Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that the housing market in Boise is very competitive right now. And, if you’re a buyer, looking in East Boise, real estate inventory is low especially—in the lower-priced homes.

So, how do you ensure you beat the competition on a property and get the one you want when you see it? A first step is to talk with a lender and get yourself pre-approved for a mortgage. Sellers will know that you are serious and ready to go if they receive your offer with a letter of pre-approval. It’s also the best way for you to know how much you can pay for a house.Realtor.com offers the following explanations:

What is mortgage pre-approval, anyway?

Mortgage pre-approval is that step in the process where a lender probes deep into your financial past, checking out your income, debts, credit score, and other factors that help it determine whether or not to give you a home loan—and how much money you stand to get. And that helps you set your sights on the right price range for a home.

Be prepared to offer up a pile of paperwork to earn your pre-approval. In general, the paperwork you’ll need to assemble for your lender includes the following:

• Pay stubs from the past 30 days showing your year-to-date income
• Two years of federal tax returns
• Two years of W2 forms from your employer
• 60 days or a quarterly statement of all of your asset accounts, which include your checking and savings, as well as any investment accounts such as CDs, IRAs, and other stocks or bonds
• Any other current real estate holdings
• Residential history for the past two years, including landlord contact information if you rented

Pre-approval vs. pre-qualification: What’s the difference?

Mortgage pre-qualification entails a basic overview of a borrower’s ability to get a loan. You provide a mortgage lender with information—about your income, assets, debts, and credit—but you don't need to produce any paperwork to back it up. As such, pre-qualification is relatively easy and can be a fast way to get a ballpark figure of what you can afford. But it's by no means a guarantee that you'll actually get approved for the loan when you go to buy a home.

Getting pre-approved, in contrast, is a more in-depth process that involves a lender running a credit check and verifying your income and assets, says Rodriguez. Then an underwriter does a preliminary review of your financial portfolio and, if all goes well, issues a written commitment for financing up to a certain loan amount; this commitment is good for up to 90 or 120 days. So as long as you find your dream house and officially apply for your loan approval in that time period, you're good to go!

When you are ready to buy, talk to your lender and get pre-approved. In today’s real estate market, it is a necessity.

Here’s some more info on the mortgage process:

And, if you need a recommendation for a great lender or if you are considering buying or selling and would like to talk with us about what your options are, give us a call! Templeton Real Estate Group—208.473.2203 or via the web. We offer a free and confidential consultation. And, remember if you choose to list with us, we offer a complimentary staging service that, combined with our marketing expertise, will sell your house for more. You may not need to spend a lot in improvements to sell…staging may be all you need to make your house shine. We are TOP BOISE REAL ESTATE agents who know Boise real estate.

By Bonnie Way Snider, Licenced Realtor® and Blogger 

Sources:

Realtor.com®: https://www.realtor.com/advice/finance/why-mortgage-pre-approval-matters/; https://www.realtor.com/advice/finance/get-a-mortgage-preapproval/

Okay, we’re a month into the New Year…and likely, one of your New Year’s Resolutions was to get your house more organized. And, if you’ve found yourself walking in circles around your house looking for your car keys, it is also likely, you haven’t quite accomplished that goal yet.

Scientifically speaking, the desire to maintain a tidy home can actually make you healthier.

As Psychology Today points out, one study found that people who kept their homes clean were physically healthier and more active than those with messy abodes, while another study discovered that women who described their homes as "cluttered" were more likely to be fatigued, depressed, and stressed. If that's enough to convince you to bust out your dustpan and labeling machine, consider this New Year Home Organization 101.

Getting organized and clearing out clutter is a goal for many of us and can be overwhelming. However, with some small steps and an action plan, you can do this!

First - Be Realistic

·        Set smaller, more attainable goals over time rather than one gigantic goal.

·        Try to de-clutter one room a month.

·         Do just 10 minutes/one drawer/one shelf/one box per day – sometimes limiting yourself to tiny parcels of time is less intimidating and, therefore, more productive than devoting an entire weekend.

Change Your Attitude

·        Ask yourself: What is the positive result of the resolution? Avoid hinging your self-worth on the accomplishment of the resolution.

·        Create a reward system for attaining goal or for each month on track.

·        Use de-cluttering or purging as a meditation: each item has a story or is part of your story, so “thank” the item for the story, close that chapter and move on.

·        Whether you have a lot or a little, be grateful for what you have. This will make passing it on easier and even fulfilling.

·        Going through your stuff can be like shopping in your own closet – you’ll find gems you’d forgotten you had!

·        Find a charity and donate — tax deduction is a bonus!

·        Get your kids involved. Have them fill one box or bag to give away, and let them help pick the charity.

