MARCH-APRIL 2019
Creating a
Living Centerpiece with the help of Boise's Fish, Aquariums, & Stuff
Plus
Boise's Great Scavenger Hunt Smart Kitchen Gadgets April Honey-Do List
With 4 offices to serve you, Coldwell Banker Tomlinson Group is YOUR SOURCE for real estate in the Treasure Valley! DOWNTOWN BOISE 208.343.3393 | MERIDIAN 208.336.3393 | EAGLE 208.939.3363 | NAMPA 208.467.5272
Are you struggling with the time change? Like many of us, that one little hour makes a big difference for a week or two. But, with spring just around the corner, it won't be long before we embrace the longer days and warming temperatures. Check out our calendar of events – you're sure to find something to help you celebrate the change of seasons! Give us a shout if you'd like to see a story! We work hard to provide short, easy-to-read articles that are informative, fun, and helpful. Have a comment? Email us at REAL@ coldwellbankertg.com.
“
Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love! " ~ Sitting Bull
CONTENTS Features
4
A Living Centerpiece
6
Boise's Great Scavenger Hunt
8
Smart Kitchen Gadgets
10
Boise's Fish, Aquariums, & Stuff is the perfect place to explore if you are considering adding a conversation starter to your home.
Test your knowledge and learn some interesting tidbits about the City of Trees!
Technology has taken over many aspects of our lives. Which gadgets qualify as "smart"?
Your April Honey-Do List Seems like spring cleaning chores are never-ending, but each box ticked gets you closer to warm-weather fun!
In Every Issue
12 14 16 18
Market Stats Is new construction still affecting home prices?
Ada County Homes What's for sale in Ada County?
Canyon County Homes Beautiful homes ready for new owners.
Things to Do Spring is coming. Get out there!
MARCH-APRIL, 2019
A Living Centerpiece
Create a Relaxing Aquarium
Boise's Fish, Aquariums, & Stuff can help you put together the perfect tank whether you are a first-time owner, or a seasoned aquarium lover. Brody Bunn Fish, Aquariums, & Stuff
H
ave you ever had an area in your home that felt emptier than the rest and not known what to do with it? Or maybe you thought your new house was missing something, but you didn’t know what it was? A surprising number of people end up in our store for reasons similar to these.
One of the best things about aquariums is the versatility they bring with them. Your neighbor could have the exact same stand and tank, but each individual feature, the plants you use, and, most importantly, the fish, are crucial in setting your aquarium apart from the rest.
There aren’t very many types of home decor that change on their own as time goes on, but there is one – and that is an aquarium. While they are a lot more common than most people think, they are also less commonplace than they should be, given the unique nature of each individual tank. That’s what we specialize in at our shop, Fish, Aquariums, & Stuff.
What are your options? The first is freshwater, which are, by far, the easiest to care for. There are some spectacular tropical fish in fresh tanks, so, despite common belief, a freshwater tank can be colorful and interesting. Cichlids are popular fish for these tanks due to their vast variety of colors and sizes.
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The second option is a saltwater tank, which brings a level of individuality and peculiarity that fresh tanks usually cannot achieve. These tanks are more difficult to care for and, thus, more suited to an experienced owner. The fish, while more exotic and beautiful than most fresh fish, are often more sensitive. The maintenance and care for the different corals that complete a saltwater tank adds to the challenge, as well. When I asked one of our regular customers, local manager and supervising attorney at community firm Taylor Law, Matt Taylor, what his favorite part of owning an aquarium is, he responded, “I have an aquarium for two reasons. First,
PAGE 5 it’s relaxing, and, second, if you’re able to maintain an aquarium like this, people see that you can do your job effectively.” Mr. Taylor owns a 300-gallon saltwater tank complete with live rock, beautiful fish, anemones, and corals and is, by far, one of the most impressive that we maintain. As the maintenance crew, we do water changes and top-offs, leaving much of the day-to-day care to Mr. Taylor, who has done a wonderful job at making that tank every customer’s first stop upon walking through his door. While there are amazing tanks peppered throughout the Treasure Valley that may look like they would
be easy replicate, any newcomers need to make sure they’re educated before setting up something new. Our shop is located at 6112 W. Fairview, just west of Curtis. Anyone on our staff is more than happy to take you on a tour and give you every bit of information you need for whatever it is you’re trying to do. While aquariums are a lot of fun to show to your guests, at the end of the day, the fish need to be happy and healthy to be entertaining, and that’s our specialty. No matter what you’re looking for in that empty spot in your home or business, there’s a tank that will fill it perfectly. You want something small and easy to care for without
any help? A nice twenty-gallon freshwater will give you something fun, with minimal risk of it ending up as too much of a hassle. You have a huge empty area and a lot of free time? Get that big saltwater tank going! If you want a large fancy tank to fill a space and fascinate your guests, but you don’t have the time for it, give us a call! We’ll take care of all the big things for you. At the end of the day, no matter what you’re looking for, aquariums always have, and always will be, the best living centerpiece there is to adorn your home or office.
