Eastern Plumas/Sierra Counties March Newsletter

NEWS YOU CAN USE MARCH 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

Contents

Pg.

Portola Office - Feds Hold Rates

2

Sales Statistic Reports

3-5

Guild Mortgage Corner

6

Guide to Loans on Investment Properties

7

California Assn. of REALTORS® January News Release

8-10

California Assn. of REALTORS® ; Excerpts of Graphs from December 2019 California Housing Market Update

11-13

Essentials for Winter Car Travel with Kids

14-15

Calendar (with a Little Irish Humor) and Event Details

16-18

Photos Courtesy of the Plumas National Forest Service

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE MARCH 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn. The Dickson Realty Portola Team is always available to provide excellent and dedicated client service whether you are considering buying or selling a home. Our team of seasoned professionals, all REALTORSÂŽ, possess the most current and comprehensive market information and, combined with their knowledge and experience, they are uniquely qualified to be expert guides in your real estate venture. Call, e-mail, visit our office, or access us on the web. We are here for you 24/7.

Office Phone: 530-832-1700 Email: portolainfo@dicksonrealty.com Web: www.Dicksonrealty.com

In its first meeting of 2020, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) reviewed economic activity over the past couple of months and unanimously decided to maintain the federal funds rate at the target range of 1.50% to 1.75%.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and the nine other voters agreed that the U.S. economy is trending upward and that the current monetary policy will help sustain this growth. To determine the next best step for interest rates, the committee will continue to keep an eye on inflation, consumer spending and unemployment. It will also pay special attention to developments in geopolitical issues, like the conflict in Iran and the coronavirus epidemic in China.

For the Most Part, the Economy is in Good Shape The FOMC announced that labor market conditions have been very stable in the past several months. Job gains keep getting stronger while unemployment remains historically low. But not all aspects of the economy are moving in the right direction.

After the meeting in December, the committee described household spending as "strong." Now, the assessment has been lowered to "moderate."

As far as overall inflation goes, it's still slightly below the Fed's goal of 2%. Also, business fixed investments and exports continue to underperform.

The Fed is Increasing Its Own Rates The Fed pays interest on the reserves that it houses for regular banks. From October 2019 up until now, the central bank paid at a rate of 1.55%.

The committee upped this to 1.60% with the hopes that it will position the federal funds rate closer to the center of its target range.

The Future of the Federal Funds Rate Looks Stagnant In 2019, the federal funds rate was cut three times, largely due to several geopolitical factors, including the trade war between the U.S. and China.

However, this year, most of the policymakers are predicting no changes at all. In a recent tweet, President Trump expressed hopefulness that the committee will decrease the rate at some point, in order to help refinance the government's debt.

Interest Rates on Mortgages Won't Change What does this all mean for homebuyers? The federal funds rate plays a key role in determining the interest rates that lenders put on mortgages.

When the Fed increases rates, it costs more for lenders to borrow money to provide their customers with loans. In a trickle-down effect, lenders end up charging their borrowers with higher monthly payments.

Luckily, the federal funds rate is the same as it was last month, so interest rates won't be increasing. And if the members of the committee are correct in their predictions, rates will remain unchanged in the upcoming months as well, making this an optimal time to apply for a mortgage.

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE MARCH 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn. This month’s reports are a 12 month look, February 1, 2019 thru January 31, 2020, of sales by price range and the percent (%) of sales represented in those price ranges. Additionally, the tables show the number of current active listings by price range and the approximate months of inventory they represent.

The sales reported are for Single Family Residential and Condo/Townhouse sales in each of the areas.

(Time share and/or shared ownership are not included in the statistics presented.)

The data source is the Plumas Multiple Listing Service with data pulled on February 10, 2020

Full market summary RESIDENTIAL SOLD EASTERN PLUMAS/SIERRA COUNTIES February 1, 2019 thru January 31, 2020 SOLD Residences Percent of PRICE RANGE Sold Sales Under $100,000 $100,000-$199,999 $200,000-$299,999 $300,000-$399,999 $400,000-$599,999 $600,000-$999,999 $1,000,000 +

11 38 66 30 27 11 2 185

6% 20.5% 35.7% 16% 15% 6% 1% 100%

Current Active Listings 4 24 22 19 20 24 2 115

RESIDENTIAL SOLD EASTERN PLUMAS/SIERRA COUNTIES February 1, 2019 thru January 31, 2020

