Buying a home is one of the, if not the, biggest investments you will make in your lifetime. And, like any other investment, you hope to see a return. The good news is that if you have bought a home in Boise and are looking to sell, you may very well reap that reward.

According to Boise Regional Realtors, median sale prices in Ada County are up 10.3%, growing from $218,700 (62 closed home sales) in July 2015 to $241,200 (74 closed home sales) in July 2016. With mortgage rates remaining low, now might be a great time to consider a move!

Take a look here to get an idea of what your East Boise neighborhood’s home value is:

East Boise Neighborhood Home Values

If you are considering putting your house on the market, you will want to get top dollar so you’ll have to be sure your house looks its best. Most experts agree that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get your house to shine, but you may have to put in a little ‘elbow grease.’ A little work and time spent prepping your home for sale will make it shine above the others.

Once you have made the decision to sell, you should look at your house with an objective eye. Walk around your house, inside and out, and consider the things that you would see if you were a buyer. For example, that crack in the ceiling that you’ve ignored for the last couple of years may stand out now that you have a critical eye, and it may be time to fix it.

You may want to consider staging your home. This practice has proven to be very effective, as it sells home faster and maximizes your profits. Staging may be as simple as re-arranging and decluttering your personal items or it may be whole home staging. Templeton Real Estate Group is experienced and trained in preparing your home to appeal to more buyers.

Read below for 10 tips HGTV suggests you should do to get your East Boise home ready to sell, increase its worth and stand out:

1. Improve your landscaping. Curb appeal is crucial to a good first impression, so make sure your home’s lawn is immaculate. Mow the lawn, prune the bushes, weed the garden and plant flowers.
2. Clean the outside. A sloppy exterior will make buyers think you’ve slacked off on interior maintenance as well. Be sure to clean the gutters and pressure wash your home’s siding.
3. Make repairs. In a buyer’s market, you want your home to be in the best condition possible. Take care of major defects like broken windows or a leaky roof that could discourage buyers.
4. Make the front door inviting. A fresh coat of paint, especially in a color that contrasts with the home, will make the front door stand out. Replace faded house numbers so buyers can see them from the curb.
5. Buy a new welcome mat. Let buyers know they’re invited into your home.
6. Remove clutter and depersonalize. Buyers want to envision their belongings in your home. Clean up by renting a storage unit for knickknacks, photos, extra furniture and other personal items.
7. Organize closets and drawers. Messy closets give the appearance that your home doesn’t have enough storage space.
8. Make every surface shine. From ceiling fans to floors and everything in between, clean your home until it sparkles.
9. Take color down a notch. You might like your lime-green bedroom, but it may sour buyers. Paint your walls a neutral color that will appeal to a wide range of buyers.
10. Eliminate bad odors. Hide the litter box and spray air neutralizer throughout your home. When showing the home, fill it with inviting smells by putting out fresh flowers and baking a batch of cookies.

When you are ready to sell, call Templeton Real Estate Group for outstanding service and negotiating expertise. We’ll make your sale hassle free, get you top dollar and put profits in your pocket!

Schedule your complimentary consultation today! Call 208.473.2203

Sources:

http://boirealtors.com/category/market-info/

http://www.hgtv.com/design/real-estate/10-ways-to-…

We hate to say it, especially with the temps in Boise dictating we wear shorts and flip flops, but summer-is-officially-OVER! Okay, maybe it’s not ‘official’ since the first day of fall is September 22, however, let’s face it, once the kids are back in school, summer is over.

There’s something about this time of the year, maybe it’s that little hint of crispness you feel in the morning air, a slight change of smell that seems to linger on your senses and the leaves on the trees that start to turn that golden hue that fills us with the excitement of transformation. Something’s anew and the anticipation of what’s coming fills us with…

Well, it could be dread, if you are the parents of school-aged children. Yes, that’s right. Once we get over the smells of new crayons and the fret over which locker embellishment to buy, the realization sets in that all of this newness is going to bring a surge of papers, and things scattered about the house – backpacks, library books, lunch bags, etc. – with no ‘home’ to live in.

