SnowFest!

March 3 – March 12, 2017

It’s that time of year again and the 36th Annual Snowfest will be kicking off this weekend all around North Lake Tahoe. Every year since 1982 Snowfest has promoted Tahoe’s incredible weather and skiing in early March, and encourages tourism to the area in a traditionally off-season time of the year. Snowfest also provides an opportunity for the locals to get out and enjoy Tahoe at its winter's best. This year, the incredible winter continues and the events this year are sure to be bigger and better than ever. The area will be coming alive with parades, races, parties, concerts, theater and plenty of wining and dining options starting this Thursday.

Thursday is the kickoff party at Garwoods starting at 5:30pm featuring music by Groove Foundry and of course, the famous Garwood’s Wet Woody.

Fireworks in Tahoe City start off the weekend on Friday night and a pancake breakfast at the Tahoe City firehouse is a tradition on Saturday. Then the parade takes place in the heart of Tahoe City on North Lake Boulevard at 11:30am.

Click here for a list of all events.

One of the more popular events is the Wine ’n Ice in Truckee at the Truckee River Winery, now in it’s 7th year. Local, talented professionals will transform large blocks of ice into works of art. Enjoy watching the ice artists at work while sipping wine and listening to the guest DJ spinning beats.

Another signature event is the polar bear swim where only the brave will jump into Lake Tahoe on Saturday, March 4th and swim 250 yards in bone-chilling water. If jumping into the Tahoe ice bucket isn’t for you, being a spectator is also very entertaining. Stick around for the very popular raffle after the swim and the awards ceremony as first place is awarded $150 and of course bragging rights for the entire year. This year is sure to be one to remember as the shores are covered in ice and deep cold snow.

The skiing is unbelievable right now and with all these events, there are more reasons than ever to come enjoy a Tahoe week or weekend.

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

 

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing

With a fresh layer of snow falling and a small break in the storm mid-week, its a great time to get out in the peaceful white forest.  You are going to need some snowshoes of course to keep you afloat in all of this fluffy powder.  The options are really endless.  Head out in any direction and create your own path through the fresh snow or head to a nordic resort where the trails are groomed and mapped out for your adventure.  Pack a lunch and go for an all day excursion or go for just an hour.  Go by yourself, bring your four legged friends or a group of friends.

Getting started is easy as equipment is relatively inexpensive to buy or rent.  If you go to a  resort there are rentals available  on site.  If you want to venture out in the woods and need equipment, stop by Tahoe Dave’s in Truckee, Tahoe City or Squaw Valley for a full set up.  This will include the snowshoes to strap to your own snow boots or you can rent boots as well.  Trekking poles are also helpful in keeping your balance. 

 A good place to start if you want the freedom of the forest and fresh tracks is really out your back door wherever you might be in Tahoe.  A destination you can try is Martis Valley or at the top of HWY 267 at Brockway Summit.  For Martis Valley, park on either side of HWY 267 in Martis Valley.  On the North side of the road is Martis Valley Road and more reliable for parking.  On the South side of the road is a pull out for the Martis Creek Wildlife Area that is not always clear of snow.  From there, head towards the Northstar Mountain.  The views up to the mountain and the open air of the meadow around you give you chance to explore.  Be on the lookout as there are creeks and other various snow obstacles to look for.

At the top of HWY 267 is Brockway Summit and Lake Tahoe Snowmobiling company has their machines staged there.  From here you can follow a snowmobile track for easier walking or head towards Lake Tahoe for some unbelievable winter views of Big Blue.  Be aware of the weather before you go, things can change fast. 

For resort snowshoeing, Royal Gorge on Donner Summit or Northstar California have an array of trails that that are exclusively for snowshoers along with access to groomed trails.  Groomed tails make it a lot easier to walk on the big wide frames so you can cover more ground with less effort.  At Northstar, take the trail up to Sawmill Lake and take a hot cocoa break in the train caboose.   

Northstar also offers group twighlight snowshoe tours. The tour starts at 5pm and lasts for about 2-2.5 hours.  The group will meander through the forest with stops around a fire pit to listen to live acoustic music, smores and hot cocoa.  The tour ends in The Village at Northstar where there are plenty of options for dinner or more activities. 

Skiing has surely been at its best this year but if you want to take a break and get out  in the beauty and silence of this winter wonderland, snowshoeing is a great experience. 

