November 2019 | Jeff Howard's Las Vegas Area Real Estate blog

Power Surges – Myth or Reality?

A couple of year ago, I was in one of my furnished rental properties, when suddenly (and seemingly for no reason) the lights all got very bright, then burned out and it suddenly smelled like an electrical fire. It turns out, the house had a huge power surge! For some reason, one of the TV’s had a good surge protector, and the other had none at all. Well, as you can probably guess, we had to replace 1 TV, along with the microwave & stove, and several light bulbs. For some reason the washer and dryer were fine. Power surges can wipe out TVs, video games, appliances and many more electronic devices. This is nothing new – power surges have been in our lives since the invention of electricity, and most of them are more subtle. However, it is more of a concern these days due to our increased use of electronics.

Basically a power surge is a spike in your home’s electrical current. The spike is very brief, usually lasting less than a thousandth of a second, but it can still cause damage to your anything that is plugged in.

Be certain not to confuse power strips with surge protectors! They look very similar; however, a surge protector will have those words on the box along with a rating in joules! Essentially, more joules equal better protection, as this means the device can handle one large surge, or multiple smaller surges, before your gear is in danger. Over time, the parts inside the protector wear down, reducing its effectiveness, so you probably want to replace them from time to time… especially the ones hooked up to your most expensive electronics. They are the easiest and least expensive fix for properties with circuit breakers built in. If you want more protection, consider that phone and cable lines can carry power spikes too. Some surge protectors have connectors for these as well. Many surge protector models will light a warning lamp if the outlet into which they’re plugged isn’t properly grounded. Most do-it-yourself and hardware stores also sell inexpensive circuit testers that are simply plugged into outlets to confirm that circuits are grounded properly.

Also you can install a whole house surge protector at your electrical panel. I would advise you to have a licensed electrician set this up for you. This installation will likely cost between $300 to $500. This will monitor electrical spikes and dissolve them safely into the ground before they can do any damage.

During holiday time it’s a good idea to plug in any lights you use in decorating to a surge protector. Has this every happened to you? Share your story below!

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… 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

What type of Homes are Trending with Millennials?

Did you know that Millennials actually make up a considerable part of the economy? Their economic strength as a group seems to be growing every day. As of 2019, Millennials are making up approximately 37 percent of home buyers… even more than the Baby Boomers! So what exactly are these Millennials buying, and what trends are growing along with their increasing representation in the market? Let’s find out.

First-Time Buyers – About 52 percent of Millennials who are buying homes are first-time home buyers. This makes sense for younger Millennials, but even older Millennials who were born in the 80s are also first-time buyers. Before buying, a large number of these Millennials were renting homes. By buying homes, they can enjoy the benefits of ownership and build equity for similar amounts (or in some cases, less) than they were paying each month in rent previously.

Family Homes -The majority of home-buying Millennials are buying single-family homes. This is in part because over 50 percent of them are either married or in long-term relationships. This is interesting – in 2018 there were more married couples among home-buying Millennials than there were in any other generational group that was in the market for a house. A significant number of Millennials also have children under the age of 18 living at home, which increases the need for a family-friendly home.

Motivation to Buy – The majority of Millennials who have bought homes within the last year did so simply because they wanted to own a home of their own – and stop paying rent . Some wanted to own a larger home, be closer to friends and family or were moving due to job relocation, but the general desire to own a home was listed as a reason for buying. A lot of this came down to the opportunities that were presented; over 50 percent of Millennials report that it was “just the right time” to buy a home, while the second most common reason (that they didn’t have much choice and had to buy when they did) was only reported by around 10 to 15 percent of Millennials.

Back to the Suburbs – One big trend among Millennial home buyers is that they were buying homes in the suburbs. This wasn’t restricted only to Millennials; 51 percent of all homes purchased in 2018 were located in suburban areas or subdivisions. The Millennials fell pretty close to this statistic, with small towns being the second most common location. The majority of the homes Millennials purchased were previously owned. The Millennials as a group are not moving into newly built subdivisions.

Biggest Factors – There are a number of factors that affected the purchasing decisions of Millennials. The presence of public transit or proximity to work was one major factor, with many Millennials trying to minimize commuting costs. Heating and cooling efficiency also played an important role. In general, Millennials were more willing to compromise on price than on a home’s condition, but only around 20 percent were willing to compromise on the distance of their new home from work.

