Archives for the month of: August2015

image003For those who have lived in Las Vegas for longer than, oh, say 15 minutes, you’ve probably heard the question before from your friends and family: “So, which hotel do you live in?” Sigh.

Hard to believe, but we still hear it today (even though you have to admit our housing industry did happen to make a lot of headlines over the past few years . . . let’s put 2+2 together, folks!). Then again, for many of us, living in Las Vegas is a little bit like a best-kept secret . So it’s not altogether bad that we still hold a few of those secrets close and choose to share them only with those we’d like to actually become our neighbors here in Southern Nevada.

So, at the risk of word getting out, we’d like to list a few of our favorite things about living in Las Vegas. Such as:

How’s the Weather?

We don’t even have to look out the window to see what the weather’s like. Because we can just make the assumption pretty much every day of the year it’s going to be sunny with blue skies. Perhaps what we like the best about this part is that here in Las Vegas, you don’t have to plan your day around the weather. Wherever you wanted to go, whatever you were planning to do today – go for it! Because 99 times out of 100, it’s going to be gorgeous outside.

We Really Do Live Like Normal People.

We have great schools, and excellent sports programs for virtually every age group. We enjoy world-class shopping (okay, that one might be a Vegas exclusive). Our city is filled with top industrial and business organizations where diverse employment opportunities are available. (In fact, we’ve got it a lot better here than many other cities, when you think about it.) We’re a community that gives back to our people – through multiple volunteer organizations. There’s probably not a church that isn’t represented in Las Vegas (or if there is, we’d be surprised). Some of the finest dining opportunities in the world are right in our back yard (for those special occasions). And speaking for those of us with pets – we really appreciate fact that the environment means the lack of fleas and ticks! (as well as many other insects that can really ‘bug’ you in other cities.).

There’s Never A Reason To Be Bored

If you’re in Las Vegas – either as a visitor or a resident – that weather we mentioned above? It means that you can find things to do and activities to enjoy in virtually every genre of relaxation, culture, or adventure. Naturally, the first thing one thinks of is wealth of entertainment options ranging from small clubs to major hotel stages, and on to stadium-size venues. Music, magic, comedy, drama, Broadway productions – we have it all right here. (You know, the place most other people dream about traveling to for such things!) And that doesn’t even touch on the art exhibitions and traveling cultural events; the world-class meal experiences; the thrill rides; the local outdoor recreation (such as Lake Mead, Red Rock, and Mt. Charleston); major events (NASCAR and NFR, anyone?) and engineering landmarks like Hoover Dam (along with, some might say, a few of our more creative hotels). Add in some world-class championship golf courses, and you’ve got the makings for – well – a real live city. Right here in Nevada.

Of course, those are only the very tip of the iceberg as to what makes living in Las Vegas desirable to so many. There are books written about all that the Las Vegas lifestyle has to offer that are sure to include your favorite activities. But even so, there’s always something new on the horizon – creativity is never in short supply in this town. But whatever your reasons are for living in Las Vegas, one thing is for sure: You’re never going to have an excuse to be bored!

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for a newly-built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to find the perfect property for you. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, Lance Partin and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

CI-Matroshka-Furniture_Convertible-Furniture-Bed_s4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.960

There’s no place like home. Someone said that once, we think – and it’s so true. It doesn’t matter if the place you call home is a mansion in Malibu or an igloo in the Arctic, it’s your castle, your headquarters – and we believe you should be able to enjoy every minute you’re there.

Of course, every space has its challenges, right? If you’ve got that whole Malibu-mansion thing going on, they’ll probably border on issues like “Do I want a bowling alley or a swimming pool in this room?” But those aren’t the questions that most of us are faced with. (The ones who live in the ‘real world,’ that is.)

For those of us still on our way to that level of success, for the time being we have to make do with spaces that might not be as big as we like. But fear not! There are ways to make them feel larger and work more efficiently at the same time. All it takes is a little ‘thinking outside the box’ attitude – and we’re here to help you with that. Making the most of your space and keep it organized is a bit of an art. But once you figure out a system that works for you, it becomes more like a well-oiled machine. So here are a few tips and tricks that should help you get those creative juices flowing.

image005Illusion

One thing that designers everywhere will agree on is that if you don’t have the space you want, try a little creative use of color and placement, and it will give the illusion that you do. One suggestion: Match your furniture to the walls – it visually opens up the room. Another tip is to float your furniture in the center of the room. By moving pieces away from the walls, you create space beyond the furniture that adds volume to a room.

image007Use All Available Space

In other words – look up! Add a bookshelf above a door and you not only have more storage area, you’ve just added a bit of character to that room. Place a shelf high enough above your bed, and you not only won’t have to worry about bumping your head on it – you’ve just created a space that can be either useful or decorative in nature. That weird empty spot above the kitchen cabinets? A great place for cookbooks; or put those seldom-used tools into baskets that complement the feel of the room.

image009Hidden Spots and Double-Duty

Oh, we all have them – it’s just that we don’t always realize that we can use those normally ‘dead’ spaces in our home. Where, you ask? How about the inside of cabinet doors? Hang small hooks (did someone say “Command”?) to make measuring cups easily accessible, or it’s a great place for pot lids, too. Another simple solution – choose furniture that can be easily repurposed depending on your needs. Using an attractive farm table as a desk, for example, makes it easy to transform it into a dining table for guests. Nesting tables are also a great solution – easily out of the way when they’re not in use.

