Thursday
05Mar2009
Jeff Martel - Broker - Marketing Director - 1.888.452.5257 ext. 701
Jeff has seemingly been in Real Estate his entire life by watching his parents become successful Real Estate investors while growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area. This experience inspired him early to learn what it takes to make it in Real Estate. Although Jeff decided to take a different direction in College and study Graphic Design and Marketing - it somehow always comes back to Real Estate. As the Marketing Director of 43 Degrees North Real Estate, Jeff’s sole mission is to make our clients properties look good. From Print, to Media, to Web, he understands how to create memorable marketing campaigns that translate into sales. Jeff holds a Bachelors degree in Graphic Design from the Academy of Art College in San Francisco and has been trained in multiple disciplines for marketing. Jeff has also worked for national and multi-national marketing agencies both in California and Idaho. Jeff has worked on Branding, Identity, Advertising, and Packaging projects for clients such as Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Frontier Natural Foods, Con-Agra, and multiple small to mid-sized companies. He draws on his vast background of experience to create solutions for our clients that help promote projects in a cost-effective and successful manner that generate results. Jeff has the ideas that help grow our clients business, increase market-share, and make a statement.
Jeff has fully embraced the Idaho lifestyle since moving to Eagle, Idaho seven years ago. An avid fly-fisherman and enjoyer of all things outdoors - Jeff has found the perfect place to call home here in the Treasure Valley. Jeff and his beautiful wife Lyndi feel lucky to be able to raise their three daughters in such a beautiful and safe environment. Great schools, wonderful friends, and unbelievable recreational opportunities makes this the absolute best place to live, work, and play!
After transitioning into Real Estate full time 5 years ago, Jeff has helped many clients realize their dream of Home Ownership. Jeff has the unique experience of planning large scale residential communities right from the start, working closely with clients to create lasting communities with true value. As the Designated Broker of 43 Degrees North Real Estate - Jeff holds all of our agents to the highest ethical standards and work ethic practices.
You can find great local Eagle, ID real estate information on Localism.com Jeff Martel is a proud member of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network, a free online community to help real estate professionals grow their business.
Thursday
05Mar2009
5 DO's every buyer should know
Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 2:30AM - Do buy in 2009... or you will definitely whine! What I mean by this is that there has not been a buying opportunity like the one in DECADES. NAR's Housing Affordability Index rose 13.6 percentage points in January to 166.8, a new record high. Houses are ON SALE NOW!
- Do understand that the Government will Stimulate things... Lot’s of things.Governments think they can “buy” their way to prosperity... And to some degree they can “jump-start” things. But Government action by increasing money supply (or as they like to call it stimulus) has a tiny little after-effect – INFLATION. So, when the government says “ooppps” we printed to much money and this little inflation thingy isn’t looking too good – they increase INTEREST RATES. Currently interest rates are so low – the last time they were this low Leave It To Beaver was still running “new” shows... Not the reruns we’ve all become accustomed to!
- Do understand what VALUE means. Don’t confuse value with cheap. Right now it’s very easy to be price focused – and yes you should be – but Buyers MUST look for value in a home purchase. A cheap home is just that – cheap... And they tend to remain that way. A home that has true VALUE can be purchased today at a great price that will ensure a good equity return in the future.
- Do make a choice to not believe the electronic Cyclops in your living room.The media only can report on what has happened. They use fancy charts and graphs. They have neat touch-screens and experts that went to really, really good schools. But, at the end of the day they are reporting to you on a time lag of at minimum 60 days and more likely 6 months. The only true way to know what a market is doing is to talk to a Realtor or a Title Agent. Why? BECAUSE THEY ARE ON THE FRONT LINES. Realtors and Title Companies know about transaction volume before all others – and trust me – transaction volume is up – deals are being made. By the time the media reports that transaction volume is up for 3 months in a row... They are at least 5 months behind on calling the bottom.
