Pros And Cons of Living In Jackson Hole

Are you thinking of moving to Jackson Hole and wondering what it’s really like to live here? In this episode of Jackson Hole Revealed, we’re going to give you the good, the bad, and the ugly of living in Jackson Hole. We’ll explore everything from national parks to housing prices so you’ll know exactly what you can expect.

Why People Love Jackson Hole

While living in Jackson Hole has challenges, we first want to share the great opportunities we have to offer. We’re going to start by giving you the top five reasons people love living here. 

#1: The scenery. The very first and most obvious reason people love living here is the beautiful scenery. This isn’t just any town in the USA; the Grand Teton National Park is literally our backdrop here. Every day we get to live with wildlife such as moose, bear, eagles, and more. 

#2: The adventure. Jackson Hole is not your typical mountain town. As we’ve mentioned, Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park are close by. We have 3.4 million miles of national forest surrounding us with large lakes, endless miles of hiking, and world-class skiing at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. We also have a long network of paved bike trails that lets everybody go all over the valley. Since it’s flat, it allows for all age groups. If you are an adventure seeker, this is the place for you.

#3: A favorable tax climate. Wyoming has no income tax, no inheritance tax, no estate tax, and no corporate income tax. Wyoming is ranked the number one in favorable tax climate by Forbes and the Tax Foundation, time and time again.

#4: It’s a great place to raise a family. With very little crime and a variety of outdoor activities, kids thrive here in Jackson Hole. There are fantastic Blue Ribbon schools, both public and private, including the Wilson school where our daughter went to elementary school. No hour to hour iPad watching in Jackson; kids get outside and they have fun.

#5: Our town. Jackson is a wonderful town with over 50 restaurants from barbecue pits to fine dining. We have a fantastic world-class events center, which hosts events throughout the year. We also have a major airport with direct flights flying in and out of Jackson Hole daily. Of course, there’s the iconic town square and the Wildlife Museum that’s world-famous. Jackson is also rich in history. We have tales of outlaws and settlers—and even Butch Cassidy once hung out here.

The Cons Of Living In Jackson Hole

Now that you’ve heard a list of the pros, let’s give you the low down on some of the cons of living here—because not everything is perfect. And if you’re serious about moving here, you need to know everything. 

#1: It’s expensive. Did you know that Jackson Hole is a very expensive place to live? Yes, that’s correct. Real estate is expensive and so is the cost of living. Why? There’s a lot of demand and a serious lack of supply. Jackson only has so much available private land, which is what makes Jackson so special. This, in turn, drives prices up. 

Townhomes and condos are priced anywhere from $500,000 to $1.5 million. Single-family homes can range from $1 million to $4 million, and luxury homes and resort properties are priced anywhere between $3 million and as high as $20 million.

#2: We have long winters. If you can deal with the high prices in Jackson Hole, the next thing you need to get used to are the long winters. That’s right, it’s freezing cold here. Winter lasts from November through April, so you’ll need to bundle up. It’s sunny, but it is cold.

#3: Traffic. Jackson does not have daily traffic issues that a lot of people experience in cities, but we do have an extremely high volume of summer tourists. This creates quite a few traffic issues during the summer months. We also have a rush to powder skiing in the winter, which creates near bumper-to-bumper traffic on the way to the ski resort on many of our powder days. The crowded roads can get frustrating, but it is a fact of life when you live in a top 10 vacation destination.

Is Jackson Hole Right For You?

I hope this gave you a little insight into the pros and cons of living in Jackson Hole. We help people move and relocate every day, so if you have any questions or need any assistance, please feel free to reach out to us.

You can also subscribe to our channel so you never miss an episode of Jackson Hole Revealed. We make videos focused on everything Jackson Hole, giving you all the information you need to make smart real estate decisions. Stay tuned for what we feature next!

Jackson Hole Real Estate New Construction Investments 2021

So if you’re looking to find a new home in Jackson or just have some free time on your hands, watch the latest video above. If you’d like to read the blog for more info, click the link below where you can check it out and watch the video on our website.⁠

Thanks again for your support of our business with your constant referrals—we appreciate you!⁠

We hope you enjoy this episode and be sure to let us know what you think and if you have any questions about opportunities in Jackson Hole.

