Idaho Falls Real Estate Blog

Idaho Real Estate Market Report

admin — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 06:54:40 +0000

There’s no doubt that you’ve heard over and over again that the national real estate market is currently struggling. This is something that I personally can’t deny. It’s true that the overall U.S. market looks grim. However, I want you to step back from the “sky is falling” talk and really see what’s happening with the Idaho Falls real estate market. I don’t want to just stop there though. There are numerous other communities in southeast Idaho that have interesting things occurring to their market. Let’s also take a closer look at many of the other communities in southeast Idaho including Island Park real estate, Rigby homes, Shelley homes, and Rexburg homes. Once you do, you might be surprised at what you’ll find.

To better assist you in finding accurate information, I’ll be grouping the statistics by county. If you would like, you can quickly scroll down and just view the area that interests you most.

Bonneville County

Most people would probably tell you that the market in Idaho Falls, Ammon, Ririe, and Swan Valley had a horrible year in 2007. You might be surprised to find out that this isn’t necessarily true. There are definitely a few trends that could be considered negative, but overall things looked good.

In 2006 the median sold price for a single family home was $144,900 and the average was $161,742. In 2007 the median price rose 9.0% to $157,950 and the average rose 10.4% to $178,585. In addition, the average number of days on the market for a house that sold in 2006 was 94, while in 2007 it dropped to 85. These are all good trends for the current home owner looking to sell their property, especially when you consider that there are many regions of the U.S. where real estate values are declining.

Now let’s look at the number of homes sold. In 2006 there were 1,986 new single family listings with 1,692 homes that were sold. In 2007 there were 2,456 new single family listings and 1,678 that were sold. This means that there were significantly more houses listed for sale in 2007 but fewer actually sold. This leaves an enormous amount of inventory still on the market which is definitely a negative for the home owner looking to sell their home in the future. However, it’s important to point out that this is a huge positive for any buyers. They have a large supply of homes to look at with very little competition. This very well could mean that prices begin to drop in 2008.

Jefferson County

The biggest community in Jefferson County is the town of Rigby. This area has been really booming the last few years and has seen price increases that have been significantly higher than all of the other surrounding counties. Over the last year this has still remained true, but Jefferson County had very similar results to Bonneville County.

In 2006 the median sold price for a single family home was $164,950 and the average was $173,080. In 2007 the median price rose 12.3% to $185,300 and the average rose 11.8% to $193,589. In addition, the average number of days on the market for a house that sold in 2006 was 117, while in 2007 it dropped to 99. These are all good trends for the current home owner looking to sell their property, especially when you consider that there are many regions of the U.S. where real estate values are declining.

Now let’s look at the number of homes sold. In 2006 there were 407 new single family listings with 332 homes that were sold. In 2007 there were 578 new single family listings and 311 that were sold. This means that there were significantly more houses listed for sale in 2007 but fewer actually sold. This leaves an enormous amount of inventory still on the market which is definitely a negative for the home owner looking to sell their home in the future. However, it’s important to point out that this is a huge positive for any buyers. They have a large supply of homes to look at with very little competition. This very well could mean that prices begin to drop in 2008.

Fremont County

The most active real estate market in Fremont County is Island Park. This area is normally considered a recreational property community which potentially puts different constraints on the real estate market for this area. However, over the last year, Fremont County had very similar results to Bonneville County and Jefferson County.

In 2006 the median sold price for a single family home was $161,500 and the average was $205,961. In 2007 the median price rose 6.1% to $171,400 and the average rose 9.1% to $224,753. In addition, the average number of days on the market for a house that sold in 2006 was 184, while in 2007 it dropped to 155. These are all good trends for the current home owner looking to sell their property, especially when you consider that there are many regions of the U.S. where real estate values are declining.

Now let’s look at the number of homes sold. In 2006 there were 211 new single family listings with 193 homes that were sold. In 2007 there were 291 new single family listings and 157 that were sold. This means that there were significantly more houses listed for sale in 2007 but fewer actually sold. This leaves an enormous amount of inventory still on the market which is definitely a negative for the home owner looking to sell their home in the future. However, it’s important to point out that this is a huge positive for any buyers. They have a large supply of homes to look at with very little competition. This very well could mean that prices begin to drop in 2008.

