Home Owner Tax Benefits & deductions

It’s nearly tax time. Here are some tax benefits that come with owning a home. Can you write these things off? Read this short list.

1. Your Mortgage Rate
- Deduct the mortgage interest you paid over the course of the year.

2. Your Property Taxes
- … and you can also pay them in full early for the year for a bigger deduction.

3. Your Mortgage Insurance
- Deduct what you have paid into your PMI this past year.

4. Energy efficient Upgrades
- Any “green” updates? Get credit for a percentage of them.

5. A Home Office
- Home office & expenses can be deducted but be official.; know the rules.

6. Home Improvements for Aging There
- Renovations & improvements at home to accommodate growing old and staying put. Follow the formula.

7. Interest of A Home Equity Line of Credit
- Deduct interest paid on the loan if loan is for home improvements & repairs.

Read complete details regarding all 7 of these:

http://www.realtor.com/advice/finance/tax-benefits…

Contact Rick Bennett at ID-BUY Real Estate/Keller Williams Realty Boise to find out more about becoming a home owner or selling a home or property. 208-407-0532

10 Reasons to Call Boise's North End Home

SPOTLIGHT ON A BOISE COMMUNITY: The Northend, Boise

Whether you spell it North End or Northend (both seem to be acceptable), ID-BUY Real Estate uses these words to describe homes and this area in general:

Historic. Eclectic. Eccentric. Funky. Charming. Relaxed. Gentrified. Original. Quaint. Hip. Organic. Quirky. Diverse.

This area of Boise known as the North End is always sort of evolving but never really ever changing. The footprint is there. The historic heart is there. Homes get remodeled, repainted, razed, rebuilt or never altered. The different historical groups often need to give homeowners permission to tweak or change preserved homes and features here.

Centrally located to downtown, it is just a couple minutes from the State Capitol Building, Hyde Park shopping and dining, State Street businesses and parks galore. Hiking, biking, running, strolling and getting outdoors right out your back door is a wonderful reality.

Here are 10 reasons why North End area residents love living there.

1. Camel's Back Park
Flanking the north end of the North End and up against the Boise Foothills, this 11 acre park offers tennis courts, volleyball courts, practice fields, open play areas, trailheads to foothills hiking and biking, picnic areas, an outdoor gym, hillside snow sledding and maybe best of all, chilling out and people watching.

2. 10 Other Parks
There are 10 other parks within this area that are diverse in size and use. Go discover Elm Grove Park, Quinn Park, C.W. Moore Park, Gordon S. Bowen Park, McAuley Park, Memorial (Union) Park, Dewey Park, Sunset Park, Fort Boise Park and Skate Park, and Veteran's Memorial Park.

3. Old Growth Trees
The North End is definitely "cooler" because of its old growth shade trees and densely treelined streets.The North End has a shade canopy of its own that practically covers its entirety in the warm, dry summer months.

4. Harrison Boulevard
Harrison Boulevard is a classic old boulevard with lampstands at every intersection and a center road median adorned with trees and flowers.The street is lined by old trees and historic homes leading the way north and south through different decades of style, architecture, materials and design.

5. Churches
Holier by a mile, the Northend has more churches per capita than any other neighborhood in the state. There are over twenty is this community. These places of worship represent many faiths and ideals. The original settlers to this Boise area were quick to build their churches and establish their congregations.

6. Hyde Park
On the National Historic Register for its old buildings and unique architecture and its historic and ahead of its time "sub" urban retail area, Hyde Park is always buzzing. Filled with a very eclectic array of locals, the 13th Street venue of Hyde Park is where everyone comes together to hang. Great restaurants, great antique shops, great cafes, and small locally-owned specialty stores all make Hyde Park very convenient and inviting.

7. Relaxed Living
There are very few Codes, Covenants and Restrictions (CC&Rs) and this can be very attractive to homebuyers. As a resident, there are not too many rules for maintenance and upkeep on properties. So some North Enders show off their wild hairs, others keep them trimmed and coiffed. Some exhibit their individuality, others are more introverted. Some have English gardens, some have xeriscape. Some have chickens, some have koi ponds. There is a mix of housing & architecture throughout the neighborhood streets- Craftsman, Victorian, Cottage, Bungalow, Apartments complexes, duplexes, mansions...

8. Community Diversity
Like we mentioned before, people watching is a real treat in the North End. There is a very eclectic feel in the North End and it is in the faces of those who reside there. Dense in varying ethnicities, refugees, "Millennials," Baby Boomers, long-time old guard, hipsters, the chic, the sporty, the spicy... Sounding worldly and exotic? Yes, it is very much that.

9. Boise Foothills Trails 
The backdrop of the North End is the Boise Foothills which is an interconnected network of roads and trails , linking not only the North End to public lands but also connecting people to nature. With over 190 miles of trail, there are always new directions to go on bike, on foot and on hoof.
Camel's back Park is the gateway for the Hull's Gulch system of trails. There are many trails to discover, though, in and around the North End.

