The real estate market in Idaho is still as hot as the weather! And with more inventory hitting the market lately, sellers will need to do everything they can to make sure their home is as appealing to potential buyers as possible. To help out we've put together a few cost-effective ideas to help you get your curb appeal in a good place to get your home SOLD!

Clean Up the Yard
It mostly just takes time and elbow grease, but it makes a huge difference in how your home is received! Tuck away any unused yard equipment, rake leaves, pull weeds, and keep the grass cut - these are all simple things that really help.

Light Up the Yard
A few dollars in solar lights can go a long way! Consider getting some accent lights to place along walkways, in between shrubbery and the house, and other key areas around the outside of your home. Not only does it give your home more of a "wow" factor but it helps it look great even at night.

Wash the Exterior
A good thorough soft-wash for your siding or exterior will help make your home look great! Dust and dirt can build up over the long Summer and by knocking down some of that grime and washing the windows your home is sure to sparkle.

You can do things like add potted plants to porch areas, give your front door a bold new coat of paint, or even upgrade your mailbox to add extra little touches to your home that will help it stand out from others! We hope these ideas will help you in your journey to sell your home - if you need more help we're always here to be of service.

While it's been an undeniable sellers market for the last few years in Idaho real estate, things have begun to slowly take a turn, and with the return of more inventory to the market it's now a good time for buyers to start thinking about making the market their own. So, what do you do if you've been thinking about buying a home, but still aren't sure where to start - or even if the time is right? Don't Panic! Your team of Idaho mountain real estate professionals is here to help you find your way to H-O-M-E!

Understand Mortgage Rates
Rates have increased significantly this year, and recently they’ve been fluctuating quite a bit. How mortgage rates change can impact your buying power, so knowing where they are and how much it might effect you is important. A change in the percentages can determine your borrowing power as well as what your mortgage cost will be down the road.

Start Looking
It never hurts to start looking for what you might want NOW. It might not be on the market yet, but in the looking we often learn about what it is we really want - and what we don't. Looking at the available homes also can help you see what prices are doing, as well as what home features you'll want to include in your new place.

Look at Finances
It's a good idea to start looking at your financials long before you start your home search. This includes taking a look at your savings, debt to income ratio, as well as considering paying down any outstanding debts. It's a good idea to talk with a mortgage professional or your real estate agent to find out which numbers will be the most important.

Work with an Experienced Realtor
Save time, save stress, save money! These are all things you want to do - and working with a qualified Garden Valley Realtor is a great place to start! We're familiar with the market and the area, and can help you at every step of the way. A good agent will not only help in your search for the perfect place but they'll know how to get all the i's dotted and t's crossed when the time for paperwork comes.

Home doesn't have to be hard to find - just start right here!
We look forward to hearing from you about your real estate needs; no matter if you're looking to buy or sell we can help!

Everyone is talking about a real estate bubble in Idaho, and are quick to call it a "sellers market", but does that mean it's a bad time to buy a home? We don't think so! There are a number of good reasons to consider buying a home this Summer, let's take a look at just a few of the big reasons why.

There Are More Homes
Inventory has been low over the last year or so, but we're seeing those numbers turn around - and that means power for the buyers! It's a good time to get in and start finding properties before the market gets oversaturated, or the home you want is already sold.

Homeownership Provides Stability
With inflation at an all time high and the costs of living climbing, owning a home is one way to help lock in one of your highest recurring monthly expenses. While your mortgage can still fluctate with the economy you won't have to worry as much about huge jumps in costs. Owning a home also allows you to build equity, providing a means to grow your overall wealth over time.

Buying May Be More Affordable
While up front costs may be more, your payments month to month may be more affordable than renting a home. In many cases not only will owning a home save you money versus renting, it also generally provides more room for the cost.

You Can Make It Truly Yours
No more asking permission, no more dealing with features you don't like. You want a different color in the den? You get a different color! You want new cabinets? You can have new cabinets! When you own your home you don't have to get permission from the landlord to make your home look the way you want.

It's HOT! Summer is taking it's time strolling through Idaho and the temperatures are up. While heat stroke and heat exhaustion are very real dangers everyone should be aware of, there's no reason why you can't still enjoy the long days of Summer with a little creative planning. We know how fun this time of year is, so we've put together some helpful tips to keep you cool!

Get Out Early - Or Go Out Late
The best time to enjoy a little coolness is the early morning! Not everyone likes getting up with the chickens, but it guarantees that you will have time to be outside before it gets too hot. Fortunately, since the days are long you can also opt to go out late in the evening depending on your chosen activities.

Go Jump in the River!
Nothing personal, but it's great advice! There's nothing like jumping in the rushing water to cool off quick. Even in high Summer the mountain rivers stay nice and cold, so don't be bashful about taking a dip.

Bring Your Own Pool Party!
We love this idea! Get your friends to all bring their own "warshing tubs" or kiddie pools and set them out on the lawn for a BBQ! It's a great way to stay nice and chill while you chill.

Head For the Hills!
We feel sorry for all the folks living down in the valley surrounded by all the steaming hot concrete! Getting up into the hills is almost guaranteed to offer slightly cooler temperatures as well as some much needed forest shade.

Don't let the heat ruin your Summer! There's till plenty of time to get out and enjoy the outdoors, even when it's hot. We would love the opportunity to show you why we love calling Garden Valley home (and know you will too!), so give us a call!

So, Summer changed your plans and instead of putting your home for sale on the market in Idaho you’ve got other plans that won’t wait. Might be work, might be family - who knows - life is what is happening while you’re making other plans as the saying goes. Regardless, you’re looking at being in your current home for a little while longer and have decided to put that extra time to good use by doing some renovations - but you’ve heard that some upgrades can actually harm the value of your house. Not to worry, Garden Valley Properties is here with some tips to help you avoid costly renovation mistakes!

Underestimating Your Budget
You’re bound to have watched a few of those fix it and flip it shows on TV by now; it’s also no doubt that you’ve noticed how often things run over budget. Well, that’s actually a little real reality in the reality shows - even simple renovations can go over budget. A good way to handle this is to plan plan plan, get solid quotes whenever possible, and set aside a little extra just in case.

Overestimating Your Skill
Hey! I know how to use a saw! How hard could it be?!
Uh, yeah, stop right there! THIS is what we’re talking about. In many cases, yes, you may have the needed skills to install new doors, or paint the walls, or even more complicated renovations. That said, it’s easy to get in over your head and the professionals you have to end up hiring anyway will likely charge to fix your mistakes. Another important thing to consider is that some renovations to your home may require permits, licenses or special approval to be done, so consider hiring a pro.

Just Going For It!
Swing that hammer with wild abandon! Knock down those walls! Tear out that floor!
Whoooaaa nelly! Before you start making radical changes, be sure to sit down and make a plan. Consider how the changes you want to make may change the value of your home when it does come time to sell, as well as what the costs and timelines for these changes will be.

Not Asking for Help
Renovating even a single room of your home can be a real challenge depending on what you want to do. If it’s something you decide to take on your own, don’t let it get to the point where it’s completely overwhelming - if you get stuck, ask for help! Even if you ask for help before you start, talk to your friends and neighbors who have done similar projects and see how it went.

More than just being there during the purchase or sale of your home in Idaho, Garden Valley Properties wants to be part of you being happy in your home while you’re living in it too! If you have questions about renovating, or about real estate, don’t hesitate to get in touch!