The Holiday Season in Calaveras County

There’s so much to do in Calaveras County, no matter the season! The holidays are an especially wonderful time of the year. Check out all the exciting events going on for the holidays in Calaveras County!

7th Annual Winter Wonderland Carnival

This event sells out every year, and is already sold out for December 28th, 2016. We’re featuring it in this blog because of its popularity, in hopes that you’ll remember to purchase your tickets early next year! Ticket price includes carriage ride and entrance into Jack Knight Hall where you will enjoy hot cocoa, hot apple cider, cookies, hot dogs, chili, and many more surprises!

Copperopolis 6th Annual Chili Cook-Off

Head to Copperopolis Town Square for their Annual Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, January 21st from 11am-3pm! Proceeds will benefit Copperopolis Fire Department. Tasting tickets are $5 for 20 tastings. If you are interested in cooking up some fabulous chili for the event, please contact Kim at khamilton@castlecooke.com or 209.785.9700 for an application. You might win one of the many People’s Choice or Judges’ Choice awards!

Calaveras Big Trees Winter Activities -

• The Warming Hut – Open weekends and holidays from Thanksgiving through late March. 12pm-4pm.

• Snowshoe Tours – Offered on Saturdays and some holidays at 1 pm. Bring your own snowshoes or borrow a pair of theirs! Meet at the Warming Hut.
• On Your Own – Snow play is allowed in the North Grove area. Build a snowman, ride a sled, or simply marvel at the beauty! Bring your own cross-country skis or snowshoes and travel the North Grove trail or the 3.5 mile loop out the park road and back through the campground.

Spend a day skiing at Bear Valley Mountain -

Bring the whole family to this picturesque 1,280-acre ski hill at 8,500 feet in the Stanislaus National Forest. Hit the runs in Grizzly Bowl for big challenges and what seems like your own private mountain at times. When you’ve finished on the slopes, warm up in Bear Valley Lodge and/or satisfy your appetite at Creekside Dining Room.

There’s no shortage of things to do this season in Calaveras County! Don’t live here but wish you did? Contact Century 21 Sierra Properties and let us help you find your dream home in one of the best counties in America!

Haunted Calaveras County

There are haunted locations scattered all throughout California, with a few notable locations right here in Calaveras County! Calaveras County dates back to the 1800’s and features a rich history with Gold Rush roots. With such a storied past, it should come as no surprise that there are plenty of ghosts and hauntings to be found throughout the county.

Here are some of Calaveras County’s best-known and most-haunted locations, from gocalaveras.com:

Hotel Leger

This is probably the most notorious and talked about location on the list of Calaveras County’s haunts. Located in Mokelumne Hill, Hotel Leger staff and guests have reported seeing ghostly figures on numerous occasions over the years. The ghost of George Leger, who was assassinated in the hotel in 1879, has allegedly been seen wandering the saloon and many of the hotel’s rooms. Other sightings have included a woman crying for her child and a child playing. Guests have also reported odd occurrences with fireplaces in their rooms, moved shoes, and a former owner of the hotel has even described seeing smoke and fire in the bar area multiple times when no fire was present.

Murphys Historic Hotel

The Murphys Historic Hotel has been in operation since 1856 and hosted well-known historical figures like Mark Twain, Ulysses S. Grant, Susan B. Anthony, and even Charles Bolton (a.k.a. Black Bart), has another longtime guest that doesn’t seem to be leaving anytime soon is the ghost of Eleanor, a former maid at the hotel in the early 1860s. Eleanor most frequently haunts the kitchen and Mark Twain Ballroom by throwing things. Hotel staff and guests have also reported hearing children laughing, as well as seeing a gentleman ghost, which the staff refers to as John. Side note: you might not want to read the guest log in your room before bed unless you want to see what encounters previous guests have experienced in the room you’re staying in!