Months of Inventory 4 8 4 8 9 26 12

1% Under $100,000

6%

6%

$100,000-$199,999

15%

21.5%

$200,000-$299,999

16%

$300,000-$399,999

35.7%

$400,000-$599,999 $600,000-$999,999 $1,000,000 +

Golf Course Communities

Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mountain RESIDENTIAL SOLD GOLF COURSE COMMUNITIES February 1, 2019 thru January 31, 2020 SOLD Residences Percent of PRICE RANGE Sold Sales Under $100,000 $100,000-$199,999 $200,000-$299,999 $300,000-$399,999 $400,000-$599,999 $600,000-$999,999 $1,000,000 +

0 0 0 5 5 5 1 16

0% 0% 0% 31.3% 31.3% 31.3% 6% 100%

Current Active Listings 0 0 0 0 10 11 0 21

Months of Inventory 0 0 0 0 24 26 0

RESIDENTIAL SOLD GOLF COURSE COMMUNITIES February 1, 2019 thru January 31, 2020 6.1%

31.3%

Under $100,000 $100,000-$199,999

31.3%

$200,000-$299,999

$300,000-$399,999 $400,000-$599,999

31.3%

$600,000-$999,999 $1,000,000 +

Dickson Realty is dedicated to helping you keep a pulse on the local market and real estate related information by providing the latest news, trends, and issues affecting the area’s real estate market.

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE MARCH 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn. RESIDENTIAL SOLD BECKWOURTH February 1, 2019 thru January 31, 2020 SOLD Residences Percent of PRICE RANGE Sold Sales Under $100,000 $100,000-$199,999 $200,000-$299,999 $300,000-$399,999 $400,000-$599,999 $600,000-$999,999 $1,000,000 +

0 0 0 0 2 1 0 3

1 0 3 2 1 0 0 7

0 0 1 0 3 1 0 5

0% 0% 20% 0% 60% 20% 0% 100%

Months of Inventory 0 0 0 1 1 2 1 5

Under $100,000

0 0 0 0 6 24 0

$100,000-$199,999

33%

$200,000-$299,999

67%

$300,000-$399,999

$400,000-$599,999 $600,000-$999,999 $1,000,000 +

RESIDENTIAL SOLD CHILCOOT February 1, 2019 thru January 31, 2020

Current Active Listings

14% 0% 43% 29% 14% 0% 0% 100%

RESIDENTIAL SOLD CLIO February 1, 2019 thru January 31, 2020 SOLD Residences Percent of PRICE RANGE Sold Sales Under $100,000 $100,000-$199,999 $200,000-$299,999 $300,000-$399,999 $400,000-$599,999 $600,000-$999,999 $1,000,000 +

Current Active Listings

0% 0% 0% 0% 67% 33% 0% 100%

RESIDENTIAL SOLD CHILCOOT February 1, 2019 thru January 31, 2020 SOLD Residences Percent of PRICE RANGE Sold Sales Under $100,000 $100,000-$199,999 $200,000-$299,999 $300,000-$399,999 $400,000-$599,999 $600,000-$999,999 $1,000,000 +

RESIDENTIAL SOLD BECKWOURTH February 1, 2019 thru January 31, 2020

Months of Inventory 14%

0 1 1 1 0 0 0 3

0 0 4 6 0 0 0

14%

Under $100,000 $100,000-$199,999

$200,000-$299,999

29%

43%

$300,000-$399,999 $400,000-$599,999 $600,000-$999,999 $1,000,000 +

RESIDENTIAL SOLD CLIO February 1, 2019 thru January 31, 2020

Current Active Listings

Months of Inventory 0 0 0 1 0 5 0 6

0 0 0 0 0 60 0

Under $100,000

20%

20%

$100,000-$199,999 $200,000-$299,999 $300,000-$399,999

60%

$400,000-$599,999 $600,000-$999,999 $1,000,000 +

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE MARCH 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

RESIDENTIAL SOLD GRAEAGLE-BLAIRSDEN February 1, 2019 thru January 31, 2020 SOLD Residences Percent of PRICE RANGE Sold Sales Under $100,000 $100,000-$199,999 $200,000-$299,999 $300,000-$399,999 $400,000-$599,999 $600,000-$999,999 $1,000,000 +

4 6 37 12 13 4 0 76

5% 8% 49% 16% 17% 5% 0% 100%

RESIDENTIAL SOLD PORTOLA February 1, 2019 thru January 31, 2020 SOLD Residences Percent of PRICE RANGE Sold Sales Under $100,000 $100,000-$199,999 $200,000-$299,999 $300,000-$399,999 $400,000-$599,999 $600,000-$999,999 $1,000,000 +

6 30 18 8 3 0 1 66

9% 45% 27% 12% 5% 0% 2% 100%

RESIDENTIAL SOLD LOYALTON February 1, 2019 thru January 31, 2020 SOLD Residences Percent of PRICE RANGE Sold Sales Under $100,000 $100,000-$199,999 $200,000-$299,999 $300,000-$399,999 $400,000-$599,999 $600,000-$999,999 $1,000,000 +

