Home for the Holidays SALE!!!

Calling all Buyers!!

I have today some exciting news!

Local REALTORS(r) and Sellers from Shelley to Ashton have teamed up to offer the "Home for the Holidays" home sale featuring over 260 price-reduced homes and an astounding $3 million plus in savings. This is the largest home sale in Southeast Idaho history and it runs from Monday, November 17th through Sunday, November 23rd. This is a great opportunity to find the home of your dreams or your perfect starter home!

If you were waiting for the right time to buy, don’t delay! Several local banks are also offering incentives in conjunction with this sale.

If you have a friend or family member who is interested in getting into the market but is unsure how, please pass this note along ~ I am happy to work with all your referrals!

Additionally, if you know of a first-time homebuyer (or have a family member who is considering it - or should be), there is an additional tax credit available (up to $7500 and is REFUNDABLE!) from the Federal government if the home is purchased prior to July 1, 2009. Ask me for details! DO NOT PASS THIS ONE UP!

Are you a Seller? There are ways to target your marketing to today's home buyers. Are you?

Contact me today to find out more about these exciting opportunities!

Year-on-Year Price Appreciation in IF Area??

Hey out there in Idaho Falls! How do you feel about our local market? Is it a Buyer's market? Is it slowing down, or normalizing? I was sent this article, and I just have to share it!

Start here: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/HomebuyingGuide/HomePricesByCity.aspx

The link above is to an article at msn.com and compare first quarter 2007 with first quarter 2008 home prices. Year-on-year, the Idaho Falls area is ranked #16 in the nation for price APPRECIATION! 1.33% for just the first quarter, according to information from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. See also the 1- and 5-yr numbers.

Still think it's such a bad time to own real estate?

When you hear people say, "Real estate is local," this is why!

The Importance of Staging

Well, staging is certainly a hot top in real estate these days, particularly in the rest of the nation where the market has really slowed. However, even in Idaho Falls our sellers can benefit from staging their home with it showing better, attracting more potential buyers, and allowing the buyer to picture themselves living in the home. It's really the conversion of your home that appeals to you, to a house that appeals to the masses.

There are many articles on the Internet regarding staging, some better than others. The link enclosed is to an article I found particularly helpful on msn.com, and with before and after photos to illustrate the points made. See the link for "10 Tips On Staging Your Home To Sell".

Remember, staging is not the same as decorating, and the ideal staging a of home for sale, in order to attract more potential buyers, may actually be to change the use of rooms from their current use in your home. This is ok - there is no need to be offended if someone suggests this - you are moving anyway, and it's soon to become someone else's home, right? Let's help show them how!

Chris

How's the Market?

Hello Idaho Falls!

A very brief intro, in case you have found this page from some way other than a link from my website. I am Chris Pelkola, a REALTOR® with RE/MAX Homestead Realty in Idaho Falls, ID. AND I am kicking off my first blog, ever! This space will contain thoughts on the local real estate market for Bonneville and Jefferson Counties (the areas I service), statistics and probably just a little bit about life in Idaho Falls thrown in here and there. If you have not seen my website, please visit www.IFListings.com, where you will find more local info, be able to search the local MLS listings, and plan your weekends by checking out my NEW Live Music Calendar for Idaho Falls - sweet! So, here we go, and watch this space!!

To start off, here is a quote from our local MLS Board President regarding the current status of our market vs what we hear in the news. Please note, every market differs - the idea of the local market is just that - it's 'local!' And in the Idaho Falls area, the market is still strong. Keep checking back, I will be posting some stats for all you engineers (and the rest of us too)!
:-)
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"Contrary to what you hear in the press, the market in Bonneville County
is great. 2006 was our biggest year ever. Last year we were within 20 home
sales of matching that volume. The average sales price increased more than
10%, and inventory is still within normal ranges. Mortgage rates are
nearing the low rates we had two years ago. Real Estate is still the best
financial investment. It is a great time to buy and sell real estate."
- 2008 Greater Idaho Falls Association of REALTORS® President, Stephen Hatch