On this edition of Getting REAL Bridget tells Trulia their information is wrong, gives us six reasons why home prices are going up, then closes by sharing useful disaster preparedness information. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• News: Foreclosures 24% of US home sales, 11 million homes with negative equity, interest rates at 3.9%
• Why home prices are going up
• REAL Advice: Disaster preparedness

One of the most confusing aspects of buying or selling your home is the titles/escrow process. In this episode of Getting REAL (Estate) in Vegas, Channelle Beller (Equity Title of Nevada) helps us better understand the ins and outs of the last step of your real estate transaction. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• News: Mortgage rates up, Home sales down, B of A stops selling to Fannie Mae
• Guest: Channelle Beller
• An insider’s look at the Title and Escrow proccess
• REAL Advice: Tax myths

With market inventory going down, and prices going up Bridget gives us a sneak peak into a new online feature to help buyers. For those of us looking to short sell a home Bridget we have insightful tips in creating a short sale package. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• News: California files a RICO suit against Wells Fargo, Nevada down to #4 in percentage of homes in foreclosure
• New online tools to help buyers
• REAL Advice: Eight tips to help short sell your home

It looks like the banks have finally been told to account for their often illegal ways as Bridget walks us through the particulars of the recently announced $26 billion Foreclosure Fraud Settlement. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• News: Vegas crime is down, banks offering big short sale incentives, interest rates 3.87%
• Foreclosure Fraud Settlement (whitewash?)
• REAL Advice: Ten tips to maintaining your home

There are some people on the Vegas Video Network that insist that living in Las Vegas without a pool is no way to live. Bridget, on the other hand, provides a more balanced look at adding 20,000 gallons of water to your back yard. She follows that with IRS deductions for which all home owners should be aware. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• News: Mortgage delinquencies dropped 40% in 2011, Mortgage rates at 3.87%
• Swimming pool pros and cons
• REAL Advice: What you can and cannot deduct from your taxes if you own a home in Las Vegas

After we get caught up on the Friday Figures, we ask What Were They Thinking. Bridget wraps up by giving us seven tips to make our homes feel bigger. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• News: Feds allow NY AG to look into foreclosure fraud, Nevada court rues that lenders must prove they have to right to foreclosure before they do so
• What We’re They THiNkInG?!?
• REAL Advice: Seven tips to make your home feel and live bigger

While we’ve seen a steady drop in short sales in Las Vegas, in this episode of Getting REAL, Bridget lays out the five reason we’re going to see an increase in 2012. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• News: Foreclosures down to 2007 levels, mortgages 3.89%, CoreLogic price index down in November
• Five reasons 2012 is the Year of the Short Sales
• What We’re They THiNkInG?!?
• REAL Advice: Four reasons why the Seller should get a property inspection

Bridget welcomes the New Year by making bold real estate predictions for 2012. Then she gives some Real Advice on the revised FHA mortgage loan limits in Clark County. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• News: Federal government plans to rent our foreclosures they own, Las Vegas visitors up to pre-recession levels
• Las Vegas Real Estate Predictions for 2012
• REAL Advice: FHA Loan Increases in Clark County

Bridget explains why the NAR revised sales downward (and if it affects her numbers in Las Vegas). Then we tackle the problems associated with the Occupy Our Homes movement. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Foreclosure fraud settlement possible by Christmas, 30 year fixed mortgage at 3.94%
• National Association of Realtors to revise home sales figures for 2007-2010
• REAL Advice: Occupy Our Homes

After reviewing a new ordinance the Las Vegas City Council voted in dealing with foreclosures, Bridget exposed two stupid Realtor tricks that can decrease the chances of selling your home.Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Available inventory nationwide down 17.5 Year over year
• Las Vegas foreclosure ordinance
• REAL Advice: Stupid Realtor tricks

Oh sure, Bridget normally comes across as very nice and sweet. But ask her about real estate auctions, and it’s a completely different story. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Nevada AG files 606 count andictment
• Why I hate real estate auctions
• REAL Advice: Seeing through real estate “magic”

