Pest Control

 

Pest Control

Before you start having any pest issues, these are some things you can do to prevent:

- Take out the trash.

- Improve drainage

- Clean up food and water spills immediately

- Repair plumbing leaks

- Seal cracks and crevices in walls and floors

- Seal cracks in driveways and sidewalks

- Repair torn window/door screens.

Ants: Eliminate trails between the nest and food and water sources. Get rid of piles of wood, bricks, or other debris. Seal all cracks in your house’s exterior. Trim tree and shrub branches so they don’t touch the house.

Cockroaches: Find and treat the roaches’ microhabitat directly. Usually, the services of a professional exterminator will be required for long-term control.

Crickets: Don’t use heavy ground cover in landscaping within 10 feet of the house. Store firewood and lumber away from the house. Seal exterior cracks and holes. Install yellow bug lights in outdoor fixtures.

Mice: Seal off and clean up any potential habitat. Seal holes and cracks 1/4 of an inch and larger – if a pencil can fit into the hole or crack, so can a mouse. Install thick weatherstripping on the bottom of all doors.

Spiders: Seal cracks around windows and doors. Remove spider webs regularly. Use yellow bug lights outdoors to attract fewer flying insects on which spiders feed.

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Boost Your Immune System

 

Boost Your Immune System

Summer is almost over on the calendar, but not in Las Vegas. It looks like the temperature won't be below 100 for another 10 days until October. It does not mean you don't have to be prepared for flu season yet especially now we are still in pandemic due to Covid-19. David L. Woodland, an immunologist at the Trudeau Institute, a nonprofit research center in Saranac Lake, N.Y. says the biggest drain on our immune systems in the modern age is stress. Taking the pressure off the immune system helps it build up, he says. Adequate sleep recharges your immune system, and most people don’t get enough nowadays.

While people tend to get fewer colds as they get older, since their immune systems have developed defenses against many strains of cold virus, “the immune system decline outweighs the benefits you’ve been accruing,” says Woodland.

Good nutrition is a must for kids year-round, says Frogel, and that kids, like adults, need plenty of sleep and regular exercise.

Good nutrition does not mean more food—quite the contrary. Losing weight can help build immunity, according to a study by Tufts University's Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. When a group of adults with high cholesterol lost weight on a low-fat diet, most also showed evidence of improved immune function. Carrie Angus M.D. recommends whole, fresh foods. “Fresh foods not only carry a diverse mixture of vitamins and trace minerals absent from most processed foods, they also have vitality.”

Back to the stress issue, CDC has a great article about how to cope with stress here -> https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html

Please take care of yourself and stay safe.

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Contributors to Lack of Energy

 

Contributors to lack of energy

When I am out in the sun too much even at a pool, the heat usually sucks energy out of me and I feel tired afterwards. Also my day would not start without eating breakfast. My brain would not function with an empty stomach and I would have no energy to get up and keep going.

Here are a couple of reasons why you might feel lack of energy and what you can do to gain energy;

- Dehydration. Get enough water by drinking a full glass at every meal, and one every time you go to the bathroom.

- Anemia. Too much is as bad as not enough. See your doctor to determine whether you have anemia and how to treat it.

- Eating a large lunch. Large meals force your body to use precious energy stores for the huge task of digestion. Eat smaller, more frequent meals to keep your energy level consistent.

- Poor meal composition. A good mix of complex carbs, protein and fat ensures slower digestion with an even distribution of blood sugar levels and a constant supply of energy.

- Severe caloric restriction. Dropping below the calorie level that your body needs to maintain energy stores will result in fatigue. A good rule of thumb is to maintain 10 times your body weight in calories.

- Caffeine dependence. Caffeine works to inject adrenaline into your system to give you a boost, and works on neurotransmitters in the brain that act as pleasure centers. By consuming caffeine throughout the day, you keep your body in a state of emergency. Most experts recommend limiting caffeine consumption to two drinks a day. 

