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How to Avoid Home Inspection Nightmares

January 30, 2020/in Reno-Sparks Real Estate /by Shauna Morris

The home inspection may be one of the most important steps of selling your home. It can open the door for hard negotiations and come with costly repairs if you haven’t properly prepared your home for what the inspector will find. In fact, the home inspection process is where a lot of hidden costs lie for sellers, but it could increase the resale value of your home in the long run. Here’s what you should know about avoiding home inspection nightmares.

Prep for the Inspection

Just like your SATs, there’s no such thing as being too prepared for the inspection process. Look at sample home inspection reports, and do a walk-through of your home. Look at everything from the roof to the foundation, make notes, and get quotes on the cost to fix anything that sticks out to you.

Have Your Documents Ready for the Inspection

You want to have the documents for all of the maintenance and repairs you’ve made to your home ready for the inspector. This not only helps the process move along smoothly, but it shows how well you’ve kept up your home over the years. It never hurts to make a good impression.

Consider a Pre-Inspection

If you like to be prepared and have the opportunity to fix any and all issues your problem may have, consider getting a pre-inspection done before the buyer’s inspector comes out. Not all inspectors will find the same issues, but it gives you a better idea of where to focus your efforts and funds to get your home sold.

Take Action on Simple Fixes

There are some simple projects you can take on that will help ensure your inspection goes smoothly. Replace light bulbs, change the furnace filter, and ensure that all doors open and close properly – this includes cabinet and closet doors. Have your fuse box clearly labeled with the area of your home the switch corresponds to, and do your due diligence to check for any signs of leaks.

Taking these simple precautions can help you avoid being blindsided by what the home inspector finds and will help you close the deal on your home quickly. If you need help preparing for a home inspection or need some recommendations on who you can trust to take care of repairs, give the David Morris Group a call. We’re always happy to help and can be reached at (775) 828-3292 anytime.

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The Reality of Real Estate – The Triumph Stories Other Agents Won’t Tell You

January 24, 2020/in Reality of Real Estate /by Shauna Morris

If you are someone who has bought and sold a home before, you know that you’re experiencing a cluster of emotions: excitement, nerves, stress, relief, sadness, and sometimes frustration. As real estate professionals, we focus on the victories and don’t often share the real, behind-the-scenes stories of triumph. David Morris Group is an industry-leading name in the Reno, Sparks area (we don’t mind bragging, we’ve worked hard to get here) and has helped many individuals, families, and investors navigate the sometimes rough waters of real estate. We want to share the reality of real estate and what triumph really means when buying and selling a home in Reno or Sparks!

Spoiler alert: this one ends well for our clients. David Morris Group helped these sellers move into their forever home and guided them through their first traditional purchase in Reno. Selling their home was another matter. What other agents won’t tell you is that multiple offers, while very exciting, can be complex and confusing, and this home had several offers. Each offer had many different variables the sellers had to consider, which made choosing one difficult as well as setting a high expectation for exceedingly strong negotiations. The very first offer on the table became over-negotiated and fell apart before it even had a chance. The twist is that this first offer won the day. After allowing our clients to take a step back and reassess their goals, the buyer submitted a second offer that proved right for both parties. The sellers were able to say goodbye to their first home on a very high note!

The strength of a REALTOR® lies in guiding clients through a journey, not telling them how to make very personal decisions. Through the twist and turns of back-to-back transactions, David Morris Group acted in our truest, most honest and caring form by guiding the sellers through the process, explaining every step, discussing every decision, and ultimately empowering them to make the right decisions for themselves. We appreciate the opportunity to serve our real estate clients throughout Reno and Sparks!

Inside our Reno Food Adventures

January 23, 2020/in Reno-Sparks Businesses /by Shauna Morris

No matter what kind of food you’re craving, Reno has it in spades. New restaurants are springing up before our eyes, so to keep up with the changing trends, we’ve gone on a few food adventures. We’re here to give you an inside perspective of the Rattlesnake Club and Von Bismarck.

Last summer, Rattlesnake Club opened its doors at 606 West Plumb Lane with a promise to deliver a culinary experience with a seasonal menu, original recipes, and a flavor profile that will have every guest singing its praises. With an on-site greenhouse and freshly roasted coffee, there was a ton drawing us to check out what they had to offer.

After looking through the menu, we can tell you that there are some fun options, and their cocktail list would make them the perfect spot to catch up with friends over dinner and drinks. While our experience got off to a rocky start, Rattlesnake Club quickly turned it around, and the kale salad and soup we ordered were wonderful. We’re already looking forward to going back for dinner.

