Dickson Realty - September 2014 Newsletter
News You Can Use Truckee | North Lake Tahoe
Dickson Realty’s September 2014 Newsletter
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s September 2014 Newsletter
Expanding our Reach and Service to You Dickson Realty is proud to announce its affiliation with long time Plumas County Realtors Chris David and Jeanne Dansby. An added bonus, Dickson Realty now has a new office at 8912 Highway 89, Blairsden-Graeagle, California! The office is conveniently located at the intersections of Highway 89 and Highway 70 and welcomes visitors, clients and friends alike. Chris and Jeanne are proven experts in residential, land, ranch and development property sales and have collectively provided these services in Plumas County for more than 30 years. By joining Dickson Realty, they take on a new responsibility, as part of the sales effort at Nakoma, selling the exciting new “Residence Club at Nakoma” offerings. Chris David is known for his involvement in all aspects of the community, as an active member of the Plumas Association of Realtors, an owner of two area restaurants and as an effective fundraiser for local organizations. When Jeanne is not working hard at her real estate tasks, she shares her office management and administrative skills with the Plumas Association of Realtors, has also served on the Portola Planning Commission and is a notary public. “Our new association with Chris and Jeanne, and the addition of their strategically located office, immediately establishes Dickson Realty as a market leader in Plumas County” said Dickson Realty Co-owner Ron Hemig. He added, “This reinforces Dickson Realty’s ongoing commitment to our clients, agents and local community”. About Residence Club at Nakoma: A new equity residence club located in the picturesque High Sierra just an hour from Lake Tahoe, the Residence Club at Nakoma was launched in 2014 by the Schomac Group, Inc. – in partnership with Elite Alliance – offering luxury residence ownership opportunities and lifetime golf privileges on The Dragon course at the Nakoma Golf Resort and Spa. Visit ResidenceClubatNakoma.com or call 800-284-8820.
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty 8912 Highway 89, Blairsden-Graeagle, California
Chris David
Dickson Realty’s September 2014 Newsletter
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s September 2014 Newsletter Home sales in the Tahoe MLS dropped from 110 in July of 2013 to 81 in the same month of 2014. But median home prices rose from $469,500 for July 2013 to $540,000 in July 2014. June to July 2014 in our area saw a decrease in sales from 92 in June, but a rise in median home prices from $522,000 to July’s $540,000.
In the Tahoe region, for the period of January thru July, the overall number of sales for single family homes was down, but prices were up as compared to the same period in 2013. Only the Donner Lake area and Sierra County saw decreases in home values, although Donner Lake almost doubled the number of homes sold in 2014 versus 2013. (See next page for detail chart)
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s September 2014 Newsletter Comparing rates and closing costs between Lenders . Many borrowers shop for mortgages these days and obviously many shop online. Recently we did a survey and put in our own information as a “borrower” and shopped on line. It was very revealing and offered us insight into what our client’s go through. We found the process daunting. 1. Rates change daily and sometimes a few times a day during a volatile period. So a client usually needs to shop all lenders within a short time frame, generally within a couple of hours. 2. The next daunting item is rate vs. fees. Many on line companies we found were offering great low rates but you either had: a. Origination fees b. Other general fees c. Had to use their title/escrow company. This is really not possible for a purchase transaction as you need to usually use the company agreed upon in purchase contract by buyer and seller. As a borrower number two is the biggest challenge. We have a template we provide clients to shop various lenders so they can then compare. Using a lender that either you or your agent has a relationship is a huge advantage. That lender especially in a small town is always going to be looking out for your best interest. If the lender is like Rice Conway Team at WJ Bradley Mortgage Bank they have competitive rates and offer outstanding service as well as accountability to you and your agent. Next time you decide to shop do so keeping #1 and #2 in mind, call your lender for help in shopping, and use a lender you or your agent trust for both great rates and service.
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s September 2014 Newsletter Drought is a gradual phenomenon. Although persistent drought may be characterized as an emergency, it differs from typical emergency events. Most natural disasters, such as floods or forest fires, occur relatively rapidly and afford little time for preparing for disaster response. Droughts occur slowly, over a period of time. There is no universal definition of when a drought begins or ends. Impacts of drought are typically felt first by those most reliant on annual rainfall -- ranchers engaged in dryland grazing, rural residents relying on wells in low-yield rock formations, or small water systems lacking a reliable water source. Criteria used to identify statewide drought conditions do not address these localized impacts. Drought impacts increase with the length of a drought, as carry-over supplies in reservoirs are depleted and water levels in groundwater basins decline. There can be no denying that California is facing a severe water crisis. The photos and graphs clearly indicate as much. But now we are feeling its effects as we go about our day to day lives, from water not being served in restaurants to local restrictions on landscape watering. Even the recent ALS ice bucket challenges have brought about fines for those participating in some communities. .
