Ralph J DiDonato with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Nevada Properties

07/15/2022

Another headliner at the FIORE Club luncheon, Michelle Ricci

10/09/2021

When you’re looking for a fantastic restaurant, try Il Chianti on Horizon in Henderson. We are sitting with award winning chef Rudolfo.

03/22/2021

This is news that we have known for a long time. I have been selling homes in Green Valley for years and have happy happy clients. Right now we don’t have enough inventory and homes are selling at the highest point in decades. Call me at 702-622-9210 license S.0180662 for more information.

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A study ranking the top neighborhoods across the country and in each state has a place in Henderson as the top dog in Nevada.

12/21/2019

Las Vegas is constantly growing with amazing new venues

07/26/2018

Great information for selling your home

Real Estate Advisor: July 2018

When Your Home Doesn’t Sell
When you list your home you hope for a quick, successful sale. For many real estate markets throughout the U.S., newly listed homes can be snatched up in the blink of an eye (for some cities, properties can sell within a day or less). While we all would love a quick sale when we list, the reality for some sellers is that their homes may sit on the market much longer than others. If you’ve listed your home and it’s not seeing any interest or offers, read on to find out some of the reasons a home doesn’t sell.

Unrealistic Price
Pricing your home can be difficult. While we would all love to get as much as we possibly can, one of the main reasons why a home doesn’t sell is because the price is too high. Your agent is able to help and guide you on an appropriate price based on the local comps, the condition of your home, and any recently sold homes in the neighborhood. But if you are set on getting a certain price, and no one is interested in your home at that price, it’s best to reevaluate what you’re asking for. Cutting the sale price can attract a huge amount of buyers that may have been previously disinterested.

Your House Lacks 'Charm'
When it comes to selling, you’ve got to make sure your home or property has a certain allure to it, especially if it’s been sitting on the market for over a month. While you don’t need to resort to remodeling or tearing down walls, make sure it’s clean, there’s no clutter, and if you can make small cosmetic improvements to those areas that might not be at their best. For the vast majority of those looking to buy, an ugly home will not entice potential buyers through your front door. Your agent will gladly provide some suggestions on what you can do to add a little ‘oomph’ to your home, especially if there’s no current interest in it.

Poor Listing Pictures
With a large number of buyers beginning their home search online, it’s imperative to you as a seller to have quality listing photos of your property. Whether you like it or not, many potential buyers will judge your home off the listing photos alone, so you’ve got to make sure what you put on the Internet shows your house in its best possible light. Don’t take pictures on your phone; make sure professional photographer who specializes in buildings takes your listing photos.

Your photos are a huge part of the selling process and shouldn’t be disregarded. You also want to make sure you have a good amount of pictures, especially of the most important rooms in the house as well as any items that could act as a highlight for the home. Pictures are a huge asset when it comes to selling, so make sure your pictures are exceptional.

Showings Are Too Difficult
A lot goes into selling a home, especially on the part of the seller: prepping for the sale, keeping the home clean, accommodating open houses and showings, and a slew of other tasks and duties that take time and are not generally easy. When it comes to selling, the name of the game is flexibility. If you’re unwilling to accommodate showings throughout the day (specifically in the evenings and on the weekends), it’s going to be very difficult for buyers to see what you have to offer. Buyers want to see a home when they’re truly interested in it - if you prevent them from having a personal peek at your property, you could possibly be turning away someone that wants to buy your house. Be flexible and don’t make it extremely difficult for a potential buyer to check out your home.

You’re Too Emotional
If you have a large emotional attachment to your home, it can be hard to remember that you’re selling ‘a house’ and not ‘your home.’ Emotions play a big part in homes and families, and when the family home is on the market, it can cause some emotional issues. When these come into play, it can be hard to accept offers that might not seem ‘good enough’ or don’t match the personal value you’ve attached to the property.

When you sell your home, you’ve got to remove the emotional attachment. You may feel inclined to keep all your personal items out and on display, because they’re part of you and your family, but too much personal clutter can deter even the most ardent buyer, and it doesn’t help you separate the ‘home’ from the ‘house.’ Remove pictures, trinkets, knick-knacks, and other personal items that are hindering you from accepting an offer, and maybe hinder a buyer from seeing the house as their home.

If your home has been on the market for a while and hasn’t garnered a lot of interest, it may be time to reevaluate your current strategy. If you know you’ve fallen victim to one of the items listed above, take some time with your agent and determine what the best course of action is. There are buyers out there that want to buy your home, you just need to find the best approach to getting them through your door. Good luck.

[email protected]
www.lasvegaspropertiesbyrj.com
Ralph DiDonato

Cell: 702-622-9210
Business: 702-362-8700
Business Fax: 702-873-8700
Sahara Branch
7475 West Sahara Ave. Suite 100
Las Vegas NV 89117

In today’s real estate market, you need to work with a real estate professional who you can trust. As proud members of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network, we provide the absolute finest service, dedication, and expertise possible to our clients. Whether you want to buy, sell, or rent—we...