After reviewing the Friday Figures we follow with some good news about foreclosures in Las Vegas. Afterwards we give some Real Advice on FHA Appraisal Guidelines. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Foreclosure stats up nationwide, foreclosure fraud settlement back in play, interest rates at 3.99%
• Are banks getting off easy
• REAL Advice: FHA Appraisal guidelines

For this episode of Getting REAL we get up to speed on the difference between, and how to buy from, Fannie Mae (Federal National Mortgage Association) and Freddie Mac (Federal Home Loan Mortage Corporation). We follow that will some Real Advice how how best to deal with a move while your home is under water. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• HUD auction, Independent review of 2009-2010 foreclosures, interest rates at 4.0%
• Differences between Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, how to buy from Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac
• REAL Advice: Help if your home is underwater and you have to move

Getting REAL shows us how to get into a home for $100 down. Then we analyze changes in the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) recently announced here in Las Vegas by President Obama. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Home prices up in half of markets, MERS sued in Delaware
• How to buy a house for $100 down
• REAL Advice: HARP changes

After Bridget gives us the Friday Figures, we discover the top six reasons why mortgage applications are declined. That’s followed up with a funny What Were They Thinking on this episode of Getting REAL. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Existing home sales down month over month, up year over year, banks are approving more short sales
• Top six reasons mortgage applications are declined
• REAL Advice: Selling a home with defects

After Bridget reviews the top five tips for selling homes, we ask What Where They Thinking?! Then we wrap up by offering advice on selling tenant occupied houses on this edition of Getting REAL. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Foreclosure filings down year over year, available inventory down nationwide
• Top five tips for selling your home
• REAL Advice: Advice for selling tenant occupied houses

We welcome some good news on the Friday Figures and then we talk about the pros and cons of purchasing a newly constructed home on this episode of Getting REAL. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• New FHA limits kick in tomorrow, mortgage rates at a new record low of 4.01%
• Pros and cons of new home construction
• REAL Advice: The benefits of a home warranty. Please refer to our in-depth discussion on home warranties here

We bring back a video tour on this edition of Getting REAL and walk through a clean, breezy model home in the northwest section of Las Vegas. Then we give you some energy efficiency tips for your home as we prepare for fall. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Local unemployment up to 14.2%, home sales jump in August, banks and states working toward foreclosure fraud settlement again
• Field Trip and Video Tour: $135,000 Home in northwest Las Vegas
• REAL Advice: Energy efficiency tips

After reviewing the Friday Figures Getting REAL drills down with the latest real estate news, we take a look at a pink house that is not for you and me, and wrap up by telling you how listing errors could affect your home buying decision. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Foreclosure stats up month over month however they are down year over year, Bank of America increasing foreclosures, 60.4% of Nevada homeowners underwater
• Due diligence in buying a home
• REAL Advice: Listing errors

Getting REAL drills into the some of the benefits and drawbacks of the condominium market and then explores how baby boomers are shaping some of the future trends in real estate. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Mortgage rates at 4.12%, hotel occupancy up in Las Vegas, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals throws out mortgage electronic registration systems (MERS) lawsuit
• Why condos are great, why condos suck
• REAL Advice: How baby boomers are shaping the future trends in real estate

With one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country, Nevada was selected as a beneficiary of the U.S. Treasury’s “Hardest Hit Funds” program. This episode of Getting REAL reviews the four programs available. We follow with some information for those considering renting a luxury condo on the Strip. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Home prices rising, Interest rates unchanged at 4.22%, Short sales on the rise nationwide
• U.S. Treasury’s ‘Hardest Hit Funds’
• REAL Advice: Luxury condo rental

After learning about the pitfalls of Chinese drywall, we explore why multifamily loans are rapidly gaining in popularity on this episode of Getting REAL. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Federal government trying to force state attorney generals to give up on the idea of investigating criminal actions of banks, foreclosure rates up, mortgage rates at 4.22%
• REAL Advice: FHA multifamily loans

