Landmark Group

Monthly Specials

2012-03-12T17:38:00.002-05:00

With all this great weather out, time to spring clean and de-clutter your house and move it to storage. We have several wonderful specials going on at Dino’s storage, along with cheap rates on Penske Trucks. Visit Dinosstorage.com to see where the closet one is to you. Then call to see what the daily rates are for Penske.

High gas prices .. Good For Urban Living

2012-03-09T07:04:00.001-06:00

I am glad I live close to work ...!

How High Gas Prices Triggered the Housing Crisis

Steve Sexton
03/08/2012 | 11:27 am

Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum made headlines last week when he suggested that high gas prices made mortgages unaffordable, causing the recent housing bubble to burst and sending the economy into recession. It may sound far-fetched, but it is precisely the theory that I and a pair of coauthors presented in a working paper released five days before Santorum’s remarks.

We are actually a bit more nuanced, arguing that unexpectedly high gas prices triggered the collapse of the housing market — igniting a fire fueled by easy credit, lax lending practices, and speculation. It is a provocative claim and one with broad implications, but it is also a claim supported by economic theory and empirical evidence.

The federal government’s Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission asserted in its 2010 report that “it was the collapse of the housing bubble . . .that was the spark that ignited a string of events that led to a full-blown crisis in the fall of 2008.” And a broad, if not unanimous, consensus among economists suggests that the ongoing economic malaise was induced by a financial crisis caused by the housing crisis. Relatively less well-understood is what caused the housing crisis in the first place.

We contend that a persistent upward trend in gas prices starting in 2005 — and the doubling of gas prices between 2005 and 2008 — altered the calculus of suburban living, causing homeowners to revaluate the wisdom of long work commutes from suburban and exurban communities into city centers.

For at least half a century, economic theory has held that the price of owner-occupied housing is declining in distance from the city center — all else equal — and that ever-declining costs of transportation induce sprawl, as households trade off the time-inclusive costs of commutes for the opportunity to own homes and land.

For much of the housing boom from the mid-to-late 1990s through 2005, gas prices were relatively low and flat — under $2 per gallon in real 2011 dollars and under $1.50 in nominal terms. Housing was developed on the outskirts of cities, in part because of constraints on growth within them. Low down-payment requirements and the growth of subprime lending, combined with high expectations for housing price appreciation, attracted relatively low-income households to the housing market and induced a phenomenon known to realtors as “Drive Till You Qualify,” whereby prospective homeowners would drive out from city centers until they reached communities in which they could afford mortgages.

The boom resulted in the newest and lowest-income homeowners settling farthest from cities and gambling that rising home equity would allow them to renegotiate mortgages before rates climbed. They were most exposed to a gas price shock as they faced the longest commutes — 50 miles or more in some communities. And they were least able to absorb the costs of higher commutes. Some households couldn’t afford mortgage payments and defaulted, others found themselves underwater and preferred to walk away instead of throwing good money after bad. Foreclosures rose and the market unraveled from the outside in.

Antioch, California is one of the communities that suffered most during the collapse. A resident who commuted 45 miles to San Francisco would have seen his gas costs for work trips climb $3,000 annually at the height of the gas price shock. His total commute cost would have constituted fully 41 percent of the mean annual expenditure among U.S. households in the lowest income quartile.

There is no doubt that subprime lending and speculation fueled demand for housing assets. But these are uniquely American phenomena. The housing boom and bust is not. A similarly volatile cycle was observed in Britain, Spain, France, and Ireland, among other countries that while not exposed to the aggressive lending in the U.S. would have been affected by global energy market dynamics.

And presumably new mortgage products and easy credit were available throughout the U.S. Why then did the impact of the housing crisis vary so much by location? How then to explain that both the percent decline in home values and the increase in foreclosure rates grew in magnitude with distance from major city centers? Or that seven of the twenty metropolitan areas with the highest foreclosure rates in 2010 were California cities located in outlying areas like Modesto, Riverside, Stockton, and Merced?

Moreover, while the prevalence of risky loans made the housing market susceptible to collapse, had home prices kept rising in 2007, instead of turning down, rising home equity could have been used to renegotiate risky loans, thereby concealing and even resolving the market weaknesses.

Low interest rates assuredly made credit — and thereby housing — cheap. But the housing boom began before interest rates fell, and it persisted after they rose. And with interest rates near their lower bound, why is the housing market still in the tank?

And if you think the housing market was in a bubble, you may be right. It is true that all bubbles burst — by definition. But even the eminent bubble expert, the economist Robert Shiller, concedes we don’t know why the housing bubble burst when it did. Or do we?

With gas prices approaching $4 per gallon nationally, and the latest data on the housing front showing home prices at post-collapse lows, it would seem the housing boom of the last decade has saddled us with a housing stock ill-suited for the future we face. If consumers expect gas prices will remain high — or that climate policy will raise costs of commutes independent of energy market dynamics by raising gas taxes or imposing prices on carbon emissions — then the suburbs — home to roughly 50 percent of American households—may not soon recover from the collapse as urban living becomes relatively more attractive. With one-in-four households underwater and unable to withdraw home equity to finance consumption, a slow suburban housing recovery bodes poorly for short-run growth in aggregate demand and a broader economic recovery.

Here is a great Warren Buffett Clip

2012-03-07T17:49:00.001-06:00

This is an interesting look at what Warren Buffett thinks about investing in single family houses. There is one potential hurdle with this idea. It is hard to get 30 year money on rental properties unless you live in it. However, I do think that it is a great idea to start shorting the US Dollar.

It's Good to Laugh

2012-03-07T09:50:00.002-06:00

This is SOOOOOO very funny!!!!!

Save over $300 On Your Monthly Expenses – and Without a Huge Sacrifice!

2012-03-05T14:43:00.000-06:00

It’s time to make a fresh start in your piggy bank collection, and we know that all renters could do with a little extra cash this year. With just eight simple changes, you could save more than $368 each month, or even more in many large cities where the cost of living is higher. And we aren’t talking life-altering changes. In many cases, you might not even notice the difference in your lifestyle (except, of course, the extra cash in your pocket).

1. Ditch Cable – Renters pay, on average, $100 per month for cable television. Busy lifestyles mean that many rarely get to watch shows when they air, and rely on services like DVR to watch their favorite programs later. Why not consider a service like Hulu Plus or Netflix? It’s simple to connect your computer to your television and watch TV when it’s convenient for you.

Average Savings per Month: $92

2. Space-by-Space Heat – Energy bills run, on average, $183 per month. By using a space heater in the rooms where you need it and setting the thermostat to 62 degrees, you can save approximately $200 each year.

Average Savings per Month: $17

3. Cut the Phone Cord – With all of the functionality of smart phones, a landline may be unnecessary. By eliminating a monthly telephone bill, renters can save, on average, $35 per month.

Average Savings per Month: $35

4. Illuminate Your Savings – While not a large savings monthly, replacing light bulbs with an Energy Star qualified light bulb can save $6 per year, and nearly $40 over its lifetime – and it will last six times longer! For example, if you have six lamps in your apartment, you can save $3 per month. It may not seem like a lot, but the savings will add up over time.

Average Savings per Month: $3

5. Skip the Hot Water – By doing your laundry in cold water rather than hot, you reduce energy usage by 90% and can save $72 per year! Plus, your clothes will be just as clean.

Average Savings per Month: $6

6. Work Out in Comfort - Skip the gym membership and save, on average, $775 per year. In many cities, you will find the savings to be even more! You can still get in your workouts – consider running, or many exercises that can be done with little or no equipment in the comfort of your own home.

Average Savings per Month: $65

7. Use Your Kitchen – You are paying rent for your kitchen, whether you use it or not. The average American eats out 6 times per month, spending an average of $172. Eat out just once a month and cook at home instead.

Average Savings per Month: $144

8. Pull the Plug – By unplugging appliances and electronics when you are not using them, you can save a bundle on energy. Unplugging one fax machine, one computer monitor, and one television can save $70 per year. Just turning it off is not enough!

Average Savings per Month: $6

Can you think of any other ways to simplify your lifestyle and reduce monthly spending around the house?

If Love Could Have Kept You Alive.......

2012-03-04T16:22:00.000-06:00

Shady Acres Natasha Newby Murdoch

better know as

"Newby"

December 1, 1998

February 20, 2012

Two weeks ago, I lost my best friend. She was a pure bred Border Collie from a farm in Nehawka, Nebraksa. We got her as a pup at the age of 8 weeks. The owner wouldn't let us have her any sooner. I wish I could say it was love at first sight, but I had my eye on another pup from the litter, a brown and white border collie who had nuzzled up into my lap. She was so quiet and sweet. But the only black and white one in the litter caught the eye of my husband and our daughter, Kristi. This little puppy was so rumbustious and was gnawing and nipping at everything. 2-1. I was out voted. So the black and white puppy it was.

On the drive home from Nehawka, that puppy cried and howled the whole way.....I'm sure because she had started to miss her mommy. Everyone in the car tried to comfort her. There was no comforting her. If only for a brief second, she nuzzled up behind my neck while I was driving and settled down.....as if to say, "Please be happy that they chose me." And I was.

What a little mischief she was. She howled the first two nights in her kennel. I wanted to bring her to bed with us, but my husband put his foot down. The third night, she finally slept. But we found ourselves getting up in the middle of the night to let her go "pee-pee". No one told me that!

She continued to wreak havoc in our house.....chewing up a shoe, finding the tiniest piece of wall paper loose and ripping it all off the wall by backing up with the wallpaper in her mouth! She pulled back the kitchen vinyl flooring and started "uninstalling" that too. All of this while we were trying to sell our house.

This post would be too long to tell you all the things she'd done and the wonderful dog that she became. We were blessed to have Newby with us for over 13 years. 13 wonderful years. I will never regret the day we decided to get her. Never. She has nuzzled her way into my heart, and now that spot is empty....filled only with the memories of her. She was not "just a dog". She was part of our family. But at last, her age and her aging back legs caught up with her so that she could no longer stand or function. We knew she was in a lot of pain and to hold on to her would have been selfish. Lincoln and I were with her as she breathed her last breath. We stayed with her until her little body became cold. How long was long enough to stay with her lifeless body? I could have stayed with her forever, but I knew nothing would change the fact that she was gone.....forever. If love could have kept her alive, she would still be here.

So today, I share with you, in a small way.....my dog, my best friend, the one who has loved me all of her life without any conditions, loving with a perfect love, totally devoted to me, following me wherever I would go. May my life be as devoted to you, Jesus, as Newby's life was to me.

I'll always love you, Newby.

Home Maintenance Check List

2012-03-02T06:59:00.003-06:00

Considering the fluctuation of housing costs and the demand for affordable housing in either renting or owning, preventive maintenance is essential to the value of the home or apartment as a renter or owner. I found and interesting article that can be important for maintaining your home or rental properties. Click on the title to see the original article. This is 6 pages but it offers check lists that are vital to the individual .Check it out it is very interesting article.

Technology not working properly? Reboot!

2012-02-29T08:59:00.003-06:00

Have you ever had a problem with a computer or smart phone or other piece of technology that just is not working properly? I had two different phones with problems this past week and to fix the problem tech support told me to power the phone down, remove the battery, then replace the battery and power the phone back up. That fixed the problem. Of course you will not find it in the instructions but tech support said it is recommended to do that to the phone on a regular basis, one of the phones daily and the other one weekly. I had a computer which could no longer print from Microsoft Office because it could not find the printer. I rebooted the computer and the problem went away. So a recommendation when you have a computer problem (and a smart phone is a computer) is to reboot it to see if the problem disappears. Many times it will and if so you will have saved a lot of time searching for an answer. If the problem does not disappear then you can look for an answer elsewhere. But by rebooting first you can save time and keep it simple.

Why choose Landmark

2012-02-28T10:30:00.002-06:00

If you've owned income property for any length of time, you know that managing a rental can be financially rewarding. At the same time, you've also likely discovered that property management requires a large commitment of time and effort.

While it may make sense to take the do-it-yourself approach if you're a handy person, live close to your property, and don't mind devoting several hours per month to the task, in many cases this just isn't practical---especially if you hope to expand your business. With this in mind, here are some critical tasks Landmark Group can help you with:

Setting the right rental rates: While looking through the classifieds to see what other landlords are charging for similar properties is a fine way to ballpark your rent price, Landmark Group will conduct a thorough market study in order to set a rental price for your property, ensuring that you achieve the perfect balance between maximizing monthly income and maintaining a low vacancy rate.

Collecting and depositing monthly rent payments on time: If you've ever worked in a billing department, you know that securing payment from clients can be difficult, not to mention awkward. Landmark Group has an efficient, tried-and-true systems in place to effectively collect rent and maintain on-time payments. You'll find this particularly important if you have a limited number of properties, and collecting payments on time is crucial to maintaining your cash flow.

Marketing and advertising your property: Through long experience, Landmark Group will know exactly where to market your property and how to craft compelling advertising materials---a significant advantage when it comes to filling your properties quickly and avoiding long vacancies.

Finding the right tenants: Experienced property managers, like Landmark Group, are experts at finding good tenants, and will take care of all the details, including the securing all criminal background and security checks, verifying employment, and collecting previous landlord references.

Managing tenants: In addition to finding good tenants, Landmark will manage all aspects of the tenant-landlord relationship. The property manager will handle both routine and emergency maintenance, take care of routine inspections, and manage any situations where conflict resolution is required.

Managing vendor relationships: Property management companies have relationships with maintenance workers, tradesmen, contractors, suppliers, and vendors that it's almost impossible for an independent landlord to duplicate. Not only will Landmark Group get you the best work for the best price, they'll oversee any necessary maintenance projects.

Maximizing the profitability of your time: By having a property manager take care of the day-to-day aspects of running your income property, your free to spend your time identifying further investment opportunities or otherwise furthering your career.

Maximizing the profitability of your money: Most property managers charge a percentage of your property's monthly rental rate in exchange for their services. The rate typically runs anywhere from 6-10%, which is generally less than the money you save by hiring a professional to take care of your property.

So if you own income property in the Omaha area I would suggest you stop by our office or contact us at 402-553-8111 to discuss how we can make your investment easy and hassle fee for you.

Creativity is more important than literacy.

2012-02-24T08:12:00.002-06:00

This is an interesting concept. I found this talk on the TED(technology, entertainment and design) website. I love this quote, "if you are not prepared to be wrong you will not be creative." Check this video out, its some very interesting stuff.

9 Bad Work Habits-and How to Break Them

2012-02-22T12:30:00.003-06:00

I Found this Article on Yahoo and i think everyone including myself can take and use something from this article.

