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Is the Housing Market Cooling? Real Estate Predictions for Fall

October 22, 2021/in Uncategorized /by Shauna Morris

The past year and a half has brought all eyes to the real estate market. With inventory levels depleting quickly, days on the market shortening, and multiple offers coming in above asking price, the market was extremely competitive. Now that summer has come to an end, everyone’s asking, “is the housing market cooling?” Take a look at the real estate predictions for fall.

What are experts saying across the nation?

Over the course of the fall season, it’s expected that the real estate market will begin to cool across the nation. It’s also expected that we’ll be back to experiencing the normal seasonality of the market, with spring and summer bringing more homes and buyers to the market, while the fall and winter months will bring only serious buyers and sellers to make a transaction.

With the market cooling also comes more homes on the market and less competition as some may only have a moving window in the spring and summer months. Buyers will have more options to choose from in their price range, homes aren’t flying off the market as quickly as they’re put on, and seeing bidding wars between buyers for thousands of dollars above asking price is less common.

What are we actually seeing across Washoe County?

While we’d love to tell buyers that there has been an immediate cooling to the market, it’s still a very competitive market. The median sold price of homes in Washoe County in September 2021 was $537,750, an increase of 34.8% since September 2019, and it doesn’t look like home prices will be falling anytime soon. In September, the number of homes for sale decreased 48.3%, the number of homes sold decreased .9%, and the number of homes that went under contract increased 14.8% from this time two years ago. Inventory levels are holding at one month, which is a drastic change from the 3.4 months of inventory on the market in September 2019.

If September is any indication of what we should expect from the rest of the fall season, we may experience a slight cooling to the real estate market, but with inventory levels remaining low and demand still remaining high, it’s likely that Reno will be a hot market to watch in the coming months.

If you’re curious about the Reno real estate market and how it’s changing, contact the David Morris Group. We’re happy to be your Reno resource, and if you’re hoping to buy or sell a home in the coming months, we’re happy to help you navigate the fast-moving market. Give us a call at (775) 828-3292.

5 Important Things to Know Before Moving to Reno

July 16, 2020/in Uncategorized /by Shauna Morris

If you’ve been contemplating making a move to America’s Best Small City or know someone who is, there are some things you should familiarize yourself with before packing up your home and making the trek to our beautiful town!

1. We’re all about art, and we take our quirky culture seriously!

If you’re an artist or creative free spirit, you’ll feel right at home here. From our massive sculptures throughout the city, eye-catching murals, and variety of performance artists putting on a show, there’s always something to see. We even have a month-long event dedicated to artists called Artown.

2. Taking a lake day every few months is mandatory.

Ok, maybe “mandatory” is a little harsh, but if you get to a point where you can’t remember the last time you were in Tahoe, you’re doing something wrong. The water is every shade of blue you could imagine, and it’s so refreshing in the summer.

3. Keep an ice brush, raincoat, and a few outfit choices in your car.

The weather in Reno is fickle on a good day, and you’re likely to find that the weather in one part of town is completely different than the other. Having items in your car that keep you prepared for any type of weather is a necessity. Trust us, keeping a raincoat and umbrella in your car will save you on more than one occasion, like when the prefect sunny weather changes to thunderstorms in a matter of minutes.

4. Learn how to pronounce Nevada.

You will see bumper stickers that say things like, “It’s Nev-AD-duh, not Nev-AH-duh.” People around here take the pronunciation of Nevada seriously, so be sure to drop the “ah” sound before moving here.

5. What’s traffic?

If you’ve lived in a major city, you may have gotten used to it taking you anywhere from minutes to hours to get you to your destination due to traffic. We’ll tell you now that the “traffic” that some residents speak of is really just slowing down by five mph on I-80. The arrival time estimate that Siri gives you when you type a destination into Google Maps is more or less spot-on.

Reno is a wonderful place to call home, and if you’re looking for more information on what you should know before moving here, contact the David Morris Group. We’re happy to share everything we’ve learned about the community and help you begin your home search when the time comes. Give us a call at (775) 828-3292.

