Chance Gates' Blog

RISMEDIA, June 2, 2010–The recovering U.S. economy is prompting millions of consumers to consider buying a car this year. Summer 2010 is expected to be the busiest used car shopping season in years. Consumer confidence is rising and buyers are hitting the streets and web looking for deals on used cars. In fact, roughly half of this year’s total used car purchases will be made within the next four months.

Consumers are buying with more caution and spending wiser because of the recent economic turbulence. Sensible shoppers are searching for the best value instead of just the best price. While great used cars are for sale at reputable dealerships everywhere, Carfax reminds consumers to be ever-vigilant when out shopping. The company suggests a few things to look – and look out – for this summer.

Look for:

• Pricing. Demand for used cars slowed a bit recently, helping to lower used car prices. Visit third-party pricing sites to get retail book values and use the new Carfax History Impact to adjust those values based on the reported history.

• Certified Pre-Owned (CPO). The best value for many used car shoppers, Certified cars are the closest thing to new cars at used car prices. Most manufacturer programs, such as Honda, GM and Toyota include a Carfax Vehicle History Report and rigorous mechanical inspection with every CPO vehicle.

• Cars sold online. Sites like AutoTrader.com and Cars.com let you expand your search area and compare vehicles to find the best deal. Use discretion when buying from online classifieds and auction sites.

• Paperwork. Have the seller provide as much documentation as possible, like registration and title documents, service receipts and proof of insurance.

Look out for:

• Open recalls. Estimates are that 30% of all recalled cars go unfixed. Check for open recalls at www.carfax.com/recall and get more details about a specific recall at www.safercar.gov. Franchise dealers will fix open recalls for free.

• Odometer rollbacks. Digital odometers can be easier to tamper with and harder to detect. Make sure the wear and tear on the inside and outside of the car matches what the mileage reading says.

• Flood damage. Experts predict this year’s hurricane season could rival 2005, when Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma hit the U.S. More than half of the cars damaged by floods, including the most recent flooding in Tennessee, get cleaned up and returned to the road.

• Curbstoners. Illegal dealers posing as private sellers sell lots of cars either on the side of the road or through classified ads. Many of the cars have hidden problems and the seller typically disappears after the sale.

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional; I encourage all questions and comments, on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any of the articles posted in this blog.

Image via Wikipedia

By Stephanie Andre

RISMEDIA, May 28, 2010—Homeowners looking to sell need to make sure their homes are as prepared as possible. Home staging is key toward that preparation.

Below are 28 key ways to stage a home:

1. Less is more – remove enough so that there is some empty space in closets, on shelves, and in cabinets.
2. Remove or hide all small kitchen appliances.
3. Remove all refrigerator art, family pictures, school schedules, magnets, calendars, etc.
4. Pack up all personal photos.
5. Remove personal necessity items from bathroom and enclosed showers… shampoo, toothpaste, hairbrushes, dirty towels, etc.
6. Remove and store seasonal clothes from closets.
7. Rent a storage space. Remove all visible storage boxes from closets and garage.
8. Remove unneeded furniture to make rooms look larger.
9. Remove dated or worn furnishings and accessories. Display only updated new looking items.
10. Remember the rule, “One will do”. When accessorizing surfaces, remember that for staging purposes one item is better than two or more. One vase or clock on a fireplace mantle shows off your home better that two or three items.
11. Use mirrors generously. A mirror at the end of a long hallway makes the home look larger and relieves any cramped feeling. A mirror opposite the bathroom vanity pushes walls back and makes small bathrooms larger.
12. Paint the interior of the house and the front door.
13. Repair, paint, or wash all exterior walls, doors, and trim.
14. Power-wash exterior concrete and other hardscape to unify surface color. It will make these areas look bigger.
15. Replace worn, stained carpeting and cracked floor tiles. Be sure that any remaining carpet, drapery or upholstery holds absolutely no odors.
16. Wash the windows, inside and out. Remove unnecessary screening.
17. Arrange a minimum number of towels in bathroom racks and put out fresh soap.
18. Inside, use fresh flowers in vases. Decorate outside with planters and potted plants.
19. Remove some furniture to open up the rooms. A good rule of thumb, consider eliminating half of all furniture and accessories.
20. Decorate the patio or deck with flowerpots and enough furniture to show that it is usable living space.
21. Furnish covered porches with small outdoor tables and chairs to turn them into obvious living spaces.
22. Landscape. Keep perspective in mind. From the house, looking out, plants and vertical elements should diminish in size as they retreat from the house. This elongates sightlines and visually moves property boundaries further from the house.
23. Air the home by opening windows and doors.
24. No drips! Repair all plumbing, faucets, running toilets.
25. Clean or repair/replace worn caulking around tubs, sinks, counter tops.
26. Deep-clean entire house, oven, fireplace, garage, etc.
27. Enhance fireplace firebox with candles or decorative logs.
28. Replace or supplement existing furniture and accessories with rentals From Brook Furniture Rental to achieve a desired appearance.

