Archives for the month of: May2016
Here in Las Vegas, it doesn’t always count what the calendar says…..our “summer” has a habit of showing up a bit early compared to the rest of the country. (One of the many reasons we love it here!) Las Vegans are already enjoying pool parties, visiting the lake, going hiking, and taking road trips. And many of us are also in the habit of taking our furry best friends along for whichever adventure we’re undertaking at the moment, because – let’s be honest – who doesn’t like bringing someone along who simply wants to adore us?
But there are some very important things to remember about “Adventuring with your Pet” in the desert Southwest, and we’d just like to remind long-time residents and newcomers alike, what to know so you BOTH have a safe and happy summer season!
NEVER, EVER, EVER LEAVE YOUR PET IN A PARKED CAR!
Sorry for the all-caps, but it’s worth yelling about – because sometimes, people just don’t realize how FAST and how hot it can get in a car in Las Vegas. Here’s how hot:
On an 85-degree day, even with the car windows slightly opened, the temperature inside a car will reach 102-degrees in just 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, it will reach 120-degrees. That is hot enough for your pet to suffer brain and other organ damage – and die. It’s an excruciating condition for your pet, and not a pretty sight to behold. So PLEASE – don’t take that chance. (And be forewarned, there are plenty of people in this city who – if they see a pet in a parked car during the summer – will do whatever it takes to rescue that animal.)
If Your Pet Is Exposed To High Temperatures
Even as careful as we can be with our pets, accidents do happen. (Water bowls get knocked over, even your home air conditioner going-out while you’re at work.) So here are the signs to look for and the steps to follow if you have concerns about your pet’s condition:
1. Look for signs of heat stress – such as heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid pulse, unsteadiness, a staggering gait, vomiting, or a deep red or purple tongue.
2. If your pet is overheated – move him to a cooler area and take these emergency steps:
a. Gradually lower his body temperature by applying COOL (not cold) water all over his body, or soaking him in a cool bath.
b. Place cool, wet towels over the back of the neck, in the armpits, and in the groin area. Also wet the earflaps and paws with cool water. Direct a fan on the wet areas to speed cooling.
c. Offer your pet fresh, cool water if it wants to drink – but don’t force them to.
3. Take your pet to a veterinarian immediately. It could quite literally save his life. Call ahead if you can to let them know the circumstances so they can begin preparing before you arrive.
Is the Pavement Too Hot For Your Dog’s Paws?
It might seem a little unusual for people in other parts of the country that we have to worry about this – but it is a serious concern for pets in Las Vegas. On a typical summer day with our higher temps, the asphalt outside can easily reach temperatures of 160-degrees and higher. Seriously. To avoid literally burning his foot-pads off, you need to be aware of this possibility – and if necessary, use pet boots or other protective gear to keep them safe. How do you know if it’s too hot? Try one of these tests: Can you walk on the asphalt barefoot? If it hurts you, it’s going to hurt them. Or – put the back of your hand on the asphalt. If you can’t hold it there for 5 seconds, it’s too hot for your dog, too.
Taking a Trip? Be Sure to Pack for Your Pet, Too
If you’ve got a pet, then the odds are you have a favorite pet store, too. So if you have plans to hit the road and take your pet along for some outdoor adventures, be sure you bring along the necessities they’ll need, too. These include:
• IDENTIFICATION! 10 million pets get lost every year, and without identification – 90% of them never return home. Let that sink in. Then get some updated pet tags made, pronto!
• Water & Water Bowls. Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so ‘nuff said on that. But you’d be surprised how often people forget these very basic items.
• Pet sunscreen. Especially important for pets with light skin tones – but noses of all colors can get easily sunburned!
• Pet boots. Not only to protect against hot pavement, but if you’re on the trail, it will keep their paws safe there, too.
• Leash and/or Harness. Even if your pet is the most well-behaved and obedient animal in the world – there are some places they simply won’t be allowed to go without these items. Make sure your pet gets included in ALL the fun!
