Lake Tahoe Real Estate Blog

The local classic quote for Lake Tahoe weather is, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait a few minutes.” Okay, minutes might be a slight exaggeration, but only slight. Four days ago, we took the top down on the VW to enjoy summer weather at its finest. Off to the beach to soak up the rays, air up the bike tires, ventures to the local golf courses - all in full swing. Lake Tahoe residents were grinning from ear to ear.
However, you can bet there were jackets and scarfs stowed away in trunks and bags. Those of us that have called Lake Tahoe home for a few years no better. And sure enough, we awoke to snow this morning. YES SNOW! Now, I for one was somewhat delighted as I had been experiencing pangs of envy toward parents of the area’s current Little League baseball teams. How many games did we sit through huddled under down blankets and toting propane heaters to the bleachers? After all, this is how we locals historically prepare for our roles as Little League parents. Yet, this 2008 season saw Lake Tahoe Little League parents boasting sun burns. That’s just not right!
Alas, justice is here and as I watch over the office this Memorial Day weekend, I will remind my office peers to pack their layers of clothing and have a great time. Yes, the Boys of Summer are back.

Mother’s Day week typically is (and was) a slow week for the local real estate market, so we felt it was a great time to take a quick vacation. Now, one wonders why one would leave Tahoe for a vacation but we can tell you that as great as it is to get away, it is always a delight to come home. And speaking of home, how did the real estate market fare during the past week? Let’s take a look.
Within the city limits, there were 11 new (or back on the market) listings within the single family and condo categories. Of these 11, the low end of the range is a 2 bedroom home in the Sierra Tract area asking $269,000. The top of the range is a 4 bedroom, 3 bath home with boat dock in the Tahoe Keys. This home is asking $1,495,000.
4 lucky sellers found themselves in escrow. All 4 of these homes were listed under $500,000, ranging from a bank-owned Heavenly home at $294,500 to a 5 bedroom Sierra Tract home for $419,000.
As we saw an increase in escrows about 6 weeks ago, we are now seeing those homes closing escrow. Within the city, there were 8 closed sales. The lower end of the range was a 2 bedroom, 1 bath home in the Sierra Tract for $260,000 to a high of $895,000 for the first Tahoe Keys sale so far this year. This home features 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths.
The activity in the county area was a bit slower. There were 5 new/back on the market listings ranging from a low of $323,000 for a 2 bedroom home in the North Upper Truckee area to $565,000 for a 3 bedroom home in the Meyers area.
As far as new escrows, the county was just as active as the city with a total of 5. These sales ranged from $315,000 for a 2 bedroom, 1 bath home in the Christmas Valley area to $789,000 for a beautiful, newer home in the Country Club Estates neighborhood.
The county area witnessed 4 closed sales ranging from $315,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in the Meyers neighborhood to $848,000 for a stunning Tuscan style home in the Pioneer Trail neighborhood.

This week’s “Home of the Week” is 1784 Meadow Vale. Rarely will you find a home with the quality, architectural design and extras that this home includes. Click here to take tour of this custom home.

Gorgeous weather saw skis being replaced by bicycles, jogging shoes and golf clubs. Temperatures hinting of the summer to come were absolutely blissful. The real estate market was equally positive with plenty of new activity.
Within the city limits, there were 9 “new/back on the market”listings offering quite a variety pack. The new listings ranged from a low of $260,000 for a 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath home in the Sierra Tract area. At the top of the range is a newer home (built in 2005) asking $1,008,000. This home features 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, over 3,000 SF of living space all within a few short blocks to Heavenly Mt.
Most exciting were the 5 new pending sales. All of these homes were listed under $600,000 with a low of $310,000 for a 2 bedroom, 2 bath home in the Bijou area up to an amazing $569,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with nearly 1,669 SF of living space within the Tahoe Keys.
There was one closed sale reported for a home in the Tahoe Island area for $449,000. This home had 4 bedrooms, 2 baths and over 1, 500 SF of living space.
The lot activity was equally busy with 4 new listings for vacant land. The lowest price was $169,000 within the Sierra Tract up to $439,000 for a Tahoe Keys lot with a buildable allocation.

The county area was considerably slower with only 3 new listings. Yet the list price range was even greater. Starting with a 3 bedroom home in the Pioneer Trail neighborhood with a list price of $360,000 clear up to $1,649,000 for an ultra-”tricked-out” luxury mountain view home in the Country Club Estates neighborhood.
There were 2 new escrows, both tremendous values. Within the Meyers area, the lower end of the range was $449,000 up to $898,000 for a Tuscan beauty in the Pioneer Trail neighborhood.
There was only one recorded sale for a 3 bedroom, 1.75 bath home with nearly 1200 SF of living space for $375,000.
There was one new lot listing in the Pioneer Trail area for $149,000.

