In the past, we’ve written about the true value gained in working with a professional real estate agent when buying or selling your home. (If you’ve missed the compelling, timesaving, money-saving reasons we listed – take a look here. And here. And here.)

But what about hiring a Property Manager? To be honest, there are some very good reasons you may choose to handle it all yourself – a few being that you live near the property, you have the time to devote to the job, and you can handle many repairs yourself. But there are many excellent reasons smart investors choose to rely on a professional to manage one or all of their rental properties – and they include the following (which is just the beginning!):

Higher Quality Tenants / Better Tenant Retention.

An experienced property management company has seen thousands of applications and knows how to quickly dig for the real facts about candidates and analyze that information for warning signs. While it’s certainly possible to get a bad tenant out of your home once they’re in – we can generally all agree that it’s certainly better not to accept them in the first place.

By allowing a management company to handle the screening, you’re also shielding yourself from rental scams directed at owners, and discrimination lawsuits resulting from an inconsistent screening process. This kind of experience takes time, and because it can help you avoid bad tenants, scams, and lawsuits – it’s arguably one of the most significant benefits a property management company can provide. A thorough screening process results in reliable tenants that pay on time, rent for longer terms, and put less wear and tear on the unit – all of which are optimum benefits for owners.

Avoid Costly and Time-Consuming Legal Matters.

In addition to federal laws, each state and municipality has their own regulations – but just a few of the legal matters that will require meticulous attention to detail are:

• Tenant screening / Background checks
• Proper lease agreements to protect your interests
• Safety and proper conditions of the property
• Inspections
• Rent collection / handling security deposits
• What steps to take in case of an eviction
• Proper handling of terminating leases

No one wants to be caught up in the drama of tenant legal issues – they’re costly and frustrating – and most likely, your property will also stop producing income while the matter is being litigated. The ability to avoid a single lawsuit can more than pay for any property management fees, not to mention sparing you time and anguish.

Lower Maintenance and Repair Costs.

Protecting the value of your property investment – and keeping tenants happy – requires a commitment to keeping your property well maintained and repaired. By hiring a management firm, you gain access to their in-house maintenance staff, along with their network of licensed, bonded, and insured contractors who have already been vetted for quality work and fair pricing. This can translate into significant savings compared to going through the yellow pages and hiring a handyman yourself. Not only can your property manager get volume discounts on work, they also know the contractors and understand maintenance issues – so they are capable of intelligently supervising any work that needs to be done.

Peace of Mind.

If you’re spending a huge chunk of your time dealing with tenants, repair issues, and chasing rent payments – the best question you can ask yourself is: “What is my time worth?” While there are certainly some people born to be landlords and they may thrive on the whole process – most people have other things they either could or should be doing with their time.

Some of the things you won’t have to worry about when you hire a property manager include middle of the night emergencies, filing evictions, worry about tenants wrecking your property, piles of paperwork, and the impact of improper repairs.

But then there are the things you will get to think about: Such as focusing on managing your assets and building your investment portfolio; having more time for yourself and family; and more freedom to live and invest where you want without having to be near the properties you own. One more added benefit: Your property manager knows the market – and may also be in a position to help you locate and acquire additional properties that allow you to build your wealth.

Of course, it’s just as important to hire the right property management company – one who has the right experience, knowledge, connections, and reputation. To find out more about Property Management Services provided by New Home Resource, click here to visit our website – or contact us at 702.365.1000.

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for property management, 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 provide just the service you’re looking for. 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, and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

You’ve bought the investment home and now you’re wondering: “What Comes Next?”

If the answer to that question means you’re considering why you should hire a property manager – then perhaps this list will help. While it’s easy to think that owning income property is just a matter of picking up the rent each month – there really is a lot more to doing it effectively (and legally) than most people realize.

To begin our series, “How a Property Manager Takes Care of Business” – here is a short – but important – list of the work involved you should consider. For now, we’ll just give you the wavetops . . . and we’ll expand on these topics in future posts.

1. Marketing, advertising and showing your property. (It’s not all about Craigslist.)
2. Staying in compliance with housing regulations, property laws, and tenant rights. (Lawsuits, anyone?)
3. Setting the right rental and deposit rates. (Protect your investment.)
4. Applications, Interviews, and Background Checks. (Avoid discrimination issues.)
5. Finding the right tenants and managing them properly. (P.M. takes the “bad cop” role.)
6. Retaining tenants and reducing tenant turnover. (Result: Reliable income.)
7. Avoiding legal matters and complications with proper leasing procedures. (Being legally covered.)
8. Collecting and depositing monthly rent payments on time. (Stress-free, reliable income.)
9. Benefit of the manager’s own in-house staff and outside vendor relationships. (Lower negotiated costs.)
10. Inspections, maintenance, and upgrades as needed. (Extending the life of your investment.)
11. Handling all accounting and documentation. (All the tracking is done for you.)
12. Fees are a property expense. (Limit tax liability – and save your time and energy in the process.)

