Foreclosed homes are often trashed by vandals or past owners who steal copper wiring, smash windows and leave piles of garbage. You might expect a big price break, but not in Las Vegas in recent years.

Bargain-hunting investors bought houses in bulk when the market crashed and pushed up prices valleywide, even for homes that were a mess and owned by lenders.

But now, as the market cools and investors back out, busted houses arent such hot properties anymore.

Distressed-home prices rose fast and kept pace with the broader market for a while but now are volatile and falling behind the market at large.

When the market hit bottom in early 2012, single-family homes sold for a median $118,000 and, within that, bank-owned homes for $100,000. A year and a half later, the overall median had soared to $180,000 and bank-owned homes to almost $173,000, according to data from the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors listing service, which largely comprises previously owned homes.

Last month, the overall median was $204,000, but bank-owned homes went for $155,500, down 24 percent from the market at large, GLVAR data show.

Real estate pros disagree on the exact reasons for the widening gap, and some arent sure its happening at all. Platinum Real Estate Professionals agent Steve Hawks, for one, said the statistics are incomplete because at least half of bank-owned homes arent listed through the GLVAR.

But as Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices broker Heidi Kasama sees it, the growing price gap is a sign of normalcy in Las Vegas' volatile market, as buyers should get a price break on distressed homes.

Prices could also be tailing off because house hunters, amid slackened competition and slumping sales, are taking their time and not always settling for run-down or debt-laden properties, as they were often forced to do a few years ago.

Overall, with investors now cutting back on deals amid higher prices they helped create, listings of previously owned homes increasingly are being ignored, sales volume is dropping and prices arent climbing nearly as fast as a year ago, prompting some insiders to describe Las Vegas as a buyers market.

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Las Vegas bank-owned home prices lagging behind other resales

Xsilon Launches Early Access Partnership Program for Its New Hanadu Silicon Roadmap

Hanadu is the new Machine-to-Machine (M2M) connectivity solution developed by Xsilon to bring the Internet of Things (IOT) to low cost domestic appliances and devices located anywhere inside every type of home. Hanadu extends the widely-used IEEE 802.15.4 networking standard into the powerline domain, allowing it to use the homes existing electrical wiring in addition to deadspot-prone radio solutions in the home.

Hanadu connects the Internet of Things to those parts of the home where radio struggles to reach, for the same price point as a normal 15.4-compliant radio solution. It consumes a tenth of the power of other powerline technologies, with far superior reach for IOT traffic. Small enough to fit inside a standard electrical plug, Hanadu allows existing appliances to be retro-fitted to the network. When embedded within new product designs, the integrated capabilities are huge. In development by Xsilon since 2008, Hanadu uses 4G mobile techniques to empower its low cost, high performance solutions. Hanadu extends all the leading IOT connectivity technologies ZigBee, 6LoWPAN, IPv6 and Thread to the entirety of the home.

Hanadu is supported by the Hanadu Special Interest Group (SIG), which is now open for new memberships. Hanadu-compliant products will be available commercially from a variety of silicon vendors in H1 2016. Xsilons own Hanadu modem devices, the HAN250EP and HAN250LB, will begin sampling in Q4 2015.

The low-cost HAN250EP device connects Hanadu endpoints into a Hanadu cloud within the home using low-cost peripheral interfaces to the appliances internal hardware. Host interfaces include SPI, UART, I2C and PWM. The HAN250LB device has a richer selection of networking interfaces, allowing the Hanadu cloud to link to local LANs and gateways via WiFi, Ethernet and USB. Both devices come in variants that integrate energy consumption measurement for Home Energy Management solutions. These modems will also be available as modules, providing OEMs with pre-certified turnkey Hanadu capability.

Xsilon today launches its Early Access Partnership program for OEMs who are looking to engage with Hanadu technology during 2015, and to be in the first wave of Hanadu-based products in 2016. The benefits to Early Access Partners include: (1) Earliest access to Xsilons HAN250EP and HAN250LB single-chip Hanadu modems in Q4 2015 (2) Engagement with Xsilons Hanadu hardware evaluation platforms (3) Beta access to 6LoWPAN, Thread and ZigBee implementations on Hanadu (4) Inclusion in the evolution of the Hanadu specification via the Hanadu SIG (5) Engagement with the Hanadu interoperability certification process, commencing H2 2015

The Hanadu SIG will announce its first wave of members during the course of Q1 2015. The first EAP program members are already engaged with Hanadu products. Today marks the opening of the EAP to additional program members and of the Hanadu SIG to further memberships.

