43 Degrees North Real Estate Blog - By Jeff Martel

We have upgraded our website navigation!

43 Degrees North Real Estate — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:42:52 -0600

It took a bit of work - but we have upgraded our website: http://www.43re.com

Please take a look at the new site layout and let us know what you think! We have lots of information on our site - but it was overwhelming before. hopefully it is easier to get around now.

Vigne D’Aquila - Live the Good Life in the Eagle, Idaho Wine Country

43 Degrees North Real Estate — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:30:35 -0500

While many regions aspire to duplicate the success of Napa, only a few receive the coveted designation of American Viticulture Area (AVA). In 2007 Idaho received approval for the Snake River Valley AVA. With Eagle identified as a key viticulture region in the AVA, soon afterward, the City of Eagle designated the area between Hwy 55 and Hwy 16, north of Beacon Light, as the new Eagle Wine District and made changes to the Comprehensive Plan to stimulate further viticulture development in that area. Vigne D'Aquila (Vines of Eagle) with its 5-acre vineyette estate lots, vineyards and 4,500 square foot Tuscan style homes, is the culmination of that dream for five families seeking what the NY Times described as the "vineyard lifestyle".

Welcome to Vigne D’ Aquila in the Eagle Idaho Wine District. Five total home sites of 5+ Acre “vineyettes” set at the base of the Eagle Foothills all part of a co-op viticulture operation and winery. Stunning views of the Boise Front Range from every home site. Imagine coming home to your 4 acre vineyard and your stunning custom Tuscan-style home in this beautiful wine country exclusive. Model home by Dynamis Group available for private tours – Please call listing agent.

To Schedule a Tour Please Contact:
Jeff Martel 208-860-3696 | jeff@43re.com
Lloyd Mahaffey 208.867.5188 | lloyd@dynamisgroup.com

Find out more here

Sign up for a community tour - and possibly win $250 CASH!

43 Degrees North Real Estate — Tue, 19 May 2009 09:26:38 -0500

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Join Us for a tour of Southfork Landing and get
entered into a monthly drawing for $250 CASH

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Getting There: Southfork Landing is just a 45-minute drive north from Boise on Highway 55. Head through Horseshoe Bend and take a right at Banks-Lowman Rd (State Route 17) toward Lowman/Stanley. Proceed 10 miles to Garden Valley, and take the last right on Alder Creek Road (travel over bridge) Southfork Landing is on the right.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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The Payette River Experience - June 19th, 20th, and 21st
47 + events in three days, from Trap Shooting, Fly Fishing, Dutch Oven Cook-Offs, Mountain Biking and 1k, 5k, and 10k races and much more.
For all the latest details go to www.thepre.com.

Music in the Mountains Festival - Aug. 1st and 2nd
Join us at Southfork Landing for the 4th annual Music in the Mountains Festival.

Oktoberfest and 2nd Annual National Writers Conference - September 26th
Join us for Food, Fun, and Beer at the 2nd Annual Ocktoberfest and National Writers Conference.

For more information on any of these events, please call 462-1200 or 921-2080 or email us at wes@southforklanding.com.

FaceBook Works... but it's a lot more complicated than you think!

43 Degrees North Real Estate — Mon, 18 May 2009 23:28:11 -0500

I have spent the past few weeks learning how to use FaceBook and I have to say - IT WORKS! Facebook is now the number 1 referrer to my brokerage site! But - there are a few things you should know about using Facebook that I have recently learned:

1) Make Lists! Remember those photos from college? Yep - they are just waiting to get posted on your FaceBook page for all your business associates to see (don't worry - there are worse photos of them running around!). It's easy to make different lists for Business Associates, Friends, Family... and that way each list only sees what you want them to...and not those embarrassing moments! It's easy to do - in the upper left menu click on the "+create" link and your off on your adventure of separating everyone you know out into nice easy to manage groups!

2) Make a page for your business. This is easy to do and will help your friends understand what you do for work. FaceBook is a social networking tool on steroids - but having it all on one page can get overwhelming. Create a page for your business and invite your clients and colleagues to become a fan. Fans of your business page then will receive regular updates about your business on thier Facebook page... and guess what - their friends see your updates too! This is called WORKING YOUR SPHERE OF INFLUENCE... and you can do it in your bathrobe!

3) UPDATE, UPDATE, UPDATE! It's easy to do... find a news story with positive news? Post it to your Facebook page and share it easily with everyone you are networked with. Did you pour over market statistics all night and you found the bottom? Declare it on Facebook!

4) Promote your FaceBook profile. This is the single most important part of the puzzle. First - you need to email a link to your new profile to your entire database so they either network with you - or at least they know your on the cutting edge of social media! Next - promote your FaceBook profile in all of your marketing - put it on your flyers, add it to your email signature... promote, promote, promote!

So, that's what I know so far. There is lot's more to learn in FaceBook - but I can tell you this - what I have done so far has made a significant difference in the traffic to my site! I've connected with clients and I've connected with people from 4th grade - it's amazing how small the planet is getting! Enjoy the connections!

Click the image below to check out our page - BECOME A FAN!

43 Degrees North Real Estate
Jeff Martel | Broker / Marketing Director
7400 West State Street, Boise Idaho 83714
Voice | 208.860.3696
Fax | 888.452.5257
Main Brokerage: http://www.43re.com
New Homes: http://www.NewConstructionBoise.com
ActiveRain: http://activerain.com/blogs/jmartel

Wine, the Boise River, Beautiful weather... Why aren't you here yet?

