Eastern Plumas & Sierra Counties Newsletter - February 2018

NEWS YOU CAN USE

FEBRUARY 2018 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Graeagle, Portola, Loyalton, Chilcoot and Golf Course Communities

Table of Contents Residential Sales Statistics Eastern Plumas & Sierra Counties Graeagle, Portola, Loyalton, Chilcoot and Golf Course Communities Guild Mortgage Corner Reasons to Use a Realtor Winter Tip – Mud Room Solutions Nakoma - Frank Lloyd Wright

Page 2-5

6 7-8 9 10-12

Winter Tip – Prevent Frozen Pipes

13

Tips to Protect Your Internet Security

14

Calendar of Events

15-16

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700 Dickson Nakoma Team 348 Bear Run | Clio, CA 96106 | 530.322.3320

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FEBRUARY 2018 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Graeagle, Portola, Loyalton, Chilcoot and Golf Course Communities

The following pages are Residential Sales Statistics for the areas of: Graeagle, Portola, Loyalton, Chilcoot and Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly Ranch and Gold Mountain The statistics presented this month are a comparison of sales; YTD December 2016 when compared to YTD December 2017 and Quarterly Sales Results for 2017. The sales include single family homes, condominiums and townhomes. (time share and/or shared ownership are not included) The data source is the Plumas Multiple Listing Service effective December 31, 2017; data pulled January 10, 2018

Visit our Portola office to receive the most current and accurate market statistics for Eastern Plumas and Sierra Counties areas. Our agents, all RealtorsÂŽ, are always available to help you whether you wish to buy, sell, or ponder. Let us be an integral part of providing valuable assistance when you are making important real estate decisions.

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700 Dickson Nakoma Team 348 Bear Run | Clio, CA 96106 | 530.322.3320

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FEBRUARY 2018 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Graeagle, Portola, Loyalton, Chilcoot and Golf Course Communities GRAEAGLE Median Sales Price Average Sold Price Lowest Sold Price Highest Sold Price Average Days on Market Homes Sold

$ $ $ $

YTD DEC 2016 255,000 291,654 59,500 1,250,000 217 58

$ $ $ $

YTD DEC 2017 316,500 361,012 25,000 950,000 209 79

% Change 24% 24% -58% -24% -4% 36%

PORTOLA Median Sales Price Average Sold Price Lowest Sold Price Highest Sold Price Average Days on Market Homes Sold

Graeagle Year End Dec. 2016 Compared to Dec. 2017 2016

2017

2016 24% 24%

$300,000

24%

$200,000

24% 24%

$100,000

24%

$-

24% Median Sales Price

GRAEAGLE Median Sales Price Single Family Homes Sold Average Days on Market

% Change

$150,000

20% 15%

$100,000

10%

$50,000

5%

$-

0%

PORTOLA Median Sales Price Single Family Homes Sold Average Days on Market

Average Sold Price

QUARTER END QUARTER END QUARTER END QUARTER END MARCH 2017 JUNE 2017 SEPT 2017 DEC 2017 92,500 $ 143,700 $ 158,500 $ 165,000 6 12 10 23 311 166 144 139

$

Portola 2017 Quarterly Median Sales Price

$360,000 $143,700

$240,000

QUARTER END JUNE 2017

% Change 15% 20% 0% 8% 50% 28%

25%

Graeagle 2017 Quarterly Median Sales Price

QUARTER END MARCH 2017

2017

Median Sales Price

QUARTER END QUARTER END QUARTER END QUARTER END MARCH 2017 JUNE 2017 SEPT 2017 DEC 2017 336,000 $ 240,000 $ 339,000 $ 360,000 9 19 28 23 286 264 167 183

$339,000

$ $ $ $ $ $

$200,000

Average Sold Price

$

$336,000

$ $ $ $

YTD DEC 2017 152,000 162,452 25,000 380,000 166 51

Portola Year End Dec. 2016 Compared to Dec. 2017

% Change

$400,000

YTD DEC 2016 132,700 134,918 24,900 353,000 111 40

$158,500

$165,000

$92,500

QUARTER END SEPT 2017

QUARTER END DEC 2017

QUARTER END MARCH 2017

QUARTER END JUNE 2017

QUARTER END SEPT 2017

QUARTER END DEC 2017

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700 Dickson Nakoma Team 348 Bear Run | Clio, CA 96106 | 530.322.3320

