Boise, Eagle, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell & Beyond
NEW BUILD BOOM
High Demand Fuels Growth
HOW TO PICK A REALTOR · EXPLORE TREASURE VALLEY IDAHO MAKERS · CURTIS STIGERS: WINNER BEST LOCAL MUSICIAN
Phase 11 pond lots similar to photo
The Legacy Development in Eagle, Idaho supports the good life, nestled perfectly between the Boise metro area and world-class backcountry recreation. Your active lifestyle starts at home with resident amenities including; a 26-acre executive golf course, three tennis courts, a swimming facility with pool house and miles of picturesque walking paths. Combining leisure and beauty Legacy’s waterfront home sites offer natural patio extensions to the water’s edge, starting at $225,000.
WHITE STURGEON, LLC 208 908 8998
www.legacy eagle.com
208 850 9654
I W R O T E A B O U T S TA RT U P S W H E N I WA S A B U S I N E S S R E P O RT E R in the not-too-distant past, and I was often taken whatever else and is open for business, please let by the romanticism of building something from me know. scratch. Entrepreneurs carry themselves with a cerThe goal for Explore Treasure Valley is to help tain confidence. Their conviction borders on blind readers get out of the house. In this issue, we feature faith. They throw their time and savings and souls five culturally or historically rich activities, one into nurturing their idea. When it works out, they in each city in our primary coverage area: Boise, create something tangible, something new. Meridian, Eagle, Nampa and Caldwell. We’re It feels good to have a crack at that myself. open-minded about the types of things we want to We’re building something new and tangible recommend each week, and we’d love your input. here at Idaho Real Estate Marketplace. We have Feel free to email me with story ideas or comments white boards full of schedules and themes and story at zach@idahorem.com. ideas. We pick our writers. When a pallet packing Mosaic circles by Idaho Maker, Reham Aarti. 20,000 copies of the magazines in boxes arrives at the office, we help the delivery guy push the pallet jack up the incline into the garage. As part that building process, we’re trotting out two new stories this month that we hope become Idaho REM staples: Idaho Makers and Explore Treasure Valley. We’d love for you to give them a look and nominate people and places and businesses for us to feature in future issues. Idaho Makers will feature photos of fine art Unobstructed Views and craftsmanship from local artists. • WeNo want Monthly Association Dues most of the work to relate at•least loosely and to homes Low Maintenance Lock Go • Minutes to Downtown or gardens, like Reham Aarti’s exquisite mosaic backsplashes, or Sue Latta’s metalwork that turns a handrail on a staircase into a piece of art, or Nick Sawyer’s beautiful, handmade wooden furniture. If you know somebody local who makes custom rugs or stone walls or fountains or light fixtures or
ZACH KYLE Editor in Chief 2
IDAHO Real Estate M A R K E T P L A C E www.idahorem.com
THE HOME WITH THE VIEW.
Unobstructed views
from east to west No Monthly Association Dues • Low Maintenance • Lock & Go • Minutes to Downtown
Jill Donahue Associate Broker Ralston Group Properties 208-861-5455 jill@ralstongrp.com
INTRIGUED? 2737 Crescent Rim Drive To see the full listing visit: www.JillDonahue.com
TA BL E of CON T E N T S
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OUR TEAM ARTS & CULTURE Curtis Stigers Plays the Downbeat
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REAL ESTATE NEWS Build, Baby, Build
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How to Pick a Real Estate Agent
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COMMUNITY Idaho Makers
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Explore Treasure Valley
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Treefort Music Fest
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MONTHLY EXTRAS Go Out Local Happenings 22
Boise Market Report
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Boise and Beyond Map
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Interfaith Sanctuary
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Contributors
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Monica Braun REAL ESTATE CONSULTANT
Whether you’re entertaining friends and family or raising your loved ones, finding the right home is a commitment and a dream. If you’re in the market to buy a home or sell a house, allow me to be the key to success with your real estate needs. I can turn your dream home into a reality!
“I believe home is a place where you can relax, unplug and create cherished memories.” (208) 860.8355 Monica@BlackDiamondRE.com www.BlackDiamondRE.com
LORI OTTER
208.340.0920 ottergirl1009@msn.com PROUDLY SERVING THOSE WHO CALL IDAHO
HOME ...AND THEIR CRITTERS TOO !
FEBRUARY 2019 publisher K A R E N DAY karen@idahorem.com managing editor Z AC H K Y L E zach@idahorem.com copy editor Z ACK CR E NSH AW
O N T H E COV ER Tradewinds General Contracting is a diversified building and
development company that has years of experience building for clientele with the very utmost of expectations. The Tradewinds team and their sales team is comprised of several talented individuals highly skilled and experienced in bringing a project from one person’s idea to reality. The team is extremely organized and efficient, in the end saving the client time and money. Jenn Hickey 208-724-6124 SpotlightIdaho.com
art director K AR EN K EY art@idahorem.com designers and illustrators JOH N AT H A N S TOK E S D ON N A S TACK HOU SE director of operations and sales manager N ICOL E G OODL E T T nicole@idahorem.com director of marketing C A I T L I N S AW Y E R caitlin@idahorem.com
EPIC Realty
IN OUR NE X T ISSUE:
Creating Yo u r A i r b n b
contributing photographers K A R E N DAY A N DY L AW L E S S
Idaho Real Estate Marketplace Magazine is published located at PO Box 116, Boise, ID 83701. Telephone 208-481-0693
Simply Cats
Š 2019 Idaho Real Estate Marketplace Magazine. All rights reserved. The opinions expressed by the authors and contributors to Idaho Real Estate Magazine are not necessarily those of the editor and publisher. IDAHO Real Estate M A R K E T P L A C E www.idahorem.com
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Focused on individuals.
