reno communities | David Morris Group

What Does “Good Bones” Mean?

September 30, 2022/in Blog /by Shauna Morris

Buying a home is stressful and can feel overwhelming if it’s your first home. Then throw in terms like “load bearing,” “roof truss,” and “subfloor,” and you’re not sure what you’re even looking at anymore! We’ve heard the term “good bones” used to describe a house, but what does “good bones” mean? How can you determine if the house you fall in love with has them?

Materials and Foundation

The main thing people refer to when they say “a house has good bones” is that its structure is sound and its foundation is solid. A house has a skeleton that gives it shape and supports the outer coverings. That support is called the frame, which is considered the house’s bones. The bones consist of wooden beams, floor joists, wall studs, roof rafters, and related components.

Wood frame houses built in the first half of the 20th century were made of higher quality wood than those built today. The lumber in an old house may be more robust and better able to withstand the elements. Other home materials generally considered to be “good bones” are brick and concrete.

Doors

Interior doors can be a good indicator of the quality of construction or whether or not the house has settled. While it’s not uncommon for homes to settle a little, if none of the interior doors stay open or close completely, that is a structural problem – bad bones.

Corners

A good indication of structural problems is diagonal cracking in the corners of windows, stairs, doors, and other openings.

Sizeable Rooms

While you can add square footage to a home, increasing the size of interior rooms may be more challenging. For this reason, a house that feels “roomy” with nicely sized spaces and high ceilings can be referred to as having “good bones.”

Sturdy Roof

A home needs to have a durable roof that’s in good shape. It is safe to assume that a house with a properly aligned, intact roof with minor if not zero, wear and tear has good bones.

Windows

Well-constructed windows with ample natural lighting are a significant plus when buying a home. If the home has sturdy double-hung windows that easily open and close, you can say that the house has good bones.

Floors

While damaged or low-quality floors aren’t necessarily a deal-breaker, they are considered to be part of the “bones” of the home. If you can restore a home’s floors to their former glory, you can consider the house to have good bones.

Knowing when a home has good bones (or not!) can mean the difference between a smart purchase and a money pit. Regardless of how great a house looks, have a licensed home inspector thoroughly check it before you invest. An inspector will dig beneath the surface and make sure those “bones” really are as good as you were hoping.

If you have questions about the Reno real estate market or are ready to find your home with good bones, contact the David Morris Group or call (775) 828-3292. We’re happy to be your helpful guide.

Do These Home Projects Now to Avoid Costly Repairs This Winter

September 23, 2022/in Blog /by Shauna Morris

Home improvement projects may not be the first thing on your to-do list this fall, but preparing your home for the chillier months ahead is essential. Tackling a few chores while it’s still relatively warm will help make your home more efficient and more capable of withstanding whatever winter brings this year. Do these home projects now to avoid costly repairs this winter.

Chimney

Make sure the chimney is clean, clear, and in good shape. Small critters like squirrels and birds can sometimes reside in the chimney during the spring and summer months. Leaves and other materials can also get stuck inside, and a backup in the flue can cause a fire. Despite the horror of a charred animal, any blockage will become a stinky mess in your home. Get ahead of any smoke or ash-related incidents by giving the whole set-up a good cleaning!

Gutters

Fall will undoubtedly drop a ton of leaves into your gutters, so cleaning them out now is best to make room. Take some time (or have a handyman climb that ladder) to check your home’s gutters for potential blockages. Cleaning them out will allow water to drain properly, preventing water damage down the line. The cleaner your gutters are, the fewer high-cost repairs are in your future.

Roof

This summer has been HOT! Sun exposure and general wear and tear can cause roof and siding materials to warp, chip, and more. Fixing them now will be much easier than when a leak is buried under several feet of snow in the thick of winter.

Weather-Proofing

Make sure your doors and windows are adequately sealed against the elements. Cracked, chipped, or damaged seals can cause you to lose heat and have higher energy bills. Weatherstripping, caulking, or other protective materials keep the heat in and the nasty weather out. Also, ensure that doors and windows are properly attached to their frames, with no gaps or cracks.

