New Year, New Home: Resolutions for Homebuyers and Sellers

Photo Credit: Unsplash As many of us are reflecting on the previous year and looking forward to the next with our goals and ambitions in full focus, the new year seems like the perfect time to turn a new leaf. Life brings about change in many ways and a new calendar year marks the beginning of what could be. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, looking to combine households, and everything in between, join us as we delve into the resolutions that will pave the way for a successful and fulfilling real estate journey in the coming year.   Homebuyer’s Resolutions: Create your budget. Begin your homebuying journey by taking a close look at your financial situation. Evaluate your monthly income and expenses, and give yourself a general budget for your future home. Begin saving for a down payment. Establish a clear savings goal for your future down payment. Try making a dedicated savings account and calculating what amount works for you to put aside each month. Look for opportunities to increase your savings through additional income or strategic budgeting. Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Navigate the mortgage process with confidence by researching different lenders and gathering necessary financial documents. Then, go to your chosen lender and obtain a pre-approval, giving you a clearer picture of your budget. Create a must-haves and a nice-to-have list. Imagine your dream home and write down what features are must-haves, and which would be nice to have as added amenities. Make sure to take into account your future needs, whether it’s more space for new additions to the family or a neighborhood with a good school district.  Hire a real estate agent. Research and interview potential agents, and make sure they understand your budget, preferences, and timeline for a seamless homebuying experience. When choosing a real estate agent, it is helpful to look at previous client's testimonials to ensure you will have a positive experience.    Sellers Resolutions: Begin preparing your home for sale. Set aside time in the new year to begin enhancing your home's curb appeal and overall presentation. Consider taking on repairing minor issues, repainting, and decluttering to make your property more attractive to potential buyers. Set realistic goals and timelines. Define clear and achievable goals for selling your home, and write down action items you can do to ensure that you reach these goals. Set a general timeline for selling your home, and make sure to leave a little room for unexpected challenges.  Choose your real estate agent. When choosing your agent, start by asking friends, family, and colleagues for recommendations. Personal experiences can provide valuable insights. Use online platforms and reviews to research agents in your desired area. Make sure the agent you choose has extensive local market knowledge and experience.  Declutter and stage your home. With the previous steps completed, you can get your home ready for photos and open houses by beginning to declutter, remove personal touches, and stage the home if needed. 

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Celebrating Mandy's 50th Home Sale: A Remarkable Milestone in 2023

The NAR estimates that there are over 3 million active real estate licensees in the United States averaging 12 transactions per year. In the highly saturated world of real estate, Mandy McLennan has proven herself to be an exceptional outlier. Today, we celebrate Mandy's remarkable achievement of closing her 50th home sale in 2023. As the only agent from our team, aside from Lysi, to reach this milestone, Mandy has not only defied the odds but has also overseen a staggering $40,000,000+ in real estate transactions over the past 11 months. Altogether she has sold over 300 listings and done over $300,000,000 in volume in her 8 years of real estate. With 17 years of experience, Mandy has been an invaluable member of our Lysi Bishop Real Estate team. Beyond her professional achievements, Mandy's motivation stems from a deep passion for the industry and an unwavering commitment to her clients. As a native Idahoan and former Mrs. Idaho, she serves as a knowledgeable resource and one of the state's biggest advocates, well-versed in all that Idaho has to offer. During the challenging times of the recession, Mandy served as a Listing Agent for Bank of America. Her adept negotiation skills and unwavering commitment earned her the trust of both clients and asset managers, making her a go-to expert for navigating short sale transactions. Today, she proudly holds the title of a Boise Regional Realtors Diamond Top Producer. Mandy's expertise extends to her specialization in acreage horse properties, particularly in the Eagle/Meridian residential areas. Her diverse background, including a stint as a rodeo competitor and experience in farming, adds a unique layer to her understanding of the real estate landscape. A testament to her proudest achievement is not only found in the numerous homes she's sold but in the successful upbringing of her children. Mandy takes immense pride in raising hardworking, respectful, and accomplished young adults. At home, she resides in Eagle with her husband, Michael. In celebrating Mandy's 50th home sale, we recognize not only a seasoned real estate professional but a dedicated advocate for her clients and an invaluable asset to the Lysi Bishop Real Estate team. Congratulations, Mandy, on this incredible milestone! Here's to many more successes in the years to come.

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Choosing the Right Neighborhood for You

Neighborhoods are more than just a collection of houses. They are the place where you will establish roots and foster community. Educating yourself about the neighborhood prior to purchasing a home is crucial to making a well-informed decision. Explore your potential neighborhood by driving or walking around, joining an online Facebook or Nextdoor group dedicated to the neighborhood, or visiting local coffee shops and restaurants. Additionally, your real estate agent will have extensive knowledge of different neighborhoods so you can identify your perfect match.   What’s Your Budget: While home values are individual to each property, neighborhoods have a large influence on the overall value of a property. You will want to start your search efforts on neighborhoods that fit within your specific budget and then branch out into lifestyle and proximity factors. Some neighborhoods may be valued higher due to proximity to attractions, like foothills or the river.   Consider Your Lifestyle: Are you an avid mountain biker and want access to trails without having to load the car? Do you want a neighborhood pool to splash in all summer? Lifestyle choices such as these are important to consider. Envision yourself living in the neighborhood you are considering: Is there a nearby park? Is there a grocery store around the corner for those last-minute milk runs? Is it close to restaurants and entertainment? Consider the amenities you value being close to, and ensure the neighborhood you choose aligns with these desires.    Proximity to Schools: For parents or those planning to start a family, the quality of school systems is significant when choosing a neighborhood. Even for those without children, a home in a sought-after school district raises property value. There are many online resources to get information about the quality of schools in your potential neighborhood. Look at the National Center for Education Statistics or Great Schools for information.   Proximity to Work/Hospitals/Etc: Consider how close a neighborhood is to your place of work and other services you may regularly need (like hospital visits, beauty services, daycares, etc). You may find that a neighborhood could be more appealing if these services are easily accessible.   Check out these popular areas in Boise! Thinking about relocating to the Treasure Valley? Learn more and receive our free guide here!   The North End   Northeast Boise   The Highlands   The East End   Southeast Boise   Downtown Boise   The Bench

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