With mortgage rates that have not been seen in years comes new and improved mortgage scams. In this 5-part series, we will talk about mortgage scams to beware of as you head out into the sea of lenders in search of a good mortgage rate for your next (or first) home.

#1 – Reel Them In

This mortgage scam is one that has been around, in every service industry, for as long as scams have been around.  In this “Reel Them In” scam, the prospective buyer is reeled in with a promise of an exceptional deal.  It may be a great incentive, a low monthly payment, skipping payments, or even no points.

The prospective buyer gets excited about the rate, gets everything ready for the loan application, jumps through all the hoops put in front of him, and supplies an endless stream of paperwork.  Once everything is FINALLY to the lender, the lender states that the terms have changed or the rates are suddenly unavailable and offers a typically much less desirable deal. This deal, incidentally, will usually work out better for the lender.

In most cases, the prospective buyer will go ahead with the loan because they feel either there are no other options or they have put so much work into submitting the application and its accompanying forms that they don’t want to start over. The lender is hoping for this.

Beware of these types of mortgage scams. Make sure you get deals in writing, understand the terms, know of deadline dates, and go with a recommended lender.  This can help you ensure you are working with a reputable lender and are truly getting the deal.

Read about more scams in our ‘Beware of Mortgage Scams’ series.

You have decided that you want to buy a home.  Whether it is your first home or you are looking to upsize to accommodate your growing family, buying a new home means saving for a new down payment. 

Down payments today are typically between 10% and 30% of the total sales price of the home.  This means that, in order to plan for your down payment, you need to know the approximate price range you plan to purchase in and then make plans to save for the largest down payment that you can afford.

There are many ways to begin a down payment savings.  Here are some tips to help you start saving for that new home.

Budget – The first thing you will want to do is ensure you are on a budget and then find room for cost-cutting.  Having a budget allows you to see where all your money goes and where you can save money.  For instance, if you have a large amount of your budget going to discretionary areas like entertainment and eating out, you may be able to find some extra room each month to move some money to savings for that down payment

Savings Account – A good way to save and not worry about spending the money you are saving for the house on something else is to open a separate saving account for the down payment.  This will help you keep it separate and not think its ok to spend it if something comes up.  Putting just a little each month in the account will help you track it and build the savings up quickly and safely.

Extra Income – If you are serious about saving for your new home, a good way is to increase your income.  Even the slightest increase in income can mean a lot toward a down payment.  Consider odd jobs or part time jobs that can give you a little extra each week that can be put directly into your down payment savings account.

There are many ways to cut expenses and save money as you take on the heavy task of saving for a new down payment.  Be creative and be determined and you may find your down payment savings growing more quickly than you expected.

Here are a few active homes to view in Ada County under $150K that are 10 years old or newer furnished by IDX/IMLS.  These listings below are updated daily early each morning.

The Memorial Day holiday weekend will be here before we know it. What does this mean? It means the first holiday of the summer, the beginning of summer vacationing season, and time to enjoy the outdoors.

As you plan for your Memorial Day weekend, here are some things going on in the Boise, Idaho area that you might want to consider.

Meridian Speedway Racing – May starts racing season at one of Idaho’s oldest racing tracks in Meridian, Idaho. Consider the Napa Auto Parts Treasure Valley 100 on May 19^th or the Naylor Crow Memorial Classic 50’s on May 30^th.

Les Bois Park – May begins horse racing season at Les Bois Park in Garden City, Idaho with 36 races scheduled from May to August. Check out the website for events.

Concerts/Comedy – There are several concerts and comedy shows schedule for May. Ray Price will be at Cactus Pete’s in Jackpot, Nevada on May 12^th and Jerry Seinfeld will be at Morrison Center on May 17^th.

Circus Gatti – Circus Gatti is back in town on May 28 and May 29 at the Idaho Center.

There are many things for you and the family to do in the Boise, Idaho area throughout the month of May as we gear up for the summer and Memorial Day weekend. Be sure to plan something fun and get your summer off to a great start!

