idaho real estate: 31 Days of December Challenge... The Back-up Plan - 12/20/10 02:39 PM
Dec 20:   Monday… Over the weekend, I went Christmas shopping & I bought myself a little something-something.
 
A Seagate 500 GB Portable, External Hard-drive.
 
This little baby was only $59. (I know. If I would have gotten up early on Black Friday, I could have bought a 1-2 TB for less).
 
So, here’s the “Back-up Plan!”  After a recent crash and virus infection on my computer, I realize I must protect my information.  Now I can back up my entire hard-drive in a matter of a few minutes & take the drive home with me. 
Crash...Hard-Drive … (14 comments)

idaho real estate: Let Your Heart Be Light... - 12/19/10 12:18 PM
While listening to Christmas music on the radio, this season, I heard the lyrics of, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”
 
As I listened to the words of that song, a moment of perspective came over me.  We all have troubles in life. There are lots of hurting people in the world, especially in this current economy.
 
I think of the man who was sad and depressed because he had no shoes. His perspective changed when he heard of the man who had no feet.
 
There will always be people better off than us and there will always … (22 comments)

idaho real estate: History of Boise & Nampa Idaho Home Prices... A Look From 2005. - 12/19/10 11:33 AM
Looking Back 6 Years at Boise and Nampa Home Prices
 
Average SOLD Nampa Idaho Home Prices:
 
· Nov. 2005    $145,927
· Nov. 2006    $184,393
· Nov. 2007    $182,754
· Nov. 2008    $162,037
· Nov. 2009    $128,479   (60% Distressed Properties)
· Nov. 2010    $108,041   (69% Distressed Properties)
 
About a 26% drop in Nampa Home Prices from 6 years ago
 
 
____________________________________________________________
 
Average SOLD Boise Idaho Home Prices:
 
· Nov. 2005    $223,943
· Nov. 2006    $263,835
· Nov. 2007    $251,707
· Nov. 2008    $233,313
· Nov. 2009    $194,276   (29% Distressed Properties)
· Nov. 2010    $177,300   (42% Distressed Properties)
 
About a … (0 comments)

idaho real estate: 5 Key Components of Credit Scores... - 12/08/10 03:42 PM
I recently learned of 5 components that will affect one’s credit score:
 
1.     Payment history- making payments on time, early or even late will affect your credit score by 35%.
2.     Amount of Available Credit- Whether you have too much available credit or if you close accounts that had a substantial credit limit, this can affect your credit score by 30%.
3.     Length of History- It’s not always good to close accounts, especially if they have long-term history. Often times, the older the credit line is, the better it appears on your score. This can affect your credit score by … (12 comments)

idaho real estate: 548 Bayhill Dr. Nampa ID Gorgeous Custom Home for $275,000! - 12/07/10 02:59 AM
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idaho real estate: Only $78,000- 2112 Belhaven Ct Nampa Idaho Short Sale - 12/06/10 12:03 PM
Nampa Short Sales: 2112 Belhaven Ct.
This 1527 SF 2-story home sits in a quiet cul-de-sac in southwest Nampa, Idaho and offers a great setting with no back neighbors and a well-kept yard!
3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths & a fabulous, 12x18 upstairs bonus room!



After the first buyer backed out after bank approval, this neat & clean home is now priced at only $78,000! 2112 Belhaven Ct. Nampa, ID 83651
NOW is a great time to take advantage of the best buys on Nampa Idaho Real Estate! Homes in Nampa are affordable for owner occupants and offer a … (0 comments)

idaho real estate: A 5 Year Snapshot of Boise and Nampa Home Prices - 12/05/10 12:01 PM
A 5 Year Snapshot of Boise and Nampa Home Prices
Average SOLD Nampa Idaho Home Prices:
· Nov. 2006    $184,393
· Nov. 2007    $182,754
· Nov. 2008    $162,037
· Nov. 2009    $128,479   (60% Distressed Properties)
· Nov. 2010    $108,041   (69% Distressed Properties)
About a 41% drop in Nampa Home Prices in 5 years.
____________________________________________________________
 
Average SOLD Boise Idaho Home Prices:
· Nov. 2006    $263,895
· Nov. 2007    $251,707
· Nov. 2008    $233,313
· Nov. 2009    $194,276   (29% Distressed Properties)
· Nov. 2010    $177,300   (42% Distressed Properties)
About a 33% drop in Boise Home Prices in 5 years. 
 
