Eviction Moratorium ends tomorrow in Nevada

Eviction Moratorium ends tomorrow in Nevada

I can't believe it is already the last day of August, 2020. It has been 5 and a half months since Nevada shut down. I was at Las Vegas airport a few weeks ago and surprised how busy it was. I have been avoiding the strip to avoid covid-19, but I have seen videos and pictures with a lot of people there. Even though many hotels are opened now, MGM Resorts just announced that they are laying off 18,000 previously furloughed workers as of today since the casino industry continues to struggle to stay afloat during this pandemic. Las Vegas is still far from how it was before shut down.

The Guinn Center for Policy Priorities projects from 118,000 to 142,000 Nevada households could struggle to pay September rent, the majority in the Las Vegas area (Clark County), where it estimates 47% of households rent. And starting tomorrow when the eviction moratorium lifts, if you owe rent or back pay, your landlord can pursue a court order for evictions. They cannot be carried out by a landlord, only by a constable. To prevent a backup in the system, courts will grant 30 day stays on evictions to encourage mediation. (There is a program for free mediation help for tenants and landlords. Phone: 702-455-3898, Email: mediation.works@clarkcountynv.gov.)

Here is a video with great information on what to expect.

Nevada’s eviction moratorium lifts Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know.

And this is the website mentioned in the video for assistance: Civil Law Self-Help Center

If you are a landlord and need help selling your house, please feel free to contact me at 808-779-7700, Email: YokoRealEstate@gmail.com.

Stay safe! #VegasStrong

** UPDATE ** 8/31/2020 - Gov. Steve Sisolak announced that the state’s eviction moratorium will be extended an additional 45 days.

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Do You Believe In Feng Shui?

 

Do You Believe In Feng Shui?

As a Japanese, I do believe in Feng Shui (pronounce Fung Shway). We write it the same 風水 "Wind Water", but we pronounce Fu-sui in Japanese. Since we are very close to China, we use their characters and our culture is very much influenced by Chinese. Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art and science that was developed some 3,000 years ago to help people balance the energies in the places they lived. The elements play an important part in everyday life, as in wind and water that bring good harvests, which in turn bring good health and prosperity. Your home is alive and needs to be arranged in such a way that the chi - Universal Energy can be maximized.

How can you use this Chinese art in your decorating? First, you’ll need a bagua (pronounced bah-gwah) map. This map includes the eight building blocks of life, according to the Chinese Taoist philosophy: health, love/marriage, wealth, career, wisdom/knowledge, reputation/fame, children/creativity and helpful people, plus the center area of chi.

To make a bagua map, look at the structure of your home. The ideal shape is a square or rectangle, but despair not if your home is L-shaped or U-shaped. On a large piece of paper, draw a map of your home, noting where doors and windows are. If your home is L-shaped or U-shaped, use dotted lines to fill out the square or rectangle. Now divide the square into nine parts, which will correspond to each of the nine bagua areas.

The baguas are determined by the location of the front door of your house, which is considered the baseline of your bagua map. As you look in the front door of your home, the area to your right is “helpful people.” The area to your left is “wisdom/knowledge,” and in between those two is your “career” bagua. The center three baguas, left to right, are “family,” “chi” and “children/creativity.” The upper left corner is “wealth,” upper middle is “fame/reputation” and the upper right is “marriage.” In other words, it looks like above picture. (https://astrostyle.com/feng-shui-bagua/)

I was also told not to place anything underneath your bed if you have a space. The good energy would not pass through your body and bad energy would be clogged when you lie there if you have things below your bed. 

If things are not going right or you feel heavy, try Feng Shui!

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Happy Retirement - New Beginning

 Happy Retirement - New Beginning

What comes to your mind if you think about "Aging"? Getting wrinkles on your face? Not being able to run as fast? Having to see a doctor more often? Your dream retirement life? Perhaps living in Las Vegas where the sun shines 300 days a year?

People are living longer than ever before, so planning for the future includes more than just an investment portfolio. Retirees need to find meaningful, productive activities to fill out the last part of their lives, not just busywork.

