Nevada merchants sold $28.1 billion in goods in the first eight months of fiscal 2005, for a 14.3 percent increase. State tax revenues based on the sales are now $27 million ahead of projections, according to a report from the Nevada Department of Taxation. Statewide, sales tax receipts rose 10.9 percent in February to $3.2 billion, according to the same report. Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn expressed similar optimism. “With the release of the February sales tax statistics, Nevada once again continues to make positive gains in its economy,” Guinn said in a statement. “These latest figures affirm Nevada’s economic stability, strong consumer confidence and our attractive business climate.” MS Las Vegas Real Estate has been highlighting the strength of the Southern Nevada economy in this blog for most of the last year. The tremendously positive effect this has on the market for Las Vegas homes is truly hard to overstate.

Sales of existing homes and condominiums rose by 1% in March to the third-highest sales pace on record as low mortgage rates continued energize the residential real estate market. The National Association of Realtors said that existing home sales advanced nationally to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.89 million units last month, up from a revised February sales pace of 6.82 million units. Sales advanced in all parts of the country except the Northeast, and the gains pushed the median price of an existing home to $195,000, up 11.4% from a year ago. That marked the biggest one-year percentage increase in the median sales price in more than two decades. Las Vegas real estate continues to make an impressive showing in 2005. Resale Las Vegas homes carried a median asking price of $251,000 in January of this year….and here it is, the end of April, and we’re approaching $265,000. Call MS Las Vegas Real Estate to get in on the action at 888-349-2595.

Pulte Homes offers buyers of Las Vegas homes two guard-gated neighborhoods within its Silverstone Ranch golf community in the northwestern Las Vegas valley. Both neighborhoods offer Las Vegas home sites that align themselves with the 27-hole Silverstone Golf Course. The golf course is central to the Silverstone Ranch community. It offers three sets of nines that are suitable for players of all levels. Special memberships are available, offering benefits such as unlimited golf, preferred tee times and use of the practice facility. If golf is your game, there are a wide variety of Las Vegas Golf Communities to choose from. MS Las Vegas Real Estate is fully prepared to present every available option for Las Vegas golf real estate.

The national residential real estate market has been on a multi-year tear and Las Vegas real estate has lead the way. Everyone from housing experts to economists to home owners have been holding their breath this year as the national media has trumpeted the notion of a real estate “bubble” due to burst any day. In a revised forecast, the National Association of Realtors now says it expects sales of existing single-family homes to fall 2.4% to 6.62 million for the full year, which still would be the second-highest level on record (hardly a bursting bubble). That is better than the 5% slide the Realtors group predicted at the start of the year. One of the main reasons? Interest rates, pure and simple. Many were fearing rates approaching 7% as the year rolled on, but after making a brief move just above 6% recently, rates have fallen below 6% again. In Las Vegas, economic conditions really couldn’t get much better and prices for Las Vegas homes are rising modestly after stellar gains in 2004. No bubble bursting out here in the desert….that’s for sure.

A major overhaul of the nation’s bankruptcy laws will wipe out a long-standing Florida exemption that protects homes from being sold to pay off debts faster than a surfer can fall off his board on Coco beach. The legislation, which was passed by Congress last Thursday, is considered the biggest rewrite of the bankruptcy code in a quarter-century. President Bush can’t wait to sign the bill into law. The new law will obviously make Florida less appealing to wealthy debtors seeking to dodge creditors by buying big mansions. Florida is one of five states with an unlimited “homestead exemption” that had allowed residents who declare bankruptcy to keep their homes, no matter how much they owe. The new cap on homestead protection in Florida will be $125,000. The new limitation on the homestead exemption means creditors could seize every dollar above the $125,000 threshold should a debtor be forced to sell. Las Vegas luxury real estate looks better and better all the time. MS Las Vegas Real Estate is a serious player in the market for Las Vegas luxury homes. Give us a call at 888-349-2595.

