Archive for the 'Real Estate News' Category
April Statistics For Kuna: Surprise, Surprise!
May 7th, 2008 categories: Real Estate News
Total Active Listings: 285 up 14%
Pending Sales=36 (That’s good news, last month there were only 10)
Sold Listings= 32
Sold listings for March 2007= 41
Average Sold Price= $170,220
Average Sold Price in 2007= $192,741
Most Active price category= $150K-$200
Changes= More homes are selling for less this year. People who need to sell are competing for fewer buyers and are pricing their homes to sell. Builders are also trying to reduce their inventory by slashing prices. That is being reflected in the average sold prices.
Absorption Rate 8.9 months (Down slightly)
Kuna is offering some wonderful home prices for first time home buyers.
But the opportunity is the greatest for those that what to move into a bigger home. If they have equity in their present home and can price it according to what is selling, they should be able to buy a lot more for less in the higher price categories.
Happy Home Buying!
| Discussion: 1 Comment »
The Smart Growth Award For Ten Mile Interchange
May 5th, 2008 categories: Community Events, Real Estate News
A new interchange is needed at Ten Mile Road to access the Interstate, relieve traffic congestion, improve emergency response times to the area, and provide an additional north-south arterial through western Ada County
The City of Meridian has some very exciting plans for the Ten Mile Interchange that not only involves traffic but the entire scope of the community development.
The City of Meridian’s comprehensive plan for the area surrounding the future Ten Mile Interchange has been awarded a 2007 Grow Smart Idaho award for Policy and Planning by Idaho Smart Growth. This annual competition recognizes projects that use smart growth principles to encourage vibrant communities .
Map of comprehensive plan for Ten Mile area
The City’s hope is that this plan will allow for all the intricate parts of a community, including recreation,green spaces, commercial, and residential to work together and shape the outcome of this area. Hopefully resulting in an end product that will benefit its property owners and residents, and the community as a whole.
Of course this will involve change to an area that has been able to avoid change for quite sometime. The quiet country side will now be a outlet for the increase in traffic and I’m sure the citizens are not looking to be part of that solution. With this smart growth plan there is hope that this area will increase in value and not just increase in problems.
So many times these road improvements goals are just to solve a traffic problem. I think the City of Meridian did a good job of looking at the potential for development and capturing that issue before it became a unplanned hodge podge. Requiring developers to fit into their plan instead of the city having to work around the developers plans. Smart!
| Discussion: 2 Comments »
Vacant Homes in Kuna
May 2nd, 2008 categories: Community Events, Real Estate News
There will always be a certain amount of homes for sale that are vacant, including resale and new construction.
Right now there are 285 homes for sale in Kuna, 48% of those are empty! Wow 78 new homes and 59 used residential for a total of 137 vacant homes. That is not something we are use to seeing in Kuna.
Luckily for Kuna, these homes are spread out over all of Kuna and not concentrated in one area. According to the Kuna Police Dept they are not having problems with these vacant homes. The best thing neighbors can do is watch for trouble. If you see kids congregating around a vacant house especially after curfew, just give them a call and they will check it out.
So why is this important to know?
- We need to help by keeping an eye on empty homes for our neighbors and community
- If you are selling, you need to price your home to sell.
- There are lots of vacant homes which have owners that really motivated to sell!
- Don’t make it difficult for buyers to see your home. Putting any restrictions on showings will kill your chance to sell.
- Don’t have your house on the market unless you are ready to beat the competition.
- If you are buying, there are lots of homes to choose from with
- easy accessibility
- quick closing dates and
- great prices.
| Discussion: No Comments »
Market Analysis For Denali Heights
April 28th, 2008 categories: Neighborhood Reviews, Real Estate News
This is the one of the few luxury subdivisions in the Kuna area and has been a very popular place to buy a new home. This subdivision is ten acre with 83 homes situated in the open country north of Kuna. The lots are larger( up to 1/2acre) and has more amenities than the norm in Kuna. Besides being close to schools, you have easy access to the interstate, a community pool and clubhouse,plus a ten acre city park across the street.
The greatest attribute is the type of homes going into this subdivision. No cookie cutters here, yet all the homes seems to harmonize with the rest. The average price is $300,000–$500,000. And the homeowners are quickly getting their yards and landscaping in with great personalization and creativity.
Even in the slowing market, the homes are still selling here. You can capitalize on the market slow down and get some great incentives with your new home. There are presently 9 homes for sale on the MLS with an average price per sq ft at $127.
Three homes sold this year with an average price being $412,000.
I just love walking this neighborhood because of the variety of landscaping and home designs. It has truly become a place of distinction in the Kuna Market.
| Discussion: No Comments »
What Is The First Thing I Need To Do To Buy A Home In Kuna Idaho?
April 15th, 2008 categories: Down to Earth Information, Real Estate News
Find the Home? No
Find a good Realtor? Maybe…..
Drive around and go to open houses to see if you like anything out there?? Absolutely not. Wasted Saturdays
Look at your bank account? Yes!
Unfortunately you do need money to buy a home. How much do you need?
Here is a list of things to consider.
- Earnest Money This is money that you submit with your offer to purchase. Suggested to be at least 1% of the price of the home. This could be locally $500–$2000 for a first time homeowner. This money shows the Seller you have valuable consideration in your future home. You can lose this money if they accept your offer and then you change your mind. So it’s insurance for the seller that you are a serious buyer.
- Down Payment This is at least 3%-5% of the loan. Not too long ago (last month) you could get a loan that would allow you to put this cost into the loan. Those are harder to get and I find sellers are much more leery of these loans (because they are so fragile) There are lots of different options out there, but the more you put into the equation, the better chance your offer will be excepted and your loan will be approved. Some loans allow the down payment money to be gifted from a relative or even have a co-buyer. It shows everyone you are financially committed.
