Carson Valley Real Estate - Carson City Homes - Lake Tahoe Real Estate: January 2009

In December, when the market was a little quieter for the holidays, I had the opportunity to take a 2-day class regarding short sales, foreclosures and everything you could possibly know about the marketing of Nevada Short Sales.  Having been a licensed Nevada Realtor for since 1999, I've seen a lot of ebbs and flows in the market, but I am always up for educational opportunities to improve my skill base and become even more knowledgeable.

After taking this class, I was in awe of all the information I was presented with, and everything I had learned. It was overwhelming! The instructor that taught this class was a RE/MAX broker out of Chicago, and this class was specifically created for RE/MAX agents.

The class was not inexpensive - with good reason! The types of things I learned included:

• What lenders are really looking for in a short sales package
  
• What sellers can and cannot do in a short sales transaction
• How to negotiate with lenders
• Ways to expedite a short sale
• Ways to protect all parties to a short sale
• What every seller must know about short sales and are rarely told
• Why strong affiliations are so important

After the two day class attended by 25 agents in our office, we received the opportunity to submit our class completion certificate and transaction history so we could officially be designated as Foreclosure, Short Sale and Repossession Specialists.

Nevada Short Sales and Foreclosures are reality and will be with us for some time to come. Some experts predict that short sales in Nevada will a significant portion of our real estate market for the next 3-4 years. Realtors can either fumble through the short sales and foreclosure sales process or get educated and become the foreclosure and short sales specialist the public needs and deserves.

For more information on the Carson Valley, email me at christy@greatnevadahomes.com or visit me online at www.greatnevadahomes.com.

 Posted By: Christianne Gordon - Northern Nevada Real Estate Agent - Realtor
with RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, specializing in Carson Valley Real Estate and Northern Nevada Real Estate.

As of January 26, 2009, there are 485 homes for sale in the greater Gardnerville, Minden and Genoa area. The total number of homes available for sale continues to decrease from 3 months ago when there were 574 homes on the market. A decrease in supply is one of the key factors that will help stabilize prices in our valley. One of the most basic principles in economics is the function of supply and demand. (Data is according to the Multiple Listing Service and excludes any shared ownership or manufactured housing.)

Of the 485 homes currently being marketed for sale, 39 homes are bank-owned properties and 48 are short sales. That means there are 87 homes out of the 485, or 17.9% of the total number of homes currently for sale, are distressed. That is up from 14.4% a month ago.

Want more information? Visit us online at www.GreatNevadaHomes.com.  You can search the Multiple Listing Service, view virtual tours, read about the different neighborhoods in the Carson Valley, and read a daily blog.

 Posted By: Christianne Gordon - Northern Nevada Real Estate Agent - Realtor
with RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, specializing in Carson Valley Real Estate and Northern Nevada Real Estate.

Within the Carson Valley, there are several separate and distinct areas to live, each with certain advantages over the others. This blog post will focus on the advantages and quality of life that can be found in the Johnson Lane area of Minden.

The Johnson Lane area is located in the northeastern corner of the Carson Valley. You can access the neighborhood by one of two roads that intersect Highway 395 - the two roads are Johnson Lane and, more recently added, Stephanie Way. The Johnson Lane area is laid out much like a grid and is, for the most part, all residential. Along the southern side of Johnson Lane there are some smaller light industrial buildings. The largest business located in the Johnson Lane area is the Starbuck’s Roasting Plant of Minden.

People have been living in the Johnson Lane area for decades, however, it is within the last ten years that it’s growth exploded. The most recently built communities are Wildhorse, North Fork Trails, Saratoga Springs, Bramwell Estates, and Skyline Ranch. These developments are nestled in the foothills of the east side of the valley among pockets of older homes. In Wildhorse, North Fork Trails and Saratoga Springs, homes are located on lots from 1/4 acre to 1/2 an acre. In Skyline Ranch and Bramwell Estates, you’ll find 1 acre parcels. Most older homes in the area are also on 1 acre, so the area has a very laid back and spacious feel.

The Johnson Lane area is bordered by BLM land to the North and the East, providing excellent access to miles upon miles of hiking, biking and exploring trails. The other breath-taking feature of this area is the views of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. In most of the Johnson Lane area you can see all the way from Mt. Rose to Kirkwood, and everywhere in between. The views of the valley and mountains are incredible, every season of the year.

The area is also very close to services in South Carson. It is only a 5 mile ride to get to all the big box stores at the top of the hill, featuring Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond, Trader Joe’s, Costco, and more!

Currently, there are 45 lots available for sale in the Johnson Lane area. Saratoga Springs has 20+ lots left ranging from 1/3 to 1/2 acre, starting at $169,900. This neighborhood has over 35% open space, with walking trails, a park, and protective CC&Rs. In Bramwell Estates, there are 1 acre lots available, with the lowest starting at $150,000. This development also features protective CC&Rs. Most 1 acre lots range in price from $169,900 to $225,000, down considerably from their high prices of just a few years ago. Many lots do not have any Homeowner’s Association or CC&R restrictions, making them very appealing to people with recreational vehicles or hobbies that require outbuildings.

If building a home seems like a daunting task, why not consider a resale? There are 75 homes in the Johnson Lane area on the market today, ranging in price from $244,900 to $2,500,000. Are you looking for more information on the Johnson Lane area? Let us know! Or - if you would like to search the available homes in the Johnson Lane area - or any area of the Carson Valley - just use our Search MLS Listings feature!

For more information on the Carson Valley, email me at christy@greatnevadahomes.com or visit me online at www.greatnevadahomes.com. For more information on the Johnson Lane area, visit us at GreatNevadaHomes.com.

