Jackson Hole Sotheby's International Realty

A trip to the Flying A Ranch in winter is an exceptional experience hardly matched around the Jackson Hole area. After a one hour drive to park and load up the snowmobiles with a picnic and supplies, I and another broker embarked on the 7 mile trip to the ranch on the narrow track. As each mile passed, I felt the elation and peace that comes with leaving day to day life behind and entering the winter wonderland of the upper Green River Valley, the stunning scenery and the remote yet accessible ranch in the shadow of the Wind River Mountains.

Stories of the old cabins, the early settlers, hunting and fishing, wildlife sightings, wolves, elk, moose, horseback rides on the ranch and into the wilderness are endless.

I can imagine bringing my family and friends here, or business associates, away from the clutter and noise of civilization, to a place of peace and serenity, adventure and activity, campfires and dark nights, stars and the sounds and quiet, all together. The call is out for a new owner to settle into the Flying A Ranch, live the dream of the wilderness and experience this unique and special place, so close yet so far.

I blink and I am back in the lodge with a picnic and a snowshoe tour of the ranch where I see ravens, magpies, Clark’s nutcracker, gray jays and mountain chickadees. The occasional martin, coyote, fox snowshoe hare and weasels are reported winter sightings of the ranch manager. Spring will bring the big game back, babies are born, the lake ice will melt, the streams flow, the waterfowl settle in and the seasons change on the ranch. I will be back.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s closing day is April 7^th  – well over a month away – and for many, spring skiing is the best time in Jackson Hole (and the best time for airline and lodging deals too).

Instead of bundling up in your warmest winter gear to hit the slopes, this time of year a few layers of clothing and a lot of sunscreen is likely all you will need.

By March 11th, the days are longer with sunrise at a respectable 6:43 a.m. giving us a full 11 hours, 43 minutes of daylight. That is plenty of time to warm up the slopes and with the reflective qualities of snow, you are likely to shed layers as the day progresses. The month of March averages only slightly less snowfall than February in Jackson Hole so your chances of a little fresh powder are excellent. And when the sun comes out, you are in for the ultimate bluebird day.

One of the best places to revel in your spring skiing experience is at the top of the gondola at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. There, at 9,095’, you will find outdoor seating warmed by the sun and ultimate views of the entire Jackson Hole valley. The Couloir Restaurant was placed on Conde Nast Hot Tables List and named by Men’s Health magazine as “Manliest Restaurant” (certainly a cool distinction!) a few years back. Couloir serves up fresh, locally sourced ingredients with a top selection of wines and spirits.

With the warmer weather and longer days, the snow begins to change. At the very end of the season you are likely to experience a snow condition called “corn”. The cold nights freeze the wet snow and when the sun warms it the next day it is transformed into little ice balls about the size of a kernel of corn.  This is the most forgiving and easy snow to ski on as you simply glide through the crystals with easy turns being held at the perfect speed. It is truly worth experiencing.

So don’t wait. Getting to and from Jackson is easier than ever with Direct flights to 9 different cities across the country. The lift lines won’t be a problem and you just might find some corn skiing to tell your friends about and make them jealous!

Great Price for Vacant Lot in Town – This is it…vacant hillside lot located on Pine Drive in the center of the Town of Jackson. Great price for .22 acres of single-family zoned property. Sloped lot with natural landscape and views of the town below and to the north. Mountain views to the west are also possible from the building site. $219,000. #4356484. MORE INFO.

Four Seasons Ownership – Luxury ownership in the 5-star Four Seasons Resort. Enjoy the Four Seasons Hotel amenities and services at a fraction of the price. Owners have 6 weeks of use per year and may trade with other Four Seasons Residence Clubs worldwide. $270,000. #4250834. MORE INFO.

8.8 Acres with National Forest Access – This 8.8 acre lot is one of 5 individual lots for sale on 40 rolling acres with 360° mountain views. Horses allowed. Well and fire suppression system plus phone, power and natural gas are all in place. $295,000. #4397100. MORE INFO.

