Many retirement communities have settled in the Las Vegas valley including North Las Vegas, Henderson, and Las Vegas. Once you hit retirement, it can be a challenge on deciding where to live out the rest of your life and what you are looking for in a retirement community.

Today, with Las Vegas home prices being so low and interest rates just hitting an all-time low, there is no better time to look at the advantages of living in the valley; it is definitely a buyer’s market. 

Besides having the “fun stuff” – golfing, boating, shopping, great dining and entertainment – Las Vegas also offers no income tax, lower housing costs, a dry climate and a low cost of living making it an excellent choice for the active adult. In fact, US News named Las Vegas one of the fastest growing retirement spots in the US.

Just one such retirement community is Ardiente. Ardiente is a 55+ active adult community with easy access to I-15 and close access to the strip and airport. If you are looking for activity, it boasts great amenities with 30-fitness station, beautiful parks, and a park for Fido and a community center that will make you feel like you’ve joined an expensive country club. Nearby golf courses include Shadow Creek, Craig Ranch and Sunrise Vista. When the grandkids and family visit, it’s just a day trip away from Hoover Dam, Lake Mojave, Mt. Charleston, Red Rock Canyon, and Death Valley.

It’s easy to be caught up in the dream of retirement and forget the retirement reality of deciding which retirement community is best for you. Ask yourself things such as if you are prepared to buy a whole house, and what size home will provide you with the space you desire but will not be hard to upkeep while getting used to living on a retirement budget. This is what your real estate agent is for – to keep you grounded and help you make the best decision for YOU.

Don’t lose sight that the goal is to enjoy the active retirement lifestyle you have worked so hard for. Cover all the bases and treat this like a business decision.

If you're thinking of buying a home for retirement - or an investment property - think of me! I amYonas Woldu; I can help protect you from making costly home-buying mistakes. Let me help you find your perfect home in a terrific Las Vegas community - or anywhere in Clark County. For the best in personalized attention when selling or buying property in Las Vegas, Green Valley, or other areas of Clark County, contact me today. Be sure to visit my Vegas Real Property website- I am dedicated to helping you in any way possible.

Before putting your Las Vegas house on the market, make it stand out among the others for sale in your area. Buyers feel more comfortable purchasing a home that has been well cared for because if what they can see is maintained, what they can't see has probably also been maintained. The little things can count big to make your house more salable.

Start at the curb, up the walk, through the inside of the house, and out the back door. Treat this walkthrough as if you have never seen this property before. Notice anything that would stand out negatively to a potential buyer. Be honest and objective. You may even employ the help of a friend who will be honest.

Starting at the curb, notice the homes curb appeal.  Keep a neatly trimmed lawn, clip any overgrown shrubs or trees and add color. Keep the sidewalk free from debris, leaves and dirt. As you walk up to the front door, make sure it has a fresh coat of paint on it and a nice “Welcome” mat at the door.

As you walk through the interior of the house, make sure the kitchen and all bathrooms are light, fresh, and clean and smell good! Clean off countertops in both the kitchen and bathrooms to give the allusion of more space and to allow potential buyers to imagine their own things in the home. Check all leaky faucets before showing off the home.

At open house time, it would be wise to bake some cookies to help lure buyers.

Burned-out light bulbs should be replaced. Curtains and blinds should be open to allow as much natural light as possible. If weather permits, open windows for fresh air also. 

As you walk from room to room, look for smudges, holes or dents in doors and walls.  Notice baseboards, cracked windows or stained walls and ceilings. These issues will certainly be noticed by a potential buyer and need to be resolved before anyone looks at the home.

A fresh coat of paint on the walls, after any repairs, will make the walls stand out and give the rooms a fresh clean feeling. At this point, it would be wise to look to any caulking that can be easily replaced such as at windows, doors and other entries. 

Take one more walk through the house looking down at the flooring. Any worn or stained areas of the carpet should be cleaned or replaced. Area rugs are great also - not to hide potential problems but to keep your flooring clean with all the traffic coming through your home. Clean dirty tile grout and repair any large chips in the tile or grout as needed.

