Dec. 27, 2007 - If You Are Coming To Las Vegas For New Years

Bringing an airplane in to Vegas
for the New Year?

If you are are planning on flying into Las Vegas for all of the New Year festivities please pack what you are going to wear out in a carry on.  If you bag gets delayed your chance of getting them back in time for the parties is not good.  The strip shuts down to allow the people to mill around in the streets.  The delivery companies can not deliver the bags.  So pack what you are going to wear and if your bag gets delayed it will be there at the hotel on New Years morning. 

Dec. 15, 2007 - Harmonious House Hunting

Zen House Hunting

There are many stress related events in your life marriage, divorce, death, but right at the top of the list has to be preparing to buy a home.  This is especially true if you are a first time home buyer.  Still it holds true no matter how many times you have gone through the process.  If a couple fights over the TV remote, where they want to go to dinner or what movie to see, the house buying process is going to be real nerve racking.  There are some ways you might put into play that can ease the pressure of this process. 

• The first thing is to go and visit a lender.  Let him be the guy that tells you how much you can afford in a home purchase.  He or she can be the one you are mad at not each other.  This will also take some pressure off of the main breadwinner of the house, he or she will know what financial obligation is going to fall on their shoulders.
• Sit down and really talk about what you want in this house.  Each of you write down three must have things for a home to be acceptable. 
• Discuss what geographic locations are acceptable to both of you.
• Discuss what days will be set aside for house hunting.  Or will one person go and preview all of the properties first with your lists in mind?  Then when you have a short list you both go and look to make the decision.
• NO FIGHTING while this may seem it should go without saying you don't fight in front of your agent or any involved third party, it becomes embarrassing for everyone but the comfort zone may be so shattered you can no long work with the agent or the seller.  Respect is key here.
• It is also to be as neutral as possible, you want to present a united front when it comes to negotiations.  When it comes to price you want no extra information that the sellers or sellers agent can play on.
• Pick a place where you can sit quietly and not be rushed and talk about the homes you have seen.  Make this someplace relaxing not home or at an office.  As you discuss each home you have seen, review your lists of what was acceptable to both of you.  You might find you can not have everything on your list but compromise is a beautiful thing if done kindly and with respect.
• Pick your agent carefully, Pick an agent you feel comfortable with and who you feel can represent both of your wishes.  You are going to find your agent is going to become part of the family.  You are going to be discussing very personal things with them.  If you come to an impasse you should be able to work through it if you trust your agent and any advice that can be offered.
•  Keep your eyes on the end result.  This is a very intense process but with dignity and respect you at the end will have a home you both love and a relationship still intact.

                                Happy  House Hunting  

Dec. 15, 2007 - Renovations

Renovations

 Should you invest money in your home if the prices in your neighborhood are flat or declining?  When prices are going up adding money to an asset is a good idea.  When the market as it is today it is important to take in all considerations before going ahead.

Get estimates and then factor in cost overruns.  (10-20%) 
Figure out how much more your home will be worth after the renovation. (Talk with your Realtor®)An appraiser can also tell you market specific what some of your renovations are worth.  Case in point the brand new Cost vs Value index is out.  Lets take a bathroom remodel the average cost for this in New England (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT) is $38,617 and your cost recoup will be 65.9% but if you live in the Pacific ( AK, CA, HI, OR, WA ) the job will cost you $43,884 but your recoup here will be 83.5%  The national average across the board show the cost at $37,202 and the recoup is 66%.

The report showed these projects with highest national percentage of costs being recouped.

88% siding replacement
85% wood deck addition
81% window replacement (wood)
83% Kitchen remodel (minor)
Be sure any project you do has building permits, appraisal standards have tightened along with the credit and an appraiser may not count say a basement remodel as livable space if it was not done with building permits.  

If you are planning in the home for a long time it makes sense to add value to your home.  If you are planning on selling soon check with your Realtor® before you do anything major.  There is always the normal things you should do it to get ready to sell your home.  Paint inside if needed, clean carpets, take down personal pictures and de clutter.  It might not hurt,with the market the way it is to bring in a professional stagger. The outside should have the bushes trimmed and toys and trash put away.  The first view of the house is the most important.

Dec. 14, 2007 - Reverse Mortgage Good Idea?

Are Reverse Mortgages Good?

There has been postcards in mailboxes all over our neighborhood in Summerlin Las Vegas.  It starts our talking about a "NEW" goverment program that protects seniors.  It offers you to respond to the Senior Information Processing Center.  Never once in the add does it mention Reverse Mortgages, but doing a little investigation that is exactly what it was.

Reverse Mortgages can be a good thing.  It can offer a senior money to pay off their exsisting mortgage, repair their home, have more income and have a better lifestyle. Reverse Mortgage's afford you to still be the owner of your home, do not affect social security, there are no tax consquences.

That being said at some point this loan has to be paid back.  As soon as you either pass or sell the house everything comes due.  The debt at the time includes everything that they have sent you, plus interest, plus you original closing costs.  If you have passed your heirs will get what is left over.  If you can no longer live in the house and are going into assisted care what is left over is what will be available to contribute to that care.

Depending on your circumstances a Reverse Mortgage can be a good deal.  Make sure you get all of the facts.  Here is a good webite you can get information.  Also AARP has a lot of information.       

Dec. 14, 2007 - ECO Freindly Place in Las Vegas

The Springs Preserve

A really cool place has been created in Las Vegas. Called The Springs Preserve, it is dedicated to being green and helping to educate. It is so much more though it will be the new home of the Nevada Museum when construction is complete. It has gardens (yes things do grow here) and winding trails. It has a design center called the Desert Living Center containing a design lab, inside outside gallery, and a sustainability gallery. There is a place called Origin Experience this contains live exhibits, special exhibits, and a place called New Frontier for the kids that is very innovative. This is a great place to visit when in Las Vegas especially if you have your children with you and need a place to take them away from the strip. Tickets will not all that inexpensive, the experience is well worth the money. Prices are a little less expensive for Nevada residents so if you are visiting some one that lives here bring them along.

Dec. 6, 2007 - Feng Shui For Travel

I was cruising around and found these Feng Shui tips for traveling this holiday. As a part ime employee for Continental Airlines in their baggage service office, I hope everyone does this. It would make my job much easier and everyone would have their bags with them.

On another note while we are speaking about bags, when you check in at the counter you are given baggage receipts thats numbers match the numbers of the tag on your bag. Also your name is also on the main tag on your bag. Please double check your numbers and name as so many of those bags look alike. It will make it more pleasant for you and I. I won't take a claim from an angry passenger and then have to track you down like Dog the Bounty Hunter. Then you won't have to make a trip back to the airport. All will be Happy!!!! Happy Holidays and Happy Traveling.

Daily Feng Shui Tip

by Ellen Whitehurst. To try best to ensure that your luggage arrives at the same destination at the same time that you do, tie nine or 18 inches of red ribbon, string, cord or thread around the handle of each individual bag. To further quell any fears that your new New Year's Eve attire is celebrating on a carousel somewhere way South of where you've literally landed, put a braid of the herb, sweetgrass, anywhere on the inside of each piece that is traveling with you. Once you return home safely and soundly you can leave the red ribbons on the bags but you should burn the sweetgrass in an attitude of appreciation and gratitude that your travels were so full of ease and grace.