home buying

mover

You’ve found the house. You’ve got the loan. You’ve signed the papers. You picked up the keys. Now – it’s time to find a mover!

Well actually, you’ve already been spending time figuring out how to get your personal belongings from Point A (old home) to Point B (new home) – because it’s not a decision that’s made overnight. And goodness knows that packing and preparing doesn’t happen overnight, either.

Plus, if you’re moving long distance, you need to worry about timing, maybe pets, your travel, delivery dates – wow. This is a HUGE project, isn’t it? That’s one of the reasons that it’s so important to spend some quality time finding your solution to who/how/when to get it all done.

Your first step once the house is chosen and the mortgage is in process? Finding a mover. We thought we’d lend some helpful advice on how to make that choice. Here are some things to think about during the process.

1. Where to Start?
Ask friends and family for referrals. You’re more likely to get unbiased, honest assessments this way. And if somebody you know recently used a mover, ask about his or her experience. A happy customer is a good indicator of a company with sound business practices.

2. Check with Your REALTOR®.
Think about it – real estate agents are in the business of helping people acquire “Point B” – so the odds are, they know plenty of people and even moving companies who have made it either a pleasure or a nightmare for the customer. Ask the agent who helped you buy your new home – and check with any other real estate agents you may know for recommendations (or at least tips on who to avoid!).

3. Do Your Own Online Research.
While it’s true that not all online reviews can be 100% trusted for reliability, by reading in-depth reviews of companies that are on your short-list – you can get a good feel for whether these are real experiences being shared, or customers who have an axe to grind (or if they’re just generic cut-and-paste reviews that may have been bought by the company). Also consider the number of reviews that you see – which can indicate a company that’s been around for a while – or one that’s just started up recently. (If reputation is what you’re seeking, the longer the better.)

Check for ratings – from outside agencies (Nevada Transportation Authority, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) – even the Better Business Bureau) to see if there are consumer complaints logged or any past or pending actions against the company you’re interested in.

4. Verify Credentials.
Another check with the FMCSA can indicate if licensing and carrier numbers are current, as well as safety and fitness records. Check with the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) to ensure licensing and insurance, too.

5. Ask Questions About Their Policies.
Financial: Request a written estimate – and pay attention to how thorough they are in looking at all your belongings (each room, every closet, garage, etc.) – to make sure they’re giving you an accurate estimate. (By now, you’ve probably heard about movers who “underestimate” and hold people’s belongings hostage until they pay thousands of dollars more for the additional moving and space (a very good reason to read their contract closely before signing, too). Do they have a price guarantee? Do they require a large deposit? (That’s a red flag.) What are their credit and debit card policies? Refund policy? These are all things you’ll want to know during and after the process.

Services: Be very clear about understanding what is (and is not) included with their service. Packing AND unpacking? Taking furniture apart AND putting it back together? Appliance hook-ups? What if there are stairs? Do they insure? What is their warehousing policy? What is the timetable for the move? Do they provide an inventory? How to file a damage report?

Naturally, these questions are just the start. And if you’re doing an in-town move, you may be lucky enough to get a great referral from a friend with a fabulous experience – and it’s all easy peasy! But longer distance moves require a bit more due diligence on your part to make sure when it’s all said and done, you’re happy with both the experience and the condition of your belongings.

Changing your home location involves a lot more than just finding the home you love. It involves making sure you get the best mortgage, all the legalities are met — and that part about asking your REALTOR® for advice about movers? We can help you with that, too. One more reason an experienced real estate professional should be the first stop on your list when looking for a new home.

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 the service you’re looking for. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or visit www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, Kathy Paterniti and Heidi Colón are all here to help!

when is the best time to sell your homeLate spring and early summer have traditionally been popular home-selling months in Las Vegas (think: kids are out of school, vacations are taken, etc.). But we’d like to share a little secret with you: If you’re planning to sell your home this year – the months of January, February and March may be the better option. Why? Competition.

It may sound counterintuitive – after all, if more people are out shopping for homes in the summer, you have a better chance of getting a buyer, right? Ah – But there’s also this little fact to remember: more houses are on the market for sale, too.