0 2 7 3 0 0 0 12

0% 17% 58% 25% 0% 0% 0% 100%

RESIDENTIAL SOLD GRAEAGLE-BLAIRSDEN February 1, 2019 thru January 31, 2020

Current Active Listings

Months of Inventory

1 6 15 9 6 7 1 45

5%

3 12 5 9 6 21 0

5%

8%

Under $100,000 $100,000-$199,999

17%

$200,000-$299,999 16%

49%

$300,000-$399,999 $400,000-$599,999 $600,000-$999,999 $1,000,000 +

RESIDENTIAL SOLD PORTOLA February 1, 2019 thru January 31, 2020

Current Active Listings

2%

Months of Inventory

5% 12%

3 16 7 5 2 0 0 33

6 6 5 8 8 0 0

Under $100,000

9%

$100,000-$199,999 $200,000-$299,999

45%

27%

$300,000-$399,999 $400,000-$599,999 $600,000-$999,999 $1,000,000 +

RESIDENTIAL SOLD LOYALTON February 1, 2019 thru January 31, 2020

Current Active Listings

Months of Inventory 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 4

0 6 2 0 0 0 0

17%

25%

Under $100,000 $100,000-$199,999

$200,000-$299,999 $300,000-$399,999

58%

$400,000-$599,999 $600,000-$999,999 $1,000,000 +

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE MARCH 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

GUILD MORTGAGE CORNER 6 Steps to Guarantee a Stress-Free Homebuying Experience While buying a home is an exciting experience, there’s a lot that needs to be considered. Here are six tips that will help you confidently navigate the process.

1.

Call The Rice Team at Guild Mortgage Experience matters when it comes to purchasing a home. The Rice Team has more than a decade of mortgage experience and we understand the complex intricacies of lending. We will guide you through every step - from preapproval to funding. Furthermore, we have handled all types of loans and know the Truckee/Tahoe market well.

2.

Get pre-approved Pre-approval for a mortgage loan gives you a goal of which homes are in your affordability range, as well as how much money you should save for a down payment. Having a pre-approval letter helps limit your home search to homes within your means, and can make your offer and negotiations easier. A pre-approval letter also shows a seller you’re serious about buying a home. Without this letter, you could lose out on your dream home, since many sellers require a pre-approval letter with your bid.

3.

Determine your down payment Lower borrowing costs can be one advantage of a larger down payment. But a substantial down payment can also deplete your emergency savings fund or leave you with no cash on hand for maintenance. There are a variety of mortgage programs that include low or no down payment options. Choose the best loan and the down payment amount based on your financial situation.

4.

Compare types of mortgage loans There is no “best” type of mortgage loan because no two homebuyers are alike. Instead of looking for the best loan, choose the loan most suited to meet your best interests.

5.

Check your credit report Mistakes on your credit report can cost you when you apply for a loan. Before you get pre-approved, review your report for inaccuracies. To correct them, contact the business that issued the account or the credit reporting company that issued the report.

6.

Prepare your documentation The exact documents needed to apply for a new home loan will vary by type of loan. However, there are items every mortgage applicant must supply, such as proof of income for the past two years and the sales contract.

If you have any questions regarding loan limits, refinancing or purchasing a home, please feel free to reach out to The Rice Team.

11050 Pioneer Trail Suite 201 Truckee, CA 96161 Phone: (530) 582-9991 Fax: (530) 582-9995.

Web:wwwTheRiceTeam.com Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE MARCH 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

A Quick Guide to Home Loans on Investment Properties January 2, 2020

While primary home mortgages help borrowers purchase

homes to live in, property investment mortgages are designed specifically for real estate investors. In other words, the borrower doesn't necessarily plan on living in the property, but rather plans on using it as an incomegenerating opportunity.

The biggest difference between the two is availability. In general, investment property loans are harder to come by than primary home loans. They're more expensive, fewer lenders provide them and they come with stricter qualifications for the borrower. If thinking about investing in real estate for the first time, you might be asking, why are mortgages for investment properties more expensive and harder to acquire?

Property investment loans are considered riskier for the lender According to The Mortgage Reports, borrowers are more likely to let property investment loans default before their primary home loans do. For this reason, property investment mortgage rates will almost always be more expensive. In addition, interest rates for these loans are .50-75% higher than they are for primary home loans.

But it's not just the monthly payments and interest rates that are more expensive. If you're trying to obtain a property investment mortgage, expect the lender to require a down payment of at least 15%. It's important to note that the price of your rate and your down payment will vary depending on the dwelling. For example, financing a four-unit household could come with higher expenses than a one-bedroom condo.

