And then there was one.  We've spoken a lot lately about how the Tesla move means big business for Reno.  Their five million square foot Gigafactory will supply all the lithium ion batteries for their electric cars.  More than 6500 jobs will come directly from the plant once it is up and running.  The ancillary jobs that will be created (from construction to motels, restaurants and more) are the shot in the arm that the Reno economy will benefit from most of all.  Now that Tesla calls Reno home, let us take a look back at how it got that way. This story starts in the fall of 2013.  Originally, Nevada was only one of several states across the country that Tesla was considering for their Gigafactory.  Nevada was competing with heavy contenders such as California and Texas for Tesla's bus... 09/29/2014

Thanks to the Reno/Sparks Association of Realtors for the updated stats. The full stats can be viewed here... RSAR Market Report with a summary of the main points below. The median sales price stayed at $250,000 for the third straight month. Comparable to August of 2008. We've been expecting this after the crazy wave of price increases in the previous year. Average price per sqft. is $143. A slight drop from the previous month. Number of homes sold went up to 565. The highest mark since in a year. Typical of this time of year. Average days on market for sold properties was 83 days. That's a little over a month of marketing time before an accepted offer. New listings dropped to 650. 89% of them were regular sales. The days of short sale and foreclosure mania is over. The months supply of... 09/23/2014

It's been awhile since I've posted but this one is pretty important for any home owners and potential home buyers. I'm not an attorney but I'll try to explain this as best as possible in layman's terms. To all my attorney friends... feel free to chime in and let me know if something is inaccurate. What happened? In a recent ruling by the State of Nevada Supreme Court, HOA liens can knock out first deeds of trust (mortgage liens). How does it work? Let's say you don't pay your HOA dues or fines for awhile and accrue a bill of $5,000-$6,000. The HOA files the Notice of Default and ends up foreclosing on the home or it's sold to the highest bidder at the courthouse. In the past, the HOA or courthouse investor would now be subject to any mortgages on the property. Essentially, they would ha... 09/19/2014

Home Means Nevada Living & Home Expo ~  September 19 - 21, 2014 Located @The Reno-Sparks Convention Center  4590 S. Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89502 Friday, September 19, 1pm - 7pm Saturday, September 20, 10am - 6pm Sunday, September 21, 11am - 5pm   If you are thinking about making upgrades to your home or looking for ways to improve your lifestyle, looking at new construction homes, you should plan a visit this weekend to the Home Means Nevada Living and Home Expo ! Here you will get the chance to meet & intact with builders, contractors, local suppliers, local retailers, home stagers, landscapers from Northern Nevada to get all of the latest, greatest information available!   Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of this big weekend long event:   1) Bring you discount coupo... 09/18/2014

Dear Potential Reno Home Buyer, Located in the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains, Reno, NV is a beautiful city rich in both tradition and fresh entertainment.  Minutes from the world-famous Lake Tahoe, the Reno-Sparkscommunity is surrounded by natural beauty and limitless recreational opportunities. I can understand why you would want to live here, I have lived her most of my life and I couldn't be happier this is the place I chose to raise my two children. Reno has over 18 world-class ski resorts, many just a short 45 minutes from downtown, and 40-plus golf courses. The area also boasts 60 gaming locations, the National Bowling Stadium, the National Automobile Museum, Reno Aces Baseball Stadium, Rancho San Rafael Park's Arboretum and Wilbur D. May Great Basin Adventure, the historic boo... 09/16/2014

Last month, I wrote about how Reno was poised to become the next Silicon Valley.  The City has already enticed big name companies such as Apple, Amazon and Zulily into setting up shop here.  Earlier this month, it was officially announced that Tesla Motors would be building their Gigafactory plant just outside of Reno.  This Tesla move means big business for Reno! The Tesla Gigafactory battery plant will be manufacturing lithium-ion batteries for use in the company's electric cars.  It is expected that enough of these batteries will be produced to allow for the manufacture of over a half a million cars per year by 2020.  The huge five million square foot plant has already broken ground approximately 17 miles east of the City of Reno.  The plant itself is expected to open in 2017.   How... 09/15/2014

4355 Valdez Way   Overview Maps Photos Features Description Neighborhood   $209,900 Single Family Home Main Features 3 Bedrooms2 BathroomsInterior: 1,248 sqftLot: 0.14 acre(s) Location 4355 Valdez WayReno, NV 89502USA     Terrie Leighton Ferrari-Lund Real Estate(775) 846-5424Terrie@Terrieleighton.comhttp://www.myrenohomesearch.com   Listed by: Ferrari-Lund Real Estate   Our recent listings Old Southwest Reno Subscribe to our listing feed   Nearby  properties for sale   09/12/2014