Home Shopping Trends – By far, the majority of Millennials started their home search by looking online to try and find properties for sale. Around 15 percent spent even more time online than that, starting their search by researching the ins and outs of the home buying process before even starting to look at properties. Beyond online sources, Millennials trusted real estate agents the most for information about homes for sale.

Choose to have an amazing day….Jeff

Why you should Brine your Turkey this (and every) Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is next week and if you volunteered to roast the Thanksgiving turkey this year and are starting to feel a bit nervous I have three words of advice: Brine your bird. Brining will make sure your turkey will be a juicy and full-flavored even if you’re not feeling confident about your roasting skills.

The turkey is a relatively lean bird, particularly the breast meat, meaning that it doesn’t have a lot of fat to help keep the meat from becoming dry and tough. This is where brining comes in. Brine is a very basic solution of 4 quarts of water and 1 cup of salt, and by giving our turkey a long and luxurious dunk in this solution; we can actually coax a bit more moisture and flavor into our meal. There are also some aromatic options: bay leaf, peppercorns, cloves, juniper berries, allspice berries, orange peels, lemon peels, to add to the brining mix. There are many stores in the Las Vegas area that sell kits for brining – Sprouts, Bed Bath and Beyond, Whole Foods and Lowes and of course you can order a kit from Amazon.com.

During brining, the turkey absorbs extra moisture, which in turn helps it stay more moist and juicy both during and after cooking. Since the turkey absorbs salt along with the other flavors in the water, getting nicely seasoned from the inside out. Also the salt breaks down some of the turkey’s muscle proteins, which helps with the overall moisture absorption and also prevents the meat from toughing up quite so much during cooking.

The only downside to brining a turkey is that it takes up a good amount of fridge real-estate. First, find a pot or bucket big enough to comfortably hold the turkey and keep it fully submerged. Next rearrange the fridge to make enough space. If you’re okay meeting these two conditions, then you are good to go!

Brine only turkeys that have not been pre-treated in any way, which should be clearly stated on the label. Do not use turkeys labeled as “kosher,” “enhanced,” or “self-basting” for brining. These turkeys have already been enhanced with salt in some way and brining would result in an over-salted turkey. If your label doesn’t say any of these things or give any indication that it has been pre-treated, then it’s safe to assume you’re getting the turkey and nothing but the turkey, and you’re clear to proceed with brining. Also it’s fine to brine a partially thawed turkey. The thawing process will continue while the turkey is in the brine.

You cook a brined turkey just as you normally would whether brined or not. Once it’s out of the brine, pat it dry and rub it with any spices you were planning to use (although you can skip the salt!). You can also baste the turkey with juices or brush it with butter as it roasts. You might find that a brined turkey might cook a little faster than a non-brined bird, so it is recommended starting to check the internal temperature.

The following is step by step instructions to help make your brining easier.

Find a pot or food-safe bucket large enough that you will be able to entirely submerge the turkey. Next, clear some refrigerator space and make sure your pot will fit. (You may have to remove shelves)
Unwrap your turkey and remove the giblets, then transfer it to the pot. Add any aromatics you’d like to use.
Heat 1 quart of water in the microwave until warmed — it doesn’t need to come to a boil, just be warm enough to dissolve the salt. Add the salt and stir until the salt is dissolved. Let the liquid cool slightly; it’s fine if it’s still a touch warm. Also add the other flavors at this time.
Pour the brine solution over the turkey.
Add the remaining 3 quarts cold water. This dilutes the salt solution to the best ratio for brining and also helps further cool the solution.
Make sure the turkey is completely submerged.If needed, prepare more brine solution at a ratio of 1/4 cup salt per quart of water to completely submerge the turkey.
If the turkey floats, weigh it down with a dinner plate. Cover and place it in the refrigerator.
Brine the turkey in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours.
Remove the turkey from the brine and rinse under cold running water. Pat dry with paper towels. Clean your sink thoroughly after doing this step to avoid cross-contamination.
(optional).If you desire, let the turkey air-dry overnight in the refrigerator. Place the turkey on a roasting rack set inside a roasting pan and cover loosely with plastic wrap to prevent cross contamination. This drying step will give your turkey crispier skin.
You can roast the turkey either immediately after brining or after air-drying. I’ve found that brined turkeys tend to cook a bit more quickly, so roast as usual, but start checking the turkey’s temperature an hour before the end of your estimated cooking time.

