The Mesquite Nevada Real Estate Blog

Britt and John live in Scenic Arizona and have an interesting hobby - a traveling hot dog stand.  Coming off the I-15 exit to Beaver Dam AZ on my way to the post office, I saw the red umbrella and the red Hot Dogs sign right by the side of the road, all by itself.  Hot dogs happen to be one of my very favorite home cooked meals, so I pulled over.

I rolled down the window and called out, "I'll take one!"  The man said, "OK, let me steam the bun, you want everything on it, right?"

"No, just mustard - lots of mustard."

He actually stopped and stared at me for a moment, kind of indignantly.  The lady beside him started laughing.

Then she explained.  John is from Chicago and knows what a good hot dog is.  These are Vienna beef hot dogs, flown in from Chicago, then they are steamed (NOT boiled), and they are NOT usually served with "just mustard."

"Well, what usually comes on it?"

Onions, neon green relish (also flown in from Chicago), cucumbers, tomatoes, celery salt and of course, mustard.

I have been doing it wrong all of these years.

Sometimes Britt and John park by the side of the road if there is an event nearby, some weekends they will be at the Scenic General Store in Littlefield AZ.  Wherever they are, they usually start around 11:00 am and are sold out by 2:00 pm.  One day, while working their stand at the Scenic General Store, a gentleman tried one of these hot dogs and asked them to come sell them at his store in California - so John and Britt will be in Santa Clara for the rest of June.

They also do catering and private parties - think about that for your next Super Bowl party.

OK, I confess.  I got 2 hot dogs, not one.  And I ate them both on my way home to Mesquite, which is only about 10 miles from Beaver Dam.  They were good.  Very good.  Too good to share with Mikey, who was riding around with me. 

He is still mad at me.

Homes with a Casita - Lakeridge in Mesquite NV - Southwestern guest homes - Casitas are popular in Mesquite NV and in several of the southwestern states.  Used as a guest cottage, mother-in-law residence or even a home office - a casita is a well liked feature in Mesquite and found in homes in several gated golfcourse subdivisions including Lakeridge golfcourse community.  Sometimes detached from the home and across a courtyard from the main home with a separate entrance, a casita allows guests to have privacy and come and go without disturbing the occupants of the main home.

Some subdivisions like Sun City Mesquite and Vista Del Monte also offer floor plans with a choice of a casita or a 3rd car garage.  Some casitas are built under the main roof line but still have a separate entrance, usually near the front of the home or within an enclosed courtyard - some have a casita under as a separate unit.  A few of the more expensive custom home subdivisions like Calais have homes with 2 separate casitas.

Casitas usually have a separate heating and air conditioning unit, allowing the guest to be comfortable, as well as giving the homeowner the opportunity to save expense on utilities while the unit is not occupied.

Some folks use their casita as an office, or as a mother-in-law studio apartment.  Mesquite does not allow an actual stove/range for cooking, but many come with a sink, small fridge and microwave.

One of my friends used theirs for their noisy daughter while she was in college.  How do they study with that music blaring?

A casita can be a small room with just room for a bedroom set with a small closet and bathroom, or it can be as big as a studio apartment, such as the one shown in the following video.  The extra square footage is not always reflected on the Clark county assessor site, especially with Sun City Mesquite and Lakeridge homes - so you should be careful to include it while shopping for homeowner insurance.

This casita across a courtyard belongs to an upcoming listing in the Lakeridge golf course community in Mesquite NV.

Conestoga Golf Course is located in Sun City Mesquite 55 plus community for Active Adults - a public course that is breathtaking and challenging.  As my husband said when we played it - Conestoga is not an old man's golf course :)  He thinks it will be as amazing as Wolf Creek Golfcourse.  Residents of Sun City have exclusive use of the Pioneer Rec Center  and VIP privileges - huge discounts on golf rates and the big bonus - preferred tee times!  It is hard to get a good tee time in our busy winter season.

Conestoga Golfcourse in Sun City Mesquite Active Adult Community for 50 - 55 + residents

It's a desert out here but Hafen Park in Mesquite NV has more to offer than just a picnic area - we have fishing - real fish!  And how do they get there?  The city stocks the pond every month or so - trout in the winter and catfish in the warmer months.  Mesquite has many parks, most are pet friendly all are kid friendly - I take my little poodle out to socialize at all of them.  Mikey has a lot of friends in town.

