July 2015 RSS Feed

Near the Boise River, in the southwest corner of Idaho, is a rural park full of character and recreational opportunities. It covers over 500 acres, and its borders are defined by the Boise River and agricultural land on either side. Nearby, urban development has grown, bringing beautiful neighborhoods and a golf course close to this gem of a park. From horses to a waterslide, the Eagle Island State Park is a dream for outdoor recreation enthusiasts. It didn’t start out that way. Its history, while still rooted in the rural and agricultural, wasn’t quite so public.

Time as a Prison Farm

Originally, the Eagle Island State Park played host to a more exclusive group of people. The property was originally bought by the State Board of Prisons. The land was…

One of the most important things to take into consideration when buying a house is the location. The house might be perfect, but are you comfortable living in a neighborhood with a railroad in your backyard? Or how about sharing a street with a school? When it comes to home value, location is incredibly important. And when it comes to you enjoying your new home, location is equally important.

Choosing the right neighborhood is obviously important, but it can be just as hard as finding the right house. This is especially true because no single neighborhood is going to be right for everyone. That’s apparent from the variety of neighborhoods available in any given city, including Boise, Idaho. You need to find the neighborhood, and the house, that you…

Southeast Idaho is an incredibly diverse and beautiful part of the state. It’s filled with rivers, lakes, parks, and plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities to keep anyone entertained and active. One of the most diverse river systems in the world flows here. It’s the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River, and it’s a world famous fishing river.

Henry’s Fork is steeped in history as rich as the fishing, and it’s a beautiful piece of Idaho that cuts through canyons, grasslands, and majestic waterfalls. It’s a thriving habitat for fish and wildlife, and there’s an organization that’s sole purpose is the protection and preservation of this amazing river ecosystem. That organization is the Henry’s Fork Foundation, and they are the voice of the river.

The…

When you are remodeling your home, you’ll always be looking for ways to save some money. It’s a constant battle of give and take. If you want that granite countertop, there might just be something else you have to give up. When it comes to your flooring, however, you shouldn’t compromise.

You want flooring that will last; it needs to be durable. When you think about it, you use the floors of your home everyday. You walk on them, sit on them, put furniture on them, and they can even be the finishing touch that ties your entire home together. For flooring with character, durability, and low maintenance, you might want to consider hardwood flooring.

Hardwood is Clean

Everyone likes carpet. Well, almost everyone. But it’s no surprise. Carpet is…

The weather is nice. A gentle breeze whispers across the table, and the sun is pleasantly warm on your skin. Over the sounds of cars driving by, people talking, and others walking down the sidewalks, you can hear the birds and the gentle rustle of the wind blowing through the leaves of trees. This is the best lunch you’ve ever had, eating at a sidewalk café in Boise’s North End.

This is a beautiful and vibrant historic neighborhood, and a shining example of the lifestyle that you could have when you buy Boise real estate. North End is a fusion of old and new, urban and nature. It sits at the bottom of the Boise Foothills, and just above State Street and the Idaho State Capitol Building. North End is a bastion of culture and entertainment, and the…

You’ve settled into your new home. You found the perfect one in Boise, Idaho. The city fits you; it’s full of fun and adventure, and you love that nature is all around you. As you sit in your backyard, relaxing after unpacking, you wonder if there’s anything you could do to bring that nature just a little closer. It’d be incredible if you could bring some kind of water feature into your yard so you could have your own private oasis.

If you don’t mind a little hard work, and dedicating a weekend, you can have that private oasis. Building your own pond is possible, as long as you don’t mind doing some work. Even if you have a small yard, you can build a pond to fit. Now, you just need to decide if you want a stream leading into the pond, and where you…

Moving to Idaho means you’re looking for something just a little different. Maybe you’re looking for that small town feel, so you can get away from the hustle and bustle of a busy city. Perhaps you’ve heard about the amazing beauty of the Idaho Wilderness, and the variety of parks and wildlife reserves. Maybe you’ve been looking for the perfect way to live in the great outdoors, without giving up too much of that big city life.

Whatever your reason, Idaho is a great state to live in, and Boise is the perfect balance of city and country, and it draws a lot of people for that reason. Boise is home to a lot, from the BSU football team, the Broncos, to springs and parks, rivers and mountain biking, and skiing and more. Did you give up the ocean to come…

When you’re creating your perfect kitchen, you have a lot of choices to make. You need to consider the layout in order to determine the best use of your space. Picking cabinets that provide you with the perfect amount of storage and space, while tying into your design choices is important. Of course, you’ll need appliances. Do you get stainless steel, black, or white? There are a lot of decisions to make. And then there’s the countertop.

Kitchen countertops are probably one of the most important pieces of any kitchen. They provide you with storage space and prep areas, and they help tie your entire kitchen design together. If you want the best, you’ll probably be thinking of having granite countertops installed. Granite is beautiful and natural. It…

There’s something to be said when you’re sitting on a bench, waiting for Old Faithful to erupt. The anticipation builds as the time gets closer and closer. You can practically feel everyone hold their breath when Old Faithful’s about to erupt. And then, in a burst of steam and a geyser of boiling water, Old Faithful is going, and going strong.

It’s a real rush watching that iconic geyser erupt, but Yellowstone National Park isn’t all about Old Faithful. In fact, Old Faithful is only one of more than three hundred other geysers. And there are even geysers that are more reliable than Old Faithful. How will you find it? By heading out into the park and exploring.

Endless Exploration

Yellowstone National Park is truly a wonder to visit. It’s home to…

Congratulations, you’ve decided to become a first-time homeowner! It’s a big decision, and you’re probably feeling incredibly excited, and equally stressed out and scared. Buying a home is a big decision, and an even bigger purchase. Until you buy another house, it’ll most likely be the biggest purchase of your life.

It’s easy to get carried away in the moment, and let all of the excitement and emotions rule your decisions and your head. But, you’re still going to have nagging thoughts and doubts, and you might be wondering if you should really sign on that dotted line and become a homeowner.

Avoiding the Common Traps

Buying your first home will always be a little scary. It will probably be just as scary if you end up buying another home.…