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Tuesday, February 25, 2014

First-Time Buyers Should Check Credit Scores Early

It can take years for Las Vegas first-time buyers to save up for their first home’s down payment, but even after that hurdle has been cleared, it can take even more time to secure a mortgage -- if they have neglected the other part of the equation. Their credit rating.

Before first-time buyers in Las Vegas will be able to move forward with that initial home purchase, they need to ensure that their credit score does not raise the kind of questions that sometimes derails an otherwise well-qualified home loan applicant. This has always been true, but may become even more likely as lending limitations grow increasingly strict.

But it’s the occasional recording error or misstatement that is most easily preventable. Ironically, those often affect perfectly well-qualified buyers—precisely because they have no reason to suspect that a problem could crop up.

The upshot: Las Vegas first time buyers should start reviewing their credit history one year to six months before they intend to buy a home. Since the credit agencies provide upon request free copies of every individual’s report once each year, the only hassle is having to check the details line-by-line (a single reporting error can have a big impact on an overall score). And since it’s not unusual to take 90 days or more to cure a disputed entry, the earlier a first-time buyer begins the process, the better. Individuals can file a dispute online with the credit bureaus, or can hire a credit repair company to assist with disputes. In all cases, claims should be documented and correct information provided immediately.

Once a Las Vegas first-time buyer is certain that his or her reports are accurate, is it time to relax? Hardly. It’s important to continue to monitor those scores to ensure against accidental surprises. Especially recently, after wholesale credit card thefts sowed confusion and disruption throughout the system, it’s probably wise to assume nothing. Several online services offer credit monitoring (and it’s possible that your bank might provide free monitoring).

From first-time buyers to seasoned investors, I’m here to help my clients every step of the way. Call me today!

Marcelo V. Mayol

The Mayol Realty Group

Realty One Group

702-812-9990

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Surprising Las Vegas Rental Home Advantage: Allow Pets

Many Las Vegas landlords are automatically less than enthusiastic when they hear a prospective tenant’s question, “Do you allow pets?” Small wonder. The specter of damage from unsupervised four-footed co-inhabitants is a real possibility (despite the assurances of their doting masters).

Yet that kind of automatic landlord reaction might turn out to actually result in a questionable business decision. Some undeniably real benefits can accrue to those who open their Las Vegas rental home to tenants who own pets.

Don’t believe it? Here are just some of the reasons why renting a home to a strong applicant with a well-cared-for, healthy pet can benefit both parties:

1. Widens the Number of Potential Candidates Allowing pets into a rental home materially increases the eligible applicant pool, giving a Las Vegas rental home owner more latitude to select the best applicant. How many more become eligible? I checked this, and came up with jaw-dropping numbers. 47% of households own at least one dog (not to mention the 95,000,000 million that owned cats). The numbers prove what we know already: a huge number of Americans are ga-ga over their pets.

2. Respectful Tenants A Firepaw.org survey comparing pet owners with non-animal-owning tenants showed that, on average, damage done to rental properties is about equal between the two groups. The takeaway from that is the biggest surprise: just because pets are living in your rental home in Las Vegas doesn’t mean that the property will suffer. It seems that grateful pet-loving renters just try harder to keep the property in good condition. They do the worrying for you.

3. Higher Rent Renters with pets can be willing to pay some additional rent for the privilege of keeping their furry loved ones with them. Pet-owning renters are not likely to shy away from Las Vegas rental home listings that specifically allow pets — even when a “pet rent” or other fee is part of the bargain.

If you are considering buying an income property next year, I provide resources for my clients every step of the way. I hope you’ll feel free to contact me anytime with your Las Vegas real estate questions.

Marcelo V. Mayol

The Mayol Realty Group

Realty One Group

702-812-9990

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Buying a Home in Las Vegas If the Inspection Goes South

You’re nearing your goal of buying a home in Las Vegas! You have zeroed in on a property, submitted your offer, and heeded your agent’s advice and ordered a home inspection.

Soooo…what if the inspector finds major issues nobody expected? While most home inspections only uncover small problems that can be fixed easily, some do turn up serious issues. In 2013, 16% of Realtors^® reported sales that went off track due to the inspector’s findings. What’s your best course of action if that happens?

Buying a home after major problems have been identified should only proceed after you know how much time and money it will take to solve them. Whether you are dealing with foundation, roofing, electrical, HVAC or plumbing issues, call a few Las Vegas companies that specialize in dealing with structural home repairs, and gather some free quotes. Depending on what you hear, you can then decide to move to modifying your offer or you can walk away and look for another home.

