Home Prices Are Falling, but not in Reno

Leave a comment Stickyhollyodriscoll

Home prices are rising nearly everywhere due to record-low mortgage rates and a lack of homes for sale-except for these places where prices are falling.

Metros where home prices are fallingTony Frenzel for realtor.com

The median home price in Reno, NV has topped $500,000. While sellers rejoice at their potential profit, the increase baffles and depresses buyers. Northern Nevada’s housing market reflects a nationwide trend — city-dwellers fleeing high-priced areas and flocking to smaller cities, scooping up “affordable” homes, lowering the inventory, which raises prices. And so it goes. Not just here. Small and mid-sized cities nationwide are experiencing similar price jumps.

Nationally, home prices are up in just about every nook and cranny of the country, rising 15% year over year to a median $356,000 in January, according to realtor.com® list price data. The realtor.com data team discovered six places where home prices are actually falling. “Affordable” of course is relative.

Covid-19 factor Travel restrictions, job layoffs and overall economic decline put downward pressure on certain cities around the country. For those working for employers that will allow them to work from home, some of these “bargain” cities may be worth looking at to find a great home at a relatively bargain price. Realtor.com crunched the data for 250 metro areas to come up with a list of areas where home prices are falling.

OK, bargain hunters, here’s your chance! Here are the places where homes are actually getting cheaper. (At least by a bit.)

1. Destin, Florida

Median home list prices are down in the Destin, FL, metropolitan area.Roshan Patel / EyeEm/Getty Images

Median list price: $469,000
Median list price change: -15.6%

Located on the Florida Panhandle about 2.5 hours west of Tallahassee, Destin was hit hard by Hurricane Sally in September 2020. The storm caused massive flooding and beach erosion. Prior to that, Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection had already designated parts of the coastline “critically eroded” following other severe storms in the area.

The entire state also reported a significant drop in tourism last year, according to Visit Florida, the state’s official tourism marketing corporation, largely due to the pandemic. That’s all hurt the local housing market.

The Destin area has seen an increase in offseason tourism as parents and children are able to work and go to school remotely, Local buyers are flooding the market, but they’re looking for cheaper, single-family homes under $300,000. Competition for those homes is fierce, and they’re going quickly.

However, the market is saturated with condos, which is likely helping to drag median prices down. On the other end of the spectrum are the $1 million-plus homes that aren’t selling, according to Realtor.com

What it costs: Buyers who don’t mind a lack of beach access can purchase a  three-bedroom home with an enclosed patio and a heated pool for under $500,000.

2. Honolulu, Hawaii

Median list price: $975,000
Median list price change: -12.2%

Nearly $1 million for a home may not seem like a bargain, but homes in Hawaii are notoriously expensive. Covid restrictions, mandatory quarantining led to a 75-percent drop in tourism In December alone, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority. The result: Massive tourism-related job losses.

What it costs: a brand-new,  four-bedroom home with mountain views, a large veranda, and a rental property above the garage was listed for $899,000.

3. Bloomington, IL

Median list price: $117,000
Median list price change: -8.3%

A loss of manufacturing jobs, a curtailing of on-campus students at Illinois State University and the state’s relatively high tax structure have hurt home prices in Bloomington. Yet the city is fairly close to Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis, making it attractive to at-home workers or those who travel occasionally.

What it costs: A two-bedroom, with two updated bathrooms and a fenced-in yard in a historic neighborhood was listed for $119,900.

4. Erie, Pennsylvania

Median home list prices are down in the Erie, PA, metropolitan area, located on Lake Erie.DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

Median list price: $139,500
Median list price change: -3%

Weather challenges caused Erie experienced population declines even before Covid. Known as the snowiest town in Pennsylvania, it averages 100 inches of snowfall per year, thanks to its location on Lake Erie.

The local economy also took a hit in 2020 with job losses in the manufacturing and leisure and hospitality industries, which caused the area unemployment rate to rise to 7.8% in December.

What it costs: A completely renovated, move-in ready four bedroom home was listed for less than $160,000.

