I found a jewel at Lake Tahoe.  It has beautiful lake views and I’ll get to the amenities and luxuries in a moment but what makes this the spot is the privacy. It is an 11+ acre estate that is surrounded on three sides by over 1100 acres of Forest Service land.   A celeb looking for a private and secluded place to get away from all of the hullabaloo of the entertainment or sports or corporate world and needs to get there without spending 12 hours on a plane, this place is it.    The head of a Fortune 500 company would like this property too.  This place allows you to get away from it all but if you must, you still have access to the world outside.

They say location, location, location is key and this place not only has location, but it has privacy, privacy and privacy!

    

The estate is in Incline Village, Nevada, you know on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe.  The address is 456 Ponderosa.  To get to the residence, you first land your plane at Truckee Airport or Reno Airport.  Have your driver head towards Incline Village.  Then before you know it, you are in Incline and your driver has turned into the gated entry (that has a camera that is monitored from the residence) and onto an illuminated private drive.  As you ascend the drive the forest starts to surround you.  Now you begin to soak it all in.  The lake, the views, the forest and finally, the grand estate.

I mentioned I would get to the luxuries and amenities so here it goes. Over 13,000 square feet of luxurious living space is filled with 4 bedroom suites including 2 master suites, separate guest suite with a sitting area, fireplace and deck, a home theater with bar, a spa room, office area, wine room and a game room.  But that is not all, the kitchen rivals that found in most sophisticated restaurants, there are lake view decks, a 4 car garage to hold all the toys, security system and home management system.  And, best of all it is at a low elevation.

 The scale and openness of the stunning interior exudes luxury and coziness as it is softened by the warm earth tones found in the artisan finishes masterfully applied from room to room.

In the end, this estate is a must for anyone who desires extreme privacy while surrounded by complete and utter luxury.     $9,200,000. 

To schedule a private tour of this estate please contact Schwartz-Stanton Group, Dan Schwartz or Tawny Stanton, 800.520.7358  or  775.832.4626

 Click here to view a webcast  and click here to take a virtual tour.

The weather today in Incline Village, located on the beautiful North Shore of Lake Tahoe, isn’t quite golf weather (rain and snow showers today and in the forecast for the next day or two) but, the schedules are out for the opening of the Championship Golf Course and the Mountain Course.    See below for details.Incline Village Championship Golf Course

DRIVING RANGE NOW OPEN!

Course Opening May 20th (weather permitting)
A classic Robert Trent Jones Sr. design. Completely renovated in 2003, this classic design golf course features distinctive design and the most beautiful views imaginable.  Voted Best in State List by Golf Digest Magazine and Best Courses to Play in 2010 by Golfweek Magazine, this course deserves your attention.

Incline Village Mountain Golf Course 

Opening Date May 28th (weather permitting)

An amazing mountain layout with old growth trees and elevation changes, this 18 hole Incline Village golf course is fun and affordable. Tee times are usually not a problem so go ahead and give us a call or book online. You can play this Lake Tahoe golf course in 3.5 hours and be back with the family to enjoy the rest of your day.

The Lake Tahoe School in Incline Village, NV is gearing up for summer with their Summer Series 2010.   The summer series has something for every child between the ages of 6 and 14 and includes outdoor adventures and learning programs to satisfy your child’s imagination, adventure and curiosity.

Programs include:
~ Yosemite Adventure Overnight Camp for kids 9 -14,  July 12 – 15.  Cost is $1200 ($900 if you register by April 15th) and includes four days at Yosemite National Park and campers will bike ride, swim, rock climb, hike and more.  Limit 10 campers.

~ High Sierra Rock Climbing & Exploration Overnight Camp for kids 9 -14, July 19 – 22. Cost is $1200 ($900 if you register by April 15th).  In its third year, this camp starts with checking into the Clair Tappaan Lodge on Donner Summit.  Days will be spent climbing with professional guides. Limit of 10 campers.

~ Lake Tahoe Kayak Camping Voyage Overnight Camp for kids 9 -14, July 26 – 29.  Cost is $1200 ($900 if you register by April 15th). Spend a night a DL Bliss Campground on the West Shore while learning basic kayak techniques.  The next day wake up and kayak along the shore to Emerald Bay. For the next two days kids will explore the pristine waters of Emerald Bay, hike up Fannette Island and spend two nights at the Emerald Bay Boat-in Campground.

