REAL Magazine, April-May, 2016

APRIL/MAY, 2016

Roundabout Madness What's the Deal?

Meridian Valley Humane Society Finding Homes for California Pups Must-Do Tips to Keep Your Home Dry Grey for Spring?

Colorful Decor Ideas Monthly Market Report Things to Do With 4 offices to serve you, Coldwell Banker Tomlinson Group is YOUR SOURCE for real estate in the Treasure Valley!

D O W N T O W N B O I S E 3 4 3 .3 3 9 3 | M E R I D I A N 336.3393 | E A G L E 939.3363 | N A M PA 467.5272

It's time to get outside! Whether you are yard-working, bicycling, hiking, or attending the local farmers' markets, the warming sun and longer days are energizing. As is always our goal, we at REAL Magazine enjoy sharing some info about what's happening in our valley so you can get out and enjoy.

Do you have a story idea? Please share it with us! REAL@coldwellbankertg.com.

“

The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status, or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we all believe that we are above-average drivers."

~ Dave Barry

Dave Barry Turns Fifty

contents Roundabout Madness Exploring the roundabout craze.

Saving California Pups Meridian Valley Humane Society is finding homes for dogs from high-kill shelters in California.

Keep Your Home Dry Must-do tips to keep the rain outside.

Using Grey to Decorate Grey might seem like the wrong color for spring, but with these ideas, you can't go wrong.

Market Stats Stay on top of our ever-changing real estate market.

Ada County Homes Just a few of the homes for sale in Ada County.

Canyon County Homes Affordable AND beautiful Canyon County has both!

Things to Do It's time to get outside!

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APRIL/MAY, 2016

Under construction until August, 2016, the Hill Road roundabout is the first "dog bone" in the Treasure Valley.

Roundabout Madness D

id you know there's a British Roundabout Appreciation Society?

Europeans, it seems, take their roundabouts quite seriously. Apparently, each year, they name those they think are great, and in 2013, the BRAS awarded Columbus Circle in New York City as the Best Roundabout in the World.

America with the best roundabout in the world? Given London's Lambeth Bridge Roundabout,

What's the Deal?

made famous in National Lampoon's European Vacation, or the one around the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, this seems like quite an accomplishment.

What is it about this circular intersection that creates so much interest, and, in some cases, such strong emotion? According to the BRAS website, "the English love their gardens. With roundabouts, every local council brimming with civic pride has the opportunity to

plant a garden in full bloom on any road junction that takes their fancy."

But wait. There has to be more to it than that, right? After all, Ada County isn't replacing traffic lights and spending thousands so they can plant some flowers in the middle of the road.

No, indeed. In fact, the Ada County Highway District has completed some in-depth studies

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PAGE 5

With over 5,000 roundabouts across America, we have a long way to go to rival those in Europe. France alone is home to more than 30,000 (as of 2008). on the subject, including its 38page "Countywide Roundabout Preservation Plan," which details future roundabout targets and configurations, traffic patterns, and case studies.

In 2013, Discovery Channel's longrunning show, MythBusters, aired a segment comparing a traditional 4-way stop to a roundabout to see which handled traffic faster. The result? Roundabouts were faster.

Clark Griswold's misadventure aside, the modern roundabout is meant to simplify traffic flow while increasing safety. Moreover, because vehicles do not spend time idling at stoplights, emissions are lowered and energy is saved.

Still, there are many who believe that just because roundabouts are popular in Europe, it doesn't mean we need to have them here.

Wes Siler, a contributing editor at Outside Magazine even penned a tongue-in-cheek blogpost titled

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"Five Reasons American Drivers Will Never Love Roundabouts" in which he asserts that, without stoplights, George Lucas would never have made American Graffiti, and, thus, Star Wars, so in effect, roundabouts would kill American culture. It's worth the read.

Regardless of your take, it appears that roundabouts in Ada County — and America — are here to stay, so keep an open mind, stay off your phone, and Griswold on.

APRIL/MAY, 2016

YODA COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON GROUP

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Saving California Pups

From At-Risk to At-Home

Thanks to the work by dedicated volunteers on a mission, the Meridian Valley Humane Society is saving dogs from high-kill shelters around the region.

T

he Meridian Valley Humane Society is a volunteerbased nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization located in Meridian, ID. MVHS is dedicated to providing compassion, protection, welfare, and responsible adoption for owner-relinquished canines.

