Ernie McNaught's (erniemcnaught) Blog

Lifestyle in Nampa, Idaho

Ernie McNaught (Crossroads Real Estate) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 03:04:36 -0800

Lifestyle in Nampa, Idaho is enhanced by Northwest Nazarene University. Colleges and Universities around our nation have contributed to communities in many ways. Lifestyle, or how a community lives out its beliefs, is one area of contribution which is most noticeable. Politically, some Universities are blamed for setting a liberal mindset and some a conservative one, which plays out in either a liberal or conservative lifestyle of social interactions. For example, Berkley, CA is commonly perceived as the birth place of the sexual revolution of the 60’s.In Nampa, ID we have a University. It contributes to our lifestyle. But, the politics of our community is only one part of the contribution which our University makes to our lifestyle. Because of its mission to prepare young people for making a positive and unselfish contribution where ever they live after graduation, the community of Nampa receives the fallout of this mission in many ways.I live in Nampa. For the third time! I have lived and worked literally from coast to coast in America. Not quite as far East as one could go (just to New Jersey, just across the George Washington bridge from New York City) but as far west as is possible. There is nothing past Hawaii.I live in Nampa because I like the lifestyle. In Nampa, it is common for me to encounter acquaintances many times a day as I carry on with my normal activities in Nampa businesses, many of which are unrelated to the real estate business. I feel safe Purchasing a home in Nampa is the introduction to a positive lifestyle. HUD homes, Bank owned properties, and short sales are playing a major role in the prices of homes in Nampa, as they are in almost every community in America. In Nampa it is a good time to buy but a tough time to sell.For people who want a home to live in or an “owner occupied” buyer (as opposed to an investor) have several advantages. HUD homes are restricted to “owner occupied” buyers for the first two weeks they are placed on the market. Some Bank owned properties give similar preference to families who plan to occupy the home. Lifestyle in Nampa, Idaho could begin with your purchase of a home.

HUD Homes Nampa Idaho

Ernie McNaught (Crossroads Real Estate) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:29:46 -0800

HUD homes are playing an important role in the real estate market here in Idaho. Some of the best buys in real estate are on HUD homes in Nampa,Idaho. I have posted a few listings of these HUD homes here, but more are available. HUD homes in Nampa, as in any area, always favor the buyer who wants to live in the home. Owner occupied homes are given preference for the first two weeks. If a HUD home does not sell in the first two weeks it is on the market, buyers wanting to buy the HUD home as an investment will be given a chance to bid on the HUD home. In NampaI have seen several homes which with cosmetic repairs would make attractive rentals. One example is the HUD home in Oakmont subdivision in South Nampa I recently posted. As with any home in the Multiple Listing Service by the time an interested buyer wants to view the HUD home it may be in a pending status. I would be glad to check. Give me a call. A South Nampa location puts the home is close proximity to Hunters Point Golf course and to Lake Lowell. These recreational opportunities are two of the reasons Nampa is a good place to live. Another good reason to live in South Nampa is that one of my favorite restaurants,Chapala, is close. I have taken clients from Southern CA (where I thought good Mexican food restaurants were in abundance) who have commented that they have not found anything in their area to compare. I would love to introduce you to Chapala if you are in Nampaand want to have Mexican food. The people are friendly, the service is great, and the food is genuine.

HUD Home Single Family - Nampa, ID

Ernie McNaught (Crossroads Real Estate) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 03:07:16 -0800

HUD Home Single Family - Nampa, ID

815 W Georgia Avenue
Nampa, ID 83686
Single Family - Nampa, ID

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Ernie McNaught

Office:	208-250-2275
Website:	Visit Website

Co-listed by: Maracelino Barrera Homes on Line

Price	:	$62,400
Bedrooms	:	3
Bathrooms	:	2
Square Foot	:	1,208
Lot Size	:	6,098
County	:	Canyon
Property Type	:	Detached
Year Built	:	1999
MLS Number	:	98476612

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Property Description

PRICE REDUCED!! HUD Home. This single level ranch style home features a split bedroom design, tile flooring, and convenient location to Nampa REC Center, medical facilities, schools, and shopping. Disclosures: Replace missing heat register, Replace missing electrical cover plates, HOA Association fee of $184 Annually. Oakmont HOA.

Equal Housing Opportunity.