That could mean that your listing gets caught up in in the ‘avalanche’ of homes available for sale, and it could be entirely missed in the process. In fact, it’s easier than you might think for that to happen. As we revealed in a previous blog post, (“Three Universal Tips Every Home Seller Should Know”) – according to studies, 80% of prospective buyers know if a home is right for them within seconds of stepping inside.

Only seconds. Let that sink in a moment. And then you’ll probably think this: Yikes! (Of course, that also stresses how important it is for your home to be presented in as appealing a manner as possible – with attention paid to the smallest of details.)

But even just having those few seconds to grab a buyer’s attention is making the assumption that your home even made the short-list on their tour. That’s also easier said than done, because all those extra homes for sale mean more marketing, more ads, more Realtors® doing their best to highlight their client’s home over the competition. The truth is, if you’re selling during the height of the ‘buying season,’ your home is first being compared just on paper to the many, many other homes for sale also trying to take advantage of the increased buyer market.

On the other hand, if you’re selling your home in competition with fewer available listings – such as during the first quarter of the year, as we mentioned above – it actually has a better chance of making a memorable impression with shoppers because they have fewer options; there are simply fewer homes for them to choose from.

Plus, people that are looking to buy a home during this time are often more motivated. They might have a pressing matter that is pushing them to want to close on a house quickly – such as job relocation or some kind of major life change that is forcing them to move. This can work in your favor in another important way, too: Lower inventory also means you might be able to sell your house at a more favorable price – again, since buyers have less to choose from.

All things considered, there are many factors that can affect your decision on when to sell your home. One more reason it’s important to have an experience and knowledgeable Realtor® that you can rely upon to help you evaluate all the factors involved, so you can make the most favorable decision for your situation.

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 the service you’re looking for. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or visit 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!

realtor®One of the things that homebuyers seem to take for granted is that every real estate agent knows how to negotiate. It’s much more than simply extending an offer and writing up a contract, and it’s something that not every agent knows how to do well. Of course, it’s important that every step of the home buying process is handled properly, which is why we recommend always choosing an experienced Realtor® with a great reputation.

But it’s not unusual for buyers to be so happy they’ve found the right home, that they forget how critical it is to have an experienced negotiator on their side. In fact, it’s not only the agent’s negotiating experience that matters – but also their knowledge of the area, the neighborhood, the history of the home, and even the Seller’s agent (and then some!). Having all this information not only allows your agent to exude an air of confidence, but it also means they’ll be able to be creative, flexible, and “read the room” – making sure they get the best deal possible on your behalf.

Once you’ve found the home that you love, it’s time to move on to the next step: Negotiating the deal and writing the sales contract. The contract will put all the details in writing, but the negotiation is where the competency of your Realtor® will play a major role through this process. If you have an experienced real estate agent who has written hundreds of sales contracts, you should be in good hands. Make sure that you take your time and ask any questions you may have (because we promise you, there are no dumb questions during this stage of the home buying process!).

Buyers in hot, or even warm, markets need to remember that no one gives anything away in real estate. Sellers may very likely have multiple offers on their home, and they get to pick and choose. If your agent makes a lowball offer while others are offering list price (or even more, which is common), you very likely receive a firm, “No.” – – And just like that, the home of your dreams is gone ☹

Agreeing on a price is just the beginning. Because even if you’re thinking you got a ‘smokin’ deal’ – remember how true this is: The devil is in the details. Some of those details that can end up putting you on the receiving end of a bad transaction include the appraisal, time frame, property inspection, who pays for needed repairs, costs and fees, seller incentives – – and the list goes on. There’s no point in buying a home for a great purchase price if you’re responsible for massive repair costs due to the inspection results. Or if the buyer doesn’t have to move for 8 months. Or, … well, you get the picture.

Don’t be the buyer that an inexperienced agent uses as their “Guinea Pig” to learn what not to do. Your time, money, and life are too important for that. Make sure your Realtor® knows their stuff, because it will save you much frustration, anxiety, and grief 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!

home buyerWow. You’re about to be a first-time home buyer. That is a really, really big deal – and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

It’s a commitment – that’s for sure – of both your time and your money. But there’s something inherently different and satisfying about spending time working on your own home, and after all – we all have to live somewhere, so why not invest in yourself instead of a landlord’s real estate portfolio?

