5 Tahoe Buyer Tips
If you’re looking to buy a vacation-resort second home/condo in the North Lake Tahoe – Truckee, CA market, here are 5 Tahoe buyer tips to keep in mind.
1.) Location, location, location – it’s true in Tahoe too. Location is just as important here as it is every where else. Not all Tahoe locations are equal. The same A-frame cabin in one neighborhood can be worth a lot more than the same one just a few blocks away. Special features such as home owner association memberships, walking distance to Lake Tahoe, backing to open space, or a steep driveway can make significant value differences. Some features may seem obvious that will add, or take away value, but others may not be as apparent. Local Tahoe knowledge is extremely valuable and your Tahoe real estate professional will be able to help you establish valuations for the properties you are interested in.
2.) Furnishings are negotiable. A lot has changed with getting a loan, so buying a Tahoe property with furnishings is not as easy as it once was, but sellers are still looking to include them in the sale of their Tahoe second homes, so don’t forget to ask if they are available.
3.) Ask for the Bear Box. In Tahoe, a bear box is a secured container that your garbage cans are stored in. They are called “Bear Boxes” because they have been designed to prevent the local wildlife from breaking in and scattering your garbage through-out the neighborhood. Like a built-in appliance, the bear box should be permanently attached to the property, and should come with the property, but just in case, make sure to include this item as something to be left behind by the seller and include it in your offer.
4.) Be Flexible. Buyers start their search for the perfect Tahoe lakefront, cabin, home, or condo on the internet. What a buyer can’t see on-line is the over all setting, neighboring homes, or real feel a neighborhood, or location has to offer until you are there.
Pictures are great, but they often don’t show how close the next door neighbor really is, or how loud the road noise will be at that location. Be flexible and open to seeing other homes that aren’t on your list. Remember, some places don’t photograph well and just show better in person. Being flexible will allow you to find the best Tahoe property.
5.) Tahoe Vacation Rentals. If you’re thinking about doing some short-term vacation rentals (STR) to off-set your operating costs, be sure to ask you local Tahoe real estate professional if the property you are seeing is currently on a vacation rental program. Different counties, towns, neighborhoods, and condo/townhouse developments all have different rules for STRs, so if you need to do short term rentals, ASK YOUR QUESTIONS BEFORE you start looking at properties. You will save yourself a lot of time and frustration by knowing upfront if a property has a STR option. This is also a great time to find out what features make a vacation property more rentable over others.
These quick 5 Tahoe buyer tips are things to keep in mind as you search for the right Tahoe vacation property.
The North Lake Tahoe area is complicated. Consider this, Tahoe City is not an incorporated city it is actually a community in unincorporated Placer County.
If you are in Tahoe City, California, you are less than thirteen (13) miles to two other counties – Truckee, which is incorporated an is mostly located in Nevada county, and Tahoma, Meeks Bay and Rubicon Bay that are mostly located in El Dorado county. Each county, and community can have their own STR rules and those rules and getting a STR permit can be a challange!
Using a local Tahoe real estate professional will help make your buying experience more informed, organized, and they can guide you through the entire purchasing process!
Want more helpful North Lake Tahoe – Truckee Buyer Information? Click here!
For all of your Tahoe Real Estate Needs –
Laura A. Allen | 530.414.1260 | Laura@TahoeLaura.com
BROKER ASSOCIATE | North Lake Tahoe – Truckee Real Estate Professional, Advisor, Agent
CalRE# 01473598
Coldwell Banker | Tahoe City – Truckee, CA
All information is deemed reliable, but is subject to change, and/or correction without notice.
5 Tahoe Buyer Tips
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