LAKE TAHOE MORE THAN JUST A BEAUTIFUL LAKE, ADDS TO HOME VALUES

Although most of my blogs have been created to enlighten you about real estate trends and the intricacies of building or remodeling a home in the Truckee region and Lake Tahoe Basin, I’ve decided to step away from the norm to share a story that I recently read in Lake Tahoe This Week.   The article is titled “25 Amazing Aspects to Lake Tahoe.”

When I read the story, it reminded me as to why my wife, Kelly, and I have worked hard to make a good living in a land that is indeed one of the most spectacular treasures on Earth.  I’ll give credit right now to its author, Shanie Matthews, who started the article with accolades for this Gem that without a doubt, adds value to investing in land or property within the Lake Tahoe Basin…

“If you read through my blog posts, you know that one thing is absolutely clear: I truly believe Lake Tahoe is an amazing placeWith so many positive points, its exquisiteness can be overwhelming. The way that the mountains create a mesmerizing frame to an ever-changing face of a moody lake is reminiscent of Europe in many ways.”

Highlights of the 25 Amazing Aspects to Lake Tahoe

I suggest you read the whole story, yet in the meantime, Kelly and I selected a few of the highlights that were of personal interest to us:

  • Lake Tahoe is aging gracefully, clocking in at 2 million years old!
  • Lake Tahoe is unique in that it is endothermic basin. This means that it drains into the Truckee River and instead of flowing toward the ocean as most rivers do, it flows east into the mountains with a final destination in Pyramid Lake.
  • Lake Tahoe is one of the purest water lakes in the world, with the water coming in at 99.994% pure (this is close to distilled water that is 99.998% pure).
  • Our year-round, long-term population for the basin is 53,000 people. This number surges during the peak seasons and can hit 300,000 people.
  • Lake Tahoe is surrounded by five peaks that are over 9,000 feet, including Rubicon Peak (9,183’), Mt Tallac (9,735’), Pyramid Peak (9,985’), Mt Rose ((10,778’) and Freel Peak (10,881’).
  • The lighthouse located on Rubicon Trail was once considered the world’s highest working lighthouse.
  • Crystal Bay is the deepest part of Lake Tahoe, measuring in at a staggering1,645 feet below the surface (a depth that would swallow the Empire State Building).
  • Lake Tahoe tap water has been named the best tasting tap water in the United States.
  • There are 63 different tributaries that release water into Lake Tahoe, but only one release valve, being the Truckee River.
  • And a real favorite that we have yet to see ourselves … There is reported to be a Loch Ness-type monster that lives in Lake Tahoe. Her name is Tessie.

If you ever want to know more about the Lake Tahoe Basin, feel free to contact us at any time.  We have been running our architecture firm and interior design companies in Lake Tahoe, and the Truckee region, for over 30 years.

Best to you,

Jim& Kelly Borelli

JB

 

 

 

 

James P. Borelli
Founder/Principal
Borelli Architecture
Truckee / Lake Tahoe
jim@borelliarchitecture.com
775.831.3060

Kelly Borelli
Kelly Borelli Interiors
Truckee / Lake Tahoe
775.831.3060

 

 

 

June is Lake Tahoe’s Wildfire Awareness Month. How Prepared Are You?

June is Lake Tahoe’s Wildfire Awareness Month.  How Prepared Are You?

With the summer upon us, it’s the right time to plan and prepare your home and property with defensive space.   To help you get to it now, and not later, our team at Borelli Architecture in Incline Village, NV has done some research and is now providing you with some helpful contacts, websites, and events that are part of our annual Lake Tahoe Basin Wildfire Preparedness Month.

Why Prepare Now?

What began as a very dry winter in the Lake Tahoe Basin ended with Sierra snowpack approximately 85% of normal, thanks to heavy precipitation received during the month of March. However, both the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) and the Reno National Weather Service (NWS) expect a warming trend to develop that will lead to drier than normal conditions by late spring.

As a result, the below average snow pack is expected to melt faster, grasses and other vegetation are expected to dry out earlier and wildland fire activity is likely to increase to above average by mid-summer.