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FEBRUARY 2018 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Graeagle, Portola, Loyalton, Chilcoot and Golf Course Communities LOYALTON Median Sales Price Average Sold Price Lowest Sold Price Highest Sold Price Average Days on Market Homes Sold

$ $ $ $

YTD DEC 2016 110,000 121,789 45,000 222,500 124 13

$ $ $ $ $ $

YTD DEC 2017 234,000 220,916 62,000 409,000 126 18

CHILCOOT % Change 113% 81% 38% 84% 2% 38%

Median Sales Price Average Sold Price Lowest Sold Price Highest Sold Price Average Days on Market Homes Sold

Loyalton Year End Dec. 2016 Compared to Dec. 2017 2016

2017

% Change

2016 120%

$200,000

100% 80%

$150,000

60%

$100,000

40%

$50,000

20%

$-

0%

LOYALTON Median Sales Price Single Family Homes Sold Average Days on Market

% Change 9% -2% 81% -3% -28% 20%

Median Sales Price

QUARTER END QUARTER END QUARTER END QUARTER END MARCH 2017 JUNE 2017 SEPT 2017 DEC 2017 179,000 $ 228,000 $ 207,500 $ 280,000 3 3 10 2 175 94 128 94

% Change 10% 8% 6% 4% 2% 0% -2% -4%

CHILCOOT Median Sales Price Single Family Homes Sold Average Days on Market

Loyalton 2017 Quarterly Median Sales Price

Average Sold Price

QUARTER END QUARTER END QUARTER END QUARTER END MARCH 2017 JUNE 2017 SEPT 2017 DEC 2017 165,000 $ 271,500 $ 230,000 $ 230,000 1 2 3 0 188 43 62 0

$

Chilcoot 2017 Quarterly Median Sales Price

$271,500

$280,000

$230,000

$230,000

QUARTER END SEPT 2017

QUARTER END DEC 2017

$207,500 $165,000

$179,000

QUARTER END MARCH 2017

2017

$240,000 $230,000 $220,000 $210,000 $200,000 $190,000 $180,000 $170,000

Average Sold Price

$

$228,000

$ $ $ $ $ $

YTD DEC 2017 213,500 227,500 165,000 363,000 77 6

Chilcoot Year End Dec. 2016 Compared to Dec. 2017

$250,000

Median Sales Price

$ $ $ $

YTD DEC 2016 196,000 231,800 91,000 375,000 107 5

QUARTER END JUNE 2017

QUARTER END SEPT 2017

QUARTER END DEC 2017

QUARTER END MARCH 2017

QUARTER END JUNE 2017

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700 Dickson Nakoma Team 348 Bear Run | Clio, CA 96106 | 530.322.3320

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FEBRUARY 2018 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Graeagle, Portola, Loyalton, Chilcoot and Golf Course Communities Golf Course Communities Whitehawk, Grizzly Ranch, Gold Mountain

Median Sales Price Average Sold Price Lowest Sold Price Highest Sold Price Average Days on Market Homes Sold

$ $ $ $

YTD DEC 2016 492,500 532,875 280,000 1,250,000 311 16

$ $ $ $ $ $

YTD DEC 2017 455,000 533,068 265,500 1,100,000 279 22

% Change -8% 0% -5% -12% -10% 38%

Golf Course Communities Year End Dec. 2016 Compared to Dec. 2017 2016

2017

% Change

550000

2% 0%

500000

-2% -4%

450000

-6% 400000

The 2017 year end sales results for Eastern Plumas and Sierra Countries generally echo the trends in the greater California market. The sale prices, for the most part, have increased or been stable.

The number of sales have increased over last year while the days on the market have decreased.

Inventory continues to lessen.

-8% Median Sales Price

GOLF COURSE COMMUNITIES Whitehawk, Grizzly Ranch, Gold Mountain

Median Sales Price Single Family Homes Sold Average Days on Market

Average Sold Price

QUARTER END QUARTER END QUARTER END QUARTER END MARCH 2017 JUNE 2017 SEPT 2017 DEC 2017 $ 460,000 $ 627,000 $ 481,500 $ 445,000 2 6 8 6 381 332 172 0

Golf Course Communities 2017 Quarterly Median Sales Price

As the year progresses, we will continue to bring you timely market information, in various formats, which we hope will help you in your considerations of whether it is time to buy or, perhaps, sell a property.

