Real Estate Information Archive

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! 

When selling your home, there are many factors that determine whether your property will sell quickly or sit on the market for a while. If you are in the process of selling your Omaha, NE home and are wondering why it hasn’t sold yet, we encourage you to keep reading as we have outlined a few reasons why the “For Sale” sign may still be up. Let’s dive in:

-The price is too high.
We understand the attachment people have with their homes, however you have to make sure the emotion doesn’t push you to overprice the property and expect people to pay more than it's actually worth.

-The home needs renovations.
Is your home needing those repairs that you have been putting off for years? Are your appliances and fixtures outdated? While some buyers enjoy the challenge and freedom that comes with home renovations, many buyers are looking for a house that is move-in ready. You are better off taking the time and money to do at least some light renovations and updating before your home hits the market. 

-The home is not staged well. 
When potential buyers view your home either online or in person you want them to feel as if the space is livable and functional for them and their family. One way to achieve this is by staging your home and giving buyers an idea of how certain spaces can be used and rooms can be laid out. 

-The listing photos don’t show the house well.
Buyers will typically begin their home search online by scrolling through listings and zooming in/out of images of properties (this is especially true given the current climate). That is why it is so important to have a professional snap the images of your home. Ideally you would use a photographer who is familiar with real estate photography as they will know all the right angles and shots to capture. You want to put your best foot forward and showcase all the wonderful features of your property. 

-The time of year.
Your home not selling could come down to something as simple as timing. Especially when it comes to time of year, as spring and summer months tend to be a better time to sell a home than winter and fall. 

-Your home appeals to a specific buyer.
If your home is unique and unlike others in the area, it can definitely prove to be an advantage in many ways. On the flip side, it  may also mean that you have to wait a bit longer for the right buyer to come along and fall in love with the property. 

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! 

During your hunt for a new Omaha, NE home you may come across properties that are listed as a short sale. If you are not familiar with this real estate phrase then you are in the right place as today we are going to be discussing not only what a short sale is, but also the pros and cons that can come along with it. Let’s dive in: 

What is a short sale?
When a property owner owes more on the outstanding mortgage than the home is worth a short sale can take place. Essentially, the bank or mortgage company will allow the owner to list and sell the home for “short” of the amount that is still to be paid. Even though this causes the lender to lose money in the deal, it is still seen as a better route for the bank and property owner than foreclosure. 

Pros of a short sale:
-The obvious upside of a short sale is price. A buyer has the potential to purchase a home for a lower price and get into a house/neighborhood they otherwise may not have been able to afford. 

-A short sale can be less risky than purchasing a foreclosure as the homeowners are likely to still be occupying and taking care of the property. 

-Another pro of a short sale is that you are likely to find way less competition as many buyers tend to shy away from situations that are not a standard transaction - this is especially true with first time home buyers. 

Cons of a short sale: 
-Homes are sold as-is in a short sale and the buyer is not able to negotiate price based on necessary home repairs, updates or improvements. 

-On that same note, you may find the home needing repairs/updates/improvements so it is a good idea to get a home inspection and factor these costs into your budget. 

-A short sale transaction has the potential to take longer than a traditional home sale as the lender that holds the mortgage has to approve the offer in addition to the seller. 

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! 

Preparing your home to list and sell can be a stressful process as you want it to show well and appeal to potential buyers. And while there is no love like a pet's love, your furry family members can definitely wreak havoc on your property and create more work to get your home show-ready. 

Below we have outlined a few things to look for and pet damage to repair prior to buyers entering your home for showings. Let’s dive in: 

-The first and most pressing pet issue to address is odor. Not only can pet odor be quite difficult to get rid of, it is also very obvious to potential home buyers and can be one of the first things they notice upon entering your home. And although getting rid of odors the right way can be expensive (i.e replacing flooring, new paint, etc), it is well worth the investment and can greatly benefit your resale value. You also want to be sure to vacuum everyday while your home is on the market and being shown to keep odors away during the selling process. 

-Scratches - they are common in most homes, but are likely to be more prominent in ones with pets. There is a good chance if you have been living in your home for a while that you have grown accustomed to seeing them on walls and floors, but when selling your home you want to take inventory of what needs to be fixed up. You can look into having your scratched hardwood floors professionally refinished, and having scratches on trims, walls, doors and cabinets lightly sanded, speckled and painted. 

-The outside of your house will be potential buyers first impression of your property, so you want to ensure to take extra care of any pet damage that may be in the front of your home. This can include anything from filling in holes your pets have dug up, replacing plants they have chewed and fixing damage to fencing, porches and home exterior.

-Lastly, even though your furniture will be going with you in the move, having chewed surfaces in your home can make the space appear sloppy during showings and broadcast that pets live there. You can either repair the damaged pieces, replace the furniture altogether or maneuver the furniture in a way that the damage doesn't show to guests. 

Selling your Omaha, NE home? Allow our team of professional, knowledgable and trustworthy real estate agents to go to work for you! Additionally, don't miss our "Seller Tips" page here! 

There is no denying that preparing to sell your home can be a very stressful time for you and your family - now tack on a global pandemic and the process can seem downright overwhelming. The little items on your to-do list seem never-ending as you do your best to make your home as appealing as possible to potential buyers. 

In an effort to ease some of the stress, we have broken down a few items below for you to review and start checking off your list. One step (and check mark) at a time, you got this!  

