Thanksgiving Travel

Thanksgiving is a very busy travel time of year and.....

the last thing you want if these holidays is to worry about someone burglarizing your home. I have a check list to add some sense of security and calm while you’re out of town. 1. Ask a trusted friend - to pick up mail, newspaper and keep yard picked up to avoid an appearance of being empty. 2. Consider discontinuing your mail (USPS Hold Mail Service) 3. Don’t post about your trip on Facebook, twitter and other social media until you return – some burglars actually look for this type of announcement to schedule their activities. 4. Do notify your neighborhood watch – especially if you’re going to be gone for more than just a few days. Let your monitoring service know when you’ll be gone and if someone will be checking on your home for you. 5. Light timers make it look like someone is home – use several sets for different times to better simulate someone being at home. 6. Do unplug certain appliances – TV, computers, toaster ovens that use electricity even when they’re off and to protect them from power surges. 7. Don’t hide a key – burglars know exactly where to look for your key and it only takes them a moment to check under the mat, above the door, in the flower pot or in a fake rock. 8. Consider shutting off the water to your home to avoid a possible unattended leak. These simple suggestions will add a level of serenity to your trip. Kim Duclos 702-521-3939   www.callkim.net

 

HAVE YOU BEEN CONFUSED WITH ALL OF THE ANRONYMS USED in TODAY'S WORLD?

...especially in our world of texting and computers

 lol, byw...it can be overwhelming. 

To help when it comes to real estate I have listed a few

of the most common when going through the loan process.

As always, please call with your real estate questions!

702.521.3939

Kim Duclos Realtor® CRS GRI ABR
Elite Realty
8625 S. Eastern Ave.
Las Vegas, NV  89123

(702) 521-3939 cell / duclos24@aol.com   Follow, Friend or Link me: Search Kim Duclos

Recently released data from Fannie Mae’s National Housing Survey revealed that rising home prices were the catalyst behind an eight-point jump in the net percentage of respondents who say now is a good time to sell. The index is now 21 points higher than it was this time last year.
Overall, 62% of Americans surveyed said that now is a good time to sell (up from 58%), while

26% of respondents said that now is not a good time to sell (down from 30%). The net score is the difference between the two percentages, or 36%.
According to CoreLogic, home prices are now up 6.7% over last year and 78.8% of homeowners with a mortgage in the US now have significant equity (defined as 20% or more).
As home prices have increased, more and more homeowners have realized that now is a good time to sell their homes in order to take advantage of the extra equity they now have.
At the same time, however, rising prices have had the exact opposite impact on the good-time-to-buy scale as many buyers are nervous that they will not be able to afford a home; the net score dropped 5 points to 18%.
Doug Duncan, Vice President & Chief Economist at Fannie Mae, had this to say,

“In the early stages of the economic expansion, home selling sentiment trailed home buying sentiment by a significant margin. The reverse is true today.
The net good time to sell share is now double the net good time to buy share, with record high percentages of consumers citing home prices as the primary reason for both perceptions. Such a sizable gap between selling and buying sentiment, if it persists, could weigh on the housing market through the rest of the year.”

Buyer demand continues to outpace the supply of homes for sale, which has driven prices up across the country. Until the supply starts to better match demand, there will be a gap between the sentiments surrounding buying and selling.

Bottom Line

If you are considering listing your home for sale this year, now is the time!

 

Give me a call and we will create a plan of action for your next move!

 

Kim Duclos Realtor

KEEP YOUR HOME SAFE AND SECURE - SOME SIMPLE REMINDERS

CallKim.net

Often times we take it for granted our security at home and in today's world, we do need to remain vigilant about things we do that could compromise our safety. It is no longer Mayberry RFD where everyone leaves their doors unlocked, but home is a place you should feel safe and secure. Here are a few tips to consider:

• Everyone loves an inviting home including burglars. Make sure it looks occupied and is difficult to break in.
  
