Quality Of Life In Northern Nevada - Truckee River

I took one of my dogs down to play in the Truckee River for probably the last time this year.

As the last days of September pass by, it's still been in the 90's so we have been enjoying a fabulous Indian summer. I could tell you this is pretty common, but living in the Sierras, the one thing you can count on is that the weather is always unpredictable. This is clearly demonstrated by the fact that the temperature is supposed to drop over 30 degrees by Tuesday. Because the ice cold Truckee River is much more enjoyable when the outside temperature is in the 90's than in the 60's, we wanted one last excursion to enjoy it.



We headed to one of our favorite hidden treasures, Mayberry Park. It's another one of those places you find hidden in Northwest Reno. 5 minutes from downtown, but removed from city life.

The park has nice open grass areas and picnic tables, but the best thing is the direct access to the Truckee River.

If you have a dog like my big guy, the only thing better than fetching a tennis ball in the field is fetching a plastic stick in the river! Dogs are welcomed in the park, but they must be on leash. Of course I do not have to worry about letting him free while playing, because his focus on his stick is absolute, there is NOTHING (even food does not work) that can distract him from that plastic stick!!

What a great way to say goodbye to summer. Geez I love living and working in Northern Nevada!

Cutest Dog Competition

Quality of Life in Northern Nevada - Small Business

You all know by now I love living and working in the Northern Nevada area, this week, I spent some time meeting a couple of business owners that are dedicated to contributing to this great area!

I just joined the Diplomat corps with the Reno Sparks Chamber of Commerce and part of the duties is to participate in Ribbon Cuttings. These events really help to celebrate the business members of the chamber and this week I went to two ceremonies that typified the great diversity of the businesses belonging to the Reno Sparks Chamber of Commerce.

The first was at Hutchinson Business Valuation and the second was at Tahoe Burgers.


Mari and Derek at Hutchinson Business Valuation both have accounting backgrounds and numerous valuation certifications. They have the formidable job of assessing the monetary value of businesses. That means not just the nuts and bolts of buildings or machinery, but the business in its entirety. This was first anniversary of their opening as Hutchinson Business Valuation an offshoot of Hutchinson Valuation.

Tahoe Burgers celebrated its grand opening this weekend with a huge crowd and fun and games for all. From the Iconman show, Greg London was on hand, Sunny 106.9 was there and there was even a mechanical bull for the brave hearted. The menu has a variety of offerings including burgers, chicken sandwiches, pulled pork sandwiches and salads. You can also get crispy fries and onion rings! The nice folks opening Tahoe Burger are dedicated to contributing to the community, utilizing local vendors whenever possible and partnering with Billinghurst Middle School and the American Cancer Society.

Quality of Life in Northern Nevada - Memory Walk

As you all know by now, I loving living and working in Northern Nevada. Part of the reason for that is all the wonderful giving and caring folks that live here with me. Sometimes being thankful for our quality of life means remembering those whose life has taken a much different direction.

I was talking (by email) with my friend Jenny on Friday and she reminded me that this year’s Memory Walk was coming up this next weekend in Carson City.

Jenny’s dad died from this horrible disease and her passionate speech from last year moved me to tears!

I have reprinted the press release and I have attached a youtube link of Jenny’s speech. It is stirring and we all need this kind of passion in our lives!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLqX6uONsro

This year's walk is scheduled for Saturday morning, September 26th at the Capitol grounds in Carson City starting at 8:00 am.

Here is the press release with information if you would like to join in the fight!

The Carson City Walk Committee has set a goal of raising $22,500. As of September 14, 2009 the Walk is at about 30% of that goal. The Committee is asking for the community’s help to MOVE them toward the goal!

Last year residents of South Lake Tahoe, Stateline, Gardnerville, Minden and Carson City helped raise $20,000 to help fight Alzheimer’s disease. This year the Carson City Walk Committee has set a goal of raising $22,500. As of September 14, 2009 the Walk is at about 30% of that goal. The Committee is asking for the community’s help to MOVE them toward the goal!

Today an estimated 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. It is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. Every 71 seconds, someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk® is the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research. Held annually in hundreds of communities across the country, including Carson City and Reno, this inspiring event calls on volunteers of all ages to become champions in the fight against Alzheimer's disease.

The Capitol City Memory Walk route will be an approximately 2-mile course that winds along the blue trail through historic downtown Carson City.

There is no registration fee required to participate in the walk and show support for finding a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease. Each walker is encouraged to raise a minimum of $100 and with that amount of funds raised, each walker will receive a free t-shirt. Other prizes are available for walkers who raise additional money.

Check-in and registration for the Capitol City Memory Walk will begin at 8am on the Capital grounds with informational booths, silent auction items, and more set up on the east side of Highway 395. Walk festivities will kick off at 8:30am with music by Kit LeFerve. The opening ceremonies will begin at 9am with send-off greetings by Angie Pratt, Director of the Northern Nevada office of the Alzheimer’s Association.

