According to a new article in Los Angeles Times, The survey of 22,000 homeowners who bought houses within the last 9 years  by Avid Ratings of Madison, Wis., found that current homeowners wanted to be “more practical” in making their home purchases.

Here’s a list of “What’s Hot” and “What’s Not”.

What’s Hot:

• Children’s playground, walking paths nearby
• Large kitchen with island
• Green features: high efficiency appliances, insulation & windows
• More space in secondary bedrooms
• Home offices or studies
• Main floor master bedroom
• Two or Three car garage
• Master bath with oversize shower & seating

What’s Not:

• Community clubhouse
• Swimming pools & health club
• Dog parks
• Golf courses
• Formal dining room
• Upstairs laundry rooms & home theaters
• Expensive “focal point” stairways
• Large expanses of glass in windows

The main focus is spaces & efficiency. No more 10 x10 bedrooms.  I certainly have seen this trend with buyers that I have worked with in the Tahoe Truckee area. Builders here have emphasized the great room concept in recent years- big space combining living, dining & kitchen areas. Extra family room, bonus room, home offices are desirable as well as large garage for all the toys. Also with numerous hiking, biking trails, parks nearby…Tahoe Truckee homes seem to have all the features that are on the homebuyers wish list. There is a healthy inventory of homes that are affordable in the Tahoe Truckee area right now. Coupled that with the low interest rate, homebuyers who are seeking  a Tahoe vacation home have a great opportunity to buy a home with all the desirable features.

So what do you think? Send me a note  and let me know what you want to see in your dream mountain cabin. I am always available to answer questions about real estate in the Tahoe Truckee area. Call me at 877-245-0797 or send me an email at anguyen@dicksonrealty.com

California Association of Realtors (CAR) just releases this good news for first-time homebuyer:

Californians have a brief window of opportunity to receive up to $18,000 in combined federal and state homebuyer tax credits. To take advantage of both tax credits, a first-time homebuyer must enter into a purchase contract for a principal residence before May 1, 2010, and close escrow between May 1, 2010 and June 30, 2010, inclusive. Buyers who are not first-time homebuyers may use the same timeframes to receive up to $16,500 in combined tax credits if they are long-time residents of their existing homes as permitted under federal law, and they purchase properties that have never been previously occupied as provided under California law.

Under the federal law slated to soon expire, a first-time homebuyer may receive up to $8,000 in tax credits, and a long-time resident may receive up to $6,500, for certain purchase contracts entered into by April 30, 2010 that close escrow by June 30, 2010. Additionally, under a newly enacted California law, a homebuyer may receive up to $10,000 in tax credits as a first-time homebuyer or buyer of a property that has never been occupied. The new California law applies to certain purchases that close escrow on or after May 1, 2010 (see Cal. Rev. & Tax Code section 17059.1(a)(4)). California law generally allows buyers of never-occupied properties to reserve their credits before closing escrow, but buyers seeking to combine the federal and state tax credits will not be able to satisfy the timing requirements for such reservations (see Cal. Rev. & Tax Code section 17059.1(c)(1)(A)). Other terms and restrictions apply to both tax credits.

This is truly great news for first time homebuyer. This generous tax credit combined with low interest rate & low home prices will help put families in their first home. For more questions, you can email Ann at anguyen@dicksonrealty.com

Recent performances include Alpin Hong, a classical pianist with stunning techniques and rare humor & Falla Guitar Trio, a top guitar ensemble with a repertoire ranging from classical pieces to original work and improvised jazz.

Most recently Arts For the School invited Judson Laipply who is famous for creating the YouTube video “Evolution of the Dance”, one of the most watched video on the internet.

 

Judson Laipply reception

Raine Howe & Ann Nguyen

Future performance features Kevin Johnson who is a master ventriloquist. Kevin has appeared on American Got Talent and The Late Show with David Letterman. His show is a hit with all age groups. Expect magic with Kevin’s amazing skills in bringing his puppets characters to life.

In addition to the School & Public Performance Series, Arts For the Schools also has an Artist-In-Residence program which provides 3rd-5th grade students access to professional arts instruction in the classroom. All our three children brought home beautiful painted eggs taught by artist-in-residence Cathee St. Clair that we still treasure today.

