Michigan, My Michigan!! from California
January 4, 2011
Okay, admit it. I know you all know at least one Michigander right? I mean one person who was born and raised in Michigan — the Great Lakes State, huh? Before you start thinking about how sorry you are for all of us –I mean every mention of the state conjures up desolate fields, long unemployment lines, gutted downtown buildings and much more too depressing to mention — consider this: How many of you can describe your state’s boundaries by just putting your two hands together like this? I mean, try it New York — and California, I bet you would need 4 or 5 hands.
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.
Truckee, North Lake Tahoe End of Year Stats
January 2, 2011
Well, here they are. The long awaited end of year statistics. I have put them into very simple graph form. I think if you check it out, you will definitely see a curve towards the better over the past 5 years. Although the median and average price has fallen (consequently the gross sales dollar amount) — the AMOUNT of sales are returning to normal.
5 Things to Do Before You List your Home!!
December 14, 2010
There is some time to do a few things this winter to prepare yourself and your home to put it on the market. Here are 5 really critical — and I might add — relatively inexpensive things to do to get ready:
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.
A Vist to NYC & Ground Zero
November 13, 2010
I just returned from a vacation which put me in a hotel on a corner that fronted on the site of Ground Zero in New York City. I was visiting my college friends and we had a wonderful time but this photo did add a bit of remembrance and sobriety to the occasion. The picture was taken from my hotel room window. They are rebuilding the site and the two squares you see in this photo are the actual footprint of the twin towers — look really small don’t they? From what I understand the plan is to NOT replace these two structures with buildings but rather they are installing two reflecting pools. Looks like they are just about finished.
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.
Bye Bye Vail’s Pharmacy
September 22, 2010
I drove by the Tahoe Forest Hospital inTruckee today and had to do a double take. The building that has served as the hospital’s business office for the past 5-6 years was suddenly just a pile of rubble. It is being taken down in order to make way for the new Cancer Center to be erected. This discovery was particularly nostalgic for me since I have lived in Truckee for 30 years, and have seen the building morph through several different phases.
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. . . .
