Omaha Moves Here
Rising Childcare Costs Hurt Homeownership
Posted by Mike Dein - Jan 15, 2020, 9:33 AM
A major challenge, when it comes to affording a home, is the high cost of childcare. One report found childcare costs have risen 49% in the last 25 years.
Your New Home Checklist
Posted by John Hardy - Jan 13, 2020, 9:10 AM
Moving into a new home is exciting – and can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created your “Welcome Home” Checklist!
Preventing Ring Doorbell and Camera Hacks
Posted by John Hardy - Jan 6, 2020, 10:57 AM
Ring has been in the news lately for cyber criminals hacking into cameras as they did in this Nebraska home.
Avoid Debt this Holiday Season
Posted by John Hardy - Dec 13, 2019, 1:32 PM
You want to shower your loved ones with gifts but you don't want the holidays to become a season of debt you'll still be paying for next year.
What Co-Signing on Someone Else’s Mortgage Means for You
Posted by Mike Dein - Dec 11, 2019, 10:09 AM
If you have a good credit and steady income you may be asked to co-sign someone's home loan. If they miss a payment your FICO score can drop 90- 110 points.
Commonly Overlooked Home Hazards
Posted by John Hardy - Dec 4, 2019, 10:01 AM
You don’t have to save your cleaning for the spring! Zillow researchers narrowed down the top five household hazards and how you can avoid them.
Buying a Home for the Holidays
Posted by John Hardy - Dec 2, 2019, 10:20 AM
During the holidays, home buying and selling activity tends to slow down, if you're a buyer this can work to your advantage.
Seniors Need to Consider the Financial Perspective of Their Home
Posted by aneedham - Nov 11, 2019, 10:43 AM
After years of living independently and countless memories, you’ve made the difficult decision to move into an assisted living facility.
7 Inexpensive Ways to Add Value to Your Home
Posted by John Hardy - Oct 30, 2019, 11:10 AM
A couple of inexpensive changes can make a big difference to potential buyers who are touring your home.
Warning: 7 Outdated Home Décor Trends According to Real Estate Experts
Posted by John Hardy - Oct 28, 2019, 9:51 AM
All good trends must come to an end! It all depends on how long you plan on living in your home. Your style preferences come first.
Expect Bidding Wars this Fall
Posted by John Hardy - Oct 22, 2019, 8:53 AM
After a busy Spring, and two late-in-the-year rate cuts we're expecting an even busier Fall, bidding wars included.
Investing in Real Estate vs. Stocks
Posted by Mike Dein - Oct 16, 2019, 8:43 AM
While all investments come with a degree of risk and reward, investing in real estate tends to appreciate over time, and it is a useable, tangible asset.
Why School Districts Matter, Even if You Don’t Have School-Age Children
Posted by John Hardy - Oct 9, 2019, 10:32 AM
It will influence the overall value of your home. When it comes time to sell, it may even help you sell faster and earn a larger profit.
What Not to Do When the Fed Cuts Interest Rates
Posted by Mike Dein - Oct 2, 2019, 10:01 AM
Lower interest rates mean a lower cost to borrow money, but also a lower return on your savings investments. Here's what not to do when the rates drop.
A Buyer’s Market Likely Coming this Fall
Posted by John Hardy - Sep 20, 2019, 11:34 AM
Many buyers are taking their time shopping for homes and bidding wars have declined, turning the seller’s market of previous years into a buyer’s market.
Watch Out: 7 Common HOA Rules You May Accidentally Break
Posted by John Hardy - Sep 18, 2019, 1:44 PM
Seemingly routine changes to your home’s exterior or a friend visiting in a Recreational Vehicle may violate the rules and leave you with a fine or worse.
Listing Your Home? Emphasize These Features if You’ve Got Them
Posted by John Hardy - Sep 16, 2019, 10:34 AM
Zillow analyzed 4.6 million sales across the country and found that these features tended to sell homes faster and, in some cases, net a greater profit.
Think You’re Saving Money on that Fixer-Upper? Think Again!
Posted by John Hardy - Sep 14, 2019, 10:28 AM
Survey discovers fixer-upper buyers spent much less than buyers who bought move-in ready homes but spent more than that difference to make it livable.
Do the Math: How much do you need to save for a down payment?
Posted by Mike Dein - Sep 10, 2019, 8:38 AM
To determine how much you will need to save for a down payment, start with these equations.
How Soon is too Soon to Sell Your Home?
