Lake Tahoe - Truckee, CA Real Estate for Sale

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Squaw Valley, California makes the Condé Nast Traveler Top 20 Ski Resorts List

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Squaw Valley, California makes the Condé Nast Traveler Top 20 Ski Resorts List

Congratulations to Squaw Valley for making the Condé Nast Traveler, 16th Annual Best Places to Ski & Stay in North American Readers Poll – Top 20 Ski Resorts.

In the December 2011 issue of Condé Nast Traveler, Squaw Valley, California was the only California ski resort area to make the Top 20 Ski Resorts list.  Squaw Valley, the home of the 1960 Winter Olympics is well known for its great skiing and amenities.  Ask any Lake Tahoe – Truckee, California local and we’ll all tell you how fabulous Squaw Valley USA ski resort area is for winter sports, but it’s always nice to have others say the same thing too – Congratulations Squaw Valley!

Opening day is November 23, 2011. Need more information about skiing at Squaw Valley –   Click Here.

Take a quick peak at the Squaw Valley area and the Squaw Valley Village Resort area here with this video:

Thinking about buying your own Squaw Valley, California Mountain home, or ski cabin?    

Want to know what Squaw Valley Condominiums are for sale?  

 

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

Tahoe Pines, Homewood, West Shore, Lake Tahoe, California Real Estate Market Report – November 2011

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Tahoe Pines, Homewood, West Shore, Lake Tahoe, California Real Estate Market Report – November 2011

The Tahoe Pines neighborhood of Homewood, California is located approximately 5 miles south of Tahoe City on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe.

Tahoe Pines, Homewood, California - West Shore, Lake Tahoe California

The Tahoe Pines area is one of the older neighborhoods in Lake Tahoe and was established in 1911.  It is a small, West Shore neighborhood, that is just a couple of miles north of the Homewood Ski Resort.This West Shore neighborhood is close to Lake Tahoe recreational activities such as boating, hiking, biking (dirt and paved trails), tennis, golf, skiing, shopping, and restaurants.  It is also home to Fleur du Lac, a small, exclusive, gated group of townhomes, which is where the movie The Godfather II was filmed back in the early 1970’s. 
 
The Tahoe Pines neighborhood is a mix of smaller, older, Tahoe cabins, to larger, newer luxury mountain homes, with a limited number of lakefront properties.  Home owners do have the option to join a local home owners group that has access to a gated shared pier, located at the end of Grand Avenue.  This second home neighborhood has more of a mountain – forest feel to it, and when it snows, home owners really know that they are living near a ski resort area.
 

Sold Single Family Homes in the Tahoe Pines neighborhood West Shore, Lake Tahoe, California:

In the Tahoe Pines area, mountain home and cabin prices are up significantly this year, with the average median sales price at $655,000.  While home prices are up, sales for 2011 have been slower, but could come close to 2010 sales levels if all pending sales close by the end of the year.

Cash sale transactions for the Tahoe Pines area has doubled to 50%, indicating buyers are still finding good real estate values in the Homewood area, and willing to place their investment dollars here.

The number of homes going into escrow with in the first 30 days of being listed in the Tahoe Sierra Multiple Listing Service (TSMLS) has also increased to 1 out of every 2 Tahoe Pines homes sold.  Sending a message to buyers, if it’s a deal and you’re interested, you need to write your offer up now.

Distress sales (bank foreclosures- real estate owned (REO’s) and short sales) accounted for 25%, which is a significant improvement over 2010, where 62.5% of all homes and cabins sold were REO sales in this neighborhood.

There were 6 Active – available homes for sale in just the Tahoe Pines, Homewood, West Shore, Lake Tahoe, California area as of 11/08/2011.  They ranged in price from $340,000 to $6.495 million.Of the 6 homes offered for sale there are no REO, or short sale listings.  There are 3 pending sales in the Tahoe Pines, Homewood area as of 11/08/2011, ranging in price from $325,000 to $1,395,000.

Want to know what Tahoe Pines, lakefronts, mountain homes, and cabins are for sale?  

Tahoe Pines, West Shore, Lake Tahoe, California, Real Estate Summary for Sold Single Family Homes:

Year

Homes

Sold

Median Average Sales Price

Lowest

Price Sold

Highest

Price Sold

% Cash

Transactions

Homes

into escrow with in 30 days of being

listed in TSMLS

%Distressed

Sales

Breakdown

of distressed

Sales

2011*

4

$655,000

$450,000

$899,000

0 Lakefronts*

50%

50%

More than

1 out of 2

25%

1 REO’s

0 Short Sales

2010

8

$377,450

$260,000

$5,450,000

1 Lakefronts

25%

25%

1 out of 4

62.5%

5 REO’s

0 Short Sale

*YTD period is 01/01/2011 – 11/08/2011.  Data Source:Tahoe Sierra Multiple Listing Service.   One lakefront in Tahoe Pines did sell this year, but was not reported in the MLS, so it is not included in this data.

Remember when we have only a handful of sales in a neighborhood, the increase and decrease swings in the percent changes can be significant.  Numbers are easily moved in either direction depending on the combination of homes sold.  When reviewing neighborhood data, I recommend reviewing the overall Lake Tahoe, California area, or the entire Lake Tahoe – Truckee Region to confirm trends and direction, rather than relying on just a small group of sales.

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.

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

Another perfect day for Paddle Boarding on Lake Tahoe!

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Another perfect day for Paddle Boarding on Lake Tahoe!