While it’s true that many dogs arrive at MVHS as owner surrenders, the group is also focused on its mission as a Canine Rescue. This means that, with the help of several other rescues in and around Idaho, MVHS takes an active role in the local and regional animal welfare network to find “Forever Homes for Homeless Dogs.” Most recently, MVHS has been working to reduce the homeless dog population in California by partnering with the rescue group Paws Crossed Dog Scouts.

MVHS Rescue Manager, Amy Baxter, works with Paws Crossed Dog Scouts to transport adoptable dogs from California to Idaho.

This type of coordinated effort cbboise.com

exemplifies the very best work conducted by local and regional animal rescue organizations to save dogs from overpopulated shelters and to place them into forever homes.

Last month, volunteers with Paws Crossed Dog Scouts drove overnight to transport 27 amazing dogs to MVHS. On the morning of March 31st, MVHS staff and volunteers welcomed those lovable pups to Idaho and began the difficult but rewarding work of finding them forever homes.

Unlike some other shelters, MVHS takes time to screen all prospective adopters to ensure that the dogs are going into great homes.

While dogs like Yoda may not have had the best start in life (who could possibly abandon that cute little guy in a parking lot?), things are

definitely looking up for them.

With over 100 volunteers on hand for walks, games of fetch, and playdates, the dogs at MVHS are living the good life while they wait for their new families. Happily, many of the dogs who came in from California have already been adopted.

Like Yoda, the dogs who arrive at MVHS are often coming from high kill areas and desperate for forever homes. MVHS is thrilled to have them at its facility and invites you to stop by and meet some amazing pups. Who knows? Your new best friend might be waiting!

APRIL/MAY, 2016

Keep Your Home Dry

Must-Do Tips

Spring showers may bring flowers, but it can also bring unwanted water into your home. Give your home the once-over to keep it dry.

Melina Gillies Coldwell Banker Blue Matter

A

void the headache of water issues with these home tips that can help you get any moisture under control before a problem starts.

Check the Roof Maintaining your roof as an annual activity is essential to ensuring it continues to keep you warm and dry, and if you own a pair of binoculars or a camera with a good zoom, you can likely check your roof without having to climb to great heights to get the job done.

Look for shingles that are curled, buckling, or missing. Rust spots or missing caulk around roof flashing or on the underside of roof overhangs could also indicate a water penetration issue. In many cases, roof caulk, and a hammer can help you solve the problem yourself; however, roofing

professionals can also make the repairs without having to replace the entire roof.

If you notice large patches of moss growing on the shingles, remove them with a broom and spray with an anti-fungal agent designed for roofs. If any of the signs above is accompanied by staining, peeling, or moisture in interior ceilings, call a professional to have the situation assessed.

Watch the Windows and Doors Take a moment while springcleaning the windows to check the caulking for areas that have cracked, dried out, or shrunk. An easy fix to make, simply scrape off the old caulk and replace it with new — just be sure that the weather is warm enough for the caulk to set — anywhere above 40 degrees Farenheit. Don’t forget

to replace any worn out weather stripping on doors and windows to protect against drafts and leaks while you’re at it.

If your home has wooden window frames, ensure the paint is intact and hasn’t exposed the raw wood underneath. An annual coat of paint can help protect the wood, and if any signs of rot appear, don’t panic. The bad wood can be removed and replaced with new, or scraped out and filled with a paintable compound to avoid having to replace the entire window.

Direct Water Away The easiest way to stop water from pooling around your foundation is to clean the gutters and extend downspouts away from the base of the house. While clearing out gutters, check for an abundance

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PAGE 7 of asphalt grit that may also indicate it’s time for your roof to be replaced. Downspout extenders can be found at any hardware store, and can easily be tipped out of the way or removed for mowing the lawn.

The best way to direct water away is to ensure your yard doesn’t slope towards the house. A load of topsoil, some grass seed, and a cbboise.com

rake to change the slope around your home is a great spring project that will offer a long-term solution.

Check the Foundation If you have a basement, check the interior for cracks wider than one-quarter inch, discoloration on foundation walls, or areas of dampness in the insulation. If your basement is finished, a dampness meter placed against the drywall

can pick up any areas of concern.

On the exterior, check for cracks and staining that sink deep into the foundation and consider filling with hydraulic cement or other bondable crack filler.

