Why Buy A Home in Boise Idaho?

There are several factors that go into deciding where to buy your next home. One factor that consistently scores big with buyers when it comes to such a big decision is how near recreational amenities you are.
Boise, Idaho offers countless places that are conveniently accessible to recreational opportunities in every direction. Most of these, you've likely never heard of.
The Snake is the largest tributary jutting from the Columbia River, and extends 1,078 miles. The Snake passes within 30 miles of Boise, and proceeds to roughly divide the Oregon and Idaho state borders. The Snake leads into Hells Canyon, a steep and spectacular gorge that in conjunction with the Snake, create two very powerful sources of recreation in Southwest Idaho. Hells Canyon is your jumping off point to jet boat or take on the rapids. One of the most effective ways to experience this beautiful landscape is by following the Snake River Canyon Scenic Byway, a powerful tapestry of scenic areas. You'll come across a 53 mile stretch just outside of Boise where you can share the same visual experience our early pioneers had, and be home in time for dinner. Easily turn it into a weekend or week long adventure with sportsman's accesses along the Snake and designated camping areas.
Idaho is home to the spectacular rugged Sawtooth Mountain Range, one of the most aesthetic and awe inspiring natural beauties in the country. The Sawtooths are a jagged series of mountains that is home to a number of recreational opportunities from hiking, fishing, paddling white water and animal gazing for elk, bighorn sheep and mountain goats. With just a short, scenic drive outside Boise, you can easily make this a yearly or even monthly destination to take advantage of Idaho's great outdoors.
Mountain Home Idaho is about a 45 minute drive outside Boise, and just south is the tallest sand dune of Bruneau Dunes State park, which rises 470 feet above the small lakes below. Within the park you'll find desert, lake and marsh habitat, prairie and any number of local species. Idaho residents come from every direction to fish, birdwatch, camp, hike, swim and stargaze at the public observatory. There's also horse facilities available with a 9 mile riding trail.


Adventures, great times and endless possibilities are rife outside your backdoor with a home in Idaho. You don't even have to be an avid fisherman, boater, hiker or climber to enjoy what Idaho has to offer. Though you may have to love nature, as Idaho is one of the only areas left in the country that still retains much of its unspoiled territory and beauty. Idaho is also the headquarters for the photographer, the artist, the writer and yes, even the modern day businessman. Idaho is the whole package, an underrated bargain, a treasure. If you'd like to claim your own piece of Idaho, contact one of our agents today. We know it's great, that's why we're in the business.

What You Need To Know About Buying Forclosures

What is a Foreclosed Property?

A foreclosed property – also known as Real Estate Owned (REO) – is a home that was once customer-owned but has been turned back to the mortgage holder as the result of a foreclosure action or acceptance of a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure.

A foreclosure can occur when mortgage payments are not made over a period of time and efforts to resolve the default are unsuccessful. While we make every effort to help customers remain in their homes, sometimes foreclosure becomes the only option.

Revitalizing neighborhoods and communities is our goal, which is accomplished when REO properties are purchased by buyers who will occupy them as their primary residence.

Are Properties Sold at a Discount?

 

Properties are listed at fair market value. Banks work with local real estate agents to review similar listings for price comparisons, assess the property condition, and set an accurate price.

Making properties attractive to buyers is important to the bank, so they will make every effort to maintain and prepare homes for sale, making repairs as needed.

Do Home buyers Have To Compete with Real Estate Investors?

If you plan to live in a property as your main home, you can make an offer during a special time frame reserved for buyers who will occupy the property as their primary residence. This time period helps buyers planning to live in a home get their offers considered before buyers

Do I Need Cash To Buy A REO Property?

You can finance many REO properties through a lender of your choice. Home inspections on foreclosed properties may be required for certain types of financing; speak with a home mortgage consultant for additional information. If you have sufficient cash to buy a home, be sure to determine whether your needs are better met by using financing or buying with cash. A home mortgage consultants can help you to understand your financing options. What Conditions Are the Homes In?

