Joanna Piette

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!

Photo collage by: http://prepsolutions.ca/real-estate-photography/

Just in case these real estate photos don’t explain it all without a thousand words, we’d like to add a few comments about what a huge difference the right real estate photos can make in ensuring your listing gets noticed – and your home gets sold faster.

First, rest your eyeballs on the bottom row…then take a look at the top row. Is there any doubt in your mind that a smartphone photo (more than likely what was used for the “Before” photos) – may look ‘okay’ to you – until you see the difference a professional real estate photo can make? It’s an easy mistake, often made because people want to save time, money, and hassle.

But look at these real estate photos again with this thought in your head: If these were two different homes, which one would *I* want to buy? Right then. You see what we mean.

Appearances matter. And as we’ve mentioned before many times, first impressions are among the most important things for buyers – because they are looking at potential homes for their family in an emotional manner (not a rational one). That’s why it is so important to get it right the first time. And since over 90% of buyers now start their new home search online – the listing real estate photos have to give an impression they are going to LOVE – or your home may get passed over before it even gets seen.

The truth is, in this internet age, photos sells homes. Great photos give you a distinct advantage over your competition and can truly be the difference between a buyer – and no buyer. Perspective, time of day, color, brightness, sharpness – plus professional editing – are worth the expense in marketing your home. In fact, it’s believed that the quality of the photos of your home are the second most important part of your listing – right behind pricing.

It’s not quite a thousand words, but we believe these photos speak for themselves. What are your thoughts? We’d be happy to discuss this topic with you, and many others that pertain to a successful home listing – and what sets New Home Resource apart from our competition, too.

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!

One of the things we recommend home buyers and sellers pay close attention to when interviewing a real estate professional to handle their transaction is whether or not the professional they are speaking with is an actual REALTOR®.

The fact is, many people, both inside and outside the industry, use the terms “real estate agent” and “REALTOR®” interchangeably. What those IN the industry are relying on, though, is that the consumer doesn’t really know the difference – and that one is just as good as the other. After all, they both just help you buy and sell real estate. Right?

WRONG.

While they’re both licensed to sell real estate, the names each refer to a specific type of real estate professional, and there are notable distinctions between the two.

What Is a Real Estate Agent?
A real estate agent is anyone who is licensed by your state/county/city to help people buy and sell property (both residential and commercial). They may be a sales professional, an associate broker, or a broker themselves. In Nevada, becoming a Real Estate Agent simply requires completing 90 hours of pre-licensing education, then passing the Nevada Real Estate Division exam. This exam covers national, state, and local real estate law, standards and practices, and also requires continuing education to renew licensing fees.

What is a REALTOR®?
First, “REALTOR®” is a trademarked term that refers to an agent who is an active member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). (Fun fact: This is the largest trade association in the United States.)

Second, to join the NAR, it requires joining one of 1,400 local NAR real estate associations, an application fee, and approval by the Board of Directors.

BUT… the requirements to join the NAR are very specific:

• Agents must hold a valid real estate license
• They must be actively engaged in the real estate business
• Can have no records of official sanctions involving unprofessional conduct
• Not have a recent or pending bankruptcy
• Must adhere to the NAR’s Code of Ethics

At first glance, these may not seem like the strictest of standards, but they do whittle down the field to those who are wholly dedicated to the industry. The truth is a large percentage of ‘real estate licensees’ in any given state are not full-time agents. Many dabble with real estate on the side, list homes only for friends and relatives, discovered that they’re not really the right fit for the industry – but they’ve put in the time and paid the license fee, so they’re keeping it active ‘just in case.’ To put it mildly, these are not the type of people you want to handle the purchase or sale of your home – your most important and personal investment. So those first two bullet points are very important.

The next whittling down eliminates those who have ever been involved in unethical, illegal, or even just shady real estate transactions. (These requirements are starting to sound a little more important now, aren’t they?)

And while hard times (such as bankruptcy) can hit people unexpectedly (which we certainly saw by the boatload when the economy crashed in 2008) – knowing that your real estate professional is not driven by financial hardship can also give you, as a client, some peace of mind that they are acting in your best interests at all times.

Finally, the NAR’s Code of Ethics is what separates REALTORS® from non-member real estate agents. It outlines the agent’s duties to clients, customers, the public, and other REALTORS®.

These five requirements are the reason many serious real estate professionals choose to become REALTORS® – as it verifies the expectation consumers have (or should have) that they are working with an agent who has sworn to treat all parties fairly and honestly.

