Category Archive : Technology

LAS VEGAS, NV – Several owners of homes in Del Webb in Lake Las Vegas are complaining that their million-dollar luxury residences are crumbling just a few years after they were built, and they’re blaming the community’s parent company – PulteGroup – for the issues currently plaguing them.

Residents are reporting problems such as tilting floors, splitting walls, and the threat of actually falling while walking around in their very own homes. Willie Barron notes that his $1.3 million property, just five years after it was constructed, is now “tilting an inch and a half from the rear to the front…everything is unstable and uneven.”

Del Webb homeowners situated on a ridgeline in the community are said to be dealing with homes that are “crumbling from below,” according to attorney Norberto Cisneros – who specializes in construction-defect lawsuits – who also notes that this situation is “probably one of the worst cases I’ve ever seen.”

Local media coverage of the affected homes reportedly shows one with cracks in the wall of its dining room that keep reappearing no matter home many times they are repaired; kitchen tiles that are coming apart; a backyard patio that has detached from its house; as well as splitting fences and cracking retaining walls.

Structures that have used stucco for their walls have had especially bad problems, Cisneros claimed; issues include cracked walls, leaks, and water damage.

This is a classic example of soils problems,” he explained. “They gutted out the community, took all the soils, and they have to re-compact it before they build the homes on top. They did not compact the soils properly here.”

Stabilizing the affected properties could cost as much as $300,000 to $500,000 each, Cisneros said, and claimed that PulteGroup has not yet responded with a repair plan by a state law-mandated 90-day deadline.

PulteGroup has reportedly faced similar accusations in Florida, to the point where the company reached an agreement with the state’s attorney general in 2018 to pay a $78.7 million judgment to resolve claims over stucco defects, in addition to additional millions in restitution and repairs for homeowners.

In regards to the Del Webb homes in Lake Las Vegas, PulteGroup issued the following statement to local media: “We stand behind the quality of homes we deliver. We are actively engaged with homeowners in assessing their concerns and addressing warranty-related repairs.”

Shelter Realty Property Management specializes in the areas of Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, NV. Feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

Christopher Boyle

Christopher Boyle is an expert investigative journalist for SEARCHEN NETWORKS® and reports for independent news and media organizations in the United States. Christopher keeps a keen-eye on what’s happening in the Vegas real estate market on behalf of Shelter Realty Property Management

www.shelterrealty.com

LAS VEGAS, NV – Artificial Intelligence (AI) is in the middle of a huge boom right now, with the controversial technology expanding its abilities by leaps and bounds on a seemingly daily basis, leading to very real concerns that it could take jobs away from hardworking human beings.

Real estate is one field that has its workers sweating about the perils that AI presents to their livelihoods; already, the tech is being used to automate some of the more mundane tasks realtors have to contend with.

AI is being used generate and automate listings, anticipate buyer and seller preferences, and – with the vast amounts of data that algorithms can analyze – offer personalized property suggestions for target demographics, based specific individual preferences. Plus, the tech enables AI-driven chatbots to offer 24/7 availability to engage with buyers at all hours of the day or night, providing help and engagement in order to help retain interest.

But as for the idea that real estate agents themselves could eventually be replaced, a new Microsoft study says that isn’t likely to ever happen. This is because while AI could potentially tackle aspects of customer service and sales, it could never handle the uniquely-human, “emotional” side of property transactions, as many buyers and sellers are looking for a “trusted advisor” to guide them through the process.

The study analyzed 200,000 conversations that users of Copilot – Microsoft’s generative AI-driven chatbot, included in the company’s Windows operating systems and Bing internet browser – to see where the tech’s abilities stood out, and where they came up short.

Careers that involved gathering and explaining information – such as journalism, translation, customer service, telemarketing, travel agents, and sales – appeared to show the highest risk of AI takeover.

However, careers that require a human to be physically present – such as nursing, painting, embalming, machine operation and repair – showed the least risk.

