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If you missed any of the holiday events around Omaha, NE over the last few weeks and are wanting to get out of the house for some socially distanced fun, we have good news - there is still time! Below we have listed all the fun events and adventures happening in and around Omaha, NE over the next few days. Additionally, we have listed a few ways to ring in the New Year indoors as we understand some of you are opting to keep your New Year’s celebrations at home this year. Let’s dive in:

What: Christmas at Union Station
When: December 29th 2020 - January 10th 2021
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Holiday Cultural Trees Display
When: December 29th 2020 - January 10th 2021
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Holiday Drive-Through Car Wash
When: December 29th & 30th
Where: 11910 M Street Omaha, NE

What: Holiday Lights Festival: Holidays in the Old Market 
When: December 29th 2020 - January 4th 2021
Where: Old Market | Harney to Jackson Streets & 10th to 13th Streets

What: Holiday Lights at Rockbrook Village
When: December 29th 2020 - January 8th 2021
Where: Rockbrook Village Shopping Center | 2800 S 110th Ct. Omaha, NE

What: Holidays at the General Crook House Museum 
When: December 29th 2020 - January 8th 2021
Where: General Crook House Museum | 5730 N 30th Street Omaha, NE

What: Merry and Bright Holiday Poinsettia Show
When: December 29th 2020 - January 3rd 2021
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: Miracle at Mercury: A Pop-up Christmas Cocktail Bar
When: December 30th & 31st
Where: Mercury | 329 S 16th Street #3 Omaha, NE

What: Santa’s Rock n Lights Drive-Through Light Show
When: December 29th 2020 - January 3rd 2021
Where: Werner Park | 12356 Ballpark Way Papillion, NE

What: Season’s Greetings, Omaha!
When: December 29th 2020 - January 10th 2021
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Winter Wonderland
When: December 29th 2020 - January 3rd 2021
Where: Fontenelle Forest | 1111 Bellevue Blvd. 

What: Bubble New Year’s Eve Party
When: December 31st
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th Street Omaha, NE

What: New Year’s Eve at Topgolf
When: December 31st
Where: 908 N 102nd Street Omaha, NE

What: Say Goodbye to 2020!
When: December 31st
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

Fun ways to ring in the New Year at home: 
*First things first: dress up! Even if you are planning to sit on the couch all night, keep things fun by doing it in sequence (or a fun outfit that you never got to wear this year). 

*Make a festive drink or cocktail that you can use to toast the New Year. You can find a fun recipe online or make one up yourself. 

*Hosting a video call with close family and/or friends is a great way to feel like you are all together for the holidays. You can play games, swap stories and do a toast to the New Year.

*If you were looking forward to a more lowkey evening, plan out a movie marathon with your favorite foods. Gather all your favorite movie titles, arrange your snacks and cozy up with your warmest blanket for a quiet night of cinema. 
 
Wishing you peace, love and laughter in the New Year! 

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With Christmas festivities in full swing, it is important to remember some simple tips to ensure a safe and joyous holiday season. Whether you are the baker, adventurer or candle lover of your family, we have you covered below. Let’s dive in: 

Tips for the cooks & bakers:
-Be sure to never leave cooking food unattended on the stove or fryer as this is the most common way cooking fires begin.
-Don’t forget to double check all labels and make yourself aware of any food sensitivities or allergies of your loved ones to prevent allergic reactions. 
-Take some time to quickly check your smoke detectors and switch out old batteries if necessary. 
-If you are using a deep fryer, make sure it is away from flammable materials and used only on a level surface.

Tips for the adventurer: 
-Invest in a security system to make sure your home is protected while you are away. This also helps to deter potential thieves.
-Don’t forget to hire a shoveling service if you won’t be home and snow is in the forecast.
-If you will be away for quite some time, it may be a good idea to pause your mail or ask a neighbor to come by and collect it for you every few days.

Tips for the candle lovers: 
-Make sure to only use sturdy, weighted candle holders to lessen the chances of them toppling and causing a fire.
-Only place lit candles on level, sturdy surfaces. 
-Take inventory of all your lit candles before the end of the night and be sure to blow each one out. You also want to blow out candles before they have a chance to burn all the way down. 
-It is recommended to keep about twelve inches on each side of a lit flame clear to make sure nothing catches fire. 
-It may not be a bad idea to switch out real candles with fake ones where you can to lessen the hazard in your home. 

Tips for the home: 
-If your home has a wood-burning stove or fireplace, be sure to have your chimney cleaned at least once a year. 
-Keep your Christmas tree hydrated and watered at all times. Dry trees are more likely to catch fire.
-Make sure to keep your trees away from heat sources. 
-It’s never a bad idea to install smart sensors on your water pipes to prevent potential water damage from a frozen or burst pipe.
-Look into flame-resistant decorations. 