And now – you know what it means when you see the title of REALTOR® in advertisements or marketing materials for those in the real estate industry. As REALTORS® at New Home Resource, it insures that all of our agents are dedicated to performing honestly, ethically, and legally on behalf of every client we serve. Give us a call – we’d love to explain to you how we do it!

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!

It’s no secret that everyone at New Home Resource loves the Las Vegas community for more reasons than we can count. That’s why we’re so active in volunteering to work with a number of local charitable organizations – because it’s important to support causes that we truly believe can make a difference in people’s lives.

That’s especially true when it comes to kids – and bikes. Because we know from experience when you put the two together, it can help encourage kids to perform better in their education and physical fitness – and that’s a major win! As the founding President of Breakaway Cycling, Joanna Piette has been instrumental in guiding this non-profit toward some great achievements along those lines (and now, you’re about to see how this is the perfect segue into an upcoming event we’re thrilled to be involved with!).

Each summer, students lose critical math and literacy skills, widening the achievement gap and requiring substantial remediation at the start of each year. It’s known as the “summer slide,” often affecting low-income students the most, when the two months of summer vacation lead to a loss of learning in critical areas – especially reading and math skills.

One notable effort to reverse this trend has been made by Major League Baseball and EVERFI – who have teamed up to fill in this critical learning gap through the Summer Slugger Program. It’s a free, fun and interactive, online course that uses the game of baseball to help kids from 8-11 (in 4th and 5th grades) maintain their math, literacy, and enrichment skills during the summer months.

And the summer of 2018 is the first year that Breakaway Cycling and New Home Resource are working together with the Las Vegas 51s to enhance this program even more. As an added incentive, Breakaway Cycling will be rewarding the top 50 kids who complete the Summer Slugger Program with new bikes, helmets, and locks. The bikes will be presented at a rodeo cycling event that takes place at Cashman this fall.

The program was launched on May 10th at Eva G. Simmons Elementary School by the Las Vegas 51s and Breakaway Cycling – in front of 240 children who had an opportunity to meet several 51s players and their mascot, Cosmo. A panel session also took place where the 51s players and Breakaway participants spoke with the kids about the importance of sharpening skills sets and training in the off-season – all in preparation for the coming baseball season and cycling events. Also discussed was the importance of helmet and biking safety, and the kids were given the chance to see the bikes they have an opportunity to win.

We’re all too excited and looking forward to the Bike Rodeo this fall, and the chance to support and congratulate all the kids who chose to participate in the Summer Slugger Program. If there’s only one thing these kids take away from this experience, it’s that learning really IS fun…especially when you can keep moving ahead (and don’t have to re-learn things every year).

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!

Family is the best, isn’t it? People you’ve known all your life that you can trust and rely on, especially when the going gets tough. (Well, in some families, anyway.) If you have a good one, then you know there’s a lot of love and caring between all the generations, and the ties between you are strong, indeed.

But when we hear a statement like that in the headline of this article, we can’t help but cringe.

And it’s not necessarily because such REALTOR®/Client relationships turn out badly (which they can). It’s more a matter of even if they turn out well (which they can, too!), it most likely could have been an even better result by working with an experienced and reputable REALTOR® – that the client wasn’t related to.

Why do we say that? Feelings. (And we’re not talking about the song.)

It’s one thing if a straight business deal runs into a snag. You can simply walk away afterward, and life goes on. But if you’re doing business with a family member who isn’t providing the service you’re expecting, what do you do? Sometimes, deals like these go badly because no one wants to hurt a family member’s feelings, so they end up lowering their standards to avoid a tough conversation. And (heaven forbid) – if you do end up having to fire them, that can turn into a family drama that could sever more than one familial relationship.

However, even if all is going well, problems can still exist just below the surface. One party may be anxious about asking certain questions (will they think you’re doubting their expertise?) – or making an important request (well, they’re family and they’re in the business, so they must know what’s best for my situation, right?). Even if your home sale or purchase gets completed – one can always wonder: If I had asked those questions, could I have gotten an even better deal? (That’s the kind of ‘wondering’ that can stew below the surface for months – and could still affect the family relationship later on.)

It’s a dilemma, that’s for sure. We’re not saying that just because you’re related to a REALTOR®, that you shouldn’t hire them to represent you. What we are saying is before you do, make sure that person has certain professional qualities that you need and deserve – because after all, we’re talking about a substantial financial investment. And if being a family member is in addition to those qualities – then you could have a winner!