43 Degrees North Real Estate — Sat, 16 May 2009 19:54:18 -0500

My wife Lyndi and I just returned from having a wonderful time at an introductory wine tasting here in Eagle, ID. Sometimes with all the running around with the kids and with running a Real Estate Brokerage in Boise Idaho - I forget just what a spectacular place we live in. The wine tasting was set at a new restaurant in Eagle Idaho called Bella Aquilla (Beautiful Eagle). We were on the back patio overlooking the Boise River - it was just fantastic.

Sometimes you just need to slow down and look around at all the beautiful and wonderful reasons why you live where you do!

A Blend of European Elegance and Modern Comfort in Eagle, ID

43 Degrees North Real Estate — Fri, 15 May 2009 19:08:22 -0500

I just listed the most spectacular home in Eagle, Idaho today. The details in this home are unbelievable

1810 N Valle Bello Way Eagle, Idaho

You will be absolutely stunned by the beauty of every room in this magnificent home. There are no other homes like this in Eagle. This home was built by an Architect and Interior Designer team from Sun Valley, Idaho. Chef's kitchen with French Stove and honed granite counters, custom cabintes and exquisite custom details throughout. Spa quality master bath. Amazing entertaining spaces both indoors and out!

To see photos visit this site

The Unbelievable List of Details:

Lacanche stove imported from France

Custom designed cabinets

Butler pantry with Dutch Door to outdoor kitchen

Walk-in Pantry

Wine Cooler

Two Refrigerators and Dishwashers

Large Island with Honed granite

Bar and Nook open to the Living Area

Multiple wood burning stone fireplaces

French Doors to Terrace

Panoramic views of the boise front

Black oak flooring

Sound system throughout home

coffered ceilings

Library with hand-crafted wood paneling

Versaille pattern travertine floors in entry

Authentic Fresco hand painted wall treatments

high ceilings with distressed beams

Custom designed limestone fireplace in master bedroom

Master bath with Ann Sacks tile

Kholer purist tub with ceiling mount bath filler

two showers and body spray

television concealed within mirror

Master bath has marble flooring

Outdoor entertaining space with hand laid Roman pavers

Outdoor Fire Pit

Beautiful landscaping with lighting features

Please contact Jeff Martel with 43 Degrees North Real Estate

208-860-3696 | jeff@43re.com

Nature provides food for the soul in Garden Valley, Idaho

43 Degrees North Real Estate — Mon, 04 May 2009 08:49:29 -0500

"I just arrived at Southfork Landing and was greeted by many of the new residents. As I entered the property I was happy to see Mr. & Mrs. Canada Goose, quietly swimming with their new brood of 12 chicks in the placid waters of one of our ponds. Reflected in this liquefied mirror, was the mountains and ghost like images of a herd of fifteen cow elk quietly attending to their calves, who hopped and skipped in the meadow, exuberantly testing new legs with obvious enthusiasm for life. The wild flowers are just beginning to peak out and I observed a coyote hopping along a creek, consumed by the task of breakfast and focused on a muskrat navigating a tumbling brook anxiously looking for an escape.

Beyond this scene, I was captivated by the beauty of spring showers rolling over the west end of the valley, bathed in intermittent sunlight that highlighted cumulus buildup. The beauty of the scene compelled me to take a walk along the river, slowly clearing, as high country runoff diminishes with summer around the corner. I was transformed by the different songs sung by a plethora of birds that seemed to orchestrate their serenade in concert with the cascading water seemingly impatient to find its way to the pacific ocean.

As I took all of this in, I thanked my lucky stars for the beauty of it all, anxious to share its magic with residents of a more human nature."

- This blog was written by my New Construction Sale s Manager - Joe Grubiak. When an agent can go to work and have experiences like these - then you know your company is representing an incredible project!

To learn more please visit: http://www.southforklanding.com

A New Direction In Real Estate
Jeff Martel | Broker / Marketing Director
7400 West State Street, Boise Idaho 83714
Voice | 208.860.3696
Fax | 888.452.5257
Main Brokerage: http://www.43re.com
New Homes: http://www.NewConstructionBoise.com
ActiveRain: http://activerain.com/blogs/jmartel

43 Degrees North Real Estate is selected as the exclusive marketing company for Southfork Landing in Garden Valley, Idaho!

43 Degrees North Real Estate — Sat, 02 May 2009 00:56:41 -0500

43 Degrees North is selected as the exclusive Marketing Agency for Southfork Landing in Garden Valley, Idaho

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43 Degrees North is proud to announce that we have been selected to be the exclusive marketing company for Southfork Landing in Garden Valley Idaho. We were immediately impressed by the quality of the project, the technology and infrastructure, and the fact that it is hands down one of the most beautiful pieces of property in all of Idaho! We invite all of our colleages, friends, and clients to come spend an afternoon touring Southfork Landing.

Upcoming Events in Garden Valley

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The Wedding and Event Show at Southfork - May 30th - 10:00am to 4:00pm
Freedom Ranch Lodge Garden Area - Southfork Landing
Over 30 vendors will be at Southfork Landing for the 1st Annual Event, Party and Wedding Show at Southfork Landing.
Plan your corporate party, Wedding, Family Reunion or Class Reunion.
One stop shop. Also tour the Southfork Landing Resort Rentals and book your get-a-way at Southfork Landing.

The Payette River Experience - June 19th, 20th, and 21st
47 + events in three days, from Trap Shooting, Fly Fishing, Dutch Oven Cook-Offs, Mountain Biking and 1k, 5k, and 10k races and much more.
For all the latest details go to www.thepre.com.

