Good morning, Carson City.

Jim Valentine advises buyers and sellers to review new contract forms and property details as market conditions adjust, noting that interest rates have slightly dropped.

He warns that potential changes to appraisal practices may be introduced by late spring, urging careful planning for your investments.

Carson City realtor Garrett Lepire says low inventory and high mortgage rates have kept sales slow across Northern Nevada; he expects total sales to rise 5 percent or more next year and builders may offer lower fixed interest rates on new homes (despite rising homeowners insurance costs in fire-prone areas).