Stressed out? Overworked? It might surprise you to learn that your job isn't solely to blame for your office woes. Chances are, you're engaging in a few-or more!-bad work habits that could be impeding your performance or happiness. Whether you can't seem to kick your Facebook addiction or are sick of burning the midnight oil, read on to learn how to nix nine common detrimental office habits. Photo by Thinkstock

You constantly check your email or post updates on Facebook or Twitter.

There's a reason (beyond procrastinating) why you can't stay away from your personal email account and social networking sites. "Social interaction is addictive because it activates the rewards center of our brains," says David Rock DProf, director of the NeuroLeadership Institute and author of Your Brain at Work. Connecting to people is similar to eating chocolate, he explains. "The more you do it, the more you want it-that's when it becomes distracting." To keep yourself focused on work, Dr. Rock recommends designating times of day when you'll check these sites. That way, you'll get your fix without being sucked into the trap of constantly wanting more. Or, as Michelle Goodman, author of The Anti 9-to-5 Guide advises, treat visiting these sites as a reward. Work for, say, an hour, and then allow yourself to check in quickly as a treat. A word of warning: Think twice before you post about work matters on social networking sites. As Goodman points out, "these sites are frequently changing their privacy settings, so your page may be publicly broadcasted without you knowing it, which could land you in hot water."

You write-and send-work emails too hastily.

"Misread emails create unnecessary anxiety," says Dr. Rock. A slapdash message may come across as confusing, or worse, offensive, to the person on the receiving end-and it may cast you in a bad light. There's a huge benefit to pausing after you write an email but before you press send. "If you feel uncertain about your message, save it as a draft and come back to it later," suggests Dr. Rock. Not only will this give you time to work off anger that may have provoked you to write things you didn't mean, but it may also allow you to add helpful information to the email, which can make you come across as capable and thoughtful. And if you struggle with an email about a sensitive topic, keep Dr. Rock's rule in mind: "Anything that's likely to generate strong emotion should be a phone or face-to-face conversation."

Make money from home with 10 smart strategies.

You're set in your ways.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it-right? Not always. If you're sticking with outdated procedures because "that's the way it's always been done," re-think your attitude. Though knowing the ins and outs of office processes may seem like proof of your expertise, it may actually make you seem obsolete. Especially in a shaky economy, it's integral to be open to new ideas, says Goodman. "Holding on to old systems isn't the way to be irreplaceable," she explains. "Getting along well with everyone, contributing great ideas and doing innovative work is." She adds that resisting change often stems from a fear of being left behind in the workforce. Instead of standing your ground, be flexible about learning from others. "Get comfortable with the fact that there's always going to be someone smarter or younger than you," says Goodman.

You're too involved in office politics.

Happen to find yourself gathered around the water cooler frequently? While joining in on office gossip is inevitable, spending too much time dissecting workplace dynamics can harm your reputation. "If you're seen as always schmoozing or stirring the pot, you may also be seen as a troublemaker or unproductive," says Goodman. Instead of worrying about who said what to whom when, devote that energy to work. "Like logging on to Facebook, office gossip is a distraction. If you must indulge, treat it as a reward that you'll give yourself after doing a set amount of work." And as she notes, the more you concentrate on work, the less time you'll have for petty gossip.

Learn how to deal with difficult coworkers.

You start each day with the wrong plan of attack-or none at all.

After a long day at work, the last thing you want to do is prepare for the next one. But by making a beeline for the door at quitting time, you're setting yourself up for trouble the next morning. "Without a plan, it's easy to become distracted by small tasks and coworkers' questions," says Goodman. And that can prevent you from accomplishing the bigger stuff. "If you spend most of your day handling minor assignments, you won't have the mental resources left to give your most important duties the attention they need," says Dr. Rock. Goodman suggests taking a few minutes the night before-or first thing the next morning as a last resort-to write down the two or three meatiest tasks you need to get done that day. "You're not likely to finish more than four, so prioritize your to-do list."

You're always running late.

"People are most often behind schedule because they're not thinking about how long it takes to get from point A to point B, or because they leave things until the last minute," says Dr. Rock. "And these people usually haven't noticed the impact that running late has on their performance and that of others." By repeatedly missing deadlines or arriving after meetings start, you seem less reliable and you hinder those who depend on you. If your hour-long meetings frequently run over, Dr. Rock recommends scheduling them for 50 minutes instead of 60. Those ten extra minutes serve as padding if the conversation goes long. And if you're chronically tardy with deadlines or other appointments, Goodman advises setting computer alerts to chime a half hour before you need to be ready to keep you on the ball. If nothing else, set your clocks forward a few minutes to help you be on time.

Conquer common time traps.

You can't manage your personal and professional lives.

The balance between your work and your personal life varies depending on the office environment you're in. But one thing is constant: Failing to meet coworkers' or friends' and family's expectations will upset them, according to Dr. Rock. If your office culture prides itself on working around the clock, you'll raise eyebrows for taking personal calls all day long. "Set parameters," recommends Dr. Rock. "If personal issues distract you at work, tell friends and family you'll respond to their calls and emails at, say, the beginning or end of each day." However, if you're the only one constantly working late, consider meeting with your boss to discuss your workload, says Goodman. And if everyone is on call 24/7, think about whether or not you're in the right job. On the other hand, if your coworkers regularly get together after work, you'll stand out for turning down invitations or sending stiff emails at all hours. So consider tagging along once in a while. As Goodman puts it, "You'll get the inside scoop and bond with people, which will only help your projects as well as people's image of you. If you're not sure what to share, follow other people's lead." If they seem happy chatting about their family drama, feel free to chime in with your own anecdotes.

You don't take a lunch break.

Powering straight through lunch may seem like a noble endeavor, not to mention a great way to get ahead on your to-do list. But by refusing to take a break, you're actually doing yourself more harm than good. Not only is sitting all day linked to a host of health issues, like a greater risk of dying from heart disease, according to a 2010 study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, but stepping away from the screen will also revive you, allowing you to view your work with a fresh perspective, says Goodman. Daunting tasks you dreaded earlier can seem more doable after taking a break. Even a short walk around the block will give you a much-needed boost. "Doing so is extremely rewarding to the brain and resets our ability to think straight," says Dr. Rock. Besides, you can't deliver the best results with a sandwich in one hand and your computer mouse in the other. You'll be more productive once you fully devote your attention to work.

Try these 10 habits of healthy women.

You have a negative attitude.

Maintaining a chipper outlook day in and day out isn't realistic, of course. But if you find yourself griping about your job more often than not, you're setting yourself up for an endless cycle of negativity. "A negative bias can reduce the quality of your ideas and the work you produce-and can cause you to see everything as negative, even when it's not," says Dr. Rock. In other words, a doom-and-gloom attitude will make all around you seem worse, causing your creativity to suffer. Instead of griping about work things you can't change, focus on what you can improve, and try to see everything in a positive light. That may mean keeping away from coworkers who goad you into talking smack. It may also mean seeking out positive cues, like happy people, uplifting images (try hanging a few vacation snapshots in your cubicle) or taking a break to watch a funny YouTube video, says Dr. Rock. The more cheerful your attitude, the less you'll find to complain about. And remember: The more you grumble, the more likely it is that people, like your superiors and your loudmouth cube-mate, will take notice-and if your boss knows you're unhappy, you could be the first one on the chopping block, says Goodman.

Renting may be the way to go.....?

2012-02-21T23:26:00.003-06:00

The collapse in housing and the 33 percent plunge in house prices since 2006 are favoring renting over homeownership. This trend will dominate the housing market for the next four or five years, and put additional pressure on a weak economy.This from a recently published article on Bloomberg.
Find out more about why it may now be better to rent your home from Landmark Group instead of buying you own . http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-22/why-renters-rule-u-s-housing-market-part-1-a-gary-shilling.html

Happiness has move beyond the conginative horizon.

2012-02-20T10:57:00.002-06:00

This is a great video about happiness and how it affects your athletic and business performance

Always Changes

2012-02-17T10:44:00.004-06:00

I found this article to be very interesting because just a couple weeks ago we were talking about the "cloud."

Changes Are Coming - Things
We'll Be Saying Goodbye To
From Clark McClelland
12-25-10

This is long, but most frightening...

CHANGES ARE COMING
Whether these changes are good or bad depends in part on how we adapt to them. But, ready or not, here they come.

1. The Post Office. Get ready to imagine a world without the post office. They are so deeply in financial trouble that there is probably no way to sustain it long term. Email, Fed Ex, and UPS have just about wiped out the minimum revenue needed to keep the post office alive. Most of your mail every day is junk mail and bills.

2. The Check. Britain is already laying the groundwork to do away with checks by 2018. It costs the financial system billions of dollars a year to process checks. Plastic cards and online transactions will lead to the eventual demise of the check. This plays right into the death of the post office. If you never paid your bills by mail and never received them by mail, the post office would absolutely go out of business.

3. The Newspaper. The younger generation simply doesn't read the newspaper. They certainly don't subscribe to a daily delivered print edition. That may go the way of the milkman and the laundry man. As for reading the paper online, get ready to pay for it. The rise in mobile Internet devices and e-readers has caused all the newspaper and magazine publishers to form an alliance. They have met with Apple, Amazon, and the major cell phone companies to develop a model for paid subscription services.

4. The Book. You say you will never give up the physical book that you hold in your hand and turn the literal pages. I said the same thing about downloading music from iTunes. I wanted my hard copy CD. But I quickly changed my mind when I discovered that I could get albums for half the price without ever leaving home to get the latest music. The same thing will happen with books. You can browse a bookstore online and even read a preview chapter before you buy. And the price is less than half that of a real book. And think of the convenience! Once you start flicking your fingers on the screen instead of the book, you find that you are lost in the story, can't wait to see what happens next, and you forget that you're holding a gadget instead of a book.

5. The Land Line Telephone. Unless you have a large family and make a lot of local calls, you don't need it anymore. Most people keep it simply because they've always had it. But you are paying double charges for that extra service. All the cell phone companies will let you call customers using the same cell provider for no charge against your minutes.

6. Music. This is one of the saddest parts of the change story. The music industry is dying a slow death. Not just because of illegal downloading. It's the lack of innovative new music being given a chance to get to the people who would like to hear it. Greed and corruption is the problem. The record labels and the radio conglomerates are simply self-destructing. Over 40% of the music purchased today is "catalog items," meaning traditional music that the public is familiar with. Older established artists. This is also true on the live concert circuit. To explore this fascinating and disturbing topic further, check out the book, "Appetite for Self-Destruction" by Steve Knopper, and the video documentary, "Before the Music Dies."

7. Television. Revenues to the networks are down dramatically. Not just because of the economy. People are watching TV and movies streamed from their computers. And they're playing games and doing lots of other things that take up the time that used to be spent watching TV. Prime time shows have degenerated down to lower than the lowest common denominator. Cable rates are skyrocketing and commercials run about every 4 minutes and 30 seconds. I say good riddance to most of it. It's time for the cable companies to be put out of our misery. Let the people choose what they want to watch online and through Netflix.

8. The "Things" That You Own. Many of the very possessions that we used to own are still in our lives, but we may not actually own them in the future. They may simply reside in "the cloud." Today your computer has a hard drive and you store your pictures, music, movies, and documents. Your software is on a CD or DVD, and you can always re-install it if need be. But all of that is changing. Apple, Microsoft, and Google are all finishing up their latest "cloud services." That means that when you turn on a computer, the Internet will be built into the operating system. So, Windows, Google, and the Mac OS will be tied straight into the Internet. If you click an icon, it will open something in the Internet cloud. If you save something, it will be saved to the cloud. And you may pay a monthly subscription fee to the cloud provider.

In this virtual world, you can access your music or your books, or your whatever from any laptop or handheld device. That's the good news. But, will you actually own any of this "stuff" or will it all be able to disappear at any moment in a big "Poof?" Will most of the things in our lives be disposable and whimsical? It makes you want to run to the closet and pull out that photo album, grab a book from the shelf, or open up a CD case and pull out the insert.

9. Privacy. If there ever was a concept that we can look back on nostalgically, it would be privacy. That's gone. It's been gone for a long time anyway. There are cameras on the street, in most of the buildings, and even built into your computer and cell phone. But you can be sure that 24/7, "They" know who you are and where you are, right down to the GPS coordinates, and the Google Street View. If you buy something, your habit is put into a zillion profiles, and your ads will change to reflect those habits. And "They" will try to get you to buy something else. Again and again. All we will have that can't be changed are memories.

Dino's Auctions

2012-02-15T10:00:00.000-06:00

Last week on February 10th we had a special auction down in Bellevue and had our largest turn out yet. That day we were offering free admission and we had probably 60 people there… it’s fine that so many showed up but it also made it extremely difficult as it made it hard to move around and it made the auction last so much longer because more people had to look at the unit. This is one of the reason we charge an admission at Dino’s because the serious buyers are the ones that are still coming to the auction and still bidding on these units. Our next auction is scheduled for February 24th and am looking forward to some of the same people that I see every month coming in and I also look forward to possibly seeing some of the new faces that came out to the special auction too. Don’t let the admission fee deter you.

Adverse Possession: Don't Try This At Home

2012-02-14T20:52:00.002-06:00

Article from Associated Press about Adverse Possession. Interesting information, so i shared this with u.

FLOWER MOUND, Texas (AP) — After paying $16 to file a one-page claim to an empty, $340,000 home in an upscale Dallas suburb, Kenneth Robinson moved in furniture, hung a "No Trespassing" sign in the front window and invited television cameras inside for a tour.

He quickly turned into something of a local celebrity, creating a website, http://16dollarhouse.com , where he sold an e-book and offered training sessions for would-be squatters. And while real estateexperts and authorities say he's misusing the law, Robinson appears to have inspired dozens of imitators who moved into Dallas-Fort Worth area homes — some of which were still occupied by their owners.

But Robinson's time in the house ran out Monday.

Bank of America wants possession after foreclosing on the home last month, and a judge on Monday gave Robinson until Feb. 13 to appeal or move out. Rather than wait to be evicted, Robinson slipped out before sunrise Monday, skipped a morning court hearing and refused to say where he was moving next.

"It's been a huge learning experience," he said in a phone call with reporters.

Robinson hasn't been charged with a crime but police said they responded to several calls from his neighbors.

On his website, Robinson describes himself as a savvy investor who's part of a "paradigm shift" in which people have taken over abandoned homes. Last June, under a law known as adverse possession, he filed a claim in court promising to pay taxes and homeowners' association fees while living in the house. He kept the lawn outside mowed, and the front clean.

