Real Estate Information Archive

Are you looking to put your house on the market? If so, we know what a fun and exciting time this can be for you and your family. But, at times, the excitement can also be paired with a little anxiety as you navigate your way through the selling process. If you are finding yourself agreeing with the above sentences, then this is a blog post you don’t want to miss! Below we have listed a few things that you want to avoid when putting your house on the market, and we hope it brings a little insight and allows the selling process to be a little smoother for you.

The first thing you want to be sure to avoid when putting your home on the market is over-improving the space. We realize that most people think that the more money they invest into their home, the most likely they are to get a high return on their investment. And while there are instances where this is true, you want to be sure to avoid making changes that are hyper-specific to your wants, needs and personal taste. Updating things such as appliances, kitchen cabinets, finishing’s and light fixtures, as well as a fresh coat of paint, are always good things to invest in. But try to avoid turning your basement into a man cave or kids play room, as some potential buyers may look at the space and only see a massive remodel project and dollar signs.

Next, you want to be sure to not over-decorate your home in hopes to make it more appealing to potential buyers. Because in turn, you can actually make it look crowded and overdone. Buyers want to be able to see themselves living in the space with their personal items, and it will be difficult for them to do this if your home is filled corner to corner with your décor. Instead, do your best to clear out items that do not need to be in the room, leaving a fresh and clean area for potential buyers to view. Lastly, and this one may be obvious, but do not hang around when you know there is a showing. Buyers want to be able to talk openly, as well as see themselves moving in and living in the space, which can be hard for them to do if they see the current owners standing in the corner listening into the conversations. Also, there is always a chance that the showing may start early, so be sure to take grab the family and leave your home at least 20 minutes prior to when the showing is scheduled to take place.

With the weekend almost upon us, you may want to start filling your calendar with all the fun events and adventures happening around Omaha! Everything from cobweb castles and food tours, to dinner cruises, plays and garden shows. Not to mention, there is something pretty spooky happening at Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium! Keep reading below for all the must-see events this weekend in our beautiful city! 

What: OK Go: The Live Video Tour
When: October 19th 
Where: Holland Performing Arts Center | 1200 Douglas St. 

What: Journey Through Time Gala
When: October 19th
Where: Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum 

What: American Midwest Ballet presents ‘Momentum: Rhapsody in Blue’
When: October 19th
Where: Joslyn Art Museum 

What: Cobweb Castle at the Children’s Museum 
When: October 19th – 21st
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th St. 

What: Art Auction Exhibition
When: October 19th – 21st
Where: Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts 

What: River City Star Irish Themed Dinner Cruise
When: October 19th
Where: River City Star Riverboat | 151 Freedom Park Rd. 

What: Fall Chrysanthemum Show
When: October 19th – 21st
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft St. 

What: Farming History Exhibit
When: October 19th – 21st
Where: Boys Town | 14057 Flanagan Blvd. 

What: Margie’s Garden Art Show
When: October 19th – 21st
Where: Hot Shops Art Center 

What: She Kills Monsters
When: October 19th – 21st
Where: Omaha Community Playhouse | 6915 Cass St. 

What: Spooktacular at the Zoo
When: October 19th
Where: Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium 

What: An Evening with Glady’s Knight
When: October 20th
Where: 1200 Douglas St. 

What: Game Day at the Capitol District
When: October 20th
Where: 1022 Capitol Ave. Omaha, NE

What: Old Market District Walking Food Tour
When: October 20th – 21st
Where: Omaha Culinary Tours | Various Locations 

What: The Little Engine That Could
When: October 20th
Where: The Rose Theater

What: UNO Art Gallery Invitational
When: October 19th – 21st
Where: UNO Art Gallery 

What: Bagels and Sometimes Bach
When: October 21st
Where: 1516 Leavenworth St. 

What: Urban Surf
When: October 20th
Where: Neighborhood Offshore Boutique & Board Shop

Fall not only brings shorter days and cooler temperatures, but it also happens to be the perfect time of year to give your home a fresh, updated look. And since the holidays are also right around the corner, we are sure that you will find yourself spending more and more time indoors with family and friends. So whether you are looking to give a few rooms in your home a quick refresh or you are looking to give your entire house a facelift, we have you covered! Below we have listed a few of our favorite fall 2018 trends that are sure to give your home a boost – we hope you enjoy!

