Annual Sparks Heritage Museum's Western Heritage Festival is scheduled for June 12th 2-7 p.m. at 814 Victorian Avenue in Sparks.  As an independent non-profit staffed primarily by volunteers, the museum maintains Internal Revenue Service 501(c)(3) tax exempt status.  The Sparks Heritage Foundation and Museum, Inc. relies significantly on the private sector for financial support to fulfill its envisioned mission. At the present time, The Sparks Heritage Museum is the only local history museum in Washoe County.  The Museum collection focuses on the history of Sparks and the Truckee Meadows including the role played by the railroad in the development of the area.  The Museum role extends beyond collecting and preserving artifacts, graphic arts and documents pertinent to Sparks heritage... 05/31/2010

Sparks Nevada market report for April 2010 Here are your market statistics for single family homes sold in Sparks, Nevada for April 2010: Sold = 157 Single Family Homes Median List Price = $168,000 Median Sold Price = $168,000 Average Days on Market = 106 There were 157 single family homes sold in Sparks, Nevada during April 2010. During March 2010 there were only 141 single family homes sold. I think we are seeing are the First Time Home Buyers Tax credit working to get home buyers into their homes before it expired. Foreclosures ~ 35 of the 157 homes sold were bank owned/ foreclosure properties. During March 2010 there were 39 bank owned properties sold. A decrease in bank homes sold could mean we are nearing the end of the housing crisis and fewer foreclosures are taking place OR the... 05/29/2010

 It might be spring but it feels like winter here in Nevada!  Woke up to fog covering the valley one morning.   It is really, really hard to complain about the cold weather we have been experiencing this month here in Northern Nevada when you wake up so these spectacular views. The spring weather in Reno tends to be dry and cool. Daytime high temperatures start in the 50's in the beginning of spring and climb over 70 by the end of spring. The average temperature for May is usually around the 70 degree range. This year the average temperaturein May has been a modest 40 degrees!! The fog was in the western valleys of Nevada along with areas in Truckee CA and South Lake Tahoe. It was caused by moisture and cool temperatures in the air which quickly warmed as the cloud coverage disappeared.... 05/27/2010

Sparks Nevada Homes Sold in March 2010 Here are your market statistics for single family homes sold in Sparks, Nevada for March 2010: Sold = 141 Single Family Residences Average Sold Price = $176,488 Average Days on Market = 136 (Compare to February Market Statistics here) There were 141 single family homes sold in Sparks, Nevada during March 2010. 39 of the 141 homes sold were bank owned/ foreclosure properties. The average selling price of a Northern Nevada bank owned property was $159,382 and spent an average of  77 days listed for sale in the Northern Nevada Regional  Multiple Listing Service (NNRMLS). There were 141 single family homes sold in Sparks, Nevada during March 2010. 51 of the 141 homes sold were short sale properties. The average sold price of a Northern Nevada short sal... 04/13/2010

Sparks, Nevada Realtor Leads - (800) 900-2807 Now more than ever, young people are purchasing homes. According to NAR, 47% of all buyers last year were first time home buyers. The median age of all home buyers was 39 years of age. It's no secret that the younger audience is relying on the world wide web for their information including which cities offer the best opportunities to buy a home and raise a family. Through dominant web positioning, we give these prospective home buyers the opportunity to get free information and ask for help. What ensues is a win/win proposition for both agent and relocating home buyers. Find out what is means to be a successful partner with an A+ BBB Rated Company. We have been in business since 2002, with over 1,000+ city website and 2 national websites. C... 04/13/2010

  This past Saturday, I stopped by one of my favorite places, the Sparks Marina Park.  The Reno Association For The Education of Young Children (RAEYC) was having a "Walk and Family Fun Day".  The association was showcasing all the educational opportunities for the children around the city.  There were booths, games, Mother Goose Storytime, a bounce house, crafts and more.  There were families, strollers and as many dogs as their were kids enjoying the day in the park. We spend the better part of our adult life raising our kids, climbing the career ladder and building our family's future.  When you are lucky enough to live in a city that supports young and old alike and gives back to the people it builds community.  Sparks, Nevada is one of those cities. I had a great time watching our... 04/11/2010

What Day Do I Water My Lawn?  Good News ~ Northern Nevadans now have three assigned water days! If you rent or own your home in Northern Nevada, or are a business owner, you know the Truckee Meadows community is on a water restriction and have assigned days to water our lawns. This year residences and businesses now have three days to water. The Truckee Meadows Water Authority said that because we have met our community conservation agreement to meter the water system, they are now able to offer customers the flexibility of watering up to three assigned days per week. Here are your assigned watering days in Truckee Meadows ~ Washoe County ~ Northern Nevada: *** If the last number of your home or business address is even (0, 2, 4, 6, or 8) water only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.... 04/07/2010