Crossroads Real Estate : 1312 S. Edgewater Circle - Nampa ID 83686 : 208-250-2275

Motorcycles Need Attention

Ernie McNaught (Crossroads Real Estate) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:31:58 -0800

Following my son’s graduation from High School in 1983 I purchased a used 1100cc Yamaha and a 500cc, water cooled, shaft drive Honda. The Yamaha was bigger, but older and ugly. The Honda was newer and much better looking. The Honda was road ready except for worn out tires but the Yamaha was a different story. The Yamaha had been setting outside for several months in rainy southernOregonand needed some corrective actions on the parts affected by the moisture. The motor and transmission were sound mechanically, but there were a number of little things that needed attention. “Chris, would you come and help me? I can’t seem to get my wrist to twist into the right position to get to the bolt in the far end of the fairing. If I can’t get it out then I can’t get to the connection for the headlight which keeps giving us trouble.” “OK dad. Can you wait until I finish washing my car?” “Yes, but come before you dry it!” With his help the fairing came off, but I didn’t have enough strength in my hands to pull the connections apart. It had obviously not been taken apart for a long time. “Before you go back to your car can you pull these connections apart for me?” He easily pulled them apart and was kind not to make fun of my lack of strength. All the pins and receptacles were badly in need of a good cleaning. Careful work with a fine wire brush did wonders. When connected again, the electrical system performed as it should. I purchased the motorcycles to take a memory building trip from the northern border ofOregondown the coast toMexico. By the time the motorcycles were being prepared for our trip the effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis, or RA, had affected both the dexterity and strength in my hands. My fingers would not fully extend and were deformed enough that the range of motion was limited. To spin a nut from a bolt took twice the spins. To open a pair of pliers wide enough to grip a large bolt or nut often took two hands because my fingers and thumb would not separate wide enough accommodate more that a half inch diameter. Vice grips pliers were a frequent necessity to apply and hold enough pressure. Even sorting through a collection of bolts and nuts for a replacement I needed took more time than I thought it should because I had difficulty picking up what I needed, especially when it was at the bottom of the box. Still I enjoyed doing something different than my career asked of me. Asking for help has never been easy for me. I wanted to do things myself. I enjoyed learning how to do something and it made me feel good to do it myself. I always knew when I needed help, but I really wanted to do it myself and asking for help was like taking a bitter pill. Learning how to use Social Media to do real estate means I have to ask for help. Another bitter pill, but I must continue if I am going to help people who use the internet find a home here is Nampa, Idaho which is also known as the Treasure Valley.

HUD HOME 16590 N. Yorkshire Ln. Nampa, ID Near Idaho Center

Ernie McNaught (Crossroads Real Estate) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 04:30:11 -0800

HUD HOME NAMPA IDAHO CENTER LOW DOWN PAYMENT

16590 N Yorkshire Lane
Nampa, ID 83687
Single Family - Nampa, ID

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Ernie McNaught

Office:	208-250-2275
Website:	Visit Website

Co-listed by: Marcellino Barrera Homes Online

Price	:	$85,000
Bedrooms	:	3
Bathrooms	:	2
Square Foot	:	1,513
Lot Size	:	9,583
County	:	Canyon
Property Type	:	Detached
Year Built	:	2001
MLS Number	:	98481430

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Property Description

HUD Home. Lots of room for the money. This home features a 3-car garage, separate living family rooms, corner lot, breakfast bar, vaulted ceiling/plant shelves, and close proximity to CWI, Idaho Center, shopping, and I-84. Disclosures: Replace missing cover plates, HOA Association fee of $160 Annually : Sherwood Forestbnail.php?

Equal Housing Opportunity.

Crossroads Real Estate : 1312 S. Edgewater Circle - Nampa ID 83686 : 208-250-2275

The Importance of Relationships

Ernie McNaught (Crossroads Real Estate) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 06:46:12 -0700

I have an interest in understanding relationships. A particular interest is father/son relationships. I believe intentional efforts directed toward the development of healthy, affirming, and positive memory building father/son activities are too often squeezed out by our need to “do business.” I intentionally made the effort to create a memory building activity when my son graduated from high school. I was at the peak of my career. There was no shortage of opportunities to “do business.” I am glad I did not let the opportunities interfere! The summer following my son’s graduation we took a 4000 mile motorcycle trip from Astoria, Oregon down the coast lines of Oregon and California to the Mexican border, inland to the Grand Canyon and some of the beautiful Utah parks before we made it home. Many times since our trip I have found myself using something which took place during the trip to talk to other fathers about what was going on with their sons. Relationships cannot be separated from life—they are what life is all about. All relationships contribute something to every person touched by the relationship. What determines the quality of the relationship is whether the contribution is positive, negative, or benign. I want my relationships to be positive. Family relationships by their very nature impact our lives the most. When these relationships are healthy, the quality and meaningfulness of life is enhanced and the family is able to grow through all the changes which inevitably come into the ever expanding and fluid family dynamics. Although the father/son relationship is no more important than a father/daughter, or the spouse-to-spouse relationship, it is distinctive. My observation is that a unique strength comes to the family unit when fathers and sons develop a strong tie. My wife and I met in college, and, as I was about to complete a Masters Degree, started our family. A son and a daughter blessed our home. This effort to explore the father/son relationship is not only drawn from some of the events during our motorcycle trip together but also the effect my health at the time had on the experience. I lived with chronic pain from a rather sever case of Rheumatoid Arthritis during most of my children’s growing up years. This element does not constitute the totality of experiences for our ever developing lives together and separately, but is a significant part of our history. I have never talked to a father who said he didn’t care if he was not a good dad. I have observed some who acted like that was what they thought. I have known many who acted like being a good dad was going to be as easy as learning to walk. It would, they seemed to believe, just come naturally. A cursory glance into the dysfunctional lifestyles of a much-to-large segment of our society confirms the reality that healthy father/son relationships do not “just happen.” Perhaps by making this effort to tell my attempt at being intentional with my father/son relationship some awareness of what can be done to be a good dad will come to a dad who is busy “doing business.”

