Forming an Effective Team Puts Your Boise Agent to Work

Doubling Your Boise Real Estate Agent’s Effectiveness

One of the most effective ways to maximize your chances of achieving the best residential real estate deal possible lies in your ability to partner effectively with your choice ofBoise, Idaho real estate agent. Your agent is your local guide through the complexities of our Boise’s market—your assistant, tutor, and trusted right arm in the enterprise of buying and selling a residence. It’s your Boise agent’s job to make the team an effective one—but for all parts to truly work as a unit, some basic elements should be in place…and clearly understood by everyone:

For prospective buyers, when your real estate agent fully understands your search criteria, the end product is a more focused search that yields the intended results most efficiently. It will conserve an under-appreciated asset (your patience)—and free your schedule by eliminating properties that aren’t right for you. Shopping for a home can lead to a bewildering jumble of options. Simply searching online for properties, or driving around likely neighborhoodchoices looking for “For Sale” signs is an inefficient and time-consuming stratagem. What’s more, tapping into an Boise agent’s comprehensive understanding of the market—past and present—makes you much more likely to unearth the best value/price offerings as they become available.

For those who are selling a Boise, Idaho home, an experienced agent wades through less-than-serious inquisitors, keeping you from getting bogged down with fruitless showings or unreasonable offers.

A move into an unfamiliar area comes with a certain level of risk. A trusted agent equips you with the insights you would otherwise be missing. It can mean the difference between landing your dream property and buying into a subpar situation—one you might regret for years. You only need imagine buying a home in the warmer months only to be blind-sided when access becomes iffy during the rainy season. An agent will have a more complete understanding of the benefits and disadvantages of all of Boise’s neighborhoods—as well as the ability to help you make an informed choice, irrespective of when you are available or ready to buy.

Establishing a candid relationship with your Boise, Idaho real estate agent will not only afford you a buying or sellingexperience that’s as untroubled as possible, it will also provide you with a resident’s comprehensive knowledge of all the local factors long-time residents take for granted. Buying or selling, I hope you will consider giving me a call for a no-obligation chat about the current market!

We Love Boise!

How to Buy a Home Below Boise’s Current Market Value

Want to increase your chances of buying a home below current real estate value? Just look for a seller who didn’t listen to his agent!

The best real estate agents encourage their sellers to do whatever it takes to get the home in its absolute best condition before going to market. The better the home shows, the more likely the seller will get top dollar.

Sometimes, this could be as simple as removing personal items or decluttering. Other times, an agent will suggest bigger fixes, such as painting, replacing carpet or upgrading countertops or cabinets. Savvy sellers listen to their agents, make the changes suggested and go to market in top form. That’s not always how it plays out, however.

For any number of reasons, many sellers protest suggested fixes. Either they don’t want to be inconvenienced, don’t believe the fixes will matter or don’t have the financial resources to make it happen. Inevitably, this means the buyer will get a discount on that property.

How to spot a home that might sell below its value

Is there a home for sale in a good neighborhood and in the desired school district that seems to be well-priced but for some reason isn’t selling? This is the home you want to investigate, because chances are the seller didn’t listen to his agent. Specifically, here are some tell-tale signs to look for.

Big furniture or a lot of furniture

Most people don’t buy furniture to use when staging their home. Often a seller may have a lot of furniture in one room, which makes the room look small to potential buyers. Real estate agents and professional home stagers know this all too well. For example, stagers always suggest a small loveseat over a full-blown couch or sectional sofa. Also, in the bedrooms, king beds often take up too much space. So a stager will often push the seller to swap it out for a queen or full-sized bed.

When you enter a house that seems crowded with furniture, imagine the rooms with fewer or smaller pieces. Be aware that plenty of potential buyers won’t get past the sense that the rooms are too small, and they’re likely to move on to a home that feels bigger. In turn, this could give you room to negotiate a good deal with the seller.

Dark rooms

There was a home in West Hartford, CT on a great block, but the interior was dark. Three large French doors in the living room led to a deck, but the doors were stained black, and the carpet was brown. On top of that, the window coverings were big, heavy and overtook the room.

The house sat on the market for months, even though the price wasn’t far off the real estate market value. Here’s why: Every buyer walked in and out because the house was so dark. After the home had been on the market for three months, a smart buyer made an offer $40,000 below asking and ended up getting it.

