As you relax and recreate around our beautiful mountain lakes, it’s hard not to notice the waterfront homes around the edges. Not surprisingly, Payette Lake and Lake Cascade have been recognized as two of the “10 Best Lakes in Idaho to Live On” and a new listing for a “legacy lakefront compound” on Payette Lake ranks as one of the most expensive properties for sale in the entire state. We thought it was a good time to track some trends on our area’s lakefront listings to see whether they’re truly out of reach…

Keep in mind, there’s not a lot of inventory moving on either of these lakes. Only three homes were sold on Payette Lake in 2021 and 2022, with 5-6 sales closing on Cascade Lake in recent years. These stats are for single family homes, no condo sales are included.

McCall’s music scene spans all tastes, check out these classic summer festivals, ongoing concert series, and vibrant venues helping lay down the soundtrack to Summer 2024.

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We’re seeing some signs of life return to the local real estate market as we head into summer listing season. Overall sales are still sluggish compared to 2 years ago, but we are seeing an upswing compared to last year.

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RESORT ROUNDUP

Golf at Jug Mountain Ranch: Courtesy McCall Chamber of Commerce

There’s so much going on at our local resorts that we couldn’t possibly cover all of it here…but we will try to share the major highlights…some unexpected offerings…and point you in the right direction to find more information as your plans take shape throughout the summer:

TAMARACK RESORT

The main event at Tamarack this summer is the rebirth of the Osprey Meadows Golf Course. Nine holes are already open for play and the full 18 hole course is expected to be open by July. Renovations on the course, which has sat idle since 2015, include better playability and a 19th Gamblers Hole.

Tamarack is also opening four new mountain bike trails this summer. New downhill trails add to the appeal of the lift-served bike park and a new beginner trail caters to those who want a slower-paced adventure. Tamarack has transformed its concert venue into a grass amphitheater, where it will host its summer concert series on Saturday afternoons.

Other summer highlights include Scenic Chairlift rides, Zipline Tours, Guided Rafting Trips, and all kinds of watersports based out of the resort’s marina on Cascade Lake.

Don’t overlook Tamarack’s event calendar. Tamarack hosts multiple events each week, ranging from summer classics like live music and mountain bike competitions to unexpected offerings like this weekend’s Triple Crown Archery Competition and an Astrophotography Workshop in August.

Summer at Tamarack

JUG MOUNTAIN RANCH

Jug Mountain Ranch is rolling out the welcome mat for a different type of golfer with the launch of is brand new six-hole Par 3 course, Jug Junior. The shorter course appeals to beginners, golfers who want to work on their short game, or anyone who wants to include some golf in a day packed with multiple activities.

We love Jug’s weekend events like the “Nine and Dine’ on Wednesdays, (which offers nine holes of golf with a cart and dinner at the clubhouse for just $49/person), and Thursday Scrambles that just so happen to end right when Prime Rib night begins.

For those who’d rather hit the trails than the links, Jug Mountain’s one-of-a-kind mountain bike shuttle service kicks off this weekend. It runs Saturdays and Sunday from 10 am to 1 pm through September…reservations are required.

Summer at Jug 

BRUNDAGE MOUNTAIN RESORT

Brundage Mountain is set to kick off its summer season on Friday, June 14 with scenic chairlift rides, lift-served mountain biking, a new disc golf course, and free yoga practice twice a week.

Early season (June) operations run Fridays through Sundays, the chairlift and restaurant are open Wednesdays through Sundays (with Bonus Days the week of July 4) for most of the summer. Summer Operating Hours

Music lovers will want to mark their calendars for the Fourth of July Music Fest, for the free Friday “TGIF” Concert Series, and for a new offering, Saturday sounds at Smoky’s Bar and Grill (each Saturday from 1-3 pm). Smoky’s is also celebrating the return of its Sunday Brunch Buffet just in time for Father’s Day on June 16.

One of our favorite things to do at Brundage is take a scenic chairlift ride to the summit, then hike a short half-mile in either direction to take in the spectacular views from the Lookout Trail or the Hidden Valley Overlook trail.

Aspiring Mountain Bikers have some fresh options to build their skills this summer at Brundage. The Mountain Sports School is now offering a series of affordable mountain bike clinics in addition to its daily private and semi-private lessons.

That means mountain bikers of ALL TYPES can build the skills they need to ride from the summit of Brundage to Bear Basin via Rock Garden, Lakeview Vista, and the new B2BB trail. This new route, which some are calling “the best 12 miles of singletrack in McCall” is a cool combo of varied terrain, incredible views and fun flow sections.

