Cove Meadow

Sun Valley, Idaho
$5,950,000

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Description: Tucked away in the upper East Fork Valley, just 20 minutes from Ketchum, this exceptional 81± acre mountain retreat offers stunning views of the Pioneer Mountains and features a beautifully designed set of improvements built to the highest standard, including a 10,532± square-foot owner’s home, a guest residence and a caretaker’s quarters. The East Fork and Cove Creek meander through lush meadows for over a half-mile providing a haven for fish and wildlife. Bordered by federal lands and private ranch holdings, this property offers the ultimate in privacy and seclusion yet is only a short drive to the amenities of Sun Valley.
County: Blaine
Acreage:
81+/- Deeded


Location

Cove Meadow is located in the heart of the Pioneer Mountains 20 minutes southeast of the mountain resort community of Ketchum, Idaho. The town of Hailey, county seat for Blaine County, is 30 minutes southwest of the property and home to Friedman Memorial Airport which offers commercial air service on Skywest and Horizon Airlines and a private fixed-base operation, Sun Valley Aviation. Cove Meadow lies approximately 10 miles east of State Highway 75 and is easily reached year-round from Ketchum and Hailey via the East Fork and Cove Creek roads.


Locale

Located on the southern edge of the vast central Idaho wilderness, Blaine County encompasses 2,655 square miles and supports a current population of approximately 20,000. The majority of the county's residents live in the Big Wood River Valley communities of Hailey, Bellevue, Ketchum, and Sun Valley. Of the nearly 1.7 million acres that comprise the county, 77% of the land base is state or federally owned, assuring ample open space and public lands recreation.

With Cove Meadow, one is able to take advantage of the amenities and activities found in a high quality resort community while also enjoying the low-key lifestyle afforded by rural living. As part of the greater Sun Valley area, an owner has access to one of the nation's most prestigious year-round Rocky Mountain resorts. Top-rated golf courses, fine dining, cultural opportunities, mountain biking and hiking trails, blue ribbon trout fishing, upland and big game hunting, and world-class downhill and cross-country skiing are all available within a short distance of Cove Meadow. At the same time, the property is situated in the upper East Fork Valley, one of Blaine County's most scenic areas offering an uncluttered setting only minutes away from the heart of Sun Valley. Among other features, this part of the county is famous for its mountain vistas, abundant wildlife and vast open spaces. With Cove Meadow, an owner truly enjoys the best of everything the region offers.


Improvements

Cove Meadow is a beautifully improved mountain estate designed for understated elegant living. Situated along the banks of the East Fork, the main residence is a magnificent 10,500 square foot contemporary home offering the finest custom finishes and built with quality as the guideline. Renowned Sun Valley architect Janet Jarvis and builder Jim Bishop, each of whom has a history of working on the area's finest residences, teamed up to design and develop Cove Meadow. Built in 1999, the main home features 7 bedrooms and 8.5 bathrooms with an attached 3-car oversized garage. In addition to the bedrooms and baths, living areas include a custom kitchen with top-end appliances, a full pantry and breakfast nook, family room, open dining room leading to a spacious living room, office, library, children's playroom, large exercise room, sound-proof music room, basement with wine cellar, and large mudroom. Additional features include a lap pool, hot tub, extensive paver-covered patios, and heated walkways. Overall, this is the ideal family retreat with a thoughtful layout that allows family and friends the ability to gather easily or retire to quiet spots.

Just a short walk west of the main residence is the 1,000 square-foot guest home which offers 2 bedrooms, 1 full bath, open living room, dining room, and abbreviated kitchen. On the opposite side of the residence, there is a barn with a 3-car garage and a second-story caretaker's apartment with 1,200 square feet of living space. A crystal clear pond lies between the barn and residence and is perfect for a swim on a summer's day or large enough to stock with trout.

A detailed list of improvements and features is available upon request.


Climate

The elevation of Cove Meadow is 6,300 feet. The climate for the area is best described as semi-arid with an average humidity of only 30% and annual precipitation of 14 inches per year. Summers are warm with the temperatures occasionally reaching into the low 90's and cooling to the mid-40's at night. Winters are generally cold, with an average maximum temperature from November through February of 35° and an average minimum temperature during the same period of 13° .


