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Displaying blog entries 1-10 of 16

Agent Training at Morse Real Estate

by Morse Real Estate

Morse Real Estate offers one-on-one, group, and virtual training to help agents reach the next level in their business. We strive to guide our agents so they can save time, increase their services to their clients and complete transactions smoothly.

Our broker and office manager share ideas on how to gain momentum in sales, boost creativity, and generate business regularly. Many existing agents take part in the training on a consistent basis to steadily grow their lead sources. Morse Real Estate hosts a private virtual group where idea sharing happens, lessons are learned, and advice is given. We offer an environment where agents are able to reach our support staff and broker easily when they have a question or concern.

Morse Real Estate also has an on-boarding program for new agents. The program evolved over our years in business and helps new agents get started quickly and confidently. We also have a simple on-boarding training program for existing agents that aid them in their transition to selling with us. All agents that go through our training walk away with new pieces of information and tricks to get them servicing clients with ease.

Whether one of our agents needs hands-on training for social media marketing skills, virtual guidance for contract generation, step-by-step written instructions on how to manage a contact database, or a quick phone call to work out a problem, Morse Real Estate is here to provide the help they need.

Want to learn more about a career at Morse Real Estate? Contact us for your free confidential meeting.

 

Free Home Buying Guide

by Morse Real Estate

Have you been considering buying a home in 2020 and want to know more about the process? Morse Real Estate has a FREE home buying guide with all the steps you need to take to make the move simple and easy. Request your copy now to get all the information for the 12 steps of buying a home:

ITEMS COVERED IN THE FREE HOME BUYING GUIDE

Doing Your Research

Getting Your Finances in Order

Hiring the Right Real Estate Agent

Defining Your Dream Home and Neighborhood

Choosing Your Lender

Getting Pre-Approved

Finding the Perfect Home

Making the Right Offer

Getting a Home Inspection

Submitting Your Loan Application

Making the Final Walk Through

Closing the Deal

Get a jumpstart on home buying process and learn more about what it means to be a new homeowner in 2020 by requesting your very own digital copy of the Home Buyer Guide today.

Contact us to receive your free copy via email now!

 

Annual Food Drive 2019

by Morse Real Estate

Morse Real Estate agents from Nebraska and Iowa participated in the 2019 canned food drive for The Micah House. The Micah House is located in Council Bluffs and  provides food, shelter and valuable services to the homeless population in the area.

From November 4-15, agents and members of the Council Bluffs and Omaha community brought in non-perishable food items to the brokerage lobby. Russ’s Market in Glenwood generously donated cases of canned vegetables to help our brokerage reach our goal. As the deadline for donations approached, members of staff and agents arranged and sorted items as well as weighed the items received.


On December 18, agents and their families loaded up vehicles and delivered the needed items to The Micah House. After carrying the items from cars and into the pantry, they received a guided tour of the facility and met some of the women who were staying there. 


This food drive was so impactful to our agents and their families and allowed us to feel more connected with our community. Our office donated 727 pounds of food for their residents during the holiday season.

Here are some statistics from The Micah House showing just how impressive their work is in our local area:


In 2018, Micah House Served: 
970 Homeless Individuals
304 Were Children and Families
24,148 Nights of Shelter were Provided
26,985 Nutritious Meals were Served
54% Were Children  (521 Children)
59% Of Clients Served were from Nebraska
35% Of Clients Served were from Iowa


If you would like to find out how you can help The Micah House and their mission, please visit their website for more information. 

Morse Real Estate's New Office

by Morse Real Estate

Morse Real Estate is excited to announce the opening of a new office in central Council Bluffs, Iowa. This facility is located on the busy corner of West Broadway and S. 7th Street, just one block northwest from Bayliss Park

Morse Real Estate was established in 2010 by Council Bluffs native, Mike Morse. After a successful 20-year career in residential and commercial real estate, Mike launched the brokerage. Over the past 9 years, it has continued to grow as a family-owned and operated virtual brokerage.