McCarran International Airport will host the first Las Vegas World Aviation Forum, an industry-only event that will bring together airport, government and business leaders to discuss topics such as changing airport strategies and the prospects of discounted international air service. “It gives us a chance to showcase what we have and get people to think about the advantages we can offer,” said Randall Walker, who was inspired to bring an aviation forum to town after he attended China’s Shanghai International Aviation Symposium last spring. Regular readers of this blog know that Las Vegas McCarran International Airport is the nation’s sixth-busiest airport and plays a critical role in the economic success of our great city. MS Las Vegas Real Estate continues the series entitled…Las Vegas is a real city. This aviation forum is global in significance, has absolutely nothing to do with gaming and is being held in Las Vegas based on our stature and importance in this vital facet of the national economy. Las Vegas homes continue to be a sound investment because Las Vegas continues to be one of the most important cities of the 21st century.

The Community Housing Resource Board’s “Fair Housing Day” event will be held on Tuesday, April 26 and will include two classes. Both sessions will be held at the Stardust Hotel. “Practical Fair Housing” will be presented by Bill Thorne from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Topics will include requirements of housing for older persons and group homes; predatory lending; occupancy standards in rental properties; and rights of those with disabilities to modify their housing. “ABCs of Fair Housing” will be presented by the Silver State Fair Housing Council from 1:30 to 5 p.m. The basics of fair housing and how it applies to advertising will be addressed. The cost for each class is $25, which includes light refreshments. Registration begins one-half hour before each course. MS Las Vegas Real Estate urges you to consider attending this important housing event.

More good news for owners of Las Vegas homes! The Southern Nevada Index of Leading Economic Indicators moved forward in March to 130.02, up from 129.92 the previous month, the Center for Business and Economic Research reported Friday. Tourism indicators generally posted expansion over the previous month and from the same month a year ago. Airline passengers traveling through McCarran International Airport jumped 9.8 percent in January and 3.1 percent in February. MS Las Vegas Real Estate continues to encourage people to look closely at the relationship between solid economic performance and solid residential real estate prices.

Only six custom Las Vegas home sites with golf course frontage remain at the MacDonald Highlands community in Henderson. Buyers can choose sites ranging from one-half acre to three-fourths of an acre. A golf membership to the community’s DragonRidge Country Club is included with each purchase. Contact MS Las Vegas Real Estate for more information on this outstanding luxury golf residential opportunity.

The Las Vegas Valley’s largest Earth Day celebration this year will take place in the Summerlin community on Saturday, April 23. The event is free and open to the public. The festivities will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Summerlin Centre Community Park. The outdoor festival will include musical entertainment, environmental exhibits, environmental art and learning activities for children and master gardeners sharing tips for planting in the desert. Earthfaire is co-sponsored by Summerlin and its Las Vegas home builders and other supporters. Summerlin is home to parks, trails, houses of worship, shopping and business centers, medical facilities, cultural facilities, and nearly 100 model Summerlin homes. MS Las Vegas Real Estate is based in Summerlin and we have been doing business in the community for over a decade. Put our experience to work for you.

The brand new $5 million Community Center at Sun City Aliante opened just the other day with computer rooms, card rooms, fitness facilities, an indoor lap-pool and a multipurpose room with floor-to-ceiling windows. Additionally, residents have access to tennis and bocce facilities. The Sun City Aliante community has a lifestyle committee that gathers regularly to plan activities and events. Sun City Aliante real estate is comprised of seven single-story floor plans ranging from 1,155 to 2,105 square feet. Prices start from the $230,000s, which includes front- and rear-yard desert landscaping. The Aliante master-planned community encompasses the municipal Aliante Golf Club, 20-acre Nature Discovery Park, a picnic area, amphitheater, soccer fields, and tennis and volleyball courts. MS Las Vegas Real Estate would be happy to give you a complete tour of the Aliante community of North Las Vegas real estate.

