Northern Nevada Real Estate Blog

The Washoe County treasurer's office started mailing the 2010/2011  tax bills to property owners this month and many have noticed a decline in their tax bill.

 July 1st was the start of the new fiscal year so tax bills were sent to out to coincide.

So if you received your tax bill already, which you should have, did you notice the reduction?

 The Washoe County treasurers office recently stated that because of the devaluation of Northern Nevada homes, and probably a whole lot of complaints from property owners,  there was a need to reevaluate property taxes.

Not all Reno home owners will see a reduction even though the home sales in their neighborhood were down.

 Here's why:

 In 2005 the legislature imposed annual limits on property taxes of 3 percent on residential homes but let governments that levy property taxes set aside increases about the limits and collect them in the years when when they would fit beneath the caps.

But governments that levy property taxes were allowed to set aside increases above the limits and collect them in years when they would fit beneath the caps.

So even if a house recently lost value, it could be taxed at a higher rate when the set-aside tax is included.

Here is the full article on the 2005 Washoe County Assessor's Office Tax Cap Notices.

If you want to check your tax bill online, log into the Washoe County Treasurer Property Tax Search Page and enter your property parcel number. This number can be found on your tax bill. If your home is listed for sale, ask your Realtor to check the site for you and update the MLS listing. Lower annual property taxes might attract an interested buyer.

Why Did My Washoe County Property Taxes Go Down?

Be the One! And help with this gulf crisis! Watch the video, you know what to do.

Reno Condo buyers; Look here for FHA approved Condos and Townhomes!

FHA is certainly a popular way to obtain financing these days, but when you are looking to buy a Reno, Nevada Condo or Townhome, you need to be aware of which projects are FHA approved and which ones do not qualify.

You may be surprised to learn that although there are a large number of condos listed for sale, not all are eligible for FHA financing. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) eliminated the "spot loan" approval process in 2009.

 A 'spot loan' is a loan on a particularly property, usually a condominium, by a lender who has not previously financed this particular property. By eliminating this type of funding, HUD has made FHA financing harder to obtain on certain condo projects unless they can approve a whole condo project.

This is why it is important to make sure your real estate agent knows which Condo projects are FHA approved and which ones are not. Don't wait until after you get into contract to find out the Reno Condo you are buying is no longer FHA approved!

 You can get lists of condo projects that are FHA approved Condos for any State by going to this site:

FHA Approved Homes and Communities!

Reno has over 24 condominium complexes that are on the FHA approved list.

 Because of our changing and somewhat vvolatile real estate market, it is important to check the HUD website for approved condos on a regular basis when considering a condominium or townhome!

 Or call me, I can help you with your Reno Condo or home search!

Looking for a Sparks, Nevada condo? Look here for your list of FHA approved Condo:

Sparks Nevada FHA approved Condos

FHA Approved CONDOS in Reno, Nevada

~Reno Nevada Farmers Markets ~

We may be smack in the  middle of summer right now but you can still get fresh produce at Reno Farmers Markets for another six weeks. The Reno weekly farmers markets are great summer spots to find fresh fruits and vegetables. Nearly everyone I know enjoys taking time to shop at local area farmers markets. Here are a few reasons why it is a good idea to shop at local markets:

 Buying produce locally has several advantages:

~  Farmers markets help promote and support our local economy

~  Shopping local benefits our farmers and supports our community

~ You have a pretty good idea where your products are coming from

~  By bringing your reusable bags you are helping reduce the  carbon footprint on the environment by saving on packaging.

~ Reno farmers markets are great places to bring the entire family

Produce and other items found at local farmers markets are not always the cheapest, but they are the freshest! Farmers are always offering samples while you  browse around. Fresh cantaloupe from Fernley is so sweet and refreshing, you can't leave with out one!

There is still plenty of time this summer to get out and shop out Reno's local farmers markets. There is a market going on nearly every day of the week this summer and early fall.