The Dorrington Hotel

The Dorrington Hotel is no longer open for business, which might please the ghost of the original owner, Rebecca Dorrington Gardner, who is said to walk the halls of the more than 160-year-old historic hotel.  Whether it was lights flashing on and off, shadowy figures being seen or furniture being moved, Rebecca’s presence was commonly reported by hotel guests and owners throughout the years.

Spooky! We’ll leave these places to ghost hunters and paranormal investigators. Looking to buy a ghost-free property? Look no further than Century 21 Sierra Properties! We’ll help you find your dream home, or assist you in selling your current home. Contact us today!

Picture Yourself in Calaveras County, California!

Picture Yourself in Calaveras County, California!  

Calaveras County is often called “the Heart of the Sierra,” and for good reason! Surrounded by natural beauty and outdoor recreation, Calaveras County is situated right between San Francisco and Lake Tahoe, being only 135 miles away from each of them. The Sierra Nevada Mountains, Yosemite National Park, state forests, historic gold rush towns, vineyards, the Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Highway, and more await you in this diverse part of California. This month, we’re shining a spotlight on three vibrant communities, each with their own unique character, that are nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Calaveras County.  

Angels Camp

• New Lake Melones and the Stanislaus River: For those who love living near water, look no further than Angel’s Camp. Nearby New Melones Lake is a large reservoir fed by the Stanislaus River, 7 miles long and 2 miles wide.  Angels Camp offers great opportunities for speedboat fun, houseboat rentals, water sports, and camping. Lake Melones is also a fishing paradise, being stocked with a variety of fish, such as largemouth bass, brown trout, kokanee salmon, catfish and perch.  
• Frogtown Fairgrounds: Every year, Angels Camp shows it festive side with its Jumping Frog Jubilee and Calaveras County Fair. Many music festivals also come to the fairgrounds, such as The Blues and Bones Festival, and Reggae in the Hills. Frogtown is not just the home of fairs and festivals--you can also rent the facilities for your next large private event!
• Greenhorn Creek Resort and Golf Course: Greenhorn Creek in Angels Camp is one of the Mother Lode's beautiful 18-hole golf courses.  The course has been mentioned and received compliments by the NGCA, Golf Travel & Leisure Magazine, Greenskeeper.org, and our local news KCRA. Greenhorn Creek also is home to CAMPS restaurant, which offers fine dining, weddings and events.
• Gold Country: Located along the scenic Golden Chain Highway 49, Angels Camp was historically a booming gold rush town. Moaning Caverns and the Angels Camp Museum are treats for the history buff.

To find a home in the Angels Camp area, contact the Century 21 Sierra Properties Angels Camp Office at (209) 736-9191.

Murphys

• Wine Country: Downtown Murphys is a premier destination for the wine lover, or for anyone who enjoys going out. Main Street Murphys is home to over 20 wine tasting rooms, and the town is surrounded by sprawling vineyards.  
• Murphys Historic Hotel: Many famous people have stayed at the Murphys Historic Hotel, including Mark Twain, John Jacob Astor, and Ulysses S. Grant.  Murphys Hotel was recently featured on popular television show, "Hotel Hell" with Chef Gordon Ramsay.

To find a home in the Murphys area, contact the Century 21 Sierra Properties Murphys Office at (209) 728-8870.

Arnold

• Calaveras Big Trees State Park: Home to some of the largest trees in the world, Big Trees State Park is sprinkled with Giant Sequoias and offers hiking trails for the beginner and the expert. The Stanislaus River flows through the park as well.  
• The Arnold Rim Trail: Over 17 round trip miles of premier Sierra hiking, The Arnold Rim Trail also offers trails for the beginner and the advanced. The trail will take you to 360 degree views overlooking the Sierra Foothills, and as far as Sacramento. You can actually watch the fireworks at Cal Expo from Cougar Rock on 4th of July!
• Water Access: Arnold offers many water play areas. From White Pines Lake to the Stanislaus River, Arnold is the ideal destination for the recreational thrill-seeker, as well as those who love fishing, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding. Arnold is just a quick drive from some larger High Sierra reservoirs, like Lake Alpine and Spicer Reservoir, located just a few more miles east up Highway 4.
• Bear Valley Ski Resort: Arnold is only a 30-40 minute drive to Bear Valley Ski Resort, and Bear Valley Village and Cross Country Skiing.  From the downhill shredding to the cross country cruising, Bear Valley is the place to be in the wintertime. Hosting several events, BBQ's, and live music through the ski season, Bear Valley also has summer recreation, including hiking, biking, disc golf, classes, kayaking, and canoeing.

