This Christmas was as good as they get. Nancy and I had all four children, four spouses and two grandchildren at our home for the holidays. We were able to have all of the family together with a lot of friends to welcome Erin into our family. She is Robbie's wife since Oct. 7 and she finally got to meet many of our friends in Reno and Sparks. Special thanks to our friends John and Karen Rand for letting us use their home to have many friends and family gather. The new addition to their home on Rimrock Drive in the Virginia Foothills has made this one of the nicest homes in town. The family is leaving Saturday so we can all get started with the new year.

The California Salmon season was slow in 2006

Now that I haven't been able to archery hunt as much, I have tried my luck at Salmon fishing on the Sacramento River. I have a 19' Jetcraft boat. I caught four salmon total so far in 2006. The fish that were caught were all very bright quality fish ranging 14, 22, 26 and 30 lbs. As long as I had help from friends like Mike Radcliffe, Dan Ripple, Dick Stockman, Bob Sparre and Felton Hickman, I was able to get the boat in and out of the river with my recovering arm. I have great hopes for a better 2007 salmon season. The spring Striped Bass season was red hot as soon as the water dropped from the huge rains we had in January and during spring time. There are few things that can excite you like a big "Fish On."

Yosemite is so close to Reno!

Yosemite Valley is only 3 1/2 hours from Reno. Having lived in Reno for 50 years and having driven through Yosemite a few times to get to other parts of California we finally drove into Yosemite Valley last year. I saw many things driving through without stopping that made me know I had to come back and camp to see more of the park. Thanks to our friends Jim and Judy Elsmore we finally got camping reservations for the Upper Pines Camp Grounds for the Nevada Day Holiday. These were the first dates available and even though it was colder at night and there was no water in the water falls the park was beautiful. The fall colors were brilliant. There were no crowds like when we drove through in the summer. We were able to ride our tandem bike on every bike trail in the valley. We saw bears, deer, coyotes, birds and other widlife. The rock climbers gave us something to watch on the huge rock faces.

2005 and 2006 have been recovery years

Rick has had both shoulders operated on in the past two years. When they say you pay for your previous sins, Rick knows this is true. After years of wrestling, racing motorcycles and shooting archery and having had injuries that appeared to have healed, both left and right shoulders fell apart. Dr. Norm Young has now done both the left and right shoulders. Karen Cottinger has helped Rick through his physical therapy and he is almost mended. With a few screws and many stitches, he is looking forward to 2007 and hoping that there will be no surgeries or therapy to mess up his work and play schedule.

First grandchild came on Dec. 23, 2005

Rick and Nancy have been able to enjoy watching their first grandson grow up with all of the photos and video clips that Meagan and Todd email to them. Meagan is working as an escrow officer and Todd is preparing for dental school in Louisville Kentucky. Rick and Nancy were able to travel to Kentucky and be there for Fisher's birth. Rick always thought that what ever happened east of the Rockies had no interest to him and now half of his kids live east of the Mississippi.

2006 was a big year for Nancy and Rick

This was the year that Rick and Nancy both turned 50 years old and the year they celebrate 30 years of marriage. Nancy got to choose where they would spend their anniversary and she chose Singapore. Their friends Mike and Chris Kelly hosted them and they enjoyed personal tours and local knowledge, making this a great vacation. Going from dry mild tempatures to 90 degrees with 90% humidity was hard on Rick.
Rick and Nancy took a short trip to Phuket, Thailand to celebrate their anniversary.

Our youngest son Weds in Richland, Washington

Robbie, who has been attending BYU Idaho, married Erin Winks on Oct. 7, 2006. Nancy and Rick are now empty nesters. Robbie has been a great help at home. He has helped with mechanical and construction projects for years. It will be harder to get jobs done without him. Robbie and Erin are living in Rexburg Idaho and they are both attending BYU Idaho with hopes of careers in Construction Management and counseling.

