Omaha Real Estate

FHA changes for buying your Omaha Real Estate

2008-09-19T09:26:00.001-05:00

FHA is increasing their minimum down payment/investment into the transaction from 3% to 3.5% so if you plan on purchasing FHA, NOW is the time to buy. This change is effective January 1st and with FHA NIFA rates at 5.84% 0+0 it can't get much better than that. The upfront MIP is also increasing to 1.75% effective October 1st. Lots to take in so if you have any questions always feel free to call.

Interest rates for Omaha Property-Provided by Diana Foral with First National Bank of Omaha

2008-09-16T10:04:00.001-05:00

Rates dropped again - 30 year is running right at 5.625% to 5.875% depending on the loan amount and 15 year is 5.25% to 5.375%. Of course we don't know what rates are going to do in the weeks ahead but we can start the process - we don't know when rates are at their lowest until we have "missed the boat" and they start going up.

Omaha Property-NIFA rate update

2008-09-11T14:26:00.001-05:00

For those of you who are first time homebuyers, I thought I would update you on the interest rates. This information was passed on to me from Diana Foral with First National Bank of Omaha.

FHA and VA NIFA rates dropped to 5.84% and the NIFA FHA and VA HBA (homebuyers assistance program) dropped to 6.48% 1 + 3/4%.

The 5.84% program is a much better deal if there is

Any way that you can come up with the down payment. Loans against a 401K and gifts of money from family members are all acceptable. Also I was told if you have a banking relationship with First National Bank they might receive a discount off closing costs.

If you are interested in buying Omaha Real Estate or a home in the surrounding areas, please contact me direct at 1-800-497-2171 or visit my website at www.housesinomaha.com

Omaha Property

2008-09-05T17:43:00.004-05:00

Who makes the difference between Listing Omaha property

and SELLING Omaha property?

Mark Ciochon

When the time is right for you to move, you don't want to merely offer your Omaha property for sale, you want to actually sell it.

Since so many Omaha properties are expiring off the market unsold, you may have already experienced what happens when you choose a Realtor who lacks the commitment, the expertise and the marketing know-how to get the job done. It isn't fun.

Mark has the commitment, the expertise, the experience in selling Omaha property, and the marketing system to sell your house quickly, and for top dollar.

As you read this page, you'll see why Mark is confident he can sell your Omaha Real Estate - and why he can make this promise:

I will sell your Omaha Real Estate within 90 days,

or I'll make your payment.

________________________________________________________________________

Hi, I'm Mark Ciochon,

…and I'd like to help you get moving toward life's next great adventure - by providing a buyer for your Omaha real estate.

You may have listed it before, and been sorely disappointed with the service and the results. I'd like to see to it that you never feel that way again.

In fact, I'd like to become your "Realtor for Life," by giving you service far beyond your expectations.

Here are just a few of the tools I'll use:

· Market knowledge: I stay on top of everything going on in the Omaha Real Estate market, so the Market Analysis I prepare for you is based on the most recent Omaha property sales, and based on homes which most closely match your home for sale.

· Area knowledge: I've lived in Omaha for 40 years and can answer your buyer's questions about everything from taxes, to zoning, to shopping, to medical care, to schools, to recreation, and much more.

· Experience: I have been successfully matching Omaha home sellers with buyers since 1998. I'll match the right buyer to YOUR home.

· A powerful track record: I close an Omaha property about every 9 days.

· A Commitment to Communication: I keep my cell phone handy, and on those rare occasions when I'm not available, I return phone calls and e-mails in a timely manner. That means you're never left feeling frustrated or ignored - and your potential buyers are always contacted quickly.

In addition, I'll give you feedback after every showing .

· An Assistant: I have full time office staff that keep busy processing paperwork, creating flyers, and freeing up my time for SELLING your Omaha Real Estate.

· A Marketing System: I have an extensive marketing system designed to sell your Omaha home in the least possible time for the best possible price.

· Buyers Waiting: At any given time, I have about 2,200 buyers who are waiting for the perfect Omaha property to be listed for sale. When I list your home, they'll be notified immediately.

