Are you currently renting? Maybe thinking about the day when you’d be able to afford a home for your growing family or wanting to put down permanent roots here in the Treasure Valley? Maybe you’re not sure if buying a house is the best move right now, finances and opportunity seem tight these days for everyone. Let me share something that could change your mind about owning a home versus renting one over this next year.

Rent for a property could be catching up with a mortgage. In other words, it might be prudent to buy a home now and make an investment instead of sinking money into rent each month. In the past, it was simpler to tell if you should buy a home or rent one to save money. You could calculate how much you would save if you rented and then save up that money for a down payment someday. Nowadays, rent in many places is equivalent to or very close to a mortgage payment, meaning that all of the money you’d pay in rent each month could be instead going to something that would be fully yours someday or bring you equity if you sold it in the future.

Mortgage payments are generally stable month-to-month, while rent can change drastically if your landlord raises the prices on a whim. Owning a home can also give you tax benefits, and if you have or want to move in the future, you would have more time to make a decision instead of being kicked out of where you are renting. These are just a few of the reasons to think about owning a home instead of renting. Of course, you should always consider hidden homeowner costs, your finances, and make sure you’re not getting in something that’s well over your head. Contact any of us at TV Idaho Real Estate and Property Management, we would be happy to help you with any questions you might have about your dreams of home ownership.

The Treasure Valley may be seeing interest rates lower in June which would greatly benefit homeowners next year. The Federal Open Market Committee meeting will be held in a few weeks on June 18th, and we believe that they are going to lower their interest rate; we’re curious if it will be 0.25 or 0.50. Low interest rates are beneficial for homeowners, and if you’re planning on buying a house this year, those low rates will be great for saving money as you navigate the hidden costs of home ownership.

We are also experiencing a slowdown in the real estate market here in the Treasure Valley, which is mainly due to interest rates. Right now we have at least 30% more homes on the market than we did last year at this time, but they’re moving slowly towards being sold. We are hopeful that lower interest rates will keep the market moving, hopefully towards a balanced market for both buyers and sellers.

All of us here at TVIPM and Real Estate would be happy to help answer any of your questions about interest rates, housing costs, or anything else you might be pondering as you decide if you’re ready to buy or sell a home. We want to help you find your dream home, despite the challenges of the economy, and help you provide for your family what you need to thrive!

First-time home buyers have an advantage in the Treasure Valley real estate market right now, and you’ll want this information in your back pocket as you consider the next steps towards home ownership. The recent slowdown in the market gives you the possibility of affording home repairs and asking for closing costs, as well as offering a lower price and actually getting it.

In the last few years, homes have been selling for higher and higher prices, and people have been scrambling to buy homes with inventory being less than demand. You requesting closing costs or repairs was risky, since there were usually multiple offers on a home and other buyers might not have the same priorities that you did. But with the market slowing down and homes being on the market for around 2.5 months or 75 days and inventory catching up with demand, we’ve seen people’s requests being accepted with their offers. This allows first-time home buyers to afford better homes than they could and also to be able to afford repairs themselves after they move in.

Many home sellers think they can get more for their homes than they actually can right now, since they are used to the prices of post-2020. However, many home buyers are nervous about the state of our country’s economy and aren’t willing to just pay full price for any home, loan applications are down, and construction has been slowing. If you are a new home buyer, are ready to buy a home, and have the adequate funds necessary, now is the time to take the next step before the market picks back up again. Marry the house but date the rate, and don’t live in fear but stay informed. We at TV Idaho Real Estate and PM are willing to help answer any questions you might have, just give us a call or send a message!

When you’re considering buying a home, interest rates for mortgages are often one of the top things on your mind, right? Before getting locked down in a payment plan for years with the potential for rates rising and more money leaving your pockets, you probably want to know what you’re getting yourself into. Being a homeowner can be work enough without the added stress of rising interest rates, we’re here to help ease your worries so you can make the best decision for you and your family’s housing situation!

You don’t need to wait for the perfect interest rate to become a homeowner! The past 50-year interest rate average has been around 8%, rarely spiking higher. You marry the home, but date the rate. The passive savings that can accumulate from owning a home can be better than renting, even with a higher interest rate. Our homes are still increasing in value in the Treasure Valley, and if you take care of your home, you won’t be losing out on potential future value.

While you are looking for a home, however, you should keep your budget in mind and ensure that you’re not going to be paying more than you’re able to afford. If the home and interest rates are doable with your income then we say, go for it! There can be hidden costs with home ownership that can take you by surprise if you are a new home buyer, such as wear and tear on the home itself. But if your finances are stable and you feel ready, home ownership is well worth the money and we’re happy to help you get there. Please let us know how we can help you!

