Eastern Plumas/Sierra Counties April Newsletter by Dickson Realty

Used with permission from:

Spring Is Just Around The Corner Contents Portola Office & Tax Day Chuckles Sales Statistic Reports

Photo permission Plumas Nat’l Forest

Pg. 2 3-6

Federal Reserve Bank Press Release

Synergy Home Mortgage Corner

Reasons To Use A REALTOR® to Sell Your Home

California Association of REALTORS® Report

10-11

Tips to Avoid Tax Fraud

12-13

51st Anniversary Earth Day

Calendar and Events

Earth Day Contest for Children

Spring Skiing – Resort Schedules

Photo permission Sierra Booster

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

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. Our offices and agents diligently adhere to all current COVID 19 guidelines. Office Phone: 530-832-1700 Email: portolainfo@dicksonrealty.com Web: www.Dicksonrealty.com

SH! FLA Taxes eral Fed w Due No Y 17 MA

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT TAXES? •

“One difference between death and taxes is that death doesn’t get worse every time Congress meets.” –Anonymous

•

“What is the difference between a taxidermist and a tax collector? The taxidermist takes only your skin.”–Mark Twain

•

“The income tax has made more liars out of the American people than golf has.” –Will Rogers

•

“It is more deductible to give than to receive.” –Henry Leabo

•

“Some taxpayers close their eyes, some stop their ears, some shut their mouths, but all pay through the nose.” –Evan Esar

•

“An income tax form is like a laundry list—either way, you lose your shirt.” –Fred Allen

•

“Tax reform is when you take the taxes off things that have been taxed in the past and put taxes on things that haven’t been taxed before.” –Art Buchwald

•

“I figured out why Uncle Sam wears such a tall hat. It comes in handy when he passes it around.” –Soupy Sales Dickson Portola Team

289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

This month’s report shows the monthly sales statistics for February 2020 thru February 2021 for Median Sales Price, Lowest/Highest sales, Number of units sold and the Average Days on Market. The sales shown are for Single Family Residential Condominiums and Townhouses in each of the market 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 March 10, 2021

