About Teton County, WY

The Comprehensive Plan re-write and the debate that preceded it, has presented many compelling argumentson the pro’s and con’s of the PMUD tool. For a moment, let’s keep our heads above water, keep our minds free of ratio and density bonus details and focus philosophically on what a Mixed-Use Development really is.

By definition, Mixed-Use Development = France = Italy = all of the UK = all of Europe, plus much of Boston, New York, San Francisco etc. Mixed-Use Development is a contemporary description for the evolution of logical means-based communities. What do I mean by this? Simple, communities evolved as groups of people worked together to provide the goods and services needed to sustain life, provide shelter, education and places of worship. Early communities endorsed the principal of sharing, something we teach our kids to do, but rarely practice ourselves. There was no concept of acquiring material possessions – simply the desire to deliver the staples to sustain life.

Consider the benefits.

- A market, deli, bakery, coffee shop, restaurant, bar, school, church and pharmacy all within walking distance of your home;

- A place of business within walking distance of your home;

- No consumer society driving to collect material possessions = less packaging waste;

- No consumer society driving to collect material possessions = no vehicle emissions;

No wonder siesta is a popular part of the culture. Imagine how much time you would have if you weren’t driving to work, to school or to the supermarket. Now think briefly about the merits of a nap after lunch – it’s pretty invigorating.

Back to the topic after nap time, how does Mixed-Use Development translate into our country, culture and climate? Here’s a quick list of the Pro’s, Con’s and Challenges:

Pro’s

- Reduces Urban Sprawl/Footprint/Impact on Wildlife;

- Reduces Traffic/Reliance on Car based Transportation;

- Builds Community Activity + Spirit;

- Promotes Efficiency in Services – schools, sewer, water, public transport system, thereby reducing taxes and improving community infrastructure;

Cons

- Density (A matter of preference/cultural disposition/habit). Some folks don’t like to live in medium or high-density accommodation.

Challenges

- Diversity in property types (i.e. sizes, floor plans etc.). This is key. A balanced community is one that represents all members – young, old and various cultures. A three level home is not going to suit a young family or a aged couple.

There are no simple answers here or conclusions to be drawn – right vs. wrong. The key is this – we all need to live harmoniously and share our resources in order to sustain life. If you can’t live with neighbors, go ahead and live in the barn, tend the farm and provide the essential food to your community. If you’re a teacher, pharmacist, store keeper or student, live within your community and play your part in contributing by conserving resources, consuming only what you need to sustain life.

Above all;

- get out of your car and walk, and

- don’t be afraid to meet your neighbors – they may even like you.

Meagan Hill is a Commercial Real Estate Investments Specialist and Principal of NAI Jackson Hole servicing the Jackson Hole WY and Teton Valley ID markets.

For further information, contact Meagan at (307) 734-8700 or meagan@naijacksonhole.com

Schools, Hospitals, Transportation Infrastructure, Parks, 4^th of July Fireworks, you name it, are funded all or at least in part by our Sales Tax Revenue. “No brainer” you say?. You’re right.

Let’s take it a step further. You buy online from a Big Box retailer based in Salt Lake City. The same product is available in a local store, but for various reasons you buy online and have the product shipped here. For the moment, I’m going to overlook the carbon footprint issues associated with transportation of a single product. The focal point is this – do you still expect to receive the services and enjoy the amenities funded by sales tax revenue, or do you plan to travel to Salt Lake City and use their Rec. Center? Maybe their Library?

By nature, we all like our cake + eat it scenario to come true. In reality, we know we can’t have it that way. Years of abundant supply may have dulled our senses to some of these really basic economic factors. The present economic challenges have delivered another great learning opportunity for all of us, a wake up call.

Support local business, support our community and it will in turn support you in the way that you’ve become accustomed.

Pretty simple economics really. Think about it.

….Before I even post this article, I can hear the naysayer’s…”What if I can’t get it in Jackson?….We don’t have this store or that store?....I got it $5 cheaper in SLC…” etc. etc.

Did you ask the store owner/manager if they could stock the item that you’re looking for? Feedback is a very useful thing for small business operators. How else do they know what customers want? ESP is not an effective business tool.

What is the full value of the saving that you made? Is it equal to the value of the Sales Tax that you would have contributed to our community? Is it equal to the carbon credit that you will need to purchase to offset the additional transportation for that one item?

