FOR LAS VEGAS HOMEOWNERS A JULY MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST
In addition to our Independence, the Fourth of July also marks a sort of mid-year pause. Families with kids have by now shuffled them into summertime activities. All graduates have graduated; the gardens have all been started (and some parts of it, even harvested!). This used to be the season for television series reruns, resulting in measurably less TV-watching; but cable programmers have obliterated that notion—and this year, the Rio Olympics will draw much attention back indoors. But for the most part, the beginning of July marks OTY: the undeniably Outdoor Time of Year. It’s the sunny, healthy time of year; time to get out of the kitchen and see how much outdoor cooking can get done. It just feels healthier—even if there are just as many calories in a burger cooked outdoors as in the kitchen. For Las Vegas homeowners who have been telling themselves they would get around to the annual home maintenance chores pretty soon, it’s also the time of year when they are uncomfortably within visual range of many the details that call out for some quality maintaining. A sagging gate that really should be reinforced; paving stones that tree roots are slowly but surely upending—they may not demand attention in December, but—let’s face it—it’s already July!!! The outdoor features most in need of attention are different for every Las Vegas home, but here is a universal maintenance checklist culled from some of the items that commonly deserve attention. They may not be precisely those that warrant your ministrations, but may serve to jog your memory about the ones that make up your own maintenance checklist: Deck & Patio – when the weather’s clear, it’s prime time for staining (it usually is an annual task—no matter what the label on the can promised). Pots & Planters —new ones and old ones deserve “feet” beneath them…or any solution that facilitates draining. The surface beneath will benefit—and likely need less attention of its own later on. Mold — it’s really easy to deal with if it isn’t allowed to accumulate for years. The products that make eradication easy can be found at all Las Vegas hardware stores. Drainage — while you’re out in the yard attending to everything else, keep your eyes open for evidence of runoff where it doesn’t belong. Trace it back to the source: if it’s just the beginning of a drainage issue, dealing with it early can save a lot of expensive grief later on. Windows — pests frequently enter through cracks and openings that develop around window frames. You may need a ladder to be able to spot what ’s developing on top, but if needed, a little caulk will keep your home’s “envelope” intact. A/C — every kind of air conditioner needs to have its filter cleaned or replaced to prevent needless strain on the fan motor. If not July—when? It feels good to have an annual look-see at how your home is standing up to the wear and tear that the past year has rendered. Once any issues have been dealt with, the rest of the summer will be that much more enjoyable. And on the very practical side, if and when you decide to hand your Las Vegas home off to a new owner, the financial rewards for having kept it in prime condition over the years will be measurable. I’ll be here in the meantime—standing by to answer any and all questions about our area’s real estate market!
TOP 5 LAS VEGAS HOME BUYING BARGAINING POINT BASICS
When a new buyer first approaches their initial Las Vegashome buying effort, chances are they have only a general idea of what the process involves. Although they are successful people who have arrived at a juncture in their lives and careers where it’s now possible to buy a home of their own, most of the details—and even the terminology—is specific to this single kind of transaction. More than in most other purchases, there are a number of junctures where negotiations determine the outcome. It’s pretty common to assume that their Las Vegas home buying venture can be wrapped up with a single offer—one that will either be accepted or not. But along the way, from the home loan provider to the title insurer to the seller, other bargaining points frequently appear. A first Las Vegas home buying venture is sure to run more smoothly if these basics don’t come as a bolt from the blue. Most of these five fundamental bargaining point basics might be guessed at, but anticipating them all will put any first-time buyer in a much better-prepared position: Down payment. It’s not true that buyers must put 20% down to buy a house. Or 10%. The amount of the down payment is a bargaining point with the lender, who usually offers trade-off choices. Pre-qualification/Pre-approval. The difference between the two terms can make a difference in how eager some sellers are to talk turkey. Pre-qualified means the lender has received a potential borrower’s information; Pre-approved means the bank has verified it, which presents the buyer in a stronger light. Closing costs. The down payment isn’t the only “up front” cost: there are a variety of other home-buying fees and charges that must be paid before the deal is financed. It’s a myth that the seller is obligated to pay closing costs—it can be a bargaining point, though. Home inspection. The inspection report informs the buyer what might need to be fixed now or at some future time. If the buyer has made an offer contingent on a flawless report, if problems are identified the seller can offer to correct them, pay a named amount for a cash-back credit—or refuse (a “take it or leave it” stance). In any case, it’s another bargaining point. Asking Price/Offering Price. This is the bargaining point that is fundamental in every Las Vegas home buying venture. The seller can accept, reject, or compromise with a counter-offer. Then again, if more than one buyer is interested in a property, stand back: a bidding war could erupt! With all these (and there can be more) bargaining points to deal with, a first-time buyer might feel intimidated. That’s where being able to rely on the experience of a veteran Las Vegas real estate agent is such an advantage. It’s not just that you won’t be surprised by steps in the process—you will have access to the approaches and tactics that have led to success in the post. It’s another good reason why a strategic first call will be to my office!
FRESH IDEAS FOR A MEMORABLE LAS VEGAS OPEN HOUSE
Fresh baked chocolate chip cookies at your Las Vegas open house? It’s been a standard for open houses everywhere and forever, but if the goal is to make your property and its open house a standout, it’s a solution hardly in sync with the goal. Cheese and crackers? C’mon—does anyone really want dubious-looking cheese and cold cuts that have been sitting out for who-knows-how-long…? Stone fruits and berries are at their absolute peak this time of year—so they make for a simple, elegant solution. It’s also one that’s easy to provide and appealing to look at… Then again, if you are planning for your own Las Vegas open house in this summer, you also have the option of upping the ante a bit—while still bringing the fruits of the season inside to the party. To add a delightfully unexpected and memorable surprise to your open house, consider baking a pie or two! Let the mouthwatering aromas fill the air just before show time—and be assured, the effect of that kind of old-fashioned hospitality will linger long and memorable. Of course, it’s necessary to come up with an absolutely stunning pie—and since we aren’t all Julia Child-level kitchen whizzes, a little help might come in handy. Fortunately, help is here. This comes from Susan Hamilton’s book, Hit Woman, her memoir of the commercial music business and her adventures at its apex. Hamilton’s cookery became almost as renowned as her music chops, and in an aside in an early edition, she shares the recipe for “the last pie crust you’ll ever use.” She recounts how it originated with a $1 mail-in classified ad from a long-forgotten Vermont newspaper. Here it is, reproduced (with her permission) for you to try: 3 ¾ c. unbleached flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon sugar ¾ lb cold unsalted butter cut into small cubes (3 sticks) 6 tablespoons cold lard cut into small cubes (about 3/4 stick) ½ c. ice water 1 tablespoon white vinegar 1 whole egg Pulse flour, salt, and sugar in food processor. Mix ice water, egg, and vinegar in a glass measuring cup and set aside. Cut butter and lard into cubes quickly and place in processor. Use about 10 1-second pulses until fat pieces are the size of small peas. With the motor running, slowly pour the liquid into the mixture. When ingredients have almost massed together, dump contents into large mixing bowl and form a big ball with your hands. If necessary, give it a quick knead with the heel of your hand. Divide into 3 or 4 discs (3 for galettes; 4 for 9” crusts), place in Ziploc bags in the fridge for at least a couple of hours. Crusts can be frozen for about 6 months. — — — Looking for an agent to list your Las Vegas house this summer? Whether you plan to bake pies or just eat them this season, I’m here to serve up a creative marketing plan—why not give me a call? 0
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