Hurry Up!! Call your Agent and List your House!!

That headline might be a little aggressive. However, as the data on the 2015 housing market begins to roll in, we can definitely say one thing: If you are considering selling, IT IS TIME TO LIST YOUR HOME!

We realize that existing home sales stumbled in January compared to December. But, if we compare the current September-January time period to the same period a year ago, we can see that existing home sales have outpaced last year every month with the January sales numbers 200,000 homes greater than last January:



Pending home sales (houses going into a contract) as reported by the National Association of Realtors have also done much better in the last five months compared to a year earlier:



And, buyer demand is continuing to skyrocket:



At the same time, the amount of housing inventory coming to the market compared to last year is plummeting:

Bottom Line

With demand increasing and supply dropping, this may be the perfect time to get the best price for your home. Call in a local real estate professional today to see whether that is the case in your neighborhood.

Is the Housing Market Back? Ask Lowes & Home Depot!

A recent Bloomberg Business article reports that both Lowes & Home Depot experienced fourth quarter profits that beat revenue projections by the most in six quarters. So what does that mean to the housing market?

Consumer Confidence

Lowe’s Chief Executive Officer Robert Niblock said,

“Consumers are feeling better about their jobs, their wages and certainly feeling better about the value of their home, they are re-engaging in projects that they have put off.”

Sales to professional contractors have increased significantly as well, and were a driving factor in the quarter. Home Depot’s Chief Financial Officer Carol Tome calls this a “sign of health. If they are putting more items in their basket, it means they have work coming at them.”

Home Values Rising

In a quarterly consumer survey conducted by Lowe’s since 2007, the percentage of respondents who said that the value of their home is rising increased to its highest value ever, at 50%.

Whether Americans are finally adding that man-cave they’ve always wanted, or renovating a master suite, an increased confidence in the value of one’s home often sparks homeowners to invest in big-ticket projects.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports that the median price of an existing home (for all housing types) rose year-over-year for the 35^th consecutive month.

Not all who are renovating are planning on staying in their home. The Demand Institutereports that “nearly half of American households plan to move at some point in the future.”

For those who are planning on listing their home this spring, spending the time and money needed to update that 1950’s bathroom or kitchen can fetch higher prices in today’s market.

Bottom Line

Meeting with a local real estate professional can give you insight into the small (or big) improvements your home could use to draw the highest price and return on investment this spring.

3 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Home

If you are thinking about purchasing a home right now, you are surely getting a lot of advice. Though your friends and family have your best interests at heart, they may not be fully aware of your needs and what is currently happening in real estate. Let’s look at whether or not now is actually a good time for you to buy a home.

There are three questions you should ask before purchasing in today’s market:

1. Why am I buying a home in the first place?

This truly is the most important question to answer. Forget the finances for a minute. Why did you even begin to consider purchasing a home? For most, the reason has nothing to do with finances. A study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University reveals that the four major reasons people buy a home have nothing to do with money:

• A good place to raise children and for them to get a good education


• A place where you and your family feel safe


• More space for you and your family


• Control of the space

What non-financial benefits will you and your family derive from owning a home? The answer to that question should be the biggest reason you decide to purchase or not.

2. Where are home values headed?

When looking at future housing values, Home Price Expectation Survey provides a fair assessment. Every quarter, Pulsenomics surveys a nationwide panel of over one hundred economists, real estate experts and investment & market strategists about where prices are headed over the next five years. They then average the projections of all 100+ experts into a single number.

Here is what the experts projected in the latest survey:

• Home values will appreciate by 4% in 2015.


• The cumulative appreciation will be 23.5% by 2019.


• Even the experts making up the most bearish quartile of the survey still are projecting a cumulative appreciation of over 15.1% by 2019.

3. Where are mortgage interest rates headed?

A buyer must be concerned about more than just prices. The ‘long term cost’ of a home can be dramatically impacted by an increase in mortgage rates.

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the National Association of Realtors, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have all projected that mortgage interest rates will increase by approximately one full percentage over the next twelve months.

Bottom Line

Only you and your family can know for certain the right time to purchase a home. Answering these questions will help you make that decision.

Boise City-Nampa, ID MSA Makes ‘Best Buy Cities’ List Second Year in a Row

Forbes and Local Market Monitor teamed up once again to ascertain their ‘Best Buy Cities’ list for 2015. Data for 105 of the largest metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), each with a minimum population of 550,000, was examined to come up with their top 20 cities to invest in 2015. The MSAs who made the list exhibited strong population and jobs growth as well as a healthy relationship between the average income and home prices.

Making the list for a second year in a row was the Boise City-Nampa, ID MSA at number 8, up from 2014 when the MSA was ranked number 10. According to Local Market Monitor’s data, the MSA has a population of 650,288 with a 3.5% unemployment rate. The average home price is $183,649 and is expected to grow by 9% in the coming year. Read more athttp://onforb.es/1z6XdZA.

10 Reasons Realtors Save You Money

Is Boise, Idaho Right for You?

Enjoy Unspoiled Beauty in Boise, Idaho, USA

If you’re thinking about relocating from Southern California, Salt Lake City, Denver or Seattle, it may be time to consider Boise, Idaho, USA.

To help you learn about the myriad advantages of living in beautiful Boise, we’ve created a detailed guide. Once you’ve discovered everything that this impressive Southwestern Idaho locale has to offer, you may just be tempted to look for houses or condos in the area. If you do, you’ll be pleased to know that there is a wide selection of high-quality properties for sale, at very competitive prices.

