Stimulating Reno Airport
March 30, 2009
The Reno Tahoe International Airport will be receiving funds from the recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The airport will receive an approximate $2.2 million in stimulus funds which will be used for Phase 12 of the airport’s reconstruction project. Heidi Berthold, Reno Tahoe International Airport spokeswoman, reports that the funds should create anywhere from 80 to 100 new jobs. New jobs will be created for contractors, suppliers and vendors. Work is expected to begin this summer on the ramp area apron. The apron is the area where airplanes pull up to the terminals for passengers to board and exit the planes. The project will take about two years to complete.
The Reno-Tahoe International Airport serves approximately 14,000 travelers every day. The airport has been servicing the Reno and Lake Tahoe area for over 81 years! Boeing Transport built the airport in 1929 as Hubbard Field. The airport was purchased by the City of Reno in 1953. In 1994, the airport was renamed the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. The airport facility covers over 1,450 acres, with 23 passenger gates and over 140 passenger planes landing daily. With that much air traffic, you can see why the funds for improving and repairing the 20 year old apron will be much appreciated by airport management and passengers alike.
Foreclosure Help for Reno-Sparks and Washoe County
March 23, 2009
According to the latest report from RealtyTrac, the rate of distressed properties for Reno-Sparks and Wahsoe County went up sharply in January and February. In January, the Reno-Sparks metro area and Washoe County entered the top ten and, in February, they moved to the eighth position for metro areas with the highest foreclosure filing rate. Clark County is in the first position. There are three components to the ranking: an increase in Notice Of Defaults, an increase in Notice of Trustee Sale and the number of foreclosed homes on the market.
In response to this increase, Washoe County has posted a Foreclosure Prevention Seminar on their website for homeowners who are facing foreclosure. The 30-minute video presentation offers advice and information on homeowner rights, time frames and options. The presentation will also be aired on the Washoe TV Channel. To watch the Foreclosure Prevention workshop on your television, you will find broadcast times on the Washoe Channel webpage.
The direct link to watch the video online is http://www.washoecounty.us/mgrsoff/wctv_online.html. If you are accessing the information on the Washoe County website, it is www.washoecounty.us. Select the Washoe County Television, which is located mid-bottom of the page. On the Washoe Channel page, click on the Video-On-Demand link. Go to the Search Archives section and type in Foreclosure Help. There are four videos availaible: Foreclosure Prevention Workshop – English, a Spanish verision, a Seniors video and a video on Nevada Foreclosure laws.
President Obama announced the government’s action plan for foreclosure prevention earlier in the month. The plan offers options to help distressed homeowners and homeowners who are not deliquent in payments but need help with lowering their house payments. In addition, the federal goverment launched a website which offers online tools for homewoners. The tools will help homeowners determine if they are eligible for the Making Home Affordable refinance and loan modification programs.
Charlene Hamilton, Reno Real Estate
Sparks Firefighters Take it Off for St. Patrick
March 16, 2009
Some of the firefighters from the Sparks’ Fire Department will be honoring Saint Patrick by celebrating Saint Baldrick’s Day and taking it all off, their hair that is. There are many ways to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day in Reno and Sparks. Several of the Sparks’ firefighters have chosen to not only wear green but will also be shaving their heads to help raise money to support research for children with cancer. You don’t have to shave your heard to show your support. You can cheer these fine firefighters as they shed their locks at the Coconut Bowl at Wild Island (a family adventure park) and donating to this worthy cause. If you are unable to attend the Saint Baldrick affair, you can still contribute online.
St. Baldrick’s Day Event
Coconut Bowl at Wild Island
March 17, 2009
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Sparks Fire Department Website
Contact: Bill Finley (Division Chief/Administration)
Phone: 353-1618
Saint Baldrick Foundation Video (http://www.stbaldricks.org/about_us/)
Reno Near the Bottom of the Market?
March 9, 2009
Reno and other areas of the nation may be reaching the bottom of the market. The key to the market now is not the foreclosure rate, but consumer confidence. Although, nationwide, the delinquency rate is the highest since 1972, the foreclosure rate remained flat for the last three quarters of 2008. The delinquency rate is now being attributed to the economy rather than sub-prime loans. The delinquency rate is the number of homeowners who have missed one or more payments (approximately 11% of all mortgage loans). The foreclosure rate is the number of homes which were foreclosed on by the lender (3.3%). Housing affordability, the current low interest rate (4.5%) and the decline of foreclosures has brought a slight increase in sales and a stabilizing of home prices. Homes sales in 2008 were 23% higher than the home sales in 2007.
President Obama announced a program last week which will allow some homeowners to refinance their current loans and a program to help delinquent homeowners work out loan modifications with their lenders. The programs are expected to help as many as 9 million homeowners nationwide.
There are many variable factors that will influence when the bottom of the market is reached in any area. In addition, no one knows when that is exactly until after the fact and the figures are analyzed. However, there are indications locally and nationally that the housing market is on the mend and the bottom of the market is in sight. How potential buyers perceive the market and their confidence in their own personal finances is the new determining factor affecting the Reno housing market.
Reno’s New Senior Center
March 2, 2009
The newly expanded Center for Active Seniors was officially opened on Friday with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Mayor Bob Cashill and City Council member Jessica Sferazza were on hand for the ceremonies. The Senior Center is located at the Neil Road Recreation Center (3925 Neil Road) in Miguel Ribera Park in southeast Reno. The facility also houses the Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows and a Reno Police Department satellite office.
The center has been expanded and features a bright and airy design. The circular lobby offers free internet service. The center also offers a specially designed seniors fitness center, a gymnasium and a stage for theater productions. A full staff welcomes seniors to the center, providing them with various programs which offer them the opportunity to live more enriched and enjoyable lifestyles.
The Center also houses a health clinic and is a drop-off location for the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. The staff at the center will help seniors to determine if they qualify for the supplemental food program and/or food stamps. Senior citizens (no income limit) can call 775-331-FOOD to learn more about the program and home delivery options.
The expanded and remodeled center is a demonstration of Reno’s commitment to the growing senior (55+) community. Reno is working to continually improve their recreation centers and programs for seniors, as well as the younger crowds, throughout the city. The project received $900,000 in funds from the federal Economic Development Initiative. The City of Reno contributed $300,000 towards the project. Other agencies, including Washoe County, also contributed to the expanded and remodeled facility.
Neil Road Recreation Center
3925 Neil Road. Enter the senior addition off Mauldin Lane.
Phone: 775-689-8484
Fees: Membership Annual membership is $50. Scholarships are available.
Program Fees: Vary and start as low as 50 cents.