Your agent will be able to assist you in modifying the original offer to the seller. If the issues are truly major and expensive, you may need to negotiate back and forth with the seller to see what they are willing to do. Be prepared to make some concessions, and don’t get frustrated with the process. It may take some time to come to an agreement that satisfies both parties.

As everywhere, buying a home in Las Vegas is peculiarly both a heavy-duty financial decision as well as one fraught with emotion. People can find themselves tempted to ignore thorny issues simply because they have fallen in love with the home. But since you could end up spending tens of thousands of dollars on repairs, it’s vital to isolate your emotions from the decision.

If the bids you’ve received are astronomical, it could be time to find a better house. But you needn’t despair. This is all part of the process of buying a Las Vegas home—and a big part of why I’m here to help my clients. If you’re buying a home this winter, I’ll look for your call!

Marcelo V. Mayol

The Mayol Realty Group

Realty One Group

702-812-9990

Sunday, January 12, 2014

How a Las Vegas Home Warranty Lessens Buyer Uncertainty

Consumer confidence certainly seems to wax and wane in a not-totally-predictable manner. What does seem clear is that when the future is cloudy, Las Vegas homebuyers tend to tighten up their purse strings. It’s logical: if you can plan ahead with a greater degree of certainty, you feel better about making the kind of commitment buying a Las Vegas home entails.

If you plan on selling your home in Las Vegas this winter, you may not be able to do much about whether the economy grows or tanks, or the Federal Reserve expands or shrinks the money supply. But there IS at least one thing you can do to remove uncertainty from the minds of your prospective buyers. Just offer a home warranty!

A home warranty in Las Vegas is an inexpensive plan that provides coverage for items that typically fall outside a traditional home insurance plan. The major kitchen appliances are generally only covered by your home policy if they are damaged in a fire, stolen, or suffer damage resulting from some other covered peril. A home warranty provides reassurance for a much broader scope of damage and mechanical breakdown. Warrantee buyers can also opt to include other large items in the home — like the HVAC system, boilers, water softeners and water heaters.

H.U.D. points out that a home warranty is an increasingly popular inclusion because it offers protection during the period immediately following a home’s purchase — the time when most local home buyers know they will “find themselves cash-strapped.” Although payment can be monthly or annual, most home sellers choose a one-time payment option.

In an uncertain world, are homebuyers reassured when a home warranty is part of your offer? Statistics from the National Home Warranty Association provide their own reassurance: they show that including a home warranty as part of the sale can help a home sell for up to 50% faster.

Even though a Las Vegas home warranty is an added expense, it’s an investment that can pay off in helping your home sell faster — possibly at a higher price, as well. Thinking of selling this winter? Call me today to discuss this and many other ways we can make it happen!

Marcelo V. Mayol

The Mayol Realty Group

Realty One Group

702-812-9990

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Easy Mistakes For First-Time Las Vegas Home Buyers To Make

According to the National Association of Realtors^®, nearly 40% of home buyers will be first-timers this year. In other words, if you are new to the housing market you are certainly not alone. Since first-time home buyers in Las Vegas experience the same learning curve as anyone everywhere, reviewing some of the more common missteps can spare them some of the angst those common mistakes cause. Some examples:

1) They Don’t Check Their Credit Score

New home buyers focus on the seller’s asking price, but don’t realize how greatly their credit score will affect how much they actually pay. They know their score is important to qualify for a home loan, but not how a low credit score can result in a higher down payment and interest rate. A single percentage point of higher interest over a 30-year timeframe is…you get the picture! The takeaway? Start improving your credit score as soon as possible.

2) They Don’t Lay Out a Budget

Las Vegas first-time home buyers frequently don’t realize the impact of secondary costs. In addition to administrative, insurance and legal costs, there are also closing and other fees which can add 2%-5% to the purchase price. Add in property taxes and possibly monthly neighborhood homeowner’s association fees, and you can see why experienced home buyers first determine their maximum monthly budget figure — then stick to it.

3) They Don’t Double-Check the Neighborhood

Once you’ve set your sights on an exciting new home, it’s natural to quickly proceed to the purchasing details without second-guessing your choice. That’s all well and good — unless you have only visited it a few times, and all at the same time of day or day of the week. Make several return trips to the neighborhood on weekdays and weekends, daytime and nighttime: you want to be sure that your family will be comfortable with the neighborhood (and your future neighbors).

If this winter will find you searching for your new house, I want you to know that I’m here to help my clients every step of the way. Calling me for a consultation is your first step!