· Negotiation Skills: While some Realtors allow you to be intimidated, or "bulldozed over" by the other side, I have the market knowledge and insight into human behavior that gives you the edge in negotiations.

· Designations: GRI, ABR, and CRS designations mean that I have taken the time to gain EXTRA education and knowledge. Only 3% of all U.S. Realtors have all of these designations.Why did I bother? So I could do a better job for YOU.

· A Written Satisfaction Guarantee: If you are unhappy with my service at any time prior to the acceptance of an offer to purchase, you may cancel your listing with no cost or obligation.

I keep my listing clients by serving them well, not by legal obligation.

· A Written Selling Guarantee: If I cannot sell your Omaha home within 90 days of listing, I will make your house payment. details…

As you see, I've removed all the risk from listing your Omaha home for sale with me. I can only do this because I know the market well, and I market my listings aggressively. While some Realtors will simply hang a sign and enter the minimum of information in MLS, in hopes that some other Realtor will sell your home - I'll get busy working to find the buyer.

Please look over my marketing plan, and compare it to the work done by your previous Realtor. I think you'll find a big difference.

You'll also find a big difference in communications. Many of my listing clients have told me that the only time they heard from their previous Realtor was when it was time to renew the listing.

When you list with me you'll get regular updates, including feedback from showings. If buyers or other agents voice concerns, I'll bring them to you so we can address them together.

If you're ready to offer your Omaha home for sale, or if you're in the thinking stages and just want to ask some questions, call me at 402-596-1234 or e-mail me today.

I'll be glad to talk with you on the phone, or sit down in person.

I look forward to helping you,

Mark Ciochon

Mark Ciochon, Realtor

ABR, GRI, CRS

402-596-1234

mark@housesinomaha.com

Omaha Real Estate - Homes sales fall sharply

2008-09-04T10:08:00.001-05:00

Home sales fall sharply in Omaha
By Christine Laue
Published: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 4:49 AM CDT
Midlands News Service

OMAHA - Home sales in the Omaha metropolitan area dropped 34 percent in July
compared with the same month last year, continuing a trend of sluggish sales
this year and suggesting the housing market hasn't bottomed out yet.

Spokesmen for the city's largest real estate companies said overall sales
this year are down 15 to 20 percent compared with 2007.

Nationally, sales of existing homes rose 3.1 percent in July, mostly because
of sales of deeply discounted properties in parts of the country hit hardest
by the housing bust.

"I would not have guessed the market would be off this much this year," said
Vince Leisey, president of Prudential Ambassador Real Estate. "I thought the
market would be tough, but I didn't think we'd be off 20 percent. . . . I
don't know if we've bottomed out or not, but I think we're awfully close."

Leisey said the subprime mortgage crisis has created a domino effect:

Lenders tightened their standards, eliminating many buyers.

Owners in some areas saw the market value of their homes fall.

Owners unable to sell their homes, or unwilling to sell at the lower market
price, could not buy new houses.

In addition, Leisey and others said, low consumer confidence in general kept
many potential buyers on the sidelines.

"It's going to be a long haul to get out of this, but it didn't happen
overnight," Leisey said.

Gregg Mitchell, president of Mitchell & Associates Inc., an Omaha real
estate appraiser and consultant, said in his monthly report on the west
Omaha market that high gas prices this spring and summer slowed sales of
homes costing $400,000 or less.

But gas prices have declined a bit and August looks better, his report said.

"Every Realtor I've talked to in the last three weeks is busy showing
houses," Mitchell said. "It tends to be a pretty good predictor of what
we'll see in contracts down the road."

April, May and June typically are peak months for sales activity, he said.

But sales in each of those months declined this year when compared with the
same months in 2007 and 2006.

"The real estate market in Omaha, Nebraska, today is slower than it was in
'07," said Larry Melichar, president of CBSHome Real Estate. "But remember
this - most of '07 was a very good market."

Omaha experienced strong home sales from 2002 to 2006. For most of 2007,
while much of the country struggled, sales were even with or slightly better
than 2006.

But 2007 ended on a sour note. Home sales in Omaha fell nearly 10 percent in
the fourth quarter, compared with the same period in 2006.

And that downward trend has continued.

