November 2012 RSS Feed

Crisp fall days spent bundled up in a boat on the water, line cast out, just waiting to feel the slight tug at the line indicating a fish has taken the bait. Every time the line is reeled in to reveal a kokanee salmon, or a kamloops, rainbow, brown, or brook trout at the other end, a new memory is made, and another smile lights up another face. There is the possibility of summer jaunts to Northern Idaho to spend time playing in the water and laying out as the warm sun cascades down over the 5th deepest lake in the United States. The water is clean and deep, the shoreline is vast, and there is plenty of room to fill days upon end with activities for everyone. In Idaho, real estate is not all about houses sold, it is also about sharing the experience of…

Living in Idaho is considered a real privilege seeing that it's one of America’s top destinations for outdoor fun and sports. With its dry climate, diverse landscape, ample waterways, and congenial atmosphere, almost every community has something to offer.   Listed in no particular order below are what Idahoans consider their ten most popular outdoor activities:

Skiing & Snowboarding
Idaho provides skiers and snowboarders with some of the best skiing around. Ski at North America's first world-class ski resort, Sun Valley, or carve your way down groomed runs at Bogus Basin Mountain Resort, Silver Mountain Resort, or one of the many other resorts available.

Hiking
Idaho is a hiker’s paradise with 25 state parks, 10 national forests, and over 19,000 miles…

Thanksgiving is almost upon us, and fall is in full swing here in Idaho. The trees have gone through a metamorphosis, transforming from shades of green to bright reds, yellows, and oranges. As the seasons change in Idaho, there are many things found naturally throughout the state that people can use to help them decorate and get ready for the holidays. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind.

  1. Use Natural Decorations: Many towns in Idaho, including Boise, have access to a lot of natural options for seasonal, fall decorations. With farms scattered throughout the state, it is easy to find people selling hay bales, corn stalks, and various gourds. Another option is to go outside and collect leaves to use to bring the outside colors in. These things are…

Bathrooms are one of the most used rooms in a home, but often they are simply not living up to their full potential. An outdated bathroom could be detracting from your home's overall appeal, and a floor to ceiling bathroom remodel should lead to a monetary return of up to eighty percent (freshome). If you cannot swing a full room makeover, but you still want to set yourself apart from other area properties, here are five upgrades you can do that will help you on your way.

1. Paint:

A quick and relatively inexpensive change a homeowner can make is to paint! A fresh coat of paint can brighten a room while injecting a touch of personality. Color can also affect the way we feel and change the way we view a space. Green is said to increase feelings of…

Kuna, Idaho is located southwest of Boise, and is in very close proximity to a designated wildlife area that is excellent for viewing many local species, but is especially nice for birdwatching. Idaho is home to the World Center for Birds of Prey, as well as the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area.

World Center for Birds of Prey

The Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey is situated just south of Boise and to the east of Kuna. This facility is home to researchers, conservation efforts, and captive breeding for endangered species such as the California Condor and Aplomodo Falcons (The Peregrine Fund). This important organization not only facilitates research and breeding programs, but it also houses a large…

Over the past several years, biking has become increasingly important to those living in Boise and the surrounding areas. Although biking, in general, is a popular pastime and mode of transportation for many of the residents of the collective Treasure Valley, mountain biking in particular has become a very popular hobby across a diverse demographic of residents. This rise in popularity for the sport could very well be due to the foothills located in Boise on the east side of the city where a vast multi-recreational trail system has been created.

The evidence of the importance of mountain biking to area culture can be seen through local organizations like the Boise Bicycle Project which is located in Boise and allows for people to donate and recycle…

It is getting colder, and as winter approaches, those owning Boise homes may notice that it is becoming more difficult to keep their houses at their desired temperature. They may be tempted to just shut their blinds to help stop drafts and keep the chill out, however, there may be a better way to keep their homes warm while, at the same time, reaping the benefits of reduced energy costs and heating bills.

Those living in Boise homes may experience an increase of cold air seeping in through their windows as the temperature begins to drop. This not only increases heating bills, but it allows moisture to creep in from the outside. Many people find the quickest solution to this problem to be simply shutting their curtains to keep the cold out. Although this…

Golf, one of the most popular sports in America, certainly figures into the real estate world. Idaho has very good golf, so many love owning property in Idaho surrounded by excellent courses, or having a second home or cabin to enjoy. Boise real estate has come on strong in recent months and now is great time to buy, as many expect that home prices will rise in the near future. We'll describe some of what property in Idaho will do to your golf game: enjoy!

Boise Golf Courses

Country Clubs For those that prefer the exclusive benefits of being a member at a country club, there are fine member-only clubs to join in the area. Crane Creek, Plantation, Hillcrest, and Spurwing are some of the most popular country clubs in Boise and Meridian. Not only do…

When you’re in the market for a new Idaho home, whether it be in Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, or Caldwell you’ll have a whole host of possibilities for layout, choices of amenities, and decisions for you to make together about what you want to include in your home.  You’re starting from scratch, so you should aim to get everything you’ve been wanting.  Go ahead!  Idaho is a beautiful place and you’ll want a beautiful home to fit right in.

The weather in Idaho can get chilly sometimes, and what better way to survive the cold than snuggled up in front of a roaring fireplace?  In fact, there’s not really a reason why you shouldn’t get a fireplace in your Idaho home – it just makes sense!  You’ll be surrounded by the lush greenery and woodlands of the…

Livability.com recently ranked downtown Boise #4 in the nation for top downtowns in 2012 and for good reason. Boise is a exciting, young city that is truly coming of age and its downtown is a thriving cultural and economic center that is the heart of the city, valley, and state. Idaho's largest city, Boise is located on the western side of the state and is the only major metropolitan area for hundreds of miles in any direction. A classic western city, Boise has elements of other west coast cities like Portland or Seattle but is truly unique unto itself. Boise has a rich and interesting history and is host to events exclusive to the Treasure Valley like the Idaho Shakespeare Festival and Boise Basque Festival. Here's some of the reasons why it's…