Category Archives: Reno Events

Would I buy a Belvedere Condominium?

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My posts on this blog about the Belvedere condominium project and developer Bijan Madjlessi generated more interest than any other so far. Readers have even contacted me asking what I thought about buying units in the project.

I must begin with this disclaimer because except for what I have read or learned in newspaper or other reports my direct knowledge of the Belvedere is almost nonexistent. I’ve never been in the Belvedere nor have I ever met any of the players that I am aware of. As I said the extent of my knowledge has come only from news articles or from comments on this or other blogs. Therefore I believe I am not qualified to recommend in any way either positive or negative about the benefits of purchasing a Belvedere condominium unit.

My concern with the Belvedere project is that I am not convinced that the legal difficulties are yet over. There are some other reasons that I do not like condominiums but I will save that for another time.

As we have learned from the Reno Gazette Journal, the Belvedere condominiums were purchased at a Washoe County tax foreclosure sale by David Lonich, the attorney for Madjlessi. It would appear to me that Lonich is nothing but the straw buyer for Madjlessi.

We learned that Madjlessi failed to pay his mortgages, failed to pay his vendors, and failed to pay property taxes, thus resulting in tax foreclosure.

We learned that Madjlessi had been arrested in California for insurance fraud. Then as information began to grow we learned that Madjlessi was involved in the failure of Sonoma Valley bank. We further learned that Madjlessi had been involved in at least three other failed developments in California in the Sonoma and Petaluma area.

I would be concerned that the Belvedere is still a target rich environment for attorneys and law suits. I can only imagine that some hungry attorney will see an opportunity in coming to aid of the vendors that lost so much by their supplying goods and services to the project.

I just can’t imagine that they will be happy seeing Madjlessi win at their expense.

So, no. I would not personally be comfortable buying a condominium in the Belvedere project.

I would welcome comments from anyone having a different opinion.

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Going to Hot August Nights

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The Reno-Sparks Hot August Nights begins today.

During Hot August Nights, cars are “cherry” and cruisin’ is “too cool.” More than 800,000 people flock to the Event where cars are the stars and rock ‘n roll rules through dozens of concerts, controlled cruises, show-n-shines, a sock hop and much more!

Plenty of shopping can be found at the Classic Car Auction, Big Boy Toy Store, Hot August Nights Swap Meet. So much to do, so much to see, make your plans to visit Hot August Nights today!

Enjoy the show.

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Pops on the River

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I realize that this post has nothing to do with real estate, but it is about life here  in Reno.  So bear with me.

Anyone who has been around Reno for more than just a short time is aware tat there is always something going on.  A weekend in Reno without some special event is a rarity.

This month, more or less, the event is Artown, which focuses on art in its various forms.  This past weekend was Pops on the River featuring a pops concert by the Reno Youth orchestra.  In reality, the concert is almost an added attraction .  I say this because it might appear that the event is a practice run for either Halloween or Burning Man.  Drinking might be the secondary purpose.

The event is looked upon as a fund raising opportunity for the orchestra.  The seating area was sold by tables and each table decides upon a theme and the members of that table will dress accordingly, costume and all.  The theme gets carried to include the table decorations and the dinner itself.  Judges then pass through the assemblage to select the most original, etc.

During the intermission they auctioned off a chance to conduct the orchestra, along with a few minutes of coaching about how to hold the baton. The willing bid was $2800. Wow!

I  enjoyed the performance very much.  The vocalists were part of the show and mostly sang songs from recent Broadway musicals .  Our table was situated such that we had a great view of a gorgeous pine tree and occasionally could see movement at its periphery.

What I found most fascinating was the aerial show put on by the birds after the sun had set.  I think they were some species of swallows feeding on the insects and I would suspect that fighter pilots would be envious over their skills.  The aerial show seemed to last only a short time.  As darkness approached the bird action seemed to cease.  Perhaps it was just that the light conditions made it possible to see them.  I may just return one evening to watch the birds.

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