May 2015 Market Update

May 2015 Market Update and Home TIPS! View this email in your browser The Market   Home Sales continue to outstrip  supply and the Market Action Index has been moving higher for several weeks.  This is a sellers market so watch for upward pricing pressure in the near future if the rend continues. PRICE:  Prices seem to be hovering around their high-spot.  Look for a persistent down-shift in the Market Action Index before we see prices deviate from these levels.         Clean glass windows and doors  Repair and clean all window        screens  Repair and touch up paint on    siding and trim  Inspect the house foundation for  termites  Clean/Repair and finish wood  deck 1775 S Aspen River Way Eagle, Idaho 5 Bedroom/ 4.5 Bath Excellence is met with this luxurious masterpiece in Eagle, Idaho! Gourmet kitchen, Sub Zero refrigerator, Wolf double convection over and microwave, Italian granite, custom wood and wrought iron work throughout are a few upgrades. Master on the main with double sided fireplace and his and her closets a European walk in shower with 5 heads,Travertine tile and hand carved hardwood, two wrought iron landings, 2 patios overlooking the private pond in your back yard, 3 car garage plus an RV garage. Excellence! 1842 E Fireside Ct. Meridian, Idaho 4 Bedroom/ 3 Bath  Immaculate condition come see this 3 patio, 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom home! One room that can be used as guest bedroom or office on main level. large 3 car garage with RV parking and storage shed for storage. This home has everything! Tons of tile and granite, (Brand New)dual zone HVAC. Central Vac, Double over Stainless Steel appliances, Cherry cabinets, 18’ tall Fireplace, Jacuzzi Tub, Dual Head Master Shower, Covered patio, fully fenced, beautiful landscaping, outdoor built in BBQ, and a fire pit! 3514 W Tucker Rd. Boise, Idaho 3 Bedroom/ 2 Bath  One Level located in North Boise! Has been updated and remodeled to have an open kitchen and great room. This is a split bedroom layout with a master suite. Stainless steal appliances, trash compactor, tile granite counter top in kitchen, nice cabinets with soft close feature, Brazilian cherry hardwood floors in kitchen and hallway, new lighting throughout, new shingles on roof, large fully fenced yard with wrought iron gates, sprinkler system. Large shed that can be updated. Facebook Twitter Website Share Tweet Forward

March 2015 Market Update

March Market Update View this email in your browser

Inventory has been tightening and days on the market decreasing recently.  The Market Action Index has been basically flat, not providing strong indictions for Market conditions. Supply and Demand: Home Sales Continue to outstrip supplu and the Market Action Index has been moving higher for several weeks.  This is a sellers market so watch for upward pricing pressure in the near future as this trend continues.  Price: Price appears to be hoovering around their high point.  Look for a persistent down-shift in the Market Action Index before we see prices deviate from these levels.

BOISE KUNA NAMPA

Spring Forward!  Daylight Savings time begins on March 8th---Remember to replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors now. Clean your garbage disposal; grinding a tray of ice cubes made from a mixture of white vinegar and water. Have a HVAC specialist clean and service the outside unit of the air conditioning system. Check the outer base of your water heater for leaks.  If you live in an area with hard water you should drain your water heater to avoid sediment build up. Clean your refrigerator inside and out with a mild detergent.  Don't forget to clean the coils. My Featured Listings: Come enjoy the hominess and comfortable living in this older but full of character home. 6" stud walls make home more energy efficient and quite. 2 mature oak trees. Bring your toys! Loads of parking for your RV, boats and trailers! Not a far compute from Boise but also located close to shopping and a small grocery store. Home has new paint in and out, New carpet in playroom, new chain-link fence, pantry add on, and a new roof over the garage. Must see this beautiful home! Come see this better than new home in East Boise. Immaculate condition, layout w/ multiple amenities. Great Views, close to downtown and shopping. Granite kitchen counters and lots of hardwood floors, tile backsplash Completed backyard and sprinklers, limited neighbors and trees for privacy. Bathrooms on both floors. The family room was finished off up stairs and door added for a true family room. Guest Bed/Office give a lot of flexibility for the use of space.steps away from trails, park and the greenbelt. Welcome to your next home! This 4 bed 2.5 bath home with an upper office/den/rec/bedroom has tons of upgradeds. Brand new carpet, new flooring, slab granite counters, concrete RV parking, storage shed, built in shelving in the garage. Open kitchen with lots of storage, room for an island. The back yard in North facing, fully fenced and room for a garden. The downstairs is the living and playing area and the upstairs has all the bedrooms, 2 baths laundry room and the rec/bedroom. Share Tweet Forward

Is A Career In Real Estate Right For You???

