LAS VEGAS, NV – The revitalization of Southern Nevada in the past year has seen a mass exodus of new residents flock to the region looking to take advantage of the now-booming economy and its subsequent burst of rapid job growth, and when an area – especially a hotbed of economic activity such as Vegas – sees such an influx of new blood, one thing holds true…those people need places to live.

One of the money-making aspects of the Las Vegas scene that has seen the biggest boost in recent months is in real estate, and with so many new residents arriving on a near-daily basis, the housing market has been literally struggling to keep up; rentals in particular are growing scarce, and what apartments and homes are left are experiencing a fast increase in rent prices in direct response for the massive demand.

Properties that are actually listed according to current market norms – that is, fairly norms – are going like hotcakes, according to reports. However, the increased activity in the Southern Nevada real estate game is creating a cutthroat atmosphere where competition for properties – rentals especially – is at an all-time high and climbing, and as a result, rent prices are shooting upwards as investors and landlords are striking while the iron is hot, looking to finally make a good return upon the properties they’d been previously sitting upon after the housing bubble burst in the mid-2000’s.

One of the driving factors in the increase of rental prices is due directly to the increase of home purchases, experts say; as houses sell faster and faster, prices increase, and as prices increase, those with more limited means are forced to turn to rentals instead for more manageable monthly costs. Rentals are also attractive to single people and those who are looking to test the job waters in the region before fully committing to setting down roots.

Las Vegas real estate is getting to the point that simple lease renewals for long-time residents are resulting in extra bucks being added to the agreement – anywhere from $50 to $200 – even if no additional services or additions have been made to the property; it’s all about supply and demand, and the Las Vegas real estate market is not one for treading water these days, according to reports. While Vegas is attractive to many for its thriving economy and job market, in addition to the relatively low cost of living as compared to much of the United States, the growing rental prices are proving to be a hurdle that have some new and long-time residents re-calculating their budgets and re-evaluating expenses to keep up.

In fact, the rental game in Vegas is getting so lucrative that private homeowners are getting in on it, and not always legally. Residents in increasing numbers are renting out their own homes to new residents and tourists and moving to rentals themselves in order to cash in, while local government has been cracking down on such arrangements when learning of them. Neighbors of such properties have been especially vocal in their complaints regarding the so-called “party houses” with out-of-state visitors often playing loud music and drinking late into the night. The city of Las Vegas recently created a hotline for residents experiencing such issues to file complaints that are then followed up by, if warranted, with fines issued for violations of city code.

Indeed, Vegas has become a hotbed of rental activity, and anyone with the business savvy has an opportunity to make some impressive profits. Need rental information on the fast-evolving Vegas market? Free market appraisal? Property management assistance? Feel free to give us a ring at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

Las Vegas Developers Ramp Up New Home Construction to Meet Growing Demand in Southern Nevada Region

LAS VEGAS, NV – With Las Vegas real estate seemingly outdoing itself at every turn brokers and developers have been struggling to keep up with mounting demand for homes and rental units as more and more families, entities, and corporations literally pour money and resources into the Southern Nevada region.

According to recent mid-year reports, new homes sales in Las Vegas are at their highest level since 2008; in Clark County in June of this year, developers closed on 832 sales of new homes, which brings the total for the up to 4,267. This represents an increase up 22.4 percent over the same period in 2016. In addition, the median price of homes closed on in June was approximately $339,603, which represents an increase of 3.7 percent from the year before.

In addition, the sheer number of new home construction permits pulled in June was an impressive jump not only from 2016, but for the last decade as well, as permits for 1,035 new homes were pulled by developers, the highest amount since July of 2008. Given this number, builders seem more than likely to achieve an impressive goal once the year is out; Clark County, but the time 2017 comes to an end, stands to have over 9,000 new homes within its limits, a situation that impatient potential homeowners are itching to be made into a reality.

Clearly, the efforts of developers and builders has been redoubled since last year as new home construction levels are up a staggering 20 percent in the first half of 2016. And while those numbers may seem truly impressive – and they are, especially considering the massive dry spell the Southern Nevada region has been through since the housing bubble burst – those numbers are still shy of the sheer magnitude of development Las Vegas saw in the years leading up to the real estate crisis in the mid-2000’s, where the first six months of 2006 saw an astonishing 18,800 homes constructed. Of course, many of those homes went on to sit and essentially do nothing as the real estate market plunged into a stupor, the result of the mass recession that held much of the country in its icy grip.