One thing that may strike you as familiar about these 12 items is – yes, they are closely related to the real estate industry. In many cases, the responsibilities and legalities overlap or are connected in such a way that a Realtor® is knowledgeable about already. As a result, they have the expertise, connections, and education to address all your needs properly, efficiently, and cost-effectively.

That’s one of the reasons we recommend choosing a Property Management company with a successful real estate background and one who is familiar with the area. New Home Resource Property Management meets all these qualifications – and much more. We’d be happy to show you the financial, timesaving, and stress-reducing benefits you’ll receive by allowing us to manage your rental properties. Visit our website to fill out an interest card – or call 702.365.1000 for more information.

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for property management, 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 provide just the service you’re looking for. 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, and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

It’s that time of year when we’re all on the hunt for the best holiday light displays in town. But, until we find where they’re hiding, we thought we’d share the numerous fun holiday events that won’t cost you a cent (except for the stop at Starbucks afterwards for the Peppermint Hot Chocolate!)

One of the things we love about Las Vegas is how involved our local businesses are with the community. It’s a great show to behold in your travels around the city. If you’re putting together your Holiday Entertainment Schedule, you may just want to plan on adding these to your list. Enjoy!

WinterFest

The City of Henderson will host its annual WinterFest celebration, December 8-10, 2016 at the Henderson Events Plaza and Henderson Convention Center, both located at 200 Water Street, in the Water Street District. This year’s theme is Winter – Silver & Snowflakes and the event will feature a snow play area along with a variety of family-friendly activities, including an official tree lighting ceremony with Mayor Hafen and Santa Claus, gingerbread house displays, roaming performances, and an evening light parade. Event admission is complimentary. Some activities will require paid admission.

Ethel M Chocolates Factory and Cactus Garden

For a Southwest take on the holidays, head to the festive cactus garden at Ethel M Chocolates Factory, which features some three acres of cacti festooned with half a million lights. It’s a bit off the beaten path, but well worth the trip. 2 Cactus Garden Dr at Sunset Way, Henderson. November 15th – January 1st; Admission is Free and Open to the Public.
Holiday Lights: Nightly, 5pm to 10pm.
Factory & Chocolate Shoppe: Open daily 8:30am till 10pm.
Visits from Santa Claus: Friday – Sunday till Christmas 5pm to 9pm.
Performances by Local Choirs: Friday – Sunday 6pm to 8pm.

Cowboy Christmas

The Cowboy Christmas returns to Las Vegas with more wares to keep even the most avid shopper entertained! Conveniently located in the South Halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center at Paradise Road and Desert Inn, just one block east of the famous Las Vegas Strip. This year’s show promises to exceed expectations! Over 440,000 square feet of show-floor hosting! 400 plus vendors from across the United States and Canada will showcase their unique products which include: customized jewelry, western wear, boots and spurs, furniture, original art, handmade crafts and pottery, as well as providing the best source for the Official Wrangler NFR and PRCA merchandise. 3150 Paradise Rd at Convention Center Dr. Dec 3–12, 9am–5pm; free.

Las Vegas Great Santa Run

It’s time for the running of the Santa’s! At this annual 5k fun run and one-mile walk to benefit local organization Opportunity Village, registration includes a five-piece Santa suit. Last year, over 9,000 Santa’s ran for charity (and to work off a few holiday cookies), but Las Vegas still lost the world record for the largest Santa run to Liverpool, England. This year, the event is hoping for 10,000 Santa’s and a chance to take the title. Third Street Stage at Fremont Street Experience, Fremont St between S Main St and S Casino Center Blvd. Dec 5, from 8am; free for spectators.

30th Annual Downtown Hoedown

Free Concerts on Nov 30, 2016 from 4:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Old Dominion and Sawyer Brown headline the 30th Annual Downtown Hoedown, the official kick-off to Wrangler National Finals Rodeo week in Las Vegas. The free event happens Nov. 30, 2016 and features top country talent beginning at 4:30 p.m. and ending with headliner performances from Sawyer Brown at 8:40 p.m. on the 1st Street Stage (near Binion’s) and Old Dominion at 9:50 p.m. on the 3rd Street Stage (between The D and Four Queens).

