Spring Cleaning Hacks

won’t make it another season, donate them. And, no shopping for new spring clothes! That is, until you make room for them. Get rid of an old item for every new item. Then say hello to your organized closet!

Clear Clutter Magnets What are the places in your home that attract the most clutter? By the front door? That special junk drawer? Bedside table? Coat closet? Identify your clutter magnets and pick one per weekend to de-clutter.

To de-clutter, empty everything out and create four piles: keep, give away, throw away, and store. If you can’t remember the last time you used something, get rid of it! Only put the items back that you really need.

Create “homes” for items that end up attracted to each spot. For example, make a basket for each family member so little Logan has a place to dump his schoolbooks when he walks in the door.

Stack the baskets close by their former drop spot. Then, take a picture of your new “anti-clutter magnet” and place it on the inside of a drawer or underneath a table to refer to, so you can keep it that way! You will be amazed at how happy that clutter-free spot makes you feel every time you walk by. come over, they will be sure to ask for the name of the cleaning service you used!

Laura McHolm is an organizational, moving & storage expert and co-founder of NorthStar Moving Company, an award winning, “A+” rated company, which specializes in providing ecoluxury moving and storage services. northstarmoving.com

Now step back, take a deep breath and soak in the clear clean space of your refreshed home. When your friends

Monthly Market Report

Record Low Number of Homes for Sale

The number of homes for sale in Ada County reached a new record low in February, with just 1,039 homes for sale.

Breanna Vanstrom, Chief Executive Officer Boise Regional REALTORS®

February 2020 saw a new record low number of single-family homes for sale in Ada County, falling below the previous low of 1,143 in March 2018, bottoming out at 1,039 homes for sale. This was 23.4% less than the number of homes for sale in February 2019 and the lowest number since at least 2004 (when the Intermountain MLS started tracking the metric).

While the inventory of new homes for sale was down 13.7% year-over-year, the lack of existing/resale homes for sale is the main drag on inventory, hitting a record low in February 2020 with just 344 existing/ resale homes for sale — 37.6% less than the same month last year.

If you’re hoping to buy, keep in mind that low inventory isn’t the same no inventory. There are options available, and rates are making mortgage payments more manageable. On the other hand, if you’re considering selling, keep in mind sellers are getting a great value for their properties with today’s home prices.

Speaking of prices, the median sales price in February 2020 was $361,350, up 11.3% compared to the same month last year. The lack of existing supply compared to demand was a main driver of prices, as well as the increasing share of new home sales — which makes sense as buyers have limited options among existing/resale properties.

New homes made up 42.7% of all home sales in February 2020, a 9% increase from a year ago. New homes are typically priced higher due to increasing cost of land, labor, and materials, so as the share of new construction sales grows, it will have a greater impact on the overall median sales price.

While our market reports typically look at single-family homes with or without acreage only, there are additional options available in the condos, townhomes, and mobile/manufactured homes segments throughout Ada County.

For example, 47 townhomes sold in Ada County in February, with a median sales price of $289,900. The median sales price for condos was at $286,000, and for mobile or manufactured homes with an owned lot, it was at $153,000 in February 2020. (NOTE: Learn more about sales activity and median prices of these property types in our new Condos, Townhomes, and Mobile/Manufactured Homes Market Report.)

If you’re considering a move, work with your REALTOR® and a trusted lender to find solutions that meet your individual needs and circumstances.

Get in touch if you'd like to know how all of this information affects your situation!