Price Reduced – Aspens Pond Condominium – Upper level 2 bedroom, 2 bath Cove unit with great views to the creek and mountains. Unit is in excellent condition complete with all appliances. Large living/family room with fireplace and views to creek. $484,900. #4410522. MORE INFO.

Penthouse Residence with Mountain Views – Penthouse, bi-level floor plan with sweeping views of the legendary Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. This 2 bedroom, 3 bathroom residence is beautifully appointed. Owners will enjoy ski-in, ski-out location and all of the hotel services. $650,000. #4248338. MORE INFO.

Charming Home in Melody Ranch – This is a charming 1,950 sq. ft., 3 bedroom, 2.5 baths home in Melody Ranch. Situated on 0.3 acres, a very spacious and well maintained fenced-in yard borders open space and walking path. $659,000. #4422731. MORE INFO.

Luxury Ski Condo in Jackson Hole – Versatile 2 bed/3 bath floor plan in Four Diamond Hotel Terra. Fully equipped triple lock-off condo can be rented 6 ways, providing owners/guests flexible usage & optimal rental income opportunity. Unit 318 is west facing with direct ski area views. $715,000. #4380511. MORE INFO.

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3-5 Acre Parcels with Snake River Access – Wonderful residential lots located in Owl Creek subdivision ranging in size from 3.42 to 5 acres. Some open meadow lots with ponds and Grand Teton views and some heavy timbered lots of conifers, cottonwoods and aspen trees. Horses – conditional (see CC&Rs). Prices range from $755,000 – $895,000. $775,000. #4263949. MORE INFO.

Beautiful Garden Home – The home has large bay windows and French doors that lead out to a sunny deck overlooking a large pond and small waterfall. Garden Homes are located near the Teton Pines clubhouse for golf, fine dining, tennis, and swimming. $850,000. #4331248. MORE INFO.

Cabin in the Woods – This 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2,700 sq. ft. home was custom built in 1999. It sits upon 3.34 acres adjacent to national forest allowing you to ski, hike and bike out your back yard.  Seller is a  real estate licensee. $895,000. #4331381. MORE INFO.

Lodges at Teton Pines – This townhome has a very comfortable floor plan with 2 large guest bedrooms downstairs each with a full bath and private patio. The great room has vaulted ceilings, a wood burning stone fireplace and a large deck with a hot tub and mountain views. $995,000. #4336650. MORE INFO.

Custom Home in Melody Ranch – Enjoy a Grand Teton view from this beautiful 2,900 sq. ft. home. Built in 2011, this beautiful one level design has fine custom features and exceptional detail. Situated on 0.5 landscaped acres, this property is a perfect placement in Melody Ranch. $1,050,000. #4423163 MORE INFO.

Exceptional Value in 3 Creek Ranch – Bordering the 14th fairway of an award-winning private golf course with exceptional Grand Teton views, this site is the perfect location for your custom home. Owners are able to enjoy some of the best private blue-ribbon fly fishing in the valley. $1,190,000. #4248425. MORE INFO.

Hotel Terra Condo at the Jackson Hole Ski Resort – Prime Penthouse condo in the new eco-friendly Hotel Terra located at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Featuring towering windows and a large terrace to enjoy prime mountain views. Enjoy all the amenities the hotel has to offer. Sold furnished. $1,200,000. #4247887. MORE INFO.

Cluster Home in Teton Pines – The majority of this cluster home is located on the main floor. This includes kitchen/living/dining, master suite, 2nd bedroom, office and half bath. Upstairs is another bedroom suite and a loft. Enjoy Sleeping Indian views and a seasonal stream. Seller is a Wyoming real estate licensee. $1,295,000. #4313542. MORE INFO. 

Beautiful 7.9 Acre HHR Ranch Lot – Located in HHR subdivision, this gorgeous 7.92 acre home site is ready for your dream home. This large lot boasts 360° views, a large pond and seasonal streams all creating a fantastic setting for a home. Close to all the amenities of Wilson. $1,395,000. #4318783. MORE INFO.

