Create Your Own Customized Home Search for Las Vegas

As the Internet gets more sophisticated, online consumers are getting much more focused in their search for property. But many sites don't include customized links to the features that are most important to home buyers, and only allow them to do a search by generic criteria like size, price range or city.

That's why we have created customized search links for the Las Vegas real estate market on our site for some of the most popularly requested amenities like RV/Boat parking, homes with casitas or guest houses, homes with pools, homes in specific neighborhoods and single story ranch style homes. In addition, our dynamic search engine allows visitors to search by multiple school zones, for foreclosures or short sales, in gated communities, by age, number of garages, etc.

Check out just a few of our customized searches below!

• Las Vegas homes with pools
• Las Vegas homes with casitas
• Las Vegas homes with RV parking
• Las Vegas single story homes 
• Las Vegas homes by zip codes 
• Las Vegas luxury homes

You can also define your search criteria in great detail by going to http://www.greatlasvegashomes.com/idx/. 

In addition, there are some amenities that are not available in the public online databases that can only be set up by real estate agents in the official Las Vegas MLS system. If you want a specialized search for unique needs like handicap accessibility, horse properties, downstairs master bedrooms, basements, etc., please feel free to reach out to us and we will personally look up properties for you and send them to your email with all available photos.

You can either email us at sold@greatlasvegashomes.com or call 702-985-7654. We have more than 30 years of experience in the local Las Vegas market, and are happy to assist you to find the perfect property! 

How Can MultiGenerational Buyers Find Homes with Casitas Online?

 

Statistics show that today 20% to 25% of American families are caring for an aging parent or have an adult child living with them. That's up about 60% from 1990's statistics.

 

Especially in the Vegas Valley, with its rapidly growing retirement population, requirements for a home with a casita are becoming more and more frequent. So Las Vegas new home developers are building all new floor plans with casitas, guest houses or dual master options to accommodate this burgeoning housing trend.

 

The problem: more than 80% of Buyers use the Internet to browse prospective properties. But it can be hard to search by casitas or guest houses online to find the right floor plan. That's why we've set up dedicated pages on our web site to help people purchasing homes in Las Vegas or Henderson, Nevada locate specific properties with casitas or guest houses.

 

To view ALL the resale homes in the Las Vegas Valley offering casitas or guest houses, go to:

 

Las Vegas Homes with Casitas 

 

As of today, there are 205 homes on the market with casitas in a variety of price ranges from $120k to $30M. (The $30M property is Wayne Newton's former ranch. Check it out - it's fun just to view the photos!)

If you know what area you want to live in, we also have resale homes with casitas listed by neighborhood for the 18 communities that most often have that option available, including Anthem, Summerlin, Centennial Hills, Rhodes Ranch, Mountains Edge, Tuscany Village and Lake Las Vegas. 

 

If you are more interested in a brand new home with a casita, just give us a call at 702-985-7654 or email sold@greatlasvegashomes.com and we can send you all the new homes in your price range along with the floor plans. There are 22 new home floor plans currently available with casita options, ranging from $295k to $3M.

 

We also have special customized searches on our site for other frequent requests, including: homes with RV parking, one story ranch style homes, homes with pools, homes by school zone and homes by zip code. To find your dream home with all the amenities you want, go to:

 

Customized Las Vegas Home Searches

 

We hope you find these customized searches helpful, and we look forward to helping all our clients with special needs find just the right home for their families!

Post Your Local Las Vegas Business on Our Site!

We have started a new section on our web site for local Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas and Boulder City businesses! 

As a local business owner, we would be pleased to post an "about us" page for your business or service on our site to be used as a permanent resource for our current customers and future home buyers and sellers who live in the Valley. (We are just getting started with this, but we hope to grow it into a large informative directory by the end of the year.)

Just write a short "about us" article and send it to us along with the URL of your web site.  (I will use a screen shot of your site as the photo for your page unless you care to provide your own photo.) Here is a page we posted for Raysco Carpet Cleaners to use as an example:

http://www.greatlasvegashomes.com/carpet-cleaning.php

This is FREE advertising for your business! All we ask in return is that you post a Search Button on the homepage of your web site and link it to the Las Vegas MLS Search at:

http://www.greatlasvegashomes.com/idx/. 

It is our hope is that this mutual promotional exchange will bring both of us more business in the future and become a go to source for residents of the Las Vegas Valley!

Contact diann@greatlasvegashomes.com for more details.

Las Vegas Sees Steady Appreciation in 2013

Here's an article from the Las Vegas Review Journal about the overall appreciation for the Las Vegas Valley during 2013. In addition, I have posted a list by zip code of the price changes between 2012 and 2013 for all the zip codes in Las Vegas.

Most ZIP Codes in Las Vegas Valley see growth in home values

By HUBBLE SMITH
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

After spending years deep in the red, Las Vegas home price appreciation rates returned to the black in 2012 in all but three of the valley’s 58 ZIP codes, SalesTraq housing research firm reported.

