Hi everyone,

David Brownell here at the beginning of another wonderful weekend in Las Vegas!

It is warming up again here in town and we all will need to take a couple of steps towards protecting our most valuable investment, our home. Take a close look at the following suggestions found in VIEW BOULDER CTIY, A Las Vegas Review Journal publication.

“Be aware of fire risks in your home in summer months”

With an increase in temperatures comes an increased chance of fires in homes and businesses, according to Las Vegas Fire & Rescue. The organization has a list of past fires and ways to prevent them from happening.

REFRIGERATORS/FREEZERS
Many people have refrigerators and freezers in a garage or storage room that lacks air conditioning. In order to keep the inside cold, the compressor must work extra hard to make up for the heat difference. When the compressor is working, it gets extremely hot and can cause a fire.

Refrigerators and freezers that are kept on wood floors, carpet or near accumulated trash have caused fires in homes across the valley. Refrigerators and freezers kept in the home don’t have to work as hard.

EXTENSION CORDS
Extension cords can cause fires if used with some appliances. They shouldn’t be used with refrigerators, freezers or air-conditioning units, as extension cords are not designed to carry the required electric load.

CHEMICALS
Any chemicals left in direct sunlight can cause a fire. Paints, fuels and others can explode in some cases.

AIR CONDITIONERS AND FANS
Check equipment for frayed wires and keep them clean. Fans can accumulate dust and dirt around the motor, which can cause a fire. Vacuum the fan to keep the motor clean. Air-conditioner units should be maintained by a qualified technician at least once every two years.

ITEMS IN VEHICLES
Items in vehicles can explode or melt in some cases. Any type of aerosol can should not be left in vehicles, especially in direct sunlight. Other items, such as compact discs and DVDs, can be damaged. Small electronic devices, such as cell phones, cameras and iPods, can be damaged because of heat inside the vehicle, which can reach temperatures of 160 degrees.

Many thanks to the writers and editors at VIEW BOULDER CTIY for keeping us informed.

The David Brownell Team remains dedicated to bringing all sorts of information to the public about life and living in Las Vegas and it’s surrounding communities.

Stop back by and see us again soon… and have a great weekend!

David

Hello again everybody,

WOW! The DMV has really come a loooooong way!

Today I spent my morning trying to register a new vehicle and get my driver’s license up-to-date. I must admit, I was not looking forward to it. Who ever enjoys a trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles? From my first trip as a nervous 15 year old and every visit since then, I learned to prepare for frustration, futility, and mind-numbing boredom.

Well I am happy to say those days are gone, hopefully forever. I was in and out in less than 2 hours and everybody was courteous and professional. Even the other persons that waited with me were nice to be around.

The key, I think, was preparation. I had all my paperwork in order and I knew what to expect because I had visited their website, which can be found here: Nevada DMV

With so many residents moving here every month, I thought it would be nice to publish this information for them:

New Resident Tip Sheet

New residents have 30 days to obtain a Nevada Driver License and 60 days to obtain Vehicle Registration. The fine for failing to register your vehicle is $250 - $500.

Items Needed for Typical Transfers
DRIVER LICENSE
• Your Valid, State-Issued Driver License or ID Card
This must contain your name and date of birth. If your license is expired, suspended or revoked, contact us to determine what you need to do. You must surrender this and it will be returned to your previous state for cancellation. You must also provide additional proof of identity as outlined below.
• Proof of Your Social Security Number
If your social security number is not printed on your driver license, you will need to bring your social security card or other proof of your number.
• Additional Proof of Identity
We do not accept other states’ licenses, instruction permits or ID cards as proof of identity. Please bring one of the documents listed in addition to your license, permit or ID card.
Proof of Identity Documents
Certified U.S. Issued Birth Certificate or Certified Abstract (hospital copies are not accepted)
U.S. Passport
U.S. Military Identification or Military Report of Separation
Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization
Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood
Consular Report of Birth Abroad
Permanent or Temporary Resident Card
Resident Alien Card or I-551 Receipt
Valid Foreign Passport stamped “Processed for I-551”
Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) with Visa or Passport
Permit to Reenter the U.S.
Refugee Travel Documents
Maiden Names/Name Changes - You must present documentation of any name change if you will be presenting a proof of identity document that does not contain your current legal name. This may include a marriage certificate, divorce decree, adoption records or court order. See Name Changes.

All documents must be originals. We do not accept photocopies. If you cannot meet these requirements, contact us before applying for a license, permit or ID.
Residents of all U.S. territories and foreign countries must meet the Proof of Identity requirements and take vision, knowledge and skills tests.

