Summer Events in Omaha, NE

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Omaha, Nebraska is a summer gem hidden in the Heartland of America.  Activities abound for those living in the metro area or looking for a weekend get-away.  Great food, outdoor activities, baseball, and culture are just some of the options open to those who wish to soak up the summer sun and dive into “The Big O.”

The Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo is one of the most heralded zoos in the country and Omaha’s premier family destination.  Offering state of the art exhibits and an array of animals from around the globe, a trip to Henry Doorly Zoo is a memory that is sure to stay with any visitor, young or old.

The Omaha Farmer’s Market occurs throughout the summer on Saturday and Sunday mornings.  Customers stroll among the outdoor stands and are able to peruse and choose from the freshest fruit and vegetables from America’s Breadbasket.  The annual Taste of Omaha showcases the best food in the area right on the scenic Missouri River waterfront.

Every June, college baseball teams and their fans travel from coast to coast to witness collegiate athletics in its highest form for the NCAA College World Series.  Known as “The Greatest Show on Dirt,” the CWS was played annually at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium for 60 years.  This year, the tournament has moved to a new 21st century facility named TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha’s North Downtown, or NoDo, region.  Children will enjoy the excitement on and off the field as well as an ice cream cone from the world famous Zesto’s.  For adults looking to enjoy a night on the town, there is no bigger week than the CWS.  Due to the anticipation of the move to the new ballpark, the rows of bars on Leavenworth Street and in the Old Market are sure to be hopping with more energy and buzz than ever before this year.

The Cox Classic at Champions Golf Course brings in some of the brightest up and coming stars in the PGA-Nationwide Tour.  Before the exciting weekend conclusion to the tournament, lessons and camps are offered to youngsters looking to get on the links and improve their budding golf game.  

The Omaha-metro area offers any outdoor lover numerous opportunities to get out and enjoy the sun.  Boating and jet-skiing are available at Carter Lake, Lake Manawa, and the Missouri River for the aquatic enthusiast.  Mahoney State Park, DeSoto Wildlife Refuge and Fontenelle Forest offer miles of hiking trails for those looking to get off the beaten path.  Dozens of events geared toward the runner and cycler are taking place all summer in the metro area at places like the Wabash Trail and Big Papio Trail.

The Joslyn Art Museum, Durham Western Heritage Museum and the Omaha Children’s Museum offer fun and educational exhibits to all.  Shakespeare on the Green performs the playwrights great works in the comfortable night air.  The Orpheum Theatre brings in some of the hottest acts from Broadway such as Wicked and Jersey Boys.

From critically acclaimed local bands to the biggest tours on earth, Omaha will not disappoint the music lover.  In addition to concerts at Omaha’s best indoor venues such as The Waiting Room, The Slowdown and the Qwest Center arena, Omaha has added two music festivals to its arsenal of shows (The Maha Music Festival and The Red Sky Music Festival) in addition to the already popular Jazz on the Green and Playing with Fire concert series.

"Mark - Are There Different Types of Listings?"

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Short Sale, Bank-owned, “Flip,” or a “Normal” Listing – Which Should You Choose?

You’ve no doubt noticed that there are five distinct types of listings for you to choose from today:

· Short Sales
· Bank-owned homes
· Investor “flips”
· Owner-occupied, non-distressed, “normal” listings
· New Construction

Should you consider one or all? You’ll find good homes in all these categories, so the answer depends upon you and your circumstances.

How much time and patience do you have? A short sale can take months, just to get approval from the seller’s lender.

How much risk are you willing to take? A bank-owned property comes without any property condition disclosures, so you won’t know about any hidden defects that your inspector fails to find. You also won’t have anyone to explain the mechanical systems, so you’ll either have to figure them out for yourself or hire an expert to help.

Investor flips also demand a bit of risk-taking, unless you know the contractor’s reputation. Unscrupulous “flippers” have been known to hide structural defects beneath cosmetic improvements. And, since the owner has never lived in the house, you won’t get property condition disclosures. On the other hand, you will have someone there to explain how things work.

Owner-occupied, non-distressed homes carry the least risk and can usually close shortly after the appraisal and inspections are completed. In addition, owner-sellers are often willing to help out with closing costs or make some minor repairs prior to closing. But – the price may be slightly higher.

New construction offers some fun and excitement – but you still need to proceed with a buyer’s agent at your side.

Over the next few days I’ll go into more detail about these 5 types of listings, and what you should watch out for / be prepared for with each of them.

P.S. If you don’t want to wait, just call or email! I’d love to talk with you and answer any questions you have about the market or about buying a home.