Posts in category: Home Buying

It used to be called the “Till Decorating Do Us Part” syndrome. Couples building a home together can have such differences in how to get to the finish line, that sometimes it causes a real rift in a relationship. But with a little inside information, and an open mind as to why the extra garage is so important to him – and understanding her thoughts about timesaving design – couples can work together to create an environment that makes everyone happy.

There’s no doubt men and women view their homes differently, often in more ways than one. For the most part, however, it’s a ‘big picture’ concept that needs reconciling, and here’s why.

More often than not, the woman is the engine that keeps things in the home organized and efficient. She’s the driving force that gets the kids up and off to school, runs errands before and after work, and plans ahead to make sure the soccer schedules are met and there’s always something available for dinner. They know that thoughtful designs make it easier to keep it all running smoothly with minimal effort. That equates to floorplans that flow easily, sufficient storage space, and convenience features in the kitchen and laundry rooms. A functional, easy-to-maintain environment – that’s not too much to ask for, right? Other ‘big picture’ items for women includes visual appeal that’s easy to maintain; the quality of schools, community amenities, and the surrounding neighborhood.

To be fair, it’s not that men don’t want those things, too. (Strictly looking at generalities as they pertain to gender preferences here.) It’s more often that their minds are focused on other things. His thought that “Man, that 3rd car garage is where I can put the work bench I’ve always wanted” can easily conflict with hers that is “Great! Now we can park both cars in the garage and still have the storage space we need!” Men also place importance on a great space for the TV, where they can watch the game in comfort with friends and family. Even having space for a pub or pool room could be something they’ve always wanted. After all, we’re all social animals – and there’s a reason that the term “man cave” has even come into existence.

Men also tend to focus more on ‘cost’ rather than ‘value’ – as any woman who has put together her ‘dream upgrade list’ has surely come face-to-face with. <insert grin here!> For her, convenience equals value – so if a feature will make life easier, it’s worth it. On second thought, some things may never change.

But in building a new home – as in building and maintaining a relationship – seeing things from the other person’s viewpoint never hurts, and often helps. So take the time to find out what’s important to each other, then try shopping for your new home from that other viewpoint. You may be surprised at what you discover along the way!

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!

The Big Day has arrived! You’ve found “The House” – the one where you’re going to put down roots and build a life together with family and friends and backyard BBQ’s. Congratulations!

Now, your homebuilder asks you to come to their design center to ‘make your selections.’ It sounds like a simple thing to do, but when you get there you discover that there are more than a few choices to make. From cabinet colors to countertop preferences, and should you turn a den into a bedroom, or a garage into an office? Then there’s flooring and security systems, and, “Oh my gosh – I wish I could buy it all! How do I know what’s most important to get now?”

Don’t worry – that a question asked every day by new home buyers. But there are a few basic considerations that will help you decide what you should get now – and the rest can wait until later (when the wallet allows).

First rule of thumb: Think “Everyday Convenience”

Everyone has unique lifestyle needs, so the best place to start is by taking a look at your current home and make note of a few things.

Remodeling = Pain

For many couples, at least one person claims the kitchen as their favorite room of the house. If you spend a lot of time in there, it’s best to splurge in this space – from the countertops, appliances and plumbing fixtures that you’re offered. Countertops especially can be a mess and expensive to change – so buying a little bit of granite or stone now will not only be a money-saver down the road – but it ups the value of your home, too. The same goes for added cabinetry, which is generally a smaller outlay at this point, rather than buying retail after-the-fact (and then there’s the ‘color-match’ issue). Appliances – sometimes, it just makes sense to use your builder’s credit on the standard appliances to put towards that upgraded range or refrigerator you love.

Electrical.

Wires everywhere? If you’re like most people, you’re powering up computers, scanners, chargers, lighting, accessories – and that’s before you even get to the entertainment center. So talk to you builder about adding electrical outlets where they make sense for how you live. A simple thing like extra outlets at desk-height can make life a whole lot easier in a home office. The same thing with cable or satellite outlets. You want to consider how to avoid that 20′ cable that ‘tries’ to hide by the baseboard in your bedroom as it heads from one wall to the other. Think “electrical convenience,” and you’re going to be happy you did.