Raine Howe is the current executive director. She is passionate about arts & commits to continue in Terry Yagura’s footstep to promote the growth for Arts For the School in the years to come.

We had the honor of hosting two private receptions for Alpin Hong & Falla Guitar Trio in appreciation of the donors & supporters for Arts For the School. It was a fun  event filled with good food, great company, laughter and music. We feel blessed to live in a community that cares about arts & supports this program through generous funding & donations. We expect many more great performances in the next season & hope to see all of you at the next event.

This is very, very important. The Mayo Clinic has just released a video about an easy new CPR method. This easy new CPR method is called Continuous Chest Compression CPR which is easier to learn, easier to do and you don’t have to blow in someone’s mouth. The goal is to generate blood flow to the heart and the brain, no need to count compressions or breaths and no mouth to mouth resuscitation. If you see someone collapses, you can save his or her life by applying this easy new CPR method. First you need to call 911, then start pumping by pressing hard on the sternum & continue until help arrives.

I never master the standard CPR but this easy new CPR method convinces me that I can jump in and help to save someone from cardiac arrest. Just remember that this easy new CPR method is ideal for adults. For children under 8 or in case of respiratory failure or drowning, standard CPR is still the best choice.

Fun in Sun and Snow

Skiing for Schools discounted lift tickets in Tahoe Truckee

Skiing for Schools is one of the programs that ski resorts offer to skiers & snowboarders in the Tahoe Truckee area. On certain dates, skiers & snowboarders can get special discounted lift tickets. All proceeds go directly to the Excellence in Education Foundation.

Tahoe Truckee Excellence in Education Foundation was founded in 1986.  The Foundation main purpose was to support & recognize exceptional teachers by awarding them through the Linda Brown Fellows & Star Awards program.

Skiers & Snowboarders can support enhanced educational opportunities for our local students by purchasing the Skiing for Schools discounted lift tickets.

Keep these dates handy for a fun ski day while getting an awesome lift ticket price:

Saturday, December 19 at Sugar Bowl: $25 lift ticket available the week prior at Porters Sports

Sunday, January 3 at Northstar: $25 lift ticket available the week prior at Porters Sports

Saturday & Sunday, January 9 & 10 at Royal Gorge: $15 cross country ski trail pass available the week prior at Porters Sports

Sunday, January 24 at Boreal: $25 lift ticket available the week prior at Porters Sports

Saturday, March 20 at Sugar Bowl: $25 lift ticket available the week prior at Porters Sports

Sunday, March 21 at Homewood: Community Benefit Day ~ special discounted lift ticketsavailable at Homewood ticket booths this day. Call 530.525.2992 for details

Sunday, April 11 at Squaw Valley: $25 lift ticket available the week prior at Porters Sports

Sunday, April 18 at Alpine Meadows: Community Benefit Day ~ special discounted lift tickets available at Alpine Meadows ticket booths this day. Call 530.583.4232 for details

Don’t forget to purchase these special discounted lift tickets in advance at Porters Sports for the Skiing for Schools dates. For Community Benefit Day, you can buy these discounted lift tickets at the ski resorts ticket booths. A limited supply of tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis and will not be available at the resorts the day of event (except for Community Benefit Day).

Take advantage of these generous offers from all the ski resorts, get out and purchase these discounted lift tickets. You can save a lot of money, have a fantastic day on the slope & support Skiing for Schools at the same time.

See you on the slope

Click here for more details on how you can pitch in for Truckee Community Christmas

REO single family listings in Tahoe Truckee & surrounding areas

Barley Dog Cookies Recipe

Ingredients

Makes about 16

• 2 cups barley flour

• 1/2 cup old-fashioned oatmeal

• 1/3 cup shredded cheddar

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment paper; set aside.

2. In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients and about 3 tablespoons water to form a dough. Roll out mixture between two sheets of plastic wrap to 1/4-inch thick; remove plastic wrap and cut out biscuits with a 3 1/2-inch bone-shaped cookie cutter. Reroll scraps and continue cutting out biscuits.

3. Space biscuits 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes until nicely browned and firm.

4. Transfer biscuits to a wire rack. Turn off oven and place biscuits on wire rack in oven overnight. Remove from oven and store in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.

More details on the Truckee homebuyer assistance program.

Click here to read the story from Sierra Sun