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Tamarack Resort Announces New Upgrades, Additions for 2023-2024 Winter Season
Story by Jude Binkley
As the temperatures get colder, many have their sights set on the slopes.
Skiers and snowboards gearing up to visit Tamarack Resort in Valley County this upcoming season can look forward to some new upgrades and additions.
Tamarack is adding a handful of things to help making skiing more accessible – and more fun – this season, including new places to ski, a new Nordic Center, and a zone for families.
Snow already blankets the ground at Tamarack. Earlier this week, the resort got about eight inches of powder from mid-mountain and up – laying the base for a new ski season.
“We started making snow on Saturday,” Wolfe Ashcraft, vice president of resort operations for Tamarack said. “So a little bit of natural, a little bit of homemade.”
Ashcraft says its their busiest time of year, as the resort gets ready for its 19th season. With the new season on the slopes in sight, Tamarack touts several new upgrades and additions.
“We’re always working to increase the fun factor, and make the resort more accessible for everybody,” Ashcraft said.
The resort has added a tertiary drive to their primary chairlift, the Tamarack Express. They are also increasing snowmaking coverage by 30%, and have added more areas for skiers and boarders.
“We added about 65 acres in what we used to call Reasons to Quit, which is a burn area that we had from a few years ago,” Ashcraft said. “So that’s all been cut and runs put into there.”
Families also have a new option when heading to the mountain.
“Lumberjack Land, which is a family-friendly kind of interactive zone with ski-thrus and small features,” Ashcraft said.
The resort also has a new Nordic Center, which has moved from Tamarack Outfitters to The Lodge at Osprey Meadows.
“We’ve now got a much more elaborate and fully built-out Nordic Center,” Ashcraft said. “So rentals, lessons, a pro shop right at the start of those trails.”
Tamarack will welcome skiers and snowboards by December 9 – and possibly earlier, depending on conditions – for a season full of things to do.
“We’ve got much more Nordic opportunities. You can go to the spa, you can go to one of our multiple restaurants, you can go alpine skiing, you can go into the family-friendly zone, you can go into some more steep and powder areas,” Ashcraft said. “So giving a little bit of something for everybody, and continuing to add to what we have.”
Tamarack Resort still has Boundless Passes available, which are on sale until November 1. Season pass and day ticket options for Tamarack can be viewed here.
Golf Is Back At Tamarack Resort!
Book Your Tee Time at Osprey Meadows!
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St. Luke’s Urgent Care Offers Convenient, Affordable Option for McCall
Urgent Care Offers Convenient, Affordable Option for McCall
McCall Could Get Its First Bike Park
McCall could get its first bike park.
Autum Robertson – BoiseDev Reporter
The Flight Path Bike Park is planned for about 5 acres of undeveloped land north of Deinhard Lane and the McCall Airport and just east of the city’s existing paved trail system.
CIMBA partnered with The Land Group Inc. and the McCall Parks and Recreation Department to make this project happen. Right now, the development team is waiting for final approval of its memorandum of understanding from the city. After that is done, they will work on getting building permits.
In the picture from left to right: Kersten Dettrich (The Land Group), Matt Brewster (CIMBA), Kurt Wolf (City of McCall), and Dominick Guliuzza (CIMBA). Photo: courtesy CIMBA.
Once permits are assigned, Guliuzza said the hope is to break ground this summer and open by the end of summer 2025.
Full Article: Flight Path Bike Park planned for McCall, ID (boisedev.com)
What constitutes a “Seller’s Market” vs a “Buyer’s Market” and Does it Matter?
What constitutes a “Seller’s Market” vs a “Buyer’s Market” and Does it Matter?
“It’s a Seller’s Market” is something we are hearing in the real estate industry. How do we know for sure and how does it affect your selling or buying in our market? Here is one perspective:
“Simply put, a seller’s market is a market where there are more homebuyers than sellers. Based on basic laws of supply and demand, this means sellers have the upper hand: They will likely sell their place quickly, perhaps for over asking price, with a minimum of fuss or pushback from buyers. So here’s what buyers need to know about seller’s markets—and how to survive them.
Are we in a seller’s market?
For the greater part of 2021 and 2022, the U.S. housing market was a seller’s market. Homes were flying off the market in record time due to historically low mortgage rates and sellers were in the driver’s seat. Buyers all over the country had to waive contingencies and offer over asking just to have a chance at being the winning bid.
