The Biggest Mistake You Can Make In Shopping And In Life #thatsoundsdramatic

If you know me, you know that I specialize in the pretty and rarely take into account the useful. When someone says to me, “I love your shoes!”, inevitably it’s followed with the question, “Are they comfortable?”. And then appears what I can only imagine is a dumbfounded look on my face… of course they… Read More

Rustic Renovations

My husband and I moved into our house in 2012. It’s a beautiful, classic farmhouse built in 1917 that sits on six acres. The house is the perfect size for my husband Jason, our dogs Clancy and Platte, and me. BUT when we invite a few friends over, we hit max capacity real quick! Last… Read More

Home is Where Your Mom is

In case you forgot, or live under a rock, this Sunday is the mother of all holidays – Mother’s Day! My mom has always been a huge rock in my life, and I’m a mom myself, so this is a very special holiday for me. It seems like it was only yesterday when I took the… Read More

Keep It Clean

Hey ya’ll – I’m Cara Woosley! This is my first time blogging for Life+Style, so buckle up for a dose of reality with a side of sass! I’m the Director of Residential Property Management and also a REALTOR®, and I’ve been with PJ Morgan Real Estate since 2008. It has been an amazing ride growing… Read More

Values Are Like Fingerprints…

From time to time, you’ll hear me get sentimental. This might turn into one of those times. Also, I quoted Elvis for the title of this blog because P.J. loves Elvis. The full quote is, “Values are like fingerprints. Nobody’s are the same, but you leave them all over everything you do.” Old Elvis knew… Read More

New & Northwest

I will have lived in Omaha for six years next month. As a native of North Platte, my husband and I initially made the move here because of a job transfer, and now we couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. As a REALTOR®, I often ask my clients what is most important to them in looking… Read More

Mar(ch)-ket Madness 2017

This is my favorite time of the year. Spring is in the air, the days are getting longer, the temperatures are rising, the NCAA tournament is here, and the real estate market is booming – it’s Mar(ch)-ket Madness! If you don’t already know, the NCAA tournament is a 68-team single elimination basketball tournament played each year to… Read More

#Obsessed

Today I am sharing seven things I’m kind of in love with… okay really in love with. Okay #obsessed with. ? A little home decor stuff, a little fashion stuff, and throw in some life stuff for good measure! Anyone who knows me knows I crush hard and often… like on the weekly. I crush on… Read More

Spring in Real Estate

Did you know that #It’sSpringInRealEstate? It’s the time of year when the market heats up and houses start flying off the shelves, especially this year! In the world of real estate, agents are often tasked with completing huge projects in short periods of time, such as, “Hey Hannah, can you sell my house? I’m moving… Read More

Little Bohemia’s First Soldier

I’ve written about 13th Street in a previous blog, but to refresh your memory and give you a little more detail… About a year and a half ago, PJ Morgan Real Estate was lucky to acquire three buildings just south of 13th & William Streets. When we bought them, we really hadn’t a clue what… Read More

What's It Worth?!

Chances are, you’ve heard a lot about Douglas County’s property valuations this year. I’m simplifying the situation, but this is what’s been going on in a nutshell: Preliminary valuations for Douglas County were posted to the Assessor’s website in January. Due to the Assessor’s office making some tweaks to their valuation model – mainly aiming… Read More

Listings I've Loved

Do what we love and love what we do. This is just one of our company core values at PJ Morgan Real Estate, and it’s one that I hold very close to my heart. I truly believe that if you don’t love what you are doing, do something else! Life is too short to settle!… Read More

5 Benefits of VA Loans

For those of you who have served in the armed forces, you’ve most likely heard of VA (Veterans Affairs) loans. The VA Home Loan Guaranty program originated in 1944 as a way to help Veterans returning from war build a strong financial future through home ownership. Today, the program serves hundreds of thousands of military… Read More

A Few of Our Favorite… Places

It’s no secret that I love the Omaha area. From the food and local shops, to the wide variety of events, it’s a great time to live in such a vibrant city! Today I’m sharing just a few (of many) of my favorite places with you. WARNING: The following will most likely make you very… Read More

#BestYearYet

As I’m sure you’ve noticed, “making 2017 my best year yet” is a hot topic on social media right now. We’re all talking about what vacations we want to take, what career heights we want to reach and how many new Instagram followers we want to gain … We all have ideas on how we can… Read More