Not all properties need the same level of preparation for sale. However, banks often paint, replace carpeting, and – in some cases – install appliances.

If you’re considering a property that needs renovation, find out about a loan that combines mortgage and renovation financing.

Moving Tips

Pack Early, Pack Smart

Pack boxes of off season or rarely used items far ahead of time to reduce the amount of work just before your move.  I find it helpful to create a staging area in my home to keep packed boxes so the entire house doesn’t look cluttered for weeks (in the case of our current move, that is my office.)  Also pack by zones-don’t throw your blender in with your hair dryer-keep items stored in the same room/area grouped together in boxes for easier unpacking.

Be sure to label boxes not only with their contents but also what room they belong in so that you can easily unload them at your new home and place the label on the SIDE of the box, not the top so you can see the contents when boxes are stacked. I actually use two labels per box on opposite sides so I don’t have to play ring around the boxes to find the label when unloading.

Think Ahead

Take down pictures and other wall decor about a month before the move to allow ample time for patching holes and touch up painting.

In addition to those tasks think about scheduling your carpets to be cleaned after your belongings are loaded in your moving truck as well as general home cleaning, yard maintenance, and any other tasks that may be necessary.  The days before and after your move will be hectic so planning ahead for tasks like these takes some of the pressure off the final preparations!

Eat The Fridge and Other Random Moving Tips

Minimizing waste during your move can help offset the added expense moving normally brings.  Here are a few more helpful tips

• 
  About a month before your move start “eating the freezer.” Plan meals using things you have in your freezer and won’t be able to take with you to your new home, this helps reduce the amount of food that gets wasted one you move.
• Pack your pantry items using gallon storage bags to store items that may leaks (like opened baking mixes) or smaller items like spices.
• When packing liquids like cleaners or toiletries take the top off, cover with cling wrap, then replace the top-this helps reduce the chance of spills.
• Wrap plastic drawers with cling wrap to save tape and time.
• Don’t pack boxes too heavy! While it’s tempting to fill large boxes to the max it’s often better to pack smaller boxes so they are easier to lift and carry during the move.
• Overestimate how many boxes you need-they are used very quickly.  Many large moving supply companies have box “buy back” policies where unused boxes can be returned for a refund.
• To reduce the need for bubble wrap, I use linens to wrap fragile items-I always wash and refold them once I get to my new home so why not have them pull double duty?
  

What Is The Escrow Process???

In regards to buying a home, escrow is established when the buyer and lender reach a formal agreement and sign a sales contract. This escrow account uses a neutral third-party to manage the funds necessary to complete the transaction. Now that we’ve covered what this term means, let’s dive a little deeper into how it works and why you need escrow.

Why do I need escrow?

Escrow is required when you purchase a home to help protect lenders by ensuring you pay bills like taxes and insurance on time. For example, if your house were to get blown away in a tornado and you had neglected to pay your insurance, the lender would be left with no collateral. Escrow eliminates this issue.

How does escrow help me?

Escrow isn’t just good for lenders, it helps the consumer too. With escrow you are able to spread payments for taxes and insurance evenly throughout the year. If you pay $1200 a year in taxes, you get to pay $100 per month instead of all of it upfront.

How do escrow payments work?

An escrow agent will carry out the terms of both parties involved, both the lender and the borrower. It is their job to manage the money set aside to fulfill the conditions of the purchase. The agent also releases payments as needed for taxes and insurance.

Can my escrow payments be waived?

In some situations, you can get escrow payments waived. If you prefer to pay your taxes and insurance directly you can work with your lender to waive escrow requirements. Typically, only those with more than a 20% downpayment can get their escrow waived.

We covered many questions about what escrow is and how it works, but we know there could be more questions out there. What questions do you have about escrow? Share them in the comments section below and we’ll get back to you with an answer!