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        <title>Houses In Omaha  Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.housesinomaha.com/blog/</link>
        <description>Your one place for Omaha Real Estate Information including Papillion, Bellevue, Millard and Elkhorn Homes For Sale</description>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.housesinomaha.com/blog/need-a-va-loan-for-your-new-home.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.housesinomaha.com/blog/need-a-va-loan-for-your-new-home.html</link>
            <author>housesinomaha@gmail.com (Mark Ciochon)</author>
            <title>Need a VA Loan for your new home?</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
VA Loan options when buying a home.


When choosing a lender for your new home, don't be fooled by the "VA" label in a name.


In America, some words create associations in our minds that lead to trust. For those who have served in the military and other patriots, one of those words is "veteran." Another is the label "VA."


Sadly, not everyone using those words is deserving of our trust.


Several national lenders are trading on "Veterans" or "VA" to gain trust with veterans and their families, while charging them more than the going rate for their loans. They're also tacking on fees that other lenders don't charge.


Some are also violating the terms of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) by failing to provide a good faith estimate when issuing a letter of pre-approval. They say "Trust us, we get the best rates and terms available for our Veterans."


And this is just part of the problem. 


These lenders are unfamiliar with local customs, don't know local property tax and insurance rates, and are sloppy in estimating escrow deposits and up-front costs. The result: Buyers get to closing needing thousands of dollars when they were expecting zero down and closing costs paid by the seller.


Local lenders can also write VA Loans…


And dealing with a local lender is both safer and less expensive.


You see, when writing a purchase offer for a zero down VA Loan, you're asking the seller to pay your closing costs – and the seller cannot agree to pay them if he doesn't know the dollar value.


A seller might agree to pay $5,000 in closing costs – but when you get to closing you'll learn that the true number is $9,000.  Where will you get those extra dollars?


Local lenders will provide accurate closing costs to you and your agent before the offer is written. And, because the lender has a local reputation to maintain, those costs won't be inflated.


Local lenders recognize that sellers will either reject the offer or add the extra fees to the cost of the house – making the house cost more to you, the Veteran. Even if an appraiser goes along with the increased price, those excess fees add dollars to your monthly payment.


Local lenders will offer you the best possible interest rate. Again, they have a reputation to maintain, and gouging buyers on interest rates will destroy that reputation.


Ronald Reagan said "Trust, but verify," and that's just what home buyers need to do when shopping for a home loan. Just because a lender says they're in business to help Veterans doesn't mean it true.


So before you choose a lender, call me. I can give you the names of a few local lenders who have served my clients well – and who won't add excess fees to your loan just to thank you for your military service.


Contact Mark Now

 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:49:16 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.housesinomaha.com/blog/summer-camp-in-omaha-its-not-what-it-used-to-be-its-better.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.housesinomaha.com/blog/summer-camp-in-omaha-its-not-what-it-used-to-be-its-better.html</link>
            <author>housesinomaha@gmail.com (Mark Ciochon)</author>
            <title>Summer Camp – In Omaha it's not what it used to be, it's better!</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Summer Camp – In Omaha it's not what it used to be, it's better!


Omaha parents and children don't need to worry about summer boredom, nor about a lack of learning experiences, because here in Omaha, summer camp is just not what it used to be.


Whether a day-camp or a stay away from home, summer camp is no longer all about singing songs and doing arts and crafts. Of course some do offer that, but they offer so much more. Here's a sampling:


For animal lovers…


Kids who love animals can attend "Camp Kindness," a weeklong summer camp offered by the Nebraska Humane Society. Here the campers learn about animals from therapy lambs to wounded birds of prey – and of course about dogs and cats.


Because so many of the campers are repeat visitors, the Human Society brings in different presentations and guest speakers each summer. And, in an activity that's the "favorite" for many campers, the kids get to take part in "Shelter Buddies," a program that helps shelter animals become socialized and ready for adoption.


Boys loving the outdoors…


For boys who "Just want to be boys," there's Camp Mount Michael, entering its 45th year of providing fun and healthy activity for boys aged 7 to 14.  Although they do offer arts and crafts, most of the day's activities are the kind boys engaged in before video games and cell phones came along to keep them sedentary.


Campers' days are spent with archery, hiking, outdoor camping, horseback riding, and the boys' favorite sport – playing dodge ball.


What's the mark of a great camping experience? The campers want to return – so the fact that some campers come back year after year tells you this is a camp to investigate for your own sons. 


