Terrific location and lovely views from this prestigious Gyrfalcon lot! Build your dream cabin and enjoy all of Tahoe Donner’s amenities. You’ll enjoy the Spring runoff and relaxing sounds of rushing water in the runoff, rocked stream at the property line. Generously sized, this ..30/acre lot is 79′x 181. Nice views and sunny exposure nestled in the sunbelt of the Hillside area, this gentle down sloping lot provides a natural and forested setting for your new home within a lovely neighborhood.

2012 Quarter 1 Statistics: Truckee

2012 Quarter 1 Statistics: Lake Tahoe – Lake Wide

2012 Quarter 1 Statistics: Squaw Valley & Alpine Meadows

The market is PERFECT for Buyer’s wanting their slice of Tahoe mountain living.  What a great day shopping with the Santos’ for their perfect dream cabin – we’ll keep you posted with their next steps after their May 12th visit for a second look at cabins! Watch for the Sacramento Bee’s next article as well.

For ease, read the article below or link to the Sacramento Bee directly and access charts, graphs, statistics and pictures:

Falling prices lure second-home shoppers to Lake Tahoe area

FALLING PRICES LURE SECOND HOMEOWNERS TO LAKE TAHOE AREA

They were always disappointed when they looked at the listings. “You’d jump online and never could afford it,” Kristie Santos said. “It was out of reach.”

Lately, however, with interest rates dipping below 4 percent and home prices seeking bottom, the Fair Oaks couple started thinking differently. The Santoses recently joined a growing number of would-be buyers scouting the Tahoe area for second homes.

On Saturday, the couple went on their first trip with a real estate agent to look at vacation properties in the sprawling, wooded Tahoe Donner subdivision near Truckee. Most were listed in the $300,000 to $400,000 range, a big drop from the peak.

The outdoor enthusiasts came away feeling their long-held dream of owning a mountain getaway might be attainable.

“It’s a compelling time to buy for families that a few years back thought, ‘There’s no way we can do this,’ ” said Alison Elder, a top agent in the Truckee area who showed the couple a half dozen homes.

In fact, the real estate market around Lake Tahoe has been hopping lately, with buyers scooping up relative bargains.

Home sales in many ZIP codes surrounding the California side of the lake nearly doubled from 2007 to 2011, DataQuick figures show. On average, roughly three homes per day sold last year on the California shore.

The pace of sales has picked up significantly since the first of the year, real estate agents from Donner Summit to South Lake Tahoe said.

“We’re as busy in South Lake Tahoe as we were in ’06, which is a big turnaround from the Great Recession, and what we called a real estate depression,” said Doug Rosner, a broker on the south shore.

The driving factor: Tahoe-area prices are the most affordable they’ve been in years. Prices per square foot around the lake dropped by anywhere from 25 percent to 45 percent between 2007 and 2011.

It’s the same dynamic that’s played out here in the Central Valley: Short sales and bank-owned homes have been keeping prices low, though a shortage of inventory is now creating some upward pressure

The result is that homes in most ZIP codes surrounding Lake Tahoe sold for a median of roughly $280 per square foot last year, similar to the cost of homes in the college town of Davis. Homes in South Lake Tahoe sold for about $180 per square foot, a bit more than prices in Folsom.

Median-priced homes in Tahoe City, one of the most popular lakeside ZIPs, sold for $875,000 in 2007 but fell to $505,000 in 2011. In Kings Beach, the median price dropped from $517,500 to $313,000 in the same period, according to market researcher DataQuick.

In South Lake Tahoe, the median-priced home plummeted from $425,000 to $250,000 during the five-year free fall in the housing market. Sales volume there increased by about 30 percent from 2007 to 2011, DataQuick said.

Rosner said the market in South Lake Tahoe is a combination of full-time residents, investors and second-home seekers, who generally fit a certain profile.

“You’re dealing with people who have made it through the recession,” Rosner said. “They have equity in their homes, and they have cash in the bank. They’re prepared to take advantage of a huge correction in the market. They’re done waiting.”

That pretty much summed up the situation for Rick and Kristie Santos. The couple both have good jobs in local government. They bought their Fair Oaks home 12 years ago, before prices drove skyward, and built up equity.

“We didn’t run up credit card debt,” Kristie Santos said. “We didn’t trade up during the boom. We hunkered down, and it’s really paid off for us.”

Many buyers in the Tahoe market are from the Bay Area, where both the housing and job markets are recovering faster than in the Central Valley. When buyers do come from the Sacramento region, they often hail from wealthy enclaves such as Granite Bay.

For a large share of the region’s residents, still unemployed or underwater from the housing crash, buying a second home is the last thing on their minds. And even moderately priced homes in Tahoe far exceed Sacramento County’s median home price, which was $156,000 in March.

