I’ve heard LV home prices are really down. Could someone who is familiar with LV tell me where to look? I mean what cities nearbly. I’m looking for a nice 3 BR/2B SFR with at least decent granite counter tops - 

You moving, Westpark?

WestparkRenter - 03 December 2008 04:27 PM

I’ve heard LV home prices are really down. Could someone who is familiar with LV tell me where to look? I mean what cities nearbly. I’m looking for a nice 3 BR/2B SFR with at least decent granite counter tops - 

I think trojanman was looking for an investment partner there.  PM him.

SoCal78 - 03 December 2008 04:49 PM

You moving, Westpark?

No moving, just a vacation home. I’m collecting cheap vacation homes.

IrvineRealtor - 03 December 2008 04:50 PM

WestparkRenter - 03 December 2008 04:27 PM

I’ve heard LV home prices are really down. Could someone who is familiar with LV tell me where to look? I mean what cities nearbly. I’m looking for a nice 3 BR/2B SFR with at least decent granite counter tops - 

I think trojanman was looking for an investment partner there.  PM him.

I don’t want to partner with anybody.

WestparkRenter - 03 December 2008 04:55 PM

IrvineRealtor - 03 December 2008 04:50 PM

WestparkRenter - 03 December 2008 04:27 PM

I’ve heard LV home prices are really down. Could someone who is familiar with LV tell me where to look? I mean what cities nearbly. I’m looking for a nice 3 BR/2B SFR with at least decent granite counter tops - 

I think trojanman was looking for an investment partner there.  PM him.

I don’t want to partner with anybody.

I was thinking the same thing.
A little different criteria though.
Maybe one of those condos affiliated with the Palms Hotel.
Where you get to use and have access to all the amenities of the hotel like the pool etc.
I play and stay at the Hotel at MB, don’t know if they offer something like that?

WestparkRenter - 03 December 2008 04:27 PM

I’ve heard LV home prices are really down. Could someone who is familiar with LV tell me where to look? I mean what cities nearbly. I’m looking for a nice 3 BR/2B SFR with at least decent granite counter tops - 

The two areas I like the most are Summerlin up by the Red Rock Hotel and Henderson/Green Valley area. Also up near Lake Las Vegas there are some homes around 1-5 million.

City Center—you’ve still got a number of condo options to choose from.

I would agree that the area near the Red Rock Hotel is nice, you’ll definitely get the granite countertops.

this is totally just my opinion, but i never understood why people would want to own a vacation home in vegas.  what makes vegas, well… VEGAS, are the resorts.  even in the busiest of times, room rates in vegas for the class of hotels offered is almost unheard of in any other major tourist destination in the WORLD! 

at lake LV, there’s a fabulous ritz carlton which has unbelievable rates.  i stayed there once on a whim.  it’s a 15 minute drive from the strip but it’s clearly a diff type of vacation from a typical vegas trip.  cant really complain about a 5-star ritz carlton for 200 bucks/night.  for ex, next weekend you can get a regular room there for $159/night or an executive suite for $229.

even making several trips to vegas a yr, i can’t imagine i’d ever spend enough in 4 or 5 star accomodations to justify the cost of owning.  now owning something up in mammoth or whistler, that’s my dream

I was also thinking of purchasing in LV for a 2nd home/investment for tax reasons.  Does anyone one have any information on the requirements for declaring Nevada as your filing state.  The tax savings alone would make the investment worthwhile. 

The extra 8-9% I’m paying in CA state tax is especially obscene considering that the money is wasted on paying for $85k/year salaries for correctional officers.

A nice middle-ground between the above suggestion and Westpark’s idea might be investing in a time-share. Some will come with daily housekeeping so that would make it feel more pampered like being in a hotel. I don’t know, just a thought.

isnt it based on where your income is sourced?  i don’t know myself but i know a few families who moved to florida on paper, but most are retired and independently wealthy.  that’s why so many celebrities have homes in non-income tax states, and people of that kind of wealth never stay put in one place for very long yr-round anyway.

p.s. i dont mind paying correctional officers a good salary.  would any of us take that job for less?

skek - 03 December 2008 06:36 PM

City Center—you’ve still got a number of condo options to choose from.

Those places look sweet.
That’s what I’m looking for but with Palms, Caesars, MB or other affiliation.
I’ve never been to or heard of the Aria Hotel and Casino.
Don’t get me wrong, place looks nice.