For your water babies… try DiVentures   Small classes and individual attention mark the instruction at DiVentures scuba diving camp. So does instruction.  Students learn it all – from putting their equipment together properly to what to do when they encounter the unexpected underwater.


Of course, what the kids enjoy most is the time actually spent in the water – learning to dive to a depth of 14 feet, diving through obstacle courses, and learning to use an underwater camera.


Is your child horse-crazy? 


Plenty of summer camps offer horseback riding as one of the activities, but at the American Legacy Complex, it takes center stage.


Campers spend 7 hours per day either with a horse or learning about a horse. Students learn about horse care, anatomy and diagnosis. 


They learn better horsemanship skills both through instruction and game playing – you have to be a better rider in order to herd calves. And for those who might romanticize horse ownership – camp teaches the reality of mucking out stalls.


Do they want to see their name in lights?


The Broadway Dreams summer program could help them do just that. Broadway Dreams is all about musical theater – honing your skills. It's also about the business of Broadway.


These are just a sampling of the summer camp offerings in and around Omaha, Nebraska. For a complete list and links to stories about each camp, visit http://www.omaha.com.


And for information about moving to Omaha – call 402-578-1910 or send me an email!  I'd love to introduce you to all that Omaha has to offer.


 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:54:14 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.housesinomaha.com/blog/silverleaf.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.housesinomaha.com/blog/silverleaf.html</link>
            <author>housesinomaha@gmail.com (Mark Ciochon)</author>
            <title>Silverleaf</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[  ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:41:43 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.housesinomaha.com/blog/moving-to-omaha-consider-papillion-lavista-school-district.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.housesinomaha.com/blog/moving-to-omaha-consider-papillion-lavista-school-district.html</link>
            <author>housesinomaha@gmail.com (Mark Ciochon)</author>
            <title>Moving to Omaha? Consider the Papillion-LaVista School District</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Moving to Omaha with children?Consider the Papillion-La Vista School District


The Papillion-La Vista School District (PLSD) has as its motto: "Excellence…One Student at a Time."


Their dedication to this end is backed by District Accreditation from the AdvancED Accreditation Commission – placing the Papillion-La Vista School District into an elite group. Only 793 school districts nationwide hold this accreditation.


While individual schools in our district have been accredited for over 20 years, the district accreditation is new. Now parents can rest assured that no matter which school in the District their child attends, it will provide him or her with the safest, most enriching learning environment possible.


Of course, this comes as no surprise to the staff, the parents, or the students who have been exposed to PLSD's excellence every day. As Dr. Rick Black, Superintendent, said:  “District Accreditation symbolizes everything we do every day.  Our entire staff is committed to improving student learning and meeting the individual needs of every child.”


What are the benefits to students?




Qualified teachers who continually work to improve their teaching.


Access to rich, diverse and sound curriculum.


Access to a range of student activities and support services




If you're moving to Omaha with children and want to know more about the educational opportunities available, visit the  Papillion-La Vista School District website.  To learn what this accreditation means and how the Papillion-La Vista School District was chosen, visit  AdvancedED. 


Looking for Papillion Real Estate check out our Papillion Home Page.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:32:03 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.housesinomaha.com/blog/omaha-the-best-value-city-in-the-us.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.housesinomaha.com/blog/omaha-the-best-value-city-in-the-us.html</link>
            <author>housesinomaha@gmail.com (Mark Ciochon)</author>
            <title>Omaha: The "Best Value City" in the U.S.</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Omaha: The "Best Value City" in the U.S.


While the U.S. national news is filled with stories of boom and bust real estate, markets taken over by foreclosures, skyrocketing unemployment, and other gloom and doom, Omaha has been quietly chugging along, doing just fine.


Yes, we do have some foreclosures and short sales. But a check on Trulia for November 2 statistics shows that foreclosures make up just 15% of our homes for sale and sold, while the percentage in San Diego is at 27%, and in Las Vegas 46%.


Home prices are slightly down, but since we didn't experience the dramatic increases that hit the coastal and "sun belt" cities, we haven't experienced the dramatic decline. Trulia reported the median home sales price in Omaha for the months of August, September, and October as $138,000.


Possibly due to the "fear factor" as the national economy cooled, we did see a decline in commercial property values and in unimproved land values. Home builders who were set to go with platted subdivisions backed off, and the price of building lots plummeted. The good news for buyers is that right now the choices are many and the prices are still low. 