$627,000 $481,500

$460,000

QUARTER END MARCH 2017

QUARTER END JUNE 2017

QUARTER END SEPT 2017

$445,000

QUARTER END DEC 2017

Please consider Dickson Realty as your go-to expert and guide in making and implementing these important decisions.

We will work hard to exceed your expectations.

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700 Dickson Nakoma Team 348 Bear Run | Clio, CA 96106 | 530.322.3320

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FEBRUARY 2018 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Graeagle, Portola, Loyalton, Chilcoot and Golf Course Communities Purchases: 1st Mortgages - What is Deductible?

Current homeowners are in the clear. But from now on, anyone buying a new home as a primary or secondary home will only be able to deduct the combined interest on both up to $750,000 of their mortgage debt. That's down from $1 million. Taxpayers are still able to deduct points on an original purchase of a primary or secondary residence or amortize the points on a refinance. For primaries, currently, filers can deduct and unlimited amount for state and local property taxes. The final bill will have a $10,000 cap. nd

2 Mortgages - What is Deductible?

Also known as home equity line of credit and fixed second home mortgages. The final tax bill also eliminates the deduction for interest on home equity loans. Currently that's allowed on loans up to $100,000. The interest related to a second mortgage is deductible subject to the same limitations as a first mortgage. In general, the deduction of mortgage interest is based on how the funds are used and the limitations. Purchase seconds are still deductible.

Rental Properties Deductible Expenses -tax rules remain the same for 2018!

Selling Property: Homeowners who are selling their primary residence for a gain will still be able to exclude up to $500,000 (or $250,000 for single filers) from capital gains, so long as they're selling their primary home and have lived there for two of the past five years.

Investment property owners will continue to be able to defer capital gain taxes using 1031 tax-deferred exchanges which have been in the tax code since 1921. No new restrictions on 1031 exchanges of real property were made in the new tax law. However, the new tax law repeals 1031 exchanges for all other types of property that are not real property.

This means 1031 exchanges of personal property, collectibles, aircraft, franchise rights, rental cars, trucks, heavy equipment and machinery, etc. will no longer be permitted beginning in 2018.

Please contact a CPA for additional information; we highly recommend Stikoff/Oneil Accountancy Corporation in Truckee at 530.587.3200. If you are interested in a loan, please reach out to The Rice Team at teamrice@guildmortgage.net or 530.582.9991

If you have any questions regarding loan limits, refinancing or purchasing a home, please feel free to reach out to The Rice Team.

11050 Pioneer Trail Suite 201 Truckee, CA 96161 Phone: (530) 582-9991 Fax: (530) 582-9995.

Web:wwwTheRiceTeam.com

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700 Dickson Nakoma Team 348 Bear Run | Clio, CA 96106 | 530.322.3320

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FEBRUARY 2018 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Graeagle, Portola, Loyalton, Chilcoot and Golf Course Communities

Using A REALTOR® To Sell Your Home What is a REALTOR®?

All real estate professionals are not created equal. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® estimates that over 2 million people hold real estate licenses in the United States, but only about 1 million of them have earned the REALTOR® distinction.

Through membership in their national, state and local REALTOR® associations, REALTORS® gain numerous opportunities to enhance their educational and professional development. They also are required to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics.

Why Use a REALTOR®?

Selling a home is a complex process involving what's likely to be your most prized financial asset. Enacting a smooth transaction for your home's full value requires the expertise of a REALTOR® whose extensive training has prepared him or her to generate the best possible results on your behalf. Just like you shouldn't treat a broken leg without a doctor or handle a major legal dispute without an attorney, it's unwise to sell your home without the professional assistance of a REALTOR®.

Naturally, every seller wants to reap the highest return from the sale. It's tempting to sell the home on your own, thereby saving the REALTOR®'s fees. However, a study conducted by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® found that 82 percent of real estate sales result from REALTORS® contacts with previous clients, referrals and other sources. Additionally, NAR concluded that most homes sell for 3 to 9.5 percent more when sold through a REALTOR®.

