Investor Central

Welcome to the premier resource for Las Vegas investors looking to generate wealth through real estate. Whether you already own a property and need management help or you need assistance to get started, you have found the right place.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Vegas Tourism is Hot — Visitation Rises for Third Straight Month

March marked the third straight month of increased visitor volume in Southern Nevada, setting a new record for the highest total ever recorded in one month.  According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, 3.7 million people visited in March, a 4.3 percent increase from a year earlier.  The past quarter as a whole saw a reported 10.2 million visitors.

The Authority's president and CEO suspects that 2014 will be the year in which we break the 40 million visitors mark.  With new resorts and attractions opening this year, the possibility looks promising.  The local economy is booming with energy and excitement for new things to come, which will continue to drive demand and visitation for people seeking unique experiences found only in Las Vegas.

Check out the article:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/tourism/vegas-tourism-hot-hot-hot-visitation-rises-third-straight-month
Photo: DAVID BECKER
Source: REVIEWJOURNAL.com

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Report: Las Vegas Home Prices Continue Steady Surge

Local home values continue their climb with the second fast year-to-year growth rate among 35 metro areas in Zillow's latest report.  In Las Vegas, the median home value was $170,900 for the quarter ending March 31 (up 22 percent from last year).  Values have increased nearly 6 percent over the past year and Zillow expects them to climb an additional 6 percent in the year to come.

Link to article:
http://www.vegasinc.com/business/real-estate/2014/apr/21/report-las-vegas-home-prices-continue-steady-surge/
Photo: NANCY TUCKER
Source: VEGASINC.com

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Galleria at Sunset Slated to Receive Face-Lift

The new Summerlin mall isn't the only thing Las Vegas shoppers can look forward to at the end of this year. The Galleria at Sunset mall is expected to have their own construction completed in November, consisting of an expansion set to include an outdoor plaza and six new restaurants. Galleria representatives hope the outdoor venue will bring a fresh new look to the center along with many opportunities for outdoor events. This new area will cover 30,000 square feet at a cost of $24.1 million. For an early glance at the project, see the rendered images below.

Link to the article:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/view/henderson/galleria-sunset-slated-receive-face-lift
Source: REVIEWJOURNAL.com

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Report: Las Vegas Home Prices Continue Steady Surge

The latest report from Zillow shows that Las Vegas home values continue to climb, with the second fastest year-to-year growth rate amongst 35 metro areas listed in the report. The median home value in the quarter ending March 31 was up 22 percent from a year earlier, now at $170,00. Zillow expects local home prices to climb an additional 6 percent in the coming year. Home values on the national scale rose nearly 6 percent this past year, and are expected to climb just 3.3 percent in 2014.

View the article:
http://vegasinc.com/business/real-estate/2014/apr/21/report-las-vegas-home-prices-continue-steady-surge/
Photo: STEVE MARCUS
Source: VEGASINC.com

Friday, April 18, 2014

Maintain Your Home Value: 3 Affordable Upgrades

Don't be the neighborhood slacker! If your property pales in comparison to those around it, there is no doubt it will hinder the home's "rentability" and overall value when it's time to sell. It's important to stay aware of your home's upkeep over time, and to establish fixes for any quirks that fall beneath the neighborhood norm. CNN Money suggests three small-scale upgrades that are both affordable and appealing to buyers in today's market, with each at an expected cost of less than $5,000.
  • Expand your closets - Small, one-rod closets are a big turnoff for potential buyers or renters. By installing organization systems using rods, shelves, baskets, and other tools, you can get more out of your closet space and create some appealing storage alternatives.
  • Open up the kitchen - For many home shoppers, the kitchen area is especially important - and no one wants their heavy-traffic kitchen to feel small and closed off. Start with new countertops or appliances and see what your kitchen needs from there.
  • Get your laundry out of the basement - Aside from very old homes, few others (if any) in Southern Nevada should still have this issue. But if your investment happens to be one of them, then it's past due time to move that laundry area to a more convenient space.

Find out more at the following link:
http://money.cnn.com/2014/03/01/real_estate/home-value.moneymag/index.html

Photo: JUSTIN FANTIL
Source: MONEY.CNN.com

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Nevada Slowly Making Economic Comeback

After struggling through severe recession, Nevada experienced the fastest year-to-year growth of any state according to a new report from Wells Fargo Economics Group. The Nevada economy is bouncing back with fuel from rising employment, higher incomes, an increase in population, positive progress in tourism, and growth at UNLV.
Nevada housing is expected to steadily improve with continued gains in local home prices. Traditional buyers are also steadily returning to the market, although the Wells Fargo group notes that housing inventory will need to drop further before residential construction can really get itself going.


