Take a look at our newsletter this month!
February 2018
2058 E. Franklin Rd. Ste. 100, Meridian, ID 83642 • www.rogprofessionals.com • 208-375-3750
From Idaho Properties to Realty One Group professionals
Why We Made the Change
Since 1957 (perhaps earlier), the mission of Idaho Properties Real Estate had been to provide top-notch service, helping clients achieve the dream of homeownership, financial security, and peace of mind. The company values have always provided integrity and trust focused on clients and giving back to the community. My wife, Julie, and I had the privilege of acquiring Idaho Properties Real Estate in June 2016. Our primary goal was to build on this great tradition, eventually offering more to our outstanding agents (and subsequently to our clients) than any other brokerage in the area. The vision: a forward-thinking company investing in tools, technology, and education, benefiting the community we gratefully serve. Our operating values became community, education, and gratitude. “Here’s the bottom line: We rebranded to provide our agents the absolute best education, technology, and tools available — a ‘coolture’ for success, both theirs and the clients.” As of December 2017, we are pleased to announce our new partnership with Realty ONE Group (RŌG), the fastest-growing real estate brand in the country. When I first met with RŌG here in the Boise area, I had no intention of joining the brand. I wanted to provide my team with the best resources and newest technology on the market, and I had started to investigate ways to achieve that goal. I had the opportunity to learn firsthand what was behind the growth of their brand. A little
“Art of War,” if you will. However, when I met with Realty ONE Group and learned more about them, I was blown away. Everything they were providing to agents and brokerages was in alignment with our plan. I almost felt like they read my mind and realized quickly that it was time to seriously consider joining forces with this company making so much GOOD noise in our industry. After that meeting, I started feeling that this may be exactly what we wanted for our brokerage and incredible agents. (So much for spying on the competition!) Realty ONE Group, hands down, offers agents and offices the best tools, access to education, “coolture,” and marketing strategies in the industry, enabling agents to serve clients to the absolute best of their abilities.
After all our investigation, research, and visits to Realty ONE Group headquarters, we all agreed that going RŌG was the best choice for our agents and clients. Now that we are Realty ONE Group Professionals, we have achieved our initial goal to have the strongest offering in the market for our agents and clients.
As Realty ONE Group Professionals, we have access to the latest training, technology, tools, and “coolture.” Here are some examples:
• SkySlope is a transaction software with 24/7 support. They work as hard as your agent to keep transactions flowing smoothly. Agents now have more time to market your home (sellers), or find a home (buyers), in this competitive market. •Videolicious allows agents to create home tour videos, open house shoutouts, and more. It’s all completed quickly, right on their smartphones! Agents can be more effective and efficient with various marketing platforms, such as social media, which ultimately provides your home more exposure strategically when and where buyers are looking. •ONE University offers online training to all Realty ONE Group agents wanting to improve their personal and professional skills. There’s something for everyone — new agents, seasoned agents, and entrepreneur agents who are creating or growing a team. Each path ultimately translates to providing a higher level of client service.
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Give a DIY Housewarming Gift Basket!
Around the world, people welcome their newest neighbors with special gifts. Russia is often credited with starting this housewarming tradition, as dignitaries would visit nearby villages to deliver salt and bread to townspeople. The salt was symbolic of living a life full of flavor, while the bread was so no one would go hungry. Other cultures have their own housewarming customs. In Italy, a broom is bequeathed to new inhabitants to sweep away any lingering evil spirits. Another common gift is a candle, which signifies always having light. Meanwhile, the French make a day of it by inviting new neighbors over for a “l’aperitif,” an afternoon snack of cheese and meat. Indians also extend a hospitable welcome, inviting new neighbors to join them for lunch or dinner. These neighbors also receive a gift for their new home. People often lament a time when “everyone knew their neighbors,” and while some nostalgia is better left to memory (lava lamps, for example), a neighborly connection is worth pursuing. If you’ve never met yours,
or if you just noticed the new family moving in next door, it’s time to extend a friendly hand. This holiday season, go above and beyond by putting together a gift basket for your neighbors inspired by some of the aforementioned traditions. Here are a few themes to try. Cleanliness Is Next to Godliness There’s nothing worse than unpacking and realizing you tossed out all of your cleaning tools. Draw on Italian sensibility and put together a household supply basket. Fill this basket with items like all- purpose cleaner, furniture spray, antibacterial wipes, sponges, and automatic air fresheners. Flavors of Life Everyone needs the basics when they are settling into a new home. Put together a basket with these ingredients for a savory start: gourmet salt, a bread mix, olive oil and vinegar, a mixed herb set, and a bottle of wine to make unpacking a bit more enjoyable.