Types of property investment loans If you're new to investing in real estate and want to start off financing a single property with fewer than four units, you should consider a government-backed loan.

These mortgages are bought, securitized, and guaranteed by government agencies like the Federal National Mortgage Association, which makes them less risky in the eyes of the lender. As long as the loan is conforming, which means it does not exceed the limits set by the Federal Housing Administration, government agencies will back it. Benefits of these mortgages include cheaper rates and down-payments, as well as less strict qualifications for the borrower. It's important

to mention that in order to qualify for governmentbacked property investment loans, you may be required to live in the property for at least a year.

If you're looking to expand your property investments beyond single family homes, you'll probably need a commercial loan. Typically, these mortgages are borrowed by companies in the real estate market, not individuals. If you (or your company) are purchasing a building with more than four units, a conventional loan won't cover it. With a commercial loan, you can use the income you make from your property (rent/ lease money) to satisfy the monthly payments. Once the mortgage is paid off, your profit margin for that property will grow substantially. These loans, though necessary for big real-estate investors, are usually more expensive and more complicated to set up.

If you don't qualify for a conventional loan with most banks and mortgage companies, you may have to look elsewhere for a portfolio loan. This is a good fit for borrowers with bad credit, a high debt-to-income ratio, or less money to spend on a down payment. With portfolio loans, there is no government backing, so the lenders assume greater risks. Therefore, if you end up going with this type of loan, you can expect much higher monthly rates.

Tips for getting a property investment loan There are a handful of ways to make your property investment mortgage rate cheaper. First, shop around and compare the options and rates between different banks and mortgage companies. Once you've found a lender that works for you, try to get the best deal possible by keeping these variables in mind: Having a good credit history will help you when applying for a property investment mortgage, because it shows that you're trustworthy with borrowed money.

You'll need a FICO score of at least 650 to be considered by most lenders. And the higher your score is, the less you're rate will be.

Paying a big down payment is another way to help lower the cost of your monthly mortgage rate. If you're able to put more than 20% down, you'll enjoy cheaper rates. Also, in many cases, if your down payment is equal to one fifth of the property's value, you can avoid paying Private Mortgage Insurance fees each month.

Finally, consider living in your investment property. Usually, primary home loan lenders will allow borrowers to rent out their property after one year of living there. So if you buy a house that you plan on renting out in the future, you could purchase it with a conventional loan (which will be much cheaper), move in for a year, then start renting it out without an increased rate Courtesy of Brad Berndt The Federal Savings Bank

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE MARCH 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

throughout the year. It is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically influence home sales.

NEWS RELEASE January 17, 2020 Low interest rates boost housing market in second half of year as home prices post strong gains in December, C.A.R. reports - Existing, single-family home sales totaled 398,880 in December on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate, down 1.0 percent from November and up 7.4 percent from December 2018.

- December’s statewide median home price was $615,090, up 4.3 percent from November and up 10.3 percent from December 2018.

- For 2019 as a whole, sales of existing statewide homes were down 1.2 percent from 2018.

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 17) – Tight housing inventory tamped down the benefits of the lowest interest rates in years and held back California home sales in December, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) said today. Meanwhile, the median home price recorded the second highest price of the year and its largest year-over-year increase since May 2014.

Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 398,880 units in December, according to information collected by C.A.R. from more than 90 local REALTOR® associations and MLSs statewide. The statewide annualized sales figure represents what would be the total number of homes sold during 2019 if sales maintained the December pace

December’s sales total was down 1.0 percent from the 402,880 level in November and marked the first time in six months that sales fell below the 400,000 benchmark. Still, sales were up a solid 7.4 percent from December 2018’s revised 371,410 figure. For the year 2019, annual home sales fell for the second consecutive year to a preliminary 397,910 closed escrow sales in California, down from 2018’s pace of 402,640.

“Despite a sales slowdown at year-end, home sales were up from a year ago as interest rates remained low. It’s important to note, however, that the increase was due partly to low housing demand in the prior year,” said 2020 C.A.R. President Jeanne Radsick, a second-generation REALTOR® from Bakersfield, Calif. “Looking ahead, low rates should continue to provide support to the market as buyers have become more motivated to get back into the market, and home sales in California should see an improvement at the start of the year.”

The median price was up 4.3 percent from November’s $589,770 to $615,090 in December and climbed 10.3 percent from $557,740 in December 2018. The year-over-year price increase was the largest since May 2014 and the first double-digit price increase in more than five-and-ahalf years. The statewide median home price for the year as a whole was $592,450, an increase of 4.0 percent from a revised $569,480 in 2018.

