Randy Gridley - Real Estate Boise, Real Estate Meridian, Boise Real Estate - Blog

Tips for Choosing a Home Inspector

Finding a home inspector can take some time. If you have never used one, then you may be a little confused about how to choose a home inspector that will be the best for you. Consider these tips when choosing a home inspector for your home.

Experience – You will want to hire a home inspector that is experienced. This means that you want someone that is a full-time home inspector and has logged hours conducting home inspections.

Knowledge/Training – When hiring a home inspector, it is good to ask them about their credentials. You will want to know about what certifications they have attained and what training they have received. Some may have a degree in engineering or architecture or a background in general contracting. Professional affiliation is something to ask about as well. Many reputable home inspectors are affiliated with professional organizations such National Association of Home Inspectors.

Referral – It is best to pick a home inspector that someone you know has referred to you. If you have someone that has used a home inspector in the past, you will want to talk to him or her. If you do not personally know someone that has used a home inspector, you can talk to your real estate agent, as he or she likely will have a list of home inspectors from which you can choose.

Cost – Cost is always a factor to consider when hiring a home inspector. Generally, there will be a common “going rate” in your area for a home inspector. Almost all realtors will tell you to get a home inspection and, if you choose not to, they will ask you to sign a form that says you do not want a home inspection. Cost is a factor, however, so go with your gut feelings and pick the one with the most knowledge and experience.  Buying a home will probably be one of your biggest investments in your lifetime. It is a good feeling when you know there are not issues with your new purchase.

Once you have considered these factors, you will be able to find a home inspector that will be able to provide you with a professional report.  This report will give you a clearer overall understanding of the condition of your home so you can make an educated decision on any necessary repairs, renovations, and updates.View below some current short sale listings updated daily provided by IDX/MLS under $250,000 within the last 10 days:

Short Sale Homes in Boise Idaho

3 Things to Consider When Looking to Buy a New Home

Buying a home is exciting. There is so much to see, think about and consider. If you are in the market for a new home, you will want to make sure you do some good research on any homes you are seriously considering purchasing. Here are three things to consider when looking for a home to purchase.

1. Cost of Living – It is important to make sure you have considered the cost of the living for the area in which you are looking to buy a new home. If you have lived in the area before then this may not be important at this time; however, if you are new to the city or even area of town, it is important to understand what the cost of living is in that area. Cost of living can include property taxes for the home as well as what the average utility costs are for the house and that area. You can find out from the homeowner which utility companies service the area. These companies can give you an annual estimate of utilities for the home. You can find property tax information at the county courthouse; however, most real estate agents will have this information available.
2. Consider the school district – If you have children or plan to have them, make sure you familiarize yourself with the school district to see if it meets your expectation. Even if you don’t have kids, buying a house in a good school district can help boost the sale price when you are ready to sell. Many consumers looking to buy a new home consider the school district before they make their final purchase and it is even a deciding factor to many so don’t overlook its importance.
3. Surrounding Area and Neighborhood – Make sure that you familiarize yourself with the neighborhood and its surrounding area. This is important when you are looking to buy a new home because you want to make sure that the neighborhood is good but you also don’t want to find out that it is surrounded by something you are not happy with. Consider the distance to highways, factories, industrial areas, and even commercial areas. Are you close enough to the amenities you prefer? Are you far enough away from factories and industrial areas? Is there traffic noise from a close by highway?

If you take the time to consider some of these tips when you are looking to buy a new or existing home, you will find that you will be more secure in your final decision. Finding a new home or pre-existing home is exciting so you want to make sure you find one that you will be happy with for years to come. 

Homes for sale in Boise Idaho

New construction and pre-existing homes less than one year old in Boise Idaho under $250,000 are provided to you by IDX/MLS which these listings are updated daily each morning:

It Says “Motivated Seller” – What’s That Mean to Me?

You are looking to buy a home and you come across a listing stating “motivated seller.”  What does this really mean to you – the potential buyer?

A “motivated buyer” is usually motivated by either price or time. Sometimes a seller is just needing to sell their home quickly due to relocation or already having a new home with another mortgage.

Sometimes a seller is “motivated” simple indicating to the potential buyer that the seller may entertain a lower bid.  Remember, just because it says “motivated” does not necessarily mean that the buyer is desperate so assume you can get something for nothing just because the listings states the seller is motivated.  However, if you are truly interested in the property, you may find that a lower offer may be entertained.