Much like Rattlesnake Club, Von Bismarck opened its doors to the public last summer on Wells Avenue. With Eastern and Northern European traditions and a love for modern flair, Von Bismarck’s goal was to combine the two schools of thought for a completely unique dining experience. The communal seating and family-style servings are in place to get you to connect with those you’re dining with and leave with new friends and even better memories. The idea of sinking our teeth into traditional German cuisine brought us right to one of Von Bismarck’s tables.

Everything was beautifully presented, and we had the opportunity to sample a variety of small dishes. The items that stood out to us were the house-made pretzel, which is worth every carb-filled bite, and the cheesy spätzle puts any mac and cheese recipe to shame. The interior is cozy and inviting, and we’re looking forward to checking out the outside dining area and playspace when it’s open.

We’re wishing immense success to both of these wonderful restaurants, and if you ever need advice on anything from where to go for dinner to what changes we predict will happen in the Reno real estate market, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We can be reached at (775) 828-3292 anytime.

Reno Welcomes Pioneers of All Kinds

January 15, 2020/in Uncategorized /by Shauna Morris

Nevada has a rich background of being a land of opportunity for many hoping to strike it rich and make their name on the world, but Reno’s story has continued to evolve over the years. The city continues to be the place where prospectors and pioneers set their sights to introduce new changes, ideas, and conversations. Why is that?

Well, for starters, our city has a growing university that continues to educate a talented workforce in a variety of majors. Nearly three-quarters of the University of Nevada, Reno graduates stay in the city to take on new careers and start their own families.

With the open-minded environment and building excitement behind new opportunities, Reno continues to be a place where entrepreneurship thrives. If you have an idea, you’re likely to find a large group of mentors, volunteers, and team members to help you get your business off the ground. Some of the local entrepreneurship groups include 1 Million Cups Reno, Association of Motivated Professionals Meetup, and Northern Nevada SCORE Meetup for Small Business Owners.

There are also many established companies that continue to look for talent that can take their businesses to the next level. Microsoft, Tesla, Switch, and Apple are just some of the large names you’ll find employing several of the Reno residents. If you’re hoping to sell your latest innovation to a tech giant, the University of Nevada Innevation Center is the perfect hot spot for you.

The best part of the city is that with all of the attractions and activities that we have to offer, you’ll always have a wonderful work-life balance. When life gets a little too stressful, or you need to get the creative juices flowing again, be sure to hit up the great restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries or get outdoors and find a new hiking or biking trail to explore.

Reno will forever be a place for free-spirited thinkers, doers, and movers. If you have big dreams of starting your own business and being a leading pioneer in your industry, make Reno your headquarters. With that in mind, if you’re looking for a home with a dedicated office to help you begin your journey as a CEO, give the David Morris Group a call at (775) 828-3292.

2020 Design Trend Predictions

January 15, 2020/in Reno-Sparks Real Estate /by Shauna Morris

Just as we have our finger on the pulse of the Reno real estate market, we also keep track of what the next big thing will be when it comes to home decor and design. 2020 marks a whole new decade, and it’s sure to be the marker for new styles and new ideas in the trends we love.

Farmhouse Styles Continue to Dominate 2020

The continued love affair the world has with Fixer Upper and all of the shabby-chic designs that breathe new life to old and forgotten projects will continue to be a driving force for the 2020 design world. To capture the style that Chip and Joanna Gaines have turned into an empire, combine wood and steel pieces with neutral cream tones and pops of bold color. Go thrifting and find some items that you can put your own spin on to fit your home design needs.

Get Your Green Thumb Ready for a Garden Room

Plants continue to be one way to liven up any room, and more and more people are jumping into the trend. In fact, we predict it’ll be uncommon to walk into a home and not see at least a few succulents lying around. Be sure to learn all about what kind of plants will thrive in your home before making a garden room of your own.

Transition into Transitional Style Decor

We’re all in the process of remembering to write 2020 instead of 2019 on all of our dated papers, but that’s not the only transition the new year marks. In fact, this year, there will be more blends between the contemporary and the modern. Think of those green velvet couches that have a traditional style but feature a pop of color and texture in the fabric used. Blend the classics with something new, and you’ll be a transitional style expert before you know it.

Spanish Styles Aren’t Taking a Siesta

Stucco and clay textures with wrought-iron details will continue to be a staple of the year. Colorful tiles with interesting patterns are also another staple of the style, so if you’re planning on redoing your bathroom in 2020, you may want to think of incorporating something that will make you feel like you’ve entered a beautifully tiled Spanish villa.

