Las Vegas Agent Magazine March/April 2014 Issue by Las Vegas Agent Magazine

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MARCH/APRIL 2014

Dave Tina Jr.

Dave Tina Sr. &

The ized Optim WorkWeek THE

A Tale of Two Brokers

Solid Financial Strength, Expertise and Superior Service

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©2013 North American Title Group and its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved. North American Title Group and its subsidiaries are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. | NV13-3866 R 1-24-14

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Created Exclusively for the Las Vegas Real Estate Agent

Star Realtors® Dave Tina Sr. & Dave Tina Jr.

NVAR News

Going Global

Leadership and Serving

Are Living Trusts Still Relevant?

Easy Household Fixes

14 Publisher

Melodie C. Miller

19 20

Graphic Design & Web Design Joe Abellard

Art@LVAgentMagazine.com

Photography By: Jamie Thomson Feature Story By: Tami Belt Las Vegas Agent Magazine-702-530-5033

Tamara Larisa Tyrbouslu

J.C. Melvin

Robert L. Bolick

Mike Klimek

A Great Model for Networking: Honey Bees

Loren Ekroth

Choosing the Right Moving Company Jon Powell

Show Me the Money

Annette Buback

Community Needs Focus

Housing Statistics

Color Is Not Your Enemy

The Joys of Shredding

Publisher@LVAgentMagazine.com

Advertising Sales Tamara Browning Tamara@LVAgentMagazine.com

Kolleen Kelly

Foreclosed Upon Pets (FUPI)

GLVAR

Terrence L. Clayton

Wendy Sharrow

Las Vegas Agent Magazine is distributed bi-monthly, via U.S. Mail to Realtors® in the Las Vegas Valley. We welcome reader correspondence and are always looking for the best possible content to offer our subscribers. Please send all comments, suggestions and inquiries to Publisher@LVAgentMagazine.com Las Vegas Agent Magazine assumes no responsibility for, or endorses the thoughts expressed or advertised. No portion of Las Vegas Agent Magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher. All rights reserved

Durham Jones & Pinegar • Asset Protection • Trusts, Wills & Estate Planning • Business & Finance • Probate & Trust Administration • Real Estate Robert L. Bolick Asset Protection & Estate Planning Make sure to watch for Mr. Bolick's C.E. courses for Realtors® Regular Columnist for Las Vegas Agent Magazine

Ranked as one of the "Best Law Firms" by U.S. News & World Report

NVAR News By: Kolleen Kelly As President of your State Association, I hope to bring you in the coming months some information, and a better understanding of what your State Association does for you and private property rights. Your state association is primarily directed to monitor and help with all state issues concerning private property rights. Our lobbying group – Carrera Nevada is employed by the association to lobby and deal with the state legislature and the issues that they have power over. This may be taking our issues to a representative that has a friendly ear towards the realtors and private property rights. If need be, we will write a bill that will be carried by one of the representatives that has a passion for that particular issue. Carrera’s job is to educate the legislators in issues that are brought forward from the local associations, staying in contact with legislators during non session years. The association will also get involved in Professional Standards and complaints when there is a conflict

with the jurisdiction or a party has asked that the hearing or complaint be moved because of a question of fairness. We do not do the actual hearing or render a decision on the complaint but see that it is placed in a venue that is more suitable. In the past few years the state association has been instrumental in the production of “The Face of Foreclosure”. This was printed and produced as an aid to the state legislature but has won national acclaim for its highly informative content. Many of the state legislators use it as a handbook on the foreclosure issues. The association with appointed FPC’s stay in contact with the federal elected representatives for Nevada. These FPC’s meet with the representative or their staff on a regular basis so as to keep our issues out front and inform the representative what direction we would like them to take on the Realtor behalf. We do fund raising when necessary for the candidates that are geared toward our issues and private property rights. Kolleen Kelley-2014 NVAR President vegaskelley@aol.com

Valid Through April 2014

“agent0414”

Going Global: 5 Ways to Tap into the Global Market

By: Tamara Larisa Tyrbouslu

Like life, the real estate market is forever shifting, changing, evolving. If there was ever a trend to be ahead of the curve on, it’s global. For years, many of you can recall me saying, “REOs and Short Sales are a short term trend; global is long-term and if you want to succeed in the future, you need to add global to your business model.” So what is global? And, how do you tap into the global market?

Global real estate encompasses serving:

• clients who live abroad investing in real estate in your market or another other market that you assist them with as either a representing or a referring agent • clients from your market/sphere of influence you assist as either the representing or referring agent in purchasing or selling property abroad •clients you represent or refer who are first or next generation immigrants who are still immersed in their native customs and culture Helping a South African rent a property while studying abroad at UNLV, selling rental properties for a Canadian National, marketing resort properties in the Caribbean to prospective buyers anywhere in the world, or representing a Chinese investor for a commercial project in Las Vegas are all examples of global real estate that will most likely require greater sensitivity and expertise than traditional, domestic transactions. Mayor Hafen recently welcomed guests to the Grand Opening of Engel & Völkers, Henderson’s first foreign-based real estate company, stating that global is the latest “buzz word.” The crowd, filled with entertainers, entrepreneurs and real estate professionals represented all corners of the world – a sea of dynamic, diverse, global citizens connecting on a higher level – the level of unity and reciprocity beyond borders. For agents in the Las Vegas Valley, the reality is that “Global” is not a niche, it is not a fad; it is our new normal. Professionals who want to be relevant for years to come must embrace two important aspects in our industry: 1. Technology, and 2. Globalization. Both of which, go hand in hand. In a multicultural, world-renown city like Las Vegas, it is inevitable that agents will serve foreign nationals or foreign-born residents sooner or later. It is far better to be prepared for the challenges that come along with cross-border transactions long before being faced with them. There is a huge learning curve before becoming competent, let alone proficient in this realm.

Here are some suggestions:

FIRST: Learn. There are more and more CE classes being offered relating to international real estate from FIRPTA to asset protection, to cultural sensitivity. NAR, the National Association of REALTORS® offers a Certified International Property Specialist designation that covers a vast spectrum of know-how. CIPS is a 5-day Institute. It begins with an introduction to international real estate, exploring the possible opportunities and areas of specialization, business planning, and an overview of global markets. Then, the content goes deeper into the tools and skills necessary for analyzing markets and properties from currency and spatial conversions to investment strategies and models. There’s also a choice of electives focusing on different regions: The Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, The Middle East and Africa, and The Business of U.S. Real Estate. The next CIPS Institute in Las Vegas is March 24th -28th. www.LasVegasREALTOR. com. ICREA, the International Consortium of Real Estate Agents has a one day Transnational Referral Certification class that is delivered live or online. The TRC designation also gives access to their referral network through World Properties which is an internet marketing platform for global real estate. To learn more or register for a class, go to: WorldProperties.com 6 Las Vegas Agent Magazine • Mar/Apr, 2014

SECOND: Serve. In 2012, the Greater Las Vegas Association of REALTORS® launched a Global Business Committee which is charged with informing and educating REALTOR members on global and multicultural business opportunities. They host forums, networking events, inbound and outbound trade missions and continuing education. As a member of the Committee or an attendee at a GBC event, you will find yourself on the leading edge of what you need to know as a licensee to succeed in global business. THIRD: Get involved. Reach out to cultural organizations in the community that interest you whether it’s a chamber of commerce or a social club to expand your sphere of influence. In addition to networking and prospecting, getting involved will help you raise your cultural intelligence and better serve clients from different backgrounds than your own. FOURTH: Go. A surefire way to meet foreigners interested in U.S. real estate is to travel to them and educate them on the benefits of investing in your marketplace. You can attend international real estate expos and conferences. You can go on an outbound trade mission* which is an organized tour for the purpose of learning about foreign markets and building bridges of business between markets. FIFTH: Stay. You don’t have to go abroad to capitalize on global. You can actually attend or design your own inbound trade mission where you invite foreigners to come to you. Put together a seminar or a tour of properties and market your event to professionals and investors across the globe. The Global Business Committee is planning an inbound trade mission in autumn. The GBC meets the 3rd Wednesday of every month. You can find a calendar of events at www.LasVegasREALTOR.com. It is important to note that global is a long-term pillar for your business. While you may be able to attract business over night, usually it takes months, even years to build up trust that results in closed transactions. However, once you have built rapport and performed successfully with international clients, you will most likely be rewarded with a flood of referrals from them, their family and friends. More importantly, you will develop relationships that will enrich your life more than you can ever imagine.