The largest gain was in ZIP code 89030, an area of North Las Vegas around Interstate 15 and Cheyenne Avenue, where median home prices increased 21.1 percent last year, to $45,000.

Ironically, 89030 was also one of the hardest-hit ZIP codes for foreclosures, not just in the Las Vegas Valley, but in the nation. That same turnabout is reflected in many of the ZIP codes that posted double-digit appreciation in 2012.

“In terms of rate of price appreciation, select areas that were hardest-hit have seen some pickup in the last year as prices over-corrected in those areas,” SalesTraq housing analyst Brian Gordon said. “They experienced greater-than-average depreciation and they now have some of the greatest demand and lowest availability, which have helped to drive prices north.”

The negative numbers came in outlying areas such as 89085, the northern-most ZIP code in the Aliante master-planned community of North Las Vegas. Prices dropped 3.5 percent there, from $168,000 in 2011 to $162,100 last year.

Buyers are less willing to pay higher prices for homes that are farthest away from their place of employment, shopping centers, parks and schools, Gordon said. Areas closer to the Beltway in Aliante, such as 89084 and 89086, showed 3.5 percent and 2.9 percent appreciation, respectively.

Home values in Boulder City (89005), which was not included in previous ZIP code reports, depreciated 8.5 percent to $151,000 in 2012.

“If you look at the Las Vegas Valley, you’d see that nearly every ZIP code showed positive appreciation,” Gordon said. “The areas that experienced the most significant growth are ZIP codes in and around master-planned communities like Summerlin and Anthem.”

ZIP code 89052, which includes Anthem, posted the second-highest appreciation rate at 20.8 percent, with a median price of $232,000. That’s up $40,000 from 2011.

Read the entire article in The RJ

Get a Loan One Day Out of Foreclosure!

A local Las Vegas lender is thinking outside the box with three brand new loan programs for Nevada home buyers! These mortgages are truly unique and no other lender is offering them.

1. Fresh Start Program - One day out of foreclosure or short sale with 20% down payment! If you've been told before that you had to wait one to seven years to purchase a home, wait no more. This program is designed for owner occupants only, and the interest rates are outstanding.
2. 5% Down Jumbo Loan Program - This program is designed for owner occupants, but vacation home buyers can also get in on it with 10% down.
3. 5% Down High Rise Loans - No other lender in Nevada has 5% down mortgages for high rise condos. The 5% down program is for owner occupants, but second home buyers can also purchase a high rise with 10% down.
4. 5% Down "Unwarrantable Condo Loans - most residential condos in Las Vegas cannot be financed because of owner occupant to renter ratios. This has put a real damper on condo sales over the past 7 years. Now owner occupants can buy a condo with as little as 5% down in any project that does not have structural litigation, opening up a whole world of possibilities instead of just a handful. And second home owners can have the same opportunity with 10% down.

For more details on each of these exciting new loans, go to New Nevada Mortgage Loan Programs. Or call 702-985-7654.

These programs are only for properties purchased inside the state of Nevada by US citizens.

Still can't qualify quite yet but want to buy a home? Try private money mortgages. The interest rate is high, but over the long term it may be much cheaper than the price increases the Las Vegas Valley has been experiencing.

Is Marijuana the new “Pot of Gold” for Real Estate

Oh happy day!

Since recreational marijuana became legalized in Colorado, hordes of new residents have relocated to the Centennial State, and in Denver alone, more than 4.5 million square feet of space has been dedicated for commercial cultivation facilities, storage and distribution, and retail shops. Talk about your Mile High City - that’s over 78 football fields for you Bronco fans!

Commercial and residential purchasers in Colorado urban areas are scrambling to find new locations, something that is much easier said than done with the restrictions in place for local zoning ordinances. Prices have already zoomed for both residential and commercial real estate, and commercial real estate, in particular, is in short demand.

As a consequence of that shortage, the Las Vegas real estate market is already seeing the early stages of a new boom driven by cannabis consumers. Even though medical marijuana applications have a temporary moratorium in place, experts in the industry expect to have recreational marijuana legalized by 2016 at the latest. After seeing what happened in Colorado, investors are already staking their claim to prime locations in Las Vegas. (In order to accommodate these investors more efficiently, we are already developing our new web site for Las Vegas Marijuana Real Estate. Updates to current zoning regulations should be posted by the beginning of April.)

We have gotten numerous calls from national name brand companies that are diversifying their portfolios into what looks to be a highly lucrative new “field.” (Sorry for all the bad puns, but I can’t seem to help myself!) Quite a number have already tied up commercial warehouse space in Clark County for future cultivation facilities.

But don’t expect to see a boatload of marijuana dispensaries along Las Vegas Boulevard. Though the Strip and downtown Fremont Street would seem logical spots for retail pot shops, marijuana sales are prohibited in any of the gaming corridors, in addition to the normal zoning restrictions about being close to churches or schools.