In most cases, it’s just a matter of looking at the area you have to work with – in a new way. (And may we suggest, start your search for imaginative solutions on Pinterest. It will help you find answers to questions you haven’t even thought of yet!)

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for a newly-built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to find the perfect property for you. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, Lance Partin and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

ar123869527653434If you’re a seasoned homeowner – or even getting ready to make your first leap into home ownership – the odds are you’ve seen those ‘special offers’ in real estate listings. They are, after all, designed to catch your eye – with phrases like: “$20,000 in free upgrades!” or “We’ll pay up to $10,000 of your closings costs!”

That’s advertising at its best. It piques your interest and causes you to begin comparing that home you really fell in love with . . . one you didn’t like nearly as much. But hey – who wants to pass up a great deal, right?

The fact is, in real estate, nothing is as “free” as it seems. In many cases, when you add up the cost of all the strings that come attached to these ‘great deals’ – “free” can end up costing you a lot more than you can imagine.

Builder Incentives

Whether you’re in a buyer’s or a seller’s market, you’re going to find that upgrade incentives are often a builder’s stock-in-trade. But in order to get ‘freebies’ such as free upgrades or paid closing costs, buyers often have to agree to certain conditions. These can include a number of things – such as paying list price, making an immediate purchase, or even using their sales agent to sell your existing home.

But perhaps the most costly of these conditions can be to require you to use the builder’s “preferred lender.” As one local Las Vegas mortgage broker, Premier Mortgage Lending, explains in greater detail in a recent article, the vast differences in the fees and rates for mortgage loans can easily add up to thousands of dollars in unnecessary costs for a borrower. The bottom line is that when a builder takes away your options to shop for the best mortgage loan, the odds are that those paid closings costs they’re referring to will probably – in one way or another – actually be coming out of your own pocket. (Suddenly, ‘free’ isn’t sounding quite so “free” anymore, is it?)

Seller Concessions

When it comes to seller concessions, there’s only one way to say it: Unless the seller offers you a concession after the final purchase price has been agreed upon – you’re going to be paying for it, one way or another.

Think about it: It’s one thing if, for example, you agree to pay $200,000 for a home; then after the fact, the seller offers to pay 3% of your closing costs. But that’s almost never how it works. In a typical sale – you make an offer first, and in that offer you ask for a 3% concession towards your closing costs. And then the seller accepts your offer.

But wait – that means you could have just as easily purchased that home for 3% less. And as most buyers will usually finance the maximum loan amount for their purchase, that means you just earned the privilege of financing your own closing costs over the next 30 years. Ouch.

The examples described above are just two of many situations where builders and sellers lure buyers by making offers that sound “too good to be true.” But in most cases, it’s good to remember that’s exactly what they are. Knowing that they’re operating with a “back-door” to your wallet will make it easier for you to see through the smoke and mirrors and know exactly what you’re paying for when buying a home.

And we’d like to give you one more key piece of advice that every home buyer should be aware of: Working with your own real estate professional can help you avoid these pitfalls – as they are required by law to operate in the best interests of their client: You.

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for a newly-built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to find the perfect property for you. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, Lance Partin and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

image003

Have you ever seen photos of outdoor living spaces that seemed to be calling your name? The ones that make you sigh and think “What would I give for THAT?!” Well, you’re not alone. But the good thing is there are plenty of ways to get your back yard there, whether you’re looking to meet a budget or if money is no object. That’s one of the advantages of our digital age – you can see it all and choose what you like to create your own personal oasis.

Outdoor entertaining and lounging isn’t exactly a new idea, but the design, technology and mechanics of it all have given us opportunities our parents never had. Rather than a cooler and a few lawn chairs, now we’re seeing entire kitchens, waterproof electronics, flat-screen TVs, and cozy fireplaces utilized in these inviting retreats.

With the shelter of a roof overhead and less weather extremes than many other parts of the country, dressing up your back yard and patio in Las Vegas is an affordable way to expand your living space without the expense of adding a room onto your home. Being attached to the home gives it a more fluid, continuous feel, creating the perfect environment for relaxation or entertaining – from a gathering to watch a football game, to hosting a sophisticated cocktail party.

