Russ Babahanov

Ruslan (Russ) Babahanov joins the Country Club office. He grew up in Russia and came to the United States in 1994 to attend the University of Nebraska where in majored in Finance. Russ married Olga in 2001 and they have three beautiful children- 2 girls and a boy that keep them very active. Their hobbies include fishing, hunting, boating and anything outdoors. He is also an avid Husker fan! Russ can be reached at 402-525-5754 or Ruslan.Babhanov@woodsbros.com.

Tezra Greder

Tezra Greder joins the Country Club office.She grew up in western Pennsylvania and has been in Nebraska for 7 years now with her husband, Greg and 6 month old son! She was in the mortgage lending industry for 14 years and is looking forward to helping you with your real estate needs! Tezra can be reached at  402-312-9524 or Tezra.Greder@woodsbros.com.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

CEO Gene Brake presents Marlene Bandars with the Shining Star Award

Marlene Bandars, staff member at the Woods Bros Realty Lincolnshire Square office, is the January Shining Star recipient.

One of her many nominations read:

“Marlene takes on a challenge with a smile on her face and determination.  She always tries to find ways to simplify our business lives whether it be time or money savings.  As her time permits, she is willing to help with projects that she certainly would not have to assist with.  Not only does she assist, she asks if she can help before even being asked.

She has volunteered to do work for the other support staff when they are over-loaded and is just a joy to be around.  I can’t say enough about Marlene’s infectious attitude and work ethic. If you were to look up the definition of team player, you would see a picture of Marlene.  She sets the bar high for others to strive toward.”

Shining Stars are HomeServices of Nebraska associates, including managers, employees and agents, who help make our company a better place for our customers, clients and for each other. Nominees must exemplify the following:

1. The person went out of their way to exceed the HomeServices of Nebraska Standards and best practices.
2. The gesture or service was above and beyond normal job requirements or expectations.
3. The employee, manager or agent went beyond the call of duty to ensure the needs of a customer, fellow employee or agent.

Anyone is invited to nominate employees, agents or managers who have displayed The Shining Star Spirit. For someone to be recognized, a Shining Star Nomination Form must be submitted by the 15th of every month. *A participant is eligible to win one (1) time per year.

Shining Star Values

Positive Attitude – A positive attitude is focusing on what is useful, beneficial and worthwhile in each and every situation. Your attitude is displayed through your words, actions and facial expressions with your customers and those around you.

Accountable - Accountable is being responsible for your actions and behaviors as they impact customers and those around you.

Responsive – Being responsive is being open to the situation as it occurs and responding in a sensitive manner to meet needs and expectations.

Teamwork – Teamwork is helping each other win and taking pride in each other’s victories. No one person or department alone can provide for the comprehensive needs of our customers. We achieve our goals when working together as a team.

No Excuses – A culture of no excuses acknowledges when mistakes or perceived shortcomings are made and seeks to correct or make right rather than rationalize or justify the problem.

Exemplary - To serve as a model or example of positive action; strive for high performance standards and deliver results. Demonstrate technical competence. Set high standards for self, demonstrating integrity and superior customer service skills.

Responsibility – Responsibility is acting with initiative and understanding that our organization and our customers are depending on us.

Service - Service is everything we do to exceed the needs and expectations of our customers at all times.

Safety – Demonstrate the importance of safety and how it may influence our daily lives.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

Arla Meyer

Arla Meyer takes over the managing broker position at the Woods Bros Realty Lincolnshire Square office.

Meyer replaces Gene Ward, who retired at the end of the year, and has been assistant managing broker under him since 2006. She has been a licensed REALTOR® since 1994 and also has earned the Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) designation. She’s active in new construction and is a Premier Property Specialist.

“I believe Arla is the perfect candidate for this position due to her years as assistant sales manager and her dedication to the real estate industry,” said CEO Gene Brake.

Meyer is involved with the local, state and national boards of REALTORS® and is the 2012 president of the local chapter of the Women’s Council of REALTORS® (WCR). She teaches at the Larabee School of Real Estate and the Multiple Listing Service and is the current chairperson for the Equal Opportunity Committee with the local board. Also at the local level, she’s serving a second term on the Board of Directors for the Governmental Affairs committee, in addition to serving on the Affordable Housing, MLS, Nominating, and Budget Committees and being active with Young Professionals Networking.

