At CBSHOME, it’s no secret that we have the best real estate professionals to manage the needs of the Omaha’s relocating clientele. While its not hard, it comes with it’s own unique challenges that requires a certain finesse when specializing in this niche. Be resourceful, solutions-oriented, truthful, genuine and well-versed. At CBSHOME, we focus on trying to help our clients obtain the best possible price for their home while minimizing days on market. According to a recent Mobility article, the author, Steven John noted, ” If pricing it right is the first rule of real estate, condition has to be the second. In a market with large numbers of properties to choose from, buyers can be selective.” It’s important to be honest with your sellers. Let them now how to prepare their home for ”sold” rather than ”for sale” and be realistic in the pricing. Chances are, when we minimize surprises and overcome obstacles prior to putting the home on the market, we have a happier client and a sold sign in the front yard!
The Worldwide Employee Relocation Council is the leading authority on global and domestic mobility. Previously called the Employee Relocation Council, ERC for short, they changed their name a few years ago to include “worldwide” and emphasize their concentration on global mobility issues. Thankfully, they continue to maintain their domestic focus too. In a recent publication, U.S. Domestic Mobility Trends: Results from Recent Worldwide ERC Surveys, they highlighted some of the reasons for the recent downturn in the U.S. relocation activity. No surprises there. The economic downturn and the real estate market continue to be driving forces behind employers offering fewer relocation opportunities and employees who are more reluctant to accepting the job transfers. The article dissects the data of the past few years, but for those of us entrenched in the industry, we are eager for a more prosperous 2010!
When the technology era boomed a couple of decades ago, Southern California was the place to be. The lure of it’s prime weather and vacation-like living was all the rage. Today, as technology continues to push the envelope, the Heartland is the new “hot” spot for companies going back to the basics. Dubbed, Silicon Prairie, for our forward thinking, technologically advanced workforce, but also for the network of businesses that are pushing for investments from companies to come to Omaha. Thank you to the stealthy “Nebraska Dipolomats” who are helping the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and local area Chambers of Commerce to spread the word of all that we have to offer. Recently retired PayPal Excutive, Ryan Downs, and other successful entrepreneurs, help recruit businesses across Nebraska by touting our steadfast commitments to hard work, our strong economic climate, and the numerous financial advantages for business to relocate or begin their ventures in our great state. Undoubtedly, we can expect to hear more about the success stories as the Silicon Prairie continues to gain momentum.
As Obama’s Administration tries to grasp the economic and housing problems, there is a new player in the game of short sales. The US Treasury is acting like a referee in a game where the offense (sellers) and the defense (lenders) are not even on the same playing field. The Treasury announced new guidelines for short sales on November 30th in an attempt to simply the process and improve closing conversions. A few key factors in the guidelines are:
1) Mortgage servicers have 10 days to approve or disapprove a short sales request
2) When the short sale is finalized, the mortgage provider must fully release the borrower from the debt
3) It prohibits mortgage servicing companies from reducing real estate commissions
4) It caps the aggregate proceeds to subordinate lien holders to $3,000
You can read more about the guidance, but please note it is not a law, in the Reuters article, Treasury Sets Guidance to simplify “short sales.”
Will this guidance help streamline the process or continue to mask the solution for homeowners who wish to sell their homes and avoid foreclosure? As noted in the article, “Second lien holders may proceed with a short sale outside of the Treasury program.” The dismal success of the Home Affordable Modification Program may be a precursor for this guidance and leave us asking, “where is the real solution?”
What are your thoughts? What can we do to tackle this growing problem?
Omaha, NE Relocation is a word often used, but rarely do most understand the true significance of what the term entails. Its more than just moving your belongings, finding a home or starting a new position. It is an unwavering commitment on behalf of the employee, the employer and the countless providers that make it all happen. With the downturn in the economy, many are asking “Where have all of the relocations gone?”