Another more subjective concern is that local authorities do not want to bring potential crime into what are now low crime areas. That means you won’t be seeing a retail shop near Summerlin homes or close to Anthem Country Club any time soon, even once both medical marijuana and recreational marijuana are legalized. You’ll probably have to drive a bit to get to your favorite dispensary.

And individual homeowner’s associations may/will prohibit growing marijuana crops in private homes. If you want “room to grow” you may need to look for a house outside of an HOA. It actually might not be a bad idea to start looking right now for a potential grow home. We expect to see a residential population shift to the unincorporated areas of Clark County once recreational MJ is legalized, which will drive up prices in the non HOA communities. You don’t want to be priced out of that market and have your dreams go “up in smoke.”

When is the Best Time to Sell A Home?

December is a GREAT month to sell!

If you have been thinking of selling your home in Las Vegas after the first of the year,  here are three great reasons you may want to consider listing right away.  

1.       Even though buyers are much more scarce during the holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the ones that are out looking are serious.  You get fewer looky loos disturbing your routine. Many sudden corporate relocations take place at this time of year, and the buyers usually have a short time span to purchase before they have to move. They will take advantage of the extra time off from work to make a decision.

2.       Buyers are also more prone to make an emotional spur-of-the-moment decision during the holidays.  It's a great opportunity to decorate your home festively and make it warm and inviting.

3.       There is less competition during the holiday season. Many sellers take their property off the market so they won't be bothered while they are trying to get ready.  Inventory is historically lower at this time of year than any other.

If you are unsure about what your home is worth, just let us know and we will prepare a free market analysis with the latest comparable sales. Just fill out our online form at:

 http://www.greatlasvegashomes.com/home-evaluation.php

We'll get back to you right away!

Life Long Dreams for Disabled Children

A special thanks to friend and fellow real estate agent, Sam Wagmeister, who wrote this article and is diligent about keeping the public informed of these very special events. My brother Doug, while not Downs Syndrome, is a special mentally challenged man, and he would absolutely love to be part of a program like this. One of his favorite things to do is to buzz cut his hair, put on his white jacket and shades and pretend to be Tom Cruise in Top Gun.

 

Kathleen "Kat" Ray, the reigning Ms. Senior Nevada, stepped to the stage just over two years ago clutching the hand of a Down Syndrome teenage girl and the two greeted the audience in song. Responding with teary eyes, the spectators burst into a standing ovation as the final notes reverberated through the theater. 

 

 

Sunday afternoon Life Long Dreams will present great entertainment with an Open House in their new offices. The cast of performers is reminiscent of that earlier inspirational presentation. Life Long Dreams is a non-profit struggling in today's economy to help kids "transform disability into special ability through the arts." This year, the stage, the theater seating, the theatrical lighting will be gone but... the level of performance, the quality of the performers and the commitment of the organization remains as strong as ever. Among those contributing their time and talents to raise needed funds for these great, talented disabled  kids are:

• Lambus Dean, star of the 1-man Sammy Davis tribute
• Ronnie Rose perennial vocal favorite
• BMA award winner Genevieve
• Ramon Scruggs, Motown and R&B vocalist
• Woody Woods, pianist and composer
• Bee J Kunkle, former Mouseketeer
• Greg Austin, lead singer in Magic of Motown at South Point
• Mark OToole, crooner and host of The Vegas Voice Afternoon Affair at Sunset Station
• Jazzin' Jeannie Brie, jazz and swing era singer
• Willie Fish, drummer
• Vita Corimbi of Menopause the Musical
• Lisa Gay, vocalist
• Tony Drake, guitarist with Lou Rawls and others
• LJ Harness, Helping Hands of Las Vegas 'Man of the Year' Honoree
• Tribute artist Peter Pavone
• Saxophonist Martin Mancuso
• ...and more to come

Life Long Dreams inspires the disabled children and young adults to follow their dream and express their creativity through performing and visual arts. Many of the children's and young adult's paintings will be on display and available for purchase. A silent auction is planned and refreshments will be served. 

100% of all proceeds will go to the continuing operation of Life Long Dreams. 

The Open House is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 24, 2:00-4:00 PM in the new offices of Life Long Dreams, 1785 E. Sahara Av., between Maryland Parkway and Eastern. Look for Suite 360. Admission is a $10 donation and refreshments will be provided. 

For a 3-minute promotional video showcasing the kids and goals of Life Long Dreams, click here. 

For a deeper meaning of what Life Long Dreams brings to their kids, grab a box of Kleenex and spend 10 minutes watching this video...click here. 

Please plan to attend, or donate by clicking here and locating the Donate button at the top of the page. 

Special thanks to Genevieve Dew for her tireless efforts in helping to keep for these great kids their Life Long Dreams.

 

To attain the dream of home ownership, search homes for sale in Las Vegas.

