MediterraneanGrocery Wholesalers in Omaha, NE

Ohio-based Vinebrook Homes owns properties in at least 17 states

OMAHA, Neb. —

This reporting is in partnership with Flatwater Free Press. You can read their story on Vinebrook Homes here.

An Ohio-based company is now the third-largest owner of individual rental properties in the city of Omaha.

"Vinebrook Homes," often listed as VB one or VB two on real estate transactions, holds title to 154 Douglas County homes. Nearly two-thirds of them are in two North Omaha ZIP codes, and the company has purchased the majority of its homes in the span of about two years.

In fact, if you spend some time driving around Northeast Omaha, you'll likely pass a property now owned by Vinebrook Homes.

"Well, they've been buying a lot of properties in Omaha. So there were six pages on the Douglas County Assessor's website," said Amanda Brewer, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Omaha.

For the past two months, KETV NewsWatch 7 has partnered with Flatwater Free Press to look into Vinebrook and the concerns of tenants that the company is quick to raise rents and even quicker to evict if payments fall behind.

The Dayton, Ohio, based company is not new to the rental game. It has properties in nearly two dozen U.S. cities. But its footprint in Omaha started growing more recently, with the bulk of its homes in the metro purchased in the last two years.

It is now among the top 50 property owners in all of Douglas County, according to the assessor's office. And Vinebrook Homes is one of the top three rental property owners by parcel registered with the city of Omaha, according to data from the planning department.

"That is alarming because as property values increase, we want that appreciation and that equity to go to Omaha residents, not out-of-state investors," Brewer said.

Vinebrook describes itself as a "real estate company specializing in acquiring, renovating and leasing single-family homes, with a focus on "affordability and value in an effort to grow the single-family rental home industry."

It's a private investment trust and part of a wave of real estate firms purchasing single-family homes.

"Companies are seeing that single-family homes are a great investment right now," said Bill Swanson, who sits on the Omaha Area Board of Realtors.

Not only is Swanson a current board member on the Omaha Area Board of Realtors, but he has also represented a sale to Vinebrook Homes.

Swanson explained the low inventory of housing has driven up costs and rentals have proved to be a profitable business. He said the metro in particular remains an attractive market.

"It's always been priced very, very well compared to other cities. So I think that brought some attention to a few of the national companies, and they said this is a perfect place to start buying properties," Swanson said.

Companies like Vinebrook, armed with cash on hand, can make big offers. A check of sales to Vinebrook shows many of those offers came in well above assessed value, grabbing houses off the market.

"It could defease an entire generation of people in that neighborhood of the opportunity of homeownership," said Shannon Harner, executive director of the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority.

NIFA is an organization that seeks to build communities by helping first-time homebuyers.

Harner worries large investment groups, like Vinebrook, may create a generation of renters.

"The institutional investors buy and hold. And so once that house gets placed into that inventory, it's in that inventory for decades," she said, "And when a small mom and pop investor or a homeowner purchases a house, they typically turn that house between seven and 11 years. And so that gives somebody else an opportunity to come in to what we've typically called a starter home."

We talked to more than a dozen previous homeowners or real estate agents who sold to Vinebrook and heard story after story of cash offers and quick closings.

Melisha Potter is a realtor who represented two sales to the company.

One was an owner-occupied home. When the couple passed away, their children ended up selling the home to Vinebrook.

Potter recognizes how those investor offers can hurt would-be homebuyers.

"It takes them out of the boat, because it's hard to compete with the cash offer that can close in two weeks. So a lot of the first-time homebuyers are missing out on that," she said.

Shauna and Andre Mackins would like to own, rather than rent, but they struggle to get ahead.

"It seems like we get one step forward and something happens and we're 10 steps behind again," Shauna said.

The Mackins are Vinebrook tenants and said their out-of-town landlord can be unforgiving.

The couple said they've missed their "first of the month" deadline for rent twice since moving into a Vinebrook home last August.

In one case, Andre had COVID-19.

"I didn't work for two weeks, and it was like they didn't care," Andre said.

Both times, the couple said they let Vinebrook know their plan to pay.

"I always communicate. I will send an email saying this will be the day that we're going to pay. We always pay the late fee," Shauna said.

The Mackins said in one case, they had trouble accessing Vinebrook's online payment system. And in both cases, they said the company threatened to kick them out before the month was up.

"If you told them that you were going to pay on the 21st, they still will send it to courts for evictions. Which, to me, I think is unfair. You should at least see if the payment comes before you evict us," she said.

Not only that, the Mackins said they had to pay $350 on top of the $50 late fee to drop the eviction case. They said the added fees only make it more difficult to get ahead.

"It's just disappointing whenever they're not understanding at all, even though it's not like we're behind months and months of rent," Shauna said.

