Just Listed and Priced to Sell... Oh, how I love these!

A perfect place to start or invest for only $164,900 Newly carpeted 3 bedroom 2 bath with a split bedroom design.

With the Newer Refrigerator included this one is clean, cute,  and Move In Ready...

With the Living Room and a Bonus Room there is plenty of Room for All.

 Fully fenced Back Yard with full automatic sprinklers and deck. Have an RV or Boast? We got you covered. Plenty of room on the side for storage.

This is a Great Buy in a good location. Nothing left to do but move in.

If you find yourself in a situation that so many find themselves in today and are facing the possibility of foreclosure, and just don't know where to turn, and just need some HELP.  This is a good place to start.

A new website was launched on Sept. 8 2007 to assist those in Idaho who may have been affected by the changes in the lending market and those who may be facing possible foreclosure.

 Introducing http://www.protectingidahohomes.com/

This website is filled with information about How to find Help, Advice, Who to call, and numerous other resources and publications to help guide you, the consumer to get back on your feet.

Use the website to find resources that can educate you about the available options and can connect you to someone who can help.

This is a wonderful source of information for Idaho that is rich in content and education on how to protect your home or navigate your way through the options you may have while in the foreclosure process.

If you need further information please don't hesitate to get in contact with me.

www.LiveInIdaho.net

In today's market for some the closings are fewer and far between. What used to be is no longer. Change is inevitable.

But... not all things have to change. I remember last year when business was up, the investors were in full throttle mode, and sales came about a whole lot easier. Closings were a relatively frequent occurrence.

When ever I had a closing I would always invest some of my earnings back into my business and I would reward myself with a REALLY NICE bottle of wine. Well in 2006 you could say I had built up a nice collection of wines from the fruit of my labor.

Fast forward to 2007...

Well my wine rack is rather empty and I have been saving a few choice bottles for a special occasion. I did have two closings this month and I made my trip down to A New Vintage Wine Shop and purchased a couple of bottles. I always try something new along with a favorite. Again, change is good.

I continue to reward myself for a job well done. I continue to invest in my business.

Remember to celebrate your accomplishments, reward yourself and your business however you see fit..  Cheers!

Today marks a mile stone and a first me since joining Active Rain back in April.

I remember getting an invitation from one of my clients that I sold a home to last year. Yes, you heard me correctly, a client... Maria Lechner who also happens to be a stager here in the Meridian area of Idaho is the one who I have to thank for introducing me to Active Rain.

On July 18^th I secured my first listing from Active Rain on a little 3 bedroom 2 bath home located in the South West section of Boise Idaho. With a great location, and motivated, realistic, and willing sellers, we were under contract in just 14 days. Gotta love that...

The negotiations were relatively easy with a little give and take from both sides. All parties were working towards the common goal of getting the home sold, isn't that how it is supposed to work?

Today we have officially funded and recorded! SOLD!

The buyer is moving in with her two boys and is starting her life over.

My clients can relocate East and start looking for property with their agent BeBe Hitz, in Idaho Falls whom I referred them to through Active Rain. Another seller should get their home sold in Idaho Falls and so on and so on and so on.

Just trying to do my best to make the market go round.  NEXT

Well this week starts another season for the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Champions of 2007 the Boise State Bronco's. Who could possibly forget quite possibly the best bowl game in history on New Years Day 2007 when the underdogs of Boise State Broncos defeated the Oklahoma Sooners in overtime with a 43-42 victory stunner!

Can the Cinderella Story Boise State Bronco’s have another stellar football season? Well the locals here in Boise are willing to take that bet. Ranked 23, Boise State opens their 2007-2008 football season against Weber State this Thursday night 7:00 pm at home here on the famous Blue "Smurf Turf".

Investors Dream... Truly Turnkey Unique Duplex. With Built In Tenants both of which would like to stay. This custom 3 bedroom 2 bath duplex has a lot to offer. Set back off of the street situated on a "Flag Lot" for privacy and quiet, this is an ideal investment at $339,000 for somone looking for that something special. Location, Location, Location, couldn't ask for anything better... Near everything, close to downtown, shopping, schools, etc.

2 Unique floor plans...

4011 Glendale has the Master on the main floor 4013 Glendale has the Master Up. Plenty of parking in the garage & out front.

 Both units come with Refrigerators, Washer & Dryers. Large bedrooms, Nice Kitchens, Gas fireplaces, X-tra touches & Nice finish work. Ample storage both inside and out private back yards that are fully fenced, and mature landscaping. Built in 2004 with quality craftsmanship. Architectural Roof, water softeners, full sprinklers, extra insulation, and much more.

With all of the recent media frenzy in regards to Real Estate and the Lending industry it has changed the way many of us do business.

I for one am taking further steps to insure that my buyers & sellers best interest is not only looked out for but that I take the initiative to look deep, second guess, and head off any problems that I have the slightest inclination that something may be going astray. Better to be extremely cautious than try to explain your way out of a bad situation latter.