cbboise.com
MARCH-APRIL, 2019 COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON GROUP
PAGE 7
Scavenger Hunt
Have Fun Learning About Boise! As the weather warms and daylight lasts into the evening, grab a few friends and test your knowledge of downtown with the Great Boise Scavenger Hunt.
N
ot all board games have to be played inside. Some, like the Great Boise Scavenger Hunt, turn a city into the playing board. Think Amazing Race combined with history lessons,
puzzles, and treasures. It's the perfect idea for locals and visitors alike. Players begin at the Idaho Capitol building and proceed through downtown, seeing the sights while testing their knowledge of Boise's history, outdoor art, obvious places of interest, and little-known gems hiding in plain sight. Using a smartphone, teams (who must register together to be included in the same hunt) will be given clues and puzzles about monuments, parks, statues, and more.
as long as they choose, though the approximate two-mile course generally takes between two and three hours to complete. Points of interest include the Basque Block, Freak Alley, the Anne Frank Memorial, Boise Art Museum, City Hall, and more. You'll learn about past city and state leaders, historic sites, and interesting cultural facts. Tickets run between $44 and $49 for a group of up to five players, but can be found on Groupon occasionally for less. The best bet is to Google "Great Boise Scavenger Hunt" and explore different offers. Suitable for most every age, young and old will have fun and be challenged. Wear comfortable shoes, take your time, put on your thinking caps, and have a great time exploring Boise!
Participants choose their start date and time and take cbboise.com
MARCH-APRIL, 2019
Smart Kitchen Gadgets
Will They Make Life Easier?
The 2019 Consumer Electronics Show did not disappoint. From the latest generation of Smart TVs and giant gaming monitors to myriad cameras, security devices, appliances, and even a Harley Davidson electric motorcycle, advances in technology can leave the average human wondering where to begin. Matthew Rathbun Coldwell Banker Blue Matter
L
ots of kitchen devices are touted as “smart,” but some technologies, it seems, are being developed just because we can. Do we really need a smart fork that tells you when you’re eating too fast or putting too much food on it? Does our toaster oven need to be controlled by our phone? Does the trash can lid have to scan the UPC code on the item being tossed and automatically add it to the shopping list? Some of these
things might just make life more complicated. That said, there are some very useful smart technologies will help in your connected kitchen. Here are a few that may not have made your list yet: Meater+ Smart Thermometer This smart thermometer can be inserted into and left in the item that you’re cooking on the BBQ or
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in the oven. Meater+ connects to your smart phone and sends alerts when your meat hits the right temperature. It has other features as well, but not having to run and check the temperature every few minutes is a favorite. FridgeCam If you’re not quite ready to buy a new smart fridge, but want one of its most valuable features, FridgeCam is a great option. FridgeCam takes
PAGE 9 a photo of the inside of your fridge every time you open the door. You can then access that photo on your phone. So when you’re stopping by the grocery store on your way home from work, you can quickly check the app to see if you need to pick up additional items. Drop Drop is a smart scale for the kitchen that has a companion app. The app helps you measure and mix in a single bowl based on the chosen recipe. It will even suggest alternative ingredients if you’re out of something. And let’s face it – who hasn’t realized they were out of a key ingredient in the middle of cooking? Anova Precision Cooker This heating device attaches to the side of your pot and is controlled via your smart phone. Place the item you’re cooking in a plastic bag. Then, you place the plastic bag in the pot of water with the device and wait until your smartphone tells you the items are ready. The reviews on this device are pretty awesome.
Ember Ember mugs have been around for a bit but are still great. Program the desired temperature of the coffee or travel mug using your iPhone. The Ember device will then keep that temperature constant throughout the day. Tea, coffee, and other warm drinks all taste better at different temperatures, so you can alter the temp based on the beverage. But wait! more!
as the march toward a smarter connected kitchen moves forward, the tools are becoming more intuitive and easier to use each day.
