Rare extra day tomorrow..... what do you plan to do with it? MAKE IT MEMORABLE!

Being born on a leap year (turning 28 this year) I have always found an interesting significance to "February 29th".   I've always looked at it as a gift of a day. Something that only happens once every four years. Something special.... the Winter Olympics, Summer Olympics, World Cup.... also only happen once every four years. And all are things I look forward to regularly. Tomorrow will be my 6th Feb 29th. How many have you experianced?

I would like to set forth a challange to anyone that might read this. Treat tomorrow like a gift. Go out of your way to do something rare and extra ordinary. (not that you shouldn't strive to live every day like this) but really take advantage of such a truely rare opportunity we have tomorrow. I always think of the below classic song by Chicago on any Feb. 29th, because it is so true... "I've been waiting such a long time,..for today!"  :)

And please, let me know about your experiance that you do have tomorrow! Either below in a comment, or on my facebook page. :) Enjoy it! And , "DO WORK"!!!



Presidents Day Quote: President Herbert Hoover on home OWNERSHIP VS. renting

On this very special day, we look back to the past and give thanks to the wonderful men that have lead this country. I found a old quote from President Herber Hoover from 1931 on home ownership in contrast to renting. The words are actually powerful, and moving even today some 81 years later:

“Next to food and clothing, the housing of a nation is its most vital problem. . . . The sentiment for home ownership is embedded in the American heart [of] millions of people who dwell in tenements, apartments and rented rows of solid brick. . . . This aspiration penetrates the heart of our national wellbeing. It makes for happier married life. It makes for better children. It makes for courage to meet the battle of life. . . . There is a wide distinction between homes and mere housing. Those immortal ballads, ‘Home, Sweet Home,’ ‘My Old Kentucky Home’ and ‘The Little Grey Home in the West’ were not written about tenements or apartments. . . . They were written about an individual abode, alive with tender associations of childhood, the family life at the fireside, the free out-of-doors, the independence, the security and the pride in possession of the family’s own home. . . . Many of our people must live under other conditions. But they never sing songs about a pile of rent receipts. . . .”

May the American dream never die of home OWNERSHIP! Please know that as a realtor I along with every other realtor are fighting in your behalf to make sure that opportunity continues and never goes away. :)



Happy Presidents Day! :)

So, you gave her the RING.... but now.. WHAT ABOUT THE HOUSE??

Congrats to all you Boise, ID love birds that are either just getting engaged today, or are renewing your love for one another on this Valentines Day! .....BUT....

If you did just get engaged, what are you plans for once the two of you move in together?  Or maybe you already live together and will be combining your finances for the first time.... Where are you planning on starting out this new journy together?? Renting...or Buying???

I bet that RING you just bought wasn't cheap, and probably was the majority if not all of your tax return.  So now if you even wanted to think about putting a down payment down, you're going to have to wait at least 6-8 months to save up right....??????

NOPE!! There are actually quite a few options depending on your credit score and the location where you are wanting to buy, that you can actually get 100% financing (aka $0 down) and walk into a brand new home with nothing out of pocket!

But why buy just starting out? Why not!! In our local market in Boise, rental vacancies are extremely low, meaning it is hard to find something nice that is going to be pushing $1,000 dollars a month.(and that's just an apartment!)

However, with the interest rates still below 4% on 30 year fixed loans... you can easily be living in a very nice home, that is YOURS, that you are putting money away on to build equity and have a mortage closer to $800 or $850! If you don't believe me, just give me a call! 208-631-8775.

Or better yet, register on my website to start looking at homes now! www.jeff.househuntersofidaho.com

So once again, congrats on the new steps you are about to take!! And although like the oldie song by the Beatles says, " Can't buy me love"... if you are wise and don't though it away early on in your new relationship, you may just end up having more of it at the end!   Com Muito Amor Jeff

ATTENTION BUYERS: "THE 'GOOD STUFF' ON THIS MARKET DOES NOT LAST!!!"

There are a couple misconceptions out there today in the Treasure Valley Market, and they can have a negative effect on your buying experience if you are not aware and ready for the true nature of today’s local market. For example:

The meaning of "buyers market":

What many buyers "assume" Buyers Market means: ( and you know what assuming does) "Everyone tells me this is a buyers market, that means I call the shots. It also means that time is on my side, and that I'm in the negotiating seat. It also means that there are so many homes on the market, that I can take my time, worry about financing down the road when I find the right house, and then because I'm the only one looking at it, I'll offer extremely low and work my way up till we find a middle ground."

 THE ABOVE ASSUMPTION CAN NOT BE FARTHER FROM THE TRUTH!!!

If you or anyone you know has this mentality, there is a good chance that when they do find the "perfect house", by the time the act on it, it will already be gone!

What Buyers Market "REALLY" means in the Treasure Valley Market:

1. There are a lot of homes to look at on the market, BUT "the 'GOOD STUFF' on this market does not last,and is gone fast!

 2. It is very common that when something new comes on the market and is in even remotely good shape, there will be multiple offers on it instantly. THERE ARE LOTS OF BUYERS OUT THERE, and also lots of INVERSTORS (rental vacancies are at an all-time low, investors know how profitable rentals are right now) and they all want the some great deal you do!


3. Many REO and Short Sale homes will not even look at an offer without a "letter of loan commitment" from your lender or "proof of funds" from your bank. So if you wait to have your financing ducks in a row before you find the "right house" there is a very good chance that property will go pending in the amount of time it takes you do organize your financing.

4. The buyers negotiating "drivers seat" is instantly lost once there are multiple offers on a property. In fact, most listing agents will give all parties a shot at coming in with their "highest and best" offer. And if you are not at the top among all the offers, plan on continue looking at more homes....again.


In short, as a buyer you need to be PREPARED! Plan on what you want in a home, know what that is before going in. Have all your financial ducks in a row a head of time. And then when you find something that fits your criteria, MOVE ON IT! The longer you wait the less likely you will get the "deal" and the home that is going to fit you and your family the best.

As i said before " The 'good stuff' on the market, DOES NOT LAST, and is GONE FAST"

As an experienced realtor in the Treasure Valley Market, I'm here to help you or your friends know what a good deal is, and then help them feel comfortable to act on it once they do!