Mustangs & Music helps Pahrump’s horse herds
By Robin Hebrock Pahrump Valley Times August 15, 2024 - 11:12 am Updated August 15, 2024 - 12:13 pm Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook. One year ago this month, the Bureau of Land Management conducted a roundup of several area wild horses, touching off a wave of community concern and demands to have the animals returned. Following months of effort by a variety of organizations and individuals, all of the horses were ultimately secured and are now living out their lives in comfort and safety, many right here in the valley they always called home. But caring for the horses comes with a cost. To help defray that cost, Southwestern Wilds recently held a fundraiser with every dollar raised to be used to help pay for those bills. Dubbed “Mustangs and Music”, the fundraiser took place Saturday, Aug. 3 at Lakeview Executive Golf Course, where a crowd of equine-lovers gathered for an evening of philanthropic fun. “We entertained a packed house that night, with live music from the band Perception, so thank you to them, and silent auction items that were provided by local proprietors and donors,” Southwestern Wilds President Victoria Balint told the Pahrump Valley Times afterward. “A special thanks to our corporate sponsor Hubbster, owned by Andrea McGuire, which donated time and customized all of our charitable merchandise, as well as to Joe Opatik at Lakeview for the wonderful job he did coordinating the event. A local car club turned out with some beautiful classic cars and locals and out-of-towners alike enjoyed the fun-filled event. Southwestern Wilds had a wonderful evening raising funds and gathering volunteers for upcoming events and other operations for the mustangs and burros.” Mustangs and Music brought in much-needed cash for the care of the 18 wild horses that were removed from Pahrump in 2023, including the well-known and beloved Fred and his mate Rosie, with Balint noting that the dollars raised will go toward vet bills and veterinary medicine, feed and hay, transport and housing for all of the horses. “All of our herd members are in vetted homes and doing well,” Balint reported. “We do have a few that need more vet care than others but they are all doing well. Fred and Rosie are living the good life in Oatman, Arizona along with Fred’s four babies. We have the rest of the herd here in Pahrump, including Fred’s last foal, Fred’s Fancy Dancer, along with her mother, a beautiful mare named Majestic Moonshine.” Southwestern Wilds’ focus is outreach, advocacy and rescue for America’s wild mustangs and burros, with Balint explaining that the group strives to “re-wild” any that do not do well in a home setting so they can be turned out onto private land, “Where they are safe to live out their days,” she noted. “Not only are we advocating for humane ways in the treatment of these animals, we are also seeking support for private land, thousands of acres, to re-wild these animals so they will never be rounded up again,” Balint added. “Other rescued animals are being trained and domesticated in loving homes. Overall, our goal is to sustain the longevity of the American mustang and burros.” As of 2021, Balint said it cost federal taxpayers approximately $78 million a year to care for the nearly 60,000 mustangs and burros in holding facilities run by the BLM. “Southwestern Wilds would like to help change the future of those in captivity as they are headed to the slaughter pipeline. While there are auctions, training programs and so many kind and generous people to help, it just isn’t enough,” Balint stated. That’s why getting others involved is so important and the nonprofit continues to seek ways to raise awareness of its mission. The next “boots on the ground” event for Southwestern Wilds will be at the Pahrump Fall Festival, where the nonprofit will host a booth. “Please come share in the enthusiasm of being a voice for the voiceless! Get out and advocate for Nevada’s beloved American heritage,” Balint encouraged. “Southwestern Wilds started as a grassroots effort and is currently seeking help at a local level all the way up to corporate sponsorship from globally successful companies. It all starts with you!” For more information on donating, volunteering or future events visit SouthwesternWilds.org Contact reporter Robin Hebrock at rhebrock@pvtimes.com
Where Will You Go After You Sell?