In the end, a “motivated seller” may just be “motivated” to get through the sale and into their new home. If you have questions, ask the agent, they may share with you the reason the seller is motivated.

Here are some listings to view that the listing agent has included motivated in Boise given to you by IDX/MLS.  These MLS listings are brought up to date daily:

Rise in Home Sales Signifies Strengthening Market: Economists is the headline in dsnews.com. What does this mean for you?

According to economists, this means that we may start to see the house market slump improve. For the first time in several years, “home sales have been on the rise…posting a 5 percent increase in December.”  Though this in no way signifies a drastic change in the housing market, the steady rise is indicative of better times to come for homes sales.

Distressed and Foreclosure Homes

Distressed homes and foreclosures still make up a large percentage of the homes sales. However, housing inventory is on the decline for the first time in almost 5 years. This could mean that housing prices will stabilize or even grow, which is exactly what the housing market needs. Homes sales will likely go up and home sales prices will hopefully be close to bottoming out and may eventually lead to increases in sale price, which is good news for the seller. 

Good News for Economic Confidence of Consumers

Good news in the housing market will also be great news in regards to the economic confidence of consumers.  Many  economist are saying with the housing market possibly bottoming out in some areas like ours that the jobs created should  also increase in this sector.  New home construction will increase, more realtors will enter the market again, more supplies will be purchased leading to more jobs in the supply field, and on and on!

Boise Idaho Home Listings 

Check out these active homes listings in Boise Idaho area under $250,000 supplied by IDX/MLS that are updated daily:

3 Things to Look at When Viewing a Home

With a few clicks of your mouse, if you are in the market for a new home, you will likely be viewing many homes available on the market. It is good practice to make yourself a list of things to look at when viewing properties so you don’t miss anything. Consider adding these three things to your list.

1. Location. Do you like the location? How near is it to amenities you like to utilize? Is the school close?  How close are the highways?
2. Neighbors. Who lives next door? Are the surrounding homes comparable? Are there any run down homes nearby?
3. Homeowners Association. Does the neighborhood have a homeowners association? What are the HOA limitations, requirements, and costs?

When you go to view homes, make sure you take notes of things you notice about the property as well as the surrounding area. Drive by the home during the evening and look at the house in the dark. Also consider visiting the neighborhood on the weekend. This will give you a better idea of what goes on in the neighborhood when everyone is home. Don’t be afraid to drive around the neighborhood and stop and talk to neighbors. Speaking to the neighbors can be a great way to find out if the area is one that you and your family will love.

Here are a few home listings in Boise, Eagle, Meridian Idaho market within the last 7 days from IDX/MLS that are active, current, and updated daily under $200,000:

Fannie Mae Predicts 2012 Growth

What does this mean to the homebuyers and sellers? It means that 2012 may bring a better housing market to both sides.  The seller may find he can finally command a little higher price and may have more buyers vying for the sale.  While the buyer may find a little less of a buyer’s market but the availability of more conventional homes as people begin to sell again.

Boise Real Estate - Meridian Real Estate

View some home listings under $200,000 that have been listed in the last 7 days from Boise real estate and meridian real estate market furnished by IDX/MLS that are active, current, and updated daily:

Settler’s Park, Meridian Idaho – Something for Everyone!

One of the highlights of Meridian, Idaho is Settlers Park.  This 56-acre park has something for everyone.  Whether you love a family day at the splash pad or a quiet walk on the paths, locating near Settler's Park may be for you. 

Adventure Island Playground Area

Housing Idaho’s first entirely accessible playground, Settler’s Park, Meridian Idaho provides you with many enticing options for enjoying the outdoors.  You can enjoy a splash pad, rock monuments, Sound Garden, picnic areas, and other family-friendly areas for just about anything you are looking forward to doing while you unwind a little at the park.

Games and Tournaments

The Settler’s Village Square area provides a great place for horseshoes and tennis tournaments while the Leighton Family Baseball/Softball area has plenty of room for your league play. 

Fishing Pond

Another popular area of this park is the fishing pond to take the family, kids or grandkids that Idaho Fish and Game stock with fish. 

Winter Fun

Settler’s Park provides year-round fun with the availability of its 9-hole winter disc golf course open November through February.

What a fun area to live in. If you are considering the Settler’s Park, Meridian Idaho area, you can find many great listings to choose from near this wonderful family-friendly, something-for-everyone park.

