Do you have cracked or damaged curbs or sidewalks?

You may qualify for funds if your sidewalk has the following issues:

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• Cracks from tree roots that are planted between street and  sidewalk
• Heaving concrete
• Sunken sidewalk behind a curb
• Sunken sidewalk over utility ditch
• Tree that was removed due to expansive roots has left a hole where sidewalk was

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You may have another unique circumstance; each case is looked into & carefully reviewed.

You could save thousands and improve your property surroundings. Contact Boise Realtors Ava Tong or Cristina Pescaru  about how you can get on the list for possible concrete repair at no cost to you.

1. Single family residences; including townhouses & condominiums ~ Boise Valley consistently in Top 10
2. Duplexes ~ live in one half/rent the other side
3. 1031 exchanges ~ great tax advantages
4. 2nd Homes ~ who doesn’t want to live here?
5. Rehabilitation homes ~ 203K loans; for that house that needs remediated, gutted, updated or remodeled.

Contact Ava or Cristina for more details on any or all of the above.

Contact Boise Realtor, Ava Tong, to find your Boise, Idaho home.

Website: FindYourHomeinBoise.com
Facebook: facebook.com/FindYourHomeinBoise
Twitter: twitter.com/FindHomeinBoise

Contact Boise Realtor, Cristina Pescaru, to find your Boise, Idaho home.

Pledge to Clients: Experience * Loyalty * Commitment * Care

Website: FindYourHomeinBoise.com
Facebook: facebook.com/FindYourHomeinBoise
Twitter: twitter.com/FindHomeinBoise

Boise Realtors Invite Home Sellers to Informational Seminar

Not sure about your home value? What do people do at the title company while you are waiting anxiously to close? Inspections? Find answers to these questions, and others, in our free seminar. Columbia Village Recreation Center at 3655 E. Lake Forest, Boise, ID 83716, on March 18, 2017 10:30 am.

Ava Tong and Cristina Pescaru, Boise Realtors with Gold Key Real Estate, invite you to join them for a free seminar. Contact Ava (208) 440-5810 or Cristina (208) 284-1545 with your questions.

• Free informational community/neighborhood service we are offering to homeowners that can save them $ and headaches.
• We went to an economic seminar that focused on Idaho/Boise economy and have the latest eye opening statistics and will present some of the most important points that will affect homeowners in 2017.
• We are having a Title Company employee discuss new concepts in the Title business that are now necessary and will discuss how they affect homeowners.
• A home inspector with over 20 yrs inspecting hundreds of homes, will be sharing important insights and experiences on what are common and uncommon things to look for and things that have been found in houses in SE Boise and how a homeowner can protect themselves before, during and after the selling process.
• Question and answer session for audience interaction.
• Info for free $ saving usable home essential set.
• Refreshments and giveaways.

“Did you know that it’s a sellers’ market out there? Inventory is low, prices are up, buyers are fighting over properties…what’s not to love?

With the renewed trust in the economy, people are looking again to real estate as a sound investment, or they may feel confident that it’s time to move the family in more spacious surroundings. Don’t sit on the fence and miss the moment. Our free seminar will give you the information and the answers you are looking for.” ~ Cristina Pescaru

Contact Boise Realtor, Ava Tong, to find your Boise, Idaho home.

Website:   FindYourHomeinBoise.com
Facebook: facebook.com/FindYourHomeinBoise
Twitter:    twitter.com/FindHomeinBoise

Contact Boise Realtor, Cristina Pescaru, to find your Boise, Idaho home.

Pledge to Clients:  Experience * Loyalty * Commitment * Care

Website:   FindYourHomeinBoise.com
Facebook: facebook.com/FindYourHomeinBoise
Twitter:    twitter.com/FindHomeinBoise

Boise Idaho Realtor, Ava Tong, tells us how to prepare for house hunting.

We all know Boise and the surrounding Treasure Valley is one of the best places to live.  So, let’s find you a home in Boise.  “Searching for a house to buy can be daunting, and most of the homes you see won’t be what you’re looking for ” according to HGTV.  They suggest being aware of some house hunting mistakes to avoid.

Ava Tong is a lifelong resident of the Treasure Valley, with over 37 years of real estate investing and assisting folks in the decision making processes of selling and buying. Ava offers a few suggestions to prepare you for house hunting in Boise, or wherever you heart leads you to find the best home for your family.

If you find the perfect home now, don’t risk losing it because you’re trying to guess where the housing market and interest rates are going. Those factors usually don’t change fast enough to make a difference in an individual home’s price.