This episode of Getting REAL focuses on new FHA loan limits and tax tips from the IRS. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Homeowners choosing fixed rates and fewer years, mortgage fraud settlements may fall apart, Las Vegas shaping up for 4th best year on record for sale of homes
• REAL Advice: Tax tips for the IRS

Along with learning why mortgage rates are at or near record lows, we introduce a new segment on this episode of Getting REAL called What Were They Thinking. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Mortgage rates at or near record lows, foreclosures down 10 months in a row, home prices and inventory down over 10% from last year
• REAL Advice: Don’t trash your foreclosed house

After a quick review of this weeks Friday Figures, Bridget gives us the truth about open houses on this episode of Getting REAL. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Home ownership at lowest level since 1965, mortgage rates at multi-decade low, foreclosure activity down in first half of year
• REAL Advice: Is this a buyers market
• Questions from the LIVE chat!

Bridget and her guest Prudential Americana Group’s sales manager Carlos Caipa answer questions about our local housing market. Bridget follows with some issues associated with buying low cost properties on this episode of Getting REAL. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Wells Fargo under investigation for fair housing violations, Bank of America bulldozing foreclosed houses and donating the property to local organizations
• Guest Carlos Caipa, Prudential Americana Group
• REAL Advice: Issues with buying low cost properties
• Questions from the LIVE chat!

For our final home in the $135k video tour series Getting REAL heads to the East part of the Las Vegas Valley in an area known as Sunrise Manor. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Real Estate News: June homes sales down nationwide, fewer first time buyers, banks still behaving badly, local unemployment 13.8%
• Field Trip and Video Tour: $135,000 Home in Sunrise Manor
• REAL Advice: Free items from Realtors

There have been some recent legal changes that impact homeowners in the Las Vegas Valley. For this episode of Getting REAL, Bridget describes some of the changes and the impact these laws may have upon homeowners. Show notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Real Estate News: The more someone owes, the less likely the bank is to foreclose, mortgage rates down to 4.51% on average, CNN says Las Vegas is one of the top ten cities to buy rental property
• Six laws affecting Las Vegas real estate
• REAL Advice: Foreclosure mediation and why it may be right for you

Folks outside of the area are often surprised to learn that the city of Henderson is a favorite among locals. In this edition of Getting REAL we tour a clean two-story home in the Southeast part of the Las Vegas Valley. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Real Estate News: Mortgage rates up to 4.5%, 1400+ closes last week of June, 7 out of 10 renters say owning a home is a top priority
• Field Trip and Video Tour: $135,000 Home in Henderson
• REAL Advice: How to work with an out of town Realtor

In Las Vegas, there are about 4,000 residential real estate transactions a month. That comes to 8,000 paychecks being written to buyer and seller Realtors. That’s the good news. The bad news? There are over 11,000 Realtors in Las Vegas. Show Notes:

• No Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Real Estate News: Mortgage delinquencies down, 3% of Vegas sales to foreigners, Sahara Casino sign going to Neon Museum
• Tips and advice for potential new Realtors
• REAL Advice: Security considerations when getting your new home
• Many questions from the LIVE chat!

As a popular spot for retirees, Las Vegas has several retirement communities, including Sun City Summerlin, which is featured on this week’s field trip and video tour of $135,000 homes. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Real Estate News: Record HUD sales, homes sales down 3.8%, McCarren traffic up 5%
• Field Trip and Video Tour: $135,000 Home in the Sun City Summerlin
• REAL Advice: Title Insurance

Is cash still king when it comes to buying real estate in Las Vegas? In the episode of Getting REAL, Bridget analyses how folks are paying for all the homes sold in the last 30 days. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Real Estate News: Foreclosures at 42 month low–NV still leads nation, Feds say B of A hindered foreclosure fraud investigation, Fed judge says Righthaven can’t sue over RJ content!
• How is real estate in Las Vegas being purchased?
• REAL Advice: Purchase offers that get accepted
• Many questions from the LIVE chat!

