Real Estate Information Archive

Are you looking for an inexpensive way to add some spice to your kitchen? Adding a backsplash is a practical way to add aesthetic value to your kitchen. And if you plan to sell your home in Omaha, a good looking backsplash will be one more thing about your kitchen to attract home buyers.

Usually, most people use porcelain or ceramic as materials for backsplashes. Those are durable and beautiful materials, but they aren't the only ones you can use. If you want to give your kitchen a new look, consider these options.

Tiles

Tiles can be made of ceramic, glass, or natural stone. Tile is popular because it's tough and does a great job of protecting the wall. It's also easy to keep clean.

You should consider the style of your kitchen when selecting tile. White ceramic tile can look great in both modern and retro-inspired kitchens. Natural stone in marble can give your kitchen a luxurious feel. Glass can add a bright and funky feel.

Glass

Speaking of glass, you could use a large sheet of tempered glass, instead of using glass tile. This works great for adding protected lighting above your stove. It also allows you to use any wallpaper or paint you want behind the glass. Using a sheet of glass can add modern flare to any kitchen.

Chalkboard Paint

Painting your backsplash with chalkboard paint is an easy and affordable DIY project. It can also be quite handy, as you can write messages, menu ideas, or anything helpful in the kitchen.

When you're ready for a clean slate, all you have to do is wipe it clean. The only down side is that the black paint may close your kitchen in and make it feel smaller.

Mirror

For smaller kitchen, a mirror as a backsplash can give the illusion of more open space. It will also bounce more light around your kitchen. The more light, the more inviting the space.

The surface of the mirror will be easy to clean, though it will end up taking more effort to keep clean as any little bit of grease or dirt will show.

Wallpaper

We only mention wallpaper because it may not be the best idea for a backsplash. It may be a fast and easy option, but it won't offer much protection and can peel from the moisture.

Stainless Steel

Lining your backsplash with stainless steel will give it a modern feel and tie all of your stainless steel appliances together. It's ideal because it's durable, easy to clean, and resistant to high temperatures.

Just be careful with acidic foods. The acid will ruin the finish if not immediately cleaned.

Consider one of these backsplash materials for your kitchen. Think about the amount of cooking you do and the level of durability and protection you need. Some materials such as chalkboard paint or wallpaper you can apply yourself. Others, such as tile, marble, and stainless steel are best left to the professionals.

Have your home needs changed in the past year? Perhaps you’ve outgrown your present home, or need to downsize to a more suitable home. If you’re ready to make a move, let’s connect and talk about all the amazing opportunities that are available to you!

Are you buying a home in Omaha or plan to sell your Omaha home? If so, you may be dreading the moving process. To be honest, it's never easy. But there are ways to make the process go more smoothly and with less stress. Here are some tips to help your nest move a successful one.

Plan as Far Ahead as Possible

When planning a move into a new home, it is important to start several months in advance of the actual move-in date. For long distance moves of several hundred miles or more, planning should begin at least twelve weeks in advance. This involves creating a moving timeline, hiring necessary movers or professionals, and notifying the post office and utility companies of the final move-out date. Proper planning ensures a smooth and stress-free move.

Don’t Do Everything on Your Own

Hiring professional movers is a wise decision as it saves you from doing the bulk of the moving work yourself. In addition, it guarantees the utmost safety for your belongings during the move. Professional movers are highly experienced and know the exact ways to transport your belongings from your old home to your new home with the highest level of care while working as quickly as possible. This ensures that none of your possessions get damaged during the move. Moreover, having professionals handle the move makes it faster and smoother overall compared to doing everything with just your friends.

Hiring additional movers can simplify your move. A reliable vehicle shipping company can transport multiple cars safely and efficiently. This enables you to keep your family together in one car during the move, or you can opt for a comfortable plane or train ride.

When planning a move, it's important to be cautious about who you hire to assist you. Before making any decisions, take the time to research moving companies online. Look for positive reviews on sites like Google and Better Business Bureau. Once you've identified potential Omaha companies, request quotes from each of them to compare prices. Don't hesitate to call and ask any questions you may have. If the company is friendly and able to answer your questions truthfully, they may be a good fit for your move.

Unclutter

Before your move, it's important to downsize your belongings. Take the time to go through everything you plan to bring with you and get rid of anything that you no longer use or need. If you have the budget, consider hiring a professional organizer to help you get everything in order before moving day.

