buyer

Should You Get Your Home Inspected Before You List It For Sale?

Posted by New Home Resource on July 5, 2016 in

When dealing with buying or selling a home, we’ve always maintained that it’s a good idea to over-prepare. For example, we’ve mentioned in several of our previous articles that one smart move not everyone is smart enough to do is to get your loan pre-approval in hand before even starting to shop for a home. Why? Because if a seller has multiple offers to consider, you’ll tip the scales considerably in your favor by having proof that you’re capable of “sealing the deal” – and that’s a big plus for any seller.

But for those thinking of selling their home, thinking ahead is sage advice for them, too. And one of the smartest steps a seller can take before putting their home on the market is to obtain their own certified home pre-inspection.

Right about now, you’re saying – “Wait a minute – the buyer is going to do that anyway, aren’t they?”

Yes, that’s going to be true in nearly every real estate transaction. But there are often some savvy reasons for a seller to have it done first, and here are a few of them:

It justifies your listing price.

By laying all the cards out on the table, sellers gain bargaining power with potential buyers. When you have certifiable proof on paper of the condition and systems in your home, it makes it harder for buyers to (reasonably) lowball their offers. (And if they unreasonably lowball you, you’ll know they’re not worth spending your time and effort on.) The fact that your home has no underlying issues of concern tangibly translates to the fact that there’s no need for a price cut to be entertained.

It builds trust with potential buyers.

By offering a home with a clean bill of health, it gives buyers more assurance and helps to reduce any apprehensions they may have. Many buyers have legitimate concerns about buying a “Money Pit” – so they often start their home-buying search with that bias in mind. But when you’ve shown you have nothing to hide by sharing the details of the pre-inspection up-front, they’ll look at your home more realistically and be able to realize its true value.

It may help you move faster to closing.

Really, there’s no easier way to build trust than to show them your home has been well-maintained and you have the documents to prove it. That trust can go a long way towards achieving a smooth transaction and a seamless closing.

In some cases, however, it might make sense to skip this step and allow your buyer to pursue the inspection after an offer has been made. If you’re wondering if a home inspection would be a wise choice before putting your home on the market, it’s a good query to add to your list of “Realtor™ Interview” questions. When you’re interviewing potential Realtors™ to work with in selling your home – that answer can help give you a bit of insight to the methods that each agent will use to help sell your home – for the best price and in the shortest time possible. (Go ahead, ask us about it. You know you want to!)

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

Is the “Art” in the Deal – or in the Home Itself?

Posted by New Home Resource on June 29, 2016 in

Home Buying

Everyone LOVES to get a deal. Maybe it’s just the way we’re wired. (Or maybe it’s the result of a couple hundred years of advertising.) Whatever the reason, there’s a certain thrill when we know we’ve managed to score a hot deal on a plane ticket, or a designer handbag – and goodness knows we’re downright proud of ourselves when we save money on a big-ticket item like an appliance or a car.

So it’s not unusual that when people are shopping around for a new home – which in many cases is the largest investment they’ll ever make – the thought of getting a screaming deal just can’t be beat!

Or can it?

The fact is, if you’re just starting out in life or finally decided to get into the first home of your own – it’s probably going to be “the basics” that matter most. Square footage, location, price – and if you also happen to love it at the same time, then you’re one of the lucky ones! That’s because for most first-time buyers, there’s a trade-off to be made – but as they say in life – “three out of four ain’t bad!”

Then there are those looking to upgrade to a larger and/or more expensive home – or perhaps downgrading now that the kids are gone and they don’t need as much space. These are the homebuyers who have something very important up their sleeves: Experience. The fact is, when it comes to knowing what you like, dislike, love, hate, need, want, must-have, or won’t-ever-deal-with again in a home – nothing beats having “been-there-done-that” (are we right?).

Buying a home is complicated. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and frustrated AND enticed and emotional – during the whole process. That’s one more reason it’s so critical to make sure you choose the right Realtor® to work with.

It begins with the groundwork, of course: Discovering your preferences, determining your purchase and credit abilities, and researching everything on the market that fits into those parameters so you can start your search. But the right Realtor® will also be able to help you look past the barriers that will arise so you can stay focused on finding the home that’s truly going to make you happy.

Let’s just be honest: Shopping for a home is going to take you through the entire range of human emotions. You’ll experience excitement, confusion, fear, anxiousness, anticipation, annoyance, exhaustion – yep, it’s all right there in your journey.

But the goal is to end up as excited with your final selection as you were in the very beginning, because buying a home is a truly awesome experience! And that’s what every New Home Resource agent is committed to – working together with you to find the home that you adore . . . and can’t wait to move into.