Tenant Kerry Blacketer said he and his wife have lived in the same rental home nearly 16-years. Vinebrook purchased it earlier this year, but Blacketer said as the property was changing hands he ended up sending a payment to his former landlord when it should have gone to Vinebrook.

In the middle of the month, Blacketer received a startling piece of mail.

"When I received their first letter in the mail, which is an eviction notice or seven day to quit notice, I was quite shocked," Blacketer said.

Blacketer said he didn't even know Vinebrook was the new owner and connecting with the company was difficult.

"We reached out several times. Got no callbacks or I would be in the middle of a conversation with one of their reps explaining what was going on with the house or 'how come we don't have a lease yet?' And the phone call would be dropped. And then nobody would ever call us back," he said.

Local housing advocate Erin Feichtinger has been involved in eviction court for a number of years, and she started tracking eviction filings in March 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic began.

"Had saw Vinebrook homes popping up when I hadn't seen their name before," she said.

Feichtinger said based on that data tracking, she noticed a shift, seeing more out-of-state landlords like Vinebrook as frequent fliers in eviction filings.

She said in her experience, it's easier to have that conversation about a plan to pay with local landlords, and they'll work to help connect tenants with financial assistance.

"That is not the case with out-of-state landlords who have no real investment in our community. I mean, obviously they have an incredible financial investment in the community but no real ties to this community," Feichtinger said.

The Blacketers eventually did sign a lease and got the payments sorted out, but they said their rent went from $875 to $1,000 a month with Vinebrook as a landlord.

That matches a pattern we found in several homes that were rentals before Vinebrook bought them.

Nate Bjorklund sold his rental property to Vinebrook when he and his wife moved out of state.

Bjroklund said they rented the home for $695 a month. This spring, Vinebrook had it listed for $995 a month.

"In my situation, they wanted the tenant to leave so that they could clean it, put in new carpet, new paint. And then rent it for a lot more," he said.

Bjorklund said he and his wife were 'small-time landlords' who tried to take care of tenants, and he's not sure an out-of-state investment firm has the same approach.

"I think maybe they have too many properties. They look at it as a business and just transactional," he said.

Omaha Attorney Dave Pantos fears the out-of-town investors create a bigger problem: they're draining the supply of affordable housing.

"Places that folks can normally afford to live in — not the best places in the world, but at least affordable — either the rents are being jacked up, or there was some kind of effort to non renew a lot of those leases because they're being sold to out of state purchasers," Pantos said.

A closer look at where Vinebrook is buying shows nearly two-thirds of its homes are concentrated in two North Omaha ZIP codes.

Pantos also said this trend limits opportunities to potentially clear out older homes and build more dense, new, affordable housing on the lots.

"I think that's really the future of affordable housing is taking existing housing stock and making it like a three to four-family if possible," Pantos said, "They are taking away land that might have been developed by local developers for the purposes of affordable housing."

Organizations like Habitat for Humanity have long focused on creating opportunities for homeownership. Earlier this month, it unveiled a sweeping plan to build 85 locally-owned homes at 52nd and Sorsensen Parkway.

Habitat hopes those ready to sell will consider the community before accepting an offer.

"My invitation to people that own their home that want to sell is to, when possible, sell locally. Really when possible, sell to someone that's going to live there," Brewer said.

Selling to people like the Mackins, who have a dream to own their own home — a dream that feels further and further out of reach.

"No matter how hard we're trying to get ahead. Something always is coming up that's setting us behind," she said.

Veterinarians say they're concerned about an increase in the number of ticks they're finding.

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Veterinarians say you and your pets may be at a higher risk of getting sick this summer.

They are seeing an increase in the number of ticks, which are known to carry dangerous and sometimes deadly diseases.

Susan Mundie recently found ticks on her dog. Mundie said, “Mickey went for a walk and came home and had two on her. They were tiny and they were on her face.”

Mundie says ticks are always a concern, but she did not expect to find so many, so early in the year. She said, “I was surprised they were that prevalent right now. But I guess with the moisture and the heat coming out that makes sense.”

Veterinarian Mike Bolsilevac says she’s right. Bolsilevac said, “We had a very light winter, a very warm winter. The ticks love high humidity and high heat and so whenever we get that combination they come out.” The other thing with the light winter is more people went outside, so they were in the environment more and picking up more ticks.”

Bosilevac says he has seen a big uptick…in ticks. “I would say at least probably 30% increase,” he said.

That can put both you and your pets at a higher risk of catching tick-borne diseases. Bosilevac said, “Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Fever are probably the big ones. Also, they can just get infections from the bite of the ticks.”

Bosilevac says most tick-borne diseases can be prevented. “What we’re telling people is if you don’t want to get Lyme disease and you don’t want to get ticks, treat your dogs,” he said.

