February 2020 | Jeff Howard's Las Vegas Area Real Estate blog

Smoke and CO Detectors in your home

There are very few items in your home that are more important than smoke and CO (carbon monoxide) detectors for your family’s safety. As a landlord, I am constantly fascinated by the number of times I entered one of my rentals after tenants had moved out and the smoke detectors were removed from the ceiling, apparently because they were “chirping” (needed batteries). Really?

With very little cost and effort you can rest assured knowing that warning systems are in place to let you know when there is trouble. Start by taking a quick tour through your home and noting the types of batteries each detector uses and buy a package of each kind so you have them at the ready to change out every six months.

Reenergize for safety – It’s a good idea to synchronize changing your smoke and CO detector batteries with the changing of the clocks – you know Spring Forward, Fall Back. Once the new batteries are in, hit the “test button” to make sure the alarm is functioning properly. If it isn’t working properly, run (don’t walk) to your nearest hardware store and replace it. Vacuum dust off of the units and wipe clean if necessary.

I think we all know what smoke detectors are for and we should all have them just outside the doorway to the kitchen and at the doorway and inside each bedroom.

Click here to see a list of the best smoke detectors; https://www.safety.com/smoke-detectors/

For those of you that are not exactly sure what CO or carbon monoxide is – It’s a byproduct of burning carbon fuel like the natural gas in your stove and the gasoline in your car. Even small doses of carbon monoxide can cause permanent damage or death. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, and toxic gas that claims almost 430 lives a year.

To maximize your home’s security against high levels of carbon monoxide, place detectors in several key locations. Each level of your home should have at least one monitor. Don’t forget to include your basement and attic as levels of your home. Also near each bedroom. Make sure everyone in your home can hear the alarm sound—even if they’re asleep when it goes off. And of course next to attached garages. Cars release carbon monoxide when they’re running, and if a car is left running in your garage for too long, the gas can seep into your home.

Click here to see a list of the best CO detectors; https://www.safety.com/the-best-carbon-monoxide-detectors/

I hope this information helps you keep you loved ones safe in your home.

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

Men on Boats at the Art Square Theatre

Men on Boats is a comedy by Jaclyn Backhaus. There are four boats and ten explorers in this true(ish) story of an 1869 expedition, when a one-armed captain and a crew of insane yet loyal volunteers set out to chart the course of the Colorado River. Masculinity and manifest destiny meet their gender-flipped match in this hilarious and highly physical show.

In this retelling of Captain John Wesley Powell’s expedition the crewmen are always up for shooting the rapids, the breeze and edible wildlife. They hail from the United States of the mid-19th century, when assertive, unquestioning masculinity was something that stood tall and unchallenged.

Oh, and just so you know there isn’t a man in the 10-member cast of “Men on Boats,” at least not according to the strict anatomical definition.

The fun begins on February 19 and runs through March 15 at the Art Square Theatre, 1025 S 1st St #110, Las Vegas NV 89101. For more information call 725-222-9661. Order tickets: http://siteline.vendini.com/site/artsquaretheatre.com

February 19 ($15 Preview) 7:30pm

February 20 (Opening) 7:30pm

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

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

Choose to have an amazing day….Jeff

Summerlin Half Marathon

The Las Vegas Valley comes alive as we get into our spring months and if you are a runner the Summerlin Half Marathon is right up your alley. While others are biking in the Tour de Summerlin take part of this day of exercise by joining in this event.

The 10^th Annual Summerlin Half Marathon is Saturday, April 25^th at 7:15 am. The location of the starting line is The Lawn at Downtown Summerlin®. The following is a schedule of fees for registering.

January 1, 2020 – February 28, 2020 – $85
March 1, 2020 – April 6, 2020 – $95
April 8, 2019 – April 25, 2019 – $105

To register click here: https://register.chronotrack.com/r/50875

Not only will you get your heart pumping – you will be running through the magnificent scenic parks and community of Summerlin. The 13.1 mile course begins at Downtown Summerlin at the Great Lawn and travels through Summerlin’s best trail parks filled with desert landscape, set to the backdrop of the breathtaking skyline of the Red Rock Mountains. The final stretch will provide views of the Las Vegas Strip ending back at Downtown Summerlin. All participants will receive a really cool tech shirt and awesome finisher’s medal!

Following the race, join all the action at Downtown Summerlin’s “Wellness Festival” featuring complimentary fitness classes, entertainment, children’s activities and more!

If that’s not for you – go have a light meal in one of the many restaurants or go buy yourself a present for completing a half marathon (that’s no small feat). Downtown Summerlin offers a large array of both shops and restaurants.

And if you do not live in Summerlin and you run the race and see how beautiful the master-planned community is – contact me. I would be happy to show you homes in the many villages of Summerlin and soon you could call Summerlin home too.