DO HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS GET A BAD RAP?

Posted by New Home Resource on May 23, 2016 in

In Las Vegas, it’s often a given that the home you buy in a new or established neighborhood is going to include a Home Owners Association (HOA). Yay! Or….not so much? You might have an opinion on that.

One thing that we’ve noticed you rarely see in the headlines, though, are things like “HOA Adds Value to Our Homes” – or “No Trash On Our Streets, Thanks to the HOA!” Nah – most of the reason that an HOA gets into the news is due to complaints, because it’s rare for people to take the time to deliver compliments.

Now, we’re not going to lie and say that we haven’t heard a number of HOA Horror Stories, because we have. But because we deal with the entire Las Vegas real estate market, we also know that their existence is, for the most part, a good thing. Often the reason that HOA’s run into trouble is when reasonable neighborhood residents fail to take an interest in playing a role on the board – and they leave it all to someone else, just assuming that it doesn’t really require their attention because “doesn’t everyone think like me?” Sometimes, that doesn’t work out so well.

Whether you like or hate the rules that come with life in a community association, once you buy that property – you’ve signed on. But those rules are designed to protect property values, and studies show that 70% of people believe they do.

(HUGE DISCLAIMER: Read your HOA documents before you close escrow. Know the rules before you move in – because by moving in, you’ve accepted them all.)

But it’s important to realize that communities with HOA’s are dependent upon the skills and personalities that residents and board members bring to the table. Good communication and transparency are crucial elements of a harmonious relationship between the HOA and its residents. Clarifying where the money goes, sharing information about how decisions are made, and encouraging homeowner participation in rules and expenditures are all part of the responsibilities that the board should take seriously. Think of it as a non-stop process of building and maintaining trust – with a big helping of give-and-take (sort of like having to deal with your extended family at Thanksgiving dinner!).

So we’d just like to remind homeowners that there are reasons you bought your home in that neighborhood – and some of those reasons may not even exist without the covenants and bylaws of the Home Owners Association that govern that community.

If you want to make sure that the HOA you live under is run properly and fairly – then exercise your voice, attend meetings, read the newsletters, stay informed, take advantage of your right to vote and even run for office. Because the only way to keep the bad eggs off the board is to make sure that it’s filled up with good eggs instead!

(One last reminder: HOAs now have the power to report to credit agencies – so even if you have a dispute with yours, stay current on your dues, or your credit may take an unnecessary hit!)

When Someone Else Wants to Buy the Same Home You Do

Posted by New Home Resource on May 20, 2016 in

Home Buying

The supply and demand for real estate has been doing some odd things for a while now. The effect of the Great Recession has created a somewhat unusual flow of homes coming onto the market for sale largely based on the actions of large banks intermittently releasing parts of their inventories of foreclosures on their books.

Whether their actions are good or bad for the market isn’t the topic here, though. What we’d like to do is help buyers understand what, exactly, they may be up against as they go shopping for their next home in Southern Nevada. Because one thing we see often is the seller having a choice of which offer they want to accept. And when you have just fallen head-over-heels for a home, it’s scary to think that the final decision of who gets it is completely out of your hands.

Or is it?

While there may be some things that can’t be overcome (for example, when a buyer makes a financial offer much higher than you can afford to pay) – for the most part, people tend to start out on a relatively equal footing. Most people will work with realistic appraisal estimates, most will need to obtain mortgage financing, etc. But there are a few things you can do that might help tip the scales in your favor.

First thing to remember: Sellers are people, too.

Okay, okay – we know that sounds obvious. But what we want to convey is that in being ‘human’ – their opinions and feelings can often be swayed with the smallest of issues; and if all things are equal financially in the multiple offers they received, then what will they base their final decision on?

We like to think that the numerous tips we’re about to give you all fall under one basic umbrella: Respect.

When you have gone out of your way to show a seller respect – for their time, their hospitality, their consideration, and their privacy – those are awfully easy (and free) things you can do in your interactions with that seller to build a bond of sorts that could just get you that purchase contract you’re longing for. Let’s get started, shall we?

Get Your Mortgage Loan Pre-Approved

We tend to harp on this topic in many of our posts – but that’s because it is such an important thing to do for so many reasons. In this particular context – when you’re trying to convince a seller that you are their best choice among many offers – you want to be able to clearly demonstrate these three things:

(a) You can afford to buy this home;

(b) Your financing has already been reviewed and approved by a reputable mortgage lender; and

Having that ace up your sleeve – especially when many other buyers haven’t taken the same steps already – can easily move your name to the top of that “Consideration” list.

