Archive for December, 2007

Two Very Different Opinions

December 31, 2007

On one hand, Tyler Cowen of Marginal Revolution thinks the mortgage mess isn’t really that bad. On the other hand, Dave Johnson of Seeing the Forest thinks it’s even worse. It is, however, worth noting that Mr. Cowen hedges his bets with a link to a British article suggesting that we may be staring down [...]

Posted in General Real Estate, Mortgage and Financing Comments Off

If you are behind on your mortgage payments, read this!

December 27, 2007

Sad but true, we are in the midst of record foreclosure rates. And also sad but true, there are charlatans who would gladly take advantage of this family tragedy for personal gain. And that brings me to TheStreet.com’s warning about mortgage rescue scams: Foreclosure-rescue scams usually revolve around heavily promoted deals supposedly designed to save [...]

Posted in Distressed Property, General Real Estate, Mortgage and Financing Comments Off

Obligatory Housing Costs Post

December 27, 2007

Yikes!  Yesterday’s Case-Shiller index posted a record drop in house prices.  It was the 10th straight month of falling prices.  The experts do not expect improvement soon because “Prices will probably remain under pressure as the jump in foreclosures puts even more homes on the market just as stricter lending rules make it harder for [...]

Posted in General Real Estate, Las Vegas Real Estate, Nevada Comments Off

Short Sales are Tough

December 26, 2007

A “short sale” is when a property owner is forced to sell for less than the mortgage amount. The mortgage holder usually has to approve the sale, because they usually don’t get all the money they are owed. The mortgage company usually has to “forgive” this debt and write it off. Until this week, that [...]

Posted in Distressed Property, General Real Estate Comments Off

Christmas is Over, Recycle Your Tree!

December 26, 2007

The Springs Preserve wants to help residents of the Las Vegas Valley recycle their Christmas trees.  There are 15 locations set up throughout the valley, and they will be accepting trees through January 15.

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Friendly Reminder

December 22, 2007

Earlier this week, the Clark County commissioners voted to limit the number of garage sales a family can have to four every six months. The vote on the issue was unanimous, with one commissioner going on record as saying “Lots of residents have turned these garage sales into personal businesses.”

Posted in The Law, Vegas Life Comments Off

Every Morning

December 20, 2007

Every morning I get a depressing opportunity in my email. It’s a new foreclosure list. On one hand, I could be calling all these people, trying to get the house sold before the bank takes it. On the other hand, one way or another these people are losing their home. By now you probably have [...]

Posted in Distressed Property, General Real Estate Comments Off

Random Facts about Las Vegas

December 18, 2007

The other day, I picked up a copy of the Las Vegas Relocation Guide. It has lots of information that is of value both to newcomers and to people who have been here for years. If you would like your own copy, they are published by the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce each quarter. Here [...]

Posted in Nevada, Vegas Dining, Vegas Life Comments Off

A free way to waste a little time in Vegas

December 17, 2007

Well, I say it’s free, and it is. Unless it makes you want to buy a new car. Maybe it’s not worth a special trip, but if you happen to be on Sahara between Rainbow and Jones with a little time on your hands, go into the showroom at Desert VW. You will see a [...]

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Apartments and Rental Housing Law in Nevada

December 11, 2007

You’ve seen the disclaimers at the bottom of those mutual fund ads on the TV, right? The ones that say no single investment is for everyone and you should consult your financial adviser before sending money? Well, buying a house isn’t for everyone either. If you are one of those people for whom this is [...]

Posted in Las Vegas Rental and Apartments, Nevada, The Law Comments Off