01/31/2012 - Searching for homes in Boise.... there's an app for that!!!!

Searching for homes in Boise.... there's an app for that 1. Genius Scan 2. Dictionary of Real Estate Terms 3. House Hunter 4. SpringPad 5. ColorSnap 6. Karl�s Mortgage Calculator 7. Trulia Real Estate App [more...]

01/25/2012 - Tax Breaks for Homeowners

With tax time approaching.... homeowners, don't forget these tax breaks! 1. Interest 2. Insurance 3. Points 4. Taxes 5. Energy star 1. Mortgage Interest Deduction Mortgage Interest Deduction (MID) is a top tax break for homeowners, which can save you a significant amount of money. In the beginning, the majority of your monthly mortgage payments go toward loan interest, and you can deduct all the interest from your mortgage on your taxes. Keep Form 1098, issued by your lender, with your important records. This form explains exactly how much you can deduct and serves as proof if you are audited by the IRS. 2. Mortgage Insurance Premiums Homeowners with new mortgages with a loan-to-value ratio higher than 80% must carry some form of private mortgage insurance (PMI). This insurance protects the lender against loan default. Typically, once you reach 20% equity in your home, you can avoid paying private mortgage insurance. 3. Points Points refer to charges or fees paid by a borrower to obta [more...]

12/16/2011 - Home Energy Tax Credits Expire December 31st!

Tax credits up to $500 are available for home owner's to claim until the end of the year, but they better hurry. Congress has yet to renew the tax credits for 2012. The allowance for the tax credits that home owners may be eligible for include: [more...]

12/12/2011 - Home Energy Saving Projects for Every Budget

Think "going green" must break the bank? Think again. Here are a few things you can do to improve your home's energy usage that cost absolutely nothing. [more...]

12/06/2011 - Bank of America Announces Foreclosure Moratorium

As the holidays approach, Bank of America will comply with applicable Holiday Moratorium requirements to avoid causing emotional distress to the occupants of a property. For this reason, foreclosures, evictions, relocation assistance (cash for keys) or lockouts should not be scheduled or occur during the following Holiday Moratorium dates: Nov. 23-27, 2011, returning to business as usual on Nov. 28. ■� Dec. 22-26, 2011, returning to business as usual on Dec. 27. ■� For VA properties, the year-end dates are Dec. 22 through Jan. 2, returning to business as usual on Jan. 3. [more...]

11/16/2011 - Realtor.com ranks Boise #8 in Top 10 Turnaround Towns!!! There is hope!!!!

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11/02/2011 - Relocating to Boise - Top 5 Ways to Avoid Moving Company Scams

Top 5 Best Ways to Avoid Moving Company Scams 1) Locate and verify the moving company's operating license. All professional moving companies will be able to give you their U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) license and Motor Carrier number. 2) Find and verify addresses. Search the company's website for the address of their headquarters. If you can't find the address, ask for it and then search online to ensure it is a valid address. 3) Get an in-home estimate. In order to avoid 'low-ball pricing scams', be sure to get an in-home estimate. A mover must see the amount of items you need to move to give a reliable estimate. 4) Check references. Call the Better Business Bureau or the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) to check references. 5) Don't pay full amount up-front. Credible moving companies will not ask you to pay for the full moving costs up-front [more...]

10/11/2011 - Cell Phone Numbers Go Public This Month..... My Phone Has Been Ringing.....

REMINDER: Cell Phone Numbers Go Public this month. That means that all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls. To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222. It is the National DO NOT CALL list It will only take a minute of your time... It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number. [more...]

10/07/2011 - John L Scott Mobile Apps

Check out this You Tube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05whx5TaJPQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player [more...]