New Research from Google about Home Buyers, and Great January Events in Omaha

We hope you are having a wonderful January and are staying warm! Today we have a great, quick video for you about the recent study Google and The National Association of Realtors completed.  It's great to know that our team is exceeding expectations for our sellers, and delivering the exact tools that buyers are looking for when purchasing a home. We offer great photos, great staging, great video tours, and advanced social media techniques to help get your home sold, and fast!  Fun in Omaha: Lucky Bucket Brewery Tours January 23rd to July 27th (Every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday) Lucky Bucket is a local microbrewery located in LaVista that was started in 2008. Tour the brewery and try their five year round beers in addition to some limited edition beers you can't find in the stores.  Address: 11941 Centennial Rd, Suite 1, La Vista, NE 68025 Venue: Lucky Bucket Brewery Times: Wed-Fri/5:30PM; Sat/12, 1, & 2pm Admission: $3 (Must be 21+ years) Link to more info Fun in Omaha: Worn with Pride: Americans in Uniform at The Durham Museum Daily until February 03, 2013 present day Iraq and Afghanistan will bring home the experiences of war and how technology has changed those experiences over the last 150 years.  Address: 801 South 10th St, Omaha, NE 68108 Venue: Durham Museum Times: Tues/10am-8pm; Wed-Sat/10am-5pm; Sun/1-5pm; July, Aug, Sept & Dec: open Mon/10am-5pm. Closed major holidays. Admission: $8 Adults; $6 Ages 62+; $5 Ages 3-12; Free Age 2 & under Link to more info

Teresa Elliott shares her Family's Famous Italian Meatballs Recipe & Cooking Video

New Year's Gift: My Family's Secret Meatball Recipe

1/1/2013 | Cooking with Teresa, Italian Meatballs | Omaha, NE

We love to entertain and cook for our friends! This year, I have received so many requests for my secret family meatball recipe. It's my joy to share it with you and let you know all of my tips and tricks along the way. I created a cooking video just for some holiday fun. I hope all of my friends, family, colleagues, and clients get a chance to make these yummy appetizers, because that means they're having company, and who doesn't love having company? 

We at Team Elliott hope you and your loved ones had an amazing 2012, and that you have an even better 2013! 

Holiday Family Fun: Ice Skating in Downtown Omaha

Holiday Family Fun: Ice Skating in Downtown:
12/22/2012 | Conagra Ice Rink | Omaha, NE

Come skate in Downtown Omaha at the Conagra Ice Rink! Cost is only $5 & includes skate rental (kids under 5 are free). All proceeds go to Food Bank for the Heartland as a component of the Shine the Light on Hunger campaign. Skate until midnight on Friday and Saturday. 

It's a great time for everyone with hot chocolate, holiday lights, Christmas music, and it's a wonderful way to give back to the community. 

Calendar of Holiday Events for Omaha:
Daily until Jan. 6th: Ice Skating in Downtown Omaha at Conagra Park.
(for more information visitholidaylightsfestival.org

Daily until Jan. 6th: Ethnic Holiday trees exhibit at Durham Museum. Local cultural organizations proudly display their crafts and traditional dress while musicians and dancers perform throughout the evening. You can also purchase hard-to-find ethnic foods and gifts at this festive celebration. durhammuseum.org

Dec 24th-Jan 8th: Holiday Poinsettia Show at Lauritzen Garden featuring more than 5,600 poinsettias. 9-5pm daily.

lauritzengardens.org

Dec 26th-28th and Jan 2nd-4th: Winter Camp at the Durham museum. Each day of camp will feature a unique theme including Holidays Around the World, Know Your City, Welcome 2013, Durham Boot Camp (in conjunction with the American Soldier exhibition), Rock Out at The Durham (in anticipation of our spring exhibition, Women who Rock), and Dinosaur Discovery (in anticipation of our summer exhibition, A T. Rex Named Sue) durhammuseum.org

Jan 1st: Omaha Children's Museum's 1st Night of Play, Come to the best family-friendly New Year's party in town. Enjoy live music, face painting, special crafts, a dance party, goodie bags, yummy pizza dinner & the original countdown to the New Year (at 8 p.m.) & Bubble Wrap Stomp. Tickets are $10 for members & $14 for non-members. ocm.org

Featuring Listing with Video Tour:

Wonderful 2story home in Barrington Park w/3car side load garage. Walking distance to school. Ceramic 2 story entry & T staircase. Fam rm & Kitchen are open. Kitchen has ctr island granite, SS appliances, & built in planning desk. Master Bd has a cozy frplc and LARGE his/hers walk in closets. There is a sitting rm off of the master that makes a great office! LL fam rm has a lrg bathrm, bar area, built in entertainment ctr included tv & surround sound. The park & tennis courts are very close.