Marcelo V. Mayol

The Mayol Realty Group

Realty One Group

702-812-9990

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

New Home Search Goals Change with Circumstances

As you begin any search for a new home in Las Vegas, it’s worthwhile to take a step back — to take a momentary time-out to consider widening the range of possibilities.

For many families, the kind of home they are looking for is a foregone conclusion. Either they want a customized house in a new development, or a new home that they will build themselves, or they may be pointed toward an existing house in an established neighborhood.

It’s a worthwhile exercise to look at the assumptions behind those fundamental housing preferences. After all, this is a very basic choice that will greatly affect every family member’s quality of life for a very long time. As you would expect, most of the time such evaluations result in confirming the original direction: people who prefer a sparkling new home will wind up checking out the new developments; those who gravitate toward stately, tree-lined streets will point toward existing homes in established neighborhoods.

No surprise there. But there is value in understanding the root causes why one direction has more appeal than another. Understanding those reasons can tell you what qualities are really most important in your new home. It can clarify what you should be looking for in your search.

If you have become a true do-it-yourselfer who takes satisfaction in presenting a distinctly individualistic personality to the world, a model home in a sparkling new development might now hold less appeal than it did previously. But if your new promotion has made for a more high-energy, career-centered lifestyle, time factors alone might make the advantages of a turnkey new home in a development decisive.

What turns out to be as important as anything else is whether your current living situation has changed enough that a new kind of home choice might be worth considering. Especially when you are about to embark on as important a project as finding a new home in Las Vegas, take a moment to be sure that more than momentum lies behind your basic direction. Then I’ll be ready, willing and able to help you find a Las Vegas new home that fills the bill!

Marcelo V. Mayol

The Mayol Realty Group

Realty One Group

702-812-9990

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Inspection Can Prevent Drug-Growing Nightmare

This could be any new Las Vegas homeowner’s worst nightmare: shortly after closing on their new house, a family in Canada discovers over $100,000 in hidden damages — the kind of damages that have to be fixed before the house can be deemed safe for occupancy. The cause? HGTV’s Mike Holmes made the discovery after doing a proper inspection on the property: the dream home they’d just bought had previously been used as an indoor marijuana-growing operation!

Believe it or not, it’s an increasingly familiar scenario. Last year alone, our own U.S. DEA busted more than 2500 “grow-ops.”

The damage such operations wreak on homes can be staggering. Increased humidity leads to warped wood, crumbling walls, and health-endangering black mold outbreaks. Holes are punched in walls and floors to run ducting. Electrical panels are circumvented to disguise high energy use, resulting in illicit wiring schemes that create true fire hazards.

Drug operations may be a rising current problem, but the issue is an older one: when housing modifications are hastily covered up, the next unsuspecting owner pays the price.

So, as a buyer in Las Vegas, how do you avoid purchasing a home with the grow-op kinds of damages?

A thorough inspection is a must — but there are also some telltale signs you can be aware of yourself. You’ll want to be aware of mold, especially in corners of walls and ceilings. Look for patterns of screw-holes in the walls (where reflective sheeting would have been put up) or on the ceiling (where grow-lights would be hung). Ventilation is a huge issue for growers, so look for patched-up holes in walls and ceilings, modifications to fireplaces, and unusual numbers of roof vents.

Outside the house, your own inspection should include signs of electrical meter tampering or clumsy outside wiring. And look for evidence of hasty masonry patches (especially in the garage).

Fortunately, any of our reputable Las Vegas inspection companies should be able to spot more obscure signs. If you will be buying this fall or winter, I’ll be able to recommend some of the best. The first step, however, is to start your search!

Marcelo V. Mayol

The Mayol Realty Group

Realty One Group

702-812-9990

Monday, November 18, 2013

Mistakes to Avoid As a First-Time Home Buyer

When a Las Vegas first-time home buyer begins hunting for the prize that has to serve both as a satisfactory home base and a solid investment, most feel a mixture of excitement (a home is a landmark achievement!) and maybe just a touch of apprehension. Like any expense you’ve never encountered before, it’s appropriate to take extra care the first time out — and to pay attention to what experience teaches. Along those lines, here are some mistakes that are easy for a first-time home buyer to make. Fortunately, they’re also easy to sidestep:

1. Waiting for a better rate

Adjustable rates may well be about as low as they’re going to get right now – and some signs point to an increase in the coming months. For a Las Vegas first-time home owner who will be taking out a loan, if the property is right, hesitating to make a commitment based on a loan rate gamble is seldom a good idea.