30th Annual Downtown Hoedown Schedule:

• Jackson Michelson on Main Street Stage – 4:30-5:30pm
• High Valley on 1st Street Stage – 5:40-6:25pm
• Aaron Watson on 3rd Street Stage – 6:35-7:20pm
• Craig Campbell on Main Street Stage – 7:30-8:30pm
• Sawyer Brown on 1st Street Stage – 8:40-9:40pm
• Old Dominion on 3rd Street Stage – 9:50-11:30pm

December to Remember at the Neon Museum

This year, families have a variety of festive reasons to attend the Neon Museum’s annual “December to Remember” holiday celebration, which takes place Saturday, Dec. 17, from 2 to 6 p.m. It begins with ornament-making in the Boneyard Park and then families can snap their own photo with Santa in the North Gallery from 2 to 5 p.m., followed by hot chocolate and caroling by Las Vegas Academy choir in the colorfully illuminated Neon Museum Boneyard from 5 to 6 p.m. “December to Remember” is part of the City of Las Vegas Cultural Corridor’s holiday festival. This event is free and open to the public; reservations are not required. 770 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

Santa Photo’s at The District

The District at Green Valley Ranch | Starts Nov 22 – Ends Dec 24
Come Visit Santa at his house in The District in Henderson! Santa’s house is located off main Street, near Williams Sonoma. Santa’s Hours are:

• November 28 – December 11
• Monday – Friday: 11am-7pm (Break 2:30-3:30pm)
• Saturday: 11am-8pm (Break 3:00-4:00pm)
• Sunday: 11am-6pm (Break 3:00-3:30pm)
• December 12 – 23 – Daily: 11am-8pm (Break 1pm-1:30pm; 5pm-6pm)
• December 24 – 9am-4pm (Break 12:30pm-1:00pm)

Mystic Falls Park at Sam’s Town

A holiday tradition for over 19 years, Mystic Falls Park will be decked out for the holidays with beautiful new holiday decor, an exciting all-new laser light show and will be making it snow in Vegas every night through the new year beginning November 25, 2016. Plus… Santa will be here to welcome kids of all ages! November 25, 2016 – December 23, 2016 – Thursdays and Fridays, 4:00pm -8:30pm; Saturdays and Sundays, 12:00pm – 8:30pm.

From all of us at New Home Resource, we wish you and yours the happiest of holidays this season!!

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for property management, 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 provide just the service you’re looking for. 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, and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

Been out looking at homes lately? Thinking that it might be time for you to make the leap? Stop renting, set down some roots, and grow your family? Those are all great ideas, if you ask us. (First, because we hate to see people waste money on rent when they can invest in themselves. Second – because we think Las Vegas is awesome. And third, because we love kids and animals. But, we digress.)

As we mentioned in our last post, going into the home-buying process with a good Credit Score is truly important. Why? Because as we explained, it will help you get a better interest rate, allow you to pay fewer fees, and it will give you more loan options.

Of course, it’s easy for us to say that – but credit can be a complicated thing. (That’s probably why there are books, magazines, websites, and experts out there that make that make explaining how credit works their sole purpose in life.)

There are, however, some basics to keep in mind when you’re trying to improve your own credit history that apply to everyone across the board. So we’re going to try to take a little bit of the “mystery” out of credit! Maybe then you can have a better idea of how to evaluate your own. Then you can make decisions that will help increase your “borrow-ability” (hey look! a new word!) when it’s time for you to make an offer on that house you absolutely love – then apply for your mortgage loan, confident it will make your dream of homeownership come true. Ready?

Not Paying as Agreed. (35% of Credit Score) The first red flag for a lender will focus on any late payments, charged-off accounts, bankruptcies, liens, judgment and other derogatory items on your Credit Report. However, since life isn’t necessarily black-and-white, there may be extenuating circumstances that caused these things to show up on your Credit Report. (An all-too-common and unfortunate one can be identity theft. Another may be an illness with extensive medical bills, or perhaps the millions of people adversely affected by the economic crisis.) Many people aren’t aware that mortgage lenders will consider some of these circumstances when evaluating your loan application. So remember that just because those things are on your report, if there’s a good reason and explanation for them, you may still be able to qualify for a loan.

Poor Credit Management. (30% of Credit Score) Are your credit cards maxed-out to their limit? That’s going to have a big effect on your Credit Score. It’s not that just owing money on your credit accounts makes you a higher credit risk, though. What lowers your score is having high balances, and having balances on several accounts. It’s a sign you may have spread yourself too thin. Start working toward paying those balances down, pay off the ones you can, and before long – you’ll see that score begin to rise.

