• The total number of local single-family homes sold in July was 2,592. That’s up 16.4 percent from June’s 2,226 home sales and up 96.7 percent from July of 2007.

• For local condos and townhomes, 358 were sold in July, up 21.8 percent from the 294 units sold in June. That’s up 18.2 percent compared to July of 2007.

• The median price of a single-family home sold in the Las Vegas area decreased by 2.2 percent from $225,000 in June to $220,000 in July. That’s down 25.4 percent from July of 2007 – representing what Kelley called a “great bargain for buyers ready to buy now.”

• For condos and town homes, the median sales price decreased 1.8 percent from $137,500 in June to $135,000 in July. That’s down 30.8 percent from July of 2007.

• The number of local homes listed for sale through July remained flat, increasing by only 0.1 percent for single-family homes, with 23,423 homes listed in July, compared to 23,388 listed for sale in June. That inventory of homes is down 2.8 percent from last July.

• The number of condos and townhomes listed for sale also remained flat, going from 5,537 in June to 5,538 in July. That’s 11.7 percent fewer than last July.

• Kelley said that local real estate transactions tracked through the MLS during July totaled nearly $660 million worth of single-family homes, up 10.3 percent from nearly $598 million in June and up 32.5 percent from last July. More than $83 million in condo and townhome properties were sold in July, up 82.8 percent from the previous month and up 18.7 percent from last July.

• Through July, 60.0 percent of all single-family homes and 57.3 percent of all condos and townhomes sold within 60 days. In June, 60.3 percent of all single-family homes and 53.4 percent of all condos and townhomes sold within 60 days.

To arrange interviews with GLVAR experts, please call George McCabe or Susan Schmidt at (702) 967-2222.

Click Here for a PDF of the July GLVAR Stats

About the GLVAR
GLVAR was founded in 1947 and provides its nearly 15,000 local members with education, training and political representation. The local representative of the National Association of REALTORS®, GLVAR is the largest professional organization in Southern Nevada. Each GLVAR member receives the highest level of professional training and must abide by a strict code of ethics. For more information, visit www.lasvegasrealtor.com

http://www.naglrep.com/

The first meeting is to be held at the Allure High-Rise Tower at 4:30 on July 29th.

I'm encouraging all gay real estate professionals (Escrow Officers, Loan Officers, Brokers and Agents) to attend as this will be a great way to make new contacts in the gay real estate market of Las Vegas.

Please inform all gay real estate professionals that you know, who might be interested in attending and getting to know their local G.L.B.T. real estate community.

Feel free to attend also, if you would like to reach out to the GLBT real estate community.

The meeting will be more of a mixer although we will have a very brief introduction and guest speaker.

The attendees will then join the general Broker/Agent cocktail party in the Penthouse from 5:00- 7:00.

Please have those interested R.S.V.P. to dale.rowse@remax.net

Basic Remediation Company and NDEP commemorate 18 years of study
and design as project takes giant environmental step forward

WHAT: After almost two decades of extensive research and collaboration between the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) and Basic Remediation Company (BRC), the company’s 2,200 acres of land in Henderson that will eventually be home to a new mixed-use, master-planned community is being restored.

With necessary approvals from NDEP, the city of Henderson and Clark County now in place, Basic Remediation Company is commemorating this historic moment.

WHO: Officials from NDEP, the city of Henderson, the Restoration Advisory Committee and members of the community will commemorate the start of restoration. Speakers will include Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson, Leo Drozdoff, NDEP administrator, and Rick Kellogg, chairman of the board of Basic Management, Inc.

WHEN: Wednesday, May 14, at 10 a.m.
WHERE: 796 Mohawk Drive, Henderson, Nev. 89015
DIRECTIONS: From the intersection of Lake Mead Parkway and Boulder Highway,
continue for 1.7 miles on Lake Mead Parkway heading east and make a left on Mohawk Drive. Parking is available in front of the Information Center.

VISUALS: The event will take place at 10 a.m. Following brief remarks, dignitaries will signal the start of remediation work. Media interviews will be provided following the remarks.