Warmth for Winter’s Chill You can also provide heartwarming gifts to brighten a new home. This theme might include seasonal candles, scented plug-ins, a decorative string of lights, and glow- in-the-dark stars for the kids’ room. Once you’ve chosen a theme, gather the materials to prepare your basket, including a decorative bow and matching tissue paper. Then, stop by and introduce yourself and share your thoughtful, creative gift. You’re sure to impress!
Jonathan & Estefany S e ga l i
Nothing gives us more joy than kind words from our happy clients. That’s why we’re thrilled to be able to share the story of Jonathan and Estefany Segali, a couple who went through Joel and Julie Hess when they purchased their beautiful house near downtown Boise.
everything that came our way was something that met our growing list of criteria.
“Never once did we feel pushed into a decision. As we’d examine a property, Joel and Julie went out of their way to make us aware of all the details, good and bad. Every step of the way, they did everything they could to educate us and make sure that the property we ended up with was, beyond a doubt, exactly what we were looking for. “The day that we put an offer on our house was the day before we were leaving for our honeymoon in Mexico. Understandably, we weren’t really thinking about the market at that exact moment. But Julie, constantly scouring the internet for the house of our dreams, came across a particularly promising house that had just come on the market. “She called us, explained the situation, and within hours we were looking at the property. It was absolutely perfect. Julie sat down then and there to help us write our offer. We were the third offer on the house — it wasn’t even on the market for a day. When our offer was accepted, it felt totally surreal, everything was so perfectly in line with what we had been searching for. “We’re so thankful for everything Joel and Julie did for us. We enthusiastically recommend them to anyone we know who’s in the market. Truly, we couldn’t imagine better people to work with!”
“Joel and Julie were incredibly attentive and available throughout the entire process. They made us feel like we were the only people
they were helping. Every day, we were updated with details about new available properties, tailored perfectly to our needs and desires. As the weeks went on and we looked at house after house, Joel and Julie narrowed down their selection process, incorporating our feedback and ensuring
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What All First-Time Homebuyers NEED to Consider
What is the only treatment for drinking water that removes pesticides and chlorine byproducts but does not affect the oxygen level? 1
A. Brita B. Distillation C. City water treatment plant D. Reverse osmosis
A. Sit back and relax on it B. Clean and seal it C. Hose it down with a pressure washer D. Sweep it A. Clean out the old food B. Clean your refrigerator coils C. Clean out under the refrigerator D. All of the above
You have a lovely deck in the backyard. At least once a year, you:
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Every now and then, you do the following to your fridge:
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Buying a home for the first time is an exciting and potentially nerve- wracking experience. Thankfully, you don’t have to dive in blind. Here are some things to consider before buying your first home. Location vs. Space Before shopping for a home, it’s important to set your priorities and decide which is more important to you: where you live or the size of your home. If you decide in advance, you can make wiser decisions during the homebuying process. If you don’t decide before you start shopping, you may end up feeling pressured into making a quick offer and living with buyer’s remorse. Are You Ready to Commit? Owning a home is a commitment and can be more expensive than some first-time homebuyers realize. Before buying a home or making an offer, make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into so you can decide if you are financially ready to take on the responsibility and commitment of a new home. In addition to your mortgage payment, figure out how much you’ll be paying for property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA fees, and other monthly costs. Consider Your Down Payment When financing your home, you may be offered a loan that doesn’t require any money down. Even if you accept said loan, you should still consider making a down payment. It may be tempting to save or spend the money you had originally set aside, but making a down payment on a loan minimizes your risk and starts you off with some equity. Reviewing your HOA documents is important if you want to avoid unpleasant surprises down the road. If you don’t read your HOA covenants, conditions and restrictions, bylaws, and budget, you may leave yourself open to paying unexpected expenses. It would also be a good idea to talk to residents in the neighborhood to get opinions on how well the HOA does its job. If you are well prepared when buying your first home, you have a better chance of having a great experience. While this is not a comprehensive list, these tips are good starting points for first- time homebuyers. Talk to your agent about other potential pitfalls and tips to make the process easy and stress-free. Read Your HOA Documents Before Closing