What are the qualities that should come first on your list?

1. They’re a Top Performer in their field – with the experience and drive needed to find you the right home.
2. Their expertise is in line with the kind of help you’re seeking.
3. Providing timely and exceptional service is one of their top priorities.
4. You’re comfortable asking questions, expressing your opinions, and stating your expectations to them.
5. No pressure – they understand the final decisions are up to you.
6. Their goal is to give you all the information you need to make those decisions.
7. If you weren’t happy with them, you know you could fire them without life-altering consequences.

If #8 also happens to be “They’re actually part of the family” – then, hey – problem solved!

But if they don’t measure up to the first 7 traits on the list, we recommend taking a graceful “pass” on their offer. Let them know that you prefer to keep family as family, and business as business . Then take steps to find the right REALTOR® to help you get the best results possible on your real estate transaction. (One more tip: If you decide not to work with family, don’t add insult to injury by asking them for ‘free advice’ during the process. That might make them a bit cranky at the next family gathering!)

Searching for assistance in buying or selling your home? The team at New Home Resource can help you with that. We invite you to call and “interview” us to see if we might be the best fit for your needs.

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!

If you’re any kind of sports fan – or even if you’re not – there’s no denying that having not one, but two professional sports leagues coming to Las Vegas is a Very Big Deal. (How about those Vegas Golden Knights? We know people who’ve made hockey their #1 favorite sport since they arrived!)

That excitement isn’t only for the fans, either. With professional organizations like this, there are new people moving to town – working for the league, servicing the influx of visitors, providing the new commerce that surrounds a major addition like this to a city. And with Raiders Stadium under way, that level of energy is only going to keep growing.

The addition of these national sports teams is only one of the reasons that Las Vegas is seeing growth continue – along with new resorts underway, convention and new business expansions, the available job market, and much more. But it raises an important question that (admittedly probably) isn’t the very first thing people ask themselves when they prepare to move:

“How important is the right REALTOR® when looking for a home in a new city?”

The truth is, that’s one question that should be very near the top of the list – because a reputable and experienced REALTOR® is someone who can help you with several of multiple decisions you’ll confront with a big change of location. “Which part of town should I choose? How to determine the best schools, traffic, shopping, and recreation spots? Where is the best resale? Low crime statistics?” – and so much more. Your REALTOR® should be able to help you clarify your needs and wants, provide information to help you make informed decisions to meet them, and work for you to find exactly the right property at the right price for you and your family.

We’ve written articles about why the right REALTOR® matters so much (see “How to Know You’re Hiring the Right REALTOR®” and “What Do You Mean It Sold Already?”) – which discuss what to look for, and how the right one can be so instrumental in helping you get the home you want. (Great reading, and gives you things to think about!)

But the basic facts you should know about your REALTOR® are simple and irrefutable:

• How long have they been working in real estate?
• What is their experience in this city? (which parts of town do they know best?)
• What is their average number of clients at a time? (will they have time for you?)
• Are they part of a team? (can they provide timely support during your search?)
• What is their reputation in the industry? (can they give you references to contact?)

The most important thing about choosing the right REALTOR® is this: Start by doing your own research. And one of the easiest things you can do is simply pick up the phone. There’s a lot to be said for a company’s culture in how they treat every customer (especially the “potential” ones). At New Home Resource, our team is among the most experienced, helpful, and friendliest in the city. We’ll be happy to prove it – just give us a call! 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 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!

You’ve listed your home for sale, it’s been weeks, and not only do you not have any offers to buy yet – you haven’t even had anyone come to see it. What’s going on, you ask?

Actually, that’s not an uncommon situation. There could be a number of reasons for it – such as:

• Reason #1: You’ve decided to do a FSBO (For Sale By Owner) – without using a REALTOR®

o Problem with that: No exposure to potential buyers. People don’t know about your home.

• Reason #2: You listed it with a “discount agent.” You’re paying a low fee (1% or similar) for an MLS listing.

o Problem with that: That agent isn’t advising you properly on how to show your home to its maximum advantage, nor are they promoting or marketing your home. Your listing is not getting any attention in a crowded seller’s market.