But while the real estate industry wasn’t specially singled out as being either safe or endangered from the effects of AI, the study noted that the tech scored poorly in terms of emotional nuance and earning trust, aspects that are vital for realtors who are helping their clients through what is likely the most expensive and stressful decision of their lives.

As mentioned above, AI is proving to be an effective tool to assist real estate agents in their duties, but “when the AI tries to directly provide support or advice, people are less satisfied,” the report found, solidifying the fact that – despite the latest tech advancement in the field – realtors will always be needed when it comes to the selling and buying of properties.

Shelter Realty Property Management specializes in the areas of  Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, NV. Feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

Christopher Boyle

Christopher Boyle is an expert investigative journalist for SEARCHEN NETWORKS® and reports for independent news and media organizations in the United States. Christopher keeps a keen-eye on what’s happening in the Vegas real estate market on behalf of Shelter Realty Property Management

www.shelterrealty.com

LAS VEGAS, NV – Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a part of life for many people, with the technology having rapidly evolved and implemented into many jobs and industries throughout the world. Experts predict that this trend will continue, with AI soon becoming intertwined with a plethora of everyday tasks and careers…including real estate.

The real estate industry has seen the adoption of AI, which has contributed to an increase in efficiency and innovation in the field; however, like anything, there is also the potential for misuse and the harm that comes along with it, and several countries around the world – Australia, being the prime example – are now pushing for regulation of the tech’s use when it comes to real estate advertising. That being said, should the U.S. follow suit?

AI is being used generate and automate listings, anticipate buyer and seller preferences, and – with the vast amounts of data that algorithms can analyze – offer personalized property suggestions for target demographics, based on specific individual preferences. Plus, the tech enables AI-driven chatbots to offer 24/7 availability to engage with buyers at all hours of the day or night, providing help and engagement in order to help retain interest.

But while there are many positive uses of AI when it comes to real estate, there are just as many drawbacks and shortcomings as well that are raising calls for its regulation due to potential misuse that can mislead consumers.

AI algorithms that are not properly regulated can result in fabricated listings with altered images and information that can present properties in unrealistic lights. Also, there’s a lack of transparency and clear accountability in terms of AI-generated content; when AI presents misinformation or crosses ethical boundaries, what party should be held responsible?

Issues like this could eventually erode trust in online real estate platforms and even the industry as a whole if they were to run amok unchecked. Hence, certain countries are being proactive in their attempts to regulate them to prevent that from happening and to ensure consumer transparency by establishing clear guidelines, accountability protocols, and ongoing monitoring.

That being said, there are a growing number of voices that are calling for similar oversight of AI here in the U.S. as well; both the real estate industry and those who depend upon it stand to benefit.

Shelter Realty Property Management specializes in the areas of  Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, NV. Feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

Christopher Boyle

Christopher Boyle is an expert investigative journalist for SEARCHEN NETWORKS® and reports for independent news and media organizations in the United States. Christopher keeps a keen-eye on what’s happening in the Vegas real estate market on behalf of Shelter Realty Property Management

www.shelterrealty.com

LAS VEGAS, NV – Following a three month-long all-time record high streak, Southern Nevada home prices in April finally showed signs of lowering, according to a new report by Las Vegas Realtors (LVR).

The median price for a pre-existing single-family home in Las Vegas in April was $480,000, which represents a drop of $5,000 from the record-high of $485,000 that was achieved in January and maintained during the two following months, as per LVR data pulled from the Multiple Listing Service.

April’s median home price is nonetheless still 2.3 percent higher than it was during the same period of time last year, when that amount was $469,000.

As for the median price of condominiums and townhouses in April, that amount was $302,700. This represents a decrease from the previous month and is lower than the all-time record of $315,000 originally set in October 2024, but is still 4.4 percent higher than April 2024’s price of $290,000.

LVR President George Kypreos noted that the decrease in home, condo and townhome prices shows that that real estate in Las Vegas is continuing to find a sense of equilibrium and balance, which is good news for both buyers and sellers.