A short visit to Indy Speedway

With a few extra minutes we stopped off at the speedway that hosts races that we have seen on TV and probably will never see in person. We took the entire tour and found it amazing how much is really involved in such a big race venue. The Indy 500, Brickyard 400 and a Formula 1 race all take place here.

My oldest son graduates and passes Nevada Bar

Ken graduated from University of Utah Law School in 2006 after graduating from BYU in 2002 and has since passed the Nevada Bar Exam. Ken took a job clerking for Judge John Iroz in Winnemucca, NV. He hopes to learn about the different areas of law to decide which area of law to specialize in.

After 25 years, Falconry is back in Rick's life.

From the age of 14 until getting busy in real estate Rick had falconry in his life. At the age of 50 he decided it was time to get back into a sport he loves. Rick having bad knees and shoulders may have been another reason. Rick is with "Mag" a male Harris Hawk and with "Suka" a male Gyr Falcon.

A Visit to Purdue University

Steven is doing his graduate MBA work at Purdue University. We got to visit Steven and his wife Katrina over Thanksgiving and we couldn't have had nicer weather. The campus is nice. Thanksgiving dinner couldn't have been better.

You are asking why we should buy now?

Why would Rick want us to buy when real estate isn’t booming?

I have been selling real estate for 28 years and this is the best buyer’s market we’ve ever had! Consider the reasons that make this a good time to buy:

1) Interest rates are low. Now you’re wondering how I can say that 6.5% rates are low, when a year ago you could get 5.5%? In the early 80’s we were selling homes with rates of 12%-18%. There were times I even believed we may never see interest rates as low as 10% again. 6.5% is a low and affordable interest rate.

2) You have many homes to choose from, and many of the homes built in the past 10 years are better than the typical older home. How are they better? There is more light, better energy efficiency, better floor plans, and newer neighborhoods that historically appreciate faster.

3) Sellers ar more flexible than the have ever been!!! Sellers are coming off of their prices, paying buyers closing costs, financing and doing improvements to make the sale work that they wouldn’t do in the past. Sellers that are not doing these things aren’t selling their homes, they are simply putting up a sign that says: For Sale.

4) Prices in some areas have dropped by $50,000 from where they were selling in July of 2005. Do not try to wait for the very bottom, as the market can shift in the blink of an eye.

My desire for 28 years has been to serve your real estate needs. Call me so we can discuss ideas you may have had about upgrading from your own home, buying investment properties or helping the kids get into a home.


Rick Lund
www.ricklund.com
Ferrari-Lund Real Estate

Reno-Sparks Real Estate Market

We know you are interested in a Reno-Sparks Real Estate Market Update, so here we go.

For the past 5 years we have been talking about the fast pace, rising prices and low interest rates that have driven the real estate market. Today the talk is more about how much lower do we have to go to get a sale. The buyers are asking us how much lower can we get the seller to go and stating that if they don’t like our offer, then let’s go look at some other homes. There are more than 6,000 homes for sale in this area now, so it is definitely a buyer's market.

Ferrari-Lund Real Estate is still the second highest volume company in Reno-Sparks. And we still know how to sell your home if you need or want to sell. In today’s market you have to ask yourself, “Do I Really Have To Sell or Do I Want To Sell?"

Many Stock Brokers have told me that when the market softens on a stock that you know is good, then buy it while the market is soft. Don’t panic and sell the stock unless you know something is terminal and it isn’t going to get better.

Real estate in Reno-Sparks is a good and highly desirable investment. It is not going to appreciate for a while and it may never appreciate again like we just experienced but real estate in the Reno-Sparks Nevada area is a good investment.

Give us a call if you need expert and experienced help of real estate professionals. Ferrari-Lund Real Estate and Rick Lund can help you meet your real estate needs now.


Rick Lund
www.ricklund.com
Ferrari-Lund Real Estate

Real Estate Market in Summer of 2006

So, the market has changed from the boom it was last year. What now?