Veterinarians recommend oral preventatives, topicals, or tick collars.

Bosilevac says, also check for ticks with your hands. “Mainly they like to hide inside the ears, behind the ears, and on the neck, so just kind of go over your pets just with your hands and you can feel them.”

Bosilevac says If you find a tick, remove it, then wash with soap and water.

Veterinarians say symptoms of Lyme disease in both pets and humans include fever, joint or muscle pain, rashes, and fatigue.

Also, if you notice your pet limping, you may want to take them to the veterinarian.

Copyright 2022 WOWT. All rights reserved.

OMAHA, Neb. —

New architect renderings showing a proposed central library could be the final chapter in the Omaha Public Library system.

"Nobody knew what was behind the curtain and in order to get that done you have to show people this is what we're doing," said Mike Kennedy, president of the Omaha Public Library.

Kennedy likes the plot of the story of the proposed central library being built at 72nd and Dodge streets.

"If you win a national championship you go there, if you're upset you go there, if you have something to say you go there. What a great place," Kennedy said. "It's kind of like the center communications station."

He said the location is easy to get to since it's on the Orbit bus line and near bike trails.

HDR architects looked at libraries in Canada, Europe and across the country and came up with a 100year design that has the concept of opening a book and turning pages and tree-lined space for people to gather outside at the popular intersection.

Inside, Kennedy said they would continue to offer do space technology and all library services.

Heritage Omaha is heading up the campaign to secure $80 million in fundraising.

The City will commit $20 million using redevelopment bonds from the 2024-25 Capital Improvement Program.

Mayor Jean Stothert said, "The extensive public engagement process has provided the opportunity for everyone to be involved in planning this remarkable public space, at the true crossroads of our city. The central library design reflects the preferences of our community, it will be a one-of-a-kind Omaha Public Library to benefit patrons of all ages and interests."

Kennedy hopes this story will have a happy ending for all of Omaha.

"It's time now to dot the i's and cross the t's and get the community behind the project so we can come up with the final programming ... and get approvals from all the parties," Kennedy said.

Kennedy said the library board is taking input from the public on what kind of programming residents would like to see in the central library.

Check out the website .

This is not a done deal. The final project will go before the city council with a public hearing sometime this summer.

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Plans are in the works to create Omaha’s newest entertainment and living district and to permanently close a portion of North Saddle Creek Road.

The proposed plan, created by lead developer Joshuwa Hannum, will have its first reading at city council on Tuesday.

Hannum says the area, the corner of Northwest Radial Highway and Hamilton Streets, could be the next Blackstone or Dundee.

“We’ve seen how well Blackstone, and Aksarben Village and all those, we said why not North Omaha? North of Cuming Street? I think this is kind of a neglected area, a lot of big developers don’t really come this way, they don’t see a lot of value north of Cuming Street so we figured, why not here?”

The first phase of Hannum’s development plans includes building a 161-unit apartment complex on the southeast portion of North Saddle Creek Road. It will include 7,500 square feet of amenities and 7,500 square feet of retail space for coffee shops, bars, and restaurants.

The road would be permanently closed from NW Radial to Hamilton Street at the five-way intersection, making it a four-way instead.

“I think it’ll revitalize [the area] significantly, it’ll bring more shopping experiences, more restaurant experiences, for the people in the neighborhood to the west, the north and south and even east, this will be kind of a gathering place similar to Dundee, similar to Benson.”

The vision for the area is to make it a walkable, pedestrian-friendly district.

Hannum says the response from neighboring businesses and residents has been positive.

“It’s great,” says Terry Finkle, the owner of the famous Homy Inn.

The Homy Inn has been in the same spot along North Saddle Creek Road for more than 60 years.

“Hopefully revitalize it, bring more people into the neighborhood like the other districts, we’re kinda always left behind down here so hopefully it’ll be a good thing,’ he says.

New apartments mean new business.

“Brings more people to Midtown and hopefully, you know, will be affordable for everybody because housing is a little short around here.”

Hannum hopes to create a Business Improvement District for the area following approval from city council.

Besides approval from city leaders, sewer lines in the area will need to be moved before construction on the building begins. That project alone will cost $3.5 million and Hannum says it’s been hard to find a contractor to do the work.

Hannum hopes to begin that construction, and close down the portion of North Saddle Creek, by October of this year.

If it works out, he says, construction on the new apartment complex would begin in February of 2023 and finish in two years.

After that, more redevelopment is planned moving west along North Saddle Creek Road.

“Rising tides lifts all ships, and we’ll see a lot of economic development in this area over the next 10-15 years,” Hannum says.

Copyright 2022 WOWT. All rights reserved.