Bingham County

Bingham County consists of Shelley, Blackfoot, and several other smaller communities. This area has also seen a substantial amount of growth over the last few years but still remains very affordable.

In 2006 the median sold price for a single family home was $128,600 and the average was $144,721. In 2007 the median price rose 8.1% to $139,000 and the average rose 9.2% to $158,141. In addition, the average number of days on the market for a house that sold in 2006 was 113, while in 2007 it dropped to 93. These are all good trends for the current home owner looking to sell their property, especially when you consider that there are many regions of the U.S. where real estate values are declining.

Now let’s look at the number of homes sold. In 2006 there were 419 new single family listings with 372 homes that were sold. In 2007 there were 507 new single family listings and 365 that were sold. This means that there were significantly more houses listed for sale in 2007 but fewer actually sold. This leaves an enormous amount of inventory still on the market which is definitely a negative for the home owner looking to sell their home in the future. However, it’s important to point out that this is a huge positive for any buyers. They have a large supply of homes to look at with very little competition. This very well could mean that prices begin to drop in 2008.

Madison County

The most active real estate market in Madison County is Rexburg. This is the only area that I covered in southeast Idaho that didn’t follow the exact trends of the other communities.

In 2006 the median sold price for a single family home was $150,550 and the average was $170,789. The difference with Madison County is that the median price remained virtually unchanged in 2007 when it came in at $150,000. As for the average price, it only rose 3.8% to $177,250 in 2007. The average number of days on the market for a house that sold in 2006 was 142, while in 2007 it dropped to 113. These are all decent trends for the current home owner looking to sell their property, especially when you consider that there are many regions of the U.S. where real estate values are declining.

Now let’s look at the number of homes sold. In 2006 there were 278 new single family listings with 268 homes that were sold. In 2007 there were 452 new single family listings and 277 that were sold. This means that there were significantly more houses listed for sale in 2007 but only a few more sold. This leaves an enormous amount of inventory still on the market which is definitely a negative for the home owner looking to sell their home in the future. However, it’s important to point out that this is a huge positive for any buyers. They have a large supply of homes to look at with very little competition. This very well could mean that prices begin to drop in 2008.

Searching for Idaho Falls Homes for Sale? Create A Wish List

Editor — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:40:42 +0000

One of the first things you should do when you decide to search for Idaho Falls homes for sale is to create a wish list of all the features you want. Rank the items from the most important, down to the least important. It’s sometimes difficult to find a house that has everything on your list, so label each item as, “Must Have,” “Would Like,” or “In My Dreams.” You should know which items are critical, and which you could do without.

Share your wish list with your realtor and explain why certain things are important to you. For example, Is the extra bedroom going to be used as an office, exercise room, or play room for the kids? A house that has a spare living room in the basement might work for your needs. The more information you give your realtor, the better he/she can help you.

After looking at homes for a few weeks, you might be hit with a reality check. You may discover that it isn’t going to be possible to get everything you want in a house at your price range. If this happens, you’ll need to reevaluate the things that are most important to you, and decide what you can live without. Make sure you let your realtor know when you have to scale down. This will help him/her keep your best interests in mind.

Click here to search for Idaho Falls homes for sale.

Why the Idaho Falls Real Estate MLS Works!

Editor — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 06:24:05 +0000

You’ve decided that now is the time to sell your Idaho Falls real estate. The big question that you may ask yourself is do I need an Idaho Falls real estate agent to help me? Let me be perfectly honest with you. You don’t need a Realtor to place a sign in your yard, make flyers, advertise in the paper, or hold open houses. You know as well as I do that you can do these things on your own if you’re willing to spend the time and put forth the effort. So, if you can do things yourself, why would you even consider using an Idaho Falls real estate agent?

The answer to this question is actually quite simple. You need a Realtor to provide you with maximum exposure to the greatest number of potential buyers for your home. Signs, flyers, open houses, and local advertisements are all good things to do, but they actually generate very little interest. These methods just don’t reach enough buyers. The greatest tool that Realtors use, and the biggest reason you need to sell your home with a Realtor, is the MLS.

