How do we know our Reno community is growing?  The influx of traffic in various ways offers a good indication.  Thanks to the Tesla gigafactory and several tech businesses, more and more people have made Reno their home.  As of today, JetBlue links Reno to Long Beach with new non-stop flights.JetBlue Links Reno to Long BeachThat's right.  Flights into Southern California just got a little easier.  JetBlue links Reno to Long Beach with non-stop flights out of the Reno-Tahoe International Airport.  Allegiant Air, American, United and Southwest all offer direct flights to LAX.  Southwest also currently provides direct flights to Oakland.  But JetBlue is the first airline to bring passengers from Reno to the smaller Long Beach airport.  Located a half hour from LAX, the Long Beach Airport g... 08/15/2016

Renewable energy, aka "green energy", has been an expanding field for the past several years.  Tesla brought this to the forefront of our Reno community when they broke ground on their gigafactory.  The Reno green industry has grown even more now thanks to the Apple solar farm located to the southeast of our city. The Reno Green IndustryReduction of dependency on fossil fuels means less use of toxic chemicals and more dependence on clean power.  This reduces the harm caused to our planet.  Fossil fuels are limited resources.  Green energy, on the other hand, can be renewed over and over again.  The Reno green industry just took another leap into the future with Apple's announcement this morning that they have been approved to sell power created through their Apple Energy LLC company to ... 08/08/2016

Just last week, Elon Musk made a trip out to the Tesla gigafactory located just outside our Reno community.  He took reporters on a tour of the massive structure housing Tesla's battery manufacturing plant.  In regards to employment, Tesla announced more Reno workers are needed than originally expected. Tesla Announced More Reno Workers Are NeededThat's right.  Tesla announced more Reno workers are needed than original estimates suggested.  Instead of the 6,000 jobs Musk's company believed necessary to complete their vision, he told reporters that they are expecting to employ as many as 10,000 non-construction workers inside the plant by 2019/2020.  That makes the job fair that took place in Reno on July 23rd even more important.  I hope you attended.  You might have an even better chan... 08/01/2016

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), more commonly known as drones, are no longer utilized strictly for the military.  Many companies have been looking into how to integrate drones in our everyday lives.  Flirtey proves that they are on the cutting edge of this technology.  Their efforts paid off when a Reno Resident was the first FAA approved drone delivery recipient in the US recently.Reno Resident Was the First FAA Approved Drone Delivery RecipientHow was a Reno resident the first FAA approved drone delivery recipient in the USA?  Flirtey teamed up with 7-Eleven and the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems (NIAS).  They selected two different customers as their test subjects in honor of 7-Eleven's 89th birthday.  The delivery process included risk assessment, a special flight planning ... 07/25/2016

The Reno/Sparks Association of REALTORS® recently released their Reno June 2016 Home Sales Market Report.  Year-over-year sales decreased slightly.  However, prices saw a double digit increase.  Inventory levels came down as well.Reno June 2016 Home Sales Market ReportThe median price for a single-family Reno area home sold in June 2016 was $311,600, an 11% increase from the same time last year.  This marked the fourth year in a row that we have seen year-over-year gains in June.  The $179/square foot price marks an 11.9% increase from June 2015.  The entire second quarter average price for an existing Reno home was $320,027, 9% higher than last year.  Condo/townhome sales saw a huge surge in prices (45%) for the second quarter of 2016, ending at an average of $192,500.  The average pri... 07/18/2016

Unless you've been living under a rock, you have most likely heard about Tesla's gigafactory located in the nearby Sparks community. They began production in their facility last year. The company now has several open positions available in their battery factory. To fill them, Tesla will be hosting a Reno Job Fair on Saturday, July 23rd.What: Tesla Hosts Reno Job FairWhere: Reno Town Mall (4001 S Virginia)When: Saturday, July 23rd, 2016Contact: Nevada JobConnect Career Center (775) 284-9600Tesla Hosts Reno Job FairElectric car manufacturing giant Telsa will be hosting a Reno job fair in a couple of weeks. However, this is not an open call. Anyone interested in attending must obtain an invitation ahead of time. At the Tesla job fair, potential employees will receive information on the spe... 07/11/2016

Back in May of last year, I first spoke about new rules going into effect regarding home loan paperwork.  The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau wanted to streamline the process to make it easier for Buyers to understand.  Thus, TRID was born.  But what have been the TRID effects on Reno Buyers since its inception in October 2015?  Buyers have come away with both positive and negative experiences so far.TRID Effects on Reno Buyers Since Its InceptionOne of the positive TRID effects on Reno Buyers has been that the paperwork has indeed gotten a bit easier to understand.  A Loan Estimate form must be provided to the Buyer within three days of applying.  Also, Buyers must be provided with a Closing Disclosure form which clearly states all the fees, terms and estimated closing costs a Buy... 07/05/2016

