First Quarter Sales 2012

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Eye On: Sun Valley, Idaho

It's quite a surprise when you visit, or even live here, to realize how many industry wide brands actually hold their headquarters in Ketchum, Idaho. Recently TransWorld Business did a story on four of those brands.

"Hours from any large metro area, but mere minutes from endless backcountry, the town of Ketchum, Idaho, home to Sun Valley Resort, has become a hub for outdoor and snow industry brands looking to stay in touch with the activities and environments that fueled their passions for the sports they cater to."

For the entire story on Smith, Scott, Mtn Approach, and First Lite click the below link.

Eye On: Sun Valley, Idaho | TransWorld Business

The Upward Momentum Continues...

Our first quarter results are in! Sun Valley Sotheby’s International Realty has sold 30% more properties this past quarter than for the same quarter last year. The first quarter median sales price of all sales in our local MLS dropped 34% over last year, evidencing the impact of foreclosures and short sales on market values. YTD, Sun Valley Sotheby’s International Realty continues to hold the number one spot in our local market with a 28% share of the entire market volume – more than double that of our nearest competitor.

Is it time to buy? Absolutely. Several market sectors in our area have actually started to increase in value. Multiple offers on well priced properties are common. Website and other internet views have been consistently above 20,000 views per month, and now we’re seeing many of those views turn into email inquiries. 

Is it time to sell? Our active listings are down 10% from the same time last year. Depending on your market sector, it may be an excellent time to sell. When we see multiple offers on properties, it’s a sure sign that the pendulum is swinging back to a more balanced market. Sellers who have priced their properties well are having successful sales.

Buyers are starting to buy, sellers are ready to sell, and the team at Sun Valley Sotheby’s International Realty is here to help guide you through the process of buying or selling your next home in our beautiful valley.

*Statistics provided by Sun Valley Board of Realtors, 4/6/2012


Here are a few of our "Spring Best Buy's" submitted by the agents in the Sun Valley Sotheby's International Realty office.


$1,095,000  |  207 East Canyon Run Blvd.  |  Warm Springs

A lot of house for the money! Five bedrooms plus a den and six and one-half baths on a large lot in a high end Warm Springs neighborhood. Home and yard are impeccable and low maintenance. Lots of extras including three fireplaces, his and hers master baths, double vanities in most baths, large jacuzzi, dog kennel, and central vac. Enjoy the huge deck this summer.  http://bit.ly/Hnd9bZ

$774,000  |  109 Spruce Way  |  Mid-Valley

Extensively remodeled in 2006, including a brand new grand kitchen with silestone countertops, upscale appliances and farmhouse sink. Also, new hardwood floors, New Zealand wool carpet and gas fireplace. This is a must see home. Perfect condition. Lots of room to spread out, and geared to bring the outdoors in. http://bit.ly/Iasm4q

$525,000  |  16 Creekside Terrace North  |  Elkhorn

Now is the time to buy in Elkhorn Springs. This brand new condo and has a patio, underground parking, fabulous amenities and beautiful finishes. All heat and AC is included with your monthly HOA dues (amongst many other things). Come and visit this terrific unit to see what everyone is talking about. 

$159,000  |  1050 Snowflake  |  Hailey

Stunning landscaping and private, large lot make this Woodside home stand out from the rest. Well maintained home with two-car garage, huge redwood deck with hot tub, koi pond with water feature, and gorgeous, mature, landscaped yard. You have to see this to believe it! This is not a short sale or bank owned. http://bit.ly/HXqW9P

Time to schedule a spring trip!

Many people think of spring as a slow time of year in Sun Valley, but there are several events to look forward to that might prompt you to schedule a spring or early summer visit. Here is a list of events that we are looking forward to.

April 5-7: Janss Pro-Am Special

In this event ski and snowboard participants team with former Olympic, Pro Tour, and World Cup racers for three days of fun-filled, non-stop festivities.  Called "the best party on snow," it is the leading fundraiser for the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation. All abilities are encouraged. Once again, the Janss Pro Am will center on a theme….This year's theme is "VINTAGE." For information please contact kate@svsef.org or go to www.svsef.org.

April 14 –15: Closing Weekend of Bald Mountain

Your last chance to ski the slopes in Sun Valley for the 2012 Winter Season. Come out to enjoy great skiing, music and street parties all weekend long! www.sunvalley.com for lodging and lift ticket information. See you on the slopes!