If we are sure about one thing it is that fall 2018 home décor trends are all about mixing and matching. If you are looking to incorporate this trend with neutral colors throughout your home, be sure to feature tans, grays, ivories and varying shades of brown, as well as integrating variations of texture and pattern for some eye catching looks. On that same note, you will also want to think about mixing materials. For example, if you are looking to change things up with your sofa, think outside the box a bit by looking for one with a mixture of fabric and leather. Also, you can incorporate varying accent pieces such as photos, books, vases, bookcases, and other objects that match the look of your room.

Another big trend for fall this year are rich, deep hues. Think navy blue and black, both of which are perfect for autumn and are generally pretty easy to incorporate throughout your home in both large and small ways. You can always use navy blue paint for an accent wall, as well as add black, brass and/or gold décor throughout to bring everything together. Lastly, two words: statement rugs. If you are looking to spruce up a fairly neutral room, think of bringing in a statement rug to not only ground the room, but to add a little flair to the space. You should look for shag textures, raised patters, popping color or lux materials to bring some dramatic, yet tasteful, style to each room in your home.

With so many events, festivities and activities happening around Omaha this weekend, there is absolutely no excuse to stay in! Take your pick from lively musicals, blooming farmers markets, stunning art exhibits and even a Spooktacular event at the Omaha Zoo. Whatever you are in the mood for this weekend, we are sure there is something happening around town that is sure to fit the script. Below we have listed a few must-see events for you, your family and friends to check out. We hope you enjoy! 

What: Cobweb Castle at the Children’s Museum 
When: October 12th – 14th
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th St. 

What: Fall Chrysanthemum Show
When: October 12th – 14th
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft St. 

What: Pattern and Purpose: American Quilts from Shelburne Museum
When: October 12th – 14th
Where: Joslyn Art Museum | 2200 Dodge St. 

What: Richard Mosse Exhibit
When: October 12th – 14th
Where: Joslyn Art Museum | 2200 Dodge St. 

What: Shrek The Musical
When: October 12th – 14th
Where: 6915 Cass St.

What: Sign’s Art Exhibition
When: October 12th – 14th
Where: Hot Shops Art Center | 1301 Nicholas St. 

What: Split Gallery Grand Opening Reception & Sale
When: October 12th & 13th
Where: 2561 Leavenworth St. 

What: Stations of Blue: Mike Nesbit and Thomas Prinz
When: October 12th – 14th
Where: Gallery 72 | 1806 Vinton St.

What: Halloween 5K
When: October 13th
Where: Nebraska Furniture Mart | 700 S 72nd St. 

What: Art Auction Exhibition
When: October 13th & 14th
Where: Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts 

What: Dance Chance Omaha Dancing Event
When: October 13th & 14th
Where: Bancroft Street Market | 2702 S 10th St. 

What: Game Day at The Capitol District 
When: October 13th
Where: 1022 Capitol Ave.

What: Omaha Farmers Market: Old Market
When: October 13th
Where: 11th & Jackson Old Market 

What: Spooktacular at the Zoo
When: October 13th
Where: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium 

What: Under the Tuscan Sundays: Oktoberfest
When: October 14th
Where: Bella Terre | 23375 Barrus Road

What: Urban Surf
When: October 13th
Where: Neighborhood Offshore Boutique & Board Shop

What: Thomas D Mangelsen: A Life in the Wild 
When: October 12th – 14th
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th St. 

What: UNO Art Gallery Invitational
When: October 12th – 14th
Where: UNO Art Gallery 

What: Super Sports: Building Strength, Sportsmanship and Smarts
When: October 13th & 14th
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th St.

We won’t lie, there was a time when we thought fall was never going to come. But sure enough, it is finally here! And with the change of season brings cooler weather, shorter days and a reminder to check in on your home for any fall maintenance that needs to be completed. Not sure exactly what to look for? Well, not to worry because below we have listed a few fall maintenance suggestions for you to look into.

