Lake Tahoe Lakefronts Archives

Can I buy a North Lake Tahoe Lakefront Home for under $2.5 million?

March 6, 2013 By Laura Allen, Broker Associate, Tahoe Real Estate Agent, CA RE 01473598 | 530-414-1260

Can I buy a North Lake Tahoe Lakefront Home for under $2.5 million?

Can I buy a North Lake Tahoe Lakefront Home for under $2.5 million? I was recently asked by a Tahoe buyer if there were any North Lake Tahoe lakefront homes for sale under $2.5 million?

The simple answer to his question was YES! Currently there is one North Lake Tahoe lakefront home for sale that is listed for sale at a price that is under $2.5 million. In fact as of 03/05/2013 there is one North Shore Lake Tahoe lakefront for sale at $2.35 million!

As of 03/05/2013, there were 15 lakefront homes for sale on the North Shore and West Shore areas of Lake Tahoe. They ranged in price from $2.35 million to $17 million. There were 3 pending sales and they ranged from $3.65 million to $7.95 million. The Tahoe luxury real estate market does have opportunities for savvy buyers!

Unfortunately, the real estate hype is making it seem as if all of the deals are long gone. That is not true in the North Lake Tahoe, California real estate market.

It is true that our inventory of Tahoe lakefront homes that are available for sale is very low, and whenever the selection becomes very limited we do get multiple offers on new listings, or new price reductions, but we still have good lakefront homes to select from, and our prices are still very attractive compared to the peak of the market.

Are prices still moving down? No. Prices are steady and have started to rise, but from an investment standpoint, prices are still well off their market highs and it is still a good time to buy in North Lake Tahoe.

Pricing becomes relative and Tahoe buyers can’t think about where prices were, or what they could have paid for a Tahoe property one or two years ago. Buyers need to focus on the deal they can get today and take advantage of the current opportunities, before prices move out of their reach!

Will you be buying at last years’ pricing levels? Probably not, but you also won’t be buying at peak market pricing either. This means buyers are still getting a good deal, if they are ready to buy today!

If you’re looking to buy a North Lake Tahoe lakefront home or a West Lake Tahoe lakefront home this year here are some Buying Tips to keep in mind:

Select a Buyers’ Agent – Select a Tahoe lakefront buyers’ agent to work with on finding the right property for you.

Stop Agent Hopping – Stop jumping from agent to agent to try and get the hottest new listing, or to try and win over a listing agent. Local agents can tell when a buyer is serious and when they are working only with them. If you want to get the first call when something new is coming on the market make a commitment to one agent and let them know you are ready to buy now.

Forget Saving the Buyer Side Commission – If you think the commission savings to the seller is going to result in a better sales price for you, think again. The commission was negotiated by the listing agent with the seller long before the property ever came on the market. The listing agent is going to get paid for the seller side and for the buyer side, if you don’t have your own buyers’ agent. There is no big saving here if you don’t have your own agent, so forget this buying strategy.

Selection – Ask to see all of the lakefront properties that are in your price range and that meet your needs (bedrooms, bathrooms, pier, buoys etc…), regardless of the location. There is a difference in pricing between the North Shore and the West Shore. Seeing properties in all locations that may meet your needs will help you establish valuation for the area and may create more options for you to choose from.

Financially Qualified – Are you a cash buyer, or will you be getting a loan? A qualified buyer (an offer that comes with a proof of funds, or a current loan approval letter) is more likely to negotiate a better sales price, than a buyer that has not demonstrated they can close the deal upfront.

If you’re looking to buy a North Lake Tahoe lakefront home this year, you can still get a good price on a great property.

Are there still buyer deals on North Lake Tahoe Lakefront Home for sale under $2.5 million? Yes, but they won’t last forever, so if you’re ready to buy, now is the time!

Thinking about buying a Lake Tahoe lakefront home? Check out the waterfront homes that are for sale here:

Want to see what condos are for sale in a Lake Tahoe lakefront development? 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.

Can I buy a North Lake Tahoe Lakefront Home for under $2.5 million?

