Real Estate Information Archive

Even for the seasoned buyer the home buying process can prove to not only be stressful, but filled with questions and many moments of uncertainty. The best thing you can do as a buyer is to arm yourself with information prior to beginning your search so you can walk in as prepared as possible. 

Below we dive into 5 frequently asked questions that many home buyers have and provide information on each topic. Let’s jump in:

What is the first step in the home buying process?

Mortgage pre-approval. 

The first step in the home buying process is to get pre-approved for a mortgage. Getting pre-approved for a loan will allow the buyer to understand exactly how much home they can afford and search for houses within their set budget. Buyers will need to provide proof of income, proof of assets, employment verification, good credit and other documentation when applying. 

What can I expect my real estate agent to do during the home buying process? 

A lot. 

When it comes time to buy a home, your real estate agent will become your new best friend and biggest advocate. They are the most valuable asset you have as their knowledge and expertise will help you navigate each aspect of the home buying process. Throughout the entire transaction your realtor will not only represent you, but they will be there to educate you on all of your options and answer any questions you have (because there will probably be lots of them!). 

How long does the closing normally take?

It depends. 

Typically you can expect the closing process to take around 30-45 days if you have a conventional mortgage, but every situation is different and timelines can vary. While there are some delays that unfortunately are unavoidable (and frustrating) there are a few things you can do to help ensure things run smoothly including depositing the down payment on time, making sure the loan application is complete and fulfilling all unpaid debts. 

Is it necessary to get a home inspection?

Yes.

Any time you are purchasing a home you should always get an inspection, even if it’s a new construction. Inspections are relatively inexpensive and will provide you with useful knowledge such as structural issues, safety problems, any unwanted pests and/or insects, and overall peace of mind and protection on your largest investment. 

How much should I be saving for a down payment?

Aim for 20% of purchase price.

The magic number many experts say to aim for when it comes to a down payment is at least 20% of the purchase price as it lowers the buyers lending risk. This will allow you to avoid paying for private mortgage insurance (PMI) and added interest to your mortgage payment. As an example, if your dream home is $350,000 you should plan to save around $70,000 for a down payment.

What type of community and home are you searching for? Put our years of local experience and real estate knowledge to work for you. Give us a call or start your customized home search today right here.

We love the Omaha area for so many reasons. With its gorgeous location along the Mississippi River, and home to many fortune 500 companies, four bustling entertainment districts, over 200 parks, and world-class shopping and dining. But it’s the people and the neighborhoods that make the Omaha area a fantastic place to call home. With that said, we have the latest update to the Top Omaha Neighborhoods and Suburbs to call home for 2022…drum roll, please!

Top Omaha Neighborhoods:

Benson- Do you have an artsy, creative flair? Then you’ll fit right in with the Benson neighborhood. Affordable homes with lots to do in the area. Great local coffee shops, a foodie haven, and wonderful shops and schools. Search all Homes for Sale in Benson.

Old Market- Omaha’s most historic neighborhood, with beautiful cobblestone streets & entertaining nightlife. A relatively small neighborhood hosting Omaha’s famous Farmer’s Market, great shops and dining, art galleries, bars, and lots of socializing. A more expensive area, but home values are on the rise and this neighborhood has an 87% walkability rating! Search all Homes for Sale in Old Market.

Dundee- This charming neighborhood knows what community means and keeps up with its homes and neighbors. Often referred to as the golden child of the city, it is the safest neighborhood and the very home of Warren Buffet for over 60 years.  Great affordability for homes and walkable to most of your favorite places. Ahh, yes, please. Search all Homes for Sale in Dundee.

Leavenworth- A neighborhood full of lovely parks, moderately priced homes, great schools, and nightlife too!  Add to that the shops at Midland Crossing and you have the perfect neighborhood for any family. Again, if you’re looking for a great neighborhood with walkability to your favorite places, Leavenworth may be the place for you.  Search all Homes for Sale in Leavenworth.

Aksarben/Elmwood Park- Just south of Dundee, Aksarben Village is the hub of community activity and home to many upscale apartments and condos with lots of retail space, parks, and offices nearby. It is also nearby Baxter Arena, home to the many University of Nebraska at Omaha Sports Teams. Home prices here are in the $200,000.  Search all Homes for Sale in Aksarben/Elmwood Park.

Top Suburbs of Omaha to Live:

Papillion- Just south of Omaha is this tight-knit, charming community of Papillion. Boasting incredible shopping, namesake brewing, 650 acres of park space & bike trails, golf courses, recreation areas and excellent schools. This is a top-notch suburb for you and your family to call home. Search all Homes for Sale in Papillion.