There’s
All these connected devices are in addition to the smart stoves, refrigerators, and other large appliances that are popping up in homes all over the world. Everyone places a different value on the convenience of these devices, but cbboise.com
MARCH-APRIL, 2019
April Honey-Do
For Your Home
Spring cleaning is in full swing this month! Though you might be tired of thinking about all there is to do, here are some tasks to tackle in April. Victoria Keichinger Coldwell Banker Blue Matter
E
ven though April 7th is National No Housework Day, spring cleaning season is in full swing. So, while you have permission to put off your honeydo list for one day, here are some April chores for your home: April Showers Bring May Flowers But, only if you prep the garden today! Lay mulch around shrubs and flower beds before the weeds take over next month. Resist the urge to plant warm season annuals and vegetables until the last frost date has passed in your area. Fresh Air, Fresh Paint Planning to paint the exterior of your home, deck or front door?
Start preparing exterior surfaces now by scraping and sanding so that when the warmer weather arrives, you’ll be ready to apply the first coat (without a coat on!). Dust Off the Patio Furniture The days of lounging in the back yard are almost here! Take some time to clean and repair any outdoor furniture. Get Rid of House Guests While we all love having family and friends visit over the holidays, other unwelcome house guests can often make themselves at home in our roofs and walls during the winter. If you believe you have pests, contact a local pest control
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company, such as Boise’s Dengo Wildlife Control. Organize the Garage or Shed For most of the country, it’s finally time to stash the snow shovels and bust out the lawn mower. Spring Clean That Closet We've encouraged you to master this task before, so we must really believe it! Kick off your spring cleaning project by tackling one of the most cluttered spots of the home. Follow these three steps to a spring miracle: an organized closet.
PAGE 11 cbboise.com
MARCH-APRIL, 2019
Monthly Market Report
New Construction Market Share in Ada County Continues to Climb
New construction sales are gaining more and more of the market share and continuing to influence the overall median sales price. Breanna Vanstrom Chief Executive Officer Boise Regional REALTORS®
A
s we’ve noted before, the Ada County housing market has been shifting to a new norm with new construction sales gaining more and more of the total market share. In February 2019, new construction sales made up 38.7% of all sales, a 10.0% increase from a year ago.
year-over-year for the second month in a row (after 51 months of declines) this decrease in existing/ resale homes sales shouldn’t come as a surprise, as the number of closed sales that are even possible has been limited due to the fact we’ve had fewer and fewer existing homes to sell each month compared to buyer demand.
under contract 60-90 days prior, when existing inventory was still declining, or could be an indicator of the mix of price points of the inventory available at that time. If existing inventory continues to increase as we head into the spring months, we could start seeing a shift in the median sales price for existing/resale homes.
As we mentioned, existing inventory was up in February 7.4% compared to last year, but how did this uptick in inventory impact price? Since home prices are being driven by housing supply versus buyer demand, one would expect the price to drop some as inventory increases, however, we aren’t seeing that dynamic quite While sales of new construction yet in this case as the median price homes have been up year-over- for existing homes was $295,000, year for the last 21 consecutive a 9.3% increase compared to months, sales of existing homes February 2018. have now been down for the last nine consecutive months. Even This could be because the homes though existing inventory is up that closed in February likely went
We’re seeing some shifting dynamics in our local market with the increase in new construction sales. However, this doesn’t mean that there still isn’t abundant demand for existing houses. If you’ve been thinking about listing your home, now would be a great time to talk to your REALTOR® about your options as we head into the spring selling season.
These changes in segment market share continue to influence the overall median sales price for homes in Ada County. In February, the median sales price was $324,800, up 10.1% from the year before. New construction is typically priced higher primarily due to increasing land, materials, and labor costs.
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Get in touch if you'd like to know how all of this information affects your situation!
PAGE 13
By the Numbers 670
HOMES SOLD FEBRUARY 2019*
52
AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET*
Ada County
$324,800 MEDIAN SALES PRICE*
1,356
HOMES CURRENTLY ON MARKET*
* Numbers reflect year-over-year comparisons. Statistics provided by Boise Regional REALTORS® Single arrow denotes change of less than 10%; double arrows denote 10%+.
308
HOMES SOLD FEBRUARY 2019*
44
AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET*
Canyon County
$228,505 MEDIAN SALES PRICE*
642
HOMES CURRENTLY ON MARKET* cbboise.com
MARCH-APRIL, 2019
Ada County
Featured Homes
5622 E. Gateway Dr. SE Boise Splendid former model home wiht impressive entry, high ceilings, large living room/formal dining room with lots of natural light. Mainlevel master with patio access, separate tub & shower, & huge walk-in closet. 4 beds, 2.5 baths, 2,726 sq.ft. Gorgeous hardwood floors in entry, kitchen, & eating area. Large back yard with plenty of room to roam.
