Blog

Welcome to the Lori Ballen Team Real Estate Blog. Everything you want to know about real estate, home values, featured listings, home maintenance, home repair, and so much more.

Desert Shores Homes are showing on the water with boats coming off the private docks
Housing Market Trends

Desert Shores Real Estate Market Report

Average Price Range: $344,768 Desert Shores Home Values have increased year over year. At the end of 2017, calculating only single-family residences, the average price range for this neighborhood was $344,768. You can view the rest of the Las Vegas Real Estate Market here. Primary Year Sale Price, Average 2013 $274,751 2014 $277,878 2015 $324,817

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Best of Las Vegas

Best Las Vegas Dentists | Locals Voted!

Summerlin Area Here are the best dentists in Las Vegas as voted by the locals. Feel free to contact us if you feel someone should be added to the list. Make sure you include a link, their contact info, and why you think they should be included. Drs. Bryson and Margio | 89134 Dr. Lac Smile

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Living in Las Vegas

Getting around with Uber in Las Vegas – and Lyft

If you live, work or visit Las Vegas Area, from your Henderson Home, to the Strip to Fremont Street, you can now use either of the country’s two top ride-hailing services, Uber and Lyft, for transportation. Both services are powered by the company’s own app that pairs people in need of a ride with vetted,

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Living in Las Vegas

Las Vegas Allergies, What Can you Do About Them?

Las Vegas has come a long way ever since it was first discovered in the early 1800’s. This city is situated in the state of Nevada and is one of the biggest cities in the United States. With an estimated population of over two million people. Las Vegas was established on modernism and new beginnings.

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White board shows flow chart of how to raise your credit score including paying debt on time
Home Buying

How to Raise your Credit Score to Buy A House

In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. ~ Benjamin Franklin If you have made your decision to become a homeowner, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise when applying for a mortgage loan. This could leave you wondering how to raise your credit score to buy a

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Living in Las Vegas

Coyotes in Summerlin

Coyotes in Summerlin I happen to live in The Vistas at Summerlin. In one of our social groups online, I was seeing many posts about Coyote sightings. At first, we thought we could call the Department of Wildlife, and they would come to the rescue. Neighbors are reporting conversations that make this an unreliable method.

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Northwest Las Vegas Average Home Prices

The Northwest part of the Las Vegas Valley makes up MLS area 401, 402, 403, 404, and 405. When buying a house in one of the Northwest Las Vegas zip codes, knowing the differences in these areas can help you make a decision on which area might be for you. When selling a property, you’ll

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Graph with house, magnifying glass, newspapers and the words 89144, Ballen Housing Market News
Housing Market Trends

89144 Housing Market

About the 89144 Housing Market 89144 is popular zip code in Northwest Las Vegas. This area is known as Summerlin which is a Master Planned Community. Many wonder how much average home prices are in 89144, and this end of year report can guide you to the numbers you need. There were 1,230 new listings

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Blog

Airstream Park, Tiny Living in Downtown Las Vegas

As the “tiny house” craze continues to sweep the nation and dominate cable television, the late Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh contributed his unique take on the small space living nation by creating Airstream Park. Located in downtown Las Vegas, Airstream Park is an experiment in communal living, inspired by the iconic Burning Man festival, combined with

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Things to Do in Las Vegas

M&M’s World Las Vegas

Check out this one of a kind candy shop! M&M’s World in Las Vegas is a 28,000 square foot, four-level tribute to the colorful candy-coated chocolates. Design your own M & M candies, purchase apparel, or get other souvenirs from this delicious and delightful monument to M & M Candies. Location: 3785 S Las Vegas

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Things to Do in Las Vegas

Karaoke Las Vegas | Find a Karaoke Bar

One of the most popular entertainments in Las Vegas is Karaoke. Whether you’ve been inspired by the shows on the strip or you just want to let loose with a group of friends, a Karaoke bar is among the most popular on and off the strip. When you aren’t sure where to go, for the most fun you can have with a drink and a mic, check out these well-known tourist meccas and off-the-beaten-path local favorites and join in for Karaoke Las Vegas!

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Blog

Selling a Las Vegas Property? Watch out for Squatters!

