At Rixon + Cronin, we strive to deliver the highest level of service while endeavoring to be the very best versions of ourselves. We are gratitude-based, service-obsessed market experts focused on forging lasting relationships built on trust. We look forward to serving you in 2025!
Katherine has been selling real estate since 2000 and has been in partnership with Rob Cronin since 2006. She is known for her incredible work ethic, savvy negotiation skills and her dedication to her clients. Katherine graduated Cum Laude from Colorado College with a degree in Economics and Environmental Science. Her husband, Buffalo, is an architect and partner at R/L/B Architecture. They have two adult children. Katherine is the former Board Chair of the Sun Valley Museum of Art and currently on the Advisory Board of Far and Wise. When she is not working, you will find Katherine out hiking or skiing the local trails.
Following her graduation from the University of Colorado, Melissa embarked on a career in commercial real estate in San Diego before transitioning to a decade-long tenure in the Seattle technology industry. During this time, she led numerous large-scale marketing content development projects for clients such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Yahoo. She returned to real estate in Seattle in 2015 and then moved to Sun Valley in 2021. She joined the Rixon + Cronin team in 2024 and currently holds real estate licenses in both Idaho and Washington. Melissa combines her client relationship-building skills with her business rigor, marketing acumen, and negotiation expertise. She is a member of REALM, a globally connected luxury real estate community, and is also a Guild Elite member of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing.
Jordan graduated from University of San Diego with a Bachelor’s in Economics. Prior to joining Rixon + Cronin, he spent six years in the Bay Area working in tech at several prominent companies, starting with Tesla, then at Samsara and ChargePoint. He is thrilled to now be in real estate sales and development. Born with profound hearing loss, Jordan wears two cochlear implants that allow him to hear. Having raced go-karts throughout his childhood (fun fact: he’s a three-time Californian champion), his greatest passion and favorite pastime is cars and racing. He currently runs Ketchum Cars and Coffee. About town, Jordan can be found with his two dogs and wife, Allison.
Born and raised in New York City, Rob first came to Sun Valley in 1995 to open The Mint for Bruce Willis and Demi Moore and fell in love with the area. He has since owned several local restaurants. A cancer survivor himself, Rob has been involved with Camp Rainbow Gold for the past 24 years and has been nationally recognized for his work with the organization.
In 2015 Rob married the love of his life, Charli, and instantly became a father to her two boys, Ashton and Jadon. A veritable ‘people person,’ Rob loves nothing more than enjoying a glass of wine with clients and friends!
Erika moved to Sun Valley in 2007, drawn by its world-class skiing and vibrant community. A former NCAA ski racer, she first came to the area after graduating from the University of Utah. Her passion for the sport led her to work with the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation for 15 years, where she started as a coach and eventually ran the academic program, building lasting relationships and trust within the community. Originally from New York, Erika now proudly calls Sun Valley home. She married into the Rixon family, joining her husband Carl (also a former ski racer) in their life here and now have two boys Ford and Banks. Carl owns and operates Rixon Excavation, further rooting Erika in the local fabric of this beautiful valley. Known for her kindness, persistence, and ability to remain calm amidst chaos,
Erika brings a personal touch and a steady hand to everything she does.
JENNY BLOMQUIST MARKETING DIRECTOR
Originally from Salmon Arm, B.C. Jenny moved to the US with her family at a young age, relocating to several states until landing in the Wood River Valley in 2000. Jenny obtained her real estate license in 2005 and then managed several real estate offices, where she honed in her graphic design and marketing skills. She lives in Hailey with her husband and two young sons and loves watching them excel in Allstar baseball and Sun Valley Sun’s Youth Hockey.
REAL ESTATE SALES IN BLAINE COUNTY CREST ONE BILLION
2024 was a year of growth in the Wood River Valley. And while change is rarely comfortable, in general the growth in the Wood River Valley has been well-planned and thoughtful.
Sun Valley has retained its character as an outdoorsy resort town boasting an incredible ski mountain, a rich array of arts and culture and a down-to-earth vibe.
We feel fortunate to call this valley our home.
In the summer of 2024 Phases 1 -3 of Ketchum’s Project Main Street were completed providing Main Street with a new roadway and sidewalks between River and 4th Street. Phases 4 and 5 (4th Street through 10th Street) are scheduled for the summer of 2025.
The Bluebird Village also opened its doors this year with 51 condos of varying sizes leased to members of the local workforce. Managed by the Blaine County Housing Authority, most units are dedicated to locals earning 50-70 % of the median income. This is a significant step by the city of Ketchum to address the affordable housing crisis facing our valley.