At the state level, she’s the current vice chairperson of the Statewide Professional Standards Review Committee, plus she serves on the Governmental Affairs and Affordable Housing committees.

Woods Bros Realty, an affiliate of HomeServices of America, is a full-service company offering over 120 years of expertise in real estate as well as experience in mortgage, title, closing, and insurance services. Providing an easier way to buy and sell, nearly 300 sales associates work with clients in Lincoln, Seward, Beatrice, York, Wahoo, Grand Island and surrounding areas. For more information about Woods Bros Realty, visit www.WoodsBros.com.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

We ended the year with a strong month, making our final 2011 better than 2010. It is a sellers market out there, as the inventory of listings for sale is extremely low. Here are the December numbers from all Woods Bros offices, including Lincoln, Seward, York, Beatrice and Grand Island:

• $35,560,565 Total Volume Closed (Up 3% from Dec. 2010)
• 264 Total Sides Closed (Up 18% from Dec. 2010)
• 206 Sides Placed Under Contract (Up 36% from Dec. 2010)
• 327,679 Page Views on WoodsBros.com
• 36,317 User Sessions on WoodsBros.com
• 4,573 User Sessions from Mobile Devices
• 34 New Saved Searches on WoodsBros.com
• 913 New Saved Properties on WoodsBros.com
• 152 New Customers/Clients on WoodsBros.com
• 1,231 Daily Active Users on Facebook.com/WoodsBros
• 84 Text Inquiries to WOODS at 59559
• 2,266 Guided Tour Views at WoodsBros.com
• 20 Views on MyWoodsBrosTV.com

View our monthly Market Snapshot here.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

Gene Ward

Gene Ward, Woods Bros Realty team leader and managing broker of the Lincolnshire Square office, has announced his retirement from Woods Bros management. Ward will continue to work as a licensed Realtor with his daughter and grandson out the Woods Bros Lincolnshire Square office.

Ward, a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), has been a licensed REALTOR since 1969, a licensed broker since 1981 and a managing broker since 1986. He has managed the Lincolnshire Square office for the last 12 years.

“Gene has worked hard all of his career and has earned the opportunity to enjoy more time with his family,” said Woods Bros Realty CEO Gene Brake. “We greatly appreciate all the years of leadership and service Gene has provided.”

Ward has been active in the local, state and national REALTORS associations, having served on the Board of Directors for both the National Association of REALTORS and Nebraska REALTORS Association. He is a past president and REALTOR of the Year recipient for both the Nebraska REALTORS Association and the REALTORS Association of Lincoln. He was 1998 Member of the Year for the Women’s Council of REALTORS and served as president of the Midlands Multiple Listing Service (MLS) twice.

Gene and his wife, Pat, have been married more than 50 years and have four children, 18 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Pat retired from real estate sales earlier this year. Ward is a member of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church and enjoys traveling and fishing in his free time. He also works closely with victims of drug addiction and alcoholism.

Woods Bros Realty, an affiliate of HomeServices of America, is a full-service company offering over 120 years of expertise in real estate as well as experience in mortgage, title, closing, and insurance services. Providing an easier way to buy and sell, nearly 300 sales associates work with clients in Lincoln, Seward, Beatrice, York, Wahoo, Grand Island and surrounding areas. For more information about Woods Bros Realty, visit www.WoodsBros.com.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

From KCM Blog:

One thing many real estate agents have learned is the importance of having a team of professionals to facilitate a smooth transaction. Having a lending expert on the team, can make available the following services to you…all for FREE:

• They stand ready to screen all potential buyers. Today’s lending landscape is a rapidly changing environment. Programs and requirements are changing regularly. A good loan officer should have a reputation for being on top of current guidelines and finding the best solutions for prospective clients. You need to know that when you accept an offer, the buyer can actually close.
• Financing is an important component to getting a home sold. Whether it’s marketing flyers, carrying costs, unique mortgage strategies (such as buy-downs and Sales Concessions) or even loan programs to differentiate your home (ex. loans that can incorporate monies for the purchase and renovation of a home), the best loan officers take pride in their ability to help increase the number of people for whom your home could be a fit. More prospects equals higher sales prices.
• In so far as a professional loan officer is seen as an educator, they would want to offer you the chance to tune into some of their online seminars (called webinars) and videos. As an example, some lenders have webinars with topics ranging from “How Lenders Look At A Mortgage Application” to “Renovation Lending” to “Getting Your Optimal Credit Score”, as well as videos that can fully explain your Good Faith Estimate. They are constantly striving to be a resource for everyone they come in contact with.
• Lastly, your loan officer knows that most home sellers become home buyers. Not only will they run your credit and analyze your income and assets, but they will also pre-approve you for your next mortgage, typically free of charge.

