Thursday, September 27, 2012

Sotheby's to Sell Art in China

It is confirmed. Sotheby's Auction House has become the first foreign company allowed to sell art and other collectibles in China. China has recently become the leading market for art, and was responsible for 41% of the world's art sales in 2011. Read more at the WSJ Online.

Since the founding of the Sotheby's Auction House in 1744, the Sotheby's name has earned renown as a Marketer of the world's most valuable and prestigious possessions. This reputation is built as much upon exceptional service to clients as on the notable art, antiques, jewelry and other holdings that pass through Sotheby's offices around the world. Our association with the Sotheby's Brand is truly what sets us apart because it is more than just an Auction House. It's the ultimate destination where collectors gather to indulge their desires and share their knowledge.
Today, the auction house has expanded to offer the best in over 70 categories including Fine and Decorative Arts, Jewelry and Wine. Sotheby's maintains 90 locations in 40 countries and conducts 250 auctions each year. It was out of this rich heritage that an international real estate brand was founded in 1976. This gift we have been given is the tradition, character, and equity of the Sotheby's brand name. Today, the Sotheby's International Realty brand offers the same commitment to exceptional service that has characterized Sotheby's for more than two centuries.

Visit the Sotheby's Auction House website to learn more.

Monday, September 24, 2012

8 Tips to Winterize Your Home

Fall is upon us and winter is around the corner. In world famous Sun Valley, we are blessed to have over 280 days of sunshine, but it is time to prepare your home for cold weather. Follow these 8 simple steps to reduce expensive fuel costs and maintain your home.
 
1. Make sure all windows and doors are firmly caulked
2. Close all foundation vents to prevent plumbing from freezing
3. Relight the pilot lights on furnaces and water heaters
4. Shut off the water line to the swamp cooler or window air conditioners – disconnect lines at both ends
5. Disconnect and drain outside hoses, store inside to avoid cracking or freezing
6. Oil the motor and fan of your forced air furnace, inspect and change the filters to keep air flow clear
7. Hire a professional to inspect and clean your wood/pellet stove pipes
8. Shut off sprinkler systems and drain or blow out the lines
Keep cozy and enjoy our winter wonderland.
Post Submitted by:
Janine Bear
Associate Broker
Sun Valley Sotheby’s International Realty
208-720-1254

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Specialty Waterfront Website

Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC recently announced the launch of a Waterfront specialty market website, the second in a planned series of branded websites for specialty markets.

The specialized website, which can be found at waterfrontpropertysir.com, matches the look and feel of the brand’s website, sothebysrealty.com, and provides detailed Waterfront lifestyle and listing

information and resources. The website enables buyers and sellers to search for the finest properties in this segment and the sales professionals who represent them. It covers a full spectrum of lifestyle types and properties including: ocean and beach, riverfront, lakefront, island and boating. This site was launched with more than $13 billion of waterfront property listings worldwide.

“The Waterfront segment offers some of the most striking photography, making it a natural choice for a specialty market website,” said Wendy Purvey, chief marketing officer, Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. “Waterfront is far and away the most searched lifestyle on sothebysrealty.com, so there is a great consumer fascination with this market. We will continue to enhance this specialty market website by adding custom content on waterfront living based on the body of water. For example, the site will convey what it is like living on an island in the Bahamas versus living on a lakefront in Italy or Minnesota.”

The Sotheby’s International Realty® network currently has more than 12,000 sales associates located in approximately 625 offices in 44 countries and territories worldwide.
Visit the Waterfront specialty market site here.

Monday, September 17, 2012

No one likes paying for insurance; but unfortunately, insurance is a necessary evil – especially for the homeowner.
The National Association of Realtors suggests the following to help save YOU money on your homeowners insurance.

1. Raise your deductible. If you can afford to pay more toward a loss that occurs, your premiums will be lower.
2. Buy your homeowners and auto policies from the same company and you’ll usually qualify for a discount. But make sure that the savings really yields the lowest price.
3. Make your home less susceptible to damage. Keep roofs and drains in good repair. Retrofit your house to protect against natural disasters common to your area.
4. Keep your home safer. Install smoke detectors, burglar alarms, and dead-bolt locks. All of these will usually qualify for a discount.
5. Be sure you insure your house for the correct amount. Remember, you’re covering replacement cost, not market value.
6. Ask about other discounts. For example, retirees who are home more than working people may qualify for a discount on theft insurance.
7. Stay with the same insurer. Especially in today’s tight insurance market, your current vendor is more likely to give you a good price.
8. See if you belong to any groups—associations, alumni groups—that offer lower insurance rates.
9. Review your policy limits and the value of your home and possessions annually. Some items depreciate and may not need as much coverage.
10. See if there’s a government-backed insurance plan. In some high-risk areas, such as coasts, federal or state government may back plans to lower rates. Ask your insurance agent.

Credit: National Association of Realtors

Blog Submitted by
Janine Bear
Associate Broker
208.720.1254

Friday, September 7, 2012

Humorous Real Estate Videos

Every Tuesday at our office meeting we try to start the morning with a real estate related video to wake everyone up. They vary in length and content, but the favorites are always the ones that make us laugh.

Here are a few of those that have made us laugh, and we hope they make you giggle as well.





And another from Ellen...


If you'd like to look at more property specific videos, please visit our YouTube site: http://www.youtube.com/user/SunValleySIR

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Homes Selling More Quickly

Homes are selling more quickly with inventory tightening in some markets, according to a news release from realtor.org and the National Association of Realtors. Another sign that the housing industry is recovering.

"A new measure shows the typical amount of time it takes to sell a home is shrinking, and for traditional sellers is now in the range of historic norms for a balanced market, well below the cyclical peak reached in 2009, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

The median time a home was listed for sale on the market1 was 69 days in July 2012, down 29.6 percent from 98 days in July 2011. The median reflects a wide spectrum; one-third of homes purchased in July were on the market for less than a month, while one in five was on the market for at least six months." To continue reading this article from realtor.org please follow the link.

Our market here in Sun Valley, ID and the surrounding areas is experiencing this as well. In July 2011, the average days on market for single family homes was 453, and in July 2012 the average was 308, down 32%.
Statistics provided by the Sun Valley Board of Realtors