Renovated Bungalow with Craftsman style and contemporary upgrades in Boise most famous neighborhood.

This Home was remodeled from the ground up in 2004 and again in 2008. It has a

wonderful Craftsman flair and has all of the modern amenities. The large open staircase,

high ceilings, and very livable floor plan make it one of the best deals in the North End.

The home include a tankless hotwater. A 2 car garage built in 2008 framed and ready for

upstairs guest quarters with bath. Plans are included. Check with City of Boise for

approvals and permits.

Visit http://90820thst.com/

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Built in 2006 & renovated in 2009, This Bellevue bungalow has an open floor plan and all the modern upgrades you can imagine. Walk across the front porch and through the entry you will immediately realize that all the custom additions set this home apart.  Zoned B/LR/R allows great potential for limited business uses.

Concrete countertops

Southwest Door company doors & windows & custom interior sliding doors

Custom steel handrail

Dornbracht kitchen faucet

Vulcan commercial stove

Custom cabinets, butler's pantry/bar

Custom Steel Handrail

Stainless appliances

Currently Canceled as of 9/17/2009

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Yes there may be a housing down turn, but don't forget about the big picture. The overriding and encompassing story of our time has to do with a growing population that far outstrips our natural resources and energy reserves. Although the current economy may not be, the world population is growing. Growth is still happening in our cities, our towns, and in our communities. The big question for many people is how issues like population growth/economic slowdown, the environment, and dwindling resources effect decisions made today about buying and selling real estate. How do these trends affect my decision making in the current real estate market? These important questions bring about some very interesting answers, some of which may actually help reduce the impact on our planet and create wealth over the next couple of decades.

There are three important elements of real estate that one must keep in mind when making long term investments in new projects, upgrading existing projects, or deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold on to a property.

The Emerging Green Economy:  There will be a new direction in commercial real estate development and housing development in our country and the world over the next decade. It is important to embrace it now; otherwise you will be one step behind the curve. Residential and commercial properties consume about 38% of all energy in the U.S., according to The U.S. Department of Energy. Greening your current home or using a green standard when constructing new buildings, which means using energy efficient and sustainable building practices, is the best bet for your investment. There will be more demand for energy efficient homes and buildings over the next 20 years. You will get higher prices for those properties and you will rack up savings on energy bills over the life of the property. Now is the time. If it does not make sense to sell your home in the current market, then work to make it more efficient so when the time does come, you will be ahead of the curve.

The Boomer Generation:  America's largest, wealthiest, and most influential generation will cause the biggest growth in the housing sector in the next two decades. If you want to know how to make your investments in residential real estate pay off, find out what the Boomer's want, and then give it to them. According to the book, Boomer Consumer co-author Matt Thornhill predicts the following within the next two decades: 1) Boomers will renovate their existing homes to make them more comfortable and safer as they age. 2) Boomers will turn neighborhoods that have easy access to shopping and other services into retirement areas with co-housing and other kinds of intergenerational living. 3) Pods - one-bedroom structures wired and plumbed to the main house - will be popular answers for families with older members. 4) Boomers will prefer city to suburban living.

Unprecedented Urban Growth:  If you read the latest reports from United Nations Population Fund - UNFPAyou will clearly see some major trends taking place. People are moving into the cities all over the world, including almost every part of the United States. The majority of the population of the U.S. will be living in metropolitan areas by 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. People want better access to jobs, public transportation, cultural amenities, and goods. It is important to keep this trend in mind when making real estate purchases over the next few years.

These are just three of the encompassing stories of our current times. If you take the time to understand these trends better, you will make wiser decisions regarding your real estate investments.

Visit www.insideoutrealestate.com for more information and feel free to contact me with any questions.

I have an increasing number of clients in Boise and Sun Valley asking about homes with energy efficient & other green features.  The problem is that I have no way of specifically searching out those requests.  The traditional Multiple Listing Services (MLS) that I use in my day to day business contain no specific search criteria related to energy efficiency.  I would like to see these categories added to our Idaho regional MLSes.   Things like LEED® certified, Built Green® Certified, Energy Star® appliances, solar panels, upgraded insulation, xeriscaping, recycled materials, and many more can be added fairly easily.