Back To the Old Me

New Years Eve’s always follow the same old script… you break out your shiniest, most sequined outfit (#yougogirl).  Then you carefully plot your amazing plans for the evening and tomorrow you will pronounce to the Facebook world that this is the year of the “new” you!!! #yes. After 29 years of “new” Liz’s, I’m changing… Read More

I'm Dreaming Of…

Whether it’s syrup on everything, peace on earth or a parking spot at Westroads Mall, we hope you get what you’ve been dreaming of this holiday season! If you have some down time, or want to add festive music to your holiday travels, enjoy this Spotify holiday playlist. Because the best way to spread Christmas cheer… Read More

Lights, Camera, Christmas!

Christmastime is not only magical in the North Pole, but in the Monjaras family as well! Since it’s “technically okay” to start decorating for Christmas the Friday after Thanksgiving, that day has become one of three major yearly events for my husband, Phil. The other two are Major League Baseball’s opening day and the first… Read More

Thanks + Giving

In my post-Thanksgiving week coma, I’ve been reminiscing about my wonderfully delicious holiday. I gobbled up a ton of food and helped create a truly stunning table setting (if I do say so myself). On Thanksgiving Day, while the rest of my family was sharing what they are thankful for, I was eyeballing my second… Read More

Rent and Roll

As a real estate agent, I typically see my clients follow a particular pattern. Purchase a home, improve the home over the next two to seven years, and then sell that home and buy a new one. There is another (also lucrative) option (and no, it doesn’t involve passing “Go” and collecting $200 🙂 )… Read More

If I Could Turn Back Time… I Wouldn't

The end of the year is fast approaching and lately, I keep asking myself questions like, I can’t believe how much time has passed, where has the time gone, what day of the week is it because it’s all going so fast! Even as I type this, I’m thinking, wow, I can’t believe how much… Read More

#BallingOnABudget

I really love to shop; like, the love runs deep… but over the years, my income hasn’t always shared this love. This post is dedicated to all of you who have a dream similar to mine, and who don’t have the luxury of making it rain cash on a daily basis. I am going to… Read More

Locked Out

Being the good little sister that I am, I have roped my big sister, Sam, into a variety of things over the years. More recently, one of those things is cleaning vacant rental properties that I manage through P.J. Morgan Real Estate. As promised last week, the following is Sam’s account of an experience that… Read More

'Tis the Season

Fall in Nebraska is perfect – crisp air, leaves changing color, boots and pumpkin everything. Life always feels more exciting and full of magic in the fall, especially as we get closer to Halloween. In the spirit of the season, I thought I would reflect on some of my experiences as a real estate agent… Read More

Have You Fallen?

One of my favorite parts of my job is watching my clients fall in love with their new home. I love the look on their faces when we walk into a house and it hits them – they’ve found THE ONE. Much like in relationships, when you find the right one, you just know. Enter… Read More

The Little Restaurant That Could

Omaha. I love this city. I’m a proud fourth-generation Omahan. I know where the good restaurants are and I mourn the loss of historic Omaha locales each time one closes. I can maneuver around the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo during peak season, without ever needing a map. And I used to know where all the… Read More

Blueprint for Building

I recently had the privilege of helping a wonderful family build their dream home. Just like helping a client buy a dream home, it brings me a lot of joy to see them reach their goal. The journey getting there is a completely different process, though. Building offers a different array of decisions to be… Read More

Who Knew It Was So Cool?

Many of you have noticed the redevelopment project currently underway on 10th and Mason Streets (across from KETV Burlington Station). It’s a little structure called the Rail and Commerce Building. Lucky for you (and us!), I am able to share an inside view of its redevelopment. But first, a little history behind this trapezoid-shaped building and… Read More

Dundee, Duh!