West Lake Tahoe Lakefronts Properties

July 14, 2012 By Laura Allen, Broker Associate, Tahoe Real Estate Agent, CA RE 01473598 | 530-414-1260

West Lake Tahoe Lakefronts Properties

If you’re a luxury real estate buyer in the Lake Tahoe market consider the amazing West Lake Tahoe lakefronts properties for sale here.

West Lake Tahoe begins at the “Y” in Tahoe City, California where Highway 89 South crosses over the Truckee River and runs south along the West Shore ending right before the Emerald Bay state park. You’ll find West Lake Tahoe lakefront properties for sale in Tahoe City, Homewood, Tahoma, Meeks Bay, and Rubicon Bay, California.

West Lake Tahoe Lakefront Properties West Lake Tahoe has that “old Tahoe” feel to it with limited development, which gives owners a more intimate forest mountain setting and the ability to enjoy the casual Tahoe lifestyle the area is known for.

Unlike the glitz and glamour of other ski resort areas like Aspen, Vail, and Park City where the streets are filled with well-known celebrities, those vacation-resort second home buyers looking for more privacy will find some of the largest lakefront estates here on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe.

West Lake Tahoe is home to wealthy industrialists, high-tech entrepreneurs, CEO’s and those well-known individuals looking to take a time-out from the spot light. Those that buy in the exclusive West Lake Tahoe lakefront home market will find themselves in good company here.

West Lake Tahoe lakefront buyers will find a variety of lakefront properties to choose from starting with tear-down cabins ready for a new custom lakefront dream home to be built on it, to the ultimate in luxury lakefront estates ready for you to just turn the key and just enjoy it.

If you’re in the market for a West Lake Tahoe lakefront property take a look at what is currently available:

Want more options? Check out all North Lake Tahoe lakefront homes for sale here (North Shore, West Shore and Tahoe City all in one list)

When it comes to buying a West Lake Tahoe lakefront property it’s important to work with a buyers’ agent that can show you all of the lakefront properties that may meet your needs and not limit yourself to just working with listing agents. While we only have twenty-one West Lake Tahoe lakefronts for sale today, you’ll find that some of these properties are truly spectacular.

Ready to make North Lake Tahoe, California your second home? Check out what luxury homes are 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.

West Lake Tahoe Lakefront Properties

Lakefront Homes -Tahoe City, North Shore, and West Shore, Lake Tahoe, California Real Estate Market Report – Year End Review 2011

February 15, 2012 By Laura Allen, Broker Associate, Tahoe Real Estate Agent, CA RE 01473598 | 530-414-1260

Lakefront Homes -Tahoe City, North Shore, and West Shore, Lake Tahoe, California Real Estate Market Report – Year End Review 2011

Lakefront properties in this report cover over 25 miles of premium Lake Tahoe shoreline from the California – Nevada Stateline on the North Shore to the Rubicon Bay, on the West Shore. There is an estimated 750 lakefront properties in this exclusive real estate group, ranging from small, old Tahoe cabins, to larger, newer, luxury mountain home estates providing a nice mix to meet the needs of our high-end buyers.

A lakefront property in the Lake Tahoe, California area is a home, cabin, or estate that directly fronts Lake Tahoe. Lakefront homes are our most elite properties as they provide direct, unobstructed Lake Tahoe access and views.

Values for Lake Tahoe lakefronts homes are unique to the property and can vary greatly based upon the features of the real estate. The location, size of the lot, the number of feet of Lake Tahoe frontage, proximity to commercial services, size and condition of the home are all important facts in desirability.

A significant portion of the lakefront value is directly tied to the established Lake Tahoe waterfront amenities such as a permitted pier (private or shared), boat house, power lift(s)/hoists, number of buoys, along with whether the area is deep water, or shallow. All of these factors, along with current market conditions impacts lakefront property values.

Lakefront Single Family Homes Sold in the Tahoe City, North Shore, and West Shore, (TSMLS Areas 1-5) Lake Tahoe California Areas of Lake Tahoe:

One of the big highlights for 2011 was matching the record number of reported lakefront sales from 2010, with 22 lakefront homes sold, which surpassed the 20 homes sold at the peak of the market in 2005.

