Another Powder Day? Really?

I’m lamenting the weather man’s forecast this morning, as it’s nearly mid-April and yet another foot of the “good stuff” is fore-casted for tomorrow.  The resorts are starting close.  What do we need with a fresh foot of powder in April?  I coach girls softball at Truckee High School, thus my current aggravation with this Spring’s weather.  We had a home game two weeks ago…our first, and then got to get on the field to practice that following Monday…our first outside, and then POW.  Winter!  My friends who ski are mostly stoked.  My clients who were here this week for spring break were loving the conditions too.  Where I’m bummed, many are happy as a lark.  It made me think that that’s how it is in the Truckee real estate market right now too.  Some are bummed and others are living the dream.  Last week, some clients of mine closed escrow on a lot in Martis Camp that backs up to the Tahoe National Forest.  They’d been trying to buy it as a short sale for almost 8 months.  The seller had bought it from the developer three years ago, and unfortunately for them, things did not go well.  The buyer however, intends to build their dream vacation home, and to have a place to make good memories with their kids.  Many years of powder days for them we hope.  I sold a home that I built for my family in 2006 a couple of months ago as a short sale too.  My credit is battered pretty good after my wife and I worked so hard to have FICO scores in the 800’s.  We’re renters now.  We’re making a living thank God, but we’re nowhere close to saving for a down-payment.  The young family that bought our house purchased their dream home…for $175K less than it cost me to build it just 4 years ago.  Powder Day for them, and here’s my little lesson.  In August, when the forest is hot and dry, I’ll be plenty appreciative of the fresh foot of snow we had in April.  We don’t need another year of drought conditions and empty reservoirs.  Today’s storm is a good thing for everyone.  Even for a softball coach who just wants to practice on dirt.  I may not be happy about it today…but I will be down the line.  Bring it!