For many Canadians, locked into their Oakville real estate for five months of the year (even if they are the hardy type) making a home in a state like Nevada seems like an unachievable dream. This is true of many living in the northern parts of the continent. Wouldn't it be great to be able to make a home where the sun was shining for ten months of the year on average, where snowfall was a rarity not a surety?
When people think of living in the sunshine belt areas of the United States, they often tend to think price stands in their way. This is very true about a city such as Las Vegas. People who visit the city once or twice a year figure that it is not within the realm of possibility to put their homes for sale in Lorne Park and head to the bustling urban center to live. It seems as though with all of those people moving around, all that money flying everywhere, that real estate prices must be high indeed.
Well, that is not the whole truth. Prices in the city of Las Vegas can be somewhat high, but compared to many cities in both Canada and the United States real estate is affordable indeed. In places such as North Las Vegas, you will find homes that are selling well below what the average Toronto beach homes are being listed at.
A recent look through the North Las Vegas listings showed most houses listed at just under $200,000. Take into account the fact that the Canadian and American dollars are now almost at parity, and you begin to realize what a good deal this is. Now consider this: that is the listing price. Americans have a way of setting a price on their homes that is way too high. A Mississauga real estate agent would probably tell you that you could knock another $20,000 or so off of that price for a real deal.
Before you dismiss these houses as old and run down, we'll clarify. While they cost less than the average Puerto Vallarta vacation condo, North Las Vegas houses in that price range tend to be quite spacious. Many hover at the 3,000 square foot mark and even as much as 4,000 square feet (and yes, they are listed under $200,000 as well!). Most have at least four bedrooms and two bathrooms, many with more.
And they are fairly new as well. One great listing we found had 37000 square feet, five bedrooms and three bathrooms, and was built within the last five years. What's more, it is considered eco-friendly, and listed at the amazing price of $198,000!
So don't think that a life in the sun is an impossible dream. With the prices of real estate in the north today, most people can very easily afford to buy in a city like North Las Vegas.
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