Even so, some middle- and upper-middle income families from the Sacramento region are wading into Tahoe housing. They tend to buy in the under-$400,000 category, a bracket that agents said has been especially active lately.

The Santoses, for instance, told Elder their top price was $375,000. With that in mind, the trio toured homes Saturday that ranged from simple cabins for about $280,000 to spacious, comfortable homes for less than $400,000.

They especially liked a three-bedroom, two-bath house built in 1994 that had a small but sunny private deck facing a slope of boulders and conifers. It listed at $389,000.

Elder, the agent, thought it was a solid value and could probably be had for as as low as $375,000. “I’d buy this all day long,” she told them.

They drove home to think about it. Later, still enthused, they decided they they wanted to look at additional listings.

Another local couple, Jennifer and Peter Imrieof Roseville, have been enjoying a house they bought last month in Tahoma, on Lake Tahoe’s western shore.

They, too, had been longtime visitors but didn’t think they could afford to own. Then over Christmas, they saw homes listed for around $300,000. They decided to start looking.

Before long they found a 1,200-square-foot, three-bedroom house that had been extensively updated by its former owner, a San Francisco resident who bought it in 2004 for $440,000. Jennifer Imrie said he had spent nearly $100,000 on upgrades and wanted to cut his losses.

The Imries picked it up for $325,000, including all the furniture and accessories.

“He left all his pots and pans,” she said. “He had really nice taste.”

“The inventory in the lower segment of the market is disappearing around the lake,” said Susan Lowe, corporate vice president for Chase International. “Even though the average and median price has gone down from the first quarter last year (which saw many lakefront sales during that 2011 period and which we have not seen this year), the market is showing signs of recovery because the supply is vanishing.

The Chase International 2012 first quarter report also shows dips around the lake overall in regard to sales prices from one year ago, which is reflected by the median price of a home in Lake Tahoe, which is now $317,000 and the average home price which is $623,645, down 25 percent and 31 percent respectively.

Truckee is showing signs of recovery overall but especially for real estate sales over the $1 million mark. Specifically, the Truckee market stats report a whopping 175-percent increase in units sold over $1 million from four sales at this time this year, to a notable 11 sales this year.

The condominium market around Lake Tahoe experienced declines for all segments of the Tahoe market. The number of total condo units sold was down 18 percent. Average prices are down 35 percent and the median price is down 7 percent.

Headquartered in Lake Tahoe, Nevada since 1986, with eight offices in the region (Zephyr Cove, Glenbrook, Incline Village, Tahoe City, Squaw Valley, Truckee, South Lake Tahoe, and Reno) and one in London, England. Chase International and its exclusive affiliations handle a large share of the country’s property. A recognized leader in the world of real estate, Chase International continues to grow. With 240 professional Realtors boasting an array of industry certifications and the highest volume sales agent in the area, Chase International successfully represents homes at all price levels. For more information about Chase International visit www.chaseinternational.com or call 800-470-8863.

Local News and Events:  Stay tuned for weekly local news and events updates for Truckee, Tahoe, and the surrounding area:

Tahoe City Farmer’s Market: Thursdays, 8AM to 1PM  between May 24^th – June 21^st and August 23^rd – September 27th at Commons Beach. June 28^th- August 16^th location TBD. No entry fee!

Concerts at Commons Beach: Sundays, 4PM-7PM, between June 24^th – September 9^th. No entry fee but donations requested. Where: Commons Beach.

Movies on the Beach: Wednesdays, Dusk, between June 27^th – August 29^th. No enrty fee but donations requested. Where: Commons Beach.

Summer Music Series: Live music at the Truckee River Regional Amphitheater, every Wednesday June 6 through August 22.

Truckee Thursdays in downtown Truckee. Every Thursday, June 6 through August 23.  Live music, arts and crafts vendors, and live music. Visit www.historictruckee.com for more information.

(April – May 5^th) – Summer sign up! Camp Skylandia, Swimming Lessons, and Sailing!

Every Saturday! 8AM-9:30AM for residents, 9:30-10 for non-residents.

Don’t miss the Annual Registration Day for Camp Skylandia, Swim Lessons, and Sailing. Registration will be taken for other camps and programs as well. Proof of residency required. Unable to attend? Contact the Rideout Community Center for a registration form.

(Ongoing) - Lyrical Jazz & Hip Hop Dance Class! Mondays & Thursdays 5PM-6PM for youth, 6PM-7:30PM for adults. $15 for residents. $18 for non-residents. Where: Rideout Community Center. For more information call Rideout Community Center: (530) 583-3440, ex. 10

(Ongoing, All levels) - Yoga Blend! Tuesdays, 5PM-6:30PM. $12/class for non-resident. $10/class for residents. Where: Rideout Community Center. For more information call Rideout Community Center: (530) 583-3440, ex. 10

That’s all for now! Stay tuned for more events and news!

