Dickson Realty’s May 2015 Newsletter Sales of single family homes in the 1st quarter of 2015 were lower in some areas, higher in others, with higher prices mostly reflected in the luxury market (above $1MM). Interest rates are still historically low, raising anticipation that sales this spring and summer will be robust.
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s May 2015 Newsletter
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s May 2015 Newsletter Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to… As California enters a fourth year of severe drought, the State Water Resources Control Board Tuesday adopted an expanded emergency regulation to safeguard the state’s remaining water supplies. While Californians have made great strides to conserve water, more effort is needed. The Truckee Donner PUD has taken action to implement restrictions on outdoor water use as required by law. The California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) on March 27, 2015 adopted new emergency drought regulations. Compliance is mandatory and there are provisions for penalties and fines. With this notice, you are required to comply immediately with the mandatory regulations. The State of California and Governor Brown have chosen to implement new drought regulations in two phases. The first is known and detailed below; phase two is the Governor’s recent Drought Executive Order and the regulations are to be determined and will likely require additional restrictions (**see below for details). The key impacts today to Truckee Donner PUD customers from the SWRCB’s 2015 emergency drought regulations include: Restriction on irrigation with potable water of ornamental landscapes and turf to every other day. This applies to all Truckee Donner PUD potable water customers; and Prohibitions for all Californians, punishable by a fine of up to $500 for each day in which each violations occurs, against: (see next page) The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s May 2015 Newsletter • • • • • • •
Runoff when irrigating with potable water; Using hoses with no shutoff nozzles to wash cars; Using potable water to wash sidewalks and driveways; Using potable water in decorative water features that do not recirculate the water; Using outdoor irrigation during and 48 hours following measurable precipitation (NEW); Restaurants and other food service establishments can only serve water to customers upon request (NEW); and Hotels and motels must provide guests with the option of not having towels and linens laundered daily (NEW).
It is important to note that, although Truckee is in a drought, we are not experiencing a water supply shortage. However, we must all comply with the mandatory state emergency drought regulations and it is required that we conserve water. The Truckee Donner PUD Conservation Department is available to help you save water through our very successful water-efficient toilet rebate/exchange, customer leak-repair rebate, free handouts of low-flow plumbing fixtures and hose-spray nozzles, and conservation garden concepts. There are many opportunities to save water, money and live more comfortably.
Recent photo of the Truckee River’s outflow from Lake Tahoe in Tahoe City, CA. Photo courtesy of Sierra Sun-North Lake Tahoe Bonanza
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s May 2015 Newsletter
Pricing your home right from the outset is crucial to a quicker sale. You’ll attract MORE potential buyers with a correctly priced home. Perhaps even garnering multiple offers! Also, your home won’t bear the potential stigma of one that has sat on the market. Buyers assume something is wrong if a home sits too long. Ask your agent for their recommendation.
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s May 2015 Newsletter Waiting for Rates The team at Dickson asked me to give you a general idea of where rates are going. I always get leery writing on rates. Rates really are very client specific. They are based on loan size, loan to value, credit scores, debt to income ratios, etc., etc., etc. Last year the majority of economists thought rates would rise by December. They were very wrong! Now - rates right now are generally around 3.75% for a 30 year fixed and 3.25% on a 15 year both with paying a point. These are general rates and may not apply to your situation. Most mortgage advisors are recommending locking in the next few weeks and longer out carefully floating your rate. The slightly better rate may come in waves and it is hard to predict. Rates are still historically low so if you are happy with your payment and rate take it and run. However if you have more time such as you would during a refinance, you may wish to wait. The US dollar is strong, inflation is non-existent, there is no meaningful wage growth currently and with a tepid 2% GDP (gross domestic product) growth…we see the Fed remain “patient” for a bit longer and no rate hikes expected until possibly October. Please call us on your specific scenario. Katie Rice 530-582-9991
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s May 2015 Newsletter
Take Care™ is led by the Lake Tahoe Outreach Committee, a group of organizations working together to help inspire a greater sense of community and environmental responsibility/stewardship in the greater Tahoe Region. For more information, visit the Take Care Tahoe website.
