I realize that there are a ton of questions any person or family looking to buy a home will have.  I am happy to help but if you need any specific agency information I hope you find the list of contact numbers below helpful.  

Government Agencies

Assessor's office
775-887-2130

Property Taxes
775-887-2095

Nevada Association of Realtors
775-829-5911

Utility : Water/Sewer  775-887-2355,  Sierra Pacific Power 775-687-2900, Phone SBC  775-333-4811
Cable AT&T  775-882-2136,  Garbage- Capital Sanitation  775-882-3380,  Southwest Gas  775-887-2704

Mortgages made simple
A Mortgage is a loan for which you pledge the title to your home as the collateral.  It can consist of four main components: Principal:  The repayment of the original amount borrowed.  Interest: The cost of borrowing the principal amount.  Taxes: Real Estate Taxes paid to a local government agency (optional).  Insurance:  Home owner's insurance on the home and mortgage insurance to protect the mortgage company (optional).
Different types of mortgages
Conventional Mortgage: Loan that is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Government.  FHA Mortgage:  A low down payment (around 3.5%) and insured by the Federal Housing Administration.  Conforming:  Loan amount that conforms to government service standards and is below an established dollar amount.  Jumbo Mortgage:  Loan that exceeds the conventional loan limit for amounts up to ten million dollars. Fixed Rate Mortgage:  Charges same interest rate over the life of the loan.  Adjustable Rate Mortgage:  The interest rate fluctuates based on the economy and market rates.  Two-Step (Called 5/25 or 7/23):  30 year loans that have a fixed interest rate for 5 to 7 years and then adjust into a fixed or adjustable loan  Balloon Mortgage:  Offers a low initial interest rate that is fixed for 5 to 7 years until the balloon payment is due to pay off the entire balance.  Shared-Appreciation Mortgage:  A below market rate in exchange for profits of the home when sold. 
Getting Approved
Finding a good loan officer is half the battle.  He or She will be informative, patient and capable of assessing your needs and providing a clear and understandable list of your mortgage options.  Being prepared means providing, at a minimum, the following:  copies of all recent bank statements, copies of all account information including stock brokerage accounts, most recent pay stub, W2 for the past two years, and last two years tax returns.

Being Ready to buy or sell
Buying a house is a process with many important components coming together in order to protect and serve all parties.  A good starting point is with your licensed Real Estate Professional as he or she has the training and the experience to support your best interest while you find the home of your dreams.  A little homework before your first meeting with your new Real Estate agent will go a long way towards a successful encounter.  You should be asked about a pre-qualifying letter from your chosen lender, this is a good time to discuss and consider how much you want to spend every month on your home.  You should also have an idea of what your new home "wish list" is.  Start by asking yourself the following questions:  How many people will be living in the house?  How many bedrooms do you want?  How many bathrooms do you need?  Are there any people living in the house that can't navigate stairs?  How much yard do you have time to handle?  Are you handy?  Can you substitute your skill for a lower price if we come across a 'fixer upper'?  What is your ideal commute? 
Selling a house also requires some preparation and thought in order to insure a positive outcome.  The following tips are good starting points.  Unclutter and neutralize your home. Nothing is more personal than taste in decoration and nothing helps sell a house better than a clean and blank pallet on which a potential buyer can begin visualizing what 'their' dream home looks like.  Eliminate odors.  Burn candles or open a window to create a fresh scent.  If its broken, fix it.  Fix minor problems because they can cause buyers to wonder what the larger problems look like. 


Contact us for more details!
Wes Ball, Realtor
Charlie Kitchen Realty
Carson City, NV  89701 
775-220-1516
wesley.ball@att.net