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Buyer's Guide 2026

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B U Y E R’ S G U I D E TRUSTED GUIDA NCE FOR YOUR NEXT EXCEPTIONA L PROPERT Y

PRESENTED BY COREY GR AHAM


CONTENTS ABOUT ME

04

W E L C OM E T O S U N VA L L E Y

06

LOCAL AREA GUIDE

08

DEMOGR APHICS

10

EDUCATION

12

EXTENSIVE SUPPORT TEAM

14

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

16

BUYING A HOME

18

FREQUENT BUYER QUESTIONS

20

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

24

CLOSING NOTE

25


ABOUT COREY

2025 TOP PRODUCER & 2026 SU N VA L L E Y B OA R D O F R E A LTO R S D I R E C TO R

E X PE RT PROBE L M S OLV E R , TAC T IC A L PL A N N I NG, CLIENT CENTR IC, R IGHT R ESULTS With a few decades of real estate experience, I bring a seasoned perspective and a highly strategic approach to every buyer I represent. In 2025, I closed over $32 million in sales, ranking #1 by volume at Sun Valley Sotheby’s International Realty, driven not just by transactions, but by long-standing relationships and trusted guidance. As a 2026 Director of the Sun Valley Board of Realtors, I remain closely connected to the evolving dynamics of our market, giving my clients a real-time advantage. Buying in a market like Sun Valley requires more than access, it requires insight, relationships, and thoughtful positioning. I take the time to understand your lifestyle, priorities, and long-term goals, then build a tailored strategy around them. From navigating limited inventory to identifying off-market opportunities, my role is to guide you with clarity, discretion, and confidence at every step.

PHILOSOPHY I believe successful buying comes down to preparation, access, and execution. Through honest communication, strong local knowledge, and a highly connected network, I help my clients make informed, confident decisions. As an affiliate of Sotheby’s International Realty, I connect my clients to a global network that is simply incomparable. Through my involvement in invitation-only groups such as Our Trusted Network (OTN) and the Ski, Sea & Sun Referral Network (S3), I collaborate with top agents across premier markets, uncovering opportunities that may never reach the open market.

COMMITMENT Through strong relationships and a clear understanding of seller motivations, I create leverage wherever possible. From the first conversation to the final negotiation, I am proactive, detail-oriented, and fully aligned with your best outcome. My commitment is simple: to advocate for you at the highest level, uncover opportunities others don’t see, and guide you to the right property with confidence, clarity, and a distinct competitive edge.

415.971.0167 coreyonthego.com corey@coreygraham.net


BY THE NUMBERS $32M +

TOTA L SA LES VOLUME IN 2025

40

YEARS OF REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE

#1

S U N VA L L E Y SOTHEBY’S AGENT BY VOLUME IN 2025

2026

DIRECTOR, SUN VA L L E Y B OA R D O F R E A LTORS

10 +

FIVE STAR REVIEWS


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W E L C O M E TO

S U N VA L L E Y Sun Valley is a rare alpine community where breathtaking wilderness meets the charm and culture of a vibrant mountain town. In winter, the valley becomes a world-class destination for Alpine and Nordic skiing, drawing enthusiasts from around the globe to its legendary slopes and extensive trail systems. When the snow melts, summer reveals miles of hiking and biking trails, pristine rivers for fishing and whitewater rafting, and long evenings spent enjoying life outdoors. Just as exceptional as the landscape are the homes that dot the valley, from charming in-town condominiums to elegant mountain estates and expansive ranch properties, offering a wide range of opportunities to create a home in one of the West’s most extraordinary settings.

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LOC AL

AREA GUIDE

KETCHUM Ketchum, the center of the Sun Valley area, sits at the base of Bald Mountain along the Big Wood River. It is a vibrant town offering a range of real estate, along with galleries, dining, and local shops. Residents enjoy

S U N VA L L E Y

walkable streets, access to trails and the river, and a

Sun Valley, located just east of Bald Mountain and

with a lively in-town atmosphere.

minutes from Ketchum, is a highly sought-after residential neighborhood known for its proximity

year-round lifestyle that blends outdoor recreation

NORTH OF KETCHUM

to the Sun Valley Lodge and year-round amenities.

North of Ketchum, toward the SNRA, offers more

Established neighborhoods, golf course frontage

spacious homes and a quieter, residential setting

homes, and a mix of classic and new properties.

with close access to outdoor recreation. Properties

Residents enjoy access to trails, and the dining, spa,

here range from larger parcels to luxury homes, with

and lifestyle offerings of the Lodge.

convenient proximity to both hiking and skiing.

