Consumers
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Special Announcement!
We are pleased to announce Idaho REALTORS® new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. David Hensley. Mr. Hensley will begin his new leadership role on January 7, 2019. Mr. Hensley is coming to IR from the Office of the Governor, where he has been the Chief of Staff for Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter since 2011. Prior to that, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel to Governor Otter. His political endeavors began with former Governor Dirk Kempthorne and Governor James Risch, serving as principal legal advisor and counsel. Mr. Hensley has an extensive and reputable history in Idaho. He received his bachelor’s degree in Arts in Business Administration and Arts in History from the College of Idaho in 1998. He went on to pursue his Law Degree…
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Tax Related Identity Theft By the Numbers
When it comes to filing taxes, there are a lot of numbers involved. Here are some tax-related identity theft numbers you need to know, compliments of your IR member partner, ID Shield.
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National Consumer Protecton Week
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has designated March 4-10, 2018, as National Consumer Protection Week. One of the efforts for the week is helping consumers understand their financial rights. Among those rights is knowing the information that consumer reporting agencies have on file about you. IDShield is one of IR’s premier benefit partners. They have create this flyer to help members and consumers better understand their financial rights.
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Study: Your Listing’s Words Carry Weight
A new study finds that properties that contain certain words in their listing comments tend to sell for higher prices. CoreLogic researchers analyzed more than 1 million single-family transactions that closed in the first half of 2017. Every property analyzed had public remarks and comments from which researchers extracted word pairs. Prices can vary geographically on how much weight certain words may have. But one house feature that stood out was “pane windows,” which could represent dual-pane windows or energy-efficient windows, CoreLogic researchers found. The use of “pane windows” in listing comments tended to equate to higher home prices, researchers found. Other words that tended to carry the most weight are “new construction,” “remodeled kitchen,” and several paint references, whether for the interior or exterior. The following words were found…
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4 Tips to Determine How Much Mortgage You Can Afford
By knowing how much mortgage you can handle, you can ensure that homeownership will fit in your budget. Homeownership should make you feel safe and secure, and that includes financially. Be sure you can afford your home by calculating how much of a mortgage you can safely fit into your budget. Why not just take out the biggest mortgage a lender says you can have? Because your lender bases that number on a formula that doesn’t consider your current and future financial and personal goals. Think ahead to major life events and consider how those might influence your budget. Do you want to return to school for an advanced degree? Will a new child add day care to your monthly expenses? Does a relative plan to eventually live with you…
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Which Smoke Detector is the Best?
Ninety-six percent of homes in the U.S. have at least one smoke detector in the home, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. But many homeowners are unaware about the different types of smoke detectors and how one may be more effective than the other. There are two main types of smoke detectors: ionization and photoelectric. An ionization smoke detector is the most common in U.S. households, with 90 percent of all smoke detectors being this type, according to the National Fire Protection Association. However, ionization smoke detectors can be slow to detect slow-burning or smoldering fires, such as those in a household caused by cigarettes, framed electrical wires, and fireplace embers. Smoke and carbon monoxide levels are likely already at a dangerous level by the time these alarms activate. Joseph…
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First-Time Sellers – Tips to Help You Through the Selling Process
Even the most steely-eyed sellers can get emotional when it’s time to list their home. It’s the place where they raised their children, gathered friends for annual holiday parties, or painstakingly executed their design vision over many years. The longer they have stayed in a home, the greater the challenges they may face getting up-to-date on the rules and regulations governing transactions. Those who have never before sold are, indeed, in uncharted territory. Here are suggestions for first-time sellers who may find the financial and legal complexities, as well as the emotional terrain, especially daunting. First-time sellers who have never contended with buyer demands may not initially understand how neutralizing their home or adding small upgrades can make their property more competitive on the market. Using data to highlight comparable…
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10 Steps to Buy a House
The steps to buy a house might seem complicated at first, but if you dream of owning a home, it’s essential you know what to do and who to turn to, right? Plus, the home buying process is not as scary as it might seem at first. Just check out these 10 straightforward steps, and you’re well on your way! Steps to buy a house 1. Are you ready to become a homeowner? Whether you’re becoming a homeowner for the first time or you’re a repeat buyer, buying a house is a financial and emotional decision that requires the experience and support of a team of reliable professionals. 2. Get a REALTOR® In the maze of forms, financing, inspections, marketing, pricing, and negotiating, it makes sense to work with professionals who know the community and…
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