an ongoing conversation place for everything real estate

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

CBSHOME Real Estate would like to welcome back Steve Larsen to our Davenport Street Office!  Steve previously was with CBSHOME from April, 1997 to January, 2008.  We are very pleased to have him back at CBSHOME.

Steve has been a licensed Realtor® for 14 years and has experience with residential real estate, new construction and land sales.  He represents Ryan Krejci of Ideal Design Custom Homes.  He also holds the CSP in New Construction designation. This designation is earned through the National Association of Home Builders and is given to agents who complete several courses in the area of new construction and helping their clients.

Outside of real estate, Steve enjoys Husker Football and spending time with his wife and kids.

Again, welcome back Steve!

Insulted, angry, ready to walk away…does this describe you when you get that dreaded low-ball offer? 

Well, let’s face it, selling your home feels personal doesn’t it.  It’s where you live, the furnishings and design are yours, so it’s natural to feel not just criticized, but a little insulted when that low offer lands on your kitchen table for your review.  Remember, you can’t “shoot the messenger”  in a situation like this.  Your Realtor is required to present every offer to you…including the insulting ones.  Even the best of agents have had to present the most ridiculous of offers at some time or another.  This is never fun.

Before you react consider the reaction of this seller:

A CBSHome Realtor recalled the actions of one of her sellers.  She had been working with a seller for some time, and received a contract for the sale of their home.  As she read it, she knew this was not going to make her seller happy.  In fact, she dreaded presenting the low offer so much that she broke one of her “Golden Rules” and called the seller to buffer the news.  Later that evening she met with her clients.  She felt certain this would not go well.  Then something surprising happened.  Rather than alienating the would-be-buyers her client decided to write a letter.  This letter expressed that while they appreciated the time taken to view, consider and ultimately write a contract to buy their home, they would have to respectfully decline the offer.  No counter offer was made.  The seller went on to say that the contract simply didn’t meet their objective and that they wished they buyers the best of luck in finding a new home for their family.

Fast forward now,  after more showings the couple could not find a home they liked more than the home on which they first made an offer.  They came back to their “original” house, and made a second offer that was completely acceptable to both buyer and seller.

This illustrates that there is “A High Road”, and this seller took it.  He could have cursed, blamed his agent, and alienated this couple.  Instead he acted with a cool head, and instead of offending this couple he kept them on his radar screen by writing a personal letter.  The fact that he had the forsight  to react with class and dignity no doubt led to this ultimately happy outcome.

CBSHOME Real Estate would like to congratulate Joe Gehrki, Manager of our West Dodge Sales Office, on his recent graduation from the Leadership Omaha Course!

Leadership Omaha Class 33 graduated this morning (Thursday, June 16th) at a ceremony held at Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center.

Leadership Omaha, a program of the Greater Omaha Chamber, is a 10-month study of community issues, designed to develop effective leaders who will strengthen and transform the community. Class members are chosen based on their demonstrated community involvement and career advancement.

“We are very proud of Joe’s participation and graduation from the Leadership Omaha Class 33.  We feel Joe’s participation in this program exemplifies what our company stands for by giving back to the community which provides all us the opportunity to work and live in a healthy and vibrant city,” said Joe Valenti, CEO and President of CBSHOME Real Estate.

Once again, congratulations to Joe Gehrki and thank you to the Omaha Chamber for leading such a great program!

We often see articles and tips for first-time home buyers – but what about the first-time home seller?  RISMedia has written a great article just for First-Time Home Sellers.  Here are a few tips we took away from their article.

• Price it realistically from the start. Your agent will help you with a list of comparable properties in your neighborhood – typically both current listings and homes that have recently sold.  In today’s internet savvy world, buyers are instantly notified your home is on the market; take advantage of this by pricing your home competitively from the beginning.
• Be prepared to lose some money. There are several sources for pricing your home – everything from the tax assessor’s website to appraised values, but market value is different.  The article points out that “your house is worth what buyers are willing to pay.”
• Promotion, promotion, promotion. When interviewing potential agents, make sure to ask the question “How will you market my home?”

Here is a link to read the entire article “3 Tips for the First-Time Home Seller,” by RISMedia.

If you are interested in selling your home and would like to learn more about what a CBSHOME agent can do for you – click to start your search for an agent on our website today!

CBSHOME Real Estate is pleased to announce that Henry Kammandel Jr, Director of Business Development and Community Affairs for CBSHOME, was recently recognized as the 2011 Realtor of the Year at the Nebraska Realtors Association.

This award is given annually to a Realtor for their activities within the real estate community at the National, State and Local Board levels and for the professionalism they have shown.

Henry has been a licensed Realtor for 25 years.  He is currently serving on several committees at the National, State and Local Boards including Public Policy Committee, Federal Political Coordinator, Governmental Affairs Committee, RPAC Fundraising Committee and currently on the Board of Directors for the Great Plains MLS.

Outside of real estate, Henry is involved in The American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, Boy Scouts of America, Rotary Club of West Omaha and United Way of the Midlands.  He is married to his wife, Robin, and has two sons, Henry Kammandel III and Cory Kammandel.

Once again, congratulations to Henry on this well deserved honor!

CBSHOME Real Estate is pleased to announce our new virtual tour product!  These tours have been built exclusively for CBSHOME and are full of consumer-friendly features!  Here’s an overview of what you will see with the new virtual tours:

• All open house information will display on the tour
• The tours include all the photos and listing information
• The tours are updated hourly so the most current photos and information is available
• You can easily share a tour with family and friends
• Each tour features various property flyers for printing
• Google Mapping and Driving Directions are included
• There’s a mortgage rates tab that displays today’s current rates with a calculator
• You can easily schedule a showing right from the tour

Where do you find these tours?  Simply do a property search on CBSHOME.com.  On your results page you will see an icon that says “Virtual Tour” – click that button to view!

The time it takes to close on a mortgage is rising. What does this mean for buyers & sellers? Statistics from 2010 suggest that buyers can expect to wait on the average seven and a half weeks to close from the time they have an accepted contract. For sellers this means late closings and having more patience. Stricter guidelines are requiring lenders to collect more documentation than ever before. If you are a buyer, please keep in mind that this paperwork is necessary even though some of it may seem ridiculous and time is of the essence. The sooner paperwork gets to the lender, the sooner you will be able to close.

Typical interest rate locks are from 30 to 60 days. With the average closing time on the rise, your lock may expire before you close on your new home. Check in advance to see if your lender will charge you an extension fee in the case that you have to close later than expected. If you are a buyer who is currently renting or a seller who is moving to another home, always have a back up plan in place should the inevitable happen and leave you homeless for a few days!

A recent SmartMoney.com/MSN Article named Omaha, Nebraska as one of “America’s Lowest Risk Housing Markets.”

The article pointed to Omaha’s population growth, steady housing prices and Omaha’s low unemployment.

View the entire article by clicking here, “America’s Lowest Risk Housing Markets.”