The Best Way To Get Around Jackson Hole: Pedego Electric Bikes

Are you looking for the best, eco-friendly way to get around Jackson Hole? On this episode of Jackson Hole Revealed, we’re going to visit the best place to get an electric bike: Pedego Electric Bikes. We’ll chat with owner Mike Lynch to learn all about this mode of transport for cruising around the beautiful sites in our fair city.

Explore Jackson Hole On An Electric Bike

With so many bike trails in Jackson Hole, there’s no better way to explore than on an electric bike. Though they look just like a normal bike, eBikes are equipped with a battery and small motor that helps you to go the distance without tiring yourself out. They can go up to 20mph and last between 15-60 miles per each battery charge.

According to Mike, all of the bikes at Pedego are class two eBikes. This means that so have both pedal assist and a throttle, giving you the option whether you want to pedal or not. This is a great feature for strenuous stretches of a bike ride or if you just want a break to rest your legs.

Plenty Of Options At Pedego

At Pedego, you can find a wide range of bikes. For example, their cargo bikes allow you to hold children in the back—or just a load of groceries. Additionally, they have commuter bikes, cruiser bikes, fat tire mountain bikes, and full-suspension bikes. However you want to use your wheels, there’s a model for your specific needs and wants in the store.

For those who love to travel, Pedego even has a fold-up model that’s perfect to take on the go. Called the “Latch,” this folding bike is perfect for RVers or boaters looking for an easy way to pack their cargo. It folds up in about 30 seconds, with a special clip that keeps it together and makes for easy transport.

Supporting Small Businesses In Jackson Hole

When you shop at Pedego, you’ll be in good hands. Living in Jackson Hole is an amazing experience, and these electric bikes are the perfect way to explore. Supporting small businesses is something we feel passionate about, and Mike’s shop definitely deserves a visit if you live in the area.  And if you’re looking to move here, you’ll know one affordable, environmentally-friendly way you can get around!

Make sure to stay tuned to our next episode of Jackson Hole Revealed to see where we head next. And of course, feel free to reach out of us if you have any questions about Pedego Electric Bikes or Jackson Hole living. We’d be happy to help!

And if you liked the content, you can subscribe to our channel here!

Why We LOVE Living in Jackson Hole Wyoming

Are you thinking of moving to Jackson Hole seasonally or even living in Jackson Hole permanently? We think Jackson Hole is the best place to live in the US! We are the Jackson Hole real estate experts with Jackson Hole Real Estate Associates. We help people buy and sell real estate.

When you think of Jackson Hole, you probably think of Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park. You also probably think of the great skiing we have with the Jackson Hole Mountain resort. Don’t forget, we also have endless amounts of hiking, whitewater rafting, boating, golfing, fly fishing and so many outdoor adventures. We also great restaurants, fantastic places to stay, whether you’re visiting or living in Jackson, this is an incredible place.

Having been born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Naples, Florida, and the both of us going to the University of Denver, this is the last place I thought we’d end up! But, this series is going to show you what it’s like to live in Jackson Hole and why we love it so much.

We are now in the backyard of one of our new listings in Bar B Bar subdivision. Can you imagine waking up to this view every day? Well, this is the backdrop we see and play in all the time in Jackson Hole. It’s a magical view that is one of the most majestic mountain ranges in all of North America. Did you know the Jackson Hole Valley’s 80 miles long, 15 miles wide, which means we have a lot of room to spread out. Also Wyoming ranks ninth in size, yet 50th in population with only five people per square mile. I think we definitely have more animals than people in Wyoming.

We are in Jackson Lake. This is one of the hidden gems, we’re going to show you during a series. There’s a little bit of everything to do here from boating to water skiing. You can even camp out on some of the islands. It’s definitely one of the best kept local secrets there is.

So now that you’ve got a little better idea about the lifestyle in Jackson Hole, let’s talk a little bit about what there is to do here. I’m standing in Teton Village, home to the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and the Four Seasons Hotel. This place is a hub of activity. In the summer, we have incredible mountain biking and endless amounts of hiking trails. In addition to that, when winter comes, this place turns into a winter wonderland. And Jackson Hole Mountain Resort offers the longest continuous vertical rise with over any other ski resort in the United States with over 4,000 vertical feet from the valley floor to the top of Rendezvous Mountain. We have Horvitz Galore and the [inaudible 00:02:49] well known for their expertise. Steep and deep, like you wouldn’t imagine. Also, Teton Village is home to great restaurants, incredible nightlife. So come with and see what we have to explore. But if you’re like most people and you’re considering possibly moving here or living here part time, you probably have a bunch of questions. For example, what’s it like to live here? How bad are the winters? And what are the neighborhoods like?

