Brian Brumpton, Boise Idaho Real Estate

You always hope a rivalry game is just that, a game. While the Boise State Broncos did move up a spot in the latest BCS polls, the Vandals didn't offer much of a fight.

Either way it's still fun any time this game comes to town. We got to enjoy watching the game (post technical difficulties) in a beautiful cabin in Cascade, Idaho. Even though some of our good friends are Vandals fans (Matt and Cassie if you're reading this, sorry for your loss), we set aside our differences and we had a great time.

Onward to a BCS bowl boys!

If you represent yourself as a buyer in an Idaho short sale purchase, can you demand the bank pay you a commision?

First and foremost, the money you think you're saving by doing this is not worth it. These are complex transactions and having an experieced agent to help you navigate it is worth far more than you're going to save.

If you're not an agent, I would say it's highly unlikely you'll get the lender to give you the commission. This is probably an instance where representing yourself is not going to net you anything extra.

In a short sale situation, the lender is going to look at the HUD and in the section that details who the commission is going to, they are going to see only one brokerage listed. They will in all probability cut the listing agents fee significantly since both sides are being paid to one brokerage.

The lender does in fact take into account the commissions on a short sale. They take into account any fees that reduce the net below what they have determined to be acceptable. At that point they will start making cuts, and commissions are usually one of the first line items they go after.

Technically, the fees for a listing are an agreement between the listing agent and seller. The listing agent and seller agree in the listing contract what percentage or amount they are going to offer the selling agent. If you are representing the seller and are not a licensed agent, you are not a party to that contract and are not considered the selling agent.

Do you know how your are being represented in the purchase and sale agreement? If you let the listing agent fill out the purchase and sale agreement and used one of our association's forms you are most likely being represented as either a limited dual agent without an assigned agent or the brokerage is acting as a non agent on your behalf.

In this case the listing agent is also the selling agent.

Bottom line is demands usually fall on deaf ears with lenders in short sale situations. They are going to do what policy mandates.

Are Ada County, Idaho tax assessed values accurate representation of my home's value?

This really depends on the area. For certain parts of Ada county, the market value of homes is worth more than the assessed value and in other parts of the county the actual market value is lower.

The tax assessed values have traditionally lagged market values. In Ada county for instances it took them two years to catch up with market values and by that time the market was already moving backwards and they were assessed above market value. Needless to say, I don't envy assessors, they can never win.

Bottom line, your best determination of value is going to be through an appraisal. That is what the lender is going to base their decision off of. If you're a cash buyer, it still may be worth having an appraisal done.

If you're just trying to get an idea of value, your agent can pull the most recent comparable home sales for the area and should be able to give you a pretty good idea of what market value is.

I had to share this.  For all of us frustrated by non responsive loan servicers you're not alone. 

In the The Daily Real Estate News email from Realtor Magazine there was an article published by Alan Zibel with The Associated Press stating economists have concluded that the goals set by the Obama administration to help 3-4 million troubled homeowners is not going to be possible.

"Federal officials say they are doing their best and blame loan servicers for dragging their feet." (Zibel, November 10, 2009)

My question is, if the federal government can't get loan servicers to act, who can?

As a real estate professional I am becoming more and more convinced it is on us to fix this.  While the lenders and servicers keep having their way with troubled homeowners, we're going to have to keep wading into the fray to help troubled homeowners providing sound service and advice.

Some days I feel like a part police man, sniffing out scams, part grief counselor, and when I get a win one for my clients, a superhero.

As homeless shelters overflow, seven homeless people in Boise are taking their case to the courts.  A lawsuit has been filed in federal court over Boise rules against camping in public spaces. 

You can read the full article here: Homeless sue over camping rules.

In my opinion, in these troubled times, it's wrong to penalize people fallen on hard times with no place to go.  We shouldn't make it any harder than it already is to be homeless.