Music in the Mountains Festival - Aug. 1st and 2nd
Join us at Southfork Landing for the 4th annual Music in the Mountains Festival.

Oktoberfest - September 26th
Join us for Food, Fun, and Beer at the 2nd Annual Ocktoberfest at Southfork Landing

More About Southfork Landing

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Southfork Landing in Garden Valley, Idaho, is a place of discovery, outdoor adventure and renewal. No matter the season, Southfork Landing is truly just moments away from everywhere. From world-class skiing and snowboarding, unparalleled kayaking and whitewater rafting, to hundreds of miles of wilderness trails for snowmobiling, hiking, mountain biking, motorcycling, horseback riding, and camping, Southfork landing is an outdoor adventure lover's ideal base camp.

To Learn More Please Visit: http://www.southforklanding.com

It's time for a revolt... who's with me?

43 Degrees North Real Estate — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:28:26 -0500

Before I get into inciting a revolt, let me give you the quick snapshot of our market here in Boise Idaho. Here in the Boise Idaho Real Estate Market, our sub- $200,'s market has really come alive. Lots of transactions, lot's of activity - Finally stability - HALLELUJAH! In the $200's to 300's things are starting to look better - not as good as below $200,000, but better. Above $300,000... not so much. Get into the upper-end homes above $600,000 and it's dead. Only the Bank Owned homes that cost over a million to build and are now selling in the $500's are moving...and moving fast! Multiple offers are now common on the Bank-owned properties.

So, back to the tile - it's time for a REVOLT! What do I mean? Well, we all hate not having control of a situation and any homeowner who wants to sell their home right now and is priced above $300,000 really has no control. So, collectively let's all take control of this situation. Most of these houses could never be rebuilt for the prices they are currently being dropped to so it's not that they are over-inflated - it's that the market is only wanting the entry-level pricing. So here is my 2009 revolt plan - but we need everyone on board - every homeowner who wants to sell and every agent wanting to help those houses sell. Collectively we all STOP lowering the prices and then we go the other way - RAISE PRICES. Put in the remarks that " The price of this home will go up by $1,000 per week until it's sold!". Boy, that will get the markets attention - don't you think. Let's shout out that we are done lowering our prices - if everyone joins in the buyers will have to jump in or they will miss the opportunity.

I am a contrarian with a dream... who's with me?

A New Direction In Real Estate
Jeff Martel | Broker / Marketing Director
7400 West State Street, Boise Idaho 83714
Cell: 208.860.3696 | Fax: 888.452.5257
Resale Division: http://www.43re.com
New Home Division: http://www.NewConstructionBoise.com

The 5 "DO's" every Buyer should know right now

43 Degrees North Real Estate — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:29:42 -0600

The five “Do’s” every Buyer should know right now:

Do buy in 2009... or you will definitely whine! What I mean by this is that there has not been a buying opportunity like the one in DECADES. NAR's Housing Affordability Index rose 13.6 percentage points in January to 166.8, a new record high. Houses are ON SALE NOW!
Do understand that the Government will Stimulate things... Lot’s of things. Governments think they can “buy” their way to prosperity... And to some degree they can “jump-start” things. But Government action by increasing money supply (or as they like to call it stimulus) has a tiny little after-effect – INFLATION. So, when the government says “ooppps” we printed to much money and this little inflation thingy isn’t looking too good – they increase INTEREST RATES. Currently interest rates are so low – the last time they were this low Leave It To Beaver was still running “new” shows... Not the reruns we’ve all become accustomed to!
Do understand what VALUE means. Don’t confuse value with cheap. Right now it’s very easy to be price focused – and yes you should be – but Buyers MUST look for value in a home purchase. A cheap home is just that – cheap... And they tend to remain that way. A home that has true VALUE can be purchased today at a great price that will ensure a good equity return in the future.
Do make a choice to not believe the electronic Cyclops in your living room. The media only can report on what has happened. They use fancy charts and graphs. They have neat touch-screens and experts that went to really, really good schools. But, at the end of the day they are reporting to you on a time lag of at minimum 60 days and more likely 6 months. The only true way to know what a market is doing is to talk to a Realtor or a Title Agent. Why? BECAUSE THEY ARE ON THE FRONT LINES. Realtors and Title Companies know about transaction volume before all others – and trust me – transaction volume is up – deals are being made. By the time the media reports that transaction volume is up for 3 months in a row... They are at least 5 months behind on calling the bottom.
Do buy a home for the right reasons. Homes are for you and your friends and family to gather in and to enjoy life in. Your home is not a reality show. Your home is not a bank. Your home is where memories are made, first steps are taken, and life is lived... That’s it. Pretty simple stuff – but we ALL forgot what a home truly is. A home is your connection to community, to family, and to friends. Buy a home in 2009 for all the right reasons and then we all will be better off in the long run!

Forget the Government - It's now up to us!

43 Degrees North Real Estate — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 08:54:35 -0600

OK, I'll admit it - I got swept up in the anticipation that the government was going to save us all from ourselves. I know better, but somehow it just seemed like a package to help housing was our only hope! How wrong I was to start thinking that way - we don't need the Government to help us - WE NEED US TO HELP US!

Take a minute, relax, and think about the reality of our situation. It's not as bad as we are trying to make it seem. There are still buyers and sellers. Real Estate is still a necessary and economically viable business. Yes - it isn't as easy as it once was, but it is still very rewarding. We are back to the basics of Real Estate that many of us forgot. And - we will all never forget these times. Times like these make us re-assess what is important to us, what makes us get out of bed each day.

