Real Estate in South Lake Tahoe

Newer Home Near Heavenly!

1351 Susie Lake Road

Offered at $559,000!!!

South Lake Tahoe Real Estate Virtual Tour!

If you are looking for Real Estate in South Lake Tahoe you should consider this spacious newer home located just minutes from Heavenly Valley, the Casinos, and the Lake. This custom home is 2,817 square feet and has 4 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, and a two car garage. Designed for entertaining in mind, the open floor plan, large bedrooms, and flat lot are perfect for large or multiple families. The sunny and fully landscaped 11,543 square foot lot offers plenty of outdoor living space as well as ample parking. Currently a successful vacation rental, this property sells mostly furnished per inventory list including a hot tub and a pool table. Priced at only $198 per square foot this is one of the best newer construction values currently in the South Lake Tahoe Real Estate market!

Stainless Steel Appliances
4 Bedrooms and 3 Full Bathrooms
Huge Sunny Lot
Tons of Parking
Sold Furnished
Newer Construction!

If you would like more information about this home for sale in South Lake Tahoe please call Brent Johnson at (530) 416-2625 or email at bjohnson@chaseinternational.com. The South Lake Tahoe Real Estate market has rebounded and it is a great time to invest in beautiful Lake Tahoe!!!

Winterizing Your Property in Lake Tahoe

Investing in Real Estate in South Lake Tahoe is a great way to own a slice of heaven and can be very affordable compared to land ownership in other resort areas. One thing to keep in mind when owning a property here at the lake is that we can experience extreme winter conditions. Most properties in Lake Tahoe were built to withstand the harsh winter climate, but a little winter preparation will go a long ways. Winterizing your home will help to prevent winter problems and will make it easier to get your yard ready for fun in the spring!

1. Put the toys away! Make sure that your patio furniture, trampolines, and any yard supplies or decorations are packed up and stored in the garage or covered up and stored where they will not be damaged. The weight of the snow and the elements can be very hard on your toys! Also make sure that all water hoses are disconnected, drained, and put away.

2. Clean up the yard! I like to rake up the lawn, pick up any doggy messes, and trim back any perennial plants. I may even run the lawn mower over my lawn to make raking up in the spring a little easier. I will put down winterizing fertilizer and vole repellant on the grass but I still seem to get some vole damage no matter what I do.

3. Winterize the sprinklers! If you have a separate irrigation water supply valve, make sure that it is turned off. I also like to disconnect each zone valve, turn off the timer, and blow out the sprinkler lines with an air compressor. It may be a good idea to hire a landscaping company to do this for you if you do not have an air compressor.

4. Check the roof! Pine needles blow off the trees by the bag full in the fall. Pine needles will build up in the roof valleys and in your gutters trapping the water on the roof and in the gutters. Standing water will potentially damage the roof and can even cause leaks. Sweep off the pine needles and leaves from your roof and clean out gutters if you have them. It is also a good idea to check to make sure that if you have heat tape it is working and that it is in good condition. If you are not comfortable climbing up onto your roof or if you have a two story home it is a good idea to hire roofing contractor to clear and inspect your roof for you.

5. Service your furnace! You should have your furnace, heater, or boiler serviced once a year to help prevent any cold nights without heat and to make sure that your furnace lasts for years to come. At a minimum you should change any filters and inspect the furnace for any visible damage or strange noises.

6. Clean the Chimney! If you have a wood burning fireplace or stove you should have the chimney cleaned and inspected to prevent any chimney fires. If you have a gas fireplace, make sure that the exterior vents are clean and clear. These vents make great places for bird nests and can be a real hazard when you go to warm up by the fire!

8. Seal your house! Check to make sure that all of your window seals, door seals, and other exterior penetrations are sealed tightly. Door shoes can wear out and if you see daylight it is time for a new one! I like to close my foundation vents in November but it is very important to make sure that they are opened up in the spring to prevent any moisture/fungus problems.

9. Check your pipes! Make sure that any exposed pipes are insulated. You can purchase some foam insulation or even wrap pipes with heat tape if there are any problem pipes. Most newer homes have non-freeze hose bibs, but it is a good idea to buy foam covers for older exposed hose bibs.

10. Keep your thermostat on! I would recommend that you leave your thermostat on to at least 55 degrees to prevent any frozen pipes, appliances, or toilets. If you plan on turning your heat off for the winter, make sure that you hire a plumber to winterize your water system. If you winterize the water system the water needs to be turned off, the water heater needs to be off and drained, toilets and traps need to have RV antifreeze poured in them, and the dishwasher and washing machine need to be disconnected and drained.

There are now some great ways to keep an eye on your second home remotely. You can have a security install an alarm system with a low temperature alarm and motion cameras or you cannow install them yourself. There are low temperature/freeze alarms that you can purchase and that will send you a text or call you if the temperature drops to a certain level or if the power goes out at your house. There are also remote cameras that you can monitor that run off of a Wi-Fi signal.

If you would like more information about winterizing your home please call South Lake Tahoe real estate agent Brent Johnson at (530) 416-2625 today!

Super Clean Home For Sale in South Lake Tahoe

1215 Margaret Ave.

Offered at $237,500!

This is a perfect starter home! Recently remodeled with new cabinets, appliances, and flooring this property clean and centrally located. Other recent upgrades include double pane vinyl frame windows, new interior paint, and rock work around the wood stove. The back yard is fully fenced and has a large storage shed for all of your toys. Centrally located in the Y Area close to shopping and the bus stops, this property has great potential as a primary residence, rental, or a second home. This home has been maintained very well and and is a must see for anyone looking to purchase real estate in South Lake Tahoe.