Don’t ask for too many opinions.

It’s natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many ideas from too many people will make it much harder to make a decision. Focus on the wants and needs of the people who will actually be living in the home.

Accept that no house is ever perfect.

If it’s in the right location, the yard may be a bit smaller than you had hoped. The kitchen may be perfect, but the roof needs repair. Make a list of your top priorities and focus in on things that are most important to you. Let the minor ones go. Also, accept that a little buyer’s remorse is inevitable and will most likely pass.

Don’t try to be a killer negotiator.

Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, but trying to “win” by getting an extra-low price or refusing to budge may cost you the home you love.

Remember your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum.

Don’t get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself that you forget about important issues such as noise level, access to amenities, and other aspects that also have a big impact on your quality of life.

Plan ahead.

Don’t wait until you’ve found a home to get approved for a mortgage, investigate insurance, or consider a moving schedule. Being prepared will make your bid more attractive to sellers.

Choose a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation.

A home is still considered a great investment, but its most important role is as a comfortable, safe place to live.

Contact Boise Realtor, Ava Tong, to find your Boise, Idaho home.

Website:   FindYourHomeinBoise.com
Facebook: facebook.com/FindYourHomeinBoise
Twitter:    twitter.com/FindHomeinBoise

Boise Realtor, Cristina Pescaru, Helps With Questions To Think About ~ Should I Sell My Home

Boise Realtor, Cristina Pescaru provides questions for you to ask yourself when you are thinking about selling your home.  Are you ready for a home that is larger or possibly considering downsizing?  Do you want a home in a more desirable location?  You may be ready to move if you answer yes to most of the following questions.

Have you built substantial equity in your current home?

Check your annual mortgage statement or call your lender to find out how much you’ve paid down. Usually you don’t build up much equity in the first few years of your mortgage, as monthly payments are mostly interest. But if you’ve owned your home for five or more years, you may have significant, unrealized gains.

Has your income or financial situation changed?

If you’re making more money, you may be able to afford higher mortgage payments and cover the costs of moving. If your income has decreased, you may want to consider downsizing.

Have you outgrown your neighborhood?

The neighborhood you pick for your first home might not be the same one in which you want to settle down for good. You may have realized that you’d like to be closer to your job or live in a better school district.

Are there reasons why you can’t remodel or add on?

Sometimes you can create a bigger home by adding a new room or building up. But if your property isn’t large enough, your municipality doesn’t allow it, or you’re simply not interested in remodeling, then moving to a bigger home may be your best option.

Are you comfortable moving in the current housing market?

If your market is hot, your home may sell quickly and for top dollar, but the home you buy will also be more expensive. If your market is slow, finding a buyer may take longer, but you’ll have more selection and better pricing as you seek your new home. Ask your real estate professional what they see happening locally.

Are interest rates attractive?

Low rates help you buy “more” home, and also make it easier to find a buyer for your current place.

Is the effort and cost of maintaining your current home becoming difficult to manage?

Boise Realtor, Cristina Pescaru, can help you decide whether a smaller house, condo, or rental would be appropriate.

Contact Boise Realtor, Cristina Pescaru, to find your Boise, Idaho home.

Pledge to Clients:  Experience * Loyalty * Commitment * Care

Website:   FindYourHomeinBoise.com
Facebook: facebook.com/FindYourHomeinBoise
Twitter:    twitter.com/FindHomeinBoise

Why Work With a Professional Realtor?

Boise Idaho Realtor – Ava Tong, Gold Key Real Estate
FindYourHomeInBoise.com

Realtors are professional members of the National Association of REALTORS®, they are not just agents. Realtors subscribe to a strict code of ethics. Home buyers appreciate the expertise provided by a knowledgeable Realtor, and clearly see the following benefits when working with a qualified Realtor:

1. An expert guide.
   Selling a home usually requires dozens of forms, reports, disclosures, and other technical documents. A knowledgeable expert will help you prepare the best deal, and avoid delays or costly mistakes. Also, there’s a lot of jargon involved, so you want to work with a professional who can speak the language.
2. Objective information and opinions.
   REALTORS® can provide local information on utilities, zoning, schools, and more. They also have objective information about each property. REALTORs® can use that data to help you determine if the property has what you need.
3. Property marketing power.
   Property doesn’t sell due to advertising alone. A large share of real estate sales comes as the result of a practitioner’s contacts with previous clients, friends, and family. When a property is marketed by a REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.
4. Negotiation knowledge.
   There are many factors up for discussion in a deal. A REALTOR® will look at every angle from your perspective, including crafting a purchase agreement that allows you the flexibility you need to take that next step.
5. Up-to-date experience.
   Most people sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each sale. Even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change. REALTORS® handle hundreds of transactions over the course of their career.
6. Your rock during emotional moments.
   A home is so much more than four walls and a roof. And for most people, property represents the biggest purchase they’ll ever make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you stay focused on the issues most important to you.
7. Ethical treatment.
   Every REALTOR® must adhere to a strict code of ethics, which is based on professionalism and protection of the public. As a REALTOR®’s client, you can expect honest and ethical treatment in all transaction-related matters.