Online Workouts to Keep You Active at Home

May 21, 2020/in Uncategorized /by Shauna Morris

If your gym routine has been interrupted with the business closures and changes to day-to-day life, consider taking your workout to the world wide web. There are a variety of great online workouts available for you to try, so gather your friends, family, and roommates and check out some new ways to get your heart pumping. You may be encouraged to #StayHomeForNevada, but you can still stay active!

Juice Box Yoga

Yoga has been proven to improve muscle strength, flexibility, and cardio health while relieving anxiety and depression. It’s a great form of exercise and brings peace of mind in uncertain times, making it a great way to spend an hour of your day. Juice Box Yoga has some great live classes for you to join.

Crossfit Initiative

Crossfit continues to be a popular way for many to get healthy and stay healthy. We’ve all seen the weight loss photo transformations with props given to Crossfit and the family they’ve created at their gyms. If you’d like to join in on the craze, check out Crossfit Initiative’s Facebook page for workouts you can do at home along with some motivational content to keep you working towards your goals.

Pilates Studio of Reno

If you think that you won’t be able to get in a good pilates workout without the standard equipment, think again. Pilates Studio of Reno is offering a video series on their YouTube page called “Quaranlates” showing you how to get a 20 – 60-minute pilates workout in.

Pure Barre

If you’re just starting to get into exercising again, barre classes are a great option for you. They tend to be low-impact while helping you with your balance, build strength, make you more flexible, burn calories, and improve stability through a stronger core. Pure Barre is offering classes you can live stream, so you’ll be building strength and ready to turn up the intensity of your workouts when you head back to the gyms and fitness centers in Reno.

If you need more great recommendations on how to spend your time indoors, check out our other blogs, and if you’d like to move closer to your favorite hiking/biking trails and parks, give the David Morris Group a call at (775) 828-3292.

How to Keep Your “Home Office” Tidy

May 18, 2020/in Uncategorized /by Shauna Morris

Kitchen counters, dining room tables, and in some dire cases of much-needed quiet, bathrooms, are being used as home offices around the world and in Reno. No matter what room in your house has been designated the hot spot of paperwork, phone calls, and business, follow these simple rules to keep your “home office” tidy.

Color-code your filing system.

It’s likely that your personal mail and paperwork have been mixed with your business paperwork since you’ve been confined to your home. If that’s true, take some time to sort out everything into two piles – work and personal. From there, you’ll want to store the papers in color-coded files that make it easy to find what you’re looking for. Be sure to label the files, and feel free to create as many subcategories as you need.

Create a mail station.

If you have a habit of throwing your mail into a pile and not looking at it again until it’s been turned into a mountain, change that. Create a rule that the mail isn’t allowed to touch any surfaces when you bring it in. Go through the mail immediately and throw out anything you don’t need/want. From there, you’ll sort out the mail into your own system, but be sure to spend time each week taking action as you need to in order to start with a clean mailing station each week.

Make the most of the tablespace you’re working with.

Store all your office supplies in containers, drawers, baskets, and bins that are close by, but aren’t taking up space on your table. It keeps you focused and allows for a decluttered look. If you have a family printer that is being used for your work as well as your children’s schoolwork, you may want to move it to a neutral part of the home, that way you aren’t being interrupted when the kids come in to pick up the practice sheets they’ve printed out. It also clears up some valuable table space for you to use.

Make use of your wall space.

Don’t be afraid to hang your filing system, mail organizer, and office supplies to the wall. It’ll keep you organized, free up some table space, and immediately answer some of those “mom, dad, where can I find ______?” questions.

If you’re finding it difficult to make the most of your space and are considering selling your home or finding a new home with a dedicated home office and a few flex spaces, give the David Morris Group a call at (775) 828-3292. We’re more than happy to help in any way we can.

