When I first moved to the Carson Valley I found it difficult to figure out where the hot spots were to go to fireworks and picnics.  Everybody, share your favorites, and those who read this post will enjoy.  So far, my favorite place for fireworks is Nevada Beach, on the East shore of Lake Tahoe.  We stay all day and barbeque.  At night, you can turn in to the radio for a synchronized broadcast, and watch fireworks, first in the sky and also reflecting off the lake.  PRETTY!!!  What's your favorite?

If you are currently researching the web for homes for sale in the Carson Valley area, Gardnerville, Minden, Genoa, or Stateline Nevada, I want you to visit my website and browse the entire Northern Nevada MLS.  It's super easy and you can save your searches to look at later or sign up for notices when something that matches your criteria becomes available for sale.  Check it out.  www.prunevada.com/lisav

I just noticed a "ratings" link on my home page for this blog.  I will be looking further into this suspicious looking page, but hope that all those in the Gardnerville, Minden, Carson City who have worked with me in the past would rate me well.  Here is a little incentive:  On the Friday night of CARSON VALLEY DAYS I am hosting a Taco Bar at my centrally located home.  (See my blog: "Carson Valley Days" for more info. Come have a taco (or ten) before you hit the Carson Valley Days Street Party in Downtown Gardnerville.  If free tacos aren't enough  to gain   some attention, I don't know what is, because tacos are good.  And if you are planning on missing Carson Valley Days, you are planning on missing OUT!

By the way, Gardnerville offers an excellent Farmer's Market at Lampe Park, located on Waterloo Lane every Wednesday morning from 9 am to 1 pm.  When you are cruising through town don't forget to make a stop and pick up some extraordinary fruits and veggies and browse those hard working local vendors.  My personal favorite:  Carson Valley Honey.  Take a teaspoon or so a day and loose those seasonal allergies.  They even have bees wax lip balm and hand cream.  Worth every penny!

The most exciting time of year for Gardnerville and Minden residents is approaching! Carson Valley Days is a community event that dwarfs even the traditional holidays for families and children of the area. During this weekend long festival the entire community comes out to play. There is something for everyone. Below I have posted a list of the 2009 Carson Valley events. A tip of advice for anyone traveling to the area that weekend: plan not to use Highway 395 for the first half of the day on Saturday. And lets all remember that this community and everyone in it is very special- so let's protect everyone by remembering to be safe. Please DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE and watch out for little ones at the events. It's our whole town's responsibility to make this celebration a safe and enjoyable one! See you here!

If you have visited Gardnerville/Minden Nevada or you live here, then you may know the drastic difference in property appearance from winter to spring.  I am excited as a Realtor at the moment to see property looking a lot more attractive with green lawns and blooming trees recently.  A reminder to agents working in 4-season climates: get out there and take new listing photos now that the snow is gone.  A snowy picture in the spring time makes a listing appear out dated and drab.  Show off the landscaping and sunshine!

I am pleased to announce that I am all settled in and ready to work at Prudential Nevada Realty in Gardnerville.  I am so enthused to be back at what I like best, and that is selling real estate.  My profile here has been fully updated.  Watch the newspaper for my press release.  Watch the roadsides for my listing signs. 

I am gong to be completely honest and bare all here for  a minute.  I left real estate in late December, checking out an opportunity in the corporate world in exchange for a steady salary and benefits.  You know what happened?  It didn't work out.  I was a little disappointed at first, but truthfully: I don't want to be limited to what a company is going to pay me in salary and have no way to earn more money.   I like practicing real estate because HOW HARD YOU WORK ACTUALLY MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN HOW MUCH YOU EARN. 

I am in the process of returning to real estate.  People are still talking about how horrible the market is and how awful the economy is.  But guess what?  My business doesn't depend on market conditions or the economy.  My success depends on one thing:  my work.  It's the same for every agent.

I learned a lot from leaving real estate and coming back again.  I learned what other people think of Realtors.  I learned what makes the biggest impacts on a Realtor's reputation to consumers and what are wastes of time.  I learned that I am too controlling to work where business management isn't part of my job.  I learned that if you want everyone you know to suddenly approach you for real estate help, just stick your license on ice for a few days.

I am very excited about returning to the profession I love most.  I will keep you posted on where I'm at in the next week or so.  Fellow agents: I missed ya!

Are you looking to learn more about life around the Carson Valley?  While I have an extensive collection of photos from around town in Gardnerville and Minden and the out laying areas, I thought you might like to take a look at what the other locals have to share. Our local paper is called The Record Courier, and on their site, under the tab "Photos & Videos" you can enjoy a vast collection of uploaded scenes from Northern Nevada.  You will gain insight on the terrain and views as well as community events and activities.  Don't be suprised when you see the smiling residents of Gardnerville and Minded, we are all happy to live in Douglas County!

Something to consider:

Home prices in the Carson Valley (Gardnerville, Minden, and Genoa) are now as they were in 1996. You can buy a single family home for the same amount of money you could have back in 1996!

This news, along with the fact that interest rates on new home loans are rather low, gives all the reason you need to decide to become a homeowner now. 

If you aren't sure if Gardnerville or Minden is right for you, contact me for a free relocation package.  I will send you a package highlighting the community events of Douglas County, demographic information, climate information and recreational opportunities. 

 

 

~LISA VOCELKA
(775) 450-4513

Here is a Carson Valley Update for everyone! Surely you have seen all the news about "Short Sales" and Bank Owned properties. Bill Driscoll wrote a very interesting article about purchasing such properties and you can view it at www.nevadaappeal.com. Here are some stats I looked up just today. For the Zip Code 89410 only, there have been some changes from the 2nd quarter of 2008 to now the 3rd. In the 2nd quarter, the zip code 89410, which includes downtown Gardnerville and Minden and some rural areas in the southern part of the county, had a total of 29 sales. 34% of those sales were either short sales or bank owned. The average asking price to sale price ratio was 95% (That is- houses went for about 95% of what they were on the market for). The average sale price then was $279,000. BUT NOW, in the 3rd quarter of 2008, we have had more sales (36), and less short sales or bank owned properties selling (only 22% out of all residential sales). The average asking price to sale price ration dropped a little, to 91%. But hey, the average sale price went up to $414,000!! I think we can credit that to the fact that more properties with acreage sold in the 3rd quarter than did in the 2nd quarter. More sales were in rural areas where custom homes are built on larger lots. I am excited as it looks like now we have more sellers and buyers working together without the drama and headache of short selling and foreclosure, and our higher end inventory seems to be moving. Yay 89410!!