Why buy in Northstar?

What is it about the community of Northstar that motivates people to purchase property here versus any number of alternate neighborhoods? Without even realizing it, prospective buyers are drawn here as a result of a well run HOA and community service district. There are subtleties that exist (or do not exist) within our neighborhood as a result of our well managed community associations, Northstar Property Owners Association (NPOA) and Northstar Community Service District (NCSD). As a real estate professional active throughout the greater Tahoe and Truckee areas for more than thirty years I have witnessed the process that families go through in making their decisions on where to purchase a home. It has been an interesting study as many folks will begin their search with a preconceived notion of a particular area other than Northstar where they think they want to be, only to find themselves disappointed once they actually experience the realities of that neighborhood. People will think they want to be in one of the gated communities, only to find the actual experience a little overwrought. I have chuckled at the question whether the gates are there to keep the people inside from escaping? It is the combination of the little things, the separate details which, when attended to properly, provide an environment that is pleasing to the senses without being too controlling or overbearing.

There are the obvious negative examples that exist in areas without a robust HOA enforcing basic rules, we have all felt it when driving into a neighborhood where the properties are festooned with a collection of trailers or boats or RV’s or worse scattered alongside the houses. Then there are the more subtle aspects such as the cohesive yet flexible set of architectural standards that when properly enforced allow neighboring homes to compliment each other but not necessarily copy each other, yet allows for a progression in architectural styles while providing a sense of harmony when driving through the neighborhoods. Enough cannot be said about the positive effect the Recreation Center has when families are considering one neighborhood versus another. And let us not overlook the value in terms of all of the above that is provided for the very reasonable amount of $1,100 per year.

Somehow it seems the Northstar Community Service District is rarely mentioned for its contribution to the desirability of our community. Let us not forget the work that is done maintaining one of the best trail networks in any neighborhood, the TMT Trail. The idea of maintaining a recycle and dumpster location to facilitate the disposal of general household waste seems like a logical and appropriate service to provide but so many neighborhoods in the surrounding areas do not offer this simple service. We are fortunate in having curbside pickup of green waste, again, simple in concept yet rarely seen other than in Northstar. One item that is difficult to quantify to a buyer is that the winter road maintenance provided by NCSD is dependable and timely. And major kudos to the NCSD when neighborhoods such as Martis Camp and Lahontan decide that management of their water systems will be better served by handing over control and ownership. There are many other services and benefits that are provided by NPOA and NCSD, the cumulative effect of which is a neighborhood that is immediately recognized by buyers as a great place to purchase a home.