Tackling these projects around your home now can help avert disaster later in the year. Have a trusted home repair pro take care of these check-ups, and if any repairs are needed, you can start coordinating those before the first cold snap blows in.

If you’re looking for a great REALTOR® to show you around the Reno-Sparks area, contact the David Morris Group. We’re happy to be your helpful guide. Give us a call at (775) 828-3292.

Things to Consider with a Cash Offer

August 22, 2022/in Blog, Reality of Real Estate /by Shauna Morris

In a competitive housing market, buyers are pulling out all the stops. You may have enough money to buy a house with cash. But is that a wise decision? As with many major financial decisions, there are pros and cons. Here are things to consider with a cash offer.

Savings & Interest Rates

Amortization is everything when considering financing over a cash purchase. Paying cash will save money on the overall cost of a new home in reference to the interest you’ll pay over the term of a loan. By the time you finish paying off a mortgage, the house will have cost you more than the initial purchase price because of the interest.

Attention of Buyers

A cash offer will likely give you an advantage in a competitive market. It can make all the difference in a multiple offer situation where everyone else is financing the purchase. Sellers will be more likely to accept a cash offer than one with a financing contingency. For example, a cash offer doesn’t require an appraisal on the property, so there is no risk of the deal going south.

Closing Cost & Time

More closing costs are involved in financing a property than paying in cash. For one, you won’t have to deal with a lender or their team of underwriters, and again, you won’t have to pay for an appraisal. The closing process typically takes around 30 days with financing, which can be shortened to as few as ten days with cash, which could be very attractive to sellers.

Long-Term Opportunity Cost

While you will save money by not paying mortgage interest, putting all your assets into a home could yield less money to invest in other endeavors. Tying up all of your liquidity on one asset could potentially cause you to miss out on a return that will be much larger over time. For example, while property typically accrues in value over time, it might not offer the same rate of return as investing in the stock market. One broker explained it best: “you could be making money with your money instead of locking it up in your home.” On the flip side, it’s a pretty great feeling to relax in a home that is 100% paid for rather than paying interest to big banks.

Emergency Funds

While owning your home outright can provide peace of mind because you’ll never have to worry about a mortgage payment, you don’t want to have all your money tied up in your house. You must have enough cash to cover maintenance expenses and emergencies. Homes aren’t always what they seem when glistening on the market. Once you begin to peel that onion, you’ll need enough liquidity to fix it up and make it yours.

Paying cash for a home instead of financing all or part of it is a big decision and should be made with the help of a trusted financial advisor. It is essential to consider all the above factors and ensure your short-term intentions align with your long-term goals.

If you are considering buying or selling your home and looking for a great REALTOR® to show you around the Reno-Sparks area, contact the David Morris Group. We’re happy to be your helpful guide. Give us a call at (775) 828-3292.

Back to School Safety Tips

August 9, 2022/in Blog, Lifestyle /by Shauna Morris

Going back to school is an exciting time for children! They look forward to seeing their friends and possibly meeting new ones. It can also be a time of unforeseen dangers, however. Here are some essential back-to-school safety tips.

Strangers

Talk to your children about who is authorized to pick them up and never to accept a ride from a stranger (even if the stranger knows their name). Some families have a code word that only they know, and if a stranger doesn’t know the family word, the child knows that person is not allowed to give them a ride. Be sure your child knows your phone number and address by heart and who to call if they cannot get a hold of you. Be sure the school has up-to-date contact information for your household and a list of trusted adults authorized to pick them up from school.

School Bus Safety

Talk to your child about exiting the bus and being on the lookout for passing cars. Most motorists are respectful of a stopped school bus, but there’s always one person not paying attention. Get to know the other parents of children who ride the bus. This will ensure that someone you know is looking out for your child when they get dropped off if you’re not there to pick them up immediately. Getting to know the school bus driver is also a good idea.

Walking Safety

Children should know to walk in a group if possible. This offers safety in two ways: it provides protection from someone who may wish to harm a single student, and a group of students will be more visible to drivers not paying attention. Make sure your child knows traffic rules, how to cross at the crosswalks, and to always walk on the sidewalk or path. If there are no sidewalks, teach your child to walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible so they can be aware of what is coming towards them.