Plan Your Nevada Road Trip

May 8, 2020/in Uncategorized /by Shauna Morris

While we’re all stuck indoors, many are dreaming about leaving their Reno homes and traveling across the state. Nevada has beautiful state parks, wonderful attractions, and the best destinations for any solo traveler or family adventure. While you have the time, take the opportunity to plan your Nevada road trip.

Liberty Lake

Located in the Ruby Mountains of Elko County, you’ll be amazed at the views. It offers great trails to hike with beautiful wildflowers blooming in the summer.

Great Basin National Park

The Ancient Bristlecone Pines are some of the oldest trees on the planet. They’ve survived over 5,000 years in thin air, rough soil, and extreme temperature changes.

Black Rock Desert

The Black Rock Desert is known for being the destination of Burning Man year after year, but it’s also one of the largest, flattest surfaces on Earth, covering approximately 200 square miles. When you stand on the playa, you can take in the 360-degree views that you can’t experience anywhere else.

Fly Geyser

Just two hours north of Reno lies the Fly Geyser on Fly Ranch. Three large mounds just over six feet tall and growing several inches each year spew scalding hot water about four or five feet into the air. It’s a sight that looks photoshopped in every picture ever taken of the formation.

Rhyolite Ghost Town

Rhyolite houses the ruins of 1905 gold-mining town, Hollywood movie set, and now a historic site with art installations. There are all kinds of art strewn around the town, and we recommend checking out Tom Kelly’s bottle house – it was built with thousands of medicine, beer, and whiskey bottles.

The International Car Forest

Walk amongst a forest of carefully balanced cars turned into a free, one-of-a-kind gallery of masterful art.

Garnet Hill

This free public recreation area is known for its dark red garnets naturally occurring in the hillsides surrounding Ely. The little gemstones make great souvenirs from your road trip.

The Lost City Museum

The Lost City Museum is a museum with exhibits centered around artifacts recovered from local prehistoric archaeological sites. You can also peer into an authentic pit house or view a reconstructed pueblo cluster.

Whether you’re looking to travel across Nevada for an epic road trip or you need help discovering what Reno neighborhood to move to, the David Morris Group is happy to be your guide. Give us a call at (775) 828-3292 for any questions.

5 Activities to Keep Kids Busy While You Work From Home

April 30, 2020/in Uncategorized /by Shauna Morris

Thousands of workers in Reno and around the world have had to make adjustments and learn how to work from home. For those with kids running around, it can be difficult to keep them entertained long enough to answer your phone and take care of your projects. Here are some activities to keep your kids entertained, so you’re able to focus on your work.

Bean Bag Target Practice

If you don’t have your own cornhole game, you can easily set up a bean bag tossing game of your own using Hoola hoops and laundry baskets. Your kids can spend hours trying to score the most number of points and get all of the bean bags into the targets.

Play MacGyver

Get your family to think outside of the box to make something cool or destroy something. Have your family set up a domino design, then tape a collection of toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls to the wall that you can drop a ball through to get the dominos to topple over. Give your kids a series of materials and ask them to come up with an invention the way MacGyver would.

Set Up an Indoor Golf Course

Grab a fly swatter/stick to putt a sock ball around a series of obstacles to make it into bowls, cups, or baskets. You may not be able to visit the mini-golf course, but that doesn’t mean you can’t bring it to your home.

Become Rock Artists

Yards and patios could always do with some color, especially if it comes with a little love from your family. Give your kids washable paint, paintbrushes, and rocks and let the artistry begin. Once they’re dry, your kids can also glue on googly eyes, feathers, or pom poms. You can paint messages, words, wishes, etc. Then you can line them around your garden/yard as a sweet accent for your summer hangouts.

Spider Web Obstacle Course

Using tape, string, or crepe paper streamers, create a spider web maze in a hallway. String the materials across each other and let the kids crawl, twist, and climb their way through the maze. Have them try to make their way through the maze in different ways each time and without touching any of the materials. You can have your kids pretend they’re ninjas or secret agents that need to get through the maze to complete their mission.

