Articles Tagged "Buying a home"

Your priorities can change as you get older. Along with your priorities, housing needs will change as you age.

Buying a home at any age, and in retirement is always a possibility. 

The following are some factors our brokers recommend considering as you look at Las Vegas homes for sale during your retirement.

Your New Cost of Living

If you're buying a home, your cost of living may change. For example, an older home may need more repairs. A condo or home in a community with a homeowners' association will come with HOA fees. And if you're from another state or community, you'll need to investigate the cost of living where your home is located. For example, Nevada has one of the lowest tax rates in the country since it has a very low property tax rate and no personal income tax.

Click Here to Read More...

For decades, 20 percent was the traditional benchmark for down payments on a purchase of Las Vegas homes for sale, but today's real estate market has changed. According to data from the National Association of Realtors, approximately 60 percent of homebuyers make a down payment of six percent or less.

Do you still see the down payment as an obstacle to your dream of homeownership? Use these helpful saving tips that have been successful for clients of our brokers.

1. Determine a Target Number
   Once you've established a price range of homes within your means, calculate different down payment amounts to see your options. Prequalification, through a lender or online site like NerdWallet, is a great tool to help. 
   
   
2. Create a Budget
   Every goal needs a specific plan. Make a complete list of expenses, then set a reasonable timeline, so you know how much to put away each month. Breaking the total down into smaller amounts is also psychologically less intimidating.
   
   
3. Automate Savings
   Technology makes it easy to save money painlessly. Set up a payroll transfer or other automatic transfer program like Digit to deposit money in a savings account before it ever gets in your hands.

   Click Here to Read More...

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. 

Buying a new home is a significant investment, and it may seem like an even larger purchase when you're searching for a house out of state. There are many amazing Las Vegas homes for sale around the city, and some of our prospective buyers are looking to relocate from miles away.

Our real estate agents understand that the home buying process is often an experience with many questions and uncertainties. Rest assured, thousands of people purchase properties in different states all the time — some even move to Las Vegas from other countries! We've put together this guide answering your questions and offering tips on how to relocate to Las Vegas from a different state.

• Take a Breath
  
  Breathe in and breathe out — the home buying process is the start of a fantastic new chapter of your life. It's okay to feel nervous or scared, but trust in your decision and focus on the positives of your move.
  
  
• Do Thorough Research
  
  Of course, there's no substitute for being physically in a place, but there's a lot to be said for researching an area online. You can easily access maps, crime rates, school zones, job markets, and virtually all other necessary information. Take advantage of these resources and learn as much as you can before you begin your house hunt.
  

  Click Here to Read More...

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. 

Click Here to Read More...

Ever have that feeling you're forgetting something, but you're just not sure what it is? We've all been there! Moving to a new home is such an exciting and busy time, it's easy to lose track of the details. Take extra care to remember these commonly forgotten moving tasks to make your day go smoother.

1. Change your address. When you find one of the Las Vegas homes for sale that's right for you, you'll want to keep your friends and family updated with your new address. You'll also have to change your address with your monthly bills and any online retailers you frequent. At least take the time before you move to file your change of address with the post office. Many businesses request address correction if your mail comes back undeliverable, so it's a good way to catch any you forget.
   
   

Click Here to Read More...

First-time home buyers are often surprised to find that they are on the hook for more than just their down payment when purchasing Las Vegas homes for sale. For these buyers, closing costs can come as an unwelcome last-minute surprise, and in some cases, coming up with the funds to pay them on short notice can be difficult. So how to avoid such a situation? Here's what you need to know to be clued in on closing costs, courtesy of our real estate agents.

What are closing costs?

Closing costs are fees associated with the home buying process. These fees are collected at closing, which is when buyers sit down to formally take possession of their new property, with title to the property legally transferred from seller to buyer. Getting to the closing table is a process that involves a number of services along the way, and fees paid at closing are distributed to those who provide those services.

Click Here to Read More...

It's almost closing day, and you've reached the top of the mountain, so now all that's left is planting your flag, grabbing your keys, and moving into your new home. Well almost.  Your closing day doesn't have to be stressful when you prepare ahead of time.