Upgrade your Flooring

If you haven’t shopped for flooring lately, you’re in for a surprise. The industry has exploded with new materials thanks to technology, and a look that you might have thought was out of reach is now quite affordable – and durable. We’ve all been there – and we know that cheap flooring doesn’t last long. So avoid the expense and hassle of replacing worn out carpeting by putting hard surface floors in traffic areas – and get that beautiful berber carpet you love. It will last for years, and nice flooring has a way of just making you feel happier when you walk in the door at the end of the day.

If you’ve ever purchased a new home before, you know that this is a short list of the decisions you have to make in the process. Just keep in mind, this is your chance to make your new home “uniquely yours.” Spend wisely – and enjoy it 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!

“I have a friend who’s a real estate agent, and they told me you should ALWAYS _______. ” Go ahead. Fill in the blank. We’ve all heard plenty of ‘facts’ about what to do, or not do, when it comes to buying and selling real estate. Some are very true, some not so much – and some not at all. In fact, there’s really a pretty lengthy list of things we’d like to help set the record straight about. But for this week, we’re going to share our top 3 topics. We’ll follow-up soon with more in future blogs.

Myth #1: Rental Property Will Always Make You Money.

The truth is, if you know the market and purchase wisely, you can more than likely come out in the black on your real estate rental investment. While people tend to think big number returns (10-14%), when you factor in local conditions that affect tenant turnover, rental down time, and maintenance or improvements required, a more likely figure is a 6-7% return on your initial investment. Pay close attention to that first sentence, though. Research values, economic conditions, and market trends before you buy. Or you could be unpleasantly surprised at year-end.

Myth #2: Adjustable Rate Loans Are Always A Bad Choice.

In fact, not so much. The devil, however, is in the details – so you want to make sure you read all the fine print and fully understand how the loan will work: When it will adjust, by how much and how often, what the rates are based on, early payoff penalties, etc. For some people, it’s actually an expedient solution. Getting a mortgage based on a lower front-end interest rate can be a good thing, especially if you don’t plan to be in the home when the rate adjusts upward.

Myth #3: My Real Estate Agent Is Making Too Much Money Off of My Home.

In our experience, there are 2 kinds of people in the world: Those who realize how hard a Realtor works on their behalf, and those who don’t. However, it’s not simply a matter of effort, which can be considerable. (They don’t just put up an MLS listing and forget about it. It takes marketing and networking, communicating with Realtors and their buyers, and much more.)

But it’s also about how commissions are split, and often split again before ever reaching your agent’s wallet. While buyers easily calculate in their heads lump sums in 6% increments, consider how far that money has to travel before reaching your agent. Half of it goes to the selling office, and half to the buying office. Then each agent usually has a 30-50% split with their broker, whittling their paycheck further. When you add expenses incurred to sell a property (advertising, fuel, licensing fees), then subtract taxes paid on that commission – what’s left is a considerable amount less than you imagine.

Yet even with all that, your Realtor is the one person you can count on to be on your side, legally and ethically required to protect your interests in the purchase or sale of real estate. In reality, it’s a great value for all the work they do to get you the best price for your home – whether you’re buying or selling.

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with their Las Vegas real estate needs. 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!

The stats are really quite simple.

• On average, homebuyers with median income who purchase the typical home spend 15.3% of their income on their monthly house payment.
• In contrast, renters spend 29.9% of their monthly income on rent.

(Data source: Zillow, 12/9/14 article.)

Those are pretty impressive numbers, or make that ‘distressing’ if you’re renting. Given the economic turmoil of recent years, many people may be under the misconception that they’ll “never be able to own a home again.” But that’s not necessarily the case. Many mortgage brokers now have access to financing programs that give buyers that second chance they need (Premier Mortgage Lending is one, with a private lending division that specializes in “Another Chance” for Nevada homebuyers.)

