p.s., vacation rentals are a dime -a dozen here, most of them are on a property management program moreso to comply with IRS regulations than to generate income...there are more than enough to go around...book early to ensure a fabulous vacation...the lakeviews & killer locations go 1st! If you are considering a vacation rental investment you must go super small or super big to make a buck! We have a surplus of 2-3 bedroom homes. A studio, 1 bd, loft does well as does a 4 BD + home with extra amenities such as hot tub, boat dock, pool table, easy access to parks, tennis courts, pool, etc....
the # of rentals will remain steady, but will be competing with more timeshares, quarter shares & Redevelopment rooms as they continue to build...rents should also remain the same as last year with a small inflationary adjustment up...(gotta try to recoup visiting the gas pump somehow, right?)...

Tue May 6 2008, 13:37

If you haven't already bought a second Lake Tahoe home/vacation investment there is no better time than now!

WHY? Top 10 Reasons:

1. Interest rates are still at historically low levels. Buyers are taking advantage of this & buying, which is helping stabilize the surplus of homes. What an awesome time to be a buyer!!!

2. The Conforming loan rate cut-off is now based upon 110% of the median price, setting all of El Dorado County at $580,000, thus giving buyers MORE buying power at lower rates, BUT ONLY through the end of this year unless further legislation is passed! Take advantage of this opportunity now!

3. There is no crystal ball to predict the future, but, we may be "at the bottom" of the market now. There are currently deals priced at fair market values of 3-5 years ago! There are a small handful of bank owned/foreclosed properties, but not many, in the Lake Tahoe area. Eventually, God-willing & with a successful Presidential election, real estate prices will normalize & then continue through a regular cycle.

4. For quality of life & a quality lifestyle investment, Lake Tahoe is an ideal choice for not only Northern California buyers, but any one in the World! Approximately 80% of the Lake Tahoe home owners are secondary/investment purchases. Could this many people be wrong?

5. Lake Tahoe continues to advance, redevelop, grow & offer a true World-class tourist destination all while being environmentally conscientious & guided by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.

6. For my job security! Kidding, actually, I always advise clients to think through how long they plan to hold a Lake Tahoe property! Timing is everything! If you intend to keep your Tahoe home for at least 2-5 years or more, NOW may an ideal time for you to buy. Historic statistics have revealed an approximate doubling in California real estate prices every 10 years for the LAST 100 years! What goes up must come down...& vice-versa! Tahoe vacation homes are a pretty solid long-term investment.

7. Lake Tahoe is a dream come true for many investors who utilize tax-deferred exchanges! What a beautiful place to "plunk your money down" for a while! Whether you are an avid skiier, boater, hiker, biker, casino gambler or someone who just appreciates the peace & quiet of the National Forest setting Tahoe is situated in, now is an ideal time to invest!

8. Location!

9. Location!

10. Location!

Tue May 6 2008, 13:25

Currently 70% of all buyers in the South Lake Tahoe area are second home buyers. Many of these new homeowners will be looking toward vacation rental income as a means to subsidize the cost of their investment. The median home price for a three bedroom, two bath home with 1,400 SF is in the mid $400,000 range.
Another up and coming trend is the purchase of shares of ownership. These shares generally range from quarter to eigth shares. One can find these types of ownership through private home owners or through established resort companies.
How much rent one might pay for a vacation rental varies greatly depending upon the location, size of the property, amenities and location. For example, a three plus bedroom home with a game room and hot tub located close to the beach or ski resort will do quite well. Especially if the decor is that of a contemporary mountain home. We call it the "Tahoe-Feel."
We have been tracking the values of the various neighborhoods on a month-to-month basis and have been finding that the reduction in values appears to be slowing down and leveling at this time. These statistics are available to the public under a section referring to Neighborhoods. As of December 31, 2007, the median home price is approximately 8% lower than that of the same time one year earlier.
We have been tracking the values of each neighborhood

Sun Jan 13 2008, 19:48

I think South Lake Tahoe, both rental and resale will continue to grow. Heavenly Ski Resort area is undergoing a lot of renovations, improvements to make South Tahoe a destination spot.

There are just a lot of disposable income in the Bay Area, which is just 3 hours away from south Tahoe; weekend skiing is almost a household pass time (at least where I am).

Of course, a specific year's winter rental will have a lot to do with the amount of snow you get. However, with man made snow improving every year and with the seemingly tradition of spending winter in Tahoe. I think you are pretty safe in investing there.

Do be careful when you try to figure out the profit or rental income you will be getting - if you purchase in a development and the place is managed by property company, their management fee can be as high as 50% of rental. There will also be other costs associated with seasonal rentals. Think through the numbers before your purchase.

Sylvia

Fri Oct 19 2007, 13:38