Uncluttering before moving can greatly speed up the process. By reducing the number of items to be packed, transported, and unpacked, the entire process becomes more efficient. Packing fewer items takes less time and can be done more quickly, ultimately making the move faster.

Pack Methodically

It is important to prepare for a move in advance by gradually packing and labeling boxes by room. Rushing to pack everything in a short amount of time is not recommended. Prior to packing, it is helpful to declutter. Labeling boxes with their contents and designated room will simplify the unpacking process and ensure that items end up in their proper place.

To simplify packing during a move, it's worth considering using different types of boxes for different items. For instance, old beer boxes with handles can be useful for packing books. Additionally, packing smaller yet heavier items in rolling backpacks can make transportation easier. Rolling these items instead of carrying them can save time and energy.

When moving, the bottom line is the be as organized and prepared in advance as possible. Get professional help as much as you can afford to. Doing so will ensure your next move will go as smoothly as possible.

Have your home needs changed in the past year? Perhaps you’ve outgrown your present home, or need to downsize to a more suitable home. If you’re ready to make a move, let’s connect and talk about all the amazing opportunities that are available to you!

No doubt you’ve most likely received solicited and unsolicited advice from family and friends about selling your home this year. But are they really in a position to offer advice in this area? With a challenging market, economic uncertainty, and relevant local market conditions, it’s easy to get lost in the chaos of it all. Add to that high inflation and interest rates and it can make your head swirl. But what it really means is that in this market, as in any competitive market, you NEED the knowledge and resources of an excellent real estate team to help you win!

Working with a Top Real Estate Team is the single greatest decision you’ll make when selling your home. Experienced agents have been through challenging markets before so they are better equipped to advise you through every step of the process, from getting your home ready for the market- upgrades & repairs, showings, negotiating contracts, and more. Today’s home buyers are more discriminating, the market is NOT what it was 6 months ago. Deferred maintenance on homes is not going to be acceptable, showings have to be readily available, and contingencies are not going to be waived. Your real estate agent is worth every penny you will pay them and more. The resources they have available to them, and you can be the difference between a sale or no sale, and possibly thousands of dollars on the sale itself. Did you know that most homeowners who opted to sell on their own netted 16% less on the home sale? (National Association of Realtors)

Clean & Repair- This is the first step in preparing your home. Go through the house room by room. Deep clean every square inch- after you’ve purged items you no longer need or want and packed away unnecessary items to make each room and closet look larger.  Once you’ve accomplished that goal, make a list of all repairs needed in each room and complete them one by one. You’ll want each room move-in ready without defects or repairs needed.

Depersonalize each room- You want the house to look uncluttered, clean, and organized and presented as a ‘clean slate’ for potential buyers to be able to envision themselves living in the home. In order to achieve this it is important to remove personal items, collections, and photos from walls and shelves.

Give dull rooms a coat of paint- Refresh dull-looking rooms with a fresh coat of paint. Nothing perks up a room better than a fresh coat of paint. Just remember to keep things neutral so your new buyers can decorate the home to suit their needs.

Boost your Curb Appeal- You have one chance to make a great first impression, and for some home buyers, that is going to be driving past your home. Make sure the outside of your home is well-kept and welcoming. In wintertime, it’s important to ensure sidewalks and driveways are cleared of snow and ice and that your front door/porch area is well-lit. Make it more welcoming by adding a wreath or chair and mat.

Your chosen agent will assist you in staging your home for its entrance to the market and all home showings. They will also work diligently to price your home appropriately for the market today and then negotiate all offers and guide you hand-in-hand through the process.

If you’re considering selling and have questions, please reach out to our team. We’re happy to sit down with you and review the process, and our enhanced marketing plan and get you on your way to a SOLD sign in your yard.

Nancy & The Heim- Berg Team

402-677-9024

www.OmahaAreaLiving.com

If you are looking to sell your home, there are many benefits that come when you use an experienced, knowledgeable real estate agent. The home selling process can be tricky and emotional and having the right agent by your side is a must.

Below we have listed five benefits that come when working with the right agent - let’s dive in:
 
Listing Price. It’s crucial to ensure that your home is listed at the right price from the start, which is something that your agent can help asses. The last thing you want is for your home to sit on the market for too long, and price can play a huge role in this. Your agent will be able to assess the home, see the comps in the area and help you determine a listing price.
 
