Team Kerfoot is proud to announce that we are now representing Brighton Homes in the Tuscany Community in Meridian, ID. Brighton Homes has been building in the Treasure Valley since 1994 and prides themselves on building quality homes, providing a great purchasing experience, and building lasting relationships with their homeowners. Brighton Homes is a well respected builder with an incredible reputation. With the merge of one of Idaho’s most premier builders and one of Idaho’s premier master planned communities, those in the market for a new home will have a magnificent opportunity to have the home they’ve always dreamed of. Tuscany has 4 swimming pools, exceptional Clubhouse, many lakes, putting green, 8 acre city park and tot lots, and much more. For more information on Brighton Homes visit www.Brightonhomes-Idaho.com or for more information on Tuscany visit www.Tuscany-Meridian.com

Pine Tree Village Community in Boise begins construction on single family detached new homes! Pine Tree Village is a mixed use community with both townhome living and detached homes. The new detached homes will start at $124,900 and include luxury upgrades such as, hardwood and tile floors, slab granite counters, stainless steel appliances including refrigerator, knotty alder cabinets, full landscaping and much more!

Pine Tree Village is a new home community located in the heart of Boise, Idaho that exemplifies what affordable luxury living can and should be. Our homes are built with a custom home buyer mindset. Complimentary upgrades in all of our homes include slab granite surfaces, hardwood, carpet and tile flooring, stainless steel appliances and maximum use of every square foot. And if all that weren’t enough, take a moment to relax in the Boise sunshine at the community pool & cabana. Conveniently located mere moments from both downtown Boise and the Treasure Valley's entertainment epicenter, reduce your carbon footprint with short commutes and access to public transportation.

Paradigm begins construction on its newest luxurious custom home w/exceptional quality & impeccable character in the Lakemoor Community in Eagle Idaho. Hear the ambiance of the grand community waterfall just out your front door & experience paradise in your own yard with beautiful water features incorporated into the front & rear landscaping. Custom design includes a magnificent formal dining w/cathedral ceiling, custom office w/library built-ins & stunning 8’ glass pocket doors, elegant kitchen w/48” double oven w/6 burners & griddle, butler’s pantry w/custom cabinets, warming drawer & drink cooler. Enjoy the inviting great room w/custom built-ins, high ceilings, large windows, and incredible fireplace. The charming owner’s suite features an elegant sitting area with double sided fireplace adjoining the master bath situated over an oversized, inviting jetted tub. The master bath’s heated tile floors lead to the majestic walk-in shower and grand walk-in closet w/a secret door leading to extra storage. High ceilings, stain grade 8’ doors, sound proof walls, outdoor kitchen w/built-in BBQ fit for a king, and so much more! This home backs to a picture perfect wooded area. Lakemoor is a gated community w/lakes, community pool & cabana.

Paradigm Construction, proudly represented by Team Kerfoot, joins the builder team in the Lakemoor Community in Eagle, Idaho. Paradigm Construction will soon begin breaking ground on an exquisite single level home, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, library, office, formal dining room, and 4 car garage, within the next 30 days. This incredible home will be built on a 1/3 acre waterfront home site. Lakemoor in Eagle is a master planned community that is near the Boise River’s South Channel. The community will consist of residential homes, commercial units, and patio homes. Lakemoor amenities include acres of open space, parks, ponds, walking paths, and swimming pool. Be sure to stop by Lakemoor off Eagle Road just North of Chinden.

The 2010 Parade of Homes gets off to a hot start! As we have been marketing the Heather Lynn by James Clyde Custom Homes in the Settler’s Bridge Community, the first week of the Parade has brought out incredible numbers of lookers and buyers! The weekend proved to be the busiest two days as it wasn’t unlikely to see more than 30 pairs of shoes at the front door at one time! The Heather Lynn has been a very popular floor plan and has been proving why it won ‘Best Kitchen’ and ‘Best Energy Efficient Design & Construction’. In fact, three days into the parade the Heather Lynn sold to a very happy and appreciative buyer. Later that same night another lucky buyer secured the lot next door to the parade home where we will be building them the same floor plan, The Heather Lynn, with a different exterior elevation. This year’s parade runs through the 16th of May. So as we near the end of the parade make sure you get out and see the incredible homes!

The 2010 Parade of Homes begins May 1st and runs through May 16th. Team Kerfoot is proud to have two of their team builders in this year’s parade; James Clyde Custom Homes and Berkeley Building Company!