• Life Vests – if you’re hitting the lake, river, or ocean.
• Doggles. Yes – protection goggles for dog are necessary if you’re going to be doing anything at high speeds.
• Cooling Bandana or other cooling apparel. It’s not just a matter of keeping them safe – you want them to be comfortable, too. For those times when you don’t have access to necessary resources, items like this can be a real benefit.
We might be letting our passion for pets show through in this post, but we know we’re not alone. The loss or injury, or even worse, the death of a pet is hard enough – without knowing you didn’t do all you could to keep it from happening in the first place. Plan ahead to keep your pet safe this summer, and you’ll both enjoy the season a whole lot more!
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!
DO HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS GET A BAD RAP?
Posted by New Home Resource on May 23, 2016 in
In Las Vegas, it’s often a given that the home you buy in a new or established neighborhood is going to include a Home Owners Association (HOA). Yay! Or….not so much? You might have an opinion on that.
One thing that we’ve noticed you rarely see in the headlines, though, are things like “HOA Adds Value to Our Homes” – or “No Trash On Our Streets, Thanks to the HOA!” Nah – most of the reason that an HOA gets into the news is due to complaints, because it’s rare for people to take the time to deliver compliments.
Now, we’re not going to lie and say that we haven’t heard a number of HOA Horror Stories, because we have. But because we deal with the entire Las Vegas real estate market, we also know that their existence is, for the most part, a good thing. Often the reason that HOA’s run into trouble is when reasonable neighborhood residents fail to take an interest in playing a role on the board – and they leave it all to someone else, just assuming that it doesn’t really require their attention because “doesn’t everyone think like me?” Sometimes, that doesn’t work out so well.
Whether you like or hate the rules that come with life in a community association, once you buy that property – you’ve signed on. But those rules are designed to protect property values, and studies show that 70% of people believe they do.
(HUGE DISCLAIMER: Read your HOA documents before you close escrow. Know the rules before you move in – because by moving in, you’ve accepted them all.)
But it’s important to realize that communities with HOA’s are dependent upon the skills and personalities that residents and board members bring to the table. Good communication and transparency are crucial elements of a harmonious relationship between the HOA and its residents. Clarifying where the money goes, sharing information about how decisions are made, and encouraging homeowner participation in rules and expenditures are all part of the responsibilities that the board should take seriously. Think of it as a non-stop process of building and maintaining trust – with a big helping of give-and-take (sort of like having to deal with your extended family at Thanksgiving dinner!).
So we’d just like to remind homeowners that there are reasons you bought your home in that neighborhood – and some of those reasons may not even exist without the covenants and bylaws of the Home Owners Association that govern that community.
If you want to make sure that the HOA you live under is run properly and fairly – then exercise your voice, attend meetings, read the newsletters, stay informed, take advantage of your right to vote and even run for office. Because the only way to keep the bad eggs off the board is to make sure that it’s filled up with good eggs instead!
(One last reminder: HOAs now have the power to report to credit agencies – so even if you have a dispute with yours, stay current on your dues, or your credit may take an unnecessary hit!)
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!
When Someone Else Wants to Buy the Same Home You Do
Posted by New Home Resource on May 20, 2016 in
The supply and demand for real estate has been doing some odd things for a while now. The effect of the Great Recession has created a somewhat unusual flow of homes coming onto the market for sale largely based on the actions of large banks intermittently releasing parts of their inventories of foreclosures on their books.
Whether their actions are good or bad for the market isn’t the topic here, though. What we’d like to do is help buyers understand what, exactly, they may be up against as they go shopping for their next home in Southern Nevada. Because one thing we see often is the seller having a choice of which offer they want to accept. And when you have just fallen head-over-heels for a home, it’s scary to think that the final decision of who gets it is completely out of your hands.
Or is it?
While there may be some things that can’t be overcome (for example, when a buyer makes a financial offer much higher than you can afford to pay) – for the most part, people tend to start out on a relatively equal footing. Most people will work with realistic appraisal estimates, most will need to obtain mortgage financing, etc. But there are a few things you can do that might help tip the scales in your favor.
