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

Gallery Opening with Tal Roberts and Mary Stratton

For the first time ever, Sun Valley Sotheby's International Realty is opening their office doors to the public for the December 30, 2011 Gallery Walk. We are hosting two artists; Mary Stratton and Tal Roberts.

Both artists use very different mediums so be prepared for encaustic painting as well as black and white action photography. Please join us Friday December 30, 5:00 - 8:00 pm for art and beverages.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Warren Miller's "How to Prepare for the Ski Season"

Tom left his Skiing Heritage Magazine in my car the other day, and this was on the back cover:

How to Prepare for the Ski Season

10. Visit your local butcher and pay $30 to sit in the walk-in freezer for half an hour. Afterwards, burn two $50 dollar bills to warm up.

9.  Go to the nearest hockey rink and walk across the ice 20 times in your ski boots carrying two pairs of skis, accessory bag and poles. Pretend you are looking for your car.

8.  For ski boot simulation at home, put a pebble in your street shoes and tighten a C-clamp around your toes.

7.  But a pair of gloves and immediately throw one away.

6.  Go to McDonald's and insist on paying $6.50 for a hamburger. Be sure to wait in the longest line.

5.  Clip a lift ticket to the zipper of your jacket and ride a motorcycle fast enough to make it lacerate your face.

4.  Drive slowly for five hours - anywhere - as long as it's in a snowstorm and you're following an 18-wheeler.

3.  Fill a blender with ice, hit the pulse button and let the spray blast your face. You'd almost believe you're skiing in front of a snowmaker!

2.  Dress up in as many clothes as you can and then proceed to take them off because you have to go to the bathroom.

1.  Repeat all of the above every Saturday and Sunday. - Warren Miller

Source: Skiing Heritage Magazine

Submitted by Katherine Wessel of Sun Valley Sotheby's International Realty

Tranquility: Teahouse, Wellness, Cafe... and mostly gluten free!

Every Tuesday morning we hold our office meeting at one of our current, and usually new listings.... this week was a bit different. We were invited to Tranquility.

Recently, one of our agents, Pam Colesworthy, began a new venture. Pam wanted to bring something new to the Valley, and stemming from her love of teas and healthy foods, thus became Tranquility.

“Tranquility will offer our customers a place to relax, enjoy and exhale from everyday stress with teas from all over the world, gluten free and non-gluten foods and boutique gifts,“ said Colesworthy. “Our goal is to serve as a community gathering place that provides a sanctuary for general wellness and learning through the healing properties of tea and related products.”



Tranquility Teahouse, locally owned and operated by Pam Colesworthy, a Ketchum resident for 20 years, is now open Monday-Saturday from 10:00am-7:00pm. Located at 580 Washington St. N. in Ketchum, the new business fills a much needed desire and demand as the only dedicated teahouse in The Wood River Valley.

Along with 30 varieties of teas, Tranquility will feature a tasting bar where customers can sample their choice of different teas, including green, black, macha, and chai. A menu of savory bites such as soups and salads, hummus, tofu and edamame, all made from different teas bases, will complement the selection of sweet treats. Tranquility also plans to offer beer and wine on their menu in the very near future.

Assisting Pam are two Ketchum residents, Sylvie Dore’ and Tobin Jutte. Sylvie is Tranquility’s Tea Master with extensive knowledge of teas and a special interest in the healing properties’ of teas and herbs. In the kitchen, Tobin is the Food Curator, creating savory bites, hearty soups, a variety of salads, Panini and sweet treats at Tranquility. Both Sylvie and Tobin bring their experience and talents to the teahouse, creating a delicious and comforting respite for all.  Source: Tranquility Press Release

Not only do they sell tea, treats and gluten-free snacks, there is also a variety of gifts priced from $5-$20 including Leakey Jewelry that supports a school in Kenya, Bath Petals products made with sea salt and essential oils, teas from Tao of Tea, tea ware from a number of producers, plus essential oils diffusers from Floracopeia. Their array of crystals is from a local world-wide collector, and the Five Bee Honey is as local as it comes, produced in Hailey, Idaho!

And don't forget to check out their facebook page for a sneak peek at the delicious food that is served, or their website for a complete list of items (teas and snacks) on their menu. You will be pleasantly surprised at the prices and the cozy environment.

Feel free to give them a call for daily specials, questions and more information! 208.726.0095.



The Other Type of Skiing

Video courtesy of bcrd.org

When thinking of Sun Valley you immediately think about the best Alpine skiing on the planet, however Sun Valley boasts world class Nordic skiing throughout the Wood River valley. With 240 kilometers of groomed trails that the Sun Valley Company and the Blaine County Recreation Districts provides. There are trails for all abilities that include several trails for our four-legged friends; dogs might even like Nordic skiing better than their masters. From January 28^th through February 5^th, Sun Valley sponsors Nordic Week that includes a 33 kilometer race called the Boulder Mountain Tour and lots of other fun Nordic events. Sun Valley and Galena Lodge offer Nordic ski instruction to help get you on your skis quicker.  This is a great alternative to Alpine skiing, yet it is very complimentary to Alpine skiing in the sense of balance and strength. To learn more about the wonders of Nordic skiing check out the Blaine County Recreation District’s and the Sun Valley Company’s websites; www.bcrd.org and www.sunvalley.com/mountain/nordic 

Submitted by Tom Heinrich of Sun Valley Sotheby's International Realty