In larger developments, construction is finally underway on The Harriman Hotel. The new hotel at the entrance to Ketchum will feature 73 rooms and 12 condo residences. The hotel will have a full spa, bar, gym and restaurant and is expected to open in early summer 2026
On Bald Mountain, Sun Valley Company opened a new Doppelmayr “6-pack” on Seattle Ridge, complementing the two new Warm Springs lifts that opened in late 2023. Skiers will also notice new infrastructure lining the Warm Springs side of the mountain in anticipation of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup which will be held for the first time in Sun Valley from March 22 – 27, 2025.
The world’s best skiers in Downhill, Super-G, Giant Slalom and Slalom will compete on Baldy. Concurrently, the 5850 Fest , will host concerts, culinary and drink experiences for athletes and spectators alike in downtown Ketchum.
We are sad to report that the Sun Valley Resort matriarch Carol Holding passed away on December 22 at age 95. At this time the Holding children are committed to continuing to run the resort as their parents did since they purchased it from Bill Janss in 1977.
The 2024 Sun Valley real estate market continued its upward trend, with total sales volume of just over $1 Billion, 20 percent more than 2023 and a 16% increase in average sales price to $1,723,248
Interestingly, the Wood River Valley saw a divergence in the north end versus the south end markets this year. While prices in Ketchum and Sun Valley continued to increase, prices in Bellevue and Hailey softened, mostly due to mortgage rates instability and a lack of inventory, which made lateral movement difficult.
Rixon + Cronin achieved our highest sales volume ever, closing $243 million in sales in 2024. We are proud to be ranked #1 in the Sun Valley area for the seventh year in a row
We are also honored to report that since we first began to give a share of our commissions to local non-profits in 2010, we have donated over $1,000,000 to organizations in the Wood River Valley. We have a deep-seated belief that giving back to the place we call home helps all of us in the end.
In the following pages we have analyzed the 2024 real estate statistics in a number of ways to illustrate trends in the marketplace.
If you have any questions, we encourage you to reach out to us anytime.
Despite high interest rates and rising unemployment, the U.S. economy grew by approximately 2.9% in 2024, slightly higher than 2023, powered by resilient consumer spending.
The S&P 500 index added more than 26% in 2024, helped by strong corporate earnings. The NASDAQ rose even higher, up 32%, as Artificial Intelligence enthusiasm sent tech valuations soaring.
Although mortgage rates have decreased from their peak of nearly 8% in October 2023, they ended the year slightly higher than where they began.
The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate was 6.85% on December 31, according to Freddie Mac data. Experts predict the Fed is likely to cut benchmark interest rates just twice in 2025, while many analysts and economists had expected as many as four reductions.
$2,841,250 $2,116,337 $1,915,267 $2,971,714
Spur enables donors to support the community with clarity, convenience, and confidence, guiding them toward more impactful giving.
Through grants, advisory services, and leadership coaching, Spur empowers local nonprofits to thrive and achieve lasting success.
By focusing on the whole community, Spur is uniquely positioned to mobilize resources to address the areas of greatest need.
Stanley Area Highlights
World class fly fishing
Sunbeam Hot Springs
Historic downtown Stanley River Rafting (Salmon River)
Incredible Alpine Hiking
Backcountry skiing & snowmobiling
North of Ketchum Highlights
Warm Springs Day Lodge & skiing
Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation (SVSEF) headquarters
Warm Springs Creek
Warm Springs Preserve (65-acre dog park & walking area)
Heidelburg trail to Adam’s Gulch trail system
Frenchman's Hot Springs Apple’s Bar & Grill
Larger parcels of land
Easy access to Ketchum or Hailey
Bigwood River access
• Wood River Bike Path
Pioneer Mountain Range
Greenhorn Trail System
Hailey Highlights
Quigley
Rotarun Ski Area
Howard Preserve
Friedman Memorial
BCRD
While Sun Valley has seen record growth in the past few years, it is important to view these trends in context. In the chart below, we have compared Sun Valley to other Western resort towns, including Incline Village (Tahoe), Vail, Park City, Jackson Hole, and Aspen. To ensure consistency across markets, we used the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) as a standardized benchmark. Because Idaho is a non-disclosure state, Zillow’s algorithm often underestimates true market values in Sun Valley, however it still provides a reliable basis for comparison. For example, the 2024 ZHVI lists Sun Valley at $1,346,906, but our MLS sales data from 2024 shows an average sales price of $1,723,218.
Despite our growth, Sun Valley remains a value when compared to other Western resorts. Our values are comparable to Tahoe but significantly lower than Vail, Park City, Jackson Hole, and Aspen.