~ Day Camps for ages 6 -9.  Camp Fee is $375 (register early and save up to 25%).  July 12 – 15 and July 19 – 22.  Kids can participate in four mornings of a learning experience of your choise while spending the afternoons with a new adventure each day.  Learning activities include: Drama course; computer music workshop, science in the outdoors, wet and wild watercolor and Rock and Roll.  Afternoon events include: hiking the flume trail, rafting the upper Truckee River, miniature golf and exploring the Tahoe shoreline

~ Day Camps for kids 8 - 14.  Camp Fee is $500 (register early and save up to 25%).  Camp dates are July 12 – 15 and July 19 – 22.  Learning activities for this age group include: photography, theater improv, needle and sewing crafts, music exploraiton and rockets.  Afternoon events include kayaking to Brockway Springs, sailing, rock climbing on Donner and whitewater rafting on the lower truckee.

If a half day is best for you and your child, then consider either the half day learning program or the half day outdoor adventure.   Prices for half day are:  Ages 6 – 9 $275 for Outdoor Adventure only and $200 for Learning Program.  For children ages 8 – 14, $400 for the half day Outdoor Adventure program and $200 for the half day Learning Experience.

There are many options to take advantage off.  To learn more contact the Lake Tahoe School at 775.831.5828 or visit www.laketahoeschoolsummer.org

OK, a tool box is not the most glamorous or newsworthy of topics to blog about.  But, having a good basic tool kit  is something everyone should have in their home.  Now if you are a very handy do-it-yourself kind of person, then this blog contains nothing you don’t already know.  However, there are a lot of us out there and you know who you are, where a tool kit contains nothing more than a hammer and screwdriver you’ve had since you were 20. 

Get ready, here’s the list of tool box basics:
Hammer
Screwdrivers – be sure to have a regular screwdriver and a phillips head in various sizes.  There are a lot of cordless screwdrivers out there that come with several heads and that may be all you need.
Tape measure
Wrenches
Pliers
Utility knife with retractable blade
Level
Ruler
Scissors
Screws and nails in variety of sizes
Picturing hanging hooks
Duct tape
Electrical tape
Finally, a latching tool box to put everything in one place

Yes, there are some good deals out there and many are thinking buying a foreclosure property is the way to go.  Whether you are savvy, experienced real estate investor or not, there are some things to keep in mind if you are going the foreclosure route and buying property.

See the property.  Just like any other major purchase, you don’t want to buy the property site unseen.

Research the neighborhood.  Here is where doing your homework is important.  Gathering as much information and data will help.  Is the area depressed?  Will you be able to recoup remodeling dollars?   These are just a sample of questions you should ask yourself.

How long has the property been empty?  The longer the property is vacant, there is the risk of a lot of maintenance items including plumbing, pests, etc.

What is the condition of the exterior and landscaping. As a foreclosure property, there is a pretty good chance the property hasn’t been maintained.   Take a look at the siding, roof, windows as well as the yards.  Trees, bushes, vines left untrimmed can cause problems.

Get an inspection.  If you’re paying cash still get an inspection if you can.  If you are getting a mortgage the lender usually requires a current inspection.

Have a realistic budget.  While the price of the property may be a “great deal”, think about repairs and/or remodel expenses.  If you are planning to rent out the property, can you carry the overhead if the property doesn’t rent quickly.  These are just a few of the budgetary items to consider.

Good luck on your real estate adventure.

Sierra Nevada College’s next Fireside Chat, hosted by Andy Whyman, will feature William (Bill) B. Horn, general manager for Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID). This latest up-close and personal look at one of the community’s most influential citizens will be held on Thursday, February 25 at 7pm in Sierra Nevada College’s Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences, rooms 139/141. Refreshments will be served. This ongoing series is a concept that grew out of the Seniors Conversation Café and represents a partnership between Sierra Nevada College and the IVGID Senior Programs.

The students at Incline High School won the Nevada State We the People.  .The Citizen and the Constitution competition at the Nevada State Legislative building in Carson City.  The event was help on February 6th and the Incline Village community is very proud of the students.  What’s next?  Seventeen seniors will compete in the national event in Washington D.C., demonstrating their knowledge of American Government and constitutionalism. There will be 1500 students representing all fifty states, and the District of Columbia, as well as other U.S. territories will also be participating in this prestigious event.

The We the People… the Citizen and the Constitution is a civics curriculum designed to promote civic competence and responsibility among our nation’s students. During the competition in the nation’s capital, the students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of constitutional principles in a simulated congressional hearing, judged by members of government, academic, and legal community from around the nation. The Incline students have skillfully won competitions at the congressional district and state levels and are committed to finish in the Top 10 teams in the nation and receive awards at the national level.