3101 Teton Boise Bench Tucked away on pristine little street in heart of Depot Bench area. Remodeled & updated. Large open spaces to the totally remodeled kitchen. New granite, cabinetry, & SS appliances. Hardwood throughout. Upstairs bedrooms offer mid-century built-ins. 2 family rooms, 2 fireplaces, formal dining, & breakfast nook. Lg open bright living room.
3761 W. Sage Creek NW Boise Exceptional home in Hidden Springs with gorgeous views of protected open space & direct access to the Ridge-to-Rivers trails. Home features include hardwood floors, modern finishes, gourmet kitchen with center island, slab granite counters, custom alder cabinetry, double oven, 5-burner gas cook-top, & lg pantry. Main-level office or 5th bedroom.
2168 W. Forest Grove Ct. Eagle Elegant, roomy, & stately best describe this home! Large rooms, ample entertaining areas. Lots of built-in cabinetry in den, family room, & kitchen. 4 true bedrooms upstairs plus a HUGE bonus/rec room. Master has vaulted ceilings, an extra sitting area & his/her closets. Covered patio off eating area & amazing back yard with mature trees & no immediate neighbors.
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PAGE 15
Ada County
Featured Homes
6142 N. Queensbury NE Meridian Gorgeous! Quality home, spotless, modern, & move-in ready! Excellent cul-de-sac location. Kitchen with huge island, new quartz countertops & sink, gas range , high-end Kitchenaid dishwasher. Office with French doors & built-in bookshelves. Huge master suite with 9' ceilings, dual walk-in closets, walk-in shower, & separate tub. Open living room with vaulted ceilings.
1080 N. Crystal Cove Ave. NW Meridian This thoughtfully-designed beauty sits on .45-acre lot with east-facing back yard. Terrific curb appeal with circular drive & side-load garages. Inviting foyer opens to wide open living spaces boasting many amenities such as rich cabinetry, massive kitchen island, oodles of storage, & 2 master suites. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2,515 sq.ft., wide hallways.
9249 S. Macadan Way Kuna Simply gorgeous home with upgrades galore, fantastic floor plan, & tons of storage. Gourmet kitchen features upgraded appliances, double ovens, gas range, large Kohler farm sink, & butler's pantry. Perfect for entertaining with space for everyone - great room, open kitchen, formal dining room, den, & flex room. Custom fireplace, gorgeous floors, upgraded cabinets.
3486 N. Rhone Pl. Star Luxurious, custom-built home with spectacular views of Bogus Basin! Beautiful travertine floors in the grand entry and throughout. Gourmet kitchen complete with commercial grade SS appliances, induction burner stovetop, custom cabinetry, & quartz countertops. Two main-level master suites, walk-in closets in all bedrooms. 4,855 sq.ft. with a 4-car garage. cbboise.com
MARCH-APRIL, 2019
Canyon County
Featured Homes
6420 E. Victory Rd. NE Nampa Lovely, custom built home nestled in nice country setting! Desirable .78 acres, perfect for relaxing, gardening, & small hobby farm living if desired. Open floor plan, formal dining, & office or use however you wish. Airy studio or rec. room is an exciting addition to this unique property. No CC&R's, 20' x 36' finished shop, RV parking, vinyl covered patio, storage shed.
18637 Smiley Peak Ave. NE Nampa This spacious 3 bed, 2.5 bath home is brand new & has immaculate finishes throughout. Kitchen is complete with SS appliances, custom cabinetry, full tile backsplash, & beautiful granite countertops. All of the bedrooms are upstairs, including the large master equipped with vaulted ceilings, dual vanities, full tile shower, separate soaker tub, & walk-in closet.
2319 W. Lake Pointe Ct. NW Nampa Charming home with a fantastic location close to shopping, freeway access, & schools. The main floor offers beautiful new laminate floors, fresh paint, & a stunning fireplace surround. The open concept floor plan is great for entertaining & modern living. Upstairs holds 4 bedrooms, an office nook, & utility room. Low maintenance yard. Located on a quiet street.
5204 Roy Dr. S Nampa Conveniently located south of I-84, near Boise, this beautifully landscaped & captivating property boasts an impeccable, luxurious home offering upgraded Net-Zero savings and Energy Star Certification (HERS score -11). 2 bed, 2.5 bath, 1,815 sq.ft. on nearly 7 acres. Culde-sac locaton with plenty of space. This is the perfect equine environment.