Do you have a need for commercial / industrial / retail buildings or land? Are you ready to buy or sell a home? Do you want 3 cash offers? We can help you with all of that… just call us at 702 SELL NOW or click on this link to my website http://www.702SellNow.com

HUD Offers Guidance to Sniff Out Fake Assistance Animal Requests

For the last couple of years I have seen so many so called “service animals” in places that pets do not belong, however the owner has a certificate that says Fido or Fi-Fi can go with them almost anyplace…..well here in 2020 this is about to change. Hooray!!!!

The last time HUD released guidance on assistance animals was in 2013. However HUD has released NEW guidance “Assessing a Person’s Request to Have an Animal as a Reasonable Accommodation Under the Fair Housing Act” on January 28, 2020 and replaces the previous guidance. It outlines what information a housing provider can request and consider when deciding to grant a reasonable accommodation.

Of course those with disabilities, assistance animals are an intricate part of their lives. However, in recent years there has been an increase in people abusing this area of the Fair Housing Act by saying their animal is an assistance animal when it truly is not. By releasing this guidance, HUD is attempting to address this fraud to ensure the proper accommodations are available to those who truly need them.

Property owners have struggled with how to enforce no-pet policies on their properties with the growing number of renter requests for assistance animals. That’s why the housing market is welcoming the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s newly released guidance and clarity on how to comply with the Fair Housing Act when receiving a request for an assistance animal.

News reports in recent years have grown accusing some renters of using dubious third parties over the internet to buy certifications or registrations that say they need an emotional support animal. Under HUD’s new guidelines, released Tuesday, landlords and property managers now can require reliable verification of the tenant’s need for an assistance animal and can require documents other than an online certification.

A person with a disability may require the assistance of an animal to help do work, perform tasks, or provide therapeutic emotional support. The requested accommodation must be met if it affects that person’s major life activity and serves as a reasonable request. HUD’s new guidance offers housing providers step-by-step practices for complying with the Fair Housing Act when such requests are made.

Vince Malta, president of the National Association of REALTORS®, stated “This law exists to protect millions of Americans with disabilities who rely on the support of their assistance animals—like those living with depression, military veterans suffering from PTSD, and countless other deserving individuals. But as NAR has stressed to HUD over recent months, these protections are jeopardized when a small minority seeks to exploit weaknesses in the system.”

NAR welcomed HUD’s new guidelines for moving to stop fraudulent use of assistance animals while protecting the rights of those who require one. The guidance also includes information on the type of animals that are usually appropriate as well as best practices for when the requested animal is not a typical one used in accommodation situations.

“Countless Americans rely on assistance animals to fill a void, providing individuals with disabilities with the means to have a home that supports their quality of life,” says HUD Secretary Ben Carson. “In my many discussions with housing providers and residents impacted by the need for assistance, I recognized the necessity for further clarity regarding support animals to provide peace of mind to individuals with disabilities while also taking into account the concerns of housing providers.”

Just a note from me – I know everyone loves their pets; however not everyone loves your pet. Shopping for a new home? Please leave your pet at home – you do not know if the present owner of home has allergies and the dander your pet leaves can cause harm to someone. Also, you should never bring your pet with you to someone’s home unless invited with that pet. It’s polite to ask first. Why? Well, when you bring your dog to my house and I won’t let him in because our cat doesn’t want him in… you’re going to have to leave and take your dog home… and you’ll miss the puck drop.

Choose to have an amazing day….Jeff

Las Vegas Big League Weekend is Back!!! Hooray!!!

The wait is over! Las Vegas Big League Weekend is back and better than ever with tickets to both weekends on sale now, Big League Weekend has returned to the Las Vegas valley for spring 2020.

Opening weekend will have the Cleveland Indians taking on the Oakland A’s Feb. 29 – March 1 with games starting at 1:05 p.m.

The second weekend features the Cincinnati Reds facing the Chicago Cubs from March 7-8 at 1:05 p.m.

Ticket packages are currently on sale, according to Las Vegas Ballpark’s representatives; with single-game tickets becoming available soon (click this link to buy https://atmilb.com/38QsXGq).

“We are excited to welcome back Big League Weekend to Las Vegas Ballpark,” Aviators President/COO Don Logan said. “This year will feature four great teams over two weekends of Major League Baseball for a total of four games.

This will be the Indians third appearance in Las Vegas for Big League Weekend with Oakland making its sixth all-time appearance.

While the Cubs return to Las Vegas for their 18th all-time appearance for Big League Weekend. “The fans, both locally and the tourists that visit during this event will have a memorable time. The Cubs continue to have such a tremendous nationwide fan-base and Las Vegas has become a ‘second’ Spring Training home for them,” Logan said.

Ticket packages for the games can be purchased by calling the Aviators office at 702-939-7200.

Choose to have an amazing day….Jeff