Our New App Makes Searching for Homes Even Easier for You!

Our New App Makes Searching for Homes Even Easier for You!

Do you remember the old way to look for homes? I came across the “books” where all of the homes were listed. You would pick the homes you wanted to see, I would pick up the keys from the listing agent and meet you at the house. Thankfully, we’ve become much more efficient than that.

Other ways you can find homes is looking through our Home Guide, our insert in Saturday’s edition of the Omaha World-Herald, real estate magazines (only 10% of agents use this) or by finding the channel on your television and wait for the right home. But who has time to shop for houses this way?

A better way to shop for homes is to call our office at (402) 680-2500 and we can set up a search and find houses for you. But, none of these methods are the easiest. I wanted to introduce to our new CBSHome app for your smartphone. When you’re out looking for houses, all you have to do is point your phone in any direction and it will bring up the homes that are for sale in that area.

If you have any questions about the functionality of the app, please give Elise Owens a call at (402) 964-4811. We’re trying to find bigger and better ways for you to shop for houses. We’re always in your corner!

Have You Considered a Timbercraft Home?

Have You Considered a Timbercraft Home?

Welcome back! Today we’re going to talk about building a home out of Douglas fir posts by Timbercraft Homes. I have Tom Townsend with me today as he’s building this custom home for an excited customer. One of the neat features of this home is the radiant heat system that is built into the floor. The system uses antifreeze that runs through the hoses in the floor and provides warm floors and helps heat the entire house.

Tom tells us that there are large posts held together by oak pegs that are very strong and secure. Timbercraft, the company out of Michigan, cuts the timber in their shop, pre-fit the posts, load them on a truck and assemble them when they arrive at the job site. The crew puts the house together and has it is ready for windows in about 14 days.

When the Timbercraft frame is put together with SIP (structure insulated panels) panels, it is very energy efficient. SIP panels are constructed by taking plywood, adding foam and then another piece of plywood. The ceiling in the great room and garage and all the exterior walls are constructed with SIP panels. The cost is high, but there is no waste, it is constructed quickly and creates a more efficient home.

If you want to discuss a Timbercraft home, contact me and we will get together with Tom and price out your home. Call me at (402) 680-2500 or email me bill.black@cbshome.com if you have any questions.

Do you have the right homeowner’s insurance?

Do you have the right homeowner’s insurance?

Hey, guys! Welcome back to my video blog!

People ask me all the time about home insurance and whom they should go to. The best thing to do is talk to family and friends; find out whom they trust.

I’ve been with Farm Bureau for a long time and today I am with the seven-time national agent of the year, Troy Perchal!

Troy is here to tell us about what kind of homeowner’s insurance you should have.

Troy Perchal says,

"The most important part of homeowner’s insurance is having the right amount of coverage.  Some people have their lot and their home insured; this isn’t necessary. Your lot will always be there so, you do not need to insure it. Plus, agents often overcharge for the double insurance. 

Another thing you want to check is your replacement costs. We have a 125% replacement cost. Why the extra 25%? Sometimes lumber can cost more or maybe there’s a clean up needed; it’s an extra cushion.

You also want to check the replacement costs on your personal property. Some insurance carriers have a prorated replacement cost method; they will limit costs based on certain factors such as how old the personal property is.

Earlier Bill had asked about water leakage. Either a backed up sewage, or a broken sump pump can cause water leakage. These are two are separate and must have a specific write up.

I also recommend an umbrella policy. An umbrella policy offers an excess of other protection and costs for losses not under your main coverage."

If you have any questions about Farm Bureau’s homeowner’s insurance, you can call me at 402-758-6633 or send me an email at troy.perchal@fbfs.com

How a Neighbor Can Affect Your Home Value

Hi everyone! Today, I wanted to talk to you about something serious. We’ve had a lot of people who have gotten in touch with us in regards to what their legal rights are when dealing with a neighbor. Remember, when you buy a house, you are buying the neighborhood, so make sure to drive around and see what you are buying.

You don’t want to have the most expensive house in the neighborhood. If you buy a junky home, clean it up and improve the value of the neighborhood, that’s great!

So, let’s talk about the neighbor who isn’t taking care of his/her home. What can you do legally?

1.      Make a list. Write down everything you want your neighbor to take care.

2.      Check your state ordinances. In some cases, city officials will be able to help you enforce regulation. For example, if there is a tree that is causing problems, city officials can help you determine the compromise.

3.      Know your land. When you buy a property, you buy that space. If a neighbor’s tree hangs on your lawn or over your fence, you have the legal right to trim it. Do not kill it, though! If you kill it, you can be fined up to 3 times the value of the tree.

4.      Contact your home owners’ association. If there is a mud or water issue, it may be something your home owners’ association needs to contact SID engineers.

If you have an issue with water or mud, call me and let me know. I can help take care of it! I have gone over to a neighbor’s home and told them they are affecting the value of the home next to them.

The best thing is to not get an attitude. Don’t lose your temper. Just set up a time to talk. We even had some offer to help their neighbor. In one particular case there was an elderly man who wasn’t physically able to manage the lawn and a church group was gathered to help clean up. So be kind and find a way to get the problem fixed!

If you have any questions please give me a call and if not then have a great day!

Home Drainage Systems

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When we build your home, we want it to be perfect.  One of our biggest concerns is waterproofing your home. The first thing we do is put a sump pump in the basement; we have never had water in our homes.

An important tip for when you do landscaping, do not put the concrete or plastic edging all the way around the house. That edging will prevent drainage away from the home and will instead fill the window wells and leak in your basement.

Make sure you take the precautions to waterproof your basement. We have your best interests at heart when building your home. We have a firm foundation to build it on. If you have any questions about waterproofing, please call 402.680.2500 or email bill.black@cbshome.com

How Rain Affects New Construction

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April showers bring May flowers, but they also bring headaches and problems for builders and clients.

A lot of clients are frustrated that the hole for their homes has not been dug yet.  Builders, though, must consider the weather forecast before moving forward with construction.

Here, we have a perfect example of what happens when rain falls soon after a hole is dug.  This basement is nine feet deep and flooded with four feet of water.  The construction is now two months behind: the water needs to be pumped out, the ground has to dry and then the hole must be dug again and reshaped. 

Not only does it put progress behind, it also is dangerous for those living in the area already.  Drownings and other accidents are a liability for the builder. 

Trust your builder for the best time to begin digging. If you have any questions, please contact us at 402.680.2500 or email Bill Black directly at bill.black@cbshome.com.