buying a fixer-upper. There are many homes that have a ton of potential, but lack the spark when you first walk in. A fixer-upper is a great way to increase the value of your home while also putting your personal touches on the house.

 

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!

Five Important Factors To Consider When Choosing A New Neighborhood In Omaha, NEWhether you are relocating to Omaha, NE from another state or just moving minutes up the road, there are a few key factors to consider when choosing a new neighborhood to settle into. And since narrowing down a part of town you want to be in can be tricky, we have listed a few things to keep in mind and research before deciding on an area:
 
1. School District: If you have children or are thinking of growing your family in the future, what school district your neighborhood falls in can be a huge determining factor. Be sure to research and educate yourself on the school districts and set boundaries, as well as the elementary, middle and high schools that fall within each district. 
 
2. Commute Times: Ask yourself how long you are wanting/willing to spend in the car each day commuting to work/school drop off/activities/etc. Commute times can be another huge factor in the neighborhood you decide to settle into and should be calculated prior to deciding on a part of town.  
 
3. Conveniences/Amenities: Set aside some time to research (or drive around) the neighborhood you are looking into to determine how close everyday conveniences and amenities are such as grocery stores, gas stations, gyms, doctors’ offices, dry cleaners, local parks, playgrounds, etc. If you are not wanting or willing to drive fifteen minutes to grab that gallon of milk you forgot, then maybe it’s time to look for a new neighborhood. 
 
4. Safety: This may be one of the most important factors for many families to consider, especially if you have young children. Living in a safe neighborhood with low crime rate can provide homeowners peace of mind. You can get an idea of this by speaking with local residents or police officers in the area or by visiting websites like NeighorboodScout.com.
 
5. Affordability: No matter how much you love a neighborhood, if the home prices exceed your budget things just won’t add up - literally. This is why it is so important to know your numbers before you start looking so you can stay practical and within your budget while searching for your dream home in your desired neighborhood. 
 
 
Allow our team of expert agents to help you find your perfect home in your dream neighborhood by signing up for our free Listing Alerts here!

Tips For First Time Home Buyers In Omaha, NE

by Nancy Heim-berg

It’s true when they say that buying a house is one of the largest financial investments most people will make in their lifetime. With that said, it comes as no surprise when people have a cautious approach to the home buying process and want to gather as much information as possible before they sign on the dotted line. This is especially true for first time home buyers as they navigate the mix of excitement and nerves of owning their first property. 

In today’s blog post we are going to be breaking down a few tips and tricks for first time home buyers in hopes to make the process a little easier and more enjoyable. Let’s dive right in! 

-Get a copy of your credit report to get an understanding of where you stand, and start doing your research to find a reputable mortgage company you want to work with. 

-It is a good idea to get prequalified for your home loan prior to starting the home search so you know what area/homes are in your budget.

-Start putting money aside early for your down payment and closing costs so you are prepared to pull the trigger when you find your dream home. 

-Figure out where you want to live – what neighborhood is best for your family, the school district you want to be in, how far the commute will be for work and what style home fits your taste. 

-Before you settle on your home, make sure to have it checked by a home inspector so there are no surprises down the road. 

What to do after you purchase your new home!

by Nancy Heim-berg

So you just purchased your beautiful new home in Omaha – congratulations! As you check off things on your (seeming) mile-long to-do list, we thought we would help you out with a few items some people forget or don’t think about after the papers are signed and the boxes have been moved. Below are a few tips to help make the process of settling into your new humble abode a little easier - we hope they are helpful to you and your family!

The first thing you should do when you move into your new home is head straight to your local hardware store to change the locks. Do you know how many spare keys were made prior to you moving in? There really is no way to tell. Changing the locks helps to ensure the safety of you and your family and keep out unwanted visitors. It is also important to update the home technology within the house, such as the security system, as an extra layer of protection for your family. There are a variety of wonderful home security systems on the market, it just comes down to your preference. We suggest doing some research online and speaking with family and friends to find recommendations on the best options.

It also may be a good idea to hire a professional cleaning team to deep clean your home from top to bottom, which ideally would be completed before your move in date. There may be dust and allergens that have accumulated in the weeks leading up to your move in date, and it never hurts to ensure your carpets, windows and floors are squeaky clean! You also want to make sure that you have updated your new address with places such as your financial institutions, employer and insurance companies. Additionally, if you are moving from out of state, you should schedule some time to head to your local DMV to update your license. 

Displaying blog entries 1-6 of 6

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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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