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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.

Las Vegas City Strip, Hotels, Real Estate
Living in Las Vegas

10 Fun Facts about Las Vegas

Full of twinkling lights, sparkling champagne, and dazzling showgirls, Las Vegas offers something for everyone in the entire household. More than 70 million people frequent Las Vegas every year for the eclectic shops, unique shows, unmatched all-you-can-eat buffets, and the plethora of hotels, casinos, restaurants, spas, gaming centers and roller coasters that make up Sin

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Living in Las Vegas

Living in Las Vegas – Record City

There’s something about the sound of classic vinyl – a smooth hissing hum behind the songs, a crackle and pop melting into the music. Something magical happens when the needle hits the record. This sound disappeared for the most part with the advent of 8 tracks and cassette tapes, and eventually into c.d.s and mp3s

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Best of Las Vegas

The Ballen Spotlight – Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria

When we asked Las Vegas residents to tell us where they went to get a delicious pizza, one name that kept coming up, again and again, was Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria. So, it’s easy to see why Grimaldi’s is in The Ballen Spotlight for the month. Best Pizza Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria is located at

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Living in Las Vegas

Home Maintenance Tips for Las Vegas Residents

Being a homeowner is rewarding, but it’s also a big responsibility. Keeping things repaired and in good working order is important to maintaining the value in your home. You want to protect your investment and make your home a wonderful place to spend your time. Cleaning Services | Handymen | Landscaping | Hardware Stores Because

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Living in Las Vegas

Cat and Dog Groomers in Las Vegas

Keeping your dogs, cats, and other pets healthy includes making sure they are properly groomed. Because we love our pets, we want them to look and feel their best. Taking them to a groomer who understands their needs and is dedicated to safe practices is a must. Before you hand your beloved pet over to

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Las Vegas School Supplies List and School Dress Codes

Las Vegas School Supplies List and School Dress Codes Summer is quickly coming to an end, and thoughts of going back to school are filling the minds of students and parents throughout the Las Vegas area. This is the perfect time to check school calendars, create school supplies shopping lists, and get a jump-start on

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A Complete Guide to Finding The Perfect House

Finding the perfect house for you and your family is no easy task. You may end up looking at dozens of different houses before finding the one that’s right for you. However, it’s going to be a lot more difficult to judge whether a house you’re looking at is the right one and to compare

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Things to Do for Earth Day in Las Vegas

There’s plenty of time for planning when it comes to how you’ll celebrate Earth Day this year. Earth Day is on Friday, April 22nd. The theme for this year is Environmental & Climate Literacy. Here are a few ways to celebrate Earth Day this year. GreenFest VIP Reception GreenFest is sponsored by Nevada Energy Star Partners

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Best of Las Vegas

Locals Choose the Best Shows in Las Vegas

If you’re thinking of heading to Las Vegas to take in some shows, there is no shortage of choices in live entertainment. This destination, known also as Sin City, provides the perfect getaway for people who cannot decide where to travel simply because Las Vegas never sleeps, and the area abounds with vibrant and diverse

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What Is the Home Is Possible for Heroes Program in Nevada?

The Nevada Housing Division offers the Home is Possible for Heroes program as a way to encourage and support homeownership for veterans. While this program can only be used with government issued loans, not conventional financing, it is a wonderful opportunity for those who have served our country to make aspirations of homeownership a reality.

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What exactly is a pre-foreclosure home?

What exactly is a pre-foreclosure home? Foreclosure happens when a homeowner misses his mortgage payment and the lender takes back his home. It follow that pre-foreclosure is the period right before the bank seizes control the property, right? Wrong. In legal terms, there is no such thing as a pre-foreclosure. Let’s take a look at

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Best of Las Vegas

Best Las Vegas Steakhouses, Many Open as Early as 4PM

A steak house is a restaurant that specializes in beef steaks and additional individual pieces of meat such as chicken, pork or lamb chops. These restaurants are often called chophouses. Steaks are made to order and are served up with side dishes such as rolls and baked potatoes. With a wide variety of famous restaurants

