Small projects that pay off big. When buyers are searching for their perfect home the foyer lends the perfect first impression. But if the flooring isn't pleasant, they are definitely going to question whether there's something else wrong with the home.

Cost $200 for tiles (four feet by four feet); $65 for tools.

What you'd pay a pro: $1,000

Skill Level is 2 out of 4

Time: 1 day

Do this if your neighbors all have the entries and you don't. And definitely if you have carpeting or linoleum. Even the cheapest ceramic tile is more appealing to buyers than the pricest linoleum.

Payoff - a buyer's first impression will be a good one. Tile makes a house look luxurious.

I found the best deal with new home construction in Las Vegas with Richmond American Homes. There are several reasons why this is the best deal for now.  

*Builder offer 5% towards closing cost. This will lower your monthly payment.

*Builder pays for home inspection, home warranty, HOA doc fees thus no out-of-pocket expenses except for appraisal fee of $450. Saving you a total of $900.

*Builder offers $7,500 towards upgrades. This can be applies to adding a bedroom for certain models, adding granite, stainless steel appliances, oak railing. You can pick and choose upgrades for the home.

Think about buying investment homes in Las Vegas? Let me give you 3 price points for comparison. My analysis is as follows:

• $150,000 price point offers 7% return on your investment (rental income $1150)
• $125,000 price point offers 11% return on your investment (rental income $1100)
• $100,000 price point offers 10% return on your investment (rental income $950)

Based on my calculations home priced at $100,000 to $125,000 are the best investments. For $100,000 one can purchase a 3 bedroom townhome with the 10% return on your money. With 20% downpayment, closing fees,  home inspection, warranty, appraisal fees total money required is close to $27,000. Your annual rental profit is $2,770.

REID LEADS PASSAGE OF BILL TO EXTEND UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT

Bill also provides tax relief for businesses that are struggling

Washington, D.C. - Led by Nevada Senator Harry Reid, the U.S. Senate today passed a bill that will extend unemployment benefits, the Homebuyer Tax
Credit, and tax relief for struggling businesses.

"These additional 14 weeks of benefits will allow Nevadans looking for work to pay the bills, support their families, and put food on the table," Reid said. "I'm also pleased that we successfully extended the homebuyer tax credit to continue this important incentive that is helping to stabilize the housing market.  This amendment is a win across the board for Nevada and the country and I'm grateful that Senator Baucus and I were able to include it in the bill."

Summary of Reid-Baucus Amendment

Extended Unemployment Benefits

*    Provides unemployed workers in all states who have exhausted benefits with an additional 14 weeks of benefits.  
*    Authorizes an additional 6 weeks of benefits for workers in high unemployment states (those with unemployment rates of 8.5% or higher).
*    These benefits are fully offset by extending the Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA) surtax, which otherwise would expire at the end of this year, through June 30, 2010.

Homebuyer Credit

*    Extends the $8,000 credit through June 30, 2010 (must have binding contract by April 30, 2010).
*    Expands the credit (capped at $6,500) beyond first-time homebuyers  to those who have owned a home for five consecutive years within the previous eight years.
*    Increases the dollar limits for eligibility for both credits from $75,000 for singles and $150,000 for married couples to $125,000 for singles and $225,000 for married couples.
*    Limits the credits to homes costing $800,000 or less.
*    Waives repayment of the credit for Members of the Armed Forces and others on sent away from home on extended duty.
*    Extends the credit for an additional year for Members of the Armed Forces and others away from home on extended duty.
*    The proposal adds an age requirement, requires corroborating information to be filed with a return claiming the credit, and gives the IRS greater authority to deny the credit based on information reported by the taxpayer on prior returns.


Net Operating Losses

*    Allows business losses incurred in 2008 or 2009 to be used to recoup taxes paid in prior five years.  
*    Taxpayers can use 100% of such losses to carry back to prior years.
*    Losses carried back to the fifth prior year are limited to offsetting only 50% of that year's income.

Offsets

*    Delays implementation of worldwide allocation of interest by seven years.
*    Increases the penalties for failure to file partnership and S Corporation returns from $89 to $195.  

 My team and I have sold over $2,618,000 in sales volume thus far this year.  Who do you know that we can help?   To adopt a cat or a kitten view all pictures today! Click Here

Came across a new case from lender when granting underwritten approval. Buyer has already claimed $8000 tax credit without buying a house. CPA claimed tax credit with a dummy address. Now that the buyer IS seriously interested in buying a home we are running into an issue, delaying closing. Lenders are now pulling taxes during the underwritten loan approval process. Fraud, changed made to taxes are all important to know before buyers buy a home. This is the first time I came across this situation. Letting everyone in Las Vegas know, buyers, sellers, Realtors.

Night of Halloween. Trick or treat! Received a lead from Keller Williams Realty, a client looking for a Chinese speaking Realtor, that's.me! Client is from New York visiting next week. Look forward to helping client in finding an investment home in SW Las Vegas for $150,000. Average rent for 3 bedroom home is $1,100 for quick turnaround.