Be On Time

And if you can’t be on time, let everyone know that as quickly as possible.

Acknowledge the fact that selling a home can be a real time-suck. Sellers need to keep things neat, clean, and tidy at all times, rearrange their schedules to meet with Realtors™ and potential buyers, perhaps they’re meeting workmen to get minor repairs done – there’s a lot of work involved for the seller, alone.

So if you’ve made an appointment to view a home, be punctual. Running late? Call ahead and ask if they would prefer to reschedule – and definitely don’t let that happen more than once. Late appointments or no-call/no-shows until after one was scheduled can leave a bad taste in a seller’s mouth – about you. (insert demerit point for that!)

Show Courtesy for Their Home and Space

This is far from being an exhaustive list, since every home and seller will have its own special circumstances. But start with these items as your rule of thumb – and remember, it is simply not possible to be TOO courteous. So when in doubt, impress them with your consideration.

• Be respectful of parking. Don’t inconvenience the neighbors, and don’t block the seller’s cars in the driveway. If you need to walk from down the street a few houses, that’s a small price to pay to avoid making a poorly-timed bad impression.

• Remove your shoes. This may not make a difference to all sellers – but it may make a huge difference to YOUR seller. Stay on the safe side. In many cultures, it is a huge faux pas to wear shoes inside at all. It’s a whole lot easier just to not risk it at all.

• Don’t overwhelm them with a huge group of people to view their home. Try to minimize to just the heads of the household – at least for the initial visit. Forego the parents and best friends accompanying you; and on the first visit, it’s wise to skip bringing the kids. There is a liability that the seller assumes having people in their home – and think about it from their point of view. It’s uncomfortable to have people wander off from the group and then having to wonder/worry what someone is doing in the bedroom when you’re all in the kitchen, etc. If you decide this is the home for you – schedule a time to bring the rest of the household with you to view it at a later date.

• Don’t take photos without asking permission. Especially in this day and age – with the potential for an image to go literally from non-existent to a media sensation in mere moments. Many people go to great lengths to protect their privacy specifically from this possibility. If you’d like some images to help you plan and remember specific things – ask the owner if they would mind if you take a photo, and frame the image it in a way that they will be comfortable with.

Certainly there are many other thoughtful considerations you can put into play during your interactions with a seller – but remember this: You don’t know until you see a home if it may be “The One” that you simply must own. That means you want to practice these particular etiquettes – and perhaps others that your Realtor™ will recommend – with every home you visit in your search. Do that, and you’re going to be miles ahead of your potential competition to be the new owner!

What is This Charge for a “Title Insurance Policy” on My Closing Statement?

Posted by New Home Resource on May 2, 2016 in

When you work in the real estate industry, it’s easy to get so used to the “lingo” that you forget sometimes the words and terms you’re using aren’t necessarily mainstream knowledge.

That got us thinking that it’s worth taking the time to explain a few of the most common real estate terms that we industry professionals just fling around carelessly – assuming everyone knows what we’re talking about. And since there are about a gajillion different phrases used in any given real estate transaction, we’d like to help explain one of the most common – but perhaps least understood – real estate terms that will affect virtually all buyers – namely: Title Insurance Policies.

A standard inclusion in pretty much any real estate purchase or sale, it’s one of those things that any REALTOR™ will just take for granted needs no explanation. Surely everyone knows what it is, right? (What? You mean you didn’t read the latest Nevada Revised Real Estate Statutes and Regulations when you were on vacation?)

Wrong. In fact, we have friends who have bought and sold many different homes through the years who finally ‘fessed up around their 5th escrow transaction that they had no idea what that charge is on their closing documents for “Title Insurance Policy Premium.”

So let’s start out with the simplest explanation:

The primary purpose of Title Insurance is to eliminate risks and prevent losses caused by defects in title arising out of events that have happened in the past.

Oh gee. Now that we see it in writing, that doesn’t really help much, does it? Okay – then let’s break it down further with a few Q&As.

What is it?

• Title insurance is a policy that protects you from unanticipated claims that could cause you to lose your home.

• It’s protection against historical mistakes and fraud committed with respect to your home.

How does it work?

• Unlike other insurance policies (such as life, health, or auto) – which protect against potential future events – a Title Insurance Policy insures against events that occurred in the property’s past.

Why is Title Insurance important?

• Mistakes happen. While your seller is obligated to sell you the home with a “clear title” (in other words, no liens, encumbrances, or claims that you didn’t agree to) – they may not always disclose title defects they know of; or even be aware of things that occurred prior to their purchase of the home.

