Damon Botticelli's Blog

Are Your Property Taxes Too High? - What You Can Do About It in Las Vegas and Clark County - Petition to Appeal Due by January 15

Damon Botticelli - Las Vegas Real Estate (Realtor) (Realty One Group) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 21:20:52 -0600

January 15th is the deadline to file a petition to appeal your property value and lower your property taxes.

Step 1 - Find out your home's "taxable value"

Click here to visit the assessor's website and enter your street number and street name. (*Tip - DO NOT include "Ave" or Rd" after the street name)

Click on "submit" then click on the parcel number next to your address.

Look to see your home's "taxable value" (see the red arrow below). This value should not exceed fair market value for your home.

Step 2 - Determine fair market value for your home to compare with the assessor's "taxable value".

This step is easy! Just click on the "Home Value" button below, or call me at (702) 523-7713 and ask for a list of recently sold homes that are comparable to yours. (Called "comps" in Realtor lingo)

Step 3 - From the assessor's website:

If, in your opinion, the taxable value of your property exceeds the value indicated in the real estate market, please call or come in to the Assessor's Office and discuss your appraisal with an appraiser. The Assessor welcomes the opportunity to review any evidence you can provide that will show the valuation exceeds market value. If, after discussing the matter with the Assessor's staff, a difference of opinion still exists, you may appeal your assessment to the County Board of Equalization. You may obtain the appeal forms from the Assessor's Office during the month of December until the deadline for filing, which is January 15 unless it falls on a holiday or weekend, which then would make the deadline the next business day. Completed forms must be returned to the Assessor's Office by the appeal filing deadline date. Please call 702-455-3891 to have an appeal form mailed to you. The forms are relatively easy so you may represent yourself rather than incur legal expenses.

The November Numbers - Las Vegas Housing Market Statistics for November 2008

Damon Botticelli - Las Vegas Real Estate (Realtor) (Realty One Group) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:18:26 -0600

The links to stats pages contained in this blog are usually good for 30 days. If this blog was posted more than 30 days ago, email me and I will look up the information for you.

Average Sale Price by Month

Monthly Activity Report - By Zip Code and Property Type

Previous Month Activity Report - By Zip Code and Property Type

Monthly Comparison Report - By Zip Code and Property Type compared to 1 year ago

Foreclosure Chart - (last chart on page)

How to check if a home is in foreclosure in Las Vegas - Real Estate Video

Damon Botticelli - Las Vegas Real Estate (Realtor) (Realty One Group) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:54:11 -0600

To find out if a property is in foreclosure, you'll need to know the parcel number.

If you don't know the parcel number start at the following link.
Link 1 - Get the parcel number

Copy the parcel number, then go to the following link.
Link 2 - Check for recorded notices

Enter the parcel number, remove the dashes, then click "detailed data"

Look at the document type.

"Notice of default" or "Breach" indicates the foreclosure process has begun. Unless the default is cured, a "notice of trustee sale" will most likely be filed in about 3 months.

"Notice of Trustee Sale" will usually result in a foreclosure sale within a few weeks. Call the recorders office at (702) 455-4336 to find out the exact date of sale.

At any point before or during the foreclosure, contact me to discuss your options including selling your home, even if you owe more than the home is currently worth. It is possible to negotiate a "short sale" with your bank, avoid foreclosure, and sometimes even allow you to stay in your home longer by postponing the foreclosure date.

Made an offer on a bank owned home? - Did the bank ever see it?

Damon Botticelli - Las Vegas Real Estate (Realtor) (Realty One Group) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 18:57:48 -0600

Many buyers are frustrated with the process of putting an offer on a bank owned home and not getting a response. Buyers agents are frustrated too. They spend hours (sometimes days days or weeks) finding a property for a buyer, explaining the process and discussing how it is likely the property will sell over the asking price. The offer is written and sent it. The buyers agent follows up to make sure they got it and that the pre-approval and earnest money deposit is in order. They call and call and call and call and call...weeks go by and no answer from the seller. No counter offer...no rejection...no nothing. One month later the property is still "active" on the mls. A call to the listing agent reveals..."we have over 15 offers" send us your highest and best". Another month goes by and the property is sold for a few hundred dollars more than the other you put in. hmm?

Did the listing agent present the the offer as soon as possible? Did the bank review the offer?

As I understand it, the banks can do as they wish (within the law), however if the LISTING AGENT uses the MLS to market the property, they are REQUIRED to follow the rules. If the listing agent is a REALTOR (which they most likely are if they're listing property on the MLS) they must adhere to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS ® which states:

Standard of Practice 1-6

REALTORS® shall submit offers and counter-offers objectively and as quickly as possible. (Adopted 1/93, Amended 1/95)

The listing agent must present the offer asap, however there is nothing that I know of to prevent the bank from taking it's sweet time in reviewing the offer. What you may want to do is ask for the signed document from the seller (the bank) stating they did not wish to review your offer when presented. If the agent cannot produce the document, you may want to file a complaint against the listing agent. You should be able to get help/guidance from the local board of Realtors.

For more information about the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS ® visit: http://www.realtor.org/MemPolWeb.nsf/pages/COde

The Paseos Park in Summerlin - Las Vegas, Nevada

Damon Botticelli - Las Vegas Real Estate (Realtor) (Realty One Group) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:00:01 -0600

Views of The Las Vegas Strip can be seen in the background from the top of the hill at The Paseos Park in Summerlin. My son has hours of fun playing in the fountains at this park!

Beach Volleyball at The Paseos Park in Summerlin, Las Vegas, NV

Nice Mountain Views behind the basketball courts

Huge covered playground next to the water fountains provides year round fun for the kids!