Halloween in Anthem Country Club!

In every city, there are certain streets that become famous for their holiday celebrations, drawing crowds of participants. Among the best neighborhoods in Las Vegas for Halloween treats is Anthem Country Club in Henderson, and, more specifically, Plum Hollow.

Plum Hollow is a neighborhood of about 55 homes within Anthem Country Club. Of course Anthem is a guard gated golf course community, so you have to know someone to gain access. But if you do, it is a Halloween bonanza!

It all started when the four residents of Darcy Court (a smaller cul de sac inside Plum Hollow) decided to get together and elaborately decorate their homes with a theme, Spooky Hollow.  Word quickly spread, and after only a couple of Halloweens, it was THE hottest place in town and the cul de sac had to be cordoned off to cars. It has now become a neighborhood tradition and one gigantic block party.

My personal favorite was the "Haunted High" Halloween. One front yard sported a high school football field complete with goal posts and yard markers. There were life size skeletons dressed up in football jerseys in the midst of a scrimmage. The next yard over featured the high school prom. The prom skeleton king and queen sat on thrones surrounded by their skeleton prom court, all in formal prom attire. You get the picture.

How insane is it? A resident of Plum Hollow can expect to get about 1,000 Trick or Treaters of all ages. That is NOT a typo. Literally about 1,000! They come in carloads, busloads and vanloads, by golf carts, scooters and bikes.  The Homeowner's Association in Anthem has even seriously considered giving the residents of Plum Hollow an annual stipend to help pay for the candy.

How do I know all this? I live right on the corner at the entry to Plum Hollow. I am the first house hit by the candy munchkins each year.  Last year one of my friends who lives at the far end of the street had purchased 800 Rice Crispy Treats to distribute. She ran out by 7pm and had to shut off her lights.

About four years ago, we tried to hold a Halloween party at our house for about 80 people. We spent three weeks decorating, and constructed a spooky Bat Cave with rolling mist at the entry to our home for guests to enter through.  Before we knew it, our front courtyard was a sea of bodies and no one could get in or out. Complete strangers (mostly older teenagers) were walking through our home, eating the food, helping themselves to drinks, and dancing to the band. We had to escort them out, politely but firmly, and finally station a "guard" at the front door.

Of course, if you are considering buying a home in Anthem and are not super crazy about Halloween, you might want to skip Plum Hollow. But the good news is, the other neighborhoods in Anthem get a more traditional flow of Spidermen, lady bugs and fairy princesses, anywhere between 30 to 50 kids. I still get a kick out of it, and it's only one night a year. And when we want to take a break, we can always just go out to dinner and a movie for the evening.

Affordable Las Vegas Master Planned Communities

There are a wide variety of master planned communities in Las Vegas, with homes in all price ranges, from starter homes to multi million dollar estates. Below are some of the most popular and affordable communities, from one side of the Valley to the other.

 

Aliante is a beautiful master planned community in North Las Vegas, set against the back drop of the majestic Sheep Mountain Range. This huge 1905 acre community has more than 6500 homes as well as commercial centers, shopping, dining, and even a brand new casino, Aliante Station Casino.

 

There are several types of housing in Aliante, from starter homes to retirement homes in the extensive Sun City Aliante. In addition, there are more upscale luxury homes offered in the Club Aliante area.

 

Aliante includes 428 acres dedicated for use by the public and for recreation. There are three parks, a natural arroyo, and a 24 mile interconnecting trail system. The 20 acre Nature Discovery Park has huge grass fields, playgrounds, picnic areas, a large pond, and tennis and volleyball courts. Click here to view Aliante homes for sale

 

Desert Shores is lush community of scenic man-made lakes and canals on the northwest side of the Las Vegas Valley adjoining the Summerlin master plan, and it is one of the few lake communities in the entire Las Vegas Valley. Watch out for the duck and swan crossings!  Feathered inhabitants roam freely throughout the tranquil neighborhoods here.

 

Developed in 1988 by RA Builders, construction was completed in the mid 1990s. Sprawling over 682 acres, there are 22 residential neighborhoods and 3068 residences, with choices ranging from cozy condominiums to lake front luxury custom estates. Click here to view Desert Shores homes for sale

 

Green Valley Ranch is a small resident-friendly master planned community on 1300 acres in the foothills of the Black Mountains of Henderson, Nevada. Green Valley Ranch is noted for its biking trails, parks, walking paths, green belts and wonderful schools with panoramic views of the Las Vegas Valley below.

