Sep. 26, 2006 - Master Plans out, Townhouses in

In an article in the Las Vegas Review Journal, our local paper.  Master planned communities with neighborhoods of single family homes are on their way out and townhome communities are on the way in.  The main reason is the lack of land left in the Las Vegas area.  The land that is left is is very costly.  Las Vegas is part of a nationwise move toward urban living.  Townhomes,Condo's,Hisrise,Midrise,and the towers.  The move towards this way of living is the boomers.  They don't want to take care of houses anymore.  So they are very interested in this lifestyle. 

Sep. 20, 2006 - Median Prices Las Vegas

Las Vegas Stats and Median Prices

Year to Date

Sep. 20, 2006 - Las Vegas Year To Date Stats

Las Vegas Year To Date Sales

And 5 Year Comparison

Condo and Townhouse Sales

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Total
2002	293	258	316	343	366	371	372	360	371	375	328	379	4,132
2003	287	336	376	441	489	452	493	534	543	539	491	558	5,539
2004	469	530	660	697	667	862	780	785	697	555	327	552	7,581
2005	441	470	737	692	751	761	697	814	669	652	601	587	7,872
2006	455	484	646	541	605	587	505	512					4,335
0 MinMax 1 MinMax Chart 1 -1 "Statistics Condo/Town home Closings" Arial 27.75 None None Full Page Aerial 23.25 0 0 13005 7184.99267578125 1.3018951416015625 25.959762573242188 715.27499999999998 1914.8005480957031 11945.092500000001 4309.1993572998044 15 Solid Narrow 38 0 Aerial 30.25 Line Standard Marker 0 1 1 0 'Condominium Sold'!$A$3 2002 0 'Condominium Sold'!$B$1:$M$2 0 'Condominium Sold'!$B$3:$M$3 2 0 'Condominium Sold'!$A$4 2003 0 'Condominium Sold'!$B$1:$M$2 0 'Condominium Sold'!$B$4:$M$4 3 0 'Condominium Sold'!$A$5 2004 2 Solid Narrow X 5 2 None 0 'Condominium Sold'!$B$1:$M$2 0 'Condominium Sold'!$B$5:$M$5 4 0 'Condominium Sold'!$A$6 2005 0 'Condominium Sold'!$B$1:$M$2 0 'Condominium Sold'!$B$6:$M$6 0 0 'Condominium Sold'!$A$7 2006 0 'Condominium Sold'!$B$1:$M$2 0 'Condominium Sold'!$B$7:$M$7 Bottom 0 0 -1 "Month" Arial 22.75 None None 1 Arial 16.25 0 Automatic Left 1 1 -1 "Total Units" Arial 22.75 None None 0 Minimum Between Arial 16.25 3 Value Horizontal Top 3202.4812499999998 1384.9073382568358 Arial 16.25

Single Family Homes

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Total
2002	1,340	1,281	1,656	1,828	2,089	2,041	2,160	2,183	1,919	2,084	1,865	1,935	22,381
2003	1,749	1,740	2,187	2,413	2,537	2,502	2,983	2,923	2,803	2,684	2,803	2,818	30,142
2004	2,217	2,431	3,460	3,267	3,204	3,552	3,397	3,192	2,922	2,604	2,492	2,522	35,260
2005	1,985	2,038	3,127	2,957	3,096	3,318	3,240	3,331	2,985	2,574	2,441	2,437	33,529
2006	1,778	1,787	2,521	2,266	2,556	2,510	1,996	2,097

Existing Single Family Homes

Single Family	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Medium Price
2002	$151,000	$153,000	$152,000	$154,500	$155,000	$161,000	$162,500	$162,000	$163,000	$161,945	$165,000	$167,900	$161,473
2003	$165,000	$170,000	$171,500	$175,000	$175,000	$179,975	$183,500	$187,000	$185,000	$186,000	$191,500	$196,000	$181,738
2004	$205,200	$220,000	$236,000	$252,500	$266,000	$280,000	$280,000	$280,000	$280,000	$284,000	$275,000	$275,000	$275,000
2005	$285,000	$286,000	$295,000	$297,000	$300,000	$300,000	$306,950	$309,000	$310,000	$308,000	$310,000	$312,500	$303,475
2006	$310,000	$309,000	$314,950	$310,000	$310,000	$315,000	$310,000	$312,000	$310,000
Condominium	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Medium Price
2002	$94,000	$94,600	$93,000	$104,345	$90,500	$97,500	$102,000	$102,000	$100,900	$100,000	$105,000	$106,000	$100,450
2003	$106,000	$107,250	$104,250	$98,880	$107,500	$108,750	$110,000	$110,000	$112,000	$112,500	$109,900	$115,000	$109,325
2004	$118,000	$123,000	$128,350	$130,000	$157,500	$160,000	$168,500	$173,000	$174,999	$170,000	$168,000	$170,000	$164,000
2005	$180,000	$180,000	$182,000	$187,000	$186,000	$195,000	$195,000	$199,000	$199,700	$195,000	$201,000	$204,000	$195,000
2006	$196,299	$196,450	$205,000	$201,000	$202,000	$205,000	$201,500	$206,500	$201,750
2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
Single Family	$161,473	$181,738	$275,000	$303,475	$310,000
Condominium	$100,450	$109,325	$164,000	$195,000	$201,750

Sep. 19, 2006 - Having an Open House?

