Sep 26, 2018
In this recent article from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), confidence remains strong among home builders even though there is rising concern about housing affordability. Demand for newly built, single-family homes continued to remain high, due in part to millennials and others entering the housing market for the first time. While interest rates are still low, they are expected to rise. Materials are also increasing in cost, though lumber has seen a recent reduction. Continue reading the full article below.
Builder Confidence Remains Firm in September
(NAHB), Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes remained unchanged at a solid 67 reading in September on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI).
“Despite rising affordability concerns, builders continue to report firm demand for housing, especially as millennials and other newcomers enter the market,” said NAHB Chairman Randy Noel, a custom home builder from LaPlace, La. “The recent decline in lumber prices from record-high levels earlier this summer is also welcome relief, although builders still need to manage construction costs to keep homes competitively priced.”
“A growing economy and rising incomes combined with increasing household formations should boost demand for new single-family homes moving forward,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “However, housing affordability is becoming a challenge, as builders face overly burdensome regulations and rising material costs exacerbated by an escalating trade skirmish. Interest rates are also forecasted to keep rising.” Derived from a monthly survey that NAHB has been conducting for 30 years, the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index gauges builder perceptions of current single-family home sales and sales expectations for the next six months as “good,” “fair” or “poor.” The survey also asks builders to rate traffic of prospective buyers as “high to very high,” “average” or “low to very low.” Scores for each component are then used to calculate a seasonally adjusted index where any number over 50 indicates that more builders view conditions as good than poor.
The HMI index measuring current sales conditions rose one point to 74 and the component gauging expectations in the next six months increased two points to 74. Meanwhile, the metric charting buyer traffic held steady at 49.
Looking at the three-month moving averages for regional HMI scores, the Northeast rose one point to 54 and the South remained unchanged at 70. The West edged down a single point to 73 and the Midwest fell three points to 59.
Editor’s Note: The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index is strictly the product of NAHB Economics, and is not seen or influenced by any outside party prior to being released to the public. HMI tables can be found at nahb.org/hmi. More information on housing statistics is also available at housingeconomics.com.
Sep 19, 2018
Is your home ready for winter, here’s a handy winter ready home checklist to help you get ready for the cold months. It’s still officially summer, for a couple of days at least, but winter can rear its chilly head anytime soon. Don’t get caught off guard, use this winter ready home checklist to get your home in shape before the snow starts to fly and the cold settles in.
Whether you live in a newly built home or an older home in Omaha, there are still many things you’ll need to do to make sure you home is winter ready. Newly built homes are better insulated – doors, windows and between the walls, but there are still many things to do to make sure you home is ready for winter.
Winter Ready Home Checklist
Fill the Gaps
If you have a basement check to make sure that all windows are sealed up. If not use caulk to fill the gaps. The same goes for any cracks in the foundation or erosion. If you have either it’s best to have a professional take a look to see what needs to be done to fix the foundation. While you’re at it, check for radon, too.
Overwinter your Plants
If you’ve got plants such as geraniums that have been blooming all summer and fall, now is the time to bring them inside and let them go dormant. Simply cut back any dead blooms, leaves and branches and store in a dark area. You won’t need to water them all winter long. In spring bring them into the light and start watering them. Put them outside when any chance of frost has passed.
Clean Gutters
If you don’t have a service and you don’t live in an association that takes care of this sort of thing, now is a good time to clean the gutters. Of course you’ll want to wait until all the leaves have fallen. Clean out any debris – leaves, twigs, acorns etc… and then flush gutters with the garden hose to make sure everything is running smoothly. Make sure downspouts run away from the house to prevent your basement from getting wet come spring.
Lawn Care
Now is a great time to fertilize and seed your lawn before it goes dormant for the winter. Fertilize and seed the lawn after the final raking if possible. Sometimes Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate and snow flies before the leaves can be raked up. If this happens, don’t worry, your lawn will probably be just fine.
Turn off Outside Faucets
Don’t forget to turn off your outside faucets. It doesn’t take much to end up with a broken pipe due to freezing. Drain the line before turning off the water to the outside faucet and leave the spigot open so it dries up leaving no water to freeze.
