ALL
October 21, 2011
Time flies, and it’s already time for Friday Figures! All information from the GLVAR MLS system. It’s what 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 we have great stuff for both buyers and sellers, so be sure to join us!
Summary: There wasn’t a big change in the number of available units, now at 13218. A year ago we had 15951, a drop of over 20%. The number of properties under contract remains strong, as do current sales. Normally the last week of the month is a very busy time for closing properties — partly because banks want to get it off the books before the end of the month. However, next week the County Recorder’s office and most title/escrow offices will be closed on Friday the 28th in observance of Nevada Day. Be patient with your escrow officers if you have a property under contract.
The News: This week we had data on existing home sales for September. While sales were down from August, they were up from a year ago. And remember, Vegas is on track for a record year of sales. Unfortunately, it looks like prices are also slightly down.
Another MERS lawsuit has been filed, this time in Ohio. However, MERS isn’t the only defendant: the suit names pretty much every big bank in the nation, alleging they “systematically broke chains of land title throughout Ohio counties’ public land records by creating gaps due to missing mortgage assignments they failed to record, or by recording patently false or misleading mortgage assignments.” It will be interesting to see what happens next, because banks are pushing for immunity from such suits as part of the foreclosure fraud settlement.
Some experts say real estate won’t recover until something is done about the so-called “shadow inventory.” Here’s one of the best and most sensible things I have read recently about shadow inventory. The short version? It’s not nearly as bad as some people want you to think.
There is some evidence that banks are approving more short sales — a critical step towards recovery in markets with a lot of “underwater” homes such as Vegas.
#112: I Hope We Pass the Audition
June 15, 2011
In our first episode to be syndicated on Las Vegas’ AM 1400, KSHP, this episode of the Living in Las Vegas Podcast features the great outdoors, man’s best friend, and proof that you can be a senior citizen and still rock. (And yes, I wore the same shirt four episodes ago. So what.) Show notes:
- Visit LASIK of Nevada (50% Off Premium LASIK + $200 more if you mention VVN)
- LiLV Stuff
- NEW TOLL-FREE Listener Line: 866.966.4599
- Sign up for Email Alerts (form found on right side of our website)
- Get your questions answered: OnAirQ@LivingInLV.com
- Weather (101) / LiLV Pool (84. . .YES!!!!!!)
- We’ve got some more new Friends!
- KSHP Syndication deal. Here’s the promo [mp3].
- Capital Grille and their lockers
- Red Rock National Conservation Area
- Listener Email: Dog parks
- Paul McCartney concert
#94: The Professional Musician (2003 vs 2011)
February 2, 2011
One of the things that enamored Scott to Las Vegas when he and Melissa first moved here was that a musician could make a living, and do so without having to work a side job.
Now. . .fast forward eight years — it’s certainly much harder for musicians than it used to be, but there is a guy who has a formula that works, and we’ll talk about him on this episode of the Living in Las Vegas Podcast. Show notes.
- Visit LASIK of Nevada (50% Off Premium LASIK + $200 more if you mention VVN)
- LiLV Stuff
- Listener Line: 206.312.0105
- Sign up for Email Alerts (form found on right side of our website)
- Get your questions answered: OnAirQ@LivingInLV.com
- Weather (wrapping up palm trees blows) / LiLV Pool (still a death trap)
- VEGAS VIDEO NETWORK News: The Amazing Johnathan will appear LIVE on Awkward Silence this Thursday at 6PM
- Listener Email: Horseback Riding
- Zowie Bowie: Hip Hop? Big Band? HUGE Crowds!
- Does Anybody Really Care about all this Twitter nonsense?
July 22, 2010
A lot of Vegas restaurant guides tend to favor locations on The Strip, but that’s not terribly convenient for those of us that chose to live further away. Count me among those that don’t really go down there all that often, but still want to enjoy great food! That being said, two of my favorite places for dinner just happen to be a few hundred feet from one another at the Red Rock Casino Resort.
Terra Rossa has a superb menu of well prepared Italian dishes. It’s not the cheap bowls of pasta you may have come to expect at many restaurants by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, all the pasta is homemade.