There is a lot to think about before you decide to buy, of course. For example: Is this the city you plan to stay for a few years? Do you know how much you can comfortably afford? Do you have enough down payment? (To find out more about that, we recommend you visit Premier Mortgage Lending to learn about their new 1% Down Loan Program.)

A while back, we talked here about many other things to consider before making the move from “Renter” to “ Home Buyer.” But if you’ve already reached the decision to start shopping for the perfect place to call your own, there are a few things about the process itself. Read on.

STEP 1: Get Your Finances and Credit in Order

In today’s rapid-fire real estate market, the last thing you want to happen when you find “The One” is to lose-out on it because you don’t have – or can’t get – mortgage loan approval. That’s why your first step should be to get a copy of your credit report. (You’re entitled by law to get a free updated credit report each year.)

STEP 2: Visit at Least Two Mortgage Lenders

Getting your credit report is great, but knowing how to evaluate it is something else. And there are many more steps in the mortgage loan process than just credit. You need to find out what those steps are, how your circumstances measure-up, if there are any things you need to fix or change, and discover how much of a mortgage loan you can qualify for. That last detail will also let you know the price range of homes you should be considering. (Trust us, there are few things worse than falling in love with a home that’s out of your price range!)

But why visit two lenders? Read our lips: So you can compare fees and interest rates. Not all lenders are the same – nor are all mortgage loans. Their fees can vary widely – from $0 to as much as 4-5% of your purchase price. If the interest rates are equal, you can see just how much your get-in-the-door / cash out of pocket will be. You’d be surprised how big the difference in cost can be. (And remember, just getting a loan estimate does not commit you to anything. You’re free to shop around as much as you want!)

STEP 3: Find the Right Realtor®.

Everyone has “a friend” who sells real estate. Or maybe it just seems like it. But our experience has been that once you reveal you’re in the market to being a home buyer, suddenly you discover that your cousin’s ex-husband’s sister-in-law’s best friend’s dog, Lulubelle, sells real estate – you should call her! We hate to be blunt, but here’s our take on that suggestion: W.R.O.N.G.

Why, you ask? (while thinking that we have an ulterior motive – which we don’t, but how do you know that?) Well, that’s precisely the point. You don’t know that. And you don’t know Lulubelle, either. Having a relative or friend that sells real estate is no way to choose your Realtor®.

First of all, if they have the experience, reputation and knowledge that you need in a Realtor®, you would already know about them. Those agents have spent long hours, days, months, and years building that reputation and gaining that knowledge. And they don’t typically need to go searching for new clients – because clients seek them for their expertise.

So, decide what area you want to live. And then do your homework to find out which Realtors® really know those neighborhoods. Interview them. Meet their team, because you’ll be working with them through this process, too. Ask questions and then listen to their answers. Your instincts will take you far in finding the right agent. The right Realtor® will be active in finding properties for you to consider, and help make the entire experience as seamless for you as possible.

Like we said in the beginning, buying your first home is no small decision. Plus, it’s the first of many, many decisions you’ll be making – especially in finding the home you love and getting a mortgage loan. Make it easy on yourself by putting a little effort into finding the best people for the job. Then – you just let them do their job, and you’ll have much smoother sailing.

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!

credit scoreBeen 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!

image003Unless 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!

image003Homes 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

image005We 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

image007Once 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

image009It 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

image011No 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

image013Perhaps 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!

Pink Panther Housing PitfallsA few weeks back, we wrote a short list of the five most important housing pitfalls buyers should avoid when shopping for a home. As we said at the time, there were several other things to watch out for, and we’d fill you in on more of them soon. Well look! It’s already “Soon”! Let’s continue on with our ‘Home Buying 101’ recommendations that cover topics you may not be aware of – but definitely want to consider in your search for the right home to buy.

First, a little refresher course on the first five housing pitfalls we shared with you back in April, 2016:

1. Not Letting Your REALTOR® Do Their Job
2. Decide What You’re Looking for in Your New Home
3. Stay IN Your Budget
4. Get Pre-Approved for Your Mortgage Loan Before You Go House Hunting
5. Choosing The Right Lender

All of these are truly critical points that can make a difference in being happy with your choice of home and being able to afford it after the closing. Feel free to take a refresher course/walk down memory lane by reviewing the reasons why in that previous article here.

But what else could there be that you might not have thought of? How about . . .