Best Priced Home in John Dodge – The home features private access to the Snake River. Spend time outside relaxing in the beautifully landscaped backyard. There is plenty of add-on potential to create your own place on this 3-acre property. $1,450,000. #4339793. MORE INFO.

Luxury Ski Condo at Crystal Springs – The best ski-in/ski-out location in Teton Village next to the aerial tram. A large balcony with gorgeous views of Sleeping Indian and the Gros Ventre Mountains. Hardwood floors, granite countertops, and stone fireplaces. Seller is a WY real estate licensee. $1,495,000. #4324007. MORE INFO.

Moose Creek Townhome – True ski-in, ski-out access from this highly sought after Moose Creek property. Owners enjoy private chair lift access to the ski area. This is the only duplex townhome in Moose Creek and has a great mountain feel with dramatic views. $1,595,000. #4255080. MORE INFO.

Eagle Ranch – Enjoy this 20-acre retreat in Eagle Ranch, which offers panoramic unobstructed mountain views. The ranch blends authentic western exterior design with interior modern function. Over 7,500 sq. ft. of improvements as well as an elegant guest house. $1,850,000. #4317171. MORE INFO.

Western Contemporary Log Home in Wilson – Amazing views of the Teton Range and Wilson Faces abound from this log home in Wilson. Situated on 3.1 acres with a pond and “beach”, this wonderful 4 bedroom house and guest cabin has an open floor plan with large north facing windows. $2,295,000. #4324901. MORE INFO.

Equestrian Estate – This 11 acre equestrian property offers a 3,495 sq. ft. home, guest house, riding arena, and caretaker apartment above a 3-stall barn. This impeccably maintained home has stunning Teton views with fenced pastures for horses, and a 6-bay garage.#4393814. $3,495,000. MORE INFO.

New Mountain Modern Ski Home – This new mountain modern home with excellent ski access is the perfect four-season residence. The home has a very open and well laid out floor plan that is perfect for entertaining and everyday living. Beautiful views are found throughout the home. $4,690,000. #4362480. MORE INFO. 

 

 

Buying real estate in Jackson Hole means living in a diverse and vibrant community. The greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is home to not only some of the most philanthropic individuals in the United States, but we also get to share our lands with incredible wildlife.

Almost everyday you will observe wildlife in Jackson Hole. If you are on a hike by the Snake River, you will likely see Bald Eagles perched in a tree quietly watching you go by. Hiking on Teton Pass? Make sure to be aware of moose and deer. It is so stunning to come around a corner of the trail and witness a mother and baby moose munching happily on the tall grasses.

Head towards Gros Vente and the charming town of Kelly and you are almost guaranteed to see buffalo in large herds. Oftentimes they are migrating across the road creating the most interesting traffic jam.

The National Elk refuge is busy with elk both young and old in wintertime. In Jackson Hole elk can migrate from Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and enjoy a warmer winter that helps their species survive. It is a true joy to take a tour of these acres (right in the town of Jackson) and experience up close this wonderful and majestic creature.

Other animals you will encounter are Bighorn sheep, bears, coyotes, the gray wolf, mule deer and swans to name a few.

Of course we have only scratched the surface of the ecosystem that you can be a part of if you choose Jackson Hole as your primary residence. The quality of lifestyle and the integration with nature makes Jackson Hole one of the most unique places on earth for those who seek to live in harmony with wildlife.

10 Great Places for Post-Ski Nightlife

Last year, celebrated skier, hotel developer and Jackson Hole Sotheby’s International Associate Broker Rob DesLauriers collaborated with ski journalist heavy Larry Olmstead for his USA Today article ‘10 Great Places for Post-Ski Nightlife.’ Rob rounded up a list of favorite and hot après spots in North America, spanning from Sun Valley to Squaw.  His hit list included the iconic Mangy Moose in Teton Village to which DesLauriers offers: “This two-story, vintage, tchotchke-laden spot offers excellent live music, scorching chicken wings, a massive fireplace and an expansive deck. The history of skiing, ski bums and general debauchery permeates
the place.”