Well on Jackson Hole Revealed, Christy and I will be giving you all that information. And if you are really interested in moving here then we are going to give you a very good idea of what you get for your money. This is a real estate show, Jackson Hole Revealed, so we want to make sure we make it super simple for you to understand real estate values throughout our valley. We will be checking out different subdivisions, golf course, communities, river properties, ski lodges, new developments, and many more real estate opportunities. Here we are in the amazing National Elk Refuge, where over 10,000 elk and hundreds of buffalo make this their winter home. If you can believe it, we are just a few blocks from the center of town.

If you need any additional information that are not covered on our channel, please make sure you reach out to us.

 

Message from Christy & Garth Gillespie on Real Estate Trends

We invite you to reach out should you have any Jackson Hole or real estate questions.

Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival Returns this Year to Celebrate its 35th Anniversary

jackson hole fall arts festival

The Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival returns this year to celebrate its 35th anniversary. This year, this premier cultural event of the Rocky Mountain West takes place on September 4-15!

Featuring more than 50 family-friendly events (most of which are free!) and the majestic Teton Mountains in the background, it’s no wonder this spectacular event has been named a “Best fall travel destination” by Forbes!

Each year the festival features many local and national artists, who craft ranges from oil paintings, fashion, furniture, and even food.

Some events include the Western Design Exhibit + Sale, which features an array of cocktails, gourmet goodies, an Art Auction and a live runway fashion show! This exhibit, that runs from September 5-8, offers a unique meet-the-maker format that allows guests the opportunity to directly correspond with the talented artists.

Lastly, the festival concludes with the fan-favorite QuickDraw event! This event involves each artist being given 90 minutes to paint, sketch, or sculpt their work before a live auction to sell these one-of-a-kind masterpieces.

A full schedule of Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival events can be found here or contact us to learn more about the many arts and culture events taking place in Jackson Hole throughout the year.

INSIGHT FROM THE JACKSON HOLE MID-YEAR MARKET REPORT

We are pleased to present the Mid-Year Market Report for the Jackson Hole area. Derived from our proprietary, forty-year old database (not just MLS data) and our team’s decades of combined experience, Jackson Hole Real Estate Associates’ Market Report is the most trusted and accurate real estate report in the region.

Following an impressive first quarter, real estate sales throughout Jackson Hole cooled off in the second quarter, which caused the cumulative sales volume to finish the first half of the year below 2018 levels. It’s worth noting, however, that the dip owes partly to an impressive performance in 2018, rather than a lackluster second quarter this year.

The Jackson Hole real estate market started off strong in 2019, with total dollar volume up 39 percent at the end of the first quarter compared to Q1 2018. Activity then fell in the second quarter, which caused the mid-year dollar volume and number of transactions to decline 16 percent and 13 percent, respectively.

Last year, by contrast, year-over-year sales volume was down through the first quarter, but the market rallied in the second quarter to put mid-year sales up 33 percent compared to the year prior.

While the overall sales volume was down in Teton County, Jackson Hole Real Estate Associates’ sales volume grew more than 6 percent through the mid-year point. Once again, our team proudly represented the most buyers and sellers of any brokerage in the region.

Following trends over the past several quarters, overall average and median sale prices increased four percent and five percent, respectively. Inventory continued to tighten, down two percent compared to mid-year 2018, however, the average days on market increased modestly, up five percent compared to the same period a year earlier.

Most property sales in 2019 have been in the $1 million to $2 million range. Condos and townhomes stole some market share from the single-family segment, accounting for 42 percent of transactions in the first half of the year. The near sell-out of the Virginian Village condominium units (development listed by the Gillespie Team) helped drive up sales under $500,000 by 38 percent.

Jackson hole real estate market reportJackson Hole Real Estate Associates owns and maintains the valley’s oldest and most comprehensive real estate database. No other brokerage or agent has the resources available to offer this depth of expertise or insight into market conditions. The unmatched resources and knowledge of Jackson Hole Real Estate Associates – the largest and most dynamic real estate company in the region – combined with the largest independent affiliate networks, Christie’s International Real Estate and Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, allows us to offer the ideal balance of local expertise and global reach.