Buying your first home can be a very exciting time. However, to many first time home buyers, the process can be scary or, at the very least, intimidating. You may not be sure what to expect or how to proceed.

When buying your first house you will want to keep a few things in mind as you learn to navigate the process of buying a home.

• Hire a Realtor – Unless you have a family member who is a Realtor, you will be much better off having a realtor on your side to help your through the process of finding a home and going through the buying process. 
• Make sure you are ready – Just because everyone says you should buy a house now, because it’s a good time to buy, does not mean it’s a good time to buy for you. Run your budget, ensure you can afford a home, and make certain that you are ready for the commitment of home ownership. Home ownership costs much more than the sales price of the home.
• Assistance is available – Make sure that you speak with your lender and realtor about the programs that are available for first time homebuyers. These programs can be useful if you do not have 20% for a down payment or you want to purchase a fixer-upper that typical lenders won’t lend you the money to buy.
• Get pre-approved – One of the best things you can do to prepare for your house hunting days is to get pre-approved. Being pre-approved by a lender means that you have turned in your financial paperwork and application, your credit report has been run, and your credit score has been determined. This allows the lender to let you know how much of a loan you will be able to secure thus allowing you to determine how much house you can purchase. Just don’t forget that just because you “qualify” for a specific amount does not mean that is how much loan you need to secure.

Buying your first house is exciting. Be sure to do your research and hire a professional to help you navigate the process. This will make the home buying process go much more smoothly and help you be in your dream home as quickly as possible.

Here are a few short sale listings provided by IDX/IMLS under $150,000 that are available in Ada County that are updated each morning Monday through Friday.

This year commemorates the 150^th year since President Abraham Lincoln signed the 1862 Homestead Act.  The 1862 Homestead Act enabled heads of the household, regardless of gender, race, or citizenship status, to claim up to 160 acres of land for the price of the filing fee.  During the years of the Homestead Act, almost 10 million acres of land was homesteaded totaling 18% of Idaho being homesteaded as a direct result of the 1862 Homestead Act.

As the state of Idaho celebrates the 1862 Homestead Act, and its grand effects on the great State of Idaho 150 years ago, there will be many activities going on throughout the state during the month of May. If you are looking for some fun, historic activities for the whole family, you are in for treat this month.

Beginning May 2, 2012, there are many presentations, workshops, and events taking place in Boise.  Whether you are interested in a tour of the Historic Bown House on May 5, 2012 or want to listen along with your children to an oral presentation of the history of Idaho taking place at the Idaho State Historical Museum on May 5, 2012, you are sure to find something new to learn about the wonderful state of Idaho.

Archeology Days takes place May 17-20, 2012 at the Cyrus Jacobs-Uberuage House, which is sure to be a treat. There are many events and presentations taking place throughout the state, including a presentation on the history of Meridian, Idaho on May 10, 2012 at the Meridian City Hall, and a brown bag luncheon presentation regarding Notable Discoveries in Idaho Archeology sponsored by Boise State University, which will take place at Lake Lowell Park in Nampa, Idaho.

No matter what your interests, you are sure to find some wonderful activities and learning experiences throughout the state this May in celebration of this historic time in Idaho’s history. You can see everything planned in commemoration of the 1862 Homestead Act on the Idaho government website. Be sure to look for yourself and plan some great fun for the whole family.

Hiring a real estate agent to sell your home or help you find your next house can be a cumbersome process.  If you have never used a real estate agent before, or do not have any recommendations from friends to consider, you will want to ask an agent you are considering a few questions before you decide to have them work for you.

Here are five questions to ask before you hire a real estate agent to work with you on your home buying or selling adventure.

#1-Do you work full-time or part time and do you have a backup? – It is important to understand how the agent you are considering hiring works. If they only work part-time, what kind of system do they have in place to take calls about your property or take your call about a prospective property when they are not working? Do they have an assistant? Do they work for a big real estate company that handles calls at other times?

