Dickson Realty Newsletter - December 2015, for Truckee, North Tahoe, Plumas & Sierra County

Dickson Realty’s December 2015 Newsletter In many of our local areas, the number of sales decreased in 2015 versus January-October of 2014, whereas median prices increased in the majority of areas. For more specifics in an area that may be of most interest to you, please call give me a call.

The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440

Dickson Realty’s December 2015 Newsletter

It’s a lot of work to buy a home. A good agent can help with much of the legwork. They know the market and can focus on the properties from your “to see” list that are the best match for you.

This process can save you time, frustration, and money.

The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440

Dickson Realty’s December 2015 Newsletter The Misconception Attitudes about homeownership are positive, but consumers’ misperceptions about credit score, down payment and income requirements persist. Despite efforts by lenders and the government to enhance the availability of credit and to introduce low down payment programs, many aspiring homeowners again report a lack of awareness about home financing options.

Many consumers have high expectations about the credit score and down payment needed to qualify for a mortgage, and may overemphasize credit score as a single factor that determines whether they can buy a home. But credit score and down payment is not the whole story.

There are many different types of loan programs to suit credit scores as low as 620 to as high as 800.

Credit is definitely a factor that comes into play when narrowing down the loan program and interest rate, but also not a road block to home ownership. All of the different loan programs have guidelines regarding how much ‘skin in the game’ (aka down payment) buyers need. Down payments do not have to be scary, and can be low. Of course there are benefits to putting more down, yet it is not always necessary. There are also down payment assistant programs and grants to help. Call us pursue your dream of owning a home!

Guild Mortgage Company- The Rice Team Team@thericeteam.com 530.582.9991

The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440

Dickson Realty’s December 2015 Newsletter

The Bay area drives much of the Tahoe real estate market and it’s HOT right now.

The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440

Dickson Realty’s December 2015 Newsletter GROWN AND STILL AT HOME: WHY YOUNG ADULTS ARE MOVING BACK HOME AND STAYING LONGER A third of 18- to 34-year-olds are living with their families, which is more than during the Great Recession, according to a recent analysis from the Pew Research Center. So despite an improving job market, why are more millennials moving back home with their parents and staying longer?

Many young Americans feel financially unprepared to live on their own because of their education debt, and in many instances, parents are welcoming their adult kids back home with open arms. Many recent grads are saving thousands of dollars each month, money that would’ve gone to rent and food if they lived on their own.

Read the full story

Source: Yahoo! Finance

The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440

Dickson Realty’s December 2015 Newsletter

Buying a home may not be as out of reach as you think.

Talk to a professional.

The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440

Dickson Realty’s December 2015 Newsletter

The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440

Dickson Realty’s December 2015 Newsletter December EVENTS 2, 9,16, 30 – Free Flu Shot Clinic Nevada County Public Health Dept., Joseph Center, 10075 Levon Ave, Truckee 9:30 am - Noon 4 - First Fridays Historic Downtown Truckee, 5:30 - 8 pm Most of downtown’s unique shops, boutiques, art studios, and eateries will keep their doors open later and offer special promotions, activities, demonstrations, food and beverages, music, and more!

Participating shops and restaurants will display First Friday Flags so the public will know where the fun is.

Information: www.historictruckee.com 4 - Kids Night Out 5-9pm; Northwoods Clubhouse, Tahoe Donner $20 in advance, required at least one day in advance. Space is limited.

An evening of games, dinner, arts and crafts, the Friday Night Movie and even a bedtime story at Northwoods Clubhouse. Parents may enjoy a night out wile the trained staff looks after your little ones.

Information: 530-587-9437

The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440

Dickson Realty’s December 2015 Newsletter 4 – Quincy Main Street Sparkle Event 5-8pm; downtown Portola, CA celebrate the magic of the season with the Downtown Merchants Open House, a beautiful Sparkle Light Parade, the man himself, Santa and his Elves, music, entertainment, and feature event, the Downtown Tree Lighting!

Information: www.quincychamber.com 5, 12, 19 - Western Pacific Railroad Museum -Santa Train 700 Western Pacific Way, Portola, CA 5-8pm; gates open at 3pm Admission is 3 cans of non perishable food and $5.00/ per car load or $10.00/ per car load.

Join Santa and Mrs. Claus Santa for complimentry Coffee, Cider, Hot Chocolate and cookies will be served. Shop at the museum gift and book store.

Information: www.wplives.org 5 – Graeagle Holiday Festival 1-5pm; downtown Graeagle, CA Sample refreshments in each little red shop. Take a horsedrawn trolley ride.

Enjoy the strolling carolers. Bring your camera and take pictures with Santa Claus.