07/07/2018

If you're a Teacher in Las Vegas, what do you think about this offer? Tag a Teacher to tell them the great news!

With- Becca Green, Loan Officer

07/07/2018

There is a $20,000 incentive for anyone interested in purchasing a home in certain zip codes close to the strip. Call me for more information on what zip codes are applicable. This incentive can used for a down payment.

To fill out an online app follow the link below:

https://www.guildmortgage.com/get-started/officer/?officer=beccagreen

07/06/2018

Who is looking forward to next year's season with all the new changes?

George McPhee's team won 51 regular season games and three playoff rounds before losing in the Stanley Cup Final. There was a lot to like about the Vegas Golden...

07/06/2018

Here’s what to kick to the curb and what to keep before you sell your home


If you’ve chosen your listing agent wisely, he or she will determine the most likely buyer for your home and then laser-focus the marketing materials to that pool of buyers.
Various studies of what different types of buyers are seeking in a home help the agent figure out which of your home’s features will attract them.
Now, there’s one more survey to add to the arsenal and it was published at builderonline.com.
Overall, if your home offers better energy efficiency than your competition, expect it to be popular with potential buyers. Other turn ons for buyers include floor plans that can be personalized and a home that is easy to maintain.
All of these features are more in-demand than a home with the latest technology, according to the survey.
Interior features that repel homebuyers
When asked what they dislike most about their current homes, the majority of homebuyers report that the outdated features drive them nuts. In fact, these are the most common features they are fleeing:
• Linoleum floors
• Popcorn ceilings
• Wood paneling
• Ceramic tile countertops in the kitchen
• S**g carpet
• Avocado green appliances
Yes, I’m sure you love that wallpaper you put up in 1988, but buyers will hate it. The same goes for the “gold” bathroom faucets or those with plastic faux crystal handles.
Features buyers love
Wood flooring is still the overwhelming favorite among buyers, with 65 percent of those surveyed showing a preference for it. Internet connectivity (ethernet and USB ports) came in second, with 44 percent of respondents.
Surprisingly, 56 percent said they were willing to give up square footage in a home if it meant having a larger yard. And, across all demographics, the most important exterior feature of a home is “distance from neighboring homes.”
Broken down by generations, here are the home feature preferences:
Millennials
• Whirpool tub
• Home theater
• Wine refrigerator or cellar
• Dining room
• Darker, richer wall color
Gen Xers
If you have a larger home in the suburbs, members of this cohort may be your buyer. Gen X homebuyers are seeking:
• A detached single-family house.
• A home with lots of square footage (the average, according to study respondents, is 2,315 square feet).
• A single-level home, or one with the master bedroom on ground level.
• A home near trails or other amenities to help them keep fit.
Baby boomers
• A home with 2,000 to 2,999 square feet of living space.
• Planned community with amenities and a resort-like vibe
• A community with a diverse age range, or “stroller-to-walker,” Tammy Barry, director of marketing for a marina resort master-planned community near Chicago tells newhomesource.com’s Camilla McLaughlin.
• Boomers seek low-maintenance homes with large rooms and plenty of storage.
Even homeowners on tight budgets can make minor changes to the home to attract more interest.
Small changes, such as changing out dated kitchen and bathroom faucets, buying new panels for the front of your appliances and replacing dated flooring with something attractive yet inexpensive can make a world of difference.