James Clyde Custom Homes presents the exquisite ‘Tina Marie’. This single level 2,809 Sq. Ft. with a bonus room over the garage including a hidden room, 3 additional bedrooms, formal dining, and 3 full bathrooms are sure to impress! This Energy Star Certified home is full stucco and boasts custom upgrades thru-out such as; amazing stainless steel Viking appliances, slab granite everywhere, full tile backsplash, oodles of trim work & detail, hand scraped walnut ‘appearance’ tile flooring, custom alder cabinets, large pantry w/light sensor, Kohler plumbing thru-out. The master bathroom suite has a dramatic curved tile walk in shower and a relaxing soaker tub. All this and an insulated fully finished 5 car garage with epoxy floors. This home is located at 2218 Trailblazer, Meridian, ID 83646 in the Settler’s Bridge Community; a master planned community with all the charm you have been looking for! Children's play ground, walking paths, open space, incredible community pool. What a quaint feeling this community brings! Settlers has a premier location North of the freeway; only 1.2 miles. Also just around the corner from shopping & restaurants, City Park w/stocked fishing pond, baseball & skateboarding park.

Berkeley Building Company presents the superb ‘Wheeler’. This stunning Energy Star Certified home is comfortable with a touch of glamour. From the dramatic entry to the sophisticated designer finishes, this home is sure to please! This well designed home features walnut hardwood floors, slab granite countertops, and upgrades throughout. 2,104 Sq. Ft., 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms, 3 car garage and an incredible design. Every Berkeley home represents a level of sophistication and style that reflects our passion for memorable and timeless homes. This home is located at 2902 Fratello, Meridian, ID 83642 in the master planned community-Tuscany. Tuscany offers 4 swimming pools, play grounds, walking paths, lakes and waterfalls. 8-acre City Park, K-8 magnet school. Association dues include state of the art high speed fiber optics high speed internet service. Tuscany has a premier location south of the freeway 1.2 miles!

Options for Homebuyers

“Boise, Idaho -- Are you in the market to buy? With about three months left to take advantage of the home buyers tax credit extension, time is running out and now might be the time to make a move. When you're out there looking, you may find a lot of short sales, but not as many new properties available. Realtors say the credit is stabilizing the current market, getting buyers excited to find a great deal. "However, in 2010, we're going to find that there are going to be more defaults coming about due to the interest only ARM's," said short sale specialist Aaron Peterson. Those who got a loan based on an Adjustable Rate Mortgage within the last few years might find it impossible to meet higher payments when the principle is tacked on to their monthly bills. "Three choices: modification of their loan, performing a short sale, or foreclosure process," said Peterson. He says it's better to take the first two options instead of waiting around for a messy foreclosure. And that could be the reason for so many short sales listed. They can sometimes be a steal, if you have time and patience. "They're getting better and smoother at their process, but their getting more inventory. So it's kind of washing out to a 90 to120 day process if done correctly," said Peterson about the banks. Choosing a short sale could be cutting it close to the April 30 deadline, and it isn't always a done-deal, so these are not the buys for the faint at heart. "A lot of people want to be in a new house, and the inventory is so low that you just can't find anything. In Ada county there's only about 614 houses available that are new," said Ryan Kerfoot of John L. Scott Real Estate. This is why there are many builders who are doing well, as long as they keep their prices low. Also, closing on a new home is usually more cut and dry. "Things are continuing to get better. We are through the worst of it, and we're on our way to a recovery," said Kerfoot. We know you're busy, so here are some more options. If you're looking to close soon, bank-owned properties are usually a great price, and can close in a reasonable amount of time. Also, there are houses up for re-sale, but they can go fast, so you have to be on top of the game. There's no word yet whether or not we'll see another tax credit extension, but if you're ready to buy, you might not want to wait.”

Source: Fox12idaho.com KTRV-TV

Below are a few housing quotes from the last 60 years from well known media. This just goes to prove that real estate is cyclical and will continue to be an ever-changing industry that will exceed expectations and outgrow current views and opinions on the market.

