Gardnerville, Nevada welcomes the Bravo Cafe & Bakery to town!
The Bravo Cafe & Bakery is a new bakery and breakfast/lunch spot in our little town. When I say little town - I mean it. Minden and Gardnerville have 5 stoplights altogether!
At the Bravo Cafe & Bakery, you'll find fabulous breakfast items, fantastic lunch salads, soups and sandwiches, and to-die-for desserts! There are a couple of salads I love to have when I go there for lunch. On Friday, I had the Pear & Blue Cheese salad featuring spring mix greens, sliced pears, carmelized pecans, cranberries, and crumbled bleu cheese.
I couldn't resist having a dessert so I had a Strawberry Shortcake. It had lemon zest in the handmade biscuit that made for the most refreshing contrast with the strawberries and whipped cream. And as you can see, the presentation was delightful too.
The inside of the cafe is light and cheery - and the baked goods case is a focal point. They have all different sorts of delectable delights but one you wouldn't expect is handbaked challah! My husband is Jewish and one thing he misses from the East Coast besides great bagels is challah. It just so happens that the Bravo Cafe & Bakery has a Jewish baker who makes challah every Friday. So - if you want a fresh baked loaf set aside especially for you, all you have to do is call Joanna, the owner, and she'll make sure they have one just for you! And by the way, they do have great bagels, too!
If you haven't stopped in to give the Bravo Cafe & Bakery a try yet, stop in today!
Posted By: Christianne Gordon - Northern Nevada Real Estate Agent - Realtor with RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, specializing in Carson Valley Real Estate and Northern Nevada Real Estate .
Usually Carson Valley homes can be purchased on the Courthouse steps in Douglas County Nevada - or so I'd been led to believe...but this story may change your mind!
So I have this client, Angela (names have been changed to protect the enraged), whose family used to own a home in the Carson Valley. About 8 years ago, her parents sold the home that she grew up in and moved away. Apparently, this home had significant sentimental value for the children - and now the many grandchildren, nieces and nephews - and they've always said "If that home comes back on the market, they'll buy it back".
Well, said home received a Notice of Default. Angela posted a question on Zillow inquiring who held the note on the property because she wanted to approach the bank and do a short sale. I answered the question. We got in touch and I started doing some legwork for her since she is out of state.
We come to find out the home is going to the courthouse steps in a day and a half, and she overnights me a HEFTY cashier's check. (Did I mention it was hefty, or that it was CASH?!?!) I - very wisely - station a representative at the Old Courthouse, and my assistant and I go to the New Courthouse. I take the front steps, and she takes the back steps. The sale is Wednesday at 2pm. We're there at 1:55pm. We all use our cell phone and remain in contact and no one shows up. We wait until 2:30pm. We ask the security guards at the Courthouse and they say "He was supposed to be here at 1pm too for another auction, but he didn't show up."
The next thing we know, the auctioneer has posted on their website that the property was sold at 2:01pm on 7/29/09 to 'an outside party' and that they held the auction on the front steps (where I was!) of the courthouse and only one person was present. That one person placed a bid and got the house. At this point, I smell something foul.
Good thing I had my camera, because I took pictures. No one was there. No auction occurred. And now my buyer is considering suing to challenge the sale of the house.
What say you 'Rainers? Does she have a case? Please ask clarifying questions. I'm happy to answer. I find this situation personally FASCINATING!
So yesterday my Dad and I get a new REO assignment - a single family house in the Johnson Lane area in one acre. We look at the MLS record when it last sold (2002). We know better than to expect it to look like this since we've sold some dogged listings before.
We go out to do an occupancy check, and FAS has secured the property, put decals in the windows, and put a FAS lockbox on the front door. Oddly enough, there are two people in the garage with two trucks in front of the house sifting through the stuff in the garage.
The guy claims to be the previous tenant and he moved out in June. He said he couldn't get in, so he broke in the door to the garage and rekeyed it so he would have access. He claims that the doors and molding, appliances and baseboard were sold by the previous owner after he moved out.