Thank You
for your support
At RŌG Professionals, we are dedicated to the prosperity of our agents, our clients, and the community. Offering the latest tools and technology, accompanied by the best customer service in the Treasure Valley, our ultimate goal is to make your home-buying or selling experience as fun and stress-free as possible. If you had a positive experience with us, we want to hear from you! Email us at janet@ rogprofessionals.com. Your testimonial could be featured in our next edition, and you will be entered to win two FREE movie tickets! • A mobile property search app, branded to the agent. The app allows their customers and clients to search for homes; calculate a mortgage payment; and share homes they love via email, text, or social media. • CUBE 8, Realty ONE Group’s think tank, focuses solely on what is coming up next in technology and how to apply that to the real estate industry. These awesome folks (proud to call themselves geeks) constantly research and test the newest tools and marketing strategies. At our last visit, we experienced “virtual reality” and its potential uses in real estate. When they find a successful tool, they quickly roll it out to our agents, giving consistent access and providing better service today and tomorrow. Remember what I said about forward thinking? Here’s the bottom line: We rebranded to provide our agents the absolute best education, technology, and tools available — a “coolture” for success, both theirs and the clients. Expect the best service in the industry, whether you’re a buyer, seller, or investor, from well-trained agents dedicated to your success today and tomorrow. ... Cover article continued
Joel Hess
Here’s to going RŌG in 2018!
Cheers!
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208-375-3750
2058 E. Franklin Rd. Ste. 100 Meridian, ID 83642
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
Inside Why We Rebranded to Realty One Group Give the Warmest Welcome This Month’s Success Story: Jonathan and Estefany Segali Test Your Home Knowledge First Time Buying a House?
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The Time Is Right for Nicaragua
Nicaragua If relaxing on a pearlescent beach is more your speed, take a short boat trip out to the Corn Islands. There, you can amble around the small towns bordering the shockingly blue Pacific, visit a number of laid-back seafood restaurants, get scuba certified for a fraction of the price anywhere else in the world, or just read your book as you swing in a hammock by the waves.
Escape to After the hectic holiday season, many of us feel like we need another vacation just to unwind. Luckily, January and February are two of the best months to travel. Flight prices plummet and crowds thin out after the Christmas rush. If you’re looking to escape the dreary winter weather, there’s no better place to visit this season than Nicaragua, the “Central American country that has it all,” as Condé Nast Traveler puts it. Whether you’re looking to explore the rainforests surrounding the Río San Juan or get lost in the quirky-yet-beautiful architecture of Granada, there’s something for everyone in this tropical wonderland. One must-see destination is the Cerro Negro volcano. Just a baby at 150 years old, it’s one of the most active volcanoes in the region. It only takes about an hour to scale its smoking, black gravel surface, and the verdant forests surrounding the peak are a sight to behold. Adventurous travelers can board down the side, reaching ludicrous speeds as they teeter and try not to fall. In fact, it’s almost impossible to travel anywhere in the country without seeing an “I boarded a volcano” T-shirt.
You can also visit the gorgeous, alabaster Our Lady of Grace Cathedral in “new” Léon. The biggest church in all of Central America, this unique Baroque and neoclassicist structure was built in 1814. Visitors can climb onto its roof (as long as they don’t wear shoes) and bask in the view of surrounding volcanoes (including Cerro Negro). If you’re planning on heading to Nicaragua, it’s best to do it soon. Neighbor Costa Rica often overflows with tourists, and instead of wading through the crowds there, many travelers are catching on to what Nicaragua has to offer.
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