Gretna- A small, beautiful community known for its parks and attractions, Gretna is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. You’ll also love the great dining and shopping options and wonderful schools for your family to enjoy. Search all Homes for Sale in Gretna.

Chalco- This mid-sized city, along the Missouri River, is new to the list but offers a suburban charm with lots of outdoor amenities. Fishing, boating, nature trails, and home to the Chalco Hill Recreation Area. Highly rated schools that are fantastic for families and have very affordable housing options. Search all Homes for Sale in Chalco.

La Vista- Officially the youngest town in Nebraska, La Vista offers the advantages of a small town, with all the opportunities of a large city. Featuring well-kept homes on beautiful tree-lined streets, and home to many corporations boasts a wide range of home options. Amenities include 17 parks, a sports complex, swimming pool, community center, senior rec center, library, and excellent schools. Search all Homes for Sale in La Vista.

Bennington- The town of Bennington may be small, but once you’ve visited here beneath the miles of blue skies and shade of heritage trees among the quiet and beautiful surroundings, you’ll know why it’s one of our best-kept secrets! Today Bennington combines the serenity of a farming community with the culture of a more metropolitan area. You’ll enjoy great schools, access to everyday necessities, and a short drive to anything that Omaha has to offer. Search all Homes for Sale in Bennington.

What type of community and home are you searching for? Put our years of local experience and real estate knowledge to work for you. Give us a call or start your customized home search today right here.

There is something to be said about the charm and character that comes along with buying an older home. And while you should always check on various areas of the house you are purchasing, plumbing is one that should not be overlooked - especially if you are eyeing an older property. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Be sure to check back each week for more real estate and Omaha, NE community information! Also, are you following us on Facebook? If not, be sure to check us out here! 

Homeowners associations (HOA’s) can be an attractive aspect of a community or a complete dealbreaker for homebuyers. If you find yourself searching for homes with an HOA but aren’t quite sure how you feel, today’s blog post may be able to deliver some clarity. 

Before we get into pros and cons of HOA’s, let's first discuss what they are. A homeowner’s association is an organization within a neighborhood, subdivision or condominium that is in charge of creating and enforcing rules and regulations for the properties within the community. 

Pros of an HOA

-Amenities. HOA’s typically will offer and manage amenities such as pools, parks, tennis courts and community centers, all of which are assessable to community members. 

-Maintenance. HOA’s will typically handle all community maintenance including snow removal, trash pickup, landscaping and the upkeep of private roads. 

-Appearance. HOA’s oversee and ensure the community is neat at all times. This is especially nice if you are in the process of selling your home as a clean neighborhood is appealing to potential buyers. 

-Mediator. HOA’s are able to step in if a conflict were to arise with a neighbor or fellow community member. Turning issues over to the HOA is a great way to ensure the issue is resolved fairly, making it easier for both parties involved. 

Cons of an HOA 

-Cost. The cost of an HOA can vary based on property and the amenities that are provided, but an added cost nonetheless. 

-Fines. It is important to fully understand what is expected from you as a homeowner in a community with an HOA to avoid being penalized with unexpected fines and fees. 

-Rules. Some people are turned off from HOA’s because they are told what they can and can’t do with a property they own. Things such as exterior paint color, dimensions of fencing, how tall your grass can be, the number of pets you can have and type of window coverings that are visible from the street are all things HOA’s can dictate. 

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!

Charm and character are two aspects of older homes that greatly appeal to many buyers. While some people enjoy the unique design elements that older homes afford, they also have their fair share of upkeep and potentially costly repairs and renovations. 
 
Below we discuss a few things to keep in mind if an older home is on your wish list. Let’s dive in: 
 
1. Consider bringing in a second inspector when purchasing an older property to ensure nothing was missed and you know exactly what you are getting into. It will be worth the extra money to have confidence that no costly repairs pop up in the future that should have been handled prior to the sale.
 
2. Older properties stand a higher chance of having lead paint on the walls thought the house, which can pose major health risks (especially in children). Chipped, flaking or chipped paint should be tested by the inspector.
 
3. Mold is something that can wreak havoc on your life if you do not treat it correctly. It’s a common thing to find in homes that have been sitting empty for some time and/or have poor circulation. Remedying the situation could be quite expensive so be sure to test for mold in places such as attics, living quarters and basements. 
 
4. Lastly, be sure to inquire about how long the home has been sitting vacant. The longer the house has been without air or water circulation the more likely you are to come across costly problems such as mold, moisture buildup and rodent infestations. 
 

