Tell It From The Mountains…But Use Your Phone

Tell it from the mountains, shout it from the treetops, use your cell phone or your land line; but make that call!

Last week I encouraged you to get involved with the Jackson/Teton County Comprehensive Plan by blogging. This week I am asking that you use your telephone.

As you may or may not have heard, The Teton County Board of Commissioners are considering a moratorium on new subdivisions and/or zone changes. There are new proposals on the table for two new subdivisions. Thankfully, the Board of Commissioners recognizes the fact that to approve these proposals at this time will negate the need for a master plan.

Wherever you may stand on the issue is not as important as making your voice heard. It is only when we all stand up and are counted that a true consensus of what the citizens of the Town of Jackson and the Jackson Hole community, especially those of us who live here 365 days a year, want from our leadership and want for our future.

The Teton County Board of Commissioners will be meeting on Tuesday, April 1, at 9 a.m. Please make your voice heard.

Incidentally, since the meeting is scheduled for April Fool’s Day I thought I would share with you some “Fool” wisdom
We’re fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance. ~Japanese Proverb

You Have A Voice…..Exercise It!

Ever feel like no one hears you or that no one listens concerning government issues?

A hot topic here in the Jackson Hole community concerns future growth plans.

Everyone has a solution and a comment at the dinner table. We are asking that you share your solutions and comments with the Jackson/Teton County Comprehensive Plan committee.

Currently there are no public meetings on the calendar but your opinion still matters and can be “heard”. If you hurry, you can still participate in the Online Survey but tomorrow (March 21) is the last day to complete it.

Your voice can be “heard” and your opinions expressed on the Comprehensive Plan’s online Blog. You can also email them directly at: feedback@jacksontetonplan.com

Make you voice “heard” by going to the Jackson/Teton County Comprehensive Plan’s website. Here you can familiarize yourself with the four proposed plans. Review the summaries of the meetings that have already been held so you will be up to date on what is happening and what has happened. Get involved and if there is a meeting in your area, attend it. According to their calendar, there is a community meeting tentatively scheduled in May; but when I checked the events calendar (before writing this blog) I did not find a scheduled place or time posted. Another way to get involved is to sign up for updates to be emailed to you.

Then Blog! Blog! Blog! Joining the” Plan Blog” is more than letting off steam or expressing your opinion. It is also a way to learn more about what others think and test the validity of their opinions and suggestions with your own.

The Comprehensive Plan will affect all of us. It is important not only from the aspect of real estate development and housing, but every level of our lifestyle.

There is no perfect plan and no perfect answers, but we can influence what trade-offs we are willing to make and what we will not give up.

Have you heard …..

 Here is some real estate news that you may have not heard.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have established a “New Home Value Protection Code”. Simply put, these are new guidelines for mortgage lenders and the appraisers to ensure that a property value is not inflated when an appraisal is done.

The new guidelines will no longer allow mortgage brokers to select an appraiser or from using an “in-house” appraiser.  Mortgage lenders will no longer be able to use an appraiser from any company that they may own or manage.

What does this all mean to you, the home buyer and seller? The bottom line is that we may see more conservative appraisals.

As realtors, we have always worked with the lender and appraiser to ensure a fair appraisal. This aspect of our job may become even more important now and another reason you will want to choose a good Realtor© familiar with your neighborhood.

The new guidelines affect the selection of an appraiser. Lenders will be shying away from using a list of approved appraisers and will no longer be able to use someone “on staff”. Someone is going to have to choose an appraiser, the buyer, the seller, or the Real Estate Professional. Buyers are going to be wary of the appraiser if the seller chooses and sellers are going to be wary if the buyer chooses. So, Real Estate Professional to the rescue. As Realtors©, we not only know the area but the people who work in the real estate industry. We know the appraisers who are aggressive but fair to all parties.

You will need someone who knows the market more now than ever. The market here is Jackson Hole is still strong but slowing. The Jackson Hole area is  experiencing a longer time to sell a home and some sellers have had to adjust prices downward. This can effect an appraisal. If the appraiser feels that the market is declining or stagnating, they are going to be more conservative in the value they place on a home.  So how does a Realtor® help with this? We can challenge the appraisal. If we feel that an appraisal is not reflecting the true value of a home, we challenge that appraisal by giving the appraiser additional information about the property and comparison properties that have sold or pending sale.

If you are considering selling your Jackson Hole property or purchasing a property here, you will want to discuss this aspect of the home sale process before the transaction.

To know more about the Jackson Hole real estate market you may call us direct.

David’s Cell: (307) 413-7850, Kathy’s Cell: (307) 690-3520 or email us: info@WeSellJacksonHole.com

 

Is it Jackson or Jackson Hole, Wyoming or Is It Both?

Is it Jackson or Jackson Hole, Wyoming?

Hello from Jackson, Wyoming. That’s right for you out-of-staters it is Jackson, not Jackson Hole Wyoming.  

The area was named Jackson Hole back in 1829 by William Sublette, one of our famous mountain men and a partner of David Jackson, who Sublette named the valley for.  

Jackson is surrounded by mountains on all sides forming a large valley or hole, thus, the name Jackson Hole. 

Jackson Hole lies in the northwest portion of the state of Wyoming and in the central portion of the headwaters of the Snake River. The valley is about 400 square miles (48 miles long and six to eight miles wide) and lies a few miles to the west of the great Continental Divide. Only 2.7% of the valley is private and develop-able. The rest of the valley is under some degree of conservation easement or is dedicated as wilderness areas, National forest or the Grand Teton National Park.  

Jackson Hole was once a major crossroads in the days of the fur trade; six major trails converged like the spokes of a wheel with Jackson as their hub. Today, it is the gateway for millions of tourists visiting nearby Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park and the National Elk Refuge.  

The Town of Jackson is home to over 9,000 and Jackson Hole is home to over 15,000 people who love blue skies, scenic views and the great outdoors.

It is easy to distinguish our fair city from the large valley it lies within. At the entrance of our town square you will find large arches of shed elk antlers.