Chance Gates' Blog

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A world without nuclear weapons would be less stable and more dangerous for all of us.
Margaret Thatcher

Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.
Margaret Thatcher

Democratic nations must try to find ways to starve the terrorist and the hijacker of the oxygen of publicity on which they depend.
Margaret Thatcher

Disciplining yourself to do what you know is right and important, although difficult, is the highroad to pride, self-esteem, and personal satisfaction.
Margaret Thatcher

Europe was created by history. America was created by philosophy.
Margaret Thatcher

I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left.
Margaret Thatcher

I do not know anyone who has got to the top without hard work. That is the recipe. It will not always get you to the top, but should get you pretty near.
Margaret Thatcher

I don’t mind how much my Ministers talk, so long as they do what I say.
Margaret Thatcher

I love argument, I love debate. I don’t expect anyone just to sit there and agree with me, that’s not their job.
Margaret Thatcher

I owe nothing to Women’s Lib.
Margaret Thatcher

I seem to smell the stench of appeasement in the air.
Margaret Thatcher

I usually make up my mind about a man in ten seconds, and I very rarely change it.
Margaret Thatcher

Retail sales rose 0.1% to $400.6 billion in December after an upwardly revised 0.4% increase in November. It was the seventh straight monthly gain and the first $400 billion month for retail sales. Total retail sales for 2011 had the largest percentage increase since 1999, up 7.7% to a record $4.691 trillion.

Wholesalers increased their inventories 0.1% to $468.9 billion in November. This followed a revised 1.2% rise in October. Sales at the wholesale level rose 0.6% to $407.9 billion in November. On a year-over-year basis, sales were 11.3% higher since November 2010.

The Mortgage Bankers Association said its seasonally adjusted composite index of mortgage applications for the week ending January 6 rose 4.5%. Refinancing applications increased 3.3%. Purchase volume rose 8.1%.

Total business inventories rose 0.3% in November to $1.55 trillion, up 8.5% from a year ago. Total business sales also increased 0.3% to $1.22 trillion in November, up 9.6% from a year ago. The total business inventories/sales ratio in November was 1.27.

The trade deficit increased to $47.8 billion in November from a downwardly revised $43.3 billion in October. Exports fell 0.9% to $177.8 billion. Imports increased 1.3% to $225.6 billion.

The Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index for January’s preliminary reading rose to 74 from 69.9 in December. It was the fifth monthly gain in a row for the index and the highest reading since May.

Initial claims for unemployment benefits rose by 24,000 to 399,000 for the week ending January 7. Continuing claims for the week ending December 31 rose by 19,000 to 3.629 million.

Thanks to my friends at Prospect Mtg

Mark your favorite properties and get instant updates price changes,  new pictures and status changes.

As a Reno/Sparks Nevada real estate professional and property manager, I encourage all questions and comments on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any of the articles posted in this blog. Please feel free to use my back door to the MLS and search the houses available in the Reno/Sparks and most Northwest Nevada neighborhoods. I can be reached by email @ chance@ballard-company.com http://www.myspace.com/chancegates .  You can also follow me at http://www.twitter.com/chancegates .  To checkout some of  my property manager services goto http://chancegates.com/property-management-services/

If you are behind on your house payment and looking for a loan modification, go to making homes affordable

If the modification fails, contact your local real estate professional to help short sale your home.  To make sure there is no deficiency judgment a homeowner might find it necessary to hire an attorney.

source http://rismedia.com/2011-02-16

RISMEDIA, February 17, 2011—In a landmark study examining the home buying and selling preferences of consumers in the Mid-Atlantic region, 95% reported that working with a real estate professional is just as important, if not more important, than it was just a few years ago. The survey results were released in a new research paper entitled Keepin’ it Real, by MRIS, the area’s Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and a leading developer of real estate information technology.

According to the report, which can be found on www.MRIS.com, today’s consumers recognize this is not the time to complete a real estate transaction on their own, and are placing a stronger emphasis on the agent’s professional skills. As such, trustworthiness was ranked as the most critical factor in choosing an agent, followed by experience, willingness to look out for a client’s interest, expertise in negotiating contracts, responsiveness, familiarity with contracts and knowledge of the local community. These requirements are evidence that consumers are seeking more than simple guidance, they are looking for an expert they can trust to execute a step-by-step process throughout the entire transaction.

“In today’s housing market especially, this is no time to go it alone,” noted John L. Heithaus, Chief Marketing Officer of MRIS. “With 95% of all buyers and sellers reporting that working with a professional real estate agent or broker is important, it is evident that consumers understand how vital they are to the process. A real estate professional has the industry knowledge, networking ability and expert guidance on home buying and selling to deliver top notch customer service and advice, and provide a successful experience for consumers.”