I imagine that you’ve all heard of the phrase “supply and demand.” The more potential buyers there are for your home, the higher the price you can ask. What you need to understand is that the service a Realtor provides to a buyer is usually free. Because of this, most buyers will use a Realtor to search for and acquire a home. Can you blame them? Who wouldn’t hire a professional who offers to work exclusively for them but doesn’t charge a dime? The bottom line is, the best way to get your house information to most buyers is to get it to their agents first. Without any question the best way to do this is to place your home on the MLS. When this is done, you instantly have hundreds of agents working to find that perfect buyer for you. This increases demand, which increases your pricing power, and helps you sell your home much faster.

My advice to you is to get hire an Idaho Falls real estate agent who stresses the importance of advertising on the MLS and immediately gets your home on it before anything else is done.

Click here to search the Idaho Falls real estate MLS.

What is the MLS?

Editor — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 06:16:37 +0000

MLS stands for multiple listing service. Simply put, the Idaho Falls real estate MLS is a huge database of information that works a lot like a book store. When the store receives a book or “property” to sell, they place it on the appropriate shelf where it can be pulled and viewed by anyone interested in it. Once a customer is found that wants to purchase it, the book or “property” is removed. Basically, the Idaho Falls real estate MLS is a fast and convenient way to know at any time the Idaho Falls homes for sale.

It wasn’t cheap to develop and maintain the MLS, so real estate agents began to charge each other membership fees and annual dues. This money is used to pay the staff and purchase the necessary materials to keep the system up to date. Over time some of the information held on the MLS was placed on the web as a service to customers. However, it’s important to note that not every property for sale can be seen this way. You should also know that if you choose to use this service the information that you see is not complete and may not be current.

Click here to search the MLS for Idaho Falls homes for sale.

Idaho Falls Real Estate Market Ranked One of the Best

Editor — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 03:38:40 +0000

Idaho Falls real estate housing market is ranked the 6th best nationwide, according to Business Week. This is due to a one-year increase in home prices of 11.69%. However, even though our market is one of the strongest in the country, the pace of Idaho Falls home sales is down from what it once was. Not surprisingly, it’s supposed to continue to slow because of tighter loan restrictions on the wake of the subprime mortgage issue.

The good news is that many investors accross the country will continue to take notice of this area. This should help to shift money from struggling areas in the U.S. to Idaho Falls. This may not be enough to shelter us from all of the national real estate woes, but should keep us on top of the heap.

Click here to search for Idaho Falls real estate.

Idaho Falls, Idaho Home Inspections

Editor — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 16:27:29 +0000

As an Idaho Falls real estate agent I’m often asked if a home inspection is always worth the extra expense. The simple answer to this question is YES, every single time. Let’s roll play for a minute. I’ll be the realtor and you’re the client asking the questions.

(You) Should I have a home inspection done on an older home?

(Me) Yes!

(You) Should I have a home inspection done on my new house?

(Me) Yes!

(Yes) Should I have a home inspection done even when the seller is selling the home “as is”?

(Me) Yes!

(You) Should I have a home inspection if I’m selling a house?

(Me) Yes!

(You) Should I…

(Me) Yes!

(Yes) Why?

(Me) Great question let me explain…

A good inspection will cover every square inch of the home from the basement or crawl space to the attic and chimney. It will include the plumbing, heating, electrical, windows, foundation, slope of the yard, roof, chimney, and anything else that makes the house a house. It will protect you from getting into a house that has unexpected problems. According to the Federal Trade Commission almost half of the preowned homes that are purchased have repairs that need to be made in the first six months. Some of those repairs could cost tens of thousands of dollars. At least with a good home inspection you’ll walk into the deal with your eyes wide open.

Let me take just a minute and address a few of the not so obvious scenarios and why you should still have an inspection in each case.

The first one is if the seller is selling the home “as is.” They might as well be advertising to you that they know the house has problems but they won’t do anything about it. I’ve had buyers suggest that it’s not worth spending hundreds of dollars on an inspection when the seller won’t do any repairs or give any compensation for the problems. Although this might be true, don’t you want to know what those problems are before you buy the house? Would it make a difference if the house needed a new roof and major foundation repair?

