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#132: What? Doesn’t Every Podcast Have a Sommelier?

November 23, 2011

After another great pep talk from Melissa, the Whitney’s begin today’s Living in Las Vegas Podcast with our first non-human adoption and an additional touch of class, thanks to Wayne the Sommelier (keep the tip, W). Scott follows with his journey to the Playboy Comedy Club, Ellis Island, and Bootlegger’s Bistro Jazz Open Mic Cabaret without the accompaniment of Melissa. We conclude with the reason Scott dared to travel alone — Melissa’s trip to New Orleans. Show notes:

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November 22, 2011

It’s time for Friday Figures! All information from the GLVAR MLS system. Here’s the real deal, information you and your REALTOR need to know before touring, making an offer, or preparing a listing in the Las Vegas Valley this weekend. Join me as I talk about the figures live on Getting REAL (Estate) in Vegas on the Vegas Video Network today and every Friday at 2:00 PM! Be sure to join us!

Summary: The number of available properties dropped again, this time to 12645. That’s a change from 16474 last year. There were major declines in the number of distressed properties for sale over the last year, and a more modest change in the number of non-distressed listings. While there’s not much seasonality for foreclosures, “smart money” short sellers and traditional sellers have their homes on the market now, through the holidays. They know that only serious buyers are out before year end! There is a small divergence in median prices of available vs. contingent/pending single family homes, probably due to bargain hunters.

The News: You read that item I posted earlier about 2 people being indicted on 606 counts of mortgage fraud right here in Nevada, right? I can’t believe that’s not all over the Review-Journal’s online edition!

The HARP changes announced a few weeks ago now have guidelines to go with them. Underwater and need to refinance? This might help you. Speaking of refinancing, Freddie Mac has made the startling discovery that most people who are refinancing — at record low interest rates, I might add — are choosing fixed rate mortgages! I guess they are surprised that people are using common sense.

Remember that just 6 weeks ago, new lower FHA limits came out? Now Congress has passed a bill allowing those limits to be raised again. There’s no word yet on whether there will really be any change here in Clark County. I stand by what I said on air: we have a lot of houses available for less than $287,500, and if you can really afford a $300,000 home you can surely afford to put down more than 3.5%.

And just one more local item: 10 of the strangest shops in Vegas. Ready for Christmas shopping season yet?

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#131: Muskrat Love: Nothing Happened - It Was Just Horseplay

November 15, 2011

On this episode of the Living in Las Vegas Podcast, Scott and Melissa rub elbows with Vegas’ top chefs and food critics in celebration of the Eating Las Vegas 2012 book launch. Then, we sign up for another show (Bella Fleck) at The Smith Center. We wrap things up with a visit to Fresh 52 Farmers Market. Show notes:

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#130: Scott Screams Like a Little Girl at Adventuredome

November 8, 2011

On this episode of the Living in Las Vegas Podcast Scott begins with an example of the typical Vegas driver, which leads to pointers on what to do if you get a ticket. Then, we get energized with a talk about recreational sports in the city followed by the most embarrassing roller coaster ride at the Adventuredome. Show notes:

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November 5, 2011

Thanks for reading Friday Figures! All information from the GLVAR MLS system. Here’s the actual no-spin data you and your REALTOR need to know before touring, making an offer, or preparing a listing in the Las Vegas Valley this weekend. Join me as I talk about the figures live on Getting REAL (Estate) in Vegas on the Vegas Video Network today and every Friday at 2:00 PM! Today by viewer request we’ll be talking about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Be sure to join us!

Summary: The number of available units did drop again to 13017, changed from 13433 a month ago. I’m pleased that the number of properties available for less than $100,000 is continuing to drop. The number of properties under contract has dropped under 13,000. Normally I would say this is a good sign, but the number of contingent and pending short sales is actually up slightly from last month. Part of this is simply that we have 7% fewer available short sales than we had at the beginning of October.

The News: Freddie Mac sold over 25,000 foreclosed properties last quarter, but they foreclosed on over 24,000 new ones. Experts say it will take poor Freddie a decade to work through the inventory at the current rate.

Earlier this week I told you about the possibility of getting an independent review of your foreclosure if you were foreclosed on in 2009 or 2010. It turns out I’m not the only one who is a bit critical of the proposal. I’m also not the only person who is very critical about the rumors concerning what’s in the latest version of the foreclosure fraud settlement: the banks get a slap on the wrist and we all pay the price. Let your Congressmen know what you think: Senate, House. Just a month ago, we were talking about how the settlement might be dead.

Mortgage rates did fall again this week to a nice even 4.00% average. I’m sure that has something to do with why housing shows “more evidence of a bottom” — and that’s from someone who has been pretty bearish on housing over the years!

And one bit of local real estate news. Apartment complexes are experiencing high occupancy rates, but average rent is down this quarter to $752 per month. Analysts expect that continued high occupancy will result in higher rents. However, it’s worth remembering that thanks to investors getting incredible deals, renters now have much greater choice in rental housing.

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#129: New Studio and the Adoption Went Through

November 2, 2011

The Living in Las Vegas Podcast continues with another rounds of firsts. We begin by showing off our new studio digs, then we have our first adoption (Hi, Kendall.) Afterward, Scott rebels against the revised Haunted Mansion at the Happiest Place on Earth, then we wrap up with some wild photos of Halloween costumes on Fremont St. Show notes:

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