Additionally, the Keepin’ it Real report reveals that 68% of buyers and sellers rated their agent with a six or seven, on a 7-point satisfaction scale. This high level of consumer confidence reinforces the credibility of the real estate professionals in the Mid-Atlantic area. Nearly half of the consumers surveyed, or 48%, found their agent by way of referral. Moreover, 80% of consumers stated that they would recommend their agent to a friend or family member, especially those that purchased or sold a home in the past twelve months.

Whereas in years past, the agent was the first step in the home buying or selling process, today, Internet-savvy consumers can gather information and educate themselves, long before contacting an agent. The Internet empowers consumers to search for homes and neighborhood information, compare pricing and explore financing options on their own. Yet, despite all of the tools and resources available, when it comes time to actually buy or sell a home, there is nothing more valuable than the industry knowledge, expertise and guidance a real estate professional brings to the table.

The Keepin’ it Real research paper is confirmation that today, more than ever, a real estate professional is an invaluable resource in the home buying and selling process.

For more information, visit www.mris.com.

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. Please feel free to use my back door to the MLS and search the houses available in the Reno/Sparks and most Northwest Nevada neighborhoods. I can be reached by email @ chance@ballard-company.comhttp://www.myspace.com/chancegates .  You can also follow me at http://www.twitter.com/chancegates .  If you are behind on your house payment and looking for a loan modification, go to making homes affordable For a free copy of my report   “5 Steps For Reno/Sparks Homeowners To Prevent Foreclosures” go to my about page http://chancegates.com/about and ask for more information on preventing foreclosures. or   to request a modification.  If the modification fails, contact your local real estate professional to help short sale your home.  To make sure there is no deficiency judgment a homeowner might find it necessary to hire an attorney.

Three out of four home owners — or 78 percent — say their homes are the best investment they ever made, according to Trulia.com’s biannual American Dream survey, which has tracked attitudes toward home ownership since 2009.

Despite foreclosures and underwater homes continuing to batter the real estate market, about 70 percent of Americans say they still view home ownership as being part of their American Dream, according to the survey.

“Contrary to popular belief, the American Dream of homeownership has not turned into an American nightmare,” says Pete Flint, CEO of Trulia.

The millennial generation is expected to drive the housing recovery. Eighty-eight percent of 18-34 year old renters say they want to be home owners one day, according to the survey.

“Millennials are now today’s most serious home buyers,” says Tara-Nicholle Nelson, consumer educator for Trulia. “Unjaded and largely untouched by the effects of the housing crash, this new generation of buyers will no doubt lead America from its current housing slump towards true recovery.”

The survey also showed that in some of the country’s hardest-hit regions of foreclosures and underwater homes, buyers are not being deterred by the sour market. In particular, in Southern and Western regions of the United States, 79 percent and 70 percent of renters say they plan to purchase a home.

Source: “Trulia Survey: 70 Percent of Americans View Homeownership as Part of Personal American Dream,” Trulia.com (Feb. 9, 2011)

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. Please feel free to use my back door to the MLS and search the houses available in the Reno/Sparks and most Northwest Nevada neighborhoods. I can be reached by email @ chance@ballard-company.comhttp://www.myspace.com/chancegates .  You can also follow me at http://www.twitter.com/chancegates .  If you are behind on your house payment and looking for a loan modification, go to making homes affordable For a free copy of my report   “5 Steps For Reno/Sparks Homeowners To Prevent Foreclosures” go to my about page http://chancegates.com/about and ask for more information on preventing foreclosures. or   to request a modification.  If the modification fails, contact your local real estate professional to help short sale your home.  To make sure there is no deficiency judgment a homeowner might find it necessary to hire an attorney.

RUSTON, La. (AP) -Leave it to Colin Kaepernick to tie the NCAA record for touchdowns rushing by a quarterback on a designed pass play, all while leading Nevada to a conference title.

Kaepernick ran for three scores, including a dazzling 28-yard scramble on fourth-and-9, and the No. 14 Wolf Pack earned a share of the Western Athletic Conference championship with a 35-17 victory over Louisiana Tech on Saturday.

With a bowl game still to play, Kaepernick now has 59 career TDs on the ground, tying the mark held by Nebraska’s Eric Crouch.

“He is the leader of our team; there is no question about it,” Nevada coach Chris Ault said. “That last touchdown run he made when he scrambled on fourth down was unbelievable. That is what he does for us. He makes plays. That’s what his legs do for us. He has done that throughout his career here. He is a pretty special guy.”

