Jeff Howard's Las Vegas Area Real Estate blog | Real estate news, tips, ideas and more

Top Home Selling Points – Kitchens, Baths, and Decks/Patios:

For whatever reason the time has comes time to sell your home, and of course you want it to look its best so you can get the best price, quickly. If you’re trying to figure out the best parts of the home to give special attention to, there are definitely areas that buyers are looking closely at -the kitchen, bathrooms and decks.

Considering the Kitchen – A lot of people feel the kitchen is the heart of the home so homebuyers will want to make sure that the kitchen meets their needs and is kept clean and tidy as well as updated with new appliances. Most potential buyers are looking for a big, open kitchen with modern appliances and usually a few key features like a dishwasher or kitchen island. Obviously, your kitchen will not always have everything that buyers are looking for, however you can do your best to unclutter the space so it looks fresh and clean.

A Focus on Bathrooms – All the bathrooms are very important rooms in a house. Homebuyers want to be confident that things will work well in the bathroom when they’re in there. There’s a lot that goes on in the bathroom, though; beyond the obvious, this is also where people get ready in the morning, take their showers or baths, brush their teeth and fix their hair.

Potential buyers are looking for a certain WOW factor when they see a bathroom. Nice looking fixtures as well as cleanliness is especially important. Make sure the lighting is correct and the bathroom has sufficient mirrors. Most bathrooms only have a limited amount of space to work with, but you’d be surprised how much of a difference you can make with a few tweaks and upgrades.

Enjoying the Deck/Patio – Not every home has a deck/patio, but those that do always get oohs and aahs from potential buyers. A lot of homeowners want to be able to enjoy their time outside of their home, and having a deck or patio can make this a lot easier since you can set up tables, chairs, a grill or anything else in a secure and flat area outdoors.

If you have a wood deck, take the time to make sure it’s recently painted or stained and is otherwise in good condition. A deck can make a big impression, but an ugly or damaged deck can make the wrong sort of impression on your potential buyer.

Sprucing Up the Whole Home –There are other parts of the home that you can make changes or updates to if you’re getting ready to sell your home. General repairs, remodels or upgrades can interest potential buyers regardless of where they occur. You might want to put a fresh coat of paint on the walls with neutral tones.

As your Realtor I will come to your home and advise you what to do to help the sale be quick and at the right price – after all I’m your Realtor for life.

Do you have a need for commercial / industrial / retail buildings or land? Are you ready to buy or sell a home? We can help you with that, safely… just call us at 702 SELL NOW or click on this link to my website http://www.702SellNow.com

Choose to have an amazing day…. Jeff

Shedding Some Light on Sheds

It’s true… many HOAs do not allow sheds or any other type of outer building on your property, however if you do not have an HOA or your HOA allows sheds, there are many reasons to have one. Maybe you just want some extra storage space or need a place to put your mower and gardening tools to keep them out of the weather. You might want a shed to create a home office or other workspace so you don’t have to rearrange your entire home. Regardless of the reason you might want a shed, there are several options available for getting one.

The first thing that you need to do is figure out just how much space you want for your shed. This will depend on what you plan to do with it, as a storage space for a push mower will obviously be smaller than an external office space or kids’ play area. Sheds come in a wide range of sizes, so take the time to consider your needs and calculate your space requirements (including taking measurements of furniture, equipment or anything else that will take up a good bit of room) to figure out just how big of a shed you’ll actually need. You’ll also want to see if your local municipality has any requirements such as distance from the main house or fences. You don’t want to go through all the work of putting it up only to learn it has to be moved (or removed).

Building a Shed – One option that might appeal to DIYers is building your own shed. There are a number of plans available which can guide you through the building process or at least to give you a starting point for your own design. Keep in mind that building a shed isn’t for everyone, though; it is more complex to build than some other around-the-house DIYs, so be prepared for that.

Shed Kits – Maybe you’re looking for a slightly easier shed build or are trying to find a way to save a bit of money, shed kits are available that let you build a small shed from pre-made materials. In most cases these kits are for metal sheds, though some kits for sheds made of wood, plastic or other materials may be available from some retailers as well. These sheds tend to be on the smaller side and often use thinner materials, but they can go a long way toward meeting your basic storage needs.

