sparks nevada | David Morris Group

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.

Funding for Home Upgrades

September 9, 2022/in Blog /by Shauna Morris

Now that the market has shifted slightly, inventory is rising, and buyers have more options. As a result, you may need to reevaluate the appearance and condition of your home before you list. A little remodeling can increase your home value, but it shouldn’t break your bank. It is essential to research which home renovations are worth the investment before starting on upgrades. Once you’ve determined which renovations offer the highest return, you have to figure out how to fund them. Here are expert tips on how to find funding for home upgrades.

ROI

The 2022 Cost vs. Value Report for Reno, NV, found that curb-appeal projects, including changes to siding, garage doors, and windows had an average payback of 83 percent, compared with about 39 percent for interior upgrades like a major kitchen remodel. While kitchens and bathrooms are known to make or break a sale, be sure that your spending is compatible with the house’s total worth and that of your area if you plan to remodel. You don’t want to over-improve your home because you’ll never get that money back when you sell. It is advisable to check out comparable listings in your area before you begin renovations to keep pace with but not exceed the local market.

Budget

Whether you have money saved or are looking to take out a loan for your upgrade project, you need to create a ballpark estimate of what you are willing to spend. First, browse home improvement stores and sites for materials and fixtures that you like and price them so you can turn your estimate into a realistic budget. If pricing materials yourself feels daunting, you can enlist the help of a sales associate for smaller projects. They will be able to walk you through your options and answer your questions. For larger upgrades, however, it is advisable to enlist the help of a design consultant. A design consultant will be able to help with pricing options and ensure that you don’t leave anything out so that every necessary item makes it into your budget. For extreme renovations that require a contractor, a good rule of thumb is to get at least three estimates. The Real Remodeling Costs tool by Houzz is a great resource for city-by-city estimates on typical remodeling costs.

Financing

You can finance smaller projects with a credit card. You may already have one with a high credit limit and a low interest rate, or, depending on your credit score you could qualify for a new card with 0 percent interest for 12 months or longer. Just be sure to stay mindful of payments and get the balance paid in full before interest begins or you could wind up paying three times over for a small upgrade.

Most large hardware stores offer credit cards or financing options with introductory rates of low or no interest. If your entire project will be completed through the design arm of a large hardware store, that could be an excellent option.

Home Equity

There are a couple of options for using your home equity to fund home upgrades. The most flexible may be a home equity line of credit. A home equity line of credit uses your home as collateral for the amount of credit the lender approves. The upside is that you only pay interest on the money you draw out from the line of credit. The downside is that the interest rate is variable, which could get expensive if interest rates go up while you’re working to pay back the amount you’ve borrowed.

A home equity loan offers the security of a fixed interest rate. With the loan option you get a lump sum and pay interest on the entire amount over time until it’s paid back in full. An equity loan is a great option if interest rates are low, it will end up costing a lot more money to pay back if interest rates are high.

Run the numbers and figure out what makes sense for you, then budget accordingly. If an upgrade or renovation is simply out of your price range then reconsider the parameters of the project. Always consider the economic realities of an ever-changing market when considering home upgrades 1) don’t overbuild the rest of your home or your neighborhood 2) don’t go over budget or put yourself in financial trouble 3) take a step back and consider smaller cosmetic projects that have a big impact.

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.

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.

Redecorate Without Buying a Thing

August 1, 2022/in Blog /by Shauna Morris

You can achieve a mini home makeover without even leaving the house. There are more items in your home than you think, and a simple resurface or rearrange can make a big difference if your decor has gotten stale. Chances are you already own everything you need for an upgrade or fresh look. Here are ways to redecorate without buying a thing.

Bring in the Out

Introduce natural elements into your home by collecting fresh flowers or greenery from the yard or recent hike. Place them in containers around the house.

Light the Mood

Rearrange the table and floor lamps. Lamps create a cozy vibe, but different shades create different light effects. Switch lamps around in the spaces where you spend the most time and see if a different light has a different feel.

Rearrange

It may be time to rearrange your furniture if your living room feels stale. Angle the sofa differently or pull side chairs in from another room for different seating options. Switch out the side tables with other spaces in the home and see how it feels.

Refresh your Shelves

Remove everything from the shelves, then replace everything with a new arrangement. Or put things in different places around the room. This slight change could update the entire space.

Shop Your Storage

If you have an attic or garage, chances are there are forgotten treasures you can clean or repurpose and use inside your home. Style is cyclical, so the “outdated” accessories you once dismissed could very well be the newest trend again. Dust them off and work them back into your interior decor.

Switch Accessories

Shop the other rooms in your home for vases, decorative objects, and art. Taking an antique heirloom from the dining room and moving it to a shelf in the living room can renew its charm and showcase it in a more prominent location.

These simple changes can create new home decor without spending a dime or leaving the door!

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. Give us a call at (775) 828-3292.

Market Update for Reno-Sparks

July 29, 2022/in Blog, Reality of Real Estate, Reno-Sparks Real Estate /by Shauna Morris

Real estate is in all the news today, and the noise is deafening. We want to take just a moment to paint a quick picture of what the market looks like locally. Here is a market update for Reno-Sparks:

Last 90 Days:

Out of 988 homes sold, the average close price was $788,824 – and they spent 64 days on the market.

Out of the 405 homes currently pending, their average list price is $859,025. Pending homes have now been on the market for 84 days.

What is this telling us? The average list price is higher, and they are taking longer to sell. Our market is still great; homes just aren’t flying off the shelves, so to speak.

What Does it Mean?

