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THE FIRST PRIME HOME GUIDE
A CHANCE MEETING The 10th Anniversary of Meeting My Wife
A word of advice for would-be valentine shoppers: If your significant other says they don’t want chocolates or flowers next year, still get them something. My wife tells me every year that she doesn’t need a Valentine’s Day present, but I’ve long since learned that this doesn’t mean she wouldn’t like one. After all, Feb. 14 isn’t about your needs; it’s about taking time to celebrate what you have together. Marites and I certainly have a lot to celebrate. Not only are we in the middle of the month we celebrate love, we’re also approaching the 10th anniversary of when we met! Looking over the past decade we’ve spent together, it’s hard to believe that Marites and I almost never crossed paths in the first place. Fortunately enough, our lucky meeting happened on St. Patrick's Day. It was 2009, and a good friend from my time spent in Hawaii had come to visit. Of course, after flying all the way to Vegas, this buddy of mine wanted to get the full experience and hit the strip. At this point, I’d called Las Vegas home for about three years and had long since put my clubbing days behind me. But my friend was insistent; it was St. Patrick's Day, after all. Eventually I relented and took him to one of my old favorite dance clubs. Looking back, I’m sure glad I did. What I remember noticing first about Marites was her smile. Amid the flashing lights of the dance floor, it
shone through, warm and full of joy. I thought to myself, I need to go talk to this person — so I did. She was understandably shy at first; Vegas clubs aren’t exactly known for being a great place to meet stand-up gentlemen. But after chatting for a bit and explaining that this was not my regular weekend routine, she gave me her number. It’s amazing what can grow out of a single chance meeting. In the dates that followed, I got to know more about the woman behind the incredible smile I’d seen that night, and our relationship blossomed. I learned that she was incredibly giving, almost to a fault. I’ve never met a more generous person. And the more we talked, the more we found we had in common. Despite having grown up on opposite ends of the earth, this Idaho boy and Filipino girl had both grown up to want to be loving, providing parents. The advice I give to new couples or those just starting to get serious is to know where their non-negotiable points stand. All relationships are negotiations in some way as you and your partner work to bring your lives in line with one another. So long as you are clear on where you are willing to be flexible and where you aren’t, you can know early on if you both have what it takes for a long- lasting partnership. Being honest with yourself and your significant other is the most important part.
For me, my litmus test for the person I wanted to spend my life with was someone who’d be an equal partner in providing a stable upbringing for our children. My own tumultuous childhood taught me the value of having two nurturing parents in the picture. Marites shares these convictions, coming from a hard childhood herself. Together, we set off on the adventure of a lifetime, raising our own family. As any parent can surely attest, nothing tests your mettle like raising children. There are so many aspects of the job that they just don’t teach in school — it’s a stressful, messy learning experience. But I can say with certainty that if you build your relationship on love and understanding, any challenge can be overcome. I’m incredibly lucky to have such a strong and loving woman by my side through all the challenges of being both a parent and a business owner. Today, 10 years after that chance St. Patrick’s Day meeting, Marites and I have two beautiful, happy children I get to be with every day. Best of all, my daughter and son both have their mother’s smile.
Here’s to those we love most,
Lathe Lavada
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Do They Work or Are They All Hype? THERAPY LIGHTS
The winter months can be dreary for folks who live in northern regions. The days are shorter and the sky is often obscured by clouds. This
their output. While most lights attempt to simulate sunlight, some devices have weaker output, which means your body and brain won’t respond the same way they do when in natural sunlight. For instance, some lights are marketed as having “5,000 lux” or “10,000 lux.” There is a big difference between the two. Normal daylight (not direct sunlight), has the equivalent of 10,000–25,000 lux. Direct sunlight can have anywhere from 30,000–100,000 lux. Average office lighting puts out less than 500 lux. In order to be effective, you need a lamp with at least 10,000 lux. After about 30–45 minutes of use, you should notice a boost in mood and energy. While therapy lights are safe and come with few side effects, they are not suited for extended use. Many lights come with a warning not to use them for more than an hour at a time. Using them for longer than an hour can cause eye strain, headaches, and irritability. Therapy lights are not a cure-all. They can help, but they’re a short-term solution. If you feel the effects of SAD or experience depression, consult with a health professional to determine what solution is right for you.
bleak weather can lead to seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. Depression, moodiness, and lower energy typically affect people with SAD more during the fall and winter months. The disorder has several different causes, but a primary one is a lack of sunlight, which can have an impact on your body’s internal clock. The winter climate can also reduce your serotonin levels, which influence your mood. Low serotonin can bring about feelings of depression. To address this problem, manufacturers developed light therapy devices. Therapy lights, or “happy lights,” are bright lamps that can sit on your desk or end table. They simulate natural sunlight and are marketed as mood boosters that treat symptoms of SAD. But do these therapy lights actually work or are they just placebos? The answer is both . There are a lot of therapy lights on the market, but they’re not all equally effective. The difference is
CASE STUDY MARY WALTZ NAVIGATED A DIFFICULT PROCESS
her mother had started to search for a homebuyer together. However, before they could complete any transactions, Mary's mother passed away, sending the house into probate. That’s where we stepped in to lend a hand. “Lathe was instrumental in helping me get the house into my name so we could sell it after my mother passed,” Mary says. Our office went as far as helping her find a probate attorney and ensuring the complicated legal questions were squared away so she could finish the process her mother had started. “Through the whole process, [First Prime Realty Group] told me step- by-step what to do and how to do it,” Mary says. “It made the whole process of selling the home very easy — a lot less stress on me!”