The saying “20% of the agents do 80% of the business” is true. So, how do you find the best real estate agent that can make the transaction process as painless as possible? The best agent for you doesn’t necessarily work at the largest brokerage, close the most transactions, or make the most money. The best agent for you is an experienced professional who intimately knows the market you are interested in, knows the inventory off the top, understands the “real story” of the home’s history and understands your needs.  Add good listening skills, sales and escrow process education, conducts herself/himself in an professional manner, and relates to YOU should create a terrific dynamic that will meet your real estate goals. In the Truckee-Tahoe real estate market, Alison Elder, Elder Group Tahoe Real Estate, proudly affiliated with Chase International, is an industry leader.

About: Alison Elder

Elder Group Tahoe Real Estate Website

In the recent boom, nearly 600,000 newcomers joined the National Association of Realtors, roughly doubling its membership between 2000 and 2006. “That must mean that we have literally hundreds of thousands of agents that have never sold a house or have sold one to (perhaps) a family member or friend,” says Stefan Swanepoel, an industry researcher and CEO of RealtyU, a network of agent-education schools in 42 states.

So how do you shuffle through the hundreds of competing agents in one area to find the best Realtor for your needs? There’s a lot of factors that create a solid, trustworthy, dependable and experienced agent. Here’s what to look for:

• Referrals, Recent Client Testimonials
• Local, Professional Recommendations
• Presence on Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com signature agents
• Agent websites
• Commitment to local, community based organizations
• Real Estate Magazines specific to your area of interest. In Truckee-Tahoe, Luxury Homes Magazine and Premier Homes are two of the leading publications
• Professional signage and flyers
• Search for Online Agent Listings, for example, Alison Elder is very prominent under Truckee Real Estate and Tahoe Donner Real Estate – just Google!
• Advertising in local newspapers, articles, or events
• Quality video home tours
• E-mail “listing watches” of new listings that compete.
• Updates on local neighborhood facts, trends, and recent sales.

Finding a good agent can make or break your real estate transaction and experience. Here in the Truckee-Tahoe real estate market, Alison Elder, Elder Group Tahoe, earned Chase International’s Realtor of the Year in 2011 for her “Exceptional Results. And More.” working with clients who are selling their homes or home buyers looking for that perfect second home retreat!  Alison and our team would be honored to work with and for you, representing you in a successful, efficient and enjoyable real estate transaction.

To learn more about Alison Elder and Elder Group’s exceptional service model, please visit our website at www.ElderGroupTahoeRealEstate.com or simply call us at 530.582.8103. We’re available seven days per week.

Contact Alison!

Online Resources:

Meet Alison

Our Client Commitment.

Why list your home for sale with Alison Elder.

Why purchase with Alison Elder.

Seller References/Testimonials

Buyer References/Testimonials

Local News and Events:  Stay tuned for weekly local news and events updates for Truckee, Tahoe, and the surrounding area:

Summer Music Series: Live music at the Truckee River Regional Amphitheater, every Wednesday June 6 through August 22.

Truckee Thursdays in downtown Truckee. Every Thursday, June 6 through August 23.  Live music, arts and crafts vendors, and live music. Visit www.historictruckee.com for more information.

(Friday, 4/20) – Lotus and featured guests perform live at MontBleu Resort Theatre. Visit (http://www.montbleuresort.com/entertainment.php) for more information.

(Saturday, 4/21) – Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus Celebration Concert! Email infottcc@gmail.com for more information.

(Wednesday, 4/25) – Bluegrass is making a come-back! Greensky Bluegrass will be at the Crystal Bay Club Crown Room on 4/25. Visit http://greenskybluegrass.com for more information.

(Thursday, 4/26) – Join 15 time Grammy Award winning musician Yo-Yo Ma with Kathryn Scott and the Assad Brothers at the Grand Sierra Resort. Visit http://www.grandsierraresort.com/entertainment/calendar for more information.

(Saturday, 4/28) – Personal favorite and well known comedian Lisa Lampanelli visits the Silver Legacy in Reno to stir up some fun. Visit http://www.silverlegacyreno.com/entertainment/calendar/ for more information. 18+ only.

(Friday, 5/20) – Best of Chef’s Event – Tahoe Forrest Cancer Center. Help support families dealing with cancer by attending to this special event. Reach out to your community and the cause. Buy tickets today! Visit: http://www.bestoftahoechefs.org for more information.

(Saturday, 5/26 – 5/27) —Truckee Home & Building Show at Truckee High School. Free parking, $6 admission. Visit www.truckeehomeshow.com or 530.587.3477 for more information.

(Saturday, 7/21) – Get your tickets before they sell out! Maroon 5 will be at Harveys Lake Tahoe Outdoor Amphitheatre at Stateline on July 21st. The show starts at 7:00 and is welcome to all ages!

