Are You Closing Next Week? Top Five Things You Should Do NOW!

Image: renjith krishnan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Yes, the frenzy before your closing date.  Don't you love it?  Your lender is calling you asking for documents you are sure you provided already. Your agent is emailing you documents that need your signature.  The title company wants money from you.   Hair pulling time!

It is easy to lose sight of things when so much is going on.  Here are five things you should do now in order to keep yourself sane next week.

Transfer your Utilities
Call each utility and see if you can set up the transfer for next week.  Each utility will have different requirements.  Some will let you set up the transfer over the phone or online.  Best to find out now what is needed.

Finalize your Home Insurance
If you haven't done this then do it now.  Your lender won't let you close without this.  If you are paying cash, this is one thing you don't want to forget and let slide.

Moving Day Essentials
Seems like this should be at the top of your list.  Call and finalize the details of your move. Do you need a baby sitter or pet sitter for that day?  Do you need to take some days off work?  It might be a good idea to put together a box of essentials that stay with you that day - snacks, water, documents, toilet paper.  You know things that you don't want to have to rummage through boxes to find.

Make Sure Your Closing Funds Are Ready
Your title/escrow company should have provided you with an estimated HUD showing what you need to bring for closing.  Most will want certified funds.  Others may prefer a wire transfer.  Verify this with the company.

Change Your Address
Who needs to know your new address?  Bank, your landlord, relatives (maybe?), friends.  Take some time to make a list and start dialing each one. You can also go online to make the change.

Oh, and have you started packing yet?  If not, get busy!

Still looking for your Vegas home?  You can search the Las Vegas MLS, view community information, and get Vegas listings via email - all at one place: SoManyHomes.com

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Personalizing Your New Home with Color

A guest post from Mary-Frances Cimo of PaintColorPro.com.  Mary-Frances calls herself a color consultant. I personally feel (and you will too once you visit to her web site) she is a color genius.

Homes are selling in Las Vegas. Lots of them. And there’s lots of waiting. The short sale has created a phenomenon where new homeowners are anxiously awaiting their home for months on end.  That leaves an abundance of time to think about your new home and imagine how you’d like it to look and feel.

Painting is typically at the top of the to-do list for new homeowners. A freshly painted home is a new beginning. A clean start. Before you turn to Mesa Tan for your entire home, take a moment and think. This is your first opportunity to personalize your home and make it a reflection of you.  

Imagine the kitchen and family room, the heart of your home.

What colors would make it feel warm and welcoming for all of the special memories created in this room?  What colors feel like “home” to you?

Then, there’s your bedroom.

It’s your sanctuary. Your space to relax and rejuvenate at the end of a long day. What colors make you feel peaceful and calm?

How about your home office? 

What colors inspire you to be creative and focused? Colors that make you look forward to spending time in your office.

You have a blank slate to create your dream home--with colors that are perfect for you. Those colors are different for everyone. They are part of who you are.

As a color consultant, I help you connect with the colors that create your special home. We work together to discover the colors that make you happy and make your new home look its absolute best. Together, we create harmony throughout your home.

Imagine walking through the front door on moving day. You’re walking into your home. A home that looks exactly like you and your personality.

Color makes the greatest impact on how a home looks and feels. Embrace the colors you love. Live happily in the home of your dreams.

Mary-Frances Cimo is a Las Vegas Color Consultant. 

She works with you to discover the perfect colors for you and your home. Her home color designs have been featured in numerous design publications, including STIR by Sherwin-Williams for Designers and Architects.

Call 702.202.7543 to discuss the color possibilities for your home. To learn more about home color consultations, visit http://www.paintcolorpro.com.

Thanks Mary-Frances!

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Inspired Home Design 

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Las Vegas Spotlight: Casualmere, Bamboo Clothing

Bamboo Clothing

Dennis Fasone and Diane Hauser are clients who recently moved to The Lakes.  Dennis and Diane were gracious enough to share with me (and you) some of their thoughts about Vegas.

However, I would first like to introduce you to their business. Dennis is President of Casualmere, a corporation dedicated to selling clothing and accessories made from bamboo and other earth friendly, “green” products. 

Casualmere clothing is super soft and comfortable.  It is the perfect clothing to wear in today's hot weather because it looks good and feels wonderful.  Not only will you look good you will also feel good wearing this clothing because it is environmentally friendly and a percentage of each sale is donated to the California Oncology Research Institute.  

Why did you decide to settle down in Las Vegas?

We chose Las Vegas because of the weather (we are hot weather people), the current real estate prices, and Nevada taxes (and lack of taxes on pension income) are very good for both businesses and individuals.  We have come to really enjoy the choice of restaurants.  One thing we really like is that Las Vegas is served by reasonably priced airlines that fly from all areas.  We have seen more family in two months than all of last year.   

What do you love about the area you live in?

We love "The Lakes" area. It is an "established" neighborhood with mature, tree lined access streets, and HOA control over the house and street appearance.  We have weekly street cleaning and fully maintained multiple community water feature ponds throughout the community.   The area appears to be very new even though it was established in 1988.  We have found the quality of the homes built in this area is superior to newer construction.

We have easy access to shopping.  Within three miles or less we have big box stores, high end shoppes, grocery stores, and chain stores.  Our neighborhood is very quiet, especially at night.  We can get to the airport in 15 minutes on the 215 and the "strip" is only 15 minutes on Desert Inn.

Do you have any tips or advice for someone moving to Vegas?  Anything you didn't know before moving here? 

We moved from Los Angeles and find the people here are very friendly.  We have met all our neighbors already and they are all pleasant (while private, which we appreciate).  The local papers and internet always have special offerings for locals.  The only higher cost than expected was the auto insurance, all other costs are very reasonable or lower than expected.