As you step out the back door, make sure the backyard is neatly trimmed and as well cared for as the front. If you have a patio, make sure to set out a couple of chairs to make the backyard inviting. Make sure any bricks, concrete, or decking are securely in place.

Caring for your home while you own it will definitely pay off when it’s time for resale.  Showing potential buyers that you loved the house and took time to properly maintain it will make them feel like they are purchasing a great house that is worth taking care of.  

After taking a complete and objective walk through your home, call me. I am Yonas Woldu. I'm ready, willing, and able to help you sell your Vegas home for as much money and in as little time as possible by expert marketing! And, when you're ready to purchase your next home, we are your local Las Vegas and Henderson real estate experts. For the personalized attention you want with selling or buying property in Las Vegas, Green Valley, or other areas of Clark County, contact me today. And be sure to visit my Vegas Real Property website - I am dedicated to helping you in any way possible.

Times are tough, especially in the housing market.  However, if you are in the market to buy a home or investment property, now is the time to take advantage of the low Las Vegas home prices and deals that you can get on foreclosures and short sales.

While foreclosure sales this spring accounted for one third of all homes sold, Nevada foreclosure sales accounted for a whopping two thirds of all real estate transactions – that’s two out of three houses in foreclosure.  These foreclosed homes sold for an average of 21 percent less than the prices that typical homes sold.

Home prices have continued to decline in Las Vegas into the summer as well. In July, SalesTraq reported that real estate-owned sales had a median price of $97,050 and short sales had a median price of $117,500.

RealtyTrac reported that bank-owned homes sold for 40 percent less than the average price of homes; up from 36 percent from the previous quarter and 34 percent from the same quarter one year ago.

This means lower home prices and more negotiating power to you when buying a home. 

When looking at short sales homes, foreclosures or bank owned homes, be sure to take into account if they are distressed properties.  Although typically priced at a big discount they may need major repairs and lower prices for other homes in the neighborhood.

Take advantage of Las Vegas home prices while you can. I am Yonas Woldu, and I can help you find the perfect home or investment property in Las Vegas - or anywhere in Clark County. For the personalized attention, you want with selling or buying property in Las Vegas, Green Valley, or other areas of Clark County, contact me today. I am committed to working with you; I will do the legwork, finding the perfect investment property for you. As investment in Las Vegas property continues to gain attractiveness, you will find that I am dedicated to helping you in every way possible.

In todays Las Vegas housing market, there are many types of investors that can benefit by the low home prices. You don’t have to be looking for a vacation home or strictly an investment property; you can consider a home for your student.

If you have a child attending UNLV in the fall, it’s wise to look near the campus for condos or homes to buy. When you have a child going “away” to college, you can opt for throwing your cash into a dorm room and board fees or you can invest in a condo or home.

Looking at the low homes prices in Las Vegas, it's easy to see that the latter may be a wise decision on your part. Most of the time, you will find that it’s cheaper to buy a home for your child and their roommates than to pay the on-campus housing fees.

For UNLV, on average, the housing fees (which must include dorm meals) for a semester run between $5,000 and $6,000, depending on the room type and number of roommates.  Yearly, that is $10,000-$12,000 and does not include the summer!

Taking into consideration a home price of $200,000, with 20 percent down and an interest rate of 4.5 percent, the mortgage payment would be less than $1,000 per month. Factoring in taxes and assessments brings the total to less than $2,000 a month. If you split that between three other roommates, the answer is clear that buying a home is the way to go.

Not only will roommates help pay for living expenses, but you'll be building up equity for when the house is later sold, instead of just dumping money into on-campus housing where there will be no return on investment.

More upsides of the investment include equity, tax deductions, and perhaps a home that your child can then take over the payments on or you can move into yourselves.

Of course, the decision to buy a home rather than live in a dorm room involves more than simple economics, including how your student feels. 

The advantages of off-campus housing include privacy, parking spaces, your own laundry, and a nicer location with less noise. However, the advantages for some students to on-campus living quarters could include close proximity to classes, campus services and a social, communal atmosphere.

