Contrary to what you may be reading, the Boise real estate market is still considered a seller’s market.


The market is gradually cooling, yes--at some price points. Prices per square foot are leveling out, but are still higher than ever. Homes in the $150,000 to $300,000 range are saturating the market and require a higher level of marketing by real estate agents. (Compare us.)

Unlike this time last year, homes are taking more than 24 hours to sell! Expect your home to be on the market 30-90 days.

We are seeing more accurate price points that "comp" out. Are home prices still high? Yes, but they're rational. Buyers and sellers are free to make knowledge-based, not emotionally-driven negotiation decisions.

In other words, the Boise market is more sane.

The market is more competitive. More than ever, smart pricing is critical. We advocate an aggressive, web-based marketing campaign, too.


We just sold a very basic (though attractive) 3 bedroom/2 bath Corey Barton home in Caldwell is less than three weeks. Now that is not a buyer's market! How did we do it? We set the price right the first time and we marketed it.

That doesn't mean your home is going to sell in three weeks, but it is evidence that accurate price-setting is critical.

We're still selling homes. Is it time to sell yours? Contact us for a complimentary market analysis.

Labels: Boise, Education, Home Values, Idaho Statistics, Real Estate

A nice follow up to our earlier post about American's angriest cities is this report by Reader's Digest of the world's most courteous cities.

Somehow New York made it to the top of the list.

Suppress your guffaws and consider your travels abroad. In general don't Europeans (for example) tend to be aloof? If not aloof, indifferent? I don't think it's that they don't care; more likely they just won't help a stranger unless asked.

Or maybe it's unwise to generalize. What do you think?

H/T Sellsius.

Two great starter homes or investment property--both in growing Boise suburbs. (Click the addresses for links to photos, directions and more information.)

831 E Fourth Court, Kuna. A warm and inviting 3 bed/2 bath.

Newer home, conveniently located in great Kuna subdivision. Master bed w/walk-in closet, bathroom. Third bedroom could be office or den. Kitchen opens up into roomy living room w/vaulted ceilings, ideal for entertaining. Built-in plant shelves. Breakfast bar, pantry, dishwasher, oven range and refrigerator. Utility room with storage. Mountain views from back patio. Ready for you to move in! 1,268 square feet.

$177,500


711 Royal Street. A charming 3 bedroom/2 bath plus BIG bonus room!

Desirable split bedroom layout w/master bed & bath. Breakfast bar, dishwasher, built-in microwave, oven range, pantry. Living room w/vaulted ceilings, built-in plant shelves. Central AC/gas heat. Good-sized yard, fully fenced and landscaped w/auto sprinklers. Utility room. Plenty of room to live, eat and play. Fresh paint throughout. 1340 square feet

$149,900

MensHealth.com has ranked the 100 angriest US Cities.

Its criteria?

The percentage of men with high blood pressure, from the Centers for Disease Control; FBI rates of aggravated assaults; Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers on workplace deaths from assaults and other violence; traffic-congestion data from the Texas Transportation Institute; and speeding citations per state from the Governor's Highway Safety Association.

I was patting myself on the back for Idaho not making the list, but there, tucked between #77 (Minneapolis) and #79 (Anaheim), is Boise.

When you consider we are less angry than Seattle, Sacramento, San Diego, Montgomery, Ala, Newark, N.J. and Las Vegas, our rank seems legitimate.

But how did Boise lose to Austin, Colorado Springs or Portland?!

In other news, Men's Health gives Boise a D+ for charitable giving.

This criteria is all but limited to financial donations. According to the article, "In addition to IRS data on individual donations (adjusted for cost of living), we looked at the number of corporate charitable foundations and their per capita contributions, according to the Foundation Center. We also considered the number of people who volunteer with AmeriCorps, an organization that mentors underprivileged youth and builds affordable housing."

Wide open spaces! Boise River Road Parcels B&C.

We have just listed two beautiful 6 acre building lots near Parma and Notus. Parcels are near both towns and only ten minutes from I-84, but off the beaten path.

Bordered on two sides by private wetlands (limiting nearby construction) operated on a perpetual easement basis by Idaho Fish & Game, this private parcel is ideal for nature lovers.

Bird watchers: waterfowl and upland birds abound in neighboring wetlands. (In the extreme background of the photo to the right, you can just make out a family of Snowy Egrets.)

Both parcels would also make great horse property. Unnamed stream with water rights.

$150,000

In spite of evidence that the Boise market is gradually cooling, RealtyTimes names Boise one of the nation's investment hotspots.

"Forget Miami, Naples, Vegas, San Diego and LA. Start thinking about lower-key places like South Bend, Indiana; Pocatello and Boise, Idaho; and the northern Maryland panhandle.

According to a new analysis of mortgage data for the first quarter of 2006 nationwide, investors in those four local housing markets accounted for higher percentages of total purchases than anywhere else in the country: More than one out of five purchases in each went to investors."

Click here for the full article.

1771 S Riverchase. Just listed in the desirable Eagle, Idaho subdivision, Island Woods.

A lovely, single-level 4 bed / 3 bath or 3 bed + office tucked away in a quiet Eagle neighborhood overlooking a private pond. You will feel right at home in this warm, contemporary home designed to provide maximum waterfront views. Offers ample living space and upgrades throughout. Features include granite and tile, Cherry Wood floors, formal living and dining rooms, custom Maple cabinetry in kitchen, roomy master bedroom w/patio access, beautiful professional landscaping and much, much more.

So much more, in fact, we suggest you click here to take a virtual tour of the home.

Then contact me or Leigh Wilson so we can show you inside.

One of the arts organizations we support in Boise is The New Heritage Theatre Company, a non-profit 501(c)(3) professional theatre comprised of a resident repertory company, a theatrical training conservatory and educational and community outreach programs.

On Friday, August 4, we're hosting our 2006 Client Appreciation Event at the rollicking comedy of manners, School for Scandal. We're offering coffee and yummy deserts afterward. Call us at (208) 472-8606 or click here to request more information. Don't miss this one.

Click here to learn more about our commitment to the arts.

Labels: Art, Community Events, Community Outreach, News

We have just listed a truly charming home at 520 8th Avenue South in Nampa.

A 3 bed/1 bath with curb appeal, attention to detail and a lot of heart. The owner has lovingly maintained this home, that has all the modern amenities you want, but did not lose any of its original architectural details. Wood floors and custom paint on main level. Updated kitchen. Central AC/gas heat (newer furnace). Oversized 2-car garage w/alley access. Fully & tastefully landscaped w/auto sprinklers.

$134,900

Click here to view more details or request information.

Labels: Idaho, Listings, Nampa, Real Estate