Russell Haggar, Xsilons chief executive, said: Hanadu has been extensively tested and evaluated during 2014, and 2015 is going to be a massively exciting year for the SIG and for Xsilon as a company. CES is the ideal time to announce our silicon roadmap and to launch our Early Access Partnership. We want to build on the partnerships that weve already established and expand the range of OEMs engaging with Hanadu technology ahead of product launches at next years CES.

Hanadu is ideal for homes where a radio-only approach cannot connect to every device and appliance. This is actually what consumers experience in pretty much every home all over the world. We all know parts of our homes where our WiFi drops out, and its far from sensible to move household appliances just to get coverage. Hanadu ensures that the Internet of Things can come to the appliance, no matter where it is located.

A lot of work has been put into Hanadu to allow it to support both ZigBee and Thread networking models. Each home is different: where radio is good to connect a device in one home, powerline is better in another home. The mix-and-match combination of radio and powerline that Hanadu enables will allow the Internet of Things to come to every electrically-powered device that exists within the home.

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Xsilon Launches Early Access Partnership Program for Its New Hanadu Silicon Roadmap

Use this checklist to help get your home in top condition before a sale.

If you're thinking about putting your home on the market, remember that if potential buyers can't envision themselves in the space, you'll likely have a tough time selling it. You should assess the interior of your home first and pay special attention to areas that need work, such as repainting the living room or updating the lighting fixtures in the kitchen, before listing it.

Use our checklist to take an inventory of your living space and pinpoint areas for needed improvement:

Check underside of roof for leaks, stains or dampness.

Look around chimney for condensation or signs of water.

Clean and clear ventilation openings if necessary.

Clean out stored junk.

Check condition of paint and wallpaper.

Repair cracks, holes or damage to plaster or wallboard.

Check for smooth operation.

Excerpt from:
Seller's Checklist: Update Your Home's Interior

New PowerLine AV2 Starter Kits Instantly Transform Existing Electrical Outlets into a Powerful Gigabit Wired Network

LAS VEGAS, -- INTERNATIONAL CES -- D-Link today announced the industry's first-to-market PowerLine AV2 2000 Gigabit Starter Kit (DHP-701AV) and an updated PowerLine AV2 1000 Gigabit Starter Kit (DHP-601AV), offering faster gigabit performance. Utilizing the latest HomePlug AV2 industry-standard technology, the DHP-701AV and DHP-601AV turn virtually any home wall outlet into a powerful network connection(1) to handle a range of high-bandwidth applications, including online gaming and HD video streaming with speeds of up to 2000Mbps (DHP-701AV).(2) The plug-and-play DHP-701AV and DHP-601AV are designed with push button secure setup to connect to your existing network with no configuration required.

Featuring two PowerLine AV2 2000 adapters, the DHP-701AV leverages the latest in AV2 Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technology and 2000Mbps connectivity, allowing users to transfer larger files with ease and enjoy uninterrupted HD media streaming and online gaming. The addition of MIMO technology allows the adapters to utilize the fastest two wires in a typical three-wire (live, neutral and ground) installation, delivering expanded home network coverage. The updated DHP-601AV kit includes two DHP-600AV PowerLine AV2 1000 Gigabit Adapters to create a high-speed HomePlug network with speeds of up to 1000Mbps.(2 )

"Our latest PowerLine solutions underscore the growing needs of connected homes - an ever-expanding list of bandwidth-intensive applications," said Ken Loyd, director of consumer product marketing, D-Link Systems, Inc. "Whether gaming online, streaming HD media or extending your home network, the new PowerLine Starter Kits transform any room's existing electrical wiring to seamlessly connect everything together, providing the highest quality streaming and fastest throughput speeds available. They are the perfect complement to an existing home network."

More About the DHP-701AV The DHP-701AV kit includes two DHP-700AV PowerLine AV2 2000 Gigabit Adapters (one for connecting to your home network and the other for connecting a device to the network) offering a host of benefits:

-- HomePlug AV2 technology for speeds of up to 2000Mpbs(2) -- MIMO technology for significantly enhanced coverage; particularly for previously hard-to-reach outlets -- Gigabit Ethernet connectivity -- Plug-and-Play installation -- Power saving mode reduces power consumption by up to 85 percent(3) -- 128-bit AES Link Encryption with key management for secure communications

More About the DHP-601AV The updated DHP-601AV kit includes two DHP-600AV PowerLine AV2 1000 Gigabit Adapters to create a high-speed HomePlug network at speeds of up to 1000 Mbps with a host of benefits:

-- HomePlug AV2 standard for speeds up to 1000Mbps(2) -- Gigabit Ethernet port -- Plug-and-play installation -- 128-bit AES Link Encryption with key management for secure communications -- Power saving mode reduces power consumption by up to 85 percent (3)

Availability and Pricing The DHP-701AV and DHP-601AV will be available in Q1 2015 with a retail price of $129.99 and $79.99 respectively in the United States throughout D-Link's vast network of retail and etail partners. The D-Link() AV2 PowerLine Starter Kits will be displayed at the 2015 International CES, Jan. 6-8, 2015 in Las Vegas. Detailed specifications are available online at us.dlink.com.