Looks like Aria maybe affiliated with those Hotels, is that right?

SoCal78 - 04 December 2008 09:31 AM

A nice middle-ground between the above suggestion and Westpark’s idea might be investing in a time-share. Some will come with daily housekeeping so that would make it feel more pampered like being in a hotel. I don’t know, just a thought.

I looked at buying a timeshare in Maui but back out. I think buying a condo/house you can stay as long as you like, while for timeshare we only have one/two weeks max. I have not been buying timeshare because of the same reason acpme stated. The difference between owning vs renting a hotel is that you can leave your personal belongings there, ie travel without having to pack too much.

WestparkRenter - 04 December 2008 10:12 AM

SoCal78 - 04 December 2008 09:31 AM

A nice middle-ground between the above suggestion and Westpark’s idea might be investing in a time-share. Some will come with daily housekeeping so that would make it feel more pampered like being in a hotel. I don’t know, just a thought.

I looked at buying a timeshare in Maui but back out. I think buying a condo/house you can stay as long as you like, while for timeshare we only have one/two weeks max. I have not been buying timeshare because of the same reason acpme stated. The difference between owning vs renting a hotel is that you can leave your personal belongings there, ie travel without having to pack too much.

Maui would be sweet.
I’d love to buy a vacation condo in Kapalua.
Wonder if prices are coming down.

tenmagnet - 04 December 2008 10:16 AM

WestparkRenter - 04 December 2008 10:12 AM

SoCal78 - 04 December 2008 09:31 AM

A nice middle-ground between the above suggestion and Westpark’s idea might be investing in a time-share. Some will come with daily housekeeping so that would make it feel more pampered like being in a hotel. I don’t know, just a thought.

I looked at buying a timeshare in Maui but back out. I think buying a condo/house you can stay as long as you like, while for timeshare we only have one/two weeks max. I have not been buying timeshare because of the same reason acpme stated. The difference between owning vs renting a hotel is that you can leave your personal belongings there, ie travel without having to pack too much.

Maui would be sweet.
I’d love to buy a vacation condo in Kapalua.
Wonder if prices are coming down.

They will, ten.  The condo flippers bought 90% of the recent units and are desperately trying to get out now.  Volume has slowed to a crawl.  When prices return to sanity, here’s the building I’ve got my eye on.  Right after the condo on South Beach, that is…

tenmagnet - 04 December 2008 10:07 AM

skek - 03 December 2008 06:36 PM

City Center—you’ve still got a number of condo options to choose from.

Those places look sweet.
That’s what I’m looking for but with Palms, Caesars, MB or other affiliation.
I’ve never been to or heard of the Aria Hotel and Casino.
Don’t get me wrong, place looks nice.

Looks like Aria maybe affiliated with those Hotels, is that right?

The entire project is a joint venture between MGM Mirage and Dubai World, so they are all affiliated and well funded.  (Apparently, the development next door is bust-o.)  They are all new concepts/brands, including Aria, except for the Mandarin and Harmon residences.

skek - 04 December 2008 10:29 AM

tenmagnet - 04 December 2008 10:16 AM

WestparkRenter - 04 December 2008 10:12 AM

SoCal78 - 04 December 2008 09:31 AM

A nice middle-ground between the above suggestion and Westpark’s idea might be investing in a time-share. Some will come with daily housekeeping so that would make it feel more pampered like being in a hotel. I don’t know, just a thought.

I looked at buying a timeshare in Maui but back out. I think buying a condo/house you can stay as long as you like, while for timeshare we only have one/two weeks max. I have not been buying timeshare because of the same reason acpme stated. The difference between owning vs renting a hotel is that you can leave your personal belongings there, ie travel without having to pack too much.

Maui would be sweet.
I’d love to buy a vacation condo in Kapalua.
Wonder if prices are coming down.

They will, ten.  The condo flippers bought 90% of the recent units and are desperately trying to get out now.  Volume has slowed to a crawl.  When prices return to sanity, here’s the building I’ve got my eye on.  Right after the condo on South Beach, that is…

Wow, those are nice.
I like your style.
Vacation homes in Vegas and Maui. 
That’s a lot of pressure.
I’ll need to marry rich so I can trade up and make it to Pelican Hill.

tenmagnet - 04 December 2008 10:07 AM

The entire project is a joint venture between MGM Mirage and Dubai World, so they are all affiliated and well funded.