First thing to remember: Sellers are people, too.
Okay, okay – we know that sounds obvious. But what we want to convey is that in being ‘human’ – their opinions and feelings can often be swayed with the smallest of issues; and if all things are equal financially in the multiple offers they received, then what will they base their final decision on?
We like to think that the numerous tips we’re about to give you all fall under one basic umbrella: Respect.
When you have gone out of your way to show a seller respect – for their time, their hospitality, their consideration, and their privacy – those are awfully easy (and free) things you can do in your interactions with that seller to build a bond of sorts that could just get you that purchase contract you’re longing for. Let’s get started, shall we?
Get Your Mortgage Loan Pre-Approved
We tend to harp on this topic in many of our posts – but that’s because it is such an important thing to do for so many reasons. In this particular context – when you’re trying to convince a seller that you are their best choice among many offers – you want to be able to clearly demonstrate these three things:
(a) You can afford to buy this home;
(b) Your financing has already been reviewed and approved by a reputable mortgage lender; and
(c) You are ready, willing, and able to get to closing
Having that ace up your sleeve – especially when many other buyers haven’t taken the same steps already – can easily move your name to the top of that “Consideration” list.
Be On Time
And if you can’t be on time, let everyone know that as quickly as possible.
Acknowledge the fact that selling a home can be a real time-suck. Sellers need to keep things neat, clean, and tidy at all times, rearrange their schedules to meet with Realtors™ and potential buyers, perhaps they’re meeting workmen to get minor repairs done – there’s a lot of work involved for the seller, alone.
So if you’ve made an appointment to view a home, be punctual. Running late? Call ahead and ask if they would prefer to reschedule – and definitely don’t let that happen more than once. Late appointments or no-call/no-shows until after one was scheduled can leave a bad taste in a seller’s mouth – about you. (insert demerit point for that!)
Show Courtesy for Their Home and Space
This is far from being an exhaustive list, since every home and seller will have its own special circumstances. But start with these items as your rule of thumb – and remember, it is simply not possible to be TOO courteous. So when in doubt, impress them with your consideration.
• Be respectful of parking. Don’t inconvenience the neighbors, and don’t block the seller’s cars in the driveway. If you need to walk from down the street a few houses, that’s a small price to pay to avoid making a poorly-timed bad impression.
• Remove your shoes. This may not make a difference to all sellers – but it may make a huge difference to YOUR seller. Stay on the safe side. In many cultures, it is a huge faux pas to wear shoes inside at all. It’s a whole lot easier just to not risk it at all.
• Don’t overwhelm them with a huge group of people to view their home. Try to minimize to just the heads of the household – at least for the initial visit. Forego the parents and best friends accompanying you; and on the first visit, it’s wise to skip bringing the kids. There is a liability that the seller assumes having people in their home – and think about it from their point of view. It’s uncomfortable to have people wander off from the group and then having to wonder/worry what someone is doing in the bedroom when you’re all in the kitchen, etc. If you decide this is the home for you – schedule a time to bring the rest of the household with you to view it at a later date.
• Don’t take photos without asking permission. Especially in this day and age – with the potential for an image to go literally from non-existent to a media sensation in mere moments. Many people go to great lengths to protect their privacy specifically from this possibility. If you’d like some images to help you plan and remember specific things – ask the owner if they would mind if you take a photo, and frame the image it in a way that they will be comfortable with.
Certainly there are many other thoughtful considerations you can put into play during your interactions with a seller – but remember this: You don’t know until you see a home if it may be “The One” that you simply must own. That means you want to practice these particular etiquettes – and perhaps others that your Realtor™ will recommend – with every home you visit in your search. Do that, and you’re going to be miles ahead of your potential competition to be the new owner!
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!
What is This Charge for a “Title Insurance Policy” on My Closing Statement?