2020 will be a time for breaking out of your comfort zone to try new things! Pick a new style, room, color, or idea to make your focus for the new year and see what comes from it. If you need more ideas on how to improve your home and get the most of the space you’re in, check out our Facebook page. If you have any questions about the real estate market and where Reno’s headed in 2020, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at (775) 828-3292.

A Look Into Reno’s Hot Real Estate Market

December 31, 2019/in Reno-Sparks Real Estate /by Shauna Morris

A recent article confirmed what we already knew – Reno’s real estate market is sizzling! In fact, it’s hard to picture the market slowing down as we think of the current projects underway and the big booms we’ve seen in the last few years. With the buzz gaining attraction, let’s look into Reno’s hot real estate market.

Business Insider gathered insights from real estate professionals from a variety of markets to see if there were any cities that were repeatedly brought up as explosive markets. They found that there were 15 places that were brought up in a prediction of the most popular real estate markets for the next ten years.

While the study didn’t include an overall ranking system, it’s nice to see Reno included in such an important list among places like Long Island City in New York and Boston, Massachusetts. The news shows how Reno is an adaptable city that bounces back and finds new ways to thrive. After being one of the cities hit the hardest by the Great Recession, Reno is now making strides to be a real estate market that everyone turns to watch.

Many point to Reno being a market to watch for the city’s current draw to big businesses. Tesla is but one of the companies that have decided to set up shop in the neighborhood, and it’s creating a great influx of jobs and economic growth. With the International Airport allowing residents to jet off wherever their heart desires and no state income tax ensuring you keep more of your money in your pocket, Reno has many perks. These perks are drawing more and more California natives to move to the area to get away from the growing costs of living in our neighboring state.

With Reno’s current 1,000 homes in 120 days initiative, it will be exciting to see how these developments impact the future of Reno’s real estate market. We’re always happy to share our insights into the market, and if you have any questions on what your home may be worth in the current market, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at (775) 828-3292.

Redevelopment Projects Give Old Businesses New Life in Reno

December 23, 2019/in Reno-Sparks Real Estate /by Shauna Morris

There used to be a time where you would drive downtown and see dilapidated motels and homes that needed some much-needed love to keep them standing, but that’s been something we’ve rapidly seen change over the last few years.

The expansion of the university and the cleanup projects happening in part due to the Neon Line District have brought a vibrancy to the community again. We’re seeing some continuous changes, and it’s not slowing down anytime soon.

In fact, Reno’s West Fourth Street is part of a current redevelopment project that will change an old motel into new apartments. The Courtyard Inn Motel is the latest piece of property to be bought up for the Neon Line District, and after the $5 million investment has been made, the motel will be a 38-unit apartment complex called Loft 601.

The new project will include plans to save 10% of the units for affordable senior housing. Loft 601 will be studio apartments with a new community room and kitchen for tenants to use. Construction is underway, and the target move-in date for renters is July 1.

In the last few years, Fourth Street alone has demolished or redeveloped 300 units of housing in hopes of updating the neighborhood and improving the living conditions in the aging properties. The overall end goal is to make the Neon Line District an attractive location for tourists and new renters alike, and that’s already been seen with the Burning Man art pieces along the corridor.

There are also talks about the Neon Line District being recognized by the city as its own district in order to seek funding for bike lanes and improvements to the general structure of the neighborhood.

Reno continues to be adaptable and thrive in any circumstance that’s thrown its way. We love keeping our finger on the pulse of these changes, and if you ever have any questions about what developments are underway and what it can mean for buying or selling a home, give us a call at (775) 828-3292.

Christmas Cravings: Best New Restaurants in Reno

December 12, 2019/in Reno-Sparks Businesses /by Shauna Morris

In between your candy cane and Christmas cookie snacking, you have to squeeze a meal in somewhere, so why not make it a memorable one at one of the newest restaurant locations around the Biggest Little City? Reno’s best restaurants are waiting for you, and we have a glimpse at some of the newest businesses and locations opening their doors. These Reno restaurants are hotter than your mug of cocoa!

Uno Mas Street Tacos + Spirits – Grand Sierra Resort
Fresh ingredients, authentic recipes, and a modern flair make this a spot that calls to every foodie. Unleash your inner James Bond by sipping a cocktail that’s been shaken, not stirred, and let your taste buds experience bold flavors like no other.

Paisan’s Old World Deli & Catering – 6550 Longley Lane
Whether you’re looking for a place to grab a quick bite or just a great spot to cater your event without fail, Paisan’s is the place to go. With some of the best soups, sandwiches, and salads around, Paisan’s is here to make sure you never have a boring lunch again. Now that this deli has reopened, it’s a must to check out their new digs!

