real estate

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!

Oh, sure – people come to Las Vegas from all over the world. Many times, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip. And with all the things to do and experience in Las Vegas, there’s still plenty of history and tidbits that even locals never learn about. Unless someone decides to dig up a few and share them. Like we are right now!

We thought when we hit “21” – that was the place to stand. So tell us – how many of the following Las Vegas Trivia Facts are news to YOU?

FUN LAS VEGAS FACTS

1. In Nevada it is mandatory that video slot machines pay a minimum of 75 percent on average.
2. Vegas Vic, the enormous neon cowboy that towers over Fremont Street, is the world’s largest mechanical neon sign.
3. Howard Hughes stayed at the Desert Inn for so long that he was asked to leave. He bought the hotel.
4. Camels were used as pack animals in Nevada as late as 1870.
5. More than 41 million people visit Las Vegas each year.
6. Seventeen of the 20 biggest hotels in the U.S. are in Las Vegas.
7. The average age of a Vegas tourist is 47.7.
8. McCarran International Airport is the seventh busiest airport in the United States and North America.
9. California’s known as the Golden State, but most U.S. gold comes from Nevada. Not only is Nevada the largest gold producing state in the nation, it is second in the world behind South Africa.
10. The iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign was created by 35-year-old graphic designer Betty Willis in 1959. She never trademarked the design, calling it her “gift to the city.” Willis continued working in neon signage until she was 77.
11. With fewer than 10 inches of rain per year, Nevada’s the driest state in the U.S.
12. Nevada’s the only U.S. state to legalize prostitution, but only in the form of regulated brothels in counties with populations under 400,000. So all that prostitution that occurs in bigger cities like Reno and Las Vegas is illegal… (But probably thriving).
13. Reno is farther west than Los Angeles.
14. Nevada’s location and mineral wealth made it an attractive potential Union state during the Civil War, and so it was. That’s why Nevada’s also known as the “Battle Born State.”
15. More than 300 weddings take place in a day in Las Vegas every year – making Las Vegas the top wedding destination in the U.S.
16. Casinos in Las Vegas never use dice having rounded corners – only dice with steep edges.
17. The Las Vegas Strip is the brightest place on Earth seen from space. The ‘City of Lights’ has over 15 miles of neon tubes and over 9,900,000 light bulbs on the strip alone.
18. The Statue of Liberty depicted on the US postage stamp is not the one you see entering the harbor in New York – but instead is the Las Vegas replica.
19. The Main Street Station Casino’s men’s bathroom is home to a section of the Berlin Wall.
20. Las Vegas has more hotel rooms than any other place on earth – and it would take 288 years to stay in all of them. (There are more than 150,000 rooms within 5 miles of McCarran Airport.
21. The Stratosphere is the tallest, freestanding, observation tower in the US and the tallest structure west of the Mississippi.

Now you can go out and win a few bar bets! Enjoy!

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!

Do you know the difference between owning income property and being a homeowner? In many cases, the only thing that separates the two is your mindset. That may sound odd, but often it’s simply shifting your outlook from an “I can’t do that” to a “Why not?” frame of mind.

Here in Las Vegas, a lot of people have discovered that owning income property is a possibility, and it’s actually a lot easier to start creating a real estate portfolio than they realized. Often, it begins with making plans to move from their existing home into a new one – and deciding to keep (rather than sell) their current home and rent it out.

Many people may read that last paragraph and reply with “I need the money out of my current home to buy the new one!” In some cases, that may be true. But the truth is, most people automatically make that assumption – without sitting down with a professional to crunch the numbers. Surprisingly to many people, it’s entirely possible that it may actually make more financial sense – for tax or investment reasons – to own income property than to sell that home.

For the most part, we find that many homeowners choose to convert their primary residences into investment properties for one of two reasons.

First, if the housing market is struggling and you’re concerned the home’s value has dropped, you can postpone selling the property, rent it out to pay for the monthly mortgage payments, and then sell it when the value has risen. This was a common occurrence during the financial crisis of 2008 – as many homeowners went this route to stay afloat while the economy got back on its feet.

The second reason is that many choose to take advantage of excellent financing now available at the current low interest rates to purchase their next home, leaving them with the option to turn the original home into a rental and increase their income. This can turn out to be a great opportunity, often with a better return on investment than the stock market. Additionally, if the home was originally purchased as a primary residence, it likely had a low interest rate – and when you transition your home to an investment property, you’ll be able to keep this perk.

Whichever route you choose to start the first of your (hopefully) many rental properties that will bring you additional income over time – be sure to make yourself aware of the responsibilities you bear as a landlord to ensure all the legal requirements are met. And of course, having the assistance of an expert in this area is invaluable – from knowing the state of the current local rental market to the financial obligations and details that must be attended to.

The best way to start off on the right foot in owning income property is to find the right Property Manager to help you be assured that you’re doing it all “right” from the start.

Recently, New Home Resource posted a 4-part series of articles that explain in detail “How a Property Manager Takes Care of Business.” In this series, you’ll find out pretty much everything you need to know about taking care of your rental home – as well as why it’s a good idea to work with an experienced Property Manager; including ways to protect your investment, locating and taking care of tenants, and much more.

So, before you just decide to list that home for sale and move to the next one, give some thought to the fact that this may be your chance to start building a real estate ‘empire’ of your own. One that can not only bring you and your family additional income, but help to improve your financial bottom line for the future, as well. And always remember that the professionals at New Home Resource Property Management are here to help you find your best options to 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 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!

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!

Wow. 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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for property management, a newly built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to provide just the service you’re looking for. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

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

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

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

Why hire New Home Resource as your Property Managers?

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

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

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

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

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

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for property management, a newly built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to provide just the service you’re looking for. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

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

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

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

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

Mortgage Loan Rules of Thumb:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for property management, a newly built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to provide just the service you’re looking for. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

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

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

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

Laundry Room

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

Exterior Lighting

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

Energy Efficiency

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

Garage Storage Space

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

Kitchen with Eating & Work Spaces

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

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

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

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for property management, a newly built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to provide just the service you’re looking for. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for property management, a newly built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to provide just the service you’re looking for. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!