Real Estate Information Archive

Homeowners Associations (HOA’s) – many people love them, many people are not a fan. But before you decide which side of the line you stand on, let’s first discuss some details about what an HOA is and a few of the pros and cons surrounding living in a development with one. Let’s dive right in! 

What is an HOA? | 
An HOA is an organization within a planned community, condominium or subdivision that is in charge of creating and enforcing rules and regulations for the properties that reside within its jurisdiction. 

Pros of an HOA |
-The first pro we are going to discuss is amenities. Did you know that HOA’s typically offer and manage community amenities such as tennis courts, pools, parks and community centers? All of which are assessable to community members. 

-Another pro is that HOA’s typically handle community maintenance such as landscaping, snow removal and upkeeping the private roads within the community.  

-HOA’s are also responsible for making sure all members abide by the set standard of appearance for their homes. This ensures that your pesky neighbor can’t paint their house bright pink or have an unruly, overgrown lawn. 

-Being part of an HOA ensures that the neighborhood appears clean and neat, not only making your home more appealing to potential homebuyers, but also possibly increasing the value of your home. 

-Lastly, it is always nice to have an HOA to step in on your behalf if any issue were to arise between you and a neighbor. While we always have the best of intentions when it comes to conflict, the truth is, things happen. And turning things over to your HOA to resolve makes it much easier for both parties involved. 

Cons of an HOA |
-One of the most obvious downsides of an HOA is the cost, which varies based on things such as property and amenities provided.

-Another potential con of an HOA is the unexpected fines and fees that can arise. That is why it is always helpful to fully understand what is expected as you, the homeowner, in order to avoid being penalized. 

-Lastly, as with many things in life, there is always the chance that things can get political and in turn be frustrating for some of the members involved. 

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!

We can almost see the weekend! And speaking of the weekend, do you have plans yet? If not, keep reading below to find a few of the fun events and adventures that are happening all around our beautiful city of Omaha, NE this weekend. So grab your family and friends for a few days filled with sporting events, plays, a walking food tour, art exhibits, the Omaha Film Festival and everything dinosaur at the Lauritzen Gardens. Whatever you are into, we are sure there is something to keep everyone entertained. Enjoy! 

What: American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith
When: March 8th – 10th
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Blackstone Walking Food Tour
When: March 8th – 10th
Where: 3804 Farnam Street Omaha, NE

What: Creighton vs. Purdue NCAA Men’s Baseball Game
When: March 8th
Where: TD Ameritrade Park Omaha | 1200 Mike Fahey St. Omaha, NE

What: Dinosaur UpROAR
When: March 8th – 10th
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: ’30 Americans’ Exhibition
When: March 8th & 9th
Where: Joslyn Art Museum | 2200 Dodge Street Omaha, NE

What: Attic Adventures 
When: March 8th – 10th
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th Street Omaha, NE

What: Dino Nights
When: March 8th – 10th
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: Human Condition
When: March 8th – 10th
Where: 1111 Jones Street Omaha, NE

What: Fred Tomaselli
When: March 8th – 10th
Where: Joslyn Art Museum | 2200 Dodge Street Omaha, NE

What: Of Mice and Men
When: March 8th – 10th
Where: Omaha Community Playhouse | 6915 Cass Street Omaha, NE

What: Karaoke Friday Nights
When: March 8th
Where: 501 N. 33rd Street Omaha, NE

What: Oliver Jeffers: 15 Years of Picturing Books
When: March 8th – 10th
Where: Joslyn Art Museum | 2200 Dodge Street Omaha, NE 

What: Omaha Film Festival
When: march 8th – 10th
Where: 2110 S. 67th Street NE 68106

What: The Robot Zoo
When: March 8th – 10th
Where: Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum

What: Creighton vs. DePaul NCAA Men’s Basketball Game
When: March 9th
Where: CHI Health Center Omaha | 455 N. 10th Street Omaha, NE 68102

