[Californiapch]

Originally Posted by Mbam99

We bought a place just over 2 years ago. I don't have any intentions to flip it, I would say we will be keeping it fo quite a while. Our intent when we bought it wasn't to make money, but rather a place to go, get out of the cold, and chillax.

Share some of your knowledge you have gotten over the past few years.

If you not hear much what is your utilities costs?

How much do you use the A/C in the summer when you are not there? ( all these vacant places don't have power so seems like the A/C does not need to be on or maybe just on a bit to keep it from being too hot )

What utility companies are you with?


Our short sale is not done yet so we will be setting things up hopefully next month.


What I will do is quote some of my posts that had info and post them in this thread.... no point me typing it all out again.

If we post new things we will kinda keep this up top... but nice if it because a sticky.


Brian

[Californiapch]

Originally Posted by Californiapch

I was told by AT&T that the 3 month $25 or $60 cards --- once they expire your phone still stays active for 60 days....... then i found out up to 60 days...... I had to get a new number.

If your not there for 4 months you need to do another $25 card to save your number

So, I just got a $100 card that lasts 12 months but I get about 9-10 months..... works out to $10 a month and I am happy with the coverage. seems decent.


We are buying in SW LV --- started the short sale about Jan 9th and still going... but it is suppose to be close... we accepted the banks counter offer which is the value they get it appraised at.

Question, do you have a US bank account? I set oine up last trip at Bank of America. It was easy..... but I ahd to go twice as they needed my passport, my Drivers L was not enough being an out of state one.

We have an account that is free as long as we use the bank machine to make deposits or withdrawls. The bank machines count, sort and confirm your US cash so that is fine.


Brian

I have a slingbox that shoots my Canadian TV via iternet to where ever I am.

Slingbox.com - Watch Your TV Anywhere with a Slingbox

Buy it at Best Buy. I like it.

It does use about 100 MB an hour ( upload and download where you are at ) so keep that in mind

Originally Posted by Californiapch

Depends if you get the HD version or the reg version.

I am not up on the prices but think the reg is $179-239 ( cheaper price in USA )

The HD version is maybe $100 more.


If you want clear video and have a fast laptop then maybe get the HD but you need decently fast upload speeds at your original home.


I watched the Canadian Grey Cup in Laughlin but hotels wifi speed was not great but it still worked.


I think it uses about 100 MB data per hour to watch.....


You can buy a US model but just try find the Canadian side of slingbox web site as it has the Canadian cable companies when you set it up.


I have the slingplayer on my iphone too..... can even set my PVR through it.

Sligbox has a forum .... go read some things and learn more.

Brian

I posted this thread long ago.

What do Canadians have to know about buying property in Las Vegas?

[binionrat]

Same here...After staying in hotels for 25 years, three or four times a year, it gets a little tedious. With the market being what it is, the price was right for a LV condo if you paid cash. In our case we just added it onto our mortgage that had little owing on our house in Canada. Many are just doing an overdraft on their bank acct. Now that the airlines are starting to charge for carryon, it is wonderful to have duplicate everything at our condo. Many of us are now at the baby boomer age where we are or will be collecting our pensions...60 to 65 years of age. We aren't looking for employment. I only have 2 more horrible snowy winters to go and then we can stay in our condo for 4 - 5 months at a time. In my case as in Mbam99's case we don't plan on selling it either. Our adult children love travelling to LV too so I'm sure they'll keep it after they inherit it and they say they have no intention of selling it either no matter how high it goes. I find that Canadians are not flippers and investors like Americans in many cases as houses/properties/ranches are passed on through generations in our country.

[Californiapch]

Originally Posted by binionrat

Now that the airlines are starting to charge for carryon,

Well, to save the money on the under compartment luggage. I buy a 1.75 ltr Vodka at Costco in Vegas for $10 and bring it home each time. It costs I think $47 here so I save $35 so that goes towards the $25 per bag fee!



And I don't drink lots so it lasts me for 3-4 months!



OH, gotta stock the condo up with Clamato soon, I can't believe the Outback doesn't make Ceasers!

[Californiapch]

Originally Posted by binionrat

Our adult children love travelling to LV too so I'm sure they'll keep it after they inherit it and they say they have no intention of selling it either no matter how high it goes.

I don't have any kids but have thought about this - what about having your kids buy the condo so when they sorta inherit it they don't have the estate stuff to do in due time.

You get your kids to buy a place for you to retire ( give them the funds ) and it saves them some headaches. Hope the IRS doesn't read this ha ha.

I don't have kids ( a cat ) so not doing that but have thought of this.... maybe some of you might say. hey, good idea!

Brian

[BBMW]

I lived in upstate NY for a few years. Not quite Canada, but cold enough. So I can understand the appeal of Vegas weather, but....

Give the vast overabundance of hotels (and now condotels) in Vegas, is it worth the bother and expense of buying and maintaining a residence just to visit? I would think it would be cheaper to rent rooms as needed, and then have all the hotel services and amenities.

Originally Posted by Mbam99

We bought a place just over 2 years ago. I don't have any intentions to flip it, I would say we will be keeping it fo quite a while. Our intent when we bought it wasn't to make money, but rather a place to go, get out of the cold, and chillax.

[Californiapch]

Originally Posted by BBMW

I lived in upstate NY for a few years. Not quite Canada, but cold enough. So I can understand the appeal of Vegas weather, but....

Give the vast overabundance of hotels (and now condotels) in Vegas, is it worth the bother and expense of buying and maintaining a residence just to visit? I would think it would be cheaper to rent rooms as needed, and then have all the hotel services and amenities.

Going to Las Vegas for New Years will cost you $250-350 ( or more ) a night for 3-5 nights


That will go towards lots of the yearly costs.


Brian

[ScoopLV]

Originally Posted by binionrat

Then there is the phone companies who won't do a monthly plan because you don't have a SSN and they want you to find a US citizen to open an account for you in their name..and on it goes.

Does anyone actually DO that for you? There is simply NO WAY I would EVER do that for ANYONE. Not even a relative. Getting access to your utilities is just about the easiest way to commit identity theft of the highest order.

I'd sooner dig a big hole in my garden, fill it full of money, and light it on fire. It would be less of a hassle.

[BBMW]

Maybe it would cover a month, two at the outside (well, depending on what you bought.) How often can you get down to use it, and how much is travel going to cost? Also, I have no idea if Canada has tax breaks for home ownership, and if they would apply to foreign properties (although I'm sure you do.)

And what if you get sick of going to Vegas for new years, and want to go to Cabo? This is a pretty big lock-in to your future vacation choices.

Originally Posted by Californiapch

Going to Las Vegas for New Years will cost you $250-350 ( or more ) a night for 3-5 nights


That will go towards lots of the yearly costs.


Brian

[Californiapch]

Originally Posted by BBMW

Maybe it would cover a month, two at the outside (well, depending on what you bought.) How often can you get down to use it, and how much is travel going to cost? Also, I have no idea if Canada has tax breaks for home ownership, and if they would apply to foreign properties (although I'm sure you do.)

And what if you get sick of going to Vegas for new years, and want to go to Cabo? This is a pretty big lock-in to your future vacation choices.

Well, for us,,, 4 people are buying 25% each so we get it once every 4 years.... our costs are 25%.

And we will be forming an LLC for the property as if one passes away the estate stuff would be hard to deal with.

Two of us are auto brokers ( importing cars, motorhomes, boats and so on ) who are down in vegas lots.

Brian