However, as things have slowly improved, homes began to sell once again; soon, even a genuine surplus became not enough as businesses, jobs, and money began flowing back into Vegas, and soon demand was pushing development back into overdrive once again.

Soon, if things continue to progress as they have recently, we may indeed see construction levels as they were back in the early-to-mid 2000’s, bolstered by a growing economy and job market – with entities such as Amazon, the soon-to-be Las Vegas Raiders NFL football team, and more moving into the region.

Shelter Realty is a Real Estate and Property Management Company specializing in the areas of Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, NV. Feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

LAS VEGAS, NV – While much hoopla has been made over the greatly increased demand – as well as prices – of the Las Vegas housing and rental market since the region’s recovery from the mid-2000’s burst of the housing bubble, another real estate commodity that has been on the rise is that of master-planned community sales; many such developments throughout Southern Nevada have seen a vast influx of buyers in the past year, so much so that a shortage is starting to take shape to rival the demand in the private housing and rental market.

What is a master-planned community, you may ask? Simply put, it is a type of residential plan that includes an out of the ordinary number of recreational amenities such as parks, golf courses, lakes, bike paths, and jogging trails. The scope of the plan is typically large scale and the number and variety of amenities clearly separates it from a normal plan for a housing subdivision. Some of these communities cater to older homeowners, especially in the 55 year-old and higher range, yet some are inclusive of all age ranges as well.

Among the hottest selling of these communities is Summerlin, located in the Las Vegas Valley of Nevada. A development of The Howard Hughes Corp., Summerlin lies at the edge of the Spring Mountains and Red Rock Canyon, on the western periphery of Las Vegas in unincorporated Clark County. The community occupies 22,500 acres and includes a variety of land uses, including, residential, commercial, recreational, educational, medical, open space, and cultural. According to recent reports, units in Summerlin experienced strong sales throughout the first half of 2017 – 470 new home sales, representing a 28 percent increase over the same period in 2016 – making it seventh-highest best-selling among master-planned communities nationwide.

Summerlin has been experiencing a recent glut of expansions in the form of new “neighborhoods” in face of strong sales; Affinity by William Lyon Homes, Caledonia, Trilogy by Shea Homes, Reverence and more either have or will be opening in the near future. Caledonia, Summerlin’s most recently-opened addition, features homes in the mid-$300,000 range and targets families of all ages; Trilogy by Shea Homes is due to launch in several months, and targets the 55-plus community.

Another master-planned community in the Las Vegas area that is boasting impressive growth in the midst of Southern Nevada’s ongoing real estate boom is Cadence Henderson by developer The LandWell Co. , which has ranked in the top 25 nationally for new-home sales in recent surveys. Much like Summerlin, Cadence is actually made up of numerous smaller neighborhoods, each constructed by a different contracted building company and each with their own unique allure and draw for specific segments of the population, including the 55-plus community Heritage. Each neighborhood offers numerous municipal amenities that typical private homes generally do not, including a 50-acre Central Park, six-lane lap pool, and 2,000-square-foot splash pad. And again, much like Summerlin, Cadence Henderson is planning a host of additions and expansions to handle their booming sales and growing population in the region.

While private dwellings – both stand-alone homes and rental apartments – have experienced booming sales and massive growth recently, exclusive planned communities such as Summerlin and Cadence Henderson are also feeling the benefits of the boost the local economy as well; their individual planned expansions in light of such business will only offer more housing options to both existing and new Nevada residents as jobs and money continue to filter into the area, ensuring that the boom Las Vegas is experiencing is no mere passing fad.

Whether you are real estate buyer, seller or investor – if you’re interested in Master-Planned Communities here in the Las Vegas Valley, please feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

LAS VEGAS, NV – The Las Vegas real estate scene is hot right now; according to reports, demand is far outstripping supply in terms of both housing and rental units, with prices soaring and continuing to increase ever since the Southern Nevada area has recovered from the housing bubble burst of the mid-2000’s. Jobs are increasing, the economy is stabilizing and beginning to flourish, and big-name businesses such as Amazon and the NFL are setting up shop in the region, galvanizing current residents and inviting a virtual flood of newcomers from out-of-state looking for a fresh start.

While these factors are no doubt a good thing for Las Vegas, the latest real estate boom has brought a negative with it that local officials are currently scrambling to combat- squatters, people who break into vacant or empty dwellings and live there illegally until they are removed by property owners or authorities. There are a number of reasons squatting is an issue in Las Vegas currently, but while homelessness is an issue that any major city has to deal with in one way or another, the main reasons have already been touched upon in this article- the general lack of housing options and the ever-rising prices of the ones that are currently available.

