5540 E Hidden Valley Dr, Reno, NV 89502

Goldilocks knows what she wants. Not too big nor too small. A yard that's maturely beautiful but doesn't require costly maintenance. A capacious garage; a walk to the clubhouse; and an established, friendly community. She’s owned enough houses to know that quality construction and meticulous upkeep trump fashionable architectural styles. She likes to change her own light bulbs and she never wants to see her guests on their way to the bathroom. "This one's just right!" is still her motto. And this one is., ****The excellence of its construction and its owner's maintenance is apparent: check out the SRPD, the pre-sale inspection, and your eyes. (The interior paint is ten years old.) If workmanship isn't important to you, then bigger, newer tract houses with gray LPV flooring, clerestory windows, and petrol blue kitchen cabinets abound. They're built by developers who also build in Fernley and Sparks, and you can get one for less. (Or you can buy one from Toll Bros. and pay more.) But if you appreciate stalwart, old-school quality, a sensible, presciently contemporary floor plan, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing a property has had superior construction and upkeep, read on. ****Two circular driveways: guests park in front; owners pull into the pristine, oversized, epoxy-floored, and heated garage via St. Andrews Drive in the back. Cleverly concealed RV parking behind the back gate; but if you don't own an RV it won't look like you own an empty RV parking pad. (But if you do own a travel trailer, check out photo 39 for an image of where it would live; such a sweet additional guest quarters or fun camping venue for the grandkids!) The gardens were designed by the brilliant Kirk Barlow of Little City Landscape and surround a cool, east-facing, sheltered patio/courtyard that blocks afternoon wind and sun. Extensive rockscaping and rock (read: forever) mulch--front, back, and sides--keeps weeds at bay. The owner pays $2,500 a quarter for Little City to maintain it (the same guy has been doing it for 13 years) and the company is willing to keep the contract for the new owners. And check out that view of Mt. Rose from the front porch, the great room, and the master (try out the chaise); it's the best thing about living on this side of the valley and your personal vantage from which to behold our magnificent northern Nevada skies. ****Inside, a refreshingly simple floor plan: a spacious great room accommodates holiday-sized gatherings or evenings alone with aplomb; the master suite, in a separate wing, is discrete from the in-law/guest suite. Yes, two en suite masters. And yes, there's an alcove office/den, too, big enough for your desk and a pull-out couch. Real hardwood floors throughout. Receptacles and light switches everywhere they should be. Excellent lighting design creates intimacy and warmth. Dual zone heating/cooling with humidifier. We've got the plans for the original build (1977) and the renovation/addition (2003); check the top of the desk during your tour if you want to peruse them. Plus the property conveys with a thick file of maintenance receipts. ****Do you know Hidden Valley? If so, you can skip this bit. If you don't, then consider understated, idyllic, Hidden Valley: as close as we've got to the curbless, historical chic of Palm Springs' Movie Colony or Old Scottsdale. Where else in the country--in the world--do wild horses come down from the hills to snack on a clubhouse's lawn? (Photo 40 shows them having their tea time recently.) If the sight of a parked RV, a random Conestoga wheel, or a sign that reads; "Parade of Lights Winner: 10th Place" displayed in someone's front yard irritates, then HV isn't for you. But if you appreciate wide Western streets lined with walkers who wave as you drive by (as well as the occasional tumbleweed), and drivers who are safe without having to be reminded, this could be the place to call home. It's on Reno's eastside, too, which