Memories are Good

Ernie McNaught (Crossroads Real Estate) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:59:18 -0700

Locations. Trips and vacations. Experiences. Homes. Activities. Even vehicles. Memories are buried in these and other words. What would life be without memories? One of my son’s friends asked him one day: “how did you convince your dad to take a motorcycle trip with you?” I wasn’t there, but I think the rest of the conversation might have gone something like this: “Well, my dad asked me what I’d like to do to celebrate graduating from high school and I told him I hadn’t thought much about it. Then he said: “Well, how would you like to take a motorcycle trip? We could start at Astoria, Oregon go South down the coastal highway to Mexico and back?” “It was your dad’s idea?! He wanted to take a motorcycle trip…a 4,000 mile long motorcycle trip?!” The idea for an extended trip after high school graduation came from an offer made to me and a friend by his father when we graduated from High School. With every confidence that we could take care of ourselves, he told us he would provide us with a car and $100.00 cash if we would be gone for the summer. We could go anywhere we wanted. Where was not very important. The lesson he wanted us to learn was to discover how much we could “blow” on fun stuff and have something left for food and gas. The commitment he asked us to make was that when we ran out of money we would stop and find work. When we earned enough to move on, we could again go anywhere we wanted. He told us that if we gave it our best and could not find work we could call and he would help us get home in defeat. I have always regretted (in an unimportant but nagging way) that we did not take advantage of the opportunity. We missed the opportunity because we thought we had more important things to do to prepare for our futures. As Chris approached graduation I am glad I did not allow the second time for a post high school memory builder to pass without taking advantage of it because I thought there were more important things to do. After Chris (and his mother, reluctantly) agreed we began planning “the trip.” During our adventure I kept a journal, though not extensive, recording where and how far we traveled in a day and sometimes describing an experience which was out of the ordinary. When the journal surfaced while cleaning out files, I began to relive that experience and found myself wanting to share it. I thought that by telling what happened between my son and me on that cycle trip, things that I believe are permitting us to enjoy each other as adults, I could encourage other dads on the parenthood path. I am extremely grateful to have a connection with my adult children that is enjoyable, pleasant, fun, fulfilling, and helpful to me, and to them. I believe I am now reaping a harvest from the relationship we had as they were growing up, not the least of which was the 4000 mile motorcycle trip my son and I experienced together. A memory was created and I go back to the time often.

When a House becomes a Home

Ernie McNaught (Crossroads Real Estate) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:54:00 -0700

One of the most fulfilling parts of the real estate business is being able to celebrate with new home owners their happiness when the house they purchased becomes “home.” I visited with a couple yesterday that recently purchased a bank owned property which had been vacant for many months. After the water damage was repaired, the overly creatively painted walls (vertical black and white strips, reflective moonscape ceilings etc.) were repainted, and carpets that looked like they were used to soak up the oil as motorcycles were being over hauled were replaced with hardwood floors, there was reason to celebrate. When they added that their first visitors for a meal commented their kitchen “was something to die for,” I was glad I helped them through the process of buying a home. The kitchen was not that impressive to me but was a good reminder that my opinion is not the opinion which counts the most. These buyers moved here from out of state because they had family near by and wanted to make this home a place for memory building experiences for their grandchildren. Family activities are what make a house into a home quicker than about anything. The size of the home is not top priority if the family activities are full of positive memory building experiences. Buying more square footage than is needed to impressive someone who does not contribute to good memories in the home is like putting lip stick on a pig, to borrow a famous quote from a former vice presidential candidate. I want to help people purchase a place where the memories will be good.