In Las Vegas, however, the issue of squatting is increased by the fact that the mid-2000’s housing crisis has left numerous homes simply abandoned or foreclosed upon; more so than the national norm at the moment, and thus ripe for the picking by anyone looking for a place to crash illegally. But while squatting to some may merely appear to be a harmless pursuit of somewhere to live, to others – legitimate property owners – it’s proven to be a hardship, and one that local government is looking to address in a hurry.

One area couple, according to reports, has been involved in a nearly year-long dispute with a number of squatters that have been regularly breaking into a former office that they had previously used for a family business; despite sinking money into boarding up the property and constantly calling the police, the couple nonetheless noted that in the last several years, there have been at least 30 break-ins, and that their patience is wearing thin to the point that they are considering selling rather than deal with the headache.

Recently, people squatting in a downtown Las Vegas house caused a fire in the dwelling, causing approximately $75,000 in damage before local fire department crews were able to get the blaze under control. Thankfully, the damage was contained to the individual property in question; no injuries were reported, and the fire prevented from spreading to other adjacent units. Some area realtors have actually started carrying weapons when visiting properties listed for sale, just in case they have an untimely – yet rare – encounter with a squatter; more often than not, they simply walk into the aftermath of their unwanted presence, consisting of discarded food and clothing items, and occasionally, minor damage to walls, doors, or cabinets.

Although squatting is mostly contained to small, specific areas at the moment, local officials are looking to head off the problem before it becomes more widespread and problematic; especially as it related to maintaining local property values. The Las Vegas city council is currently putting together a registry that identifies and classifies currently vacant homes that run the risk of being taken over by squatters, and then taking steps to secure those properties, which typically consist of ones that have been abandoned or foreclosed upon and are currently in-between owners and, thus, are not currently subject to regular use by legitimate parties.

In addition, the City Council has passed laws stiffening penalties for squatting and/or aiding squatters, and has organized a dedicated squatter task force that allows officials to not only keep up with the activities of potential squatters, but actually keep ahead of them. In addition, more work is being done, including setting up coordination across municipalities in order to form an organized front against such activities. In the meantime, real estate experts suggest not advertising a property as being vacant with a for sale sign on the front lawn or window, and to refrain from posting the street address of any available property on a publicly-accessible real estate website.

Need real estate information on the fast-evolving Las Vegas market? Free residential market appraisal? Property management assistance for investment homes in the area? Please feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

LAS VEGAS, NV – With the Las Vegas real estate market continuing its meteoric rise – both in home and rental demand and their subsequent prices (after recovering from the burst of the housing bubble of the mid-2000’s), it’s only natural that families and businesses – as well as tourists – begin to flow back into the region; developers who have been snapping up residential properties have begin to turn their attention to retail, as well.

There’s one constant in any populated area: people need to buy things. And as a result of the influx of workers and their families into the Southern Nevada region looking to take advantage of the booming economy and the fact that corporations (such as Amazon), sports teams (such as the Raiders), and other business entities are taking up shop in Las Vegas and are in dire need of employees, real estate developers and investors have begun building new retail establishments and rehabbing old ones that have fallen into disrepair after being closed up and abandoned during the recession several years ago. After all, no one wants to live in an area where they can’t run to the corner market for a container of milk if they need it, do they? So, with an increase in population and residents, also is a coming equal increase in clothing stores, restaurants, bars and other necessities of modern living.

The newest updates of retail development in Southern Nevada is the recent ground breaking on the Ellis Island Hotel, Casino & Brewery on Koval Lane east of the Las Vegas Strip, which is expanding on an existing property with the goal being to attract and accommodate increased foot traffic in the area – especially tourists – with amenities such as a restaurant, bar and beer garden. The rise in pedestrians in the area that is prompting expansion is due in-part to local residents and visitors who are looking for other areas to socialize then just the famous strip; as consumers spread outward towards the eastern resort corridor, more resources are being allocated to courting their patronage.

Other examples of the development of the eastern resort corridor to lure in tourists and residents is the recent opening of Topgolf at MGM Grand, a entertainment venue with a high-tech driving range and swanky lounge with drinks and games; MGM also announced their intention to expand the square footage of its convention center as well. In addition, the Las Vegas Convention Center is slated for expansion after the recent purchase of the Riviera, which is slated for demolition.

