Lake Tahoe - Truckee, CA Real Estate for Sale

Laura Allen, Broker Associate, Tahoe Real Estate Agent, CA RE 01473598 | 530-414-1260 » Page 45

Can I buy a home in Tahoe Donner for under $500,000?

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Can I buy a home in Tahoe Donner for under $500,000?

Can I buy a home in Tahoe Donner for under $500,000?Tahoe Donner Buyers are asking me can I buy a home in Tahoe Donner for under $500,000?  Our market is hot, hot, hot, and I’m not talking about temperatures, but those are also rising too!

Recently I’ve had several Tahoe Donner home Buyers ask if they can still find homes for sale in the Tahoe Donner community for under $500,000 in price – the short answer is yes, but not very many!!!

Currently only 5% of the Tahoe Donner market is priced under $500,000 (as of 06-05-2017). In real numbers this represents only 3 homes for sale in Tahoe Donner.

As of Monday, June 5, 2017 there were only 58 homes for sale in Tahoe Donner.  This inventory level is critically low for this time of year, and this area.

Here is the breakdown of homes for sale in Tahoe Donner as of Monday, June 5, 2017:

Can I buy a home in Tahoe Donner for under $500,000?Now for the bad news; any new home listing in the Tahoe Donner area that are priced to sell, priced just right, or priced under  $700,000 in price are gone in the blink of an eye.

Currently there are 29 homes that are sale–pending in Tahoe Donner area.  That is half of the current inventory of homes for sale of the 58 listings currently on the market.

Year to date, as of this post (06-05-2017), 77 homes have sold with a list to sales price ratio of 99%. 

This shows that homes are selling at almost their full listed price.   The current market conditions are favoring Sellers and Buyers have a lot of competition out there, so buyers need to be prepared to act quickly.

What does this means for home Buyers that are looking in the Tahoe Donner market?  You need to do the following things to be a successful buyer in this market:

  • Commit and work with a Tahoe Buyers’ REALTOR.  Select an agent and then work with them.  Stop bouncing from listing agent to listing agent hoping that they’ll help you get a deal, or favor your offer over the others because they wrote it up for you. 
    • The listing agents’ job is to get the Seller top dollar.
    • You need your own advocate/agent who will help you through the entire process and give you the advice you need to have to be successful.
  • Have your agent set you up to receive “real-time listing alerts”.  Ask your agent if you’ll get listing alerts the same day a new listing hits the market.  Some services only send out alerts once a day, so if a new listing comes out after your deadline, you can lose valuable time.
  • See new listings immediately.  Drive up the same day to see it the same day it hits the market.
  • Make your buying decision quickly.
  • Write your offer that same day.
  • Give the seller a short window to respond to your offer.
  • Have your financing lined up and ready to go.
    • That means your loan pre-approval letter can be updated and sent to you in minutes, not in a few days.
    • It also means that if you are a cash buyer, you know what accounts you’re going to use for this purchase and you have your statement(s) ready to go.
  • Have your 3% good faith/initial deposit (liquid funds) ready to go.  It will pay to be prepared once you have an accepted offer.
  • Be open to the advice your Tahoe REALTOR will give you.  This is a different market than your home market.  Your Tahoe agent works and represents you. They have valuable experience and know how to best position your offer and terms to make it the most attractive it can be to a Tahoe Donner Seller.

Be positive.  Be prepared.  Be ready to write on several homes!

Lastly, don’t give up, or get discourage if your first attempts are not successful.  It may take several tries, and you may have to go through the stress and time demands of several multiple offer situations before you’re successful, but it will happen.

Ready to make the Tahoe Donner Resort Community your second home?  Check out what is for sale here:

For all of your Tahoe real estate needs –

Laura A. Allen | 530.414.1260  | Laura@TahoeLaura.com
BROKER ASSOCIATE, Tahoe Real Estate Agent
CalRE# 01473598
Coldwell Banker, Tahoe City, CA CalRE#01908304

All information is deemed reliable, but is subject to change, and/or correction without notice.

Can I buy a home in Tahoe Donner for under $500,000?

What does it mean Furnishings Negotiable in the Tahoe Market?

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What does it mean Furnishings Negotiable in the Tahoe Market?

What does it mean Furnishings Negotiable in the Tahoe Market?Tahoe Buyers often asked me what does it mean Furnishings Negotiable in the Tahoe Market?

The greater Tahoe City, North Lake Tahoe, and Truckee area is dominated by second home owners.  As a result you will often find our home and condo listings that are for sale as Negotiable, Partially, or Mostly Furnished.

