Real Estate Information

Jan 23 to Feb 5:

Sorry I haven't gotten back into the rhythm of weekly Tahoe Donner updates.  Life with a baby still has me a bit out of rhythm!!!  Since I missed last week, this update shows activity from the last 2 weeks.

The Tahoe Donner real estate market continues to be very healthy.  12 more properties (homes and condos) went into contract in the last 2 weeks.  The focus continues to be on "lower end" properties with asking prices under $500,000, but there is some activity in the higher ranges as well.  A $1.2 million dollar spec home on Pinnacle Loop closed escrow, and a $1.05 million home backing to the golf course on Swiss Lane went into escrow within 24 hours of going on the market!  Showing activity at listings all over Truckee continues to be robust despite the lack of snow.

Here are photos and details of the activity from the last 2 weeks:

8 homes were listed for sale.

12 homes had their asking price reduced.

12 homes went into contract.

6 homes sold.

Is the Reno/Tahoe/Truckee region really on the radar to host the 2022 Winter Olympics?  A local group, called the Reno-Tahoe  Winter Games Coalition, along with the help of Nevada's Lt. Governor, is making a strong push for it.  There's still more than a year before a site will be chosen, but it's an interesting development to follow for the local economy.  Here's a detailed article, from the Sierra Sun, regarding the bid:  2022 Olympics in Tahoe.

January 16 to 22:

There's a lot to be excited about in the Truckee area right now!  We are finally receiving some snowfall, so there is a nice winter buzz around the area and things are looking up for skiing.  The real estate market continues to show strength regardless of the weather.  Another 7 homes went into contract this week in Tahoe Donner.  There's a lot of reason for optimism, and a lot of reason to visit Truckee and Lake Tahoe (bring your skis this time!).

Here are the pictures and details of the home and condo activity for Tahoe Donner from the last week:

3 homes were listed for sale.

6 homes had their asking price reduced.

7 homes went into escrow.

7 homes sold.

Truckee and Lake Tahoe's premiere family community, Martis Camp, continues to defy all odds and thrive during a brutal real estate market.  In 2011 the community saw another $90.2 million dollars in sales, including 83 home sites, 11 home/lot packages, and 5 custom homes.  As well, 50 homes were completed, another 48 started construction (a total of 84 are currently under construction), and there are still another 60 in the design review process.  Does this sound like numbers you'd expect to see during one of the worst real estate markets in our countries history?

How are they doing it?  There are a lot of reasons, but the biggest one is commitment to families.  This isn't just another gated golf course community.  This is a true family recreation community with amenities like the Camp Lodge (spa, restaurants, opened in 2011), private access to Northstar Ski Area (with a private ski lodge opening in 2012), The Family Barn (movies, concerts, bowling, swimming), a Tennis Club (opening in 2012), stocked fishing pond, mountain biking and hiking trails, an 18 hole natural putting course (miniature golf on a totally naturally course), and . . . I almost forgot . . . a dazzling championship golf course designed by Tom Fazio.  Overall, the developer has invested $90 million into the amenities of the community.  Honestly, there's nothing like it in Tahoe, and I suspect very few things like it anywhere in the world.  Do something completely different, and do it right . . . that's how you achieve success regardless of the economy.

With all the uncertainty in the economy, there has been a lot of money "sitting on the sideline".  The developers of Martis Camp have found a way to convince a lot of families to invest their money in Truckee/Tahoe.

A recent CNBC Television segment shows that the sentiment in the real estate market, and 2nd home market in particular, is finally changing to the positive.  Watch the following clip, which focuses on the Lake Tahoe and Truckee markets:  CNBC Segment Investing in Second Homes.

Sentiment is one thing, but actual money investment can be quite another.  There are some very positive things going on in the market place, including major investments like the developments highlighted in the video.  A lot of signs point to this being a great time to get into the 2nd home real estate market.

Jan 2 to 15:

Sorry for the long delay in posting.  In case, you haven't heard, my son, Kellan, was born on January 6th and I have been enjoying some time away from the office and helping get my family settled in!

While I was gone, the Truckee real estate market has continued to show strong activity.  In particular, Tahoe Donner has had a strong start to the year with 9 homes or condos going into contract in the first 2 weeks.  Lack of snow has reduced the number of visitors to the area, but statistics for showings at homes on the market continues to trend high (as I've joked before," if you can't go skiing, why not buy a house?!)"

Here are pictures and details of last weeks Tahoe Donner home and condo activity:

10 homes were listed for sale.

13 homes had their asking price reduced.

9 homes went into contract.

8 homes sold.

December 26 through January 1st:

If you're looking for positve signs in the real estate market, Truckee is a good place to look.  Tahoe Donner just had it's busies December in the last 10 years with 24 homes going into contract during the month.  December has traditionally been the slowest month of the year, oweing to the change in seasons and peoples focus on the holidays.  In 2011, however, December turned out to be one of the busiest months of the year.  The only negative to report is that We are down to just 111 listings actively for sale in Tahoe Donner (91 homes, 20 condos).  We need more inventory!!  We'll see if the strong demand continues as mother nature continues to refuse to give us any snow.

Following are pictures and details of the real estate activity in Tahoe Donner for the last month of the year:

2 homes were listed for sale.

5 homes had their asking price reduced.

5 homes went into escrow.

5 homes sold.

December 19 - 25th:

Happy Holidays everyone!

As expected, people were more focused on Christmas than they were on home buying last week.  The Tahoe Doner real estate market was quiet, but we're still on track to have a very strong month of December.  Despite the lack of snow, there are still a lot of people visiting Truckee and Lake Tahoe this week, so we're optimistic for a strong end of the year and an even stronger start to the new year.

Here are pictures and details of all the home and condo activity in Tahoe Donner from the past week:

1 home was listed for sale.

7 homes had their asking price reduced.

2 homes went into escrow.

3 homes sold.

Dec 12 - 18:

What do people do when visiting Lake Tahoe in the winter if there's no snow on the ground?  Apparently the answer is . . . buy real estate!!  We had a very busy week in the Tahoe Donner real estate market, at a time of year when we don't expect it.  Usually strong home buying activity holds off until the beginning of a new year, but this year buyers are jumping at the opportunities they see.  8 more homes went into contract in Tahoe Donner last week, continuing what has been a very strong December (historically the slowest month of the year for home sales).  Also encouraging is that 2 of the homes had asking prices over $900k (a price range which has been quiet recently).

Here are the pictures and details of last weeks Tahoe Donner real estate activity:

3 homes were listed for sale.

5 homes had their asking price reduced.

8 homes went into escrow.

3 homes sold.

Dec. 5th - 11th:

Despite the lack of snow, the Tahoe Donner real estate market continues to show strong activity to start December (a traditionally slow month). This is a great sign as Truckee heads into the holiday season and the start of a new year. 

Here are pictures and descriptions of this weeks activity:

5 homes were listed for sale.

6 homes had their asking price reduced.

5 homes went into escrow.

6 homes sold.