• Imagine one scenario: You have to leave your home because county records show that the seller who sold you the home never really owned it. (It happens!)

• Or, the seller had work done on the home previously, but failed to pay the workers in full. The workers or subcontractor may have filed a lien against the property, and if it’s not paid – you could be the one held financially responsible to pay the liens in order to eliminate them from the title to your property.

• Title insurance protects against situations like this. When a claim is made, your title insurer will research the claim on your behalf and, if necessary, will make you whole for any loss incurred (which may even include paying your remaining mortgage balance in full, as well as related expenses.)

Who issues the Title Insurance Policy?

• Your escrow officer (or lender) will open an order, and the title agent will begin a title search.

• During escrow, a Preliminary Title Report is issued to the customer for review and approval.

• After closing and recording of all the purchase and loan documents, the escrow officer will disburse funds to pay the title company for the policy.

• Then the policy is created and issued to the owner or lender (depending on which policy is purchased).

What does it cost?

• It is a one-time premium paid at the close of escrow. The cost will differ based on the sales price of the home and/or the rates of the title company issuing the policy. (Estimate between .4%-.75% of your loan amount.)

How is it paid?

• It will show up on your escrow closing statement as an “Owner’s (or Lender’s) Title Insurance.”

Who should buy Title Insurance?

• In our opinion – everyone.

• There are two types of policies: Owner’s Title Insurance and Lender’s Title Insurance.

• It is optional for Owners.

• But nearly every mortgage lender will require that a borrower purchase a Lender’s Title Insurance policy.

Whew! That’s quite a bit of information! And to think, before we wrote this all down we just expected our clients to know (apparently by osmosis!) all that the phrase “Title Insurance” entailed. But hopefully, this helps to make it a little bit easier to understand in any future real estate purchase you make. (And if you have any other questions about this topic, feel free to contact us and we’ll help to clear them up.)

The bottom line is this: Yes, you want to purchase Title Insurance on your home. Considering the relatively minor cost – in relation to your overall financial investment in buying a home – it is money well spent. You may never need it, but if you do – you’ll be awfully, awfully glad it’s there.

The (First) Five House Hunting Pitfalls You Can Avoid

Posted by New Home Resource on April 28, 2016 in

Home Buying

Made the decision to go find yourself another home, did ya? Wow. Now THAT’S exciting! Congratulations!

As we all know by now, buying a home is a pretty emotional experience. You’re excited, you’re amped up, you’re viewing listing photos via online sites several times a day, and you’re rarin’ to get out there and find the one that’s just perfect for you. Yep – that’s how it’s supposed to be.

Knowing what to do when you start home-shopping is important . . . in fact, it’s almost as important as knowing what NOT to do. The job of an experienced REALTOR® is to guide you down the right path for both of those fronts. But we figured it wouldn’t hurt to give you a little ‘heads-up’ about some of the larger pitfalls you’ll really want to avoid in the process. So read on, dear house hunter!

Not Letting Your REALTOR® Do Their Job

Funny thing – sometimes people complain about having to pay a REALTOR® at all – and then they fail to actually let them do the job they were hired for. We know part of that is the excitement and enthusiasm that comes with searching for a home, but it’s easy for buyers to jump the gun about certain things – which might ultimately end up costing them money, or even to have regrets about “the one that got away.” So – let your REALTOR® do their job. If you drive by an interesting property they haven’t mentioned to you, call them with the property address and phone number from the sign, and let them research the asking price and property details. (You’ll probably discover that 9 times out of 10, they didn’t mention it because it doesn’t meet your search criteria.)

Decide What You’re Looking For In Your New Home

This actually covers a range of topics, and it will be wildly different for every family. Do you have kids? Then the schools will be an important issue. How many bedrooms and bathrooms; what square footage; 3-car garage; a big back yard to play in, or a low-maintenance patio home; one- or two-stories; a specific neighborhood; close to your work; a multi-generational suite; a gourmet kitchen; new; used . . . as you can see, the list can go on and on. Your REALTOR® will help you nail down the specifics based on your needs and your budget. And then they’ll get to work on your behalf.

Stay In Your Budget

As critical as knowing what you’re looking for in a home (or perhaps even more critical) – is determining what your budget is. It’s not simply a matter of “How much of a mortgage loan can I get?” – because often, people will be able to qualify for a larger loan than they may truly be comfortable with. That’s not to say the lender is over-selling you – what it means is that you may have the income, but want to apply it to other priorities – and perhaps not all of it to your home mortgage payment. If you’re planning to start a business, have more children, saving for college tuition – these are all reasons (and many more) to take into consideration when deciding how much of a loan to get. And that – combined with your down payment needs – will help you determine the price range of the home you should be searching for. Few things are worse than shopping outside that range, falling madly in love with a home, and making the (incredibly long-term) decision to overextend yourself, or have to give up on your future plans because of an impulsive past decision. Just avoid that problem entirely – and stick with your planned budget.

