LAKE TAHOE’S CURRENT REAL ESTATE MARKET

What’s the current condition of the market? This question is asked of real estate agents every day. Here’s the short answer: if you’re looking to buy there are some outstanding values in the market right now. Smart sellers and their agents are pricing their properties correctly and there are some very special properties for sale. By special I mean homes with views, large lots, and in great neighborhoods.

Take a look at these very revealing Lake Tahoe real estate numbers:

• 2010 YTD sales : 239 vs. 165 same time frame in 2009
• 2010 number of houses for sale: 449 vs. 474 in 2009, 600 for sale in 2006

If you’re selling your property now in the Lake Tahoe area, many people are seeing the current market as a window of opportunity to buy real estate in one of the most beautiful places in the world. So people are definitely buying. Again, if your property is priced correctly, it will sell and you’ll most likely get near or maybe even above what you’re asking for it.

The mistake many people make when pricing their property for sale is that they price it way above what the current market will bear and in today’s world, with very educated buyers and all the tools available to them, this strategy just doesn’t work. In fact, houses that are over-priced tend to sit on the market much longer and actually sell for less than if it was priced correctly from the beginning.

Since there are fewer properties on the market right now than usual, it does take a little more digging and patience to find the home you’re looking for in Lake Tahoe. The keys to finding your jewel in the pines is to plan and decide what you’re looking for, research, and to ultimately take action.

Focused on happy families, not just real estate. I’ll help you find your jewel in the pines.

Wally Johnson
CA Buyers Specialist
CA License # 01848595
Deb Howard & CO
530-277-5687 Cell
530-542-2912 Office
530-542-8657 Fax
LakeTahoeBasinHomes.com

FEATURED SOUTH SHORE NEIGHBORHOOD: MONTGOMERY ESTATES

Prospector Trail Property

 

Focused on happy families, not just real estate.  I’ll help you find your jewel in the pines.

Wally Johnson
CA Buyers Specialist
CA License # 01848595
Deb Howard & CO
530-277-5687 Cell
530-542-2912 Office
530-542-8657 Fax

realtordeb.com

Just outside of the South Lake Tahoe’s city limits, is the area called Montgomery Estates.  You’ll find it on google.com/map; the area is between Golden Bear Tr. and Cold Creek Tr., with Pioneer Tr., a main South Shore road, running through the middle.

Since Montgomery Estates is out of town in between Stateline and Myers, there are no shopping centers or community service centers.  There is a fire station on Golden Bear Tr., plus Sierra House Elementary School on High Meadows Tr.

The attraction for most people here is the closeness of outdoor activities….miles and miles of hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking trails for all ability levels, you can even go fishing in Trout Creek…snowmobiling and sledding in the winter, plus Heavenly Mountain Resort, skiheavenly.com, is only about a 10min. drive, and Sierra-at-Tahoe, sierraattahoe.com, is only about 20min. away.

Views from Montgomery Estates

Houses in Montgomery Estates vary in types and sizes, although in general, this community is not as old as some others in South Lake Tahoe.  You’ll find a few small, old Tahoe style cabins, larger newer construction, and large contemporary homes with spectacular views as you drive up High Meadows Tr., for example.

WHERE’S THE BOTTOM OF THE REAL ESTATE MARKET?

Ah, the crystal ball question…where’s the bottom of prices in the Lake Tahoe real estate market?  Answer:  absolutely no one knows.  There is a myth in real estate today where people believe they can time the market.

Not even Warren Buffet, who is considered by many to be the greatest investor of all, has a crystal ball.  He was asked recently if he thought stocks were at the bottom.  He said that he had no idea, but that he was buying undervalued stocks and that he planned to hold them for a long time;  if they go down a bit more before they go back up, it’s ok because he knows he bought them at a discounted price.

That philosophy holds true for real estate too, doesn’t it?  Buy real estate, that meets your objectives and needs for the long term, and the exact timing of your purchase really doesn’t matter, does it?

Focused on happy families, not just real estate…I’ll help you find your jewel in the pines.