Posted by John Hardy - Sep 6, 2019, 11:49 AM
Most real estate professionals recommend waiting at least five years after buying a home before selling it but sometimes you benefit from selling sooner.
4 Ways to Reduce Your Biggest Expense During Retirement
Posted by Mike Dein - Aug 22, 2019, 2:58 PM
Financial contributors at the Motley Fool compiled this list of four ways to reduce your biggest expense during retirement.
Millennial Homeowners Driving Home Improvement Spending
Posted by John Hardy - Aug 20, 2019, 11:33 AM
Millennials have found that buying a home that needs renovations allows them to become a homeowner sooner to build valuable equity faster.
Choosing the Right Size Home: Floor Plan vs. Square Footage
Posted by John Hardy - Aug 8, 2019, 5:12 PM
Bigger isn't always better. A larger home with poorly used space won’t serve you as well as a smaller home with the right layout.
5 Most Common First-Time Home Buyer Mistakes, According to Realtors
Posted by John Hardy - Aug 5, 2019, 3:56 PM
Working with a Realtor or real estate agent can help you avoid any rookie mistakes.
Solar Panels Could Increase Your Home’s Resale Value
Posted by John Hardy - Jul 31, 2019, 11:35 AM
Zillow researchers uncovered that homes with solar panels sell for 4.1% more on average than similar homes without solar power.
Over 8 Million Borrowers Could Save with a Mortgage Refinance
Posted by Mike Dein - Jul 17, 2019, 10:50 AM
With a rate and term refinance, a homeowner lowers their monthly mortgage payment by originating a new loan with a lower interest rate.
The Cost of Selling to an “iBuyer”
Posted by John Hardy - Jul 15, 2019, 10:40 AM
Selling through real estate startups like Knock and OpenDoor may be a tempting offer but you'll net 11% less when fees and other costs are considered.
Read This Before Buying a Home With a Pool
Posted by John Hardy - Jul 5, 2019, 2:47 PM
A pool could mean endless summer fun and higher resale value or it could become a pitfall if you don’t do your due diligence or maintain the pool.
6 Garage Renovation Ideas
Posted by John Hardy - Jul 2, 2019, 11:58 AM
Realtor.com reports garage space ranks just as high as an updated kitchen for some prospective home buyers.
You’re Closing on Your Mortgage! Avoid These 5 Things
Posted by Mike Dein - Jun 26, 2019, 1:40 PM
You're almost to the finish line, don't blow your closing in the final minutes
Are you making these common house hunting mistakes?
Posted by Mike Dein - Jun 24, 2019, 9:28 AM
Your new home is going to be the place where you host your holidays, raise your family, and make happy memories. Don't get caught up in the chase.
Good vs Bad Debt
Posted by John Hardy - May 31, 2019, 10:45 AM
As a consumer, it’s important to understand the differences between good and bad debt and how to use credit responsibly to maintain a good credit score.
Are Parents Hurting Homeownership?
Posted by Mike Dein - May 27, 2019, 10:12 AM
Millennial’s trend of moving back in with mom and dad has increased substantially and hurt their credit scores and could hinder buying a home.
Keep These Phrases OUT of Your Offer Letter
Posted by Mike Dein - May 21, 2019, 3:19 PM
A personal letter could be the extra push you need to get your offer accepted; it could also sour the deal.
5 Challenges Home Sellers Face in 2019
Posted by Mike Dein - May 17, 2019, 10:44 AM
No matter what the market is doing, home sellers will face various challenges in 2019.
1 in 6 Home Buyers Get Down Payment Assistance from Seller
Posted by Mike Dein - May 14, 2019, 1:03 PM
Saving for a down payment has become increasingly difficult as home prices rise, rents go up, and student loan debt reaches record highs.
Analysis of Today’s First-Time Home Buyer.
Posted by John Hardy - Apr 22, 2019, 10:05 AM
On average, first-time home buyers make up a little less than half of total home buyers on the market.
Report: Healthy Housing Market this Spring Home Buying Season
Posted by Mike Dein - Apr 11, 2019, 2:04 PM
Spring is in the air in the Omaha housing market.
One Mistake Could Cost You Your Down Payment
Posted by Mike Dein - Apr 8, 2019, 11:09 AM
BEWARE: Wire fraud scams could cost Omaha home buyers.
April Simple Home Maintenance Tips
Posted by John Hardy - Apr 3, 2019, 2:03 PM
Spring is a great time for routine maintenance both inside and outside your home.