Robinson spoke to The Associated Press last week while standing at the front door of the two-story, 3,200-square-foot home with a backyard pool. He declined to discuss his background or say how much money he made from book sales or seminars related to his takeover.

He said he started his website — which describes him as "poised, measured, insightful and wise" — to keep the media and others from misleading the public about his story.

"They think some bum off the street came and paid $15 to get a $300,000 house by filing a piece of paperwork," Robinson said. "That is not the case. That is the sum of what happened."

Robinson's website says he's not a lawyer and isn't offering legal advice but has done real estate research.

Real estate experts say he's got the law just plain wrong.

Adverse possession statutes can be found in most states, said Brian C. Rider, a real estate lawyer and professor at the University of Texas. Someone who has openly taken charge of abandoned land for an extended period of time — using a driveway on a neighbor's property, for example — could try to claim that land later, he said.

But it takes a long time to establish those rights, typically 10 years in Texas. Until then, anyone trying to stake claim to a piece of property owned by someone else is just a squatter, Rider said.

Arlington, Texas real estate attorney Grey Pierson said the law is often used to resolve disputes between homeowners over driveways, lawns or other property with shared boundaries — not to take someone's house.

It's not clear how long the home was empty before Robinson moved in. Its last owner, William Ferguson, bought the house for $332,000 in 2005 and appeared to run into trouble making payments about three years later, according to county records. Ferguson did not have a listed phone number, and the records don't indicate where he moved.

County clerks in North Texas said they have seen such a spike in adverse possession filings that they've stopped accepting the claims without prosecutors' approval. In a handful of cases, squatters entered homes that weren't abandoned, but left empty for a few days.

"We just had people making bad decisions, taking a portion of the law and applying it in a way that was not legal," Tarrant County clerk Mary Louise Garcia said.

In one case, an Arlington travel nurse came home in September to find her locks changed and two TVs missing, according to a police report. Authorities say Anthony Brown came to the front door and told her that he had claimed the home and she was trespassing.

When the nurse asked Brown for his paperwork, he offered to return the home for $2,000, police said. Brown, who was arrested in October, does not have an attorney listed and did not respond to messages left on his cellphone.

County constable Clint Burgess said authorities have interviewed a handful of people claiming "adverse possession" who said they spoke to Robinson. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Robinson attended a December eviction hearing for two charged with burglary. Robinson said then he was attending to show support for the couple.

He says now that he doesn't want to be an example to others.

"The truth is I don't want people to think that they should go out there and do anything based on what I did," he said last week.

Omah Towing & Recovery

2012-02-14T16:24:00.002-06:00

Recently the owner started a new adventure, which is a towing company. So far, it has been extremely successful. We will enforce the rules for you, take the vehicles that are bothersome, deal with the phone calls, and get the vehicle back to them in a timely matter. Omaha Towing & Recovery will take the “I don’t want to deal with it” out of these problems for you with no expense. Anything from no license plates, stored vehicles that don’t work, body damage, and unauthorized parking, we will take them all. Along with that we will put up signs that list our information, so we are the first people that get the calls.

Contact Omaha Towing & Recovery to take the pain away at 402-916-4007

iPads for the Air Force?

2012-02-13T13:43:00.004-06:00

I read a short but interesting article over the weekend. The US Air Force is considering the purchase of a minimum of 63 to as many as 18,000 iPads for use by flight crews. Currently flight crews carry as much as 40 pounds of books and charts on board. Following the lead of American Airlines and United Airlines the USAF is considering putting all that information on iPads. Just think of the weight savings from such a move as well as the ease of retrieval. It makes sense. Here at Landmark Group we have not made a move to tablet computers but we will have to look at the possibility soon. I can remember the time of Multi List books published weekly, but now all the data is available online and can be updated in real time. People used to depend on an agent to look through the book or available houses, but now most people look online and tell the agent what houses they want to see. One thing technology still has not replaced is the role of the agent in handling all the paperwork (Yes, even in the computer age there is still a lot of paperwork) plus relations with the banks, housing inspectors and title companies. So even though more is being done by computers and tablets right now it is still good to know there are experienced agents here at Landmark Group to help you through your real estate transactions.

Personal Touch

2012-02-10T17:00:00.002-06:00

I recently read an article that spoke about the new and improved ways of communication. From iPhones to ekeys to iPads and so on. In an ever evolving world where personal communication has been lost to texting, emails, blogging and voice mail, it still is nice to know that Landmark Group still answers the phone when it rings. There is a real person on the other end to have a live conversation with. You can tell in thier voice that they turly have an interest in what you have to say. So remember the next time you choose to communicate with someone give your fingers a break and use your voice.

Maintenance tip of the day

2012-02-09T08:09:00.000-06:00

Maintaining a home is very important because of the investment you have to make, but what about the maintenance it takes for your life. The owner of Landmark Group is into physical fitness and I am impressed with his dedication. Me, not so much. I do however look at the spiritual and mental scope of my life. Some might think my life is boring, I don't drink or smoke and I get the proper rest that I need. My life however is far from boring. I have a very busy job at Landmark Group, it is full of the unexpected and I enjoy the variables it has. The emotional, spiritual and mental part is also fulfilling. I have 4 step grandchildren, 3 adopted grandchildren and 14 grandchildren, if you add that up that is a full house. I am faithful to my church, family, and friends.I have found that keeping myself involved I don't have time to be bored or depressed. I have a wife that I could not or want to do without, she is the balance that I need.
Maintaining your personal well being sometimes reevaluating the things that are really important.

P.S.If you see or hear me out of sorts,it is only temporary, be patient I will take time to realign my priorities and back to enjoying life..

2012-02-08T10:04:00.003-06:00

As the popularity of self-storage auctions continues to grow, it’s becoming more and more evident to me that even though there are successful storage companies, they don’t all know what they’re doing. I’ll be the first to say Dino’s is not perfect; we make mistakes because we’re humans. But we do know the storage laws and we follow them. We have a lawyer we go to for advice on the complicated matters. The owner of Dino’s is the founder and President of the Nebraska Self Storage Association. We are the self-storage company that other companies go to for advice. We hold an annual conference for facility owners and managers where we invite guest speakers and vendors to educate other operators and managers on how to run a successful business. This includes legal, sales, construction, and economical topics. We also conduct periodical market surveys (in person and over the phone) to find out how we compare to those around us and figure out what we can do that they are not.

When renting a storage unit, you want to trust the people and the place you’re putting your things. Here are some important things to look for:

- A facility with a gate and restricted access to tenants only.
- Consistent, unchanging information from the manager.
- Familiarize yourself with storage laws (Iowa Law, Nebraska Law) and casually ask the manager about their procedures and compare that with what you know.
- Ask your friends and family for referrals.
- Most importantly, go with your gut. You wouldn’t rent an apartment if it didn’t feel right, so don’t put your home or business in a storage unit that doesn’t feel right.

Landmark Group's Tri State Relay

2012-02-07T06:31:00.002-06:00

On June 16, 2012 we are holding the second annual Landmark Group's Tri State Relay. Its a 172 mile bike ride from Omaha to Rockport Missouri that can be done in a 1,2 or 4 person team. You can check out more on our website.

Tips for Getting Your Home Ready To Sell

2012-02-06T16:40:00.000-06:00

Do you want to have the home that everybody wants to buy? Well here are a few tips to get you started to being the favorite home in the neighborhood and buyers will come to your home like a pack of.......Corgis!

1. Get rid of clutter. Throw out or file stacks of newspapers and magazines. Pack away most of your small decorative items. Store out of season clothing to make closets seem roomier. Clean out the garage.

2. Wash your windows and screens to let more light into the interior.

3. Keep everything extra clean. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates. Mop and wax floors. Clean the stove and refrigerator. A clean house makes a better first impression and convinces buyers that the home has been well care for.

4. Get rid of smells. Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke and pet smells. Open the windows.

5. Put higher wattage bulbs in the light sockets to make rooms seem brighter, especially basements and other dark rooms. Replace any burnt out bulbs.

6. Make minor repairs that can create a bad impression. Small problems, such as sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet, may seem trivial, but they'll give buyers the impression that the house isn't well maintained.

7. Tidy your yard. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, trim the bushes, edge the walks. Put a pot or two of bright flowers near the entryway.

8. Patch holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable.

9. Clean your gutters.

10. Polish your front doorknob and door numbers.

Customer Service experience

2012-02-02T11:47:00.002-06:00

Most customers who feel they have been the recipients of poor customer service will never vocalize their feelings to that particular person or business. According to First Financial Training Services and the White House Office of Consumer Affairs only four percent of dissatisfied customers ever complain, therefore making the other 96 percent of customer’s easy pickings for your competitors.

Typically an unhappy customer will tell eight to ten of their friends, coworkers or family members about their bad experience, and one in five people will tell 20 others.

So what are some of the more obvious signs of poor customer service that silently drive customers away? Here are a few observations:

There are no employees at the front service desk

Personnel are talking on their cell phones and ignoring customers

Not answering the phone, or not answering it in a timely manner

No direct eye-contact with customers

Emplyees who are not familiar with the company or the policy

Rude employees

The attitude of indifference as perceived by a customer

However all is not lost, since seven out of ten customers will continue to do business if their complaint is resolved, and 95 percent of customers will be even happier if the problem is resolved immediately. And since statistics show that the average business spends six times more money to attract new customers and clients than maintaining the ones they have, loyalty from the current customers is very important.

So to all the current customers of Landmark Group we appreciate your business and hope to do more for you, and for all non Landmark Group customers please feel free to visit our website at http://www.landmarkmg.com/company/testimonials.html and read through our client’s testimonials regarding their customer service experience with Landmark Group.

Starting a business 101

2012-01-31T08:00:00.003-06:00

People are always asking me how do they evaluate a business investment. I was recently given ann idea. When you are looking at potential investment decide what the worst case scenario is and if you can live with this scenario you should do the deal. The problem with this this line of thought is how bad can worst case be. For example if you are looking at a 20 unit building, do you assume worst case is 100% vacant? And how do you project the worst case maintenance expenses? They could be almost unlimited. The other part of this idea is to not look at the upside when you are looking at potential investments, the upside will take care of itself so long as you can live with the down side.
Another thought I wanted to share is something my 12 year old son said last night. I am encouraging my children to be self employed when they graduate from college and my son said " but dad, many people cannot own their own business because they do not have the money to start one." I went on to tell him this is absolutely not true. Although a lot of businesses require an equity investment, countless do not. Some examples, any kind of contracting, security or cleaning business where your time as the business owner is what you are selling.

HGTV Dream Home

2012-01-29T22:22:00.004-06:00

The race is on to enter and win the annual HGTV Dream Home. This year the home is located in Midway, Utah - which is about 30 minutes south of Park City. The house is about 4,000 square feet and you can take a virtual tour by logging onto the HGTV website. Although Midway, Utah is not my ideal location - I could easily adapt if I would ever be lucky enough to win!! HGTV has built and given away 15 homes and only two of the original winners are still living in the homes - the remaining 13 have elected to take cash and pursue their own "dream" home. Not sure which path I would take if I won - I'm not going to spend alot of time thinking about that because my chances of actually winning are pretty close to "zero." But Good Luck to all!!!!!

Early History of Omaha

2012-01-27T10:01:00.005-06:00

A From the Inside Flap
"It requires but little, if any, stretch of
the imagination to regard Omaha as a cesspool of iniquity, for it is given up to
lawlessness and is overrun with a horde of fugitives from justice and dangerous
men of all kinds who carry things with a high hand and a loose rein...If you
want to find a rogue's rookery, go to Omaha." A Kansas City newspaper
Hast ever been in Omaha, Where rolls the dark Missouri down, And four strong
horses scarce can draw An emtpy wagon through town? Where sand is blown from
ever mound To fill the eyes and ears and throat-- Where all the steamers are
aground And all the shanties are afloat? Where whisky shops the livelong night
Are vending out their poison juice; Where men are often very tight, And women
deemed a trifle loose? Where taverns have an anxious guest For every corner,
shelf and crack; With half the people going west, And all the others going back?
Where theaters are all the run, And bloody scalpers come to trade; Where
everything is overdone And everybody underpaid? If not, take heed to what I say:
You'll find it just as I have found it; And if it lies upon your way, For God's
sake, reader, go around it! Poem from 1869 Harper's Magazine

This is a review of "A Dirty Wicked Town" a great book about Omaha in the 1800s.Omaha was far from a top ten city as recently named and descibed a few post below by Richard Weston.
Another book on early Omaha that I would recommend is "Historic Photos of Omaha".Excellent photos of Omaha from the 1850s through the 1960s.

Thy Will be done

2012-01-26T19:53:00.007-06:00

Many of you who know me know I am a firm believer in "Seeing things as I want them to be and not as they are. " This strategy has allowed me to accomplish things I previously had thought were unattainable , and keep a clear focus on producing the outcomes that I want. I just finished reading Joe Vitales book The Attractor Factor and it just reiterated that same point to me . That We have the ability to choose and create the outcome of any given situation by remembering that it is how we react in the situation that will have the most impact on determining its outcome. Do not give in to negative people ,main stream doubts and fears , If you want something set your mind to it ,focus your energy, stay the course , and above all keep the faith that no matter what happens . Thy will Be done .

Ideas for finding renters in cold winter months

2012-01-26T15:03:00.000-06:00

Holiday specials

One of the biggest chills on cold-weather moving is the reluctance to experience the disruption of moving during a time of year typically devoted to spending time with family and friends. And it’s really cold outside, too!

Even so, individual circumstances may require a move for a renter. To add incentive to potential tenants to tour your property, implement holiday specials that lower move-in costs or offer a first-month rent for free. A generous enticement in the spirit of the holidays can make your rental feel like a warm haven in an otherwise frigid environment.

Lower the price

Pricing for the market is the smartest way to rent your property. If the market is cold—in every respect—perhaps you can warm it up a bit. Even if you the thought of lowering your monthly rental price for a unit is a concern, think how much more you’d lose with no resident in the unit at all.

Partner with local businesses

Everyone benefits when residential occupancy is higher. Contact area restaurants, spas, amusement parks, movie theaters, maid services and other businesses for coupons and special offers that might include holiday specials. These offers can be placed in your community newsletter or in fliers for potential tenants. You and your partners will both benefit from new clients and the business they bring.