We know that Reno families have had to make a lot of adjustments in the last few weeks, and our team is here to make this time easier for our community. If you have questions about the Reno real estate market or need anything at all, don’t hesitate to reach out to the David Morris Group at (775) 828-3292.

The Best Home Improvement Projects To Do This Spring

April 7, 2020/in Uncategorized /by Shauna Morris

Spending the extra time inside means that you can get some much-needed home improvement projects taken care of. If Reno’s spring weather has you excited to roll up your sleeves and make changes, check out some of our recommendations on renovations to tackle in the coming weeks.

Stain Your Deck

We know that Reno’s summers are the perfect time to spend afternoons in your backyard, and a nice deck can be the right destination for BBQs and outdoor picnics. Staining your deck can restore it back to its original shine, so all you have to do is choose to change the color or just accentuate the wood grain!

Build a Fire Pit

Spring and fall evenings can get a little chilly, but if you still want to enjoy the beautiful sounds of nature and breathe in the Reno air, you’ll want a cozy place to sit. You can hire someone to build a fire pit for you, or you can make it a DIY project. As a bonus, it’ll make any backyard campout complete with s’mores.

Upgrade Your Garden

If you’re really looking to brighten up your backyard and make it a place that your family spends their days, a garden is the perfect project to take on. You can even create a butterfly garden that will have your family chasing the flying beauties during long afternoons.

Add a New Railing To Your Porch

Porches are another place that many families will be spending their days enjoying the sun. Give it an update by putting in a new railing. You can even go a step further and get new porch furniture for another vibrant season.

Anytime you have questions about how to improve your home, how to increase the resale value of your home, and how the Reno real estate market is changing, give the David Morris Group a call at (775) 828-3292.

Best Movies to Binge-Watch on Netflix

March 27, 2020/in Uncategorized /by Shauna Morris

The endless scrolling through the list of movies available on Netflix can make it hard to choose which movie to put on next. While we’re all being advised to stay inside our Reno homes, now is the perfect time to work your way through some of the great movies available on Netflix. Below are some of our recommendations for comedies, family-friendly, and feel-good movies to watch.

Best Comedies:

Step Brothers – Brennan’s mother and Dale’s father have gotten married and moved in with one another, forcing the two grown boys to live together and share a room.
Wine Country – Six friends come together to celebrate a 50th birthday in Napa Valley. The trip will either bring them closer together or end their decades-long friendship.
Hitch – Step into a dating coach’s life as he helps a client find love while stumbling his way through it as well.
The Other Guys – Watch as two desk-bound NYPD detectives try to show their comrades they have what it takes to take on large cases and be in the field.

Best Family Watch-Together Movies:

The Edge of Seventeen – This movie is all about the ups and downs of being a teenager. Listen to Nadine’s story and how she deals with living in her older brother’s shadow.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before – Lara Jean’s love letters find their way to each of the boys she’s loved, and now she has to deal with the aftermath.
Space Jam – An alien comes to Earth to steal the Looney Tunes, but in order to save themselves, they challenge the aliens to a basketball game and request the help of Michael Jordan.
Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation – The beloved monster family boards a summer cruise for a little relaxation, but they may run into trouble and love along the way.

Feel-Good Movies:

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark – There’s no adventure that’s quite like Indiana Jones and his archeological searches. He may be an underdog, but never underestimate his quick wit and quicker whip.
Hook – This Robin Williams classic brings a unique twist to the beloved Peter Pan story. Watch as Peter Pan returns to Neverland to save his family.
Set it Up – Two underappreciated workers set up their bosses with one another in order to give them the free time they’ve been craving. Will it work, or will it all backfire in the end?
National Treasure – Join Nicholas Cage and the rest of his treasure hunters as they steal the Declaration of Independence and search for answers left behind by the founding fathers.

We hope you’ve found some new movies to watch, and if you have any questions about how the current times have affected Reno and the Reno real estate market, contact David Morris Group at (775) 828-3292. We’re always here for you and happy to help in any way we can.