Buying a Shed – Whether you need a bigger and sturdier shed or simply don’t have time to build one yourself, pre-constructed sheds are available from a number of hardware stores and other retailers. These sheds vary in size and design, going from basic square sheds to barn-like units that might even contain loft space. In most cases these sheds are made of wood, though some other materials may be available as well. The price depends heavily on the materials used and the size of the shed, with some models costing a few thousand dollars, but providing a significant amount of storage space or room to convert into an office space, playhouse for the kids or even a home gym.

Shed Delivery – For most shed options, having the shed delivered and set up for you is possible. Delivery can typically be scheduled within a few days of purchase, or in some cases even on the same day. Any special considerations such as having a level area prepared for the shed should be discussed while arranging the delivery. If you want the shed placed on a concrete foundation, that will need to be in place before delivery. Even if you don’t opt for a full foundation, it may be beneficial to have a gravel bed or some other material spread out and ready for the shed to provide a more solid surface and prevent sinking or settling.

Need a Custom Shed? – If your needs aren’t met by kits or pre-constructed units, contractors are available to build a custom shed that meets your exact specifications. You know me… I have lists for any type of work you need done. I can help you find the right contractor for the job. Just call me, 702-735-5669, after all I’m your realtor for life.

Choose to have an amazing day…. Jeff

Salary Drop? You Can Still Get a Mortgage

For the last several months we have been living in uncertain times and maybe you have been sitting back and worrying your time away hoping things will work out. Worrying will not get you anywhere. If you have been wanting to buy a home or refinance this year, don’t discount the possibility just because your income may have dropped. It’s true that qualifying for a mortgage is getting trickier for many potential borrowers, but you still have plenty of options and opportunities for a home loan.

How Have Things Changed?

There are many industries that are facing uncertain futures and what are likely to be unstable paths of recovery. For this reason lenders have become increasingly concerned about borrowers’ abilities to repay loans. That’s not to say that there’s no hope in sight for workers or business owners, just that from a lender’s perspective, the pandemic has introduced an additional level of risk that has never been factored into home lending equations before now.

It’s not that you’ve done anything wrong, or that home buyers in general have done anything wrong, but lenders like to see that incomes are stable and will continue to be stable for the foreseeable future. In the current economic climate, this is pretty much impossible to forecast. Given this, lenders are getting more selective about who they will lend to. Minimum credit scores are going up and, in some cases, so are down payments. The good news is that lenders are still issuing loans for home purchases and refinances, even to buyers who have lost income during the pandemic.

Getting a Loan With a Salary Drop

Revenues in many industries have taken a huge blow, and many workers are being asked to take a salary cut in order to maintain the integrity of the workforce. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you would be denied a loan, although you may need to provide additional documentation so your lender has a better picture of your overall financial picture. But a lower income can still affect your loan in one or more ways:

Need Help Finding a Lender?

It can reduce the amount you’ll qualify to borrow. This one is pretty obvious; if you’re making less, even temporarily, you won’t be able to make as large of a loan payment. Your lender may still be more than happy to make some kind of loan to you; however it may be for much less than you expect. So if you must borrow while on a reduced income, brace yourself for purchasing down. The upside to this, though, is a home that you will owe less on and be able to pay down more quickly once your income is back to normal.
It can change your debt to income ratio. A lot of borrowers walk the debt to income line, especially as housing prices continue to increase. If you were close to the cap before your income was reduced, be prepared to have to make some changes to your plans. You may need to pay off debts strategically, sell items like extra vehicles that are encumbered with loans or settle for a much smaller loan.
It can increase your down payment. If you’re determined to borrow within a specific price range, or you have already made an offer and your income changed during the sales process, a quick way back to the home of your dreams is to make a bigger down payment. There are many ways to increase your down payment, such as a gift from a relative (provided they do not expect you to repay the gift) or liquid funds from things like savings or a 401k. Before you cash out investments or savings, though, check with your lender to ensure you’ll have enough money remaining in any accounts that may need to contain reserves.
It could actually help you get free down payment money. There are programs out there that will “gift” the down payment and (sometimes) closing costs that your previous income may have been too high to qualify for. With your recent adjusted income, you may now qualify
Low credit score and plenty of down payment just might get you there. If you think your credit score is too low to qualify, I know a lender who just told me he can get you a loan with a 500-credit score… with 20% down.

