After having moved seven times in 12 years, Kristen and Tony Bernhard are familiar with needing a move-in ready home. But finding just the right one in a short time frame can be difficult and stressful. When the couple learned they would be moving to Omaha from Southlake, Texas, last spring, Kristen quickly planned a weekend of house hunting knowing the market was low on inventory. What she didn’t expect was to immediately find the perfect home for her family.
Kristen had eight homes picked out online she planned to tour in a three-day weekend. One home in particular stood out—a story and a half house in The Prairies in Elkhorn, built by Falcone Homes. The minute she stepped inside, she said she fell in love with everything about it. There was just one problem: since it was a model, it wasn’t for sale. Brian Falcone, owner of Falcone Homes, offered to build the Bernhard’s that floor plan, but they didn’t have 6-9 months to wait. They needed one ready in three months. Luckily, after giving it some thought, Brian agreed to sell the model.
“We were so lucky to be able to buy this home,” Kristen said. And the house truly was move-in ready. The only change the Bernhard’s made was to have Falcone install the same Noni white-oak flooring in the front room that was in the kitchen so that they had a hard surface for their grand piano. They did also have Falcone finish the basement right away, giving them almost 4,800 sq. ft. of finished space. “We have plenty of space for the four of us, but it still feels so cozy and comfortable,” Kristen said.
Although the Bernhard’s have lived in many nice homes over the years, they think this one is the most well-built they’ve ever had. Falcone Homes mixes styles from rustic farmhouse, traditional, transitional, and modern, and Kristen said she appreciates the creativity. “The home is gorgeous but the functionality makes living in it easy.”
Some of those elements include a walk-in pantry with built in drawers for storage, the covered deck with outdoor fireplace and TV, laundry room—complete with a second-story chute—accessible from both the large, custom master closet and drop zone, and a large walk in shower with glass french doors. Kristen even pointed out how she loves watching the sun rise through the large windows in the living room.
The upper level features an open loft and three bedrooms—one with its own bathroom and the other two share a Jack and Jill bathroom. And then there’s Kristen’s favorite part of the house: the library with its own private balcony where she spends many evenings.
When the Bernhard’s finished the basement, they included a large, open living space, separate home theater, a guest bedroom and bath, a workout room, and a sauna, which they use daily during the cold months. They also have a mud room off the basement entrance so the kids have a place for shoes and toys when they come in from playing outside.
The Berhnard’s said working with Falcone Homes was easy because they were so responsive. “I’d have a dozen requests I wanted done, and they would come back with an entire plan that had everything incorporated,” Kristen said. “And their communication was excellent. Everyone was always on the same page.” Now that they’ve found a home they love in a good school district (Elkhorn), the Bernhard’s hope to stay in Omaha for a number of years.
For additional information
about Falcone Homes or any of their current projects, please contact Brian Falcone at 402-510-9797 or
brian@falconehomes.com.
