an ongoing conversation place for everything real estate

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.

We all feel like it has been a long Winter, but Spring weather is just around the corner! Warmer temperatures this week and this weekend mean it’s time start thinking about Spring and prepping your garden.

We found this great blog post on RISMedia.com about Prepping your Garden for Spring.

Tips include things such as:

• Knowing your soil and soil needs
• Keeping weeds at bay
• … and letting Mother Nature do some of the work for you!

Make sure to read the entire article Prepping your Garden for Spring.  It has great tips for spring planting!

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.

CBSHOME Real Estate is pleased to announce its Veterans to REALTORS® Program, which will help Veterans become real estate agents by removing 100% of the start-up costs associated with becoming a REALTOR®.

The Veterans to REALTORS® Program will assist Veterans trying to reenter the workforce by covering the costs of licensing classes, REALTOR® dues and other costs for getting established in the business.   CBSHOME will also include a series of training sessions that will help Veterans learn additional skills to be a successful in the real estate business.  The cost covered by this program can approach $3000.00.

“We feel that Veterans are highly disciplined, hard working people which have great skills for real estate.  We are excited about this program and the possibilities it provides Veterans in our area,” said Joe Valenti, CEO of CBSHOME Real Estate.

For more information about the Veterans to REALTORS® Program visit http://cbshome.com/vets or contact Monica Humpal, Director of Career Opportunities, at 402.964.4601.

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!

Blog Post 3: August 27, 2012

I admit it openly: I’m a big picture idealist. I believe that I first must think well of people and let them prove me wrong. I believe that the work I engage in should matter and be a blessing to others. And I believe, without question, that every person should have a home. Whether they rent or own, people need a place to feel at home in.

Because I believe these things to be truths, my work is motivated by a desire to be a blessing in the lives of others. I want my work to provide for my family (thus being a blessing to them), while also caring for others. Real Estate provides me that very opportunity.

However, people work, and choose different types of work, for many different reasons. Some are involved in real estate for “the money”; others for the schedule; and still others because they like working with and helping people. Helping people is at the very heart of this profession, and yet unfortunately, not all people feel that real estate professionals actually want to help them. And sadly, as in all professions not everyone in the profession works in an ethical and honest way (although most do).

My work, every day, is designed to bless others. Everyone needs shelter. Everyone needs a place to call home. For many, home ownership becomes that haven. Becoming a home owner means doing something that in most people do just a few times thus are not very skilled at it. Agents who either have conducted many transactions or who know people who have, are skilled and able to address the thousands of things that need to be done when real property changes ownership. Our profession matters. And, personally, the work that my wife and I do in real estate matters.

If there is a challenge or frustration in our profession it is that, frankly, I’m not busy enough. I don’t make a dime unless things go to close. And most importantly, I don’t get to help people unless others come knocking and let me know they need help. I market face-to-face, in letters, with post-cards, and by giving out hundreds of business cards. I even call my friends and ask for referrals. But ultimately I can’t help if no one lets me. It isn’t much different than my work as a college career counselor in that I wasn’t much use if people didn’t come, but I am good at my job. Tammie and I are good at what we do. And we do it, paying all our expenses, because we believe in home ownership, and, most importantly, in helping people.

Not all realtors are created equal and everyone has something different to offer. But ultimately the relationship and connection you build with a realtor is the fundamental heart of how you feel about your experience with an agent. Selfishly, and by way of self-promotion, Tammie and I extend an open invitation to allow us to help you and your friends with your home buying and selling needs!

I look forward to your questions, comments, and thoughts!

“Like” us at www.facebook.com/TheRheinerCrew and check out our CBSHome real estate site at www.TheRheinerCrew.com.

Michael

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!

Blog Post 1: August 20, 2012

After 14 years in college career services, I know a fair amount about career choices. I also have more information about the struggles people face in making career choices than most. I care so much about career decision-making I had to find a new line of work because the concerns I have about students and how universities serve them. So Tammie and I chose Real Estate and helping people with home; because our greatest work has been in the home.

We know that Home Matters. When we blended our 8 children in 2008 we found ourselves without a normal employer and yet able to make ends meet. Although we invested in a distance-based career coaching company and I held a title, attended some meetings, and worked to actively promote the company, we were fortunate to be able to be full-time parents in hopes of beating the odds and having a successful second marriage. We committed to our children, to help them blend, and are proud to say that the commitment has paid off.

Our story, which I will weave into my writing, is at the heart of what sets us apart from most real estate agents. Most agents are able to help people do all the things necessary to help someone sell or buy a home. The process is structured through state and national standards and laws, and regulated to assure people are treated and cared for professionally and ethically. Tammie and I do all those things with great integrity, kindness, and attention to detail. We also do it with expertise in how to manage the challenges of life. When life happens, home issues occur. Getting married, getting divorced, the passing of a spouse, the growing of kids, new children on the way, the loss of a job, a job transfer, new hobbies, changing careers, retirement, grandchildren, etc. Every change in life can bring changes in the home. We have lived those experiences.

This blog is a service to others, an outlet for my voice, and in response to the many people who have encouraged me to write a book about my experiences as a single father of 3, and now a married father of 8 (I adopted my wife’s 5 children). The blog is focused on Real Estate, but real estate issues arise when we choose to make life happen or it happens on its own. Some day the book will come, but for now, I blog.

I look forward to your questions, comments, and thoughts!

“Like” us at www.facebook.com/TheRheinerCrew and check out our CBSHome real estate site at www.TheRheinerCrew.com.

Michael

Many National news sources have come out and said “2012 will be the year the real estate market turns around.”  In fact, there have been so many news stories about the positive real estate market that The KCM Blog authors wrote a post about it today.

We thought we would give our CBSHOME Blog readers a local perspective about the market.  As you may have heard before, Omaha is not affected by the “swings” seen on the East and West coasts.  “The Omaha market has shown very good stability from 2010 to 2011.  Average home prices and closed transactions were up 1-2% from 2010,” said Joe Valenti, CEO of CBSHOME Real Estate.  Other factors that contribute to our stable real estate market is a low unemployment rate (around 4.5%) and a strong farm economy.

“We project that 2012 will continue to show reasonable improvement in both the Omaha economy and the housing market,” said Valenti.

If you would like to read the other news sources about the positive outlook for 2o12, please visit the article “Real Estate 2012: Many Positive Outlooks.”

If you are interested in local housing trends, you can visit our Market Trend Reports on our website!

CBSHOME Real Estate would like to congratulate Deda Myhre, Assistant Sales Manager at the Northwest Office, on being recognized as the Women’s Council of Realtors Realtor of the Year.

She has been actively involved with the Women’s Council of Realtors for the past eight years serving as President in 2009, also serving as an ex-officio OABR board member during that term.  She is an active member of the Millard Business Association and has served on the board for their philanthropic endeavor, Project Wee Care, the last four years.  Other activities include the Millard Schools Advisory Board, United Way and Lydia House Clothing Drive office liaison.

Myhre is going into her 10^th year in the real estate business, all of those with CBSHOME.  She has received the E-Pro (Certification for Internet Professionalism) and RFC (Residential Financial Consultant) designations.