sparks real estate | David Morris Group

The Reality of Real Estate: Decoding the True State of a Home While Conducting a Virtual House Hunt?

May 26, 2020/in Reality of Real Estate /by Shauna Morris

With spring and summer being some of the busiest homebuying periods of the year, now may be the time that you begin looking at homes on the market, weighing the pros and cons of neighborhoods, and meeting with lenders. In the current market, you’ll likely be doing a lot of the Reno home searching online but when you’re not able to visit the house in person, it’s important to know how to uncover the true condition. Check out the things we’ve learned about conducting a virtual house hunt.

Decode the Online Listings

Some real estate agents will be using words and photos to hide the true state of the home. You’ll want to look for things that could prove to be misleading, like:

Are there only photos of the interior or the exterior? This could show that maybe the inside or the outside of the home needs work.
Do the photos look stretched in any way? Some agents or sellers may be trying to make the spaces look larger than they are by stretching the photos of certain rooms in the home.
Does the listing include references to a spacious backyard, extra bedrooms/bathrooms, or a dedicated home office that isn’t pictured? If not pictured, they may not be in great condition or could be small and show that the layout of the home isn’t functional.
What kind of adjectives are used to describe the home/do they match the photos? For example, the term “cozy” could be used to mean small, or it could just mean that the space is a great family gathering area of the home.

Reach Out to Your REALTOR® About Virtual Tours

Many listings will include property videos or a virtual tour of some kind, but in order to make them useful, ask your REALTOR® if they can find you more footage of the home or walk you through the home via a video call. This way you can look at any blind spots that may not show up in the original video as well as see the little details that may be overlooked in a hype video but will matter when you’re living in the home.

Get a Better Picture of the Home

If the home has piqued your interest by the photos, description, and virtual tour, reach out about the seller’s disclosure. It gives a great outline of any problems the home may have, any improvements the home has had, and when the improvements/features were made. This can be a great way to help you decide to take the next step and make an offer on the home or rule it out.

Having a team on your side to show you the ins and outs of virtual househunting, especially as a first-time homebuyer, is crucial in these uncertain times. We’re more than happy to help, so give the David Morris Group a call at 775-828-3292.

Online Workouts to Keep You Active at Home

May 21, 2020/in Uncategorized /by Shauna Morris

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

Juice Box Yoga

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

Crossfit Initiative

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

Pilates Studio of Reno

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

Pure Barre

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

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

How to Keep Your “Home Office” Tidy

May 18, 2020/in Uncategorized /by Shauna Morris

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

Color-code your filing system.

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

Create a mail station.

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

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

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

Make use of your wall space.

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

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

The Reality of Real Estate: Most Agents Won’t Say This, But Home Buying Can Wait. Here’s How You Can Prepare During COVID-19 Restrictions.

May 15, 2020/in Reality of Real Estate /by Shauna Morris

Being a first-time homebuyer can be a daunting journey during normal times, but faced with new challenges and changes amidst a pandemic may have you deciding to wait until some of the restrictions are lifted. As experienced agents, we know that buying and selling a home has to be done in line with you or your family’s needs. If you decide buying a home can wait, there are still steps you can take to be prepared for when the time comes.

Narrow down the neighborhoods or the areas that you would like to live in.

There are many great neighborhoods to choose from, especially in Reno and Sparks. Begin narrowing down the neighborhoods or the mile radius of the area you’d like to look in. Here are some questions to ask and answer when narrowing down where you’d like to live:

How far are you willing to travel for work? Will you need to travel often for your job/is being close to the airport important?
Which schools/districts would you like your kids to be a part of? Look at programs, graduation rates, and afterschool activities offered. What about higher education?
Are community amenities like pools, picnic tables, and basketball courts important to you?
Do you need to be near parks, trails, grocery stores, restaurants, stores, entertainment options, etc.?
Are there community groups/publications that will help you and your family acquaint yourself with the new neighborhood should you move there?

Once you’ve come up with neighborhoods or areas you like, you’ll want to confer with your REALTOR® and ask a few questions, like:

How have property values changed in the neighborhoods over the years?
Are there projected developments coming to the area? Is land in the area zoned for residential or commercial projects?
Is there an HOA or community association, and if so, are there stipulations on what you can and can’t do with your home/property?

Save, save, save.

Currently, lenders are tightening their restrictions on who they offer funding to. To make yourself look like a smart investment for lenders, you’ll want to have enough money saved to cover the downpayment, closing costs, and several months of mortgage payments in the scenario that you are laid off.

Create a list of needs and wants you’re looking for in a home.

Most first-time homebuyers aren’t really sure what kind of home they’re looking for or aren’t thinking about the future and how their needs will change. You want a home that fits your current lifestyle but will continue to grow with you. You may have to compromise on a few items on your wishlist, but you should have a general idea of the kind of home you’re looking for. You may have to have tough conversations like:

How many children do you want to have?
Will you or your partner’s parents live with you in the future?
Do you plan to work from home/homeschool your children?

Questions like this help you decide the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you’ll need, if a second master suite is necessary, and if you should seek out homes with a dedicated home office.