Amp up your social media strategy

Social media is a preferred way for many people to keep in touch, transact business and get information all year long. And when the weather is rough, people tend to spend even more time in front of their computers. Make sure that you’re visible via digital platforms and rental Web sites. Use descriptive language to counter the weather outside, describing your rental as a warm and cozy home to brave the winter in.

Though it’s tempting to gear down when business is slow, a lighter-traffic period for renting may be just the time to increase your marketing efforts. New tenants can be found, even in the dead of winter. Get creative, stay flexible and you could see a thaw in a chilly rental climate.

What will it take

2012-01-23T08:21:00.003-06:00

People often times ask me what will it take for the real restate investment market to get back to where it was from 1999 to 2006? I would say most real estate cycles are 15 to 20 years. More importantly we have to get to the point where all the banks forget what happened once real estate values started declining. I say this because fortunes are made or lost based on the availability of capital(money). If there is an abundance of capital out there chasing around deals, the value of real estate will go up. It's that simple. believe it or not real estate values are not based on the inherent value of the real estate but more on the emotions of people wanting to invest money.

Omaha - Great place to live

2012-01-21T14:04:00.002-06:00

In this Saturday's column in the Omaha World Herald Mike Kelly mentions that Omaha and Lincoln made the top 10 in a list of the 10 best cities to raise a family. This list was prepared by some company called 24/7 Wall Street and published on the AOL Daily Finance web page. I must say that I agree with the assessment. I have lived in the Omaha area for almost 24 years and I will be here a lot longer. This is not only a great place to raise children, but a great place to live after your children move away. It has great hospitals and medical schools. It has a vibrant music and arts community. It has a good parks system with bike trails along the Papio. Omaha has made several lists of top cities and my only comment is that it is well deserved and I agree.

Crime Free Progem

2012-01-19T16:52:00.002-06:00

I recently read an article in the Jan-Feb 2012 issue of jpm Journal of Property Management about" Creating a Crime Free Property", wouldn't that be wonderful? They stated that there are three phase's to being crime free. "Phase - 1 Survey, Phase - 2 Inspect and Phase -3 Maintain" While the article outlines exactly what to do for all three of the phase's there will never be a guarantee to the program.

Phase -1 Survey, They suggest to take into account how the property is designed. Is the landscaping clean and neat, making sure there is no barrier that would invite trouble.

Phase -2 Inspect, They suggest that a thorough inspection be done, to make sure that all windows and doors are locked.

Phase - 3 Maintain, They suggest that a property be well maintained before during and after it has been rented.

While I did find the article interesting I would hope to believe that all property managers and owners of investment properties follow these steps to insure the preservation of the property and the procuring of a good tenant.

Good Luck!!

Declutter with Dino's

2012-01-17T09:50:00.002-06:00

Here is a great article with tips on how to de-clutter your home. Then store some of those extra items you don't want to get rid of quite yet with Dino's Storage.

http://zenhabits.net/15-great-decluttering-tips/

maintenance tip of the day

2012-01-17T07:25:00.000-06:00

Many people believe that "plaster wall repair" is an oxymoron. They feel that plaster walls cannot be repaired.

I won't go that far, but it's true that plaster walls can be difficult to repair--especially if they are too far gone. Like rust on a car, you need to strike at the first sign of problems. You'll want to preserve whatever is there and fix it, rather than tearing it out. The moment you start tearing out chunks of plaster, it's a never-ending process. One chunk leads to another, and before you know it, your backyard is full of plaster and you're shopping for drywall.

Repairing Cracks in Plaster

Using a putty knife or a utilty knife, score the hairline crack to open its edges. This may seem counter-intuitive, but you need to increase the area for the repair compound to stick to. Brush off any loose crumbs.
With a wide taping knife (of the type used for drywall), smooth a thin layer of joint compound over the cracked section.
Press paper tape or fiberglass tape into the wet area, along the length of the crack. This is ordinary drywall tape. You don't need to purchase any special plaster repair tape.
Let dry. Feather joint compound over taped area so that the compound extends two or three inches past the taped area.
Let the joint compound dry. Lightly sand it down with fine sandpaper to get rid of any bumps or ridges. Don't sand so hard that you dig into the tape.
Feather a second layer of joint compound, this time extending the edges even farther to about six to eight inches. Let dry. Sand.
Finally, your third coat of joint compound takes the edges out to twelve inches. Since this is your last chance to get the sanding right, be careful to make it smooth.

America’s Safest Cities….Lincoln, Nebraska Number Five!

2012-01-13T10:11:00.003-06:00

At the beginning of December, Forbes released its list of America’s Safest Cities. Lincoln, Nebraska which is the capital of our great state rated number five. The article has Plano, Texas as number one with the lowest car fatalities and violent crime ratio out of any other city in the country. Also making the list is Henderson, Nevada; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Santa Ana, California. With all of the residents from Omaha and surrounding communities traveling and having a great time watching Husker football, they still ranked up there. Congratulation to Lincoln and all that go into keeping the city safe. Keep up the good work and making cities in Nebraska stand out.

Article in reference: http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/americas-safest-cities-2011.html

Excellence at Landmark Group

2012-01-12T08:25:00.004-06:00

At Landmark Group each member of the team is encouraged to strive for excellence in every endeavor we take on, so here are just a few quotes that I keep in mind each day.

The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.

- Vince Lombardi

Excellence can be obtained if you:

...care more than others think is wise;

...risk more than others think is safe;

...dream more than others think is practical;

...expect more than others think is possible.

- Unknown

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.

- Aristotle

A Great super Clip

2012-01-11T08:51:00.000-06:00

This has got to be one of my favorite clips. I wish I could get people to run more. Its kind of funny when they do. They start out like " I think I can take this guy, then after about 400 meters it does not appear to be a good idea.

Misc thoughts from Dave Paladino

2012-01-11T08:41:00.000-06:00

I have had a lot of time to reflect lately and here are some random thoughts on my mind.
1. Madison Ave is out to destroy the values of America. If you have an IPad do you really need the IPad2. Apparently a lot of people think they do(for sure Apple does). I challenge you to go 2 weeks without watching any TV, reading some random website, or listening to the radio. Buy a good book to read at home(on your Ipad2) and a book on tape to listen to in the car instead. Do you really need a Nook and a Kindle and an ipod and an iphone? I have found amazing results from disconnecting myself from advertising. I even gave up my WSJ and now I am knocking out two books a month.
2. There is so much pressure to NOT eat healthy in America. Its no wonder we have an obesity epidemic. What would it be like where there were a couple of dozen good healthy choices on the menu, corporate America says they want you to be healthy but how many bread sticks do you need to stuff yourself with before it becomes a bad idea, the whole problem is the incentives are all wrong, health care cost do not directly correlate with what we eat(again blame Madison Ave). On top of that the remarks you get from friends and family when you are trying to eat healthy are not exactly what I would call "loving". They all ask "are you dieting?" I have to bite my tongue on what I want say. I think America deserve what its gets when it struggles with spiraling health care costs.
3. Kids coming out of college want to do everything possible to avoid risk. They all want to work for a company with 20 weeks of paid vacation where can spend all day working on their status updates on Face book. They want a job where no real work is done. Little do they know 10 years from now that company is going to lay them off and they are going to have hard time finding a job making what corporate America paid. And they do not have the traits valuable to small companies They will ultimately come to the realization that they should work for themselves. Except now it is hard because they have three kids and a $3000 house payment and two SUV's sitting in the garage What America really needs is kids that want to take a lot of risk and are confident in themselves.
4. Nothing happens till someone sells something. I have been spent a lot of time prospecting for new clients lately. I am amazed by the positive reception I get from people. I even go as far to say" This is a cold call, do you have a few minutes to talk about XYZ problem." I read someplace that businesses lose 20% of their customers every ever. This means in 5 years your business will be dead if you do nothing.
5. We have been taking a lot about that it takes for a company to be successful. I really think it comes down to one thing. The ability for the leaders in an organization to develop the people around them. I read someplace that your employees are your most valuable asset so long as you invest in them.
6. Dwight Eisenhower once said "I never saw a pessimistic general win a battle."If you read this blog often, you know I am an avid athlete. I have done virtually every distance of triathlon including Louisville Ironman in 12:34. I really love all sports, one of the sports that I have developed a passion for is Ultimate Frisbee, I have noticed that my performance changes based on what I think of how good of a player I am. The games where I envision myself as an amazing athlete is where I think some of the footage of me should be on wide world of sports. The exact opposite is true on the days that I have a poor attitude. I cannot encourage you enough to have a positive attitude about yourself and your performance, no matter if it is for work or for sport.
7. How many bad habits have you created? I just finished a nutrition challenge at my gym where we challenged one another to eat healthy, eat balanced meals, get enough sleep, and drink enough water. During this challenge I realized how many bad habits I have developed. Think about your performance in what is important to you. What things are you doing that are preventing your from achieving your goals.
8. I don't think any of us including me takes what is written in the Bible serious enough. We have been working on this project in church where we read the entire bible in a year and in Genesis the bible talks about we will all have to give an account of everything we ever did to GOD. EVERYTHING? If we really believed that we would all(including me) act a little differently.

Why choose Landmark Group

2012-01-10T08:24:00.006-06:00

A few weeks ago I was having dinner with a friend and he asked about my work and the company Landmark Group. I told him that Landmark is a real estate company and that we also manage houses and apartments for rent. He then told me a story of an experience he had over twenty years ago when he was in the service. He had purchased and was living in a house when he got orders to go overseas. A neighborhood friend of his who was also in the service offered to manage it for him, and the friend did a good job choosing tenants and making sure rent was paid and the property was maintained. Then that friend got orders to go overseas and they had to find a new manager. They found a realtor who said he could manage it for them. He then started noticing a lot of people renting for only a short time and moving out. The house almost always had a tenant but my friend wondered why they were not staying. When he finally got orders to return to the US he told the manager not to rent it out any more because he would be returning. Upon returning he found that the realtor had been using the house to rent to people had sold one house and were moving to another, but the other was not yet ready. The tenants and the agent had no incentive to keep the place in tip top shape so when he returned he had a lot of work to do. He had picked a professional to manage the property, but a professional who was only a manager part time and was selling real estate full time.

Landmark is different. We have agents who sell real estate full time, but we have a large department dedicated to managing apartments and houses. We have a maintenance crew dedicated to keeping these properties in tip top shape. We qualify tenants and try to find tenants who will be good long term tenants. We work with both tenants and property owners to be sure the property maintained and liveable for both the current tenant and future tenants. So if you have a property which you would like to rent come to the pros, come to Landmark.

Join our team

2012-01-09T14:59:00.003-06:00

We are hiring for a part-time customer service associate at our loation at 1001 Cornhusker in Bellevue. If interested, please send your resume to dino1@dinosstorage.com. You can also view our ad on Craigilst at http://omaha.craigslist.org/csr/2781605546.html.

Happy New Year!!!

2012-01-06T13:13:00.002-06:00

Normally if someone sends me a website to watch - irregardless of what it is - I usually will not take the time to visit the site. When my friend sent me this website - I did decide to look at it just because she normally does not look at "suggested" websites either. Anyway - I think this one is worth listening to. http://www.lshs64.com/enjoytheride.html

Complaint Free world

2012-01-05T05:44:00.002-06:00

I recently listened to an audio book entitled a complaint free world . Follow this link to find out more about it , I highly recommend it for everyone , most people do not realize the negative affect their words can have on others and themselves .
www.acomplaintfreeworl.org

How to Paint Stripes on a Wall

2012-01-04T00:02:00.000-06:00

Dramatic "Man Cave" Transformation with Paint

2012-01-03T23:55:00.001-06:00

I previously posted on how dramatically paint can change a room and how inexpensive it can be compared to all the other decorating options. Well, I decided to put my money where my mouth is.

My husband was recently out of the country for two weeks. While he was gone, I decided to work on his "Man Cave" and surprise him when he returned. About 30 years ago, give or take, my husband took up the sport of triathlon. The first triathlon he ever did was in Kansas City, MO and he had to side stroke the swim portion of the race because he wasn't in good condition and wasn't a very good swimmer. Don't tell my husband he can't do something.

Fast forward 30 or so years later, and he is now a World Class Triathlete having competed in several Ironman distance triathlons, including the World Championships in Kona, Hawaii as well as qualifying for Nationals, placing and competing in Worlds to represent the USA in the World Age Group Triathlon Championships in Hamburg, Germany and Gold Coast, Australia. (He qualified for others but they just weren't in the budget). Also included in his many honors is making the All American team six different years. OK, OK.....so I'm a little proud.

NOW.....getting back to our topic.....I wanted to share with you some of
the before and after pictures of his Man Cave so that you can truly see the impact paint can make in a room.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

For more before & after pictures, check out my blog at:

HuskerDreamHomes.blogspot.com

BEFORE

Curbing Troublesome Tenants

2012-01-02T12:51:00.001-06:00

The thought of a troublesome tenant is something that can scare any property owner. Some states that are considered tenant friendly like California or Arizona, and that makes it much more difficult for property owners to deal with unreasonable tenants. One of the best ways to curb an incident from a tenant, like lack of rent, or damage to the property, is to protect themselves through clearly defined lease terms. More often than not a lease is put together by a landlord or real estate professional, and the basic rental forms are used. These forms can be added to, so that there are additional regulations and stipulations present.

Some Tips for the Lease

One the biggest complaints by a property owner is that tenants are always late with the rent. Placing specific wording in the lease to affect of:

1. Eviction processes will begin on the first day after the grace period that rent has not been received. This is a great motivator to keep tenants on time.

2. Tenant shall pay (choose a percentage) of the total monthly rent in late fees after the grace period has ended for that month. This will remind them that the payment will begin to grow if not paid on time.

As a property owner, it is vital to not only protect yourself, but also to protect the investment interest. Rentals today are, more often than not, homes that could not sell, and owners could not afford to remain in the home. In fact, more homeowners are renting while they themselves rent out their own homes to tenants.

Constructing a Good Contract

If there is a stipulation listed within a lease agreement, and the tenants/renters agree and sign that agreement, then all that is listed within becomes binding. This is a great way to ensure that tenants will not take advantage of the property owner.

Young Drivers

2011-12-30T13:24:00.002-06:00

I have seen a lot of reports on the news lately about teenagers or young adults getting into accidents due to speeding or alcohol and somebody losing their young life after the accident occurs. Now I know that you young people want to impress your friends by seeing if you can jump the infamous bump on State Street or speeding down the highway just because you can. This is what causes these accidents are the young immature mind driving.
I think the area schools should take over again with Drivers Ed like when I was in high school and teach these kids responsible driving and if you fail the class you have to take it again the following year and you can’t get your driver’s license until you pass the class. I didn’t get my driver’s license until I was 17 because my mom and dad didn’t think I was quite ready for it yet at 16. Good thing because it taught me to be a little more responsible with my driving by learning more and driving with my parents longer.
As the mother of two soon to be teenage drivers what frightens me very much is them being out on the road and me getting that dreaded phone call that my child has passed away because he or she was driving irresponsibly. Come on kids wake up and drive safe.

