Northern Nevada Real Estate and Lifestyle

Despite hints from officials and much Internet chatter, lenders have been cautious about the extension of the FHA anti-flipping waiver. So I was pleased to receive a notice from the HUD mailing list announcing that the extension became official on Friday, January 28th. Here is the text of the ann...

I promised earlier in the week to write a bit about the state of the real estate market here in the Cayman Islands. So today, as my vacation winds to an end and I start the inevitable "wouldn't it be fun to have a place here?" fantasy, I am back with my report. Just as in the states, the Cayman I...

Earnest money is often a source of mystery to buyers. How much is enough? What happens to it? And most importantly, how do I get it back if things don't work out? At the time an offer to purchase a home is written, several things are required to travel along with it on its journey to the listing ...

Hello again from vacation central aka Grand Cayman! Today I would like to share with you a fun new toy I have tried out for the first time on this trip, a snorkeling mask with a built in camera. I actually bought it at the Oakland boat show last spring; it was on sale ("Boat Show Special!") at th...

Everyone needs a little time off. This week I am on vacation visiting my sister who lives in Grand Cayman. Had a lovely day today, and now I just don't feel like talking (or thinking!) about real estate. So instead, I will tell you a bit about the Cayman Islands. Sitting south of Cuba in the West...

Are you getting ready to sell your home? You will be pleased to learn that, with a bit of search, you should be able to find endless blog posts that discuss preparing your home for sale. A great many of them will offer truly helpful tips. Often they involve lists (sellers presumably love lists): ...

What can I take with me when I move out of my home? That flat panel TV bolted to the wall? My grandmother's chandelier that hangs in the dining room that has been a family heirloom for generations? My brand new high efficiency washer and dryer? What about the other appliances we installed? These ...

Although not yet official, the hints are coming fast and furious that the FHA 90-day flip rule waiver will be extended for another year. It is still unknown whether any of the terms will change with the renewal, and if so, which ones might be different. So that being the case, I'd like to submit ...

Are you a first time home buyer who feels that you may have trouble qualifying for a normal loan? Are you willing to consider purchasing in a rural area? The Nevada Rural Housing Authority's Home At Last (TM) program may be the answer to your prayers. Through the sale of tax-exempt bonds, this pr...

This is NOT a post about the causes of the real estate market collapse. Many causes, many guilty parties, many innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire. One of my favorite topics of debate and conversation. But not today. Still...despite the multifactorial nature of the meltdown, I think that ...