Dancing With The Omaha Stars: The Kick-Off

Dancing with the Omaha Stars Orientation Video:
12/09/2012 | Omaha Ballroom | Omaha, NE – A quick overview


Hello Friends! As you may have heard by now, I am going to be one of the Dancer's for the 2013 "Dancing with the Omaha Stars" charity competition. This year's competition will be benefiting "The Sunshine Kids" network and will be held February 9th at the CenturyLink Center. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here: Dancing With The Stars Tix

The Sunshine Kids is a non-profit organization dedicated to children with cancer. Established in 1982, we are committed to providing positive group activities and emotional support for young cancer patients. The Sunshine Kids provides a variety of programs and events, free of charge, for kids who are receiving cancer treatments in hospitals across North America

 

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Omaha is Happening: Omaha Ballroom
12/09//2012 | Business Profile | Omaha, NE – Looking for something fun and different to do for exercise, a new hobby, getting ready for a wedding, or just looking for a good time? The Omaha Ballroom has something to offer for everyone. Located one block North of Q st. at 5038 S. 153rd St. in Omaha, NE, Omaha Ballroom offers:

• Group Dancing Lessons (Beginners Ballroom, Country Dancing, Salsa & Swing. No Partner Needed!)
• Wedding Dance Lessons
• Private Personal Training, Social to Competitive Levels
• Zumba Classes
• Pilate Classes
• Kids Dance Camp

Learn more at: www.omahaballroom.com or by calling 402.290.4869

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Featured Home Video Tour: 3605 S. 203rd St.
12/09/2012 | 3605 S. 203rd St. | Omaha, NE – Pristine 2 Story home built by Malibu Homes/designer owned. Huge corner lot w/water feature, fantastic prof landscaping & full fence. 5Bd, 5Ba, 3 car and circular drive. Gorgeous contemporary .
Videos created by: www.amouraproductionsrealestate.com

Street of Dreams 2012: Highlight Videos & Recap

This Year's Street of Dreams was a great success! A Record-breaking, nearly 20,000 people visited.
See a highlight reel featuring rooms from all 8 houses, plus our special walk through video tours of two of the homes!

*For more information about the Estates at Coventry, fill out our quick online form

We were able to give away a brand new iPad to one lucky visitor from The Street of Dreams, compliments of ADC Homes, Icynene Insulation Systems and Seal Rite Insulation. Congratulations to Jessica & Paul Zulkosky, parents of 2 year old Quadruplets Ethan, Cade, Mason, Camden: 


Teresa Elliott's Video Blog:

Street of Dreams Video Tour: Highlight Reel of all 8 homes:
11/11/2012 | Street of Dreams | Omaha, NE – A quick peek at all 8 homes from this year's Street of Dreams at The Estates of Coventry


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Street of Dreams Video Tour: ADC Homes (Sold, House #8):
11/11//2012 | Street of Dreams | Omaha, NE – Looking for a custom home? ADC Homes brings dream homes into reality. Check out this beautiful house created to the unique specifications of "The Jackson Family," complete with a gorgeous pool, themed rooms for 3 growing boys, a wrestling gym, and more. *Teresa Elliott is proud to represent ADC Homes and can help make all of your dreams of a beautiful custom home come true for you! Contact Teresa today at 402.690-1573 to learn more about building with ADC Homes.*