What: Bockfest German Celebration
When: March 9th
Where: German-American Society Inc. | 3717 S 120th Street Omaha, NE

What: Dance Chance Omaha Dancing Event
When: March 9th
Where: Bancroft Street Market | 2702 S. 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Super Sports: Building Strength, Sportsmanship and Smarts
When: March 8th – 10th
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th Street Omaha, NE

What: Film Streams’ Sights on Sounds: Big Time
When: March 10th
Where: Film Streams at the Ruth Sokolof Theater | 1340 Mike Fahey Street Omaha, NE

What: The Bridges of Madison County
When: March 8th – 10th 
Where: 6915 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132

Can you believe tomorrow marks the first day of March for 2019?! We can’t either. What better way to ring in a brand new month than to fill your weekend calendar with fun events, activities and adventures that are happening in and around our beautiful city this weekend. You will find events from art exhibitions and First Friday markets, to comedy shows, dinosaur exhibits, sporting events, plays, concerts, and fashion week events to keep everyone entertained. So grab your family and friends and ring in March with a weekend of creating beautiful memories around Omaha! 

What: First Friday Old Market
When: March 1st
Where: Old Market | Harney to Jackson Streets and 10th to 13th Streets Omaha, NE

What: Oliver Jeffers: 15 Years of Picturing
When: March 1st & 2nd
Where: Joslyn Art Museum | 2200 Dodge Street Omaha, NE

What: Omaha Fashion Week
When: March 1st & 2nd
Where: Omaha Design Center | 1502 Cuming Street Omaha, NE

What: University of Nebraska-Omaha vs. Denver NCAA Men’s Hockey Game
When: March 1st & 2nd 
Where: Baxter Arena | 2425 S 67th Street Omaha, NE

What: Blackstone Walking Food Tour
When: March 1st
Where: 3804 Farnam Street Omaha, NE

What: Comedy in Omaha at The Backline
When: March 1st & 2nd 
Where: The Backline Comedy Theater | 1618 Harney Street Omaha, NE

What: Omaha Lancers vs. Lincoln Stars Hockey Game
When: March 1st
Where: Ralston Arena | 7300 Q Street Ralston, NE

What: Dino Nights
When: March 1st – 3rd
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: Creighton vs. Marquette NCAA Women’s Basketball Game 
When: March 1st
Where: 701 Florence Blvd. Omaha, NE

What: ’30 Americans’ Exhibition
When: March 1st & 2nd
Where: Joslyn Art Museum | 2200 Dodge Street Omaha, NE

What: Benson First Friday
When: March 1st
Where: Various Locations | Benson, NE

What: Dinosaur UpROAR
When: March 1st – 3rd
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: Fred Tomaselli
When: March 1st & 2nd
Where: Joslyn Art Museum | 2200 Dodge Street Omaha, NE

What: Hinamatsuri: Japanese Doll Exhibit 
When: March 1st – 3rd
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: Karaoke Friday Nights
When: March 1st
Where: 510 N. 33rd Street Omaha, NE

What: Of Mice and Men
When: March 1st & 2nd
Where: Omaha Community Playhouse | 6915 Cass Street Omaha, NE

What: On Your Feet
When: March 1st – 3rd
Where: Omaha Performing Arts | 409 S 16th Street Omaha, NE

What: Pioneer Craft, Antique and Gun Show
When: March 1st – 3rd
Where: 1751 Madison Ave. Council Bluffs, IA

What: Dierks Bentley: Burning Man Tour
When: March 2nd
Where: CHI Health Center Omaha | 455 N 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith
When: March 2nd & 3rd
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Attic Adventures
When: March 2nd & 3rd
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th Street Omaha, NE

What: Old Market Walking History Tour
When: March 2nd
Where: 1001 Farnam Street Omaha, NE

What: Sweet Treats Bus Tour
When: March 2nd
Where: Omaha Culinary Tours | Various Locations

