10 Things That May Turn Buyers Away

 The way you live in your home is not the same way you sell a home.
Today we have ten tips to help you avoid house trends that will turn buyers off.

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If you sell your home, you want to appeal to as many buyers as possible. Today, I wanted to share the top ten trends that can turn away buyers to help you avoid them in your home.

1. Boldly painted walls. Stick with neutral colors that are buyer-friendly. If you want colors that pop, do it with accessories.

2. Wallpaper. It's a personal preference, but it's very time-consuming to remove. That's the first thing a buyer will think about.

3. Lavish light fixtures. They should enhance your home, not be a centerpiece that steals the show. Like with paint, the more neutral, the better.

4. Gleaming colors. Stay away from metallic and bold colors. The more neutral, the better!

5. Converted areas like garages or bedrooms. Buyers prefer to walk into a bedroom and see it in its original intended purpose. If you've used a room for something other than the intended purpose, consider staging it.

Landscaping is good for curb appeal, but too much signals a lot of required maintenance.

6. Carpet. Get the carpet cleaned and fresh and get rid of any old shag carpet. Stay with the soft plush in neutral colors. 7. Covering hardwood floors. If there's hardwood under your carpet, you can get rid of that old dingy carpet and refinish the hardwood. Remember, most buyers prefer hardwood.
8. Overly lush landscaping. Landscaping is awesome for curb appeal, but overgrown landscaping will lead buyers to believe it requires too much maintenance.
9. Pools and hot tubs. Some people love pools and hot tubs, but here in Nebraska, we can't use them year round, so many buyers would rather have the yard space or save the time and money needed for maintenance.
10. Pet products out around the house. Get them all put away and hidden so that buyers can see your fresh and clean home, not evidence of pets. Remember, you don't live in a home the same way you show a home! These tips will help you fine-tune your home to appeal to the maximum amount of buyers.

If you have any more questions about this topic or you're thinking about buying or selling a house, give us a call or send us an email today. We'd love to hear from you!

5 Tips to Boost the Value of Your Home

Thinking about selling your home? Make sure you know these
five ways to add value to your home.

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When you list your home on the market, it’s always a good idea to make sure your home highlights its value to ensure you get the best price possible. Here are five ways you can add value to your home:

1. Clean up and clear out. You can do this one on your own. It’s all about decluttering and depersonalizing your home. This will make a huge impact when the buyer takes that first step into your home.

2. Spruce up your kitchen. The kitchen can make or break any sale, so whether you do a full remodel or just spend $300 to do some updating, make sure you put some work into that room.

The kitchen can make
or break any sale.

3. Freshen up the bathroom. Again, this can be anything from a few simple improvements to a complete remodel, but this room needs some attention as well.

4. Selectively paint rooms. This is the quickest and easiest way to transform the look of any room in the house. You can either hire someone to paint or do it yourself. Add a pop of color, but be sure to stay away from bolds and metallics.
5. Enhance the exterior. Make sure everything looks clean and neat. You might even consider getting some landscaping done. People will look at pictures of your home online and possibly do a drive by. The last thing you want them to see is an unkempt lawn or overgrown bushes. If you have any other questions about how to enhance the value of your home or any other real estate related questions, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We are always happy to help! 

Check Out The Boulders at Wilderness Ridge

The Boulders is an exciting new project that will feature luxury townhomes and will be completed by spring of 2017.

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There is a great new project being built here in Lincoln. Located in the southwest corner of Lincoln near the Wilderness Ridge Golf Course, The Boulders will feature beautiful, luxury townhomes. This is a very exciting project!

If you want to move out of your current home and into a luxury townhome, you need to check out The Boulders. Just give me a call–we have the blueprints ready to go. We are able to design whatever you want on the interior. There are some strict rules for the exterior of the home in order to create a friendly neighborhood, however.

We are able to design whatever you want on the interior.

The view from the backyard shows off the 5th green, and you can see all the way down to the fairway. This is a truly beautiful area. We hope to have these townhomes completed by spring of 2017 in time for the Spring Parade of Homes!

If you would like to know more details about The Boulders, just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

*Listings for The Boulders are coming soon

Your Source for New Construction Information

 Who would've believed we'd be building in this area back in the day?

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I'm here today at the Waterford Estates, which is the kind of site you would see me at as a new construction specialist. This one project has taken many years to build out!

It's just one of many projects like this that I know about far in advance. I take tours all the time, and we've got places north, south, east, and west. Another site we like right now is called The Boulders at Wilderness Ridge near 27th and Rokeby Road. Additionally, another area experiencing tremendous growth is called Grandview Estates, near 70th and Rokeby Road.

Who would've believed we'd be building in this area back in the day?

Who would've believed we would be working in that area in 2016? Not long ago, it was nothing but gravel roads and fields of wheat and corn.