Wildfire Preparedness Tips

Springtime in the Sierra is the perfect time to complete defensible space clean up around homes, review evacuation plans, sign-up for reverse 911 your county, contact local fire districts to schedule free defensible space evaluations, learn about free chipping services, and talk to neighbors about the importance of wildfire preparedness.

Permanent residents, second-home owners and vacation home owners/renters should familiarize themselves with and follow advice found at this link from Living With Fire.  It offers an extensive list of things you and your family can do to be as prepared as possible.

Free Seminars and Events About Lake Tahoe Basin Wildfire Awareness Month

If you want to get a jump-start to prepare you home and property, take time to attend one of the many events our local authorities have planned on your behalf.

 Date/Time Event
06/01/2018
All Day
Lake Tahoe Basin Wildfire Awareness Month Begins!
,
06/09/2018
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Wildfire Safety Expo
TJ Maxx Parking Lot, South Lake Tahoe CA
06/15/2018
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Wildfire Community Preparedness Day
Zephyr Cove Post Office, Zephyr Cove NV
06/16/2018
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Whispering Pines Shrub Crawl & Block Party
Whipering Pines, Incline Village NV
06/27/2018
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Learn S’More About Fire Safety and Fire Safe
Zephyr Cove Beach, Zephyr Cove NV
06/30/2018
8:00 am – 10:00 am
Community Pancake Breakfast – North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District
North Lake Tahoe Fire Station, Incline Village NV

Remember it’s not a matter of “if” the next wildfire will occur, it’s a matter of “when”.

If you have any specific questions about preparing your home for wildfire, please feel free to directly contact our local North Lake Tahoe Protection District at 775 831 0351 or stop in their main headquarters at 866 Oriole Way, Incline Village, NV  89451.

Finally, as your neighbor who has lived on Lake Tahoe’s North Shore for over 30 years, I have learned quite a bit about defensible space.  Feel free to contact me at any time for tips that I have learned over the years...

Jim

 

 

 

James P. Borelli
Founder/Principal
Borelli Architecture
Truckee / Lake Tahoe
jim@borelliarchitecture.com
775.831.3060

TAX FRIENDLY NEVADA SEES BOOST IN HOME VALUE, REAL ESTATE SALES

(Image courtesy of WestallRealEstate.com)

With summer just around the corner, real estate offices throughout the Truckee and Lake Tahoe region are gearing up for what may be one of the busiest summer sales seasons in a long time.  And as an architect who designs and remodels homes in the Lake Tahoe and Truckee area, that’s good news for us as well.

 Home Values Soar on Tahoe’s North Shore/Nevada

Just this past month, we received a recap of the Q1 reports and the results were impressive.  No matter what side of the lake one seeks to buy or sell a home, the market continues show great promise for a good real estate sales year ahead.

Most impressive are the results noted about Lake Tahoe’s Nevada side where sales volume increased by 45%( year-to-year) and the median price increased by 25%.  Authorities in the business attribute the state’s tax-friendly offerings and note that a significant number of new residents are flocking from California to enjoy Nevada’s many benefits.

Key Highlights from Lake Tahoe Real Estate Q1 Report

  • Luxury home sales account for 33% of all sales in 2018
  • Sales of luxury homes are up 40% over last year
  • Total dollar volume is up 18% over 2017
  • Homes are selling 7% faster than in past years

Complete Q1 Report Available Right Here

To keep you posted on all the recent real estate trends, we’ve included this link to the Tahoe Sierra Board of REALTORS.

Remodeling or Designing a New Home in Tahoe Requires Local Insight

If you have any interest in knowing more about the market, especially if you are looking into investing in a property that needs a significant remodel (which are often the best values) feel free to reach out to our architecture firm in Incline Village, NV. 

We have been advising clients about the numerous Washoe County building regulations, TRPA permits, and the mandatory “Best Management Practices”  (BMP’s) that are all an integral part of designing and remodeling homes in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Got questions? Contact me anytime.

Jim

James P. Borelli
Founder/Principal
Borelli Architecture
Truckee / Lake Tahoe
jim@borelliarchitecture.com
775.831.3060