The good news is that all of this new clutter can be neatly stowed away with some simple and inexpensive ideas that you can put together yourself in a day!

First, be sure that each child has their own station. That is, a place to hang their backpack and coat, (either in your mudroom, laundry room, a hallway, or in their bedroom) and a place to separate papers. Soft or hard-sided files work well for organizing papers so that homework sheets can be separated from miscellaneous school handouts. If you don’t have room on a wall for this, at the very least consider hanging the files for papers on the inside of your hall closet door.

You may want to place a small tub beneath each backpack hook for shoes and/or various sports and activities equipment. Gloves, balls, bags, and other gear can easily be tossed in and keeps it off the floor. As we know, with the start of school comes the start of other after-school activities and these things add to the clutter.

And, to keep all of the schedules in order, find what works best for your family. You can consider a small white board or calendar hung above each child’s station to record due dates for projects and library books as well as days/times for various activities. Or, if you’d prefer, one large white board or bulletin board with a calendar can be hung to record everybody’s schedules that can easily be seen at a glance.

A little time spent now to help everybody get organized will go a long way to keeping the clutter down in your house – and in your head. Mix and match ideas and find what works best for your family. Happy Back-to-School!

Well, it’s hard to believe it, but now that it’s November, it’s time to winterize your Boise home. Getting your home ready for the winter might be a little easier to do while the weather is still relatively nice here in East Boise and the surrounding areas. Best to get things done before things freeze! And, for the most part, all it will cost you is a little elbow grease to protect your Boise home real estate investment and keep more dollars in your pocket!

Prepare Your Furnace

This one is at the top of the list for a reason: Making sure your furnace is functioning is most important thing you can do when going through your winter prep checklist. Change the furnace filters, even if it’s only been a few months. Some filters should even be changed monthly. Stock up on filters while you’re at it so you don’t have to worry about it later on. If you have a hot-water radiator, bleed the valves by opening them slightly and closing them again once water appears. If you really want to be thorough, contact your local HVAC professional for a regular maintenance inspection.

Clean Rain Gutters

Now is a good time to clean your rain gutters. They are essential to the overall protection and safety of your home. When you clean your rain gutters, look for any potential problems that could block water from freely flowing through your gutters. This will help prevent icicles and ice dams from forming later. If you don’t want to brave getting up on a ladder, contact a service provider to take care of it.

Seal All Leaks

Want to save money on your heating bill this winter? Well, then you might want to seal any leaks to prevent cold air from getting in. The better your home is sealed, the less the heater will have to kick on. Check your roof for loose or missing shingles and look for gaps around the chimney area. From there, check the foundation of your home and all areas around windows and doors. Once you identify problem areas, caulk cracks or install weather stripping as needed. If you have a fireplace, make sure the flue damper is tightly closed when not in use.

Insulate Your Windows

Drafty windows are one of the biggest problems when it comes to keeping your home warm during the winter. There are several ways to insulate them to block out excess cold air. You can purchase window insulation film from a hardware store, complete with installation instructions. Rubber weather sealing is another solution that involves cutting long strips of sealing and then sticking to window frames to close any gaps. You can purchase layered curtains to keep out drafts or cellular shades if you want to insulate while still letting light in.

Change Ceiling Fan Direction

Did you know that changing the direction of your ceiling fan can have an impact on the energy you use in the winter? Yep, it sure does. During summer, it’s recommended to let your fans spin counter-clockwise to push cool air downward. During winter, you can allow your fans to spin in the opposite direction to pull air in the room upwards, which pushes warm air down the sides of a room. This results in a room that is a little bit warmer and can give your heating unit a much-needed break. The best part? It only takes seconds to do.

Prepare Your AC

Most homes in East Boise have central air conditioning. If you have a permanent fixture, cover with an air conditioner cover to keep it dry and insulated. If you have a window air conditioner, you’ll need to take a few additional steps to make sure it’s good to go. Protecting your window air conditioner against damage during the long winter months is smart because they aren’t cheap to fix if something goes wrong. Make sure the unit is clean of any leaves or other debris. Once it’s been cleaned off, allow the unit to dry thoroughly and drain water from the air conditioner until it’s completely free of moisture. Place on ground and cover with wrapping material before placing in a warm, dry area.

