December, 2011

Jansen's Journal graphic

A newsletter with market trends, fun facts and helpful hints.

Dear Friends,

We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday. This Thanksgiving we gave thanks not only for friends and family, but for our wonderful clients. We truly appreciate the relationships we've developed with each of you.


We on the Jansen Team wish you a very Happy Holiday season. Enjoy time with family and friends during this festive and fun time of year. And, we look forward to working with you in the future.

This has been another successful year for us, with over 100 properties sold so far. We couldn't have done it without you and your referrals! We appreciate all your referrals of your friends, family and co-workers you have sent us this year!

We will be posting a new Jansen's Journal each month, with articles, tips, Community News, Company News, and more. If you have suggestions, please let us know. We appreciate your feedback. Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,
The Jansen Team
 

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Community News

New Omaha Dog Park
The Hanscom Bark Park had their Grand Opening on November 19th. The Hanscom Bark Park, the city’s newest off-leash dog park, officially opened on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 in Hanscom Park at 32nd Avenue and Woolworth Ave. in Midtown Omaha. Both Hanscom Park and Ford Birthsite Neighborhood Associations were recipients of the 2011 Mayor’s Neighborhood Grants to build a dog park in Hanscom Park’s underutilized north side.

Our very own Bridget Jansen is president of the Dog Parks in Omaha. We are very proud of the work she does for our furry friends.

Durham Tree Lighting: Christmas at Union Station
The Durham tree lighting was Friday, November 25th. Activities continue for weeks with an ethnic festival, holiday tree displays and family nights with Santa. The festivities culminate with a party for families at mid-day on New Year's Eve, called, appropriately enough, Durham's Noon Year's Eve Celebration. Visit Christmas at Union Station for more information.

Holiday Lights Festival
The Holiday Lights Festival expands from the downtown area to the business districts of North and South Omaha. In North Omaha, at The Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza (24th & Lake Street) and in South Omaha, in the 24th & L area. An anonymous donor approached festival organizers in early November offering to pay for holiday lighting in the those areas.

Lauritzen Garden Annual Poinsetta Show
Lauritzen Gardens is holding its annual Poinsetta show, now through January 8th, 2011.

Mormon Trail Annual Gingerbread House Exhibit
The Mormon Trail Center's annual gingerbread exhibit runs through December 31st. The exhibit is free and is open from 9am to 9 pm, with more than 150 gingerbread displays. This year's theme is "Joys of Childhood."

Omaha Community Playhouse: A Christmas Carol
What would Christmas be without A Christmas Carol? Omaha’s favorite holiday tradition, at the Omaha Community Playhouse, runs now through December 23rd. Perfect for the whole family!

 

Safe Holiday Decorating Tips

The following are a few safe decorating tips:
  • When hanging outdoor lights, keep lights and ladders away from power lines.
  • For outdoor lighting, make sure they have been certified for outdoor use and plug them in only ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected receptacles.
  • Before putting lights up, inspect for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory such as UL or ETL/ITSNA.
  • Use only newer lights that have thicker wiring and are required to have safety fuses to prevent the wires from overheating.
  • If using an extension cord, make sure it is rated for the intended use. Route cords inside your home so they no one will trip. Do not place them under rugs, furniture or other appliances. This can cause the cords to overheat or become frayed, which can cause a fire.
  • Do not use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
  • Do not overload electrical outlets.
  • Do not drive nails, staples or tacks through wiring insulation.
  • Unplug cords when you string lights. Connect strings of lights to the extension cord before plugging into an outlet. Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe.
  • Periodically check the wires. They should not be warm to the touch.
  • Keep paper and tinsel away from lights. Keep lights away from water.
  • Do not leave lights on unattended. Unplug lights before going to sleep and before leaving the house.

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Company News

The Jansen Team welcomes Cambridge Homes. Cambridge Homes was created by custom home builders Bryan Krumveide and Josh Henry. Both builders saw a section of the market that wasn't being served and sought to bring an affordable, upscale home that could be built in nearly any custom neighborhood. With over 45 combined years of custom home building experience, Cambridge Homes will ensure your ultimate satisfaction.

Cambridge Homes has more luxurious upgrades, as standard features, than any other home builder in Omaha and they start under $200,000. Isn't it time you checked out a Cambridge Home?		 Cambridge Homes Omaha Nebraska (NE)
Cambridge Homes Omaha Nebraska (NE)

New Additions
The Jansen Team welcomes Mike Horacek earlier this year and Vickie Taylor, who just joined the Jansen Team. We look forward to our continued success with these new agents.


We have recently updated our website and added new pages and information. This newsletter will be online, as well as Business Partners (under Links) and Client Testimonials (under About Us).
 

Real Estate Market Trend Reports
NP Dodge offers free Real Estate Market Trend Reports containing data compiled from the MLSs located in Omaha and Council Bluffs. These reports will give you an opportunity to view trends in the market over the past 15 months. They are specific to active, pending and sold properties in Omaha, Council Bluffs and the surrounding areas. These reports are updated monthly. 