We remain confident that the Sun Valley market offers exceptional value compared to other elite resort markets.
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The Wood River Valley is a spectacular place to visit regardless of the season. Many are first introduced to the area after a ski trip to the famous Sun Valley Resort, but as the saying goes, “they come for the skiing, but stay for the summer”. With, on average, over 200 days of sunshine each year, outdoor recreation is always at the forefront. But the area is also known for its arts, culture, fine dining and local festivals.
The year typically begins with the Sun Valley Film Festival, bringing celebrities and industry professionals to a fiveday celebration of film. However, the festival organizers announced late in 2024 they are moving the festival to the end of the year starting December 2025. Visit sunvalleyfilmfestival.org for more information of next year’s events. They also host monthly film events during the year which sometimes bring the film’s actors, directors and/or producers to talk about their film.
Come see cowboys and skiers get together for the annual Wood River Extreme Ski Joring Races in Bellevue, in February. This thrilling sport is gaining popularity nationwide, where skiers pulled by galloping horses navigate a series of jumps and obstacles. Visit woodriveresja.com for details.
Stanley Winterfest is also a fun and hilarious adventure north of the Wood River Valley. The festival in the small town of Stanley features winter rafting rides, an outhouse race (yes you read that right), a frozen “Turkey Bowl”, live music and more. Visit stanleywinterfest.com for details.
There is much anticipation for the FIS Alpine World Cup Finals happening on Bald Mountain March 22 - 27. The world’s best skiers will be competing on Baldy while musical acts such as Sugar Ray, country singer Tracy Byrd and DJ Brandi Cyrus (Miley Cyrus’ sister) will be entertaining the crowds after the races.
Summer is a popular time for locals and visitors alike to explore the outdoors on the many hiking, biking, horseback riding and ATV trails surrounding the Wood River Valley. One of the premiere features of our valley is the 20-mile Wood River Trail (aka the valley’s bike path), which used to be the Sun Valley line for the Union Pacific Railroad. Blaine County Recreation District paved the trail from Sun Valley to Bellevue in 1991.
Other popular in town trails include the White Clouds Trail, offer stunning views of Bald Mountain, the Proctor Mountain Trail, (the site of the first ski lift in the United States) or the trails on Bald Mountain, where you can choose to take the gondola up and then hike down.
The south valley will soon have a new trail system for hiking and biking, thanks to an agreement with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the Wood River Trails Coalition with a grant from the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.
81 miles of new trails are planned connecting Hailey and Bellevue. For a map of the planned trails, visit eplanning. blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2000819/580.
Other popular trails for horseback riding, biking/e-biking, hiking or ATV use, can be found on Trail Creek Road past Sun Valley, or out Baker Creek north of Ketchum in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
The Fourth of July Parade and the Days of the Old West Rodeo, both in Hailey, are considered the unofficial start to the summer season. Locals and visitors alike line the streets of Hailey for this fun western-themed parade. Make sure to don your cowboy boots and hat for the rodeo, which takes place each evening.
If you are more of a water person, add floating or fishing Silver Creek to your summer list. Fishing can be challenging on this beautiful preserve, but at least you can count on seeing local wildlife including elk and moose while you are on the water. (Don’t forget a hat for shade.)
The influence of iconic writer Ernest Hemingway can be felt at the Sun Valley Writer’s Conference each July. This popular festival brings notable writers, authors and journalists from around the world to the Sun Valley Resort for three days of presentations and workshops.
The Wood River Valley is also known for the annual Sun Valley Music Festival, (formerly called the Sun Valley Summer Symphony). This late-summer festival offers classical music free to the community. Bring a picnic to the Sun Valley Pavilion lawn to hear live music played by world renowned musicians who gather in Sun Valley to play together each summer. Visit svmusicfestival.org for details.
Other popular summertime festivals include the Sun Valley Brewfest in June, Ketchum Arts Festival in July and the Sun Valley Arts and Crafts Festival and the Artists’ Summer Studio Tour in August.
On Labor Day weekend, the annual Rebecca’s Private Idaho gravel bike race takes over Trail Creek Road. Their route is considered one of the 25 Best Bike Rides in the World by Outside Magazine. More about the race can be found at rebeccasprivateidaho.com
Also on Labor Day weekend is Wagon Days, the biggest non-motorized parade in the U.S., honoring the area’s mining history. Watching the Big Hitch wagon make the turn from Sun Valley Road to Highway 75 is not to be missed.