But where do you begin? One source is the internet, where Pinterest and Google will provide inspiration; and visiting model homes for ideas and to see the space live and in person are excellent options, as well. These visuals will help you in selecting your own design and colors, and determine which elements are a must for your environment. Then, consider the following suggestions to help you create space that reflects your personal sense of style.

1. Deciding how to use your outdoor space

Your first decision is to determine if this is a space for quiet, intimate conversation – or a gathering spot for family-friendly BBQs? Do you see Game Days being spent out with your feet up and a cold one in your hand (enter: electronics) – or would a table-based fire and gourmet appliances give you the opportunity to entertain at the next level? The fact is, your options have no limit (your budget might, but not your options!). Once you know what you plan to use your outdoor living space for, you’ll know how to lay out your features -and where to shop first.

2. Consider the mood with lighting options

Lighting is going to set your tone, so you want to give some serious thought to this. Today, options for outdoor lighting are virtually limitless – from chandeliers to torchiers, they range in style from traditional and formal to sleek and modern. You can string globe lights around the perimeter for a festive air, or opt for artificial flameless candles. Adding a fireplace or a fire pit can not only add atmosphere but also be a source of sensual lighting and add drama to your environment.

3. Have a seat.

Look for furniture that invites you to virtually sink into it. The more welcoming and comfortable, the better. Lounges, wide chairs, and love seats that have thick cushions (in fabrics that are weather and fade-resistant) will make your guests want to kick off their shoes, relax, and stay awhile. Swings – whether on stands or ceiling mounted – are most definitely fun and attractive seating in any outdoor space (and you might even want to entertain the idea of a hammock.) Whatever you choose, ensure that you have plenty of seating available, as well as places for guests to place drinks and plates of food.

4. Remember that details are key.

One of the best ways things to define an actual living room from other outdoor areas is something most people don’t even think about: a rug. Why? Because it creates a physical anchor point and sets the tone for the entire aesthetic of the room with warmth and intimacy. Its color and design also has the power to accent the rest of the décor. Drapes and shades are another often overlooked element – not only can they cut the harsh glare of the sun, they can add softness and color, providing a sense of privacy – and when pulled aside, they give access to breathtaking views to remind us of what we love about being outdoors. Planters and lovely green plants continue the theme of blending indoor and outdoor spaces, too.

The bottom line is: Be daring! An outdoor living room can be your creative sandbox – a place to express your true self. Less expensive to build and furnish, it’s easy to see why they are so popular. If a little thought is put into it, the rewards can be gratifying. (You might even find yourself spending more time outdoors than in!) And time spent outdoors surrounded by nature is proven to refresh and invigorate us , both physically and emotionally. What better payoff can you possibly imagine?

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for a newly-built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to find the perfect property for you. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, Lance Partin and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

image003This year, Las Vegas has been reaping the results of the long-term recovery in the real estate market with many economic indicators headed in the right direction – Up. A drop in unemployment, more new homes starts, an increase in the sale of resale homes – overall, we’ve seen a consistent improvement each month across the board. And that’s a welcome change for home owners / sellers, buyers, and the real estate industry as a whole.

And the good news continues: New home builders are seeing more first-time buyers entering the market, and as the job market improves, Millennials are beginning to transition from renting to owning. Single-family home sales have hit a 9-year high nationwide – and here in Las Vegas, the median price of homes has increased by 10% compared to June 2014.

Granted, for several years, it seems there’s been nowhere for the market to go except up. Due to the uncertainty in the job and housing markets over the past seven years, 7.4 million home sales have been lost. And while many of those sales may never be recovered, the housing demand is now being driven by population growth, higher employment, and improved incomes. It’s all great news – with industry analysts predicting that the U.S. housing market should continue to improve into 2016.

Adding to this resounding recovery is the fact that more buyers are once again able to become owners. Those who were hit hard by the recession have spent the interim years rebuilding their credit and recovering financially. And many who experienced short sales or foreclosures have moved past the mandatory imposed waiting periods imposed before they could obtain a new government mortgage loan. (Although thanks to a special financing program from one local Las Vegas lender – Premier Mortgage Lending – buyers are also eligible to get non-traditional financing as early as one day after a foreclosure or short sale is completed. Visit AnotherChanceNevada.com for more information.)

When you combine all these excellent reports from all sectors of the U.S. economy – and add in that mortgage interest rates are still at long-time historic lows – more and more buyers are able to pick the home they love and receive that “Loan Approved” phone call we all hope for.

But to find out if you’re able to get that good news, you have to ask! Discover if you can get back into home ownership by contacting a real estate professional or mortgage lender today. Here at New Home Resource, we’re making it possible for Las Vegas residents to do it every single day. You could be among them.

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for a newly-built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to find the perfect property for you. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, Lance Partin and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!