Eastern Plumas & Sierra Counties Newsletter - September 2019

NEWS YOU CAN USE

SEPTEMBER 2019 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

Contents

Page.

Portola Office & Webber Lake Hotel Restoration

2

Plan a Trip to Webber Lake

3

Jan.-July 2019 Sales By Price & Active Listings Guild Mortgage Corner

4-6 7

Fed Cuts Rates

8-9

Why Emergency Funds? Hints to Boost Savings

11-12

Tis’ The Season; Fire Preparedness Calendar and Event Details and Flyers

12-15

Dickson Portola Team

16-20

289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE

SEPTEMBER 2019 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

The Dickson Realty Portola Team is always available to provide excellent and dedicated client service whether you are considering buying or selling a home. Our team of seasoned professionals, all REALTORS®, possess the most current and comprehensive market information and, combined with their knowledge and experience, they are uniquely qualified to be expert guides in your real estate venture.

Call, e-mail, visit our office, or access us on the web. We are here for you 24/7.

Office Phone: 530-832-1700 Email: portolainfo@dicksonrealty.com Web: www.Dicksonrealty.com

Historic Webber Lake Hotel, 150 year old Treasure, Being Preserved

The Truckee Donner Land Trust has appointed Truckee architect Dennis E. Zirbel, experienced with restoring some of Truckee’s older buildings, to produce an Historic Structures Report, the first step needed for a restoration project. The report is currently in process. Says Doug Gadow, owner of Linchpin Structural Engineering. “The building appears to be holding up very well. However, it has no apparent foundation and has settled significantly into the soil. The structure will need to be lifted, straightened, provided a foundation, and deteriorated framing will need to be repaired or replaced.

The foundation work and wood deterioration repair will be costly, but definitely worth it considering the good condition of the rest of the structure.” A Truckee local as well, Gadow too has extensive experience in historic restoration projects, and the Land Trust feels it is in the good hands of experts.

The Land Trust’s immediate plan is simple: clean out the building and make it structurally sound. Once this is accomplished, the front parlor will be restored to period, will display exhibits, and two upstairs sleeping rooms will be restored to period. The original external color of the hotel, white, will be applied as well. The building was put on the National Historic Register December 31, 2018. The Land Trust is now working with the Sierra County Historical Society, the Truckee Donner Historical Society and other agencies to collect artifacts, create exhibits, restore rooms, and search for funding sources.

“The Sierra County Historical Society is delighted to play a supportive role in the restoration of the Webber Lake Hotel.

Its historic significance is undeniable, “ says Mary Nourse, the Historical Society’s president. She adds, "The structure is truly an historic gem and it is the logical repository for artifacts of a bygone era. Our membership will work to help preserve that history in order to provide a link to the past for generations to come.”

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

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SEPTEMBER 2019 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

WHAT ARE Y O U WAI TI N G FO R? WEB B ER L A KE O PENS IT S GA T ES Written by David Bunker in Features, Outdoors, Summer 2018 TAHOE QUARTERLY(Excerpts Below)

VIRTUALLY FROZEN IN TIME, THIS FORMER STAGECOACH STOP AND FABLED FISHING LAKE IS BOTH A REMINDER OF THE SIERRA NEVADA’S PAST AND A HARBINGER OF ITS ENVIRONMENTAL FUTURE For decades the only things that escaped the gates of Webber Lake were stories and legends—whispers of rainbow trout as large as footballs, a stage stop hotel where Gold Rush miners once mingled with artists and a spectacular meadow that lit up like Fourth of July fireworks each summer.

In the checkerboard of alternating public and private land that dots the wild landscape north of Truckee, the lake was a private parcel close enough to Henness Pass Road to breed stories, but tantalizingly off-limits to the general public. Then, last year, the gates to Webber Lake swung open. After more than a century of private ownership, the mystery and majesty of a serene and historic Sierra Nevada landscape was unveiled to the public.

Webber Lake is both a recreation gem and a conservation prize. And it fits like an interlocking piece in a puzzle of conservation purchases the Truckee Donner Land Trust has been meticulously assembling for years. To the east, the sinuous wetlands of Perazzo Meadows have been protected and restored by the Land Trust and conservation partners. To the south, Mt. Lola rises above the Lahontan cutthroat–filled waters of Independence Lake, another Land Trust conservation purchase. A series of other important meadows and streams, including Coppins Meadow and Cold Stream Meadow, speckle the landscape between Truckee and the Sierra Valley—conserved forever as wild landscapes connected to Webber Lake. But Webber Lake stands out as a jewel even in this spectacular watershed. Norris calls it both “the grandest prize north of Truckee” and a critical piece of a “20,000-acre conservation effort spanning well over a decade” by the Land Trust and its partners.