Since the beginning of the year, the median home price has only varied by 1 percent. That’s pretty rare,” Kypreos said. “This month’s LVR statistics are another indication that the local housing market is becoming more balanced, with stable home prices and more homes on the market for buyers to consider.”

At the end of April, there were about 6,213 single-family homes for sale on the market without any offers, which is 78.7 percent higher year-over-year. In addition, there were 2,390 condos and townhomes without offers at April’s end, a 91.5 percent increase from the same period of time last year.

Shelter Realty Property Management specializes in the areas of  Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, NV. Feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

Christopher Boyle

Christopher Boyle is an expert investigative journalist for SEARCHEN NETWORKS® and reports for independent news and media organizations in the United States. Christopher keeps a keen-eye on what’s happening in the Vegas real estate market on behalf of Shelter Realty Property Management

www.shelterrealty.com

LAS VEGAS, NV – For all the dismal negatives of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was at least one positive: it set the residential real estate market throughout the United States on fire as people took advantage of low interest rates and the ability to work remotely to finally buy the houses of their dreams.

And that momentum is still being felt to this very day, albeit on a slightly diminished level due to rising inflation, a call by some companies to return to the office following the end of the pandemic, and interest rates on home mortgages currently hovering around seven percent.

But despite all of that, prices on homes in most regions of the country are still climbing due to the age-old laws of supply and demand, and Southern Nevada is no exception.

A new report by Stacker – utilizing data pulled from Zillow – reveals the 10 cities the Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise Metro area where home prices are growing the fastest, with current values being contrasted with how much they have risen both year-over-year and from January 2018, which represents a five-year span of time.

#1. Moapa

• Current typical home value: $395,744
• Year-over-year increase: +$34,014 (up 9.4 percent)
• Five Year Increase: +$117,277 (up 42.1 percent)

#2. Logandale

• Current typical home value: $502,061
• Year-over-year increase: +$29,507 (up 6.2 percent)
• Five Year Increase: +$162,298 (up 47.8 percent)

#3. Boulder City

• Current typical home value: $466,398
• Year-over-year increase: +$21,980 (up 4.9 percent)
• Five Year Increase: +$139,551 (up 47.8 percent)

#4. Henderson

• Current typical home value: $493,510
• Year-over-year increase: +$21,228 (up 4.5 percent)
• Five Year Increase: +$151,154 (up 44.2 percent)

#5. Jean

• Current typical home value: $279,687
• Year-over-year increase: +$19,393 (up 7.5 percent)
• Five Year Increase: +$74,819 (up 36.5 percent)

#6. Las Vegas

• Current typical home value: $431,505
• Year-over-year increase: +$18,665 (up 4.5 percent)
• Five Year Increase: +$140,027 (up 48.0 percent)

#7. Bunkerville

• Current typical home value: $372,305
• Year-over-year increase: +$17,883 (up 5.0 percent)
• Five Year Increase: +$116,560 (up 45.6 percent)

#8. Searchlight, NV

• Current typical home value: $244,317
• Year-over-year increase: +$16,172 (up 7.1 percent)
• Five Year Increase: +$96,572 (data not available)

#9. Overton, NV

• Current typical home value: $337,958
• Year-over-year increase: +$15,830 (up 4.9 percent)
• Five Year Increase: +$96,572 (up 4.9 percent)

#10. North Las Vegas

• Current typical home value: $411,389
• Year-over-year increase: +$15,050 (up 3.8 percent)
• Five Year Increase: +$132,089 (up 47.3 percent)

Shelter Realty Property Management specializes in the areas of  Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, NV. Feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

Christopher Boyle

Christopher Boyle is an expert investigative journalist for SEARCHEN NETWORKS® and reports for independent news and media organizations in the United States. Christopher keeps a keen-eye on what’s happening in the Vegas real estate market on behalf of Shelter Realty Property Management

www.shelterrealty.com

LAS VEGAS, NV – The Otonomus Hotel – which will be opening their doors for business this upcoming June for both short-term reservations and long-term leases – will be offering guests a unique way to ensure a memorable stay each and every time they come: utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to customize and enhance their experience to their exact needs and wants.

