When preparing your home for sale, remember, less is more!  Less “stuff” will allow your potential buyers to look at your home and it features.  Kitchens and baths are most important.  Clear off the counter tops, no magnets on the fridge, good lighting and keep it clean.  Bath rooms also need to be very neat, organized and clean.  Empty all trash cans, extra clean fixtures, and no clutter and remember to keep fresh bath and hand towels in their appropriate place.  Your decorating can be a detraction to the buyer.  Limit the amount of family pictures, souvenirs, etc.  Leave some lights on!  especially in the evening.  Your trying to set the scene – no surprises.  You only have one opportunity for a first impression.  These buyers will be waiting for the front door to be opened.  Make sure it is clean and well lite.  Clean your windows and enjoy the views!

This could be just the right time for you to buy a home in Idaho Falls if you are a first time home buyer. Those of you who are about to jump in the market for the first time there are steps to streamline the process. First you need to contact a lender of your choice and become pre-qualified so everyone knows what price range to start looking at. The lender will also be able to give you an idea of what monies you will need for down payment, closing costs, etc.

The next step is to find a real estate agent that will help you in your search for your dream home. Being pre-qualified as a first time home-buyer gives you a credibility to the agent and seller.

Make a list of wants and needs to narrow down where you need to look, you may not get everything on the list but it helps in the search.

Good luck on your search for a home! It can be fun and quite rewarding.

Although the amount of foreclosed homes filed with the Public Trustee’s Office has slowed in the last year, there is still a staggering amount of bank owned properties, or foreclosed homes, still on the Idaho Falls market today.

These homes can pose a problem for potential sellers as Appraisers are using these in their reports, which bring down the overall Market Value in Idaho Falls. Unfortunately this is just a sign of the times and one more thing we must deal with until the inventory of foreclosures has been depleted. Again, if you do not HAVE TO SELL, then don’t. Wait until it you can get what you WANT out of your home.

However, this can serve as a perk to buyers, there are great deals to be had in these foreclosed homes. Banks want to unload these foreclosed homes, just to get them off their books, and are selling them at drastically reduced prices. There are just a few things you must be aware of when looking at a foreclosed home.

First: You and your Real Estate Broker must know what type of loan you are qualified for; FHA, VA, or Conventional. This is important because each loan has its own standards for qualifying a foreclosed home for appraisal.

Second: Don’t be afraid to ask for contingencies. Banks are willing to pay these just to sell these foreclosed homes. In the past, the banks didn’t want to invest any more money into these properties because of the loss they already stood to loose, but because of the sheer volume of foreclosed homes, they have little choice; they must remain competitive.

Third: Be patient. Most banks have several foreclosed homes on their books. It can take them anywhere from 3 days, to a couple of weeks to respond to your offer. Don’t let this discourage you. If you have the time, these foreclosed homes are generally worth the wait.

Fourth: Make sure the utilities are turned on before you schedule an appraisal or an inspection. Most lenders are requiring this to complete an appraisal for foreclosed homes, and you will want to know if you have any major plumbing issues. Keep in mind that the inspector can run a pressure test, but it is no substitution for the real thing.

LAST: Be prepared for anything when it comes to foreclosed homes. Anything that could go wrong with a foreclosed home probably will. There are going to be bumps in the road, and even some potential roadblocks. With a little patience and a lot of negotiating, you will have just gotten the deal of a lifetime!