This young man was pretty proud of his catch - a nice dinner sized trout - pass the lemon wedges!

My son-in-law, Dave, is a Seabee and just got home from Afghanistan!  Long trip home from an extended detail, but he finally arrived in Gulfport, Mississippi - he was tired from the trip, but so happy to be back home with his family.

The Seabees are only allowed to take 300 lbs in their gear when they are sent overseas.  With the necessary tools, clothes, sleeping bag, guns and other work accessories, there is not much room left for personal things.

Most of the packages that the families send are full of food - snacks, cheese, baby wipes, chocolate, gum, socks, cigarettes.

Most people, even some in the armed forces, do not even know what a Seabee is.

The name Seabee comes from CB - Construction Battalion - they get dropped off with a group of Marines at remote places all over the war zones to build the bases or quarters for the rest of the military to live and work to defend our country.  Dave didn't even know where he was at the time - in this detail, it was to build an outpost on the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan

The Official Seabee Motto is "Construimus, Batuimus" - translated into English as "We Build, We Fight".

Another Seabee Motto:

With compassion for others, we build, we fight, for peace with freedom.

With willing hearts and skillful hands, the difficult we do at once, the impossible takes a bit longer.

Miracles by appointment only.

What is a Seabee, anyway?  What do they do?

From the website Operation:  Seabees Knowledge -

'Seabees are trained for combat, but usually don't serve in front-line offensive operations, yet their weapons training and qualifications standards are very rigorous -- they are difinitely not support or rear-area personnel.  Their specialty is erecting good things and neutralizing bad things, whether this is building roads leading inland from an amphibious assault beach or through a swamp, or sealing up caves containing enemy snipers, or laying water pipelines to serve parched areas, or building and improving hospitals and schools.

The level of ingenuity in solving open-ended problems while under fire, demonstrated by each generation of Seabees, is something of legend.  Seabees routinely operate bulldozers or jackhammers while enemy bullets and shrapnel fly on their often-hellish worksites around the globe.  They do so with the same courage and determination that Soldiers or Marines operate main battle tanks, or machine guns.  The only difference is that their primary implements are "unconventional" as weapons go:  They are construction tools.'

Welcome Home, Dave.  Good job and thank you!

Pulte Del Webb - Sun City Mesquite!  This active adult senior community in Mesquite, Nv for 50 - 55 plus residents was the best-selling Del Webb new home community in the U.S. in 2007.  Designed for seniors wanting to retire or buy a second home, Sun City Mesquite by Del Webb is easily the best selling age restricted community in Nevada and it did not even open until June 2007!

People came from all over the country and Canada for the grand opening of Pulte Del Webb Sun City Mesquite in June 2007.  Of the people who bought in 2007, approximately 40% were from Nevada, 15% from Utah, and 12% from California.  I guess Sun City Mesquite is not a secret destination for 50 - 55 + home buyers! 

These energy-efficient new single family homes in Sun City Mesquite have options for 18" tile and granite countertops in the kitchens.  All homes have 2-car finished garages attached to the home and some plans offer a 3 car garage, extra storage or a casita.  Most homes have a back covered patio and many plans include a front patio or private courtyard as well.

Sun City Mesquite is an age restricted community for 55 + residents, but there is an allowance for a certain amount of 50 + buyers - the average age of residents is about 60 years old and about 1/2 of the homes sold are being used as a full time residence - the rest of the sales were to buyers for a second home or getaway home.

Many homes are being sold now as a second home with plans to move full time upon retirement.  Grandkids are welcome to visit and family members can live there full time, as long as they are at least 19 years old.

14 different floor plans are offered.  The smallest plan in Sun City Mesquite is the Daisy with 1241 sq feet, priced at $176,490.  The largest plan is the Mariposa with 3116 sq ft and priced at $383,490.  When completed, there will be 3400 homes in Pulte Del Webb Sun City Mesquite.

Del Webb's Sun City Mesquite was sculptured into the bluffs and canyons of the desert terrain, with various sized lots at different elevations to take advantage of the mountain and desert views.

Sun City is Pet Friendly - residents enjoy taking their dogs for a walk through the subdivisions.  There are parks and walking trails throughout the communities with pet stations to pick up after them and park benches to rest on - pets do have to be on a leash while off your property.