Here are just a few of those listings in NE Meridian furnished by IDX/MLS that are active, current, and these listings are updated daily each morning:

16684 Snowgoose Street  - Nampa Idaho  - 83687  - HUD Homes

New listing effective 1/19/2012 owner occupied only, bids due by 1-29-2012 11:59 PM CST then daily at which time non owner occupied owners can bid.  This HUD home is located in Nampa Idaho at 16684 Snowgoose Street.  Zip code for this area is 83687. Home has 1100 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 car garage with other features including vaulted ceilings, plant shelves, recessed lighting, split bedroom design. Roomy lot that has potential for RV parking.  Brandts Landing subdivision is another neighborhood that is sought after with its own community pool within walking distance and common areas inside subdivision that are landscaped, all being taken care of by HOA for Brandts Landing.   

Few items need fixed that HUD is allowing the fixed cost of $2035 to be included in electronic bid and another plus, home is eligible for FHA 203K loan.  Talk to your lending officer today and if you do not have a loan officer fill out loan application with Tobby Goicoechea with Wells Fargo.

All HUD and Bank Owned listings in Nampa Idaho furnished by IDX/MLS that are current and updated daily each morning:  If you do not see 16684 Snowgoose listing above in below listings then that means this listing is pending:

All short sale listings in Nampa Idaho provided by IDX/MLS that are also updated daily.

Any distressed or not distressed home listings in Nampa Idaho within the last 30 days made available through IDX/MLS.

Should I Get My Own Home Inspection When Selling My House?

When most people sell their house they sit with dread waiting to hear the results of the home inspection. No closing will finalize without the prospective buyer’s home inspector giving your home the thorough once-over and making sure it meets the approval of the home inspector and most of the time before the buyer’s lender will allow the loan to be secured.

So you know that there will be a home inspection. Should you just sit back and bite your nails waiting for the home inspector’s report or should you get your home inspector to take a look at the house before you even put your house on the market?

Though you can wait around for that inspection and not pay for the inspector yourself, it is important to keep in mind that investing in a home inspection prior to putting your house on the market can be a great way to save time and worry.  It may even save you a little money by being proactive.

Most issues that are identified by the home inspector will cost less for the seller to fix than after the potential buyer has identified the issue. Getting any issues taken care of ensures that you are ready for any question and does not allow any gray area of concern from a potential buyer.

If you are interested to seeing what is on the market through IDX/MLS that you could use as comparison to selling your home then click on the link and input the search criteria that best describes your home.

All listing in Boise and Meridian Idaho under $300,000 within the last 30 days.

Homes for sale in Boise Idaho

The market in Boise and its surrounding areas continues to grow. Though the economy has shown the area some rocky times over the past few years, the market is picking up and this can be very beneficial to a home buyer.  With a buyer’s market, this means that a potential home buyer looking for homes for sale in Boise Idaho are likely to find something they are looking for at a great price.

Though the Boise Idaho market has varied, there is a surplus of vacant homes ready for you to move in to as soon as you close.  If you have considered buying a home, now may be the time. With mortgage rates at an unprecedented low and a buyer’s market to shop, there may not be a better time to look for a home.

If you are looking for homes for sale in Boise Idaho or any of its surrounding cities, you can find a wide variety of listings within your price range. With just a few clicks of your mouse you can see some listings within your search criteria and in the area you are looking for furnished by IDX/MLS.  You are sure to be able to find some that meet your needs and, with the market flooded with foreclosures and vacant properties, you will likely be able to get more home for your money now more than ever before.

Whether you are a first time home buyer or just looking for a new home, second home, or moving to the area, you will love the selection available to you. There’s no better time to look at homes for sale in Boise Idaho. Check out some of the links below that may be of interest to you. Remember these links and listings are current each morning provided by IDX/MLS. Take advantage of the market and the mortgage rates and be on your way to buying that new home.

View a few current listings on the market for less than 30 days of homes for sale in Boise Idaho under $250K furnished by IDX/MLS that are updated daily each morning:

All listings in Boise Idaho under $250K within 30 days.

All Short sale listing in Boise and Meridian Idaho.

All bank owned listings in Boise and Meridian Idaho.

Use your own search criteria through MLS to access the homes of your dreams in Boise Idaho or the surrounding cities or maybe you are looking for rental income whether a single family or home or multiple units.