Biking Safety

Before your child starts riding their bike to school, be sure to teach them the rules of the road while riding. Some motorists won’t yield to bicycles, and one slight mishap could be catastrophic. And, of course, helmets are non-negotiable.

While our area is a fantastic place to live with beautiful homes and great schools, the world isn’t as safe as it once was. Children need to know how to be aware of their surroundings and when something is ‘off.’ The more vigilant they are, the better off they will be!

For more information about our community and homes available in the current market, contact the David Morris Group. Call us at (775) 828-3292, and we’ll be happy to help you begin your home search.

Most Popular Home Design Trends

August 8, 2022/in Blog, Lifestyle /by Shauna Morris

The most popular home design trends help us understand society’s overall mood and provide new ideas on how we want to decorate our own homes. Here are the top trending colors, materials, and styles that homeowners are using.

Color

There is a renewed interest in adding bright and bold colors to interiors, which is definitely a departure from the grey and beige of the past. This is a sign that folks are feeling more adventurous and optimistic. Bold colors and warm natural materials create a more interesting and welcoming space. This trend could be a post-pandemic effect; folks discovered that their space lacked uniqueness and style after being holed up in their homes for almost two years. A renewed interest in authentic decor that is joyful and inviting and reflects their personality has led to a demand for folks to reinvent their interiors.

Wallpaper

Homeowners are ready for a more lively interior. As a result, many interior designers have noticed a renewed interest in bold and unique wallpaper. It adds personality and style to a space that paint cannot accomplish alone.

Warmth

Creating a home that feels like a haven from the stresses of daily life is still very important. Folks want it to be a place to rest, relax and recharge. As a result, homeowners have been moving more toward finishes that add softness, warmth, and texture to their rooms.

Green has been a repeated hue in trend talks over the past couple of years. But lately, designers say there’s an increased interest in sage green, from walls to kitchen cabinets. Soft gray hues and wood-tone decor also bring a warm aesthetic into homes.

Natural Materials

Natural materials rarely go out of style, but they’ve spiked in popularity lately. These materials include the previously mentioned natural wood elements as well as various stone accents. Folks are using materials that feel more established or handmade and more authentic to their space.

Textures

Textural elements create inviting elements in a space. Texture awakens the senses and invites folks to reach out and touch while being at peace and relaxed. Items like wood, rattan, pottery, and metal, mixed with soft or smooth fabrics, create a visual feast for the eyes.

You may already have some of these items in your home that you’ve put away or long forgotten. Perhaps it’s time to join in on some of these most popular home design trends and add some personal pizazz to your space!

If you’d like to stay up to date on what’s happening around Reno, follow our blog, and if you have questions about the Reno real estate market, contact the David Morris Group. We’re happy to be your guide. Give us a call at (775) 828-3292.

Common Homebuyer Regrets

July 1, 2022/in Blog, Reality of Real Estate /by Shauna Morris

A home-buying experience can feel rushed and frantic. Add in rising mortgage rates, low inventory, and bidding wars, and the home-buying process is downright chaotic! For some, buyer’s remorse can creep in once they rush to buy and then begin to notice little things about their new home that they didn’t see before. According to a Zillow survey, 75% of recent homebuyers have at least one regret about their new home. Here are the most common home-buying regrets.

Missing the Bigger Picture

We are still in a seller’s market, meaning there are still more buyers than inventory. This shortage has caused buyers to feel pressured to grab the first home they can find rather than weighing their options more carefully. Fewer homes to choose from, coupled with competition from other hungry buyers, causes pressure. That pressure can cause buyers to miss the big picture. Not fully understanding a new home’s impact on daily life is the most common regret new homebuyers report. Buyers need to anticipate what life will be like in their new home one to five years down the road rather than what their lives are like at the time of purchase. Make sure the home fits the lifestyle you foresee, not the one you’re currently living.

