Buck Wargo

Story Archive

Centerpiece house for builders' conference a no-show
Friday, Jan. 15, 2010
A Las Vegas house has come to epitomize the struggles of the homebuilding industry.
LV economic foundations 'cracked,' report says
Panel: Diversification, higher quality workforce needed
Friday, Jan. 15, 2010
A group of business leaders, academics and politicians doubts there will be a quick recovery for Las Vegas’s economy and suggested the future won’t be bright for Southern Nevada unless a greater emphasis is placed on diversification.
Nevada records nation's highest foreclosure rate in 2009
Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010
More than 10 percent of Nevada’s homes received at least one foreclosure filing in 2009, keeping the state in its No. 1 ranking for the nation for the third consecutive year, according to statistics released by a foreclosure-tracking firm.
Home sales up 64 percent last year in Las Vegas
Despite second-highest number on record, officials say downturn is far from over
Friday, Jan. 8, 2010
The Southern Nevada housing market showed signs of recovery in 2009 by recording the second-highest number of home sales in the region’s history. The 46,879 sales of single-family homes, condos and townhomes tops 28,618 in 2008.
Las Vegas hopes for home run with sports complex
Friday, Jan. 8, 2010
Las Vegas will open its $28.5 million Big League Dreams softball and baseball complex Jan. 16 at the renovated Freedom Park.
Condo woes link LV, Miami
Friday, Jan. 8, 2010
Simply blame it on Miami. That was the essence of a Miami Herald article last week comparing the overbuilt South Florida and Las Vegas condominium markets and trying to ascertain which will recover first.
Q&A: Brad Schnepf
President, Marnell Properties
Friday, Jan. 8, 2010
Sometimes what you do in life is in your genes, Brad Schnepf says.
Unhurt by downturn, high-end retailer Hermes sees growth
French retailer opening new store this month at CityCenter's Crystals
Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010
The country is emerging from its worst economic downturn since the 1930s and Las Vegas remains mired in a recession, but a high-end French retailer hasn’t felt that impact along the Strip and is even eyeing expansion plans for the market.
For businesses, economy brings sobering realities
Meltdown has forced many to learn smarter practices
Monday, Jan. 4, 2010
Having endured the brutal recession of 2009, Las Vegas businesses have learned a thing or two. Companies have learned how to manage hiring practices and determine how many people they need to do certain jobs.
Las Vegas firms learning from recession
Friday, Jan. 1, 2010
Having endured the brutal economic downturn of 2009, Las Vegas businesses have learned a thing or two from the continuing recession.
Growth of distressed commercial properties slows, hits $17.6 billion
Friday, Jan. 1, 2010
The number of commercial properties in distress in the Las Vegas area grew in the fourth quarter — but at a slower pace.
New-home prices drop as number of sales rises
Friday, Jan. 1, 2010
The median price of new homes sold in November in the Las Vegas area dropped under $200,000 for the first time in six years and builders sold the largest number this year, a local research firm reported.
Rust Belt, Las Vegas comparison premature — even with gaming in peril
Friday, Jan. 1, 2010
Las Vegas may have more in common with Pittsburgh and Detroit than many people realize, says Mary Riddel, a UNLV economist and the interim director of the Center for Business and Economic Research.
Analyst sees signs of improvement in economy
Friday, Jan. 1, 2010
Although the Las Vegas economy is mired in a deep recession, a local analyst has pointed to signs of improvement and some hope on the horizon.
Survey: Business leaders have hope for national economy, little for LV
Friday, Jan. 1, 2010
Southern Nevada business leaders remain pessimistic about the short-term outlook for Las Vegas’ economy and last month suggested any recovery will take a long time.
Sluggish economy still hurting retail sales
Friday, Jan. 1, 2010
High unemployment and cautious consumer spending are expected to dampen retail sales in Las Vegas once the holiday counts are completed at the end of January, retail analysts said.
Credit union CEO: Talks continue over cash infusion
Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009
Negotiations are continuing for a cash infusion into troubled Silver State Schools Credit Union, but a plan won’t be finalized until next week at the earliest, the CEO said today.
Retail vacancy rate dips for first time in 3 years
Vacancy rate for office and industrial buildings rises in fourth quarter
Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009
The vacancy rate for office and industrial buildings rose in the fourth quarter, but the retail market halted its slide for the first time in three years, according to a report released this week by CB Richard Ellis.
Credit union chief: Cash infusion would fund more loans
State’s largest credit union could be profitable next year, CEO says
Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009
The reinstated chief executive of Silver State Schools Credit Union said Monday that the credit union is poised to expand by issuing more loans once it finalizes a deal to receive a cash infusion this week. In an interview with the Las Vegas Sun, Dave Rhamy said the Las Vegas-based credit union — Nevada’s largest with 79,000 members — isn’t in danger of failing, is losing less money and should return to profitability in 2010.
Travel restrictions bring few changes to McCarran
New rules after attempted bombing apply to passengers from abroad
Monday, Dec. 28, 2009
An attempted Christmas Day bombing of a U.S. passenger jet has increased security at McCarran International and other airports, but new travel restrictions apply solely to those coming from abroad.
Insurer, state working to shore up ailing credit union
Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009
The Nevada Financial Institutions Division and a private insurer are working with ailing Silver State Schools Credit Union to bolster its finances, officials said Thursday.
Analysts expecting to see weak holiday retail sales figures
Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009
High unemployment and cautious consumer spending is expected to damper retail sales in Las Vegas once the holiday counts are completed at the end of the month, retail analysts said.
Median price of new homes falls under $200,000
Figures show nearly 600 new homes sold in November
Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009
The median price of new homes sold in November dropped under $200,000 for the first time in six years and builders sold the highest number this year, according to statistics released today.