Well, something smelled really bad to me, so I went back to the office and called FAS. They had pictures of the property the day they secured it. FAS has just been there on Monday, July 27th. As usual, they documented the home condition with photographs, and wouldn't you know, there were doors! And molding!
So - I called the Calvary! I met the Sheriff out there and had my husband with me who is also law enforcement with another department. The Sheriff said some pretty ridiculous things - like, "If he was a tenant he has a right to be in the property"..."How do I know those doors weren't his property?"...My REALLY??!?! meter was running in the red!!
So I ask her that once the property was secured isn't it illegal to BREAK INTO the property to retrieve your stuff - if indeed it's your stuff? And I didn't even go into the - Doors, molding, baseboard, vinyl flooring, and appliances aren't YOUR STUFF speech... She can't seem to figure that one out, so I tell her - Just ask him to produce a utility bill, PO box record, driver's license, library card, I DON'T CARE - that has this address on it, and we will be happy to give him access to retrieve his belongings, however, he CAN'T go BREAKING INTO other people's houses! (I can't believe I'm having this conversation.)
So today after filling in the Asset Manager, my Dad goes back to the property and has my husband tag along. The guy is there again, in the house sifting through stuff. My husband calls two of his Sheriff-friends who were much more 'with it' - thank GOD!
The guy produces a garbage bill with his name and address on it. He admits to the Sheriff that he 'broke in through a window' and rekeyed a lock for his access purposes. He is then advised that 'that's a felony' and his eyes get REAL BIG. Everyone agrees to wait until he gets the rest of his stuff OUT of the house, and then he turns his key over to my Dad. Crisis averted! (No further discussion took place about the missing appliances or doors or molding - the bank is making an insurance claim.)
The bottom line is: If you are a tenant in a home that has been foreclosed, and your property is still inside the home, DON'T BREAK IN! Call the number on the paper posted in the window. Don't jeopardize your personal freedom in order to retrieve your belongings. You can not only retrieve them, but can be paid to remove them through a Cash For Keys Program most lenders offer. Taking matters into your own hands may cause you to be arrested, charged with a crime, and land you in jail. It's simply not worth it.
Posted By: Christianne Gordon - Northern Nevada Real Estate Agent - Realtor with RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, specializing in Carson Valley Real Estate and Northern Nevada Real Estate .
How many homes sold in the Carson Valley in July 2009?
Well, today is only Wednesday, July 29th, so the official numbers are still 2 days away, but...whenever it gets to be the last few days of the month, I start itching to pull the Homes Sold in the Carson Valley so I can see how the monthly sales and determine if we're on track. Here's how July is shaping up in the Minden and Gardnerville area:
As of July 29th, here are some market indicators:
So what can we glean from these numbers you ask? Well, here are the June 2009 sales numbers:
This data supports a 'gut feeling' I've had about the Carson Valley Nevada Housing Market for about 6 weeks. Lower end homes are selling with multiple offers and are selling quickly. They are selling for more than the listing price, which is driving up prices in a very competitive market segment.
Since less expensive housing is harder to come by and more competitive, the middle market, which we call the $250,000 - $500,000 price range, is starting to see some movement. It's harder now to buy a house for under $250,000 in the Carson Valley area, so buyers have two choices. One is to buy a more expensive house if they can qualify, and the other is not to buy. Our lower end market has definitely shifted from a buyer's market to a seller's market.
Will this trend last? We've received 4 new REO properties in the last 10 days. The second wave is coming and will prolong the bumpy ride for another 2 years, in my opinion. However, if the buyers today plan to stay in their homes for 5-7 years (as they should at a minimum) they should ignore the immediate market fluctuations and enjoy the homeownership that has become affordable for the first time in a long time in the Carson Valley area.
(Image courtesy of TravelNevada - Flickr.com ... Data provided courtesy of the Northern Nevada Multiple Listing Service and covers Area 300 whicih is comprised of Gardnerville, Minden, Genoa and outlying Carson Valley areas.)
