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Christmas Valley

The Christmas Valley area in South Lake Tahoe is one of Tahoe’s most secluded and desirable areas. Houses for sale in Christmas Valley range from small cabins, fixers, and foreclosures in the upper $200,000’s to new large custom homes over $1,000,000.

Christmas Valley is about 10 minutes away from South Lake Tahoe and about 15 to 20 minutes from Heavenly Valley and the casinos. Christmas Valley is located south of Meyers along Luther Pass Road (Hwy 89) and the Upper Truckee River. The South Lake Tahoe mls divides Christmas Valley into 2

areas, Christmas Valley 1 and Christmas Valley 2. Christmas Valley 1 is basically the north side and is close to Hwy 50, and Christmas Valley 2 is the south end that parallels Hwy 89 and the river.

If you are looking for a quiet and secluded neighborhood away from the casinos and the lake, Christmas Valley is the perfect area. Many of the homes back National Forest land, have great mountain views, or even back the Upper Truckee River. The lots in Christmas Valley are generally larger than the average Tahoe lots, and average from 6,000 to 10,000 square feet, and some are larger. Spectacular mountain views of Echo Summit and surrounding mountains are very common in Christmas Valley.

Christmas Valley does get quite a bit more snow than areas right next to the lake. I have heard anywhere from 20% to 50% more snow falls in Christmas Valley. It must be either the snow or some of the street names (Blitzen Road , Santa Clause Drive, St. Nick Way, Reindeer Way, Elf Lane) where Christmas Valley got its name!

Here are some of the outdoor activities that Christmas Valley has to offer:

Plenty of hiking and biking trails
Trout fishing in the Upper Truckee River
Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Paradise golf course are only minutes away
Kirkwood Ski Resort is 20 minutes away
Snowmobiling
X-country skiing
Sierra At Tahoe ski resort is about 15 minutes away
Anything outdoors!

South Lake Tahoe Real Estate Blog-NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index is Up!

Real Estate in South Lake Tahoe is not the only market that is seeing an increase in pending sales. According to the National Association of Realtors the National Pending Home Sales Index rose 6.3% in December to 87.7. This is 2.1% higher than December 2007.

The increase in pending home sales is due to good prices on foreclosures, short sales, motivated sellers, and low mortgage rates. The pending sales index actually fell in the west 3.7% to 97.5, but is 17.5% higher than it was in December of 2007.

According to NAR President Charles McMillian the rise in contract signings is encouraging, “However, we need to take additional steps to meaningfully draw down inventory and stabilize home prices,” he says.

McMillan says some enhancements that could bring more buyers into the market include expanding the $7,500 tax credit to all home buyers and extending it until the end of 2009, and making loan limit increases permanent.

“We also need to direct funds in the Troubled Asset Relief Program to add liquidity to the mortgage market, buy down mortgage interest rates and increase other forms of credit,” he says

Yun says the outlook for housing and the economy is murky. “Although Congress and the Obama administration are taking steps to help the economy, the stimulus package must deal with the root cause of the economic downturn, and apply the right fix to turn it around. If housing is ignored, a significant downward overshooting of home prices would continue to drag the economy down independent of the scale of the stimulus,” Yun says.

This statement was before the Senate approved the $15,000 home buyer tax credit that may be approved by congress as early as next week.

Houses for sale in South Lake Tahoe are also seeing an increase in pending sales. In January there were 35 homes that went into escrow on theSouth Lake Tahoe mls. Out of the 35 pending houses, were bank owned foreclosures. Foreclosures in South Lake Tahoe still seem to be getting the majority of activity from home buyers. So far this February there have been 11 new single family escrows on the South Lake Tahoe mls, 4 of which are bank owned foreclosures.

This South Lake Tahoe Real Estate blog was postes by Brent Johnson. If you would like more information regarding real estate in South Lake Tahoe, foreclosures, or the South Lake Tahoe mls, contact Brent and Jill Johnson today!

South Lake Tahoe Real Estate blog-Senate Approves $15,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit!

First time home buyers looking at purchasing real estate in South Lake Tahoe may soon have an extra incentive. According to the Associated Press, last Wednesday, the Senate approved a $15,000 (up to 10% of the purchase price) tax credit for home buyers. The Tax credit would be for a primary residence including both new and existing homes.