Get Pre-Approved For Your Mortgage Loan

The old-school mindset used to be: Shop for home, Find home, Make offer, Get mortgage loan. Yeah – not so much anymore. There’s a new first step that any reputable REALTOR® is going to strongly recommend – or in fact, may even require before they’ll begin working with you: Getting pre-approval for a mortgage loan. And there’s a very good reason for that – in fact, more than one.

First, you don’t want to be wasting your time, going out and looking at homes that you can’t buy. It’s frustrating (and potentially heartbreaking) for you, and trust us – your REALTOR® certainly doesn’t have extra time lying around to waste, either. Getting a pre-approval for your loan removes the “wish” factor and gives you more confidence to shop wisely for the home of your dreams.

Second, while the market is always changing – it’s not all that uncommon any more for a seller to get multiple offers to buy their home. So put yourself in their shoes: You’re the seller, and you’re looking at offers from three different buyers. All things being equal (assuming they all offered the same price and the same general terms) – you’re going to be far more interested in choosing the buyers who have their loan pre-approval letter in hand, which proves they have the financial wherewithal to actually close escrow successfully. And since you were smart enough to get that pre-approval – you’ve got a good chance of beating those other two buyers to become the new owner.

Choosing The Right Lender

Let us just say this: All mortgage lenders are not the same. Actually, it wasn’t all that long ago that they were all more alike in how they made, processed, and charged borrowers for their mortgage loan. But those days are gone. (A little thing called The Great Recession made that necessary.) Now, many home buyers don’t realize that simply by not doing their due diligence – and shopping their loan around to multiple lenders – they can end up paying thousands of dollars more for their loan than they should. You read that right: Thousands.

Why? Because different regulations apply to different types of lenders. Mortgage Brokers (like Las Vegas’ locally-owned Premier Mortgage Lending) are regulated in how much they can charge for a mortgage loan – and they must fully disclose all charges to the borrower. Banks and Mortgage Bankers do not have the same restrictions; they can earn more from the borrower and not even have to disclose that information (so basically, they’re spending your money without even telling you about it). And you know what else? That extra few thousand dollars you’ll save by shopping around is money that can help you qualify for a larger loan, a different home, buy new furniture, or just put in your pocket. (Which all sounds a lot more fun to us than just handing it over to a bank – but that could just be us. ;-))

Actually, those five steps are just the beginning – because there are many other house hunting pitfalls that buyers can easily avoid, as long as they’re aware of them. We’ll help out with some more of those in a future post. But for now – remember these as you set out on your home-buying adventure, and you’re more likely to get the perfect home at the perfect price! Woo-hoo!

Surprise! Your Realtor™ Is Human, Too.

Posted by New Home Resource on April 18, 2016 in

No lie – there are times when it’s great to be thought of as SuperRealtor! And then there are times, when … well, notsomuch. Helping a client buy their dream home (or sell their existing home to get there) – is a wonderful feeling. Pulling all the details together and helping everyone to reach the finish line is so incredibly satisfying to a Realtor™, both professionally and personally.

BUT…. (you had to see that coming, didn’t you?) Even Clark Kent had a day job.

And by that, we mean at any given time, we have a lot of balls in the air – it’s just the nature of our job. So while we do our best to “be there” whenever a client needs us, there are times we simply aren’t at liberty to drop everything and rush out the door. (Emergencies are, of course, another story. And yes – there are real estate emergencies to deal with at times.)

After all, if you were the client with whom we had scheduled an appointment in advance to view homes, or to take care of paperwork, inspections, etc. on your home purchase or sale – you wouldn’t be too thrilled at the idea of being ‘ditched’ because of someone else’s poor planning – right? And (it’s always amazing to us that people don’t think about this until we point it out) ….we’re Real People, too! That means we have a work life and a home life (okay, sometimes). There are hours we’re awake – and hours when we sleep. (Aaaaack! What a concept!)

We’re the first to admit that with the 24/7 nature of Las Vegas, sometimes people forget those little details. So we’d just like to point out three little courtesies that will help you and your Realtor™ get along even more swimmingly.