Looking back on working with First Prime Realty Group, Mary remarks, “Everything was wonderful in closing. It was a great experience. They helped me sell the house as quickly as possible.” She was even kind enough to add, “Anyone who wants to sell their home for cash, I would recommend Lathe Lavada’s office because they are knowledgeable and can get the job done quickly. They will really help you.” Thanks for sharing your story, Mary! We are always happy to use our experience to help home sellers navigate complex situations like probate. If you inherited an unwanted home, take Mary’s advice and call us at 702-476-2000. You can also read her story at www.lathelavada. com/go/marywaltz.
Losing a loved one is always difficult. But when that loss is coupled with the sudden financial shock of being saddled with an unwanted home, the complexities of probate and real estate can compound your grief. At First Prime Realty Group, we’ve worked with many people facing these difficult situations. Mary Waltz was kind enough to share her story to show how she found relief during a trying time. “Before finding First Prime Realty Group, we were struggling to sell my mother’s home,” Mary explains. She and
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KNOWING THE MARKET How Informed Are Potential Buyers?
Answer on page 4
SPICY SALMON TARTARE
It’s no secret: The Las Vegas housing market has been a roller coaster ride recently. The beginning of 2019 has seen a host of national and local factors that have worked to shift the real estate game in many important ways. If you are looking to sell your home to a cash buyer in today's economy, it pays to work with a team that has their pulse on the local market. ARE ALL BUYERS IN THE KNOW? There are plenty of cash buyers out there who haven’t caught on to the softening in the market. These may be small mom-and-pop home flippers who don’t do enough business to notice big-picture shifts like the rise in construction material costs. On the other hand, large national buyers can only focus on these macroeconomic shifts, ignoring local factors like what the addition of the Raiders Stadium actually means for property values in Las Vegas. The most informed buyers you can find are like First Prime Realty Group: local, but also doing enough business to track the month-to-month fluctuations in the economy. WHY SELL TO SOMEONE IN THE KNOW? Some may be thinking, “Why not sell to a buyer who doesn’t know the
market has softened? I could get a great deal!” This couldn’t be further from the truth. When you court an uninformed buyer, it’s only a matter of time before they wise up. These are the situations where sales fall through at the last minute. The flip side is that ill-informed buyers can also give you a bad deal. If they lack contacts in the local construction/ home rehabilitation market, or fail to grasp neighborhood-specific factors that boost the value of your property, these buyers might short you without sure is that no one knows what the future of the housing markets holds. Between trade wars, government shutdowns, social unrest, and interest rate increases, the economy as a whole is in a state of uncertainty. No one has a crystal ball; don’t believe buyers who give you an offer “based on where the market will be.” Our philosophy at First Prime Realty Group is to always meet the market where it’s at. That way, when we make you an offer, you can rest assured there won’t be surprises along the way. even knowing it. WHERE’S THE MARKET HEADING? The one thing experts know for
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS • 1 8-ounce boneless, skinless salmon fillet • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice • 1/4 teaspoon lime zest • 1/4 cup cucumber, seeded and finely diced • 1 1/2 teaspoons jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced • 1 1/2 teaspoons shallots, minced • 3/4 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated • 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh cilantro, minced • 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh chives, minced • 1 1/2 teaspoons grapeseed or vegetable oil • Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste • Crackers or chips, for serving 1. Place salmon in freezer for 20 minutes to make slicing easier. 2. Meanwhile, prepare other ingredients for mixing. 3. Thinly slice salmon into sheets and cut sheets into strips and strips into cubes. When finished, you should have 1/8-inch cubes. 4. In a mixing bowl, combine salmon with all other ingredients. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Garnish with chips or crackers and serve. 3 702-476-2000 Inspired by Epicurious
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
9550 S. Eastern Ave. Ste. 253 Las Vegas, NV 8923
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Lathe and Marites Celebrate 10 Years Do Therapy Lights Really Work? How We Helped Mary Waltz The Future of Las Vegas Housing 1 2 2 3 3 4 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Spicy Salmon Tartare All About Chocolate
WHAT YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT CHOCOLATE
Fun Facts to Wow Your Loved Ones This Valentine’s Day
Chocolate is a treat savored by people all over the world. What we know as the sweet, creamy decadence that sustains Valentine’s Day actually has greater historical and cultural significance. Fermented chocolate drinks have been dated back to as early as 350 B.C. The Aztecs believed it was the beverage of wisdom, and the Mayans saw it as something to be worshipped. While the history of chocolate is as rich as its flavor, there are some common misconceptions about the treat. Dutch chocolate doesn’t necessarily refer to chocolate made in the Netherlands; the name refers to a specific chocolate-making process that uses the cocoa press. Before Dutch chemist and chocolate-maker C.J. van Houten invented the machine in 1828, chocolate was only used in beverages. Dutch chocolate is chocolate that has been modified with an alkalizing agent in order to produce a
milder flavor, making it a fantastic option for use in baked goods, candy, and ice cream. German chocolate actually has nothing to do with the country of Germany, either. It used to be called “German’s chocolate,” named after its inventor, Sam German, an American who made sweet chocolate for baking. Adding sugar to the chocolate made it a go-to option for bakers around the world, and the base for German chocolate cake was born. For chocolate to be classified as Swiss, it has to be made in Switzerland, as chocolate-making is considered an art form in the country. Known for its “melt in your mouth” quality, Swiss chocolate uses condensed milk to add a velvety texture. Many chocolate makers outside of Switzerland will refer to their interpretations of Swiss chocolate as milk chocolate instead.
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