idaho real estate: Leaving Los Angeles... - 09/12/10 12:08 PM
Not to be confused with Nicolas Cage and Leaving Las Vegas, today is my last day in So Cal after visiting for not quite a week.
After the Labor Day weekend, we hit the skies and found our way to Los Angeles, Burbank, Hollywood and Anaheim!
The reason for the visit, primarily, was to watch my son graduate from the Los Angeles Film School. 17 students graduated this month & now he is on his way to finding work in the film industry in Hollywood.
We enjoyed our time together at California Adventure, Disneyland & Universal Studios! In spite of all theexpensive food … (2 comments)

idaho real estate: 5 Things you need to "Make it!" - 09/11/10 08:49 PM
If you remember the original Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) starring Gene Wilder, then you might be able to appreciate the wisdom of Director, Mel Stuart.
I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Stuart, who was the guest speaker for my son's graduation ceremony from the Los Angeles Film School, this past week!
His subject was, 5 Things you need to "Make it!"
As I listened to his great stories, I realized that these 5 things can quickly adapt from his message on film making, to just about anything in life that we decide to accomplish.
1. You Gotta have "IT!"
… (10 comments)

idaho real estate: Where were you nine years ago today? - 09/10/10 05:43 PM
Where were you nine years ago today?
"Never forget"... We see it on bumper stickers, we hear it in songs, we hear it on the radio; Do you think America will forget about the tragic events of 9-11-2001?
There are children now, who are 8 and almost 9 years old, who will never recall that day, just like Pearl Harbor, for me, but I still know it was on Dec. 7th!
On Tuesday morning, 9-11-2001, I was driving to my buddy's house to pick him & his wife up to take to the airport for a Hawaiian vacation. On the radio … (102 comments)

idaho real estate: Idaho Short Sales Here to Stay... - 09/09/10 08:37 PM
Idaho Short Sales Here to Stay...
I'm often asked, "When will we be through all of these short sale?"
After looking at the numbers, I say we have a long ways to go before we eliminate the Idaho short sales and foreclosures in the Boise Idaho area.
With nearly 40% of the inventory in Ada County Idaho (Boise area) being distressed properties and values continuing to drop at a recent rate of 1% each month, more and more home owners are upside down in their values.
Canyon County Idaho(Nampa-Caldwell area) is at a level of 50% distressed property listings.
Unemployment is … (1 comments)

idaho real estate: Transaction Sides Closed by the Top Franchises - 09/09/10 06:28 AM
So, who sells the most real estate?
According to the Realtor Magazine's annual Top 100 Companies report appears in its July/August issue and ranks U.S. brokerages by 2009 transaction sides and sales volume.
Transaction Sides Closed by the Top Franchises
Leading average among national franchise companiesAmong the offices included on the transactions list, RE/MAX Associates averaged 14.3 sides each, nearly 40 percent more than the closest franchise competitor. In fact, the RE/MAX figure more than doubled the average of several national brands.
RE/MAX offices enjoyed similar results in sales volume to offices on the transactions list. All told, eight RE/MAX brokerages made the Top 100 in sales … (1 comments)

idaho real estate: Garbage Disposal Responsibilities - 09/08/10 07:12 PM
Garbage Disposal ResponsibilitiesWith the convenience a garbage disposal provides, comes maintenance responsibilities that will help extend the life of your disposal and protect your plumbing and septic systems.
Insert food scraps slowly. Stuffing it all into your disposal at once can cause clogs and shorten the life of your system.
Chicken bones or small fruit pits can actually help clean the walls of your disposal. 
Use cold water for at least 20 seconds. This will solidify grease so that it can be ground up. Also, make sure that all food particles are washed completely down the drain.
Keep it clean. One good … (5 comments)

idaho real estate: Breaking News: FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums - 09/08/10 05:05 AM
Breaking News: FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums
FHA has officially released ML 2010-28 changing insurance premiums effective on October 4, 2010.
The up-front premium is being lowered to 1.00% for all loans, including Streamline Refis. There will be no discount for first time buyers who receive counseling.
The monthly premium will range from .85% (95% or less LTV) to .90% (over 95% LTV) on 20 and 30-year loans and 0% (90% or less LTV) to .25% (over 90% LTV) for 15-year loans.
All provisions for canceling annual premiums after five years remain. Interestingly, there also appears to be no change in the … (5 comments)