 

In the heart of Green Valley Ranch is The District, a vibrant outdoor mall of tree-lined cobblestone streets and quaint main plaza featuring more than 50 boutique shops and restaurants. There are approximately 4,000 homes and condos in Green Valley Ranch, divided up into 30 smaller neighborhoods of various sizes and price ranges including custom homes in the prestigious Estates at Green Valley Ranch. Click here to view Green Valley Ranch homes for sale

 

Summerlin is a beautiful master planned community on the western rim of Las Vegas, only 12 minutes from downtown or 20 minutes to the Las Vegas Strip. By far the largest master planned community in the city and rated #1 for growth in the entire nation, Summerlin occupies 22,500 acres and features an extensive array of parks (over 150), biking and hiking trails (more than 150 miles), shops, schools, libraries and business districts, as well as community tennis courts and pools, baseball and soccer fields, recreational facilities and an amphitheater for the performing arts.

 

Currently there are 19 distinct ”Villages” in the Summerlin area, though eventually there will be a total of 31. A “village” is a mini master planned neighborhood with its own parks, shopping, restaurants and trails. Just to give you an idea of the diversity, below are brief descriptions of some of the villages in Summerlin. Click here to view Summerlin homes for sale.

 

Mountains Edge, tucked away in a secluded desert canyon on the southwestern edge of the Las Vegas Valley, is a beautiful master planned community of approximately 12,500 residences on 3,000 acres meandering around 500 acres of community parks and trails. Ancient Indian tribes roamed this area to find water and new hunting grounds, and to this day their petroglyphs remain etched into the canyon walls of the surrounding mountains. Later, during the 19th century, frontiersmen traversed the Old Spanish Trail which passed right by the entrance to Exploration Park.

 

Mountains Edge contains over 30 separate villages by more than 20 different builders, each with its own unique flair and common amenities including: community pools, neighborhood parks, walking and biking trails, playgrounds, and athletic fields. Property types range from easy maintenance condos to large family homes and everything in between. Click here to view Mountains Edge homes for sale.

Homes for Sale in Private Las Vegas Golf Communities

Las Vegas has long been known for its luxurious guard gated golf course communities. Here is a brief overview of five of the most popular private golf country clubs in the Valley. 

 

Spanish Trails - When early pioneers traveled by wagon train through the Las Vegas Valley bound for the California Gold Rush, their route became known as the “Spanish Trail.” Today the guard gated Spanish Trails Golf & Country Club is located on over 640 acres in the southwest portion of the city, only 15 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. Spanish Trails features eleven separate communities with a wide variety of lifestyle choices: from town homes and condos to elaborate multi acre estates. The Sultan of Brunei constructed a lavish 140,000 square foot compound (yes, really 140,000 square feet!) on 15 acres overlooking the golf course with multiple residences and pools. Many of the home sites command scenic double fairway views. Find Spanish Trails Homes for Sale

 

Anthem Country Club - More than 48,000 acres of wildlife preserve borders the tranquil master planned community of Anthem, perched high in the Black Hills of Henderson overlooking the Las Vegas Valley. A variety of distinctive neighborhoods with over 15,000 residences are spread over 4755 acres. Anthem Country Club is a private guard gated golf course community of over 1600 homes centered around a championship Hale Irwin/Steven Foster golf course. The golf course winds through the paseos of the neighborhood, providing outstanding views for residents and players alike. The club house area has a state of the art fitness center, resort style pools, beach volleyball, and tennis courts, plus a gourmet restaurant and sports grill. There are more than 16 unique floor plans to choose from in the semi custom developer models, as well as some of the finest custom homes and home sites in the city. Find Anthem Country Club Homes for Sale

 

Lake Las Vegas - Known as a golf oasis in the middle of the desert and located in Henderson, Nevada near the Lake Mead recreational district, the prestigious master planned community of Lake Las Vegas encompasses over 3,500 acres and caters to those looking for an upscale resort lifestyle. The master plan was developed by Ron Boedekker and the Lake Las Vegas LLC, becoming one of the largest construction endeavors in Nevada history. The lake alone took five years to fill – it was built on top of the Las Vegas Wash which continues to flow under the lake. Construction began in 1987, and today Lake Las Vegas features 19 distinct neighborhoods, and real estate offerings range from custom home sites and waterfront estates to golf villas, luxury condos and town homes. Because of its international reputation as a resort destination community, Lake Las Vegas is home to numerous film stars, TV celebrities, athletes, political figures and a wealth of prominent local business owners. Find Lake Las Vegas Homes for Sale

 

 

Red Rock Country Club - Located within the dynamic master planned community of Summerlin on the western edge of Las Vegas, the guard gated golf course community of Red Rock Country Club is located on 738 acres at the base of the majestic Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Set against a backdrop of majestic mountains and gently rolling terrain, this premier community, noted for its lush landscape and stunning views, features contemporary semi custom luxury homes and executive custom estates with an impressive range of styles and floor plans. Entry to the community is through one of several guard gated entries, providing a high level of security and privacy to residents, and keeping traffic to a minimum within each separate neighborhood. There are just over 1,000 semi custom luxury homes in Red Rock, offering both one and two story designs to choose from. Residences range in size from 2,100 square feet to over 5,000 square feet and many have golf course frontage. Find Red Rock Country Club Homes for Sale

 