Sep 12, 2018
If you’re in the market for the brand new 3 bedroom home for sale in Blondo Ridges of Elkhorn, NE, then look no further than lovely ranch style home available for immediate move-in!
This lovely home is located at 2531 North 188th Street, Elkhorn, NE in the Blondo Ridges community. It features 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a 3 car garage and is priced int he $370s.
Located in the Elkhorm Public School District, this home is perfect for those who are just beginning their family, or for those who might recently have become empty nesters.
3 Bedroom Home for Sale in Blondo Ridges of Elkhorn, NE
Warm & Inviting
Enter this home from the main entry and you’ll find yourself in the great room. The great room includes a lovely built-in with fireplace and plenty of space for TV, books and other treasures. The room fills with natural light from the expansive windows with transoms. The dining area and kitchen are open to the great room with easy access to the outdoor deck – perfect for grilling in any season. The kitchen features a large island for food prep or a place to eat a quick breakfast in the morning. The kitchen has plenty of counter space and storage with the walk-in pantry.
Ample Storage
Walk through the pantry and you’ll find yourself in the back hallway with access to the coat closet, laundry and the master suite. The master bedroom has a boxed ceiling and windows for natural light to spill in. The master bath has a large walk-in shower, double sink vanity with plenty of storage and a spacious walk-in closet. The private toilet area is handy too.
So Many Options!
On the other side of this lovely home you’ll find the second and third bedroom with shared bathroom. Both bedrooms are spacious with ample closet space. The bathroom features a tub/shower combo with linen closet in the hallway.
Head down the stairs to access the lower level where there’s room for an additional bedroom or two, third bathroom, mechanical area and rec room.
Learn More
To learn more about this beautiful new 3 bedroom home for sale in Blondo Ridges of Elkhorn, NE, please contact Kamie Mielke at 402-916-9883. Click here to see our other available homes for sale in the great Omaha region.
Sep 5, 2018
Summer has come and gone, but there are still plenty of great events in Omaha this September to enjoy before it starts to get cold. It’s festival season with the Renaissance Festival, El Grito Festival and of course Oktoberfest. Get out and enjoy the last few warm evenings, winter is just around the corner. See the full list of events in Omaha this September below.
Events in Omaha this September
La Festa Italiana
When: August 31st– September 2nd, 2018
Where: American Italian Heritage Society
5110 N 1320nd Street
Omaha, NE
Celebrate one of the Omaha area’s most beloved festivals this Labor Day weekend. Guests enjoy authentic Italian food, wine, beer, fireworks and dancing under the stars, at the American Italian Heritage Society home, il Palazzo on 132nd and Fort Streets.
SeptemberFest Omaha
When: August 31st– September 3rd, 2018
Where: CHI Health Center Omaha
455 N 10thStreet
Omaha, NE
The annual Salute to Labor has something for the entire family, from the musical acts in the Beer Garden, to plenty of entertainment for children in the Kiddie Kingdom, to a giant carnival midway for the entire family. SeptemberFest also includes arts & crafts, food, and a number of new special attractions each year.
The event draws visitors from a five-state area including Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and South Dakota. The variety of SeptemberFest programming attracts people of all ages and interests to make a weekend bus or auto tour to Omaha revolving around the celebration. Proceeds from SeptemberFest fund a number of community improvement projects, and the event has been honored with a number of awards.
Jitterbug Jamborama: Swing Dance Festival
When: September 7thand 8th, 2018
Where: 201 S 24thStreet
Omaha, NE
Our 16th year of swing dance workshops, swing dance contests, and lots of social dancing to great music and live jazz.
Jitterbug Jamborama is a festival of swing dancing and music organized by and for the Omaha, Nebraska swing dance community. Omaha Jitterbugs invites dancers and non-dancers from around the region to join us as we celebrate and explore the history, community, and art of swing dance with workshops, contests, performances, live music, and dance parties.
Rockbrook Village Art Fair
When: September 8thand 9th, 2018
Where: Rockbrook Village Shopping Center
2800 S 110thCt
Omaha, NE
Join us September 8 & 9 when over 150 national, regional, and local artists will display and sell their one-of-a-kind works of art. Spend the day browsing quality art and chatting with those who create it and appreciate it.
