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Henderson, NV
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Take one minute to update yourself on what's happening in your housing world.

 

WHERE WE ARE
Reno, NV

The Great Reno Balloon Race

Sept. 7 - 9

Reno Balloon Race

 

Terra West invites you to experience "The Great Reno Balloon Race," the largest free hot air ballooning event in the nation.

 

From Sept. 7 - 9, you can look up into the Reno skies and see a rainbow of hot air balloons soaring about. 

 

Taking place just a few miles north of downtown Reno, the event enchants both young and old with its vibrant colors and inspiring music. 


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Learn More by 
Clicking Here!

 


 

WHERE WE ARE

Mesquite, NV

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FREE SEMINAR!

Financial

Best Practices Investments, Budgets, and Foreclosures

September 10

1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

 

An association's budget provides a blueprint for balancing income and expenses. It also allows the community to plan its activities and is the basis for determining the level of assessments. 

 

Learn more about how board members can help maintain the association's desired quality of life for its members and minimize the chance of unexpected financial crises.

 

Country Club at
Mesquite Vistas

851 Pinnacle Court, Suite 100

Mesquite, NV 89027
 
RSVP to:
702-346-2288
SEPTEMBER 2012
NEWS YOU CAN USE 
TW Rent
6 Tips for Renting Your First Place

Here's how to succeed, even in today's challenging rental market. A tight rental market faces many first-time renters today. As buying property loses its allure for some, increased demand and lower rental vacancy are driving up prices throughout the country.

 

According to the Census Bureau, the median asking rent for rental units nationwide was $721 in the first quarter of this year, up from $683 in the first quarter of 2011.

 

Here are six tips for renting your first place in a challenging market, whether you're flying solo or searching with roommates.

 

Set a realistic budget based on the area

The conventional wisdom is to spend no more than 30% of your annual income on housing costs. But given low entry-level salaries and high housing costs, you may need to budget a little more if you're living in an expensive area.  Websites such as Rentometer.com, RentJungle.com and compareyourrent.com can give you an idea of rents in your target neighborhood so you can budget accordingly.

 

Splitting the rent with roommates can help cut costs, but you'll want to screen them carefully and make sure they're people you'd actually want to live with. You may like hanging out with friends from college, but that doesn't mean you'll enjoy cleaning up their messes or sharing a bathroom. Before signing a lease together, ask prospective roommates how they want to handle chores, guests, bills and other issues.

 

Once you find a potential apartment, ask about possible rent increases to gauge how quickly you could be priced out of that apartment.

 

Budget for the extras

 

In addition to paying rent, you may also be responsible for paying electricity, heat and cable bills.

 

If you're on the hook for utilities, factor those expenses into your budget. Often, you can find out what the previous tenants paid by calling the utility provider and giving them the address. Of course, your use might be different.

 

Position yourself as a desirable tenant

 

Rentals move quickly in competitive markets, so have your references and checkbook ready when you start searching. In some markets, you'll be expected to pay a security deposit, first and last month's rent, a nonrefundable application fee and possibly a broker or finder's fee before moving in, all of which can amount to several times the monthly rent.

 

Having your parents co-sign on an apartment, if they're willing, could give prospective landlords peace of mind about renting to someone without a long credit or employment history. If you don't have a co-signer, guarantee extra money upfront to show landlords that you're financially responsible.

 

Scope out the neighborhood Condos1

 

Real-estate agents have a saying: "Location, location, location." This rings true for apartments/condos as well as houses. Choose a place based solely on the interior, and you may wind up in a less-than-desirable neighborhood, far from friends or work. If you're relocating for a job, ask your employer for recommendations on neighborhoods.

 

Walkscore.com can give you a sense of how walkable an area is based on proximity to public transportation, restaurants, grocery stores and other places.

 

Also look at how the building or area is maintained. If it's a high-rise, are there lights out in the hallways? Is the lighting in the parking lot adequate?

 

Conduct a thorough walk-through

 

Some people will rent off of Craigslist without seeing an apartment in person, which can lead to problems later.

 

Any prospective tenant should make sure everything works: the stove, the refrigerator, any appliances, and make sure the water runs hot for half an hour if you take long showers. Also, document any pre-existing issues such as scratches on the floor or holes in the wall so they won't get deducted from your security deposit when you move out.

 

Get everything in writing

 

Large apartment communities and management companies typically have you sign a lease, but individual property owners or landlords may be more lax about paperwork. Whatever the scenario, don't rely on a handshake to seal the deal. Your lease should answer questions such as, "How much notification do you need to give to move out? Is your security deposit refundable? Are you responsible for fixing up the apartment when you leave?" If you're uncertain about anything in your lease, have someone else review it.

 

Source:  
Susan Johnston 
U.S. News & World Report

 

  

 

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