If you are looking for a dedicated team that can help you begin the process of searching for your future home, give the David Morris Group a call at 775-828-3292. We’re more than happy to help you from start to finish!

Plan Your Nevada Road Trip

May 8, 2020/in Uncategorized /by Shauna Morris

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

Liberty Lake

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

Great Basin National Park

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

Black Rock Desert

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

Fly Geyser

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

Rhyolite Ghost Town

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

The International Car Forest

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

Garnet Hill

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

The Lost City Museum

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

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

5 Activities to Keep Kids Busy While You Work From Home

April 30, 2020/in Uncategorized /by Shauna Morris

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

Bean Bag Target Practice

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

Play MacGyver

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

Set Up an Indoor Golf Course

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

Become Rock Artists

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

Spider Web Obstacle Course

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

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

The Reality of Real Estate: Reno’s Current Real Estate Market – The Answers You’ve Been Looking For

April 28, 2020/in Reality of Real Estate /by Shauna Morris

Questions are looming in everyone’s minds, and conversations continue to focus on how the economy will bounce back, how to keep families safe and healthy, and if it’s ok to buy or sell a home in the current market. We’re here to give you the answers you’ve been looking for.

Can You Sell Your Home Today? YES!

COVID-19 has changed our lives in more ways than we even know today, and now, new questions are cropping up like: has it changed your home’s value? Are there buyers interested in your home? Can you even sell your home today? The answer is, yes!

Did you know that inventory is expected to significantly increase by mid-June? Right now, the market is starved for good homes to buy, and prices are holding very well.

Since you have been living in your home under a stay-at-home order, is this where you want to live when the next one is announced? If not, what are you looking for in your next home? We never thought the question of, “would you want to be quarantined here,” would ever be a consideration, but now it’s a necessity — how times have changed.

What is inventory like? LOW!

We are currently flooded with motivated buyers looking for their next home. The rates are outstanding, buyers are focused, and these buyers want to be settled into their homes as soon as possible. Inventory is very, very low, so buyers are hungry for new homes to be listed.

What is the market like for homes valued under $600,000? HOT!

As of this week for homes under $600,000 — 141 homes are pending sale out of 179 that are available in all of Reno/Sparks*. Close to 80% of homes are selling in less than 30 days!

We’re experts at understanding the Reno real estate market and how it changes, and we’re here to help our community in these uncertain times. It’s more important than ever to work with a team that can predict changes, give you honest answers, and navigate the market for buyers and sellers. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to give the David Morris Group a call at 775-828-3292. We’re wishing you all good health.

*Data provided is for homes listed since March 15th, 2020, the start of the stay-at-home order. Inventory changes daily as well as values, interest rates, and absorption rates.*

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 Reality of Real Estate: Buying a Home In an Uncertain Market – The TRUTH from Experienced Agents

April 16, 2020/in Reality of Real Estate /by Shauna Morris

First-time homebuyers often have many steps to take before owning a home. You’ll have conversations with family and friends who have been through the Reno real estate process and meet with Reno lenders and real estate agents that will help you find and pay for your home. If that wasn’t enough to have on your plate, experiencing a pandemic can add extra stress, but rest assured that your dream of owning your own home can still happen, but you may have to be flexible about how things work. Here are things that we’ve learned about buying in the current climate.

The market will rebound but it’s ultimately your situation that matters most.

The Reno market is strong and will always bounce back but ultimately, it’s your situation that matters the most when deciding to buy or sell. If you’re hesitant to jump into the market, we can assure you that real estate will always be essential. If this is a convenient time for you to buy a home, you’ve found some homes that you really like, you have job stability, and you can get financing at low rates, take advantage of this time and find your right home!

You may need more documentation for your lender.

There’s a lot of uncertainty about how the current times will affect the economy and the day-to-day lives of many people. Lenders may require more documents like verification from your employer that your job will be safe for the next year or proof that you have 12 months of mortgage payments in savings.

Everything is going virtual and being done over video.

Technology has evolved, and industries are evolving as well. Appraisals, document signings, and lawyer consultations are all being done virtually. Real estate professionals are also doing virtual walkthroughs of homes and video conferencing to talk about the buying process.

Schedule EVERYTHING far in advance.

If you were planning on donating your old couch to invest in a new sectional, you might have trouble finding places that will pick up your donations or even allow you to drop them off right now. Start planning for that now and try scheduling for drop off or pick up further in advance than you normally would.

Many service providers are very backed up, so you may experience lags in response times from painters, cleaners, and any other services you need to move into your new home and out of your old place. You’ll have to be flexible and communicate with many service providers about scheduling a date for them to work on your home. Fair warning: it may change, and it may be a later date than what you originally budgeted for.

Now, more than ever before, it’s important to have a trusted REALTOR® on your side to help you navigate the changing market, help you find trusted professionals to work with, and ensure that 2020 is your year to become a homeowner. Contact the David Morris Group at (775) 828-3292 to work with a team that knows the ins and outs of the Reno real estate market and has a trusted network of professionals to guide you through every step of the process.

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