The best months for selling a home in the Treasure Valley are typically the warm, sunny months of late spring and summer. The long days are ideal for showing off the best aspects of your home, and many people want to get settled in before the winter weather hits. However, 2025 has brought about an unexpected shift in the real estate market as January and February have climbed rapidly in housing sales. Inventory has been steadily rising and people are sending us offer after offer and they’re often well above asking price. The Idaho real estate market is not dead in the winter, we’re usually slow but sales do get made; however, this sudden leap of activity is quite unusual. Many buyers seem concerned that prices will climb dramatically in the spring and they don’t care about the interest rate, if they can afford it, they’re doing it. People that have been sitting on the home-buying sidelines for the past few years are jumping at the opportunity to do it now.

Mortgage rates have been predicted to come down due to inflation easing, but we haven’t seen that happen yet, and as a result the market may slow down come spring. This current rise in sales is unexpected in the cold February of Idaho, but we’re still happy to be helping people find their dream homes. Don’t wait to buy if you’re ready now, but don’t panic buy either! Make the best decision for you and your family, make sure you can afford it, and don’t forget that you marry the house but only date the rate. We’ll see where these new trends lead us in 2025!

If you can still afford a home at the present interest rate, what’s stopping you from purchasing one? Maybe you’re concerned about having enough money, maybe you’re not ready to settle, or maybe you want to wait for home prices to drop and inventory to increase. Whatever the case, having a good realtor on your side to discuss options is invaluable! But there is plenty you can think about on your own before you get in contact with one.

What are your finances like? Do you have student loans, bad credit scores, and unpaid bills? Or are you able to keep up with your financial obligations and have a good amount put away into savings? It’s a good idea to consider your financial situation when you’re thinking about home buying and to make sure you can afford a down payment and subsequent payments.

Do you know where you want to settle down? Do you plan to be married, have kids, or are ready for the responsibilities of home ownership? Do you want to live in the country, city, or suburbs? Do you have or want animals? Maybe you feel like you don’t have the time to dedicate to home buying? The details about your personal life and future goals or dreams are important to keep in mind when you’re looking at homes.

It may seem like these questions are all too much to think about when planning for home buying, but figuring out all the details beforehand saves you a lot of stress during the process of looking for a home, and can also save you from making a poor decision. We at TV Idaho Real Estate and PM are always willing to help answer your questions, and if you feel like you’re ready to start looking for a home, we’d be happy to help you achieve that dream.

It’s May 2024, and we are just entering the prime home-buying season in the Treasure Valley. The cold, dark days of winter are behind us and warm, long summer days are ahead; many people are starting to prep their homes for selling. For the new home buyers out there, we have some advice as you plan to look for and purchase your first home this year. There are great opportunities out there we don’t want you to miss out on!

While you’re starting to look for your first home, don’t let emotions rule your decision. There won’t always be the perfect house or the perfect buying situation, but there are plenty of good houses out there, and always the option to sell again in the future. Take into account the neighborhood, the size of the house you need, and your credit score before making a decision. Getting advice from multiple lenders and a real estate agent will also help as they know the market and state of the economy better than most.

Another piece of advice for first-time home buyers is don’t drain your savings! Pay attention to hidden home-owning costs, the percentage of a down payment (which can vary from house to house), and the cost of moving itself. Keep well within your budget, but don’t wait around for the unicorn home, be reasonable and flexible.

Don’t be afraid of fixer-uppers, older homes in need of a few renovations or yard clean-ups. Those kinds of houses are great for first-time homeowners, you get to build equity through renovations over time and can eventually sell for more than you bought it for. The prices for older homes tend to be less than those of newer homes as well, so they can fit better in your budget.

There’s a lot to keep in mind as a first-time home buyer, but don’t let the stress take over your life! Getting a good team of people to help you with advice and knowledge makes a big difference in the ease of the experience. We at TV Idaho RE and PM are happy to help you find the home of your dreams, contact us to see how we can help you!

Should you buy a home with today’s high-interest rates? What is on the horizon for interest rates across the country? Growing rate numbers have spooked many potential home buyers, and since we’re moving into the colder months of the year, only serious home buyers and sellers will be left on the market. So if you’re serious about buying a home this autumn and winter, what do you need to know about the interest rates, and is it wise to still proceed with home buying?

Mortgage rates in the U.S. right now are the highest they have been in years, and many home buyers believe it’s a bad time to be buying a home. That might not be the case for everyone, however. The classic phrase for home buying is “marry the house, date the rate,” which means that if you love the home and plan to live there for a while, have enough for a down payment, and have good credit; buy the home! You can always refinance later, and you can’t wait out the market forever.

Some reasons that you may want to instead wait for a while before buying a new house might include inventory increasing and personal finances. If the market is building, you might want to wait and see what will be available in a few weeks. And if your personal finances aren’t ready for home buying then definitely hold off on joining the home hunt! Only buy when buying won’t make you broke.

Before you put your house on the market, make sure that you find a trusted, experienced real estate agent who will be able to help you time the market and make sure you can afford what you want. We at Treasure Valley Real Estate will be able to help you find the house of your dreams while working around your budget and the current market!