#2- How many sales did you have last year? – A new real estate agent may have under 10 sales in a year. The average real estate agent has between 10 and 20 sales per year. A well-performing real estate agent has between 20 and 50 sales per year and if you have a real estate agent that has over 50 sales per year, you are looking at a highly motivated, superstar agent. You may also want to ask what kind of experience they have with the type of property you are interested in, i.e. short sales, high end residential, or investment properties.

#3- What are your fees? – Understanding an agent’s fees from the beginning is important. Ask about their fees and how they are paid. You will want to understand if they have a minimum fee to collect, which means that if you accept an offer on your home where the buyer will only pay a certain amount of the fees, you may be responsible for the additional percentage of the fees if this is the case. Make sure you understand these caveats up front.

#4- Do you have any references? – Asking for written references from clients who have used a particular agent is a good thing. You will want to follow up with these references. When people find a good agent, they will use them again and refer them. Look for references that have used a realtor for more than one purchase or sale.

#5- Are you a Realtor? – Becoming a Realtor takes additional steps than just becoming a licensed real estate agent. The term “Realtor” relates to a licensed real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors. Though it is not imperative to have a Realtor rather than simply an agent, being a Realtor shows dedication to the field of real estate. Members take an oath to put their clients first and follow the guidelines and rules of the National Association of Realtors.

With so many people buying vacant, bank-owned or foreclosed-upon properties, it is important to keep in mind that many times these homes are winterized.  When purchasing a winterized home it is essential to understand what this means and be an informed buyer before deciding to make your final purchase.

When having the property inspected, you will want to consider some of these reasons to have the house de-winterized before your inspection.

Pipes – Just because a property has been winterized, it does not mean that it did not have damage before it was winterized.  Damaged, leaky pipes cannot usually be detected without running water. If the property has been winterized it is a good idea to have it de-winterized and then to have the water company turn on the water to the property. It is best to have someone at the house when the water is turned on if it has been off in case faucets were left on or pipes are broken.  Don’t forget about outdoor faucets.

Plumbing – To ensure you have an operating plumbing system in the house, you will want to have the house de-winterized to have the plumbing inspected.  This includes water pressure, under sink pipes, and toilet operation. Be sure to allow time for the water to be turned on and have toilets cleaned to be able to see the water and the water flow after the water is turned back on. Check inside the tank to ensure there is do no debris or damage before you start flushing toilets.

Crawl Space – Home inspectors check the crawl space for damage, including evidence of flooding. However, if the home has been winterized, it is possible that any flooding has evaporated or returned into the ground. Be sure to have the water turned on after de-winterization so that the pipes running through the crawl space can be inspected thoroughly. Remember, sometimes, in the case of vacant property, pipes may also have been removed.

Loan Requirements - Be careful to ask your lender if there are requirements regarding winterized properties. Some lenders require that a property that has been winterized to be de-winterized before inspection. You want to be sure to follow the guidelines of your lender to ensure there are no issues with your loan.

If you are seriously considering purchasing the home, it is a good idea to have it de-winterized before the home inspection. Though a winterized home can have an inspection done to it, several things that a home inspector would typically inspect cannot be inspected properly if the house is winterized.  If you are truly hoping to purchase the home, you may want to consider having it inspected after being de-winterized. This expense can be a small expense up front compared to the expense of repairing damages that you did not know about.

Spring is a great time to do some updating around your house? If you are making a list of those much-needed updates, consider this list of 10 Home Maintenance Tips for Spring on Yahoo! Real Estate by Paul Bianchina.

Whether you plan to start with cleaning up the yard or getting up on that roof and taking care of those neglected gutters, these tips are a great start to getting your house ready for the beautiful spring and summer months.

