Emerging Home Design Trends

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 The open floor plan is becoming more highly desired across the nation as the old stuffy living room has been replaced by a flex-space that is able to be used as needed by the family unit, either for personal project space, or a broader hosting area.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!

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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!

Avoid Home Seller Mistakes

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!

BOISE HOMES: Here Comes the Turn

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.

Boise Homes: Buffett Says Buy

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!

Boise Home Buyers: Baby Boomers

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!

No Better Time to Buy Homes in Idaho

Thank you for checking in to my Boise Realtor blog! Need a quality, experienced Boise Realtor to help you make your big move? You can always contact me here! In the meantime enjoy reading this latest real estate news, or use my website to find homes in Idaho that meet your needs!

Idaho Home Buyers Still Believe Buying a Home Is a Good Financial Decision

A recent survey by the National Association of Realtors reveals that nearly 8 out of 10 people strongly believe buying a home is still a good financial decision, despite ongoing challenges in the economy and housing markets. The survey which measured how affordable housing issues affect consumers also found job security concerns to be the highest they’ve been in 8 years of sampling, with some 70% of Americans saying that job layoffs and unemployment are the biggest problems in their area. 8 in 10 say these issues are a barrier to home ownership.

Some key results:

* Americans continue to believe that buying a home is a good financial decision

* More than 68% of respondents say that now is a good time to buy a home.

* The majority of renters say that owning a home at some point in the future is one of their highest priorities

* Job insecurity and the lack of jobs continue to be the primary obstacle to home ownership and market recovery.

* Respondents to the survey see the recession and job losses as the main reasons for the foreclosure problem, which is a change from last year when they more likely to blame homeowners who bought homes they could not afford.

* Frustration with banks is up: now a majority worry that banks have made it too hard to qualify for a home mortgage loan.

* 51% of those surveyed say foreclosures remain a big or moderate problem in their area.

* Most of those surveyed say that it is harder to sell a home in their neighborhood than it was a year ago.

* Over 70% expect real estate sales in their neighborhood to remain about the same over the next few months.

* 69% expect home values to remain the same. Demonstrating faith in level home values.

* Nearly 25% find themselves very concerned about the number of homes and condos for sale in their area.

* Most respondents are more concerned about a drop in home values rather than home costs being too high.

The next few months will be a big deciding factor on how steady these opinions remain, with Federal plans and regulations going into effect, as well as how major banks are looking into the way they handle the current foreclosure market issues in relation to their loan procedures.

Regardless, with many cities in Idaho gaining national recognition for their great quality of living and with Boise area home prices as well as mortgage rates continuing to be at historic low levels for those willing to take the leap there is a huge potential not only for finding great homes at great prices, but also for seeing significant returns for their real estate investment once the market bounces back.

Are you looking for homes in Boise? Tired of scanning endless ads for just the right home for you? Use my Boise real estate website to find the best homes in Boise online quickly and easily! You can search the local MLS for homes by city, price, or features and can even use my Dreamhome search to enter criteria for homes you are interested in and receive those listings in your email inbox every day as they hit the market. It has never been easier to find Idaho homes online!

Helpful Info for First Time Home Buyers in Boise

Thank you for once again visiting my Boise Area Homes website! It is my hope to help those looking to buy a home in Idaho stay informed on real estate news and information that effects you in your search for the perfect home. Want to find homes in Boise or anywhere in Idaho that meet your needs? Visit my Boise Area Homes website for the very best home searches online today. In this installment we will discuss tips for first time home buyers in Boise that can help make buying your first home a bit easier. Are you a first time home buyer in Idaho looking to get into this historically beneficial buyers market? Before you jump in there are a few steps you can take to help you decide whether you are ready to take the plunge.

Price Check!
Check the selling prices of comparable homes in your area. Realtor Websites such as mine can give you a general idea of what you should expect to pay. You can also do a quick search of actual MLS listings in your area.

Can You Afford It?
See what you can afford. Use the mortgage calculator on my website to see what your payment would be. Find out what your total monthly housing cost would be, including taxes and homeowners insurance. To get a feel for the maximum amount you should spend, including taxes and insurance. In some areas, what you’ll pay for your taxes and insurance escrow can almost double your mortgage payment.

