As the real estate market squeezes out potential home buyers in Southern Nevada, many are facing a greater challenge, true affordable housing. There’s a concerning shortage that continues to expand.

In most presidential election years, home prices aren’t a key issue for voters or a major campaign talking point. Consider it another way in which the 2024 election is anything but typical. With mortgage rates up and home prices out of reach for many first-time buyers, the affordability crisis is increasingly in the spotlight as campaign season heats up.

Condo and townhome prices in Southern Nevada reached an all-time high in April 2024. Single-family homes have priced many out of the market as well. Experts said the cost is driven up by a myriad of things including low inventory and cash investors.

Nevada Democrats and Republicans are playing a game of tug of war when it comes to the housing crisis, arguing who is to blame for the high costs of housing — and whose ideas would fix the problem.

Confusion, chaos and misinformation are spreading like wildfire throughout the real estate world as the industry grapples with the potential fallout of a settlement concerning the National Association of Realtors and agent commissions.

Buying a home could get more expensive after the National Association of Realtors changed several long-standing policies after a massive settlement was reached. According to the Associated Press, the NAR agreed to pay $418 million to sellers following several lawsuits that were raised. The trade group demolished an old-standing policy of the seller paying the commission of both brokers in a real estate transaction. It's usually 5 to 6 percent.

Two days after Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman publicly communicated doubts about the plan to demolish the Tropicana Las Vegas and build a new stadium for the Oakland Athletics in its place, a longtime Tropicana employee expressed her sadness to be losing a home away from home.

When the deadly coronavirus became a global pandemic in March 2020, indoor public spaces were shuttered and stay-at-home orders were issued to ensure health and safety. In a flash, Nevada saw its leisure and hospitality lifeblood quickly cut off.