Here are the highlights from the 10 Home Maintenance Tips for Spring article:

1. Inspect Your Roof – Winter snow, ice, and even wind, can wreak havoc on your roof. Make sure you check it to ensure all shingles are intact and don’t forget about places that leaves build up.
2. Gutter/Downspouts – Check for leaf and debris buildup as well as any loose fasteners.
3. Fences and Gates – Winter weather can do a number on any type of fence or gate. Check your fencing to ensure posts have not been dislodged or for any rotting of fencing or posts.
4.  Clean up your Yard – Make sure you get rid of any debris left over from the fall and winter months. Prune trees and inspect for damage.
5.  Air Conditioners/Fans – Make sure you have your central air conditioner serviced before the summer. If you have a whole-house fan, you will want to have these inspected as well. Check fan ducts for damage or debris buildup as well.
6. Built-in Sprinkler System – If you have an outdoor sprinkler system, run a full cycle with all sprinkler heads to inspect where they are hitting and if they are working. Replace and adjust as necessary.
7. Vent blocks and Facet Covers – You crawl space vent blocks should be removed as soon as the threat of winter weather is over. You can then inspect the surrounding areas for damage and make certain that excessive dirt has not been displaced around the vents over the winter months.
8. Yard Tools – Now is the time to see if any of your spring/summer yard tools are in need of repair or replacement. Check handles, fittings, blades, and belts to see if they are working correctly or need serviced.
9. Furnace Filters – It is always a good idea to replace the furnace filter before beginning with the summer months. It keeps you on a good rotation with the filter so you can remember as well as get rid of the excess dust from the winter months.
10. Smoke Detectors – Checking your smoke detectors at least twice a year is very important. This is a good time to check them to ensure they are in working order. Replace batteries as well as clean to ensure proper working order.

Homes for sale in Canyon County, Idaho furnished by IDX/IMLS between $65K through $120K. These listings below are up dated daily Monday through Friday early each morning.   

As the market takes an upward turn to some of the best days we have seen in over 5 years, certain price categories are more sought after more than others to potential buyers. In demand price categories are something to consider if you have been trying to decide when to sell your house.

As the inventory of available homes in desirable price ranges remains slim, the demand for good homes in these price ranges remains high.  This makes listings very desirable. The most sought after price range is less than $120,000.  This price range still has a short supply of available homes in Ada County and therefore has more demand than supply.

The next most popular sales category is homes selling between $120,000 and $160,000, which accounted for almost 25% of all sales in March. Under $120,000 account for about 30% of all March sales in Ada County, Idaho. As you can see, over 50% of all March sales were of homes selling for $160,000 and under.

The more-demand-than-supply issue means that most sellers, especially those with houses listed below $120,000, are more likely to receive competing offers from potential homebuyers.  This can be good news for the sellers if they are lucky to have competing offers made on their house.

As a homeowner deciding whether you are ready to sell, you may find that now is finally the time to list your house. Especially if you are listing your house between $100,000 and $160,000, now may be a great time to list your house in Ada County, Idaho and get ready for some great offers.

Short Sale Homes for sale provided by IDX/IMLS in Ada county, Idaho between $100,000 and $160,000.  These listings are up dated daily Monday through Friday early each morning.

In most cases, no matter what condition your house is in, when it comes to selling, the number one factor in getting your house sold is the price. If you have not priced your home right, you will likely have trouble getting your house sold.

One of the first things that potential buyers look at is the listing price. In fact, in many cases, if you have priced your home out of the price range of the average buyer for your area, it is highly possible that they may never ever look at your house.

Potential homebuyers determine their home buying budget, presumably before they even start seeing property.  This means that if they have set their budget with a high end range of $200,000 and you have your listing price over that amount, a potential buyer may never ever see your property is available.  Though this is the very reason there are budgets and price ranges, it does become a concern when you over price or under price your home.

Under pricing has the same issues as overpricing in that a potential homebuyer will likely set a minimum home value for their search. Again, if you have under priced your property in hopes of a quick sale, you may actually be hurting yourself in limiting the number of potential buyers that actually view your home.

