Frequently

Asked

Questions

Your Real Estate Experts serving
Teton Valley, Idaho and Alta, WY

Frequently
Asked
Questions

Your Real Estate Experts serving
Teton Valley, Idaho and Alta, WY

Frequently
Asked
Questions

Your Real Estate Experts serving
Teton Valley, Idaho and Alta, WY

We’re here to help

What to Know When Buying or Selling in Teton Valley

Read answers to some of our Frequently Asked Questions below, or reach out any time.
We would love to chat with you.

Joanne: joanne.labelle@jhsir.com, 208-313-7669
Natalie: natalie@tetonvalleyteam.com, 208-709-1945

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What’s the difference between a real estate agent and a Realtor?

A REALTOR is a licensed real estate professional who also belongs to the National Association of REALTORS. In order to become a Realtor—a licensed agent with the ability to use that widely respected title—an agent needs to be a member of the National Association of Realtors®.

As a member, a person subscribes to the standards of the association and its code of ethics. Membership in the NAR also comes with access to real estate market data and transaction management services, among other benefits.

In this extremely competitive market, how are you helping buyers get their offers accepted?

Check out our blog post about Tips for Buyers in a Sellers Market.

We help our buyers prepare competitive offers, and have a great success rate with offers being accepted.

What are the benefits of working with the Teton Valley Team?

Where to begin…

Working with The Teton Valley Team would be an excellent choice because of:

  • Our unparalleled experience and industry knowledge
  • Our access to a vast network of Sotheby’s agents to learn about off-market listings and to get more eyes on your property
  • This is our full-time career! We do this day in and day out, and we love it
  • Our team has been Top Producers every year (Joanne for over a decade!)
  • We truly value being involved in our community. Building connections and relationships is our top priority. We aren’t a commission-at-all-cost type of team. Relationships and community always come first.
Why should I work with a real estate agent? Can’t I just buy/sell on my own?

Listing with a licensed real estate agent saves you time, money, and reduces stress. Selling a home can be a full-time job. Between hosting open houses and showings, preparing for last-minute showing requests, fielding calls from agents and buyers, finding qualified potential buyers, completing necessary paperwork, meeting deadlines, dealing with negotiations, consistent marketing, and staying on top of daily tasks, it’s a lot of work!

An agent’s job is to take care of all of these details. More time for you = more time to do what you love with people you love.

Your agent will be in charge of all the listing paperwork, contracts, and offer details, and will know to keep an eye out for any potential issues – truly a time-saver in the selling process. Our job is to help you get the best deal while you live your dream mountain lifestyle – more time to spend with your family and friends, and having time to enjoy your favorite Teton Valley activities. 

a 2017 study indicates that FSBOs bring in about 30% less revenue than agent-listed properties. 30%!! Why? Real estate agents have access to years of data and can spot trends in the market – key factors to narrow in on pricing your property appropriately for the market, your area, and your specific home. Agents will also have experience negotiating pricing with other agents. Sellers without access to this information (or who don’t have time to do extensive amounts of research) are at a disadvantage in regards to determining and negotiating prices.

A real estate agent also has a fiduciary duty to the client, and is bound by law to act in the client’s best interest. This means they will absolutely work hard to make sure you get the best price possible for your property.

A real estate agent will also be able to use their network for more visibility, to find out about pocket listings, and to connect you with builders/contractors/septic pumping/etc.

Please note: if you do decide to buy or sell on your own, we highly recommend hiring an experienced real estate attorney to look over your contracts.

Check out our blog post about this here!

Who is part of the Teton Valley Team?

Joanne LaBelle has been selling real estate in Teton Valley, Idaho, (Driggs-Victor-Tetonia, ID and Alta, WY), and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, since 1995, working out of the same office location in Driggs on 1 South Main St. Through multiple company transitions over the years, she continues to thrive and her name has become synonymous with real estate in the area. Natalie joined the Team in 2017, and together, the pair have closed hundreds of successful deals and made a name for themselves across state lines. We genuinely like helping people, which is what draws us to this role – it’s our primary focus.

What do I need to do to get ready to buy?

We suggest finding a lender, making sure you have access to your credit scores, and pulling together your W-2s, paystubs, or tax returns for the past 2-3 years. Make sure you have a down payment ready, and get preapproved for a mortgage with your lender. If you have questions about this process please reach out – we are happy to help!

What do I need to do to get ready to sell?

Number 1 is to make sure selling aligns with your goals! Check out our article: 5 Questions To Ask Before You Decide To List Your Property. From there, we suggest getting your property ready – decluttering, minor repairs, and sprucing up will go a long way toward getting the best offers on your property. Also be sure to speak with your accountant about capital gains taxes and the tax implications of selling your property.

What area does “Teton Valley” encompass?

Teton Valley, also known locally as “Pierre’s Hole” is the valley on the western side of the Teton Range, and includes Victor, Driggs, and Tetonia, Idaho, and Alta, Wyoming!

What is there to do in Teton Valley? Why should I move there?

Located on the western side of the Teton mountains, Teton Valley includes the towns of Victor, Driggs, and Tetonia, ID, along with Felt, ID and Alta, WY. Teton Valley is encircled by the Big Hole Mountains and the Teton Mountain Range – offering 360 degree mountaintop views. The close proximity to Jackson Hole, Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park make Teton Valley the perfect, quiet getaway.

Here are a few reasons we think you might love it here, too:

  • Philanthropic Community
  • “Quiet Side of the Tetons”
  • Alta, Wyoming Tax Benefits
  • National Parks and National Forest
  • Wildlife and Natural Beauty
  • Picturesque Scenery and Views
  • Abundance of Outdoor Recreation
  • Affordable Alternative to Jackson, WY
  • Small Town Atmosphere
  • Widely Artistic Community

In 2018, Idaho – along with the other mountain west states, Wyoming and Montana – was voted in the top three states in the Community Well-Being category, a poll conducted by Gallup. The Well-Being category includes five elements: purpose, social, financial, community and physical. Enjoy the close-knit community full of exciting events and activities throughout the year, including Music Festivals at Grand Targhee, Teton Valley Balloon Rally, Farmer’s Markets, and Music on Main. You’ll also find a nice variety of locally-owned restaurants & breweries.

Do you represent buyers and sellers?

Yes! We work with both buyers and sellers, and would be happy to help you in your real estate journey.

How can I receive notifications for new listings?

Yes, give us a call and we’ll add you to New Listing emails tailored to your exact search preferences.

Joanne: 208-313-7669
Natalie: 208-709-1945

We also keep an eye out for our buyers and notify them immediately when something that matches their preferences pops up on the MLS or through other agents as a pocket listing (not in MLS but being actively sold).

We're here to help

Please reach out any time

Joanne: joanne.labelle@jhsir.com, 208-313-7669
Natalie: natalie@tetonvalleyteam.com, 208-709-1945