A sure sign spring has arrived in Sparks, Nevada: My boxer, Wonda, has been very busy in the yard lately. I knew things were blooming and little critters were starting to come out and play again. But it wasn't until I noticed she was garding one of our backyard shrubs rather closely  what she was really up to!  I found this little bunning hiding (well trying to hide) while Wodna hovered over.  It looks like Wonda may have gotten a little to close, but luckily I found her to be OK, just a little scared! So there it is, a sure sign spring has sprung in Northern Nevada. A baby bunny. They are everywhere right now! They love to eat sagebrush, shrubs and flowers! Jack Rabbits and Pygmy Rabbits love the dry Nevada climate. If you live here in Nevada, you are certain to have seen them in your ... 04/07/2010

Reno Aces Baseball is back for the second season in Reno, Nevada! New to the Reno Aces Ballpark is the LED-Lit baseball sculpture that will greet baseball fans at the entrance to the ballpark. The ballpark is located at 250 Evans Avenue in downtown Reno at the Corner of Evans Avenue and Second Street. The first home games of the Aces second season in Reno start this week. The Reno Aces play the Fresno Grizzlies. See below for schedule of this weeks games. Thursday April 8, 2010 6:05 p.m. ~ Opening Day! Friday April 9, 2010 7:05 p.m. ~ Magnet Schedule PLUS Post-game Fireworks! Saturday April 10, 2010 7:05 p.m. ~ Fleece Blanket giveaway to first 2,500 fans! Sunday April 11, 2010 1:05 p.m. ~ First Day Game! Here is your complete guide to the Reno Aces 2010 schedule!   Reno Aces Ballpark ~ ... 04/07/2010

~Foreclsoure Mediation Program In Northern Nevada ~ Do you have foreclosure questions? The 2009 Legislative session established the Foreclosure Mediation Program to help keep families in their home. Understanding the foreclosure process is crucial to homeowners who are faced with loosing their home. The National Association of Realtors has provided a Foreclosure Prevention and Response Grant Program to real estate agents help their clients understand what is happening in the housing market today. Money has been set aside to help home owners in Northern Nevada avoid losing their home. The National Association of Realtors has also established a website for Northern Nevada residents to go to for information regarding the Foreclosure mediation Program. By going to www.ForeclosureHelpForNeva... 03/29/2010

SHORT SALE A short sale is a situation in which the seller (1) owes more money on the loan (and other liens on the property) than the sale of the property will likely produce on the market and (2) is unable or unwilling to bring money to closing.  In a short sale, the lender has not yet foreclosed on the property, which privides a window of opportunity for the owner to sell the property in order to at least partially satisfy the amount owed to the lender. WHY SHORT SALES ARE PREFERABLE TO FORECLOSURE Short sales are considered preferable to foreclosures because short sales (1) lessen the impact a foreclosure can have on the surrounding community and (2) won't damage the distressed owner's credit as much as a foreclosure.  For example, if the borrower is still current with other payments... 03/21/2010

Making Home Affordable ~ Does Your Lender Participate? The Treasury Department announced the eligibility and lender requirements for the Home Affordable Program on November 30, 2009. They did not say all "lenders" and "servicers" had to participate in this new program that is designed to help home owners who are having trouble or are not able to make their mortgage payments. To find out if your lender or servicer participates you can do two things. You can call your lender directly to find out if they participate. Or you can go the the Making Home Affordable website and look for your servicer on the list provided. If you would like to participate in the Making Home Affordable programs you MUST meet FIVE basic eligibility criteria: 1) The loan must be for your primary residence 2) First ... 03/13/2010

Daylight Saving Time ~ Move Your Clocks Ahead One Hour! Every Spring we move our clocks ahead one hour and loose an hour during the night. Daylight Saving Time occurs every year during the second week of March. During this time we are able to save energy because of using less energy lighting our homes. The days are longer!! Spring is just around the corner. The first day of spring is March 20, 2010.  What is so exciting about spring? As the weather starts to get warmer, people begin to spend more time out of doors, flowers start to bloom, and baseball is just around the corner! Daylight Saving Time is not only a time to change your clocks, it is also the time to change the battery in your smoke detector! This can not only save your home in case of an emergency, it can also save your lif... 03/13/2010