Posted by New Home Resource on May 2, 2016 in
When you work in the real estate industry, it’s easy to get so used to the “lingo” that you forget sometimes the words and terms you’re using aren’t necessarily mainstream knowledge.
That got us thinking that it’s worth taking the time to explain a few of the most common real estate terms that we industry professionals just fling around carelessly – assuming everyone knows what we’re talking about. And since there are about a gajillion different phrases used in any given real estate transaction, we’d like to help explain one of the most common – but perhaps least understood – real estate terms that will affect virtually all buyers – namely: Title Insurance Policies.
A standard inclusion in pretty much any real estate purchase or sale, it’s one of those things that any REALTOR™ will just take for granted needs no explanation. Surely everyone knows what it is, right? (What? You mean you didn’t read the latest Nevada Revised Real Estate Statutes and Regulations when you were on vacation?)
Wrong. In fact, we have friends who have bought and sold many different homes through the years who finally ‘fessed up around their 5th escrow transaction that they had no idea what that charge is on their closing documents for “Title Insurance Policy Premium.”
So let’s start out with the simplest explanation:
The primary purpose of Title Insurance is to eliminate risks and prevent losses caused by defects in title arising out of events that have happened in the past.
Oh gee. Now that we see it in writing, that doesn’t really help much, does it? Okay – then let’s break it down further with a few Q&As.
What is it?
• Title insurance is a policy that protects you from unanticipated claims that could cause you to lose your home.
• It’s protection against historical mistakes and fraud committed with respect to your home.
How does it work?
• Unlike other insurance policies (such as life, health, or auto) – which protect against potential future events – a Title Insurance Policy insures against events that occurred in the property’s past.
Why is Title Insurance important?
• Mistakes happen. While your seller is obligated to sell you the home with a “clear title” (in other words, no liens, encumbrances, or claims that you didn’t agree to) – they may not always disclose title defects they know of; or even be aware of things that occurred prior to their purchase of the home.
• Imagine one scenario: You have to leave your home because county records show that the seller who sold you the home never really owned it. (It happens!)
• Or, the seller had work done on the home previously, but failed to pay the workers in full. The workers or subcontractor may have filed a lien against the property, and if it’s not paid – you could be the one held financially responsible to pay the liens in order to eliminate them from the title to your property.
• Title insurance protects against situations like this. When a claim is made, your title insurer will research the claim on your behalf and, if necessary, will make you whole for any loss incurred (which may even include paying your remaining mortgage balance in full, as well as related expenses.)
Who issues the Title Insurance Policy?
• Your escrow officer (or lender) will open an order, and the title agent will begin a title search.
• During escrow, a Preliminary Title Report is issued to the customer for review and approval.
• After closing and recording of all the purchase and loan documents, the escrow officer will disburse funds to pay the title company for the policy.
• Then the policy is created and issued to the owner or lender (depending on which policy is purchased).
What does it cost?
• It is a one-time premium paid at the close of escrow. The cost will differ based on the sales price of the home and/or the rates of the title company issuing the policy. (Estimate between .4%-.75% of your loan amount.)
How is it paid?
• It will show up on your escrow closing statement as an “Owner’s (or Lender’s) Title Insurance.”
Who should buy Title Insurance?
• In our opinion – everyone.
• There are two types of policies: Owner’s Title Insurance and Lender’s Title Insurance.
• It is optional for Owners.
• But nearly every mortgage lender will require that a borrower purchase a Lender’s Title Insurance policy.
Whew! That’s quite a bit of information! And to think, before we wrote this all down we just expected our clients to know (apparently by osmosis!) all that the phrase “Title Insurance” entailed. But hopefully, this helps to make it a little bit easier to understand in any future real estate purchase you make. (And if you have any other questions about this topic, feel free to contact us and we’ll help to clear them up.)
The bottom line is this: Yes, you want to purchase Title Insurance on your home. Considering the relatively minor cost – in relation to your overall financial investment in buying a home – it is money well spent. You may never need it, but if you do – you’ll be awfully, awfully glad it’s there.
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!