It’s a fact: Nevada has the fewest affordable homes available in the nation. One such measure is the swiftly rising median rent in Las Vegas and Reno.

Because a home is the biggest purchase most people will make in their lives, it stands to reason that taking a homebuyer education course is a smart move. Most courses offer important information for first-time homebuyers and seasoned buyers alike. Thankfully, these can typically be completed in less than an hour for an online version, and in a matter of hours in a classroom setting. That’s a great cost/benefit ratio given that a buyer can save lots of money and time as they head down the path to homeownership.

You may have heard: There’s a new tax bill in town. Well, the whole country, to be precise. So what does the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act mean to you as a homebuyer or homeowner starting in 2018? Good question. We found some great answers from some pretty great sources during our most recent surfing expedition.

Why do so many of us store one of our most expensive belongings outside where it’s exposed to weather and other potential hazards? Probably because we can’t fit a car, let alone two or more, in the garage. But there are many benefits to garage parking, making it worthwhile to spend some time getting organized.

Back to Getting Organized

In 2017, we reached a ginormous milestone: We helped Nevadans close more than $3 billion in mortgages since our Home Is Possible (HIP) homebuyer program took flight in September 2014. Suffice it to say, we’re super proud of this mind-blowing number—and the HIP-qualified lenders and real estate agents who helped make it possible. As you might guess, there are a few other monster numbers associated with it that we’re also eager to share:

Nevada’s topsy-turvy relationship with solar power in the past few years may have you unsure about its future. So where does the state stand on solar power? Is it right for Nevadan homeowners? For you?

Come take a short stroll down memory lane with us. It’ll help you fully appreciate where we’re at with solar energy today so you can make a smarty-pants-type decision.

Solar Power In Nevada: On Again, Off Again, On Again

If you consider holiday decorating more of a sport than a nod to festivity, have we got the contest for you—complete with trophies. (Well, prizes, to be accurate, but we’re sticking with the sports analogy.) Introducing our first annual #NevadaLights contest, where Clark W. Griswold-esque holiday decorators are admired and rewarded for their profound zest for the season. Entries will be accepted December 5-21, so start decking the halls, walls and anything else that will hold still—ASAP.

Las Vegas teachers can get $7,500 toward the purchase of a new home. Teachers throughout the state of Nevada do not need to be first-time homebuyers to secure the money, or the other benefits of the Home Is Possible For Teachers program.

Energy saving efforts don’t just make sense, they make dollars and cents. While that’s not exactly a newsflash for most homeowners, it’s high time to get ‘er done with winter fast approaching.

Below are just a few winter energy saving tips that vary in cost and effort from ‘a big fat zero’ to ‘not very much’.

Zero Dollars, Perfect Sense

We love us some free, money-saving energy tips! Here are just a few:

Please note that this blog was written in 2017. Officials are recommending against family gatherings this year (2020) due to the dangers of COVID-19.