Boise Area Homes Online

Boise has made yet another top ten list! It really looks like the jewel of the Gem State is off to a roaring start as we near the middle of the year.

Whether it be the #2 Rating from Forbes as one of the best places to raise a family, or being listed as one of America’s top turn around cities for real estate, Boise is sitting pretty!

The latest accolade comes in the form of the #1 placement for Small Business Friendly States as reported by CNN. Other states include Texas, Oklahoma, and Utah all of which socred an “A+” rating according to the survey done by Thumbtack.com and the Kauffman Foundation.

Rankings overall were determined by how firms rated their states support of their small businesses, how easy it was to get started, and whether existing small businesses would encourage others to start their own companies.

Idaho also did well in other sub-polls, gaining a A+ rating from small businesses for the friendliness of it’s tax codes and regulations (sadly it did get a big D for new employee hiring costs).

The least friendly state to small business overall was Rhode Island, according to the survey. Vermont, Hawaii and California also scored an “F,” while New York earned a “D.”

One more reason to keep an eye on Idaho! A great place to live, work, AND play! Are you looking to relocate to Idaho or retire in Boise? No matter what your real estate needs I can help!

The Best in American Living Awards is held every year by the National Association of Home Builders; these awards strive to acknowledge that the price tag of a homes features should not be the only factor in considering the quality of it’s design. The winners of this award often help us keep an eye on which upcoming home design trends will be influential in the future.

Keynote speakers at the event were excited to note that new home design is significantly better than it has been in previous years primarily for the fact that during the boom years just about anything built was sold. With a more difficult market full of stronger competition the current real estate market is forcing home builders to step up their game and offer more innovative designs.

Here are the top three up and coming new home design trends to keep an eye on:

Outdoor isn’t for outside anymore!
More and more home buyers are looking for private outdoor spaces which blend seamlessly with their inside decor. Much to the surprise to many this isn’t a feature limited to sunny climates as it is showing broad appeal even in colder regions.

Family Flow
For some time the standard open floor plan was cliche to certain areas or buyer types, but this is changing. The open floor plan is becoming more highly desired across the nation as the old stuffy living room has been replaced by a flex-space that is able to be used as needed by the family unit, either for personal project space, or a broader hosting area.

Old Meets New
Trends are showing that newer homes which blend modern style with traditional elements are seeing a lot of interest this season. Clean, simple elevation and open bright interior spaces are things which have a large appeal to a wide selection of home buyers.

Staying up on recent home trends can help you keep an eye out for what’s hot if you are searching for a home in Boise or to adequately update your home staging to get your SOLD sign up faster. Whether you are looking to buy or sell a home working with a qualified REALTOR® is always the best place to start. Contact me today to find out what a difference it can make!

8040 E Caspian

Nampa, ID

3 Bedrooms
3.00 Bathrooms
3600 sq. ft.
MLS #: 98487494
Offered at: $164,900.00

Terrific Home In A Fantastic Area! Lots Of Room For Entertaining Family & Friends. Nice Open Floor Plan. Beautiful Well Appointed Kitchen Flows Into Eating Area & Family Room. Large, Comfortable Living Room With Gas Fireplace. Master Suite Complete With Stunning Tile Faced Gas Fireplace, Spacious Master Bath, Gigantic Walk-In Closet. Fully Landscaped Corner Lot, Large Covered Patio. Very Quiet, Clean, Newer Astoria Park Development.

CLICK TO VIEW MORE INFO

This is just one example of some of the Boise area homes for sale
available to my clients. I can help you find the homes you are searching for! visit my website to search on your own, or contact me to put me to work finding the perfect place for you!