Before the buyer moved in, he removed the window coverings, stripped the stain on the doors and painted them white, pulled up the old carpet and had the floors stained to a lighter oak. Right away, the dark room became light, bright and welcoming. The buyer’s total cost: $9,000, which instantly added $31,000 to his equity.

Grandma or Bambi staring down from the walls

Buyers are looking to see themselves — and not the current owners — in a home. Too often, however, the seller hasn’t “depersonalized” his home enough, or at all. Even though the listing agent may have told the seller to clear the house of his possessions, the seller may be proud of his accomplishments and resist.

And so potential buyers are treated to walls decorated with diplomas, family photos, awards and trophies. Moose and deer heads hanging on walls are surefire deal killers, especially when the hunting rifle used to kill Bambi is proudly displayed, too. At best, buyers tend to see such highly personal stuff as clutter that takes the focus away from the home. They’re turned off by it all, and they walk away.

They might also be walking away from a great deal. Are the bones of the home good? Does it have the floor plan you like? Are the kitchens and baths in acceptable condition? Is it in the area where you want to live? If you say “yes” to all of these, hang around a little longer. Imagine the home without the seller’s junk. Picture yourself living there, without Bambi.

A good home that doesn’t show well = a great opportunity

Ultimately, sellers who don’t listen to their agents or stagers inadvertently give savvy buyers a discount. For you to see that potential, try to understand as much as you can about why the seller is selling. Look for sellers who have ignored their agent’s advice. While conventional wisdom says that a buyer would be turned off by a home that shows poorly, go against this. Imagine the potential. And then, once the home is yours, make those small changes the seller should have made. Right away, you’ll have a little bit (maybe even a lot) of equity, thanks to the seller.

10 Common Listing Mistakes

Selling your home can be an exhausting experience. Phone calls, broker previews, endless showings, price adjustments and the possibilities of being stuck with two mortgages are a very real concern. If you aren’t properly prepared, you can end up losing hundreds, or even thousands of dollars in profit. The difference between a smooth, profitable sale and a break even, unhappy experience is a fine line. In a large number of cases, it comes down to the know-how of your agent. By taking advantage of the knowledge of a qualified real estate professional you ensure the quick, profitable sale of your home. We will outline in this article some of the common listing mistakes that can end up costing you money.

1. Refusing To Make Repairs:
It always costs you more money to sell your home ‘as is’ than to make needed repairs that will increase the value of your home. Often even minor improvement can yield as much as three to five times the cost of repair at the time of sale. Your agent will be able to point out what repairs may significantly increase the value of your home. What may seem like small fix up jobs can have quite an impact.

2. Not Considering Other Financing Options:
Cash is not always the most advantageous transaction. Income level, tax benefits, and current legislation are all crucial factors when considering purchase terms. Professional real estate agents are experts in facilitating your home transaction. A good agent will lead you along the path that will ensure you the highest yield.

3. Not Providing Easy Access For Showings:
“Appointment only” showings are the most restrictive while a lock box is the least. However, there are certain considerations to take into account such as your lifestyle, time frame for the desired sale, and your relationship with your agent. The more accessible your home is the better the odds are of it being viewed and sold. You’ll never know if the one that couldn’t get a viewing was the one that got away. By developing a trusting relationship with your agent, they will show the home with your best interests in mind.

4. Priced Too Low or Priced Too High:
One important reason to find the right professional is to make sure the property is priced appropriately for a timely and profitable sale. If the property is priced too high, it will likely sit and develop the identity of a problem property. If it’s priced too low, it could cost you considerable money. Today’s real estate market has subtle nuances and market changes that should be evaluated by your agent every 30-45 days to help you increase your return.

5. Relying Only On Traditional Methods To Sell Your Home:
An agent who is a creative thinker and willing to offer new strategies for attracting homebuyers will always perform better than an agent who relies only on traditional methods. Demand around the clock advertising exposure, innovative lead generation methods and lead accountability. These services exist and your agent should offer them to help sell your home.
6. Refusing To Make Aesthetic Changes:
First impressions are the most important for prospective buyers. An unbelievable amount of home sales have been lost to unkempt lawns, cluttered rooms, bad stains, and unpleasant smells. These may all seem like little things but imagine you are the homebuyer, and take care of anything that might detract from the beauty or cleanliness of your home.