• Respect Your Realtor’s Time – As Much As You Do Your Own

Do you have an appointment scheduled with your Realtor™? We’d really love it if you’re on time. But we also know that ‘things happen’ and get in the way of even the best-laid plans. Just keep in mind – it takes us time to drive to that appointment, too. So if you know (or even think) you may be late for a scheduled appointment, please give us a call as soon as possible. Often, even a 15-30 minute hitch in our schedule can inconvenience many other clients, the other agent, the sellers, and staff that we work with. It can be the difference between having a productive day or seeing our schedule thrown into complete havoc (and having to play the “I apologize/Catch-Up” game the rest of the day). So those clients who appreciate that we have a schedule, too, well – we appreciate they recognize that fact more than they know.

• Failing To Plan Ahead

Ideally, buyers and sellers choose a Realtor™ to work with because they believe we’re good at what we do. Most people will ask friends or associates for a referral to a good agent because hey! – we live in a “social” world anymore. There is simply more trust placed in a business or a professional because someone you trust has had a good experience with them.

The news flash that goes along with that? It means we work hard. And that our schedules are busy – just like yours. Let’s face it – would you want to hire the Realtor™ who has nothing but “free time”? Nope. You value us because we’re dedicated to doing a great job for every single client. All that, while practicing the delicate balancing act of maintaining a personal and family life, too. (And yes – we know that’s not a problem exclusive to Realtors™. All the more reason to empathize…because we know everyone deals with that.)

That said, it’s a pretty safe bet that most people have a sense of when they plan time in their schedule to view homes. Talk with your Realtor™ about a mutually beneficial schedule – and then you’ll both be on the same page to find a day and time that works for you both. Because it all falls back on that “respect for time” we mentioned above.

• Expecting “Instant” Communication – At Every Hour

Vegas is a tourist town – we get it. And we love it! However, just because you’ve come to town shop for a home and chose to utilize this trip to catch up on your casino recreation at 3am, it doesn’t really follow that we’re sitting at home waiting for your text to come through about that time. Sometimes, there are reasons we must be available by phone, just as you have had such situations occur. But we also have the hope that our clients will respect our off-hours and not shoot us messages at any hour of the day or night, asking to go look at homes in 3 hours! Ahhhhh……yes, it all boils down to – once again – respect of time.

But that respect is absolutely a two-way street. A professional Realtor™ is completely dedicated to giving each client the time and attention needed (and then some!) to make sure their real estate needs are met – – and exceeded. We work hard, during long hours to know our market, to know the always-changing laws and regulations, to get our clients exactly what they’re in search of, and still manage to get it all right. And we love doing it, too! We just also happen to love it when our clients realize we’re just like them . . . we need to play, rest, and take care of our personal lives, too. We promise, if you’ll keep that in mind, you’ll get the very best of every service we have to offer!

Moving to Las Vegas? Here’s Some Info That Will Come in Handy.

Posted by New Home Resource on March 11, 2016 in

Few things are more exciting than the adventure of moving to a new city. The possibilities are endless: There are new opportunities, discoveries to make, new friends, activities, exploring – it’s a big deal and a huge lifestyle change for most people.

One of the things that we’ve learned in our years of playing a role in helping people relocate to Las Vegas is that knowing who to call to set up your initial services, or who to contact for information about moving your business – or even just to know where you’re at (physically) in the Great Scheme of All Things Las Vegas – can be a challenge. Most folks are so busy with the “moving from” part that – once they land at their new home and are standing amid piles of boxes and the oh-so-necessary take-out food containers because you can’t find your dishes yet – that even if you were smart enough to make a list of local services, you probably won’t be able to find that, either.

So we wanted to lend a hand with a brief list of phone numbers and website links to services and agencies that will hopefully come in handy and make your landing in Las Vegas just a little bit softer. Enjoy! (then start unpacking!)

Where Is THAT?

This may be “home” now – but you might not be familiar with general areas of town, at least as it applies to major street names. For example, if you’ve just moved to the area of Wigwam/Pecos in Henderson – you’re not going to want to make a quick trip to the Trader Joe’s on Summa Drive in Summerlin (30 minutes+)

Smartphones and tablets will, of course, make the actual navigating easier – but few things compare to a visual image in your head of the general lay of the land. So here’s a map of neighborhoods/districts in Las Vegas you can click on to download (for everyone’s use).

My Internet Isn’t Working!