VEHICLE REGISTRATION
• Nevada Proof of Liability Insurance
Out of state insurance is not acceptable. Make sure the name(s) on your insurance and registration match exactly. Motorists who do not maintain coverage from a Nevada-licensed carrier are subject to a registration suspension and reinstatement fee. You must notify your agent or company that you have moved to Nevada or purchase a policy here.
• Nevada Smog Check Certificate (If Needed)
Emissions inspections are required on gasoline and diesel powered cars and trucks, 1968 and newer, based in and around the Las Vegas and Reno areas. New vehicles are exempt on their first and second registrations. Diesel vehicles with a manufacturers gross vehicle weight rating over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight are also exempt. You must have the test completed in Nevada.
• Your Current Registration Slip(s)
Nearly all trailers must be registered and titled.
• Title(s), Unless Held By Lien holder
You have the option of retaining your out-of-state title. We strongly suggest getting a Nevada title if possible.
• VIN Check(s)
Vehicle Identification Number inspections are done at DMV offices. At larger offices, drive to the inspection station outside the main office first. In the Minden area, visit an Authorized Inspection Station.
• Your Out-of-State License Plates
Bring them into the office with you.
• Fees - Cash, Check, Money Order, E- Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Amex
Use our online fee quote service for an estimate of registration fees, which are partially based on vehicle value. Have your VIN ready and click here or log on to www.dmvnv.com.

Driving Tests
All applicants take a vision test. Other tests will be waived if:
• You are age 25 or older and have no special restrictions, and
• Your out-of-state license is valid and you are applying for the same class of license, and
• You have no more than 2 moving violations, no suspensions, revocations, cancellations or denials in the past 4 years and no DUI conviction within the past 7 years.
If you do not meet all of these requirements, you will have to take a written test and possibly a skills test. All license applications are checked through the national Problem Driver Pointer System.

Special driver license testing and endorsements are required to tow multiple trailers or trailers in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Motor Voter
You can register to vote while applying for your driver license.

Handicapped Parking
Nevada issues a placard which can be used on any vehicle or special license plates. The disabled resident must obtain a DMV application and have it signed by a licensed physician. See License Plates. Temporary placards are also available for short-term disabilities.

Personalized/Specialty License Plates Personalized plates are limited to 7 letters and/or numbers. Specialty plates are available for Nevada universities, veterans, Purple Heart recipients, Ex-Prisoners of War, classic cars and a number of special groups and charitable causes. You may order personalized plates in advance of moving to Nevada. Visit our web site for details.

Motorcycles & Mopeds
Motorcyclists are required to wear helmets and possess a Class M license. Nevada transfers most motorcycle endorsements.
Mopeds 50cc or less, with less than 2 horsepower, do not have to be registered and you do not need a Class M license. However, you must have a valid Class C or higher license.

Boats
Water vessels are registered with the Nevada Division of Wildlife. Trailers are registered with DMV.

Contact DMV

Web Site www.dmvnv.com
E-Mail info@dmv.state.nv.us
Telephone
Las Vegas Area and 24-Hour Recorded Info (702) 486-4368
Reno/Sparks/Carson City (775) 684-4368
Rural Nevada (Toll Free) (877) 368-7828
TDD for the hearing impaired only (775) 684-4904

I hope you found this useful.

Sincerely,

David

Spotting Rogue Movers Before They Have Your Goods

The Better Business Bureau System logged more than 9,000 complaints in 2006 against movers. While there are thousands of reputable moving companies, there are times when the experience is not so positive.

Rogue movers can be hard to spot. They often give low-ball estimates over the phone or Internet without ever visiting your home or seeing the items you want to move. How can they possibly know how much to charge you sight-unseen?

Once your household goods are on their truck, they demand more money before they will deliver or unload them. Consumers tell the Better Business Bureau that their goods have been held hostage and many have been forced to pay more than the initial estimate in order to get their goods back.

The Better Business Bureau and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration suggest that your best defense is to recognize a rogue mover before they have your household goods. Here are some “red flags” to look for:

• The mover or broker does not offer or agree to an on-site inspection of your household goods. They only give you an estimate over the phone or Internet. The estimates often sound too-good-to-be-true. In reality, they usually are.

• The moving company’s only form of acceptable payment is cash or a large deposit before the move.

• The company’s Web site has no local address and no information about licensing or insurance.

• The company claims all goods are covered by their insurance.

• The mover does not provide you with a copy of “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move,” a booklet movers are required by Federal regulations to supply to their customers in the planning stages of interstate moves.

• Offices and warehouse are in poor condition or nonexistent.

• On moving day a rental truck arrives rather than a company-owned and marked fleet truck.

The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to:

• Obtain a cost estimate in writing, preferably after a walk-through of your home or apartment.

