The neighborhood Christmas Valley is one the hidden secrets of South Lake Tahoe. I feel the neighborhood is not only one the best values in South Lake Tahoe but it also offers some of the best views. The neighborhood is away short distance from the hectic hustle of South Lake and offers home owners the mountain setting sought after by most buyers. The Valley runs from the junction of hwy. 50 & hwy. 89 all the way back until the hwy. 89 starts to elevate up over Luther pass. Luther pass takes you to hope Valley which is a sight that will make you think you are watching an old episode of Bonanza. The N. Upper Truckee River splits Christmas Valley down the middle with the west side designated as Christmas Valley 1 and the east side Christmas Valley 2. With street names like Santa Claus, Elf and Blitzen the neighborhood gives you that Christmas feel year round. The river is a short walk through the national forest or for some homes right out their back yard. The river offers a great place to relax with the family and pets. Typical home prices range from the low 300’s up to the $500,000 range. The neighborhood has very little crime and is one of the safest places to live in South Lake Tahoe. To preview any of the homes please contact me at 530-318-8830, chuckstanley@sbcglobal.net to view all Lake Tahoe Real Estate listings visit Tahoe Real Estate Website

Corner of Blitzen and Wasabe in Christmas Valley

Bank owned homes and short sales in South Lake Tahoe are included in the list below.

1222 Stockton

942 Lodi

Corner of Blitzen & Wasabe in Christmas Valley

Christmas Valley South Lake Tahoe Neighborhood Preview and Real Estate Up-date

The Christmas Valley neighborhood is one of the hidden secrets of South Lake Tahoe. The neighborhood is not only one of the best values for Lake Tahoe Real Estate but it also offers some of the best views. The neighborhood is a short distance from the hustle of South Lake and offers home owners the mountain setting sought after by most buyers. The Valley runs from the junction of hwy. 50 & hwy. 89 all the way back until the hwy. 89 starts to elevate up over Luther pass. Luther pass takes you to hope Valley which is a sight that will make you think you are watching an old episode of Bonanza. The N. Upper Truckee River splits Christmas Valley down the middle with the west side designated as Christmas Valley 1 and the east side Christmas Valley 2. With street names like Santa Claus, Elf and Blitzen the neighborhood gives you that Christmas feel year round. The river is a short walk through the national forest or for some homes right out their back yard. The river offers a great place to relax with the family and pets. Typical home prices range from the low 300’s up to the $500,000 range. The neighborhood has very little crime and is one of the safest places to live in South Lake Tahoe. To preview great Homes in Tahoe contact Chuck Stanley, (530) 318-8830 or email chuckstanley@sbcglobal.net.

Christmas Valley South Lake Tahoe

Q1)  What are the winters like? The answer depends on a question I will ask you first….do you like to play in the snow? If the answer is yes you will love it here in Tahoe. If you like skiing, (downhill and cross country), snow shoeing, snow mobiling, sledding, ice skating or just snowman making this place is a winter wonderland. If you don’t, the winters they can be long and annoying….but read on there are other advantages.

Q2) How are the schools? My family found the schools to be good.  School is what you and your child make of it. If your student studies hard and likes school and the parent(s) participate the education experience will be above average. There are many elementary schools, with one middle school, one high school and a very nice community college.

www.ltcc.edu

www.ltusd.org

Q3) Is there a lot of crime? We have lived in the Christmas Valley neighborhood and have never had a bicycle or anything stolen from the yard, house or car. Not to say it could ever happen but we have not experienced any crime. The only real crime and trouble I hear about is downtown (casino area) during big holidays when the size of the population substantially increases and the vacation revelers overindulge. Yes we have our share of drugs, domestic violence, and petty theft but it is just not that prevalent. In the winter not many petty criminals like to roam around on cold winter nights. Check out the police blotter in the local paper.

www.tahoedailytribune.com

Q4) Can I get a job in Tahoe? If you are resourceful you can find work in Tahoe. Meaningful work might be a different story. I’ve always said Tahoe is not a place to come make money it is a place to bring money. If you love having all the summer and winter recreation you can think of right at your finger tips to go along with clean air and clean drinking water, you will be a rich man or women no matter what you do for a living. I have been a home inspector and now a realtor and both have kept me in the essentials but I’m not getting rich……at least not yet. There are many opportunities for employment if you are open minded. Check the classifieds in the local paper.

www.tahoedailytribune.com

Q5) What is the cost of living like? The only difference is the gas is more expensive and you have to go off the hill to Carson City to shop for many items not available (I use the internet a lot). Other than that I have found it no more expensive here than in the Bay Area where I lived for 30 years.