I love me some Omaha! If you know me well, you know that I am really glad I “ended up staying” here for college and then never ever leaving. If you know me even better, you know that I LOVE ME some Dundee! I grew up in the heart of the Dundee neighborhood and I… Read More

Don't Sweat It

My favorite television real estate agent, Phil Dunphy, says that success consists of 98% perspiration. These are wise words considering today’s weather and real estate market – both are hot, hot, hot! You don’t have to sweat profusely to find success in real estate, though. How, you ask? By utilizing a REALTOR®! I meet a… Read More

Life Lessons Learned from My Most Stylish Clients

Throughout my real estate career, I have truly been blessed with amazing clients. Believe me when I say that having fabulous clients is everything in real estate. You spend countless hours with them, and you are guiding them through the biggest purchase of their life… there are tears, there is drama and sometimes there are… Read More

Home Sweet Rental

As you may now know, either through word of mouth or from my mom (thanks, Mom!), I am a real estate agent. What you might not know, is that I’m also a property manager, which is a fancy name for someone who oversees the leasing and daily operations of a rental property, on behalf of the… Read More

Ready, Set, Sell!

The summer real estate market in Omaha is in full swing and homes are selling quickly… well, most homes are! There are always a few houses that linger on the market longer than they should, often not because they are “unsellable” or have significant issues, but because they aren’t ready to go on the market…. Read More

There's No Crying In Baseball

Today marks the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 College World Series located right here in Omaha! Even though Jimmy Dugan insisted that there’s no crying in baseball, I’m sure tears will be shed over the next 10 days as the nation’s top men’s collegiate baseball teams compete for that coveted first place victory. I’m positive… Read More

The Lake Life

Lake living. It’s a dream, right? And here in the Omaha area, the land of corn and beef, and smack dab in the center of the United States, the thought of lake living is dreamier than the entire cast of Grey’s Anatomy put together. It doesn’t have to only be a dream, though! There are… Read More

Aksarben On My Mind

I moved to Omaha mid-2008 to start my undergraduate career at the University of Nebraska-Omaha in what was the worst housing crisis of our country’s time. Looking back, it’s rather ironic that I ended up with a career in real estate, but that’s another topic for another time. As you probably know, UNO’s campus is… Read More

Say "Yes" to YES

Every year, P.J. Morgan Real Estate holds a chili cook-off. I entered the contest this year for the sole purpose of beating Derick Lewin, another commercial agent in our office. And I did, of course… Please forgive my smugness – Derick and I both work in sales and are wickedly competitive. 🙂 Trophy in hand,… Read More

Cheers to 16 Years!

May 1, 2016 marked my 16th anniversary with P.J. Morgan Real Estate. When I tell people how long I’ve worked here, they usually respond with disbelief. Generally, that is a long time for someone my age to have worked at the same place. Honestly, I still hear that I look too young to have worked… Read More

Work It

If you are what you eat, do you become what you’ve learned? I’m no philosopher, but I’ve been wondering about this question. I’ve spent the past 10 years in real estate, happy to call it “work,” as it is much more fulfilling than the word implies. I feel truly lucky to be passionate about my… Read More

There's A First Time For Everything

So you’ve finally decided to leave the world of renting and buy your first house – how exciting! Owning a home can be incredibly rewarding (freedom!), and, in many cases, mean a lower monthly payment than your rent. Plus, there’s something a little magical about living within four walls that are all your own… It… Read More

Kitchen 101

Having been a Realtor for many years, I often hear the same questions from potential homebuyers – how do I set a budget, what’s the best school district, is there a walk-in closet… These are all important questions, but kitchen features tend to be key. They say the kitchen is the heart of the home,… Read More

"Cheers" to Omaha Fashion Week

You know that one place you go where everybody knows your name? For me, it’s Omaha Fashion Week… Except no one actually knows my name… I mean literally no one. But the sentiment is definitely there. When I sit down at an Omaha Fashion Week show, I am surrounded by my people. They get my… Read More

Why South Downtown Is Worth Your Downtime

Image by Kent Sievers via OWH When our marketing intern, Maggie Koenig, recently asked me “What’s in South Downtown?” I was totally appalled. Then I remembered… I may have said the same thing about Bennington to REALTOR Crystal Archer… who lives in Bennington. So, to convert Maggie into another die hard lover of South Downtown,… Read More

Mar(ch)-ket Madness

Jump into the madness of Omaha’s spring real estate market with Sales and Leasing Agent (and sports aficionado), Derick Lewin. It’s my favorite time of the year. Spring is in the air, days are getting longer, temperatures are rising, the NCAA tournament is almost here, and the real estate market is booming—thus the title of this… Read More