 Here is a list of Reno Farmers Markets:

Sundays:

West Street Market ~ West Street, between 1st and 2nd Street ~ 9am to 1pm ~ Now until Sept. 12

South Reno Farmers Market ~ 950 Foothill Road, @ The Grove ~ 9am to 1pm ~ Now until Sept. 5

Mondays:

No Farmers Markets

Tuesdays:

Shoppers Square ~ Plumb Ln & S. Virginia St. ~ 8am to 1pm~ now until Oct. 5

Wednesdays:

Somersett Town Square ~ 7650 Towne Square Way ~ 4pm to 8pm ~ Now until Aug. 25

Thursdays:

Sparks Hometown Farmers Market ~ Victorian Ave in Sparks ~ 4pm to 9pm ~ Now until Aug 25

Fridays:

Tamarack Junction ~13101 S. Virginia St. ~ 8am to 1pm ~ Now until October 8

Saturdays:

Village Market~ On California Ave  Booth Street ~ 8am to 1pm ~ Now until October 2

 Reno Nevada Farmers Markets ~ Keeping it local and keeping it Fresh!

Getting Short Sale approval is the goal of all parties involved. Listed below are some ways we can all help out in the process.

Could this Sparks, Nevada teenager be the next Carrie Underwood?

Julia C. recently won a Sparks' Got Talent contest where she competed against 40 very talented locals. She  wowed Reno Aces fans when she sang the "Start Spangled Banner" in front of a sold out crowd of 10,000 fans.  Julia goes to school with my children and has big dreams of being a professional singer one day. I have listened to Julia sing and she defiantly has talent!

So you tell me, could this rockin local Sparks girl be the next Carrie Underwood? Just listen to Julia nail "Cowboy Casanova" at the July 2010 Sparks' Got Talent Show at the Sparks Marina and you be the judge:

Are you a Northern Nevada distressed property home owner and don't what to do? Have you considered a short sale on your home?

A real estate short sale occurs when a home is sold for less than is owned on it. Because the lender is being asked to accept a loss on their investment, the take a role in determining the sales price of the home. They decide what the selling price will be. The tricky part of a short sale transaction is getting the lender to agree to the terms of a contract.

A successful short sale transaction requires experience, patience, and the ability to find solutions if problems should arise during the escrow period ( the time the home goes under contract to the time it closes).

As your Reno Nevada short sale spacialist I will help you thought this process. I will do the following to help you with your short sale:

• Determine the requirements of your lander to approve your short sale
• Facilitate the submission of required documents from you to the lender including a hardship letter which helps the the lender determine if the short sale is appropriate for you
• Determine a listing price for your home
• Communicate regularly with your mortgage lender's short sale negotiator to work towards a selling price that they will agree to

As a Certified Default Resolution Specialist, I can help you with the short sale process and get your home sold. Call me for a free confidential Real Estate consultations. I look forward to talking with you.

Reno Home Owners ~ The Right Realtor Can Help You Short Sale Your Home

Find your Fourth of July explosive Fireworks Shows and Events in the Northern Nevada areas of Sparks, Reno, Carson City, Lake Tahoe and Virginia City right here!

Star Spangled Sparks ~ Probably one of Northern Nevada's largest fireworks events.  The Star spangled Sparks party is an all day, family fun filled extravaganza.

Start you day at the Sparks Marina with hot air balloon rides, a two mile run/walk race, a milk carton boat race and a Sparks' Got Talent Competition.

After you finish running and racing at the Sparks Marina, walk on over to the Legends shopping center and enjoy live music, several children's events, food samples and entertainment for the entire family. Legends will provide free shuttle service to and from the Sparks Marina and to Victorian Avenue, where the Star Spangled Sparks firework's show will be help.

 The Star Spangled Sparks fireworks show will be held on Victorian Avenue in downtown Sparks. You will find them right across the street from John Ascuaga's Nugget.

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Fireworks at the Reno Aces Ballpark ~ An exciting fireworks show is scheduled to follow the Reno Aces Baseball game. 

The baseball game is sold out but fireworks can still be viewed from around the stadium. The Reno Aces Baseball Stadium is located at 250 Evans Ave, downtown Reno. It sits on the corner of Evans and Second Streets, you can't miss it.

 Arrive early and bring a blanket to watch the show near the entrance of the ballpark. While you are waiting for the show to begin, take some time to check out some of downtown Reno's spectacular sites and establishments.

  Visit the new Freight House District you have heard so much about lately. Take a walk along the Truckee River. Stop by the Reno West Street Market and buy a Reno eNVy T-shirt. Wherever your feet take you, I hope you have a wonderful downtown Reno Fourth of July celebration.

