South Lake Tahoe Real Estate Blog

Top Real Estate Agent in South Lake Tahoe!

Brent Johnson was just named the top real estate agent in South Lake Tahoe for the 7th consecutive year for units listed/sold and buyer side sales! Brent was also the top agent in volume with $122,226,532 in sales on the South Lake Tahoe MLS. 2021 was also the 9th consecutive year as the top realtor in South Lake Tahoe for buyer side units sold.

According to the South Lake Tahoe MLS, in 2020 Brent Johnson closed a total of 154 units sold with a total sales volume of $122,226,532 which included 86 listing sales and 68 buy side transactions. The next closest agent had 69 sales.

In 2019 Brent Johnson was also the top real estate agent in South Lake Tahoe for units sold with a total of 94 units sold for $56,109,277 in sales volume which included 55 listing sales and 39 buy side transactions. The next closest agent had 24 total sales and $31,830,000 in total volume.

In 2018 Brent had 110 total transactions with over $59,258,110 in volume and 68 sales with over $30,000,000 in volume in 2015.

Brent Johnson is one of the few realtors in South Lake Tahoe that has built his business with a foundation based on hard work, ethics, and cutting edge technology.

“I believe that I have been able to consistently position myself as the top realtor in South Lake Tahoe by creating a business model that no one else in Tahoe has. I believe in working hard for my clients, doing what I say that I am going to do, and utilizing the power of the internet. My background is also a huge asset for me. I was born and raised here in South Tahoe and I started here as a developer/general contractor. I know this town like the back of my hand and I know how to evaluate properties well because of my background.”

Having a full-time assistant has enabled Brent to focus on what he does best, selling homes and working with customers. “Janine has been a crucial part of my team and is a valuable asset that allows me to stay efficient and organized. When I am out on an appointment or out showing property Janine is there to respond to emails, take phone calls, and to make sure that no showings or leads slip through the cracks.” This has been a big reason that Brent Johnson has been the top real estate agent in South Lake Tahoe.

Working for Chase International is another key to Brent Johnson’s success as the top realtor in South Lake Tahoe. Chase International South Tahoe Realty is the top producing brokerage in South Lake Tahoe with 530 total units sold and a total sales volume of $411,394,740. The nearest competitor to Chase had only 217 total sales with a total volume of $183,192,554. “When listing your home with Chase International, you hire an entire team of Realtors and brokers. With my brokers and I working for you, a combined 55 years of experience in the South Lake Tahoe real estate market is on your side. From the pricing of your property through negations and closing, be assured that you will have hired the highest level of expertise and experience.”

When listing your property in with the top real estate agent in South Lake Tahoe there are some important marketing tools that he will use to sell your property. Below are just some of the features that are used by Brent and his team.

Professional Photography and Virtual Tours! With over 84% of today’s home buyers searching for homes on the Internet, professional pictures are a must. Not only will your property be one of the first that they see online, it will make the top of the “Must See” list with the high quality professional pictures and virtual tours.
Featured Listings! I pay for my listings to be featured on the top Real Estate websites including Zillow.com, Realtor.com, Trulia.com, www.JohnsonsTahoeRealEstate.com, and more.
Maximum Internet Exposure! My website www.JohnsonsTahoeRealEstate.com is one of the most active and user friendly real estate websites in Lake Tahoe. My blog is updated frequently and produces lots of business. My website is at the top of page one for many Google search phrases.
Listing Syndication! Your property listing and professional pictures will be syndicated to thousands of websites worldwide! Not only do I pay for featured listings, I manually upload your listing to Postlets.com, craigslist, facebook, youtube, and many others. With listing syndication your property gains maximum Internet exposure.
Homes and Land Magazine! Even though most home buyers are searching the Internet for properties, I still believe in print advertising. I publish my listings monthly in Homes and Land Magazine. This widely distributed and high quality magazine gives buyers and sellers something to flip through while away from their computer. The professional high resolution photo will insure that your listing stands out above the rest!
Just Listed Postcards! I mail out high quality, glossy, 8”x 5.5” “Just Listed” postcards to property owners in your neighborhood. Some of your neighbors may have friends or family looking to purchase a property and may have a buyer for your listing.
Open Houses! Open houses are a great way to show off your property to home buyers, neighbors, and other Realtors. If my sellers want open houses I give them open houses! Open houses will be advertised in the Tahoe Tribune, the South Lake Tahoe MLS, and Trulia.com.
MLS and Office Tour! Every week the South Lake Tahoe MLS has a caravan style tour of the new listings in South Tahoe. Chase International also has a monthly office tour for our agents to view our new office listings. I am a firm believer in hosting my listings on both tours so that I can market your listing to other local real estate agents.
Marketing Department! Chase International is the only local real estate company with our own marketing department. All of our advertising materials will adhere to Chase’s guidelines and will be second to none in quality and materials.