The Length of Your Credit History. (15% of Credit Score) There’s no hard and fast rule for how long a credit history is required to get a mortgage loan. But as a guide, keep in mind that lenders like to see several months of a good payment history. If you have zero credit history as you read this, then now is the time to start building one. Here are some tips on how to get that ball rolling.

The Type of Credit You Have. (10% of Credit Score) One thing that can help improve your Credit Score is having a variety of credit types on your report. These can be credit cards, store cards and installment loans or credit. So, for example, an auto loan and a few credit cards would be a better credit mix than having only credit cards on your report. Just remember that while having a mix of credit can help, you shouldn’t take out any credit you won’t use. Because…..

New Credit. (10% of Credit Score) Opening multiple new lines of credit too quickly can create a drop in your credit score. (So that part about not taking out credit you don’t need – this is why.) The exception to this is if you’re shopping around for the best credit or loan terms. Multiple credit inquiries over a short period of time will be grouped together as one inquiry – so they won’t “ding” your credit each time one comes through.

Two other things to keep in mind when it comes to your credit – that can both have a tremendous impact on your creditworthiness – are these:

• Errors on your Credit Report. It’s estimated that 1 in 5 Americans have at least one error on their credit report. That’s a huge number – so it bears saying you should review yours with a fine-tooth comb to see if yours is one of them. The good news is that today, it’s possible to submit a dispute for incorrect information online directly to the credit agency reporting the mistake. Although as this creditcards.com blog explains, sometimes better results are achieved through the USPS regular mail.
• Are You Buying Your Home with a Spouse? Remember that both of your credit histories will play a role in your mortgage loan application. That means – don’t review only your own report – get your partner to review theirs, too!

Now you’ve got your homework assignment. It’s time to dig in and take the steps to raise your credit score as high as possible! That one number will help you save money in more places than you can imagine – and not only on your mortgage loan rates.

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for property management, 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 provide just the service you’re looking for. 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, and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

There are a lot of landlords in Las Vegas these days. In fact, ever since the Great Recession when investors took advantage of great opportunities in our city, the number of rental properties in Las Vegas has risen rapidly.

What hasn’t risen as rapidly is the number of quality property management companies. Notice our use of the word “quality.” Because as you know, when any new need in the market is filled – there are usually choices of great, good, so-so, and ‘stay-away-from-these-guys’ options for that service.

That’s why we would like to remind our Las Vegas clients and friends that New Home Resource Property Management is among one of the best choices that Las Vegas property owners can make – that is, if they want their rental homes to be managed professionally and cost-efficiently. And, all that while building a reputation that makes their homes the first choice of qualified renters.

Why hire New Home Resource as your Property Managers?

If any of the following reasons sound familiar, then we should talk:

• You have multiple rental properties.
• You don’t live near your rental property.
• Your time is limited.
• Hands-on management is not your preference.
• You’re inundated with too many tenant issues.
• You don’t want to hire “employees”, thus an independent contractor is your preferred option.

We’re in it for the long-term on your behalf, and we make it possible for you to rest easy knowing that virtually every detail of managing your rental home is being handled by experts. Even better, we provide a personal touch with dedicated software to stay on top of the details and allows you to be in the loop at all times.

That’s why you can rely on us to take care of it all – from marketing to finding and properly vetting new tenants, checking references, collecting rents, handling repairs, taking care of tenant complaints – even pursuing evictions, if necessary. We have the resources and the expertise to make sure it all happens smoothly, without a hitch.

The only thing you need to ask yourself is this: “How valuable is my time?” Let New Home Resource Property Management take the ‘tasks’ off your To-Do list and put them on ours.

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for property management, 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 provide just the service you’re looking for. 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, and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

Unless you’re one of the lucky ones who hit that lottery jackpot or your MegaBucks dreams have come true, the odds are when the time comes that you want to buy a home, you’re going to need to get a mortgage loan to do it. (By the way, when it gets to that point, the most important rule to know is this: SHOP AROUND FOR THE BEST LOAN! Our friends at Premier Mortgage Lending help explain exactly why in this article.)

While it’s true that your Credit Score is only one element (of many) that a mortgage lender considers (in addition to your income, expenses, and other items) – it’s one of the most important when it comes to getting a more cost-effective and affordable loan.

And by that, we mean a good Credit Score gives you more options and saves you money when it comes to getting a mortgage.