Selling your home with a REALTOR® yields abundant advantages, including the following: ü REALTORS® have access to Multiple Listing Services (MLS) to disburse information about your property to thousands of consumers. ü REALTORS® also have other marketing vehicles at their disposal, such as open houses and referral networks. ü Through your REALTOR®'s marketing efforts, a much broader range of qualified buyers will be informed of your property's availability. ü As a seasoned pro at negotiation skills and tactics, your REALTOR® can maintain objectivity in assessing buyers' proposals and developing offers and counter offers. ü Throughout the transaction, including appraisals, inspections and legally binding agreements, you can depend on your REALTOR®'s know-how to avoid any pitfalls. Sales transactions and escrows are comprised of intricate legal and regulatory requirements. REALTORS® are familiar with the regulations and can help you understand and adhere to them. ü REALTORS® work with their clients to address home improvements and tips that will enhance the home's salability. ü REALTORS® offer extensive, professional sales training

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700 Dickson Nakoma Team 348 Bear Run | Clio, CA 96106 | 530.322.3320

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FEBRUARY 2018 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Graeagle, Portola, Loyalton, Chilcoot and Golf Course Communities

Using a REALTOR®when Buying Your Home For most of us, a home is the single biggest

available homes from which to choose.

purchase in our lives. The enormity of the

When it comes to finding out if you're

financial transaction aside, finding the right

paying too much, a REALTOR® can provide

home to fit our particular needs and wants

you with market analyses comparing asking

is no easy undertaking. Just as you

and selling prices of homes in the

wouldn't buy a car, computer or camcorder

neighborhood. Finally, a REALTOR® can

without doing some research into various

serve as the liaison between you and the

models and prices, you shouldn't consider

seller, bringing to the table negotiating

purchasing a home without some expert

expertise and knowledge about required

advice and guidance. Though some people

disclosures and the housing market.

may think of using the services of a REALTOR® only when selling their homes, a REALTOR® can be invaluable when buying

Why a REALTOR®?

It's important to find a professional who is a REALTOR®. Why? A REALTOR® is

one as well.

someone who, as a member of the local,

For instance, a REALTOR® can help you

state and national trade associations,

determine how much home you can afford

adheres to a strict code of ethics.

based on your financial situation, help you

Recently, the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF

get prequalified for a loan, and even inform

REALTORS® commissioned a nationwide

you about available financing options. A

survey to determine whether REALTORS®

REALTOR® also is an expert on the

were doing their job professionally. The

neighborhood, and can provide detailed

results were impressive: 97 percent of

information about schools, transportation,

respondents indicated they received

local taxes and community characteristics.

"excellent" or "very good" service from their

Using a REALTOR® is also one way of

REALTOR®.

gaining access to homes listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), an important marketing tool used by REALTORS® to inform other REALTORS® about available properties. That means a REALTOR® can give you information about a wide range of

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700 Dickson Nakoma Team 348 Bear Run | Clio, CA 96106 | 530.322.3320

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FEBRUARY 2018 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Graeagle, Portola, Loyalton, Chilcoot and Golf Course Communities

Easy DIY Mudroom Ideas to Organize Winter Gear A simple over-the-door shoe organizer ($13 to $25) is great for storing (and organizing) hats and gloves.

Get clear plastic so everyone can see what’s what at a glance. Also perfect for stashing orphaned mittens until a mate finally appears.

A plastic tray filled with a layer of black river rocks ($3 for 28-ounce bag at craft stores) lets boots drip dry inside without messing up floors. Got some fourlegged friends? Leave space on the tray for dog booties ($12 for a pack of 12) that’ll keep paws dry and warm your heart.

With admirable upcycling ingenuity, 28-ounce food cans become helpful storage cubbies on the back of a door — perfect for stuffing with soft wintry hats and gloves. Remove labels with hot water and some isopropyl alcohol to get rid of stubborn glue, and file off any metal burrs on the inside lip of the can.

Screw the cans to a mounting board and get ready for organized bliss.

STASH your deicing salts right where you need them – outside by your front door. A stainless steel or galvanized steel bucket ($15 to $20) and big metal scoop (60 to 85 ounce; $10) make attractive helpmates; a fat ribbon keeps everything festive.