• Don’t select a mover based on price alone. In many cases, you get what you pay for.

• If you have a bad feeling about your mover’s tactics or charges, stop the move before your household goods are loaded on the truck.

Start planning your move by reviewing Better Business Bureau business reliability reports at www.Better Business Bureau.org to help you find trustworthy carriers before making any hiring decisions or signing any contracts.

David

So, this is great news for both buyers and sellers. For buyers, 30 year fixed mortgage rates were right around 6% today. . . . That is the lowest rate in quite some time. And with the potential bottom of the market occurring right now, there may never be as good a time to buy a home in Las Vegas as in the next few months. . . . While inventory is still high and you can pick the very best home for you.

For sellers, it may only be a short time before prices stabilize and begin to make a move in the upward direction. In fact, according to Murphy and Bottfeld, new home prices actually increased in August, which is yet another sign that the situation in the market is possibly reversing.

So, if you are thinking of buying, it may be time to get serious. Contact us today to learn about our David Brownell Team Best Buys List. Our Team digs deep and discovers the absolute best deals available in our marketplace, both new and resale homes. We offer the list (which is updated every other day) to all our prospective clients. These deals are so great that they are on the market for only a few days. . . .Yes, even in this “down” market.

And if you are thinking of selling, contact us to learn what you need to be doing to make sure you will sell for top dollar, even during these difficult times. In fact, we have a Special Report that I prepared, specific to the Las Vegas market entitled “How to Sell Your Las Vegas Home for Top Dollar. . . .Even in this Down Market.” Request your copy today!

We can be reached on our office number (702) 220-9696 or toll free (800) 321-2065. Or alternatively, you can email me directly at David@LasVegasMove.com.

Have a great day!

David

P.S. I have attached an internet article regarding the interest rate adjustment that occurred today. Enjoy.

Sep 18, 3:03 PM EDT

Federal Reserve Cuts Key Interest Rate

By MARTIN CRUTSINGER
AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve cut a key interest rate for the first time in four years, seeking with an aggressive half-point move to prevent a steep housing slump and turbulent financial markets from triggering a recession.

The Fed announced Tuesday that it was reducing its target for the federal funds rate, the interest that banks charge each other, from 5.25 percent to 4.75 percent. The half-point reduction was double the quarter-point move that many economists had been expecting.

The action was designed to boost economic growth by lowering borrowing costs for millions of consumers and businesses. Commercial banks were expected to quickly match the Fed’s action by cutting their prime lending rate. The prime rate has been at 8.25 percent for the past 15 months.

The Fed’s action came in the midst of the worst slump in housing in 16 years. That downturn has triggered record defaults in sub-prime mortgages and roiled financial markets around the globe as investors have become worried about where the spreading credit problems will next appear.

The financial market turmoil represents the first major test for Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, who took over from the venerable Alan Greenspan in February 2006.

In addition to cutting the federal funds rate by a half point, the central bank also reduced its discount rate, the interest it charges in making direct loans to banks, by a half-point as well.

The Fed had also cut the discount rate on Aug. 17 as it scrambled to respond to the growing credit crisis.

In explaining its action Tuesday, the Fed said that “the tightening of credit conditions has the potential to intensify the housing correction and to restrain economic growth more generally.”

I came across a great article this week that answers a question we hear from many of our clients recently;

“What should we remodel to help us get more for our home when we sell it?”

The article listed 10 things that will add value to your home. But then the article went even further and listed 10 that will detract from the value. I had never really thought about it from that angle before. I was intrigued.  I was surprised by a few on the list.

For those who are interested, I have included the link below.

20-Things-That-Can-Alter-the-Value-of-Your-Home 

If you, like so many others, have questions like this but are having a tough time finding an answer, please feel free to email me at David@LasVegasMove.com or call us toll-free at (800)-321-2065  

My research team will send you all the information you need, including statistics, maps, and links to many other great articles too.

This is just another way we strive to be your real estate team for life.

Have a great day!

David 

I spoke with a colleague at Mark Baker’s Invitation Only Real Estate Town Meeting event…It was during a break…we just kind of drifted off to one side of the room and began talking about the Las Vegas real estate market and all its happenings.  We were a few minutes into our conversation when this person laid all the blame for the market shift on “those damn high interest rates“. We continued to talk for several more minutes but my mind was elsewhere. His comment had sent my mind racing. I remember thinking WOW! Are people really thinking that interest rates are high?

Now, I wasn’t selling homes, not in Las Vegas, not anywhere, when the 18%+ rates were around in the 1980s.  So this is not going to be a trip back to yesteryear… this is not one of those, “And we had to walk 10 miles each way to and from school…Uphill…both ways.”

