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
Ryan Explains It All
July 28, 2017
There are very few professions out there that require a full explanation each time they’re discussed. Architect. Zookeeper. Brain Surgeon. My career, real estate property manager, usually garners a few follow-up questions. “So, you like, deal with tenants?” (Like, yes.) “Do you fix toilets?” (No, not me personally.) “I thought you were a Hollywood movie… Read More
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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
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#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
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Mashup: Traditional Meets Modern
June 23, 2017
I’ve shared my love of MCM with you a few times, so today I’m going to mix it up with a hybrid of styles! One of my favorite design “tricks” is marrying old and new. So, when I was asked to design the renovation of a 1922 four square, I was thrilled. Check out the… Read More
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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‘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
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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
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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
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Paul Talks Fall
September 23, 2016
Hello, Life + Style readers! With yesterday marking the first day of fall, we can now break out the warm colors, cozy sweaters and pumpkin spice lattes! And not only does fall bring deliciously flavored beverages, it also brings a whole new opportunity to celebrate the season in the form of home décor! I’ve already… Read More
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
July 29, 2016
Hello, Life + Style readers! Come along with me for a tour of two of Omaha’s most eclectic and unique neighborhoods, Hanscom Park and Field Club! I love these neighborhoods and I have a feeling you will too. 🙂 Paul’s Top 10: Hanscom Park and Field Club 10. Lo Sole Mio Ristorante Italiano 9. Our Lady of Lourdes Church 8. Field… Read More
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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