Broker-Salesperson, Tamara Larisa Tyrbouslu, CIPS, TRC is Director of Business Development with Universal Realty. Tamara is a founding member of the GLVAR’s Global Business Committee, serving as Vice Chair and Chair and is currently in her second term as Vice Chair for NVAR’s Global Business Committee. She is an instructor for ICREA’s Transnational Referral Certification and NAR’s Certified International Property Specialist Institute and was appointed NAR’s 2014 President Liaison to Guatemala. She teaches Feng Shui for real estate professionals as well as continuing education and post licensing coursework. You can catch her Monday mornings at 9:30 am at Universal Realty for a power hour of business development where she inspires agents to be happy and productive or connect with her at www.GlobalPropertySeminars.com.

Leadership and serving as a member on a “Board of Directors”

By: JC Melvin

Care: It is quite a commitment to volunteer time without pay. It is important that you be fully informed on the issues on the agenda and that you are committed to attend the meetings. If you are not committed, you must resign. Obligation: Board members are obligated to look out for the best interest of the organization. Competency: The director must strive to stay informed and be competent. Do it Right: Often times, making the right decision is not always the popular decision and it’s hard. Respect: Members must respect the other directors. No side conversations and remain focused on the matter at hand. Many members at large of an association often think, “I’d like to be on a committee” or someday “I should serve as a director.” but they hesitate because they don’t believe they have the knowhow or experience to“get involved.” I am going to suggest that some of the best leaders I’ve ever met thought the same way at one time or another. Whether it was a particular issue they became passionate about or someone they had respect for said, “you should join this committee” or they just came to the realization that it was time to give back to their association, they ended up finding themselves in some sort of leadership role. I am going to encourage you, the reader, to ask yourself honestly… ”Have I ever considered joining a committee at the association but just haven’t done it yet?” Well, if you failing to this boat and just want to get your feet wet, I’d suggest that you see if you can join a “work group” or contribute to a sub-committee, you may just find that you like it. As a speaker and trainer I have said to many groups that we have an ongoing obligation, to the people we serve,to remain students of the market. In other words, the public relies on us to be up to speed on local, state and federal changes regarding real estate, and we have an obligation to know what the heck is really happening. One of the absolute best ways to put yourself in the middle of that awareness is being involved at the Association of Realtors. Becoming involved will give you the opportunity to learn some or all of the rules necessary to become a GREAT leader and at the same time it will ultimately help you in your real estate business. It’s like a double bonus. There is a lot to serving on a “Board of Directors” and most members will never know what goes into it until they begin that service. Here is a sneak preview: Loyalty: The board member must now become loyal to the organization as a whole and not be focused on just their personal wants and needs. Obedience: The board member must now become familiar with the actual documents that govern the Association and be willing to follow both the letter and spirit of these documents.

Las Vegas Agent Magazine • Mar/Apr, 2014

Unity: It takes work to continue to work together as a unit and it’s really important to get and stay on the same page. Willingness: Someone must have the willingness to serve. It’s not a benefit to anyone if a director was “talked into joining” and wasn’t really committed or willing. They will wash out! Open Minded: Directors must be open-minded. Meaningful and opposing conversation is encouraged. Someone with a closed mind believes they know it all and that can be a danger to the organization. Conflicts of Interest: If a director has a conflict of interest they must disclose it and perhaps excuse themselves from discussion or a vote on the matter. The conflict may be real or perceived. Honesty: A director must be honest, period. Meetings: Directors must be prepared for meetings. If a director is not prepared it will show and the director will appear stupid in front of the group. The materials for the meeting must be read and reviewed before the meeting. There are these and a number of other rules to be followed. The exciting part is that all of these rules are the same general rules for leadership. Want to change your business? Change what you focus on and see what happens. The Association of Realtors just completed their first ever GLVAR Leadership Series. It was a five week leadership introduction for members interested in what happens at the association level. One of the pieces of reading material was “The Perfect Board” by Calvin Clemons, CAE, CMP. Some of the above concepts were taken from that work. If you are interested in leadership at the association level, keep your eye open for the next Leadership Series! JC Melvin has been in the real estate industry since 1981 and involved with leadership since 1995. He was the founding dean of the NVAR Leadership program and his first book, “I think I smell Garlic” is a required text book at UNLV in a motivational psychology class. Friend him on Facebook.

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Are Living Trusts Still Relevant?

By: Robert L. Bolick, Esq.

Yes! Living Trusts are as important now as ever - possibly even more relevant today than in the past.

Many people confuse the whopping $5,250,000 federal estate tax exemption with the threshold for probate. They are two completely different things. One is federal; the other, state. One is strictly a tax; the other has nothing to do with taxes. One has a very large threshold; the other, very small.

Worse yet. Bad idea. Very bad idea. Why? As discussed above, you can lose tax benefits by holding assets in joint tenancy between spouses. Holding your assets in joint tenancy with your children is much worse. For example, if you have two children and hold your assets in joint tenancy with both of them, you now only eliminate one third of the gain when you pass away. With three children, you only eliminate one fourth of the gains, etc.

The federal estate tax exemption of $5,250,000 per person means that for someone who passes away with assets below this amount, no estate taxes are due.

By putting your children’s names on the title to any real estate or financial assets, any claimants or creditors of your children can attach your assets. You could end up losing your home or having all of your financial assets wiped out overnight. Bad. Very Bad.

Beneficiaries inherit everything tax-free. A couple can double this amount to make the first $10,500,000 estate tax-free. For 99+% of Americans, estate taxes are largely a thing of the past.

Isn’t It Easy to Simply Name my Children as Beneficiaries of All my Financial Accounts?

Unfortunately, the same is not true for probate which conversely will affect 99+% of us. If you pass away with assets totaling a mere $20,000 titled in your name with no beneficiary designation, your estate will land very solidly in probate court. Probate is a state court proceeding required to clear title to assets held in your name to your beneficiaries. Is Probate Really that Bad? In a word, yes. The primary “costs” of probate are money, time and hassle. Probate fees typically run about 5% of the value of the estate with low percentage fees for larger estates. They consist of attorneys’ fees, executors’ fees, court costs, accountings, appraisals, publication fees, etc. Probates typically take a year or so, on average, to complete. Some take much longer. Others, as short as five or six months. They take time even in simple, straightforward, uncontested cases. Probates are public proceedings. They require time and effort and patience under even the best circumstances. Can’t I Avoid Probate By Holding My Assets in Joint Tenancy? Not really. Holding assets in joint tenancy merely defers probate until the death of the second joint tenant to pass away. For joint tenancy between spouses, you will lose income tax benefits on appreciated property. For assets held in a trust as community property, all built-in gain on both halves is entirely eliminated upon the death of the first to pass away. For joint tenancy property, only half of the gains are eliminated. What About Holding Assets in Joint Tenancy with My Children?

10 Las Vegas Agent Magazine • Mar/Apr, 2014

Easy, yes. Wise, no. Why? Simply naming someone as a beneficiary doesn’t take into account any changed or special circumstances. What if your child is going through a divorce, is getting ready to file bankruptcy, was in a car wreck, incurred some significant medical debt, etc. That may not be the best time for your child to inherit assets. You want your assets to go to your child and not your child’s creditors or ex-spouse. Holding assets in a trust can solve all of these and many other potential problems. The one exception to this is beneficiary designations for IRAs, 401(k)s or other tax-advantaged accounts. For these, you generally do want your children named individually as beneficiaries. There are significant income tax benefits for them getting a “stretch out” on inherited funds. Lastly, if one of your children predeceases you, his or her children (your grandchildren) will be automatically disinherited. This need not happen if your assets are held in trust. Can I Avoid Probate Without Losing Tax Benefits? Yes. The good news is that probates are strictly optional. All you have to do is create a trust while you are alive and transfer title to your assets into your trust, and voila! No probate. Asset Protection for Your Beneficiaries

or bankruptcies. In short, living trusts can be a very powerful tool to protect your beneficiaries from any financial catastrophe throughout their lives. Conclusion The primary benefits of living trusts are to keep your heirs out of court and to enable them to inherit your assets completely protected from all third parties throughout their lives. By taking the time and effort to get your planning in place now, you will be doing your loved ones a great service and providing a great benefit to them in the future.

