Jackson Hole Sotheby's International Realty

What would you say is the most important room in the house? If you ask me, the kitchen is hands-down the heart of any home. I love to cook, eat and spend time with family and friends, and the kitchen is where I can do all of these things.

In bygone times, kitchens were usually smaller and served a more utilitarian purpose. Families and friend socialized in the living room and ate in the dining room. Nowadays everyone always seems to flock to the kitchen, whether cooking is taking place or not.

Newer homes give more thought to the functionality and design of kitchens. If you like to cook and entertain, the kitchen is very important and serves as a social environment. Kitchens are now larger, with an open floor plan, occasionally eliminating a formal dining room all together.

Whether you are looking for a new home, thinking about a remodeling your kitchen or just have food on the mind, I invite you to check out some of the fabulous kitchens (and homes) on the market today.

“Elegant Serenity in Indian Springs” features a sprawling country kitchen. The addition of its own wood stove makes the space cozy for guests and chef alike.

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A spacious, professional-grade, open kitchen with light-filled sitting area make “Wild By Nature” particularly inviting.

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The finely appointed kitchen with skylights and a large island with bar seating at the Linger Longer River Ranch.

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“Old World Style & Modern Comfort” offers the home chef and entertainer Miele and Sub Zero aplliances, a substantial island and a truly unique ceiling accent to the second floor.

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The rustic charm and and curved countertop dining invite guests, and an audience, into the kitchen of “Beautiful Setting in Indian Springs.”

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WYOMING – THE NATION’S MOST TAX-FRIENDLY STATE
No corporate or individual income tax keeps Wyoming on top

by Staff Writers

The one hundred and fifth day of the year, April 15th, also known as “Tax Day” is the annual day on which individual tax returns are due to the federal government. Not traditionally a day of celebration for most taxpayers. However, if you live in Jackson Hole or in another part of the Equality State, you were not hit with as great of a tax burden as the remaining 49 states in the Union. There are many reasons why Jackson Hole is a desirable place to live, but come mid-April you can be even more grateful for Wyoming’s overall tax climate benefits.

Wyoming has once again been awarded the most tax-friendly state in the Union for the fiscal year of 2015. The state’s dismissal of corporate and individual income tax secured its top rank in The Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index…..

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JACKSON HOLE’S #1 REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE
The only local real estate brokerage recognized in a national ranking of residential real estate firms

by Staff Writers

Real Trends has just released its “Real Trends 500” ranking of residential real estate firms for 2015. Jackson Hole Sotheby’s International Realty made the list of top brokerages for sales by volume and was the only company in Jackson Hole, the region or the state to make the list among the top 250.

The Real Trends 500 relies on independently verified sales data in compiling its unbiased rankings of the most successful real estate brokerages in the nation. This particular ranking accounts solely for sales volume and pits our brokerage against the largest brokerages and markets in the nation…..

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PROPERTY UPDATE!
A sampling of our brokerage’s listings, far and wide

The one hundred and fifth day of the year, April 15th, also known as “Tax Day” is the annual day on which individual tax returns are due to the federal government. Not traditionally a day of celebration, for most taxpayers. However, if you live in Jackson Hole or in another part of the Equality State, you were not hit with as great of a tax burden as the remaining 49 states in the Union. There are many reasons why Jackson Hole is a desirable place to live, but come mid-April you can be even more grateful for Wyoming’s overall tax climate benefits.

Wyoming has once again been awarded the most tax-friendly state in the Union for the fiscal year of 2015. The state’s dismissal of corporate and individual income tax secured its top rank in The Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index.

The tax benefits of buying a home in Wyoming are substantial, according to David Toran, CPA. David is the owner of Toran Accounting, a certified public accounting firm in Jackson that provides tax preparation, planning services and specializes in the tax implications of real estate transactions, investment income, and small businesses.

“We work with clients all across the country,” says Toran. “It always amazes me the amount of money clients save in taxes when they have established residency in Wyoming. There is no state income tax. No state gift tax. No inheritance or estate tax in Wyoming. Let’s take two clients—one from Wyoming and one from another state. They sell the exact same stock. Both have a gain on that stock of $100,000. Long term capital gains tax rates are as high as 13.3% in other states. One client is paying up to $13,300 in state taxes alone. The Wyoming client pays nothing! Exact same stock, but the Wyoming client is getting a much larger rate of return simply by being a Wyoming resident. Now apply that to your wages, profits on your business, selling your house, your investment income…. Think about the impact of that over the course of your lifetime. There isn’t even a tax when you leave all that to your children.”

