2006 Home Price Comparison Index - 09/30/06 06:42 PM
For those of you wanting to have some way of comparing average home prices across the country, Coldwell Banker this week released its 2006 Home Price Comparison Index.  It compares an average 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage home with 2200 square feet in 317 United States markets, as well as some international markets.  It is an interesting bunch of data, especially if you are like me, and love to look at all kinds of numbers all kinds of different ways.
Not surprisingly, the most expensive homes were to be found in California, with an average $1.8M in Beverley Hills.  … (1 comments)

Wonder if this was a FSBO? - 09/27/06 07:59 AM
I almost titled this "Snakes on a Plain", and I'll leave the picture out of this post because I don't believe that snake pictures enhance the readability of blog posts... but here is a story I heard this morning, that points out the problems with owner disclosure of property defects.
Seems a couple found a great deal on a property in Eastern Idaho.  After they became the owners, they found out WHY it was priced so well: the property was home to thousands of snakes... so many snakes, they couldn't move into their new place.  They have been unable to plug all … (7 comments)

CCRs... I can't do WHAT?! - 09/25/06 10:51 AM
We've all dealt, at one time or another, with Homeowners Associations that are "zealous" to a fault, interpreting and enforcing a set of CCRs far beyond what seems reasonable to the rest of us.  Here is one from this morning's Idaho Statesman that I haven't heard of in awhile.In the September newsletter of the Harris Ranch Homeowners Association a ban on political yard signs was announced.  Of course, the reason was to keep the neighborhood "attractive and distinctive", as reported in the paper.  But one resident called the association on their rule, and caused them to revoke it.  Good for her, … (5 comments)

A Little Perspective - 09/21/06 09:13 PM
   After Wednesday afternoon's FOMC meeting, and the Fed's decision to not raise rates for a second meeting in a row, there have been a number of articles written expressing the belief that perhaps the Fed is now finished raising rates.  They appear to be satisfied that the economy is healthy, and that the slowdown in the national housing market is not a great threat.  That is great news, and perhaps it will help everyone step back a bit and gain a little perspective.   Over the summer we all heard the "Break Your ARM Today!" commercials, with the dire warnings that … (0 comments)

How Much Home? - 09/20/06 11:29 AM
   Someone on Active Rain has suggested this topic, rather like the HGTV show about what you get for your money in different markets across the country.  The question is, "How much Home can you buy for $425,000 in your market today?" 
   I can think of a number of different places to use $425K here in Idaho, but for the Ada county area around Boise, Eagle, and Meridian there are just over 100 listings on the MLS this morning for residential between $400,000 and $425,000.  That's alot to choose from,and you can find them scattered all over the county so … (1 comments)

What About My Business? - 09/20/06 10:16 AM
   One of the things I enjoy about this business of real estate is helping other people to accomplish the things necessary to realize their life dreams.  Part of being able to do that is growing my list of contacts and resources in a variety of businesses and services.  I am always on the lookout for new contacts who do great work or provide necessary services that I can refer to my clients and customers.   One of the areas that will occasionally come up when someone is making a life change is the sale or purchase of a business.  That may … (0 comments)

Moving to Idaho... your Boise Dream too? - 09/14/06 03:35 PM
    I have been talking to people who have recently relocated to the Boise area.  I know of others who are soon to be, or are at least considering, making a similar move.  I am always surprised by how many people make the big jump without really looking at some very important pieces... perhaps that is the nature of dreams?  There are two things that seem to come up in every conversation that I would like to note here, in the hopes that it will help in the planning, as well as your transition to the Boise real estate market.    The … (0 comments)

Thinking about markets - 09/11/06 12:43 PM
  The sales numbers for our Boise real estate market for the month of August show there were 900 single family sales in Ada county.  That compares with 1332 for August of 2005.  So is that evidence of the bubble burst?  900 units is also the second best August we've ever had.  Does that mean everything is fine?  Is one month's number even a useful thing to look at?
  We've all been hearing and reading about the "Housing Buble" in the newspapers and magazines for quite some time now.  Have any of you taken time to piece it all together and really try … (0 comments)

Highest and Best Use - 09/08/06 05:39 PM
In my latest newsletter I had a one line mention that you can still see Oregon Trail ruts here in Boise.  I'm always amazed by the number of folks who have lived here for many years who do not know that.  I find American History absolutely fascinating, particularly the period of time from the beginning of the 1800's into the settling of the West... you know, Lewis & Clark, mountain men, missionaries, Oregon Trail, the railroads... and it is one of my joys to live out here and be able to actually touch the places I read about.
The Oregon Trail follows … (0 comments)

That was then, this is now... - 09/06/06 12:00 PM
As the inventory increases and the units sold number slows down, I'm struck by the number of houses I see on the market lately where either the seller or the listing agent (or both?) don't seem to realize that the market has changed...
I know 3 bed/2 bath starters were selling like hotcakes just a few months ago.  I know that last fall you could have tossed just about anything onto the market and watched it disappear seemingly overnight.  But that was then, and this is now...That isn't where the market is today.  Not even in Boise, where the morning paper was … (0 comments)

 

Bill Williams

Boise, ID

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Coldwell Banker Tomlinson Group

Address: 4720 Emerald, Boise, ID, 83706

Office Phone: (208) 377-2310

Cell Phone: (208) 921-9512

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Occasional posts about Boise, real estate, and things that catch my mind... I love it here, and sometimes I just need to tell you about it!


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