NEWS YOU CAN USE
DECEMBER 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER Truckee, Golf Course Communities, Tahoe Donner, Northstar, Donner Summit, Alpine/Squaw, North & West Shore Lake Tahoe, CA.
Pictures: Pixabay License Contents
Pg.
Seasons Greetings!
2
Truckee Office & Dickson Philosophy
3
Sales Statistic Reports
4-6
Synergy Home Mortgage Corner
7
Tips to Ensure a Good Appraisal
8-9
The Deep Clean When Selling Winter Driving Tips All You Need to Know Tree Cutting Permit Martha Stewart Christmas Letter December Calendar and Event Details
10 11 12-13 14 15-18
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
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DECEMBER 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER Truckee, Golf Course Communities, Tahoe Donner, Northstar, Donner Summit, Alpine/Squaw, North & West Shore Lake Tahoe, CA.
SEASONS GREETINGS From all of us at Dickson Realty May your New year be bright The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
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DECEMBER 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER Truckee, Golf Course Communities, Tahoe Donner, Northstar, Donner Summit, Alpine/Squaw, North & West Shore Lake Tahoe, CA.
The Dickson Realty Truckee 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 RealtorsÂŽ, 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 Info: Phone: 530-587-7444 Fax:530-587-8064 Email: truckeeinfo@dicksonrealty.com Web: www.Dicksonrealty.com
The Dickson Philosophy Dickson Realty was founded in 1973 under the guiding premise that integrity, hard work, and creativity would yield success. Today, those principles have made Dickson Realty the region’s largest and most successful real estate company. We believe our greatest asset and the key to our success is our team of agents, employees, and affiliates. You come first. When everything we do centers on serving your unique needs - even to the exclusion of our own agenda - we can create an extraordinary experience for you, our client. You deserve mastery. As a client, you deserve to work with a realtor who's at the top of his or her game. Mastery takes 10,000 hours of concentrated effort - or more than five years of working full-time. Every Dickson agent is committed to developing his or her mastery of real estate. Your relationship matters to us. When Dickson realtors invest in strong relationships at the start, we will enjoy extraordinary relationships that last. We under-promise and over-deliver for you. Everyone loves a happy ending, so we temper the temptation to hype the outcome. Instead, Dickson agents concentrate our efforts on adding real value - for extraordinary results. We share "hyper-local" knowledge with you. There's no substitute for knowing the territory, the customs, and the culture of the communities we serve. Dickson agents walk the neighborhoods, join community and neighborhood advisory boards, and build powerful networks to better serve you. We negotiate for you. In real estate, you don't get what you deserve - you get what you negotiate. That's why our clients hire us over our competitors: for our negotiation skills. We take advantage of every opportunity to learn or fine-tune them, at Dickson University or through close personal study. We never stop learning for you. Dickson is a learning organization. We strive, we succeed, we sometimes come up short, but we always learn. That's why we have Dickson University and experienced experts to train, educate, and grow our realtors. We build our reputation through you. A reputation takes years to develop, and it can be destroyed in seconds. That's why honesty, integrity, hard work, and collaboration are the cornerstones of Dickson's business - and we expect nothing less from each and every agent who works with us. We listen to you. Most sales professionals hear one client need, and they're off to the races. Dickson's agents know to bite their tongue and keep listening - uncovering at least five more client needs they can find solutions for. We create community to serve you. Since 1973, Dickson Realty has acted upon the responsibility to build a sense of community in the areas we serve, including active corporate philanthropy, volunteerism, and community involvement on the part of our agents, partners, and staff. We are in business because of you. Anyone who's ever had an extraordinary experience will never forget the feeling - or the person who created it. That's why, at Dickson Realty, we harness our creativity, sense of fun, and concern for our fellow men and women to create extraordinary experiences for our clients. Our goal, of course, is to become your realtor - for life.
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
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DECEMBER 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER Truckee, Golf Course Communities, Tahoe Donner, Northstar, Donner Summit, Alpine/Squaw, North & West Shore Lake Tahoe, CA.