An antipasto plate will arrive at your table before you can even consider your menu options, and a bread basket will follow soon thereafter. The thin crust, wood-fire cooked pizzas make a nice appetizer, or a meal by themselves. Classic items ranging from deep fried calamari to chicken parmigiana are of course available and well prepared. A few of our favorite menu items are the prosciutto appetizer, gnocchi, and spaghetti al carbon.
There is a full bar with expert mixologists and an extensive wine list. The service is always just right, and a member of the team is sure to be nearby when you need something. [The outside dining is pretty cool as well. -Ed]
Hachi is a “Modern Japanese” restaurant with an ample selection of sushi. Why do the waiters have belt buckles shaped like the number 8? Because hachi is the Japanese word for eight!
To be honest, we tend to treat sushi restaurants as “small plate dining”, a sort of Japanese tapas. As a result, we’ve tried a lot of menu items over the three years they’ve been open, but we’ve never actually had any of their main courses. The menu sort of encourages this grazing by offering a section of 38 small dishes for $8 or less. If you like spicy food, don’t pass up the Crispy Spicy Shrimp, Kholester Roll, or the french bean tempura. For those with more traditional tastes, the crispy baby whitefish, sea bass cakes, and kumamoto oysters are excellent. A traditional assortment of sushi bar staples can be had as well, such as nigiri, miso soup, and edamame. And it’s worth saving room for dessert. (Don’t be surprised if the sake sommelier shows up at your table to talk about the sake menu, but there’s a full bar too.)
Reservations are recommended, but both restaurants can usually work you in fairly quickly if you show up without them.
77: LiLV Podcast — Bowling, Beautiful People, Brrrr, Bird Poop and Blues
April 11, 2010
While not for the faint of heart, sometimes, you just got to pick a letter of the alphabet and form an entire show around it. Lesser folks would shy away from such a bold move. . .but not your fearless hosts. In this edition of the Living in Las Vegas Podcast, we focus on the letter "B" — which is what "Melissa" means in Spanish (bee, that is)**. Show notes:
- PHOTOS! (Utah girl’s snow trip)
- Weather (Ahhh, that’s nice) / LiLV Pool (clear and slowly improving)
- LiLV Stuff
- Listener Line: 206.312.0105
- Sign up of Email Alerts (form found on right side of our website)
- LiLV
Spring 2010 Meet Up Latest News - New Friends of the LiLV Podcast (Mike, Jennifer, Greg)
- Bowling at Red Rock (Bowling #b1)
- XS Nightclub at Encore (Beautiful People #b2)
- Utah Ski Trip (Brrrrrrr #b3)
- Le Reve / Stratta (Bird Poop #b4)
- Listener Email: Elvis asks a question, Mark offers a drink
- Hot and Horrible: BB King’s Blues Club (Blues, #b5)
** Okay, we really didn’t start off trying to create a show about things starting with “B”. I was just looking for a theme. Don’t judge me.
Show #77 [72:37m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Streaming MP3: DownloadApril 7, 2010
Here in Las Vegas we are starting to enjoy the onset of Spring (besides the 100mph gusts of wind!). As Las Vegas residents, warmer temperatures and abundant sunshine motivate many of us to go outside and enjoy some of the outstanding outdoor actives we have at our disposal. One activity Sally and I enjoy is hiking, or just driving through the park. It is a great get-away from the neon and hustle & bustle of the Strip. It is breathtaking scenery that cannot be missed if you live here or happen to be passing through on a quick visit.
Unfortunately, the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area will be raising their fees on May 1st. Their $5 Day Pass will be increased to $7 and the Annual Pass which is currently $20 will be raised to $30. As far as we know, the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Overlook will still be free. So, for those of you avid hikers or walkers that frequent Red Rock, it may be beneficial to renew your passes now! You can find more information here www.nv.blm.gov/redrockcanyon.
Hope to see you on the trails.
March 16, 2010
With temperature in Las Vegas beginning to rise (thankfully), those who frequent Red Rock Resort & Casino will soon have another choice when it comes to cold beer!
Construction is underway to complete Yard House, a restaurant chain that boasts the World’s Largest Selection of Draft Beer.
(That’s a pretty bold claim if you ask me. However I do not posses the liver or youth anymore to know otherwise.)