How? It can play a role in getting you a better interest rate, in qualifying for a loan with a lower down-payment requirement, and can even help you to pay less in loan fees – such as Loan Origination, Underwriting, Document, and more. (Wondering how much can those fees can add up to? Take a look here.)

Mortgage Loan Rules of Thumb:

A Credit Score of 740 and above will get you the best mortgage interest rate.
A Credit Score between 620-739 may add from .25% to 1% or even more to your interest rate.
A Credit Score lower than 620 will generally require a significantly larger down payment, additional fees, a higher interest rate, and possibly stricter loan terms.

That’s Why It’s Important to Know What Your Credit Says About You.

If you’re considering making a home purchase in the future, the first thing you should do is check to see what information shows up on your Credit Report – and to find out your Credit Score, too – because those are two completely different things:

• Your Credit Report will show your Credit History – including information such as who has extended credit to you, if you made your payments on-time, how much you have borrowed, and what your total debt obligation is – along with personal information about previous names and addresses associated with your Social Security number.

• Your Credit Score is a numerical value applied to you (between 300 and 850) that is based on an analysis of your credit files. This helps lenders determine how credit-worthy you are, and there are 3 main agencies (although there are many others) who provide them to consumers: TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian.

While everyone is entitled by law to receive a free Credit Report annually (you can get it at www.annualcreditreport.com) – Credit Scores are not free, but are available to purchase.

Potential buyers should be checking their credit score regularly, and at least six to 12 months before applying for a mortgage.

The bottom line is this: The higher your credit score, the more trustworthy you are to borrow, and the less interest you will pay on future loans (and not only mortgage loans, either).

The key to getting a low-interest rate on a mortgage or car loan is having a high credit score and solid credit history of paying off your debt. Start working on your credit today and nurture it for the future. Your reward? Saving money in the Business of Life down the road.

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for property management, 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 provide just the service you’re looking for. 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, and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

As you may recall, our last post dealt with some suggestions about how you can cope with the reality of family and friends coming to stay at your home this season (or anytime, really). We’d like to add an “addendum” of sorts to that post as a reminder about how you, yourself, can be the “Dream House Guest” the next time you’re the one imposing on, er, we mean, staying in someone else’s home.

If you’re the one doing the traveling and visiting soon, here are some valuable rules of thumb to remember. (Because few things stick in our mind more clearly than having walked a mile in a host’s shoes.)

If You’re the House Guest, Then Here’s the Rules
The best way to teach others how to treat you is by example. By following these guidelines when you stay with a loved one, there’s a slightly better chance that they may return the favor the next time they’re in your neighborhood for a few days.

1) Let them know exactly when you’re going to arrive and depart. Some house guests stay too long, and some don’t stay long enough. Strike the perfect balance (our rule of thumb, “Always leave them wanting more”. It’s the best way to get invited back.

2) Ask about the house rules ahead of time. This will help them as much as it will inform you. Plus, it will clearly display that you respect their boundaries before you even get there. A good start to a visit, indeed.

3) Take an appropriate hostess gift. If you’re the house guest of a family with children, a small gift for the children is fitting, too (maybe a puzzle or book). Other gifts might include a book or a kitchen gadget. Wine (if that’s their thing) or flowers (but bring one already arranged – don’t just hand them a wrapped bouquet so they have to do the work!)

4) Check beforehand on available activities and pack accordingly. Not that this necessarily makes you the perfect house guest, it just shows that you’re smart.

5) Don’t ask if you can bring your animals. Arrange to have them cared-for at home while you’re gone. It’s an awkward conversation; don’t put your host in a state of an obligatory answer.

6) Don’t rely on your hosts for anything other than a free place to stay (and by that, we mean lodging – not free meals, too).

7) Buy your own groceries, and buy groceries for your host, too. (Especially if you’re eating meals together at home). We can’t stress this enough.

8) Lend a hand whenever you can. Help clean up after meals; offer to prep food, wash dishes, take out the trash, etc. Your hosts are not your personal concierge service – and you never want to make them feel as though they are. (Little resentments can become big ones very quickly, you know.)

9) Conserve towels. (That’s being kind to your hosts AND the planet.)

10) Be sure and let your hosts know ahead of time if you have any food allergies (but make it clear you’ll be happy to shop for groceries and even prepare foods to meet those needs).

11) Be on-time for meals and for whatever activities have been planned. Arrive when you say you will, or call if you’re running late.