In other Southern Nevada retail developments, the Rainbow Dunes Centre – a popular shopping center located in at the northwest corner of Spring Mountain Road and Rainbow Boulevard, now abandoned and dilapidated, is facing the prospect of having new life breathed into it. Currently an eyesore stripped of every ounce of copper from the boarded-up stores which used to welcome numerous customers to establishments such as K-Mart, the current ownership – Golden Legacy Las Vegas in Milpitas, California (who until recently seemed quite uninterested in selling) have announced they’ve hired a listing broker with the intention of selling the property or entering into a business venture with a new partner at the helm.

The 7.6-acre property was originally constructed in 1983, and the loss of a major “anchor tenant” – K-Mart, closed its doors in 2003 – and lead to the eventual closure of the entire shopping center, as additional tenants left; up till 2009, none remained, leaving Rainbow Dunes to do nothing but gather dust. But the recent announcement that Golden Legacy Las Vegas is now interested in restoring the shopping center to life – its currently the source of complaints to the city council on a regular basis due to its state of decay and speaks volumes about the increased emphasis on retail development in Las Vegas.

Need real estate information on the fast-evolving Las Vegas market? Thinking of relocating here? Maybe investing? Please feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

LAS VEGAS, NV – North Las Vegas has been clearly embracing the recent re-surge Southern Nevada has been experiencing in both the economic and real estate sectors; since the burst of the housing bubble in the mid-2000’s laid waste to much of the property value in the region, Las Vegas as a whole has been on the comeback trail in the past year, with housing and rental demand – and prices – quickly on the rise, including jobs and construction which are flowing back in a steady stream. Clearly, the area is enjoying a resurgence, and many are looking to get in on the action.

In fact, North Vegas Mayor John Lee has been quite vocal in recent months on the benefits of living and working in his city, citing construction of new homes and apartment complexes as well as an influx of commercial entities that see the area as ripe for business opportunities. In order to jump-start further economic growth in his municipality, Lee recently invited a number of real estate agents and professionals to a meeting at the North Vegas City Hall, where he extolled the virtues of investing in the region, referring it to the primary place in Southern Nevada to see a significant return on their dollar.

“There will be more new money in North Las Vegas than anywhere else in this valley in the next 20 years,” he said. “I’m not going to make your sales for you, and I’m not going to give you leads, but I am going to tell you- you will make good money if you come to North Las Vegas.”

Lee’s attempt to woo businesses to North Vegas to take advantage of the growth overtaking Vegas as a whole has encompassed his governing strategy as a whole in recent months; in May, he and his board of trustees unanimously voted to approve a multi-million dollar revitalization project aimed at cleaning up the city’s seedy downtown district, including a plan to essentially demolish and rebuild a housing complex known as a centerpiece of violence and drug activity, in addition to constructing a new $22 million home for senior citizens, projects spurred on by a $485,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

In addition, Fanatics Inc. and The Honest Co. are currently building dual warehouses in the region – at a combined total of 800,000 square feet – and nearby at the Apex Industrial Park, Hyperloop and Faraday Future are in the midst of constructing new facilities as well.

Lee, a former businessman and state senator, is credited as using the ample experience he has in both fields to essentially pull North Vegas back from the precipice of financial ruin since taking office in 2013; at that time, the city was in ruins, economically speaking, with a budget deficit of $152 million. Lee worked hard to attract new businesses and diversify to the city’s economy, in addition to job creation and taking advantage of state grants and resources to help fund infrastructure projects. Today, North Vegas is well on its way to recovery and prosperity, while Lee’s renewed push to concentrate on housing and business development as well as growth is being touted as the new means to that end.

Of course, Lee still has an uphill battle on his hands; numerous areas of downtown North Vegas are known for blight and homelessness, and to combat that a project is currently in the works to re-develop and revitalize a 160-acre area from urban decay into a hip, stylish community replete with hew homes, retail, and eateries, dubbed Lake Mead Village West.

After giving a series of investors, real estate agents and developers a tour of North Vegas to show them how far the region has come – and how far it’s going to continue to progress in the near future – Lee received plenty of feedback, and the majority of it was positive. Upon viewing a new housing development dubbed Beazer Homes Dorado Skies, investor Patti Domingo was open to admitting that her view of the once-blighted North Vegas had changed considerably, and that putting her money there was looking more and more like a very sound business decision.

“[Mayor Lee’s tour is] opening my eye up to the amenities and new communities in North Las Vegas,” she said. “When you think of North Las Vegas, you think of not such a nice community. But now, after taking this tour, you’re seeing everything that the mayor has spoken about.”