“With housing supply dropping to the lowest level in nearly seven years, California experienced an unusual jump in its median price at the end of the year when the market is supposed to cool down,” said C.A.R. Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young. “While low rates have been fueling demand in the second half of 2019, supply constraints continued to put a drag on the market and undercut the positive effect Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE MARCH 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

of low rates. The surge in price is a byproduct of the imbalance between supply and demand as market competition continues to heat up.”

With prices rising faster in recent months while supply continued to shrink, home sellers’ optimism improved both month-over-month and year-over-year. According to a monthly Google poll conducted by C.A.R. in December, slightly more than half (56 percent) believe it is a good time to sell, up from 51 percent a month ago, and up from 48 percent a year ago. Many buyers, however, remain uncertain about the current housing market conditions as only one-quarter of respondents (25 percent) believe that it is a good time to buy now, slightly higher than last year (22 percent), when interest rates were more than 100 basis points higher.

Other key points from C.A.R.’s December 2019 resale housing report include: •

At the regional level, non-seasonally adjusted sales rose on both a monthly and annual basis in all major regions. On a yearly basis, sales in the Central Coast increased the most at 42.4 percent, followed by the San Francisco Bay Area (16.0 percent) and Los Angeles (15.6 percent). The Inland Empire and Central Valley rounded out the remaining regions with annual increases of 13.3 percent and 11.6 percent, respectively. Forty of the 51 counties tracked by C.A.R. experienced year-over-year sales growth.

•

At the regional level from a price perspective, median prices increased from last year in all regions except the Central Coast, with Southern California up the most at 10.0 percent, followed by the Central Valley (7.7 percent) and the Bay Area (6.9 percent). The median price in the Central Coast dipped from a year ago by 2.2 percent but edged up 0.7 percent from November.

•

Thirty-nine of the 51 counties tracked by C.A.R. reported a year-over-year price gain in December, with Siskiyou gaining the most at 23.3 percent from last year. Of the 11 counties that experienced a price drop from last December, Mono had the biggest decline of 26.1 percent, while the rest of the counties all had 8.3 percent or less in price loss.

•

California’s housing supply recorded back-to-back drops of more than 20 percent at the end of 2019, with active listings declining 26.5 percent in December after a 22.5 percent decrease in November. December marked the sixth consecutive month of year-over-year decline in supply, and it was the largest since April 2013. The number of active listings in December was, in fact, the lowest level in nearly seven years.

•

The sharp drop in active listings and surge in year-over-year sales sharply curbed housing inventory in December. The Unsold Inventory Index (UII), which is a ratio of inventory over sales, was 2.5 months in December, down from 3.1 months in November and down sharply from 3.5 months in December 2018. The index measures the number of months it would take to sell the supply of homes on the market at the current sales rate.

•

The UII in 39 of the 51 counties tracked by C.A.R. fell in December compared to a year ago.

•

The median number of days it took to sell a California single-family home fell from a year ago, declining from 32 days in December 2018 to 28 days in December 2019.

•

C.A.R.’s statewide sales-price-to-list-price ratio* was 98.3 percent in December 2019, up from 97.4 in December 2018.

•

The statewide average price per square foot** for an existing single-family home was $290 in December 2019 and $268 in December 2018.

•

The 30-year, fixed-mortgage interest rate averaged 3.72 percent in December, down from 4.64 percent in December 2018, according to Freddie Mac. The five-year, adjustable mortgage interest rate was an average of 3.39 percent, compared to 4.02 percent in December 2018.

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE MARCH 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

homes only. County sales data are not adjusted to account for seasonal factors that can influence home sales. Movements in sales prices should not be interpreted as changes in the cost of a standard home. The median price is where half sold for more and half sold for less; medians are more typical than average prices, which are skewed by a relatively small share of transactions at either the lower end or the upper end. Median prices can be influenced by changes in cost, as well as changes in the characteristics and the size of homes sold. The change in median prices should not be construed as actual price changes in specific homes. *Sales-to-list-price ratio is an indicator that reflects the negotiation power of home buyers and home sellers under current market conditions. The ratio is calculated by dividing the final sales price of a property by its last list price and is expressed as a percentage. A sales-to-list ratio with 100 percent or above suggests that the property sold for more than the list price, and a ratio below 100 percent indicates that the price sold below the asking price. **Price per square foot is a measure commonly used by real estate agents and brokers to determine how much a square foot of space a buyer will pay for a property. It is calculated as the sale price of the home divided by the number of finished square feet. C.A.R. currently tracks price-per-square foot statistics for 50 counties.

Leading the way…® in California real estate for more than 110 years, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (www.car.org) is one of the largest state trade organizations in the United States with more than 200,000 members dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. C.A.R. is headquartered in Los Angeles.

