Las Vegas homeowners beware. Here are safety tips that the Clark County Department of Development Services offers to enjoy the outdoors:

If you have porches, decks and balconies, they can be at risk of collapsing, especially if old or not properly constructed, it is crucial to examine the structure before use. Carefully check for structure and other defects.

Grilling near combustible areas can be a fire hazard. Common grilling hazards include open flames and heat generated in the grill base that can be transferred to the wood of a porch or home’s siding, causing a fire. Don’t risk your family’ s lives and that of your neighbors and friends too.

Each year, valley residents, especially children, face a potential drowning hazard. Known as the “silent killer,” drowning is a leading cause of unintentional death in Southern Nevada for young children. To ensure water safety, follow the basic safety rules.

You will find all the safety rules in the Clark County Department of Development Services handy safety tips booklet.

You can choose between Studio, one- and two-bedroom residences in the third tower
of the The Residences coming up at MGM Grand. The Residences which are luxury condos feature amenities like linens, tableware, crown molding, raised panel wood doors, granite counter tops, imported cabinetry, refrigeration units, deep freezers and other appliances.

Prices for a taste of this luxurious living range from $450,000 to more than $2 million. These condos are now available in the third tower of the Residences. The first and second towers, which are under construction, have already sold out most of the units. The first tower is expected to be completed by June 2006 and ready for occupation shortly thereafter

Westchester Hills, a new neighborhood of two-story homes in the southwestern valley was unveiled by Pulte Homes. The location, floor plans and the builder’s reputation for quality homes are the favourable factors for the project and has attracted many buyers for the project.

There are 3 floor plans from which buyers can select what’s suitable for them. The 1,546-square-foot plan has three bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and a family room. Three bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, a dining room and great room are featured in the 1,709-square-foot plan. All floor plans come with two-car garages.
The largest offering measures 1,848 square feet and has four bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, a great room, study, kitchen with a nook, and dining room.

Many of the new homes coming up in Las Vegas are aiming to create the village or community effect. For example Summerlin, the valley’s biggest master planned community is planned as one big village. It spans 22,500 acres of land on west side of Las Vegas’s valley. Once you enter this sprawling village you don’t need to step out for anything as this community offers every amenity for its residents. Other such gated communities include Green Valley in Henderson which is also much sought after Summerlin.

The main attraction of these gated communities is that it offers security to the residents, there is no drive through traffic and people feel safer to leave their kids out in these places.

Las Vegas real estate has something for every age group. For retirees there are over 5 age-restricted planned communities exclusively catering to the needs of the senior citizens. These homes are restricted to those above 55 years of age. The homes range from 1,100 to 2,000 sq. ft. These homes are very luxurious and many come with golf course and strip views. Many come with such amenities as clubhouses, fitness centers and swimming pools.

If you want a resort style home then Lake Las Vegas surrounded by beautiful golf courses is an Old World lakeside community. It is situated in the midst of The Ritz Carlton, Hyatt Regency, a man-made lake, a beautiful casino, specialty shops, homes and condominiums. Most of the gated communities have high-profile celebrities living here.

Las Vegas high rise condos which are still under construction are luring buyers in droves as the Las Vegas Strip is growing up vertically.

Why do people find Las Vegas so attractive. This is because Las Vegas is more than just the gaming and entertainment capital of the world, it’s also one the world’s most fabulous place to live and work. With beautiful neighborhoods, great schools, gorgeous parks, and friendly people the city is veritable paradise.

The Valley comprises of four cities, Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City and North Las Vegas, each with its own unique communities and amenities. Investment analysts in Las Vegas real estate are speculating that another major surge in preconstruction sales will take place by early summer of 2005 as more and more people are either buying up real estate for investment or as first-time buyers.

The opening of the Wynn Las Vegas mega resort and the big security industry trade show both helped in attracting record numbers of tourists to Las Vegas in April this year. Around 3.3 Million visitors came visiting to the city that’s nearly one-and-a-half percent above the number of people who came in April last year.

All this helped push the room rates up benefiting the Las Vegas rental and real estate market. Average daily room rates also topped 100 dollars and stood at $107.26. That’s up more than 15 percent from a year ago.

More than 12.7 Million people came to town in the first four months of the year according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. That’s up one-point-four percent compared with the first four months of 2004.

If this trend continues then Las Vegas tourist arrivals will easily break the record 37.4 Million visitors from last year.

The 2005 session of the Nevada legislature will be remembered for the number of major policy decisions, which were passed. If Governor Guinn signs all these then it will indeed be a major achievement for the State, the legislature and the Governor.
Cap on Property Tax: Guinn signed into law a cap on annual property tax increases of 3 percent annually for owner-occupied homes and owners of low-income apartment complexes, and 8 percent a year for all other property owners.
Reduction in Pay Roll Tax: A proposed reduction in payroll taxes from .65 percent to .63 percent of gross payroll will save businesses an estimated $14 million over the next biennium.
Education — A new $100 million educational fund pushed by Guinn will help innovative and new schemes to help every child under the No Child Left Behind Act. The most highly publicized facet of this funding will help establish all-day kindergarten for at-risk schools.
Higher Education will get a boost through a proposed $200 million capital improvement spending program that would result in new infrastructure for colleges and universities in Nevada.

These are only a few of the many new policies passed by the legislature.