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:

The clean-up project is necessary to remediate environmental contamination resulting from various commercial and industrial activities that have taken place at the storied site during its history. The 2,200-acre property was once part of a larger complex, known as Basic Magnesium, which played a vital role in support of the U.S. victory in World War II. The world’s largest magnesium plant was built and operated in the complex, which is adjacent to the 2,200-acre site. Years after the war, several manufacturing companies bought and operated portions of the Basic Magnesium plant. The site is located east of Boulder Highway, north of Lake Mead Parkway and south of the Las Vegas Wash.

While no industrial manufacturing has ever taken place on the 2,200-acre property, portions of the land were used in the past for industrial and municipal evaporation ponds, along with feeder ditches, in accordance with legal and industry standards at the time. Although the ponds are no longer in use, some of the effluent that was deposited there over the years has settled over about 400 acres of the 2,200-acre site. This soil is the focus of the remediation effort.

More than $60 million of private funds have been spent on extensive environmental testing and research to date. The clean-up is voluntary and funded entirely by Basic Management, Inc. No public funds have or will be used in the entire process.

Basic Remediation Company
Basic Remediation Company (BRC), also based in Henderson, is a subsidiary of Basic Management, Inc (BMI). BRC is conducting the remediation of the 2,200-arce site under the supervision of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP).

Basic Management, Inc.
In 1941, as the United States was beginning an unprecedented mobilization for war, about 5,000 acres of empty desert southeast of Las Vegas were set aside for what would become the world’s largest magnesium plant. The site was ideal, only 330 miles from the largest known deposits of magnesium ore, and close to the needed electric power of Hoover Dam and the water of Lake Mead. By late 1942, the world’s largest magnesium plant was in operation, and the foundations of the town that became Henderson were laid.

Since World War II, the land has seen many uses and many changes of ownership. Among the more than 80 private and public entities that have owned, leased or operated facilities near this site are three major chemical companies still in operation today – Titanium Metals Corporation (TIMET), Kerr McGee Chemical and Pioneer Chlor-Alkali.

In the early 1950s, these three companies formed Basic Management, Inc. (BMI) to oversee utilities and other common assets at the industrial complex at the foot of Black Mountain. Today, BMI and its land development affiliate, the LandWell Company, are repurposing the entire 5,000-acre area for a variety of uses, from industrial to commercial to residential development.

This Wednesday American Idol Gives Back was aired in the USA. You can find out all about the show and the great causes that it benefits here.

Annie performed 'Many Rivers To Cross' live on stage after screening some of the footage from The SING Campaign.

Idol Gives Back performance downloads are available exclusively on iTunes including the video and audio for 'Many Rivers To Cross', currently only available to those living in the USA or Canada.

You can still donate.

Click here to Donate to Idol Gives Back.

Click here to catch Annie's performance from the show on Youtube.

Click here to visit THE SING CAMPAIGN website.

Project Homeless Connect assisted nearly 2,400 people yesterday at Cashman Center. Project Homeless Connect, formerly known as the Stand Down for the Homeless, is a day-long event that helps thousands of people each year receive “a hand up, not a hand out.” It is free to people who are homeless. April 10 marked the beginning of an effort to hold two Project Homeless Connect events each year. The event is sponsored by the Nevada Homeless Alliance (NHA), Clark County and the city of Las Vegas.

The attached photo features David L. Edwards and LVMPD Officer Terry D. Roberts. Officer Roberts is congratulation David on completing the culinary training program through the Salvation Army. Officer Roberts has encouraged and mentored David to get assistance and turn his life around after being homeless and completing this program is a great step forward for David.

Photo credit: Darrin Bush of the Las Vegas News Bureau

(Las Vegas, NV) –Corporate Concierge Services (CCS), a leading national amenity services provider, recently made a splash in the Las Vegas market with its CCS Retail division. Now, with the explosion of new condominium and commercial development in Las Vegas, president and CEO Tom Larance felt the time was right for CCS to bring its patented concierge services to the larger local economy.

CCS Retail Group entered the scene when it was selected by Turnberry Associates to help realize the Town Square vision.