Meanwhile, Omaha's unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the country at 4.4%. 


Low unemployment, combined with our reasonable housing costs, supportive business climate, strong public schools, and a growing arts community – and it's no wonder that Kiplinger named Omaha the #1 "Best Value City" in 2011.


 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:07:39 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.housesinomaha.com/blog/good-news-for-real-estate-more-cities-on-the-upswing.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.housesinomaha.com/blog/good-news-for-real-estate-more-cities-on-the-upswing.html</link>
            <author>housesinomaha@gmail.com (Mark Ciochon)</author>
            <title>Good News for Real Estate - More Cities on the Upswing</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Good News for Real Estate - More Cities on the Upswing


What constitutes an improving real estate market? According to the NAHB / First American's Improving Market's Index, an area is on the upswing when it shows an increase in housing permits, housing prices, and employment for at least 6 months.


The good news is that since October, the number of metropolitan areas deemed to be "Improving" has risen by about 30% - from 23 to 30. This is the third consecutive month that the number of improving markets has risen.


For the most part, it's smaller cities that are showing improvement.  The only major metropolitan areas represented on the list are New Orleans and Pittsburgh.


What industries are leading the improvement? Energy and agriculture. That's not surprising, since food and energy are two things that most of us consider necessities of life.


 The 30 markets that made the November list are:




Alexandria, La.


Amarillo, Texas


Anchorage, Alaska


Bismarck, N.D.


Casper, Wyo.


Cheyenne, Wyo.


Corpus Christi, Texas


Davenport, Iowa


Fairbanks, Alaska


Fayetteville, N.C.


Fort Collins, Colo.


Hinesville, Ga.


Houma, La.


Jonesboro, Ark.


Kankakee, Ill.


Lima, Ohio


McAllen, Texas


Midland, Texas


Monroe, La.


New Orleans, La.


Odessa, Texas


Pine Bluff, Ark.


Pittsburgh, Pa.


Sherman, Texas


Sumter, S.C.


Tyler, Texas


Waco, Texas


Waterloo, Iowa


Williamsport, Pa.


Winston-Salem, N.C




Note that 8 of the 30 cities are in Texas, while Wyoming made the list twice and Louisiana boasts 4 improving areas.


But the better times that come with an improved housing market are spreading. This month the states of Colorado, Ohio and Georgia made the list for the first time.


And while North Dakota's capital city of Bismarck easily made the list, the boom town of Williston, 200 miles away, did not. But that's only because the NAHB / First American's Improving Market's Index only tracks larger cities.


Williston's population has nearly doubled from 12,600 people to 23,000 people, and that's still not enough to fill the available jobs. An October 27 news report said that at that moment there were between two and three thousand unfilled positions. The unemployment rate for North Dakota overall is a healthy 3.5% - but in Williston, it's under 1%, even though the unemployed from all over the U.S. are flocking in to find jobs.


What's going on there? Oil. Williston is situated on the Bakken formation, an oil field that's expected to turn North Dakota into the second-largest oil producing State in the U.S.


Of course there's a drawback to this kind of growth – not enough housing to fill the need. Some workers are living in "man camps" made from railroad cars and containers while others are sleeping in their cars and trucks.


But what about Omaha? 


Our unemployment rate of 4.4% (as reported in September) is less than half the national average. Home prices, however, are not yet increasing, nor are housing starts. As soon as those turn around, we'll be on the list as well!
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:00:52 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.housesinomaha.com/blog/more-provisions-of-the-schumer-lee-immigration-bill-come-to-light.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.housesinomaha.com/blog/more-provisions-of-the-schumer-lee-immigration-bill-come-to-light.html</link>
            <author>housesinomaha@gmail.com (Mark Ciochon)</author>
            <title>More Provisions of the Schumer / Lee Immigration Bill Come to Light</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
That new immigration bill that Senators Charles Schumer and
Mike Lee introduced on October 20 has some people worried. 



As you probably remember, an automatic visitor's visa would
be given to any foreign citizen willing to spend $500,000 in cash buying U.S.
real estate. At least half that amount would have to be for his or her personal
residence.


As we reported a few days ago, some object to "selling
America to foreigners" while others worry that this infusion of foreign
cash will serve to keep prices out of the reach of ordinary citizens. 


However, as more details of the bill are revealed, it's
beginning to look like there's not much to worry about, even if the bill
passes. 