idaho real estate: Zero Down..... REALLY!? - 09/07/10 09:41 PM
Carlton Sheets and now many others have been on TV selling their "programs" to buy real estate on a shoe string. Often times claiming the zero down method and gaining instant equity.
Zero Down.....   REALLY!?
So, can this REALLY work? Well, I would guess that there are a few cases of a possible zero down here and there, but for a real investor, even one who uses OPM (Other People's Money), you most often have  to have skin in the game!
The average home buyer, these days, can get an FHA loan with about 3.5% down and ask for the … (3 comments)

idaho real estate: Going a little extra on the service....... - 09/07/10 02:07 PM
Going a little extra on the service.......
As I went to lunch today, to the Macaroni Grill in Boise, I noticed a little extra service they offered:
As I now am past the age of forty, my eyes just don't quite work like they used to... Some of you may understand what I'm talking about...
This nice restaurant did not only offer excellent service & great, but they also had extra "reading glasses" available, side by side with the menus.
It just made me think of the little details that we might be able to offer our clients and customers. Maybe … (25 comments)

idaho real estate: The State of Idaho Real Estate - 09/06/10 03:13 AM
Home Sales in Canyon and Ada County, Idaho
Canyon County Statistics as of September 1, 2010:
1974 active single-family homes in Canyon County ID were available as of September 1st. 46% of these homes are "distressed properties" 260 are REO by banks (foreclosures) and 655 are short sales (33%).
Canyon County ID SOLD Data:
As of 8-31-2010, 2164 Canyon County Homes have SOLD. 66% of these Canyon County homes were "distressed properties" 1067 Bank owned REO's and 371 Short sales (17%).
There is approx. 7 months of inventory available for Canyon County Home Buyers to choose … (0 comments)

idaho real estate: Nampa Idaho Short Sales Update for September 1, 2010 - 09/05/10 12:34 PM
Short Sale Homes in Nampa Idaho
Statistics as of September 1, 2010:
1142 active single-family Nampa homes listings were available as of September 1st. 50% of these homes are "distressed properties" 160 are REO by banks (foreclosures) and 405 are short sales (36%).
Nampa SOLD Data:
As of 8-31-2010, 1255 Nampa Homes have SOLD. 67% of these Nampa homes were "distressed properties" 616 Bank owned REO's and 226 Short sales (18%).
There is approx. 7 months of inventory available for Nampa Home Buyers to choose from. Typically anything over 6 months of inventory is considered a "Buyer's Market" and when inventory drops below 6 months, it becomes more of … (0 comments)

idaho real estate: Only 86 messages... - 09/04/10 05:06 PM
Just a bit disappointed, after my phone about vibrated off my hip today, I looked at my Facebook page to see Only 86 messages for Birthday wishes!
Actually, I am amazed! And though we live in an instant society & the thoughts may be more fleeting than taking time to write a card or call, I greatly appreciate everyone's birthday wishes today!
I had a great day; met some new customers this morning that are very kind & I hope to build a long relationship with them.
I Submitted a counter offer on an REO property, I got acceptance on another offer … (13 comments)

idaho real estate: Morning Sun Estates Nampa Idaho Subdivision Report - 09/03/10 05:35 PM
Morning Sun Estates Nampa ID
South Nampa Location,just west of 12th Ave. Road on Greenhurst, Morning Sun Estates offers large residential lots with a variety of construction styles from various builders.
Offering nice common areas and extensive landscaping berms, Morning Sun is a mid to upper style subdivision development in Nampa, Idaho.
Morning Sun Estates Nampa Idaho Subdivision Report
29 homes have sold YTD (Sept. 1, 2010) 
26 homes are actively being marketed in this subdivision, according to ourIdaho Intermountain MLS
The average Days on Market for homes sold in Morning Sun Estates, has been 193.
The average sales price is $105,680 … (0 comments)