OVERALL MARKET

MEDIAN SALES PRICE

LOWEST SALE

HIGHEST SALE

RESIDENTIAL SOLD

AVG. DAYS ON MARKET

FEBRUARY 2020

306,000 $

55,000 $

675,000

236

March

265,000 $

150,000 $

550,000

130

April

193,750 $

66,000 $

600,000

145

May

260,000 $

28,000 $

580,000

206

June

316,500 $

80,000 $

567,500

150

July

299,000 $

98,000 $

875,000

289

August

325,000 $

148,000 $

1,125,000

278

September

365,000 $

110,000 $

1,125,000

154

October

355,500 $

140,000 $

1,100,000

226

November

307,500 $

115,000 $

1,275,000

158

December

350,000 $

120,000 $

830,000

170

January

320,000 $

100,000 $

1,010,100

152

FEBRUARY 2021

312,500 $

115,000 $

1,300,000

113

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

PORTOLA

MEDIAN SALES PRICE

LOWEST SALE

HIGHEST SALE

RESIDENTIAL SOLD

AVG. DAYS ON MARKET

214

FEBRUARY 2020

73,200 $

55,000 $

328,000

March

200,000 $

150,000 $

265,000

April

165,000 $

66,500 $

238,500

136

May

155,000 $

28,000 $

260,000

156

June

191,250 $

80,000 $

368,000

July

254,000 $

98,000 $

320,000

154

August

262,700 $

148,000 $

775,000

629

September

180,000 $

119,000 $

290,000

218

October

224,500 $

140,000 $

362,000

191

November

179,500 $

120,000 $

525,000

181

December

121,000 $

120,000 $

305,000

147

January

205,000 $

100,000 $

295,000

FEBRUARY 2021

180,000 $

115,000 $

478,000

RESIDENTIAL SOLD

AVG. DAYS ON MARKET

GRAEAGLEBLAIRSDEN

MEDIAN SALES PRICE

LOWEST SALE

HIGHEST SALE

FEBRUARY 2020

318,000 $

265,000 $

675,000

216

March

275,000 $

220,000 $

335,000

137

April

250,000 $

66,000 $

319,000

May

272,000 $

210,000 $

580,000

291

June

318,000 $

250,000 $

490,000

154

July

301,000 $

185,000 $

600,000

178

August

345,950 $

175,000 $

995,000

184

September

332,500 $

140,000 $

825,000

141

October

315,500 $

165,000 $

939,000

266

November

356,000 $

235,000 $

585,000

144

December

350,000 $

278,000 $

830,000

116

January

419,950 $

320,000 $

950,000

198

FEBRUARY 2021

329,500 $

290,000 $

747,100

145

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

GOLF COURSE COMMUNITIES

MEDIAN SALES PRICE

LOWEST SALE

HIGHEST SALE

RESIDENTIAL SOLD

AVG. DAYS ON MARKET

FEBRUARY 2020

425,000 $

425,000

519

March

339,000 $

339,000

April

May

562,000 $

June

546,250 $

July

700,000 $

August

September

562,000

119

525,000 $

567,500

226

300,000 $

875,000

892

538,750 $

435,000 $

1,125,000

180

691,210 $

395,000 $

1,125,000

121

October

554,000 $

392,500 $

1,100,000

212

November

572,000 $

327,000 $

1,275,000

179

December

529,500 $

389,000 $

605,000

273

January

1,010,100 $

1,010,100

256

FEBRUARY 2021

1,037,500 $

775,000 $

1,300,000

151

RESIDENTIAL SOLD

AVG. DAYS ON MARKET

LOYALTON

MEDIAN SALES PRICE

LOWEST SALE

HIGHEST SALE

FEBRUARY 2020

March

April

254,500 $

204,000 $

114

May

June

472,500 $

400,000 $

July

238,000 $

August

September

October November

305,000

545,000

499

205,000 $

350,000

136

270,000 $

270,000

285,000 $

110,000 $

435,000

113

375,000 $

375,000

181,000 $

115,000 $

247,000

128

December

320,000 $

260,000 $

400,000

105

January

FEBRUARY 2021

301,250 $

200,000 $

320,000

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

BECKWOURTH

MEDIAN SALES PRICE

LOWEST SALE

HIGHEST SALE

RESIDENTIAL SOLD

AVG. DAYS ON MARKET

FEBRUARY 2019

325,000 $

325,000

198

March

550,000 $

550,000

261

April

May

479,000 $

June

July

August

485,000 $

390,000 $

September

October

November

December

January

FEBRUARY 2020

869,000 $

CHILCOOT

MEDIAN SALES PRICE

223

107

RESIDENTIAL SOLD

AVG. DAYS ON MARKET

869,000 $

LOWEST SALE

479,000

580,000

869,000

HIGHEST SALE

FEBRUARY 2020

March

180,000 $

April

May

June

223,950 $

200,000 $

July

August

September

325,000 $

October

November

315,000 $

315,000

December

340,000 $

340,000

716

January

FEBRUARY 2021

225,000 $

CLIO

250,000 $

MEDIAN SALES PRICE

211

400,000 -

LOWEST SALE

247,900

225,000 $

180,000

225,000

HIGHEST SALE

131

RESIDENTIAL SOLD

AVG. DAYS ON MARKET

FEBRUARY 2019

March

April

445,850 $

291,700 $

600,000

331

May

345,000 $

345,000

274

June

July

755,000 $

August

282,500 $

September

785,000 $

October

November

December

360,000 $

January

FEBRUARY 2020

593,000 $

755,000

240,000 $

325,000

500,000 $

850,000

256

484,500 $

349,000 $

620,000

318

360,000 $ -

593,000 $

360,000 593,000

111

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

Start Here

Senior Loan Officer

STEPHANIE HANNA p (775) 762-9114 m (775) 800-7937 ext18880 Stephanie.Hanna@Synergyhm.com

stephaniehannaloans.com 1100 Caughlin Crossing Reno, NV 89519 NMLS #188917 © 2021 Synergy Home Mortgage, LLC. All Rights Reserved. This communication does not constitute a commitment to lend or the guarantee of a specified interest rate. All loan programs and availability of cash proceeds are subject to credit, underwriting and property approval. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions apply. 1100 Caughlin Crossing, Suite 1A, Reno, NV 89519. Corp NMLS# 1593061 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. Loans made or arranged pursuant to a California Financial Lenders Law license.