MacDonald Highlands - Carved into the base of the Black Mountains on the south side of the Las Vegas Valley is MacDonald Highlands, a secluded private golf course community overlooking the city lights. This elite neighborhood is part of the MacDonald Ranch master plan, and has easy access to the wonderful amenities in the Green Valley Ranch area as well, including The District, a quaint cobblestoned outdoor mall with over 50 boutique shops and restaurants. Lush foliage, Canary Palms, babbling brooks and waterfalls greet visitors at the entry to MacDonald Highlands, one of the most beautiful in the city.  The 24 hour guard-gated entry and roving patrols offer the utmost in privacy and security to all residents. At completion, MacDonald Highlands will have 17 distinct neighborhoods, mostly comprised of large custom estate homes overlooking the Dragon Ridge Golf Course, though Toll Brothers did build a smaller semi custom subdivision of fairway homes ranging in size from just under 3000 square feet to just over 5000 square feet. Find MacDonald Highlands Homes for Sale

Viva Las Vegas Vacations, Baby!

You’ve always wanted to visit Las Vegas, but weren’t sure where to stay, what to see and where to eat. Here are some top suggestions from long time locals to help make your Vegas Vacation something extra special to remember, no matter what your budget.

Hotels

Best Luxury Hotel –The Cosmopolitan gets a lot of rave reviews from the younger crowd, but you can’t beat the Wynn Tower for the ultimate in luxury. Steve Wynn has transformed customer service into an art form, and the views from the tower rooms are spectacular.
Best Mid Price Hotel - Often overlooked in favor of the higher profile hotels, the Monte Carlo Hotel on the Strip is highly rated in terms of overall customer satisfaction. The grounds have beautiful statuary and fountains, quiet restaurants and lounges, a brew pub, luxurious rooms, good shops, and an extensive pool area that includes a wave pool and a lazy river ride.
Best Value Priced Hotel – The Golden Nugget stands out from the crowd for value accommodations. Not only is it in the heart of downtown Las Vegas on Fremont Street, the buffet is great and it has a really cool pool/slide/aquarium on property.
Best El Cheapo Hotel – Circus Circus is still the least expensive of the Las Vegas Strip hotels, including an inexpensive buffet and on site RV parking. But if you have kids, the arcade may end up costing you a small fortune!

Shows

Best Extravaganza – While individual entertainers appearing in the showrooms are a personal preference, Jubilee at Bally’s is still the number one classic Las Vegas extravaganza.
Best Musical – There’s a reason why the Jersey Boys is a hit across the country and has won innumerable awards. It is definitely one of the best performances overall in Vegas, and absolutely the best musical. High energy, great music, and has you dancing and singing out the showroom.
Best Cirque du Soleil Show – All the Cirque shows are incredible, but if you like a more intimate atmosphere and the chance to see some incredible performers more closely, Mystere at the Treasure Island presents a classic Cirque venue, combining high-energy acrobatics and the inspiring imagery that is the company's hallmark. (Some of the larger shows are so ornate, you miss the true ambiance of a Cirque performance.)

Restaurants

Best Gourmet Dining – Every major hotel on the Strip has an outstanding gourmet room, or two or three. But if you want a true Old Vegas dining experience, make a reservation at Hugo’s Cellar in the Four Queens. A large number of the staff has been there 25+ years or more, including the grand sommelier. Not only are both the food and service superb, the lively staff is full of amazing and funny stories about celebrities they have seen over the years. Plan on three to four hours of pure entertainment along with your meal and make sure to top it off with their famous Kona Coffee.
Best Buffet – The Wynn comes up tops again for its extravagant buffet.  Alaskan King Crab legs to Wagyu beef lasagna, the selection is stupendous and surrounded in a magnificent floral display. The dessert counter is a destination of its own – you may want to start there!
Best Champagne Brunch – Bally’s come through for a Sunday Champagne Brunch in style. This is a fancy affair - the waiters are dressed in tuxedos with white gloves, and the tables are set with fine linens and silver. Maine Lobsters, Ostrich tenderloins, the fare is totally gourmand and they serve unlimited Perrier Jouët and Mumm champagne, with or without the orange juice!
Best Value Buffet – The Rio Hotel can’t be beat for value, variety and quality. You can find every variety of food imaginable, including Mexican tacos, Chinese favorites, Japanese sushi, Brazilian mixed grill, Italian and old fashioned American prime rib. For the money, you definitely get the most bang for your buck here.