When determining the listing price for your home, it is important to consider comparable properties that have sold in your neighborhood, or surrounding areas, during the past 6 months, give or take. If you haven’t seen much property movement, you may have to go back 12 months.  Nevertheless, looking at the properties that have sold in your area that have a similar room count , square footage, and amenities is important in determining a good listing price for your home.

This is where a good realtor comes into play. Having a realtor working with you as the seller’s agent means that you have someone that can help you list your home, help you price it for the market, and be with you through the negotiation and closing processes. Having a realtor help you price your home is a good move toward ensuring you are not over pricing or under valuing your home.

In the end, the right buyer will come along – eventually. In order to ensure the buyer comes along more sooner than later, it is good to make certain that you have priced your house for the market it is in and have helped make sure the price is right for your area.

Here are a few homes to view in Boise, Idaho under $250,000 provided by IDX/IMLS that are up dated each morning:

Fresh interior paint, Vinyl siding, wood stove fireplace, newer vinyl windows and patio sliding door, newer carpet great room and stairs, new vinyl in kitchen, bathrooms, eating area, utility room, newer central air conditioner. Covered patio, Home inspection finished with all items fixed. Very clean townhome on a larger lot, fully fenced, storage shed, no back yard neighbors. Walk out your front door and have access to Mountain Home City Park with covered tables and play ground area.  What a home for only $54,500...MLS # 98493135

Fresh paint inside, Vinyl siding outside, wood stove fireplace, newer vinyl windows and patio sliding door, newer carpet great room and stairs, new vinyl in kitchen, bathrooms, eating area, utility room, newer central air conditioner. Covered patio, Home inspection finished with all items fixed. Very clean townhome on a larger lot, fully fenced, storage shed, no back yard neighbors. Walk out your front door and have access to Mountain Home City Park with covered tables and play ground area.

Click on this link to search, save and pull listings directly from IDX/IMLS.  Save this link since it is up dated daily each morning Monday - Friday.

Sping is a great time to do some updating around your house? If you are making a list of those much-needed updates, consider this list of 10 Home Maintenance Tips for Spring on Yahoo! Real Estate by Paul Bianchina.

Whether you plan to start with cleaning up the yard or getting up on that roof and taking care of those neglected gutters, these tips are a great start to getting your house ready for the beautiful spring and summer months.

Click on this link to do your own searching of homes in Mountain Home, Idaho through MLS.

Due diligence: it’s a phrase you hear a lot in real estate. Most agents toss it around, assuming their clients understand the concept. Many don’t.

In a nutshell, due diligence describes the expectation that homebuyers will take the steps necessary to inspect and investigate the property before binding themselves to its purchase.

While there are a number of ways to perform due diligence – reviewing the survey, checking that building permits were issued for any improvements – the most important step of all is that of obtaining a professional home inspection. 

The Idaho Code requires sellers to complete a property condition disclosure form. This form outlines all defects known to the seller. It is up to the buyer, however, to discover if the property has latent defects and that process requires the assistance of a home inspector.

Many homebuyers confuse the appraisal with the home inspection. The appraisal is performed, at the behest of the lender, to determine the home’s current market value. While the appraiser may take measurements and check certain aspects of the home, the process does not replace the home inspection and none of the information gathered is shared with the buyer.

Another common misconception is that the home inspector will find every possible defect in the home. Home inspectors, first of all, aren’t there to look for problems. The inspection is to let you know the condition of the home at the time of the inspection.

Furthermore, inspectors perform a limited examination of only the visible and accessible areas of the home. While the inspector will remove access panels to major systems and perform a visual inspection, he or she will not dismantle anything to find out if there are problems. There is no way he or she can tell you what lies within the walls or under the foundation of the home.

That said, the home inspection will provide you with a great deal of the information you need to make an informed decision about purchasing the home.

There are no state-mandated licensing requirements for home inspectors in Idaho. This makes finding a qualified, experienced inspector quite challenging. Ask those that you interview about their membership in the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and check with ASHI to ensure the inspector is certified with them. To become certified, an inspector must pass rigorous exams, have a certain number of inspections under their belts and then maintain their certification by attending continuing education classes.