I recently helped a client purchase a house that was being advertised “as is.” It was obvious as we walked through the home that it had some major problems, but we weren’t sure how bad they were. In our offer, we made the sell contingent on the buyer approving the home inspection. The inspection was done and the potential problems were identified. We knew the seller was not going to work with us on fixing those problems, but the buyer was grateful that he knew exactly what he was getting into. If there were bigger problems that we were unaware of, we had the option of walking away while retaining the earnest money.

The next scenario is when you’re the seller of a house that you have just listed. When people think of getting a home inspection, they assume that it’s the buyer’s responsibility. So, why would a seller want to pay for one?

There are several benefits to a seller getting a home inspection done. The most important reason is that it aids in the marketing of the house. If a buyer knows that as inspection has already been done and any problems have been addressed, they’re a lot less likely to look for reasons to make a low offer. The other benefit is that the seller has more time and less pressure to deal with problems.

Several weeks ago I listed a home and convinced the seller to have an inspection done before we marketed the house. It turned out that the inspection discovered several issues that would have been a problem to almost any buyer. We were able to get the items fixed before any offers were made. Once we had a purchase and sale agreement in place, the seller didn’t have to worry about addressing any major issues and could focus on getting moved into their new place. It turned out that the entire process was a lot smoother than it would have been if the seller would have waited for the buyer to get the inspection.

So you’ve decided now that it’s important to get a home inspection. Who’s the right person for the job? In my opinion, this should not be done by uncle Bob, the part time builder who once constructed a chicken coop with all the bells and whistles. It should be done by a professional who knows what to look for and will spend hours making sure he/she is thorough.

In Idaho you don’t need to fulfill any certification requirements to be a home inspector. Anyone can claim to be one, which makes finding the “best” difficult. I have several suggestions when shopping for an inspector.

Ask your realtor - Real estate agents deal with inspectors all of the time and typically know who should be hired to do the job.
Ask for referrals - Past customers can inform you of their thoughts.
Find out if the inspector has errors and omissions insurance - Some of them won’t.
Ask how much experience the inspector has - They gain a lot of knowledge by doing the job and getting their hands dirty.

When considering all of these things, the bottom line is, a home inspection is a very small price to pay to get peace of mind and protection.

Rules for Working with Idaho Falls Real Estate Agents

Editor — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:02:43 +0000

When it comes time for you to hire an Idaho Falls real estate agent and get serious about finding your dream home, there are five rules that you first need to know. By keeping them in mind throughout the entire process, you’ll find that in the end, your experience and professional relationships will both end positively.

1. Remember that Idaho Falls real estate agents work on commission.

Most real estate agents work on commission, which means they don’t get paid until a transaction closes.
Don’t ask an agent to work for you if you have no intentions of buying a home or plan to cut them out of the deal.
It’s ok if you’re “just looking casually” or “not ready to look seriously” if you’re honest about your intentions and upfront with the pace you desire.

2. Communicate, communicate, and communicate.

Tell your agent the best way to reach you and how often. Do you want a phone call, email, fax, or text message?
Let your agent know what’s on your wish list and which items you have to have, or which you would like to have but can live without.
After each house visit, remember to share the positive and negative aspects of the house with your agent. It’s the best way for him/her to know to learn your preferences.
If you’re unhappy with anything, say so.

3. Show up and be on time.

Don’t forget to make an appointment with an agent and then forget to show up.
If you’re going to be late, call your agent and let him/her know as soon as possible.
Don’t expect an agent to drop what he/she is doing to run out and show you a home. You’re probably not the only person the agent is working with.

4. Don’t call another agent if you’re already working with one.

The listing agent works for the seller, not the buyer. If you decide to write an offer with the listing agent, he/she will now be working under dual agency.
When you ask an agent to show you a property, they will expect to represent you when you make an offer. If you want to see a home, use the agent you plan on writing the offer with.
Listing agents don’t want to do the buying agents job. Let your buyer’s agent do his/her job.

5. Know how to handle open houses.

Let your agent know you plan attending an open house. He/She may want to escort you.
Always hand your agent’s business card to the agent hosting the open house. Announcing that you’re represented protects you and shows common courtesy.
Remember that the agent hosting the open house may not be the listing agent. He/She may just be looking for unrepresented buyers. The agent can show you the house and answer basic questions, but may not know details such as the “name of the paint” or the “exact type of wood floor.” Be patient, with time, they can find out almost anything.
Do not ask the open house host questions about the seller or their motivation. Let your agent ask those questions.