On Kaepernick’s fourth-down score, Ault called for a screen pass to Via Taua, who tripped over a defender. Kaepernick, whose elusiveness gave the Bulldogs fits all afternoon, rolled away from pressure and sprinted into the open along the sideline. Just when it looked like he’d dart out of bounds, he cut inside and outran the pursuit to make it 28-17 in the fourth quarter.

“I had to scramble around and make a play. After scrambling around for a couple of seconds, it was amazing, the play just opened up and the hole was there,” Kaepernick said.

“I actually didn’t know that I had tied the record,” he continued. “To accomplish something like that is a great accolade but I have had great teammates and in particular great offensive lineman my entire time here at Nevada.”

Kaepernick wound up with 155 yards rushing, the 16th time he’d surpassed the 100-yard mark in his career. He also became the third QB in NCAA history to eclipse 4,000 yards rushing. He has 4,090, trailing only West Virginia’s Pat White (4,480) and Missouri’s Brad Smith (4,289).

“Coming out of high school I had only one scholarship offer and I just wanted to come in here and work hard,” Kaepernick said. “When I came in originally, I was not even a running quarterback, so a lot of the rushing stuff actually came as a surprise to me.”

Taua rushed for 162 yards and two scores in a victory that assured the Wolf Pack (12-1, 7-1) its first share of a WAC title since 2005, as well as its best regular season since moving up to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 1992.

Hawaii already had won a share of the league crown and Boise State moved into a three-way tie atop the conference with its 50-14 victory over Utah State.

Ross Jenkins threw for 188 yards and one TD and also rushed for a short score for Louisiana Tech (5-7, 4-4), which saw its hopes of a bowl bid end with the loss.

Phillip Livas had 230 all-purpose yards, including 162 yards on kickoff returns. He nearly had his ninth return for a score, which would have set a new NCAA record, but was pushed out of bounds on a 60-yard run back by Nevada kicker Ricky Drake in the fourth quarter.

“Funny how me and Phillip talked Monday about how Livas hasn’t gotten tackled by a kicker and there it happens,” Louisiana Tech coach Sonny Dykes said.

Livas joked that he’d jinxed himself, adding “I wish I could have that one back.”

The Bulldogs never trailed in the first half, taking a 7-0 lead on the first possession of the game when Jenkins hit Eric Harper with a 20-yard scoring strike along the sideline.

Nevada needed three possessions to tie it on Taua’s 1-yard plunge in the second quarter.

The Bulldogs surged back in front on Jenkins’ keeper, set up by a 36-yard pass over the middle to Taulib Ikharo to the Nevada 2.

The Wolf Pack tied it shortly before halftime on Kaepernick’s first rushing TD of the game, and option keeper to the left side on which he scored easily from 5 yards.

Nevada then received the ball to open the second half and drove 83 plays in 12 plays to take the lead for good on Kaepernick’s second TD run, which came from a yard out.

“We did some good things in the first half but in the second half they just lined up and whipped us,” Dykes said. Kaepernick “is hard to tackle and he just made plays. He is a good football player.”

read more at www.nevadawolfpack.com

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. Please feel free to use my back door to the MLS and search the houses available in the Reno/Sparks and most Northwest Nevada neighborhoods. I can be reached by email @ chance@ballard-company.com or  http://www.myspace.com/chancegates .  You can also follow me at http://www.twitter.com/chancegates .  If you are behind on your house payment and looking for a loan modification, go to making homes affordable to request a modification.  If the modification fails, contact your local real estate professional to help short sale your home.  To make sure there is no deficiency judgment a homeowner might find it necessary to hire an attorney. For a free copy of my blog titled  “5 Steps For Reno/Sparks Homeowners To Prevent Foreclosures” go to my about page http://chancegates.com/about and ask for more information on preventing foreclosures.

Making the Most of Your
Kitchen and Dining Room

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and it’s the most highly valued room by buyers, so you want to make it show its best.

Here are some tips to create a captivating kitchen:

• You can cut down on visual clutter by removing items you normally store on the counter.  This will help your kitchen look more spacious.
• Your eat-in kitchen should have a table and chairs in it.  Buyers like to see an eat-in kitchen, but often don’t have the vision to see it as such without the furniture.

• Remove window screens in the kitchen.  Screens take away from allowing natural light inside.  Plus, no one will notice they are missing.

