Your Property Taxes and Schools

June 8th will mark the date that the Meridian School district will ask homeowners to increase their taxes to help alleviate the over crowding in the district.

Meridian has not increased taxes in the past 15 years and at a time when house market prices have dropped; the levy would increase a home worth $100,000 from an average of $52 per year to $82.

The increase will be needed to pay teacher salaries and avoid any further layoffs. School districts use property taxes for new buildings and maintenance, buses and transportation.

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Neighborhood Stabilization Program

This program was developed for the purpose of Stabilizing communities that were hit hard by the Foreclosed and abandoned homes. Monies have been allocated to local governments using a formula from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act or the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA).

What is available to Idaho? There are still funds available to Canyon and Twin Falls counties. The purchasers must attend the finally home Home buyer class. The funds are only available for Foreclosed homes and not for short sales. For more information give me a call.

Bike Week Kickoff

Boise Bike week kicks begins in earnest today, bike week is from May 16th – 22nd 2010. Boise events include the kickoff celebration at Boise City Hall. We are a city of diverse mobility, celebrate our freedom and fun.

Act ivies include:

• The Twilight Mardi Gras Ride
• Adapted Cruise
• Road Biking Intro and Skills Ride
• Meridian Cycles Women's Road Ride
• Treasure Valley Alliance Recumbent Rally
• Ride of Silence - honoring cyclists who’ve been injured or killed.
• Mountain Biking Intro and Skills Ride – SWIMBA
• Bicycle Block Party


Use this link to find activities for the entire week.

Boise Bike week coincides with National Bike week to raise awareness of safety and working together with the community to promote sustainable living and fun.

Snap Shot Real Estate Market Watch for May 9th – May 15th 2010-05-16

These are the weekly statistics for residential homes Sold Pending or New on the market.

They are statistics I have taken from the Intermountain MLS database for all of Southwestern Idaho.

• 213 New on market Homes for Sale
• 188 Single Family Homes
• 8 Condos
• 8 Town Homes
• 9 Other (includes Manufactured and Recreational)

Total Number of Homes Sold: 200

• 191 Single Family Homes Sold
• 3 Condos
• 6 Town Homes
• 0 Other

I will update these numbers on Sunday of Each Week!

Giving Back Where We Live!

On Friday May 14th Keller Williams Boise spread out to all of the Fred Meyer Stores to collect money and food for the following charities: The Idaho Food Bank, WCA (Women’s and Children’s Alliance, Horizon Elementary School, Hope House, Nampa Family Justice Center and City Light Home for Women and Children.

I was stationed at The Fred Meyer store located on Chinden in Garden City. We collected several barrels of caned food and Money to help support the Idaho Food Bank. I am proud to have been a part of this community outreach. The food bank is in need on a constant basis of non perishable food items. Please continue to give back to your community!

Residential Investments

Market fluctuations have led to sweeping changes to almost every area of real estate transactions. One of the questions that I get now is if the investment and income situation has evened out making it a good time to buy. The answer that I would give and this is only my opinion, it is a good time to buy. I would qualify this statement with a couple of matching statements. Most of the investor clients are looking to see if a property is going to “pencil” on paper with the current rental market.

Rental fees and rental market conditions have adjusted to reflect our economy also. When someone asks if there is a history to give a higher cap rate, I must say it shows an average cap rate but may not be all that it seems due to reduced monthly rents to combat vacancy rates. A quick answer would be to buy a residential investment property at the current prices is good, can you get the rents to make it cap at normal middle or high rates may need some more history. My real answer would be we need a year of rental history in order to see what the property would actually really pencil.

Creating Curb Appeal..

Continuing with my previous blog, I will speak about how to make the great curb appeal and thus making your homes first impression. Springtime is probably the absolute best time of year to create the green look with flowers and trees budding out.

Mow your lawn in a criss cross pattern just like on the golf courses. This promotes a more even look. Using a green fertilizer will make your grass greener and healthier without using lots of water. Pull the weeds in your flower beds and if possible use a ground cover to stop weed growth.

Make sure all of your clippings are removed and drive and sidewalks swept. Wash the outside of your home; remove all spider webs and hornet nests etc.

With the flowers and tulips up, it is one of the greenest times of year if you are selling your house or not. Enjoy your effort.