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Handyman vs. Licensed Contractor

 

First of all, a handyman is NOT a licensed contractor. They have to have a business license, but that does not mean they are licensed contractors. They have limitations on what service(s) they are able to provide and there are certain repairs and procedures that lawfully can only be accomplished (legally) by a licensed contractor.

Per Nevada Revised Statues (NRS) 624, the followings are some of the guidelines;

- Any work where the cost of materials and labor exceed $1,000 cannot be accomplished by a handyman.
- Any work that requires a permit cannot be accomplished by a Handyman.
- A Handyman cannot perform any work in areas where the repairs can only be accomplished by a licensed contractor. This specifically includes the following four (4) categories: 
 Plumbing 
 Electrical 
 HVAC 
 Fire protection

More information available on Nevada State Contractors Board ->  http://www.nvcontractorsboard.com/

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Abandoned pets in Las Vegas

 

When the Covid-19 Pandemic started and the governor ordered Stay-at-home in Las Vegas area, people reached out to the animal shelters and adopted/fostered animals. I saw empty cages and was happy to see some positive effects from chaos. Now due to high unemployment rate, unfortunately, we have started to find more abandoned pets in vacated properties. It’s important to know whom to call for help. The following resources can provide assistance. Also if you are in the stable household, please consider fostering an animal for a shelter or rescue group until a permanent home is located. 

For those who need assistance keeping their pet with them or who may need to surrender due to inability to keep their pet:

The Animal Foundation (shelter): 702-384-3333, https://animalfoundation.com/ 

Nevada SPCA (shelter): 702-873-7722,  https://nevadaspca.org/

Hearts Alive Village Rescue (food pantry, medical, link to other rescues and resources): 702-870-0065, https://www.heartsalivevillage.org/

For abandoned animals found in vacated properties:

**Please be sure to leave plenty of water for the animal and immediately call the appropriate agency below. . .

Clark County Animal Control:  (702) 455-7710

Las Vegas Animal Control: 702-229-6011

North Las Vegas Animal Control: (702) 633-1750

Henderson Animal Control: (702) 267-4970

If someone is needing to place a pet, they can call for help, if a pet is found abandoned, all you need to do is call Dillon or Dawn and they will respond quickly to secure the pet. Call or text is fine.

Hannah's Ranch - 501C3 number RCE-011-949

Dillon - 702-622-1802

Dawn - 702-600-9716

Please share! Thank you.

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Work From Home... or Beach! - Covid-19 Pandemic

 

I grew up in Japan near the beach so not being able to see the ocean within a short drive has been tough. 4-5 hour drive to California is not a good idea these days. Covid-19 pandemic caused many of us troubles, but some of you are lucky. You no longer have to commute to your office and can work from home... or ANYWHERE! Las Vegas housing cost is still less than most of West coast large cities. But if you prefer near beach, there is an option.

Barbados is a small island in the Caribbean with well-developed infrastructure and a stable political and economic system. It has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, not to mention the epic diving, shopping, delicious local cuisine, and all the fun and flavor of island life. But there's one more important, and brand-new, reason to love Barbados. You can now get a 12-month visa to work there remotely!

"Even as the pandemic continues to rage, the government of Barbados, a country in the eastern Caribbean, is sending a very different message: Come here, not just for a holiday, but for up to a year. Bring your laptop," said the Washington Post. Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley introduced the 12-month Barbados Welcome Stamp "to allow visitors the option to work remotely from Barbados for a year at a time," according to Barbados Government Information Service. The program is designed to attract remote workers earning more than $50,000 a year in an effort to boost the country's tourist-dependent economy.

The program has, unsurprisingly, sparked global interest. A tropical island is, after all, SLIGHTLY more inviting than your hastily-thrown-together home office, even to those who know little about Barbados.

Though the coronavirus has disrupted many aspects of our work lives, it may end up accelerating some trends--like working remotely. Gallup polling of Americans conducted this spring found that 62 percent said they had worked remotely at some point by April, an increase from 31 percent in mid-March.

