Omaha Real Estate Blog

One of our best technology investments our company made last year was a "business hub."  This is a color copier, fax machine, e-mail center and scanner all rolled into one.  This investment is has paid for itself and has been one of our best investments as a company. 

This tool has also helped our agents and their productivity.  Now, when an agent receives an offer we can have the offer scanned in an e-mailed to the agent to save the trip into the office.  The document arrives as an e-mail and the document is attached as a pdf file.  This saves time and is a better service to our agents. 

The color feature allows our agents to produce high quality color flyers for their listings and their marketing materials.  At Alliance, we do not charge any monthly fees AND all our agents receive FREE color copies at no cost. 

Thanks,

David Matney, CRS,GRI

Alliance Real Estate

One of the most important items to consider in selling a vacant home in winter is to have the home properly winterized.  Not winterizing a home could spell disaster for a home seller.  Even if you have insurance some insurance companies have clauses that will NOT cover a vacant home if it has been vacant for more than 30 days. 

It is also important to have it winterized by a PROFESSIONAL plumber or qualified contractor.  Having the thermostat set at 60 degrees is not the solution.  What if the furnace goes out?  Believe me, that can happen even on a NEW home!  If you are a seller and the home is vacant, please have the home winterized.  It is well worth the peace of mind. 

Thanks,

David Matney, CRS,GRI

Alliance Real Estate

Considering selling your home?  CLICK HERE for a list of questions to ask your Realtor.

In Omaha ice dams are a very common occurrence.  Basicly ice dams are caused be uneven heating on the roof's surface.  If left unchecked ice dams can cause significant water damage. 

In a nutshell, an ice dam is formed when snow melts on the roof, the water runs down the roof until it hits a part of the roof where the temperture is below freezing.  The water backs up and seaps under the shingles and then enters the home.  Some indications of prior ice dams are water stains on the ceiling or peeling paint along the wall. 

The best protection to prevent ice dams is to remove snow from the roof or to have adequate insulation in the addict to maintain a constant roof temperature.  If removing snow it is best not to get up on the roof because a broken neck if far worse than a ice dam. 

Other removal techniques involve heating the roof surface in order to prevent the water from freezing.  When buying a home it is best to have a thorough home inspection to see if your roof might have had ice dam issues in the past or if your roof might be prone to ice dams. 

  One example of ice dam prevention

  Example of a potential ice dam

For more information on ice dam prevention it is best to contact a qualified roofing contractor.

Thanks,

David Matney, CRS,GRI

Alliance Real Estate

Omaha Real Estate     Contributed by David Matney, CRS,GRI

Congratulations to Troy Trumm for being named Alliance Real Estate's Listing Agent of the Year!  This was Troy's THIRD time winning the award and Troy's THIRD year in the business.  This year Troy sold 52 homes with an average market time of 41 days.  Troy's marketing program, extensive technology expertise and hard work has made Troy a force in the Omaha real estate market.

At weekly training, Troy readily shares techniques and strategies with other agents within the company to help develop their businesses.  Troy's leadership within the company has also lead to many advances and the development of several systems now employed at a COMPANY level. 

Troy was recognized tonight at the annual company awards celebration.  Troy consistantly receives rave reviews from his clients and is relentless in developing programs to better serve his clients.  Some of these programs, like his guaranteed sale program are just one of his many marketing strategies he employs to separate himself from the competition.

Visit Troy's website at www.TrummTeam.com

Thanks,

David Matney, CRS,GRI

Alliance Real Estate 

When a developer buys land for development a Sanitary Improvement District or SID is used to install streets, sewers, power, and the SID can also be used to buy land for public parks.  In order to pay for these items a SID will issue bonds and assign special assessments to individual lots in the subdivision.  

SIDs were established by the Nebraska Legislature in the 1940's to help with the huge influx of building that took place after World War II.  Sanitary Improvement Districts are good because it keeps the cost of development lower which helps the builder and the buyer.  Also, investors like SIDs because they issue tax free bonds and are generally a very stable investment. 

When you buy a home and if the property is located in a SID you are required to receive a copy of the SID statement.  This will show you the amount of the indebtedness of the SID.  If you have questions about the SID it is best to contact the SIDs board of trustees and/or attorneys involved to ask about the SID's financial situation.

Taxes in SIDs are typically higher than in established parts of the city.  This means a higher mil levy.  The city generally requires a base level and the higher mil is used to pay for items such as a intersection in a development that is used by all inhabitants of the development.  Codes for sewers and streets in a new development are stricter and the cost is higher which will also raise the mil levy. 