Now is the perfect time to invest in Las Vegas property! I am Yonas Woldu, and I can help you find the perfect home or investment property in Las Vegas – or anywhere in Clark County. For the best in personalized attention when selling or buying property in Las Vegas, Green Valley, or other areas of Clark County, contact me today. I am fully committed to working with you; I will do the legwork, finding the perfect investment property for you. As investment in Las Vegas property continues to gain attractiveness, you will find that I am dedicated to helping you in every way possible.

There are many positive aspects to living in Las Vegas; however for many, the summer heat is not one of them. Having to depend solely on your air conditioner to keep your home cool all summer is costly and energy consuming. 

Here are a few options to keep the heat out of your Las Vegas home while keeping your energy bill low:

Get that Air Circulating
A ceiling fan can be a great investment for your Las Vegas home. Fans don’t use much energy but with the air moving, it can feel much cooler – a whole 5 to 7 degrees cooler. In fact, a large room fan can cost as little as $10 per month in energy costs and is well worth the investment.

Remember, after installing the fan, ensure that it’s set on the summer setting, and the air is blowing downward.

Use Internal Heat Sparingly
Internal heat are those things in your home that generate heat: appliances, lighting and electronic devices. Keep these types of things turned off unless you absolutely need to use them. Keep lighting to a minimum and not only will you keep your home cooler, but you will find a lower energy bill at the end of the month.

Be aware of putting heat-generating appliances, such as lights or televisions, near your air-conditioning thermostat. This is where the temperature is gauged and your well-intentioned thermostat will think your home is warmer than it really is and will make your system run longer and harder than it has to in order to reach the desired temperature.

Stoves and ovens produce a lot of heat. If you need to use them in the heat of the day, use your range fan to help dissipate some of the hot air. Another suggestion is to look at menus to prepare meals that do not use these appliances such as salads, pre-prepared meat that can be eaten later, and precooked meals.

Put Your Window Coverings to Work
It pays to shade your interior. Installing white window shades, drapes or blinds will reflect the heat away from your home. Close the window treatments on windows that are facing the sun; east-facing windows in the morning and west-facing in the afternoon. This will help to keep the sun’s heat out, and your air conditioner will have to work less to cool your home, saving you money and increasing energy efficiency.

Use Landscaping to Your Advantage
Use plants and shrubs to shade your air conditioner unit being careful to not block the airflow. A unit operating in direct sun will use more energy. If your landscape has room for improvement, deciduous trees planted on the south and west sides will keep your house cool in the summer and allow sunlight to warm your house during the winter.

I am Yonas Woldu. I'm ready, willing, and able to help you sell your Vegas home for as much money and in as little time as possible by expert marketing! In addition, when you're ready to purchase your next home, we are your local Las Vegas and Henderson real estate experts. For the personalized attention, you want with selling or buying property in Las Vegas, Green Valley, or other areas of Clark County, contact me today. Moreover, be sure to visit my Vegas Real Property website - I am dedicated to helping you in any way possible.

Looking for a place to call home where you can feel like you are living in a charming small town yet still have the glitz of Vegas just off in the distance?  Look no further than Green Valley Ranch.

Once you starting walking through The District, right in the heart of Green Valley, you will feel like you’ve walked into a small European village complete with cobblestone walkways, European-style buildings and a great park to enjoy some outdoor fun or just kick back and relax.

In the mood for shopping?  With more than 40 retail shops, including some known favorites such as REI, Pottery Barn, and Jos A. Bank. From stores for kids to more unique clothing stores for all ages and ultra-trendy furnishings, you will not easily grow tired of window shopping and finding treasures to take home.

In The District, with its diverse choices of restaurants and cuisine, you will never grow tired of eating at the many restaurants that call Green Valley Ranch home.

If outdoor activities and fun are more your forte, check out The Green where your entire family can ride the merry-go-round, enjoy gelato and even enjoy a movie at the park for free!  Bring a blanket and enjoy either a picnic or complementary popcorn while watching family-friendly movies that the whole family can enjoy. The Green is also a dog-friendly park for those of you who travel with your pets.

From May through October, The District also offers free concerts at The Courtyard every Friday and Saturday night from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. Guests can enjoy everything from country and jazz to Top 40 and Latin.

In Green Valley Ranch, there truly is something for everyone. If you would love to live in a place where you can enjoy a hometown atmosphere and breathtaking views of the city, look to the luxury lofts above the shops. They include a fitness facility, underground parking and a concierge.