Pools

Mandalay Bay Beach Resort - You can't go swimming in Las Vegas without checking out the pool, or should I say "beach," at Mandalay Bay. This 11-acre resort features a sandy beach area, complete with palm trees, lounge chairs and umbrellas, plus eight pools, including wave pool and lazy river, and the adult-only, Moorea Beach Club. For those who can't keep away from the tables, visit the beachside casino with its own restaurant and gaming, cabanas and pool.
Cosmopolitan Hotel Fun Pool - Enjoy fun in the sun at the Cosmopolitan Hotel swimming pool. Perfect for those people who can't sit still, the pool area is equipped with pool tables, ping pong tables, foosball and a huge pool area.
Bellagio Swimming Pool - Evoking the same upscale persona as the hotel, the pool at the Bellagio is perfect for the sunbather looking for a more relaxing atmosphere, free from the chaotic beach clubs found at other hotels. Elegant chaise lounges and cabanas line the pool area which allows swimmers to cool off under a mini version of their signature fountain.

Free Things You Must Do

 

Visit Fremont Street – DO NOT MISS FREMONT STREET! Not only is this historic Las Vegas, after dark every half hour the electronic light and music show goes on. Plus on weekend nights there are bands playing, strolling musicians, wandering showgirls in full feathered regalia, and sidewalk artists. It’s a true Vegas spectacle.
Take a photo by the Las Vegas Sign – make sure to stop by the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign and get your photo taken. Often there are Elvis impersonators on hand that will jump into the picture with you (for a small fee, of course!)
See the Bellagio Fountains and walk through the Bellagio Conservatory – the Bellagio musical water show is amazing – try to get a seat at their outdoor bar in the evening and sip your cocktail while the fountains dance for you. Then wander inside through the incredible Bellagio gardens. The botanical displays change every three months and are truly enchanting.
See the volcano at the Mirage – Shades of Mount Vesuvius. The pyrotechnics go off every night between 5 pm and 11 pm on the hour, but don’t get too close or you might singe something vital!
Visit the “Pawn Stars” pawn shop in downtown Vegas– The lines can be long, but the wait is worth it just for the experience. This has got to be THE best pawn shop in the world. It’s huge and the variety of items will have your head whirling.
Get your photo taken with $1M dollars – Go to Binion’s Horseshoe downtown and get your picture taken with $1,000,000 dollars. They give you two 5x7 prints for free and they make a great keepsake.  

Finding Homes by Las Vegas School Zones

Choosing the right school for your children goes hand in hand with buying a home in Las Vegas for your family; Both of which are very important decisions.

You’ve found the perfect real estate agent who found you the perfect house, but what is the neighborhood school? Will my child be able to take the school bus? How many students are there per class? Add these things to the long, yet wonderful, list of "Things Parents Need To Know!" I’ll share some of my short cuts with you hoping this information will make your home buying and school search easier.  

There are specific zones within the school district that designate which schools service specific neighborhoods. This information is found on the MLS Listings (Elementary, Middle, Junior HS, and High School), but that information is not guaranteed to be accurate. When a school district changes its ‘zoning’ it does not automatically update the school information on a property that is listed for sale or rent. 

For example, when I was looking to purchase a home in Las Vegas,  I found the perfect house…. but it wasn’t in the same zone so my children would have to change schools. Not good, so I kept looking. From that point on I personally double-checked every address I was interested in so I knew exactly which schools my children would attend if we purchased that particular house.  

A little background information: The Clark County School District, as of 2012, is the fifth largest school district in the United States. It serves all of Clark County, Nevada, including the cities of Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and Boulder City.

I wanted to learn more about the schools in Clark County, so I did some research. I found these types of reports to be very helpful in the school choice for my children: Annual Reports of Accountability, State of Nevada and Specific Schools – Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), Test Scores on Assessments, and many levels of Demographics. I found all this information at this website: http://www.nevadareportcard.com/   

 

You can find out what schools a property is currently zoned for by visiting the Clark County School website by going to: http://ccsd.net/schools/zoning/search/ 

 

This specific link will bring you to the School Zoning Search by Property Address. When you get to this page, simply type in the Street Number and Street Name. The school results will show you exactly which schools that particular address is zoned for and the Transportation Department’s contact information is found on that page. (Keep in mind, almost ALL school personnel are on vacation during the summer and you probably won't be able to contact them.)

What happens if you find "The Perfect House" but it’s not zoned for the school you want your child to attend? There is a process called "Open Enrollment" you can go through with the school district requesting special permission. There is no guarantee your request to change your neighborhood school will be honored and you cannot even make the request until you can show proof of residence (copy of utility bill in your name at that address, for example). 

If you don't have already have an address, but you have selected a school, you can search homes for sale located in specific school zones by going to: Vegas Homes for Sale by High School or Vegas Homes for Sale by Middle School

 

Do the research in advance and make an educated decision to avoid headaches and/or heartbreaks down the road.

by Lisa Albarian - guest blogger and mother

When Old Becomes New Again in Las Vegas

Whether it’s old houses being renovated or old movies being restored, Las Vegas residents are certainly attracted to both.  Over the past ten years I’ve seen dozens of Home Depots and Lowes stores spring up all over the Las Vegas Valley which includes Henderson and North Las Vegas.  All in very convenient locations for the everyday handy man and/or woman that recently bought a fixer upper house with the desire of turning it into a home…….a classic home to enjoy living in.  Many homebuyers are even purposefully seeking out "old Vegas" homes from the 60s and carefully updating the plumbing and electrical systems while retaining that "old Vegas" retro look in neighborhoods like Rancho Bel Air, Rancho Circle or the Scotch 80s.