2. Thinking short term

Consider thinking of a home as a lifetime investment. Even for those who are single or newly-wedded, it’s possible that being open to a house with extra rooms could end up saving considerably on moving, transaction and agent fees, taxes, etc. It’s equally important to look at neighborhoods and how they are changing and developing. If you do resell your home, location can make a big difference in how.

3. Underestimating hidden costs

The monthly mortgage payment isn’t the ultimate bottom line. When a first-time home buyer comes across a property that fills (or exceeds) everything he or she has been looking for, if the mortgage payment looks to be right, it’s easy to overlook other homeowner expenses. Experienced buyers make hardheaded estimates of maintenance fees and property taxes — they will be every bit as consequential as the mortgage bill.

For a first-time home buyer in Las Vegas, when thoughtful perspective goes into your final decision, it’s that much more likely to be a decision that pays off in the long run. If you are preparing to buy this fall, I’ll be standing by to help get you started!

Marcelo V. Mayol

The Mayol Realty Group

Realty One Group

702-812-9990

Thursday, August 8, 2013

FSBO Conundrum: Can I Still Use My Real Estate Agent?

According to the National Association of Realtors, last year there was a 14% decline in the number of For Sale By Owner (FSBO) properties. Despite that decline, FSBO properties are still available in Las Vegas – and in an inventory-challenged market, you might find one of them is a pretty tempting buying opportunity.

But here is where caution is warranted — and where you may be amply rewarded by seeking a Las Vegas buyer’s agent to represent you. There’s more than one reason why:

FSBO owners may, er, hide things

It can be tempting for FSBO sellers to cover up problems that would have been picked up if a seller's agent had been involved. By using an experienced buyer's agent, you stand a much better chance of identifying those common problems. A qualified inspector (your agent will recommend a good one) can help you spot the more well-hidden ones.

FSBO properties usually cost more!

Statistics bear it out: it’s estimated that FSBO properties can cost 10 to 20% more than those listed via real estate agents. Owners in Las Vegas just tend to overestimate their property's worth and selling potential. And without the counsel and guidance of a real estate professional, sellers usually establish a stronger emotional attachment to their first listing price. The presence of your buyer’s agent (with a notebook full of comps) is sure to power up your negotiating stance!

Legal issues

One of the main reasons to team with an agent is the plethora of legal issues that are interwoven with residential real estate sale transactions. By using an agent, you stand to identify any contractual mishaps before they are executed — and well before costly repercussions materialize. Since many owners who take the FSBO route in Las Vegas are usually short when it comes to real estate transactional expertise, there may be required disclosures and important paperwork that they have missed. You don’t want to find that out too late.

If you wind up seriously eyeing a Las Vegas FSBO home this summer, save future headaches by including your buyer’s agent commission in your offer. More questions? I’m available for consults this week!

Marcelo V. Mayol

The Mayol Realty Group

Realty One Group

702-812-9990

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

National Mortgage Rates Up — But Purchases Still Climbing!

For Las Vegas homeowners and soon-to-be homeowners, it looks like the end for deeply depressed mortgage rates. Nationally, rising rates have temporarily created a downdraft in home loan applications.

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, mortgage applications fell 4% in the first week of July after plummeting 11.7% the week before. ‘The Market Composite Index’ is the measure of mortgage loan application volume — and it decreased 4.0% from a week earlier (on a seasonally adjusted basis). Altogether, national mortgage applications so far this July are about a third below their level of a year ago.

The drop in applications comes as no surprise to those of us who keep a steady watch on mortgage rate trends. But there is one accompanying fact that wouldn’t have been as predictable. As USA Today notes, “Despite the rise in rates…the four-year average for home purchases continues to climb since it turned upward in November 2011.”

So what do these apparently contradictory stats mean for Las Vegas residents preparing to sell or buy a house?

Whichever part of the equation you fall into, it’s certainly time to get moving! If you’re considering selling, you will want to put your home on the market to take advantage of the still historically low mortgage rates in Las Vegas. It’s often the case that rising mortgage rates spur a last-minute home-buying rush. If you’re planning on buying in Las Vegas, rising mortgage rates are a pretty good indication that it’s time to put the pedal to the metal.

Either way, if you’re thinking of buying or selling in Las Vegas this summer, I’m standing by to lend a hand. Give me a call to discuss the full picture — including the latest price movement in area neighborhoods.