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional; I encourage all questions and comments, on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any of the articles posted in this blog.

RISMEDIA, May 24, 2010–When you’re packing up your belongings for moving day, sometimes it’s best to leave it to the professionals – or leave it behind entirely. These moving/packing tips will help you discern what not to pack.

Items that Require Disassembly or Special Packaging
Items requiring professional disassembly and/or crating (such as slate pool tables, chandeliers, or large glass table tops) are best left to the professionals.

Heat-Sensitive Items
Do not pack heat-sensitive items like candles, CDs, computer peripherals, etc. If you must take these items to your new home, bring them with you in your climate-controlled car or truck.

Irreplaceable Papers and Objects
Don’t pack any irreplaceable items. Whether these items have significant monetary value, are financial/personal in nature, or have sentimental value, you’ll probably want to keep these items on your person or have them shipped via a trackable shipping service:
• Address books
• Financial papers
• Cameras
• Car keys
• Cash
• Computer software and disks
• Jewelry
• Letters, personal papers and diaries
• Medical records
• Photos and photo albums

Hazardous, Flammable and Spillable Items
Don’t put yourself and your family in danger. Leave hazardous items behind when you move. Ask your neighbors if they can use these items; otherwise, dispose of them properly with assistance from your recycling company or the EPA. Plan to purchase new items once you arrive at your new home.
• Flammable, corrosive or explosive items
• Lamp oil
• Aerosols
• Motor oil
• Ammonia
• Paint thinner
• Nail polish remover
• Car batteries
• Paints
• Charcoal
• Pesticides
• Charcoal lighter fluid
• Poisons
• Cleaning solvents
• Pool chemicals
• Fertilizer
• Gasoline
• Sterno
• Kerosene
• Weed killer

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional; I encourage all questions and comments, on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any of the articles posted in this blog.

Roy Oswalt has been pitching really well however the Huston Astros have only scored 5 runs in his last 4 losses.  The Astros are only averaging 2.7 runs per game against right handed pitching.  The San Diego Padres have won 10 of the last 15 and 5 of the last 6.  I realize that the Padres are getting a great line, bu that seems to easy.   This reminds me of when Radke pitched for the Twins.    So take the Under.

These picks are meant to be for entertainment only!

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional, I encourage all questions and comments on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any of the articles posted on this blog.  I can be reached be email at chance@ballard-company.com or at http://www.myspace.com/chancegates

Cinco de Mayo is being celebrated by the Reno Aces with the first 1,250 fans 21 and over who purchase a Corona get a sombrero.   The Reno Aces are 9-12 just 4.5 games back of Fresno.   Early weather reports say it is going to be a beautiful day so head on out and enjoy some great baseball.

TICKETS AVAILABLE
Accessible seating can be purchased by calling the Reno Aces Ticket Office at 775-334-7000 or visiting the ticket office during business hours.

Ticket Office Hours (non game day):

Monday through Friday: 10am to 5pm Pacific Time.

Saturday: 10am to 4pm Pacific Time.

Game Day Hours: 10:00am Pacific Time to the end of the 7th inning

Please Note: A General Admission Ticket is not a physical seat. General Admission is seating in the right field berm (low back chairs are ok to bring into the park), standing in front of the standing rails around the park, and standing room in the park.

Read more at https://www.ticketreturn.com/prod2/Buy.asp?EventID=45358

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

I decided that it would be kind of fun remembering some of my fatherhood experience.  One of my many lessons I learned about with my first child goes like this.

As a new farther I found one of the easiest ways of giving my son a bath was to take him into the shower with me.  When I was done I would call to my wife who would come and dry him off, and get him ready for his day.

One morning the baby needed his diaper to be changed.  I figured I needed to shower anyway, I’ll just take him into the shower with me.  The first alarm was the wife telling me “I’m crazy just change the diaper then go shower”.  I was a young man and didn’t believe the wife knew what she was talking about.  The shower is started and set to the proper temperature, as I am taking the diaper off I noticed how the soiled diaper was really pasty.  This set off the second alarm that maybe this was not a good idea, but I’m still confident that this will work.  The third alarm goes off when, right before I climb into the shower, a clump of poop falls on my foot.  I figured I’ll wash my foot, when I’m in the shower no problem.  Notice how I didn’t listen to the third alarm either. Now the fourth alarm really should have stopped me, but I was a young man and could not bring myself to admit that the wife was right.  I was climbing into the shower, I placed my dirty foot into the water to triple check and make sure the water was not to hot.  After all I don’t want the baby to get burned.  When I did this I noticed the poop wasn’t coming off my foot.   I’m not confident now; I’m just hoping that by placing the baby’s bottom closer to the shower that the water pressure will be enough.    I placed the baby up with his behind getting a steady stream of water. OH NO!  It’s not coming off.