- Do buy a home for the right reasons. Homes are for you and your friends and family to gather in and to enjoy life in. Your home is not a reality show. Your home is not a bank. Your home is where memories are made, first steps are taken, and life is lived... That’s it. Pretty simple stuff – but we ALL forgot what a home truly is. A home is your connection to community, to family, and to friends. Buy a home in 2009 for all the right reasons and then we all will be better off in the long run!
A New Direction In Real Estate
Jeff Martel | Broker / Marketing Director
7400 West State Street, Boise Idaho 83714
Voice | 208.860.3696
Fax | 888.452.5257
Main Brokerage: http://www.43re.com
New Homes: http://www.NewConstructionBoise.com
Friday
06Feb2009
Signs, Signs - Everywhere are signs
Friday, February 6, 2009 at 1:01PM Are you looking for the signs of a market bottom? Look around - they are everywhere. The stock market has stabilized at 8,000 - this is a baseline. The jobs market - although seemingly chaotic, is near the end of the layoff festival. Companies have over compensated and have front-loaded their layoffs to over-compensate for a tough economic climate. Housing prices have over-corrected and removed all gains from the bubble. Interest rates are the same as when Leave It To Beaver episodes were brand new! Credit is tight - but not to qualified individuals - and programs are being modified and added every day to help get credit flowing.
By the time the media, or your friends and family realize that the housing market has bottom - they will be 6 months late. Look for the signs - don't wait for someone to tell you!
Wednesday
14Jan2009
How to solve the Foreclosure problem - and do something good at the same time!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 6:54AM This morning I thought of an idea that may be worth thinking about. What if we create a program for Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan where Soldiers receive access to Foreclosed homes. What I'm thinking we do as a country is this - Homes that are going into Foreclosure can be purchased with the TARP funds. Then returning soldiers get to purchase these homes at WELL below market value using a mortgage funded by the US government - in essence the Tax payers become equity partners in these homes. These soldiers would also receive the additional benefit of not having to make ANY payments for two years. They did an incredible job for our country - WE OWE THEM.
Now, think about this - not only did our soldiers serve us well, they can now help to stabilize our country. By purchasing these homes before they affect market values, we stabilize housing. We also provide a way for our soldiers to return home and begin life again without the financial pressures of having to make the mortgage payment for 2 years. Eventually as housing stabilizes, values will go up. The government backed loans will begin to be paid back in 2 years, and as these homes eventually get sold, the government (ie taxpayers) receive a return on investment.
I haven't heard of a program like this, but I think if enough people get behind an idea like this we really could make a difference in our soldiers lives - and the lives of every american currently affected by the housing downturn.
Monday
22Dec2008
Growth and Housing Numbers
Monday, December 22, 2008 at 8:07AM It is said that the United States needs to produce approximately 1 Million housing units annually just to keep up with demand. Demand comes from Marriage, Divorce, migration, immigration, etc. This year the United States has built the same number of units as in 1959. In 1959 the US had 179 million people. We now have about 310 Million.
Boise adds approximately 8,478 new residents every year. It is projected that our population will be around 762,981 by the year 2020 (in 2006 we were at 559,095).
What does all this mean? Well, the basic rule of supply and demand is this - all shortages are followed by gluts... and all gluts are followed by shortages. We are about to experience a massive housing shortage across the entire country. I see us having a "rush" to buy in the following 120 days. Why? Because interest rates are incredibly low now and may go even lower. We are going to be under supplied on housing once the Obama administration implements some sort of housing stimulus that will be of a huge magnitude - some say they may offer a $20,000 tax credit for buying a home. So cheap money coupled with free money and a reduced supply = housing appreciation.
If you are trying to sell a home - hang on a little longer - things will get better for you. If you are looking to buy a home - strike now - this has to be the bottom. If you are unsure what to do - well you are in good company - there are lots and lots of folks sitting on the fence waiting for the sign to get in. It happens fast - like a light switch going on so you better be ready to move!