Reward Yourself

·         Take a moment and pat yourself on the back for each drawer you organize, each pile you pare down, and each bag you take out to recycle, toss or donate

·         Celebrate with small rewards each month you stick to your plan

·         Something you’ve been wanting? Make it a reward after completing a large project

·         If cold, hard cash will ease the pain, consign your treasures at a local shop or sell on eBay

Stay Accountable

·         Agreements we make with ourselves are easy to fudge: Find someone to commit to your decluttering goal with, whether it’s one person or a group. Everyone should set a goal — whether it’s a similar or different project — and hold each other accountable. Encourage each other, confess when you fall behind, and share rewards and celebrations!

"A new year is a great time to evaluate what is working in your life, and set intentions for the future. If your space has become filled with physical clutter, this can create an underlying feeling of stress or of being stuck," professional organizer and Composed Living founder Elsa Elbert tells MyDomaine. "I often find in working with clients that when they begin to address the build of physical items, they make room for positive change in the rest of their life."

Before you get started, visualize the outcome and how great you will feel with less clutter in your home. Decluttering your home helps you declutter your mind – so keep your eye on the prize and get started. You can do it!

CLICK HERE for more organizing tips!

If you are considering selling your current house and would like to talk with us about what your options are, give us a call! Templeton Real Estate Group—208.473.2203 or via the web. We offer a free and confidential consultation. And, remember if you choose to list with us, we offer a complimentary staging service that, combined with our marketing expertise, will sell your house for more. You may not need to spend a lot in improvements to sell…staging may be all you need to make your house shine. We are TOP BOISE REAL ESTATE agents who know Boise real estate.

Are you a buyer looking for a new home? Come see East Boise and everything that makes it great — Boise River, Boise Greenbelt, and our beautiful Boise Foothills. Whether walking, hiking, jogging, biking, or just appreciating the views, these are Boise gems and treasures of our Valley. And, a large reason why builders like Boise Hunter Homes and Brighton Corporation are developing in Harris Ranch and River Heights.

By Bonnie Way Snider, Licenced Realtor® and Blogger

Sources:

Pottery Barn. https://blog.potterybarn.com/how-to-make-home-new-years-resolutions-that-last/

My Domaine. http://www.mydomaine.com/new-year-organization

Most Organized Home in America (Part 1) by Professional Organizer & Expert Alejandra Costello. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoC83JhkCAw

As Boise continues to make all of the “best cities in the country to live” lists, people continue to relocate here. And, as people continue to move here, real estate inventory has decreased – driving up demand and prices.

Boise Regional Realtors® (BRR) reports that while existing home inventory is down, new construction homes are on the upsurge. There were 317 more new homes for sale in Ada County in December 2017 than existing homes. The actual numbers reported for Ada County were 854 new homes, compared to 537 existing homes on the market in December 2017.

According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), we need builders to bring more product online to pull us out of our local inventory shortage, so an increase in new construction is welcomed. But some question if this strategy could lead to another wave of overbuilding like we saw in the mid-2000s. At that time, new construction was more speculative, which led to more new houses than there was demand. Today’s new construction inventory levels are much more in line with buyer demand for new homes, which has increased with the Boise region’s population growth.

Last May, the Idaho Business Review reported that Boise joined Salem, Ore.; Seattle; Greeley and Fort Collins, Colo.; and Provo, Utah, as the only cities among the 95 markets that ATTOM Data Solutions, curator of the nation’s largest multi-sourced property database, analyzed to hit record highs in the January-to-March timeframe. Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Florida, Washington, Oregon and Colorado were the seven fastest-growing states in 2016, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

CLICK HERE to Watch the Ada County Market Report for December 2017.

If you are considering selling your current house and would like to talk with us about what your options are, give us a call! Templeton Real Estate Group—208.473.2203 or via the web. We offer a free and confidential consultation. And, remember if you choose to list with us, we offer a complimentary staging service that, combined with our marketing expertise, will sell your house for more. You may not need to spend a lot in improvements to sell…staging may be all you need to make your house shine. We are TOP BOISE REAL ESTATE agents who know Boise real estate.

Are you a buyer looking for a new home? Come see East Boise and everything that makes it great — Boise River, Boise Greenbelt, and our beautiful Boise Foothills. Whether walking, hiking, jogging, biking, or just appreciating the views, these are Boise gems and treasures of our Valley. And, a large reason why builders like Boise Hunter Homes and Brighton Corporation are developing in Harris Ranch and River Heights.

By Bonnie Way Snider, Licenced Realtor® and Blogger

Sources:

Boise Regional Realtors. http://boirealtors.com/category/news/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sD0gpEEhHEc

Data from Boise Regional REALTORS® (BRR) and the Intermountain MLS (IMLS) as of [DATE]. These statistics are based upon information secured by the agent from the owner or their representative. The accuracy of this information, while deemed reliable, has not been verified and is not guaranteed. The IMLS and BRR provide these statistics for purposes of general market analysis but make no representations as to past or future performance.