Posted By: Christianne Gordon - Northern Nevada Real Estate Agent - Realtor with RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, specializing in Carson Valley Real Estate and Northern Nevada Real Estate .
Wow! This house sold at a fantastic price of just $348,000 or $118 per square foot - and it wasn't bank owned or a short sale.
This home is fantastic - from the laminate wood floors to the close-in location, it was hard to beat! This home has been meticulously cared for & it shows. Fresh paint, new baseboard, gourmet kitchen, dual zone heating & air, completely landscaped on a 1/2 acre - including a stamped concrete patio and walk, loads of room for toys. Convenient to freeways, schools and shopping.
This fantastic home features 6 bedrooms plus a den with french doors. (The den and a spare bedroom are on the first floor - great for those that can't do stairs.) Home also features 3 full baths, a 3 car garage, 2,944 square feet of upgraded living space, only 15 years young but looks brand new with all the benefits of a mature landscape design. Sellers are including a home warranty just for buyer's Peace of Mind!
Yes, it's true, this one sold, but there are many others in the area. Are you looking for a home in the Sparks area? Check out another one of our listings in De'Andrea. 2664 Firenze Drive is a sturdily built Ryder home and is available today!
For more information on our listings visit us at GreatNevadaHomes.com.
Posted By: Christianne Gordon - Northern Nevada Real Estate Agent - Realtor
with RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, specializing in Carson Valley Real Estate and Northern Nevada Real Estate.
 |
|
|
Northern Nevada agent serving Gardnerville, Minden, Genoa, Carson City, Dayton, Reno, Sparks. Residential, investment, land & commercial. Seard the MLS FREE at NevadaHomes.ListingBook.com!
Welcome to my profile - the Gateway to the Carson Valley - where you will learn all about picturesque Nevada and about the fantastic Carson Valley Real Estate available including homes, ranches, land, investment and commercial real estate and an entire Northern Nevada real estate search that is updated daily.
Originally licensed in Nevada in 1999, I serve the Carson Valley and outlying areas, including Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Washoe Valley, Dayton, Fernley, Smith Valley, Gardnerville, Minden and Genoa.For the first 4 years of my real estate career, I focused exclusively on commercial and investment real estate, including retail, mixed use, industrial, office and medical space.
Working together with my father, Stephen Orear, who was originally licensed in California as a Realtor in 1968, we have a referral network of trusted professionals to assist us in the successful completion of each real estate transaction, including mortgage lenders, home inspectors, title companies, appraisers and insurance companies. I prefer to use these trusted vendors because they have proven their skills and experience by being successful in a down market, not just the hot market of yesteryear. Just as a client would value customer service, integrity, honesty, and fair detailing, I expect the same from those professionals I refer to. What this means for you is by working with me, you will have a very experienced, reliable team working for you every step of the way. Experience cannot be valued any more than when you are buying or selling the most valuable asset you are likely to own in your lifetime.
The Carson Valley is just 15 minutes south of the Capital of Nevada, Carson City, and is known as the "Hidden Jewel" of Nevada. Beautiful parks, restaurants, casinos, golf courses, world-class snowskiing, hiking, biking, fishing, and are just a few of the phenomenal things you can find and do here. Minden is one of the main towns in the Carson Valley. Minden has several separate and distinct neighborhoods, and two very-well known companies have chosen to call Minden, Nevada home. Starbuck's has their newest coffee roasting plant located here, which is over 500,000 square feet in size. GE Bently also has it's forward-thinking Agrowdynamics business here, which works relentlessly to create solutions for alternative fuel sources for the world.
Our Real Estate Philosophy - With every client, we listen carefully to determine needs and goals, and put together a personalized plan to accomplish them. Whether it’s a detailed marketing plan to sell your current home, or a tailored plan to find and purchase your new home, you can count on us to use our skills and experience to achieve them. With over $85 million sold in the last 10 years alone, we strive to be the most knowledgeable agents in the marketplace, to be the most ethical and honest, and to provide a level of service unmatched in the industry.