This month’s reports are a 10 month look, January 1, 2020 thru October 31, 2020, of sales by price range and the percent (%) of sales represented in those price ranges. Additionally, the tables show the number of current active listings by price range and the approximate months of inventory they represent. (Time share and/or shared ownership are not included in the statistics presented.) The data source is the Tahoe Sierra Multiple Listing Service with data pulled on November 11, 2020 Year to Year Comparison Active Listings 10 months YTD October 31
Year to Year Comparison Total market sold 10 months January 1 - October 31
Active Active Listings 2019 Listings 2020 273 121
% Listings Decrease -55.70%
716
1055
%Sales Increase 47.30%
96
110
14.58%
Alpine/Squaw
72
49
-31.94%
No. Lake Tahoe, CA
197
306
55.30%
No. Lake Tahoe, CA
79
36
-54.40%
West Shore Lake Tahoe, CA
140
206
47.10%
West Shore Lake Tahoe, CA
67
34
49.30%
1149
1677
45.95%
Full Market Area
491
240
-51.10%
Area
Solds 2019
Truckee Inclusive Alpine/Squaw
Full Market Area
Solds 2020
RESIDENTIAL SOLD TRUCKEE (Inclusive) January 1, 2020 thru October 31, 2020 SOLD PRICE RANGE
Area Truckee Inclusive
Residences Sold Percent of Sales
Under $400,000 $400,000-$599,999 $600,000-$799,000 $800,000-$999,999 $1,000,000-$1,499,999 $1,500,000-$2,999,999 $3,000,000 +
82 211 254 159 128 153 68 1055
8% 20% 24% 15% 12% 15% 6% 100.0%
Current Active Listings
Months of Inventory
9 8 10 16 15 38 25 121
1 0 0 1 1 2 4
TRUCKEE (Inclusive) January 1, 2020 thru October 31, 2020 Residences Sold
15%
6%
Under $400,000
8% 20%
12% 15%
24%
$400,000-$599,999 $600,000-$799,000 $800,000-$999,999 $1,000,000-$1,499,999 $1,500,000-$2,999,999 $3,000,000 +
Truckee Inclusive shows total market activity which includes sub-markets of Tahoe Donner, the Golf Course Communities, Donner Summit, and Northstar California.. Specific details of those sub-markets are shown separately on the next pages
The Dickson Truckee Team
11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
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DECEMBER 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER Truckee, Golf Course Communities, Tahoe Donner, Northstar, Donner Summit, Alpine/Squaw, North & West Shore Lake Tahoe, CA.
RESIDENTIAL SOLD TAHOE DONNER
TAHOE DONNER-Sub Market January 1, 2020 thru October 31, 2020 Residences Sold
January 1, 2020 thru October 31, 2020 SOLD PRICE RANGE Under $400,000 $400,000-$599,999 $600,000-$799,000 $800,000-$999,999 $1,000,000-$1,499,999 $1,500,000-$2,999,999 $3,000,000 +
Residences Sold 34 63 107 69 54 22 0 349
Percent of Sales
Current Active Listings
10% 18% 31% 20% 15% 6% 0% 100%
Months of Inventory
6%
0 2 5 1 4 6 1 19
0 0 0 0 1 3 N/A
Under $400,000
10%
15%
$400,000-$599,999 18%
$600,000-$799,000 $800,000-$999,999
20%
31%
$1,000,000-$1,499,999 $1,500,000-$2,999,999 $3,000,000 +
RESIDENTIAL SOLD NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA
NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA - Sub Market January 1, 2020 thru October 31, 2020 Residences Sold
January 1, 2020 thru October 31, 2020 SOLD PRICE RANGE Under $400,000 $400,000-$599,999 $600,000-$799,000 $800,000-$999,999 $1,000,000-$1,499,999 $1,500,000-$2,999,999 $3,000,000 +
Residences Sold 14 31 17 16 18 30 6 132
Percent of Sales
Current Active Listings
11% 23% 13% 12% 14% 23% 5% 100%
Months of Inventory
Under $400,000
4%
6 2 2 5 6 7 2 30
4 1 1 3 3 2 3
11%
$400,000-$599,999
23%
23%
$600,000-$799,000 $800,000-$999,999
14% 13%
12%
$1,000,000-$1,499,999 $1,500,000-$2,999,999 $3,000,000 +
RESIDENTIAL SOLD GOLF COURSE COMMUNITIES
GOLF COURSE COMMUNITIES - Sub Market
January 1, 2020 thru October 31, 2020 SOLD PRICE RANGE Under $400,000 $400,000-$599,999 $600,000-$799,000 $800,000-$999,999 $1,000,000-$1,499,999 $1,500,000-$2,999,999 $3,000,000 +
Gray's Crossing, Lahontan, Old Greenwood, Schaffer's Mill, Martis Camp
Residences Sold 0 0 0 7 25 75 58 165
Percent of Sales
Current Active Listings
0% 0% 0% 4.2% 15.15% 45.5% 35.2% 100%
January 1, 2020 thru October 31, 2020 Residences Sold
Months of Inventory 0 0 0 0 0 7 17 24
N/A N/A N/A 0 0 1 3
Under $400,000
4.2% 15.1%
35.2%
$400,000-$599,999 $600,000-$799,000 $800,000-$999,999
45.5%
$1,000,000-$1,499,999 $1,500,000-$2,999,999 $3,000,000 +
RESIDENTIAL SOLD DONNER SUMMIT
DONNER SUMMIT January 1, 2020 thru October 31, 2020 Residences Sold
January 1, 2020 thru October 31, 2020 SOLD PRICE RANGE Under $400,000 $400,000-$599,999 $600,000-$799,000 $800,000-$999,999 $1,000,000-$1,499,999 $1,500,000-$2,999,999 $3,000,000 +
Residences Sold 22 27 18 9 3 10 1 90
Percent of Sales 24% 30% 20% 10% 3% 11% 1% 100%
Current Active Listings
Months of Inventory 2 2 0 2 0 2 0 8
1 1 0 2 0 2 0
3%
11%
Under $400,000
1% 25%
10%
20%
$400,000-$599,999 $600,000-$799,000
30%
$800,000-$999,999 $1,000,000-$1,499,999 $1,500,000-$2,999,999 $3,000,000 +
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
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DECEMBER 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER Truckee, Golf Course Communities, Tahoe Donner, Northstar, Donner Summit, Alpine/Squaw, North & West Shore Lake Tahoe, CA.