And even though home ownership may not happen for everyone right now, it’s worth a phone call to find out the answer to the question: “If not now, when?” Your real estate agent and the right mortgage lender can give you advice on how to begin organizing your finances so that you’ll be able to qualify for a home sooner, rather than later.

Perhaps the hardest part is not knowing. So arm yourself with knowledge. While we are all thankful simply to have a roof over our heads – there’s nothing as emotionally uplifting or confidence-inspiring like walking into the door of your very own home. That place where you can hammer a nail in the wall. Paint the colors you want. And for some, simply not have to get ‘approval’ to have your own pet is reason enough.

Las Vegas – and America – is bouncing back. Don’t give up on your home ownership dream. Just make it happen.

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with their Las Vegas real estate needs. 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!

The recent experience of a Realtor during an Open House event in Gilbert, Arizona is a fresh reminder to those in our industry that personal safety should always be at the top of our checklists. Because a real estate agent works so closely with the public, it is sometimes easy to forget how critical it is to follow common safety precautions. Let’s face it, we’re in this business because we love working with and helping people find their ‘forever’ home. But it’s always going to be most important to be aware of warning signs and remain diligent – because that’s the best protection we can provide ourselves – and it’s a duty we owe to our clients, as well.

While the agent’s experience, which occurred during an Open House event in Gilbert, Arizona last month, was a serious matter, thankfully she was ultimately successful in rebuffing her attacker and escaping serious, life-threatening injury. Perhaps more importantly, the suspect was recently arrested and is in custody (big sigh of relief for Realtors and homebuyers everywhere), and may also be the suspect in other similar events.

Just as important as our own safety is that of our clients. It is a critical part of our duty to do our best to ensure their well-being in our dealings and travels, too. There are many stories that have been written outlining fellow Realtors’ personal experiences on this topic – which include tips and recommendations about best safety practices we should all be using. At the top of the list are letting your colleagues know where you are at all times, gathering identification, and knowing the neighborhood and the home you will be showing.

Other safety measures should be followed as well – and this might be a good time for us to review those tips to make sure we’re doing all we should be to protect ourselves, our families, our colleagues, and our clients. (Take a few moments to review these stories on the topic: Realtor.org and Zillow articles, and this video announcement by the National Association of Realtors regarding a new NAR Safety Course to be presented next month in Washington, D.C.)

The Las Vegas market is heating up (and we’re not just talking about the weather!). So let’s make this coming summer selling season one of the best – and the safest – on record!

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with their Las Vegas real estate needs. 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!

The process of moving into a home can be a daunting task. With New Home Resource, the process becomes much less daunting. Prior to choosing the right color scheme for your master bedroom or whether or not to maintain a media room, you must get Homeowners insurance before you close escrow. Natural Disasters are rare occurrences, but you will have the coverage you need when you need to build, repair, or even relocate. Individual coverage can be pricy, so it may make more sense to combine home coverage with your car insurance coverage

A security system will grant you the peace of mind you need to sleep at night. Protect your family and your most valuable asset with a security system that will contact the police, fire department or private security team. At the very least, invest in sturdy deadbolt locks for your doors and solid latches for your windows. Man’s best friend, particularly if he’s big, won’t hurt either.

Obtain a list of recommended handymen who are helpful in emergency situations. Having a helpful, reliable, plumber, electrician, or security tech, handy will be there in moments when you least expect the need to arise.

A set of garden tools, a lawnmower, plants for the backyard or front lawn for landscaping. Whether you’re an expert gardener or not, there are tools you need for the general maintenance of your yard: a sprinkler system, hose and rake. If you’ve considered growing an herb garden, maybe now would be good time.

Whether you’re into outdoor entertaining, family gatherings or if you simply want to take that steak to a whole new level, the right barbecue can bring out the spring spirit in all of us.

Your new home information should contain warranty information on all the home appliances within the home. The first few months in your home should not be spent worrying about whether the stove, water softener or heater will work. The general maintenance of appliances are the most common things overlooked.

Without ruining the joy of moving into a new home, a disaster kit that includes flashlight, non-perishable items, bottles of water, blankets, batteries, and portable radio, and even a first aid kit will be helpful in any emergency situation.

