REAL Magazine, January-February, 2015

JANUARY/FEBRUARY, 2015

Your Home's Mid-Winter Honey-Do List Super Bowl Super Snacks Storage Ideas for a Small Kitchen 5-Star Valentine's Cookies December 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

Welcome to 2015!

The New Year is a time for reflection and for planning. For goal setting and resolution making. For hard work and for believing anything is possible. Whatever your plan for this year, we at REAL wish you success and happiness.

And, as always, if you have ideas or suggestions for REAL stories, we'd love to hear from you.

Email us at REAL@coldwellbankertg.com

“

I remember my dad asking me one time, and it's something that has always stuck with me: 'Why not you, Russ?' You know, why not me? Why not me in the Super Bowl?� ~ Russell Wilson

contents Home Honey-Do List Start 2015 on the right foot with this list of resolutions for your home.

Super Bowl Super Snacks Three great recipes for a winning Super Bowl party.

Storage Ideas for a Small Kitchen Get creative to keep your compact kitchen clean and uncluttered.

5-Star Valentine's Cookies Wanna knock their socks off?

Give this cookie recipe a try!

December Market Stats How we finished the year and what's in store for 2015.

Ada County Homes A small sampling of what's available in the Ada County home market.

Canyon County Homes Priced right and available homes in Canyon County.

Things to Do Winter might be cold & dreary here, but you can still have lots of fun!

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY, 2015

Take an afternoon to sort through online statements, contacts, and emails that piled up over the holidays.

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Home Honey-Do List

Mid-Winter Home Resolutions Victoria Lee Coldwell Banker Blue Matter

Start 2015 off on the right foot with this list of January resolutions for your home.

A

h, the month of resolutions!

Your personal honey do list is sure to be filled with ambitious goals for 2015: get back to the gym, take control of your diet, but what about your home?

This month, we’ve rounded up a to do list to make sure you start the year off on the right foot at home.

1. Nix Indoor Condensation.

Look for indoor condensation on windows and take corrective action. For 7 ways to reduce humidity in your home, check out this great video from Andersen Windows & Doors.

2. Make a maintenance calendar.

Review warranties and product material to check on recommended maintenance for furnace, equipment, appliances, cbboise.com

and tools. Mark your calendar to track scheduled upkeep and service.

3. Accessorize!

After the holiday decorations come down, your walls can feel a bit dull and empty. January is a great time to add new home decor accessories, like fresh throw pillows or framed photos of the past year’s activities.

4. Get ready for the big game.

Super Bowl Sunday falls on February 1st this year, so now’s the time to get ready for the ultimate game day. Here are 5 winning football party ideas that will score big.

5. Organize your files.

While most paperwork is now maintained digitally, it’s still important to make sure you’re organized and backed up. Take an afternoon to sort through online statements, contacts, and emails

that piled up over the holidays.

And after all of that hard work, be sure to back up to a hard drive or cloud service.

6. Sort and toss.

Take time to sort through your toiletry products in the bathroom and food items in the pantry. Toss anything that is old or expired and start fresh for the new year.

7. Warm up your home.

In this part of the country, we’re dreaming of ways to add a little extra warmth around the house.

Whether it’s adding weather stripping or a smart thermostat, these 6 easy ways to make your home warmer and cozier this winter are just the trick!

8. Ready to Move? Do this first.

If you’re thinking of selling your home in 2015, make it a resolution to collect these 10 pieces of valuable information well before the spring real estate rush.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY, 2015

Super Bowl Super Snacks Get Ready for the Big Game

We asked agents, staff, and our friends at My Family Tradition to share some of their favorite snack recipes. We think your guests will be impressed!

HOT ARTICHOKE DIP 1 part chopped artichoke hearts 1 part mayonnaise 1 part Parmensan cheese 1 part diced chiles Shredded cheddar cheese Mix together & bake at 350º for 20 minutes.

Sprinkle with cheddar cheese & bake 5 more minutes until cheese is melted. Serve with sour dough bread pieces or tortilla chips.

