Professional growth is important for all of us, but is especially important for those in which we trust the most important monetary transactions. Check out Sue in this newspaper clipping and see Sue’s continued aspiration to be the Best Agent in Reno!

The period between Christmas and New Year is always a time for reflection and looking forward. The end of 2010 brings to close a difficult year with a tumultuous economic environment and a slow Reno/Sparks real estate market.

Ironically, tough times are regarded as an opportunity for the industry best to become even stronger and take more market share.

Certainly we at the Sue Leonard team look back at 2010 as successful year but more importantly as a springboard to an even stronger 2011.

If you have questions about trends in the Reno/Sparrks real estate market, contact Sue at sueleonard@renonvhomes.com or check our postings at RenoNVHomes.com.

Selling your home shouldn’t be a stressful ordeal. Follow our tips to help make your transaction a smoother, quicker experience.

Understanding your motivation will help you determine the most acceptable selling price for your property. If you are referred to as ‘Highly Motivated’ that would mean that you need to close quickly and by implication are more likely to accept a lower price. Conversely, if you are not viewed as motivated at all, buyers will presume no flexibility in the sales price which may discourage them from buying.

If you are unsure about you motivation to sell and how buyers may perceive you, contact us for further advice.

This selling tip was brought to you by Sue Leonard (sueleonard@renonvhomes.com) and is available with other tips at RenoNVhomes.com

The Sue Leonard team engages in many ‘giving back to the community’ activities throughout the year. Some represent a contribution of time such as the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure and the Reno Ballon Races. Others represent monetary contributions such as Children’s Cabinet and Northern Nevada Food Bank.

For December, the team has contributed to the Northern Nevada Food Bank as the Holiday Season represents a critical time for food supplies in the Reno/Sparks community.

For more information in the community activites of the Sue Leonard team, contact Sue at sueleonard@renonvhomes.com or visit the website RenoNVHomes.com.

Buying your home shouldn’t be a stressful ordeal. Follow our tips to help make your transaction a smoother, quicker experience.

Too much, too little, extensive or minimalist, random or staged are all terms used to describe the furniture in your potential new home. However, do not be distracted by furniture as it is your personal style that turns any house into a home. A professionally staged home or a show home is specifically designed to create an impression and optimal way to lay out furniture. Occupied homes often have furniture positioned solely for the benefit and preference of the people living in the home. Take the time to imagine the room the way you really want it. Discuss with your realtor in advance any unique or specific furniture placement needs you might have so that you work together to purchase a home that accommodates the furniture the way you want it.

This buying tip was brought to you by Sue Leonard (sueleonard@renonvhomes.com) and is available with other tips at RenoNVhomes.com

RE/MAX Realty Affiliates (RRA) runs a successful realtor training program known as “100 days to Greatness” based on the course content of Buffini and Company. The course is lead by Sue Leonard on behalf of RRA.

This week sees the graduation of the 13th course run by Sue, with each graduate meeting their sales, networking and referral business goals. Congratulations and well done to all those indiviudals passing the course this time around.

For more information on RE/MAX Realty Affiliates agent tution and mentoring programs, contact Sue Leonard (sueleonard@renonvhomes.com) or visit RenoNVHomes.com.

Selling your home shouldn’t be a stressful ordeal. Follow our tips to help make your transaction a smoother, quicker experience

Curb appeal is key and could make a difference whether people stop and take a flyer, or drive right by. A large percentage of home buyers decide whether or not to look inside a house or take it seriously based on its curb appeal—the view they see when they drive by or arrive for a showing. You can help make sure they want to come inside your house by spending some time working on the its exterior appearance. Remember that you do not look at you home in the same way as potential buyers. Take the time to view the exterior appearance of your home objectively or ask a friend or neighbor to give some honest and frank feedback on the issues they see.

For the best advice in preparing you home for sale, contact us. We can guide you through which Curb Appeal improvement will benefit the resale price of your home.

This selling tip was brought to you by Sue Leonard (sueleonard@renonvhomes.com) and is available with other tips at RenoNVhomes.com

It is always great to recieve positive customer feedback on buying and selling transactions but some would say recognition from peers and management just as meaningful.

In the recent RE/MAX Realty Affiliates annual holiday celebration, recieving an award for professional Excellence was a highlight of 2010. Excellence not only in real estate transactions but in the mentoring and development of other RE/MAX agents in the RRA office.

Recignition and praise as an individual is rewarding but success as a team and as a leader within industry is praise indeed.

This insight into professional real estate in Reno, Nevada is brought to you by Sue Leonard (sueleonard@renonvhomes.com) and RenoNVHomes.com.

Almost in 2011 and now is the time to prepare for financial success with your real estate.

There are many changes coming in 2011 including:
• Increases in federal long term capital gains rates
• Increases in ordinary income tax rate
• Treatment of carried interest,
• 3.8% tax applied to some property sales and passive rent income through The Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010,
• Return of the estate tax, and
• Private transfer fees (also known as capital recovery fees

If you have concerns about changes in your tax situation, conduct a good tax accountant.

Keep an eye out for changes in the Reno/Sparks Real Estate market by visiting our website RenoNVHomes.com or contact Sue Leonard directly (Sueleonard@renonvhomes.com)

Buying your Reno/Sparks home Tip #1 – Experience makes a difference

Buying your home shouldn’t be a stressful ordeal. Follow our tips to help make your transaction a smoother, quicker experience.

As your experienced team, we know that you will need the following items while buying your home:

•Completion of a comparative market analysis that will compare your prospective home’s value to that of neighboring and similar properties on the market.

•Compilation of a comprehensive plan detailing all activities concerning your home purchase, including negotiating the deal, obtaining finance, getting the home inspected and navigating you through the escrow and recording process.

•Assistance with offers and help in negotiating the best deal as smoothly as possible.

•Looking for innovative solutions to purchasing your dream home should obstacles arise.

•Answers to all of your questions about the local market area, including schools, neighborhoods, the local economy, and more.

•Help in finding selling your existing home, whether you are locally based or not, using the full extent of the RE/MAX network

This buying tip was brought to you by Sue Leonard (sueleonard@renonvhomes.com) and is available with other tips at RenoNVhomes.com