Growing University Enrollment Leads to Big Decisions About Student Housing

February 21, 2020/in Uncategorized /by Shauna Morris

Reno continues to undergo a series of changes that have skewed how residents, tourists, and families view the city. One of the most important changes includes the University of Nevada, Reno, and being labeled a “college town.” Year after year, the number of students enrolling in the university grows and so do the number of people calling Reno home, business coming to give the growing workforce sustainable careers, and changes to how the community is perceived.

Currently, there’s a need for extra student housing for the 2020-2021 school year, and recently the University of Nevada, Reno, has come to an agreement with surrounding residential buildings on ways that they can help house the students. Canyon Flats and Uncommon Reno are to residential buildings that will house over 800 students and residential staff in the coming academic school year.

While Argenta Hall is still under construction and not set to reopen until August of 2021, Nye Hall will reopen August of 2020 and will have over 500 beds to house students. Housing options are important for anyone looking to make a move, including those that are coming to Reno for higher education. Students will have the option to choose between Great Basin Hall, Peavine Hall, The Nevada Living Learning Community, Juniper Hall, Manzanita Hall, Canada Hall, Sierra Hall, Nye Hall, and now Canyon Flats and Uncommon Reno.

Canyon Flats and Uncommon Reno will have some great amenities, including live-in academic mentors to help tutor students in any troublesome courses, full-size washer and dryer in each unit, and large common areas. The newest student housing options are located close to campus and will have the same security measures that the other residence halls benefit from.

Reno has yet to stop evolving with the changes, and if you’re curious about how Reno’s culture, housing market, and population have changed over the years, we’re happy to give you a glimpse into Reno’s strong past, present, and future. There are so many benefits to being labeled a college town, and we love being a part of a community with such a growing and beloved university at the heart of the city. Give the David Morris Group a call for any and all of your Reno questions at (775) 828-3292.

5 Valentine’s Day Date Ideas for Reno Romantics

February 13, 2020/in Uncategorized /by Shauna Morris

Love is in the air, and as Cupid’s favorite holiday approaches, it’s important to make sure you have the perfect plans to celebrate Valentine’s Day in the Biggest Little City. Gather ‘round and take some notes on some great places to spend the sweet holiday with your loved one with our list of five Valentine’s Day date ideas for Reno romantics.

Washoe Public House

The Valentine’s Day dinner is served 4 PM till closing time with a specialty menu that includes items like a rich beet soup starter, housemade lobster cappelletti entree, and a rich, warm dark chocolate brownie. Guests have three items to choose from for each course, and the menu even features a variety of gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options. To take a peek at the Valentine’s Day menu, click here.

Perenn Bakery

If the thought of freshly baked bread, artisanal sandwiches, and pastries that would make the perfect Valentine’s Day picnic aren’t enough to get you to stop into Perenn Bakery, their specialty Valentine’s Day Red Chocolate Croissants should be. It’s the perfect day to begin the day on a sweet note and enjoy the special gifts around Reno.

Centro Bar and Kitchen

The Valentine’s Day Prix Fixe dinner at Centro includes three courses with two options for you to choose from. There’s also an option to include wine pairings for each course. While their regular menu won’t be available after 4 PM, the fixed menu has some great options for you to choose from. For a glimpse at what they’ll be serving for the holiday, click here.

The Emerson Cocktails & Food

If you already have Valentine’s Day plans but are looking for a place to grab a drink and a small snack before or after your evening is in full swing, The Emerson is where you’ll want to go. The cocktails are classics with a twist. The Ellis and The Marteen are a few of the favorites, just in case you needed a few recommendations.

The Wedge

If you’re looking for a way to spend quality time with your significant other, take a special Valentine’s Day pottery class at The Wedge. Share love, laughter, and a wheel as you craft something to take home. There will even be desserts and beverages provided. Check out the event for yourself here.

If you’re ever curious about how to spend the holidays in Reno, we can tell you that there are a variety of businesses here to help you make it special, and luckily we always have a few recommendations on where to go. For advice on the best date night spots or what the Reno real estate market is up to, give the David Morris Group a call at (775) 828-3292.