To find a home in this area, contact the Century 21 Sierra Properties Arnold Office at (209) 795-4485.

To learn more about the vibrant culture, history, and geography of Calaveras County, visit here!  

Century 21 Sierra Properties is an award-winning real estate franchise with convenient offices to serve you in Angels Camp, Murphys, and Arnold. We are experts on our local area and are more than happy to answer your questions! Stop in at one of our offices to find your dream home today, or visit our website to see our current listings.

Should You Consider Buying a Vacation Home?

A lot of people dream of one day owning a second home. A second residence is often desired for a vacation home or retirement home. There are many benefits to owning a second home, but there are also a few factors you need to take into consideration when making this decision. Here are some of the tax benefits to purchasing a second home:

1. Mortgage Interest - The same rules that apply to writing off mortgage interest for your first home also will apply to your second home. The interest rate on your mortgage is tax-deductible, and you can write off as much as 100% of the interest you pay up to a million dollars in debt ($1 million total - not each property!).
2. Property Taxes - You can also deduct your second home’s property taxes. These figures are based on the assessed value of your home, and unlike the mortgage interest tax deduction, there is no limit on the dollar amount that can be deducted.
3. Rental Use - When it comes to using your second home as a rental property, as long as the amount of time it is rented out equals 14 days or less for the calendar year, that rental income is tax-free. Which means that income is essentially “free” money for you! However if you plan to rent your home out for more than two weeks of the year, you can deduct a percentage of rental-related expenses and depreciation costs come tax time.

At Century 21 Sierra Properties, we believe we have several listings that would make the ideal vacation home! If you dream of a second residence in a peaceful wilderness setting, we have some beautiful homes and cabins located in the Stanislaus National Forest near the Sierra Nevada mountains. If you love skiing, we have a listing for a large cabin located in Bear Valley, perfect for families looking to ski at Bear Valley Ski Resort. If you’ve got the cash to spend, we have several million-dollar homes for sale that would make for very extravagant vacation homes, like this Mediterranean-style mansion that includes a wine cellar and two large terraces with views of the nearby Bear Mountains.

If you’re interested in any of our listings for a potential second home, give Century 21 Sierra Properties a call and let us help you make your dream come true!

Preparing Your Home & Property for Wildfires

The wildfires of Southern and Central California have been in the news a lot this season, and many people have lost their homes and properties to these destructive blazes. If you live in an area susceptible to wildfires, it’s a good idea to prepare your family, your home, and your property for survival in the event of a wildfire threat.

• Create a Family Evacuation Plan. Although no one wants to lose their home in the event of a natural disaster, the lives of you and your family are far more important than your property. In the event of a wildfire threat, be sure to have a plan in place to get your family to safety. If you’ve recently moved into a new home, make sure the entire family gets familiar with the layout. Identify escape routes from your home and designate an emergency meeting area for your family in case you become separated from each other. Have an emergency kit ready and easily accessible that includes first aid supplies and basic tools like flashlights and batteries, as well as any important documents and prescription medications.

• Retrofit Your Home with Non-Flammable Materials. To help make your home more fire-resistant, update your roof with non-combustible roofing materials. Box in the eaves, fascias, soffits and subfloors with fire resistant materials like treated wood (source). Apply non-combustible screening materials to all vents and eave openings. If you’re building a new home, consider using fire-resistant materials for your exterior walls like stucco, stone, or brick, and use tempered glass for all exterior windows.