This is a great article on New Years Resolutions

2011-12-30T06:57:00.001-06:00

http://www.blogalegent.com/index.php/2011/just-say-no-to-exercise/

Maintenance Tip for Today

2011-12-29T14:15:00.000-06:00

Extension cords are very useful when required. It is best to be able to plug in directly to the outlet, but we all know that this is sometimes difficult or impossible. Many electrical tools need an extension cord to reach the project you are working on. Maybe a lamp, television or stereo would look better in a different area of the room, but there is no outlet. Choose the correct cord for the job:(1) is it 2 or 3 prong outlet,don't break of the ground prong to make it a 2 prong cord, (2) how far away from the outlet is a cord needed, (3) how much demand is going to be for the cord When choosing the extension cord make sure it is UL approved. Do not be confused by the numbers listed on the cord, the smaller the number the larger the wiring. If the wire is not large enough it will over heat and will blow a fuse or interrupt a circuit, but it can also damage what ever it is attached to. When ever you choose to purchase an extension cord, make sure you tell them what you will be using it for and they will direct you to the correct size.If you are going to leave an the cord outside make sure it is rated for outdoors.Check the outdoor cords on a regular bases to make sure they are not cracked or other weather damages. As a word of caution never put the cord under a rug, if it gets frayed or damaged, replace it. Make sure it is not a trip hazard. Safety first!!

The Best Secuity System Money Can Buy

2011-12-29T07:44:00.005-06:00

I have been certified by the Omaha Police Depart in Crime Free Multi housing. I have attended the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference(JCOC) by the DOD. I am a alumnus of FBI's Citizens Academy. I drive a truck that looks like it a police truck and people tell me I look like a cop. Do you want to the know the best thing you can buy for home security?

A Gun? NO

Marital arts Training? NO

Move to a better Neighborhood? NO

Security system? NO

DVR enabled security cameras? NOPE

Tall fence? NO

ON site security? NO

The DOD, OPD and the FBI have all told me to simply get a dog. I of course take this to extreme, I get really big dogs. As you know I am a huge lover of Bull Mastiff's, my wife and I are the Nebraska and Eastern Iowa coordinators for the Bulls Mastiff Resume Association. I have had a total of 4 Bull mastiffs in my life. I first was introduced to the bred by one of my tenants. I have a 155 lb male, the is simply intimidating to be in the same room with. Last night we picked up a 13lb 8 week old female Bull Mastiff name Bella. This breed is notorious for protecting the families they live with. My advice to you is to get a dog, not only are they great security, they are also great companions for the family.

What does it take to be Successful

2011-12-23T09:58:00.005-06:00

As many of you know we recently started another business called Omaha Towing and Recovery. The business is going to focus on helping property owners and landlords that struggle with the timely removal of unwanted vehicles from their property. We are also focusing on helping banks that have had problems with quickly recovering their collateral. As we get this business underway, I have a new appreciation for how hard it is to start a business. And since a successful business positively impacts so many peoples lives we should celebrate when ever a business is successful. This make me reflect on how long Landmark and Dino's have been around. 23 and 12 years respectively. I am often times humbled at how blessed we have been. The next time you see a business owner, do everything you can to encourage him/her. The next idea that someone is thinking could be the next company in Omaha that employees 100 people.

New and Improved

2011-12-21T15:10:00.018-06:00

Dino's Storage's NEW climate controlled building in Elkhorn, NE, is almost completed! We are only days away. We are very excited to once again serve our clients in Western Douglas and Sarpy Counties with climate control storage units as we did in years past. We have sizes ranging from 5x5 to 10x30 in this state of the art, 4-story building. Elevators of course; we'd never ask our customers to climb a flight of stairs with their arms full. This site will continue to offer non-climate drive-up units and parking spaces. The gate and fence are up and operating, the new DVR camera system is recording, and the carts are assembled ready for their first use. Here are a few pictures of what to expect of the new building after the hard work of construction is done and Certificate of Occupancy is in hand. Please come check it out, we guarantee you will be as pleased with the end product as we are!

Resolutions

2011-12-17T13:13:00.004-06:00

With the end of 2011 just weeks away I find myself thinking about the new year. What resolution's will I make and why do I make them. Or why do I not stick to them. I am going to try something a little different this new year. Instead of resolving to ... I am going to set goals. Little attainable goals, set up in a smaller more workable time firm. Instead of resolving to do something such as be more active and then never find time to go to the gym. I am going to break it down into simple ways to meet each goal. Perhaps set it up to go to the gym twice a week and work up to five times a week, as I see the results. We should always work at bettering ourselves. Be it physically, mentally, spiritually. So there is one resolution that I will make and that is to try and better myself and my surrounding for the New Year. May the Spirit of the Season bring you all joy and happiness.

Avoid unpleasant surprises

2011-12-15T09:15:00.007-06:00

How would you feel if you had major damage at your house that you thought was covered by insurance but the insurance company denied coverage? Could it happen to you? Yes, if your house has been sitting empty for over 60 days. Check out this MSN article to see how it could happen and how to protect yourself. Basically it says that if your house has been sitting empty for a stated period of time, either 30 or 60 days based on your insurance policy, your homeowners insurance may no longer be effective. The rates charged for homeowners insurance are based on you living in the home. If for some reason you are not in the house for an extended period you could lose your coverage. That includes snow birds heading south for the winter, people who have a house for sale after they have moved to a new home, or people who are trying to rent out their house. If the house is empty you need a special coverage. Otherwise your claim just may be denied. If you need help understanding this please talk with a Landmark agent who will be glad to help you. With winter and the holidays fast approaching it is a good time to be prepared. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

Christmas All Year Long

2011-12-14T10:26:00.003-06:00

Every year during the holiday season it seems that people are kinder (or maybe I just notice it more). What is interesting during this time of year is how creative the "kinder" people get when offering their assistance. Previous examples have been paying for the take out order in the car behind them in the drive-through; paying for the groceries of a person in front of them in the grocery store. Now this year - I think is the best idea yet - they went to a store that has lay-a-away and paid the amount due on a random person's lay-a-away. Can you imagine the joy that person will experience when they go to retrieve their Christmas items and find the bill has been paid in full? That would be priceless!!!

Here's wishing everyone a Blessed Holiday Season!!!

2011-12-13T08:47:00.002-06:00

The humble utility knife – a common and useful tool, but hardly much of a safety hazard, right? Not so, says Chris Kilbourne in the following article entitled, “The cutting Edge of Utility Knife Training”.

Utility knives are handy implements for a variety of tasks. But because they have to be extremely sharp to do their job, utility knives are also extremely dangerous if not handled and stored properly. Share this important utility knife safety information with all of your employees who use box cutters and other blades on the job.

Choose the right blade for the job. Utility knives come in many different shapes and forms, each designed for a specific purpose. Selecting the correct blade for the job is essential to ensure that the job can be completed correctly and safely. When selecting a utility knife, make sure employees consider the following safety questions:

What’s the appropriate blade for the job? That depends on what employees are cutting—cardboard, plastic, wood, etc.

What type of edge is best for the purpose? Fine-edged blades produce a smooth, clean cut. Serrated blades are better for cutting cardboard cartons and similar packing materials.

Is the handle large enough to provide a secure grip? This prevents the hand from slipping forwards over the blade and reduces the force required to hold the knife, which helps prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

Is the handle designed to reduce excessive wrist bending? The knife should be designed to do the job without undue pressure (which also helps prevent MSDs).

Pay attention while cutting, and store knives safely! To prevent accidents, emphasize these safe work practices:

Always cut in a motion away from the body, and away from other people. This way, if the knife slips, it won’t cut the worker or a person standing next to the worker

Keep the other hand, fingers, and thumbs out of the way when cutting. If employees have to grip the object they are cutting, remind them to cut away from the hand.

Stay focused on the cutting job. It only takes a second of inattention with a sharp blade to produce a serious cut. Letting the mind wander or talking with others while using a knife greatly increases the risk of an accident and injury. Tell employees that if they are interrupted while working with a utility knife, they should stop cutting, retract the blade, and place the knife down on a secure surface before dealing with the interruption. They should never continue cutting while distracted!

Store utility knives safely. Train employees to retract the blade or sheath an open blade before storing. Tell them never, ever, to leave a knife with the blade exposed on the floor, on a pallet, on a work surface, or in a drawer or cabinet.

Why It Matters...

Because blades need to be sharp to work effectively, they can also deliver dangerous cuts.

It only takes a moment of inattention for a blade to slip and an employee to be injured.

Co-workers can be injured, too, if a blade worker leaves a knife lying around with an open blade.

As may as 1/3 of all manual tool injuries have been attributed to utility knives like box cutters

A Rise in Minimum Wage

2011-12-12T17:16:00.003-06:00

I read an article today about after the New Year San Francisco will be raising their minimum wage rate to over $10.00 per hour. You heard that right, ten dollars! For the state of Nebraska we have been at $7.25 since 2009. The first thing that came to mind was, wow I wonder what is going to happen to business’ there. Will companies have to cut back on the number of employees they can have? If people get paid more, will they spend more? This could be a step in the right direction. Guess we will have to wait and see how things go.

The article can be found at MSNBC, called Happy New Year. SF minimum wage heads to $10

Computer malware keeps attacking

2011-12-09T13:57:00.004-06:00

Last week one of our employees who does a lot of work from home brought her computer to me because it kept having a popup message telling her her computer was infected by a virus and she should purchase "Win 7 Antivirus 2012" to clean her computer. She knew better than to buy anything that way but she could not get rid of it because the message itself was from a virus. I spent the greater part of Saturday cleaning it and making the computer usable again.

What can be done to protect from this type of Problem? The first thing is that if you ever see anything like that pop up, do not click on anything. Do not click on the box to say "NO". The only thing to click in Windows is the Start button and then reboot the system. Anything else may permit the virus to load onto your machine. Hopefully it will come back up with no sign of the virus.

Once it was infected what did I do to clean it? I went to another computer and downloaded the software to create a bootable CD with Kaspersky antivirus. Booting from the CD permitted me to clean the hard drive of what is called a rogue antivirus. When I brought the system back up I still could not visit the web. If you follow the link to Bleeping Computer (click on the title to go to their web site) they recommend a program FixNCR.reg. I loaded that program on a thumb drive and ran it from the computer. That reset the registry changes and permitted me to get to the internet. I downloaded another program, Malwarebytes and performed another scan of the system. No additional problems were found. The computer was now ready to be used again. And this occurred even though a full time antivirus was running on the machine.

And I just read a news article today that highlights how dangerous some viruses can be. The YMCA in Atlantic Iowa was hit by an attack which stole data from their computer and ended up with about $54,000 being stolen by bank transfers. You can read more about that incident by following this link.

The big lesson in this is that you can never be too safe. Keep your computer updated with the latest patches, and not just the Windows patches from Microsoft but all patches for all software loaded on your machine including especially Adobe reader updates. And make sure your antivirus is one which updates at least daily if not more frequently.

2012 Presidential Election

2011-12-09T09:23:00.005-06:00

The 2012 presidential campaign seems like it has been going on forever,but we are still 11 months away.This will dominate the news until election day and it will be down right nasty every step of the way.Let us take a look at where we are as for the canidates.

President Barack Obama seems to now to be in campaign mode and he has over ONE BILLION DOLLARS in contributions.This is by far the largest amount that will spent by one canidate.

On the republican side it appears that Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney will battle it out for the nomination.The Iowa caucus begins the primary season leading up to the republican convention.

Now for reader participation,please leave a comment on why your favorite republican canidate should be the next president or why you think Barack Obama should be given 4 more years.

Landmark Omaha Economy

2011-12-08T00:33:00.003-06:00

As we continue to search for qualified candidates to fill the openings we have at Landmark and our new startup company Omaha Towing and Recovery
I am drawn to question why it seems to have become so hard to find great
employees. And after a selection is made how to keep that employee engaged,
progressing and growing in the company and their position.

While interviewing I keep hearing from applicants how hard I is to find a job with a good company who can provide steady work and room for advancement .

I think many times these candidates and employees are limited only by their existing expectations of company politics or what a position, job title, or bonus structure should or can include. Many candidates have a difficult time thinking outside the box, especially with compensation systems and bonus
incentives. The right people are certainly out there, as are the right pay structures designed to foster growth and internal advancement.

Certainly every company needs to be tuned in with their applicants and employees concerns as well as expectations and I believe open communication is key when trying to hire and retain great employees. There is certainly much data available on these subjects,
some of the interesting information I ran across trying to answer my own
question above are below.

Omaha unemployment rate as of October = 4.2%

National Unemployment Rate as of November = 8.6%

Here are Some 12 month national labor growth changes in sectors that Landmark employs. These numbers below as well as the following report helped shed some light on my question.

Construction Growth = -2.8% which is actually up 1.1% from last month

Professional and Business Service Growth =5.9% actually down .4% from last month

While everyone keeps talking about the recession and poor
housing market and how bad the economy is I feel it is NOT that bad at all.

Follow this link and learn more about Omaha’s Landmark Economy.

http://www.omahachamber.org/pdf/EconomicOutlook.pdf

All data was obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics and can be found on this site.

http://www.bls.gov/home.htm

2012 Goal time

2011-12-06T06:59:00.003-06:00

It is that time of year to set your goals for 2012. Make sure your goals are measurable, attainable specific, realistic and time bound. I got the following list from my Sandler training systems training manual. My sales coach at Sandler Training systems is Karl Shaphorst

Your Goals
Force you to define your value system
Force you to set priorities
Identify a track for your to follow
Help you manage behavior
Identify your strengths and weaknesses
Improve self esteem
Motivate you

I have the following types of goals
Spiritual
Family-I even break it down by family member
Physical
Career
Financial
Educational
Personal

For the last 10 years I review the previous years goals when setting the current years goals. Normally my goals are several pages long.