Making Home Affordable (MHA) ~ Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA) On Novemeber 30, 2009, the U.S. Treasury Administration announced a plan to set guidelines directed toward lenders and servicers to help borrowers who are having trouble making their mortgage payments.  These new guidelines are designed to help home owners avoid a foreclosure and are suppose to speed up the "short sale" process and/or loan modification. The full article on President Obama's Making Home Affordable Plan  can be found at www.makinghomeaffordable.gov.  Many folks are wondering how this program will work and what they should do. The first step the home owner needs to take is to find out if their lender or servicer is taking part in this program. The next step will be finding  out if you ar... 03/12/2010

Sparks Nevada Market Statistics for February 2010 Here are your market statistics for single family homes sold in Sparks, Nevada for February 2010: Sold = 97 Single family residences Average Sold Price = $175,426 Average Days on the Market = 97 (Compare to January 2010 market statistics here) There were 97 single family homes sold in Sparks, Nevada during February 2010. 27 of the 97 homes sold were bank owned/ foreclosure properties. The average selling price of a Northern Nevada bank owned property was $163,702 and spent an average of  60 days listed for sale in the Northern Nevada Regional  Multiple Listing Service (NNRMLS). There were 97 single family homes sold in Sparks, Nevada during February 2010. 38 of the 97 homes sold were short sale properties. The average sold price of a Nor... 03/02/2010

Move out house cleaning service in Reno / Sparks Nevada Who are you going to call to clean your home when it is time to move out of your Northern Nevada home / condo / apartment? Call "Cleaning with a "T"  when you are ready to move! 775.771.1360 Are you getting ready to move out of your Reno or Sparks Nevada homeand would like someone to clean  your home after you leave? I have just the right person to call for all your move out cleaning needs. Tanya with "Cleaning to a "T""is the person to call when you are ready to move! She lives in Reno and is ready when you are to clean your entire house for you. Tanya will clean you bathroom, kitchen, bedrooms, laundry room, living room and family room. Have a specific house cleaning requests? She is available to take your cleaning requests and t... 02/21/2010

The 7th grade Mendive Middle School boys basketball team went 10 - 0 this season. I try not to brag to much in my blog about my children but I am so proud of my son, Alec, and his 7th grade basketball team for having such a great, fun and successful basketball season. These boys worked extremely hard and finished their season winning all 10 games. They played hard but more importantly, they always showed great sportsmanship and were always respectful of each other and the players on the other teams. My son Alec, is the cutie  young man pictured in the bottom left of this photo (for those of you interested). Great job Alec! Congratulations to all the Mendive Magic basketball players and a big "Thank you" to the three coaches, Ray Charles (Not pictured), Hillary Talotti and Mr. Nemms, who... 02/19/2010

The Private Club at Red Hawk (Hills Course) Homes Easily browse homes for sale in Red Hawk.We have created a page on our web site that is dedicated to Red Hawk.  This page includes all homes for sale in Red Hawk community and is updated daily from the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) used by all Reno real estate agents. As of February 18, 2010, Red Hawk real estate market profile consists of: Number of Active Listings: 29 (Active and Pending) Low Price: $99,000 High Price: $732,000 The Red Hawk Community offers the following: Two championship golf courses, the Robert Trent Jones designed public Lakes course and the Hale Irwin designed Hills Private Course. Causal dining. Events Center with or without catering. Swim and Fitness Center with memberships available.     When you visit ou... 02/18/2010

Nevada Homeowners can learn ways to avoid foreclosure at Housing Workshop I wanted to pass along the following information about a workshop that is coming to our Reno / Sparks Nevada area this week that will address ways to help homeowners who are facing financial hardship. Jeni Temen is a certified housing counselor for the HUD approved NID agency. Jeni will be presenting this workshop.  This counseling agency is set up by the government to help curb foreclosures here in Nevada.   The counseling services are free. However,  now enough homeowners reach out for help and this gives the government the impression that these housing services are not needed and are at risk of loosing future funding. If you feel you need to learn more about ways to avoid a foreclosure of your home, you may wa... 02/17/2010

Happy Valentine's Day from Olive & Lolo's Clothing Boutique! Do you know what you are getting your sweetheart for Valentine's Day this year?  Olive & Lolo's in Sparks, Nevada would like to help you find that perfect gift. Shop for unique, fashionable, elite items for him or her at Olive & Lolo's "Love is in the Air"Jewelry Trunk Show this Thursday, February 11 from 4pm to 9pm. Enjoy wine and appetizers while you shop. Check out the fun flyer for this exciting event happening at the Vista Valley Shops in Sparks, Nevada: Olive & Lolo's Clothing Boutique is one of the area's favorite local places to shop! It is locally owned and operated by Cricket Dundas of Sparks, Nevada. When Cricket is not working you can find friends and students working and helping guests pick out just the right outf... 02/10/2010