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Investing in real estate is one way to for people to diversify their financial portfolios. Yet, problems plaguing the mortgage lending industry, coupled with the housing market slowdown, have put big question marks on the prospect. “People are more reluctant to invest because they’re nervous about what’s going on with real estate values,” said David Goldwater, founder and … [Read more...] about The Real Estate Market: An Investment or Bust?

Recently, industry experts sat down at Cili Restaurant in Las Vegas to discuss Nevada’s residential real estate market, including loans, the housing market, media impact, workforce issues and competition. Connie Brennan, publisher of Nevada Business Journal, served as moderator for the event which as part of the NBJ’s monthly Industry Focus series, brings industry leaders … [Read more...] about Industry Focus: Residential Brokers

Ever since Nevada achieved statehood in 1864, federal agencies have controlled most of the state’s land, refusing to release more than token amounts for construction of homes, schools, parks and businesses. Currently, about 89 percent of Clark County’s surface area is managed by the federal government. Until recently, this situation had little impact on day-to-day living for … [Read more...] about Federal Land Policy: Creating Economic Hardship in Clark County

The news is full of stories of suspicion and liability due to missing electronic files: Missing e-mails from Karl Rove; deleted e-mails from Arthur Anderson; $29.2 million awarded in a discrimination case after jury was instructed to “infer that [missing e-mails] would have been unfavorable.” As a result of recent changes to the federal court rules, lawyers recommend that … [Read more...] about Electronic Document Retention Policies: A Business Necessity

Chris McGarey knows the key to managing property is maximizing income and reducing costs without giving up value. But shaking hands, exchanging words and putting smiles on the faces of clients and colleagues is what he and his partner (and wife), Monica McGarey, believe sets their company apart. McGarey Partners’ mission statement conveys a desire to offer service that … [Read more...] about McGarey Partners: Making Deals on a More Personal Level

Due to Nevada’s vibrant economy and immense growth, the state’s commercial tenant improvements industry is booming. High construction and land costs, however, are greatly affecting the market and its key players. A look at the industry reveals several related trends. The Nuts and Bolts Commercial tenant improvements, often referred to as TIs, are modifications made to a … [Read more...] about Tenant Improvements: Who Can Afford Them?

The June 2007 Angora Fire at Lake Tahoe burned 3,100 acres, destroyed 254 homes and caused more than $150 million in property damage. Many local residents are now blaming the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) for creating conditions that made the fire damage worse. PA was created to address valid concerns, but it has grown into what former Nevada Assemblywoman Sharron Angle … [Read more...] about Tahoe Regional Planning Agency: Tried in the Fire

In the vibrant and growing Nevada economy, one of the key factors has long been diversity. As Nevada and this country look to the future, it is apparent that diversity will have an even greater impact. Yet, while diversity is important, defining it is a challenge. Dictionary definitions are of little help, and people seem to form their own ideas about what it means. It’s … [Read more...] about The Hispanic Market: Working in a Diverse Society

The university has three main missions, according to University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) president Milton D. Glick: to prepare an educated workforce while at the same time, helping to create high-value jobs for that workforce; to prepare leaders, help create an educated citizenry and encourage people to live as full a life as possible; and third, to discover new knowledge through … [Read more...] about Higher Education and Business Need Each Other: But Are They Meeting Each Other’s Needs?

It has been an historic summer for Nevada State College and all of Nevada. The Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education approved an interlocal agreement in July between Nevada State College (NSC) and the city of Henderson, which conveys 500-plus acres of federal land to the Nevada System of Higher Education and the college for educational and recreational … [Read more...] about Nevada State College: Developing Campus of the Future

Anyone who has ever run for statewide office in Nevada knows one thing: trying to characterize voters in the Silver State into one general category is a huge mistake. Are they conservative? Possibly more conservative than some states, but they did vote to elect Bill Clinton twice. And the makeup of our state Assembly certainly shows that progressive, liberal-leaning … [Read more...] about An Elephant or a Donkey? The Silver State Votes

Incentive programs – a good idea or a recipe for problems? The vast majority of employers today recognize that good pay and benefits are simply not enough to attract, hire and retain good people. This is why incentive programs continue to gain in popularity and have produced positive results. If asked, many employees will say they are motivated by money but numerous studies … [Read more...] about Employee Incentive Programs: Perks or Entitlements?

Market change and business growth are the key value drivers in information technology IT outsourcing. As IT market conditions change and a company grows, management’s attention is driven by progress, rather than process. For that reason, many businesses choose to outsource these process demands based on a variety of factors. Whether you are a larger company with an internal IT … [Read more...] about Outsourcing IT: A Valuable Proposition

Crisci Builders to Build-Out Agassi Enterprises Joseph Crisci, president of Crisci Builders, recently announced the Las Vegas-based general contractor is completing tenant improvement services for Agassi Enterprises, Inc., an enterprise which oversees Andre Agassi’s business and charitable ventures. Crescent Real Estate contracted Crisci Builders to handle the TI project for … [Read more...] about September 2007: Building Nevada Briefs

While growing numbers recognize that school choice is urgently needed in Nevada and across the country, the National Education Association (NEA), at its annual meeting in Philadelphia this summer, hardened its position against charter schools and school choice. Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama addressed this convention as full supporters of both … [Read more...] about Denying School Choice to Those Who Need it Most