Residential Real Estate -- Is "now" the time?
10:04 AM April 7, 2009
Lake Las Vegas, Nevada
9:45 a.m.
It seems to happen to me every single time I go to Las Vegas. My voice holds up; until it doesn't. Not too significant a problem, unless you happen to be in my specific line of work, and you are trying to communicate some interesting stories, but don't quite have the pipes to do it.
I will show you this story on television later in the week; but the overall question is this; with the dramatic decline of real estate prices in some areas; for those few who are currently able; is now the time to jump in.
On Monday I toured some brand new model "view" homes in the Lake Las Vegas area. Beautiful, spacious, perfect homes for entertaining, relaxing and more. Two years ago you could have picked up one of these places for more than two million dollars. Now, one of the homes is listed for around $900,000; and I got the sense, if you had a checkbook and the money and/or credit behind it; you could probably steal one of these houses for that amount or less.
Showing me the houses were local real estate professionals and of course from their point of view; now is the exact right time. The lowest interest rates ever, tax credits for any home purchase and an extra credit for new home purchases. Nevada has no state income tax; the supposed list of advantages goes on and on.
I am almost sold, but tempered by the fact that virtually every single radio and television ad here in Vegas is for debt counseling of some sort. "If you are having trouble with your payments for your house, for your car, for your payday loans...call us."
Payday loans. I am a failed college econ major, but I know that if you need help to renegotiate your payday loans; you are in some serious trouble.
In our current economy situation, I am convinced that some people will come out of this whole mess even richer than before. Will the richer ones be the ones who are bold enough to dive in when everyone else is timid? Clearly it is better to be a saver than a spender; but what to do when some things seem to be so incredibly cheap.
Do you know anyone who is actually buying real estate right now?
Posted by Sam Rubin | Permalink | Comments (41) | TrackBack (0)
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A "steal" for $900,000 in the middle of desert wasteland? Not too mention the suicide capital of the USA? Where's the beach or mountains? Better yet...where's the water...
lol..suckers.
Posted by: Jim in Connecticut | 05/04/2009 at 03:44 PM
FORREST: "Where is Jerry Springer when you need him?"
Retired, I hope.
Posted by: jozielee | 04/29/2009 at 10:34 PM
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH AMRICAN IDOL AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH>
Where is Jerry Springer when you need him??? lol
Posted by: Forrest | 04/29/2009 at 10:48 AM
Susan Boyle, the Britain's Got Talent soprano, shocked the world with her rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream." Thus far her video has reached at least 100million hits. If you haven't seen it yet . . . enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
Posted by: jozielee | 04/27/2009 at 07:35 AM
Lil Anoop - wouldn't that be a great show biz name - went home.
Now there are 5 left. Allison is the only girl in the pack, and this week she was in the bottom 3. Could turn into another all guys year.
*Adam Lambert
*Allison Iraheta
*Danny Gokey
*Kris Allen
*Matt Giraud
Posted by: jozielee | 04/23/2009 at 04:54 PM
SPOILERS
Early review of American Idol's Disco Night (4/21) found at CNN's Marquee Blogs by Lisa Respers France. http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/category/american-idol-2009/
*Anoop Desai ... “Dim All The Lights”
*Matt Giraud ... “Staying Alive”
*Adam Lambert ... "If I Can't Have You"
*Allison Iraheta ... "Hot Stuff"
*Danny Gokey ... "September"
*Kris Allen ... "She Works Hard For Her Money"
*Lil Rounds ... "Every Woman"
Enjoy the show!
Posted by: jozielee | 04/21/2009 at 06:50 PM
American Idol tonight. Disco theme - shades of Donna Summer, Rose Royce, KC & Sunshine Band, Bee Gees. Should be a stellar night for Lil Rounds if she uses her R&B/Gospel talents.
Can't wait to see what song's are selected, especially by Adam Lambert.
Posted by: jozielee | 04/21/2009 at 04:14 PM
American Idol. I am too through. No. I'm not going to stop watching. But I'm just saying . . . when I tune in to see who's going to be booted off, don't come back at me with a "save." Thank goodness TiVo "saved" me from wasting 50 minutes of my life!
Simon is so right. Keep Matt this week, but he's going home next week along with another contestant. What's the point of one more week of competition when all roads inevitably lead home? As Simon said to Matt, let's be real, "You can't win this competition. Next week is disco week." I guess that means Matt can't sing disco.
On the other hand, disco should give R&B Lil an edge. This week Simon declared Allison's the only hope for the girls. Let's see if Lil picks up the gauntlet and proves Simon wrong. Hey hey.