If you’re looking to invest here in the Las Vegas Valley, please feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

Why Las Vegas Is The Right Market

It should be no surprise to hear that Las Vegas is an excellent housing market to invest in. Investors are receiving top-dollar rents. Nevada boasts over 3 million people and continues to have one of the strongest growth rates in the country. Clark County is home to nearly 75% of Nevada’s 3+ million residents with almost half of those households choosing to rent.

The unique job opportunities, sunny weather, and abundant activities for all ages make the Las Vegas area an attractive place for many individuals and families to call home. Las Vegas is one of the top travel destinations. Being the Entertainment Capital of the World creates a lot of unique job opportunities. A large amount of families and individuals have flocked (and continue to flock) to the Las Vegas area seeking work. As they move to a new city, one of the first things they need is a place to call home – usually a rental home. Rental homes are in high demand in the Las Vegas area, resulting in increased monthly rent amounts that continue to edge-up.

Until recently, the Las Vegas area lacked in one area, professional sports. But now, it is home to the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights, the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights, the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, the MiLB’s Las Vegas Aviators, and the USLC’s Las Vegas Lights FC. Additionally, the Oakland A’s are coming to Vegas. While their move is official and approved by Major League Baseball, they won’t be in town until the 2028 season. As you can see, the continued growth of professional and semi-professional sports is another factor to thank for the influx of new residents.

Investing in real estate markets is not created equal. One advantage of investing in the Las Vegas market is the lower-than-average property taxes. A lot of hot real estate markets are located in areas with high property taxes. Nevada boasts one of the lowest property tax rates in the country, helping keep your monthly costs down. Additionally, on average, homes in Nevada are much newer than other states.

Typically, newer homes require less maintenance overall. Lower property taxes and less maintenance are just two advantages of purchasing an investment property in the Las Vegas area. Lower costs equate to a better return on investment.

Entrusting your investment property to a reputable property management company is one of the first steps in maximizing your return on investment. Shelter Realty is a full-service real estate and property management company that will assist you from start to finish. One of the most important aspects of purchasing a rental home is actually finding a home that is desirable to the majority of renters. By using Shelter Realty to assist you in the home buying process, we will assist you in finding investment properties that will maximize your cash flow. We manage a diverse portfolio of over 600 properties all over the Las Vegas valley, making us experts in knowing what areas, floor plans, and types of properties renters are looking for. Additionally, we can provide you a very good estimate of what rent amount to expect per month on any given home, how long to expect the vacancy period to be, and recommend upgrades (if any) to help maximize the rental amount you could receive. Whether you are purchasing a $200,000 investment property or a $1,000,000 investment property, Shelter Realty is here to help.

Once you have acquired the investment property, it’s time to yield the highest return. Shelter Realty provides full property management services through our property management division. Our property management department is run by well-equipped, knowledgeable employees that provide the following services:

• A complete rental property digital marketing campaign to ensure your property is vacant for the least amount of time possible
• A detailed tenant screening process to ensure we obtain the most qualified applicant for your investment home
• Thorough property inspections that include very comprehensive, fully digital move-in and move-out reports with hundreds of pictures
• Full service maintenance management 24/7 to ensure repairs are handled in a timely manner and completed with care
• Accounting and online payment services to ensure that our tenants and landlords can login to view their accounts, pay rent, receive payments and pay bills anytime

With over 19 years experience as a full-service real estate and property management company, we have built a capable and experienced team of sales agents, residential property managers, leasing agents, licensed vendors, accountants, bookkeepers, attorneys, and more. We pride ourselves in earning the trust and respect of our clients to create clients for life! If you have any questions or are interested in additional information regarding investment properties in the Las Vegas area, feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 or email [email protected].

LAS VEGAS, NV – After several abortive attempts at starting construction of the new Resorts World Hotel and Casino of Las Vegas – it was originally slated to open first in 2016 and then in 2019, with delays being attributed to re-designs and other factors, ground is finally stated to be broken on the $4 billion dollar project this year. The resort, flaunted as the first of its kind constructed from scratch in Southern Nevada in nearly ten years, has a grand opening target of 2020, and its construction promises to create a huge influx of both money and jobs into the area, as well as a continued and pronounced economic benefit once it finally opens its doors for business.

