Short sale listings contribute 35% of the active listings in Kuna. But in this year only 16% of the sold listingsare short sale listings.There are several reasons why short sales are difficult.  One of the most frequently overheard complaint would be....long waits, causing the buyer to give up and look elsewhere.

Everyone dealing with short sales would do well to understand what is taking place behind the delays and how to address the most common causes.

#1 Lack Of Staff   Many banks are simply short on staff and unable to keep up with growing demand. Make it easy on overwork workers in every way        possible; not only will they appreciate the reduced work but it certainly helps to present our offer in the best light possible.

#2 Failure of the Homeowners/Real Estate Agent to Properly Handle Paperwork  Keep the lines of communication open and help the homeowner provide the appropriate paperwork in a timely manner.  While it might seem a bit obvious, don't expect every homeowner to have the motivation required to follow up even on something that is likely to help their own situation. Many people simple shut-down when overwhelmed.

#3 Believe it or not....Multiple Offers  One of the main reasons for a lender to take their precious time before approving a short sale is to consider multiple offers.

#4 Lack of Other Offers!  While entertaining multiple offers is more frequently the cause of delays when processing short sale offers, the lack of any other offers especially on an otherwise, "attractive" property may also result in longer approval times or outright procrastination on the part of the lender.

There are ways to elpyour short sale be a success! Knowledge and sing a team of skilled professioals is what I have found to be a winning combination.

If you live in the Kuna area and think you may need to do a short sale on your home, please give me a call. I have options for homeowners. Once you know what your options are, it will be easier for you to make the right decision.

Why do gyms get away with contractual agreements that require people to pay for 2 years to use their gym and unless you die or move, you can't change your mind? I can't think of another business run this way.  It's because they all have the same strategy and the consumer has no choice!

Excessive gym dues and long contracts are the standard.I don't know how many times after joining, management changes and pretty soon there is an environment that I didn't sign up for. Or I joined, looking forward to some great classes to motivate me to move, and then find them to be uninspiring, without enough equipment or are down right dangerous.

What a breathe of fresh air at Freedom Fitness! No Contracts! Low membership monthly dues and sign on fees. Lots of top of the line quality equipment, daycare,tons of classes and helpful staff.

I love their motto....Freedom Fitness strives to give the greatest gift of all; that of good health.

The building quickly became too small, as the community drank in this wonderful opportunity like a cool drink.

Already they are looking to moving into a new larger building. I think this business will only get bigger and better.

My favorite class is the yoga class, run by a professional yogi, who does this for a living, not just to pick up some extra spending money. Everyone that joins quickly feels comfortable and welcomed. We even get an invite out to his farm to join his gracious wife and have a free class surrounded by the natural beauty of the farm. Only in the country!

Check out their website for more classes and info Kuna's Yoga Class

We are all watching the politics unfold, as the White house continues to unveil it's plan to help our struggling economy. Everyone is asking what's in it for me?

Many homeowners bought their home in Kuna within the last three years and have seen the value of the home decline below the amount of the loan. This is where I think most Kuna residences will benefit. 

You may be qualified to refinance or modify your loan. Guidelines and more details will be available after March 4th.

Here is some interesting aspects I pulled off the The White House Blog

• What help is available for borrowers who stay current on their mortgage payments but have seen their homes decrease in value?

Under the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan, eligible borrowers who stay current on their mortgages but have been unable to refinance to lower their interest rates because their homes have decreased in value, may now have the opportunity to refinance into a 30 or 15 year, fixed rate loan.   Through the program, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will allow the refinancing of mortgage loans that they hold in their portfolios or that they placed in mortgage backed securities.

• I owe more than my property is worth, do I still qualify to refinance under the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan?

Eligible loans will now include those where the new first mortgage (including any refinancing costs) will not exceed 105% of the current market value of the property.   For example, if your property is worth $200,000 but you owe $210,000 or less you may qualify.  The current value of your property will be determined after you apply to refinance.

• Do I need to be behind on my mortgage payments to be eligible for a modification? 

No.  Borrowers who are struggling to stay current on their mortgage payments may be eligible if their income is not sufficient to continue to make their mortgage payments and they are at risk of imminent default.  This may be due to several factors, such as a loss of income, a significant increase in expenses, or an interest rate that will reset to an unaffordable level. 

• How much will a modification cost me?

There is no cost to borrowers for a modification under the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan.  If you wish to get assistance from a HUD-approved housing counseling agency or are referred to a counselor as a condition of the modification, you will not be charged a fee.  Borrowers should beware of any organization that attempts to charge a fee for housing counseling or modification of a delinquent loan, especially if they require a fee in advance.

This Month in Real Estate provides expert opinion and analysis on real estate trends across the nation. Short video with timely advice about selling and buying in today's market. Worth watching.

This month in Real Estate.

There is some good news. An unexpected improvement in home sales in       December provided a rare dose of welcomed economic news amid so much gloomy news.

AS WITH ANY statistics, we need to look at the overall picture and that's why it is so hard to "time the market". By the time trends are developed, we may miss the best buying opportunity. Though this is encouraging, most are waiting to see if those numbers will continue to improve.

So what is happening in Kuna's market? I like to seperate our numbers from the rest of Ada county.

Kuna's sold numbers did improve, selling almost 24% more single family residential than Dec 2007. But what really surprised me was the ratio of new to existing that sold. 2007 saw almost 50-50.  This December, almost 3x the number of existing homes sold compared to new.

