Yes, it is that awesome! Clear depths that take your breath away, clean clear views to the surrounding mountains at either lake and for me in any case, even after decades, an incredible respect for the beauty.

Boating on Lake Tahoe can be experienced in various fashions, depending on your preference. There is of course power boating, waterskiing and jetskiing. Starting in the 1800’s power boating became and has been a favorite of the visitors and residents alike! Wooden boats which are called ‘woodies’ became very popular and as sweet water boats and are still a part of the everyday scene. Sailing ~ well, if you have an affinity for sailing there doesn’t need to be much said! Get out there when the power boats are hampered by the winds and fly across crystal clear big blue…kayak or canoe, whatever your preference you will not be disappointed. At Lake Tahoe rentals of every kind are readily available as well as professional guides.

The result of your day on the lake will be a truly enhanced perspective of this spectacular area and it will become a memory of a lifetime.

Boating on Donner Lake opens even more aspects for adventure! Of course not as large as Lake Tahoe, (but just as cold) boating on Donner Lake is a visitor and residents regular pastime. Any kind of boating, sailing, kayaking, canoeing can be thrilling at Donner Lake and there is a public launch available. Along the sunny side (north) of Donner Lake there are numerous public piers from which you can tie up your boat and swim near the shore (where the water is slightly warmer)!

Your concept of Donner Lake and Lake Tahoe will be dramatically changed when you check out these lakes from deck of the boat ~ and for you “fisher people’ ~ have a great time.

Oh, and call me after your fantastic day to search out that perfect vacation home so your friends and family can join you the next time. Bonnie Jessee, Realtor 530 412 3984

With prices slackening in many parts of the country, home affordability has improved dramatically for many. This includes the Truckee/North Tahoe area as well!
Since January of 2008, approximately 53% of all new and existing homes sold across the country were affordable to families earning the median (national) household income of $61,500, according to the latest Housing Opportunity Index released Tuesday by the National Association of Home Builders.
This constitutes an increase of 44% compared to the first three months of 2007 with home prices the most affordable they’ve been since the three month period that ended June 30, 2004.
Factors include mortgage funding at lower rates, a slackening in pricing and a raise in the median income for the average family.
Home prices dropped about 8% compared with a year ago, (with a proportionate percentage here at Truckee and North Tahoe) however, that doesn’t mean that buyers are rushing into our local market.
Items affecting these numbers include buyer expectations. Many buyers are reluctant to act in what they perceive as falling markets; and might be continuing to wait to see how ‘low’ pricing will continue to fall, if at all, in areas such as destination resorts similar to Truckee/North Tahoe.
The ‘American’ perception that the housing market is a good investment at any point in time; and affordability is a positive one is consistent with most buyers we are seeing in this here in Truckee. While a few have suffered the consequence of buying at a very high price, most owners are quite pleased with their comfort level, even in today’s market. A relative recession proof situation exists in destination type resorts and has consistently held over the declining markets in other parts of the country.
The increased tightening of lending doesn’t factor in to most of the types of buyers and sellers consistent with the Truckee/North Tahoe area and so the numbers are slightly off the national ‘average’ for our area.
So, considering these factors, we are been seeing a very near recession proof situation for our owners and buyers in the Truckee/North Tahoe arena! Give me a call and let me show you what is currently available in our beautiful Sierra Mountains!
Bonnie Jessee 530 412 3984

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH REAL ESTATE IN TRUCKEE?

BONNIE JESSEE, Realtor®
530 412 3984

New Properties for Sale

Over the past few weeks, I have had several new friends from out of the immediate area calling to view and potentially purchase properties in Truckee, North Tahoe and the Soda Springs area. It has been quite a surprise to our out of town friends (or our part timers as I like to think of everyone) to see that low-ball offers are not the norm and if placed are being rejected.

For instance, today (Friday the 25th) 25 new listings were on the MLS – of those 25 new listings, 8 were single family residences, 6 were in Truckee and pricing ranged from $459,000 to $1,350,000. The remaining were shared ownerships, out of the immediate area properties and even 2 boat slips in Tahoe City listed for $375,000 and $385,000 (yes, a boat slip in Tahoe City)!

Bank Owned Properties

Despite the fact there are bank owned properties on the ‘market’ and there truly are some fabulous deals to be had, for the most part, these bank owned or pre-foreclosure properties sell almost immediately when displayed in the MLS. The down fall can be that the ‘bank’ or lender will typically provide no assistance with repairs and what you see (or don’t) is what you buy! In relation to what is for sale and what is selling, the number of these types of properties available is quite insignificant.

What is Truly Happening

On a very personal note, I have a buyer I am working with who owns a property (vacant land) that we are attempting to use as a trade/down payment. We made an above full price offer on a new property which I felt as a professional was a terrific offer. In any case, the following day, the seller received an additional three, yes three offer, on the same property and the result was a sale well above listing price. Not uncommon for this much localized area.

What Does Localized Indicate?

Although Truckee has a full time base population of around 17,000 individuals and approximately 12,000 properties (including Northstar and Squaw) it appears that each ‘neighborhood’ is currently rather independent of another when it comes to the sales price point being reached in negotiations. In other words, a property in Tahoe Donner may command a price of $750,000 which in Serene Lakes that property would be close or higher in price, in Glenshire it may command $675,000, regardless of the fact they may be almost identical properties. And, of course, the North Shore of Lake Tahoe is another localized area.

What Now?

While most of you know I work almost exclusively with buyers, my goal has been to get the best deal for my buyers. I do see economic healing on the horizon; I also see with that an increase in the cost of owning in our beautiful Sierras! I truly believe, from what we see daily in this real estate industry/market (localized) now is the time to buy.

Bonnie Jessee
530 412 3984