There is already a Yard House located here in Las Vegas at Town Square.
Construction is well underway and is scheduled to open in June of 2010.
Prost!
70: One is Good, One is Bad: Las Vegas Hiking, Las Vegas Real Estate Agents
August 29, 2009
[Let’s set the mood. . .it’s a Saturday night. . .the studio lights have been dimmed. . .the red wine is ready and willing. . .what better time to record a Living in Las Vegas Podcast?]
Professionalism? Las Vegas Real Estate “Professionals” calling. We’re a little lost, here. Can you send somebody over?
Okay, this wasn’t meant to be the main topic. . .and it’s not. . .but, for the love of all things reasonable, get it together Las Vegas real estate folks! You’re making those of us who live here look bad!
On a positive note, after ranting about the nasty issues of real estate, this edition of the Living in Las Vegas Podcast talks about three places to hike, two of which I deemed “hiked” even though my definition of hiked and Melissa’s were not completely in line. Show notes:
- PHOTOS! (of the studio, post-show)
- Weather (heat advisory) / LiLV Pool (3 degrees from perfection)
- LiLV Stuff
- Listener Line: 206.312.0105
- Sign up of Email Alerts (form found on right side of our website)
- Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Business Education Series
- Thoughts on Las Vegas Podcasts
- Mojito Recipe?
- Summerlin Hospital RANT
- Summerlin vs. Aliante
- Real Estate Idiots
- Listener Email: Real Estate Idiots +2, Holiday Festivities
- Listener Audio: Where’s my strings, Mike?!?!
- Hiking in Las Vegas
- Red Rock
- Valley of Fire
- Mt. Charleston
69: Las Vegas Jazz + Las Vegas Comedy = Las Vegas Fun
July 19, 2009
How much do we love our Living in Las Vegas Podcast listeners? Soooo much that 50% of our team was playing hurt for today’s show!! And even though Melissa was a winged wingman, today’s Living in Las Vegas Podcast marches on with stories of Las Vegas Jazz, Las Vegas Comedy and proof that our listeners are some talented folks! Show notes:
- Weather (dry heat? So is an oven.) / LiLV Pool (86 is the new 84)
- LiLV Stuff
- Listener Line: 206.312.0105
- Sign up of Email Alerts (form found on right side of our website)
- Yardwork in the sun
- Melissa’s Birthday
- Computer meltdowns and the smell of burning electronics
- Toilet drama
- Listener Email: Free lunch care of the LiLV Podcast
- Listener Audio: You want talent? I’ll give you talent, baby!
- Las Vegas Jazz: Friday night at Red Rock Hotel and Casino
- Why were we the only white people?
- Scott danced with a lesbians
- and more. . .
- Las Vegas Comedy: LA Comedy Club
- We’re LACC groupies (it would appear)
- From off strip, to on strip, to off strip
- The Four Queens valet parking needs to get it together
- About the club
- and comedians
- Hot and Horrible:
Metro Pizza
March 13, 2009
We’re 30 hours away from the March 2009 Living in Las Vegas Podcast Listener Meetup. That’s the good news.
What’s the bad news?
Well, I’d say it has to do with the attendees. I don’t really know how many people will be joining us at the Red Rock Casino and Hotel tomorrow at 6PM, but from the few folks who’ve contacted me, it could be a rough crowd.
For example:
- A Germany from Hong Kong: Huh? Is that even possible? Are there no direct flights from Berlin?
- A Couple of Foreigners: Have you ever been to Michigan? It’s too damn cold there. How can somebody with any sense live there? What could possibly be on their minds?
- Two Podcast Hosts: Okay. . .these two folks are pretty nice. Buy them a drink. They’re thirsty.
- A Birthday-Boy Web Stud: Into HTML? Dig CSS? Then a good time will be had by
allyou. - A Real-Life Ph.D. And believe me when I say Ph.D doesn’t stand for what you think it does. Oh sure, it’s “official”. But I’m pretty sure it should stands for Pretty hard. Drinker.
Frightening, right? Who knows what kind of craziness will ensue. So, if you want my advice, I’d say. . .join us. Not so much because it’ll be a good time. I just need a witness in the event things get a little out of hand.
