Homeownership

Improved air quality in your home is essential for your overall health and well-being. Every time you open a door, outdoor emissions seep into your home. Other pollutants come from everyday building materials, appliances, heating and cooling units, and your favorite pet. Luckily with a few changes, you can improve your indoor air quality. 

Check out the list below for simple tasks to improve your home's indoor environment compiled by our real estate agents.

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Not every project is meant for do-it-yourselfers to tackle. Some projects are dangerous or just not feasible for the average homeowner to complete. Plus, poorly completed projects can even negatively impact the resale value of your home. Before you grab your toolbox, make sure you call an expert when handling the following home improvement projects. 

1. Electrical Work
   Unless you're a professional electrician, electrical work is one project that always requires a professional. At a minimum, the fixture or outlet you're trying to rewire might not work properly. In a worst-case scenario, poorly done electrical work can cause a house fire. There's also a huge risk to you of injury or electrocution when you're doing the electrical work. Stick with a licensed electrician to ensure that work is done properly and safely. 
2. Removing a Tree
   If you want to add your property to the inventory of Las Vegas homes for sale, it's essential to get your yard looking its best. While the work associated with removing a tree doesn't seem difficult, there's a lot that can quickly go wrong. The average person may not be able to accurately judge where the tree will fall. Plus, once the tree is down, you have to consider how you'll remove it from your property. This can involve a lot of manual labor and numerous trips to the haul the wood away. Some cities even require a permit for tree removal, adding more time and effort to the project. Hire an experienced tree removal service who knows how to safely remove the tree. 

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With more people than ever staying at home, this year's spring cleaning is getting some extra attention. Whether you're trying to get your kitchen spotless before adding it to the inventory of Las Vegas homes for sale or you just want to make your home look great, learning how to clean stainless steel appliances the right way can make a huge difference. 

Luckily, a few of our REALTORS® are cleaning pros. They've pulled together this list of their top secrets for making your stainless steel sparkle. 

Before you start cleaning, you'll want to make sure you have some soft microfiber cloths. This is your best option as they're non-abrasive and won't cause scratches. 

Always avoid things that can damage the surface of your appliances, including steel wool, scouring powders, ammonia, or bleach. Instead, try one of these four simple and effective cleaning methods.

1. Vinegar and Mineral Oil
   This may sound more like a recipe for salad dressing than a cleaning technique, but stick with us! First, you'll want to gather your supplies. You'll need your microfiber cloths, white vinegar in a spray bottle, and mineral oil. Always avoid food-based oils, like olive oil or vegetable oil, as they can go rancid. You may also want to have some paper towels handy. Start by determining the direction of the grain (horizontal or vertical) on your stainless steel appliances and make sure that you clean in the same direction. Spray down the appliance with the vinegar and wipe it down using the soft cloth (or paper towels). This should take off the first layer of grime and start to reveal some shine. Once you've removed all the vinegar, dip a soft cloth in just a bit of oil and use it to polish the surface. Make sure to rub in the same direction as the grain. Keep in mind that a little bit goes a long way, and you can always go back for more. With just a little bit of elbow grease, all of the streaks and marks should disappear, leaving you with a shiny surface that looks brand new. 

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Who says you can't have a garden in the desert? Our REALTORS® love the convenience of eating fresh fruits and vegetables from their own backyard. Plus, making a raised garden bed in your Las Vegas home is super easy. Follow these 10 simple steps. 

1. Choose the Container
   Raised beds come in a variety of materials such as cedar, recycled plastic, and galvanized steel. You can also choose from semi-DIY, modular, and fully constructed beds. A depth of 10-12" is recommended to give roots plenty of room to develop.
   
   
2. Decide How Many Beds to Plant
   If you're a gardening newbie or have limited time, you might want to start with one. Three or four beds will give you a healthy amount of space if you plan to cultivate a good variety.
   
   

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Great landscaping is a vital component for any home. Not only does landscaping improve the curb appeal of your home, but it creates a relaxing space that your family will want to use. Las Vegas has a distinct desert climate that requires certain types of vegetation. Our REALTORS® compiled a list of plants that are ideal candidates for your Las Vegas home. 

1. Cacti
   No list of desert-friendly vegetation would be complete without the cacti. Since the cacti can store water in its stems, it's perfect for a climate with low amounts of precipitation. Cacti also add greenery to your landscaping. When the cacti bloom, they lend even more color to your landscaping. Different cacti species come in various sizes, making it easy to find cacti that fit the space where you want more vegetation.

2. Palm Trees
   Palm trees lend a luxurious touch to your outside areas. Though palm trees do require frequent watering when they're young, once they're a few years old, they're a hearty, durable addition to your landscaping. Established palm trees can withstand extreme heat and occasional frost. Some palms grow as tall as 60 feet, making them an excellent choice if you want to add privacy to your yard. 

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Finding you're dream home is exciting, but let's face it. Moving is not fun. Luckily, our real estate agents have learned a thing or two about moving, and we're here to share some of our hard-earned knowledge.