Photos by John Peltier F r o m H w y 8 9 , a b o u t 1 7 m i l e s n o r t h o f T r uc ke e , t a ke J a c kso n M e a do w s R o a d w e st a b o u t 8 m i l e s t o t h e s i gn for W e b b e r L a k e . T ur n l e ft a n d p r o c ee d d o wn a d i r t r o ad f o r a b o ut a q u a r te r m i l e . A t a c l o se d g a te , t h e r o a d f orks to t h e r i g h t a n d i n a b o u t a n o t h e r q u a r t e r o f a m i l e i s a d i r t r o a d t o t h e l e f t a n d a s i g n p o i n t i n g t o t h e T D L T L acey M e a d o w s p a r k i ng a r e a . F o ll o w t h i s r o a d f o r a b o u t 0 . 6 m i le t o t h e p a r k in g a r e a , i n t e r p r et iv e k i os ks, a n d m aps of t he area.

Dickson Portola Team

289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

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SEPTEMBER 2019 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn. Sales statistics this month are a year to date 7-month look of residential sales by price range and the percent (%) of sales they represent. Also provided are current number of active listings, by price range, and the approximate months of inventory they represent.

The sales reported are for Single Family Residential and Condo/Townhouse sales in each of the areas.

(Time share and/or shared ownership are not included in the statistics presented.)

The data source is the Plumas Multiple Listing Service with data pulled on August 15, 2019

RESIDENTIAL SOLD GRAEAGLE-BLAIRSDEN January 1, 2019 thru July 31, 2019 SOLD PRICE RANGE

Residences Sold

Under $100,000 $100,000 - $199,999 $200,000 - $299,999 $300,000 - $399,999 $400,000 - $599,999 $600,000 - $999,999 $1,000,000 +

Percent of Sales

Current Active Listings

Graeagle-Blairsden Sales January 2019-July 2019

Months of Inventory 5.7%

2

5.7%

3

10.5

3

8.6%

7

16.3

12

34.3%

30

17.5

9

25.7%

15

11.7

7

20.0%

15

15.0

2

5.7%

11

0.0

0

0.0%

2

0.0

35

100%

83

5.7%

8.6%

Under $100,000

20%

$100,000 - $199,999 $200,000 - $299,999 34.3%

$300,000 - $399,999

25.7%

$400,000 - $599,999 $600,000 - $999,999

RESIDENTIAL SOLD GOLF COURSE COMMUNITIES - Whitehawk, Grizzly, Gold Mtn. January 1, 2019 thru July 31, 2019 SOLD PRICE RANGE

Under $100,000 $100,000 - $199,999 $200,000 - $299,999 $300,000 - $399,999 $400,000 - $599,999 $600,000 - $999,999 $1,000,000 +

Residences Sold

Percent of Sales

Current Active Listings

Golf Course Communities Sales

Months of Inventory

0

0.0%

0

0.0

0

0.0%

0

0.0

0

0.0%

0

0.0

3

37.5%

4

9.3

4

50.0%

9

15.8

0

0.0%

21

0.0

1 8

12.5%

7

0.0

100%

41

Whitehawk, Grizzly, Gold Mtn.

January 2019 - July. 2019 Residences Sold

12.5% 37.5%

$300,000 - $399,999 $400,000 - $599,999

50%

$600,000 - $999,999 $1,000,000 +

Dickson Realty is dedicated to helping you keep a pulse on the local market and real estate related information by providing the latest news, trends, and issues affecting the area’s real estate market.

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

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SEPTEMBER 2019 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

RESIDENTIAL SOLD PORTOLA January 1, 2019 thru July 31, 2019 SOLD PRICE RANGE

Residences Sold

Under $100,000 $100,000 - $199,999 $200,000 - $299,999 $300,000 - $399,999 $400,000 - $599,999 $600,000 - $999,999 $1,000,000 +

Percent of Sales

Current Active Listings

Portola Sales January 2019-July 2019

Months of Inventory

5%

4

10.0%

3

5.3

18

45.0%

21

8.2

11

27.5%

9

5.7

5

12.5%

8

11.2

2

5.0%

4

14.0

$400,000 - $599,999

0

0.0%

2

0.0

$600,000 - $999,999

0 40

0.0%

0

0.0

100%

47

12.5%

10%

Under $100,000 $100,000 - $199,999 $200,000 - $299,999

27.5%

45%

$300,000 - $399,999

RESIDENTIAL SOLD LOYALTON January 1, 2019 thru July 31, 2019 SOLD PRICE RANGE

Under $100,000 $100,000 - $199,999 $200,000 - $299,999 $300,000 - $399,999 $400,000 - $599,999 $600,000 - $999,999 $1,000,000 +

Residences Sold

Percent of Sales

Current Active Listings

Loyalton Sales January 2019-July 2019

Months of Inventory

0

0.0%

0

0.0

1

12.5%

2

14.0

5

62.5%

1

1.4

2

25.0%

2

7.0

0

0.0%

2

0.0

0

0.0%

0

0.0

0

0.0%

0

0.0

8

100%

7

25%

12.5%

$100,000 - $199,999 $200,000 - $299,999 $300,000 - $399,999

62.5%

$400,000 - $599,999

Dickson Realty is dedicated to helping you keep a pulse on the local market and real estate related information by providing the latest news, trends, and issues affecting the area’s real estate market.