Using these home tips to check your home now for problem areas will make sure you can enjoy the beautiful spring weather.

APRIL/MAY, 2016

Using Grey to Decorate?

Make Your Spring Decor Pop

Spring is the perfect time to look for grey room ideas that will brighten up your home. Far from being dreary, grey is a color that can help bring out the very best of your spring seasonal decor. The following tips can help you get started.

Sakai Blue Coldwell Banker Blue Matter

I

f you’re looking for grey room ideas for your home, you’re not alone. Once upon a time, the color grey meant prison garb, dreary tenements, and old London on a soot-filled afternoon. The last thing most people would do was color their homes grey on purpose.

The few who did were considered rebels, often not in a good way.

Then, a few years ago, J. Crew Creative Director and President Jenna Lyons shared some photos and a video via Oprah of her thenBrooklyn townhouse. The rich grey

walls of the exquisitely designed rooms had people drooling from Paris to Peoria.

Suddenly, everyone from interior designers to bloggers to home owners discovered that grey is actually an incredible neutral color

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PAGE 11 that can go with and brilliantly enhance just about anything. The color is so versatile that it works year ‘round, including spring and summer. So, be brave, and give these ideas a try!

mean to you? Renewal? Growth?

Light? Flowers? Take your answers, close your eyes, and envision the colors that go along with them.

You really want to pick a color that actually means something to you.

Too much grey sparkle can feel more like Christmas and New Year’s.

A little bit of sparkle delivered via items like silver candle holders or a chrome and crystal chandelier give just the right amount of shimmer.

Pair It with a Bright or Pastel Color Grey is a neutral color, which means that it can function as the perfect complement to just about any other color. Grey paired with orange can bring a gorgeous, fiery glow to your space. Pair grey with a buttery yellow and you’ve got a light and airy palette that turns your space into a veritable springtime welcome wagon.

Use a Lighter Grey Palette There are literally hundreds of greys to consider, from those that are bordering on white to those that are the color of midnight. Softer, lighter greys are perfect when used as a backdrop for spring days that are becoming longer and brighter.

Pair It with Bright Accessories Grey will work perfectly with the bright, colorful accessories you bring into your home this season.

A brilliantly colorful painting would increase its allure tenfold when hung on a grey wall. A deep grey sofa would look stunning with jewel-toned throw pillows. If you always remember that grey is a neutral, you’ll feel more comfortable pairing it with every color under the spectrum.

Use Grey Bling Grey comes in bling as well! Silver and chrome are variations of grey, If you’re having trouble picking a and in small doses, they can fill your complementary color, ask yourself home with a bit of romantic spring a few questions. What does spring fling. You don’t want to overdo it:

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APRIL/MAY, 2016

Monthly Market Stats H

What’s Happening in Treasure Valley Real Estate

ome sales in both Ada and Canyon Counties continued to surge ahead, ending the first quarter up 13-14% in unit sales year-to-date.

Remarkably – though sales prices remain steady – the median marketing time for the properties that sold in March dropped dramatically. This is a direct result of the unmet demand in the market right now, particularly with the resale inventory.

While new home sales and inventory remains balanced, notable is the fact that the number

of resale homes on the market is the holidays, and this is at a time down 25% over this same time of year when we normally see a last year in Ada, and down 37% dramatic increase in the number of in Canyon over last spring! There home listings. The seller’s market continues! simply The total inventory of homes aren’t enough on the market right now is Maybe it’s been awhile homes not much higher than it was since you’ve seriously assessed the value of for sale during the holidays your home. If so, you right now, and, as a result, our strong may be very surprised to discover market might be even stronger what homes in your area are were it not for the problem with selling for, and perhaps it’s time to consider a move. Call, text, or supply. email, and let’s take a look at just The total inventory of homes how good the market might be for on the market right now is not you right now! much higher than it was during COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON GROUP

$235,500

HOMES SOLD MARCH 2016*

MEDIAN SALES PRICE

15

Ada County

AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET

1,772 HOMES CURRENTLY ON MARKET*

* Numbers reflect year-over-year comparisons.

371

$155,000

HOMES SOLD MARCH 2016*

MEDIAN SALES PRICE

24 AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET cbboise.com

Canyon County

754 HOMES CURRENTLY ON MARKET*

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APRIL/MAY, 2016

Ada County

Featured Homes

1405 E. Hays St. NE Boise Beautiful, custom-built, 3-story home in the heart of Warm Springs with easy hiking and Greenbelt access. Upper master suite with lofted office area.