Good healthy aging has several key components: Good physical health; possession of basic resources (housing, food); good social network; sense of purpose; and engaging in activities such as volunteering, working, and hobbies or interests. These components may seem obvious, but seniors need to assess the balance in their lives with the above in mind to uncover not just challenges, but opportunities as well.

Being aware of the challenges ahead is a good point from which to start. Amazingly, many people never give any thought to how they’ll spend their days once they stop working and the routine that they had for decades. The irony is that retirement often brings about identity crises – because work was how the retiree has defined him or herself for the last 40-odd years. Society defines us by our achievements, and what you do often becomes who you are. Retirement, therefore, may require a redefinition of self. If approached from a positive angle, i.e., the opportunity to reinvent oneself, retirement can be the most rewarding phase of life.

Make a Bucket List - I Want To Do (before I die…). The list helps to uncover past dreams, wishes and activities or interests they haven't pursued in a while. You’d be surprised at how difficult this can be, though, because people tend to think, “Well, I always wanted to skydive, but now I’m too old.” This is where thinking outside the box comes in, which often requires prompting.

What if you had the resources and energy to make your dreams come true? The point is to open up possibilities, even ones that seem “too young.” Movies need older extras. Skydiving can be done at any age with good health. Why not get a college degree now? It may take a little longer to learn that musical instrument, but one thing you have now is time. Forget about what is “expected” of older people, and follow your heart’s desire.

Retirement need not be viewed as the end. It should be the new beginning of your life!

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How to Decide The Amount of Rent

 

How to Decide The Amount of Rent

You have a rental property in Las Vegas and not sure how much you should charge for rent? Property management companies can help you and offer you the following services as well;

- Place advertising for you

- Show the property

- Review applications, screen applicants, and conduct background checks

- Prepare lease documents 

However, if you want to do all by yourself, the best place to start is by look and check similar properties in your area for the range of prices to set for the rent amount.

Supply and demand are factors to consider. If you’re near a college campus for example, there is a constant demand for rentals. But even if your property is in a trendy or high-demand area, if your property is in disrepair, has maintenance issues, or lacks amenities, you can’t ask the same price as a well-maintained property.

Other concerns include your property features. Clubhouses, workout facilities, walking paths, tennis courts — all affect a renter’s decision. Square footage, floor plan, and even the view influence the rental rate.

Basic amenities like dishwashers, laundry facilities, fireplaces, covered parking, and cable TV have a great effect on rental rates.

There are market factors to consider as well. For instance, when rent is equal to or exceeds a mortgage payment, tenants will do the math and realize it makes more sense to buy.

After all is said and done, testing and tracking is a time-honored way of setting rent prices. Also it’s easier to lower prices than to raise them. Finally, if the rental market is soft, it might be a good idea to offer small things like a free month of cable TV etc.

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Difference Between Pre-Qual & Pre-Approval

What Are The Differences Between Pre-Qualification and Pre-Approval?

Are you thinking about buying a house in Las Vegas are? GREAT! Are you paying with cash or financing? If you are financing, you should talk to a few mortgage loan officers and find out how much you can afford BEFORE you start your house hunting. Otherwise if you find a house you fell in love and find out you are not qualified for the loan, your heart will be broken!

In order to reduce stress during the process of home buying is to seek pre-approval, actually applying for a loan before finding a house. The loan agent gathers a credit package that includes a loan application, credit report, income and asset information, and supporting documentation. These documents are then submitted to prospective lenders who underwrite the file, issuing credit approval or denial.

Buyers who are pre-approved are taken more seriously than their pre-qualified counterparts. Pre-qualification is not a loan commitment from a lending institution; it is only a loan agent’s opinion that you will be able to obtain financing. Verification is not usually made so formal approval is not issued. These days, virtually anyone can achieve pre-qual status.

Pre-approval, on the other hand, signifies that the lender has taken the application through a rigorous procedure. So buyers with pre-approval status can basically write their own ticket.

Here are the benefits of Pre-Approval:

- If you make an offer on a home and then apply for a loan, you are at the lender’s mercy. He sets the interest rate and points, aware that you do not have time to shop around.

- Understanding the breadth of your financial reach will save the time spent looking at houses you can’t afford.