Wally Johnson
CA Buyers Specialist
CA License # 01848595
Deb Howard & CO
530-277-5687 Cell
530-542-2912 Office
530-542-8657 Fax

realtordeb.com 

POPE BEACH AT LAKE TAHOE

Kayaking Lake Tahoe

Wally Johnson
CA Buyers Specialist
CA License # 01848595
Deb Howard & CO
530-277-5687 Cell
530-542-2912 Office
530-542-8657 Fax
realtordeb.com

Yesterday was our first day at one of our favorite gorgeous, Lake Tahoe beaches, Pope Beach. Perfect weather in the 70s, great sunshine, and an awesomre way to end the weekend relaxing with food and friends.

Pope Beach Floatilla

Some people were more active than we were, so we enjoyed all kinds of activity floating by our spot on the beach.

What will owning real estate in Lake Tahoe do for you and you’re family?

Call Wally Johnson
530-277-5687

Short Sales

Focused on happy families, not just real estate. I’ll help you find your jewel in the pines.

Wally Johnson
CA Buyers Specialist
CA License # 01848595
Deb Howard & CO
530-277-5687 Cell
530-542-2912 Office
530-542-8657 Fax
realtordeb.com

Short Sale Questions for Listing Agent
• How many short sales have you closed as the listing agent? Explain the process.
• How do you handle offers?
• Who are the lenders on this listing? Are there 1 or 2 deeds of trust? Private or institutional? Any other liens?
• Has the seller considered or been approached yet by their lender to modify the loan on this property? If the seller could modify and stay in the property, would they? Why is seller moving?
• Has the seller completed the short sale package? Do you have all of their docs (tax returns, completed application, etc.) already and have verified hardship?
• What communication, if any, have you had with the lender (s)? After you submit all docs, including my offer, how long will it take to close? How often do you call the lender? How often will you call the selling agent?
• Have you received any other offers that you are waiting to hear back on from the bank? Has the property been approved for a short sale prior and not closed? Why?
• Does the loan have PMI (mortgage insurance) which may require another level of approval or a pre-payment penalty? Is the loan FHA or VA requiring another level of approval?
• How far away from foreclosure is the seller? Has a Notice of Default or Notice of Sale been filed?

Short Sale Questions for Selling Agent

• Is the property priced at fair market value?

• How long has the property been for sale?

• Ha s the price been reduced? How often?

SHORT SALES AND BANK OWNED REAL ESTATE: THE TRUTH

Focused on happy families, not just real estate. I’ll help you find your jewel in the pines.

Wally Johnson
CA Buyers Specialist
CA License # 01848595
Deb Howard & CO
530-277-5687 Cell
530-542-2912 Office
530-542-8657 Fax
realtordeb.com

Short sales and bank owned real estate have become the focus of many buyers across the nation, and Lake Tahoe real estate is no exception…reason being is that these properties are perceived to be the best deals, getting more house for the least amount of money….the best value money can buy. Do these real estate properties really get people the best deal or not? Many all over the nation have found out the hard way, that the answer is usually no they do not. I’m sure you’re curious why not?

Most often these Short sales and bank owned properties are listed well below the current market value of a particular place, say Lake Tahoe. When you put in an offer, many times there are multiple offers on the same property and a bidding war begins, just what the bank was hopping to achieve. So what happens is instead of getting that supper deal that the buyer was wishing for, the property is sold over the asking price.

Plus don’t forget: even if you find the property that doesn’t have multiple offers and the seller agrees to your low offer, the short sale bank, even after months and months can come back and refuse the offer and change the price up.

If you are looking for more hassles in your life, you’ll love buying a real estate short sale.

If you’re absolutely certain that you’ll only focus on short sales or bank real estate, make certain that both the buyers agent and the listing agent are very knowledgeable with these kinds of real estate deals and they are well informed and inform you as well.

For more, go to: Short Sales Questions to Ask

FEATURED SOUTH SHORE NEIGHBORHOOD: TAHOE KEYS OVERVIEW

Wally Johnson
CA Buyers Specialist
CA License # 01848595
Deb Howard & CO
530-277-5687 Cell
530-542-2912 Office
530-542-8657 Fax

Focused on happy families, not just real estate…I’ll help you find your jewel in the pines.