“Turnberry Associates selected CCS Retail because our level of service is a perfect complement to the world-class venues situated here,” said Tom Larance, president and CEO of CCS. “We are not simply customer service. We are amenities managers. Because our roots are in the concierge business, we offer a higher standard of customer care.”

CCS Retail does far more than simply man an information desk and provide gift-wrap during the holidays. Visitors can purchase gift cards, rent strollers and have all of their shipping and notary needs taken care on in one location. Concierges will also make reservations and purchase tickets for local attractions, arrange for personal shoppers, and even design tourism packages, complete with airport transportation and nightclub VIP passes.

Marcia Panuzio, vice president of CCS Retail, says, “CCS Retail eliminates the stress of hiring, training and managing staff members who will be, effectively, the center’s public face. This benefits not only the shoppers, but is a huge sales point for management companies.”

CCS is offering its expertise to Las Vegas’ premier residential building managers. The presence of top-flight amenities is vital for both attracting and, more importantly, retaining satisfied tenants.

Nick Bowling, vice president of operations, says, “Our high-end, discreet and efficient concierge services transform everyday condo living into five-star hotel living.”

Based in Chicago, Illinois, Corporate Concierge Service maintains an extensive client list in the retail, corporate and residential facility market nationally. Corporate clients include real estate giants as Jones Lang LaSalle, Bank of America, Intel Management, ABN-AMRO, and Morgan Stanley. Residential customers include the Eugenie Terrace Apartments, one of Chicago’s most desired residential communities. CCS Retail has a presence in a number of leading lifestyle centers across the country, including The Gateway in Salt Lake City, a host site for the 2002 Olympics Games; The Shops at 900 on North Michigan Avenue in Chicago; and the Burr Ridge Village Center in Burr Ridge, Illinois. In February, the group will expand its services into the Houston market.

About Corporate Concierge Services
Corporate Concierge Services, a premiere resource for corporate and personal support, provides a full range of concierge amenities to corporate clients and commercial and residential properties throughout the United States. In 2006, the CCS Retail Group was launched to bring its unique brand of corporate and personal support services to shopping and lifestyle centers across the country. Corporate Concierge Services, Inc., is headquartered at 135 South LaSalle Street in Chicago. For more information, visit www.ccsretail.com or call 312-516-0638.

BRENDA CALVIN SPEAKS AT 8TH WORLD CONGRESS FOR COUNCIL ON TALL BUILDINGS AND URBAN HABITAT

(Las Vegas, NV) March 12, 2008 – Las Vegas Real Estate Broker, Brenda Calvin of The Calvin Group, LLC addressed the World Congress for The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat in Dubai, United Arab Emirates last week. Her presentation entitled, Selling Luxury High-rise; Pre-sales through Completion, was extremely well received by delegates traveling from 42 countries. For the last 20 years, Ms. Calvin has marketed and sold exclusively luxury high-rise in Houston, Dallas and Las Vegas, NV, where she currently resides in a high-rise. Her consultations with high-rise developers come from extensive knowledge gleaned over the years, assisting developers in avoiding costly mistakes and maximizing their sales results. Such a consultation recently took her to India with a high-rise developer seeking her guidance. She writes a popular monthly column entitled “Vertical Update” for a well-respected real estate publication. Ms. Calvin is a Certified International Property Specialist, one of only 1500 world-wide, a distinguished member of Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate, The Social Register and a member of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.

The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats’ stated mission is to study and report “on all aspects of the planning, design and construction of tall buildings” and is best known to the general public for its compilation and ranking of the World’s 100 Tallest Buildings. Also a major concern of the Council is the role and impact of tall buildings on the urban environment. The 8th World Congress was a carbon neutral event.

For more information on this topic or to schedule an interview with Brenda Calvin, please call (702) 234-8344 or email Brenda@TheCalvinGroup.com.

“We’re asking Americans to make a small sacrifice of support by donating their unused cell phones, providing families with a much-needed connection to their loved ones overseas,” says Brittany Bergquist, Cell Phones for Soldiers co-founder.