Large Network of Tried, Tested and True Real Estate Service in Boise Idaho Real Estate Market

Boise, Idaho Professional Realtor Ava Tong is ready to put her expertise and knowledge to work for you. When you are ready to buy a home in the Treasure Valley, get in touch with Ava.

Why are we the best agents in the Boise area? Get the answer.

Contact Boise Realtor, Ava Tong, to find your Boise, Idaho home.

Website:   FindYourHomeinBoise.com
Facebook: facebook.com/FindYourHomeinBoise
Twitter:    twitter.com/FindHomeinBoise

The Benefits of Home Ownership

Boise Idaho Realtor – Ava Tong, Gold Key Real Estate
FindYourHomeInBoise.com

1. Tax benefits.
   The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, and some of the costs involved in buying a home.
2. Appreciation.
   Historically, real estate has had a long-term, stable growth in value. In fact, median single-family existing-home sale prices have increased on average 5.2 percent each year from 1972 through 2014, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.  The recent housing crisis has caused some to question the long-term value of real estate, but even in the most recent 10 years, which included quite a few very bad years for housing, values are still up 7.0 percent on a cumulative basis. In addition, the number of U.S. households is expected to rise 10 to15 percent over the next decade, creating continued high demand for housing.
3. Equity.
   Money paid for rent is money that you’ll never see again, but mortgage payments let you build equity ownership interest in your home.
4. Savings.
   Building equity in your home is a ready-made savings plan. And when you sell, you can generally take up to $250,000 ($500,000 for a married couple) as gain without owing any federal income tax.
5. Predictability.
   Unlike rent, your fixed-rate mortgage payments don’t rise over the years so your housing costs may actually decline as you own the home longer. However, keep in mind that property taxes and insurance costs will likely increase.
6. Freedom.
   The home is yours. You can decorate any way you want and choose the types of upgrades and new amenities that appeal to your lifestyle.
7. Stability.
   Remaining in one neighborhood for several years allows you and your family time to build long-lasting relationships within the community. It also offers children the benefit of educational and social continuity.

Contact Boise Realtor, Ava Tong, to find your Boise, Idaho home.

Website:   FindYourHomeinBoise.com
Facebook: facebook.com/FindYourHomeinBoise
Twitter:    twitter.com/FindHomeinBoise

According to the new research by the  National Association of Realtors®, metro areas with a lower cost of living and sunnier weather are poised to see an increased number of baby boomers moving in and buying a home as some delay retirement and remain participants in the labor market.

Boise, Idaho and Raleigh, North Carolina were identified as top standouts for baby boomers for their solid job growth, share of self-employed workers and affordable home prices.

The top markets positioned to see an influx of baby boomer homebuyers are (listed alphabetically):

• Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Boise, Idaho
• Denver, Colorado
• Fort Myers, Florida
• Greenville, South Carolina
• Orlando, Florida
• Phoenix, Arizona
• Raleigh, North Carolina
• Sarasota, Florida
• Tucson, Arizona

Visit the NAR website to read more about the Top Metro Areas Poised for Uptick in Baby Boomer Home Sales.
Resource: NAR Identified Top Metro Areas Poised for Uptick in Baby Boomer Home Sales
Media Contact: Adam DeSanctis

Forbes Contributor William P. Barrett lists Boise, Idaho among the top 25 best places to retire in 2014.  Barrett states “Retirement is one of those chances in life to do something really different. With kids usually out of the house, many people look at it as an opportunity to move to a place that better fits their likings and budget—somewhere affordable that’s warmer (or colder), more rural (or urban), with good medical care and options for an active life, including perhaps a part-time job.”

The Best Places To Retire In 2014

We agree, Boise is a great place to retire.  Contact Idaho Realtors Ava Tong or Cristina Pescaru to find your home in Boise.  FindYourHomeinBoise.com