Greetings!
Wait just a minute! Why do most sellers take their properties off of the market for the winter months? Did the need to sell disappear? Or did someone just decide that properties don't sell during Lake Tahoe's snowy winter months? There certainly are some challenges to consider, however there are some very good reasons to keep your property listed through the winter. Let's take a moment to review: Most importantly is the fact that people really do buy houses in the winter, some buyers actually wait to shop for a house in the winter so they can see how it holds up to the snow, how much light it will get during the shorter days and how they will maneuver the driveway on icy mornings. Because so many sellers do take their homes off of the market there will be less competition for your house. A winter buyer is much different from the summer buyer so you will want to expose your home in a different light. A warm fire with the smell of fresh baked cookies and hot cocoa will draw in the prospective buyer with visions of returning home after a strenuous day of winter sports to the soothing comfort of a warm, cozy atmosphere. The landscaping may be buried under snow, but the house will radiate with the festive glow of the holiday lights. Whereas the summer buyer is interested in BBQ's on the back deck with wine & cheese appetizers after a day at the lake or a summer hike. The landscaped yard may be more important to the summer buyer as they envision playing horseshoes or relaxing in a hammock under the towering pines. Many sellers pull their homes off the market for the winter to take a little break and re-list it in the spring as a "new listing" but there are no secrets today because when a buyer's agent looks up the listing history on our multiple listing service they will see if the house is in its 4th year on the market. And finally, we are in the sixth year of declining market values, which may continue through 2012. The market is reasonably stable at this time in the Tahoe area with financing rates at historic lows. Buyers are taking advantage of the super market conditions at least for now. In the words of Tahoe area property owners, David & Kate Kaufmann, as cited on CNBC: "Let's take our money out and invest in something else that we can actually use and enjoy...and not just look at on a monthly statement. And it's been great."..."Every time we come up here, we look at each other and we say we're so happy we bought this place, we're so happy we're here." In summary, if there is a need or desire to sell you should not be swayed by the misconception that homes do not sell during the winter months. I did a little research to compare winter to summer sales for the past several years, and when I compared the 4 winter months of Dec.-Mar. to summer months of June -Sept., the rate of winter sales averages from 74% - 86% of summer sales (if I take out the one pathetic winter year of 08-09). Additionally, the Chamber of Commerce data indicates that the greatest number of visitors to the Lake Tahoe area occurs over the winter holidays. So really, why would you want your home off of the market during this period?
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Market Update - December 2011
| | Buyers wrapped up 2011 with a total of 118 residences sold in our mls during the month of December, up 16% over sales last December. Maybe the lack of snow actually helped the market. Distressed sales accounted for 38% of the sales - interestingly enough, this time last year the figure was 36%. The other noteworthy stat shows that the Lake Tahoe side seems to have enjoyed quite a sell off this past month. For the first time in a long time, more homes sold on the Westshore than in Tahoe Donner.
Statistics from the Tahoe MLS: solds f rom December 1-31, 2011
Tahoe Donner: 12 homes (3 SS), 4 condos (1 REO, 1 SS)
Northstar: 2 homes, 3 condos
Glenshire, Cambridge, Juniper Hill, Juniper Creek,
The Meadows: 9 homes (1 REO, 5 SS)
Olympic Hts: 1 home
Prosser Area: 7 homes (3 SS, 1 REO), 1 condo (SS)
Sierra Meadows, Ponderosa Palisades: 5 homes (1 SS, 3 REO), 2 Condos (1 REO)
Wintercreek: 1 homes (REO)
Pine Cond Estates: 1 home
Ponderosa Fairway: 2 homes (1 SS)
Schaeffers Mill: 1 home
Lahontan: 2 homes
Martis Camp: 1 home
Old Greenwood & Grays: 0 residential properties
Truckee Proper: 3 homes (3 SS)
Donner Lake: 6 homes (2 SS, 1 REO)
Donner Summit: 3 homes (1 SS)
Westshore Lake Tahoe: 16 homes (1 REO, 2 SS), 1 condo (REO)
Tahoe City: 2 homes (1 SS), 1 condo
Northshore: 7 homes (1 REO, 1 SS)
Kings Beach & Tahoe Vista: 5 homes (2 REO, 1 SS), 5 condos
Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows: 10 condos (4 SS)
Shared Ownerships (entire area): 4 (1 REO)
Mobile Homes (entire area): 1
Sierra and Plumas Counties: 2 homes
Condos and Homes in Truckee-North Lake Tahoe over 1M = 7
Highest Priced home or condo sold: Located lakefront at Lake Tahoe, 5850 North Lake Blvd sold after 382 days on the market for $3,150,000. This 4 bedroom 3 bath home was originally priced at $4,900,000. Somebody got a good deal with all CASH.
