About Washoe County, NV

The monthly Riverwalk Merchants Wine Walk in Reno is all about the Holiday Sip and Shop this Saturday, November 21st from 2-5pm. This popular event takes place along the Truckee River and its neighboring streets in the downtown Reno area. For only $20 per person with a valid ID, you receive an ID bracelet, a wine glass and a map showing you which Riverwalk merchants participate in the Reno Wine Walk. With this bracelet, you can sample any wine you wish at the stores of your choice, providing they participate, of course. Feel free to browse through the cafes, shops and more while enjoying your own private wine tasting. There are drawings for a wide variety of great prizes from local Reno merchants. Participation in this event helps local Reno charities as well. Since this event tends to draw large crowds, you should leave the strollers and pets at home. Parking is available at any one of the public lots shown on the Riverwalk Merchants Wine Walk parking map. For more info, please contact Donna Quante at 775-825-9255 or visit the Reno Riverwalk District's website. Come out for a fun, safe way to sample some of our local Reno flavor.

Charlene Hamilton, your Reno relocation specialist

Over the past 18 months or so the Boulder Bay Redevelopment team has been meeting with hundreds of community members, business owners, TRPA aka Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Washoe County officials to gather input on the project. As a result, numerous changes have been made to the original plan. We all hope the changes are for the better but with so many opinions, it is hard to tell. In the area of Architecture and Design changes, proposed are floor removed from buildings or a maximum height of 75 feet. Currently as an example, the Tahoe Biltmore is 76 feet.

An entire wing has been removed from the two main buildings to increase the set backs and open spaces. A complete re-design of the architecture to reflect a Tahoe Alpine style. Also the building setback from the main highway, highway 28 is increased to 43 feet to 66 feet. The current Biltmore is 15-20 feet.

In building program change, all the timeshare units eliminated from the project. It's a density issue. The total building spuare footage is reduced by 20%. In addition the total retail ad commercial square footage has been reduced by 25%.

Environmentally along with Community Enhancement changes, the proposed park space in Crystal Bay has been increased to over 4 acres. A water quality program designed to infiltrate the 100 year/1 hour storm and removal of fine sediment has been improved. A comprehensive guest, local and employee transportation program has been developed. Also of great importance, Green Building programs have been established for energy, water and carbon footprint reductions.

As a comparison, the Hyatt Resort in Incline Village has 422 rooms. The boulder Bay resort will have 300. No timeshares but rather 59 condominium units. Affordable units are 14 (38 bedrooms). Retail and dining will be 20,715 square feet compared to the Hyatt at 15,652 square feet. The casino will be smaller than the Hyatt, just 10,000 squared feet. The building cannot exceed 75 feet compared to the Hyatt at 124 feet. The Hyatt is on 25.2 acres while the Boulder Bay will be 22.1

Most feel it is long overdue for Crystal Bay to be redeveloped. The plans show it will greatly improve the local economy and reduce the impact on the environment.

If you would like more information, go to www.BoulderBayResort.com.

A bit slower this week, but still properties are added and sold from the list. This week as of 11/11/09:

825 Southwood Blvd - Southwood Pines #5, - SOLD BACK TO BENE. NO RECORDED DOC YET.

NEW Notice Of Defaults:

702 College - Incline Crest #73

NEW NOTICES OF SALE:

108 Steam Circle - SALE POSTPONED UNTIL 12/8/09

549 Boothill Ct.- SALE POSTPONED UNTIL 12/8/09

725 Fairview - Incline Pines #10- SALE POSTPONED UNTIL 12/9/09

121 Juanita - Forest Pines #2-21 -SALE POSTPONED UNTIL 11/10/09 (we believe this was sold at auction, but has not been recorded yet!)

Click here for a full list of foreclosures and distressed properties.

The Worker, Home Ownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has extended and expanded the home buyer tax credit through 2010.

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of $8000

• The credit has been extended to cover sales from January 1, 2010 through April 30, 2010.
• A binding executed contract prior to April 30, 2010 will qualify for the credit as long as it closes by June 30, 2009.
• Income limits for single taxpayers is $125,000 until January 1, 2010 and $75,000 from January 1, 2010 to April 30 , 2010.
• Income limits for married taxpayer filing jointly is $225,000 until January 1, 2010 and $150,000 from January 1, 2010 until April 30, 2010.
• The property must be a primary residence and the buyer must not have owned a property within the past three years.

Move Up Home Buyer Tax Credit of $6500

• Property must be purchased as a principal residence. No investment properties.
• The credit has been extended to cover sales from January 1, 2010 through April 30, 2010.
• A binding executed contract prior to April 30, 2010 will qualify for the credit as long as it closes by June 30, 2009.
• Married filing separately can only claim $3250.

Learn more at Home Buyer Tax Credit.

Don't miss the opportunity to buy in this market. Reduced prices and record low interest rates there has never been a better time to buy. Ask your Realtor for more information.