School is out and summer is here, hot weather included. What are you doing to beat the heat this year? We've compiled a list of some the best ways to stay cool in Northern Nevada. 

Pyramid Lake- 125,000 acre lake 40 miles northeast of the Reno-Sparks area. Activities include fishing, paddleboarding, hiking, visiting the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Museum and Visitors Center. 

Lake Tahoe- Less than an hour's drive from Reno, Lake Tahoe is a popular destination for many Reno-Sparks residents. Swimming, hiking, paddleboarding, camping, and fishing are just some of the many activities at Lake Tahoe. 

Truckee River- Right in the heart of Reno, the Truckee River offers fishing, swimming, rafting, kayaking, and tubing. 

Wild Island- Not just a water…

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The housing market in Northern Nevada is still a seller's market. If you're planning to sell your home, you're likely concerned with home renovations that will increase your property's value. Since we're solidly into summer now, outdoor features are ranking high on that list. Below are the top five outdoor features that will get you the most bang for your buck as well as set your home apart from the other properties buyers may be looking at. 

1. Barbecue Station. A dedicated area to grill ranks can be a high priority for some home buyers. Don't go all out on an outdoor kitchen, however. If you have the space on your back porch or yard, you can create a comfortable, sitting area with a table along with your grill. Use the available space to your…

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Market Report - DOM and Median Price - Reno/Sparks

What’s going on with Median Price and Days on Market in the greater Reno-Sparks area? “Median” means “in the middle”, so one-half of homes sold at a lower price and one-half of homes sold at a higher price. These statistics exclude Condo sales and focus only on single family home sales activity in the region.

The median price remained unchanged at $374,000 from April to May. A better indicator of market performance is the year-over-year change. When we compare May 2018 to 2017, we experienced an 11.6% increase in median price. Strong demand for housing and a low inventory of available homes in the market should keep the median price in an upward trend for the foreseeable future.

Median Price Reno Sparks

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Let’s review Reno-Sparks real estate market activity, comparing April to May 2018 and year-over-year activity to May 2017.

The Median Sold Price for single family homes and condos in Reno/Sparks decreased by 1% to $351,500 from April to May but increased 10.6% compared to a year ago when the Median Price was $317,750. This year-over-year change is a better indicator of how the market is performing. Continued low inventory levels and sustained demand from home buyers are the primary reasons for the double-digit annual increase in value. We expect that prices will continue to climb until more homes are available in the market.

The number of homes and condos sold increased by 16% in May over April. Despite this increase, the total sales in May was down…

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Living in Reno has some impressive advantages- the mountains, the proximity to so many outdoor activities, the weather, the growing economy. But we do have to be proactive in our gardening because we live in such a diverse climate. From snow in the winter to searing hot, dry summers, our landscape can take a beating. Follow these tips if you're adding to or completely renovating your landscape. 

1. Plant Native Plants. Plants like paintbrush, varieties of sage, and Nevada smokebush thrive in Northern Nevada because they are native to the area. There are hundreds of options to choose from. Work with a local garden center or contact Nevada Native Plant Society to learn more about plants that will do well in your yard. 

2. Choose Color. Keep things…

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What do you think is the hottest remodeling trend? Kitchen? Outdoor living space? The hottest remodeling trend is updating the bathroom. According to HomeAdvisor's 2018 True Cost Report, nearly one quarter of homeowners are planning a bathroom remodel during the next 12 months, compared to only 15% planning to remodel the kitchen.

The major remodeling trend is creating a spa-like atmosphere in the bathroom. For some that's removing the bathtub and installing a walk in shower, or installing speakers or a television. Homeowners are most interested in creating a personal space that make efficient use of space for their needs.

The average bathroom remodel costs just under $10,000. Common projects include painting, replacing counter tops, flooring and…

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I have some market news to share with you.

Actives vs Solds - Reno/Sparks, NV

Active vs Sold Reno Sparks

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Continued strong demand and low inventory of affordable homes is producing a challenging market for buyers in many neighborhoods. Let’s take a look at the details.

There were 733 homes available for purchase at the end of May. This was a 2.5% increase when compared to April, but down over 33% compared to this time last year when there were 1,102 homes available. Next, we will look at the number of units sold.

Reno/Sparks area REALTORS sold 543 single family homes in May, which was an increase of 10.6% compared to April. Despite the increase over the last month, there was a 20% decrease in the number of homes sold compared to May…

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Demand for housing in Reno-Sparks remains high, and supply is near a record low. Although this creates a challenging environment for home buyers and sellers alike, it is one of the best move up markets in recent history. Let’s take a look at a few key points.

As of May 29th, there were 818 homes in Reno-Sparks that were Active and Available for purchase. That is a welcomed 17.2% increase from the 698 available homes on the market at the end of April, but still a significant 20.7% decrease from April 2017. Over 68% of available homes have asking prices below $600,000, and only 131 of the homes on the market today have asking prices under $300,000. By comparison, 243 of available listings were under $300,000 at this time last year. If you are buying…

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Are you ready for this summer's farmers' markets? Check out locally sourced produce, baked goods, and so much more. 

The Summit Farmers' Market- Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at The Summit Mall (13925 S Virginia St., Reno, NV 89511)
Sparks United Methodist Church Farmers' Market- Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at 1231 Pyramid Way Sparks, NV 89431
Minden Farmers' Market- Tuesdays from 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at 1231 Pyramid Way Sparks, NV 89431
Tamarack Junction Farmers' Market- Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m-1:00 p.m. at 13101 S. Virginia St., Reno
Fernley Farmers' Market- Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at Millennium Park, Silver Lace Boulevard, Fernley.
Sierra Chef Farmers' Market- Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Lampe Park in…

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