5. Shreveport, Louisiana

The downtown skyline in Shreveport, LASean Pavone / Getty Images

Median list price: $512,000
Median list price change: -2.6%

Shreveport is the second-largest tourist destination in Louisiana, behind New Orleans. COVID-19 related tourism drops led to layoffs at hotels and casinos, hurting local-buying ability. High crime rates in downtown Shreveport also hinder demand.

Still inventory here is tight. The area usually has around 3,000 homes on the market at a given time. Recently, it had 162, according to a local agent.

What it costs: A restored historic three-bedroom home with a renovated kitchen, wood floors, and Southern charm throughout for was listed for $479,000.

6. Terre Haute, Indiana

Median list price: $82,000
Median list price change: -1.5%

2020 was a tough year for Terre Haute, home of Indiana State University. Small businesses and manufacturing laid people off. . Enrollment at local universities plunged as classes moved online, and sporting events that normally bring in scores of tailgaters have been playing without fans. Sadly, violent crime rose 25 percent and opioid overdoes rose.

What it costs: A character home built in 1910 with three bedrooms, hardwood floors, an eat-in kitchen and a three-car garage was listed for $79,900.

This post is based on an article that first appeared on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®

Waiting until 2020 to buy a home may cost you — a lot

Leave a comment Stickyhollyodriscoll

Experts  in the economic development sector predict robust growth in Northern Nevada for years to come, with national companies continuing to migrate here, creating more jobs and putting more pressure on home prices. National commercial and home builders seem to agree — investing millions in land development, infrastructure and housing projects. Business people running these companies do their homework and focus on profits.  Their investments speak to Reno’s future.

What does that mean to the average resident? To me, it signals that home prices likely won’t drop significantly anytime “soon.”

The graphic below outlines the cost of waiting based on data from home sales across the nation. In Northern Nevada, very little sells below $200,000 — so add about $100,000 to these numbers. Waiting to buy a home could — and quite likely will — cost more in 2020.

What is your perspective? For the most up-to-date data on home sales in Northern Nevada, please email/contact me directly.

Holly O’Driscoll is Realtor at Chase International Real Estate (NV lic: s.176271)  and a freelance journalist and in Reno, NV.   Email her at hodriscoll@chaseinternational.com  phone: 775-850-5900.  

http://hollyodriscoll.chaseinternational.com/

National Trend Holds True in Reno

Leave a comment Stickyhollyodriscoll

Interesting article from Realtor Magazine points out that, nationally, neighborhood names have a certain cache’ — that can translate into cash for home buyers and sellers.

The article leverages data from Porch.com, which states that neighborhoods that include “Village,” “Hills,” and “Island” in their names report higher average incomes.

We see a few of those neighborhood names in Northern Nevada. Incline Village — an area knows for its luxury properties, comes to mind. The names vary considerably by state. In our area, I would put “Ranch” in the top five indicators: Caughlin Ranch, Rancharrah, Callahan Ranch, for example. The research doesn’t go town by town, rather it looked at the entire state.

Here’s a list of other “high value” names nationwide:

Porch researchers looked at the neighborhoods with the highest incomes and home values in each state. Read the full article here.

Holly O’Driscoll is a Realtor with Chase International Real Estate in Reno, NV. Contact: hodriscoll@chaseinternational.com or 775-850-5900. 

 

Drop in Reno Home Prices – a Trend or a Blip?

1 Comment February 23, 2023 hollyodriscoll

By Holly O’Driscoll

The real estate market in Northern Nevada changed in the past few months. The latest reports showing a drop in median home prices year over year, raising questions including: Why? What’s ahead? Will prices nosedive in 2023? Great questions! Let’s dig deeper.

Perspective

In our area, generally, prices tend to rise, then plateau. Nationally, home values rise an average of 4% to 6% a year over a 20 year period. Not every year, but over time. My research suggests Northern Nevada is in a plateau phase.

The Why

Economic and environmental factors.

• Rising interest rates on mortgages certainly worry buyers and definitely impacts their buying power. In the fall, many potential buyers pulled back, shocked at the change. Many sellers ignored this reality, thinking buyers would pay more. The result: Longer days on market, price negotiations and more homes selling for below initial list price.
• Reno’s had a tough winter. Snow nearly every weekend discouraged house hunters. I-80 often closed, cutting off a prime feeder market. People just haven’t been out and about looking for homes. Sellers who need to move, now negotiate and accept less than list price.