Is this the bottom? … (0 comments)

idaho real estate: Fabulous Emmett Idaho Condo for Rent - 12/03/10 02:27 PM
Fabulous Emmett Idaho Condo for Rent
 
A spacious, 1400 SF, 2-story condo with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, large living area, 1-car garage, zero maintenance and cozy gas fireplace!
 
Qualified renters must sign a 6-month lease and deposit $500.
 
Rent is $750 / month -  $1250 due at move-in time
 
Island bar, stainless appliances and quiet neighborhood in Emmett Idaho
 
Contact Don Wixom at (208) 880-5039 call or text
Download Rental Application
 
 
(0 comments)

idaho real estate: A Look at the Idaho Real Estate Market- December 2010 - 12/03/10 01:17 PM
Home Sales in Canyon and Ada County, Idaho
Canyon County Statistics as of December 1, 2010: (Nampa, Caldwell, Middleton, Parma, Wilder)
1761 active single-family homes in Canyon County ID were available as of December 1st. 50% of these homes are "distressed properties" 262 are REO by banks (foreclosures)  622 are short sales (35%) Canyon County ID SOLD Data: (As of 11-30-2010)  2913 Canyon County Homes have SOLD. 68% of these Canyon County homes were "distressed properties" 1476 Bank owned REO's  496 Short sales (17%) There is approx. 7 months of inventory available for Canyon County Home Buyers to choose from. … (0 comments)

idaho real estate: It's a Practice Run... - 11/29/10 03:20 PM
I can hardly believe it's the end of No YES-vember! 11 months into the new year and just a busy December ahead of us.
Why not take the opportunity this next month, to establish some new year habits!? Consider that It's a Practice Run...
I'm suggesting taking the month of December to initiate your new-year's resolutions. Reading more, blogging more, hitting the gym, cutting out sugar, or other habits to be changed...
Get on it! Start those new habits and stop the ones you've needed to. Get a jump start on 2011!
Boise area Weather
Search Boise Idaho Homes for sale
Idaho … (12 comments)

idaho real estate: A Great Client... - 11/28/10 03:27 PM
The events of this evening could have made someone quite upset. I considered it a great memory & mark it up to good customer service.
 
After another rude agent proposed his buyer’s dissatisfaction with the paint touch-up on a final walk-through of my seller’s home, I met with the seller at the house to evaluate the situation.
 
After looking at the not-so-good job of touch up, I asked him to see what paint he had available. We went to the garage and found several cans on the shelf.
 
I suggested we take the paint cans into the house and … (7 comments)

idaho real estate: The First Thanksgiving... - 11/25/10 07:25 AM
 
Did you know…the first known Thanksgiving took place on September 8th, 1565 in Saint Augustine, Florida when Spanish settlers held a Mass of Thanksgiving after arriving safely in the New World?  
 
English settlers in the Virginia Colony held a similar day of thanks in 1619. Two-years after that, the colonists at Plymouth Plantation celebrated the most famous Thanksgiving, during 1621. 
 
Yet, it wasn't until October 3rd, 1789, that it actually became a holiday, when then President George Washington proclaimed a day of Thanksgiving...but just for that year.  In 1795, Washington again proclaimed a day of Thanksgiving, … (11 comments)

idaho real estate: 1% Drop in Interest Rate or 10% Drop in Home Prices... - 11/25/10 07:11 AM
Recently, John Paulson declared that today's record-low interest rates made this the best time to buy homes in fifty years.
 
"If you don't own a home, buy one," Paulson said. "If you own one home, buy another one, and if you own two homes, buy a third and lend your relatives the money to buy a home."