I am Yonas Woldu, and I am prepared to help you find your perfect home in Green Valley Ranch - or anywhere in Clark County. For the best in personalized attention when selling or buying property in Las Vegas, Green Valley, or other areas of Clark County, contact me today. Be sure to visit my Vegas Real Property website - I am dedicated to helping you in any way possible.

If you have been looking for an investment property, consider buying a Las Vegas home.  Investors are taking advantage of the low Las Vegas home prices; why shouldn’t you? Out-of-state vacation-home buyers and investors made up a huge percentage of home sales in June. 

A whopping one-third of Vegas home sales in June were from out-of-state buyers, mainly California, buying a vacation home. Additionally, DataQuick reported that 46 percent of all homes sold in June were from absentee buyers, including investors who live in Nevada. 

With the homes' prices being so low, a large number of investors are buying these properties with cash. In fact, 51 percent of those homes sold in June were cash transactions and were purchased well below average prices. 

Although the median home price in June was $115,000, investors and absentee homebuyers paid a median home price of only $94,000.

Understandably, investors and others paying cash tend to focus on the lower-priced homes in Las Vegas; 41 percent of June sales were priced less than $100,000. This is the biggest percentage since the housing market started its correction.

However, it’s important to look at the location before buying. Yes, it could be in a subdivision with lower-priced homes, but the amenities and shopping around the area will help determine how that area and home prices will grow in the future.

The largest portion of sales in June was from distressed sales, a combination of foreclosures and short sales. These accounted for 68.5 percent of the existing home sales in June.

Now is the perfect time to invest in Las Vegas property! I am Yonas Woldu, and I can help you find the perfect home or investment property in Las Vegas – or anywhere in Clark County. For the best in personalized attention when selling or buying property in Las Vegas, Green Valley, or other areas of Clark County, contact me today. I am fully committed to working with you; I will do the legwork, finding the perfect investment property for you. As investment in Las Vegas property continues to gain attractiveness, you will find that I am dedicated to helping you in every way possible.

If you are considering buying a Las Vegas home, you’ve heard the hype – prices are low – buyer’s market – but have you seen the numbers that support the claim? In 2006, the median Las Vegas home price was $285,000. Today, the median price is extremely undervalued at $106,000, which is at an unsustainable level.

"It collapsed so hard that it overcorrected," Mark Boud of Irvine, CA-based Real Estate Economics,  told about 60 real estate professionals at the Las Vegas Midyear Builder Symposium at Alexis Park. "You pay 11 cents on the dollar in mortgage costs, which is incredible and, in fact, unsustainable. We'll never be able to see this affordability again."

According to Las Vegas-based SalesTraq reports, in June 2011, the average existing home price was going for less than $70 a square foot. That’s down 12% from last year and an incredible $30 a foot less than the cost of a new home.

Now are you convinced it’s time to become a homeowner instead of a renter? Not quite? Then look at interest rates: they are the lowest interest rates in 40 years. Combine those low interest rates with the cheap Las Vegas home prices, and you have the leverage you need to be able to buy a larger home for less money.

Anthony Grasst, Regional Sales Manager for MetLife Home Loans in Kirkland, Washington, gives some great financial insight.

"People buy emotionally and justify logically," Grasst said. "How much of the buying decision is financing? About one-third. You have more to fear in rising interest rates than depreciation."

A one-point increase in mortgage interest rate erases 11 percent of household purchasing power, Grasst said. 

This is another reason to take advantage of buying while rates are low and inventory is high.

Just look at the numbers: if you purchase a home at $250,000 with an interest rate of 5.25%, your monthly payment would be $1,242. If the selling price is discounted 3% to $242,500, the payment would drop but would only save you $37 a month.

However, if you instead used that discount to “buy down” the interest rate to 4.25%, the monthly payment would be $1107 and save you $135/month, Grasst calculated.

"Your monthly payment is 11 percent below market and you save $49,000 over the life of the loan," he said. "Explain that rents are susceptible to increasing. Buy now and you're guaranteed low payments for 30 years."