~ Dawn Patrol ~   09/10/2014

According to the recent Reno market update - August 2014, sales appear to be slowing down.  The total number of listings decreased by only 29 while the number under contract decreased 3.3% in just one week.  In my daily travels around town, I have seen more than a few overpriced listings.  When you partner that with the yo-yo-ing appraisals we are seeing, it makes for a bit of a tricky market. I have found an unusually high amount of "value options" lately in the Reno real estate market.  In fact, one property was given one value amount by an appraiser one week and then came in $10,000 less from a second appraiser just a couple of weeks later.  I don't know if this is may be due to an inexperienced group of appraisers out there right now or what.  It is especially confounding when you ... 09/08/2014

The older we get, the weaker our immune systems become.  For Reno senior citizens, this makes them more susceptible to things like the flu virus.  You can avoid complications from the flu this fall and winter season by receiving free vaccinations at the Reno Senior Fest 2014. What: Reno Senior Fest 2014Where: Reno Town Mall (S Virginia St & Peckham)When: Tuesday, September 2, 2014 9am to 2pmCost: FREEContact: Senior Spectrum Newspapers (775) 348-0717 The Reno Senior Fest 2014 is just the latest in a free annual health screening and vaccination program hosted by Senior Spectrum Newspapers.  All Reno citizens aged 50 years or older are welcome to attend this free festival at the Reno Town Mall today between 9am and 2pm.  Whether you have insurance or not, you are welcome to take advantag... 09/01/2014

Reno Poised to Become the Next Silicon Valley The Biggest Little City in the World has long been associated with cheap prime rib and gambling.  In the past, it has been referred to as sort of the long lost cousin to the flashier sights and sounds of Las Vegas.  City officials are working to make a change in what people think when they talk about Reno.  They have been slowly but surely turning towards the high tech industry to help pull them out of the doldrums experienced with their economic down slope in 2009.  Is Reno poised to become the next Silicon Valley? The City of Reno has already tried to re-brand itself as more than just a gambling destination.  Toby Keith, Olivia Newton-John, Wanda Sykes and Kathy Griffin are just a few of the big name stars performing at local casinos in th... 08/25/2014

Biggest Little Storefront in Reno Contest In a continuing effort to build up the retail presence in downtown Reno, UNR's Krysta Jackson decided to create a contest where burgeoning business people could be given a helping hand.  She wanted to encourage entrepreneurship in the downtown Reno area.  After she saw how successful a similar idea was in Sacramento, she decided that the Biggest Little Storefront in Reno Contest was the perfect way to infuse new life into the downtown area. The winner of the Biggest Little Storefront in Reno Contest will receive free retail space in downtown Reno.  Right now, the winner would be working out of a 250 square foot macrospace in Arlington Towers.  However, Ms Jackson is working on other possible spaces for the winner to set up shop.  Unlike a brick ... 08/18/2014

Reno/Sparks Homes Sales are the Third Highest June in History Exceeded only by June 2010 and June 2005. Reno/Sparks Median Home Sales Price June, 2014 median home price was up 4.2% to $250,000, compared to $240,000 in May, 2014 and up 11.1% compared to $225,000 in June, 2013. Reno/Sparks Homes Sold June, 2014 homes sold was up 1.1% to 548 compared to 542 in May, 2014 and up 3.2% compared to 531 in June, 2013. Reno/Sparks New Listings June, 2014 new listings was down -8.1% to 701 compared to 763 in May, 2014 and down -6.3% compared to 748 in June, 2013. Properties listed at under $250,000 made up 38% of new listings entering the market during the month of June, 2014. 10% of new June, 2014 listings were distressed.  Short sales 4%; REO 3%; No special conditions 90%; and Other 2%. Months ... 08/13/2014

Reno Craft Fair and Food Truck Rally 2014 While the Aces are away, the Reno locals will play.  Starting tomorrow, our local baseball team will be out on the road to take on the Round Rock Express and the New Orleans Zephyrs.  That means the park itself will be empty.  But not for long.  The Reno Craft Fair and Food Truck Rally 2014 will be setting up shop at the Reno Aces Ballpark on Thursday, August 14th. What: Reno Craft Fair and Food Truck Rally 2014Where: Reno Aces BallparkWhen: Thursday, August 14, 2014 5pm to 8pmContact: Brian Moss, Reno Aces (775) 334-7018 or via email From 5pm to 8pm, the Freight House District will host the Reno Craft Fair and Food Truck Rally 2014.  Food trucks from all over the Reno area will be serving up gourmet dishes from their mobile kitchens while arts ... 08/11/2014

