About Teton County, WY

I send out occasional emails with market statistics to a list of friends, associates and clients. I've had a few questions from people about how ethical it is to get email addresses and start sending out emails randomly. First I never send an email to someone I don't know, that is called spamming and everyone hates that. As Realtors we must understand email addresses have become intensely personal almost like a cell number. We should always treat that with the utmost of respect. Here a re few talking points I've come up with when I get questions about email marketing:

• Know the people personally that you are emailing, ask permission if need be.
• Set the expectation with the recipient on frequency, don't continuously email them about every little thing.
• Let them know that email is good for the environment (more on this below).
• Tell them it keeps your costs down and conserves resources.
• Tell them it gives them options unlike marketing sent through the mail (more on this later).
• Let them know that they are in control.

Emailing is better for the environment because you aren't sending cards and flyers through the mail that are not only more costly, but waste our precious resources, Too many times I've been at the post office and watched people get the mail out of their box and go through it taking the cards and flyers and dumping them in the trash or recycle bin. Many times the card or flyer isn't even read. If you're using an email program like Constant Contact it gives the recipient the "Opt Out" function (required to be in conformance with the law). These programs put the recipient in control and also let them forward it to friends, something you can't do with a card or flyer in the mail. You can get statistics and information about opens and what links people viewed and you have the ability to manage bounced email. This is a cost effective way to get information to people who may actually do something with it as opposed to carpet bombing random neighborhoods with paper.

A fried of mine from San Diego called me yesterday to let me know that the San Diego Union Tribune ran an article on Jackson Hole. The article, on the front page of the travel section, was about the steep and deep ski camp conducted at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The article touted the great skiing here in Jackson Hole and all in all was really well written. To check it our on line click on the link below:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20081130/news_lz1t30snow.html

Sales for November 2008 slowed as compared with October and with November of 2007. Although it is a seasonally slow time for real estate sales the numbers are still lower. In November of 2007 we had 136 transactions in the total MLS with a dollar volume of $114.6 M contrasted with last month where we had 44 transactions for a total dollar volume of about $43.4 M. This dollar volume was heavily influenced by a large residential transaction that was listed for over $19.9 M. We still see activity in the upper end of the market holding up overall activity. We also fewer transaction in the Jackson area (9 out of 44) and inventory in Jackson rise to 670. Interestingly most of the transactions closed during the last half of November explaining why we seemed to get off to a slow start last month.

Market Sales Data

Total MLS Sales Volume - $43.4 Million

Breakdown

Building Sites - $2.9 Million

Commercial - $530 Thousand

Farm/Ranch - $815 Thousand

Residential - $39.2 Million

Jackson Area Sales Data

Jackson Area Sales Volume - $32.7 Million

Condo's Low - $284,050 High - $413,250

Townhomes Low - No Sales High - No Sales

Residential Low - $850,000 High - $18,905,000*

* sale price not reported due to the fact Wyoming is a non-disclosure state. Price estimated to be 95% of list price.

Despite all the negative news coverage there is money available. Jackson Hole banks are uniquely positioned to lend money because they have a complete understanding and history of the Jackson Hole real estate market having been involved in it for years. In addition there are buyers with cash, or ready access to money, that are viewing this as an excellent time to enter the market as evidenced by the many large deals that have been put together this year. If you're thinking of listing you have to be realistic about pricing and if you are there are people who are willing to buy.

Hello all,

At Contour Properties, we have over 20 listings of investment property in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Our listings include retail shops, office buildings, land for development, and light industrial opportunities. You may not know that Teton County, home to Jackson Hole, consistently ranks in the top three wealthiest counties in the United States, according to the Internal Revenue Service. That wealth ensures a stability in our market unmatched by too many other markets.

For information on investing in Jackson Hole, call or come visit us while on vacation. It's no mystery why so many people want to live and invest here - it's just that gorgeous. Jackson is the southern gateway to Yellowstone National Park and is in the heart of Grand Teton National Park. Unparalleled skiiing, white water rafting, outdoor adventuring.....and all in a state with no personal or corporate income tax!

We're the local experts, and we'd be glad to show you around. See you on the slopes this winter!

Jackson Hole is often viewed as a summer destination because of the wealth of outdoor activities one can particiapte in. It is no secret that the National Parks are a big part of that attraction. In winter time most people think of Jackson Hole as a premier ski destination, and while it is one of the best mountains in the lower 48, it is so much more. The town has a population of around 10,000, which spikes in season where second home owners come to enjoy the area to maybe 12,000. The entire county only has a population of about 18,000 but for an area of it's size Jackson has a truly amazing selection of social and cultural events for your entertainment. This winter you can see the production of Scrooge playing at the Center Theater at the Center for the Arts downtown. If you're a music fan you may opt for one of the live acts performing at the world famous Mangy Moose Saloon in Teton Village. You can also take in music at many of the towns watering holes from the Virginian Saloon and Million Dollar Cowboy Bar all the way to the Silver Dollar Saloon at the Wort Hotel.

Of course for art lovers there is no shortage of galleries to take the many wonderful western artists from in and around the Rocky Mountain region. In recent years contemporary art has gained a stronger following here and you can find interesting shows at the ArtSpace Gallery (Center for the Arts), Diehl Gallery and Lyndsay McCandless Contemporary.

If its dining your looking for Jackson has it all from the casual to the fine dining experience and everything in between. For casual try a breakfast burrito at Down on Glen (DOG) or if your looking for a great pizza check out Mountain High Pizza Pie. For sandwiches, soups or just affordable lunch check out the Virginian Restaurant (they serve a good breakfast also). One of the towns local favorite places to eat is Rendezvous Bistro, which also owns the Q Roadhouse and Il Villagio Osteria, which is a newer Italian restaurant that opened last year in the Hotel Terra (at the ski resort). All of these restaurants offer great food and a wonderful atmosphere. If your looking for the higher end dining experience try the Snake River Grill or the Westbank Grill at the Four Seasons.

The winter activities are not just restricted to skiing and snowboarding. If your into adventure you can try dog sledding on the Continental Divide near Togwotee Pass. If your looking for exercise try cross-country skiing at many local golf course or venture into the Grand Teton National Park for a cross-country tour. If its speed that gets you going many outfitters offer snow mobile tours in the National Parks or up at Togwotee Lodge. If you get a snowmobile and a guide at the lodge ask them about riding over to Brooks Lake Lodge for lunch and a look at the Pinnacle Mountains. Togwotee Lodge also offers a dog sledding tour which is a one of a kind experience. I've barely scratched the surface here but you get the idea, start with a little research, add in some adventure and good friends and your sure to make some memories to last a lifetime on your trip to Jackson Hole this winter.