March 2020 – HOME Real Estate Blog

Our Company’s Response to COVID-19

We treat our obligations to you seriously. As President and CEO of HomeServices of Nebraska and our family of companies, I wanted to inform you of what we, as your real estate partner and market leader, are doing to address the situation surrounding the COVID-19 Coronavirus. In keeping with our core values, we believe it is our responsibility to be pro-active in both action and communication.
Our customers, agents and employees have always been, and will remain, our top priority. Unlike many businesses, ours is uniquely personal, as it takes us into your home. In this time of unprecedented health news, we want you to have peace of mind as we continue to conduct business safely and help you find your new home or sell your current one. We are more mindful than ever of the commitment we have to you, your health and safety, and your home.
Over the past few weeks, all of our lives have been impacted by the spread of the coronavirus. As a company, we have transitioned more than 90% of our 500 REALTORS®, employees and core services partners to remote working. We have stayed one step ahead of government mandates by swiftly enacting protocols for social distancing, increased cleaning and disinfecting procedures across all our sales offices, and eliminating all in-person gatherings and meetings to ensure the safety and security of our community.
We are grateful for our robust business continuity plans, and best-in-class technologies, services, and staff. Recent events have proven the strength of these investments. Our doors—whether physically or virtually—will remain open and our talented associates and affiliates are ready to serve you.
Our sales professionals and core service partners are receiving the most up to date guidance from the CDC, the National Association of REALTORS® and local health officials on the best way to conduct their business safely during this time. Real estate transactions absolutely can and are still taking place, they are just being handled a bit differently. Here are some things you should expect:

Your agent may ask that you drive separately and meet at the properties being shown. During showings, you’ll be asked to practice CDC recommended hygienic guidelines.
You and your agent may discuss holding Open Houses for your listings virtually over social platforms and other video streaming options. For in-person showings or open houses, we have provided a list of recommended practices to our associates to help better keep you, your home and prospective buyers safe.
Showings of your listing will come with new best practices, including guests sanitizing before entering, removal of items are commonly touched, and instructions for not touching any surfaces without use of disposable gloves or tissues.
You may choose, at any time, to “go virtual” for all showings.
While closing is always a time for celebrating, your agent will likely wait to celebrate with you until a later time. We also will be asking only those people who have to sign documents to attend the closing, in order to minimize the exposure of all parties to potential health risks. Our doors—whether physically or virtually—will remain open, and we may ask you to take additional measures at the closing.

We are proud to be part of the HomeServices of America and Berkshire Hathaway family of companies with a commitment to Trust, Integrity, Stability and Longevity. As we mark 131 years of conducting business in our area, we are reminded of the wars, recessions, natural disasters and other challenges this great company has seen. In many of those moments—things were uncertain, but our sales professionals, employees, and partners steadied their course and continued to be a preferred and trusted real estate partner. This time will be no different. Mortgage rates have reached all-time lows and the window of opportunity is open for real estate!
On behalf of all us at HomeServices of Nebraska and our Real Estate Brokerage and Core Service Partners–HOME Real Estate, Woods Bros Realty, Prosperity Home Mortgage, HomeServices Title, HomeServices Insurance, Larabee School of Real Estate, American Home Shield and 2-10 Home Warranty, we thank you for trusting us with your home.
We will continue to provide you and our teams with meaningful updates as we learn more, but for now, we hope you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy.
From our family to yours,
Shannon Harner
President and CEO
HomeServices of Nebraska
To view this in a PDF format, click here: Covid-19 HRE ClientLetter

#HOMEHacks | How To Get Started With Xeriscaping

The start of a new decade is an appropriate time to look ahead to the future — and it’s hard to escape the fact that humans are putting an increasing demand on the environment. According to the federally funded Resources Planning Act Assessment, much of the United States will be susceptible to extreme water shortages within the next few decades.
But you need not look farther than your own home to begin doing your part to slow the water shortage trend: Xeriscaping is a combination of seven gardening techniques designed to use little or no irrigation. (Not to mention, xeriscaping can be very beautiful!)
Here are the seven principles of xeriscaping to help you get started with water-wise landscaping…

Planning and design:

As you lay out designs for a xeriscape area, think of “hydrozones” based on water usage. For example, there can be an “oasis” section of the xeriscape that requires more water that tapers out into an area that requires a moderate amount of water and then an area where watering is not necessary.

Soil improvement:

Although soil may be out of sight, it shouldn’t be out of mind. By adding compost to the oasis and moderate-water usage sections of the xeriscape, you can boost the soil’s capacity for retaining water. Even in dry areas of the landscape, rototilling the soils helps with root development by providing more air and water for roots.

Practical turf area:

Contrary to misconceptions, xeriscaping does not mean “anti-lawn.” Rather, xeriscaping promotes intentional turf areas that use hardy, drought-resistant grass in specific areas. Not only is this nice for kicking around a soccer ball or playing with the dog, but turf also helps reduce erosion.

Efficient irrigation:

Especially as root systems are developing, irrigation is likely going to be necessary. But there is still an opportunity to improve its efficiency through hydrozoning and conscious watering practices.

Mulch:

A mainstay in xeriscaping, mulch serves an important role by covering soil, reducing evaporation, regulating soil temperature and limiting erosion. Organic mulch also holds water and offers more nutrients to plants.

Low-water use plants:

Xeriscaping requires a bit of a mindset shift from “oh, that flower is pretty” to “oh, that flower will grow nicely in our region.” Aim to consider the hardiness of plants as well as the growing season, as a long growing season will call for less water because the roots will be well developed. Incorporating shrubs and trees can also provide shade and color with minimal water.

Appropriate maintenance:

Another misconception is that xeriscaping means “no maintenance,” but this is not entirely true. Expect to do regular work by pruning, weeding and checking in on the irrigation system. Like any other garden, the commitment will ebb and flow through the seasons.