What: The Hooley St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
When: March 3rd
Where: Omaha Fire Fighters Union, Local 385 | 6005 Grover Street Omaha, NE

What: Joslyn Castle Public Tour
When: March 1st – 3rd
Where: Joslyn Castle | 3902 Davenport Street Omaha, NE

Selling your home marks the end of one chapter, and the beginning of a new journey. And while this can be cause for a lot of celebration and excitement, there are also a few key items to keep in mind while you are in the process of selling your home. We have listed below a few common mistakes for you to avoid in hopes to keep the selling process as efficient and stress-free as possible! 

1. The first mistake to avoid is setting a price without doing proper research first. Don’t just go off of what other comps in the area have sold for in the past, as your ideal listing price can be affected by the time of year, current available inventory, and much more. 

2. On that same note, our next mistake to avoid is pricing your home too high off the bat. History and statistics have shown us that an overpriced listing produces fewer showings than others that are more accurately priced for the market. In addition, it has also been shown that homes sell closer to their asking amount if they are priced correctly at the start of the listing. 

3. Staying on the topic of price, our next mistake to avoid is using a strange listing price. You want to be sure to avoid listing prices such as $403,399. This may potentially cause you to miss out on quality, qualified buyers, especially if their search ranges from $300,000-$400,000. Just something to keep in mind. 

4. Many people think that just because they are not in a rush to sell their home that they can overprice their listing. The thought process here is that they can simply wait around for the right family to come along who is willing to pay the higher price point. This is not the best strategy as the longer your house sits on the market, the less likely you are to get showings and in return the more difficult it becomes to attain that higher asking price. 

5. A big mistake to avoid is getting emotionally involved in the selling process. We understand this may be difficult to do, but you have to keep in mind that this is a business transaction, and you should not take it personally if you get a low offer on your listing. View this as an opportunity to negotiate with the potential buyer to see if you can settle on a number that works for both parties. 

6. Even in the best seller’s market, you need to stay away from the mindset that the house will sell itself. Anytime a listing goes live, you need to ensure that the home is properly staged and marketed to ensure it is appealing to potential buyers. 

7. Finally, our last mistake to avoid is trying to sell your home on your own. Studies have shown that homes stay on the market longer and sell for about $39,000 less when people do not utilize a real estate agent during the sale of their house.

With the weekend right around the corner, now is the perfect time to fill your calendar with all the events and adventures happening around our beautiful city in the coming days. Below you will find everything from dinosaur events and music concerts, to art exhibits, food tours, improv, wild events at the zoo, sporting events, comedy shows, and so much more! So grab your family and friends and enjoy all that Omaha has to offer this weekend – enjoy! 

What: Candyland Friday Family Date Night
When: February 22nd
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th Street Omaha, NE

What: Flappers & Fizz
When: February 22nd
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Dinosaur UpROAR
When: February 22nd – 24th
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: Etienne Charles: Creole Soul
When: February 22nd
Where: Holland Performing Arts Center | 1200 Douglas Street Omaha, NE

What: Blackstone Walking Food Tour
When: February 22nd
Where: 3804 Farnam Street Omaha, NE

What: University of Nebraska-Omaha vs. St. Cloud State NCAA Men’s Hockey Game
When: February 22nd & 23rd
Where: Baxter Arena | 2425 S 67th Street Omaha, NE

What: Popovich Comedy Pet Theater
When: February 22nd
Where: 2700 College Road Council Bluffs, IA

What: ’30 Americans’ Exhibition
When: February 22nd & 23rd
Where: Joslyn Art Museum | 2200 Dodge Street Omaha, NE

What: Omaha Lancers vs. Fargo Force Hockey Game
When: February 22nd
Where: Ralston Arena | 7200 Q Street Ralston, NE