So, now that we can all get past waiting for the government to help us, we can get back to doing what we do best - helping ourselves and our colleagues succeed! We are now more focused, we understand our market better than ever before, and as a group who have made it this far - we are the true professional Realtors. We have the knowledge and skills that homeowners and buyers need right now more than ever. We live and breath Real Estate and have a passion for what we are doing like never before - so let's all use this to our advantage. Let's get out there with a new sense of optimism and let's help serve our market better than we ever have in the past.

We know that today people will make choices that will drastically change their lives for the future. The purchases made today WILL result in small and large fortunes made in the future! "If only I had bought in 2009..." we'll hear that statement again and again. So, now is the time to re-assess your business plan, become more strategic, and get out there and make it happen. I want everyone to resolve to be successful in 2009. No more waiting for the government to help... it's not going to happen. We need to create action now!

So, what are you going to do to make 2009 the best year of your career?

A New Direction In Real Estate
Jeff Martel | Broker / Marketing Director
7400 West State Street, Boise Idaho 83714
Voice|Fax: 888.452.5257 XTN 701
Main Brokerage: http://www.43re.com
New Homes: http://www.NewConstructionBoise.com

South West Boise Idaho Real Estate Market Update

43 Degrees North Real Estate — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 08:25:37 -0600

Market Update for South West Boise Idaho Real Estate Market - reffered to as "South of the Freeway"

Note: MLS areas 500 (S. Boise), 550 (SW Boise), 1000 (SE Meridian) & 1010 (SW Meridian)

We have found that the statistics are pointing to a market imbalance that is quickly approaching. There ARE NO NEW STARTS to speak of in the semi-custom home market and we could conceivable be out of New Construction inventory within 6-9 months. Given the lag time to build supply back into the market, we see a possibility to a change in the overall marketplace given the reduction in supply. For a more detailed analysis, visit New Construction Consulting.

0 - $199,999

4.8 MONTHS OF INVENTORY
Avg. 67 sales per month over the last 3 months
New Construction Inventory is down 18% over the last 6 weeks…..total of 124
88% of the listings priced under $115 per sq.ft. VERSUS 93% of the sales priced under $115 per sq.ft.
20% of the active listings are being “marketed as short sales” VERSUS 19% of the sales made were sold short.
New Construction makes up 39% of the active listings VERSUS 34% of the sales.
65% of the market is CBH, Hubble, Aspen

ACTIVE LISTING AVERAGES

HZ Village Tuscany

AVG Price $200,000 $193,000

AVG Size 1589 sq.ft. 1507 sq.ft.

AVG $ per ft. $123.00 $129.00

$200,000 - $249,999

9.4 MONTHS OF INVENTORY
Avg. 15 sales per month over the last 3 months
New Construction Inventory is down 18% over the last 6 weeks…..total of 40 homes in this price point (4 of which are “To Be Builts”)
71% of the listings priced under $120 per sq.ft. VERSUS 90% of the sales priced under $120.00 per sq.ft. (NOTE: this discrepancy is important and shows continued downward pricing pressure)
23% of the active listings are being “marketed as short sales” VERSUS 21% of the sales made were sold short.
New Construction makes up 28% of the active listings VERSUS 26% of the sales.
24% of the market is CBH & Aspen

ACTIVE LISTING AVERAGES

HZ Village Tuscany Cedar Edge

AVG Price $227,000 $237,000 $229,000

AVG Size 1825 sq.ft. 2002 sq.ft. 1957 sq.ft.

AVG $ per ft. $124.00 $118.00 $119.00

NOTABLE SOLDS since 12/15/2008

· TUSCANY – BOISE HUNTER HOMES – 2500 SQ.FT. – 245K - $98 per sq.ft.

· TUSCANY – BOISE HUNTER HOMES – 2100 SQ.FT. – 235K - $112 per sq.ft.

· HAZELWOOD NORTH – SYRINGA RESALE – 2326 SQ.FT. – 203k - $87 per sq.ft.

· CEDAR EDGE – BLACKSTEAD – 1711 SQ.FT. – 218K - $128 per sq.ft.

· BROWNSTONE – LEGEND CO. – 2412 SQ.FT. – 209K – 87 per sq.ft.

$250,000 – $299,999

6.6 MONTHS OF INVENTORY
Avg. 14 sales per month over the last 3 months
New Construction Inventory is down 43% over the last 6 weeks…..total 19 homes in this price point (6 of which are “To Be Builts”)
66% of the listings priced under $120 per sq.ft. VERSUS 100% of the sales priced under $116.00 per sq.ft. (NOTE: This is an extremely important fact! The Hazelwood Village and Sonata Hills communities are not participating in this price point….and…..the Hazelwood Village community is not capable of competing in this price point due to lot size, garage size & sq.ft. size of our competition. It is my opinion that Sonata Hills product should trend to this price point.)
10% of the active listings are being “marketed as short sales” VERSUS 50% of the sales made over the last 6 weeks were sold short.
New Construction makes up 21% of the active listings VERSUS 33% of the sales

ACTIVE LISTING AVERAGES

Note: 1 of the 2 active listings in Sonata is a resale

Sonata Hills Tuscany

(2 listings) (12 listings)

AVG Price $288,000 $277,000

AVG Size 2129 sq.ft. 2445 sq.ft.

AVG $ per ft. $135.00 $113.00

$300,000 - $349,999

· 9 MONTHS OF INVENTORY

· Avg. 7 sales per month over the last 3 months

· New Construction Inventory is down 42% over the last 6 weeks….total 15 homes in this price point (4 of which are “To Be Builts”)

· 47% of the listings priced under $130 per sq.ft. VERSUS 80% of the sales priced under $110.00 per sq.ft. (Note: Very important statistic and shows continued downward pricing pressure)

· 10% of the active listings are being “marketed as short sales” VERSUS 36% of the sales made over the last 6 weeks were sold short.