A special assessment is assigned to items that are particular to a specific individual lot.  For example, the street directly in front of the property and the sewer connected to the home benefit that particular home and these items are assigned special assessments. 

Some buyers are concerned about what about if a development or a particular builder goes bankrupt.  What does that mean for the SID?  Does the buyer have to pay a higher assessment?  No.  It is extremely rare for a SID to go bankrupt, but it can happen.  If it does it could mean a higher mil levy.  Generally, if a SID goes bankrupt the indebtedness is reorganized to pay the bond. 

This is just a general overview of SIDs if you have specific questions it may be best to consult an attorney.  I also realize that this may not be the most exciting topic.  Today's topic is courtesy of the KKAR and the real estate reality hour hosted by Steve Smithberg and Tori Lynn Ross.  Steve Smithberg and Tori Lynn Ross host a local real estate radio show and Steve is owner of Homes by Design One and Tori is owner of Ross-Designs - Omaha's premier home stager.

Thanks,

David Matney, CRS,GRI

Alliance Real Estate

Considering selling your home?  CLICK HERE for a list of questions to ask when selling your home.

Congratulations to Mark Taylor of Alliance Real Estate.  Mark Taylor was named Alliance Real Estate's Buyer's Agent of the Year for the second year in a row.  Mark's laid back style and his personality can truly win over anyone! 

His years of experience and vast network of agents from across the city aid in Mark's ability to put a deal together.  Mark is a pleasure to work with and he always keeps the client's needs first and foremost.  Mark is a team player and he frequently helps his fellow agents at Alliance with various situations in which he can draw on his vast level of experience.

Congratulations Mark!

David Matney, CRS,GRI

Alliance Real Estate

Congratulations to Rob Luhrs of Alliance Real Estate.  Rob was recently named President of Alliance Real Estate.  Rob Luhrs has been with Alliance Real Estate since December of 2003.  Rob currently holds the CRS, Certified Residential Specialist Designation and holds an Assoicate Brokers license.  Rob Luhrs and myself purchased Alliance in August of 2005.  Rob duties also include recruiting and new agent development.  I will continue to hold the position as Designated Broker of Alliance Real Estate.  Way to go, Rob! 

David Matney, CRS,GRI

Alliance Real Estate  

The Omaha Area Board of Realtors Education Committee and the OABR is sponsoring a PDA/Smartphone Technology seminar on February 27 and 28th at the Westside Community Conference Center located at 3534 S 108 St in Omaha, Nebraska.  The instructor for the course is Dick Betts. 

Dick is a smartphone and technology "guru" and the course is well worth the $25 registration fee.  I have attended several of his classes in the past and the information was OUTSTANDING!  If you are an agent in Omaha or Iowa I would highly encourage you to attend the class. 

The classes are broken down in 4 separate sessions, each session covering a different topic.  Each session is $15 and two sessions are $25.  To attend both days is only $50.  This is a great investment towards your career and the knowledge you receive will pay for itself.  I have attached a sign-up sheet for those who wish to attend and for more detailed information on each individual session.

CLICK HERE for a sign-up sheet.

Thanks,

David Matney, CRS,GRI

Alliance Real Estate

The first key to getting multiple offers is the right price.  In close second is the abiltiy to "work" an offer once it has been submitted.  One fundamental aspect of working an offer is accurate record keeping of all agents who have shown the property.  For many agents this can be a HUGE challenge especially if they do not have a system in place to "work" an offer.     

Many agents do not even make an attempt to keep track of which agents have shown a property.  If an agent does not have a system for feedback or for tracking agents this could cost a potential seller thousands of dollars. 

Early last year I started using onecallshow.com in order to coordinate showing appointments.  This service takes the call from the showing agent, calls the seller and e-mails the showing agent after the appointment for feedback.  This feedback helps with determine what the market thinks about the property. 

Another feature of this service is an e-blast function.  When an offer is submitted, in about 2 minutes you can log-in and send all agents who have shown the home an e-mail to see if their buyers are still interested.  Just this month, I have used this to receive multiple offers on two separate homes. 

I am a now a firm believer in the use of a showing desk.  When you interview potential Realtors to sell your home you should ask what is their strategy when an offer is submitted.  It might not be a bad idea to ask for a list of agents who have shown one of their current listings.  Not having a distinct plan in place once an offer is submitted could mean throwing away thousands of dollars.  

Thanks,

David Matney, CRS,GRI

Alliance Real Estate

Considering selling your home?  CLICK HERE for a list of questions to ask your next Realtor