5 Things New Homeowners Should Do Immediately

Finding the home, closing the deal, packing all the stuff, moving all the stuff, unpacking all the stuff. AAAAHHHHHHH! There are a thousand things to keep straight and take care of when it comes to getting into that perfect new place. But did you know there are some things you can do just after the dusts settles to keep your house running smooth and save you some dollars as well?

Take a look at some of these unexpected ideas for doing just that!

Snuggle Your Hot Water Heater
You love the device that gives you hot water for bathing, cleaning and cooking right? Well show it some love by throwing a blanket over it. While most modern water heaters are well insulated, some are more so than others the small cost of a padded quilt or blanket can help keep things nice and warm.

Install Ceiling Fans
If you don’t already have fans in most rooms think about installing them. Just having air circulating more, especially in larger rooms, can help keep you cooler and also lessen the work load on your central air conditioner.

Get With the Program
Programmable thermostat that is! Having one of these makes it easy to keep your home cooler or warmer during the time of day or night when it is most needed – saving you on energy costs!

Put Them On the Rack
No, not your children! Your clothes! Consider installing a simple clothes line in your laundry room or even outside. Many clothes are fine to air dry; besides the wonderful fresh smell of sunshine an added bonus is the savings on drying them!

Develop A Maintenance Schedule
This is one of the biggest things to keep your household in order. Put things like “change air filters”, and “check faucets”, or “close foundation vents” on the list to remind you about the miscellaneous tasks that need to be done every so often. You can color code or organize these tasks into various categories based on how often then might need to be done.

These are just a few quick tips to make your first year of settling into your new home as comfortable and pleasant as possible! If you’ve yet to find that perfect place I invite you to contact me or find homes for sale via my website.

Quick Boise Home Fixes

With the Spring cleaning hopefully well under wraps you may have noticed a few things around the house that need to actually be fixed or replaced in the process of sprucing up. If you are thinking of selling your home it’s also a good idea to go through your home and take care of any minor little problem areas as well – it is often the small things that can mean the difference in getting your home sold for the best return.

Here are some good quick fixes to get you started:

Hinges
The squeaky wheel gets the grease; a squeaky door can really drive you nuts and add that haunted house ambience to your home that you want to avoid during a showing. Easy to correct: give it a little spritz with the WD40! If it keeps squeaking after that look at pulling out the hinge pins and giving them a liberal dose of lubricant as well.

Squeaky Floor
Believe it or not you can actually sometimes fix this with just a little baby powder – especially if you have wood floors. Just sprinkle a little baby powder into the cracks of the floor near the problem area. For carpeted floors you may have to roll back the carpet to get to the sub-floor if the offending squeak is not near the walls in the room.

Tub Stains
Water stains on tubs can be rough. Here’s what to do: combine equal amounts of cream of tartar and baking soda with enough lemon juice to make a paste. Rub the mixture into the stain with your fingers or a soft cloth. Let sit for a half hour, then rinse well with water.

Flat Cushions
Couch cushions lost their fluff? Pillows not so poofy? Place them outside in the sun for a few hours – flip them halfway through. The sun will help evaporate the moisture that gets into the filling over time, and the cushions should plump up nicely. Don’t leave them out too long, sunlight can fade fabrics!

Scuffed Linoleum
A couple of common items can help with scuffy lino! Just rub the spot with white toothpaste and a dry cloth or with an eraser. Not cutting it? WD-40 to the rescue! Spray a little on a towel and rub lightly, making sure to degrease the area afterward with liquid dishwashing soap and water.

These are just some simple, quick tips to help make the home a little better place. What quick clean tips do you like to use? Leave a comment below with your own ideas or comment on my Facebook fan page!

Simple Energy Saving Tips

As we navigate through the cold months here in Idaho saving on energy costs can be crucial to keeping a happy home and a pleased pocketbook. A lot of people might think you have to stop bathing, or use some special lights, and huddle around a candle while keeping the thermostat at 50 – but that’s just not true! Here are some great quick tips to save you a few greenbacks on the power bill:

Put lamps in corners… you can use a lower wattage bulb in your lamp or lower it’s dimmer switch and not lose any significant amount of light.  The placement causes the light to bounce off the nearby walls and lighten the room.

Use a laptop computer… they are designed to be efficient and work off a battery.  Laptops typically use about 1/3 less energy than a desktop computer.

Upgrade to an LCD TV… if you’re about to buy a new TV, pass on the old cheaper CRT models and go straight to the flat panel LCD.  You get more for your money and it consumes far less energy than the older designs.

Wrap you water heater…  a blanket wrapped around your water heater keeps the heat in, much like wearing a jacket in the winter. This causes the water to stay warm with less energy.

Turn off the electric stove burner before you’re through.  Electric elements don’t cool immediately when you kill the power.  So, as you approach completion of cooking, turn off the power early and save energy.

Motion sensors save money… while you may be diligent about shutting off unnecessary lights, the younger members of the family may not.  Adding a motion sensor to playroom and bedroom lights cost only $15 to $50 per light and makes certain they’re not burning power when no one is in the room.

Spin laundry faster… newer more efficient washers will spin clothes faster than their predecessors, leaving less water in the laundry making it easier and less expensive to dry.

Use an ice tray… while automatic icemakers are a nifty addition to today’s modern refrigerator they increase the refrigerator’s energy consumption by 14% to 20%, ice trays just lay there and don’t consume any energy.

Use your dishwasher… contrary to what you may think, dishwashers are much more efficient that washing by hand.  They use about 2/3 less hot water, easing up on the energy bill while preventing chapped hands.

I certainly hope these ideas help you out! As an Idaho REALTOR® I do more than just buy and sell homes – I hope to build lifelong relationships with the people I serve; that means helping you make the most of your home long after the transaction is over. I’d love it if you would visit my real estate Facebook page and give it a LIKE – you’ll find all kinds of good local info and inspirational thoughts.

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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!

Tips for Boise Real Estate Investors

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.

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 Home Seller Tip: Curb Appeal

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!!

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!

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.