Home sales in the first quarter this year were 24 percent lower than in the
first quarter of 2007, according to numbers from the Greater Omaha Chamber
of Commerce.

Van Deeb, owner of Deeb Realty, characterized the market as "good" but
acknowledged that sales for the entire market are down.

"I think we're on our way back up," Deeb said, "but we're not on our way
with a sharp incline."

Real estate experts have said that reducing inventory is key to stabilizing
the market, and while the number of homes for sale in July compared with
July 2007 was nearly flat, the number of new homes decreased.

The number of homes on the market in July of both 2008 and 2007 hovered
around 6,300, according to the Multiple Listing Service.

But the portion of that inventory that is new construction has decreased,
said Robert Wiebusch, operations director of NP Dodge Real Estate.

There were 1,446 new homes on the market in July 2007, compared with 1,188
in July 2008, he said. That's an 18 percent drop.

Meanwhile, building permit numbers - an indicator of future supply -
decreased 24 percent, from 356 in June 2007 to 270 in June 2008, according
to a Greater Omaha Indicators report.

Since the beginning of 2008, however, the number of building permits for
single-family residences has steadily increased. Scott Strain, senior
director of research at the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, sees this as
a positive sign.

"What I can tell you is that it's a little more optimistic outlook," he
said.

"I always look at it as the builders know their market, and they're seeing
something in the marketplace that they want to act on," Strain said.

This report includes material from the Associated Press.

Vintage Oaks Two Story_Omaha Real Estate_189,000 WOW What a price!

2008-08-27T11:26:00.001-05:00

"Two story home in Vintage Oaks with woodfloors and a fireplace to entertain all of your guest. Kitchen has granite countertops an eat in Kitchen or move your guest to the formal dining room. This home has plenty to offer with over 2400 finished square ..."

View article...

What determines Interest Rates When Buying Omaha Real Estate

2008-08-26T10:12:00.003-05:00

What Determines Interest Rates ?
This article was written by Perry Dawes of First Mortgage Corp. A local Omaha Real Estate loan officer. If you are in need of a home loan, I would highly recommend you calling Perry..

Interest rates are determined by different investors (we have 9 different ones) that at least once per day "update" their pricing on loans to us based on the rate of return they need to get in relationship to the current market price of government securities...i.e. t-bills, bonds, etc......NOT STOCKS!! The main determining factors that dictate a particular interest rate for a specific borrower, are all based on "credit worthiness" (or risk). Therefore, the most
obvious of these factors are as follows:

1. Credit Score of borrower(s)............the higher the credit score, the lower
interest rate that can be obtained

2. Loan-to-value.................What percentage of the value of the property is
the loan?......(example...80% LTV means the borrower
is doing a down payment of 20%.........etc) The higher the
LTV, the higher the interest rate, as there is more risk with
a smaller downpayment. The exception to this is when a
borrower pays “mortgage insurance” (PMI), it reduces the
risk to an investor, so the rates are often lower when PMI
is involved in the loan.

3. Length of Time to "lock" the rate..............How long a time period is there between
the date you "lock" the rate (which guarantees a particular
rate for a specific number of days) and the expiration date
of the lock.....(15, 30, 45, 60 days etc.) The longer the time
the rate is guaranteed, the higher the risk to the investor,
thus....shorter time = lower rates.

4. Length of Loan Amortization......The length of time to pay off the loan....(15, 20, 25, 30
years, etc.)......The shorter the repayment period, the lower
the interest rate.......(example....if a 30 yr. Conventional loan
rate is 6.75%, then the 15 year loan would be approx. 6.375%...
usually approx. .375% to .50% difference in RATE...not just price)

5. Additional fees (points, etc.)......Sometimes borrowers pay additional origination fees
and / or discount points to"buydown" the interest rate. These fees are paid at closing...usually as a % of the loan amount. The rates I always quote to my customers are WITHOUT any additional fees....i.e. 0% Origination Fee + 0% Discount Points ("par"). If a particular interest rate desired by the borrower is not available at "par", they may choose to “buy-down” the rate by paying additional fees.