Century 21 Sierra Properties hopes this blog was informative and helpful. Please stay safe and prepared in the event of a wildfire!

Purchase Locally: The Summer Real Estate Market is Hot in “the Heart of the Sierra”

With the real estate market up this year, summer isn’t the only thing that’s “hot” right now at Century 21 Sierra Properties! Summer is a great time of year to buy or sell locally. If you’re looking for that perfect home in the foothills of the Sierra Mountains, historic Gold Rush country, the High Country, or Arnold--”the heart of the Sierra between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park--,” let us help you take advantage of the current real estate boom!

Spotlight: Arnold, CA

Arnold, California is a mountain community at an elevation of 4,000 ft boasting many amenities and recreational opportunities year-round, making it an excellent spot to live or visit in any season. For the nature lover, Arnold is nestled into Stanislaus National Forest, and is just minutes away from Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Bear Valley Ski Resort is only a half-hour drive away for winter sport enthusiasts, and in summer, Arnold’s many lakes offer ample opportunities for sport and relaxation.

Arnold offers a wide variety of communities and developments to suit the diverse needs of residents. Varying in size, location, and amenities, there’s room to choose: developments range from 100-200 home sites to 2,000+ home sites, with some communities offering more quiet and relaxation and others containing amenities like pools, seasonal recreation activities, tennis courts, and more.

Here are just a couple out of dozens of attractive Arnold homes for sale right now:

Located in the popular Blue Lake Springs development, 2819 El Dorado Dr is beautifully-kept 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom chalet close to the Sequoia Woods Country Club and private golf course. In the summer, enjoy the views from the front and back decks--and in the winter, a gas fireplace and wood stove add to the cozy mountain charm.
 

This stunning home on Meadow Dr offers a real treat for the potential homeowner--lakefront property with beach access to Fly-In Lake! Located in the quiet Lakeside Terrace community, this tranquil development contains only roughly 100 home sites. Meticulously remodeled, this home is filled with custom details and an open-concept great room with spectacular views of the lake.        

Stop by Century 21 Sierra Properties’ website to learn more about our outstanding real estate expertise in Arnold, California and the surrounding areas. We can help you find your dream home, a perfect vacation rental, or sell your current home. Connect with our Arnold office by phone today at (209) 795-4485!

Find Your Dream Home with Century 21 Sierra Properties

2016 is shaping up to be a great year for those looking to buy or sell a home. With the real estate market up, this is an opportune time for first-time home buyers, move-up buyers, and those looking to downsize. Located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Century 21 Sierra Properties is ready to help you buy your dream home, sell your current property or find a wonderful vacation rental!

Century 21 Sierra Properties is made up of a dedicated team of age with years of experience helping clients maneuver the housing market. From Calaveras County Gold to the High Country or Arnold, our professionals can help you buy, sell or rent property throughout the area. We are happy to provide an assistance, advice and insight on real estate that our clients need!

Please take a more in-depth look at some of our services:

• Buying a Home
• Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you will face in your life. Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or are looking for a cozy home to downsize, Sierra Nevada is the perfect location. Let a Century 21 Sierra Properties agent find you the right home for your budget using local market knowledge and advanced real-estate technology. 
• Selling a Home
• Many people struggle to sell their home because they do not use the proper resources. At Century 21 Sierra Properties, our agents will provide you with a custom Competitive Market Analysis of your home and will show you data for comparable homes in surrounding neighborhoods and towns. 
• Vacation Rentals
• Century 21 Sierra Properties offers more than just buying and selling real estate. We are also committed to providing you with a worry-free vacation rental in Murphys, Arnold, and Bear Valley. Leave the details to us and we will provide you with a premium vacation rental this summer!

If you're ready to accomplish your real estate goals, let Century 21 Sierra Properties take care of everything you need, from start to close. Give us a call at one of our three offices located in Angels Camp, Arnold and Murphys to set up an appointment today!