ASHI maintains a database with contact information for their certified Boise area home inspectors.

Feel free to email or call me with any questions about the home inspection process or how to find a local inspector.

When buying a home, it is important to realize that home buying is a process and you have to be on top of your game from the start of the process until the end. If you are hoping to purchase a home, keep in mind these common ways that people can ruin their closing and stop the closing altogether.

1. Buying a Car – If you plan to buy a new car, wait until after you have closed on your house.  A large purchase like a car on credit (if you are paying cash, well, that is another thing), you could stop the deal. A lender could decide not to lend you the mortgage if they decide you now have overextended your finances. Or, at the very least, the lender may increase your interest rate due to the change in your credit score.
2. Job Changing – During the buying process is not the time to change employment. A change in employment is a red flag to many lenders and can ruin the deal before you know it.  Conventional loans typically look at employment longevity so job changing is not recommended when trying to purchase a home.
3. Closing Costs – Many buyers forget to plan for closing costs. Having money set aside for any potential closing costs is very important. Make certain you discuss with your realtor and/or your lender the expected closing costs you may be responsible for. Ensure you have this amount in your checking account and ready to go as this can be checked by your lender before closing.
4. New Credit – It is also important not to open any new credit accounts during the home buying process.  Your credit score is based on your income and your open and available credit. Increasing your available credit can lower your credit score and affect your mortgage terms or possibly cause your loan to not close.

Buying a home is an exciting time to many. Be sure that you are ready for the closing so that you are not blind-sided by any surprises that could prevent you from closing on your dream home.

When you are ready to sell your house, you typically hope to sell it easily and quickly. No one wants to see their house on the market for months on end without any prospects or offers. So how do you get your house to sell fast? Here are some secrets to getting it on the market and sold as quickly as possible.

Price it right – Really, this is the most important aspect of ensuring your house sells quickly – pricing it right. Many of us believe that we have a great house that is special, especially with all those amenities we have added over the years. However, unless you find the right buyer, which can take time, not everyone puts emphasis on the same amenities that you do. Therefore, pricing your house to sell is the most important aspect of selling your house fast. “Pricing it to sell” means that you need to consider what the average price of homes in your neighborhood is, for homes that are similar in size and room count to yours, that have sold.  Then put an asking price on your house that is comparable or below what these homes sold for. When pricing your house you need to decide your priorities – is it to get the most money out of your house or sell it fast? This can help you determine the best asking price for your home.

Maximize your space – No one is attracted to a cluttered home. Make sure that you unclutter and maximize space. This means that you may want to consider getting rid of unwanted and “decorative” furniture. You may even consider renting a storage unit and start removing furniture and extras.  Another consideration is to hire a professional stager or affiliate with a realtor trained in staging your home for sale. This can be a great way to make you rooms look bigger than they are and give your house a clean and organized appeal to potential buyers.

Be willing to negotiate – In the end, you need to be willing to negotiate with a potential buyer. They may want a different move-in date, part of their closing costs paid, or certain repair taken care of before they purchase the home. If you are willing to be flexible and negotiate with a buyer, you will find that your house will sell much more quickly.

Selling your home is an exciting time.  To ensure that it sells fast, you will want to make sure you follow some of these tips to give your house the best chance of a quick sale.

April is open house month so it’s time to get your house ready to be seen by some potential buyers. Here are some keys to a successful open house.

Plan/Schedule – Plan for the open house. Make sure that everyone is available, that you give plenty of time to advertise, and market the open house properly. Be sure NOT to plan around holidays and community events that could keep possible homebuyers from attending the open house. Be certain to invite current potential homebuyers that you know.

Stage/Setup – Stage the home before the day of the open house. De-clutter the rooms, remove unnecessary furniture, and rearrange furniture if necessary to have an appealing and welcoming feel in each room.  When setting up for the open house, make certain that documents are readily accessible, that rooms are well lit, toys and extras are removed from the yard, and everything has a clean and fresh scent and appearance.