Robert L. Bolick has been practicing for over 30 years in the areas of asset protection and estate planning. Mr. Bolick has an “A/V” rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest professional rating for an attorney.

Is a living trust more than just avoiding probate? Yes In my opinion, an even more significant aspect of a living trust is protecting your beneficiaries. What most people don’t realize is that with a properly drafted living trust, you can provide 100% asset protection to your beneficiaries throughout their lives. Your trust can serve as a “built-in” prenuptial agreement to protect your beneficiaries in a dissolution of their marriage.

He is listed in the Top Lawyers of 2013 in Nevada by Vegas, Inc. He has also one of the “Nevada Super Attorneys” (top 5% in his field). He was named Outstanding Estate Planning Attorney of the Year by the Nevada Business Journal. He has authored numerous articles and publications on asset protection and estate planning, and is a frequent lecturer on these topics.

It can give your beneficiaries 100% protection over the assets bequeathed to them against any future lawsuits, car accidents, business failures

Mr. Bolick is a member of the State Bars of Nevada, California, Arizona, Utah and Hawaii.

Here are some more easy fixes that help agents win the confidence and admiration of their clients. By: Mike Kilmek “My Bathroom Sink Is Not Draining!”

“My Bathroom Sink Is Not Draining!” This Quick Fix will strike fear into the hearts of most readers because they think it involves the dreaded “C” word (Carpentry). Anytime talk of fixing doors comes up, people immediately think of levels, pneumatic nailers, saws, and loud noises. This fix couldn’t be further from the truth. A door will close by itself if it was not hung plumb, that is to say, not perfectly vertical. The door will either close and latch completely, or will close partially. Sometimes the air conditioner will even pull it closed for the last couple of inches. People will get the idea that this one is WAY out of their league, when in actuality it is not. So, should you remove the door, tear out the jamb, re-shim it, re-hang it, and repair all the damage you caused in the process? Totally unnecessary! You will need a hammer (or something heavy and blunt) and a stubby screwdriver (or something thin and hard). Go to the door and remove the bottom hinge pin. You can do this by tapping the bottom of the hinge pin upward with the small stubby screwdriver. Once the head of the hinge pin is sticking out of the hinge, you can tap it out or grasp the head and pull it out the rest of the way. Don’t worry; the door won’t fall off in your hands. Now set the hinge pin down on the sidewalk on its side. Gently tap the hinge pin in the center with a hammer. The idea here is to put a slight crook in the hinge pin. I want to emphasize GENTLY. If you significantly bend the hinge pin, it won’t go back in the hinge. You want to create a slight amount of friction which will hold the door open. After you put a slight bend in the hinge pin, tap it back into the hinge where it belongs. Some doors are really heavy and will have 4 hinges. If bending the bottom hinge pin doesn’t do the trick on a heavy door, perform this trick to the bottom 2 hinge pins.

It’s like magic! You open the door and it stays open! Mike Klimek is a licensed contractor and owner of Las Vegas Handyman. He has written hundreds of newspaper columns and magazine articles regarding home repair and remodeling and has been published in Southern Nevada Home & Garden Magazine, Finishing Touches Magazine, Zip Code Magazines, and Real Estate Success Magazine. He has written a weekly column for the Las Vegas Review-Journal & Sun since November 2000. Watch for Mike’s regular column here and in the Las Vegas RJ.” He can be reached by email at questions@pro-handyman.com or by phone at (702) 896-0000.

12 Las Vegas Agent Magazine • Mar/Apr, 2014

Here is a Pop Quiz for all you Plumbers-in-Training: You walk into the house of a married couple and go to the master bathroom where you see two sinks. Aside from the physical appearance of the sink areas, how can you tell which sink belongs to the man and which one belongs to the woman? Now remember, I said you can’t take the appearance of the sink into consideration since the cosmetics would be a dead give away. So what’s your guess? HINT: Your nose knows. Not to disrespect any readers of the feminine persuasion, but whatever you’re using on your hair, after it sits in a sink drain a few weeks, it starts smelling like the city morgue. That’s not to say that a man doesn’t put things down the drain that smell too, but there is something about long hair and chemicals, mixed in with a little bacteria that really make a pungent smell flourish. So what do you do? You can go to a home center and pick up a gizmo called a “Zip-It”. This is a long, skinny piece of plastic with small barbs running down its sides (think of a dipstick with thorns on its sides). The nice thing is that you don’t even need to get your hands dirty on this one (and it only costs a few dollars). Simply slide the tool down the drain past the pop-up stopper. It is flexible enough to turn corners and go down into the P-trap. What goes in must come out, so with a slow pulling action, gently remove the ball of gunk. Now when I say slowly, I mean slowly. If you pull out the hairball quickly, you may end up on the receiving end of a nasty shower. And talk about smell? Skunks will run from you. It might take a few times to finally clear the drain, but you will. In some nasty cases you may need to remove the trap and pull out the debris. This tool will work on tub and shower drains as well.

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A tale of

two Brokers . . . Dave Tina Jr. & Dave Tina Sr.

Built to last in the best of times and the worst of times on a foundation of ethics and service. Written By: Tami Belt / Photography By: Jamie’s Pix

‘To Protect and Serve’ is more than a motto that Dave Tina, Sr. upheld as a police officer; it is a motivating force that drives his life and work. Dave, Sr. protected and served his native New York as a police officer for 2 ½ years prior to joining the ranks of the NYC Fire Department for 20 years. While he loved being a firefighter, he wanted to engage his brain as well as his brawn at work so he decided to get his real estate license in 1977. At the time, his wife was pregnant with Dave, Jr. and concerned about the risks of being a firefighter. Since working two jobs kept Sr. busy so busy, he would make quality time with Jr. at the Real Estate office when he was just 3 ½. years old. “I played office with the tools of the trade,’ joked Dave, Jr. “Flipping through listings, looking at pictures in old MLS books, I played with surveys on microfiche, and entertained myself by opening and closing lock boxes.” “I brought his matchbox cars into the office as back-up,” added Dave, Sr. It was fitting that as Dave was helping families find homes, he was building his own family. While Dave, Sr. was born and raised in Flushing, New York in the borough of Queens, Dave, Jr. grew up in rural Long Island. The family raised horses and

14 Las Vegas Agent Magazine • Mar/Apr, 2014

enjoyed the outdoors with their friends. What they didn’t enjoy was not being able to find a good restaurant nearby. This led to a fourth career for Dave, Sr. Dave, Sr. and his friends decided to open a restaurant. What did he know about running a restaurant? He learned to cook in the firehouse. “As the new guy, one of my responsibilities was to cook for everyone,” recalled, Dave, Sr. “Since I didn’t know how to cook, I called my mom and she taught me over the phone.” Combining his newer love of cooking with his natural talent, and savvy knowledge of real estate, Dave insisted that he and his partners purchase a building. “This way if the restaurant doesn’t pan out, we still had an asset,” explained Dave, Sr. “In addition, owning the building saved us from being at the mercy of rising rental costs and lease negotiations.” Dave, Sr. and his friends successfully opened, and operated The Landmark Cafe for 10 years until they sold the business in 1997. “My dad’s chicken cutlets and meatballs are the best!” exclaimed Dave, Jr. “Mom wasn’t a very good cook,” he laughingly added. Selling the restaurant and retiring from the Fire Department allowed Dave, Sr. to concentrate on his real estate career. He opened and brokered a Coldwell Banker in Medford, Long Island and grew the firm to number one. As Dave, Sr. grew his real estate career, Dave, Jr. was growing quite a reputation as a running back on his High School football team. As a result, he received a full ride college