There are a lot of outdoor activities to do here in Lake Tahoe.One of the newer activities to do on Lake Tahoe is paddle boarding.  If you’re not familiar with paddle boarding, it’s where you stand on top of a board that is very similar to a surf board and paddle with a canoe like paddle.  It’s a combination of surfing and canoe/kayaking.It’s another great way to enjoy being on Lake Tahoe.Take a look at the paddle boarder I saw on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe, near Tahoe City the other day.  It looks like a lot of fun.  Take a peek at this paddle boarding video!

The Lake Tahoe – Truckee, California area is a vacation-resort, second home market.  With all of our great outdoor activities to do here, and the lifestyle that Tahoe has to offer, it’s no surprise that owning a place here is a goal for so many.

If you’re ready to try something new, try paddle boarding on Lake Tahoe.  Come up and play in my back yard – Lake Tahoe / Truckee, California!

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

5 Buyer Reasons to come to Lake Tahoe, California this weekend

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5 Buyer reasons to come to Lake Tahoe this weekend!

1.)Good Weather – The weather in Lake Tahoe is still really nice.The days are still warm and today was in the low 60’s. Being outside and about is still very comfortable. Bring a light jacket, or sweater for later in the day when the sun begins to set.

Check out this fantastic Fall day here on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe:


2) Availability – Looking at Lake Tahoe mountain homes, cabins, condos, and lakefronts is fairly easy as we are in our “shoulder season” meaning homes that had owners in residence have left for the season, properties that had vacation rentals are now available to be shown, and most ski leases haven’t started.

3.)Motivated Sellers – Sellers are motivated.Those sellers that held out on pricing during the “peak high-summer season” are ready to deal on price.Tahoe properties that go into escrow now can still close before the end of the year, and that’s a plus for sellers who want to close out this tax year with a sale.

4.)Low Interest Rates – If you are a qualified buyer and you need financing, interest rates have never been better.Second homes purchases often qualify for preferred primary home interest rates, so you’re getting the best rates out there.

5.)Inspections – If you find the perfect Tahoe home, cabin, condo, or lakefront this weekend, you still have plenty of time to do your property inspections before we have heavy snow on the ground.

It’s time to plan a trip up to Lake Tahoe , California and turn your Tahoe real estate goals into reality.Even if you’re not a buyer, it’s still a great time to come up to Lake Tahoe and have some fun!

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

Beware of falling Tahoe Pine Cones

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Beware of falling Tahoe Pine Cones!

A Fall day on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe, California

This past fall weekend in Tahoe City we finally got around to doing some of those last minute projects we had put off all summer.  Our snow free days are numbered right now, so we got out our to-do list and decided we needed to get the exterior of the old garage and pump house (we have a water well on our property) painted.

While we were working, Craig, my better half, told me to not stand under the pine trees – beware of falling Tahoe pine cones. It was a good reminder.  I know better than to be under one of the pine trees in our yard right now, they are loaded with pine cones  and the squirrels are doing a great job of dropping them.

At this time of year, many visitors and Tahoe homeowners will be up in our area hunting for pine cones, taking a walk, riding their bike, or just taking it easy.  His concern for my safety reminded me, not every visitor, or buyer gets the benefit of our local Tahoe knowledge so here are a few tips if you’ll be up in our area to make your trip more enjoyable.

1.)  Pine Sap Removal – In Tahoe you don’t have to be picking up pine cones to get sap on yourself.  So remember if you get pine sap on your hands, clothes, or your pet gets it on themselves, use olive oil (any cooking oil will do), or regular mayonnaise (not reduced fat).  The oil/mayo will break down the sap on you, your clothes, and on your pet.  Just rub the oil/mayo onto the spot and it will break-down and allow you to clean it up.   This method is a little more work, but its chemical free!  Helpful hint.   Using a good, rich lotion on your hands and exposed skin before you go outside will make taking off any sap that much easier.

Close-up of pine sap on a Tahoe pine cone

These tiny white crystals are fresh pine sap.  When a pine cone hits the ground, these fine sap crystals will break and spray all over everything in their path.

2.)  Awareness – Be aware of your surroundings.  The squirrels are busy bringing down pine cones.  You may hear them, they sound like squealing birds.  Here are some other signs that animals are busy around you.

Signs that animals are working above you.

An unopened pine cone loaded with nuts and sap can weigh several pounds and when it falls it can cause serious physical harm to you if it hits you, so it’s important that you are aware of your surroundings.  When any pine cone drops you need to stay clear so listen for the noise of something moving/falling and get away from the trees.  Pine cones will bounce, so be prepared to move quickly.

Opened pine cone compared to an un-opened pine cone.

3.)  Parking – Don’t park under the pine trees.  Now is the time to avoid being under them.  A falling pine cone can cause serious damage to your car and pine sap can ruin your paint job.  In Tahoe you may not be able to avoid parking under all of the Tahoe pine trees, but if you can avoid it, you should.

4.)  Extra Towels -Just in case you, or your pet should get sap on you while you are out enjoying Tahoe, always carry a couple  of towels in your vehicle.  You’ll minimize how many other things you will get it on by having a towel you can put down on your seats.

5.)  Safety – If you don’t have someone to go with you and you’re going to go on a walk, bike, or run by yourself, be sure to let others know what path you’re going to take, and when you should be back.  If something should happen while you’re out, others will know where and when they should start to look for you.  Safety starts with a plan that you hope to never use!

Have a fun and safe Tahoe outing as you enjoy our fall weather and keep a look out for those falling pine cones. 

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