Here are five of them:

• Be your own landlord. The bank can only kick you out if you don’t pay; a landlord can be much less dependable – deciding to sell the property or choosing to live there themselves.
• Paying the principal is forced savings. Yes, it’s possible that home prices will fall further. It is also possible that your 401(k) will lose value. But over the long haul, both are likely to enjoy modest gains in value.
• Fixed-rate mortgages never rise – and eventually you pay them off. With mortgage rates at record lows, people who buy now are locking in real bargains.
• Good schools. Family-sized rentals are harder to come by in areas with excellent public schools.
• Spacious properties in pleasant neighborhoods. Sizable homes in attractive communities are almost always owned – not rented.

Source: The New York Times, Ron Lieber (08/27/2010)

Spend an afternoon exploring six remarkable one-of-a-kind custom homes in Truckee’s Martis Camp and help raise money to benefit local schools. Discover many of the latest trends and creative ideas in luxury home building as envisioned by several of the region’s premiere architects, builders, designers and landscapers. The Tour begins at Martis Camp: Turn in on Schaffer Mill Road (across from Truckee Airport Road) off of Hwy 267. Follow the Home Tour signs to the designated parking areas and shuttle buses will take guests on the Tour.

Tickets may be purchased at Dickson Realty, Coldwell Banker, Keller Williams, Prudential Realty, Tahoe Mountain Resorts Real Estate in the Village at Northstar and online at www.ExinEd.org.

Tahoe Donner Summary (Complete Report)

High Inventory.  The number of listings for Tahoe Donner single family homes for sale in the Tahoe Sierra MLS was 155 as of July 10, 2010. This represents a dramatic increase over last quarter at this time, a 96.2% increase in inventory of single family homes. This number is still low compared to previous years at this time of the year. But, as expected, this is the usual increase that we see each year over the number of listings during the winter/spring seasons.

Lower priced homes are continuing to sell the best.  The median sales price for single family homes in Tahoe Donner for April 2010 through June 2010 was $543,500. This represents an increase of 8.3%, or $41,500, compared to the prior quarter and a decrease of -5.4% compared to the same period in the prior year. We still have lots of buyers looking for homes in the lower price ranges.

Market Activity increase.  The number of single family homes sold in Tahoe Donner, as recorded in the Tahoe Sierra MLS, for April 2010 through June 2010 was 51 homes. This represents an increase of 34.2%, or 13 homes, compared to the prior quarter and an increase of 6.3%, or 3 homes, compared to the same period in the prior year. The market activity increased during the last quarter, which is pretty normal for the 2nd quarter of each year.

Homes are selling at about 96% of their asking price.  The average listing price for single family homes in Tahoe Donner for April 2010 through June 2010 was $639,062. This represents an increase of 7.3%, or $43,264, compared to the prior quarter and a decrease of 3.3% compared to the same period in the prior year. We have had a lot of new listings on the market in the last few weeks, and many of the sellers will start their listing prices high and then lower the prices over time, as the summer progresses. Single family homes in Tahoe Donner sold at an average of 95.9% of their last listed price, during April 2010 through June 2010, compared to the same period in the prior year when the homes were selling at an average of 93.7% of their last listed price.

Increase in the average $/sq.ft. of sold homes.  Average price per square foot for Tahoe Donner homes sold during the 4th Quarter was $279, an increase of 9.4% (at $255/sq.ft.) compared to last quarter (1st Qtr 2010), and a slight increase of 0.4% (at $278/sq.ft. in 2009) compared to the same period last year. Note: If you are a buyer of property, please remember that the sold price/sq.ft. is generally higher for smaller homes and lower for larger homes.

Tahoe Donner Summary (Complete Report)

Low Inventory. The number of listings for Tahoe Donner single family homes for sale in the Tahoe Sierra MLS was 79 as of April 11, 2010. This is a slight increase over last quarter at this time, only a 5.3% increase in inventory of single family homes. This number is still low compared to previous years at this time of the year. We expect to see the usual increase in inventory over the next few months as we approach the summer season.