Starting with the exterior, you should check around the outside of your home for inexpensive maintenance projects that can be tackled quickly. Things such as cleaning the gutters, caulking, checking the roof for missing or loose shingles and trimming greenery to prevent damage are all things to keep an eye out for. While these may seem like small, tedious tasks, it is always best to fix the small issues before they turn into larger, most costly projects for you and your family.

You also want to be sure to keep an eye on your irrigation system and follow the manufacturer’s instruction, as to protect the functionality and integrity of the sprinkler system. Additionally, it is also important to realize that seasonal rainfall will hydrate the foliage around your home, and you may want to set (or reset) your system accordingly. Lastly, the colder weather can also bring with it little critters that are looking for refuge in the warmth of your home, particularly in the attic or basement. To prevent this, be sure to cover large holes in the walls of your home with hardware cloth, use caulking for smaller holes and be sure to always check on your attic’s insulation for damage from these pesky critters.

Happy October! What are your plans for the first weekend of the spookiest month of the year?! If you are still on the hunt for activities and festivities around town, look no further. Below we have listed a few must-attend events in the Omaha area, with everything from antique shows, First Friday events, musicals, yoga in the forest and various pre-Halloween events. So grab your friends and family and enjoy all that our beautiful city has to offer! 

What: DC vs Marvel Family Date Night
When: October 5th
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th St.

What: Teacher’s Night
When: October 5th
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th St. 

What: Cobweb Castle at the Children’s Museum
When: October 5th – 7th 
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th St. 

What: First Friday Old Market
When: October 5th
Where: Old Market 

What: Howl-O-Week Safari
When: October 5th & 6th
Where: Lee G. Simmons Conversation Park and Wildlife Safari 

What: Shadow’s and Reflections Exhibit
When: October 5th – 7th
Where: Artists’ Cooperative Gallery | 405 S 11th St. 

What: Pioneer Craft, Antique & Junk Show
When: October 5th – 7th
Where: 1304 Skyline Dr.

What: Shrek The Musical
When: October 5th – 7th
Where: 6915 Cass Street Omaha, NE

What: UNO Art Gallery Invitational
When: October 5th – 7th
Where: UNO Art Gallery

What: Harvest Fest at Village Pointe
When: October 6th
Where: Village Point Shopping Center

What: Planes, Trains and Autos Halloween Event
When: October 6th & 7th
Where: Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum 

What: iLuminate
When: October 6th
Where: Orpheum Theater | 409 S 16th St.

What: Fall Chrysanthemum Show
When: October 6th & 7th
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft St.

What: Game Day at The Capitol District
When: October 6th
Where: 1022 Capitol Ave

What: Japanese Ambience Festival
When: October 6th & 7th
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft St

What: Omaha Farmers Market: Old Market
When: October 6th & 7th
Where: 11th & Jackson Old Market Omaha, NE

What: Sweet Treats Bus Tour
When: October 6th & 7th
Where: Omaha Culinary Tours | Various Locations 

What: Urban Surf
When: October 6th
Where: 6837 Grover St. Omaha, NE

What: Yoga in the Forest
When: October 7th
Where: Fontenelle Forest/Neale Wood

It may not be on your mind now, but there will probably come a day when you will think about selling your home - whether it be for a new neighborhood, a new job or simply a change of scenery. And when that day comes you may wish that you started some renovations sooner in order to give your home a little face lift and more appeal to potential buyers. Now we know what you are thinking, that all renovations and updates will cost you a fortune and a lot of time. But that is just simply not true! There are many DIY projects that you can do over the span of a weekend that are sure to give your home a little TLC and won’t break the bank. If this sounds interesting to you, then keep reading below!

One weekend project you can tackle are your bathrooms. It is no secret that buyers look at kitchens and bathrooms closely, and want modern updates and finishes. This can be easily accomplished with small swaps such as cabinets, tiles, hardware, countertops and light fixtures. Head to your local hardware store and find little updates that are sure to spruce up your bathroom in just a few hours! Next, you may want to think about repainting the cabinets in your kitchen. Seeing as how many families spend a lot of time in the kitchen, buyers want to see that it has been well maintained over the years. By simply repainting your old wooden cabinets and adding on some shiny new hardware fixtures you can give your kitchen an instant face lift and make the room more appealing.

