Photo Credit Constellation Residences at Northstar

Have you heard the buzz about Northstar California™ Resort? Are you looking for a vacation home at a family-friendly mountain with endless activities for the little ones and adults alike? Then look no further for fantastic real estate opportunities, as I am intimately familiar with all that Northstar offers.

Constellation Residences at Northstar is truly Lake Tahoe’s only ski-in/ski-out mid-mountain residences. Located mid-mountain Constellation Residences at Northstar is a boutique collection of only 17 two-, three- and four-bedroom fully furnished mountain residences, offering exceptional amenities and services.

Photo Credit Constellation Residences at Northstar

Connected via a sky bridge to The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, owners can enjoy Manzanita — the Ritz-Carlton signature restaurant, a 17,000 square foot spa and fitness center, Ritz ski valet, Ritz kids programs, mountain-side heated swimming pool, fire pit, and hot tubs, and, access to the Village at Northstar via a direct-access gondola.

Photo Credit Constellation Residences at Northstar

Also new to the mountain is Northstar Mountainside Residences, providing an array of real estate options. It includes Home Run: 16 luxury town homes that connect directly to on-mountain ski runs, and The Glades: an intimate division of 25 custom homesites located above the Village at Northstar, and near The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe. The homesites range from .89 to 1.42 acres and will include advanced ski infrastructure: specially designed ski ways, bridges and tunnels allowing direct access from the slopes to each home.

Northstar-at-Tahoe, built in 1972 on what was originally called “Timber Farm,” is a year-round destination resort attracting hundreds of thousands of ski/snowboard and mountain biking buffs each year. It is home to the largest snowmaking system on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, the largest mountain bike park in Northern California and in 2011 became ‘home mountain’ to two-time Olympic gold medalist, Shaun White.

Northstar offers almost every kind of real estate option, from golf course estate homes to mid-mountain ski-in/ski-out condominiums; from town homes set right in the heart of the Village at Northstar, to luxury mountain homes sprawling slope side.  In late 2010 Vail Resorts® acquired Northstar-at-Tahoe and by the summer of 2011 $30 million in capital improvements were implemented for the winter season. This included a 17,000 square foot on-mountain lodge, the addition of Promised Land Express Lift, and other snow making and grooming expansion.

The growth at Northstar, from the family-friendly village shopping and dining options to terrain expansion, makes this the prime mountain for your next vacation home. With the variety of real estate choices, it is hard pressed to find a residence that would not fit your mountain-going needs. Whether you desire a full-service ski/in-ski/out experience or the comfort of your own slope side mountain home, Northstar abounds with real estate options.

Let’s chat soon, and tour the new developments!

For further information about Northstar real estate, contact Alison Elder at 530.582.8103 or email Tahoe@AlisonElder.com.

Lake Tahoe area prices continued to soften in 2011.  Recognizing the very specific and different communities around the lake, price adjustments varied significantly.

North Lake Tahoe, specifically Tahoe City, pricing softened significantly with an average price decline of 11% and median price decline of 16%.  Overall sales volume was 21% less in 2011 as compared to 2010.  However, the Tahoe City area market experienced a 7% increase in homes sold that were under $1MM (a whopping 223!) and a 26% decline in units sold over $1MM (31 homes). Click here to see 2011 statistics for Lake Tahoe real estate sales.

Amazingly low interest rates, along with a wide and wonderful property inventory, makes it a great time to purchase real estate in the Lake Tahoe area.  Please feel free to reach out anytime and let’s have a conversation!

Contact Alison Elder at 530.582.8103 or email Tahoe@AlisonElder.com for more information on Lake Tahoe real estate.

Truckee’s real estate sales in 2011 soared in the under $500,000 market with a whopping 373 transactions and a volume increase of 2%.  Overall, prices softened in 2011 with the average price of a Truckee home at $562,811 and a median price of $438,166.

Both the average and median price points experienced a 10% reduction. The luxury market, with over $1MM sales, softened by 13% with 55 units sold in our resort and acreage communities. And, click here to see Truckee communities and Tahoe Donner real estate market results for 2011, with information on number of home sales, average and median pricing. It’s clearly a great time to purchase real estate here in Truckee!

Contact Alison Elder at 530.582.8103 or email Tahoe@AlisonElder.com for further information on Truckee and Tahoe Donner real estate.