6. Letting the Home Staging Distract You
Sellers are pretty savvy these days – and if they’re not, their Realtors® often are. One of the top priorities is to do all they can to make their home appealing to potential buyers. At the minimum, that might mean just getting rid of clutter and keeping it clean. But there’s a reason that “professional home staging” is now a career option. This is when buyers will manipulate the scene with the intent of appealing to your emotions (rather than logic). Because once that tug starts on your heart, you may not notice that the furniture is just a bit smaller than normal (which makes the room look bigger); you didn’t catch the condition or style of windows because they’ve been dressed up with attractive coverings; and that rug on the floor is just gorgeous – until you lift it up to see the damaged floor beneath it. The point of good home staging is to make it easier for you to envision yourself in that home, but once that love affair begins, sometimes people have a tendency to minimize what are legitimate objections to justify their ardor for a property. There’s nothing wrong with falling in love with your home – just be sure you get to see it for what it actually is, not just the good parts it presents to you (with a little help, that is).

7. What About Cosmetic Issues?
This one is sort of a double-edged sword. By their very nature, cosmetic issues (nails in the wall, nicks in the doorway, a chipped counter tile, poor choice of paint color, etc.) – are relatively easy to address, not too expensive to fix, and aren’t indication of any major mechanical or structural problems. Or are they? While minor cosmetic issues shouldn’t be the cause for you to automatically say ‘no’ to a home, you do want to be aware. How can you know the difference? If superficial problems are also paired with signs of neglect – such as a lawn that hasn’t been cared for over a long period, unusual odors in the home, or if these “minor” issues could theoretically have led to problems if left untended for too long. Sometimes, people just didn’t get around to touching up the little things . . . but then again, as a seller, they should be putting their best foot forward, so really give some thought to the types of minor items you discover when viewing a home. Just in case.

8. Stop Watching Home Repair Shows on TV Before You Start Home Shopping
No – really. Stop it! Those HGTV home makeovers you love to watch come complete with a whole staff behind the scenes to make it all happen. For the most part, you’re not going to have your own crew of minions to do the same bidding for you (although if you do, we need to talk!). Besides that, you know it takes more than 30 minutes and $500 to tear out a kitchen and rebuild it with new cabinets, countertops, plumbing fixtures, etc. The thing is, these shows give you the feeling that major projects are a lot easier (and cheaper), than they really are. So don’t start your search for a home by thinking you can save a few bucks and just add electrical, plumbing, and load bearing walls on your own. Read our lips: It ain’t gonna turn out that way. Besides – are you buying a home so you can enjoy living in it, or one that will be in permanent tear-out mode as you try all the DIY fixes you’ve watched on TV (while still holding down your day job, by the way)?

9. Make Sure to Research Your Neighborhood
You have a preference for where you want to live – most people do. Whether it’s near your work, an urban center, or to be in the best school district for your kids – we all start with a wish list. (Like, “Why don’t the people in that house just move and let us buy it?” Yeah, we’ve thought that before, too.) The thing to remember is that you can change your house to fit your lifestyle by upgrading or remodeling – but you can’t change the neighborhood. (Seriously – it’s no fun to be living in your dream home in a nightmare neighborhood!) So do your due diligence – and this is something you can do on your own: If schools matter, speak with the principals or the parents of other kids who attend. Find out what sort of community events take place in your vicinity. Safety is an issue – and now there are plenty of online resources where you can check crime reports nearby (Trulia is a good source for that). Visit the stores and places you would plan to shop if you lived there and make sure they feel comfortable to you. (There can be a lot of reasons they do or don’t, but those would all be personal assessments you should make yourself.) Drive up and down the streets in your immediate area to make sure houses are well-tended; check property records to see if there are any trends of foreclosures; look for signs of vacant homes. As information continues to become more readily available, it’s just a matter of using the resources that are out there. Reassure yourself that THIS “Dream Home” is where you’ll be doing a lot of happy dreaming!

