May 6, 2013 – CBSHOME Real Estate (CBSHOME) and david day | associates (dda) received a platinum award of merit from the Omaha chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) for millennial market research and subsequent workshops for CBSHOME agents.

“We wanted to develop an effective marketing strategy, targeting the Millennial generation,” said CBSHOME President and CEO Joe Valenti. “We looked to dda to help us conduct research, and communicate insights and tactics with our agents.”

dda’s cross-analysis of local and national market research yielded specific strategic recommendations, and equipped CBSHOME’s Realtors with a clear understanding of the audience segment and unique language to engage Millennial customers effectively. Agents reported putting the tools into practice immediately.

dda and CBSHOME were recognized in the Market Research: Large Business category by the panel of Kansas City AMA chapter judges, who evaluated local marketing collateral and campaign materials on the basis of Objective, Execution and, most importantly, Results.

“We helped CBSHOME refresh its brand a few years ago, and love the continued opportunity to help it thrive,” said David Day, dda founder, president and creative director. “Agents indicated that their understanding and ability to effectively engage with Millennials increased by 150 percent based on our workshops. Winning an award from the AMA for our research just sweetens the results.”

About david day | associates

dda is a strategic, creative partner that uses a proven process of discovery, clarification and activation to get to the heart of a brand, and help it connect with the people who matter. Our Omaha-based company collaborates with brands to shape identity from the inside out through research, design, development and management of communication channels, including online, interactive, print, personal, environmental and ambient media. Learn more about who we are, what we do and why we do it at dday.com.

About CBSHOME Real Estate

CBSHOME Real Estate is a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate and a wholly owned subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc. It is the region’s leader in residential real estate with six sales offices throughout the Omaha Metro area. HomeServices of America, Inc. is the second largest full-service residential real estate brokerage firm and the largest settlement services provider in the United States. For more information, visit www.cbshome.com.

Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate romantic love with cards, chocolates, flowers and candlelit dinners.  But what happens when you don’t have that special someone in your life? 

I know many people join on-line dating services and find them helpful.  There are local paper and bulletin boards that others use to find a special friend.  Lucky people meet each other at work or join special interest clubs where they find the person of their dreams. 

I decided to go on–line to get some helpful hints for people who find that nothing in the modern world works for them.  I stumbled upon some folklore that will probably make you smile.

In the age of Shakespeare women were advised to “hold a peeled apple under your arm until the fruit becomes saturated with your scent; then present it to your lover to inhale.”  If that one is a bit too gross, try saying the names of 5 people to whom you’re attracted while twisting the stem of an apple. “You will marry the person whose name you were saying when the stem fell off.”

Tim Clark, writing for the Old Farmer’s Almanac, advises that you “kiss as many people as possible.”  According to Tim, Dr. Bubba Nicholson of Tampa, Florida, “says that kissing is a way for us to taste semiochemicals on another’s skin. Semiochemicals transmit biological signals of compatibility and attraction,”

Another bit of folklore suggests you hold your mouth full of water and walk around the block.  If you can keep from swallowing the water you will marry within the year.  Although it sounds more like something to do on St. Patrick’s Day instead of Valentine’s Day, another suggestion involves swallowing a four-leaf clover while thinking of the person you wish to love. If you are successful your love will be returned.

There are many more deeds one can try to win a sweetheart but they involve ingesting roasted hummingbird hearts, a white dove’s heart, walking backwards while throwing a shoe over your shoulder and many more hazardous tasks.  I would strongly advise against them.

Have a happy Valentine’s Day and if you would like to buy or sell a house for your Valentine please call or text me at 402-670-8775 or email me at Marie.Otis@cbshome.com.

Today’s World Herald beat me to it.  Omaha was announced as one of “The Coolest cities in the Midwest” by MSN.  The news service calls Omaha “the land of steak and corn” and extols its “great dining scene.”  Those of us who make Omaha our home are well aware of the diversity and quality of local restaurants.  It’s one of the reasons Omaha is such a terrific place to live.

The service cited Nebraska’s low unemployment rate, great work culture and “cheap” real estate as additional reasons the city was chosen for the list.  Too often the Midwest is considered “flyover country.” The article encouraged people to ignore such nonsense.  As MSN pointed out, Omaha Fashion Week has put the city on the national fashion scene. 

Other cities in honored in the article were: Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Ann Arbor, Minneapolis, St. Louis and Madison.