WHETHER YOU ARE BUYING OR SELLING, AT DICKSON REALTY: You come first. When everything we do centers on serving your unique needs - even to the exclusion of our own agenda - we can create an extraordinary experience for you, our client.

We never stop learning for you. Dickson is a learning organization. We strive, we succeed, we sometimes come up short, but we always learn. That's why we have Dickson University and experienced experts to train, educate, and grow our realtors.

You deserve mastery. As a client, you deserve to work with a realtor who's at the top of his or her game. Mastery takes 10,000 hours of concentrated effort - or more than five years of working full-time. Every Dickson agent is committed to developing his or her mastery of real estate.

We build our reputation through you. A reputation takes years to develop, and it can be destroyed in seconds. That's why honesty, integrity, hard work, and collaboration are the cornerstones of Dickson's business - and we expect nothing less from each and every agent who works with us.

Your relationship matters to us. When Dickson realtors invest in strong relationships at the start, we will enjoy extraordinary relationships that last.

We listen to you. Most sales professionals hear one client need, and they're off to the races. Dickson's agents know to bite their tongue and keep listening - uncovering at least five more client needs they can find solutions for.

We under-promise and over-deliver for you. Everyone loves a happy ending, so we temper the temptation to hype the outcome. Instead, Dickson agents concentrate our efforts on adding real value - for extraordinary results.

We share "hyper-local" knowledge with you. There's no substitute for knowing the territory, the customs, and the culture of the communities we serve. Dickson agents walk the neighborhoods, join community and neighborhood advisory boards, and build powerful networks to better serve you.

We negotiate for you. In real estate, you don't get what you deserve - you get what you negotiate. That's why our clients hire us over our competitors: for our negotiation skills. We take advantage of every opportunity to learn or fine-tune them, at Dickson University or through close personal study.

We create community to serve you. Since 1973, Dickson Realty has acted upon the responsibility to build a sense of community in the areas we serve, including active corporate philanthropy, volunteerism, and community involvement on the part of our agents, partners, and staff.

We are in business because of you. Anyone who's ever had an extraordinary experience will never forget the feeling - or the person who created it. That's why, at Dickson Realty, we harness our creativity, sense of fun, and concern for our fellow men and women to create extraordinary experiences for our clients.

Our goal, of course, is to become your realtor – for life!

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE MARCH 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE MARCH 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE MARCH 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE MARCH 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

16 ESSENTIALS FOR WINTER ROAD TRIPS WITH KIDS December 2, 2019 COMPLIMENTS OF FIRESTONE COMPLETE AUTO CARE

Packing for winter travel with kids in tow? You’ve probably got a lot on your mind, from keeping the kids warm and entertained to avoiding dangerous road conditions. Oh, and where do you put the skis and snow gear?! We’re big fans of family road trips, no matter the season.

That’s why we’ve put together this list of 16 essential things to bring along on a winter road trip with kids.

Road Trip Safety Essentials §

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Ice scraper and brush: Keep an ice scraper and brush in your car for the entire winter. These tools will help you remove snow and ice from your windshield and windows, so you can have full visibility in wintry conditions (without waiting with your impatient kiddos for things to melt!).

Sand/kitty litter: If you’re driving in snowy conditions, you’ll want to have a bag of sand or kitty litter on hand. If your car gets stuck, scatter either material in front of your tire to help create the traction your tires need to keep moving.

Flares or reflectors: Drivers have decreased visibility at night, and it’s even worse when you add snow to the mix. If the unfortunate happens and you’re stuck on the side of the road,

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flares and reflectors will ensure other drivers see you.

Shovel: A small, collapsible shovel won’t take up too much space in your trunk and will be an invaluable tool if you find yourself stuck in deep snow.

Jumper cables: Freezing temperatures can take a toll on your car’s battery. Keep jumper cables on hand so you can get your car moving (and your heater blasting!) instead of waiting for a tow.

Portable cell phone battery: Black ice, slick roads, and stressed drivers — there are plenty of things that can cause your road trip to go sideways in the winter. No matter the situation, a dead cellphone can make it worse!

Keep a portable battery in the car so you can make sure your phone is ready to go in case you need to call for help.

Dickson Portola Team

289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE MARCH 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

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Flashlight: It gets dark early in the winter. Even if you don’t plan on hitting the road at night, you may still find yourself in the dark. Keep a flashlight and extra batteries in your vehicle in case you get stranded or stuck.

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Winter Road Trip Warmth Essentials §

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Blankets: Turn your car into a nap fort on wheels by bringing a cozy stack of blankets for long road trips with kids. Not only will these help your little ones catch some Z’s on your way to your destination, but they’re also an extra safety measure if you experience car troubles and can’t rely on your heater.