Double pane windows
Wood cabinets
Large storage shed
Gas heat
Fenced yard
Much more!

If you would like to set up an appointment to see this property or any other homes for sale in South Lake Tahoe please call Brent Johnson at (530) 416-2625 or email me at bjjohnson@chaseinternational.com.

California Home Prices Are Up And Inventory Levels Are Down

The South Lake Tahoe real estate market seems to be in line with what the housing market is doing in many areas of California…recovering. A recent article in the Mercury News states that the median sales price of homes sold in California has risen to the highest level since August 2008 and that sales are down slightly due to a drop in inventory levels.

The median sales price for single family homes has also risen in South Lake Tahoe. The median sales price jumped from $235,000 to $255,000 from August to September for single family homes and condos that were sold on the South Lake Tahoe MLS. There were 82 sales that closed escrow in the month of August which was also a record for the year.

With the housing inventory levels at about 50% of what they were last year at this time, the number of home sales is expected to decrease and prices are expected to continue to climb.

Below is the full article from the Mercury News:

“California home prices rose in September to a four-year high as the supply of properties for sale remained tight, according to surveys released Monday.

The median price for new and existing houses and condominiums in California reached $287,000, up 15.3 percent from $249,000 in September 2011, DataQuick said. The median rose $6,000 from August to reach its highest level since $301,000 in August 2008.

There were 34,453 homes sold in September, down 2.7 percent from 35,404 last year, DataQuick said. There were fewer business days this September compared with last year, explaining at least part of the first annual decline in 14 months.

The California Association of Realtors reported that buyers faced slimmer pickings.

The broker association’s index of unsold inventory stood at a 3.7 months in September, down from 5.3 months a year earlier. The figure represents how long it would take to sell all existing single-family homes in California at the current sales clip. Supply in a normal market is considered to be six to seven months.

The supply of foreclosed properties continued to dwindle, helping lift the overall sales price because they tend to sell at steep discounts. DataQuick said 17.7 percent of existing homes sold in September were in foreclosure during the previous year, down from 33.8 percent during the same period last year and 58.5 percent in February 2009.

The September surveys show sales were strongest in more expensive coastal areas, while inland regions like the Central Valley and Southern California’s Inland Empire lagged.

The median price for new and existing houses and condominiums in the San Francisco Bay area reached $429,000, up 17.5 percent from $365,000 last year, DataQuick reported. The median price rose $19,000 from August to its highest level since $447,000 in August 2008.

There were 6,850 homes sold in the nine-county Bay area last month, up 1.5 percent from 6,749 last year.

Only 13.9 percent of Bay area homes sold last month had been foreclosed upon in the previous year, down from 25.4 percent a year earlier and 52 percent in February 2009.

DataQuick reported Friday that the median price for new and existing houses and condominiums in Southern California reached $315,000, up 12.5 percent from $280,000 in September 2011. The median rose $6,000 during the month to its highest level since $330,000 in August 2008.

There were 17,859 homes sold last month in the six-county region, a 1.6 percent drop than the same month last year.”

As home prices in South Lake Tahoe begin to rise, sellers that have been on the fence about selling may decide to sell. Other sellers may try and hold on as long as possible in hopes of property values increasing further. As long as interest rates do not rise substantially home values should continue to increase and the housing market recovery should continue at a slow and steady pace.

Tahoe Paradise

The Tahoe Paradise area was named perfectly to describe the setting of the area. Tahoe Paradise is a great area for buyers looking to own property in South Lake Tahoe away from the crowds, but not too far away. Tahoe Paradise is located near the far western end of Pioneer Trail where it intersects Highway 50 near Meyers and extends westward past the Tahoe Paradise Golf Course.

The quiet setting of the Tahoe Paradise area offers larger wooded and sometimes gently sloping lots. The area boarders National Forest Land and the Tahoe Paradise Golf Course, so lots with mountain and golf course views are not uncommon. There are also many lots backing to Forest Service and Conservancy land. The wildlife in the area is abundant and it is common to see bears, coyotes, birds, and other local wildlife roaming through the forest.

There is a wide range of home sizes and styles in the Tahoe Paradise area. There are many chalet and cabin style homes that were built in the 1960’s and 1970’s along with newer construction homes. Tahoe Paradise has been a sought after location for buyers looking for a cabin feeling home in a quiet forested setting.

The location of the Tahoe Paradise area is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. There are endless opportunities for outdoor activities such as mountain biking, hiking, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, and golfing that exist in the Tahoe Paradise area. With easy access to Highway 50 and Pioneer Trail, the local ski resorts, Lake Tahoe, and the casinos are within minutes as well.

The Tahoe Paradise area is an area that provides the true Lake Tahoe experience and should be considered when looking at Real Estate in South Lake Tahoe!

Cascade Properties

Cascade Properties is an exclusive gated community of Lake View and Lakefront properties in South Lake Tahoe. Cascade Properties is located about 5 miles north of the Y on Highway 89. This is the closest development that there is to Emerald Bay. Cascade Properties is an unincorporated area in El Dorado County. If you are looking for luxury real estate in South Lake Tahoe, Lakefront properties, or Lake view homes with privacy, Cascade Properties is the place for you.

Cascade Properties is nesteled inbetween Cascade Lake and Lake Tahoe. Most of the properties are lakefront homes or have incredible lake views. Towering pine trees, large granite boulders, and breathtaking lake views make Cascade Properties one of the most desired locations in Lake Tahoe. Cascade Creek runs through the area and flows into Lake Tahoe creating another unique feature to the area.

Many of the homes have piers or buoy’s for boat mooring. There is also a homeowners pier maintained by the HOA for the properties that do not have a private pier. The HOA also maintains that roads, snow removal, and water.