12) Give your host personal time and space. They may be happy to see you, but it doesn’t mean they want to spend every minute of every day with you. You’ll enjoy your time together more if each of you has time apart.

13) Always offer to take your hosts out for a meal or two so they can enjoy an evening without cooking and cleaning – and simply bask in the glow of your company!

14) Keep your room tidy. Another one we cannot stress enough. All it takes is a glance into a messy room to create the impression you’re not caring for their property. And remember that just being there creates extra work for everyone – but little things like this demonstrate that you’re willing to pitch in and do what you can to help maintain a sense of order.

15) When you leave, strip the bed and clear the bathroom of used towels. Ask your host where the clean sheets and towels are kept so you can make the bed and replace used towels.

16) Before you leave, check for anything left behind so your host doesn’t have to package and mail things back to you.

17) Leave a parting gift. During your stay, you should have gotten a good sense of what your hosts want, like, or need. Use this information to purchase a small parting gift that shows your gratitude and decency as a human being.

18) ALWAYS send a written thank-you note as soon as you return home. It will matter more than you know.

House guests can be wonderful when they know and really understand the rules. Go the extra mile to make your visit as easy and pleasant as possible on your hosts. After all, who doesn’t love being invited to visit?

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for property management, 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 provide just the service you’re looking for. 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, and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

We’ve found there are usually two common thoughts that run through the minds of most people when they live in Las Vegas, and we’re guessing during the holiday season, they happen more often than not.

The first is: “How can I accommodate all the family and friends who want to come stay with me?” (Because you live in Fabulous Las Vegas, silly! Two-birds/one-stone theory for them.)

The second is: “How come I can pick my friends, but I can’t pick my family?!” (Okay, that one may be more the result of remembering past holiday seasons – because, hey, what’s a Thanksgiving Dinner without a little family drama?) We can’t help you much with the second (if we could, we might try it ourselves! haha!). But the first can probably be managed a little better than in the past. (Let’s face it – we’re all so worried about hurting other’s feelings, we often don’t pay any attention to our own.)

That’s why we suggest a little forethought, some pre-planning, and actually setting the rules up-front – then saying them out-loud. It is, after all, your home – right? So even if you’ve had some difficult past experiences with certain house guests, we suggest you take that knowledge and turn it to your advantage. Let us get started with ideas by explaining how that can work.

Firm Up the Dates
Those open-ended visits can make you crazy. Admit it – you’ve been there. That’s why it’s critical that you lay out firm ground rules that start with the arrival and departure dates. That allows you to plan activities and know there is an end in sight. (You feel better already, don’t you?) This is probably the most important decision to make before your house guests arrive, and the three-day guideline is a good rule of thumb. (You know what they say about fish & guests.) The Added Benefit you get from this single step can also help to avoid difficult conversations between you, your spouse, and your kids. (Like: “When are they going to leave?!”)

Remember That Your Life Matters, Too
We all love visiting with people we don’t get to see often. Parents, grandparents, school chums – and the holiday season is one of the things that inspires us to gather, catch up, and reminisce. But then why – for some of us – is it a time of such stress and anxiety (and other emotions we won’t mention here, but you know what they are!)?

Part of the reason is that while your house guests may be on a carefree vacation – you’re still dealing with your day-to-day life. That might include work, school, your children’s activities, etc. Plus, the cleaning and shopping and cooking that as a host, you feel is required. And that’s not even counting rearranging the sleeping arrangements, lots of extra “stuff” around your house, more people to share bathrooms, who gets to choose what to watch on tv, and the list goes on.

Many hosts have a tendency to gloss over this by thinking: “it’s just for a few days – we’ll get through it.” But our response to that would be: “Why not just set the ground rules up-front?”

A lot of times, people are reluctant to take this step (those ‘hurt feelings’ again).

But in truth, most people are pretty understanding about this. Why? Because they’ve been in your shoes, and they remember how frustrating it can get! We suggest that at the time (or even before) confirming anyone’s visiting dates, you have an honest communication and say right up front that “I’m delighted you’re coming to visit! Here’s when I’ll be available to plan to do things with you – and when I’ll be working/taking kids to school or activities/etc.” (Even if you just want a couple of hours to yourself after a long workday.) If you have a baby or toddler, routine is important to maintaining household serenity – so invite them to be part of that, too. (They can always go to the casino after bedtime!) The point is to let them know what your schedule is like so they won’t just assume you’re the Local Las Vegas Entertainment Revue 24/7.