 Imagine working for yourself in a flexible career where you can set your own schedule with annual earning potential of $100,000 or more. There are so many reasons to choose real estate as your career. But, there are always two sides to every story, and a real estate career is no different. Below is a straight forward look at a list of pros and cons of a real estate agent career.

Getting Started in a Real Estate Career is Quick and Painless

Pros: In most states, you can complete the required training, become a licensed real estate agent, and start a new career in just a matter of weeks or months (depending on state regulations).

Cons: There is an investment in time, money, and effort required. Also, it comes with no guarantees. Passing the state real estate licensing exam is difficult and demands an understanding of complex topics and a varied skill set.

As a Real Estate Agent, You Are Your Own Boss

Pros: You’re an independent contractor and control your own book of business. You make the decisions. Couple together a good attitude and solid work ethic, and there are virtually no limits for the growth of your real estate business.

Cons: You’re an independent contractor, and are on your own to learn the market and the business.  You are in charge of building your lead list, maintaining your client’s needs, networking relationships, marketing your business, and managing the day-to-day office needs. It’s all in your hands. Many new agents fail to recognize how much work it takes to become a successful real estate agent.

Real Estate Agents Make a Good Income

Pros: Your income isn’t limited by an hourly wage or a corporate-dictated salary range. As a real estate salesperson, your income is largely dictated by the time you invest. Grow your real estate business by adding an assistant or get the appropriate license that lets you build your own brokerage. The growth potential is huge.

Cons: At first, your cash-flow direction will be out. Most new real estate agents need a nest egg to begin their careers. Getting your first sales to come in will take some time, and it will likely be a couple months or more before you cash your first check. Depending on the market you cover and existing relationships you can farm, it can be a feast or famine situation.

Real Estate Agents Work Flexible Schedules

Pros: You don’t work a mundane 9 to 5 job. Real estate agents set a day-to-day work schedule that works for them. Much of a real estate agent’s time is spent socializing, meeting people, and building relationships.

Cons: Having a flexible schedule in real estate means you have to be flexible to the client’s needs.  In real estate, you tend to work when everyone else is not. If a client calls, can you drop everything and be attentive to their needs, even if it’s a time that you normally would be spending with your friends or family?

As a Real Estate Agent, You Help People With Their Largest Transactions

Pros: Real estate agents receive genuine satisfaction from helping clients find the perfect home or sell their property at a great price. This is an exciting time for both buyers and sellers, and they look to the real estate agent as the expert to help them manage their way through the process with excellent client services.

Cons: Real estate transactions generally are one of the most stressful times of a client’s life, and you will need to be confident in your skills and abilities when things don’t go as planned. If a client leaves unhappy, whether it was due to your efforts or not, word-of-mouth spreads quickly and can affect your referral network and, ultimately, your bottom-line.

Real Estate is a Great Business

Real estate really is a great career choice. This article isn’t meant to scare anyone away from real estate, but is offered to be an honest look at the real estate business from both sides of success and failure. It can be a very difficult career if the training and work ethic fails, but it can be a seriously rewarding career if you are self-motivated, hard-working, honest, and enjoy networking and helping people.

Things That Can Go Wrong

Independent Living Communities

Independent Living Communities

Senior independent living communities cater to seniors who are very independent with few medical problems. Residents live in fully equipped private apartments.

A variety of apartment sizes are available from studios to large two bedrooms. Fine dining services are offered with custom-designed meal packages. Often, residents can choose to pay for a specified number of meals per day. Frequently, there are numerous social outings and events to choose from for entertainment.

Also Known As:

• Retirement Communities
• Congregate Care
• Retirement Villages
• 55 + Communities
• Senior Apartments
• Continuing Care Retirement Community

Payment Sources:

• Mostly private pay
• Some U.S. government funded through Section 202

Price Range:

• $1,500-$3,500 per month

Assisted Living

Assisted Living communities are designed for seniors who are no longer able to live on their own safely but do not require the high level of care provided in a nursing home. Assistance with medications, activities of daily living, meals and housekeeping are routinely provided. Three meals per day are provided in a central dining room. Residents live in private apartments which frequently have a limited kitchen area. Staff is available 24 hours per day for additional safety. Most assisted living communities provide licensed nursing services. The hours vary greatly, so be sure to ask when you visit. Social activities and scheduled transportation are also available in most communities. A special unit for Alzheimer's residents is available in some, but not all communities.

