Needing to short-sale your home?  NOW Is the time!     Buyers are abundant and available properties are scarce.

In addition, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have just announced new SHORTENED timelines for short-sale decisions and a couple of the major banks are changing their processes to shorten their timelines as well.

You need a qualified real estate team to handle your short sale – call on the Joanna Piette Team at New Home Resource.    We get the job done!  Many times we already have buyers in place, just waiting for a great home like yours to hit the market.  Don’t delay – call Joanna Piette at New Home Resource today 702-365-1000.

Easter is a ‘movable’ holiday, falling on the first Sunday after the first full moon.  This can be tricky depending on which calendar is followed.  Western Christian churches do not follow the same calendar as Eastern Orthodox churches, which can cause the holiday to be celebrated on two different Sundays.

Easter can fall on any Sunday between March 22^nd and April 25^th.    The most common day is April 19^th, on which Easter falls about 4% of the time.

The largest Easter egg hunt was in 2007 in Florida, when 10,000 people searched for half a million eggs.

According to one amateur statistician, two of the top ten most popular items people give up for Lent are abstaining from Facebook and Twitter.      Not surprising, giving up chocolate, swearing and alcohol also made the list.

In ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt and Persia, painted eggs were used in Spring festivals and exchanged as gifts.  It was the Europeans who took the tradition one step further to Easter.

It is said that the Easter bonnet (a hat) was a treat women allowed themselves after abstaining from other luxuries during Lent.   They would wear the bonnet to Easter morning celebrations.

The first White House “Easter Egg Roll” was in 1878.     Ever since, children gather the Monday following Easter to push with a spoon decorated hard-boiled eggs across the White House lawn.

After Halloween, Easter is the next-best-selling candy holiday.      Of course, chocolate is the #1 treat choice with 90 million chocolate bunnies created in the U.S. each year.   And according to 76% of Americans, chocolate bunnies should be eaten ears first.

The most popular non-chocolate Easter candy are marshmallow Peeps, of which 700 million are sold during the Easter season.    The most popular color is yellow, followed by pink, lavender, blue and white.

According to American Greetings, Easter is the fourth most popular holiday for sending cards (behind Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day).

And A Very Happy Easter to you from all of us at New Home Resource!

If you have children, or even if you don’t yet but plan to in the future, schools are something you will need to take into consideration when you search for a new home.  In most areas, certain boundaries define which schools your children will go to, and switching to a different school can be complicated and expensive in many cases.

Fortunately, finding a great neighborhood with good quality schools is not difficult, thanks to the internet.  Online ratings and reviews of schools can help you to make the right call when it comes to finding a home that will offer your children a quality education.

Start With The District

The first thing you should look into is which school district you in which you are considering moving.  Find out if the schools in that district tend to be highly rated, and what kind of test scores are generally seen among students in the district schools.  All of this information is readily available online.

The school district Web site will be able to tell you which school your children would go to if you were to buy a particular house.  There is usually a boundary map you can check, or you can enter your address and search to find out which school is the right one.

Check The Reviews

The internet allows us to review everything from appliances to doctors, and schools are no exception.  Search for your school of choice online and you will find plenty of reviews from parents whose children have attended the school.  Getting an unbiased opinion of the school will help you to get an idea of what you can expect.

When You Love The Neighborhood, But Not The School

If you really want a particular house in a particular neighborhood, but aren’t too happy with the schools, you can look into your other options.  Most school districts have a system by which you can choose to send your child to a different school.  This usually involves either particular needs that can’t be met by the in-area school, or a fee or lottery system to allow your child to attend the school of your choice.  Find out what the rules are in your school district.

Your other option is to look into private schools.  This is, of course, the more expensive choice, but should you select a private school you will have the freedom to live wherever you like, without worrying about what school your child will be slotted to attend. You can find additional local schools and community information at http://www.hendersonrealtynow.com/mimarket/zip/89074/

DON’T FORGET to change your clocks ahead one hour before bed tonight!   Daylight Saving Time officially begins at 2:00am tomorrow!

Why Do We Change Our Clocks For Daylight Saving Time?

Benjamin Franklin was originally credited with the concept of Daylight Saving Time.    It was intended to help folks use less electricity and fewer candles for light.

The problem is that the early studies suggesting Daylight Saving Time could save energy only looked at home electricity use.   In fact, a 2008 University of California–Santa Barbara study found that Daylight Saving Time actually increased residential energy use!   Ok, ok, so perhaps it’s not such a great saver of energy after all.