 Posted By: Christianne Gordon - Northern Nevada Real Estate Agent - Realtor
with RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, specializing in Carson Valley Real Estate and Northern Nevada Real Estate.

Chambers Field is a close-in collection of neighborhoods east of Highway 88 and South of 395, west of the much larger subdivision known as the Gardnerville Ranchos. This area was historically used as ranching lands and dairies, but in recent years has been developed into small master-planned neighborhoods among the remaining rural sections. Those residing in Chambers Field enjoy incredible year around views of the Sierra Nevada mountains and panoramic views of ranching and agricultural fields. Within Chambers Field, there are several subdivisions, each with their own style, feel and characteristics.

Pleasantview was the first of the neighborhoods built in this area and it features mature landscaping. Most homes are located on 1/3 acre lots, many have enclosed RV parking as part of the home, with very upscale interior finishes. After Pleasantview was developed, Silveranch was developed immediately adjacent to Pleasantview. There are two styles of lots in Silveranch – some are as small as a quarter acre, and some are on as much as an acre. These homes also feature upgraded interiors and desirable architectural designs.

Most recently, Rocky Terrace, Cedar Creek and Rainshadow Ranch are three new subdivisions currently available for sale. Rocky Terrace has 1/3 acre lots priced very competitively and is a great place to build if you want to work with your own plan and your own builder. Cedar Creek is a gate-guarded development with small lots, a clubhouse with gym, and a mile of walking trails. The development is intended for “lock & go” owners who don’t want the hassle of maintaining a large parcel of land. Homeowner’s Association dues for Cedar Creek are nominal (under $50 per month) when compared to many developments in California. Rainshadow Ranch is the newest subdivision to take flight in Chambers Field. Greg Lynn Construction is the builder for Rainshadow Ranch and he is building “off the grid” homes. The homes feature solar cells which operate the home without the need for traditional utilities (most of the time), creating a very environmentally friendly carbon footprint. The lots are approximately half an acre and are also available for sale.

These neighborhoods are close to town services, offer easy access to Lake Tahoe and other surrounding recreational areas. If you are considering moving to the Carson Valley area, the Chambers Field area is definitely a neighborhood you should consider.

For more information on the Carson Valley, email me at christy@greatnevadahomes.com or visit me online at www.greatnevadahomes.com. For more information on Chambers Field, visit us at GreatNevadaHomes.com.

 Posted By: Christianne Gordon - Northern Nevada Real Estate Agent - Realtor
with RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, specializing in Carson Valley Real Estate and Northern Nevada Real Estate.

The numbers are in, and there were 472 homes sold in the Carson Valley in 2008. Here’s how
the sales brown down month by month:

In comparison, here’s how the sales for 2008 compare to the last seven years:

It’s hard to be a seller in this market, because the numbers don’t lie. It’s harder than ever to sell a home if you are a traditional seller, because the buyer pool is limited, and distressed properties on the market are pushing values lower by the day. Just being the best priced home in the best condition doesn’t guarantee you a sale. Buyers are concerned about declining values, and are buying, but the value has to be undeniably good.

As of today, there are 487 homes on the market in the Carson Valley, and homes haven’t been this affordable in YEARS! Of the 487 homes on the market, 146 of them are under $300,000. There are some incredible deals in the Carson Valley. Check them out by using our Search feature!

For more information on the Carson Valley, email me at christy@greatnevadahomes.com or visit me online at www.greatnevadahomes.com.

 Posted By: Christianne Gordon - Northern Nevada Real Estate Agent - Realtor
with RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, specializing in Carson Valley Real Estate and Northern Nevada Real Estate.

When it comes to the Carson City real estate market for 2008, it wasn’t pretty - but it’s not all bad, either. The Carson City real estate market saw 28 sales in December, which was much better compared to November’s meager 16 sales. Carson City rounded out 2008 with 364 sales for the year, and here’s how the sales broke down month by month:

In comparison, the number of homes sold by year in Carson City looks like this:

Where’s the upside on this? Well, we’ll admit - it’s a bit hard to find if you’re a seller. However, if you’re a buyer, rejoice! As of today, there are 292 homes on the market in Carson City right now, and homes haven’t been this affordable in YEARS! Of the 292 homes on the market, 90 of them are under $200,000.

The only part of the equation we’re all waiting for is for the current banking climate to loosen up some of the coffers. Today, President-Elect Obama’s administration confirmed their plans to keep FDIC Chairwoman Sheila Bair in place. More importantly, Congress is putting conditions on how the outgoing and incoming presidential administrations use the remaining $350 Billion in rescue funds - forcing the banks who want those funds to use it to help current homeowners refinance and provide buyers with better interest rates, instead of just boosting bank capital. The measure would adopt a Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. foreclosure plan, revamp the Hope for Homeowners loan-relief program that has attracted few lenders and support a Treasury program to cut rates on some fixed-rate home-loans.

If that plan comes to fruition, it will go a long way towards helping the Carson City real estate market rebound.

For up to the minute market data, visit www.greatnevadahomes.com. Or call Steve at (775) 690-0685 or Christianne at (775) 881-8223.

All data presented is as per the Northern Nevada Multiple Listing Service and excludes manufactured or shared ownership housing.

For more information on the Carson Valley, email me at christy@greatnevadahomes.com or visit me online at www.greatnevadahomes.com.

 Posted By: Christianne Gordon - Northern Nevada Real Estate Agent - Realtor
with RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, specializing in Carson Valley Real Estate and Northern Nevada Real Estate.