Which State pays the highest property tax? NOT NEVADA

NORTH LAS VEGAS WELCOMES FARADAY

From the Las Vegas Sun

This will bring welcome jobs to the valley and have a real effect on the housing market


http://lasvegassun.com/news/2016/apr/13/big-day-for-faraday-carmaker-to-hold-ceremonial-gr/

Does it ever rain in Las Vegas?

Dark clouds, rain, lightening, and thunder! 

Here is what it looks like when it does rain in Las Vegas. This was taken from my front door

We got a lot (for us) today.  More on its way!!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!

The weather is warmer; the bees are buzzing, and the housing market is very hot!

I love this time of year! The days are warm and the nights are still cool and pleasant. People are planting and upgrading their yards. I have tomato plants that are full of fruit that will be ripe in a few weeks.  Life is good!

I also like this time of year for real estate. Currently, there are 16,591 properties listed for sale (including Condos and Townhouses).  Of those, only 9385 do not currently have an offer, and of those only 7600 are SFR – Single Family Residences.  Last month we sold 2881 SFRs.  So we have approximately 2.6 months of inventory.  So what does that mean?

The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) tells us that any market that has less than 90 days of inventory based on current trends is a hot market. What this means for you if you are thinking of selling your house is that now is the time to list.  If you are a buyer, be prepared for multiple offers and make your offers as attractive as possible. While all this seems to be somewhat diametrically opposed, the truth is the market is telling you to act. 

For Sellers: If you want to sell or have to sell, get your house ready.  Just because the market is hot does not mean that you can expect top dollar if your property does not warrant it. It is a double edged sword.  There are a lot of buyers, but the competition for them is steep. Fix and repair anything that needs it.  If a buyer senses that you have deferred maintenance or have not repaired items correctly, it will deter them from making a better offer.  Those items may also come up on a home inspection, and your will either have to repair the items or grant an allowance.  Be sure to make the house available for showings.

For Buyers: Get a solid preapproval. Know your price range and payment. Sometimes it is not always about the rate, but about the payment you can afford and how that translate to the price of the property.  Be flexible on your wish list.  There are always tradeoffs in real estate. Decide what are your non-negotiables and what you may be willing to compromise on to get your new home.  If you are asking for concessions from the seller, you may have to pay more than what you thought to get those.  Listen to your lender and follow their advice and that of your REALTOR®.

This is a great time to buy or sell.  Let me show you how I can help.

Home prices in 20 US cities kept climbing in January

A very good article from the Las Vegas Review Journal

https://shar.es/1YEjfA

Locally our market is seeing a steady growth in prices.  Let me show you what your home is worth

INTEREST RATES ADJUST

CHAIRMEN YELLIN'S TALK HAD AN AFFECT ON RATES.

As  usual, whenever the Chair of the FED speaks, the mortgage rates listen.  To quote from Inman News

"Today, Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen held a press conference, indicating that the Fed would proceed “cautiously” regarding interest rates.

These aren’t mortgage interest rates, but the overnight cost of money. However, what happens to the Fed’s interest rate has repercussions for housing."

Translation - mortgage rates went down today.  The Inman article has more to say. You can check it out here. ( you do have to be a member)

http://www.inman.com/2016/03/29/2-housing-economy-babies-thrown-bathwater/?utm_source=20160329&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailyheadlinespm

While the article in the link above does focus on the liquidy for banks and servicers, the overall effect was to have the mortgage rates take a dip.  The bottom line is that now is a good time to buy or sell.  Call me I can help

CUTTING THE CORD PART 2

ANTENNA VERSES CABLE OR STREAMING

A few days ago I had an antenna installed on my house.  I am now able to view TV for free!  This does come with some limitations.  However, I can tell you that the picture quality is outstanding. The limitations are that you "only"  have 50 channels - for free.  Yes, you do have to buy the antenna and you need to install it.  I had a local company that specializes in that - Mr. Antenna- do mine.  But overall, I am impressed.  

I  also have a ROKU 3  and subscriptions to HULU and Sling TV.  That allows me to see a ton of shows including CNN live watch current series the next day.  The one channel I cannot get that I really like is MSNBC.  So there will be trade-offs.

THE COSTS

My Cable bill for TV is over $120 a month. Like many people I have no choice as to what channels I get - they are all "IN THE BUNDLE!"  If I eliminate Direct TV and go with the antenna the ROKU 3 with all of its channels and my two subscriptions, the total monthly cost is $24.  So roughly I will save about $100 a month.  The antenna and installation was $264.  After three months I break even and I do not have to pay for all those channels I do not want.  

Is it right for you?  That is something you have to decide.  If you have questions, post them below and I will try to answer them.  But now I want to see which one of the many movies and shows that I can get for free will be on my viewing tonight!!   

After years of wild swings, Las Vegas home prices settle into a groove

A Great Article in the Las Vegas Sun





After years of wild swings, Las Vegas home prices settle into a groove: Las Vegas home prices went through a wild roller-coaster ride the past decade or so, but the ride seems almost boring today. For the first time ...

LAS VEGAS HOME PRICES UP

GOOD NEWS!

A recent article in INMAN News showed house prices across the country rose over the last year.  Las Vegas shows an increase of 11% from January of 2015 to January of 2016. While parts of the Las Vegas Valley increased, some may have been relatively flat. But overall, this report is welcome news to many homeowners.  The report also showed that we are not experiencing the same type of increase as we did in the run-up to the housing crisis. 

So what is your home worth? Is it time to refinance or think about selling?  I can help you find out.  Just email me or give me a call.