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It’s that time of year! Glistening lights are being hung, Christmas carols are being sung and everyone is getting in the holiday spirit. If you are looking for festive events in and around Omaha, NE to celebrate the season then you are in the right place! Below you will find everything from holiday lights and tree displays to firework events, poinsettia exhibits, Christmas music shows, gingerbread habitats and much more. *Please observe social distancing guidelines. 

What: Christmas at Boulder Creek Lights Display
When: December 9th - 23rd
Where: Boulder Creek Amusement Park | 14208 S Street Omaha, NE

What: Christmas at Union Station
When: December 9th 2020 - January 10th 2021
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Holiday Cultural Trees Display
When: December 9th 2020 - January 10th 2021 | Tuesday - Sunday
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Here Comes Santa Claus… and Rudolph, Too!
When: December 9th - 23rd
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Holiday Lights Festival: Holidays in the Old Market
When: December 9th 2020 - January 4th 2021 
Where: Old Market | Harney to Jackson Streets & 10th to 13th Streets Omaha, NE

What: Holiday Lights Festival: South Omaha Lighting Display
When: December 9th 2020 - January 4th 2021
Where: Vic Gutman & Associates | 24th & N Streets Omaha, NE

What: Merry and Bright Holiday Poinsettia Show
When: December 9th 2020 - January 3rd 2021
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: Santa’s Magic
When: December 9th - 23rd
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th Street Omaha, NE

What: Santa’s Rock n Lights Drive-Through Light Show
When: December 9th 2020 - January 3rd 2021
Where: Werner Park | 12356 Ballpark Way Papillion, NE

What: Season’s Greetings, Omaha!
When: December 9th 2020 - January 10th 2021
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Season of Lights at Midtown Crossing
When: December 9th 2020 - February 14th 2021
Where: Midtown Crossing | 34th & Farnam Omaha, NE

What: Winter Wonderland
When: December 9th 2020 - January 3rd 2021
Where: Fontenelle Forest | 1111 N Bellevue Blvd. Bellevue, NE 

What: The Capitol District Igloos
When: December 11th 2020 - February 14th 2021
Where: The Capitol District | 1022 Capitol Ave Omaha, NE

What: Strings of the Season
When: December 12th - 20th
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: The Nutcracker Home Cinema Edition
When: December 12th - 25th
Website: https://amballet.org/look-whos-back-were-bringing-the-nutcracker-home/ Omaha, NE 68106

What: Joyful Noise: A Gospel Christmas
When: December 25th & 26th
Where: Holland Performing Arts Center | 1200 Douglas Street Omaha, NE

What: Omaha Symphony Presents Centennial Overtures: Home for the Holiday
When: December 18th & 19th
Where: Holland Performing Arts Center | 1200 Douglas Street Omaha, NE

What: Gingerbread Habitats
When: December 19th
Where: Fontenelle Forest | 1111 N Bellevue Blvd.

What: Polar Express Happy Hour and Trivia
When: December 19th
Where: Union Pacific Railroad Museum | 200 Pearl Street Council Bluffs, IA

What: Holiday Lights Festival: Fireworks Spectacular
When: December 31st
Where: CHI Health Center Omaha | 455 N 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Say Goodbye to 2020!
When: December 31st
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

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!

With the holiday season in full swing, now is the perfect time to begin decorating the outside of your home to add some Christmas flair and festive curb appeal. Below we have listed a few simple ways to achieve this and bring a little holiday spirit to your neighborhood. Let’s dive in: 

-Holiday wreaths are a simple and wonderful way to bring a little holiday cheer to the outside of your home. They serve as a warm welcome to your guests as they enter your front door.

-While on the topic, you can also add a holiday door mat and/or a festive garland to really deck out your front entrance. Garlands are perfect for wrapping columns, framing doorways and draping over railings. 

-Incorporating vibrant, traditional colors to the front of your home is sure to bring the holiday spirit to any passersby. Potted poinsettias are a great way to achieve this with their bold green and red coloring, as well as evergreen trees or plants. You can use them to line your walkway or simply cluster them together at your front entrance. 

-Another great way to add Christmas curb appeal to your home is through winter props. Items such as wooden sleds, warm lanterns, nutcrackers, stocking, artificial trees, lights and other holiday decorations are a wonderful way to elevate the outside of your home. 