Do you want to make your ceilings look higher and rooms feel slightly larger? If so, then we have two words for you: crown molding. Crown molding helps to draw the eyes up, which in turn makes the ceiling feel higher than they really are and also adds a little design touch to the room. This project is perfect for living rooms, master bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens. Lastly, you want to make a good first impression with potential buyers. Knowing this, what is the first thing they see when they pull up to your home? That’s right, your front yard. Incorporating flattering landscaping to the front of your home will give it the curb appeal it needs to draw in potential buyers and give them a positive impression before they even step foot inside your home.

What are your plans for the last official weekend of September for 2018? There are many activities, events and festivals happening in and around our wonderful city of Omaha that you sure do not want to miss! We have listed a few of them below for you to check out, so grab your friends and family and send September out with a bang! Enjoy! 

What: GLOW in the Garden
When: September 28th
Where: Joslyn Art Museum | 2200 Dodge St.

What: 1949 Fashion Exhibit
When: September 28th
Where: 9625 Isa St. Omaha, NE

What: Rock The Boat Cruise With “Caught Looking”
When: September 28th
Where: River City Star Riverboat | 151 Freedom Park Rd.

What: Omaha’s River City Rodeo
When: September 28th & 29th 
Where: CHI Health Center Omaha | 455 N. 10th St.

What: Bye Bye Birdie, YPE
When: September 28th – 30th
Where: 820 Franklin Ave. 

What: Cirque Italia Water Circus
When: September 28th – 30th
Where: Westroads Mall

What: Farming History Exhibit
When: September 28th – 30th
Where: Boys Town | 14057 Flanagan Blvd.

What: Game On: The History and Science of Gaming
When: September 28th – 30th
Where: Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum 

What: Junkstock Harvest Edition 2018
When: September 28th – 30th
Where: 1150 River Road Drive

What: Shea Wilkinson: Parallel Worlds 
When: September 28th -30th 
Where: Gallery 72 | 1806 Vinton St. Omaha, NE

What: Thomas D Mangelsen: A Life in the Wild 
When: September 28th – 30th
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th St. 

What: Turner Park Night Market Festival
When: September 28th 
Where: Midtown Crossing | 31st – 33rd and Farman-Dodge Sts. 

What: Butterfly Hike
When: September 29th
Where: Fontenelle Forest/Neale Woods | 1111 N Bellevue Blvd. 

What: Art Ride Omaha
When: September 29th & 30th
Where: Bancroft Street Market | 2702 S 10th St. 

What: Blackstone District Walking Food Tour
When: September 29th & 30th 
Where: Omaha Culinary Tours | Various Locations 

What: Cobweb Castle at the Children’s Museum
When: September 29th & 30th
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th St.

What: Game Day at The Capitol District
When: September 29th
Where: 1022 Capitol Ave. Omaha, NE

What: National Alpaca Farm Day Weekend
When: September 29th & 30th
Where: 7016 Country Road 39

What: Shrek The Musical
When: September 28th – 30th
Where: 6915 Cass Street Omaha, NE

What: 7 Oaks Music Festival
When: September 30th
Where: 13302 West Center Road Omaha, NE

What: Bagels & Sometimes Bach
When: September 30th
Where: 1516 Leavenworth St. Omaha, NE

What: Yoga in the Forest
When: September 30th
Where: Fontenelle Forest/Neale Woods

We get it. Looking for a new home to buy can be a daunting, exhausting and a downright confusing process. There may be one home that checks a few important criteria off your list, and the next one you see checks off the remaining boxes of your list but is missing other important aspects. This is when you may find yourself daydreaming about the possibility of merging the two homes into one and ending with a perfect oasis! But since this is not an actual possibility (sorry to burst your bubble), many people find themselves being drawn to building their own home from the ground up. If this is an idea you have been toying with, then today’s blog is for you! Below we have listed a few perks and advantages of ditching the search to buy a home and bringing your dream home to life!