ELKHORN

WA R M SPR I NG S

Elkhorn, part of Sun Valley, extends from Dollar

Warm Springs, on Ketchum’s west side, offers a

Mountain to the southern edge of Ketchum. Offering

scenic residential setting with year-round appeal.

access to the golf course, pools, tennis, and a wide

Located just minutes from Downtown Ketchum,

range of real estate, from mountain-view homes to

it features a mix of custom homes and ski

convenient condominiums. With extensive bike paths

condominiums. Close proximity to the Warm Springs

and public transit, Elkhorn offers easy access to both

lifts, providing direct access to Bald Mountain, along

Sun Valley and Ketchum.

with a quieter, neighborhood-oriented feel.

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SOUTH OF KETCHUM

BELLEVUE

South of Ketchum, between Ketchum and Hailey,

Bellevue, the southern gateway to the Wood River

offers a more open, residential setting with a rural

Valley, offers a quieter, more rural setting with

feel. This growing area features newer, high-end

spacious real estate, including ranches and larger-

subdivisions alongside larger parcels, with access

acre parcels. Just south of town, Silver Creek is a

to the Big Wood River and views of Hyndman Peak.

renowned destination for fishing and birding. For

Residents appreciate the balance of space, scenery,

those seeking open space and a more laid-back pace.

and convenient proximity to both towns. HAILEY

STANLEY

Hailey is a vibrant and growing community offering

Stanley, about an hour north of Sun Valley, offers

a range of real estate, often appealing to full-time

a distinct perspective, with a dramatic shift in

residents and first-time buyers. Located about 12

landscape as you crest Galena Summit. The area is

miles south of Sun Valley, Hailey is home to Wood

known for ranches, lakefront cabins, and mountain

River High School and Middle School and features

lodges. Residents are drawn to its scale, natural

established, family-friendly neighborhoods, making it

beauty, and a lifestyle shaped by the surrounding

a central hub within Blaine County.

wilderness. Sun Valley and Elkhorn N of Ketchum, Ketchum, Warm Springs and S of Ketchum Stanley Hailey Bellevue

Population Median Age 1,842 57 3,624 47 122 73 10,126 38 2,606 40

N OF KETCHUM/ KETCHUM/ WARM SPRINGS/ Title S OF Chart KETCHUM

SUN VALLEY/ ELKHORN

P OP : 3,6 24

STANLEY POP: 122

P O P : 1,8 4 2

BELLEVUE

PO P : 2 ,6 06

HAILEY

P O P : 10, 1 2 6 Sun Valley and Elkhorn

N of Ketchum, Ketchum, Warm Springs and S of Ketchum

Stanley

Hailey

Bellevue

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BLAINE COUNTY

DEMOGRAPHICS POPU L AT ION:

VOTING:

•

Total population: 24,600 (2024 estimate)

•

Predominantly Democratic in its voting patterns.

•

Estimated growth: 6-7% increase since 2010

•

2024 election: 64.4% Kamala, 32.7% Trump

•

Population: 50.5% female, 49.5% male

•

Median age: 45.6 years

T R A NSPORTAT ION: •

The primary mode of transportation is private vehicle.

•

The Friedman Memorial airport offers service to Utah, Colorado, Washington, California, and more.

•

Mountain Rides bus operates all year and offers transportation between towns.

CLIMATE/ENVIRONMENT: •

Annual rainfall: 13.5 inches

•

Annual snowfall: 150 inches

•

Precipitation: 86 days per year

•

Sunny days: 250 days per year

•

Average high temperature in July: 81° F

•

Average low temperature in January: 12° F

GEO GR A PH Y: •

Land area: 2,661 square miles

•

Elevation: 1,800 - 12,009 ft, average of 5,500 ft.

•

Nearest metropolitan area: Boise

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HOUSING: (2024 CENSUS) •

Owner-occupied housing rate: 74%

•

Renter-occupied housing: 26%

•

Persons per household: 2.36

•

Total housing units: 16,502

•

Percent occupied housing: 65%

•

Percent vacant housing: 35%


BLAINE COUNTY

E D U C AT I O N BLAINE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT: •

~3,200–3,500 total students

•

Student–Teacher Ratio: ~14:1

•

Average Class Size: ~18–22 students

•

Graduation Rate: ~85–90%

•

Offers 15+ AP / advanced courses at the high school level

•

Emphasis on college readiness, outdoor education, and community engagement

PUBLIC SCHOOL OVERVIEW •

Wood River High School (9–12): ~830 students

•

Carey School (K–12): ~250 students

•

Multiple K–8 and elementary options across Hailey, Ketchum, and Bellevue

PR I VAT E A N D A LT E R N AT I V E OP T ION S •

The Community School (K–12): ~345 students ~100% college matriculation rate

•

Sage School (K–12): ~150 students

•

Pioneer Montessori (K–8): ~150 students

•

Silver Creek High School (9–12): alternative program

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TESTIMONIALS “Corey is a ROCK STAR!! A master of marketing, Corey provides endless bursts of WOW. Her guidance was invaluable, always professional, accurate, and timely. Corey is thorough and organized and always kept our best interests in mind. She went over and above to help us sell our home. And . . . she’s a super nice and kind person!! Having been raised in Sun Valley, she knows the town, the area, the market, and her clientele. We were so lucky to have her representing us. Corey rates six out of five stars.” JANE

