Great lot for sale in South Lake Tahoe just came on the market 4/9/16. The lot is located in South Lake’s premier neighborhood called Montgomery Estates. The Montgomery Estates neighborhood is consistently one of the most sought after neighborhoods in all of South Lake Tahoe for many reasons. Most of the homes in this subdivision are newer, well kept, and offer either mountain or lake views, which have helped to maintain its high median home value that typically ranks in the top 3 for all of South Lake (usually just behind the Tahoe Keys and Heavenly Valley). The nice part about Montgomery Estates is that it is centrally located and offers both country and city living. It is considered technically to be in the county, but it’s right on the edge of the city as well. Many of the homes actually border U.S. National Forest Service land.
The lot for sale is located at 1753 Gentian Circle and is nice and level for an easy build and priced at $150,000 (seller firm). It is 8015 sq.ft. and has a 893 Ipes score with 26% coverage. What is an IPES score you ask? Our local environmental agency regulates what size of structure you can build on a specific parcel, this agency is called the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency or most commonly referred to as the TRPA. The IPES system has been in place to evaluate and determine allowable coverage for vacant properties since 1987. It is based on a land coverage formula-how much square footage you can build on a specific lot. Land coverage is an essential element of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s environmental plan to protect Lake Tahoe. Permanent land disturbance is most commonly measured in terms of land coverage, also called impervious surface, and includes all man-made structures such as homes, driveways, and parking lots. Standing on your property, coverage may not seem to have an impact, but taking a bird’s eye view of our neighborhoods and towns, the coverage adds up. Maintaining open space and limiting the amount of impervious surfaces in a watershed is a proven method for improving water quality. How much land coverage you are allowed is determined by the soil type, either through a TRPA Site Assessment or an Individual Parcel Evaluation System score (IPES).
Next step is to get a building allocation (right to build) and in the county these are currently available so you can build now unlike the city where there is a wait list. Call now! 530-573-3330. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) determines the number of allocations available to El Dorado County each year. They distribute the available allocations on a first-come, first-served basis using an allocation request list. Once you get a building allocation now it is time to go through the building permit process, read more. I know it seems like a lot of steps but the key is to hire a local licensed contractor that can easily walk you through the process. Most people hear the process is tiring and expensive but it is worth the effort. Of course it is easier to purchase a home already constructed that you love or find one that needs just a remodel or two and nothing major. However building a home in the right location will make you happy and brand new has such a longer shelf life-less maintenance and more time to play here in beautiful Lake Tahoe.
Please let me know what other questions you have on the building process here in South Lake Tahoe and if you need contractor recommendations. If you want to search existing homes and or condos please visit realestateonlaketahoe.com or give me a call 530-318-9286. Thank you, Jennifer Fortune
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