You planned ahead and got all those services turned on for your arrival – but argh – something’s not working right. No worries – here are a few handy phone numbers to help out with that:

Electric:

NV Energy – (702) 402-5555

Gas:

Southwest Gas – (877) 860-6020

Water:

Las Vegas Valley Water District – (702) 870-4194

City of Henderson – (702) 267-5900

Trash Pick-up and Recycling

Republic Services – (877) 692-9729

Telephone

AT&T – (800) 288-2020

CenturyLink – (855) 524-0369

Cox Communications – (866) 961-0027

Equiinet – (702) 789-6001

Nextiva – (800) 799-0600

Sprint – (866) 275-1411

Verizon Wireless – (800) 922-0204

Internet / Cable TV / Satellite TV

CenturyLink – (855) 524-0369

Cox Communications – (866) 961-0027

DirecTV – (855) 838-4388

Dish TV – (855) 839-589

You’ve Got 30 Days . . .

To get your new resident driver’s license and vehicle registration transferred. So – where do you go and what do you need for THAT? Here’s a hint:

Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles

Office locations

Driver’s License Information

Vehicle Registration Information

Forms

Business Contact Information

Are you planning to run a business in Clark County? Or Henderson? Or Las Vegas? Or North Las Vegas? Most people think you move to Las Vegas, and it’s a simple one-stop process to get your company up and running – but it’s a bit more confusing than that. So we’ll start you off with some basic information – and depending on your specific needs, these entities should be able to point you in the right direction and help you get the ball in motion.

Determine Your Business Jurisdiction for Licensing

Nevada State Business License

Secretary of State – Visit their website here for a list of FAQ’s

City of Las Vegas

Starting a business in Nevada

City of Henderson

Business License General Description

City of North Las Vegas

Business License

Clark County, Nevada

Fictitious Firm Name Registration

Business License FAQ’s

Nevada Department of Taxation

Information about Nevada’s Taxes and The Department

Goodness knows there are going to be many more adventures and plenty of errands to run – so enjoy the journey. You’re about to explore all the things that we Nevadans already know make Las Vegas a great place to live. Welcome home!

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

What happens behind the scenes of your real estate listing.

Posted by New Home Resource on February 29, 2016 in

“What’s the big deal? A Realtor® lists your home for sale, and then earns a big paycheck just for punching a few keys into MLS. I can sell it myself for cheaper!”

Been there? Said that? And if you’ve ever actually tried it, you know (to coin a phrase) “it just ain’t so.” But for those looking to sell a home who don’t know any better (yet), here’s a little peek behind the scenes of what goes on after your real estate agent accepts your listing.

1. This is important, so read it twice: Your agent doesn’t get paid unless your home sells. Let’s try that again. Your agent doesn’t get paid unless your home sells.

It’s easy to forget this part – but Realtors® don’t get paid by the hour. In fact, you might consider them the original gamblers, because if your home doesn’t sell – all their time, work, and energy doesn’t net them a dime. The rule of thumb is pretty much that for every 1 hour your agent spends with you, they’re spending 9 more hours working on behalf of your listing. “Working on what?” you ask? We thought you might say that, so read on.

2. They’re researching.

Arriving at the optimum listing price for your property takes time and research. It’s not enough to simply look at online listings to compare the square footage and price of other homes currently on the market. Your agent will often take the time to visit the current listings in person because it’s the only way to truly compare the characteristics of each home. Just because two homes have the exact same floorplan doesn’t mean they possess the same value. If your home is in a quiet cul-de-sac location and another listing is on a busy avenue – that is going to make your listing more desirable to potential buyers. And that’s only one example among dozens that can make a difference not only in whether you sell your home, but for how much. Plus, listings come and go fast in the real estate world, so agents need to check their multiple listing service database constantly or they can miss opportunities that could provide benefit to your listing.

3. They’re marketing your property.

Remember that part about ‘not getting paid unless a home sells’? That’s one reason your selling agent will also put their money into multiple avenues of marketing your home to potential buyers. Even the best home in the world isn’t going to sell if people don’t know it’s available. So the more exposure your agent can get for your listing, the better the odds that you receive an offer, or even multiple offers (and who doesn’t love that!?). Once again, it takes time to prepare ads and list them– whether online, in magazines and newspapers, fliers, direct mail postcards, premium placements on listing sites, and more. In fact, depending on the property, these efforts can run into thousands of dollars. All paid from their own pocket before ever earning a dime.

4. They deal with buyers and their agents.

Your home is on the market – and people are going to want to know about it. That means phone calls, emails, and correspondence from buyers and other agents – and knowing how to sort through the ‘qualified’ from the ‘not-so-much-qualified’ takes time (and skill, if you want the truth). Without a listing agent, there’s a good chance that you can get within days of the closing ‘finish line’ only to discover your buyers can’t seal the deal (bummer – you just lost 3-6 more months of valuable time). So – not only are they saving you all the time of dealing with buyers – they’re also making sure when you do have a buyer, they’re for real.