Lower priced homes are continuing to sell the best. The median sales price for single family homes in Tahoe Donner for Jan 10 through Mar 10 was $502,000. This represents a decrease of -17.8%, or $108,750, compared to the prior quarter and a decrease of -10.0% compared to the same period in the prior year. We still have lots of buyers looking for homes in the lower price ranges.

Market Activity decrease. The number of single family homes sold in Tahoe Donner, as recorded in the Tahoe Sierra MLS, for Jan 10 through Mar 10 was 38 homes. This represents a decrease of 52.5%, or 42 homes, compared to the prior quarter and an increase of 11.8%, or 4 homes, compared to the same period in the prior year. The market activity decreased during the last quarter, which is not too unusual for the 1st quarter of each year.

Homes are selling at about 93% of their asking price. The average listing price for single family homes in Tahoe Donner for Jan 10 through Mar 10 was $595,798. This represents a decrease of 10.9%, or $72,860, compared to the prior quarter and a decrease of 10.5% compared to the same period in the prior year. Of course, there was also a decrease in the average median sales prices of homes, thus the prices of homes may not actually be decreasing at this point. This data just shows us that more lower priced homes sold during this last quarter, which lowers the average sales prices of sold homes. Single family homes in Tahoe Donner sold at an average of 93.1% of their last listed price, during Jan 10 through Mar 10, compared to the same period in the prior year when the homes were selling at an average of 92.4% of their last listed price.

Percentage of bank owned and short sales, to standard sales, continue to increase. 28.9% of total single family home sales in the 1st Quarter 2010 were bank owned and short sale homes as compared to 18.8% of the total single family home sales in the 4th Quarter 2009.

Continued decrease in the average $/sq.ft. of sold homes.Average price per square foot for Tahoe Donner homes sold during the 4th Quarter was $255, a decrease of -4.9% (at $268/sq.ft.) compared to last quarter (4th Qtr 2009), and a decrease of -1.5% (at $272/sq.ft.) compared to the same period last year. Note: If you are a buyer of property, please remember that the sold price/sq.ft. is generally higher for smaller homes and lower for larger homes.

Part of the conversation right now is Tahoe Donner’s logo. Some feel that it could use updating to be more contemporary, while others enjoy the current look and its historical feel. What do you think? Members are invited to share their opinions through an online survey that will be available through April 30. Please note that each adult member may participate in the survey once. The results of this survey will guide our efforts. So think about what logo you’d be proud to show off on a Tahoe Donner shirt, hat or mug and let us know. Take the survey now.

Compliments of:
Teresa O’Dette & Ephraim Schwartz
Mortgage Consultants – Funding Your Future
(530) 581-5089 Tahoe City Office
(530) 582-3370 Truckee Office
Or Toll Free (800) 404-2129

Please do not hesitate to call Teresa & Ephraim.
They have provided excellent service for many of our clients over the years!

Effective Date: March 26th, 2010

Assumptions: 740 credit score, fully documented income, 1 point origination
This information is subject to change without notice.

OMG is a MEMBER CALIFORNIA & NEVADA BROKER’S ASSOCIATIONS
OMG Broker, California Department of Real Estate, #01318558

The new law, AB 183,  was passed by the legislature on March 22 and gives the Franchise Tax Board authority to extend a total of $200 million in tax credits to California homebuyers; $100 million for buyers of new, unoccupied homes and another $100 million for first-time buyers of existing homes. The credit will be extended from May 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010, and between Dec. 31, 2010 and August 1, 2011. The tax credit will be available to buyers on a first-come, first-served basis and is applied in equal amounts over a period of three taxable years. To qualify, the buyer must not be a dependant and must purchase a home that does not belong to a relative.

Read Governor Schwarzenegger’s press release on signing the $10,000 Homebuyer Tax Credit Legislation.