Once the important items have been covered, you can consider investing in simple high quality furniture that will endure your lifestyle for years to come like a cozy transitional couch, a frat-like futon, or a cozy recliner you can look forward to sitting in after a hard day’s work. Let your new home reflect your style, lifestyle and the comfort level you deserve.

If you are looking for a new home or things to buy for your new home, 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!

As a new homeowner or as a homeowner looking for a new home, we here at New Home Resource strive to be the one source for all your house searching or selling requirements. Whether you’re moving to Summerlin or Mountain’s Edge, we ensure that you’re happy with your home. After you find that ideal locale to begin new experiences, we have some places, sites and stuff to-do you and your entire home can be a part of.

First, you may want to stop by the Las Vegas Springs Preserve if you need a good dose of gorgeous green to satisfy your adventurer’s palate. The Las Vegas Springs Preserve offers educational and recreational opportunities for the whole family. This activity can be a whole day affair or just an afternoon after school.

Do your kids have a sweet tooth? These next two hotspots are great options for the clan. The World of Coca-Cola is interactive and entertaining. Enjoy samples of your favorite soda and some informative tours about Coca-Cola soft drinks around the world. Additionally, right next door is M&M World. What’s an afternoon without a little candy? Fill up on sugar or stock up on gifts for the rest of the year.

After the family is full of sweets, it’s time to burn off that extra energy at Red Rock National Conservation Area. Organize a short walk to some stunning scenic areas or plan an entire day hike with a picnic. Red Rock National Conservation Area offers an assortment of different trails so all ages can have a good time outdoors. Don’t forget to bring sunblock!

If you and your family are ready for new adventures as well as a new home or wanting to sell your current home in exchange for adventures elsewhere, 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!

To overstate the obvious, purchasing a new home is a big deal. No one should rush into a deal without thoroughly thinking it through first. For most people, a house will be the biggest asset they have. That being said, many potential homeowners have a nasty habit of waiting too long to make a decision. This caution could have the unintended consequence of letting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip vanish. Consider the following tips to avoid getting “decision fatigue” when you’re trying to decide whether or not to buy a home.

Understand the consequences: Why is waiting such a bad decision? Simply put, it’s a buyer’s market out there. Say, you’ve found the home of your dreams but you hesitate to pull the trigger on the deal. Perhaps you want to get the price down just a little more. Well, chances are that there’s someone out there willing to make that deal right away.

Leave emotion out of the process: Sure this is easier said than done, but you can’t let stress consume you when you’re considering a new home. Take a deep breath and talk with your significant other about the options. Ask friends or family for their opinions, but be careful not get overwhelmed with everyone’s point of view. The decision comes down to you.

Stick to the plan: Hopefully you did some preparation before beginning your search for a new home. This could include a specific price range, location, property size, etc. If the house in question falls within your parameters, then make the deal. Having a wonderful new home will be much better than wondering about what could have been.

In 2015, home sales are predicted to rise to 7% across the nation. If you are considering selling your home this new year, this may be the year to take the next step. The value of homes has been steadily rising in the last few years and is expected to continue that incline as the year progresses. Across the United States, homeowners are finally making profits off of their homes. The US has also seen an overall improvement in the national economy, which has lead to beneficial results in the housing industry. With home sales on the mount, 2015 may suggest the increase in job growth as well. A new job may have already happened for you so you may need a bigger place for all your recently uncovered success.

A steady and reliable economy can give you the confidence you need to sell your home. Las Vegas alone has grown impressively in the last three years. New restaurants have not only increased tourist traffic but residents are finding satisfying respite again in this desert paradise. Projects like the Downtown Project increase residential participation and occupations. Nevada has seen some tough times with foreclosures, but Las Vegas may be at the start of getting over that slump. Due to the subtle, national economic upswing, our housing market is making its gradual climb back to the top.

Fresh homes are ripe for the picking this February through your New Home Resource. Beautiful houses wait to be made into homes. It’s time to put that house on the market for a new homeowner. Someone out there may be looking for a home just like yours. Let New Home Resource be your best source in finding and selling your home in today’s economy.