RETIRE TO LAS VEGAS

SUN CITY SUMMERLIN SWEETENS ITS GOLF PACKAGE

2010-10-03T12:24:00.000-07:00

One of the most attractive features of the Sun City Summerlin active adult community in Las Vegas is the golfing experience it provides. Actually, golf at Sun City Summerlin provides three distinct experiences at the Highland Falls, Palm Valley and Eagle Crest courses. First opened in 1989 and designed by Billy Casper and Greg Nash, the trio at Sun City Summerlin feature relaxing playable course layouts and some of the most scenic tee box views in all of Southern Nevada.

Golf Sun City Summerlin has just introduced a newly enhanced "loyalty program" that offers highly attractive perks for Summerlin Las Vegas golfers. The new program will reward frequent local players with inexpensive green fees, a free round after seven paid rounds and free range balls for proper warm up before play. The new Loyalty cards are available at all three courses and cost just $20 at Palm Valley and Highland Falls, and just $10 at the Eagle Crest executive course.

If you are considering a retirement home or a second/vacation home, the opportunities at Sun City Summerlin are still amazing. There are currently 181 single family homes and townhomes available for sale in this community and they range in price from $599,000 to $94,500. The square footage range is from 2558 to 1046. All of these homes are single story (ranch) and most are two bedroom with two baths and a two car garage. The annual homeowners fee is $1237.

If you would like more information on this community, please contact me at lauradouglas@mslasvegasrealestate.com

YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND

2010-05-22T15:52:00.000-07:00

Usually, people start thinking of retirement and retirement destinations three to five years before they will be ready to retire. When you start "thinking" that's the very best time to make contact with your "New Best Friend". This would be an experienced, full-time real estate agent in the location you are considering.

When you make your initial contact you can tell the Agent that you are just starting your search for information and tell them what your wish list includes. Very important to include in this information is the price range you feel you would be most comfortable with. This, of course, can change as can any of the other criteria you provide. Make your first list include everything you would really like. If a pool is something you think you want, include it. Single story home vs two story, age qualified community, etc.

A really good Agent, and one you will be comfortable working with ,will send you listings at the frequency you would like. It could be once a week, once a month, etc. This will keep you informed of what is going on in the market. You might find a particular community that interests you. You can then tell your Agent to be sure to keep you up to date on this place or any similar properties. This is also a good time to let your Agent know how you would prefer your contacts to continue - only e-mail or perhaps a phone call once in awhile.

When you make a visit to the place you have been considering as your retirement destination, you will feel very comfortable meeting with your Agent and going to look at the areas & communities that interest you.

Another plus is that all of this is at no cost to you. It's fun to look for properties online but what is really great information is what your Agent will interpret for you regarding the surrounding area, homeowners association information and distances to the airport, shopping and other areas of interest.

INVEST NOW - RETIRE LATER ?

2010-04-03T13:55:00.000-07:00

I have been told by many people who are nearing retirement that they would love to take advantage of the lower prices in the current market here in Las Vegas. It seems this works really well in some circumstances.

If you can find the home that would be good for you when you retire, purchase it now and THEN rent it until the time you are ready for your move to Las Vegas. If it is viable from a financial standpoint, you could also keep this property as income (rental) property and purchase another for your retirement home.

There are several factors that have to be explored before you can decide if this is a good way for you to prepare for your retirement.

You need to consult with a Lender to see how much would be required for a down payment, what you are qualified to purchase (price of the home), check out what the rentals are going for in the area you are interested in. If you can rent the property for the amount of your mortgage payment (incuding taxes & interest) it could be a great opportunity and allow you to invest while the market is at this low point.

There are so many properties that would work for this scenario but you have to put all the pieces together to be sure it fits your current financial picture.

If you would like more information, please e-mail me with your questions. I'll look forward to hearing from you.

THE STUFF THAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF

2010-01-29T09:20:00.000-08:00

Today I want to tell you about the only Pulte Del Webb guard gated community for active adults in Las Vegas. Solera is approximately 7 miles from The Strip and the airport. It is located in the Southeast portion of the valley with great mountain views to enjoy.

Solera at Stallion Mountain has a real small-town feel about it. There are only 838 homes and - you can still purchase a brand new home at Solera. There are five models to choose from ranging in price from $134,990 to $180,990 with square footage from 1155 to 1716. These are base prices and depending on how far along construction is, there are options to choose from. Some models offer an option for a third bedroom or den. There are also resale homes available. All homes are single story. Most homes are two bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage. Resale prices range from $105,900 to $269,000 with square footage from 1157 to 1718.

There is a very attractive 10,000 sq.ft. recreational facility. Other amenities offered are an outdoor pool, tennis courts, bocce courts, fitness center and aerobics area, locker rooms and multi-purpose rooms. The activities and clubs offered could keep you really busy. Association dues are $100.00/month.

Just a thought - If you are considering retirement in the next couple of years this might be a great time to purchase your next home. It is really a Buyer's market and you could possibly save quite a bit by making your purchase now.

Please contact me for any information I may not have included that would help you to choose Las Vegas as your retirement destination. I'd really like to hear from you so I can answer your questions and interests in my next post. Have a great week.

ANOTHER SPECTACULAR AGE QUALIFIED COMMUNITY

2010-01-05T12:43:00.000-08:00

Sun City Summerlin is a 2,530 acre active adult community with approx. 7,779 homes. Sun City is also conveniently located within 30 minutes of the airport and very close to shopping and medical facilities.

