In my line of work, I often have family/friends/clients asking for me to refer them to different vendors or contractors for items they need done around the house.  As you can imagine, one of the biggest questions I am asked is "do you have a moving company you can recommend?"  My answer always is "Yes, Graebel Movers".  Earlier this year, I had the privilege meeting Chris Vogt, Omaha's new General Manager for Graebel, through the Omaha Chamber of Commerce.  Chris and his family had relocated from Denver to Omaha, so Chris can manage and oversee Graebel's Omaha office.  Chris being new to the area had asked me what he needed to do for me to refer him business, and I told him to prove that Graebel is worth the referral.  Well folks, Chris Vogt and Grabel Movers did that and more!  Graebel has personally packed and moved my grandmother and several of my clients.  Everyone has been extremely happy with the professionalism displayed by the Graebel employees, their attention to detail when handling personal items and the move, but most importantly their competitive pricing.   Chris had provided me with a local price breakdown for Graebel Movers compared to one of their top competitors, see below:

 Local Price Breakdown as of 8/24/09**

  Graebel Omaha Movers                  vs                  Two Men and a Truck

2 men and 1 truck    $87.00                          2 men and 1 truck     $99.00

3 men and 1 truck    $116.00                        3 men and 1 truck      $132.00

4 men and 1 TT*     $145.00                        4 men and 1 truck      $165.00

5 men and 1 TT*     $174.00                        5 men and 2 trucks    $231.00

*TT= Tractor and Trailer                             

** Prices subject to change, and please call Graebel for current pricing in your area.  

According to Chris, "As the world's largest privately owned Van Lines, Graebel offers competitive rates across the country.  All of our crews are drug tested and background checked.  This ensures that all our customers feel very comfortable with our crews doing their move whether its across town, across the country, or overseas."

For more information on Graebel Movers, please contact Chris Vogt at 402-597-8733 or www.Graebel.com .  Make sure you tell Chris I referred you! 

Kristen Wehner Jacobsen, CRS, CREN

402-672-7701

Omaha, NE

"There's No Place like Home."

I have been asked by many on how part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act pertains to the first-time homebuyers and their eligibility for a refundable tax credit.  Here is a quick overview of the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers:

• A "first-time homebuyer" is defined as a person who had not owned a home in the last 3 years
• The tax credit is equal to 10% of the home's purchase price up to $8,000.
• The credit is only available to the homes purchased on or after January 1 and before December 1, 2009
• The homes must be a single family dwelling including:  new, existing, condo, or townhomes
• The tax credit does not have to be repaid if the home isn't sold within 3 years of the purchase date
• The tax credit is "refundable" or claimable for the year of purchase regardless of the homebuyer's tax liability.
• Income requirements:  Single taxpayers up to $75,000 and married couples up to $150,000 qualify

FAQ's for the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit

Please consult your tax advisor for more information. 

Kristen Wehner Jacobsen, CRS, CREN

402-672-7701

Omaha, NE 

Whenever a buyer starts looking for a home in a new area, whether it's across the city or in another state, safety is always one of their first thoughts.  The buyer wants reassurance about their ability to make an informed decision to protect themselves by knowing the crime rate in their neighborhood.  This past week, I had a client tell me about www.crimereports.com , so I did my research.

Crimereports.com is a comprehensive Public Engine (SaaS) that allows government agencies to manage and share data directly with their local communities.  The website is designed for the public to obtain the daily crime reports for their specific neighborhood or block.  Whenever law enforcement responds to a call and file a report, the report becomes apart of the public record.  www.Crimereports.com does not use the victims' names or the exact address of the crime, but does convert the addresses into "block level".  The crimes are categorized in 15 types with subtypes:  assault, breaking & entering, homicide, proactive policing, property crime, quality of life, registered sex offenders, robbery (violent), sex offenses, theft, traffic, theft from vehicle, vehicle recovery, theft of vehicle, and other. 

Omaha Metro Area Law Enforcement Agencies who participate:  Omaha Police Department, Bellevue Police Department, Papillion Police Department, and Sarpy County Sheriff.   