Thanks Dennis and Diane!

Don't forget to visit Casualmere and support a Vegas business! 

Oh, and here is a slide show of The Lakes:

When Selling Think Switzerland: How Color Affects Your Home Sale

Rush over to a guest post  I did for Mary-Frances Cimo, a Las Vegas color consultant.  You can view my guest post by clicking here.

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You Will Get Lost in This Home!

Yes, this home is big! 5 bedrooms, a loft, a nice open floor plan.  It has tiled floors though out.  It is priced at $179,900.  Basic home but, it is pretty much move in ready.

Oh, did I mention a three car garage?  Did I mention a big island kitchen?

If this one doesn't meet your needs, well there are others.  Equally as big, but not priced so well.  Click here and I'll send you some listings (just let me know what you need - bedrooms, price range, etc.).

Here are the videos I took:




Thanks for stopping by!

Cindy

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Find the Perfect Las Vegas Neighborhood

Inspirada, Henderson Nevada Homes

Went out to Inspirada in Henderson the other day.  Still a very new master planned community, but has a nice 5 acre park that is a great amenity for residents.

This park has several green spaces, bocce ball, two community pools, 3,600 sq. ft. clubhouse, playground, and several covered picnic areas.  I like it when there are plenty of areas for lounging in a park.  This park definitely fits that description.

The tree-lined community features a nice mix of town homes and single family detached homes.  There are new homes and resale homes available. I personally like the atmosphere of the area - very friendly neighborhood.  Remember, your first visit to a new home community needs to be with your agent.  

Here is a slide show to enjoy:

Receive Inspirada Home Info Via Email

Email Address

First Name

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Southern Highlands
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Tiny House

I have been fascinated by small places lately.  Here is another video showing an 88 sq. ft. home.  I love how creative people are being with their living spaces.  This home allows the owner to live a sustainable and simple life.

Interested in owning a home in Las Vegas (tiny or not)?  Call me at 702-807-3339 or click here to send me an email!





Thanks for stopping by,
Cindy

Congratulations, You are a Homeowner! Now What?

You've closed, the home is yours.  Now what?  Well, I hope you have already transferred the utilities in your name.  If not, that should be your first thing to do. In addition, here are a few other things to keep in mind.

House Keys
The only keys usually available are the ones to open the front door. Often, these are master keys which means you should change the locks.  Some banks require the buyers pay a re-keying fee.  If this was the case for you then call the contact number given to you and have the locks re-keyed.  Regardless, I recommend you change locks or have them re-keyed.  You never know who has a copy of the keys to the home.

Mailbox Keys
Usually mailbox keys are not available for a home.  What you need to do is call 1-800-275-8777 to get the contact information of the local post office that delivers your mail. 

I would call the local post office before going out and verify if that is the correct location.  Don't stand in a long line and find out you are at the wrong place.

Garage Door Openers
These are generally missing as well.  Take a trip to Lowes or Home Depot and get new ones.  The package will give you directions on how to program them.

Homeowners Association
Don't forget to contact your HOA to get gate codes, swimming pool or clubhouse keys, payment information, and other relevant HOA information.

Contact Information
If the home you just purchased is not your primary residence then make sure that the utility companies, HOA, assessors office, and LID/SID billing company have your correct mailing address.

Set up Payment System
New home means new bills.  Make sure you know when your bills are due and who you have to pay.  Set up your payment system now to avoid problems later.

Yard Sign / Lockbox
Give the listing agent at least three business days to remove the yard sign and lockbox off the property.  If it is still there after three business days contact your agent. 

Congratulations on your new home!  If you are looking for a Vegas home click here to start your MLS search or click here to view neighborhood information.

Cindy

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Innovative Small Space

Check out this amazing use of a small space.  I found this video via Nest, a great design/fashion blog.  Enjoy!



Looking for your Vegas condo getaway?  Click here.

Thanks, Cindy

Las Vegas Condos: Traverse Point

I know I promised these photos last week (If you followed me on Twitter you would know that), but better late than never.

Traverse Point is a condo community located in Henderson, Nevada. It is gated, has a community pool, spa, covered and garage parking (some units), plenty of open parking spaces for guests to use, and exercise room.  Just outside the community is a park with a picnic area, green space, and playground area.

I like this condo complex.  It is located close to the 215 and 95 so you have easy access to all over town.  A good variety of shopping and restaurants are very close - no need to drive far to get anywhere you need to go. The Galleria Mall and Sunset Station Casino are down the street.  Great complex for a vacation homeowner or year round resident.  Condo units with 1, 2, and 3 bedrooms are available.

Here is the slideshow for this complex.  Other slideshows for Las Vegas condos can be found by clicking here.

Ten Minutes

Become aware of the energy levels in your home environment. Paintings, crystals, statues, books, magazines, even the colors on your walls and the arrangement of the furniture all create energy into which you are catapulted for at least half of your waking life. Be aware of it. Be conscious of the energy in your home.

~Wayne Dyer

What type of energy surrounds you in your home?  Maybe there are things that need to be thrown away or donated to your local charity?  Maybe there are things that you have been meaning to fix?

Sometimes the thought of doing home projects can be overwhelming. Don't be afraid.  Pick one thing that you would like to clean up right now.  Maybe it is the kitchen table that is overflowing with mail.  Maybe it is a linen closet bursting at the seams.

Set your oven timer for ten minutes - then start clearing, cleaning, tossing.

What? You say, I can't possible clear this mess in ten minutes.  That is correct.  You don't have to clear the entire mess - just begin and see how much you can do within those ten minutes. Your only commitment is to ten minutes a day. 

Ten minutes a day will do wonders.  Trust me.

Enjoy!

Cindy