Sales Begin on Las Vegas Project CityCenter Harmon Residences High Rise Luxury Condos

The news has never been better for high net worth individuals. Yesterday, at an invitation-only "Preferred Sales Event" held at the CityCenter Sales Pavilion which I personally attended, CityCenter announced their introduction and official launch of sales of the Harmon Hotel Spa and Residences, the most luxurious, lavish, exotic, and ultra-chic property Project CityCenter has to offer.

Serving as the gateway to the 76-acre CityCenter urban resort destination, the 47-story Harmon Residences provides a rarefied preserve for the quietly cool. We're talking complete and total luxury catering to privileged living. If you've researched CityCenter at all, you'll probably know the Mandarin Oriental component of the project previously served as the most exclusive option for the discriminating buyer. At prices starting upwards of well over a million dollars, the Mandarin sold out quickly and there are no units in that building available at this time. Believe it or not, The Harmon Residences will take the Mandarin to an even higher level of comfort and prestige. And believe it or not, it will sell out quickly as well at similar pricepoints. In fact, many units have sold even before the official launch to "MGM Mirage friends and family". (To paraphrase Mel Brooks, "It's good to be a friend and family member of MGM Mirage").

So here's your opportunity to live in the tower that will define hip, exclusive living on The Strip through its exceptional attention to detail, sensual comfort, non-gaming atmosphere, and forward-thinking environmental initiatives. If you're a high net worth individual seeking to acquire the most sought after property in perhaps the most prestigious development in the entire country, you owe it to yourself to find out more about The Harmon opportunity.

Offering the highest standard of service and luxury in a unique and stylish urban design, The Harmon's all about luxury, premier, distinctive, lavish, and exotic privileged living. It's NOT about cash flow. If you're an investor interested in positive cash flowing properties, the Harmon couldn't be more wrong for you. Instead, The Harmon's your oasis. It's your chance to live and own an unprecedented luxury living experience in a self-assured style. Why? Because financially, you can afford it and you deserve it.

The amenities and services the Harmon will offer are way too numerous to mention in a short article. But the best aspect about MGM Mirage's Project CityCenter is that it's actually happening. Their deep pockets and phenomenal development experience almost insure the success and delivery of this amazing product. You can see the construction progress each and every day as you drive past the site on The Strip or by viewing the CityCenter Construction Cam online.

MGM Mirage has partnered with the Light Group to create an environment condusive to the perfect lifestyle. Expensive? Yes... Worth it? For those with the means, absolutely! The Harmon (as well as the entire CityCenter Project) is scheduled to be completed by November of 2009. We all know how time flies and even at those prices The Harmon will likely sell out quickly. I urge you to act now. You'll need 10% down at contract and another 10% thirty days later, but like Mastercard, one can only describe ownership in this unique residence as "priceless".

Slash Your Tax Bill by Investing in "GO Zone" High Rise Condos and Cash Flowing Real Estate

As the two year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina passes by, many of the major newspapers in the country (and the Las Vegas Review Journal in particular) are featuring articles reminding us how devasting that storm was by documenting the trials and tribulations of the rebuilding process in the Gulf region. If you're like most people, you read these articles and look at the pictures and think to yourself, "wow.. those poor people. It's horrible what they had to endure". Then we continue drinking our lattes, watching our favorite TV shows and getting on with our everyday routines... and thinking about what Las Vegas high rise project to invest in.

Very few people know there are investment incentives made available by the federal government that allow you to invest in the redevelopment of the Gulf area while slashing your tax bill in the process. It's called the "GO Zone Act", and many are calling it an investor's dream. "GO" as in "Gulf Opportunity", the "GO Zone Act" allows qualified individuals bonus depreciation of 50% in year one of owning their investment property. Plus, you can carry back any “net operating loss” for 5 years or forward 20.

How does it work? Let's say you purchase a GO Zone qualified rental condo priced at $500,000. You cannot depreciate the land, so if we estimate land value at 10%, you now have a basis of $450,000. Fifty percent depreciation would equate to $225,000 that you may deduct from your taxable income.