Bedrooms:
-Make all beds each day (invest in new linens if any are looking worn)
-Clear off surfaces of furniture items such as bedside tables and dressers
-Keep floors clear and mop/vacuum frequently so no dust builds up
-Organize closets and be sure to keep doors closed for showings 

Bathrooms: 
-Make sure all surfaces are clean and clear of clutter
-Replace old hand towels with new decorative ones 
-Run your shower curtain through the washer (or purchase a new one if yours looks worn)
-Sanitize countertops and any moldy areas within the bathroom (corners of sinks and bathtubs, etc.)
-Clean toilet bowl and always be sure to keep toilet lids closed during showings 
-Make sure garbage cans are completely empty and clean
-Replace caulking if necessary 

Living and Family Rooms:
-Remove any furniture that makes the area feel small and closed off
-Make sure tables are clear of clutter
-Put away any toys from children/dogs
-Incorporate decorative throws and pillows to make the space soft and inviting 

Kitchen:
-Clear off all unnecessary items from countertops 
-Organize the pantry so it looks neat and tidy 
-Deep clean the microwave, stove and oven
-Remove any magnets and/or pictures from the refrigerator doors 
-Clean tile grout (bleach it if necessary)
-For showings, put away pet food and water dishes
-Make sure the garbage is empty prior to each showing

Laundry:
-Remove all clothing from the room (dirty or clean)
-Put away (or organize) any laundry soap and supplies
-Make sure floors are clear and clean – vacuum and mop frequently
-Keep all surfaces clear and clean 

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!

Listing your home to sell is an exciting time as you prepare to say goodbye to one chapter and welcome the next with open arms. But before you put your home on the market there are a few steps you should take to increase your chances of selling quickly and for top dollar. 

The home staging process is crucial to ensure your property shows well and potential buyers can see themselves living in the space. Below we have listed a few tips and tricks to help you stage your Omaha, NE home – let’s dive in! 

-The first step in staging your home is to de-clutter the space. Too much furniture can make your home appear small and closed off and too many items around can distract potential buyers. This will also allow for a clean canvas for you to stage.

-You will also want to depersonalize your home. We understand this may sound strange but having family photos everywhere and kids’ artwork hanging on the fridge can make buyers feel like they are visiting your home, instead of envisioning themselves settling in and making a home for themselves there.

-Steam clean the carpets (you can do this yourself or hire a company) to make sure there are no stains or odors. 

-Paint rooms that are looking dull. It is a good idea to stick to white or neutral colors as to not throw off potential buyers with colors that don’t match their taste and preference. It will also make rooms appear larger. 

-Natural light is a huge selling point for potential buyers, so make sure windows are clean to allow the sunlight to shine through. You may also opt to replace dark window treatments with lighter ones.

-Style your dining room table to make the space welcoming and fun. This is an area that is largely forgotten about when it comes to staging and can really make a big difference.

-Rooms should not be left unfurnished but instead staged by how the spaces can be best utilized. This will help potential buyers easily see how each room can be used and designed. 

-Crank up the curb appeal with a freshly painted front door, add a welcoming wreath, trim the grass and plant colorful flowers all around. A first impression is crucial – especially when it comes to buying a home! 

Be sure to check out our "Seller Tips" page here for more information on selling your Omaha, NE home!

If you are in the process of listing your home to sell, then you understand just how important it is that your house appeals to a range of buyers. And while the thought of major home renovations seems very daunting and costly, you can rest assured that route is not always the way to go. 

Since you will have a variety of people touring your home, many with vastly different tastes and preferences, it may be best to keep things simple when it comes up fixing things up as to not deter potential buyers. There are many time-efficient and cost-effective ways to spruce up your home and bring a little life back into the living spaces. 

Below we have listed a few DIY home improvement projects that you can tackle over a few weekends to ensure your home shows well to potential buyers in the weeks to follow:

-The first weekend, before you do anything else, you will want to take time to declutter your home in a big way. Nothing screams chaos and closes off a space more than having too many unnecessary items around. Take a few days to donate or throw away items you no longer need (including clothing, toys, furniture, decor, etc.) and clear a clean space to conduct the rest of your DIY projects.

-There is no better or cost-effective way to liven up your home then a fresh layer of paint. We recommend coating your walls with neutral colors that complement each other. If you can’t do every room in the house, stick to the high-traffic areas such as the living room, kitchen and family room. 

-On that note, if your kitchen is looking a little outdated, a way to save money but also freshen up this space is to paint your kitchen cabinets. This option is much more inexpensive then replacing them altogether and you may be shocked at how it changes the whole aesthetic of the area. 

-Another inexpensive project is to replace and update the hardware in your kitchen and bathrooms. Your goal should be to achieve a cohesive style throughout which will help make your home appear more up-to-date and move-in ready. 

-Consider adding a mosaic backsplash to your kitchen. This is something you can do on your own, is relatively inexpensive and can completely transform the look and feel of the space. 

-If you have carpets in any area of your home, be sure they are deep cleaned prior to the start of showings. Although vacuums help, your carpets are home to dirt, dust, allergens and odors that can only be removed through deep cleaning. It will be a major turn off to buyers to have unpleasant odors around while touring your home, so this is a must!

Selling your home in Omaha, NE? Be sure to check out our Home Selling Tips page here for more useful tips and tricks!