7. Wasting Time With An Unqualified Prospect:
It is your agent’s responsibility to screen a prospect’s qualifications before valuable time is lost. Be sure to align yourself with the right professional and eliminate negotiating with unqualified prospects.

8. Don’t Test The Market:
Never put your property up for sale unless you are serious about wanting to sell. The right professional will find you buyers. For the people seeking to buy your home this could be a major life decision; if you are harboring indecision, you will blow the sale, and waste everyone’s time.

9. Thinking You Are Powerless To Make A Difference:
Take action! Play an active role along with your agent to see what you can do to facilitate your sale. Networking with professional peers and personal friends often produces the sale of a home. It’s surprising how many homes are sold this way. The word of mouth is still one of the most powerful tools in marketing; the right voice in the right ears can make an amazing difference!

10. Thinking All Realtors Are The Same:
With all the intricate details and critical decisions to be made concerning your home sale, it’s pointless to rely on anyone but the top professionals. Many relationships between friends and family members have been damaged as a result of failing to meet the expectations of a transaction. Your home sale is a time consuming, effort related, and difficult task. Maximize your profit by making use of the skills and knowledge of a seasoned professional.

The “RULES” of curb appeal

How to beat out competition when selling your home

It’s that time of year again, when I take a moment to talk to all of you who are thinking of putting your home on the market this spring. If real estate’s favorite old adage is “location, location, location,” then it’s got to be followed closely by, “You get only one chance to make a first impression.”

You can’t change your home’s location, but you can certainly do everything within your power to make that first impression a strong one, so let’s go over the basics of that all-important must-have for a successful sale: curb appeal.

Start with a step back

You’ve seen the outside of your house so many times that you don’t really see it anymore. So now’s the time to look at it with new eyes, from the perspective of a prospective buyer. And if you can’t do it objectively, get a friend, a neighbor or your real estate agent to do it for you.

Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes, and make a written list of those things that might raise some concerns for you if you were thinking of buying it. And while the front of the house is the primary focal point, don’t overlook the sides and rear of the house as well. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Exterior paint: The color and condition of your home’s exterior paint job is one of the single most important things to a prospective buyer. The color makes a visceral impact the moment a buyer walks up, and while you might have thought that the hot pink siding with neon purple trim was a great showcase of your individuality when you painted the house, it’s going to severely limit the home’s appeal.

And no matter what color the house is, if the paint job is faded and peeling, it’s an immediate warning sign to buyers that the house hasn’t been maintained, so they’ll have their magnifying glass out to look for other defects.

If you’re handy with a brush and an airless sprayer, you might just want to undertake a repainting project yourself. A long weekend and a few hundred dollars in paint can make a world of difference in how well the home shows and how quickly it sells.

If you don’t want to paint the entire house — or if it doesn’t really need it — just painting the trim, exterior doors, garage door or window shutters can make a big difference as well.

Roofing: A bad roof is another indicator of a general lack of maintenance, and may point a finger at potential structural and even mold problems resulting from leaks. Roofs are expensive to replace, but depending on your market and your desire to reap top dollar from the sale, you may want to take a hard look at the economics of re-roofing.

Talk with your agent about the pros and cons of re-roofing now versus crediting the cost of a new roof to the buyer in escrow.

Driveway and walkways: Driveways are a pretty dominant feature in most homes. Clean any oil-stained concrete, and repair small cracks before they get larger. For asphalt driveways, a seal-coat can often make a big difference in appearance and help prolong the asphalt as well.

For concrete or asphalt that’s badly damaged, it’s time to be thinking about replacement. You can replace the driveway with the same material as before, or consider an updated look by using paving stones instead — they hold up well in all types of weather, and can even be a very satisfying do-it-yourself project.

How about walkways? When someone arrives, is there a clear and safe path to your front door? You may not mind walking across your front lawn, but guests and prospective buyers would definitely prefer a walkway. There are lots of options for creating a new front walkway or replacing an existing one, so check out your home center or some landscaping magazines for ideas.

Landscaping: Are things overgrown? Dead or dying? Obviously neglected? Landscaping is a huge part of that first impression, so remember to take a critical look at it.

