Omaha Moves Here Real Estate Blog

Omaha Moves Here

3 Surprising Documents You May Need for Your Mortgage Application

Posted by Mike Dein - Jan 20, 2020, 10:22 AM

Be prepared before you start your application. Before you apply, gather bank statements, tax returns, pay stubs and possibly these three documents.

Rising Childcare Costs Hurt Homeownership

Posted by Mike Dein - Jan 15, 2020, 9:33 AM

A major challenge, when it comes to affording a home, is the high cost of childcare. One report found childcare costs have risen 49% in the last 25 years.

Watch Out for Haphazard Home Renovations

Posted by John Hardy - Jan 2, 2020, 4:39 PM

Buying a home that was recently renovated can be a great find or a big mistake.

What to Expect from the Housing Market in 2020

Posted by John Hardy - Dec 30, 2019, 10:22 AM

Although recession rumors persisted throughout 2019, the economy does not appear to be slowing down drastically.

Cash-Out Refinances Reach 12-Year High

Posted by Mike Dein - Dec 26, 2019, 7:06 AM

According to a data analytics firm, refinance volume climbed 132% in the third quarter of 2019, the highest level in three years.

End-of-Year Finance Mistakes to Avoid

Posted by Mike Dein - Dec 23, 2019, 10:55 AM

Pay attention to finances now or it could cost you next year. Review your finances now to cut excess spending and take advantage of opportunities to save.

Gen Z FICO Scores Exceed Millennial FICO Scores

Posted by Mike Dein - Dec 18, 2019, 1:30 PM

New data reveals that Generation Z (people born in 1995 and onward) have higher credit scores than both Millennials and Generation X.

Real Estate Experts Warn Against These Kitchen Trends

Posted by John Hardy - Dec 16, 2019, 1:20 PM

What was hot will soon be not. Watch out granite, quartz is here to stay.

What Co-Signing on Someone Else’s Mortgage Means for You

Posted by Mike Dein - Dec 11, 2019, 10:09 AM

If you have a good credit and steady income you may be asked to co-sign someone's home loan. If they miss a payment your FICO score can drop 90- 110 points.

5 Home Improvement Trends from the Home Improvement Research Institute

Posted by Mike Dein - Nov 13, 2019, 11:14 AM

Many homeowners are taking advantage of lower mortgage rates to reinvest in their home through improvement projects rather than search for a new home.

Are you financially prepared for an emergency?

Posted by John Hardy - Nov 4, 2019, 7:42 AM

A study shows that man Americans are unprepared for an emergency like a car accident or unexpected medical cost.

Expect Bidding Wars this Fall

Posted by John Hardy - Oct 22, 2019, 8:53 AM

After a busy Spring, and two late-in-the-year rate cuts we're expecting an even busier Fall, bidding wars included.

Many Seniors Prefer Multigenerational Housing

Posted by John Hardy - Oct 14, 2019, 4:45 PM

In 2018, 20% of Americans lived in a home that included adults from two or more generations. Multigenerational living is growing more common.

Average Consumer FICO Score Reaches 706

Posted by Mike Dein - Oct 4, 2019, 10:10 AM

If you are getting ready to refinance or buy a new home, find out your credit score. A good credit score will help you qualify for your home loan.

What Not to Do When the Fed Cuts Interest Rates

Posted by Mike Dein - Oct 2, 2019, 10:01 AM

Lower interest rates mean a lower cost to borrow money, but also a lower return on your savings investments. Here's what not to do when the rates drop.

Solar Panels Could Increase Your Home’s Resale Value

Posted by John Hardy - Jul 31, 2019, 11:35 AM

Zillow researchers uncovered that homes with solar panels sell for 4.1% more on average than similar homes without solar power.

Over 8 Million Borrowers Could Save with a Mortgage Refinance

Posted by Mike Dein - Jul 17, 2019, 10:50 AM

With a rate and term refinance, a homeowner lowers their monthly mortgage payment by originating a new loan with a lower interest rate.

You’re Closing on Your Mortgage! Avoid These 5 Things

Posted by Mike Dein - Jun 26, 2019, 1:40 PM

You're almost to the finish line, don't blow your closing in the final minutes

Are Parents Hurting Homeownership?

Posted by Mike Dein - May 27, 2019, 10:12 AM

Millennial’s trend of moving back in with mom and dad has increased substantially and hurt their credit scores and could hinder buying a home.