The good news is that just because one lender may have new requirements that reduce your loan amount or make you ineligible for a loan right now, others may not. Offers vary from lender to lender and from program to program, so it is worthwhile to shop around for mortgages. If you’re not sure where to start, contact me at your earliest convenience and I’ll recommend 3-4 professional mortgage lenders that may be able to help you purchase the home of your dreams. Give it a shot!

Choose to have an amazing day…. Jeff

You Really Should! (Use a Painters Mask When You Paint)

One of the best things about owning your own home is how much you can do to make it your own. Although big jobs like laying tile and building decks might be more than you’re ready for, a paint job is a simple and easy way to make a big change to the atmosphere.

Of course it’s important to have all the safety equipment you’ll need on hand. Many paints contain a variety of particles that can become airborne and get inhaled, which is not very good for your lungs. That’s why painter’s masks are absolutely a good idea!

By now, most people are pretty familiar with cloth & paper face masks. While paper masks may all look the same, there are actually some pretty major differences between surgical masks and painter’s masks. Surgical masks, which are generally sold for medical purposes, offer very little protection from inhaling airborne particles. They’re only good at preventing you from exhaling germs onto someone else. This is why you don’t see surgical masks for sale in the same department as painting and sanding masks; they simply don’t do the same job.

Painter’s masks, which can also be made from a paper-like material, are specifically designed to prevent particles from penetrating their surface and getting into your lungs. Also known as dust masks, these masks are actually filtering devices and offer various degrees of filtration, much like the air filters you use in your furnace.

Mask Ratings: What Do They Mean?The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has very specific ratings to help painters and other professionals determine exactly what type of mask to use in a given situation. It’s not uncommon for a professional painter to have a variety of filtering masks on hand for different working conditions. For most homeowners, there are two main factors to consider:

Oil Resistance. The “N” in an “N95” means the mask isn’t oil proof at all. You might not think that’s a problem with painting, but if you’re working with any kind of coating that’s oil-based, using a mask with no oil proofing is the same as not using a mask at all. The letter rating is vital to your safety. N, as already stated, means no oil-proofing, R provides up to eight hours of oil-resistance, and P can remain oil-proof for more than eight hours at a stretch.
Filtration. The number part of the mask’s rating is all about the percentage of one micrometer particles that are being removed from the air coming into your face, based on clinical trials. A 95 rating filters 95 percent of these tiny particles, a 97 filters 97 percent of particles, and 100 is akin to a HEPA filter, removing 99.9 percent of those airborne particles.

For most homeowner projects, a 95 percent filtration mask is adequate protection, but if you’re working in a home that is known to have asbestos or other fine and dangerous particles, you may need a more powerful filtering device.

Cartridge respirators are tight fitting masks with removable filtration cartridges that offer more protection than a basic dust mask. Although the rating system is essentially the same, cartridge respirators can also filter out harmful vapors and particles smaller than one micrometer. When choosing a cartridge respirator, you can grab one that will allow you to stack filter cartridges, and thus filter a range of environmental hazards all at once.

If you’re not sure what respirator is right for your project, or you’re concerned that you may simply not be able to protect yourself from whatever hazards your paint and walls may be hiding, hiring a painter is a perfectly good option. Not only do they have the experience to get your job done faster and with less interruptions to your life, they’re in the business of protecting themselves from the various vapors and particles that are involved in sanding, priming and repainting walls, floors and other surfaces.

Sometimes a paint job can be a bit much to tackle as a DIY project and you just might want professional help. Just contact me! I have a list of skilled painters that can help you update your home.

Choose to have an amazing day…. Jeff

Moving day with a Pet

It is finally here Moving Day!! It is very exciting to go on to the next chapter of your life (even if you are moving a mile away.) You are so excited however terrified at the same time. This move is a terrifying event for your pets too, even if you’re just moving down the street. Luckily you can take several steps to protect your furry, feathery and scaly pals in these high stress times.