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Street of Dreams Video Tour: Widhalm Custom Homes (Currently for Sale):
11/11/2012 | Street of Dreams | Omaha, NE – Innovative Design by Widhalm Custom Homes, Inc. High end selections & contemporary finishes. Complete audio & security pkg. State of the art Thermador 4 fridges & brand new washer/dryer included. Kitchen has 100% flush mount appliances & hidden TV. 2 Story w/6bd, 6ba, 4 Car, 2 offices, in-law suite, finished LL w/ rec area, fam rm & wetbar. All Hunter Douglas window treatments are included, living rm & basement are automated. Beautiful Treed Walk Out Lot in Cul-De-Sac

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videos created by: www.amouraproductionsrealestate.com

Street of Dreams: Behind the Scenes at The Coventry Estates

Street of Dreams: 

A behind the scenes look at the Street of Dreams 2012

9/15//2012 | Behind The Scenes at the Street of Dreams | Omaha, NE – The 2012 Street of Dreams Kicks off today. This year's Street of Dreams features 8 homes with 7 different builders, including the custom that ADC Homes built for our clients, the Jackson family!
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Street of Dreams Special Events Calendar:

September 15th - Opening Day!  get the first view of the homes, open from 11am-7:30pm

16th - Live music listen to the music of Chris Saub from 1-4pm 

20th - Ladies' Day Out  wine tastings, cooking demos, live music, giveaways, and more!

22nd - Husker Day  watch the game as you tour the homes and win husker themed prizes!

23rd - Live music listen to the music of the Dan Cerveny Jazz Quartet  from 1- 4pm

28th - Celebrate 28! vote on your favorite "confection art" display created by local bakeries in each home

29th - Celebrate 28! cake display winners announced

30th - Celebrate 28! and Live music listen to the music of Michael Lyon from 1-4pm

Three Very Costly Mistakes That Sellers Make When Choosing a Listing Agent

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We’ve all heard the expression “time is money” right? So why, then, is time not something that most sellers think about when hiring an agent to list their property? Just imagine, hiring the wrong agent can end up in months of frustration with lack of communication, lack of preparedness and worse, a lackluster attitude toward what is probably the most important financial transaction of your life.

To help make sure you don’t make the same mistakes that countless other sellers have made, here are three important things to consider before you sign the dotted line of a listing agreement.

Shop Carefully and Consider Your Options

This question is often asked, especially by homeowners who consider selling their homes by themselves.

The fundamental first answer to this question is that an experienced realtor is an expert at what he or she does. Through hard work and education, they’ve acquired a set of skills that make the process of home buying and selling a lot easier than it would be by doing it yourself.

Choose an Agent or Broker That is Current

What do we mean by “current”? It’s simple. Just like technology continues to evolve in all other areas of life, we have to assume that the person representing them is also current with technology. A very surprising large number of agents neglect to realize the importance of delivering on real-time needs of buyers using up-to-date tools. Rather than make the mistake of hiring an agent that is relying strictly on Open Houses (studies show less than 2% of sales are generating from Open Houses), contact someone that is using relevant technology.

Video is the single most innovative and also underutilized technology in real estate. Your agent should be using video tours as a matter of routine and unless they do so, you are working with a broker that has not yet kept up with the times. Buyers are out there using their smartphones to do home searches, utilizing their GPS systems to search neighborhood properties and expecting real time responses to information requests. That’s why it is critical to know that unless your broker is up to speed in today’s technology, they can’t keep up with the needs of today’s buyers. As a test, look up any agent in Google. Do they pop up as the first or second item on the search results page? If not, they are not positioned to be at the forefront of today’s technologically advanced real estate industry.

Look for Recognition Among Community and Peers

There is something to be said about agents and brokers that are revered not only by members of the community but also by their peers. In the many dealings that are necessary for a smooth transaction, it is critical that agents on both sides of the transaction are able to communicate effectively. When you have an agent that is difficult to get along with, does not mesh well within the community or their colleagues, you stand to face risks that directly impact the sale of your property.

Hire a broker with a name that is respected in the marketplace by both consumers and other real estate agents. When interviewing your prospective agents, be sure to ask about their dealings with others in the industry.
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These are just a few of the things you can do to make sure you are in good hands when it comes to selling your home. But beyond that, it’s important to be able to look your agent in the eye and feel that you are valued – cherished and most of all heard. To give us an opportunity to listen to your needs, please contact us today. We look forward to the chance to share with you why we are the right brokerage to hire for your real estate needs!