idaho real estate: 451 Bitterbrush Nampa, ID offers 5 Bedrooms, 3 Baths & Over 3000 SF! - 09/03/10 04:32 PM
451 Bitterbrush  Nampa, ID offers 5 Bedrooms, 3 Baths & Over 3000 SF!
This amazing home, situated in Morning Sun Estates, offers a bull basement with lots of light! Window wells with egress ladders and large open Recreation Room add a feeling of openness!
With a low maintenance exterior front and hardboard siding, 451 Bitterbrush offers a pleasant curb appeal along with a fenced yard & room for RV parking!
The updated stainless steel appliances reflect the care this home has undergone, along with a cozy gas fireplace in the living room!
      
     
     
Built in 1998 and … (6 comments)

idaho real estate: Tips, Stats or Humor? - 09/03/10 04:12 PM
For real estate agents, training tips or marketing ideas can often be gobbled up and commented on when posted on Active Rain.
Tips to Buying Foreclosures
I often try to publish market statisticsor area trends based on sales numbers, etc. just to keep the public informed and the SEO juice flowing.
A 24 Month Glance at Treasure Valley Home Prices
When adding a little humor, however, it tends to relax the reader and bring forth interaction via comments on the blog posts.
Desperate...
So, what do you enjoy reading most? Maybe something more trivial? Personal experiences? Market stats? Tips and ideas … (5 comments)

idaho real estate: Graduating From Film School! - 09/02/10 04:20 PM
Well, I'm feeling a little old, not only do I have another birthday coming up next week, but my youngest boy is graduating from the Los Angeles Film School next week as well!
Congratulations to my son, Mitchell Wixom for working very hard these past 13 months to gain his Associates Degree in Film!
Now he and a couple of buddies are leasing a home in Burbank & will be on the lookout for work!

So, if you know of any connections in the Burbank, Hollywood, LA area for a talented film student who has the desire to be a … (4 comments)

idaho real estate: Where do most fatal accidents happen? - 09/01/10 04:34 PM
Most auto accidents happen within a mile of your own home. I suggest now might be a good time to move!
But seriously folks, since September is National Safety month, according to the National Safety Council,
2.16% of fatal accidents happen at work. 18.81% of fatal accidents happen somewhere else. 33.04% of fatal accidents happen in a motor vehicle 45.99% of fatal accidents happen in the home. One person suffers a fatal accident every four minutes.
So, if I were you, I would either spend more time at work and take your chances or make sure you have good life insurance … (4 comments)

idaho real estate: Fee Simple - 08/31/10 03:48 PM
Recently, our local MLS has implemented a new field under "ownership."
Listings now have the choice of being A) "Fee Simple"    or   B) "Less Thank Fee Simple."
I believe the main reason they instituted this differentiation is to establish, for a prospective buyer and the agent involved, who actually holds the deed?
With as many Idaho Short Sales that we have been going through, there have been a lot of scams or less than traditional business models surface that do not always disclose the true ownership of a property.
Fee Simple - Wikipedia
Real Estate Terms

When there is a … (4 comments)

idaho real estate: 5 Better Chances at a Featured Blog Post - 08/30/10 04:25 PM

What are the dynamics of featured posts on Active Rain?
Many bloggers strive to get more readers to follow their posts and one of the best ways to accomplish this is to have more featured blog posts!
Featured posts, as you know, get more attention and typically contain more useful or interesting information over just regular blog posts.
Though it's never quite a science and the Active Rain Staff have final say of which posts get featured, here are a few tips that may help:
5 Better Chances at a Featured Blog Post
Pick a topic you are familiar with … (21 comments)

idaho real estate: 5 Characteristics of Successful Individuals - 08/29/10 02:05 PM
I wish I could remember where I read this recently so I could give credit to where credit is due. I just took a few simple notes, but I thought these were very interesting to share...
5 Characteristics of Successful Individuals
5. Successful people Work Hard
4. Successful people usually have a very supportive spouse.
3. Successful people have and exercise good social skills.
2. Successful people are disciplined. They have created good habits.
1. They are people of integrity.
Along with this article, the author mentioned that these individuals also:
Keep Commitments Stand for Something Are open & transparent I … (8 comments)