http://cbdistinctivemontrose.com/blog/archive_201608/sort_entrydatetime-desc/ Cooler weather is around the corner!  Hard to believe we are already heading into fall and cooler temperatures. It's been a beautiful summer with lots of great events, concerts, and celebrations. We hope you've been able to get out and enjoy as much as possible and remember why you love being here just like we do. If you're not here either part- or full-time, now is a great time to work with our fantastic agents and find your place in paradise. Call us at 208.622.3400 and one of our professional Sales Associates will be happy to help you find the perfect spot. As the temperature dips, our Maintenance Department will be checking that things are buttoned up and keep unwanted "guests" from coming in from the cold. Our routine checks help prevent problems and add additional security for our owners. Our Property Information sheets are so important when things come up--the more details we have on your preferred service providers the quicker and easier we can take care of all the details for you. Please get them back to us ASAP. If you have specific needs or concerns, please give us a call at 208-622-3400. If you're not currently one of our clients, the peace of mind we offer with our Maintenance Department is a good reason to become one! And when you list your property with us, we provide 6 monthly checks free of charge. Just another reason to list with Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties. We will be sending out our Semi-Annual Housekeeping form shortly, giving our Owners the opportunity to sign up for Fall Cleaning, Carpet Cleaning, and Inventory Service. It's a great time to get the summer fun (and dirt!) cleaned up and get ready for a busy winter season. For those that are not part of the rental pool, it's still the perfect time to have a good thorough cleaning before YOU are wanting to enjoy your place here in Sun Valley. Our staff is professional and dedicated to protecting your investment and keeping it looking its best. So whether you are a visitor, homeowner or want to be, make the one call that does it all--call Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties at 208.622.3400. http://cbdistinctivemontrose.com/blog/4307/fall-is-just-around-the-corner!/ Wed, 31 Aug 2016 12:00:00 -0700 The cooler nights and back-to-school ads mean summer is coming to an end. Yet there is still time to come enjoy a fantastic vacation in Sun Valley! Concerts, gallery shows, theatre events, great shopping, amazing dining options, are all just a few of the reasons you should call now and book a getaway to the Wood River Valley. Call us today at 208-622-3400 and we can help you find the perfect vacation rental. It's also a great time to check out the area and pick your ideal winter location. Do you want to be right next to the lifts? Are you a skier or boarder? Prefer finer spa amenities? Whatever your preference, we've got a place for you! Call us to reserve your winter rental now at 208-622-3400.Before the summer is over we've got some great events you do not want to miss! The Sun Valley Opera has their big fundraiser Saturday, September 2 at the Sun Valley Pavilion with A Salute To Broadway Under the Stars! Check out sunvalleyopera.com for tickets and more information. Wagon Days is held over Labor Day weekend and features the longest non-motorized parade in the west, capped off by the Ore Wagons pulled by a 20-mule team! Whether it's your first time or your 15th, it's always thrilling to watch the team and multiple wagons taking the turn from Sun Valley Road onto Main Street. The day starts with the Pancake Breakfast in Towne Square, put on by the Papoose Club. For the full calendar of events please click the link below. http://cbdistinctivemontrose.com/blog/4292/wagon-days-is-around-the-corner/ Wed, 24 Aug 2016 12:00:00 -0700 Our most recent Home Tour Extravaganza was by all markers a tremendous success. Lots of buyers, interested neighbors and visitors considering making the leap into vacation home rentals. A few properties may have even found their new owners and several more shoppers will likely join the community in the near future.  If you missed it just give any of our incredible Sales Associates a call at 208.622.3400 and they will happily set up a private showing for you. Many buyers are looking for vacation homes and why not have income from it? Here at Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties we can handle all of the details once you pick the place. From vacation rental reservations, cleaning, maintenance, we do it all. Even if you plan to be the only users there are still services we can provide to put the vacation into your ownership. Weekly and monthly checks and services, coordination of outside repairs and services such as snow removal, landscape care, appliance care and hot tub service all are professionally handled with one call to us at 208.622.3400. Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties is the only call you need to make--from touring to buying to relocation to property management, we are here to make your dream vacation home a reality. Call us today at 208.622.3400. http://cbdistinctivemontrose.com/blog/4282/home-tour-extravaganza-huge-success/ Wed, 17 Aug 2016 12:00:00 -0700 Whether you're preparing your home for sale or ready to perform updates to improve the aesthetics and efficiencies, the best place to start is in the kitchen. Each year, kitchen renovation projects record the highest return on investment as evidenced by the Appraisal Institute of Canada. Survey statistics report that 75?00% of kitchen expenditures are recovered when the home is sold. While those figures are impressive, even if you're not ready to move, following current trends for your updated kitchen makes excellent sense. There are several minor updates that can be done quickly and inexpensively that will change the entire look of your room. Even more significant renovations can be done - up to 25% of the home's value - and still yield big payoffs when you sell. With a homebuyer in mind, you can follow these tips to increase your kitchen's value without spending all the profits.Start HereEstablishing a budget should be your first task. Recognizing that a modern-looking kitchen can really improve the value of your home should help you decide whether to re-cover or replace components of the space. There are some awesome kitchen trends for 2015 that will help improve its desirability for years to come.1. Cabinets and HardwareAs key components of the room, cabinets establish the style of the space, provide storage and workspace. A budget-conscious option is available if your cabinet boxes are structurally sound. You can refinish, reface or replace the doors and drawers. Veneer finishes are available to match existing surfaces, so they'll look like new. A simple change of hardware to nickel-plated or pewter finishes will quickly give cabinets a fresh look for little cost.If a full tear-out is needed, it can be expensive, so plan to do research before your purchase. Keep the overall cost of the home in mind when choosing the type and wood species. Solid oak or cherry cabinets can cost as much as $50,000, while composite wood or mid-grade painted styles can still look great without the hefty price tag.2. Paint or Wall FinishOne of the best ways to add value is to paint or refinish the walls. As the heart of the home, your kitchen should always be bright and inviting. Today's popular shades include white, ivory or gray. Color accents can be added for some interest or tie in to other room components or accessories. Be careful to keep personal color preferences in check as they may be a deterrent to prospective buyers.Don't forget the wall space behind your countertops. Kitchen backsplashes are both trendy and focal points of the room. In addition, they protect walls from splatters and stains. Eye-catching materials such as wood, metal, glass, ceramic tile and stone add texture to an otherwise unexciting area.3. CountertopsAnother wise choice that adds value to your kitchen are natural stone or quartz countertops. Products such as Caesarstone quartz surfaces resist scratches and stains, have amazing flexural strength and are virtually maintenance-free. They also come in a wide variety of colors, patterns and edge treatments that make them highly sought-after investments, and well worth the money.4. Light FixturesNew and improved lighting is available for every corner of your kitchen. From bright-colored pendants and functional undercabinet lighting to vintage-style chandeliers, you'll notice even this small change will improve your kitchen decor. Interchangeable, patterned glass pendants are trendy features over today's islands and reasonably priced. Workspace countertops are well illuminated with undercabinet lights and retrofit kits for recessed lights make installation an easy DIY project.5. FlooringHardwood and laminate floors are very popular choices and provide an excellent return on investment. Exotic, wide plank, Brazilian cherry and reclaimed hardwood are among the unique, stylish designs selected today. These are luxurious and add exceptional value.Laminates are amazingly durable, install easily and come in a wide variety of styles that mimic real wood or ceramic tile. Damaged pieces can be easily replaced thanks to snap-and-lock technology. The cost is half the price of the real products, so it will give your kitchen design a boost without a huge dent in your budget.6. Appliances There's no need to replace costly kitchen appliances when you can give them a facelift. You can order new doors or face panels so everything matches. Dishwasher panels are generally white on one side and black on the other. Flipping them to the other side is as simple as removing a couple of screws. Updating a microwave oven is only a few hundred dollars and can tie everything together nicely.ConclusionWith so many kitchen products on the market today, even minor updates will add value to your home. If you're getting ready to sell, do some of the simple changes listed here first. If you're looking to renovate, remember to keep the overall cost within 25% of the home's value to receive the maximum return on investment. http://cbdistinctivemontrose.com/blog/4247/6-tips-to-increase-your-kitchen's-value/ Mon, 15 Aug 2016 12:00:00 -0700 Here's your chance to see some of the finest homes and condos in the Sun Valley area, our Home Tour Extravaganza! This Saturday, August 13th from 1-4pm our agents will be holding open an incredible variety of properties--an architectural green gem near the Warm Springs lifts,  amazing single-family residences, luxury in-town condos, townhomes with stunning mountain views in Elkhorn and so much more! See the Friday Idaho Mountain Express for our full-page ad with map. Also going on this weekend is the 48th Sun Valley Arts & Crafts Festival. Held at Atkinson's Park, 8th St. in Ketchum, the Festival will have more than 127 artists where you can find the perfect gift or accessory for your Sun Valley home. There is something special about meeting and talking with the artist and creator of something you'll give a friend for a present or bring home to remind you of your time in Sun Valley. The Sun Valley Center for the Arts sponsors the Festival and it runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 am - 6 pm, with children's events, Sip And Stroll, live music and much more. Check out all the details at the link below.  http://cbdistinctivemontrose.com/blog/4262/sun-valley-home-tour-extravaganza/ Wed, 10 Aug 2016 12:00:00 -0700