Watch Your Thermostat

It’s easy to just leave your heater running all day but you’re wasting precious heat if you’re not home. You can save quite a bit of money each month just by turning the heater down whenever you leave the house. You can even set timers on your thermostat to raise the heat during hours of the day you know your family will be home. For every degree you lower the thermostat, you’ll end up saving 1-3% of your heating bill. That doesn’t seem like much but you could save hundreds of dollars each year.

Winterize Outside Faucets

Winter can destroy our water lines each year if we don’t take proper care of our outdoor faucets. First things first, remove any hoses, splitters or connections from the spigot before winter arrives. Not doing this can cause water to get trapped, freezing the fixture. Inspect all fixtures to make sure there are no leaks or drips. If you find a leak, make sure to fix it before temperatures are freezing. Next, drain your pipes the best you can. Then, install a hose bib cover to each outdoor fixture for that added layer of protection. You can find most covers at your local hardware or home improvement store for cheap.

And, if you are looking to buy or sell in the East Boise area, please call your Boise Realtors – the Templeton Real Estate Group – we are a small yet highly skilled real estate team with decades of area expertise, service, property pricing, and negotiating. We are passionate about providing our clients with the best real estate experience available. Our office is located in East Boise’s beautiful Bown Crossing, just steps to Boise’s Greenbelt. Contact us today to schedule your complimentary and confidential consultation.

Call us at 208.473.2203 or email us at info@templetonrealestategroup.com, or complete the form on our website. Happy Winterizing!

We recently received a thank you letter from some wonderful clients, and it just really made us feel—well, all warm and fuzzy inside. It also got us thinking about those two little words, ‘thank you,’ and how much they mean when said or written with sincerity.

It seems that life is moving so fast that we often forget to let people know how much we appreciate them. And, showing appreciation does not mean you have to go head-over-heels buying gifts or doing anything spectacular. It just means that you stop for a second, and say two words – thank you. It’s even more special if you have the time to write a thank you card. The hand-written note is becoming increasingly rare these days, with people’s busy lives and the ease of texting and emailing. Electronic thank you’s are great also—they just won’t make the same impression, and feel as personal, as a phone call or a snail mail note.

It’s equally important to show appreciation to friends, family and co-workers. Dr. Laura Trice in a TED Talk, considers the power of saying thank you, and reminds us why we should say it—and ask to hear it—more often. Dr. Trice hits two big points:

• First, that most of us really do want to hear someone thank us for the things that we do, even if it’s something that we’re supposed to be doing anyway. Being appreciated is one of those things that really motivates us, both at work and in life, so a little goes a long way if you can offer up a genuine thank you when it’s appropriate.
• Second, she notes that it’s equally important in our relationships to make it clear when we want to be appreciated, otherwise we run the risk of never hearing it because the other people in our lives just assume we already know we are, or that they don’t need to say it. In other words, if you feel underappreciated, make it clear to the people in your life that you feel that way—anyone who actually cares about you will be more than willing to make sure that’s no longer the case.

So, the moral of the story is do not underestimate the power of two little words. They are important, they do matter, and using them will make the recipient feel great (and you might feel pretty good yourself!).

Two Important Little Words

source: http://lifehacker.com/the-importance-of-saying-thank-you-and-why-you-should-1563980468

Appreciation for people also goes hand-in-hand with customer service. Templeton Real Estate Group prides itself it offering superior service. One of our core principals is to strive to ensure that our clients have an unparalleled real estate experience while receiving the pinnacle of service. If you have been a customer of ours in the past, we want you to know how much we appreciate you. If you are looking to buy or sell in East Boise, we hope you will give us a chance and give us a call. We love our clients and it’s our honor to serve you. Thank you!

Call us at 208.473.2203 or email us at info@templetonrealestategroup.com to schedule a complimentary consultation!

Harris Crossing: a new East Boise community!

