Real Estate Information

If you are a fan of pumpkin carving, costume stores and everything spooky, then we bet you are excited that Halloween is just a few days away! And while you may be daydreaming about your get-up and enjoying the thought of all the little trick-or-treaters that will soon be knocking on your door, you also should stop to think about some safety precautions to take to ensure everyone has a fun and safe holiday. And lucky for you we have you covered on that front. If you are interested in a few safety tips for your home this Halloween, then keep reading below!

Our first tip for you this Halloween is to make sure that the front of your home is well lit. While it may seem more haunting and spooky to keep your home dark, the dramatic effect is not worth someone potentially tripping or falling from not being able to see clearly. You are also more likely to ward off intruders and any criminal activity if your home is well lit at night. Next, you want to be sure to clear walking paths of any debris such as leaves, tangled roots and displaced branches. Many young and eager trick-or-treaters will do anything and everything they can to collect their sweet treats in a flash, so be sure to have a clear path for them to jog, run and skip to your front door.

While you may be tempted to dress your pet up in a festive costume and have them be a helping paw to hand out candy, it is best to keep them indoors and away from all commotion. No matter how well behaved Winston may be, pets can have anxiety with all the noise, strangers and masks that come with the holiday. Lastly, you should always be aware and attentive to fire safety. We know how much fun you had carving your pumpkins and just how much a candle brings the creation to life. But an open flame can be dangerous, especially if a dinosaur accidentally knocks over the lit pumpkin with its tale. So instead, maybe think about a flameless candle as an alternative to keep everyone safe and away from open flames this Halloween.

Who is ready for all the spooky October Halloween festivities to begin?! We sure are! If you don’t have plans yet, there are plenty of fun events and adventures happening all around Omaha this weekend. We have listed a few of the must-attend events below, so be sure to grab your family and friends and enjoy a little ghostly fun this weekend!

What: Baseballoween at Werner Park
When: October 26th
Where: Werner Park | 12354 Ballpark Way

What: Art Auction + Concert
When: October 26th
Where: Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts

What: Close to You: The Music of the Carpenters
When: October 26th
Where: 2700 College Rd. 

What: Cobweb Castle at the Children’s Museum
When: October 26th – 28th
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum | 500 S 20th St. 

What: Day of the Dead / Día de Muertos Exhibit
When: October 26th – 28th
Where: El Museo Latino | 4701 S 25th St. 

What: Fall Chrysanthemum Show
When: October 26th – 28th
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft St. 

What: Margie’s Garden Art Show
When: October 26th – 28th
Where: Hot Shops Art Center | 1301 Nicholas St. 

What: Masquerade at the Castle
When: October 26th & 27th
Where: Joslyn Castle | 3902 Davenport Street

What: Spooktacular at the Zoo
When: October 26th – 28th
Where: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium 

What: Deadman’s Party
When: October 27th
Where: Hilton Omaha | 1001 Cass St. 

What: Omaha’s Great Pumpkin Festival
When: October 27th
Where: Village Pointe Shopping Center 

What: Trick or Treat in the Forest
When: October 27th
Where: Fontenelle Forest/Neale Woods | 1111 N Bellevue Blvd. 

What: Super Heroes Day Trick-or-Treating Event
When: October 27th
Where: Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum 

What: Fall Festival at Lanoha Nurseries
When: October 27th & 28th
Where: 19111 West Center Road

What: Game Day at The Capitol District
When: October 27th & 28th
Where: 1022 Capitol Ave. 

What: The Little Engine That Could
When: October 27th & 28th
Where: The Rose Theater | 2001 Farnam St. 

What: Ghoulish Garden Adventure
When: October 28th
Where: Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft St. 

What: Old Market Fall Festival
When: October 28th
Where: Old Market | 11th & Harney 

What: Urban Surf
When: October 28th
Where: Neighborhood Offshore Boutique & Board Shop

What: She Kills Monsters 
When: October 26th – 28th
Where: Omaha Community Playhouse

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