For people who love the water and want boating access to the lake right from their back yard, the Tahoe Keys neighborhood on the South Shore is definitely for you. You’ll find this sunny community down Tahoe Keys Blvd., turn towards the lake from Lake Tahoe Blvd., Hwy. 50. Check: google.com/map.

Welcome to Tahoe Keys

Tahoe Keys Marina

Along with family friendly properties and spectacular views, in the Keys you’ll find a full service marina with everything from boat docks, storage, rentals, and fishing guides, to one of the South Shore’s few lakeside restaurants, the Fresh Ketch…thefreshketch.com.

Homes in the Keys range from modest single story structures to large fabulous, contemporary estates with a Keys beach right in your back yard. There are also condos from fixers to newly remodeled, many with spectacular lake views.

View from Tahoe Keys Blvd.

As part of the homeowner’s association, the Tahoe Keys properties also offer tennis courts, swimming pool, and exercise facility.

Click here to search Tahoe Keys properties: realtordeb.com

GOLFER’S REAL ESTATE SPECIAL

Wally Johnson
CA Buyers Specialist
CA License # 01848595
Deb Howard & CO
530-277-5687 Cell
530-542-2912 Office
530-542-8657 Fax
realtordeb.com

Bijou Golf Course

Here’s a great property to build your dream house on a large 15,200sq.ft. lot, right across from Bijou Golf Course in the heart of South Lake Tahoe…click on the address for more info.:

1089 Fairway Ave.

Focused on happy families, not just real estate…I’ll help you find your jewel in the pines.

Wally Johnson
530-277-5687
email: wally.johnson@realtordeb.com

LAKE TAHOE REAL ESTATE PICTURES

Real estate pictures videos, and virtual tours of properties in Lake Tahoe are, without a doubt, valuable tools. They allow you to see what the house looks like inside and out, what the property looks like from the outside, and sometimes even what the surrounding neighborhood looks like as well.

These real estate pictures are a great way to see and start searching for your piece of the Lake Tahoe pie…your jewel in the pines. Most times, however, they’re just a start and the pictures don’t tell the whole story, and can even be misleading to some degree. Sometimes these pictures can make the property look better than what it really is, and sometimes they don’t do the house justice. Case in point: some recent clients were reluctant to see a listing sent to them in an email. However, they decided it would be worth their time, had a great price, and besides, they said, what a great way to take a break in beautiful Lake Tahoe.

After seeing the house in person, the beautiful views while sitting on the property’s back deck, and touring the neighborhood and talking to the people who lived next door, they decided to make an offer based on the time they spent at the property.

Remember, you can’t always tell a book by its cover.

Focused on happy families, not just real estate. I’ll help you find your jewel in the pines.

Wally Johnson
CA Buyers Specialist
CA License # 01848595
Deb Howard & CO
530-277-5687 Cell
530-542-2912 Office
530-542-8657 Fax
realtordeb.com

LAKE TAHOE’S CHANGING SEASONS

Tahoe Keys Marina

Wally Johnson
CA Buyers Specialist
CA License # 01848595
Deb Howard & CO
530-277-5687 Cell
530-542-2912 Office
530-542-8657 Fax
realtordeb.com

We are now approaching a change in Lake Tahoe: moving from winter weather with a focus on snow activities, to beautiful sunny blue skies, very little precipitation, warm temps during the day and cool nights, with the focus turning to beach, water, and outdoor activities for everyone.

Now the outdoor activities are many and very diversified…water sports of all kind including water skiing (wear a wet suit, don’t forget the water in Lake Tahoe is from snow runoff), kayaking, fun and thrills on personal water crafts, boating and sailing to gorgeous spots like Emerald Bay, golfing, mountain biking, horseback riding, dirt biking, fishing, picnicking on beautiful beaches, summer meals on your own home deck, plus hiking and camping. The list could go on and on.

Timber Cove Beach

Just imagine endless possibilities of family outings…it’s all here in picturesque Lake Tahoe.

Focused on happy families, not just real estate. I’ll help you find your jewel in the pines.