Dickson Realty’s Caughlin Ranch, Damonte Ranch and Sparks offices have an Eagle Home Mortgage loan officer on-hand to help you.

If you have more questions, please call or write me an email!

Esther Ramage - Dickson Realty

Starting January 1, 2012, residential and commercial property sales in all of Placer County must participate in Section 303 of Rule 225, Wood Burning Appliances, Sale or Transfer of Real Property. 

Section 303 prohibits the sale of real property with a non-EPA Phase II Certified free-standing woodstove.  Non-compliant freestanding woodstoves do not have to be replaced or removed, but must be made permanently inoperable. Fireplaces, inserts, gas stoves, pellet stoves and dedicated cook stoves are exempt. 

For more information on this mandatory measure, visit our website.  

First of all, is this legislation a direct challenge to MERS? (the Mortgage Electronic Registration System). An explanation of that system follows below and has been copied directly from their web-site:

MERS is an innovative process that simplifies the way mortgage ownership and servicing rights are originated, sold and tracked. Created by the real estate finance industry, MERS eliminates the need to prepare and record assignments when trading residential and commercial mortgage loans.

Simply put, MERS allows banks and investors to exchange mortgages without the typical title and escrow work we’re all familiar with when we buy, sell or refinance our homes. While your home may have stayed with you all these years, your mortgage has likely changed hands many times. This system has served the banks well for many years. However, at this point bankers are clearly lacking in confidence when it comes to risking a felony offense.

Secondly, this will no doubt have an affect on housing inventory in Nevada. At some point in the near future the inventory of available bank owned homes will drop dramatically. Short sale home sellers may delay their plans. Why rush to sell short if the lender isn’t going to rush to foreclose? I’m very concerned that this will create a false sense of demand in the market. Prices may rise due to scarcity but there’s no doubt reality will roar into the market someday soon.

Last but not least, why would any bank want to lend in Nevada? Let’s think about this… High unemployment, declining home values, state mandated foreclosure mediation and now this. Seriously, I’m no big fan of the banks but common sense would seem to dictate that Nevada is not a great place for banks to do mortgage business. Home financing is already tough in our market. No doubt this will only make things tougher in the long run.

Let’s hope our legislators do a little more homework before they pas the next round of laws intended to protect us all.

For $10 you can obtain a ticket for the January 20 event featuring three original Tuskegee Airmen which entitles you or your giftee to meet and greet with these historical figures, enjoy refreshments, take a tour of the Air Guard Facility, and gain admission to the movie, “Red Tails”.

Sponsored by “Our Story, Inc” and the Nevada Air National Guard with assistance from Cinemark, the event starts at 11:30 at 1776 National Guard Way in Reno. Admission is by pre-purchased ticket only. Movie attendance is at one’s convenience at any local Cinemark.

For more information, ticket purchase and details, call 775.741.4869

(Bill Stevenson / Northstar-at-Tahoe)

You can once again ski or ride at huge discounts when you purchase Skiing for Schools lift tickets.  Proceeds go directly to the Excellence in Education Foundation.

Lift tickets (non-refundable and purchased in advance) will be valid for any one day within a specified week at one of several local resorts.

For a list of resorts and dates plus more information on the Excellence in Education Foundation, visit our  website and support our schools!

After a week in Beijing, Harvey Fennell, one of Dickson’s brokers and owners, says the question remains open — but there’s enough interest that Dickson will continue its efforts to develop the market.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE from NNBW.

Reno will celebrate the holiday with a parade honoring our local military veterans who have served and protected our country. The theme of the parade this year is “Women in the military”.

Please join me and hundreds of others at the parade on Friday, 11-11-11 @ 11am (time the war officially ended) on Court & Virginia Street (downtown Reno) to cheer and thank those who help keep us FREE.

Paying attention to curb appeal is first and foremost. It is the first impression a buyer has as they pull up to your home. Make sure leaves are raked and shrubs and bushes are pruned. Plant some cold weather loving flowers such as mums or pansies to add color to a fading flower bed. Add some fall decorating with a pumpkin or two and a wreath. Too much decorating detracts from the house so keep it modest and simple. Just a touch goes a long way and helps a buyer envision themselves living there instead of focusing on your decorations.

Lighting is also very important with shorter daylight hours. Open the blinds during the day to bring in as much light as possible. Make sure exterior and interior lights are on for later in the day showings. Set the thermostat at a comfortable temperature. Buyers won’t linger for very long if they are freezing to death and the house is dark. If there is a fireplace make it a focal point in the room. Light some scented candles. All of these things will make your home feel very welcoming and homey.

Another essential tip is to update your listing photos. Most of the time the buyer’s first impression of your home is online through photos. If your home has been listed for a while and the pictures were taken in the summer or winter your listing looks old and outdated. There is no better way to bring the life back to your listing and make it look new and exciting again. If you are just now considering selling take advantage of these tips and make the most of the season changing to make your house look its best.

Call or email me today for some additional tips and advice or to discuss your selling options. 775.303.7871 or dboscarello@dicksonrealty.com

There is another key requirement to qualify for HARP.  According to Mahesh Swaminathan, senior mortgage strategist at Credit Suisse, “You must have made the last six mortgage payments, and have missed no more than one payment in the last year.  You also must have a job or another source of regular income”.

With the interest rates being in the low 4%, and even in the mid 3% for Adjusted Rate Mortgages, it might be a great time to call your lender and ask if this is the right time to lower your mortgage payment.

If you would like to know if your current mortgage is owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, plcase visit the following websites:

Fannie Mae

Freddie Mac