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Living in Las Vegas

Simple Get Aways From Las Vegas

The city of Las Vegas, Nevada rapidly grew from a dust town in the middle of the desert in the American West to one of the largest entertainment destinations in the world. With the growth, and constant reinvention, of the Las Vegas Strip, the city has grown to offer a wide variety of entertainment options

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Things to Do in Las Vegas

Just a Short Drive from Las Vegas to the Valley of Fire

Things to Do in Las Vegas Las Vegas is a great place to live, but sometimes it’s nice to get away for a day or two to see other areas and experience different things. Fortunately for Las Vegas residents, only an hour away by car is one of Nevada’s most impressive natural settings: Valley of

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Best Family Restaurants in Las Vegas

1: Cheese Cake Factory, at Caesars Palace by the forum shops, American, Casual 3575 Las Vegas Blvd. LV NV, 702-792-6888. 2: Maggiano’s little Italy, Family Style Italian, Reasonably Priced, Casual, in the Fashion Show Mall, 3200, Las Vegas Blvd. S LV NV 89109-2612, 702-732-2550. 3: Kahuanavilla at Treasure Island, Regional Cuisines, No Dress code, 3300

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Best Seafood and Chips in Las Vegas

SEE MORE OF OUR BEST RESTAURANTS IN LAS VEGAS 1: Village Seafood Buffet at the Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino, Casual No Reservation required, *** 3700 W Flamingo Rd Las Vegas NV 702-7777943. 2: Lazy Joe’s Fish & Chips. All you can eat, Southwest 78355 Rainbow Blvd. LV NV 89139, 702-489-6523. 3: Fulton’s Fish

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What is a Buyer’s Market?

 A buyer’s market happens when the supply of homes exceeds consumer demand. For those wishing to purchase a home, this is an ideal time in which to do so because prices would be considerably lower for potential buyers. This type of market gives the customer a competitive edge in that they are the ones who

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Tiles in the roof are being repaired during Nevada national rebuilding day
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National Rebuilding Day, Repairing homes and transforming lives

April is National Rebuilding Month, a time to focus on the importance of keeping homes healthy and safe, especially for our community’s most vulnerable members. Throughout the month, more than 1,600 affiliate-led rebuild projects and approximately 40,000 volunteers across the country will lend their help to bring critical home repairs to communities across the US.

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Las Vegas Housing Market Trend show Less Cash Buyers

The Las Vegas real estate market shows a recent considerable decrease in the cash sale of homes. Yet, even with less cash buyers this is still a great time to sell or to buy a home in the area, according to current Las Vegas real estate trends. The good news is that fewer cash purchases

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Things to Do in Las Vegas

Things to Do in Las Vegas, Movie Theaters

Below the article, you’ll find a list of Las Vegas movie theaters. Enjoy browsing the latest in Las Vegas REal Estate as well. There is a vast array of entertainment options in Las Vegas. Going to the movies can be a good change of pace. A relaxing getaway from the gaming and slot machines at

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Best Restaurants In Las Vegas

BEST BARBECUE IN LAS VEGAS

Whether you like a traditional outdoor BBQ or an all you can barbecue buffet, Vegas offers it. Here’s a list of best barbecue in Las Vegas. Let us know if you have a favorite to add to this list. 1: Mesa Grill, Caesars Palace, Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay, $$$, Southwestern Cuisine, Business casual, 3570 Las

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Best Restaurants In Las Vegas

Best Restaurants in Las Vegas

There are numerous places to eat referred to as the best restaurants in Las Vegas Nevada. Some with incredible themes, stunning decor and unforgettable views. The Las Vegas strip has become a mecca for world renowned chefs. There is a cuisine for every taste. There are a vast range of dining choices. Anywhere from fine

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Exploding the Myths About Pocket Listings

Exploding the Myths About Pocket Listings A pocket listing is a colloquial term for real estate properties that are marketed without being entered into the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors® MLS (multiple listing service). Rather than expose the property to as wide an audience as possible, the selling agent will only show the home

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Living in Las Vegas

Las Vegas – Gambling Addiction, or Vegas Addiction

A vast array of glitz and glamour lure you in to the Las Vegas hotels and on to the casino floors, each with their own unique style and presence. An abundance of free offers await you as you enter, enticing you to sit down and take the free drink being presented to you. The noise

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