That big spike might seem temporary, but according to that same poll, in 2015, 3.9 million U.S. workers were working remotely. Today that number is at 4.7 million, or 3.4% of the population. Remote work is trending up, and as more workers get accustomed to the flexibility, it may end up being a trend that sticks around.

Please check the latest Covid-19 Information from U.S.Embassy Here.

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Why Is Your FICO Score Important

 

Why Is Your FICO Score Important

Are you worried that your FICO score is not good enough to be qualified to buy a house? Your mortgage loan officer can guide you through it so don't give up until you find out! Even you are not right now, there is a plan to get you ready to bring your FICO scores up. FICO scores used to have little to do with mortgage lending. Underwriters made decisions based on payment history and income-to-debt ratios. But they began to look at the relationship between credit scores and mortgage delinquencies. People with low FICO scores defaulted on loans with far greater frequency than did their higher scoring peers.

Your FICO scores may be different between the three national credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union. In general, however, each agency uses the following issues to determine your score.

1. Delinquencies. A 30-day late payment is not as risky as a 90-day late payment. Still, it’s best to avoid either.

2. New credit. Creditors expect you to open accounts in order to establish credit, but you run the risk of reducing your score by opening several credit accounts in a short period of time. It suggests you are overextended and may not be able to meet new credit obligations.

3. Short credit history. A longer credit history is more impressive than a newly established one.

4. Balances on revolving accounts near maximum limits. A consumer close to “maxing out” cards may have trouble making payments in the future.

5. Public records (tax liens, judgments, bankruptcies). These all jeopardize a healthy FICO score.

6. Consumer credit agencies. Although they offer consumers lower interest rates and credit counseling, the use of credit counseling services negatively affects FICO scores.

7. No recent credit card balances. Having a very small balance without late payments can improve your FICO, showing that you manage credit responsibly.

8. Too few revolving accounts. If you fail to use credit, there is no way to evaluate your ability to manage it.

9. Too many revolving accounts. Multiple revolving accounts suggest a high risk of over-extension.

Credit scores can affect your interest rate. Some lenders establish lower interest for high FICO scores and higher interest for low scores. Some will not loan at all to people with low FICOs. And other lenders specialize in finding loans for the FICO-score challenged. If you have less than perfect credit, keep looking until you find a lender who will work with you.

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Las Vegas Real Estate Market Update

 

Las Vegas Real Estate Market Update

Click below link to get "LIVE" Update

Median Sales Price By Property Type - Las Vegas & Henderson

Due to low inventory, high demands, and all-time low interest rates, sales price continued to climb in August, 2020 except condominium.

Median Sales Price 

Single Family: $317,000 ($315,000 in July 2020)

Condominium: $153,000 ($154,000 in July 2020)

Townhouse: $229,995 ($225,500 in July 2020)

Closed sale in August 2020 decreased to 39,450 homes from 39,828 in July 2020.

Homes for sale continued to decrease as well in August 2020: 10,724. (11,168 in July 2020).

Eviction moratorium was supposed to be lifted on 9/1/2020, however, it was extended another 45 days.

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How To Get Your Home Ready To Sell

 

How To Get Your Home Ready To Sell

If you have looked for a house online, you probably have seen the photos of houses for sale with a lot of "stuff" and sometimes even agents or whoever took those photos in a mirror? That is a big no no. For me, no matter how much the home value is, I would always use a professional photographer and remove the clutter. If the house is not showed well, it could take longer to attract buyers and sell it. 

To Find Out Your Home Value Click Here!

If you are planning to sell your home, here is a list of things that you could do;

(Interior)

- Hire a cleaning service to thoroughly clean the interior.

- Shampoo carpets, scrub and wax linoleum or wood floors.

- Clean all appliances (especially refrigerator and oven).

- Paint the walls and ceilings off white or beige.

- Wash the windows inside and out

- Repair drippy faucets and shower-heads. Unclog slow drains.

- Replace old toilet seats and shower curtains.