General Description

Cove Meadow is a secluded rural estate situated in one of Blaine County's most scenic and laid-back areas. The property is bordered by public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management to the south and large, undeveloped private tracts of land to the north, east and west. A 22-acre conservation easement held by the Wood River Land Trust also borders the property to the north ensuring additional open space. Cove Meadow is rectangular in shape a half-mile in length from east to west and a quarter-mile wide from north to south. The residential compound is strategically situated at the northwest corner of the property to take advantage of the bold views up and down the valley. A winding gravel driveway links the improvements with Cove Creek Road on the eastern edge of the property. The property offers outstanding views of the surrounding Pioneer Mountains and is equally divided between open meadows and timber-covered foothills. Cove Creek joins the East Fork of the Big Wood River on the property, providing over a half-mile of stream frontage with adjoining wet meadows and a willow-lined riparian corridor.


Recreational Considerations

The Sun Valley region offers Idaho's best collection of trout waters, and Cove Meadow lies in the heart of it all. From classic spring creek fishing on world renown Silver Creek to the excellent freestone fisheries of the Big Wood, Little Wood and Big Lost Rivers to stillwater fishing on the area's numerous alpine lakes, an owner of Cove Meadow is only minutes away from an outstanding fishing experience.

Lying 45 minutes south of the property, Silver Creek is among the crown jewels of western fly-fishing. Beginning with the stretch of water through The Nature Conservancy's Silver Creek Preserve, there are miles of spring creek habitat and outstanding fishing downstream to Silver Creek's confluence with the Little Wood River. Fabled insect hatches, eager but selective surface-feeding rainbow and brown trout, and an unlikely high desert setting combine to make this historic spring creek a remarkable place to "wet a line."

Should one have his or her fill of spring creek fishing, the Big Wood, Little Wood, and Big Lost Rivers offer excellent freestone fisheries with plenty of public access. Located just 10 minutes east of Cove Meadow, the Big Wood River, an outstanding rainbow fishery, flows south through the Wood River Valley. This medium-sized mountain stream offers dozens of public access points, a catch and release section, and steady hatches. Rainbow trout growing to 20 inches are the predominant sport. The East Fork of the Big Wood, which combined with Cove Creek meanders through Cove Meadow for a half-mile, is a tributary to the Big Wood River and offers nearly unlimited opportunities to catch small rainbows and brook trout. Lying southeast of the small ranching community of Picabo, the Little Wood River offers a unique angling experience below its confluence with Silver Creek. Looking out across the sagebrush flats south and east of US Highway 93, it is difficult to imagine any water flowing through this high desert environment. Upon closer inspection, however, one will find the Little Wood River tumbling across basalt lava rock and teeming with rainbow and brown trout, some of which grow between 18 to 20 inches. Flanked by Idaho's highest peaks and a short 1½ hour drive away, the Big Lost River near Mackay, Idaho has become a destination for anglers from across the region and is frequented on a daily basis by the top Sun Valley fishing guides. Among the most popular reaches is the section of river below Mackay Dam, which is known for its large rainbows.

The area is also rich with upland birds and waterfowl. Blue grouse and the occasional covey of chukar partridge are found on the hillsides and ridgelines around Cove Meadow. Hungarian partridge inhabit sagebrush areas adjacent to agricultural fields in the southern part of the county, while sage grouse are generally found in sagebrush stands on adjacent BLM lands. Numerous springs and smaller spring creeks, are found in the lower Wood River Valley. Because of their constant temperature, these bodies of water rarely freeze during the winter, which make them a haven for migrating and wintering ducks and geese.

The valley also boasts strong populations of big game. The surrounding mountains, foothills, and high desert areas teem with elk, mule deer and pronghorn. Moose, black bear, and mountain lion also reside locally.

In addition to hunting and trout fishing, the Sun Valley area offers a variety of world-class, year-round outdoor recreation activities only minutes away from Cove Meadow. Winter activities include downhill skiing on famous Bald Mountain (the top of which can be seen from the property) and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling on the area's extensive winter trail network. During the summer and fall, the area's diverse topography offers unparalleled hiking, backpacking and mountain bike riding. Blaine County is also blessed with tens of thousands of acres of BLM and National Forest lands, which provide unlimited opportunities for one to experience the best of Idaho's backcountry.


