Dickson Realty’s Caughlin Ranch, Damonte Ranch and Sparks offices have an Eagle Home Mortgage loan officer on-hand to help you.

If you have more questions, please call or write me an email!

Esther Ramage - Dickson Realty

Alpine Meadows Ski Resort – Official closing date Sunday, May 15, 2011

Boreal Mountain Resort – Official closing date (for daily operations) Sunday, April 24, 2011

Diamond Peak Ski Resort – Official closing date Sunday, April 24, 2011

Donner Ski Ranch – TBD

Heavenly Lake Tahoe – Official closing date Sunday, April 24, 2011

Homewood Mountain Resort – Official closing date (for daily operations) Monday, April 11, 2011.
Weekend skiing and snowboarding from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting Friday, April 15 through Monday, April 18; and Friday, April 22 through Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011

Kirkwood Ski Resort – Scheduled closing date Sunday, May 1, 2011

Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe – Official closing date Friday, May 6, 2011
Passholders only ski days May 7th and 8th, 2011

Northstar-at-Tahoe Ski Resort – Official closing date Sunday, April 24, 2011 

Royal Gorge XC Ski Resort – Official closing date Sunday, April 24, 2011
Open Friday – Sunday through the last weekend
*Despite voluntary evacuation of Serene Lakes due to multiple propane leaks, Royal Gorge has been cleared to remain open to the public.

Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort – Official closing date Sunday, April 24, 2011

Soda Springs Winter Resort – Official closing date Sunday, April 24, 2011

Spooner Lake XC Ski Area – CLOSED

Squaw Valley USA  – Official closing date Monday, May 30, 2011 

Sugar Bowl Ski Resort – Official closing date Sunday, May 1, 2011

Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area – Official closing date Sunday, May 1, 2011

Tahoe Donner Downhill and XC Ski Areas – CLOSED

They report that no one is hurt and no vehicles are trapped, but when I-80 will reopen remains to be seen.  Caltrans and CHP are still assessing whiteout conditions, plowing resources and gauging potential for further snow slides.

Bad news for skiers and winter snow enthusiasts who were hoping to come up and enjoy this winter wonderland this weekend, but check for updates on road conditions at 800-427-7623.  An early morning start on Saturday could still get you 2 days of incredible fresh powder!

Once you’ve winterized your home it’s time to curl up by the fire and enjoy the snow outside, right? Almost. There are still some important safety tips to follow to keep you and your home safe throughout the colder months.

The Home Safety Council urges homeowners to protect themselves against house fires by using portable space heaters safely and properly using and maintaining fireplaces and wood-burning stoves. Keep flammables away from both, ensure that they are in clean and good working condition, and never leave them unattended. Read more about fire safety here.

Snow safety is important as well. Storms in Truckee-Lake Tahoe can drop feet of snow at a time. Ensure your pantry is stocked and you have plenty of fresh drinking water in case it takes more than a few hours for snow to be cleared. Sometimes snow and ice can affect power lines and cause power bumps or loss. Keep candles and flashlights handy, along with board games and cards, to keep your family in the light and entertained until power is restored. Oh, and remember to keep lots of cozy blankets handy too.

As you shovel snow around your home be sure to knock loose any large accumulations along the edge of your roof as well as large icicles which may drop and cause hazardous conditions. Carefully sweep snow away from propane and gas tanks and nozzles to prevent accidental damage and gas leaks. And last, be sure to salt or sand walkways to prevent ice accumulation and slippery conditions.

Read more about weather safety and awareness and get tips for driving in inclement weather.

Jumbo loans are a different story.  One year ago, a 30-year fixed jumbo was 7.875%.  Today, it’s 5.75%, a 2.125 point drop.  The median price of homes in the jumbo arena dropped over 6%, so with both interest rates and value of those homes down, Buyers can buy much more than they could have a year ago.  So those who decided to “wait and see” made a good decision. 

HOWEVER, neither the interest rates nor the home prices will stay this low.  We certainly hope that Buyers trying to outsmart the market won’t be left out in the cold.  Literally.

