Real Estate Information Archive

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.

If you are thinking of selling your house in Omaha, NE chances are you have done a mental walkthrough of everything you need to fix, paint and/or redecorate before the listing goes live. And while the list may seem a mile long, there are certain projects that should be bumped to the front and be top priority. 

In today’s blog post we are going to be discussing four things that you should repair before selling your home - let’s dive in: 

Paint: If you are looking for an easy and cheap way to update the interior/exterior of your home, grab a paint brush! Old chipped paint can be a huge turnoff for potential buyers. Light, neutral tones are a safe bet when it comes to choosing colors as they will make your home appear brighter and appeal to a wide range of people. Also, be sure to remove any old wallpaper as it tends to date a house.

Damaged flooring: One area that potential home buyers take notice of is the flooring throughout a house. If you have worn and damaged flooring, especially hard wood flooring, it’s not only an eyesore but can also take away from the value of your house. If it’s in your budget, replacing the floors is best. If not, you can refinish/deep clean them and bring some life back into your home. 

Exterior: You never get a second chance at a first impression, so be sure to make it a good one when buyers come to tour the house. The first thing people will see is the exterior of your home so its crucial to make it look good. Pull the weeds, mow the lawn, plant some flowers, replace missing fence boards, remove any junk, fix the roof and add a fresh coat of paint to the front door. 

Pet damage: Even though you love your furry four-legged friends, you can’t deny the impact they can have on a home. If you are thinking of selling your house, be sure to repair any damage that resulted from your pets. Everything from the scratches on the doors to the urine stains on the carpets. Potential buyers touring the home should (ideally) have no idea that pets live in the home. 

If you are looking to sell your Omaha, NE house, be sure to contact our team for more information. Our dedicated, knowledgable agents are here to provide you with the expert services you need. 

With patience, the right tools and a little sweat equity you can use your free time to increase the value of your house. Whether you are looking to sell now or in the future, there are many projects you can do on your own, in your own time, to improve the overall aesthetic and appeal of your home for future buyers. 

Below we have listed a few DIY projects that you can tackle over a week, weekend or even a month that are sure to increase the value of your home. Let’s dive in: 

-Painting the interior of your home is one of the most cost-effective home improvement projects for you to dive into. When it comes to buyer impressions, a fresh coat of paint can do more for your home than you think. It’s smart to stick with neutral paint colors to not only ensure it appeals to a wide variety of people, but also to keep your space looking fresh and clean.

-Giving your bathroom a refresh is another great way to appeal to buyers, as many people put a large focus on the aesthetic of the room. An outdated bathroom can really age your home and be a large turn off. It can be as simple as upgrading fixtures such as pulls and knobs, changing out the shower curtain, buying new towel to display and updating lighting fixtures.

-Refinishing or painting your kitchen cabinets is a very effective way to change the entire look and feel of your kitchen. Seeing as how many families spend a lot of time in kitchen, it is an area buyers really take a look at. While this can be a time consuming project, the payoff can be well worth it.

-Not many things date a house more than popcorn ceilings, which is why our next project for you to tackle is removing it from each room in your home. With the proper equipment and instruction, you can have those smooth ceilings in no time.

-This next project can seem like a daunting task, but if done right can really provide a great return on investment. Replacing your wall-to-wall carpeting with hard flooring is a great way to impress buyers and stay competitive in today’s market. This can be an involved process so be sure to plan ahead and have the proper tools on hand. 

-Our last DIY project will take you outdoors as you spruce up and improve your yard. Curb appeal is very important when potential buyers view your home. Doing small things such as planting flowers, removing weeds, buying new outdoor furniture, or even installing a fire pit can all go a long way.

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! 

We understand just how stressful selling your home can be - the cleaning, the organizing, the planning, the showings - it’s enough to drive even the most zen person a little haywire. Now add children and pets into the mix and it may seem like more than you can handle. 

The good news is that with a little planning and some tips from today’s blog post, selling your Omaha, NE home with little ones can feel a little easier and less stressful. Let’s dive in:

Tips for inside the home:

-Clutter is something that accumulates the longer you are in a house, and this is especially true if you have children and pets. Take some time to sort through items (especially toys) and donate what is no longer needed, store items that you want to keep but don’t immediately need and throw away/recycle items that are on their last leg.

-If your home has a dedicated playroom, you may want to consider transforming the space into a multi-purpose room in order to appeal to all buyers. Remove the toys (and crayon on the walls) and allow buyers to envision their own needs/wants for the space. 

