We just moved to our new location at the corner of Tahoe Keys Blvd and Lake Tahoe Blvd.  Address is actually 989 Tahoe Keys Blvd.  Please stop by when you are in town and visit us. 

When you go out in Tahoe you almost always get into a discussion with someone about the seasons in Tahoe and which is your favorite.  I love them all.  Tonight we turn the clock ahead and tomorrow night it will stay light later.  Seems that with snow on the ground you wouldn’t be thinking of gardening, but the time change seems to draw those images to mind.  If you are like me, I am a little sad that winter is waning and those cozy nights by the fire will soon be memories, but summer is just around the corner, or so they say.  Just be prepared when you visit Tahoe expecting to see signs of summer.  Locals believe we may have snow on the ground until July.  I’m watching for the tulips to pop up and then I’ll know we’re moving the right direction.

Custom Design Woodworks is a custom cabinet business that services many of the builders and remodel contractors in the Tahoe basin.  The business is owned by my family and has been servicing Tahoe since 1990.  As a result, I see many of the new kitchens and custom cabinetry in Tahoe.  I’ve noticed a new trend, darker and stained cabinets versus the traditional knotty alder or pine of the past. The cabinets are generally a little more expensive as the process includes 2 steps – stain and then seal – but the result is pretty dramatic and can accommodate a quaint cabin, or new more modern construction.

So here it is a beautiful sunny day in March and I’m sitting at an open house in the Tahoe Keys.  My view from the dining is Mt. Tallac and if I move to the master bedroom, I see Heavenly.  However, not much time for taking in the views, as I’ve been busy showing the home.  Buyers are definitely back and thinking of purchasing. In 2 hours there have been 10 people through this listing.  Tahoe Keys interest is picking up as we move into the spring.  If you are thinking of buying in Tahoe Keys now is an excellent time.  63 properties on the market priced from $269,900 for condos, up to $7,950,000 for 6500 sq ft on Lighthouse Shores Drive.  If you are thinking of selling, 1 of my 10 visitors may be your buyer.   

1972 Garmish

New Listing in Tahoe Keys- 1972 Garmish Ct.

4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, 2 Car Garage with Views from Sunrise to Sunset

$1,088,000

To Continue: Areas that are most popular in the winter time provide easy access to the ski slopes and the casino corridor.   Al Tahoe – Also a popular summer location, is near the lake, yet not far from Heavenly Resort.  Most dwellings here are smaller and are fairly close together.  There are a few new construction homes scattered around, but most of Tahoe’s charm remains in this tiny area by the lake.  Very popular vacation rental area and it is also difficult to find lake properties, but you can walk to the lake from almost any street.  Most streets follow the naming convention of California cities such as Los Angeles, Modesto, and San Francisco etc. Bijou – Pronounced (Bee-shoe).  This area is in-town and convenient to most activities including skiing.  Homes here are of mixed vintage.  I have a beautiful larger home on an 11,000 sq ft lot that was built in 2004.  It includes a three car garage and 4 bedrooms.  Right next door is a new construction being built following green building methods and next to it is a 1950’s cabin.  All three are located on this great cul-de-sac location.   

First thing I ask a potential buyer is where are you interested in purchasing?  Do you prefer older/charm, or new construction?  Is a forest setting or convenient location more important?  Do you come here in the winter for skiing, or in the summer for lake activities?  Do you want to have your purchase for vacation rentals, or just family? All of these questions will help lead me to the most likely areas in Tahoe. Here is a quick look at some of the locations popular for winter use. 1)     Gardner Mountain – located along HWY 89 just past the intersection of HWY 50.  Homes in this area have appeal as primary residences, vacation rentals and just a cabin for the family.  Not far from Camp Richardson, it is convenient to lake activities and also quick access to out of town skiing at Sierra-At-Tahoe.  Mixture of older cabins and newer construction.2)     Tahoe Paradise/Meyers – located along HWY 50 and Pioneer Trail.  Convenient location for skiing at Kirkwood, Heavenly California Lodge and Sierra-At-Tahoe.  Larger lots than in-town, but also more snow as you are located just down from Echo Summit.  Again, old charmers and new construction.3)     Heavenly Valley – Ski Run Blvd and Pioneer Trail are in the area.  Some great vacation rental properties in this location.  You are in-town, near skiing and also not far from the casinos. Next post I’ll talk about the Bijou and Al Tahoe….

As you can tell, the most popular price range is from $301,000 to $900,000. In that range you will find cabins and larger new construction.  Just depends on what you want.

When you buy in Tahoe, along with your property you will experience the joy of our beautiful lake and the scent of pine.  We continue to make this possible because there is an agency in Tahoe known as the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) www.trpa.org  whose sole purpose in life is to protect the clarity of Lake Tahoe.  So if you purchase a property that is situated in the Lake Tahoe Basin and is within the jurisdiction(s) of the city of South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County, CA, Placer County, CA, Douglas County, NV, Washoe, NV and local Sewer Districts, local Public Utility Districts and/or other governmental agencies you will need to understand the codes for land use, construction and regulations to protect the environment.  Buyers are to investigate any applicable shoreline fees, buoys/pier permits/leases: The Army Corps of Engineers, Division of State Lands, TRPA and other agencies may have designated restrictions and fees.  Buyers and Sellers are advised to become familiar with and independently investigate all governmental codes and regulations with respect to their subject property. So using a local real estate agent, or broker will assist you in traversing this maize and make your purchase, or sale a pleasant one.  

South Lake Tahoe is going “Upscale” and you can be a part of it for under $300,000.

Over the weekend of February 3, 2008 there was an article in my local paper on how South Lake Tahoes experiencing a makeover and reinventing itself with the new convention center, new restaurants and the resulting move out of small lesser expensive “T-Shirt” shops to make way for development.

This was a positive article shedding light on the newest developments and emphasizing how South Lake is becoming a destination for upscale home buyers and visitors competing in the high end real estate market that Incline Village, Glenbrook and Zephyr Cove, NV have dominated in the past.

Once again we learn that our town is a great place to invest in real estate. And now is the perfect time. We have prices lower than we’ve had in the recent past, and inventory that gives a home buyer options beginning under $200,000 extending to the most upscale of all at $100,000,000, which by the way is listed through our brokerage, Chase International. Or perhaps you want to buy on the water or in the Tahoe Keys for around $1,000,000. Call for listing information on those locations. Buying in the Keys will make you a part of a unique community with HOA, marina, swimming pools, tennis courts and your own docks with lake access.

Included in other opportunities are foreclosures and “short sales”. But these are not the only deals out there. We also have owner/sellers who want to sell! An example is my cabin listing in the county. Located with easy access to skiing and possessing quaint Tahoe accents influenced by the artist owner themselves, it’s a great buy. Additionally, the garden in the summer is awesome. Just call me for the details. It is listed at $299,000 with in floor radiant heat throughout. And I have many more listings in all price ranges that really want a new owner.