Both your agent and the loan officer on their team are committed to the highest level of advice and integrity. Reach out to them for any questions you may have.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

Business is still going strong for this time of year. Here are the November numbers from all Woods Bros offices, including Lincoln, Seward, York, Beatrice and Grand Island:

• $38,523,472 Total Volume Closed (Up 57% from Nov. 2010)
• 252,5 Total Sides Closed (Up 62% from Nov. 2010)
• 224 Sides Placed Under Contract (Up 4% from Nov. 2010)
• 371,269 Page Views on WoodsBros.com
• 41,383 User Sessions on WoodsBros.com
• 5,040 Users Sessions from Mobile Devices
• 57 New Saved Searches on WoodsBros.com
• 875 New Saved Properties on WoodsBros.com
• 135 New Customers/Clients on WoodsBros.com
• 1,520 Daily Active Users on Facebook.com/WoodsBros
• 111 Text Inquiries to WOODS at 59559
• 2,909 Guided Tour Views at WoodsBros.com
• 562 Views on MyWoodsBrosTV.com

View our monthly Market Snapshot here.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

Members of Woods Bros Realty’s Foundation for Giving committee met last month to allocate funds raised throughout the year to local charity organizations.

The Woods Bros Realty Foundation for Giving was established in 1987 by Pace Woods, Sr. to support those less fortunate in the communities we serve. Every time a Woods Bros Realty sales professional closes one side of a transaction the agent makes a contribution to the Foundation, and the contribution is then matched by the company.

In the fall, a committee of agents, selected by their offices to serve four-year terms, reviews all the requests and determines funding. A Woods Bros Realtor or employee must sponsor each request accepted by the Foundation.

“It has been an honor and a pleasure to have the privilege of working with all the agents and the different agencies our agents are affiliated with,” said Arla Meyer, Foundation for Giving chairperson. “There is nothing better than being able to give back to our local communities, based off of the team effort of all Woods agents and the company. Together we are able to make this happen, and we believe that is what helps set Woods Bros Realty apart from all other companies.”

This year, the transaction donation total was $11,350, with a last-minute plea from the committee’s agents that raised an additional $4,200. Since the inception of the Woods Bros Realty Foundation for Giving, over $275,000 has been donated.

Some companies who were helped by the Foundation for Giving in 2011 include Lincoln Children’s Zoo, Friends of Opera, St. Monica’s, Young Life, Orphan Grain Train (Grand Island), Voices of Hope, Habitat for Humanity (Grand Island), Child Advocacy Center, Lincoln Community Playhouse, Cedars Youth Services, Prairie Playground (Beatrice), Lincoln Symphony Orchestra, Food Bank of Lincoln/Backpack Program, Blue Valley Behavioral Health (Beatrice), Bright Lights, Clinic with a Heart, TeamMates, Foundation for Lincoln City Libraries, Youth Leadership Lincoln, Lincoln Children’s Museum, Easter Seals of Nebraska, Friendship Home, Mourning Hope and CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocates (York).

Foundation for Giving committee members were (left to right): Nickie Casburn, Arla Meyer, Pat Schmidt, Jeanne Cuda, Shelly Nitz, Linda McCall, David Kaseman, Brenda Mesloh, Doug Vandervort and Deb Wagner.

Foundation for Giving committee members were (left to right): Nickie Casburn, Arla Meyer, Pat Schmidt, Jeanne Cuda, Shelly Nitz, Linda McCall, David Kaseman, Brenda Mesloh, Doug Vandervort and Deb Wagner.