DILL PICKLE & HAM PINWHEELS ½ lb. thinly-sliced ham 4 oz. cream cheese 4 large whole dill pickles Pat pickles dry with paper towel. Cover each pickle with 1 oz. of the cream cheese & wrap with ¼ of the ham. Repeat with the remaining pickles & refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Slice into 1" pieces & enjoy!

Apple Bacon-Wrapped Halibut Jalapeno Poppers • • • • •

Season fish with MFT & pan fry with butter until medium rare (do not overcook!)

Break/cut fish into small pieces & mix with cream cheese, dash of smoked paprika & pinch of MFT Stuff jalapenos with mixture, top with apple slice, wrap with bacon & stab with toothpick to hold in place Bake at 300 for 20 minutes, then broil until bacon is crisp Top with sprinkle of MFT, serve & enjoy!

Ingredients: • • • • • • •

12 jalapenos, sliced lengthwise.

De-vein/remove seeds (wear gloves) 1/3 lb. fresh halibut, cod, or salmon 1 tub of whipped cream cheese Maple bacon MFT Medium Rub Smoked paprika 1 Braeburn apple, sliced thin

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About 8 million pounds of guacamole & 14,500 tons of chips are eaten on Super Bowl Sunday!

SOURCE: Wikipedia

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY, 2015

Storage Ideas

for a Small Kitchen Jacqueline Clair Coldwell Banker Blue Matter

An uncluttered counter is essential in a small kitchen, and it’s important to get creative with storage ideas. With these tips, your compact kitchen will be a clean, uncluttered space, perfect for whipping up meals and hosting friends.

A

n uncluttered counter is essential in a small kitchen. It looks attractive, feels more airy, and encourages you to cook, rather than sending you running for the takeout menu.

So get creative with kitchen storage ideas, and you can make clean counters a reality.

No Drawers? No Problem!

Some tiny kitchens lack drawers. This may seem like a big problem, but with a few clever kitchen storage ideas, you

can work around it. For utensils, you have plenty of options. Mason jars work great.

You can do what Heather Clawson of Habitually Chic did, and put them on the counter where they double as an attractive interior design element — but if you’re striving for empty counters, simply put them inside a cabinet.

If you don’t want to use mason jars, you can use the kind of utensil caddy typically used for outside dining. It has separate compartments for each type of utensil, making it the perfect storage tool for forks, knives, and spoons.

Nesting Bowls.

If you like to cook and bake, you’ll have lots of mixing bowls,

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PAGE 9 ramekins, and dishes. In order to allow them to be organized inside your cabinets and take up as little space as possible, it’s important to look for nesting bowls. Try Williams-Sonoma’s glass or melamine bowls — they’re incredibly useful for cooking while taking up minimal space.

Use Your Oven.

Where’s the best place to store big, bulky pots and pans in a tiny kitchen? The oven! This saves invaluable cabinet space in a compact kitchen, and it takes only a few seconds to remove all the pots when you need to use the oven for cooking.

If you have the appropriate overhead space, a pot rack can also be a good space saver — but be sure that your pans are attractive cbboise.com

enough to be on constant display (copper is always a beautiful, highquality option).

Maximize Wall Space.

Use your wall space whenever possible. You can hang up a magnetic knife rack; you can also hang spices on the wall or the refrigerator, if you get magnetic spice containers. Both options look fun and eclectic, while saving valuable cabinet space.

Create More Counters.

When your counter space is sparse, you need to get creative.

Here’s an idea: Buy a large wooden or marble cutting board and place it over two of the stove burners.

Instant extra counter space!

When you’re not using the cutting board for cooking prep, you can

put something on it like a French press or a spoon holder. It’s a winwin … but you must be careful of your stove dials! Always be vigilant about not accidentally brushing against them and turning them on while the cutting board is in place.

With these tips, your compact kitchen will be a clean, uncluttered space, perfect for whipping up meals and hosting friends!