There are currently more than one billion squatters on the planet, according to this UMass Law Review report on squatting. When the real estate market collapsed due to the Great Recession, it left millions of homeowners holding nothing but foreclosure notices and the clothes on their back. Working people, with intact families; not the kind

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Living in Las Vegas

Las Vegas DMV [Department of Motor Vehicles]

Once you’ve moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, you need to make sure that you apply for your driver’s license and your vehicle registration within 30 days at the DMV. If you fail to do so, the fine for not registering your vehicle is $1,000. This amount can be reduced once you comply in getting it

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Couple is debating the household budget
Blog

How to Create a Monthly Housing Budget

The word, “budget” often brings up notions of lack or restriction. People tend not to want to think about creating a monthly housing budget because it reminds them of what they don’t have. But budgeting is a matter of taking control of your expenses. When you “budget” an evening, for example, you are planning how

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Selling a Home in Las Vegas

Can the Buyer Assume My Mortgage?

Assuming a mortgage is the act of taking over someone else’s mortgage debt along with his home. The process goes something like this. The buyer makes a price offer. The seller accepts that offer. But instead of paying the offer price in cash or by mortgage finance, the buyer pays only the seller’s equity and

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Pray for Vegas, Las Vegas Shooting
Blog

Las Vegas Shooting Near Mandalay Bay | 10-1-2017

Our hearts are so saddened by Las Vegas shooting near the Mandalay Bay on October 1, 2017. It’s reported to be the worst mass shooting in modern American history. The President in Vegas The President at UMC President Trump at LVMPD As we update this blog, we welcome all requests for help and additional information to

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Couple has hands over their mouth so that they don't say the wrong things to a home buyer while selling their house
Blog

10 Things you should Never Say to a Home Buyer

You know the drill. The doorbell rings. You take a deep breath, plump the cushions and throw one last scrutinizing glance around your show-ready home. Then you put on your game face and throw open the door. ” Hi!” you say to the prospective buyer and their agent. “Please, come in.” So far, so good.

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At Home

The Calming Powers of a Weighted Blanket

Sleep is when the body is supposed to relax, allowing it to wash away the stress from the day and to engage in healing of the mind and body. However, according to the National Sleep Foundation, nearly 2/3rds of Americans are not getting highly restful sleep on a regular basis. This regular lack of calm

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Woman in a red vest is horseback riding in the Las Vegas desert
Things to Do in Las Vegas

Horseback Riding in Las Vegas

If you love horseback riding, you’ll find lots to do in Las Vegas. Use this list of places to go horse back riding in Las Vegas. Click here if you are looking to buy a Las Vegas Horse Property. Wild West Horseback Adventures2470 Chandler Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89120Phone number(702) 792-5050 Cowboy Trail Ride4053 Fossil

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Chair and lamp, wall says owner will carry
Blog

Owner Will Carry Loans and Seller Financing

Also referred to as the seller financing or creative financing, Owner Will Carry Financing is an agreement where a buyer finances the acquisition of property through finance advanced by the seller. The amount advanced to the purchaser is included in the purchase price. Normally, this option is more suitable to a buyer who cannot get

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Blog

6 Recommended Features for Your Retirement Property

If you’ve reached retirement age, or are approaching it, you may be looking out for a new home to suit your changing wants and needs. With your sunset years ahead, it’s wise to consider the problems that age can bring and the facilities they require. On the other hand, retirement is for enjoying your hard-earned

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Selling a Home in Las Vegas

12 Steps to an Offer- Winning Open House

One way a seller can attract buyers is by throwing an open house. Done properly, an open house can attract multiple offers and secure a fast sale. Do it poorly, however, and you’ll put potential buyers off your home. Make your open house go with a swing with these twelve tips. #1: Make any repairs

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Investing

5 Tips for New Las Vegas House Flippers

Flipping Flipping a house in Las Vegas is like playing Monopoly, only it involves real money and real property. The main objective when becoming a house flipper is to buy cheap, improve the property, and then collect the highest price. House flipping is defined as purchasing a house or property at a rock bottom price,

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Housing Market Trends

Summerlin Home Values

Whether you are ready to buy or sell a house in Summerlin, knowing the local real estate market can be a true advantage. While the median price range in Las Vegas just hit $250,000, in Summerlin it’s just over $350,000 and each village and subdivision varies as well. If you have a house to sell

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Living in Las Vegas

Frequently Asked Questions about Las Vegas

There are many frequently asked questions about Las Vegas each day. These article answers many of them. Have a question? Contact us! Where is the best place to live in Las Vegas? “Best” is whatever are meets the criteria you and your family are looking for. While one person may feel that living downtown is

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Living in Las Vegas

Fire Sprinklers May Soon Be Mandatory In New Las Vegas Construction

Fire Fighters are in a constant battle with fire across the Las Vegas area. Now, they are fighting another battle with politicians. The Clark County fire department is encouraging politicians to pass a bill requiring that all newly constructed residential houses have fire sprinklers installed. Las Vegas currently has a law that states that any house

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