This might seem overwhelming for first time briner’s, however it is totally worth it – a brined turkey is so good you will always brine your turkeys after tasting the delicious turkey and have your family and friends compliment you on the best bird they have eaten.

It’s funny… I have actually compared staging a home before selling it to brining a turkey… sure you’ll be fine if you don’t do it. However, if you do, the results are dramatically better! (and I always like “better”)

Choose to have an amazing day….Jeff

Community Theatre Update: “Holmes and Watson” will have you on the edge of your seat

Sherlock Holmes has not been seen for more than three years and is presumed dead following his confrontation with Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls. Dr. Watson has been called in to disprove the many frauds, fakes and charlatans who have popped up claiming to be Holmes. All of a sudden a newspaper clipping arrives! A remote mental institution on an island off the coast of Scotland reports that three patients have been recently admitted, each claiming to be the late detective. Now Watson must discover if one of the mad men is the real Sherlock Holmes.

This play by Jeffrey Hatcher is an ingenious new thriller and this is its Las Vegas premiere in a boldly atmospheric production with the Vegas Theatre Company. Located inside the Art Square is the 80 seat black box theatre at 1025 S 1st St #110

Las Vegas NV 89101 (725) 222-9661. Click here for tickets; http://bit.ly/33OU02F

Showtime schedule is November 13 – December 8

November 13 ($15 Preview) 7:30pm

November 14 (Opening) 7:30pm

Fridays 7:30pm, Saturdays 2pm & 7:30pm, Sundays 5pm

(No show on the first Friday of the month.)

Critics agree that this play is “the most elaborate and riveting game of What’s My Line ever…The Jeffrey Hatcher play…is tight and clever and full of suspense—and has enough red herrings to feed a family of 40.” — “[HOLMES AND WATSON] is a truly smashing play full of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat…Hatcher has crafted an intelligent mystery thriller…”

Vegas Theatre Company began with the name Cockroach Theatre Company which was established in 2003 as a live theatre production company performing at various locations in and around southern Nevada. It has continuously operated since, establishing residency in its current home – the 80-seat black box theater inside Art Square in the City of Las Vegas Arts District – in 2013. At this location, it has produced, co-produced, facilitated and offered its venue for the production of plays, adult acting workshops, children’s theatre camps, opera, novelty acts, improv, and theatre festivals. It is run by an all-volunteer staff and a corps of dozens of volunteers; cast and crew for each production are paid a stipend on a contract basis.

Do you have a need for commercial / industrial / retail space? Are you ready to buy or sell a home? We can help you with that… 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

“Go to the public library… from your computer or mobile device?”

I love the library – so many books and videos to find and you can take so much home with your trusty library card. Oh wait, that was years ago. Boys and Girls the library is fully in the 21^st century.

I just discovered how much you can get from the public library without going to the library… including free music, movies, audiobooks, emagazines, ebooks and more. Plus you can get streaming from the library app called Libby and I recommend you also add the Hoopla app.

A good place to start is https://lvccld.org/online-resources/. I googled this and then decided to actually go to the library when I found out my library card wasn’t the updated version they have been offering for the last 2-3 years. It’s special alright – the card has the Vegas Golden Knights logo on the front of the card. While at the library I spoke to a computer specialist to find out how I can stream movies and TV shows – very helpful.

I don’t know if you have been to the Summerlin Library – did you know it is part of the Clark County –Las Vegas library system? I found out just recently it was. The Summerlin Library is fantastic – there are so many events there all year round.

Plus they have several musicals and plays that are open to the public for a very small fee in their wonderful theatre and the casts are fantastic. Click here for more information on the Summerlin Library https://lvccld.org/locations/SM/

Choose to have an amazing day….Jeff

Summerlin Circus Time! @ Crossings Park Summerlin has come to town

Did you ever want to run away with the circus? Well this Saturday and Sunday (November 9 and 10) you can do the next best thing – come on visit the Summerlin Circus.

It’s a marvelous spectacle. Two fantastic shows will be showcased each day at 2 and 4 p.m. Watch as thrilling daredevils, acrobats, aerialists, high wire walkers and clowns delight the entire family. All Summerlin residents are invited to experience the show.

Take the entire family to see acts from many countries.

Mark your calendars for this special event and share in the excitement of your child’s first circus. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $7 each with proof of residency at the Trails, Willows, Gardens and Vista’s Community Centers beginning October 21. The event is sponsored by American Crown Circus and Circo Osorio

In addition, tickets may be purchased the day of the event at the Crossing Park for $10 each. For more information, please call 702.341-5500.