Why? Because it's not such a great deal for the foreign
buyers. For one thing, their purchase price would have to be more than
the most recent appraisal. That might not be a detriment if they believe prices
will go up. But a second provision might stop this plan in its tracks. 


In order to obtain this visitor's visa, foreign buyers would
have to agree to spend 180 days in the U.S. each year. That means that while
they would not have a work visa to earn money in the U.S., all of their income
from world-wide sources would be subject to U.S. income tax. 


Does that sound to you like an offer that will have wealthy
foreigners rushing to take advantage of the opportunity to obtain a hassle-free
visa?
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:51:39 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.housesinomaha.com/blog/will-this-1-omaha-commercial-real-estate-land-purchase-even-break-even.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.housesinomaha.com/blog/will-this-1-omaha-commercial-real-estate-land-purchase-even-break-even.html</link>
            <author>housesinomaha@gmail.com (Mark Ciochon)</author>
            <title>Will this $1 Omaha Commercial Real Estate Land Purchase Even Break Even? </title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Commercial Real Estate Land Purchase 


Six years ago, developer Jason Townsend won the right to develop a square block at 14th
      and Dodge Streets – just 6 blocks from the new TD Ameritrade Park
      and directly
      off a major Interstate 480 off-ramp into downtown Omaha.


Townsend was chosen over another developer when his plans
for a 32-story WallStreet Tower were chosen by then-mayor Mike Fahey. He then
purchased the land from the City for $1 and assumed the multi-million dollar
cost of demolishing the old Union Pacific building, which occupied the site. 


Demolition went forward as planned, but development has
stalled. The WallStreet Tower project was estimated to cost $122 million, and
in this sagging economy, the developer simply has been unable to find the
necessary backing. 


Because they expected to find that backing and begin
rebuilding, the hole left by demolition of the UP building was left until this
past Spring, when the city demanded that it be filled, heavy equipment and
fencing removed, and the lot made presentable prior to the College World Series
in June. 


Although Townsend Inc. is still interested in finding a
joint venture partner and going ahead with plans for the tower, the property is
now for sale. 


If it sells for the listed price of $6.5 million, will the
developer make money, lose money, or just break even? 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:33:42 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.housesinomaha.com/blog/omaha-short-sale.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.housesinomaha.com/blog/omaha-short-sale.html</link>
            <author>housesinomaha@gmail.com (Mark Ciochon)</author>
            <title>Omaha Short Sale</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Omaha Short Sale


Thinking of buying an Omaha short sale? Get your checklist out. Here is what you need when thinking of buying a short sale in Omaha.


1. Patience


2. Patience


3. Patience


There are so many variables when dealing with a short sale home that you have to have patience and a take it or leave it attitude. You see once you write an offer and the seller accepts it you really do not have an offer that is enforceable until the bank approves the short 


sale. Many times you have two banks to deal with which is called a first and a second. The first bank probably is going to deal with the situation pretty quick but if there is a second lender they have no protection in a foreclosure situation so if the second lender isn't getting any of the proceeds from the sale they are not real motivated to work with the seller and the future buyer. Many times the second lender in line will roll the dice that the home will not actually foreclose and they will get more money that way. 


As far as time frames go I have seen short sale deals come together in as little as six weeks and as long as 6-8 months. Heck I had a deal that my buyer offered in writing a cash offer 8 hours before the sale for 65,000 more than what it ended up sellin


g for the next day on the sheriff's sale and the bank rejected it saying it was too close to the sale date. Can you believe a bank passed up 65,000.00? They took 15 % less than the written cash offer. 


The bottom line with buying an Omaha short sale is patience because you just never know what will happen. If you are an investor these are the deals to go after but if you think you will get emotionally attached it is best to move on. 


I found a great video explaining in great detail, check out Ryan Ward's Short Sale 101 Video
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:54:44 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.housesinomaha.com/blog/district-66-homes-for-sale.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.housesinomaha.com/blog/district-66-homes-for-sale.html</link>
            <author>housesinomaha@gmail.com (Mark Ciochon)</author>
            <title>District 66 homes for sale</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
District 66 Homes For Sale


Don't you just love tree lined streets, large lots to enjoy playing and cooking out. District 66 homes has it all. Large home sites, treed lots and close to everything Omaha has to offer. Check out all District 66 homes for sale here. 



 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sat, 08 Oct 2011 10:28:18 -0500</pubDate>
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