In an exclusive mountain neighborhood situated along Highway 50 between Carson City and the east shore of Lake Tahoe, there’s a new under-construction house on the block. It’s hitting the market for $12.7 million, but developers say it’s not your average luxury market home.
"You power all your electrical appliances – from TV to the microwave – with the roof,” said Whisper Homes CEO Omri Suissa.
Potentially one of the first of its kind in Northern Nevada, the home will have Tesla solar tiles on the roof, Suissa said. He added they’re distinct from solar panels, producing more power and made to match the aesthetic of typical roofing. The tiles will charge batteries built into the home, and the whole building can run off-the-grid during outages or when power rates are high.
The roofing alone has cost Suissa over $200,000, but he added with a smile, the buyer will benefit from $70,000 in tax credits because the project is environmentally sustainable.
Like any luxury home, the 7,100 square foot house also comes with some million-dollar amenities.
"Six-car subterranean garage, golf simulator, game room, 1,800 square feet of patio deck that is all accessed by retractable doors in the living area, so it really opens up to about 3,000 square feet of entertainment space,” said Mike Dunn, the home’s listing agent and vice president of development for Chase International.
One finished, the project is bound to fit right in with its neighbors. In the Clear Creek Community, homes range from $3 to $13 million, according to marketing director Georgia Chase. Most residents buy empty lots for half a million to $3 million dollars and build their own custom homes.
She said that the area’s clientele value outdoor recreation, the environment, and most of all, tax breaks.
"We are in Douglas County. Our address is Carson City, but we are in Douglas County, which is one of the lowest areas in Nevada for property taxes,” she said. “We also have no state income tax, very business friendly, so it's an abundance of savings that people get compared to California."
She added that lots of the residents move in from the Bay Area, eager to be close to California family members but enjoy the beauty of Lake Tahoe.
The good news, she added, if you can’t afford a house in the neighborhood, Clear Creek has other options for people who still want to enjoy the golf course and club house amenities.
"A nonresidential golf membership is $185,000. It has annual dues of $25,000, and worth every penny of it,” she said.
As for the Tesla-powered home – is it worth every penny? Well, developers are working on sweetening the deal to find a buyer. The person who signs for the $12.7 million property will get a free Tesla Cybertruck.