RESIDENTIAL SOLD ALPINE/SQUAW January 1, 2020 thru October 31, 2020 SOLD PRICE RANGE Under $400,000 $400,000-$599,999 $600,000-$799,000 $800,000-$999,999 $1,000,000-$1,499,999 $1,500,000-$2,999,999 $3,000,000 +
Residences Sold 15 17 22 19 18 19 0 110
Percent of Sales
Current Active Listings
14% 15% 20% 17% 16% 17% 0% 100%
Months of Inventory 16 8 5 5 7 6 10 57
11 5 2 3 4 3 N/A
ALPINE/SQUAW January 1, 2020 thru October 31, 2020 Residences Sold Under $400,000 17%
14%
$400,000-$599,999 16%
16%
$600,000-$799,000 $800,000-$999,999
20%
17%
$1,000,000-$1,499,999 $1,500,000-$2,999,999 $3,000,000 +
RESIDENTIAL SOLD NORTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. January 1, 2020 thru October 31, 2020 SOLD PRICE RANGE Under $400,000 $400,000-$599,999 $600,000-$799,000 $800,000-$999,999 $1,000,000-$1,499,999 $1,500,000-$2,999,999 $3,000,000 +
Residences Sold 43 72 58 47 45 27 14 306
Percent of Sales
Current Active Listings
14.1% 23.5% 19.0% 15% 15% 8.8% 4.6% 100%
Months of Inventory 1 4 7 6 5 9 4 36
NORTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. January 1, 2020 thru October 31, 2020 Residences Sold
0 1 1 1 1 3 3
8.8%
4.6%
Under $400,000
14.1%
$400,000-$599,999
15%
23.5%
15%
$600,000-$799,000 $800,000-$999,999 $1,000,000-$1,499,999 $1,500,000-$2,999,999
19%
$3,000,000 +
RESIDENTIAL SOLD WEST SHORE LAKE TAHOE, CA. January 1, 2020 thru October 31, 2020 SOLD PRICE RANGE Under $400,000 $400,000-$599,999 $600,000-$799,000 $800,000-$999,999 $1,000,000-$1,499,999 $1,500,000-$2,999,999 $3,000,000 +
Residences Sold 15 45 53 36 19 25 13 206
Percent of Sales 7% 22% 26% 17% 9% 12% 6% 100%
Current Active Listings
Months of Inventory 0 0 4 7 5 7 11 34
WEST SHORE LAKE TAHOE, CA. January 1, 2020 thru October 31, 2020 Residences Sold
0 0 1 2 3 3 8
6% 12% 9%
Under $400,000
7%
$400,000-$599,999 22%
$600,000-$799,000 $800,000-$999,999
18%
26%
$1,000,000-$1,499,999 $1,500,000-$2,999,999 $3,000,000 +
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
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DECEMBER 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER Truckee, Golf Course Communities, Tahoe Donner, Northstar, Donner Summit, Alpine/Squaw, North & West Shore Lake Tahoe, CA.
Senior Loan Officer
STEPHANIE HANNA p (775) 762-9114 Stephanie.Hanna@Synergyhm.com
stephaniehannaloans.com 1100 Caughlin Crossing Reno, NV 89519 NMLS #188917 © 2020 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).
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
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DECEMBER 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER Truckee, Golf Course Communities, Tahoe Donner, Northstar, Donner Summit, Alpine/Squaw, North & West Shore Lake Tahoe, CA.
