If you've been thinking about selling your home in Idaho but have been putting it off, chances are it's because you're just not sure if the time is right. Well, according to recent market data that sweet spot for selling may be NOW. The latest Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) by Fannie Mae finds that 76% of consumers believe now is the right time to make the move - in fact, it's likely an even better time to sell than it was before the pandemic. But WHY?

It all comes down to the rules of supply and demand. Idaho real estate inventory is still extremely low; that makes the homes on the market in higher demand. Generally speaking as the year goes on more and more homes hit the market, making for more competition, and so it's often true that listing in Spring and Summer are the optimal seasons.

In addition, there are still more buyers looking for homes than homes being listed, meaning that the buyers are very motivated to find and close on a house quickly to keep from potentially losing it to another party.

But the market is changing! As the economy faces unique challenges many people are puting a hold on their spending as cost of living expenses rise. Interest rates are also looking to go up over the next year, so chances are this may be the best time to sell OR buy.

Are you unsure if it's time?
We would love to talk to you about your current situation, your needs for a new place, or how we can help you prepare your current home to sell on the market. Get in touch today to find out more about all we can do to make your next move EASY!

How hard could selling a house be?! You tell people about it, and if they're interested they buy it, right? Well...not quite. You see, there's a lot more that goes into selling a home - and getting the best price! - than just putting a sign up in the yard. What's more, beyond just getting a better price for your home, there are some very good reasons to talk with a licensed real estate agent before you try FSBO.

The Pricing
Let's get that big item out of the way first. Your home is your castle; you likely have a lot of emotion invested in it. This can make things like accurate pricing for the market difficult. What's more, the real estate market in Idaho is always changing and it literally pays to know how to price your home competitively to other properties currently available.

Getting Things Ready
More than just listing the home on the Multiple Listing Service, your agent can help you spot problem areas in the home that you'll want to take care of before going to market. An experienced agent will know how to help you prepare your home to be showcased in its very best light and sell quickly.

Marketing
Unless you really are Instagram famous it's likely you will need some help letting people know your home is for sale. Even in a fast moving real estate market like we have here in the Treasure Valley no home sells itself. Your agent will be able to list your home on various channels that may not be accessible to you to get the most eyes on your property.

The Paperwork
Loans, closings, pre-screening potential buyers, and signing signing signing! Some will argue that having someone to help with these things is reason enough to working a qualified real estate agent all on its own. And they are right! Your realtor will be able to help with the mountains of forms, the legal stuff, and even helping make sure you find the RIGHT buyer for your home.

Are you thinking of selling?
Not quite sure if it's time? Don't know what the market is doing? WE CAN HELP!
Our team of Idaho mountain real estate professionals knows the area and the market like few others - get in touch today to find out all we can do to help you get that home SOLD!

PRESS RELEASE May 2022 - GARDEN VALLEY, IDAHO

May 23rd was another Big Day in the life of Garden Valley Properties!  Julie Leslie, agent and Co-owner, of Garden Valley properties announced completion of her requirements to earn the Associate Broker license in the state of Idaho.

The requirement to earn this coveted classification include 90 hours of training, 2 years sale experience and passing the rigorous state and national examination.  It's a tough road that few agents attempt.  Of over 9000 agents in the Intermountain (Southwest Idaho) MLS there are only 365 associate brokers.  

In 2021 Julie sold over 9 million dollars in real estate in West Boise County, making her one of the top agents in the county and in the top 15% of the entire MLS!
 
Julie received her agent license in 2004. When asked what she loved about the business Julie said "As someone that loves learning, my job provides a variety of things to learn. Market trends, new technologies, and the complex transactions that arise. I also value the connections I make during the process. For me, Real Estate is more than a transaction, it's helping a lifelong friend."

James Jardine, the designated Broker and chief of Garden Valley Properties said of Julie "Few realtors in Idaho strive to achieve Broker status. Julie Leslie's successful receipt of this highest level of licensure by Idaho, results from advanced education and experience as a real estate professional. Garden Valley Properties' Brokers, Agents, and Staff congratulate her on gaining the standard."

As for the future, the well-respected real estate company hopes to continue on its mission to serve the community by offering a high quality service, providing market information and participating in the needs of the community.

Congratulations Julie Leslie for a job well done!  

PRESS RELEASE - Garden Valley Idaho

Garden Valley Properties is proud to announce our agents, Kathy Vaughan, Julie Leslie, Toni Palmiotto and Lisa Willey have been awarded the Accredited Buyer’s Representation (ABR®) designation by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC) of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR)!

These four ladies join more than 27,000 real estate professionals in North America who have earned the ABR® designation. All were required to successfully complete a comprehensive course in buyer representation and an elective course focusing on a buyer representation specialty, both in addition to submitting documentation verifying professional experience.

REBAC, founded in 1988, is the world's largest association of real estate professionals focused specifically on representing the real estate buyer. There are more than 40,000 active members of the organization world-wide. THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, "The Voice for Real Estate," is the world's largest professional association, representing over 1.4 million members involved in all aspects of the real estate industry.

Find us at the happy yellow door downtown Crouch, visit our website gardenvalleyproperties.com or call the office 208.462.4620.

There are so many things to worry about when the time comes to sell your home! In the end you just want to get it done and over so you can move on, but you don’t want to end up losing out due to small details that could drive away buyers or lower your selling price. You may even be considering doing some updates to your home to try and increase its value, but should you do updates before you sell your home? Some say it could be risky, but here’s the facts!

The New Owners Want to Do It
No. They don’t. Home channels like HGTV have created this false idea that the new owners of your home will want to jump right in and do their own updates, and this just isn’t true. Certainly, over time the new owners may make changes to suit their tastes but the last thing anyone wants to do after a move is start a remodel.

It Takes Too Much Time
Major remodels, like completely redoing a bathroom or kitchen may take a good chunk of time but there are plenty of small updates you can do to your home to increase its selling value that won’t take long. Small changes like paint and fixtures can make a big difference on closing day.

Updates Don’t Pay
Not all upgrades are created equal; some definitely pay off more than others, but any time and effort you put into making your home ready to sell will pay off - if not in dollars, then in time on market. If your budget is tight, focus on the rooms that have the biggest remake pay off - bathrooms and kitchens.

If you are in an older home, or haven’t done any updates and upgrades in a while doing so before you consider selling might be a good idea! We would love to speak more with you about your home selling plans and how we can help make them happen!