For example last year my goal was to do a sub 14 hr Ironman. Under that goal I put how I was going to accomplish it. For example, I put that I wanted to find and follow a training plan. I also put that I wanted to swim three times a week. Another thing was to read as many articles as I could find on Iron man Distance triathlon training and race execution. The end result was a 12:34 Ironman. Next years goal is to do a sub 12 hr Ironman. Under this goal will be things such as find a personal swim coach, etc

This year, in addition to the list that I put together. Karl Shaphorst had us prepare a presentation of our goals in a visual way. Karl set out about two dozen magazines we then cut out pictures and headlines from the magazines which represented each one of our goals. We then glued these on a piece of heavy stock paper and we presented these to the class.

To make it more interesting, I did this with my family and my kids absolutely loved it. We spend 90 minutes cut and gluing and then each one of us presented our goals to the whole family

I encourage all of you to do this, it is a great family activity and its good for goal setting for the up coming year.

You then keep the board of goals in a place that you can review throughout the year.

What rent to pay ratio is best for a first time renter?

2011-12-05T08:37:00.002-06:00

What rent to pay ratio is best for a first time renter?

Generally when you are buying a home it is always a moving target based on how much debt you have and how much money you make and how good your credit is. For a tenant it is going to be based very much on the same type of things, it is not as much of a science as it is in the lending world. But generally a property manager such as Landmark Group is going to look for an income at less three times what your rent is going to be. So if the property rent is $1,000 a month you are going to have to make at least $3,000 a month. This is going to be offset by other factors like how long you been on job and what type of landlord reference you have. Obviously the bigger the risk you are the more the property manager is going to ask of you in return for renting the property. So as a rule of thumb if you have excellent Landlord reference and long time employment and you make 3 times, you are pretty safe with that obtain rental with Landmark Group.

maintenance tip of the day

2011-12-02T15:17:00.001-06:00

Drafty houses or apartments can be uncomfortable as well as costly. A few simple steps can eliminate some of the problems. Make sure all of the storm windows are closed and lock all of the windows. Locked windows create a better seal and stop a lot of air flow. Check the weather stripping around the exterior doors, if you can see daylight around a closed door it probably needs new weather stripping, don't forget to check the bottom of the door oftentimes this gap goes unnoticed and lets in a lot of unwanted cold air.If you have an older place with older windows you might try putting plastic around your windows. The new style that allows you to use a hairdryer to shrink the plastic are inexpensive as well as simple to install.
Have a safe and warm holiday season.

Landmark Group Endurance Team

2011-11-30T20:45:00.003-06:00

One of the great things about working for Landmark is the Landmark Group Endurance Team. This is the companies way of promoting a healthy active lifestyle. We do this through a variety of venues. We play a lot of ultimate Frisbee together as well as any other kind of sport. The biggest things we do together is the Omaha Corporate cup, This year we had over 50 people participate. Two upcoming trips are: in March will will go to Summit County Colorado to ski and snowboard, and in April we are going to climb Mt Elbert. This will be an overnight winter assent. Mt Elbert is the 2nd highest peak in the lower 48 states. In April we will also be doing an ultra endurance ride on the Katy Trial. This will be April 28th and 29. This weekend three teammates James Connelley, Jamie Landau and Dale Clymens will be climbing Mt Orizaba. Please pray for them, this mountain is a volcano covered by glaciers. This will definitely be an epic trip. In 2012 we already have three team members signed up for the Ironman AZ. It cost nothing to join the team just go to the team website and enter your information. Once you sign up, you will start getting emails on the latest trips we are planning.

Recycling

2011-11-29T09:03:00.004-06:00

Recycling is becoming more important to businesses as time goes on. At Landmark we generate a lot of trash which we used to haul to the landfill. Recently we added a dumpster for materials which can be recycled. It does not take long for it to fill up with cardboard and other items. Since I am involved with the technical devices at Landmark, especially computers, I have also been concerned about how to recycle these devices. Our monitors and computers do wear out or become obsolete.

One company which has an excellent program for recycling almost anything electronic is Best Buy. They accept most items at no cost and make it easy. I have taken old CRT monitors, televisions, VHS recorders and many other items to them for recycling, and with them I know it is done right. Maybe you can also join in the recycling process. For more information go to the Best Buy website

Make way for the bikes

2011-11-28T14:44:00.002-06:00

This past spring I purchased a brand new bicycle (with a little help from a friend) and started riding, something that had not been done in 20+ years. You know the saying "it's just like riding a bike?" Come to find out, it is. I started riding in the spring and participated in the first-of-its-kind relay race sponsored by Landmark Group from Omaha to Rockport, MO. for the benefit of Habitat for Humanity of Omaha.

I loved it, so I was very happy to see an article in the Omaha World Herald about carving out a lane for bicyclists, published November 28, 2011 by Jeffrey Robb. The idea is to carve a biking and walking trail through parts of downtown Omaha. It sounds perfect for the casual rider like myself. I know there are several trails all over the area, but what a great way to see some of Omaha's beautiful real estate! Check out the article and happy riding!

Black Friday Sales Not Worth It?

2011-11-25T08:52:00.004-06:00

Black Friday has arrived once again. My Aunt, Grams, and I are always among the Black Friday shoppers. We wake up around 3:30 or 4 so we can start our shopping day bright and early with everyone else, take a break to eat breakfast, and then another break to watch the Husker game. This year is different; there is nothing that we absolutely need on this Black Friday sales day. According to a yahoo.com article titled “5 Reasons to Skip Black Friday Sales” there are 5 good reasons why people should avoid Black Friday and its sales.

Many discounts will continue long after Black Friday is over. While certain so-called "doorbusters" are available for a limited time only (and in limited quantities), many deals will continue throughout the holiday season. (And, in fact, some, such as free shipping at online stories, are often available throughout the year.)

The best deals are only available to a few people. Those doorbusters aren't available in endless supply, which is why people line up so early in the hopes of being among the lucky few to snag one. While stores vary in how many doorbusters they keep in stock, Best Buy's ad specifies that stores will sell a minimum of 10 Lenovos for $180, for example. Circulars featuring Black Friday ads often contain information on the number of doorbusters, which helps shoppers gauge how competitive the day will be.

When you do score a discount, it often just leads to more spending. If you've ever impulsively bought a muffin to go with your coffee, or surprised yourself by buying a whole new outfit when you meant to get only a shirt, then you will understand why research shows that shopping leads to more shopping.

Shopping can be broken into two phases, researchers say. In the first stage, people question whether they want to make a purchase. When they decide that the pros outweigh the cons, the "buying phase" takes over. "Once that happens, a roller coaster of shopping can begin," says Uzma Khan, assistant professor of marketing at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and one of the study's authors. The researchers call the phenomenon "shopping momentum."

That means shopping sales can have the unintended consequence of leading to even more purchases, including ones that aren't on sale. Plus, many of the items that aren't doorbusters aren't even good deals, which is one reason shoppers should bring their smartphones and use them to compare prices on products before making purchases. (Certain apps, such as Pricegrabber's, make it easy to scan barcodes and see if a better deal is available elsewhere.)

Sales that get you to buy something you wouldn't have purchased otherwise are not good deals. It's just like the old joke: A woman brags to her husband about how much money she saved on a pair of shoes, and then he points out that she didn't save any money, she spent it, because she really doesn't need the shoes. The bottom line: Only take advantage of discounts when they're on items you would be purchasing anyway, even without the deal.

Frenzied buying almost never leads to smart shopping. One-day sales, midnight madness, and other sales techniques that spur quick decision-making tend to be disorienting and lead to over spending, says Kit Yarrow, consumer psychologist and author of coauthor of Gen BuY: How Tweens, Teens, and Twenty-Somethings Are Revolutionizing Retail. "They're training [consumers] to purchase even though they may not be ready," she says. "If people are buying for fear or anxiety that it won't be available, then they're less likely to make good purchasing decisions."

For full article Click Here

North Omaha

2011-11-23T11:06:00.001-06:00

For the "About Omaha" section on Landmark Group's new website, a new area of town will be featured every month! This month's featured neighborhood is North Omaha!

This part of town features some of the oldest areas in Omaha. It is also the birthplace of Malcom X and is a historically significant African-American community. Several educational institutes call this area home, including Creighton University, Creighton Med. Center and Metro Community College's Fort Omaha campus (which features historic landmarks itself). North Omaha has a vibrant music scene and is also home to the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame. What an amazing area of town for anyone who enjoys a wide variety of cultures, music influences and historical landmarks!

Check out these photos featured on the website, and if you'd like to submit some snapshots of your own, email them to lauren@landmarkmg.com. (Click on the photos to enlarge.)

Determination

2011-11-22T13:14:00.001-06:00

As I woke up this morning I was content in the thought of not moving, and I was not feeling very determined to start the day or for that matter any of the rest of the week. There is so much to be done at work, so much shopping to complete before the holidays; my household chores have been neglected, and my children have several activities that I must attend. With all these thoughts weighing on my mind, I felt myself getting weaker and less determined to move from the warm happy spot I was in and then I remembered a quote a good friend once said to me:

"Let us not be content to wait and see what will happen, but give us the determination to make the right things happen." - Horace Mann

Thinking of these words helped me slowly redirect my thought process to make those thoughts part of my daily to-do-list so I could have the determination to get as many things checked off my list today as possible. So my first lesson to myself today was to get out of bed and start the day with the determination I needed to make things happen for myself. Each item I cross of the list today will be a small accomplishment that at the end of the day I can look back on and realize who I am through what I have done.

Feasibility Study

2011-11-22T10:10:00.001-06:00

A new service Dino’s Storage is providing is conducting Feasibility Studies for current self-storage owners, potential owners, investors, or banks. A feasibility study for self-storage evaluates about a dozen factors that help determine if a potential or existing site is ideal for storage. We do about one per month for ourselves, just looking at potential future Dino’s locations.

As owners and managers of 13 active facilities, we believe we know the specifics to what makes a self storage facility successful - details ranging from traffic counts to the pay structure of the manager. We only choose the sites that we think are a “home run,” as Dave likes to call it. We will soon be adding details to the Dino’s and Landmark websites about this great new service we are offering to anyone nationwide.

The True Meaning of Thanksgiving

2011-11-19T20:31:00.001-06:00

Teammates Mentoring Program

2011-11-18T21:33:00.001-06:00

Scott Frost, Wide receivers coach for U. of Oregon

Teammates is a mentoring program started by Tom and Nancy Osborne in 1991 that aims to provide support and encouragement to school aged youth, and after meeting Tom Osbourne at a Teammates fundraiser a few years ago, I decided I wanted to sign up as volunteer.

A couple of years passed and I still had not signed up. Well, a couple of months ago a friend of mine nominated me to be a mentor. Teammates contacted me, but again I failed to sign up.

I had every excuse in the book. What could I teach a kid? I don’t even have kids of my own. Why would they want me to mentor them? The only person I mentor is my dog Oscar. I am too busy and my work schedule varies.

Then I read an article about former Husker Scott Frost. Reading this changed everything and made me jump off the fence. Click here to read the article.

If you would like more information please contact Chris Bauer at 402-510-1300.

Small Town Outside Omaha Ranked Again!

2011-11-18T10:29:00.005-06:00

Another smaller town outside Omaha city limits has been recognized! We always hear about the good things going on in Sarpy County, this time it is Washington County. A small town called Arlington ranked second place for America’s Best Places to Raise Kids 2011, in an article published in Bloomberg Businessweek. The population is only a little over 1,100, which is the smallest out of the other top ranked cities. The number one ranked is Blacksberg, Virginia. Blacksberg is home to the prestigious collage called Virginia Tech.

I used to live in Washington County and starting roughly 5 mile northwest of Omaha, the atmosphere is light years from Omaha. I really was impressed with the school and community support they have.

The best time to check Arlington out is during the Washington County Fair. There are all sorts of things to do for kids and adults. Listed below is a link to the article and some more information about the town of Arlington.

Maintenance tip of the day

2011-11-18T07:20:00.002-06:00

Leaves have fallen and frost is in the air. There is 12" of snow on the ground, the windows on the car are ice-covered and the kids are singing: "No School!" Now you lovingly look over at your spouse and say, "Honey, have you seen the window scraper, the shovel, the ice melt and did you get the car starter installed?"

Avoid the panic, plan ahead. Put a bag of kitty litter in the trunk. Get yourself prepared! Winters come and winters go. Please enjoy the winter season and be safe.

Top 10 tips to selling your home in winter

2011-11-15T08:49:00.001-06:00

Selling your home is challenging enough without all the added dreariness of winter. If you're living in an area that even resembles Omaha at this time, you know why winter is not the ideal time to put your house on the market. However, there are steps you can take to brighten your home and make the showing pleasant and enjoyable for buyers. I read this great article on About.com with tips to selling your house in winter, their top 10 tips are:

Clear a path - Make sure your walkways are constantly clear and clean from snow. Footprints on fresh snow will turn into ice, so make sure to scrape the walk. It's important to have a path from the street to your house as well so visitors don't have to crawl over a snow mound. It it's snowing or raining, make sure to put out a mat by the front door or a vase to hold wet umbrellas.
Let in the light - Open the blinds, shutters and drapes in every window (unless there is an undesirable scene outside, such as a close building or dilapidated fence). Use the lighting in your house, especially in darker rooms with few windows. Turn off the TV!
Turn on the heat - Pump up the thermostat. It's better to heat the house a degree or two warmer than usual and then set the temperature at normal. This prevents the heat from kicking on when the buyer is present, because some HVAC systems can be loud. If the temperature is comfortable, people will be likely to linger longer, and if you have a fireplace use it! It will add warmth to the house.
Create a mood - One of best things about winter is cuddling up inside under a warm blanket with your loved ones, so take advantage of that emotion people will be feeling at this time. Make your living room romantic with two champagne glasses near a champagne bucket on the coffee table. Toss afghans over the sofa or chair arm. Turn your bathroom into a spa. Set up vases with winter flowers, or try dressing your dining room table for a dinner for two.
Turn on the music - Something soothing to set the mood for those walking through your house. Jazz or classical are good choices.
Ease up on the scents - Many people are irritated or sensitive to certain scents and candles, so avoid perfuming the house up too much. Try baking winter cookies or sweets instead, but make sure you leave some out for your guests! Don't tease them with the smell and disappoint them when there is nothing.
Make it visually pleasing - Staging is important no matter what time of the year you're selling so make sure to follow the basic rules. Two important rules are to declutter the house and clean it up! Dust, wash, wax, vacuum, sweep, mop, polish - anything you notice, buyers definitely will.
Serve winter foods - Try setting out some hot soup, chili or stew, and make sure you leave a place for the disposal of paper bowls and plastic spoons. Hot apple cider or cocoa make great beverages, too. Whatever you serve, keep it clean and try to make it complex - you want buyers to stay for a while and eat while they notice elements they might have otherwise missed.
Provide specific information - Attach a printed card to items and in rooms that provide further information the buyer might miss or might not know. If your stairs are steep, place a card on the railing letting them know. Have an antique chandelier? Set out a card with its age and other important details.
User timers and technology to your advantage - Have outdoor lamps on motion sensor for when when a buyer approaches, and put indoor lamps or a crock pot on a timer so they will be ready when the buyer arrives.