- Shopping for a loan allows you to settle on a house payment that fits your lifestyle. If you rely on your lender to tell you what you can afford, you may end up with a high mortgage payment. Most people can qualify for more than they would feel comfortable paying.

- Having a pre-approval letter from a lender gives you an edge in a situation where multiple offers have been made on a house.

- Pre-approved buyers can generally close escrow more quickly. Once you submit your credit package, most of the legwork has already been done.

However, neither pre-approval nor pre-qualification are absolute loan commitments. Lenders must still assess property appraisals, verify information, and, in many cases, verify credit before funding the loan. So remember "DO NOT BUY A CAR or anything large purchase UNTIL AFTER CLOSING"! 

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Should You Refinance Your Mortgage Now?

 

Should You Refinance Your Mortgage Now?

You probably have been hearing the news about the interest rate being historically low right now. What is current interest rate for your mortgage loan? 4%? 5%? 

The most common reasons to refinance are;

- to lower interest rate

- to reduce the length of mortgage

- to make home improvements or cover other expenses

- to lock in a constant interest rate if you have an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM)

- to convert to an ARM to lower monthly payments,

While all the above refinancing reasons are reasonable, there are many factors to consider. This process, as you already know, is time-consuming and often expensive.

First, you should calculate your savings by figure out the following numbers;

- Your current monthly payment

- The original cost of the home

- An itemization of refinancing costs

- Monthly payment after the refinance

- Length of time you plan to live in the house after the refinance

- The amount still owed on the house, and the break-even point (calculate this by dividing the total cost of the refinance by how much you’ll save each month on your payment.).

Depending on your ultimate goal in refinancing, the above numbers should give you a good idea of whether or not it makes sense. If it is confusing to you, there are many online “calculators” that can assist you in investigating refinancing like Mortgage.net for example.

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Moderate Alcohol Consumption Is Good For You?

 

You Can Party in Las Vegas and Still Stay Healthy

Living in Las Vegas does not mean we party every day and drown in alcohol. Actually moderate alcohol consumption could lead us to healthy lives. Personally I love sitting at home and having a glass of Merlot every night. 

What are the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption, and how can it help us to live longer and healthier?

First and foremost: there are situations in which alcohol should never be consumed. Those with a history of alcoholism or substance abuse, pregnant women and those taking aspirin for cardiac health should abstain from alcohol. But for moderate drinkers (one to two drinks per day for men, one per day for women, defined as one 12-ounce beer, four ounces of wine, 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits, or one ounce of 100-proof spirits.), feel free to imbibe.

According to the American Heart Association, moderate drinkers have lower heart disease risk than nondrinkers. However, drinking more alcohol increases such public health dangers as alcoholism, high blood pressure, obesity, stroke, breast cancer, suicide and accidents. Given these and other risks, the American Heart Association cautions people NOT to start drinking ... if they do not already drink alcohol.

The best-known effect of alcohol is an increase in HDL (good) cholesterol. However, regular physical activity and weight loss are other effective ways to raise HDL cholesterol. A substance called resveratrol that’s found in alcoholic beverages may prevent platelets in the blood from clumping, which may reduce clot formation and reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. Similarly, aspirin helps reduce blood clotting.

French scientists looked at the specific components of the good cholesterol in the blood of red wine drinkers, and found men who drank red wine regularly had cholesterol that was richer in polyunsaturated phospholids and omega-3 fatty acids. Previous research has shown omega-3 fatty acids in the diet are associated with lower rates of heart disease.

After four glasses a day, Renaud warned, wine has an adverse effect on death rates. Although it still protects the heart, excess drinking raises the danger of cancers and liver disease. The liver is the first major organ of the body that detoxifies the contents of the blood stream.

Dr. Serge Renaud, the French scientist who showed the world that wine is good for the heart, has a new discovery: two to three glasses of wine a day reduces death rates from all ailments by up to 30 percent.

Renaud's study of 34,000 middle-aged men living in eastern France supports what has become known as "the French paradox": Frenchmen who eat lots of saturated fat but still live a long time.

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How To Buy A HUD Home in Las Vegas

 

How To Buy A HUD Home in Las Vegas

Due to high number of unemployment and job hour cuts caused by Covid-19 pandemic, unfortunately, we will most likely start seeing many evictions and foreclosures nationwide and here in Las Vegas.

