Are you looking for great value in a great neighborhood!  Then look no further!  This spacious split entry home is located on a quiet cul-de-sac close to shopping and dining featuring 3 bedrooms, 3 baths and a 2 car garage.  This unique floor plan has two living areas on the main floor, a formal living room that is light and bright and a warm and inviting family room with a fireplace.  The spacious kitchen has a pantry and breakfast bar and there is a separate formal dining room for those special occasions.  The master suite includes a walk-in closet and ¾ bath. 

The finished lower level has day light windows with a rec room, an office that could be a 4^th non-conforming bedroom & ½ bath.  Enjoy the upcoming summer days on the new deck overlooking the fully fenced yard that backs to a common area. 

I went to the website and here’s what I found: “Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) offers energy credit refunds to its residential customers for installing high-efficiency heat pumps through their Energy Conservation Program. For high-efficiency electric heat pumps larger than 1.5 tons with a SEER rating of 13 or greater, OPPD will pay between $300 - $650 (depending on SEER). OPPD will also provide $50 per unit for heat pumps 1.5 tons and smaller.  
 
The rebate is available to any customer who either purchases and installs a new high-efficiency heat pump in a new residential structure, or replaces their existing standard air conditioner with a heat pump and is using natural gas or propane for supplemental heating. Customers who install a heat pump are also eligible to receive the special Energy Conservation Rate, which is the same as the standard residential rate except for a lower last rate block during the winter billing period (October through May). To qualify, the electric heat pump must supply at least 50 percent of the space conditioning requirements for the structure and have an outdoor thermostat setting of 20° F or lower.  
 
Existing all-electric homeowners who replace their standard A/C with a heat pump qualify for the lower winter electric rate only, they do not qualify for the energy credit refund. Not all heat pumps qualify for this program. To determine which heat pumps qualify, customers can call their heating contractor or OPPD's HVAC Technology Department at (402) 636-3753 or 1-800-648-2658.” 

The “Metropolitan Utilities District of Omaha (MUD) offers $100 rebates to their residential gas customers who replace existing natural gas furnaces and water heaters with new, high efficiency models. Dual fuel or heat pump systems are not eligible. New furnaces must have an energy rating of at least 95% to qualify for the rebate. High efficiency natural gas water heaters must have an Energy Factor of 0.82 or higher to receive rebate. Interested customers should submit a signed and completed rebate form, along with a copy of proof of purchase to the utility.”  

To apply, you'll need to print forms off the Web and mail them in with qualifying proof of purchase. Keep the original receipt for the new appliance, this may be requested. It’s best to contact either OPPD and/or MUD before you purchase anything.  They will be happy to guide you so that you get the rebate to which you’re entitled. It would also be a good thing to ask them when you will receive the rebate. If it will be several weeks then you need to take that into consideration when formulating your purchasing plan.

Also ask about how to dispose of your old furnace or air-conditioner. They may have incentives for you if you dispose of it in an environmentally safe way.

Remember, the federal energy efficiency tax credit, in effect through this year, which gives a 30% credit up to $1,500 for the purchase of certain heating, cooling and ventilation appliances, among other things. Be certain to ask your tax advisor how it works in your specific situation.

If you have any additional questions or when you’re ready to put your home on the market please give me a call at 402-967-4251 or email me at MarieOtis@cbshome.com.

This home is a great find!  Located within walking distance to schools, library, walking trails, Standing Bear Lake & neighborhood park.   This 4 Bedroom, 3 Bath, 3 car Garage, Ranch style home has an open floor plan featuring a spacious eat-in kitchen with wood floors, pantry and all appliances stay.  The living room has soaring ceilings and gas fireplace.  The current owner added a wall to make a separate office with custom desk, cabinets and French doors.   

The finished lower level features a bedroom, an exercise room, a room for your pool table and a large media area with surround sound and a wetbar with a fabulous full tile wall.  The backyard is a dream with beautiful landscaping, sprinkler system and wood privacy fence.  A perfect place to get away from it all!

This charming home is perfect for family gatherings and entertaining friends located in a fantastic neighborhood.  This west facing home features 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and a 2 car garage.  The living room is bright and cheery with a large picture window and wood burning fireplace.  There is plenty of room for those large holiday meals in the formal dining room. 

The spacious master suite includes full bath and lots of closet space.  The family room addition has a sliding door that leads to the patio, a large yard with mature trees and sprinkler system.  The lower level is finished with rec room, a ¾ bath and lots of storage room. HMS Warranty included. Look no further, this is the home you have been waiting for.

