Prudential Real Estate agent Mitch Clarin admits that times have been tough in both the real estate and construction markets over the last few years in Truckee, but things are beginning to pick up and there are success stories to tell. Take, for instance, his recent sale of a foreclosed downtown home to a young woman named Megan Davin.
‘Here’s a gal who was born and raised in Truckee, and now will be staying in Truckee because she was able to purchase a home here, right down the street from her mom,’ Clarin said.
Megan, 20, is currently working as a nanny as she edges closer to finishing up the requirements for her math degree at UNR.
Now she is also a proud homeowner. Using money from an accident settlement and taking advantage of rock bottom pricing, Megan purchased a historic structure on Jibboom Street for $127,000.
The three bedroom, two bathroom home, built in 1890, is definitely a fixer-upper and not close to being livable yet. Megan realizes she has years of work ahead of her to get the home fully rehabilitated, but she focuses more on the big picture.
‘This is my way to stay here in Truckee and I’m really excited about the process,’ she said. The first items on what will be a very long punch list are putting in a new foundation and then replacing the rickety wraparound decks. To complicate the entire process, there will also be very specific construction and remodeling rules to follow due to the home’s Class B historic rating, but Davin easily rattled off the do’s and don’ts based on her knowledge of Truckee Town codes. She may be young, but she’s done her homework.
Inside, removing and replacing a buckled wooden floor in the main living area will take precedence, but that didn’t prevent Davin from moving in several of her prized possessions: two upright pianos. ‘Yes, I love to play,’ she said.
As we toured the upstairs, behind Megan’s dog Audi, a well-worn phrase came to mind – ‘if these walls could talk’. Megan agreed that her Jibboom Street home probably has lots of stories to tell, but ironically she’s already heard a few. ‘My mom said she used to hang out here years ago…apparently it was quite the party house!’
For now, though, parties can wait. Megan is headed off to work for the day, will soon be looking at bids for her home’s foundation work and then in the near future will have her math degree. I asked what she planned on doing after that.
‘I’m not sure exactly…maybe cosmology or astronomy,’ she said. Megan Davin is reaching for the stars and for her, the stars shine brighter in Truckee.