The board of directors for the Oregon Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS ^TM) has already expanded its database to include searchable fields for energy efficient and green features Related Article .    The Northwest Multiple Listing Service in Seattle, Mid America Regional Information System in St. Louis, Metropolitan Regional Information Systems in Washington, D.C., the Northern Nevada Regional MLS, and other markets have begun making similar changes.  This is only the beginning of a trend as the multiple listing services of the United States and appraisers in Oregon are already expanding their ability to incorporate these features into the appraised value of homes.  There is no reason Idaho cannot be one of the pioneers in this new way of building value in real estate.

With the increasing prices of energy and Boise status as an air polluter there is no better time than now to show the public that we are proactive in the emerging green economy and we see value in these efficient property features.  According to Natalie Middleton, communications manager for RMLS, "these RMLS capabilities formalize the additional value these features bring to a home."  We can mobilize consumers to start asking for these features when they search for homes with their REALTORS®.  This may also start to get buyers off the fence and into new homes in our current Real Estate market.

Give me some feedback so we can work together to adopt these new standards on all Multiple Listing Services throughout the country.

Visit www.insideoutrealestate.com for more information and property searches for Boise & Sun Valley Idaho

Every business should be conscious of their impact on the planet.  If you think only the largest multinational corporation's impact the environment, think again.  It starts in our own backyard. If you‘re a REALTOR® this means looking at your everyday business. Make the necessary changes starting today.   Are you wondering where to start?  These five simple steps will help you become a more eco-conscious REALTOR®.  Buyers and sellers care about the environment more than ever before, show them you care too.

•1)      Drive less: 

If you are showing buyers property for the day map out a home tour and plan the most efficient route.  Not only will this help with gas, but it will keep your buyers happy by not spending too much time in the car.

•2)      Go Paperless:  

Learn how to scan, store, and backup all of your transaction files on your computer.  Not only does this produce less waste, but it becomes a simple filing system accessible from your laptop anywhere.  Use a fax service that allows all faxes to be automatically converted to .pdf files and sent to your email inbox.  This is even easier than scanning and they usually have a digital signature option so you can copy and paste your signature right on the documents.  Next, embrace the internet and use less direct mail marketing. Nearly 100 billion pieces of direct mail is sent out each year and the majority of that ends up in the landfill. The internet is the most go to source for home buyers and sellers. Use it to the fullest.

•3)      Recommend Local Green Resources to your buyers and sellers:

Buyers and sellers always appreciate a good resource list for local utilities and miscellaneous home related things, especially if they are relocating.  Find out if local utility companies offer credits for energy star rated homes and appliances, and if they use energy from renewable resources.  Learn about local eco-conscious options in your area and create your own custom list.  Think about neighborhood recycling centers, organic lawn care providers, nontoxic house cleaning services, and green remodeling companies just to get you started.

•4)      Join Green organizations:

Look into getting an ecobroker ® certification and joining your local USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council) chapter.  The website www.builditgreen.org  offers some membership programs and certifications. It is a must see for any green building or renovation project.  Don't just join, get involved!

•5)      Educate yourself:

This is the most important step because everything you learn translates directly into your everyday business.  All of your new knowledge gets passed along to your clients, then to the community in which you do business, then to the planet as a whole.  Learn about green building techniques and green renovation techniques.  Visit www.regreen.org  to see new standards in green home and commercial renovation.  Learn about things that can affect the every real estate transaction like Radon, asbestos, mold, indoor air quality, and lead.  Know how to spot potential dangers and address them before they are a danger to your clients.  Learn about specific environmental problems in your local community and do your part to protect the neighborhoods in which you live and do business.

www.insideoutrealestate.com for free MLS searches of Sun Valley  and Boise Idaho.