Source: DSNEWS.com

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Mall Construction on Track for Holiday Season Opening

Expected to open for the year-end holiday season, the Shops at Summerlin is currently undergoing construction over a 106-acre span on the northeast corner of Sahara and the 215 Beltway in Las Vegas. The Shops are right next to the Red Rock hotel-casino and are set to open with a Dillard's and Macy's among other smaller retailers including Nordstrom Rock and Trader Joe's.
Observers say the movement of this project reflects a great rebound for the Las Vegas economy. Construction has been sparse in the valley since the Great Recession hit, and this project was on a hault until it resumed this past May. The Shops at Summerlin are set to create 2,000 construction jobs as well as 2,000 permanent jobs for retail and restaurant uses. When the retail center is complete, it will include 1.4 million square feet in an open-air pedestrian-friendly streetscape retail center and 200,000 square feet of office space.

See the article for more information on The Shops at Summerlin:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/economy/mall-construction-track-holiday-season-opening
Photo: BILL HUGHES
Source: REVIEWJOURNAL.com

Friday, April 11, 2014

Inventory of Las Vegas Homes Climbs Along with Prices

According to a recent report from the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors, the median sales price of used single-family homes in Southern Nevada was up 2.6 percent from February and 21.1 percent from March 2013. Looking back on the low of $118,000 in January 2012, previously-owned home prices have increased 65 percent since that time, but still remain below the peak of $315,000 in June 2006. The median resale price is expected to hit the $200,000 mark soon as prices continue to climb at quick rates.

Link to the article:
http://www.vegasinc.com/business/real-estate/2014/apr/08/inventory-las-vegas-homes-climbs-along-prices/
Photo: STEVE MARCUS
Source: VEGASINC.com

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Henderson Ranked Again as One of America’s Safest Cities

Based on crime data from the 2012 FBI Uniform Crime Report, Henderson ranked fifth on Movoto Real Estate's list of the top 10 safest cities in the nation. Henderson was noted for its appealing low crime rate and close proximity to nearby Las Vegas attractions. Henderson was also named the second-safest city in America by Forbes, as well as one of America's best places to live by Money magazine in 2012, 2008, and 2006.

Read more at the following link:
http://lasvegassun.com/news/2014/apr/07/henderson-ranked-again-one-americas-safest-cities/

Source: LASVEGASSUN.com

Friday, April 4, 2014

Homebuyers Getting Priced out in Cities Across U.S.

As shown in the graph below, home prices in the "hottest markets" have climbed substantially in the past year, with Nevada leading the pack at 24.9%. According to Case Shiller, the national average was a 13% climb, and stiff competition from these rising prices has created stiff competition for buyers seeking homes in booming urban markets.
RealtyTrac stated that 35% of all February offers were made in all-cash (a notable 30% increase from the year prior). Paired with the fact that new home construction is still well below normal levels, closing deals in this low-inventory market is tough if you aren't an all-cash buyer. This may also be a smart time to sell if you're an investor with rentals in the LV valley - contact us for a personal consultation!

Read more on the story:

Source: MONEY.CNN.com

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Dignitaries, Strip Visitors Experience Air of New Era as High Roller Opens

The latest Las Vegas tourist attraction is now open for the public to enjoy. The Highroller, a 550-foot tall observation wheel, is now the centerpiece of Caesars Corporation's Linq project (a multimillion dollar project to revamp the strip). The High Roller contains 28 cabins, with each holding up to 40 passengers.
If you are interested in lining up to ride a 30-minute revolution on the new Las Vegas High Roller, a daytime ticket costs $24.95 per customer and a nighttime ride (after 6 p.m.) is 34.95 a person. Watch the video below for more insight on the world's tallest observation wheel now open and fully operating here in Las Vegas.

Read more about the High Roller:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/dignitaries-strip-visitors-experience-air-new-era-high-roller-opens

Source: REVIEWJOURNAL.com

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Nevada’s Jobless Rate Continues Downward Trend in February

Thanks to continued job growth, the Las Vegas Valley's jobless rate fell from 8.9 percent in January to 8.6 percent in February. Nevada continues to show progress in its recovery from the recession with its escalation in consumer confidence along with an increased willingness of employers to add jobs. Statewide unemployment dropped to 8.5 percent this February, down from 10.5 percent in February 2013. With progress still to be made, Nevada's unemployment rate remains well above the national rate of 6.7 percent.

Read more at the article:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/nevada-s-jobless-rate-continues-downward-trend-february
Source: REVIEWJOURNAL.com