Are you looking for a good realtor? Click here to contact an Idaho Falls real estate agent.

Idaho Falls Homes Creating Curb Appeal

Editor — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 06:13:30 +0000

Fixing up and cleaning your property is a very important part of selling your Idaho Falls home. You may currently be happy with the way your house looks, but if you want to get top dollar and a quick sell in Idaho, you’ll need to present it at it’s best. One of the easiest things you can do to raise your bottom line is improve the homes curb appeal.

Right now over 80% of buyers begin their search online. When they do this, the first thing that they see is a picture of the front of your house. Typically they will use it to make a decision of whether or not they want to see the inside. Some buyers might even go so far as to drive by. However, if your house has poor curb appeal, they’ll rarely want to walk through it. In my experience as a realtor, buyers will usually only request to view roughly 10% of the active listings in their price range. If you want top dollar for your home, it’s critical that you get as many of them through your front door as possible.

Here are some suggestions to improve the way your house looks to potential buyers.

Fix the Lawn

Before you do anything else you need to repair any damage to your lawn. Spread grass seed where it’s needed, fertilize immediately, and water as much as you have to in order to green things up. If you need help with any of this, I recommend you visit a local lawn and garden store and ask specific questions. Keep in mind that it will take some time for things to improve, so plan ahead and start before your house goes on the market.

You might hate it, but you need to break out the lawn mower and keep the grass looking good the entire time your house is on the market. Don’t forget to also trim and edge weekly. If this seems like more than you’re willing to do, hire a lawn care company to temporarily take care of it for you. It will be well worth the expense when your offer comes in.

Trim the Trees and Shrubs

Trim all hedges and trees so they look neat and clean. Buyers want to be able to see the house beyond the jungle. With larger trees, you may have to hire a professional to take care of them for you.

Get Rid of the Weeds and Plant Flowers

Your flower beds should be free of weeds and have plenty of color. Flowers have a way of brightening up even the gloomiest yard. You don’t need to go crazy, but you should pick up a couple flats of annuals. They’re cheaper than you think, and relatively easy to plant.

Get Rid of the Clutter

The front of your house is not the best place to pile your unwanted clutter. Take everything you don’t want to the dump. In Idaho Falls it’s free, so you really don’t have a good excuse to not take care of the garbage.

You might enjoy the old couch on the front porch, but buyers won’t look at it with the same adoration. It doesn’t matter whether you decide to store it, dump it, or sell it, just put it where it can’t be seen.

If you have children, make sure you keep the bikes and toys picked up rather than scattered around the yard.

Paint the House and Trim

Forget about “touching it up.” After a few years of exposure to the weather and sun, the paint will have slightly faded. If you try to paint the areas that have discolored, flaked, or peeled, you’ll make the house look blotchy. Bite the bullet and do it right. It will make the front of your home look incredible, and do wonders for the curb appeal.

When you pick a color, do it very carefully. You’ll want it to blend in well with the other houses in the neighborhood plus fit in with current trends. If you’re not sure what color to pick, don’t hesitate to get advice from an expert. Also, check with your homeowners’ association and CC&Rs for any color restrictions.

Remember that first impressions count and you may only get one. You don’t want the “perfect buyer” to never know your home’s potential because of bad curb appeal. Follow these suggestions and you’ll greatly increase your showings, which could lead to a higher offer.

For more tips to improve your homes curb appeal, check out our free reports. Click here for our Idaho Falls real estate homeowner’s library.

What is a Real Estate Contingency?

Editor — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:28:08 +0000

You have your Idaho Falls home for sale and just got an offer. Your Realtor mentions that the offer is contingent on several things. What does this mean?

Whenever you get an offer that has a contingency clause it means that the deal is contingent on some act happening that is described in the clause. Sometimes it’s as simple as the buyer checking a box in the purchase and sales agreement and other times it’s written in with the other terms and conditions. Either way you need to make sure you understand the contingency before you accept or reject the offer.

The bottom line with a contingency clause is they are ways for buyers to get out of the deal. When a buyer insists on having a contingency clause they are telling you they will buy IF… That “if” could make all the difference in whether the deal will happen or fall apart.