Credit union executive resigns
Dave Rhamy, longtime leader of Silver State Schools Credit Union, steps down
Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009
Silver State Schools Credit Union, Nevada's largest credit union, this weekend announced the resignation of longtime Chief Executive Officer and President Dave Rhamy.
Virtual law office fills void
Friday, Dec. 18, 2009
Andy Urban, former Henderson assistant city attorney, is making his law practice a virtual reality.
Heading off liability angst at holiday parties
Friday, Dec. 18, 2009
Holiday parties are a chance to relax and have fun during tough economic times, but lawyers warn companies should take steps to keep workers in line and limit liability.
LAWYER PROVES RELIABLE RESOURCE FOR THE POOR
Friday, Dec. 18, 2009
Christian Hale came to the United States for a career in casino management, but the English native traded it for the law and is quickly making a mark by helping those in need.
Homebuyers hustle to get credit in tax off-season
Friday, Dec. 18, 2009
First-time homebuyers comprise a large percentage of sales in the Las Vegas housing market, and claiming their windfall from the federal government has kept tax preparers a little busier than normal in the offseason.
Indoor speedway is partnership’s second in the Las Vegas Valley
Friday, Dec. 18, 2009
Pole Position Raceway has opened its second indoor speedway.
Nevada foreclosure filings take another dive
Friday, Dec. 18, 2009
Foreclosure filings plummeted in November in Nevada, but analysts are not sure if this marks a trend.
Q&A: Mark Hutchison
Friday, Dec. 18, 2009
Co-founder of the law firm Hutchinson & Steffen
Analyst: CityCenter's opening will 'push economy forward'
Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009
A day after a UNLV report painted a pessimistic picture about the Las Vegas economy, a local analyst pointed to signs of improvement and at least some hope. During a video conference today, Jeremy Aguero, a principal at Applied Analysis, said “we are bullish and hopeful on the opening of CityCenter."
NLV chamber director to leave post in July
Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009
Sharon Powers, executive director of the North Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, announced today she will be leaving her position in July.
Report: CityCenter may drive Vegas room discounting trend
Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009
CityCenter won’t be a panacea for the Las Vegas economy, which will actually be in worse shape next year because of nearly 8,000 new hotel rooms and condominiums on the Strip, according to a report released today by researchers at UNLV.
Investors aggressively pursue LV homes
Friday, Dec. 11, 2009
Investors made their biggest push yet in October to buy foreclosure homes in Las Vegas.
Economist Schwer ‘cared deeply’ about LV
Friday, Dec. 11, 2009
Keith Schwer, director of UNLV’s Center for Business and Economic Research, was known for cheerleading the importance of economic diversification in the region. He died of cancer last week.
Builder hanging on by thread
Friday, Dec. 11, 2009
The recession continues to take a toll on Las Vegas’ private homebuilders, who are simply trying to hang in there until the economy turns around.
Las Vegas economy 'starting to level off,' index shows
Friday, Dec. 11, 2009
Southern Nevada’s economy lags behind the rest of the nation, but it appears to be stabilizing even though there is no inkling of when a recovery will occur.
For a dozen area ZIP codes, home prices plummet again
Friday, Dec. 11, 2009
Las Vegas home prices have stabilized in recent months, but 12 ZIP codes in the valley reported more than a 50 percent drop in prices during the third quarter compared with 2008’s third quarter, according to a real estate information firm.
Foreclosures drop sharply for second straight month
Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009
Foreclosures filings plummeted in November in Las Vegas and the rest of Nevada, but analysts are unsure if this marks a trend.
Southern Nevada economy still lags nation, but stabilizing
Researcher: Economy starting 'to level off' after steep decline
Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009
Southern Nevada’s economy lags behind the rest of the nation, but it appears to be stabilizing even though there’s no inkling of when a recovery will occur.
LV home prices rise as sales take seasonal fall
Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009
The traditional holiday sales slowdown of homes and condos took place in November while prices edged up slightly again, according to statistics released this morning by the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors.
Q&A: Dotan Melech
United AMS president
Friday, Dec. 4, 2009
Dotan Melech has seen the ups and downs of the real estate market in Las Vegas and tried to capitalize on them.
With Las Vegas business slow, Molasky goes to Missouri
Friday, Dec. 4, 2009
With construction in Las Vegas at a near standstill, a local developer is going to Missouri to find some work.
2010 to offer more of the same for commercial real estate
Friday, Dec. 4, 2009
The Las Vegas commercial real estate market next year will mirror this year’s because job growth won’t return until 2011 and foreclosures will depress rents, according to a local brokerage.
UNLV economist who advocated economic diversity dies
Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009
Keith Schwer, the director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at UNLV known for cheerleading economic diversification in the region, died today of cancer.
Home prices cut in half in 12 valley ZIP codes over year
Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009
Twelve Las Vegas Valley ZIP codes reported more than a 50 percent drop in prices in the sale of all homes during the third quarter, according to a real estate information firm.
Report: Investors buying up Las Vegas foreclosure homes
First-time buyers also among those purchasing local homes in October
Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009
Investors made their biggest push yet to buy foreclosure homes in Las Vegas. San Diego-based MDA DataQuick, a real estate information service, reported investors bought 41.2 percent of Las Vegas area homes in October, the highest amount for any month this decade.
Real estate experts cautiously optimistic about market
Friday, Nov. 27, 2009
Several real estate, financing and gaming executives recently gave a sober assessment of Las Vegas’ economy, but they are optimistic about the future.
CityCenter completion might spur home foreclosures
Friday, Nov. 27, 2009
Although some are touting CityCenter’s opening as a boon to the local economy, a mortgage expert says it will also signal the beginning of another wave of home foreclosures.