WOW Them With Your First Impression!

Let’s be honest, having your home on the market can be downright exhausting, especially with showings that can occur at any time of day or night with little notice. The sooner you can secure a buyer the better for everyone involved.

Paying attention to the interior of a home to keep it show-ready is a time-consuming endeavor, but as you are doing so, don’t neglect to take care of your home’s exterior spaces, as well. Pay attention to small details.

The very first impression buyers will have of a home is the front exterior spaces, and a lawn that is neglected, shrubs that need  pruning, and other eyesores will potentially turn buyers off before they ever set foot in your home.  

One of the services we offer at Integrity Group Real Estate is a free consultation for staging not only the interior of your home but also specific recommendations on prepping the exterior of your home as well.

For a complimentary market analysis, you can contact us at 208.890.8390 or send us an      e-mail at iGroupRE@gmail.com

 

Thanks for visiting!

You can also find us at: iGroupRE.com

 

Integrity, it’s not just our name, it’s how we do business…

 

2631 W Sky Wood Drive Eagle Idaho ~ $524,900.

Take a moment to check out our newest listing in Timberland Estates, Eagle Idaho.  Custom built, one owner home situated on .85 acres.  This single story home with upstairs bonus room features 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, formal dining and vaulted living area.  The kitchen has all the goodies any chef would desire including two pantries, double ovens, granite counters and is open to the eating  and living area.  An 18×13 workshop, separate from the garage,  is a plus for any hobbyist. Bedroom 2 has a full bath attached and would be a terrific second mini master. Property includes apple, peach, and plum trees with permanent garden shed and garden area. Lots of quality in this house with hardwood floors, tile and custom woodwork. If you love lots of storage and a bit of elbow room, this might just be your new home.

For more photos and details of this fine home click here.

To visit this home, please call today at 208.890.8390

Energy Saving Alternatives Can Save You Some Greenbacks

These hot summer days make me cringe at the thought of my next power bill.  When the air conditioning unit come on I can see the greenbacks floating out of my checkbook.

I don’t currently have any alternative energy sources but I am considering it for my next home building project.  Nice to know that there are a few federal tax credits for those that choose to make some energy efficient home improvements.

Not all energy efficient improvements qualify. You can get credit for the following:

• geothermal heat pumps that meet the Energy Star program requirements.
• small residential wind turbines
• solar water heaters ~ not applicable for hot tubs or swimming pools.
• solar panels ~ must meet current building codes.
• fuel cells

The residential energy tax credit helps individual taxpayers pay for residential alternative energy equipment. It is only good thru 2016 so move fast if you plan to install some of these energy efficient improvements.

This credit is not available on rental properties, only on your primary residence or second home.

If you’re eligible, you can claim this credit on Form 5695,  Residential Energy Credits when you file your federal income tax return.

For all the details, see IRS Notice 2009-41, which you can download from www.irs.gov. Click here for the direct link to form 5695.

Stay cool my friends and thanks for stopping by my blog.  If you are ever in need of a friendly Realtor with lots of experience, please give me a call at 208.890.8390 or send me an e-mail @ iGroupRE@gmail.com

Love To Cook? You Might Just Like This Kitchen!

Homes are moving quickly in this sought after Meridian neighborhood.

Don’t wait too long before taking a peek at my newest listing in Settlers Bridge.

Click here for a video tour

Click here for more property details

Thanks for stopping by my blog…..

Should You Trust Zestimate?

A few days ago I was showing property to an out of state buyer when I noticed his spreadsheet on the homes we were previewing had a Zestimate Value column.

What is a Zestimate: (Definition from Zillow)

The Zestimate® (pronounced ZEST-ti-met, rhymes with estimate) home valuation is Zillow’s estimated market value, computed using a proprietary formula. It is not an appraisal. It is a starting point in determining a home’s value. 

The Zestimate on my buyers spreadsheet was substantially lower than the listing prices of the homes we were previewing which peaked my curiosity.  It’s critical to have accurate data in order to make an informed decision about buying a home.  No one wants to pay more than necessary to obtain their dream home nor do most want to insult the seller of a home with an unrealistic offer.  Knowing what’s happening in the the current market is crucial! 

How is it that Zillow could obtain sold data on Idaho homes when Idaho is a non disclosure state? Non disclosure states do not publish sold prices for public record. I decided to do a little research.

Using information from our local data base, Intermountain Multiple Listing Service, I found recent sold homes and compared them with the Zestimate value on Zillow. In every sample the numbers were far apart.

Here is one example of a home that I recently listed and within a couple of days secured a full price offer. This particular home was listed just a little under average square foot price for the neighborhood.

Listing & Offer Price: $499,000
Zestimate Value:       $414,894

That’s a pretty substantial gap!

