Meet the Experts

For over 20 years, I have been helping people buy, sell, and preserve historic homes and neighborhoods in Nebraska and Iowa. I started the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, The Good Life Group in order to provide the community with top-notch agents who value building lifelong relationships with their clients over numbers and sales. I soon discovered that the Omaha area needed a hub for homeowners to ask questions and get sage advice about their old homes. The Old Omaha Vintage Real Estate Team was quickly launched to help people buy, sell, and restore their vintage homes. As an old home expert, I am on a mission to keep the Omaha metropolitan area as true to its historic nature as possible. I guide my clients through the challenges and rewards of maintaining old homes in our community, provide guidance on restoration, and even replant the tree canopies on their streets through my Re-Tree Midtown initiative. Every home old or new adds character to our community, I would love to help you with your own iconic dwelling.

Many years ago, at a corporate family event, I complimented my boss on his beautiful bald baby boy and to drive the brown-nosing home I turned to my four-year-old daughter and said, “Emelia loves babies too – isn’t this baby SO cute?” She crossed her arms, leaned back to assess the child and said, “I like the ones with hair.”

I’m somewhat that way about homes. I love old ones with original features the most. I’ve owned four houses; the newest was built in 1924.

My first was a 1917 Prairie-style foursquare in St. Charles IL. What had been a wide-open archway between the living room and dining room had been walled up by the previous owner to create a bookshelf. Early one morning, I set aside all the books and began swinging a crowbar at the offending wall. My husband staggered downstairs to find me in a pile of wallboard and shelving. He wisely and silently turned around and went back to bed. I was very pregnant at the time, and that was how I “nested.”

The most substantial old house restoration I ever took on was a 3-story Queen Anne in Field Club. The front porch was gone, and the grand central staircase had been ripped out when the house was converted into apartments. Although we finally hired help to retrofit another Victorian staircase and add a fireplace, my original plan was for my husband and me to do the work ourselves — we aren’t married anymore.

My search for original features was finally fulfilled when I moved into my current home, an original condition 1901 Classical Revival, with a sleeping porch, ice door, pull-chain toilet, and lots of other no-so-mod-cons. Even the kitchen had been untouched since the house was built, but I modernized it by moving in a 1936 range.

What I’m getting at is this: We all have our own idea of what makes the perfect home. The first realtor I worked with crowed, “You’ll love this house – it’s updated within an inch of its life.” She never heard me when I explained what I really wanted. She just kept showing me what she liked. I’m not that realtor. I will listen and ask questions until I can visualize your dream (not my dream) and make that my quest. I’ll also swing my crowbar at any obstacles that stand between you and your life in that home.

I know you’ve heard of a Negative Nancy, but I’m not one of them. I’ve always been a people person since my humble beginnings in the Benson neighborhood. My journey has taken me all over Omaha. I raised my sons in a Mission style Sears & Roebuck Kit Home at 55th and Jackson for over 20 years in which we worked tirelessly to restore. I learned a quick lesson that you can’t always DIY it, sometimes you have to call the professionals in to do it right. It was in this home that my true appreciation for the phrase “If these walls could talk” really struck a chord with me. This is how I approach my work with clients. I tell them, “If it’s the right house, the home will talk to you.” I’ve always lived in old homes and love to be able to talk about them with my buyers and sellers.

Two great things in my life have taught me the most about people and how to help them find the right home. The first was volunteering in the community and the second was my late brother with Downs Syndrome. Both taught me to just listen to what the person in front of you has to say, we all come from the same common ground, Omaha has more history than you ever thought, friends can be made in any place, and homes are not just a place to rest your head, but to live your life. To this day, my biggest referral sources come from my time as a volunteer and from my amazing friends as well as my many clients that have become like family to me over the years.

I have been described as an advocate, extremely patient, generous beyond doubt, and just plain fun. Buying a home is so much sweeter when the person who helps you find it has probably lived in the home or knows someone that did! After more than 24 years as a Realtor®, I’m still here and just as eager to help you.

Hi, I’m Alyson! I’m interested in the stories behind the neighborhoods, homes, and people I help bring together in this business. I want to understand what you need in a house and a community, today and tomorrow. I also want you to feel empowered, comfortable, and supported during the process of buying or selling your home.

My career has always been about individualized service, exceptional communication, and turning big ideas into concrete successes. Partnering with me and the Old Omaha team, you can expect a level of marketing expertise, genuine caring, and real estate skill that will allow you to stay focused on your family, your business, and the next new chapter of your life.

I am raising my kids and my cats in a 1906 Field Club fixer. I love spending time researching the history of our house, the family who built it, and the neighborhood that has grown and matured around it. My lifelong fascination with history and appreciation of old homes brought me to the real estate business and the Old Omaha team. I’m excited to get to know you, and ready to get to work!

Hi, I’m Rhonda! What drives me is getting to know my clients and their wants and dreams and finding a way to make those dreams come true. Buying and selling a home is a journey, with unique ups and downs. I pride myself on walking through that journey right next to you, educating you on the process while having a lot of fun along the way.

You can expect nothing less than exceptional communication from me throughout our dealings together, as well as a high level of dedication and integrity. You not only are working with me, but with our whole team of experts on the Old Omaha Team.

One of my favorite pastimes is learning about old houses, neighborhoods and the history of Omaha. My ultimate dream is to visit each of the renowned homes in the US designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. I am awestruck by his organic architecture philosophy and in love with the Prairie Style homes he designed.

I would be honored to sit down and talk with you about your real estate dreams!

Hi, I’m Avi, and no, it’s not short for anything. I am the son of an architect/professor of architecture-turned-attorney, and our family moved often, usually remodeling our ‘new’ home, doing the majority of the work ourselves. As a result, I learned a lot about how houses are constructed, and learned to appreciate the craftsmanship found in older homes.

 Of the houses I have lived in, my favorite was a 25 x 27 foot carriage house, behind the family’s Victorian row house in San Francisco. We completely gutted it, rewired it, replumbed it, etc., all while my older brother and I lived there (we were 18 and 19 at the time). We even pulled up the three inch pine tongue and groove flooring from one side of the house and moved it to the other side. We built all the kitchen cabinetry, added a huge greenhouse window at the back of the house in the kitchen area, and opened up the ceiling on the ‘living room’ side of the house. We added a franklin stove for heat. It was a ton of work but an amazing learning experience. I still miss that place, after more than 25 years.

 I have a very eclectic background. I have a BFA from The San Francisco Art Institute, where I was a photography major, as well as a law degree. I have worked as an Antique Jukebox Mechanic, a Glass Blower’s Assistant, a Motorcycle Mechanic, an Attorney, and I have spent many years doing technical support for various software companies.

In 2013 I got my Real Estate license, and started working with Tim. My role was to help with listings, and marketing, which is essentially my role still, with the addition of house photography, my favorite part of the job. When I reminded Tim about my photography background we decided it was time for me to brush off the old photography skills. Tim helped me get set up with equipment and software, and I did some intensive research and testing to figure out how to get quality results. I like to think that over the years, with experience, better equipment, and more sophisticated software, I have the skills to to make houses look their best. If you choose our team to help you sell your home, I will do my best to make your house shine.