Selling a home can seem like a daunting task, but with a little forethought and planning things will go much more smoothly. Here are Five  Big Mistakes That Could Cost You Money When Selling Your Home:

1.      Sellers Often Base Their Asking Price on Needs or Emotions, Rather Than Actual Market Value.
How much money you need or have paid for your home and all the improvements has no bearing on what a buyer will pay.  You must look at the same competition your potential buyer is looking at.  When your home is over-priced, no buyers will even consider it.  They will look at larger or otherwise more attractive homes for the same price. If your home stays on the market too long, buyers will question why it has not sold and assume there’s something wrong with it.  Then, out of desperation, you drop the price and have to accept less than market value. Be sure to do your homework and price your home where it is competitive with other similar homes in the market.  This is advantage of having an experienced, qualified Realtor on your team… to establish the right selling price.

2.      Failing to Showcase The Home Properly.
A home that is not presented properly to the prospective buyer indicates a poorly maintained home.  In the mind of the buyer, it is an indication that there may be costly hidden defects. Sellers who fail to make necessary simple repairs, clean the house and remove unnecessary clutter… both inside and out, discourage buyers and Realtors as well.  If the home does not show well, there is no point in allowing anyone to see it. Unpleasant odors are the biggest turn-off to visitors.  The smell of pets or smoking in the home is the kiss of death to a seller.  A stinky house is difficult to sell.  Eliminate pet odors, don’t cook unpleasant smelling foods the day you intend to show your home to a prospective buyer. Always put away anything you don’t absolutely need when your home is about to be shown.  Further, open window blinds or coverings and turn on lights to brighten your home.  If weather permits, open windows and doors to allow fresh air to flow through the home.   When an experienced Realtor holds an open house, they will always do everything possible to make the home have an “open, spacious” feel about it.  Often they will leave the front door open; allowing visitors to feel more comfortable from the moment they arrive at the curb.

3.      Over-Improving The Home Before Selling
While believing they will get their money back, sellers often spend thousands of dollars making the wrong upgrades to their home.  Only upgrade your home for you, not the buyer.  A little paint… OK, but don’t get carried away.  It’s unlikely you will get that additional investment back. A good Realtor can take a look at your home and make good, constructive suggestions that will improve the salability of your home without costing a small fortune.  Often Realtors know handymen who can do the job professionally, quickly at a reasonable price.

4.      Failing to Effectively Market Your Home
You need to expose your home to the entire market place.  In today’s market, putting a sign in the front yard and an ad in the newspaper just doesn’t do it.  You need exposure to every potential buyer.  And, you need to find some way to set your home apart from the competition.  There are thousands of other homes available, why should someone buy yours? A sign in the front yard will catch the eye of those driving by.  An ad in the newspaper will be seen by someone looking in the paper for a home.  However, that’s not how 90% of homebuyers shop for a home in today’s market.  It’s the internet.  Using this medium, the shopper can get complete descriptions of the home, pictures and virtual tours.  When the informed buyer gets to your home, he already knows what it looks like, what its features are, the nearest schools, closest roadways and neighborhood shopping centers. This is a major benefit of using a Realtor.  They are well connected to the market through the MLS, the internet and numerous other forms of technical media commonly used by today’s home buyers.

5.      Failing to Take The First Offer Seriously
Often sellers believe the first offer is the first of many to follow.  There is a tendency to not take it seriously and hold out for a higher price.  Unfortunately, the first offer is often the best offer, even if it comes in soon after the home is put on the market.  If you want to hold out for a better offer, you may find yourself many weeks later finally accepting a much lower price because you must. The home is most saleable early in the marketing period and the price buyers are willing to pay diminishes with time.  If a buyer sees a home that was just listed they are inclined to pay more than one they find that has been on the market for 125 days.  As a home ages on the market, the more buyers assume the seller will accept a lower than asking price.

Not sure if you should sell? Worried about real estate market conditions? Talk to me, I can help you figure out when the best time to sell your home will be as well as help you get the most back from your investment!

Like most everything in life reward only comes with diligence, discipline, and a plan. Increasingly your wealth through real estate investment is no different. Despite real estate being considered to be among the safest investments you can make there can be a lot of things to intimidate one to think successful investing is impossible.