Whether you're listing your Las Vegas home for sale, or are getting ready to move into your new home, our agents are dedicated to making the process as easy as possible. These are the most common things people forget when they move, and how to avoid forgetting them:

1. Turning Utilities On and Off
   Few things are more frustrating than arriving at your new home and realizing that the gas hasn't been turned on, or there's no electricity. Be sure to notify your utility companies before you move so all your services are discontinued at your old house, and either moved to or started at your new one. The same goes for Internet service, cable TV, and trash pickup. 
2. Getting the Right Moving Supplies
   Moving is hard enough, to begin with. Don't let a lack of supplies make it harder. Be sure to stock up on all the packing materials you need, including:

• • Boxes. Get them in a variety of sizes: big ones for lightweight stuff like pillows and bedding, and smaller ones for hefty items like books and kitchenware.
  • Packaging tape. Don't skimp; get the strong stuff so you can be sure your box won't fall apart while you move. 
  • Labels. There are a few different ways you can go, but make sure you have some way of labeling every box, so you know what's in it.  

3. Making an "Essentials" Box
   Too many families pack everything they own without thinking about what they might need on day one. That can cause a lot of headaches, so save yourself a lot of trouble by packing an "essentials" box that has everything you might need the first day after you move. The precise contents of this box will be different for everyone, but good things to consider include:

• • Toiletries and cosmetics
  • Clothes for your first couple days
  • Snacks and beverages
  • A few of your kids' (or pets') favorite toys
  • Any tools you might need to get set up

4. Packing All Your Stuff
   Seriously, you'd be amazed how much stuff gets left behind when people move, and not always on purpose. It's easy to accidentally leave things behind when you move, so take extra care to double- and triple-check every corner of your old house before you turn in your keys. Some of the most commonly left-behind items include:

• • Valuables and jewelry 
  • Kitchen appliances like coffee makers and microwaves
  • Personal records
  • Lamps
  • House plants
  • Chargers
  • Trash cans and recycle bins

5. Letting Everyone Know You've Moved
   You don't want your birthday cards and magazines—or worse, credit card statements and tax returns—sent to your old house after you've moved. It can be exhausting to inform everyone in your life that you've moved, but you'll be glad you did. You can also fill out an official Change of Address form from the U.S. Post Office to cover all your bases. And be sure to tell the DMV!

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help with all your real estate needs. From finding your dream home to making it your own, we're here to help every step of the way. 

Spring will be at our doorstep before you know it, and you can bet our real estate agents are ready! The arrival of spring brings a lot of opportunities, but as a homeowner, one of the best things about spring is that it offers a chance to spruce up your landscaping.

Of course, over our many years offering Las Vegas homes for sale, we've learned that Las Vegas lawns come with a few unique challenges. Not to worry! Facing a challenge is a great way to encourage creativity, and these landscaping ideas will help you revitalize your property this spring. 

1. Go Native
   There are endless benefits to choosing landscape plants that are native to the region you live in. They're readily available and are perfectly suited to your climate, so you won't ever have to worry about whether or not they can survive. These days, nurturing native plants is considered not only a great way to make your landscape look its best, but also to help support your local environment. And in case you're worried that "native" gardening in Las Vegas means you're stuck with a prickly cactus garden, you'll be happy to know that there are countless varieties of native trees, shrubs, and groundcovers that will thrive in your yard. 

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The new year is right around the corner, and now is the ideal time to start planning your home improvement projects for the year ahead. The following are five projects that our brokers recommend for maximizing your comfort and the market value of your home.

1. Invest in the Environment
   Eco-friendly upgrades won't just save you money on your monthly utility bills. They will make your home more appealing in an increasingly eco-conscious market. Switching old light bulbs out for LED's and installing a smart thermostat are easy steps. Other eco-friendly projects you can do include replacing old insulation with modern insulation that has a higher R-value. You could also consider installing more energy-efficient dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, and refrigerators. Purchasing new appliances, energy-efficient windows/doors, HVAC systems, etc. adds up. However, there are numerous tax credits and rebate programs available that significantly reduce the initial investment.   
2. Seal up the Leaks
   Air leaks are an easily fixed problem. Applying caulk or weatherstripping to leaks around windows, doors, and masonry can save you a bundle on your monthly utility bills. It is vital to use the appropriate sealant and adhere to installation instructions. Sealing up the leaks will help you stay comfortable throughout the hot summer months and year-round. More importantly, it is an inexpensive step to preserve the structural integrity of your home and protect it against pests and insects. 

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It wasn't that long ago when people couldn't wait to move out of their parents' homes, get married, and raise a family of their own in their new homes. While that's still happening all over the United States, a new trend seems to be developing: multigenerational households. For anyone who's looking at Las Vegas homes for sale, this might be one trend to consider getting in on. 

Did you know that as many as 64 million Americans are currently living in these types of homes? It's remarkable, and it's a trend that doesn't appear to be going away anytime soon. 

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Chances are, if you have a mortgage, you've probably wondered if it would be better to pay it off early. If that's the case, you're not alone. There are compelling arguments to be made for and against. Our real estate agents are here to help you make the best financial decision for your specific situation. 

Pros and Cons of Early Mortgage Payoff

On one hand, there's some logic behind the idea that, if you have any kind of debt, it's always better to pay it off sooner rather than later. And paying off your mortgage early, if you have the available funds to do so, will certainly reduce the amount that you pay in interest in the long run. 

But there's a counter-argument to be made as well. One of the most common reasons many financial experts give for not paying off your mortgage early is that the amount you save in interest probably won't be more than you could earn by using that money for other long-term investments, such as real estate or the stock market. At the end of the day, the right call depends on your unique priorities and situation. 

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