JANUARY/FEBRUARY, 2015

In addition to the United States, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France and Australia.

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A 5-Star Recipe Courtesy of Gail Gand, The Food Network

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. And who doesn't love a great cookie?

Ingredients 1/2 cup butter 1 cup sugar 1 egg 1/4 cup milk 1/4 teaspoon vanilla Approximately 3 cups flour 2 teaspoons baking powder Icing, recipe follows Silver balls Gold balls Icing: 2 tablespoons egg whites* 2 cups powdered sugar Red food coloring

Directions Cream the butter. Add the sugar and mix well. Add the egg, milk and vanilla and combine. Sift together 1 cup of the flour with the baking powder and mix it into the batter. Add some or all of the additional flour depending on how much the dough can handle. Form into a disk, cover in cbboise.com

plastic and chill in the refrigerator at least 2 hours. Roll out on a lightly floured surface about 1/4-inch thick. Cut out hearts with various sized cookie cutters and place on a greased sheet pan. Bake at 375 degrees F for 8 to 10 minutes until very light golden brown. Let cool on the pan.

Icing Whisk together the egg whites and powdered sugar to form a slightly loose icing. It should flow a little bit but not too much. Transfer a small amount to a separate bowl and add a tiny amount of red food coloring to make pink icing. Pipe a rim of pink icing around the edge of the cookie and then fill in the center with white icing, or just pipe decorative designs on the surface. Embellish with silver or gold balls. Let dry and package up in cello bags tied with a ribbon.

Gail Gand is a Chicago-based pastry chef, cookbook author, television personality & past host of “Sweet Dreams” on the Food Network. www.foodnetwork.com

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Valentine’s Cookies

JANUARY/FEBRUARY, 2015

Monthly Market Stats C

What’s Happening in Treasure Valley Real Estate

ontrary to what many estate market as homeowners and people think, December is investors make plans for a move in usually a busy month in the the spring and summer. While the real estate market, and this year’s number of homes on the market market stats show no exception is usually at its lowest point of the year right to this trend.

Most local and national now, we often Both Ada and Canyon economists are predicting see a number of Counties saw average prices to increase new prospective buyers enter the increases in somewhere around 4-5%. sales traffic market at this time. This means that an already and transaction closings. favorable seller’s market should Combined with a reduction in continue for the first quarter. inventory of homes available for sale, the year finished strong, While all of the growth in the boding well for a healthy start to market last year was due to price 2015. appreciation, in 2015 we anticipate moderate increases in both sales Heading out of the holidays and prices AND in the number of home into the New Year, we typically sales to drive market growth. see even more activity in the real Most local and national economists

are predicting average prices to increase somewhere around 4-5% this year. Additionally, we anticipate a slight increase in the number of home sales in both Ada and Canyon in 2015.

This level of growth is sustainable and indicative of a return to a “normal” market. After many years of ups and downs, homeowners should feel positive about the stability and predictability of this pattern in the year ahead.

Just like the wintry weather conditions outside your home, real estate is most definitely local.

Call or email to find out what all of this means for you in your own neighborhood and market.

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$216,700

HOMES SOLD DECEMBER 2014

MEDIAN SALES PRICE

41

Ada County

1,947

AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET

HOMES CURRENTLY ON MARKET

234

$129,000

HOMES SOLD DECEMBER 2014

MEDIAN SALES PRICE

37 AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET cbboise.com

Canyon County

1,096 HOMES CURRENTLY ON MARKET

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY, 2015

Ada County

Featured Homes

3077 Old Hickory Way NE Boise This home speaks of modern elegance! The great room is perfectly appointed with cathedral ceilings, hardwood floors & a gas fireplace, creating warmth & comfort. The large windows allow you to enjoy the views. Chef’s dream kitchen with a large center island, SS appliances & custom alder cabinets. Perfect for entertaining with a bar right off the kitchen & a private patio.