But in the last several months, uncertainty about the economy, inflation, mortgage rates, and more has stunted the market—and taken power away from buyers and sellers alike. Some experts have dubbed it “nobody’s market” right now. Others still believe we’re in a seller’s market, especially in hot areas of the country where buyer demand is high and median days on market is low.
Are you in a seller’s market? How to tell
Home buyers and sellers can evaluate whether they’re in a buyer’s or seller’s market by analyzing a few key variables:
- Average days on market (DOM). This measurement shows the median age of real estate listings in your area. “If houses are selling in your neighborhood in less than 10 days, it’s a strong seller’s market,” Lejeune says. You can find what the average DOM is in your city using realtor.com’s Local Market Trends tool.
- Asking vs. final home price. In seller’s markets, bidding wars can often erupt among buyers, which means sellers may enjoy a final sales price that’s equal to their asking price, or more. So, if a home is listed at $450,000 and sells for $450,000, $460,000, or higher, that’s a seller’s market. In a strong seller’s market, the final sales price is typically at least 10% higher than the asking price. You can compare listing price vs. closing price in various cities across the country at realtor.com/local.
- Home prices over time. Rising home prices over time is a sure sign of a seller’s market. You can determine if home prices are rising or falling in your city by looking at your ZIP code’s “market price curve” on BuilderOnline.com.
Buying a house in a seller’s market
To compete against other buyers in a seller’s market, you need to be prepared. First and foremost, you’ll need a mortgage pre-approval letter before you start shopping, so that a seller knows you can put your money where your mouth is.
You may also have to waive some contingencies to edge out other buyers—or widen your search to an up-and-coming neighborhood with less demand.
Other ways to make your offer more attractive include increasing the amount of earnest money that you’ll put into the escrow deposit, adding an escalation clause, writing a personal letter to the seller and, of course, offering above list price. Here’s more advice for home buyers on how to survive a seller’s market.”
For Full Article, click on What Is a Seller’s Market? A Tough Road for Home Buyers (realtor.com)
Author Daniel Bortz
Apr 20, 2023 Daniel Bortz has written for the New York Times, Washington Post, Money magazine, Consumer Reports, Entrepreneur magazine, and more. He is also a Realtor in Virginia.
Amherst Madison Real Estate Voted Best in Idaho
2023 Reader Rankings | Voted as “Best Residential Real Estate Agency”
McCall Office
THANK YOU to everyone who voted for Amherst Madison with the Idaho Business Review Reader Rankings this year!!
Amherst Madison is an agent-centric real estate brokerage with Idaho roots, and entrepreneurial grit. We wholly invest in our agents success, who in turn invest in their clients and communities. Our unique environment along with our approach to training, mentorship, and development has resulted in agents who are happily thriving in their careers and leading an abundant life.
The McCall office is a prime example of the success we have in the Valley County area with new agents showing how the tools they learn from Amherst turn into results.
Visit the home page click here
McCall Short Term Rental Changes
Thank you to BoiseDev for this update on Short Term Rentals in McCall:
McCall will cut number of occupants allowed in some short-term rentals
The city reported there are 524 short-term rentals within the McCall city limits. Of those, 511 are advertising an occupancy of more than two people per room. A change in the short-term rental code would only allow two people per bedroom plus two more people total.
The council’s decision for capping occupancy rates at two per bedroom plus two more is a step up from McCall’s Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation of just two per bedroom.
The current code says a person must obtain a conditional use permit for 20 or more occupants. The city is now changing this requirement to 10 people.
The city says the intent of the code amendment is twofold: to reduce neighborhood impacts to levels more consistent with a long-term rental or owner-occupied residential uses, and to ensure that short-term rentals are being operated in a safe and responsible manner.
Owners now must file with the city clerk to be granted a short-term rental permit before advertising the property.
The mayor and all council members voted to adopt the rule changes.
The rule changes go into effect on October 1st. Short-term rental owners can continue to operate under a general business license until December 31, 2022. They will have until January 1, 2024, to get inspections and complete proper permitting to comply with the rule changes.