Open House

      Having open houses can do several things.  It can help the neighbors get over their wondering.  Maybe they will leave the flyer's in the box alone if their curiosity is satisfied.  This may sound funny but true.  I know that it is said that open houses are for the agent to pick up more business.  While that maybe a by product of an open house, if you have an agent willing to do open houses....take it.  The more exposure your home has the better.  I sold a hope not too long ago as a direct result of an open house.    A neighbor actually came to the open house and thought it was perfect for a uncle who wanted to move to Las Vegas.  We sent him the virtual tour and we did the whole transaction by fax and email.  You just never know where the buyer for your house will come from.

Getting your house ready for the open house.  Make sure all toys are put away, beds are made and each and every room is free of clutter.  Have the windows washed and all of the blinds open to bring in as much natural light as possible.  Bake cookies to bring emotional responses from the buyers. 

Be sure to leave the house.  Buyers feel very uncomfortable when the owners are there.  Buying a home is a very emotional journey  they want to be able to visualize their things in the space and see theirselves living there.

Sep. 19, 2006 - All the gems you can dig

 Rainbow Ridge Opal Mine

Denio Nv. 

This is one of several opal mines that dot the arid Virgin Valley, the fire opals formed some fifteen million years ago in cavities left by trees buried under volcanic ash.

The opals from Rainbow Ridge are casts after wood, and are some of the most beautiful opals in the world. We offer tailings digging where many different wood and opal combinations may be found. The tailings are up to eight feet deep. We turn the tailings from time to time, and are constantly adding to the tailings from the virgin ground loads. The virgin ground loads are materials taken from the bank with the loader, and are worked on a flattened area near where you park. Everything you find, regardless of value, is yours to keep. Although luck plays a part in finding opals, an "educated" eye is very helpful. First timers will be given some help in getting them started.

For more information visit:

www.nevadaopal.com

Opening Day is Friday, May 26th, and we will close on September 17th. Please note thet we are closed on Wednesdays during the 2006 season. The mine is open from 8AM until 4PM daily.

Load Fee this season is $300.00, and will admit either one or two adults. Loads are limited to a maximum of 5 per day.
Tailing Fee will remain at $40.00 per person per day, and children 10-15 are still half price. 
 

Sep. 4, 2006 - Home Town Hero

A Real American Hero

Andre Agassi may have lost his bid yesterday to win his final US Open, but to the people of Las Vegas he is a real honest to goodness hometown hero.

Born in Las Vegas in 1970, Agassi has long been known for his giving back to the community.  He started the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation which raises money for the at risk children of Las Vegas.  In May of 2009 the first students that have been all the way through Andre's prep school will graduate.  That will be a very proud day for him.

About Agassi Prep

The Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy (AACPA) is a model charter school whose goal is to offer academic programs designed to enhance a child's character, respect, motivation and self-discipline. Located in the heart of Las Vegas' most at-risk neighborhood, AACPA was created specifically to improve skill levels and combat lowered academic expectations while creating a climate of hope among this community's most challenged children. Advanced technology, smaller class sizes and extended school hours are just some of the practices the AACPA utilizes to achieve a higher standard of education.

AACPA creates an environment that rewards students for positive behavior and disciplines unacceptable conduct. Teachers, parents and students each follow a Commitment to Excellence and a Code of Respect. Community leaders, educators and parents work together to establish high expectations for all students. 

Our History

The school was founded by Andre Agassi in 2001 and conceived on his belief that nothing has a greater impact on children's lives than the education they receive. "Early on, we concluded that the best way to change a child's life was through education," said Andre Agassi, a native of Las Vegas dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk youth in his hometown. Thus, the idea to establish Agassi Prep was born.

AACPA opened in August 2001 in West Las Vegas, one of the most economically depressed parts of the city. It was later named a National Model Charter School by the U.S. Department of Education.

Charter schools must provide their own facilities, so the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation became a fund raising powerhouse, raising funds to construct the school. Designed to improve educational opportunities in Las Vegas, AACPA is currently home to students in grades K, 1 and 3-9 with grades 2 and 10-12 opening through 2008.

The students attending AACPA are selected by lottery. The majority are African-American from undeserved West Las Vegas. Tuition is free, maximum class size is 25, and there is a long waiting list for admission.

Mary Carillo of CBS Sports pointed out when Andre in 1997 had a horrible year and almost fell into oblivion that he had a choice to make at that time.  She defined his choice as he could coast along for a few more years and never hurt himself.  Or as he chose to do take the harder road and prove himself as the champion he became.  After 21 years of winning, Andre hung up his racket yesterday.  Las Vegas can't wait to see what he does next.  A true Hometown Hero.