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

 

Kid-O-Rama

Kid-O-Rama

Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows

Saturday, February 18th – Saturday, February 25

It’s good to be a kid at Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows for President’s week.  Kid-O-Rama is a week of non-stop fun for kids of all ages.  Squaw will attract families with activities like the sky jump trampolines, the climbing wall in the tram building, mini snowmobiles and snow tubing at Snow Ventures, a pool and hot tub perched atop the mountain at 8200 feet and of course world class ski lessons.  

The fun will be super-sized as Kid-O-Rama takes over.  Every day in the Village there will be a Kids Game & Craft Room open from 10am to 10pm featuring games like ping pong, crafts, and ski movies with popcorn.

The highlight of the week will be Big Truck Day on Monday, February 20th at Squaw Valley and Tuesday, February 21st at Alpine Meadows.  Big machinery like snow groomers, snowmobiles, fire trucks and snow plows will gather at the bottom of the mountain.  The big trucks will be on display all day for viewing and kids can sit in many of the vehicles and see just how big they are.  Truckee’s own Big Truck Hat Co is hosting an on-site sewing bar where guests can custom pick threads and patches to create a one-of-a-kind hat right on the spot.  After the hat is made, there is more to do like face painting and enjoying a nice warm cookie in the afternoon.  Now that’s a good way to spend the day.

Another fun event for everyone is Cats & Dogs on Saturday, February 18th and Saturday, February 25 at 4:30pm.  The snow cats (grooming machines) and dogs from the Squaw Valley Avalanche Rescue Team will meet at the base of the Funitel at the end of the day.  Groomers and their operators will show kids the machines and let them sit in the drivers seat.  The dogs will be be there for guests to meet, pet and take photos with.  

Each weekend day ends with live music on the Village stage and the KT Base Bar.  It is sure to be a good week with lots of new snow to enjoy in the forecast.   

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

Tahoe Mountain Resorts Foundation

When buying or selling property in the following four communities: The Northstar Village, Northstar Mountainside, Old Greenwood and Gray’s Crossing there is a private transfer fee that applies to each transfer of property. The fee ranges from 1% - 1.75% of the agreed purchase price of the property. Where does this money go?

In 2016, the Tahoe Mountain Resorts Foundation awarded more than $340,000 in grants and scholarships. 31 local non-profit organizations received grants from the foundation and 8 graduating seniors received scholarships. Programs like Project MANA, The Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe, Truckee Bike Park and the Tahoe Rim Trail Association benefit each year from these grants supporting the community, programs for kids, recreation, trails and more.  

The Truckee Donner Land Trust is one of the largest beneficiary of this transfer fee.  They have been protecting the land in the Tahoe Basin since 1990.  To date they have protected 33,000 acres ensuring continued recreation access for future generations.    

Click here for a list of all 2016 grant recipients. 

Tahoe Mountain Resorts Foundation mission statement:

"The mission of Tahoe Mountain Resorts Foundation is to serve as a catalyst for community enhancement by providing leadership and funding which will enrich the quality of life in the Truckee/North Lake Tahoe region through cultural, environmental, educational and charitable pursuits.

The Tahoe Mountain Resorts Foundation was created by Mountainside Partners with a commitment to achieving the highest standards of social responsibility. This vibrant community is continually energized by its most valuable natural resource: its people. We treasure the lifestyle that the Truckee region provides, be it for a weekend or a lifetime. Tahoe Mountain Resorts Foundation is dedicated to sustaining and enhancing this lifestyle from an educational, cultural, recreational and community-based perspective.

Simply put, the Foundation cultivates our region’s vital spirit and augments the efforts of private business and public office. From funding world-class cultural activities and environmental projects to supporting local at-risk youth programs and disabled sports, the Tahoe Mountain Resorts Foundation is helping to color the Truckee-Tahoe region’s bright future."

Click here for more information.

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

Premium Value Placed On New Real Estate Product

Premium Value Placed On New Real Estate Product 

Among the more notable dynamics fueling a sensation 2016 for Tahoe-Truckee real estate, was the premium value placed on new and innovative product. The stereotypical Tahoe home may be a 1970’s era A-frame with a filtered lake view within an easy drive to any number of mountains or trails. While this romantic notion remains, the functional obsolescence of these older homes has grown until finally hitting a tipping point in recent years. With overly restrictive regulatory requirements around redevelopment in and around the Tahoe Basin, this stock of homes has not kept up with consumer tastes.  

While older homes have continued to trade, more modern vintage homes have found greater traction, particularly when found in newer, amenitized resort communities. New homes generated nearly double the value of homes built in the most recent 15 years and almost 400% more than older vintage properties.