Full Article: McCall will cut number of occupants allowed in some short-term rentals (boisedev.com)
10 Tips For Protecting Your Home From Fire Damage
Even with the wet Spring in Idaho and Valley County, Fire Season is upon us. We can all do our share to protect our own homes, our neighbors and our mountain town.
Brush, grass and forest fires don’t have to be disasters. NFPA’s Firewise Communities Program encourages local solutions for safety by involving homeowners in taking individual responsibility for preparing their homes from the risk of wildfire. Firewise is a key component of Fire Adapted Communities – a collaborative approach that connects all those who play a role in wildfire education, planning and action with comprehensive resources to help reduce risk. (KBOI Channel 2 News).
Here are two important links to help you be “Firewise”:
10 tips for protecting your home from fire damage | KBOI (idahonews.com)
Official Website of McCall, Idaho – Firewise Community
Idaho Passes New HOA Laws, Here is what you need to know
HOA Pool
Gov. Brad Little signed a new HOA bill passed by the House (63-3) and Senate (34-1) just last month, creating a new Homeowner’s Association Act that will go into effect July 1, 2022.
The bill creates new requirements for HOA’s in Idaho requiring the HOA to provide copies of fees and financial statements to all HOA members on or before January 1 of each year.
The new Idaho Law and Code will take precedence over HOA rules and CC&R’s.
The following are examples of rules that are Not enforceable by an HOA:
- Restrictions on rentals to properties without the agreement in writing of a property owner, Unless the restriction is in the covenants, conditions, and restrictions signed when the property is purchased, then they remain valid and enforceable.
- Political signs can’t be outlawed on homeowner property, unless they threaten public health and safety, violate other laws, or are “accompanied by sound or music.”
- State Flags, US Flags, Military Flags, or POW/MIA Flags cannot be prohibited, although there are stipulations.
- Solar panels cannot be prohibited, though some rules on location and “reasonable” restrictions on design are allowed.
- Read the Full Bill Here: HOUSE BILL NO.703 (2022) – Homeowner’s association act (idaho.gov)
Common Mistakes in Bidding Wars for Real Estate
Common Mistakes In Bidding Wars
Bidding wars are the new normal for buying a home today. In desirable areas like McCall, there may be multiple offers which might force you to up the ante in a dizzying quest to come out on top. Yet in the heat of the moment, many buyers run the risk of becoming overzealous, making mistakes that cost them the deal or worse, land them with a house they regret. Don’t be one of them.
Common Mistakes You Want To Avoid:
1. Bidding Every Last Penny You Have:
In the current market, we see many homes going for well over the listing price. It might seem like a good idea at the time to bid your full budget, but this usually is not a good idea. Why? If the home you purchase with your last dollar needs expensive repairs (think new roof, updated plumbing, etc.), you may have zero money to cover these major and necessary repairs.
If you’re getting a mortgage to purchase the property, the appraisal could come in below the purchase price. The consequence is needing a much higher down payment to make up the difference.
Best to have a budget and stick to it. There will always be other homes to buy, even in a hot market.
2. Bidding With Many Contingencies:
5 Offers on this Cabin
If you want to be competitive in a hot housing market, you won’t want your offer to be contingent upon your current home selling or any other property . Before you make any offers, have all your financing in place and be pre-approved by a lender before you bid on a house or get in a bidding war. Best yet, be an all-cash buyer. The Seller will most likely choose that type of buyer first because it means a quick and easy closing.
3. Bidding With No Contingencies:
Although this may seem like a contradiction, don’t let the “perfect home” cloud your judgement. You don’t want to put yourself in the position of bidding without contingencies, which means forgoing an inspection. You want to be able to back out of the deal if the inspector finds major problems with the home that may not be visible to you. However, you can limit what you expect a Seller to repair in the offer, with statements like “only code and health items to be repaired”.
You can compromise on many things including length of escrow, large down payment and waiving the right to cancel an agreement if the appraisal comes in under the offer amount. Your real estate agent will be your best guide for this.
4. Not Knowing A Home’s True Value:
Some Buyers will price their home slightly lower to induce a bidding war. In the current hot market, you will want to know the true value of the home you are bidding on. This means knowing the current market trends such as inventory, or lack of, the amount of time homes are on the market, and how much sales prices have increased in the area recently. Your real estate agent can provide all of this information for you before you make any offers.
Bottom line, do your homework!
