Posts by Stephanie Hollender

Ever find yourself growing tired of the prequels, sequels, and remakes filling today's cookie-cutter multiplexes? Rediscover the joy of movies at the 16th annual Dam Short Film Festival, taking place February 13-16 just minutes from Boulder City homes for sale.

History of the Film Festival

Users of FilmFreeway, a festival submission platform, rate the Dam Short Film Festival in the top 1.5 percent of more than 7,000 film festivals and contests worldwide. The largest film festival in Nevada is also one of the most popular cultural events in the state.

The festival's roots date back to 2003 when Lee and Anita Lanier formed a non-profit organization devoted to sharing their love of short films. Over the previous 15 years, the pair had worked in film production and computer animation while directing half a dozen of their short films.

In 2005, the festival made its official debut with screenings at the American Legion Hall. As the festival's scope expanded, it moved to the historic Boulder Theatre in 2008. John LaBonney served as festival director from 2012 to 2019, and under his stewardship, the festival began attracting sell-out crowds.

The Boulder Theatre

The background of the Boulder Theatre is a worthy topic for its own short film. Built-in 1931, the 400-seat theatre was at one time the only air-conditioned building in the Boulder City area. Legend has it that laborers working on Hoover Dam would splurge on a 25-cent ticket to escape the blistering heat for a couple of hours.

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Are you ready to celebrate the spookiest holiday of the year as only the Las Vegas area knows how? Halloween is always one of the most fun holidays of the year around Las Vegas. Whether you're looking to trick or treat at the best bars on Fremont Street or explore the area's most harrowing haunted houses, there's a ton to do. Our real estate agents are ready for the spooky season, and we've got the details on four great attractions for Halloween near Las Vegas this year.

• Fremont Street Halloween Bar Crawl – 425 Fremont St., Las Vegas, NV 89109
  Las Vegas homes for sale make it easy to enjoy every Halloween attraction on our list, including the annual Fremont Street Halloween Bar Crawl. Grab your wristband when the fun starts at noon, then get busy exploring all that Fremont Street's bars have to offer for Halloween. This self-guided tour includes more than a dozen local bars, with fantastic food, epic drinks, and tons of great specials. It's an afternoon event, so you'll have plenty of time to enjoy even more Halloween fun during the evening.

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When exploring Las Vegas homes for sale, there are many things to consider. Your dream home will be in the perfect location, have all of the amenities, and fit your budget. While you're deciding how much you can afford for your home, it's important not to forget about closing costs. 

Our real estate agents recommend that prospective buyers save up 2 to 5 percent of the home's price to cover closing costs. This can include a wide variety of expenses, including (but not limited to) the following.  

• Mortgage Application Fee - Your mortgage application fee is what the bank charges for processing your application. It's typically between $200 and $400. You may need to pay this ahead of time or at closing.
  
  
• Appraisal Fee - An appraisal is required to ensure the property value is enough to secure the total amount of the loan. The cost is usually between $100 and $400.
  
  
• Inspection Fee - Before you can purchase a home using financing, a professional must check the house for damage or other problems. A home inspection typically costs between $100 and $400.
  
  
• Title Search and Title Insurance - This is a service performed by a title company to ensure no other parties have a legal claim to the property. The search is usually between $150 and $200, while title insurance typically costs about 1 percent of the property's price.
  
  
• Recording Fees - Recording fees are what the local government charges to record your purchase transaction. They usually run between $40 and $60.
  
  
• Transfer Tax - When you purchase a new (to you) property, you'll owe transfer taxes. The cost will vary depending on where the home is located. 
  
  
• Legal Fees - You aren't required to hire a lawyer, but doing so can help ensure your interests are represented in the transaction. This can cost anywhere from $300 to $600, depending on the attorney.
  
  
• Homeowner's Insurance - Most lenders require you pay the first year of your homeowner's insurance premium upfront. Sometimes you'll pay your insurance company directly while at other times you'll pay this cost at closing.
  