     Unless you've been hiding under a rock and have not been keeping up on the magazine articles or television news programs in the past six months, then you have probably been hearing about volatility in major real estate markets across the country. 

     There is no doubt this is a period of unprecedented transition.  It's hard to have a positive attitude about buying or selling properties when you are constantly bombarded by the negative media coverage. You may also be hearing unusually high negative "chatter" around town and from your neighbors. There are still rich opportunities out there.  You just need to be smart and stay positive this year.  Here are a few tips on how to make money investing in real estate in 2008.

1) GET YOUR FINANCES READY:  Make sure you qualify for the lowest rate possible.  Some of the best rates in the past 30 years are available right now.  Do the work up front.  Meet with a mortgage professional as soon as possible and make a plan.  Know your FICO score and do what it takes to qualify for the best loan for your situation.  Be sure you understand all the fees, expenses, and tax implications associated with your investment.  Don't spend so much that it will be impossible to make the payments.  You want to be sure that you don't get into a position that you are forced to sell. Remember, you want to own this property for as long as it takes to make money!   After you have figured out how much you can afford then it is time to search the marketplace and sniff out the best deals. 

2) BUY & HOLD: Bargain prices and low interest rates are the perfect combination for some amazing buying opportunities.  Don't be afraid just be smart.  Even though it may seem counterintuitive, the best time to buy is when the media is not ranting about the record levels of appreciation.  We have all heard the old adage about buying low and selling high, well this applies directly to buying in a down market and selling when there are record levels of appreciation.  Get a great price now and plan on holding on to it.

3) FIND THE BEST POSSIBLE DEAL:  There are some great deals out there.  Know how to spot them.  Look for properties under $200,000 or at least under the national median price of  $220,000 (3rdQ 2007 N.A.R. data). This price range gets the exposure from the highest number of perspective buyers when it's time to sell. Consider some of the other things sellers may be offering like closing costs, upgrades or additional discounts.  Know where the emerging markets are and the most desired neighborhoods and only consider those areas.  The most important part is to be patient. Be ready to buy when you find the best deal and leave no stone unturned.

4) SELLING PROPERTY IN 2008:  You've heard that selling can be difficult, but it's not out of the question.  There are buyers out there; you just have to catch their attention.  Start with a bulletproof selling strategy.  This can include competitive pricing, "buffing out" the property, and maximizing your market exposure through the Internet.  Fix loose ends before closing the deal. Look at the price range of other properties in your neighborhood and make sure your property stands out from the rest.

     This is when things get interesting so don't follow the herd.  There is a revolution happening in the real estate business. The seasoned investors are busy setting themselves up for the next upturn.  Don't just sit back and watch people make money. 

      Even amidst a mortgage market meltdown, Bank of America has just announced its plans to buy Countrywide, the largest mortgage lender in the country. There is a price where property becomes a great deal and a potential moneymaker. Be sure you understand the risks and rewards of owning real estate, and the risk of not owning real estate and watching everyone else make all the money. 

     Don't look back on 2008 wishing you had taken advantage of the bargain prices. Instead be glad you did invest now and are able to plan a retirement in style.

Visit: www.insideoutrealestate.com

Even though real estate professionals have been miss understood by the general public and the news media.  It seems that 68% of consumers view real estate professionals favorably according to a recent study by The Consumer federation of America*.  The survey found that most people did not know much about the real estate process unless they had worked with a Realtor® within  the past five years.

"Home sellers and buyer who think they understand a complicated industry, yet in fact do not, are at a disadvantage in obtaining effective representation, reasonable commissions, adequate redress and, for buyers, complete information about listings," says Stephen Brobeck, executive director of Consumer Federation Of America.

Misunderstanding what real estate professionals do for consumers is nothing new.  A recent episode of 60 minutes did not even give Realtors® a chance to explain our services.  Many unfair accusations flew and a lot of misinformation was dolled out by CBS*.  No wonder it is difficult for the general public and many consumers to get an accurate picture of what Realtors® do.

