Smart Scents

Nope, I did not misspell that word. I am talking about scents in this blog.

The first thing a buyer sees when visiting a home is curb appeal, from the surrounding neighbors to your front door; but what happens when the buyer opens the door? Before the brain registers what it is seeing, the nose has taken inventory. Your home has already made an impression on the buyer whether he/she realizes it or not.

The homes in our community usually show very well, have great curb appeal and are surrounded by natural beauty which makes showing a home to prospective buyers in Jackson Hole a pleasure for us. But, (yes, here it comes that all important “but”) but vacation homes and vacant homes often get a stale or musty odor. Occupied homes pick-up cooking and pet odors, (and teenager’s rooms are anybody’s guess).

A pleasant smell greeting a prospective buyer not only gives them a good first impression but can also make them feel “warm-n-fuzzy” as they enter your door. A welcoming aroma can make the buyer “see” your home as one they would want to live in.

Not everyone agrees on what smells are the most pleasant in a home, but for most buyers the smell of freshly baked cookies is a plus. Another scent the vast majority of people like are fragrances in the vanilla family such as butter cream or kitchen spice aromas such as cinnamon.

In the bathrooms you want a scent that reminds people of fresh and clean (not Lysol). Citrus based scents are a very good choice. Bedrooms also should have a clean and fresh smell; “fresh linen” is a very subtle and clean smell making it a good choice.

For occupied homes, a burning candle which gives off a scent or a simmering pot of potpourri seems to infuse homes best. If you are going to be away from your home or, if it is vacant for long periods of time, you can use an oil plug-in product or an oil ring that sits on a lighted bulb.

Flowers are always pleasant to see and smell. However, you don’t want your prospective buyer to think they are visiting a sick room.

Can you overdo when it comes to “scenting” your home? That would take a lot of fragrance and seldom happens. Most scent will stay in the room they are originated in.

“Scenting” a home is a well known and little used marketing tip. Step ahead of the crowd and take this little piece of advice from us, your Jackson Hole Real Estate experts.

Selling a home in Teton County? For current market conditions and how to best market a home, just give us a call and we will schedule a private consultation with you.

Ouch! Property Values Are Up In Jackson Hole

We are happy to report that property values remain strong and are up here in Jackson Hole . This is good news for everyone and the property owners are happy.

Higher property value also means a higher property tax assessment. Many homeowners were surprised by the increase in their property tax bill this year. This made some not quite so happy. So, I want to remind everyone that Wyoming has one of the lowest personal tax rates in the nation.

For those in the Jackson Hole area who feel their property has been assessed at an incorrect value, you may contact the Assessor’s Office. You must bring proof with you concerning the true market value of your property, if it is different than that assessed by the Assessor’s Office. Only 9.5% of the market value of the property is taxable. The formula to determine the taxable value of your property is: market value by 9.5% (100,000 X 9.5% = 9,500). You have until May 15 to contest the assessed value of your property.

For those seeking tax relief, there are some avenues available to you. You may apply for a tax exemption ( a partial reduction in your property taxes) if you are over 65, qualify as a low-income homeowner, you are disabled or are a disable veteran or the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran. If your property was purchased before December 31, 1987, you may also qualify . Exemptions must be applied for prior to the second Monday in May (May12, 2008). Teton County also has a special program which will allow you to place a lien on your property for the second installment of your tax bill.

For questions regarding your tax assessment or for tax relief programs, you should contact the assessor’s office at 733-4960.

For updated information Jackson Hole real estate, please contact us.

Once again, I would like to remind all property owners that even though our property values are up, we are lucky to live in beautiful Jackson Hole and that the state of Wyoming does not levy any personal taxes, making our tax base one of the lowest in the nation.

To learn more about Wyoming tax rates you may visit their website

Earth Day is Coming

April 22 is Earth Day.

 

Spring is traditionally the time for replanting and repairing. Earth Day activists hope that we will rethink our lifestyles as well.

 

With all the natural beauty we are surrounded by here in Jackson Hole, it is sometimes difficult to think of Green Living; but this lifestyle is something we can all participate in.

 

We are proposing that on Earth Day, next Tuesday, we all do one thing in and around our homes to protect our environment and make our lifestyle in Jackson Hole just a little bit greener.

 

Here are a few suggestions:

 

Making repairs – during the winter months many of us made plans to “fix-it” in the spring. Well, spring is here. So, when making those repairs, be sure to check out a green fix.  Any of our local Jackson Hole hardware and appliance businesses will have good suggestions for you. Repair all leaking faucets.  A small leak can waste 200 gallons of water a day.

 

Cooking – for quick small meals, use your microwave.  It actually uses less energy than your oven.

 

Energy saving light bulbs – place fluorescent bulbs through out your house. Not only do fluorescent bulbs use less energy,  they last longer and give off less heat. According to EarthDay.org, “If every household in the U.S. replaced one light bulb with a CFL, it would prevent enough pollution to equal removing one million cars from the road”.