The cost per student exceeds $1,500 and the students need all the financial support our community can muster for them in a very quick period of time. Any donation to help them achieve their goal of $30,000 would be appreciated. Please make your check payable to Incline High School – We the People, and send or bring it to 499 Village Boulevard, Incline Village, NV 89451.

Your donation achieves two goals: it helps the students finance the trip; more importantly, it demonstrates our community support of their effort to become more knowledgeable and involved citizens.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC offers tips to what should be a home owner’s annual home safety check.

How and When to Start: Make a simple list of the items suggested below along with any additional property issues, and include dates for all warranties and service checks. Choose a recurring date to check these items on an annual basis, at the minimum. Suggestions for easy-to-remember dates are: Daylight Savings Day, your move-in anniversary, or your children’s first day of school.

Walkways, Entrance Ways, Stairwells and Hallways: Make sure that these areas in the house are in good repair and are well lit with the maximum safe wattage in light fixtures.

Fire Safety: Install smoke alarms and fire extinguishers that are strategically placed on every level of your home and remember to change the batteries in your smoke alarms every Daylight Savings Day. Plan a home fire drill and memorize the fire department’s emergency telephone number. In addition, you should install a carbon monoxide detector near all sleeping areas and fuel-burning appliances.

Poison Control: Go through the medicine cabinet and throw out all expired medications. All other medicines, household chemicals and cleaners should be stored up high and out of reach of children. The poison control center number should be near every phone in the house.

Home Electric Safety: Don’t run extension cords under rugs or carpeting. Be careful not to ove rload circuits with too many plugs. For small children, install socket guards in all low-lying outlets not in use. Check to see that electrical cords or wires are not draped over radiators. Because they expose young children to shock hazards, replace older electrical cords that have non-polar receptacles and ones that don’t have safety closures with three-pronged plugs. Make sure that you have ground fault circuit interrupter outlets installed in the bathroom as well as in the kitchen, laundry room and workshop.

Safe Appliance Use: Major appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners should be plugged into separate circuits. Unplug small kitchen and household appliances when they aren’t in use because a voltage surge could turn them on or cause a short circuit. Replace all appliances with frayed, damaged or patched cords. Make sure to check warranties and service contracts and schedule regular inspections of major appliances such as furnaces, hot water heaters and air conditioning units.

Not only will these safety checks be beneficial to keeping your family, pets and home safe and secure, but it can save money in the long run. Just as one would keep an automobile serviced and checked, items in the home can run more smoothly and last longer if they are attended to on a regular basis.

Courtesy of Coldwell Banker Real Estate, LLC.

For all the skiers, snowboarders, cross country skiers, etc. below are the current ski reports for Diamond Peak, Mt. Rose, Squaw Valley USA and Northstar.   Please note that conditions are subject to change and it is recommended you check the ski resorts directly for up to the minute weather and conditions.

 Diamond Peak Ski Resort:
Surface – Machine Groomed
Snow Depth -  59 – 89
Lifts Operating – Crystal Express, Lakeview, Schoolhouse, Lodgepole
Terrain Park Open – Yes

Mt. Rose:
Base Depth – 46 – 72
Rose Side: Machine groomed and skier/rider packed snow
Slide: Machine groomed
Bowl: Skier/rider packed snow
Lift Status:
     Northwest/Magnum 6/Blazing Zephry – Scheduled to open at 9:00
     6 (Slide Bowl) – Scheduled to open at 8:30
     Lakeview – Scheduled to open at 9:00
     Chuter – Scheduled to open at 8:30
     Galena – Scheduled to open at 9:00
     Ponderosa – Scheduled to open at 9:00
     Flying Jeny – Scheduled to open at 9:00

Squaw Valley USA 
Base – 110″
Snow Surface – Groomed, packed powder
Scheduled Lifts – Cable Car, Funitel, Exhibition, Far East Express, Red Dog, Squaw Creek, Squaw One Express, KT-22 Express, Olympic Lady, Cornice II, Bailey’s Beach, Belmont, East Broadway, Links, Emigrant, Gold Coast Express, High Camp, Mainline, Shirley Lake Express, Siberiao Express, Solitude, Broken Arrow, Granite Chief, Headwall Express, Silverado

NorthStar
Snow Conditions -
     Mid Mtn: 38″ base, machine groomed
     Summit: 84″ base, machine groomed
Lifts Running – 19
Trails Open – 90

Getting your home ready for sale can take anywhere from one to six months, depending on the condition, age of the house and how long you’ve lived there. So go over the property to determine what needs to be repaired or possibly replaced. Make a list of both major and minor jobs. Tackle big projects first.