· New Construction makes up 23% of the active listings VERSUS 36% of the sales.

ACTIVE LISTING AVERAGES

Note: 4 of the 11 actives in Tuscany are resale

Note: 2 of the 5 actives in Sonata Hills are resale

SONATA SONATA TUSCANY TUSCANY

RESALE NEW RESALE NEW

AVG Price $327,000 $340,000 $335,000 $334,000

AVG Size 2861 sq.ft. 2688 sq.ft. 2714 sq.ft. 2789 sq.ft.

AVG $ per ft. $114.00 $126.00 $123.00 $120.00

$350,000 - $399,999

· 13.6 MONTHS OF INVENTORY

· Avg. 4 sales per month over the last 3 months

· New Construction Inventory is down 37% over the last 6 weeks….total 15 homes in this price point

· 12% of the active listings are being “marketed as short sales” VERSUS 100% of the sales made over the last 6 weeks were sold short.

· New Construction makes up 37% of the active listings VERSUS 0% of the sales over the last 6 weeks.

· Note: This price range is POISON and there is NO LONGER any predictable sales production in this price range.

ACTIVE LISTING AVERAGES

SONATA TUSCANY

AVG Price $372,000 $378,000

AVG Size 2950 sq.ft. 3100 sq.ft.

AVG $ per ft. $125.00 $122.00

NOTABLE SOLDS since 12/15/2008 (Both sold SHORT)

· 4.12 acres w/large home – 3997 sq.ft. - $379,000 - $95.00 per ft.

· 1.3 acres w/large home – 4389 sq.ft. – $380,000 - $86.00 per ft.

NOTE: All statistics compiled by the New Construction Consulting Team manager Joe Grubiak - he can be reached at 208-514-9258 | joe@43re.com

A New Direction In Real Estate
Jeff Martel | Broker / Marketing Director
7400 West State Street, Boise Idaho 83714
Voice|Fax: 888.452.5257 XTN 701
Main Brokerage: http://www.43re.com
New Homes: http://www.NewConstructionBoise.com

Recession Lesson #1 - GET CONTROL OF YOUR COSTS!

43 Degrees North Real Estate — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 06:43:31 -0600

This recession is an education - and I am learning everything I can as fast as I can. A task I face every day in running a Real Estate Brokerage in Boise Idaho is how to cut costs - not service. One of our biggest expensess last year was our websites and a huge portion of that cost was labor because we wanted our sites to be fully custom and to be different from the competition. But this year I resolved to learn ways to reduce overhead and increase service.

In the mad rush at the beginning of this year to completely revamp all of our websites I have given myself a crash course in all things Web. Granted, I have a Graphic Design degree and have been around this stuff for years, but this is the first time I have really embraced working with the Web as a tool. Mostly I stayed away from web work - too complicated and too much coding. I know how to make things "look" good, but I am not one for all the technical coding.

Enter a new way of doing things - SQUARESPACE! If you know how to work in Microsoft Word - then you can build websites! Best of all - they let you try it out for 2 weeks for free. It's not perfect, but it sure beats paying someone $75 per hour to make changes to your site! It is a powerful tool and it helps you to create clean SEO optimized web pages that work well for clients and for Google rankings! Running a Real Estate Brokerage in Boise Idaho today means being lean and mean in terms of Overhead. Making sure we cut costs - NOT SERVICE is key and this tool I think this is one of the key ways we are doing just that.

Here are a few of the websites I have created in Squarespace:

43 Degrees North Real Estate, Boise, Idaho

New Construction Consulting, Boise Idaho

Sonata Hills Community, Boise, Idaho

Hazelwood Village Community, Boise Idaho

But now I have some questions for the ActiveRain community - I'm hoping the experts out there who have been doing this longer than I have can answer some SEO dilemmas that have come up:

1) If I have a series of different domains all pointing to my main website - does this help or hurt rankings... or does it do nothing at all?

2) Does filling your site with keywords really work? Is there a guide to doing this correctly?

3) What is the number one way to increase rankings on search engines like Google?

Thanks in advance for all the help!

A New Direction In Real Estate

Jeff Martel | Broker / Marketing Director
208.327.2103 Voice | 208.327.2104 Fax
http://www.43re.com

Why not just pay off all the mortgages? (Numbers Edited!)

43 Degrees North Real Estate — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 09:37:20 -0600

(Note: My first post I had the numbers wrong - Blogging too early again!) When you see news story after news story about the stimulus package being debated right now - a little perspective comes to mind. If Housing was truly the issue here, then why not just pay off a portion of every mortgage in America? According to this site, As of 1999 there was about 6 Trillion in Mortgage debt outstanding in the US. I assume it is around 8-9 Trillion today. If we are considering a $900+ Billion stimulus - why not just pay off a portion of the debt? Because it WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM! Granted, a lot of people are in trouble right now. Job losses, purchasing way too much home, tight credit, over extending - all real issues for people today - but all part of what we call the free market.

As painful as it is to everyone - trust me I feel it too as a Real Estate Broker - it is part of a cycle to help keep things in balance. The housing bubble is called a bubble because it was not sustainable - it has to burst. These cycles give everyone a chance to make it. If we never had bust cycles then the Haves and the Have Nots would never change. It times like these that new innovations are made, new industries, new ways of thinking. If everyone is fat and happy all the time - no innovation happens!