Your Moving Day Checklist: Pet Edition

Whether you’ve got a dog that you love, a cat that’s aloof or a flock of chickens, moving with animals takes patience and attention to detail in order to help them get through the process with the least amount of stress possible. Remember that your pet doesn’t understand what’s happening and that the noise, strangers and general chaos can be terrifying for them.

Before you so much as begin to pack, it’s important to consider what’s going to happen with your pets during your move. Here are some things you can do to keep them safer and happier during the whirlwind that’s to come:

Start practicing now. It’s likely your pet will need to be confined to a crate, bathroom or other safe space so that the door can be left open to move things out. Before the move starts, you can begin to get them used to the idea of being confined. Start by staying in or near the space with them and rewarding them when they relax (this could take some time at first, so be patient). As they get better at being confined with you, go farther and farther away, and for longer periods, rewarding them as they adjust to the situation.

Getting your pets used to being confined like this can help prevent injuries to them should they frantically scramble to escape, and can help you better see what kinds of things in those spaces may be potentially dangerous when they’re left unattended on moving day.

Ask your vet. Your vet has all kinds of things in their dispensary for these one-time highly stressful events especially if you are flying with a pet. They can make specific recommendations based on your pet’s history and particular panic buttons, and also give you more behavioral tools to your own toolbox to help your pet cope. Absolutely ask your vet for help before you even book a mover or a moving truck.

Take frequent breaks. If you can, stretch your move out over a few days or a week so that your pets can have a breather from their safety spot. Depending on just how much there is to move, it’ll be easier on you, too. For example, you might move a lot of boxes on Monday, take the small appliances over on a Wednesday and then move the furniture on Friday. Giving your pet some time to shake off the stress will make the move a lot easier for them.

Consider a pet sitter or boarding you pet. Longer moves may require you to be away for a while. If your pet is very prone to stress in new situations, a pet sitter will help fill your shoes while you’re moving, or while you’re taking care of getting the new place cleaned up and ready to go. Just make sure to introduce the pet to the sitter ahead of time so they can get to know one another. If you consider boarding your pet, take some time to get your pet comfortable with its new surroundings. Many vet offices board pets and there are some places that only do that.

Choose to have an amazing day….Jeff

Mirror Mirror on the Wall. Do I Need you After All?

If you have an older home, the odds are that somewhere in the house you have at least one large, bulky wall-mounted mirror. You might have either a single large mirror mounted directly to the wall or mirrored panels that cover an entire wall surface. It is important to remember that you still have options to update your home even if your mirrors have been around for decades.

Mirrors as Decoration

Mirrors seem to always be in style as a form of home decoration. They capture the attention, and when done well, a mirrored accent can make a room seem all the larger and more impressive. Unfortunately over time, some mirrors can dull or become scratched over time. Whether it’s a matter of the glass aging poorly or the silvering of the mirror losing its luster, this can have a negative impact on the room as a whole. In some cases, the mirror glass may even become cracked in one or more places, which not only spoils the look but can also create a potential hazard that you have to keep people away from. Regardless of how time has affected the mirrors in your home, it should be obvious why proper maintenance is important.

Wall-Mounted Mirrors

One common type of mirror that you find in older homes is the wall-mounted mirror. Unlike more modern mirrors that use brackets or other mounting hardware to hold the mirror next to the wall, some of these older mirrors are actually attached directly to the wall with adhesives or other materials. Being adhered to the wall is useful as it keeps the mirrors from shifting or becoming loose as time goes by, however it does limit your options when it comes to moving or replacing the mirror. These mirrors take some work to remove if you plan to redecorate, and the removal process often damages the drywall or paneling behind the mirror, so you will probably have to do some repairs once the mirror is free.

Mirrored Wall Coverings

Unlike single mirrors that are attached to the wall, mirrored wall coverings are often installed using a track system. This secures multiple mirrored panels without the need to adhere and line up each one. You may still find mirrored panel walls that are applied with adhesives, of course, but track systems are common, as the brackets used in track systems provide more stability. Brackets make removing or replacing panels easier, though the process can still leave some damage to drywall or other wall surfaces that will need to be patched later on.