Coats: Even if you’re going from a heated house straight into a heated car and then back into a heated house, it’s important to always bring coats with you in your vehicle. If your car gets stuck or breaks down, you’ll want to make sure everyone in the family is bundled up.

Waterproof mittens/gloves: There’s a reason your vehicle has a glove box!

Stash a pair of waterproof gloves in your car just in case you need to change a tire or dig the wheels out of a snowbank. Make sure your children each have a warm pair as well. If you enjoy being super prepared, throw in a few hand warmer packs, too!

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Winter Road Trip Entertainment Essentials §

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Coloring books and stickers: Who doesn’t love a good coloring or sticker book? Purchase a few new ones for the trip and, at the very least, your kids will be excited by the novelty. Plus, you’ll get a few minutes of quiet time!

Snacks: If you’re looking for some tried and true road trip hacks with kids, look no further than the snack

aisle. Half the fun of road tripping is packing special treats for the drive.

For extra happy passengers, consider letting your kids each pick out one snack – ideally something that isn’t too messy!

Games: There’s no better way to pass the time on a road trip than by playing family games. Pack miniature dry erase boards for games like Tic Tac Toe, Hangman, or Pictionary. “I Spy” and “20 Questions” are classics and don’t require any special supplies.

Print off these MadLibs from FamilyEducation to get the laughs rolling.

Tablets (plus charger): There is a time and place to limit screen time… and it’s usually not on a road trip.

Load up your tablet with videos (make sure to download them in case your service is spotty) and enjoy a peaceful drive.

Music: Road trips are the perfect opportunity for a family sing-along.

Take music requests before hitting the road, and let your kids take turns being the DJ! Books: It’s the perfect compromise: one parent drives, the other one is on reading duty. Bring along a few of your family’s favorite books, and see how many you can read before your audience is snoozing. If you tend to get carsick, download some kidfriendly podcasts, and have them do the storytelling for you!

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Dickson Portola Team

289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE MARCH 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

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Cowboy Poetry & Music- Vinton

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Cowboy Poetry & Music- Vinton

St. Patrick’s Day

FINAL RACE

Symbolizing rebirth and new beginnings, the daffodil is virtually synonymous with spring. Though their botanic name is narcissus, daffodils are sometimes called jonquils, and in England, because of their long association with Lent, they're known as the "Lent Lily."

14 Sierra Valley St. Patrick’s Corned Beef n’ Cabbage Dinner

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Annual Crab Feed Benefit Event for Loyalton Schools Sports

A sobbing Mrs. Murphy approaches Father O’Grady after mass.

He says: “So what’s bothering you?”

She replies: “Oh, Father, I’ve terrible news.

My husband passed away last night.”

The priest says: “Oh, Mary, that’s terrible.

Did he have any last requests?”

"Certainly father," she replied.

“He said: “Please Mary, put down that damn gun.”

Billy stops Paddy in Dublin and asks for the quickest way to Cork.

Paddy says: "Are you on foot or in the car?"

Billy replies: "In the car."

"Well that's the quickest way," says Paddy.

Mick and Paddy are walking along when Mick falls down a manhole. Paddy shouts down: "What shall I do?" Mick barks back: "Call me an ambulance!"

Paddy then jumps up and down screaming: "Mick is an ambulance, Mick is an ambulance."

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE MARCH 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

Date and Event

Where Held

Time

Contact Info.

March 14

Sierra City Community Hall 13 Castagne Alley Sierra City California

6:00 pm

Mary Jungi (530) 862-1580

St. Patty's Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner, a benefit for the Sierra City Fire Department.

Plumas Eureka State Park in Johnsville, CA

All day event Racing starts Noon

For more information on the longboard races visit: www.plumasskiclub.org/ long.html

The FINAL RACE of the Historic Longboard Revival Series is on Sunday, March 15, 2020. This gala event recreates the racing atmosphere back in the “good old days” right down to the period clothing and authentic skis. Racing starts at noon. The race is truly something to experience, and promises to be a fun family event held at the ski area at Plumas Eureka State Park located in Johnsville. Food will be available to purchase, or bring your own picnic lunch. Racer and spectator prizes will be awarded. The event will even feature live mountain music.

(707) 330-3601 Buy tickets

See separate flyer provided with details on dates, times and programs.

Andrea Ceresola (530) 249-0711 Or E-mail awhite@spjusd.org

14th Annual Crab Feed to benefit Loyalton High School Athletic Programs. Dinner, Auction, Raffles.

Sponsored by Loyalton High School Booster Club.

