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December 2018
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THE FIRST PRIME HOME GUIDE
AN IDAHO CHRISTMAS Giving the Gift of Memories
Season’s greetings from all of us on the First Prime Realty Group team! I hope the holiday season is full of comfort and joy for you and your loved ones. By the time you read this, I’ll be headed up to the Idaho mountains to spend Christmas with my family. As much as I enjoy our warmer winters in Las Vegas, the season never feels the same without pine trees and a healthy dusting of snow.
get-together to celebrate with my relatives. Not only do Lily and Liam get to see their aunts, uncles, grandmother, and cousins, I get to give them the kind of Christmas I always wanted growing up. While we didn’t have much when I was a kid, I still have fond memories of this time of year. We always went out and cut down our own Christmas tree, and my siblings and I always had plenty of fun sledding and building snowmen. These seasonal memories are ingrained into my idea of the quintessential Christmas experience, and I’m excited to give Lily and Liam the chance to try these things themselves. Lily is especially excited. At 3 and a half years old, she has fully grasped the magic of Santa Claus. In fact, she’s been singing “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” since mid- November! She’s been a good girl, and I have a feeling Old Saint Nick will put something great under the tree this year. As for me, I want to give her the gift of experiences. From going to help pick out a real Christmas tree to watching Santa jet boat around the lake, I’m sure we’ll come away from this trip with plenty of great memories. If I learned anything about the holidays when I was growing up, it’s that more than any gift, these kinds of experiences can give a warm glow to the coldest season of the year. That’s why I invested in our house in Coeur d’Alene. Beyond the market value of the property, it gives us a chance to spend holidays and birthdays with family and make priceless memories. I’m so glad everything came together on this project. I couldn’t imagine a better place to give Liam his first birthday and Lily a Christmas she’ll never forget.
Probably one of the most jarring things to get used to when I moved to Vegas was just how quickly the Christmas decorations come down after the holidays. Our town is decked out until Dec. 26 then almost all the lights and decorations disappear like clockwork. Growing up in the Intermountain Northwest, folks had a tendency to leave their lights up well into January. That prolonged holiday magic is well worth a little ice and snow, in my opinion. Of course, Dec. 25 has taken on an added significance for my family. Last year, on Christmas Day, my son Liam was born. My wife, Marites, and I knew that taking care of two babies would be taxing, but thankfully her parents volunteered to come up from the Philippines and give us a helping hand watching Lily. We were so grateful to have them there; Marites and I don’t have any relatives in Nevada. Their help during that time really underscored the importance of family, especially when Liam, determined to be our Christmas present, came along early. Now Liam will get to spend his first combined birthday- Christmas with my side of the family in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Our house up their is ready, and we’ll be hosting a
From our family to yours, happy holidays!
–Lathe Lavada
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Misleading Ingredients You Should Avoid HEALTHY FOOD FAUX PAS
DINNERTIME DECEPTION Your California roll may be hiding more than you think. Sushi is usually rolled in sugar-loaded and carbohydrate- heavy white rice. Aside from the white rice, the more intricate rolls often include toppings and condiments best savored in moderation. If you think you can avoid fried and greasy options by ordering a veggie burger, think again. These meat alternatives often contain another unhealthy dose of rice and are fried or baked in processed oils. While this information may send you into a panic about finding healthy foods, remember to stick to natural, low-additive foods, monitor your portion sizes, and create homemade alternatives to some of your favorites. You don’t have to compromise on taste to get the most nutrition out of your meals. Try cooking your favorite foods from scratch and avoid the consequences of misleading ingredients.
Instagram models and fitness specialists flood social media feeds with nutrition tips and tricks, but amid the blur of muscled selfies and misguided dieting advertisements, it’s hard to determine what is actually healthy. Arm yourself with the following knowledge about tricky food ingredients, and always question diet fads blasted on social media. DEVIOUS DRINKS There’s actually no scientific
These items are often falsely advertised as healthy options, and while they may contain some nutrients, most people don’t adhere to the listed serving size. When you eat more than recommended, you could be offsetting the nutritional benefits. LETTUCE LIARS Yes, even salads can be misleading when it comes to dieting. Salad dressing is a yummy way to make a salad more exciting, but it should be doled out in limited quantities. Unfortunately, most prepackaged salads do not limit dressing portions. A pool of ranch dressing over lettuce will limit the benefits you’ll get from the healthy greens. Additionally, nuts, cheeses, and seeds can be healthy and tasty on your salad, but they should also be eaten in moderation.
evidence to suggest “performance- enhancing” drinks will make you a better athlete. If you drink sports drinks regularly, you’re actually filling your body with unnecessary sugars and additives. Furthermore, common fruit juices contain a lot of sugar, and skim or fat-free milk contains additives that eliminate the full feeling whole milk provides you. SNEAKY SNACKS Food marketing labels use the latest diet trends to twist consumers into thinking they’re making smart choices simply because something is labeled “organic” or “low-fat.” Next time you’re shopping for a quick snack, be mindful when grabbing trail mix, yogurt, granola, microwave popcorn, or protein bars.
