Spring is almost here and we are certainly ready for it! After record breaking snow fall this winter, the much needed snow pack is guaranteed to deliver our area a lush green golf course, flowing streams and full course lakes. Not to mention, some incredible spring skiing. Nothing like skiing and golfing in the same day!

The level of luxury real estate sales and overall activity continues to be very strong! Just within the first quarter of 2011 there have been 14 homes sold ("pending" or "closed"). This is over half of all home sales in 2010 (21 total). The Montreux inventory of homes is decreasing rapidly.

Summary for 2011
In 2011, 11 out of 14 Montreux Sales were Sold and/or Listed by Brooke, Monica, and Rob. Your Montreux Real Estate Specialists!

February 2011 Montreux Real Estate Sales:
5885 Chambery Cr. - $812,000 (4,703 sf)
4580 Alpes Way - $1,010,000 (4,310 sf)
5775 Lausanne - $2,750,000 (9,203 sf)

February-March 16th 2011 Montreux Real Estate Pending's:
6475 Montreux Ln. - $649,900 - list price (2,625 sf)
6765 De Chardin -$1,000,000 - list price (4,474 sf)
4560 Alpes - $1,099,000 - list price (4,588 sf)
20457 Bordeaux - $1,499,000 - list price (4,632 sf)
16475 Bordeaux - $1,575,000 - list price (7,183 sf)

Montreux Open House
Montreux Golf Community Open House | Saturday April 2, 2011 | 1 - 4 PM
Complimentary Food, Beverages and Entertainment, Raffles and Membership Discounts Available! Please RSVP by March 26th to Heather Wunderlich at 775-849-1090 ext. 121 or email heather@montreuxgolf.com

In this post, I will provide a summary of 2010 Montreux Real Estate Sales and illustrate what the overall real estate trends for the last five years have been for Montreux.

2010 Home Sales in Montreux
Total sales for 2010 show a 19% increase over 2009, with 21 total home sales. Buyers in 2010 took advantage of some great buys! The average price-per-square-foot for 2010 was $229. A contributing factor to the increase was the fact that Montreux home prices have decreased by 14%, in the last year

Busy January
The word has gotten out that there are some incredible buying opportunities in Montreux right now. Since January 1, 2011, 8 homes have either gone into escrow or have sold. That is 38% of all home sales for 2010 (21 total). Not a bad start to 2011!

Montreux Real Estate Trends
I am often asked about the trend of Montreux real estate prices. Following are two charts that show the total number of homes sold and the price per SF trends for the last five years.

Sales of existing US homes jumped 12.3% in December, providing an encouraging end to the worst year since 1997, as the collapse in house prices and a wave of foreclosures depressed activity over the 12-month period.

The National Association of Realtors on Thursday said existing-home sales rose from November to a seasonally-adjusted annualized rate of 5.28 million.

November’s sales were revised higher to 4.7 million from the initial 4.68 million reading. The raw, unadjusted figures showed sales rising to 404,000 in December from 355,000 in November. The jump in the mortgage rate to 4.8%, a rise of roughly a half percentage point from depths, has helped induce on-the-fence buyers back into the market, said Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors. The improving economy also helped confidence, Yun said.

Although there are many challenges in both buying and selling luxury real estate in today's economy, the luxury real estate market in Reno has been steady for most of 2010.

I have been working on our year-end reports for Montreux real estate and luxury real estate in Reno. (I will post this report soon). Despite the slow economy, we have made some home sales for our buyer and seller clients.

Here's a couple tips for both buyers and sellers of luxury real estate.

For Buyers:
Now is one of the best times in history to purchase the home of your dreams. Interest rates are still historically low, with the average long-term fixed-rate mortgage rates below 5%. Home prices remain low, and available homes on the market remain high.

Another important point to make for potential buyers is to find your comfort zone. How much do you plan to spend on your monthly mortgage? This decision should be part of your long-term financial picture.

What is the goal for buying a home? Are you looking to escape the high taxes of California? Do you want to live in a private golf community like Montreux? Now is the best time.

For Sellers:
If you are selling your home, and are worried about selling in a "buyer's market," there is some good news. If you get a lower selling profit when you sell your home, you may be able to offset a lower purchase price on your next home.