Dickson Portola Team

289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

REASONS TO USE A REALTORÒ WHEN SELLING YOUR HOME Getting the RealtorÒ guarantee All real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate agents who are members of the National Association of Realtors are called RealtorsÒ. They proudly display the RealtorÒ logo on their business card, website, and marketing. RealtorsÒ subscribe to a strict Realtor Code of Ethics and have access to advanced educational opportunities and training in both residential and commercial real estate specialties. RealtorsÒ are committed to treating all parties to a transaction honestly. Setting the price The selling process generally begins with a determination of a reasonable asking price. Your real estate agent or RealtorÒ can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in your local marketplace, as well as the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in marketing your home and selling it at the best price. Often, your agent can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of the property. Marketing your property The next step is a marketing plan. Marketing exposes your property to the public as well as to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service, other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, and so on. In many markets, a substantial portion of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer. The Realtor Code of Ethics requires RealtorsÒ to use these cooperative relationships when they benefit clients. An agent will also know when, where and how to advertise—which medium, format and frequency will work best for your home and your market. Though advertising can be valuable, the notion that advertising sells real estate is a misconception. National Association of Realtors studies show that 82 percent of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts from previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal contacts. Providing security When a property is marketed with an agent's help, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Agents will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property. Negotiating your real estate deal Your agent can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections and financing—a lot of possible pitfalls. Your agent can help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process. Monitoring, renegotiating and closing Between the initial sales agreement and the closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, there are unexpected repairs that require the buyer to obtain financing, or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your agent is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing. Getting expert assistance Finally, consider the scale of your transaction. Selling your home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make. Transactions today usually exceed $100,000. If you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to solve it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney? Considering the relatively small cost of hiring a RealtorÒ and the large potential risk of not hiring one, it's smart to find a professional to sell your home.

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

While you’re busy gathering your paperwork for tax season, cybercriminals are devising schemes to steal your identity and money. Know how to protect yourself and your loved ones. Protecting Your Identity and Money During Tax Season It’s tax season in the U.S. You’re likely focused on gathering all the necessary paperwork and submitting your return on time. Meanwhile, in the criminal world, fraudsters are busy executing schemes in an attempt to steal your identity and money. In fact, the Internal Revenue Service identified $2.3 billion in tax fraud in 2020.1 To help alleviate some stress this tax season, we’ve compiled this guide to help you protect yourself, recognize possible fraud warning signs and take action if you become a victim.