Although it’s tempting to wait until the home inspection and offer to adjust the price in lieu of repairs, but doing so may put the entire sale in jeopardy and may ultimately cost more.  Most importantly, a major repair left undone creates the impression that the house has not been maintained.So here is a timeline to help you prepare your home for sale:

-Six to three months before listing

Besides looking at major systems, inspectors test outlets, run appliances, and turn on faucets. Take this time to fix any obvious problems. You will have to make the repair eventually, so it’s in your interest to do it done ahead of time.

For dated kitchens and baths consider a minor facelift such as refacing or painting cabinets, replacing dated appliances and/or installing new countertops. Modernize lighting by replacing old fluorescent ceiling fixtures with recessed lights and/or pendants.

Historically a minor kitchen renovation recoups a sizable portion, sometimes even all, of the dollars spent and makes a home more competitive. Still, it is important not to over improve compared to similar homes in the neighborhood and price range.

If cracked faux or cultured marble sinks and countertops in bathrooms can’t be repaired, replace them. Even inexpensive laminate is an improvement. Often this change, coupled with new accessories and paint, will neutralize dated tile.

Whatever the season, be sure to take photos to show potential buyers landscaping or views at their best. And as early as possible, fertilize to give shrubs and the lawn a jump start. The payoff comes when the yard is greener than any nearby.

-Three months to listing

Begin to clean and declutter the home.  Anything that may make a buyer feel uncomfortable such as grime in corners or grubby grout has to be eliminated.

Clean out closets, cabinets and drawers so they appear spacious and well organized. If you appear cramped, buyers assume they will be too. Box the overflow and store off site if necessary.

Don’t forget the garage. Make sure the door mechanism operates smoothly.

Continue replacing inexpensive items that date a home. Exchange brass hardware for brushed nickel or oil rubbed bronze. While making this change, depending on the style of the house, consider replacing traditional knobs with levered handles which are more current.

Nothing renews a house faster than paint. Some experts recommend painting the ceilings if it’s been more than 10 years since the last paint job since it immediately brightens a room.

Tame colors that overwhelm or are passe. If you can’t part with them, leave the old color on one wall for an accent. The same holds true for wallpaper. You don’t have to remove every shred, but enough to ensure a feeling of continuity throughout the house.  Traditional advice was to paint everything white; the new neutrals, warm beiges and taupes, cozy up rooms without closing them in. To really make a room pop, use white on the trim or as an accent.

Begin your own market research as soon as possible. Pay attention to what’s newly listed and selling in your neighborhood. Go to open houses; nothing will give you a better fix on what buyers will expect from your home.

Research real estate agents to list your home. Ask friends for recommendations. Traditional advice is to interview three agents. Look for one with experience and a proven track record. Expect to see a detailed, written marketing plan that begins before the home actually goes on the market and ends when it closes. It takes several months for marketing efforts to be effective so give one agent at least that long to list the house.

Resist the temptation to select the agent who suggests the highest price unless they can back it up with homes sold or under agreement in the last month or so. Discuss strategies for price reductions. Rather than one big drop some believe small incremental reductions are more effective.

Commissions are negotiable but theymay affect  how much an agent spends on marketing and how much they offer agents who represent buyers. Ask about the percentage they would offer other agents.

Good agents will suggest ways to improve the presentation of the property. -One month to marketing

Fine tune everything. With major cleaning and decluttering completed, go back to see what you’ve overlooked. Make everything shine. Wash windows and even consider removing screens where it is practical to do so. Even the smallest detail like dusting the water heater lends to the impression that the house is well maintained.

Have the carpets cleaned, especially if you have pets, just before you begin showing the house. If you have a cat, be vigilant about maintaining the litter box.

To keep kitchen counters clear, plan for areas to store small appliances. Also stash mail and magazines.

On the day of the broker open house be sure to set the scene by turning on lights, creating vignettes in several areas such as the kitchen where you want buyers to linger. Recreate this as much as possible whenever the house is shown.

All of this advance work makes it much easier to maintain the home while it’s being shown.

Courtesy of Coldwell Banker Real Estate, LLC