The Comprehensive Guide for How to Increase Home Value For Appraisal
How to Find a Qualified Home Appraiser
If you have your heart set on hiring your brother’s best friend’s wife (who is a member of the Appraisal Foundation) because you know she will give you a good price, think again. The buyer’s lender will hire the appraiser. They want to protect their investment and get what they are paying for. That doesn’t mean you’re at their mercy. The government’s on it. Regulations put in place by the Federal Housing Administration back during the financial crisis mandate a fair appraisal by a neutral party. Most lenders use an appraisal management company that draws from a list of qualified appraisers. Plus, no matter who is hired to do the appraisal, they must be certified in the state you’re in and, in most states, conform to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.
What the Home Appraiser Looks For If you’re selling or refinancing a home, a home appraisal is just part of the deal. And it’s one part that you can very easily influence. A little effort before an appraiser arrives at your home will go a long way to increase your home value for appraisal. And, believe us, it’s very difficult to influence your home value after the fact. There are some really simple things you should do to prepare for an appraiser’s visit. Since you already did the heavy prep work prior to putting your house on the market, our tips are easy to do with limited funds and time. They’re great ideas for how to increase home value for appraisal. All you need to know before an appraiser arrives at your home is what an appraiser does, what they look for and how to prepare for their visit to increase home value for appraisal.
What a Home Appraiser Does
Knowledge is power as they say. Since it’s good to know what you’re up against when preparing your home for an appraisal, let’s start with a review of an appraiser’s job. What is it that they do? A home appraiser’s job is black-and-white: determine the current fair market value of your property. As a seller, you want to do everything in your power to help the appraiser believe in your asking price. Although fresh-baked cookies might work to help prospective buyers see themselves making your house their home, this clever tease is lost on appraisers. However, there are still things you should — and must do — to make sure your home is appraised effectively. Put yourself in the appraiser’s shoes. See your property the way they will — through a very critical eye. Use your understanding of the appraisal to prepare your home in the right way.
Just imagine your home after you strip out your personal items — THAT is what the appraiser cares about. So, even though your custom-made living room furniture would make any interior designer swoon, it will not impress the appraiser at all. Custom-made furniture, no matter how lovely, isn’t part of your home’s value for appraisal. The quality and condition of the “bones” of your home will be assessed and recorded by the appraiser. Ultimately, this info is combined with comps to determine the market price of your property. Here’s what a good home appraiser will focus on in the one to two hours they are at your home: Exterior • Appraisers Measure and Verify the Lot Size They walk the property to visually confirm its condition and to record the layout of the property. How to Increase Your Home Value for Appraisal? Just as you would when showing your home or preparing it for listing pictures, make sure that your home’s street appeal is impeccable. If there is a dead branch on your tree, cut it out. A shaky fence post? Secure it. These are minor updates that won’t cost you much, and you shouldn’t give the appraiser any opportunity to write up a work order. • Appraisers Assess the Condition of the Exterior The appraiser will inspect the quality of siding, foundation, exterior paint, roof and outdoor amenities such as landscaping, sprinkler systems or swimming pools. How to Increase Your Home Value for Appraisal? Depending on how much time has lapsed since your home first went on the market, its exterior might benefit from a power washing, fresh mulch and paint touch-ups. Be sure to inspect the roof, so you can fix any missing shingles prior to the appraiser pointing it out to you. The Dickson Truckee
Team
11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
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DECEMBER 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER Truckee, Golf Course Communities, Tahoe Donner, Northstar, Donner Summit, Alpine/Squaw, North & West Shore Lake Tahoe, CA. Interior Appraisers Conduct a Room-by-Room Assessment The appraiser looks at the material, quality and condition of all fixtures, appliances, flooring, plumbing and whatever will be left behind when you move out including: Plumbing fixtures (toilets, showers/tubs, faucets), Interior paint quality and a list of other items. Flooring Cabinetry Appliances Countertops Windows/doors Electrical Furnace Basement Finish Air conditioning unit Fireplaces Lighting fixtures Security System •
How to Increase Your Home Value for Appraisal
Now is not the time to have a leaky faucet or running toilet. These are easy fixes and should be taken care of before an appraiser arrives. Arm yourself with a paintbrush and be sure to touch-up your paint from the normal wear and tear of living. What You Should Do to Prepare for the Home Appraisal? Hello, deep cleaning! Technically, the cleanliness of your home shouldn’t impact the appraiser’s value of it. But, the appraiser is human, so anything you can do to make the appraiser’s time at your home as pleasant as possible helps increase home value during the home appraisal. No matter who they are, pleasant conditions improve performance, and you certainly want the best performance out of your appraiser when they are at your home. Be helpful and accommodating. Treat the appraiser visit with the same principles and prep as you would a potential buyer’s visit. It starts from the moment they contact you to schedule the appointment. You want to avoid putting any negative thoughts in people’s minds about your home — whether they are the buyer’s agent, the buyer or the appraiser.
