Can you rent your Tahoe vacation home?
October 29, 2008
You can rent out your house but don’t expect to have a positive cash flow, of course unless you paid cash! It doesn’t always matter where in Tahoe the house is located it will rent. With that said if your rental is located close to the Stateline casino area and heavenly ski resort that is a good marketing point. Most Tourists that have been to Tahoe are familiar with the Stateline casino and Heavenly area. But that is the end all be all for vacation rentals by far, a large number of tourists don’t know where heavenly or the casinos are and don’t care. There are other ski resorts and destinations to market and if you state in your ad that the property is 10 minutes to heavenly (no properties are really much further) you have cover it.
If you wish to use a rental company to handle your property you can expect to pay approximately 35% of the rental fee. This makes the most since for a lot of property owners because they simply live too far away to handle the late night problems, maintenance and clean up. They also take care of marketing your home and handling the reservations, both are a lot of work. Whether you hire a rental company of not you will need a rental permit from the city of South Lake Tahoe. This is required for any home rented for 30 consecutive days of less. The vacation home rental application also serves as a registration to collect TOT (transit occupancy tax at 10%) can be found at www.cityofslt.us/finance/vacationhomes.html this website will also link you to the vacation rental home ordinance which you should become familiar with to be aware of your responsibilities as the owner.
Important factors in marketing your own rental property include:
* Professional photos of the properties exterior and interior.
* Nicely decorated and furnished
* Comfortable sleeping arrangements
* BBQ and hot tub
* All necessary cooking and eating utensils
* Linens
*Washer/dryer
* Price per night will play a very important factor
* Be sure to mention if you have views of the mountains, lake, meadow, forest and proximity to national forest, ski resorts, fishing, hiking, biking etc.
For other tips and advice about renting your property visit www.ownercommunity.homeaway.com/
Some of the most popular web sites for marketing you property are:
www.vrbo.com Vacation Rental By Owner
According to the number of permits issued there are approximately 500+properties rented through vacation rental companies and 500+ by owners. There are many good rental companies in South Lake Tahoe and here are links to the top performers.
www.buckinghamtahoerentals.com
Bank owned listing near Bijou golf course
October 28, 2008
Bank owned listing near Bijou golf course. 3510 Deer Ln., 3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car, built in 1976, 1416 sq. ft. of living space. As is listing.
Free WiFi Spots in South Lake Tahoe
October 28, 2008
Finding a place with free WiFi in South Lake Tahoe can be a challenge. The two places I am most familiar with are the Kys Cafe located at 2279 Lake Blvd. which is near the corner of James Street and Tahoe Keys Blvd. and they are open from 7am to 4pm M-F and 7am to 3pm on Saturday 530-542-3800 www.tahoekeyscafe.com The keys cafe is good place for a nice healthy salad, sandwich or smoothie. Another free WiFi spot is out in Meyers where you will find the Divided Sky which offers a very tasty lunch and dinner menu along with a full bar and many great beers on tap. Divided Sky is located on Hwy. 50 just past the agricultural station but before hwy. 89 towards Kirkwood. 530-577-0775 www.thedividedsky.com
Snow covered homes can be inspected with some restrictions.
October 27, 2008
Home inspections in South Lake Tahoe in the winter are common but there are several restrictions. A visual home inspection is just that visual, meaning if the inspector can’t see it they can’t inspect it. The roof covering, roof accessories, driveways, walkways, decks, and the landscape are often visually restricted by snow. In some winters foundations and the entire shade side of a structure can often be buried and unable to be thoroughly inspected. Driveways, walkways, decks can be cleared but roofs cannot. Experienced home inspectors can still determine if any roof problems exist by other means. Roof leaks can show up in the attic, and under eaves. By looking in the attic for moisture or staining on the roof sheathing you can detect roof problems. Freeze back damage is also visible in the attic and under the exterior eaves. Staining around roof penetrations and wet insulation is a good indication that the flashing has deteriorated or up-lifted and is in need of further inspection. Making an accurate determination of the condition of the roof covering is usually not possible and the experienced home inspector will not give such an opinion but will simply state that the “roof is covered with snow-unable to inspect thoroughly” and recommend a further inspection when the snow has melted. If you can’t see it you can’t inspect it!
Bank owned listings in South Lake Tahoe
October 27, 2008
Two bank owned listings hit the market today 10/27/08.
732 Seneca Dr., North Upper Truckee area. 4 bed, 2-1/2 bath, 2 car, 2.066 sq. ft. living space, built in ‘01. List price $529,900.
1769 Saponi St., 3 bed, 1 bath, carport, 1440 sq. ft. living space, built ‘75. List price $313, 500
Why fall is a good time to buy and sell
October 27, 2008
As the leaves fall so can home prices. Sellers who have over priced their homes and have had them on the market for awhile are more likely to take the opportunity, if presented, to sell before the winter snow covers Tahoe. Sellers usually use fall to take a good hard honest look at the price of their home and whether it is competitive and make the adjustment. Sellers are also in fear that prices may slip even further by next spring. Agents say that fall will often bring out the more serious buyers and the buyers who have been looking at homes and are ready to buy.
Test Post
October 16, 2008
A new internet cafe opened on the corner of Al Tahoe and Lake Tahoe Blvd. A large bank of state-of-the-art computers offering visitors internet access is available, as well as coffee, tea and snacks. Conveniently located next door to a laundramat make it easy …. blah blah blah