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE

SEPTEMBER 2019 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn. RESIDENTIAL SOLD BECKWOURTH January 1, 2019 thru July 31, 2019 SOLD PRICE RANGE

Residences Sold

Under $100,000 $100,000 - $199,999 $200,000 - $299,999 $300,000 - $399,999 $400,000 - $599,999 $600,000 - $999,999 $1,000,000 +

Percent of Sales

Current Active Listings

Beckwourth Sales January 2019-July 2019

Months of Inventory

0

0.0%

0

0

0.0%

0

1

33.3%

0

0

0.0%

0

2

66.7%

0

0

0.0%

3

0 3

0.0%

0

100.0%

3

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

33.3%

$200,000 - $299,999 $300,000 - $399,999 $400,000 - $599,999

66.7%

$600,000 - $999,999

RESIDENTIAL SOLD CHILCOOT January 1, 2019 thru Jul1 31, 2019 SOLD PRICE RANGE

Residences Sold

Under $100,000 $100,000 - $199,999 $200,000 - $299,999 $300,000 - $399,999 $400,000 - $599,999 $600,000 - $999,999 $1,000,000 +

Percent of Sales

Current Active Listings

Chilcoot Sales January 2019-July 2019

Months of Inventory

0

0%

1

0.0

0

0%

0

0.0

1

33.3%

3

21.0

1

33.3%

1

7.0

1

33.3%

0

0.0

0

0%

1

0.0

0 3

0%

0

0.0

100%

6

33.3%

$200,000 - $299,999

33.3%

$300,000 - $399,999 $400,000 - $599,999

33.3%

$600,000 - $999,999

RESIDENTIAL SOLD CLIO January 1, 2019 thru July 31, 2019 SOLD PRICE RANGE

Under $100,000 $100,000 - $199,999 $200,000 - $299,999 $300,000 - $399,999 $400,000 - $599,999 $600,000 - $999,999 $1,000,000 +

Residences Sold

Percent of Sales

Current Active Listings

Clio Sales January 2019-July 2019

Months of Inventory

0

0%

0

0.0

0

0%

0

0.0

0

0%

2

0.0

1

25%

2

14.0

1

25%

3

0.0

1

25%

4

0.0

1 4

25%

2

0.0

100%

13

25%

25%

$200,000 - $299,999 $300,000 - $399,999 $400,000 - $599,999

25%

25%

$600,000 - $999,999 $1,000,000 +

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

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SEPTEMBER 2019 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

Guild Mortgage Corner How does my credit score affect my ability to buy a home?

If you’re thinking of becoming a homeowner, there’s more to consider than where you want to live and how many bedrooms you’ll need. Understanding your credit score and taking steps to improve it are essential steps in the homebuying process. Here are answers to the five most commonly asked questions about credit scores and how they affect your ability to get a home loan.

1. What is a credit score?

Your credit score is calculated based on the information in your credit report. Credit scores range from 300 to 850. You have multiple credit scores; one from each three major credit reporting agencies, Experian, TransUnion and Equifax.

2. How is my credit score determined ?

Your score is compiled by analyzing several factors, including the following: ● ●

●

● ●

●

●

Length of credit history—the longer you’ve had credit, the better Payment history—if you pay each month dependably, your credit score will rise to reflect it. If you’ve defaulted on an obligation, your credit score will drop.

Percent of credit used—most experts agree if 70 percent or more of your available credit is unused, your credit score should benefit.

Amount of debt—carrying too much debt hurts your credit New credit—have you recently opened several new accounts? This is a red flag of risk to lenders.

Types of credit—it’s helpful to have a mix of credit account types such as revolving credit and installment loans Settlements—if you’ve defaulted on a loan, filed for bankruptcy or foreclosure, or settled with a credit card company, these factors will lower your score

3. What does my credit score have to do with getting a home loan?

The higher your score, the less of a risk you pose to a lender, and therefore the more likely they’ll be to approve you for a loan. A high credit score may also qualify you for a lower interest rate and a larger loan amount.

4. What credit score do I need to buy a house?

It’s up to the lender and the loan product to determine the type of mortgage you’re eligible for depending on your credit as well as other factors such as debts and savings.

5. Can my credit score change?

Your credit score reflects your credit history.

The power to change it is in your hands.

Therefore, it’s important to make your payments on time, every time; pay off debt and keep balance low on credit cards; and factcheck your credit report to ensure accuracy.

