Lake Tahoe Real Estate Blog

The snow just keeps coming and coming and coming.  Most locals are still cheering yet there is a bit of “be careful what you wish for” beginning to float in the air.

This past week’s real estate activity was one of the busiest we have seen in quite awhile.  There were 15 new, or “back on the market” listings, 7 new escrows and 3 recorded sales.  The new lowered interest rates seem to be having the positive affect we were hoping for.

Within the city limits, there were 11 new or “back on the market” listings ranging from $268,000 for a 2 bedroom, 1 bath home listed for $268,900 (a foreclosure sale) to $639,850 for a three bedroom, 2.5 bath home built in 2002 with over 2,000 SF of living space.  There were 6 new pending sales ranging from $259,900 for a 2 bedroom, 1 one bath home in the Sierra Tract to a $689,000, 5 bedroom home with over 3,000 SF of living space in the the Gardner Mountain area.  The 3 recorded sales ranged from $260,000 to $360,000, both being 2 bedroom homes.  Wrapping up the market activity within the city limits was a new lake view lot listing for $638,000.

Within the county areas, there were 4 new listings ranging from $349,900 for a 1976, 3 bedroom home with 1300 SF of living space to $599,000 for a newer, 2005 three bedroom home within the Christmas Valley area.  There was one new escrow for a home built in 1969, also within the Christmas Valley area.

Be sure to check out the South Lake Tahoe real estate neighborhood information on our website. This new section includes market trends such as median home prices and the frequency of sales as well as historical data.

The sun’s been shining but oh, so deceiving.  It seems as though at least once a day, I step outside of my comfy home and catch my frozen breath.  No wonder the ice is not melting. 

There were a total of 14 new and/or “back on the market” properties.  These ranged from a low of $189,000 for a small, 448 sf. home in the Sierra Tract to an expansive waterfront home in the Tahoe Keys listed for $1,895,000.  This beauty featured 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, over 3,700 SF of living space and a boat dock. 

There were 6 pending escrows ranging from a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 900 SF home for $270,000 to a 4 bedroom, 3 bath log-style home built in 1999 with approximatly 2,600 SF of living space.  This $775,000 home was listed ‘back on the market” only last week.

Finally, there were 5 closed escrows ranging from a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with 1,431 SF of living space listed at $389,000 to a whopping $1,550,000 stunning 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath brand new Montgomery Estates home. (Incidentally - sold by the Souers Team.)

There were 3 closed escrows on lots ranging from $70,000 - $100,000

CONGRATULATIONS to the buyers, sellers and Realtors with the above mentioned properties. 

Be sure to check out the South Lake Tahoe real estate neighborhood information on our website. This new section includes market trends such as median home prices and the frequency of sales as well as historical data.

Technology - we love it, we cringe sometimes, and then we fall in love all over again.  Certainly this is true for both Realtors AND consumers within the real estate industry.  With today’s technology, the most up-to-date real estate information is at our fingertips. No longer to hopeful buyers need to drag themselves out of the comfort of their homes or squeeze one more hour into their hectic schedules simply to see homes that have absolutely no interest to them.  Online previews (although today’s photographic technology can do wonders and present a “better than reality” image) can save hours of precious time. At the same time, Realtors can have an on-going communication with their clients to gain a better idea of what it is their client desires prior to getting together to preview homes.

On that note, we are delighted to share with you some of the “real estate tips” that could make life a whole lot simpler. 

DID YOU KNOW that folks interested in staying in touch with the Lake Tahoe real estate market, or just about anywhere they desire, have the ability to sign up to be notified via email as soon as a new listing appears on the market.  For example, if a potential buyer is interested in knowing about all homes listed under $500,000 with at least three bedrooms and two baths AND located within 2 miles of Lake Tahoe beaches, they could sign up with only an email address, punch in their wishes, and wait for the information to arrive. As the email links appear, they can even take the process one step further.  That same potential buyer (or simply curious individual) can set up a portfolio, save the properties that caught their eye and monitor the status progress.