The AI-powered hotel and apartment complex – located off the Las Vegas Strip in the vicinity of Allegiant Stadium at the intersection of West Russell Road and South Decatur Boulevard – has started taking bookings for their June 1 opening date.

For those looking to book a short-term stay, prices begin at $329 for a double queen, one-bedroom, fully-furnished residence, with each unit coming with a full kitchen and living space; a 30 percent discount is available for a limited time.

And for those who are looking to become tenants, they will be able to sign a standard 12-month lease for a one bedroom, one bath, 872 square-foot apartment with a starting price of $1,950 per month; two- and three-bedroom apartments are up for grabs as well if a tenant needs more living space.

The “Class A” Otonomus Hotel has 303 units and approximately 1,100 beds – all situated on a 13-acre plot of land – and is comprised of 60 percent hotel rooms and 40 percent apartments. All rooms will boast interconnectivity via a series of doors that can be locked or unlocked by the hotel’s AI algorithm, allowing guests to book the exact number and configuration of rooms they want for their stay, from just one single room all the way up to a six-bedroom penthouse.

The AI – via a downloadable mobile app – will also function as a “personal assistant” that can be used to request cleaning, as well as ordering food, extra towels or toiletries to your room; the requested items will be delivered via a two-way cabinet by the main door of your room, known as an “E-Butler.”

In addition, the AI will keep a permanent record of the guest’s preferences, so if they return even years later, their room will automatically remember the same exact temperature and language preferences, how they take their coffee, food likes/dislikes, and other settings as before, as well as being able to offer personalized entertainment and even the ability to check in and out through their phone.

Shelter Realty Property Management specializes in the areas of  Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, NV. Feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

Christopher Boyle

Christopher Boyle is an expert investigative journalist for SEARCHEN NETWORKS® and reports for independent news and media organizations in the United States. Christopher keeps a keen-eye on what’s happening in the Vegas real estate market on behalf of Shelter Realty Property Management

www.shelterrealty.com

LAS VEGAS, NV – A new and innovative real estate platform – TheMLS.AI – is seeking to transform and revolutionize the industry with a cutting-edge combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR), with the developer claiming that the ripple effects for both buyers and sellers are anticipated to be felt the world over.

The key elements of TheMLS.AI are its use of AI and AG to create a “seamless experience” that will make the process of buying and selling homes more streamlined, efficient, and cost-effective, according to the platform’s Founder and CEO, Simon Wilby.

TheMLS.AI is designed to improve accessibility in real estate by breaking down language barriers. By integrating AI and AR, we aim to create a more seamless experience for buyers, sellers, and agents around the world,” he said. “Our goal is to redefine the real estate industry and make it more accessible and efficient for everyone involved.”

TheMLS.AI will be able to provide accurate and real-time information on properties, market trends, and pricing to users by utilizing AI. In addition, the use of AR will enable buyer to partake of virtual walkthroughs of prospective properties and create visual representations of potential renovations or design alterations, as per the following bullet points pulled from the platform’s website:

• Virtually tour properties in real-time, exploring interiors, layouts, and surroundings with lifelike precision.
• Customize spaces in AR, experimenting with different furniture, finishes, and designs before making a purchase decision.
• Access interactive neighborhood insights, visualizing schools, parks, transit routes, and local amenities through an augmented lens.

In addition, AI will be able to provide real-time translations of 165 languages during the AG tours, ensuring that language barriers are never an issue to closing on a deal.

Whether reviewing contracts, negotiating deals, or exploring property details, buyers and investors can seamlessly communicate across borders without missing any critical information,” TheMLS.AI’s website states. “This ensures clarity, transparency, and confidence in every transaction.”

Slated to launch in April 2025, TheMLS.AI has the potential to radically transform how real estate transactions are carried out globally; however, time will tell if this truly will be the case.

