Grief and Gratitude at the same time. ("Signs of Life")It wasn’t until yesterday that the public was allowed to enter the fire zone where homes were lost. It is devastating. Feeling that, and seeing it, it’s also remarkable to see one house standing intact, where in all directions around it everything is gone. It seems like most streets here where the fire whipped us most have one of those. We feel grief for some and grateful for others at the same time.The Angora Fire was stopped literally at the edge of South Lake Tahoe High School. A stand was made there, thankfully one that prevailed. The homes in Angora Highlands were also a remarkable success story. Seeing where the fire was, and then instantly where it wasn’t, and therefore got stopped by the will and skill of anonymous firefight... 07/03/2007

In singular purpose, a professional, portable community springs up overnight. Having started on a Sunday, and consequently at a time when much of the local news media has a day off, it took some time for those of us who live here in South Lake Tahoe to get real, meaningful information about the fire. By late Sunday afternoon, the first television news came in that 52 homes were lost. That number held steady for some hours, then it jumped to 165 lost homes, and then late in the night we heard that the number of lost homes was 220. Other than that, there were few other particulars. Tense, unsure, we were all information hungary for relief. We really didn’t know to what extent the threat was, nor how long it might be. On Monday, with the fire about a day old and still raging for immediate ... 07/02/2007

We came together... and have come a long way since then. A tense, anxious crowd packed the gym/all purpose room of South Lake Tahoe middle school the night after the fire stated. The first of our community meetings over the Angora fire, which absolutely confirmed a community coming together, was open to the public and was also perhaps the first meaningful resource of information about the fire. There has likely never been as many people in this auditorium-sized room before. It was SRO, shoulder to shoulder. Many evacuees and homeowners who had lost their homes were there. There were also many owners who still did not know if they had lost their home or not. Many more were there to provide comfort and support to their neighbors in need. It was tension and heartfelt compassion at the same... 06/29/2007

Another “Red Flag” warning in effect for Today. The weatherman is predicting wind gusts of up to 30-35 mph today and has issued a red flag warning from 1 to 9 p.m. today. The national weather service is cautioning fire officials to watch our weather conditions closely. We’ve had essentially the same warnings for the last two days and fortunately good luck has prevailed over the winds. The some 2,000 firefighters have successfully cut a line around 70 percent of the 3,100-acre Angora fire in South Lake Tahoe. They have again worked through the night to extend the line. The thick smoke which filled the Tahoe basin is gone. The Map: Here’s a map that we’ve used for some time to show people the location of our neighborhoods. Over it we have added where the fire started, that area where most... 06/29/2007

2 Sales in 2007, No Escrow, 13 Active Listings. We have a client in Hawaii that we are doing a workup for on his excellent lake view townhome and for that we’ve just updated all current real estate market information for Lake Village, one of four townhome communities on the Stateline, NV side of South Lake Tahoe. About Lake Village:Set amid a hillside forest, Lake Village is a quiet, sedate, well-planned, highly desirable condominium / townhome community. Properties range from affordable townhouses to large, vaulted ceiling, lake-view sunset retreats. Many of the properties in Lake Village are used as vacation homes and can offer significant vacation rental income possibilities. (Number townhomes: about 334). Please find Lake Village in our left sidebar. You will find each current list... 06/29/2007

Yesterday’s predicted winds did not materialize. This gave firefighters a day of favorable conditions to gain ground against the Angora wild fire, which is now 55% contained. Most importantly, the absence of the forecasted afternoon winds allowed the approximately 2,000 fire combatants to further strengthen fire breaks to protect homes in Gardner Mountain, Tallac Village, the Camp Richardson area and The Tahoe Keys neighborhoods. We are not out of risk, however, as the winds are again called for today. Forecasts for the Lake Tahoe Basin call for 15-25 mph winds and gusts that could reach 40 mph by this afternoon. Hopefully not, and we again hope the weathermen are wrong, but we have already seen gusts this morning that were stonier than anything we saw yesterday. At present there is a s... 06/29/2007

Today opens with real concern about the weather. Firefighters have been warned to expect strong, southwesterly winds with gusts reaching 35 mph between 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. this afternoon. These stiffer winds have the dangerous possibility of throwing the fire into more of our South Lake Tahoe neighborhoods, one of which is our most affluent. If the fire is not held back successfully by firefighters, the winds today poses risk for the following neighborhoods: Gardner Mountain, Tallac Village, The Tahoe Keys, the Camp Richardson area and possibly more. These winds also will bring increased risk to the firefighters themselves. Obviously, weather conditions are not good. The wind is expected to decrease by the evening and become relatively calm. Today is a real test. At present, there are appr... 06/27/2007

