Carson Valley Real Estate - Carson City Homes - Lake Tahoe Real Estate

It's back to school time here in the Carson Valley area of Northern Nevada!

Here in Douglas County, Nevada, we are split into two sections - the first is Valley (for all of Carson Valley) and the second is Lake (for the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe).  We also have different schedules for primary and secondary schools. 

Carson Valley and Lake Tahoe elementary schools commence on Wednesday, August 17, 2011.

Middle and high schools commence on Monday, August 22, 2011.

For a list of 2011-2012 school calendars, please see the links below:

Carson Valley Primary School Calendar 

Lake Tahoe Primary School Calendar

Carson Valley Secondary School Calendar

Lake Tahoe Secondary School Calendar

If you are looking for information pertaining to a specific school within the Douglas County School District, you can visit them online at the link below. The list provides each school's specific website, phone number, fax, and principal's name.

Douglas County Nevada School District List of Schools

This is the view at 7,200 feet ascending Genoa Peak on a well known 'locals' path. Genoa Peak's elevation is 9,500. The snow-covered peak at the far right in the distance is Job's Peak. The community at the valley floor is the Gardnerville neighborhood commonly referred to as the Foothills...

The 2010 Census results have been released and Douglas County Nevada - also knows as the Carson Valley Nevada area - gained 1,513 people. 

• Douglas County Nevada now has a population of 46,997 residents.

• Douglas County Nevada population is up from the 2009 census estimate of 45,464 but lower than the demographer's estimate of 51,390 people.

• This is the first population incease in Douglas County Nevada since 2006.

The allure of small-town America is alive and well in the Carson Valley area. In the Carson Valley area, we still revel in the fact that we only have 5 stop lights between the three towns of Genoa, Gardnerville and Minden. Residents here have a strong sense of community with several functions throughout the year. We proudly enjoy the Minden Park Concert Series, Heritage Park Movies in the Park Series, Wine Walks, Carson Valley Days annual parade (where Highway 395 is shut down for several hours where floats throw small children candies), and others. 

Come see what the Carson Valley area is all about. We have 300 sunny days a year on average, specatular Sierra Nevada mountain views, incredible recreational activities - hiking, biking, fishing, snowskiing, boating, to name a few - and no state income tax. Make your retirement dollar go farther in Nevada.

Carson Valley Real Estate - Douglas County Nevada - 2011 Community Guide and Important Phone Numbers

EMERGENCY - Fire - Police - Ambulance..............................................911

Douglas County Sheriff....................................................................(775) 782-9935

Douglas County Sheriff - Dispatch....................................................(775) 782-5126

Douglas County Clerk's Office...........................................................(775) 782-9020

Douglas County Communications & Emergency Management................(775) 782-9990

Town of Gardnerville........................................................................(775) 782-7134

Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District...............................................(775) 588-3591

Carson Valley Medical Center............................................................(775) 782-1500

National Poison Control Center.........................................................(800) 222-1222

Reno Real Estate / Reno Short Sales - JUST SOLD - 1035 S University Park Loop

This gorgeous custom decorated 3 years young Lennar home just sold on Friday, January 15, 2010 and is our most recent successful Reno short sale. This wonderful home features upgrades and custom appointments throughout. Inside you'll find granite slab counters, wainscoting, custom paint, ceiling fans, laminate floors, and a custom concrete stamped rear patio with wood pergola. Fully automated landscaped front and rear with drip and sprinklers. One bedroom adjacent to full bath on main level makes great guest quarters or secluded den.

Beautiful millwork throughout the home accents the architectural nuances of the home. Gas log fireplace in family room is particularly stunning. Great location is close to schools, shopping and major freeways. Paver driveway, storage shed also included in sale. Home also features a tandem garage ideal for 3 vehicles, toys, or an oversized workshop. Consider the possibilities! Don't miss the virtual tour for 50+ images of this home!

View the Virtual Tour Here! 1035 S University Park Loop

This property is now sold, but there are others for sale in University Ridge. If you're interested in homes in University Ridge, please call Christy at (775) 881-8223 or Steve at (775) 690-0685.

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About The Author

Christianne Gordon, REALTOR®, CDPE, SFR is a Northern Nevada Real Estate Specialist that can assist you with the purchase or sale of real estate in Gardnerville, Minden, Genoa, Carson City, Dayton, and Reno/Sparks. 

To search all available homes for sale in the Northern Nevada area, please visit GreatNevadaHomes.com or contact us for a FREE ListingBook account!

I live in Douglas County Nevada, and according to FEMA, we're all gonna flood!

Ok, we're at 4,500 elevation, and 10 miles to the west, there are granite mountains sticking almost 6,000 feet straight up. On the other side is Lake Tahoe. So let's face it, if one of those mountains falls down, we're all gonna die. (The picture at right is a field using flood irrigation in the springtime 2009. Ranchers here have used flood irrigation on their fields for hundreds of years.)

We also have streams and rivers running through our little valley, and when we have a really bad storm (maybe every 15 years at most) we have flooding of some sort. It doesn't affect every homeowner. Sometimes when we have significant precipitation, we have flash flooding. After all, this is the high desert, and it basically just makes streams in the sand.

We had the pleasure of FEMA visiting our area over the last year or so, and they've decided to change the majority of Douglas County into a floodzone. This means many homeowners are getting notices they must purchase flood insurance for the first time, even though they may live in areas never known to flood....as in, never! And January 19, 2010 is the LAST day to buy coverage under the previous premium rating. If you wait, it could cost hundreds of dollars more.

These premiums can cost anywhere from $300 to a few thousand dollars a year. Flood insurance is a requirement for anyone whose mortgage is backed by the federal government. By the way, more than 50 percent of all mortgages in this country are now guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Douglas County has filed a lawsuit against FEMA, but we have been explicity instructed that we are to use the new maps while the suit is pending. Can you imagine the impact in property values if your home just went from an identifiable flood elevation to a NON-identifiable elevation? And yes, we have lots of those. If a home has a $3,000 flood insurance premium per year, how does that affect value and how far down will it drive the value?

In a struggling market like the Carson Valley, this just seems like someone just twisted a knife in our backs. We'll find a way to get around this, just like we did when the market had double-digit interest rates. But - I can't help but wonder why areas like LA County are now in a floodplain, too. Seems like FEMA is having a money grab - perhaps to lend to Fannie and Freddie? Food for thought.

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If you enjoyed my blog post, I invite you to connect with me on social networks, subscribe to my blog, and watch my videos? 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

About The Author

Christianne Gordon, REALTOR®, CDPE, SFR is a Northern Nevada Real Estate Specialist that can assist you with the purchase or sale of real estate in Gardnerville, Minden, Genoa, Carson City, Dayton, and Reno/Sparks. 

To search all available homes for sale in the Northern Nevada area, please visit GreatNevadaHomes.com or contact us for a FREE ListingBook account!

Carson Valley, Lake Tahoe and Northern Nevada Ski Resort Listings

Yes, the coveted snow is again collecting on the slopes of Northern Nevada's world-class ski resorts and it's time to come play! Here is a quick and easy list of Ski Resorts and phone numbers so you can arrange a vacation or a last-minute getaway to the Jewel of the Sierra!

South Lake Tahoe & Surrounding Area Resorts

Heavenly Valley Ski Resort - 29 lifts - 3,500 Vertical Feet - 86 Runs - 775-586-7000

Kirkwood Ski Resort - 12 lifts - 2,000 Vertical Feet - 65+ Runs - 209-258-6000

Sierra at Tahoe - 10 lifts - 2,212 Vertical Feet - 43 Runs - 530-659-7453

North & East Shore / Nevada

Boreal - 9 lifts - 500 Vertical Feet - 41 Runs - 530-426-3666

Diamond Peak - 6 lifts - 1,840 Vertical Feet - 30 Runs - 775-832-1177

Mount Rose - 6 lifts - 1,500 Vertical Feet - 43 Runs - 775-849-0704

Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort - 4 lifts - 1,600 Vertical Feet - 530-426-3871