So, did you pay taxes last year? If so (and you probably did), how'd you like to get that money back and turn it into valuable cash-flowing property instead? The "GO Zone Act" incentives allows you to do just that. However, not everyone qualifies for the GO Zone inventives - and not every property qualifies as well. It is imperative that you speak with your tax lawyer or accountant to determine if you qualify for the program.

If you're currently investing in Las Vegas high rise condos (or condos in any area of the country for that matter), I would strongly urge you to consider adding some "GO Zone" properties to your portfolio. The www.gozoneprojects.com website features a variety of projects that may be of interest, many of which make excellent investments even without the "GO Zone" benefits. In addition you'll find links to a variety of "GO Zone" related information as well as a "GO Zone" Blog updated whenever "GO Zone" related news happens.

It's your money - why give it to the government? Use it or lose it.

Now you can read those articles and watch those news programs about the Hurricane Katrina affected area and think to yourself, "I'm helping out, and I'm making money by doing so!". Now go ahead and have that latte.

Wanna Party? Saturday Night's Fundraiser Event Benefits the Southern Nevada "Make A Wish Foundation"

On this Saturday night, September 29th, 2007, please join Ernie Domanico of Domanico Custom Homes and Bob Barnhart of Red Rock Realty for a gala charity event with all proceeds benefiting the "Make A Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada". Jill and Bob Barnhart have graciously opened their home located in Red Rock Country Club as the venue for this event, hoping to bring greater recognition and raise funds for children in our community facing life-threatening illnesses.

The event will feature a complete runway show with designs from Just Cavalli, La Perla, SHAI, and Fred of Paris. Guests will also be treated to music by Grammy Award winner John B and singer/songwriter La Felle. The evening will culminate with an auction of a new Bentley Convertible and other exquisite items from some of the world’s premier brands.

The donation is $500 per person and the goal is to raise $250,000. All those involved in the preparation of this fundraiser, including Ernie Domanico and Collier Minerich have been working feverishly to make this evening of fashion, music, and magical wishes a success. Sponsorships are also still available. Please visit the Las Vegas Wealth Group website for more information. If you can't go and still want to make a donation, you can do that too by contacting Collier Minerich at collier@lasvegaswealthgroup.com.

I know it's late notice but some of the best things happen in the spur of the moment! The party's for a great cause and the kids really need your help!... and don't forget to get the next edition of 944 Magazine where Jill and Bob Barnhart will be featured in the magazine.

Downtown Las Vegas' Newport Lofts Condo Project Reporting Strong Sales

Who'd be crazy enough to buy a high rise condo in Downtown Las Vegas? Well, maybe "crazy" isn't the right word... how about "insightful" instead?

According to an article in today's Review Journal, Home Builders Research reported 32 escrow closings at the Newport Lofts condos in July at an average price of $536,315. That's not refundable reservations... That's not hard contract signings... That's CLOSED transactions, as in people are moving in and actually living there. Newport Lofts reports that approximately 1/5th of their buyers are investors and only 44 units in the building are left. With prices starting in the mid-$500s a square foot, they've already closed 81 escrows in the last six weeks while fallouts (or cancellations) have been at the ridiculously low rate of 3 percent.

Apparently, many people are seeing the value of downtown Las Vegas and the Newport Lofts project in particular. Are they crazy or insightful? You owe it to yourself to see for yourself and investigate the possibility of buying into this project or in one of the other neighboring quality Las Vegas condos downtown has to offer.

3rd Street in Downtown Las Vegas: A New Urban Destination?

If the developers from the CIM Group have their way, the Lady Luck casino in downtown Las Vegas will soon make way for new retail and entertainment center, complete with 3 new hotel towers, thereby leveraging the Freemont Street Experience by Third street and further enhancing the downtown Las Vegas lifestyle.

Have you bought a high rise or a mid rise condo there yet? More and more signs point to that being a smart decision.

