The Mesquite Nevada Real Estate Blog

Ocotillo Blooms in Sun City Mesquite NV - or are they really alien spiders?

Ocotillo plants are blooming all over Nevada - these two are in Sun City Mesquite and seem to be hiding among the thicker trees and bushes.  Pretending to be a cactus.  Fooled me - I thought they were cactus, or cacti - until I looked them up on Wikipedia and found out that they are Fouquieria splendens Engelm, which is a plant.  Just another plant.

Without the flowers blooming, they look like very large spiders standing on their heads - hence, the rumor that these plants were left here centuries ago by aliens.  Why they were left here .... who knows?  I am sure that the aliens have a very good reason.  I am also sure that we will find out as soon as it is too late to do anything about it.

These plants can survive on only 8 inches of rain per year, which is just about our annual average.  This year, we have already had our yearly average - which is why the cactus and imposter plants are blooming so prolifically right now.  It really is a glorious show going on right now in Mesquite - and that includes the alien spiders with their crimson blooms.

Ocotillo blooms in Sun City Mesquite NV

Ocotillo blooms in Mesquite NV - not really a cactus, just looks like one.

And this May 31 Day challenge is killing me.

 

                                 Mesquite Nevada Real Estate Agent  ~ ~  ERA

Mesquite NV Real Estate Agent - Virginia HeppVirginia Hepp ~ Mesquite Realtor
Pet Friendly Mesquite NV
Homes - Townhomes - Condos for Sale
 
50 - 55 + Active Adult Communities
Mesquite Gated Golf Course Neighborhoods
 
702 622-1177
 

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6 comments • Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV MLS - Sun City Mesquite - 55+ Buyer Representative • May 09 2011 11:28PM

Sun City Mesquite Resales - Compare to new homes in this 55 + community

Sun City Mesquite NV Resale Homes For Sale in Pulte Del Webb's Active Adult Community for 55 plus residents.   One of the most active new home subdivisions in Mesquite - Sun City has kept their sales up through even our tough market in 2010.

Sun City Mesquite Active Adult 55+ CommunitySun City Mesquite is still the top selling subdivision in Mesquite Nevada and is Pulte Del Webb's top selling 55 + subdivision for active adults in the U.S.  A small percentage of their new homes can be sold to buyers who are only 50 years old.  The average age of homeowners in Sun City is about 60 years old.

The opening early last year of their Conestoga Golf Course - a public course within Sun City Mesquite and managed by Troon, has created even more interest to second home purchasers and buyers ready to retire and relocate to Mesquite.  About half of these homes are purchased as a second home or vacation home for active adults.  Full time and part time residents qualify for the VIP rates and preferred tee times at Conestoga Golf Course.

Pulte Del Webb restructured their new base prices in 2009 and eliminated many of the features that were standard - The price adjustment reflected several cost savings experienced by value engineering in each series and floor plans.  Upgrades and features are now added on to the base price.

I represent buyers in the purchase of a new home or a resale home.

Sun City Mesquite Homes for Sale

 

If you are in the market for a new home in a 55+ community in Mesquite - I can help you compare new homes to the Sun City Resales that are now becoming available with a good selection of floor plans.  Sun City does not allow homeowners to use For Sale or For Rent signs in the subdivision - there is usually an inventory of about 30 resale homes for sale and new home buyers might not even know about them.

 

Most of the Sun City Mesquite Resales in Mesquite MLS were purchased with the upgrades and options that are no longer included in the price of the new homes.  Many of these homes have been further upgraded with window coverings, 2 or 3 tone paint, appliances, landscaping and even swimming pools.

Sun City Mesquite's Pioneer Recreation Center is centrally located in the subdivision for the use of residents and their guests only.  Enjoy the indoor pool and spas 365 days a year - the outdoor pool and spas are open seasonally.  Weight room, tennis courts, bocce ball courts and a nine-hole putting green are in place for residents to use all year.

Sun City Mesquite Resales and New Homes - Compare for the best value!



View Sun City Mesquite in a larger map

 

                                 Mesquite Nevada Real Estate Agent  ~ ~  ERA

Mesquite NV Real Estate Agent - Virginia HeppVirginia Hepp ~ Mesquite Realtor
Pet Friendly Mesquite NV
Homes - Townhomes - Condos for Sale
 
50 - 55 + Active Adult Communities
Mesquite Gated Golf Course Neighborhoods
 
702 622-1177
 

 Find me on FacebookGet my Rss Feed Follow me on Twitter! Find my Videos on YouTubeLink up with me on LinkedInJoin my Circle with Google's +1

5 comments • Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV MLS - Sun City Mesquite - 55+ Buyer Representative • March 09 2011 12:28AM

Sun City Mesquite 55 + Active Adult Community Park - Snowy mountain views

Visits to my mother in law in Sun City Mesquite always include a stop at one of the 55+ active adult community fabulous parks or walking trails.  My dog, ActiveMikey insists upon it.  :)  He loves the lawns and barks at the cactus trees.  Most of the parks in Sun City are pet friendly with benches and dog waste stations.  Not like they have restrooms for dogs - you have to pick it up with a bag and throw it away, but they provide the bags.  :)

Yesterday morning we awoke to snow on the mountains surrounding Mesquite, and some Wizard of OZ looking weather on the horizon - yet the golfers were out in the clear but crisp Mesquite weather.  55 degrees.

With over 300 days of sun per year, watching the snow drop on the mountains is a treat.

 

Sun City Mesquite Pet Friendly Park

 

Another subdivision in Mesquite with some great park areas and walking paths is Sunset Greens gated golfcourse community on the Casablanca Golf Course.  While not designated as a 55 + or active adult community, with townhomes and single family homes, RV or boat parking, walking paths, plus 2 swimming pools Sunset Greens is a good alternative community for a second home or retirement home.