Moving on From Mirrors

Regardless of the type of mirror that’s in your home, if you feel the need to remove it then you’ll have a little bit of work ahead of you. With adhesive-based mirrors, you’ll often need heat the adhesive around the edges first; this softens it and allows you to begin working the mirror loose. It may then be possible to pry the glass free, or you may need to work a piano wire behind the glass to separate the adhesive. Track-mounted panels are a bit easier to deal with since you can unscrew the brackets to remove the panels, then pry the tracks off the wall. Regardless of how you deal with the mirrors, be sure to use hand and eye protection and take your time to prevent potential injuries that might result from broken glass.

Reflecting on the Job

Sometimes, remodeling projects involving older mirrors can be a bit much to tackle as a DIY project and you just might want professional help. Just contact me! I have a list of skilled pros out there who can help you either update your mirrors or replace them with something a bit more modern.

Choose to have an amazing day….Jeff

BBB Tip: Amazon “brushing” scam indicates a problem for victims

Have you gotten boxes from Amazon of free boxloads of merchandise right on your doorstep? EXCEPT it isn’t from Amazon!!! The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning consumers that there is a scary downside to this recent scam. You are not the one who hit the jackpot. A scam company is the real winner.

This scam is called brushing, and it has been popping up all over the country. Suddenly, boxes of unordered (by you, the recipient) merchandise from Amazon begin arriving. There is no return address except that of Amazon, and the receiver (you) has no idea who ordered the items. The items are varied. For example, in one case a humidifier, a hand warmer, a flashlight, a Bluetooth speaker and a computer vacuum cleaner arrived unordered.

Why would such merchandise be sent to you if you didn’t request it? The companies, usually foreign, third-party sellers that are sending the items are simply using your address that they discovered online. Their intention is to make it appear as though you wrote a glowing online review of their merchandise, and that you are a verified buyer of that merchandise. They then post a fake, positive review to improve their products’ ratings, which means more sales for them. The payoff is highly profitable from their perspective.

The reason this is very bad for you is that someone was able to have the items sent to you as if you purchased them. This indicates that they probably have some of your personal information such as your name, address, and possibly, your phone number. Once the information is out there on the internet, it could be used for numerous crooked enterprises.

The fake online review angle is only one way they benefit. By using the brushing scam, they also are increasing their sales numbers. After all, they aren’t really purchasing the items, since the payment goes right back to them. Increased sales numbers, even though padded with fake purchases, look good for the company and help lead to more sales.

Then there is the “porch pirate” angle. There are instances where thieves use other people’s mailing addresses and accounts, then watch for the delivery of the package so they can steal it from the door before the resident gets it.

PLEASE (and this is very important) notify Amazon. Brushing and fake reviews are against Amazon’s policies, so contact Amazon Customer Service if this happens to you. They will investigate and take action on the bad actor. Go directly to Amazon’s website to get their contact information. The company also takes security seriously and encourages customers to report fraudulent purchases or other security issues. If the preference is to contact them by phone; be cautious of searching for support phone numbers.

Change your account passwords. This may be a sign that personal information has been compromised and to improve account security, keep a close eye on credit reports and credit card bills.

By the way, the Federal Trade Commission says you have a legal right to keep unordered merchandise.

Choose to have an amazing day….Jeff

Why invest in Land?

It’s been said before – vacant land is one of the most overlooked and misunderstood real estate investments in the world.

Whenever I discuss the buying and selling of LAND, I get a lot of blank stares. There seems to be a widespread assumption that vacant land is a “weak” or even pointless investment because;.

It doesn’t produce income.
It just sits there and nothing happens.
It’s flat out boring.

The truth is – some vacant land is capable of producing serious cash flow and the rest of it is one of the best long-term investments on earth because of its hands-off nature and versatility.

Don’t you just love the fact that land just sits there, and nothing happens?

The simplicity and stability that comes with owning the right piece of land, purchased at the right price, sometimes outweighs the myriad of problems that come with other types of real estate. If you have overlooked raw land as a viable investment opportunity in the past, take a few minutes and get educated about what land is all about!

Here are 8 reasons you should consider investing in land:

1) With Vacant Land, You Don’t Need to “do” Anything to the Property.

Forget construction! Forget renovations! You don’t need to be an expert or know anything about how to rehab a property yourself. In most cases, you really only need to know one thing: “Is the property suitable for building?” As long as someone else can build on the land if/when they want to, a huge part of the battle is already won.