“Our agents have been working at our virtual brokerage for years and have helped thousands of people make a move. They have either worked from home or a remote office and have met clients wherever was convenient for the client.” Mike said. 

After years of successfully operating the virtual brokerage, the number of agents began to grow. Getting a physical office was the next step to providing a larger community presence and increasing resources for Morse Real Estate agents.

“We were on the lookout for a central location that would be easy for our busy clients and active agents. We found the perfect place and received keys in the beginning of February. After gaining access, our family pulled together to plan out the office and take on the challenge of the remodel. It was worth the effort.” Mike said.

The work space features modern technology in a comfortable setting to allow agents to focus all day or simply stop by to write contracts. The design of the space was inspired by a 3D rendering that his daughter and office manager, Christy Rhoades, drafted. The space is fresh, airy, and contemporary.

“Our REALTORs are so mobile that most work from their cars, home offices or coffee shops. However, in this fast-paced market, agents really have to manage everything even quicker and on the go. This new office allows them to do that seamlessly.” Mike said. “Since opening, I have had clients come for consultations and they comment about how clean and beautiful the space is. We couldn’t be more excited for the future of our service to the local community.”

Morse Real Estate hosted an agent open house on April 4. The agents were able to walk through the space and see it and celebrate with Mike and his family.


(From left to right: Mike R. Morse, Shannon Snipes, Christy Rhoades, Mike Kent, Abby Tietsort, Mike Morse, Deb Peraza)

(Capre Kennett)
(Eric Mace)

During the remodel, Nebraska and Iowa experienced some of the worst flooding witnessed in recent history. Since opening, Morse Real Estate has seen an increase in the need for professional advice and guidance in the local real estate market.

“With all of the flooding recently, our agents have received so many calls from families that have had to move out of places like Pacific Junction, Glenwood, and Bartlett. It’s heartbreaking. As agents, we want to help them find somewhere to live and do it quickly. I have never seen so many people displaced locally. Iowa and Nebraska needs to continue pulling together and help each other out.”

With the opening of the new office in Council Bluffs, Morse Real Estate and its agents will continue to service residential and commercial real estate clients in the Omaha, Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa metro area. Consultation appointments can be made by calling the office at 712-435-1900 or by contacting one of the expert agents directly at www.morse-re.com/agents.

REALTOR Ring Day 2017

by Morse Real Estate

This holiday season, over 100 REALTOR® associations will be supporting the Salvation Army on Friday, December 1. This idea came from a REALTOR® member in Fargo, N.D., who wanted to give real estate professionals an opportunity to support a cause familiar to them - housing. The Salvation Army was the perfect fit because it offers so many housing-related programs. This is the Iowa Association of Realtor’s sixth year participating in this great event joining over 26 other states ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.

Last year, more than 300 Iowa REALTORS® representing all 17 local boards participated in this event and raised more than $30,000. A few members of our team came out to volunteer. We had a lot of fun joking, singing and ringing!

The Difference An Hour Makes

by Morse Real Estate

Every Hour in the US Housing Market: 

  • 633 Homes Sell
  • 253 Homes Regain Positive Equity
  • Median Home Values Go Up $1.43

Your Home Just Got More Valuable

by Morse Real Estate


The National Association of Realtors just released a report covering the latest data on our national housing market. Many of the figures were staggering and surprising. The following charts summarize the biggest findings from the report.


Click to enlarge

Housing Supply Year-Over-Year: Last 12 Months: One of the more surprising data produced from National Association of Realtors was the giant leap in housing shortage from July to August. It showed that nationally we are experiencing an incredible 10% decrease in homes on the market. It could be reasoned that a lot of buyers scooped up a ton of inventory during the summer leaving August high and dry. This could also mean buyers are struggling to find their next dream home.


Click to enlarge

Seller Traffic By State: To breakdown the data and apply it to each state we can see just how many homes are listed for sale by state. Alaska, New Mexico, Maine and four other states are experiencing Very Strong seller traffic numbers which means there are more homes to choose from. However, Iowa and Nebraska and most of the nation do not share the same fate. Seller traffic is weak meaning that these housing markets are struggling and need more homes listed for sale.