A similar scenario has also recently been occurring with vintage classic films.  Digitally restored movies such as “Casa Blanca” and Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” have been brought to our local move theatres throughout the Valley.  And for "one night and one night only" each month, our local residents have thoroughly enjoyed them.  I for one had the pleasure of seeing both of these classics on the big screen with big sound in a theatre packed full of excited movie afficionados.  Young and old alike piled in to fill most of the seats.  It reminded me of the opening night for one of the new blockbusters such as “Transformers”, “Batman”, or “The Twilight  Series”. 

 

These vintage classics have been brought back to the big screen by fanthomevents.com.  I’m looking forward to December when an solid gold classic I’ve never seen will be on the big screen.  I don’t know how I’ve lived to be as old as I am and have never seen “To Kill a Mockingbird,” but I’m looking forward to this vintage film that will be brand new to me.

Patty Annis

Team Manager

The Tonnesen Team

Homeowner Help from Nevada Energy!

Tips from a Las Vegas Homeowner about what to do with old appliances 

What do we do with our old appliances? My old frig wouldn’t fit in the backseat of my sedan, so I really needed to figure out what to do. After asking a number of local appliance companies about "Delivery Of The New and Haul Away The Old" fees, I ran across a little known secret about Nevada Energy. Nevada Energy has a rebate program where they will not only come pick up the refrigerator, but they will mail you a rebate check for $50!!! 

If your refrigerator still gets cold and is between 10-30 cubic feet in size, you can call 1-877-289-8260 to schedule a pick up. You need to have it plugged in so they can verify at time of pick up that it still gets cold, and they will mail a check for $50 to you in about four weeks. And since they have a 4 hour window for pick-up, I was told I can simply run an extension cord to the Refrigerator, set it out on the driveway with a note giving them permission to haul it away, and when I get home from work – it will be gone! I love it! And it worked like a charm.

 

Now I need to find out what to do with an old stove and microwave….. I’ll let you know.

 

by Lisa Alberian
Tonnesen Team Administrator Extraordinaire

Las Vegas - the Gourmet Capital of the World?

Back in the day, the all-you-can-eat buffet for $2.99 is what everyone talked about when they came to visit Las Vegas. After a night of carousing on Fremont Street, we would pile into the Golden Nugget for the late night steak and lobster special for only $5.99 or the 50 cent shrimp cocktail. But our tastes and expectations have changed a bit.

 

It all started back in 1992 when Wolfgang Puck opened Spago at Caesars Palace. Now he has seven restaurants in Vegas, including one at McCarren Airport.

 

Eight years later in 2000, there were still only two more adventurers: Emeril Lagasse and Bobby Flay. Today there are many more famous chefs opening signature restaurants and trying their luck at new culinary ideas. I’m thankful so many wonderful chefs have decided to use Las Vegas as a “tasting ground” for their innovative ideas. The service quality is usually remarkable along with the unique food combinations. (It's one of the things that makes living in Las Vegas so amazing. We have more five star gourmet restaurants and chefs per capita than any other city in the world.)

“What’s THAT!?!?!” has become a key phrase based on Kitchen Nightmares, and many people watched Chef Gordon Ramsey choose his executive chef on Hell's Kitchen for his recently opened Steak House at the Paris Hotel. There’s a sign on a wall at Caesars Palace touting a new restaurant coming soon (Love the pig silouette covered in a UK flag design). We all wonder how Gordon Ramsey finds the time to do it all (and many of us now fear searing scallops).

 

Also at Caesars is Mesa Bar and Grill owned by Bobby Flay. The outer wall is made of glass so you can see across the tables into the kitchen. One word: Tapas! 

 

Turn to the right and down the hallway you’ll see another sign on a wall stating only one word: NOBU. Hard Rock Hotel hosts one of Nobu’s Japanese fusion restaurants which offers zen-like décor with excellent customer attentiveness, but what’s in the works at Caesars is nothing short of spectacular! Nobu is opening an exclusive restaurant AND his first ever Nobu Hotel. It’s so beyond words, I can only share the link: https://www.totalrewards.com/nobu/ 

BAR, BOOK and BAM? Check out Emeril Lagasse’s Stadium at the Palazzo or Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House at the MGM Grand. The list goes on and on, so if you’re a Food Network fan, Wanna Be Chef, Foodie, or just want a glimpse of a Famous Chef – be sure to make reservations and expect to pay a high price for a high quality dining experience in the “tasting ground” of Las Vegas.

 

by Guest Blogger and Food Junkie
Lisa Albarian
Writer for the Las Vegas Real Estate Market News Blog