By no surprise, the volume of relocation business has declined due to a number of factors from the employee and employer perspective. An employee is concerned about job security, restricted guidelines for buying a new home, challenges of selling a home and many more. The employer has many concerns too. How dedicated will my employee be? How smoothly will the process go? What costs are associated with making this move happen? The attached link details some of the costs associated with how expensive relocating an employee can be. While these statistics are sobering, it highlights the major costs associated with moving one employee and the financial backing that is required make it all happen.
In challenging times, it helps to have an advocate in the relocation industry who understands the fine intricacies of the relocation process. You have no better ally than CBSHOME Relocation Services – let us show you why today!
Halloween comes but once a year and at Agent Services it has come a day early! Stop by the office today and bring your trick or treaters for some candy and laughter. There will be treat stops throughout the office from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. today. Whether you’ll see a slumber party, an 80’s blast from the past crew, the Octomom, or our resident pet penguin – there is fun to be had. Come see all of the creative forces we have at Agent Services and share in the good times!
As you can see - a ton of fun was had by kids and adults alike! We had Woody’s Roundup, we had Toy Story, a slumber party in Accounting and the 80’s Show in Relocation. The best costume award went to Jill in HR – she came as Octomom!!! It was great to see all of the kiddos – we are thankful to such an awesome extended family at CBSHOME Real Estate!
Omaha, NE Whether you are moving across town or across the country, for a career or personal reasons, it is never easy, nor inexpensive, to make a move. Historically, many companies have provided some form of relocation benefits for those transferring for their profession, but with limited budgets, those benefits have been revamped as well. With CBSHOME Relocation Services, we are your partner to help you save time, money and frustration. We will help you in Omaha or across the country find the best real estate professionals, household goods providers, temporary housing solutions and so much more. Relocating is easy when you have the right partner helping you every step of the way. CBSHOME Relocation Services is your advocate for all of your relocation needs. In fact, we will do such a great job, you will say this has been your best move ever!
Omaha, NE Growing up in Omaha we tend to forget all of the great amenities that Omaha has to offer it’s residents. From our award winning Henry Doorly Zoo to being home of the College World Series to great schools, affordable housing, shopping and entertainment, we really do have it all! No wonder some of the world’s leading companies call Omaha home. Omaha is home to such Fortune 500 as Berkshire Hathaway(#11), Union Pacific (#154), ConAgra Foods (#210), Peter Kiewit Sons’, Inc. (#385) and many more. Per the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, the top employment sectors include Financial Services, the Defense Industry, Transportation, Manufacturing, and Information Technology. With all that Omaha has to offer, why not call it home for you, your family and your business?
Omaha, NE Just a few short days ago, the weather was a beautiful, sunny 70 degrees. Today, it’s a little different as the first signs of winter blow in. The joke in Omaha remains, if you don’t like the weather, wait 10 minutes and it will change. Unlike the weather, the economy in the Omaha metro area is stable and dependable. The newest unemployment rate in Omaha is 4.5% while the national average is more that double that at 9.8% in August 2009. While we understand the uncertainty in the economy these days, there is no better place to work, live and play than Omaha.
Our Chamber of Commerce is as busy as ever as they gear up for another solid year of recruiting new businesses and promoting business expansions right here in our hometown. Whether you are looking to relocate to Omaha or relocate to another employer in Omaha, our job market is expanding. Check out all they have going on at the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce! Feel free to contact CBSHOME Relocation Services, we are here to help you make an informed decision and provide a streamlined process to make this move your best yet!
Ok – we all know about it, we may even be tired of hearing and reading about it, but let’s face it, if you know someone who would benefit from the $8000 tax credit, now is the time to act. We have been chanting the mantra about the tax credit since 2008 and now is the time to get louder about. In case you haven’t heard – time is running out! When you think of Mark Johnson, Nebraska Market Manager for HomeServices Lending, you probably don’t think “loud,” but he was adamant with attendees at the UNMC Real Estate with Honors First Time Home Buyers Seminar on 9/22 about now being the time to act and buy their first home. With a great selection of homes, some on the lowest interest rates in history, and the $8000 tax credit, why wouldn’t you buy? Evidence shows that homeowners have approximately five times more personal wealth than renters. What a great way to jumpstart your path to personal wealth by receiving $8000 from Uncle Sam to buy a home. If you, or someone you know, could you use $8000 towards their future, contact CBSHOME today!
http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/60415652.html
Omaha, NE, Visitors who are considering making the move to the Omaha-metro area will typically ask – so what does Omaha have to offer me? Whether the move is due to a job transfer or for personal reasons, the response is – EVERYTHING! Omaha has received many accolades from various sources across the country. Some of our most notable achievements are as follows:
- Omaha ranked first on the list of mid-sized “Best Cities for Relocating Families” by Primacy Relocation and Worldwide Employee Relocation Council in 2008.