“The prices of houses seem to have reached a plateau, and there is reasonable expectancy that prices will decline.” - Time Magazine 1947

“Houses cost too much for the mass market. Today’s average price is out of reach for two-thirds of all buyers.” - Science Digest 1948 (average price at the time: $8,000)

“The goal of owning a home seems to be getting beyond the reach of more and more Americans.” -Business Week 1969 (average price at the time: $28,000)

“The era of easy profits in real estate may be drawing to a close.” -Money Magazine 1981

“If you are looking to buy, be careful. Rising home values are not a sure thing anymore.” -Miami Herald 1985

“Most economists agree…a home will become little more than a roof and a tax deduction, certainly not the lucrative investment it was…” -Money Magazine 1986

“We’re starting to go back to the time when you bought a home not for its potential money-making abilities, but rather as a nesting spot.” -Los Angeles Times 1993 Note that ’93 was the absolute low-point for real estate values in Los Angeles. Prices have sky-rocketed since.

“Financial planners agree that houses will continue to be a poor investment.” -Kiplinger’s Personal Financial Magazine 1993

“A home is where the bad investment is.” -San Francisco Examiner 1996

If you haven’t heard by now, legislation called the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has extended the first time homebuyers tax credit and expanded the credit to qualifying current homeowner’s as well. By no means does the tax credit mean you should run out and purchase a home, but if you are willing and able to purchase, this gives buyers an incredible opportunity that we may never see again.

For first time homebuyer’s the tax credit of up to $8,000 was extended for those who have a fully executed contract on a home no later than April 30th, 2010. This credit is available for first time homebuyer’s which are defined as those who haven’t owned a home for at least the previous three years. The home must close no later than June 30th, 2010.

The legislation also created a new tax credit of up to $6,500 for those who have owned a principal residence for at least a consecutive five of the previous eight years. The tax credit will be available to purchases of a replacement principal residence who have a fully executed contract no later than April 30th, 2010. The home must close no later than June 30th, 2010.

In addition, many people don’t know that the legislation goes a step further for those that are members of the armed forces as well as diplomatic and intelligence personnel serving in foreign countries. These people will have an extra year to purchase a home and still qualify for the tax credits. Fully executed contracts must be completed no later than April 30th, 2011 and must close on the home no later than June 30th, 2011.

There are other guidelines that must be met to qualify for the tax credits and certain scenarios that you may have questions on regarding the tax credits, so please contact us by clicking on the ‘Contact Us’ tab or contact your CPA or mortgage lender.

If you are in the market for a new home, you will know that ideally you would like to custom build your home to get exactly what you want, exactly where you want it. Many buyers dread even thinking about building a home as the process can be 4 months or longer and the stress can be quite high. That is why choosing the right home builder is so critical!

When searching for a builder there are many ways you can get quality help in doing so. In all areas there are real estate agents who specialize in new construction and work very closely with many builders on a day-to-day basis. Those agents will be able to give you the most important information needed to help you make a decision. If you have found yourself reading this blog on www.buyorsellboisehomes.com , you have come to the right place for agents who specialize in new construction. Another good source in your search is the Internet. Many of the builders now have their own Web sites that will give you information on their business, let you tour through some of their past homes, and get a glimpse of what kind of style they use for their homes. Another great way to find the homebuilder that fits you is to take tours through open houses. Often it is hard to make any kind of decision unless you have been in the home. Actually having walked through the home gives you an experience that you would never have otherwise. When touring homes, make sure to inspect the quality of the workmanship and pay close attention to the details. Also be sure to ask the agent a lot of questions regarding the quality. Here are a few examples: 1) What kind of wall construction does this builder do, 2” x 4” or 2” x 6”? 2) Is this home Energy Star Certified? 3) If the home is stucco, which kind of stucco does the builder use? 4) What efficiency is the furnace?

After you have found a couple builders that build a style that you love, be sure to set up a one-on-one appointment with the builder. In this meeting be sure to ask all the same questions you asked the agent and give the builder a chance to elaborate on them. Often times one question will lead to another and you will eventually get a really good glimpse of whether the builder builds a good home or not. Choose a builder whose personality works for you. You will be working with this builder for many months as they build your home and it is important that you are comfortable with them as a person and a builder. Also be sure to have the builder and real estate agent explain the builder’s building process. This is one of the most important items that you must have a clear picture of. Some builders don’t have a well planned building process and can make your experience a very rough one. Make sure the builder walks you through that process so that you know what to expect and what part you will be playing in that process. Also be sure to ask the builder for referrals and be sure to follow up with a couple of the names that they give you. Talking to past clients is a great way to find out what experiences others have had from the building process to the relationship after they have lived in the home and dealt with any warranty items. If that client can honestly say that they would buy another home from that builder, you can assume their experience with the builder has been great.

