Ask any Residential Real Estate pro; by far the most popular moving season is summer, when the kids are out of school. The weather is bright and sunny, but that does not make the moving process any easier. There are many factors you have to keep in mind when planning the logistics of your relocation, and the residential sales and marketing team at First Federal Realty DeSimone would like to help you out with the following guide.


There are many ways to prepare for a summer move, and these are just some of the tips.Our top tip:

Get the Kids on Board

If you have children, getting them to buy in to the moving process is absolutely necessary. You can expect they may gripe and moan, so get them on board early. They are worried about losing their friends and having a new school. The last thing they are thinking about is helping you pack! It is up to you to motivate them. Our advice - don't wait. Start helping kids early sort out what they need, want and can't part with. Teach then to let go of the old and make room for the new a little bit every day.  Not only can they help clean out old belongings for the yard sale, they can also learn to look forward instead of backward.

Have a Yard Sale

Once you start gathering all of your possessions together, like most people you will probably soon realize that you have entirely too much stuff. Before your actual moving date, you might think about holding some kind of yard sale to get rid of all those extra possessions, especially the things you no longer need. With nice summer weather backing you up too, the yard sale could prove a profitable venture. For this, you will definitely want to enlist your children.

Establish Your Contacts

Well before it comes time to actually move, you will want to establish your contacts. For example, if you need the help of friends, make sure you get them on board months in advance. Similarly, moving companies get busiest in the summer, and you should reserve a spot with them as early as possible. Even if you do not yet have a date in mind, you can start contacting companies to get quotes now instead of waiting until the last minute.

Check Utilities in Your New Home

Before you actually move into your new home this summer, make sure that you get all the utilities up and running before relocating. This is a surprising step many people forget about. You will also want to know if all the appliances are in working order or if anything needs to be fixed beforehand. You just do not want to get to your new home and realize that nothing works. Your Realtor can help with ordering a home inspection before the sale is final allowing time for major issues to be resolved.

Learn About Other Ways to Prepare for a Summer Move

These are just a few tips to keep in mind when moving into your new home, but there are plenty of other things you can do to start preparing today. So for more information or to learn about potential real estate options in the Las Vegas and greater Nevada area, contact a representative at the residential and sales marketing offices of First Federal Realty DeSimone. We have many years of experience in the industry, and we want to make your next move as seamless as possible.

​Luxury and comfort are the American Dream. Part and parcel of that dream can be owning a second home. People who own multiple homes feel like they have achieved another level of success in life. 

Buying a Second Home

Whether it is a vacation home, a second half-time residence, a retirement house or for any other purpose, the temptation to buy a second home when you think you can afford it can be strong. However, jumping into the process too soon can lead to financial troubles that can undermine your sense of well-being. Here are a few things to consider before buying a second home, and the questions you should ask before diving in.
 
Avoid Impulse Buying

Impulse buying happens to us all. You see something in a shop window that you suddenly just feel like you cannot live without. You would not think that applies to something as huge as a house, but you would be mistaken. There are an astounding number of people who impulsively buy properties with which they fall in love and later regret it. If you are thinking about a second home, take the time to truly think about it!
 
What Is the Area Like?

Consider the area beyond the home. There are beautiful homes in poor areas that at first glance do not reveal their disadvantages. When you find a home you love, take the time to research the area. Talk to locals. Read reviews online. Talk to a local real estate agent who specializes in that neighborhood. Get a feel for all the pros and cons. Make sure that the neighborhood fits your lifestyle.
 
What Are Your Goals?

What is the reason you are buying this house? What purpose will it serve? A vacation home will have separate qualities than a second half-time residence, which is entirely different from a retirement residence. Rental properties are something else entirely. Make sure you are aware of your goals and the needs you have from the property you will be buying.
 
Understand Your Budget

Do not just purchase a second home because you want one. Be hyper aware of the expenses involved in home ownership. Even when you are not living in it, that property will cost you money just by existing. Know what you can afford, and understand the costs of owning a second home, so you do not get in way over budget and end up underwater.
 
Hire a Local Real Estate Agent

​A local real estate agent is an expert in the area in which you are buying. Once you decide on a location, talk to local realtors who can give you strong insight on the kinds of properties available, on the local amenities and attractions and all the nitty-gritty of the local neighborhood.
 
If you are looking to purchase a second residence in the Greater Las Vegas Area, we are here to help. Check out our residential home buying information, and contact us for more details to help start your search today!