Being built on the former land where the fabled Stardust Hotel and Casino once stood, Resorts World – featuring lush, modern, Asian-themed architecture and elements – is being envisioned as a behemoth of a resort, encompassing a 3,000 room hotel accompanied by restaurants, shops, theaters and 100,000 square feet of space dedicated completely to gaming, including baccarat, slot machines and more. The hotel is planned to take the form of two separate towers- one with 1,400 rooms and the other with 1,800, with the ability to expand more in the future if needed. One only has to take a look at the scope of its current East Coast-based cousin – Resorts World New York – to know that Genting Group, Resorts World’s Malaysia-based developer who purchased the 90 acre lot in 2013 where the resort will be built, likes to live large when it comes to their developments.

The anticipated benefits that the construction and opening of Resorts World will bring to Las Vegas – already experiencing a new boom of real estate activity after riding out the harsh housing bubble burst of the late 2000’s – are numerous. The third-quarter 2017 building phase will initially employ at least 1,000 construction workers, with several thousand working on the project once it’s up and running at full speed leading up to its 2020 opening date. Once open, Resort World will hire 3,000 union-based employees to run and operate its facilities, in addition to numerous other incidental jobs where needed.

For a time, the likelihood of Resorts World actually getting built seemed to be growing more and more unlikely by the day; the initial groundbreaking ceremony had taken place in May of 2015, and progress on the project had limped along slowly since then due to several factors, among them a shortage of needed construction equipment such as cranes and financial issues faced by Genting Group. However, with the announcement of Resorts World’s 2020 opening date – not to mention the acquisition of the needed construction cranes, which newly-appointed Resorts World Las Vegas president Edward Farrell noted should be in-place within the next 90 days, prior to the official kick-off of construction.

With the announcement that work will finally commence on the long-stagnating Resorts World and Hotel, Las Vegas is set to receive yet another boon to its local economy that will only serve to support and bolster the rapidly-recovering real estate scene. Coupled with the 2020 arrival of the newly-rechristened Las Vegas Raiders NFL professional football team – due to be the recipients of a new, state-of-the-art, locally-based domed stadium that’s sure to be an epicenter for tourism – as well as a housing and rental market that has shown strong, steady gains and price increases in the last year, Resorts World is yet another signal that Las Vegas is truly on the comeback trail after successfully fighting an uphill battle to fiscal recovery.

LAS VEGAS, NV – Hitching themselves to a trend in Southern Nevada as a whole in recent months, North Las Vegas has begun an effort to revitalize large swaths of its real estate, especially in a northern area that had previously been plagued with drug dealing and violent crimes. The efforts will concentrate on development with a focus on senior and public housing options; in addition, major out-of-state businesses are setting up shop in the area, providing an influx of jobs and economic growth.

The North Las Vegas City Council recently approved a sweeping two-year development plan that would drastically alter the landscape of the region, with the goal being to attract retail and other businesses in order to spur the creation of jobs, kick off the local economy, and take advantage of the shortage of housing options in Las Vegas. A public 120-unit apartment building aimed at senior citizens – a project projected to cost a staggering $22 million –  is already underway on a 2.7 acre patch of land; this development will take the place of the Rose Garden, a complex slated for demolition that is situated west of North Las Vegas’ downtown area.

In addition, the Buena Vista – an apartment complex that was infamous for being the epicenter of drug dealing and violent crimes in the area – was purchased by the City of North Las Vegas approximately three years ago and subsequently razed to the ground, and plans are in the works that could see a variety of projects making use of the land, from safe, affordable housing options to retail. Assistance in North Las Vegas’ redevelopment efforts is being provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which had previously bestowed a grant upon the city to aid in their outreach to the community as to how to proceed with their efforts.

Clearly, the shifting tide in North Las Vegas has companies sitting up and taking notice; chief among them being Amazon, the online retail giant, which is slated to open a fulfillment center in the area. The center – Amazon’s second in North Vegas – is already under construction; estimated to come in at 800,000 square feet and to ultimately employ over 1,000 workers and office personnel, hiring has already commenced on the initial 500 that will staff the complex while it gets ready for operation.

Other retailers are also clamoring to get a foothold in North Las Vegas due to the earnest efforts to develop it into a destination friendly to business and housing options; famed La Bonita supermarket will be opening a 55,000 square-foot establishment in Fiesta Plaza in downtown North Las Vegas. The lease, described as “long-term,” obviously signifies the confidence of La Bonita in the local economy to support a serious commitment in the community on behalf of businesses.

Offering a helping hand in an effort to expedite further business growth in the region, the City Council of North Las Vegas is taking steps to speed up the process of applying for – and receiving – building and construction permits. The plan consists of a self-certification program that architects and engineers can participate in; once certified via eight hours of classes provided at the City Hall, certified architects and engineers who submit their plans for audit will find the process greatly speeded up, reducing construction timelines and saving developers money.