In the continued celebration of the time-honored tradition of conducting a proper après ski, JHSIR begs a quick pickup with Rob on his other favorite après ski haunts in Teton Village at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

In no particular order and excluding the Moose –Rob DesLauriers Top 5 Après Ski Spots:

Il Villaggio Osteria: Located slopeside in the lobby of Hotel Terra, authentic Italian trattoria is the perfect place to post up- complete with marble bar countertops –and catch up with friends after a great ski day. Do it over a good Cab and a little Grappa.

Village Café: Classic ski bum joint feels like ‘for locals only’ but is flowing with contagiously happy patrons from all over the place after a powder day. Best pizza slices, shot ski and bar tenders all amidst a ‘basement atmosphere’ that can’t be beat. Beware of the bell.

Couloir: When you’re spent and looking for the ultimate in après ski relaxation with a view, be sure to catch a gondola up to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s Couloir. Sip artisanal cocktails as you look out over Jackson’s sprawling valley in the early-evening light.

Lobby Lounge at the Four Seasons: While the brand new, adjacent and hopping Four Seasons Handle Bar is all the news, still can’t resist the call of the Lobby Lounge at this ultimate slopeside location. It’s expansive, yet comfortable and supremely luxurious, so whether you sit inside or out, you’re guaranteed a top-level après indulgence.

Spur Restaurant and Bar: Spur is brand spanking new and all bias aside (Rob and his team over at Teton Mountain Lodge opened the re-vamped bar over Christmas 2012), this bar nails it! Crash on a couch après ski or post up at the bar for a marg with your crew- it’s cozy, hopping and you can even keep the kiddos busy in the adjacent TV room…Rob loves après ski almost as much as his two small daughters.

Click to Learn More About Rob and the Jackson Hole scene.

Wow! What a roller coaster of a year! Looking back, the Jackson Hole real estate market had an extremely quiet spring and picked up in July with consistent activity through December. Frankly, the real estate community has been waiting a LONG time to say that. Average sales prices overall for 2012 are showing a 22% increase over 2011 proving that the Jackson Hole real estate market is on the re-bound.

In residential sales over $1.5M, volume swelled to 54% and the number of transactions increased by 39%.  In properties selling below $1.5M, the gain was less dramatic with volume remaining relatively flat and number of transactions increasing only by 11%.  Land sales have seen a dramatic increase, especially large acreage parcels which increased by 115% in number of transaction over last year. Residential condo sales saw the least improvement with only a 6% gain in unit sales over 2011 – nevertheless, these numbers should improve dramatically as inventory shrinks and interest rates remain low. Days on market remained steady and actually increased as some inventory remains on the market from previous years bringing most properties listed on the market for over a year or longer. Taking a closer look at our absorption rate – the average time to sell a property in Jackson Hole is just over 2 years.  This number should drop significantly as buyers start to regain interest in our market and the economy improves.

Overall, buyers are showing confidence in investing in real estate.  Interest rates remain low and our favorable
tax climate has been attracting many buyers from areas like California and New York which has been driving our upper end sales. As early 2013 continues to unfold, expect to see inventory shrink, number of transactions to increase and sales prices remain steady.

Christy Gillespie
www.jacksonholeexperts.com

The Nordic Program at 3 Creek Ranch is an outstanding addition to the Nordic skiing scene in Jackson Hole.  In its third year of full operation, the program consists of 9 miles of groomed classic/skate ski trails of varied terrain and level of difficulty.  The trails twist and turn and climb and descend through the golf course amid spectacular elevated and panoramic views of the Teton Range and valley to the north and west, as well as Munger Mountain and Gros Ventre Range to the South and West.

In addition, the community pathway that borders 3 Creek Ranch provides 2 ½ miles of flat, straight groomed trails that are ideal for developing the ideal classic or skate rhythm of motion and cadence required to traverse the challenging sections of the 3 Creek Nordic trails.

The quality of Nordic ski instruction available to property owners and members is just as impressive as the system of trails.  Roger Smith, the Head of Outdoor Pursuits and Resident Naturalist at 3 Creek Ranch, offers instruction on both classic and skate skiing.  He is very skilled at breaking down the mechanics of these sports into their basic movements in such a way that the neophyte can build the skills incrementally instead of trying to remember and execute everything at one time.  This approach helps particularly with skate skiing, which requires arms and legs to be in unison but go in unnatural and different directions at the same time. Roger also offers tours on skis around the property to observe how wildlife survives the winter.  In addition, he leads caravans to ski the backcountry trails of Jackson Hole and surrounding area. Another nice benefit of the 3 Creek Ranch Nordic program is that Roger offers ski maintenance, to include pre and post season ski conditioning, as well as daily waxing to meet trail conditions. Roger is very serious about this aspect of the sport, because he believes proper conditioning of skis is key to enjoying Nordic skiing to its fullest.

Although the Nordic ski trail meanders through the golf course, it seems more like an adventure on skis through a wildlife preserve. The panoramic views of the landscape are spectacular, but so are the intimate scenes of trumpeter swans lifting off the surface of a pond…

or speaking a language to each other only they know.

It is the observation of patterns and shapes in the snow interrupted by threads of native grasses and waterways that are the things that are remembered long after the physical exercise.

Perhaps a more fitting name for this special place is 3 Creek Nordic Preserve, or better yet, the 3 Creek Nordic Experience.

Don Alsted
http://jacksonholegreenrealestate.com/

 

Have you ever been on a “ski date”?

Growing up in Wyoming this is a perfectly normal thing to do. I had one…once.

Cody, Wyoming Cira 1984

Picture small town Cody, Wyoming and their local ski area – Sleeping Giant. On this particular day it was about 10 degrees, overcast with a wind chill factor of negative 40 degrees,  – and me, wanting to look good for my date donned the cutest of jeans (sprayed with a coat of Scotch guard) ski coat, headband and sunglasses – the epitome of 80’s ski fashion.

With the wind whipping wildly around me I set out to meet my “date” and surprise, an additional five of his best buddies. Yikes.

The T Bar Ski Lift

In Cody back then, the main lift was something called a T-Bar. Long story short, you don’t actually sit on anything to get you up the mountain. You simply lean your backside against the “T” to get chugged slowly up the mountain and hope your skis remain in the narrow tracks all the way to the top where you are launched off the lift at high speed down a steep grade.

At the top of the lift my “date” and his buddies have already started down the mountain Mach 20 and wildly out of control. All I hear are whoops and shouts as they launch off of steep jumps and zing through the trees leaving me in the proverbial dust.

Frosbite Sets In

By now I’m shaking uncontrollably with fear and frostbite and my sunglasses are entirely embedded with snow causing near complete lack of visibility. With my confidence completely shot, I somehow skied/snowplowed/fell down the mountain and was greeted at the bottom by my “gang” raring to hop on the lift and do it all again.

The rest of the day was a blur. I must have blocked it out. I don’t even remember my “dates” name. (He must have not remembered mine either, as I never heard from him again.)

To the Rescue – New BLUE Ski Runs In Jackson Hole

Fast forward 30 years and I now live in Jackson Hole. I must admit, I was a bit intimidated to ski at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort known for it’s steep terrain and deep powder, but older and wiser I now own stylish yes practical ski garb including goggles a helmet and ski coat developed for arctic conditions.

This year, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort opened its new intermediate mountain – Casper Mountain.

Ahhhh… I am greeted with a cushy 4-person high-speed chairlift that zings you to the top in mere minutes. Getting off the lift is a breeze as the lift slows down perfectly for your easy dismount. From there you can ski a series of perfectly groomed (or not) ski runs  such as Sleeping Indian, Wide Open, Easy Does It, or Sundog.

What can I say? I’m spoiled now skiing on warm sunny days, appropriately dressed for the conditions, on some of the best ski terrain in the rocky mountain west. Thank you Jackson Hole!

Next winter, however, I’m taking a trip to Cody to ski at Sleeping Giant. Somehow I bet it won’t be quite as intimidating as I remember… could it be I just older and wiser?

As reported a couple of weeks ago by Jackson Hole Sotheby’s International Realty, the 2012 real estate market ended on a very good note with December 2012 propelling the dollar volume 52% over 2011 and the best it has been since 2007.

We now turn our attention to the national housing market. The online consumer real estate website, Zillow, reports that US home values were up 5.9% in 2012 over prior year.  This is the greatest increase since 2006.

While 2013 is anticipated to increase more modestly nationwide, this is actually a positive sign for the market. “ Yes, we expect home value appreciation to slow this year, but they will still rise, and at a historically solid rate. Rising home values can be expected to pull more borrowers struggling with negative equity back above water,” says Zillow Chief Economist Dr. Stan Humphries.

January in Jackson Hole

After a very good 2012 for the Jackson Hole Real Estate market, how is 2013 unfolding? Inventory levels at the end of December were low creating questions like “is all the good property gone?” It is an encouraging sign that only 25 days into the year Jackson Hole Sotheby’s International Realty has received 3 times the new listings as in January of 2011, so at least for this brokerage we have new inventory arriving to our website nearly every day.

Real Estate is Local Again

Forbes contributor, Stan Humphries writes in his article: “The housing market recovery has remained true to the old real estate axiom of “location, location, location.” How your local market is faring today – and if it makes more sense to buy or rent, to sell now or to hold off if possible – is largely determined by unique, local factors and fundamentals. Arming yourself with timely and comprehensive local market information is good advice at any time, but will be even more important in 2013 as buyers continue to seek bargains and sellers look to maximize returns.”

So in Jackson Hole, our market is likely to benefit greatly from the above axiom. Our unique local market boasts nearly unheard of tax advantages, unmatched scenic beauty (there is only one Yellowstone National Park) and a lifestyle that includes levels of recreation (Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, the Snake River for fly-fishing) not found anywhere else.

There is only one Jackson Hole.

The momentum of the third quarter of 2012 carried into the fourth quarter and December real estate activity was exceptionally strong. We had building strength of the business but the uncertainty of tax increases with the looming fiscal cliff and other state (e.g. California) tax hikes had people wanting to complete closings by the end of 2012. The result was strongly increased volume, up 152% versus December 2011. In fact, December volume was the largest volume month since 2004.

Average sales price in December jumped to $2,249,800 from $1,558,200 last year. Total transactions for the month were 75% greater than in 2011.

These strong December results completed an impressive fourth quarter with transactions up 43.7% and volume up a whopping 98% compared to last year. Transactions and volume were up in all areas of the Valley and in all categories—condos, single family homes, vacant land and commercial.

Fourth quarter strength is further shown with average sales prices up 37.8% versus 2011 and median prices of single family homes up 46.3% and condos up 30.1%.

2012 was a year of strong growth in the Jackson Hole real estate market across all fronts. Total year volume was very robust, significantly exceeding volume of the past several years including the 2008-2011 period. Overall 2012 dollar volume was up 52.1% compared to 2011 and transactions were 25% greater.

All areas in Jackson Hole experienced solid volume growth in 2012 as well as in all real estate categories. Transactions were also up in all categories and areas except Teton Village. Although volume sold in Teton Village was up 86.6%, transactions were down modestly which seems to be a reflection of lower inventory and the reduction of distressed properties.

Average sales prices climbed in 2012, up 21.6% to $1,386,600 for the entire Jackson Hole market. Several commercial sales in Teton Village contributed to this substantial increase.  However, median sale prices for residential and vacant land were only slightly changed from 2011.

Although days on market is higher by 12.7%, total inventory is down as of the end of 2012. In fact, inventory in the under $850,000 price range declined 20% versus last year and overall, there were far fewer properties available than we have seen since early 2009.