They said it couldn’t be done! For our next field trip and video tour of $135,000 homes, on this edition of Getting REAL we head to Summerlin. It’s a small house, but a Summerlin house nonetheless. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Real Estate News: Mortgage rates at 4.49%, Feds getting tough, delinquency rate down in Vegas
• Field Trip and Video Tour: $135,000 Home in the Summerlin
• REAL Advice: The last week of Escrow — the most dangerous time

The phrase, “Lies, damn lies, and statistics” could certainly apply to the real estate market. So for this episode of Getting REAL, Bridget (who is in a particularly festive mood today) helps us understand how to accurately interpret real estate statistics. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Real Estate News: HUD Secretary says foreclosure settlement with banks within weeks, interest rates at 6 month low, Case-Shiller down, CoreLogic up?!?!
• How to interpret real estate statistics
• REAL Advice: Easy ways to transform a room

For our fourth field trip and video tour of $135,000 homes, on this edition of Getting REAL, we head to the East side of the Las Vegas Valley and check out a home that’s older than Bridget! Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Real Estate News: Mortgage rates 4.6%, Contingent down 5.5%, Vegas crime down in most categories
• Field Trip and Video Tour: $135,000 Home in the East Valley
• REAL Advice: “Home Path” Homes (and financing)

There is more to consider than just your credit score when it comes time to deciding between short selling your house or going with a strategic default/foreclosure. For this episode of Getting REAL, we compare the impact of these two options. Show notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Real Estate News: Apartment occupancy in LV Valley 92%, rent up to $761 on average, HUD study: mortgage servicers defrauding taxpayers
• The impact of a short sale vs. a foreclosure
• REAL Advice: Criteria for amateur investors

As we continue with our Las Vegas Valley-wide tour of $135,000 homes, in this edition of Getting REAL, we take a look at a two-story “fixer” in the Southwest. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Real Estate News: Mortgage rates, foreclosure are down, banks and AG still can’t agree
• Field Trip and Video Tour: $135,000 Home in the Southwest Valley
• REAL Advice: How are listing prices set?

Believe it or not, there are some people in Las Vegas selling their homes on purpose (versus being foreclosed upon). So for this edition of Getting REAL (Estate) in Vegas, we uncover the most effective ways to sell your house as quickly as possible. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Real Estate News: Vegas #1 on Trilia, Foreclosure inventory at all time high, 30-year fix rate 4.71%
• The Quickest Way to Sell Your House
• REAL Advice: Radon in Your Home

For this episode of Getting REAL (Estate) in Vegas, we continue our tour of $135,000 homes by heading to the north area of the Las Vegas Valley. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Real Estate News: Scam alert, homes under contract rose 5.1, Fannie/Freddie report drop in delinquency
• Field Trip and Video Tour: $135,000 Home in the North Valley
• REAL Advice: Real Estate “Yellow” Flags

Today’s episode of Getting REAL came about because of a party conversation. Come to find out, there is a lot of confusion when it comes to the steps needed before a foreclosed house can be purchased. For today’s show, Bridget walks you through the process. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Real Estate News: Feds insist on payment to certain homeowners, Interest rates 4.91%, AGs to conduct probe
• The 5 Steps from Foreclosure to Ownership
• REAL Advice: MLS Codes

For this fast-paced episode of Getting REAL, if it sounds too good to be true, there’s a good chance you’ll find it among our Top 5 Real Estate Urban Legends. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Real Estate News: Nevada judges not happy with banks, mortgage delinquencies down 14% in Feb., mortgage apps down despite 5% or lower rates
• Top 5 Real Estate Urban Legends
• REAL Advice: Garage/yard sales and the law