So - look to the positives right now. Be closer to family and friends. Learn something new. Try something in a different way. The crazy attempts by the government to stop this economic downturn may or may not work - but in the end it's what has to happen. The government needs to try to save us from ourselves. We need to take stock in what is important in our lives. You get one run in this life so make it count. Up or Down, it doesn't truly matter if you stay positive and enjoy life.

As Realtors we know this will pass. It may be painful, and it may seem like it is going on forever, but good times are around the corner! Focus on what you can control and turn CNN off for a while - it makes the day seem better!

A New Direction In Real Estate

Jeff Martel | Broker / Marketing Director
208.327.2103 Voice | 208.327.2104 Fax
http://www.43re.com

Signs, Signs, Everywhere are signs!

43 Degrees North Real Estate — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:07:14 -0600

Are you looking for the signs of a market bottom? Look around - they are everywhere. The stock market has stabilized at 8,000 - this is a baseline. The jobs market - although seemingly chaotic, is near the end of the layoff festival. Companies have over compensated and have front-loaded their layoffs to over-compensate for a tough economic climate. Housing prices have over-corrected and removed all gains from the bubble. Interest rates are the same as when Leave It To Beaver episodes were brand new! Credit is tight - but not to qualified individuals - and programs are being modified and added every day to help get credit flowing.

By the time the media, or your friends and family realize that the housing market has bottom - they will be 6 months late. Look for the signs - don't wait for someone to tell you!

Jeff Martel | Broker / Marketing Director
208.327.2103 Voice | 208.327.2104 Fax
http://www.43re.com

A 10% solution to the housing market

43 Degrees North Real Estate — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:44:06 -0600

Today the senate approved an addition to the stimulus package that will give buyers up to $15,000 tax credit if they purchase within one year. This is a very interesting concept and if marketed correctly will help to stabilize housing. The problem we have today is not that there is a lack of buyers - it is there is a lack of confidence. Buyers are asking the age old question - what if the market goes down? But this provision in the stimulus package is the answer to that question. Buy purchasing this year, there will be a built-in 10% price stabilizer. If the housing market goes down another 10% (which I doubt it will at this point) the loss is covered already. If the market doesn't go down, then the buyer realized a 10% savings by purchasing this year.

We'll see if it gets approved. My hope is that it applies to ALL homes purchased this year - no matter if they are first time home buyers, second homes, investors - doesn't matter. As long as the buyers are credit qualified then they should receive the tax credit. This will induce purchasing because it removes the uncertainty.

Jeff Martel | Broker / Marketing Director

208.327.2103 Voice | 208.327.2104 Fax

http://www.43re.com

New Websites give a new look and a new sense of excitement!

43 Degrees North Real Estate — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:46:44 -0600

Hi folks,

Posting from vacation in beautiful Palm Springs, CA today (yes, it's 70 degrees and sunny here - back home in Boise Idaho it's around 30 degrees). Typical vacation - I decided to rebuild all of our websites to make them fresh and new for the new year. It's a lot of work, but I think its important to keep things looking fresh. There is nothing worse than a website that sits idle - search engines hate it, consumers get nothing from it, and the sales force gets bored with it.

So, take a look at my vacation handy-work and let me know what you think!

www.43re.com - this is the main brokerage site

www.NewConstructionBoise.com - this is our New Construction website

www.Sonata-Boise.com - this is our Sonata Hills Community website

www.Hazelwoodvillage-Boise.com - this is our Hazelwood Village community website

I would love to hear comments, suggestions, or ideas on any of these sites to help make them better!

An Open Letter to Our New President

43 Degrees North Real Estate — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 06:42:17 -0600

Dear Mr. President,

Yesterday was an amazing day in the history of the United States. It is, without question, a defining moment in our history and to watch history unfold yesterday with my wife and three daughters was an experience we will never forget. Our country is excited and full of energy and a feeling of anything is possible has been restored within our great nation.

As you stated in your address - you are taking office in turbulent times. These times require decisive action and bold intervention. the intent of this letter is to address these problems head on and make clear what I believe to be the direction that must be taken to solve this economic crisis with focused conviction.

DO NOT POUR ANY MORE TAXPAYER MONEY INTO THE BANKS OR WALL STREET FIRMS. This will not work. You must fix this problem from the bottom up. The symptom may be failing banks but the disease is homeowners who are upside down, losing hope, and have lost the American Dream. You must stop Foreclosures by either keeping people in their homes or transferring those homes to people who deserve them and will care for them. Property ownership is the foundation of this great nation - it is what keeps us free and independent.

I propose that through the use of the TARP funds, the Taxpayers purchase homes going to Foreclosure. These homes are then to be sold to Retuning soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan at a 10-15% discount from current market value and backed by Government issued 30 year fixed mortgages at 3% (or Less) interest with no payments due for two years. I also propose that NO VETERAN CAN BE FORECLOSED UPPON and all Veterans are eligible for government backed low interest loans with minimum down payments (3%). In the case of any Taxpayer purchased homes - the tax payers and the soldiers become equity partners. If, upon sale of the home, there is realized equity, it is split 50/50 to begin to repay the TARP funds. By eliminating foreclosures from the marketplace, the housing market will stabilize which in turn will stem the tide of foreclosures. Yes, there are many people who are in homes they NEVER SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT. If we try to keep those people in homes they cannot afford we will just delay the pain. I would rather see our nation give back to our soldiers for their service and sacrifice as a way to help stabilize the nations economy.

