We went to a very poor area in the north western part of Nicaragua called San Ramon and Bonete #7 (which is a word similar to borough) to serve the people, some of them had walked 6 hours to get there. I was told it would be hot, but it was HOT. The work was hard in hard in dirty, smelly places. We were able to provide basic medical services and the Tahoe dentist and I helped approximately two hundred people with pain relief (extractions) over four and a half days of clinics. It was a stretch for everyone and nerves were frayed at the end but I just had to think that I would be cool, comfy (with enough food to eat) at home soon but the Nicaraguans would still be right where we left them. I hope I don’t forget them and their conditions as I see how rich we are here. I am glad I had something to give to these people who gave me so much more than they know.

•  37 Total Sold Listings in March                  
•  14 REO (37.8%% of total March sales)
•   7 Short Sales (18.9% of total March sales
•   Distressed Properties Comprising 37.8% of total homes sold in March

Active Listings Stats

• 306 Single Family Properties Currently Listed (Not in Escrow)
•   19   REO (.063% of total)
•   35  Short Sales (11.44% of total)
•  Distressed Properties Comprising 17.65% of Market Total

Pending Listing Stats (Homes in Escrow)

•  110 Currently in Escrow  
•    20 REO (18%)
•    53 Short Sales (48%)
•   REO & Short Sales Comprising 66.3% of the Total Homes in Escrow

Average Number of Days on Market (DOM) From Listing to Close of Escrow

•  96 DOM for REO Sales
• 204 DOM for Short Sales
• 232 DOM for Non Distressed Properties

These numbers still show that homes that are a better value are selling quickly, as any of you who have attempted to get an offer accepted on any of these well priced homes can attest. 

The Average sales price for March was $407,790 which is up slightly from February, whose average sales price was $401,652.  Does that mean the end is near, I think not with the number of notices of defaults and notices of sales still out there.  What it does means is that there is still plenty of opportunity for people who are in a position to purchase these homes.  With the threat of increasing interest rates, things could heat up in the buying arena.  Stay tuned for more updates.

Sold Stats for 2010

• 42 Sold Listings in 2010                    
• 15 REOs
•   9 Short Sales
•   Comprising 57% of total homes sold

Active Listings Stats

• 307 Single Family Properties Currently Listed (Not in Escrow)
•   24   REOs
•   34  Short Sales
• Comprising 19% of Market Total

Pending Listing Stats (Homes in Escrow)

• 87 Listings Currently in Escrow
• 20 REOs
• 45 Short Sales
• Comprising nearly 75% of the Total Homes in Escrow

These numbers are amazing to me because they show that the distressed properties are selling and other listings are not.  I would caution any seller who attempts to navigate these turbulent times of home selling to price their home boldly, perhaps even a bit under the current market value to play the same game as the banks.  This strategy can create a “feeding frenzy” and savvy sellers could end up with multiple offers which can go over the listed price.  Otherwise you may be looking at a listing that can languish on the market without activity for months while the value continues to decline.  If you need to sell a property now,  price courageously and get the listing on as many websites as possible with an agent who has access to an extensive National Distribution Network on the Internet.

When I talk to people who live in Tahoe who are looking forward to moving away, I am amazed.  How can anyplace be better than Tahoe?  My whole family gets so excited when it snows and it is cold and travel is difficult and the snow builds up on the sides of the road and in the yard.  That means the skiing is good or even great.  I love living in Lake Tahoe, all year long.  From the winter skiing, springtime days warming up, long warm (not hot) days in summer and what about those spectacular autumn days.  That’s when  the bugs are dead  the trails aren’t dusty and certainly not crowded.   I took this photo on my phone on a wonderful ski day with my husband when other people were complaining about the hassle and mess of “all that snow”.

Because of this demand for local knowledge coupled with the need for quality, competent service we have expanded the property management division to include commercial and industrial properties.