Dickson Realty’s January 2017 Newsletter
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s January 2017 Newsletter As the end of the year draws near, inventory is normally low, and this year is no exception. Sales were brisk through November and although the chart below shows a limited "months of inventory" based on the previous 3 months' sales, we do anticipate sales for the first quarter of the new year to kick 2017 sales off to a good start.
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s January 2017 Newsletter
More than 51 million families in America live in multigenerational homes, which has more people considering adding on to their homes to make room for everyone, or buying larger homes.
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s January 2017 Newsletter
Dreaming of a White Christmas and Steady Rates It’s weather watching season and we’re all dreaming of a white Christmas. Will “The Storm” hit the Sierra’s and give us that fluffy goodness? Most locals are checking the weather blogs daily to see what kind of snow is in the forecast and hear what the experts have to say. At Guild Mortgage we do the same by keeping a beat on the market and interest rates. Today’s Climate With shocking November election results and the Fed meeting to discuss rates on December 14th, some were thinking that blizzard-like conditions were imminent. While rates did increase, they didn’t necessarily shock everyone as mortgage gurus had already predicted the steady uptick. Also, the banks had already begun to build this increase into their prices so there wasn’t as much sticker shock when it came to conveying rates. Future Forecast As 2016 begins to wind down we have seen stocks rally into record highs which has caused a steady increase in home loan rates. Regardless of this increase, it’s still a great time to purchase historically. One expert said, “to put it in perspective, mortgage rates were 10.13 percent in 1990 and 5.67 percent in 1996. Freddie Mac reported Thursday, December 15th that the rate was 4.16 percent.” Please see next page
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s January 2017 Newsletter
This means that if you are planning on purchasing it is still a great time and it’s not too late to lock in at a low rate. If the market forecasters are correct, there will be a few slight increases in the interest rates throughout 2017 so there is a sense of urgency to get the lowest rate. If you are looking at a purchase or a refinance it’s not too late! Please contact The Rice Team at Team@thericeteam for more information on your specific situation. 530-582-9991
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s January 2017 Newsletter Six Dickson Realty Agents Selected to Tahoe Sierra Board of Realtors The Tahoe Sierra Board of Realtors held their annual installation of officers/directors for the Board of Realtors and the Multiple Listing Service on Friday, December 9, 2016. Elected to the Tahoe Sierra Board of Realtors from Dickson Realty were Lil Schaller as President-Elect, Anna Grahn-Nilsson as Treasurer, and Ann Nguyen, Ronda Shaw, Phoebe Landre and Greg Poulsen as Directors. With a total of 13 positions on this board, Dickson filled six of the seats. “I’m so proud of our agents for volunteering their time to these board positions which benefits all real estate agents in our communities,” said Schaller, managing broker/co-owner of Dickson Realty Truckee. “It is a great learning experience to realize what goes on behind the scenes within our Tahoe Sierra Boards, the California Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors, as well as providing valuable input to decisions made for the benefit of our local board and its members.” In addition, “Honorary Members-for-Life” acknowledgements from the California Association of Realtors were presented to Dickson Realty agents, Gigi and Corky Heckendorn, in recognition of their many years of distinguished service.
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s January 2017 Newsletter
Median Home prices in our area for the 3rd Quarter of 2015 and 2016 were $560,000 in 2015 and $607,500 in 2016.
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s January 2017 Newsletter
New Loan Limits for 2017 Late last month, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced it will increase the 2017 maximum conforming loan limits for mortgages acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to $424,100 on one-unit properties in most areas and a cap of $636,150 in high-cost areas. The previous loan limits were $417,000 and $625,500, respectively. This will provide stability and certainty to the housing market and give tens of thousands of California home buyers a chance at homeownership. The FHFA recognizes that home prices have recovered not just in California, but also across the nation. Many higher-priced areas of the state will benefit greatly from the higher limit. View the 2017 FHFA loan limits by county. On a related note, just last week, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced its loan limits for 2017. Because of an increase in housing prices, most areas of the country will see a slight increase in FHA loan limits in 2017. In high-cost areas, the national FHA loan limit “ceiling” will increase to $636,150 beginning Jan. 1, 2017. FHA also raised its minimum “floor” to $275,665, or 65 percent of the national conforming limit of $424,100. View FHA’s loan limits.