 

                                 Mesquite Nevada Real Estate Agent  ~ ~  ERA

Mesquite NV Real Estate Agent - Virginia HeppVirginia Hepp ~ Mesquite Realtor
Pet Friendly Mesquite NV
Homes - Townhomes - Condos for Sale
 
50 - 55 + Active Adult Communities
Mesquite Gated Golf Course Neighborhoods
 
702 622-1177
 

 Find me on FacebookGet my Rss Feed Follow me on Twitter! Find my Videos on YouTubeLink up with me on LinkedInJoin my Circle with Google's +1

13 comments • Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV MLS - Sun City Mesquite - 55+ Buyer Representative • February 21 2011 12:21AM

Mesquite NV Seniors Option to Buy a Home Using a Reverse Mortgage Loan

Seniors looking to retire or relocate to Mesquite Nevada might have an opportunity to buy a little more home with a reverse mortgage.

Many of our current buyers are relocating to Mesquite and are purchasing a home for their retirement years.  They plan to live in it for the rest of their life.  Buying a home using a reverse mortgage could help a senior with limited cash to buy a home that they otherwise could not afford or even qualify for.

A person wanting to downsize and eliminate the higher maintenance and utility bills could sell their big home (in our Mesquite NV real estate market, it would be a loss if they bought in 2004-2007) then buy the smaller, more energy efficient home using a reverse mortgage with no monthly payments - and keep some of their cash.

If they are sure that want to live in the house for the rest of their life and can afford the monthly upkeep - buying a home with a reverse mortgage could be an excellent downsizing solution for some seniors who don't want or need the bigger home they currently have.

You are required to complete a financial counseling program - this can be a free phone counseling session - they want to make sure that you understand what you are doing and the costs involved -

Charles Dailey mortgages - iLoan

 

I called Charles Dailey last week for information on mortgages - specifically a reverse mortgage for someone who wants to stay in their current home.  Until then, I had no idea that a reverse mortgage could be used to buy a home.

Charles is a self described mortgage industry nerd who has been a full time loan officer and manager since 1997 - his blog is a great read - I subscribed the first time I read it.

 

Charles - Thanks for posting this one:

Via Charles Dailey (iLoan):

In October of 2008, HUD rolled out their reverse mortgage product and in March of 2009, they perfected it.  With rates expected to rise and the tax credit setto expire, many real estate professionals are looking for new and under-served markets to reach out to.  Since HUD has perfected their reverse mortgage, the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) and the market for US residents 62 or older is expected to nearly double between now and 2050, perhaps now is their time.

A reverse mortgage is a loan where home equity is converted into a lump sum payment or series of payments to the homeowner or a combination of the two.  There no requirement for payment until all borrowers no longer live in the home but the borrower must keep the home in good repair, taxes current, insurance current and (if applicable) association dues current while they do.  The benefits of purchasing with a reverse mortgage are as follows:

  • seniors can preserve their savings
  • seniors who can't qualify for a forward mortgage due to income or credit often can qualify for a reverse mortgage
  • seniors can own their home for as long as they are alive, keep taxes current, keep insurance current and live in the home as their primary residence without needing to make a payment
  • seniors can enjoy financial security and independence (as this is a non-recourse loan)
  • seniors won't have to worry about passing on a mortgage debt to an heir

To qualify for a FHA HECM, one must be 62 years of age or older, occupy the property as your principal residence, not be delinquent on any federal debt and participate in a consumer information session given by an approved HECM counselor.  At closing, HECM borrowers must make a down payment which will be applied to satisfy the difference between the HECM principal limit and the sale price for the property, plus any HECM loan related fees that are not financed into the loan, minus the amount of the earnest deposit. 

SAMPLE TRANSACTION FOR A BUYER BORN IN 1938:

Purchase Price                                                       $300,000.00

Available Principal Limit                                      $178,546.06

Closing Costs                                                          $11,672.50

Cash Required at Closing                                    $133,126.44

They are very strict about where this down payment comes from.  It can be from such things as verified savings, retirement funds and proceeds from the sale of real estate but it may not be from any of the following:

  • FHA prohibits seller contributions (also known as "seller concessions"), the use of loan discount points, interest rate buy downs, closing cost down payment assistance, builder incentives, gifts or personal property given by the seller or any other party involved in the transaction.  This includes customary charges that are normally paid on behalf of the borrower by the seller.
  • Subordinate liens
  • Bridge loans
  • Gap financing
  • Cash withdrawals from credit cards
  • Personal loans
  • Seller financing
  • Gift funds

For seniors, buying a home is a HUGE move when done correctly.  It involves careful coordination between financial planners, a CPA, a good Realtor and a good loan officer.  Consideration as to whether a reverse mortgage should be involved or shouldn't be involved should always be evaluated as an option.

-Charles Dailey

 

                                 Mesquite Nevada Real Estate Agent  ~ ~  ERA

Mesquite NV Real Estate Agent - Virginia HeppVirginia Hepp ~ Mesquite Realtor
Pet Friendly Mesquite NV
Homes - Townhomes - Condos for Sale
 
50 - 55 + Active Adult Communities
Mesquite Gated Golf Course Neighborhoods
 
702 622-1177
 

 Find me on FacebookGet my Rss Feed Follow me on Twitter! Find my Videos on YouTubeLink up with me on LinkedInJoin my Circle with Google's +1

13 comments • Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV MLS - Sun City Mesquite - 55+ Buyer Representative • February 28 2010 03:53PM