If you haven't been to Sun City yet and would like a view of the area, take a look at this visual tour of Sun City Mesquite Parks and Walking Trails for residents.

Sun City Mesquite Floor Plans and Prices

Sun City Mesquite's 30,000 sq ft, state-of-the-art recreation center was built at a cost of $18 million. It already opened in November 2007, is included in the HOA fees, and is for Sun City Mesquite residents and their guests only.

The Conestoga golf course was designed for Pulte Del Webb by Gary Pranks and named for the Conestoga wagons that carried the first settlers to the area.  This 18-hole golf course in Sun City Mesquite will be a public course with no membership fees and not included in the HOA fees.  Sun City Mesquite residents do get special golf rates and preferential tee times.  The Conestoga golf course opened in NOV 2009 for residents with a grand pre opening for the public on January 30th of 2010.

Sun City Mesquite Inventory and Special Prices  Some homes are available for quick close with special new home incentives for anyone who doesn't want to wait.  Call or email me to sign up for promotional info for Sun City Mesquite!

There are now resale homes for sale in Sun City Mesquite - many of these homes have been upgraded with tile, landscaping, window coverings, premium cabinets and appliances.  One might have just the upgrades that you would choose in a new home - some have premium lots with views and privacy.

Almost one third of the acreage in Sun City has been designated as natural reserves - bluffs and natural desert terrain surround the subdivisions within the Anthem borders with some amazing walking trails and views that will remain undisturbed.  One of the Sun City Mesquite homes with a view borders right on a very large preserved area, giving the home privacy and spectacular views of the mountains and valleys surrounding Conestoga Golf course.

Back view of Sun City Mesquite Recreation Center and Conestoga Golf Course Pond.

Special One Day Passes to the Sun City Mesquite Recreation Center are now available to prospective buyers - Call me if you would like a tour of Sun City Mesquite and Rec Center Passes.

Sun City has a Vacation Get Away promotional package - a great deal for a 2-3 day visit with hotel room and meal or golf credits - call or email vhepp@cascadeaccess.com if you would like information about it, or to sign up and plan your trip to Mesquite.

Call me for floor plans, prices and incentives!

Pulte Del Webb Anthem Sun City Mesquite NV Active Adult 55 plus senior community

Mesquite NV First Time Home Buyers might want to consider the cost of waiting to buy a home.  The tax credit for first time buyers and repeat buyers is a bonus that will go away soon.  If you are thinking of buying a home as your residence in Mesquite, look at the chart below to see the disadvantages in putting off the decision to purchase.  April is the deadline to choose a home and have it in escrow to get the tax credit, if you are qualified.

Marc Roth wrote an article in December for businessweek.com:

If You Don't Buy a House Now, You're Stupid or Broke

While that is probably not the case, and you may already own a home or two, or you are just waiting for the right time to buy a home -

Whether you are a first time home buyer or not, maybe now IS the right time...

Charles Dailey is a self-described mortgage industry nerd in Minnesota.

Thanks, Charles, for calculating the cost of waiting to buy a home and sharing it on your blog:

Mesquite NV Relocation Welcome Package - Mesquite is a small town in Nevada with many people thinking of a move here.  As a real estate agent in Mesquite Nevada , I have helped many people buy a home and relocate to Mesquite.  Every one has questions and you will have even more after you move here.  I hope this answers most of them for you.  If you have a question about relocation to Mesquite NV, leave a comment below - I will get the answer for you and add it here.  Or just call me!

Mesquite NV is a small town of about 20,000 people - it doesn’t seem like even that many live here - we have quite a few people who buy a 2nd home in Mesquite and aren’t even here that much.  Many of them will eventually end up selling their first home somewhere and deciding to completely relocate to Mesquite when they retire.

Visit our own Mesquite Chamber of Commerce website for information about relocation to Mesquite.  Many business people, like myself, are a member.  If you are in town, stop by the Chamber.  Everyone there is super friendly and helpful and they have brochures, newsletters, even postcards that you can send home.

Our Mesquite city has it’s own website with lots of useful information for you about relocation to Mesquite, including the major employers.  Mesquite is pro-growth and the fastest-growing small city in Nevada.

Mesa View Regional Hospital is a full service hospital in Mesquite - with Inpatient Acute Care services, outpatient surgery and diagnostics, and a 24/7 Emergency Room.