For more information on signing up as a team with your friends, family, organization, register as an individual participant, or to sign up with an existing team, contact Jenny Haas at 775-586-5072 or visit www.alz.org and click on the “Memory Walk” section. It’s easy to register and raise funds online. Participants can even create their own web sites and personalize it with pictures and stories. The site allows participants to set fundraising goals and send e-mails to friends and family asking them to join and support the walker’s efforts.

The Alzheimer's Association, the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research, is dedicated to finding prevention methods, treatments and an eventual cure for Alzheimer’s. For information or assistance call the Northern Nevada HELPLINE: 800-272-3900. The Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk® is the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research – and it calls on volunteers of all ages to become champions in the fight against this fatal disease. Since 1989, Memory Walk has raised more than $230 million for our cause. By joining Memory Walk, you’ll be walking with a purpose – and MOVING us ever closer to a world without Alzheimer's.

By the way, if in your head you are thinking of a little “Alzheimer’s joke” in response to this posting, take a moment to watch the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLqX6uONsro

Quality of Life in Northern Nevada - Hiking in Reno

I love living and working in Northern Nevada. I say that a lot, but that’s because I am reminded daily of the many benefits of this wonderful area. For instance, I went for my daily hike with the dogs this morning at one of my favorite spots. The Keystone Trailhead.



I actually start my hike behind Hilltop Park and wind up the back way over Upper Peavine Dam. Looking to the west, there are beautiful views of the Sierras.

If you enjoy the stark beauty of the high dessert, this is a way to get in 2 to 5 miles while just 10 minutes from downtown Reno. In fact, once you head up and across the Reno R you have a great view of downtown’s high rises sitting in the morning valley mist.


My dogs love to run and chase huge jackrabbits or little cottontails (no, they don’t even come close to catching them!!!). While well-behaved dogs are frequently off leash in this open range area, they must listen to your “come” command, since there are several coyote that live in this ravine. My two big guys roam free, but the Dachshund is on leash, since she can not be trusted to not chase the coyotes. We are generally out at daybreak, so we frequently run across a pair (or three) of these cagy creatures in spring and fall, but after 3 years of pretty close encounters they have always given my pack a wide berth…. Must be the dachshund.



Living and working in Northern Nevada I have the luxury of having gorgeous nature very conveniently located close to my back yard. How can you beat that for quality of life!!!

Shortage of Inventory in Reno Housing Market??

I received a call from someone answering my advertisement reminding first time home buyers about the fast approaching deadline for the Federal Tax Credit. As I started running searches for him based on what he was looking for, I discovered something strange had happened in the Reno Housing market. We are actually low on some inventory!!

Yes that sounds strange to say in THIS market. Sure there are plenty of "Pending Short Sales" out there, but of course anyone wanting to close escrow on any of those by the end of November better be a betting person. While this is Nevada, original home of betting on anything, that is not a bet I advise my clients to make.

Is it a sign that the end of "the bottom" is here? Well not necessarily. First of all, I am talking about entry level pricing here. The prices have been sooooo low, that investors have been gobbling up some "screaming deals". Second, with all the new notices of default piling up in the area (following a moratorium period), I have to believe that there is inventory that the banks are holding back, only "trickling out" a few homes at a time so as not to deflate prices even more.

None the less, seeing any kind of inventory shortages (even some bidding wars on a few REO's), is a fascinating new development for our Northern Nevada Real Estate market.

First Time Home Buyer's Tax Credit Dealine

The First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit deadline is November 30th. That means you have to close escrow by that date in order to qualify for your tax credit. Escrows in our area are taking an average of 45 days, so you should be in escrow by October 15th in order to really have the opportunity to ensure you can close in time.

Have you started a search but are sitting on the fence? This is the time! You can not wait any longer if you hope to qualify for the tax break.

Prices are quite low and interest rates are fantastic right now. If you have not made the first move because you don't know where to start, call a Realtor!

It is our job to guide you through this process. I have talked to clients that repeatedly told me...."I don't want to take up your time driving around". That's my job! Real Estate professional have the tools to narrow the search for you, so that you can pin point the price range, area and amenities that you are looking for. Your time is valuable too, but the only way to find your first home is to look! I think it's fun!!! Go in with the attitude that you will enjoy the hunt and it will be so.

If you need help looking for that dream house, please call me. I can help you find your first home and hopefully have some fun doing it!

Bobbi McKinnon
775-313-6637

Final Reno Aces 2009 Home Game

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I just came from the final Reno Aces game of the season. For those of you not aware, this was the inaugural season for AAA baseball in Reno. Not only did they build a beautiful park, but the team actually ended the year with a winning record! Truthfully, that probably did not matter as much. It has been a pleasure to sit in my season ticket seats throughout the summer. There is nothing better than baseball on a nice Northern Nevada evening. The ballpark and the excitement it has created in downtown Reno has really brought hope to a very gloomy year here in the area. Unemployment, the housing market and the terrible economy have hit hard in Northern Nevada. A little bit of nostalgia, and some very good baseball were just what the doctor ordered. It brought a new life and more importantly, something good to talk about around the water cooler.

www.bobbi4realestate.com