Seriously though.  Look and see what the market has done since 2006 in our area.  For buyers who are sitting on the fence — how could NOW not be a good time?

Since its origination about 3 years ago, the paid parking in downtown Truckee has continued to be a contentious matter.  The tourists don’t like it because it is confusing and expensive, the locals don’t like it because they have never had to pay to park and now they are incensed by the requirement.  Downtown employees are stymied by the pay-to-park situation and how that affects their bottom line.  Well, over the past year, the town and the townspeople have been carrying on discussions and it seems that they have reached agreement on several new policies that will take effect on November 14, 2011.  They are as follows:

1)  2 hours of free parking at the Beacon gas parking;

2)  free overnight parking at the Beacon parking lot (6pm to 10 am) — awesome idea for those who find themselves having to take a taxi home after socializing;

3)  revised, easier to understand labels on the current parking meters;

4)  downtown will carry a flat rate of $1.50 per hour; Jibboom and West River Streets’ flat rate will be $1.00 per hour;

5)  when using a credit card with the meter, there will no longer be the $2 mimimum;

6)  no more parking at the Old Assumption Catholic Church lot;

7)  downtown employees will be allowed to park for free all day with free employer distributed permits.

According to the article in the Sierra Sun, these changes are temporary and will not become permanent until everyone is satisfied that they will work.

Currently there is just one completed home in the subdivision and quite a few luxury town homes.  The home is privately owned and is now on the market for 2.2 million dollars.  The town homes, which are elegantly appointed, are being sold by the current developer and range in price from 700k to 900k with a 10% “founders’ discount” opportunity offered.  Also for sale are the first offering of developed lots which range in price from 230-330k.

I was impressed by the property.  The 18 hole golf course which is currently there and open, is a Johnny Miller/John Harbottle design and according to the developer it os one of Golf Week Magazine’s “Top 100 Residential Courses for 2010.”. To the untrained, non-golfer’s eye (mine), it is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen.

We got the lowdown on the amenity package too.  Right now the only amenity that has bee installed is the golf course but a lot of exciting promises were made for the near future.  The plan is to have a 47′ Yacht on Lake Tahoe which will be at the disposal of the members.  There will also be swimming pools, hot tubs, fitness center, restaurant, clubhouse, outdoor pavilion, tennis courts — many other facilities.  You might ask, what will this cost?  First of all there are 2 packages.  The initiation fee for each is $1000 for now.  The golf package’s dues are currently $4500 per year and when the club facilities are completed they will raise to $7800 annually.  The social membership package dues which will include all amenities except golf, will be $2700 annually once the club facilities are completed.  By the way, currently there are plans to have these memberships open to non-property owners.

Of course there are additional Homeowners association dues – $150 per month and if you purchase a town home an additional $350 per month.

If you would like more information on this property, be sure to contact us.

When contacted today on the availability of these funds David said that the program is still active and ready to go.  So far only one business has made application.  Contact David at 530 582-2910 or by e-mail at dgriffith@townoftruckee.com to get in on the offering.  Opportunity knocks for those who are awake enough to hear it!!!

Additionally, the Town has resolved to make the permit process for this type of endeavor much simpler, vowing to process tenant improvement plan check applications for existing commercial buildings in three business days.  According to Community Development Director John McLaughlin: “We want to be part of the solution to grow our local economy and work in partnership with the business community.”  The Town’s building counter is open Tuesday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm and there is no appointment necessary to submit plans.

If you are interested click here to read more information about applying for this and other related loans.

Let me ask you this — can you remember when you met that Michigander  and you asked “where in Michigan?” — didn’t they put up their hands, at least one of them, and point to a spot on it?

My friend from Michigan gave me this awesome present — now I can really get down to business!!  Thanks Joye!  Happy New Year.

1)  Get rid of your junk!! You don’t need it anymore.  You know that, give it away to someone else who thinks they need it.  Do it before the end of the year and you can get a credit for your tax deductible donation — hit the Hospice Thrift Store or the Salvation Army.

2)  Declutter your house. Invite a friend or better yet your real estate agent, over to give you their honest opinion of what needs to be out of your living room, bedroom or kitchen.  Sometimes it is difficult for us to see our own homes objectively.  Don’t get your feelings hurt.  Your friend or agent is just trying to help.  See above for suggestions on how to get rid of this stuff — if your child doesn’t want it.

3)  Paint, paint and paint — again.  Don’t do anything wild — no dark colored accent walls — just white or something like that.  You have enough time to take care of this between now and March — a room at a time.

4)  Spruce up your bathrooms.  This can be done with a minimal amount of $$$.  Some new sink fixtures or just some new towels and accessories.

5)  Clean out your kitchen cabinets and closets.  This is related to numbers 1 and 2 above.  You’ll feel better, especially when potential buyers open them and brooms and glasses don’t fall out.

The word for the year 2011 is SIMPLIFY!!! especially if you are thinking of selling.

The other photo here is that of Bryan a part owner of O’Hara’s Tavern which was also across the street from Ground Zero.  He is holding a photograph of what the bar looked like the day after 9/11.  He told us that the people who were there will never forget — hopefully none of us will either.

When I first got here, this was the location of the only pharmacy in town (well it wasn’t really a town then but nevertheless):  Vail’s Pharmacy.  The town did have a Safeway but that was in the day when Safeway was just a grocery story.  Well with the introduction of Longs over in the old Lucky center on Deerfield Drive, this little family owned pharmacy could not survive.  They saw the writing on the wall and when offered the opportunity, they sold their property to the Hospital.

People bemoan the changing landscape in small town America.  Well here in Truckee, as much as we try to prevent it, progress continues to march — forward (or backward?).  So long Vail’s. . . .