We've been blogging longer than most Boise agents, but it took us while to get syndication tools put together for our readers.

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication, and it just a super-duper, simple way to "subscribe" to your favorite websites that offer frequently updated content...like blogs do. To wrap your mind around it a little more, read this Wikipedia entry.)

It took some tweaking, since this is a custom design, but thanks to intrepid web designer Julie Neidlinger, we now have the RSS Feed available for Boise's Best Real Estate Blog.

Additionally, we've made it possible for you to subscribe by email. Yes--by email. Thank you, Feedblitz.

Notice that at the bottom of every post, you now have Email Subscription or RSS Subscription choices. So if you're tired of trying to remember to visit the blog, just subscribe via email, and we'll let you know whenever we post something new.

As always, thanks for reading!

Labels: Blogging, News, Technology

Title One sent us some links last week (thank you). One of them is this article, 20 things that can alter the value of your home.

I know sellers are looking for ideas to add value to their homes, but some of these suggestions are just common sense. For example, this article lists things like an updated kitchen, curb appeal and good windows. That's if you want LOOKERS, friends. If your house is falling apart, dirty, or stuck in 1901 then don't expect to get showings.

But I question making improvements to your home that include "a well-appointed master suite," ("a luxurious bathroom, lounging areas and walk-in closets") or a "modern bath" with a spa. Yes, I suppose those are ideal and might play a factor in how much you actually GET for your house. BUT...

There is an important factor at work today that might have been overlooked in the heady days of the housing boom, and it's taking a while to trickle down to the real estate "how to" articles!

That is: buyers are tightening their belts. Ridiculously high gas prices, fears about the economy in general and the housing market in particular will translate into buyers choosing (potentially smaller) homes closer to work and school--and this means becoming less picky about what kind of tub the home offers! Consider this article at Kitchen and Bath Design News.

...homeowners are making certain concessions in design choices and product selection based on prevailing market conditions, a major new survey concludes.

Bathrooms also increased in number and size within homes, according to residential architects, but by a smaller share than a year ago...

“In general, we’ve seen less emphasis on upper-end features in homes as the housing market has cooled, and bathroom characteristics may be a reflection of this trend,” [chief economist for the Washington, DC-based AIA, Kermit] Baker says.

On the sustainable front, water-saving toilets were reported by a majority of respondents as growing in popularity, as was LED lighting.

Multi-head showers remain very popular, apparently at the expense of soaking tubs, steam showers and infrared saunas, each of which is reported to have limited popularity. Other traditional upper-end products, such as towel warming drawers and double-sink vanities, are reported to have limited popularity at present.

That article hints at another trend you should take into account: greener, energy efficient homes. Replacing light bulbs, faucets, toilets and shower heads with more energy efficient alternatives--what an easy, relatively inexpensive thing to do! And when it comes time to sell, you can highlight these "perks."

Labels: Economy, Green, Home Appreciation, Home Values, Quality of Life, Real Estate Trends, Remodeling, Successful Marketing

We don't think so. But maybe you feel like it is.

Even for those of us who are not home shopping, there is still anxiety about falling home prices, foreclosures, and mortgage industry woes.

Those anxieties can become self-fulfilling prophecies and can actually affect the market!

Don't spend your time worrying about the worst case scenario or what might happten.

Instead, educate yourself.

If it’s a market update, advice on remodeling, investment property listings—whatever—just email us and we’ll send you the report you need.

Ask us for an update of the area's inventory of active, pending and sold properties.

Or request a copy of our new, comprehensive Foreclosure & Short Sale Packet

Whatever you do, don't be motivated by fear.
Take control of your financial future.

PS: these reports are free and are ALWAYS no-obligation. We'd rather have you educated and using the Realtor of your choice than doing nothing because you were worried about "strings attached."

Labels: Education, Real Estate