Taxes

Property taxes for 2008 were 4,336.40.


Water Rights

There is a groundwater right appurtenant to the property allowing for the irrigation of 22 acres.


Additional Information

ADDITIONAL MANAGEMENT, RESOURCE ENHANCEMENT, AND FINANCING SERVICES OFFERED BY HALL AND HALL

MANAGEMENT SERVICES - The management of a ranch such as this one can be made as simple and as time saving or as involved as one desires through the services of Hall and Hall's ranch management division. These services are customized to each owner and ranch. They can be as simple as leasing out the agricultural operations so one has virtually no responsibilities. Or they can be as involved as assessing the existing resource, finding and hiring a caretaker or manager, buying livestock and equipment, expense paying and payroll accounting, etc. Wes Oja and Jerome Chvilicek at (406) 656-7500 are available to describe and discuss these services further and welcome your call.

RESOURCE ENHANCEMENT - Should one desire to assess and enhance the existing fish and wildlife assets of this ranch Hall and Hall's resource management division is available to do so. These services are custom tailored to each owner and ranch and can range from inventorying of existing conditions, plans for restoration and enhancement of streams and ponds and introduction of bird and game feed plots to bidding, cost accounting, construction supervision. Peter Weber at (406) 587-3090 and Wes Oja at (406) 656-7500 are available to describe and discuss these services further and welcome your call.

SPECIALIZED LENDING - Over the past 59 years Hall and Hall has created a legacy by efficiently providing capital to the intermountain west. In addition to traditional farm and ranch loans, we specialize in understanding the unique aspects of placing loans on ranches where value may be influenced by recreational features, location and improvements.
Competitive Pricing - Flexible Terms - Efficient Processing
In-House Appraisals - Common Sense Underwriting
Dave Roddy - (406) 656-7500 - Billings, Montana


Broker Comments

Tucked away in the upper East Fork Valley, just 20 minutes from downtown Ketchum and the Bald Mountain ski lifts, this exceptional 81-acre mountain retreat offers stunning views of the Pioneers and features a beautifully-designed set of improvements built to the highest standard. The East Fork and Cove Creek meander through lush meadows for over a half-mile providing a haven for fish and wildlife. Bordered by Federal lands and private ranch holdings, this property offers the ultimate in privacy and seclusion yet is only a short drive to the amenities of Sun Valley.


Agency Disclosure Statement

IDAHO BROKERAGE DISCLOSURE

The law requires all real estate licensees to perform certain basic duties when dealing with any real estate buyer or seller. You can expect any real estate licensee you deal with to provide the following “customer-level” services:


  • To perform necessary and customary acts to assist you in the purchase or sale of real estate;

  • To perform these acts in good faith and with reasonable care;

  • To properly account for money or other property you place in his or her care; an
  • To disclose “adverse material facts” which are, or should be, within that licensee’s knowledge. These include facts that would significantly affect the desirability or value of the property to a reasonable person, and facts that would indicate to a reasonable person that one of the parties cannot, or will not, complete his obligations under the contract. (Note: Idaho law exempts “psychological” impacts from this disclosure requirement. See Section 55-2701, Idaho Code)



Unless or until you enter a written agreement with the brokerage for agency representation, you are considered a “Customer” of the brokerage, and the brokerage will not act as your agent. As a Customer, you should not expect the brokerage or its licensees to promote your best interest, or to keep your bargaining information confidential.

Whenever you speak to a licensee who represents a party on the other side of the transaction, (e.g., you are seeking to buy the property, and the licensee represents the seller), you should assume that any information you provide will be shared with the other party.

If offered by the real estate brokerage, you may enter a written agreement for “Agency Representation,” requiring that the brokerage and its licensees act as an “Agent” on your behalf and promote your best interests as their “Client.” Idaho law authorizes three types of Agency Representation.

Single Agency:
If you enter a written agreement for Agency Representation, you, as a Client, can expect the real estate brokerage to provide the following services, in addition to the basic duties and obligations required of all licensees:
  • To perform the terms of your written agreement with skill and care;
  • To promote your best interest, in good faith, honest and fair dealing;
    • If you are the seller, this includes seeking a buyer to purchase your property at a price and under terms and conditions acceptable to you, and assisting in the negotiation thereof; and, upon your written request, asking for reasonable proof of a prospective buyer’s financial ability to purchase your property;

    • If you are the buyer, this includes seeking a property to purchase at an acceptable price, terms and conditions, and assisting in the negotiation thereof; and, when appropriate, advising you to obtain professional inspections of the property, or to seek appropriate tax, legal and other professional advice or counsel.