Thanks MSN and thank to the people of Omaha who are constantly identifying ways to make the city better. It is this forward-thinking culture that makes this city thrive.

Available Now. Our new App.

CBSHOME’s Mobile App.  A new mobile app that will change the home search experience.

CBSHOME Real Estate is the Omaha Metro areas BEST real estate resource.  Now you can use our cutting edge technology on your iPad, iPhone, or Android device.

The CBSHOME Omaha Real Estate Search app provides you instant access to all listings in the Omaha and Council Bluffs MLS areas.
Quickly locate homes using our exclusive Home Scan feature; a tool that uses augmented reality to overlay property information right onto the device’s live camera feed.  You will love the ability to point your device towards a home or down a street and have instant property information.

Additional search tools include a map search, address search, open house search and nearby properties for sale.  Find a home you love? Save it to your personal CBSHOME page, making it easy to view that property from the app or CBSHOME.com.

On Saturday, December 8th, CBSHOME Real Estate and Habitat for Humanity handed over the keys to a new home to a very deserving family.

The actual Habitat build started in August and finished up just last week.  CBSHOME would like to thank the countless volunteers (agents, employees and preferred vendors) who donated their time, money, and in some cases the roof and heating systems to this project.  Everyone’s hard work and efforts were realized on Saturday with the excitement in the faces of the home’s new owners.

Congratulations and thank you to all who participated!

To view the entire album from Saturday’s event, go to our CBSHOME Facebook Page.

CBSHOME Real Estate would like to congratulate Mark Leaders, Sales Manager of the Northwest Office, on his recent recognition as the Nebraska CRS of the Year.  The CRS (Council of Residential Specialists) designation is the highest credential awarded to REALTORS that only 3%  of agents attain.  It is the mark of expertise and professionalism in residential real estate sales and marketing.

Leaders received his real estate broker’s license in 1986. He has served as District Vice President of the Nebraska CRS Chapter.  He is currently serving as an OABR Director and a Nebraska REALTORS Association Director.

Looking for something to do this weekend?  The second largest rodeo in the world comes to Omaha this weekend!  The Ak-Sar-Ben River City Rodeo & Stock Show started in 1982 and offers lots of options for entertainment and family fun!  The event runs September 27th through September 30th at Omaha’s Century Link Center.

The weekend’s events include:

• Concerts:  Including country music stars Jake Owen and Diamond Rio.
• Justin Boots Championship Rodeo:  This event showcases ninety-six cowboys who compete over a seven-month period to earn their trip to Omaha.
• BBQ Contest
• Displays and Events:  Several different interactive events for people of all ages.
• Family Fun:  Omaha Now and Then display, AgVentureland and 4H Events!

For more information about the River City Rodeo you can visit there website – there is also a complete schedule of events available there.  We hope you enjoy this great Omaha tradition!

The summer drought in Nebraska has taken its toll on our grass and lawns!  Even with the recent rain and cooler temperatures you should still consider these steps to help your lawn recover from the summer heat.

HouseLogic.com provided this great article with all the tips you will need for “Drought-Proof Lawns and Landscaping.”

• Consider Low-Water Use Plants:  Cut your water usage by replacing current landscaping with drought-proof plants.  There are several to choose from and tips from various websites about planting.
• Audit and Add Water Saving Tools:  An irrigation system audit tells you whether your system needs repairs or adjustments.
• Give Grass Some TLC: With cooler weather and more moisture in the fall, growth and green color will return.  Consider aeration this time of year.
• Revisit Your Watering Plan:  Water early in the morning when temperatures are cooler.

Read the entire article about  Fall Tips to Drought-Proof Your Lawns and Landscaping or you give visit HouseLogic.com’s website for other tips.

Do your fall plans include looking for a new home?  If you are planning on buying or selling contact your CBSHOME Agent.  If you need an agent, feel free to contact our Relocation Department.

Enjoy the Fabulous Fall Weather!

CBSHOME Real Estate’s Habitat for Humanity Build kicks-off tomorrow morning! Our West Dodge Office begins work framing the house located at 31st and Meredith.

The very deserving family started their partnership with Habitat back in December 2011.  Since then, they have put in their “sweat equity” hours and are very excited to start building their new home with CBSHOME.  They had always wanted to own their own home and provide a safe place for their family.

Keep checking our blog or our CBSHOME Facebook page for updates on how the build is going!