Now that your taxes are filed (or you have hopefully filed for an extension), you can get back to enjoying the numerous other reasons you decided to live in Jackson Hole. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort might be closed for the season, but there is still plenty of snow if you are willing to earn-your-turns and hike the Glory bootpack or set the skin track in the park. The trails in Cache Creek are drying up between the brief snowstorms, so maybe take that tax return and treat yourself to a new mountain bike (or a used one at the bike swap). And remember the Teton Park Road is now open for non-motorized travel until May 1, so grab your bike, blades or board and go enjoy the natural splendors of Grand Teton Nation Park, admission to the National Parks is free this weekend in celebration of National Park Week.

While we’re still a few months off from the park being this snow-free, April can be the best time of year to travel the inner roads under your own power—completely free of cars.

Teton Valley is often referred to as “the quiet side of the Tetons,” but with the announcement of the 10th annual Music on Main concert series schedule it appears they’re willing to set aside the “quiet” for at least one night a week again this summer.

The event, which has bounced between Victor and Driggs over the years, makes its home in Victor’s City Park again each Thursday evening between June 25 and August 13. The evenings are, like most things in Teton Valley, quintessentially family-friendly and are free admission. Vendors will have food and drinks available, and the START bus runs from Jackson to Victor for those looking to hop the pass for great live music.

The relaxed atmosphere, warm evenings and a strong, diverse lineup of nationally touring acts opened by wonderful local groups is the perfect excuse to start your summer weekend a little early and dance in the park with your neighbors. Big names this year include evenings with Blitzen Trapper, the Young Dubliners and many more. Visit the Teton Valley Foundation‘s page for the full 2015 lineup.

A huge thanks to the Teton Valley Foundation for putting on this wonderful community event, and congrats on the upcoming Music on Main anniversary. Here’s to another ten years, and beyond!

Great live music is a staple of Teton Valley – where Grand Targhee hosts it’s eponymous Bluegrass Festival and Music Festival each summer, and the storied Knotty Pine brings a diverse selection of acts year round.

Perhaps it’s time we give Teton Valley a new nickname…

 

Real Trends has just released its “Real Trends 500” ranking of residential real estate firms for 2015. Jackson Hole Sotheby’s International Realty came in at #232 in sales by volume and was the only company in Jackson Hole, the region or the state to make the list among the top 500.

The Real Trends 500 relies on independently verified sales data in compiling its unbiased rankings of the most successful real estate brokerages in the nation. This particular ranking accounts solely for sales volume and pits our brokerage against the largest brokerages and markets in the nation.

Real Trends also publishes the report “Real Trends – The Thousand” in conjunction with The Wall Street Journal to rank the top one thousand individual real estate agents and teams. In 2014, the most recent ranking available, “The Thousand” honored JHSIR’s Spackmans & Associates team as the 47th team in the nation by sales volume.

Thank you to all of our agents for continuing to make Jackson Hole Sotheby’s International Realty the best choice for all of your real estate needs in Jackson Hole, Teton Valley and beyond.

Non-stop music rang around the valley this past weekend, during the Jackson Hole Rendezvous Music Festival. The four-day concert series kicked off Thursday night in Teton Village with Screen Door Porch playing original Country-Blues meets soulful Americana tunes.

Town square was roped off Friday night as locals and tourist gathered to enjoy music from Jason Spooner and Robert Earl Keen.

Moods were high as the warm weather and open venue welcomed all ages of listeners. Vendors lined the antler arches selling beverages and snacks. Jackson Hole Sotheby’s International Realty agent Michael Daus, sold his famous artisan popcorn, “Jackson Hole POP”. My personal favorite is the Cowboy Carmel Popcorn.

Michael Franti & Spearhead, were welcomed back Saturday night, for the third year running as the featured artists of the music festival. The village seemed to be at capacity as the crowd sang and danced to multi-platinum hit, “Say Hey (I Love You)”. Mix Master Mike of the Beastie Boys followed Franti with DJ beats that had the crowd jumping up and down, yelling, “One more song”!

Rendezvous Music Festival wrapped up on Sunday afternoon, with Music Under the Tram featuring Lukas Nelson & P.O.T.R. Willie Nelson would have been proud of his son’s performance in front of a snow pant, goggle wearing crowd dancing in their ski boots. Thank you Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for putting on such a great festival!

Spring is in full swing here in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Balmy temperatures have people pulling out their bikes and boats, but don’t put your skis away quite yet! Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is open until April 5, and there is still time to register for the 40th annual Pole Pedal Paddle March 28th, 2015. The Pole Pedal Paddle, aka the PPP, is a Jackson Hole tradition where individuals or teams compete in a four-event race consisting of an alpine ski leg, a cross-country ski leg, a bike leg and a boating leg. This year the cross-country leg has been swapped for a 5k run due to current snow conditions.