Ready to explore your options? Contact The Rice Team to learn about your credit score and how to achieve your homeownership goals.

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

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SEPTEMBER 2019 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Meeting Update July 31, 2019 What is the FOMC? The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is the monetary policymaking body of the Federal Reserve System. The FOMC is composed of 12 members--the seven members of the Board of Governors and five of the 12 Reserve Bank presidents. The FOMC schedules eight meetings per year, one about every six weeks or so. The Committee may also hold unscheduled meetings as necessary to review economic and financial developments. The FOMC issues a policy statement following each regular meeting that summarizes the Committee's economic outlook and the policy decision at that meeting. The Chairman holds a press briefing after each FOMC meeting to discuss the FOMC's policy decisions and to provide context for those decisions.

The Chairman also discusses the economic projections submitted by each FOMC participant four times each at the press conference following the last scheduled FOMC meeting of each quarter.

Fed Cuts Rate for First Time Since 2008, Markets Rattled In its fifth meeting of the year, the Federal Open Market Committee voted to reduce its federal funds rate by a quarter percentage point. The decision to bring the rate to a range between 2 and 2.25% was the first lowering of the benchmark rate in over a decade.

The motivations behind the rate cut were also newsworthy, given most indicators of the U.S. economy are strong and the central bank has a generally positive outlook. Chairman Jerome H. Powell said the reduction is a hedge against what could go wrong in the future, citing intent “to insure against downside risks from weak global growth and trade policy uncertainty� in his opening statement announcing the decision.

Powell, facing reporters, would then go on to describe this cut as an adjustment, according to CNBC, and not meant to precipitate a change in course that targeted further decreases. Still the FOMC statement left the door open to more rate cuts if appropriate. "Muted" inflation and "soft" business investment were identified by policy-makers as downward pressures, even though job growth continued to trend up.

Despite expecting a rate cut of 25 basis points, markets fell on the mix of positive and negative signals from the Federal Reserve. Investors had begun pricing in multiple rate cuts for 2019, but the one-off nature of this decrease seemed to rattle them. A sell-off began as Powell spoke. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 300 points by the end of the day, according to MarketWatch.

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

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SEPTEMBER 2019 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

The Fed also announced that it would end quantitative tightening two months ahead of schedule. The Fed bought Treasury’s and mortgage-backed securities as a way to help stabilize the crisis-era economy, along with cutting rates. This was separately known as quantitative easing, used to increase money supply. By 2017 the Fed began allowing those assets to roll off its balance sheet, which it will now resolve to hold steady.

Consumers Can Benefit From Lower Interest Rates The last time the Fed cut its benchmark rate was December 2008. While consumers enjoyed interest rates near zero in the time since, the Fed began raising rates in 2015. When that happened, the interest rates that banks and other lenders charge went up as well.

The decision to cut the federal funds rate may have an impact on consumers. The interest rates they are quoted for personal loans, credit cards, mortgages, auto loans and home equity lines of credit are tied to the Fed's rate: When it goes up, borrowing interest rates go up; when it goes down, they go down.

For instance, if you have an adjustable-rate home loan, your interest rate may fall the next time it is rebalanced. The rate cut could further incentivize household spending, which the Fed noted was already growing.

Lower rates could be the opening many Americans look for to take out cost-effective personal or business loans, like mortgages.

July 31, 2019 Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement For release at 2:00 p.m. EDT Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in June indicates that the labor market remains strong and that economic activity has been rising at a moderate rate. Job gains have been solid, on average, in recent months, and the unemployment rate has remained low. Although growth of household spending has picked up from earlier in the year, growth of business fixed investment has been soft. On a 12-month basis, overall inflation and inflation for items other than food and energy are running below 2 percent. Market-based measures of inflation compensation remain low; survey-based measures of longer-term inflation expectations are little changed.

Consistent with its statutory mandate, the Committee seeks to foster maximum employment and price stability. In light of the implications of global developments for the economic outlook as well as muted inflation pressures, the Committee decided to lower the target range for the federal funds rate to 2 to 2-1/4 percent. This action supports the Committee's view that sustained expansion of economic activity, strong labor market conditions, and inflation near the Committee's symmetric 2 percent objective are the most likely outcomes, but uncertainties about this outlook remain. As the Committee contemplates the future path of the target range for the federal funds rate, it will continue to monitor the implications of incoming information for the economic outlook and will act as appropriate to sustain the expansion, with a strong labor market and inflation near its symmetric 2 percent objective.

In determining the timing and size of future adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Committee will assess realized and expected economic conditions relative to its maximum employment objective and its symmetric 2 percent inflation objective. This assessment will take into account a wide range of information, including measures of labor market conditions, indicators of inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and readings on financial and international developments.

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

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SEPTEMBER 2019 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

How and why you should create an emergency fund

Like life insurance, fire extinguishers and toilet plungers, an emergency fund is the kind of thing you never want to have to use, but also never want to be without.

