[Jukesgrrl]

Originally Posted by MadManofBethesda

Yep. I used Zip Realty as a research tool when I was house-hunting last year and recall that most of the listings included the HOA info. The only one's that didn't were due to the fact that the real estate agent completed the HOA field by answering "yes" instead of putting in a dollar amount. These were usually the same agents whose narrative comments on the listing contained misspelled words and/or only included one picture of the property.

Thanks! MMoB, you'd make a good neighbor, also, but I'm a little too low-rent for your hood.

I've never used Zip Realty so I'll check it out. I know the info is available to Realtors, as Olecapt pointed out, but some of us like to educate ourselves before we get to the point of calling in the pros.

[winknod]

1904 Collins Ave 89106, owned by the VA (Foreclosure), they are asking $71K. The house is in great shape, really well tended front yard (desert scape) and has a pool and fireplace.

I just moved into the neighborhood, and it's quiet, great location and very friendly neighbors.
You can see the Stratosphere from the front and the mountains from the back!
I'm a single woman who just moved from Manhattan and would love to see a nice, owner occupant take over this property!

[Shipresa]

Silverado was the first thing that sprang to my mind too. $150k isn't much for Summerlin, and Henderson is a nightmare to get into Vegas proper.

Silverado has a lot of condo villages and new builds, and still in a decent price range. Areas of downtown are up and coming - I'd love to live downtown! Its more hip, younger - but more crime/problems.

Not all houses HAVE HOAs. I'm in Spring Valley - happy without one.

[intrepidnomad]

Originally Posted by Jukesgrrl

When you finally land in your nest, DM where you are. I'm also a no-kids female used to being surrounded by loud, over-educated people. And you might want to take SK up on his offer. He'd be my idea of a good neighbor.

Absolutely. I'll be driving up in a few weeks and sniffing around. I'll cruise around the Summerlin area but I think I've ruled out living so far. I like the Silverado and strip area but I need to see it in person. As for HOAs, I've been using realtor.com and maybe I need to switch back to ziprealty as the former doesn't seem to list it anywhere and it's aggravating.

Anyway, I lived on the east coast for a long time so I need constant stimulation and city life without the high cost of living and attitude. I think I'd wilt in the far burbs. So I'd like to live close to the action and to the airport so I can get out of dodge effortlessly!

I'll take your word on SK

[WildWestDude]

You have no kids and you want no rif raff. That's good for zip code 89031. Perhaps the best buys in the metro area and you will have money left over! Its a no thrills area that gets no respect and is not close to the strip and is somewhat diverse in its people
Well, its still less than half an hour drive so not bad. If you lived here, you wouldn't want to go down the strip that much anyway at least after a while.
You could buy a home and say that you live in Summerlin and parts of Henderson for prestige but it sounds that this doesn't matter to you. 89031 is a down to earth area and pretty safe.
Look for homes south of Centennial Pkwy, east of Decatur, north of Craig and west of Clayton for some great areas and buys. Good luck

[Buzz123]

Much as I like wasting hours and hours of time on this forum, I don't get it ─ don't they have Realtors in other parts of the country?

My wife and I have always enjoyed getting out and looking at model homes ─ at least when we had model homes before the great depression of 2008 when there were usually about 300 at any one time throughout Las Vegas) ─ anyway, I digress... When we were seriously in the mood to buy a new house we only had to get with one of the 26,000 local Realtors and tell them what we wanted. In about fifteen minutes they would have a long list of homes with everything we were looking for and in our price range. Then said realtor would take us in his usually really nice car all around to look at them. Some even bought lunch.

This process can and should take more time and care than just asking a bunch of strangers on the internet about things the Realtors are experts at. Sure Realtors aren't supposed to steer you, but they can answer questions in a way that isn't steering, and most are honest and helpful. There are some that are not working for you, they are only working for themselves, but you can spot them in a second and fire their butt.

Besides it's a way to make new friends. We've worked with the same pair for 16 years, and enjoy just getting together for breakfast and a chat.

