Dickson Realty – February 2015 Newsletter
News You Can Use Truckee | North Lake Tahoe
Dickson Realty’s February 2015 Newsletter Ten Years in Review Welcome to our February newsletter with a look back at the past 10 years of real estate sales for single family homes in Truckee and North Lake Tahoe, CA. This past decade showed the highest sales prices ever recorded, followed by the downturn that caused many to lose their homes by foreclosure or short sale. However, the last several years have proved the steady return of the housing market in our area with significant positive trends in home sales. As we look forward to 2015, our Dickson agents forecast continued steady and consistent growth in sales. It is likely interest rates will bump up, but they are still historically low and should not have a major impact on those wishing to purchase a primary or vacation home. We hope you find the following price histories interesting, and if there’s a specific area you’re interested in that is not identified here, please let us know. We’ll be happy to create that history for you, whether it be for single family homes, condos/townhomes or unimproved properties.
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s February 2015 Newsletter LAHONTAN
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s February 2015 Newsletter MARTIS CAMP
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s February 2015 Newsletter NORTHSTAR
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s February 2015 Newsletter OLD GREENWOOD/GRAYS CROSSING
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s February 2015 Newsletter DONNER LAKE
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s February 2015 Newsletter SERENE LAKES
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s February 2015 Newsletter TAHOE DONNER
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s February 2015 Newsletter TRUCKEE
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s February 2015 Newsletter
LAKE TAHOE
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
ALPINE MEADOWS/SQUAW VALLEY
Dickson Realty’s February 2015 Newsletter
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s February 2015 Newsletter Low Down Payment Programs & Options for Buyers In today’s economy many first time home buyers and millenniums are looking to enter the housing market but don’t have the typical 20% down payment available. Luckily, there are many low down payment options that can suit a variety of budgets and needs. A great option that doesn’t require the buyer to use a government loan program is the recently revived Fannie Mae 3% down conventional loan for primary homes. To qualify for the 3% down program, a buyer does not have to necessarily be a first time home buyer, but at least one buyer must have not owned a home in the past 3 years. A buyer can put as little as 3% down, and pay monthly mortgage insurance, which is determined based on both the down payment amount and the buyer’s credit score. In addition to the 3% down conventional option, a buyer has a multitude of government loan program options. FHA loans have been popular due to the lower interest rates, and 3.5% down payment requirement. Now with the recent change of monthly mortgage insurance dropping by approximately ½ - from 1.35% to .85%, this is a great option for many buyers who want to put a small amount down. FHA loans must be for a primary home, neither buyer needs to be first time home buyers and are allowed to have owned a property in the last 3 years. Another attractive feature of a FHA loan is if the buyer has had a short sale or foreclosure in the past, FHA is the most forgiving – allowing a buyer to purchase a primary home 3 years after the short sale or foreclosure completion date. Some other government options, which can be a harder box to fit, are USDA loans and Home Path loans. Both allow 0% down payments, but have strict income limitations and property approval restrictions.
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s February 2015 Newsletter Another creative option for buyers to explore is down payment assistant programs. Often times, townships, states or even employers can have programs in place to assist those who live and work in their community with the down payment to purchase their primary home. Each down payment assistance program is different, so it’s best to check with their administrator on the details. For those buyers who are looking to buy a second home, but don’t want to put 20% down – there are lower down payment options for this group too. On a 2nd home conventional loan, as little as 10% down with mortgage insurance, is required. We also have low down payment options on Jumbo loan products (loans above the high balance limit of $477,250 in Nevada County). We have options as low as 10% down on Jumbo products, but it’s best to check with us on the specific details as guidelines are strict. These are a few of the most popular low down payment options, it’s important to keep in mind that guidelines on certain programs can be strict and we recommend contacting the Rice Conway Team to review the specifics of your situation and make sure we are fitting you with the best possible low down payment program to suit your needs. Our goal is to help our clients prepare for financing, whether your home purchase happens today or in the future.
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s February 2015 Newsletter February EVENTS 1 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 1 Tahoe Rim Tour and Race Start: North Tahoe High School, Tahoe City Finish: Northstar California Resort XC Center Distance: 26 km (Classic or Skate) Information: http://farwestnordic.org/event/tahoe-rim-tour-race-2015/?instance_id=140 6 First Fridays Historic Downtown Truckee, 5:30 - 8 pm Most of downtown’s unique shops, boutiques, art studios, and eateries will keep their doors open later and offer special promotions, activities, demonstrations, food and beverages, music, and more! Participating shops and restaurants will display First Friday Flags so the public will know where the fun is. Information: www.historictruckee.com The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s February 2015 Newsletter 6 Hearts For Arts Annual Fundraiser 6:30 – 8:30pm 10046 Church Street, Truckee $25, includes two adult beverages Arts for the Schools present Dana Leong Trio a Jazz-Cellist/ Hip-Hop Fusion musical event. Enjoy a nohost bar, food for sale, raffle prizes and amazing live music! Information: http://artsfortheschools.org/ 6 Tahoe Safe Alliance’s 6th Annual Father-Daughter Dance 6-9pm Tahoe Biltmore, Crystal Bay, NV $25 father/daughter couple, $5 for each additional daughter Fathers, grandfathers, and uncles: get ready to dance the night away with that special little girl in your life. This event will feature dancing with DJ music, snacks, activity stations, portraits and more. Attendees are invited to enjoy a special $39 prix fixe dinner at Bilty's BBQ from 4:30-6:30 pm. 14 One Billion Rising Revolution Flash Mob Dance Flash mob dance to end violence against women. Those wanting to learn the dance can take free lessons Tuesdays 1/20,1/27,2/3 and 2/10 at Trout Creek (Tahoe Donner) from 5:30-6:00 pm. Inner Rhythms dance studio in Truckee is teaching the dance free at 12:30 each Sunday at their studio starting January 25th. Information: https://www.facebook.com/onebilliontruckeetahoe The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s February 2015 Newsletter 14 2015 Black Tie & Tails Gala Humane Society of Truckee/Tahoe benefit Ritz Carlton, Truckee 5-11pm $175pp Guests will be greeted by a Hollywood-style red carpet entry, immediately followed by the swankiest of champagne and hors d'oeuvre receptions complete with passed appetizers for your dogs, an elegant dining experience that only the Ritz- Carlton, Lake Tahoe could provide, music , dancing and unexpected entertainment! Information: http://hstt.org/events/7th-annual-black-tie-tails-gala 27 Opening Ceremonies – Tahoe Snowfest! Squaw Valley USA 6:30 – 7:30pm Come out and listen to the Space Cowboys, while the lasers are flowing out onto the mountain! See all the supporters of SnowFest! as they float across the mountain. Watch as Squaw Valley lights up under the mountain stars with this incredible expression of fireworks! Always an incredible way to start the SnowFest! festivities with friends & family! Information: http://www.tahoesnowfestival.com/#!events The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440
Dickson Realty’s February 2015 Newsletter 28 Tahoe City Snowfest! Parade 11:30 am -12:30pm Tahoe City, CA Come to town early today and enjoy the Pancake Breakfast so you get a place to park! This fun, eclectic, mountain town feeling parade has something for everyone! From shovelers to clowns, dogs, kids and snow machines... it's definitely a fun, and rowdy day in Tahoe City. Information: http://www.tahoesnowfestival.com/#!events
The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440