Finally, when choosing and comparing builders, be sure to compare apples to apples. Pay close attention to what one builder includes in their pricing versus another builder. Don’t be afraid to demand a list of specifications that are included in the home. Here are some items to pay attention to: ceiling height, brand names of amenities, wrapped windows versus not, types of materials used, Energy Star Certified versus not, hand textured walls versus orange peel, finished garage versus not, 8’ doors versus 7’, home wiring, lighting fixtures, ceiling fans, closet organizers, shower inserts versus tile showers, carpet grade and pad, trim work, landscaping package, insulation resistance, slab granite versus granite tiles, hardware on cabinet drawers and doors, etc. The point is that if you don’t dissect what each builder includes in their pricing, you could make the wrong decision. There are differences between a Kia and a Cadillac just like there are differences in homes.

For more information on how to choose a builder, contact Amy Kerfoot at akerfoot@johnlscott.com or Ryan Kerfoot at ryank@johnlscott.com.

Things have never been lined up so well for a first time homebuyer to have the opportunity of owning their first home! Prices of homes are at unbelievable affordable levels and in many cases prices are at or below costs.

In fact, in many cases, a first time homebuyer can actually get into a home for as much or less per month than what they are paying in rent. And what is often never thought about is the tax benefits of owning a home. When you pay rent the only benefit to you is the roof over your head. When owning a home you are able to write off your interest payments when you file for taxes and also reap the benefits of gained equity in your home.

History shows that purchasing real estate is a great investment. Though today’s market is very unpredictable, in the long term prices will increase and provide equity for current homeowners. Have you heard about the $8,000 tax credit for first time homebuyers? If you close on a home before December 1st, 2009, you will receive a tax credit from the federal government for $8,000. That means that when you file your taxes, if you owe the federal government $1,000, you will receive a tax return of $7,000!

A lot of first time homebuyers don’t have the ability to make a down payment on a new home. Currently in the Boise area, your could qualify for the Idaho Housing and Finance Association to loan you $7,000 of your $8,000 tax credit as a down payment on your home allowing you an opportunity you just can’t afford to pass up. Low housing prices, low interest rates, and the tax credit make now the time to buy. It’s a buyer’s market out there, buy now!

MSNBC.com recently named five states as the "right" places to be when the economy begins to recover. Of the five states named, Idaho was among them. Many experts believe that once the market starts to rebound, Idaho will be one of the quickest to pull out of the current recession due to a number of factors.

One reason experts believe Idaho will recover quickly is our state’s involvement in the high-tech industry. MSNBC.com believes that as the market rebounds, there will be pent-up demand for technology, mainly from businesses in need of upgrades who couldn’t afford them when times were tough. As the economy improves, these businesses will invest in overdue tech updates. Since technology production plays a large part in Idaho’s economy due to companies such as Hewlett Packard and Micron, these businesses will speed Idaho’s recovery time once the economy's on the upswing.

Another reason experts believe Idaho will be quicker to rebound than other states is its credit ratings. Once the economic resurgence begins, good credit ratings will help the public pump money back into the economy. As the economy improves, consumers will get their confidence back, have more stable jobs, and potentially higher wages. In turn, those consumers with good credit ratings (and Idaho's are thought to have some of the highest) will begin to make purchases they weren’t when they were saving as much as possible, and lenders will be able to loan on items such as cars, housing, etc.

Idahoans are very fortunate to be in a place that has a bright future and will be one of the quickest to recover from the current economic crisis. When that time will be, nobody knows for sure. But mark my words, it is just around the corner, and when it happens, it will happen fast!

In their recent study, Forbes.com ranked Boise among the top ten best places for businesses and careers. As the economy struggles through this current recession, Boise shows that it can weather the storm.

Out of 200 of the largest metro areas, Boise had the 17th lowest cost of doing business and the 47th best projected job growth rate at 0.5%. Boise continues to attract businesses and jobs from all around the world. Expect to see more technology companies and other businesses flood to the Boise area as the cost of doing business is extremely low and quality of life is very high.

These are characteristics the Treasure Valley has always demonstrated and these are the traits that will continue to make Boise one of the best places to live in the nation.