Why You Need Your Realtor Present at the Home Appraisal
Example: It turns out the lender hadn’t sent over every page of the offer, so a $10,000 counter offer was missing. Had a Realtor been on site during that appraisal, the error would have been uncovered then; however, once the appraisal is complete, it’s nearly impossible to change it. Even something as simple as the Realtor getting to the house before the appraiser does to open the door is a way to start off on the right foot. Most clients do the heavy lifting to prep their homes to be “show ready” before they put it on the market. They follow the advice of experts to declutter and clean to make sure the home looks the best it can from the buyer’s perspective.
Home sellers or their agents can be on site during the appraisal, but their role is to be super helpful and accommodating. Don’t follow the appraiser from room to room, just be available with information and to answer questions as they come up.
Here’s a List of 7 Documents You Should Have Ready for the Appraiser
1. Complete offer: If the finance company doesn’t send over the complete offer, it could cause your appraisal to come in under where you need it to be. When you have a hard copy of the entire offer on site, you can resolve any discrepancies before the appraisal is done. 2. Data sheet: Provide the appraiser with floor plans, specifications, surveys, deeds and features of the property so that they have confirmation of what they see and don’t miss anything. 3. Tax valuation from the municipal record: Another data point for comparison is the tax valuation of the property. 4. List of all the upgrades done to the home with dates and cost: To ensure the appraiser doesn’t miss any upgrades you have done to your home, provide a list, completion date and cost for every upgrade you have done. 5. Listing history: The listing history includes each sale of the property, when it happened and how much it was for. 6. Comps: The appraiser will pull their own comps — the value of houses that recently sold in your neighborhood — but it’s always a good idea to have your own. Also, be prepared to explain large variations in prices. 7. Bad comps (to point out ones not to use and why): If an appraiser pulls a comp that might skew your value, but you know it’s a bad comp, you must be prepared to explain it.
These Tips for How to Increase Home Value for Appraisal are More Than Worth the Prep
By the time you’re preparing for the appraiser’s visit, you really are in the final stretch of your home selling experience. A top local Realtor who is familiar with your market can help you focus your efforts to increase home value for appraisal. There’s no doubt that you can positively influence and even increase the home value for appraisal quite easily and with very little time or expense. And when the appraisal comes in at or above your asking price, you’ll be glad you spent the effort.
The Dickson Truckee Team
11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
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DECEMBER 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER Truckee, Golf Course Communities, Tahoe Donner, Northstar, Donner Summit, Alpine/Squaw, North & West Shore Lake Tahoe, CA.
HOW TO Clean When Your Home is For Sale Executing a deep clean before putting your home on the market will not only help it shine, but it will make tidiness easier to maintain between showings. Here are some power-cleaning tips to try. Clean windows make a huge difference. Remove window screens and place them outside on a tarp or other clean, waterproof surface. Use a garden hose, an all-purpose cleaner, and a soft brush to gently clean the screens. You don’t need anything special to polish up window glass; just mix a solution of one part white vinegar to eight parts water, plus a drop or two of dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle. Wipe with newspaper to avoid streaks. (Washing on a cloudy day also reduces streaking.) The fridge is the most common source of kitchen smells. Check the drip tray underneath your refrigerator and wash out any standing water from defrosting. Scrub the inside of the fridge with a baking soda and water solution. Activated charcoal in the fridge can help keep odors at bay. Think outside the house. It’s amazing the difference a sparkling entryway makes to your home’s curb appeal. Wipe down your front door, give the doormat a good shake/vacuum, and make sure dust and dirt haven’t collected on outdoor furniture. Use a pressure washer to give your driveway and garage floor a good cleaning. The acidity in dark cola drinks can help remove oil, rust, and grease stains, along with a little elbow grease. Target the Bathroom. For tile floors, apply your usual cleaner and then run a wet/dry vac, which will suck contaminants out of the grout. Pour a quarter cup each of baking soda and vinegar down the drains, leaving the concoction overnight, then flush with boiling water. Clean soap scum and mildew from plastic shower curtains by tossing them into your washer on the gentle cycle in cold water, with detergent and ½ cup vinegar (if mildew is present, add ½ cup of bleach instead of vinegar). Put a couple of large towels into the machine to act as scrubbers. Allow the curtain to drip-dry on the rod. Make your bed better. Vacuum mattresses and box springs, and then rotate and flip over. Do the same for removable furniture cushions. This is also a great time to wash or dry-clean the dust ruffle and mattress pad. Add new loft to a lumpy comforter by having two people vigorously shake the quilt up and down to redistribute stuffing. Wash the walls. Grease, smoke, and dust can adhere to walls and make even the best decorating look dingy. Resist the temptation to spot-clean since it will make the rest of the wall look dirtier. Mop walls using a general-purpose cleaner diluted with hot water. Start at the top corner of the wall to avoid drips. Don’t press too hard, and rinse the mop head frequently in clean water. Use melamine foam cleaner to erase scuffs and stains.