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s May 2015 Newsletter May EVENTS 1 - 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 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15 and 16 - Truckee High School Drama Club presents “West Side Story”, the Broadway classic Truckee HS Auditorium, 11725 Donner Pass Road Fri/Sat shows at 7:00 pm; Sunday matinees at 2 pm Adults $15/students $10 Information: 530-386-1929 http://on.fb.me/1DpTbZV 1 – Kids Night Out Tahoe Donner Clubhouse, 5-9pm Kids ages 4 to 9 are invited to an evening of games, dinner, arts and crafts, the Friday Night Movie and even a bedtime story. Parents may enjoy a night out wile the trained staff looks after the little ones. Space is limited. Pre-registration and payment is required at least one day in advance. Information: 530-587-9437 The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s May 2015 Newsletter 7 - Inaugural E.J. Tegner "Let's Bet on Youth" Golf Tournament Old Greenwood, 10am-6pm Enjoy a day on the links for a great cause. Information: www.letsbetonyouth.com 10 - Pancake Breakfast Sierra Senior Center, 10040 Estates Drive, Truckee 8 to 11am, $7adults/$3 kids A fundraiser for Sierra Senior Services Information: www.sierraseniors.org 16 - Free Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Eastern Regional Materials Recovery Facility 900 Cabin Creek Rd FREE – by appointment Information: 530-583-7800 Photo credit: US Army Environmental Command
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode 17 – 16th Annual Tahoe Best of Chefs The Ritz Carlton, Lake Tahoe, 4:30 – 9:30 pm $175pp Fundraiser For The Tahoe Forest Health System Foundation Shipboard Evening Attire! Ladies, gowns or party cocktail dresses are perfect! Gentlemen, tuxes, suits or dress blues will be the order of the evening! Information: http://bestoftahoechefs.org/home
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s May 2015 Newsletter 19 - Purple Party - Relay for Life Truckee Tahoe El Toro Bravo, Historic Downtown Truckee 5-9pm, $20 pp Annual Relay for Life kickoff fundraising event. Help raise money for a great cause and have a fabulously fun evening. Great food, drink specials, dancing to live music by the Deckheads. Silent Auction and Raffle. 21 - Beer Tasting and Dinner Fifty Fifty Brewing Co., 11197 Brockway Rd, Truckee 5-6pm $65, 20% industry discount Enjoy a Four Course Dinner paired with Fifty/Fifty Beer Must be 21 or over. Must RSVP. Information: 530-587-2337 Photo credit: Quinn Dombrowski http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b 23/24 - Truckee Home & Building Show y-sa/4.0/legalcode Truckee High School, 11725 Donner Pass Road 8am – 5pm daily Truckee High School presentations and much more. Enjoy learning about the latest in home remodeling and try the products yourself. Information: www.truckeehomeshow.com
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s May 2015 Newsletter 23/24 – Made in Tahoe Festival Village at Squaw Valley 11am – 7pm Saturday and 11am – 5pm Sunday Enjoy a wide array of offerings that are made or inspired in the Lake Tahoe Basin and Truckee areas - local artisans, businesses, culinarians, organizations and entertainers. Discover, explore and experience our special community rich with talented creators. Information: http://squawalpine.com/events-things-do/made-tahoe-festival 30 - Valhalla Renaissance Faire Camp Richardson South Lake Tahoe 10am – 6pm Adults $18, Military, 62+, 13-17 $13, 6-12 $8, under 6 free This year's Valhalla Renaissance Faire will feature four stages of continuous entertainment, action packed shows, music, dancing, jesters, 900 costumed actors in streets, Shakespearean vignettes, expertly staged battles, storytelling for children and adults, archery tournaments and much more. Information: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/23rd-annual-valhalla-renaissance-fairetickets-15902821768
Photo credit: Micheal Foley https://creativecommons.org/lic enses/by/2.0/legalcode
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440