When told the median price for a home in Las Vegas is $135,000, the first question many of our viewers ask is, “What kind of house does that amount of money buy?” In this edition of Getting REAL, we begin the first of a series of video field trips throughout the Las Vegas valley meant to answer that question. First up, the Northwest. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Real Estate News: Case-Shiller, Vegas Feb sales at 2006 levels, March improved, JP Morgan Chase CEO declaration
• Field Trip and Video Tour: $135,000 Home in the Northwest Valley
• REAL Advice: New Mortgage Rules

With the large number of websites designed to help you find your next home, it can be confusing to know which do the best job in presenting the information you need to make an informed decision. This edition of Getting REAL reviews the top three property search websites plus how they compare to what your real estate agent sees on the MLS. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Real Estate News: Nevada Supreme Court seeks volunteers for foreclosure mediation, mortgage rates, sales and inventory trends
• Searching for Property Online
• REAL Advice: Why Do I need a real estate agent? Five Reasons

In today’s Getting REAL, we’ll talk about the increasing number of HUD homes available on the market. We’ll discover the advantages and drawbacks to these homes, along with how to buy. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Real Estate News: Affordability, Is Vegas “empty”?, Widespread foreclosure fraud
• The Next Big Thing: HUD Homes
• REAL Advice: Financing for Condos

There is a surprising number of items that must be disclosed to a buyer during a real estate purchase. In this episode of Getting REAL, Bridget walks through many of the forms you’ll need to acquaint yourself with as you go through the house-buying process. Show notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes): More Good News
• Disclosures and the Real Estate Buying Process
• Real Estate Agent Duties Owed: http://www.red.state.nv.us/forms/525.pdf
• Residential Disclosure Guide: http://www.red.state.nv.us/forms/622.pdf
• Sellers Real Property Disclosure: http://www.red.state.nv.us/forms/547.PDF
• Lead Paint disclosure: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadpdfe.pdf
• Home Inspection: http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/hudclips/forms/files/92564-cn.pdf
• REAL Advice: How Does a Realtor get Paid?

Back in the early 2000′s, the real estate investment market in Las Vegas was on fire. It wasn’t unheard of to find an investor buying three or four houses in one neighborhood with the hopes of quickly flipping the property for a profit.

But what about in 2011?

In this episode of Getting REAL, Bridget talks about the four questions you must answer before jumping into the real estate investment waters. Show notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes): BIG NEWS HERE!
• Is Real Estate a Good Investment
• REAL Advice: REO Closing Process Explained

On this edition of Getting REAL (Estate) in Vegas, Bridget leads us down the winding road of Short Sales. Show notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Short Sales
• Who sets the price of a short sale?
• REAL Advice: FHA Loans

For many people looking at purchasing a home in the Las Vegas Valley you may have head this term, REO. On today’s edition of Getting REAL (Estate) in Vegas, Bridget takes a deep dive into what REO means and uncovers some little known facts. Show notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• REO
• Waiving Legal Rights
• REAL Advice: Flip Out!

With the prices for homes in Las Vegas as low as they are, many people are looking to purchase homes as a rental property investment. This episode of Getting REAL explores the variety of things to consider before doing so and what to expect to REALLY pay. Show notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Investing in Las Vegas Rental Property
• REAL Advice: Foreclosure Scams

For folks shopping for a new home, if they have children, the number one questions asked of a real estate agent is, “Where are the good school districts?” In the edition of Getting REAL, Bridget talks about the fifth largest school district in the nation, the Clark County School District. Show notes:

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Clark County School District
• REAL Advice: Millennium Scholarship
• Recommended Website
  Nevada school districts
  GreatSchools
  National Center for Education Statistics
  School District Demographic System

With the real estate market the way it is in Las Vegas, there are a lot of questions about short sales and foreclosures. Today’s Getting REAL offers a simple-to-understand tutorial on these two often-confusing items.