CASE STUDY CORDELL BUTLER SOLD HIS HOUSE ON THE CLOCK
stressful,” Cordell recalls. That’s when he decided to reach out to First Prime Realty Group. “I’d seen Lathe’s commercial. I thought that, due to the time constraints, this would be the best option, and it turned out to be.” Not only was our team able to purchase Cordell’s old home within the window of his other real estate closing, we made sure to do all we could to make the process as stress- free on the new husband as possible. “It was a pretty seamless process,” Cordell says, remembering his dealings with us. Lathe and our team worked to make sure the process was clear and, most importantly, that he didn’t feel rushed to vacate his old home. “They let me know what they needed and they gave me plenty of time to move out. The turnaround was quick.” We’re proud to have made such a difference for Cordell as he navigated a tricky, time-sensitive situation. “There was no stress involved; they worked really well with me,” he says about his experience. “Everything was based on my schedule and my terms.” That’s how we like to do business. We’re always happy to find win-wins for our clients. Thanks for sharing your story, Cordell! lathelavada.com/go/cordellbutler
Cordell Butler approached us after what should have been a joyful occasion became a stressful situation. Recently married, Mr. Butler had bought a new home and was just 30 days from closing when his mortgage lender changed personnel and started asking him about his old property. “They wanted to know stuff about what I wanted to do with
my [old] house — whether I was going to sell it, where I was going to keep it,” Cordell remembers. “And if I was going to keep it, I was going to need all this extra documentation.” Surprised by these extra demands with only a month or so to spare, the newlywed found himself in a tough, time-sensitive situation. “So, at that point, you could say it was getting to be
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INHERITED HOMES Gift or Holiday Nightmare?
Inheriting a home may seem like a gift, but the truth is that having a piece of property dropped in your lap can put a damper on any holiday cheer. That’s because these “new” homes come with plenty of issues. Some may be financially upside down, while others may need extensive repairs. In fact, a home may even be out-of-state, making it next to impossible to manage. TOO MUCH HOUSE These and other difficulties can make you feel trapped by your inherited property. Many people in this situation put themselves through great financial and emotional strain trying to make this gift work for them. Some are successful, but most are simply unprepared for the burdens that come with being thrust into this responsibility. If you are struggling with a home that is simply too much for you, please know you have options. TAKE CONTROL For many people, a cash sale of an inherited home is an attractive option. This lets you side step the expensive maintenance work and prolonged listing process that comes with a regular real estate sale. Cash buyers like First Prime Realty Group
will worry about the maintenance and cleanup. You simply take the items you want from the property, and we’ll take care of the rest. If you are being smothered by a house, a cash sale can be the fastest, most cost-efficient way to relief, and now is a great time to sell. HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS Contrary to popular belief, this is a busy time for cash sales. First Prime Realty purchases many homes for cash at the end of the year, empowering folks just like you to unshackle themselves from burdensome property. Many are simply looking to relocate to be closer to family and see the holidays as the perfect time to make the move. Whatever the reason, if you are looking to get out from under a home you’ve inherited and have a little more jingle in your pocket this holiday season, you should strongly consider seeking out a cash buyer. First Prime Realty Group has built a reputation of closing win-win sales quickly and easily. Contact us today, and we could have the sale complete in time for you to start the new year with your best foot forward. Give us a call at 702-476-2000.
INGREDIENTS • 2 pounds fresh chestnuts, unpeeled • 2–3 sprigs rosemary • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, or more to taste • Pinch of freshly ground nutmeg • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1. Heat oven to 450 F. 2. Place a large sheet of foil on a rimmed baking sheet. 3. On a large, flat workspace, place chestnuts flat side down. Using a sharp knife, carve an X on the rounded side of each chestnut. 4. In a large bowl of hot water, soak chestnuts for 1 minute. 5. Pat dry and transfer to a medium bowl. Add rosemary, butter, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Toss to coat and transfer to baking sheet. Arrange in a single layer. Gather the edges of the foil together, leaving an opening at the top. 6. Roast until peels curl up, about 30–45 minutes. 7. Transfer to a platter and serve while hot or warm. 3 702-476-2000 BUTTERY ROASTED CHESTNUTS Inspired by Bon Appétit DIRECTIONS
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
9550 S. Eastern Ave. Ste. 253 Las Vegas, NV 8923
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Happy Holidays From the Lavada Family! Misleading Foods to Avoid HowWe Saved Cordell Butler Time and Stress Have You Inherited Too Much House?
Buttery Roasted Chestnuts Everything You’ll Need for an Ugly Sweater Christmas
UGLY SWEATER PARTIES
A Fun Trend You Can Easily Follow!
It's speculated that the first ugly sweater party took
Rudolph, or Frosty on it. And let it be known that an ugly sweater isn’t complete without sparkles, beads, and sequins galore. WHAT EXACTLY IS AN UGLY SWEATER PARTY? It's rather simple — slip on your favorite Christmas sweater, gather all your friends and family members, make sure there are plenty of refreshments and games, and you’re guaranteed to have a top-tier party. A few ugly-sweater- themed games that should be on the agenda include an ugly gift exchange, which is similar to the white
place in Vancouver, Canada, back in 2001. Since then, the trend has become one of the most popular holiday party themes. Come Thanksgiving, you’ll start to see racks in all types of
clothing stores lined with hideous sweaters. If you're ready to jump on the ugly-sweater-party bandwagon this Christmas season, here are a few things to keep in mind.
elephant exchange, except with the gaudiest gifts you can find; an ugly photo booth, complete with terrible, tacky props; and, of course, an ugly sweater contest. This is the only time of year when slipping into a lurid red sweater with a stuffed Santa sewn on the front is considered trendy. So adorn yourself in the frumpiest, tackiest sweater you can find, and have some fun this December!
YOUR VERY OWN UGLY SWEATER Ugly sweaters come in all shapes, sizes, and prices. You can head to H&M or a local thrift store to pick one up. However, if you have a sweater that’s been cozied up for years in the back of your closet or a drawer, now’s your chance to give it new life. Arm yourself with a hot glue gun, thread, and needle, and patch Santa,
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