Reno Arch Rivals Superhero Run 2014 Did you ever dream of being Superman or Wonder Woman when you were a kid?  Was your blanket magically transformed into a superhero cape while you ran around your backyard?  The City of Reno wants you to live your dreams if only for a few hours on Saturday, August 9th when the Reno Arch Rivals Superhero Run 2014 is scheduled to commence. What: Reno Arch Rivals Superhero Run 2014Where: West St Plaza, Downtown RenoWhen: Saturday, August 9, 2014 9am to 1pmCost: $25 thru August 7th, $30 August 8th & 9thContact:  (775) 342-9565 Participants in the Reno Arch Rivals Superhero Run 2014 aren't relegated to known comic book superheroes.  In fact, the race isn't strictly for heroes at all.  Villains are welcome to come as well.  Dress up as your favorite superher... 08/04/2014

Reno Sock Hop 2014 As you are probably well aware, the Hot August Nights festivities in Reno are more than just a fancy display of cool classic cars.  Part of the celebration is reliving the fun and nostalgia of a by-gone era.  As a throwback to the 50's, Circus Circus will be hosting the Reno Sock Hop 2014 on Wednesday, July 30th.  This is something you definitely are not going to want to miss. What: Reno Sock Hop 2014Where: Circus Circus Reno, Mandalay BallroomWhen: Wednesday, July 30, 2014 5pm to 9pmCost: $5 per person general admission, $6 per person reserved seatingContact: Circus Circus Reservations (800) 648-5010 You can swing it, you can groove it, you can really start to move it at the hop.  Let's go to the Reno Sock Hop 2014!  Guys should slick back their hair, roll up their j... 07/28/2014

Hot August Nights Reno 2014 The calendar may say it is July, but the sound of engines roaring means that it is almost time for Hot August Nights Reno 2014.  This popular annual event brings car enthusiasts of all ages out to the streets of Reno to celebrate everything automotive.  There is so much to see and do.  However will you find the time to fit it all in?! What: Hot August Nights Reno 2014When: July 29 to August 3, 2014 Where: Various locations throughout Reno, Tahoe South and SparksContact: Hot August Nights Committee (775) 356-1956 or via email The events that take place throughout Hot August Nights Reno 2014 are too many for one city to handle.  Instead of sticking strictly within Reno city limits, Hot August Nights Reno 2014 has spread to Tahoe South and Sparks.  Live musical ... 07/21/2014

End of June 2014 Reno Home Sales Stats The end of June 2014 Reno home sales stats are in and there is good news.  While it may be slow, it would appear that the market is steadily recovering.  Let's see what happened in the Reno real estate market last month. Active listings in the Reno real estate market have increased by 6.4%, ending the month of June with a total of 2279 active listings.  Of these, only 17% (388) were short sales.  That is 10.2% lower than the amount of short sales last month.  A total of 549 Reno properties closed in June 2014.  The most activity was found in the Reno homes priced between $200,000 and $300,000.  However, six of the eight properties listed with a $1M+ price tag closed in June as well.  As you can see, there is a ton of interest in all price points of... 07/14/2014

24 Hour Reno Mural Marathon 2014 As part of the month long Reno Artown events, Circus Circus will be hosting a 24 hour Reno Mural Marathon 2014.  Artists from all over the country have submitted their applications to be a part of the process.  On July 13 & 14, seven of the selected finalists will each paint a panel on outside of Circus Circus.  The results of the 24 Hour Reno Mural Marathon 2014 will be on display for exactly one year. What: 24 Hour Reno Mural Marathon 2014Where: Circus Circus RenoWhen: 10am to 10am July 13 & 14, 2014Contact: Circus Circus Reno (800) 648-5010 You can watch as seven artists put their submissions up on Circus Circus during the 24 Hour Reno Mural Marathon 2014.  This is the first event of its kind at Circus Circus.  At least three of the seven artists chos... 07/07/2014

Reno July 4th 2014 Celebrations Independence Day will be here this Friday.  That's just four days away!  Reno is gearing up to wish America a very happy 238th birthday with some fun and fireworks.  Where will you be spending the 4th? The City of Reno is being transformed into Artown for the month of July.  Beginning tomorrow, July 1st, more than 500 events are scheduled throughout the month that include live music, theater, performance arts, workshops, dance and much, much more.  As part of the Reno Artown festivities, there will be a special ode to the good old US of A at Wingfield Park.  Reno Celebrates America will include plenty of free family-friendly activities for all ages to enjoy as well as a patriotic musical performance by the city's Municipal Band and a special salute to the... 06/30/2014