Judit Crace

Buying a home is one of the most exciting — and important — decisions you’ll ever make. My biggest piece of advice is to start by getting prepared. Talk with a trusted local REALTOR® and a reputable lender early on so you understand your budget and feel confident when the right home comes along. Be open-minded and think long-term. Focus on things that can’t easily be changed — like location, layout, and neighborhood — instead of getting hung up on paint colors or fixtures. When you find the home that feels right, move quickly but don’t skip inspections or your due diligence. And remember, a good agent will guide you through each step, from negotiating to closing, making the process smoother and far less stressful.

First impressions matter more than most people realize. Before putting your home on the market, take a little time to declutter, clean, and take care of the small things that buyers notice — fresh paint, trimmed shrubs, good lighting. You don’t need to spend a lot, just make it feel welcoming and well cared for. Pricing is another big one. Starting too high can cause your home to sit on the market, while the right price brings in more interest and stronger offers. I always look at current market data and what’s selling in your area so we can price it smart from the start. And marketing — that’s where I go all in. Professional photos, video, drone shots, and 3D tours help your home stand out online and reach more buyers. Today’s first showing happens on the internet, so your home needs to look amazing there first. My goal is to make sure your home gets noticed, gets traffic, and gets sold for the best possible price.

I’ve worked with just about every kind of client — first-time buyers who want someone to walk them through each step, families looking to upsize or downsize, people relocating to Idaho and trying to get a feel for the area, and seniors ready for a change and wanting to simplify a bit. I also help clients building new homes or buying acreage — both exciting, but with their own unique challenges. Someone once said to me, “You must have seen it all.” I laughed and said, “No, every transaction is different because I’m working with people — and we’re all unique.” Sure enough, the very next day a seller asked if I had a coin they could flip to decide whether to accept an offer. That was definitely a first… and I haven’t had that one since! That’s what I love about this business — no two clients or situations are ever the same. Everyone’s story is different, and it’s my job to help them through it in a way that feels right for them.

One of my favorite recent transactions was helping an elderly client I’ve worked with several times over the years. She had just lost her husband and was living on an acreage that used to be their alpaca farm. The home was a trailer, not on a foundation — which can be tough to sell — and the property needed quite a bit of cleanup. She was planning to give away things she no longer needed, but I encouraged her to sell some of them, including the animal shelters, to make some extra money. She even had a wheelchair ramp for her late husband that I suggested listing for someone to come buy and disassemble — it sold the very next day. Then I told her to order some pizza, and I gathered a few friends and acquaintances for a “pizza and cleanup” day to help get the property ready. After that, we did great marketing, found the right buyer, and even helped them secure special financing to make it all work. It wasn’t an easy sale, but it was incredibly rewarding — she was so grateful, and it reminded me that real estate is really about people, not just properties.

I got into real estate during a big turning point in my life. I was a young mom with two little kids and wanted something that gave me the freedom to build a better future for us. I already had my real estate license, so I decided to take a leap of faith, quit my job, and go all in. It was scary — but I worked hard, stayed focused, and ended up earning Rookie of the Year that very first year. Real estate became more than a job for me; it became my passion. I love helping people through such an important chapter in their lives. And honestly, that’s one of my favorite parts — many of my clients have become close friends. To me, this business has always been about people first, and the relationships that come from it are what make it truly special.

I’m the Designated Broker and owner of Top Idaho Real Estate, a small, boutique brokerage where my son Isaac and I work together to give clients truly personal service. I’m a Certified Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE), a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES), a Divorce Real Estate Specialist (REDS), and a Short Sale and Foreclosure Specialist (SFR). Isaac is a Military Relocation Professional (MRP) and a Relocation Expert by choice — he’s passionate about helping families relocate to Idaho and even runs his YouTube channel, where he shares videos about the Treasure Valley and what it’s like to live here. Together, we bring a lot of experience and specialized training to the table — but more importantly, we bring care, creativity, and local knowledge to help our clients make confident decisions every step of the way.