If I pull statistics on all of Reno and Sparks December 06 to December 08

• There is a 31% decrease in the median price
• There is a 3% decrease in the overall number of properties on the market
• There is a 46% increase in the number of properties under contract
• There is a 15% decrease in the number of properties sold
• There is a 32% decrease in the sales rate (months of inventory)

In the old southwest, southwest and Caughlin areas of Reno

• Median prices were flat
• The number of listings for sale has dropped 12%
• The number of properties under contract has dropped 16%
• The number of properties sold has dropped 21%
• The number of months of inventory has increased by 8%

In the southwest suburban areas of Reno

• Prices have dropped by 63%
• The number of properties on the market has dropped by 2%
• The number of properties under contract have decreased by 38%
• The number of properties sold has decreased by 56%
• The sales rate (months of inventory) has increased by a whopping 264%

Spanish Springs area of Sparks

• Median price has decreased by 32%
• the number of properties for sale has decreased by 5%
• The under of properties under contract has increased by 150%
• The number of properties that has sold has increased by 79%
• The months of inventory has dropped by 62%

In the South Meadows area of Reno

• The median price has dropped by 34.4%
• The number of properties for sale has dropped by 11%
• The number of properties under contract has increased by 16%
• The number of properties that has sold had decreased by 29%
• The number of months of inventory as dropped by 16%

In Incline Village (using the entire MLS numbers)

• The median price has dropped by 67%
• The number of properties for sale has increased by 9%
• The nunder of properties under contract has decreased by 10%
• The number of properties that has sold has decreased by 33%
• The sales rate (monthly inventory) has increased by 17%

On the Nevada southeast side of Lake Tahoe

• The median price has decreased by 3%
• The number of properties for sale has increased by 21%
• The number of properties under contract has increased by 17%
• The number of properties sold has decreased by 50%
• The number of months of inventory has increased by 4%

South Lake Tahoe California

• The median price has decreased by 20%
• The number of properties for sale is flat (no change)
• The number of properties under contract has decreased by 11%
• The number of properties that has sold has decreased by 34%
• The months of inventory has increased by 10%

This is just a sampling of the multiple listing service statistics from each market but there are other factors that play into determining where opportunity lies.  One example I can think of are the areas where there is a large amount of new construction (think Northstar at Truckee, Spanish Springs, and Damonte Ranch to name a few).  I do firmly believe dealing with a professional Realtor will save you money in even the short run. 

Hope we hear from you and unti then I hope your 2009 is healthy and properous!

I recently had one of my most seasoned agents ask me, “Why would anyone consider a career in Real Estate Sales, right now”? I have to admit that after 19 years in the business, I have seen easier environments to work in. There are some advantages too:

#1 While many of us “Old Pros” are grousing about how bad things are and reminiscing about the good old days (You know, like 2-3 years ago), a new licensee only sees the market as it is now. Most of us are working twice as hard for half the pay when compared to ’05 or ’06. A disciplined, hard working “new agent” is simply more likely to take that reality in stride.

#2 We’re finding that today’s environment requires a completely new skill set. Frankly Short Sale & Bank Owned (REO) transactions are vastly different from the traditional transactions we’ve typically conducted prior to this. Many top agents are strugglling with that reality. Think of the phrase “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. I think you can but only if one can throw some of the old conventions out the window. Many have to un-learn before they can start learning again.

#3 Technology and the generation gap. The average agent is around 52 years old. I don’t have the most current stats but in 2007 our typical buyers were in their early to mid 30′s. This creates some real challenges for all concerned; The seasoned agent wondering why their loveable, first time buyers aren’t listening to their sagely advise. Of course the buyer’s frustrated because they’ve already read all that on the internet and formed their own opinion.

We’ve placed a lot of talent and energy into solving these challenges. If you’d like to learn more, feel free to drop me a note DRider@DicksonRealty.com

One of the best examples is being able to go to the local golf courses, without having to make a tee time, and enjoying the perfectly green grass and great playing conditions which come together at this time of year.  After a long winter our courses can be a little rough in the early season, but after a long summer the courses are in their absolute best condition in late August through September.

This is also a wonderful time for hiking and biking with slightly cooler temperatures but absolutely gorgeous surroundings.  Or maybe you prefer to relax on what feels like a private beach or take out the boat in what can be incredibly calm and private waters.

You can wrap up your days with a comfortable evening on the deck of one of our many fine restaurants.  Not only will you be seated immediately, but many of the establishments will also offer seasonal discounts to all of their patrons.

The combination of colder mornings and numerous ski shop sales also make us start thinking of what brought us here . . . ski season!!  Believe it or not, it’s just around the corner.