It's good to have a home

Ernie McNaught (Crossroads Real Estate) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 03:01:51 -0700

In reviewing my life I have realized there is always something unique about "going home." I have lived in 9 different states (three times in two states) from the East Coast (New Jersey) to the extreme West Coast (Hawaii) of our nation. Since my marriage to my sweetheart 49 years ago (in December 2011) we have had 17 different mailing address. Each time we came back home after being gone for more than a week we always said to each other, "it is good to be home. I have visited Argentina, Costa Rica, and New Guinea. I said, with gratefulness, "it is good to be home" each time I returned to the States. If you would like to call southern Idaho "home" I would like to show you the options. It is a good time to buy, especially if you know you are going to settle in one place for awhile. Prices are as low as I have seen since I started selling real estate and interest rates remain below 5% for those who qualify. Call me if you would like to discuss your need to come home.

Need help with house cleaning?

Ernie McNaught (Crossroads Real Estate) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:36:09 -0700

If you know any woman currently undergoing chemotherapy, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning - once per month for 4 months while she is in treatment. All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service. This organization serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help these women. It's our job to pass the word and let them know that there are people out there that care. Be a blessing to someone and pass this information along. http://www.cleaningforareason.org/

Brazilian it was

Ernie McNaught (Crossroads Real Estate) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 05:37:53 -0700

In a previous blog I mentioned we were going to our "adopted" grand daughters home for a meal, wondering if she might serve us some Brazilian food. She served two dishes which were almost daily fare for her parents. Her parents grew up in different area of Brazil and one dish was common for her father, one for her mother. One dish she said was Angu. It was a corn dish. The other was a rice and bean dish. The names are Aroz (rice) and fejao (beans) which we piled together. Am I a blessed man, or what?

Quality of life living

Ernie McNaught (Crossroads Real Estate) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 05:05:31 -0700

I live in a community that actively contributes to a positive and good quality of life. In Nampa alone we have Mission Aviation Fellowship, Hands of Hope, and Because International. MAF http://www.maf.org/, now headquartered in Nampa, is an effective organization which trains and deploys highly skilled pilots who fly to remote area around the world in response to emergency medical situations. I have read many amazing stories of success. Hands of Hope http://www.handsofhopenw.org/ has a vision to "serve the needs of others as a compassionate ministry pursing excellence and quality, and facilitate the movement of donated medical supplies and equipment to those in need." I have personally benefited from their dream when I needed a knee cart to recover from foot surgery. Because International http://www.becauseinternational.com , according to an article in our local newspaper, is providing "shoes that grow" an innovative idea which by its design allows the shoe to grow with the child, allowing children in third world nations to have protection on their feet as they grow. I want to see for myself a pair of these shoes. The "community" quality of life is better because of the "personal" quality of the people working for and donating their time and resources to these organizations. Good people make for good communities. I can help you find a home in this great place to live.

Life is Good

Ernie McNaught (Crossroads Real Estate) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:24:32 -0700

Getting ready to go to dinner with Jeb and Haline. For those who might not know, Haline is our grand daughter (she gives me the privilege of calling her that since she calls my daughter mom) from Brazil who lived with Steve and Susan for 4 years while she attended NNU and 1 years after she graduated. Will we have a Brazilian menu? Stayed tuned. I might give a report.

Makes sense to me

Ernie McNaught (Crossroads Real Estate) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 02:37:02 -0700

I just read Joe Kline's article "Middle of the Road" in the October 24, 2011 issue of Time. His conclusion struck a positive chord of agreement with me. He wrote about putting down his reporters notebook and working next to a "big fellow" cleaning up left over dirt, branches, and refuse left by the tornado which devastated Joplin, MO. The worker told him he had done such voluntary work several times and always felt a sense accomplishment. Joe said he felt like asking his new co-worker about the state of America (the reason for his trip to Joplin) but that suddenly seemed irrelevant. Doing something to solve even a small problem brings more fulfillment than blaming "them" for the state of affairs.

Another Happy Home Owner

Ernie McNaught (Crossroads Real Estate) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 02:12:30 -0700

I just helped another couple purchase what they hope is their retirement home. They are returning to Nampa, ID after being in Southern CA to assist a family member and his family with their needs for baby sitting etc. That gift has been completed and now they are returning home. This couple decided that Goldcrest Estate, a 55+ gated community would be a good choice for them. I agree. To have the security of a gated community and live in a community where they already know several of the residents makes good sense. Maybe their next door neighbor might play music once-in-a-while but if is is a bit loud at least it will be music they can recognize.

Helpful Title Company

Ernie McNaught (Crossroads Real Estate) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 02:11:22 -0700

I am working on a transaction which involves a buyer who has made some less than the best choices in regards to keeping his credit score the best. He has people who believe in him and are helping him purchase a home. The financing is not through normal lenders channels so I had several question about how to make sure I was not missing anything. (This is not a subprime loan thing, just a new way of financing new to me). The title company I am working with (Title One) was really helpful when I asked my questions. It is good to spend the time to build a network of professionals who help when asked!!