Tax Day 2019 Checklist: Did you get all your home-related deductions?
Posted by Mike Dein - Apr 1, 2019, 1:01 PM
Tax Day, or the last day for tax payers to file their income taxes, is Monday, April 15th. If you haven’t filed your taxes yet, it’s time to get started!
Flooding in Midwest Could Have Lasting Impact
Posted by Mike Dein - Mar 25, 2019, 1:06 PM
Heavy rains and rapid snowmelt following last week’s “bomb cyclone” have caused severe flooding throughout the Midwest.
How Schools Influence Home Buying Decision
Posted by John Hardy - Mar 22, 2019, 11:52 AM
Half of all the buyers with children under the age of 18 are influenced by the school districts, individual schools and quality of each.
VA Loan Originations More than Double for First-Time Home Buyers
Posted by Mike Dein - Mar 20, 2019, 1:43 PM
The VA Loan has become the loan of choice for first-time home buyers who have served or are actively serving in the US military.
Caution: Home Inspection Myths You Might Believe
Posted by Mike Dein - Mar 18, 2019, 2:10 PM
Home inspections are one of the most important steps in the home buying process and could reveal costly or dangerous problems you could face down the road.
Zillow vs. Redfin: Who has the Most Accurate Estimate?
Posted by Mike Dein - Mar 4, 2019, 9:34 AM
While it doesn't sound like much, plus or minus 5% on a $350,000 home is a $35,000 window. Who wants to leave that on the table?
Surprising Home Renovation That Usually Pays for Itself
Posted by Mike Dein - Feb 27, 2019, 11:38 AM
Remodeling magazine states that updating garage doors tend to recoup 97.5% in its 2019 Cost vs. Value Report.
2019 Buyers Have the Most Options in 5 Years
Posted by Mike Dein - Feb 25, 2019, 12:20 PM
First time the housing market opened the year with more homes than the previous year.
HomeFundIt™ Review: Ryan and Aimee's Story
Posted by Mike Dein - Feb 15, 2019, 11:32 AM
HomeFundIt™ crowdfunding could give you the boost you need to purchase a home sooner.
3 Things First-Time Home Buyers May Not Know
Posted by Mike Dein - Feb 13, 2019, 11:00 AM
Looking to buy your first home now, or sometime in the future, it’s never too early to do your research.
Builders Cutting Prices to Stay Competitive
Posted by Mike Dein - Feb 6, 2019, 1:19 PM
Study finds that 25.1% of newly constructed homes experienced a price drop in Q4 of 2018. Home shoppers in 2019 may be able to get a deal.
3 Outdated Financial Tips You Might Still Believe
Posted by Mike Dein - Feb 4, 2019, 1:54 PM
What made sense for your parents years ago may not be relevant to today’s economy.
Why Mortgage Points are Getting Popular Again
Posted by Mike Dein - Jan 29, 2019, 2:43 PM
Whether or not points will benefit you financially depends on how long you plan on staying in your home, and your loan. Read more to determine.
Why Rental Data Matters – Especially for Home Buyers
Posted by Mike Dein - Jan 23, 2019, 10:09 AM
Rental prices fluctuate more rapidly than sales prices and can be a good indicator of housing market health.
Getting to Know a New Neighborhood
Posted by Mike Dein - Jan 17, 2019, 1:04 PM
You can change a house, but not the location. Shopping for a new home? Don’t forget to look around the neighborhood before getting emotionally attached.
Can you get a mortgage with a credit freeze?
Posted by Mike Dein - Jan 14, 2019, 10:21 AM
While it protects you in cases of stolen identity, it also prevents legitimate lenders from accessing your credit.
Don’t Make this Home Renovation Mistake
Posted by Mike Dein - Jan 7, 2019, 2:27 PM
In 2017, 1 in 3 homeowners paid for some of their renovation project with a credit card, this is a dangerous debt to take on.
Real Estate Predictions for 2019
Posted by Mike Dein - Dec 31, 2018, 10:13 AM
After several years of a red-hot housing market, activity is expected to slow, and that’s good news for home buyers.
Can you afford to buy a home? How much to spend on housing?
Posted by Mike Dein - Dec 5, 2018, 1:39 PM
For most Americans, both renters and homeowners, housing is their largest expense. But how much is too much to spend on housing costs?
Market Forecast December 2018
Posted by Mike Dein - Dec 3, 2018, 11:22 AM
Heading into the end of the year, mortgage rates have leveled out after rising following September’s interest rate hike.