If you're looking for somebody to help you build, give me a call or send me an email with any questions you may have. I'd love to help you out!

How I Can Match a Builder With You

As a home construction specialist with the Searcy Team of HOME Real Estate, my job involves being on projects and often onsite. I wear muck boots and sometimes I get so stuck in drywall mud that I feel like I’m a toy wobbler.

I’m on project and onsite.

This is what I’m trying to tell you: I’m on project and onsite. If you’re interested in knowing more about new construction and how I can match a builder with you, whether you have an entry-level home or a high-end one, I have a select few builders I like to work with, and I’d be happy to help you out.

If you have any questions, just give me a call or shoot me an email. I look forward to hearing from you.

How The Searcy Team Quickly Found a Home for Melissa

“We had Hannah as our realtor. She showed us a lot of houses and had a really good experience with her. The house we ended up buying was one that hadn’t even been put on the market yet. She happened to tell us about it and we came to look at it and made an offer on it that day.”

-Melissa

How the Searcy Team Helped Lori Buy and Sell Her Home

“I first met Hannah a long time ago and when I was ready to buy a house she was the first person I contacted. She did a great job helping me find a house that I really liked that fit in my budget. The process was really smooth. When it was time to sell the house, she was of course, the only person I would’ve considered using. She did a great job of walking us through the entire process, giving us tips along the way and it was overall much easier than I ever thought it would be. “ 

-Lori

We're in for a Record-Setting 2016

Today we're talking about the market here in Lincoln, because I think up to this point in 2016, there's a bit of a misconception. Yes - it has been a stellar year as we've been predicting, but it's an interesting year at the same time.

It's not a record year - yet.

For example, up until the end August of 2015, there were 3,651 homes sold in Lincoln. During that same time frame in 2016, 3,235 homes have sold. Does that mean we are having a banner year? Or should we be asking what is the matter?

The next four months will be record-setting in real estate.

No, it means that the end of this year - the next four months of 2016 - are going to be record-setting months in the Lincoln real estate market. You may as well participate! It's still interesting that the average time it's taking to sell a home in Lincoln (depending on pricing) has hovered in that two-month range. As you move up in price point, that kind of grows, and that's the norm.

Well, we have seen everything but the norm when it comes to 2016 real estate, so get ready for the next four months.

If you're thinking about participating in this record-setting market in 2016, call me or send me an email. I'd love to help you prepare in any way that I can.

Win Free Tickets to the Nebraska State Fair

It's a beautiful time of the year in Lincoln - the sun is shining, the crops are growing, and the birds are singing. It's also time for the Nebraska State Fair!

We used to hold that fair every year right here in Lincoln, and those grounds have turned into the gorgeous Innovation Campus - a great addition to our city and state.

you could win tickets to the state fair!

After years of enjoying the State Fair event's we want to give you a chance at free tickets so you can enjoy them this year! We've got five sets of tickets to give away, so just email us at success@searcyteam.com and put "Pick me!" in the headline. We'll also pick a grand prize winner who will receive tickets to the concert of their choice at the Nebraska State Fair. *The concert of your choice is subject to availability.

If you're thinking about getting into the real estate market, now is the time. If you have questions about getting into the market, give us a call or send an email and we'll talk soon!

Should You Keep Renting, or Buy a House?

Is now the right time to buy, or should you keep renting? Our answer is simple: stop paying someone else’s mortgage.

Stop paying someone else’s mortgage.

The fact of the matter is that you have to live somewhere. You’re either going to be paying rent, or you’re going to be paying a mortgage. If you purchase your home now, you’re going to be automatically setting yourself up for home equity down the road. That is to say, home equity acts as an automatic savings account you build for yourself by paying your mortgage each month to own your own house.

Right now, interest rates are still at an all-time low. The amount of house you can get for these lower interest rates is huge. With prices estimated to increase by 5.5% over the next 12 months, now is the time to act, and we want to help you do it. Our buyer’s success session is going to set you up for success. That’s the whole point! We want you to know how the process works, what we can do for you, and how we work on your behalf.

If you have any questions, give us a call so we can help you go from liking a house on Zillow to actually living in that house.

What Are People Saying About the Searcy Team?

Buying or selling a home can be tough. Finding a real estate team that's going to help and listen to your needs can be even TOUGHER!

With nearly 40 years of experience the Searcy team strives to give you the best experience possible.

Don't take our word for it though, see what our clients are saying about us on Zillow.

Below are just a few examples. For more click here!