Construction only just begun on this new Harris Ranch community in 2015 and Harris Crossing is wonderfully located just a short walk to the Boise River and Barber Park. Homes start in the low to mid $300,000’s and most have small, maintenance free yards affording residents time to enjoy the abundant recreational opportunities surrounding the neighborhood. The homes are being built by Boise Hunter Homes, and there are a few floor plans to choose from. Buyers can choose their floor plan and interior finishes.

1. You are adjacent to Marianne Williamson Park, for miles of walking and biking.

2. You can walk to Barber Park. This riverside Park offers gorgeous walking paths alongside the Boise River.

3. Lucky 13, a local favorite, is just across the street!

4. You can walk to the new Harris Ranch Market, where the Sno-Cone Shack is open all summer

5. Schools for this community are top notch: Riverside Elementary, East Jr. High and Timberline High School.

Unlike some neighborhoods in Harris Ranch, Harris Crossing does not offer a pool or clubhouse, the only potential downside we can see. But, the HOA dues are less because of this, and with the river so close by, we’re not sure you’d miss it! If you would like more information contact us, your EAST BOISE EXPERTS today 208.473.2203 and be sure to take a look at the homes for sale in Harris Crossing at Harris Ranch below.

Snow Hits January Housing Market… Sort of

February 13, 2017 by Breanna Vanstrom ·

While most of the white stuff has melted, January’s historic snowfall had an effect on the local real estate market… sort of.

Between extended school closures, below freezing temperatures, poor road conditions, and even a state of emergency in the City of Boise, many people were focused on shoveling driveways rather than seeing homes. Though purchase activity was down in January compared to last year, it was up from the previous month.

In January 2017, 1,037 homes went under contract in Ada County, down 6.5% from January 2016, but up 5.4% over December 2016. In Canyon County, 432 homes went pending in January 2017, down 1.6% from January 2016, but up 11.3% from December 2016. Homes that are pending typically close within 30-90 days.

Homeowners weren’t as eager to list in January, which pushed overall inventory down further. There were 1,425 homes for sale in Ada County in January 2017, down 15.9% from a year ago and down 4.4% from December 2016. Canyon County had 705 homes for sale in January 2017, down 11.3% from January 2016 and down 12.7% from December 2016.

Those waiting until spring to list their home — for nicer weather or to potentially net more money — should continue to see prices rise over the next few months, however; the rate at which prices are rising has been slowing down, both nationally and locally.

Increases in mortgage rates, which many economists expect in 2017, may further affect price gains. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) is forecasting the 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage to reach 4.7% by Q4-2017, 0.9 points higher than Q4-2016 (3.8%) and 0.4 points higher than their forecast for Q1-2017 (4.3%).

To reiterate, slowing price appreciation does not mean that actual prices are going down, nor does it mean that people are losing equity. Wehr adds: “For those homeowners considering selling, it’s very likely their home is worth more than they think. To understand what supply and demand looks like in their immediate area, and how home prices have responded as a result, we always recommend homeowners seek the advice of a REALTOR®.”

Additional information about trends within each county, by price point, by existing and new construction, and by neighborhood, are now available in the January 2017 Market Report. This report includes an explanation of the metrics and notes on data sources and methodology. More information about trends in mortgage rates, inventory’s impact on prices, and the slowing rate of price appreciation, view BRR’s 2016 Residential Real Estate Market Report.

Download the latest market snapshot graphics for Ada County and Canyon County:

This report is provided by the Ada County Association of REALTORS®, which began doing business as Boise Regional REALTORS® (BRR) in 2016. BRR is the largest local REALTOR® association in Idaho, with over 4,000 members and two wholly-owned subsidiaries — the Intermountain Multiple Listing Service, Inc. (IMLS) and the Boise Regional REALTORS® Foundation. This report is based primarily on the public statistics provided by the IMLS, available at: intermountainmls.com/Statistics/Static.aspx. 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. These statistics are not intended to represent the total number of properties sold in the counties or cities during the specified time period. The IMLS and BRR provide these statistics for purposes of general market analysis but make no representations as to past or future performance. || The term “single-family homes” includes detached single-family homes with or without acreage, as classified in the IMLS. These numbers do not include activity for mobile homes, condominiums, townhomes, land, commercial, or multi-family properties (like apartment buildings). If you are a consumer, please contact a REALTOR® to get the most current and accurate information specific to your situation.

