With Veteran's Day right around the corner, I thought I'd share some insight on how very simple gestures from complete strangers have inspired my husband and me on many occasions the past 21 years. One of these moments occurred when my husband met me for lunch at Ruby Tuesday's. He was dressed in his Army uniform because he had a meeting directly following our lunch date. (I mention this because it's a rarity for him to meet me in a "civilian" establishment in his uniform.) We were enjoying our lunch together discussing our children, plans for the week, home improvement projects, etc.
Towards the end of our meal a woman paused at our table and touched my husband's shoulder. She whispered "thank you", then quickly exited the restaurant. This has happened several times since we've been in the Army (I say "we" as a spouse) and my reaction is the same every time. I become overwhelmed with emotion and my eyes fill with tears. Before either of us could respond verbally the kind stranger had disappeared leaving a gift she was completely unaware of; she unknowingly changed our outlook for the remainder of the day.
We continued our lunch in silence as we both counted our many blessings, all of which were far from our minds only moments before. As I stared proudly across the table at my husband in a new light, I suddenly felt overwhelmed with gratitude. In that fleeting moment, I was reminded by the two simple words of a stranger just how LUCKY I was to be able to have lunch with my husband.
A little while later our waitress approached our table with a giant smile and said, "your lunch has taken care of by one of our customers, as a ‘thank you'". Again... we were speechless. We asked by whom so we could personally thank them, but the waitress said the person "wished to remain anonymous".
Wow, I can't even express how surprised and humbled we both felt, again. The kindness of that thankful stranger warmed me from the inside out the remainder of the day. Each time I think about the many "thank you's" we've received, I revisit the feeling of gratitude for my husband & all of our servicemen and women, and for the freedoms we enjoy.
I left the restaurant that day inspired to "pass on" the gift of gratitude we had been blessed with. I knew it didn't really matter what I chose to do, because every handshake and "thank you" we've received has touched us so deeply. And although I know my husband and other soldiers do not expect to be thanked for "doing their jobs" (because they consider their service to our country both "an honor and a privilege"), it's amazing how two simple words remind them that their many silent sacrifices are sincerely appreciated.
Please take a moment next time you see a soldier and their family to say "thank you". They will be humbled and probably look very surprised and/or be left speechless, but I promise those two words will linger in their hearts for many hours, days & years to come, just as they have for us. God Bless each of our service men, women, and their special children - may you all have a safe Veteran's Day!
OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY, AUGUST 16TH FROM 1-3PM. Over $23K in updates make this spectacular home filled with character move-in ready! Solid full brick exterior not only keeps it quiet inside, but also keeps heating/cooling bills low! Located on dead-end frontage road means extra parking for visitors (or RV's) & only neighbor traffic. Gorgeous updated Kitchen with new GE appliances, ceramic tile, lots of cabinets and pantry. Loads of natural light, hardwood flooring, wood burning fireplace, spacious finished lower level with extra bath. .37 acres of sanctuary out back...listen to birds chirp on covered patio, watch kids play in fully fenced yard with plenty of space to garden! Great location close to schools, parks and shopping.
Charming, Updated Millard School District Home - Nearly everything is under 5 years old; appliances(ALL stay), doors, water heater, roof (3yrs), skylite(06), LL carpeting, fixtures, shower, etc. Cathedral ceilings, fresh paint in & out, bright kitchen w/1/2 island, eat-in area & great finishing touches. Large basement with bar area, large 1/2 bath, office, & great built-ins. Huge fenced yard, deck & flowering trees. Owner has no pets - very clean & meticulously maintained! Near shopping and within walking distance to elementary school!
It's a tough market out there for sellers, so here are a few tips to help you survive the brutal offers you can expect in the current market:
"DO's";
1. Do NEGOTIATE! Be prepared for a low offer, the media is preaching to everyone to "low ball the seller"! Have you ever walked into an auction, car dealership, or insurance company and offered to pay full price, or did you try to negotiate a deal? It's simply human nature so don't be offended, press forward and be sensible. There's a very good chance this IS the person who will buy your home - don't let him slip away!
2. Do be EXCITED when you get an offer, no matter how low it may initially be! The buyer likely looked at 20-50+ houses - and the great news is THEY PICKED YOURS! There's an emotional connection to your home or they wouldn't have written an offer.