What happens if one of your roommates loses their job because we’re sending our business/bucks elsewhere? What’s the true cost of this lost job? Will you have to start paying more to make rent each month? Ouch. It hurts you pretty quick.

Start small, think big, invest in yourself and by virtue, you invest in your community.

Meagan Hill is a Commercial Real Estate Investments Specialist and Principal of NAI Jackson Hole servicing the Jackson Hole WY and Teton Valley ID markets.

For further information, contact Meagan at (307) 734-8700 or meagan@naijacksonhole.com

Residential Mortgage Rates for January 4, 2010 from our friends at Bank of Jackson Hole

30 Year Fixed
Conforming (Loans to $417,000)-5.000%
Jumbo (Loans over $693,750)-6.500%

15 Year Fixed
Conforming (Loans to $417,000)-4.500%
Jumbo (Loans to $693,750)-6.000%

10/1 ARM
Conforming (Loans to $417,000)-4.625%
Jumbo (Loans to $693,750)-6.000%

7/1 ARM
Conforming (Loans to $417,000)-4.250%
Jumbo (Loans to $693,750)-4.625%

5/1 ARM
Conforming (Loans to $417,00)-3.750%
Jumbo (Loans to $693,750)-4.250%

3/1 ARM
Conforming (Loans to $417,000)-3.750%
Jumbo (Loans to $693,750)-6.625%

30 Year Fixed Rate FHA Loans to $693,750: 5.375%
Prime Rate: 3.250%
One Year Libor Rate: 0.994%

Happy New Year! We know that many of you are spending the time between Christmas and New Year trying to reconcile your records and finalize $ before the end of the Tax Year. As you wrestle with these challenges, take a minute to consider the Tax Benefits of Investing or Residing in Wyoming;

When you’re done counting your $ and realizing the opportunity that Wyoming presents, take a minute to remind yourself of the ‘work-life’ balance benefits;

- Grand Teton + Yellowstone National Parks;

- Fly Fishing + Big Game Hunting;

- Skiing, Hiking, Mountain Biking; Rafting; Golf.

Still questioning my logic? Is the devil inside arguing with you? Look at the numbers;

Commercial Office + Retail suites or entire buildings are down 20-25%.

Start small - use your IRA to Invest in a Commercial Office or Retail suite for $500,000-700,000; or

Go for it - Leverage the opportunity presented by the economy with the rare offering of several landmark buildings in Jackson Hole.

To maximize all the tax benefits you will need to become a resident of our fine county. Lucky You! Right now, the Median Home Price is down 25% from 12 months ago.

Still unsure, give us a call.

Meagan Hill is a Commercial Real Estate Investments Specialist and Principal of NAI Jackson Hole servicing the Jackson Hole WY and Teton Valley ID markets.

For further information, contact Meagan at (307) 734-8700 or meagan@naijacksonhole.com

Happy Holidays! Whether the coming days see you in survival mode or joyous excitement, here are a few hints for staying whole;

- Buy Local – Support the businesses that support our community.

- Gift Wrap – if you must wrap, try using recycled paper, better still, use newspaper and get creative, paint red and green images on it, or re-use the paper bag that the store gave you, cut it up and use it as gift wrap

- Bake – give home made gifts rather than store bought gifts. It’s been so long since many people have received a home made gift, that there is immense value in investing your time rather than your $ into gift giving.

- Give Thanks – the cheapest gift of all, simply take a few seconds to thank the store keepers, vendors, baristas, waiters + waitresses, post office clerks, everyone that you’ve worked with this year.

- Packaging – buy goods with less packaging, consider buying from the bulk aisle, recycle or re-use the packaging that you accumulate.

- Go Organic – buy Organic Meats, Fruits + Vegetables to adorn your Holiday table. Treat yourself, you will be amazed at how good you feel after eating an Organic meal. (try Jackson Whole Grocer for everything you need, yes, everything.)

- Chill Out – de-stress your Holidays. Don’t try to do too much. If you can’t fit in everything you’ve got to do, don’t stress, just prioritize and cut loose the tasks that don’t fit in. It seems simple, because it is simple.

- Exercise – take time to keep moving, every single day. Burn off any remaining holiday stress and calories, leave the iPod at home and give your brain some clean air thinking time and space.

Best wishes for 2010.

Meagan Hill is a Commercial Real Estate Investments Specialist and Principal of NAI Jackson Hole servicing the Jackson Hole WY and Teton Valley ID markets.

For further information, contact Meagan at (307) 734-8700 or meagan@naijacksonhole.com