Insurance is Good
To get an idea of what you’ll pay in insurance, pick a property in the area where you want to live and make a call to a local insurance agent for an estimate. You won’t be obligated to get the insurance, but you’ll have a good idea of what you’ll pay if you buy. For an idea of what you’ll pay in taxes, most properties on my website have property-tax information in the property features. Just remember that exemptions and the intricacies of local tax law (such as Florida’s Save Our Homes value cap) can create differences between what a homeowner is currently paying and what you can expect to pay as a new homeowner.

Closing Costs
Find out how much you’ll likely pay in closing costs. The upfront cost of settling on your home shouldn’t be ignored. Closing costs include origination fees charged by the lender, title and settlement fees, taxes and prepaid items such as homeowners insurance or homeowners association fees.

Budget!
Look at your budget and determine how a house fits into it. Fannie Mae recommends that buyers spend no more than 28% of their income on housing costs. Go much past 30% and you risk becoming house poor. Talk to reputable real-estate agents like me about the real-estate climate. Do they believe prices will continue falling or do they think your area has hit bottom or will rise soon? This insight into how the market is behaving could save you big money.

The Big Picture
Remember to look at the big picture. While buying a house is a great way to build wealth, maintaining your investment can be labor-intensive and expensive. When unexpected costs for new appliances, roof repairs and plumbing problems crop up, there’s no landlord to turn to, and these costs can drain your bank account.

The best step you can take is to work with a qualified Boise Realtor like Bob Kratt.  I can help you find homes you are qualified to buy that meet your needs quickly and easily in the Boise area, as well as help you avoid common mistakes and pitfalls that can bog down your home buying process. Don’t delay, call me today!

Boise Real Estate Tips: Neighbor Disputes

Thank you for once again visiting my Boise Area Homes Real Estate Blog! It is my hope to provide great Boise Real Estate Info and services online to today’s online home buyers and homeowners! I specialize in the best Boise Area Homes Online, 55+ Living in Boise, and Boise Relocation! In this installment we will look at how you can handle disputes with your neighbors peacefully and to the benefit of everyone involved. Let’s get to this helpful homeowner info:

Sooner or later, no matter how well you know the people living around you a dispute can and will arise. Though it may be difficult to reach amicable decisions when it comes to neighborly disputes, finding a solution to these issues is well worth it, as no one wants to make an enemy of the people they live next to. When you share a property line with another person there will come a time when you will have to be involved in joint decisions. Should your fence be replaced? Who is responsible for sidewalk maintenance?

Here are three of the most common causes of neighbor disputes, and how to handle them in a “neighborly” way.

1. Trees:
For the most part you are allowed to trim branches that overhang into your property, but no more. The actual owner of the tree is whoever’s property contains the trunk of said tree; for the most part they are responsible for it’s maintenance. Should you damage or destroy a tree that is not your own you become liable for those damages which may well exceed the value of the tree itself (replacement of the tree, uprooting sod etc). If there is some danger of the tree falling onto a structure on your property or your home, then you may have some recourse through local or city ordinances, and of course any HOA bylaws.

2. Good Neighbors, Good Fences:
An ugly fence might not be to your liking but unless your HOA has specific rules regarding what kind of fence is allowed (and they likely do) you may have some trouble trying to argue aesthetical taste with your next door neighbor. Should the fence be in disrepair however it becomes the responsibility of the land owners on both sides to act accordingly – unless both owners have a prior agreement or have paid for their fencing separately. The best course of action is to talk with your neighbor first, as any changes to the fence may effect their property and many states have harsh penalties for crossing these boundaries.

3. If it’s too loud you’re too old:
Well, not quite. Almost every town has a noise ordinance which generally outline reasonable times and decibel levels at which residents can make noise. If you end up having recurring issues with a neighbor about the amount of noise they are making, or regarding the time it is being made, it may be best to allow local authorities to enforce their own ordinances and make a “courtesy” call to resolve the issue.

