January 2007 eNewsletter

Welcome to At Home, my real estate e-newsletter.  The goal of At Home is to provide you with valuable information about the Omaha area real estate market, a Home Tip, a Quick Note from Steve, and my monthly Trivia Challenge.  Congratulations! To Mike G. for submitting the correct answer for my movie Trivia Challenge (Over the Hedge) and being drawn.  He received a $20 gift card to Douglas theaters.

Omaha Real Estate Market remains slow!

December 2006 was again pretty slow.  However, December was relatively busy with showing activity, a good sign for a strong January.  Home buyers that look in December are usually pretty eager to buy.  I think January we will see more pending and sold listings than in December.  Listed below are some of December 2006's market statistics. 

Notes: DOM = Days on Market, Coop Sales = two different real estate companies were involved in the sale, and In-House Sales = homes sold and listed by the same real estate company.

Note: information has not been verified, is not guaranteed, and is provided by Great Plains REALTORS Multiple Listing Service, Inc.

Home Tip

What is Radon?

Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas that results from the soil's natural decay. It can enter homes through cracks in floors, walls, or foundations; construction joints; gaps around pipes; openings inside of walls; or your water system. While it won't damage a home's structure, its invisible particles can enter the lungs and significantly increase a residents' risk of certain types of cancer.

Do you have high radon levels?

If you are concerned about radon, ask a WIN inspector to include a radon test as part of your home inspection.* During a radon test, inspectors take air samples over a time period to gather a representative sample indicating how much radon is present in the home. Radon levels can vary, but initial measurements can be telling. Some homeowners who monitor radon levels like to monitor radon over time or check periodically to get a sense of the home's true level of this gas. Radon is measured in "picoCuries per liter of air" (pCi/L), with 2pCI/L or less radon in the air considered acceptable, but more than 4 pCI/L considered unhealthy.

Creating a radon-proof environment

Fortunately, many owners or buyers who do find evidence of high radon levels can reduce their interaction with this gas by sealing cracks, installing ventilation fans, or taking other mitigation measures like installing suction fans inside or below basements or home foundations. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the cost to apply radon reduction techniques ranges anywhere from $800 to $2,500, with the average cost about $1,200. These measures can be very effective in controlling radon.

Article courtsey of WIN Inspections and Joel Hookham 402-932-0952

A Quick Note from Steve

Happy New Year!  I am glad the busy holiday season is over and I look forward to a busy year in real estate.  It seems like this January is shaping up to be as busy as December for Teresa and I.  We have two holiday parties and Lion King Tickets -- needless to say, in my family we "book" weekends three weeks in advance.  We are in the process of potty training Taryn, who turns 2 in February.  The tip off to us that she might be ready was after Christmas she started potty training her stuffed bear "Lucy".  Plus she is completely naked in the mornings when we go to get her out of bed because "diaper wet".  Nick had his first sleep over with two of his friends, Jason and Eli, on New Year's Eve.  They had a great time playing and then watching a movie on the big screen, "Over the Hedge".  It made for a crazy New Year's Eve for us and we were at home!  Thanks for taking a couple of minutes out of your day to read my newsletter and if you know anyone considering buying or selling a home, I would appreciate your referrals.

Trivia Challenge Question:

What movie quote is this from: "We ain't got no booze" This quote is from one of my all-time favorite movies that I have seen over 20 times.  I was going to use this quote: "I don't work January 8th because that's Elvis's birthday", but that's pretty easy. If you didn't know, I'm an Elvis fan, so the rule applies to me too.  So if you want to reach me on the 8^th, call my cell phone.  I'll be at home sponging on the couch and watching old Elvis movies. 

Submit your trivia answer online or call me.  Everyone with the correct answer will be put into a drawing.  One lucky winner will be drawn monthly. This month's prize $10 gift card to Hollywood video.  Submit your answer (Click Here)