History of The W. F. Negele House: William F. Negele and his wife commissioned architect W.E. Findlein to design this home for $6,000 in 1905. At the time, William served as the secretary to the Thompson & Belden Co. department store in downtown Omaha at 16th and Howard streets – in Omaha. Thompson & Belden was… Read More
Taking Flight with Birdhouse Interiors
June 29, 2018
The vast majority of homes I sell need something changed to suit a new owner. Of course, we all know that “style” is subjective. That being said, every now and again, I see a home where everything is absolutely spot on. The home seems to tell a story. Each picture is hung perfectly. The furniture… Read More
Author
The 411 On An HOA
June 8, 2018
Homeowner’s Associations… some instantly cringe at the thought of hearing those two words. With over 69 million Americans living in common interest communities, many homeowners don’t really understand how they work and what they can do to make their community better. What is a Homeowner’s Association: A homeowner’s association (HOA) is an organization in a… Read More
Author
What Not To Wear (While Looking at Houses)
May 25, 2018
I know it has been a while, but 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 Wear was a show that offered not only invaluable wardrobe advice, but some worthy life lessons as well. And let’s be honest, we could go… Read More
Author
Flippin’ Out!
April 27, 2018
“Flipping” homes has become one of the most prevalent real estate trends over the past decade. From television shows to “how-to” seminars, it seems like everyone is on the flip bandwagon. “Home flippers” provide a valuable service of renovating homes that may otherwise stay off-market, dilapidated, and even vacant or abandoned. If you’ve ever watched… Read More
Author
Parents vs. Kids
April 20, 2018
As the mother of a three-year-old and nine-month-old, I seem to wear a lot of hats and juggle several balls. Currently, I am a REALTOR®, Trusted Vendor lead, corporate communications advocate, wife, friend, daughter, sister, slow pitch softball player, blogger and the list goes on… Needless to say, my arms get tired. One item of… Read More
Author
My Happy Place
April 13, 2018
My absolute favorite pastime, besides working tirelessly for PJ Morgan Real Estate (wink wink), is expressing my creative flair through decorating. I love fresh flowers on my desk. I love adding a million pillows to a bed, to my husband’s dismay. And I absolutely love accenting a room with just the right candle, picture or… Read More
Author
One Man’s Trash Is Another Man’s Treasure
April 6, 2018
As I was brainstorming ideas for blogs to write, I realized that what I do and the people I meet are pretty fascinating. I decided the best way to capitalize on my everyday interactions is to share them with you. Let me start by telling you about the man behind a perfectly curated salvage company… Read More
Author
It’s A Bear To Be A Buyer
March 23, 2018
More than likely, buying a home will be the biggest investment of your life. It’s a process you don’t want to take lightly. It is not an easy task, but I’m here to help! In an effort to save your sanity (and the sanity of those who love you), here are a few steps to help… Read More
Author
If You Run From A Leaky Roof…
March 16, 2018
As the saying goes, if you run from a leaky roof, you’ll end up in a flood. Spring is just around the corner and we all know what that means. RAIN! With the ever-changing elements in the Midwest, what is a key factor to keeping a home protected? The roof! The roof condition of your… Read More
Author
Spring Has Sprung in Real Estate
March 9, 2018
It’s official! Spring has sprung in real estate! The peak selling season is upon us! If you are in the market to sell your home, with the right REALTOR® and marketing plan, it will sell. Not only will it sell, it will sell fast, have multiple offers and sell for more than the list price. To… Read More
Author
A Day In The Life…
February 16, 2018
I started my first job in real estate as a receptionist/intern when I was a junior in high school. Even though that was some time ago (maybe just a few years, wink wink), I can still feel the excitement in my stomach when think back on it. I literally spent every Saturday, every day off… Read More
Author
Icing On The Cake
February 9, 2018
What better way to start off the month of L-O-V-E than with gift ideas? Okay… these may not be the type of gifts that you give to the one you love, but these are certainly the type of gifts that you give to those you love to work with (or hope to work with). Business… Read More
Author
Baby, It’s Cold Inside
February 2, 2018
Now that I am spearheading the Trusted Vendor Program at PJ Morgan Real Estate, I decided to shake things up in 2018 and incorporate an afternoon networking event into our rotation – the “Vendor Blender”. We gathered for food, drinks, relationship building, and of course, education! We kicked off our first event of the new… Read More
Author
Reflection
January 26, 2018
As we embark upon a new year, I frequently find myself looking back and reflecting upon the previous year. What did I accomplish? What didn’t I accomplish? What did I want to achieve? How can I better myself professionally and/or personally? I find that looking back helps me plan ahead for the new year. It… Read More
Author
When to List?