• It’s a good idea to keep some toll-house cookie dough on hand, and bake up a few cookies just before a showing…but don’t overdo it J.
• Keep the exotic spices and fish to a minimum when cooking the night before a showing.  Work towards achieving a “clean” smell.
• Thoroughly clean all your appliances and cupboards, including the inside of your oven and microwave.
• Set the dinner table with your best china to stimulate your buyers’ imagination of the dinner parties they’ll host.
• Many buyers will look inside your cabinets, so make sure the inside is organized and clean.  Also store non-essential items elsewhere to make the cabinets look more spacious.
• Clean as much as possible off the countertops.  Items such as the coffeemaker, toasters, can openers, salt and pepper shakers, recipe boxes, and dish draining rack can be put away.
• Make sure that your counter is spotless and shiny.

• If you keep fruit or flowers on your counter, be sure they are always fresh.

• If your cabinets show wear and tear, you might want to paint them.  A simple trick to update the look of your cabinet doors is to replace your current knobs with new ones.  It’s much cheaper than getting a new kitchen, and it sure can make a difference.
• Shine your faucets and knobs and use spot remover to prevent water spots.
• Remove notes, pictures, and coupons from the refrigerator door.
• Empty your trash cans.  Garbage and recycling bins must be out of sight.

Other related articles:

It All Starts with Creating Curb Appeal

The Entryway Sets the Stage

Tips For Every Room in the House

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. Please feel free to use my back door to the MLS and search the houses available in the Reno/Sparks and most Northwest Nevada neighborhoods. I can be reached by email @ chance@ballard-company.com or  http://www.myspace.com/chancegates .  You can also follow me at http://www.twitter.com/chancegates .  If you are behind on your house payment and looking for a loan modification, go to making homes affordable to request a modification.  If the modification fails, contact your local real estate professional to help short sale your home.  To make sure there is no deficiency judgment a homeowner might find it necessary to hire an attorney. For a free copy of my blog titled  “5 Steps For Reno/Sparks Homeowners To Prevent Foreclosures” go to my about page http://chancegates.com/about and ask for more information on preventing foreclosures.

Tips for Every Room In the House

• Give the house a real “once over” cleaning.  Clean it from top to bottom.  Clean houses have a competitive edge over dirty houses.

• Let some air in.  Get a fresh breeze going to completely air out the house and get rid of any “stale” odors you may not even notice.  Springtime fresh!

• Start packing now.  Pack up everything you don’t use right now, put it in boxes and store the boxes out of the house if possible.

• Think model home.  Remove “extra” furniture and accessories.  Make it appear spacious, not crowded.  That favorite chair may have to go for now.

• Clean and deodorize carpets, paying special attention to high-traffic areas and stains that can be removed.

• Check all the light fixtures and lamps, replacing burned-out or low-light bulbs with bright white bulbs.  Make sure light switches are functional; consider updating them.

• If the couch, chairs or loveseat need some updating, try a neutral slip cover and add accent color with some throw pillows.

• Check for squeaky doors, and add a little WD-40 to remove the squeaks.

• If necessary, paint interior walls.  Paint is relatively cheap, and a great return on investment.  It doesn’t have to be white, but stay away from the other end of the spectrum.  Neutrals are usually best.

• Remove any peeled or torn wallpaper and borders.

• Check the window coverings to make sure the blinds work properly.  Clean them and keep them open to let in as much light as possible.

• Remove all valuables and make sure confidential documents are out of sight, and safe.

• Weed out the magazine racks and coffee table.  Only the most current magazines should be in view.

• Make sure the house smells its best at all times.  Keep cat boxes clean at all times, and preferably out of the house for showings.

• Do some plant and flower triage, removing the ones that aren’t going to make it.  Clean the leaves of the healthy ones and make sure they’re watered and looking great.

• Let the buyers see their lives in your house…not yours.  Store excess family photos, the “wall of fame” and anything that is too much a reflection of YOUR life.  We want them to focus on what their life would be like in their new home, not the museum of your life.

Other related articles:

It All Starts with Creating Curb Appeal

The Entryway Sets the Stage

• Put the bookshelves on a diet.  Pack up most of the books on your shelf, leaving only the larger books and lots of room on the shelves.  Overcrowded bookshelves shrink the appearance of a room.

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. Please feel free to use my back door to the MLS and search the houses available in the Reno/Sparks and most Northwest Nevada neighborhoods. I can be reached by email @ chance@ballard-company.com or  http://www.myspace.com/chancegates .  You can also follow me at http://www.twitter.com/chancegates .  If you are behind on your house payment and looking for a loan modification, go to making homes affordable to request a modification.  If the modification fails, contact your local real estate professional to help short sale your home.  To make sure there is no deficiency judgment a homeowner might find it necessary to hire an attorney. For a free copy of my blog titled  “5 Steps For Reno/Sparks Homeowners To Prevent Foreclosures” go to my about page http://chancegates.com/about and ask for more information on preventing foreclosures.

