Where will you buy groceries next time you're in Tahoe? How about Downtown Truckee ...

Downtown Truckee came one step closer to getting its own grocery store this week, when the Town Planning Commission signed off on a proposal to build a 35,000 SF market in what used to be a part of the train yard. The project is being proposed by Nugget Markets, a boutique grocery store chain with 12 locations in Northern California. Described by some as a cross between Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, Nugget is known for offering gourmet selections, including craft beers, fine wines, and locally sourced beef and produce. With addresses in Tiburon, Corte Madera, and Sonoma, Nugget is catering to some well-heeled customers, and while their prices tend to be higher than larger chains, some online reviewers describe it as "the nicest grocery store" they have…

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Ski Lease ~ When You Love Lake Tahoe (but not the snow)

What's a Ski Lease? 

That's a question I was asked last week, reminding me that as realtors we sometimes assume our everyday jargon is commonplace. A ski lease is a short-term rental of your home for the ski season, usually at a higher monthly rate than what it would fetch as a full-time rental.

Ski leases typically run from November or December through March or April (in an epic Tahoe winter your tenants might ask to extend). For those who love Lake Tahoe, but not the winters, a ski lease can be a great way to defray the cost of owning a vacation home. A nice 4-bedroom home or condo that sleeps eight or more could rent for anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000 per month, depending on location (luxury properties fetch luxury rates). Multiply that by 5 or…

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Nevada Retirement ~ Top 5 Reasons to Retire in Reno

1. Save Money on Taxes .      With no state income tax, no tax on social security or pensions, and relatively low property taxes, retirees domiciling themselves in Nevada stand to save thousands per year. Smartasset.com has a convenient calculator to determine your savings. For a better understanding of what it means to "domicile" one's self in Nevada, visit Ashley Quinn CPA's website.

2. The Golf Season Lasts Longer .      With more than 300 days of sunshine per year, and a temperate climate, you can golf almost the whole year.  It does snow in Reno (less than 2 feet per year on average), but it doesn't stick around for long. 

Click here to browse homes in Reno's top Golf & Country Clubs

3. Reno Tahoe International Airport .      Many of my…

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Financing the Fixer-Upper

It's a great old house in the perfect location - walking distance to the lake, good schools and an oversized grassy yard. The price is right, but from plumbing to the roof, it needs a total overhaul. What do you do? Most buyers walk at that stage. Some see opportunity. Location is everything in real estate, and a fixer-upper in a good neighborhood is usually well worth the investment in upgrades. But buyers on a budget often don't have a pile of cash on hand for a costly remodel. One solution is the FHA 203(k) loan that rolls the cost of a remodel and the purchase of a home into one loan with as little as 3.5% down.

Owners and non-profits with decent income and good credit can qualify, but not investors. The remodel must cost at least $5,000 (and up to…

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The Pros and Cons of Condos at Lake Tahoe

Condo or Single-Family Home?

So you want a condo in Tahoe? Or maybe a cabin of your own with a little yard, and elbow room, and no homeowner's fees. Condo or single-family home?  Close to half of my buyers flipped-flopped on this question last year, and buyers who are on the fence ask the same question: which one is better for me?  The answer depends on your goals.

Convenience vs. Constraints    

Most condos and townhomes are maintained by a homeowner's association, eliminating the need for costly exterior repairs, landscape maintenance and snow removal. The convenience of a turn-key vacation property in your favorite destination is a price worth paying for some.  If you work long hours at a stressful city job all week, the last thing you…

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A Cabin at the Lake ~ Tips for Buyers

Who hasn't dreamed at some point about a cabin at the lake, especially Tahoe, with its grandeur and year-round recreation. As we round into the final dog days of summer, this week is possibly the best time of year for seeing those lakeside cabins. The days are hot, and the afternoons are often broken by thunderstorms that blanket the forest with cool rain and invite a welcome retreat to the shelter of a covered porch.

In the spirit of summer, I'd like to to offer you 7 of my personal picks for charming cabins at or near a lake in Tahoe (plus a few tips for buying one that will also serve you well throughout the winter).

537 Log Cabin Rd, Meeks Bay  $595,000 

Built in 1936, this cabin is a testament to a generation that looked to Tahoe for a…

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Home Sales Driven by ... Dogs?

Buy vs Rent?  For young couples, that has long been a decision motivated largely by the desire to grow a family. But millennials are bucking the trend. In a recent nationwide study, buyers aged 18 to 36  cite their dog's need for more space as the top reason for buying a home. In fact, dogs ranked higher for the reasons to buy than having children or getting married.

A third of the buyers polled said their #1 reason for buying a home was to have more space for their dogs. Maybe this is surprising for a national poll, like the sample surveyed for the SunTrust Mortgage study. But in Tahoe, dogs have long ruled the home front (and the roads, and the beach, and the list goes on).  

Many Tahoe hotels welcome dogs, and some gourmet restaurants like…

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Tips for Sellers ~ The little things count

First Impressions are Lasting

When it comes to selling your home, it's worth taking a hard look at the little things you have come to live with over time ... the lightbulbs that are out in those hard to reach places, scuff marks on the walls, or the toilet that's been running so long you don't notice it anymore. In my years of showing homes,  the value of first impressions has always sort of amazed me.

The Bold Colors You Love Could Shave Thousands off Your Sale Price

Take two houses with the same floor plan, same finishes, and close to the same location. One is so clean you could virtually eat off the floors. The windows sparkle, carpets smell fresh, and the seller took the time to touch up the paint and re-grout the bathroom floor. The other…

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Tahoe Donner XC - Ski through Spring

Tahoe Donner's Cross Country ski center expects to be open through at least mid-April this season, thanks to record snowfall. Season passes go on sale March 15, and for just $314 pass holders can also ski for free this spring. (Homeowners enjoy discounted rates.)  

With 38 miles of groomed trails, and access to one of the West's most pristine valleys, it's no wonder Tahoe Donner was recently voted one of North America's "best" for XC lovers. You have to experience Tahoe Donner's cross country center to appreciate its beauty. The trail network begins in an alpine meadow at the end of Alder Creek Road. Ambitious skiers (or hikers) can climb up to Hawk's Peak at 7,729 feet and skirt the saddle to Drifter Hut to catch unparalleled views of Donner Lake and…

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The Winter of 2017: Disaster relief for an epic winter

The Town of Truckee, in cooperation with Nevada County is applying for disaster relief funding to help businesses and homeowners impacted by the recent waves of storms that brought epic snowfall to the region. The state of emergency declaration in early January came amid a storm that knocked down power lines, leaving much of Truckee & West Shore without power for as long as several days. (Downed trees, like the one Liberty Utilities photographed across Highway 89, were the culprit behind much of the power outage.) With the Truckee River cresting, the town provided sandbags to residents impacted by the double whammy of rain and melting snow. Motorists were stranded, and some second homeowners were unable to access their residences due to the sheer volume…

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