Our real estate agents love helping clients cross the home-buying finish line.  We've got six tips to help you prepare for closing day.

Click Here to Read More...

Working out your home-buying budget before you begin shopping for your new home is essential. After all, nobody wants to waste time touring homes for sale in Las Vegas only to discover they cannot afford to buy their dream home. So what goes into working out an accurate home-buying budget? Budgeting for the down payment is the big-ticket expense home buyers tend to think of first, but there are other out-of-pocket expenses you're likely to face during the home-buying process. Our REALTORS® have created this list of some of the additional fees you should include in your home-buying budget:

1. Inspection Fees
   When you find the house that you want to be your new home, you will need to schedule at least one professional inspection to ensure that you have a reliable assessment of its condition. This is done after you have made an offer on a home and that offer has been accepted by the seller and is an essential step in protecting your interests. It is also often required by lenders to protect their interests. A general inspection of the home is the first step. If potential problems are found, other inspections may be necessary, such as a once-over from a termite specialist, for instance, or a perhaps sewer inspection. Depending upon your particular circumstances, you may spend anywhere from a few hundred to a thousand dollars or more on inspections.
   
   

Click Here to Read More...

Moving to a new location always requires preparation, and that's doubly true when you're making an international move. Streamlining an international move starts with good planning, and it's important to start the planning process as soon as you know that you're serious about making a move. Having a job, support system, and necessary services in place when you arrive can make the adjustment to a new country a much simpler process. Our real estate agents are here to help you get started, with our guide for planning a move to another country. 

Click Here to Read More...

What do you do if your dream home just isn't in your budget? That's easy – buy a fixer-upper and turn it into your dream home.

Of course, finding a great fixer-upper and transforming it into a palace isn't always an easy task. That's why our real estate agents are eager to share some tips on how to navigate from fixer-upper to dream home.

Click Here to Read More...

While you're on the lookout for Las Vegas homes for sale, keep in mind that you're not just looking for a great house. You're also looking for a great neighborhood.

Evaluating a neighborhood can be a lot more complex than evaluating a house, but there are several factors that make great neighborhoods stand out. Our real estate agents want to let you know what to look for as you're exploring neighborhoods in search of your dream home. 

Click Here to Read More...

Buying a Las Vegas Home? Use These Tips to Make a Winning Offer

Las Vegas is a hot real estate market. Home prices are up, interest rates are good. Existing homes sell quickly. If you're shopping for Las Vegas homes for sale and find one you love, you probably won't be the only person ready to make an offer.

Our real estate agents know the Las Vegas community. We realize a seller's market can make it difficult to find the right home at the right price. You can still buy the home you want if you Make Them an Offer They Can't Refuse. These buyer tips can help.

Click Here to Read More...

5 Tips to Get Your Finances in Order

For most people buying a home is the biggest financial transaction of their lives. So there is good reason getting your finances in order tops everyone's list of first steps. But where do you start? Here are some tips to guide you in the right direction.

Click Here to Read More...

With resorts, casinos, fabulous shows, and prime shopping venues, Las Vegas excitement draws visitors from around the world. But it's not just a big adult playground. If you keep family safety in mind as you tour Las Vegas homes for sale, you'll find the perfect Vegas neighborhood to live, work, and raise your family. 

Our real estate agents believe there's a Vegas neighborhood with a family-safe environment that's right for you. To assist you in evaluating a community before you make a commitment, we offer "6 Ways to Tell If Your New Las Vegas Neighborhood is Safe."

Click Here to Read More...

Preparing to pop the question and searching for the perfect place to do it? Vegas has you covered! Whether you're searching for a bird's-eye view of the city, a scenic, romantic dining spot, or a city landmark, there are a ton of great places to pop the question throughout Las Vegas. Our real estate agents know all the great spots in the city, and we've put together a guide to the 10 best places to pop the question in Las Vegas.

Click Here to Read More...