Lowest Price home or condo sold: Tiny little house, with a tiny little price tag: 200 Nevada St. in Portola, CA sold after 365 days for $25,000.
The list to sale ratio on the median was 96%. In other words homes sold within 96% of their asking price. The average days on the market were 165.
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| 2006-2011 YEAR STATS COMPARISON |
| SALES OF RESIDENTIAL UNITS N. LAKE TAHOE-TRUCKEE 2006-2011 | | YEAR | # SOLD | AVRG PRICE | MEDIAN PRICE | | 2006 | | | | | Single Family Residences | 704 | $939,949 | $715,000 | | Condos | 246 | 858,067 | 576,333 | | Mobile Homes | 8 | 99,062 | 102,500 | | 2007 | | | | | Single Family Residences | 600 | $933,975 | $675,000 | | Condos | 225 | 814,670 | 555,000 | | Mobile Homes | 7 | 97,557 | 105,000 | | 2008 | | | | | Single Family Residences | 549 | $884,591 | $628,000 | | Condos | 165 | 867,564 | 539,000 | | Mobile Homes | 10 | 69,936 | 72,500 | 2009
| | | | | Single Family Residences | 700 | $693,795 | $534,000 | | Condos | 177 | 489,414 | 370,000 | | Mobile Homes | 8 | 51,362 | 49,500 | | | | | | 2010 | | | | | Single Family Residences | 753 | $732,744 | $485,000 | | Condos | 250 | 520,727 | 332,375 | | Mobile Homes | 15 | 59,420 | 57,900 | | | | | | 2011 | | | | | Single Family Homes | 836 | $605,323 | $439,500 | | Condos | 253 | 386,105 | 297,500 | | Mobile Homes | 12 | 59,244 | 55,000 | | | | |
Stats are based on data compiled from the Tahoe Sierra Multiple Listing Service as interpreted by JK Real Estate, Keller williams. Figures do not include Donner Summit, Sierra County or Plumas County. |
| Screaming Hot Deals | |
In this particular spot, we feature the 3 properties in the multiple listing service that we feel are well priced. These are the properties that we wish we had buyers for because we know they are of such value that they will not last long, even in this market. So, for this month, come and get 'em before they are gone. . . .(by the way if when you click on the link you get nothing -- they have already gone under contract).
1) 10547 E. Alder Creek Rd. just hit the MLS today. This bank owned property is sure to go quickly at $295,500 - why? good house, good condition, good price, good location and the best reason? you could be Kappy's neighbor! 2) This completely remodeled Kings Beach home at 8391 Dolly Varden is listed for $429,900. At $189/sf. you will enjoy two master suites with custom finishes throughout and just blocks from Lake Tahoes crystal blue waters 3) This is the perfect home for large gatherings with 4 bedrooms, family room and loft. 12898 Falcon Point Pl. has lots of storage with an extra workshop, additional parking area and large level yard great for entertaining.
Be sure to contact us if you would like to take a look at any of these properties!
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| Worst Deals on the Market | |
These are the properties for sale that we feel are the worst priced homes on the market in our multiple listing service. Every month we will choose 2 or 3 properties which, for one reason or another (usually price) are something we alone feel are not going to sell anytime soon. Remember, this newsletter is purely and solely our opinion - there is nothing here that indicates that it is ANYTHING but our opinion.
1) 14096 South Shore Drive. Under 1000 square feet, built in 1979 this unremarkable cabin has only one thing to show for it -- it's location is lakeside at Donner Lake. The access is difficult and the price at $949,000 is, in our opinion, way too high. 2) It seems that $699,000 for this multi level home at 122 Tiger Tail Rd. in Squaw Valley is just too much! After 558 days on the market and no price adjustment you must wonder how badly do they really want to sell? Steep lot, stairs galore & no garage just don't help the situation. 3) Not sure if we have used this one before, but 13450 Hillside Dr. is still no deal at $469,000. When a house has been on the market for over a year (459 days) it is likely we may have already used it. This house just does not have anything to get excited about and the fact that the buyer must honor the renters year lease certainly does not sweaten the deal! Be sure to let us know what you think that any of these properties will sell for by contacting us here and when it does, the entry closest to the actual sale price will win a gift certificate.