Whether you want a basic and affordable place, a mid-range home or a luxurious private residence with all of the bells and whistles, you’ll find that you’re spoiled for choice…

Now, let’s discuss the advantages of Boise, versus several other American cities…

Is Boise, Idaho Right for You?

This gorgeous city is totally livable and it features the sort of unspoiled natural beauty that is so hard to find these days. If you’re tired of dealing with gridlock on the endless highways of SoCal or dealing with the relentless rains of Seattle, you’ll definitely appreciate the Boise way of life.

Denver natives are admittedly used to unspoiled natural beauty – however, they may not be aware that Boise offers the perfect blend of outdoor splendor and vibrant urban culture.

Those who hail from Salt Lake City may find Boise to be a very pleasant change of pace, as Boise isn’t quite as congested as Salt Lake City is. According to many residents of this Utah region, Salt Lake City has become more and more crowded over time, which they feel negatively impacts their quality of life…

Boise is laid-back and it feels spacious and serene. It’s the perfect place to visit a museum, see a play or go hiking. However, it has a big enough population (214, 237, according to the 2013 census) to be an energetic and inspiring environment. In other words, it’s populated enough to feature plenty of employment opportunities, special events and community services. Shopping and dining in Boise will also be a pleasure, as there are plenty of retail outlets and eateries to choose from.

 When you visit or relocate, be sure to explore the city’s Old Boise area. This unique area offers amazing dining, shopping and nightlife, while also capturing the spirit of bygone days. Marvel at centuries-old brick buildings, which bring the city’s colorful history to life.

 Known as the “City of Trees”, Boise is a very pretty city, and it’s just so much fun to live in.

 As you can see, when you choose Boise, you’ll have it all…

Now, let’s talk in more depth about some of the key benefits and features of this Idaho city…

What Does Boise Have to Offer, Anyway?

First of all, you should know that Boise really is a gorgeous city. Since it’s flanked by the scenic and majestic Rocky Mountains, its picture perfect, night and day. In addition, it’s the perfect place to stay fit and access plenty of fresh, healthy air.

Since the city features an array of riverside pathways, it’s ideal for walking or cycling.  In addition, it is the home of some stunning parks and nature attractions, such as Kathryn Albertson Park and The World Center for Birds of Prey.

Although the city is a wonderful place to perform outdoor activities, it also offers residents and visitors easy access to culture and heritage. This focus on culture and heritage gives Boise plenty of polish and character.

When you choose to relocate to this beloved American city, you’ll be able to enjoy a host of superlative museums, such as the Idaho History Museum, The Boise Art Museum and The Basque Museum. In addition, the city boasts a terrific Cultural Center and a charming Pioneer Village.

Boise, Idaho Real Estate Facts

Boise is very affordable and it offers properties with tons of exciting amenities. For example, it is possible to buy a three or four bedroom home in Boise for around 200k. While there are houses and condos at every price point, spacious homes are not out of reach to those who don’t have a fortune to spend on real estate. For this reason, more and more people are choosing to relocate to the area.

Housing prices in places like Southern California are out of control. Seattle is also not the most affordable place to buy a home. If you want more for your real estate dollar and you’re tired of feeling “house-poor”, you’ll find that Boise offers the quality properties that you want, without the astronomical price tags. So, you’ll be able to select something affordable that meets all of your needs.

Hire “Agents with a Smile” Today

In order to get a truly stellar deal on real estate, you’ll need to find the right guide. This means choosing your real estate agency with care. If you want Boise’s best real estate agency, be sure to choose “Agents with a Smile” today.

When it comes to understanding the ins and outs of Boise real estate, you just can’t do better this agency. Run by Barb and her team, “Angels with a Smile” offers the sort of warm, friendly and personalized service that buyers need. When you put your trust in this agency, you’ll enjoy access to ideal properties, one of which is bound to become your private residence (or investment property) in Boise.

Boise is a great place to live, work and play, and its real estate values are very appealing. If you feel like it’s time for change in life, be sure to consider this Idaho city. It’s a wonderful region with so many great amenities, features and benefits.

You don’t need to spend a fortune in order to buy a home in America. When you relocate to Boise, you’ll get more value for your hard-earned dollars and you will have so many exciting options.

Sometimes, making a change gives people a whole new lease on life. Those who decide to make a change by moving to Boise never regret it.

When you choose Boise, you’ll love it, too.

Current Housing Market Analysis

Here are some great charts to show the current market analysis for Ada County. Check out the inventory for price range, how many units sold per area and look at an overall analysis.

Why you should move to Boise

Did you hear that Boise, Idaho was voted #11 in the top 100 places to live? If you are just moving here, or have been here for awhile you know why we received this high vote. Here are just a couple of the great upcoming things Boise has to offer.

Treefort Music Fest 2014

HELLO DOLLY starring Sally Struthers

Check out all other events HERE 

If you'd like to join us in loving this city by moving here, just check out the many homes for sale!

Boise Area Homes for Sale

Mortgage market snapshot from Legacy Lending

Check out this market analysis from Dave Perry at Legacy Lending.

Mortgage Analysis

You’re invited to use a free home value report calculator on our website that cross-references your home to comparable sales in your neighborhood to estimate a price your home would sell for it were to go on the MLS today.

For a free value report on your home click on this link!

Home Value Report