Reno, Nevada Triple-A Baseball team naming contest! Name That Team Contest! Reno's new Triple-A baseball team  has unveiled a contest to name the new team! The new ballpark is scheduled to open in April, 2009.  The park will provide seating for 10,000 people and will offer a picnic area and a children's play area. A great place for the entire family. The Reno based team will begin play in the Pacific Coast League, a 16-team league that stretches from Portland to Nashville. If you would like to submit a name for this new team, or would like more information, go to www.goldenbaseball.com . The winner of this contest will receive two season tickets for next year. Thanks for reading! Please feel free to email me any questions or suggestions regarding this team. I will be happy to forward yo... 05/06/2008

A 31% increase in the month-over-month number of homes sold in April stands out as the big news this month.  I, as well as many agents in my office, can attest to the increase in client activity lately.  These numbers seem to support our perception.The median sold price also increased for April, with a noteworthy gain 3.5% over March.  This market has not seen a month-over-month increase of that magnitude for quite some time.  See the complete report here. 05/05/2008

While writing my last post it occurred to me that also tracking closings per type of  “special condition of sale” would be an interesting exercise. As of today our MLS is showing 4,305 listings [Reno-Sparks residential]. Breaking out these by the new “Special Condition of Sale” field yields: "Special Conditions of Sale" Reno-Sparks Residential Listings April 24, 2008 "Special Condition of Sale" # % Bank Owned 409 9.5 Relocation 20 0.5 Short Sale 503 11.7 Subject to Court Approval 24 0.6 Other 273 6.3 None 2,869 66.6 Not yet specified 207 4.8 total 4,305 100.0 Just as I plan to do with the Pendings tracked in my last post, I will monitor these listings for 30, 60 and 90 days and report on how many have closed. My goal is to get a handle on the types of sales that have a higher propensity... 04/28/2008

Hi Northern Nevada Neighbors,      This is a new feature of my Active Rain Localism blog -- a place for local folks to read about my listings that have sold!  This was a fabulous 13 year old home in a great neighborhood.  At 2,241 sq. ft., with 4-bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, this was perfect for the purchasing family.  This home had a 3 car garage, all the specialty rooms a family could want, a fenced yard, patio/balcony, deck, and cathedral ceilings -- plus the great Rasner-Yacenda price in the "Market that's Not Supposed to be Very Good!"  Check it out, you'll be impressed what this buyer found among my listings!  And remember: I HAVE THE LISTINGS THAT SELL BECAUSE I HAVE GREAT BUYS!http://www.terryrasner.com/custompages_propdetail.php?id=129692Property Location2261 Almond Creek DriveRen... 04/27/2008

Hi Northern Nevada Neighbors,      This is a new feature of my Active Rain Localism blog -- a place for local folks to read about my listings that have sold!  This is an incredible third of an acre property on which sits a 2,209 sq. ft. 4-bedroom house.  This was a great 29 year old home with a 3+ car garage, all the specialty rooms a family could want, a spa/hot tub, boat/RV parking, courtyard and fenced yard -- plus, plus, plus, and at a great price in the "Market that's Not Supposed to be Very Good!"  Check it out, you'll be impressed what this buyer found among my listings!  And remember: I HAVE THE LISTINGS THAT SELL BECAUSE I HAVE GREAT BUYS!http://www.terryrasner.com/custompages_propdetail.php?id=129688Property Location3385 Thornhill DriveReno, Nevada  89509Listing ID: 145  click... 04/25/2008

Having just experienced yet another “pending” short sale fall out of escrow, I am wondering if these “transactions in limbo” can really be considered as Pending.  With no meaningful time lines given by the lenders who are supposed either approve or not approve a pending offer on a "short sale"; days, weeks and even months pass before the prospective buyers finally give up out of frustration and move on to another property. Almost every agent (and their clients) who has dealt with a short sale transaction has experienced the same frustrations.  Even the approval time frames set by the lenders themselves become a moving target.  With extension after extension after extension demanded by the banks during the course of the "approval" process, it is no wonder Buyers lose patience and look el... 04/24/2008

Hi Northern Nevada Neighbors,      This continues to be a popular feature of my Active Rain Localism blog -- a place for local folks to read about my listings, and incredible deals.  This is a forty-three year old property in the Reno Southeast area.  The single-story home has 1,527 sq. feet of living space, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a 2 car garage, and boat/RV parking.  Extras like a patio, fenced yard, fireplace, laminate flooring, and more -- plus, it backs undeveloped land!  Review the lot's features, and then follow the link below to photos and more information.  Check it out, you'll be impressed!Check out my real estate home page for more information on this property!Property Location4680 Persimmon RoadReno, Nevada  89502Listing ID: 149  click for directions  DESCRIPTION Single Family ... 04/18/2008