Whatever your reason for buying or selling luxury real estate in Reno Nevada, make sure to consult with a real estate agent that has a proven record, and past client testimonials and referrals.

If you are looking to purchase luxury real estate in Montreux, Reno, or Lake Tahoe I can help you find that great home! Please take a moment and fill out my contact form, or call me today: 775-813-4890.

It's fall here at Montreux, the most beautiful time of year! If you haven't seen Montreux lately, now is the time to visit! The stunning Fall colors are vibrant... the streets and paths are lined with burnt orange, soft yellow, and blaze red. The Montreux golf course is open and players are enjoying the weather. With recent rain, the bright green course is a perfect backdrop for the Autumn landscape.

We have some positive news to share. In a 10/25/10 report by the National Association of Realtors the sales of existing homes rose 10% in September. This National trend was also experienced for real estate in Montreux. Sales in September and activity in general in Q4 has been much more robust compared to this summer. On the other hand, we have also witnessed pressure on Sales prices.

As we enter the home stretch of 2010, it will be interesting to see the final tally of this year's home sales in the Montreux Golf and Country Club Community. With today's Buyers taking advantage of "great deals" and record breaking low interest rates, there has been a total of 15 homes sold year to date, with 4 homes currently "pending". In comparison, 2009 yielded 17 home sales.

Montreux is in a strong position to sell more this year than the previous year.

Call us at 775-849-9444 or stop by for an update on Montreux's real estate offerings.

The Montreux Welcome Center is open everyday from 9-5pm. As always, your referrals are much appreciated!

You can feel it in the air, the end of summer is near. In typical Northern Nevada style, the forecast has called for 65 to 85 degree weather in the same week!

We have had a wonderful summer and if all goes according to plan, quite a busy one in terms of luxury real estate activity. Since June 1st there have been 6 home sales and 6 lot sales in Montreux. The latest sale was over $2 Million and represents the highest sales price and price/SF of the year.

Currently there are 5 properties in escrow and officially "pending", in addition to a handful more that are in the works. If all goes according to plan the net result of this summer's sales activity will be very positive.

Montreux Art Festival
Sunday, September 12th 10:00-4:00pm
Montreux Cares is hosting a fundraiser Art Festival on Sunday September 12th at the Patty Sheehan Practice Hole from 10:00am to 4:00pm.  We have 18 wonderful and diverse artists displaying their wares.  You are invited to experience a wonderful day of art, wine tastings, snacks and the beauty of Montreux Golf and Country Club.  Bring a chair, relax with a glass of wine and enjoy this special event.

Montreux Open House
Sunday, September 26, 2010 1:00-4:00pm
Mark your calendars for the afternoon of Sunday September 26th from 1-4pm. We will have a Montreux Open House, featuring three exquisite properties, at various price points. Maps and details will be at the Montreux gate house and Welcome Center. This will be the ideal way to take a closer look inside the Montreux community. For additional details contact your Montreux Real Estate Agent at 775-849-9444.

Update on Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates for 30-year fixed mortgages rose just a bit this week, with the current rate borrowers were quoted on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace at 4.27 percent, up from the record breaking low of 4.26 percent set last week.

Last week I wrote about why you should move to Montreux, and what I love about living in Reno, Nevada.

This week I want to talk about Montreux specifically. Montreux is not like any other community in Northern Nevada. It is a private golf course community, with what I consider the most beautiful homes in Nevada.

I feel so proud to be a luxury real estate agent who specializes in Montreux real estate. Every day I get to show prospects around this wonderful community. I see people enjoying where they live, kids and parents alike having fun at the pool and park, people out playing golf on our magnificent course. Loving life.

If you're reading this, you're in the market for a home. If beautiful architecture, security, playing golf on the only Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course in Northern Nevada, enjoying the pool and food at Jack's Den, finding friends who share the same life views as you are important, then Montreux is for you.

There are so many wonderful things about Montreux and Northern Nevada just waiting for you to discover! If you would like to schedule a tour of Montreux, please fill out my contact form by clicking here.

Click the link if you want to watch a video about the Montreux Golf and Country Club.