6. Loan Amount………Investors who purchase the loans originated by mortgage bankers,
banks, credit unions, etc. make a portion of their profit based on a small percentage of the total loan amount. Therefore, with a higher loan amount, the investor may have a few more dollars to work with, but still needs to make a profit to stay in business. So, a
higher loan amount can sometimes produce a slightly lower interest
rate for a borrower.

7. Type of Loan………The type of loan will also help determine the interest rate available
for a borrower. For example, an FHA or VA loan usually has lower rates than a conventional loan, and rates for a loan such as a NIFA, (a “bond” loan) is set by the organization responsible for that program. Another factor is whether the loan is a fixed-rate or an
adjustable-rate program. A fixed-rate loan will usually have slightly
higher interest rates than an adjustable-rate loan.
There are sometimes other factors that can influence the interest rate that is available to a borrower, but the ones mentioned above are the ones that usually determine the rate of
interest for the borrower.

Here is an example of “extending the lock when buying your Omaha Real Estate” and how that affects rates (using a 710 credit score)

FHA 97% LTV (Loan of $200,000) (These are the rates for this loan if I "locked" today)
60 Day Lock.......... Rate = 6.50%......... Fees = NONE
45 Day Lock.......... Rate = 6.375%...... Fees = .75%
30 Day Lock.......... Rate = 6.375%...... Fees = .625%
15 Day Lock......... Rate = 6.375%....... Fees = .50%

Conventional 95% LTV (Loan of $200,000)
60 Day Lock.......... Rate = 7.0%......... Fees = NONE
45 Day Lock.......... Rate = 6.875%....... Fees = NONE
30 Day Lock......... Rate = 6.75%....... Fees = .50%
15 Day Lock......... Rate = 6.75%...... Fees = .375%

Here is an example of “buying down” the current “par” rate (using a 710 credit score)

FHA 97% LTV (Loan of $200,000) (using a 30 day lock period)
Par Rate………….. 6.5% Fees = NONE
Desired Rate…….. 6.375% Fees = .625%
Desired Rate…….. 6.25% Fees = .875%
Desired Rate…….. 6.125% Fees = 1.25%

Conventional 95% LTV (Loan of $200,000) (using a 30 day lock period)
Par Rate………….. 6.875% Fees = NONE
Desired Rate…….. 6.75% Fees = .50%
Desired Rate…….. 6.625% Fees = .75%
Desired Rate…….. 6.50% Fees = 1.125%

Also, for the last 8-10 months, interest rates for FHA loans have been between .250%
and .325% LOWER than conventional loans of similar LTV (95% - 97%)

I hope this helps you understand how complex the rate pricing is, and when comparing different mortgage companies, make sure you are comparing “apples to apples”, i.e. whether there are any additional fees required for a particular interest rate. (buying down the rate, etc.). Always obtain a Good Faith Estimate that shows all the costs associated with a particular loan and interest rate. I also understand that different mortgage companies have different rates, but most of them are always very close to the others in pricing, as many of the same investors buy loans from each organization. Whenever I hear that someone is getting quoted an interest rate substantially below the market conditions, I always tell them to make sure of what the "closing costs" are.....any additional fees, etc.???..........because usually that is where the difference lies.

Perry Dawes Mortgage Consultant First Mortgage Co. Office: (402) 431-4343 Cell: (402) 690-7979 pdawes@firstmortgageco.com

Omaha Real Estate at its finest!!!

2008-08-19T16:37:00.000-05:00

"Well cared for Echo Hills home priced right at $126,900! "

View article...

Spacious 3600 s.f. home in Indian Creek subdivision - Elkhorn, NE

2008-08-19T12:13:00.002-05:00

"Lush Green Trees And Plantings Skirt The Back Yard, Providing A Tranquil Setting For This Witt Smith Masterpiece. ..."

View article...

Wonderful Builder-Owned Gretna home in Tiburon Subdivision

2008-08-19T12:12:00.003-05:00

" Uniquely Designed Home With Cherry Stained Cabinets With Granite Counter Tops In Kitchen And Both Baths. ..."

View article...