Wait a second, who would do such a thing? That was the question that crossed my mind when I first heard about the event, but there is a class and category for anyone who wants to participate and you can be as competitive or relaxed as you want. I have competed in the “Fun Class” the last two years, where pretty much anything goes. Costumes, tandem bikes and party rafts are all highly encouraged because you are not judged on your time, but rather how much fun you are having. The competitive class on the other hand, is just that, competitive. Jackson is home to many top athletes and winning the PPP is the ultimate victory and grounds for bragging rights. Last year the fastest time was 2:15:34 (Men’s Racing Team), my team in the Fun Class was not timed, but I’m guessing we finished well over five hours and that might even be generous, but we had fun!

Even if competing is not your thing, the PPP is a fun community event you should come out and support. I know I appreciated the cheers and car honks as I biked from Teton Village to South Park in bright spandex and a tutu. With the race starting on the mountain at JHMR and finishing in the Snake River Canyon there are plenty of opportunities to cheer on competitors throughout the valley.

For more information on this local event, or to register visit the PPP web page. All proceeds support the Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club, a nonprofit organization providing affordable ski/snowboard programs to Jackson youth.

Members of Jackson Hole Sotheby’s International Realty recently traveled east to participate in a luxury real estate conference hosted by the office of Sotheby’s International Realtywith events in Manhattan and Short Hills, New Jersey. The event served as an opportunity to welcome new agents and offices into the residential real estate brokerage network, as well as to introduce new marketing, advertising and referral opportunities.

Donna Clinton, JHSIR broker and chief operating officer, and marketing team member Dan Long joined over sixty owners, agents and staff from Sotheby’s International Realty affiliate offices around the world. More than thirteen of the global network’s sixty countries and territories were represented at the conference—highlighting the international reach and broad global appeal of the Sotheby’s brand.

Derek Svennungsen (left) of Sun Valley Sotheby’s International Realty joins Jackson Hole Sotheby’s International Realty’s Donna Clinton (center) and Dan Long (right) with Sotheby’s International Realty’s president and chief executive officer, Philip White, at the Sotheby’s Auction House event in Manhattan.

Participants of the conference were treated to lectures at the Sotheby’s Institute of Art by auctioneer and educator Barbara Strongin, and contemporary art advisor and curator Lowell Pettit. The lectures provided historical background for the evening’s trip to the Sotheby’s Auction House and a private preview of March fifth’s auction, Contemporary Curated.

Left: Sotheby’s International Realty’s chief marketing officer, Wendy Purvey, introduces a new ad campaign that highlights a JHSIR listing.     Center: Catalogues line a bookshelf at the Sotheby’s Auction House.     Right: Sotheby’s International Realty affiliates view a private gallery at Sotheby’s Auction House.

Educational opportunities throughout the conference included discussions on expanded global media partnerships, cooperative advertising opportunities, substantial updates to sothebysrealty.com, online marketing via SEM/SEO, the global affiliate referral network and numerous other topics—all designed to provide our office with the tools to ensure our client’s realize the full potential of their property transaction in Jackson Hole or throughout the world.

Jackson Hole Sotheby’s International Realty—Mastering the Art of Being Connected

 

There are many defining features to a luxury property. For some it is a grand entrance, a great room with awe-inspiring view, an expansive outdoor living space or a host of other dramatic features. From a personal perspective, I find one of the most refined earmarks of luxury in a home is the bathroom—yes, the bathroom.

I may have lost some of you here, but stay with me. Most luxury refinements are outward-facing. They boost “curb appeal,” or are emphasized for enjoyment by a larger audience. The master bathroom is often overlooked—it is not a “public” space within the home. As such, this room offers a key measure of refinement and attention to detail within a home.

A homeowner, architect and designer who have brought thoughtful design considerations to this often-neglected space are likely to have also brought a noticeable attention to detail to the home and property as a whole. With that in mind, I view an elegant bathroom as a harbinger of sophistication for the rest of a home.

I invite you to indulge in these rooms, and to tour the homes they occupy and see for yourself.

“Woodside Estate” features a beautiful contemporary soaking tub, dry suana and luxurious white marble throughout.   View This Listing

Panoramic views of Spring Creek Ranch and the Tetons beyond eminate from this “Simply Awe Inspiring” home.    View This Listing

A travertine soaking tub is the centerpiece of the master bathroom in “Wild by Nature,” which also features steam shower with access to the outside patio and its infinity hot tub.     View This Listing

“The Serengeti Home” offers the clean, refined lines of Mountain Contemporary via African Mahogany cabinets, modern soaking tub and whimsical bubble-inspired light fixture.   View This Listing

Click on the report to view the complete fourth quarter and year-to-date Jackson Hole real estate market analysis report. Data compiled from Teton Board of Realtors MLS Areas 1-10.