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Short Sales and Foreclosures (NRS 107.080)
• REAL Advice: “Rental Home in Foreclosure”

For this episode of Getting REAL, we check out some of the more expensive homes in the Las Vegas valley by reviewing the Southwest (MLS areas 501, 502, 503, 504, 505).

• Friday Figures (an in-depth review of the current Las Vegas real estate market with a focus on Inventory, Short Sales, Contingency, Foreclosures and 30-day Closes)
• Southwest of Las Vegas
• REAL Advice: “Shadow Inventory”
• MLS Map
• Zip Code Map

For many people, one of the most contentious areas of home ownership is the Homeowners Association. This episode of Getting REAL (Estate) in Vegas welcomes Mesa Management’s Traci Wozniak (no relations), who fields a large number of questions regarding what an HOA (and its management firm) can and cannot do. Show notes:

• Friday Figures (plus record foreclosures, more legal problem for banks, mortgage rates, Nick Cage)
• Homeowner Association discussion with Traci Wozniak
• Live Chat Questions (does an HOA require a management firm, criteria for selecting a management firm, if an HOA is sued, whose at risk, how to determine reserves, more)
• REAL Advice (How do I find a nice, safe neighborhood?)

This episode of Getting REAL continues with our tour of the Las Vegas valley with a look at Bridget’s favorite area, the Northwest (MLS areas 401, 402, 403, 404, 405).

• Friday Figures
• Northwest of Las Vegas
• REAL Advice
• MLS Map
• Zip Code Map

Good news: Foreclosures are down 21% in November. In other news: This is due to a moratorium.

It’s been awhile since we toured the Las Vegas Valley, so in this episode of Getting REAL, we look at the South side of Las Vegas, which covers areas 3xx in the MLS Area Map. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures
• East Side of Las Vegas: Area 301 (Charleston to Flamingo, Boulder Hwy to I15), Area 302 (Flamingo to Sunset, to Russell East of Mountain Vista), Area 303 (Sunset to St. Rose Pkwy, I15 to Eastern)
• Live/Email Questions: Vacation homes, typical pricing, more. . .
• REAL Advice: Tips for Selling Your Home
• MLS Map
• Zip Code Map

Good news: Foreclosures are down 21% in November. In other news: This is due to a moratorium.

As residential real estate prices continue to stay at record lows here in Las Vegas, more and more people are interested in discovering how they might take advantage of the investment potential this low market presents. Today’s Getting REAL (Estate) in Vegas features our conversation with United Home Xchange’s Arvin Anderson. Show notes:

• Friday Figures (the end of condo financing, illegal foreclosures, and some good news as well)
• Investment Properties with Arvin Anderson
• Live Chat Questions (recommended locations, inspection limitations)
• REAL Advice (selling your home during the holidays)

One of the benefits to being a home-owner in Las Vegas is the low property taxes. In today’s “REAL Advice” segment, Bridget explains how to calculate your property taxes (which comes out to about 1-1.5% of your property’s fair market value). Show notes:

• Friday Figures (B of A backtracks, Fannie and Freddie resuming foreclosures and REO sales, Vegas home prices up slightly)
• Live Chat Questions
• REAL Advice (Property Taxes)

When you’re ready to sell your house, bringing in a professional to “stage” it can be the difference between selling your home quickly or trying to slug it out with all the other homes for sale in your market. Today’s Getting REAL (Estate) in Vegas features our interview with Staged by M!’s Mary Tucker. Show notes

• Friday Figures
• Staging your Home with Mary Tucker (interview)
• Live Chat Questions (staging costs, furniture placement, more)
• REAL Advice (Nevada law, license plates, and a $1000 fine)

It’s no surprise that one of the top topics in real estate is mortgages. Today’s Getting REAL (Estate) in Vegas features Bridget’s in-depth interview with Kari Phillips of Southern Fidelity Mortgage. Show notes:

• Friday Figures
• Mortgages with Kari Phillips (interview)
• Live Chat Questions (No FICO score to buy a house? Document requirements for self-employed, more)
• REAL Advice (Should you rent or should you buy?)