Since the housing bubble burst in 2008, many regions have struggled on and off trying to recover. It’s been a long and painfully slow economic recovery and it’s still going on, but the good news is that housing markets across the country are rebounding and it looks like it could be a good, long-term recovery. Las Vegas is one of those markets on track for a healthy and stable recovery. Read about the current and future trends in the Las Vegas real estate market for 2016, and why now is a great time to buy in this town!
 

One of the most important aspects of residential real estate sales is the home staging process. How well a home is prepared and perceived can make or break a potential sale and the possibility of someone finding their dream home. It is not enough just to find the perfect property and price—how the home looks on the inside is probably even more important because first impressions are the key factor in selling a home. Here are six useful tips for home staging to make your next sale a success.

1. Clean and Clutter Free

Hands down, the most important part of home staging and preparing a house for sale is making sure that the house is clean and free of any clutter or mess. Having too much furniture can add to a cluttered look and feel, and can make the home look smaller. It's a good idea to take out any unnecessary furniture and appliances to maximize the amount of free space and make the home more neat and tidy.

2. Furniture Placement and Groupings 

Along with taking out furniture pieces to make the home more spacious and less cluttered, how the furniture is arranged can also make a difference in how each room is perceived. For maximum space, float furniture away from walls, and group chairs and sofas in cozy groups. Also, arrange each piece so that there is an obvious walking path in each room.

3. Light Up Your Home

Lighting is essential to making any home feel warm and inviting. To achieve perfect and adequate lighting in your home for sale, aim for a total of 100 watts of light for every 50 square feet. Also, be sure to include ambient, accent and task lighting in every room.

4. The More Spacious, The Better

Making your home look and feel as big and spacious as possible is key for impressing potential buyers. Along with furniture choice and placement, another way to make a room seem even bigger is to paint the walls the same color as the adjacent room. This will create a seamless look that will make both rooms look like one big space. To optimize this idea even more, paint the walls the same color as the drapery for a clean, sophisticated look.

5. The Perfect Color Choice

The colors you choose to adorn your home are dependent upon which room you are in. For your living room, it is best to go with neutral colors when deciding on wall paint. You do not have to go as bland as off white; warm tans and honeys as well as soft blue-greens can also make for great neutral wall colors. If you like bolder colors on your walls, save these for your powder or dining rooms. Also, consider using a dramatic color just as an accent wall in these rooms.

6. Light Up Your Home

You can really spice up your home décor with the right accessories. For a more eye-appealing and inviting atmosphere, grouping accessories in odd numbers is preferable, especially grouping in threes. When grouping, put your accessories in more of a triangular shape with a point instead of just lining them up in a straight row. Also, keep in mind scale when arranging accessories and be sure to vary height and width. 

Purchasing a home, whether it be your very first or even your seventh time going through the process, can be a complicated, headache-inducing undertaking. To save on costs, you may be considering buying a house without a realtor. However, without a realtor’s expertise, you are much less likely to find what you’re looking for. Even beyond tricky negotiations, real estate agents can offer knowledge and insight on the home buying process in their specialized area that you just won’t receive elsewhere.

​It’s the magic question—which is better? Should you pay cash on that new property, or should you take out a mortgage and finance? This match-up is not as straightforward as it may seem, and throws many investors for a loop when the time to close arrives. Both routes have some benefits and disadvantages. Whether you are a first time homebuyer or someone who has the cash sitting in the bank to purchase your first investment property, you will want to make the choice that is the most beneficial to your unique situation. Here is some information on paying cash versus financing a new home in the world of real estate in Henderson, Nevada.
​

The 4-11 on Buying with Cash
Most real estate investors and the ultra-affluent prefer to purchase property with cash. However, some of the most famous billionaires, such as Facebook’s creator, Mark Zuckerberg, still take the very normal route of financing a home. A great deal on a rock-bottom mortgage rate is hard to pass up. Most people cannot afford to purchase a home with cash out-right, and have no other option but to finance a home loan.
 
There are a few advantages to buying a home with cash versus financing. For starters, when you pay for a home with cash, you avoid paying interest on a loan. This means that you purchase your home for cheaper than you would if you paid for it over a period of time. You will also have the luxury of avoiding paying for principal. There are still some recurring costs to consider, such as HOA fees and homeowner’s insurance. While insurance is optional if you pay with cash and own your home outright, it is still highly encouraged.
 
Having the cash to buy a home gives you an upper hand when negotiating your offer. Most other potential buyers will more than likely be looking to finance a home, making you the more appealing buyer—even if your offer is lower.
 
Perhaps the biggest perk to buying a home with cash is that you will not have the added stress of dealing with a bank or lender through the home buying process. If you have some potential roadblocks that could prevent you from securing a loan, such as bad credit or foreign nationality, this is a huge benefit.
 