It is just nice to see a survey that actually proves what we Realtors® already know.  We offer invaluable services that can save consumers money, a lot of grief, and even time in court when completing a real estate transaction.  Most people that have worked with a Realtor® understand how important we are.  In my experience I have seen buyers and sellers extremely happy and confident when have a Realtor® on their side.

*Click here to read the Consumer Federation of America's Findings

*Click here to read the N.A.R. response to 60 minutes

Visit Damon Savoia and get free MLS searches for Boise, Sun Valley, Idaho and San Francisco Bay Area at www.insideoutrealestate.com

ATTENTION GREEN REALTORS:

We need to help our clients understand the value of properties with "green" features and help identify properties with the potential to be efficient and sustainable.  The truth is we do not have the resources to locate properties with green features.  It is like finding water for a well with a water witch, you may be lucky enough to find a sustainable home and you may not.

The board of directors for the Oregon Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS ^TM) has recently agreed to expand its database to include searchable fields for energy efficient and green features. Related Article This is only the beginning of a trend as the multiple listing services of the Western United States adopt these criteria.  Appraisers in Oregon are ready to expand their ability to incorporate these features into the appraised value of homes.  There is no reason your state cannot be one of the pioneers in this new way of building value in real estate.  I am going to personally begin the process of bringing these criteria into the Intermountain MLS of Southern Idaho and the Sawtooth Board of Realtors MLS for the Sun Valley region. 

Start by contacting the board of directors of your local Multiple Listing Services.  Let them know that you could enhance the value of sustainable homes by giving them the true place they deserve in our comparative market analysis and property searches.  Your buyers will be grateful you can locate them a home that is more efficient and your sellers will love the fact that they can highlight the sustainable features of their property.

What does this mean to you?  It means your value as a Realtor just skyrocketed and you become better steward for your planet.

Good Luck!

visit www.insideoutrealestate.com for more information on the Boise , Sun Valley,and San Francisco real estate markets and for free MLS searches.

Going Green in Idaho;                                    

Why am I a member of the United States Green Building Council USGBC Idaho Chapter? Because I believe that communities designed, built, and operated in an environmentally and socially responsible way improves the quality of life for everyone on the planet.  The USGBC is a coalition of leaders from every sector of the building industry with over 7,200 member organizations and a network of more than 80 regional chapters.  This coalition's purpose is to create places to live and work that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy.  The future of the building industry in the United States is total sustainability.  I am going to lead the way in the real estate community toward a world where brokers and agents act in environmentally responsible ways. 

Being a member of this organization is one thing, but truly believing in what you are doing and incorporating those beliefs into your everyday work is another.  There are many ways real estate brokers can be environmentally responsible.  It's everything from recycling office products and replacing paper files with digital ones to teaching clients about environmental tax credits.

 Idaho is an emerging leader in sustainable energy and green building.  The recently constructed Banner Bank Building in Downtown Boise is a prime example of cutting edge building going on here in Idaho.  It has received a LEED® rating from the USGBC, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Related Article  This is a whole new approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.  Idaho is also the new site for a Hawaiian solar company (Hoku Scientific), which is another step in the direction of sustainable energy for Idaho.  According to a recent press release they will soon open a major production facility near the Snake River. Related Article

Can these things translate to the everyday Idahoan?  Yes they can if we truly believe in what we are doing and incorporate these beliefs into our everyday lives.  It starts with business professionals in the state understanding the value of environmental sustainability and passing that knowledge down to their customers and clients.  There is an untapped goldmine in green features on every home in every region of Idaho.  Adding solar panels to your home may be the new standard for a remodel instead of a new kitchen and identifying these homes is a new challenge for the real estate community.  I am going to work on my own and with local agencies to make sure the average consumer in Idaho can identify green homes and make educated investments in real estate for their future and for the future of the planet.

visit http://www.insideoutrealestate.com/ for more information on the Boise , Sun Valley,and San Francisco real estate markets and for free MLS searches.