3918 W. Ayres Boise Bench Desirable location above Kathryn Albertson Park & across from play area. Full slab granite countertops, undermount sinks, tile backsplashes & like-new cabinets. New interior paint. Refinished hardwood floors. Newer carpet in 3rd bedroom & recreation room. Kolbe wood windows front exterior. Newer vinyl windows in lower level.

Water feature. Screened in porch & more!

3745 Tumbleweed Pl. W Boise This gorgeous, single-level home in a mature area is absolutely turn key. The roof, furnace, hot water heater, carpet & kitchen counters have all been replaced. The family room features two big sky lights, a fireplace that comes with a flat screen TV above, French doors that open to awesome covered decking & water feature. This home is great inside & out!

93 W. Riverbridge Ln. Eagle Absolutely beautiful home in a 9-home, gated community in pristine Two Rivers. Chef's kitchen with custom cabinets, granite counters, high-end appliances & scraped walnut flooring.

Spacious family room with vaulted ceilings.

Lots of windows throughout for tons of natural light. Extra-large master with coffered ceiling & view of private waterfalls.

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Ada County

Featured Homes

2239 Alaska Way SW Meridian This home has everything! Tons of character, 4 beds, 3.5 baths, 2646 sq.ft., bonus room or 5th bedroom with full bath. Terrific kitchen with tile counters, pine cabinetry, & corner pantry. Huge laundry with cabinets & folding counter. Large upper deck off kitchen, huge garage with tons of shelving, beautiful yard. Desirable Bear Creek Subdivision.

703 E. Pascana NE Meridian Brand new design! Open kitchen & great room, perfect for entertaining. The kitchen is a cook's delight with high-end appliances, double ovens, & quartz counters. Private, main-level master suite with huge his & hers closet that flows into the laundry room. Upstairs, you'll find 2 more bedrooms, a full bath, a second laundry & tech room/office. Insulated RV garage.

49 E. Cholla Hills St. NE Meridian Brand new & perfectly sized for comfortable living. Free-flowing plan lives large with 10' ceilings, 8' doors, & wall of windows. Impressive & open kitchen features dual ovens, 5-burner, gas cooktop & is perfect for entertaining. Full 3-car garage on one of the largest homesites in La Mirada. Den or 4th bedroom. Energy Star Certified. Neighborhood rec center.

682 S. Whitehorse Ave. Kuna Fabulous open floor plan great for entertaining.

Great room features hardwood floors & cathedral ceilings. Elegant kitchen with granite tile countertops, stainless appliances & upgraded cabinets with pull-out drawers.

Master suite with walk in closet & soaker tub.

Enjoy the peaceful waterfall in the serene back yard while relaxing on the expansive deck.

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY, 2015

Canyon County

Featured Homes

10303 Boulder Peak St. NE Nampa Better than new! Custom decor, family room, bonus, office or formal living. Kids' hidden playroom. Kitchen has granite, tile, new appliances, pot rack, large breakfast bar. Soothing colors throughout. Immaculate, custom curbing, extra large patio, full window coverings, storage shed, garden area with sprinklers & walkways, lots of concrete surface for shed, boat, etc.

779 W. Cedar Pointe Way S Nampa Incredible upgraded custom home in desirable Dallan Woods. Grand 15’ entry with Brazilian cherrywood floors. Kitchen with granite counters, raised panel alder cabinets, granite sink, upgraded appliances & 2 pantries, plus tile floors open to large dining & great room. Mainlevel master with coffered ceiling, large soaker tub, walk- in tiled surround shower & tile floors.

10358 Seville Dr. NE Nampa Just finished! Beautiful new 3 bed, 3.5 bath, single-level with 2800 sq.ft. This custom home sits on a .60-acre homesite in Stiehl Falls. Split bedroom plan with large master suite featuring walk-in shower, soaking tub, dual vanities, & large walk-in closet. The kitchen includes raised-panel alder cabinets, granite, & built-in ovens & cooktop. Stucco & stone exterior.