Word on the street is CIM is actively making purchase offers to the real estate and business owners along the pedestrian plaza with hopes of strengthening the link between the Lady Luck and the Freemont Street Experience, which draws from 17 to 22 million visitors a year.

And why? Because CIM has already used this formula to revive downtrodden neighborhoods in Los Angeles with a great degree of success. Their goal is to turn downtown Las Vegas into a new urban destination. And they have the deep pockets to make it a reality.

The Lady Luck was purchased in 2005 by Andrew Donner of Las Vegas and has been closed since early 2006 with not much happening at all - a source of annoyance to many city officials (including the mayor). But since CIM bought into the project, the mood has changed drastically. In fact, CIM comes to the table with a $4 billion urban real estate portfolio backed by the California Public Employees Retirement System. News such as this continues to be cited as evidence that there is great economic potential to be tapped into Downtown Las Vegas.

Get yours!

Construction Progresses at Major Las Vegas Landmark

When it's complete, enough carpet will be used on this project to cover the Golden Gate Bridge with 9 miles of rubber base placed along the carpet edge. During construction, 72,000 cubic yards of concrete will be used. The exterior skin on the building measures 500,000 square feet and it would take nearly 330 average-sized adults holding hands to wrap around the building base. The building will contain 34 escalators and 16 elevators and you'll need 10 football fields to completely cover the building in grass.

You probably think we're talking about some big name, mega condo complex being built on the Las Vegas Strip - but believe it or not, the building in question is none other than the wildly successful World Market Center in Downtown Las Vegas, which recently completed its steel construction of their 16-story third building at a cost of $550 million. (along with 2,500 construction workers, 60 ironworkers, and 16,500 tons of steel.)

With the Center quickly becoming the preferred market for national and international furniture buyers, the demand for leasees into the building continues to escalate, which translates into great opportunity for those ready to act on Downtown Las Vegas mid-rise condos and high rise condos. After all, it stands to reason that with all this growth, people and companies will need housing for their employees, their customers, and themselves.

It couldn't be more clearer that downtown Las Vegas offers your best option for profit and appreciation in the Las Vegas high rise condo market. Along with the successes of the World Market Center, you have fine dining establishments opening, the Smith Center for the Performing Arts slated for the area, Freemont Street and all it's renovations, and a new sports area proposed neighboring the World Market Center as well. The World Jewelry Center's slated to happen and when Union Park's complete, you probably have no reason to ever drive your car as everything you'll need will be walking distance to your condo unit (think about your gas savings!)

Did you know I just described the Juhl project? Winner of four "Best of Nevada Real Estate" awards, Juhl is the only downtown project that combines mid-rise and high-rise residential living, recreational and social facilites, and 24,000 square feet of retail space at prices now starting in the high $300,000s. Its proximity is perfect to everything downtown and their units are still affordable. In fact, some may even say it's a bargain. A condo bargain in Las Vegas... who would have thought!

Juhl move-ins are scheduled for Spring of 2008, so take my advice and act on this opportunity today.

Big Money Investing Continues in Las Vegas Strip Condo Projects

MGM Mirage continues to partner with some of the deepest pocketed companies in the entire world. Coming on the heels of the announcement that Dubai World bought a significant stake in MGM Mirage's CityCenter Project (a Las Vegas high rise condo hotel buyer's dream), now comes word that Dubai World's subsidiary Istithmar Hotels FZE and Kerzner International Holdings will now partner with MGM Mirage to develop the 40 acres on the southwest corner of Sahara and the Strip. No doubt, high rise condos will be developed there at the cost of multi-billions. That's right... billions!

Yet to be named, construction on this project is anticipated for early 2009 with completion in 2012. Sure, that's a long way off. But here's the point: some of the brightest financial minds in the entire world are liking Las Vegas investments. Your stock broker cousin in Atlanta may not like Vegas, but if I have to take a stand on the investment climate and its potential, I'm going with the Dubai folks. Like the old saying goes, "be greedy when others are cautious and cautious when others are greedy".

