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5 Things You Probably Didn’t Realize You Need as a New Homeowner
You’re about to buy your first home; what an exciting time! You’re probably planning the design and furniture layout, maybe even made a few trips to TJ Maxx or Target. Decorating is one of the most fun parts about being a homeowner; you can design it however you want and nobody can tell you no. Before you get too carried away with all the fun things, I want to provide a list of a few items you shouldn’t forget before you move in. I bought my first home in 2015 (oh boy, it seems like it was just the other day). I had lots of help from family and friends,…
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Black Pine Real Estate: April Giveaway!
I’m super excited to share this month’s giveaway from Black Pine Real Estate at Q5 Brokers. HEAD TO INSTAGRAM The winner will be announced next Friday (4/24)🎉 The giveaway includes this box full of goodies to have the perfect spa day at home AND a cut, wax & condition with my favorite stylist @ashleyharbarthair To Enter: ▪️Tag 1 friend you can’t wait to hang out with after this quarantine is over! ▪️Follow both @briannasw and @ashleyharbarthair on Instagram ▪️The winner must be local.
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What to do during this quarantine?
Many people are currently out-of-work or working from home and EVERYONE is finding they have much more time to get home projects completed (or starting new projects). When I was a freshman and sophomore in college I used to run a personal blog and I really enjoyed it. I felt like I had to post something every single day and got a bit burnt out and let my website’s domain expire. I’ve decided with a little more free time that I don’t only have to blog about real estate related topics because maybe my client’s want to know me personally as well! So, here we are! Welcome to my first…
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Easter Ideas During Quarantine
This Easter will likely be a bit different for most families this year. We can still have a wonderful Easter while following social distancing rules. Here are a few ideas to keep the family happy and healthy. Easter Egg Hunt – Keep it simple and traditional. Hide eggs around your home and backyard for your kids to find. If you don’t have real or plastic eggs to hide then get creative and make paper or foam eggs. It will be a fun activity to keep the family busy. Dress up and make brunch – Just because we aren’t supposed to go out and socialize doesn’t mean we can’t have a…
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What To Do During a Final Walkthrough
The final walkthrough is an important part of any home buying process. Let’s start by stating a final walkthrough is NOT a home inspection. It is however an opportunity for the buyer to see the house one last time before closing. It’s often done as close to the closing date as possible, preferably the day of. This gives the sellers as much time to get things packed and out of the house. Then the buyers are able to check the home and see if there is any new damage since the home inspection. Sometimes sellers don’t move out until the day of closing; rarely final walkthroughs can happen with the…
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The Importance of a Home Inspection
Home inspections are such an important part of the home buying and selling process. It gives the buyer the opportunity to identify any major issues with a home prior to closing. It is quite common for the home inspection to be paid for by the buyer and it is s typically completed within the first couple of weeks after an offer has been accepted. Inspectors vary in experience, knowledge, and thoroughness. Ask your real estate advisor for a recommendation on which inspector they’ve worked with and trust. A typical inspection lasts two-three hours and can cost around $300-$600 (based on the square footage of the home). Your agent should be…
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First Time Home Buying Tips
Buying a house can seem like an overwhelming decision and many renters are hesitant to make the leap into homeownership. There are so many advantages to buying vs. renting. To start with, let’s discuss some of the pros and cons of buying. Pros: -building equity -tax benefits -freedom to renovate/decorate your home however you want -bring your animals 🙂 Cons: -maintenance fees -less flexibility in moving from place to place If you’ve decided that buying a home is the next step for you then take a few steps to get prepared! Tip One Save up for a down payment. Many people think you have to save up 20% to purchase…
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What is a CMA in Real Estate?
Real estate agents often create a comparative market analysis (a.k.a CMA) to estimate the value of your home. This information is beneficial to sellers so they can price their home accurately and it allows buyers to feel comfortable with how much they’re paying for their home. Real estate agents create a CMA by looking at recently sold properties that are similar to your house (or, if you’re a home buyer, the one you want to make an offer on). Similarity is very important since it gets you the closest comparison to ensure you are making an informative financial decision. Things We Look For: Recently Sold: It’s important to make sure…
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Why Buy a Home in the Winter?
Many people do not want to purchase a new home during the winter months. It’s definitely a busy time because of the holidays, but there are some significant advantages to purchasing a home in these slower months. The market is less competitive. The simple fact that less people want to move during this time means you have less competition when putting an offer on a house. The Treasure Valley market will start to get very busy again this spring and multiple offers on a home is very common. The odds of having a competing bid is much lower during the winter months. You may get a better deal for your…
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Boise Bars: Water Bear Bar
Water Bear Bar 350 N 9th St #100 Boise, ID 83702 Cute decor, friendly staff, great location, delicious drinks…. what more could you ask for from this Boise cocktail bar. I felt comfortable and welcomed as soon as I walked into this eclectic little place. Water Bear offers a small food menu, but perfect small dishes to enjoy while having a drink with friends. The oysters are flown in from Seattle and they are always fresh. Ranging from $5 non-alcoholic drinks to $42 punches to share, they have a moderately priced drink menu. The drinks are all very unique and if you end up not loving yours, the bartenders are…