“The absolute best! She not only helped us sell our old place, but also helped us buy a beautiful new house to replace it! And made us money on the old place and saved us money on the new! It was incredible. She went over the top in being helpful, and went out of her way, to be kind, patient, and knowledgeable! I highly recommend!” ROBERT

“If Corey is not your agent then you are putting yourself a step behind! Corey has about as much experience in wood river valley real estate as you can possibly get. These days, when inventory is so low and competition to buy is over the top, you need her on your side to dig up properties you don’t see on search engines, that’s where her experience, extensive market knowledge, and massive network in the area come into play. Corey found us something we would never have otherwise found, so we can finally start building a life here. If you feel like it’s a hopeless battle to find a place in today’s market, you owe it to yourself to give her a call!” GREGORY

“Corey Graham is an amazing real estate agent! My husband and I felt secure and confident in her guidance and advocacy in the process of selling our home. We felt her recommendations were always aligned with our needs and interests. She is so knowledgeable. (she knows this Valley like the back of her hand), perceptive, and thoroughly proactive. She is the perfect blend of professionalism and warmth. We’ve loved working with Corey, and we recommend her and will be lifetime clients.” BIANCA

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DE DIC AT E D S U PP ORT S TA F F P R O V I D I N G A S T R O N G F O U N D AT I O N F O R S U C C E S S

ACCO U NTI N G A N D O P E R AT I O N S

Agent Concierge LEADERSHIP Our executive team is composed of seasoned brokers with deep market expertise—they are vetted professionals who play a vital role in providing strategic direction and comprehensive support for our sales agents, setting a visionary course to best serve our clients Managing Brokers in today’s evolving industry.

Accounting

Operations

This diverse group of professionals ensure our brokerage operates smoothly day in and out—completing wire transfers, directing calls, answering questions and generally assisting our agents to ensure you – our clients – receive the highest level of service possible.

TR A N SAC TI O N M A N AG EM ENT Our transaction management professionals coordinate and oversee each transaction from start-to-finish. Industry tested and vetted, they manage all listing documents to ensure an organized, streamlined and on-schedule process for our sales professionals and their clients.

LEGAL COUNSEL

Videography

Development Services

Photography

MARKETING

Design Team

Our marketing agency provides award-winning creative services for our clients and their properties—ensuring our messaging is impactful, effective and visually compelling. Utilizing graphic design, photography/ video, digital campaigns and more, this dynamic team of creative professionals provide innovative marketing for today’s modern real estate industry.

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T H E P RO C E S S O F

BUYING A HOME EXCEPTIONA L OU TCOMES ONLY COME FROM USING EXCEPTIONA L EX PERTS At Sun Valley Sotheby’s International Realty, we believe your best life comes from a home that inspires you. During the real estate buying process, who you have on your side matters. This is why we strongly believe, especially in today’s fast-paced market, that having a local real estate professional on your team to guide you through the buying process and advocate on your behalf can make a difference in your buying experience and outcome.

FINDING A HOUSE ONLINE IS JUST THE BEGINNING…. During your real estate transaction, you could encounter hundreds of different steps for a successful sale. You need a local real estate expert to help you from price evaluation, determination and negotiation. You need a partner who will advocate on your behalf from the offer to settlement, and every negotiation that could come up in between to help secure your best deal and home.

OVERVIEW OF BUYER PROCESS On the following page is a list of what to expect as you begin your search for your new home. In this fast-paced market, being fully prepared is the best way to a successful purchase.

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STEP 1: BU YER CONSULTATION Initial consultation in person, by phone, or web to get to know each other. This discussion will include your description of the ideal property, its characteristics, location, price, and amenities. Your timeline, budget, available funds or financing will also be addressed. It is important to understand we become a team, so we both want to be on the same page when it comes to your goals.

STEP 2: BUYER BROKER AGREEMENT If we both determine that this is the right fit, I will provide you with a Buyer Representation Agreement and Agency Disclosure which outlines our partnership in the search for your perfect property. This is our commitment to one another so that we can work together towards a successful closing.

STEP 3: PROPERT Y SE A RCH The fun begins! Together, we will identify properties whether on or off the market that meet your criteria as discussed in our buyer consultation.