Woods Bros Realty, an affiliate of HomeServices of America, is a full-service company offering over 120 years of expertise in real estate as well as experience in mortgage, title, closing, and insurance services. Providing an easier way to buy and sell, nearly 300 sales associates work with clients in Lincoln, Seward, Beatrice, York, Wahoo, Grand Island and surrounding areas. For more information about Woods Bros Realty, visit www.WoodsBros.com.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

Mary Robbins

Mary Robbins joins the Seward office. She grew up in Lincoln, NE and attended Lincoln Northeast High School and Southeast Community College where she earned a degree in Early Childhood Education. She has had her Sales Associate license since 2007 and specializes in residential homes. She has two sons and three grandchildren. Her hobbies include making quilts and spending time with her dogs. Mary can be reached at 402-890-6001 or Mary.Robbins@woodsbros.com.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

McGinnis Black Hardesty

Lori McGinnis Black and Matt Hardesty, both Realtors with Woods Bros Realty, have been awarded the Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI) designation.

Black and Hardesty completed the curriculum required for the designation by attending 90 hours of classroom instruction covering a variety of subjects, including contract law, professional standards, sales and marketing, finance and risk reduction.

The GRI designation sets those Realtors who have obtained it apart because it indicates to the public that they have obtained a professional educational foundation on which to base the services they provide.

Black is a Realtor with Woods Bros Wilderness Hills office. She works with her husband Tony Black, also a Realtor in the Wilderness Hills office. They work with all types of home buyers and sellers, focusing much of their work on new residential construction projects.

Hardesty, of the Lincolnshire Square office, strives to exceed minimum continuing education requirements and has plans to obtain all designations currently offered by the National Association of Realtors. As a result of 11 years as a commercial construction project manager prior to becoming a real estate professional, Hardesty has extensive knowledge of construction and believes in a much higher level of service to his clients.

Woods Bros Realty, an affiliate of HomeServices of America, is a full-service company offering over 120 years of expertise in real estate as well as experience in mortgage, title, closing, and insurance services. Providing an easier way to buy and sell, more than 250 sales associates work with clients in Lincoln, Seward, Beatrice, York, Grand Island, Wahoo and southeast and northeast Nebraska. For more information about Woods Bros Realty, visit www.WoodsBros.com.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

I don’t want to spoil your day, but if you are thinking of selling your home, you need to prepare yourself for what could be a very emotional, physical, frustrating experience. However, there are certain things you can do to lessen the pain. It’s summed up in the word: staging.

Staging is best described as the things you can do to make your home shine. Here are some tips:

• Start from the outside. Make the house warm and inviting from the minute someone pulls up. Tidy up the yard, make sure the outside lights are on, add a clean doormat, paint the door if needed, and display a seasonal wreath or other door hanging.

• Once someone opens the door, make sure your house smells fresh. Don’t overwhelm them with a strong fragrance, but be sure any smoke, cooking or pet odors are gone. A good trick is to bake cookies or simmer some vanilla extract in water on the stove.

• Look around the house and be sure all the floors are clean, carpets don’t have stains, walls are wiped free of smudges, and counter tops, bookshelves, fireplace mantles are free of excess clutter. Displaying a few items is okay but it’s probably best to box up your collections and keep them stored for your next house.

• Especially remember to remove all personal photos. You want the people looking at your home to think of their family living there.

• Re-arrange furniture so there is space to walk through each room. This might require removing a few extra pieces of furniture. You don’t need to move everything up against the walls. Try to create cozy areas, especially in the living room and family room.

• Open your closets. Yes, the buyers will be looking in all your closets. It may be time for to box up and store out-of-season clothes or to thin out your wardrobe. You want the buyer to see that there is a lot of space.

• Do the same in the basement or attic. Invest in some storage totes and get everything organized. If you must, store some items at a friend’s house or rent a storage space. Don’t overlook the garage either.

• For most buyers, the kitchen and bathrooms are especially important. Be sure everything (even inside the stove) is scrubbed clean. You might even plan to have a fresh set of towels that go out just for showings. And keep a bathroom tote handy so you can keep all your personal items (toothbrush, shampoo, etc.) in there. You can plan to put it in the trunk of your car whenever there is a showing.

Remember, none of these suggestions cost a lot of money, just time. Anything you buy can be moved to your next house. These steps could result in a quicker sale and perhaps a better price for your home. And the sooner you sell, the sooner you can be moving on to your next “home sweet home”.