Main level features loaded kitchen with granite, island bar, dining area, living room with tall ceilings, gas fireplace and room for formal dining.

Lower level has 4 rooms for family living or home office setup. Great decks with views!

6283 N. Fair Oaks Pl. NW Boise Stunning 2-story home located on a quiet cul-desac backing up to the 12th fairway in the highly sought after Plantation Golf Course. Natural light fills the home and showcases granite counters, beautiful hardwood floors and gas fireplace.

Master suite features walk-in closet, jetted tub and walk-in shower. Surrounded by well-maintained yard with mature landscaping.

2412 N. O'Conner Ave. NW Meridian Move-in ready home with large yard and no immediate back neighbors! The beautiful kitchen features tons of natural light, slab granite, island, walk-in pantry and stainless steel appliances with a 5-burner gas cooktop! Perfect for entertaining with an eat-in kitchen and formal dining all open to the great room. There is room for everyone in this 5 bed, 3.5 bath & 3,541 sq.ft. beauty!

1996 W. Teano Dr. NW Meridian You'll enjoy every single space in this home.

The gorgeous kitchen is a chef's dream with an extra-large island, granite counters, gas cooktop, upgraded cabinets, butler's pantry and lots of storage space. The vaulted ceilings and large windows create an inviting and warm atmosphere. Large back yard with covered patio is perfect for those warm summer evenings!

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Ada County

Featured Homes

12264 W. Nancee S Boise Perfection! Located in a wonderful golf course community. Enter the fairway from your own back yard. Features a gourmet kitchen with gorgeous new tile plus 4 bedrooms, den and family room with brand-new carpet. Plenty of room for everyone! Den has a closet so could be used as 5th bedroom. Don't miss this beauty.

1530 N. Santa Rosa Pl. NW Meridian Rare single-level, 4 bedroom plus office home, located in a cul-de-sac in the desirable Vineyards subdivision. Kitchen boasts tile counters and large breakfast bar. Features a spacious master suite, front living/flex room and a family room with a cozy fireplace. Brand new roof as well as a furnace and AC put in 2007. Large east-facing private back yard with great garden space.

659 E. Fallingbranch Dr. SE Meridian Exquisite quality on a 1/3 acre in desirable Observation Point! Scraped hardwood and Travertine floors, granite and Travertine counters, distressed Knotty alder cabinets and intricate trimwork are some of the superb features. Huge bonus room with surround sound and views. The lush and extensive water feature greets you. Live the good life!

1072 N. Beachwood Ct. Eagle You won't want to miss this beautiful home close to downtown Eagle and the Boise Greenbelt.

Features extensive trim work, formal dining, office, bonus room and main-level master. Oversized split garage and double patios in the back yard.

The home backs up to a common area park creating a great space to entertain.

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APRIL/MAY, 2016

Canyon County

Featured Homes

17304 Copper Spur Ave. NE Nampa Immaculate custom home in the Golden Spur community. Sits on 1.24 acres with beautiful views, land to build a shop and no back neighbors. All 4 bedrooms are upstairs. Fantastic built-in cabinetry, tile counters, hardwood floors, mud room, rock fireplace, dual zone heating and cooling. Come on out to country living, minutes from the freeway!

1100 Heckathorn Pl. S Nampa Elegant townhouse tucked back on a cul-de-sac against the Greenbelt. Features 2 master suites, formal living and dining, family room and big bonus room. Wrap-around porch and screened patio to enjoy a peaceful evening on the creek.

Good sized yard has park-like landscaping. This 4 bedroom, 3.2 bath, 2,223 sq.ft. home won't last long.

19744 Alleghenny Way NW Caldwell Incredibly clean & impeccably maintained, oneowner home with terrific freeway access. Main floor features formal living, great room open to beautiful kitchen and eating area. Upstairs has the utility room, 4 large bedrooms and 2 baths.

Great decorating and a very popular Montico floor plan makes this a better-than-new home!

15373 David St. SW Caldwell Very spacious and well maintained home with 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths on nearly half an acre.

