biggest little city | David Morris Group

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.

Why Reno is a Great City to Retire In

April 21, 2020/in Reno-Sparks Real Estate /by Shauna Morris

If the current circumstances caused by the pandemic have made you wonder if it’s the time to move and retire completely or take on part-time work, Reno may be the perfect city for you. Many retirees are looking to settle down in small-town communities, but still need the amenities that big cities can offer. Reno’s moniker of being “The Biggest Little City in the World” offers the best of both worlds.

Low Cost of Living

One reason many retirees look to settle in Reno is the low cost of living. Nevada has very few tax burdens as Nevada has no state income tax, no taxes on Social Security benefits, no taxes on withdrawals from retirement accounts, no sales taxes on food and drugs, and property taxes are well below the national average. Even if you’re working with a strict budget, with all of the free activities and events Reno, Sparks, and Tahoe has to offer, you’ll always be able to live happily and well within your means.

Community Services for Seniors

Between the great parks and trails for outdoor enthusiasts, the more than 50 golf courses within a two-hour distance of Reno, and more than a dozen ski resorts to keep people active, seniors are able to stay fit, healthy, and connected to the community. The City of Reno has great Senior Programs that include the Reno-Tahoe Senior Games. Check out some of the other senior programs offered in the area:

Great Art and Culture

Many retirees like to spend their extra time enjoying the arts and finding new sources of entertainment. There are amazing performances, exhibits, and events to enjoy and fill up everyone’s calendars. Check out some of the art and culture offered in the area:

If you have any questions about the Reno community and what it has to offer for retirees and seniors, don’t hesitate to contact the David Morris Group at (775) 828-3292. We know Reno and the real estate market like the back of our hands, and we’re happy to share what we know with you.

Virtual At-Home Activities for Your Family to Enjoy

April 17, 2020/in Reno Events and Activities /by Shauna Morris

It may be hard to explore and to keep children engaged in school and learning right now, but luckily there are some online activities to keep your little ones entertained and interested in the world around them. Exploring Reno has never been so easy with the online resources available to you and your family.

The Discovery’s Learning at Home Resources

The Discovery Museum has always been a great place for educational resources to help students learn about the world and find a love for science. They have a Scratch Code Challenge that shows students how to program and awards prizes for the interactive stories, games, movies, and presentations you make. Take a deep dive into the ocean while watching all of the organisms swim, eat, and survive in the Wild Ocean. For even more helpful tools, check out The Discovery’s website.

Craft and Find New Ways to Recycle Items from Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful

Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful has always been a great go-to source for how to protect our community. During these times, where everyone is looking for new ways to keep their family entertained using items around the house, they’ve released a list of creative ways to reuse household items.

Virtual Discover Your Parks Walks

Spring is usually the time where people get back to exploring the beautiful trails and parks we have in Reno and Sparks, but with the recommendations to stay inside, the Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation has released Virtual Discover Your Parks Walks. There are new park walks released each week!

Take on the Challenges and Activities that Reno Little Theater Recommends

From fun activities like a live virtual bingo party to participating in their Wacky Wheel Wednesday Challenges, the Reno Little Theater posts great recommendations on how to pass the time on their Facebook page. Be sure to check out what’s new every day.

Take this time at home as an opportunity to learn and explore as a family. There are so many great tools at your disposal, so learn all about Reno and give the David Morris Group a call at (775) 828-3292 if you have any questions about the Reno real estate market.

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.

Activities to Do at Home and Close to Home

March 24, 2020/in Reno Events and Activities /by Shauna Morris

Social distancing has been making headlines for days, and while we all may have to stay six feet from one another, there are still so many things you can do at home and around Reno! Take a look at some of our favorite ways to pass the time that will keep you a safe distance from one another.

Hit the hiking and biking trails.

The trails throughout the city offer some of the best views around, and the fresh air does everyone good when you’ve been cooped up for a few days. We recommend checking out the Wilber D. May Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park.

Take a virtual tour of famous museums.

If you love art, architecture, and culture but find it hard to travel to see all of the world’s most notable pieces of art, you can do it all from the comfort of your own couch. From the British Museum in London to the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, these virtual tours are ready for you to explore.

Take an online workout class.

Since many gyms are closed nationwide, it’s important to still find a way to get your heart rate up and get in some active minutes. Your gym could be offering some great virtual classes for you to join in on, and there are even some YouTube tutorials on home workouts to try.

Support our local businesses.