Ideas VIEW GALLERY

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700 Dickson Nakoma Team 348 Bear Run | Clio, CA 96106 | 530.322.3320

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FEBRUARY 2018 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Graeagle, Portola, Loyalton, Chilcoot and Golf Course Communities

SOMEWHERE BETWEEN hide & seek There’s everyday life — dense, ever-active, relentless. Then there is the Lost Sierra, a vast landscape of mountains, lakes and characterful towns just a few hours drive away. But the stress of the city has its tentacles in Tahoe and won’t let go.

THIS SEASON SNOW PLAY GETAWAY The snow-capped Lost Sierra is your destination for family winter fun away from the crowds. Be our guest throughout the winter in the Lodge at Nakoma and you’ll avoid Tahoe’s gridlock, whip down our tubing hill and experience Altitude, Nakoma’s new recreation center with heated pool, climbing wall, game room, bistro and more.

EVERY COMPASS POINT beckons In winter, our daily door-to-door shuttle will get you to Northstar for skating and skiing refreshed and relaxed. We’ll bring you home again to a crackling fireplace and an equally toasty beverage.

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700 Dickson Nakoma Team 348 Bear Run | Clio, CA 96106 | 530.322.3320

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FEBRUARY 2018 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Graeagle, Portola, Loyalton, Chilcoot and Golf Course Communities The mission of an architect is to help people understand how to make life more beautiful, the world a better one for living in, and to give reason, rhyme, and meaning to life.”

– Frank Lloyd Wright 1958

348 BEAR RUN, CLIO,CA 96106 877.462.5662 FRONTDESK@NAKOMA RESORT.COM

Frank Lloyd Wright conceived of the Nakoma Clubhouse in 1923 at the request of the Nakoma Country Club in Madison, WI. From model:

Beyond his characteristic lowceilinged entrances and central fireplaces, Wright’s teepee-like wood and copper towers led The Wisconsin State Journal to call Wright’s plan “the most unique building of its kind in America.”

The development did not come to fruition for over 75 years, when the owners of Gold Mountain purchased the plan from Wright’s Taliesin Architects and built the clubhouse in the Mohawk Valley of Clio, California in 2001. The resort also includes villas designed by Taliesintrained architects that echo the spirit of the clubhouse with octagonal pitched roofs and sculptural stone fireplaces.

To fruition:

DIRECTIONS FROM SACRAMENTO/BAY AREA: Take Interstate 80 East past the Central Truckee exit to Exit 188B (Hwy 89 North/Sierraville and Hwy 267 South/Lake Tahoe). At the end of the off-ramp, turn left onto Highway 89 north. Proceed north through the next stop light and the two round-abouts continuing on Hwy 89 for approximately 22 miles. In Sierraville, turn left at the T-intersection to remain on Hwy 49/89.Proceed approximately 5 miles. Turn right on Hwy 89 to Graeagle/Quincy.

Continue approximately 15 miles and turn right onto County Hwy-A15, Portola-McLears Rd. Go approximately 3 1/2 miles. For the Lodge at Nakoma, turn left on Village Trail.

For the Clubhouse, turn right on Bear Run and proceed up the hill approximately 1/4 miles and measured as the mountain terrain.

For more information about Nakoma, visit their website at www.nakomaresort.com or contact: Sales Team in the Dickson Sales Office at Nakoma, (530) 322-3320, or sales@nakomaresort.com

Dickson Portola Team

289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700 Dickson Nakoma Team 348 Bear Run | Clio, CA 96106 | 530.322.3320

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FEBRUARY 2018 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Graeagle, Portola, Loyalton, Chilcoot and Golf Course Communities The last house Frank Lloyd Wright ever designed Will be up for sale in Phoenix, Arizona in 2018

Not the most famous Phoenix Wright house The Lykes home is the first Wright-designed Valley house to go on the market since the controversy over the architect’s most famous Arizona house ended. That home, built in 1952, was designed for Wright's son and his wife.

PHOENIX — Buyers will soon have the rare chance to buy an iconic Phoenix home: the last house Frank Lloyd Wright ever designed. Called the “Norman Lykes home,” after who it was designed for, the almost 2,900-square-foot curvaceous house at the edge of the Phoenix Mountains Preserve has an asking price of $3.25 million and will be listed by The Agency, a California based brokerage house, in early 2018.

Its circle structure, one of only 14 circle houses designed by Wright, is reminiscent of New York’s Guggenheim Museum, also designed by Wright late in his life.

The prolific architect created more than 1,000 buildings across the world, but this house is the only one of his for sale in metro Phoenix.