Here are a few things to keep in mind for those just getting started:

Working with Sellers: Honesty is the best policy.
If you see potential in a property you are listing, don’t be afraid to gush over it a little bit; encourage your seller to raise their price accordingly. Even if the market is down in your area you can be a part of bringing it back – and it’s always better to negotiate down than to be caught low. Be particular to detail, especially those that are only your personal taste, but don’t try to oversell something that’s less than shiny.

Pick the Right Property
Even in a 50/50 neighborhood there will without a doubt be at least a few homes that are a cut above, or even one that is the “gem” of the subdivision. Maybe it’s got a immaculate corner yard, or backyard oasis, but for whatever reason it stands out. THAT is your home. It will be easier to sell, and likely bring higher return…right?

Well. Yes and no. Sad fact is a diamond in the rough is still IN the rough; surroundings can have a big effect on the value of a home. Even the most modest home in a higher grade community will be worth more and appreciate more than the most palatial residence if it’s located in a slum. It’s important to know if you’re in it for a longer turn return or just a quick turn around. Remember: location, location, location is still important important important!

Price Isn’t Everything
Interest rates are the other thing. It’s a little detail in some respects but young investors often forget that a real estate transaction isn’t like other everyday purchases. When you buy real estate you are not simply trading a flat sum for a product you are essentially paying a reverse annuity to the seller for the property (or vice versa). It’s never a bad idea to shop around a bit for the best interest rate before you take on any property as being the “perfect” one.

…No Really, the Price ISN’T Everything.
Now you thought we just said that but the other thing you need to remember is that the cost alone isn’t what the property will cost you. A $100,000 listing may seem like a steal until you remember the transaction fees, mortgage cost, insurance cost, and oh yeah….taxes. That sweet quick $100k turnaround just sent you for a $190,000 loop.

Down Town.
Seems like common sense: Never leave money on the table. Likewise don’t spend money you don’t have or don’t need to spend. One way you can handle both sides of that are by never putting down any less than 20%. Doing so may require you to take out more mortgage insurance; that alone could slowly eat away at your dividends.

Buying real estate as an investment entails a lot more than just your normal transaction. It’s more than a simple transfer of property; to insure your success you need to be aware that you’re buying (or selling) much more than just four walls and a roof. There are costs beyond the sticker price of the house, no matter how long or short it is in your hands.

Yes, a house is a home. But you’re missing out if you see it as nothing but. Real estate is a financial instrument that, under the right conditions, can help you generate lasting wealth.

Treasure Valley real estate agents are seeing a bit of a surprise as the first few months of the year for many have been the busiest since 2005. With warming weather, confidence in the economy, and historically low interest rates buyers are becoming very interested in real estate again – especially first time buyers.

Because of a number of factors right now there are some really great opportunities for buying a home in Idaho. In many cases buyers are finding homes for close to what they would normally pay to rent them.

Ada County sales rose 13.4 percent to 439 in February, compared with 387 in the same month last year, according to the Intermountain Multiple Listing Service. With Canyon County only seeing a slight down slide as they dipped 16 percent to 195 from 234.

The figures are showing that this has been the strongest February on file since 2007. Across the valley they number of homes listed remains at a five year low and the small supply is helping to drive prices up, leading to many reports of multiple offers per property that match or exceed the asking price – meaning this spring is also looking a little more green for home sellers as well.

Experts agree: the market is turning.

In Ada County, the average days on the market declined by 14 percent to 83 in February, while Canyon’s average was up about 11 percent to 84. Distressed properties are still seeing a lot of activity as those priced slightly below the market are frequently receiving multiple offers the day they are listed.

New construction also is rising; we’ve begun to see dormant subdivisions showing signs of renewed life. Many first time buyers are getting excited about building their new home just the way they want it, and market prices are making that a very real possibility for many qualified buyers.

