C.A.R. launches Mortgage Protection Program

To help provide first-time home buyers with peace of mind when purchasing a home, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (C.A.R.) Housing Affordability Fund is offering a new mortgage protection program to first-time home buyers.

Through the C.A.R. Housing Affordability Fund's Mortgage Protection Program, first-time home buyers who lose their jobs due to layoffs may be eligible to receive up to $1,500 per month, for six months, to help make their mortgage payments.  A qualified co-buyer also can participate in the program, and receive a monthly benefit of $750 per month for up to six months.  Program benefits also include coverage for accidental disability and a $10,000 death benefit.

For more information including eligibility requirements and information on applying for the C.A.R.H.A.F. Mortgage Protection Program, please visit:  www.car.org/aboutus/hafmainpage/carhafmortgageprotection/

Posted at 01:25PM Jun 30, 2009 by Lupe Springer-Hodges in General  |  Comments[0]

How's the Market from Lupe's Desk

I attended a real estate seminar with Michelle Morrison and a few of my Bella Vie co-workers last week.  One of the first tasks we had to complete was a list of 100 things that we love about our business.  What a great way to focus on what's important.  I'm happy to report that the task was easy.  How grateful I am to be doing something that I love!

Most important, I'm grateful for all of you.  Thanks to your support and referrals, the last years have been very productive.  It's been a pleasure to meet and get to know many of Colleen & Michelle's friends and family too.

Now for the market:  Foreclosures, Short Sales, REO's, Loan Modifications, HVCC, Obama's Recovery Plan, Interest rates are going up, Interest rates are coming down........It can make a consultants head spin!  I hope you know you can always call on me if you have any Real Estate questions.

Sales activity is good.  Homes under $250,000 can sometimes bring in as many as 42 offers!  There are some very good values on the market today.  the median sales price has remained stable for the last few months.  More good news: The California Association of Realtors has implemented a program to help first-time homebuyers make their house payments if they happen to lose their job after they purchase the home.

Thank you so much for being a part of our real estate family.

Happy Summer!

Posted at 01:12PM Jun 30, 2009 by Lupe Springer-Hodges in Real Estate  |  Comments[0]

News from Colleen & Michelle

There have been lots of changes here in South Lake Tahoe.  The company that I worked for, Dickson Realty, was bought out overnight by Coldwell Banker. That prompted Michelle and I to look at all of our options in regards to other companies. When Michelle had first moved up here she had interviewed several of the companies and at the time was really torn between the RE/MAX Realty Today franchise here and Dickson Realty. At the time RE/MAX had just started up and was comprised of just a few agents. It has grown and continues to grow here and so we decided it was time to make the move to the local RE/MAX.  We join a great group of agents that have been in the business a long time up here. One of the RE/MAX brokers used to own Aspen Realty, an old, established and respected company for many years here.  It was bought out by RE/MAX soon after I moved up here.  He has been a wealth of knowledge for me for some Tahoe real estate history.   He kind of reminds me of Gary Schaffer of the old Shaffer Real Estate in Woodland.  I think he is getting ready to retire sometime in the near future but in the meantime has been a great source of information.

News about our team is exciting also.  Michelle, my daughter, had top sales for the first quarter up here.  We were really excited about that!!  Her assistant, Heather Duquette, for the last two years just obtained her real estate license and is now one of our team partners.  So I'm back on a team of three just like the old days in Woodland with Lupe.  Our team name is Tahoe Visions Team.....Helping You Live the Tahoe Dream. 

On a personal note, I am looking forward to the summer months again.  Snowshoeing and skiing were a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors here this last winter.  Spring is teasing us with some warm weather and then we get a spring snowstorm!!  I still love the snow but am starting to understand the Tahoe locals' attitude towards it.  Bring on summer!!

Colleen & Michelle

Posted at 12:26PM Apr 28, 2009 by Lupe Springer-Hodges in General  |  Comments[0]

Local Market Statistics

Local Market Statistics (Woodland inc. Wildwings Subdivision)

 1st Quarter, 2009 

 January, February, March   Total Sales = 142  YTD = 142  

Median sales price  $195,000.  

Average days on the market  67

 # of closed sales, Year 2008    635  

# of closed sales, Year 2007    343   

According to the Metrolist MLS Services the local median sales price of single family homes year-to-date in 2008 was $282,000.  The median sales price year-to-date in 2009 was $216,000 - an apporx. 24% decrease in median sales price in one year.

Posted at 11:41AM Feb 05, 2009 by Lupe Springer-Hodges in General  |  Comments[0]

Open Houses

Open House Dates for Hanson Ranch

Friday        July 31 2009    12-4 pm

Saturday    Aug 01, 2009    12-4pm

Sunday      Aug 02, 2009    12-4pm

Posted at 01:36PM Feb 04, 2009 by Lupe Springer-Hodges in General  |  Comments[0]