I found the best deal with new homes in Las Vegas with Richmond American Homes.  There are several reasons why this is the best deal for now.  

*Builder offer 5% towards closing cost. This will lower your monthly payment.

*Builder pays for home inspection, home warranty, HOA doc fees thus no out-of-pocket expenses except for appraisal fee of $450. Buyer saves a total of $900.

*Builder offers $7,500 towards upgrades. This can be applies to adding a bedroom for certain models, adding granite, stainless steel appliances, oak railing. Buyers can pick and choose upgrades for the home. 

Here is a comparison of purchasing a bank owned home vs. a new home.

*Monthly payment for a $150,000 bank owned vs. a $165,000 new home is a difference of $15 a month

*Paying $5,600 in closing cost for bank owned vs. $0 for new home

*Paying $900 more buying a bank owned vs a new home

*20% downpayment is $3,000 more for a new home than a bank owned because of price points

*Both homes will rent for an average of $1,200 monthly in Las Vegas

In 2007 I quit a management position at a large financial services company. My goal is to be an entrepreneur, do what I want to do when I want to do them. After working 10 years in the corporate environment I did not enjoy the freedom to apply skills and learn new skills. I want to help people in my own way. Instead I turned to real estate and became a full time dedicated agent. Real estate experienced extreme price drop in 2007, 2008 and started to stabilize in 2009.

With many people unsure of the housing market, bank foreclosing on homes, I struggled in for two years in a new profession. Positive thinking with long term vision helped me through all the obstacles I faced. There were many sleepless nights thinking how I will pay for my mortgage payments, will I loose my house, where my next paycheck is coming from. The thought of having a life of my choice, the freedom to build the business I choose, and with the support of my family and friends I made it to 2009. This year has been phenomenal. Everything I took on made sense now. The hard work, the persistence, the endurance all paid off. This year thus far I sold 19 houses in the Las Vegas housing market hit hardest in the country. Home prices dropped 50% to 60% yet I am doing better than just surviving. I am rocking! My project annual income will be equal if not surpass my income in 2006 when I made almost 6 figures. The sky is the limit in real estate. I am looking forward to the years to come. This is the beauty of going after your dreams. 

Home Maintenance Guidelines   Fall Maintenance Reminders:

As Fall approaches you can take a few key steps to ensure your home serves you well through the coming months. Please take to check these items in and around your home and attend to any that need maintenance.

Clean and test smoke alarms. Test and reset ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) breakers. Change and clean the air filters every 30 to 90 days. Caulk and paint minor drywall cracks. Operate the heating system. Adjust registers and confirm that cold air returns are clear of furniture or draperies. Adjust or replace weather stripping on exterior doors; as needed.         

Check the fit of exterior doors; thresholds are adjustable. Check caulking, inside (sink, tub & shower) and out, and touch up. Review safe fireplace operation. Check garage overhead door, tighten bolts as needed, and lubricate springs with motor oil. Have other repairs done by professionals. Winterize PBV valve in case of below freezing weather. Remove and clean the screens in all faucets. Clean gutters, check downspouts; confirm that splash blocks drain away from house. Check foundation, concrete and yard for settling; fill in as needed for positive drainage. On pleasant days, open windows to allow house to breathe. Decorate safely for the holidays. Do not overload circuits or use worn extension cords.

Other Maintenance Reminders:

Every month run water in unused bathroom sinks so the P-traps do not dry out. Every six months check under all sinks for possible leaks. Pay special attention to hand sprayers; they can potentially loosen as a result of use. They should be hand tightened. Reminder, assure Atrium brand windows are always completely closed before attempting to lock. Always maintain interior temperatures at 75/winter and 85 summer/ whether the home is occupied or not, this will help to avoid excessive drywall cracking.

Tomorrow October 24th is the Magnet School Fair taking place in Henderson, NV. Magnet schools are run by lottery, available to middle schools. Students from across the district may apply to a magnet school/magnet program regardless of the region in which they reside. The purposes of magnet schools/magnet programs are to improve student achievement, promote diversity, and create an awareness of career opportunities relative to the fields of study in which students may be interested.   Magnet school fair will take place at the following location. Students applying for the program must fill out an online application via the website http://magnet.ccsd.net.  

Galleria Mall
10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m

1300 West Sunset Road Henderson NV 89014  

For more information on Magnet schools please visit the following website  http://schools.ccsd.net/jomackey/magnet.htm   Here is a list of Magnet Schools. Most of these schools are located in the North or east of Summerlin.

• Academy of Mathematics, Science and Technology at Bridger Middle School  (89030)
• Academy of Science and Mathematics at Hyde Park (89107)
• James Cashman Middle School Academy of Engineering Studies (89102)
• K. O. Knudson Middle School Academy of Creative Arts, Language and Technology (89104)
• Robert O. Gibson Middle School Dual Language Immersion and Leadership Academy (89107)
• Roy W. Martin Middle School International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (89101)