What: Dino Nights
When: February 22nd – 24th
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: Fred Tomaselli
When: February 22nd & 23rd
Where: Joslyn Art Museum | 2200 Dodge Street Omaha, NE

What: Film Streams’
When: February 22nd – 24th
Where: Film Streams at the Ruth Sokolof Theater | 4952 Dodge Street Omaha, NE

What: Hinamatsuri: Japanese Doll Exhibit 
When: February 22nd – 24th
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: Interrogated (Improv)
When: February 22nd
Where: The Backline Comedy Theatre | 1618 Harney Street Omaha, NE

What: Oliver Jeffers: 15 Years of Picturing Books
When: February 22nd & 23rd 
Where: Joslyn Art Museum | 2200 Dodge Street Omaha, NE

What: The Robot Zoo
When: February 22nd – 24th
Where: Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum | 28210 West Park Hwy.

What: Extreme presented by Beertopia
When: February 23rd
Where: Ralston Arena | 7200 Q Street Ralston, NE

What: Creighton vs. Georgetown NCAA Men’s Basketball Game
When: February 23rd
Where: CHI Health Center Omaha | 455 N 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Bite of East Omaha Culinary Bus Tour
When: February 23rd & 24th
Where: Various Locations | Omaha NE

What: Comedy in Omaha at The Backline
When: February 22nd & 23rd
Where: The Backline Comedy Theatre | 1618 Harney Street Omaha, NE

What: Old Market Walking History Tour
When: February 23rd
Where: 1001 Farnam Street Omaha, NE

What: Of Mice and Men
When: February 22nd & 23rd
Where: Omaha Community Playhouse | 6915 Cass Street Omaha, NE

It is no secret that we think Omaha is a pretty great place to live. With safe neighborhoods, top schools, incredible dining and endless entertainment options, it is a top destination for any family to settle into. If you find yourself relocating to Omaha, we want to be the first to welcome you to our beautiful city! And while we know that moving can be very stressful, we also know that the process can be even more stressful for your furry four legged friends. So today, we wanted to give you a few tips and tricks on moving with pets in hopes to make the journey a little easier on everyone. 

Pre-move:

-Make sure your pet is wearing a tight collar at all times with a tag showing your name and number in case they wander out of your sight.
-Ensure you transfer your pet’s records to your new veterinarian to ensure everything is set up and established prior to your arrival.
-When it comes to packing your pet items, make sure to plan ahead. This will alleviate stress for you AND your pet!

While you are moving:

-Be sure to remember any meds and first aid kit that your pet may need. Toys and food are not the only things to remember to keep handy!
-Keep your pet in their crate during the move to ensure they are safe and secure. This will also give you a peace of mind knowing they are not wandering around the chaos without supervision.
-For your drive, be sure to take into account time for regular rest stops. This will give your pet time to stretch their legs and relieve themselves. 

After the move:

-While it is best to establish a veterinarian before you make your move, once you are settled in you can take some time to research emergency clinics in case of an emergency outside of your veterinarian’s office hours.
-Allow your pet to get acclimated by establishing a new routine with them. This will allow them to feel more at home and ease any anxiety that accompanied the move. 
-Right when you arrive, be sure to set out food and water for your pet. We understand you will be anxious to start unpacking your belongings, but pets usually drink a lot of water when they are in stressful situations, so having their food and water out immediately will help them to settle in and ease their nerves. 

Love is in the air - happy Valentine’s Day to all of our readers! If you are not celebrating tonight, there are plenty of events happening in and around Omaha this weekend for you to partake in. But don’t worry, they are not all cupid themed! You will find everything from dinners at the zoo and dinosaur events, to walking food tours, comedy shows, plays, educational lectures, Omaha beer week festivities, sporting events and so much more! Keep reading below to find an adventure (or two) to dive into this weekend – enjoy! 