Summer at Brundage

MEADOWCREEK GOLF RESORT

Always the first course to open in the area each season, MeadowCreek Golf Resort offers a few advantages in exchange for the 22 minute drive from McCall. Last minute tee times are easier to grab at MeadowCreek, and the resort has been upping its game when it comes to events the whole family will enjoy. Some of this summer’s golf clinics are targeted specifically to women and kids. Be sure to check the event calendar for fun events like a Father’s Day BBQ, a Fishing & Golf Derby on June 23, Fourth of July Fireworks and live music events throughout the summer.

Summer at MeadowCreek

FOR THE KIDS

Adventurous parents tend to include their kids in their favorite activities, but sometimes, catering specifically to the children reaps benefits for everyone in the family Here are some events “just for the kids”, and some kid-approved itineraries for the whole family!

Youth Mountain Bike Clinics from Wild Rockies Racing
Starting June 11

If your child (6+) can ride a bike on asphalt and gravel, but yearns to hit more interesting trails, there are three Wild Rockies MTB clinics that can help take them to the next level. The first session starts June 11 at Jug Mountain Ranch. There are also two sessions for intermediate youth riders 8+. Learn more.

Kaleidoscope – A Hands on Celebration of Art for Children
Saturday, June 22, 10 am – 2 pm

This fun outdoor arts festival features a variety of booths, which in past years have included clay-building, tie-dying, watercolor, cardboard castle, face painting, origami, woodworking, music, theatre play, planting, and much more. This free event is brought to you by the McCall Arts & Humanities Council. Learn more.

Break Dance Summer Camp
June 24 – 28 – McCall Community Center

Kids 5-12 have a chance to learn a unique form of dance at this fun, active and creative camp. Students will learn to arm ripple, body wave, top rock, strut & worm as they learn, rehearse and perform the empowering story of breakdance in America. Learn more.

 

Our home sales trends are holding steady from the past few months, so I wanted to highlight a different part of the real estate market that is showing significant signs of change: undeveloped lots and homesites.

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We’re starting to see some consistency in the trends for the first quarter of 2024. A total of 52 homes have been sold in the New Meadows, McCall, Donnelly and Cascade areas (January through March). In 2023, a total of 59 homes were sold in quarter one. Overall, those sales numbers are down but only by 7 units total.

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Winter is generally a slow time for real estate transactions in our area, and it may be a bit too early to identify any lasting trends, HOWEVER, the local market does seem to be trending toward more inventory and more days on market.

We have gone from a 5-month supply of inventory in 2023 to a 6.5-month supply. That means there are more homes on the market, and listed homes are generally taking longer to sell. (Please note: there is not enough data this month to include Meadows Valley statistics).

Overall, we are still trending towards a buyers’ market. March should be an even better indicator of how much inventory will hit the market this Spring/Summer as we start to gear up with new listings.

What does this mean for sellers? Pricing your home or property correctly and competitively will be CRUCIAL if you want your property sold.

TIPS FOR SELLERS:

1. Research comparable home prices in the area. Sellers need to have the most up-to-date pricing on comparable homes that are selling (versus list prices). Understand that at some price points it’s a buyers market, and you may need to be prepared to make some concessions.
2. Make sure your home is in top-notch shape.Homes need to be in great condition to compete. Well-maintained homes and attractive front yards are major features that buyers look for.
3. Don’t put off issues that require attention.Prepare the home by making any repairs or improvements. Removing any objections that buyers may see helps focus the buyer on the positive attributes of the home.
4. Work with a local real estate agent.A real estate agent or team with a strong local marketing presence can offer significant value and help you land a great deal. (And price your home competitively to begin with).

TIPS FOR BUYERS:

1. Know your budget.Instead of focusing on price, figure out how much you can afford as a monthly payment. Your monthly housing payment is influenced by the price of the home, your down payment, mortgage rate, loan term, home insurance and property taxes.

1. Be flexible about home size and location. Perhaps your budget is sufficient for a small home in your perfect neighborhood, or a larger, newer home further out. Understanding your priorities and having some flexibility can help you move quickly when a suitable home hits the market.
2. Keep an eye on the market where you hope to buy. Determine the area’s available inventory and price levels. Also, pay attention to how quickly homes sell. Not only will you be tuned in when something great hits the market, you can feel more confident moving forward with purchasing a well-priced home. This is where an experienced real estate agent can REALLY help.
3. Don’t be discouraged. Purchasing a home is one of the largest financial decisions you’ll ever make. Approaching the market confidently, armed with good information and grounded expectations will take you far. Don’t let the hustle of the market convince you to buy something that’s not in your budget, or not right for your lifestyle.