Helen LeBoeuf-Binninger

Orofino, Idaho house and acreage for rent. Home is located 7 miles from Orofino, Idaho. Modern, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home on 20 acres with barn, 2 car garage with automatic garage door openers, fenced pasture, hot tub, refrigerator, ceiling fans. Built in 2000 with hardwood floors, tile, and many energy saving features. To see pictures, view mls#116524. Rent is $1200 per month - contact hbinninger@ebmdigs.com for more information. This is a beautiful home for rent in a peaceful location with many pine trees, and wonderful berries and fruit trees not to mention end of the road privacy.

According to the latest study by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), every year more home buyers are finding their home on the internet. In 2001, 8 percent of those who purchased a home, found it on the internet. By 2009, the rate jumped more than four-fold to 36 percent! In all, 90 percent of those looking for a home used the internet. And it is not just the younger generation going online. Of those 45 to 64 years of age, an impressive 86 percent were surfing the internet. <p>
While search engines like Google, Yahoo and Bing provide a great deal of information to start your Alaska real estate search, you can easily be overwhelmed with too much information! You are left asking: "how do I wade through 10,000 matches to get what I need?"
We know the internet is a great tool, but how can you maximize your search and get to the nitty-gritty of finding the home of your dreams?
Here are some helpful tips:<p>
* First, write down exactly what you are looking for in a home and be specific.

* Note sites that use the latest technology like Google maps to show a home's location.

* Look for sites that offer a video showcase of homes for sale.

* Use sites with a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) link to see all available homes in your area.<p>
* Stick with the companies that often appear on the first page of your search results. These have usually been around longer and tend to have better developed web pages.<p>
The website you use should provide a single portal that allows you to look at residential listings, for sale by owner ads, financing, rentals, and everything else that is real estate related. Good search terms to use should key in on the city you are interested in. You can also get better results by looking for videos and additional services such as mortgage companies. Some good search terms would be:<p>
* Alaska homes
* Anchorage real estate
* Wasilla homes virtual tour
* Alaska home Inspectors
* Alaska For Sale By Owner
* Fairbanks home builders<p>
Finding your next home on the internet is not only possible; it can be easier than it's ever been before.

The national economic news, particularly in relation to deteriorating home values and the increase in foreclosures, is frightening. Is Idaho really any different?

Idaho is different - The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation recently released state profiles that indicate Idaho's home price index for the second quarter of 2008 increased by 1.2%. In addition, the median price of single family homes in Nez Perce county from June 2007 to June 2008 increased by 4.41%, according to Lewis-Clark MLS. Idaho in general and North Central Idaho in particular are fairing better than the national average. Because home values have remained stable, the refinancing option is practical for homeowners who want to reduce their monthly payments with the current lower interest rates.

That said, Idaho has experienced an increase in foreclosures. However, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, Idaho is ranked 42^nd out of all the states in rate of foreclosures. Overall, purchasing a home now may allow you to take advantage of the increased inventory available and great interest rates.