10. Bogus Basin
The North End also offers recreational opportunities that people flock to from across the city and beyond. Rising above to the north is Bogus Basin Mountain, our local ski mecca offering Nordic and cross-country trails, alpine skiing, snowboarding and tubing in the winter; mountain biking and hiking with gondola lift options in the summer. Live music on weekends, an alpine wedding venue, night skiing, disc golf... Bogus is anything but bogus these days.

ID-BUY Real Estate has current and upcoming listings in the North End so give us a call to learn more.

If you are, or anyone you know might be considering a move, please let us help to find the right Boise community.

Call Rick Bennett at 208-407-0532 or our office at 208-955-6448.
ID-BUY Real Estate/Keller Williams Realty Boise
Your #1 Real Estate Team for Selling & Buying Properties

SEARCH FOR LISTINGS like an Agent!

OUR FEATURED LISTINGS

OUR CLIENT RECOMMENDATIONS

Home for Sale 4600 Ginzel St., Boise ID 83703

Not a "MUST SEE" but instead a "MUST EXPERIENCE!"

Captivating property! Mesmerizing Valley Views! Unparalleled property located in Boise! Mid-century modern meets Treasure Valley skyline. The most exquisite view in the Boise foothills, this home grabs your attention the minute you walk in. Designed in 1974, remodeled in 1985 and refurbished in 2016, the view captures Table Rock to the Owyhee Mountains. Single level living with a below grade living space. Each level has a kitchen, master, 2nd bedroom and 1 full and half bathroom. An 8 car shop with RV parking rounds out the secluded and private retreat. There is never a bad day at 4600 Ginzel.

Call today to get your personal tour today- 208-407-0532.

If you are, or anyone you know might be considering a move, please let us help find the perfect place.

Call Rick Bennett at 208-407-0532 or our office at 208-955-6448.
ID-BUY Real Estate/Keller Williams Realty Boise 
Your #1 Real Estate Team for Selling & Buying Properties

5 Essentials to Buying a house

Looking to buy a home? Here are five essential tips for making the process as smooth as possible.

Get your finances in order.

Start by getting a full picture of your credit. Obtain copies of your credit report. Make sure the facts are correct, and fix any problems you find. Next, find a suitable lender and get pre-approved for a loan. This will put you in a better position to make a serious offer when you do find the right house.

Find a house you can afford.

As with engagement rings, there’s a general rule of thumb when it comes to buying a home: two-and-a-half times your annual salary. There are also a number of tools and calculators online that can help you understand how your income, debt, and expenses affect what you can afford. Don’t forget, too, that there are lots of considerations beyond the sticker price, including property taxes, energy costs, etc.

Hire a professional.

While the Internet gives buyers unprecedented access to home listings and resources, many aspects of the buying process require a level of expertise you can’t pick up from surfing the web. That’s why you’re better off using a professional agent than going it alone. If possible, recruit an exclusive buyer agent, who will have your interests at heart and can help you with strategies during the bidding process.

Do your homework.

Before making a bid, do some research to determine the state of the market at large. Is it more favorable for sellers or buyers? Next, look at sales trends of similar homes in the area or neighborhood. Look at prices for the last few months. Come up with an asking price that’s competitive, but also realistic. Otherwise, you may end up ticking off your seller.

Think long term.

Obviously, you shouldn’t buy unless you’re sure you’ll be staying put for at least a few years. Beyond that, you should buy in a neighborhood with good schools. Whether you have children or not, this will have an impact on your new home’s resale value down the line. When it comes to the house itself, you should hire your own home inspector, who can point out potential problems that could require costly repairs in the future.

If you are, or anyone you know might be considering a move, please let us help find the perfect place.

Call Rick Bennett at 208-407-0532 or our office at 208-955-6448.
ID-BUY Real Estate/Keller Williams Realty Boise 
Your #1 Real Estate Team for Selling & Buying Properties

Strong Market Reasons to BUY A HOME NOW

Pharrell Williams just bought a new house. So did Robin Thicke and Caitlyn Jenner. So should you!
Why would we encourage you as well to consider buying a home now, especially if you have been on the fence about it? On the link below the following points are explained in detail:

• Interest rates are expected to climb in the coming months
• Home prices are expected to increase in the coming months
• A monthly mortgage cost is much less today than it will be in a year

With current national trends and those for the Boise/Treasure Valley area, home buyers are urged to jump off the fence and call ID-BUY Real Estate Buyer's Agents 

Erin Hart (208-841-2331) 

or 

Sarah Toppi (208-724-2128)

Click LINK here for details

Happy House Hunting!

Rick Bennett
Associate Broker
ID-BUY Real Estate/Keller Williams Realty Boise
208-407-0532
www.id-buy.com

Realtor vs. Real Estate Agent?

 Hi, Rick. What's the big deal about a real estate agent being a Realtor®? We are interviewing agents and this confuses us. 

Thanks, Betsy D.