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Lake Tahoe Fireworks ~ We all love Lake Tahoe! And if you are lucky enough to be at the lake on the fourth, you will surely want to know where to look for those fireworks, am I right? There are several locations for the firework displays this year.

Kings Beach~ Located on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, Kings Beach will be having its show on Saturday this year.  The show is expected to start at 9:30 but you know the drill, GET THERE EARLY! The best place to view the show is at the Kings Beach Recreation Area.

Incline Village ~  Just in case you are driving around and are wondering what is happening here, this fireworks show is for residents and guests only and will be taking place at the Incline Beach on Sunday.

South Lake Tahoe ~ Star Spangle Fourth ~ Lights on the Lake! Visible to almost all Lake Tahoe visitors and is the area's largest and most spectacular shows. Set to music the fireworks can be seen and heard from all over town . Below are some of the sweet spots to get a front row seat.

• The Tahoe Queen and M.S. Dixie II: South Shore's two Mississippi paddle wheelers offer a unique opportunity to view the light show from the water. Board the Tahoe Queen for a Dinner Dance Cruise or the M.S. Dixie II for a Fireworks Cruise. Both feature live entertainment and fantastic views of the evening's display. 
   
• Nevada Beach: Located about two miles east of the Nevada casinos on Elk Point Road, Nevada Beach is the ideal setting for a family barbecue at the beach. A wide, sandy shoreline leads down to the sapphire waters of Lake Tahoe.  The view of the fireworks display is one of the best in town.
   
• Regan and El Dorado Beaches: Located right where Highway 50 meets the Lake, these connecting stretches of narrow beach are front and center for the fireworks. Arrive early! These beaches fill up with people who love to be right under the action.
  

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Carson City ~ Celebrate the holiday all weekend in Carson City at Mills Parks. As part of this RSPV celebration, you and your family will enjoy a carnival, arts, crafts, great food and drinks. The fireworks show will take place Sunday evening in the park! Call 687-4689 for more information and to RSVP!

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Virginia City ~ Celebrate the Fourth of July the way they did back when Mark Twain was alive and kicking! Virginia City is hosting a old-fashioned parade with cowboys and gangsters marching. Enjoy music, food and drinks through out the day. The fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. and can be seen from the Virginia City Park.

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Explosive fireworks shows can be seen all over Northern Nevada this 2010 holiday weekend. I hope you will find what show you are looking for and make it a great, safe and exciting 2010 Fourth of July weekend here in Northern Nevada!

Explosive Fourth of July Fireworks Events in Northern Nevada

I updated the photos of this Reno home and now it stands out above the rest!

My listing at 4288 Muriwood Circle in Reno is really spectacular. It truly is. But from the front of the house, there was just something missing. I talked to the sellers about what we could do to make it more appealing. They both agreed we needed something to make it more attractive. They went to work. Take a look at the before and after photos and see how a little updating goes a long way.

The before pictures were taken in February and the after pictures are from June.

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

The sellers made a some minor changes to front and back of this home. They were very open to my suggestions and are very happy with the results. Because of the few changes that were made, the outside now matches the modern, stlyist interior of this home.

Here is a video for you to see both the interior and exteroir of 4288 Muirwood Circle:

Updated Summer Photos Make This Home Stand Out Above The Rest!

~Reno is Artown 2010~

For the last 15 years, Artown has taken place in Reno every July. You could easily say "Reno is Artown in July!" This month long arts and culture festival features more than 400 events from more than 100 performers. Most of the events take place downtown Reno at Wingfield Park, located on First Street and Arlington. Because there is so much to do and so much to see, I am providing a link to Artown. Here you will get your Artown schedule of events. You can also follow the Artown Blog and follow Artown on Twitter and Facebook.

 ~Reno is Artown 2010~

If you are looking for a home to buy in Reno, Nevada, you can search for all the Reno listings at www.Terrieleighton.com. The listings are updated every 15 minutes so you have to guess what homes are active, pending or sold. You can follow my Blog, follow me on Twitter and become a fan of my Selling Reno and Sparks Facebook page. I try to always have the latest Northern Nevada real estateand local events information at your fingertips!