The Idaho Home Specialist Blog

My opinion is all fine and dandy… But one’s take on a subject is just that. An opinion.

Being in the Real Estate field opens Gary and I up to endless conversation possibilities with everyday people about where we, and they see our current market.

Unfortunate for me, my crystal ball broke. I can’t tell anyone exactly what it going to happen in the near- or distant- future.  I can only take the current information and past trends and convey what I feel is going to happen.

But, I can present the facts. Actual numbers. What has, and is currently happening right here in our local real estate market.

Over the next several days I’m going to be doing a bit of research that I’ll be passing along to you.  Factual numbers and percentages relating directly to our local Treasure Valley housing market.

Make sure to check back in frequently,  as I hope to provide you a bit more insight as to where we  sit in the scheme of things.

Talk soon,

Gary and I send out a Monthly Neighborhood Newsletter that’s not only chocked full of great neighborhood info, but also includes a Monthly Drawing!

Congratulations to Megan Willes, our March Winner! Megan won a Family 4 pack to Shankz Black Light Miniature Golf.

If you’re interested in receiving our Monthly Newsletter, Contact Us. Make sure to let us know the name of your subdivision, as we personalize each newsletter- tailoring it to your neighborhoods current homes that are listed, have pending sales and homes that have recently sold!

April’s Free Drawing will be a $25.00 Gift Card to Applebee’s!

Make sure to sign up today for your chance to win!

Good luck!

Talk soon,

Everybody has a price.

I mean a price that they want to sell their home for.

However, pricing your home in today’s real estate market can be a bit of a challenge, can’t it? You have a dollar figure in your mind, right? Your Realtor’s probably given you a number different than the one in your head, hasn’t he or she?

So where is that magical number that is actually going to sell your house coming from?

Well, I’m sorry to say, there isn’t a magical number. It all boils down to FAIR MARKET VALUE.

What’s fair market value, you ask. That’s a really good question, because there really isn’t anyone who can answer. Fair Market Value is the amount a Buyer is willing to pay for your house in your current market, right now.

I previously wrote a series of posts discussing what it takes to sell your home in our current real estate market- presentation, placement in the market, and PRICE.

Now we’ve got to figure out what the fair market price of your home is. Depending on your current real estate market, your current city and your current neighborhood- your Realtor should be able to look at the homes that have recently sold that are comparable to yours.

Gone are the days we could use homes that sold more than 4-6 months prior. To get an accurate dollar figure, we must look at the homes that sold within a 3 month window, if available.

A lot of people look at the homes that are currently for sale in the neighborhood. That isn’t always a wise choice to make, as the homes listed may not have an accurate fair market value price tag. We, as agents should take those homes into consideration, however, I myself, don’t focus too strongly on them. It’s the hard facts- what’s actually sold- that is going to give us a clearer picture.

In today’s real estate market we’ve got to also understand that many buyers are making offers, usually lower than the listed price. Your Realtor should take into consideration what the general area Sales Prices (the price homes have actually sold for, vs. what they were listed for) have been. Gary and I typically look at the percentage differences for list vs. selling prices. This gives our Clients a very realistic dollar figure at which to list their home, and what their home will probably sell for.

Keep in mind, the more realistic you are with your pricing structure, the sooner your house is going to sell.

Depending on your personal circumstances, now may, or may not be the time for you to sell. Whether the reason is job relocation, a new purchase, financial reason, or various other scenarios, you best bet is to discuss your individual situation with a real estate agent, and then go from there.

As I’ve said many times before, we in the Treasure Valley should consider ourselves quite lucky. Our local Real Estate Market is fairing far better than many in the nation. Buyers are purchasing homes. Our areas foreclosure rate is less than 1%. A lot better than nearby metro areas such as Phoenix, Las Vegas, and many parts of California.

If you live in the Treasure Valley, and are interested in receiving a FREE Market Analysis for your home, or have any questions regarding our Local Real Estate Market: Click Here, or Contact Us.

Talk soon,

Well, half of Spring Break is over. Are you at wits end as to what to do with the kids now?

How about taking the entire family to Shankz Glo-Par-Tee Black light miniature golf?!

Gary and I met Jon and Jan, the owners of Shankz, a few months ago. I’ve seen my fair share of miniature golf courses, but boy- these guys have all the others I’ve ever seen beat!