If you want to know what a home actually sold for, you need to call a Realtor. As a Realtor, I can look up that information for you in our MLS system. When we input a home into the MLS and that house sells, we are required to report accurate sold information.

I was able to provide my buyer using the Zestimate Value accurate data about our current home market. Happily, we secured a new home for him and he is excited to move his family to Idaho.

If you are looking to buy or sell a home and want accurate data to help you make an informed decision, your best bet is to call a Realtor.

Chocolate Overload For Brunch

Chocolate Waffles with Mocha Syrup ~ YUM!

Ingredients:

1/2   Cup Butter

3      Ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped

1/2   Cup sugar

2      Eggs

1      Teaspoon vanilla

1      Cup all purpose flour

2      Teaspoons baking powder

1/4   Teaspoon salt

1      Cup milk

1      Cup semisweet chocolate pieces

1      Cup whipping cream

2      Tablespoons coffee liqueur

3      Cups vanilla ice cream

Directions:  In a medium saucepan combine butter and unsweetened chocolate. Cook and stir over medium low heat just until melted and smooth. Remove from heat.  Stir in sugar. Add eggs and vanilla, stirring until combined. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk in milk until smooth.

Add batter to a preheated, lightly greased regular or Belgian waffle baker according to manufacturer’s directions. When done, use a fork to lift waffle off grid. Repeat with remaining batter.

Meanwhile, for mocha syrup, in a small saucepan combine semisweet chocolate pieces, whipping cream, and coffee liqueur. cook and stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.

Serve waffles warm with ice cream and mocha syrup.  Enjoy!

This would be the perfect way to spoil the chocolate lover in your life. 

If you need a new kitchen to serve up this yummy dish, give me a call at 208.890.8390 or contact me at http://www.IGroupRE.com 

 

Hot Home Trends for 2013

As the way we live in our homes is changing there are many home trends in 2013 that will be directly shaped by a bit of that change. Trends in culture are showing people are changing jobs more often rather than being committed “company men” as has been the way of things for the last century; because of this homeowner’s needs and style preferences are directly influencing the types of things they are putting importance on in the home.

Here are just a few of the hot home trends for 2013:

Outdoor Living Spaces
This one is on FIRE! And hey, why not have a fire? Patio spaces with well designed decks, fire pits, and bar-be-que spaces with all the latest gadgets are all the rage. Courtyards are being customized with audio and video, turning what was just a space for holiday hangouts into places you will be spending more of your time in all year round.

Neutrals and Color Pops
Neutral main color themes seemed to have caught on, some say for affordability, but also because they make pops of color all the more vibrant. If you’ve not seen this style do a little googling or pop around pinterest to find out what it’s all about. Neutral doesn’t have to be drab or plain if you know how to work it!

Energy Efficiency
Especially in the area of new home construction, there’s been a real influx of “green energy” builders – even here in our little valley! Not only is this trend great for the environment but it’s also great for the homeowner as these new technologies not only provide a savings on the month to month costs of owning your home but in many cases they can also lend to the longevity of your home as well.

These are just a few samples of what’s hot in homes right now! I love working with home buyers, especially one’s who have great ideas about what they want in their next home. Part of providing the best East Boise real estate services possible is knowing what’s going on in the market; that is one place in which I excel! I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and please feel free to contact me about any of your home needs!

Get a Little Greener for the New Year

Saving money on energy costs can be one of the easiest ways to save on bills, especially during winter months. If you get into the habit of making energy saving part of your every day routine you will be surprised at how the small things can add up to bigger savings.

Here are some quick little tips to help you do just that:

Use Power Strips
Simply having an electronic device plugged in causes power use. By plugging multiple devices into a single strip you can easily switch the whole strip off, or unplug it to keep the power drain from multiplying. Great for office spaces!

Turn Off Unused Electronics
Seems simple, but it’s easy to forget too. Leave a room? Turn off that light. Going to bed? Close that laptop. If you are going to be away from home for an extended period of time you might even consider unplugging larger or lesser used appliances as well like the tv or stereo.

Unplug The Charger
Nowadays we have any number of pads, phones, or other devices that need charging, but when the device is fully charged unplug it – no need to let that power trickle away. Be sure to unplug the charging cord itself as well as they can pull small amounts of energy just being in the wall.

Use Programs
There are a number of energy use tracking programs available these days, and many appliances even have self-regulating options for power useage – so take advantage of them!

Bright Ideas
Be smart in choosing light bulbs. LED bulbs and compact fluorescents are much easier on power use; while their light may not be as complimentary they are perfect for closets and shops where the harsher light isn’t such a problem.