May 25 – May 28: 15th Annual Sun Valley Wellness Festival

The 15th annual Sun Valley Wellness Festival is comprised of presentations and workshops regarding the wellness of body, mind and spirit.  There are a variety of classes, workshops, speakers  and musical events to enjoy.  For tickets and schedule information visit: www.sunvalleywellness.org.

June 30 – July 8: Ride Sun Valley Bike Festival

Returning for the second year is the Ride Sun Valley Bike Festival Featuring the US National Championships MTB Cross Country.  It will be time to dust off your mountain bike and get to Sun Valley to enjoy this week long festival of cycling related events including races, rides, film/photo shootouts, consumer expo, live music and more. For more details and schedule of events visit: www.ridesunvalley.com

Post Submitted by Katherine Schroder, with information from www.visitsunvalley.com

The Faces Behind the Camera

In celebration of the new snow last week, and in hopes that our SVSIR agents have enlisted their photographers to run around and get (more, professional) winter photos of their listings, I want to show you the faces behind the camera, and their dedication to getting that perfect “shot”.

We are extremely lucky to have very talented photographers in our area who work well with agents in order to visualize a homes’ story, so I sent each of them four quick questions to answer, both real estate related, and not:

1. What is your favorite room in a home?
2. When you are not photographing real estate, what is your subject of choice?
3. What home have you photographed for our office that stands out the most?
4. What one tip would you give an amateur photographer if they decided to take their own photographs of a home?

And here are the results, starting with the short winded ones: (pay close attention to the advice given in number four, as I know many of you still use your own photography skills)

Fred Lindholm:

1. Living Room  |  2. Women  |  3. 30 Osprey Lane  |  4. Use your flash.

1. Fred in action.                                     2. 30 Osprey Lane

To contact Fred leave a note with your email address in the comments, and I will get you his information.

Roland Lane:

1. Den  |  2. Wildlife  |  3. 13 Independence Creek  |  4. Use a tripod.

1. Roland Lane                            2. 13 Independence Creek

To contact Roland and view more of his work visit, http://www.rolandlancelane.com/

Josh Wells:

Josh Wells on set.

1. The Kitchen, especially when it opens to the living/great room.  It usually has the most character and it’s where people love to entertain.

2. Products and retail establishments.  I like business.  I like commerce.  And I like to help my clients capture their products in a way that helps their businesses succeed.

3. Elkhorn Springs – It's a beautiful property that helped revitalize the Elkhorn area.  It's tastefully done and it represents a terrific value. And there are a lot of interesting components/parts including the tennis courts, pool, golf course and close proximity to the ski hill.

Elkhorn Springs, by Josh Wells

4. Use a tri-pod – make sure your shots are level and the light is right.

To contact Josh and view more of his work visit, http://alpinfoto.com/

Tory Taglio:

1. The kitchen would have to be my favorite room to show in a real estate shoot. The kitchen is typically the center of all family activity and usually it is the kitchen that carries the personality of the home. As far as good photographs go, the largest rooms, such as the living rooms are usually the showcase photos

2. I really enjoy shooting lifestyle stock photography: skiers, runners, fisherman, and the other activities that represent what makes this valley so unique. It’s hard to take a bad picture of people doing what they love.

3. I photographed a home on Greenhorn Loop last Summer that will always standout in my memory. The home was on a beautiful lot and I spent the entire day there shooting for the optimum light quality for both the interior and the exterior. The sunset photos of the exterior where the quality of light that only hits a house for 5 minutes during the day. I just happened to be there and ready when the timing was perfect. The results were worth it.

Greenhorn Loop by Tory Taglio

4. Spend the time to find that homes best light, either early AM or later in the afternoon so that the colors of the rooms walls and furniture are accurate and complimentary. Using HDR or Photoshop may allow you to shoot in low quality light, but these shortcuts give the photos an artificial or even cartoon like appearance. Colors are not accurate, contrast is muddy and the results are counterproductive. Sophisticated buyers today are looking at hundreds of photos a day that are professionally photographed to the highest standards. When poorly photographed homes are compared to well photographed homes side by side on the internet, the poorly photographed homes do not get a second look.

To contact Tory and see more of his work visit, http://torytagliophotography.com/

Each photographer was nominated by one or more of our agent’s in the Sun Valley Sotheby’s International Realty office.