How do I search for a house?

After assisting almost 1,200 clients to buy or sell their homes, I have discovered a few things that may help you!

1. List those items that are most important to you. if you have a family of six, you aren t looking for a two-bedroom condo in most cases. Try to determine what your needs are.

2. List those things you would like to have, if it fits in the budget. These are extras, like type of countertops, if it has a fireplace or not, if the yard is fenced.

3. Determine what you can afford. How much down payment have you saved? Do you have money for closing costs or do you need a seller to pay all or part? What are you qualified to purchase? Have you spoken to a loan officer to determine what you are approved to purchase?

4. Contact a full-time, experienced Realtor. Hopefully, if you are reading this you will be doing business with me. You want a Realtor who will always be watching out for your best interests, someone who cares about you and your family, someone you can trust to talk with even after the sale.

Call me and let s discuss your situation. I ll tell you the truth. If what you want doesn t exist where you want to live, I ll tell you. I will also determine where it is available and see if that is an area you want to live within.

I can be reached at 208-409-7653. I am Tim Burroughs, a Certified Residential Specialist, who works with Keller Williams Realty-Boise.

FHA Back to Work Program

Were you one of the people who got caught in the economy of 2008 to 2012 where one of the following happened to you?

You had either a foreclosure, a short sale, loan modification, bankruptcy or other derogatory credit. Now there is hope with this new FHA program to get you back into home ownership after only one year from any of these situations, if you have the following three items in place.

1. You had at least a 20% reduction in your household income due to a loss of employment.

2. You have demonstrated a full recovery by paying all of your bills on time for the last full year.

3. You have completed a housing counseling class recently (can be in person or on-line).

If you have 1 and 2 completed and need to schedule 3, then make sure and contact me before you apply for a mortgage because you must complete the class at least 30 days prior to application for a mortgage or it will be denied. I know, but government regulations are specific on this requirement.

You can reach me at 208-409-7653. I serve people trying to buy or sell homes in Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Star, Kuna, Nampa and Middleton, Idaho.