WWYD? Scouting Trip (Reno, Sparks, Fernley: sale, 2013, leasing agent)

[MRV01d]

We have a scouting trip to the area coming up and, if things fall into place, this would be our first major relocation (I moved every 2 years as a kid, but that's not the same, other than I am really good and fast at packing).

So advice is welcome, even just general relocation advice. Some details:

We think we want to live in Sparks due to the schools there, however, initially, we want to rent someplace cheaper while we get our bearings. Thinking Fernley.

(We probably will have to save for a down payment on a house anyway, as I will be shocked if we can sell our current house at a profit. Heck, I'll pass out if we can even sell it! We aren't even upside down, but the economy is so weak, you can't give houses away!)

We have a toddler who won't be in school until 2013 and two labs.

And I can't think of anything else. If I left out something, let me know.

Thanks for your help.

M

[tanmctee]

Originally Posted by MRV01d

We have a scouting trip to the area coming up and, if things fall into place, this would be our first major relocation (I moved every 2 years as a kid, but that's not the same, other than I am really good and fast at packing).

So advice is welcome, even just general relocation advice. Some details:

We think we want to live in Sparks due to the schools there, however, initially, we want to rent someplace cheaper while we get our bearings. Thinking Fernley.

(We probably will have to save for a down payment on a house anyway, as I will be shocked if we can sell our current house at a profit. Heck, I'll pass out if we can even sell it! We aren't even upside down, but the economy is so weak, you can't give houses away!)

We have a toddler who won't be in school until 2013 and two labs.

And I can't think of anything else. If I left out something, let me know.

Thanks for your help.

M

How exciting ---- anticipating the next path on your journey in life. I always get excited about fun changes like this and it sounds like you are approaching it with the same outlook!

From a moving standpoint, it sounds as if you have packing down....I always recommend a yard sale and getting rid of the non-essential items hanging out around the house, do not move stuff you will not use...clear out any clutter...moving is always a good way to reduce "things"....at least, I have found that in my own life.

Now, when you are in town.....do a good look of all the communities in the Sparks area (since that is where you want to focus your look). There are many great tucked in areas.

Also, keep in mind, on many REO properties there is a HomePath program where you only have to have 3% down (5% recommended to better interest rate), Mortgage Insurance and no Appriasal costs. It is a great way to have a reduced down payment and get in to a home.

Congratulations on your move and WELCOME to Northern Nevada : )

[MRV01d]

Oh thanks for the info on the home buying. I do want to wait a bit so we get a good feel for the area and whether or not we'll end up relocating again. We made a mistake with our current house (except for the part where we're not upside down, that worked out although it was a happy accident) and I want to be careful before we get trapped in a house by the economy again.

Yes we are excited even though there are challenges. We like to travel and do new things.

We'll have a car and this first trip will just allow one day of scouting. Aside from driving around, anything else we should do?

If the whole thing ends up happening, we'll have another trip and that would be the point where we would sign a lease.

Should we talk to a relocation specialist now you think? We've not done this before at all.

M

[tanmctee]

Originally Posted by MRV01d

Oh thanks for the info on the home buying. I do want to wait a bit so we get a good feel for the area and whether or not we'll end up relocating again. We made a mistake with our current house (except for the part where we're not upside down, that worked out although it was a happy accident) and I want to be careful before we get trapped in a house by the economy again.

Yes we are excited even though there are challenges. We like to travel and do new things.

We'll have a car and this first trip will just allow one day of scouting. Aside from driving around, anything else we should do?

If the whole thing ends up happening, we'll have another trip and that would be the point where we would sign a lease.

Should we talk to a relocation specialist now you think? We've not done this before at all.

M

It totally understand about the house buying...caution is very important in today's market (just wanted to give you some information to keep on file if you move forward)

As a relocation specialist, I always recommend the sooner the better to become familiar with an area. You will want to get a thorough tour of the area; while you can focus on some neighborhoods or just do drive arounds, you will not learn everything available (for renting too).

Since your time is limited on the first visit, perhaps you will want to just do a little driving around, get familiar with the area and then when you come back for a longer visit you could meet with someone (definitely a leasing agent -- I know some good ones if you need recommendations...my contacts have homes in Reno and Sparks...I could do a little research to find you one in Fernley...hapy to help).

Now --- what else to do when you are here for a quick visit --- it depends on when you are here. If it is this weekend, and you like motorcycles, you might want to check out Street Vibrations in downtown. We have the Italian Festival coming up...always a good time. If not event goers or they are not happening when you are here....definitely take some time to walk downtown on the river park way, the temperatures are beautiful right now, maybe have lunch at Silver Peak and get a feel for the "flavor" of Reno. The National Automobile Museum is a great option to visit....I'm not a huge buff, but find it interesting and fun! A drive to Lake Tahoe is definitely an option.....so much to choose from...so little time. I'll quit there : )

Safe travels and keep us up to date....

[MRV01d]

Awesome suggestions. We love cars and bikes.

I will keep you posted on the trips. I'm pretty sure we want to go Sparks long term but Fernley short term as it is less of a commute to work and cheaper so we can save more.

However, we haven't seen either location so who knows what will happen? There's a house for rent in another city that would be beyond perfect. Just the schools are the pits and while she won't start kindergarten until 2013, she does need a decent Early Intervention program.

M

[MRV01d]

So we don't know what's going to happen.

Our hotel had a shooting and was evacuated during our stay.

Lake Tahoe was beautiful. We looked at rental homes, wouldn't be too hard to find a place.

But if we can't get a buyout or, by some miracle, sell our house, it's all moot.

Thanks for everyone's help. If a move actually happens, I'll be back.

M

[tanmctee]

Originally Posted by MRV01d

So we don't know what's going to happen.

Our hotel had a shooting and was evacuated during our stay.

Lake Tahoe was beautiful. We looked at rental homes, wouldn't be too hard to find a place.

But if we can't get a buyout or, by some miracle, sell our house, it's all moot.

Thanks for everyone's help. If a move actually happens, I'll be back.

M

Will look forward to future conversations; so sorry to hear you were impacted by the shooting.

This has been an awful year for our events --- we work so hard as a community to welcome guests and create amazing opportunities for people to enjoy our area....ugh!

Wishing you amazing things regardless of your choice : )

[MRV01d]

Originally Posted by tanmctee

Will look forward to future conversations; so sorry to hear you were impacted by the shooting.

This has been an awful year for our events --- we work so hard as a community to welcome guests and create amazing opportunities for people to enjoy our area....ugh!

Wishing you amazing things regardless of your choice : )

Thank you! I love your positive energy and have appreciated your posts.

I was pretty shaken by the shooting. Security was not what it should have been imo.

We are still dangling here, waiting to hear what is or isn't going to happen.

M

[tanmctee]

Originally Posted by MRV01d

Thank you! I love your positive energy and have appreciated your posts.

I was pretty shaken by the shooting. Security was not what it should have been imo.

We are still dangling here, waiting to hear what is or isn't going to happen.

M

Ugh...I hate dangling...lol! Thanks for the kind words...wishing you the best : )