The Importance of Location

Location is one of the most important factors when purchasing a new home. Buyers need to weigh the pros and cons of the neighborhood and community. The area needs to complement how you live, work, and play. Spending twenty minutes inside a property in the middle of the afternoon is only a fraction of the picture. Is there a time of high traffic that contradicts your work schedule? Are you near a school that will have speed limit restrictions and bumper-to-bumper car-line each day? The function and flow of the area are things to consider before signing on the dotted line.

Waiving a Home Inspection

A home inspection is an integral part of the home buying process. It lets you know what’s behind the freshly painted walls. In this competitive housing market, buyers look for ways to make their offers the most attractive, and several have waived the home inspection contingency. DO NOT do this! There could be hidden problems that lead to hidden expenses, and the only way to know that is with an inspection!

Aesthetics over Functionality

Aesthetics can sometimes distract buyers. The interior of a home on the market is cleaner than usual if not staged to look better. Buyers need to focus on the whole house and think about whether it will suit their lifestyle for years to come, not just today. If a newly renovated kitchen is still too small to meet your needs, you will regret it down the line, regardless of the new backsplash. Focus on things you cannot change, like size, location, views, and the actual bones of the home rather than a new farmhouse sink.

Maintenance Costs

Many buyers regret that they didn’t consider annual costs such as HOA fees, property taxes, and insurance fees before purchasing their home. These fees typically increase yearly, and if you’re barely scraping by in the first year, imagine five years down the line. Unexpected maintenance expenses such as plumbing, HVAC, a leaky roof, etc., are all things the home inspection report should outline, and they should be factored in as maintenance costs for the future if they don’t need to be repaired right away.

Buyers who know about these often overlooked factors understand what to look for and feel more secure about their purchase. Setting your priorities before buying will help you feel more confident about your home purchase down the line.

History of Father’s Day

June 17, 2022/in Blog /by Shauna Morris

Father’s Day is this weekend. It’s the official day to honor wonderful dads and father figures and celebrate the men who put in the work to make us feel protected and safe. Have you ever been curious about the origins of this holiday? Or do you need some new trivia to ‘wow’ your dad when you see him? Here are a few fun facts about the history of Father’s Day.

First Recognition

The first event to celebrate fathers was on July 5, 1908, in Fairmont, West Virginia. A year before this celebration, a horrifying mining explosion occurred in a nearby town, known as the Monongah Mining Disaster. It killed 362 miners, 250 of which were fathers. A woman by the name of Grace Clayton encouraged her pastor to hold a service to honor the children who lost their fathers. She chose that specific date because her father had passed away years prior, and July 5th was close to his birthday.

While this was technically the first recognition of the paternal bond of fatherhood, it didn’t directly encourage the creation of Father’s Day. The town only promoted the memorial service in Fairmont, WV, which was overshadowed by July 4th celebrations.

Official Celebration

The idea of having a day to celebrate fathers was picked up again two years later by a woman from Spokane, Washington named Sonora Dodd. Sonora and her five brothers and sisters were raised by their father after their mother passed away, and she felt that fathers deserved equal recognition as mothers. She worked with her local church and YMCA to plan a day specifically to celebrate the men of the house. As a result, an official “Father’s Day” was held at the Spokane YMCA on June 19, 1910. Soon after, several cities and towns across the country followed suit.

Presidential Recognition

In 1966 President Lyndon Johnson issued a presidential proclamation that fathers would be honored each year on the third Sunday in June. President Richard Nixon signed the proclamation into law six years later and Father’s Day became recognized as a national holiday.

Commercialization

Today, as with Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Siblings Day, Yoga Day, and any other celebratory reason you can think of, retailers begin their promotions for profit months in advance. The greeting card companies are pretty fond of the holiday as well.

Global Celebrations

Great Britain was the first area abroad to begin the annual celebration of Dad. It’s thought that they adopted the tradition right after WWII in 1945.

France was next to join in the celebration of le pére in 1949. However, the idea of profit from the holiday spurred Father’s Day more so than the idea of celebrating dear old Dad. As a matter of fact, a lighter manufacturer called Flaminaire brought the tradition to France with the slogan: “Nos papas nous l’ont dit, pour la fête des pères, ils désirent tous un Flaminaire” translated to say “Our fathers told us, for father’s day, they all want a Flaminaire.” It wasn’t adopted as an official decree across the country until three years after the Flaminaire promotion.