Shelter Realty Property Management specializes in the areas of  Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, NV. Feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

Christopher Boyle

Christopher Boyle is an expert investigative journalist for SEARCHEN NETWORKS® and reports for independent news and media organizations in the United States. Christopher keeps a keen-eye on what’s happening in the Vegas real estate market on behalf of Shelter Realty Property Management

www.shelterrealty.com

LAS VEGAS, NV – With the advent of technological development, there are a plethora of ways to collect rent online, but experts agree the most reliable way to do so is by using an app specifically developed for such a purpose. The right type of app for this activity combines numerous aspects of the rent collection process in an efficient, streamlined manner that no only offers benefits landlords, but their tenants as well.

The very best rent collection apps should combine a plethora of features in an easy-to-navigate package, including the following:

• A tool that can allow a landlord to schedule automated, reoccurring payments and sent monthly reminders to tenants; this can cut down on late rental payments.
• An app that accepts multiple payment options and types, including ACH transfers, credit cards, and debit cards.
• Transaction fees that are affordable; look for payment fees that are fixed or vary based on the payment type and lower than $3/per payment or 3 percent of the payment amount.
• A platform that can process payments within three-to-five business days or less.
• An option that allows tenants to report their on-time rent payments to credit bureaus in order to help build their credit rating.
• The ability to block partial payments in order to make sure that tenants pay their rent in full each month; in the case of an eviction, this helps to prevent blockages.
• An option to apply automatic late fees in the case that a tenant is tardy with their payment, as stated in the terms of their lease and mandated by local laws governing grace periods.
• A dashboard for tracking and reporting payments that features an intuitive interface; landlords should be able to keep tabs on payments, outstanding balances, and be able to export financial information into reports for tax purposes.
• The app should boast bank-grade encryption to ensure secure transactions and to protect the personal information of both the tenant and the landlord.
• The details of a tenant’s lease should be fully integrated into the app, ensuring that the obligations of the renter are spelled out and fully comprehended.
• A tool to automatically track a landlord’s income and expenses.
• And finally, top-notch customer support services in the event that a landlord encounters any issues while using the app.

Some popular rent collection apps heading into 2025 are as follows: Avail (Part of Realtor.com), Zillow Rental Manager, Rentec Direct, Buildium, and TurboTenant.

Shelter Realty Property Management specializes in the areas of  Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, NV. Feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

Christopher Boyle

Christopher Boyle is an expert investigative journalist for SEARCHEN NETWORKS® and reports for independent news and media organizations in the United States. Christopher keeps a keen-eye on what’s happening in the Vegas real estate market on behalf of Shelter Realty Property Management

www.shelterrealty.com

LAS VEGAS, NV – Today, many are turning to the short-term rental field in order to either make a living or simply get a few bucks via a side hustle, and often these individuals are managing properties via short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo that they own at locations outside of the state in which they reside.

Obviously, this can cause some logistical issues, especially when it comes to monitoring the properties they are renting out; this is especially true when hosts want to ensure that their guests are not holding unruly parties in their residences, potentially causing damage and drawing the ire of local neighbors and authorities.

That being said, many short-term rental owners are now turning to technology to remotely “party proof” their properties as a means of protecting their investments; this article will give a brief breakdown of some effective systems for your consideration.

Often short-term rentals are located in residential neighborhoods, and with that being the case it’s important to remain on good terms with the local community. Because of that, you may want to put safeguards in place to ensure that your guests are not disturbing surrounding houses with loud music or partying late into the night. One way of doing so without invading your guest’s privacy is by installing a Minut noise monitor, which alerts you only if the noise exceeds a specified level, allowing you to immediately contact guests and get ahead of any potential complaints from neighbors.

A Ring doorbell camera is also an effective way to remotely monitor your property to ensure that a steady stream of rambunctious party guests aren’t filing in and out of your property at all hours of the night. Such a system can also provide valuable evidence in the event you need to file a claim with Airbnb or Vrbo over damages caused by party guests.