Don’t miss this great home in a great location, just a short stroll to the Aksarben area and all the shopping and dining there.  Many updates can be found in this move-in ready home.  The kitchen and bath floors have ceramic tile, the HVAC is new and the kitchen has been completely renovated featuring new cabinets, counters and appliances that all stay.  There are beautiful hardwood floors in the living room and dining room with an archway that separates these two rooms.  The spacious bedroom has a large walk-in closet.  The basement is finished with a large family room and office that could be a non-conforming bedroom.  Some of the other features you will find are a two car garage, a large backyard with full fence and plenty of storage in the attic.

Now this is living!  If you’ve ever wanted to live in a lakefront home only 15 minutes from Omaha, here is your chance.  This condo has been completely renovated, walls have been removed to give this home an open floor plan.  The floors are beautiful 24” ceramic tiles in the living room, dining room and kitchen.  The living room is bright and sunny with skylights.  The kitchen has a modern feel with granite counters, glass front cabinets & stainless steel appliances.  The sunken family room is warm & inviting with a wood burning fireplace & a breathtaking view of the lake.  The master bedroom includes a large walk-in closet & direct access to the ¾ bath with walk-in shower.  What could be better, a maintenance free condo lake home!  All play and no work! 

There are plenty of listings on the market from which to choose. Mortgage rates are beginning to rise and are predicted to go even higher after March 31 when the Fed bows out of the mortgage-buying market. If you’ve been waiting for the optimum time to buy then wait no more.

If you want to get into a new home then give me a call at 402-697-4251 or email me at Marie.Otis@cbshome.com.  I’m ready to help you take every advantage you can and make a good investment in you and your family’s future.

Although you must discuss exact requirements with your qualified lender, a detailed home inspection and/or energy audit must be completed by a qualified professional. The professional must be approved by the lender. Based on the report, the homebuyer can choose which improvements to make.  However, installation of smoke detectors and the upgrading of the heating and cooling system to a more efficient level may also be required.

Then the homebuyer must get bids for the work and establish a firm price with the contractors. The work must meet all FHA standards and requirements. The work must begin within 30 days of execution of the Agreement. The work must not cease prior to completion for more than 30 consecutive days. The work is to be completed within the time period shown in the Agreement (not to exceed six months); the lender should not allow a time period longer than that required to complete the work. The lender will add the repairs amount to the loan.

When the closing is completed, the lender sets up an escrow account for the money to be disbursed to the contractor when all the work in completed. The mortgage payment may be slightly higher, but the energy savings from the improvements usually offsets the difference.

As with all government programs, the 203k program has many rules, regulations and requirements. However, it may be just what you need to get into good housing. As your realtor I can make certain you get with the right lender(s) and make your dream a reality. Give me a call at 402-694-4251 or email me at Marie.Otis@cbshome.com.

Here’s a great find in Millard school district with 4 bedroom and 4 baths. The Tri-Level home is conveniently located on a cul-de-sac, close to shopping, dining, park, walking trail and easy access to Dodge Street. The home has a warm, inviting family room with fireplace and door to large deck and fenced yard. The spacious eat-in kitchen is perfect for family meals and casual entertaining. The formal living spaces include a large living room and dining room. The master suite includes a 3/4 bath and great closet. The walkout basement is finished.

The walkout lower level features a family room, lots of storage and the fourth bedroom with 3/4 bath, perfect for the out of town guests. Some of the recent updates include new carpet, fresh paint, new floors in the bathrooms, new driveway, newer windows on the main floor and newer dishwasher. AMA per Douglas county assessor.

One of the speakers at the conference was Paul Cardis, CEO of AVID Ratings Co., which conducts an annual survey of home-buyer preferences. He said there are 10 "must" features in new homes.

1. Large kitchens with islands. The islands must serve some use such as a sink, large workspace or stove top.

2. Energy-efficient appliances, high-efficiency insulation and high window efficiency. Of all the green items offered these were the ones most wanted by home buyers.

3. Home office/study. Consumers want a home office space for many reasons but statistics show that more and more people are working out of their homes.

4. Main-floor master suite. This is Boomer feature. Boomers are also called the “sandwich” generation because they may still have kids at home as well as elderly parents.

5. Outdoor Living Room. People are looking for more than a barbeque area or swing set. People want to spend more and more time outdoors and they wish to do it in comfort.

6. Ceiling fans. Decorators on T.V. may detest ceiling fans but consumers love them for air circulation and comfort.

7. Master suite soaker tubs. These have dropped in popularity and large, walk-in showers are moving up the rankings.

8. Stone and brick exteriors. Consumers want low-maintenance but still want style.

9. Community landscaping, with walking paths and playgrounds. Forget the golf courses, swimming pools, etc. Consumers are looking for walking and hiking areas with lush vegetation.