ST E P 4: PR E PA R I NG T H E OF F E R I will help prepare an offer which will meet your goals but also be as competitive as possible to appeal to the seller. Communication is crucial at this stage, and I take pride in my effective communication with not only clients but listing agents as well. This characteristic becomes extremely valuable in the situation of multiple offers.

STEP 5: CONTR ACT GUIDA NCE Once an offer is accepted, this is only the beginning of the journey to the closing table. During the contract period there are numerous obligations and deadlines a buyer must meet in order to have a successful transaction. There may be numerous negotiations and/or re-negotiations that happen during this timeframe where it becomes imperative to have a professional REALTOR® to guide you in a direction that best fits your needs and goals.

STEP 6: SETTLEMENT When approaching settlement, my team at the Title Company and I will help make your transition to the new home as smooth as possible. We will help schedule your walk-throughs, settlement signing, and key exchange so you can settle into your new home.

ST EP 7: POST CLOSING Our relationship doesn’t end after closing! I will check in periodically and always be available should you need a reevaluation of your home or have any other real estate related business where we can be of assistance. 15


F R E QU E N T LY A S K E D

BUYER QUESTIONS I S T H E R E A N Y T H I NG T H AT I S HOU L D AVOI D DU R I NG A R E A L E S TAT E TR ANSACTION? Yes, if you are obtaining a loan you may want to avoid the following which could put your loan approval in jeopardy: •

Changing Jobs or Marital Status

•

Moving Funds

•

Paying off Debts (unless lender requires it)

•

Making Any Other Large Purchases

•

Do Not Co-Sign on or Apply for New Lines of Credit

AS A BUYER, WHAT ARE INCLUDED IN MY CLOSING COSTS? At the settlement, you might be asked to pay for the following costs (if applicable) which will be itemized on the Settlement Statement: •

Loan Fees (could include credit report, origination, or appraisal fees)

•

Prorated Property Taxes and/or HOA Dues (if applicable)

•

Recording Fees

•

Title Fees

•

Other Prepaid Fees (such as HOA dues, assessments, HOA transfer fees etc.)

In Idaho, the standard Real Estate Purchase Contract (REPC) designates that the Seller will pay for the title policy premium which will be issued by the escrow company; however, this could be negotiated by the parties and may become a cost of the Buyer.

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I F I WA N T T O OBTA I N A L OA N, D O I N EED TO BE PR E-A PPROV ED TO START THE REAL ESTATE SEARCH? The short answer to this is yes. Especially in this market where properties are sometimes under contract within a few days from listing, you need to be as prepared as possible to submit a strong and competitive offer. It could be frustrating if you are not prepared. Obtain a pre-qualification with letter from a lender which will not only help you understand your budget, but inform the seller that your offer is serious and you are ready and qualified to purchase.

DO I R E A LLY NEED A HOME INSPECTION? Home inspections can help protect you against unknowns of a property – ie., things that the seller may not even be aware of (so it was not disclosed on their Seller Disclosures) or other items which were not visible on the initial tour(s) of the home which could greatly affect is market value. Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to a real estate transaction. A professional, licensed home inspector will identify potential problems with roofing, plumbing, heating, electrical, radon, meth, mold, and flag any potential issues in a home inspection report. I will thoroughly review this report and advise you on any negotiations or re-negotiations that should occur with the seller to protect your investment.

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LOC AL FOCUS

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE Our team brings a wealth of global knowledge, insight and expertise to each property. We strive to give our clients the best service possible, backed by a strong commitment to local expertise and community engagement. Our sales associates are knowledgeable about their local markets, but they also go the extra mile by giving back and supporting local causes. Your sales associates are eager to share their in-depth knowledge of local history, culture and happenings to provide value for even the most established residents.

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CLOSING NOTE

In conclusion, our quest for your perfect home revolves around grasping “the why” and aligning with a property’s lifestyle. Identifying your preferences marks the next crucial step. Throughout our journey, my focus is on pinpointing the ideal home at the opportune moment, streamlining choices through MLS, off-market listings, and community connections. As your dedicated guide, once your dream home materializes, we’re ready to hit the road. Navigating property acquisition in our Valley requires careful consideration, and I am committed to assisting you in making timely, informed decisions on this thrilling journey.

COREY GRAHAM

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COREY GR AHAM Associate Broker

415.971.0167 corey@coreygraham.net coreyonthego.com 291 N. Main Street | Ketchum, ID

sunvalleysir.com

This material is based upon information that we consider reliable, but because it has been supplied by third parties, we cannot represent that it is accurate or complete, including price, or withdrawal without notice; square footage is an estimate only. ©MMXXIV Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a licensed trademark to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. An Equal Opportunity Company. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Copyright© Sun Valley Sotheby’s International Realty 2026.


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