Other countries recognizing Father’s Day on the third Sunday in June include Mexico, Ireland, France, Greece, China, and Japan.

Father’s Day is called Vatertag in Germany, or Männertag, which means “men’s day.” The German celebration of der Vater falls on the Thursday 40 days after Easter. It is traditional for groups of men to go into the woods with a wagon of booze and meats in certain regions. Which is quite a bit different than spending the day being gifted with silly ties and handmade crafts, but to each his own!

No matter when it’s celebrated, what the traditions are, or what it’s called, the father figures in our lives deserve recognition for the role they embrace. We wish all of the Pops out there a very Happy Father’s Day, and we hope you are appreciated for all that you do!

If you have questions about the Reno real estate market, we are happy to help! Contact the David Morris Group, or call us at (775) 828-3292.

The Murals of Reno

May 14, 2022/in Lifestyle /by Shauna Morris

Reno’s Downtown and Midtown Districts are home to more than 100 larger-than-life murals painted by local, national, and international artists. These murals add color and vibrance to Reno’s urban landscapes as they tell their stories. The art ranges from topics as serious as racism or as whimsical as flowers, either commissioned by a local business or simply the product of an artist’s inspiration. Some portray historical figures, old friends, departed companions, legends, or lost loves. New designs appear on brick, plaster, wood, and concrete surfaces, and sometimes murals that once were visible get surrounded by new buildings or become hidden. The transient nature of these murals matches that of Midtown, as it is always fluid and changing.

Just south of downtown Reno, the Midtown District is a less than five square-mile section of town that has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade. Rather than demolishing the old brick buildings and forgetting about this unused section in the city, an ambitious collection of artists and small business owners took over and created a neighborhood with an artisan approach. They turned the district into a unique cultural experience with top-tier shopping, dining, and a vibrant array of spectacular murals that other metro areas simply don’t have.

It wasn’t until Geralda Miller and Eric Brooks that the Midtown murals became so well known. According to Eric, the murals of Midtown are considered to be the most extensive collection of public art per capita in the entire country. As Miller explains it, “Murals are a way for every man to see art. It’s that grassroots arts movement for those who may not want to go to a museum or an art gallery.”

Geralda and Eric founded Art Spot Reno to develop a way to showcase the city’s murals, and Eric began giving mural tours to friends for fun. Soon, folks started coming in from all directions to catch a glimpse of the art, so Geralda and Eric created the Midtown Mural Tour. The tour is now offered twice a month, and Eric continues to proudly guide visits through Midtown with his encyclopedic knowledge of the works and the artists. The mural tours have been organized into two distinct paths – the Midtown Mural Tour and the Downtown Reno Mural and Public Art Tour.

Midtown Murals

While many of Midtown’s murals are visible from main streets, several are tucked in alleyways and hidden in unlikely spots. Tours are taken at a leisurely pace over roughly two hours, and knowledgeable guides provide stories and insight that make the art even more enjoyable. Every month, the Midtown Mural Tour alternates between a north route and a south route, as there are too many pieces in just this neighborhood to be seen in a single afternoon.

Downtown Reno Mural and Public Art Tour

Like Midtown, the city center contains many murals from highly respected local, national and international artists. The murals are also done in various styles, including graffiti lettering, illustration, landscapes, and realism portraits. During Artown, an annual arts-themed festival, Circus Circus Reno holds a Mural Marathon Competition where qualifying artists paint an original 14-foot-high by 20-foot-wide mural on the side of the Hotel & Casino in just 24 hours.

The murals throughout Reno truly celebrate creativity, and they evoke emotions within every person who views them. This open-air art is a visual language of the city, and to catch a glimpse of it – all you have to do is take a walk!

To stay up to date on what’s happening around Reno, follow our blog, and if you have questions about the Reno real estate market, contact the David Morris Group or give us a call at (775) 828-3292.

We’re happy to be your guide to The Biggest Little City in the World!