Among Fall festivals, the Trailing of the Sheep is one of the most unique. Basque, Scottish and Peruvian sheep farming has been a staple in the valley since the mid-1800’s and the festival celebrates this heritage.
Enjoy lamb-themed meals, watch the Sheep Dog Trials and enjoy the parade where hundreds of sheep march down Main Street in Ketchum. Visit trailingofthesheepfestival.org for details.
After the day’s outdoor activities, visitors flock to the Valley’s many restaurants and eateries. Many new establishments have popped up in the last year or so.
In the south end of the valley The Cutthroat Club offers unique dishes featuring wild game. Yoimi Sushi and Hibachi in Bellevue offers Asian flavors, and the popular La Cabañita Restaurant took over the former Silver Dollar bar for its third location. Local Bellevue favorites also include Mahoney’s Bar and Grill and Lucy’s Breakfast
In Hailey, La Cabañita at The Mint, and Serva Peruvian Cuisine flank Main Street. Ketchum is welcoming a new restaurant, Fiamma, next door to Vintage, a local’s favorite.
In other news, the old Liberty Theater was brought back to life in 2024 by a group of locals who banded together and now host local theater, concerts and film screenings. Visit libertytheaterhailey.com for their schedule.
The iconic Magic Lantern Theater in Ketchum was also saved from closure and revamped into Merlin’s Magic Lantern by local Bob Peterson. As a film industry veteran, he supports local movie theaters and hopes to create a space where visiting film industry professionals can work on their projects as they enjoy the area.
The Argyros Performing Arts Center up in Ketchum is also a fantastic place to celebrate arts and culture. The 2025 season begins with Tyler Hubbard and Friends, Mat Kearney, and Marcus King. Make sure to check their schedule at theargyros.org
October tends to more of a locals time of the year. Halloween related events include the annual Blazing
Pumpkins at Swiftsure Ranch and trick or treating events at local businesses in Hailey and Ketchum.
In November, the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day is a great way to work off some calories before your turkey dinner. It is also when ski season officially begins on Bald Mountain.
The Sun Valley resort is the place to be in December with everything from the Gingerbread House contest, screenings of classic holiday films, visits with Santa and caroling events. Of course, the Torchlight Parade and Ice Show are not to be missed on Christmas Eve. You can ring in the New Year night skiing on Dollar Mountain followed by a fireworks show. It is a magical time for kids and adults alike.
The Wood River Valley has something for everyone at every age and in every month of the year. We look forward to seeing you here!
STORAGE CONDOMINIUMS FOR SALE CONSTRUCTION BEGINNING SPRING 2025
• 24 Hour Access
• Gated with Security
• Quality Customizable Construction
• Temperature Controlled Units
• Superior Property Management
• Conveniently Located
Rixon + Cronin #1
$250,000,000
LIVE LOCAL, GIVE BACK
SINCE 2008, THE RIXON + CRONIN TEAM HAS DONATED 5% OF EVERY COMMISSION TO LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Enriching the Wood River Valley through education arts, athletics, environmental and humanitarian stewardship.
With the help of Spur Community Foundation and clients like you, we are able to leverage our impact on the community we know and love.
Thank you for helping us pay it forward.
“With this stock trailer (funded by Rixon + Cronin), it allows us to not only move many of our horses at one time in case of emergency, but also allows us to provide more of our horses to travel to Swiftsure events or to other events that we either are partnered with or support like Camp Rainbow Gold. I know from my position as Ranch Manager, it gives me great peace of mind that we have good quality equipment that is safe for our horses wherever they and the staff are traveling to so that we can provide the absolute best equine therapy sessions possible.”
- Travis, Ranch Manager
"We have been honored to steward the Rixon + Cronin Charitable Fund for six years, and we continue to be inspired by Katherine and her team's unwavering dedication to giving back to the community. Their commitment to fostering generosity and ensuring the Wood River Valley is celebrated for its philanthropic spirit is truly remarkable."
- Anna Parker, Donor Services Manager
“We are so grateful for Rixon & Cronin’s impactful support this year! Far + Wise put Rixon & Cronin’s funds will be used to support the development of our Trade & Vocational Initiative! This initiative provides with training, education and skill-building opportunities for students interested in local, continuing education and training to develop skills they can put to use right here in our community with local businesses!”
