TrustIdaho.com Featured Stories

When Should an HOA Be Able to Restrict an Owner’s Right to Rent Out His Unit

Is it fair for an HOA (Homeowner Association) to prohibit or restrict a unit owner from renting out his property?  Should there be a law about this?  In California, these issues are currently being argued in both the legislature and the courts.  In some other states the issues may already be settled; in others the debate is no doubt going on. There... [Read more of this review]

July Existing-Home Sales Fall, But Prices Rise

Existing-home sales were sharply lower in July following expiration of the home buyer tax credit but home prices continued to gain, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family, townhomes, condominiums, and co-ops, dropped 27.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual... [Read more of this review]

Search for ‘better way’ leads to Custom Home Solutions

Five years ago, Anne Leibow was confronted with a pressing problem: her mother found her house no longer was compatible with her limited physical capabilities, and she was left with no choice but to relocate to an elder care facility.  That left Leibow wondering if there was a better way. So the search began for a business opportunity that would satisfy... [Read more of this review]

After The Tax Credit – What’s Next For Our Housing Recovery? (Local Commentary)

By:  Marc Lebowitz, Ada County Association of Realtors Last week I had a chance to hear Dr. Lawrence Yun, NAR’s Chief Economist, share his insights as to what’s next for our real estate recovery. He quoted some of our nation’s brightest financial “wizards”: • Ben Bernake, Federal Reserve Chairman – “The outlook remains unusually uncertain” •... [Read more of this review]

NATIONAL NEWS (real estate is local): One in 10 with a mortgage face foreclosure

One in 10 American households with a mortgage was at risk of foreclosure this summer as the government’s efforts to help have had little impact stemming the housing crisis. About 9.9 percent of homeowners had missed at least one mortgage payment as of June 30, the Mortgage Bankers Association said Thursday. That number, which is adjusted for seasonal... [Read more of this review]

Wells Fargo CEO: Don’t blame banks for not lending

Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf says banks shouldn’t take the blame for not loaning money even though his bank’s total loan values have been tumbling. He told a Boise audience Aug. 17 that the problem is a lack of demand. “We can’t find qualified borrowers who want to borrow money,” he said during the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce’s CEO Speaker... [Read more of this review]

Idaho ranks 5th in nation for foreclosure filings

Historically low interest rates, combined with a large inventory of homes on the market priced to sell are three reasons why now is the time to buy a home. Incentives are lucrative for perspective buyers.  However, for some current homeowners facing the possibility of foreclosure, the reality is very different. Idaho ranks number five in the nation... [Read more of this review]

Housing starts rise in July

Is it welcome news to the many slowly recovering housing markets? Real estate is waiting on a marked recovery from the recession, and some of the latest regional housing start figures seem to show it could be happening. According to the U.S. Commerce Department, “Housing starts increased 1.7 percent, consistent with private­sector expectations... [Read more of this review]

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