What: Dino Nights
When: February 15th – 17th
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: ’30 Americans’ Exhibition
When: February 15th & 16th
Where: Joslyn Art Museum | 2200 Dodge Street Omaha, NE

What: Blackstone Walking Food Tour
When: February 15th
Where: 3804 Farnam Street Omaha, NE

What: Dinosaur UpROAR
When: February 15th – 17th
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: Omaha Lancers vs. Sioux City Musketeers Hockey Game 
When: February 15th
Where: Ralston Arena | 7300 Q Street Ralston, NE

What: Woke AF Comedy Tour and New Crew Showcase
When: February 15th
Where: Barley Street Tavern | 2735 N 62nd Street Omaha, NE

What: Film Streams’ Midnight Movie
When: February 15th – 17th
Where: Film Streams at the Ruth Sokolof Theater | 4952 Dodge Street Omaha, NE

What: Fred Tomaselli
When: February 15th & 16th
Where: Joslyn Art Museum | 2200 Dodge Street Omaha, NE

What: Interrogated (Improv)
When: February 15th
Where: The Backline Comedy Theatre | 1618 Harney Street Omaha, NE

What: Karaoke Friday Nights
When: February 15th
Where: 510 N. 33rd Street Omaha, NE

What: NSAA State Wrestling Tournament
When: February 15th & 16th
Where: CHI Health Center Omaha | 455 N 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: The Elixir of Love
When: February 15th – 17th
Where: Orpheum Theater | 409 S 16th Street Omaha, NE

What: Oliver Jeffers: 15 Years of Picturing Books
When: February 15th & 16th
Where: Joslyn Art Museum | 2200 Dodge Street Omaha, NE

What: Cocktails & Kisses with Da Truth and Special Guest Same Rivers 
When: February 16th
Where: 2510 North 24th Street Omaha, NE

What: Of Mice and Men
When: February 15th & 16th
Where: Omaha Community Playhouse | 6915 Cass Street Omaha, NE

What: Sweetheart Dinner at the Zoo
When: February 15th & 16th 
Where: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium | 3701 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: The Robot Zoo
When: February 15th – 17th
Where: Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum | 28210 West Park Hwy

What: TEDxUNO: Resilience
When: February 16th
Where: 6305 University Drive N Omaha, NE

What: Asics Presidents’ Day Classic Volleyball Tournament
When: February 16th & 17th
Where: CHI Health Center Omaha | 455 N 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Hibernate & Create Retreat
When: February 16th & 17th
Where: Hot Shops Art Center | 1301 Nicholas Street Omaha, NE

What: Sweet Treats Bus Tour
When: February 16th & 17th
Where: Omaha Culinary Tours | Various Locations 

What: Joslyn Castle Public Tour
When: February 15th – 17th
Where: Joslyn Castle | 3902 Davenport Street Omaha, NE

What: Omaha Beer Week 2019
When: February 15th – 17th
Where: Various Locations

With February 14th right around the corner, we wanted to highlight a few of Omaha’s most romantic restaurants that would be perfect for a special night out with your special someone this Valentine’s Day. The day provides the perfect opportunity to forget the hustle and bustle of your everyday routine and spend quality time with your valentine – all while taking in some of Omaha’s most delicious dishes and soothing ambiances. We are sure these restaurants will keep your heart (and stomach) happy! 

Type: For the casual couple  

-Dante Ristorante:  Not only recognized as Omaha’s first restaurant to specialize in rustic Italian cuisine and authentic wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, Dante Ristorante is known for using only the freshest produce from local Omaha farmers. Visitors are delighted by the mouthwatering dishes and impressive wine selection.

-Nosh Restaurant and Wine Lounge: Sporting a comfortable yet sophisticated atmosphere, Nosh Restaurant and Wine Lounge is the perfect destination for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner. The wide-ranging menu is sure to please even the pickiest of palates, and the wine list is every wine connoisseur’s dream. Nosh was even named on the ‘Best of Omaha’s’ list for Best Wine Bar! 