Soda Springs - 4 lifts - 652 Vertical Feet - 16 runs - 530-426-3901

Sugar Bowl - 12 lifts - 1,500 Vertical Feet - 84 runs - 530-426-9000

Truckee Area

Tahoe Donner - 4 lifts - 600 Vertical Feet - 14 runs - 530-587-9444

Donner Ski Ranch - 6 lifts - 750 Vertical Feet - 50 runs - 530-426-3635

Northstar at Tahoe - 15 lifts - 2,280 Vertical Feet - 70 runs - 530-562-1330

North Lake Tahoe / Tahoe City

Alpine Meadows - 13 lifts - 1,802 Vertical Feet - 100+ runs - 530-583-4232

Granlibakken Ski Hill - 1 lift - 300 Vertical Feet - 800-543-3221

Homewood - 8 lifts - 1,650 Vertical Feet - 35 runs - 530-525-2992

Squaw Valley USA - 33 lifts - 2,850 Vertical Feet - 100+ runs - 530-583-6985

Central Sierra Resorts

Bear Valley - 11 lifts - 1,900 Vertical Feet - 67 runs - 209-753-2327

Dodge Ridge - 12 lifts - 1,600 Vertical Feet - 60 runs - 209-965-3474

Mammoth Mountain - 28 lifts - 3,100 Vertical Feet - 800-MAMMOTH

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you enjoyed my blog post, I invite you to connect with me on social networks, subscribe to my blog, and watch my videos? 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

About The Author

Christianne Gordon, REALTOR®, CDPE, SFR is a Northern Nevada Real Estate Specialist that can assist you with the purchase or sale of real estate in Gardnerville, Minden, Genoa, Carson City, Dayton, and Reno/Sparks. 

To search all available homes for sale in the Northern Nevada area, please visit GreatNevadaHomes.com or contact us for a FREE ListingBook account!

A Sweet Tooth Just In Time for the Holidays - TahoeToffee.com

We live in a small part of the world - Douglas County only has 30,000 residents. We only have 5 stoplights. What we do have, we are really proud of. We have a lot of Mom and Pop shops instead of a lot of chain stores.

Today, I'm here to tell you about the best toffee I've ever had. And the best part is even though they're in my backyard, they are on the web so you can enjoy them, too!

I am not a foodie, but I do consider myself a candie! I love sweets, and know how to eat fine chocolate. Bottom line - I know my toffee. It's my favorite candy. I recently bought a half pound bag of toffee and peppermint bark as fundraiser support for Douglas Pop Warner cheerleaders that are traveling to Florida for a national competition in January. The toffee arrived 2 days ago. It's gone already. I am already wishing I had more.

If you love candy and want to give a personalized treat from a special part of the world, won't you consider giving toffee from TahoeToffee.com? The candy is excellent (take my word for it), it's affordable - a half pound bag is only $5 - and a portion of the proceeds goes to the League to Save Lake Tahoe. If the yummy toffee didn't get you, then maybe the good samaritan angle will get you to order some!

Happy Beginning of the Holiday Season to All! Make it a little sweeter with Tahoe Toffee!

(Disclaimer: The owners of TahoeToffee did not give me any toffee to write this story, or give me anything else. I have written this editorial review of their candy purely because I love Tahoe Toffee's toffee and wanted to share my story with the world in the hopes of exposing this "mom and pop" business to a larger customer base.)

Posted By: Christianne Gordon - REALTOR® with RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, specializing in Carson Valley Real Estate, Carson City Real Estate and Northern Nevada Homes.

Winhaven is a master planned community in Minden, in the heart of the Carson Valley. Peaceful Winhaven offers quality homes with breathtaking views of the Sierras. The community offers generous greenbelts with walkways and ponds meandering among the homes. Winhaven is a beautiful community situated within walking distance to Carson Valley schools, theaters, markets, restaurants, health care, fitness and swim centers, the library and the post office, providing exceptional conveniences for its residents. It’s no wonder homes sell quickly in this lovely Carson Valley community.

For more information on Winhaven, other Carson Valley communities, or homes anywhere in Northern Nevada from Reno to Dayton to Gardnerville, call Steve at (775) 690-0685 or Christy at (775) 881-8223.

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

Carson City Nevada Real Estate Market Report - October 2009 Home Sales Results

44 homes sold in Carson City in October 2009, a 43% volume increase year over year when only 28 homes sold in October 2008.

What were the key indicators for the August Carson City real estate market?

• 44 homes sold
  
• Average asking price is $211,504
• Average selling price is $209,243
• Average days on market was 144

So what is the absorption rate for Carson City?

• There are 274 homes on the market as of 11/13/09
• 44 homes sold in October
  
• 274/44 = 6.23 months of inventory

The absorption rate for the Carson City continues to be strong and is within 5-7 months considered a normal supply. This is a huge turnaround from the 15+ months of inventory we had on the market in February.

Of the 274 homes on the market, 45 are bank owned, 50 are short sales and 4 are subject to court approval. That means that 36% of the Carson City real market is distressed.

(Data provided courtesy of the Northern Nevada Regional Multiple Listing Service and excludes manufactured and shared ownership housing for Area 200, known as Carson City.)