Spring, however, is coming. If history is any guide, as the trees start to bud, buyers will start looking again. They’ve had time to accept that 2.5-3.5 percent interest rates are gone and unlikely to return. We’re already seeing some properties — those in those in great locations, in decent to “perfect” condition and properly priced — get multiple offers. Several of my clients have been in multiple offer situations in the last month.

To me, all this suggests that today’s buyers are lucky. Sales activity often dips in winter. Annual data shows seasonal ups and down — December and January are low points, May through August tend to be the peak.

For those thinking the Reno real estate market is about to crash, I suggest viewing the EDAWN website and forecasts. The Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada relentlessly recruits businesses to move jobs here. Their successes are measured by the thousands of new jobs — and thousands of people who have moved here. Their mission continues. More jobs, more people will come. Companies from around the nation and the world now know this is a great place to work and live.

Fact

Homebuilding lags significantly behind the actual and projected growth. People who can work from anywhere are choosing Northern Nevada. The lifestyle, the economic benefits, the weather all beat much of the country. Retirees love this area too — partly for the zero income tax, low property tax and overall cost of living. It certainly beats many West Coast communities on housing costs. Conversely, folks from the Midwest and South experience sticker shock.

Chase International Real Estate recently released its 2022 year-end Real Estate Market Report which showed lower overall volume in sales (number of homes sold). Yet prices rose — in some neighborhoods prices jumped drastically in 2022.

Specifically, in Reno and Sparks, 13% fewer homes sold in 2022, yet the median price of those homes was up 10% from $480,000 to $535,000. To the east, Fernley saw comparable results. South of Reno in Carson City and the Carson Valley the number of homes sold dropped 9% and 16%, respectively, while prices rose 8% in Carson City and 5% in Carson Valley (Minden/Gardnerville).

Then a record-setting winter set in and interest rates climbed into the 7%- plus range. Ouch. Buyers stepped back further, and data shows that overall sales and prices took a hit.

Ahead

So what will the rest 2023 bring? I don’t have a crystal ball. From analysis by economists, fellow realtors and my own clients, I expect to see days on market (listing to closing times) shorten and prices to stop sliding and perhaps rise for many, but not all, properties. People still need places to live. They still want to build wealth over time through home ownership. Based on the number of multiple offers my Chase colleagues and I have seen in mid-February to mid mid March, the best “deals” for the next six months likely are homes currently on the market.

Verdict: The recent dip in median home price is likely a blip vs a trend.

Socially Distant house hunting in Reno

Video Leave a comment March 26, 2020 hollyodriscoll

Generally, furnished or staged homes homes look more inviting to home buyers. The right amount of furniture makes spaces seem larger. These days, with “social distancing” recommendations, touring vacant homes to buy seem less risky.

Buyers, and agents for that matter, worry about encountering Covid-19 germs in occupied homes. Sellers worry about unknown people bringing germs into their homes.

Yet, people still need to have a place to live. They need to relocate, sell, buy or rent, which is why real estate has been deemed an Essential Function in Nevada. The question becomes, how to make that happen as safely as possible.  Marketing has changed. I can’t do open houses during this time. Video offers another avenue.

Before listing 6269 Golden Meadow Road in Reno, I hired professionals to photograph it. I do this for every property I list — humble to luxurious. More than 95 percent of buyers start their search online, so photos mater.  You can see furnished photos of 6269 Golden Meadow here..  The photos show a nicely furnished property.    

Yet times have changed. The sellers of this home relocated — now it is empty.  Which just might be an advantage right now. So I made the video below.

Video offers another avenue to reach people stuck at home and, at this property, reassures buyers it is less risky to visit.

Facts about this home:

• 6269 Golden Meadow Road, Reno, NV 89519
• MLS #200003081.
• 2,645 Square Feet, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3-car garage
• Schools: Huffaker Elementary, Swope Middle, Reno High
• Price: $550,000

This property is available by appointment only. Call your Realtor to see it, or reach out directly to me at Chase International Real Estate in Reno, NV.  775-850-5900.