** Check out the original article: Selling in Winter - Top 10 Tips to Home Selling in Winter

It's Raining Pink

2011-11-14T11:19:00.003-06:00

Every October it "rains" pink all across the United States because October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. This year I joined up with my sister (who is an eleven year breast cancer survivor) and her friends from Tennessee and we participated in the three day walk in Atlanta, Georgia.

To describe this experience is difficult because it is so personal and heartfelt - and every year is more special than the last. As I was walking through Atlanta's convention center where all 3000 of us participants were staying, I found it amazing that for three days, there were 3000 different personalities, and yet we all co-existed with no problems, there were no fights, everyone was happy to be there and you could just feel the love and caring!! Seems like such a simple process. I wonder why this doesn't work on a day-to-day basis in real-life situations?

Cheapest Decorating Tip with Biggest Impact

2011-11-10T09:48:00.000-06:00

Paint is the best way to decorate on a budget. Let's continue painting, but move to the walls. But let's go a step beyond just painting the walls. Let's paint wall designs!

My husband and I just completed painting our basement family room. It had a been a dark green flat paint, and it made the basement feel like a dungeon. We chose a lighter eggshell paint and wow! What a difference. But I decided to take it a step further and paint some designs. I will post pictures in an upcoming post. But for now, let's take a look at some of the possibilities.

Tools needed: A level, tape measure, pencil and blue painter's tape... and a calculator if you're not very good with math. The rest is up to your imagination. Take a look at some of these colorful ideas.

Happy Painting!

"I'm older than time but I'm still here."

2011-11-09T08:48:00.001-06:00

Landmark Group's reality show, The Super, is now on its fifth episode and we couldn't be happier with how the show has turned out. Responses have been positive and the show has been really well received. We're glad people are as interested in our jobs as we are :) Dave has said it time as time again, but I'm sure it's more understandable to others now - being a landlord is not an easy job. It's a tight-rope balancing act between doing the right thing for the property owners and being just and fair to the tenants. Thankfully Dave has a good head on his shoulder (as many people have realized after watching the show), and we think he does an amazing job for all parties involved.

Check out a preview for next week's episode about one of our tenants, Alma, who gave us some problems when it came time to pay her rent.

Eat like a cave man

2011-11-08T08:35:00.002-06:00

For 13 years I was a vegetarian, the last three of them a vegan. For a variety of reasons I abandoned this diet and changed to the Paleolithic Diet. The Paleo Diet is basically eating what a caveman ate or as close to it as possible. This means no processed foods, no dairy, no beans, no bread. Basically all you eat are meat, veggies, fruit and nuts. Although I have only been doing following the Paleo Diet for 11 months there have been some noticeable changes:

My kids eat mostly Paleo. And don't get me wrong, I have the occasional cinnamon roll. But for the most part at dinner we eat mostly meat and veggies and fruit. Kids will really eat what their parents eat. Remember, they want to be like mom and dad. If you drink Mountain Dew and eat Cheetos, your kids will too.
I honestly think God intended us to eat meat. The bible does say that animals were put on this earth for humans to eat. If he did not intend it to be that way, why are pork ribs so good? For all you vegans out there YOU ARE MISSING ONE OF THE BEST PARTS OF LIFE! Once you try bacon you will never go back.
I am significantly stronger. I was somewhat powerful eating Vegan but eating meat changed things. The 45 lb Olympic bar just feels lighter. As far as a better runner, I am not sure. Running is really where my passion is, but it's just too early to tell how this diet has effected my running. (Although I did a 12:34 in my first Ironman.)
I would do everything you can to buy a whole or a partial cow from a local farmer. I like Thistles and Clover because the beef is 100% grass fed. Plus, it is so convenient to have a freezer full of meet ready to go.
Everyone tells me that I look better, from my wife to my mom to friends that I do not see me that often - they all say I look healthier.
My wife says my skin feels more natural. What the heck? Not sure what this even means but she says she cannot describe it but there is a difference.
You have go to try my Paleo crunch cereal. Take equal parts almonds, walnuts, pecans and almond meal mix it up and throw in some blueberries and strawberries and use unsweetened almond milk. Wow. If you want something sweet, try a little honey. Delicious!

Residence at Dino's Storage

2011-11-07T13:42:00.004-06:00

Wow!!! I thought I had heard just about everything!!!! I know that the homeless population is all over the United States right now and getting worse with the economy being the way it is. When I came in to check my messages this weekend I found out that one of my tenants was using his drive up storage space as a residence!

Now I realize that it has four walls and is out of the wind, but the storage garages at Dino's Storage are not residences and it is against Dino's policies for anyone to stay in their storage unit. Hopefully we don't have to deal with this problem again!

"I'm Gonna Go With Filthy"

2011-11-03T08:52:00.000-05:00

The fourth episode of The Super airs this coming Monday at 8 PM. Watch as we struggle to get the Colbert Apartments past the city inspections in only three days time - a task that others haven't been able to finish in 2 years! Tune into HDNet to find out what will happen! And be sure to like The Super on facebook!

Landmark Group interveiw tips

2011-11-02T15:32:00.003-05:00

Landmark Group Interview tips:

Learn about the company. Learn as much as you can about the company's mission, objectives, goals, and future plans. This shows that you are informed and interested in what the company is trying to achieve. Also when asked “why do you want to work for us” you can answer in an educated manner.
Fill out the application completely. Leave nothing unanswered or blank. It is always better to write in that you don’t know the answer or that it is not applicable than to leave it blank.
Be 10 minutes early to the interview. There is never a good excuse for being late to an interview and could cost you the job. If traffic is a concern be sure to leave early.
Turn your cell phone off during the interview. Applicants should focus all of the attention on the interview and cell phones (even left on vibrate) are a huge distraction.
Dress appropriately for the job. Always be neat, clean and presentable. The employer will look at you as a representation of the company.
Don’t babble or make jokes. When answering questions don’t babble on and on, keep your answers short and direct to the question asked. Also don’t make jokes as an interview is not the place to try out new material.
Don’t bad mouth former employers. You may have had bad experiences with a former employer however an interview is not the place to discuss this.
Maintain good eye contact. Staring at the floor, ceiling, or wall when speaking or listening makes you appear disinterested or untrustworthy.
Ask questions. At the end of the job interview make sure you have some questions to ask. It will reinforce your strong interest in the job.
Be aware of your body language. Based on your body language it can be seen if you come across as insecure or self-assured. It can also show if you are a busy or a quiet type and it helps give an impression of whether you are speaking truthfully or not.

Click here to see all available positions with Landmark Group and Dino's Storage.

Glad to be home after vacation

2011-11-01T09:58:00.004-05:00

Back in September I took a short vacation to Colorado and enjoyed a week at Rocky Mountain National Park. It was very relaxing. Then I spent a couple days in the Denver area and while there I read several articles in the Denver Post that made me very happy to be living in Omaha. One of the articles was about the Denver Symphony and its financial problems raising the question about how long it would be able to continue. They are looking for major donors to step up. I thought about the Omaha Symphony which is not without problems but which has strong community support from institutions and individuals. Whatever your musical taste the Omaha Symphony has something to offer to you, from the whimsical dancing Santas in the Christmas program to the music of the Beatles and Beethoven. Thirty years ago I lived in Denver and I have been back several times to visit but am very glad to return home to Omaha. So if Omaha is your home enjoy it and support organizations such as the symphony which make Omaha such a great place to live.

Save 10% at Lowes or Home Depot

2011-10-30T22:34:00.000-05:00

As a new home owner, I am often found at Lowes or Home Depot. I almost never leave the store without spending several hundred dollars. I discovered that you can go to the Post Office and get a change of address packet. Within the packet is a 10% off coupon to Lowes. Home Depot will accept it as well. Use this trick for some big ticket items and save yourself some mula.

Staying Warm Outside in the Fall Weather

2011-10-28T11:17:00.000-05:00

It's getting cool here in Nebraska with night time lows dipping into the 30's. It's great weather for doing just about anything....especially lighting your fireplace or sleeping with the windows open while snuggling under a stack of comforters. That's the best! But just because the weather is getting cooler doesn't mean you can't spend evenings outside. You can still be warm and toasty.

Fire bowls and chimineas are the way to go to stay warm in the brisk fall weather when you're working with a limited budget. There is quite a range of selections and prices for these options. One could spend fifty dollars to several hundred dollars and stay well within your budget. The selections are endless.

Different finishes and designs are available. You are only limited by your imagination. You can find various fire bowls on line as well as local hardware stores, garden shops, and department stores.Fire bowls are the way to go to stay warm in the brisk fall weather when you're working with a limited budget. There is quite a range of selections and prices for these options. One could spend fifty dollars to several hundred dollars and stay well within your budget. The selections are endless. Different finishes and designs are available as well. You are only limited by your imagination. You can find various fire bowls or chimineas on line as well as local hardware stores, garden shops, and department stores.

Available at 1.AmazingFirePits.com

So get out and enjoy this weather! Bring out the hot dogs and marshmallows and gather around YOUR fire! Happy fall, ya'll!

Landmark Lead Safe

2011-10-26T21:58:00.009-05:00

What is RRP lead safe? Why is it important? And WHY are property repairs and maintanence more expensive now because of it ?

The EPA RRP Rule represents the most significant and far-reaching Federal lead regulation since HUD published the Lead-Safe Housing Rule over 10 years ago. But how to properly implement the various components of the rule has created many issues and concerns among public agencies, community groups, contractors, property managers and owners.

When lead paint is sanded or scraped or disturbed, microscopic particles of the metal mingle with the dust that is created. That "lead-containing" dust is what can seriously impact people'shealth, especially children and pregnant women. Lead causes a long list of problems, including learning and behavioral problems, kidney disease, high blood pressure, miscarriage and birth defects. Lead can even cause depression and aggressive behavior. Experts say lead poisoning doubles the number of children in special education classes, and some studies show it plays a major role in crime rates as well. There is no safe level of lead - any amount can be harmful to you and your family.

The EPA’s Renovate, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP), which began on April 22, 2010, is designed to help reduce the hazards of lead based paint exposure during renovation projects. The RRP Rule is best known for the very specific and tedious safety and work practices that must be followed by all contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that will disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities and schools built before 1978. In addition to the extensive lead safe work practices, the rule requires that firms also keep extensive records for all work done for a minimum of three years.

The fines for non-compliance can be over $30,000 per day, and enforcement has begun nation wide. One Omaha company was already asessed fines and penalties as a cost of over $15,000. Click here to read the original story from the OWH.

Risk

2011-10-25T07:57:00.002-05:00

I know this is not the kind of advice that I should be giving, but I will give it anyway: Go to work today and quit your job. You are thinking, "What?" You heard me. Go into work and tell your boss you quit.

Have I fallen off my rocker? No, I have not. I think that we should all be self-employed. Not only that, I think you should take the greatest possible risk you can find. People who make a lot of money look for business opportunities with a great amount of risk. Truly the time to start a business is when you are younger; the older you get the less time you have to make up for a big business loss. Here are some tips for what you should do when you start your own business:

Get married. Studies show that married people are happier.
Learn to live off of just one income not both of yours and your spouses.
Work for someone else in the business you are going to start before owning one. For example if you want to start a pizza business, go to work as the manager of a pizza business.
Cut your living expenses to the bone.
Rent don't own, try to find a landlord that will agree not to raise the rent or sell the house you are living in
Find a business that you love to do.
Build up a cash savings. You will need a down payment for the business.
Educate yourself about the business. Read everything you can.
Talk to a lot of people who have done what you are planning to do.
Develop mentors that you can bounce ideas off of.
Surround yourself with like-minded people.
Develop a support group of people that you can go to in confidence with your problems.
Read the book E Myth.
Take some accounting classes.
Hire a really good CPA.

3 mortgage mistakes you can avoid

2011-10-24T15:16:00.000-05:00

The mortgage market in today's world is pretty chaotic, at best. Rates are ridiculously low, and many homes are worth less than the mortgages they secure. People are still losing their homes left and right, but qualified borrowers are being denied loans every day. It's no wonder potential and current home owners alike are confused about mortgages. I found this great article from inmanNEWS titled "3 mortgage mistakes you can avoid," which I thought would be great to share with you all to try and clear things up a bit. The mistakes are:

1. Failing to try to refinance because you're upside down.
At last count, nearly 11 million Americans were upside down on their homes - meaning they owe more in mortgage payments than the home is actually worth - and that's about 23% of all American homes. With interest rates having dropped to historic lows, more than 10 million Americans have refinanced their mortgages since 2009. But there are still many homeowners with negative equity feeling trapped in the 6, 7, or even 8 percent interest rates because they're unable to refinance.

The fact is, there are multiple options for lowering your interest rate and monthly payment if you're upside down. Banks are increasingly amenable to simply modify existing mortgages to render them less prone to default and foreclosure - especially when the homeowner is trying to recover from a financial hardship, and especially with upside-down loans (which are particularly liable to strategic default).

2. Walking into the bank branch to get a mortgage.
Unless your bank happens to be a neighborhood credit union or one of the few large banks that ranks highly in customer satisfaction, you'll likely not be satisfied with the speed, customer service or assertiveness of a mortgage banker you meet just walking into the branch. But if you work with a mortgage broker or a private mortgage banker, chances are good you'll get someone who understands that the long-term health of their business depends on you and clients like you getting a good deal in a timely manner.

Also, if you work with a mortgage broker whose company also has its own bank, you get the best of both worlds: a professional who will shop lots of banks' offerings to find the best options for you, and someone who can coordinate your transaction via a small pool of local, experienced appraisers. Many large banks use appraisers who don't know the area, which can kill your deal in the long run.

3. Thinking you're stuck with it for 30 years.
Some people avoid mortgages simply to avoid a 30 year debt. Others are stuck with a 30-year loan because the 15-year mortgage payments were too steep. But the fact is, you control when you pay off your mortgage, and it doesn't take a lottery or inheritance windfall to pay yours off sooner than later.

Some people pay half their mortgage payments every two weeks, which results in a full extra payment every year and can pay your mortgage off as much as five years early. Others just pay an extra $100 or so whenever they can and apply it to the principal. Some apply paycheck raises over the years or the amount they would use to extinguish a credit card debt in an effort to pay the mortgage off early.