2) Raw Land is a “Hands-Off” Investment.

Have you had enough of dealing with tenants, toilets, bugs, mold, lawn care, leaking roofs, bursting pipes, broken furnaces, and the hundreds of other issues that come with owning buildings? Vacant land doesn’t involve ANY of those things. Once you buy it… it sits there, it behaves itself, and nothing happens.

3) Land Investors Call Their Own Shots.

When you buy vacant land, you buy each property with your own cash and completely avoid dealing with banks and mortgage companies. When you know where to look for great deals on land, it requires very little start-up capital to get your business up and running. (could you afford $500 per acre?)

4) When You Learn How to Research Properties Effectively, you can Buy and Sell Vacant Land Properties Without Ever Seeing Them In-Person.

Using the tools that you and I have available for FREE online you can purchase vacant land. The beauty of land is that it doesn’t involve any structures. This means the inspection process is VERY simple – and if you’re doing the right research, you can easily buy your properties without ever visiting them in person. (That does not mean you shouldn’t hire a professional to check it out for you).

5) Add Seller Financing to the Mix and EXPLODE Your Income Potential.

When you combine vacant land that you own with the power of Seller Financing, it’s a match made in heaven. It can open up the doors to finding MANY more buyers because most banks are very hesitant to lend money on vacant land. Due to the scarcity of “easy money” financing, a land investor can use this to their advantage by charging a higher-than-market interest rate and many people will gladly pay it. Seller financing is also a great way to create multiple streams of passive income that act like rental properties but come with virtually none of the typical headaches that rental properties are known for.

6) Land is Very Inexpensive to Own as a Long-Term Investment.

When you buy a piece of land, there are, no utility bills to pay, the cost of property insurance is nominal (if you have it at all) and property taxes are extremely cheap. Plus there is almost never a mortgage payment. If you want to park your cash somewhere and forget about it, vacant land could be exactly the investment vehicle you’re looking for.

7) Land Gives its Owner Peace of Mind.

Think about it – land is a long-term, tangible asset that doesn’t wear out, doesn’t depreciate, and nothing can get broken, stolen, or destroyed. Put all of these benefits together with your ability to buy it for next-to-nothing… and can you think of a better combination?

8) They Aren’t Making Any More Of It.

Most people don’t think of vacant land this way, but the reality is that land is an extremely valuable resource with limited quantities available. Especially when you purchase land in the path of growth, you will find yourself with a finite asset that a lot of other people want to get their hands on. Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and 401Ks all make sense in certain scenarios, and so does land. If you go into this with the intent of holding the right property for the long-term, it can make a lot more sense (and be a lot more profitable) than any other retirement vehicle out there.

If you want more information on investing in vacant land please contact me.

Choose to have an amazing day….Jeff

At Las Vegas Little Theatre – The Show Must Go On!!! (despite all of the obstacles)

As we all know a lot of things have changed since the beginning of March. The Strip closed down for two months and now reopened with restrictions. Live plays with audiences have not come back yet.

But as they say in show business “the show must go on”. In that spirit the Las Vegas Little Theatre is trying a bit of a new concept. They have the stage set for a play however you will watch it via Zoom.

At the moment there are two performances left of The Quarantine Monologues. I saw it last week and I recommend it. You can see it on July 31 and August 2 online for only $15 per device. For tickets, click https://bit.ly/3gYjQrt or contact the box office at 702-362-7996.

On August 1 – there will be a live-streaming extravaganza (most likely via Zoom also however I would check with the box office); a benefit performance of Deception At The Disco! Frannie Fabiano (Gillen Brey), LVLT’s new Event Coordinator has hired three acts to entertain: The Diva (Joy Demain), Vinnie Vegas (Michael Kaczurak) & the Vinnettes (Monica Johns and Melissa Riezler), and Troy Tritone (Glenn Heath). Everything is about to hit the fan when The Diva finds out she is not the only headliner for the evening and that her ex-fiancé and ex- backup group are also on the bill to perform. Tempers are raised and there are threats tossed around in this hilarious Who Dunnit. Someone is about to make their last appearance!