Real Estate Information

College of Southern Idaho

One of the criteria examined when rating agencies compile information on living conditions and Best Places to Live in cities across the United States, is access or proximity to a college or school of higher education.

We have that in the Magic Valley with College of Southern Idaho, right here in Twin Falls.

The College of Southern Idaho is one of the fastest growing institutions of higher education in the state. There are satellite centers in Burley, Gooding, Jerome and Hailey.

The range is wide in course offerings and options. Associate degrees are offered for students as a final degree and when transferring to 4 year colleges. Technical certificates are offered for completion of programs in specific trades and prepare the graduate for immediate employment. This CSI video if fun to watch and highlights the many opportunities available.

Along with the traditional classes and technical degrees there are special classes and summer camps for kids and adults to explore and learn. Welding, crochet, photography, golf, online career training, science camp, Lego robotics camp….there really is something for everyone. Check the Events Calendar often to find classes, camps and special events.

College of Southern Idaho is yet another reason why living in the Magic Valley in Southern Idaho is so welcoming.

# 1 Home Improvement​

There is much written, discussed and now even a TV show about which home improvements yield the biggest "Bang for your Buck". This HGTV show is fun to watch and certainly can give you pointers on which home improvements give good return on money spent and which do not. But in the end, the number one expense of money that gives your home the highest value is …Maintenance!

Kitchens and baths sell a home. You have heard it said and it is true. But if the old windows in the new kitchen rattle when the wind blows and you have to build in a drip bucket right beside the new stainless steel commercial grade cook top because the roof leaks, it is easy to see where improvement money should be spent.

There is no improvement that will hold or increase the value of your home, if the fundamental integrity of the house is not maintained. If the basement leaks and smells musty it doesn’t make up for a new tiled walk-in shower in the master bedroom, or new hardwood floors in the living room.

Keep your home in good repair and talk with the Real Estate Specialists at Lezamiz Real Estate to determine which improvements to your home will add the most Bang for your Buck in the Twin Falls and Magic Valley Area.

The Real Memorial Day

It may seem that Memorial Day is another paid Holiday tacked on to a weekend, the unofficial start of summer and a great reason for retail stores to have coupons and discounts and sales….all for Memorial Day. But the real purpose and origin of Memorial Day is to honor men and women who have died serving our country.

Memorial Day is held each year on the last Monday of the month of May. It is to celebrate and honor the men and women who have died in military service to our country. Unlike Veterans Day (November) which honors service men and women, both living and dead, Memorial Day celebrates those who have died.

A Memorial Day Service is beautiful and educational. Consider attending the one at Sunset Memorial Park, 2296 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls, Idaho this year. The service will begin at 3 PM on Monday, May 27, 2013. There will be bagpipers, refreshments and thousands of American flags. The Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts help to place thousands of American flags on grave sites of veterans and lining the entrance. It is an opportunity to educate your children and participate in a beautiful tradition of honor.

You won’t regret taking an hour of your day to see the beauty of our American Flag displayed proudly to honor the men and women who have died in service to our country.

Prepare to Save Energy and Money this summer

It isn’t rocket science. It is easy to save energy and save money this summer. Now is the time to tweak your house and alter your habits.

• Replace incandescent bulbs with Compact Florescent (CFL) bulbs. Not only do they last longer and use less energy to operate, but produce up to 75 percent LESS heat emission.
• Turn up the temperature of your Air-Conditioning. A few degrees can make a big difference in savings and not a lot of difference in comfort.
• Ceiling fans allow you to raise the temperature of your air conditioning about 4 degrees without any noticeable comfort change.
• Cut back on using appliances from 2PM until 7PM weekdays…the time of day that is usually the highest demand for energy. Because of high demand, the rate is normally higher also.
• Use your outdoor grill for cooking that would otherwise be in the oven or on the stove top. It keeps the heat out of the house and tastes good too.
• Programmable thermostats when programmed and used properly will automatically regulate your air conditioning when you are away from home and engage the system before your return.
• Turn down the water temperature on your water heater for the summer months. Not only will it save energy, but the slightly cooler temperature is probably warmer than you will use anyway.
• Wash laundry in cold water.
• Line dry your clothes rather than in the clothes dryer. It saves the energy of the dryer and keeps the hot and moist air out of the house.
• Install shades, especially on windows where the sun impacts directly. It goes a long way to decrease energy usage when you don’t let the sun warm up the house to begin with.

All of these savings are easy and most require only a change in daily habits and routine. All the tips use less energy and will save you money. Prepare your house and family now for the long, hot summer.