Once you get approved for a loan, it’s a good idea not to quit your job.

Once the new home warranty expires on your house, what’s the next step? Today’s Getting REAL (Estate) in Vegas features our interview with home warranties expert Jenna Bohannon of Old Republic Home Protection. Show notes:

• Friday Figures
• Home Warranties with Jenna Bohannon
• Live Chat Questions
• REAL Advice (Real Estate Terms; REO, Short Sale, Real estate licensee, REALTOR, Broker, Contingent, STI, NOD, NAR, NVAR, GLVAR, Duties Owned, Distressed Properties, HOA, LMA, MERS, more…)

No, I didn’t buy Danny Gan’s house. Who has 20 cars?!?

We continue our tour of the Las Vegas Valley with a look at the East side of Las Vegas, which covers areas 2xx in the MLS Area Map. Show Notes:

• Friday Figures
• East Side of Las Vegas: Area 201 (Charleston, I15, Pecos triangle), Area 202 (Charleston to I15 Pecos to Nellis), Area 203 (Charleston to I15, Nellis to the mountains), Area 204 (Russell to Charleston, Boulder Hwy to the mountains)
• Live/Email Questions: Credit Scores, Home Auctions, Real Estate Seasonality, New Home Purchases
• REAL Advice: Buying a Condo and the criteria for a loan (fascinating information, here)
• MLS Map
• Zip Code Map

Deliberately sabotaged mortgages? Yes, Virginia. Yes.

This edition of Getting REAL features a deeper than usual look at the Las Vegas MLS “Friday Figures”, along with a great deal of information related to bank foreclosure activity and how it affect us in Las Vegas and throughout the rest of the country.

Next, we spend some time answer email questions we received over the course of the past week along with questions from our live chat audience. Finally, we wrap things up with “REAL Advice”, where Bridget focuses on the six steps to effectively staging your home for sale.

You have cash? Then yes, you can buy a condo on the Strip.

Have a real estate question? Get your name (and questions answered) “on the air”!
Email your questions/comments to: gettingreal@vegasvideonetwork.com

When referring to the various areas found in the greater Las Vegas Valley, local real estate agents use the MLS Area Map to help potential buyers see the big picture. However, with 29 different areas within the map, it can be a little confusing trying to understand what each of these 29 areas has to offer.

In what will be the first in a series of reoccurring segment, this edition of Getting REAL (Estate) in Vegas helps locals and potentially new Las Vegas residents begin to understand the area by highlighting the northern section of the valley.

Also included is today’s Friday Figures (see some of the figures below), REAL Advice (which focuses on Fair Housing laws), and answers to questions from our live chat audience.

Friday Figures

• Inventory: 15951
• Foreclosures: 3464
• Short Sales: 7440
• 30 Day Sales: 3377
• Contingency: 13153

Welcome to the premiere edition of Getting REAL (Estate) in Vegas!

Host Bridget Magnus reviews the latest Las Vegas MLS “Friday Figures”, speaks with home inspection expert Bruce Cannon of Win Home Inspections, and takes questions from both the live chat audience and emails submitted to gettingreal@vegasvideonetwork.com.

A sampling of the questions asked (and answered) during the show include:

• What should a home inspection cost?
• What’s the scariest thing you found during a home inspection?
• What liability does a home inspector have after an inspection?
• What is the issues with Chinese drywall?
• Can you tell us about Kitec?
• What’s the difference between homes built in Las Vegas during various decades?
• If you get a home inspection – would you also recommend getting a Home Warranty?
• If you going to purchase a short sale property & do the inspection – and it comes back with issues – will the bank adjust selling price?
• Is there a difference between a home’s pipes when they have a water softener and ones that don’t?
• Any thoughts on foam roof vs traditional roof?
• Do you recommend the buyer or seller be present during the inspection?

Watch out for the pigeons!