Do you work for yourself and want to buy a house? You're in luck! While it's not always as easy to get financed when you're self-employed, it's not impossible either especially if you know where to start. More than 10 percent of all workers in the United States are self-employed, and lenders and sellers aren't ignoring them completely. Our real estate agents are here to help all home buyers in Las Vegas and that includes those who work for themselves. You just have to counteract potential disadvantages by planning ahead, coming prepared, and documenting everything.

Before you commit to a lender or make that first bid, here are some simple steps you can take to improve your chances and reduce your risks:

Click Here to Read More...

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make. If you're planning to buy a home in the new year, give yourself the gift of some solid preparation first. Before you start looking at Las Vegas homes for sale, it's important to prepare your finances for the home-buying process. 

At Wardley Real Estate, our real estate agents are happy to help first-time buyers become homeowners, but we know every buyer can benefit from polishing their financial strategies. Whether you're new to buying a home or you want to upgrade your real estate in 2018, we'll help you reduce risks and find the right home for you. You can get started by taking these steps now:

Click Here to Read More...

Tips for Buying Your First Home in Las Vegas

If you're a first-time home buyer, it's easy to imagine why you'd want to settle down in Las Vegas. It's a family-friendly town, with diverse art and cultural experiences. Tourism and entertainment industries offer exciting opportunities for work and play. When you tour Las Vegas homes for sale, you'll see traditional and contemporary styles with mountain views and desert-inspired landscapes.

Our real estate agents understand that you may be relocating due to a job transfer or career change. Some employment transitions may preclude you from getting mortgage approval, while others won't. To help you understand home-buying obstacles and solutions, we offer our First-Time Buyers Guide: Buying a Home with a New Job.

Click Here to Read More...

Let's face it: no one wants thirty years' worth of debt. Interest adds up, and mortgage payments take up a big chunk of your family's budget each month. However, when you sign on the dotted line, you don't actually have to spend the next three decades locked into that contract. At Wardley Real Estate, our real estate agents know how important it is to take control over your future finances, from moving into a new home to moving up your payoff date. That's why we want to share some of our favorite ways to pay off your mortgage early.

While you're looking at homes in Las Vegas, make sure you know how to plan ahead and make smart mortgage choices that will speed up the repayment process. These tips are a great place to start:

Click Here to Read More...

Whether you are in the market now or thinking of buying a home in the future, open houses are a fun, informative way to educate yourself on the particulars of buying or selling a home. You may think that there's no point in going to open houses if you're not buying or selling, but there are plenty of reasons to check them out.

Here are a few reasons to clear your Sunday and check out some of our homes for sale in Las Vegas, even if you're not buying a house right now.

Click Here to Read More...

When you begin your search for Las Vegas homes for sale, consider buying a house that includes smart home technology.  Smart home technology is a term that refers to homes that have appliances, lighting and security systems as well as heating and air conditioning units that are connected and operated remotely by the owner through a smartphone, tablet or other electronic device. 

Here are five reason to consider smart home technology for your home in Las Vegas.

Click Here to Read More...

Location, Location, Location in Las Vegas

When you think of Las Vegas, your mind inevitably flashes: The glamour of "The Strip." However, when you dig deeper into the real estate market, opportunities come calling! 

Much of the Strip is in "Paradise, Nevada." It holds the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and McCarran International Airport, too. When locals talk Las Vegas, they mean a much larger area.

When it comes to finding the perfect Las Vegas home, this tidbit is only the start. Off the Strip, you'll find neighborhoods for everyone – the key is picking the perfect one for you. Let's take a closer look.

Click Here to Read More...

Managing Your Home Buying Budget

Buying a house is one of the biggest decisions we will make in our life--it has such a huge impact on our present and future. So establishing a solid budget is great for helping you narrow down your options, but it's also one of the most important steps for avoiding buyer's remorse. Basically, you don't want to find yourself house poor.

Click Here to Read More...

Updated 1/28/2020

Are you interested in finding Las Vegas homes for sale in the best neighborhoods? Las Vegas is a great place for young professionals and families to begin the next chapter of their lives. It's quickly becoming one of the nation's fastest-growing cities for employment in STEM industries. Beyond the glitz and glamour of The Strip, there are dozens of communities designed to meet every need and desire you could imagine. Let's look at 10 top Las Vegas neighborhoods to buy a home. 