The real estate market in 2012 is a golden rainbow of beautiful colors, or so sayeth the Oracle of Omaha Warren Buffett. During an interview recently with CNBC Buffett said single family homes are among some of the cheapest and most attractive investments in the new year – even over gold or investing in Treasury Bills.

Buffett said if he had a way to buy “a couple hundred thousand single-family homes” and easily manage them, he would “load up on them” and “take mortgages out at very, very low rates.”

That said, actually managing a couple hundred thousand single-family homes is a task right out of the myths of Atlas logistically, even for someone with the wealth of Buffett. This largest of factors along with others no doubt play a big role in scaring major investors away from single-family homes, even though they are grossly undervalued as assets, as buying and owning stocks is as easy as a few clicks of the mouse.

The absence of many big ticket investors in the U.S. residential real estate market however makes it far less competitive than the stock market as even when investors of great reputation (and pocketbooks) enter the scene they tend to go for residential income, or apartments and fourplexes rather than single-family homes - leaving a HUGE segment of the real estate market wide open for those with a little moxie.

When asked if a young individual investor should buy stocks or his first single-family home, Buffett recommended buying a single-family home with a 30-year mortgage.

“It’s a terrific deal,” he said. “It’s a leveraged way of owning a very cheap asset now and I think that’s probably as an attractive an investment as you can make now.”

He goes on to suggest that if said young investor is of the mind and inclination that buying multiple numbers of  single-family properties, fixing them up, and then renting them out is a great way to establish residual income.

Another good reason to buy now? Mortgage rates are at or near the historic low; mortgage rates are a huge driving factor of the ultimate cost of purchasing a home.

Over the last few months the real estate market in Idaho has begun to see a real turn around and agents across the state have begun to talk about a nigh forgotten creature: MULTIPLE OFFERS. That said, it’s surely only a matter of time before we begin to see home prices taking an up-turn as well; and a likely increase in mortgage rates. Mr. Buffett may have something…now may be the best time to look into buying a home.

Not sure if you qualify? Or just don’t know where to start? I can help you find the Idaho home you’ve been searching for! Contact me or visit my Boise Area Homes website to see some of the great properties available in the Treasure Valley today!

Once again Boise is in the news for a great reason! Boise has been listed as one of America’s top “turn around” towns! For those who live there this is no surprise as residents in the City of Tree’s already know what a great place they live in.

The unique economy here can be surprising as it blends a combination of old and new diversity with logging and agriculture still playing huge roles in many smaller area towns while tech based jobs are becoming even more prevalent.

Fact of the matter is chip maker Micron Technology is Boise’s biggest employer according to the Boise Valley Economic Partnership. However lately it’s the boom in the food industry that is really heating things up, enabling many of
the agriculutural companies in the area to increase their profits. Over the last year Boise has seen a flood of new people and cultures from all over the country, and it’s wonderful to see how the individual needs of each of them can greatly influence how the economy grows.

Even during bad times nationally Idaho has been truly blessed as it’s always had a steady inflow of relocating residents and now this first little glimmer of light is showing improved investment and construction statistics. Some would rightly say that the diversity of employers here and the growing number of jobs they’re offering is a central reason this town is starting to stage a major comeback.

Figures from REALTOR.com show that the number of homes for sale during the fourth quarter fell by 40% compared with a year earlier. That diminishing inventory could help drive home prices higher; Fiserv is predicting annual
home-price appreciation averaging over 6% over the next five years.

Boise area home prices won’t stay this low; with mortgage rates still at historic levels it’s a GREAT time to buy a home in Idaho! I can help you find the homes you are looking for in Boise, Meridian, Star, Eagle and more! Visit my website to start searching on your own or contact me to get the help of a qualified Idaho REALTOR® ! I specialize in Boise area homes including some of the best retirement living in Idaho!

Thank you for once again visiting my Boise Area Homes website and blog! In this entry we will discuss an interesting new trend in Boise Real Estate: the baby boomer generation!