-We know how much you love your children and pets, and hanging pictures around the house is a great way to share fun memories. But when it comes to selling, you may want to remove a majority of those frames in order to depersonalize your home a bit. That includes the kids finger painting hanging on the fridge. You want buyers to feel like they are in their new home, not just visiting yours. 

-Pet stains and smells are a huge turnoff to buyers when they walk into a house. It is important to ensure any and all pet odors and carpet stains are taken care of prior to when showings are scheduled to begin. On that same note, if your children ever used the walls of your home as paper to color on, now would be a great time to remove that artwork as well. 

-If your child’s room is themed and theatrical, you may want to consider painting it a neutral color and changing out the princess lamp. This will make it easier for buyers who don’t have children to see the room as a functional space for them. *Side note: this time of transition can be hard on kids. Allowing them to pack a special bag of favorite items that can be taken out after showings can make them feel more at ease. 

-Make sure that outdoor pet waste is always cleaned up prior to showings. You don’t want potential buyers stepping in anything unpleasant when touring the backyard. 
 
Tips for showings:

-If possible, ask your real estate agent to give you a few hours notice before showings to make sure you can tidy up the house and get the kids and pets ready to go. Establishing this with your agent will lower your stress as you will have time to get everything (and everyone) in order. 

-Try to plan fun activities for you and the children to do during showings. This can be anything from going on a hike, spending the day at the zoo, taking a picnic to the park, etc. You want to show your children that this time away from home isn’t an inconvenience, but an opportunity to spend quality time together. 

-If your planned activity isn’t pet friendly, it is important to have a safe place for your furry four-legged family members to go. A friend or family members home is a great option, or a local pet daycare. If you have an open house scheduled in advance, you can also use that time for your pet to go to the groomer. 
 

If you are looking to sell your Omaha, NE house, be sure to contact our team for more information. Our dedicated, knowledgable agents are here to provide you with the expert services you need. 

Do you remember all the emotions that came when buying your first home? Excitement, uneasiness, and jitters may have been a few of the many feelings that came along with the home buying experience. Well, get ready to feel them all again if you are planning to sell your Omaha, NE home.

One way to calm the nerves and to ensure the home selling process goes as smoothly as possible is to hire an experienced listing agent. In today’s blog post we are going to be discussing a few things you should know about choosing the right listing agent and a couple of questions to ask before they come on board. Let’s dive in: 

First, let’s talk about what a listing agent is and what they do for a seller. A listing agent, also commonly referred to as a selling agent, is a real estate professional who helps the homeowner get the most money for their home and helps to find the most qualified buyer. They handle a number of tasks including marketing the home, vetting potential buyers, conducting showings and driving negotiations. The listing agent works in the best interest of the seller and helps them navigate the process from beginning to end. 

How to find the best listing agent in Omaha, NE: 

-Interview a couple of agents to make sure the one you pick is the right fit for you and your needs. If possible, it is best to do this in person. Take time during each interaction to make sure the agent is not only trustworthy but also has a knowledge of the local market and connections in the industry. 

-Are they a certified realtor?  Very important to know as many agents work in real estate but do not have the education or certification as a "Realtor".

-Getting referrals is a great way to vet potential candidates. Hearing another person's experience with a real estate agent can give you a feel for what it would be like to work with them and what you can expect in terms of communication, quality of work, and how they treat their clients. (Check out our client testimonials here!)

-Dig in and verify the experience of a potential selling agent. You can do this by simply searching their name and visiting their website, which will show their previous and current listings and client testimonials. This will give you a better idea of the homes they have sold and how they compare to yours, as well as if they are familiar with your neighborhood. 

Lastly, it is important to be prepared with questions when meeting potential listing agents, so we have listed some questions below that you can use to better familiarize yourself with the agent:

-Are you a full-time listing agent? - This will let you know if this is what they live and breathe each day, or if it is a side gig. 

-What do you think my home is worth? How did you get to that price? - This will help you get a sense of if you are on the same page, especially if you had a price in mind. 

-What would be your marketing plan for my home? - A good selling agent will have a detailed plan of action to promote your listing. This can include things such as 3D virtual tours, open houses, professional photography, broker tours and/or “Just listed” mailers. 

-What are the comps in my neighborhood? - Asking this question will give you a better feel for the agents' knowledge of the area.

-What is your commission rate? - This question will ensure you understand what you will be charged for their services so there are no surprises.

Learn more about our experienced and dedicated Heim-Berg Team here.  Then let's talk and get your home sale started today.  We treat all our clients like FAMILY!!