Demonstrating that these are not simply larger homes being constructed, price per square foot is commanding premium of nearly $100 for new product.  Also interesting to note a quickly diminishing return on this premium for inventory up to 17 years versus even older.

Interestingly, days on market and the discount rate from asking price were consistent throughout each age class.

An obvious example for this trend is found in comparing sales in Martis Camp, a very successful, new resort community to Tahoe lakefront property; the traditional bell weather of luxury for the region. In 2016, Martis Camp sold double the number of residential units at roughly the same price as lakefronts. A less obvious example can be found at Lahontan; a community launched in the late 1990’s whose product is neatly divided between pre- and post-recession.

In 2016, 26 homes traded in Lahontan. Of these, there 4 offered as new construction yielded $700 per square foot versus $474 for used inventory; a 47% premium. Average price varied from $2,361,250 for new to $1,959,975 for dated product; 20% higher.

While building costs have continued to escalate, the premium available for new product continues to offer opportunity. New architecture, modern interior design and a fresh start on deferred maintenance are highly valued assets for today’s consumer.

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

Your Tahoe Home: Snow & Ice

Your Tahoe Home: Snow & Ice

The winter we have all been waiting for is here! The storms are piling up more snow and more snow on top of what the previous storms already dumped. This week we are expecting another set of storms. This is great news for the entire region and especially for snow sports. In addition to having fun in the winter wonderland, it’s important to keep tabs on how the snow load is impacting your Tahoe home.

Building codes in the area do account for snow loads in the area but with this record breaking month, it is important to watch for signs of stress on your house due to the snow. If doors or windows begin to stick, or if drywall cracks start appearing, that may be in indicator that some roof snow removal should take place.

Shoveling a roof can be very dangerous. It is highly recommended to hire a professional. This will avoid potential damage to the roofing materials and injury to yourself due to falling off the roof or ladder.

Also, ice dams can form and be of concern. Ice dams are caused by the fluctuation in temperature with warm days and cold nights or heat escaping form the home. Any oversized icicles or ice buildup on your roof should be taken seriously. The ice will redirect melting water and can cause greater potential of water intrusion into the home. If you sense any type of leaking in the home, this is an immediate signal that you must remove snow and ice from your roof.

Removing ice from the edge of the roof is best done with non-salt chemical de-icersor electrical de-icing cables. Do not try to hack off with shovels, hatchets or hammers. This will only cause more damage to the roof. Again, it is best to use a professional to evaluate the issue and perform the work. Reputable roofing companies have tools that will help remove snow and ice from your roof without causing damage.

Enjoy all the snow and the fun that it brings, but don’t forget to take a second look at your home and roof to make sure you stay warm, leak free and safe all winter long.

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012 

Tahoe-Truckee Market Update - February, 2017

Tahoe-Truckee Market Update 

February, 2017 

2017 has begun with extreme circumstances whether measuring snowfall, politics, or real estate activity in the Tahoe-Truckee region. A well-chronicled 24 feet of snow, complimented by nearly 8 inches of rain, fell over a two-week period to begin the year. This unprecedented snowfall paralyzed the region for several days rendering ski resorts inoperable and travel ill-advised while the process of digging out began. Despite the inconvenience of this process, Tahoe is now set up with a full winter’s worth of snow with barely 25% of ski season elapsed. And with the short-term sacrifice has come tremendous long term benefit as eager guests have flooded the region anxious to take a turn in the abundant snow.

It has been exactly a decade since economic vitality and meaningful snow were realized at once. Tahoe progressed directly from recession to drought leaving certain resort communities to languish despite dramatically improved demand for the region’s real estate. 2017 has already shown the commercial value of great snowfall with unseasonably strong resort real estate sales.

January, perennially the slowest month of the year for closed transactions, saw 85 residential sales exactly matching a very strong start to the prior year and 25% greater than historical average. More notably, ski communities including Northstar, Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows have experienced a tremendous surge of activity well ahead of seasonal trends. At Northstar, 6 Stellar Townhomes, more than 50% of the entire project, have found purchasers already in 2017. Additionally, 3 residences in the Village at Northstar are newly pending equaling 20% of 2016’s total number. More notably, expressions of interest and showing activity have been robust despite most consumers’ compulsion to ski until last chair, maximizing time spent in marvelous conditions.

In a typical winter, real estate activity begins in earnest in mid-February, once families have visited one or more times spontaneously in addition to pre-planned trips around Christmas, MLK and President’s Weekend. While this trend will undoubtedly hold true, conditions have allowed for an earlier than usual start to the shopping season.

Katie Tyler

Realtor®

BRE 01442453

c 530 277 1012