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Creighton’s volleyball schedule is loaded with tough teams plus the Jays will host the BIG EAST Tournament. This is all in addition to the Final Four that will be played on December 15th and 17th at CHI Health Center.

There’s a lot to look forward to next season. Southern Cal, Nebraska, Kentucky and Northern Iowa will all visit the Bluejays while the team will travel to play Florida State, Kansas State, Rice, Iowa State, Wichita State and Wyoming. Most of those games will happen at neutral sites. It is a loaded slate with the Jays coming off a school-record 31 wins last season. The game against the Huskers will be Wednesday, September 7th at CHI Health Center.

The BIG EAST Tournament will be played at D.J. Sokol Arena on November 25th and 26th.

2022 Creighton Volleyball Schedule

Sat. Aug. 13 BLUE / WHITE SCRIMMAGE (Exh.) D.J. Sokol Arena 4 p.m.

Sun. Aug. 21 SOUTH DAKOTA (Exh.) D.J. Sokol Arena 2 p.m.

Rumble in the Rockies

Fri. Aug. 26 vs. Iowa State Laramie, Wyo. 11 a.m.

Fri. Aug. 26 vs. Wichita State Laramie, Wyo. 6 p.m.

Sat. Aug. 27 at Wyoming Laramie, Wyo. 8 p.m.

Bluejay Invitational

Fri. Sept. 2 USC vs. Northern Iowa D.J. Sokol Arena 10:30 a.m.

Fri. Sept. 2 Northern Iowa vs. Kentucky D.J. Sokol Arena 5 p.m.

Fri. Sept. 2 USC D.J. Sokol Arena 7:30 p.m.

Sat. Sept. 3 KENTUCKY D.J. Sokol Arena 10:30 a.m.

Sat. Sept. 3 Kentucky vs. USC D.J. Sokol Arena 5 p.m.

Sat. Sept. 3 NORTHERN IOWA D.J. Sokol Arena 7:30 p.m.

Wed. Sept. 7 NEBRASKA CHI Health Center Omaha 6:30 p.m.

Omaha Tournament

Fri. Sept. 9 vs. Florida State Omaha, Neb. (Baxter Arena) 6 p.m.

Sat. Sept. 10 at Omaha Omaha, Neb. (Baxter Arena) 5 p.m.

Rice Adidas Invitational II

Sat. Sept. 17 vs. Kansas State Houston, Texas 2 p.m.

Sun. Sept. 18 at Rice Houston, Texas 1 p.m.

Fri. Sept. 23 GEORGETOWN* D.J. Sokol Arena 6:30 p.m.

Sun. Sept. 25 VILLANOVA* D.J. Sokol Arena 1 p.m.

Wed. Sept. 28 XAVIER* D.J. Sokol Arena 6:30 p.m.

Fri. Sept. 30 BUTLER* D.J. Sokol Arena 6:30 p.m.

Fri. Oct. 7 at Connecticut* Storrs, Conn. 5:30 p.m.

Sat. Oct. 8 at Providence* Providence, R.I. 3:30 p.m.

Fri. Oct. 14 MARQUETTE* D.J. Sokol Arena 6:30 p.m.

Sun. Oct. 16 DEPAUL* D.J. Sokol Arena 1 p.m.

Fri. Oct. 21 at Villanova* Villanova, Pa. TBA

Sat. Oct. 22 at Georgetown* Washington, D.C. 4 p.m.

Fri. Oct. 28 at Seton Hall* South Orange, N.J. 5 p.m.

Sun. Oct. 30 at St. John’s* Queens, N.Y. 1 p.m.

Fri. Nov. 4 PROVIDENCE* D.J. Sokol Arena 6:30 p.m.

Sun. Nov. 6 CONNECTICUT* D.J. Sokol Arena 1 p.m.

Fri. Nov. 11 ST. JOHN’S* D.J. Sokol Arena TBA

Sun. Nov. 13 SETON HALL* D.J. Sokol Arena 1 p.m.

Fri. Nov. 18 at DePaul* Chicago, Ill. 7 p.m.

Sat. Nov. 19 at Marquette* Milwaukee, Wis. 6 p.m.

BIG EAST Championship

Fri. Nov. 25 BIG EAST Championship Semifinal D.J. Sokol Arena TBA

Sat. Nov. 26 BIG EAST Championship Final D.J. Sokol Arena TBA

NCAA Tournament

Dec. 1-2 or 2-3 First/Second Rounds Campus Sites TBA

Dec. 8 & 10 Regionals Campus Sites TBA

Dec. 15 & 17 Final Four Omaha, Neb. (CHI Health Center Omaha) TBA

*Denotes BIG EAST Conference matches

Copyright 2022 WOWT. All rights reserved.