MTRL DSGN: No Vowels, Just Genius

If you’re an 80’s child I hope you remember the movie Real Genius. Those unforgettable characters – Chris Knight, played by Val Kilmer (below), and some dude who played Mitch. And the unforgettable popcorn scene at the end of the movie. Well… I suppose some of you may not know the movie. Basically, it is a bunch of… Read More

Take Your Dog to Work Day

You might remember Realtor Hannah Porto from her previous DIY frenzies (here and here). Today, she offers an inside peek at a day in the life of a real estate agent, with a little help from guest blogger, Clancy. (Note: Clancy is not licensed to sell real estate in the state of Nebraska.) The list… Read More

Real Estate, A Love Story

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, Realtor and Vice President of Residential Sales, Susan Clark, interviewed some of our talented agents to find out what made them say “yes” to P.J. Morgan Real Estate. Chances are, if you’re reading this you probably know I love real estate. I say it, I shout it and I live it! With Valentine’s… Read More

A Few Things I've Learned Along the Way

Realtor Crystal Archer is back on Life + Style with her series, “Did I Sign Up for This?”. This week, the busy mom and agent shares some of the tools that have helped her build a burgeoning career. I obtained my real estate license almost five years ago. At the time, my husband and I… Read More

#Vintage

Realtor Liz Fossenbarger is back and so is her fashion forward fabulousness! Read on for her savvy approach to fulfilling a (slight) shopping addiction, right here in Omaha. I’d like to start with a confession… I have a slight shopping problem. And by slight I mean rather large. I am, by definition, an emotional shopper…. Read More

Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign

In my last blog post, I discussed my love of South Downtown and Little Bohemia. I left out 10th Street and Little Italy – on purpose. They stand so proudly on their own. I began working on 10th Street a little over a year ago, when Ryan Ellis and Susan Clark so kindly asked me… Read More

Yes, I Can

This week in Life + Style, Susan Clark, our Vice President of Residential Real Estate, opens up about the secret to her success. From the time I was a little girl I have been planning. Mostly planning what I was going to be when I grew up. I never knew what that exact job was… Read More

Amp It Up

With January 1st just around the corner, many of us sit down for the tedious annual analysis of what resolutions to adopt in the upcoming year. To some, the goal setting and planning might bring a sense of peace. To others, the panic of, “How will I ever accomplish this?!” Before you write down “eat… Read More

Holiday Cheer!

Merry Christmas Eve! Take a break from listening to weather reports and noisy crowds and enjoy our holiday playlist! Happy holidays from all of us at PJ Morgan Real Estate! Note: If you don’t already have a Spotify account, you will be prompted to create one (for free). http://credit-n.ru/offers-zaim/online-zaym-na-kartu-payps.html http://credit-n.ru/offers-zaim/webbankir-online-zaim-na-kartu.html

The Magic Mattress

Hannah Porto shares her experiences as a Realtor and Property Manager, keeping in tune with her love of small town living, in her series Green Acres. Stuff. Do you like stuff? I certainly do. Particularly stuff for my house. I don’t care what anyone says, a great scented candle and rockin’ tea towels hanging from… Read More

What Not to Wear…While Looking for Houses

Liz Fossenbarger is a Realtor with an eye for all things fashionable. In Houses and Heels, she’ll show you how to pair a love of real estate with a killer sense of style. Did everyone’s heart break when the TLC series What Not to Wear went off the air or was it just mine? What Not to… Read More

The Hot Seat

This week in our Life + Style blog, P.J. Morgan Real Estate President, Ryan Ellis, shares his love of the Omaha community and the surprising (and spicy) connections that are found within it. I’m one of those people that doesn’t like to hear my voice recorded and I’m judgmental of pictures taken of me. So… Read More

Connecting Through Chaos

Realtor Crystal Archer walks the tightropes of motherhood, marriage and real estate. Follow her as she strives for balance in her series Did I Sign Up for This?. Life is busy. Being a mom makes life completely crazy. I know moms from many walks of life – some work outside of the home, some don’t…. Read More

The Believers

A fascination with historic buildings, underground places, interesting architecture and unique characters has led to our series, The Unexpected. Check out Sales & Leasing Agent Colleen Mason’s take on the many facets of Omaha. Most Omahans refer to it as 13th Street, the street so many see blur by at 45 mph, to and from downtown… Read More