When buyers are making the perhaps biggest purchase of their lives, and sellers are dealing with a life change that is often stressful and emotional, it helps to have a highly respected and trusted professional on your side. An agent with the Realtor® trademark by his or her name is more than a real estate agent. "Realtors" are trained in ethics for their dealings with the public and the real estate community as a whole. The Realtor Code of Ethics is the cornerstone of their ethics training. It guides Realtors and is a testament to the level of commitment, education and dedication each possesses.

This Code of Ethics is 100 years old and ID-BUY buys into it! All of our agents are Realtors®. Erin, Cory, Viktoria, Rick and Kim all abide by this high standard of ethics as do our unlicensed team members as well. And even though a lot has changed in real estate in those 100 years, the code is a living, dynamic statement that has moved with the times, updating yearly to guide agents in their  professional lives and dealings to date.

We here at ID-Buy Real Estate subscribe to the highest code of ethics in our company. Our mission statement is below:

“ID-BUY Real Estate provides unsurpassed service to all of our real estate clients whether they are selling or buying a property.  Every agent and employee of ID-BUY Real Estate will always hold the client and all parties involved in a transaction in the highest regard and treat them with honesty, professionalism, respect and integrity. They are each responsible to understand our clients real estate goals and reach them in an ethical manner.”

Here are some core principles that guarantee fair dealings with clients, the public, and other Realtors:

• Realtors protect and promote their clients’ interests while treating all parties honestly.
• Realtors refrain from exaggeration, misrepresentation, or concealment of pertinent facts related to property or transactions.
• Realtors cooperate with other real estate professionals to advance their clients’ best interests.
• When buying or selling on their own account or for their families or firms, Realtors make their true position or interest known.
• Realtors make sure that contract details are spelled out in writing and that parties receive copies.
• Realtors give equal professional service to all clients and customers irrespective of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, or sexual orientation.
• Realtors paint a true picture in their advertising, marketing, and other representations.
• Realtors make only truthful, objective comments about other real estate professionals.
• In choosing a Realtor, home buyers are selecting a professional who voluntarily holds to a high ethical standard. Many Realtors proudly display cover photos that identify them as Realtors who live by the code.

If you meet a Realtor® who is NOT all these things, let the broker of the real estate firm know.
If an agent is not a Realtor, the broker takes responsibility.  And we never want another agent giving our profession a black eye.

Thanks, Rick Bennett
ID-BUY Real Estate
with Keller Williams Realty Boise
208.407.0532
www.id-buy.com

Let's get it SOLD...

MOVE YOUR HOUSE FROM LISTED TO SOLD!

The NUMBER ONE thing you can do to get your house sold is to price it right. And if you attract buyers with that "attractive" price, it has got to be in great condition. First impressions are the strongest & most emotional. Grab those buyers & have them saying, "Yes! Yes! Yes! This is the one!"

 Now is the perfect time to clear out clutter and organize closets while you can stay warm and cozy on those winter days. Who wants to spring clean when the weather is nice outside?  With all the new gifts received from the holidays make room for the new while you sweep out the old. 

 The 4 C’s of Staging

Here are your "C"s from our very own staging professional and team agent, Kim, "The House Whisperer."

 Clear: Label 4 large boxes with the classification of keep, sell, toss and donate. Start on the top left hand side of the closet/cabinet and work from left to right and top to bottom. Touch each item only once and make a decision within 10 seconds as to which box it should be placed. If you have not used an item in a year and it is in good condition place it in the donate box. Large and high dollar ticket items place for sale on Craigslist, eBay or have a yard sale. Items that are broken, torn or in disrepair put in the toss box. Sentimental and keep sake items pack and place in the keep box. As you make room for new items, take out at least 4 old items so the closet/cabinet will have more space when buyers look at your home. Maximize closet and cabinet space by utilizing the vertical space rather than placing items across a shelf. By editing down now you will also have fewer boxes to move into your new home.

Clutter: Duplicates and extra items that are not needed on a consistent basis should be packed. Think of it as a pre-pack and you will have a head start on packing which will save you time and stress as you prepare to move into your new home. This way you can pack at your own pace instead of having to do it all at once when you are under contract.

Clean: January is a great time to clean the oven and refrigerator after all the holiday cooking and parties. Since the furnace has been working overtime to keep the house warm clean the vents, returns and intake registers and change the furnace filter. Clean finger prints and scuff marks from walls, doors and light switches using a foam eraser (i.e. the Magic Eraser by Mr. Clean) and a damp cloth.

Color: Paint colors in warm neutral tones are appealing to a wide range of buyers. Walls that are painted in a personalized color or have chipping/peeling paint should be re-painted. Take special note of corners and baseboards. Paint is the cheapest and easiest way to give the house a fresh new look. Consult with our team’s accredited staging professional before selecting a new paint color.

 Have a great holiday season!

Rick Bennett & Kim Terry
Boise's Best Area Real Estate Agents
ID-BUY Real Estate with Keller Williams Realty Boise

208-407-0532
www.id-buy.com
rickbennett@id-buy.com
kim@id-buy.com