Be Ready – Be certain to have plenty of paperwork, brochures, and snacks for everyone that may attend. Be prepared with offer paperwork as well. Having appraisal documents and comparable sales available to potential homebuyers is also important. Have everything accessible on a table. If there are blueprints, homeowners association information, or recent repairs and renovations to highlight, have this paperwork readily available as well.

Attitude – Make sure that you have the best attitude on the day of the open house. Be approachable and cheery.  Having a positive attitude and being able to be spoken to is important. If you have a real estate agent that is handling your open house, have a positive attitude and let your agent do his or her job.

Selling your house is an exciting time and an open house can be a great way to get prospective homebuyers looking at your home. You never know when that right buyer is going to come along.

If this home is still available click on the listing at bottom of this page to view photos and information on this listing.  This Nampa HUD Home is a tremendous value! This ranch style home features vaulted ceiling with plant shelves, vinyl siding, breakfast bar, and quick access to Interstate I-84. Disclosures: HOA Association fee of $100 Annually.

This Nampa ID HUD Home will be Sold “AS IS WHERE IS” by electronic bid only. Property is available for viewing on 4-14-12. Bids are due by 4-23-12 11:59 PM CST then daily until sold. FHA Case #121-228307. Insured. Eligible for FHA 203K. For Property conditions, Forms, Disclosures and availability please visit www.HUDHomestore.com. For additional forms, updates, step-by-step videos & free photo list, please visit www.BLBResources.com. BLB Resources makes no warranty as to condition of property. Buyer to verify all information

Conditions of HUD Home Buyer Bidding Process

Certain conditions must be met to determine the eligibility of a buyer to bid on a particular home. Only registered bidders can make offers on properties. Homebuyers must use a registered selling broker or selling agent to make an offer on their behalf.
 
Owner Occupant - Eligible owner occupants are individuals with a valid Social Security Number (SSN) who have not purchased a HUD property within the past two (2) years. They can bid on homes in the Exclusive or Extended periods. Owner occupants rank above nonprofits and government agencies in the bid-selection process for Exclusive and Extended listings.
 
Investor - Eligible investors are individuals with a valid Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN). They can only bid on homes in the Extended phase and are ranked below other types of bidders in the bid-selection process.

All HUD Home listings that are up dated early each morning Monday - Friday.  If the listing above is not showing below then the listing is either SOLD or Pending or has been withdrawn:

There are so many things to think about when you finally find the home you want to purchase. From the home inspection to the final walk-through, you have several opportunities to go over the home’s features.

Take a look at those windows before you sign on the dotted line at the closing table. Take a good, long and close look. Keep in mind that 15 to 22 percent of heat loss occurs through a home’s windows.

If you’re selling a Boise home, consider this: the installation of vinyl windows makes your home far more attractive to homebuyers and you will recoup 67.5 percent of the cost of installing them in added home value, according to a study performed by Remodeling Magazine.

It’s obvious that energy efficient windows save money on utility bills and new vinyl windows almost pay for themselves with the value they add to the home. There are additional benefits as well. These include:

More Sunlight

The low-E windows reduce the amount of solar heat that enters the home while maintaining the amount of light that enters a room.

Condensation

Because the frame, space and glazing materials resist heat conduction, condensation is reduced.

Protection from Fading

Plastic films and coatings reduce ultraviolet radiation, which causes fading of carpets and upholstery.

Tax Savings

While energy efficient windows installed in 2011 may qualify for a Federal tax credit, saving you even more on the cost of new windows. There is no credit for those put into service in 2012.

When shopping for new energy efficient windows you’ll find a variety of types and materials. Frames may be aluminum, wood, vinyl or wood clad in vinyl or aluminum. Vinyl windows provide a higher level of efficiency than the less-expensive aluminum windows.

The process of choosing new windows may be confusing, but the folks at the Efficient Windows Collaborative have recommendations for both new Boise homes and existing homes in the Boise area.