MAY 2008

Foreign and domestic investors stimulate Las Vegas real estate economy – including downtown.

by: Gary Fisher, Downtown Coalition of Las Vegas & Luxury Homes of Las Vegas

Although we’ve had our economic ups and downs in this city, we have always been a city of dynamic change, growth, controversy and fame. Today, most of us are familiar with the national mortgage crisis, but few of us think of the opportunities that abound for the cash rich.

With a weak dollar compared to other well-known currencies, foreign buyers have hit the headlines in recent months with multi-billion dollar investments in major U.S. projects such as the $6 billion Dubai investment in the MGM CitiCenter on the Strip.  But how does that trickle down to affect the single-unit purchases we rarely hear about?  With the U.S. dollar weakening against foreign currencies, international investors are snapping up many of the Strip's high-priced condos, as well as condos in the downtown Las Vegas area. 

READ MORE....
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APRIL 2008

Navigating the Urban Jungle  Gary Fisher, Streamline Tower / Downtown Coaliton of Las Vegas As a Real Estate professional I’m constantly amazed at the number of us who have no clue what’s going on downtown.  I’m making it my mission to answer the questions most in our field don’t even know to ask, so here goes. For those of you who are “in the know” here’s a refresher, and for those who haven’t yet ventured into the new downtown, read on.   Featuring Updates on: Lady Luck Hotel & Casino (CIM Group) Project Live/Work The Bulldog Site Gold Spike/Travel Inn The ACE Downtown Connector Union Park

Click Here to Read the Entire Article http://www.erealestateexec.com/urban_update2/urban_jungle.php

  Rendering: Smith Center for the Performing Arts


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FEBRUARY 2008

STREAMLINE TOWER - Downtown Living Update
Gary Fisher, Luxury Homes of Las Vegas; Downtown Coalition of Las Vegas


People buy based first and foremost on location, location, location. At the crossroads of the two most recognized streets in Las Vegas - Las Vegas Boulevard and Fremont Street - Streamline Tower has the downtown competition beat tenfold. With the recent grand opening of Fremont Street East - the center of the new entertainment district- residents at Streamline Tower are steps from dining, entertainment and all of the services the city-dweller expects.

Like the Gaslamp District in San Diego 10 years ago, this area is still in its infancy. The area is undergoing an $18 billion revitalization effort, which will completely change the landscape (not to mention property values) of the new downtown. Take a look at any other major U.S. city where the urban core has undergone even a fraction of this combination of public and private investment and see what this has done for property values. Location, timing and opportunity have all come together to make this possibly the best high-rise investment available in years. We've all heard the stories of buyers with foresight (or just plain luck) who purchased for pennies on the dollar-based on today's values-in lower Manhattan, or San Diego's Gaslamp, or Denver's LoDo, Austin's Sixth Street, Portland's Pearl District, and the list goes on.

So what does this mean to us as local buyers? Do we sit skeptically on the sidelines waiting to see what happens downtown? The answer is an emphatic "no." As to the revival of downtown, it's not a matter of if, but when. We are at the start of a wave that will create a massive amount of wealth for those who jump in now. If we take our lessons from history, it is easy to see the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity we have at our doorstep. It is our job as active professionals in this business to educate ourselves and our clients and to provide them the tools they need to make an informed decision. Given all of the information, the decision is an easy one.

Streamline Tower is scheduled for completion during the first quarter of 2008. This eliminates a lot of the usual risk from the perspective of the agent as well as the buyer. No need to roll the dice as to the feasibility of the project, the safety of your buyer's earnest money deposit, not to mention the commission earned by the agent. The property features 275 beautifully appointed one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans (some with studies) priced between $500,000 and over $1.3 million. With rising construction costs, it is unlikely that a similar project could be built and offered for anywhere near these prices, especially when you look at the upgrades and amenities being offered. Residents will be able to exercise in a state-of-the-art fitness center, party in a private clubhouse, relax at the rooftop pool and sun terrace, all while enjoying fantastic strip views. They will have access to concierge services, valet and security, as well as 12,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. The retail space has received a high level of interest from prospective tenants including a European-style market, a coffeehouse, a dry cleaner and a smoothie joint, just to mention a few. Interest is currently being sought for a restaurant or entertainment venue in the anchor space.

Please feel free to contact us with questions about this or any other downtown project. We schedule private tours and presentations on downtown development and am happy to offer the local Real Estate community tools to assist in selling downtown.

Streamline Tower :  150 N. Las Vegas Blvd. (702) 648-9919