Wright started designing the home in 1959, just before his death, with rounded windows and walls to blend into the desert mountain it is perched on. His apprentice John Rattenbury finished the design, and the house was built in 1967.

Years of fighting ensued over preserving the David and Gladys Wright’s house in Phoenix’s Arcadia neighborhood and came to an end when it was donated for use by the Taliesin West architecture program.

Taliesin West in Scottsdale Taliesin West is the school and winter camp Wright founded in Scottsdale in 1937. Taliesin West, now a National Historic Landmark, is nestled in the desert foothills of the McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale, AZ. It is also the home of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and Taliesin, the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture.

Wright felt very strongly about the connection to the desert.

He said: “Arizona needs its own architecture… Arizona’s long, low, sweeping lines, uptilting planes. Surface patterned after such abstraction in line and color as find 'realism' in the patterns of the rattlesnake, the Gila monster, the chameleon, and the saguaro, cholla or staghorn – or is it the other way around—are inspiration enough.

Taliesin West continues as the headquarters of The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and as the winter home for the School of Architecture at Taliesin.

As in Wright's time, students and faculty spend the summers in Spring Green, Wisconsin. The School of Architecture at Taliesin offers an accredited Master of Architecture (M.Arch) degree focused on Wright's principals

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700 Dickson Nakoma Team 348 Bear Run | Clio, CA 96106 | 530.322.3320

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FEBRUARY 2018 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Graeagle, Portola, Loyalton, Chilcoot and Golf Course Communities

6 Tricks to Keep Your Pipes From Exploding this Winter

5 Tricks to Keep Your Pipes From Exploding this Winter

Home owners should know that winterization is important. Ideally, you should winterize your pipes in the fall, before winter seriously sets in. But if you’ve forgotten and all of a sudden you’re in the middle of a deep freeze, there’s still time to prevent disaster. Here are some easy techniques to save your pipes from bursting: #1 Turn On Your Faucets If the temperatures have dropped into freezing and intend to stay there, turning on your faucets — both indoors and out — can keep water moving through your system and slow down the freezing process. There’s no need to waste gallons of water: Aim for about five drips per minute. #2 Set Home Heating Temperature If you are planning a trip or your home is a second home that is not fully occupied in the winter, ALWAYS set the thermostat to a minimum of 55-58 degrees so that ambient heat in the home is above freezing. Before you leave, follow Step #3. #3 Open Cabinet Doors During cold weather, open any cabinet doors covering plumbing in the kitchen and bathroom. This allows the home’s warm air to better circulate, which can help prevent the exposed piping from freezing. While this won’t help much with pipes hidden in walls, ceilings, or under the home, it can keep water moving and limit the dangerous effects of freezing weather. #4 Wrap Your Pipes If your pipes are already on their merry way towards freezing, wrapping them with warm towels might do the trick.

You can cover them with the towels first and then pour boiling water on top, or use already-wet towels — if your hands can stand the heat (use gloves for this). This should help loosen the ice inside and get your system running again. #5 Pull Out Your Hairdryer A hairdryer (or heat gun) can be a godsend when your pipes are freezing. If hot rags aren’t doing the trick, try blowing hot air directly on the pipes. Important note: You don’t want to use a blow torch or anything that produces direct flames, which can damage your pipes and turn a frozen pipe into an even worse disaster. You’re trying to melt the ice — not your pipes. #6 Shut Off The Water if Pipes Are Frozen Have your pipes already frozen? Turn off the water immediately. (Hopefully you know where the master shut-off is, but if not, now’s the time to find it!) Make sure to close off any external water sources, like garden hose hookups.

This will prevent more water from filling the system, adding more ice to the pile, and eventually bursting your pipes — the worst-case scenario. This also will help when the water thaws; the last thing you want after finally fixing your frozen pipes is for water to flood the system — and thus, your home.

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700 © Copyright 2017 ® NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

Dickson Nakoma Team 348 Bear Run | Clio, CA 96106 | 530.322.3320

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FEBRUARY 2018 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Graeagle, Portola, Loyalton, Chilcoot and Golf Course Communities

Protect Your Internet Security One New Year’s Resolution You Should Try To Keep

10 Simple Ways to Protect Your Privacy Follow these simple steps to protect your valuable personal information.

By Techlicious / Christina DesMarais Privacy is an increasingly rare commodity these days. Just search for yourself on Pipl.com—you might be surprised at the number of companies that claim to have information about your family, income, address, phone number and much, much more.