Crossings Park is located at 1111 Crestdale Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89144. Click here for directions https://www.mapquest.com/us/nevada/the-crossing-park-361745085

Choose to have an amazing day….Jeff

The Speeding Theatre presents “House of Tomorrow”

“House of Tomorrow” at the Super Summer Theatre Studio weaves together humorous, yet poignant, stories about seniors taking strength from their yesterdays, pursuing the passions of their tomorrows, opening the doors and windows of their lives (AKA their houses) to remodeling and keeping their dreams big and their hopes high! “House of Tomorrow” by Susan Shear will be presented by The Speeding Theatre!

You’ll meet seniors navigating the uncharted waters of online dating, trying in vain to order a refill from a mail order pharmacy, responding to adult children concerned about driving safety, experiencing the stresses of forced downsizing— and see how one senior’s view of a weekend together differs hilariously from her daughter’s take on it—as well as other fun stories about seniors undaunted by the challenges life keeps throwing at them!

Performance Dates: December 5th – 15th, 2019

Performances will take place at the Studio Theatre:
4340 S Valley View Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89103 (do not go to the Ranch)

To purchase tickets, go to: www.purplepass.com/houseoftomorrow

Choose to have an amazing day…..Jeff

Day Tripping – Part Two

Last week I suggested some fun and interesting day trips to destinations around Las Vegas, and still in Nevada – well here are a few days trips that are across the California state line, and are certainly worth visiting (some you might even want to stay overnight in).

Pioneertown – It’s less than four hours from Las Vegas and has an interesting past. In 1946, Pioneertown was founded by a group of Hollywood investors, including actors Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. They dreamed of creating an Old West set 125 miles east of Los Angeles that was actually a town worth visiting. The town has 1880s-style false-front facades as well as interiors with things for visitors to see and do.

From the outside there are frontier stables, saloons, and jails; inside, they house ice cream parlors, bowling alleys, and motels. It wasn’t a place just for tourists to enjoy though; more than 50 films and television shows were filmed here in the 1940s and ‘50s. Recently the town has been experiencing something of a renaissance—artists, entrepreneurs, and just regular folks looking to escape city stress are finding their way here. Longtime standby the Pioneertown Motel, a rustic, single-story 20-room inn, has been updated with fire pits, an outdoor bar, and hammocks; it and La Copine, an upscale eatery in nearby Flamingo Heights are contributing to the area’s newfound reputation as a hip getaway. https://www.visitcalifornia.com/attraction/pioneertown

Big Bear Lake– This is Southern California’s four-season mountain lake escape. Located in the heart of Southern California – and close to Las Vegas it around a 3 ½ hour drive – Big Bear Lake is the jewel of the San Bernardino National Forest and known for excellent fishing, snowboarding & skiing, hiking, mountain biking and so much more!

During any season, a drive to Big Bear Lake through the San Bernardino National Forest is a wonderful experience. There are winding roads that cascade through hills that become mountains with amazing views of the California basin. You arrive in a destination that’s totally unique and different from the bustling cities below Big Bear Lake. Wood-carved sculptures line the streets, the smell of fresh pine and clean air permeates, and a town decorated in rustic cabins and lodges welcomes your arrival. https://www.bigbear.com

Death Valley – It’s about a 2 ½ hour drive from Las Vegas to Death Valley and now is the time to go – not too hot (never go in the summer). Death Valley is a national park located, east of the Sierra Mountains and bordering the state of Nevada. Death Valley has been the home for many Indigenous people dating back to even 10,000 years ago! Many of these groups (like the Timbisha Shoshone group) were hunters and gatherers that would make winter camps on the valley floor and escape up to the nearby mountains when the weather started heating up.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Gold Rush hopefuls and miners came flocking to the area in hopes of gaining riches off of precious gems. Now Death Valley has some very interesting spots for you to check out – Scotty’s Castle, The Oasis at Death Valley, Furnace Creek, with the park visitor center, as well as campgrounds, restaurants, a store, gas station, and the Furnace Creek Resort, Panamint Springs, and so many incredible sand dunes etc. Check out the web site – https://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm

Lake Arrowhead – Located a mile high in the heart of the San Bernardino National Forest, Lake Arrowhead Village is 3 ¾ hours Las Vegas. With 4 distinct seasons, any time during the year is a great time to visit. Love the snow? They have it for you from December through March. April and May brings daffodils and dogwoods to the village. From June thru August you’ll find perfect summer weather. Put on your favorite fall sweater and enjoy our fall foliage September thru November. https://lakearrowhead.com

Joshua Tree – Joshua Tree National Park is a vast protected area in Southern California that is around a three hour drive from Las Vegas. It’s characterized by rugged rock formations and stark desert landscapes. Named for the region’s twisted, bristled Joshua trees, the park straddles the cactus-dotted Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert, which is higher and cooler. Keys View looks out over the Coachella Valley. Hiking trails weave through the boulders of Hidden Valley. https://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm

Calico Ghost Town – Calico is an old West mining town that has been around since 1881 during the largest silver strike in California. With its 500 mines, Calico produced over $20 million in silver ore over a 12-year span. When silver lost its value in the mid-1890, Calico lost its population. Walter Knott purchased Calico in the 1950’s architecturally restoring all but the five original buildings to look as they did in the 1880’s. Calico received State Historical Landmark 782 and in 2005 was proclaimed by then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to be California’s Silver Rush Ghost Town. https://www.calicoattractions.com/

Choose to have an amazing day….Jeff

Fun and Interesting Day Trips from Las Vegas – Part One

Now that the summer heat has left us it’s time to wander around the area beyond the borders of Las Vegas and see some amazing places that are near enough for a day trip.

Oh dear – you have lived here for years and you haven’t driven through Red Rock Canyon? Red Rock Canyon features a one-way 13-mile scenic drive, hiking and trails, plants and wildlife, geology, camping, cultural resources and much more. Our Visitor Center offers information and interpretation about recreation opportunities. The facility also features indoor and outdoor exhibits and a book and gift store.

The fee per day is $15 for one truck or car. (or buy a National Park Annual Pass for $80 and go as often as you like plus gain entry in such amazing places as Lake Mead, Cedar Breaks, Death Valley, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree, Yosemite & more!)

The Valley of Fire is incredible. It is a State Park for public recreation and nature preservation area covering nearly 46,000 acres located 16 miles south of Overton, Nevada. The state park derives its name from red sandstone formations, the Aztec Sandstone, which formed from shifting sand dunes 150 million years ago and contains ancient, petrified trees and petroglyphs dating back more than 2,000 years. A Visitor Center provides exhibits on the geology, ecology, prehistory and history of the park and nearby region

Entrance fee is $10

Mount Charleston is a great place to visit now with the trees turning colors, in the summer to get relief from the heat and in the winter to ski. Named for nearby Mount Charleston, the highest point in Clark County, the town is in a valley of the Spring Mountains to the northwest of Las Vegas, noted for its hiking trails, and for the Mount Charleston Lodge, a rustic hotel. At an elevation of approximately 7,500 feet, temperatures are much lower than in Las Vegas, which has an elevation of about 2,000 feet, making it a popular place for Las Vegans to vacation. The mean high temperature is 20.4 degrees (Fahrenheit) cooler than in Las Vegas.

Goodsprings (Ghost Town) was a settlement in the hills seven miles west of Jean. It served as an important town for milling or from the surrounding mines. The town has named after a Mr. Joseph Good who headquartered his cattle raising operation there. At first the site was known as Good’s Springs but eventually was called Goodsprings. It was a mining camp with a hotel, a saloon that is still standing and in operation, and a general store. Make sure you go to the Pioneer Saloon and the general store!

Nelson (Ghost Town) was first called Eldorado by the Spaniards who made the original discoveries of gold in the area. A hundred years later prospectors and miners took over and established the notorious Techatticup Mine. Disagreements over ownership, management and labor disputes resulted in frequent killings. Today, you’ll find several old buildings, cars, trucks, buses and 2 crashed airplanes, making it a great spot to explore and take fun photos. I took my son’s HS graduation pics in a tired old pink Cadillac! Make sure you go to the general store!

Boulder City, Nevada is quite a great little town. Very close to Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam. The town is quaint with interesting shops of all kinds, and interesting restaurants and bars. Here is a link that can tell you the 10 best things to do https://trip101.com/article/best-things-to-do-boulder-city-nevada

In the near future, I will be putting together other interesting spots to visit in part two – you won’t want to miss that.

Choose to have an amazing day….Jeff