Click to enlarge

Existing Home Prices Year-Over-Year by Region: Nationally sellers are receiving 5.1% more for their homes this year versus last year. However, sellers in the Midwest are receiving 5.5% more on average. 

Let’s break that down for our local real estate market:

Average home sold in Council Bluffs, Iowa since September 1: $145,615

On average, sellers are receiving $8,008 more this year versus last year
____________________________________________________________

Average home sold in Omaha, Nebraska since September 1: $199,374

On average, sellers are receiving $10,965 more this year versus last year


By the way, homes are selling for more and much faster as opposed to last year, with many having multiple offers in less than 48 hours.

Listings SOLD in 10 days or less

by Morse Real Estate

With a knowledgeable agent, attention to detail and the right market, homes can be listed for sale and purchased within a few hours. Today's market is full of fast sales and happy buyers and sellers. See the 4 listings below that have sold in less than 2 weeks!



1034 E Washington Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
This home was listed by Mike Morse after it had been on the market for 122 days with another agency. It is a 4 bedroom, 1 bathroom home with 1,561 finished square feet. In less than 24 hours with Mike, it was sold!


550 Coronado Circle, Carter Lake, IA 51510
This beautiful ranch is seated right on the water and boasts 2,971 finished square feet with 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Abby Tietsort got this incredible home listed and sold in only 6 short days!


9 Windsor Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Located in a desirable, east-end neighborhood, this split-level is beautiful on the inside with 4 bedrooms and 1.75 bathrooms and a large, fenced backyard. Christy Rhoades found a buyer for this home before it was even listed for sale!


2119 N 120th Avenue, Omaha, NE 68164
This bank-owned townhouse in Omaha had multiple offers and was listed by Mike Morse and sold within 10 days! It features 1,807 finished square feet and has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

Speak to one of our agents today to find out how to prepare your home for a fast sale!

Families in Business

by Christy Rhoades

This week our brokerage was featured in the “Families in Business” write-up in the Daily Nonpareil, a publication serving Council Bluffs and southwestern Iowa. Mike, my father and owner of the company, received a call asking if he wanted to be interviewed for the newspaper. We were very excited to be thought of since we are very much a ‘family in business’ and have been since 2011. During a very busy week, my father, my brother and I were able to get an updated portrait from A Better Exposure out of Omaha. Getting all three of us together at the same time seems to be getting more challenging as the months pass but somehow we were able to make it all to the appointment.

Some families are not able to work well together, but luckily we have found a groove where each of us are able to utilize our past experiences to grow the business. Our current agents are amazing and we cannot wait to see what the future holds!

Click the article to enlarge and read it. Share it with someone who would like to buy or sell now or in the future.

Here is another photo taken that day (click to enlarge):

What do you think? Which is your favorite?

Written by Christy Rhoades

How Many Homes Sold in 7 Days?

by Morse Real Estate

Since March 21, the market has picked up substantially in both Omaha and Council Bluffs areas.

What Does This Mean For Buyers?

There is a lot of competition out there right now for your dream home. Prices are going to continue to climb, act now before you are priced out of your future home.

What Does This Mean For Sellers?

If you are on the fence about listing your home for sale and debating whether now is the time to move on with your plans of relocating… don't wait!

There are more buyers that are ready, willing and able to buy their first, second, third, or investment property now than there has been in years! The supply of homes for sale is not keeping up with the demand of these buyers.

Listing your home for sale now will give you the most exposure to buyers and the best sales price.

Here are the statistics for the last 7 days:

Homes that sold in the Omaha area: 194 Homes

Average home price: $200,175

Homes that sold in the Council Bluffs area: 29 Homes

Average home price: $129,143

To find out more about what your home is worth, contact one of our experienced agents today!

 

Displaying blog entries 1-10 of 16

Contact Information

Photo of Mike Morse Real Estate
Mike Morse
Morse Real Estate
17580 Lochland Ridge
Council Bluffs IA 51503
402-677-6356
402-677-6356