Lakefronts sold in the Lake Tahoe, California area had a median average sales price of $2,973,500, which is down -21% from 2010. Lakefront homes sold ranged in price from $975,000 to $6,450,000.

This is the first time in a very long time that lakefront sales have been at, or below the $1 million mark. The least expensive lakefront sale took place on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe in the Meeks Bay neighborhood. The most expensive lakefront sale took place on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe in the Tahoe City neighborhood.

Cash sale transactions for lakefront home sales was almost unchanged at 73%. This is well above the Lake Tahoe – Truckee, California regional trend of 35%, which sends a signal that cash buyers continue to find value in our luxury multi-million dollar market.

The current absorption rate for the Tahoe Lakefront market is at 27 months. Anything above 7 months of inventory is considered a Buyers’ market. The absorption rate can change quickly, and was based upon the sales activity for the past 60 days. If the current level of transactions continues, and the absorption rate stays at this rate, buyers will continue to find great deals in this high-end market.

There was one (1) distress sale in 2011, which shows how much this second home luxury market has changed.

There were 40 Active – available Lakefront mountain homes, cabins, and estates for sale in the North Shore and West Shore, Lake Tahoe, California areas as of 02/14/2012. They ranged in price from $998,800 to $19,950,000. Of the 40 homes offered for sale one (1) was an REO, one (1) is a short sale, and one (1) is a court approval listing, which means 8% of the lakefronts currently offered for sale are distressed sellers, which means pricing pressure on all lakefront sellers that need to sell.

There was one (1) pending lakefront sale as of 02/14/2012 with a listed price of $10,500,000.

Sold Lakefront Single Family Homes in Tahoe City, North Shore, and West Shore, Lake Tahoe, California Report Summary:

Year	Homes Sold	Median Average Sales Price	Lowest Price Sold	Highest Price Sold	% Cash Transactions	Absorption Rate < 5 months Sellers Mkt 5-7 months balanced Mkt >7 months Buyer’s Mkt	% Distressed Sales	Breakdown of Distressed Sales
2011*	22	$2,937,500	$975,000	$6,450,000	73%	27 Months Buyers’ Market	5%	0 REO’s 1 Short Sales
2010	22	$3,700,000	$1,950,000	$12,400,000	72%	NA	0%	0 REO’s 0 Short Sale
2009	11	$3,675,000	$1,900,000	$6,288,000	82%	NA	9%	1 REO’s 0 Short Sales
2008	10	$4,075,000	$2,350,000	$20,000,000	70%	NA	0%	0 REO’s 0 Short Sales
2007	12	$3,812,500	$1,204,000	$12,500,000	73%	NA	0%	0 REO’s 0 Short Sales
2006	19	$4,000,000	$1,925,000	$16,700,000	42%	NA	0%	0 REO’s 0 Short Sales

*YTD period is 01/01/2011 – 12/31/2011. Market data source: Tahoe Sierra Multiple Listing Service (TSMLS), TSMLS area 1-5.

Use caution when only a handful of sales are available in a neighborhood, or market type. The increase and decrease in the percent changes can be significant. Numbers are easily moved. When reviewing neighborhood data, I recommend reviewing the overall Lake Tahoe, California area, or the entire Lake Tahoe – Truckee Region to confirm market trends and direction, rather than only relying on just the neighborhood, or market type sales.

If you’d like more Lake Tahoe – Truckee, California real estate information, read Tahoe Laura’s Luxury Homes most recent real estate newsletter.

Note: Year-to-date summaries are based on information from the Tahoe Sierra Board of Realtors (TSMLS). Due to TSMLS reporting methods and allowable reporting policy, this data is only informational and may not be completely accurate. Therefore, Laura Allen, or Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage does not guarantee the data’s accuracy. Data maintained by the TMLS’s may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. All information is deemed to be reliable, but is subject to change and/or correction without prior notice. Data Source – Tahoe Sierra Multiple Listing Service (TSMLS). If your property is currently listed for sale, or you have an active Buyer Representation Agreement, this is not intended as a solicitation.

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

Want to see what condos are for sale in Tahoe City? 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.

Lakefront Homes -Tahoe City, North Shore, and West Shore, Lake Tahoe, California Real Estate Market Report – Year End Review 2011