It’s Not Easy Being Green

March 1, 2022/in Reno Events /by Shauna Morris

On March 17th – if it’s not green, it’s not happenin’! In the United States, the festivities surrounding St. Patrick’s Day include all things green – green clothes, green party décor, and, of course, green beer. Today all it takes to make an emerald ale is just a couple of drops of food coloring, but a century ago, when Americans first hailed the green brew, the ingredients were a wee bit toxic! The first introduction to green beer happened in New York City around 1914, and as the story goes, a club owner wanted to make his St. Patty’s party more festive by making everything he served the color of the lucky Irish – including his hops. However, the secret ingredient to his green concoction was just as shocking to his partygoers as the color of the drink itself. He used an iron-based laundry whitener called “Wash Blue” to turn the drinks green, and as he assured his patrons there wasn’t enough detergent to cause them harm, their concerns seemed to lessen with every emerald sip! Luckily he was right, and not only did his guests live to die another day, but the colorful tradition that this bar owner came up with was here to stay!

If you’re looking to go out and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year, Reno, Sparks, and the Lake Tahoe area all have Irish pubs where you can enjoy the day in style. You’ll find Irish food and drinks, live music, Irish dancers, and maybe even bagpipers, depending on where you go.

Irish Pubs and Bars in Reno	Irish Pubs and Bars in Sparks
Ryan’s Saloon and Broiler	O’Skis Pub & Grille
Lucke’s Saloon	Paddy and Irene’s Irish Pub
Shea’s Tavern
Shenanigan’s Olde English Pub	Irish Pubs and Bars at Lake Tahoe
Ole Bridge Pub	Auld Dubliner Irish Pub Palisades Tahoe
Filthy McNasty’s Irish Bar	McP’s Taphouse Grill

Be sure to contact the venue before March 17th to confirm their hours of operation and COVID considerations.

No matter the color of your beer this St. Patrick’s Day, remember to drink responsibly! The RTC is marking its 18th year of providing its FREE Safe RIDE Program to help people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day responsibly.

If you’d like more insight on what to do around Reno, or want to chat about the current fast-moving real estate market, contact the David Morris Group at (775) 828-3292.

Reno Neon Line District and Workforce Housing

February 18, 2022/in Reno-Sparks Real Estate /by Shauna Morris

For years, West 4th Street has been falling to the wayside and begging to be fixed up. However, developer, owner, and operator of Jacobs Entertainment, Jeff Jacobs, has a bigger vision than just a renovation or two. Jeff Jacobs’ proposal of The Neon Line District in Downtown Reno is a dynamic, mixed-use entertainment district. This area will include the expansion, renovation, and rebranding of the Sands Regency Casino Hotel, world-class art – including sculptures formerly at the Burning Man festival, and an array of commercial, retail, plaza, green space, convention, and entertainment venues. The development has been in the works since 2019 and is likely the most extensive project Downtown Reno has seen in decades.

The newest buzz around this development is the offer Jeff Jacobs made to City Council to help address the city’s housing affordability crisis. He proposes building 1,000 new affordable workforce housing units but has asked the city to contribute to the deal. Jacobs said his company would contribute land valued at $15 million to the Reno Housing Authority for workforce housing to start about 850 units. He is asking the city to offer additional land for 1,000 affordable housing units. “The idea is teachers, clerks, employees in the casinos who want to live downtown, who work downtown,” said Jacobs. “This gives them an opportunity.” If this proposal works, it would be the most significant housing initiative this region has ever seen from the Reno Housing Authority.

Jeff hopes that when the Neon Line District is complete, it will have as many as 3,000 total housing units, but the City Council has either not made a decision or is not yet ready to announce what the decision may be. The Mayor is quoted as being “definitely interested in an affordable housing partnership.” The idea of having over 2,000 units of affordable housing for Reno’s downtown workforce is exciting and puts a whole new spin on the Mayor’s 1,000 Homes initiative!.

The Reno retail market was hard hit overall by the pandemic, with lower-income workers at the top of the list. While retail demand has rebounded this year, the city could use a win. The Neon Line District might be exactly what Reno needs to revitalize downtown and turn this area back into a walkable destination with bustling businesses and busy sidewalks.

Photo of Neon Line District map (Courtesy: Jacobs Entertainment)

Posts