Relocating From A Major City? Don’t Make These Home Search Mistakes

Due to the Coronavirus, Lake Tahoe real estate has seen an influx of city dwellers making a mass exodus out of cramped and expensive living to more rural areas, mountain towns and suburbia. When you are making a big move like that of city life to a smaller, resort Mountain town, there are a lot of mistakes you can make. Simply put, buying Lake Tahoe real estate is a lot different compared to finding that perfect condo in a high-rise building. There are a lot of variables that come with purchasing homes for sale in Lake Tahoe, like which recreational activities do you want to be closest to? Do you want to be on the California side or the Nevada side? How close do I want to be able to walk to things? Is this neighborhood caught in the midst of holiday tourism traffic? All of a sudden, it isn’t *just* about being in a good school district and being close to the things that matter. It is taking into account which state offers better tax breaks, which neighborhood has quicker city snow removal in the winter, and whether you want to walk to the lake or be on a meadow or hiking a trail right outside your door. One of the most important things you can do to feel confident about your purchase is to work with a qualified Lake Tahoe Realtor. We have your best interest at heart, listen to your needs and match you with the perfect property. Here are some things to keep in mind as you start your journey to owning Lake Tahoe real estate.

1. Don’t just focus on the house and forget about the neighborhood.

You may have your heart set on a specific style of home, like a modern mountain lodge or a cute rustic A-frame that needs some TLC. While house specifics are important when searching for homes for sale in Lake Tahoe, neighborhoods are just as important. You may still want to be close to all the action, but in a nicer area with upscale homes. That would mean Heavenly Valley is probably a good area to look at. Or, you may want to be on the lake in minutes, which would put Tahoe Keys at the top of the list. While Lake Tahoe real estate doesn’t have any “bad” areas, each neighborhood has its own set of perks. If walkability is important to you, a neighborhood like Al Tahoe would be great as you can walk to many locally owned businesses, the meadow and beaches. Knowing what exactly you want inside and outside your front door means a lot and should be a major factor in how you pick where to relocate.

2. Don’t use School Districts As The Guide

If you are a parent, a good school is crucial. But truth be told, Lake Tahoe only has so many options. While a majority of them are great, on the South/East shore, there are two high schools-one on the Nevada side and one on the California side. Same with middle school. Elementary schools-you have multiple options that offer a variety of programs on the California side. Some local parents send their kids to the private school over in Incline Village. While education is a main motivator, it shouldn’t be the end all be all when you move to a smaller area because we simply don’t have the same variety of schooling available compared to major cities. No matter where you live on the South or East shore, chances are, you are ten minutes away from all the schools, so choose accordingly, but don’t count out homes for sale in Lake Tahoe that match your criteria simply because they aren’t right next door to the school you were eyeing. You can likely still get your children into the desired school while also living in a neighborhood that is outside the zone. Your Lake Tahoe Realtor can advise more on this.

3. Don’t Count on walkability

One of the common thing’s city dwellers are having a tough time adapting to when buying Lake Tahoe homes for sale is the lack of walkability. While there are neighborhoods that are walking distance to lots of great local businesses, there are also several that aren’t walking distance at all. If being able to walk to local businesses is crucial for you, be sure to communicate that to your Lake Tahoe Realtor and be clear by what you mean. When there isn’t any traffic, you can get anywhere on this side of the basin within 15 minutes. Be sure to express that when you want to be somewhere quickly, you mean on foot and not in a car.

Moral of the story is that when you buy Lake Tahoe homes for sale, you have to make sure you have fully switched your searching criteria to match that of mountain life and not city life. If you fail to express your needs clearly, you could find yourself regretting the purchase later. As an established Lake Tahoe Realtor, it is of the utmost importance to make sure that my clients are happy with their home and the life they are creating in one of the most beautiful places in the world. For more information on buying in this region, give me a call, I would be happy to help!