• Fertilize and water the lawn regularly to green it up, and run an edger along sidewalks and driveway edges.
• Rake up leaves and pine needles.
• Repair sprinkler systems.
• Prune back or even remove those wild shrubs, and trim overhanging tree branches.
• Use bright flowers to create borders and accent areas that add both color and hominess to the yard.
• Consider adding new shade trees in front, which help a home look more established and appealing. Trees look best planted in odd numbers — a grouping of three or five for example — and the folks at your local nursery can help you with proper spacing.

Clean and organize: Finally — clean! If you’re not going to paint, wash down the siding to remove dirt and stains and get it looking fresh and clean. Wash driveways, walkways and patios. If you have a wood deck, consider a complete cleaning to restore the wood to a fresher look.

Wash all the windows, inside and out, and wash the screens as well. Polish doorknobs and light fixtures. Stow all of your garden tools and kids’ toys away to remove clutter and potential tripping hazards. Take a trip to the local landfill and dump all the stuff that’s accumulated in and around the yard.

Check the night view

One last thing: Check the night view as well. A home that shows well at night really creates an impression. Replace any burned-out lightbulbs, and consider adding a timer or two to keep the lights on a little longer into the evening.

Consider some low-voltage or solar lights to accent front walkways, and maybe provide up-lighting to accent trees and larger shrubbery. Keep a light or two on in the front windows as well, to add to the feeling of coziness and comfort.

Nick Smith

New View Real Estate Team
Silvercreek Realty Group
Cell 208-859-6590
Fax 208-319-8969
RealOneSmith@gmail.com
http://www.real1smith.com/

6 Tips to Prepare your home for a Quick sell.

Some would tell you that quick sells are by means of luck. Louis Pasteur said “Luck favors the prepared”. He knew something about accidental discoveries. Though this is inevitably true, waiting for luck will do nothing to speed up the process. Preparation, preparation, and preparation are the three things you most need to ensure a quick sell. Here are 6 tips to ensure that you are prepared.

1. Remove personal items
   Pack up those personal photographs and family heirlooms. Buyers have a hard time seeing past personal object, and you don’t want them to be distracted. You want buyers to imagine their own photos on the walls, and they can’t do that if yours are there!
2. Get rid of Clutter!
   People collect an amazing quantity of junk. If you haven’t used it in over a year, you probably don’t need it.

• If you don’t need it, why not donate it or throw it away?
• Pack up those knickknacks.
• Clean off everything on kitchen counters.
• Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet when not in use.
• Think of this process as a head-start on the packing you will eventually need to do anyway.

1. Rearrange Bedroom Closets and Kitchen Cabinets.
   Buyers will open closet and cabinet doors. Now imagine what a buyer believes about you if she sees everything organized. It says you probably take good care of the rest of the house as well. This means:

• Neatly stack dishes.
• Hang shirts together, buttoned and facing the same direction.
• Line up shoes.

1. Rent a Storage Unit.
   Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces of furniture that block paths and walkways and put them in storage. Remove extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear larger. Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room’s purpose and plenty of room to move around. Remove/Replace
2. Make Minor Repairs.

• Replace cracked floor or counter tiles.
• Patch holes in walls.
• Fix leaky faucets.
• Fix doors that don’t close properly and kitchen drawers that jam.
• Consider painting your walls neutral colors, especially if you have purple or pink walls.
  (Don’t give buyers any reason to remember your home as “the house with the orange bathroom.”)
• Replace burned-out light bulbs.
• If you’ve considered replacing a worn bedspread, do so now!

1. Make the House Sparkle!

• Wash windows inside and out.
• Rent a pressure washer and spray down sidewalks and exterior.
• Clean out cobwebs.
• Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks.
• Polish chrome faucets and mirrors.
• Clean out the refrigerator.
• Vacuum daily.
• Wax floors.
• Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades and light fixtures.
• Bleach dingy grout.
• Replace worn rugs.
• Hang up fresh towels.
• Bathroom towels look great fastened with ribbon and bows.

Clean and air out any musty smelling areas. Odors are a no-no.

Just Listed! 1058 S. Bobby Ave, Kuna ID 83634

Exterior with full porch custom 2^nd master downstairs 10*20 Covered patio, dark cabinets w/pullout trays in Kitchen, Dual back-to-back vanities in master, dual sinks in hall bath, microwave, 4 panel door’s, 2” wood blinds, Jetted Tub w/shower in upstairs and downstairs master baths, upgraded flooring throughout.    100%Energy Star@ certified

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