If you’re looking to invest in a piece of real estate, either for your own enjoyment or as an investment like Sightline Acquisition and Kirk Sanford do, it’s important to pay attention to certain features. There are a number of key home features today that make the difference in the home value and in its comfort.

Today, kitchens have become the new gathering spot. Finding a kitchen that is conducive to entertaining and inviting makes a big difference. Look for a center island, great lighting, granite countertops, a large eat-in area, and access to an outdoor space.

Most new homes today have a great room that opens up to the kitchen. This is a family room that allows for overflow from the kitchen gathering, and that also helps with the flow of the home. You can finish the food preparations while still being part of the party or family gathering.

Finally, look for a walk-in pantry and extra storage in the kitchen. A butler’s pantry, a walk-in pantry, and other key storage locations help with organization and kitchen management. Larger refrigerator spaces, wine chillers, pizza ovens and more also add to the value of the kitchen and the home overall.

At least according to CNNMoney.com, now is the time to start buying property in Las Vegas. Why? In a recent article, they calculated that Las Vegas, Nevada is 41.40% undervalued and that it is, at the moment, the most undervalued city in the United States. These figures were based on looking at median home prices, local interest rates, population densities and income, and historical premiums or discounts over time.

This is certainly good news for those who are interested in investing in Las Vegas, like Sightline Acquisition with Kirk Sanford. The statistics are made even that more interesting since a similar study in 2006 by CNNMoney.com said that Las Vegas was 38% overvalued.

The Las Vegas Review Journal reports that 2009 saw a record number of home foreclosures in the Las Vegas area and in the country at large. There were a record 2.8 million homes that were threatened with foreclosure in 2009, and that number is expected to go up this coming year. There were 21% more homes that received a foreclosure related notice in 2009 than in 2008.

The three states that showed the highest foreclosure rates for 2009 were Nevada, Arizona and Florida. According to RealtyTrac, more than 10% of housing units in Nevada received at least one foreclosure filing in 2009.

Certainly, these numbers are no surprise to many in the real estate field and on the ground in locations like Las Vegas. Some companies, such as Sightline Acquisition with Kirk Sanford, are attempting to help these hurting markets by investing in distressed commercial and residential properties.