The Idaho Home Specialist Blog

Because Identity Theft has become such a huge issue that can effect so many of us, I decided to have my associate, Joan Senitz, write a Guest Post highlighting some important information and facts we should all be aware of.

Identity Theft – Are you at risk?- by Joan Senitz, Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist

Yes, we all are. According to a Federal Trade Commission report of February 2008, nearly 23,000 people become victims of identity theft every day. In 2007 consumers lost 45.3 billion dollars in identity theft. And the director of the Boise Better Business Bureau stated that identity theft rose 3 to 4 times higher in 2007.

What is Identity Theft?

It is the act of someone stealing your personal information and using it to better themselves in a variety of ways. When most of us think of identity theft we think of credit card/financial. However, that’s only about 25 percent of the problem. Identity theft also includes, Driver’s License, Social Security, Medical, and Character/Criminal Identity Thefts, which make up roughly 75 percent of the crimes and can be far more devastating to an individual.

You can take precautions but unless you live in a cave in Outer Mongolia, you are still at risk. For information on things you need to be aware of and things you can do to help yourself contact me at 208–794-4811 or email me at jbsconsultingllc@q.com.

Joan Senitz is a Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist and President of JBS Consulting, LLC, a company dedicated to helping individuals and businesses be prepared for the “just-in-case” event of identity theft.

Here’s today’s gas price update. These are the best prices I’ve seen around town. From what I’ve noticed, most other stations are over $3- ugh!

1. COSTCO- (S Cole & Spectrum St) $2.89
2. FLYING J- (W. Overland & Entertainment) $2.93
3. MAVERIK- (7350 W. Victory Rd. & Cole) $2.96

Please note, gas pricing can change.

Talk soon,

You’ve made the decision to sell your home for sale by owner (fsbo). I’m sure that you’ve taken all the information into consideration, and you’ve decided that selling on your own is the right choice for you.

I feel very strongly that having representation along with the knowledge and expertise a real estate agent provides, so I do not necessarily agree with your choice, however I do respect it.

I’m not going to fill this post with a “Why You Should Use A Realtor” schpeal. What I will do is provide you with facts and statistics about selling your home on your own, along with some helpful tips that we, in the real estate industry, use when selling a home.

• FACT #1- FSBO Homes sell (on average) for between 15%-35% less than they would have with a Real Estate Agent- figures vary by market- Be prepared to list your home a bit lower than you would had you used a Realtor.

• FACT #2- Today, over 80% of Home Buyers begin their search on real estate sites on the Internet. Make sure your home has some sort of web presence.

• FACT #3- Over 80% of people looking for a new home enlist in the help of a Real Estate Agent.

Top 10 Professional Tips on Selling Your Home

1. Understand the current market. Find out what homes in your area are listed for, and more importantly have recently SOLD for when determining price.
2. Talk with a local title company or attorney and find out what forms are needed (contract, disclosures etc.)
3. Get your house ready to sell. It needs to be in “selling”- not “lived in” condition. Give it a good scrubbing, from floor to ceiling. Get your carpets cleaned. Use touch-up paint (or re-paint if needed). Spruce up your yard- no dead shrubs! Pack away clutter. Buyers want to see themselves living in your home. Family photos and clutter are distractions that will make it difficult for a buyer to see past.
4. Prepare print ads. This includes any newspaper and flyer advertisements you are going to use. Always keep flyers with you so you can hand them out to friends, family, co-workers etc. Let everyone you know, know your home is available.
5. Prepare online advertising. Compose a group e-mail and make sure to send it out to friends and family.
6. Purchase and place “For Sale” sign in yard. If your neighborhood, city etc. allow, place a directional for sale sign on the exterior of your subdivision.
7. Decide how you are going to show your home. By appointment only? Anytime? Remember that if a buyer is out looking at homes, and calls on your, you really need to be available quickly. In most instances, if a buyer is unable to see a property right away, they’ll move on to the next, especially in todays real estate market.
8. Think Safety. It’s always wise to have 2 adults available when showing the home for safety purposes. Always err on the side of caution.
9. Schedule “Open Houses”. Look around your neighborhood and notice when both foot/vehicle traffic are the highest. This is when you should hold your open house. Make sure to have flyers/ information on the home available to everyone who comes, and don’t forget to advertise the event (print and online!).
10. Determine whether you’ll be offering some sort of compensation to a real estate agent if they provide a buyer. If you decide that you will offer a commission, stop by local real estate offices and let the agents know about your home (remember to bring your flyers!).

The Griffith and Kraus Team does provide a Free service to folks who chose to sell their home themselves. Contact Us with any questions, and to find out what services we can provide to you At No Charge.

Good Luck!