Let Them Know Your Home’s Boundaries and How Things Work
With some house guests, it’s hard to know if they don’t pitch in to help because they don’t want to be in your way or do things wrong – or if they’re just taking advantage of the Free Cook & Head Bottle-Washer services they can get out of you. Whichever it is, you can help out the first type, and give the lazier, er – latter ones – a not-so-subtle hint by letting them know how things in your home function. Such as:

• Out-of-bounds areas (like your personal computers, bedroom, etc.)
• Whether pets are welcome
• Where house guests can smoke
• Your WiFi password
• Where to find things (such as dishes, towels, toilet paper, etc.)
• Show them how to make the coffee
• Where should they put dirty laundry?
• Demonstrate how the dishwasher and washing machines work
• Show them where the trash goes
• ….and, well…… you get the gist of it.

Provide Special Touches They’ll Appreciate
This is just a short list of items that almost every house guest will appreciate. Your friends and family may have more specific needs – so we suggest you give them some thought, and surprise them with their visit with things they know only you would recognize – and that they would appreciate.

• Flowers – even tiny vases of fresh herbs or a single flower will clearly display you are thinking of their comfort.
• An extra power strip in their room for their devices (this one is almost mandatory anymore).
• Provide a collection of common bathroom amenities in a small basket.
• Set apart a stack of clean towels.
• Place some bottled water in their room.
• Provide a place to hang their clothes / set up their suitcase.
• Extra pillows.
• Clear off a nightstand and leave the lamp on for them.
• Written instructions about how to operate your television. Have Netflix or Roku? Tell them how to work that, too!
• A list with directions from your house to nearby stores, in case they need to purchase personal items.
• Do they enjoy a yoga or exercise class regularly? Provide a list of nearby facilities.

Will you be hosting elderly house guests? They also have some special needs to take into consideration.

• Keep extra blankets in their room in case they get a chill.
• Provide nightlights.
• Tub floor grippers and non-slip mats (might save everyone from a difficult situation)
• A clock and a calendar (in case they need to keep track of medications)
• Pen and notepad.
• Also, keep in mind that seniors eat smaller meals and snack more, and they may have certain dietary restrictions. Ask ahead of time about foods and drinks they normally eat, and make the extra effort to let them know you have them, where they are, and how to make them (explaining where utensils and dishes are, etc.)

See? It’s possible to make your house guests feel super-welcome AND not make your time during their visit a ride straight to Insanityville! Keep in mind, too – that after the first time you follow some of these tips, you’ll see that the benefits are worth the effort to speak up, and you’ll move forward with your next visitors accordingly. (Repetition will make it that much easier for you to do it with the next guests, and the ones after that!).

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for property management, 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 provide just the service you’re looking for. 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, and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

Homes out here in the Western U.S. are different, as many mid-Western or East-coast transplants have discovered. One reason, of course, is simply climate-related. Especially in Las Vegas, we certainly don’t need to plan for months of snow-covered landscapes. Another reason is that the West just has more room than those Atlantic coast states. (That’s a big reason for the “Go West, Young Man” part of our history.)

But while to some people it seems that all the construction in the western states is pretty “new” (although to be fair, compared to the 13 colonies, we suppose it is) – that doesn’t mean that the home features out west haven’t evolved. In fact, over the past 10-30 years right here in Las Vegas, things have changed quite a bit when it comes to floorplans and lifestyle – which means there are a wide range of home design options available, both for new and resale homes.

So when you begin your home-shopping, give some thought about where the following home features fall on your “Must-Have” or “Eh-Not-So-Much” list.

Laundry Room

We live fast, busy lives today – and where once upon a time we could live with a laundry area in our garage, or better yet, inside an interior closet – today it’s different. Now, one of the most popular home features buyers seek (up to 92%) is a separate laundry room, complete with cabinets, surfaces for folding, space for ironing – and just basically, a place to keep the mess out of living areas and contained in an area in a room for all things laundry. (And a laundry sink: Big plus!)

Exterior Lighting

Once considered the domain of the well-heeled to showcase acres of gardens and landscape features around high-priced estates – now, exterior lighting has become a necessity for 90% of homebuyers. Any home in a typical neighborhood is going to benefit from illuminating not only important landscape features, but also the walkways and the exterior of the home. These days, it’s actually become a necessary combination of style, appeal, and safety. Highlight those landscape elements you’ve installed that you’re most proud of, grab potential buyers’ attention with expertly placed spotlights, provide safe walkway paths, enjoy the benefit of security motion sensor lighting, and add pendants or other decorative illumination in outdoor entertaining areas. Better yet, you can take it solar – so all the added beauty, drama, and function is eco-friendly, too.