3. DO be REALISTIC. It is a buyer's market, depending upon your market there are certain things that are expected by the buyer, if you don't comply you may never sell your home. For example, in the Omaha Real Estate Market here's what I tell all of my sellers to expect;
a. Expect a "low ball" offer (to start). We're talking up to $20,000+ under asking price is the "norm" right now- but no worries, your agent's job is to bring that number up, or guess what? You can walk away!
b. Plan to pay closing costs for the buyer for two reasons. 1) If you don't the buyer may not be able to purchase your home, they already have to bring a minimum of a 3.5% down payment to purchase, therefore, they probably don't have the closing costs too. 2) If you don't pay their closing costs, another seller will. Additionally, if the buyer doesn't ask for seller paid costs they will expect if off the price. Depending upon how quickly you get the offer some of this negotiable, but realistically just plan on it.
c. The buyer will ask for a Home Warranty Plan (about $425), refrigerator, and maybe even washer, dryer, and/or kitchen table! Your agent can use all of these as negotiating tools to help you get a higher price, so again, don't be offended it's all part of the market.
4. And finally, DO listen to your REALTOR. This is why you hired him/her - to be the "neutral" advisor. He/she is a Full-Time Professional who has sold millions of dollars worth of real estate. Your agent eats, sleeps, breathes and lives real estate 24-7 - she knows the ever changing market better than well meaning friends and family because she sells it daily. Trust her instincts so you can achieve the best possible results!
"DON'TS";
1. DON'T react emotionally to a low offer (remember, we are EXPECTING one). Take a step "outside the box" and think of it as a business transaction. This is your biggest investment, treat it like one and please take your pride out of the picture.
2. DON'T ever counter back at full price. You could lose a great prospect, countering full price is insulting in this market and not worth scaring away someone who actually picked you out of 100's of competing homes. Give up something - there are many things to factor into the decision, ask your agent for the most cost effective approach, sometimes it doesn't take much!
3. DON'T think the buyers won't walk away if you make a counter offer they don't like. Most buyers have another 2-3 houses on the back burner to go after if yours doesn't work out... and they will.
In summary, choose an agent who has great negotiating skills (ask them their strategy during the interview). A professional will point out all the positives and negatives of any offer. It's his/her job to advise you on what to expect so you're prepared. Once that glorious moment of an offer arrives, your agent will give you all the facts so YOU can make an informed decision and get the highest sale price for your biggest investment.
Just remember; "It never matters where you start, but rather, where you finish"! 
To receive more information on selling your home and for all of your Omaha Metro Area Real Estate Needs, contact Angela May's Husker Home Finder Team, or visit our Seller's Page to learn more about how we can help you sell your home!
Come join us for the kick-off party for a brand new Lake Community called "Mallard Landing" You could leave with a new ProTeam 170tx boat, trailer, & motor valued at $12,000! (Drawing will be held that evening, you must be present to win!) WHEN; Thursday, February 19th from 4-8pm WHERE: Valley Marine, 6301 Twin Rivers Circle, Valley, NE ENJOY: Free Hor'dourves & Beverages * Introductory Lot Pricing * Pre-Season Boat Pricing * Preview the beautiful sand bottom lake development with 100% basement walk-out sites, over 35 feet of beach depth on every lot, a private 50 slip marina, approximately 70 acres / 70' deep, skiing allowed, no flood insurance requirements, paved roads, city water & sewer & more!
*Realtors & their families are not eligible for the drawing.
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Full-Time Realtors & Military PCS Specialists focusing on the Omaha Metro Area, Elkhorn, Gretna, Papillion, Bellevue & Offutt AFB Area using “cutting edge” technology & superior “Team Service”
My Team of Professionals Will Impress You
the First Moment You Contact Us!
Since my Buyers Agents and I are all very familiar with moving (I'm a miliary spouse, Lisa S. is retired Air Force, & Lisa H. used to work for Relocation Services), we are all too familiar with the entire process of moving, we use systems to work with our clients well in advance of their impeding moves. We take the time to learn exactly what they want prior to their arrival so our time together is well utilized.
We're also experienced working with clients from out the country or state, and all the unsual circumstances that can be affiliated with relocation and or/military lifestyles. We've even listed and sold homes for clients we've never actually had a chance to meet face to face.
On the Buyer side, we have proven techniques to save our clients thousands of dollars on their home purchase to include a win-win negotiating strategy and cover letter and supporting "evidence" which accompany all offers. The buyer's agent works exclusively for the buyer, they do not "list" any homes so there's never "dual agency".
On the Listing (Seller side) I have an unmatched innovative marketing campaign, and focus my business on the internet community. Feel free to visit our "Seller's Page" to learn more about our Marketing Services.
We are constantly searching for ways to improve service through training, research, surveys, and new ideas.
Our mission is to is to "wow" our clients on every level, which is why our team is ranked in the Top 1-2% in the Omaha & Metro for Home Sales!
Lisa Sleddens & Lisa Humlicek our "Exclusive Buyer Agents".