07/06/2018

Las Vegas Real Estate: How to lower your monthly house payment

Your monthly mortgage payment, which includes the loan’s principal, interest, property taxes and homeowners insurance, no doubt takes a large chunk of your take-home pay. Most Las Vegas homeowners just live with the pain, despite some concrete steps they can take to lower the payment.
It’s not easy, and it does require effort on your part. But, you can lower your monthly house payment.
Dump the high interest rate
Although mortgage interest rates have been at historic lows, many homeowners bought their homes during periods of high interest rates. And, yes, rates are rising, so you’ll need to take advantage of this tip soon.
By refinancing the home with a mortgage that carries a lower interest rate, your monthly payments will naturally go down. For instance, if you bought your home in 2003, you are most likely paying 5.83 percent in interest.
Lock in today’s rates, 4.625 percent as of this writing, and your house payment will be reduced significantly.
There are aspects of refinancing that need to be considered before jumping into it so run the idea by your accountant or financial planner first.
Lower your Las Vegas Real Estate property taxes
Depending on where you live, paying your “fair share” to help fund our schools and local government can add a hefty amount to your monthly house payment. In fact, according to the Census Bureau, the average American homeowner pays $2,197 in property taxes every year.
This adds more than $183 to your house payment each month. If you live in a high-tax state, such as Illinois or New Jersey, you may pay close to twice that amount which is why so many people are moving to Nevada.
Your first step to lower Las Vegas real estate property taxes is to dig out your current assessment and check to ensure that everything in it is accurate, from the home’s square footage to the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. If you do find errors, or if you know of homes in your area that are more expensive yet the homeowners pay less in taxes, you may be able to dispute your tax bill.
Most county assessor’s offices have procedures to file disputes.
Are you paying too much for homeowners insurance?
The average American homeowner pays about $1,083 each year (a bit less than $100 per month) for homeowners insurance, according to ValuePenguin.com.
And, many may be paying too much, according to a Consumer Reports study. Among respondents to the survey, “About 9 percent switched insurers in the previous three years, and more than half reported finding a better price,” according to Jeff Blyskal at consumerreports.org.
He goes on to claim that homeowners “can save hundreds to more than $1,000 per year in premiums by shopping around.”
Insurance companies use your credit score when determining your premium, so work on raising your score to get better rates.
Blyskal explains that “an insurance premium for a 45-year-old homeowner with a fair credit score would be 36 percent higher than if she had an excellent score, on average nationally. If the homeowner had a poor score instead of an excellent one, her premium would be 114 percent higher.”
Get rid of PMI
Private mortgage insurance (PMI) or the Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) if you have an FHA loan, is both a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing because it helps Americans who might not otherwise be given a mortgage to finally become homeowners.
The flipside, however, is that the premiums are tacked onto the house payment every month. With a conventional loan, PMI is removed when the homeowner obtains 20 percent equity in the home.
FHA’s MIP, however, remains for the life of the loan. But, if you’ve hit that magical 20 percent equity mark (and 80 percent loan-to-value), refinance into a conventional mortgage and do away with the MIP payment every month.

07/02/2018

How to shop for a new grill for your summer cookouts

There’s a reason grilling takes center stage in summer. The weather demands it ― who wants to be cooped up indoors with all that glorious sunshine outside?
Aside from that, I doubt there’s a barbecuing man or woman in town who doesn’t feel that his or her barbecue prowess kicks hiney over even our best barbecue eateries.
To do it right, though, you need the right equipment and, if you’re in the market for a new grill (or even your first), read on for some shopping tips.
Gas or charcoal?
Or, maybe both? It’s not unheard of for the serious griller to own one of each. If, on the other hand, you don’t have a preference, maybe it’s time to learn about the differences.
Gas grills are faster and easier. You won’t need to deal with the charcoal, the fluid and then waiting for the coals to heat up. You will, however, need to ensure you have a full gas canister before the cookout begins.
Charcoal-cooked food, on the other hand, tastes better. The charcoal smokes, adding the barbecue flavor we all crave.
Consumer Reports claims that most of the gas grills we buy cost less than $300 and we use them for an average of three years. When it comes to replacing parts, expect to replace the burners. They wear out the quickest.
While charcoal grills are typically less expensive than gas grills, you can end up spending a couple hundred dollars for a large one with all the bells and whistles.
Now, charcoal and gas aren’t your only choices. George Foreman makes a lean, mean electric grill (as do other manufacturers) and there are even wood-burning grills on the market.
For the casual griller, gas or charcoal are the typical choices. If you want ease-of-use and have a need for speed, choose gas.
Which features do you need?
Of course, your budget will dictate the features you’ll find on your new grill, but there are some that are must-haves, at least for some chefs.
These might include a rotisserie (for cooking whole turkeys, chickens or roasts), lighted k***s for nighttime grilling and even alarms that let you know you’re on the verge of burning your meal.
Some are a bit extravagant but there are many features you might find quite useful. Shelving is indispensable for the serious griller. They’ll hold all of your ingredients so they are within easy reach as you cook.
A built-in thermometer is nice as well. If you really want to go all out, look for a gas grill with an infra-red burner. It’s ideal for searing meat to give it that crusty exterior and for locking in the juices.
If you’re just interested in turning out a juicy steak or burger, you don’t need all the fancy and expensive features. A basic charcoal grill will do the trick. The classic Weber kettle-style grill costs about $80 at the big home improvement stores and you can often find them on sale for even less.
Other things to think about
Don’t buy a grill without a decent manufacturer’s warranty. “This should keep you from having to spend money on parts that shouldn’t have broken in the first place,” cautions Chef Tony Matassa at BBQGuys.com.
He suggests looking for a gas grill with a 10-year burner warranty. And, speaking of the burner, Matassa reminds us to ensure that the burner size is proportional to the overall size of the grill.
“A lot of grill manufacturers make a large, impressive looking casting with a little burner – that means lots of hot and cold spots.”
Finally, he suggests that if you grill a lot of steaks, and insist on using gas, look for a gas grill that heats to at least 600 degrees Fahrenheit.
Barbecue season is underway, so get out there and fill that empty spot in the backyard with a new grill.

06/29/2018

There is a $20,000 incentive for anyone interested in purchasing a home in certain zip codes close to the strip. Call me for more information on what zip codes are applicable. This incentive can used for a down payment.