Marcelo V. Mayol

The Mayol Realty Group

Realty One Group

702-812-9990

Sunday, August 4, 2013

One-Liners To Make Selling Your Home Happen

If you’re thinking of selling your home in Las Vegas this summer, you’re likely to have already considered different approaches to making it stand out from other properties. Will you repaint in the entryway? Stage the living spaces? Should you upgrade the appliances — or leave them as is to keep the asking price as low as possible?

Those are all pivotal decisions, and I would be delighted to offer advice on how each is likely to affect the sales effort. But there is also a less prominent element you may not have considered: the impact the text of your advertising will have on your marketing and – potentially – the overall results. The regimented way listings are presented tend to impart them with a similarity that may not be warranted. Overcoming that effect can make your message draw attention…and prospects.

According to real estate conversion content specialist Karen Hutton, next to the main photograph, the headline is everything. Hutton’s territory is Queensland, Australia, which goes to show how universal marketing truths are. Says Hutton of the headline tactic, “It must arouse curiosity, use meaningful specifics…and be intriguing.”

Some of my favorites noted on her marketing website?

Keep Your Cool: Coffee Just Around The Corner

I’m not sure what this means — it’s why I’d have to read the ad!

Designer Retreat In The Heart Of Town

A perfect marriage of two sales points in just seven words

Go Slow: A Home For Relaxing and Entertaining

A lifestyle pitch that sounds entirely credible

An Urban Getaway To Complement Nature

Instant appeal to city-dwellers who wish they could live in the country

Good Bones: Ready For Your Inner Designer

Clever way to avoid the negative sound of ‘fixer-upper’

If you’re thinking of selling your home in Las Vegas this summer, I’ve got many more sources of inspiration for creating standout marketing designed to get your home S-O-L-D. Contact me today to schedule a strategy-building session. There’s no obligation, and the ideas we discuss can make all the difference to how you approach the many options that are immediately available in today’s market!

Marcelo V. Mayol

The Mayol Realty Group

Realty One Group

702-812-9990

Friday, August 2, 2013

Buying a House in Today’s Exciting Las Vegas Market

Buying a house for the first time! It means you’ll be joining the club: the home ownership club that Americans have traditionally recognized as emblematic of the fullest community membership. It’s an exciting endeavor — one that ushers in a whole new realm of pride, maturity…and of a truly major commitment.

It’s the show of responsibility that’s the reason home ownership bestows automatic respect from the community. It is, after all, unmistakable evidence of long-term stability, as well as commitment to deal with the future with all it holds — known and unknown. That commitment is something all homeowners share.

Today, buying a house in Las Vegas means entering a changing market. Still-historically low interest rates continue, but now they have started to rise. Broader lending prospects are improving along with that rise (which is the good news). But especially for first-time buyers, it should also mean that it is doubly important to think of the long term, and to let caution and prudence lead to a buying decision that will prove to be the right choice for the future.

What that means when buying a house in Las Vegas, especially when taking advantage of an attractive adjustable interest rate (ARM) loan, is to plan for the likelihood that monthly repayments will eventually increase. Before taking advantage of a great deal, consider whether you will be able to manage monthly repayments if they jump by 1, 2 — even 3%. Although it’s only natural to expect that your family income will grow as time passes and professional experience broadens, cautious buyers keep their budget in line with actual current finances. And they make hard-headed estimates of the upkeep expenses that accompany home ownership.

If the past seven years have taught anything about buying a house, it’s the advantage of tempering optimism with realism. I’m here to help my clients make educated real estate decisions for the short term and long term. If you’ve been preparing to make that exciting first buy, I hope you will give me a call to meet and discuss your goals and the current market – I’d love to hear from you!

Marcelo V. Mayol

The Mayol Realty Group

Realty One Group

702-812-9990

Monday, July 29, 2013

Preparing Your Las Vegas Home for a Virtual Tour

Putting your Las Vegas home up for sale makes you a key player in a marketing team led by your real estate agent. But you don’t have to attend seminars on salesmanship or study the latest marketing best seller to make valuable contributions to your team: heeding a few guiding principals will take care of that.

One of the most valuable is simply this: great marketers know they should appeal to the widest market possible. Today, we can attract a much wider market than ever before — from across the nation to (amazingly enough) buyers around the globe! It’s due to an increasingly popular tool: the virtual tour on the Web.

