It Takes Two to Tango!

There are so many advantages to using the JK Real Estate team. You know; two heads are better than one, two points of view, checking it twice, double personality, and we’ve got you covered. So when one of us scoots out of town for a little fun, we don’t miss a beat. As in my case while I am galavanting all over South America, Kappy is hard at work taking care of business. I sure would appreciate you giving her a call so she doesn’t feel too left out.

Here in Buenos Aires at the La Ventana Tango Palace, Don and I were invited up on stage to show them a little Truckee Tango. They were very surprised and so were we!

Girls on the Run and Replacing Windows

What do these items have in common?  Well, here goes. 

I jogged a 5K race this morning with the members of this group “Girls on the Run.”  I was so impressed by the amount of people in our little town of Truckee who showed up to run the race which was a benefit for an organization dedicated to give girls the opportunity to grow up with healthy exercise habits.  There were boys and girls as young as 8 years old (some younger in strollers) moms and dads, doggies on leashes and even a couple of granny aged folks like myself.  The weather had been cold and rainy these past 3 days so I was not expecting much in the sun department but I was pleasantly surprised this morning when the weather actually cooperated.  The little 3.1 mile race took us out of the new soccer field park, and down to the Truckee River and back.  It was a complete success for myself and everyone there.  I am so proud of all you girls!  We Rock!!

Now, the part about replacing windows.  Did you know that you could get a tax credit of 30% of the price up to $1500 for replacing your old, ugly windows with energy efficient ones?  I happened to run into one of my clients (not physically, he was just there with his daughter) and he mentioned it to me.  So I came back to the office and checked it out.  Sure enough, if you follow this link, you will see what I am talking about.  Be sure to do it soon though because it is only good for 2009 or 2010.  If you follow this link, you may also find OTHER things you can get tax credits for.  Check it out here.  I know I am going to make some plans to get this tax credit this year.  It will warm my house and increase the value too.

California Assoc. of Realtors Fast Facts

Published June 3, 2009

Calif. median home price – April 09: $256,700 (Source: C.A.R.)
Calif. highest median home price by C.A.R. region April 09: Santa Barbara So. Coast $840,000 (Source: C.A.R.)
Calif. lowest median home price by C.A.R. region April 09: High Desert $106,530 (Source: C.A.R.)
Calif. First-time Buyer Affordability Index – First Quarter 2009: 69 percent (Source: C.A.R.)
Mortgage rates – week ending 5/28/09 30-yr. fixed: 4.91% Fees/points: 0.7% 15-yr. fixed: 4.53% Fees/points: 0.7% 1-yr. adjustable: 4.69% Fees/points: 0.6% (Source: Freddie Mac)

May 2009 Truckee-North Lake Tahoe Stats

Here are the stats for the month of May 2009.  As predicted, things are definitely looking up.  Last month only 39 single family residences (including condos) closed escrow.  This month brought 65 brave souls to the table.  Again the market in Tahoe Donner continues to be consistent, albeit a shadow of its former self. 

Additionally some the luxury homes in Old Greenwood and Northstar are attracting buyers.  There are some really good deals out there in that market.  A buyer will not be able to reproduce some of these residences at the price they are offered – ever. 

The full time market is still very slow, with lots of short sales which are really confusing the poor sellers who aren’t in trouble except that for some reason or other (new job opportunity, retirement, etc) they have to move on.  We are going to have to find some “creative” ways to help these customers.  In the meantime:  here are the numbers from our Tahoe Sierra Multiple Listing Service.  Again, unless noted, the properties were sold as standard sales, not short sales or REO’s (bank owned properties).

Tahoe Donner:  16 homes, (2 are short), 1 condo

Northstar:  2 homes, 2 condos

Glenshire, Cambridge, Juniper Hill, Juniper Creek, The Meadows:   4 homes (2 REO, 1 short)

Prosser Lake Area:  1 homes

Sierra Meadows, Ponderosa Palisades, Martiswoods, Ponderosa Ranchos:  0 homes

Olympic Heights:  1 home

Lahontan:  0 residential properties

Old Greenwood:  3 homes (1 short)

Gray’s Crossing:  0 residential properties

Truckee Proper:  3 home (2 REO)

Adjacent to Tahoe Donner:  0 residential properties

Donner Lake:  5 homes

Donner Summit:  4 homes

West shore Lake Tahoe:  7 homes (1 short)

Tahoe City:   1 home

North shore Lake Tahoe:  1 home

Kings Beach & Tahoe Vista:  6 homes (2 short, 1 REO), 2 condos

Alpine & Squaw Valley:  2 homes

Shared Ownerships – entire region:  3

Mobile Homes – entire region:  1

Condos and Homes sold over $1M in Truckee and North Lake Tahoe: 10

Highest priced home or condo sold:  $2,500,000 4500 square foot home located on Lookout Loop in Old Greenwood.  Original price was $2,950,000, spent only 54 days on the market.  Conventional loan.

Lowest priced home or condo sold:  $216,000 for a studio condo in North Lake Tahoe’s Franciscan project. Originally priced for $225,000 it sold after 37 days on the market for all cash.

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