- The Competitive Alternatives: Focus on Tax Study ranked Omaha as having the most favorable tax structure for businesses among cities with a population between 500,000 and 2 million – KPMG International 2008
- Kiplingers Personal Finance ranked Omaha third among the “Top 10 Best Cities in 2008.”
- The 2008 Salary Value Index ranked Omaha third among the “Best Cities to Build Personal Wealth” – salary.com 2008.
- Omaha is eighth for “Best Places to Live for Affordable Housing ” – CNNMoney 2008
- Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo was selected as Nickelodeons 2008 Parents’ Pick “Best Day Camp for Big Kids”
To view the complete list of Omaha’s top rankings, view the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce for more information. Its great to live, work and play in Omaha – come join the fun!
This weekend is the official kick off to the fall season with Nebraska City’s 41st Annual AppleJack Festival. It is a great time to see the historic Arbor Lodge, participate in apple picking, view art exhibits, the car show and so much more. View their website for more information and maybe enter the Strongman/Strongwoman contest. There will be fun for visitors of all ages!
First time home buyers are certainly getting off the fence – as well they should be! Even UNMC is hosting a first time home buyers seminar on September 22 at the Durham Outpatient Center from 11a.m. to 12:30p.m. CBSHOME Mortgage’s very own Mark Johnson will be speaking from from 11 a.m. to 11:30 to help educate and answer questions for first time home buyers on why NOW is the perfect time to buy a house. Come to the event or contact us for more information. CBSHOME is here to help you through the process so you are informed and prepared to make that pivotal step towards home ownership. Now is the time to act- you will be thankful you did!
Omaha, NE Whether you never go on a vacation or you travel regularly for your job, leaving your home, and possibly your family, alone can be a worrisom event. During my time in Phoenix, I learned to not watch the news – it was too upsetting to learn of the violence that takes place. Growing up in Omaha and now raising my children makes me thankful to live in a much safer place! As the old addage goes though – you can never be too safe! To help you have some peace of mind, I have included this website for your reference. It is the Home Safety Council and it can provide you a lot of great information on how to keep safe.
Omaha, NE In a world full of texting and email, its important to stop and remember the good feelings of sending and receiving a personal note. It can be simple, yet impactful. In a world whizzing by us – especially for those relocating – it can be whizzing by at dizzying speeds! I really like the following article presented by Edina Relocation Services and commented on by John D Ambrogio. It reminds us that in a world of technology – a personal touch can make all the difference!
Real Estate transactions are a very personal and emotional experience whether you are the seller or buyer. In an age where technology rules our industry, as well as every other field, we find remembering and getting back to the basics is making a difference.
We are discovering that in a time where communication has never been easier, instead of just an email. Picking up the phone to have a real conversation with someone at the other end of the phone isa lot more personal, meaningful and tends to last longer. We are taking the time to really listen to our clients, all to create a lasting, long-term connection.
Click to read the full article.
Have you ever thought about a previous relocation exprience or an upcoming one and you feel like dancing? At CBSHOME Relocation Services we love the opportunity to help you make the relocation process a smooth one, but also a fun one! Take a look for some good laughs and maybe you’ll learn a few new dance moves – we did!
Omaha, Nebraska – it’s more than just corn and the Cornhuskers! You’ll be surprised to learn that the growth in Omaha continues to surpass the national average. With technology, banking, and insurance firms coming to Omaha, the job market and economy has quickly outperformed other areas around the country. Take a quick peak at our Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce to learn more about all that Omaha has to offer you!
Omaha