So if it’s not such a great saver of energy, WHY do we do it?     It’s all about MONEY!!!    (are you surprised?)!!

Longer hours of natural sunlight at days’ end puts people in their cars, spending money for gasoline, and headed to the shopping mall, dining, sporting events, vacations and other activities.     In fact, it’s been reported that the golf industry makes over $200 million dollars in additional greens fees – just during Daylight Saving Time!!!

No matter who is benefitting financially from the additional daylight hours, it’s hard to deny that we’ve all grown accustomed to the change,  and that most of us look forward to the additional hours of daylight after a long day at work!     Looks like, energy saving or not, Daylight Saving Time is a keeper !     So don’t forget to “Spring Ahead” tonight before bed!

Btw, Hawaii and Arizona are the only two states who have not adopted Daylight Saving Time.

So don’t forget to ‘Spring Ahead’ tonight before bed!!!

Current inventory on the Las Vegas market is quite low today,  which has caused a home-buying frenzy unlike we’ve seen in years!

Any given property today will REGULARLY have multiple offers within days of listing, and often sell for MORE than the listed price!   

What’s a buyer to do?   First and most importantly,  get your loan prequalification.   Every offer today requires “proof” that you can buy the property so getting in order your financing is truly step #1 of this process.     I like to suggest Cheryll at Premier Mortgage Lending to our buyers because her lending knowledge and level of service is just flat-out amazing.    You can reach her at Cheryll@PremierMortgageLending.com.  

Then, get yourself a Realtor that specializes in buyers, like an agent from  New Home Resource!   We understand the market, have excellent relationships with many listing agents,  and utilize all of the necessary and cutting-edge programs to produce offers & get your signatures.  In this craziness, you can’t afford to have any delays – for any reason.   Acting quickly is the best plan!

   And last, but not least, make your strongest offer first.   Remember that there is much competition,  and you don’t want to lose the home of your dreams over a few thousand dollars.   Your New Home Resource agent can help you decide upon the most appropriate offer for the property.   

Don’t hesitate – with prices and interest rates at all-time lows, TODAY is the time to invest in a new home!!

Credit Blemishes

When life unexpectedly takes a turn for the worst, it’s not always possible to come out without a few bumps and bruises.  Every day, people are faced with late or missed credit card payments, mortgage foreclosures, bankruptcy proceedings, auto repossessions and even civil judgments that will affect their credit reports for years to come.  Whether it’s from a job loss, injury or just a simple case of temporary hardship, credit blemishes are often a part of life.  The good news is that they no longer have to prevent you from becoming a homeowner.

Give Yourself A Little Credit

After experiencing a credit problem, most lenders will want to see an attempt to rebuild your credit through a steady payment history with a new account.  This can be accomplished by applying for a credit card and maintaining a responsible use of the account.  If you aren’t approved for an unsecured card, you can always apply for a secured credit card.  Either will rebuild your credit over time and will help to show lenders that your past credit problems are just that – in the past.

Clean Up Your Credit Report

Before applying for a home loan, make sure that you check your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies.  Every 12 months, consumers can request a free copy of their credit report from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.  If anything is incorrect or found to be inaccurate, filing a dispute with the credit reporting agency can help to get the information corrected before speaking with a lender.

When you apply for a home loan, the lender will access your credit report for the purpose of determining your creditworthiness.  In an effort to ensure that you have the best possible chance at being approved for the loan at the best possible interest rates, making sure that your credit report is accurate is a must.

Save Up For A Down Payment

Some homebuyers often qualify for a mortgage with down payments as low as five percent (three percent for FHA loans), but those with past credit problems may be required to shell out up to 35 percent or more for a down payment on their new home.  A buyer who pays a larger down payment obviously has more vested interest in the home and may, thereby, be less likely to default on a loan.  If you have past credit problems, check with your lender about specific down payment requirements and start saving!

Creative Financing Options

If you’ve exhausted all of your conventional efforts and are still turning up empty, don’t give up just yet.  Alternative financing is an option that many homebuyers use to purchase a home.  Your REALTOR® can provide you with details regarding any lease purchase and/or owner financing properties, which may require no credit check, no bank qualifying, a low down payment and competitive interest rate options.