From new, modern homes to old fixer-uppers, whatever your taste let our experienced team help you find your dream home in Omaha, NE. Be sure to sign up for our listing alerts here!

Buying a house is the largest purchase most people will make in their lifetime. And while the internet is a wonderful place to find information when it comes to home buying, there is also a lot of information out there that is misleading or downright not true. In today’s blog post we are going to be discussing four common myths about home buying - let’s dive in: 

1. The first myth that we are debunking is that you need a 20% down payment. While sometimes this is true and putting that much down can have its benefits, you don’t always need that much to buy your dream home. There are some loan programs that allow for half of that, or even less. 

2. The second myth that we are busting is that you have to be completely out of debt before you are able to own a home. Yes, that means if you are carrying student loans or other forms of debt, you could still qualify. Mortgage underwriters like to see you using and managing credit responsibly, so ensuring your payments are made on time is crucial. 

3. Piggybacking off our last myth, number three is that your credit score needs to be perfect to buy a home. Of course having a good credit score will only help you, but don’t stress if its not great. For a conventional loan approval, the minimum FICO credit score is around 620. 

4. The last myth we are exposing is that it is cheaper to rent than to own. In the short term there may be some truth to this statement, however if you plan on renting for a few years or longer, it could be in your best interest to put that money towards an asset you own. Renting is a great option for someone who moves around a lot, but if you are planning to stay in one place for a while buying can be a great option. 

Have other home buying questions and/or myths you want to discuss? Contact our experienced team today and let us help you find your perfect home in Omaha, NE! 

So you applied for a mortgage (congratulations!) and you are wondering if there are things you should avoid doing until the process is finalized. The short answer is yes, and below we have listed five things for you to review and (hopefully) avoid doing. Let’s dive in: 

1.It is so important to ensure your bills are paid on time and to not to miss any credit card and/or loan payments. Why you ask? Well when it comes to your credit score, payment history is one of the most important factors. It can really hurt you if you show late/missed payments on credit accounts. 

2. While this next one can potentially be out of your control, you don’t want to actively switch jobs during the loan-approval process. Doing so could lead to income adjustments and thus revisions to the total amount of money you are ultimately approved for. 

3. Applying for new credit is another big no-no. Knowing your credit can be pulled at any time until the loan is finalized, you want to steer clear of anything that can negatively impact your score. Opening new lines of credit can have negative impacts on your score and further debt accumulation can increase the debt-to-income ratio (which lenders don’t want to see). 

4. ​Avoid making large deposits without a paper trail as this can indicate newly borrowed money to a loan underwriter, which in turn could read as an increase to your debt-to-income ratio. Any large sum of money that is deposited should have a clear explanation. 

5. ​Steer clear of large purchases after applying for a mortgage. Doing so could either lower your savings amount if paying cash, or increase your credit utilization and debt-to-income ratio. Hold off on furniture and appliance shopping until after the mortgage is finalized.

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. 

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Buying a house is likely the largest purchase an individual will make in their lifetime. It takes time to save for a downpayment, find the right real estate agent, tour potential homes and finally put an offer together. 

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

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

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

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

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

From new, modern homes to old fixer-uppers - whatever your taste let our experienced team help you find your dream home in Omaha, NE. Be sure to sign up for our listing alerts here!

Whether you are the buyer or seller in a real estate transaction, the home inspection is a very important part of the process. While the inspection is designed to protect the buyer of the sale and alert them of damage to the home, a poor result from the inspection can open the door to renegotiation. In today’s blog post we are going to be discussing what a home inspection is and all the ins and outs of the process. Let’s dive in:

A home inspection is a ‘non-invasive’ examination of the property and a crucial part of the home buying process. A licensed home inspector will come to the property and review the home for structural, mechanical and/or electrical defects. The process is designed to give the buyer a more comprehensive overview of the house they are purchasing and ensure there are minimal surprises when they move in. 

The home inspection process is not required by law, but it is definitely worth the money. It acts as a protection of the investment the buyer is making, while also giving them peace of mind that the integrity and condition of the home is in good repair. The inspection will typically take place a short time after the offer is accepted by the seller.

During the process, the inspector of the home will look for any issues having to do with the home’s electrical system, heating/cooling system, plumbing, windows, doors, foundation, roof and more. If you are the seller and are looking to prepare for a home inspection, there are a few things you can do. First, you need to ensure that all your paperwork is in order and begin addressing repairs that you know will be red flags to the inspector and need attention right away. Second, about a week before the inspection is scheduled, begin removing any clutter or items that could interfere with the inspection. Lastly, ensure your home is clean and everyone is out of your home on the day of the inspection.

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!