Local residents can support the collection drive by donating their phones at select Wirelesscity locations, including:
- 11115 South Eastern Ave
- 6700 West Charleston Blvd
- 4199 South Fort Apache Rd Ste C
- 6340 West Charleston blvd #135
- 5515 Camino Al Norte #103

“We’re proud to show our support for U.S. soldiers, and to contribute to a worthy cause like Cell Phones for Soliders,” says Danial Parisi.

Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded by teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist from Norwell, Mass., with $21 of their own money. Since then, the registered 501c3 non-profit organization has raised almost $1 million in donations and distributed more than 500,000 prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas.

“We have been overwhelmed by the generous support of thousands of Americans who have helped our troops speak with their loved ones,” says the teens’ father, Bob Bergquist. “However the need for support keeps growing as more soldiers are sent to the Middle East or are asked to serve extended tours of duty.”

Through increased fundraising efforts, the Bergquist family hopes to raise more than $9 million in the next five years to fund new programs, such as providing video phones and prepaid service to allow soldiers abroad to see their families on a regular basis.

The phones are sent to ReCellular, which pays Cell Phones for Soldiers for each donated phone – enough to provide an hour of talk time to soldiers abroad.

Approximately half of the phones ReCellular processes are reconditioned and resold to wholesale companies in over 40 countries around the world. Phones and components that cannot be refurbished are dismantled and recycled to reclaim materials, including:
• Gold, silver and platinum from circuit boards
• Copper wiring from phone chargers
• Nickel, iron, cadmium and lead from battery packs
• Plastic from phone cases and accessories

About Cell Phones for Soldiers:
Cell Phones for Soldiers was created by Brittany & Robbie Bergquist of Norwell MA. After reading a story about a soldier who ran up a huge phone bill calling home from Iraq, these two teenagers decided to help out. They started by opening an account with $21.00 of their own money. They are collecting cash donations and old cell phones. The cell phones are recycled for cash and the proceeds are used to buy prepaid calling cards for our soldiers serving in the Middle East. Cell Phones For Soldiers is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Their efforts have motivated people and businesses around the country to donate to this worthy cause. Their goal is to provide every US soldier with a way to call home for free. For more information, please visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com

Las Vegas, NV - March 3, 2008 - While other brokerage firms are closing or downsizing, O'Keefe Casto Residential Brokerage has opened theirs and is actively recruiting agents in Las Vegas, especially those who are looking for a truly different experience and need a broker that will give them the best chance at succeeding in this tough market.

"We believe agents will find that our company is truly unique. As professional coaches and trainers, we can help them achieve tremendous results by focusing on competency and accountability," states Billy O'Keefe, broker and owner of O'Keefe Casto.

Already, the team has significantly outperformed the MLS with higher list-to-sale price ratios and fewer homes expiring. But, what makes O'Keefe Casto truly unique is its training program and seller guarantees.

Rich Casto heads-up the O'Keefe Casto training program and is a nationally acclaimed real estate coach, consultant, trainer and contributing author to Donald Trump's recent book, The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received.

"Our training is rigorous because it's focused on building competency and capacity, but in the end agents will achieve greater results than they could have imagined, while developing a more balanced life as well," explains Rich Casto.

In fact, O'Keefe Casto is so sure that sales agents will benefit from this program that they are offering them a test run. They can receive free coaching from the team, even if they are still with another broker.

All real estate agents interested in a career with O'Keefe Casto are encouraged to contact Dana Whittaker immediately at 702.300.7653 or info@okeefecasto.com to set-up a confidential meeting.

About O'Keefe Casto Residential Brokerage

O'Keefe Casto is a Las Vegas based residential brokerage firm committed to producing positive results for clients, as well as agents. As such, our focus is on developing highly competent agents, who in turn can effectively achieve better client satisfaction and greater results.

ARE YOU READY…FOR ANOTHER GREAT YEAR IN WOMEN’S COUNCIL???

ARE YOU READY…TO TAKE YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL???

ARE YOU READY…TO SURROUND YOURSELF WITH POSITIVE & SUCCESSFUL REALTORS FROM YOUR MARKET???

WE ARE!!!
YOUR FELLOW MEMBERS AND YOUR GOVERNING BOARD ARE READY!!!