Charming Traditional Home in Omaha With Third Floor Finished Dormer

2008-08-19T12:11:00.001-05:00

Subject: Charming Traditional Home in Omaha With Third Floor Finished Dormer

"All The Comforts Of Today With The Charm Of Yesterday! ..."

View article...

Rate Update

2008-08-18T11:32:00.001-05:00

Omaha Real Estate update.

Slight change in NIFA rates last week. VA and FHA are now at 6.34% 0+0 and VA and FHA HBA are 6.98% with 1 + 3/4%. Conventional loans 6.74% 0+0 and HBA 7.38% 1+3/4%.

Other rates have remained about the same with VA and FHA right at 6.375% to 6.5% and conventional loans 6.5% to 6.625% for 30 year fixed rates. For those of you who might be interested in an Adjustable rate we have some awesome programs - even 100% financing.

Remember it is not like the "old" days - we now have to be concerned about credit scores, loan-to-values, lock periods before final pricing.

Mark Ciochon

Personal Lifetime Real Estate Consultant

Cell: 402-596-1234 Fax: 1-877-569-6130

http://www.housesinomaha.com

Changes in finance ahead

2008-07-30T12:38:00.001-05:00

There is new legislation being signed by President Bush today that will change some of the options that home buyers with low down payments will be able to use when buying Omaha Real Estate in the future. Here is a link to find out more information when buying your next home. http://getdownpayment.com/updates/legislativeinfo.asp

Thank you,

Mark Ciochon

Personal Lifetime Real Estate Consultant

Cell: 402-596-1234 Fax: 1-877-569-6130

http://www.housesinomaha.com

Office Location

Home Inspections

2008-07-08T20:45:00.004-05:00

Evening friends. I thought it would be worth talking about home inspections and the selection process. It has been my experience that a home inspector with an ASHI certification is the best way to go when getting your Omaha Real Estate inspected. In order to get an ASHI certification you must have 250 fee paid home inspections completed in accordance to the American Society of Home Inspection standards of practice. I had a client just this week who did their home work and found their own home inspector who had some letters behind the name to show he passed some classes on home inspections but when the home inspection was done we were not provided a written report of the findings, no pictures and other than being a nice guy I am not sure the inspector really had any credentials to speak of. Luckily the home was in good shape and was really an easy inspection. The client was happy, but with out a written report, photos etc. if there are any issues with the home in the future there will be no reference to fall back on to see if this issue was present at the time of purchase or if the issues arose after purchase. In closing, ask your inspector how many homes have he or she inspected in the past year, how long have they been doing fee inspections, who did they work under to get their certifications and ask what kind of report will they be providing including photos of attic etc. Also, see if they provide any type of warranty or at a minimum a limited Service One Warranty or equal. Here is the link to the local Omaha chapter

Another Reason To Sell With Mark Ciochon

2008-06-10T08:37:00.003-05:00

Its no secret selling your Omaha Real Estate is increasingly difficult in this buyers market. I have implemented another competitive edge to help you sell your Omaha Home. Please watch the following Video..

This is just another Tech tool that I will use to market your Omaha Home. Please give me a call or text message at 402-578-1910 to get started right away. Selling Omaha Real Estate for over 10 years and over 450 homes Sold! List with Mark...Mark it SOLD!

18656 T Street, Omaha NE

2008-01-11T09:12:00.001-06:00

Coyote Run Perfect!
Wonderfully maintained home in Omaha NE. If you are looking for Omaha Property that has been well maintained then this home is it! Pottery Barn beautiful interior with Brushed chrome light fixtures, cathedral ceilings in dining room and kitchen. Warm cozy family room with fireplace and large windows to let the sun shine in. Oversized master bedroom and bath are nice too! Exterior of this home as been meticulously maintained with the yard boasting a wood picket fence, sprinkler system, paver patio and wood deck. Call for a showing today and fall in love..
Omaha Property Omaha Homes For Sale Omaha Real Estate

Mark How Will You Market My Home?