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| Leo & Julia Cheng and family | |
 Leo & JuliaCheng with the assistance of their son David purchased a gorgeous home in Cambridge Estates. This home is large enough for the whole family to enjoy together, which was the goal. Leo knew as soon as he saw this one that this was the house, so when he found himself in a multiple offer situation on this bank owned home he didn't hesitate. Leo is no dummy, he is a neuro surgeon in San Francisco where he and Julia have raised their 3 children. Lucky for Leo, his son David is an attorney so Leo made his offer and went on vacation, he left David behind to handle the purchase. What a great family, we wish all of the Cheng family much happiness in their new vacation home!
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Kappy, Jennifer, Jody and Christie have a combined 67 years in the Real Estate Profession. We are committed to giving our clients the most up to date Real Estate information and Stellar Service because, We Love Our Work and So Will You! Call us or e-mail us for information about the Tahoe Truckee Real Estate Market. By the way, if you think any of this information might be of interest to anyone you know, feel free to forward this newsletter. We would really appreciate it!
Sincerely,
Kappy Mann, Jennifer Boehm, Jody Scowcroft & Christie Coker
Keller Williams Real Estate
530 563-6165 |
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NOW IS THE TIME!
INCENTIVE |  | |
Because we believe this is such a great time for our buyers to make a purchase, we would like to offer an incentive if you enter into and close escrow between now and March 31st, JK Real Estate will credit $1,000 towards your purchase.
(please call for details)
It is just one more way for us to say thank you, we appreciate your business!
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Truckee Holiday Tree Recycling 2012 |  | |
The party is over, if you are wondering what to do with your 2011 Holiday Tree, the Town of Truckee has posted the following information on their website. Read to the bottom for those of you who are second homeowners, this year there is a option to the traditional pick-up process.
Curbside Christmas Tree Pick-up:
Once the holidays are over, Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal will providing free curbside pickup of Christmas trees the week of January 16th -20th. In order to participate, trees must be cut into four foot segments and be clean of all decorations including tinsel, flocking, lights, stands, and nails. Trees should be easily accessible and placed at curbside next to the trash. Free curbside pickup is for one week only. For more information, please call Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal at (530) 583-0148.
Free Christmas Tree Drop-off:
New this year, Christmas Trees may be dropped off for free recycling. Drop locations include the Tahoe Donner Northwoods Clubhouse, the Glenshire Clubhouse and the 101.5 Truckee Tahoe Radio station parking lot behind Smokey's Kitchen at 12030 Donner Pass Road. Drop-off locations are available December 26th through January 20th. The dumpsters are for clean, undecorated trees only. Please do not place trash and or recycling in the bins. an optional solution to the traditional pick up.
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| Alpine Stove & Chimney Service |  |
Alpine Stove & Chimney Service has been proudly serving the Tahoe/Truckee area since 1994. Their retail store is located at: 10607 West River Street, Bldg 1. They sell, service and install wood, gas and pellet appliances. Alpine Stove & Chimney also offers chimney sweeping services, home or real estate inspections and repairs on existing chimney systems which need attention due to age or snow damage.
Alpine Stove & Chimney Service
10607 West River Street, Bldg 1
Truckee, CA 96161
Ph. 530/582-4985
Fax. 530/582-4995 |
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Happy Birthday Martin Luther King Jr. | |
Holidays are a time for reflection and celebration to give thanks
for those who have contributed to our lives in some way. This month we share appreciation and gratitude for the bold actions of Martin Luther King Jr.
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| CUSTOMER APPRECIATION PARTY |
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On December 30, 2011 JK Real Estate held their 3rd annual Customer Appreciation Party at the Northwoods office of Keller Williams. We here at JK Real Estate want to thank all of our clients for making it possible for us to do our work which we love!!! The winner of the 2 nights at the oceanside cottage near Mendocino was the Garvadoni Family. The winner of the $50 gift certificate to Squeeze In was Ron and Ann White. All attendees walked away winners though as they were presented with a small token of our appreciation. Again, thanks so much for all your confidence in us and your business over the years!!
Jennifer Boehm, Kappy Mann, Christie Coker and Jody Scowcroft
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