The second quarter this year started with very limited single-family inventory at affordable price points. When the pent-up demand was unleashed on a new listing that showed well in a great location, the result was a white-knuckle experience for buyers.

Homes reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright are sprouting up around Tahoe and redefining the traditional Lodge aesthetic that has long defined mountain homes.

Almost 50 new developments are currently underway in Reno/Sparks, with a cluster of new growth in the Southeast.

The total number of homes sold was down 4 percent from the third quarter of last year. But prices rose almost 10 percent to a median high of $672,250.  That’s a number we haven’t seen in Tahoe since 2005, when the median price of a single family home hit $737,500.

In a surprising twist of fate just as many Truckee/Tahoe homes sold for less than $500,000 as did for more than $1 million.

The snowiest winter in recent history gave a boost to Tahoe/Truckee real estate sales. In this new column, veteran journalist Jackie Ginley offers a detailed analysis of the current market compared to the recent driest winter.