They will appear in our Tahoe Sierra Multiple Listing Service (TSMLS) as one of the following:

  • Furnished | Mostly Furnished
  • Furnished | Partially Furnished
  • Furnished | Negotiable
  • Furnished | None

What does it mean Furnishings Negotiable in the Tahoe Market?What does this mean as a buyer?  It means that you are more likely to find a Tahoe Seller that wants to include some, if not all furnishings in the sale of there property.

Last year in 2016 for the greater North Lake Tahoe – Truckee area we had over 56% (Mostly, Partially and Negotiable), or 1 out of every 2 homes sold in our area was offered with either furnishings, or the seller was negotiable on the item of furnishings!  Here was the break-down in sales:

  • 16% Mostly Furnished
  • 5% Partially Furnished
  • 35% Negotiable
  • 44% None (Not Furnished)

If you are looking to buy a home in the greater Tahoe City area – North Shore (Carnelian Bay, Tahoe Vista, and Kings Beach), and the West Shore (Homewood, Tahoma, Meeks Bay and Rubicon Bay) and you want it to come with furnishing, your chances are even better.

Homes sold in this area in 2016 were over 65%! Here was the break-down of sales:

  • 20% Mostly Furnished
  • 11% Partially Furnished
  • 34% Negotiable
  • 35% None (Not Furnished)

Some Tahoe Sellers may go as far as to offer their property as “Turn-Key” ready because the property may have been on a vacation rental program and they have little to no attachment to any of the items on the property, or the just don’t want the additional items.

  • What does “Turn-Key” ready mean? It means that everything will be left behind for the new owner.  Dishes, pots, pans, small appliances, large appliances, towels, bed linens, TV’s, furniture, deck furniture, even cleaning supplies, snow shovels, and toilet paper.

The seller will leave behind everything that was in/on the property for the next owner so the Buyer/new owner will literally turn the key in the door and walk-into a property that you can live in on your first night in your property without moving an item!

  • “Mostly Furnished” can mean “Turn-Key” ready, or it can mean just the furniture, or perhaps just a few items are excluded. Your Tahoe Agent will need to ask, what is intended by the Seller so you’ll know how to best position your offer.
  • “Partially Furnished” typically means just furniture and not a complete house-hold. The seller may have already moved the items they wanted leaving only a few items, or they may have a list of items they are willing to leave for the Buyer.
  • “Negotiable” now that can mean anything. Often local listing agents will list the property with furnishings as “Negotiable” knowing that the home may be “Turn-Key” ready, fully furnished with no exclusions, to only including just a few items to be agreed upon by the Buyer and Seller as staying.

The main reason for Sellers/Sellers’ Agent to note a property with Furnishings as “Negotiable” rather than using one of the other three options is to avoid potential problems with appraisers and/or a Buyer that may be getting a loan.

What does it mean Furnishings Negotiable in the Tahoe Market?It is also a way for the Sellers to have more control over how the inclusion of furnishings are handled – part of the contract, or in a separate Bill of Sale.

As a Tahoe City – Truckee real estate agent, when I prepare to show homes for my second home Buyers I contact each Sellers’ agent and ask them a number of questions about the property.  One of those questions is to get as much information on how the Seller intends to handle furnishings as some second home buyers want them, while others don’t.

Buyer Tip:  Furnishings are negotiable in our market so remember to:

  • Ask for the furnishing if you want them. You can use a separate bill of sale to address the items if you are getting a loan, or you can ask for them directly in the purchase contract if you are a cash buyer.
  • If you don’t want any furnishings, be sure to let your agent know so your offer doesn’t accidently include them.
  • Room-by-Room List: If you want to make sure there are no misunderstandings between you and the other side of the negotiation, you can prepare a room-by-room list of what you want and anything not on that list will be removed.  The best time to do that is when you are looking at the home, take photos and make up your list at that time.
  • Allow the Seller to provide you with a written list of any personal/excluded items with in the first seven days after acceptance. It’s a nice way to make sure a piece of art, or an item that has sentimental value isn’t accidently included with the sale.

Buying a home with furnishing can be a big convenience for both Buyers and Sellers, so make sure you don’t over-look this important item when it comes time to buy in the greater Tahoe City – Truckee second home market!

If you have more Tahoe second home buyer questions, you can email me at Laura@TahoeLaura.com, or call me 530.414.1260, I can help you too!

Thinking about making Lake Tahoe, California your second home? Check out the homes that are for sale here:

Want to see what condos are for sale in Lake Tahoe? Here are the current listings:

For all of your Tahoe real estate needs –

Laura A. Allen | 530.414.1260  | Laura@TahoeLaura.com
BROKER ASSOCIATE, Tahoe Real Estate Agent
CalRE# 01473598
Coldwell Banker, Tahoe City, CA CalRE#01908304

All information is deemed reliable, but is subject to change, and/or correction without notice.