Yet with 40 percent of Americans saying they would need to borrow money to cover an unexpected $400 expense, according to CNN, it's clear that many in the U.S. are indeed going without. Although it's likely not a conscious decision to spend rather than save, and there are a whole host of legitimate reasons why it can sometimes feel nearly impossible just to make ends meet, the truth is that those who are in debt or living paycheck to paycheck are usually the most vulnerable and the hardest hit whenever a genuine financial emergency does strike.

Why you need an emergency fund While almost everyone could benefit from a rainy-day fund, there are some people for whom saving is an especially urgent goal.

For example, if you have only one source of income, creating an emergency fund is an essential step towards financial security. One of the main reasons for such a fund is to have something to live off of in the event that you suddenly lose your job. The Balance recommends that individuals who are single or the sole provider for their family should have a full year's worth of expenses saved up, though even having just three to six months is a good start. This holds especially true for independent contractors, freelancers, the self-employed and those who work a job that does not allow them to claim unemployment benefits.

Additionally, there are types of emergencies completely unrelated to your income. If you have a history of medical issues, or less than stellar health insurance, you should recognize the necessity of an emergency fund. Alternately, if you live far from family, you may need to cover a lot of unexpected travel expenses if you need to rush home when a loved one experiences a health scare or sudden death, or even a more positive development, like a wedding or baby.

Less serious but no less costly concerns include unanticipated car trouble, home repairs and rent increases.

Ways to start saving By definition, you need to be able to access this money in the event of a sudden emergency, so your emergency fund should be placed into an accessible savings account, rather than any sort of retirement or investment fund.

Creating an emergency fund could be as simple as having a portion of your direct deposit go into a designated savings account, or setting up a recurring monthly transfer from checking to savings.

If you want another way to build up your rainy day fund, Bankrate recommends you take a more active approach and add up your expenses at the end of the month, compare them to your net income and put the surplus into your savings account. By doing both, you'll be amazed at how quickly you are able to achieve your savings goals.

Dickson Portola Team

289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

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SEPTEMBER 2019 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

3 Simple Ways to Boost Your Savings

Growing your bank balance sometimes can be as simple as relaxing and letting your money work for you — as long as you have the right tools in place. If you want to build a cash cushion without breaking a sweat, try these three methods 1. Put your money in a high-yield savings account The interest rate offered on savings accounts at most brick-and-mortar banks is less than one-tenth of a percent. If you put your funds in a high-yield account, you could earn over 20 times more. Having $5,000 in an account that earns the average interest rate, for example, makes a few bucks after a year. But if you deposit that same amount into an account that has a 2% annual yield, you would earn nearly $100 more, not counting any extra deposits. Online banks and some credit unions tend to offer accounts with higher rates, and the basic checking and savings accounts generally don’t have monthly fees.

Get started: If you have your existing bank account and routing number handy, along with your Social Security number, you can usually open a savings account at a financial institution’s website in about time it takes to check your news feed. Click the link to apply, then enter your information. In many cases, you can fund the account by electronically transferring money. It takes no more effort to deposit money into high-rate savings than into a low-yield account, and the difference can be worth hundreds of dollars over time.

2. Use ‘set it and forget it’ transfers Once you have a savings account that earns a good rate, set up an automatic payment plan to make regular deposits. Say you get paid by direct deposit to your checking account every two weeks. If you set up a $40 transfer to savings each pay period, you’ll stash away over $1,000 by this time next year. That’s not counting the additional interest your savings will earn. Bonus: Since the transfer whisks money from checking to savings, the cash won’t be as easily

accessible with your debit card, so you may not be as tempted to spend it.

Get started: Log into your checking or savings account online and select the option for bank transfers. You’ll typically choose the amount of the transaction, frequency and length of time. Although the sending and receiving accounts don’t have to be at the same bank, make sure your financial institutions don’t charge transfer fees. Click the confirmation link and you’re done.

3. Earn rewards from checking accounts A savings account isn’t the only way to boost your balance. Some checking accounts, particularly those at online banks and credit unions, offer rewards — including cash back on purchases, good interest rates and new customer sign-up bonuses — that you can use to score extra money.

Get started: Search online for rewards checking accounts, then check their terms. Some offer cash back for purchases up to a certain amount monthly.

Others might require that you make a certain number of debit card transactions — usually around 15 — to get a high rate. This can be OK if the purchases are part of your regular spending budget, but avoid making extra purchases. The sweet spot is an account that matches your current spending activity.

So you’re doing nothing new — and getting rewarded for it. Let your money work hard so you don’t have to.

With a little set-up work and the right accounts, you can sit back and watch your money grow.

Margarette Burnette is a writer at NerdWallet.

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE

SEPTEMBER 2019 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

Keep Your Property Lean And Green To Help Protect Your Family And Home.

