I was at a coffee shop when at the check register, I looked down and saw a pile of cards that read, “Banks Suck”. I picked up one of those white cards. The words were printed with large black writing in a block type on a glossy white card stock. So I pick one up. After I set down and took a sip on my coffee, I flipped the card over and read the fine print.

The first line on the back stated, “Did you know that less than 25% of Short Sales Attempts actually close.” Then in smaller print was two short paragraphs on why you should have a short sale expert process you short sale. At the bottom of the card was a phone number, email address and a website. The website was ShortSaleByDesign.com.

I know that in different parts of the United States, different types of vehicles are more popular than others. When I first came to Idaho 4 wheel drive trucks were more popular than regular cars. The Ford Fiesta is a rarely sighted in Idaho. It was not until scanning through an automotive website that I found the Ford Fiesta was still being made.

I was amused to find the number of websites devoted to the history of the Ford Fiesta. Ford-Fiesta.info has a nice little phone gallery along with showcasing the history of the Ford Fiesta. The Fiesta was originally launched in 1976 through out Europe. Then in 1978 the”Americanised” version made its debut in the United States. Where it was marketed as a subcompact car.

It was like last week we bought our daughter her first a MP3 player for $39.99. It was not what it cost us. After sales tax, carrying case, and mp3 our cost was well over $50 and still going up.

That is why I want to take today and look at hidden or unexpected costs. We have chosen only the 5 most common hidden cost over and above the price tag. Some are expected. Some are hidden and unexpected. All are over and above the price tag.

We live in an interesting location. We live within 5 miles of  three different Wal Mart’s in three different directions from our place. All three are Super Centers, in an area that is not really consider a dense populated area; Boise, Idaho.

You would think that each Wal Mart would carry the exact same thing as the other. Not so! It depends what we are going to Wal Mart to buy determines which Wal Mart we drive to first.

The newest Wal Mart that is north of us is the newest. They have more household goods like blenders and clothes. When it comes to electronics they have the minimum. The pharmacy seems to be larger than the others.

As much as everyone of us does not like to think about death, it will happen. We are going to leave behind family members, friends, and stuff. What we want our family to do with that stuff after we are gone is a very important issue.

I am not big on stuff. I realize that I am only going to be on this planet for a very short time. So I am not into collecting a lot of stuff. What concerns me when I am gone is my family and how they will live when I am gone.

Yesterday, I shared, with you, some of the great benefits I have experienced since I moved to Idaho 15 years ago. Today, I want to share with you the top 7 businesses that impress me the most when I went to the state capitol building as part of annual Buy Idaho event.

Idaho Candy Company has been around since 1901. They are not a world player that competes with Nestle or Mars candies, but they do offer some tasty treats. The Cherry Cocktail and Idaho Spud are two of my favorites.

Dream Chocolate is another candy company. Well not just another candy company. They specialize in great chocolate bar with a custom label. Can you think of a better way to impress a future employer than by attaching a candy bar with your picture on it to your resume.

Anyone can waste money by eating out. But there are time you just need to get out of  the kitchen and out of the house. A mini vacation you might say.

My wife and I try to get out at least once a week, to sit down together some place and share a meal. No agenda, just sitting there talking small stuff. As a general rule we try to find a restaurant  that we have not visited, or one that it has been a long time, since we were there.

Moon’s Kitchen is on that I saw on through a friend on Facebook. Since my wife and I were going to be in downtown Boise, it seemed like a good place to good for breakfast.

Guild Mortgage of Boise Idaho announces “Home Path”.   Another great Boise home loan financing program.

Home Path targets Fannie Mae (FNMA) REO properties.   It allows Idaho home buyers a great opportunity to purchase the home of their dreams.   A few of the high lights are

• Only 3% down payment which can be gifted or granted
• NO Mortgage Insurance is required-this part is great!  Mortgage insurance usually runs from $50-$200 per month.
• NO Appraisal-the purchase price will be determined by the real estate contract that is negotiated between the buyer and the FNMA representative.
• Only 10% down for an investment properties with 1 to 2 units. Again no MI!
• 30 year fixed financing
• Credit Score needs to be above 660

Here is the link to check to see if a property qualifies.  www.HomePath.com

Guild Mortgage – Boise Home loans – Craig Ballhagen                    208-713-3309

If I need to take a quick business trip from Boise, Idaho to San Francisco to meet with Leo Laporte, I could easily spend a $1,000. Now if I did some research and planning, I could cut that cost in half.

A flight to San Francisco from Boise Idaho starts at $216, with one stop in Salt Lake City. Most of the discount airline booking website average around $260 to $300 for a round trip ticket, for the same trip.

Now there is a few things that you can or can not do that will raise that cost.

Pre-Ship Luggage - If you have a lot of luggage you may want to pre-ship it UPS. Airlines are watching how much up check as well as what you carry on the plane. Many of the airline are charging $25 to $50 extra per piece. This is where shipping an extra bag of cloths to your hotel may just be cheaper

My clients call me “The Closer.” I am in the serious business of helping people buy and sell houses here in the Treasure Valley. I am serious and passionate about searching the market, knowing the market, helping clients approach buying and selling properties from a very business-like, objective, and informed angle, negotiating offers, and BEST OF ALL, getting deals under contract closed!

I am a full time realtor who loves Boise, the surrounding communities and everything Idaho has to offer to its residents.