The FDIC acknowledged the strength of Nevada’s economy last year in a publication profiling the state’s banking. Jobs grew by 6.5 percent in the fourth quarter, faster than any other state, the FDIC said. Construction produced the largest share of job growth, adding 20,000 new positions, or 28 percent of the state’s new jobs. The business services sector added 11,000 jobs. Las Vegas set a visitor record of 37.4 million and reported weekend hotel occupancy of 95 percent. What’s more, the FDIC said, Las Vegas led the nation in fourth quarter home-price growth among major metropolitan areas at 36.2 percent. MS Las Vegas Real Estate blog readers won’t find any of this news surprising. We have made every effort to keep you informed about economic conditions in Southern Nevada as we present the opportunities available in the market for Las Vegas homes.

Airport officials have just announced the opening of the new northeast wing of the D-Gate Concourse at McCarran International. This 11 gate addition comes just a few months after the airport announced that 2004 was the busiest year ever and broke every record. The extra 11 gates translates into about 3 million more passengers per year. McCarran also plans to build a 10-gate northwest wing addition to the D-gates concourse, as well as a 14-gate Terminal 3 project along Russell Road. Las Vegas continues to grow and expand at an astonishing rate and the Las Vegas economy continues to perform and impress even the sceptics. MS Las Vegas Real Estate is fully prepared to present one of the best performing residential real estate markets in the country….the market for Las Vegas homes.

The Vistas village, one of the fastest selling villages in the history of the Summerlin master-planned community, is nearing completion with four neighborhoods now selling new Las Vegas homes. From its inception, residents were drawn to the elevated topography that overlooks the Las Vegas Valley to the east and offers amazing views of Red Rock National Conservation Area to the west. Available Summerlin homes within the village range from 1,523 to 3,124 square feet and are priced from nearly $400,000 to more than $700,000. Also in the early stages of development is Altessa, the village’s only Las Vegas condominium project. The 815-acre villages features European Italianate architecture and is located west of the Las Vegas Beltway. Contact MS Las Vegas Real Estate for more information.

The Las Vegas 51’s went to Colorado Springs for their season opener and came away with a 8-3 victory. The Las Vegas 51’s outhit the Sky Sox 13-8, including three doubles and a home run. The 51s’ parent club is the Los Angeles Dodgers. MS Las Vegas Real Estate looks forward to rooting on the 51’s at Cashman Field for another great season of Las Vegas baseball.

The Southern Nevada Water Authority Landscape Awards Program wants to honor Las Vegas homes with beautiful, water-conserving landscapes. The annual Landscape Awards contest is one way to recognize owners of Las Vegas real estate who have the vision to promote water-efficient landscaping and still create a beautiful desert environment for their homes. The deadline for entering the contest is April 13. This is usually when most of the Greater Las Vegas landscapes are at their peak of color. The contest is open to all southern Nevada home owners who design and install water-efficient landscapes.

The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation has made a $50 million donation for the new performing arts center to be built in downtown Las Vegas. This is the largest charitable gift ever given in the State of Nevada and southern Nevada residents are both grateful and excited. Las Vegas is a real city and MS Las Vegas Real Estate continues this series on the blog with yet another example of the expanding cultural opportunities available to owners of Las Vegas homes. The performing arts center is expected to cost between $150-$200 million and be completed in about 3 years.

Did you ever imagine that owners of Las Vegas homes could easily enjoy winter sports! The Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort is enjoying great conditions and great weather! Don’t tell me you didn’t know that Las Vegas has a great ski facility 45 minutes from the strip! Mount Charleston is home to the Las Vegas Ski Resort and the temperature today was 60 degrees with bright sun and plenty of snow! Awesome recreational activities are just one more reason for buying Las Vegas real estate. This town has plenty of residents that stay plenty busy and never set foot in a casino! Las Vegas homes provide a variety of lifestyle choices….more every day!