Make it a best practice to connect, and reassure your clients in every step of the transaction. This is the direction that the industry has taken and we need to adapt, adjust, and accommodate the best we know how. Make sure that you let your team (assistants, lenders, escrow officers, home inspectors etc.) what you are doing, changing, and expect as you change the way you are doing business. Being proactive and embracing the "New Industry" will help you avoid falling into Crisis Management Mode.

Here is an example of what one of my team members (lender with Countrywide where the loan was being obtained) sent out to a client who was feeling a little uneasy with what he was hearing in the media & friends about Countrywide. Needless to say this gave him a sense of security and we are continuing on the path of home ownership with excitement and optimism.  

Dear Jim

News about the current state of the mortgage industry can be unsettling for those of us who make our living in this business.  This challenging time has brought about greater than usual media coverage of our sector, including coverage about Countrywide.

With all the information that's being distributed, I wanted to take a moment to personally update you on what's going on at Countrywide.

·        We have supplemented our existing liquidity options by infusing an additional $11.5 billion in to our operation through a syndicate of 40 of the world's largest banks.  More than 70 percent of this facility has an existing term of greater than four years.  

·        We announced our strategy to fund a significant portion of loans through Countrywide Bank, which has approximately $100 billion in assets.  Today, we fund approximately 70 percent of our loans through Countrywide Bank, and expect that nearly all of our loan volume will be funded through the bank by the end of September.

·        We expect that approximately 90 percent of the loans we originate will be eligible for funding through Countrywide Bank or the Government Sponsored Entities (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac).    

·        Just this week, we increased our product options for fully documented Jumbo loans.

As the Industry continues to change, as it will continue to do so, we have to learn to roll with the punches and find a way to work with what we are faced with.  Instead of complaining about the changing market and reminiscing of the good o'll days. What are you going to do to make it work for you?

Welcome to 2268 N. Snow Hawk in Growing Kuna Idaho.

This is truly a buyers opportunity that has landed on the market. With the current owners being transfered out of state they are looking to move quickly.

Large front and rear yard fully fenced, not to mention the RV Parking with gate on the North side of the property. A great find at a great price of $184,900

With Hickory Hardwood Flooring Throughout (yes it is really throughout the entire home) this one  gives you a lot more bang for your buck! Large Master Suite with room enough for a King Sized Bed and the rest of the bedroom set. Large walk in closets, ceiling fan, and a great Master Bath with a gracious oval garden tub. Clean as a whistle and neat as a pin.

This is not your typical Cookie Cutter Home.

Want to know more about this wonderful opportunity for Home Ownership in Kuna Idaho? Give us a call or visit us on the web... http://www.liveinidaho.net/

You have been cordially invited to visit the Hillsdale Estates Showcase of Homes. Saturday August 4, 2007 from 11:00 A.M to 3:00 P.M where you can tour a variety of Custom Built homes all situated on an acre or more. With home prices starting from $479,000 up to 1,350,000, believe me when I tell you there is definitely something for everyone.  There will be food & prizes available with door prizes at each individual home on tour and a Grand Prize drawing for a Two-Night Stay at the Ashley Inn located in Cascade, Idaho.

New construction or resale, smaller single story homes to large family estates and building lots too!  Each home site has their own phenomenal views of the surrounding mountain ranges and valley views, in this unique and well established community.

Imagine over1800 acres of rolling hills tucked inside the valley just outside the city limits of Star Idaho and just a few miles West of Eagle. Equestrian facilities, trails, private catch & release fishing pond, trails, and access to public lands are some of the amenities that make Hillsdale Estates one of the most highly desirable places to call home in South West Idaho. Just past Eagle Knoll Winery and River Birch Golf Course Hillsdale Estates is the perfect balance of seclusion and convenience.

Come out and enjoy an afternoon with us!

I realize WE ARE IN A BUYERS MARKET! How can you not. But let's get a bit more serious with our offers here people!

Now I do appreciate the fact that more of my listings are being shown and activity seems to be increasing here in the Treasure Valley of Idaho. I hope all of you are or will soon be experiencing the same.

But enough already with the ridiculous low ball offers.

As primarily a listing agent I strive to make sure that the listing price falls well in line with the comps (solds) for the area. I also take into consideration the motivation of my sellers, the condition of the home, and the market as well. Sometimes my sellers may not have a whole lot of room to negotiate due to their current circumstances or in some cases they may have plenty. I also council my clients not to take any offer as a direct insult but to think of it as a starting point and let the negotiations begin.

CASE & POINT...

 What I don't get is when you get an offer that is 20,000 below asking price and the buyers want their closing costs to be paid by the seller. They also want the Refrigerator, Washer, Dryer and the carpets to be cleaned even though we are giving a carpet allowance! There are no comps to even support that pricing. Just plain ridiculous! In questioning the agent in regards to the offer I find out that the buyer can only qualify for 5,000 more than the offer and that's it.

Why, Why, Why, would you bother showing a property that is clearly out of your buyer's price range and ability? This just doesn't make sense to me and is a waste of time. But, I do present the offer and counter to no avail.

This seems to be happening more and more and I for one am getting a little frustrated with the situation. I have recently had 3 of these types of offers over the past week and none of them have been accepted.