scholarship and his High School retired his jersey. Multiple talents and career options runs deep in this father-son team. In 1995, Dave, Jr. was the first to move to Las Vegas where he attended college at UNLV. “I wasn’t sure what I wanted to major in,” said Dave, Jr. “What I did know was that I wanted to make a difference.” He decided that teaching fulfilled his desire for making a difference. He earned a degree in Physical Education and Kinesiology. This led to a career in teaching and coaching. While he loved his job, he knew he wasn’t going to make enough money to support a family. At the urging of his father, Jr. revisited a career he’d certainly had early exposure tom by going for and securing a real estate license. “At first dad would come out west for a visit every few months, then every month, eventually he decided to move here,” said Dave, Jr. “One winter, I finally had enough of New York and joined my son in Las Vegas,” “I sold everything and was set to move when a major franchise made me an incredible offer. After struggling over the decision for 2 days, I let fate take my hand and followed through on my decision to move to Las Vegas. It was one of the best decisions I ever made!” “When I arrived in Vegas, Jr. was the only person I knew. I learned the lay of the land by using the Stratosphere as a landmark.” Aside from navigating the neighborhoods, Dave, Sr. quickly learned to navigate the nuances of the Las Vegas Real Estate market. “In New York, attorneys handle the paperwork and the liability. In Las Vegas, the agent is responsible for everything, including contracts. I had to learn the technicalities. Pricing homes is another point of contrast. In New York, home prices are set high to start the negotiation process. In Las Vegas, the houses are priced on comps. All this led to a different timeline for closings, too. In New York it typically took 60 to 90 days to close compared to 30 days in Las Vegas.” Dave Sr. quickly acclimated to his new surroundings and began to build a reputation for success based on his lifelong principles of service, ethics and giving back. He became one of the Top 5 Realtors ® in Las Vegas, Summerlin and Red Rock Country Club while working first at Properties Plus, then moving on to Realty Executives. “I said I’d be happy making enough money to support a growing family comfortably.” Dave, Sr. laughed. “Being able to do that and more, while helping others grow their businesses in a friendly, helpful and ethical way is just icing on the cake.” In 2007, Dave, Sr. joined Realty One Group as a Corporate Broker and helped the branch grow into the number one position in all of Las Vegas for more than a 34 months. During that time, the branch went from 200 to 620 agents. His continued success earned him a promotion to General Manager in 2009.

15 Las Vegas Agent Magazine • Mar/Apr, 2014

Dave, Jr. was also making a name for himself in the real estate market. First, he started supplementing his teaching income by handling retail mortgages for Bank of America Home Loans. From there he moved on to Southern Fidelity Mortgage brokerage firm while practicing real estate for Realty Executives. In 2006, Dave, Jr. left teaching to become a full time agent. By 2008 he became an Assistant Broker to his father at Realty One. “My dad was always busy so I would handle customers who walked into the office.” He successfully launched a new Southwest branch for Realty One and grew the business to 200 agents in less than 18 months. In 2012, father and son finally decided that it was time to build their own business their way and launched Urban Nest. The company’s vision reads: Real estate is more than just homes. It’s about relationships. The relationship between a family and their home, between a client and an agent and an agent and the support of their brokerage. We at Urban Nest understand our role in contributing and being committed to the local community in which we not only work but also live. We are in a unique and challenging time in both the real estate market and industry.

Where some see what was lost, we choose to see the potential and opportunity that now exists in being able to reinvest and rethink our experiences within our locales and how we interact with them. We humbly welcome the opportunity to share in this vision with our future clients and agents. Our goal at Urban Nest Realty is to revolutionize the 100% office concept by having more brokers per agent than the industry standard allowing you to cultivate an environment where agents can flourish

and improve upon their personal goals. We have a culture where agents can feel comfortable and protected but at the same time know that we always have time to sit down and discuss not only their challenges but also celebrate their success. Action speaks louder than words and both Dave Sr. and Jr. walk the talk every day. They live their life and run their business authentically, ethically and in service to their customers, agents and the community. “We provide training to help each agent capitalize on their personal selling strengths and set individual goals,” explained Dave, Jr. “No two people are alike. We want everyone to blossom and be a better person and professional because they worked here.” Dave, Sr. practiced this same philosophy when he served as the President of the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors ® in 2013. He prides himself on always making board decisions based on the group welfare. “I always included input from executive board members.” His commitment to service was further evidenced when he ensured every meeting included time for each board member to voice his or her concerns. “I hope the Board continues this practice.” The odds are in his favor as Dave, Jr. currently serves on the Board.

One thing is certain; Urban Nest will continue the tradition of listening to every agent and treating agents and clients like family. It’s a family business built on family values. Dave Jr.’s wife, Angie, is a co-owner, and valued part of the team who brings a talent for technology in addition to a solid background in real estate and a passion for family. According to Dave, Sr., Angie is the voice of reason. “Whenever the boys are faced with a decision, I tell them to keep being themselves and everything will work out,” said Angie with a smile. Everything is working out just fine as evidenced by the growth of Urban Nest. The company added 45 agents between December 31, 2013 and February 14, 2014.

What does the future hold? “I would like to see Urban Nest expand to 3 offices with 500 agents max,” said Dave, Jr. “Grow. Grow. Evolve.”

Angie and Dave with Lola Virginia, 10 months and Ella Grace, 2 ½.

Dave Sr. believes Urban Nest’s continued success lies in the team’s ability to help each agent reach their goals through training and support, ensure ethics drives everything and giving back to both the community and industry. “This company is part the legacy I’m building for my family.” When you’re in the neighborhood, stop by and say hello to the family at Urban Nest. They’re building something special.

10220 W. Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89135 • (702) 853-2444

Keeping the Balance

Q & A With The Daves What is your favorite memory involving your father? Favorite memory of my father is how I used to run into his arms when he picked me up at the bus stop. I was in first grade and would make him sing a song which went something like “come running to me and you’ll always be my best boy”. -Jr. What is your favorite memory involving your son? My favorite memory was the day my son got married. I knew then he was loved and loved the women he married, it made me feel that if anything happened to me he would be OK. He wouldn’t be alone, he would have Angie, the women who loved him for who he was. When you are a single dad who raised your child alone, this is a day of supreme happiness. He told me he loved me and thanked me for raising him and never disappointing him with my love for him. -Sr. What is your favorite movie? Bridesmaids. I laughed so hard my stomach hurt, and when I saw it again I did the same thing. -Sr. Grease -Jr. What is your favorite food? Chicken Cutlet Parmigiana, because when I eat it, I’m always smiling. -Sr. My father’s chicken cutlets. Jr. What single most important attribute or skill, that isn’t covered in training, would you advise Realtors to develop? Honesty is the key to success, because once you are trusted by other realtors and your clients, you can only succeed in everything in work and your life. -Sr. Developing Relationships -Jr.

THE CLOSING CLUB R Y L A N D R E A L E S TAT E A G E N T R E W A R D S

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First home – 2% Co-Op! Second home – 3% Co-Op! For each additional home – 4% Co-Op! Contact Ryland’s Realtor Concierge Today and ask about our increased co-ops on our Quick Move-In Homes. Barbara Stone – (702) 274-4704 bstone@ryland.com rylandVegas.com

*Graduated licensed real estate co-ops valid on contracts written from January 1st, 2014 – December 31st, 2014 in the Las Vegas Division only. Ryland Homes reserves the right to modify or discontinue this program at any time without notice. Graduated co-op program not available at all communities. Commissions are computed on base purchase price of home and are paid upon home closing. Graduated commissions will be paid in the order homes close and fund, not in the order they are sold. See Sales Counselor for additional details and limitations of program. © 2014 Ryland Homes Nevada, LLC.

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A Great Model for Networking: Honey Bees

By: Loren Ekroth

In this issue’s article I draw upon nature, mainly biology, to find a new paradigm for relating to others. In short, it is this: When we do more than connect, when we add something that gives more vitality to those we connect with, everybody gains.

