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Helpful Information - Don Wixom, Nampa, Caldwell, Boise, Eagle, Meridian

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Written by Don Wixom

Here are a few graphs showing the most recent activity compiled by Langston & Associates here in the Boise area.

These graphs show number of sales in both Ada & Canyon counties as well as average days on market (DOM) and other sales trends.

2007 has begun with plenty of supply in the housing market and what seems like the bottom of the curve for prices and "best values" for buyers. Depending on your particular price range, it may be a buyer's market or it could be a seller's market. Right now, in the Nampa area, in the price range close to $300,000, I would say it is a buyer's market. There are more houses to choose from than ever before, in this price range.

I hope you will enjoy these charts and moreover, will send your friends and family my way, whenever they need to buy or sell Idaho Real Estate! Thank you!

Read more... Written by Don Wixom

So, where are all the people coming from in our valley? Many of you have asked this question & I ran across this article from United Van Lines covering the basics of their survey.

I hope you enjoy. Please contact me when you know anyone needing to buy or sell Idaho Real Estate! I appreciate your referrals!

Read more... Written by Don Wixom Here is an article talking about the Baby Boomer Generation and their anticipated real estate needs as they approach retirement. This is the largest generation in America and they are reaching retirement age rapidly! This survey was conducted on those born from 1946 to 1964. I'm just on the tail-end of this generation, so I guess I'll read on to see what my needs might be. I hope you enjoy this article found in the Realtor Magazine. Read more... Written by Don Wixom

What County is that?

Many of you have asked me for a reference on Idaho License Plates and what those pre-fix designation mean. Well...here it is! You can now view the number and letter reference to know which Idaho county certain vehicles are from.

Keep in mind, those who have personalized plates do not have the county designations, so there's no telling from where they came!

Read more... Written by Don Wixom

CRS? ABR? GRI? What do these mean?

OK... So are Realtors just so egotistical that they have to display all those letters after their names?

Actually, these designations DO in fact have a meaning. The most critical thing to remember is that these designations reflect a Realtor's commitment to education and a commitment to the quality of service they offer to their clients.

Customers and clients alike, need to pay attention to these designations, simply for the fact that they represent experience and knowledge. Our market, today, is filled with real estate sales people who have just recently passed the state exam (the minimum requirement) to assist home buyers and sellers in one of their most valuable investments.

Realtor designations also indicate areas of specialties for the agent. Please take the time to review the following list of designations and remember, most of them require many more hours of classroom education than what is even mandatory by individual states.

Read more... Written by Don Wixom

Unfortunately, when economic activity declines and housing activity decreases, more real estate enters the foreclosure process. High interest rates and creative financing arrangements also are contributing factors.

When prices are rapidly accelerating during a real estate "bonanza", many people go to any lengths available to get into the market through investments in vacation homes, rental housing and "trading up" to more expensive properties. In some cases, this results in the taking on of high interest rate payments and second, third and even fourth deeds of trust.

Read more... Written by Don Wixom

The Mechanics' Lien law provides special protection to contractors, subcontractors, laborers and suppliers who furnish labor or materials to repair, remodel or build your home.

If any of these people are not paid for the services or materials they have provided, your home may be subject to a mechanics' lien and eventual sale in a legal proceeding to enforce the lien. This result can occur even where full payment for the work of improvement has been made by the homeowner.

Read more... Written by Don Wixom

Builders, in an effort to combat the dual problem of an increasing population and a declining availability of prime land, are increasingly turning to common interest developments (CIDs) as a means to maximize land use and offer Homebuyers convenient, affordable housing.

The two most common forms of common interest developments in many states are Condominiums and Planned Unit Developments, often referred to as PUDs. The essential characteristics shared by these two forms of ownership are:

Read more... Written by Don Wixom

In purchasing your new home, your future monthly payments will be made up of principal, interest, real property taxes and insurance, but what is the tax for the Community Facilities District, otherwise known as a Mello-Roos District? The LTA has answered some of the questions most commonly asked about the Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act.

What is a Mello-Roos District?

A Mello-Roos District is an area where a special tax is imposed on those real property owners within a Community Facilities District.

Read more... Written by Don Wixom

Estate planners often recommend "Living Trusts" as a viable option when contemplating the manner in which to hold title to real property. When a property is held in a Living Trust, title companies have particular requirements to facilitate the transaction. While not comprehensive, following are answers to many commonly asked questions. If you have questions that are not answered below, your title company representative may be able to assist you, however, one may wish to seek legal counsel.

Who are the parties to a Trust?

