With extraordinary natural beauty, year-round recreation and the financial advantages of Nevada residency, Incline Village has become one of the country’s most sought-after luxury markets. Jenna Rose Madrid, a lifelong Incline Village resident and Managing Director of The Agency Incline Village, joins Managing Partner Zar Zanganeh to share what’s driving demand, where buyers are coming from and what makes this close-knit Lake Tahoe community so enduringly desirable.
What’s fueling buyer growth in Incline Village right now? And how has demand shifted over the past few years?
Jenna: Incline Village continues to attract buyers because it offers a rare combination of exceptional lifestyle, long-term value, and Nevada’s financial advantages. While the tax benefits often introduce buyers to the area, it’s the quality of life that ultimately convinces them to make Incline Village home.
Since 2020, we’ve experienced significant appreciation across every segment of the market. In particular, the lakefront market has experienced remarkable growth, with values in many cases doubling as a result of extremely limited inventory and sustained demand. Across the broader market, home values have continued to rise because there simply aren’t enough properties available to meet buyer demand.
We’re also seeing a shift in the type of buyer coming to Incline Village. What was once primarily a second-home market has evolved to include more primary residents, entrepreneurs, executives, and families seeking a year-round lifestyle. Buyers today are looking for privacy, outdoor recreation, a strong sense of community, and convenient access to major business centers. Many are also searching for a healthier lifestyle and a place where they can raise their families with greater privacy, safety, and an exceptional quality of life.
Limited inventory, sustained demand, and the unique lifestyle Incline Village offers continue to position it as one of the most sought-after luxury markets in the country.
Zar: Tahoe has transitioned from a seasonal second-home market to a year-round community for individuals seeking a more wholesome, organic, clean, and fresh-air destination. This destination caters to billionaires and families who desire the best of all four seasons. Additionally, it attracts individuals from the Silicon Valley and Seattle markets seeking the remarkable tax-free benefits that Nevada offers.
Where are most buyers relocating from? Have those feeder markets shifted recently?
Jenna: Our strongest feeder market continues to be California, particularly the San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley, and Southern California. Washington has also become an increasingly active source of buyers, especially technology professionals and executives seeking a better quality of life.
We’re also seeing continued interest from New York and other East Coast markets. Many of these buyers are looking for outdoor living, privacy, financial advantages, and a stronger sense of community while maintaining access to major metropolitan areas.
While California remains our largest relocation source, the geographic diversity of buyers has expanded over the past several years. Today’s buyers are often relocating permanently or splitting time between multiple residences, making Incline Village both a lifestyle destination and a long-term investment. Many have the flexibility to work remotely, allowing them to prioritize lifestyle without sacrificing connectivity or access to their businesses.
Zar: Our property has consistently garnered popularity among Northern Californian individuals seeking a weekend getaway home. Recently, we have witnessed a significant influx of buyers from Washington State and individuals from all over the United States and beyond. The property’s convenient proximity to major nearby airports, coupled with its charming and luxurious village ambiance, has made it a sought-after destination for a diverse range of buyers.
Whether someone is purchasing a primary residence,
vacation home, or legacy property, Incline Village continues to demonstrate exceptional long-term appeal.Jenna Rose Madrid
Beyond Nevada’s tax advantages, what draws people to the Incline Village lifestyle?
Jenna: It’s the lifestyle and exceptional quality of life that truly sets Incline Village apart.
Residents enjoy immediate access to Lake Tahoe, world-class skiing, championship golf courses, hiking, mountain biking, boating, and endless year-round recreation, all within minutes of home.
Beyond the outdoor amenities, buyers are drawn to the exceptional quality of life. Incline Village offers a safe, welcoming community where families can enjoy a slower pace and children can grow up surrounded by nature. It’s a place where families can spend the morning on the lake, the afternoon on the golf course or hiking trails, and the evening enjoying one of our private beaches all without ever leaving the community. It’s a place where the neighbors genuinely know one another. The privacy, security, and sense of community here are becoming increasingly rare, especially for buyers relocating from larger metropolitan areas.
One thing I often tell clients is that very few people move to Incline Village because they have to, they move here because they want to. Once they experience the community, the lake, and the lifestyle, the tax benefits simply become another advantage.