Posted by: jozielee | 04/16/2009 at 06:23 AM
Paul:
Bless his little heart, Steve-O tried. Wishing him the best.
Posted by: jozielee | 04/15/2009 at 08:59 PM
Jozie wrote:
"DWTS Results show. SteveO was eliminated."
Not a surprise there. Nice to see he's cleaned up his act.
Posted by: Paul | 04/15/2009 at 01:24 PM
Paul:
DWTS Results show. SteveO was eliminated.
Posted by: jozielee | 04/15/2009 at 01:14 AM
Admittedly, I just began watching this season's American Idol so I'm still getting to know the remaining 7 singers. (Tomorrow one goes home so 24hours from now there will only be 6).
All remaining contestants are extremely talented. I totally enjoyed their performances.
Tonight's theme - songs from movies. Quentin Tarentino, who's well known for the music in his movies, critiqued the kids. He listened to their songs and offered feedback.
What surprised me was the type of songs they chose - romantic ballads. Adam and Allison, the rockers, selected brassy upbeat numbers like "Born to be Wild." The rest selected "The Rose," "Against All Odds," and a song from the obscure movie, "Once."
Simon tried to explain to Lil why "The Rose" was a poor choice. He was shouted down by the audience. She's got soul and gospel down cold. And she's powerful. She could have chosen something upbeat like a song from SISTER ACT, or THE COLOR PURPLE, or LILIES OF THE FIELD. Maybe she played it too safe.
Hard to say who's going home tomorrow night. The choice will be difficult and it won't be swift. So to save my gangled nerves, on elimination night, I TiVo. Speed to the end. Can't imagine the torcher those kids endure. Ah, youth . . .
Posted by: jozielee | 04/15/2009 at 01:07 AM
Paul:
You're looking for upbeat news. Hold onto your hat and feast your ears on this delicacy.
BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk
Posted by: jozielee | 04/14/2009 at 09:24 PM
Being a spender is not a bad thing done in moderation. Finding things that are really cheap gives you the old saying, "If it looks too good to be true...". However, if you are serious about making a real estate purchase, I always recommend buying in our own state of Ca, and you must do some serious research to find out why things are so "cheap". Will you be going in with your eyes open, or just seeing the bottom line and not whether you are purchasing a swamp. I work on educating buyers and give them a rebate to help them after close of escrow, this way I know they are getting an extra benefit from the purchase.
Posted by: Sue Cobb | 04/14/2009 at 07:31 PM
Actress and icon of 60’s swinging London, Julie Christie was born on April 14, 1941
Posted by: Jared | 04/14/2009 at 06:19 PM
Paul:
You asked about Kim on DWTS. Here are my thoughts about Kim and Derrick: They were fun, and presented a complete showcase of their talents.
I believe they've changed the format of the taped intros. Kim and Derrick established characters and stayed with their theme throughout the week. Len thought it was too much, but the audience loved it.
The pre-taped intro footage showed Kim and Derrick dressed in 50's costumes cruising a vintage convertible to a drive-in diner where they danced with the rollerskating waitresses/waiters. Haute couture retro video. Well done.
Competition night, Lil Kim was belle of the ball. They Jived to Jailhouse Rock (tongue in cheek). Kim, the sexy guard, pursuing the elusive Elvis-ala-mode Derrick.
Derrick and Kim are well matched. He's innovative enough to keep stretching her to new heights. Kim dropped a hint they'll be working together on other videos after DWTS season ends. They epitomize what DWTS is all about, making connections, working with artists that may never have gotten together creatively.
Last night's routine was no joke, tho. Kim surefootedly complimented Derrick lead. Unfortunately Len thought the routine was overly theatrical. Not enough Jive. But everyone else loved it - a real crowd pleaser.
Kim's breathing down the neck of Gilles and Melissa, but I somehow get the feeling she's going to come in 2nd or 3rd like Scary Spice did in a past season. Kim is so fun-loving the judges may not take her seriously enough.
Gilles (Jive) tended to keep his arms too close to his body because he's still smarting from a shoulder dislocation.
And Melissa (Rhumba) has great balletic lines, but won't go raw and dirty with Tony. He's more like her father. She still isn't ready to unleash her sensual side. She may be holding back for the finale cause she's got it in her to let go as witnessed in her very public breakup with Jason, the Bachelor.
We're definitely starting to see the separation of wheat from the chaff.