10. Don’t Make a Purchase Out of Desperation
This one might be a little harder to enforce, because people have many different reasons for wanting or needing to purchase a home within a certain time frame. The only thing we’d like to suggest is that you keep that ‘desperation’ in mind when you consider making an offer on a home. When prices are rising, buyers get anxious and sellers get greedy (human nature or capitalism, take your pick!). When a buyer has been losing out on home after home because it’s a seller’s market, it can be easy just to get tired of looking and tell yourself “I don’t care – just buy it.” That may put you over-budget (leaving you with long-term financial distress)… in the wrong area… , or just plain in the wrong house. Or, you may end up paying far more than you should for the marketplace. If at all possible, we recommend creating a back-up plan. Your New Home Resource Realtor® can recommend options for short-term or corporate rentals to help ease you into a soft landing while you make the right decision about which home to buy.

As we’ve mentioned many times before, buying a home is a bigger process than many people consider. Working with the right Realtor® can make all the difference in making a smart purchase that you’ll love for years to come, or letting too many other factors influence the most important thing: This is to be your home. It needs to be right. New Home Resource can help you with that. Just give us a call to find out how. 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!

image003You bought a home – yay! Oh wait, no – maybe a friend of yours bought a home. Or a family member just moved back to town. Heck – whoever is the one that just moved into a new home or a first home – the point is there are a lot of things they could use to help them take care of it.

So while a bottle of champagne or a houseplant might seem like a nice “Congratulations on your new digs!” gift – let’s get real. That champagne will probably sit in the refrigerator for six months while they wait for the perfect occasion to pop the cork, and the plant – well, okay, it might look nice for a while (unless the recipient suffers from “Black Thumb”).

What these people really need (or if anyone asks what they can get you for your new home) – is the basics. All those little things that you know you reach for as you’re unpacking boxes, only to discover that uh, you don’t have one of those (whatever it was you were looking for). Damn. Back in the box until later. More work. Less done. Not-as-happy-as-you-could-be Homeowner.

We’re here to help solve that. So in our very best Joan Crawford voice, we want you to hear us say this: “No. More. Useless. Housewarming. Gifts. !!!” (you’re probably creeped out just thinking about those hangers right now, but you’ll get over it.)

So here we go, with our “Authoritative Gift List O’ Things People With New Homes Probably Need Or Even If They Already Have It They Can’t Find Theirs Anyway So They’ll Love It Just The Same”:

Essentials

Showing up to visit “The Day Of” moving in? Then think smart. Stop by the grocery store and put together a care package of things they’ll want to kiss you for: Toilet paper, paper towels, hand soap, disposable plates and cutlery, WATER, sodas, coffee, snacks, frozen pizza, a corkscrew (not kidding!), fresh fruit (the kind you can eat with your hands), a loaf of bread, and thou. Well, you get the picture. Hey – they’re your friends; you should have a good idea of what they’d like to chow down on. The point is, when people are in the midst of a move – easy-to-grab-sustenance is one of the most appreciated things you can gift. Go crazy – get the Macadamia nuts and the dried cranberries, too. Oh – and most important, don’t forget the Chocolate!!

Tools

Maybe they have their own, and maybe they don’t. Maybe he’s a maintenance-master, or maybe he hires out his DIY jobs. Either way it doesn’t matter, because the odds are they’re going to be rummaging through boxes and stacking them one on top of the other to find that stupid jar of nails. Or that screwdriver that will let them put their dining table back together, so they can sit down and relax for cryin’ out loud! Want to show them just how thoughtful you are? Allen wrenches. They’ll probably name their next child after you for that. Even if you just head to the Dollar Store to pick up cheap versions of it all – a hammer, a multi-head screwdriver, a level, an extension cord, scissors, PLUMBER’S TAPE (seriously appreciated!) – then just toss them all into a $1 bucket – when you hand that over on your arrival (along with, again, W-A-T-E-R), not only will they never forget you, they’ll probably even pass on this helpful wisdom the next time THEY have to get someone else a housewarming gift. (And perhaps the cycle of crystal vases as move-in gifts will finally end, and move onto the wedding gift list where they belong.)