1008 14th Ave. S. NW Nampa Clean & ready to go! 3 bedroom, 2 bath with 1957 sq.ft.. Lots of remodeling & updating already done. Gorgeous sun room, open kitchen, 2 fireplaces, tile floors & backsplashes. Newer windows, stacked stone exterior details. Fenced yard with garden space, shop, & RV parking.

Newer gas water heater, electric air filter, & new dishwasher.

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Featured Homes

1003 Karndell St. SW Caldwell Beautiful stucco home with grand entrance! Fully fenced, extra large lot with RV parking. Formal dining room with library alcove & separate den.

Gourmet kitchen with hardwood floors, granite counters & island with breakfast bar is open to the amazing great room with beautiful fireplace..

Master bath with granite counters, dual vanity, tile floors, separate tub & shower.

5402 Barkley Way SW Caldwell Well-cared-for 4 bedroom home with no back neighbors. Open kitchen with breakfast bar & spacious pantry. Great curb appeal with covered front porch. Upstairs master with walkin closet. You'll enjoy the back patio, perfect for entertaining. 2-car garage, garden space, great location.

4610 Equinox SW Caldwell Adorable, newly-constructed 3 bedroom, 2 bath with 1448 sq.ft. Spacious front porch, great for your glider or swing. Oversized 2-car garage with room for your toys. Terrific utility room with mud bench. Open kitchen with stainless appliances, tile backsplash, & pantry overlooks the bright & warm great room. Master suite with walk-in closet.

9114 Golden Willow Middleton Amazing home on a gentle 2-acre knoll & pasture. Chefs kitchen, beautiful cabinetry, slab granite counter tops, & high ceilings throughout. Abundance of windows with views in all directions. Wrap-around covered patio. The main-level master suite is very large with tiled walk in shower. Exercise room & big office on the main level. Huge bonus room upstairs.

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Canyon County

JANUARY/FEBRUARY, 2015

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Things to Do Gray skies & cold temps don't mean there's nothing to do!

Art, Bark, and Beer Saturday, January 17, 7:00 p.m.

Nampa Rec Center Indoor Triathlon Saturday, February 7, 8:30 a.m. - noon

Benefits Idaho Greyhound Rescue 1100 W. Front St., Boise Contact Karly Cantrell, 208-602-9662

Boise Little Theater presents "Squabbles" January 15-24

see website for times & ticket information 100 E. Fort St., Boise boiselittletheater.org

Boise Philharmonic - "Playful Romance" Saturday, January 24, 8:00 p.m.

Morrison Center 2201 W. Cesar Chavez Ln., Boise boise philharmonic.org

Nampa Rec Center Snowshoe & Soak Thursday, January 22, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

depart from 131 Constitution Way, Nampa namparecreation.org

AEN Playhouse Murder Mystery & Dinner

"Loss of the Big Boss" Saturday, January 31, 6:30 p.m.

8001 W. Fairview Ave., Boise aenplayhouse.com

Jack Hale Reasoner - Classic Hot Jazz Saturday, January 31, 7:30 p.m.

The District Coffee House 10th & Bannock, Boise districtcoffeehouse.com

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131 Constitution Way, Nampa namparecreation.org

America's Got Talent Boise Auditions Tuesday, February 10, noon - 9:00 p.m.

Taco Bell Arena at BSU

1401 Bronco Ln., Boise Details HERE

Valentine's Dash 5K Saturday, February 14, 10:00 a.m.

Julia Davis Park 700 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise valentinesdash.com

670 Julia Davis Dr., Boise boiseartmuseum.org

Idaho Botanical Garden 2355 Old Penitentiary Rd., Boise idahobotanicalgarden.org

Boise Art Museum's Valentine's Dinner Saturday, February 14, 6:00 p.m.

Spring Gardening Chores Class Tuesday, February 17, 6:30 p.m.

Treefort Music Fest March 25-29

Downtown Boise See website for info on the film festival, & other "forts" treefortmusicfest.com

D O W N T O W N B O I S E 343.3393 | M E R I D I A N 336.3393 | E A G L E 939.3363 | N A M PA 467.5 2 7 2