A Home Warranty is simply a service contract.  It helps to safeguard homeowners against the high cost of repairs or replacements to the major mechanical systems and appliances that fail due to normal wear and tear.    A home warranty offers the convenience of one source for most repairs,  so that you can avoid the hassle of finding a service contractor in your area.     When a covered system or appliance breaks down, all you need to do is contact the warranty company to report the problem!      A qualified, pre-screened service technician will contact you to schedule an appointment that works for you.  You can request service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  It’s that simple.

On average, homeowners/contract holders will have 2 service calls per year, saving them hundreds to thousands of dollars on repair/replacement costs.  See below:

Have your agent help you arrange for a home warranty at closing.       Sometimes even the seller will pay toward the warranty cost!!

This information comes to us, courtesy of HSA Home Warranty Company

When I visit Amazon or Zappos (oooh, my favorite!), I always look at the product reviews.   Does this item run small?    Color not quite as pictured?   Knobs have a tendency to break off within days of the purchase?    Again, my decision to buy that item is going to be heavily-weighted by others’ experience.   I have so much more confidence going into the purchase if by reading others reviews,  maybe I can predict the outcome to some degree.

The same should be true of your real estate agent!   This person is going to be super-instrumental in assisting you with one of the largest commitments of your life!    Whether you’re in investor buying a small  condo, a first-time buyer falling in love with your first home,  or making a multi-million dollar purchase of property, land or even commercial space, you want and need to know if your real estate agent is worthy of your business!!

Google your agent!  Does this person have an internet presence?    Are they unknown?     What do others have to say about their service?    Remember that nothing and no one is ever perfect (how many shades of orange can there BE in a handbag??), but hearing what others have to say BEFORE jumping in surely gives you the confidence you’re making the right choice. 

We LOVE your reviews – keep ‘em coming!

With times being as tough as they are, finding the money to make a special Valentine’s Day for your sweetheart can be difficult.  Whether it is your loving spouse of 20 years or the new special someone in your life, giving them a Valentine’s Day to remember without looking cheap can be made simple by creating a romantic dining experience at home.  Here are a few ideas to create a romantic dining room for Valentine’s Day that will look like a million, but cost you virtually nothing!

 Set The Scene!

Creating a romantic dining room can be accomplished with just a few simple elements.  Since it is Valentine’s Day, flowers are a must.  In addition to a beautiful arrangement for your sweetheart, a nice arrangement for the center of the table can really show you have put thought into the night.  A great way to cut costs is to go for something a little less pricey for the centerpiece, such as some red carnations.  Candles are also a must for Valentine’s Day and are a great and inexpensive way to set a romantic mood.  A few well-placed tapered and votive candles are all you really need, and choosing ones that are red, pink, and white will keep the table looking well put together.  Final touches should not be ignored.  A nice tablecloth, some cloth napkins, and maybe a few rose petals scattered on the table can create that finished romantic look!  Don’t forget to use real cutlery and your best plates and wine glasses, accompanied by some soft romantic music.

A Meal To Remember

Another important element to creating a romantic dining room for Valentine’s Day is having a delicious meal.  If you can’t cook yourself, getting takeout from a nice restaurant is always an option, but trying to create a meal yourself will no doubt be appreciated, as well as keep your budget in check. Something simple like a nice salad and pasta meal is inexpensive and easy to prepare.  Remember that it is the details that really show you care, so selecting fresh healthy ingredients, creating easy courses, and not forgetting dessert will win over even the most reluctant Valentine.

These ideas may seem simple, and that’s because they are.  It is the thought that counts, and putting effort into creating a beautiful meal in a special setting can create a romantic mood for a small amount of money!

In today’s busy, busy world of real estate purchases, more and more out of state and foreign buyers are wanting to invest in the Las Vegas housing market.  I personally think NOW NOW NOW is the time to buy!  I could be wrong, but just live daily around these incredible prices,  and I can’t help but  think we should all be gobbling It up like candy.     

I’m apparently not the only person who feels this way about Las Vegas real estate

However, this concept becomes an issue for buyers not living in Vegas – how can they jump on the “purchase today” bandwagon  when they aren’t here to physically visit the home and consummate the purchase?    

Hire a stellar Realtor, that’s how!!  

You need to work with a Real Estate Agent and agency you trust to provide you with all the information available about the property.    One who directs you to websites where you can learn about the area schools, the amenities,  and the crime statistics/rates.  One who responds to your emails and phone calls.    Develop a trust and rapport with your Realtor and together, you’ll put together the deal that works best for you. 

Buying real estate isn’t a simple task, whether or not you live in Las Vegas or Timbucktoo.    Enlist the help of a New Home Resource agent and you won’t go wrong !