The Meadowood Mall Reno welcomes sporting goods giant "Dick's" into the fold.  As part of its continuing efforts to update and diversify, Meadowood Mall has struck an agreement with Dick's Sporting Goods to add a 50,000 square foot store onto the south side of Meadowood.  The store is expected to open for business within the last quarter of 2016.Meadowood Mall RenoWhen this new store opens at Meadowood Mall Reno, it will be Dick's third Nevada location.  This will also be the only store in Northern Nevada.  The other two locations are both in Las Vegas. This marks the latest bid from Meadowood Mall Reno's owners, the Simon Property Group, to breathe new life into the mall.  Online shopping took a major bite out of brick and mortar stores in the last several years.  Malls are no exceptio... 06/27/2016

Back in April, I talked about two midtown Reno real estate developments that were set to be opened up later this year.  Completion of one of these, the 1401 Midtown Reno development, is just weeks away.1401 Midtown RenoS3 Development Company purchased the property at 1401 Midtown Reno a year and a half ago.  Heritage Bank of Nevada used to call it home.  Renovation of the 9000 square foot bank building is currently underway, with plans for an additional 12,000 square feet to be added to it.  The 21,000 square foot finished product will house offices, retail space, a restaurant and residential units.S3 Development isn't the only organization excited about the mixed-use development at 1401 Midtown Reno.  The City actively encourages companies to come in and renovate existing buildings rat... 06/20/2016

June is a wonderful month here in our Reno community.  The weather is just starting to warm up but has yet to get unbearable.  The kids are out of school.  And, the 2016 Reno Farmers Markets are open for business.2016 Reno Farmers MarketsBelieve it or not, there are still small-time farmers in our country that have passed down their agricultural knowledge from generation to generation.  You can support them by being a patron of the 2016 Reno Farmers Markets.What: Summit Farmers Market Where: The Summit Mall (13925 S Virginia St) When: Every Tues & Sat through Oct 1, 2016, 9am to 2pm Contact: Shirley's Farmers' Markets (775) 853-7800 or via emailThe Summit Farmers Market offers grass-fed beef, free-range chickens, farm fresh eggs and so much more.  Want some fresh pasta for dinner but do... 06/13/2016

Do you hear that?  There's a low rumble headed our way.  It's the sound of thousands of motorcycles headed to our Reno community.  It's time to shake off the winter blues with a bit of fun in the sun.  The Reno Street Vibrations 2016 Spring Rally hits town this weekend.  You don't have to be a motorcycle rider to enjoy what the Spring rally has to offer either.What: Reno Street Vibrations 2016 Spring RallyWhere: Based in Downtown RenoWhen: June 3-5, 2016Admission: FREEContact: Roadshows Reno (775) 329-7469Reno Street Vibrations 2016 Spring RallyThe Reno Street Vibrations 2016 Spring Rally takes all the fun of the week long Fall Rally and squeezes it into just one weekend.  The rally is an equal-opportunity host.  They welcome all models of motorcycles: Harleys, Hondas, BMWs, Indian, Yam... 05/31/2016

Home building in our Reno community has hit a record high in almost a decade.  With the increase in new construction, this has brought home prices into question.  Some Buyers are finding it harder and harder to get an affordable home.  Low supply and high demand means higher prices for everyone.  It's time to look at the Reno real estate market: availability vs affordability.Reno Real Estate Market: Availability vs AffordabilityNew Reno construction was at 26% for the first three months of this year, making it the biggest first quarter since 2007.  Clearly, builders have a renewed confidence in the Reno real estate market.  More demand and job opportunities available from corporations relocating to the Reno area have Buyers looking for homes to occupy.  Can supply keep up with demand?  ... 05/16/2016

Always In Style ~ Wood floors will complement any decor in this updated 1134 sq. ft. home on.14 acre lot in Old NW Reno. Preparing a meal would be a pleasure in the sunny kitchen with granite counter, stainless steel appliances, under cabinet lighting, and garden window. Get cozy in the living room with gas log fireplace and Hunter Douglas shutters. This charming home also features an office that can easily converted back to third bedroom. Close to schools, downtown, and shopping.     05/13/2016

According to research done by the Reno Gazette Journal, we are feeling a little deja vu here in the Reno real estate market.  We are experiencing a bit of a boomerang market that feels an awful lot like the one we saw here more than a decade ago.  Buyers are in search of Reno homes and the demand is high.  There are both positives and negatives to this type of market.  The April 2016 Existing Reno Home Sales Report indicated that sales have gone down but prices are on the rise.  Here is a wrap-up of our local market conditions.April 2016 Existing Reno Home Sales ReportAs anyone who has lived in a Reno home in the past decade can tell you, it is no surprise to note that this area was hit particularly hard when the real estate "bubble" burst and the economy took a downturn in 2008.  Thank... 05/09/2016