In a new trend the Baby Boomer generation is entering retirement early and findings indicate they are bucking the very idea of what being a retiree means.Turns out Baby Boomers are no slouches when it comes to taking their retirement time and making the most of it, with Boomers being among the most active and social of recent retiree generations.

This could mean big changes in the housing industry in the years to come, including what new retirement communities will look like.

Today’s boomer retirees are still very active and adventurous as well as highly connected, a survey by Shea Homes shows. They want to travel and enjoy their family and friends and seek to be a vibrant part of the community. Understanding and taking care of the needs of this new generation of retiree’s is integral to offering a complete set of real estate skills to this growing market.

The survey mentioned has also  found that social media isn’t just for the younger set. Boomers say “they prefer collecting friends on social networks just as much as they do recipes – and even rank it slightly higher (37.28%) than collecting pictures of the grandkids (33.64%). This reinforces the impact of having a strong digital presence on social networks like Facebook and Twitter for today’s progressive real estate professional.

Among the most important factors to this boomer generation? Location, location, location of course! Being within driving distance to family and friends ranked as the most important factor of maintaining a balanced lifestyle for this active group.

Retirement is now focused on a new chapter of life, full of re-invention, instead of simply an “end phase.” Traveling, new hobbies, and being active rank high on the list of what retirees look forward to. Overall, boomers are interested in healthy relationships and strong mind-body balance. Thankfully Boise offers many of these amenities right at hand as it is centrally located within the state, which means not only being a hub for some of the best medical care in Idaho, but also being near outdoor activities and within easy traveling distance to friends and family. In addition outlying cities like Eagle and Meridian offer a wealth of 55+ communities perfect for the independent retiree.

Are you looking for homes in the Boise area? Boise has a number of great homes on the market right now including many wonderful retirement communities. Visit my Boise Area Homes website to find homes in Boise or anywhere in Idaho quickly and easily!

Some home seller tips never go out of style; curb appeal might be a key factor in pricing your home as well as negotiating a selling point for better real estate investment returns.

With so many great homes available in Idaho right now, it can be hard to make that all important first impression with potential buyers. Smart sellers aren’t deterred from this fact; are getting the most bang for their buck by stepping up the curb appeal.

According to the latest Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR):

“Nine of the top 10 most cost-effective projects nationally in terms of value recouped are exterior replacement projects.”

With these exterior projects outperforming their remodeling counterparts, adding a little curb appeal to your home on the market may not only be a good idea but could make all the difference in attracting a buyer and the return on your home.

This is not to say that needed interior updates should be forgotten, as a good second impression within your home may be what seals the deal and can make you stand out from the competition in your area. It is simply that in today’s economy, even according to the National Association of REALTORS: “remodeling projects, particularly higher cost upscale projects, have been losing resale value in recent years because of weak economic conditions.”

The appeal of curb appeal projects, really is that a little money can go a long way. Topping the list? Steel entry doors are returning 102.1 percent of their cost upon resale, these more sturdy exterior doors lending a stability to the homes entrance as well as better insulation value.

While most projects don’t bring the profit returns of steel entry doors, sellers have some other great options for attracting buyers. Here are a few exterior updates that might be worth a look:

Siding and window replacements – 70 or more percent of costs recouped

Midrange garage door replacement – 83.9 percent of costs recouped

Upscale fiber-cement siding replacement – 80 percent of cost recouped

Wood deck additions – 72.8 percent of costs recouped

“It’s important to remember that the resale value of a particular improvement project depends on several factors,” says National Association of Realtors® President Ron Phipps. “Things such as the home’s overall condition, availability and condition of surrounding properties, location and the regional economic climate contribute to an estimated resale value.”

With curb appeal once again reigning supreme it may be a good idea to take a look into what you can do to amp up the outside of your home – what you invest could end up making all the difference in your returns. Ready to make your move? Relocating in Boise? As an experienced Boise Realtor I can help you buy or sell your Idaho home! Contact me today to find out how a qualified Boise Realtor can help you find Boise Area Homes!!