Gather 'round the bonfire while Santa lights the Graeagle Christmas Tree.

Information: www.GraeagleMerchants.com

The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440

Dickson Realty’s December 2015 Newsletter 5 – Eta Alpha Holiday Craft Faire 9am – 3pm; Serpilio Hall, Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds, 204 Fairgrounds Rd. East Quincy, CA Handmade crafts, gifts and more. Photos with the real Santa from 10AM-noon, and from 12:30PM2:30PM. 50/50 raffle, door prizes, and Southern Accent food.

Information: (530) 283-2668 4 - 6 Truckee Community Theatre presents “Magical Holiday One Acts” Community Arts Center, 10046 Church St., Truckee 4th and 5th at 7pm; 6th at 2pm Adults $20, Children $15 Information: www.truckeecommunitytheatre.com 6 - Soroptishop 2-5pm; Community Recreation Center, 8924 Donner Pass Rd., Truckee The Soroptishop is a fantastic and fun indoor art, crafts, home goods and local vendor festival. This is a great opportunity to purchase all your holiday needs from local and handcrafted vendors, all while giving back to your community through Soroptimist.

Information: www.sitruckeedonner.org

The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440

Dickson Realty’s December 2015 Newsletter 9 - The Streets of Truckee Dinner Show Cottonwood Restaurant, 10142 Rue Hilltop, Truckee 5-9pm; $40 per person, reservations required. Tax. Gratuity and Alcohol are not included.

Information and reservations: 530-587-5711 11-13 - Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus featuring the Truckee Youth Chorus Holiday Concert - A Festive Christmas 11th and 12th at 7pm; 13th at 2pm; Adults-$20, children/students under 19 - $5.

Truckee Community Arts Center, 10046 Church St., Truckee Information and tickets: www.truckeechorus.org 12 - Festival of Trees Ceremony with Memorial Lights 5 to 8 pm; downtown Greenville, CA Santa, food, storyland, kids activities for the whole family!

Information: (530) 284-6633

Photo: Ron Richman

The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440

Dickson Realty’s December 2015 Newsletter 18 – Friday Night Tubing Tahoe Donner Snowplay Area; 12790 Northwoods Blvd., Truckee 3 -6:30pm Information: www.tahoedonner.com 18-22 – Santa's Gingerbread Workshop Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, 13031 Ritz-Carlton Highlands Ct., Truckee 4 - 5:30 pm; $195 per family of four Information: www.ritzcarlton.com 19 – Santa & Mrs. Claus at the Ritz The Living Room, Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, 13031 Ritz-Carlton Highlands Ct., Truckee 5 – 8pm Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for photos from 5:00 to 7:00, followed by story time with Mrs. Claus from 7:00 to 8:00.

Information: www.ritzcarlton.com 21 – 23 – Ritz Kids Crafts with Mrs. Claus Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, 13031 Ritz-Carlton Highlands Ct., Truckee 6:30 – 8:30pm; $100 per child Information: www.ritzcarlton.com

The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440

Dickson Realty’s December 2015 Newsletter

22 – Cookie Decorating Restaurant Trokay, 10046 Donner Pass Rd., Truckee 12-2:30pm; $100 per child; Adults - $40 per person For ages 7+ 25 – Pancake Breakfast with Santa Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area, 11603 Snowpeak Way, Truckee 10am Information: www.tahoedonner.com 26 – Spanish Storytime Truckee Library, 10031 Levon Ave., Truckee 10-11:30am; Free Information: 530-582-7846 31 – New Year’s Eve Snowshoe Trout Creek Recreation Center, 12790 Northwoods Blvd., Truckee 4 – 5:30pm Information and reservations: 530-587-9437

The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440

Dickson Realty’s December 2015 Newsletter

31 – Torchlight Parade Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area, 11603 Snowpeak Way, Truckee 4:30 – 7:30pm; Free A fun event for intermediate skiers and riders ages 10 or older who can ski or ride unassisted in the dark on the Race Course run. Come to Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area early to secure a spot in the parade. There will be a DJ, plus snacks will be provided in the bar area prior to the parade. Sign-ups are from 4:30 - 5:45 p.m. with a chair loading time at 6:15 p.m.

Information: www.tahoedonner.com 31 – New Year’s Eve Celebration and Family Buffet Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, 13031 Ritz-Carlton Highlands Ct., Truckee $95 Adults, $35 children 4 to 10 Enjoy a sumptuous buffet of seasonal, culinary delights before heading down to the Village at Northstar to ring in the New Year with a family-friendly celebration Including live music, ice skating and a fireworks show at 9:00 p.m. Advance reservations required.

Information and reservations: www.ritzcarlton.com

The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440