Do you enjoy a frosty adult beverage from time to time?  Why is it that an ice cold beer tastes so good on a hot summer night?  The kinds of beer you can get in our Reno community has changed over the years.  Several local brewers would like to show you exactly what you're missing at the 2016 Reno Strange Brew Festival.  A portion of the proceeds from this even will benefit the Reno Rebuild Project.  So, it's beer for a cause!What: 2016 Reno Strange Brew FestivalWhere: The Brewer's Cabinet (475 S Arlington)When: Saturday, May 14th, 3pm to 7pmCost: $40 Pre-Sale/$50 at the DoorContact: The Brewer's Cabinet (775) 348-74812016 Reno Strange Brew FestivalThis ain't your daddy's beer.  Prepare for the unusual at the 2016 Reno Strange Brew Festival.  There's a reason this is the "Strange" Brew ... 05/02/2016

They say that music soothes the savage beast.  Well there are no more soothing sounds than the ones emanating from the 2016 Reno Jazz Festival.  With concerts in the evening and clinics during the day, jazz enthusiasts will be thoroughly entertained and educated.  Some of the future's best and brightest are sure to emerge from this year's festival.  You can say you "heard them when..."2016 Reno Jazz FestivalWhat: 2016 Reno Jazz FestivalWhere: University of Nevada, RenoWhen: April 28th to 30th, times varyContact: UNR (775) 784-4046 or via emailFor more than 50 years, UNR's Jazz Festival has highlighted the most talented current and future jazz superstars.  The 2016 Reno Jazz Festival kicks off with a special performance by Lage Lund and The Collective at the Nightingale Concert Hall at 7... 04/25/2016

The very first Earth Day took place 46 years ago.  Gaylord Nelson, a Wisconsin Senator at the time, thought that there should be one day set aside each year that we focus specifically on the environment.  He wanted the public to stop ravaging the earth's resources and look at what they could do to nurture it instead.  This Sunday, the 2016 Reno Earth Day Jubilee in the Park offers information, fun and more absolutely free of charge to the public.What: 2016 Reno Earth Day JubileeWhere: Idlewild Park (Idlewild Dr & Truckee River in downtown Reno)When: Sunday, April 24th 11am to 6pmAdmission: FREEContact: Anastacia Sullivan, Reno Earth Day (775) 762-0651 or via email2016 Reno Earth Day JubileeWhile the original Earth Day took place in 1970, it has been celebrated here in our Reno community... 04/18/2016

The March 2016 Reno Market Report shows a rise in home values.  Sales are up.  Prices are on the rise.  Buyers are starting to feel the pinch of a Seller's market when looking for their next Reno home.  What can Buyers and Sellers glean from this latest report?March 2016 Reno Market ReportThe Reno/Sparks Association of REALTORS® recently released their statistics for the March 2016 Reno Market Report.  The percentage of Reno homes priced between $150,000 to $250,000 that went under contract in March rose from 65% in February to 72% in March.  That's quite a jump in just one month.  New listings are up 28% from February and 13% from March 2015.  The median price for a Reno home came in at $296,000.  This is 8% higher than the same time last year.  While new listings were up, inventory le... 04/11/2016

The infusion of new companies setting up shop in our Reno community has got investors jumping.  Two Midtown Reno real estate developments are set to open later this year.  They include a retail/townhouse project in lower Midtown and an 11-unit complex near UNR's Innevation Center.  This will provide new options for living spaces in an area that is already strapped for choices in rental units or homes to own.Two Midtown Reno Real Estate Developments Bring More Retail/Residential SpaceThe first of the two Midtown Reno real estate developments that are set to open in 2016 is the expansion of the former Heritage Bank of Nevada at 1401 S Virginia St.  The previous 9000 square feet will be now become 21,000 square feet of retail and residential area.  A technology firm, a jewelry store and a ... 04/04/2016

Animal lovers rallied around last year's event.  It was such a success, that they had to bring it back again this year.  The Reno Heels and Hounds 2016 Humane Society Fundraiser is a day of champagne, parties and pooches.  All proceeds raised at the event will benefit the Nevada Humane Society.  That's right, a party for a cause!  Wear your best heels, sip champagne, enjoy a beautiful brunch and watch a fashion show while you help homeless pets find forever homes.What: Reno Heels and Hounds 2016Where: Atlantis Casino Resort Spa (3700 S Virginia St)When: Sunday, April 10th 10am to 2pm Cost: $75/person or $750/table (of 10), $1000/VIP table Contact: Nevada Humane Society (775) 856-2000 ext 335Reno Heels and Hounds 2016Everyone who attends the Reno Heels and Hounds 2016 event can expect to... 03/28/2016