Talk soon,

81 year old crooner, Tony Bennett will be performing on May 10th at the Morrison Center.

Mr. Bennett will be in Boise taking part in the Children’s Home Society Idaho Centennial Celebration. His fundraiser concert tickets go on sale Friday, 2/29 at all Select-a-Seat outlets and at the Morrison Center box office. Tickets can alsobe purchased online at www.idahotickets.com.

Ticket pricing will range from $75-$500. The $500 tickets are orchastra seating, and are limited.

Talk soon,

With gasoline prices so high, I thought I’d try and save you a few cents the next time you pull up to the pump. I’ll update the list every few days for you.

Gas prices (as of 2/24/0 in the Boise area are as follows:

1. COSTCO- (S Cole & Spectrum St) $2.90
2. CITCO- (44th & Chinden) $2.91
3. MAVERIK- (7350 W. Victory Rd. & Cole) $2.93
4. FLYING J- (W. Overland & Entertainment) $2.93
5. MAVERIK- ( Chinden & 52nd) $2.93
6. SHELL- (Eagle Rd. & Goldstone) $2.94
7. ALBERTSONS-(Overland & Orchard plus get addtl .03 off w/ Savings Card) $2.95

Please note that vehicle fuel prices can change.

Have a Fabulous Sunday!

Talk soon,

I’d like to introduce to you a quaint little neighborhood located in Southeast Meridian. Glacier Springs is a charming neighborhood of only 51 homes tucked nicely away from the hustle and bustle, yet within minutes to shopping, restaurants, schools, entertainment, hospitals, houses of worship, as well as having fabulous I-84 freeway accessibility.

Glacier Springs is located just east of Meridian Road off of Victory Road. The community backs up to 10 Mile Creek and provides an open, grassy area to play or relax and a water-front walking path to enjoy the serenity nature has to offer. Currently, there are 7 homes available, ranging from $409,000 to $525,000.

Glacier Springs Highlights

• Only 51 Beautiful Homes
• Convenient Southeastern Meridian, Idaho Location
• Fine Builders include: Borup Construction, Eaglewood Homes, Flaherty Construction, GQ Construction, Icon Homes, KW Homes Inc, Lashing Construction, Lifestyle Homes, Morgan Creek Homes, Shroeder Enterprise inc., Shadow Mountain Homes, and All American Homes
• Community includes charming walking path along 10 Mile Creek

Glacier Springs Schools

• McPherson Elementary School
• Lake Hazel Jr. High School
• Mountain View High School

If you have any questions about Glacier Springs, or would like to view any of the Beautiful Homes that are currently available, please contact us.

Talk soon,

We got a pretty good dose of snow today so I’ve been catching up on my reading. I just stumbled upon an interesting article in today’s Idaho Statesman titled “The open house: A waste of time, or a good way to sell homes”.

This article featured opinions from several local real estate agents.

Heidi’s take: I am a firm believer in the “OPEN HOUSE”. I feel it benefits everyone involved.

The Nay Sayer’s take is that the chances of a buyer walking up to a home’s open house and purchasing it are basically the same odds as hitting the lottery. Hmm… I personally know of several open houses that have generated sales. I am also aware that the more folks you can get to look at your home, the better the chances are of your home selling. Why wouldn’t you want to do everything you can to get people through to see it?

And so maybe the people that visit your open house don’t buy it. Perhaps the live in the neighborhood and are just being ‘nosey’. Did we ever stop to think that they just might have a friend or family member that might be looking for a new home?

Talk soon,

The Kuna city council is going to allow Red Cliff Development to Build Kuna’s largest retail center, which will be located on the southwest corner of Deer Flat and Meridian Road. It will include a Big Box Store (I’m not sure which one it’s going to be yet), along with 143 residential lots and a 2 acre park. Great news for Kuna!

Read the story here.

Talk soon,

Interesting FACT:

Owning your own home builds Your Personal Wealth, A LOT.

Statistic-

• Renters Average Net Worth- $4,800.00
• Home Owners Average Net Worth- $171,000.00

The numbers speak for themselves, don’t they?

Are you a renter? Contact Us to find out how you can build your personal net worth.

Talk soon,

Headlines read “National Housing Market blah blah blah…”

and what they ‘re forgetting to tell you is (drum roll please)- There is no such thing as a National Housing Market!

Each and every city’s real estate market is unique. The unfortunate decline in some areas of the country don’t have much to do with other areas that aren’t seeing the massive foreclosures and price reductions.

Can you say, S-P-I-N… Guess what, Katie Couric- The majority of Americans aren’t loosing their homes. The market hasn’t tanked. The mortgage companies haven’t stopped loaning money (as a matter of fact, there are some wonderful financing programs available- and rates are still great!).

Don’t get me started…

Talk soon