10. Two-car garages.

It’s important to know before you build or buy to identify what features are most important to you. You must also weigh upfront costs vs. payback costs. Once you have a list of your most important features give me a call at 402-694-4251 or email me at Marie.Otis@cbshome.com. Together we can find the perfect property or builder for you.

Don’t miss this wonderful 4 bedroom 3 bath ranch home in the Elk Creek Crossing neighborhood.  This home is conveniently located close to shopping, dining, school, park & walking trail.  The main floor features spacious eat-in oak kitchen with breakfast bar, pantry & plenty of counter space.  The living room is warm & inviting with a gas fireplace, a unique entertainment alcove & theatre surround sound.  The master suite features large a walk-in closet & 3/4 bath with double sinks. 

The lower level is finished with daylight windows featuring an exercise room, the 4^th bedroom and a ¾ bath.  The lower level family room is wired for theatre surround sound, just waiting for your home entertainment equipment. Additional features include a sprinkler system, security system, whole house sound system & full wood privacy fence.  

For more information and photos go to www.MarieOtis.com or give Marie a call at 402-697-4251.

Another interesting trend is the demand for a Master Suite on the first floor. This is obviously important to Boomers. However, many are demanding a second Master Suite on the second floor. These spaces may be converted to offices or additional bedrooms but they are very appealing to Boomers who may have aging parents for which to care.

Formerly formal spaces built to impress such as Living Rooms, Dining Rooms and Foyers are being eliminated and compressed into open communal living spaces. Kitchens usually open to these new areas and are filled with energy-efficient appliances. Designers recommend that if you have extra design dollars to spend that it be here in the Kitchen. Consumers want sizable Kitchens with center islands and granite countertops.

Finally, basic green features are becoming more and more important to consumers. They are looking for high efficiency insulation and high performance windows. Tankless water heaters and high efficiency heating and cooling are in high demand. Although consumers still prefer brick and stone exteriors, many are considering low maintenance fibre cement siding.

I’ll report on more trends in my next blog. It is always exciting to see how consumer demands can have a positive affect on the building industry. If you would like to discuss these trends or find out more detail please contact me at Marie.Otis@cbshome.com or just pick up the phone and give me a call at 402-964-4251.

Don’t miss this home with a great SW Omaha location, close to shopping, schools, walking trails and park. This home features 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage and a finished basement. All appliances stay in the spacious kitchen with oak cabinets and extra counter space with a breakfast bar. The master bedroom has a large walk-in closet and ¾ bath. The large lower level family room features a gas fireplace.  The spacious backyard has a partial wood privacy fence and a large deck. This home has been lovingly maintained and is move-in ready.

The good news is that FHA loans only require down payments of 3.5 percent of the purchase price. That has not changed. But because of the necessity of bringing more revenue into the agency here are the rule changes:

1. The upfront mortgage insurance premium will increase from its current level of 1.75 to 2.25 percent of the total loan amount. Those fees can still be a part of the total fees covered. Here is an example given by the agency: If the mortgage borrowers take out a $200,000 mortgage they will now pay a fee of $4,500 instead of the current fee of $3,500.

2. The borrowers need a credit score of at least 580 to qualify for an FHA loan. If you have a score lower than 580 you will need to come up with a down payment of at least 10 percent of the purchase price of the home.

Don’t be confused by the new rules. Make certain you are working with a reputable lender. If you need the names of such people be certain to give me a call at 402-670-8775 or email me at Marie.Otis@cbshome.com. I’m here to guide you through the maze of options the home buying process entails. You need a friend you can trust; let me help.

Don’t miss this fabulous home located in the popular Bent Creek neighborhood close to Millard schools, shopping, park and easy access to the Dodge expressway.  This home features 5 bedrooms, 4 baths and a 3 car garage.  The spacious eat-in kitchen is a delight with oak cabinets, granite countertops, center island, pantry, fireplace and door to the large deck.  Enjoy beautiful sunsets on the private deck overlooking a native prairie.  The yard has a wood privacy fence and sprinkler system.  The master suite features 2 large walk-in closets and full bath with a whirlpool tub and double sinks.  The finished walkout lower level has a ¾ bath, bedroom and large rec room area for games and entertainment.  Many updates including new carpet, roof, fresh interior & exterior paint. HVAC & appliances all replaced in the last few years.  Too many benefits to list.  Don’t wait to see this gem.

1. Cancel your credit cards. Yes, pay off the balances but don’t cancel the card. Mortgage lenders are interested in how much credit you have available. Keep your credit card balances under 30% of your approved credit level.