January 12, 2018
Every fall, I meet with numerous clients who are interested in selling their home. They all want to know what improvements and changes they need to make so they can get their house sold quickly AND for the highest price possible… when they list it in the spring. If you follow the real estate market… Read More
Author
The Cherry On Top
January 5, 2018
Earning an award is always on my “to do” list. I love the thrill of going the extra mile to achieve more and being recognized for my efforts is the cherry on top! That’s why I was so excited when the time came for PJ Morgan Real Estate to celebrate several of our colleagues at… Read More
Author
A New Year’s Poem
December 29, 2017
2017, I’d say you were… a beast, a bear, a challenge for sure. You ushered in changes both big and small. You made me laugh, cry and scream. Yes, I did them all. So much life, it was almost scary. The experiences were vivid and certainly varied. How was business in 2017? Sales were strong,… Read More
Author
He’s An Angry Elf…
December 22, 2017
As the clock ticks closer to the holidays, we all try to cram in last minute everything: shopping, wrapping, holiday cards, parties, getting the perfect picture with Santa… In all the spare time that you DO NOT have over the next few days, add one more thing to your list. Grab your loved ones and… Read More
Author
And To All A Good Night
December 14, 2017
Here at PJ Morgan Real Estate, we cherish our clients and the relationships we forge through the process of buying, selling and renting to some amazing people within our community. In fact, one of our Core Values is, “Cultivate Lifelong Relationships.” I hardly think of my job as a job. I am extremely fortunate to… Read More
Author
I’d Rather Write About His Dog
December 8, 2017
I have known artist Watie White for what seems like a lifetime now. I had the pleasure of leasing him his first studio in Little Bohemia approximately 10 years ago. If you haven’t heard of Watie White, do yourself a favor and Google him now. I will not even attempt to describe his work or style;… Read More
Author
From Drab To Fab
November 10, 2017
Most of us have a passion in life – kids, work, sports, fashion, cooking, etc. However, even with the likes of the Internet and Pinterest (most days I feel like a Pinterest fail, by the way), it is nearly impossible to stay up on what’s trending. As much as I would love to be an… Read More
Author
The Future Of Technology Is Now
October 13, 2017
Hi, Jen Monjaras here. I would like to take this opportunity to announce that I am now leading our Trusted Vendor Program. As some of you know, I am not new to the company, but I am new to this position. In the last few weeks, I reemerged into the adult world (after having my… Read More
Author
The Power Of The Past
October 6, 2017
Often life moves so quickly that we hardly have time to catch our breath, let alone reflect on our past – the people and experiences who have molded us into the people we are today. I was recently reminded of my grandparents – not that I never think about them, but the last living grandparent… Read More
Author
My West O
September 8, 2017
Originally a South O girl, everything I needed was within 20 square blocks. The idea of living in Elkhorn never even crossed my mind. Now… I can’t imagine my life any other way – Elkhorn is where I call HOME! Now that I have been living in Elkhorn for a few years, I realized how… Read More
Author
The Wild Wild West
August 4, 2017
When I first moved to Omaha, I rented in and around the Blackstone and Cathedral areas. A self-proclaimed “Midtown guy”, I couldn’t imagine moving west of 72nd Street. Alas, life happens and situations change. I bought my first home in District 66 in 2000. The price was right and my first-born was about to make… Read More
Author
Coffee Talk
July 14, 2017
Ryan and I spend a lot of time together, BUT not as much as we wish we could. It’s pretty great to be friends with the people you work with. Often we’re so wrapped up in preparing for where we’re headed though, that we have to piecemeal our time to actually “talk” to each other. So,… Read More
Author
#Winning in Baseball, Laundry & Real Estate
July 7, 2017
Every year, the months of March through June fly by in a blur for our family. They are filled with end of the school year activities, field trips, and countless baseball games and practices for my sons. And, don’t forget that this is all during SPRING IN REAL ESTATE! Honestly, I have a hard time… Read More
Author
Nailed It!
