Real Estate Blog - March, 2017

Top Landscaping Trends

Living in the high desert, we have to consider what kind of landscape would work best in our climate. Many have chosen drought friendly xeriscapes that require very little water or maintenance, but you lose the traditional look among all the rock. Large green lawns are going out of style and homeowners are optimizing their space to better fit their lifestyles. If you are planning to sell your home this year, you may be considering updating your landscape to make it more appealing to home buyers. If you find yourself wanting to make some changes in your yard, consider the following top landscaping trends for 2017. 

1. Low Maintenance. Whether that means more hardscaping (stone pathways, extended patios) or adding gravel instead of mulch, homeowners…

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What's My Home Worth?

The spring selling season is picking up and home values in Reno-Sparks are increasing. In fact, the median home price in February was $320,000. That's 10.3% higher than the median price in February last year and a whopping 20% higher than it was in February 2015! If you're a homeowner looking to downsize, move out of the area or into a less expensive home, you may be seriously considering if now is the time to list your home. 

Before you sign with a listing agent, you need to know what your home is worth in the current market. We offer free comparative market analysis to homeowners who are planning to sell. This will take into consideration your neighborhood, the comparable homes in your area, any additional amenities and any special remodels or…

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Dickson Realty Market Report - DOM and Median Price - Reno/Sparks

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.

According to the Reno-Sparks Association of REALTORS, the Reno-Sparks area experienced a 5.9% increase in median price in the month of February. The median price of $320,000 was also 10.3% higher than February of last year, and over 20% higher than February 2015. These year over year increases confirm a strong demand for housing being driven by low mortgage rates and healthy economic growth in the region. We anticipate the median price will continue to increase over the long term, especially in the most affordable price ranges.

The Average Days on Market increased by 8 days from 107 days in January to 115 in…

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7 Steps to Selling Your Home

The real estate market in Reno-Sparks is still strong for home sellers. If you've decided it's time to move, you may want to prepare for what's to come. When selling your home, perhaps the most important thing is to work with a Realtor you trust and who has experience selling homes in your neighborhood. Every home sale is different, but in general, you can expect to: 

Clean Up Your Home. Make sure that your home is clean, uncluttered and makes a good first impression. Freshen up flowerbeds, touch up paint and give your home a thorough cleaning. 

Choose a Realtor. Whether you ask your friends and family for referrals or you scour reviews online, make sure you trust your Realtor's opinion. Your agent should provide you with a market valuation so you…

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Dickson Realty Market News March 20, 2017

Let's review the Reno-Sparks housing market activity, comparing residential sales from January to February 2017, and comparing year over year activity to February 2016.

According to the Reno Sparks Association of Realtors, the Median Sold Price for single family homes and condos in the Reno/Sparks area increased 4.5% from $286,000 in January to $298,943 in February. When we compare this price to a year ago, we see a 11.1% increase, validating a continued healthy market. While the year over year increases are beginning to impact affordability, it is important to note these increases are being fueled by sustainable economic growth and new jobs created by existing companies that are expanding in addition to many companies moving to our region.

The…

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In today’s RGJ: Region sets jobs record but housing slow to follow

Written by Andrew Reel, Vice President of Marketing and Technology with Dickson Realty. 

"An informative article in this morning's Reno Gazette Journal about jobs and housing in our region. Thank you Brian Bonnenfant, Anthony Ciaramella and the UNR College of Business, Center for Regional Studies.

"Despite the region’s rapid growth in employment, the number of jobs in Reno-Sparks is still below levels from 10 years ago, according to a new report. The report, written by Brian Bonnenfant, project manager and geographic information systems analyst at the University of Nevada, Reno’s Center for Regional Studies, includes a new housing outlook as well as the challenges facing Northern Nevada’s housing market." Read more...

If you have questions about…

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6 Things You Should Love About a Home Before You Make an Offer

The view is incredible and you love the master, walk-in closet. But before you fall head over heels for a home, make sure you love these six things about the property before you commit. 

1. The Community. If you've never lived in an area with a home owners association and are considering buying a home with strict HOA covenants and restrictions, be sure to read through the HOA documents closely. If have a tendency to leave your trash can out for a couple days past your scheduled trash pickup day and have a project car you proudly display in your driveway, an HOA might not be for you. 

2. The Size. The cottage that was built in the 1950s is full of charm, but will it fit your growing family with only 1 bathroom? Or will you really want to be climbing…

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Dickson Realty Market News March 13, 2017

Here's the latest news about the Reno/Sparks real estate market from the experts at Dickson Realty. 

Market activity in the Reno/Sparks area for Single Family homes in February was robust, given the continued economic and jobs growth in our region. Let’s take a look at the details.

There was a 5% decrease in available inventory of homes when comparing January to February and a 40.2% decrease since August. It is important to note that these statistics include homes that are active and available for purchase, as well as homes that are in contract but not yet closed. This marks the sixth consecutive month of decreases in inventory, a trend that is exacerbated by the strong demand for housing in the under $600,000 price ranges.

Reno/Sparks area…

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Planning to Buy a Home and Need to Increase Your Credit Score Fast?

Have you decided that you're going to purchase a home this year? While getting your financial information in order, you've likely taken a hard look at your credit score. Maybe you're a first time home buyer. Or maybe you own you've owned your current home for a while. In any case, when applying for a mortgage, you'll want your credit score to be as high as possible for the best rates. If you think your credit score, could use some improvement, you're not alone. The national average credit score is 695 but those with a score of 740 or more will get the best credit rates. 

There are some tips to increase your credit score that may help you reach the next credit threshold before you apply for your mortgage. 

1. Pay of your debts. Credit Utilization, or…

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Market News- Active vs Sold- March 9, 2017

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