What does it mean Furnishings Negotiable in the Tahoe Market?

Wine Tasting Soroptimist Truckee Donner June 3 2017

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Wine Tasting Soroptimist Truckee Donner June 3 2017

Wine Tasting Soroptimist Truckee Donner June 3 2017Our weather should be perfect for the 43rd Annual Wine Tasting Soroptimist Truckee Donner June 3 2017 fund raising event!

It’s summer in Lake Tahoe – Truckee and it’s time to celebrate and take in some of our great local charity events!

If you love to taste wine, beer, or consider yourself a foodie, and enjoy shopping, or the competition of a great silent auction, then the 43nd Annual  Wine Tasting Soroptimist Truckee Donner is the event for you!

You’ll get to taste some great wines, beer, and appetizers prepared by local area restaurants and caterers at this years fund raising event presented by the Soroptimist International of Truckee Donner.

This event has something to please just about everyone!  The combination of wine and beer tasting, along with great food, live music and silent auction is a fun way to kick-off your Tahoe summer season.

Wine Tasting Soroptimist Truckee Donner June 3 2017This annual event always sells-out and will be held at the Coyote Moon Golf Course, which is right before the entrance to the Tahoe Donner community in Truckee, CA.

The Soroptimist International of Truckee Donner will offer goods and services for auction worth thousands of dollars.  Bring your credit card and check book so you’ll be prepared when it comes time to bid on some wonderful trips, golf and dinning packages, home maintenance, clothing, jewelry, accessories, art, and many other fantastic items.

If you’re not familiar with what the Soroptimist volunteer service organization does in our local area and their goals for the community: the Soroptimist group is an international volunteer organization for business and professional women, who work to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world.

The Soroptimist organization of Truckee Donner relies on charitable contributions to fund their local Truckee, California programs, which include: local high school scholarships, youth education, women and senior programs.

Here are the details to this event:

Wine Tasting – Soroptimist International of Truckee Donner

When:  Saturday June 3, 2017

Where:  Coyote Moon Golf Course

10685 Northwoods Blvd., right before the entrance to Tahoe Donner, Truckee, California 

Time:  5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Cost:  $50 per person in advance, $55 per person at the door (must be 21+ years of age)

For more information contact www.SITD.com

If you haven’t made plans for this first Saturday in June, this is the way to spend your evening.  Between the wine and beer tasting, food sampling, and the thrill of the auction, you know you’re going to have a lot of fun and you’ll be supporting a great local organization at the same time.

Check out this fantastic annual Wine Tasting event at the Coyote Moon Golf Course on Saturday, June 3, 2017 and support this wonderful non-profit group!

Ready to make the Tahoe Donner Resort Community your second home?  Check out what is for sale here:

For all of your Tahoe real estate needs –

Laura A. Allen | 530.414.1260  | Laura@TahoeLaura.com
BROKER ASSOCIATE, Tahoe Real Estate Agent
CalRE# 01473598
Coldwell Banker, Tahoe City, CA CalRE#01908304

All information is deemed reliable, but is subject to change, and/or correction without notice.

Wine Tasting Soroptimist Truckee Donner June 3 2017

Memorial Day 2017 – Tahoe City CA

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Memorial Day 2017 – Tahoe City CA

Memorial Day 2017 - Tahoe City CAToday is Memorial Day 2017 – Tahoe City CA – a day to respect, remember and honor those that have and are serving – 0ur Veterans, those on active duty, and those that have fallen.

Over the past week, with the horrific events that have taken place in other countries, I can’t help but think about the cost of our freedom and those that have fallen and have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect, defend, and to keep us safe.

As our holiday weekend comes safely to a close, I can’t help but think about how fortunate I am to live in Lake Tahoe and in a country where anything is possible.

It has been a day to remember the cost at which that freedom is protected, but it is something that we should remember and be thankful for each and every day.

Today is the official day to remember those that have served to protect us and our way of life.

While Memorial Day comes but once a year, the truth is, every day should be Memorial Day.  In a world where each day brings new challenges, we should take every opportunity to remember, honor, and respect all those that have served and have given their lives to protect us.

It is a day to say “Thank You” to all those that are currently serving.  It starts at your front door. Those that respond to your 911 calls, and put their lives and health in harm’s way to help and protect you.

Our armed forces and local law enforcement services show up every day and by doing so, protect our freedom, and ability to work, live, and play in a country that has almost no restrictions on us.

I love living in Tahoe City and I love living in America.   Monday, May 29, 2017 is a day to count your blessings and to remember those that have made this life possible for us.

I want to say “Thank You” to all those that have served, are serving, or plan to serve.