Sierra City’s Fire Auxiliary Fundraiser St. Patty’s Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner

March 15 HISTORIC LONGBOARD REVIVAL SERIES FINAL RACE 2020 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

March 20 and 21 Cowboy Poetry and Music

March 28 Sierra Valley Annual Crab Feed Dinner BENEFIT

Sierra Valley Grange Hall 92202 Highway 70, Vinton California

Sierra Valley Grange Hall 92202 Highway 70, Vinton California

4:00 pm Open

Details

$40.00 per person ADULT ONLY EVENT DINNER, NO HOST BAR, BEER & WINE

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700

NEWS YOU CAN USE MARCH 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER EASTERN PLUMAS & SIERRA COUNTIES Beckwourth, Chilcoot, Clio, Graeagle-Blairsden, Loyalton, Portola & Golf Course Communities of Whitehawk, Grizzly & Gold Mtn.

THE SIERRA VALLEY GRANGE PRESENTS COWBOY POETRY & MUSIC Kristyn Harris Gary Allegretto Richard Elloyan March 20 and 21 2020 Sierra Valley Grange Hall 92202 Hwy 70, Vinton, California Friday Evening Show at 7:30 PM Saturday -- Matinee Show at 2:00 PM – Evening Show at 7:30 PM Dinner Fri 5 to 7 PM /Dinner Sat 4:30 to 7:00 PM Fri Dinner Corn Beef and Cabbage / Sat Roast Beef Reserved seating... Show tickets: $25 for Adults $10 for Children 12 and under Dinners: $12 for Adults and $8 for Children 12 and under

Kristyn Harris, a Texas-bred musical powerhouse, is the 4-time currently reigning International Western Music Association Entertainer of the Year (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019), and the youngest person to have received this honor. Her powerful voice brought her all the way onto the 2018 season of ABC’s American Idol, where she sang and yodeled for the judges. This voice is complimented on stage by her swing guitar playing, songwriting and energetic stage presence. Now 25, Kristyn tours across the U.S. and internationally. When she’s not playing music, her passions find her trick riding, training horses and raising cattle, which inspire some of the music she writes. She is also influenced by classic western and western swing music.

Kristyn brings joy and passion to her music. She was awarded the 2017 Ameripolitan Music Awards Western Swing Female Artist of the Year and named the IWMA Female Performer of the Year in 2014, 2015 and 2018. As one venue put it: "This bundle of energy and talent is 'the rage' on stage from the east coast to the west and if you can stay seated when she finishes her performance you're prob'ly 'bout ready for the grave!!"

Gary Allegretto is the 2019 International Western Music Association (IWMA) Male Performer of the Year. Western Horseman Magazine raves; “Gary's music transcends genres, generations and cultural barriers, yet is so professional, engaging and core to the cowboy that listeners can’t help but want to ride along a while longer and discover something new in a song.” Not only is Gary the best harmonica player you will likely ever hear, he is a remarkable singer, songwriter, guitarist and a masterful entertainer. His talents have also earned an AWA Will Rogers Award, a Best of the West Award and the #1 spot on the Western Music radio charts. His music is featured in major motion picture soundtracks. Gary’s engaging and often laugh-out-loud songs tell stories drawn from his rich

and diverse life experience in the West (including ranch hand, forest firefighter as a USFS Hotshot, and bouncer in a couple of rough honky-tonks).

Richard Elloyan is the 2018 International Western Music Association Songwriter of the Year ...also twice nominated for Song of the Year by the IWMA! Richard's music has been recorded by several award-winning Western Music artists and appears most recently on the soundtrack of the French documentary "We Blew It". A regular on the western music circuit, Richard has appeared at the National Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival in Elko, Nevada, the Colorado Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival in Golden, Colorado, Vinton, California, Arizona, and many, many more.

Richard has been writing poetry and short stories for as far back as he can remember and is honored to be the featured Poet at the 35 Annual Vinton Cowboy Poetry and Music Show! Growing up in the historic mining town of Virginia City, Richard uses his love of the state, its rich history, and its magnificent vistas as a constant source of inspiration.

Richard and his playing partner Steve Wade are currently in the studio recording a new CD, Once Upon a Desert Night. It will be released in 2020. th

Thank you for your past and future support. The SIERRA VALLEY GRANGE is a non-profit organization.

Proceeds from this event will benefit our Building Fund.

Rich Moore / Pam Olivieri - Event Organizers VINTON COWBOY POETRY and MUSIC SHOW PO Box 15, Vinton, CA 96135 email: vintoncbpoetry@yahoo.com PH. 831-345-9840 Web site: sierravalleygrange.org

Dickson Portola Team 289 Commercial Street | Portola, CA 96122 | 530.832.1700