5. Paperwork. Lots of paperwork.

It starts with the listing itself, and following up to make sure every obligation required in your state is met with regard to real estate laws. If you try to do it yourself and miss even one single disclosure or timeline, you are leaving yourself open for lawsuits for years to come. Seriously.

And, of course, offers – obviously the most exciting and important part of the transaction. How they’re handled can save or net you thousands of dollars on a sale. Yet getting to the right price requires written offers and counteroffers every step of the way. It’s time-consuming, meticulous, and detailed – and your listing agent addresses every part of the transaction with an eye to your benefit. Not to the buyer’s; and certainly not their own. This is one time in your life you can be assured you’re the “Star” of the show.

6. The Best Part? They make it all look easy.

Not every sale goes smoothly—buyers and sellers (and even other agents) get difficult all the time—but good agents try to shield their clients from the high drama unless there’s a reason to fill them in. It’s a talent – putting out fires (many times, before buyers and sellers are even aware of them). And when the drama does rear its head, they know the steps to resolve it – all the while helping to keep you calm when the pressure is on. People get emotional about their home, so being a problem-solver and keeping a step ahead of potential issues is more important than either buyers or sellers realize.

So the next time you hear someone say “Why get a Realtor®?” I’m just going to sell my house myself!” – you’ll know just how to reply to that. With either: “Hey, take a look at this article!” – or, “I hope you have a lot of free time on your hands, then.”

6 New Home Builder Trends for 2016

Posted by New Home Resource on February 18, 2016 in

The times, they are a changin’. Boy, Bob Dylan had that right. And it’s a mantra that continues today, especially with the evolution of manufacturing technology and our changing lifestyles. But there’s one thing that is never going to go out of style: We want our homes to be a reflection of “us.”

That brings us to a few up-and-coming trends that will be entering the new home builder’s consciousness. Some of these are available now – some will be joining the party in the future. But all of them are designed to allow us to express ourselves and make our home environment just that-much-more-unique. Enjoy!

Pet Suites

Are ya KIDDING us? Why didn’t someone come up with this about a gajillion years ago? How many of us have aching knees and backs from trying to wash Fido in the tub? This is just like heading to your nearest favorite pet boutique’s self-wash areas, and bringing one of their tubs home with you. A hot new feature that many builders are now offering, these suites are often incorporated into the laundry room and include a dog wash, designated bedding space, plenty of storage, filtered water access, a widescreen television (DogTV anyone?). They may even include wireless cameras so you can check on your pet while you’re away. (There’s a reason pets are a $60 billion a year business. But hey, they’re worth it!)

Interior Carriage Doors

Think: Barn. Big, impressive, sliding barn doors that can be used in any number of creative pursuits in your home. From space dividers to storage disguisers, this new look is one that home builders are all over (at least, if the recent International Builders Show in Las Vegas is any indication). The look can be simple or ornate, colorful or monochromatic. These are definitely open to interpretation for your unique tastes.

Personalized Appliances

We don’t know about you, but we’d leapfrog over grandma for a crack at these custom range grates and knobs. (Maybe it’s because they call this color “Cupcake Blue”?) From what we can tell, they’re not available just yet – but GE’s FirstBuild Studio is in the process of developing 3D-printed accessories for its older model kitchen appliances. When it’s in place, you’ll be able to order new knobs, grill plates, and handles in fun colors like this. The best part? Did you catch that “older model” comment? You won’t even have to fork over the dough for new appliances to dress of your home with this one. Score!

Colored Stainless Steel Appliances

Speaking of new appliances, if you’re on board for that – colored stainless steel is the newest hot-button for buyers. In a recent Houzz poll, nearly two-thirds say they’d consider the new dark stainless to shiny silver metal. (Well, “Duh.” We all want what’s new!) And just in case black isn’t exciting enough for you (LG’s new Black Stainless collection) – head to the light with Whirlpool’s Sunset Bronze finish.

Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinets

Some things, you just wonder why it’s never happened before. Two-tone kitchen cabinets – with upper cabinets white or neutral to maintain a sense of spaciousness, and lower cabinets in deep colors or various wood tones – well, it’s just brilliant. Or not, depending on your taste. For those who prefer the eclectic look, though, we think this is an excellent option.

Copper is Chic (Again)

Yes, copper can add a sparkle and a certain 1940’s Hollywood glamour to your home – but that’s not the full driving force behind the resurgence of copper in sinks, tools, and surfaces. With antibiotic-resistant superbugs on the rise, The Copper Development Association has proven that copper reduces more than 99.9% of bacteria in between routine cleanings. (Seems that your grandparents and Julia Child had it right!)