Reno/Sparks Real Estate Report for October 2014
According to the Sparks Tribute, northern Nevada’s population is expected to grow dramatically.
In fact, the numbers are quite impressive. Experts believe that an incredible half a million people
will move into northern Nevada in just the next 20 years. The Nevada State Demographers
Office at the University of Nevada explains that a combination of strong tourism numbers and
the addition of Tesla’s new facilities will help spur this impressive growth. Sparks has seen
3,000 new residents in just the last 3 years!
All of this data points to the fact that real estate in the Reno/Sparks area has certainly rebounded
with home prices spiking by roughly 25% in the last eight months. The view by experts is that
now is the time to buy. This factor is due to the fact that it is possible to buy a new home or
condominium and enjoy a lower monthly payment than renting.
The median home price for Reno was level for June, July and August at $249,950; however, this
number dropped to $239,000 in September, which represents a 4% drop. It is important to note
that the median price for September 2014 is still up a full 6% compared to September 2013.
In terms of sales, September 2014 sales stood at 496; this number is down 14% compared to
August and down 3% when compared to September 2013. The important factor of new listings
also saw a drop. New listings were down 15% from August and down 6% from September 2013.
These numbers are not, however, unexpected. They are following seasonal trends.
The months of inventory remains favorable for sellers at 4.2 months supply. This means that if
you are looking to sell your home, you should be very pleased with the financial outcome.
¹http://www.dailysparkstribune.com/news/article_1639a560-58b7-11e4-8b98-3fc0e596154c.html
² http://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines/The-State-of-Real-Estate-Is-Now-The-Time-To-Buy278406111.html
Easy DIY Fixes Around the House
You’ve probably noticed by now that there is always
something around the house that needs a little
attention. Have you been putting those fixes off?
Well, you are not alone, as it can often be almost
impossible to find enough time to improve everything around the house that needs
it. Let’s take a look at a few easy DIY fixes that you can do any time you like.
Fix Up Number One-Paint
You don’t have to be Rembrandt to touch up paint around your home. Look for
peeling paint and then go to work. The time you spend on a weekend or evening
painting job could transform the look and feel of your home. A coat of paint can,
in short, do wonders. There is no reason that you can’t tackle painting yourself
with a very tiny budget!
Fix Up Number Two-Get the Lead Out
Older homes often have lead paint issues. Peeling paint can be an issue, and for
that reason you should periodically inspect your doors and windows for paint chips
and evidence of wear. Of course, painting over doors and windows can minimize
this problem. But if you see a great deal of wear and tear on doors and windows
and you live in an older house, seek professional advice. This suggestion is even
more important if you have small children.
Fix Up Number Three-Look for Energy Efficiency Issues
The time you invest to look at potential energy efficiency issues around your house
is time very well spent. Common areas for air leaks include windows and doors.
So consider taking some time to caulk and weather strip around your doors,
especially before cold weather hits!
Fix Up Number Four-Carpet Transformation
Many people recommend renting a carpet-cleaning machine to clean carpets. Skip
this advice, no really! Carpet cleaning machines are often very unsanitary. After
all, they are used to clean other people’s very dirty carpets!
Good quality carpet cleaning machines are actually cheap to purchase and pay for
themselves after just a few uses. By investing in a carpet cleaning machine and
then using it a few times a year, your carpets will not only look brighter and
cleaner, but will last longer as well.
Fix Up Number Five-Give Your Kitchen a Deep Cleaning
Would you believe that your kitchen countertop is likely to have more germs on it
than your toilet? Studies have shown that your kitchen countertops are one of the
grimiest spots in your home! You don’t have to use scary chemicals to get your
kitchen and your kitchen countertops clean either. Lemon juice in water is a great
cleaner and there are, of course, a range of natural cleaners and orange-based
cleaners that work as well. You don’t need industrial strength chemical cleaners to
tackle most household cleaning jobs.
These five easy DIY tips can do more than save you money, as they can save you
time, make your home more comfortable and even help protect your health.
There’s lot you can do around your home yourself; just remember to take on one
project at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed!