Tag Archive for: Jackson Hole

Is it time to buy a Vacation Home in Jackson Hole?

A recent Wall Street Journal article suggests the clouds may be lifting over the national vacation home market, especially in the luxury segment of the real estate market. Overall, the second-home market is down 11% from 2009 and roughly 25% from 2006, compared to a 22% drop in the overall housing market, according to the article. However, the higher end of the vacation home market ($5 million and up) has held up much better. Douglas Duncan, chief economist at Fannie Mae explains “At the top of the market, particularly luxury homes, prices have proven very elastic, and have sprung upward quickly”.

Markets such as Palm Beach Island, FL, the Hamptons, NY and Aspen, CO have been experiencing an uptick in inquiries and real estate sales. This is not to say the boom is back, however. Overall, properties that are in prime locations, such as waterfront or ski resort properties, are selling, but homes in less desirable locations are still a bit sluggish. In addition, areas that were able to avoid over building and therefore keep inventories at a manageable level have also seen an improvement in sales.

What’s interesting is that most vacation home buyers aren’t looking to make a big profit. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), more than 80% of second home buyers surveyed reported that they purchased for consumption reasons – to live in the house and enjoy it – not for investment. Additionally, many second home buyers are cash buyers (36% of vacation home purchases last year were all cash deals, according to NAR) and they can therefore sidestep many of the restrictions placed on second home purchases by lending institutions.

In Jackson Hole, inventory levels remain high, creating many opportunities for second homebuyers in Teton Village, The Aspens, Teton Pines, and Shooting Star Golf Community. If you are interested in a link of available second home properties in Jackson Hole, please email us at garth.gillespie@jhsir.com — The Gillespie Real Estate Team at Jackson Hole Sotheby’s International Realty.

For a full copy of the Wall Street Journal article, click here.

Jackson Hole – Wyoming – Disaster Free?

Maybe not exactly but Wyoming ranked 5th for Distaster Resistant real estate locations from the MSN real estate site:

Here’s the link:  http://realestate.msn.com/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=25641997&GT1=35006 

Here’s what they had to say about Wyoming and Jackson Hole:

Wyoming

Want to live tax-free, but don’t want to deal with hurricanes? Welcome to Wyoming, where individual and corporate taxes are as nonexistent as oceans and gulf currents. Residents may wonder how their state can be considered so safe when it was declared a disaster area in July after a serious bout of flooding. Simple: With only eight major disasters declared since FEMA started keeping tabs back in 1953, the least-populous state (roughly 540,000, or fewer than in Tucson, Ariz., alone) takes calamities including floods, tornadoes and winter storms in stride. With all that cash savings and little worry about impending doom, Wyoming newcomers should feel free to splurge on such homes as Sotheby’s $7 million, four-bedroom, seven-acre spread in Jackson Hole with a stone fireplace, infinity-edge outdoor hot tub, heated concrete floors, six-car garage, guest house and a 30-foot window wall with a view of the Tetons.

All I can say is somehow Utah beat us?  I beg to differ!

Teton County: How did the real estate market in Teton County end in 2010?

According to the Teton County MLS, real estate sales volume in the 4th quarter of 2010 was up from the same 4th quarter in 2009.  Sales Volume increased to approx. $100 million in Teton County, compared to approx. $85 million in 2009. Unit volume (i.e. properties sold) has rebounded from the 2008 lows, however they remain well below pre-recession levels.  Units sold in the 4th quarter of 2008 was a low of approx. 50 units; 4th quarter 2009 saw about 85 units sold and 2010 experienced 80 units sold.

On a year over year basis, 4th quarter 2010 was disappointing. All other quarters for 2010 showed improvement from the same quarter in 2009, except 4th quarter, which saw units sales drop 6.3%. However, 2011 is off to a good start and The Gillespie Real Estate Team is optimistic that 2011 will bring increased sales to Teton County, Wyoming.

Teton County, Wyoming: Real Estate Stats – Year to date Feb 2011

According to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), Teton County real estate sales volume is on track with 2004 and 2008 sales volume levels. Through Feb 2011, there have been 43 real estate sales reported in the MLS in Teton County, which includes Jackson, Wilson, Teton Village, Hoback Junction and Alpine. Total sales volume in this period is $58.1 million. This is a 38% improvement over the same period in 2010, where there were only 22 sales and $44.5 million in sales volume through the months of January and February.  While the first two months of 2011 are will above the ‘bottom’ of 2009, which only had 8 sales totaling $9.7 million, but still below the ‘peak’ of 2006, which saw 92 sales in the first two months of the year totaling $86 million.  

Along with an increase in real estate sales volume, the number of real estate transactions in teh first two months of the year in Teton County doubled from the first two months of 2010.  Of the 21 sales in February alone, Jackson Hole Sotheby’s International Realty had a 33% market share in Teton County. For more information, including graphs, please contact The Gillespie Real Estate Team at Sotheby’s International Realty at 307-739-8078.

Real Estate Sales in February 2011 – Most Activity in Teton Village and Wilson

February 2011 was a very active month in real estate sales in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Overall, this month we saw 16 real estate sales in the Jackson Hole area, with most sales concentrated in Teton Village and Wilson, WY. Total real estate sales volume for the month topped $27 million, with an average sale price of just over $2 million. On average properties were selling at 85% of thier latest listing price and, on average, were on the market for 245 days prior to selling.

It appears the record snowfall at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, encouraged many buyers to purchase condos, condohotels and homes in Teton Village this winter. Of the 16 total real estate sales in the area, 1/2 of them were near the ski resort. These sales covered a wide range of properties and price points  – a 2 week fractional sold at the Teton Club, a 1 bedroom condohotel at Snake River Lodge and Spa and a 3 bedroom condohotel at Teton Mountain Lodge sold this February. There were also 2 sales of condominiums in the Nez Perce condo and the Teewinot building. These condos are a short walk or shuttle ride from the Aerial Tram at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.   A 2 bedroom unit at the Four Seasonsand a 3 bedroom unit at Crystal Springs also sold, both with ski-in, ski-out access. A large home in Lake Creek Ranch and the end of Granite Creek Road across from Teton Village sold in early February.

 Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole > Exterior of hotel.                            

Wilson also saw several sales this past month including a home in Stilson Ranch, a home in Crescent H Ranch and large home with a horse stable in Wilson. There were twp sales in Town – a 2 bedroom Ponderosa condo that was listed at $99,900 and a Love Ridge Condo at the base of Snow King Resort. The largest sale of the month was a 10,000 square foot, 5 bedroom home in Spring Creek Ranch that was listed at $9,500,000.

The Gillespie Real Estate Team of Jackson Hole Sotheby’s International Realty is always tracking the real estate market in Jackson Hole. We’d be happy to share our market knowledge, insight and experience – just give us a call at 307-739-8078.

Receive emergency updates from Teton County

The Gillespie Real Estate Team has recently learned about a message alert system called NIXLE through Teton County Emergency Management.  This system allows local emergency services in Teton County to send an immediate email or text message to subscribers to the system.  This enables you to know firsthand what is going on in the valley whether it’s an accident, closure on Teton Pass or an earthquake.

There are two ways you can subscribe to the NIXLE system:

1. Visit www.nixle.com and click “sign in here” in the upper right corner, then click “register now for free”. (Tip: If your actual address won’t register, just use the intersection of N Cache and W Broadway as your address.)

2. Text your zip code to 888777 from your cell phone. If you do this, you will only receive text message alerts. If you follow the weblink in the text message, you can access more detailed information which is included in the email alerts.

NIXLE is a completely free service that costs nothing for subscribers or for taxpayers. We hope you will find this service useful and please feel free to forward this message to friends, family and coworkers who also may wish to receive timely emergency information via text message and/or email.

(Note: Local emergency services to not have access to your information, as it is held on a private and secure server managed by the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System.)

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort tops 300″ of snow

While it may feel like winter has just begun, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has already received over 24 feet of snow this season. Teton Village has received more snowfall than any other ski resort in North America.

With a record amount of early season snow fall, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort was able to open 100% of the mountain, including the Aerial Tram, on opening day in late November. Since opening day, we have continued to receive consistent snow which has contributed to a strong and stable snow pack.

Word has gotten out, as Teton Village has seen high occupancy levels at all the base area hotels – including the Four Seasons, Teton Mountain Lodge, Hotel Terra and the Teton Club. Jackson Hole Real Estate activity has also increased at the base of the mountain. There are currently 19 properties under contract in Teton Village. These pending sales include ski-in, ski-out condominiums, condo hotel investments, fractional time shares and large single family homes located underneath the Aerial Tram at Jackson Hole. We are well on track to out pace last winter’s 32 closed sales in Teton Village.

If you would like to learn more about current real estate opportunities in Teton Village contact the Gillespie Real Estate Team – the Jackson Hole Experts by visiting www.jhexperts.com or calling 307-413-5243.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Opens All Lifts!