AND NOW FOR THE NEWEST TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCE:  this same person can now easily distinguish between newly matched listings and listings that have had a price or status change. An improved auto-prospecting e-mail format now informs them which listing numbers in their client portal have changed, and includes hyperlinks to the public view of each changed listing. This feature is provided through a system called IDX which is a direct feed from the South Tahoe Association of Realtors Mulitple Listing Services.  You can access this time-saving feature through our website in a section called New Listing Email Alerts. Check it out and contact us via Souers@HomeInTahoe.com OR call toll free 877.768.3775 if you have any questions. 

Stay tuned for the next “up and coming.”

What an interesting week.  LOTS of snow.  LOTS and LOTS of snow.  The memories of quaint, one-lane roads are back in living color - white, that is. It is always a kick to look out the front window and see a skier gliding by instead of a four wheel pick-up truck.

This past week’s market activity focused on new business.  Does this mean a turn in the market?  Okay, it may be too soon to tell but here is what we do know. 

The South Tahoe Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Services, during the period of January 4th - January 10th, 2008, reported the following:

Within the city limits, there were 6 new and/or “back on the market” properties.  These ranged from a $345,000 condo to $969,000 waterfront home, both in the Tahoe Keys and with boat docks.   Also reported were 6 pending escrows ranging from a Heavenly condo listed at $209,500 to $775,000 for a large log home in the Tahoe Island area.  There was no activity noted among lots.  Perhaps buyers are having a hard time seeing exactly what they might be getting under all that snow. 

Within the county area, there were 3 new and/or “back on the market” listings ranging from $448,000 for a 3 bedroom Tahoe Paradise home just under 1700 SF to $899,000 for a beautiful, 3,200 sf view home in the Country Club/Elks club area.  There were 2 new escrows both in the $500,000 range.  In regards to lots,  there were two new listings, both with the ability to be developed this coming year listed under $200,000.  There was one recorded sale for another “ready to build” lot for $185,000.

CONGRATULATIONS to the buyers, sellers and Realtors with the above mentioned properties. 

Be sure to check out the South Lake Tahoe real estate neighborhood information on our website. This new section includes market trends such as median home prices and the frequency of sales as well as historical data.

The “storm of the century” (okay, the century is only 8 years old) is nearing its end and we can barely see the top rails of our back deck. After spending three days working from home, I have definitely come to the conclusion that if I am ever in trouble of some kind, I hope my punishment is house arrest. What a joy to hang in sweats, play scrabble, watch some football (alas, my poor Steelers) and catch up on some loose ends.

While Don busied himself digging us out (I do believe snowblowing and shoveling is considered MANual labor,) I found the time to run the end of the year statistics. And, much as we expected, we found the Lake Tahoe real estate market to have held stronger than many parts of the country.

The most noticeable negative lie in the number of homes sold. During 2007, the South Lake Tahoe Association of Realtors’ Multiple Listing Services reported 404 single family residences and condos sold as compare to 489 in 2006 and a whopping 745 in 2005. On the other hand, the median prices for single family homes and condos sold during 2007 was $435,000 which was down 8.4% from the median home price in 2006.

It’s been a rather electrifying day here in Lake Tahoe as forecasts are calling for the “Storm of 50 Years.” Whether or not it actually pans out, the locals are all demonstrating the annual symptons of the “Donner Party Syndrome” stocking up on food, gas for the snowblowers, flashlight batteries and lanterns.

As reported by the South Tahoe Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Services, during the period of December 27, 2007 - January 3rd, 2008, there were 8 new or “back on the market” listings, 3 pending sales and 9 closed escrows all within the category of residential sales.

Among the new listings, the prices ranged from $349,000 for a 3 bedroom Bijou home to $830,000 for a 2 bedroom, lake front condo. As always, there is something for everybody!

Our Thursday CONGRATULATIONS go out to the buyers and sellers of the following homes.

The pending sales ranged from $229,000 for a 3 bedroom home in the Sierra Tract to $780,000 for a brand new four bedroom home in the Al Tahoe area.

Those posting closed sales ranged from $275,000 for a 2 bedroom Heavenly Valley condo to $1,200,000 for a5 bedroom waterfront home in the Tahoe Keys.

Be sure to check out the South Lake Tahoe real estate neighborhood information on our website. This new section includes market trends such as median home prices and the frequency of sales as well as historical data.