February 2009

The Obama Administration has begun laying out its Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan.  The plan will have three areas of emphasis and is expected to help 7 to 9 million homeowners avoid foreclosure and others refinance into more affordable loans.  Complete details of the plan are expected by March 4, 2009.  Below is a summary of the United States Treasury press release.

1) Refinancing assistance to combat equity hurdles. Interest rates have been at record lows in recent months but many homeowners do not have the equity to allow them to refinance and benefit from reduced mortgage payments.  This new program will allow responsible borrowers to refinance and is expected to benefit 4 to 5 million homeowners.

2) A stability initiative to prevent

Since 1990 Meridian has grown from a rural town of 9,596 to city of over 73,000 in 2008.  Almost every year since 1990 Meridian has had double digit increases in percentage population growth.  When the Meridian real estate market was booming in 2005 and 2006 the city had upwards of 18% annual population growth.   From 2007 to 2008 growth slowed  1.63%. 

According to Compass.org, Boise Idaho's population increased .46% from 2007 to 2008.  Ada County increased 1.66% in the same time period.  The 2008 population estimate for Boise is 214,490.  When real estate was booming in 2005, Boise's population growth increased 4.08% from the previous year.  The largest percentage of population growth for Boise was in the early 1990's and 2000.  From 1999 to 2000 Boise increased in population by 9.08%.

[UPDATE: TAX CREDIT EXTENDED] The recently passed stimulus package includes a 10% tax credit of the sales price (up to $8000) for first-time home buyers and those who have not owned a home within the previous 3 years.  Unlike the 2008 tax credit of $7500, the 2009 version does not have to be repaid as long as the home is owned for a  minimum of 3 years.

A tax credit is much better than a deduction.  It's a dollar for dollar reduction on your federal income tax.  If you owe less than $8000 then you will receive a refund.

The purchase must occur between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009.  Check with your CPA to determine eligibility.

Important: This information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.  Verify all information.

The Star Idaho real estate market had a total of 12 sales last month, down from 16 in December and up from 9 in November.  About 85% of the Star real estate sales were short sales or bank foreclosures.  By comparison, short sales and bank foreclosures only account for about 24% in the Boise real estate market.

Of the 12 home sales, 4 were new construction and 8 were existing homes.  The average and median home price in Star was up for new homes but down for existing.  Five of the real estate sales were homes on lots between .75 and 1.01 acres.

The Boise Idaho real estate market had 175  home sales during January 2009.  The average home price was just under $202,000 and the median was $179,450.  Most of the Boise real estate activity was in SE Boise, West Boise, and SW Boise.  The lowest day's on market* was found in South Boise.

Boise Idaho short sales made up about 8.5% of the real estate sales.  Boise bank foreclosures (REO's) made up about 15.5%.