These are but a few of the many initiatives in effect that are seeking to turn around the fortunes of North Las Vegas in an effort to turn it into a destination for businesses and families to live, work, and prosper, taking advantage of the real estate and economic boom that is currently taking root in Southern Nevada as whole.

LAS VEGAS, NV – With the announcement of the move of the Oakland Raiders from their current eponymous home to Las Vegas come the NFL season of 2020, a firestorm of curiosity has centered on not only where their home stadium would be built, but who would be building it and when. And, in a rash of recent announcements by the Raiders management team, those questions have finally been answered.

The Raiders organization has announced that it will be employing the services of Mortenson Construction and McCarthy Building Companies will handle the construction duties involved in bringing the Raiders’ proposed Las Vegas Stadium – currently its working name – to life. The structure, designed by Manica Architecture – the Kansas firm that supplied initial concept renderings of the stadium and property when this project was still in its proposal stage – is slated to contain 65,000 seats and boasts a price tag of $1.9 billion with an anticipated opening date of 2020, according to reports.

Mortenson Construction, based out of Henderson, NV, had a long list of sporting venue construction to its name; most recently, they completed work on U.S. Bank Stadium for the Minnesota Vikings in their hometown of Kansas City, and did so a full month-and-a-half ahead of their originally scheduled completion date. Other construction credits to Mortenson’s name include Major League Baseball team Atlanta Braves’ SunTrust Park in Georgia, and the currently in-progress work on National Basketball Association team the Milwaukee Bucks’ Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center.

Mortenson will serve as the on-site construction team on the Raiders project, whereas it is currently unknown as of press time what role McCarthy Building Companies – headquartered in Henderson, NV – will be serving.

Las Vegas Stadium is the working name for the domed stadium, which will not only serve as the home base for the re-christened Las Vegas Raiders, but of the UNLV Rebels football team from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as well. It will be located about 62 acres west of Mandalay Bay at Russell Road and Hacienda Avenue, just west of Interstate 15.

While the main goal stated by the Raiders Organization is to complete their move from Oakland to Las Vegas in time for the 2020 NFL season – and with a company with the reputation that Mortenson Construction has at the helm, this seems quite the realistic goal – the Raiders must still finalize a lease agreement with the Las Vegas Stadium Authority by the end of May, 2017; if the two parties are unable to come to terms on the arrangement, the next chance to do so will not come until October of this year. If that were to occur, it would most likely push back the start of the Raiders in Las Vegas to the 2021 NFL season, something that neither party most likely wants to happen. In addition, environmental and traffic impact studies must be preformed and pass muster before local government.

The Las Vegas Stadium is anticipated to provide a boost to the local economy, including jobs (and corresponding wages), tourism, and especially the real estate market, which has already been seeing a steady and constant increase in prosperity recently since the housing bubble pop of the mid – 2000’s. Home and rental prices have been climbing on a regular basis, and with the much-anticipated arrival of the Raiders on the horizon, real estate is looking to enter a legitimate boom period for the foreseeable future.

On March 27, 2017, NFL team owners voted nearly unanimously to approve the Raiders’ application to relocate from Oakland to Las Vegas, Nevada; the Raiders will remain in Oakland through 2019; previously, the team had moved from Oakland to Los Angeles and back again.

LAS VEGAS, NV – After Las Vegas has endured the effects of a burst housing bubble in the mid-2000’s – a phenomena that occurred nationwide but was felt acutely in the Southern Nevada region more than most – the real estate market in the midst of a rebound that is equally as impressive as the previous decline was bad. The economy is rebounding and jobs are coming back; as a result, housing options are in big demand, supply is tight, and prices are steadily climbing, and, due to this, the rental market is displaying a similar surge as well, as prospective homeowners are being forced to settle, albeit temporarily, for renting one.

A three bedroom home in Las Vegas, in terms of rent, has jumped up in the first three months of 2017 three percent to an average monthly price of $1,328, according to reports. With the summer season fast approaching, prices are expected to climb further as per the norm during that time of the year. The rate of vacancy in the Vegas region – both in terms of homes for sale and rental properties – dropped  to 4.16 percent in the closing months of 2016.

But in addition to an economy on the mend and the subsequent influx of businesses and jobs that are fueling this home-selling trend – couple with a smaller-than-average supply of homes for sale to being within Southern Nevada, which is further driving up demand and subsequently prices –  another reason why the rental market is booming in Las Vegas is that, during a small swell of the real estate market that occurred a few years ago – one that unlike currently, ultimately went nowhere – investors purchased a large number of properties with the intention of renting them out to vacationers, business travelers, and so on.

