Tamara 's Green Real Estate Blog

California is working on a new program to help "underwater" borrowers.  Using federal funds, CalHFA is looking to spend $420M to help trim mortgages by up to $50,000.  The program is scheduled to start November 1.  This will be help for purchase loans, so those who did cash-out re-fi's won't qual...

We're still seeing strong market activity in Truckee Tahoe.  Listings are increasing as we head to the July 4th weekend.  We now have over 2000 active properties.  Coldwell Banker has approximately 15% of the listings.  11% of the listings are "distressed" (short sale or bank owned).  There has b...

Via Mirela Monte of Myrtle Beach.   Requiem for a lost Ocean     While our Government is refusing to take over the clean-up in the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill, leaving the Criminal in charge of the crime scene, countless Lives are lost and indeed our very survival is at stake.   For now, these few i...

\ This year marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.  Time to celebrate our favorite planet! In Tahoe, we have the Eco Symposium at the Resort at Squaw Creek hosted by the Sierra Green Building Association  Eco Symposium SiGBA has been such an informational resource for the Truckee/Tahoe region f...

As usual, Broker Bryant brings us news we can use.  Yes, distressed properties are a large part of the real estate transactions that are happening right now, but the majority of homeowners are "doing just fine".  Thanks for the encouraging reminder! That's right. By far, the overwhelming majority...

Latest Tahoe/Truckee market summary:  A few more listings this week.  Approximately 13% are "distressed" sales (short sales and REO/bank foreclosures).  Certainly less than other areas of California!  We have almost 1100 active homes and just over 500 active lots on the market.   Had a spike in ...

 They just had to do it!  Conditions at the ski hill are some of the best we've seen in years!  The website shows over 5' of base.  We've had seasons where dirt was showing through by this time of the year.  It's official, the hill will be open Friday April 16-Sunday, April 18 instead of closing...

This is a great checklist.  Any condo buyers should make sure these are answered even before making an offer.  Lenders are requiring answers to these and more before approving a loan, so best to know upfront.  Thanks Richard!Buying a condominium unit can be more involved than buying a single fami...

This week, the CA legislature passed a bill (AB 183) allowing for $200 million in home buyer tax credits.  The Governor's signature is anticipated soon.  It allows for $100M to qualified 1st Time Buyers and $100M for those who buy new homes.  The credit is the smaller of 5% of sales price or $10...

Bill Gates says only 0 is enough-by 2050!  "Bill Gates announced that his top priority is getting the world to zero climate emissions."   And he's ready to put the power of the Gates Foundation behind it.  http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/010976.html So interesting that just this morning I w...