 

Computers – computers can be automatically set to go to standby or sleep mode when not in use; reducing their energy consumption.  However, the best alternative is to turn it off. By the way, using a screen saver today is just a drag on energy; screen savers cause your computer to use more electricity and they do not “save” your screen if you have a flat panel or LCD monitor.

 

Turn off appliances and lights – turning off the TV when no one is watching it is a simple energy saver.  Music via your satellite or cable provider on the TV is a nice convenience but uses more energy than a radio, an MP3 player or iPod device.

 

Less paper products – try using real napkins, dish towels and the like instead of paper. They are much nicer to look at and feel better than paper, too. When shopping look for products that are packaged in environmental friendly packaging.  

 

Grocery bags – a big saver for our planet is to carry your own reusable grocery bag(s).

 

Plan your trips – With the rising cost of fuel, this not only saves on energy usage but your wallet as well.  Use a shopping list for the grocery store saving that “Oh!, I forgot” trip. Plan your business meetings, appointments and errands for the same day.

 

Every drop counts – turn off the water when you are brushing your teeth or shaving. Most of us leave the water running for convenience.  This is a big waste of a precious commodity. Use soaker hoses in your garden and don’t forget to mulch.

 

Trees – Don’t forget trees when doing your landscaping this year. Planting a tree is one of the easiest and nicest things we can do for ourselves and the environment.

 

Recycle – Recycle – clean out your closets and donate all usable items. Remember the old saying “one man’s junk – another man’s treasure”. Re-use plastic and glass bottles whenever you can.  Recycle electronic equipment, bottles and cans.

 

Jackson’s clean up is scheduled for May 7th – 9th. You can read more about this in my April 3rd blog post:  The Snow Is Melting…The Sun Is Shining.

 

If you can think of more green living tips to share, be sure to add them to our blog comments so other Jackson Hole residents and the rest of the blog world can benefit from your knowledge.

 

For an update on the Growth Freeze proposal, please read the article in JH News and Guide

 

Contact us for the latest in Jackson Real Estate. Don’t believe everything you hear or read. Real Estate is a very local affair from area to area and neighborhood to neighborhood. To know exactly what is happening in your locale, you need to speak to someone “in the know”, so contact us.

They Say They Want To Hear

The Teton County Board of Commissioners has decided that they want to let the public have more time to express their opinions and to listen to what the planning commissioners and staff have to say about the growth of Jackson Hole.  Some feel that the Commissioners have dodged the bullet; others feel that they have made the right stand.

 

Once again, Jackson Hole’s immediate and long-term growth has become the hottest topic around.  I am sure that you have read the Jackson Hole News & Guide’s account of the meeting which was published on April 2^nd.  If by chance you have not read the article or would like to refresh your memory just click here: Growth freeze.

 

Once again, we are asking that you make your voice heard. There are no easy answers and no matter which road is taken there will be far reaching affects. Do your research, talk to those on both sides of the issue and listen; make your decision, then let the Teton County Board of Commissioners know what your opinion is.

 

This is an important issue to the Teton County – Jackson Hole community both now and in the future.  Your commissioners are saying they want to hear what you have to say.   Be sure to take them up on the offer before the next meeting date of April 24^th.

The Snow Is Melting…The Sun Is Shining

The Snow Is Melting…..The Sun Is Shining

Spring is in the air! Spring Clean and Spring Green

The little green blades of grass and wild flowers will soon be poking through the snow. Time to think of cleaning and greening.

In the weeks ahead, we will all be busy cleaning our homes, garages and yards. The Household Hazardous Waste Facility re-opened operations this week. The facility serves all of Teton County in both Wyoming and Idaho, as well as Lincoln, Fremont and Sublette Counties in Wyoming. We are fortunate that we have a short drive to the facility; so let’s make the most of it.

If you have questions regarding what is considered hazardous waste, you can call 733-SORT. You will also need to call to schedule an appointment at least 24 hours in advance. Collection days are on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.

The Town/Country Clean-Up week is scheduled for May 7th – 9th and the HHWF will be opened on May 6th for this event. It is also tentatively scheduled to be opened May 7th – 9th on an as needed basis. For more information about hazardous waste disposal and storage please visit their website at www.tetonwyo.org/recycling.

For information on how to dispose of unwanted computers and electronics click Computers/Electronics at http://www.tetonwyo.org/recycling/nav/200258.asp

Recycling in Jackson is easy. All eight recycling sites are open 24/7 and are located all through the county. Jackson Community Recycling offers shredding services and certifies document destruction. Drop off days are on Thursdays and at 20 cents a pound it is probably cheaper than using your office staff. If you do not require a certificate of destruction, you can drop your office material onto the conveyor belt at the facility. Please contact them directly for information and guidelines.

When planting your garden and sprucing your yards this summer, be sure to use drought resistant plants and a drip irrigation system. This combination can mean that deep watering only twice a month will keep your landscaping green, saving water and money. Composting is another factor to consider when planning your garden. For a composting recipe just click here. www.tetonwyo.org/recycling/nav/100068.asp

We will be seeing you in beautiful clean and green Jackson.