Here’s a wonderful Cabin that offers FABULOUS views of Northstar and is located in a lower elevation area of Tahoe Donner, close to Trout Creek Rec Center. This unique setting and home offers lots of sun and light, big decks, a lovely lot and so much more! The open floor plan, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, 2 car garage has been used as a corporate cabin for the owner’s employees. With lots of space (2,425 s.f.), a little TLC and updating will go a long way and this home is priced accordingly!

Please visit our Virtual Tour at: www.12003LausanneWay.com

Historic Downtown Truckee blanketed in fresh snow.

What used to be referred to as a little “cow town” in the Lake Tahoe region, Truckee has truly transformed itself into a charming ski destination, offering something for the young and old alike.  Historic Downtown Truckee teems with artsy boutiques, local coffee shops, wine bars — and we haven’t even touched on the skiing yet!

Whether you’re looking to bundle up the little ones for a day of sledding, or catch a morning of fun tree-skiing, Truckee offers it all.  So much so that Sunset Magazine has named Truckee, CA as the ‘Most Well-Rounded’ of ski towns in their top ski destination feature.  We certainly agree!

Check out the article for Sunset’s insight!

For more Truckee neighborhood information, contact Alison Elder, Elder Group Tahoe Real Estate at 530-582-8103 or Tahoe@AlisonElder.com

Imagine the views you’ll enjoy from this amazing, custom home nestled on a plateau in the private Truckee community of Juniper Hills. Breathtaking scenery of the Pacific Crest, lakes and reservoirs abounds from nearly every window within this truly wonderful home and 20.15 acres. Thoughtfully designed with beautiful, artistic finishes, hydronic heating, huge great room flanked with floor to ceiling windows, chef’s kitchen, outdoor entertaining area, jacuzzi and so much more. Simply magnificent!

Please visit our Virtual Tour at:  www.17580WaldenDrive.com

Terrific location for this lovely three bedroom, 3.5 bath Old Greenwood Cabin.  Enjoy all the amenities of the Tahoe Mountain Club and easy living with fractional ownership.  Week 11 is March 16-23, 2012;the Flex-week is June 8-15, 2012 – a fantastic time! In addition to the primary week, there is a reservation for a four bedroom Cabin from March 2-9, 2012. This is a fantastic buy!

 Please visit our Virtual Tour for Old Greenwood Cabins!

This wonderful cabin is the perfect Tahoe Donner retreat! Enjoy the terrific views from the upstairs living area with open floor plan, nicely remodeled kitchen and sunny, wrap around deck. Two bedrooms are upstairs with a remodeled bath and laundry area. Downstairs, the fantastic family room offers a huge living space, wet bar and is perfect as a third bedroom or overflow area for the kids.

Please visit our Virtual Tour at: www.14165WolfgangRoad.com

The median price of a home in Lake Tahoe is $370,500, down ten percent from the third quarter of 2010. The average home price fell 11 percent to $630,984. The National Association of Realtors recently reported that the median price of a home in the West ($189,400) is down 13 percent from a year ago.

While sales and prices were down around the lake overall, East Shore saw a seven-percent increase in median home price ($575,000) and 51-percent jump in average price ($1,408,018). Volume sold was up 32 percent, while units sold were down nine percent.

“We are starting to see the return of the high-end buyer with especially the East Shore experiencing some substantial high-end sales,” said Sue Lowe, corporate vice president for Chase International. “With the increase of high-end sales, we are anticipating a boost in end-of-year numbers.”

Truckee experienced some stabilization from this time last year, seeing a 16-percent increase in units sold and a 21-percent bump in units sold for less than a million. The median price of a home in Truckee is $435,000 (down 12 percent) and the average price is $554,744 (also down 12 percent).

The condominium market fared somewhat better around Lake Tahoe with a four-percent rise in units sold and 43-percent increase in units sold for more than $500,000. Tahoe City experienced the biggest jump in sales, with a 35-percent rise in units sold and up 52-percent in units sold for less than $500,000. South Lake Tahoe saw a 32-percent increase in overall volume sold, with median and average prices rising 36 and 32 percent, respectively. The median price of a condo in Lake Tahoe is $274,400 (down five percent) and the average price is $353,136 (down four percent).

For more information or assistance with purchasing Lake Tahoe or Truckee area real estate, contact Alison Elder (hot link to my site) at Tahoe@AlisonElder.com or 530-582-8103.