  • Always lock outside doors and windows even if you’re only gone for a brief time.
  • Lock gates and fences.
  • Leave lights on when you leave; consider timers to automatically control the lights.
  • Keep your garage door closed even when you’re home; don’t tempt thieves with what you have in your garage.
  • It is easy to go online and stop our mail and newspaper delivery when you’re out of town or get a neighbor to pick it up for you.
• A HUGE NO-NO don't post on any social media sites that you’re out of town or away from home, it is like advertising your home is unprotected.
• Equally dangerous could be allowing certain social network sites to track your location.
• Don’t leave keys under doormats, in flowerpots or the plastic rocks; thieves know about those hiding places and even more than you can think.
• Trim the shrubs from around your home; don’t give criminals a place to hide.
• Use exterior motion detectors and yard lighting.
• Have an alarm system and use it when you leave home and go to bed.
• Put 3 ½” deck screws in door plates and door hinges.
• Have good deadbolts on all exterior doors.
• Exterior doors should be solid core.

TO FIND YOUR NEXT HOME VISIT: www.callkim.net today!

 

Call me at 702.521.3939

 

Emergency Kit for the Car

Yes, the heat is on and summer is here!  Are you planning a summer vacation?  Perhaps a drive across country to Mom and Dads or Grandpa and Grandmas?  Take Heed! Mickey Mantle said “If I knew I was going to live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself.”   Similarly, if people planning their summer travel knew they were going to have an emergency, they would have the right things available. Only 5% of drivers carry all recommended emergency supplies in their cars. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that all Americans have some basic supplies on hand in order to survive for at least three days if an emergency occurs. Some of these things would be more important if you lived or traveled in remote areas. Reflective hazard triangle or road flares Spare tire Jumper cables First-aid kit Flashlight and extra batteries Cell phone and charger Crucial medications Emergency radio with batteries Bottled water for each person and pet in your car Non-perishable, high-calorie food Distress signal flag Matches or lighter During cold weather, additional items are recommended: Windshield scraper and brush Blankets and extra warm clothing Road salt or cat litter to help with tire traction Tarp for working outside in weather It is recommended that emergency supplies should be checked at least twice a year to see that all of the items are in working order and in good condition. It is important that items are replaced if any of them are used during the year. The American Red Cross is among many sources where emergency preparedness kits and supplies can be purchased. Please visit http://www.callkim.net for your home search! Call 702.521.3939 today!

The True Meaning of Memorial Day   Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day, and was conceived in 1868, just three years after the war between the North and the South ended. The original intent was to honor those who had died in the service of their cause (whether North or South). After World War I, this day of remembrance was changed from honoring those who died in the Civil War, to honoring all Americans who gave their all in the service of this great country. On this day we honor the fallen by flying the flag at half mast until noon, by decorating or tending their grave sites, and by including them in our thoughts and prayers. I honor the sacred spirit of this solemn holiday and ask that you join me in recognition and prayer for our fighting men and women’s ultimate sacrifice. Kim Duclos 702-521-3939

NECESSARY DOCUMENTS - ESTATE PLANNING

NECESSARY DOCUMENTS ESTATE PLANNING

An estate plan contains documents to disclose your wishes as you direct them to be carried out because of death or incapacity to make decisions for yourself. Spouses, minor children, adult children, property and investments can all be factors that should motivate a person to undergo the process. Will – this document specifies the way a person wants to manage and distribute his/her assets after their death. When a person dies without a will, the laws of the state where the person resided will determine the distribution of the property. Durable Power of Attorney – this document grants to a designated person the authority to act on behalf of the principal in in legal affairs should the principal become incapacitated. Among other things, this would allow the attorney-in-fact to buy and sell property on the behalf of the principal. Healthcare Proxy – this document grants that a designated person can legally make healthcare decisions on behalf of the principal when they are incapable of making and executing specific decisions stated in the proxy. Living Will – this document directs physicians with respect to life-prolonging medical treatments in case they become unable to communicate their decisions. Hippa Release – this document allows heath care providers to release your health care information to a designated person. Otherwise, they are required by federal law to protect the privacy of your health information. Letter of Instruction – This document contains information and instructions about a person’s wishes upon death. It is intended to offer details on whom to contact and where to find important documents about personal and financial matters. One should seek legal advice, since each state varies If you need a current estimate of value on real estate that may be involved, usually a price opinion from a licensed real estate professional will suffice. It would be my privilege to assist you with this at no cost or obligation. KIM DUCLOS crs abr gri