“You Know They’ll Get Used Eventually” Items

New Return Address Labels. You can do this one at home. Buy a package of blank Avery labels and use an easy-to-read font – and they’ll bless you every time they have to mail out an envelope. (Or even fill out a form.)
Eco-friendly collection of cleaning supplies. (We just like to encourage the eco-part whenever we can – but you can get the Clorox and the Tide, too.)
Fire extinguisher. Sexy, no. Pretty damn useful when you need one? You bet. Something that should be in every home? Absolutely. (Also something that’s usually ‘expired’ by the time they pack up and leave their old home. Trust us, no one’s ever going to complain about having a fresh, new fire extinguisher.)
Command Hooks, Tape, and Hangers. When you’re just moving in, you might think twice about putting a nail there – how do you know for sure where you’re going to want to put everything? No one doesn’t love Command products (and no, we’re not shilling for 3M, either). The luxury of knowing you’re not damaging a wall by hanging something on it can’t be overstated when you’re just settling in.
Start Their Junk Drawer for Them. Sounds weird, huh? Well think about it – by the very nature of moving, theirs is history! So pull together some of the crazy things that you have in your own – glue, push pins, stapler, mini screwdriver, nail files, safety pins, batteries, scotch tape, Krazy Glue, duct tape, multi-plug adapter – let your brain go crazy. (Or just look in your junk drawer for ideas!) Come on, you know there’s a reason you kept that single bolt and washer. They may need one, too.

Actually, we could probably go on for pages with brilliant gift ideas, but we’re hoping you get the gist of it . . . which is: MOVING SUCKS. But that’s why we have friends…to make it easier on us all. So skip the crystal department at Macy’s and head to Home Depot and the grocery store instead!

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!

zg-019_2zAs Richard Florida notes in a recent CityLab article, “There are three big decisions we make in life: What we choose to do for a living, who we choose for a life partner, and where we choose to live.”

In all the rush and hurry of living our lives every day, it’s a bit compelling to read a statement like that, let it soak in, and suddenly realize well, yeah – those really are the three most important things (assuming children and pets are lumped in with the “life partner” choice, of course.) So why do we spend so much time worrying about a million-and-one other things – and often doing it at the expense of those three priorities that matter to us the most?

We agree with Florida’s assessment that the most important of those three items may very well be where we choose to live. Your home base is where all your energy, hopes, dreams, and ambitions come to rest every night. In addition, it only makes sense that you’re going to be working nearby and developing relationships with those who share your geographic location.

However, being happy where you live doesn’t simply depend on the house, neighborhood, city, or state you choose, as many people can attest. Many discover, after making multiple moves to places they thought they always wanted to live – that ‘happiness’ isn’t an enforceable clause in the mortgage documents.

Really, though – the ability to enjoy your environment can be affected more by your state of mind than the space you’re occupying. Now, don’t get us wrong – we’re not going all “woo-woo” on you here. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that – because we’ve been known to do it on occasion!) We’re not saying that all you have to do is “think” yourself happy. But we will say that even for those who feel they’re living in the wrong place and their true happiness lies in some distant locale, there are things we can all do to help ourselves invest emotionally in where we are right now.

Some people may call the ability to love where we live a form of “place attachment” – where an emotional bond is created between a person and a place. It’s a concept rooted in environmental psychology, and often displayed when a person chooses a certain city as a destination to live in, based on their personal experience and lifestyle preferences.

But life can lead us in unanticipated directions, as we all know. (John Lennon was right – “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”) So it’s not at all unusual that for many of us, where we’re living at the moment is not our first choice for this point in our life.

Rather than railing against the universe about it, though, it’s far better for us (both mentally and physically) to actively seek out some specific things that we can learn to love about our current place on the planet. By stepping outside your comfort zone (or in this case, your dis-comfort zone) – it’s entirely possible to create new experiences and memories that you consider as plusses or positive aspects and that you can look forward to repeating. (Some things stay pretty much the same from city to city, you know – like yoga, or exercising, or hobbies, etc.)

In doing so, whether those engagements are with individuals, like-minded groups, landscapes, or even spent in solitude – in many cases, by altering our behavior we, in turn, alter our perception of our environment. Or at least a little part of it. That alone can make a huge mental shift in our outlook. Coincidentally (and happily!) – that also makes it a whole lot easier to improve our attitude, our relationships, and even our health.

It’s a fact of human nature that most of us can find both good and bad in things, places, and situations. But it’s our frame of mind that often guides us more toward one direction than the other.

In the same CityLab article, the author of This Is Where You Belong, Melody Warnick concludes that, “My theory is that cities don’t make us happy. We make ourselves happy in our cities. The really good news is that place attachment doesn’t care if you live in the objectively best city on the planet. (Not that one even exists.) Contentment comes from being passionate about where you live, no matter what.”

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!