Mesquite has miles and miles of  Walking Trails throughout the city.  You can walk or bike along golf courses, scenic desert bluffs or my favorite - the walking trail along the Virgin River, which runs through Mesquite.  It has a paved walkway with lights that come on at dusk, and you can wander off and make your own trail! 

Mesquite is pet friendly - all subdivisions allow pets, subject to restrictions on rental property.  Most of the parks in Mesquite allow pets and have pet stations with plastic bags and disposal cans.  All of the walking trails allow pets - so take your dog, if you have one, but be sure to pick up after him and pets must be on a leash while off your property.

We currently have 4 casino hotels here in Mesquite.  They all have very well priced Mesquite NV golf packages that include golf at one or more of our golf courses and staying in one of the hotels.

That is a great way to get a golf getaway package at a good price - play golf in the daytime and play in the casino in the evening.

You might choose a package that has 2 or 3 days of golf on several different golfcourses and 2 or 3 nights at a hotel.  Don’t stay out too late - you will want to get an early tee time, especially in the summer - it is HOT here.

Besides our casinos for 'recreation', we have 6 gorgeous golf courses in Mesquite, including the famous Wolf Creek Golf Course, rated by Golf Digest as one of the top 25 courses in the U.S. and the Palmer Golf Course, home of the Big Break.

If you need a place to stay for a short term or a long term, Siegel Suites might be the place.  They offer studio and one-bedroom apartments for rent starting at about $499 per month and up and include all utilities except for phone.  Pets are allowed and plenty of parking, including room for your RV or Boat.

Our state of the art Mesquite City Recreation Center is something you would see in a much larger city.

The Mesquite NV Recreation Center is for families and singles with programs, classes and activities for young and not-so-young.  Annual or monthly passes are available to residents of Mesquite.

You can even play basketball on the air conditioned indoor court and wait till you see the indoor and outdoor pools!

The outside pool is my grandkid's favorite place to go when they visit in the summer.  There is also a smaller shallow pool for the almost swimmers and covered picnic areas to get out of the sun and heat.

Speaking of Mesquite weather, yes we have some beautiful weather here.  Sunny and ‘golfable’ almost everyday!

Utilities are very reasonable here - Mesquite is all electric, no gas and we are on Overton Power - the rates are quite a bit lower than Las Vegas.  Mesquite water is our own and very inexpensive, from aquifers under the area.  You will see water towers all around Mesquite.  Even with all of the growth, we currently do not have to ration water like some areas of Clark County do.  Cable TV is available or DSL from local carriers.

Property Taxes in Mesquite NV Mesquite has one of the lowest local tax rates in Clark County - Nevada has one of the lowest state tax structures in the U.S.

Mesquite annual property taxes are approximately 1 % of the purchase price of a home.

Mesquite Schools are in the Clark County School District.  Virgin Valley High School, Hughes Middle School, Virgin Valley Elementary School.  Bus service to and from the school is provided for the kids.

Seniors - Mesquite is an active adult kind of town with a wonderful Senior Center - if you are not interested in going to a casino or playing golf, the city of Mesquite sponsors activities and programs just for seniors.

We have several active adult community subdivisions for 55 plus residents and second home owners.

Speaking of 55 + active adult communities in Mesquite - Pulte Del Webb brought Sun City Mesquite to us in June 2007.  With a large selection of floor plans and very reasonable prices, Sun City Mesquite is the best selling Del Webb community in Nevada and the best selling new home subdivision in Mesquite.

The Sun City Mesquite Pioneer Recreation Center is amazing, with a beautiful indoor pool which is open year round and a huge outdoor swimming pool and spa that overlooks their Conestoga Golf Course.

Membership to the Sun City Mesquite Rec Center with fitness center, billiards room, putting greens, tennis courts  and activities is included with their HOA monthly fee.

Residents have access to all of Sun City Mesquite parks and walking trails.

Residents in Sun City Mesquite also get a discount and preferred tee times at the Conestoga Golf Course which is still in construction opened for residents on November 7, 2009.  The grand opening to the public was January 30, 2010.

Now that this 55 + community has been open and selling homes for over 2 years, there are now some Sun City Mesquite Resales in Mesquite MLS - homes that may have been purchased as a second or retirement home - many are in excellent condition with upgrades and landscaping already in place.