Be sure to check out our Home of the Week, located at 1215 Gold Dust Trail.

Sure & Steady, the Lake Tahoe real estate market is continuing along the path of anxious sellers vs. savvy buyers. The past week’s activity shows the beginning of (what we refer to as) the “listing season.”
Within the city limits, there were 12 “new/back on the market listings.” These new choices are within a low of $325,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in the Sierra Tract to a high of $1,295,000 for a 4 bedroom, 2,538 SF home in the Tahoe Keys. The majority of these new listings have asking prices in the $700,000 range.
Along with the high number of new listings were 4 new pending sales. These homes ranged from $295,000 for a smaller home in the Tahoe Island area, to a brand new, 2032 SF home in the Sierra Tract listed at $489,000.
Among closed sales, there were three homes ranging from $350,000 for a duplex in the Al Tahoe area to $1,200,000 for a luxury home with over 3,000 SF in the Heavenly resort area.
Wrapping up the city limit weekly report, there are 2 new listings for vacant land. The low end is asking $129,000 for a Sierra Tract lot to a high of $469,000 for a Tahoe Keys lot with an allocation to build this year.

Within the county area, there were 6 new listings. The lower end of the range is located in the North Upper Truckee area and is asking $360,000 for a 1,886 SF, 4 bedroom, 2 bath home. The top of the range is $1,350,000 for a 5 bedroom, fully furnished home with great room, family room and game room within the Montgomery Estates area.
New escrows number 3 ranging from $420,000 for a 1,248 SF home near the forest to $1,850,000 for a 6 bedroom, gorgeous lodge-style home with filtered lake views. This home was fully furnished and also within the Montgomery Estates area.
There were 2 closed sales. The first was a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with 1,633 SF in the Meyers area and the second was sold for $510,000 for a 3 bedroom, 1,920 SF home in the Christmas Valley area.
In regards to vacant land within the county, there were 5 new listings. The low end is asking $135,000 for a lot with building rights located within the burn area and the high end is $349,000 for a view lot within the Montgomery Estates neighborhood. This second lot received an offer within the first week and is currently pending.
Don’t forget to check in with the Learn About the Neighborhood section of our web site, www.HomeInTahoe.com to learn more about the various areas in South Lake Tahoe.

This week’s Home of the Week is 1941 Minniconjou, a classic A frame located within a few short miles to Heavenly Mt. & Lake Tahoe beaches. What a setting. Click here to take a visual tour.

Has the recent media attention toward the housing market having an effect on our local market? With reports of February showing the first sign of improvement, the buzz among local Realtors is that the phones are starting to ring and that property tours are on the rise. This past week was no exception.
Within the city limits, just as last week, there were ten new/back on the market listings ranging from a low of $189,000 for a small, in-town cabin to $1,600,00 for a newer luxury home near the Heavenly Ski resort. The trend for to purchase homes under $500,000 continues with two new escrows ranging from $294,750 to $395,000. There were two closed sales at $250,000 and $474,5000. The activity among vacant land was on the rise with 6 new/back on the market listings.
The county area had five new/back on the market listings, down from last week’s 9. These home values ranged from $359,000 - $555,000. There were five new escrows up from the one the previous week. These pending sales ranged from $309,000 - $525,000. There were two closed sales at $250,000 and $555,000. Among the lot activity, there were four new listings ranging from a low of $99,000 to a high of $349,000 for a stunning view lot in the MOntgomery Estates area.
Our choice for the Home of the Week is 2397 So. Upper Truckee, an ultimate Tahoe spa retreat. Click here for a visual tour.

At the beginning of my real estate career, my role model, Danielle Kennedy emphasized that a Realtor should move once every five years just to be able to best emphasize what a client is going through. Having just turned our lives upside down with a move of our own, I now know exactly what she was talking about. We are now settled (somewhat) and it’s time to get back to work. So, having missed the past couple of weekly updates, i am back on track. Here we go:
During the week of April 4th - 10th the city limits witnessed the following:
There were 10 new/back on the market single family and condos listed. Of these 10, the range was a low of $250,000 - a high of $2,475,000. Three homes went into escrow ranging from $269,900 - $895,000 and there were two closed sales, $325,000 and $365,000. There was no activity among vacant land.
Within the county area, there were 9 new/back on the market listings ranging from $398,000 to $1,349,000. One home went into escrow which was listed at $699,000 and there were five closed sales, ranging from a low of $235,000 to a high of $980,000. Two of these properties were bank-owned. There were two new lot listings, $165,000 - $299,000 and one closed sale for $145,000.

Our home of the week is a rare find.  Pristine condition, classic “Old Tahoe” cabin, furnished and all within walking distance to Lake Tahoe. Click here to take a visual tour.