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PAGE 17
Canyon County
Featured Homes
15184 Horseshoe Dr. SW Caldwell Stellar 3 bed, 2 bath with 1,494 sq.ft. on a .30acre lot with mature landscaping & RV parking! Open plan with floor-to-ceiling windows, vaulted living room, wood-burning fireplace. Master suite has separate tub & shower, walkin closet with built-in safe & ironing board, & access to park-like back yard with deck, garden beds, & brick pavers.
4910 Spurgin Pl. SW Caldwell Wonderful cul-de-sac location with a garage large enough for all the toys! Easy access to I-84 with a fenced yard & room for a garden. Open plan with plenty of natural light, vaults, plant shelves, 4 beds, 2.5 baths, & 1,893 sq.ft. Cute front porch, slider to back patio. Check it out! You won't be sorry.
22875 Rosicky Way Middleton This home has it all! Views, 42' RV garage, every upgrade within a graceful single-level farmhouse-style, open plan. Views of Boise Front from your kitchen window & home office. Don't miss the HUGE hidden pantry with its own prep sink & window. Quality is in every corner of this home with room to roam & a spot for all your toys on one full acre.
24890 Desert Pine Middleton Gorgeous view home with 5 beds, 3 baths, & 3,409 sq.ft. on 1.077-acre property. High ceilings, shiplap in the dining room, upgraded electrical throughout. Beautiful island kitchen with granite counters, breakfast bar, gorgeous cabinets. Master with coved ceiling, transom windows, & bath with dual sinks, walk-in shower, walk-in closet. cbboise.com
MARCH-APRIL, 2019
FARMERS’ MARKETS COMING SOON! Boise Farmers’ Market Each Saturday starting April 6th
9:00a.m.-1:00p.m. 1500 Shoreline Dr., Boise theboisefarmersmarket.com
Capital City Public Market Each Saturday starting April 13th 9:30a.m.-1:30p.m. 8th and Idaho, downtown Boise capitalcitypublicmarket.com
Eagle Saturday Market Saturdays starting May 4th 9:30a.m.-2:00p.m. 185 E. State St., Eagle cityofeagle.org
Nampa Farmers’ Market Saturdays starting April 27th
9:00a.m.-1:00p.m. Front & 13th, Nampa nampafarmersmarket.com
Kuna Farmer's Market Saturdays starting April 27th COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON GROUP
9:00a.m.-1:00 p.m. Kuna City Park 201 W. Main, Kuna facebook.com/KunaFarmersMarket
PAGE 19
Things to Do It's time to get outside! TreeFort Music Fest March 20-24, times vary
Jurassic Quest March 29-31, times vary
Downtown Boise treefortmusicfest.com
Boise Flower & Garden Show March 22-24, times vary
Boise Centre on the Grove 850 W. Front St., Boise gardenshowboise.com
Totally Killer 80s Prom - A Mystery Event Various dates March 22-April 5, 7:00 p.m.
The Playhouse Boise 8001 W. Fairview Ave., Boise playhouseboise.com
Glow in the Park Fun Run Saturday, March 23, 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Guerber Park 2200 E. Hill Rd., Eagle Information
The Wizard of Oz Interactive Movie Friday, March 29, 6:00-10:00 p.m.
Nampa Civic Center 311 3rd St. S., Nampa nampaciviccenter.com
Night with the Idaho Steelheads Friday, March 29, 7:00 p.m.
Century Link Arena 233 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise idahohumanesociety.org
Expo Idaho 5610 N. Glenwood St., Boise jurassicquest.com
SNIP Idaho's SPAYghetti Dinner & Auction Sunday, April 7, 5:00 p.m.
Riverside Hotel 2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise snipidaho.org
Easter EGGstravaganza at ZooBoise Saturday, April 13, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. ZooBoise 355 Julia Davis Dr., Boise zooboise.org
Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 20, 8:00 p.m.
Nampa Rec Center 131 Constitution Way, Nampa namparecreation.org
Week of the Young Child Celebration Saturday, April 20, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Idaho Botanical Garden 2355 N. Old Penitentiary Rd., Boise idahoaeyc.org
TEDx Boise Saturday, April 20, 11:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m.
JUMP Boise, 1000 W. Myrtle St., Boise tedxboise.org cbboise.com
DOWNTOWN BOISE 208.343.3393 | MERIDIAN 208.336.3393 | EAGLE 208.939.3363 | NAMPA 208.467.5272 Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.