HUD homes are homes acquired by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). If a foreclosed home was purchased with a loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), the lender files a claim for the balance due on the mortgage. The FHA pays the claim, then transfers ownership of the property to HUD, which sells the home.

HUD homes are priced at fair market value for their location based on appraisal. Teachers and police officers are given a 50 percent discount on HUD homes. Investors often purchase HUD homes to fix up themselves and sell at a profit. HUD homes are sold as-is – HUD is not responsible for repairs and improvements.

You can view HUD listings on their Web site at HUDHomes - Nevada. The HUD Web site lists registered HUD real estate brokers, because only they can show you a HUD property.

HUD foreclosures are sold using a bidding process. There's an Offer Period, during which sealed bids are accepted from agents. HUD accepts the highest bid offered. Unlike conventional home sales, there is no negotiating on price between buyer and seller.

Before submitting a bid, buyers must be pre-approved for financing.

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Why You Need a Water Softener In Las Vegas

 

Why You Need a Water Softener In Las Vegas

I learned about "Hard Water" in Las Vegas the hard way right after I moved here. First I noticed water stains on my wine glasses after I washed them. My stomach was upset every day. My lips were so dry and started to peal. My face started to break out. AND I LOST ALMOST HALF OF MY HAIR! I was talking to my friend who has lived in Las Vegas longer and she told me how “hard” the water in Las Vegas is and I still didn’t know what that meant because I grew up in Japan and Oregon/Washington. What in the world is hard water!?

Hard water is water that has high mineral content and is formed when water percolates through deposits of limestone, chalk or gypsum which are largely made up of calcium and magnesium carbonates, bicarbonates and sulfates. Despite of my experiences, the World Health Organization says that "there does not appear to be any convincing evidence that water hardness causes adverse health effects in humans". In fact, the United States National Research Council has found that hard water actually serves as a dietary supplement for calcium and magnesium according to Wikipedia.

Hard water interferes with laundering, dishwashing, bathing, and personal grooming. Clothes washed in hard water may feel harsh and scratchy. Dishes and glasses may be spotted when dry. Hard water may cause a film on glass shower doors, shower walls, bathtubs, sinks, faucets, etc. Hair washed in hard water may feel sticky and look dull. Pipes can become clogged and reduce water flow and ultimately requires pipe replacement.

Solution – WATER SOFTENER

Water softener works through a process called ion exchange which eliminates calcium and magnesium from the water. It should solve the issues above and can save you a lot of money.

If you have questions about water softening or buying a water softener, please contact me and I can direct you to the right people.

** Disclaimer – I am not a licensed contractor or a plumber. **

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Vegas Strong! - 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic - We Are All In This Together!

 

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Las Vegas Raiders & Allegiant Stadium

 

Las Vegas Raiders & Allegiant Stadium

Have you gotten used to hearing "Las Vegas" Raiders? Raiders were originally based in Oakland, CA when they were founded on 1/30/1960. And they went to Los Angeles from 1982 to 1994 and returned to Oakland at the start of the 1995 season. And they officially moved to Las Vegas in January 2020. So I have not gotten used to hearing Las Vegas Raiders, yet, but I think I am becoming a fan as they are my home team now!

And I can’t wait to be inside of that beautiful brand new home, Allegiant Stadium!

You can read more about the stadium here.-> Allegiant Stadium

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no fans are allowed to be there in August 2020, but hopefully people can enjoy the games, concerts, and other events very soon.

Speaking of other events, Garth Brooks was originally scheduled to have his concert on August 22, 2020, but again due to Covid-19 pandemic, it has been rescheduled to February 27, 2021.

You can find tickets and information here.-> Garth Brooks Concert Tickets

Allegiant Stadium is not only home for Las Vegas Raiders, it is also home for the UNLV (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) Football team. And the 2020 and 2021 Pac-12 Football Championship Game would be played there as well as Las Vegas Bowl (used to be played at Sam Boyd Stadium).

It seems like everything is on hold due to Covid-19 pandemic, but I hope it is just temporary and soon we all can enjoy the entertainment like we used to.