That’s because your personal information, including your email address, phone number and social security number, is worth a lot of money to legitimate businesses and bad guys alike. The bad guys just want to steal from you.

Companies want to know as much about you as possible so they can sell you more products and services or serve you ads that are highly relevant to your demographics and preferences.

1. Don’t fill out your social media profile.

The more information you share online, the easier it’s going to be for someone to get their hands on it. Don’t cooperate.

Take a look at your social media profiles and keep them barren—the people who need to know your birth date, email address and phone number already have them. And what exactly is the point of sharing everything about yourself in your Facebook profile? If you care about your privacy, you won’t do it.

2. Be choosy about sharing your social security number—even the last 4 digits.

Think twice about sharing your social security number with anyone, unless it’s your bank, a credit bureau, a company that wants to do a background check on you or some other entity that has to report to the IRS. If someone gets their hands on it and has information such your birth date and address they can steal your identity and take out credit cards and pile up other debt in your name. Even the last four digits of your social security number should only be used when necessary. The last four are often used by banks and other institutions to reset your password for access your account. Plus, if someone has the last four digits and your birth place, it’s a lot easier to guess the entire number.

That’s because the first three are

determined by where you, or your parents, applied for your SSN. And the second set of two are the group number, which is assigned to all numbers given out at a certain time in your geographic area. So, a determined identity thief with some computing power could hack it given time.

3. Lock down your hardware.

Set up your PC to require a password when it wakes from sleep or boots up. Sure, you may trust the people who live in your house, but what if your laptop is stolen or you lose it?

Same thing with your mobile devices. Not only should you use a passcode to access them every time you use them, install an app that will locate your phone or tablet if it’s lost or stolen, as well as lock it or wipe it clean of any data so a stranger can’t get access to the treasure trove of data saved on it. Make sure your computers and mobile devices are loaded with anti-malware apps and software. They can prevent criminals from stealing your data.

4. Turn on private browsing.

If you don’t want anyone with physical access to your computer to see where you’re hanging out online you should enable “private browsing,” a setting available in each major web browser. It deletes cookies, temporary Internet files and browsing history after you close the window.

Every company that advertises online is interested in knowing what sites you visit, what you buy, who you are friends with on social networks, what you like and more. By gathering information about your online activities they can serve you targeted ads that are more likely to entice you to buy something.

For instance, the Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ buttons you see on just about every site allow those networks to track you even if you don’t have an account or are logged into them. Other times information collection companies rely on embedded code in banner ads that track your visits, preferences, and demographic information.

If you truly care about your privacy you’ll surf the Internet anonymously by hiding your IP address. You can do this using a web proxy, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or Tor, a free open network that works by routing your traffic through a series of servers, operated by volunteers around the world, before sending it to your destination.

5. Use a password vault that generates and remembers strong and unique passwords.

Most people know better than to use the same password for more than one website or application. In reality, it can be impossible to remember a different one for the dozens of online services you use. The problem with using the same password in more than one place is if someone gets their hands on your password—say, through a phishing attack—they can access all your accounts and cause all sorts of trouble. To eliminate this dilemma, use a password manager that will not only remember all your passwords, but will

generate super strong and unique ones and automatically fill them into login fields with the click of a button.

6. Use two-factor authentication.

You can lock down your Facebook, Google, Dropbox, Apple ID, Microsoft, Twitter and other accounts with two-factor authentication. That means that when you log in, you’ll also need to enter a special code that the site texts to your phone.

Some services require it each time you log in, other just when you’re using a new device or web browser. Two-factor authentication works beautifully for keeping others from accessing your accounts, although some people feel it’s too time consuming. But if you’re serious about privacy, you’ll put up with the friction.

7. Set up a Google alert for your name.

This is a simple way to keep an eye on anything someone might be saying about you on the web. It’s just a matter of telling Google what to look for (in this case, your name), as well as what kinds of web pages to search, how often to search and what email address the search engine giant should use to send you notifications. Set up a Google alert here.

8. Pay for things with cash.

According to Business Insider, credit card companies are selling your purchase data to advertisers. Don’t want companies knowing how much booze you’re buying or other potentially embarrassing habits? Buy things the old-fashioned way—with coins and bills.