Be sure to check out our other tips for selling your Omaha, NE home here! 

It is no secret that the housing market is booming! If you are looking to purchase a home, chances are you are having to act quickly and are most likely up against many other buyers who are bidding for the same home. 

In today’s blog post we are going to be talking about some facts when it comes to selling your home in Omaha, NE - let’s dive in:

-With more and more families looking to purchase a home in Omaha, NE, inventory remains tight. Sellers are controlling the market and are in a better position than ever. It is not uncommon for sellers to receive competitive offers on their homes, many of which are over asking with a fast closing. 

-Mortgage rates have hit record lows over the last year, mainly due to economic uncertainty from the pandemic. How long will this last you ask? While no one can say for certain, the Federal Reserve is intending to keep interest rates low until the economy steadily improves, which is a big draw for buyers. This means that sellers can expect many eyes on their listing and interested buyers at their doors. 

-First-time homebuyers will be a crucial part of shaping the Omaha, NE real estate market in the years to come. During the pandemic, many people yearned for more space and are opting for a spacious house versus a one-bedroom rental. Millennials are tired of tight living quarters and expensive rent payments, which is why they will continue to be a large part of the real estate market moving forward. 

-While no one knows what the future holds for the real estate market, one thing that will always hold true is that local expertise will always win. Having a knowledgeable real estate agent by your side is a great way to ensure you are getting the most money for your home, no matter what the market conditions look like. 

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! 

If you are in the market to sell your Omaha, NE home, the process may seem daunting and overwhelming at first. There are a lot of things to consider and clutter to sort through. To help alleviate those unpleasant feelings, we have broken down the selling process into a few easy steps to help you understand the steps a bit more. Let’s dive in:

-Find a knowledgeable and qualified real estate agent that knows the market and will work hard in your best interest. This is one of the most important steps as a great real estate agent will be able to walk you through each step of the process and ensure your home is sold quickly and for top dollar. (Learn more about our team here!)

-Determine the list price for your home. This is something your real estate agent will be able to help you determine based off current market trends, comps in the area, etc. Pricing your home too high could lead to your house sitting on the market for a while, and an underpriced house will leave money on the table.

-Get your home ready to sell by decluttering, making repairs and staging. You want potential buyers to walk in and feel like they are home. You should strive to make it comfortable, yet depersonalized enough that buyers can picture themselves living in the space. 

-Market and list your home. Most of this process will mostly fall on your real estate agent as they will be the one to list your home on the MLS database. Additionally, they may market your home in other ways such as holding an open house, a broker/agent showing, coordinating professional photographs of the home and posting sale signage in the yard. 

-Show your home. The more potential buyers that come through your doors, the more likely you are to receive an offer. Make sure that your home can be tidy and clean at a moments notice and you are able to leave your home during the showing as to not distract buyers. 

-Review offers that come in and negotiate if necessary. Besides the offer price, other areas to consider before accepting an offer include buyer pre-approval, seller concessions, closing costs, timeline and buyers contingencies. 

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! 

Did you know the photos that are used in your home listing are a crucial part of the home selling process? It’s true! They can be a large factor in the amount of initial interest your listing receives, and can be a great tool to showcase your home with homebuyers out of state. Below we discuss a few tips and tricks to help ensure your images not only turn out well, but stand out from the rest. Let’s dive in: 

-Our first tip is to ensure that your home doesn’t appear too “lived in.” You want to spend some time decluttering your home to help that the images turn out clear and allow buyers can focus on the home - not your things in it.

-If you are finding you need extra space to store bulky furniture or miscellaneous items, you may want to consider renting a storage unit. It is a great way to keep your items safe and in good repair until the home sells, while also decluttering the space. 

-Staging a home is known to increase not only the amount of offers that come in, but also the price of those offers. You can either stage the home yourself or bring in a professional staging company to help ensure the home looks its best and is staged to sell. 

-You want to make sure to highlight all the natural light and/or pretty views as those features are a huge selling point for potential buyers. Make sure all your curtains are open and windows are cleaned. For a better photograph, you want to make sure all lights and lamps are turned on, inside and out, but to make sure that all ceiling fans are turned off.

-Lastly, it is important to take some time to depersonalize your home. This includes excessive family photos, refrigerator door clutter and kids toys. You want the images to showcase the home itself and not have potential buyers be distracted by the other items throughout your home. 

Are you interested in hearing what our amazing clients are saying about us? Be sure to check out the Testimonials page here!