For more in-depth reports, or if you have questions, contact The Jansen Team.
 

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ServiceOne Tip of the Month


Does your dishwasher leave a cloudy film on your glassware? Here are some tips:
  • Use a dishwasher cleaner every six months.
  • Use a good soap. Powders seem to work best if you don’t have a water softener. Use less soap, since hot water alone does a lot of the cleaning.
  • A small amount of citric acid with the soap can help keep the film off. (you can find citric acid in the baking aisle of your supermarket with canning materials.)
  • The best way to get rid of the film is to put a cup of white vinegar on the top dishwasher rack and run it through a cleaning cycle.
Visit ServiceOne for information on their extensive services.		 Service One

 

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Happy Clients

I deal with a lot of people and I do want to recommend the Jansen Team because of their efficiency. They know what they are doing when they’re selling real estate. I’m on my 4th house since 1979 and it’s been a wonderful experience. I go back to them because they are a one stop shop they have the ability to get the answers when you need the answers. They take care of all the necessary paperwork. When you go to sign paper work it’s there and they explain page by page.

- Joe Kubat, Owner of HairCare Xtras -
(purchased 4 houses with Jansen Team)



Read more Jansen Team Testimonials

 Ken Did It Again, Jansen Team Real Estate


Lisa Jansen Bartholow, Mike Horacek, Ken Jansen, 
Vickie Taylor, Karen Kisickie, Pat Jansen, Bridget Jansen

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Hair Care Xtras     Specials for Jansen's Journal Readers
                                              Courtesy of Hair Care Xtras
Omaha's finest Hair Salon 20th Anniversary Specials:
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  • $100.00 in any Salon Service for only $69.00 (available to the first 50 people who mention Jansen's Journal).
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Visit us online at HairCareXtras.com to receive 50% Off our Featured Products and Free Shipping on orders over $30. Like Us on Facebook for access to more promotions and new product information.
 

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Featured Article

Year End Tax Saving Ideas For Individuals
by Goracke & Associates, Certified Public Accountants

There are a number of steps you might take by year-end to cut your 2011 tax bill, such as deferring income, accelerating deductions and capital gains planning.

Deferring Income
If you are planning on selling an investment this year on which you have a gain, it may be best to wait until the following tax year to defer payment of the taxes for another year (subject to estimated tax required.

If you are expecting a bonus at year-end, you may be able to defer receipt of these funds until January. This allows you to defer tax payments (other than the portion normally withheld) until the following year. However, keep in mind that you usually defer taxes on a bonus that is contractually due in 2011.

If your company grants stock options, it may be wise to wait until next year to exercise the option or sell stock acquired by exercise of an option. Exercise of the option is often but not always a taxable event; sale of the stock is almost always a taxable event.

If you're self employed, and can afford the delay in cash inflow, defer sending invoices or bills to clients or customers until the end of December.

Accelerating Deductions
Pay a state estimated tax installment in December instead of at the January due date. However, make sure the payment is based on a reasonable estimate of your state tax.

Pay your entire property tax bill, including installments due in year 2012, by year-end. This does not apply to mortgage escrow accounts.

Try to bunch "threshold" expenses, such as medical expenses and miscellaneous itemized deductions. Threshold expenses are deductible only to the extent they exceed a certain percentage of adjusted gross income (AGI). By bunching these expenses into one year, rather than spreading them out over two years, you have a better chance of exceeding the thresholds, thereby maximizing your deduction.

For example, you might pay medical bills and dues and subscriptions in whichever year they would do you the most tax good.

There are several more tips, such as:
  • Residential Energy Tax Credits
  • Making Charitable Contributions
  • Investments
  • Gains and Losses
  • Mutual Fund Investments
  • Year-End Giving to Reduce Estate Tax
  • Other Year End Moves, as well as what to be cautious about.

 

 

Goracke and Associates, Certified Public Accountants  

Visit Goracke & Associates for more information.

 

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Joe Iaccheri Regent Financial

 

 Ever feel lost during the home loan process?
 It's time to treat yourself to a turn for the better!


Joe Iaccheri, a 10 year veteran to the industry dedicated to the Jansen Team, empowers the borrower through easy to understand education on the loan process and the transaction at hand. Eject the stress from the process, call Joe Iaccheri at Regent Financial Group today! (402) 884-5613

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real estate cartoon

Jansen's Journal

We will be emailing and posting a new Newsletter each month. We appreciate any feedback you'd like to give, questions and comments, and suggestions for future issues. If you do not currently receive notification of new issues, please sign up.

 

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If you would like to discuss selling or buying a home, have questions or feedback, please contact The Jansen Team at 402-330-5954,
or contact us via email.

 


for news, updates 
and postings of new listings.

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