1. Summerlin
   If you're looking for a fabulous home in Las Vegas, look to Summerlin first. This area is the third-ranked best-selling master-planned community in the country. With six of the nation's top-ten homebuilders developing these homes, the only element of this community rivaling its fantastic living spaces are the amazing shopping, dining, and exploring within feet from your front door.  
   
   
2. Henderson
   Perfect for men and women who desire a fast-paced, amenity-rich lifestyle of a major city without the distractions of Las Vegas tourism, more than 300,000 people call Henderson home. As one of the safest cities in the state, it also has a higher median household income level than the US average.
   
   
3. North Las Vegas
   Homes in North Las Vegas benefit from an active and bustling community where there's always something exciting, relaxing, and unforgettable going on. With plenty of world-class golf courses, hiking trails, and aquatics, you'll never run out of enjoyment. With a robust population of 243,000, it also features a fast-growing economy, easy access to local universities, and plenty of transit options. 
   
   
4. Primm
   Less than a half of an hour south of Las Vegas, Primm homes offer dual proximity to the best attractions in Southern Nevada and Eastern California. With unrivaled shopping, fine dining, and unique attractions within minutes, the Gateway to Southern Nevada's small population offers small-town comfort and direct access to some of the best vacation destinations in the world. 
   
   
5. Spring Valley
   Just two miles west of the Vegas Strip, Spring Valley homes are popular for those who work in the lively local tourism and hospitality industries. It features a large park, a vibrant Asian-American community, and a number of famous residents such as Jonathan and Drew Scott of the hit show Property Brothers on HGTV.
   
   
6. Southern Highlands
   Only 10 miles from The Strip, the Southern Highlands community stretches 2,300 acres and features an award-winning, members-only golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones. With homes ranging from the cozy high 100,000s through multi-million-dollar properties, there's a space for people of all budgets and lifestyles in Southern Highlands. 
   
   
7. Boulder City
   The safest city in Nevada, according to the National Council for Home Safety and Security in 2019, Boulder City homes are situated in the midst of some of Nevada's most striking natural beauty. About 26 miles south of Las Vegas, Boulder City is a tight-knit community of just under 16,000 that's well known as a great place to retire. It also offers great golfing, its own municipal airport, and close proximity to the historic Hoover Dam.
   
   
8. Sun City
   Sun City is a retirement community catering to owners aged 55 and older. With a small population of 25,000, this peaceful community is noted for its beautiful architectural features. Nearly every home in this neighborhood is a single-story residence, and the community features enjoyable amenities such as four pools, five friendly community centers, and tennis and racquetball courts.  
   
   
9. Desert Shores
   Desert Shores is a master-planned community situated in the stunning foothills of northwest Las Vegas. With 28 unique residential neighborhoods surrounding a community lagoon, playground, basketball court, and more, this area has everything from quaint condos and single-family homes to large custom-designed properties secluded behind private gates. 
   
   
10. Sheep Mountain
    Sheep Mountain is named for the gorgeous Sheep Mountain Range resting north the Las Vegas skyline. Reaching a maximum elevation of over 9,000 feet, this community is known for its stable housing market, sunny weather, and high per-capita income. 

Want to find out more? Our REALTORS® will be glad to help you. Contact Wardley Real Estate to find a home in beautiful Las Vegas, NV. 

An Insider's View of Living in Las Vegas

If you're considering a move to Las Vegas, you probably have a lot of questions about living in Nevada's largest city.  When most people think of Las Vegas, they think of it as the Entertainment Capital of the World ... America's gambling capital ... or Sin City.  But there is so much more to Las Vegas than its nightlife on the Strip.  

Life as a Las Vegas local is something totally different.  Our team of REALTORS® at Wardley Real Estate know relocating to a new city comes with its fair share of questions; so, created this list of "10 Reasons Why You'll Love Living in Las Vegas" to give you an insider's view of our city.

Click Here to Read More...