Definition of pollinate: To transfer pollen from a stamen to a pistil; fertilization in flowering plants. Without bees and butterflies, no pollination. Without pollination, no flowering, no honey or corn. Pollination helps both to co-evolve. Definition of networking: To meet people who might be useful to know, especially in your job, but also in social life. Many business and professional meetings set aside a time for “networking” during which attendees chat and exchange business cards. But often that time is too short for people to make meaningful connections. Then it becomes a “meet and greet” that resembles “hit and run.” I’ve come to believe that effective networking requires pollination, which adds something of value to both participants. The pollinator gets a reward such as nectar for pollinating the plant. Here is a description by George Bernard Shaw of humans pollinating. “If I give you an apple and you give me an apple, we both have one apple. But if I give you an idea and you give me an idea, we both have two ideas.” (Both prosper by gaining a new idea.) Of course, for human pollination to work, both persons must be receptive to the transaction. (We all know people who resist

When those interacting have different experiences or ideas, both can gain new perspectives. For example, when an an artist interacts with an engineer, a realtor with a teacher, a young adult with a senior, or a man with a woman. Such “cross-fertilization” is more likely to occur when it’s planned. That’s what regularly happens in small Mastermind groups with a mixture of people and in “Knowledge Cafes” where participants take what they’ve learned at one table, then share that with new people at other tables. The principle is this: Pollination is more likely to occur when an event like a business mixer event has a variety of people. Not birds of a feather gathering together, but birds of different feathers. The most satisfying experiences of my professional life as a university professor of communication came from interacting with colleagues of different disciplines such as philosophy, religion, anthropology, psychology, linguistics, music, and art. I did not want to remain only in my own “silo” of thought, and I was greatly enriched by interacting with a variety of others. So I ask you: How and where can you apply the methods described above? Until next issue, -Loren

ideas different from what they already believe.) People who interact only with like-minded others do not grow very much.

Four ways to pollinate are to: 1) share your useful ideas and new perspectives 2) validate people with your respect and enthusiasm 3) Be curious and learn about others 4) help people connect with those they don’t know. My late friend Anne Boe, author of “Is Your Net Working?” was clear that participants should “give without an expectation that doing so will reap an immediate reward.” Instead, she recommended that you give because it’s the right thing to do. Often a “go-giver” will eventually reap a benefit. As psychologist Robert Cialdini describes in his book, “Influence,” the principle of reciprocity is powerful. When we give a gift, compliment a person, or do them a favor, the receiver usually feels a need to reciprocate, if not immediately, then later on.

18 Las Vegas Agent Magazine • Mar/Apr, 2014

“The old ways are dissolving and the new has not yet shown itself. If this is true then we must engage with one another differently, as explorers and discoverers.”

--Margaret J. Wheatley, Speaker, Writer, & President of The Berkana Institute

Dr. Loren Ekroth is a speaker, trainer and coach to corporations and government agencies nationwide. Founder-director of the Natural Learning Center of Hawaii, a personal development training organization, among many other positions and accolades. Founder of, Better Conversation Week, celebrated since 2002. Creator of “Conversation Coaching Clubs,” a worldwide self-help group for building conversation skills. As a Career/Life Counselor for businesses and professionals, Dr. Ekroth has over 35 years’ experience helping people achieve greater competence and success. Published author of over 500 electronic articles in “Better Conversations” ezine, Dr. Ekroth holds a Ph.D., University of Minnesota, in Intercultural Communication, and has done post-doctoral study, Psychosynthesis at the Institute of California. Published with permission of Dr. Loren Ekroth, author of “Better Conversations” newsletter. Complimentary subscriptions at www.conversationmatters.com

Commercial Professionals

Our office specializes in all aspects of Commercial Real Estate in Las Vegas and surrounding areas

CHOOSING THE RIGHT MOVING COMPANY RATES SHOULD INCLUDE:

By: Jon Powell

• Professionally trained, uniformed men and labor costs • Moving equipment needed to make your move safe, efficient and completed in a timely manner • Travel time and fuel charges; make sure there are no hidden fees if the truck has to park any distance from the loading/ unloading area • Any additional fees or service charges for heavy items These are all important potential ‘extras’ that you need to ask your moving company about when comparing prices. ARE THEY A REPUTABLE COMPANY? Check with the Better Business Bureau to inquire about their reputation/rating. • Look for any complaints against the company • If there are complaints, how were they resolved? • Were the complaints a result of a lack of communication about fees/charges? If the company is large enough, there are bound to be a couple of complaints. Make sure they were resolved in a professional, satisfactory manner. ARE THEY DEPENDABLE? Make a point to find out how dependable and reliable the company is.

Call

Galit Rozen or Jake Farley at Commercial Professionals

Toll Free: 866.792.3440 Direct: 702.792.3440 LasVegasCommercialRE.com Grozen1@gmail.com

• Make sure that your move is the only one scheduled for the crew/truck at your designated moving time • Confirm that they do not double book or schedule moves too close together IS THE MOVING COMPANY INSURED? Check to see if the moving company has insurance. No matter how careful your movers are, it is always possible to have an accident. • Inquire about multiple insurance packages to choose from ADDITIONAL INFORMATION • Moving Companies cannot legally move flammable or explosive items, illegal items, plants or pets • Do not pack items with fuel, gas, oil or water inside • Do not send cash or other valuable items with the moving company; these items are not insured and should be kept with you and transported in your own vehicle. Jon Powell is owner and operator of Red Carpet Moving Company and has been in business since 2005. For more information on moving services and tips please contact Jon at 702-920-7555 or Email jpowell@ redcarpetmovers.net www.redcarpetmovers.net

$HOW ME the MONEY!!!

By: Annette Buback This is a common statement when it comes to gaining value for a home which has a GREEN or Energy Efficient Certification or has GREEN upgrades. Over the past decade, the GREEN Alliance has been working with industry housing leaders who are successfully building and selling high-performance new and existing homes. This includes DOE Challenge Home, ENERGY STAR for Homes, numerous green building programs, and performance-focused remodeling projects through Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractors.

However, there is still frustration with the transaction process of recognizing the value associated with lower cost of ownership, greater comfort, improved health, ensured combustion safety, and more durability. It is recognized that the process is in place, yet the use of it is still lagging behind. Change brings a learning curve, a gap between knowledge and application of the process tends to be the initial challenge. The good news is, the various sectors in our industry have the tools in gaining better information during the sales transaction. The sooner we begin applying the knowledge to the process as a form of best practices, the sooner we can show you the money. In effort of simplifying the process, let’s begin with the five steps in the transaction: 1) GREEN Builder or Contractor and Homeowner - Step One is the critical point of information gathering which will be used for multiple purposes throughout the transaction process. The information assembled at this point is to document the GREEN building certifications, upgrade features, recent energy assessment reports, utility usage records, pictures and most importantly - the Appraisal Institute’s Residential GREEN and Energy Efficient Addendum. The Appraisal Institute’s Residential GREEN and Energy Efficient Addendum is an organized way to communicate the green and energy efficient features of a house. This form has recently been updated to describe “Green” features in a way that the lender, underwriter, appraiser, buyer and agent can use. 2) Listing Agent - As a licensed REALTOR, it is important that the documentation gathered and represented is verified. As most agents find, the GREEN and Energy Efficient features are hidden as part of the design, in the walls, attic, and equipment. While this isn’t as visible as nice granite counter top or a swimming pool, it is what delivers a quality home. Take a moment to show off these features in a flyer, a sign in the home, and emphasize in your marketing highlighting the benefits of an eco-friendly home with lower operating costs, better comfort and durable. 3) GREEN MLS - The documentation makes your job easier to list the information in the MLS utilizing the many GREEN fields