As an additional stabilizer to the housing market I propose that a $15,000 tax credit be offered to ANYONE who purchases a home in the next 18 months. This cannot be a loan, keep it simple and straightforward. By creating a tight timeline, it will create the incentives needed by people to get out and purchase a home which will work through the oversupply quickly and efficiently.

Next, I propose massive tax cuts to businesses who add employees this year. As an added bonus there should be extra incentive for hiring veterans. There needs to be funds allocated to help businesses expand and grow. I propose incredibly low interest rate loans for SMALL BUSINESSES. 80% of jobs are created by firms with 100 employees or less - let's spur the risk takers and inventors to put their dreams into action. Let's not punish independent business owners by over taxing them - let's encourage American Dreamers to dream big and invent the next world changing product. Let's spur research and development to create a better world for everyone.

And finally, we need to bring our ALL our soldiers home. We need to be the guiding light to the world and we must encourage democracy and freedom, but we can't be the worlds police force. We need to put our country first. We must seal our borders and protect our homeland. We must learn how to guide other countries in the world toward freedom without using our military. If we must be present in other countries, then at the very least we must make a massive investment in technology to keep our soldiers safe and use automated equipment to go in the path of danger. Getting involved in guerilla warfare in the streets of middle eastern cities seems to me an unnecessary risk of our young men and women. I understand I may not know all the reasons we are where we are in the world - but I can see that our own country deserves more attention right now. Let other countries sort out their own problems right now - we need to take care of our own.

This is the greatest country in the world. We as a nation have made great strides and have changed the world in many ways. We as a nation are constantly striving to make this country and this world a better place. The people of the United States are independent, forward thinking, and immensely creative. No other country offers the type of opportunity and freedom we posses. Let's nurture our independent spirit, and together, as a nation, fix these problems now, head on, and with conviction. There is no other time I would rather be alive - we are living in amazing times that will fill the history books with a rich story that is the American experience.

God Bless this great country,

Jeff Martel, Boise, idaho

The 2009 World Winter Games in Boise Idaho are in less than 20 days!

43 Degrees North Real Estate — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:40:05 -0600

Exciting events are coming to Boise, Idaho! The Special Olympics will be hosted here starting February 7th LEARN MORE HERE. This will be an exciting time for the city of Boise, Idaho and the state of Idaho as a whole. Our premiere winter resorts will be showcased to the world!

The winter Games by the numbers (Source: Idaho Statesman Online):

20: Days until the games begin.

4,500: The number of athletes, coaches and delegates coming to Idaho.

59: The age of the oldest participating athlete.

63,000: Number of athlete meals that will be provided.

64: The number of events, in seven different sports.

3,500: Number of medals to be given out.

35,000: The latest count of handmade, donated scarves (the goal was 5,000).

100+: The number of countries participating in the games.

6: The number of official languages spoken at the games: English, French, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Arabic, Russian.

4,000: The number of volunteers who will help in the games' three venues in the Treasure Valley, McCall and Sun Valley.

128,000: The number of volunteer hours expected.

Short Sales Affecting Market Perceptions in the Boise Idaho Real Estate Market

43 Degrees North Real Estate — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 11:13:01 -0600

Short sales have got to change here in Boise Idaho real estate market! The fact that an agent is allowed to price a home at any price and get away with it by saying "subject to lender approval" in the comments is maddening. The problem is the prices that are being posted to the market do not represent reality. Less that 15% of the short sales are actually closing, yet short sales make up over 15% of the active market. So, buyers are getting a false sense of what the market truly is. They are making exceptionally low offers based on the belief that they could obtain the short sale around the corner at that price per square foot. My advice - make the offer o the short sale and see how it goes!

I think that we need to create a regulation within the Intermountain MLS (the MLS that serves Boise, ID) that states that if a home is listed at a certain price - you better be able to consummate a sale at that price. They should have pre-authority from the lender to accept the price it is listed at. Without that regulation - agents are free to "fish" for buyers with ridiculously low prices! This hurts the entire market - and is also a waste of time for the agent listing the short sale. Just like taking over priced listings is a waste of time - advertising a home for a price that it cannot be sold for is a waste of time. When market statistics get skewed and public perception gets distorted - we all lose!

Technology is amazing, fast, and scary!

43 Degrees North Real Estate — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 16:28:06 -0600

This is an amazing movie about the current and future state of technology. Our world is changing around us so fast these days. It's amazing how much technology has changed the way Real Estate is found and purchased - even in the past few years. What really gets me thinking is how different life for my 3 daughters will be. It's the little things - the changes in our daily lives. What was life like before Google? Anyone remember carrying around a 15 pound cell phone?

But, at the end of the day, with all the changes, there are still so many things that remain the same. In the end - people buy real estate from people. They enter into transactions with people they trust and they use the services of people they have formed a bond with. So, technology just becomes a part of our lives - but our lives are still all about the relationships we have.

Take a look at this movie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpEnFwiqdx8

Want to learn how to "Time The Market" in the Boise Idaho Real Estate Market?

43 Degrees North Real Estate — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:42:49 -0600

We have decided that sharing information is the BEST way for everyone to do better in this economy. So, we have decided to host a series of information seminars for the general public as well as industry professionals. We will be discussing such topics as "Timing The Market", Building Custom Homes, Green Building Practices, and many other informative topics that are about the Boise Idaho Real Estate Market. We will be inviting guest speakers and be leaving plenty of time for questions and answers.

We think the best way to get through a tough Real Estate Market is to share knowledge. Because in knowledge comes confidence.

If anyone would like to join us for one of our seminars, we would love to have you! Please visit: CLASS SCHEDULE

Also, if you are an expert on a particular subject and would like to work with us to put on a seminar, please drop us a note and let's make it happen!