The Paseos Park in Summerlin also has 2 grass softball fields and plenty of room for walking, jogging, and riding bikes. My little guy learned to ride without the training wheels at this park!

Finding The Best Schools in Las Vegas, Las Vegas Real Estate

Damon Botticelli - Las Vegas Real Estate (Realtor) (Realty One Group) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:57:25 -0600

Researching local public schools is a good idea when purchasing real estate even if you're buying investment property. Being zoned for a "popular" or highly desired school can make a property easier to rent or sell. But keep in mind, re-zoning is common.

Here are some sites to help research schools. From these links you can find information such as zoning, school comparisons, parent and student opinions, & much more.

http://www.ccsd.net - Clark County School District website.

Zoning by address & zoning maps
Calendar
Individual school websites
Contact info
Lot's more

http://www.greatschools.net - Nationwide site

Research & Compare
Parent & Student Opinions
Advice
More

http://www.nevadareportcard.com/

Compare Nevada schools
Assessment
AYP
Fiscal
Student
Teacher

http://www.vegasproperty4u.com/school_reports.shtml

School Profiles
Nationwide
Search by City, County, or Zip Code
Search by school or district name
Maps

Dave, Dave & Sandy Vote Early

Damon Botticelli - Las Vegas Real Estate (Realtor) (Realty One Group) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:20:30 -0500

Dave, Dave & Sandy from the Summerlin Realty One office vote early and are shown on channel 3 news

I always heard a picture's worth a thousand words. What's a video clip worth? Apparently AR didn't count either the picture or the video when my post was dissmissed for being under 50 words. But hey, I don't blog for points anyway :-)

MODEL LEASEBACK PROGRAM - fully furnished models are for sale with up to a 36 month leaseback at 8%

Damon Botticelli - Las Vegas Real Estate (Realtor) (Realty One Group) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 23:13:02 -0500

MODEL LEASEBACK PROGRAM

These fully furnished models are for sale with up to a 36 month leaseback at 8%.

EARN UP TO $30,965 PER MONTH

Residence One

▪ Single Story

▪ 5,694 Total Usable Square Feet

▪ Fully Furnished

▪ 4 Bedrooms including a Detached Casita

with Private Bath

▪ 4 1/2 Baths

▪ Covered Patio

▪ 4-Car Garage

▪ Fully Landscaped w/Pool & Spa

▪ Offered at $ 2,944,568

▪ Leaseback payment $19,630.45 per month

Residence Two

▪ Two Story

▪ Fully Furnished

▪ 8,979 Usable Square Feet

▪ 4 Bedrooms, Office, Entertainment Room,

▪ 5 1/2 Baths

▪ Covered Patio & Two Decks

▪ 4-Car Garage

▪ Fully Landscaped w/Pool & Spa

▪ Offered at $ 4,354,177

▪ Leaseback payment $29,027.85 per month

Residence Three

▪ Two Story

▪ Fully Furnished

▪ 7,542 Usable Square Feet

▪ 4 Bedrooms, Office, & Entertainment Room

▪ 5 1/2 Baths

▪ Covered Patio & Deck

▪ 4-Car Garage

▪ Offered at $ 4,644,816

▪ Fully Landscaped w/Pool & Spa

▪ Leaseback payment $30,965.44 per month

In the interest of continuing improvement, Christopher Homes reserves the right to change maps, floor plans, exteriors, specifications, prices and terms

without notice. All floor plans, variations, renderings and maps are artist’s conceptions and are not intended to be an exact depiction. Square footage

and room sizes shown are approximate. Some items and design treatments in the model homes are decorator suggestions and are not included in the

purchase price. Landscape, hardscape and pools shown outside the models are upgrades and are not included in the purchase price. Please see a sales

representative if you have any questions.

Well cared for & clean 4 bedroom home in Mountain's Edge.

Damon Botticelli - Las Vegas Real Estate (Realtor) (Realty One Group) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:14:32 -0500

Photo Gallery

Description

Well cared for & clean 4 bedroom home in Mountain's Edge. Stop in the Mountain's Edge Welcome Center on Buffalo & Blue Diamond and ask about the 20 acre park being planned near this home

Features

Bedrooms:	4
Bathrooms:	2.5
Parking Spaces:	2
Year Built:	2006
Subdivision:	MARAVILLA AT MOUNTAINS EDGE
Lot Size:	3920
Garage Size:	2
Square Footage:	1880
Agent Name:	Damon Botticelli
Broker:	Realty One Group
MLS #:	868216

Location

10051 Candy Bouquet Las Vegas NV 89178

vFlyer Id: 1927978

Why Pay Rent When You Can Own This Las Vegas Home in Gated Community With Pool?

Damon Botticelli - Las Vegas Real Estate (Realtor) (Realty One Group) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 00:45:14 -0500

Photo Gallery

Description

Well cared for 3 bedroom home in gated community on a premium lot. Enjoy the views from the bedroom windows or the walk out balcony in the master bedroom. You'll love relaxing at the community pool and spa and the convenient location with easy access to the 215. Great use of space with built in desks in kitchen and upstairs hall.

Features

Bedrooms:	3
Bathrooms:	2.5
Parking Spaces:	2
Year Built:	2004
Subdivision:	Sierra Crossings
Lot Size:	2614
Garage Size:	1
Square Footage:	1380
Agent Name:	Damon Botticelli
Broker:	Realty One Group
MLS #:	870380

Location

3700 Vanishing Point St Las Vegas NV 89129

vFlyer Id: 1919569