Take Preventive Measures Use a PIN: The IRS now offers an identity protection PIN for all taxpayers who successfully verify their identity with the agency. The PIN helps prevent fraudsters from filing a return with your Social Security number (SSN) because it enables the IRS to confirm your identity when you file electronically or by mail. Only you and the IRS will have access to your PIN. File early: The IRS only accepts a single return for each SSN. In addition to obtaining an identity protection PIN, submitting your return early can help further limit the possibility that a criminal may use your SSN later to file a false return. Use secure filing websites: Only trust tax-filing portals with “https:” before the URL. This indicates that data transmitted between you and the site is encrypted. Take advantage of multifactor authentication (MFA): When filing your taxes online, you should only use a tax service provider that, in addition to requiring a username and password, allows you to use another factor, like a one-time security code, to access your account. Create strong passwords: For any portal that can access your sensitive tax information, make sure that you choose a lengthy, complex password that’s different from any others you use. Concerned about remembering so many passwords? A password manager can help you create and safely store your passwords. Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE APRIL 2021 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly Ranch & Nakoma Stop Scammers in Their Tracks Beware of phony emails: Fraudsters create “phishing” emails that appear to be legitimate, but are simply a guise to get you to share personal or financial information. These emails may purport to be from the IRS and threaten you with legal or financial consequences if you fail to comply. Do not respond to such emails, click on any links or open any attachments. Instead, report them to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov. Verify payment instructions: If you owe money to the IRS, take the time to confirm the payment instructions directly with the agency through a verified phone number on the official IRS website, or a trusted individual such as your Financial Advisor. This is especially important when sending wire transfers. Help the elderly: Cybercriminals often target senior citizens with tax fraud scams. Many of the scams involve fraudsters calling elderly victims to try to scare or intimidate them into acting on the spot. Make sure your senior family members are aware of such scams, and remind them that it’s always acceptable to hang up the phone, check in with a trusted partner and then call back using a verified number. How the IRS Contacts You If you are trying to figure out whether outreach is real or fake, remember that the IRS will never initiate contact with you by phone, email, text or social media. Additionally, the IRS won’t call, email or text you with threats of lawsuits or arrests, or to request your taxpayer PIN. However, the IRS will contact you by mail. You can help verify the validity of the correspondence by checking if the letter arrives in a government envelope with the IRS seal, contains a notice number at the top right corner of the letter and provides the correct contact information for the IRS. Recognize Tax Fraud Warning Signs Cybercriminals are clever and relentless. Even if you follow these protective measures, you might still become a victim. To combat tax fraud, the IRS launched its Identify Theft Central portal, which contains helpful information for taxpayers. The IRS advises you to be suspicious about possible tax fraud if you: • Receive a letter from the IRS about a tax return you didn’t file; • Can’t electronically file your return because of a duplicate SSN; • Get a tax transcript in the mail that you didn’t request; • Receive an IRS notice about an online account being created in your name, or stating that your account has been accessed or disabled, when you didn’t take these actions; • Get an IRS notice declaring you owe more taxes, or that you’re the target of collection action, when you didn’t file a return for that year; • Receive an IRS notice reporting that you received wages or other income from an employer you didn’t work for. Take Action If you suspect that you’re a victim of tax-related identity theft, or know that your SSN has been compromised, the IRS suggests you should: • Contact them immediately by calling the number on the IRS notice. Or, if you didn’t receive a notice, call the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit (IPSU) at 1-800-908-4490; • Complete IRS Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) if your electronic return is rejected because of a duplicate filing under your SSN •

Keep in mind: Cybercriminals may also target your state income return. If you notice an issue with your federal return, be sure to contact your state tax department, too.

Article compliments of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Dickson Portola Team

289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE APRIL 2021 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly Ranch & Nakoma EARTH DAY 2021 10 EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES AND IDEAS CELEBRATING EARTH DAY FROM HOME Celebrate Earth Day by appreciating and Narrative By The Editors Farmer’s Almanac respecting the natural world. Here are some January 11, 2021 ideas to inspire you!

Earth Day 2021 will mark the 51st anniversary of this holiday. Typically, Earth Day is assigned a different theme or area of focus each year; this year’s theme is “Restore Our Earth.” Most years, Earth Day events range from river cleanups to invasive removals. With social distancing still in place for many of us this April, Earth Day has gone digital. Virtual events, like environmental lectures and films, will take place on Earth Day (Thursday, April 22) instead. To see a catalogue of official events, visit earthday.org. Of course, social distancing doesn’t mean that you can’t go outside and enjoy nature, as long as you do so responsibly! Nature is not cancelled! WHAT IS EARTH DAY? Ever wonder how Earth Day began? The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970. Dealing with dangerously serious issues concerning toxic drinking water, air pollution, and the effects of pesticides; an impressive 20 million Americans—10% of the population— ventured outdoors and protested together.