We pride ourselves on providing full service assistance to buyers and sellers, including referrals to reputable lenders, home inspectors, title companies and many other reliable professionals to meet your specific needs.
This is why we say once you work with us, you’ll consider us “your REALTORS® for life”.
Dear Steve and Christianne,
We enjoyed working with you on our recent house purchase. You answered all of our questions in a very timely way and you were always available to show us the house and get us any information we needed. You also made this sale go very smooth and fast by personally delivering all the documents that needed to be signed.
We were also impressed by the very professional but yet very friendly and personal way that you treated both parties involved. We hope we can have the opportunity to work together again.
- Russell Scossa
Dear Steve and Christianne,
Lane and I would like to thank you for a most professional handling of our real estate situation in Gardnerville. Starting with the great communication up front by explaining what we could expect in a very difficult market. In looking at my notes from our first meeting it actually turned out exactly as you said. The length of time you predicted to complete a sale in this market was correct, the amount of the sale was within a few percentage points. Most importantly to us were the following:
1.) Christianne’s expert job of staging the home.
2.) Stephen’s & Christianne’s knowledge of the market.
3.) Continual updates on where we were.
4.) The above and beyond the call of duty displayed by you. Helping get things out of the house, constantly making yourself available for those to whom we donated furniture to.
5.) The most up to date marketing tools, from the “Talking House”, to internet, to mailing people in the area to let them know it was available.
6.) Going the extra mile to work around our schedule which is always unpredictable in our business in the fall.
7.) Actually driving all the way up to Tahoe to get papers signed (when gas prices were at their highest), and even delivering things that we may have forgotten.
8.) Your understanding of my emotional frame of mind since it was my mother’s house, and your sensitivity in handling things so I did not have to spend much time there.
9.) Your continual “What else can we do?” attitude” toward the project.
10.) Your rallying of the real estate community to show the home.
11.) The most important thing may have been their Positive Energy and Enthusiasm. Stephen told us “We can sell this house”.
Lane recently said she wished you can handle our holdings in Calif. and Arizona, and of course I concur! Thank you again for your care, your professionalism, and your belief and commitment to excellence.
- John and Lane Emerick
Hi Steve and Christianne,
This is a pleasure to respond to your request. We have been trying to formulate a “Thank You” to include all the accolades you have earned. We have been residents of the Carson Valley since 1981, and as such have used different Realtors for both residential and business. By far you have been the hardest working Realtors we’ve known. We were impressed with the exposure you gave our property using far reaching advertising, and at your own expense. We also really appreciated how accessible and personal, yet professional you both are, we could always reach you by phone, with every worry or question. (A rare luxury in this day.) Your knowledge of real estate and your keen eye for detail have served us well. In each transaction you kept our best interests in first place, which saved us needless expense down the road. We recommend you to everyone without reserve. Thank you again for your friendship, and work ethic.
With Appreciation and Love - Bob and Linda Blackford
Dear Steve and Christianne,
Thank you both very much! You both are very understanding and respectful of our time. Thank you both for respecting our time as we both tried to respect yours! I am sure we will be doing future deals together. Thanks for the excellent gift. We really appreciate it. Again, thanks and may you all be healthy, wealthy and wise.
Thanks - Carlos and Ondy Valladares
Steve,
We just wanted to send a note of thanks for the top notch service you provided us during the search for and eventual purchase of our home in Minden. Living over 600 miles away and communicating mostly by email, you made our search easy because you were always willing to tour and photograph the properties we were interested in, thereby saving many hours of needless on-site visits for us. As a result, when we did visit Minden and meet with you, we had a much clearer picture of what we were looking for, and we have you to thank for helping us find the perfect property. Your continued help through the purchase process and your dedication to us as clients made us truly appreciate your level of expertise and professionalism in your field. We are very pleased to have a new home in Minden, but even more pleased to have you, Steve, as our friend.
- Lillian Rosen & Randy Nickson
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2009 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