Because of the current marketplace, and the competitiveness of the properties, if you have a property that needs landscaping, carpeting or painting, spend the money and do the work now. If your property is on the market but is not getting enough showings, start making the price adjustments now.

If your current broker/agent is not doing the marketing methods that Rick Lund is doing at Ferrari-Lund Real Estate then it's time to make a change. With Rick Lund you can be sure that your current agent starts doing now what is needed to procure a sale before a real winter market hits Reno and Sparks.

The sellers have had their way from 2002 through 2005. It is now time for the buyers to have their way. This means very few homes will be selling at list price or near list price. Being flexible and market-smart is the way to get what you want in this market.

Rick Lund
www.RickLund.com
www.Ferrari-Lund.com

Reno Real Estate Market

What happened to the real estate market in Reno, NV?!!

The Reno-Sparks, Nevada real estate market is worse than the statistics say -- for sellers, that is. The problem is:

1. too many properties for sale; and
   
2. the interest rates have gone up
   

Lets compare what is happening in 2006 vs. what happened in 2005.

• Total number of residential properties listed for sale from Jan. 1 2005 to June 30, 2005 = 6,206
  
• Total number of residential properties listed for sale from Jan. 1 2006 to June 30, 2006 = 9,103
  
• Total number sold YTD from Jan. 1, 2005 to June 30, 2005 = 3,954
  
• Total number sold YTD from Jan. 1, 2006 to June 30, 2006 = 2,564
  
• Days on Market on those property that sold 2005 = 76
  
• Days on Market on those property that sold 2006 = 96
  
• Properties listed for sale that did not sell before they expire 2005 = 5.8%
  
• Properties listed for sale that did not sell before they expire 2006 = 16%
  

With the numbers of first time buyers, investors, and move-up buyers decreasing due to rising interest rates, the number of listings is increasing the probability of up to 50% of all listings for sale will not sell after Oct. of 2006. This is not a good position to be in if you are a seller who has to sell in the next 6 months.

But to look at this situation with a positive spin: the Reno real estate market is definitely a buyer's market. So if you are ready to buy or relocate to Reno, NV, now is the time. Ferrarri-Lund Real Estate will find the perfect home for you and you can join our Reno-Sparks community where the air is clean and the opportunities are many.

Rick Lund
www.RickLund.com
www.Ferrari-Lund.com

Reno Real Estate Market

The New Year is starting out great in Reno. We had some minor flooding and I guess you call it minor unless you were one of the unfortunate whos home or business was flooded. We did not have the huge amount of snow and freezing temps in town like in 2005. The Sierra Nevada Mountains are currently 120% of normal snow pack. Our Lakes are higher than last year so water storage is getting better.

We all of this talk of water and weather how does it affect our real estate market? The roads are mostly clear and we want our California neighbors to know this so they will come buy our real estate. This is the first year in three years that we have an inventory of homes to choose from. The waiting lists that seemed like they would never end are gone from many of the subdivisions. The multiple offers on properties and having to rush your decision in fear of missing out on the properties are gone. The agents, the lenders and the escrow officers have more spare time to talk and chat and help you be relaxed with your real estate transaction.

The real estate market in Reno-Sparks Nevada is back to a normal market. The interest rates are still holding steady in the lower 6% range.

Many of the neighborhoods that had appreciated too much due to lack of inventory have now adjusted in the buyers favor.

On Feb. 1, 2006 a national economist speaker with Stewart Title, Ted Jones gave his report on the national economy and the Reno-Sparks market.

Reno-Sparks markets are still expected to exceed the performance of most national regions in job creations and housing appreciation.

The quality of homes being built in this area over the past 10 years is amazing due to many national-type home builders coming in to do head-to-head competition for the buyers.

Dont miss out on a great area to live, play, raise a family or invest.

For more information, contact Rick Lund at (775) 688-4000.

Rick Lund
www.ricklund.com