Guidance. A real estate agent will be able to help guide you on the best ways to present your home so that it will appeal to potential buyers. Tasks such as decluttering the master closet to rearranging furniture to updating the kitchen cabinets are areas that experienced agents will point out to you.
 
Exposure. More eyeballs on your home equals more potential offers. A good real estate agent will have a wide network and expansive knowledge on how to get your listing the exposure it needs to sell at top dollar.
 
Offers. Looking to receive multiple high offers on your home? Thats the goal. An agent gives you the best chances of these offers coming through the door.
 
Closing Time. A knowledgable and experienced real estate agent will aid in speeding up the time it takes to close the deal - which is great for all involved. It also ups your chances of the home selling at top dollar.

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! 

An open house is a great opportunity for potential buyers to tour your home and get lots of eyes on your property at one time. However, there is more to it than just putting a sign up, opening your doors and waiting for people to show. 

Below we have listen four important steps to take to ensure your home is ready for a successful open house. Let’s dive in: 

-Get your home tour-ready by fixing large and small issues around the house. Buyers want to see the home in good shape and not a costly project around every corner. Taking the time and spending the money to make the repairs prior to an open house will serve you in the long run. 

-Cleaning, decluttering and depersonalizing the home should also make the list of prep work before potential buyers walk through the front door. Tasks such as removing valuables, clearing surfaces, organizing closets/drawers and giving the home a deep clean should not be overlooked.

-Don’t forget the outside of the home, as it will be the first impression for potential buyers. Paint the front door, buy new house numbers, hang a wreath, lay a welcome mat, plant some flowers - whatever you need to do to add a little curb appeal and make the front of the home more inviting!

-Make sure to remove all signs of pets. This includes toys, smells and pets themselves during the time of the open house. Even though many people love animals, and there's a chance those in attendance have pets of their own, some people associate pets with wear and tear in a home so it's best to avoid this if possible.

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.

Moving, downsizing and renovating are among the many reasons why people look to utilize a self-storage facility. Whether you are needing to store your belongings for a few weeks or a few years, you want to thoroughly look into a facility to help ensure the safety of your belongings.

Below we have listed five things to look for when selecting a storage space. Let’s dive in:

-The first area you want to look into is the safety of the facility itself. Look for things such as surveillance cameras, door alarms, a keypad code entry and security gates around the premise. Additionally, utilizing a heavy-duty lock is a great way to add an extra layer of protection after you load in your items. 

-Checking to make sure the facility is climate-controlled is another crucial area to look into. This is especially important if you are storing electronics or other items that are temperature sensitive. It’s true that climate-controlled units tend to be more expensive, but so is having to replace items that are destroyed due to temperature. 

-Location, location, location. It can be quite a nuisance to drive a long distance when you need an item out of storage at the last minute. Convenience of location is a high priority for many people when selecting a facility. 

-There are some facilities that will only allow you to access the unit during certain hours so making sure those work with your schedule is crucial. Or if you don’t want to work around certain time frames you may want to prioritize facilities that you can access 24/7. On that same note, make sure the store manager is professional, familiar with the property and able to answer your questions. 

-What better way to get a feel for a facility than from people who have interacted and rented at the specific location? Looking through reviews online is a great way to get first hand testimonials of what your experience may be like. If a facility has incredibly poor reviews, you may want to move on and continue your search. 

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.

Staging is a crucial part of the selling process, especially if you want your home to appeal to a wide range of potential buyers. It goes without saying that not everyone has the same taste in decor, paint colors and overall home aesthetics. Staging allows buyers to visualize themselves and their family living in the space, regardless of style differences. 

Below we have listed six common staging mistakes to avoid. Keeping these in mind during the selling process will allow your home to appeal to a wider range of buyers and stand out in a competitive market. Let’s dive in: 

Unnecessary furniture 
One extremely common staging mistake that sellers make is having too much furniture positioned in each room of the home. You want to keep in mind that potential buyers want to imagine themselves in the home with their belongings and that vision is clouded if they can’t see the space clear enough. Less is more when it comes to furniture and staging. 

