Nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains and straddling the border between California and Nevada, Greater Lake Tahoe is a stunning natural playground that offers an array of year-round activities, making it a perfect destination for vacationing. Whether you are looking for skiing and snowboarding in the winter or boating, golf, biking and hiking in the summer, Lake Tahoe has something for everyone. Read along as we explore why Greater Lake Tahoe is the perfect year-round destination and why that makes it a good place to invest in a vacation home.

The Beauty of Greater Lake Tahoe

The beauty of Greater Lake Tahoe is hard to overstate. With its crystal-clear blue waters, majestic pine forests, and snow-capped peaks, Lake Tahoe is a year-round destination that offers residents and visitors breathtaking views and a serene natural environment. The region is home to several ski resorts, including Palisades Tahoe (formerly known as Squaw Valley), Alpine Meadows, Northstar and Heavenly Valley, which attract skiers and snowboarders from all over the world. The summer months offer a different kind of beauty, with boating, swimming, and hiking opportunities all around the lake.

Year-Round Activities

One of the main reasons why Greater Lake Tahoe is the perfect year-round destination for vacationers is the variety of activities available. In the winter, skiing and snowboarding are the primary activities, but there are also snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice-skating opportunities. In the summer, boating, fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding are popular water-based activities. The hiking and biking trails around the lake offer beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and forests.

Proximity to Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Meadows

Palisades Tahoe in Olympic Village and Alpine Meadows are two of the most popular ski resorts in Greater Lake Tahoe. Palisades Tahoe hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics and has since become a world-renowned ski resort that attracts skiers and snowboarders from all over the world. The resort offers 3,600 skiable acres, 29 lifts, and over 170 trails. Alpine Meadows is located just a few minutes away from Palisades Tahoe and offers a more relaxed skiing experience. The Village at Palisades Tahoe offers several dining options, ski rentals, and ski lessons for all ages and skill levels.

South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe is a bustling town located on the south shore of Lake Tahoe. The town offers a variety of dining, shopping, and entertainment options, making it a perfect place for vacationers to unwind after a day on the mountain at heavenly Valley or on the lake. South Lake Tahoe is also home to several casinos, which offer gaming, live entertainment, and dining options.

Real Estate Market

The real estate market in Greater Lake Tahoe is competitive, with limited inventory and many buyers looking for vacation homes or primary residences. The region offers a mix of traditional single-family homes, luxury properties, shared ownerships, and condos. Prices vary depending on the location, size, and amenities of the property. The median home price in the five different regions varies from $775,000 to $1,500,000.  Traditionally, property owners in the Greater Lake Tahoe area who have maintained their property and owned it for several years (7-10 yrsl) have been very pleased with increase in property values.  In the 40+ years since I got my Real Estate license we have had only one time when property values have dropped.  That was during the great recession of 2008 and within a few years values were above pre 2008 levels.

Vacation Home as Potential Source of Income

Homebuyers who are looking for a potential source of income can consider vacation rental properties, which are in high demand during the peak seasons of both winter and summer.

Condominiums

There are many great condominium options for vacation homes in the North Lake Tahoe area. While nearly any property in the area can be rented out when not in use, there are several condominium properties that offer a way to offset the cost of the condo with high occupancy and on-site rental programs. 

Shared Ownership

A Fractional Ownership arrangement (also know as Shared Ownership) offers the benefits of equity-based deeded real estate ownership, combined with the prestige and exclusivity of owning real estate in highly desirable locations for a fraction of the cost of an entire home. Shared Ownership is a great vacation home option because you can share the cost, maintenance, upkeep, and enjoyment of your vacation home and many benefits such as reducing costs, reducing hassle, increasing community, and no fears of restrictions. Most people don’t vacation more than 3 to 12 weeks per year. With Shared Ownership you can own your vacation home AND only pay for the time you use and not for unoccupied time, and because it is a deeded ownership, in the luxury shared ownerships selling the share could result in a potential increase in equity like a traditional full ownership home.

Air BnB or Ski Lease

Using your Tahoe home as a vacation rental property through Airbnb short term rentals, and ski-leases can be a great option. Airbnb provides an easy platform to share your listings and listings will receive bookings and exposure almost immediately. In a place like Lake Tahoe, Airbnb rentals for holiday weeks can bring in a lot of income even if they sit vacant for part of the year. Landlords will also be able to use the property while also taking advantage of rental opportunities. This is a great option if you also want to ski but will not be using the property often.

Long-term seasonal leases are considered a solid way to secure a reliable income stream for a given period of time. Each step of the process is extremely straightforward – from the moment a property is listed to the moment the tenant leaves the property, there is a set procedure that does not drastically change each season. Often people find tenants who want to rent the same place year after year making this a very reliable and predictable source of income. Read more about the pros and cons of each, and read about the rules and regulations in each area around the Lake.

Conclusion

Greater Lake Tahoe is a stunning year-round destination that offers residents and visitors an array of activities and natural beauty. With world-class ski resorts, crystal-clear waters, and breathtaking views, Lake Tahoe is a perfect place to call home or invest in a vacation property. The real estate market is competitive, but the region offers a variety of properties to suit different lifestyles and budgets. Contact a member of our team today to learn more about why Greater Lake Tahoe is the perfect year-round destination for investing in a vacation home.