First Impressions Matter Most When it Comes To Real Estate

Real estate property photos still make the top of the list when it comes to first impressions, especially when 90% of home buyers are searching online before speaking with an agent. So, having a semi-interesting or drab photo as the front runner for your listing, you can be sure potential home buyers may pass it right by.

According to the article "20 Second for Love at First Sight" on the wsj.com last week, 95% of users viewed the first photo for a total of 20 seconds, and without an eye catching photo the battle is lost before it begins.

Read the entire article here.


Would any of these listings garner a second look from you based on their photo?



If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, an associate from Sun Valley Sotheby's International Realty can help. Please call our office at 208.726.5300 to schedule a complimentary consultation, or to contact your current SVSIR agent.

Property Spotlight: 214 Mariposa

Custom built in 2000, this four bedroom, three bath home situated on just under an acre is the perfect blend of mountain charm and comfortable living.  Tucked away from the street this one level home offers light and privacy.

Features include: reclaimed distressed fir flooring, distressed Alder cabinets in the gourmet kitchen, a Viking range alongside plenty of counter and storage space, a spacious front lawn and beautiful paver back patio, a main floor master with jetted tub and walk-in closet and a three-car garage for all of your toys.

For additional information and photographs please visit our website.



 

Foodie Friday: Corned Beef and Cabbage

In honor of St Patrick's Day, which falls on Sunday this year, we have decided to highlight the classic Irish recipe of Corned Beef and Cabbage... YUM!

(If you are not in the mood to slow cook, keep reading and I will share with you the various restaurants in town that will be serving Irish fare this weekend.)

Corned Beef & Cabbage: recipe courtesy of www.stpatricksday.com

Ingredients 

3-4 lbs. of corned beef brisket
8 red potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 ½ cups of carrots
(chopped into 1 inch pieces)
1 ½ cups of celery
(chopped into 1 inch pieces)
½ of a large yellow onion, chopped into small pieces
1 head of cabbage, cut into 8 wedges
1/3 cup of dijon mustard
6 tablespoons of brown sugar

Directions
 
Spray slow cooker with cooking spray.  Place potatoes, carrots, onions, and celery on the bottom.
Place beef (fat side up) on top of the vegetables, and add the seasoning packet to the slow cooker.

If your corned beef didn’t come with its own seasoning packet, place 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns, 6 whole cloves, and 1 dried bay leaf on a piece of cheesecloth and tie with string.  Add the packet to the cooker.

Fill cooker with enough water to cover meat, and cook on high for 7 hours.

Mix mustard and brown sugar together to make glaze, and then set aside.

Once your slow cooker is done, put the cabbage wedges into a pot and transfer juices from the cooker into the pot.  Transfer enough juice to cover 3/4 of the cabbage.  Place the lid on the pot (only part of the way so some steam can escape) and cook on medium high until cabbage is tender.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Transfer beef to a baking sheet and cover top of beef (fat side) with glaze.  Bake for about 10 minutes or until glaze is golden brown.

To serve, cut corned beef across grain into thin slices, and plate with cabbage and other vegetables.

It pairs well with a nice red table wine or a hearty stout beer.
 
Servings: 8-10

Local Restaurants serving Irish fare this weekend as well as great St Patrick's Day specials:

Lefty's Bar and Grill: http://www.leftysbarandgrill.com/

The Cellar Pub: https://www.facebook.com/events/429082817174834/

The Sawtooth Brewery:  http://sawtoothbrewery.com/

Whiskey Jacques: http://whiskeyjacques.com/event/st-pattys-day-live-music-day-and-night/

The Sawtooth Club: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Sawtooth-Club/175773288109

I'm sure there are plenty more as well, so if you are out and about in Ketchum this weekend, enjoy festive local St Patrick's Day fun!

Lodging Spotlight: The Knob Hill Inn

This week we were invited to the Knob Hill Inn for our weekly office meeting, so instead of highlighting the listing we visited we are dedicating our blog posts this week to feature this newly updated boutique hotel.

The Knob Hill Inn has been under new ownership for the past 1.5 years, and with that new ownership came an extensive remodel of the entire Inn, including the 29 guest rooms. Updated guest room features include new furniture, bedding, bathrooms, fixtures, HDTV, and complimentary wifi.