To the men and women who wear the uniform to serve and protect our local communities, our states, and our country, I say “Thank You” for keeping us safe.  “Thank You” for being there .  “Thank You” for your sacrifice and service.

To those families that have lost a loved one.  Your family has paid the ultimate price for the freedom and safety we all enjoy.  While we have never met, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

So on this Memorial Day, take one last moment and remember those that are no longer with us.  Say “Thank You” to those that serve to protect us, and be thankful for the job they do each and every day.

Memorial Day 2017 – Respect, Honor, Remember – Thank You!

For all of your Tahoe real estate needs – Laura Allen, Broker Associate, Tahoe REALTOR®, Tahoe Real Estate Agent, CRS, CalRE# 01473598,  Laura@TahoeLaura.com  530.414.1260

www.TahoeLauraRealEstate.com

Coldwell Banker CalRE# 01908304, Tahoe City, California.

Memorial Day 2017 – Tahoe City CA

North Lake Tahoe – Truckee Real Estate May 2017

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North Lake Tahoe – Truckee Real Estate May 2017

It’s been a historic winter, with record breaking snow storms, and with over 700 inches of total snow reported at Squaw Valley (North Lake Tahoe – Truckee area), the winter of 2017 was epic!

Like many of my Tahoe City – Truckee area buyers, you’ve been on the side-lines for several months waiting for the snow to melt enough so you can find the right property to buy and now is the time to re-start your searches.

For most of you, warmer weather has been with you for some time, but here in the North Lake Tahoe – Truckee area, we are still melting out and our spring flowers are just blooming.  Today our temperatures were in the mid 60’s,with a lot of sunshine and blues skies.  It finally feels like our seasons have really changed!

We’ve had enough snow melt that we can now inspect the roofs, decks, and get a better feel for the properties that are for sale!  It’s also time to get those bikes out and take a nice long walk (with out snowshoes : )).

When everything is said and done, you’ll now find Lake Tahoe has filled up, there are no dry-docks or piers out of water, and the California drought is quickly becoming a distant memory.

I had clients that were ready to buy and sell in January February, March and April, and it’s been a very busy few months, but I’ll admit, it was tough working around the snow piles, storms, and power outages!

It was hard to keep up with everything, and while I have really enjoyed helping my Tahoe Second home buyers and sellers (yes, we’ve had a lot of real estate activity despite the weather), I just dropped the ball on my local Lake Tahoe – Truckee real estate blog, but I’m back!

What can I say, other than my time management plan when out the door on the extra time needed for the extra work our winter weather and storms brought to the area.

We’ve gone from this

to this!

Now that the huge snow piles have really begun to shrink, and melt away, along with visible signs of the bike path re-appearing on the West Shore, I’m getting back on my old schedule and you’ll start to see regular blog posts on my websites again!

If there are real estate topics you’d like to address and provide more information on, email at Laura@TahoeLaura.com , or call me at 530.414.1260 and I’ll do my best to work those suggested topics into my upcoming calendar of Lake Tahoe activities, events, and real estate topics!

Things to look forward to as we move to into our next season:

  • Farmers’ Markets – Tahoe City and Truckee
  • Free outdoor music concerts:
    • Tuesdays | Bluesdays – Village at Squaw Valley|
    • Tuesdays | Gray’s Crossing Live Music Series
    • Thursdays | Truckee Thursdays
    • Fridays | Kings Beach
    • Sundays | Tahoe City
  • Wine and Beer Tasting Events, Fundraisers, and local festivals and fairs
  • Free Outdoor Movies:
    • Wednesdays | Commons Beach in Downtown Tahoe City
    • Thursdays |  Village at Squaw Valley

Not to mention the Annual Tahoe City Downtown Wine Walk in Tahoe City, Truckee, Tahoe City and Kings Beach June, 4th of July events, Labor Day fireworks in Carnelian Bay, and the Annual Truckee Wine Walk closing out the season in October!

The North Lake Tahoe – Truckee area has so much to do, and with so many fun events to attend over the next few months, it will be hard to do it all, but it will be fun to try!

Thinking about making Lake Tahoe, California your second home? Check out the homes that are for sale here:

Want to see what condos are for sale in Lake Tahoe? Here are the current listings:

For all of your Tahoe real estate needs –

Laura A. Allen | 530.414.1260  | Laura@TahoeLaura.com
BROKER ASSOCIATE, Tahoe Real Estate Agent
CalRE# 01473598
Coldwell Banker, Tahoe City, CA CalRE#01908304

All information is deemed reliable, but is subject to change, and/or correction without notice.

North Lake Tahoe – Truckee Real Estate Blog May 2017