Sunshine, Strategy, and the Search for Your Dream Home
January is off to a chilly yet sunny start here in Lake Tahoe, bringing the kind of dry, cold weather that’s typical for this time of year. While we may not be digging out from a fresh powder dump just yet, real estate activity is heating up as both buyers and sellers shake off their winter hibernation and make their moves.
A Strong Start to 2025
Sellers wasted no time getting their homes on the market in these first two weeks of the year. This season always marks a turning point, as many buyers begin making their moves to secure a Tahoe home before summer, while others wait patiently for the perfect property to hit the market later in the year.
For Q1 buyers, inventory remains tight, but that creates opportunities to negotiate a fantastic deal and lock in a home before the summer rush. On the other hand, those who wait until Q2 or Q3 will have more listings to choose from, but they’ll be up against a different seller mindset. Once March rolls around, sellers become more bullish, often holding out for premium pricing since they feel they have all summer to sell—and many still want to enjoy their Tahoe homes during those peak months. That means homes will likely be more expensive in Q2 and Q3 compared to Q1 or Q4.
For sellers, listing in Q1 and Q4 comes with a major advantage—less competition. Your home stands out, attracting serious buyers rather than getting lost in a crowded summer market, where buyers often hold off on making offers until they’ve seen everything available in their price range.
The Best Time to Buy or Sell? It’s When You’re Ready
At the end of the day, there’s no “perfect time” to buy or sell in Incline Village and Crystal Bay. The best timing is whatever aligns with your personal goals and needs. If you find a home that checks 85% of your boxes—or if you receive an offer that meets most of your selling objectives—act decisively before the opportunity is gone.
This Week’s Market Highlights
Real estate activity remains steady, with:
Notably, two highly anticipated lakefront development projects in Crystal Bay have hit the market. These stunning single-family new builds on Gonowabie Road feature 100 feet of pristine shoreline and unbeatable lake views. Scheduled for completion in May 2025, these homes are set to be among the most exclusive properties in the area.
As expected for this time of year, the majority of contracts this week were for smaller condos and a multi-family investment property, all priced under $2 million. Additionally, we’re seeing a wave of homes returning to the market after being temporarily withdrawn for the holiday season. With little snow to slow things down, sellers are eyeing an early start to the spring market.
While we’re soaking up the sunshine now, we’re still hoping for a big shift in the forecast—because what’s winter in Tahoe without some fresh powder? Until then, keep the snow dances going, and start your search for the perfect Tahoe home now—before competition heats up in the spring!
Real Estate Statistics for Incline Village & Crystal Bay
Houses | Condos | PUDs | |
For Sale | 47 | 32 | 7 |
Under $1 million | 0 | 18 | 1 |
Median Price for Sale | $3,400,000 | $999,000 | $1,795,000 |
YTD Sales 2025 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
YTD Sales 2024 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
YTD Sales 2023 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
New Listings | 5 | ||
Price Reductions | 4 | ||
In Escrow | 3 | ||
Range in Escrow | $739,000 - $1,750,000 | ||
Closed Escrow | 2 |
Please keep in mind that these numbers are based on data from the Incline Village Board of REALTORS® or its Multiple Listing Service as of 1/13/2024
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