Also Known As:

• Assisted Care Community
• Personal Care Home

Payment Sources:

• Mostly private pay
• Some take Medicaid

Price Range:

• $2,500-$4,000 per month depending on the size of apartment and level of assistance required
• Alzheimer's care ranges from $2,800-$4,500 for a shared suite

Nursing Homes

Nursing homes provide around-the-clock skilled nursing care for the frail elderly who require a high level of medical care and assistance. Twenty-four hour skilled nursing services are available from licensed nurses. Many nursing homes now provide short-term rehabilitative stays for those recovering from an injury, illness or surgery. Long-term care residents generally have high care needs and complex medical conditions that require routine skilled nursing services. Residents typically share a room and are served meals in a central dining area unless they are too ill to participate. Activities are also available. Some facilities have a separate unit for Alzheimer's residents.

Also Known As:

• Convalescent Care
• Nursing Center
• Skilled Nursing
• Long Term Care Facility

Payment Sources:

• Private Pay
• Medicare
• Medicaid

Price Range:

• $4,000-$8,000 per month

Alzheimer's Care

Numerous senior housing options for people with dementia or Alzheimer's are available. With memory impaired, it is important to have 24-hour support and structured activities to ensure their safety and quality of life. Many families try to care for their loved ones at home, which can be extremely difficult given the skill that is required to care for a person with memory problems.

If you need to consider a community, understand that Alzheimer's care is delivered in the assisted living setting, as well as in nursing homes and occasionally in personal care homes. Generally, the residents live in semi-private apartments and have structured activities delivered by trained staff members. Most of these living environments have secured or locked areas to ensure no one wanders off. Many times, within the secured areas, residents have access to outdoor walking paths or gardens.

Also Known As:

• Memory Care
• Dementia Care

Payment Sources:

• Private Pay
• Medicaid

Price Range:

• $3,000-$7,000 per month

Residential Care Homes

Residential care homes are private homes that typically serve residents who live together and receive care from live-in caretakers. These homes offer assisted care services for seniors who want a more private, home-like community. Assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing and dressing are typically provided. Amenities and nursing services vary greatly between homes. Ask about their services when you tour.

Also Known As:

• Board and Care Homes
• Group Homes
• Adult Family Homes

Payment Sources:

• Private Pay
• Medicaid

Price Range:

• $1500-$3000 per month depending on the services and level of care provided

Respite Care

Respite care provides a temporary break for caregivers by allowing a resident to have a short-term stay in a community that can meet their needs. Many assisted living communities and nursing homes have a respite care program. Residents typically stay from a week to a month, depending on their situation. They receive all of the services of the community. Respite stays may also serve as a "get acquainted" period for the senior. Many residents find that they enjoy their stay and decide to move in soon after the short-term visit. Respite programs are available for assisted living and Alzheimer's residents.

Also Known As:

• Short-Term Stay Programs
• Adult Day Care

Payment Sources:

• Private Pay
• Medicaid

Price Range:

• $75-$150 per day

Home Care

Home care allows older people to remain in their own homes while receiving the assistance they need to help them remain independent. Typically, home care involves providing assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing and meal preparation or Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) such as transportation, paying bills, making appointments and simply being there to provide companionship and emotional support. Home care services range from once a week to 24 hours a day depending on the needs of the client.

Also Known As:

• Home Health Care
• Home Care Aide
• In-Home Personal Care

Payment Sources:

• Private Pay
• Medicare/Medicaid via certified home health agencies

Price Range:

• $20-$40 per hour

Senior Housing Options Comparison

Feature or Service	Independent Living Communities	Assisted Living	Nursing Home	Alzheimer's Care
Cost Per Month	$1,500 - 3,500	$2,500 - 4,000	$4,000 - 8,000	$3,000 - 7,000
Meals Per Day	Meal Plan Options	3+	3+	3+
Medication Management	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Personal Care*	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Mobility Assistance	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Accepts Wheelchairs	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Alzheimer's/Dementia Care	No	Varies	Varies	Yes
On-Site Nurses*	No	Varies	Yes	Varies
Transportation	Most Yes	Most Yes	Yes	Yes
Incontinence Care	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Housekeeping	Varies	Yes	Yes	Yes
Personal Laundry	Varies	Most Yes	Yes	Yes

*Personal care and on-site nurses may be available through a third party.

*All costs calculated in U.S. dollars.