Ence Homes is one of the premier builders in Mesquite.  Ence has announced their new Low Priced New Homes - with prices in the mid $100's, it is a great opportunity.  These new homes can be built in the Trailside - Shadowhawk - Falcon Glenn subdivisions on large lots that will even include front and side yard landscaping.

Mesquite has several gated communities on the golf courses - homes right on the golf course, some with views of the courses and some with beautiful views of Mesquite and the mountains.  Copper Bluffs has some of the lowest priced homes in a gated community with membership privileges at the Oasis Golf Club.

Santa Theresa Estates is a brand new home subdivision - both townhomes and single family homes with 2 car garages and large fenced backyards - prices start at $162,500.

If you would like an idea of what homes are for sale in Mesquite NV, you can search Mesquite NV MLS right now.  If you see a property that interests you, call or email me and I will give you more information or set up a time to show the home to you.  Or you can fill out the short form to sign up for free Mesquite NV property search and get email updates whenever a new listing is posted.  If you are interested in foreclosures in Mesquite, just check the box and all foreclosure listings will be on your list.

Looking for a house or condo to rent in Mesquite NV - Jensen Property Management is a great source with a good selection of rental properties in Mesquite.  The folks at Jensen are great to work with - they will help you find just the right home to rent in Mesquite.  JPM also manages storage units in different areas of Mesquite - different locations, sizes and prices.  RV? Boat? Just some boxes?  You got it - they will store it!

And if you would like to know what is near any address - try Walkscore.com.  It is a website that will tell you what is within walking distance of any place - and it is a great way to find what kind of businesses are nearby.  Remember though, that you will get mileage that seems to be based on how the crow flies!

Even in a small town like Mesquite, we can't walk everywhere - look here for Mesquite NV gas prices.

Looking for some Mesquite NV Local News?

Many folks ask if we have a problem with creepy crawlie pests here in Mesquite - well, it is a desert out there!  I have never seen a snake here, and we don't have much of a mosquito problem, but if you are like me and don't like spiders - have your home sprayed to keep them out of your home.  We have several pest control companies here, I often use Jesse's Pest Control in Mesquite NV.

Featured Listing:   Sun City Mesquite Home for Sale in a 55 + Gated Golf Course Community

Call me or send me an email for questions or information about Relocation to Mesquite NV ~

Santa Theresa Estates has just opened in Mesquite Nevada - an exciting new homes subdivision with 60 New Single Family Attached homes and 34 Single Family Homes for sale - all homes will have 2 car and fully fenced backyards with room for a pool - and some of the lots will have room for RV parking.

Front yard desert landscaping is included which will be maintained by the Santa Theresa Estates Homeowner Association with low HOA fees.  Several common areas will be within the community for residents' enjoyment, including a dog walking area.

Santa Theresa Estates Standard Exterior Features:

• 2 Car Garage  
  
• "Almond" 16x7 Garage Door with 2 Openers
• Two Tone Synthetic Finish with Stone Features
• Front and Side Yard Low Maintenance Landscaping
• Tile Roofs
• R-13 Value Insulation in walls
• R-30 Value Insulation in attic
• R-19 Value Insulation in garage attic
• 2x4 Walls with 8' Plate
• Grey Broom Finish Concrete
• Stucco Soffit and Fascia  

Santa Theresa Estates are designed with an open floorplan with no wasted space and a great design for entertaining in the great rooms.  It is very unusual to get a fenced back yard in a Mesquite new home - not just a postage stamp-sized yard, these are big enough for a pool and a spa - with views of the mountain tops.  Prices start from $162,500 for the townhome with 2 Car garage with many plans and choices under 200K.

Santa Theresa Estates Standard Interior Features

• Almond color Vinyl Windows
• Tile Floors in Kitchen
• 2 Tone Paint
• Ceiling Fans
• Decor style switches
• Maple Sash Kitchen Cabinets
• Cast Iron Drop-In Sink
• Moen Chrome Fixture in Kitchen
• Cultured Marble Vanity in Baths
• Walk in Closet in Master

Call me for a tour of Santa Teresa new homes for sale in Mesquite NV with low HOA fees

Mesquite NV luxury homes are expected to have at least one amazing view - this custom home in Calais gated community was designed to showcase the views of Falcon Ridge Golfcourse and so much more ....

 Mesquite Nevada Luxury Homes ~ Calais Gated Golfcourse Community