Idaho Business Review: https://idahobusinessreview.com/2017/05/08/boise-was-among-six-cities-to-hit-record-high-home-prices-this-winter/

Fall in love with this North end charmer! Enjoy an active Boise lifestyle w/ quick access to Hyde Park's shops & restaurants, Boise Co-op, downtown, Memorial Park, the foothills & Bogus Basin. This unique loft-style 2 bedroom is filled w/ artistic flare from the exposed wood beams & cathedral ceilings to the original hardwood floors. Entertaining made easy w/ an open floor plan, outdoor patio & fully fenced backyard. Oversized 2 car garage w/ tons of storage space is a rare opportunity in this location. OPEN SUNDAY 1 to 3 PM More Details Here

Call Templeton Real Estate Group Today for your private tour! 208.473.2203

See More homes For sale in North Boise

Billionaire: Buy A Home… And If You Can, Buy A Second Home!

Who is John Paulson and why should you listen to him?

What do others think of Paulson?

So… Is what he said still true?

Bottom Line

Come see Harris North in East Boise!

Join us at 6129 E Hootowl Drive for our Sip & Sunset event, Saturday, January 20 from 3-5pm and get a view from the top.

Come see why this community is so special. Nestled amid breathtaking scenery and wildlife, you have easy access to the many trails in the Boise Foothills, the Boise River and Greenbelt, Lucky Peak Reservoir, Barber Park and Marianne Williams Park. And, you’re just minutes away from great neighborhood eateries such as (our home) Bown Crossing’s Bier 30, The Tavern, Boise’s Fry Company and Locavore, as well as Harris Ranch’s Lucky 13 and one of our favs the Coffee Mill. Throw in great schools and a fabulous new library…and you’ve got it all!

If you are considering a move to East Boise, you will want to put Boise Hunter Homes' Harris North on your must-see list. See you there!

Gorgeous views - CLICK HERE to see aerial footage!

We all want to make more money, right? And, the Boise real estate market is hot, right? Well, why not take advantage and sell your home. Maybe you’ve been thinking about it for a while, but were a little unsure about the best time to do it. Now could be the right time.

Low inventory, low mortgage rates and record numbers of people relocating to the Treasure Valley - Boise, Eagle and Meridian areas - could mean more money in your pocket and a new start for the new year.

Be prepared to do a little work, however, if you want to capitalize on the sale of your home. The work may include everything from refreshing the interior and exterior paint to repairing small jobs you’ve been putting off. Your house will be competing against new homes that are being built all over the Valley so it needs to shine.

In fact, Boise Regional Realtors reports that in December 2017 there were more new construction homes for sale in Ada County over existing homes. Local inventory is low, which translates to, homes are in demand.  “In demand” is good for you, the seller. While some people like the idea of buying a new home, others prefer an existing home in an established neighborhood. Make your house as move in ready as possible and you can tout that the buyer won’t have to live with the construction noise and mess, and emphasize that the landscaping and perimeter fencing is already done, thereby, saving the buyer more time and money.

So, where do you start? If there are obvious things to fix, fix them. Then, find a good and experienced Realtor® who will provide you with the steps you need to take and guide you through the process. Interview the agent or agency team to find out what they bring to the table. For example, here at Templeton Real Estate Group, we believe that professional staging is a must to bring you a faster sale and for more money, and we offer that service complimentary with all of our listings. Also, some agents may tell you your home is worth more than it is to encourage you to choose them. However, overvaluing a property can be just as dangerous as undervaluing it. If the price is too high for the area or property type, your home could end up on the market for months. Eventually it will be necessary to drop the price, and some buyers may interpret this as a sign of desperation and will offer even less than the property is worth. Make sure your agent has a plan to market and sell your house and will clearly communicate with you.

The thought of selling your house can feel overwhelming, however, you are not alone. Talk with your agent about a plan, use their expertise to guide you and the pieces will fall into place. Keep your eye on the prize – the new home you’ve been dreaming about – and you’ll see it was all worth it.

In the meantime, here’s some good advice from HGTV "Property Brothers" stars who share their inside secrets on how to price your home to sell! Good advice for our Boise real estate market right now.

Click here for more tips here on getting your house ready to sell.

If you are considering selling your current house and would like to talk with us about what your options are, give us a call! Templeton Real Estate Group—208.473.2203 or via the web. We offer a free and confidential consultation. And, remember if you choose to list with us, we offer a complimentary staging service that, combined with our marketing expertise, will sell your house for more. You may not need to spend a lot in improvements to sell…staging may be all you need to make your house shine. We are TOP BOISE REAL ESTATE agents who know Boise real estate.

Are you a buyer looking for a new home? Come see East Boise and everything that makes it great — Boise River, Boise Greenbelt, and our beautiful Boise Foothills. Whether walking, hiking, jogging, biking, or just appreciating the views, these are Boise gems and treasures of our Valley. And, a large reason why builders like Boise Hunter Homes and Brighton Corporation are developing in Harris Ranch and River Heights.

By Bonnie Way Snider, Licenced Realtor® and Blogger

Sources:

Boise Regional Realtors. http://boirealtors.com/new-construction-homes-available-existing-ada-county/

Business Insider. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZIv4ulmzww