 

Holly O’Driscoll is a licensed Realtor at Chase International Real Estate, Reno, NV (NVL S.176271).  Website: hollyodriscoll.chaseinternational.com   Email: hodriscoll@chaseinternational.com  775-850-5900 

 

 

Get to Know Reno Fun Facts, Home Prices

Leave a comment July 15, 2019 hollyodriscoll

I love living in Reno. Trademarked as the Biggest Little City in the World” Reno has evolved from a rough and tumble frontier town into a modern city with diversity in lifestyles, businesses and economy. Named Reno 1868, farming, ranching gold and silver mining drove the economy.  In the 20th century, fame came from gaming, tourism and availability of “quickie divorces”.

Water Feature: The Truckee River runs through the center of downtown Reno.

These days, high-tech, distribution and creative companies broaden the job opportunities here. Major corporations, entrepreneurs and startup ventures have created 50,000 new jobs in the last 10 years. Yet, it is still a very livable city. Locals joke about our rush “15 minutes” of traffic in the morning and evening.

 

• Fun Fact: Originally called Lake’s Crossing due the toll bridge over the river, Reno was named for Civil War Union General Jesse Reno — who never actually visited this area.
• Fun Fact: On the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada at an elevation of 4,500 feet, Reno boasts an average of 250 to 300 days of sunshine annually. 
• Fun Fact: Reno has as many as a dozen “micro-climates,” meaning temperatures and rain and snowfall can vary widely from the wetter west side to the drier eastern edge.

I love being able to be on the ski in the morning then bike in the afternoon. People in the valley with south-facing driveways, rarely have to shovel snow!  Great free events, accessible music/plays special performances and an interesting array of restaurants. Here are a few of my favorite reasons for living here:

Culture and Sports  

Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada offer easy access to every sport imaginable — winter or summer. Special events abound. Some of the biggest:   

Take Flight: The Great Reno Balloon Races take place in September each year. 

Reno Rodeo, Hot August Nights and the National Championship Air Races. July is “Artown” — a month of music, arts and cultural happenings.

My favorite: The Great Reno Balloon Races in September.

 

Many special events center around or near the Truckee River.  The Truckee flows from Lake Tahoe east through downtown Reno, ending up at Pyramid Lake.

Downtown hosts minor league professional sports teams:  Aces baseball  and Reno 1868 FC USL soccer club both play at Greater Nevada Field.  Museums abound, including the Nevada Museum of Art, The Discovery science museum and the National Automobile Museum. Local music, arts, acting and singing organizations showcase local talent and draw national acts to Reno.   Parks, trails and recreation opportunities abound.

Education: Local high schools graduates attend universities, colleges and skilled trade programs throughout the country and the world — including top tier and Ivy League schools.  Some might argue that being from Reno helps get them noticed! In town schools include University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC).  Nearby: Western Nevada College in Carson City and Sierra Nevada College in Incline Village. UNR also has a medical school and nursing school. 

Business Opportunities

So much is happening here, this post would be out of date the minute it goes live. Economic development organizations from the state, regional and city levels coordinate efforts to diversify the business base in every community. Non-profit groups, venture capitalists and business incubators support entrepreneurs in all stages of development and growth. The goal: Jobs creation. It is working. These efforts interesting people with creative minds and incredible drive to northern Nevada. Learn more at EDAWN.org

• Lesser-Known Fun Events:  Discovery Museum and the Nevada Museum of Art and the hold “adult only” nights throughout the year. Both offer terrific opportunities to mix, mingle and see the e
  

  Hit the Slopes: Sky Tavern teaches children to ski in a weekends-only program each winter.

  xhibits.

• Unique Sport Opportunity: Sky Tavern Junior Ski Program — volunteer run, weekends only, just for local children to learn to ski at a very reasonable price. In summer, Sky Tavern runs ropes and bike programs. Unique to this area.

Full disclosure: I am a Realtor. This blog is on a real estate website, so here’s the scoop on housing:  Home prices are on the rise — especially in the entry-level price bracket.