  
• Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) - If you make a downpayment of less than 20 percent of the home's value, you'll most likely have to carry private mortgage insurance. The cost will vary depending on the home's value, your credit, and how much you put down. On average, it runs about 2.5 percent of the mortgage balance.
  
  
• Prepaid Interest - The lender may require you to pre-pay a partial month's interest if you close on a date other than the first of the month.
  
  
• Points - Points are an optional expense that allows you to reduce your mortgage interest rate. 
  
  
• Paying Your Closing Costs - Within three days of submitting your loan application, your lender will provide you with a "good faith estimate." This document outlines all of the closing costs. 

There are several ways buyers can choose to pay their closing costs. This includes paying cash, rolling the costs into the mortgage loan, and taking out a separate loan. It's also possible to negotiate having the seller or the lender cover some of the closing costs. 

Are you ready to find your dream home in the Las Vegas area? Contact us today to get started. 

Las Vegas has an endless number of mouthwatering dining options. If you really want to hit the jackpot, our real estate agents encourage you to sign up for a cooking class. While searching for Las Vegas homes for sale, learn delicious meals to cook at your house-closing celebration! Sign up for one at these cooking schools to experience the flavors of Vegas.

• Wynn Master Class — Wynn/Encore 3121-3131 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas NV 89109
  A wealth of tasty knowledge awaits you at Wynn's Master Class. Venture behind the scenes to discover how iconic chefs prepare phenomenal dishes. Choose from interactive workshops on everything from cocktails to fine cuisine. Book a class with a celebrity chef and learn a few recipes right out their cookbook or schedule a dumpling course with a master dim sum chef. With classes on pastry baking, bourbon drinking, and traditional Italian cooking, Wynn's masterclasses will make you feel like a gourmet chef!
  

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When you choose to buy one of the many beautiful Las Vegas homes for sale, you are choosing to join a community that cares about one another. Beyond the glitz and glamour of the Strip, Las Vegas is a community where people pull together to support those who need a helping hand. September 5th, 2019 is the International Day of Charity, and the following are some local organizations that can use your support to make our community stronger.

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National Dog Day is August 26th, and what better way to celebrate than with a special dog walk. Las Vegas is fortunate to have so many options you and your dog will love. Our real estate agents have found some of the best, most unique spots for you and your furry friend to celebrate National Dog Day.

1. Barkin' Basin Dog Park – 7341 W. Alexander Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89129
   Dog parks allow your pal to roam off-leash and to socialize with other dogs. At Barkin' Basin Dog Park, you can relax in the shaded seating area while your pooch romps around in one of the enclosed areas (one for big dogs and another for small ones). When either of you needs water, the park has fountains for both of you. The park is open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

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Owning a home is a significant responsibility that takes more than merely having the funds to cover the mortgage payment. When you're looking at Las Vegas homes for sale, it's crucial that you thoroughly account for the maintenance and costs that go along with the property. Don't be surprised when the bills come rolling in! The following are five "hidden" expenses that are easily overlooked by home buyers in Las Vegas.

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Everybody loves a good Thanksgiving feast, but let's be honest – it's not a tradition that does our waistlines any favors. So if you're looking for a way to burn off a few extra calories this holiday season, you're in luck.

Our real estate agents are here to let you know that these five runs, walks and races will get your Thanksgiving off to a running start in the Las Vegas area. They represent an opportunity not only to get some exercise before your Thanksgiving dinner but also to help out some great causes. So let's get moving!

1. Las Vegas Turkey Trot (Boulder City, NV)
   The Las Vegas Turkey Trot follows a beautiful course along the Historic Railroad Trail, passing through Six Tunnels to Hoover Dam, and providing incredible views overlooking Lake Mead. This half marathon, 12K, 5K, 1-mile stroll and relay kicks off bright and early on November 22 – Thanksgiving Morning – with packet pick-up starting at 6:30 and a half marathon getting underway at 7:30. Refreshments will be provided at the finish line.

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