Washoe County Golf Club, Washoe County Course

18 holes over 6,695 yards with a par of 72 (Municipal)
2601 Foley Way
Reno, NV 89509-3511
(775) 828-6640

Northgate Golf Club, Northgate Course

18 holes over 6,966 yards with a par of 72 (Public)
1111 Clubhouse Dr
Reno, NV 89523-2002
(775) 747-7577

Somersett Country Club – Canyon Nine, Canyon Nine Course

9 holes (Private Non-Equity)
7650 Town Square Ln
Reno, NV 89523-4847
(775) 787-4500 ext. 330

Somersett Country Club, Golf Club at Somersett Course

18 holes over 7,252 yards with a par of 72 (Private Equity)
2019 Championship Trl
Reno, NV 89523-3829
(775) 787-1800

Sierra Sage Golf Course, Sierra Sage Course

18 holes over 6,605 yards with a par of 71 (Municipal)
6355 Silver Lake Rd
Reno, NV 89506-1758
(775) 972-1564.

Thunder Canyon, Thunder Canyon Course

18 holes over 7,241 yards with a par of 72 (Private Non-Equity)
19 Lightning W Ranch Rd
Washoe Valley, NV 89704-9400
(775) 882-0882 x 205

Wildcreek Golf Course, Wildcreek Course

18 holes over 6,932 yards with a par of 72 (Public)
3500 Sullivan Ln
Sparks, NV 89431-1098
(775) 673-3100

Wildcreek Golf Course, Par-3 Course

9 holes over 2,840 yards with a par of 27 (Public)
3500 Sullivan Ln
Sparks, NV 89431-1098
(775) 673-3100
.

D’Andrea Golf Club, D’Andrea Course

18 holes over 6,849 yards with a par of 71 (Public)
2900 S D Andrea Pkwy
Sparks, NV 89434-7304
(775) 331-6363

Part 1

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. Please feel free to use my back door to the MLS and search the houses available in the Reno/Sparks and most Northwest Nevada neighborhoods. I can be reached by email @ chance@ballard-company.com or  http://www.myspace.com/chancegates .  You can also follow me at http://www.twitter.com/chancegates .  If you are behind on your house payment and looking for a loan modification, go to making homes affordable to request a modification.  If the modification fails, contact your local real estate professional to help short sale your home.  To make sure there is no deficiency judgment a homeowner might find it necessary to hire an attorney. For a free copy of my blog titled  “5 Steps For Reno/Sparks Homeowners To Prevent Foreclosures” go to my about page http://chancegates.com/about and ask for more information on preventing foreclosures.

The Entryway Sets the Stage

The buyers’ first moments in a house are their moments of greatest anticipation about what’s to come.  It’s here in the entryway that you set the stage for their experience throughout the rest of the house.

Here are some tips to make the front entry experience a great one:

• Do your front entrance and front door make a good first impression?  A fresh coat of paint and a seasonal wreath make a good door great.

• Hanging plants or potted plants can add some color and define an entry way.

• Does the front entrance light work?  Replace the light bulbs to brighten up the entry, and make sure the light is on if people are coming at dusk or after dark.

• Make sure the doorbell works.

• Replace any torn or worn screen doors, and make sure the door is in perfect working order.  No squeaking, jamming, or sticking locks.  Make it effortless to get in the house.

• Once inside, make sure the immediate entryway is free of clutter, shoes, coats, umbrellas, and anything that takes up space.

• If your entryway is small, brighten it up with a bright light bulb and a light-colored coat of paint if appropriate.

• Weed out all the “stuff” from the entry table, or shelves in the front entry.  Pick up extra key rings, mail, and other stuff that gets piled up at the front door.

• Clean out the front closet of all but immediately used coats, boots, shoes, hats, gloves, and all the other clutter that gets thrown in the closet.  Make the closet look spacious and uncluttered.

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. Please feel free to use my back door to the MLS and search the houses available in the Reno/Sparks and most Northwest Nevada neighborhoods. I can be reached by email @ chance@ballard-company.com or  http://www.myspace.com/chancegates .  You can also follow me at http://www.twitter.com/chancegates .  If you are behind on your house payment and looking for a loan modification, go to making homes affordable to request a modification.  If the modification fails, contact your local real estate professional to help short sale your home.  To make sure there is no deficiency judgment a homeowner might find it necessary to hire an attorney. For a free copy of my blog titled  “5 Steps For Reno/Sparks Homeowners To Prevent Foreclosures” go to my about page http://chancegates.com/about and ask for more information on preventing foreclosures.