My First Boise Idaho Home loan

What have you been hearing about the Real Estate Market?

 Dear Past, Present and Future clients, Wow, we’ve made it through one of the toughest years in Real Estate history. While many local businesses felt the effect of the economic downturn I am blessed to say, my business held strong. But that was not without advanced effort. Yes, this meant working harder and smarter than ever before, and of course keeping true to my day to day philosophy of “Accountability through Service”. So, I say Thank You to my clients who allowed me to work closely with them and weather this tough market together. I have a lot of people asking me “So, how is the Real Estate Market now?”.In one word STABLE According to the “Normalcy” report, which is a Boise area specific, data-driven publication, our market is set for recovery. Several factors are considered in the report such as: Inventory of houses on the market, Population level, Employment, Mortgage interest rates, New home permits, Home sales and Consumer confidence among other things. All of these areas are showing stabilization with some growth projected. So, what does this mean for the Real Estate Buyer and Seller? To the seller I say, houses ARE selling! It is and always has been impacted by 3 things; Price, Presentation and Promotion, so make sure you have an agent who fully grasps how to market and advertise effectively. Here are just a few of the services I offer my seller:

• Present you with a clear, detailed marketing plan
• Professional Staging for aesthetic enhancement
• Bi-Weekly client meetings so you can SEE the effectiveness of my programs
• Social Marketing using Facebook, Twitter etc.
• Hand-to-Hand combat (ask me about this!)
• Virtual Tour by a Professional Photographer

To the Buyer I say, now is a great time to buy! Especially with the Tax Credits now being issued by the Federal Government. For instance, did you know that a first time home buyer is eligible for a tax credit of up to $8,000? Most of you did. But, did you know that now Credits are being issued for buyers who don’t qualify at a ‘first time home buyer’ in amounts up to $6,500! I would love the opportunity to have a detailed discussion of the very best options available to you. If you are looking to buy or sell a home in 2010 please interview me! Allow me to show you what I do different and how I can help you make educated decisions. Please browse this site. Here I’ve set up the ability to search the MLS at your convenience. You can save searches and even request to have new listings emailed to you daily! You’ll be on the pulse of the real estate activity so you can be the first to hear when you dream home is on the market! Please see the “testimonials” tab above to see comments from my past clients. You’ll understand that my commitment isn’t just to satisfy my clients, but to blow them away!

YOU CHOOSE HOW WE GIVE!

My team and I have lofty goals of giving in 2010 and you are a big part of that. When you buy or sell a home, we will donate $75.00 to the Non-profit organization of your choice. Unsure of where to give? We have our favorite local charities from which to choose. We’ll give in your name, and you’ll know that you’ve just contributed to a well deserving organization.

Angilene Cowles -  208-703-7253  www.myidahoresource.com

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Guild Mortgage – Boise Home loans – Craig Ballhagen                         208-713-3309           

Idaho First Time Home Buyer Instant Gratification

Request for No Obligation Boise Home loan Analysis

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Once again, how much is enough? How much square footage does a person REALLY need?  How many rooms in a house are full of “stuff?”

Home buyers are trending towards smaller homes and down-sizing their personal fleet of vehicles from four to two.  More and more realtors are blogging about these exact trends.  Builders are re-thinking their futures and moving towards building 2,000 square feet homes, as opposed to 5,000 square feet.

It is true that a larger home means a larger mortgage payment, larger tax bill, higher utility costs, and so on–not to mention extra maintenance and up-keep.  Remember, the more money a person spends now means the less they will have for retirement (which means the more years a person will have to work).  When someone works feverishly to earn 10k per month but then spends 10k plus another $1.00, what is the point? What if that 10k per-month job disappears?  Then what? 

Most of us consume far beyond our means.   What is it going to take to reverse this way of living?  Unfortunately, many people are being forced to do it now due to job loss and foreclosures.   Painful lifestyle adjustments need to be made and a new mindset of spending less has to be learned and passed on to our children.  These types of “life lessons” are priceless.

Here are few others post simular to this one.

 Mom!What’s for Dinner?

OOPS! I Just Ate My Mortgage Payment!

Why Do We Do What We Do

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Guild Mortgage – Boise Home loans – Craig Ballhagen                               208-713-3309           

Idaho First Time Home Buyer Instant Gratification

Request for No Obligation Boise Home loan Analysis

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Thinking about getting into the blogging/social networking world?  Try to imagine where you are going to be in three or five years. Most who jump in now won’t be blogging in the future.   The reason is most bloggers start writing about their industry and soon run out of material and energy.

Try writing about what you have a life-long passion for. For instance, I met with a realtor about this subject and she immediately discussed her passion of “bass fishing.”  She talked about various competitions and fundraisers that she and her husband have been involved in for many years.  You could literally feel the “passion” in her voice when she expounded about all of their exciting stories. Bass fisherman, I am sure, have some”whoppers” that they would love to share.

This is exactly what I am talking about.  I suggested to her that her Wordpress blog could be set up to talk about not only real estate, but her family’s involvement with the bass fishing industry.  What a great topic!  Some people are absolutely completely crazy about this sport.  That is all they talk about.  Not to mention, most bass fishing enthusiasts buy and sell homes. In addition, the bass industry is connected to many other industries that are equally exciting to blog about.  These communities are huge.

Once a person taps into his or her “passion”, the amount of material is endless.  Bloggers need to find their own identity and unique style of writing.  There is no better way than writing about your particular passion. 

Now put your pen to paper and get going!

Guild Mortgage – Boise Home loans – Craig Ballhagen                208-713-3309           

Idaho First Time Home Buyer Instant Gratification

Request for No Obligation Boise Home loan Analysis

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It is pretty exciting news for first time home buyers when your loan officer calls to say, YOU ARE APPROVED!  That is great news!  Hold on, not so fast!  Maybe not?

  If a home buyer is applying for a conventional loan with less than 20% down, private mortgage insurance approval is necessary.     Potential home buyers and Realtors, need to know that just because the lender has issued a loan approval, it doesn’t mean the deal is done.   

PMI companies have really cracked down on guidelines recently.  In the “good old days”, 6 months ago, we could obtain PMI approval, in house, instantly.  Now a COMPLETE loan package must be submitted to a PMI underwriter.  Until PMI issues an approval, home buyers and all parties involved are at their mercy.  Appraisals can be cut, incomes can be reduced (especially self employed) for example.  Credit scores HAVE TO be above 700 and total debt to income ratio can’t go over 41%-period.  

Not trying to ruin your day, but this stuff can’t be sugar coated.  Industry professionals have to, once again, reset expectations with home buyers.   PMI companies are now “calling the shots” because they are taking the risk.  

A couple of years ago, the 80/20 loan was the hot item and PMI companies we begging for business.  That has now all changed.

I am not trying to bash conventional loans. Just raise awareness.  There are many great home buyer programs available.   Lenders just need to make a double effort to make sure that home buyers COMPLETELY understand the PMI approval process.  It is as critical as the actual  home loan itself

Guild Mortgage – Boise Home loans – Craig Ballhagen             208-713-3309           

Idaho First Time Home Buyer Instant Gratification

Request for No Obligation Boise Home loan Analysis

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