June 16, 2017
Cara here! As a property manager, these summer storms have kept me busy running all over town to check the roofs on the homes I manage. I do NOT do well with heights (and I’m not getting my behind up on a ladder), so I’m happy I have local roofing experts to turn to when… Read More
Author
A Walk in the Park
June 2, 2017
I love this time of year (and not just because it’s spring in real estate). 🙂 Almost every day, we wake up to blue skies and beautiful weather, so I’m always looking for ways to enjoy the outdoors before it gets cold again. I love spending time at the lake or riding my bike, but… Read More
Author
Rustic Renovations
May 19, 2017
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
Author
Home is Where Your Mom is
May 12, 2017
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
Author
Keep It Clean
May 5, 2017
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
Author
Mar(ch)-ket Madness 2017
March 24, 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
Author
Spring in Real Estate
March 10, 2017
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
Author
Music Lessons
February 24, 2017
For as long as I can remember, I have yearned to be onstage. Music was always playing at our home, and I was always singing along. My parents bought my two older brothers and me a drum set when I was five years old. The three of us frequently fought over who got to play… Read More
Author
What’s It Worth?!
February 17, 2017
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
Author
Listings I’ve Loved
February 10, 2017
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
Author
5 Benefits of VA Loans
February 3, 2017
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
Author
Rent and Roll
November 18, 2016
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
Author
‘Tis the Season
October 21, 2016
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
Author
Once Upon A Time
October 14, 2016
Prologue: Working in the real estate industry, where each day is completely different from the next, a multitude of crazy things can happen to you. Some experiences stick out more than others. I recently attended the election kickoff for my friend, Tony Vargas, who is running for the Nebraska Legislature in Omaha’s District 7 (Downtown… Read More
Author
Have You Fallen?
September 30, 2016
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
Author
The Little Restaurant That Could
September 16, 2016
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
Author
Blueprint for Building
September 9, 2016
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
Author
A House Divided
September 2, 2016
Without a doubt, selling a home is stressful. Throw a divorce into the mix and you have a powder keg of emotion. During my career in real estate, I have assisted several couples going through the process of selling a home during the dissolution of their marriage. Navigating these waters is tricky… to say the… Read More
Author
Dundee, Duh!
August 19, 2016
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
Author
Entertainment Tonight… Or In the Near Future
August 5, 2016
I’ve joked with clients before saying, “I just sell the house. I don’t care what you do with it.” Truth is, I do care. I want you to fill your home with people from time to time. That’s right, I’m talking about entertaining. One of the reasons I have always loved selling homes is how… Read More
Author
Don’t Sweat It
July 22, 2016
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
Author
Life Lessons Learned from My Most Stylish Clients
July 8, 2016
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
Author
Home Sweet Rental
July 1, 2016
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
Author
Ready, Set, Sell!
June 24, 2016
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
Author
The Lake Life
May 27, 2016
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
Author
Aksarben On My Mind
May 20, 2016
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
Author
Cheers to 16 Years!
May 6, 2016
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
Author
Work It
April 29, 2016
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
Author
There’s A First Time For Everything
April 22, 2016
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
Author
Kitchen 101
April 8, 2016
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
Author
Mar(ch)-ket Madness
March 4, 2016
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
Author
Take Your Dog to Work Day
February 19, 2016
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
Author
Real Estate, A Love Story
February 12, 2016
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
Author
A Few Things I’ve Learned Along the Way
February 5, 2016
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
Author
Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign
January 22, 2016
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
Author
Yes, I Can
January 8, 2016
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
Author
What Not to Wear…While Looking for Houses
December 11, 2015
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
Author
Connecting Through Chaos
November 20, 2015
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
Author
The Believers
November 13, 2015
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
Author