New Listing: 9103 Hanover Street Omaha, Nebraska

Posted by John Hardy - May 24, 2019, 12:24 PM

Well maintained, a nearly new multi-level with vaulted ceilings, open concept living priced under $200,000.

5 Questions to Ask that Could Save You Money

Posted by John Hardy - May 8, 2019, 11:52 AM

Sometimes asking a simple question could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Analysis of Today’s First-Time Home Buyer.

Posted by John Hardy - Apr 22, 2019, 10:05 AM

On average, first-time home buyers make up a little less than half of total home buyers on the market.

Report: Healthy Housing Market this Spring Home Buying Season

Posted by Mike Dein - Apr 11, 2019, 2:04 PM

Spring is in the air in the Omaha housing market.

Trump Calls to End Conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

Posted by Mike Dein - Apr 2, 2019, 11:09 AM

President signed a memorandum calling for an “overdue" reform of the housing finance system.

Tax Day 2019 Checklist: Did you get all your home-related deductions?

Posted by Mike Dein - Apr 1, 2019, 1:01 PM

Tax Day, or the last day for tax payers to file their income taxes, is Monday, April 15th. If you haven’t filed your taxes yet, it’s time to get started!

Flooding in Midwest Could Have Lasting Impact

Posted by Mike Dein - Mar 25, 2019, 1:06 PM

Heavy rains and rapid snowmelt following last week’s “bomb cyclone” have caused severe flooding throughout the Midwest.

VA Loan Originations More than Double for First-Time Home Buyers

Posted by Mike Dein - Mar 20, 2019, 1:43 PM

The VA Loan has become the loan of choice for first-time home buyers who have served or are actively serving in the US military.

Caution: Home Inspection Myths You Might Believe

Posted by Mike Dein - Mar 18, 2019, 2:10 PM

Home inspections are one of the most important steps in the home buying process and could reveal costly or dangerous problems you could face down the road.

The Next Big Housing Trend May Be Small

Posted by Mike Dein - Mar 6, 2019, 11:37 AM

The next most popular single-family home may be a townhouse. Over the past year, the "single-family attached" market is up 24%.

HomeFundIt™ Review: Ryan and Aimee's Story

Posted by Mike Dein - Feb 15, 2019, 11:32 AM

HomeFundIt™ crowdfunding could give you the boost you need to purchase a home sooner.

3 Things First-Time Home Buyers May Not Know

Posted by Mike Dein - Feb 13, 2019, 11:00 AM

Looking to buy your first home now, or sometime in the future, it’s never too early to do your research.

Builders Cutting Prices to Stay Competitive

Posted by Mike Dein - Feb 6, 2019, 1:19 PM

Study finds that 25.1% of newly constructed homes experienced a price drop in Q4 of 2018. Home shoppers in 2019 may be able to get a deal.

3 Outdated Financial Tips You Might Still Believe

Posted by Mike Dein - Feb 4, 2019, 1:54 PM

What made sense for your parents years ago may not be relevant to today’s economy.

Why Mortgage Points are Getting Popular Again

Posted by Mike Dein - Jan 29, 2019, 2:43 PM

Whether or not points will benefit you financially depends on how long you plan on staying in your home, and your loan. Read more to determine.

Why Rental Data Matters – Especially for Home Buyers

Posted by Mike Dein - Jan 23, 2019, 10:09 AM

Rental prices fluctuate more rapidly than sales prices and can be a good indicator of housing market health.

Can you get a mortgage with a credit freeze?

Posted by Mike Dein - Jan 14, 2019, 10:21 AM

While it protects you in cases of stolen identity, it also prevents legitimate lenders from accessing your credit.

Don’t Make this Home Renovation Mistake

Posted by Mike Dein - Jan 7, 2019, 2:27 PM

In 2017, 1 in 3 homeowners paid for some of their renovation project with a credit card, this is a dangerous debt to take on.

Real Estate Predictions for 2019

Posted by Mike Dein - Dec 31, 2018, 10:13 AM

After several years of a red-hot housing market, activity is expected to slow, and that’s good news for home buyers.

Mortgage Debt Reaches 10-Year High

Posted by John Hardy - Dec 7, 2018, 12:32 PM

The Federal Reserve announced outstanding mortgage debt totaled $10.2 trillion in the second quarter of 2018, up 2.7%

Can you afford to buy a home? How much to spend on housing?