DON’T MISS OUT ON WHAT COULD BE THE KEY TO YOUR BEST YEAR YET –

RENEW YOUR WCR MEMBERSHIP TODAY!!!

VISIT WWW.WCR.ORG
AND CLICK “RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP FOR 2008”

AND WHILE YOU ARE ON THE SITE…
UPDATE YOUR MEMBERSHIP PROFILE SO THAT YOU WILL BE LISTED CORRECTLY IN THE PRINTED REFERRAL ROSTER AND WILL BE SET TO RECEIVE NATIONWIDE REFERRALS.

PLEASE CONTACT SHARON EXARHOS, VP OF MEMBERSHIP, WITH QUESTIONS AT 702-858-1200

On April 09, 2008 NYLOFT Las Vegas, Kitchens & Home Interiors, will celebrate its first year anniversary with an exclusive get-together at the NYLOFT Las Vegas showroom.
NYLOFT Kitchens & Home Interiors has partnered up with Las Vegas Home & Design Magazine for this high- end event to mark the success of the first year in serving the Las Vegas design community.

World- class photographer Peter Lik will showcase a selection of his work in an exclusive art installation, designed for the especially for the anniversary occasion.
Gaggenau appliances, Malibu Window coverings, Smart Living Audio & Video systems, A Granite MD and Walker Zanger will be on site and introduce their latest most innovative products for home interiors.

Guest will enjoy catering by JR’s Place, cool drinks, entertainment and the company of Las Vegas design aficionados.

A variety of new display areas and the debut of the newest sustainable kitchen line by NYLOFT will enhance the environment of the Las Vegas showroom and add anticipation to the occasion.

The reception is taking place from 6 PM - 8 PM at the NYLOFT Las Vegas showroom on 7635 South dean Martin drive # 201.

RSVP to lasvegas@ nyloft.net or 702- 818- 8140NYLOFT has flag-stores in New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA and Phoenix, AZ; and Las Vegas, NV. For more information and/or additional high resolution photography, please contact:

Cornelia Stumpf
Director
Advertising & PR
NYLOFT
cornelia@nyloft.net
602-745-2600
www.nyloft.net

The Meridian Luxury Suites, an exclusive resort oasis near the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, has launched a new Web site to increase awareness, improve guest services and showcase the resort’s value and amenities.

The new Web site features a complete virtual tour, special room packages, integrated flash commercials, electronic concierge service, promotions and online booking for rooms, airfare and car rentals via www.meridianlasvegas.com.

“We have improved the Web site usability based on customer feedback and by showcasing our designer all-suite guest rooms with incredible flash-based images, amenity tours and an exclusive online concierge guest-service form,” said Tom Baker of Access Hotel Management, Meridian’s management company. “The Meridian Luxury Suites takes pride in listening to our guests and continually improving our service.”

The Web site will also serve as great resource for leisure, corporate and convention travelers looking for a unique resort near The Strip without the lines, traffic or lack of privacy found in mega-resorts, Baker added. He said the site will have rotating special offers on the home page, along with “highly dynamic packages for visitors during peak convention periods, weekend warriors or those seeking solitude and relaxation.”

About the Meridian Luxury Suites
The Meridian Luxury Suites is a new all-suite, non-gaming, smoke-free resort steps from the Las Vegas Strip on Flamingo Road at Koval Lane. More than 400 smartly decorated luxury suites located on 16 acres of quiet beauty offer guests a choice of spacious studios, one-bedrooms, two-bedrooms, two-bedroom designer suites, two-bedroom suites with a den and a 2,000-square-foot presidential suite.

The Meridian Luxury Suites is affiliated with Warwick International Hotels, a collection of more than 40 Warwick Hotels & Resorts on five continents

About Access Hotel Management: A full-service management company that specializes in providing complete management services to independent boutique hotels. Access Hotel Management offers a broad range of expertise with nearly 60 years of combined hospitality-related experience in such areas as hotel and resort operations, development, finance, food and beverage, consulting, and management/franchise contract negotiation. Visit www.accesshotelmanagement.com.