Zar: In essence, our business-friendly state offers remarkable health and wealth advantages; its proximity to 20 major markets and the allure of a small luxury town devoid of the crowds commonly found in destinations like Park City and Aspen makes it an ideal destination for high-profile individuals who value privacy, discretion, and the freedom to explore the breathtaking scenery completely unbothered.
How does Incline Village compare to other Lake Tahoe enclaves in terms of value, lifestyle, and long-term appeal?
Jenna: Incline Village offers a unique combination of luxury mountain living, limited inventory, and the financial advantages of Nevada residency, making it one of the most desirable communities around Lake Tahoe.
Compared to many California communities surrounding the lake, buyers benefit from potential tax savings while still enjoying everything Tahoe has to offer. At the same time, strict development regulations and limited land availability help preserve the area’s character and support long-term property values.
Having been born and raised in Incline Village, I’ve been part of this community my entire life. I also grew up immersed in the real estate industry alongside my mother, Carole Madrid, a respected legacy Realtor in Incline Village. From an early age, I had the privilege of learning not only from her, but from many of the area’s most accomplished real estate professionals, who treated me like family. That lifelong exposure gave me a deep understanding of the neighborhoods, the history behind many of the homes, and the subtle nuances of our market that simply can’t be learned from statistics alone.
Whether it’s understanding how a particular street lives through the seasons, knowing the story behind a legacy estate, or recognizing the long-term value of a specific location, that perspective allows me to guide my clients with confidence and insight. For my clients, that means having an advisor who understands not only the market, but the history, character, and lifestyle that make each neighborhood unique.
Another aspect that makes Incline Village truly unique is the Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID). While we’re part of Washoe County, IVGID provides an additional level of stewardship by maintaining many of the community amenities that residents enjoy, including our private beaches, parks, recreation facilities, golf courses, ski resort, water system, and other essential services. It creates an exceptional standard of care that helps preserve the beauty of the community and contributes to the exclusive, resident-focused lifestyle that makes Incline Village unlike anywhere else around Lake Tahoe.
Whether someone is purchasing a primary residence, vacation home, or legacy property, Incline Village continues to demonstrate exceptional long-term appeal.
Have you noticed buyers seeking any specific home styles or home features?
Jenna: Today’s buyers are looking for homes that combine luxury with functionality.
Open floor plans, indoor-outdoor living spaces, home offices, wellness amenities, smart-home technology, and energy-efficient construction are all in high demand.
In the luxury market, buyers continue to prioritize lake views, private beach access, boat facilities, spacious outdoor entertaining areas, wine cellars, fitness rooms, guest accommodations, and newer mountain-modern architecture. Many are also looking for homes that can comfortably accommodate multi-generational living or support a work-from-home lifestyle.
Ultimately, buyers want a home that feels like a private retreat while still functioning beautifully for everyday living.
Which neighborhoods or pockets of Incline Village are gaining popularity or interest?
Jenna: Interest remains strong throughout Incline Village, with different neighborhoods appealing to different lifestyles and buyer priorities.
The Eastern Slope neighborhood continues to attract buyers seeking panoramic lake views, privacy, and custom luxury estates.
The Lakeview and Millcreek neighborhoods have become especially desirable because they offer many of the benefits buyers love about Incline Village without being directly on the lake. These neighborhoods are just minutes from Incline’s private beaches, parks, Recreation Center, championship golf courses, bike paths, hiking trails, and all of the amenities that make Incline Village so special. Their lower elevation, walkability, and convenient access to recreation make them incredibly appealing to both full-time residents and second-home owners.
The Championship Golf Course neighborhood continues to be highly sought after for its larger homesites, peaceful setting, mature trees, and proximity to schools, parks, and outdoor recreation.
Of course, lakefront properties remain among the most exclusive and coveted real estate in the country. With extremely limited inventory, private shoreline, private piers, and unparalleled access to Lake Tahoe, they continue to command exceptional demand and represent some of the most significant legacy properties in the West.
We’re also seeing increased demand for beautifully renovated condominiums and townhomes that offer a lock-and-leave lifestyle while still providing convenient access to Incline Village’s private beaches, Diamond Peak Ski Resort, golf courses, restaurants, and extensive trail system.
Connect with The Agency Incline Village to explore available homes and discover what makes this Lake Tahoe community unlike anywhere else.