[intrepidnomad]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

Much as I like wasting hours and hours of time on this forum, I don't get it ─ don't they have Realtors in other parts of the country?

My wife and I have always enjoyed getting out and looking at model homes ─ at least when we had model homes before the great depression of 2008 when there were usually about 300 at any one time throughout Las Vegas) ─ anyway, I digress... When we were seriously in the mood to buy a new house we only had to get with one of the 26,000 local Realtors and tell them what we wanted. In about fifteen minutes they would have a long list of homes with everything we were looking for and in our price range. Then said realtor would take us in his usually really nice car all around to look at them. Some even bought lunch.

This process can and should take more time and care than just asking a bunch of strangers on the internet about things the Realtors are experts at. Sure Realtors aren't supposed to steer you, but they can answer questions in a way that isn't steering, and most are honest and helpful. There are some that are not working for you, they are only working for themselves, but you can spot them in a second and fire their butt.

Besides it's a way to make new friends. We've worked with the same pair for 16 years, and enjoy just getting together for breakfast and a chat.

It's not easy when you don't live in the area. With that said, I prefer to do most of the prelim work myself before I waste a realtor's time. I will scout out the neighborhood, etc, find listings I like, and present it to them. They in turn will add to it. I will even drive out to listings I'm extra excited about to see if it's all that, rather than find out while the realtor is with me that I don't like the location. That time could have been better spent looking at something else.

I have posted questions on realtor boards and it's hard to get a candid answer because they don't want it to appear as if they're steering. So I'd much rather get the inside scoop from people who not only live in the area but don't have to hold back, either.

[Shipresa]

If you want city and where its happening, then Silverado isn't for you.

Seriously, look downtown - because its easier to get to the clubs on the strip (mind you, get a LV/NV license, local women get into clubs free or way reduced rate) - but the art and lively scene is alive and well downtown. Just don't consider ANYTHING farther than Ogden.

Silverado is more family - and nothing really happening out there except South Point casino, and they cater more to cowboy-type and locals, along with the Silverton.

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by intrepidnomad

It's not easy when you don't live in the area. With that said, I prefer to do most of the prelim work myself before I waste a realtor's time. I will scout out the neighborhood, etc, find listings I like, and present it to them. They in turn will add to it. I will even drive out to listings I'm extra excited about to see if it's all that, rather than find out while the realtor is with me that I don't like the location. That time could have been better spent looking at something else.

I have posted questions on realtor boards and it's hard to get a candid answer because they don't want it to appear as if they're steering. So I'd much rather get the inside scoop from people who not only live in the area but don't have to hold back, either.

Well you do what you want, it's your business. I'm directing my remarks to everyone. It is the realtor's job to do the leg work and then tell you about what he found, and let you decide which units to look at. Don't worry about taking his time. He will make thousands of dollars on the deal. Besides, right now with the housing market at a mere 500 or 600 sales a month, down from about 3000 new and another 3000 existing home sales a month before the crash, they got nuthin better to do. If your realtor is making you feel like you're wasting his time then get another realtor. The guy I have been working with for over 16 years specializes in out of town people looking for homes here. I'll give you his number if you'd like.

[WestieJeff]

I also agree that doing preliminary legwork is good. This aint the good old days when you could hire someone and just assume they'll look out for your interests like they would their own family.

I find many realtors along with many other workers are going to do the easiest, quickest, most simple thing to make the most money they can. That's why many of them do not want to show short sales, too much work! Everything nowdays is caveat emptor, so do your own research.

Originally Posted by intrepidnomad

It's not easy when you don't live in the area. With that said, I prefer to do most of the prelim work myself before I waste a realtor's time. I will scout out the neighborhood, etc, find listings I like, and present it to them. They in turn will add to it. I will even drive out to listings I'm extra excited about to see if it's all that, rather than find out while the realtor is with me that I don't like the location. That time could have been better spent looking at something else.

I have posted questions on realtor boards and it's hard to get a candid answer because they don't want it to appear as if they're steering. So I'd much rather get the inside scoop from people who not only live in the area but don't have to hold back, either.