• Reason #3: The REALTOR® you chose may not be as experienced as you thought.

o Problem with that: Perhaps your listing photos are sub-standard (since most people begin their home shopping online, photo quality and home appearance is critical!); they aren’t familiar with your area – so perhaps you’re priced too high or too low, which can make buyers wary (think about how pricing affects your impressions when you shop in a department store…it’s the same thing).

The truth is, there might be several reasons that your home hasn’t sold – and they may have nothing to do with your home itself, and everything to do with the prevailing market, or interest rates, or something else that’s not personal to your home.

BUT . . . there are occasions when it actually may be your home – or the things in your home – that could be affecting your ability to sell. The right REALTOR® will tell you about these things up front, because they know from experience how to help you put your home’s best face forward and gain leverage on all the best traits your property has to offer.

However, not all agents know, or are comfortable telling their clients, uncomfortable facts. (After all, no one likes to give bad news, right?) So just in case, we’d like to share a list of things you should consider regarding your home to see if they might be a turn-off for buyers – and might be keeping them from seeing all the potential your home might hold for them!

1. Live Animals. Now, we’re not saying that a home shouldn’t have animals. But what we are saying is that they should be contained (or out of the home) whenever someone plans to view your home, and that any odors or mess associated with them should be eliminated. We know it’s not always easy to do – but when a home is for sale, it requires extra attentiveness during this time.

2. Dead Animals. Okay – we know this is going into the ‘politically correct’ arena – and we certainly don’t mean to offend anyone. However, the truth is, you’re trying to sell your home, not your taste in décor. If taking down the animal trophies from the wall or other such items will help you do that, then all the better. Don’t risk alienating a buyer – and leaving a negative impression – because they may not agree with your opinion on this topic. The fact is, they have many homes to view and choose from . . . but you have only one to sell. Make it as easy on yourself as possible. Pack these items early (saves you time later, anyway!).

3. Political Paraphernalia. These days, it is so easy to offend – even our own family and friends, as we all know. And since we’re talking about your financial well being in getting the best possible return on the sale of your home, this is one thing that we strongly recommend putting aside when showing your home. Flags, signs, and the like can also leave a bad impression – and as we all know, you don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression.

4. Drugs. We seriously never expected to have to state this one out loud, but now with the legalization of marijuana in our state, coupled with the fact that we have so many people move to Nevada from other states, it’s one of those things that can color a buyer’s impression. The presence – whether seen or smelled – can make an impression on visitors that might not be in your best interest of making a sale.

Certainly the four items mentioned above don’t cover all the possibilities – after all, we are all individuals with our own tastes! But to make sure that your home, which is, of course, perfectly normal and acceptable to you and your lifestyle, will show as well as possible to a potential new owner (so that you can get on with things as quickly as possible) – be sure to work with an experienced REALTOR® who can help answer those questions for you – honestly, accurately, and in your best interests.

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, and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

When the Sun Goes Down, It’s Time to Bring the Dogs Out!

At the moment, it might be a bit too crispy to take the dogs to the dog parks during the day, but one of the best things about Las Vegas is that we are definitely a dog-friendly town. No matter which side of the valley you live on, odds are, you’re not more than a few short minutes away from a dog park to enjoy with your four-legged friends 😊

Make the best of this valuable asset our neighborhoods have to offer! Here’s a list of 8 great dog parks throughout town to get you started.

SUMMERLIN

Kellogg Zaher Dog Park
7601 W. Washington Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89128

NORTHWEST

Barkin’ Basin Dog Park
Alexander & Tenaya, Las Vegas, NV 89129

SPRING VALLEY

Desert Breeze Dog Park
8275 W. Spring Mountain Road, Las Vegas, NV 89147

Charlie Frias Park
4801 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89103

SOUTHWEST

CJ Dog Park (Cactus & Jones – Southern Highlands)
Corner of Jones & Cactus, Las Vegas, NV 89141

Exploration Peak Park
9275 S. Buffalo Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89178

SOUTHEAST

Sunset Park
2601 E. Sunset Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89120

EAST

Horseman & Dog Fancier’s Park
5800 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89122

(Just makes you want to go out and play fetch now, doesn’t it?)

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, and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

When you don’t look too far behind the scenes, being a Property Manager sounds pretty ‘easy-peasy.’ After all, what does a Property Manager do, anyway? Hand out keys, collect the rent, and get paid big fees for a few minutes of work each month?