Cold Cold Water
Using cold water in your wash will generally keep clothes just as clean and uses less energy than hot water. Fact is, hot water can actually strip your clothes of color, so by using cold water you can solve two issues at once!

I have a passion for exceptional Idaho real estate; helping people find the homes of their dreams here throughout the Boise area. I hope you’ll enjoy reading my blog and all the great ideas shared here, as well as feel free to visit my Facebook Fan Page to stay up on the latest happenings online!

Keep Your Pets Safe This Holiday!

The holidays are time of joy and sharing, but we need to be careful with what we share with our four legged and furry friends – some things we take for granted could actually be dangerous for them! Nothing can ruin a pleasant gathering like having to rush one of our little friends off to the pet emergency room — IF you can find one open!

Here are some great tips to help keep your pets safe during the holiday season:

No Bones About It!
Turkey bones – fish and other bird bones – can splinter and have jagged sharp edges. These types of bones can cut or puncture your pets insides. Besides that a lot of people don’t think about table scraps, but fact is human food can increase your pets chances of pancreatitis.

Sugar Free Baked Goods
While better for out waistline these foods can be dangerous for dogs! Many sugar free baked goods contain the artificial sweetener xylitol, which can cause dangerous drops in blood pressure and damage your pets liver. Be on the look out if your dog seems particular lethargic.

Chocolate
This delightful sweet is definitely a no go for dogs, especially dark chocolate. While it varies in every animal it’s best to simply avoid giving any to them at all – or make sure it’s beyond their reach. Chocolate overdose can lead to serious upset tummy at the very least, or even death if eaten in large quantity!

Oh oh the Mistletoe!
Despite popular belief poinsettias and Christmas cactus are fairly harmless to pets, however it ingested they can cause irritation in the mouth and stomach, especially in cats. Other traditional plants like mistletoe and holly however can be highly toxic if consumed. Most animals will naturally avoid holly, but in some cases having a new plant in the house can rouse their curiosity.

Tinsel Hung With Care
Shiny and flashy cats are the biggest ones to watch around tinsel. It’s ok to let them play with these things if you are watching them but be very careful about wrapping pets up in ribbons as it can present a choking hazard if the animal panics or play gets too rough. Make sure you’re pets aren’t let unsupervised with the shiny stuff as it can be a tempting treat to chew on; this can cause stomach obstruction.

Electrical Cords
For whatever reasons pets seem to love electrical cords – especially young cats and pups. Chewing on these cords is of course a dangerous shock hazard! Make sure you tuck away any extra cords you are using – or cover them with cloth or tape to help keep your fuzzy family members from thinking you’ve given them a great new snack!

I want your family to be safe and happy this holiday – including the littlest members of the family too! We’ve had a wonderful year and truly feel blessed to have gotten to share our joys with you; hope you will feel free to share your happy times with us as well! Hop on over to my Facebook Fan Page and tell me what you are doing to make this season special!

Deck Your Boise Home With LIGHT!

Christmas lights are a thing of beauty, brightening our holiday with their cheerful glow; raising our spirits high…unless you are the poor guy who has to deal with actually getting those lights up (and back down!) each year. Here are just a few tips to help make this ritual of the season a little less stressful!

Safety first.
Emergency rooms are filled with well meaning lightsmiths every year who lose the battle with their ladders, or who have other light hanging related injuries every year! Never hang lights alone, make sure your ladder is secure; it wouldn’t hurt to have someone down below to hold it!

Cordage.
If you’re going to splurge on fancy lights spend that extra couple of dollars for decent heavy duty extension cords! This can help avoid circuit overloading; be sure to only link FIVE strings of lights together before connecting them to the power.

LED Lights.
Everyone knows LED’s are a greener solution, but did you know they can use up to 90% less energy and last almost 10 times longer than regular lights? You can also safely string more strands of this type of light together, the only downside is they tend to not be quite as bright as traditional lights.

Don’t Procrastinate.
If it’s Easter; and you’re lights are still up it’s likely too late! Take lights down sooner than later to avoid excess damage from sun, rain, and snow. The longer you leave lights out in the elements the sooner you’ll need to replace them.

Get Attached.
Permanent light attachments save time and trouble each year. If you generally will be hanging your lights the same way from year to year these are a great investment as you won’t have to bother with a staple or tack system.

Have a Ball.
It may sound counterproductive but many believe the best way to store your Christmas lights to it ball them up. Wrap them five times in one direction, then turn the ball 90 degrees around and repeat. Also, store your lights in a cardboard box rather than a plastic bag – cardboard will help absorb any excess moisture rather than hold it in like plastic will.

Need a place to hang your lights?! You’re in luck – I can help you find just the right winter wonderland to call your own! You can find any home in Boise or in the Southwest Idaho region right on my website. Go there to start finding homes now!