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s January 2017 Newsletter January EVENTS 4 – Quincy Chamber of Commerce Community Supper (weekly) Quincy Methodist Church, 445 Jackson Street, Quincy, CA 6-7pm; Donations gratefully accepted. Join the community for a fantastic dinner provided and served by a different host each week. Information: www.chamberorganizer.com/Calendar/moreinfo.php?eventid=236532 5 – Total Joint Camp Tahoe Center for Health and Sports Performance, 10710 Donner Pass Road, Truckee 5-6:30pm Are you considering Total Joint Replacement Surgery? Check out the Total Joint Boot Camp to learn more. This free class is designed for individuals scheduled for surgery, as well as anyone who would like to learn more about these procedures. Information: (530) 587-3769 9 - Line Dancing (every other week) Nakoma Resort, Clio, CA 7-8pm Line Dancing every other Monday, all year, open to everyone! Information: www.nakomaresort.com/events/calendar/action~agenda/request_format~html/
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s January 2017 Newsletter 10 - Good Morning Truckee: The Housing Challenge Truckee-Tahoe Airport 7 – 8:30pm; $10 for Chamber Members and $12 General Admission - Includes continental breakfast and raffle The housing challenge is one of the most complex and vexing challenges this community has ever faced. The Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF) brought together several resources, community and media partners to start a conversation around regional housing, moving local leaders to fund a regional study. Presenters will share highlights of the regional housing study and its value to tackling this challenge, and representatives of Airbnb and Host Compliance will also speak. Information: http://chamber.truckee.com/events/details/good-morning-truckee-january-10th-the-housingchallenge-5087 14 – Full Moon Snowshoe Tour Sugar Pine Point State Park, Lake Tahoe 7-8:30pm; $30 - adults/$15 - children 12 and under Few experiences are as magical as snowshoeing by the light of a full moon along the snow-covered Tahoe shore! State Park Interpreters will be leading tours exploring the natural and cultural history around the Hellman-Ehrman estate and Lake Tahoe shoreline. Information: www.sierrastateparks.org/event/full-moon-hike-jan/4
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s January 2017 Newsletter
17 - Longboard Revival Races Plumas Eureka Ski Bowl just above Johnsville, CA Registration 10:00-11:15am. Drawing of numbers at 11:45. Racing starts at Noon Registration fees apply; Free for spectators This gala event recreates the racing atmosphere back in the “good old days” right down to the period clothing and authentic skis. The race is truly something to experience, and promises to be a fun family event held at the ski area at Plumas Eureka State Park located in Johnsville. Food will be available to purchase, or bring your own picnic lunch. Racer and spectator prizes will be awarded. Information: www.plumasskiclub.org/ 21 - Master the Mountain Tahoe Mountain Sports - 11200 Donner Pass Rd E5, Truckee 6-8pm; Free Learn the physics behind airbag packs and learn the differences between passive and active backcountry safety gear. Things will start heating up with the rep war. Reps from major airbag companies will have a battle of the airbags, trying to win attendee’s hearts with their war of words, and convince you that their airbag is the best for you. Information: www.tahoemountainsports.com/events/avalanche-airbag-debate
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s January 2017 Newsletter
21 & 22 - USSA Nordic SuperTour Auburn Ski Club, 19865 Boreal Ridge Rd, Soda Springs, CA All day, both days; Free for spectators Top cross country athletes from across America will converge at ASC Training Center in January for the fourth stop on the USSA’s annual SuperTour. It’s a vital piece of the USSA’s development program and a proving ground for athletes with aspirations of making it to the U.S. Ski Team and competing on the FIS World Cup tour and in the Olympic Winter Games. Information: http://chamber.truckee.com/events/details/ussa-nordic-supertour-at-asc-training-center-3695 Photo courtesy of Mark Nadell 28 & 29 – Chester Winterfest Sled Dog Races Behind the Cedar Lodge, at the junction of Hwy 36 & Hwy 89, Chester, CA 8 am - 3 pm Information: www.sndd.org/
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s January 2017 Newsletter
31 - Infant CPR Class Tahoe Center for Health and Sports Performance, 10710 Donner Pass Road, Truckee 6-7:30pm; $25 per person or $30 per couple Learn how to recognize when a baby needs rescue breathing, how to perform CPR, and how to care for an infant who is choking. You will receive an infant CPR manual and have hands-on practice with an infant mannequin. Information: http://chamber.truckee.com/events/details/tahoe-forest-health-systems-offers-infant-cpr-class01-31-2017-3656
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440