John L. Scott Real Estate

Dawn's Blog

Posted by dawnmitchell at 3:05 PM

Saturday, July 24, 2010

If you want to truly understand the stress, successes and comments of a short sale.... read more at Trulia Common short sale myths once evidenced widespread confusion about what a short sale is - mostly misconceptions that they are quick, or faster than ?normal? real estate transactions. In reality, the ?short? in short sale has nothing to do with timing. Short sales usually take many multiples of time longer than traditional real estate deals - running anywhere from 3 to 8 months-plus, on average, from contract to closing! The only thing short in a short sale is the sales price - it is less than, or ?short? of, the amount the seller would need to pay off all the loans and other outstanding obligations (tax liens, delinquent HOA dues, etc.) against the property. In these situations, unless the seller is willing to write a check to make up the difference, their lender(s) must agree to forgive the shortfall in order for the sale to close. But most short sale buyers ...

Posted by dawnmitchell at 10:53 AM

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Friday, July 09, 2010

Meridian, Idaho Ranks #8 in Family Circle's: 2010 Best Towns for Families ► Thoughts for the day
	Family Circle 10 BEST TOWNS FOR FAMILIES: 2010 Meridian, Idaho Population: 45,295 Median Income: $66,888 Median Home Price: $177,000 Households with Children: 47% Student/Teacher Ratio: 20:1 Great Schools Rating: 7 http://www.familycircle.com/family-fun/money/10-best-towns-for-families-2010/?page=8

Posted by dawnmitchell at 3:28 PM

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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Homebuyer's Tax Credit Closing Date Extension

► Thoughts for the day

The Senate has adopted Senator Harry Reid's (D-NV) amendment to the pending jobs and extenders legislation (HR 4213) that would extend the closing date for the homebuyer tax credit from June 30, 2010 to September 30, 2010. The amendment would apply only to purchasers who have satisfied the April 30 binding contract rule for the $8000 and $6500 tax credits. The amendment creates no new eligibility for the credit. Once through the Senate, the bill must go back to the House for their approval before obtaining the President's signature. While the timing remains uncertain, completion is expected sometime next week. Congress will be in session during the weeks of June 21 and June 28, so votes on the legislation are still possible before the June 30 deadline.

Posted by dawnmitchell at 12:21 PM

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Friday, June 04, 2010

A Pleasure To Be Around.....

► Thoughts for the day

complainless: (adj.) 1. to be free of complaints 2. a pleasure to be around Remember, ... Your words move others. Your words move you. Let yours send everyone in the right direction as we kick off the first salesweek of the summer season... To be ComplainLess... Be aware. Recognize your typical paths to complaining - what (who) sparks your tendency to gripe. Minimize your exposure to them (eliminating those 'sparks' altogether may not always be realistic or the best thing). Know that your grumbling is a complete waste of energy. Be thankful. Regularly reflect on all the good in your life (people, opportunities, things). Understand and enjoy how lucky you really are. Be entitled to nothing. Pause before you begin. Clip a complaint as you feel it coming. Put a smile or thoughtful statement in its path. Blame no one. Blame nothing. Be accountable. Focus on solving problems rather than having them. Set the example for others and recommit when you slip. Care for yourself a...

Posted by dawnmitchell at 10:02 PM

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Thursday, June 03, 2010

Myths about buying a Foreclosed property

► Thoughts for the day

Top 10 Myths About Buying a Foreclosure Trulia.com and RealtyTrac recently surveyed US adults to get some insight into what people *think* is involved with buying a foreclosure. Here are the Top 10 Myths that came up, and the facts to set the record straight: 1. Foreclosures need a huge amount of work. 92 percent of consumers expressed that if they bought a foreclosure, they would be willing to make home improvements after they closed the deal, with 65 percent being willing to invest 20 percent or less of the purchase price. Although stories of foreclosures missing plumbing and every electrical fixture are very memorable, many foreclosed homes need only the (relatively inexpensive) cosmetics that many new homeowners want to customize no matter what kind of home they?re buying: paint, carpet, etc. 2. Foreclosures sell at massive discounts, compared to other homes. Almost every member ? 95 percent ? of the surveyed group expected to pay less for a foreclosed ho...

Posted by dawnmitchell at 10:44 AM

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Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Want to be a Tourist in Boise... Looking for a new Restaurant.... Read for some GREAT ideas!

► Thoughts for the day

With escalating gas prices and perhaps an increasing desire to watch the budget and stay a bit closer to home, there's a great option available to those who want to have a sense of adventure without traveling very far: playing 'tourist' in your own town. Even if you do have glamorous travel plans on the radar for the year ahead, playing tourist in your own town offers a chance to have some fun and see your usual surroundings in a brand new way. All it takes is the intention to do it, and a sense of fun and adventure. Almost every locality has certain facets that make it unique: the natural environment, historical sites, tourist attractions, walking trails, hometown diners, architecture, or quirky local treasures. When you decide to play tourist in your own town, you set out to discover some of the things that you might otherwise take for granted. Try setting aside a day every once in awhile to learn more about the lesser known facets, or experience familiar ones in a new way. You'll...

Posted by dawnmitchell at 3:22 PM

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Monday, May 17, 2010

Buying a Home With NO Regrets!!!

► Thoughts for the day

It's a buyer's market. Doesn't that mean that buyers get what they want? Doesn't that mean that home sellers are making all the concessions, submitting to purchasers demands on everything from price breaks to whether or not the hall chandelier stays? Yes, buyers hold the cards these days.... But, call it a curse of human nature - having ample choice and negotiating power can sometimes be too much of a good thing leading to a tinges of regrets. Experts say "buyer's remorse" can happen in both a soft and boom markets. But it's a malady that can be avoided. Here, some tactics for buyers on how to purchase with confidence..... read more

Posted by dawnmitchell at 12:56 PM

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Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Claiming Homebuyer Credit Is A Red Flag For IRS Audit

► Thoughts for the day

About a fifth of all IRS examinations done by mail in the past six months were for people claiming the credit, National Taxpayer Advocate Nina E. Olson told a congressional committee Thursday -- the filing deadline for individual tax returns. The audits mean big delays in getting refunds -- as much as five months -- just as Congress and the Obama administration hope that tax refunds will spur economic growth and the homebuyer tax credit will improve the housing market. Read more.......

Posted by dawnmitchell at 12:16 PM

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