9. Don’t give out your zip code when making credit card purchases.

Often stores will ask for your zip code when you’re checking out with a credit card. Don’t give it to them unless you want to donate your details to their marketing database, warns Forbes. By matching your name, taken from your credit card, with your zip code, companies can more easily mine more information, including your address, phone number and email. address.

10. Lie when setting up password security questions.

“What is your mother’s maiden name?” or “In what city were you born?” are common questions websites often ask you to answer so as to supposedly keep your account safe from intruders. In reality, there’s nothing secure about such generic queries. That’s because someone who wants access to your account could easily do some Internet research to dig up the answers.

Not sure you can remember your lies? You can create “accounts” in your password manager just for this purpose.

Dickson Portola Team

289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700 Dickson Nakoma Team 348 Bear Run | Clio, CA 96106 | 530.322.3320

NEWS YOU CAN USE

JANUARY 2018 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Graeagle, Portola, Loyalton, Chilcoot and Golf Course Communities

FEBRUARY 2018 SUN

MON 28

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14 Valentine’s Day

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18 HISTORIC LONG BOARD SKI RACES – 2ND in series

19 President’s Day

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Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700 Dickson Nakoma Team 348 Bear Run | Clio, CA 96106 | 530.322.3320

NEWS YOU CAN USE

FEBRUARY 2018 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Graeagle, Portola, Loyalton, Chilcoot and Golf Course Communities

What: When: Where:

Historic Longboard Revival Race February 18, 2018; All day event Plumas Eureka State Park (Plumas Eureka Ski Bowl)

Cost: Contact:

Details:

310 Johnsville Road Blairsden, CA 96103 Free or pay nominal fee to race.

Plumas County Museum (530) 283-6320 OR www. plumasskiclub.org For full details and directions The public is invited to spectate and participate in this family style entertainment. Sponsored by Plumas Ski Club. This is the 2nd race in the 3 part series. This traditional event has been on-going for over 50 years.

Things to See and Do Plumas-Eureka State Park
 Perhaps the best kept secret within the California State Park System, Plumas-Eureka State Park is steeped in history and is rich with recreation and natural resources.

Just five miles from Graeagle on Johnsville Road (County Road A-14), the 4,500-acre park is located at the foot of Eureka Peak, (originally called Gold Mountain) which produced some $25 million in gold from hard-rock mining during the late 1800s.

The park features unmatched landscapes, a myriad of hiking trails and a pristine 67-site campground set along Jamison Creek underneath towering pines. Be sure to visit the park's indoor-outdoor museum of early gold mining equipment and relics, a complete blacksmith shop, a partially restored stamp mill, and a restored miner's home. You can also peer inside the entrance to the Eureka Shaft and see the old timbers.

Park docents in period attire re-create a miner's lifestyle during Gold Discovery Days held each year in July. Blacksmith demonstrations, mining lore and home tours help take visitors back to the 1890's. A pancake breakfast is also part of the fun.

The park surrounds the historic former mining community of Johnsville. At an elevation of 4,720 to 7,447 feet, it has an abundance of plant and animal life. Interpretive events such as campfire programs, nature walks and history tours are offered during the summer season. Supervised gold-panning is offered in Jamison Creek.

In the wintertime, the park is transformed into a winter paradise. Visitors can drive the well-cleared roads to enjoy the various cross-country ski loops, including the 2.5 mile groomed Jamison Canyon Ski Trail that starts or ends at the museum. Or, follow the road until it ends at Eureka Bowl to access more backcountry skiing. The historic Eureka Ski Bowl is near the site of the fist recorded downhill ski races in North America. It no longer operates as a ski area, but stages the Historic Longboard Ski Revival Series races organized by the Plumas Ski Club in January, February and March.

Ranger-led snowshoe nature hikes are also offered during the winter or the weekends. The museum has limited hours during winter.

Park admission is free, and it's open year-round. During the winter the museum has limited hours when staff is available. Museum admission is free, but donations are accepted and appreciated. Park campground fees are $35 per site and are available by reservation at (800) 444-7275 or online.

Reservations are recommended from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. For more information, call the park at (530) 836-2380.

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700 Dickson Nakoma Team 348 Bear Run | Clio, CA 96106 | 530.322.3320