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!

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

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!

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

Great Golfing in Vegas!

By Diann Tonnesen

Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or you're a golf addict like me, Las Vegas has some of the best and most luxurious golf courses around. In the summer when I was a kid and school was out, I used to play in the SNGA junior golf program, and we always played a different course each week. Due to there being over 50 golf courses in Vegas, it was never a challenge to find a new track.

All of the courses have a unique design that separates each from the other. The price ranger differs for public golfers, depending on the golfer’s choice of 9 or 18 holes. The medium price on a public course for a full 18 holes is about 75 dollars with a cart. Some of the prices for the more prestigious courses might be from $150-$300.

My favorite courses to play is tied between Dragon Ridge, Rio Secco, the Lake Las Vegas South Shore course and Anthem Country Club, keeping in mind that there are very few local golf courses I have not played. These particular courses contain hidden greens and obstacles that can challenge the best of players. When I was in high school, we were forced to walk the Rio Secco golf course in Seven Hills  (which anyone who has golfed there can tell you it’s not easy to play even WITH a  cart), so remember to bring a compass and a rope. Some of the sheer edges can be difficult to walk up (or should I say scale) and quite dangerous as well.

So be careful which ever courses you are visiting and remember to bring some water with you - this is Vegas after all, nothing but dry heat!

PS... My parents always came to watch me play, but I am still not sure whether they were really watching or checking out some of the fabulous homes that surrounded the courses. Ah well, at least they showed up! LOL

 

Top Four Golf Communities in Las Vegas

Want to know where to buy golf course property in Las Vegas? Serious golfers all have different criteria when it comes to what they want in a golfing neighborhood - it's not one size fits all. This list is only my opinion, but I think the four neighborhoods below offer a diversity of lifestyles and represent the best of each type of development: from livability of the community, to affordability of the housing, and last, but certainly not least, the quality of the course itself.

Anthem Country Club Listings – I will say right off the bat, that I am prejudiced about Anthem being the best golf community in Vegas. Our family was actually the first to move into it when it was brand new, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else. The atmosphere is more laid back/down to earth in Anthem than some of the other communities (think high desert quiet elegance rather than Palm Springs ritzy), and there is no particular age demographic. There is a state of the art fitness center, gourmet dining and stadium tennis facilities as well. Prices fall in the median range for private golf living, and the course itself is definitely championship quality. 17 out of 18 holes offer a spectacular view of the Strip, and the placement of the different tee boxes seriously challenge low handicappers, but also allow novices to enjoy the course too.

Lake Las Vegas South Shore Listings – Lake Las Vegas is without a doubt the most beautiful of all the golf course communities in the Valley. From the moment you enter, you will feel like you have entered a charming Tuscan lake-side retreat in the hills of Italy. The heart of the community is the Montelago Village with its cobblestoned streets, boutique shops, hotel, casino and dining. The community actively promotes special events – wine walks, beer festivals, concerts, etc. For many of the owners, a place in Lake Las Vegas may be a second, third or even fourth vacation residence rather than a primary home so there aren’t a lot of families. And it is located a bit off the beaten track. But the golf course is superb, and has been home to the Wendy’s Three Tour Challenge a number of times.

Spanish Trails Listings – Spanish Trails is one of the oldest private golf communities in the city, starting construction in the mid 1980s. A lot of high end local executives built custom homes in Spanish Trails at that time, including the iconic Steve Wynn and even the Sultan of Brunei. This is the only private course that boasts 27 holes of great golf, and many of the homes have fantastic scenic double fairway views. And there is plenty of challenge for even the best of golfers. (Take plenty of  balls for the Lake 9.) The clubhouse and facilities are smaller than some of the newer courses, but the ideal location close to the Strip and lush park like setting makes this a favorite with locals.

Rhodes Ranch Listings – Rhodes Ranch is the only community listed here that is not a private country club, though the elaborate gate guarded entry could fool anyone. The neighborhood itself is beautiful, with tree lined streets and lots of greenery. Plus they have a truly incredible community center offering everything from tennis to work out facilities and lounges, to their own private water park. This is a very family friendly neighborhood, and the pricing and monthly HOA fees are more affordable than the private country club communities. Plus they give discounts on golf for residents, and many charity events are held here. For the price and amenities, you can’t beat this neighborhood for a golf environment without the higher price tag of a private country club.