For the vast majority of people, buying a home will be the biggest purchase decision of their entire lives. Unlike buying a TV, computer, or even a car, when buying a home you can’t just check off the features you want and choose from the available options you see online or at a store. As a first-time homebuyer, finding the perfect Boise property requires dedication, patience, and a bit of luck. This guide will help you through that process.

Focus on what you can’t change

When looking at houses in Idaho, many first-time buyers get hung up on interior details: the color of the walls, the kitchen appliances, the flooring and carpeting, and so on. These are all things that, with enough time and money, you can actually change later on. While it’s easy to focus on aesthetics as a first-time homebuyer, you should really be focusing on the things you can’t change– like where the house is located.

Location, location, location

The most beautiful house on the block might sound like the house you want to buy…until you uncover the details of that particular block. It could very well be the case that your “dream home” is nestled in a high-crime neighborhood, or that it’s just a few yards from the highway. As a first-time homebuyer, it’s all too easy to overlook such crucial location details. Remember: you can always renovate your house if you’re not one hundred percent happy with it, but you’ll never be able to renovate your neighborhood. So choose your home’s location wisely!

Avoid “bargain” homes

The old adage holds strong even in real estate: if it seems too good to be true, it’s probably not true. If there’s a house on the market with an unbelievably low price, don’t get suckered in to thinking you’re getting a great deal. “Bargain” homes are often the ones with damage or other problems that can be difficult (or impossible) to fix.

Be sure you’re ready to take the next step and read up on these common homebuyer mistakes. Don’t forget to get in touch with the Templeton Real Estate Group, your local Boise realty specialists, for more advice and assistance finding your Idaho dream home.

We at the Templeton Real Estate Group believe that Discount Real Estate Brokers saving people money is a myth. Buyers and Sellers should be aware and choose their real estate professional carefully. We see it on a regular basis, that is, when bad things happen to good people in the name of “saving on real estate commission”. For example, we see a seller that decides to go with a discount Boise real estate broker thinking they are going to save money, or we see a buyer working with a “discount real estate broker” who gives them money back at closing.More about Real Estate Myths

It can be disheartening to see some of the results when we work with some of these “discount agents” and their clients. Somehow this promise of a “rebate” or “discount” is enough to convince a buyer or seller to work with agents that are less experienced in pricing, negotiating, and working in complex situations. But the fact is, and we tell buyers and sellers this all the time; an experienced, savvy agent can and WILL net you more on a sale and get you the best price on a home when buying than a discount broker every time by utilizing valuable experience and acquired skill. Top agents don’t discount their fees because they don’t need to! Discount brokerages and agents obviously know their worth and charge accordingly ( discounted) because the services, experience, and expertise they bring to the table are never on par with a top notch agent that offers unmatched marketing, negotiating skills and market knowledge. In fact, we had a “discount” brokers agent make an offer on one of our listings and she drafted the offer so that her buyer paid $20,000 more than she needed to!! It was great for our seller, but sad to see the buyers outcome in the hands of a “discount broker”. In another instance we saw a “discount broker list a home in an area we know very well for substantially under market price and they accepted an offer as a “coming soon” listing. Talk about costing your sellers thousands of dollars!! Again, this was hard to watch as we considered the poor outcome for the seller.

As a full service real estate brokerage we at the Templeton Real Estate Group know that if we discounted our commissions we could not possibly offer the level of marketing, customer care, and caliber of agent that our clients demand. We know that our area expertise and sharp negotiating skills is valued by our home sellers and buyers alike. Our clients know that they will be skillfully cared for. Our clients understand the concept that “you get what you pay for” and that the promise of a commission discount doesn’t mean a higher net profit!

I have always found it interesting and revealing that most savvy buyers and sellers always utilize the services of the best, and aren’t afraid of paying a higher fee to get better service and peace of mind for a real estate transaction performed at the highest level.

Call Top Real Estate Agents in Boise today for superior results and service at 208-473-2203.