Who'll go home tonight? Probably Steve-O. His rather stiff Rhumba didn't go over too well with the judges, but the audience loves him with Lacey, his partner. Could be Lawrence Taylor, who was in the bottom 2 last week. Or it could be Troy, the cowboy. Some of the fans are a bit angry that he "abuses" animals for a living. Ain't easy to be a cowboy in Hollywood. LOL
Posted by: jozielee | 04/14/2009 at 02:33 PM
Competition night on Dancing With The Stars later today. Wonder what that yummy Gilles and Cheryl Burke are going to do to maintain their lead? Can't wait.
Posted by: jozielee | 04/13/2009 at 02:21 PM
Happy Birthday Herbie Hancock 4-12-1940
Posted by: Jared | 04/12/2009 at 06:10 PM
You're right, Paul, winning AI should solely be about talent, but sometimes it isn't. Like the year Taylor Hicks won. (I'm not picking on him. He's just a good example for this topic.)
Season 5, Taylor kept moving forward. Inconceivable. He was ok, but he couldn't outsing a few of the other contestants. But his fan base was huge and persistent. Ultimately he and Katharine McPhee were the final 2. She's gorgeous, sexy, charismatic. Sings like an angel.
Taylor was sort of Andy Griffth.
He won. WHAT! Unbelievable. His fan base kept him alive. Reputedly, AI considered changing their voting process because there were so many complaints, but that could be conjecture.
I stopped watching. Don't go to concerts anymore. Don't vote. Time for me to move on. Now I watch Dancing With The Stars and America's Best Dance Crew.
TAYLOR HICKS WINS AI
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12956943/
Posted by: jozielee | 04/11/2009 at 08:04 PM
Jozie wrote:
"Regarding Irish and Australian heritage. I think Dan was referring to fan votes that eliminated Karly and Michael, not judges' votes. The judges decide who goes to Hollywood. After that the fan votes take over."
The same should apply to judges as well as fans, talent is talent no matter where it comes from. And they should allow older contestants. That's why I like America's Got Talent over AI.
Posted by: Paul | 04/11/2009 at 03:49 PM
Paul:
"Ole Blue Eyes" became an idol in his youth. His fans followed him through the years.
You have a point tho, Taylor Hicks was an older contestant. He won because of his gray-haired fans.
AI definitely has a wide spread of fans. I attended a few of their concerts. People of all ages and backgrounds showed up. And those tickets weren't cheap.
Regarding Irish and Australian heritage. I think Dan was referring to fan votes that eliminated Karly and Michael, not judges' votes. The judges decide who goes to Hollywood. After that the fan votes take over.
Posted by: jozielee | 04/11/2009 at 09:43 AM
Dan wrote:
"I think the reason that Karli Smithson and Michael Johns didn't go further and to the end is that while they were both very talented, I don't think America was ready to crown a girl from Ireland and a guy from Australia as their AMERICAN Idol! I really feel that may have had something to do with it."
Considersring the show is produced by a Brit, the backgrounds should have nothing to do about if they should be the AI or not. Talent is talent no matter where you or your parents or grandparents come from. I don't watch the show myself, don't care for it since they don't allow older contestents on. And please don't come back with "a older person can't be a idol". Old Blue Eyes was till he died.
Posted by: Paul | 04/11/2009 at 07:47 AM
Psssst, Dan. I think we can post anything we want on Sam's blog. No one seems to mind. Better the space be used then lay fallow.
GREAT point about the Australian and Irish backgrounds. Hadn't occurred that might affect voting. At least Karly and Michael got far enough for major exposure. And a lot of non-winners develop fantastic careers. I just rented the movie Rachel Getting Married. Tamyra Gray (AI1) played a wedding singer. (BTW, RGM movie was a major downer.)
Checked Karly's current musical status earlier today. Other than she'd sung a duet with Michael Johns in this season's AI she doesn't appear to be very busy. That's strange. She's got a fantastic voice. Maybe, after losing AI a second time she gave up and went back to singing in a bar in San Diego?
Posted by: jozielee | 04/10/2009 at 11:25 PM
Jozielee,
I think the reason that Karli Smithson and Michael Johns didn't go further and to the end is that while they were both very talented, I don't think America was ready to crown a girl from Ireland and a guy from Australia as their AMERICAN Idol! I really feel that may have had something to do with it.
Both Davids were very talented too.
Again, I'm so glad that you've posted some entertainment comments on this particular blog!!!!!
Posted by: Dan | 04/10/2009 at 07:26 PM
PAUL: "You mean like Bill in San Diego did?"
He can always change his name and come back. :o)
Posted by: jozielee | 04/10/2009 at 02:39 PM