According to March 2021 data released by the Great Plains Regional MLS, normal spring increases in sales activity, coupled with relaxing COVID-19 policies, created a very busy March real estate market as buyer demand continued largely unabated in the face of rising home prices and mortgage rates.

 

The Bottom line:

Inventory remains too low to bring the market back into balance. So expect a busy and competitive market in the coming months.

 

Let’s take a look at some of the numbers from March 2021:

 

March 2021 Omaha Area Real Estate Statistics

Average Sold Price: $278,205 (Up 14.2% from March 2020)
Homes Sold: 983 (Down 5.7% from March 2020)
New Listings: 1,640 (Down 11.8% from March 2020)
Pending Listings: 1,339 (Down 3.3% from…

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In the snow days of winter, sometimes the last thing you want to do is cook a nutritious meal for yourself and/or your family. Luckily for us all, the Omaha area boasts an incredible amount of locally-owned eateries and locally-owned franchises that can satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Read on for some solid healthy dishes that still taste good to go, and support your favorite restaurants when they need it most.

Longtime West O favorite Railcar Modern American Kitchen has a number of great healthy dishes that lend themselves to “to go” success. Chef and owner Jared Clarke suggests his Seattle BBQ Salmon. This meal consists of North Road Certified Sustainable Faroe island salmon, with a soy and pomegranate molasses glaze, yukon mashed potato, and…

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If your offers are getting rejected in this market, you probably think everyone is paying with cash.

That's not the case.

In this market, the vast majority of buyers are using financing. But what type of financing should you be using to win? Conventional? FHA? VA?

In this video, I analyze recent home sales to find out what types of offers are winning.

You may be surprised at the stats.

And remember, the type of financing you are using is only one aspect of your offer. There are several ways to make your offer competitive. Talk to your buyer's agent and your loan officer about different ways you can compete in this market. 

 

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This market is absolutely crazy!

Homes are selling for 20% higher than the asking price.

BUT... is it possible to purchase a home for less than the list price?

In this video, I look at homes that have recently sold in Omaha.

Warning: not all homes in this market are selling for more than their asking price. Don't get me wrong. The majority of homes are selling at or above the list price, but that is not the case for all.

In this market, there are a few reasons why a home might sell for less than the list price:

  1. To begin with, it was already overpriced.
  2. It is in bad shape.
  3. The house has a unique quality to it that doesn't appeal to many buyers. 


Don't get discouraged if you're looking to buy a house, but be realistic…

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Few people can claim to enjoy the hectic moving process, with all of those pieces of the puzzle jostling around simultaneously… Changing your address. Getting WiFi hooked up. Packing, cleaning, unpacking, then more cleaning. Oftentimes, the organization of a home prior to moving can help make that transition to a new space much more pleasant. To ease that burden and learn more about services offered right here in the Omaha area, we chatted with Lisa Tonjes Moritz from HOPE Organizing. Since 2019, most of the business has tightened its focus on the niche of photo and memorabilia organizing, with some general home and office organizing sprinkled in.

HOPE helps families and businesses organize, preserve, share and celebrate their memories. That…

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Get a head start on spring cleaning with a full home purge! Not only will this make your eventual moving process smoother, but it can be a soothing way to spend a day or four. In fact, numerous studies have shown that clutter can actually increase cortisol production in your body; cortisol is the stress hormone, so practice some self-care by getting rid of the unnecessary things around you. Check out these seven charities in Omaha that will accept donations of your gently used, purged home items.

 

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity Omaha aims to support financial independence through affordable homeownership. The Habitat ReStore accepts in-kind donations of materials to help keep costs low for clients. According to the website, “We accept…

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A home inspection's price varies depending on the inspector and the size of the house.

In this video, I'll discuss how much you can expect to pay for a home inspection in Omaha.

A whole-home inspection doesn't include radon, sewer line, etc. Those are separate.

I have a few inspectors that I suggest to my clients as a real estate agent, but you can use whoever you are most comfortable with.

My one piece of advice is to make sure that your home inspection is ASHI certified. 

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Mortgage interest rates ticked a bit higher in February, but remain below their February 2020 levels. That is according to February 2021 data released by the Great Plains Regional MLS.

 

The Bottom line:

A new month of data but the same story. Inventory is really low and homes are selling fast. 

Let’s take a look at some of the numbers from February 2021:

February 2021 Omaha Area Real Estate Statistics

Average Sold Price: $232,019 (Up 18.9% from February 2020)
Homes Sold: 731 (Down 12.2% from February 2020)
New Listings: 1,059 (Down 25.5% from February 2020)
Pending Listings: 1,051 (Down 6.7% from February 2020)
Days on the Market: 20 Days (Down 33.3% from February 2020)

All data from Great Plains Regional MLS. Report © 2021…

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You must go through the closing process whether you are buying or selling a house.

There are numerous papers to sign, inspections to conduct, and approvals to obtain. How long does the closing process take? 

Check out our video to learn more about the closing process!

Everyone involved in the deal has a role to play during the closing process. If anyone drops the ball, the closing can be postponed. As a consequence, it's critical to understand your duties so there aren't any delays.

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Spring has sprung, or at least it’s about to. And beyond the usual seasonal deep clean, there’s tons homeowners can do to refresh their living spaces this time of year. To learn even more about how to rejuvenate your home with spring decor elements, we’ve tapped two local designers.

 


Photo by Lisa V Lupo, Courtesy of Black Awning

Bryan Frost, interior designer, self-proclaimed vintage hoarder and founder of Black Awning is our first professional expert. He specializes in designing and decorating historic homes in and around Omaha and is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s Interior Design Program. To update spaces for spring, Bryan prefers to incorporate floral prints and cottons and rattan, which are natural textures that…

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