New Listing ~ Stunning West Boise Condo!

Just Listed!

Beautiful end-unit condo in desirable West Boise location!

Priced To Sell ~ $127,500!

(click on the photo to view the virtual tour)

Boise Condo

Why You Need Your Own Buyer’s Agent

Buyers (especially first-time buyers) often think the best way to shop for a home is to drive around and call listing agents to get information about homes they think they like.

If you’re a buyer, that approach is the fastest way there is to end up with a herd of real estate agents pursuing you.

Why?

Because those listing agents will assume that you aren’t represented by your own buyer’s agent and do their best to convince you to work with them.

Those yard signs are nothing less than “bait” designed to lure you into calling the listing agent.

Driving around and calling listing agents is, by far, the most difficult way to find the right home.

The easy way to find the right home is to have your own buyer’s agent use their access to Intermountain MLS to find every available listing that matches your criteria.

Having one experienced, competent, responsive agent representing you will eliminate having to deal with listing agents frantically trying to get you to work with them.

It’s even more important to have your own buyer’s agent representing your best interests.

Why?

Because the listing agent represents the seller; not you!

That listing agent has promised to get the highest price and most favorable terms for the seller; not you!

Can you spell c-o-n-f-l-i-c-t-o-f-i-n-t-e-r-e-s-t ???????

The bottom line?

Find and hire an experienced, competent, responsive agent to represent you (and only you) as your buyer’s agent.

Then, let your buyer’s agent do the “homework” (pun intended) and search MLS for properties that match your criteria.

Doing so will make your life a lot easier, and you’ll be able to focus on the properties that are the best fit for you.

Best of all, having your own buyer’s agent costs no more because your buyer’s agent will be paid from the seller-paid commission.

Looking for that experienced, competent, responsive buyer’s agent I just mentioned?

My 44 years’ experience, combined with thousands of delighted past clients, is your assurance of exceptional service.

If you’re a serious buyer in search of strong buyer representation, give me a call at (208)938-5533 or e-mail me.

 

Boise Homes: How To Screw Up Your Loan Approval

There are many, many ways to screw up your Boise home loan approval between the time you’re pre-approved and closing.

Here’s my Top Ten:

  1. Lease that new Dodge Ram 2500 quad-cab pickup before closing (because you think you need it to move into your new home).
  2. Quit that job you’ve had for the past ten years and start your own company.
  3. Leave your salaried job for a new job with commission-based pay.
  4. Buy new furniture, fridge, washer, and dryer with your new RC Willey credit account.
  5. Open new credit card accounts.
  6. Let one of your rental properties go vacant/remain vacant.
  7. Miss payments/make late payments on your bills/mortgage.
  8. Transfer large sums of money into or out of your bank accounts.
  9. Arrange a financial gift for your down payment without proper documentation.
  10. Deposit random, undocumented amounts of money into your bank accounts (by selling things on Craigslist).

This really happened  .  .  .

I had a buyer, a few years ago, who had been pre-approved for his loan while working at three part-time jobs.

As we approached closing, the lender discovered that he had quit those three jobs to take a full-time job with higher pay.

Sounds perfectly okay, right?

Not really, because the loan approval was based upon his previous employment.

That meant re-underwriting his loan with verification of his new job and income, which was nearly impossible because my client couldn’t produce the two pay stubs the lender needed because he hadn’t yet been paid twice.

Fortunately, the lender was able to verify his new employment and income and we closed, but we could easily have lost the transaction.

Takeaways

  • Mortgage lenders don’t like surprises between the time they pre-approve your loan and closing.
  • Avoid making any major financial changes after your mortgage loan has been pre-approved.
  • Discuss any questions you may have about your financial status with your lender before making any financial changes before closing.

 

Boise Real Estate: HOAs and CCRs

Nearly all of the newer subdivisions in the Boise real estate market have HOAs and CCRs.

CCRs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) are part of owning a home in a subdivision with a HOA (Home Owners’ Association).

Plainly stated, CCRs are “the rules” and they explain what is and isn’t allowed in a subdivision.

Amazing as it may seem, many buyers first learn about the CCRs for the home they’re buying when they get to the closing table.

I don’t work that way!

My standard practice is to provide a copy of the CCRs to my buyers before they sign an offer to purchase.

And, I strongly urge my buyers to review and understand the CCRs as part of their home buying process.

Here are a few things to look for:

HOA Dues

  • How much are they now?
  • How can they be increased?
  • How much can they be increased?
  • HOA Financial Condition
  • Is the HOA financially healthy?
  • Does the HOA have adequate financial reserves?
  • Does the HOA have excess funds?
  • Will the HOA need to assess members for an impending financial shortfall?
  • If you have concerns, ask your agent to provide a copy of the HOA’s financials and/or make your offer contingent upon approving a copy of the HOA’s financial statements.

RV Storage

  • Can you keep your RV on your lot?
  • Does your RV have to shielded from street view?
  • Does your RV have to be stored in its own garage?
  • How long can someone live in a RV on your property?
  • How long can you have your RV on your property? (before and after RV trips)

Animals

  • How many pets can you have on your property?
  • What kinds of pets can you have on your property? (chickens have become an issue in some areas recently)
  • Must you keep your pets on leash?
  • Can you continue your backyard goat-breeding hobby? (trick question to see if you’re paying attention 😎  )

Fencing

  • Are fences allowed?
  • Are fences required?
  • Must you have a certain type of fencing?
  • How tall can your fencing be?
  • Must you stain your fencing a specific color?

Antennae

  • Can you have an outside antenna on your property?
  • If so, how tall/what type must it be?
  • Must it be pre-approved by the HOA before installation? (think ham radio antennae here)

Parking

  • Is on-street parking allowed? (this can be a city ordinance)
  • How many cars are allowed to be parked on your property?
  • Must your cars be parked inside your garage?
  • Are owners required to keep garage doors closed?

This is just a sampling of things to consider.

Make sure you do your ”homework” and understand the CCRs before you make that buying decision!