To learn more about the Jackson Hole Mid-Year Market Report or for more information specific to your area, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL SHOWCASES JACKSON HOLE’S BIG TASTES

Jackson Hole Real Estate Associates is committed to our community and the organizations, people and causes that make it so special. This year we are proud to once again sponsor the Jackson Hole Food & Wine Summer Festival, June 20 – 22.

This outstanding event showcases the area’s unique flavors and experiences, which are as big as the mountains themselves. Called “one of summer’s hottest festivals” by Forbes, the Food & Wine Festival spotlights the local culinary community alongside guest chefs, winemakers, cocktail artisans and craft beer experts from across the country.

Jackson Hole provide the perfect setting for an event of this caliber. From farm-to-table cooking to women empowerment, Jackson Hole’s chef and restaurateurs are at the forefront of the modern food movement. And they will be on full display at next week.

United by a common thread of service and sophistication, Jackson Hole’s food scene is as diverse as the menus at any of its many restaurants. These days, it’s not uncommon to see a bánh mì listed next to the T-bone steak as chefs combine global influences with local ingredients. Items like elk carpaccio and huckleberry scallops à la plancha have become staples—not to mention local favorites—around town, even at some of the most established eateries.

Whatever one’s tastes, a hungry foodie could spend weeks here and still only scratch the surface.

Northwest, Jeff Drew. That evening the area’s most renown local chefs will show off their talents atop of Rendezvous Mountain at the Taste of Jackson Hole.

On Friday, the activities continue with Big Wines, Small Plates lunch hosted by Rendezvous Bistro, which will explore the “magical synergy” between food and wine. A Dinner Series in the evening will offer an unforgettable collaboration of passionate fare from outstanding local and award-winning chefs paired with carefully curated wines at several locations around the valley.

From there, the events shift their focus to local spirits. A Cocktail Codex Master Class on Saturday led by Death & Co. mixologists will walk through six root drinks that have influenced cocktails around the world. The line-up culminates with Savor, a dining and educational experience with award-winning chefs Mike Lata, Daniel Boulud, Katie Button, Bryan Voltaggio and Adam Perry Lang.

Jackson Hole Food and Wine

For those still looking to whet their whistle a little more, Death & Co. will be taking over Glorietta Trattoria for a late-night soiree.

“Jackson Hole is a vibrant community and absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful,” says chef Katie Button, who is among the featured presenters. “I’m excited to finally participate in an event that I’ve always wanted to be a part of.”

Tickets are still available to several of the Food & Wine Festival’s events. We hope to see you there!

*Image courtesy Jackson Hole Food & Wine.

Realtors See Sales Dip but Dollars Soar in 2019

The number of real estate sales was off slightly in the first part of 2019, but dollar volume took a big jump, according to local agents, and reported recently by Jackson Hole News & Guide.
 
The cause? More high-end sales and a continuing rise in prices at the lower end, where locals are finding themselves struggling in their search for a place to buy, the experts said.

At the rich end “we’re seeing a lot of sales in the $3-million-plus range,” said David Viehman, an Engel and Volkers agent who publishes the Jackson Hole Report. “We are also getting much more action in larger properties, $10 million, $15 million properties … we’ve doubled our sales over $10 million last year.”

Viehman put the total number of sales in the first quarter at down 3%, with overall dollar volume up 45%. He calculated that 61% of sales were for more than $1 million. He said there were 27 sales at prices topping $3 million, up 50%.
 
Katie Brady, an associate broker at Jackson Hole Real Estate Associates, the local Christie’s affiliate, generally agreed: She calculated that dollar volume in the first quarter was up about 40 percent, riding a strong 2018.

“2018 was super explosive, not just an uptick,” Brady said. “It was a very strong year, mostly thanks to the high end.”

Besides the healthy performance in the $1 million to $5 million segment, Viehman recorded 12 sales topping $5 million, with the highest at $17 million.

Viehman said that in Jackson proper even the “small stuff” is seeing “8 to 10% appreciation right now.”

He pointed to the old Virginian Apartments, 56 units previously filled mostly by workers that are being remodeled and sold, some with restrictions designed to keep them in the local housing market and eligible for Federal Housing Administration financing and others now being sold on the open market.

Though small, the units are selling fast and seeing a run-up in prices. Viehman said open-market units have seen prices rise up to 20% in the past few months.

Recent records show a one-bedroom, 476-square-foot unit at the Virginian on the market at $308,000. A pending sale of a two-bedroom unit of 762 square feet was listed at $420,000.