Hello, One of the things I like to post here for other real estate agents to view are recent enhancements I make to my site.  You may want to consider doing something like this to your site to help visitors... I recently completed a feature which allows a site visitor to easily search/browse real estate listings by any zip code in the Reno-Tahoe region which I serve.  Each zip code has a different page with all active listings available for browsing by price ranges. If someone wants to search with more criteria, they can use the standard MLS search (by zip code) or city name, etc. with a range of other fields to search from. Take it for a spin - try the Greater Reno-Tahoe Real Estate by Zip Code or an individual page like Reno Zip Code 89523. Any feedback is certainly welcome.  MitchRen... 04/16/2008

Units sold are up for the second consecutive month in Reno Sparks; with March sales showing a 8.2% increase over February units sold. Unfortunately the number of houses for sale increased 2.8% during the same period.  To put real numbers to the percentages:  March saw an additional 111 homes added to the market with only an additional 18 homes sold.  High inventory remains the core issue in the market.Median asking price increased while median sold price declined to a new low of $262,000.See all the data here. 04/16/2008

Today is National Start! Walking Day…at least according to the American Heart Association.  I saw the article in this morning’s RGJ Neighborhood & Voices section.  While I believe in the benefits of walking (or most exercise, for that matter), what I found most interesting were the stats quoted for Reno’s commute times. •  Reno's median commute time: 15.6 minutes •  Percent of the Reno population with a commute that is 45 minutes or longer: 5.8 percent •  Percent of the Reno population that walks or bikes to work: 6 percent. Coming from Chicago, I find these commute times extraordinarily short. The RGJ article quoted the source of these stats as CNNMoney.com’s “Best Places To Live”, so checked out the site. You’ll find plenty of info here on the best US cities in which to live, but here... 04/16/2008

Hi Northern Nevada Neighbors,      This continues to be a popular feature of my Active Rain Localism blog -- a place for local folks to read about my listings, and incredible deals.  This is a smokin' hot deal -- it won't last long!  The house is only 13 years old, and at 2,241 sq. ft. of living space, with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, a 3+ car garage, and extras like a variety of cool indoor features and extras like a breakfast bar, walk-in closets, fireplace, laundry room, cathedral ceilings and more.  Review the lot's features, and then follow the link below to photos and more information.  Check it out, you'll be impressed!Check out my real estate home page for more information on this property!Property Location2261 Almond Creek DriveReno, Nevada  89523Listing ID: 146  click for directions ... 04/13/2008

Are you curios to find out if there is a sex offender in your neighborhood?  Visit http://www.familywatchdog.us/  I typed in my office address, and I was relieved to find out that there are only two registered offenders in the entire 89523 zip.  This is a good website to forward to your clients.  Catherine T. Sinocruz, e-Pro, ABR, GRI, CRS  Broker-Salesperson"Fluent in English & Tagalog"www.CatherineNevadaHomes.com ~ Homes for Saleinfo@CatherineNevadaHomes.com ~ Stay in TouchPrudential Nevada Realty1675 Robb Drive, Suite 6Reno, NV  89523(775) 338-3757 Mobile Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by ActiveRain and its members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of Catherine T. Sinocruz of Prudential Nevada Realty.  Catherine T. Sinocruz and Prudent... 04/08/2008

Hi Northern Nevada Neighbors,      This continues to be a popular feature of my Active Rain Localism blog -- a place for local folks to read about my listings, and incredible deals.  This is a hot hot hot property that will go fast!  The house is old, but full of opportunities and features.  The home has 2,309 sq. feet of living space, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, a 3+ car garage, and extras like a spa/hot tub, fireplace, harwood floors, laundry room, and more.  Review the lot's features, and then follow the link below to photos and more information.  Check it out, you'll be impressed!Check out my real estate home page for more information on this property!Property Location3385 Thornhill DriveReno, Nevada  89509Listing ID: 145  click for directions  DESCRIPTION Single Family Property, Area: Ren... 04/04/2008