Whether you are a seller or a buyer and if you are interested in working with the top real estate agent in South Lake Tahoe please call Brent and his team at (530) 416-2625 today!

Click here to view recent reviews for Brent Johnson Real Estate

Click here to view recent Yelp! reviews for Brent Johnson Real Estate

April 2020 Real Estate Review

The South Lake Tahoe Real Estate market is seeing a decrease in the total number of listings from April 2019. This includes the Active Listings and those that are currently in Escrow. Out of the 201 Active Listings, none are Short Sale and there are 2 REO properties. Out of the 39 properties in Escrow, none are Short Sales and one is an REO. In April of 2019, there were 246 Total Listings, 189 Active Listings, and 57 Escrows.

The median sales price for a Single-Family Home in South Lake Tahoe as of April 2020 is $470,000.00 which is down 2.1% from April 2019. In April of 2019, the median sales price was $480,000. There are currently 39 properties in Escrow and represent 19.4% of the total inventory. Here is a breakdown by price range of the 39 Escrows:

Under $200,000- 0 0%
$201,000 to $300,000- 3 7.7%
$301,000 to $400,000- 9 30.8%
$401,000 to $500,000- 8
$501,000 to $600,000- 3
$601,000 to $700,000- 6
$701,000 to $800,000- 3
$801,000 to $999,000- 3
Over $1 Million- 4 (4 are Chase of which 0 are Zalanta)

From January 1, 2020 to April 27, 2020 there have been a total of 147 closings which is up slightly from the number of closings during the same time in 2019 when there were 133 closings.

Even though we have had more closings so far this year, I expect there to be less home sales in the first half of 2020 compared to 2019 judging by the lower number of pending sales. There has been an increase of activity over the last week which is quite encouraging despite the shelter in place requirements.

I currently have 17 active listings and most of the listings had showings over the last weekend. 6 of my listings received multiple showings and we received offers on 5 of the listings which is a big jump in activity from the previous weekend.

Be sure to check out my Virtual Showing Videos by accessing my YouTube Channel and you can access it by the link –Brent Johnson’s YouTube Channel Click “Subscribe” for upcoming Virtual Showing Videos!

You can also follow along on my Social Media pages for new listings!

Brent Johnson’s Instagram Page

Brent Johnson’s Facebook Page

March 2020 Real Estate Review

The South Lake Tahoe Real Estate market is seeing a slight decrease in the total number of listings from March 2019. This includes the Active Listings and those that are currently in Escrow. Out of the 216 Active Listings, none are Short Sale and there are 4 REO properties. Out of the 54 properties in Escrow, none are Short Sales and none are REO.

The median sales price for a Single-Family Home in South Lake Tahoe as of March 2020 is $470,000.00 which is down 1.3% from March 2019. There are currently 54 properties in Escrow and represent 37% of the total inventory. Here is a breakdown by price range of the 54 Escrows:

Under $200,000- 1 1.9%
$201,000 to $300,000- 2 5.6%
$301,000 to $400,000- 12 27.8%
$401,000 to $500,000- 14
$501,000 to $600,000- 4
$601,000 to $700,000- 6
$701,000 to $800,000- 6
$801,000 to $999,000- 4
Over $1 Million- 5 (4 are Chase of which 0 are Zalanta)

From January 1, 2020 to March 30, 2020 there have been a total of 123 closings which is about the same from the amount of closings during the same time in 2019 which was 121 closings.

We are currently operating during the “Shelter in Place” order that the State of California is under as we are an essential service. We are needing to be creative in order for our clients to be able to purchase homes virtually during this time. I offer Virtual Showings on all of our Active Listings this way people can watch the video first to make sure this is something they are interested in. Buyer’s much be Prequalified prior to looking at a property and must watch the Virtual Showing video prior to entering a property. I can also FaceTime or Zoom any of my clients through properties listed on the MLS if you are not able to come to South Lake Tahoe at this time.

You can access all of my Virtual Showings by visiting my YouTube Channel- Brent Johnson’s YouTube Channel

Please be sure to “Subscribe” to not miss out on future showings!

Stay home, stay safe, and be well!