(Sunday, 7/22) – Journey visits Harveys Lake Tahoe Outdoor Amphitheatre at Stateline for a night of amazing music but act fast; tickets are flying out the door!

That’s all for now! Stay tuned for more events and news!

Here’s a fantastic starter home or rental in a terrific part of Truckee! This delightful and well cared for 1,248 s.f. home offers 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a spacious 2 car garage … and so more! You’ll enjoy the bright, open floor plan design with a comfortable living and dining space. An added plus is the remodeled and well designed kitchen. Offering easy access and a spacious 2 car garage, this home is nestled on a .30 acre lot within a forested setting. Easy access to Town, the bike paths, Northstar and resorts.

Please visit our Virtual Tour at: www.10532PonderosaDrive.com

Tahoe Donner continues to be a terrific, family environment for primary and second homeowners alike.  Daily I’m asked about market conditions in Tahoe Donner and whether it’s time to purchase a home.  My response… “Check out the statistics … prices are down, there is some very nice inventory available, and financing rates are fantastic.”  For your easy review, here are statistics relating to sold Tahoe Donner properties between January 1 and March 31, 2012.

The market is moving and well priced homes are going into contract in a matter of a few weeks.

Alison Elder, Elder Group Tahoe Real Estate, proudly affiliated with Chase International listings are selling quickly.  We’re proud to report that as a leading Tahoe Donner and Truckee realtor, we’re continually providing our clients – whether buying a home or listing a home for sale – with “Exceptional Results. And More.” Please feel welcome to contact Alison Elder (http://www.eldergrouptahoerealestate.com/contact/) if you would like to discuss Tahoe Donner, Truckee or Lake Tahoe real estate.

Local News and Events:  Stay tuned for weekly local news and events updates for Truckee, Tahoe, and the surrounding area:

Summer Music Series: Live music at the Truckee River Regional Amphitheater, every Wednesday June 6 through August 22.

Truckee Thursdays in downtown Truckee. Every Thursday, June 6 through August 23.  Live music, arts and crafts vendors, and live music. Visit www.historictruckee.com for more information.

(Sunday, 4/15) —Skiing For Schools at Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley. Tickets are $35. Purchase tickets at Porters in Truckee and Tahoe City. All proceeds are donated to Excellence in Education. Visit www.exined.org or 530.550.7984 for more information.

(Sunday, 4/15)—Northstar California closing day. Get those last few runs in this weekend!

(Saturday, 4/21) — Earth Day at The Village at Squaw Valley. Free admission! World class entertainment, educational and informational booths, and activities for all ages. Visit www.squaw.com or call 530.584.6267 for more information. See ya there!

(Saturday, 4/21, 4/22, 4/23, 4/24) – Reno Aces vs. The Sacramento River Cats at the Ace’s Ballpark. 4 game series! Visit (www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t2310) for more info.

(Saturday, 4/21) – Reno Tahoe Comedy presents headlining comedian Sean Peabody at the Pioneer Underground! Visit www.pioneercenter.com for more information.

(Saturday, 5/26 – 5/27) —Truckee Home & Building Show at Truckee High School. Free parking, $6 admission. Visit www.truckeehomeshow.com or 530.587.3477 for more information.

(Saturday, 7/21) – Get your tickets before they sell out! Maroon 5 will be at Harveys Lake Tahoe Outdoor Amphitheatre at Stateline on July 21st. The show starts at 7:00 and is welcome to all ages!

(Sunday, 7/22) – Journey visits Harveys Lake Tahoe Outdoor Amphitheatre at Stateline for a night of amazing music but act fast; tickets are flying out the door!

That’s all for now! Stay tuned for more events and news!

Delightful and beautifully remodeled home in a perfect Glenshire area location! Extremely well maintained and recently remodeled, you’ll enjoy a fabulous open floor plan, amazing chef’s kitchen, four bedrooms, two baths, office and family room areas, perfect for a full time family or vacation home. You’ll enjoy the lovely perennial front and back landscaping, spacious patio area and elevated deck just off the dining area. Lots of side parking/storage area for your toys and close by to Glenshire Elementary School. This home is special … and deserves a special family.

Please vist our Virtual Tour at: www.10686ManchesterDrive.com

Beautiful, custom Old Greenwood home built by Tanner Construction. Lovely finishes, four bedrooms (3 en-suite), loft and a chef’s kitchen designed for family, friends and entertaining! Open, spacious and bright, this 3,270 s.f. home offers an easy walk to The Pavilion and Jack Nicklaus golf course. Beautifully crafted exterior, large patio with fire pit and a southern exposure, nestled on the greenbelt. Large 3 car garage with custom storage areas. Turnkey, beautifully furnished! TMC membership available.

Please visit our Video Tour at www.12407CalebDrive.com