Kimberly, 1st of all if you are a first time home buyer (or someone that has not owned a home in the last 3.5 years), then you should definatly buy before October 31, 2009. That way you can get the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, which gives you a FREE $8000.

2nd If you want the tax credit you should be looking to buy right now, especially if you are going to try and get in on a Short Sale. I have short sales that have been pending for 5 months waiting on bank aproval to sell the home at the price offered by my buyers.

3rd I don't think anyone can read the crystal ball well enough to say that now is the bottom of the market. You will not know the bottom until you have missed it. Signs are improving now, which may indicate we have hit the bottom of the market, but no one can be sure.

4th, Boise or Eagle are both great. It depends on your needs. No way to answer that with the limited information you provided. But if you need to get specifi advice anytime, fill free to give me a call 830-7991 and I would love to help. It will not cost you anything and I promise not to try and sell you something. I just love real estate and like helping people.

Regards, Tom Ashworth
Realtor

Make sure you have your financing completely approved. Not just pre-qualified. There is a difference. It will put you in a much better position to negotiate and a chance to resolve any issues regarding your loan qualifications. Be prepared and take control of your own loan process.

You will get more for the money in Boise. Eagles average home price is hovering around 450K, that's a hefty price tag. If you are planning to stay in the home you purchase for at least 5 years, I wouldn't worry about what the market is doing. As a qualified buyer you have the upper hand. Just make sure that your purchase is at or below fair market value and you'll do fine (if you're wondering how to know what fair market value, your agent should look at comparable home sales in the area and do a market analysis on the home you choose to make sure you are buying right.)

I have family in both Boise and Eagle. Boise is more affordable and a much older community while Eagle is an up and coming community with more families and country clubs. If it were my vote I would select Eagle.

Kelly Hyland, Trulia member, posted the link to her Boise listing below, it looks like a nice house.