My First Boise Idaho Home Loan – Boise Mortgage Loans

Given the difficulties in the nation and the Idaho market, with short sales and foreclosures (REOs or bank-owned properties), knowing if you are really ready to buy is critical. Not everyone is prepared for what they have to deal with when buying a home.

And certainly being financially able is essential or you are wasting your time.

One question to ask yourself is if you are REALLY ready to buy or are you just looking right now? While you may be thinking you are ready, your behavior may suggest the time is not quite right.

The questions below will help you determine if you are truly prepared to buy…emotionally, psychologically and financially.

• Will you be paying cash or have you arranged for financing?
• Do you have a house or condo to sell?
• Do you have a lease you can break or are you tick for an extended period of time?
• If you went out today and found your dream home, what would you do?
• Do you have a good idea of what you are looking for and what you are willing to trade off?
• Why do you want to buy a new house? Do you have some good reasons (space, financial psychological) for wanting to buy?
• You know yourself better than anyone. Can you HONESTLY say that you are emotionally, psychologically and financially ready to go? This is a tough one for the first time buyer, and an “unsure answer” or “I’m scared” is perfectly alright since it’s a bit step and being nervous about it is to be expected.
• How well informed are you about the market in terms of inventory, pricing, marketing time, interest rates, etc.? It’s hard to get started on the process if you know nothing about it or the local market.

The reality is that if you are unsure it’s time to talk. Buying a home in this financial market can be an incredible opportunity, but buying a home in Idaho when you are unprepared can be catastrophic. Note, I am not here to scare you, but I am here to help you understand that your first Idaho home should be an investment in your future and laid on a foundation of sound economic thinking and resolute commitment.

Plurk This Post Buzz This Post Delicious Digg This Post Facebook MySpace Ping This Post Reddit Stumble This Post

CNN scoured the Trulia website a while back to find a bunch of cheap condos offered for sale for less than the cost of a new Prius. As a side note, let me say that one of the biggest complaints that I hear about Trulia is the site shows homes for sale that are not really for sale. A buyer’s best option for online listings still lies with those a real estate agent can obtain. And, if you need a referral in the BOise, Idaho area please let me know as I know a few good ones.

I looked through Idaho condos to see if any matched those prices and was surprised to find fewer than the number I can count on one hand priced under $30,000. But once I bumped the price from $31,000 to $50,000, more than 5 dozen popped up. Good luck trying to buy one, though. Lots of agents, especially in Idaho, don’t like to work in that price range because the net commission is too low for the effort expended.

Moreover, if you’re thinking you can pick up a cheap condo and rent it out, you better check with the homeowner association to find out if rentals are allowed in the complex or if the HOA determines the rental percentage allowed. Check the financial health of the HOA. Some distressed condo complexes are saturated with foreclosures and short sales, and can’t collect enough money in dues to cover obligations.

While the Idaho market continues to be on unsettled ground there are some great condos to be had. That being said, be cautious and know that these are often the slowest to bounce back from a recessive market. Your home loan can be done through my office and I look forward to helping you. I’ll be more than a facilitator of paperwork however. My goal is to insure you get the right home loan to insure your new Idaho home or condo is a perfect fit for you for the long term.

Plurk This Post Buzz This Post Delicious Digg This Post Facebook MySpace Ping This Post Reddit Stumble This Post

Boise, the capital of Idaho and its largest city with a population of over 200,000, sits at the base of a mountain range on the Boise River. Boise – Les Bois or “the trees”-was named by French trappers in the 1800’s when they came into the Boise River valley.

The elevation of Boise is 2,842 feet above sea level and is considered “high desert” with temperatures ranging from an average range of 22 – 36 degrees in January to 58 to 90 degrees in July. The Boise valley receives an average of 12 inches of precipitation per year. Boise’s climate has four definite seasons but rarely receives snow. However, snow in the mountains surrounding the valley provide numerous opportunities for outdoor activities. There isn’t a better place to be a first time home buyer.

The Boise School District offers outstanding schools which serve over 25,000 students and employs 3,900 people including 1,700 certified staff. Their purpose statement – Educating Today for a Better Tomorrow – speaks to the district’s commitment to provide a quality education to all of its students.

