Let’s take a look at Median Price and Days on Market trends over the past 6 months for single family homes in the greater Reno-Sparks area.

After a slight decrease in the median price last month, which marked the first change since August, we saw an increase from $299,900 to $303,750 in January. This increase is moving towards the $310,000 median price that held from August through November. January’s median price is still 8.9% higher than it was at this time last year, and 19.1% higher than January 2015. Strong demand for housing, low mortgage rates and healthy job growth in the region will continue to drive median price up over the long term, especially in the most affordable price ranges.

The Average Days on Market decreased by one day from 108…

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Congratulations! You've been pre-approved for a home and you're home search has begun. Maybe you've already made an offer and it's been accepted. Between reading inspections and picking out paint colors, you're probably spending some time following up with your lender. Most first time home buyers and even some experienced homeowners don't realize that a pre-approval isn't a loan approval. So what can you do to make sure that loan gets approved? We've covered five things that can help. 

1. Control Your Credit. Don't put new furniture on a credit card. Don't get a loan for a new car or a boat or any other major expense. In fact, if you have a balance on any of your credit cards, talk to your loan officer before you add anything significant. 

2. Keep…

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Universal design, or barrier-free design, focuses on making homes accessible to everyone, regardless of physical ability or age. But don't immediately think your UD home will need ramps and stability bars down the hallways. Today's universally designed homes have features that blend seamlessly into just about any home style. More home buyers who are planning to age in place rather than move to a retirement community or those who have senior parents who will be moving in with them choose a home with a universal design. 

Throughout the house, you may find slightly lower switches that can be accessed from a wheelchair, lever handles instead of doorknobs, and hallways and doorways that are at least 32 inches wide. Kitchens may have counters with different…

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I am always looking to stay fit.  In fact being healthy is at the core of my sense of being happy.   I love the feeling of long days hard work outside and at the end of the day feeling tired not because simply I worked but also that I worked out.   Two new facilities have opened in our town and I have enjoyed using both of them.

1) Orange Theory Fitness-  I love the concept!  Small group personal training combined with leading edge technology makes for a fantastic workout.   This is a franchise that is owned locally by a couple that has done a tremendous job hiring great trainers and front desk personnel.   The studio is clean and orange!   What I love is simply I show up and do not have to do much more other than participate and I get a fantastic work…

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Tax season is here. Whether you hire a pro or go it alone, you don't want to pay Uncle Sam any more than is absolutely necessary. You also want to minimize your chance of an audit. So how do you play nice with the IRS and save yourself some money come April 18, 2017? we've created this list to help you out. 

1. You're overzealous with the home office tax deduction. The home office can only be used for a home office- not as a guest bedroom or part time craft room. It also has to be the primary location of your business. 

2. Not following the guidelines for energy tax tax credits. There is a lifetime limit of credits you can claim and other rules apply. Check out this guide for the specifics.

3. Not Distinguishing Between Home Repairs and…

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Brian Bonnenfant with UNR's College of Business just released a New Housing Outlook for the Reno area. Click here to view detailed information regarding Reno-Sparks jobs, new housing statistics, home values and construction activity in the New Southeast area of Reno, Spanish Springs, New Northwest, and the North Valleys.

Also included are specific challenges to the Reno-Sparks area due to population growth and new home construction. For more information about the Reno-Sparks real estate market, please give us a call at 775-453-4568. 

 

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Dickson Realty's Kylie Rowe interviewed Jill Dobbs the new Executive Director of the Society for the Prevention and Cruelty to Animals of Northern Nevada. The SPCA's mission is to be the innovative regional leader in humane treatment and saving homeless pets, specifically dogs and cats. The SPCA is privately funded and invites people to attend "'An Affur to Remember'" Gala on May 6, 2017. More information at spcanevada.org.

Dickson Realty Spotlight on SPCA with Jill Dobbs from Dickson Realty on Vimeo.

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Remember the first time you saw your home? You loved the two-car garage, the hard wood floor and the kitchen! It was a definite upgrade from your old place and you thought you'd love your house forever. But things change. Kids come (or move out). You started working from home. You may have retired or you took a job in another city. Maybe you're part of the sandwich generation with both your kids and your aging parents at home. There are many reasons why you might just not love your home anymore. But before you make any major decisions, you need to consider the following: 

1. Are you willing to work on it? Perhaps that too cramped kitchen can be expanded? Or the master bath that's not big enough for two people to stand in can be renovated to make better…

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Market activity in the Reno/Sparks area for Single Family homes In January was as expected for this time of year. Let’s take a look at the details.

There was a 13% decrease in available inventory of homes when comparing December to January. This was the fifth consecutive month of decreases in inventory, which is consistent with the typical trend during the winter months.

In January, Reno/Sparks area REALTORS sold 358 single family homes, which was 31.5% fewer homes sold than in December. The number of sales this January is also 7% less than January of last year.

The median sold price in Reno/Sparks increased slightly to $303,750. Our median price has been hovering at $310,000 since August, and dropped to just under $300,000 in December. Year…

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It's still raining and a little chilly out, so you may not be thinking about your landscape right now. But winter is the perfect time to plan your landscape. Whether it's time for a minor cleanup or a complete overhaul of your outdoor space, you need to start somewhere. And there somewhere is with a plan! Curious what other homeowners are doing in their yards this year? 

The top landscaping trends for 2017 are: 

1. Incorporating a Variety of Greenery. When planning your landscape, be sure to add in different textures and colors. Don't feel like you need to tear out your current landscape. Consider adding a focal point- maybe ivy on a trellis or areas of lavender. 

2. User-Friendly Outdoor Kitchens. A grill and counter space just doesn't cut it…

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