For the first time in resort history, Jackson Hole opened “wall to wall” this weekend.  Christy, Katie and I all hit the slopes on Saturday and did our duty in cutting all the fresh, virgin powder.  It was exciting to say the least to be skiing in November let alone skiing the Hobacks.  The early snowfall has covered the mountain extremely well and we believe there is already more snow on the lower part of the mountain than we ever had last year.

We also spoke with the director of the Four Season Resort who mentioned that booking at the luxury hotel are extremely strong for the winter months.  This should bode well for the real estate market.  Buyers will be ready to swoop in and buy some of the excellent values on the market.  It has been a few years since we saw a strong push of buyers but we are anticipating a great selling season this winter.  If you would like information of the real estate market in Jackson please feel free to contact us. Jackson Hole Sotheby’s International Realty has just finished our biannual Catalogue of Fine Properties so if you would like an copy we’d be thrilled to send you a link.

For more information on the wonderful skiing here in Jackson or for in depth real estate information please contact Garth and Christy Gillespie, associates for Jackson Hole Sotheby’s International Realty at 307-413-5243 visit our website – Jackson Hole Experts.

Wyoming Tax Benefits – There Is Alot You Need To Know!

 There are several reasons why many people choose to live in Jackson Hole.  Many live here for the scenic beauty of Grand Teton National Park, several for the fly fishing in the Snake River in the summer, and many for great skiing at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in the winter. However there is also a practical reason to live in Jackson Hole, Wyoming’s overall tax-climate benefits when compared to other states. 

Bloomberg Wealth Management magazine continues to rate Wyoming as the #1 Tax Friendly State in America. It’s easy to understand why….. 

  • No state income tax on personal or corporate income
  • No state inheritance tax or estate tax
  • No tax on the purchase or sale of real estate
  • No state capital gains tax
  • No state gift tax
  • No state excise tax
  • No tax on out-of-state retirement income
  • Dynasty Trusts are permitted and allow you to shield assets from federal real estate taxes

Owning property in Jackson Hole gives you unlimited access to our breathtaking mountains, our magnificent forests, pristine streams and world class sporting opportunities. Now you have another great reason to own real estate in Jackson Hole!

 Call or email The Gillespie Real Estate Team to learn more about real estate opportunities in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Jackson Hole Real Estate Improving In 2010…

Jackson Hole Q1 Real Estate Results

Today at Sotheby’s International Realty – Jackson Hole Real Estate Brokerage we sent out this informative newletter to out client base.  It is a very good article about recent active in the Jackson Hole housing market.  I think you will find it very helpful in understanding what is currently happening….

With things a bit quieter here now that Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has successfully closed out the ski season, Sotheby’s International Realty is studying recent real estate activity and preparing for what by recent indications could be a hot summer selling season. Click for more

So far this year data from the Teton County Multiple List Service reports an upward trend in real estate sales in Jackson Hole. In March, for example, unit volume was up 170 percent suggesting increased buyer demand.

Looking at entire first quarter of 2010, dollar sales volume rose 88% percent over the same period in 2009 according to our analysis of the market and MLS data. Interestingly, twenty-five sales were for properties of more than $1 million, versus only 11 in the first quarter of last year. This could be read as a sign that though there are still excellent values to be found, some buyers see current prices as true bargains and are taking action and the lower end of the market is beginning to stabilize.

Certainly proper pricing has played a key role in getting the market back on track. Our market-watch committee meets each week to review pricing of the latest pending sales, closed sales, current inventory and new listings. The committee reports its findings at our weekly sales meetings.

While the lines on the graph are heading in the right direction, we continue to increase our sales and marketing efforts keeping us on top of the latest trends with increased e-marketing as well as creative print advertising.

Our overall expertise as well as in specific market areas around the valley such as the Town of Jackson, Shooting Star, Teton Pines, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Hotel Terra, north of town, in eastern Idaho, etc. – allows us to closely monitor the pulse of the daily market activity and helps us deliver exceptional service to our clients.

Initiatives like this appear to be working for Sotheby’s and its clients. In Q1 of 2010, Sotheby’s Jackson Hole Brokerage accounted for more than 70 percent of the total dollar volume in the Teton County.

Although the foregoing data has been compiled from sources deemed to be reliable, SIR does not guarantee its authenticity. It is intended for informational purposes only, is subject to prior sale, omission, error, revision and cancellation without notice, and should be independently verified with the source of such information.
Thanks for reading the Jackson Hole Experts Real Estate Blog — Please contact us at 307-739-8056 or visit us at www.jacksonholeexperts.com.