CUTTING THE CORDS PART 2

STREAMING DEVICES AND SERVICES

Moving ahead with my plans to Cut the Cord, I recently purchased a ROKU 3 device.  It allows me to stream many different services over the internet to my TV.  Here is a link to thier page so you can check out the features.

https://www.roku.com/products/roku-3

This may or may not work for you, bu it the most recommended device for streaming.  I have found the available options to be almost overwhelming. There is a LOT of free channels, and several pay channels.  You almost always have an option for a free trial.  

Next week I will have the HD antenna installed.  I will let you know what happens!!

NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO LIST YOUR HOUSE

THE WEATHER IS GREAT! BUYERS ARE LOOKING!!

Now is a great time to list your house. As the weather gets warmer, buyers are looking for homes. They want to find a home before vacations and to get settled before the next school year.  But what is your home worth?  Here is a link to my page that will give an estimate of your home's worth. Of course, the best way is to let me come out and do an onsite CMA based on your home, the improvements you have made and show you how to maximize your home's value, 

Just click on this link

http://realestatevalues.vegas/  

By the way, loan rates are still very low.  So that helps the buyer and you as a seller.  Let me show you how to get the most out of your home.

NO MATTER WHAT YOUR HOUSE LOOKS LIKE, I CAN HELP YOU GET THE MOST 

OUT OF IT!!

I WILL EARN YOUR BUSINESS!!

HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY!

Here is a recipe to help you celebrate.  Even those who are not Irish are Irish one day a year!!

CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE

SLOW COOKER CORNED BEEF

Trim your brisket so most of the fat cap is off.  The brisket will still have a lot of fat in the meat. This will help to make the broth better.

INGREDIENTS

5 pound Corned Beef Brisket - rinsed

4 carrots – peeled and cut into equal pieces

1 onion – cut into small bite sized pieces

10 small red potatoes – washed and cut in half

4 – 5 cups water

1 bottle of Guinness (optional)

Place all the veggies in the bottom of the cooker.  Place the beef on top. Sprinkle the spice packet that came with corned beef on top of the meat.  Pour in the water and beer If using.  Put the cooker on HIGH for 6 hours and then on low for another 1 – 2 hours.

Serve with French bread or Soda Bread

© Wes Davis – all rights reserved.

CUTTING THE CORD

Many people are considering “cutting the cord” and ditching cable or satellite TV. I am one of them.  For me, the fact that I have to pay for a Gazillion channels – much of them advertisements, religious programming, or simple reruns of shows that aired 20 years ago, is aggravating. In truth, the consumer is not allowed any choice of what they pay for in the “Bundles” that supposedly save you money. Consider that my bill for TV is over $100 a month. Yet I mostly watch local channels and a one or two cable channels. I am paying for over 600 channels many of which are repeats, and most I do not watch. 

I am doing research and will share here it on the blog. Here is what I have found so far.

• You can get a digital HD antenna installed for a one-time fee.  Those vary anywhere from 240 – 300. The Over The Air (OTA) signal is often as good or better than what you may get now through cable or satellite.  Most services will install and make sure you like the results before purchasing.
• You can get an OTA DVR that can record programs. No reason to miss any of your programs!
• You can stream most programs either live or after they have aired.  Some are free, and there are services just for streaming.  Not all programs are on every service so check to see if the one you want is available.  You can stream to your computer or your smart tv.  Lots of choices – and that is the point.

Stay tuned!! 

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN!!

So besides setting your clocks AHEAD one hour, there are several other things you can do to improve your life while you miss that extra hour of sleep.

• Remember to check the batteries in your smoke and CO 2 detectors/ In doubt, replace them
• Check your irrigation clock.  It is time to adjust to the SPRING schedule.
• Check your spices and other cooking supplies. Most spices have a shelf life of 2 years. Things like baking soda or baking powder have an expiration date, 
• Check your tires for pressure and tread wear.  Is it time to rotate them?
• You should also check your air filters and any water filters.

I hope this helps you.  Have a great spring!!

NEW HOME VS RESALE – Some Tips

As you drive around the Las Vegas area, you can see a lot of new home tracks once again sprouting from the desert soil. The price range is as vast as the desert.  Some people do not know that taking an experienced REALTOR® with them is essential.  While all the tract agents I have dealt have been ethical and honest, the truth is the represent the builder.  A buyer without representation may not know what crucial questions to ask,  or what concessions the buyer may be able to receive.   Here are some things you may not know.

   Ø    Builders use their own contract. You need to read and understand what conditions are outli ned in the contract and how that affects the rights of the Buyer.  

   Ø  The models are upgraded.  Those upgrades come with a cost.

   Ø  Builders will want you to use their lender. You do not have to do that. But will they honor some of the incentives if you do not.   How do get around that?

   Ø  The appraisal done on a new home is based on the value of the track where it sits.  Often that means that the home may be underwater financial (worth less that what it sold for) for a few years.

   Ø  Having a REALTOR® represent you does not add any more to the price of the home. It allows you to have someone in your corner who can help.

Call or email me and I can find a new or resale home for you. I will earn your business!

WELCOME TO MY REAL ESTATE BLOG!

Want to know what your house is worth? There are several ways to find out. The best is to have an experienced, knowledgeable REALTOR ® do what is called a CMA.  Many factors can affect value.  While there are some online tools such as a site I have that will give you a ballpark value, you need to have an onsite evaluation to get the best value.  Here some things that affect the value of your home.

      Ø  Deferred Maintenance

      Ø  Landscaping

      Ø  Location – corner vs Cul de Sac

      Ø  Upgrades to appliances and features

These are only a few that can affect the value of you home.  Call or email me for a free evaluation.