20 Las Vegas Agent Magazine • Mar/Apr, 2014

currently available. Be sure to upload any GREEN Home or ENERGY STAR (and other) certifications, Appraisal Institute’s Residential GREEN and Energy Efficient Addendum, energy assessment, and pictures highlighting your listing’s features and benefits. The data can aid in listing and finding homes with green features, help accurately price homes, homeowners can get credit for green features, and the data shows market trends such as salability and value. Green-educated real estate professionals can enhance reputation as go-to practitioners. 4) Buyer’s Agent- Appraiser and Lender - By effectively listing your client’s home, you make it easier for buyer agents to search GREEN and Energy Efficient homes for their clients. As well as, provide the needed data for appraisers and underwriters to do their job. Similar to the GREEN Designation for REALTORS® there is training and certification available for the appraiser and lender profession. This training and education provides the skill set to appropriately and professionally perform the task of appraising a GREEN and Energy Efficient home. Confirm that the appraiser is trained in assessment of green home features. NOTE: USPAP standards require that “an appraiser must be competent to perform the assignment, acquire the necessary competency to perform the assignment; or decline or withdraw from the assignment.” If the appraiser lacks the needed knowledge and experience, the homeowner/seller can ask for someone else. 5) Finish Line = Fair Value at Closing - The ultimate goal is to be able to support GREEN and Energy Efficient homes with a fair value at closing. The steps above provide the ammunition and tools needed for the lending and appraising profession to drive the transaction pass the finish line. I’m confident this process is the key to ‘$howing You the Money’ and is the game changer in GREEN and Energy Efficient homes. I hope you find this information valuable and begin applying these tips to your daily practice. A 20-year veteran of real estate sales and marketing and a GREEN Designated REALTOR®, Bubak is a founding member of GLVAR’s GREEN Committee, committed to educating Realtors ® on the benefits of high performance, and GREEN certified homes and buildings. An NAR GREEN Designation instructor, Bubak is working to increase the number of Green Designees by illustrating the value of this fast emerging home buyer demand. Bubak is a founding member and current President of Nevada ENERGY STAR® Partners GREEN Alliance, a 501 c 3 charitable nonprofit Organization working in partnership with the U.S. EPA, U.S. DOE, national, state, and local public/private partnerships dedicated to creating thriving, sustainable communities. With first steps focused in home energy efficiency through collaborative education and community awareness initiatives. The non-profit creates a commitment to conservation, resource preservation and healthy, sustainable living in Nevada. Bubak’s professional history includes; high performance and GREEN homebuilding , energy efficient consulting, a high performance contracting and GREEN production, as well as marketing and event consulting. For more information, please write to Annette@GREENAllianceNV.org

Community Needs Focus

Foreclosures affect pets too! Foreclosed Upon Pets, Inc. (FUPI) is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to the rescue of domesticated animals that have been abused and/or abandoned by their owners as a result of economic hardship, including home foreclosure, loss of employment, insufficient income, or death and illness. FUPI will work to further the cause of animal control through the education of the general public about the humane benefits of spay and neuter programs. FUPI will take on a leadership role in developing strategies and creating coalitions with other animal rescue organizations in order to better serve the residential and commercial sectors of the community in the fight against animal cruelty.

Webster’s definition of foreclosure: To shut out. FUPI will make its services known to individual owners of pets who are suffering from the following: Economic hardship due to loss of job/home Insufficient income Temporary housing for hospitalized pet owners Temporary housing of military pets Death of a pet owner Some pets come from loving families that have no choice but to relinquish their animals to animal control authorities due to home foreclosure. Some rescued pets come from owners who have passed away or due to severe illness can no longer care for their pet. Other animals come from less responsible pet owners who have neglected, abused and/or abandoned their pets. Upon rescue, many of these animals are in need of medical attention, appropriate food, and socialization with people and other animals.

FUPI’s approach to animal rescue will be a proactive alternative to animal cruelty and abandonment. How You Can Help! Rescue – Foster – Donate – Volunteer Or Join our Cyber Sanctuary Visit our site at www.fupilv.org

GLVAR reports home prices started 2014 where they left off in 2013 Southern Nevada home prices picked up in 2014 where they left off in 2013, according to statistics released today by the Greater Las Vegas Association of REALTORS® (GLVAR). GLVAR reported that the median price of an existing singlefamily home sold in Southern Nevada during January was $185,000, unchanged from December and up 23.3 percent from January 2013, when the median price was $150,000. Meanwhile, the median price of existing condominiums and townhomes sold in January was $95,000, down 1.0 percent from $96,000 in December, but up 26.7 percent from $75,000 one year ago. GLVAR President Heidi Kasama, a longtime local REALTOR® who succeeded 2013 President Dave Tina on Jan. 1, said local home prices have stabilized recently after appreciating for two years. For instance, she said existing local home prices bottomed out at a median price of $118,000 in January 2012 before rising for a record 19 straight months until September 2013. Local home prices are still well below their June 2006 peak of $315,000. “January is usually one of our slowest months for home prices and sales, so it’s not surprising to see that prices were so similar to the previous month,” Kasama said. “For the most part, I think these stable prices are an indication of a fairly healthy housing market. At the same time, we’re still dealing with some challenges. There’s uncertainty surrounding short sales, since Congress has not extended the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act that expired Dec. 31. If Congress doesn’t go back and extend this law and make it retroactive to Jan. 1, it can create a big tax hit for anyone who did a short sale in 2014.” Kasama said REALTORS® are pushing Congress to extend this act for at least another year to help distressed homeowners. Unless Congress votes to extend this act retroactively, as members of Nevada’s congressional delegation are proposing, any amount of money a bank writes off in agreeing to sell a home as part of a short sale starting in 2014 may become taxable when sellers file their income taxes. Without this tax relief, Kasama expects fewer short sales this year. January continued last year’s transition from distressed to more traditional home sales, where lenders are not controlling the transaction. GLVAR has been reporting fewer foreclosures and short sales – which occur when a lender agrees to sell a home for less than what the borrower owes on the mortgage. For instance, in January, 17 percent of all existing local home sales were short sales, down from 20.7 percent in December. Another 11 percent of all January sales were bank-owned properties, up from 8.5 percent in December. Of the 40,242 existing residential properties sold in Southern Nevada during 2013, GLVAR reported that 62 percent were traditional sales. That was a big jump from 2012, when only 37 percent of all 44,902 sales that year were traditional. GLVAR said the total number of existing local homes, condominiums and townhomes sold in the traditionally slow month

of January was 2,565, down from 2,915 in December and down. Like the end of 2013, GLVAR reported fewer total properties listed for sale in January than one year ago. The total number of properties listed for sale on GLVAR’s Multiple Listing Service in January was 13,537. That’s up 1.8 percent from 13,303 singlefamily homes listed for sale at the end of December, but down 6.2 percent from 14,433 homes one year ago. GLVAR reported a total of 2,978 condos and townhomes listed for sale on its MLS in January, up 2.6 percent from 2,903 listed in December, but down 14.4 percent from one year ago. Compared to one year ago, GLVAR reported many more available homes listed for sale without any sort of pending or contingent offer. By the end of January, GLVAR reported 6,541 single-family homes listed without any sort of offer. That’s down 0.7 percent from 6,587 such homes listed in December, but still up 96.2 percent from one year ago. For condos and townhomes, the 1,712 properties listed without offers in January represented a 2.9 percent increase from 1,664 such properties listed in December and a 40.1 percent increase from one year ago. GLVAR said 46.8 percent of all existing local homes sold in January were purchased with cash. That’s up from 44.4 percent in December, but down from a peak of 59.5 percent set in February 2013. The median price of bank-owned homes sold in January was $148,867, down from $159,900 in December. The median price of homes sold as part of a short sale in January was $165,000, the same as during December. These GLVAR statistics include activity through the end of January 2014. GLVAR distributes such statistics each month based on data collected through its MLS, which does not necessarily account for newly constructed homes sold by local builders or for sale by owners.

Other highlights include: • The monthly value of local real estate transactions tracked through the MLS during January decreased by 16.2 percent for homes to more than $461 million. For condos and townhomes, the total value of all January sales was more than $65 million, down 8.0 percent from December. Compared to one year ago, total sales volumes in January were up 6.8 percent for homes, and up 1.6 percent for condos and townhomes. • In January, 64.6 percent of all existing local homes and 55.5 percent of all condos and townhomes sold within 60 days. That compares to December, when 69.1 percent of all existing local homes and 63.0 percent of all condos and townhomes sold within 60 days.

