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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.

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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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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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Best of Las Vegas

The Top 5 Themed Hotels in Las Vegas

It’s completely a matter of opinion whether you think the lavishly themed hotels that dot the Vegas strip are playfully extravagant or over-the-top kitschy–in reality, both views are correct. Still, there’s no denying that Las Vegas takes themed entertainment to a new level. The architectural wonders Sin City has to offer guarantee that you will

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Best of Las Vegas

Arizona Charlie’s Decatur Pool

Take a swim through the wild west in this private pool. Make sure you don’t wear your cowboy hat into the pool. This medium-size pool is located outdoors Not heated Chairs are provided but cannot be reserved Towel service is available There is one jacuzzi to relax in This pool is enclosed for maximum privacy

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Best of Las Vegas

Arizona Charlie’s Boulder Pools

Arizona Charlie’s Boulder Casino Hotel contains not one but two excellent pools. These relaxing pools provide endless relief from the Las Vegas heat. Hotel Courtyard Pool at Arizona Charlie’s Boulder Outdoor pool located outside the hotel Not heated Chairs are provided by the hotel There is a built-in hot tub Towel service is provided by

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How Far is Redrock from Las Vegas?

Redrock Canyon is around 20 miles from the Las Vegas Strip. Here’s a map showing you multiple travel distances from Redrock to various locations in Las Vegas. You might Also Like to view: 501 Things to Do in Las Vegas Las Vegas Strip Map Las Vegas Zip Code Map and Neighborhood Information All About Summerlin

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Public Pools in Las Vegas

Clark County Parks and Rec Year Round Pools Aquatic Springs Indoor Pool OPENING SOON (702) 455-1708 Desert Breeze Aquatic Facility 8275 Spring Mountain Rd. (702) 455-7716 Hollywood Aquatic Center 1550 S. Hollywood (702) 455-8508 Clark County Parks and Rec Adult Activity Pools For Age 21 and over Cora Coleman Adult Activity Pool 2100 Bonnie Lane

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Single Story large home is lit up against blue sky
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House Payment on a $500,000 Mortgage

While there are many variables, we can use the following calculations as a starting point for what the average mortgage payment of a $500,000 house might be. If you were using an FHA loan with a 3.5% down payment and paying 4.35% interest rate on a 30 year loan, your mortgage payment could be around: $2,115.70/mo.

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Living in Las Vegas

Amazon to Provide up to 500 jobs North Las Vegas

Amazon recently announced the creation of 500 jobs, reflecting the robust recovery in North Las Vegas and the rest of southern Nevada. Amazon already had a presence in the state, but it looks like the online behemoth will, like many other company, continue to grow throughout the year. If you’re searching for a job, Amazon

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Best of Las Vegas

Aria Liquid Lounge Pool

Pool Features   215,000 s/f pool deck with 3 outdoor heated pools VIP Pools with 8 private cabanas and 35 day beds 3 Jacuzzi’s Towel Service Bar and Cafe Chairs and Lounges 35 Cabanas + daybeds that can be reserved Raft Rentals available each day for a fee (complimentary with Cabana Rental) DJ’s Pool Hours

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Best of Las Vegas

Alexis Park Pool

Pool Features 3 5′ deep heated outdoor pools (max) Hotel Towel Service Jacuzzi Food and Beverage Service Chairs and Lounges (not reservable) Two Cabanas Pool Hours Pool 1: 9am to 8PM (lifeguard) – Seasonal Pool 2 and 3: 10am to 10PM Public or Private Access Hotel Guests Only Location and Map 375 E. Harmon Ave.,

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How Much House Can I Afford?

The hardest part of the home-buying process is figuring out what is affordable. Some first-time buyers rely on the amount the bank is willing to lend. Others use a lender’s mortgage calculator to crunch a couple of numbers. However, banks are often willing to lend much more than you can afford, and mortgage calculators don’t always tell

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Selling a Home in Las Vegas

Selling a House in Las Vegas – 7 Steps to SOLD!

  Step 1: Consider Why You Want to Sell: Congratulations. You have decided that it might be time to put your home on the market. You may be wondering if it’s a better time to sell or should you rent out your property. You might even want to consider holding it for a few more

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Things to Do in Las Vegas

Golden Nugget Las Vegas Pool

Swim with sharks they said? Well why not! In Las Vegas, most are open to a low risk gamble. The Tank 3 Story Water Slide Shark Tank! Chaises, Lounge Chairs, Daybeds Waterfalls Music Blackjack Tables 9-7 weekdays, 9-9 weekends Public charge (non hotel guests) – $35.00 (kids 2 and under get in free). Subject to

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