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
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DECEMBER 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER Truckee, Golf Course Communities, Tahoe Donner, Northstar, Donner Summit, Alpine/Squaw, North & West Shore Lake Tahoe, CA.
Winter Driving Tips Severe weather can be both frightening and dangerous for travelers. Winter storms, bad weather and sloppy road conditions are a factor in nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every winter, according to research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Drivers should know the safety rules for dealing with winter road emergencies. AAA urges drivers to be cautious while driving in adverse weather. Cold Weather Driving Tips • Keep a bundle of cold-weather gear in your car, such as extra food and water, warm clothing, a flashlight, a glass scraper, blankets, medications, and more. • Make certain your tires are properly inflated and have plenty of tread. • Keep at least half a tank of fuel in your vehicle at all times. • Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage. • Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface, such as on ice and snow. Tips for Driving in the Snow Drive slowly. Always adjust your speed down to account for lower traction when driving on snow or ice. Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Apply the gas slowly to regain traction and avoid skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry and take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads. Increase your following distance to five to six seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop. Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads will just make your wheels spin. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill slowly. Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill. Tips for Long-Distance Winter Trips Be Prepared: Have your vehicle checked by a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility before hitting the road. Check the Weather: Check the weather along your route and when possible, delay your trip if bad weather is expected. Stay Connected: Before hitting the road, notify others and let them know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival. If you get stuck in the snow: Stay with your vehicle: Your vehicle provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Do not try to walk in a severe storm. It is easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost. Don’t over exert yourself: When digging out your vehicle, listen to your body and stop if you become tired. Be Visible: Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna of your vehicle or place a cloth at the top of a rolled up window to signal distress. At night, keep the dome light on if possible. It only uses a small amount of electricity and will make it easier for rescuers to find you. Clear the Exhaust Pipe: Make sure the exhaust pipe is not clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust pipe can cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment of the vehicle while the engine is running. Stay Warm: Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps. Pre-pack blankets and heavy clothing to use in case of an emergency. Conserve Fuel: If possible, only run the engine and heater long enough to remove the chill. This will help to conserve fuel.
The Dickson Truckee Team
11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
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DECEMBER 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER Truckee, Golf Course Communities, Tahoe Donner, Northstar, Donner Summit, Alpine/Squaw, North & West Shore Lake Tahoe, CA.
Tahoe National Forest Christmas Tree Permits This permit allows you to cut a Christmas Tree within designated areas of the Tahoe National Forest! Lifelong memories are built during these special times and we are happy to help with any information gathering you'll need to make this trip a safe and enjoyable one. These permits are specific to ranger districts within the Tahoe National Forest. Please ensure you select the correct area for where you plan to cut your tree. If you need help with the names and boundaries of the Ranger District, please call the District or Supervisors Office.
Fees and Season Dates PERMIT NAME SEASON DATES MAX # OF TREES Sierraville Ranger District Truckee Ranger District
Fri, Nov 6, 2020 Thu, Dec 31, 2020 Fri, Nov 6, 2020 – Thu, Dec 31, 2020
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$10.00 / per tree
Where to Cut Your Tree • Maps for the Ranger Districts and cutting areas can be found in the map section below. • Permit holders are reminded to respect private property by not trespassing when entering or leaving designated National Forest cutting areas. • Permit holders should keep vehicles on National Forest System roads and are reminded to park safely off the roadway in legal areas. No off-road travel is allowed. Selecting Your Tree • Each forest has limitations on the size of the tree you can cut and the species of trees that are permitted. See below to help you measure and choose a tree that meets your permit's guidelines. • Tree Height: 20 feet maximum • Stump height: 12 inches maximum • Stump diameter: 6 inches maximum • Do not cut isolated trees growing in the open. • Permit holders may choose from varieties of pine, fir or cedar, in designated cutting areas, and must abide by specific permit conditions for proper and responsible collection. • In addition to the traditional experience, the permitted collection of smaller diameter trees, with a trunk of six inches in diameter or less, from selected areas contributes to the reduction of over-growth, particularly among firs, which are also the most sought after varieties for the holidays. • Take the whole tree. Do not remove the top of the tree; cut down the entire tree • If snow is on the ground, remove it from around the stump so you can accurately measure the stump and tree height. How to Plan Your Trip • Before you leave home, be sure to measure the space where you plan to place the tree in your home (height and width), and measure the space in your vehicle where you will be transporting the tree. • Cell service may be spotty or unavailable. Be sure someone knows where you are and when to expect you back. Check the latest weather conditions, forest warnings and road closures before you leave on your trip. Bring a map with you. Don’t rely on GPS because it may not be up-to-date with forest service roads. Dress warmly and take extra dry clothes. Expect winter weather, including cold temperatures, snow and winds. Bring plenty of food and water with you as well as an overnight survival kit in case you become stranded. Start your day early. Be sure to find your tree and leave the woods before dark. • Roads may not be plowed. Carry tire chains, shovel(s) and a tow chain. Be sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas. Bring a spare key and give it to someone else in your party. Don’t get locked out of your car! Park in areas so that traffic can get by safely, and do not block gates. • We don't recommend bringing your pets but, if you do, they must be on a leash.