 We all remember those stories.

No, I am going to talk about real estate of the 1990s…seems like just yesterday… Back when real estate times were “normal”… When getting an interest rate around 7% was a day of celebration for our clients.  I remember 1993, when rates dipped into the 6%’s for the first time.  People were refinancing like crazy.  There was a feeling of optimism and confidence in the air.

And yet today, with rates hovering around 6.5%, people are complaining about “those damn high interest rates.”  It’s going to take a little time for perceptions to change.  Just like Sellers have been slow to adjust current prices away from those achieved by their neighbors in 2005, it is going to take a bit of time for buyers to remember that an interest rate between 6% and 7% is darn good. Fantastic, even.

And when these perceptions do change, I believe we are going to see many of the buyers who are sitting on the sidelines right back buying houses again.  So, if you are considering purchasing a home, you might reconsider how low interest rates really are today. And something else for you to consider; there are so many houses on the market right now, buyers have incredible negotiating power!

And, of course, if you need any advice or consultation about Las Vegas real estate or life and living here in the Las Vegas Valley, please feel free to contact me at David@LasVegasMove.com. 

My Team and I are ready to help…or just answer a simple question or two. 

Have a great day. 

P. S. Does anyone know how low interest rates dipped during the last 10 years?  It would be interesting (and fun) to look at the answers we would get…both the correct, researched answers, and our first guesstimates. 

Last Wednesday, July 25^th, Mark Baker, one of our preferred lenders and in the  top 200 mortgage lenders in the United States, held an “Invitation Only” Real Estate Town Meeting where he provided his “never before seen” results of research and personal insight. 

He spoke at great length about the serious issues facing the mortgage industry today caused by loan defaults and foreclosures. Mark’s research skills are legendary.  On a daily basis he spends long hours digging…contemplating…calculating…learning.  Needless to say, his work and analysis are comprehensive and well respected. Some of the most significant information passed on during the meeting was his discussion of why, how, and when the Las Vegas market would rebound.  This is the question on everyone’s mind. Buyer, seller, investor…you name it… everybody is curious about this all-important answer.

The conclusions and recommendations made by Mark and his special guest, a gentleman considered one of Las Vegas’ strongest sources of real estate information, have illuminated some incredible opportunities for sellers, buyers, and investors too.

Tonight, I am sharing those thoughts on a special seller-only conference call.  This conference call will contain critical inside-information that we all need to achieve our goals in this market. Next, we will have a conference call for our buyers and also share this specialized and important information with them.

Additionally, we are working on a new project that is going to be available to our investor clients in the very near future.

We would love the opportunity to share this information with you too.  Please feel free to contact us on our toll free hotline (800) 321-2065 or send me an email at DavidBrownell@LasVegasMove.com.

Thank you for visiting our Las Vegas Move real estate blog and have a great day.

David

Wow! 

     Well, here I am . . . . And it’s three months later!  About that April blog blastoff:  I didn’t realize all that I didn’t know about blogging and the whole blog world.  How fascinating.  And frustrating and time-consuming and, ultimately, satisfying. What a strong commitment this whole process requires. 

     Know that I am committed to the LasVegasMove.com’s real estate blog because I realize that there are thousands of folks out there who move to Southern Nevada every month…..And many more who are currently just gathering information in anticipation of relocating to Las Vegas.  I believe you need a competent, credible and newsworthy source to assist you in collecting your data.

     Whether it is acquiring information about Las Vegas’ communities and neighborhoods, getting the inside scoop about a particular elementary or middle school, or learning about some of the most up-to-date chatter about life and living in Las Vegas, I want this to be our customers and friends’ first and only stop on the Internet.

     If you have questions about something you have heard, or if you just need more information about anything Las Vegas, please feel free to contact me.  I will share with you what we know and, if necessary, ask one of my team members to dig deeper and personally research the item for you.

You can look forward to reports on places to live in Las Vegas, updates on the “Manhattanization of Las Vegas” and the high-rise craze that has swept through the Valley. You will get reports on the newest proliferation of casino and hotel developments along the Las Vegas “Strip,” and a host of other hot topics that I believe will benefit the person or family looking into moving to Las Vegas.

So… Welcome again and we look forward to building an informative and fruitful blog with you.

Sincerely,

Today is the opening day of the LasVegasMove.com real estate blog.  Our blog will feature up to date information about Las Vegas, its real estate, and related information about life and living in the Las Vegas valley.

It is our mission to offer the best blog information available to folks looking to move to Las Vegas or within Las Vegas.

 We welcome your suggestions for topics and look forward to your comments.

Get ready.  We’re coming soon.