Boise Idaho in the top 25 weakest housing markets?

43 Degrees North Real Estate — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:38:03 -0600

WHATTTTT? Forbes wrote that Boise Idaho was in the top 25 weakest housing markets! the article only makes a small mention here:

"Provo, Utah, and Boise City, Idaho, are also headed down with the drop in nearby ski home sales, says Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody's Economy.com."

Ok - first off I obviously have no idea where I live because I NEVER KNEW I LIVED IN A RESORT TOWN! Boise, Idaho isn't a second home ski resort town. Companies like HP, Micron, Simplot, and Boise Cascade have huge presences here. This is a technology town. This is the town that will pioneer green energy sources. There are more patents per capita in Idaho than any other state. This is not a ski bum town. There aren't multi-million dollar McMansions along the ski runs... we live by the foothills - not the mountains. The closest ski resort is 45 minutes from town. The median price for a nice home in Boise is around $200,000 - not $2 Million like in ski resort towns. I think the Mark Zandi needs to take a trip to Boise so he knows what he is talking about.

Check this movie out to see what I'm talking about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4tmsogmVqM&eurl=http://www.newconstructionboise.com/video/&feature=player_embedded

How to solve the Foreclosure problem - and do something good for our soldiers at the same time

43 Degrees North Real Estate — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 07:46:24 -0600

This morning I thought of an idea that may be worth thinking about. What if we create a program for Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan where Soldiers receive access to Foreclosed homes. What I'm thinking we do as a country is this - Homes that are going into Foreclosure can be purchased with the TARP funds. Then returning soldiers get to purchase these homes at WELL below market value using a mortgage funded by the US government - in essence the Tax payers become equity partners in these homes. These soldiers would also receive the additional benefit of not having to make ANY payments for two years. They did an incredible job for our country - WE OWE THEM.

Now, think about this - not only did our soldiers serve us well, they can now help to stabilize our country. By purchasing these homes before they affect market values, we stabilize housing. We also provide a way for our soldiers to return home and begin life again without the financial pressures of having to make the mortgage payment for 2 years. Eventually as housing stabilizes, values will go up. The government backed loans will begin to be paid back in 2 years, and as these homes eventually get sold, the government (ie taxpayers) receive a return on investment.

I haven't heard of a program like this, but I think if enough people get behind an idea like this we really could make a difference in our soldiers lives - and the lives of every american currently affected by the housing downturn.

An Amazing Home with an Amazing View! Best View In Eagle, Idaho!

43 Degrees North Real Estate — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 04:58:58 -0600

If you are looking for a view - then this is the home for you! Perfect view of Downtown Boise and City Lights at Night! High-end custom home on 5.96 Acres with no HOA Dues and LOW TAXES! Ask about the free High-Speed Internet! 2 Full Kitchens, 2 Fireplaces, Slab Granite, Travertine, Gourmet SS Appliances, 20x40 Saltwater Pool, Fire-Pit, 3 Patios, Playground for the kids, 5 Bubbler Water Feature with water fall, Spa-Inspired Master Bath retreat. BTVAI.

Details: Massive Garage Plus stand alone shop - room for 6+ cars!

5.96 Acres | MLS#: 98383182 | Price: $825,000 | Bedrooms: 4 | Baths Full: 3

VIRTUAL TOUR: http://www.tourfactory.com/471426

DETAILS:

THE PROPERTY: Professionally landscaped with boulder & stream water feature, concrete curbing, tree-lined driveway, PermaBark ground cover, over 10,000 SF of lawn, Mature evergreens around property, Beautiful center flagstone courtyard, Flagstone fire-pit, professional grade 32 zone automatic sprinkler system, , Over 90 tons of imported boulders and accent rocks, 1,000SF shop with heat & water and wired for 220, Garden Shed with electricity, 30,000 gallon in ground pool W/ stamped concrete border and covered patio and fully fenced for safety, All new pool equipment with Salt-Water system, NO CC&R's, low taxes, High-Value neighborhood - neighboring property on the market for $4 Million, Private 5.96 Acres in the Eagle Foothills, A view that spans from Downtown Boise to Oregon with perfect views of Bogus,

THE HOME: Professional Grade SS Appliances with 2 dishwashers(Thermador, Viking, etc), 2 refrigerators, 2 ranges, Slab Granite, Slab Travertine, Hand-Scraped maple flooring, Subway Tile backsplash in kitchen, Fully tiled showers - NO INSERTS, Spa-like master suite bath with Travertine and Glass Tiles, 4 bedrooms, 3 full bathroom, 2 full kitchens, 2 fireplaces, Home office, craft room / play room, bonus room, oversized 37x37 garage with 10x12 door for toys, Kinetico whole house Water Softener / Filter system, Home comes with FREE high-speed internet service, Jacuzzi Hot Tub on private Master Suite deck overlooking the valley, Puron AC, High-Efficiency HVAC with Electrostatic air purifier, Full Stucco and Stone exterior with hand applied glazing, Full hand textured walls in every room, Incredible Views from every room - Amazing picture window overlooking the valley in Dining room, Massive over 75 feet wide Trex decking with hand-hammered iron railing.

This is only a partial list of the amazing amenities for this home and property. This is a very unique, one-of-a-kind property. If you are tired of seeing the SAME OLD THING over and over, then you need to tour this home. If you can't stand all the "high-end" homes that are just regular homes blown up big - then you need to see this one! Absolutely no expense spared. This is a unique home and the BEST HOME SITE in the entire valley.

Call Jeff Martel to schedule a tour today! 208.327.2103