I was sitting there, staring blankly at the tv, taking a Sunday afternoon off from thinking about our current real estate market, which is pretty much what I think about, well... when I’m awake. Mostly these days it’s about, being a marketer at heart, finding that one perfect thought, that one perfect sentence that will bridge the current disconnect between what Sellers want and what Buyers are willing to pay. Every now and then, but not often, I need to get away from it, even if it means washing my brain with anything else, and in this case it was a mindless PlayStation 2 game. Oddly, and peacefully, it was refreshing.Then Maxene, my better 7/8ths (much more than a better half) came back in the house from our front yard. It was a little after two-oclock in the afternoon. She wanted me ... 06/26/2007

(LAKE TAHOE REAL ESTATE BLOG) We’ve just updated Y Area. Please click the link “Y Area, CA” found in our left sidebar.  This will lead one to all current Y Area listings, current escrow and all sales in 2007. Also included are all Y Area sales for 2006, 2005 and 2004. About the Y Area: (Number homes: less than 100) The Y Area is a small, older neighborhood offering market entry level homes, remodel opportunities and from time to time large estate homes overlookiing a meadow. Some new remodels are also available from time to time. Homes range in value from the $200K’s to midmarket homes in the $600K’s and more. Almost any home here that is listed in the low $200K’s, or below, will sell quickly.Also found on each spreadsheet page for Y Area are statistics charts with the following:-- Medi... 06/18/2007

(LAKE TAHOE REAL ESTATE BLOG) We’ve just updated Tahoe Paradise. Please click the link “Tahoe Paradise, CA” found in our left sidebar.  This will lead one to all current Tahoe Paradise listings, current escrow and all sales in 2007. Also included are all Tahoe Paradise sales for 2006, 2005 and 2004.About Tahoe Paradise: Located across Pioneer Trail from Country Club Estates, homes in the Tahoe Paradise area offer secluded yet convenient mountain living. Only a few short miles from the casinos at Stateline, it also has convenient access to the shopping in Meyers. As in other areas, some of the homes are ripe for remodelling, and many have been upgraded already. Prices in Tahoe Paradise range from market entry homes in the $300K’s to mid-market opportunities, to a few large, recently buil... 06/18/2007

(LAKE TAHOE REAL ESTATE BLOG) We’ve just updated Tahoe Island Park. Please click the link “Tahoe Island Park, CA” found in our left sidebar.  This will lead one to all current Tahoe Island Park listings, current escrow and all sales in 2007. Also included are all Tahoe Island Park sales for 2006, 2005 and 2004. About Tahoe Island Park: (Number homes: about 575) With close proximity to South Lake Tahoe’s shopping, recreation and entertainment attractions, Tahoe Island Park is an attractive market entry to mid-market neighborhood located between our main thoroughfare and the Tahoe Keys. Values range from the high $300K’s to the $700K’s, and more for new and large remodeled homes. Here you will find homes in original condition with updating opportunities and recently completed remodels. Sa... 06/18/2007

(LAKE TAHOE REAL ESTATE BLOG) We’ve just updated Tahoe Island Drive. Please click the link “Tahoe Island Drive, CA” found in our left sidebar.  This will lead one to all current Tahoe Island Drive listings, current escrow and all sales in 2007. Also included are all Tahoe Island Drive sales for 2006, 2005 and 2004. About Tahoe Island Drive:(Number homes: a few less than 500) This is a desirable market entry to mid-market area located close to our shopping, recreation and entertainment attractions. Next to the Tahoe Keys, Tahoe Island Drive is closer to the lake than to the ski lifts and casinos, yet all Tahoe attractions are less than a few minutes away. Market entry opportunities can be found here. Values range from the low $300K’s to the upper $700K’s and more. Well priced homes in th... 06/18/2007

(LAKE TAHOE REAL ESTATE BLOG) We’ve just updated Stateline Area. Please click the link “Stateline Area, CA” found in our left sidebar.  This will lead one to all current Stateline Area listings, current escrow and all sales in 2007. Also included are all Stateline Area sales for 2006, 2005 and 2004. About the Stateline Area: (Number homes: 289) Located between the casinos and the Lake, homes in the Stateline area offer a range of value and opportunity. Obviously the location is ideal, especially for people who want to be close to the Lake and our entertainment attractions. Values range widely, from market entry to lake front estates in the millions. Stateline is a rather small neighborhood, with little supply against high demand. Sales are usually quick here, especially in the market en... 06/18/2007

(LAKE TAHOE REAL ESTATE BLOG) We’ve just updated Sierra Tract. Please click the link “Sierra Tract, CA” found in our left sidebar.  This will lead one to all current Sierra Tract listings, current escrow and all sales in 2007. Also included are all Sierra Tract sales for 2006, 2005 and 2004. About Sierra Tract: (Number homes: 985) Sierra Tract is one of our oldest neighborhoods. Centrally located to all things good about South Lake Tahoe including shopping and vast alpine meadows. Sierra Tract has more market entry homes available than any other one neighborhood. Small, older homes here can offer good opportunity, especially for those who can do updating work themselves. Values range from the high $300K’s to $500K, and some larger, new to newer homes for much more. Sales can be quick he... 06/18/2007