Product Videos: PowerLine AV2 2000 Gigabit Starter Kit (DHP-701AV) - http://youtu.be/P95tSAd3AbM

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Gigabit Starter Kits use HomePlug AV2 technology.

SAN JOSE, Calif. Someday the smart home may be the norm, but today it still a somewhat pricey set of proprietary products, slowly opening up to work with industry standards.

That's the view I took away from an interview with Matthew Swatsky, a computer engineer turned product manager for Lutron's smart home products. The company has been wiring homes since the 1980s. In the 1990s, it rolled out Clear Connect, its own wireless technology now in its fifth generation.

"We're in the early stages of the connected home," said Swatsky, who is attending CES 2015 this week. "In the early 90s, custom cabinets were an upgrade. Now they are standard. The connected home may follow that trend."

Before we get there, AV and security products need to work better with the kind of lighting, motorized shades and HVAC controls Lutron makes, and everybody has to interoperate with everyone else.

Lutron has been taking its own small steps in that direction. Its proprietary 433MHz wireless systems now work with a WiFi thermostat from Honeywell, and Lutron recently agreed to support the Google Nest thermostat.

Matthew Swatsky shows some of Lutron's Caseta Wireless gadgets.

The company already ships Android and iOS apps for its network that goes under the Caseta Wireless brand. Apple demoed its app running on the Apple Watch when it was announced last year. "All the technology in that watch was not available five years ago," Swatsky said. "Mobile devices make home controls more accessible."

Lutron has 15 partners in its Caseta Wireless ecosystem, including Logitech, and it is reaching out for more. This year, it will embrace ZigBee in a remote control for smart LED lights.

Today's up-and-coming networks -- Bluetooth, WiFi, ZigBee -- weren't ready to plug into the smart home when Lutron started work on its wireless technology nearly 20 years ago. But today the private company that sells to both consumer and contractors, which need to embrace the rising tide of open standards to continue to thrive.

Swatsky does not pretend that his FM band network made with off-the-shelf radios and microcontrollers is at the bleeding edge. Its 62.5 Kbit/s links are meant to extend only 30 feet in a typical home. The key is that they are reliable and support nodes with battery life measured in years.

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Lutron Opens to Smart Home

Sunnyvale, CA (PRWEB) January 05, 2015

iSmart Alarm, Inc., the two-year old US-based company focused on wireless Smart Home and DIY Home Security products, today announced new wireless devices and technology including Smoke Alarm, Z-Wave Compatibility, water sensors, and more.

The iSmartAlarm ecosystem offers users advanced smart home control, security and automation using the iPhone or Android Apps at a fraction of the cost of traditional security companies. The company's flagship product is the iSmartAlarm, which puts a 21st century spin on traditional security systems by offering a self-monitored, self-controlled home security system that is designed to be expandable, mobile and DIY, with no wiring necessary. Families can use and expand the system without worry, and without monthly fees or contracts of any kind.

With our current product line, as well as the Smoke Alarm and upcoming home automation products, iSmartAlarm is uniquely positioned to provide customers with great new solutions in 2015 and beyond, said Raymond Meng, CEO and Co-Founder, iSmart Alarm, Inc. Our goal has always been to provide the best possible home security and home automation products with no contracts and no fees, and we are growing quickly to be even more.

The new iCamera KEEP on-demand streaming and video-recording home security camera offers HD visibility, audio and motion sensors, and no-cost video recording in case of break-ins. The Smart Switch allows iSmartAlarm users to control lights, electronics, and appliances. Both began shipping to Pre-Sale customers in December, and are currently available. The iSmartAlarm App provides seamless access to all approved users in the family.

The iSmartAlarm Smoke Alarm is for use as a stand-alone smoke alarm or in conjunction with the iSmartAlarm home security system. Photoelectric sensors minimize false alarms, and receive audible alarms throughout the home. Users will receive notifications of smoke and fire-related emergencies to your smartphone as well, anywhere in the world.

The Z-Stick provides all iSmartAlarm families the ability to expand their system to include Z-Wave devices, and will launch with a multi-tone and LED strobe Satellite Siren, Water Leak Sensor, and indoor/outdoor Multi-Sensor (Temperature, air quality, humidity, and light sensors built-in). New devices and sensors will be announced in the near future as well.