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With Thanksgiving tomorrow and the holiday season in full swing, now is the perfect time to celebrate around our beautiful city of Omaha, NE! Below we have listed all the fun activities and events being held this weekend and over the next few weeks for you to check out. You will find everything from art and Poinsettia shows, to cultural tree exhibits, lighting displays, holiday plays and much more! *Please observe social distancing guidelines. 

What: Holiday Lights Festival: Holidays in the Old Market
When: November 25th 2020 - January 4th 2021
Where: Old Market | Harney to Jackson Street & 10th to 13th Streets Omaha, NE

What: Merry and Bright Holiday Poinsettia Show
When: November 25th 2020 - January 3rd 2021
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: Holiday Lights Festival: South Omaha Lighting Display
When: November 25th 2020 - January 4th 2021
Where: 24th & N Streets Omaha, NE

What: Molas: The Art of Panama
When: November 25th - December 31st
Where: El Museo Latino | 4701 S 25th Street Omaha, NE

What: Season of Lights at Midtown Crossing
When: November 25th 2020 - February 14th 2021
Where: Midtown Crossing | 34th & Farnam Omaha, NE

What: Santa’s Rock n Lights Drive-Through Light Show
When: November 25th - December 31st
Where: Werner Park | 12356 Ballpark Way Papillion, NE

What: Christmas at Boulder Creek Lights Display
When: November 27th - December 23rd
Where: Boulder Creek Amusement Park | 14208 S Street Omaha, NE

What: The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited
When: November 25th 2020 - January 9th 2021 | Tuesday - Saturday
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Here Comes Santa Clause..and Rudolph, Too!
When: November 27th - December 23rd | Tuesday - Sunday
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Game Day at The District
When: November 27th - December 12th
Where: 1022 Capitol Avenue Omaha, NE

What: Christmas at Union Station
When: November 27th - January 10th
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Holiday Cultural Trees Display
When: November 27th 2020 - January 10th 2021 | Tuesday - Sunday
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: It’s a Wonderful LIfe
When: November 27th - December 20th | Friday - Sunday
Where: The Rose Theater | 2001 Farnam Omaha, NE

What: Santa’s Magic
When: November 27th - December 23rd
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th Street Omaha, NE

What: The Capitol District Igloos
When: November 27th 2020 - February 14th 2021 | Friday - Sunday
Where: The Capitol District | 1022 Capitol Avenue Omaha, NE

What: Season’s Greetings, Omaha!
When: November 27th 2020 - January 10th 2021 | Tuesday - Sunday
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Strings of the Season
When: November 28th - December 20th | Saturday & Sunday
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Bug Squad
When: November 25th 2020 - April 11th 2021 | Wednesday - Sunday
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th Street Omaha, NE

What: Back to Normal: An Exploration of Spring 2020
When: November 25th - December 23rd | Wednesday - Saturday
Where: 4011 Farnam Street Omaha, NE

What: Anime Nebraskon
When: November 25th 2020 - November 7th 2021
Where: Ramada Plaza by Wyndham | 3321 S 72nd Street Omaha, NE

Wishing you and your family a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving! 

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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! 

The next two weeks in Omaha, NE are loaded with fun events and adventures that you won’t want to miss! We have listed a few below for you to check out (and hopefully add to your calendar). You will find everything from art exhibits and musical productions, to cookie decorating, yoga in the forest, an igloo adventure, overnights at the Zoo and much more! *Please observe social distancing guidelines. 

What: Back to Normal: An Exploration of Spring 2020
When: November 11th - December 23rd | Wednesday - Saturday
Where: 4011 Farnam Street Omaha, NE

What: Bug Squad
When: November 11th 2020 - April 11th 2021 | Wednesday - Saturday
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th Street Omaha, NE

What: The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited | Tuesday - Saturday
When: November 11th 2020 - January 9th 2021
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Sporty Women: The Desire to Compete
When: November 11th - December 31st
Where: Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Molas: The Art of Panama
When: November 11th - December 31st
Where: El Museo Latino | 4701 S 25th Street Omaha, NE

What: Comedy Night at the Zoo featuring Greg Warren
When: November 13th & 14th
Where: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium | 3701 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Joslyn Castle Public Tours
When: November 12th - December 17th
Where: Joslyn Castle | 3902 Davenport Street Omaha, NE

What: Dreams in the Desert (Desert Dome): A Family Overnight Safari 
When: November 14th
Where: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium | 3701 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: The Capitol District Igloos
When: November 13th 2020 - February 14th 2021 | Friday - Sunday
Where: The Capitol District | 1022 Capitol Avenue Omaha, NE

What: Game Day at The District
When: November 14th - December 12th
Where: 1022 Capitol Avenue Omaha, NE

What: Yoga at the Forest
When: November 15th - December 13th | Sunday’s
Where: Fontenelle Forest | 1111 N Bellevue Blvd. 

