Warm up in Sun Valley.... Fireplaces to roast by.

The air is crisp and the leaves are yellow, and truckfuls of firewood are rolling through town making deliveries to those eager consumers looking forward to winter. This is a sign that (even) colder temperatures and beautiful white snow are just around the corner. So, to get you excited for winter, roaring fireplaces, and blazing wood stoves, we have compiled a few photos (and videos) of our favorite fireplaces.

First a video to get you in the mood for the winter Sun Valley lifestyle... and yes, there is a very cozy fireplace featured:

This gorgeous Greenhorn home was built with everything custom, and no detail was overlooked. The home sits up on the hill to maximize views and features a large master, downstairs bunk room and fantastic floor plan. Watch the video... the pictures really do speak to the lifestyle, home and surroundings.



 

This home is situated at the base of Warm Springs, this custom home features three levels with direct views of Bald Mountain. Enjoy the views from three different decks, one with a fire pit and one with a hot tub. To be auctioned on November 7 in cooperation with Concierge Auctions. Crackling fire, views of the Warm Springs run and a block from the lifts... sounds (and looks) like perfection. 


 

For an in-town location, it doesn't get much better than this! Two city lots have been combined to create a private, elevated Knob Hill building site surrounded by trees and currently home to a charming adobe style house designed by one of Ketchum's well known architects. Sheltered by mature evergreens, lilacs and Aspens, the outdoor spaces give you the feeling of being miles from town. With shopping and activites just blocks from your door, this beautiful stone fireplace will be awaiting to warm you when you return home.

 

Why settle for one fireplace when you can have three? The house is classic log construction with 7,000 square feet of luxury living with an elegant master suite with office, and private deck, guest apartment with separate entrance, two other guest bedrooms/offices, four fireplaces, gourmet kitchen, family room, private wine room/bar, elevator, formal dining room, extra storage throughout, security system, mature landscaping, paver driveway and much, much more. Located in Elkhorn in Sun Valley, ID.

 

 



A secluded Sun Valley estate to be cherished for generations. Lake Creek offers privacy and unparalleled views within minutes of the resort amenities, golf, and world class skiing in Sun Valley. This 7.06 acre estate is framed by large trout ponds and meandering streams, backing to National Forest land to the east with views of forever. Design and quality are of the first order. Get lost in the views from this estate, while thawing out from a day in the snow.

Spectacular Northwood home, tastefully designed, constructed, and finished to the highest quality. Upon entering under a large porte cochere, a spacious living room with floor-to-ceiling windows frames Baldy's ski runs. This six bedroom, six and one-half bath home features three fireplaces, multiple family/rec/TV room, exercise room, spa, wine cellar and spacious indoor and outdoor areas for entertainment.

The Sheep are Coming!

The Trailing of the Sheep is a time of collecting, remembering and documenting western history by the people who have and are living it. There are stories of the Basque, Scottish, and Peruvian heritage in the industry with its music, dance, and tree-carving art. And the tales of the nomadic life of herders in their camps high in back country mountains stories of saving sheep from bear and cougar, from the ravages of drought, and from death in raging snow storms.

In a time when people are searching for family roots and historic connections to place, the Trailing of the Sheep Festival is intriguing. No longer is this a small town celebration.The Sun Valley/Ketchum Chamber of Commerce receives calls and visitors from across the U.S., people who come here in October to experience a piece of history and live western traditions they've only read about. A one block survey of Sheep Parade watchers last year included visitors from Germany, Wisconsin, England, California and New York City, enjoying the parade alongside the locals.

Along with the parade, in which 1500 sheep trail down Main Street, there are dog trials, a lamb dine around, Folklife Fair, Women Writing & Living in the West, and featured performers.

The dine around will feature lamb specials at many local restaurants. To view the entire list, click here.

USA TODAY features the Sheep Festival as One of the 10 best Animal Festivals Check this link for the story!
http://www.usatoday.com/story/ travel/destinations/ 10greatplaces/2012/09/29/10- great-places-animal-festivals/ 1602507/
Trailing of the Sheep Festival on Armed Forces Radio Check this link for a great interview with John Peavey and Mary Austin Crofts that reached an audience of 2 million in 180 countries. Wow! http://www.ontravel.com/2012/09/celebrating-the-western-heritage-of-the-sheep-rancher/


Information courtesy of trailingofthesheep.org
For more information and a calendar of events, please visit their website.

The Evolution of Extraordinary

At Sotheby’s International Realty®, our vision is about artfully uniting extraordinary properties with extraordinary lives. This video explores the evolution of the extraordinary qualities that set our brand apart along with some interesting global statistics, which combined reinforce the marketing strategies that we employ to help us maintain our leadership role in the luxury real estate marketplace.



To watch more videos, visit and subscribe to our Sotheby’s International Realty® Youtube Brand Channel.

10 Tips to Make Your House More Saleable

The National Association of Realtors published the below list to help Sellers make their home more salable. As Realtors, we walk through a home and encourage Sellers to declutter, clean up and fix their home to overcome objections from a potential Buyer. A clean, organized and well maintained home sells faster than a home in disrepair. I hope you find the following suggestions helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
1. Get rid of clutter. Throw out or file stacks of newspapers and magazines. Pack away most of your small decorative items. Store out-of-season clothing to make closets seem roomier. Clean out the garage.
2. Wash your windows and screens to let more light into the interior.
3. Keep everything extra clean. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates. Mop and wax floors. Clean the stove and refrigerator. A clean house makes a better first impression and convinces buyers that the home has been well cared for.
4. Get rid of smells. Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke, and pet smells. Open the windows.
5. Put higher wattage bulbs in light sockets to make rooms seem brighter, especially basements and other dark rooms. Replace any burnt-out bulbs.
6. Make minor repairs that can create a bad impression. Small problems such as sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet may seem trivial, but they’ll give buyers the impression that the house isn’t well maintained.
7. Tidy your yard. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, trim the bushes, and edge the walks. Put a pot or two of bright flowers near the entryway.
8. Patch holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable.
9. Clean your gutters.
10. Polish your front doorknob and door numbers.

Post Submitted by:
Janine Bear
Associate Broker
Sun Valley Sotheby’s International Realty
208-720-1254

Third Quarter Sales: A Closer Look

Our customers often wonder what has been selling in Sun Valley? Some are just curious about the market, and others may ask this question because they may be considering selling or buying themselves.

The number of sold units is up 52% for the first three-quarters of 2012 as compared to the same time frame in 2011. Although this is a staggering increase, let us take a closer look.
The median sale price for the first three-quarters of 2012 is $207,000. This is down from a median sales price of $295,663 in 2011 (-29.92%).

On the positive side, our median “days on the market” has gone down 21% from last year and our absorption rate is down 45% for residential properties. These trends have been steadily improving as the lower priced inventory is absorbed.

When we read between the lines of these statistics we think there are two important take aways.
If you are considering buying a property in the $300,000 and under price range, either for yourself or investment purposes, now is the time as roughly a third of these listings are pending.
If you are a seller in today’s market, pricing your property appropriately for the current market will give you the best chance of success in selling your property in a timely manner. Properties receive the most attention in the first few weeks they are listed.
To View our third quarter sales: http://issuu.com/sunvalleysir/docs/third_quarter_sales

For more information on our market, please call our office.
208.726.5300
*Statistics provided by Sun Valley Board of Realtors