Meaningless to say after taking a shower, I got to clean the bathtub. Guys I hate to say it but every once in a while the wife is going to be right.  My new wife tries to tell me that she is right about 80% of the time.  I’m not a young man anymore and I have learned that about 95% of the time I need to apologize.  That is probably the biggest difference between the two marriages; one last less than two years and the other is still going strong after 12.

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional I encourage all questions and commnets about the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any of the articles posted here.  I can be reached by email at chance@ballard-company.com or http://www.myspace.com/chancegates

It is time to take a break from Reno/Sparks real estate and talk about the Reno Wine Walk

This Saturday  March 20     2 to 5 pm

$20 a glass per person.

Take a stroll along the river walk and savor Reno’s exciting urban renaissance.

go to http://www.winewalkreno.com/ to find where to purchase your commemorative wine glass and map.

The Reno Wine Walk is held  on the third Saturday of every month.

As a Reno/Sparks real estate consultant I always welcome any comments or questions on the Reno/Sparks real estate or any of the articles I posted.  You can email me directly at  chance at ballard-company.com

Guessing what the pitcher is going to throw is eighty percent of being a successful hitter. The other twenty percent is just execution.
Hank Aaron

I don’t feel right unless I have a sport to play or at least a way to work up a sweat.
Hank Aaron

I don’t see pitches down the middle anymore – not even in batting practice.
Hank Aaron

I looked for the same pitch my whole career, a breaking ball. All of the time. I never worried about the fastball. They couldn’t throw it past me, none of them.
Hank Aaron

I never doubted my ability, but when you hear all your life you’re inferior, it makes you wonder if the other guys have something you’ve never seen before. If they do, I’m still looking for it.
Hank Aaron

I’m hoping someday that some kid, black or white, will hit more home runs than myself. Whoever it is, I’d be pulling for him.
Hank Aaron

It took me seventeen years to get three thousand hits in baseball. I did it in one afternoon on the golf course.
Hank Aaron

My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging.
Hank Aaron

The pitcher has got only a ball. I’ve got a bat. So the percentage in weapons is in my favor and I let the fellow with the ball do the fretting.
Hank Aaron

The triple is the most exciting play in baseball. Home runs win a lot of games, but I never understood why fans are so obsessed with them.
Hank Aaron

You can only milk a cow so long, then you’re left holding the pail.
Hank Aaron

I always need quotes for my library if anyone has heard of a great one please send it to me real estate related or not..

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional I encourage any questions or comments or the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any of the articles posted.

Contact me at  chance at ballard-company.com www.myspace/chancegates

The PGA TOUR returns to Reno this summer, July 12^th – 18^th, 2010 at Montreux Golf and Country Club. It is because of our dedicated volunteers that we can give so much to children’s charities in our community. Any amount of time is greatly appreciated.

We are currently in need of volunteer Marshals. The Marshal duties include: quieting the gallery around tees and greens, controlling crossings and ball spotting. Positions will fill quickly, so register early.

All volunteers receive:

• Two season passes for you and a guest

• Parking pass

• 1 RTO embroidered golf shirt

• 1 RTO embroidered golf cap

• Meals for each shift worked

• Volunteers’ appreciation party

• Raffle drawings for great prizes from now thru the event

• Volunteer package is $50…. a $200 value

Register online at: www.RenoTahoeOpen.com/volunteers

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

My wife and I were talking about where to go for breakfast, somehow  we decided it would be nice to try the Gold Dust West.  Like any casino it has changed drastically since my drinking days.  The coffee shop seemed to be in the same spot although it has gone through some major upgrades.  The staff was friendly, the service was good and the prices were reasonable.  The patty links were a little over cooked but the food was still really good.  My biggest complaint would have to be the food arrived before I even had time to finish my first cup of coffee,  something my wife really enjoyed.   I will go to the Gold Dust West again, it was an enjoyable experience.

As a Reno/Sparks real estate professional, I encourage all questions or comments on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any of the articles posted on this blog.  I can be reached by email at:   chance at ballard-company.com or http://www.myspace.com/chancegates