The average sold price in Dec 2008 fell about 10% from $178,431 to 161,477.(Ada county, as a whole, experienced a 15% drop in average price)

No one likes to see their home lose that much value, but compared to my retirement accounts numbers.....      real estate is still a pretty good investment.

Realism -- seeing the risks, having the courage to bear bad news, and being prepared for famine as well as plenty. 

Realtors tend to be a very optimistic group. That’s our job, to encourage people to make wise decisions. So we have to find something good in every market or we will be out of business.

I enjoyed this article by Deanna Salazar and Kerry Brown. Sometimes facts can help put some perspective into the local market.  Not that we aren’t being effected by Washington, but  there are other things to consider when buying or selling in the Boise Market.

Deanna “Late Night Letterman” Salazar’s Top Ten Good Things About Today’s Economic Storm 

10. National existing home sales up 7.4% year over year in August! Sold properties in Ada & Canyon Counties for Sept 08 = 784 compared to Sept 07 = 690! Good news!

9. Warren Buffet has confidence in the market investing 20 billion while endorsing the financial rescue plan stating it would maximize benefits for the housing and financial markets. 

                                                              (When Warren Buffet talks… everybody listens!)

8. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the mother and father of mortgage loans for all Americans are still open for business with little or no major changes in operations.

7. Your money in the bank is now insured by the FDIC for up to $250,000.00.

6. Gasoline is back down to merely extortionate prices from obscenely extortionate pricesJ

5. Real Estate is on sale, folks! Just a few years ago buyers were scrambling over each other to pay $150 or more per sq ft for tons of homes. Do you know how many similar homes are killer deals at $85-$95 per sq ft now—same type of home? They’re all over the place! Buy while we’re still having the sale!!

4. Property Virgin? A $7,500.00 tax credit can now be yours when buying your 1^st home!

3. Think there aren’t any loans out there? Nobody can qualify? Simply not true. With as little as 3% down, FHA limits are up to over $300K and 0% downpayment programs for VA borrowers up to $417K!     

     2. Capitol Hill and Wall Street bigwigs are exposed as blubbering hypocrites daily! J

And the Number 1 good thing (even in our stormy Oct 2008 economy…..)

Each day we can….get hot water and electricity at our fingertips. We can travel from the Atlantic to the Pacific without showing identification and passports at each state, we have a bigger selection of food in our stores and restaurants than most countries could imagine, 95% of Americans currently have a job, we can read what we want, enjoy a movie, talk on our cell phones, push a button and depend on emergency services to help us and send our children to school without fear of bombings and militias. Not so bad, huh?

Tags: economy, Boise, Real+estate

Getting lost in a Corn Maze is a very big attraction in these parts, evidence by having two wonderful selections almost right next to each other.  So I thought I’d better get some first hand knowledge to add to my blog. (that’s one great thing about blogging, you have an good excuse to have fun)

The Corn Maize is located in Kuna Idaho on Meridian Rd pass Lake Hazel. First I need to get a coupon off their website (much to my kids dismay) http://www.idahomaze.com/   This website is great!  Even has pictures of past mazes. And video of the field of screams that will really whet your appetite for fright.

The field of screams opens in October on Friday and Saturday nights. Guess I’ll have to wait.  The other events are geared for the real young, of which I don’t have any yet.

The other great corn maze in the area to choose from is on Linder Road. Turn West on Lake Hazel off of Meridian Rd and go to the next road (Linder) and turn north.

7165 S Linder Rd, Meridian, ID 83642. Phone: (208) 371-0222. Email them at: sherrie@linderfarms.com.  Pumpkins are usually available in October. Open: Monday to Friday 5pm - 8pm Saturday 11am to 8pm Opening September 24th, 2005 through Halloween

Corn maze,  pumpkins, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, child-sized haybale maze, and really fun tractor-pulled hay rides.

Then while your at it, stop at Rice Farms on Meridian Rd, just pass the Corn Maize and pick up some wonderful, organic produce. The Honey Crisp Apples are my favorite.

Actually Fall is my favorite. Enjoy

The fastest growing segment of the Treasure Valley’s population is the unincorporated area of Ada County. (Kuna Melba News Vol 26,No1) Growing a whopping 5.7%.

There is plenty of opportunity to own your piece of Idaho in the Boise area.

So now is a great time to consider a solid investment…land. Check out my favorite source of land advice Stock vs Land Investments

As the city of Kuna completes it’s new comprehensive plan, opportunities to invest in this area that is experiencing steady growth will be prime. Buy now, enjoy, and reap the financial benefits later.

One of the fastest growing rural communities in the Treasure Valley, Kuna Idaho, is boasting a 4 percent growth rate in 2007. Located South of Boise and Meridian, it has easy access to the interstate. Plus a great school system, not much traffic, low crime and a great country atmosphere.

As the Treasure Valley grows, developers and cities look to areas that have the best land deals. As the Boise area grows, there is one option and that is to come south. Boise has already approved subdivisions east as far south as Kuna.

With the proposed Kuna Mora bypass, planned for sometime in the future, the land south of the interstate will be prime for even more growth.

So don’t miss this great piece of land for sale. (the real reason for this post) Locust Grove

Here is one opportunity to buy now, wait for Kuna to complete it’s comprehensive plan, apply for a one time split, and sell off half of your investment for almost as much you bought it for. Land For Sale

You have secured an investment for little and will then hold on to it as it grows for your retirement.