Real Estate Prices for Homes sold from January – June 2019

• Sold Single-family Homes:  2002
• Median price (half sold for more/half sold for less): $400,000
• Lowest price $75,000
• Highest price: $4.5 million

What does $400,000 buy? Here’s a look at the stats from homes that sold for $395,000 – $405,000:

• Smallest: A 952-square-foot home built in 1947 with 2 bedrooms, 1 bath and a 1-car garage, located in the popular Old Southwest near downtown.
• Largest: A 2,881-square foot home built in 2005 with 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2-car garage in the Clear Acre Lane area north of McCarran Boulevard
• Middle size: 1,900 square feet, 3-bedrooms, 2-baths, 2-car garage in at least six different neighborhoods.

Next blog: Inside scoop on Sparks!

 

Holly O’Driscoll of Chase International Real Estate, is a Realtor, journalist and entrepreneur.  NV. License# S.0176271.

Website: http://hollyodriscoll.c.chaseinternational.com/

Wonder what your house might sell for? Click here to check value of any address in the USA at this link Have a question about living here or about real estate?  Send an email:  hodriscoll@chaseinternational.com

Will Reno’s “Crazy” Growth Continue?

Leave a comment February 26, 2019 hollyodriscoll

Reno, Nevada expects 50,000 new jobs in the region in the next five years.

By Holly O’Driscoll 

Worried home prices and growth in Reno will crash? Many people seem to be. I have clients who think prices are too high and want to wait for the next downturn before purchasing a home.

Advice from the economic development and building experts: Don’t!

Growth of jobs and population in Reno/Sparks outpaced the “crazy” projections in the last five years — and those who study the numbers say the next five years will be more of the same.

Citing data from the Economic Planning Indicators Committee (EPIC Report), Aaron West, CEO of the Nevada Builders Alliance, contends Reno, Sparks, Carson City and surrounding communities are in for a wild ride and long-term growth in home prices and availability.

Growth is outpacing the “crazy” predictions

Some of the EPIC statistics and projections, West shared at a recent recent Residential Real Estate Council meeting include:

• From 2014-2020 (a five-year span) the region was projected to add 52,400 jobs.

• The reality: by the end of 2018, there were 58,400 new jobs in the region!

That’s more than 10,000 jobs per year — and we have a year to go on that projection. 

What about the next 5 years? 

That growth trend is expected to continue for the next five years, West said.

• At that pace, this area will have 50,000 more jobs by 2024.

That means more than 100,000 jobs will have been created in this area between 2014 and 2024. Each “job” is estimated to add 2.3 people to the area (spouses, children, extended family). 

Crazy right? That’s not all: Retirees are moving here in huge numbers. Many sell their outlandishly-valued California homes. They come — and buy here for cash. 

When we marvel that home prices in Reno have jumped by 10+ percent year over year, this is why. 

This is basic supply and demand economics. All those newcomers have to live somewhere — construction of new housing has NOT kept up.  

To further support the job-growth projections, take a look at the industrial/commercial side of the equation:

• In 2018, nearly 2.4 million square feet of industrial space was added to the region.
• Another 4 million square feet is in the works for 2019.

Does that sound like a recession is coming? No. Big businesses are investing here. They will need workers. 

Facts:

• Nevada has a much friendlier business climate in terms of regulations and costs than many surrounding states.
• Nevada has an incredible personal tax advantages over neighboring states (No income tax, no inheritance tax, no estate tax).
• While housing costs in Nevada are rising, elsewhere on the West Coast is much worse.

Conclusion: If you want to move up, do it soon! Prices are unlikely to fall, and with more people arriving monthly, competition will heat up for the best available properties.

For more information on this topic see the Epic Report produced by the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN)

Holly O’Driscoll is a Realtor (R) with Chase International Real Estate in Reno. Contact her at hodriscoll@chaseinternational.com

A Super Month in Reno Real Estate

Leave a comment October 1, 2018 hollyodriscoll

One of the things I like best about my job as a Realtor in Reno: Helping people across the life spectrum realize their real estate goals.

In the last month I had four terrific transactions that illustrate this.

