California Hands Free Cell Phone Law Takes Effect July 1st!
June 30, 2008
For those of you who have not heard, Effective July 1st, it will be against the law to talk on a cell phone while driving your car without using a “hands free” device.
As a Real Estate Agent in South Lake Tahoe, I am always on the phone while driving. I will be purchasing a blue tooth tomorrow!
The base fine for the first offence is $20 and $50 for subsequent convictions, although with the addition of penalty assessments, the fines can be more than triple the base fine amount.
There will be no warning period for the new law that takes effect on Tuesday, and the law applies to out of state drivers also.
It will still be legal to dial out and use speaker phone, but I have noticed that the reception is not as good and there is a lot of background noise.
The law does allow a driver to make emergency calls to a law enforcement agency, a medical provider, or the fire department.
I hope that this new law makes our roads safer for my three girls, and I don’t mind using a blue tooth one bit!
New Foreclosure listing in South Lake Tahoe
June 19, 2008
3475 S. Upper Truckee is a 1300 square foot three bedroom, two bath, two car garage foreclosure listing in Christmas Valley. If you are looking for a great county setting on a boulder studded lot, do not miss out on this great foreclosure!
New Foreclosure listing in South Lake Tahoe
June 18, 2008
Summer weather is here to stay, and there is no better time to look at Real Estate in South Lake Tahoe. For those bargain hunters, here is the most recent foreclosure in South Lake Tahoe.
This house is a 2 bedroom, 1.75 bath home for $249,900. This foreclosure is a great opportunity for some sweat equity!
Vacation Rental Moratorium in South Lake Tahoe?
June 13, 2008
The South Lake Tahoe City Council is having a meeting on June 17th to discuss the possibility of a Vacation Rental Moratorium in the City of South Lake Tahoe. Apparently there are some angry locals that believe that vacation rentals are the main cause of noise pollution, bear, and parking problems in South Lake Tahoe.
I believe that rules and enforcement will be a much better solution than a moratorium on new vacation rental permits.
I have witnessed more problems with noise, parties, and trash with long term rentals than vacation rentals. I currently live across the street from a long term rental with five teenagers who come and go throughout the night, and park everywhere! The vacation rental across the street from my old house was a lot quieter and has a bear proof trash container (required for vacation rentals in the county).
A moratorium on vacation rentals would be devastating to our local economy. It would further depress the South Lake Tahoe Real Estate market, hurt local small business owners, and bring in less revenue to the city.
Here is a brief survey that you should take to show the city council how you feel about the idea of a vacation rental moratorium.
You can also attend the City Council Meeting on June 17th at 9:00am at the South Lake Tahoe Airport.
It is a “NO” on Measure A
June 7, 2008
On Tuesday, June 3rd South Lake Tahoe Voters opted against Measure A. Measure A would have been a property assessment that would tax $38.70 per $100,000 of the assessed value of the property. The money raised by the bond would have been used for improvements to the Lake Tahoe Unified School District. The State also would have matched $15.4 million in funds if Measure A had passed.
I understand that times our tough for some people, but times are even tougher for our schools! Our children are our future, and they should have the benefit of a clean and healthy learning environment.
I am very disappointed that Measure A did not pass. I hope if another chance arises to improve our local schools, voters will rethink there decision. It is also too bad that the State will not just give our schools that $15 Million !