Burgerim – The Outlets at Legends
This chain now has two locations in Northern Nevada – one in downtown Reno and the newest location in Sparks! They offer a variety of burgers and sides, and if you have a large group to feed, their family box may be the perfect option for you.

The Arch Society – 960 S Virginia St.
There’s always room for dessert, and that’s the motto that The Arch Society has turned into a business. This dessert bar will have a variety of pastries to offer and just as many tasty cocktails to pair with them.

With so many great restaurants in Reno, we hope you get out and try someplace new! See what the buzz is about Burgerim’s burgers and have the best deli in Nevada prepare your sandwich from scratch.

Just as there’s always a new business springing up, there’s always changes happening to the Reno real estate market. If you’re ever curious about what’s happening to the market and when you should buy or sell a home, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your friends at the David Morris Group at (775) 828-3292. If you’re curious about some of the properties on the market now, you can get a great snapshot here.

10 Fun Facts About the Reno Area

November 27, 2019/in Uncategorized /by Shauna Morris

There’s a lot to love about Reno, but how much do you know about the Biggest Little City? We bet there are some things that may even come as a surprise to the residents that have been living in Reno for years. Check out 10 fun facts about the Reno area and learn something new about our beloved town!

Reno has repeatedly been named one of the 10 sunniest cities in the United States and usually averages more than 300 days of sunshine every year.
When compared to other ski towns in North America, the Reno Tahoe area has the highest number of ski resorts scattered throughout its short distance.
Lake Tahoe covers 191 square miles and is so deep that you could stand the Empire State Building in it and not see its top.
Sparks hosts the largest rib cookoff in the country. While the rib cookoff is one of our favorite summer events, it also draws in hundreds of thousands of people year after year and serves more than 240,000 pounds of ribs, making it the largest in the United States.
Blue jeans were born in Reno. Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss partnered to meet the demand for sturdier pants, and it was the start of creating the favorite pair of jeans hanging in your closet today.
The largest free hot air ballooning event in the world happens to be the Great Reno Balloon Race! With close to a hundred balloons coming to participate every year, it brings in over 100,000 people to check out the shows, races, and festivities throughout the weekend of the event.
Reno has been a Tree City USA for 28 years, which means that the community has made strides to manage and expand its public trees in order to benefit and protect the environment.
A number of films, TV shows, and music videos have been filmed in the Reno area. Some of the most notable movies include The Misfits, Pink Cadillac, and Sister Act.
In 2014, Reno hosted 550 people playing checkers in order to win the world record for the most people playing checkers at one time.
Before starting his illustrious career as a world-renowned author, Mark Twain worked as a reporter for the Territorial Enterprise in Virginia City for several years.

These 10 fun facts about the Reno area are just many of the reasons that we love to call this vibrant city home! If you or someone you know is looking for a team to help buy or sell a home in the Biggest Little City, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (775) 828-3292.

Incremental Development Alliance Comes to Reno

November 26, 2019/in Reno-Sparks Real Estate /by Shauna Morris

Reno has always been lucky to have residents with strong ties to the community who share a love for improving the area and fostering innovations of all kinds. Reno has also always been welcoming and accepting of new ideas, people, and projects, which makes it no wonder why other businesses, developers, and groups have always turned to Reno for help. It now seems that Reno is the one getting a little help, especially in terms of Reno real estate investment and Reno real estate development.

A not-for-profit group of knowledgeable individuals has been hosting monthly events to help small developers and residents strengthen their neighborhoods with small-scale real estate projects. The group is called the Incremental Development Alliance, and they support the idea that communities are built from within. They help residents invest in their communities and help businesses with small scale developments in order to ensure the area grows and thrives.

The first of the monthly Incremental Development Alliance talks took place in Reno on November 5. Andrew Samuelsen was the guest of honor, and he talked about how he switched careers from Software Development to Real Estate Development in Reno, as well as all of the steps in the process to complete his first big project.

The next Incremental Development Meetup will be on Tuesday, December 3, from 6 – 7:30 PM, and will be held at the Reno Collective. This group is geared towards landlords, developers, architects, designers, wanna-be developers, city planners, and anyone who wants to strengthen our neighborhoods using real estate development as the tool. If you have a curious mind and an increasing desire to learn how to help the community, the Incremental Development Meetups are perfect for you.

Network, gather ideas, and build a team to take Reno to the next level. Meet people that share in your passion for change and strive to be pioneers for the betterment of the community. We look forward to being your partners in taking these small-scale real estate projects further, and if you ever have any questions about the real estate market, don’t hesitate to reach out to your friends at the David Morris Group.

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