Lifetime achievement

After owning a lovely home on 2.5 acres with a spectacular view off Lakeside Drive in Southwest Reno for nearly 30 years, my clients decided to downsize. They purchased this property in the 1980s. The home offers timeless design with vaulted, beamed ceilings, large rooms — and an unbeatable view. They also decided to sell the 2.5-acre undeveloped lot next door, which they bought to protect their view. The combined list price topped $1.6 million.

These two properties went on the market in mid-July, accompanied by a strong marketing campaign that included regional, national and international exposure. I also held numerous open houses.

In just over a month, the sellers accepted an offer for 99% of list price for both properties from one buyer. The two properties closed 76 days after being listed.

That’s an interesting statistic. Comparable resale properties priced at $1 million or more in Reno this year took 210 days to close and sold for about 94% of list price.

Several factors helped this sale: A home in excellent condition, a desirable location and proper pricing. Each played a key role in delivering value to the sellers for their long-term investment.

A word to open house skeptics: The buyers came through the open house “just to see it.” They fell in love with it and knew it was “their home.” Never discount the value of hosting an open house!

 

 

Working from Home 

Some Realtors shun working with buyers. Not me. Relocation is a specialty. As a journalist writing about real estate, economic development, schools, neighborhoods and special events for 15-plus years I know the nuances and micro-neighborhood characteristics of nearly every corner of Northern Nevada. I use the knowledge I’ve gained to match buyers with properties that fit their wants and needs.

This month, a couple relocating here from Arizona chose me to negotiate the purchase of their ideal home in the Wingfield Springs area of Sparks. The $449,900 property had everything they wanted — including no backyard neighbors and great mountain views.

Wingfield Springs, a master planned community in Spanish Springs Valley north of Reno-Sparks.

Telecommuters and consultants like these buyers choose to base themselves in Northern Nevada for numerous reasons, including:

• Taxes: Nevada’s lack of income tax gives them an instant raise
• Location: Set at the base of the Sierra Nevada, finding outdoor adventure means opening the front door. World-class skiing, biking, off-roading, hiking, kayaking take mere minutes to access. Plus, it’s easy to get to and from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
• Weather: Four seasons, combined with more than 300 days of sunshine a year, is tough to beat.
• Affordability: Californians — and those from high property tax states — are amazed at what their housing dollars can buy here. People moving from the Midwest or the South, are shocked at housing costs. The prices are somewhat offset by lack of income tax and relatively low property tax. For many new Nevadans the price vs less tax may balance out.

First-time Buyers 

This month, I helped a lovely family finally close on their first home. They found their dream home in the Cold Springs neighborhood about 18 miles from downtown Reno. The house needs some updating, but they bought a 2,700-square-foot home that works for their family for $293,000.

Cold Springs — an area of moderately priced homes about 25 minutes from downtown.

This transaction had many “hiccups” along the way right up until the morning they signed. It nearly didn’t close, but thanks to a truly dedicated team that included the lender, the escrow company, the listing agent and me, it came together. A day late — but it happened because none of us gave up. The family could not be more grateful, and it is truly satisfying to deliver the key to people who worked so hard to become home owners.

Many people struggle to buy their first home. Income, credit score, job history all play into qualifying for a mortgage. Finding a lender that offers a “road to home ownership”  and a loan officer willing to take on complex loans is key.  In Nevada, people with moderate incomes qualify for various financial grant programs, rural housing loans and other incentive programs to help buy a home.

Across the price spectrum

Sellers and buyers hire Realtors to protect and promote their real estate wants, needs and goals. That’s more complex than many people realize. Negotiating happens at every stage  — not just on price and contract terms, but throughout the process with inspectors, repair people, lenders, escrow and title officers. Many transactions have at least one serious challenge, when one side or the other (sometimes both) get s angry or disappointed at some aspect of the process. Emotions run high when money is on the line. Staying calm and finding a way to satisfy both sides to reach a win-win solution takes patience, skill and determination.  It’s the best job I have ever had.

Holly O’Driscoll is a Realtor with Chase International Real Estate in Reno, Nevada. You can reach her at hodriscoll@ChaseInternational.com or 775-850-5900. 