- Home Inspection This can be anywhere from $250–$400 in this area. A necessity no matter if you are buying used or new. New Construction Warranties
- Possible Survey If it is country property, there could be the added cost of a survey. (around $400)
- Closing Costs As high as $3500 for a first time homeowner. There are ways to reduce these costs or roll them into the loan, but you should be aware that this is a cost to you.
- Moving and Managing Your Home These are fun costs to buying a home, finally you get to move into your home, decorate and spread out. You will want to allow some fun money in your housing budget.
My suggestion is if you have money saved, have been very careful with your credit (paying your bills on time) then the next step is to talk to a realtor or a lender. They will help you position yourselves for the best possible chance to be successful in homeownership.
| Discussion: 1 Comment »
Are You Thinking About Buying or Selling In Kuna Idaho?
April 9th, 2008 categories: Down to Earth Information, Real Estate News
Numbers to Know If You Are Buying Or Selling In 2008
Total Active Listings as of March 31= 249 ( 257 last year, but remember the nice spring temperatures— does make a difference.)
Total Sales from the first of the year= 80 (119 last year,that’s 67% less)
Total Sales Broken Down Into Price Points
<160= 22
160–200= 33
200–250 = 18
250–300 = 4
300–500 = 2
>500 = 1
Absorption Rates= 9.3 months
Average Sales Price = $190,764 (that’s a 96% decrease from 2007)
So if you are listing your home, keep these numbers in mind so you can price your home to sell! The market value of your home will determine how competitive you will need to be.
If you are in the market to buy, consider the competition. More buyers are looking at certain prices and your better deals will be in the prices that have less buyers competing against you. You will realize more for your money this year especially if they need to sell their property.
Be sure you are connected to a realtor that understands the current market and can help you find the most for your money. I am a firm believer that driving around calling on signs and attending the open houses is a waste of gas and you will miss the best deals.
Email, text or call me and I’ll be glad to help you save some gas.
Sara@KunaCountry.com 208–697–4111
| Discussion: No Comments »
This Is What Bad Spelling Looks Like
April 5th, 2008 categories: 3 Legged Horses, Real Estate News
Oops! Somebody will have a hard time living this one down.
We have probably all made our English teachers cringe at one time or another!
There is a wonderful feature on our Multiple Listing Service that eliminates most spelling problems when a Realtor writes a description of your home for potential buyers ….hurray for spell check.
I love it when my clients call to tell me about an error in a listing. That means they are paying attention and they care that their home shows the best it possibly can.
It bothers me when I see erroneous errors in the home’s descriptions or no location on the map or pictures that do nothing to show off the features of the home. Does the Realtor care? Does the homeowner know? Do people make assumptions because of spelling errors and careless listings? Probably….
| Discussion: 2 Comments »
House With One Acre In Kuna School Disctrict $230,000
March 30th, 2008 categories: Featured Properties, My Listings, Real Estate News
Don’t miss this opportunity to own land in the Kuna School District. Perfect for hobbies, plenty of room for storage, 4-H projects, or animals. One acre with no CCR’s. Well built home in move-in condition.Newer hot water heater and energy efficient Trane furnace and AC only 5 years old. Pre-inspection done and repairs are finished. Already has driveway for barn, RV storage or that dream shop. Easy access to the interstate or the future Ten Mile Interchange.
Great curb appeal and mature landscaping
Huge deck for quiet
summer nights
Country Kitchen
Family Room and Living Room
This is the property that doesn’t come up very often in this area. Don’t wait on this one!!
| Discussion: No Comments »
Don’t Let Your House Be A Diamond In The Rough
March 26th, 2008 categories: 3 Legged Horses, Real Estate News
Spending quite of few of my weekends this spring looking at homes with some first-time home buyers and we think we found what I call “a diamond in the rough.”
It is a great buy, had more room than we thought, and in a wonderful location for my buyers! Why did it take us so long to find it? Curb Appeal!!
Don’t be lulled into the thought that buyers will look at only the facts. Buyers, especially first time buyers,are looking online and have so many listings to sort through. The unappealing first glance can cause them to jump to the next choice.
When looking at the picture of the front of the house, nothing really appealed to them to take a closer look. Not until they eliminated the more appealing homes, did we take a second look (then I started showing them price, DOM, sq/ ft ect….)
And I can’t tell you how many homes that looked great online, but when we drove up we just kept on driving. So it works both ways.
Don’t Deceive the Public With Doctored Pictures: if they can’t keep the property inviting and clean then don’t candy coat the listing.
Don’t Miss An Opportunity to Get Those Buyers to Drive By and Check Out Your Property.
| Discussion: 1 Comment »
7 Mistakes To Avoid When Buying New Construction In Kuna
March 19th, 2008 categories: Down to Earth Information, Real Estate News
Everyone wants a home that they can call their dream home.
In the Treasure Valley, there are new homes as cheap as or cheaper than used residential. Crimson Point in Kuna is one example of a subdivision that is offering some great deals on new construction.
Even first time home buyers are able to purchase homes never lived in before. (unheard of when I bought my first home)
There is something about a clean slate that homeowners will pay for.
Of course, that means we have to wait for the trees to grow for shade and we have to put up blinds and shelving ect… Most people are ok with that in order to have a say about where the tree is going to go and where the shelves will hang.
With so many things to consider in the buying process, don’t make these mistakes when considering purchasing new construction for your next home. Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: 2 Comments »
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