2. Not checking all three credit reports and your FICO score. This is a big one folks. It is so important to check all three of your credit reports so you can correct errors.

3. Buy furniture for the house. Whatever you do if you qualify for a loan make no major purchases until after the closing. Then you can celebrate the closing by visiting your favorite store or car dealership if you wish.

4. Spend over 30 days shopping for a mortgage. Your credit rating loses 5 points every time a creditor checks your credit rating after the 30 day period. Most of us can’t afford to lose any points.

5. Ask your creditor to lower your credit level. People do this in an effort to help themselves spend less on credit cards. A mortgage officer is looking at your “available” credit when considering approval. Control yourself and get your spending under control.

6. Use one credit card to pay off another. Mortgage lenders believe this to be a trick. Don’t do it. Pay off the credit card with the highest interest first and then get your other balances to under 30% of your credit availability.

Here’s what you can do to help yourself get a mortgage loan:

1. Pay your bills on time.

2. Keep your credit card balances under 30% of the approved credit level.

3. If you have one late payment when you have always been on time before ask the creditor to remove the mark against your credit. It is worth talking the time to ask. Most will remove it if you are a good payer.

Unless you have the cash you are going to have to get a mortgage loan to buy a home. Follow these rules and get your financial life back under your control.  When you’re ready to buy a home then call and I will help you get into the home of your dreams. You can reach me at 402-964-4251 or email me at Marie.Otis@cbshome.com.

Have you ever thought…maybe I should invest in real estate?  Well here is a great opportunity.  This well maintained duplex has a great NW Omaha location, close to shopping, schools, park and quick access to I-680.  This investment property has 2 bedrooms, 1 bath and 1 car garage.  All appliances stay in the large eat-in kitchen.  The walkout ranch style home has an unfinished basement with the potential to expand by adding additional square footage and possibly a bedroom.    The walkout lower level is partially finished in the 11418 unit.  Here is your chance at a great invest property or live on one side and have your tenant help you build equity by being owner occupied. 

And the market is already heating up.  The $8,000 tax credit is in effect until Spring, mortgage rates are still low, there are plenty of homes on the market and if you qualify for a housing loan then you are in a terrific position.  Whether you are buying your first home or “moving up” to a better home, the time to get serious about buying is right now.

The perfect place to begin your journey to a new home is with me.  I can direct you to several reputable mortgage lenders as well as show you any house for sale in Omaha and the surrounding communities.  You need a champion to make certain you get every advantage to which you’re entitled.  I’m here to work for you.  Give me a call at 402-967-4251 or email me at Marie.Otis@cbshome.com. 

“How did it go?” asked Stephanie.

“She wanted me to change everything!” Melanie fumed. She said I had too much furniture, too many knick-knacks and I needed to replace my wallpaper with paint. Aunt Bess left me those antiques and you know I spent years finding the right 1890’s wallpaper set them against. And to top it off she told me to take down all the pictures of my family!”

Stephanie patted Melanie’s hand and inquired gently, “Why do you think she said those things?”

“She obviously didn’t like my decorating taste,” Melanie huffed.

Stephanie smiled and said, “No, she’s doing her best to turn your home into a model home. Do you remember the model homes we saw last summer? Those homes where decorated in neutral colors with colorful accent pieces. They had very little furniture and it was arranged so well the rooms looked really big. We could easily imagine moving in right away. That’s what the stager is trying to do to your home. Your house has become a product and to sell quickly it must appeal to all people.”

Stephanie is right. People are listing their homes because the economy is improving and late winter and early spring are the most active times in real estate. There is lots of competition out there. If a person is serious about selling their house and getting on with their lives then they must depersonalize the house and think of it as a product to sell. 

I’ve found a great video on home staging I want you to watch.  Susan Botticelli has lots of good ideas and she presents them well in the video with before and after pictures. Take a look and let me know when you want to list your home. Give me a call at 402-697-4251 or email me at Marie.Otis@cbshome.com. Together we’ll get the job done and done right!

It’s good news for existing home sales as well.  Sales are up 47 percent this November compared to November 2008.  Year-to-date numbers are good too with 2009 coming in at 12 percent over last year at this same time.

For new construction homes the average time on the market before selling was 125 days in 2008 and in 2009 was reduced to 123 days.  For existing homes the average market time in 2008 was 65 days and in 2009 year-to-date is 59 days.

So, don’t let the national news discourage you. Things continue to improve here in Omaha.  It’s going to be a great 2010 and a great decade.  When you’re ready to put your home on the market or if you’re ready to buy a new home now, give me call at 402-697-4251 or email me at Marie.Otis@cbshome.com. 

Happy New Year!