About the GLVAR

GLVAR was founded in 1947 and provides its more than 11,000 local members with education, training and political representation. The local representative of the National Association of REALTORS®, GLVAR is the largest professional organization in Southern Nevada. Each GLVAR member receives the highest level of professional training and must abide by a strict code of ethics. For more information, visit www.HomeLasVegas.com or www.lasvegasrealtor.com. For more information, please contact: George McCabe | B&P (702) 967-2222 or 325-7358 | gmccabe@bpadlv.com

Greater Las Vegas Association of REALTORS速 January 2014 Statistics Single Family Residential Units AVAILABILITY AT END OF PERIOD # of available units listed Median list price of available units Average list price of available units

*AVAILABILITY AT END OF PERIOD # of available units listed w/o offers Median list price of available units w/o offers Average list price of available units w/o offers

NEW LISTINGS THIS PERIOD # of new listings Median price of new listings Average price of new listings

UNITS SOLD THIS PERIOD # of units sold Median price of units sold Average price of units sold

$ $

Change from Change from Dec 13 Jan 13 6,541 -0.7% +96.2% 225,000 +0.0% +2.4% $ 378,392 +0.8% -17.0% $

Jan 14 $ $

Change from Change from Dec 13 Jan 13 3,080 +39.9% +8.5% 210,000 +5.1% +30.5% $ 281,706 +5.6% +20.8% $

Jan 14 $ $

Change from Change from Dec 13 Jan 13 2,067 -13.7% -9.5% 185,000 +0.0% +23.3% $ 223,117 -2.9% +18.0% $

Jan 14 $ $

TIME ON MARKET FOR UNITS SOLD THIS PERIOD 0-30 days 31-60 days 61-90 days 91-120 days 121+ days TOTAL HOME SALES DOLLAR VALUE FOR UNITS SOLD THIS PERIOD

Condo/Townhouse Units

Change from Change from Jan 14 Dec 13 Jan 13 13,537 +1.8% -6.2% 190,000 +1.9% +27.5% 289,813 +1.5% +22.1%

Jan 14 45.4% 19.2% 12.5% 7.9% 14.9%

Dec 13

Jan 13

50.4% 18.7% 11.2% 6.3% 13.5%

53.2% 14.2% 10.9% 6.5% 15.1%

Change from Change from Dec 13 Jan 13 461,181,944 -16.2% +6.8% $ Jan 14

Jan 14 2,978 89,900 106,742 Jan 14 1,712 92,000 114,565 Jan 14 706 97,750 116,833 Jan 14 498 95,000 131,318

Change from Change from Dec 13 Jan 13 +2.6% -14.4% +1.0% +19.9% +1.9% -34.6% Change from Change from Dec 13 Jan 13 +2.9% +40.1% -0.7% -16.4% +0.8% -60.6% Change from Change from Dec 13 Jan 13 +33.2% -11.1% -6.9% +15.3% -42.2% -10.6% Change from Change from Dec 13 Jan 13 -4.4% -7.3% -1.0% +26.7% -3.8% +9.6%

Jan 14

Dec 13

38.4% 17.1% 17.7% 9.8% 17.1% Jan 14 65,396,175

42.8% 20.2% 10.4% 7.3% 19.4%

Jan 13 52.0% 16.6% 10.1% 6.5% 14.9%

Change from Change from Dec 13 Jan 13 -8.0% +1.6%

*This category reflects the existing market availability of listings without pending or contingent offers.

Greater Las Vegas Association of REALTORS速 February 2014 Statistics Single Family Residential Units AVAILABILITY AT END OF PERIOD # of available units listed Median list price of available units Average list price of available units

*AVAILABILITY AT END OF PERIOD # of available units listed w/o offers Median list price of available units w/o offers Average list price of available units w/o offers

NEW LISTINGS THIS PERIOD # of new listings Median price of new listings Average price of new listings

UNITS SOLD THIS PERIOD # of units sold Median price of units sold Average price of units sold

$ $

Change from Change from Jan 14 Feb 13 6,316 -3.4% +107.3% 230,000 +2.2% +2.2% $ 392,795 +3.8% -20.1% $

Feb 14 $ $

Change from Change from Jan 14 Feb 13 3,071 -0.3% +7.3% 210,000 +0.0% +27.3% $ 287,267 +2.0% +21.4% $

Feb 14 $ $

Change from Change from Jan 14 Feb 13 2,008 -2.9% -23.9% 190,000 +2.7% +26.7% $ 225,014 +0.9% +18.9% $

Feb 14 $ $

TIME ON MARKET FOR UNITS SOLD THIS PERIOD 0-30 days 31-60 days 61-90 days 91-120 days 121+ days TOTAL HOME SALES DOLLAR VALUE FOR UNITS SOLD THIS PERIOD

Condo/Townhouse Units

Change from Change from Feb 14 Jan 14 Feb 13 13,624 +0.6% -3.5% 194,771 +2.5% +29.8% 294,201 +1.5% +20.5%

Feb 14 43.5% 16.7% 12.9% 9.9% 17.1%

45.4% 19.2% 12.5% 7.9% 14.9%

Feb 13 54.3% 13.5% 10.3% 6.1% 15.7%

Change from Change from Jan 14 Feb 13 451,827,706 -2.0% -9.5% $ Feb 14

Jan 14

Feb 14 3,561 99,900 200,772 Feb 14 2,212 108,000 250,265 Feb 14 788 108,250 212,141 Feb 14 510 102,855 145,287

Change from Change from Jan 14 Feb 13 +19.6% +1.2% +11.1% +29.1% +88.1% +24.5% Change from Change from Jan 14 Feb 13 +29.2% +73.5% +17.4% +0.8% +118.4% -7.7% Change from Change from Jan 14 Feb 13 +11.6% +2.7% +10.7% +30.4% +81.6% +37.3% Change from Change from Jan 14 Feb 13 +2.4% -13.9% +8.3% +25.4% +10.6% +14.6%

Feb 14

Jan 14

35.9% 17.8% 15.5% 9.4% 21.4% Feb 14 74,096,550

38.4% 17.1% 17.7% 9.8% 17.1%

Feb 13 56.8% 15.0% 8.3% 7.9% 12.0%

Change from Change from Jan 14 Feb 13 +13.3% -1.3%

*This category reflects the existing market availability of listings without pending or contingent offers.

Color is NOT your enemy By: Terrence L. Clayton

So many of my clients are afraid of color. My answer to those types is always, “Its paint! If you don’t like it, we’ll paint over it.” Color brings out the emotion and personality in a room. Usually when decorating a room there is a “feeling” that we hope all who enter it will experience. Whether it is excitement in a game room, elegance in a formal living room or maybe a sense of family in a dining room, there is a message we wish to convey to our guests. Color is the most effective and least expensive way to provoke emotion when decorating. Everything else is like jewelry on a woman. Usually the decorating process starts with an “inspiration” piece or focal point. That may be fabric, a picture, etc. For example, in one of my guest baths; it was a porcelain tissue dispenser. From that one small item, I created a whole “theme”. Once you find your inspiration you start collecting items to compliment it. “Bold” colors always bring a lot of energy to a room, so choose wisely! In “Modern” design bold colors tend to be “Bright” such as red or yellow. Many times in a modern theme, colors are accents. White walls are the back drop so the art, accessories or sometimes the unique furniture pieces are the “Focal Point” in the room. Sometimes it is the opposite, walls are painted bright colors and the furniture is “Neutral” and art has little movement. It is up to you to decide how much color and energy you want the room to give off. Sometimes people get excited over the “Color Trend of the Year”. Think about it “Long Term”. That “Trendy” color could be your guest for years! We generally redecorate every 7 – 10 years. This year’s color is a good example. According to Pantone, a major color authority who forecasts to many different industries such as home design, fashion and beauty has named “Radiant Orchid” as 2014’s “Color of the Year”. Although the color itself is beautiful, it may over stay its welcome long before you are in the redecorating mode I still come across mauve, peach and teal! That is a dead give a way that you haven’t redecorated in a good 20 years. Remember, “Trends” change each year. A few accents of those colors will go a long way. Accessories like pillows, drapes or even an accent wall will most likely be enough. When you are tired of them it will be less expensive for you to update. So, unless you are one of the very wealthy 2%, stay away from purchasing trendy colored upholstered pieces. In a few years it will be hard to unload them even at a yard sale! Maybe the best way for me to help you understand the importance in color choice is a short lesson. Red, blue and yellow are the “Pure” primary colors from which all other colors are created. Red is the most intense of the colors and often associated with action, adventure and passion.

you can’t go wrong when you are wearing a navy blue suit! Accessorize it with a red tie and you are a trustworthy man of action……the perfect Realtor! Green is nature at its best! It is crisp, fresh, healthy and tranquil. That is why eco-friendly companies use it in their logos. Pink is assumed to be “Girlie” but can also be associated with love. A few pops of pink can bring romance to a bedroom. Orange is sometimes used in dining rooms and kitchens because it is thought to help with digestion. It is also the color of warmth and stability. .

