Northstar Homes for Sale

About Northstar

Northstar California Resort is one of Lake Tahoe's most sought-after real estate markets, combining world-class skiing, a walkable pedestrian Village, championship golf, and year-round mountain living just 10 minutes from historic downtown Truckee. Situated in unincorporated Placer County (not under Town of Truckee jurisdiction), Northstar uses the Truckee zip code 96161 but follows Placer County land use and STR regulations.

The real estate market at Northstar spans a wide spectrum. Village condos and hotel-style residences start in the mid-$400,000s, while luxury ski-in/ski-out homes in the Highlands and Big Springs neighborhoods can exceed $5 million. The Ritz-Carlton Residences represent the pinnacle of Northstar ownership, with whole-ownership units ranging from $1.25 million to over $4.5 million. The median price per square foot in the Village area runs between $900 and $1,000, reflecting the premium that ski resort proximity commands.

Northstar's appeal extends well beyond ski season. The 18-hole championship golf course, extensive mountain bike trail network, year-round Village events, and proximity to Lake Tahoe's North Shore beaches create genuine four-season demand. The resort's managed rental programs and Placer County STR permits make Northstar one of the strongest vacation rental markets in the Tahoe region, with properties generating substantial income during both winter and summer peak seasons.

Current Market Snapshot (as of Early 2026)

Village Condos: $400,000 – $1,200,000 (price/sq ft: $900–$1,000)
Big Springs & Highlands Homes: $1,200,000 – $5,000,000+
Ritz-Carlton Residences: $1,250,000 – $4,500,000+
Golf Course Homes: $900,000 – $2,500,000
Market Condition: Inventory tightened ~12% year-over-year; steady demand for resort lifestyle properties.

Market data is sourced from our direct MLS integration and Placer County transaction records. Northstar's mix of condo-hotel units, townhomes, and single-family homes creates wide price variation.

Placer County Tax Information

Tax Type	Northstar (Placer County, CA)
Property Tax Rate	~1.1% of assessed value
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)	12% on short-term rentals
State Income Tax	Up to 13.3% (California)
Mello-Roos / Special Assessments	Some areas carry CFD assessments — verify per parcel

Northstar is in unincorporated Placer County, not under Town of Truckee jurisdiction. STR permits and TOT are administered by Placer County, not the Town of Truckee. For buyers seeking Nevada tax advantages (no state income tax), Incline Village is about 30 minutes east.

Short-Term Rental Investment

Northstar is one of the strongest STR markets in the Tahoe region, driven by ski resort access, the Village, and summer recreation. Properties can be self-managed with a Placer County STR permit or placed into Northstar's resort-managed rental program. Placer County's STR permit cap of 3,900 for the eastern Placer County area has approximately 500 permits still available as of 2025. View our Northstar STR Investment Guide →

Explore Northstar Neighborhoods

The Village & Ski Condos

Ski-in/ski-out condos, Ritz-Carlton Residences, and Village living with resort amenities. $400K–$4.5M+

Big Springs & Highlands

Luxury single-family homes, golf course setting, family-friendly mountain neighborhoods. $1.2M–$5M+

STR Investment Guide

Placer County permit rules, resort rental programs, revenue data, and ROI analysis for Northstar properties.

Northstar Neighborhoods & Areas

The Village at Northstar — Pedestrian resort core with dining, shopping, and slope-side condos

The Village at Northstar is the social and commercial heart of the resort. This pedestrian plaza features restaurants, shops, an ice rink, and a gondola providing direct mountain access. Condominiums surrounding the Village offer ski-in/ski-out convenience and walkable access to everything the resort offers. Village units range from hotel-style studios to spacious multi-bedroom residences, with prices per square foot among the highest at Northstar ($900–$1,000/sq ft). HOA fees typically run $1,200–$2,800 monthly, covering resort amenities, maintenance, and often utilities.

Big Springs — Northstar's premier single-family neighborhood

Big Springs is Northstar's newest and most prestigious single-family home neighborhood. Developed from the early 2000s onward, the area features custom mountain homes typically in the 2,500–3,500 square foot range with 4–5 bedrooms. The neighborhood offers expansive mountain and valley views, mature forest settings, and proximity to both the golf course and ski trails. Big Springs homes represent the top tier of Northstar residential living, with prices ranging from $1.5 million to $5 million or more depending on size, views, and finishes.