It is my business practice to give a client something nice after we close escrow. It is usually something nice that they can proudly display. Depending on their price range of their sale, I have given artwork, wall iron décor, candle holders, DVD player, silk plants, etc. My thought is that it can be conversation starter during a party, and my clients would mention that it's from me.    Our success also depends on the competence of our coop agents.  Our coop agent also deserves some sort of gratitude.  My coop agent usually receives a handwritten thank you card, and a $20 gift card to Office Depot after our pleasant transaction.Picture below was provided by my talented friend Ken Terry (775) 772-7031. Check out my other blogs for more photos of Reno, NV.Motocross in Reno, NVWhat do you ... 03/29/2008

Prudential Financial, in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, sponsors a nationwide awards program to honor young Americans who care about their communities. Thousands of young people across the country were considered for Prudential Spirit of Community Awards this year, and from all of these, two in Nevada have been selected for this special recognition ~ one middle level student and one high school student.This year's state honoree is Christine Koski. Christine collected more than 1,000 new and gently used books for disadvantaged children and families in her community. Christine distributed promotional flyers, and then decorated donation boxes around schools, churches, and libraries.  Christine sorted the books they received into age appropriate ca... 03/22/2008

Hi Northern Nevada Neighbors,      This is a YET ANOTHER NEW FEATURE of my Active Rain Localism blog -- a place for local folks to read about SIGNIFICANT PRICE REDUCTIONS ON VERY HOT PROPERTIES!  Here's the most awesome deal ever!  Right on the Challenge Course at ArrowCreek, a near new 4-bedroom home with a detached casita.  Truthfully, this is a deal that won't last long.  My husband plays the Challenge Course and calls it one of the finest "base-of-the-mountain courses in the area.  ArrowCreek has a semi-private golf club, recreation center, health club workout facility over 24/7 all year long, and a country club for dining and social events.  Great community; great price!  Check out my Real Estate Home Page for more information!      THIS MILLION DOLLAR HOME IS NOW PRICED AT $899,00... 03/21/2008

Hi Northern Nevada Neighbors,      This continues to be a popular feature of my Active Rain Localism blog -- a place for local folks to read about my listings, and incredible deals.  This is a knock-your-socks-off property in one of the areas top golf resort communities -- ArrowCreek!  The house is five years old, and sits on a corner lot that's 1.27 acres.  The home has 3,847 sq. feet of living space, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, a 3+ car garage, and the extras go on and on!  In addition to the community services (e.g., golf club option, recreation, tennis, pool, fitness club, and walking trails), this home has incredible mountain views and is high above the valley floor nestled away at the entrance to a prestigious cul-de-sac.  Review the lot's features, and then follow the link below to ph... 03/16/2008

More importantly, how negotiable are prices in the current Reno real estate market?  Even though the Reno median home price is down 21% from its peak in 2005 (single family only - no condos, manufactured homes, etc.), the amount sellers are parting with is still not that much more than in 2005.  In 2005, the % of SOLD PRICE to LIST PRICE was 98%.  So far, year to date the same metric is 95.1%.  While 3% is a meaningful number (especially to real estate agents), it is far less than what most consumers would expect to see for "dealings" with a market like the current. Jump on over to see the most recent Reno homes sold prices (Feb. 2008) and the % each sold for compared to list price. If interested in other cities near Reno, visit this link. Mitch 03/14/2008

Would you please explain to me step by step as to how can I embed Scribd to my blog in AR?  I tried copying and pasting their HTML tags but it comes out as just bunch of HTML tags.  Yes, I did paste in HTML tab.  What did I miss?Lake Tahoe  AR is filled with bunch of intelligent people.  I am sure I can get some help in resolving this.  Thank you!! :-)  Catherine T. Sinocruz, e-Pro, ABR, GRI, CRS  Broker-Salesperson"Fluent in English & Tagalog"http://www.catherinenevadahomes.com/ ~ Homes for Saleinfo@CatherineNevadaHomes.com ~ Stay in TouchPrudential Nevada Realty1675 Robb Drive, Suite 6Reno, NV  89523(775) 338-3757 Mobile Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by The Active Rain Network and its members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of Cather... 03/14/2008

Ever want to get the straight facts about what is really happening in the local Reno real estate market?  No spin (well, I may have some negative spin - which is really reality) - just numbers.Jump on over and visit my recent blog posting on the Reno real estate market - updated for March inventory and February, 2008 sold transaction data.While you are at it, you may want to think about subscribing to The Greater Reno-Tahoe Real Estate Report.  This report has all of the content behind each blog post (but with color charts showing the last 24 month trends by month and the last 5 years annually!). Let me know what you think!Mitch Argon 03/13/2008