Creating defensible space is essential to improve your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire. It’s the buffer you create between a building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surround it. This space is needed to slow or stop the spread of wildfire and it protects your home from catching fire—either from direct flame contact or radiant heat. Defensible space is also important for the protection of the firefighters defending your home.

Defensible Space Zones Two zones make up the required 100 feet of defensible space

Zone 1 Zone 1 extends 30 feet* out from buildings, structures, decks, etc.

• Remove all dead plants, grass and weeds (vegetation).

• Remove dead or dry leaves and pine needles from your yard, roof and rain gutters.

• Trim trees regularly to keep branches a minimum of 10 feet from other trees.

• Remove branches that hang over your roof and keep dead branches 10 feet away from your chimney.

• Relocate wood piles into Zone 2.

• Remove or prune flammable plants and shrubs near windows.

• Remove vegetation and items that could catch fire from around and under decks.

• Create a separation between trees, shrubs and items that could catch fire, such as patio furniture, wood piles, swing sets, etc.

Zone 2 Zone 2 extends 100 feet out from buildings, structures, decks, etc.

• Cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of 4 inches.

• Create horizontal spacing between shrubs and trees. (See diagram) • Create vertical spacing between grass, shrubs and trees. (See diagram) • Remove fallen leaves, needles, twigs, bark, cones, and small branches. However, they may be permitted to a depth of 3 inches.

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

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Vertical Spacing Remove all tree branches at least 6 feet from the ground.

Allow extra vertical space between shrubs and trees. Lack of vertical space can allow a fire to move from the ground to the brush to the tree tops like a ladder.

To determine the proper vertical spacing between shrubs and the lowest branches of trees, use the formula below.

•

Horizontal Spacing Horizontal spacing depends on the slope of the land and the height of the shrubs or trees. Check the chart below to determine spacing distance.

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE

SEPTEMBER 2019 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

HARDENING YOUR HOME Flying embers can destroy homes up to a mile from a wildfire. “Harden� your home now before a fire starts by using ember-resistant building materials. Here are some things you can do to harden your home and make it more fire resistant.

Roof The roof is the most vulnerable part of your home.

Homes with wood or shingle roofs are at high risk of being destroyed during a wildfire. Build your roof or re-roof with materials such as composition, metal or tile. Block any spaces between roof decking and covering to prevent embers from catching.

Vents Vents on homes create openings for flying embers.

Cover all vent openings with 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch metal mesh. Do not use fiberglass or plastic mesh because they can melt and burn.

Protect vents in eaves or cornices with baffles to block embers (mesh is not enough).

Eaves and Soffits Eaves and soffits should be protected with ignitionresistant* or non-combustible materials.

Windows Heat from a wildfire can cause windows to break even before the home ignites. This allows burning embers to enter and start fires inside. Single-paned and large windows are particularly vulnerable.

Install dual-paned windows with one pane of tempered glass to reduce the chance of breakage in a fire.

Consider limiting the size and number of windows that face large areas of vegetation.

Walls Wood products, such as boards, panels or shingles, are common siding materials. However, they are combustible and not good choices for fire-prone areas.

Build or remodel your walls with ignition resistant* building materials, such as stucco, fiber cement, wall siding, fire retardant, treated wood, or other approved materials.

Be sure to extend materials from the foundation to the roof.

Decks Surfaces within 10 feet of the building should be built with ignition-resistant*, non-combustible, or other approved materials.

Ensure that all combustible items are removed from underneath your deck.

Rain Gutters Screen or enclose rain gutters to prevent accumulation of plant debris.

Patio Cover Use the same ignition-resistant* materials for patio coverings as a roof.

Chimney Cover your chimney and stovepipe outlets with a non-combustible screen. Use metal screen material with openings no smaller than 3/8-inch and no larger than 1/2-inch to prevent embers from escaping and igniting a fire.

Garage Have a fire extinguisher and tools such as a shovel, rake, bucket, and hoe available for fire emergencies.

Install weather stripping around and under the garage door to prevent embers from blowing in.

Store all combustible and flammable liquids away from ignition sources.

Fences Consider using ignition-resistant* or noncombustible fence materials to protect your home during a wildfire.

Driveways and Access Roads Driveways should be built and maintained in accordance with state and local codes to allow fire and emergency vehicles to reach your home.

Consider maintaining access roads with a minimum of 10 feet of clearance on either side, allowing for two-way traffic.

Ensure that all gates open inward and are wide enough to accommodate emergency equipment.

Trim trees and shrubs overhanging the road to allow emergency vehicles to pass.

Address Make sure your address is clearly visible from the road.

Water Supply Consider having multiple garden hoses that are long enough to reach all areas of your home and other structures on your property. If you have a pool or well, consider getting a pump.