The Pending Home Sales Index, a new indicator for the housing market, shows home sales are rising, according to the National Association of Realtors. The Pending Home Sales Index, based on data collected for February, stands at 123.2, which was 2.2 percent above January and 10.4 percent above February 2004. The index is based on pending sales of existing homes, including single-family and condo. A home sale is pending when the contract has been signed but the transaction has not closed. David Lereah, NAR?s chief economist, said sales are looking strong for March and April. ?Although home sales eased in February, housing activity appears to be firming with a modest uptrend in the months ahead,? he said. MS Las Vegas Real Estate has a finger on the pulse of the Las Vegas real estate market every day. Put our knowledge and experience to work for you.

Court TV is about to start production on a new reality TV series called “Las Vegas Law” featuring a colorful local defense attorney named James “Bucky” Buchanan. Buchanan said he hopes to gain more than just celebrity from his upcoming show, which could hit the airwaves by this fall. What he really wants to do is help educate people about the serious events that unfold every day in the Clark County criminal justice system. MS Las Vegas Real Estate will try out an episode or two and let you know.

Priced from $400,000 to more than $4 million, Sky Las Vegas high-rise condos are magnificent Las Vegas luxury homes featuring upgrades such as side-by-side subzero refrigeration, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, marble or hardwood flooring and jacuzzi tubs in the bathrooms. Common amenities include an acre of pool and garden area, a social room, spa and fitness center, business center, private screening room, billiards room with bar, valet parking, concierge services and 24-hour security. This newest addition to high-rise Las Vegas real estate is due to break ground in May and is slated for completion in late 2006.

Every Las Vegas real estate agent that is interested in the Internet should read this story. A very interesting survey was just conducted in California and the results point the way towards a national trend. The 2005 “Internet Versus Traditional Buyers Survey” found that 62 percent of buyers made the World Wide Web an integral part of the shopping process, up from 56 percent a year ago, said the California Association of Realtors. The survey found that 86 percent of California buyers went online to find an agent while 75 percent looked for a home, then an agent. Sixty three percent of first-time buyers said the Internet played a crucial role in the transaction versus 46 percent for repeat buyers. The survey began tracking shopping habits in 1999 and Internet use among buyers crossed the 50 percent mark for the first time last year. MS Las Vegas Real Estate is fully aware of the crucial role played by the web in todays real estate market. Our comprehensive website is testament to that fact.

The Howard Hughes Corp. will make six more Las Vegas luxury real estate lots available for purchase early this month at Redhawk, the latest custom neighborhood to open in The Ridges Homes at Summerlin. These Las Vegas luxury home sites range from about one-third acre to nearly three-quarters of an acre with minimum bid prices starting from the high $500,000s. The Ridges’ success and appeal are due in part to its location in the western foothills that offers both privacy and spectacular views. The Ridges real estate is perfect for those seeking magnificent custom Las Vegas luxury homes. Another added feature is the lifestyle and community amenities offered by the Summerlin master-planned community, of which The Ridges is a part.

Energy-efficient landscapes for Las Vegas homes will be the focus of a class at The Gardens at the Springs Preserve. During the workshop, participants will learn techniques to improve their landscapes while saving on power bills. The free course is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 21. Lance Kirk from Lucchesi Galati Architects and a horticulturist at the gardens will share tips and techniques on home and landscape design that can save energy and money. He will focus on how to select and position plants to cut energy costs by as much as 25 percent. In addition, a variety of other classes are scheduled, including those to help Las Vegas real estate owners to plant water-efficient landscapes.

Tower Homes broke ground recently for its Spanish View Towers Las Vegas luxury real estate condominium development. The project will be comprised of three 18-story towers and there will be 405 Las Vegas luxury home condo units measuring 2,500 to 9,500 square feet. Highlights will include bay windows, energy-efficient features and covered terraces. In addition, buyers may customize their condos, including adjustments to room sizes, and select features at a virtual design center. Common amenities for these magnificent Las Vegas homes will include 7 acres of recreational facilities including a day spa; health, wellness and fitness center; two enclosed pools; four tennis courts; four racquetball courts; three practice putting greens and sand traps; jogging and walking paths; and two dog runs. Please contact MS Las Vegas Real Estate for more information at 888-349-2595.