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
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DECEMBER 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER Truckee, Golf Course Communities, Tahoe Donner, Northstar, Donner Summit, Alpine/Squaw, North & West Shore Lake Tahoe, CA.
Helpful Cutting Tips • Carry your tree carefully out of the woods. Dragging the tree will rub off needles and bark. • If the tree is too big to transport inside of your vehicle, wrap it in canvas to prevent wind damage. • Once home, cut the bottom of the trunk off and place the freshly cut trunk in a bucket of water. Replenish water. • If storing your tree outside for a few days before putting it in the house, keep it in an area protected from the wind, such as the north or east side of your house or under a shaded tree. • Tools you might want to consider bringing with you include a measuring tape to ensure you select a tree that fits in your home; handsaw to cut your tree; gloves to protect your hands; boots to protect your feet; a tarp to sit on and/or to move your tree once it's cut; and rope or straps to secure your tree to your vehicle. • Choose a tree from a dense forested area, which will give the remaining trees more space to grow. • Cut the leftover branches from the stump and scatter them. Contact Us Sierraville Ranger District 317 South Lincoln Street PO Box 95 Sierraville, CA 96126 (530) 430-7093
Truckee Ranger District 10811 Stockrest Springs Road Truckee, CA 96161 (530) 536-0417
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
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DECEMBER 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER Truckee, Golf Course Communities, Tahoe Donner, Northstar, Donner Summit, Alpine/Squaw, North & West Shore Lake Tahoe, CA.
Christmas Letter from Martha Stewart to Erma Bombeck And Erma’s Reply
Hi Erma, This perfectly delightful note is being sent on paper I made myself to tell you what I have been up to. Since it snowed last night, I got up early and made a sled with old barn wood and a glue gun. I hand painted it in gold leaf, got out my loom and made a blanket in peaches and mauves. Then, to make the sled complete, I made a white horse to pull it from DNA that I had just sitting around in my craft room. By then, it was time to start making the place mats and napkins for my 20 breakfast guests. I'm serving the old standard Stewart twelve-course breakfast, but I'll let you in on a little secret: I didn't have time to make the tables and chairs this morning, so I used the ones I had on hand. Before I moved the table into the dining room I decided to add just a touch of the holidays. So,I repainted the room in pinks and stenciled gold stars on the ceiling. While the homemade bread was rising, I took antique candle molds and made the dishes (exactly the same shade of pink) to use for breakfast. These were made from Hungarian clay, which you can get at almost any Hungarian craft store. Well, I must run. I need to finish the hand-sewn buttonholes on the dress I'm wearing for breakfast. I'll get out the sled and drive this note to the post office as soon as the glue dries on the envelope I'll be making. Hope my breakfast guests don't stay too long. I have 40,000 cranberries to string with bay leaves before my speaking engagement at noon. It's a good thing. Love, Martha P.S. When I made the ribbon for this typewriter, I used 1/8-inch gold gauze. I soaked the gauze in a mixture of white grapes and blackberries which I grew, picked, and crushed last week just for fun. Dear Martha: I'm writing this on the back of an old shopping list. Pay no attention to the coffee and jelly stains. I'm 20 minutes late getting my daughter off for school, packing a lunch with one hand-on the phone with the dog pound, seems old Ruff needs bailing out again. Burnt my arm on the curling iron when I was trying to make those cute curly fries, how DO they do that? Still can't find the scissors to cut out some snowflakes, tried using an old disposable razor . . . trashed the tablecloth. Tried that cranberry thing; frozen cranberries mushed up after I defrosted them in the microwave. Oh, and don't use Fruity Pebbles as a substitute in that Rice Krispies snowball recipe unless you like food that resembles puke! Smoke alarm is going off, talk to ya’ later. Love, Erma
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
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DECEMBER 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER Truckee, Golf Course Communities, Tahoe Donner, Northstar, Donner Summit, Alpine/Squaw, North & West Shore Lake Tahoe, CA.