When looking at the sold homes and the adjusted list prices to sold price ratios, a negotiated price of + or – 2%-3% overall spread provides a fair give and take on values. The days on the market are in line with a rebalance of values. Again, that is good news if we want to see a softer landing than many are predicting.

As of the first of July, sales in the homes that have rebalanced their expectations remain strong, and the market is doing very well. The August/September numbers will be significant as we move through the rest of this year and where we stand on unsold inventory by September and price adjustments.

From this viewpoint, we expect a market correction of asking prices, sold prices, a flattening of values, and a rise in the low single-digit levels as we end the year (assuming another 1% interest increase).

How Does this Affect the Price of My Home?

In an upwelling market, raising prices quickly to ride a wave of price increases is one thing. In an adjusting market, it’s suicide not to adjust to the market swiftly. You’ll risk chasing a market down!

Should I List My Home Now?

For sellers on the fence, selling now is an excellent opportunity. Buyers are highly focused on quality and value, and inventory remains low. With the current interest rates, buyers are making offers. The key words here are that buyers are making offers. Overbids still exist, but fewer than before. Buyers will expect the seller to negotiate.

Is Now a Good Time to Buy?

Buyers waiting for some unrealistic bottom to develop will be sorely disappointed in the results and miss a host of great opportunities in this market. Yes, we will see some fantastic deals on the fringes, and the competition for those homes will be intense. We assume that interest rates will move significantly in the next 60 days. Time will tell.

Please review and call us with any questions, and you should have questions. A lot is going on with many moving parts. Remember, regardless of the “news,” our inventory is small; demand, even reduced demand, still exceeds supply.

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 or if you’re ready to list your home, contact the David Morris Group. We’re happy to be your helpful guide. Give us a call at (775) 828-3292.

Beat the Summer Heat in Reno-Sparks

July 7, 2022/in Blog /by Shauna Morris

Reno packs some serious summer heat but also provides some of the best and most beautiful places to cool off! From Kayaking to water parks, we have plenty of cool activities to explore. Here are a few ways to beat the summer heat in Reno-Sparks:

KAYAKING

The Truckee River Whitewater Park is in the heart of downtown Reno. This 2,600-foot-long park has class 2 and 3 rapids for kayakers, canoes, and boats. Whether you’re a novice or new to the sport, kayak lessons and clinics are offered by Sierra Adventures.

PADDLEBOARDING

Stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) is one of the fastest-growing watersports. The Sparks Marina is an excellent location in Reno, and if you’re looking for more action, the Truckee River is a must! Lakeshore is based in Reno and has turned into a premier paddleboard spot. You can rent a paddleboard at Marina PaddleFit, and they offer clinics to learn new SUP skills.

TRUCKEE RIVER RAFTING

Reno is a perfect place for whitewater enthusiasts. It’s close to the Truckee and the Carson River, both of which have fantastic whitewater options. The Truckee River delivers some wilder rapids with classes 3 & 4 if you’re down for a hair-raising adventure, while the Carson River is known for its milder rapids. The most popular route down the Carson River is a 21-mile stretch called “Hangman’s Run.” Tahoe Whitewater Tours and Sierra Adventures offer excellent guided tours down the rivers.

FLOAT ABOUT

Truckee River rafting is right in the heart of the city, with easy access through Wingfield Park. The park is the endpoint for most float trips, and you can find plenty of places to launch your raft. Popular launching points include Crissie Caughlin Park, Dorostkar Park, and Mayberry Park. If you’re looking for something less extreme, floating the day away is a great way to enjoy the river without rapids.

RENO-SPARKS’ WATER PARK

Wild Island Family Adventure Park offers summer fun for everyone! With water slides, a wave pool, go-karts, mini-golf, and bowling, it’s a great way to wear out the kiddos and have a little fun yourself.

We haven’t forgotten about fun in the sun at Lake Tahoe ~ Keep an eye out for our next blog to get the latest on the lake’s summer options!

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

Market Update

July 5, 2022/in Blog, Reality of Real Estate /by Shauna Morris

America’s housing market has undergone some wild swings over the last two years, but it appears to be settling down a bit. According to Realtor.com®, the number of real estate listings rose by 18.7% this June compared with a year earlier. That marks the second consecutive month of growth and the fastest rise in inventory since July 2017. Of course, this new record growth has a long way to go before the nation’s housing inventory is back to its level before COVID, but it’s still a good sign.

The recent numbers correlate with the recent hikes in mortgage rates. Homes are beginning to remain on the market longer as buyers are being pushed out because they can no longer afford to buy. However, new data released by Freddie Mac on June 30th shows a pause in the mortgage rate increase. As a matter of fact, 30-year fixed rate mortgage rates have already begun dropping slightly. “The rapid rise in mortgage rates has finally paused,” Sam Khater, chief economist at Freddie Mac, said in a press release, “largely due to the countervailing forces of high inflation and the increasing possibility of an economic recession.” This pause will help the market rebalance itself and bring homes back to a more “normal” pace of appreciation.

What does that mean for sellers? List now or forever hold your peace! If you’re on the fence about getting your home on the market, now is a great time to get it sold. If you wait, you may have to settle for price reductions and more days on the market.

What does this mean for buyers? Negotiations are back! Sellers no longer have forty showings in one weekend, and concessions are back in play. Buyers have more time to make the right decisions and more options from which to choose.

The market is excellent for buyers AND sellers right now, and we are here to help! Contact the David Morris Group if you have questions about the Reno real estate market and surrounding areas. We’re happy to guide you through the listing or buying process as the market shifts! 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.

Posts