Incohesive/dark paint choices
Splashing a fresh coat of paint on the walls is a great and relatively inexpensive way to refresh the rooms of your home. Dark paint colors tend to make a room feel uninviting and smaller than it is and having drastically different colors throughout your home is likely to disrupt the overall flow within the house. Light, neutral colors are always a safe bet. 

Having too many personal items on display
While showing that the space is livable is good, sometimes too much of a good thing can be bad. It’s always helpful to put away the extra knick knacks prior to potential buyers touring your home. This will allow them to focus on the space itself and not commenting on family vacation photos or refrigerator art projects. 

Leaving rooms in the house empty
Some sellers believe if they can’t stage a room with expensive furniture that it’s better to just leave it vacant. This is a large mistake. Not only do furniture and decor have the ability to conceal imperfections within the room, they also show the potential of the space. 

Ignoring the exterior of the home
It’s true when they say you never get a second chance at a first impression. Driving up, the exterior of your home is the first thing potential buyers will see so be sure to not neglect it. Planting flowers, pulling weeds, adding a wreath to the door and painting your front door are simple things that can make a huge difference.  

Having realistic expectations of staging 
While the staging process can be extremely beneficial and helpful when selling a home, it’s not magic. It will not cover up obvious structural issues or evident flaws throughout the home, so be sure have realistic expectations when approaching the process.

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! 

There are many factors that contribute to how quickly or slowly a home will sell. Maybe you are in the market to sell your Omaha, NE home and are looking to get ahead or maybe your home is currently listed and you want to better understand why offers aren’t coming through - either way, today’s blog is for you.

Let’s dive in:

Price.
Rightfully so, many people have an emotional attachment to their home. However, you can’t let that emotion push you to list the property for way more than its actually worth. Having the listing price be too high can play a large role in why homes sit on the market. 
 
Renovations.
There are some buyers who will look at an older home and see nothing but potential and the chance to customize the home to their liking. However, there is a larger majority of people who would look at the same house and see a headache. The lack of wanting to live through costly and timely renovations may be enough to turn potential buyers away. With that said, it can prove very beneficial to do at least some light renovations and updating before you list your home. 
 
Listing Photos. 
We live in a digital age and many buyers are looking to the internet to find their next home. This is why it is so important to have professional photos taken from a photographer who has experience in the real estate world. They will know all the right shots and angles to capture in order to bring your home to life and successfully showcase your property online. 
 
Timing.
It could all come down to something as simple as timing. Spring and summer tend to be better seasons to sell your home than in the winter and fall. 

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! 

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.

If you are looking to sell your Omaha home, chances are you have made a list (either on paper or in your head) of all the projects and improvements you would like to complete before the listing goes live. This can be a stressful time for homeowners and many of the tasks you've outlined may seem daunting from a time perspective as well as a budget. 

Don’t let that discourage you. Here are five areas to focus your efforts to get a great start:

1. While decluttering your home, be ruthless in what you purge. Whether you are selling, donating, or throwing things away, you want to ensure any items that are left in your home are intentional. Potential buyers want to be able to see themselves living in the space, so an uncluttered, neutral space allows them a clean slate to envision their lives in your home. 
2. Details matter! Walk through each room of your home with a discerning eye. Check light switches, baseboards, light fixtures, door handles & hinges, flooring, and walls. Make a list of any and all damage that needs to be fixed. Small items like patches in a wall or replacement of switches or hinges are fairly easy. However, if you find you need faucet replacements or larger items, you may want to hire a handyman to take the stress off of you and knock out chunks of your list at once. 
3. A fresh coat of paint is a great way to refresh almost every room of your home. Not only will it look brighter, it also gives the room and home a "new home" feel. As a side note- remember to choose a neutral palette in your color choices. This allows your potential home buyers to decorate according to their personal style. 
4. You never get a second chance at a first impression. Knowing this, give your front porch and yard a little extra TLC. Look into low-cost projects that offer big-impact curb appeal such as porch lights, new house numbers, a fresh mailbox, welcoming doormat, planters and/or a wreath for the front door. 
5. Finally, we can’t overstate just how important it is to give your home a thorough, deep clean before potential buyers start to tour the space. If you don’t have the time to do this yourself, look into hiring a cleaning service to make sure each surface is shiny-clean and your home is able to put its best foot forward. This includes cabinets, closets, the basement, and the garage. 

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.