-Little España: What says date night better than tapas! Little España is the perfect destination to sample multiple flavors and dishes, and send your taste buds into a tizzy! Be sure to order a Chocolate Martini or flavored mojito to add a little zing to your evening – you will thank us later! 

Type: For the swanky couple 

-The Boiler Room: Known for having one of the most cozy and thrilling atmospheres in all of downtown Omaha, The Boiler Room is the ideal destination for a romantic meal this Valentine’s Day. Their fresh, local and seasonal ingredients are what make their dishes shine, and you will relish at the history of the building and the stunning décor that surrounds you. 

-The Grey Plume: Celebrated for its cuisine and impressive atmosphere, The Grey Plume is the ideal destination to please both your stomach and your date! The seasonally driven menu is sourced from local livestock and produce, and comprised of contemporary cuisine that is worthy of the highest praise. You are sure to not be disappointed! 

-V. Mertz: Last but not least, V. Mertz is a locally owned contemporary American restaurant that highlights the use of locally sourced meats and produce in all of the yummy items on their menu. This small gem is located in the quaint Old Market Passageway, and is the ideal place for a romantic night this Valentine’s Day. 

With the weekend sneaking up on us, now is the perfect time to start penciling in some fun for the days ahead! And even though Omaha will be experiencing some cold temperatures, don’t let that stop you from enjoying all the amazing events and adventures happening all around our beautiful city. You will find events ranging from art exhibits and sports games, to plays, walking food tours, pizza tours, movie events and so much more! 

What: ’30 Americans’ Exhibition
When: February 8th & 9th
Where: Joslyn Art Museum

What: Omaha Lancers vs. Sioux City Musketeers
When: February 8th
Where: Ralston Arena | 7300 Q St. Ralston, NE

What: Art Exhibit: ‘Nebraska Habitat’ by Albert Rhea
When: February 8th – 10th
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft St. Omaha, NE

What: Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience 
When: February 8th
Where: 2700 College Road Council Bluffs

What: Creighton vs. St. John’s NCAA Women’s Basketball Game
When: February 8th
Where: 701 Florence Blvd. Omaha, NE

What: Comedy in Omaha at The Backline
When: February 8th & 9th 
Where: The Backline Comedy Theatre | 1618 Harney Street Omaha, NE

What: Blackstone Walking Food Tour
When: February 8th
Where: 3804 Farnam Street Omaha, NE

What: Dinosaur UpROAR
When: February 8th – 10th
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: Karaoke Friday Nights
When: February 8th
Where: 510 N. 33rd Street Omaha, NE

What: Oliver Jeffers: 15 Years of Picturing Books
When: February 8th & 9th
Where: Joslyn Art Museum | 2200 Dodge Street Omaha, NE

What: The Curios Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time 
When: February 8th & 9th
Where: 6915 Cass Street Omaha, NE

What: Super Sports: Building Strength, Sportsmanship and Smarts
When: February 8th – 10th
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th St. Omaha, NE

What: A Slice of Omaha Pizza Tour
When: February 9th & 10th
Where: Omaha Culinary Tours | Various Locations

What: The Robot Zoo
When: February 8th – 10th
Where: Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum | 28210 West Park Hwy

What: Swing Under The Wings
When: February 9th
Where: Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum | 28210 West Park Hwy

What: Dance Chance Omaha Dancing Event
When: February 9th
Where: Bancroft Street Market | 2702 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Old Market Walking History Tour
When: February 9th
Where: 1001 Farnam Street Omaha, NE

What: Fred Tomaselli
When: February 8th & 9th
Where: Joslyn Art Museum | 2200 Dodge Street Omaha, NE

What: The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner 
When: February 9th
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Omaha Downtown | 1616 Dodge Street Omaha, NE

What: Film Streams: Forever Young Movie Series
When: February 9th
Where: Film Streams at the Ruth Sokolof Theater | 1340 Mike Fahey Street Omaha, NE