You will really enjoy the tree-lined streets and wonderful mountain views. All of the homes are single story and there are some townhomes (similar to a duplex). Some homes back to the golf courses giving an even more expansive view. There are quite a few models to choose from with square footage ranging from 1,021 sq.ft. to over 3,000 sq.ft. The annual homeowners fee is $1128.00 at this time.

There are four social centers all offering a great many facilities, such as indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, exercise rooms, billards room, walking tracks, just to name a few.

There are three 18-hole golf courses, Palm Valley, Highland Falls and Eagle Crest. These are semi-private courses offering several different golfing memberships to Sun City residents. You will receive assistance in determining the package that best fits your needs based upon the amount of golf you plan to play.

As you can imagine, there is so much more to say about this lovely place. Please send me your questions on this or any other age-qualified community in Las Vegas. I'll be happy to hear from you and pleased to answer your questions

2010-01-05T12:31:00.001-08:00

AGE RESTRICTED ACTIVE ADULT COMMUNITIES

2009-12-13T14:12:00.000-08:00

There are about a dozen age restricted communities in Las Vegas and Henderson. These would include condos, townhouses and single family homes. Most of the townhouses and single homes are one story, ranch style. The majority of homes are two bedroom, two bath, two car garage. There are some that also have a den.

The requirement to buy in these neighborhoods is that one occupant of the home must be 55 or older. The Buyer does not have to be over 55 as long as this requirement is met.

Some of these places are gated, some not. There is usually at least one pool. Some have indoor and outdoor pools. There is also usually a fitness center, social hall (club house). There are several with 18 hole golf courses. The golf courses are public and that means that the homeowners do not have the sole support of the golf course. In some, there is also a restaurant and bar. Tennis courts are included in most.

There is a monthly homeowner's association fee and this varies from community to community. Guests are no problem, even grandchildren, as long as they are supervised and it is truly a "visit". Pets are most welcome. All of these neigborhoods have rules and regulations which would be provided to you for you to accept or reject before you purchase.

I will profile some of the active adult communities with more specific informations on each one. In the meantime, please contact me for any additional information.

WEATHER IN LAS VEGAS

2009-12-02T12:55:00.000-08:00

I want to use this space to introduce you to just how great living in Las Vegas can be. There are so many things I want to cover and I'll try to hit all of the points that will familiarize you with The Las Vegas Valley as a retirement destination. I will ask that you send me your questions or ask me to elaborate on certain information I provide. I think this will be informative and fun for all of us.

Let's start with weather. How about today - beautiful, crisp fall day with lots of blue skies and sunshine. The temperature this morning is 62 degrees with humidity of 18%. This is a pretty typical day for this time of year. Las Vegas temperatures can vary 20-25 degrees in a day year round.

Las Vegas is lovely and warm during the Spring and Fall and...OK...really hot in July and August. Winters can be quite cool but still warmer than lots of US cities.

We don't get much rain but in the first three months of the year we do have some rain. Again in July and August we can have rain and thunderstorms.

All in all, really a wonderful climate that gives you freedom from weather concerns. 702.461.1969 LauraDouglas@mslasvegasrealestate.com

TYPICAL LAS VEGAS HOME

2009-12-01T15:19:00.000-08:00

We talked a little of where you can live in Las Vegas. I thought you might like to know what a typical home might be like.

Most homes in Las Vegas are built on a concrete slab. Basements are very rare. The construction is frame and stucco with tile or tile-like roofs. Insulation is usually blown cellulose. Almost all homes have dual-pane windows and the newer homes have Low-e dual pane windows with vinyl frames. Central air conditioning system (electric), ground mounted, gas furnace, gas water heater. There would likely be an irrigation system in place for exterior landscaping. Most homes have an attached garage, with entry into the house from the garage and an automatic door opener.

Kitchens would usually include a gas range & oven, dishwasher and disposal. It would be plumbed for an ice maker for your refrigerator. The laundry is usually set-up for a gas dryer & electric hook-up for the washer.

Privacy walls are very common in Las Vegas. This would be a block wall around the back and sides of your lot. Outside access would be thru a gate on one side. Access from inside would usually be a sliding glass door leading to the yard and might include a covered patio area.

Energy efficiency is a really important consideration in this climate and Builders construct with that in mind. Look for my next post - Active Adult Communities. 702.461.1969 LauraDoulas@mslasvegasrealestate.com

YOU'RE MOVING WHERE????

2009-11-23T15:04:00.000-08:00

It's interesting how many people visit Las Vegas and never get much further than The Strip. Most people don't realize what a wonderful, something-for-everyone, city this is. If you tell someone you are thinking of moving to Las Vegas they get a funny look on their faces while they are imagining you sleeping under a roulette wheel in a casino. I sold a house to a couple from Cleveland, Ohio and they were to close escrow in late October. Just before they came to town they called to ask if we had Halloween in Las Vegas. So let's see what it's really like.

Las Vegas is one of four cities in Clark County. The others are Henderson, North Las Vegas and Boulder City. Clark County is the 15th largest county in the Nation with a population of approx. 2 million.

As one example of where you can live, I'd like to tell you about The Lakes. The Lakes is a "planned community" - a neighborhood. It's located in the Southwest part of the valley, West of The Strip and about 20 minutes from the airport. It was built in the mid-80's to mid-90's. Within The Lakes there is a variety of single family homes, condos, apartments, shopping and restaurants. There is also an elementary school. There are lovely wide, tree-lined streets with lots of walking paths (with exercise stations). The name for this neighborhood comes from the large man-made lake at the center of this area. There are also smaller ponds & waterscapes throughout the community.

Imagine - all of this within 2 square miles. Look for my next post for other communities. 702.461.1969 LauraDouglas@mslasvegasrealestate.com