Snowfest!

Snowfest! 
February 27th – March 8th

Time for the 33rd annual Snowfest! in North Lake Tahoe.  This will be the ultimate snow dance for the region.  Come snow or no snow, the 10 days following the opening ceremonies at Squaw Valley this Friday, February 27th are sure to bring excitement! With over 60 events in between Truckee and Tahoe there is something for everyone, even your dog.  

Start the week off with a night filled with fun, fireworks and a torch light parade at Squaw Valley Friday night.  Rise and shine Saturday morning for the North Tahoe firefighters pancake breakfast, Saturday 7am.  Finish up just in time for the parade in downtown Tahoe City.  

From there, jump in the fun for the polar bear swim.  Fun to watch and for the very brave, fun to participate as others will watch you jump in Lake Tahoe!  Throughout the week you can find excitement everywhere with bar olympics, ice carving, the dog Ididarun event a Tahoe Donner, a fashion show and so much more.  

Click here for a full list of events.

My favorite event this year is the LUNAFest Film, Food and Wine put on as a fundraiser for the local Girls on the Run Sierras, an elementary and middle school program that helps young girls through running and self image lessons.  LUNAFest is a whole night filled with good people, silent auction, food, wine, music and finished off with a screenings

of  award-winning short films by women film makers.  Buy your tickets early and be prepared to be impressed by these powerful films.  

LUNAFest Film, Food and Wine

Saurday, March 7, 2015 6pm 

Olympic Village Lodge, Squaw Valley

Click here for more information.

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

Art on the Beach

Art on the Beach 

By Katie Chappell

Kings Beach has recently turned into a gigantic display of public art.  Pair this with amazing winter sunsets and it’s a great way to spend a Tahoe evening.  Where does this art come from?  It comes from you and me and anyone who wants to contribute.  My 1 1/2 year old daughter helped my husband and I build our little mark on the beach.

Other’s spent hours perfecting their mark by carefully constructing rock towers and designs that exceed 5 feet tall.  What a fun experience to share with loved ones and be proud of. 

After building your sculpture or just admiring others, step back and enjoy the sights.  Bring a picnic dinner (and warm clothes) and enjoy the fresh air and breathtaking view of Lake Tahoe.  If it’s getting late and the sun has gone down, there are plenty of great restaurants nearby to continue the night and reminisce about the day.  

Dinner recommendations in Kings Beach: 

• Lanzas 
• Caliente 
• Jasons Beachside Grille 
• Spindleshanks 

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

Valentine’s Day at Northstar

Valentine’s Day at Northstar

Saturday, February 14 2015

Looking for something special to do with your main squeeze for the weekend at Northstar?  You can do it all or pick something special.  

Start the day off with the entire family with a stop at the  top of the Big Springs Gondola in the day lodge where you can all get complimentary face painting.  Then off to the slopes where everyone can take their turn on Cupid’s Course Valentine’s Fun Race.  Take as many runs as you can because 50% of all race fees ($6/run) will be donated to Tahoe SAFE Alliance.  

At 2:00pm if you really want to shout out your love, head to the top of Rendezvous chair for the daily Northstar Tost.  Special for Valentine’s day, a group weedding ceremony will be pro formed for anyone who wishes to profess their love, renew their vows or actually be married!!  Why not?!!  EpicMix photographers will be on site to capture the special day.  

Don’t stop there.  Next stop, Ritz Carlton, Lake Tahoe for the evening activities.  Choose from a night of wine and painting at Café Blue with Painted Vine or a night with your doggie at the 7th Annual Black Tie & Tails Gala.  

Valentine’s Day with Painted Vine

The Ritz Carlton, Lake Tahoe has teamed up with local Truckee business, Painted Vine for Valentine’s Day night.  Celebrate with your special someone as you explore your creative side through painting.  Enjoy wine, champagne, cheese and desert throughout the class.  Advance reservations are recommended.  $150/per couple. 

7th Annual Black Tie & Tales Gala

The Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe has teamed up with the Ritz Carlton, Lake Tahoe for a  fundraising event that is sure to knock your socks (or paws) off!  Dress to impress and bring your dog!  You and your pup will be greeted on the red carpet and enjoy a night full of appetizers (for the four legged also), champagne, music, dancing and lots of friends to play with! Tickets are going fast.  $175/person+dog. 

Have a very Happy Valentine's Day wherever you are! 

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

January, 2015 Tahoe-Truckee Market Update

Tahoe-Truckee Market Update

January, 2015

2015 has begun on a positive note for the Tahoe-Truckee real estate market.  January saw 69 transactions at an average price of $921,741. Both of these figures are positive indicators with independent backstories. 

January is historically the lowest month of any year for closed transactions. Because sales typically track 30 - 60 days out, January sales begin in December, the start of the holiday season, when families are ultra busy and not focused on buying real estate.  The chart below demonstrates clearly how  sales at the beginning of the year often lag later months by 50% of more. Over the past decade we've seen the first month of the year produce as few as 36 (2009) transactions and as many as 83 (2013).  The production of 69 sales this past January exceeds the 10-year average by 26%. Perhaps more importantly,  this year exceeded January 2014 by 10% — a month that preceded a stellar year. 

Unlike the total number of sales, average price in the first month of the year is less predictable. Historically,  January sales average out in the exact middle between peak (February) and valley (October). In 2014, January's average sale price of $821,430 was a near exact prediction of average price for the entire year. With an average price of $921,741, January  2015 shines an optimistic light on the year to come. Further validating this theory is the high number of luxury sales in the month: 12 were at values of $1,000,000; 7 at $2,000,000 or more and 2 exceeded $5,000,000. These figures perpetuate the theme of 2014 in which luxury resort real estate outperformed all other classes. 

At $921,741, the average sale price continues a trend of steady improvement going back three full years. 

It will be fascinating to watch these trends as winter plays out. Opposing forces are waging conflict as market demand is surging while winter conditions struggle, a scenario that has deferred purchasing decisions into the summer in past years. Given the expressions of interest thus far in 2015, particularly around the new and innovative Stellar Collection at Northstar, it appears that demand will win out. 

We've experienced an extended run of nearly perfect spring weather through most of January and into early February. Cold temperatures in the evening have provided Northstar with optimal conditions for making snow resulting in flawless groomed runs across the mountain. We hope that you take advantage of spring snow during winter so that you are well-prepared for winter snow when it arrives in spring. 

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

Mountain Table Dinner Series at Northstar

Mountain Table Dinner Series 

Northstar California

Are you ready for a new dining experience in Tahoe?  Northstar has just the thing for an unforgettable night out.  Come and experience the Mountain Table Dinner Series at Northstar.  Start the night out in the Village at Northstar.  Maybe even stop into Chocolate Bar for a pre-dinner cocktail. At 5:30pm board the Big Springs Gondola and head up to mid-mountain and then onto the Zephyr gondola to find your way to Northstar’s newest mountain modern lodge.  This 17,000 square foot building features one entire wall of floor to ceiling windows looking out onto the Sierra Crest and over the Truckee River corridor to the Squaw Valley peaks.  The views are truly breathtaking. 

With family style seating, you will be encouraged to meet new friends, celebrate with old friends,  and toast to good times together.  Zephyr Lodge Executive Chef Chad Shrewsbury will take you through a unique five course meal featuring local and regionally sourced produce and proteins.  Each evening will  feature a wine or special brew that will be served to compliment each course.  Not only will you be in it for a good night but in it for a good cause too, Northstar will be donating to a local non-profit for each dinner of the series. 

There are 7 dining opportunities throughout the Winter:

Click here to see dates and make reservations. 

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012