Photo Credit: California Department of Water Resources
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s September 2014 Newsletter
On July 15, 2014 emergency drought regulations were adopted by the California State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB). These new regulations took effect on July 29th. Truckee Donner PUD, at a special board meeting on August 12th, took action to implement the mandatory drought regulations.
Key points and impacts to Truckee Donner PUD customers and the community include: • Restriction on the irrigation with potable water of ornamental landscapes and turf to 2-days per week. This applies to all Truckee Donner PUD water customers; and • Prohibitions for all Californians, punishable by a fine of up to $500 for each day in which the violations occurs, against: • The application of potable water to outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes runoff such that water flows onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, private and public walkways, roadways, parking lots, or structures; • The use of a hose that dispenses potable water to wash a motor vehicle, except where the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle or device attached to it that causes it to cease dispensing water immediately when not in use; • The application of potable water to driveways and sidewalks; and • The use of potable water in a fountain or other decorative water feature except where the water is part of a recirculating system. Of course, there are countless water saving actions we as individuals can take. There is a fun, interactive room by room homeowner’s guide available here. Our actions, combined with those of business, municipalities and agriculture, can make a difference. The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s September 2014 Newsletter
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s September 2014 Newsletter
If you have any questions, make sure to speak with your agent.
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson September 2014 Newsletter September Events September 2– every Tuesday through September Foothills Farmer’s Market Truckee Regional Park 8am – 1pm Information: www.foothillfarmersmarket.com September 5 First Friday events Historic Downtown Truckee 5:30 – 8pm. Participating shops/ restaurants offer complimentary food, drinks and music. Information: www.historictruckee.com September 5 Guitar Strings vs. Chicken Wings Village at Squaw Valley USA 6-10pm Bands and restaurants square off against each other in an effort to raise funds and awareness for the Tahoe Institute for Natural Sciences. www.squaw.com
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s September 2014 Newsletter
September 5-7 29th Annual Lake Tahoe Autumn Food & Wine Festival Check schedule for event times Come enjoy three full days of cooking seminars and demonstrations, culinary competitions, wine tastings, and more at the 29th Annual Lake Tahoe Autumn Food & Wine Festival in the Village at Northstar Information: www.tahoefoodandwine.com September 7 Sierra Senior Services Pancake Breakfast Sierra Senior Center, 10040 Estates Drive, Truckee 8 to 11am, $7adults/$3 kids A fundraiser for Sierra Senior Services Information: www.sierraseniors.org September 6 – 7 Trails & Vistas Trails & Vistas is the most unique art experience in the Tahoe/Truckee region with music, dance, poetry, and installation art. The autumn art hikes will be on Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7, 2014 at the Spooner Lake, Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park. Don't miss the next magical Trails & Vistas art hike. Information: www.trailsandvistas.org The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s September 2014 Newsletter September 6-7 Pacific Fine Arts and Crafts Festival 10am – 4pm daily Free The Historic Downtown Truckee Arts and Crafts Festival is hosted by the Truckee Downtown Merchants Association and features the original work of more than 60 artists and crafters in downtown Truckee's walkable historic mountain setting. Information: www.pacificfinearts.com
September 13 Tahoe Sierra Century Ride The Tahoe Sierra Century Ride has earned praise for its scenic routes, challenging hill climbs (60 and 100 mile routes), full support services, great food and incredible music. The Tahoe Sierra Century Ride includes three routes that all begin and end at Squaw Valley: 30-miles, 60miles, and 100-miles. Information: www.tahoesierracentury.com
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s September 2014 Newsletter
September 21 North Lake Tahoe If you're looking for the ultimate IRONMAN challenge, Lake Tahoe is the race for you. There are 50 qualifying slots for the IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, HI, and the spectating is equally as exciting as the competition itself. Information: www.ironmanlaketahoe.com
September 27 Oktoberfest Village at Squaw Valley USA 2-6pm Traditional Bavarian music and folk dancers, beer garden, brats & kraut. Entertainment is free. Fundraiser for Tahoe Truckee Lacrosse Association www.squaw.com
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s September 2014 Newsletter
September 27 Cadillac Ball – An Evening of Masquerade 5-10pm $150pp Ritz Carlton, Lake Tahoe 13031 Highlands Court, Truckee Take this important opportunity to support the needs of the Truckee community of today, and "Change A Life." 100% of the proceeds from the Cadillac Ball directly fund groups and projects that benefit our community. Information: www.truckeerotary.com
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440