Here are some of the most common contingencies that a seller may have presented to them.

Sale Contingency – The offer is contingent on the buyers selling their home first. This is perhaps the weakest contingency because it relies on the sell of another house that may be overpriced, in a slow market, or not getting a lot of interest. Many people would only consider accepting an offer contingent on a home selling if the buyers already have a pending transaction in place.
Financing Contingency – The sale is contingent on the buyer being able to get a loan. If they’ve already been into the lender and are approved, you may not have a lot to worry about. If all they have is a “pre-qualified letter” the buyer could still be a long ways away from getting an actual loan.
Inspection Contingency – The buyer will purchase the home only if they approve the inspection. Usually there are very specific dates and deadlines that must be met. You will have a very difficult time selling a home without this contingency.

Any time you get an offer with a contingency clause you should consult your lawyer and have it explained to you. You should only act if you fully understand the potential consequences.

Your Retirement and Idaho Falls Real Estate

Editor — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 20:36:13 +0000

One of the greatest tools available to Idaho Falls real estate investors is government-sponsored retirement plans, such as IRAs.

You have the option to self-direct your IRAs and other retirement plans into real estate, and benefit from the tax advantages those plans provide. Investments in IRAs benefit from tax-deferred profits or in some cases tax-free profits. The IRS does not allow you to personally “touch” your self-directed IRA account, so you need a passive custodian.

The tremendous advantages a real estate IRA and other self directed retirement plans offer taxpayers include the following:

The power of compound interest
Reduction of taxable income
Asset protection
Estate planning

There are certain types of transactions that you can not perform through an IRA. Basically, the IRS prohibits “self-dealing,” which are investments in which you or your family members of lineal descent have prior ownership.

The most important thing to remember is that with a self directed real estate IRA, the type of investments you make will be exactly the same kind you presently are making for your personal account. The only difference is that the profits in your real estate IRA investments are tax free/deferred.

There is also a self directed 401(K), (The “Plan”). This is a 401K plan setup for your company and you are the manager of the company. Direct ownership of real estate is not permitted; but indirect investment via the self directed 401K is the only choice. Some of the benefits include:

1. Deferral of real estate capital gains

2. Direct, hands-on control of

decisions

3. “The Plan” can finance or borrow for real

estate purchases

Contact your accountant for assistance in tax advantaged strategies such as these.

For more finance advice, click here to see our Idaho Falls real estate library.

1031 Exchange, What You Need To Know.

Editor — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:15:33 +0000

I recently heard of an investor who sold an Idaho Falls real estate property and immediately used the profits to purchase another investment. It wasn’t until tax season that he was made aware that he could have saved thousands of dollars in taxes if his Idaho Falls Realtor would have told him about 1031 exchanges. Believe me, you don’t want to learn about this mistake in your CPA’s office come April. My advice to you is to know what a 1031 exchange is and whether you qualify. You should also find and use an Idaho Falls real estate agent who has a complete understanding as well.

So, what is a 1031 exchange?

A 1031 Exchange allows you to sell and buy property of like-kind while deferring tax consequences. This exchange offers investors a reliable strategy for reinvesting up to 100% of the equity from the sale of property into purchasing a like-kind replacement property - without recognizing any gain. It cannot be used for the sale of your personal residence.

Regarding real estate properties, the term “like-kind” refers to the nature or character of property and not to its grade, quality, or use. Therefore, no distinction is made between parcels of real estate, however dissimilar they may be in location or quality. In fact, the term “like-kind” as it pertains to real estate has been very broadly interpreted by the courts.

The following would be considered like-kind exchanges:

Commercial real estate for residential real estate
Metropolitan high rise for a ranch or farm
Improved real estate for unimproved real estate
An office building for a hotel, or in exchange for either developed or undeveloped land

The exchange process allows taxpayers a range of opportunities to improve their real estate portfolios:

Upgrade size and/or quality of investment
Change investment location
Create or improve cash-flow
Facilitate the formation or dissolution of an investment group
Facilitate estate planning

The identification period under IRC Secton 1031(a)(3) applies when property is conveyed in a deferred like-kind exchange. It is extremely important that this process be done correctly; so contact your Idaho Falls real estate agent or your personal accountant for direction.