All iSmartAlarm products and services are part of the continued growth of the iSmartAlarm home control ecosystem, offering users a new level of control, security, and connectivity, allowing anyone to monitor, manage, and secure their home, property and family using their iPhone and Android devices.

iSmartAlarm will be demonstrating new products and future plans at PepComs Digital Experience! Show January 5, 2015 at the Mirage Hotel in the Mirage Events Center, B&C. iSmartAlarm will be showcasing at CES booth #20336 in the South Hall on Level One January 6-9.

About iSmart Alarm, Inc. iSmart Alarm, Inc. was founded in Silicon Valley in 2012 on the principles of safety, beauty, and intelligence. They designed and developed the best smartphone-enabled home security and home control system, winning multiple App and design awards along the way, with high ratings from CNet, PC Mag, TechHome, SecurityGem, and others. The sleek, sophisticated system utilizes a free and simple smartphone and tablet app to put home security and home control in the palm of its users' hands. iSmartAlarm products are cool, simple to use, and affordable to everyone. iSmartAlarm protects your home intelligently.

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iSmartAlarm Showcasing New Devices, Smoke Alarm, and Z-Wave Compatibility at CES January 6-9, 2015

DIY Solar Panels for Home Wiring Diagram
DIY Solar Panels! http://diysolarpanelguide.net/indexa The Step-by-Step DIY Solar Panel Guide will show you exactly how to make your own solar panels for les...

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DIY Solar Panels for Home Wiring Diagram - Video

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MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) Minneapolis firefighters are trying to figure out what caused a fire that killed a 46-year-old man.

Looking at the outside of the home, it was hard to even see any damage. But a man died inside the home on Logan Avenue North in Minneapolis. It was the second fatal fire of 2015 in Minnesota. A woman died Thursday after a fire in Vadnais Heights.

Scott Krider was watching and lives across the street from the latest victim. He described the scene Saturday evening.

Seen paramedics go in the house so we knew somebody was still in the house but they came out empty-handed so we knew somebody was left inside, Krider said.

He said that somebody was his buddy, Mike Klingelhoets, a man who lived a life of danger working for the past 17 years on a boat.

Hed usually spend three or four months home enjoying himself and then following year hed go back up to Alaska and fish again, Krider said.

A single man, Kilingelhoets father said he was going to change professions in the spring, working for the merchant marines.

He was getting tired of it and thinking of retiring. He said it was hard work, Krider said.

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Man, 46, Killed In Minneapolis House Fire

By Antonio Coleman andMark Birdsall

CADILLAC Firefighters from two departments successfully doused a blazed that sparked in a Cadillac home early Friday morning.

The fire started about 1 a.m. The homeowners at 904 N. Mitchell St. came home to discover smoke and flames in the house. Cadillac Fire Department Lt. Mark Near said no one was inside the home at the time of the fire.

Smoke billowed out of the home as the fire was doused. Fire crews remained on scene until around 3 a.m. overhauling the affected portions of the structure. North Mitchell Street was temporarily blocked.

Fire damage was limited to one main floor bedroom, while the upper floor of the home sustained some smoke and heat damage, according to Cadillac firefighters.

Near said an investigation revealed that the fire originated in electrical wiring within a wall of the main floor bedroom. The fire went undetected spread to wall and ceiling cavities until smoke was noticed by the returning home owner.

The Cadillac Fire Department is reminding everyone to consult a licensed electrician anytime one encounters any questionable wiring within their home. The department also advises taking the time to install and test smoke alarms.

Cadillac firefighters were assisted by Haring Fire Department.

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Firefighters save home on North Mitchell Street

January 3, 2015 9:21 AM

Frayed wiring on a Christmas tree sparked a Dorchester fire. (WBZ-TV)

BOSTON (CBS) A dozen residents were displaced by a Dorchester fire that investigators said was caused by faulty wiring on a Christmas tree.

Boston firefighters responded to Bellevue Street in Dorchester just before 8 p.m. on Friday night for a two-alarm fire in an occupied three-family home.

No one was injured by the fire, but it caused about $500,000 in damage and 12 people were unable to return back inside.

Fire investigators determined that the fire was caused by a spark from frayed wiring on a second floor Christmas tree.

The flames engulfed the tree quickly and spread rapidly throughout the building, firefighters said.

A neighboring home was evacuated after it suffered surface damage, but the residents were allowed back in the building.

MORE LOCAL NEWS FROM CBS BOSTON

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Wiring On Christmas Tree Sparks Dorchester Fire