Whether you are looking for glass, jewelry, leather, photography, printmaking, painting, sculpture, wood, ceramics or fiber…. you are sure to find something special at this one of a kind event. Grab a bite to eat in our food court located in the center plaza, or enjoy any one of our 6 restaurants in the Village.
El Grito Festival
When: September 14thand 15th, 2018
Where: S 24thStreet and N Street
Omaha, NE
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and Mexican Independence Day in South Omaha! Emerge yourself in vibrant and colorful homeland roots of Mexican and Hispanic culture with authentic food, live music, a parade, and more.
27thAnnual Fort Omaha Intertribal Powwow
When: September 15th, 2018
Where: Fort Omaha Campus
5300 N 30thStreet
Omaha, NE
Celebrating Native American cultures, the powwow honors the traditional dance, music, artistry, oral history and foods of various tribes across Nebraska and the surrounding region including, but not limited to, Ponca, Omaha, Santee Sioux and Winnebago.
Rhythm Blues and Art Fest
When: September 15th, 2018
Where: Lewis & Clark Landing
515 N Riverfront Drive
Omaha, NE
Native Omaha Days Presents RHYTHM BLUES & ARTS FEST, a celebration of urban music, arts & culture.
BIG DADDY KANE headlines the music performances with his many rap/hip-hop hits while LAKESIDE brings their classic funk/R&B sound and soulful SUNSHINE ANDERSON sings her chart-topping “Heard It All Before” along with some great new songs. Other regional acts will also perform.
The RYTHM BLUES & ARTS FEST will also host pop-up shops with regional arts and crafts. Food and beverages from local favorites are will also be available. Vendors who wish to display or sell their wares need to fill out the form at rbafest.com. Tickets start at $15 with VIP packages available. Gates open at 3PM.
Chalk Art Festival
When: September 15th, 2018
Where: Farnam Street in Midtown Crossing
Omaha, NE
An eye-popping addition to the city’s arts and culture landscape, the Chalk Art Festival is a weekend-long live art celebration. Local/regional artists and professional madonnaris will transform patches of Midtown Crossing pavement into pastel chalk masterpieces.
Enjoy live music, food, drinks and shopping. New to Omaha and Midtown Crossing, the Chalk Art Festival concept is tremendously popular around the world – from Curtatone, Italy, to Denver, Colorado.
Free & open to the public.
17thAnnual Oktoberfest
When: September 21stand 22nd, 2018
Where: Crescent Moon
3578 Farnam Street
Omaha, NE
Wear some traditional German clothing to celebrate Oktoberfest in a large outdoor beer garden with live music and ceremonial keg tappings. The Grill will be serving up traditional favorites and a huge selection of glassware will be available for purchase or bring your own mug to be filled. Admission includes entry for a chance to win a giveaway trip to Munich, Germany.
Midlands Renaissance Revel & Pirate Festival
When: September 22ndand 23rd, 2018
Where: 22984 Highway 6
Council Bluffs, IA
Enjoy a celebration of 16th Century European culture and 18th Century Caribbean buccaneers complete with Joust Evolution, professional performing troupes from all around the Upper Midwest and an artisans merchant bazaar.
Junkstock Harvest Edition 2018
When: September 28th– 30th, 2018
Where: 1150 River Road Drive
Waterloo, NE
Join us for Junkstock Harvest Edition on September 28, 29, & 30, 2018! Over 200 vintage, antique and junk vendors will join makers and 20+ food trucks, and bands for the magical festival at Sycamore Farms just outside of Omaha in Waterloo Nebraska. The century-old horse farm also features over 40,000 square feet of indoor shopping spaces. The event is pet friendly & children 12 & under are free!
Junkstock is a small family business that started as a dream of a local gal who has literally created a Mecca for people to turn forgotten vintage goods into new found treasure. Sixteen shows later and Junkstock is nationally recognized as one of the best vintage festivals in the country. Come out and see why Better Homes & Gardens Magazine called it a “Top Vintage Market & Barn Sale” and Midwest Living Magazine called it a “Can’t Miss Midwest Flea Market”.
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