Taking Out a Mortgage
The more traditional route of buying a home is to finance and take out a mortgage. Since most do not have the cash, this is a necessity rather than a choice, but it is one that has served most well. You will be paying a good bit of interest on a mortgage—in upwards of hundreds of thousands. The good news is that most of this interest can be written off on your taxes. It can be difficult to secure a mortgage, so be sure to shop around with lenders before you start looking for your next place.
 
If you would like more information on buying and selling real estate in Henderson, Nevada, visit our residential sales and marketing page or contact a representative with First Federal Realty DeSimone today. 

​If your business is booming, it might be time to look for a new location to call home. While you are clarifying the wants and needs for your new space, you might also wonder which would be better for your company—should you lease an office space or build your very own? Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

There is always a “right” and a “wrong” time to buy real estate in Henderson, Nevada, and the secret to success is knowing the difference. When the market to lease is on the high side and property values start to drop, many people hesitate and wonder if they should build or lease. Here is a detailed description below on the pros and cons of both. 

Leasing an Office Space
Leasing an office space will give you a bit more freedom to change the location of your company again if you need to in the not-so-distant future. When you enter into a lease with a property owner, you are bound to that lease, not necessarily the property. For those whose businesses are still in their infancy, leasing an office is an excellent choice. 
 
The reality, however, is that even your greatest dreams can quickly be snuffed by unforeseen circumstances. Water damage could ruin your nice equipment, your business might grow beyond the walls too quickly, or you may decide that your building has too much space and is inefficient. During those moments, you will want the opportunity to get out of the lease as quickly as possible. Once you own property and have built your own building, it is very difficult to have those freedoms. You cannot simply walk away and find another place that is better suited for the needs of your company. Renting will give you the flexibility to expand until you are in a position to build.
 
Building an Office Space
When you own the building and the business, you are in total control of the dynasty that you have built. You will have the advantage of designing your building to meet the unique needs of your growing company. Managing the risks associated with your decisions is a part of investing in your future, and building your own office space is a risk that could easily pay off.
 
Building your own office will give you the option to grow into the space without having to change locations. The lower borrowing costs make this one of the best times to buy property and build a business office. You might also become a landlord yourself, renting out spaces to other small business owners who are just getting their service off the ground.
 
 
Real Estate in Henderson, Nevada
If you would like more information on purchasing real estate in Henderson, Nevada, view our development page or contact a representative with First Federal Realty DeSimone today. 

When selling your first home, you need to take all the right approaches to get your home ready to go. Follow these ten important tips for first-time home sellers to help make sure your real estate sells fast and for top dollar.
 

1. Be Ready to Sell
This cannot be understated: you need to be ready to sell. When things happen, they’ll happen fast and you must be ready to let go.

2. Set a Reasonable Price
Don’t ask for a high price and hope to negotiate. Do your homework and work with your Realtor to make sure your asking price will net you what you need while still bringing in buyers.
 
3. Be Ready to Move
When you get an offer, you’ll need to be ready to move. That’s why it’s a good idea to live minimalist while you’re selling your house. You may not have months or even weeks to pack up and go, depending on the deal you cut.
 
4. Assessed Value Isn’t Market Value
You may well not get the full assessed value for your home, or even the full value of comparable sales. Be prepared to sell at what people are offering, though don’t feel you have to take a huge hit. Your agent will be able to advise you when a good offer comes along.
 
5. Promote Like Mad
You and your agent will need to promote your house like crazy. Share photos, videos and listing information everywhere you can from the web to print to social media.
 
6. Extras Entice
Do you have nice, new appliances that you can nevertheless stand to lose? Offer them with the house! Throwing in furnishings, as long as they’re new and good quality, entices buyers, as do home warranties and other perks.
 
7. Dress for Success
We’re not talking about you—we’re talking about your house. Clear out all the clutter so it looks minimalist and presents a blank canvas. The more space you show off and the less of your personal taste is left, the better off you are.
 
8. Do the Repairs
Does the house need repairs or upgrades? Do them yourself. Home buyers want a “move-in condition” house. The more you can do that for them, the better set you’ll be to sell.
 
9. The Book and Its Cover
Curb appeal counts. Clean up your yard. Keep the grass neatly trimmed, the garden in shape, the fence in good repair and the paint fresh. Make it look like a dream home right from the start.
 
10. Get a Good Agent
Your realtor is going to be everything: your best friend, your business partner and the expert voice you need to get this done. Choosing the right agent is your all.
 
 These ten tips for first-time home sellers will get you off to a good start selling your real estate. For more information or to get started today, check out our services and give us a call.