Visit her real estate website https://hollyodriscoll.chaseinternational.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bikes and Blackbirds in South Reno

Leave a comment June 1, 2018 hollyodriscoll

South Reno bike trails edge wildlife-filled wetlands in Damonte Ranch offering a lovely alternative to street or mountain rides. Developers and planners built more than five miles of paved paths around huge swaths of marsh areas that today host such a broad array of birds that would pique the interest of the most ardent Audubon Society member.

Just a few years ago this area was mostly swampy marsh. Track team members from nearby Damonte Ranch High School would refer to it as “the pond run” through dirt paths, jumping from stone to stone to avoid mud holes.  My (now adult) twins still talk about their teammate who insisted on running with his phone — only to drop it into the marsh.

Today, the area is nearly built out with homes and condos with planned sitting areas and numerous accesses to the various neighborhoods.

In the last week we have twice ridden our bikes along what is officially called the Damonte Ranch Wetlands Loop.

Tweets, chirps and distinctive trills fill the air. Birds ranged from a flock of eight Pelicans, to dozens of Redwing Blackbirds. Photographers bring their large lenses to zoom in on at least a dozen different (and to me unusual) avian visitors. We’ve seen swans, hawks, several species of ducks, maybe an ibis? I am not a bird expert. If you are, you will be happy on this trail.

For those seeking a peaceful escape from the desert, take note: there’s not a sagebrush or rabbit brush plant along the route.

Mature trees shade seating areas, with flowers edging the shady areas. Looking across the marshes, it’s easy to ignore the many homes and condo complexes that edge the various paved paths.

A bike or walk can be anywhere from three miles to 10 miles on gently undulating terrain. It’s not completely flat, but there really aren’t hills.

Bike lanes line every major roadway in South Reno, making it ideal for the casual rider, and each new subdivision seems to include more trails. This loop is nice because it is not a “street” ride — we couldn’t even hear traffic.

Above it all, the snow-capped Sierra rises to the west offering a spectacular contrast between blue sky, majestic mountains and serene waterscapes.

Googling “bike trails in Reno” seems to focus on mountain bike trails and trails at Lake Tahoe. The Damonte Ranch Bike Loop didn’t even come up, perhaps because it is more suitable for casual cyclists and families with young riders. It’s not a great place for “serious” street cyclists. Visitors can park at Damonte Ranch Park along Steamboat Parkway, then head south across the grass to access the trails.

What birds have you seen here? Do you have a favorite bike trail/walking path? Tell me about it!

Holly O’Driscoll, has lived in Reno for more than 20 years. She is a Realtor with Chase International Real Estate in Reno, Nevada. 

Rain in Reno? It happens — once in while

Leave a comment May 25, 2018 hollyodriscoll

Rain in Reno rarely lasts more than an hour or so. A two-three hour soaking is considered unusual. Residents love the occasional thunderstorm. Moisture in the air produces fabulous rainbows.

So far, in May of 2018 we’ve had a showers nearly every day for two weeks. Highly unusual for this high-desert oasis — and I love it!

The foothills to the Sierra have a green hue. Plants burst to life, lawns look quenched. My flower beds and tomato plants are in heaven.

All too soon we’ll segue into summer — clear hot days and cool clear nights. For now, though, the gray skies contrast nicely with happy green trees. When the sun bursts from the clouds: it’s magic.

Rain brings back memories of my mom singing to us, dancing around and stomping in puddles — generally making rainy days fun. Some tunes from childhood include:

• I Love a Rainy Night by Eddie Rabbit.
• Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head by BJ Thomas and
• Have you Ever Seen The Rain by Credence Clearwater Revival.

Then there’s the most classic of all: Singing in the Rain

Reno boasts about 300+ days of sunshine as a major reason to move here. Some of the other 65 days include snowy days, just clouds. My two cents: Enjoy the rain while it lasts!

Do you have a favorite song about weather? A story about a fun rain event? Please share!!

Holly O’Driscoll is a Realtor with Chase International Real Estate in Reno. Reach her at hodriscoll@chaseinternational.com or 775-850-5900.