Whenever any issue arises, take it upon yourself to talk to your neighbor one on one, don’t be the neighborhood tattle-tale and call the HOA or police to come pounding down their door. Approach the situation gingerly. Be conscious that for every viewpoint of your own, there are 10 other, and equally valid, points. By working with some tolerance for the rights and privileges of others (even if they are not respecting your own) you can often come to a much more peaceful, and even mutually beneficial resolution to any situation.

Don’t go over to talk when you are angry or emotional. This will only hurt your chances of finding a good solution and likely lead to more strife with your neighbors.

Don’t be afraid to be truthful. You are worried that a tree will fall, yes, but you also hate the way it blocks the sun from your porch. State your issues calmly, and honestly, without stepping on toes if possible.

Unless it’s a city law or HOA ordinance, be willing to make a compromise, as well as to offer concessions to a neighbor. Everything in life is a bit of give and take, problems with the neighbors are no different.

Should your calm and direct approach backfire, or your neighbor becomes irate by no means should you tolerate abuse. Hand off this issue to the appropriate authorities like your HOA, or local city police.

As a last resort you may have to seek legal action and while this may break an already stressed relationship with the people around you sometimes it is the only way to come to a resolution. If you must go to court, be prepared, gather evidence by taking photos of the issue and document any interaction you have with your neighbor about the problem in question.

If a legal decision is rendered that is not in your favor, be sure to accept it and to move on. There is no need for harassment or childish behavior — it will surely only make the problem worse.

I hope these quick tips on how Boise Idaho Homeowners can resolve neighbor disputes have proven useful – in most cases if you work to be fair and communicate effectively with those living around you there will be very few issues that come up which cannot be properly handled without playing war with the people on the other side of the fence!

Don’t spend hours and hours searching all over the internet for the best Boise homes online – go right to where you can find Boise Homes for Sale quickly and easily, my Boise Realtor website!

10 Tips for Before Home Closing

In this article I will go over some of the last minute items you might want to keep an eye on while doing your final walk through. Closing on your new Idaho home can be one of the most exciting times of your life, a new beginning in a new home – what could be better!? But it is before the final paperwork is signed that you have the chance to make sure all your ducks are truly in line; a final walk-through is one of the best ways to do just that.

There’s no putting it off, there will come a time during your home buying process when you will need to do a final walk through of the home before closing. Usually about a week before you close on your new home take the time to visit it one last time before it’s yours – this is a great opportunity to spot any last minute items that may need attention. Check to make sure the terms of your contract have been met and that the condition of the property has not change significantly since talks began. It doesn’t hurt to bring your a copy of your purchase contract as a reference guide during this visit as it can help you track down the little details without losing sight of the whole picture.

Here are a few things you should be on the lookout for:

1. Major appliances: Be sure that any items that were to remain in the home are still there, and that they are in good working order.

2. Major systems: Do the air conditioning, heat, and plumbing still function properly?

3. Repairs: As part of your purchase contract, the seller may have been required to make repairs. Be certain that these have been completed, or that the seller has a written timeline for when the repairs will be completed.

4. Walls and floors: Has any damage occurred to the floors or walls during the sellers move? Were rugs, artwork, or carpets covering water damage that was not disclosed? Dings in the walls?

5. Screens and Storm Windows: If it is the season for these items to be in storage, be sure they have indeed been left in storage and that they are in good shape.

6. Remotes: Garage doors, alarms,and sound systems likely all use a remote, some of which can be very expensive to replace. If these items were part of your agreement, be sure they have been kept with the house.

7. Cleanliness: The home should have been cleaned and all debris removed. Moving is stressful enough without having to clean up other peoples mess the first week you are there.

8. Fixtures: Light fixtures, curtains, and other items that were agreed upon should still be in the home. If they are not, let your agent address the conflict.

9. Landscaping: It may seem hard to believe but yes, some sellers may try to run off with your shrubs and plants! Check your contract to see what is supposed to stay; if plants were taken, let your agent handle the situation.

10. Exterior: Has there been any storm or other damage to the home since your inspection or first visit? Be sure to visually inspect the exterior of the house for damage. Once you have signed on that dotted line, the house is yours — and that could mean storm damage and all.

Closing time can be very hectic. Take the time for your final walk-through. It’s the smart thing to do in order to make sure no last minute items have been forgotten and that nothing has changed regarding the property during the time since your first visit.