What: Yoga at the Malcolm X Center
When: November 16th 
Where: Malcolm X Birthsite | 3448 Evans Street

What: Season of Lights at Midtown Crossing
When: November 20th 2020 - February 14th 2021
Where: Midtown Crossing | 34th & Farnam Omaha, NE

What: It’s a Wonderful Life
When: November 20th - December 20th | Friday - Sunday
Where: The Rose Theater | 2001 Farnam Omaha, NE

What: Snoozing Under the Sea: A Family Overnight Safari
When: November 20th - December 20th
Where: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium | 3701 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Yoga in the Aquarium 
When: November 21st
Where: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium | 3701 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Merry and Bright Holiday Poinsettia Show
When: November 21st 2020 - January 3rd 2021
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE

What: Omaha Symphony Presents Centennial Overtures
When: November 13th
Where: Holland Performing Arts Center | 1200 Douglas Street Omaha, NE

What: Sleeping in a Sea Cave Safari at the Zoo
When: November 13th
Where: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium | 3701 S 10th Street Omaha, NE

What: Sunday Trekking in the Forest
When: November 15th - December 13th | Sunday’s
Where: Fontenelle Forest | 1111 N Bellevue Blvd. 

What: Cookie Decorating Event
When: November 20th
Where: Nebraska Furniture Mart | 700 S 72nd Street Omaha, NE

What: Owl Prowl
When: November 21st
Where: Fontenelle Forest | 1111 N Bellevue Blvd. 

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 home is one of the largest purchases most people will make in their lifetime. Many people will find their desired community and ultimately the home they want to settle into - but what if that home seems to come with a questionably high price tag? 

Below we have a couple ways to help you figure out if the asking price matches the property - let’s dive in! 

-One way to figure out if the price is right is to compare the desired home to other properties in the area.  Comparing apples to apples will allow you to see how it matches up to other houses with similar features, which is ultimately a good indicator of how much you should be paying. You can look at homes that just sold, as well as similar properties that are currently for sale.

-Speaking with a reputable and knowledgeable real estate agent is another great way to figure out if a home is priced correctly. A good agent will have a pulse on the community and give you an idea if you would be paying too much for the property by doing a comparative market analysis. Additionally, if the home you are looking at does not pan out they should be able to show you other communities that are similar and fit within your set budget.

-Patience can be key when it comes to purchasing a home, especially if you believe it is priced too high. Some sellers will end up pricing the property too high because of their emotional attachment instead of setting a price that is more in line with what the home is actually worth. You may have to wait things out to see if the seller will either lower the price or be more willing to accept a lower offer if the listing has been on the market for a while. 

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

It goes without saying that Halloween this year looks a bit different than years past. While some families are opting for the traditional celebrations, others are looking for more remote options. In today’s post we are going to be discussing a few ways to conduct your spooky festivities at home, as well as some local celebrations you can attend around the Omaha, NE area. Let’s dive right in! 

For a spooky night in: 

-One way to celebrate the most haunted night of the year is to have a virtual costume party with family and friends. Not only is this a great excuse to connect with loved ones, but you can spend the time showing off costumes, the spooky decorations around your home and playing games. 

-A great way to enjoy the spirit of Halloween is watching a movie - how scary it ends up being is up to you! If you have children, consider dressing them up as their favorite character to add a bit more fun to the evening. 

-Nothing says Halloween more than an evening spent decorating pumpkins. For families with children, consider painting pumpkins instead to avoid any carving injuries. Don’t forget to roast the pumpkin seeds for a fun fall snack! 

For a spooky weekend around Omaha, NE: 
*Please observe social distancing guidelines.

What: Halloween drive-through car wash
When: October 29th & 30th | 5pm-9pm
Where: 11910 M. Street Omaha, NE

What: Day of the Dead at Omaha Children’s Museum
When: October 31st - November 1st | 9-11:30am & 12:30-3pm
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th Street Omaha, NE

What: Howl-O-Ween Safari
When: October 25th - 31st | 12pm - 4pm
Where: 16406 N. 292 Street Ashland, NE

What: Day of the Dead/Dia de Muertos
When: October 28th - November 1st | Wednesday - Saturday
Where: El Museo Latino | 4701 S 25th Street Omaha, NE

What: Freaky Film Friday: The Nightmare Before Christmas
When: October 30th | 7-9pm
Where: 2200 Dodge Street Omaha, NE

What: Monster Mash Halloween Event
When: October 31st | 10am - 2pm
Where: 28210 West Park Highway Ashland, NE

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Halloween weekend! 

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!