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December is Truckee Community Christmas Month; see detailed information provided
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The Druids regarded holly as a symbol of fertility and eternal life, thought to have magical powers. In Druid lore, cutting down a holly tree would bring bad luck. In contrast, hanging the plant in homes was believed to bring good luck and protection.
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I’ll tell you some COVID-19 jokes, but you won’t get them for two weeks.
• Twenty years ago, Steve Jobs was alive, Johnny Cash was alive, and Bob Hope was alive. Now we have no jobs, no cash, and no hope. Please don't let Meat Loaf, Kevin Bacon, and Jon Hamm die.
• Recently, John Travolta was hospitalized for suspected COVID-19. But doctors found that it was just a Saturday Night Fever, so he's Staying Alive. • A famous film director is making a documentary about the stay-at-home lockdown in New Jersey. His name is Trenton Quarantino. • Our cleaning lady texted us that she is now working from home. She promised to send us instructions about what to do.
• Quarantine has turned us into dogs. We roam the house all day looking for food. We want to run out of the house whenever the door opens. We are told “no” if we get too close to strangers. And we get really excited about car rides. • Prediction: There will be a minor baby boom in nine months. Then, in 2033, we shall witness the rise of the quaranteens. Their most popular first names will be Charmin and Scott.
• Snow White is down to six dwarfs. Sneezy is now in quarantine. • Is it too early to put up the Christmas tree? I have run out of things to do. • The spread of COVID-19 depends on two factors: (1) How dense the population is; (2) How dense the population is. • The Spanish king has been quarantined primarily on his private jet. So, the reign in Spain stays mainly in his plane. • What does the 19 stand for in COVID-19? The number of pounds you’ll put on during your sheltering in place. ~Jay Leno~
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
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DECEMBER 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER Truckee, Golf Course Communities, Tahoe Donner, Northstar, Donner Summit, Alpine/Squaw, North & West Shore Lake Tahoe, CA.
Date: December 12, 2020 Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM PST
Location: 10356 Truckee Airport Rd. Event Description: Bring your kids to the airport at 10 a.m. to watch Santa fly in on a special plane. Then they can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. This is a great holiday photo op! Enjoy hot chocolate, yummy holiday treats, and more at this annual event. Kids get to visit with Santa and receive special gifts. Don't miss Santa's fly-in he arrives right on time at 10:00! The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
NEWS YOU CAN USE
DECEMBER 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER Truckee, Golf Course Communities, Tahoe Donner, Northstar, Donner Summit, Alpine/Squaw, North & West Shore Lake Tahoe, CA.
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
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DECEMBER 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER Truckee, Golf Course Communities, Tahoe Donner, Northstar, Donner Summit, Alpine/Squaw, North & West Shore Lake Tahoe, CA.
Please see current information provided for each of the drives sponsored by Truckee Community Christmas in December 2020. FOOD DRIVE We are not collecting donated food items at grocery stores or locations around town this year. Cash and gift card donations are gratefully accepted. For more information, contact Lynn Richardson at (530) 412-0706. COAT DRIVE Warm, clean gently used coats (no holes or broken zippers please) can be dropped off at Church of the Mountains on Church Street in downtown Truckee or at Tahoe Forest Church on Hirschdale Road, through Dec 16. Church of the Mountains 10079 Church Street, Truckee, CA 96161 Contact Cathie Foley, (530) 587-4407, comumc@sbcglobal.net Tahoe Forest Church 10315 Hirschdale Road, Truckee CA 96161 Contact Tami Fiddyment, (530) 587-7725, truckeefidd@gmail.com TOY DRIVE Toy collection barrels can be found all over town. Donate new, unwrapped toys. Look for the Toys for Tots Barrels. Gifts for teenagers are always in short supply. Gift cards, beanies, gloves, candles, backpacks, Bluetooth speakers, and movie passes are great for teens. The Toy Drive will not be accepting books, stuffed animals, toy guns or any item not packaged. This drive is headed by the Soroptimist International of Truckee Donner. Help is needed to sort and pack gifts on Dec 17 and 18. To volunteer to sort toys email toydrive@sitd.info
In collaboration with Soroptimist International of Truckee Donner, Collection Boxes will be available at the Dickson Realty Office at 11836 Donner Pass Road in Truckee now through December 16th and Dickson will also have donation jars available for cash or gift cards. Last year 160 families were recipients of toys and this year’s goal is 220+ families.
SENIORS This year, this program provides grocery gift cards to low income and home-bound seniors. Our senior recipients are under the care of Sierra Senior Services. Call Sharon Romack at (530) 5507600 or email her at sharon@sierraseniors.org. The home-bound seniors are being taken care of by the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation's Queen of Hearts - to participate in the Queen's effort, you must be a Queen.
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
