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Omaha, Nebraska was recently named the #1 Best Value City for 2011 by Kiplinger Magazine.  The article, featured on their website, gives Omaha high marks for our low cost of living and low unemployment rate.  It also states that we have five Fortune 500 companies and “arguably more millionaires per capita than any other U.S. metro area.”

So, why do they like Omaha so much?  Isn’t it obvious?  We’re an affordable and fun city!  Between reasonable housing and several free or low-cost entertainment options, Omaha has lots of things to offer!

• www.CBSHOME.com : Begin your home search!  You can search by map, area, subdivision, search for condos/townhomes and school district.  We have all the listings available in the MLS so you see everything available!
• Jazz on the Green: A summer concert series at MidTown Crossing.  This free event runs through August 11th.
• Joslyn Art Museum: Omaha’s art museum, close to downtown.  While admission is inexpensive, they also offer free admission every Saturday from 10 AM – 12 Noon.
• Lauritzen Gardens: Omaha’s Botanical Garden Center has 100 acres of gardens to explore by foot or tram, and admission is very inexpensive.
• The Slowdown: Omaha’s local band hotspot!  It’s located in the North Downtown area of Omaha, near TD Ameritrade Park.  Also in the area are several restaurants and bars.
• The Old Market: Another popular attraction in Omaha!  Several dining options, shopping, night life and arts and attractions.  This is a favorite spot of Omaha locals!

We know Omaha is a great city to live in!  If you’re new to Omaha, planning to relocate, or just looking for new things to do – explore Omaha – It’s worth it (and we aren’t the only ones who think so)!

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.”

Omaha wins again!  According to Sperling’s Best Places to Relocate, Omaha comes in at number 3 beating the likes of Denver, Austin, Des Moines and Minneapolis.  Omaha ranks higher in it’s ability to provide quality jobs and affordable housing.  Whether you come with to work for the military, health care, education or an array of professional fields, Omaha has it all.  With the revitalization of Downtown, our lower cost of living, and quick commute times Omaha continues to be a great place to work and play.  The second place winner goes to Buffalo, NY and the first place to Pittsburgh, PA.   With all that Omaha has to offer, I’m certain that in no time, we’ll be #1!

Whether you are new to Omaha or have lived here for years, you know the benefits of being “home.”  Omaha has long been touted as a place to prosper due to our low unemployment rates, exceptional health care, steady cost of living and stable housing market.  Our city remains strong and vibrant despite these tougher times.   Thanks to our focus on educating our youth and a strong work ethic, Omaha elevates the standard of Mid-Western values.  Omaha is also a top destination for entrepreneurs looking to claim their stake in the business sector or to provide new opportunities for established companies looking to make a change.   The Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce continues it’s quest to bring in companies that will move Omaha into the next phases of growth.  Check out their site, learn about all they do and see how you can become part of the excitement – it’s contagious!

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!

Top 5 Best Bang For The Buck Cities

1. Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA Metro Area

2. Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR Metro Area

3. Jackson, MS Metro Area

4. Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Metro Area

5. Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC Metro Area

To find the cities that offer the most bang for the buck, Forbes looked at the country’s 100 largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas–geographic entities defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, for use in collecting statistics– across these measures: foreclosures as a percentage of home prices; vacancies; unemployment rates; a three-year job-growth forecast; a three-year home-price forecast; housing affordability; median real estate taxes; and median travel time to work.

Omaha, was  No. 1 bang-for-the-buck city and was also rated the city best surviving the recession.  It joins a number of Great Plains metros near the top of our list. These include Wichita, Kan. (No. 6) and Tulsa, Okla. (No. 19). This swath of prairie in the center of the country was somewhat buffered from the disastrous effect on coastal markets of the housing crisis, enabling it to emerge solidly from the recession. Housing sales here kept a steady, if slow, pace during the boom.

Click here to see the full list on Forbes.

Would you like more information on your housing options in Omaha?  Email bill.swanson@cbshome.com today!

Australia has overtaken the United States, the heartland of the McMansion, to boast the world’s largest homes, according to a report by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

Research shows the Australian house has grown on average by 10 percent in the past decade to 2,310 sq ft — nearly three times the size of the average British house.

By contrast, the average size of new homes started in the United States in the September quarter was 2,169 sq ft, down from 2,282 sq ft, with the average U.S. home shrinking for the first time in a decade due to the recession.

In Europe, Denmark has the biggest homes, which takes into account houses and flats, with an average floor area of 1,475 square feet, followed by Greece at 1358 square feet, and the Netherlands at 1,238 square feet.

Homes in Britain are the smallest in Europe at 8 square meter. But according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistic, while Australian houses are getting bigger, so are the families. More adult kids are staying home with the parents.

Want to know what the average size of the Omaha home is?  Email Bill today at bill.swanson@cbshome.com for this information as well as what size house you can get for your money.  Bill works with customers in all neighborhoods and price ranges in the Omaha Metro Area and would be happy to help you and your family find the right home for you!

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!

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?