Many retirement communities have settled in the Las Vegas valley including North Las Vegas, Henderson, and Las Vegas. Once you hit retirement, it can be a challenge on deciding where to live out the rest of your life and what you are looking for in a retirement community.
Today, with Las Vegas home prices being so low and interest rates just hitting an all-time low, there is no better time to look at the advantages of living in the valley; it is definitely a buyer’s market.
Besides having the “fun stuff” – golfing, boating, shopping, great dining and entertainment – Las Vegas also offers no income tax, lower housing costs, a dry climate and a low cost of living making it an excellent choice for the active adult. In fact, US News named Las Vegas one of the fastest growing retirement spots in the US.
Just one such retirement community is Ardiente. Ardiente is a 55+ active adult community with easy access to I-15 and close access to the strip and airport. If you are looking for activity, it boasts great amenities with 30-fitness station, beautiful parks, and a park for Fido and a community center that will make you feel like you’ve joined an expensive country club. Nearby golf courses include Shadow Creek, Craig Ranch and Sunrise Vista. When the grandkids and family visit, it’s just a day trip away from Hoover Dam, Lake Mojave, Mt. Charleston, Red Rock Canyon, and Death Valley.
It’s easy to be caught up in the dream of retirement and forget the retirement reality of deciding which retirement community is best for you. Ask yourself things such as if you are prepared to buy a whole house, and what size home will provide you with the space you desire but will not be hard to upkeep while getting used to living on a retirement budget. This is what your real estate agent is for – to keep you grounded and help you make the best decision for YOU.
Don’t lose sight that the goal is to enjoy the active retirement lifestyle you have worked so hard for. Cover all the bases and treat this like a business decision.
If you're thinking of buying a home for retirement - or an investment property - think of me! I amYonas Woldu; I can help protect you from making costly home-buying mistakes. Let me help you find your perfect home in a terrific Las Vegas community - or anywhere in Clark County. For the best in personalized attention when selling or buying property in Las Vegas, Green Valley, or other areas of Clark County, contact me today. Be sure to visit my Vegas Real Property website- I am dedicated to helping you in any way possible.
Before putting your Las Vegas house on the market, make it stand out among the others for sale in your area. Buyers feel more comfortable purchasing a home that has been well cared for because if what they can see is maintained, what they can't see has probably also been maintained. The little things can count big to make your house more salable.
Start at the curb, up the walk, through the inside of the house, and out the back door. Treat this walkthrough as if you have never seen this property before. Notice anything that would stand out negatively to a potential buyer. Be honest and objective. You may even employ the help of a friend who will be honest.
Starting at the curb, notice the homes curb appeal. Keep a neatly trimmed lawn, clip any overgrown shrubs or trees and add color. Keep the sidewalk free from debris, leaves and dirt. As you walk up to the front door, make sure it has a fresh coat of paint on it and a nice “Welcome” mat at the door.
As you walk through the interior of the house, make sure the kitchen and all bathrooms are light, fresh, and clean and smell good! Clean off countertops in both the kitchen and bathrooms to give the allusion of more space and to allow potential buyers to imagine their own things in the home. Check all leaky faucets before showing off the home.
At open house time, it would be wise to bake some cookies to help lure buyers.
Burned-out light bulbs should be replaced. Curtains and blinds should be open to allow as much natural light as possible. If weather permits, open windows for fresh air also.
As you walk from room to room, look for smudges, holes or dents in doors and walls. Notice baseboards, cracked windows or stained walls and ceilings. These issues will certainly be noticed by a potential buyer and need to be resolved before anyone looks at the home.
A fresh coat of paint on the walls, after any repairs, will make the walls stand out and give the rooms a fresh clean feeling. At this point, it would be wise to look to any caulking that can be easily replaced such as at windows, doors and other entries.
Take one more walk through the house looking down at the flooring. Any worn or stained areas of the carpet should be cleaned or replaced. Area rugs are great also - not to hide potential problems but to keep your flooring clean with all the traffic coming through your home. Clean dirty tile grout and repair any large chips in the tile or grout as needed.
As you step out the back door, make sure the backyard is neatly trimmed and as well cared for as the front. If you have a patio, make sure to set out a couple of chairs to make the backyard inviting. Make sure any bricks, concrete, or decking are securely in place.
Caring for your home while you own it will definitely pay off when it’s time for resale. Showing potential buyers that you loved the house and took time to properly maintain it will make them feel like they are purchasing a great house that is worth taking care of.
After taking a complete and objective walk through your home, call me. I am Yonas Woldu. I'm ready, willing, and able to help you sell your Vegas home for as much money and in as little time as possible by expert marketing! And, when you're ready to purchase your next home, we are your local Las Vegas and Henderson real estate experts. For the personalized attention you want with selling or buying property in Las Vegas, Green Valley, or other areas of Clark County, contact me today. And be sure to visit my Vegas Real Property website - I am dedicated to helping you in any way possible.
Times are tough, especially in the housing market. However, if you are in the market to buy a home or investment property, now is the time to take advantage of the low Las Vegas home prices and deals that you can get on foreclosures and short sales.
While foreclosure sales this spring accounted for one third of all homes sold, Nevada foreclosure sales accounted for a whopping two thirds of all real estate transactions – that’s two out of three houses in foreclosure. These foreclosed homes sold for an average of 21 percent less than the prices that typical homes sold.
Home prices have continued to decline in Las Vegas into the summer as well. In July, SalesTraq reported that real estate-owned sales had a median price of $97,050 and short sales had a median price of $117,500.