The first perk, and possibly the most obvious, to building your own home is that everything is brand new. No holes in the walls to patch up, no conspicuous stains on the carpet, no upgrading appliances and no immediate repairs need to be made. There is just something so appealing about being the first ones to live in a home, and knowing that you had a large hand in creating and designing everything. On the same note, depending on the builder and neighborhood, most of the time you are able to custom design your home. Meaning that everything from the layout and flooring, to paint color, kitchen finishes and curtains can be created to your specifications. And there is a peace of mind knowing that everything will be new, clean and designed to your taste and preferences the day you move in.

Another advantage to building your own home is that you get to pick your neighborhood. It is quite frustrating when find your ideal neighborhood and either there are no homes for sale that meet your criteria or all the homes are way out of your price range. If you know the area you would like to live in, you can then search for a plot of land that is open and build your dream home, allowing you both a desirable location and a house you love. And that is what we call a win-win! Lastly, building a new home affords you the opportunity to incorporate new energy-efficient systems throughout that will allow you to save money. It is no secret that technology has become quite advanced over the past decades and even years. Many older homes are not equipped with the most up-to-date systems, which in turn will require you to spend more money on bills each month. So you are stuck with a dilemma – either pay the higher bills as they come or spend the money (and develop a headache) and update the systems. No matter how you slice it, it is always easier and more convenient to have a newer home that has these energy-efficient and cost efficient systems already in place prior to move in.

TGI (almost) F! What are your plans for this coming weekend? With temperatures cooling off and sunny days ahead, it is the perfect time to get out of the house and take advantage of all the fun activities, events and festivals happening this weekend around Omaha! Enjoy everything from restaurant week and Oktoberfest, to country concerts, farmers markets, theatrical plays, a moonlight boat tour and even an antique show. Whatever catches your eye, make sure to grab your family and friends to enjoy all our beautiful city has to offer! 

What: 17th Annual Oktoberfest
When: September 21st – 22nd 
Where: Crescent Moon | 3578 Farnam St.

What: That ’70s Cruise
When: September 21st
Where: River City Star Riverboat 

What: Bye Bye Bridie, YPE
When: September 21st – 23rd
Where: 830 Franklin Ave.

What: Lauritzen Gardens Antiques Show
When: September 21st – 23rd
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft St.

What: Omaha Restaurant Week
When: September 21st – 23rd
Where: Various Locations 

What: Movie Night at Werner Park: Back to the Future
When: September 21st
Where: 12356 Ballpark Way

What: Deep Purple & Judas Priest
When: September 21st
Where: 1 Harrah’s Boulevard

What: Alan Jackson: Honky Tonk Highway Tour
When: September 21st
Where: CHI Health Center Omaha | 455 N. 10th St. 

What: River City Star Moonlight Sightseeing Cruise
When: September 21st – 23rd
Where: River City Star Riverboat 

What: Shrek The Musical
When: September 21st – 23rd
Where: 6915 Cass Street Omaha, NE

What: Fall Bird Migration Walk
When: September 22nd 
Where: Fontenelle Forest/Neale Woods

What: Gatsby on 16th Street
When: September 22nd
Where: Orpheum Theatre | 409 S 16th St.

What: SW Iowa JunkFest & Corn Husking Competition 
When: September 22nd 
Where: 59256 380th St.

What: Game Day at The Capitol District 
When: September 22nd 
Where: 1022 Capitol Ave. Omaha, NE

What: Midlands Renaissance Revel & Pirate Fest
When: September 22nd & 23rd
Where: 22984 Highway 6

What: Omaha Farmers Market: Old Market
When: September 22nd 
Where: 11th & Jackson Old Market Omaha

What: Thomas D Mangelsen: A Life in the Wild
When: September 21st – 23rd
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S. 10th St.

What: Urban Surf
When: September 23rd
Where: 6837 Grover St. Omaha, NE

What: Yoga in the Forest
When: September 23rd
Where: Fontenelle Forest/Neale Woods

What: Under The Tuscan Sunday’s: Vivi il Vino
When: September 23rd
Where: Bella Terre | 23375 Barrus Rd.