Currently the tax credit is $7,500 and is only good for new primary residence homes. The credit is more of an interest free loan that will eventually need to be repaid to the government.

The new tax credit was brought to the table by the Republicans, and the Democrats agreed to put the credit on the bill. The credit is estimated to cost the government another $19 billion dollars, bringing the proposed stimulas package to around $920 Billion dollars.

There is a chance that the tax credit could get altered or even removed in the next week as it makes its way through Congress. Of all of the spending in the stimulus package, I think that the tax credit, or anything relating to the housing market is the most important!

This blog was posted by South Lake Tahoe Real Estate agent Brent Johnson. If you are a home buyer looking at houses for sale in South Lake Tahoe, make sure that you give Brent and Jill Johnson a call to find out more information. All South Lake Tahoe homes for sale on the South Lake Tahoe MLS can be viewed on our website bjohnson.idxcentral.net.

Make sure to look the list of foreclosures in South Lake Tahoe on my South Lake Tahoe real estate blog.

Black Bart

The Black Bart area in South Lake Tahoe is located between the Sierra Tract and Pioneer Trail. Black Bart is a very small area, and has less than 200 homes.

Black Bart connects Sierra Blvd. to Pioneer trail, so houses in the Black Bart area have easy access to either of Tahoe’s major roads, Hwy 50 and Pioneer trail. The central location of the Black Bart area also provides quick access to Heavenly Valley, the casinos, and South Lake Tahoe’s great beaches.

On the South Side of Black Bart is Lake Christopher and Trout Creek meadow. Houses located on the meadow can have great meadow and mountain views. On the north side of Black Bart is another meadow, and the South Lake Tahoe Public Utility District plant. Some of the houses on the north side of Black Bart may view the plant, which will affect the homes value. Many of the houses in the Black Bart area are amongst large pine trees, neighbor other homes, and offer a peaceful setting.

Houses in the Black Bart area range from small cabins to newer and remodeled homes. The prices currently range from $200,000 to $700,000, and the average is around $400,000.

Houses for Sale in South Lake Tahoe- 1215 Margaret Street

Just listed on the South Lake Tahoe MLS!

1215 Margaret Street $289,000

This is the perfect starter home and has been recently remodeled. The kitchen has new cabinets, appliances and counter tops. New interior paint, tile floors, and double pane windows. Large fully fenced back yard with a double gate for additional boat/RV parking. The front yard has a covered porch and is fully landscaped. Ready to be moved into! Compare this cute home with all of the other houses for sale in South Lake Tahoe!

2 Bedrooms, 1 bath, 1 car garage
Double pane windows
New interior paint
Newer wood cabinets
Fully fenced yard

If you are looking at houses for sale in South Lake Tahoe, this little guy is a must see! This South Lake Tahoe Real Estate listing was provided by Brent and Jill Johnson, your South Lake Tahoe Real Estate professionals. For any questions about South Lake Tahoe real estate, the South Lake Tahoe mls, or foreclosures for sale in South Lake Tahoe, contact us today!

Houses for Sale in South Lake Tahoe, 1140 Sioux Street

1140 Sioux Street $679,000

This like new custom home for sale in South Lake Tahoe is a step above the rest! Priced well below other new houses in Tahoe this 2828 square foot, 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 2 car garage house will impress the most demanding home buyers. There are Conservancy lots on 3 sides of this home giving it privacy from any neighbors. This custom home has log accents, granite slab counter tops, 48″ Jenn Air range top, and a kitchen to die for! The wood spiral stair case leads to a large loft that has 2 large closets. In the garage is a bonus office with heat, power, and Internet. There are just way too many features to list, so make sure that you look at the pictures and the virtual tour, and then come take a look for your self!

Knotty alder cabinets, doors, and trim
Stainless steel appliances
Air Conditioning
75 Gallon water heater with recirc pump
90% Efficient furnace with humidifier
Custom tile throughout
Huge hot tub on the back deck
Built in Plasma T.V.’s
Boat and RV parking
Much more!

Click here for the virtual tour

This custom South Lake Tahoe home was listed by South Lake Tahoe real estate agents Brent and Jill Johnson. For more information or an appointment to see this home us today. If you have any questions about any other houses for sale in South Lake Tahoe, the South Lake Tahoe mls, or South Lake Tahoe Real Estate please contact Brent and Jill Johnson today!