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE

SEPTEMBER 2019 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

PRE-EVACUATION PREPARATION STEPS When an evacuation is anticipated, follow these checklists (if time allows) to give your home the best chance of surviving a wildfire.

Home Evacuation Checklist – How to Prepare for Evacuation

Inside the House • • • • • • •

Shut all windows and doors, leaving them unlocked.

Remove flammable window shades, curtains and close metal shutters.

Remove lightweight curtains.

Move flammable furniture to the center of the room, away from windows and doors.

Shut off gas at the meter; turn off pilot lights.

Leave your lights on so firefighters can see your house under smoky conditions.

Shut off the air conditioning.

Outside Gather up flammable items from the exterior of the house and bring them inside (patio furniture, children’s toys, door mats, trash cans, etc.) or place them in your pool.

• Turn off propane tanks.

• Move propane BBQ appliances away from structures.

• Connect garden hoses to outside water valves or spigots for use by firefighters. Fill water buckets and place them around the house.

• Don’t leave sprinklers on or water running, they can affect critical water pressure.

• Leave exterior lights on so your home is visible to firefighters in the smoke or darkness of night.

• Put your Emergency Supply Kit in your vehicle.

• Back your car into the driveway with vehicle loaded and all doors and windows closed. Carry your car keys with you.

• Have a ladder available and place it at the corner of the house for firefighters to quickly access your roof.

• Seal attic and ground vents with pre-cut plywood or commercial seals.

• Patrol your property and monitor the fire situation. Don’t wait for an evacuation order if you feel threatened.

• Check on neighbors and make sure they are preparing to leave.

•

Animals • •

Locate your pets and keep them nearby.

Prepare farm animals for transport and think about moving them to a safe location early.

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE

SEPTEMBER 2019 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

SEPTEMBER 2019 SUN

MON 01

08 Nervino Airport Beckwourth Fly-In Breakfast

TUES 02

WED 03

THUR 04

FRI 05

Sierra Valley Farmers Market

SAT 06

07

Loyalton Country Market

CalPine Marketplace

09

10

11

12

15

16

17

18

19

20

22

23

24

25

26

27

29

30

01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

11

12

Sierra Valley Farmers Market

13

14

21

“A Grave Affair� fundraiser Vinton Cemetery & Grange Hall

28

Sierra Valley ART & AG TOUR Loyalton Country Market

September is the ninth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars, the third of four months to have a length of 30 days, and the fourth of five months to have a length of less than 31 days.

In the Northern hemisphere, the beginning of the meteorological autumn is on 1 September.

It is the start of the academic year in many countries of the northern hemisphere, in which children go back to school after the summer break, sometimes on or before the first day of the month.

September (from Latin septem, "seven") was originally the seventh of ten months in the oldest known Roman calendar.

After the calendar reform that added January and February to the beginning of the year, September became the ninth month, but retained its name. It had 29 days until the Julian reform, which added a day.

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

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SEPTEMBER 2019 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn. Date and Event

Where Held

Time

Contact or Other Information

Details

September 6 and 13 Farmer’s Market

Beckwourth

10:00 am 1:30 pm

www.sierrafarms.com

The Romano’s Farmers Market hosts local vendors who are hand-selected for their quality and product. The market is open every Friday, 10am-1:30pm from May 31 and continues for 13 weeks until September 13.

September 7th September 28th October 26th COUNTRY MARKET BAZAAR MEET AND GREET

Loyalton Kiosk Across from White’s Sierra Station

10:00 am 2:00 pm

Mike Welbourne (530) 993-0453

We welcome all crafters, vendors, produce/growers, a beautiful setting for fun, relaxation and sales. Open from 10 till 2 p.m. The produce that makes it way to the Country Market & Bazaar is FRESH & ORGANIC as are the spectacular jams & jelly’s.

• September 28th; Arts and Ag artists • October 26th, Pumpkin Fest

September 7 CalPine Marketplace

CalPine 131 Country Road

10:00 am 4:00 pm

(530) 562-7736

Annual Calpine Marketplace, fun for the whole family with arts and crafts, food and drinks. BBQ, live music, vendors, arts and crafts, fresh produce. See Classic cars and enjoy the kid’s festival.

September 8 Annual Rotary Fly-In Breakfast

Nervino Airport Beckwourth Nervino Airport (FAA O02) 6 miles east of Portola on Highway 70 in Beckwourth, CA.

8:00 am 11:00 am

September 21 “Grave Occasion” Fundraiser

Vinton Cemetery and Sierra Valley Grange Hall

3:30 pm to 7:30 pm

September 28 2019 Art+Ag Tour

Travel the Trail See separate flyer provided for more details

The biggest annual fundraiser that Rotary of Portola hosts is coming again to The Rotary breakfast features all-you-can-eat pancakes, with eggs, sausage links, coffee, juice and a special gin fizz booth from 8 to 11am. First Responders in uniform are our special guests.