In addition, some guests can incur excessive utility bills if left unchecked, especially when partying; a Nest smart thermostat can effectively prevent that, allowing you to remotely control the temperature in your property, setting it on a schedule that still allows guests to adjust it within a predetermined range. Likewise, you can also control pool and hot tub temperatures via the Pentair app, but unlike the Nest thermostats, guests have no manual control and must contact the host for adjustments.

And finally, hosts can ensure they are properly regulating their rental pricing structure using revenue management platforms such as Beyond, which utilizes up-to-date algorithms to optimize nightly rates on all their vacation rental platforms, ensuring they are charging appropriate rates around busy holiday times to maximize profit.

Short-term rentals can be a significant source of revenue, but they can also be a significant headache if you’re not properly prepared. But utilizing some of these apps and systems can go a long way to streamlining the process of remote property management, allowing you to enjoy the extra income your rental is providing to you.

Shelter Realty Property Management specializes in the areas of  Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, NV. Feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

Christopher Boyle

Christopher Boyle is an expert investigative journalist for SEARCHEN NETWORKS® and reports for independent news and media organizations in the United States. Christopher keeps a keen-eye on what’s happening in the Vegas real estate market on behalf of Shelter Realty Property Management

www.shelterrealty.com

LAS VEGAS, NV – When they open their doors for business later this year, Otonomus Hotel will be offering guests a unique way to ensure a memorable stay each and every time they come: utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to customize and enhance their experience to their exact needs and wants.

Philippe Ziade, CEO and Founder of Growth Holdings – Otonomus Hotel’s developer – said that this new concept of fully powering a hotel with AI in order to personalize guests’ stay is filling a very real void that currently exists in the current hotel model. And he noted that the firm’s status as not just a real estate developer, but as a tech company as well, ensures that the coding goes hand-in-hand with the bricklaying.

“So, it’s really all these layers that the hospitality industry is missing today. That’s what we’re bringing with the concept. It’s really the best value product on the market – that’s how we see it. Where it gives you the best of both worlds,” Ziade said. “We are different to start with, because we are developers as well as technology developers – not just real estate – so that makes us very unique in connecting these minds across these different industries to create that new concept.”

Currently in development, the “Class A” complex – which will be a hybrid comprised of 60 percent hotels rooms and 40 percent apartments – is situated on a 13-acre plot of land in the vicinity of Allegiant Stadium, located at the corner of Russell Road and Decatur Boulevard. The apartment will feature standard 12-month leases as well as short-term rentals that come fully-furnished.

All rooms will boast interconnectivity via a series of doors that can be locked or unlocked by the hotel’s AI algorithm, allowing guests to book the exact number and configuration of rooms they want for their stay, from just one single room all the way up to a six-bedroom penthouse.

The AI – via a downloadable mobile app – will also function as a “personal assistant” that can be used to request cleaning, as well ordering food, extra towels or toiletries to be sent to your room; the requested items will be delivered via a two-way cabinet by the main door of your room, known as an “E-Butler.”

In addition, the AI will keep a permanent record of the guest’s preferences, so if they return even years later, their room will automatically remember the same exact temperature and language preferences, how they take their coffee, food likes/dislikes, and other settings as before, as well as being able to offer personalized entertainment recommendations and even the ability to check in and out through their phone.

So, two years later you come – we have a better service than a five-star hotel,” Ziade said. “Because they’re not going to remember who you are unless you spend millions of dollars. So that’s what we do.”

Shelter Realty Property Management specializes in the areas of  Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, NV. Feel free to give us a call at 702.376.7379 so we can answer any questions you may have.

Christopher Boyle

Christopher Boyle is an expert investigative journalist for SEARCHEN NETWORKS® and reports for independent news and media organizations in the United States. Christopher keeps a keen-eye on what’s happening in the Vegas real estate market on behalf of Shelter Realty Property Management

www.shelterrealty.com