Sold a Single Family home in 2016

"We cannot say enough great things about Jeff Searcy and the Searcy team! We lived in our house for 20 years. Jeff was straight forward about transitioning our home from lived in to making it ready for the market. It was an 8 week process of prepping the home to sale. We started by DE-cluttering, to replace carpet and make other needed updates. After everything I kind of wanted to change mind and possibly keep my house haha. Through the process the Searcy team was extremely patient and respectful of our family’s busy schedule. But, kept us on track of the goal. After 8 weeks the team evaluated and decided we were ready put a sign in the yard on Friday afternoon. Within 16 hours we had four viewings scheduled and a scheduled open house for Sunday. By noon on Saturday we had two offers. Jeff reviewed each offer with us pointing out the details communicating with potential buyers. Needless to say our home sold for above asking price. Jeff Searcy and the Searcy team worked with us every step of the way. This isn't a hello and put a sign in the yard. It is a journey to make large transitions and family changes as smooth as possible. We always felt that the Searcy team had our family's best interest at heart. Answering calls and texts quickly. Jeff helped us find are new home. The next time we are in the market for real estate we will definitely be using the Searcy Team again."

Bought a Single Family home in 2016

"Thank u so much for introducing us to Jasper! I definitely have the best Realtor ever! I walked into this process knowing nothing at all and she stepped me through the whole way. I feel like I have run into every situation possible in the process and she always has had a solution. She has answered each and every one of our questions and believe me there were many and the few she didn't have answers to she found out for me. She has always been very prompt in contacting and replying to each and every text or call. Very accommodating to our crazy schedule. I felt from the beginning that she was someone I could trust and not just "try to make a sale" She even pointed out anything that was bad when we were looking at houses. I felt like she was a friend looking out for us the whole time even though just a stranger. She gave us her all and put tons of time and effort into finding "the house" for us. I'm sure there's plenty more to be said but she is beyond AWESOME to say the least. Thank u for all u have done for me and my family Jasper!! You're amazing!!"

Sold a Single Family home in 2016

"Hannah helped me buy my house 5 years ago, when I knew absolutely nothing about the process. She really listened to what I was looking for and why, and helped me find the perfect house for my situation. She explained the process every step of the way and I never felt overwhelmed. When I was ready to sell, I didn't even think about calling another realtor. Hannah, again, was great. She met with me to go over what easy fixes I could do to get the house ready to sell. She's incredibly responsive and answers text messages about the tiniest things. She's really there for her clients and makes them feel that they're the only house she is dealing with. Hannah got me a great price on our home and I couldn't be happier with my experience. If I ever move back to Lincoln, the first person I'm going to call is Hannah!"

The Searcy Team is Moving

Buying a Lincoln Home? Search all Homes for Sale

Selling a Lincoln Home? Check out our FREE Home Value Report

We’re used to helping you find or sell a home but now it’s OUR turn to invite YOU into our new “home!” 

After 17 years on Cotner Boulevard, we’ve moved to 5322 O Street and can’t wait to better serve Nebraska’s Capital City. 

We would love to visit and catch up with you at the new Home Real Estate office at our GRAND OPENING, Wednesday July 13th from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

We hope to see you there! If you can’t make it, feel free to stop in when you can.

Sell First, Then Buy Your Next Lincoln Home?

Buying a Lincoln Home? Search all Homes for Sale

Selling a Lincoln Home? Check out our FREE Home Value Report

We've been getting a lot of questions lately from buyers and sellers, wondering if you can buy a new home without selling your existing home first. Do you find a home you want to buy first and then list your home and sell it, or do you list your home and get it under contract before finding your next house? There's not an exact science and no precise answer to the question. Every real estate transaction is different and personal circumstances vary. That's why we strongly suggest a brief conversation to discuss your unique situation.*

In our experience, it can often make more sense to get your home on the market, know what your selling price is, and then go out and find the next one. That way you're ready and you know where you stand on the next home. If you are in the advantageous position of being able to acquire a bridge loan, utilize special financing, or have a strong cash equity in your current property, you may wish to secure your new place first. If not, it's nice to know your sale situation so you can turn around and find your next home quickly and effectively.

"There's not an exact science to this."

Sometimes a contingent offer is the only course-and if that's the case-a professional and seasoned Realtor can offer excellent assistance-especially in multiple offer scenarios. Check out our video for more insight, and reach out to us to discuss your unique and individual situation in 2016. We would love to hear from you!

How I Got My Start

Buying a Lincoln Home? Search all Homes for Sale

Selling a Lincoln Home? Check out our FREE Home Value Report

I’m excited to be here because I wanted to share with you how I started in the real estate business. When I was a little girl, I’d go to showings and open houses with my grandparents, then with my dad, and then with my mom when she got licensed. As I got into high school, my sister and I helped with a lot of behind-the-scenes work like campaigns and mailings, and also washing signs and putting up open house baggies.

"When I got out of high school, I realized that I wanted in."

When I got out of high school, I decided that I wanted in. Now, 11 years later, I’ve had the opportunity to help hundreds of individuals and families realize their real estate goals.

May I help you too? Call me today!