What to take away? As a borrower, you have much more power than you think - from exploring all available options to being aggressive about paying off your home sooner rather than later. Either way, be clear on your personal goals for your mortgage, get educated about your options and get assertive about making them happen -- now.

** Be sure to check out the original article at InmanNEWs.com.

Omaha Nighthawks come and go

2011-10-21T10:03:00.001-05:00

We may have all heard the talk, but it is true. The United Football League's regular season was cancelled with two weeks left to go and the championship game was moved up to tonight at 8 PM eastern. The Omaha Nighthawks will play a "consolation" game at home against Sacramento tonight as well.

I'm sure many Omahans are sad to see the league leave. With the Huskers being Nebraska's only major football team, it was nice to have another name to chant, another roster to root for and a new football environment right at our doorsteps. We got to see a whole new set of talent and celebrate a beloved sport in a whole new way and place. And if anything, it freshened up the city with entertainment and new experiences for the residents.

However the UFL itself was no so happy as Omaha with the league's performance. They lost upwards of $100 million during their run, and players were outed a significant chunk of their salary this year due to the shortened season. The UFL is criticized by many for trying to get too big too fast. Others say, and many agree, trying to compete with the NFL instead of work with the NFL was plain stupid, especially without a major television contract.

But unfortunately for fans, players and owners, the league is coming to a close. On a lighter note, there has been talk of NFL interest in trying to secure the UFL as a developmental league, similar to Class AAA baseball. I read a great article by Omaha World Herald columnist Tom Shatel on UFL's closing and possible NFL interest that covers all the possibilities and outcomes of this situation.

Like many, I am sad to see the Nighthawks zoom away so quickly. At the very least, there is a glimmer of hope for the UFL to see another day.

Storage FAQ's

2011-10-20T11:54:00.009-05:00

The majority of the customers we serve have never used storage before. Here is a quick and simple guide to five of our most frequently asked questions. To view a complete list of our Common FAQ’s, visit our FAQ page.

1) What is climate control and do I need it?
Answer: Climate control definitions can vary, so be sure to ask who you rent from what they call climate control. Sometimes it is strictly heated, sometimes it includes air conditioning. At Dino’s, we heat and cool but also run dehumidifiers where necessary to keep the humidity at levels that will not promote mold growth. While we cannot guarantee the temperature or humidity level, we do our best to maintain them so your items remain in the condition you left them in.

2) How do I best utilize the space I’m paying for?
Answer: I find most customers over-estimate the amount of space they need. If you pack your items well, you can save a lot of space, therefore saving time and money. Use the same size boxes, label them specifically (not just by room, but itemized) and try to box most of your items. Items that aren’t boxed will be awkward and hard to stack. Storing shelves or bookcases? Use them to hold those unboxed, odd-ball shaped items. Storing a dresser? Keep the clothes folded in the drawers and put the screws and bolts from the unassembled furniture in a baggy inside also. Don’t forget to label the baggy!

3) What kind of lock should I buy? Can I just bring one from home?
Answer: You bet you can bring one from home. But if you don’t have one, you can sure buy one from us. We sell pad locks and disc locks. No lock is thief-proof, but Disc locks are the most secure type in the storage world and very reasonably priced. We strive to be at or below our competitors prices and you save yourself a shopping trip by grabbing one off our shelf.

4) When can I move in?

Answer: Just sign on the dotted line and the space is yours!

5) Why should I buy a mattress or sofa cover?
Answer: Even in a climate control unit, dust can accumulate. Mold particles can spread through the air. Bugs and little creatures can make their way inside a building and into your unit. Mattresses and couches are expensive to replace. Spend the extra few dollars to save yourself hundreds!

Maintenance tip of the day

2011-10-18T13:13:00.002-05:00

Everyone is talking about The Super, and what a nice time we had watching the first episode Monday evening.

Winter is now upon us, the first frost is right around the corner. Snow, ice and freezing temperatures are ready to attack us. We prepare ourselves with heavy coats, insulated gloves, warm and dry boots, but what about our homes?

When was the last time you checked the insulation in your attic? Blown in insulation is easy to apply and most places that sell the insulation will loan you the machine to install it. There are several types of insulation that can be blown in. You can even purchase insulation made from recycled materials that help the enviornment. Instead of materials filling up the land fills it saves energy in your home, saving you money.

If blown in insulation will not work for you, there is faced and unfaced insulation that come in rolls or sections. There are several different "R" values for your specific need. Measure the thickness of the insulation you currently have and take that information with you when you are ready to purchase your insulation. The store of your choice will be able to give you advice on the most cost effective materials you will need.

Looking around the outside of your home can often save you energy and money. Caulk is very inexpensive for the return in value. A $2.00 tube of caulk can seal a drafty window, also check the corners of your house along the edge of your siding for cracks that could be filled.

Clean your gutters, a free flowing gutter will help prevent ice damns. Ice damns cause water to back up under your shingles that can cause a leak on the interior ceilings. While you are looking at your gutters don't forget the down spouts, sometimes the ends are clogged or smashed, restricting the water flow.

Lastly, put your snow shovel where you can find it. Don't wait, store it and ice melt where it is accessible, even a bag of kitty litter may come in handy.

I heard one person say that they love winter, it's just the cold, snow, ice and slick roads they don't like.

Happy winter soltace, be safe and enjoy the seasons!

What is a good economy for a real estate investor?

2011-10-17T16:01:00.000-05:00

Recently I was reading through Dave Paladino's blog and I came across a post that really caught my eye. It correlated with everything I've been reading about what a great buyer's market we are in and how the able-bodied should seriously consider investing in some form of real estate.

Dave wrote this post on Sept. 20, 2009, which is eerie because it sounds as if he's describing the Omaha we know today. A good economy for real estate investors, he suggested, looks different than a good economy for the rest of the business world:

High interest rate environment. Landlords compete with house payments, so the higher rates our competitors charge, the more we can also charge in rents.
Tight lending standards. If it is hard for people to borrow money, they are more likely to rent.
Less new construction of apartments. All business is supply and demand. The lower the supply, no matter how small, the less competition you have.
Big employment growth/low unemployment. [This wasn't in his original posting, but just to put Omaha's standing in this area into perspective, our unemployment rate is 4.7% and the U.S. average is 9.1%. Although our job growth, according to Sperling's Best Place is .09% - not very high.]
Net population increase. The more people looking to rent, the better. [According to the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership, Omaha has grown 12.8% in the last ten years and a 5.5% growth is projected for the next five years.]
High foreclosure rate. People have to live somewhere. It's not as if the demand for housing goes away.
Families living separately. This one is hard to measure, but it is really good for our business. Say a family has five adult children and they all live at home. It is definitely better for property owners if all these people live in separate units.

Midtown Omaha

2011-10-14T09:28:00.001-05:00

For the "About Omaha" section on Landmark Group's new website, a new area of town will be featured every month! This month's featured neighborhood is Midtown Omaha!

This area of town is one of Omaha's most historic areas and includes the oldest suburb in the city- Dundee. The architecture and atmosphere are unlike any other area in town, and no matter your interests, Midtown has something to offer - from fitness to theater, music and art and the list goes on and on.

Check out these photos featured on the website, and if you'd like to submit some snapshots of your own, email them to lauren@landmarkmg.com. (Click on the photos to enlarge.)

Maintainence of the Season

2011-10-13T16:08:00.004-05:00

It is that time again to do the routine checks on your furnace. I recommend you do this twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. It's better to check now before it is freezing and you have to wait in line behind a bunch of people (this is especially bad if you have a major pipe leak problem or something worse on your hands).

Another good thing to do at this time is change the furnace filter, alarm batteries, winterize your sprinkler system, and check for any major air leaks in the windows - it could save you a ton a money before it is too late. Because there is no Nebraska game this weekend and the weather will be nice, it will be a great time to take care of these items.

If you are having trouble or don't have time managing and maintaining your rental property, Landmark Group are the experts. Contact us today at 402-553-8111.

Nebraska 34, Ohio State 27

2011-10-12T13:57:00.000-05:00

Attribution: Bobak Ha'Eri - Wikipedia

As some of you know I am a huge Nebraska football fan. I attended the Ohio State game with my 12 yr old son, Alex.We both were very confident that Nebraska would win. Well, as the game unfolded it was Ohio St. that was running right through our defense.We could not contain their pass either as they took a 20-6 lead going in at halftime. Fans booed the Huskers as they made their way to the locker oom.

As the second half started, Nebraska went three and out and Ohio State took their opening drive in for another touchdown to make it 27-6. Nebraska stalls again and Ohio St has the ball back. At this point I thought we were dead. Nothing was going right and I turned to Alex and told him "this is going to be a blowout just like Wisconsin."

Then all the sudden Ohio State fumbles.Nebraska's ball and I am about to witness something I have never seen in my 35 years of attending Nebraska football games. They score in two plays and then stop Ohio State cold, and then they score again with a long pass. Now it's 27-20 and the crowd is really loud. We hold them again and drive down and score another touchdown to tie the game 27-27. Nebraska then intercepts an Ohio State pass and proceeds to score its fourth consecutive touchdown to win 34-27! And they recorded the largest comeback win in the history of Nebraska football!

Why am I telling you this? Well we can all take something from this and that is never ever give up and always stay persistent. Nebraska needed a spark and got it with that fumble which then resulted in avalanche of touchdowns to seal the win. So when things are not going your way, when you feel like quiting just think about the cool damp Saturday evening in Lincoln, Ne. when our beloved Cornhuskers decided not to pack it in but to keep fighting, even when the score was 27-6.

Management objectives

2011-10-11T10:36:00.001-05:00

Landmark Group is a fast-paced workplace that is driven by tight deadlines and a company attitude that demands results and maximum effort from every one of the employees. As a manager under constant pressure to deliver the end result, I have found that it helps to keep in mind on a daily basis the following five objectives:

Analyze accordingly
Prioritize promptly
Force flexibility
Communicate constantly
Demand documentation

By analyzing the daily workload and prioritizing the important task of the day, I can clearly define my objectives and that of my team in order to avoid confusion. I have a plan of action to follow based upon what is high priority and working my way down from there. Of course in this business it is inevitable that issues and problems arise on a daily basis that forces priorities to change. When this happens it is important that I revisit objectives one and two before altering the course of the day and then, if necessary, be flexible enough to change priorities to fit the demands.

Communication and documentation helps keep a unity among the employees. Being clear in my communication to others helps to define a process that everyone is familiar with and avoids mishaps. Documentation is a proven way of verifying that the process and procedure was handled from the beginning through the end and provides proof of completion.

By following these five objectives daily it has helped me improve my work habits and I believe has made me a better manager at Landmark Group. Try instigating these objectives into your day as well.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

2011-10-10T11:47:00.002-05:00

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime.

This month is a very important month to my family and I. Breast Cancer has affected my family greatly in the last 10 years. My grandma is a breast cancer survivor, and my Aunt Dee passed away in July of 2010 after fighting a rare and currently incurable form of breast cancer for 5 years.

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the global leader in the breast cancer movement, having invested more than $1.9 billion since the foundation was started. Every year my grandma and her best friend from high school, who is also a breast cancer survivor, walk in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Denver, my mom and I walk in Lincoln, and my Uncle Jack, who was married to my Aunt Dee, continues her tradition of walking in the Race for the Cure.

Going to this race every year makes me realize how far we have come in Breast Cancer research, but also how far we still have to go to cure this disease. Without all the advancements that have been made in the last few years, my aunt would not have had those five extra years to do everything her and my uncle had always wanted to do, but never had time for.

Sources: http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understand_bc/statistics.jsp

http://ww5.komen.org/AboutUs/AboutUs.html

Bumper Stickers

2011-10-10T10:06:00.003-05:00

On my way to work I saw a bumper sticker that read "the problems we're facing right now will not be solved by the person and/or persons who created them." I instantly thought of our politicians and blamed them for our problems and agreed that yes - they caused the problems and yes - they would not be the ones to solve them.

But really think about this. It certainly is easy to blame everyone else for the problems when in reality, the problems have been caused by a combination of a lot of factors. We need to accept accountability and move forward and yes, I believe that even though we created the problems, we are capable of solving them. We need to stop blaming other people and just get it done.

Dino's Storage Payments

2011-10-06T14:35:00.002-05:00

Most people know how to pay their storage bill and don't ever have an issue with payments. But there are others who either do not put their unit number on their check/money order, or they have someone else send it in and don't include their name on the payment. This is how errors happen in the payment process. You would not believe how many John Smiths I have in my system. Without a unit number on your payment, I have no idea which John Smith that payment belongs to. When situations like this happen I can sometimes look at the address on the payment and narrow it down that way, but this doesn't always work. Sometimes I get money order payments with no name, address or unit number at all.

In cases like the ones that I speak about above the customer ends up getting locked out of their unit and getting late fees, when in all actuality they did pay on time. It is very easy for me to change the payment and add it to the correct account but it would make it even easier on you and me if the error didn't happen in the first place.

Please remember to always put your unit number on your payment! If you are not sure of your unit number, you can always call your property manager and they would be happy to give you that information, as it would save them time in the long run as well.

It's not all bad news

2011-10-06T08:58:00.000-05:00

Good economic news can be a little sparse right now and selling your home in today’s market can be intimidating if you are not working with a REALTOR® who has experience and market knowledge. Many homeowners are scared they will be selling their home for a discount in today’s market, and if you listen to the national news, this will only feed the hysteria.

Don’t base your decisions on what you read in the paper and hear on T.V. because not all markets are the same. The first step would be to request a comparative market analysis from a REALTOR® to determine if it’s the right time to sell or not.

Keep in mind, if you are selling your house for possibly less than your purchase price, you may be able to more-than offset this by your next purchase. Many homeowners are taking advantage of this with low interest rates to move up to their dream home!

Acting

2011-10-04T15:43:00.000-05:00

"However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do if you do not act upon them?" - Buddha

One thing many people seem to remember about Landmark Group and Dino's Storage is that we are the ones with "those boards." We put biblical quotes on our reader boards at every Dino's Storage location and on the Landmark Group board, often offering advice to live by, lessons to remember or warnings for those who stray.

Every morning when I drive into work, I see the message on the reader board and think for a moment about the words it's sharing, but that is not enough. Contemplating these words is one thing, but doing them is another step entirely - much like many things in life. Like Buddha said, what good are these words if we don't act upon them? Why even spread the messages if that's as far as they get?