Posted by Mike Dein - Dec 5, 2018, 1:39 PM

For most Americans, both renters and homeowners, housing is their largest expense. But how much is too much to spend on housing costs?

Saving for a Down Payment Might Take up to 7 Years or More

Posted by John Hardy - Nov 10, 2018, 9:34 AM

Getting creative could cut saving process down to months with one of our partners.

What Judge Kavanaugh Confirmation Means for the Future of the CFPB

Posted by Mike Dein - Oct 17, 2018, 1:40 PM

The Senate's vote to confirm Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court has Washington questioning what will happen to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Market Forecast October 2018

Posted by Mike Dein - Oct 15, 2018, 2:11 PM

Builder sentiment was positive last month. Housing starts jumped, but building permits tapered off. Existing home sales were unchanged.

Buyer Beware: How to Spot Down Payment Wire Transfer Fraud

Posted by Mike Dein - Sep 22, 2018, 3:16 PM

CNBC reported on a new variant of wire transfer fraud schemes targeting home buyers at the time of closing.

Millennials Delay Marriage, Not Homeownership

Posted by John Hardy - Sep 17, 2018, 2:25 PM

In 1985, 75% of first-time home buyers were married, today, it’s 57%.

First-Time Home Buyers Outnumber Repeat Buyers

Posted by John Hardy - Sep 4, 2018, 2:15 PM

Despite the down payment obstacle, first-time home buyers continue to dominate the housing market.

More First-Time Home Buyers Using Retirement Money for Down Payment

Posted by Mike Dein - Aug 21, 2018, 2:21 PM

In an alarming trend, one in three homeowners ages 21-34 from took out loans against their retirement account to pay for their down payment.

Should You Buy First or Sell First?

Posted by Mike Dein - Aug 17, 2018, 1:53 PM

Each route has its own advantages, depending on your situation. Read this then consult with us on the best option for your situation.

Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Popular Again

Posted by Mike Dein - Aug 7, 2018, 11:27 PM

With an adjustable-rate mortgage, the interest rate will move up or down after a fixed period of an introductory rate that lasts three to seven years.

How to Really Retire Early

Posted by Mike Dein - Aug 1, 2018, 4:55 PM

Simply saving money is not enough to build wealth. It’s not about how much money you save, but what you do with that savings.

Don’t Believe This Big Credit Card Myth

Posted by Mike Dein - Jul 25, 2018, 1:28 PM

Lenders use the credit score to evaluate a borrower’s ability to repay the loan. Your credit score is integral to your ability to qualify for a mortgage.

Homeowner Equity Hits Record High

Posted by Mike Dein - Jul 23, 2018, 1:29 PM

This month, tappable homeowner equity, reached the highest level ever recorded.

How to Buy a Home When You’re Self-Employed

Posted by Mike Dein - Jul 12, 2018, 5:59 PM

Buying a home when you are self-employed or own your own business will require more documentation than if you are a salaried employee with a yearly W2.

Mortgage Application Denied. What to do Next

Posted by Mike Dein - Jun 18, 2018, 9:39 AM

While it’s a setback, mortgage application denial does not have to mean the end of your home search. Take these proactive steps to get you back on track.

Coming Up: What to Watch in Housing

Posted by Mike Dein - Jun 17, 2018, 2:58 PM

A list of the top issues impacting real estate and mortgage lending over the next three to seven years.

Your Mortgage Shouldn’t be One Size Fits All

Posted by Mike Dein - May 31, 2018, 2:18 PM

This year’s Mortgage Bankers Association conference most prevalent topic of discussion was the growing market for different types of mortgage loans.

Why Some Millennials are Skipping Starter Homes

Posted by Mike Dein - May 14, 2018, 5:14 PM

Millennials have delayed homeownership long enough to advance to a comfortable place in their career and qualify for the financing needed for a larger home.

NEVER Put These Expenses on Credit Cards

Posted by Mike Dein - May 10, 2018, 2:56 PM

NEVER put these expenses on credit cards. Credit cards are no longer the "emergency use only" tools they once were. Outstanding consumer credit card debt surpassed $1 trillion in 2017, the highest it's ever been.

Credit Scores Could Improve

Posted by Mike Dein - May 6, 2018, 12:19 AM

Earlier this month, all three major credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, announced they would exclude tax liens from consumer credit reports.