Their job is to be a sole representative of buyers. Their complete dedication to each and every one of their clients is apparent from day one, they are truly on the buyer's side in every respect. Their loyal clientele flood me with rave reviews following each and every transaction!
Missi Irfan is our Transaction Coordinator & Marketing Specialist. She specializes in marketing our listings for maximum exposure, and ensuring the entire process from contract to closing runs smoothly for each of our buyers and sellers. She constantly monitors the many aspects associated with every contract triple checking that all I's are dotted and T's are crossed. She orchestrates inspections, appraisals, walk-thrus, and every thing else associated with buying or selling a home. Missi is always there to assist with answering any questions our clients may have as well!
We look forward to assisting you!
Areas of Expertise Include; Military Relocation, Out-of-State or Country Relocations, Local Listings, Powerful Internet Marketing, "Choice Home" Custom Builder Represenatives
"The process was great and the level of support was superior!! You were truly amazing and passed information on before we could ask for it. You made the entire process stress free, you anticipated our needs, responded without hesitation (and) you went the extra mile. You worked amazingly hard for us...you far surpassed our expectations."
~Donetta & Jose Calderon
"There should be more of "you" out there to make home buying enjoyable."
~John LaFountain
"Our experience was the best. We'd never bought a home before, but Angela helped make the selection process simple, easy, effortless - all the while keeping our specifications in mind. She dedicated the time and effort to helping us find a home that fit our personalities and our budget...we also loved the time she took long before we moved there to gather information that was beneficial to us."
~Travis & Vera Oellerich
"(Angela) was friendly, honest, sincere...not pushing any one of the homes we looked at. She let us take our time."
~Ed & Betty Scott
"(Angela) gave prompt responses, had easy accessibility on phone or email, and provided prompt and courteous customer service. (She) provided us with all the information we needed to make a smart decision."
~Dennis & Seth
"(Angela) stayed within our criteria, was flexible, and was always positive. (She) also recommended a local lender that was easy to work with, and ultimately saved us time and stress."
~Joe & Diana Heerdt
"You took the time to get to know what type of home we were looking for... You worked hard for us and knew we were tight on time. We were also impressed that you had a home inspection set up ahead of time so we could look the house over one last time."
~ Steve & Sarah Gwinn
"I just promoted your company with a good friend of mine also looking to relocate from Seattle to Omaha. He also works security in Iraq with me so he has the same concerns about buying a home. I told him the following: 1) They are completely comfortable handling 99.9% of the transaction by phone or E-mail. 2) They can be trusted with a POA so you won't have to schedule a time to be home to schedule a closing signing. 3) They're proactive in foreseeing issues so they can resolve them before they get to you since you have enough to worry about on the day to day at your job. 4) They worked extremely close with your lender (even one that was in South Dakota) to ensure they weren't taking advantage of you... I felt like I was your only client at the time with the level of support I was receiving although I knew it not to be the case. Lisa has a bottle of Dom Perignon Champagne on the way as a token of our appreciation." ~Jairus Rice, from Camp Fallujah, Iraq
"(We enjoyed) your personal touch in helping get the house ready to sell...we felt we were getting more than we had hoped for."
~Dan & Kenetha Frisby
"(You) were wonderful, timely, friendly, patient and thorough!" ~The Landers
"Angela did a great job of staying on top of all communication. I felt all transactions were done in a timely manner, and I felt very comfortable with all decisions....explained each and very step. (What stood out most in my mind was) your patience and genuine desire to help your clients find exactly what they are looking for, great personality, very confident and knowledgeable." ~ Stephynie Christensen
"(Our experience) was excellent, better than I thought possible. (Angela) was friendly, fast, honest...the fact that we found a house within two days really stands out. I would recommend you in a heart beat. If we stay in the area we will be getting in touch with you again when its time to upgrade! ~Drew & Audra Lorenzoni
"It was a great experience. We called Lisa at the last minute on a Friday afternoon saying we would like to look at some houses on Saturday afternoon. She was able to get a lot of showings for us, and even had a welcome basket prepared for us and our kids. In fact, one of the houses she showed us is the one we bought! She did an outstanding job... Lisa was always willing to go that extra mile to make sure we were happy. She would run out to the house if we had questions on appliances, etc. She offered to be at the house when the cleaning crew came. Anything we would have asked, Lisa would have done." ~John and Heather Becraft
"Our experience working with Lisa was great... She exceeded ALL of my expectations. She wasn't pushy with showing the homes, she allowed us to look around ourselves and see what we liked and didn't like. She worked very fast for us since we needed a place to live as quickly as possible... (She was) very friendly, hardworking, and understanding of our situation. Very knowledgeable about military families and transitions. Working with Lisa was a treat and we plan on using her again when we sell our home." ~Melinda Monahan
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