MGM Mirage stock has had a tough year.

I’m not sure the market is as confident in their funding as some might be.

skek - 04 December 2008 10:31 AM

tenmagnet - 04 December 2008 10:07 AM

skek - 03 December 2008 06:36 PM

City Center—you’ve still got a number of condo options to choose from.

Those places look sweet.
That’s what I’m looking for but with Palms, Caesars, MB or other affiliation.
I’ve never been to or heard of the Aria Hotel and Casino.
Don’t get me wrong, place looks nice.

Looks like Aria maybe affiliated with those Hotels, is that right?

The entire project is a joint venture between MGM Mirage and Dubai World, so they are all affiliated and well funded.  (Apparently, the development next door is bust-o.)  They are all new concepts/brands, including Aria, except for the Mandarin and Harmon residences.

Solid post, you know your stuff.
Are you thinking Vdara and Veer Towers over the Harmon and Mandarin?
The floorplans seem small but I guess they’re designed like a hotel.
Any idea what a Jr. Suite or Suite is running?

WestparkRenter - 03 December 2008 04:27 PM

I’ve heard LV home prices are really down. Could someone who is familiar with LV tell me where to look? I mean what cities nearbly. I’m looking for a nice 3 BR/2B SFR with at least decent granite counter tops - 

You should be looking at 2 areas…Summerlin (a lot like Irvine) and Anthem.  Summerlin’s best zip codes are 89144, 89135, and 89138.  The nicest area in Summerlin would be in Red Rock Community and the Ridges, but expect to pay big $$$ (gated golf course communities).  Homes in Summerlin are going for about $125/sf +/-.  I lived in Vegas for 2+ years and my dad and I bought a home out in Summerlin back in 2002 where he lives to this day.  I have my RE license in Nevada so let me know if you want any other information.

skek - 03 December 2008 06:36 PM

City Center—you’ve still got a number of condo options to choose from.

Way over priced.

tenmagnet - 03 December 2008 06:14 PM

WestparkRenter - 03 December 2008 04:55 PM

IrvineRealtor - 03 December 2008 04:50 PM

WestparkRenter - 03 December 2008 04:27 PM

I’ve heard LV home prices are really down. Could someone who is familiar with LV tell me where to look? I mean what cities nearbly. I’m looking for a nice 3 BR/2B SFR with at least decent granite counter tops - 

I think trojanman was looking for an investment partner there.  PM him.

I don’t want to partner with anybody.

I was thinking the same thing.
A little different criteria though.
Maybe one of those condos affiliated with the Palms Hotel.
Where you get to use and have access to all the amenities of the hotel like the pool etc.
I play and stay at the Hotel at MB, don’t know if they offer something like that?

You want to buy a condotel?  Palms Place is a condotel.  If you are interested in a true condo, take a look at the Panarama (sp?), Sky, or Turnberry condos.

i know this thread is starting to get derailed and i’m about to contribute to it, but…

i use the starwood preferred guest amex card.  the benefits are the best i’ve found for those who like traveling.  as a gold member you get perks like automatic room upgrades, late checkout, priority seating at hotel restaurants, with no blackout dates.  next month we have to go to sf and i couldnt find major hotel chain with a room downtown for under $450/night.  i tried a lowball bid on priceline of $200 and was rejected.  priceline suggested i try at least $400/night.  i just used 10,000 points to book at the westin in union sq.  a hefty chunk of points (assuming on avg each point cost $1 of spending) but at a value of $400, the points are equivalent to 4% cash back.  and in other locations the points go a lot further.  we spent a wk on the big island this yr with a mix of cash and points—$60/night+4000 points.  in that case the points saved me $240 (room rate was $300) for $4000 of spending, or equivalent to 6% cash back.

i run as many expenses and billpays as i can through the card, and we’re very good about not getting sucked into the “buy to get the points” mentality.  in total our normal cc usage basically like having a free timeshare every yr.  i rarely pay for hotels out of pocket because there’s a starwood property almost everywhere i go, and in the off occassion i dont use my points, i just book the cheapest room avail and get an upgrade anyway.  it’s a great card.  </end sales pitch>

If anyone wants to take a look at some listings in Las Vegas, I have a Nevada RE license so just PM me with your criteria and e-mail address.  As long as you don’t have a owned property within 100 miles of a property you want to buy, you can claim it as your secondary residence and get essentially primary mortgage pricing on the purchase.