Click here for more finance information in our Idaho Falls real estate library.

Fly Fishing Near Idaho Falls, Idaho Real Estate

Editor — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 06:18:33 +0000

One of the most incredible things about living in and around Idaho Falls real estate is the spectacular surroundings. Idaho’s wilderness and backcountry are the largest in the lower 48. Residents and visitors are able to escape the daily grind with countless opportunities to fish, water ski, whitewater raft, hike, horseback ride, climb, hunt, and camp in the states majestic mountain forests and sage brush covered deserts. But, to the fly fisherman, Idaho is one of the greatest places on earth.

Idaho is home to more than 10 of the most desirable blue-ribbon trout destinations in the world. Several of them that have gained international praise are right here in eastern Idaho. You can’t pick up a book or magazine on fly fishing without finding somewhere in its pages a section written about the famed Henry’s Fork of the Snake River. Anglers are constantly surprised by the size and power of the rivers cutthroat, rainbows, brook trout, and browns. Right there basking in the glory as well is Henry’s Lake, where float tubers can pursue trout that can exceed the magical 10 lb mark. You can’t talk about premier fishing locations without also mentioning the South Fork of the Snake. It has recently emerged from the shadows of the others to be known as an extraordinary dry fly fishing wonder. This area is truly a fly fisher’s paradise.

Looking for the perfect fishing property? Click here to search for Idaho Falls real estate.

Henry’s Fork of the Snake River

Season

From its mouth upstream to Vernon (Fritz) Bridge - Open all year

From Vernon (Fritz) Bridge upstream to Ashton Dam - May 26 – November 30

From Ashton Dam to the posted boundary upstream of the Riverside campground - Open all year

From the posted boundary upstream of the Riverside Campground to the lower Harriman State Park boundary - May 26 – November 30

From the lower Harriman State Park boundary to the Upper Harriman State
Park boundary - June 15 – November 30

From the upper Harriman State Park boundary to the upstream to Macks Inn Bridge - May 26 – November 30

Special Regulations

From its mouth upstream to Del Rio Bridge - 6 fish limit

From Del Rio bridge upstream to Ashton Dam - 2 fish limit, none under 16”

From Ashton Dam to Highway 20 (Wendell) Bridge - 6 fish limit

From Highway 20 (Wendell) Bridge upstream to the posted boundary
upstream of the Riverside campground - 2 fish limit, none under 16”

From the posted boundary upstream of the Riverside Campground upstream to the lower Harriman State Park boundary - No bait, Barbless hooks, Catch-and-release

From the lower Harriman State park boundary upstream to the upper Harriman State Park boundary - Fly fishing only, Barbless hooks, Catch-and-release

From the upper Harriman State Park boundary upstream to Island Park Dam - No bait, Barbless hooks, Catch-and-release

From McCrea Bridge upstream to Macks Inn Bridge - No motors

Trout

Upper river, rainbows, some over 25”; a few cutthroat and brook trout

Below Mesa Falls, rainbows and cutthroat-rainbow hybrids, both sometimes exceed 22”; growing number of brown trout, some over 25”

Henry’s Lake

Season

The portion of the lake within the posted boundaries of Staley Spring - Closed to fishing

The portion of the lake within 100 yards of Hatchery Creek as posted - Closed to fishing

Remainder of the lake - May 26 – November 30

Special Regulations

Remainder of the lake - 2 fish limit, Brook trout must be counted, Must quit fishing if two fish in posession

Trout

Yellowstone cutthroat, cutthroat-rainbow hybrids, and brook trout. Average mean size for hybrids is 19” and 16” for cutthroat and brook trout. Potential for trophy fish with all three species

South Fork of the Snake River

Season

From its mouth upstream to the Palisades Dam - Open all year

Special Regulations

From its mouth upstream to the Palisades Dam - No limit on cutthroat, 2 fish limit on brown trout, No limit on rainbows and hybrids

Trout

Yellowstone and Snake River finespotted cutthroat in 12” to 18” class and a few 20” to 22”

Brown trout in 15” to 25” class; trophy fish exceed 30”

Fish and Game attempting to reduce as much as possible growing population of rainbow and cutthroat-rainbow hybrids

Numerous whitefish, 6” to 20”