There will be a variety of happenings at the breakfast, with the giant bounce house returning for another year of fun for the kids and an appearance by the REMAX hot air balloon classic cars and antique trucks are always crowd pleasers Code Bluegrass will be returning to perform live music throughout the breakfast – and, a rich array of gift baskets will be raffled.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for children 12 and under, and are available the day of the event at the gate. Proceeds go toward community service projects and the Portola Rotary Endowment which is for scholarships.

Car show, crafts, displays. Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program, volunteer pilots from Nevada County giving rides for ages 8 – 17.

Plumas County Museum

pcmuseum@psin.com

Scott Lawson

Join us on Saturday, September 21, 2019 for our annual Grave Occasion Cemetery Tour and Dinner. This year's event will be held at the historic Vinton Cemetery with dinner at the Sierra Valley Grange in Vinton. This is the Museum members price.

See separate flyer provided for more details Quilts, visit market farms, working ranches, old school houses and other historical buildings; sample wares of artists of every color and medium - wood, paint, glass, ceramic, metal fiber and more!

Dickson Portola Team

289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE

SEPTEMBER 2019 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

9

WELCOME

The art and agriculture communities of Plumas and Sierra Counties are inviting the public to spend an awesome autumn day, enjoying the history, culture and bounty of one of their treasures: Sierra Valley.

TRAILHEADS

Visitors should plan on beginning the day at one of three "Trailhead" information centers positioned at convenient entry points into Sierra Valley: The Sierra Valley Grange Hall in Vinton, Sierra Valley Farms in Beckwourth and the historic Sierraville School in Sierraville. Trailheads (open at 9:30 a.m.) will host local artists and will provide opportunities to: join in the passport fun (with your $20 donation), purchase a souvenir, pick up a paper map to all event sites and plan the rest of your day with a knowledgeable volunteer.

Trailhead Addresses: · Sierraville School - 305 Lincoln Street, Sierraville, CA · Sierra Valley Farms - 1329 County Road A-23, Beckwourth, CA · Sierra Valley Grange Hall - 92202 Highway 70, Vinton, CA

EVENT DETAILS When, Where

September 28, 2019, Sites open: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Prize drawing, dinner & auction: 4 - 6 p.m.

Location: Sierra Valley, CA - shared by Plumas and Sierra Counties 30 miles NW of Reno, 24 miles NW of Truckee.

Pick up a free printed map at a Trailhead.

The signs shown above will help mark the sites.

Price for trail access: Free The Passport

For a $20 donation, which helps pay for signage, port-a-potties and all the other expenses of putting on the event, you will receive a limited-edition Sierra Valley Art + Ag Trail Passport, featuring iconic photographs from Sierra Valley and spaces to collect stamps as you travel the Trail. A fundraiser for the event, the Passport is a great keepsake item, a fun activity and an entry into our amazing prize drawing. Passports and prize drawing tickets will be available online before the event and at Trailheads on the day of the event.

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE

SEPTEMBER 2019 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

Prize Drawing

The Sierra Valley Art + Ag Trail is blessed with a generous community, including our artists and exhibitors, many of whom donate some of their beautiful artwork for a prize drawing that serves as a fundraiser to keep the event going. Purchasing an event passport gets you two prize drawing tickets. Additional tickets can be purchased for $5 each. The drawing will be held at 4:30 p.m. at the Sierra Valley Grange Hall on the day of the event.

Sierra Valley Barn Quilts

Travelers along the Art & Ag trail will be treated to a permanent art installation in Sierra Valley. Barn quilts honor the economic, cultural, and historical contribution of ranching and farming to our rural communities, while celebrating one of America’s historic art forms, the quilt block. With the support of a grant from the California Arts Council, local artists, quilters and ranchers came together under the guidance of the Sierra County Arts Council to create the Sierra Valley Barn Quilt Trail. The Barn Quilt patterns speak to the Valley’s Swiss-Italian heritage, wildlife and agricultural foundation. They add a story and a splash of color to grand old structures around the Valley.

Dinner & Festivities

Trail-weary pioneers are encouraged to stop by the Sierra Valley Grange Hall in Vinton from 4 – 6 p.m. for the end-of-day activities. Following the 4:30 p.m. prize drawing, you won’t want to miss the Plumas-Sierra Cattlemen’s Association & the Plumas-Sierra Cattlewomen’s delicious tri-tip dinner. These folks know their way around a grill and a cut of beef, so this is not a stop to be missed. (Vegetarian option also available.) This will be an opportunity to catch up with friends, compare passport stamps, swap stories and refuel for the drive home. Dinner will be followed by an entertaining live auction that will send you home with a smile on your face and maybe something special for your home.

Dickson Portola Team Copyright © 2019 Sierra Valley Art + Ag Trail - All Rights Reserved.

289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE

SEPTEMBER 2019 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES

Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700