The Highlands — Ski-in/ski-out homes and townhomes on the mountain

The Highlands at Northstar features single-family residences and townhomes positioned on the mountain with direct ski access and panoramic views. This neighborhood offers ski-in/ski-out convenience combined with the space and privacy of a single-family home. Convenient shuttle and transportation access connects the Highlands to the Village. The elevated position provides outstanding views of Martis Valley and the surrounding peaks, making it popular with buyers who want both ski access and a mountain retreat feel.

Golf Course & Basque Drive — Fairway-adjacent homes near the clubhouse

The Northstar Golf Course area, including properties along Basque Drive, offers homes adjacent to the 18-hole championship course designed by Robert Muir Graves. This neighborhood tends to offer more moderate pricing compared to Big Springs and the Highlands, with homes often in the $900,000 to $2.5 million range. The golf course setting provides open views, manicured landscapes, and a quieter residential atmosphere. Summer living here is exceptional, with the course, mountain biking, and hiking trails right outside the door.

Ritz-Carlton Residences — Ultra-luxury ski-in/ski-out at 7,000 feet

The Ritz-Carlton Residences at Northstar represent the pinnacle of Lake Tahoe mountain living. These whole-ownership residences at 7,000 feet offer ski-in/ski-out access, pre-arrival concierge service, valet parking, ski valet, and priority access to the Ritz-Carlton's 17,000 sq ft Highlands Spa, signature restaurants, and Ritz Kids program. Units range from 2-bedroom layouts at 1,554 sq ft to dramatic 2-story 4-bedroom residences at 3,407 sq ft. Prices range from $1.25 million to over $4.5 million. The Ritz-Carlton Club also offers fractional ownership for those seeking resort luxury without full ownership costs.

Why Northstar?

✓ Ski-in/ski-out properties at a world-class resort
✓ Pedestrian Village with dining, shopping, and ice rink
✓ Ritz-Carlton Residences — ultra-luxury mountain living
✓ 18-hole championship golf course
✓ Strong resort-managed rental programs
✓ 10 minutes to historic downtown Truckee
✓ Placer County STR permits available (~500 remaining)

Northstar Real Estate FAQs

What is the difference between buying at Northstar vs. in Truckee?

Northstar properties are within the resort community and typically include access to resort amenities such as the Village, ski lifts, golf course, and pools. Many condos can be placed into resort-managed rental programs. Truckee properties offer a small-town living experience with generally lower HOA costs and more of a year-round residential feel. Northstar uses the Truckee zip code (96161) but falls under Placer County unincorporated jurisdiction, not the Town of Truckee.

Can I rent my Northstar property as a vacation rental?

Yes. Northstar owners have two options: (1) place the property into Northstar's resort-managed rental program, which handles marketing, cleaning, and guest services, or (2) self-manage with a Placer County STR permit. Placer County's 3,900-permit cap has approximately 500 permits still available as of 2025. Properties must pass fire safety and defensible space inspections.

How much do Northstar condos cost?

Northstar condos range widely. Village and slope-side studios and one-bedrooms start around $400,000-$600,000. Two- and three-bedroom Village units run $700,000 to $1.2 million. Ritz-Carlton Residences range from $1.25 million to over $4.5 million. Price per square foot in the Village area averages $900-$1,000.

Is Northstar part of the Town of Truckee?

No. Northstar uses the Truckee zip code (96161) but is located in unincorporated Placer County, outside the Town of Truckee's jurisdiction. This is an important distinction for STR permits — Northstar properties fall under Placer County's STR ordinance (3,900-permit cap), not the Town of Truckee's separate and more restrictive STR regulations.

What are the HOA fees at Northstar?

HOA fees at Northstar vary dramatically by property type. Village condos typically carry HOA fees of $1,200 to $2,800 per month, covering resort amenities, maintenance, insurance, and sometimes utilities. Single-family homes in Big Springs and the Highlands have lower HOA fees, typically $200-$600 per month for road maintenance and common area upkeep. Always verify current HOA fees and what they include before purchasing.

Homes for Sale in Northstar

About Northstar

Current Market Snapshot (as of Early 2026)

Placer County Tax Information

Short-Term Rental Investment

Explore Northstar Neighborhoods

The Village & Ski Condos

Big Springs & Highlands

STR Investment Guide

Northstar Neighborhoods & Areas

Why Northstar?

Short-Term Rental Investment in Northstar

STR Regulations

Tax Information

Ready to Explore Northstar?

Northstar Real Estate FAQs

Nearby Communities

Truckee

Martis Valley

Kings Beach

Tahoe Vista

Work with a Northstar Expert