The Virginian units prove that, despite price increases, there’s strong demand in the part of the market where people with jobs are looking for places to live. Though small, the Virginian units are in town, sit next to the library and are being refurbished. Brady said she has sold two of them.

“It’s a great location; they’re nice, remodeled, have new appliances,” she said. “They’re the nicest thing on the market at that price point.”

Anything in that price range — these days almost entirely condos and townhouses rather than single-family houses — moves quickly.

Viehman said there are “multiple offers … on anything under a million.”

“I’ve had clients looking for two years,” he said. “There are hundreds of people looking for condos under $500,000 or $600,000 … the locals who still want to get in, who don’t want to drive to Idaho or to Star Valley.”
 
Brady sees the same. “Multiple-offer situations,” she said, are common in “a very competitive market.”

The strong market and continuing confidence is widespread. At the local Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices affiliate, Brokers of Jackson Hole Real Estate, majority owner Kurt Harland said a strong first quarter came on top of a good 2018. Harland said his office came close to doubling its business in the first quarter this year compared with the same period last year.

“Numbers are up; the dollars were up,” he said. “It would be a dream year if we continued like the first quarter.”

At Jackson Hole Sotheby’s International Realty, Chief Operating Officer and responsible broker Donna Clinton agreed. She said that Sotheby’s “had a record year last year” and that the surge continued in the first quarter, with dollar volume up nearly 53 percent. Sotheby’s put the number of sales at down about 10%.

Though Sotheby’s saw a slight slowing in the start of the second quarter, Clinton expects a big year.

“The third and fourth quarters are usually very strong,” she said.

Clinton also has seen some more mid-price housing coming on the market, a factor she thinks will push sales and see “people finding something they can move into.”

Viehman noted that inventory remains tight, as it has been for the past four years, with only about 280 listings of all kinds last week. But Brady said some new properties are coming on the market as potential sellers decide recent good prices and demand are a reason to stop waiting and sell. She said “sellers are feeling very bold, understandably,” and she tells people looking to buy that they should be ready to move quickly.

“Demand remains high, not just with people here but people who want to move here,” she said.

When Brady hears people say they’re waiting for a break in the market and a chance to get in cheap, she says, “I don’t think that’s good advice, I don’t think that’s happening.

“Part of me says the current trend is not sustainable,” she said, “but the other part says, ‘What’s going to stop it?’”

*Article from Jackson Hole News & Guide and published by Mark Huffman on May 15, 2019.

*Image courtesy of Jackson Hole Real Estate Associates.

Signs are Good for Summer

We have been keeping our eyes on the economy this year and the signs are looking good for this summer! At the beginning of the year, the government was enduring a partial shutdown, the stock market had plunged, trade tensions between the United States and China were flaring and the Federal Reserve had just raised short-term interest rates in December for a fourth time in 2018. Analysts worried that the economy might barely expand in the first three months of the year. The brightening picture represents a SHARP improvement from the start of the year.

Jackson Hole summer

Chair Jerome Powell signaled that the Fed would put rate hikes on hold. Trade negotiations between the U.S. and China made some progress. The economic outlook in some other major economies improved. Share prices rebounded.

And in the end, the government reported that the U.S. economy grew at a 3.2 percent annual rate in the January-March period — the strongest pace for a first quarter since 2015. Solid economic growth is still encouraging strong hiring nearly a decade into the economy’s recovery from the Great Recession. The economic expansion is set to become the longest in history in July.

American households have become more confident since the winter and are ramping up their spending. Consumer spending surged in March by the most in nearly a decade. A likely factor is that steady job growth and solid wage increases have enlarged Americans’ paychecks.

U.S. employers added a robust 263,000 jobs in April, suggesting that businesses have shrugged off earlier concerns that the economy might slow this year and anticipate strong customer demand.

Businesses are also spending more freely. Orders to U.S. factories for long-lasting capital goods jumped in March by the most in eight months. That suggested that companies were buying more computers, machinery and other equipment to keep up with growing customer demand.

Housing, too, is rebounding after home sales had slumped in the second half of last year. Mortgage rates rose to nearly 5 percent last fall as the Fed raised interest rates. With the Fed now putting rate hikes on hold, borrowing costs have declined.

In February, sales of existing homes jumped by the most in three years. And in March, more Americans signed contracts to buy a house. Contract signings usually lead to finished sales one to two months later.

For more information on the Jackson Hole housing market or to learn more please contact us

*Information in this article sourced from Inc.