Shankz is located conveniently off of Fairview and Main at 82 E. Fairview in Meridian, Idaho. It’s tucked neatly away in the Cherry Plaza Shopping Center, right down from Albertson’s.

Although  Shankz  concept is quite simple- indoor miniature golf- the experience is like no other! Once you walk in the door, you’ll know exactly what I mean.

There are 3 very unique and different themes, one for every six holes. Themes include Jungle Animals,Underwater Life, and Prehistoric Beasts- all very coolly painted in glow-in-the-dark paint on every inch of the course.

Not only will all the creatures that jump out at you, but the carpets will have you mesmerized with their psychedelic hues! Oh, and the golf balls even glow in the dark! For a few extra bucks, make sure to pick up some 3-D glasses- their sure to add even more excitement to the game (although I don’t know if anything could possibly help mine!).

Along with the amazing miniature golf course, Shankz also has a seventeen game arcade with something for just about every gamer!

Shankz also offers 3 party rooms, each matching one of the courses themes. A fun and fabulous place for Birthday parties, private parties, team building, church parties and fund-raisers.

What are you waiting for? Get yourself and the kids over to Shankz Glo-Par-Tees Black Light Miniature Golf! Make sure to say hello to Jan and Jon- tell them Heidi sent you!

SHANKZ GLO-PAR-TEE HOURS:

Tues-Thurs: 11am- 8pm
Fri-Sat: 10am-10pm
Sunday: 12pm-8pm
Monday: Closed (with the exception of some holidays- call for info)

ADMISSION FOR 18 HOLES:

General (10-64) $7.50
Kids (4-12) $6.50
Seniors (65+) $6.00
Kids (3+under) FREE with paid Adult

Phone: 208.888.2760
Website: http://www.shankzglowgolfing.com/

With the wonderful weather we’ve been having, it definitely feels like the beginnings of Spring here in the Treasure Valley ! The annual Spring Home and Garden Show couldn’t have come at a better time!

The Home Show will be held at Expo Idaho (formerly the Idaho Fairgrounds) beginning tomorrow, Thursday March 13 until Sunday, March 16th.

Our company, Realty Executives of Treasure Valley, is excited about participating in this years show! We will have a booth in the temporary structure, just across from the main building.

There will be several free drawings for a lot of great prizes, so make sure to stop by our booth and sign up!

Show times are as follows:

Thursday 3/13- 5:00 PM- 9:00 PM
Friday 3/14- 5:00 PM- 9:00 PM
Saturday 3/15- 11:00 AM- 9:00 PM
Sunday 3/16- 11:00 AM- 5:00 PM

Remember to stop by to say hello and sign up for the free drawings!

Talk soon,

Did you ever drive into a neighborhood and it just make you feel ‘good’? That’s always the feeling I get when I go into Meridian Greens.

Meridian Greens subdivision is a lovely community of beautiful homes located off of Overland Road, between Meridian Rd. and Locust Grove in Meridian Idaho.

The homes in the neighborhood range in size and design, but there is definitely one constant in the community. Pride of Ownership! The yards are always impeccably manicured, and beautifully landscaped. Winding streets and plenty of lush green areas add to the appeal at Meridian Green.

I was in Meridian Greens this past weekend, and with the gorgeous Spring-like weather we so fortunately had- people were out tending to their yards, talking afternoon walks, and visiting with one another. As I passed by the neighbors, everyone was always offering a friendly smile and wave hello.

Currently, there are 7 homes for sale in Meridian Greens. Sizes range from 2,012 sq. ft to 3,608 sq. ft., and the values range from $259,900 - $464,000.

If you have any questions, or would like to experience Meridian Greens for yourself, contact us.

Talk soon,

Just wanted to remind everyone about the OPEN HOUSE at 5354 Paulson Place tomorrow. It’s a fabulous 2080 sq. ft. with 4 bedrooms and 2 baths. The home is located in Boise, ID near Hewlett Packard.

The home is Price to Sell, at a wonderful value of only $209,000!

For more information on this great home, contact us.

Visit the original post here.

Talk soon,

We will be hosting an Open House on Sunday, March 8th at 5354 N. Paulson Place from 1 pm until 4pm. This beautiful home is located in the Skyline Community, conveniently located just of Chinden Blvd. and Maple Grove in Boise, Idaho.

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Hope to see you there!