Prudential agent gives home buyers advice: Look at new residences

Local experts say attempting to purchase a home in foreclosure is not easy or always a bargain.

This is the experience of Ron Cale, team leader of a group of agents in the Green Valley office of Prudential Americana Group Realtors.

The Cale Team specializes in new construction and builder inventory homes throughout the greater Las Vegas area.

Cale's buyers are discovering that just finding the right bank-owned home is merely the beginning of what can be an extremely frustrating process. Bank-owned homes that are priced correctly, in fair condition, and in a desirable location are drawing a lot of interest. Bank asset managers now have as many as 20 offers from which to choose. Most of the successful bids are offering substantially more than the original list price.

Shawn and Karina Roebuck, clients of Cale, found out how frustrating the foreclosure process can be.

The Roebucks became fed up with foreclosures after bidding on two properties and waiting more than a week with no response from the banks.

They agreed, at their agent's suggestion, to look at a new home in the area near where they had placed a bid on a foreclosed property.

They found that with the aid of the builder's price reduction, closing cost assistance and below-market financing that was not available to them in the used home market, they were able to buy a new home with many upgrades and no improvements needed prior to move-in.

Their new home also included a washer, dryer, refrigerator and all window coverings, thus eliminating all of the additional prior-to, move-in costs.

"The best part," the Roebucks said, "is that we knew right then we were going to get the home of our dreams. We weren't bidding against anyone else. We didn't have to cross our fingers and wonder when we could start making our plans."

"The secret to success for home buyers trying to escape the foreclosure circus is to find an agent who knows the new home market," Cale said.

Throughout his years of new home contacts, Cale and his team have established relationships with builder sales agents throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

Those relationships allow them and their customers instant access to information on the latest incentives and quick-close opportunities that may not be available to the general public.

For more information, contact, the Cale Team at 315-7856, or visit lasvegasrealestater.com.