This has contributed, in part, to the current housing shortage, as many homes that would normally be on the market for prospective buyers are sitting in a rental limbo of sorts. However, with dwellings in short supply, the gamble many of these investors made several years ago is starting to pay off, as residents who are unable to secure a house to buy are settling for the next best thing- renting one instead.

The so-called “Raiders Effect” is also being cited as a reason for the shortage of housing options in Las Vegas; with the area now boasting not only a professional hockey team, but the arrival within the next two years of one of the National Football League’s most well-known teams in the Oakland Raiders – who will be taking up residence in a brand-new 65,000 seat state-of-the-art stadium – industry is being attracted to the area, and with them, people relocating in hopes of a fresh start and gainful employment. And a few die-hard Raiders fans are even moving to Las Vegas to be near the home base of their favorite team, believe it or not.

It isn’t just home rentals that are steadily climbing due to the cutthroat housing market in Las Vegas; apartment rentals are in high demand as well, and like anything else that people are clamoring for, when demand goes up, prices are sure to follow. According to reports, apartment prices went up four percent in the last year, with the average one-bedroom apartment fetching $890 on the open market; if you’re looking for more space, a two bedroom abode will set you back $1050 on average.

Again, lack of supply is cited as a factor in these prices as well, with almost anything considered to be a living space going for a premium in the current Las Vegas marketplace; a trend that shows no sign whatsoever of slowing down or abating from its upwards climb anytime soon.

LAS VEGAS, NV – There’s no doubt about it- real estate in Las Vegas, Nevada, is on a slow but powerfully non-stop climb after sinking into the financial mire in the mid-2000’s. Records are being broken in terms of both prices and sales totals, and everywhere you drive, new developments are gracing the once-barren landscape. In addition, projects that had stalled or been outright abandoned are once again pushing forward in this new, more positive economic climate. While things aren’t quite at the booming levels they are right before markets crash, they are nonetheless very positive and getting better every day.

But for those who are looking to jump aboard this freight train to the top and are feeling some trepidation in regards to it all tumbling down again in the near future, experts are predicting – using the strongest of verbiage – that this isn’t a likely outcome.

Within the last year, the real estate market in Las Vegas has surged in leaps and bounds; 2,249 single-family homes were sold in the Las Vegas area in February, an increase of 6.5 percent from February 2016, and the average single-family home has gone up nearly nine percent, with the average price currently coming in at approximately $240,000.

And of course, these properties aren’t being simply given away, so there’s been a corresponding increase in the demand for mortgages Southern Nevada as well; continuing a three-year trend of growth, home purchase loans jumped up an additional 8.5 percent in 2016 over the previous year, equating to a total of 36,130 mortgages . And all that increasing demand has, of course, in turn driven up prices; in 2017, the average price of a single-family dwelling is coming in at $240,000, which represents an increase of $119,000 for the same home during the very same period in 2012.

In a recent interview, Home Builders Research founder Dennis Smith notes that the demand in Vegas for new homes is very strong, with one of the main reasons for that being fear of rising interested rates; as of now, many people are recognizing a housing boom and have decided to finally get off the pot, so to speak. After all, when interest rates go up, prices quickly follow. In addition, he said, is the limited supply of new homes in the area, which is also serving to inflate demand. However, unlike with a limited trend in the area a few years ago, Smith notes that this current drive is not investor-driven, but homeowner-driven, which suggests far more stability and optimism in the surrounding economy and job market.

It’s this stability, combined with moderate yet steady growth based on legitimate consumer need, that Smith says offsets any possibility of the Las  Vegas real estate market growing too much, too soon and creating another bubble that is sure to burst; instead, he notes, it’s ensuring a strong, profitable tomorrow for anyone getting into Southern Nevada real estate, as well as a good place for families to take a shot at the American Dream, with industry – and, along with it, jobs – quickly filtering into the region.

“Is Vegas going to grow? Yes. Do they want it to grow? I would certainly hope so. If not, then go live out in the desert. But is there a bubble or too much construction? I don’t understand why people would suggest there’s too much construction when the demand shows there isn’t,” he said. “How can anyone convince me that 8,000 sales a year is a bubble? We’ve had 30,000 – 40,000 permits a year; that was a bubble. But before that, in the 1990s and early 2000s, we were doing 20,000 permits and closings a year, and everyone was marveling how wonderful everything was in Las Vegas.”