Your stay at the Knob Hill Inn also includes a complimentary continental breakfast every morning, as well as an "Around Town" shuttle and airport transfers. On the main level there is the Grill at Knob Hill which is open for dinner, as well as a fully stocked bar that is open from 4:30pm to 10:30pm.
Guests can enjoy dinner and drinks, lovely gardens, a swimming pool, extraordinary Baldy views, and a short walk to downtown all from the Know Hill Inn.

View their website for additional information, room rates, specials and photographs. And don't overlook this wonderful boutique hotel on your next trip to Sun Valley, ID.

Foodie Friday: Despo's Mexican Restaurant

Another local favorite that has been around for over 25 years is Despo's. A Mexican restaurant with fresh ingredients from local sources, an environmentally conscious mind, and the best salsa you can get. (My opinion of course.)

My favorite thing about Despo's is the vegetarian options. Most of the restaurants in town have veggie options, but Despo's goes above and beyond offering "Meatless Monday" with 20% off any vegetarian item on the menu, as well as a couple extra vegetarian specials. The zucchini burrito (vegan) is to die for, as well as the KMT salad (a local favorite), and the Chicken Tortilla soup (make sure to get ALL of the accompaniments).

Lucky for me, their salsa is also available in our local grocery stores, so when I'm craving chips and salsa I don't always have to head to the restaurant.

Keep in mind, Despo's does not offer take-out, and they have good environmental reasons for doing so. See below:
 

Two points are disturbing regarding a corn based “compostable” plastic and the reason Despo’s is still searching for an alternative to a corn-based product:

1. Corn production utilizes huge amounts of land. To compensate producers constantly replant rather than rotate the crops. This requires use of fertilizers and nitrates that run off into our valuable water sources.
2.  PLA is compostable only under certain conditions: 10 days at 140 degree F heat. There are very few dedicated PLA composting operations in existence, so realistically, most compostable plastic will wind up in our landfill where it will sit just as long as the other trash. 

Good reasons right? Take a look at their menu, check out the website, and make sure to visit them as they are open 11:00 am to 10:00 pm 6 days a week.... closed on Sunday's.

Property Spotlight: Trophy Horse Ranch in Challis, ID

A unique 200 acre horse ranch with flood irrigated senior water rights from Challis Creek, just 10 miles from Challis, ID. Located on a paved road, the ranch is accessible year around and includes a beautiful 3000 square foot, four bedroom, three bath log home, metal out-buildings, electric perimeter and cross fencing, all adjoining BLM land and short distance to The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area.  A trophy ranch in an exquisite setting. Asking price $1,900,000.

Features include:

• Ground Source Heat Pump
• 2500 Square Foot Metal Barn/Shop/Tack Room/Office
• Round Pen and Sanded Arena
• 30 Head Horse Boarding Operation in Place
• Documented Ground and Senior Surface Water Rights
• Flood Irrigated Pastures and Fields
• Five Springs and Trout Pond on Property
• Management Available for Part-Time/Absentee Owner

View our website for more information on this property.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, an associate from Sun Valley Sotheby's International Realty can help. Please call our office at 208.726.5300 to schedule a complimentary consultation, or to contact your current SVSIR agent.

Small Spaces Deserve Big Style

This stage is for a Pied A Terre mountain retreat.  Small spaces deserve big style too! The same principles apply from big to little. Keep it neutral with dark backgrounds and quality finishes. Choose timeless furnishings. A skirted sofa, a statement floor lamp, a sisal area rug. Each item speaks a language of comfort and class! 

Written by Monica Macha

Foodie Friday: Sun Valley Lookout Lodge

Photos by Kevin Luby

Foodie Friday this week will look at a new and affordable way to eat on the mountain. Highlighted on skinet.com, the Lookout Restaurant Taco Bar has become quite a popular, and affordable, spot. Tacos's are just $3 a pop! A great price for a meal or a quick snack when you stop at the top of the mountain for a break.

Read the entire article written by  Kevin Luby at Skiing Magazine that highlights one of his favorite on-hill spots in the country, our own Lookout Lodge Taco Bar.
http://www.skinet.com/skiing/articles/base-camps-lookout