Summer sales reports for McCall Idaho

For the last two weeks, our thoughts and hearts have been drawn towards the Summer Olympic Games and watching our favorite athletes go for gold. It has been a nice break to turn on the TV and not hear about the economic woes of America.
In this beautiful resort town of McCall Idaho real estate is often the topic of conversation as much of our industry here is based on tourism and real estate development, and it too has its shares of woes.
However, when you pull up the real estate home sales from last year and compare them to this year, it really is not too far off.
In 2007, for McCall there were 17 closed home sales in June, 5 sales in July, and 7 sales for the first two weeks of August. For 2008, in McCall there have been 4 closed home sales in June, 14 sales in July and 4 sales for the first two weeks in August.
Many feel that it is a buyers market out there, with foreclosures and short sales really pushing prices down and inventory still high - there are great prices, many great properties to choose from and interest rates still attractive.
As a new home buyers, the Housing Economic Recovery Act of 2008, offers a first time home buyer tax credit up to $7500 for anyone purchasing a home after April 9, 2008.
There still seems to be a solid real estate market in McCall; although with our high inventory numbers it just feels that things are not moving very quickly, making it tough on Sellers.
But hang in there and keep your thoughts on the gold.

Mountain Biking in McCall, Idaho

My husband and I were lucky enough to join up with McCall's CIMBA (Central Idaho Mountain Bike Association) for their group ride last week at Bear Basin. It was a beautiful day and a great opportunity to meet some new people and experience some of the new local trails. Every Tuesday night the group meets up at different trail head throughout the valley for an evening ride and usually some BBQ or get together afterwards.

Last week, we rode the Rim trail that climbs up from Bear Basin to the back side of Brundage Mountain, prior to reaching the top of Brundage, you take a left that brings you up on a hillside looking down over Payette Lake and surrounding mountains. One has to take in the spectacular view prior to getting started down the fun single track that takes you across a stream and over a series of woop-de-dos before getting back to the Bear Basin meadow area.

The trail is in great condition, thanks to all the volunteer hours of the CIMBA group and other organizations that use the trail. It was hard to believe after this past week of hot weather, but there was still a few snow piles near the top.

For further information on the upcoming rides or information on CIMBA, visit their web site at www.idahorides.org It is a fun and dedicated group in making McCall and surrounding areas a great place to ride!