Because a standout virtual tour doesn’t just happen by itself, here are some fundamentals for preparing the most effective Las Vegas virtual tour:

Disorderly rooms as viewed through any old webcam don’t make the grade. Remember that details you see as assets may be perceived as clutter when viewed through the camera’s lens. This can include personal pictures, books, ornaments and toys. When your home is free from clutter, potential buyers can much more easily picture themselves living in it.
Make sure your furniture is placed to communicate the appearance of spacious, open areas. This may mean being willing to move furniture — even pieces that actually look great in person — away from the middle of the room.
Since taste is an individual matter, it is hard to present a color scheme that appeals to everyone who views your Las Vegas virtual tour. The most universal rule of thumb is to stick to neutral color combinations. While you may love a vibrant blue wall, others may see it as an unwelcome chore — on extra thing they will have to change were they to purchase your home. In contrast, neutral colors can present a blank canvass.

Getting your virtual tour right means showing a pleasing series of comprehensive views that are neat and minimally but attractively furnished. Looking for a Las Vegas Real Estate agent with the right tools to help you sell for top dollar this summer? I’m happy to interview for that job!

Marcelo V. Mayol

The Mayol Realty Group

Realty One Group

702-812-9990

Saturday, July 27, 2013

De-Stressing the Move to a New Las Vegas Home

The Census Bureau tells us that 43 million people move households each year. That definitely makes it a Big Business opportunity! You would think that huge commercial empires would have sprung up to take care of every tiny detail (for a price), but in truth, those companies generally serve a minority of corporate clients. For most of us, we can plan on being pretty much on our own.

If you are going to be headed for a new home in Las Vegas (or know someone who is), there are a few things you can do to make this summer’s move to a new home a little easier.

Before you move to your new home, make sure you get ahead of the curve: reserve some advance time getting everything organized. In the process of packing, you’ll work more efficiently if you have more than enough boxes and trash bins at the ready. By having ample storage containers available, you can pack your belongings slowly and in an organized manner.

If you have young children, arrange childcare well in advance of the move. Unless your children are older and able to help, your suspicion that they are not wholly compatible with the moving process will prove to be correct.

Inform your utility providers well in advance of your move. The few minutes spent could give them the option of a smooth transfer of services to your new property — sometimes even avoiding restart service fees.

Let your bank know that you are moving your residence. This will reduce the risk of your sensitive banking info ending up lost in the mail (or in the wrong hands). It also makes it much less likely that your bank will block your account for suspicious activity when you first begin using your cards in your new town.

A new home in Las Vegas will be an exciting beginning – so if you’ve already found that home, congrats! If you’re just getting the search started, or are preparing to sell before you find your next, contact me this week to go over your options.

Marcelo V. Mayol

The Mayol Realty Group

Realty One Group

702-812-9990

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Do Outdoor Kitchens Boost Las Vegas Home Values?

With summer weather upon us and Las Vegas home values on the rise, it’s natural to follow the urge to get going on outdoor-oriented improvement projects. One of my (and my buyers’) favorite added features is the outdoor kitchen. That temporary folding table you used to see next to the rollaway barbecue is now frequently supplanted by a fully equipped permanent installation.

But if you are planning on selling soon, it’s easy to overdo the outdoor kitchen idea. Las Vegas home values don’t always return every dollar spent, so with likely investment returns in mind, here are a few guidelines to help you jazz up your outdoor area without breaking the bank.

— Whether you have a large backyard or tiny one, amount of space isn’t what matters as much as the setup. Plan your kitchen so the cook faces toward the entertaining area. When guests can interact while the cooking is going on (and the chef isn’t stuck facing the wall), the fun of outdoor entertaining comes naturally.

— You’re building an outdoor kitchen, so be sure the surfaces are built to withstand the elements. Outdoor-rated appliances and a low-maintenance paint finish on cabinets will combat corrosion…and keep your kitchen looking fresh for when you plan to sell! Also, consider elevating the cabinet so you can more easily hose off underfoot messes.

— An outdoor fireplace can warm memories in even the steeliest of potential buyers. Who doesn’t love thought of warm summer evenings spent gathered around a firepit? But let’s be practical – a gas fireplace insert is far handier than a real wood-burning firepit. You don’t need to pay to run a gas line outside either – there are plenty of freestanding gas fireplace models to choose from.

While not likely to bring nearly the same return as a total kitchen remodel, adding simple outdoor kitchens can be a simple way to both enjoy backyard space and increase potential home values in the future. If that future is coming sooner rather than later, do contact me before you commit to any remodeling projects…I’ll be happy to discuss current Las Vegas home values with you anytime!

Marcelo V. Mayol

The Mayol Realty Group

Realty One Group

702-812-9990