Debbie and my youngest son after a chess tournament
Every where I go people ask me:
- How is the housing market?
- Can I sell my home?
- Are we at the bottom of the market?
- When should I buy and/or sell my house?
- I'm upside down in my house. What do I do?
- Where do I go for help?
- Should I rent?
- Can I get a loan?
- Can I get a good deal on a home?
- What is a short sale?
- What is a bank owned property?
- Should I buy at a foreclosure auction?
- Why should I hire a real estate agent anyway?
Debbie before she became a real estate agent.....
When I was a
chemist no one asked me anything about my work but everyone seems interested in
real estate.....
With my scientific background I am able to analyze large amounts of data quickly and accurately. This helps me in my real estate career. I have been in Boise since 1991 and have raised three children here. I have watched the housing market since I arrived. Usually houses that are well priced sold very quickly. Now the buyers have a little time to think about the homes they saw.
I am not a fortune teller and I have no crystal ball:
Here is my opinion (lets call it data). Don't sure me if I am wrong........
In the
Treasure Valley of Idaho (which includes but is not limited to Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Kuna, Star, Nampa and Caldwell) the market has declined a little. It isn't like much of the country. We didn't have the huge run up and speculation so we don't have a huge fall in prices. That said we did have a small fall in prices and builders and sellers are scrambling. The truth is:
- People are still moving to Idaho.
- Sellers can sell but they need to make concessions. The prices have held steady this year but buyers are not often offering full price when they buy.
- NOW is a great time to buy a home. There is a lot of homes to choose from and there are bargains out there.
- There are more foreclosures, bank owned properties, and short sales.
- If you are a distressed home owner you need an agent like me who knows how to negotiate with banks and other lien holders.
- Buying distress housing takes patience , but is financially rewarding.
- Mortgage rates are very low.
- Mortgages are a harder to obtain if you have poor credit. These days you need more then a pulse. You need to be able to prove that you can pay the loan. A good loan officer is essential. I know several!!!
- Unemployment is low. but are wages are not high.
- House prices are also lower then the national medium.
- It's hard to know when we hit rock bottom. Personally, I think we might be at the bottom. I am excepting a good sping.
- Overall property values do increase over time (just not now).
- Eagle has lots of expensive homes in foreclosure
- CBH and Hubble homes have overbuilt and now are lowering their price. They might not have all the bells and whistles but you get a lot of home for a relatively low price.
- Paying rent helps the landlord pay their mortgage (I have nothing against landlords, I am one).
- There are wonderful tax advantages to owning your own home.
- There are wonderful tax advantages to being a landlord.
What does all this mean to my answer?
- If you must sell and you bought your house before 2006 you will still make a profit!!!!!!!
- It you have good credit or cash this is a great time to buy!!!!!!!!!!!!
- A good loan officer is essential!!!!!!
- A good real estate agent (like me) if also essential.
- If you are dealing with builders you still want I buyers agent (the seller pays and you are represented by your own negotiator not the builders).
- If you are upside down or your interest rate have adjusted too high I can help negotiate with the banks.
- Buying a home at a foreclosure auction is risky and requires a full payment in cashiers check the day of auction.
- It is safer to buy a pre-foreclosure home or a bank owned property (REO)
- Even if you owe more then your house is worth you do not always have to bring money to closing.
- I believe that we are at the bottom of the market unless the government or lenders screw us up.
- This is a good time to move up in houses. I would sell my home first then buy the new one. (unless I wanted to be a landlord). You might not get top dollar on your current home but you will get an even better deal on the larger home.
So be cautious but buy now or sell if you need to a home in the treasure valley call me...... or just click on one of the buttons below. I am so proud of myself. I just figured out how to link using buttons yesterday. Maybe I can perfect them
Specializing in the Boise real estate market, also serving Ada and Canyon Counties....
Debbie, 208-761-2551
Here are some pictures of Beautiful Idaho!!!!! Our austere natural beauty, rugged mountains, great cities, and culture are only some of the reasons to live here!!!!!
Beautiful downtown Boise
the Boise river 
Great skiing
Boise State University 
our blue football field
The Greenbelt