Read more... Written by Don Wixom

How Should I Take Ownership of the Property I am Buying?

Real property has become increasingly more valuable and the question of how parties can take ownership of their property has gained greater importance. The form of ownership taken -- the vesting of title -- will determine who may sign various documents involving the property and future rights of the parties to the transaction. These rights involve such matters as: real property taxes, income taxes, inheritance and gift taxes, transferability of title and exposure to creditor's claims. Also, how title is vested can have significant probate implications in the event of death.

Read more... Written by Don Wixom

Underground heating oil tanks can pose many potential problems to both home buyers and sellers. They have been the source of many environmental problems such as contamination of surrounding soil and ground water.

Leaks are caused by the rust inside underground tanks, or by an electrical condition sparked by electric utility lines.

Buyers should have the tank inspected to make sure that it is structurally sound.

Read more... Written by Don Wixom

Radon is a colorless and odorless radioactive gas that has been estimated to cause 5,000 to 20,000 lung cancer deaths yearly. It is second only to smoking as a cause of lung cancer. It has been estimated that nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the US has elevated radon levels.

Radon is produced when small amounts of uranium and radium in soil and rocks decay. Radon gas will also decay into smaller and radioactive particles that can be inhaled into the lungs where it can damage cells and cause lung cancer.

Read more... Written by Don Wixom

Lead poisoning is a serious problem which can lead to adverse health problems. In children, high levels of lead can cause damage to the brain and nervous system, behavioral and learning problems, slow growth, and hearing problems. In adults, lead poisoning can cause reproductive problems, high blood pressure, digestive problems, nerve disorder, memory and concentration problems, and muscle and joint pain.

Lead poisoning is especially a problem in cities with older buildings. Typically, lead is present in the paint from older buildings, in the water supply, and in the environment from cars and buses. Preventing lead poisoning in large cities, where there is so much possibility for exposure is both difficult and expensive. Federal programs have attempted to address this problem.

Read more... Written by Don Wixom

When purchasing a piece of property, it is important to be aware of any environmental liabilities associated with it. For example, you should find out if there are any registered underground tanks within several miles of the property, any known contaminated properties in the neighborhood, or any property owners who have been fined by the government for failing to meet environmental safety standards.

Before, it took a costly site investigation for the information, but now there are online environmental databases available at a fraction of the cost. Anyone can access reports on otherwise hard to detect environmental issues. With these databases, it is possible to obtain a listing of hazards near a property, or spills and violations attributed to businesses nearby.

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Contact Me Today!

Don Wixom

RE/MAX Advantage

5680 E Franklin Rd Ste 100

Nampa, ID 83687

Direct: (208) 880-5039

Office: (208) 466-0002

Fax: (208) 466-2227

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Broker/Owner,

ABR, CRS, GRI,

e-Pro Internet Professional

Quality Service Certified®

2000 "Realtor of the Year"

What Clients Say...

"Thank you so much for all of your efforts, patience, perseverance and professional behavior through the ordeal of selling our house. The way you dedicated yourself to your work and to our needs truly showed your eagerness and ability to help. Thank you again."

~ Jan Byers, satisfied seller

"We cannot thank you enough for your time and patience in finding our new home. There's no way we could've done it without you! You made all our dreams come true and we will always hold you dear for that."

~ Meguel and Kris Escutia, satisfied buyers

"Just wanted you to know that we really appreciate how smoothly the sale of our home went. It really could not have worked out any better. The wide marketing of our home you initiated really paid off. Thank you for a terrific experience. You have our highest recommendations, and we'll be more than happy to pass it along. God Bless!"

~ John and Jeanie Mowery, satisfied sellers

"Thanks to Don Wixom, we have been enjoying our new home for six months now. Don as the realtor selling our house worked very hard for us. He helped us through all the complex paperwork involved in making offers, getting a loan, etc. Don paid attention to detail and kept us well informed about how things were going. When things needed to be done, Don was readily available, seeing us through a home inspection, even crawling under the house in the dirt and cobwebs when we asked him to. Don was always only a phone call away. We still remember his phone number, we called him so much! Don has a wealth of experience and resources to offer. We would definitely recommend him to anyone wanting to buy or sell real estate."

~Scott and Naomi Watson, satisfied buyers

"Thank you Don for your considerate and professional help on selling our house. Your informative correspondance we recieved before deciding to list it, got you the house, and your continued contact to let us know what efforts were being made to advertise and show the house were greatly appreciated. Showing mutual respect, we feel like we have made a new friend!"

~ Bill and Sharrel Cash, satisfied sellers

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