RealtyTrac reported that bank-owned homes sold for 40 percent less than the average price of homes; up from 36 percent from the previous quarter and 34 percent from the same quarter one year ago.
This means lower home prices and more negotiating power to you when buying a home.
When looking at short sales homes, foreclosures or bank owned homes, be sure to take into account if they are distressed properties. Although typically priced at a big discount they may need major repairs and lower prices for other homes in the neighborhood.
Take advantage of Las Vegas home prices while you can. I am Yonas Woldu, and I can help you find the perfect home or investment property in Las Vegas - or anywhere in Clark County. For the personalized attention, you want with selling or buying property in Las Vegas, Green Valley, or other areas of Clark County, contact me today. I am committed to working with you; I will do the legwork, finding the perfect investment property for you. As investment in Las Vegas property continues to gain attractiveness, you will find that I am dedicated to helping you in every way possible.
In todays Las Vegas housing market, there are many types of investors that can benefit by the low home prices. You don’t have to be looking for a vacation home or strictly an investment property; you can consider a home for your student.
If you have a child attending UNLV in the fall, it’s wise to look near the campus for condos or homes to buy. When you have a child going “away” to college, you can opt for throwing your cash into a dorm room and board fees or you can invest in a condo or home.
Looking at the low homes prices in Las Vegas, it's easy to see that the latter may be a wise decision on your part. Most of the time, you will find that it’s cheaper to buy a home for your child and their roommates than to pay the on-campus housing fees.
For UNLV, on average, the housing fees (which must include dorm meals) for a semester run between $5,000 and $6,000, depending on the room type and number of roommates. Yearly, that is $10,000-$12,000 and does not include the summer!
Taking into consideration a home price of $200,000, with 20 percent down and an interest rate of 4.5 percent, the mortgage payment would be less than $1,000 per month. Factoring in taxes and assessments brings the total to less than $2,000 a month. If you split that between three other roommates, the answer is clear that buying a home is the way to go.
Not only will roommates help pay for living expenses, but you'll be building up equity for when the house is later sold, instead of just dumping money into on-campus housing where there will be no return on investment.
More upsides of the investment include equity, tax deductions, and perhaps a home that your child can then take over the payments on or you can move into yourselves.
Of course, the decision to buy a home rather than live in a dorm room involves more than simple economics, including how your student feels.
The advantages of off-campus housing include privacy, parking spaces, your own laundry, and a nicer location with less noise. However, the advantages for some students to on-campus living quarters could include close proximity to classes, campus services and a social, communal atmosphere.
Now is the perfect time to invest in Las Vegas property! I am Yonas Woldu, and I can help you find the perfect home or investment property in Las Vegas – or anywhere in Clark County. For the best in personalized attention when selling or buying property in Las Vegas, Green Valley, or other areas of Clark County, contact me today. I am fully committed to working with you; I will do the legwork, finding the perfect investment property for you. As investment in Las Vegas property continues to gain attractiveness, you will find that I am dedicated to helping you in every way possible.
There are many positive aspects to living in Las Vegas; however for many, the summer heat is not one of them. Having to depend solely on your air conditioner to keep your home cool all summer is costly and energy consuming.
Here are a few options to keep the heat out of your Las Vegas home while keeping your energy bill low:
Get that Air Circulating
A ceiling fan can be a great investment for your Las Vegas home. Fans don’t use much energy but with the air moving, it can feel much cooler – a whole 5 to 7 degrees cooler. In fact, a large room fan can cost as little as $10 per month in energy costs and is well worth the investment.
Remember, after installing the fan, ensure that it’s set on the summer setting, and the air is blowing downward.
Use Internal Heat Sparingly
Internal heat are those things in your home that generate heat: appliances, lighting and electronic devices. Keep these types of things turned off unless you absolutely need to use them. Keep lighting to a minimum and not only will you keep your home cooler, but you will find a lower energy bill at the end of the month.
Be aware of putting heat-generating appliances, such as lights or televisions, near your air-conditioning thermostat. This is where the temperature is gauged and your well-intentioned thermostat will think your home is warmer than it really is and will make your system run longer and harder than it has to in order to reach the desired temperature.
Stoves and ovens produce a lot of heat. If you need to use them in the heat of the day, use your range fan to help dissipate some of the hot air. Another suggestion is to look at menus to prepare meals that do not use these appliances such as salads, pre-prepared meat that can be eaten later, and precooked meals.
Put Your Window Coverings to Work
It pays to shade your interior. Installing white window shades, drapes or blinds will reflect the heat away from your home. Close the window treatments on windows that are facing the sun; east-facing windows in the morning and west-facing in the afternoon. This will help to keep the sun’s heat out, and your air conditioner will have to work less to cool your home, saving you money and increasing energy efficiency.
Use Landscaping to Your Advantage
Use plants and shrubs to shade your air conditioner unit being careful to not block the airflow. A unit operating in direct sun will use more energy. If your landscape has room for improvement, deciduous trees planted on the south and west sides will keep your house cool in the summer and allow sunlight to warm your house during the winter.
I am Yonas Woldu. I'm ready, willing, and able to help you sell your Vegas home for as much money and in as little time as possible by expert marketing! In addition, when you're ready to purchase your next home, we are your local Las Vegas and Henderson real estate experts. For the personalized attention, you want with selling or buying property in Las Vegas, Green Valley, or other areas of Clark County, contact me today. Moreover, be sure to visit my Vegas Real Property website - I am dedicated to helping you in any way possible.
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