The reasons for selling your home in Idaho are as many and as varied as the reasons you may have bought it! It might be your current job requirements, your personal needs, or the needs of your family - it might have even been just because the time was right. But selling is a little different, even though it has reasons all its own. It could be that you are ready for more room, or less room, or maybe it's just once again time for a change. So why are people still choosing to move?

Timing
Many current homeowners bought their homes before or during the pandemic when mortgage rates were making history. They've been making history again, just not in the same direction, making many homeowners hesitant to move. The good news is rates are correcting and the market is moving!

Family
One thing the pandemic made us realize: we thrive on closeness. A lot of people who moved away in their younger days are moving again to be closer to the ones they love. Likewise, empty nesters haven't disappeared and family moving away or moving out may mean considering selling as well.

Downsizing or UPsizing
Life comes at you quick! The plans you made yesterday are off the table today and at times you have to be ready to make changes you never saw on the horizon. That might mean the house that seemed so full is now empty, or that the spacious living areas you fell in love with are bursting at the seams. You can't ever tell what may happen, and needing more or less space is one of the biggest reasons people sell.

The old saying goes "Buy land, they aren't making any more of it!"...and it's a true fact! One sees it often in island regions where there is literally only a certain amount of land to build on, but it's a reality almost anywhere. While we're fortunate here in Idaho to have plenty of wide open places, there is only SO much land to be had, and that's just one reason why you might want to start considering looking for the place long before you start designing the space.

Starting Early Never Hurts
If you've even considered moving, buying land, or building your own home, there really is no time that is too early to start planning! This means not just figuring out what it is you want out of where you live, but also gathering the resources to actually make it happen. Start saving! Start looking! Start talking to an agent!

Decide On the Area
The first step is often just deciding on the WHERE of where you want to live! You've got to consider things like distance to work, or school, as well as what kind of amenities you'll want close by to make living easy. Go for Sunday drives, or if you're saving gas do some good ole Google Map flying to get familiar with a few good communities that might fit your needs.

Think About How Much
Not just how much you want to pay but how much land you really want! If you take care of the land it'll take care of you, but it's important to make sure that not only is the location perfect but that the parcel itself won't be too much to handle. Plenty of folks have dreams of the homesteading life until they find out how much work goes into the off-grid life!

Talk to a Local Agent
While this seems like something an agent would say, it's nonetheless very true! An experienced, local Idaho real estate professional who is familiar with the Garden Valley home market will serve you better than any other - so pick a good one! Not only can they give you insight into what's going on in the communities you're interest in, but they'll also know what the market is doing in that area.

We want you to live your dream!
Sometimes you find the perfect mountain home right on the market, other times you have to build it yourself - either way Garden Valley Properties is here to help you make the move when you are ready!

A new year brings new opportunity and a fresh start for a lot of people! And for some that means considering selling their home. The good news is that the Garden Valley real estate market is still moving, and buyers are interested! While rates and prices have changed over the last few months, inventory remains fairly low so there isn't as much competition - making it a great time to list! That said, there are still some challenges to face, so we've put together some best practices to help you get it s-o-l-d!

Keep Calm
It can be hectic, right after the holidays, to even think of listing your home. But, as with anything, the best thing to do is start from a calm emotional state. Being able to take a step back and look at things practically will not only make it easier to say goodbye to the place you've lived for some time, but it can also help you price your home more realistically.

Price It Right
This can be hard. And we recommend leaning heavily on your chosen Idaho real estate professional! Your agent will know the market conditions, what comparable homes are going for in the area, and be able to set a price that will bring good returns as well as a timely sale.

Spruce It Up
It's a strange time of year isn't it?! The Christmas tree or lights might still be up and everyone is still a bit groggy from the holiday time off. If you're thinking of selling soon, it might be a good time to go ahead and take the tree down - pack it up for the move to get one more thing off the list! - and start staging your home for a broader seasonal appeal.

A lot goes into selling a home in Idaho! It's a unique market and mountain real estate can require an especially experienced hand. If you've been waiting for the holidays to be over to get your home sold we hope that you will give us a call to see all we can do to help!

This time of year, as things draw to a close and the weather is cold, it's natural for thoughts to turn towards home! But can the holiday season be a good time to sell if you've been thinking about it? Many real estate professionals think so! Traditionally many people think only of Spring and Fall as hot times to list a home for sale in Idaho, but that's just not the case. Listing your home during the holidays can have some unique benefits, especially if you position and market your home the right way.

Inventory Is Lower
Winter months tend to see fewer homes listed, so you're going to likely have less competition. This can help your home stand out and also lessen the chance of getting in the middle of a bidding delay as buyers will be more driven.

Winter Buyers Mean Business
If they're looking in Winter chances are they want to move by Spring; this can mean that buyers are much more motivated. During other seasons buyers tend to feel like there's plenty of time unless they have other factors at play and may do a lot of looking without a clear timeline to buy. But Winter buyers are already thinking about the new year and this combined with lower inventory works in your favor.

Year End Transfers and Tax Breaks
A lot of people get job transfers for Christmas! This means they need to relocate quickly and are less likely to delay in closing. What's more tax breaks and returns are something that many people are already making plans to put to good use.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
That's right! The Holidays! The neighborhoods and towns will be putting on their best show with lights and festivities. It's a wonderful time to cozy up your home and show it off. The smell of fresh baked cookies and soft lights are sure to tug at the heart strings of interested new owners.

Sometimes life makes plans it doesn't tell us about! That can especially be true during the holidays and when it comes time for a move.
We hope you will call on us whatever life throws your way and let us help you find the spirit of home this holiday!

Garden Valley Properties would like to introduce their newest licensed real estate agent to the team - Kraig Wees!

Native to Idaho, Kraig and his wife Katja settled in Garden Valley 3 years ago. Prior to joining the real estate industry, Kraig worked 20 years in Marketing and Sales for Micron Technology, after years as a restaurateur.

Kraig is a proud member of the Boise Regional Realtors as well as the National Association of Realtors (NAR), and ready to serve the greater Garden Valley market.

The Wees's are empty-nesters allowing Kraig the time to focus his people skills on his new career in Real Estate. We're excited to have him joining the GVP team!