Very warm and inviting layout with formal living and dining rooms. New quartz counter tops in kitchen with island, built-in range and double oven. Relax and enjoy the beautiful views on the large wooden deck. Fully landscaped back yard.

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Featured Homes

930 S. Spring Valley Dr. S Nampa Amazing, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2,397 sq.ft., singlelevel home with bonus room! Great room and entry way feature 10' step-up ceilings with open floor plan to kitchen and eating area. Spacious kitchen with quartz counter tops, stainless steel appliances, gas range, wide plank hardwood laminate floors and pantry. Plenty of space for everyone!

3004 Bianco St. NW Caldwell Custom home on a quiet cul-de-sac. Entry & dining areas have hardwood floors with inlaid title. Great room with gas fireplace, beautiful kitchen with tile backsplash, breakfast bar, stainless steel sink and nice pantry. Sunny eating area, with bay window. Office with French doors, spacious master with coffered ceiling and large walk-in closet. Gazebo, fire pit, and waterfall.

24398 Tombstone Ridge Ct. Middleton Peaceful and quiet, east-facing acre home with amazing views across the valley to the Boise front. This 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath beauty features an open floor plan with 12' ceilings, fireplace in great room, kitchen with quartz counter tops, tile and hardwood finishes throughout. The 4th bedroom is perfectly situated for an office. Oversized garage plus a shop!

14885 Worden Way Middleton Come home to the beautifully maintained, custom-built property with amazing views.

Situtated in a peaceful, serene country setting off of a paved private drive. Spacious master suite with jetted tub. Gorgeous gourmet kitchen with stainless steel sink and granite countertops. Open to living area, perfect for entertaining. Minutes from golf course, freeway and schools.

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Canyon County

APRIL/MAY, 2016

FARMERS’ MARKETS Boise Farmers’ Market Each Saturday

9:00a.m.-1:00p.m.

10th and Grove, downtown Boise www.theboisefarmersmarket.com

Capital City Public Market Each Saturday

9:30a.m.-1:30p.m.

8th and Idaho, downtown Boise

www.capitalcitypublicmarket.com

Eagle Saturday Market Saturdays starting April 23

9:30a.m.-2:00p.m.

185 E. State St., Eagle

www.facebook.com/eaglesaturdaymarket

Nampa Farmers’ Market Saturdays starting April 30

9:00a.m.-1:00p.m.

Front & 13th, Nampa www.nampafarmersmarket.com COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON GROUP

PAGE 19

Things to Do Get out and enjoy our valley!

Friday Night Dinner at the Basque Market Each Friday, 5:00-8:00 p.m.

Idaho Gives Day Thursday, May 5, all day

608 W. Grove St., Boise Reservations: 208-433-1208 www.thebasquemarket.com

Bikes 4 Books Pancake Breakfast Saturday, April 23, 7:00-11:00 a.m.

Snooze at the Zoo Friday, May 6, 6:30 p.m. until

215 N. 10th St., Boise Bikes4Books@usa.com

Saturday, May 7, 9:00 a.m.

Zoo Boise

355 Julia Davis Dr., Boise See website for additional dates

Idaho Green Fest

Community Earth Day Celebration Saturday, April 23, 4:00-10:00 p.m.

Downtown Boise, 8th & Bannock idahogreenfest.com

24 hour day of giving benefitting statewide nonprofit organizations Donate Here

Helping Hands Fun Run & Pet Fair Saturday, May 7, 8:30 a.m.

Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park 1900 N. Records Ave., Meridian Join TEAM CBTG and get a custom shirt! idahohelpinghandfund.com

Family Fun Pet Expo Saturday, April 30, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Zoo Boise 355 Julia Davis Dr., Boise zooboise.org

Nampa Parks & Rec Splash 'n' Dash Friday, May 20, 5:45-9:45 p.m.

City of Eagle Yappy Hour Friday, April 29, 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Bring your pooch!

Merrill Park, 637 E. Shore Dr., Eagle cityofeagle.org

Expo Idaho 5610 Glenwood, Boise ibleventsinc.com

Movie Night at the Old Pen Saturday, April 30, 9:00 p.m.

Raiders of the Lost Ark 2445 Old Penitentiary Rd., Boise Movie Info

cbboise.com

Mother's Day Brunch at the Zoo Sunday, May 8, 9:00 a.m.

Nampa Rec Center 131 Constitution Way, Nampa nampaparksandrecreation.org

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