  • To maintain the confidentiality of specific client information, including bargaining information, even after the representation has ended.


  • Limited Dual Agency:
    At a time you enter an agreement for Agency Representation, you may be asked to give written consent allowing the brokerage to represent both you and the other party in a transaction. This “dual agency” situation can arise when, for example, the brokerage that represents you, the seller, also represents buyers who may be interested in purchasing your property. When this occurs, it is necessary that the brokerage’s representation duties be “limited” because a buyer and seller have built-in conflicts of interest. Most significantly, the buyer typically wants the property at the lowest price, while the seller wants top dollar. As a “limited dual agent,” the brokerage and its licensees cannot advocate on behalf of one client over the other, and cannot disclose confidential client information concerning price negotiations, terms or factors motivation the client/buyer to buy or the client/seller to sell. However, the brokerage must otherwise promote the best interests of both parties, perform the terms of the written representation agreement with skill and care, and perform all other duties required by law.

    Buyers and sellers alike often find it desirable to consent to limited dual agency: buyers do not want the brokerage to be restricted in the search for suitable properties, and sellers do not want the brokerage to be restricted in the search for suitable buyers. Thus, when all parties agree in writing, a brokerage may legally represent both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction, but only as a “limited dual agent.”

    Limited Dual Agency with Assigned Agents:
    In some situations, a brokerage that has obtained consent to represent both parties as a limited dual agent may assign individual licensees (“sales associates”) to act soley on behalf of each party. (The brokerage must have an office policy that ensures client confidences are protected.) Where this is the case, the sales associate, or “assigned agent,” is not limited by the brokerage’s agency relationship with the other party, but instead has a duty to promote the best interest of the client that he or she is assigned to represent, including negotiating a price. The designated broker (the licensee who supervises the sales associates in the brokerage firm) remains a limited dual agent for both clients, and ensures the assigned agents fulfill their duties to their respective clients.

    What to Look For in Any Agreement for Agency Representation:
    Whatever type of representation you choose, your written Agency Representation Agreement should answer these questions:

    • How will the brokerage be paid?

    • When will this Agreement expire?

    • What happens when a transaction is completed?

    • Can I cancel the Agreement, and if so, how?

    • Can I work with other brokerages during the time of the Agreement? And what happens if I sell or buy on my own?

    • Am I willing to allow this brokerage to represent me and the other party in the same transaction?



    Real Estate Licensees Are Not Inspectors:
    Even if you have a written agreement for agency representation, you should not expect the brokerage or its licensees to conduct an independent inspection of the property, or to independently verify any statement or representation made by any party to the transaction or other reasonably reliable sources (such as a licensed appraiser, home inspector, or the county assessor’s office). Real estate licensees are entitled to reasonably rely on the statements of their clients and other third-party sources. If the condition of the property is important to you, you should hire an appropriate professional, such as a home inspector, surveyor, or engineer.

    Idaho Real Estate Brokerage Representation Act:
    The specific duties owed by the real estate brokerage and its licensees to a customer or client are defined by the “Idaho Real Estate Brokerage Representation Act,” located at Idaho Code Section 54-2052, et seq.

    When you sign a real estate Purchase and Sale Agreement as a buyer or seller, you will be asked to confirm:

    1. that this disclosure was given to you and that you have read and understand its contents; and

    2. the agency relationship, if any, between you and the brokerage working with you.





























    NOTICE: Offering is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information regarding land classifications, acreages, carrying capacities, potential profits, etc., are intended only as general guidelines and have been provided by sources deemed reliable, but whose accuracy we cannot guarantee. Prospective buyers should verify all information to their satisfaction. Prospective buyers should also be aware that the photographs in this brochure may have been digitally enhanced.

    © Copyright 2006 - Hall and Hall - All Rights Reserved
    P.O. Box 81490 - Billings, Montana 59108 - P: 406.656-7500 F: 406.656-7550