If you’re planning to sell your house and move, you probably know there’s been a shortage of options available. But here’s the good news: the supply of homes for sale has grown in a lot of markets this year – and that’s not just existing, or previously-owned, homes. It’s true for newly built homes too. So how do you decide which route to go? Do you buy an existing home or a brand-new one? The choice is yours – you just need to figure out what’s most important to you. Perks of a Newly Built Home Here are some benefits of buying a newly built home right now: Have brand new everything with never-been-used appliances and materials Use energy efficient options to save money and leave a smaller footprint Minimize the need for repairs and benefit from builder warranties Take advantage of builder concessions that can help with affordability In today’s market, a lot of builders are focusing on selling their current inventory before they add more homes to their mix. And some of them are offering concessions and are more willing to negotiate to make a sale happen. That, coupled with the fact builders are primarily building smaller, more affordable homes, has led to one other potential perk. The median price for a newly built home in today’s market is actually lower than the median price of an existing home – which isn’t usually the case. Ralph McLaughlin, Senior Economist at Realtor.com, shares: “Homebuyers who are looking for that ‘new-home smell’ may be in a relatively friendlier market than times past when new homes were considerably more expensive than used ones.” If you’re interested in seeing what builders nearby have to offer, lean on your real estate agent. Their knowledge of local builders, new communities, and builder contracts will be important in this process. Perks of an Existing Home Now, let’s compare that to the benefits of buying an existing home. Join an established neighborhood that you can get a feel for before moving in Choose from a wider variety of floorplans and styles Appreciate the lived-in charm that only an older home can provide Enjoy the privacy and curb appeal of mature trees and landscaping In addition to these lifestyle benefits, there’s strategic value to buying an existing home, too. Remember, you can always make upgrades to an existing home down the road to give it some of the latest features available. This gives you the best of both worlds: you’ll get the charm, the neighborhood, and over time, you can still add those on-trend elements you may see in a brand-new home. And if you do, you’ll likely increase the home’s value too. An article from LendingTree explains: “. . . they can personalize it and possibly increase its potential resale value with cosmetic upgrades . . . Plus, if a home comes with physical details or stories that add charm, in some cases, these elements are attractive enough to add to a home’s resale value . . .” Want to see what’s available? Your real estate agent can show you what homes are for sale in your area, so you can see if there’s one that works for you and your needs. Bottom Line There are a lot of factors that go into deciding whether to buy an existing home or a newly built one after you sell, but it’s essential in today’s market to understand the opportunities you can find in both. Let’s connect so you have expert guidance as you explore the options in our area.
Mortgage Rates Down a Full Percent from Recent High
Mortgage rates have been one of the hottest topics in the housing market lately because of their impact on affordability. And if you’re someone who’s looking to make a move, you’ve probably been waiting eagerly for rates to come down for that very reason. Well, if the past few weeks are any indication, you may be getting your wish. Mortgage Rates Trend Down in Recent Weeks There’s big news for mortgage rates. After the latest reports on the economy, inflation, the unemployment rate, and the Federal Reserve’s recent comments, mortgage rates started dropping a bit. And according to Freddie Mac, they’re now at a level we haven’t seen since February. To help show the downward trend, check out the graph below: Maybe you’re seeing this and wondering if you should ride the wave and see how low they’ll go. If that’s the case, here’s some important perspective. Remember, the record-low rates from the pandemic are a thing of the past. If you’re holding out hope to see a 3% mortgage rate again, you’re waiting for something experts agree won’t happen. As Greg McBride, Chief Financial Analyst at Bankrate, says: “The hopes for lower interest rates need the reality check that 'lower' doesn't mean we're going back to 3% mortgage rates. . . the best we may be able to hope for over the next year is 5.5 to 6%.” And with the decrease in recent weeks, you’ve got a big opportunity in front of you right now. It may be enough for you to want to jump back in. The Relationship Between Rates and Demand If you wait for mortgage rates to drop further, you might find yourself dealing with more competition as other buyers re-ignite their home searches too. In the housing market, there’s generally a relationship between mortgage rates and buyer demand. Typically, the higher rates are, the lower buyer demand is. But when rates start to come down, things change. Buyers who were on the fence over higher rates will resume their searches. Here’s what that means for you. As a recent article from Bankrate says: “If you’re ready to buy, now might be the time to strike. Home prices have been rising primarily because of a longstanding shortage of homes for sale. That’s unlikely to change, and if mortgage rates do fall below 6%, it’s possible buyers would enter the market en masse, further pushing up prices and resurrecting bidding wars.” Bottom Line If you’ve been waiting to make your move, the recent downward trend in mortgage rates may be enough to get you off the sidelines. Rates have hit their lowest point in months, and that gives you the opportunity to jump back in before all the other buyers do too. If you’re ready and able to start the process, reach out and let’s get started.
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