Using the Five Senses when Showing a Home

You only get one chance to give a good FIRST impression when showing a home for sale. Even if a potential buyer returns for a second showing and beyond, there is only ONE first impression.

Prepare your home to appeal to potential buyers by using the Five Senses:

Sight: De-clutter!! Make sure everything including the windows are clean, clean, clean. Put away the personal items that make your house your home. Remember, you want someone else to call this house their home.

Smell: The best smell in a home is the absence of odor. Clean and fresh. Make sure you remove the cat box and neutralize any pet odors, cooking smells and the baby’s room. Scented candles or other deodorizers just mask odors and may irritate some people’s allergies. Instead, just before the showing is to begin, bake a tray of cookies or bread sticks from a tube. It is easy to quickly slice prepared cookie dough, or twist dough into bread sticks. The smell it gives your home is welcoming to anyone, and most likely offensive to no one.

Sound: The best background sound is soothing music. Play a nice CD or have the radio turned on to an all-music station. It is best to use an “easy listening” genre.

Touch: Lookers will touch things, mostly without even thinking. You touch the countertop or the carpet or the cupboard fronts. Make sure everything is clean, clean, clean. White fluffy towels or a soft afghan feel homey and inviting.

Taste: Although the sense of taste is the 5th sense, we will call this sense ..Common Sense and Tasteful staging. Use it liberally when preparing your home for showings.

The Listing Specialists at Lezamiz Real Estate Co. are happy to give you ideas on using the 5 senses to stage your home.

Location, Location, Location

You have all heard realtors say that location is the most important factor in the value of a property. But location doesn’t just mean in a prime zip code, or with a beautiful view, or in a gated community. All those things may greatly enhance the value of a property, but if you are looking for your own home Location, Location, Location may mean many things.

•  In a highly rated school district for your children.
• Near recreational areas or areas offering access to nature.
• Close to shopping, medical offices and entertainment.
• Close to your job.
• In a neighborhood with similar people and lifestyles as yours.
• A property big enough for a garden.
• A property small enough to be low or no maintenance.

Location is the most important aspect of a property, but there are many location factors to consider when you are shopping for your own home. The Buyer’s Specialists at Lezamiz Real Estate can help you find the home with Location, Location, Location that suits your needs.

Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

Whether you are moving to Southern Idaho or already live here, the Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is a great source of information for living, working and playing in Twin Falls and the Magic Valley area.

Local businesses and professionals form and maintain the Chamber of Commerce to advocate on their behalf. The businesses and professionals are members of the Chamber and elect a board of directors who in turn hires a President and CEO to run the organization. The first Chamber of Commerce in the United States was formed in New York City in 1768.

The Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce has a comprehensive website that offers quick reference to a Business Directory, a Travel Guide and a current Calendar of Events.

The Business Directory offers alphabetically listed member businesses and organizations along with listings grouped by type of business. Some of the listings include short, informational videos.

The Travel Guide presents a wealth of information about the many National Parks, natural wonders, recreational opportunities and special events in the Magic Valley. Each section includes a beautifully prepared and easily accessed Travel Cast Video.

The Calendar of Events is up-to-date and easy to view. It includes major events and meetings scheduled in the area from library special and recurring programs, to College of Southern Idaho Theater and Music performances.

Lezamiz Real Estate is a member in good standing of The Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce . Check the website often to see what is new and happening, or to search for resources in Twin Falls and the Magic Valley area.

Market Value of your Home

Market Value of your home is the price a buyer is willing to pay you for your home at any given time.

Book Value of your home is the amount you paid for the home.

The Book Value remains the same, as long as you own the property. If you bought your home 10 years ago for $100,000, the book value of your home is $100,000 as long as you own the property.

Market Value fluctuates. For selling purposes, market value is generally determined by researching properties near and similar to yours that have sold within the last 6 months.

If the Market Value in your area and/or the current real estate climate has declined, your home may be worth less than the Book Value. If you have owned your home for a number of years and/or the current real estate climate is strong, the Market Value of your home may be more than the Book Value.

Pricing a home to sell is a mathematical equation. It involves finding a similar house within as close an area to your home as possible that has been sold recently and comparing size and amenities of your home to the recently sold home(s) and arriving at a Market Value.

It is important to be fully aware of the difference between Book and Market Values, so you will be able to make logical and unemotional decisions when pricing your home. Beware of an estimate that is not in line with recent sales. It is not in your best interest to “try” to list a home at a price wildly outside of Market perimeters.

The Listing Specialists at Lezamiz Real Estate are experienced and knowledgeable about Twin Falls and the surrounding areas current market trends. They can research and prepare an accurate report for you of the current Market Value of your home. Click here for a free MARKET Value ANALYSIS of your home.