Plurk This Post Buzz This Post Delicious Digg This Post Facebook MySpace Ping This Post Reddit Stumble This Post

My clients call me “The Closer.” I am in the serious business of helping people buy and sell houses here in the Treasure Valley. I am serious and passionate about searching the market, knowing the market, helping clients approach buying and selling properties from a very business-like, objective, and informed angle, negotiating offers, and BEST OF ALL, getting deals under contract closed!

I am a full time realtor who loves Boise, the surrounding communities and everything Idaho has to offer to its residents.

Real Estate isn’t always Black and White
Real Estate has been my passion for over 30 years. In that time period I have purchased and sold
properties in such great places as Hawaii, Colorado, California, Maryland and Idaho. I work in Real Estate
on a full time basis and enjoy helping first time home buyers as well as investors who have multiple
properties in their portfolios.

What you will find in this web site is information about my listings, how to find all homes for sale in the
Treasure Valley, lenders, title companies and more. This site is designed to support a flow
of information. If you have additional questions, please feel free to call or e-mail me. The
following is an insight to my life and inspirations.

I find motivation in my life from many different avenues and sources. Metaphorically I use
sports for examples of life events, using those great human performances of past and
present as examples of what one can achieve if they define their personal goals. One of   
my favorite stories comes from baseball. For 2,632 straight games Cal Ripken
Junior never, ever missed a game. Reflect on this for a moment, if the average  
season produces 162 games that means for a little over 16 years Cal Ripken Jr.    
never, ever missed a game. Cal’s record will most likely go unmatched. No
matter the day, no matter how he felt, he suited up and gave the game and his
team his very best. Not every game was his personal best but he gave his all.
His team, the Baltimore Orioles saw seasons where they played for National
Championships and others where they swept the cellar and finished dead
last. When the streak finally ended on September 20th 1998 he was awarded
a 30 minute standing ovation to a packed stadium. Whenever I feel tired, down
or unsure of what’s next I think of Cal, I suit up and give my team my best.

My personal grand slam is my three kids and my wife. Stop by, call or e-mail me and
share with me your life and your experiences. I look forward to meeting you and
becoming a member of your team and your search for personal satisfaction and
personal gain in the real estate market.

 Rick Bennett, Realtor®
office:   208-955-6448  208-955-6448
cell:   208-407-0532  208-407-0532
fax:  208-639-6202
email:  RickBennett@ID-BUY.com 
*Follow me on Facebook!*

Please view Rick’s new video with a short sale update

_______________________________________________________________________________

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

Plurk This Post Buzz This Post Delicious Digg This Post Facebook MySpace Ping This Post Reddit Stumble This Post

“How can you have any pudding if you don’t eat yer’ meat?”  (Pink Floyd).   It seems, these days, most people don’t want to eat their meat and just go straight for the pudding.  Everybody wants a “short cut” and nobody is willing to put in the time and sacrifice.  From dieting to spending habits, quick fixes are not the answer.   

We continue to eat anything and everything, and at the end of the day, take a “pill” and do it all over again tomorrow.  This strategy will never work in the long run.  The only weight loss solution is to EAT LESS FOOD.  This is much too simple for some and they think that their situations are “different” and their problems are much more complex; hence the reason for the “Magic Pill” or gimmick.   True weight loss is a change of lifestyle (sacrifice).  Most refuse to make the change and will continue to go down the same destructive path—year in and year out. 

Spending habits are another aspect of people’s lives that can be very destructive and can even lead to divorce. 

Once again, it all comes down to lifestyle and doing without. (once in a while won’t kill you).

 I recently checked a person’s credit report and there were collection accounts for jewelry stores, flower shops and electronics.  That person has no business making these types of purchases. However, it is often justified by using the “I’m entitled to” or “I’ll worry about paying if off later” defense.   If all else fails, some use the “why not file for bankruptcy” reasoning. Most of the purchases people make are unnecessary junk that make them “feel good” for about 10 or 15 minutes.   What will it take for people to stop this insanity? 

When it comes to mortgages, how many homeowners took tens of thousands of dollars of equity out of their homes with a cash-out refinance,  spent it on more “junk,” and are now singing the “I can’t make my payment” blues.   Once again, it all comes back to a change of lifestyle.  If a person doesn’t know how to budget, save and eat less food, then how can they possibly teach their children and future generations?

Something’s gota give.

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

Plurk This Post Buzz This Post Delicious Digg This Post Facebook MySpace Ping This Post Reddit Stumble This Post