1-Support our native bees: The superpollinators of the garden are native bees!

2-Recycle and repurpose! Gardening needn’t be expensive.

3-Plant wildflowers! 4-Go native! Plants thrive best when they’re natural to your area. 5-Reduce plastic dependency: Plastic permeates every aspect of our lives, including the garden!

6-Bring nature into the garden with plants that attract butterflies and plants that attract hummingbirds!

President Richard Nixon led the nation in creating the Environmental Protection Agency which followed with successful laws including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. Today, Earth Day is not only a day to increase awareness of environmental problems but it’s also become a popular day for many communities to gather together and clean up litter, plant trees, or simply reflect on the beauty of nature.

7-Start an organic vegetable garden. 8-Conserve water! 9-Plant more trees! 10-Get kids involved! Pass down a love of nature and plants with kids.

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

APRIL 2021 SUN

MON

TUES

WED

THUR

FRI

SAT

01 April Fool’s Day

04 Easter

16 ES X H TA FLAS DUE NOW 17 M AY

22 Earth Day

“The sun was warm but the wind was chill / You know how it is with an April day / When the sun is out and the wind is still / You’re one month on in the middle of May.” – Robert Frost

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

2021 Virtual Earth Day Art Contest - March 25 - April 16

We are excited to announce the 2021 Virtual Earth Day Art Contest! Through the contest, we hope to spark the creativity of all those who love the Lake Tahoe – Donner region. The contest will run from March 25th until April 16th. Winners will be announced on Earth Day, April 22nd. This year’s contest theme is “Recreate Responsibly.” Through art, we hope to inform and remind those who visit our state parks to leave nature as they found it and to leave no trace. The great influx of visitors to the Tahoe Basin and the Lake Tahoe – Donner State Parks has highlighted how important it is to protect our precious nature. The 2021 Virtual Earth Day Art Contest calls all artists and creatives to submit original artwork in the form of drawing, painting, or mixed media that reflects the theme “Recreate Responsibly.” Contest entries can be submitted to the Sierra State Parks Foundation and will be judged by the SSPF Board Members. Entries will be evaluated on creativity and theme. SSPF invites people of all ages and from all regions to participate in the online competition! There will be 1 winner in each age division: Pre-K and Kindergarten, Grades 1-3, Grades 4-6, Grades 7-12, and Adults. The winners will be announced on Earth Day, April 22. Winners

of each division will be sent a prize in the mail. All entries will be on display at Boatworks at Lake Tahoe in Tahoe City. The Competition details are as follows: Contest Period: The contest begins on 3/25/2021 and ends on 4/16/2021. Who can enter: The contest is open to all people, all ages, in all states. How to enter: The contest will be conducted virtually with all entries (scanned or photographed) submitted to Communications@SierraStateParks.org. There is no limit on entries. Conditions All submissions become the property of the Sierra State Parks Foundation.

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

2021 SKI RESORT ESTIMATED SEASON CLOSING SCHEDULE RESORT

ESTIMATED CLOSING 2021*

HEAVENLY TAHOE South Lake Tahoe, CA

4/18/21

NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA Truckee, CA

4/18/21

SQUAW/ALPINE Squaw Valley, CA

5/30/21

SUGAR BOWL Norden, CA

4/11/21

KIRKWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT South Lake Tahoe, CA

4/25/21

HOMEWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT Tahoe Pines, CA

4/5/21

TAHOE DONNER Truckee, CA

3/30/21

Boreal MOUNTAIN RESORT Truckee, CA

4/19/21

DIAMOND PEAK Incline Village, NV

4/10/21

MOUNT ROSE Reno, NV

5/5/21

* Closing Dates are still estimated

Ski and Ride Responsibly Check with Resort before going. Be prepared to follow COVID guidelines. Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

Eastern Plumas/Sierra Counties April Newsletter

Articles inside

Reasons To Use A REALTOR to Sell Your Home

51st Anniversary Earth Day

Spring Skiing Resort Schedules

Earth Day Contest for Children