Q6) What is housing market like? Homes in Tahoe, just like everywhere else, are low and you can get a very nice home for $200-$400k or you can spend less or more. Search for yourself for free www.101TahoeHomes.com

Q7) What is it like driving in the snow? I have found it to be no big deal at all. Most of the time after the roads are plowed and the sun comes up the next day the roads are clear without ice or snow. 4WD is essential and makes traveling very easy during winter storm conditions. I do not use 4WD very much but when I feel it is necessary it is nice to have, just remember that there is no such thing as 4 wheel stop!

Q8) Are the roads plowed in the winter? Yes, the city and county maintain the streets and major highways in and out of Tahoe. I have traveled over the passes in all conditions without a problem. Hwy. 50 is a major hwy. and the plows work around the clock to keep it open so travel is really pretty easy, just go slower. The residential streets are plowed after every storm so the local residents can go to work, school, shopping etc.

Q9) My children are very involved in sports, how are the youth activities in Tahoe? Little league, soccer, basketball, skiing and best of all hockey is all available. The only difference with the outdoor sports like little league and soccer is the fields are covered with snow well into April/May so we get started a bit later. The kids are still skiing/snowboarding anyways so that is a great trade off. The facilities are good including a NHL size hockey rink for the Norcal (www.norcal.com) players and figure skaters. Great adult leagues as well for men and women. Tahoe also has several golf courses, skate park (indoor and outdoor), disc golf course, and many very nice parks which include fishing ponds for the kids.

www.recreationintahoe.com

Q10) What is the exterior house maintenance like? The snow and cold weather is a little harsher on the siding and any belongings left outside. This is not Minnesota cold but the winter conditions will fade stain and paint faster than in a milder temperate climate. Patio furniture and other outside belongs must be kept covered or preferably stored in a garage or shed for protection. The growing season is shorter so you are limited but if you start your seeds indoor you can grow most anything. Grass is covered most of the winter with snow so you do not have to mow until May at the earliest.

Contact me with any other questions you might have. Live in Tahoe- it is fantastic. Chuck Stanley, (530) 318-8830 or email  chuckstanley@sbcglobal.net.

The mortgage rates have dipped about an eighth in percent this week.  Some tremendous deals are still to be had in the Tahoe/Carson Valley areas.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

All rates quoted with 15 or 20-day locks, no points or origination fees, unless noted.  All rates subject to change without notice.

Conforming (up to $417,000)*

30-year 4.875%

15-year                  4.250%

5-year                  3.500%

7-year                  3.875%

Freddie Mac Relief Refi (up to 105%) & Fannie Mae Plus (up to 105%)

(Restrictions May Apply, call with scenario)

30-year 5.250%

FNMA Home Path

Up to 97% LTV, No appraisal

(Restrictions Apply, call with scenario)

30-year 5.250%  (up to 80% LTV)

Agency High Conforming/Super Conforming

30-year 5.000%

5-year                3.875%

Jumbo  5-year

4.875%         (1% Fee)

Non-owner Occupied up to 75% LTV

Conforming Purchase & No Cash Out Refinance (90% LTV Available)

30-year                  5.250%

FHA  (1% UPMIP) / VA (2.25% Funding Fee)

30-year                 4.750%  (1% Credit)

Quotes are based on 15 or 20-day lock.

Rates are subject to change without prior notice.  RE Agent info only.

This post brought to you by Susan Reynolds, Apine Lending Group helping you with your Lake Tahoe Real Estate needs. Contact Suasan at sreynoldsbroker@att.net or call her direct 775-200-0605