Well, as soon as you find a Property Manager that does only that – give us a call. Because we’ve never met a reputable property manager who didn’t work hard on behalf of their clients to keep all the i’s dotted, the t’s crossed, the tenants, owners and maintenance people happy – all while complying with the laws and regulations of the city, county, state – and the Feds.

Not that we’re complaining! Far from it! When you’re an experienced professional in the real estate industry – as are the experts at New Home Resource – it’s almost a genetic thing for us. We can’t wait to dive-in to organize and address all the steps involved in managing our clients’ properties to the nth degree. It’s something we love, or we wouldn’t be doing it!

But be under no illusion that it’s an easy job – and that’s something that a new income property owner might not realize. A Property Manager needs to know how to handle all the steps required in order to do their job well – while at the same time maximizing the owner’s investment. That includes setting the rental rates, advertising for new tenants, properly screening and researching potential tenants, addressing maintenance issues, handling emergency calls, keeping detailed records, collecting rents on time – and much, much more.

Being prepared by taking as many steps as possible to avoid potential problems may be an even more crucial responsibility for a Property Manager. By not properly screening tenants, a situation might turn into an eviction and/or legal nightmare. By failing to properly maintain a property, a minor repair issue can turn into a major expense. Even unanticipated events such as storm damage can create far larger and more costly issues than they should — if they’re not addressed properly at the time they occur. (Sometimes, even the best laid plans get can have the proverbial wrench thrown into the mix!)

Of course, not everyone thrives on those challenges like we do. It takes time, knowledge, experience and connections throughout the industry to do it well. That’s our business. But for a property owner, handling all these details on your own may not be something you enjoy, have time for, or be the most effective use of your own talents.

That last part is perhaps one of the biggest advantages Property Managers have to offer you as the owner. By taking all that responsibility off your plate, it gives you the time to do what you do best. That frees you up to acquire more properties and assets, develop your investment portfolio, and increase your personal wealth.

To find out how the New Home Resource Property Management team can help take the burden off you and maximize your investment better than you ever imagined possible, give us a call. We’re here to help!

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, and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

Summer is a busy time for home sellers in Las Vegas. Well, for that matter, given our amazing lifestyle, climate, and all the other great things about our city – pretty much most times of year are busy for both home buyers and home sellers.

As a seller, though, you need to remember that you are always in competition with other homes that are for sale. To make sure your home is at the head of the line for receiving the best (and most) purchase offers, we’d like to remind you that no matter when home buyers are shopping for a home, there are some things they ALL hate to see. Make sure they don’t see them at your home!

Bad Listing Photos.

Most home buyers begin their search online. If your photos aren’t appealing on the internet, there’s a good chance they won’t even bother to see your home in person. Make sure whoever is listing your home gets the best photos possible of both inside and outside your home. They matter more than you know.

Dirty Homes.

And yes really, we do need to say this. Because it seems not everyone instinctively knows that a clean, neat, and appealing presentation of your home is critical to the interest of the buyer. It’s true what they say: You never get a second chance to make a good first impression. And that means both inside and outside. You may not even think twice about your unkempt yard – because you know the landscape maintenance guys will be there tomorrow. Or to you, a messy patio or play area might just look normal and ‘lived in.’ The problem is, you’re not trying to make you comfortable by picturing yourself living in this home…you’re trying to impress home buyers you don’t know anything about. They may actually think just like you, but you have no way of knowing that. So always use the “Best Foot Forward” rule for any part of your property that a potential buyer sees.

Sellers Being Home During the Showing.

Yeah, it’s true. Even if you’re immensely proud of your home and would like to be there to “point out all the little things they might not notice, but are so important and add value to this home!” But all your being there will do is make everyone feel awkward, make visitors shy about asking their Realtor® questions that you may overhear, and encourage potential buyers to want to rush through the home and get out; which is, ironically the very thing you were trying to avoid. The longer a shopper takes to explore your home, and the more comfortable they feel, the more it sticks in their mind, compared to all the other homes they’ve seen. We’d even suggest doing something out-of-the-norm – like leaving cold bottles of water and freshly baked cookies out, with a note that it’s just for them. (A welcome idea in Las Vegas during the summer, for sure!) Anything that makes their visit to your home stand out (in a good way, we mean!) – is going to be to your benefit.

There are other words of wisdom that our experienced team of Realtors® at New Home Resource would be happy to share with you about how you can help show your home in the best possible way – and maximize your chances to sell rapidly and at the best price. Just get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to share those ‘inside tips’!

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, and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!