Why should we care what Paulson thinks? Consider that he was among the few to accurately predict the subprime collapse. While no one has a crystal ball, we all know that historically low interest rates are the key, and they … (6 comments)

idaho real estate: Nampa Idaho Market Summary for Sunset Oaks - 11/24/10 02:58 PM
Nampa Idaho Market Summary for Sunset Oaks
 
From May 1, 2010 as of November 24, 2010
 
10 homes are currently for sale
     Average Price $100,290
     Average price per SF $61
     Average Days on Market 91
 
7 homes have sold these past 6+ months
     Average price $99,814
     Average price per SF $72
     Average Days on Market 43
 
3 homes are currently pending sale
     Average asking price $119,266
     Average price per SF $63
     Average Days on Market 149
 
Great buy on 2029 SF Home at 7431 Bay Meadows Dr.
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idaho real estate: 5105 Dandridge Way Caldwell Idaho - 11/21/10 02:41 PM
This newer 1503 SF Caldwell home sits on a standard sized lot next to the common area with a fenced yard, 2-car garage and an upstairs bonus room!
 
With a split-bedroom design, the space is used well without the wasted hallway area.
 
This Caldwell Short Sale is priced at $80,000 and offers 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, Great Room & Upstairs Bonus Room!
 

 
5105 Dandridge Way  Caldwell, ID  83607
 
 
 
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idaho real estate: 3378 Kingswood Way Boise Idaho - 11/21/10 02:26 PM
This charming 3 Bedroom, 1 Bath Boise home has a cozy gas fireplace in the living room, large utility room and 2-car garage!
 
With auto sprinklers and only 988 Square Feet, this well-kept home is low maintenance and priced for affordability!
 
Check out this fabulous Boise Home at 3378 Kingswood Way for only $78,000!
 



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idaho real estate: My Visit with the Millionaire... - 11/17/10 05:11 PM
My Visit with the Millionaire...
 
Yesterday, I received a nice visit from a fellow Active Rainer, the very famous, now “Millionaire” Active Rain Blogger… Todd Clark!
 
Todd and his family were on a camping vacation and he contacted me before he came to town.
 
They were driving through Idaho Real Estate and took a moment to stop by Exit 38 in Nampa and introduce themselves.
 
His family is very nice & I was especially happy to know he & his wife were creating such great memories for their three kids! What a fun time to be on … (10 comments)

idaho real estate: Nampa Idaho Market Summary for Fall River Estates - 11/13/10 03:10 PM
Nampa Idaho Market Summary for Fall River Estates
From May 1, 2010 as of November 12, 2010
 
9 homes are currently for sale
     Average Price $226,100
     Average price per SF $79
     Average Days on Market 221
 
11 homes have sold these past 6 months
     Average price $175,527
     Average price per SF $73
     Average Days on Market 166
 
3 homes are currently pending sale
     Average asking price $175,566
     Average price per SF $70
     Average Days on Market 81
 
Great buy on Nearly 3000 SF Home at 548 Bayhill Drive
 
(2 comments)

idaho real estate: House Divided... - 11/12/10 04:34 PM
Tonight, is our in-state college football rivalry: Boise State Broncos vs. University of Idaho Vandals.
Even though I am a BSU Bronco fan, through & through, I love to see both teams from Idaho have a successful season.
Both teams have great programsand excellent schools, but the BSU Broncos are ranked #4 in the BCS rankings.

So, final score of the game, Boise State wins 52 - 14 over U of I Vandals.
With an in-state rivalry, Idaho, as a whole, wins! 
Regardless of college football, TODAY is a great day to buy Idaho Real Estate! Prices are low and … (8 comments)

idaho real estate: Idaho Real Estate Agent Blog Featured on RE/MAX Site - 11/11/10 04:08 PM
Denver, CO: The Nation's #1 Branded Real Estate Franchise, RE/MAX, has featured Broker/Owner, Don Wixom with RE/MAX Advantagein Nampa, Idaho in the on-line publication of the RE/MAX Times News.
Wixom's Active Rain blog: "Don's Idaho Real Estate Blog"chronicled a featured listing on the Real Estate Social Media site and now is featured on REMAX Mainstreet: https://www.remax.net/News/Pages/ShortSaleBlog_1110.aspx
Idaho Real Estate Agent Blog Featured on RE/MAX Site
Wixom has now successfully closed nearly 30 short sale transactions this year, however, is still frustrated with the industry after experiencing multiple foreclosures on clients.
Wixom outlines a few new rules of thumb policies on taking … (9 comments)