In fact, back in August, Dubai World's spent $2.7 billion for a 50 percent stake in CityCenter, a $7.4 billion mixed-use project under construction on 76 prime Las Vegas Strip acres. Dubai World, the investment arm for the Persian Gulf state Dubai, also plans to invest another $2.4 billion to acquire approximately 28.4 million shares of MGM Mirage and are thinking as long-term strategic investors.

What a coincidence! That's what YOU should be thinking as well. Turn off your TV, put down that newspaper, and learn from the big boys. Continue to think long term and Las Vegas will reward you. The Las Vegas high rise market continues to reach skyward, and you have major international investors to turn to as proof.

Manhattan West Las Vegas Condos Making It Easier for Agents to Sell Their Properties

In this day and age when technology can do just about anything, it's becoming more and more amazing to me that not all high rise and mid rise condo developers are offering branded websites to real estate agents.

The ManhattanWest mid-rise condo project in Southwest Las Vegas gets it. By replicating their original website, I can now market their project by sending out my own personalized URL to prospective Las Vegas condo buyers. Not only are those clients registered by ManhattanWest in my name, I get an email with all the buyer's contact information for followup. Plus, once on my branded site, where ever they navigate on the website lists MY phone number and email address, including the Contact Us page. That's very powerful marketing on an agent by agent basis.

ManhattanWest isn't unique in this marketing concept. The Streamline Tower high rise project in downtown Las Vegas does it also. The Pinnacle Las Vegas helps agents automatically register clients through the use of a specific link they provide agents with where anyone registering off that link will be credited to the agent's referral code.

But my question is, why don't ALL projects do this? There's no down side to it (other than the cost of the website programming - which would be a drop in the bucket judging from the budgets these high rise projects have and the obscene money they throw at advertising on a monthly basis. (Trust me... you wouldn't believe how much money goes to advertising in magazines, billboards, newspapers which never seem to generate the desired results anyway.) Providing branded websites is a perfect way to get the broker/agent more involved in the sales process and gives agents that needed ego boost to get the condo development in front of their clients.

And just so you know, ManhattanWest will be situated on 20 lushly landscaped acres in Las Vegas' booming Southwest, centrally located between Summerlin and the Strip on Russell Road just west of I-215. The community will feature 700 condominiums and lofts, 150,000 square feet of office space for sale or lease, and more than 40,000 square feet of retail. Grading is complete, and construction is already underway. With prices starting from the mid $200's, I really believe ManhattanWest offers a tremendous opportunity for someone looking to live in Las Vegas and enjoy a great lifestyle in a residences/offices/shop environment. Register now to see what I mean.

Let's Talk About Las Vegas Condos at Vegas' Largest Mixer in Downtown Las Vegas

Mark down Tuesday, September 18th 2007 from 5:30 to 9:00pm as the people over at LargestMixer.com are hosting their third Las Vegas mixer event at the Plaza Hotel and Casino in Downtown Las Vegas.

These events are excellent because they provide you with the opportunity to mix and mingle with business people representing hundreds of Las Vegas industries and companies, many of which are related to the high rise condo business.

And speaking of which, the Verge project is also holding their own "Downtown Cool" networking event that very same night from 7-11pm at their Lifestyle Sales Center located at 516 N. Main Street in downtown Las Vegas as well. Verge knows how to throw a party - they'll have a wine bar, music, and fabulous drawings and if this is like any of their previous events, a good time will certainly be had by all. Who knows? You may even be impressed enough to buy one of their condos!

By the way... we've talked a lot about the tremendous amount of good news being generated lately regarding downtown Las Vegas revitalization. The folks over at Largest Mixer could pretty much go anywhere for their Las Vegas event, yet they too chose downtown Las Vegas. Perhaps the Verge and other downtown Las Vegas condo projects such as Juhl and Streamline are on to something?

Go to these networking events, see what's going on downtown, and perhaps you too should consider joining the bandwagon and purchasing a downtown condo unit with the rest of us visionaries.