Purple is creative, sexy and fertile. It also represents Royalty

Brown is by itself bland. Practicality, stability and security are associated with brown. When paired with livelier colors such as blue or green it can make an impressive statement. Gray is moody, cool and practical but is a great “Neutral” and works well with most other colors. Black although not considered a color by many, evokes authority, distinction, and formality and yes, mystery. White, even though also considered to be a non-color without a doubt exudes a feeling of cleanliness, purity (that is why “Traditional” bridal gowns are white), innocence, peace, simplicity and truthfulness.

Yellow brings a feeling of cheerfulness, playfulness, positivity and warmth.

Now, knowing the meaning behind the colors, it should be easier to make a decision when decorating a room. When going for a specific “Style” of décor, there is a “Color Palette” associated with each.

Blue is generally considered a calming color. It is also the color of Royalty. It gives a feeling of authority, dignity, power and success. It is also a trustworthy color, hence the term “True Blue”. Gentlemen,

Tuscan which has been popular for many years throughout the country is a “Formal” style of decorating. Tuscan, colors tend to be earthy, rich and give a “Natural” feel. The

25 Las Vegas Agent Magazine • Mar/Apr, 2014

Terrence L. Clayton started his designing career creating store displays, stage sets and tradeshow exhibits in 1986. He was asked to create a line of novelty accent furnishings which led him to attend Interior Design school and graduating in 2004. Terrence has been a Las Vegas resident since December 1992 and opened Alternative Décor soon after. He can be reached through alternativedecor.com Phone: office: 702-655-3888 | cell: 702-373-3888 Follow him on FACEBOOK reds used can range from rust to burgundy. Dark yellow and golds warm the sometimes cool tones of the darker reds. Green is usually in the sage family to bring in the beauty of the Tuscan region. Beige to brown help ground the “Theme” like the rich Tuscan soils. Southwest gets a bad rap as being passé and overdone. But, let’s face it, it is where we live. It is still a popular design. Southwest décor has been reinvented many times throughout the years to keep it “In Style”. Most people think Southwest means they have to fill their homes with mauve and teal with garish accessories. The colors and styles today are much more sophisticated. Blue is still the popular color used in Southwest styling. Today instead of teal the color ranges from a deep vivid blue representing our dramatic skies, to turquoise, one of the world’s most loved gem stones. Pair it with a bold deep yellow like our sun and it makes a beautiful statement much like our summer days. Terra-cotta and shades of orange represent our rich soil. Who doesn’t love our Red Rock Canyon? Deep rich greens imitate cactus and the desert after a rainy winter. Pops of purple and pink show how colorful our desert truly is. So, if you secretly love Southwest design……be proud and go for it! Asian décor has many variations. They range from “Traditional” which is very ornate to “Minimalist”. Red is a dominate color; it represents good luck in the Asian culture. Blue is believed to bring peace and tranquility to the house. Lacquered furniture, mostly black is a staple in Asian design. Gold is also “Traditional” in Asian. Many other colors can be introduced into the “Theme” through tapestries, statues and other accessories. With the “Minimalist” design, sleek furnishings and natural woods such as bamboo are typical. I hope this can help with questions you or your clients may have about colors. Remember, if you have a “Bland” room and are afraid of color, paint is the easiest solution. So many times I am told that the decorating process is “Frightening”. It really shouldn’t be. As long as you can remember that paint can be easily recovered and most furnishings can be returned if they don’t work once in a room. Don’t sweat it, enjoy it!

Color is not your enemy!

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TWo aMaZInG FEsTIVaLs Together again! april 12th • 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM • At UNLV Campus Announcing, in the heart of UNLV’s campus, the fifth annual GREENFest and 18th annual Festival of Communities together once again to honor Earth Day and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of UNLV. Brought to you by GREEN Alliance and Republic Services, GREENFest unites with UNLV’s Festival of Communities to celebrate culture, sustainability and our community. GREENFest provides the opportunity for southern Nevada’s sustainable community to gather in one location at one time. Our collaborative GREEN Allies present ways to become more sustainable as they showcase their meaningful work. This event features environmental topics and exhibits, recycling collection, culture, diversity, innovation and resources to create a more enjoyable and healthy lifestyle. At Festival of Communities, you will find students and local communities highlighting the rich cultural diversity of the Las Vegas Valley. We are thrilled to see this event grow from one year to the next with more than 250 booths combined. GREENFest and Festival of Communities will be featuring a variety of kid-friendly activities, live entertainment, food from around the world, a beer garden, interactive exhibitors, fun festivities, pet adoption, and drawings for prizes throughout the day. Exhibitors Featuring:

Festivities & Activities:

• Green Building & Smart Energy • Recycling and Conservation • Health & Wellness Exhibitors • Artists Behind Earth Day • Clean Energy Vehicle Displays & Test Drives • Sustainable Home & Garden • Kids Discovery & Fun Zone • Farmers Market

• Live Music & Entertainment • Beer Garden • Green Scavenger Hunt • Drawing for fun prizes • Educational Presentations • Photo’s with Mascots • Repurposed Fashion Shows • Make & Take Activities for all ages

• Furry Family Animal Adoptions • Delicious food and drink from around the world • Electric Bike and Cyclery Ride • Live Artists and Art Displays • Zero Waste Event • And much more!

NEW to GREENFest! Drive Electric Las Vegas Procession from Town Square to GREENFest! Open to all Southern Nevada Clean Energy Vehicle Owners, go to GREENFestLV.com for details and to register!

For more information, and to sign up as a vendor or performer, please visit Festivals.UNLV.edu • GreenFestLV.com

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Wendy Organizes It

The Joys of Shredding Shredders really are now a household and office necessity with all the identity theft issues these days. The Federal Trade Commission reports approximates nine million people are victims of identity theft annually. Shredders are well worth the investment, considering that throwing your personal information in the garbage is no longer safe. There are many ways crooks can steal your identity and dumpster diving is only one way. For more information on avoiding, detecting and dealing with identity theft, check out the Federal Trade Commission’s website at: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/. Clients often ask me which documents should be shredded. Some want to shred everything and anything with their name and address on it. I think that’s extreme and can be quite cumbersome in the daily grind of life. My personal list of mandatory shredding items are: •Anything with your social security number on it •Anything with an account number on it •Prescription drug labels and receipts (to avoid medical identity theft) •Credit card offers. Be forewarned. Shredders can get expensive with some of the top-of-the-line models running over $300. I always recommend an average investment of $150. Your shredder should handle at least 8-12 pages at one time - - - anything less than that is really a waste of money, time and energy. Make sure your shredder has the credit card and CD slots for all of those mailed cards and discs that are junk. Also keep in mind your noise level preference. The quieter the model is, the more expensive it tends to be. Be sure to note the shredding cut style. Strips are fine, crosscut is better, and diamond cut is best.

I believe Staples has the cutest, mini-size shredder (pictured here.)

The M5 Mailmate Shredder looks like a toaster, has a 12-paper capacity, and runs under $100 online. The M5 is my favorite due to its perfect size. It fits nicely on top of a desk, credenza, or kitchen corner - - - wherever you open mail and pay bills. If you have been a victim of identity theft, you already know why shredders are a necessity. Shredders are well worth the investment for your peace of mind. Shredders not only eliminate paper clutter but they protect your identity. If you have an unsurmountable backlog of shredding, consider using a commercial shredder to get rid of it. Major office supply stores offer shredding services priced by the pound - - - but you have to lug it all in. Commercial shredding services will travel directly to you; but, they tend to have minimums and/or are pricey. Too often I see clients save an ugly, old, paper ream box in their office or home, where they keep piles of paper clutter “to be shred.” Not only is that an eyesore, but you’ll probably never find the time to get to that “to shred” pile. No time like the present when it comes to shredding. Have an efficient shredder handy where paper work lands.

Written by Wendy Sharrow Disorganization Hacker [pro organizer manager] phone: 702.468.7662 email: wendysharrow@yahoo.com facebook: Wendy Organizes It

30 Las Vegas Agent Magazine • Mar/Apr, 2014

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