Northern Nevada Real Estate and Lifestyle

I have recently discovered that I am a mongoose. Actually, I am finding I rather like being a mongoose. No need to send in the men in white coats, this is not a delusion, but rather a revelation. For those of you who have been living under a rock, Stefan Swanepoel, prognosticator extraordinaire, ...

I received an email from some out of town clients yesterday wondering why one of the homes they found was so expensive compared to others in the area. Predictably, it was a FSBO. "Gee," they said. "This house looks really nice, but the price! Ouch! Why do you think it is so expensive? Is there so...

A new wrinkle has appeared in the struggle between delinquent homeowners and their lenders. Dubbed by some "strategic leasing", this latest ploy of homeowners in the attempt to foil their lien holders is based on the recently passed Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act. In a nutshell, two neighb...

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 ...