If you would like more information on how buying a Las Vegas Home can be a great option for you, please contact me. I am Yonas Woldu, and I am prepared to help you find your perfect home in a terrific Las Vegas neighborhood - or anywhere in Clark County. For the best in personalized attention when selling or buying property in Las Vegas, Green Valley, or other areas of Clark County, contact me today. Be sure to visit my Vegas Real Property website - I am dedicated to helping you in any way possible.

If you must sell your Las Vegas house in the current market, be wise about making improvements before putting it on the market. You do not want to invest thousands, since when you look at comparables, there may not be a huge price difference between a good property and an excellent property.

The best return on your typical subdivision home is a fresh coat of neutral paint, de-cluttering, and some color for curb appeal to make a good first impression and draw the buyer in. 

Make it Neutral
When you put a fresh coat of neutral paint on the walls, not only does it make your house look clean and well-maintained, it will give potential buyers a clean palate to envision their belongings fitting into the home. This is a simple and quick DIY project with a low price tag.

Take Out the Clutter
It’s hard to see the potential in a home when you as a buyer are wading through someone else’s clutter. Unnecessary clutter can make rooms appear smaller, and you want your home to appear as large and spacious as possible. 

Before putting your house on the market, it’s wise to get rid of any furniture and accessories that aren’t absolutely necessary to a room. You may want to rent a small storage unit to store unneeded things so that buyers can see your house in all its glory instead of trying to see over all your furniture or family treasures.

A Little Color can Go a Long Way
Although you need not invest a lot of sweat or money into landscaping at this point, putting some color leading up to the front door, and keeping trees and bushes trimmed neatly will cheerfully draw in buyers. Most of the sellable inventory in Las Vegas right now is distressed REO or trustee sale flips which come with a lot of deferred maintenance and some with a lot of damage.

Giving your home a little bit of curb appeal will not only give a first good impression to buyers but will show that your home is worth being well-maintained and will make them eager to see the inside.

I am Yonas Woldu.  I'm ready, willing, and able to help you sell your Vegas home for as much money and in as little time as possible by expert marketing! And, when you're ready to purchase your next home, we are your local Las Vegas and Henderson real estate experts. For the personalized attention you want with selling or buying property in Las Vegas, Green Valley, or other areas of Clark County, contact me today. And be sure to visit my Vegas Real Property website - I am dedicated to helping you in any way possible.

If you are looking for Las Vegas homes to buy as investment properties, now is a great time!  Home prices have never been lower and interest rates are still relatively low. With such a great opportunity, now you just need to make sure you buy the properties that will give you the biggest return.

In finding the right properties, there are some very important rules to follow or you may be hanging on to that property longer than anticipated.

Will People Gravitate to the Neighborhood:
Although it may be an older part of town, this is not always an immediate turnoff. There are great reasons for people to prefer older homes in more established neighborhoods. You could invest wisely in an area that is due for an urban redevelopment project. Find out what is planned for that area, what improvements and new building is set to be done, and you may find that it is worth the gamble.

Take a Good Look at the Entire Area:
While it is important to look at neighborhood comps and other properties on the street, it is also vital to look at the whole area within the neighborhood. Take note as to what the area has to offer. Most people live within their neighborhood - this means shopping, eating and other basic necessities. Look for well-maintained shopping centers, new restaurants, nice parks and other amenities offered within a reasonable distance.

Research the Schools:
Do your homework and make sure the property is zoned for A+ schools. If the schools are lacking, this can be a major deterrent if it is a home and neighborhood targeted to families. It may be best to pass up a single-family home that is not located in a good school district, because it will take longer to sell and will not appeal to a major percentage of your real estate market.

Real Estate investment is all about the LOCATION. If you do the right research, you can make the right decisions in buying the properties that will sell quickly and be the most profitable.

Now is the perfect time to invest in Las Vegas property! I am Yonas Woldu, and I can help you find the perfect home or investment property in Las Vegas - or anywhere in Clark County. For the best in personalized attention when selling or buying property in Las Vegas, Green Valley, or other areas of Clark County, contact me today. I am fully committed to working with you; I will do the legwork, finding the perfect investment property for you. As investment in Las Vegas property continues to gain attractiveness, you will find that I am dedicated to helping you in every way possible.