Tuesday, January 17, 2012

A Cold Fishing Day in January...

The thermometer in the truck said 17 degrees. I’d run out of excuses for not putting the waders on and hiking down to the river, so I suited up and begrudgingly set off. The sunlight was reflecting off the canyon walls and when I got down to the banks of the first pool it was warm enough to take the hat, jacket, and gloves off and bask in the sun. However, there were dark rainbows cruising over the light colored cobble feeding, which promptly ended my sunbathing.

Like a lot of winter fishing days in the Wood River Valley, you win a few, you lose a few and some days you’re a rock star. Today was no exception. Today there were trophy fish moving in singles and doubles, and they were eating my zebra midges. Today I fished like a geek and lost most of the significant fish. But not all.  When the sun got low, winter returned and it was time to go home. The thermometer still read 17 degrees when I got back to the car. Not a bad 4 hours in January.
We in the Wood River Valley are blessed with some of the best fly-fishing in the world. The winter months, with a little extra effort, are some of the finest angling opportunities. The fish are less selective, they are grouped up in the deeper runs, and even though most of the fishing is done with nymphs, some dry fly-fishing is available. The window of fishing is shorter, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm on most days weather permitting. Next time you’re planning your Sun Valley ski trip, think about adding a day of fishing to your agenda. It will become a tradition.










Friday, January 13, 2012

A Perfect Ski Day in Sun Valley

The idea of a "perfect ski day" will vary so completely from person to person that I don't believe you could ever really pin down that one, ideal day. Stories could range anywhere from 8 am lift lines for first tracks in deep powder, to a late start with plenty of time spent hopping from lodge to lodge on the mountain, to a secluded nordic ski, or a backcountry adventure.... they are plentiful and endless.

Here we have just a couple of these days contributed by two of our agents.

A Perfect Ski Day in Sun Valley

Every ski day in Sun Valley is perfect, but some are more perfect than others. Remember that powder day!  It had snowed all night and the mountain ski report said 14 inches had fallen on Baldy. There was already a good base. We were in the lift line at 8:00 am and the snow was still lightly falling. As more and more skiers arrived, they hassled each other to be one chair closer to getting to the top. We waited and waited while the avalanche control crews were hard at work getting the slopes ready for the onslaught.

Finally, they started loading the lift and the adrenaline rush made us all a little crazy.  Everyone was planning their first runs. Which runs are open? How many runs can we make with new tracks before we head for the trees?  The ride up is filled with anticipation and excitement.  My favorite powder ski buddy is sitting beside me.  We have been searching for the best powder on this mountain for over 50 years and cherish each and every opportunity.  There are endless secret skiing lines between the trees when the runs get skied out.

We reach the top. The bowls and Seattle Ridge are not open yet, so we settle on Ridge.  It is a wide open sea of perfect white, so beautiful, it could be heaven. Run after run we are thrilled and amazed at the wonders of this great mountain.  We hear that the bowls will open around noon.  By the time we get there, the ridge overlooking Little Easter Bowl is already lined with skiers waiting to make first tracks.  At last, the signal is given and we are off!  Remember that perfect, floating feeling?  Thank you Baldy and Sun Valley Company!

Submitted by Anne Zauner of Sun Valley Sotheby's International Realty


My Perfect Day Skiing

There is a magical phenomenon that happens when it’s snowing and sunny at the same time.  The air is filled with diamonds flashing rainbows of sparkles. Last year, I was skate skiing north of Ketchum at Billy’s Bridge with my dog, and this magic happened.  With the soft corduroy track, my happy dog racing ahead of me, the absence of another person and the views of the Boulders through the sparkling air, my ski was absolutely mystical. It seemed I could ski faster than ever with little effort, and at the crest of a hill, I stopped and just stood in the warmth of the sun basking in this beautiful abundance of diamonds swirling all around me.  I don’t think I’ll ever forget that moment as long as I live.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

A Golden Opportunity


We are at a crossroads in our real estate market.
2011 sales are up about 25% over 2010, a 25% increase over 2009. In 2009, we had the lowest number of sales reported in the last 15 years in our local MLS. We've trended up from the bottom for the last two years, and prices have not yet begun to rise. Judging by pending versus active listings, prices in some sectors have stabalized, while other sectors have yet to reach bottom.

For example, in the low-end sector of single family home sales under $100,000, there are 21 properties on the market and 13 of those are pending; evidence that this market sector has stabalized.

We believe other market sectors will even out in the weeks and months ahead.

This is a golden opportunity to buy with prices still low, and demand getting stronger. Carefully watch your favorite market sectors for th earrival of your ideal window to but. WIth interest rates remaining low, inflation and unemployment dropping, we have ideal conditions for buyers to invest in Sun Valley.


Don't miss the winter edition of our catalog, Sun Valley Style, on stands and also viewable online:









Tuesday, January 3, 2012

A 2011 Recap and a Happy New Year!

Although we have weathered a challenging real estate climate over the last four years, there are positive signs emerging.  For our office alone, we sold 44.7% more listings in 2011, than 2010.  And while our median sales price was down 31.5% (-31.5%), we still generated a 21.5% increase in total dollar volume sold from the previous year.

I might add that our MLS as a whole did not see the gains that our office did.  Year over year, 2010 vs. 2011, MLS data reports a gain of 22% for units sold, with the average sales price being down 23% (-23%).  The year ended with the total dollar volume sold being down 6% (-6%).

Our market share at the end of 2011 is 28%! This is up substantially from the 23.46% we had in 2010.

So, all in all, not a bad year after all! Congratulations to everyone for an outstanding 2011!
 
Source: Sun Valley Board of Realtors

Submitted by Darlene Young, Sun Valley Sotheby's International Realty