Kristen Wehner Jacobsen, CRS, CREN

402-672-7701

Omaha, NE

"There's No Place like Home."

In the midst of a cold winter day, it would be Murphy's Law for your furnace to stop working.  Who do you call?  Can you find a trustworthy HVAC contractor to honestly tell you what is wrong?  NP Dodge has the answer for you, our NP Dodge Service Network.  Our Service Network was especially created for our clients to help them find a trustworthy and prescreened contractor to help you with your home.  Whether it is problems with your mechanicals or a remodeling project, the Service Network has you covered.   

I have personally used our NP Dodge Service Network, and I was pleasantly surprised on the service that was provided.  I simply requested work from the contractors on our network via the NP Dodge website, and someone contacted me immediately.  It was fabulous!  My dreams had been answered to find reliable and trustworthy contractors to do work on my home. 

Service Network Vendor List

Kristen Wehner Jacobsen, CRS, CREN

402-672-7701

Omaha, NE

"There's No Place like Home."

As a home buyer, whether it's your first, second, or third home, it can often times be overwhelming and plagued with questions.  You will often times find your mind racing in circles as you try to figure out how to get started, where to started, and what you need.  Let's face it, it's scary and you shouldn't be alone!  The obvious thing, coming from a real estate agent, is to find an agent.  If you hire the right buyer's agent, they should help you with HOW to get started: 

WHO:  I want to buy a home, and should I hire an agent?  Absolutely!  The average person buys or sells a home once every 8-12 years, and cannot be expected to know the ins and outs of real estate.  By hiring the right agent, she/he will help you find your new home, educate you on the process, handle your negotiations, and follow up with others in the transaction.    

WHAT:  What do I need? 

• Need a pre-approval from a qualified lender. 
• Need to know how much you want to spend on a home
• Need to know the kinds of amenities you need in a home
• Do I need to sell my current home first before I can buy a new one?

WHEN:  When do I want to start looking for a home?  The timeframe varies from person to person and completely depends on your specific needs.  You can figure it takes about 30-45 days to close on a house from the date of your accepted purchase contract. 

WHERE:  Where do I want to buy a home?  Determine what is important to you, your family, or your lifestyle.  Is it important to be in the right school district?  Do you want a short commute to work?  Would you prefer an urban, suburban, or a county lifestyle?

WHY:  Why should I buy a home?  There are many benefits to home ownership:  tax advantages, low interest rates, building wealth and equity, or simply self pride. 

Kristen Wehner Jacobsen, CRS, CREN

402-672-7701

Omaha, NE

"There's No Place like Home."

Helpful Hints to Sell Your Home

During this time of year, I have many conversations that start with "We are thinking about selling our home, and I was wondering what we need to do to get it ready?"  Sound familiar?  You are not alone; many people start this process right after the holidays in preparation for the early spring market.  From my experience working with sellers, I have put together a check-list of proven items that get homes sold...

1.  If it's broken, fit it.   

2.  Make your home SHINE! 

3.  De-Clutter 

4.  De-Personalize

5.  Rent a storage unit

6.  Kitchens.  Avoid clutter! 

7.  Bathrooms.  Clean them thoroughly.

8.  Smell.  A clean smelling house creates a positive image in the buyer's mind! 

9.  Final task...linger in a doorway of each room and imagine how it will look to a buyer.

For complete details from my list of "Helpful Hints to Sell Your Home", please email me. 

Kristen Wehner Jacobsen, CRS, CREN

402-672-7701

Omaha, NE

"There's No Place like Home."

The Trend Graphic Reports were published today indicating the market has declined since 2007.  The report revels from November 2007 to November 2008 that the number of sold properties have fallen by 48.2%, and pending properties are down 21.5%.  The inventory of homes for sale in the Omaha MLS is down by 17.1%.    See graph below.

Kristen Wehner Jacobsen, CRS, CREN

402-672-7701

Omaha, NE

"There's No Place like Home."