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Different types of home in Las Vegas

 

If you are thinking about purchasing a home in Las Vegas and need to finance, make sure to talk to your loan officer because it depends on a loan you are getting, it might not apply to certain type of homes like below.

Condominiums

Owning a condo is similar to owning a house. You have a deed and mortgage and pay property taxes, but what you really own is “airspace.” Walls, floors, and ceilings are owned in common among all residents. You join the homeowners association (HOA) and pay monthly dues to cover management, hazard insurance, maintenance, garbage collection, landscaping, etc. Maintenance is shared with neighboring condo owners; your property value depends on the condition and desirability of the entire development. Condo owners usually can remodel only within the guidelines provided by covenants, conditions, and restrictions, which may specify everything from how maintenance is handled to what color curtains you can hang. It’s a smart idea to read them before buying a condo.

Planned Unit Development (PUD)

PUD owners individually own the residential structure and a small parcel of land surrounding it. As with condo ownership, PUDs require membership in the HOA, but the land around each unit is maintained by that unit’s owner. If you’re interested in having a bit of a yard, this is the way to go.

Co-op

This is a housing complex owned by a corporation made up of all the tenants — you become a shareholder in the corporation that owns the property. The number of shares you are issued depends upon the size of the unit you own. Larger units’ owners have more power in deciding how the building is run. You also pay fees to cover your portion of the building’s property taxes, mortgage, and the costs of repairs and improvements for the common areas. Co-op owners depend on each other financially, so expect heavy scrutiny of both your financial history and personal life.

Townhome

This is an architectural term commonly used to describe an attached row house and not actually a form of ownership.

What are the advantages of buying a condo, PUD, or co-op? First, prices are typically much lower than for single family homes, and landscaping and maintenance are minimal or nonexistent. Some people feel safer in a “cluster” environment, while enjoy having a common maintenance service.

The disadvantages? Homeowners’ dues are not tax-deductible. The dues are an ongoing expense that will lower the amount of mortgage you can qualify for. Documents may be long and complex; you may want to hire a real estate attorney to review them for you.

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Alleviate Stress during pandemic

 

Oh what a year 2020 has been... Coronavirus, Covid-19, Pandemic, Shut-down, Quarantine...all stressful words come to mind. Las Vegas has been hit very hard and many people have been unemployed. About 47% of renter households in Nevada are at risk of eviction. Now people are worried about not only about getting sick, but also whether they have a roof over head and food on table...

I hope some of these tips will help you to alleviate stress;

1. List the things that cause you stress. Change the way you think about these stressors by putting a positive spin on them.

2. Practice being optimistic.

3. Reframe things in the context of a larger positive plan.

4. Recognize that troubles are temporary.

5. Don't blame yourself needlessly.

6. Put things into perspective.

7. Let go of what you can’t control; take control of what you can.

8. Know your limits physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Set boundaries with other people—and yourself.

9. Get organized, but don’t overwhelm yourself with the task.

10. When faced with a large task, break it down into smaller tasks. Prioritze tasks and deal with the most important or most unpleasant issue first.

11. Make leisure activities and hobbies a priority in your life. Enjoyment of life prolongs life and reduces stress. Have a sense of humor.

12. Just 20 minutes a day of walking will add years to your life and condition your body for maximum enjoyment of life and reduction of stress.

13. Avoid sugary snacks, smoking, alcohol, drugs, overeating and caffeine.

14. Use the Food Pyramid to guide you in your eating. Plenty of fruits and vegetables are necessary for optimum health.

15. Know your sleep requirements. Make sure that you get as much as you need nightly. Retiring and rising at the same hour every day (not sleeping in on weekends) reduces sleep disturbances which can lead to stress.

16. Make time for relaxation. This can mean doing absolutely nothing. Learning to relax can include many techniques including meditation, prayer and deep breathing.

17. Find time to be alone for a little while each day.

18. Talk to a friend or family member (but not one who stresses you out!). Use Facetime/Zoom/Google meeting with face-to-face. 

19. Physical contact with loved ones reduces stress. Get or give a hug, hold hands with your spouse, cuddle on the couch, even stroking a pet helps.

Please stay safe! #VegasStrong

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