Who is Richard Lee, and why is his upbeat attitude making me so happy?   Richard Lee is a Vice President with First American Title in Las Vegas. More importantly, to me at least, is that Richard Lee is SO on top of things that when he speaks about the state of the market in Las Vegas, most of us in the industry strain to catch every word that springs from his golden vocal chords. I’m probably only imagining that he sounds better than most humans, but his words are certainly music to my ears. Richard Lee is one of the foremost authorities on development in Las Vegas, and any time I know he’s speaking I try to be there.   About 4 months ago, I had the opportunity to hear Richard speak on the state of our real estate market. Often viewed as the biggest cheerleader for development in Las Vegas, Richard usually boils over with justifiable enthusiasm. This was the first time I’d ever heard Richard speak to a group in less than excited, confident tones. While his long-term prognosis was good overall, he was somewhat subdued.   Yesterday I had the opportunity to hear Richard speak again, this time at our monthly Nevada Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals luncheon. When that guy smiles when he speaks of the future of Las Vegas, I get a warm, fuzzy feeling all over. Maybe it was just the champagne I imagined myself using to toast our comeback in the near future; nevertheless, I left the room feeling upbeat and positive. While I just wrapped up a record sales year, I’m very cognizant that homeowners are still losing or giving up their homes, and many of my fellow real estate professionals are struggling to hang on.   While we all know that some big projects dried up faster than a wet t-shirt in the Vegas sun when credit became scarce, many aren’t aware of some major projects that are still slated. Not today, but soon. I won’t steal Richard’s thunder, but this man is highly regarded by individual and institutional investors across the country; when Richard talks, people listen. Everyone wants to own their piece of Vegas. The globalization of Las Vegas that is making this city the world’s favorite “meeting place” ensures that it will come roaring back.   A long-time Las Vegas developer, now deceased, used to have a sign in his office that always made me smile. “Lord, let there be one more real estate boom. And this time, don’t let me piss it away.” It won’t be today, but it will be. And this is why investors are snatching up properties today.

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