 Posted by Joanne McCoy

Home staging is a wonderful way to help your home sell more quickly! Buyers are more motivated to consider purchasing a home that suits their family size, budget, and location requirements, but also one that appeals to their senses. What will a buyer see, smell, hear, and touch when they tour your home for the first time?

Contrary to what you may have heard, staging your home to sell doesn’t have to be expensive. Sure, you can hire a decorator or invest in new furniture or renovations. However, if you’re like many sellers I work with, high-end staging may not be in your plan or budget.

That’s why I put together the best staging tips for the do-it-yourselfer. The list I’ve included has been useful to lots of other happy clients. I hope you’ll find it helpful, too!

Home Staging: The Ten Best Do-It-Yourself Tips For $100 Or Less

• Potted Plants, small or large, are one of the easiest and least expensive ways to create visual appeal.
• Home Fragrance such as scented candles, sprays, and plug-in type fragrance gadgets in delicate scents can work wonders.
• Steam Cleaning — Rather than investing in a professional service, rent the machine for one day, and rejuvenate carpets and drapes.
• Baskets and Decorative Containers can help organize scattered items and eliminate clutter.
• Light Bulbs and Dimmer Switches — Brighten dark areas and rooms or soften harsh light with dimmers and the newer soft light bulbs.
• Paint over unusual colors or update stark white walls with a contemporary neutral tone.
• Fresh Flowers — Inexpensive arrangements in vases you already own look beautiful and will smell naturally fresh.
• Throw Pillows will instantly update an old sofa or chair or make a plain bed look luxurious.
• Maid Service can be costly, but hiring one for a day or a few hours is affordable-and it’s worth it to make a kitchen or bathroom sparkle!
• Snacks! A bowl of polished apples, a bunch of grapes or a plate of fresh cookies makes your home look warm and inviting.

One of the tricks-of-the-trade used before showing a home is “staging.” Good staging looks at every feature of a home and finds ways to show it off to its finest advantage. Whether your home is already picture-perfect or needs a bit of sprucing up, these staging tips, taken directly from decorating professionals, are worth considering.

The Top Ten Professional Home Staging Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

• Create the illusion of space by rearranging the furniture. Try different combinations or remove and store pieces that make it feel crowded.
• Arrange the furniture in living areas into intimate groupings that suggest entertaining and ideal conversational settings.
• Consider rental furniture, especially when the pieces you have don’t match, are badly worn, or are in any state of disrepair.
• Add decorative pillows and slipcovers in warm neutral tones to hide flaws and make pieces blend.
• Eliminate clutter. Store or get rid of appliances, gadgets, newspapers, mail or anything that takes up space or distracts attention.
• De-personalize your home so buyers can imagine living in it. Store pictures, awards, trophies, collectibles, and other personal keepsakes.
• Paint walls in inviting neutral colors to cover flaws and freshen rooms.
• Add small luxurious touches to bathrooms and bedrooms. Think plush towels, fresh flowers, high-end bed linens, and pretty bath soaps.
• Eliminate unpleasant odors and smells that can kill a sale. Fragrant candles, plug-ins, and home sprays can help, but nothing smells better than clean.
• Plants add an aura of softness and warmth to any room. Large or small, real or silk-they’re a favorite of professional stagers.

 Posted by Jennifer Gatlin

From KCM Blog:

There is more and more research coming out showing that it makes great financial sense to purchase a home today . Whether it be rent vs. buy ratios, income-to-price ratios or income-to-mortgage payment ratios, purchasing a home right now is a bargain compared to historic norms. Now we want to look at the COST of a home today compared to pre-peak prices.

According to the most recent S&P Case Shiller price index, residential real estate values have returned to 2003 1Q PRICEs. That, in itself, says something. However, when you factor in mortgage rates, the case for buying a home today becomes even more compelling.

In 2003, 30 year mortgage rates stood at 5.88%. Today, they are 4%. How does that impact the actual COST of a home? On a home purchased for $250,000, here is the difference in monthly cost:

That means you save $285.30 a month, $3,423.60 a year and $102,708 over the life of a 30 year mortgage! You buy the home for the same PRICE but the COST is over $100,000 less.

Bottom Line

This is why so many financial advisors are saying that this may be one of the greatest times in history to purchase a home.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty