Great for Families, Great for Business!!

Recently, the blog Movoto rated Omaha, NE the number one city to raise a family. The site used several criteria including cost of living, schools, and employment.  You can read the full article at: http://www.ketv.com/news/local-news/omaha-named-best-city-for-families/-/9674510/20192328/-/cacxb2z/-/index.html?absolute=true.

Along with being a great city to raise a family, Omaha is also a great area for businesses. Omaha is home to five Fortune 500 Companies: Berkshire Hathaway, Union Pacific, ConAgra Foods, Peter Kiewit Sons’, & Mutual of Omaha Insurance. Omaha is in line to host the Olympic Swim Trials in 2016, renewed a contract to continue hosting the NCAA College World Series, and has begun a 33 million dollar improvement plan for the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium.

Omaha and its surrounding cities are continuing to thrive and expand. PropertyBanc is proud to be a part of this prospering community.

Spring Storm Precaution Tips

Spring weather will eventually hit the metro area–and be here to stay–so now is a great time to review your emergency disaster plan and locate/restock items in the emergency safety kit.

At a minimum, basics in your safety kit should include: water, food, batteries, flashlights, radio/weather radio, first aid kit, medications, phone chargers, and blankets. Additionally, copies of important paperwork are recommended to be put in water proof containers for reference. A list of recommended safety kit items can be found at: http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family/get-kit.

Additional information on getting your business ready for an emergency can be found at http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/workplace.

Take time now to get prepared!

OMAHA INDICATORS—FEBRUARY 2013

The newest information offered by the Omaha Chamber in the monthly publication, Omaha Indicators, included the announcement of a launch of their newest economic development campaign.  This campaign is labeled “Prosper Omaha” and will have an ambitious goal of spurring 300 new projects in the metro which will create 12,000 jobs resulting in $3 billion in new capital.  The program will be seeking $23 million in investor money which would support these goals.

BEST KEPT SECRET IN OMAHA—THE WORD IS OUT!

In a recent report aired by Channel 6 (WOW TV in Omaha), the story of the various business relocations to the Omar Baking Company building was noted by reporter Gary Smollen.  One of the quotes in the interview/story talked about the up-and-coming neighborhood and a desire to do business there.  More than a half dozen different businesses are currently operating in the facility and with several potential additional commitments coming, this could become a metro destination.

If you have not seen the recent changes, you need to make a point of finding out what is happening!

PROMISING SIGNS CONTINUE FOR COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE IN 2013

The recent edition of the Midlands Business Journal featured an article quoting several commercial real estate experts with a common tone.  Bank lending has become more positive and is not thought to be a major hurdle for a qualified buyer.  Vacancies continue to trend downward in all categories, most notably in the high end office market.  Industrial demand has continued to be strong with many quality properties being leased or purchased.  This has impacted the overall supply of product to a point that construction may be needed to satisfy demand.  Landlords continue to offer significant concessions but the article suggests that these will be leveling out in 2013 with owners having more negotiating power in the future.  These different factors all appear to support continued investment in commercial property in the metro with good long-term returns.

SOLID PROGRESS IN BUSINESS RESULTS FOR 2012

Over the recent months at Propertybanc, we have noticed an increase in both leasing and sales activity, in terms of rental inquiries and motivated investor/owner purchases.  We recently reviewed the figures and find that our business sales volume showed a 30% increase over the prior year when we look at total dollars of sales and leasing activity.  Even more exciting was the fact that the number of transactions increased 50% over 2011 levels.  Our commitment to service has produced solid increases in our volume and we want to thank those clients that were able to complete transactions last year.   The market continues to show strength going forward and we hope to be able to improve in a similar pattern in the coming year.  Please let us know what we can do to be of service in helping you with your business space needs.

OMAHA-TOP 10 LIST FOR HEALTHIEST HOUSING MARKETS!

In the Money Section of the Omaha World-Herald of December 20, 2012, Omaha metro was included in the healthiest housing market listing compiled by Trulia, a residential real estate information company.  The three primary components of the rating included job growth, vacancy rates and foreclosure inventory.  Inclusion on the listing bodes well for future housing demand in our area which should encourage new construction.  Their research also showed that asking prices for homes in the area are up about 8 percent since last year.  With the recent job growth improvement, this news continues to reinforce the good things occurring in our local market.