- Laura Lewis, Executive Director
“I am incredibly grateful for the generous support from the Rixon-Cronin Charitable Fund to help Kids Mountain Fund provide free lease packages to about 140 kids who participate in the Rota-Rippers (elementary school) and Rota-Ravens (middle school) after school winter sports programs at Rotarun ski hill in Hailey, ID. Kids Mountain Fund teams up with Sturtevants in Hailey to properly fit kids with gear many of whom are first generation skiers and snowboarders. Rota-Rippers and Rota-Ravens are free learn to ski and snowboard programs that promote diversity and inclusion in winter sports to underserved communities in the Wood River Valley. Thanks to your support for helping to make these great programs a reality for so many families. Without free lease equipment many families would not participate in these learn to ski and snowboard programs. We are breaking down barriers and making winter fun by providing an opportunity for many families to participate in an activity that is such a part of who we are in the Wood River Valley yet out of reach for so many who live here.”
- Kaz Thea
“Thank you very much for your grant supporting the Wood River Orchestra. We are an organization of musicians in the Wood River Valley who perform orchestral music for the Community. Our musicians range in age from 15 to 85 and come from all walks of life. In order to be as inclusive as possible, we do not charge dues to play, and our performances are free to the public for free. We therefore rely on donations and grants to keep our 15 year old non-profit organization thriving. Receiving a grant from Rixon+Cronin helps us keep performing four concerts a year. With this grant, Rixon+Cronin is recognizing the vital role a grass roots musical organization such as the Wood River Orchestra has in enriching the way of life in the Wood River Valley. We therefore not only thank you, but commend you for the role you play in the Wood River Valley.”
- Lynne Heidel, Vice President of and violinist in the Wood River Orchestra
Spur Foundation
Blaine County Charitable Fund
Museum of Idaho / Gorongosa National Park
Higher Ground
Sun Valley Museum of Art
Sun Valley Culinary Institute
Wood River YMCA
Liberty Theatre
Idaho Mavericks Baseball
The Bigwood Child Care Center
Crisis Hotline
Far + Wise
Wood River Orchestra
Hunger Coalition
Hospice + Palliative Care of the Wood River Valley
The Argyros
Gretchen Palmer Patient Assistance Fund
Wood River Trails Coalition
Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation
The Senior Connection
Blaine County Education Foundation
Katherine and her team were wonderful to work with. They really went above and beyond to find us the right property at the right price. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for property in the Sun Valley area.
Scott L.
Working with Jordan Jadallah on our recent Ketchum home purchase was an absolute pleasure. From the start, we were in the exploratory phase, simply assessing whether Ketchum would be the right fit for our family. Jordan immediately jumped in, establishing a strong relationship and offering invaluable support every step of the way.... Jordan’s professionalism, deep local knowledge, and genuine care for our needs turned what could have been a stressful process into an enjoyable experience. We highly recommend him to anyone looking for a realtor in Ketchum. He’s a true asset to the real estate community.
Leif C.
Rob has a can-do attitude. He is always upbeat and pleasant to work with. He is very knowledgeable and extremely responsive. He has our best interests at heart. There is no one we would rather work with!
Stephanie & Travis G.
Katherine and her team at Rixon +Cronin were amazing to work with. Katherine's advice and clear communication to us were both professional and personal, making us feel like we already have a friend in the area. Since we are from out of state, she has managed this transaction with such ease, allowing us to feel very comfortable knowing all aspects have been considered and completed. Thank you, Katherine! We are so excited to be a part of the Sun Valley community!
Melinda and Tom J.
Rixon + Cronin are the best agent in the Wood River Valley, bar none. Market knowledge is top notch, and the team is friendly and commercial. I have bought and sold multiple properties with them advising in both capacities and would recommend them without reservation. Worth noting that on the sell side in particular, they can identify and access unique buyer pools.
Jeff P.
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed working with Erika and her team. We were in and out of town to look at houses, frequently on short notice. Erika went above and beyond to accommodate our schedule and did a stellar job making the best use of the time we had. Because of Erika’s efforts we found our dream home.
Kelly K.
Katherine is the consummate professional. She helped us maneuver our way through a potentially difficult condominium transaction with competence and integrity. I always felt confident that she was not only representing our interests, was defending them as well. She was incredibly responsive in all aspects of our purchase, taking care of the most minute details; and she continues to follow up with us post-purchase so that our eventual move-in will be seamless and easy. We really appreciate Katherine’s assistance and look forward to living in our new residence soon.
Dennis W.
Rixon + Cronin is a gratitude-based, radically generous business. We are honest, ethical and accountable. Always.
We are detail-oriented, responsive and service-obsessed. We listed first, talk second and make every client feel like our only client.
We create great relationships that extend beyond the business.
We are forward thinking and always looking for ways to improve.
We are market experts who back up all of our advice with up-to-theminute data garnered from on-theground experience.
We respect the gravity of a real estate purchase and provide friendly, generous and unwavering support to every client.