(Exterior)

- Front/Back yard: Edge, mow and fertilize the lawn. Reseed sparse areas.

- Clean and align gutters and downspouts; clean the chimney.

- Power-wash the exterior.

- Remove oil stains from driveway and garage. Keep walks and driveway swept.

Inventory is still low and demand is high due to all-time low interest rates and people are relocating from cities (more expensive) to Las Vegas area. Sellers Are Getting Over Asking Price. If you are a home owner and thinking about selling, now is the time to sell your home for the highest price possible. Please let me know if you would like to discuss further. 808-779-7700 Email: YokoRealEstate@gmail.com.

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Free Covid-19 Test available in Las Vegas area

 

Free Covid-19 Test available in Las Vegas area

If you live in Las Vegas area, Southern Nevada and have a smart phone, you probably received the loud emergency alert on 9/8 (Tue) afternoon. I was at M Resort hotel (Las Vegas Raiders Official Team Headquarter Hotel). It was to let the residents know that there is a free COVID-19 testing from Aug. 31 - Sept. 18 as part of Clark County's  "Stop, Swab, and Go" program. 

Here is the statement sent to one of our local news station from Clark County:

"The Clark County Office of Emergency Management determined that under the existing Declaration of Emergency and the current health threat posed by COVID-19, it is important to make it widely known that this free, convenient, drive-thru testing is available. Through testing, we can identify who is positive and those persons can isolate themselves and slow the spread. Through testing, we can also conduct disease investigations and conduct contact tracing to alert those who may have been exposed. Through this Stop, Swab & Go effort, 60,000 tests are available through Sept. 18 and we encourage everyone to register at DoINeedaCOVID19test.com and get tested.

In addition to testing offered through Stop, Swab & Go at Sam Boyd Stadium, Texas Station and Fiesta Henderson, testing is also offered through the UMC site at Cashman and UNLV. A calendar of local testing sites is available at southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/covid-19-testing-sites. "

So I did go take the test this morning and it was very easy (self-testing) and no line to wait. When I took the test for the first time in June, 2020, it was very uncomfortable and I felt like I was drowning. I am glad to find out the testing technology has improved in the past few months. So don't be afraid! It is free! Go get tested! 

#VegasStrong #StopSwabandGo #ClarkCountyNV

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How to Quit Smoking

 

How to Quit Smoking

Have you tried to quit smoking and failed, but never tried creative visualization? Are you ready to quit smoking now?

Scientists believe creative visualization works in the same way repeated thinking about an actual memory does – by wearing what amounts to a groove in the long-term-memory storage part of your brain. Athletes use the technique to imagine themselves in a game making all the right moves, as if they’re practicing their sport. Smokers who want to quit can “practice” in the same way to become non-smokers.

Your desire to quit must be genuine and internal.  First, find a comfortable spot. Block out all interruptions. Relax by breathing deeply, slowly and steadily in through your nose and out through your mouth. Close your eyes and clear your mind.

Visualize all the elements of smoking that disgust, distress, inconvenience and alienate you. Think in detail and use all your senses. Write them all down.

During each half-hour visualization session, dwell on one aspect. Use all your senses. Imagine what you must smell like to other people. How your mouth tastes. Immerse yourself in the revolting images until you can’t stand it anymore. Stay with this series of visualizations until you are convinced that smoking is disgusting.

Next picture yourself in an enjoyable social situation, one where you would normally smoke. The crucial point of the visualization is you’re not smoking, but you’re still having a wonderful time. Chances are, the first few times you try this, cigarettes will sneak back into the picture because smokers smoke even in their daydreams.

Next, picture yourself at an event where smoking is not allowed. Imagine you’re not uncomfortable, you’re not distracted by thoughts of when you get to leave and have a smoke. Play out these visualizations for as long and with as many variations as you like, as long as it’s pleasant and doesn’t include you smoking.

If you have physical withdrawal symptoms, see your doctor about any of the excellent smoking-cessation drugs and aids available. Given enough time and practice, your mind can achieve great things for you.