Easter, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day are all around the corner. With the extra time you have, why not do a little online browsing of some of our local shops to pick out some gifts for your loved ones? Bumblebee Blooms has some beautiful floral bouquets for Easter and Mother’s Day that you can purchase and schedule for delivery now. Micah Bank has a wonderful selection of jewelry for you to peruse. For the outdoorsy dad, Lakeshore Paddleboard Co. has a board to suit everyone.

Check out a few podcasts and audiobooks.

If you’re planning on working from home, but you’re used to the hubbub of an office and the chatter of your other coworkers, put on a podcast or an audiobook to get some background noise and learn something new along the way too.

There are so many activities to do while you’re at home or keep you close to home, so be sure to stay active and continue to help the Reno community where you can. If there’s anything we can do for you, or if you have any questions about the current real estate market, give us a call at (775) 828-3292.

New Event Venue Being Added to the Neon Line

March 16, 2020/in Reno-Sparks Businesses /by Shauna Morris

The Reno Neon Line continues to revamp much of the city and bring in new additions that brighten and liven up the West Fourth Street corridor. Now the group in charge of the project has a new event venue being added to the Neon Line to begin working on.

The venue is called Sands Connect and has already begun construction between the Sands Regency hotel-casino and Gold Dust West. The goal is for Sands Connect to meet the growing demand for residents and visitors to have a central event space for them to gather for things like food truck festivals, exhibits, farmer’s markets, etc.

Sands Connect will have a festival tent as well as an open promenade with a picnic area to encourage people to spend time in the area. There will be an outdoor stage, a beer garden, and the historic Nystrom House that was moved from its previous location will be incorporated into the plans for the venue. Currently, the Nystrom House is expected to be turned into the main hub for guests to grab a drink or a bite to eat at events.

Just as the Sands Connect is honoring the history and revitalizing the Nystrom House, the group in charge is looking to continue to incorporate parts of Reno’s past by tying in several classic neon signs that were once seen along the streets of the city.

By next year, the event venue hopes to be a part of dozens of community events, and Sands Connect is taking charge of that goal by hosting a variety of events in the coming months. Below is a list of some of the events scheduled for Sands Connect in 2020:

June 5 – 7: Reno Art Fest at Sands Connect
July 3 – 5: Red, White, and Brew at Sands Connect
August 6 – 9: Sierra Nevada European Car Festival at Sands Connect
August 28 – 29: Camp Tiny Houses at Sands Connect
September 4 – 6: Labor Day Weekend Party at Sands Connect
September 7 – 9: Playa Transition at Sands Connect
September 11 – 12: Little Hero’s at Sands Connect
September 19 – 20: Taco Fest at Sands Connect
September 25 – 27: Street Vibrations at Sands Connect

If you’re curious about what the recent changes along the West Fourth Street corridor have done for the real estate market and your home’s value, contact the David Morris Group at (775) 828-3292. We’re always happy to share our insights and give you a quote on what your home is worth.

Spend Your Spring Exploring These Reno Golf Courses

March 6, 2020/in Reno-Sparks Businesses /by Shauna Morris

With the new season arriving comes warmer weather and the chance to get outside to play a few of our favorite sports. From soccer and baseball to golf, the 60 and 70-degree weather calls for you to get outdoors and get active. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the best Reno golf courses to check out.

Wolf Run Golf Club
The Wolf Run Golf Club is a perfect place to have a competitive round of golf or get in some practice for the upcoming season. The course includes a practice putting green, a chipping green with patio seating, and a driving range with a 100-yard short game area to practice chips and sand shots. The Wolf Run Golf Club is the proud home course of the University of Nevada Men’s and Women’s Golf Teams.

Lakeridge Golf Course
As one of the winners of the Best of Reno awards for several years, this golf course offers an experience unlike anything you’ll find at other courses. The Lakeridge Golf Course is well-known for the views of Reno and the surrounding mountains that the course is designed around.

Washoe Golf Course
As the first golf course in Reno, the Washoe Golf Course is all about making history. The course has varying sets of tees that cater to players of all ages and skill levels, so everyone can have a blast playing across the front nine and back nine.

With the amazing scenery that Reno has, every golf course gives you the chance to take in some amazing sights. We hope your calendar is full of wonderful spring activities that are on par with the beautiful weather we’re expecting to see across the Biggest Little City. If you need advice on more activities to take part in this spring, or if you’re looking to buy or sell a home this season, give the David Morris Group a call at (775) 828-3292. We’re always happy to lend a hand and offer up some tips about the community.

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