House Hunting Idaho Falls (Teton, Hope: for sale, rental, condos)

[Ollie1946]

I am exploring Idaho for a potential relocation. I note that many homes for sale in IF have 5 and 6 bedrooms; a lot of them do. What is the deal with that? I assume that heating places that large must be pretty severe. Am I missing something? Granted, I did not look at every possible place but there seemed quite a bit. Where I live, you'd have to look very hard to find a house with even 4 bedrooms never mind 5 or 6.

[tmp4]

I'm house hunting as well. There are plenty of houses out there with 3 BR, but you're right, the majority seem to be suited for families with tons of kids.

The prices are great around here though. $200K for about 2,900 sq ft, 5 BR, 3 BA, backyard, basement, good sized living room, etc. Furnishing that many rooms would be a stretch for this bachelor.

[beeneverywhereman]

The large homes are primarily due to the high percentage of LDS members. They typically have very large families.

As for heating costs, most of the homes built after the mid 1980's are very well insulated. We lived there for 12 years and our utility bills usually stayed below $150.00/month, even during the winter. We heated the house with a gas stove (primary) and the cadet style room heaters, which are electric.

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by beeneverywhereman

The large homes are primarily due to the high percentage of LDS members. They typically have very large families.

As for heating costs, most of the homes built after the mid 1980's are very well insulated. We lived there for 12 years and our utility bills usually stayed below $150.00/month, even during the winter. We heated the house with a gas stove (primary) and the cadet style room heaters, which are electric.

Some LDS have large families, some have 2-3 kids, some have None. I believe generalizations can be dangerous. Some have exchange students or families that plan to move aging parents in etc. Probably the builder is the only one who knows for sure.

I think most of the smaller homes are occupied. I know new ones are starting to be built. That was the focus of a PR article in the past month...some builders are starting to build new, smaller speck homes because there were few in the market. It depends on one's timeframe and options-- some small towns have homes to rent or buy, but it is a longer drive to everything but the fishing, hiking etc.

It all depends on what matters most to the one looking. If you can be farth r away look for a rental in a smaller area until some new houses with no more than 4 bedrooms are completed.

Good luck!

MSR

[beeneverywhereman]

Originally Posted by Mtn. States Resident

Some LDS have large families, some have 2-3 kids, some have None. I believe generalizations can be dangerous. Some have exchange students or families that plan to move aging parents in etc. Probably the builder is the only one who knows for sure.

I think most of the smaller homes are occupied. I know new ones are starting to be built. That was the focus of a PR article in the past month...some builders are starting to build new, smaller speck homes because there were few in the market. It depends on one's timeframe and options-- some small towns have homes to rent or buy, but it is a longer drive to everything but the fishing, hiking etc.

It all depends on what matters most to the one looking. If you can be farth r away look for a rental in a smaller area until some new houses with no more than 4 bedrooms are completed.

Good luck!

MSR

Of course it is a generalization. A quick to the point reasoning for the larger homes. If the primary religion here was Catholic, I would have stated so, but they are not. Settle down.

[TetonTank]

From what I've noticed when I did all my house hunting was that 2-3 bedroom are usually located down stairs. Most homes I visited, when looking, had complete basements, and only one didn't have a basement at all which I thought was rare around here, I maybe mistaken though.
Seems most people make the most out of their basements by adding guest beds, or entertainment rooms. Along with cold storage rooms.
If I am correct a room HAD to have a door AND a window.
Heating has not been an issue for the main levels, although my downsstairs didn't hold heat well, although the vice versa is the same in the summer. My downstairs is cold, and my upstairs is hard to cool cheaply.
Hope I had some good input for you.

Good luck..
TANK...

[atvwife]

Idaho is a bit different than most other places in that the realtors/listings include all basement square footage in their total. I don't know how they get away with it with Fannie and Freddie loans, but I guess that's just the way they do it. Most of the homes tend to have 2-4 bedrooms above grade, then the rest are in the basement, which you could close off or use for other purposes, or even take walls out to make a bigger space. The best way to see what your above grade square footage is, is to request the MLS sheet from the realtor. It will break out above grade and then which rooms are on which floor. As Teton Tank mentioned, if there is a bedroom below grade, code says you have to have an exit point, so they will either have a walkout or an egress window, which is pretty nice.

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by beeneverywhereman

Of course it is a generalization. A quick to the point reasoning for the larger homes. If the primary religion here was Catholic, I would have stated so, but they are not. Settle down.

I am.

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by atvwife

Idaho is a bit different than most other places in that the realtors/listings include all basement square footage in their total. I don't know how they get away with it with Fannie and Freddie loans, but I guess that's just the way they do it. Most of the homes tend to have 2-4 bedrooms above grade, then the rest are in the basement, which you could close off or use for other purposes, or even take walls out to make a bigger space. The best way to see what your above grade square footage is, is to request the MLS sheet from the realtor. It will break out above grade and then which rooms are on which floor. As Teton Tank mentioned, if there is a bedroom below grade, code says you have to have an exit point, so they will either have a walkout or an egress window, which is pretty nice.

I don't know anything about the codes. You are so correct basements can be used for so many purposes including home offices etc.

How's your packing progressing ? Are you excited Natural Foods or whatever the name is ( the chain out of Colorado - not Whole Foods- is building a new store they plan on opening in the fall?

Good points about how to get more info.

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

I've noticed a lot of Twin Homes for sale. Some really nice ones including by the Country Club. I don't know their sq ft. or details. I just wondered if those who were in Twin Homes are getting a lot of those " right sized" houses now? I wonder if there is a high amount of Twin Homes/Condos available now.

MSR