February 2020 Real Estate Review

The South Lake Tahoe Real Estate market is seeing a slight increase in the total number of listings from February 2019. This includes the Active Listings and those that are currently in Escrow. Out of the 159 Active Listings, none are Short Sale and there are 4 REO properties. Out of the 72 properties in Escrow, none are Short Sales and 1 REO.

The median sales price for a Single-Family Home in South Lake Tahoe as of February 2020 is $475,000.00 which is the same as February of 2019. There are currently 72 properties in Escrow and represent 31.2% of the total inventory. Here is a breakdown by price range of the 72 Escrows:

Under $200,000- 1 1.4%
$201,000 to $300,000- 5 8.3%
$301,000 to $400,000- 12 25%
$401,000 to $500,000- 17
$501,000 to $600,000- 6
$601,000 to $700,000- 11
$701,000 to $800,000- 8
$801,000 to $999,000- 6
Over $1 Million- 6 (4 are Chase of which 0 are Zalanta)

Today, we are faced with several new challenges regarding how Real Estate will be affected due to the worldwide Coronavirus pandemic. We should expect that property showings will be slow since we are required to social distance and in some cases “Shelter in Place”. We will see our market get a later start to our Spring Listing Season as in years before, we would see that would have just begun.

We are still out showing properties, however, we are following strict guidelines to comply with social distancing. We are following our clients instead of riding in the same car to ensure the 6-foot rule, using hand sanitizer frequently before and after entering a property, refraining from touching surfaces, and staying home if we are not feeling well.

In South Lake Tahoe currently, the Casinos, restaurants and bars, some hotels, and other local business are closed until further notice. It will be interesting to see when our town will be back up and running!

Until then, wash your hands and stay well!

Brent Johnson’s Real Estate Acheivement Awards of 2019

It’s that time of year again when Chase International recognizes agents within the company for their outstanding achievements from the prior year. I am proud to have received the following awards for my Real Estate sales success in 2019-

#1 Agent in “Total Individual Sales Volume”

#1 Agent in “Individual Units Sold”

“Leader in Luxury”

I greatly value and appreciate all of my clients and am looking forward to another successful year in 2020! Click here to read some of my client’s feedback from our transactions throughout the years-

Brent Johnson’s Zillow Reviews

January 2020 Real Estate Review

The South Lake Tahoe Real Estate market is again seeing a slight decrease in the total number of listings from February 2019. This includes the Active Listings and those that are currently in Escrow. Out of the Active Listings, none are Short Sale and there are 2 REO properties. Out of the properties in Escrow, none are Short Sales and there are 2 REO.

The median sales price for a Single-Family Home in South Lake Tahoe as of January 2020 is $485,000.00 which is up 2.1% from January of 2019. There are currently 56 properties in Escrow and represent 42.9% of the total inventory. Here is a breakdown by price range of the 56 Escrows:

Under $200,000- 0 0%
$201,000 to $300,000- 3 5.4%
$301,000 to $400,000- 14 30.4%
$401,000 to $500,000- 12
$501,000 to $600,000- 7
$601,000 to $700,000- 3
$701,000 to $800,000- 8
$801,000 to $999,000- 4
Over $1 Million- 5 (4 are Chase of which 1 is Zalanta)

Mortgage Rates are at their lowest they have been in 3 years. CNN reported that, “Mortgage rates across the U.S. have fallen to a three-year low, a boon for house-hunters and homeowners looking to refinance.

The average 30-year mortgage is charging 3.45%, while 15-year loans are at 2.97%, according to Freddie Mac. That’s down from 4.41% and 3.84% a year ago. Lower rates means homeowners pay less for their house over the life of the loan. So anyone with decent credit shopping for a home is likely getting the cheapest interest rates in years, experts said.”

What factors are pushing down mortgage costs? “The Federal Reserve has kept rates low after cutting them three times last year amid signs of economic weakness, while inflation remains tame.

“And once [banks] start to expect that, they’re willing to lend money over the long run at lower interest rates,” said Bob DeYoung, an economist and business professor at the University of Kansas.

Another reason mortgage rates have receded: European and other overseas investors seeking shelter from Brexit, the coronavirus and other global risks have scooped up U.S. Treasuries, pushing down yields. Banks typically keep mortgage rates slightly above Treasury rates, so home loan costs have declined in turn.”

Check out the article here- Mortgage Rates Hit Three Year Low

If you’ve been holding out, now is a great time to buy! We usually start seeing an increase of listings by early Spring and now would be the time to check in with your Mortgage Broker.

To check out an up to date Market Report for South Lake Tahoe, you can access here- Market Report for South Lake Tahoe

For more information, you can email me directly at bjohnson@chaseinternational.com or call/text 530-416-2625.