Shelbi Simon, Realtor

04/05/2024

When you're in the process of looking at homes with your real estate agent, it's important to ask questions that will help you make an informed decision. Here are seven questions to consider asking:

🏠 What is the history of this property?

Understanding the property's history, including previous sales, renovations, or major repairs, can provide insight into its condition and value.

⏳ How long has the property been on the market?

Knowing how long a home has been listed can give you leverage in negotiations. Properties on the market for a long time might have more room for negotiation.

🛠️ Are there any known issues with the property?

Ask about any known issues with the house, such as structural problems, water damage, or pest infestations. This can save you from future headaches and expenses.

🏘️ What are the neighborhood and community like?

Inquire about the neighborhood's demographics, noise levels, safety, schools, amenities, and any homeowners association (HOA) fees or rules. This helps you gauge if the area suits your lifestyle and needs.

🛋️ What is included in the sale?

Clarify which fixtures, appliances, or other features are included in the sale. This can affect the value of the offer you might make.

💰 How does the asking price compare to similar properties in the area?

Understanding how the home is priced compared to similar properties in the neighborhood can help you determine whether it's a fair asking price and guide your offer.

💡 What are the average utility costs?

Asking about utility costs can help you budget for monthly expenses beyond the mortgage. It also gives insight into the home's energy efficiency.

04/04/2024

Out with the cold, in with the bloom! 🌸✨

Check out these easy ways to transition your home decor into the new season!

09/24/2022

NEW LISTING JUST HIT THE MARKET!✨

Come check out this beauty! 🤩

📍 Charming Corner Lot Ranch
🏠3 Bedroom
🛁4 Bathroom
◽️3,606 sqft
11734 Hickory Rd Omaha, NE 68144

Beautiful Modern Newly painted white Ranch on Corner Lot in a Desired Neighborhood! Come see for yourself! This one of a kind newly renovated home includes modern fixtures, brand new paint, granite countertops, new cabinets and flooring with tons of space! On the top level you have 3 bedrooms, a large kitchen with access directly to the deck. 2 bathrooms on the main floor. 2 car garage. Two large living areas, including a fireplace. In the basement you have an additional 2 nonconforming bedrooms and additonal space and storage. The basement also includes a wet bar and plenty of space for entertaining! This home has it all and won't last long!

For sale This 3606 square foot single family home has 3 bedrooms and 4.0 bathrooms. It is located at 11734 Hickory Rd Omaha, Nebraska.

09/17/2022

Fall is in the air and I’m so ready for cooler weather, comfort food, long sleeves, and everything pumpkin spice!
Looking for budget-friendly ways to welcome fall into your home?

Here are 6 ways to decorate for the season without breaking the bank 🍁💸

09/15/2022

Building equity is one of the biggest benefits of homeownership. Home equity is the difference between how much you owe on your mortgage and how much your home is worth. As you pay down your mortgage each month and as the value of your home increases over time, you’ll start to build equity!
When you sell a home in which you have equity, a chunk will go towards closing costs and the rest will be yours to keep.

But selling your home isn’t the only way to tap into home equity! Here are three of the most common ways to get equity out of your home without selling:

1. Cash-out refinance

A cash-out refinance replaces your existing home loan with a larger mortgage loan (by using the bigger loan to pay off your old one). The difference between the balance on your previous mortgage and your new mortgage amount and is how you’ll be able to access home equity and essentially “cash-out”.

2. Home equity line of credit

A HELOC (short for home equity line of credit) is a way to borrow against the available equity in your home whenever you want (up to a set limit) while making low payments. With a HELOC, the house is used as collateral for the line of credit. Similar to a credit card, a HELOC gives you the flexibility to borrow against your home equity, repay, and repeat. Most HELOCS allow up to 10 years to withdraw funds, and up to 20 years to repay.

3. Home equity loan

A home equity loan is a type of mortgage that allows you to borrow money using the equity in your home as collateral. With a home equity loan, you’ll get access to a lump sum of money all at once and will repay the home equity loan (with principal and interest) each month at a fixed rate over 5-30 years. Keep in mind, a home equity loan is considered to be a second mortgage, so you’ll have to make monthly payments for your home equity loan in addition to paying your current mortgage each month.

09/11/2022

It has been 21 years since one of the darkest days in America.
Today we remember the victims and family members affected by the attacks that took place on September 11, 2001

“If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate” — Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl

🇺🇸 Never forget 9/11 🇺🇸

09/10/2022

When you start the house hunting process with a clear list of what you’d like in a home, it’s much easier to decide which homes are worth looking at and which ones don’t fit your criteria. This is one of the reasons why I always recommend my clients create a home buying wishlist before looking at houses!
Here are 10 questions to help you create your home buying wishlist:

1. What do you like/dislike about your current home?

2. Do you need to be in a certain school district, close to work, or near family? Does safety matter to you?

3. Are you willing to buy a fixer-upper or is it important for your new home to be move-in ready?

4. Do you need outdoor space for pets, kids, gardening, entertaining, or privacy?

5. How much can you afford to spend monthly on your mortgage payment?

6. How much space do you need (bedrooms, bathrooms, living spaces)?

7. What does your future look like? (Do you have a family or are you planning to start one soon? Are you looking to retire in the next 5 years? How much space will you need in the next 5-10 years?)

8. What type of layout best suits your lifestyle? (One story or two story? If a two story, do you prefer the master bedroom to be upstairs or downstairs? Do you like an open-concept floorplan?)

9. Do you like being close to amenities and shopping centers or would you rather live in a more rural area?

10. What do you absolutely need in a home and what are you willing to compromise on? (an important question to figure out your wants VS needs)

Interested in homeownership? Send me a message and I’d love to chat more with you about the home buying process!