(LAKE TAHOE REAL ESTATE BLOG) We’ve just updated Pioneer Trail. Please click the link “Pioneer Trail, CA” found in our left sidebar.  This will lead one to all current Pioneer Trail listings, current escrow and all sales in 2007. Also included are all Pioneer Trail sales for 2006, 2005 and 2004. About Pioneer Trail: (Number homes: 675 approximately) Situated next to Country Club Estates, Pioneer Trail is an upscale hillside neighborhood. Homes range from the mid $400K’s to large, $1M+ newer estates with Lake Tahoe Airport and/or mountain views. Features include forest hillside settings, tall trees, some large lots and mountain views. Well priced homes can sell quickly here. Also found on each spreadsheet page for Pioneer Trail are statistics charts with the following:-- Median Sold Pric... 06/18/2007

(LAKE TAHOE REAL ESTATE BLOG) We’ve just updated North Upper Truckee. Please click the link “North Upper Truckee, CA” found in our left sidebar.  This will lead one to all current North Upper Truckee listings, current escrow and all sales in 2007. Also included are all North Upper Truckee sales for 2006, 2005 and 2004. About North Upper Truckee: (Number homes: 1,302 plus) One of our most desirable neighborhoods, N. Upper Truckee spans market entry to mid-market homes to high-end estates. Homes here can be $300K fixers to panoramic Lake Tahoe view estates in highly desirable Angora Highlands. Features are secluded forest-backed lots, towering trees, and the feel of a primary or vacation home in an Alpine setting. Many streets are named after Native American Indian tribes. Homes are in hi... 06/17/2007

(LAKE TAHOE REAL ESTATE BLOG) We’ve just updated Meyers. Please click the link “Meyers, CA” found in our left sidebar.  This will lead one to all current Meyers listings, current escrow and all sales in 2007. Also included are all Meyers sales for 2006, 2005 and 2004. About Meyers: (Number homes: 600 approximately) One of the first areas one passes when driving in from Sacramento and the Bay Area, Meyers is one of our mid market and market entry neighborhoods. Features can include mountain views, trees, and back yards opening up to a meadow or forest. Some lots can be oversized. Values range from small fixer opportunites to the mid $500’s... and new homes in the seven figures.Also found on each spreadsheet page for Meyers are statistics charts with the following:-- Median Sold Price.-- ... 06/16/2007

(LAKE TAHOE REAL ESTATE BLOG) We’ve just updated Highland Woods. Please click the link “Highland Woods, CA” found in our left sidebar.  This will lead one to all current Highland Woods listings, current escrow and all sales in 2007. Also included are all Highland Woods sales for 2006, 2005 and 2004. About Highland Woods: (Number homes: 257) A small area in a central location, Highland Woods is one of our more attractive neighborhoods. Features may include mountain views, an open meadow, and a very short drive to the lake. Availability is rare here. Value ranges from the $400K’s to large, high-end estates along the meadow. For those of us in our business, a Highland Woods listing is coveted: it means a lot of activity and very little time on the market.Also found on each spreadsheet page... 06/16/2007

(LAKE TAHOE REAL ESTATE BLOG) We’ve just updated Heavenly Valley. Please click the link “Heavenly Valley, CA” found in our left sidebar. This will lead one to all current Heavenly Valley listings, current escrow and all sales in 2007. Also included are all Heavenly Valley sales for 2006, 2005 and 2004.About Heavenly Valley (Number homes: a few more than 212) Heavenly Valley is a highly desired neighborhood for winter recreation enthusiasts. Homes here are closer to the ski lifts than any other neighborhood in South Lake Tahoe. Features may include mountain views, lake views and an alpine setting. Values range from the high $400K’s to high-end lake front properties and mountain estates with lake views. Small, older cabins, A-frames and fixers come on the market from time to time. They d... 06/16/2007

(LAKE TAHOE REAL ESTATE BLOG) We’ve just updated Gardner Mountain. Please click the link “Gardner Mountain, CA” found in our left sidebar.  This will lead one to all current Gardner Mountain listings, current escrow and all sales in 2007. Also included are all Gardner Mountain sales for 2006, 2005 and 2004. About Gardner Mountain: (Number homes: 550 plus) A quiet, hillside neighborhood, Gardner Mountain has many entry level homes and remodel opportunities. Close to the lake, beach access and a short drive to Emerald Bay, Gardner Mtn. homes range from small, older homes in the $300K’s to new remodels in the $500K’s, and a few new homes much more than that. Starter homes in reasonable condition priced in the $300K’s can sell immediately here.Also found on each spreadsheet page for Gardner... 06/16/2007