Chance Gates' Blog

Do You two-one-one

Every hour of every day, hundreds of people need essential human services – training, employment, food pantries, help for an aging parent, addiction prevention programs for teens, affordable housing options, support groups, and ways of becoming part of their community. Often we’re confronted with a confusing array of organizations, phone numbers, and Web sites that lead us to a maze of agencies and services.

What many people don’t know is that simply dialing 2-1-1, where available, connects you with a wide variety of important services in your community. And “available” means more than 78 percent of people in the U.S., more than 28 percent of Canadians – and those numbers continue to grow.

2-1-1 is a free, confidential, one-stop service with an easy-to-remember telephone number to call for everyday needs and in times of crisis. While services vary from community to community, those services can include:

Basic Human Needs: food banks, clothing, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance.
Physical and Mental Health Resources: medical information lines, crises intervention services, support groups, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention, rehabilitation, health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare, maternal health, children’s health insurance programs.
Employment Support: unemployment benefits, financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance, education programs.
Support for Older Americans and Persons with Disabilities: home health care, adult day care, Meals on wheels, respite care, transportation, homemaker services.
Support for Children, Youth and Families: childcare, after-school programs, Head Start, family resource enters, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring, protective service.
Natural and Man – Made Disasters: disease epidemics, power blackouts, emergency shelters, evacuation routes, travelers’ aid.

If you or someone you know want more information about 2-1-1, the web sites are www.211.org and www211.ca. And of course, the telephone number is -2-1-1!

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional I encourage all questions and comment on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any article posted.  I can be reached by email at  chance at ballard-company.com or  http://www.myspace.com/chancegates

Starting 8-1-09 is the kick off of AYSO710 soccer. After all the headaches last year, I was not going to coach again this year. Talked it over with the wife and she agreed, I don’t really have the time this year. That was my belief until registration day. As I was filling out the paperwork my youngest son changed his question (that he had been asking all week) from “are you” to will you please by my coach again. I looked at the wife and she just smiled and shook her head, she knew right there, I’m going to do it again.

Last year the bigger field made it tough to get everyone a shot at the goal. After a record with 1 win 2 losses and to many ties to count. The strategy this year will be more of attack instead of defend. Win or lose I want every player on my team to get at least one shot on goal. Let the ball go where it will, it is fun to watch every parents’ reaction when their son gets to try and score.

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional I encourage all questions and comment on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any article posted.  I can be reached by email at  chance at ballard-company.com or  http://www.myspace.com/chancegates

When buying a home it is important to remember the cost.  The days of 103% financing with nothing down are behind us for the most part.   So what will a buyer need to pay at closing?

The easiest place to start is the down payment; most FHA loans require 3.5% minimum. Every lender will require an appraisal, to determine the market value of a house. To get a complete cost of what a lender is going to charge ask for a good faith estimate.   Lender title insurance policy is another lender requirement.

A buyer should always know the condition of the home he/she is purchasing.  This can be accomplished by getting everything inspected by a licensed professional.   A home, pest, septic, and well are the common inspections, however there are more.   I do not recommend cutting costs by skipping the inspections.

Escrow fees and transfer tax are usually (not always) split.  Escrow fees are based on the purchase price and will change.  The Washoe County transfer tax is $4.10 per every thousand of the purchase price.   For example:

$100,000 house would be 100 x 4.10 = $410.00

There can be other costs such as a home warranty, property taxes, garbage fees, etc…

There can be many tax benefits, to homeownership. In today’s lending climate, it would be difficult to get into the predicament that many current homeowners find themselves in. However, homeownership is a big and costly responsibility and not one to be taken lightly. You should consult with your accountant, financial advisor, and lender to be sure that you are aware and able to meet the necessary monthly, yearly, and future financial commitments required in homeownership

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional I encourage all questions and comment on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any article posted.  I can be reached by email at  chance at ballard-company.com or  http://www.myspace.com/chancegates