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Resales of homes in the United States rose 7.6% in April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.77 million.

According to data released Monday by the National Association of Realtors, buyers rushed to complete sales before a tax credit expires.

The trend in sales prices has stabilized over the past four months. The median price is up 4% in the past year at $173,100.

It's not clear what's behind the increase in homes for sale... it could be pent-up supply from homeowners who've wanted to sell but didn't think the market was right. That would imply pent-up demand. But it's also possible that investors are putting their properties on the market because they aren't getting the cash flow they need.

Supply of foreclosures and short sales has been steady. Sales of "distressed" homes, including foreclosures and short sales, accounted for 33% of sales in April, compared with 45% a year ago.

The government has been supporting sales and home prices for about two years, providing up to $8,000 to qualified buyers. But the tax credit ends in June. To qualify, a buyer must have signed a sales contract by April, and must close the sale by June 30.

The NAR data on existing-home sales are based on closings, which usually occur a month or two after the sales contract is signed.

Most economists believe the tax credit pulled forward sales that would have taken place later. Sales of existing homes surged last fall with the first tax credit and are up 23% compared with a year ago. Sales of new homes haven't responded to the tax credit nearly so noticeably, although sales did jump 27% in March after setting a record low in February. New-home sales will be reported on Wednesday.

Sales rose in three of four regions in April: Sales increased 21% in the Northeast, 10% in the Midwest and 9% in the South. Sales fell 6% in the West.

Sales of single-family homes increased 7.4% in April and are up 21% in the past year. Sales of condos increased 9.1% in April and are up 42% in the past year.

First-time buyers accounted for 49% of sales in April. All-cash buyers accounted for 26% of sales.

In this current real estate market it's very important you get a professional real estate evaluation from an experienced Realtor. Your Realtor is the only one who can provide you with an honest assessment of your home's value.

As a professional real estate agent focusing on the luxury real estate market, I base the selling price on many real estate market factors, including:

• Real Estate Market Conditions
• The Actual Condition of your Home
• Repairs or Improvements your Home Needs
• The Timeframe for Selling your Home

The sales price you set is a critical factor in selling your home. If your home is priced correctly, you should be able to sell in your alloted timeframe. If it's not, you might sit on the home for awhile.

When I evaluate the sales price for any home, the goal is to get the home priced at market value. Market value is the price at which a particular house, in its current condition, should sell within 30 to 90 days.

If your home is priced too high this will limit potential buyers. My goal is to show your house to as many potential buyers as possible. Another downside to an incorrectly priced home is time on the market. When a home is on the market too long, it may get the wrong perception. Buyers may wonder, "what’s wrong," or "why hasn’t this sold?"

If your home stays on the market longer than the average selling time, you might ultimately get a lower selling price. To sell it, you might have to reduce the asking price several times. Ultimately, you will probably get less than if you had priced the home correctly from the start.

Homes that are properly priced in the beginning always get you the fastest sale for the best price!

For more information on selling your home, please read these articles:

• Selling Luxury Real Estate
• 5 Steps to Sell Your Home
• Ten Important Features to make your Custom Home Stand Out from the Crowd
• To Remodel or Not to Remodel
• Show Off the Sizzle Not the Steak in Real Estate Sales
• The Seven Seller Sins

A short sale is a process where lenders let homeowners sell their properties for less than is owed on the mortgage loan.

In April, there will be new rules governing how lenders handle short sales. Short sales can help homeowners avoid foreclosure. Short sales also create great deals for home buyers.

Currently, the short sale process is incredibly slow. The process puts homeowners and buyers in limbo while the bank (and/or mortgage holders) decide whether to approve or decline the short sale.

The new rules coming out in April are aimed at speeding up the short sale process. These new rules could clarify the steps of the short sale process, but it's really unknown as to how much the new rules will speed-up the process.

Let's hope homeowners and buyers will see improvement in the speed and efficiency of the short-sale process!

We are seeing some great deals here at Montreux, and with other luxury real estate around the Reno area. If you would like to be contacted with information about these deals, please fill out my contact form. I will put you on my short-list of prospects looking for great deals for themselves, and for investments!