2008-01-04T07:58:00.000-06:00

Quick Note for home sellers. One of the most important jobs as a seller/listing agent is to gain exposure to your home over the competition. One of the ways that I do that is by advertising your home on numerous websites such as Craigs List, Google and Yahoo. When you sell your home make sure you are getting maximum exposure. Follow my link and I will show you just some of the national websites that my listings are displayed on.. http://markciochon.point2agent.com
If you would like more information please contact me at 402-578-1910 or email me at mark@housesinomaha.com

View All Homes On Line At www.housesinomaha.com

2008-01-03T07:35:00.000-06:00

Just a quick note,
If you are looking for Omaha Houses, Bellevue NE Real Estate or Other Towns Such as Elkhorn, LaVista, Millard or Bennington Ne. Check Out My Website At http://www.housesinomaha.com/

Funny Video About How To Sell Your Home..Enjoy :)

2008-01-03T07:30:00.000-06:00

Nora and Jake Aren't Moving

2007-12-18T11:00:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends,

Just a quick note to let you know how I can help you or anyone you might refer to me.

Jake and Nora had just finished a year-long remodeling job on their home. The work was beautifully done — the house looked spectacular. Unfortunately, when they contacted me about listing the home, I had to disappoint them with the news that money spent on renovations can take several years to show a return on investment. It simply hadn’t occurred to them that $50,000 in improvements wouldn’t immediately translate into a $50,000 increase in their listing price.

I asked what their long-term goal was with regards to moving, and it turned out that Nora and Jake had very different goals, indeed. Nora wanted to buy a bigger house so their grown children and grandchildren could make extended visits. Jake wanted to downsize, and purchase a vacation home. They agreed much more discussion was needed, and to “sit tight” in their current home and enjoy all the hard work they’d put into it.

P.S. Who is the next person you know who would like to work with a Realtor who truly listens? Please give me a call to discuss how to let them know about my services.

Mark Ciochon
Your Omaha Ne Real Estate Professional
Specializing in Omaha NE Real Estate and surrounding areas such as Elkhorn, Gretna, Bellevue, Papillion, LaVista and Bennington Ne.

807 Shagbark, Bellevue NE

2007-12-14T11:36:00.000-06:00

Hi folks, I just listed another great home in Bellevue/Offutt AFB area.
A Colorado feel is what you will experience when you view this custom built home with 2 Story great room with plenty of natural light. Kitchen has all the amenities you desire including custom counter tops & cabinetry. Solid hardwood floors throughout the main floor. 2nd floor bedrooms are larger than most with the master bedroom boasting over 17x15 ft. Nestled in the trees in popular hidden Bellevue neighborhood. Click Here For More Photos

11531 S 35th St, Bellevue NE

2007-12-14T11:21:00.000-06:00

I just listed a wonderful home in Bellevue and I am excited to share this information with you. The owners just put in a new driveway this fall, updated the landscaping etc. On the inside of the home there is a fireplace in the great room, nice cabinetry in the kitchen, cathedral ceilings, 3 nice size bedrooms on the main floor and the master has a 3/4 bath. The lower level is finished and has a 1/2 bath as well. Take a look at the photos by clicking here

1916 s 46th St, Omaha NE

2007-12-14T10:46:00.001-06:00

I just listed a wonderful little doll house just a block South of Center Street on 46th Street. This home has 3 bedrooms, large living room and updated bathrooma as well as an updated kitchen with dishwasher, stove and microwave that stay with the home as well as washer and dryer on the lower level. Steel siding, cedar deck and fenced yard are additional exterior features.

This home qualifies for first time homebuyer financing as well as FHA/VA or Conventional Financing.

Click Here For Additional Details

Market Conditions Are Great (For Buyers)

2007-12-12T15:47:00.001-06:00

Greetings, Its nice and cold here in Omaha today. The sun was shining this morning but not any more!

There seems to be a lot of misinformation about the state of the real estate market in and around the Omaha metro area, especially on the finance side. Yes there are banks who are in trouble because they lent money foolishly to anyone who could hold a pen, not necessarily a job. All this is changing now. The good new is for borrowers with descent credit there are great deals on homes and at great interest rates. I checked with TierOneBank and they are quoting 6% for a 30 year fixed mortgage with not discount or origination fee. And for most of my first time homebuyers we are closing below 6% with seller paying all the closing costs. So lets go shopping for a great deal on a home!

Mark Ciochon