Energy Efficiency

It used to be that windows like this in a Las Vegas home meant sky-high energy costs (or lots of drapery!). But with the use of today’s more energy-efficient window design and insulating features, along with dual or even triple sealed panes and UV-ray reducing coatings – this is a style that can be enjoyed by many. But windows are just one way of cutting energy costs while adding beauty and more home features. Today’s appliances are Energy Star-rated – offering more size and capabilities at lower annual utility costs. In fact, many homes built in Las Vegas today include energy-efficient standards in a number of areas that are highly rated in the industry – from insulation and roofing, to quick hot water delivery systems and more. Of home buyers out there searching for their next residence – or looking to upgrade their existing home – as much as 90% want included energy-saving features like these.

Garage Storage Space

No doubt about it – buyers with growing families need lots of storage space (81% of buyers agree with that statement.) For that matter, it’s even possible for a single person to need that space, too. So many people work from home these days, or have a second job as a sideline, that the need for extra places to keep things orderly and accessible grows all the time. (Just think about your seasonal decorations!) A well-designed garage with storage units and shelving makes it possible to easily keep these things out of your main living areas well-organized, to boot. Unlike an attic, or a backyard shed – or worst of all, an off-site storage space you’ve had to rent – the garage is just a few steps away from your living areas, making it easy to transport items from there to other parts of the home when needed. One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways of increasing the space in your home.

Kitchen with Eating & Work Spaces

Perhaps the one area of the home that’s changed more than any other is the kitchen. What was often considered simply a place to prepare meals and then retire to the dining room to enjoy them has truly taken its place as the “heart of the home.” Now, when people create meals, it’s a communal process. The cook enjoys the space to craft healthy meals, try new recipes – and guests enjoy the homey feeling of being part of the process. It’s warm, it’s familiar, it’s entertaining. It’s our favorite place to gather – near the food! So it’s no wonder that over 80% of buyers want lots of cabinets and surfaces to work with – and a generous kitchen island with seating for the family or guests. The kitchen has become the place to congregate, keep up to date with everyone, and share your daily news.

These are just a few of the home features you’ll want to consider before you start your home search and begin whittling-away at your selections. While it’s always possible to rehab your home to include these items, some of them can be a costly proposition, and that investment might be better made in simply buying the home that already includes them.

And unless you plan on this being your very last home purchase, you’ll always want to keep the resale value in mind –along with the fact that other buyers just like you will be wanting these same features, too! The team at New Home Resource will be happy to help you identify those homes on the market that include the things most important to your unique lifestyle. Give us a call and we can make it happen!

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for property management, 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 provide just the service you’re looking for. 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, and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

A reminder to everyone – because this is one of our favorite annual charitable events – that PEDAL 4 POOCHES is happening this coming Saturday, October 1! The New Home Resource team will be taking part in this ride for the animals – won’t you join us?

Created to benefit local animal rescue organizations, this is the third year Barry and Karen Lasko are hosting this family-friendly bike ride event to raise awareness, funds, and gather much-needed items for those pets who don’t yet have their “forever home.”

This year, donations will be given to the NSPCA and Heaven Can Wait Animal Sanctuary. Riders and non-riders alike are invited to join the fun and bring their donations of:

• Pet food
• Blankets
• Beds
• Towels / Linen
• Animal supplies
• Cleaning supplies
• Grooming items
• Leashes / collars
• Money (always desperately needed for medical and other care)
• And you can even check out the NSPCA Amazon Wishlist and Heaven Can Wait’s Amazon Wishlist to purchase items online directly

All of these items and all the funds – as always – will be donated in their entirety to these rescue organizations. We invite you to help us set a new record and let’s just overwhelm these great animal charities with kindness this year!

It all begins at 8:00am on Saturday October 1 at 1226 Kover Court Henderson, Nevada, 89002. And after the ride – the event wraps up at the same place with a Potluck Dinner at the Lasko’s farm.

It’s your chance to “wow” your fellow pet-loving do-gooders and bring your crowd-pleasing special Potluck Dish!
If your last name starts with A-L, bring a salad or side dish. If it starts with M-Z – bring a dessert!

So join us this Saturday – and if you’d like to play an important role in helping homeless animals, too – contact our office at (702) 365-1000 to find out how you can participate in the ride, make a donation, or maybe even do just a little bit more! (If you also happen to have time to volunteer to these organizations, they can surely use it!) Remember – all those furry little paws are counting on you! ☺

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for property management, 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 provide just the service you’re looking for. 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, and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!