420 W Main Street | Suite 102 | Boise, ID 83702 191 Sun Valley Road | Suite 202 | Ketchum, ID 83340 www.ralstongroupproperties.com
Boise’s most famous musician comes home
By Andy Lawless Curtis Stigers is taking in a well-earned break in his past and present hometown of Boise after wrapping up a tour in Europe. But don’t expect the singer, sax player and songwriter to rest for many measures. Stigers, after all, released more than a dozen albums from 1991 to 2017. He’s always 10
been a musician, and while he’s prone to the occasional stylistic swerve, he’s not about to stop recording and playing any time soon. Curtis is an old friend of mine. After his tour wrapped up, I caught up with him at the Record Exchange for a chat about music, charity work and coming home
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to Boise. Here’s our conversation, edited for length and clarity. Q: How did Boise shape you as a musician? Curtis Stigers: From fourth grade on, I learned the basis of all my technical ability as a musician as a horn player, even as a drummer, and as a jazz singer. I played
in sort of new wave/punk bands when I was in high school, and I played Boise clubs with several bands after that. There were so many great little hole in the wall places to play. You could play under-age back in those days because it was a simpler, more gentle time. Q: You’ve had a long career. You’ve traveled the world.
was skiing and cycling and there were good schools, and that’s what brought me back over the past 16 years. But now my daughter is going to college in New York. She got smart and decided she’s never coming back, either. Something tells me she’ll find her way back as well.
it, Jodi Peterson, and I told her about my idea for a variety Christmas show. And she said she was in, but not for a Christmas show because she’s Jewish. So it became the Extreme Holiday Xtravaganza. We raised money in the first year for Family Advocates. Over the next 13 shows, Jodi and I raised nearly
“I need the respite of Boise. I need the quiet. My shoulders relax when the wheels touch down at the Boise airport. When I lived in New York, that’s when my shoulders got tight. That’s when I was like, okay, I gotta get to work. I gotta defend myself.” – Musician and Boise native Curtis Stigers.
What keeps bringing you back to Idaho? Stigers: When I left Boise in 1987 and moved to New York, I was 21 and I said, “I’m never going back there.” And then my daughter was born in 2000, and suddenly home sounded like home again. Then 9/11 happened. My now ex-wife and I moved back here and raised Ruby in Boise. It was a great place to raise a kid. There
Q: You’ve raised a lot of money for Interfaith Sanctuary. How did that happen? Stigers: I did a fundraiser for Victor Pacania, a beloved DJ who had cancer and was given a year to live. A bunch of people got together and did a concert so he had money to live on and to travel and see his family. At the end of it I looked at the woman who co-produced
$1.5 million for Interfaith Sanctuary. (Peterson is the executive director of the shelter.) Q: And along the way you fell in love with her. Stigers: Eventually, yeah. We found ourselves single and took up with each other. Q: Are there any current Boise musicians you particularly like? Stigers: There’s Trevor Powers, who just put out his first solo
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album after a couple of albums with Youth Lagoon. They were internationally acclaimed. He’s an artist, and I really like him. His music is weird. It’s melodic and it’s beautiful and spooky. Q: You’ve had this varied career, going from pop to jazz and most recently playing with the Danish Radio Big Band. What’s next? Stigers: I’ve got ten songs recorded and in the can. Usually I make a record really fast. I make records so cheaply because I’m on a jazz label. That’s what we do. We make do with what we’ve got. Quite a few songs are just piano, vocal and cello. It’s a different sound than I’ve had in the past, and I like that.
Curtis Stigers was named Boise’s best musician last year by the Boise Weekly. Curtis Stigers top hit, I Wonder Why, reached No. 9 on the U.S. pop charts in 1991 and No. 5 in the U.K. All photos of Stigers by Andy Lawless
Eddy Svidgal ARCHITECTS 2 0 8 . 7 2 6 . 1 0 1 4 12 LIDAHO STY E ·RealVEstate A LM AUR KEE T P·L A CEE Xwww.idahorem.com P E R I E N C E www.eddysvidgalarchitects.com
Growth in the Treasure Valley is most evident on city fringes, such as Harris North in Southeast Boise. Photo by Karen Day.
BY Z AC H K Y L E It’s shaping up to be another busy year for anybody in the business of building houses. Builders are well aware of the tight inventory. Many would like nothing more than to ratchet up production to meet demand, a potential salve for prospective buyers who cringed as prices soared last year. But that’s not likely. Builders can’t find enough framers, painters and other skilled trades crews to take on additional work, said Steve Martinez, owner of Tradewinds General Contracting. “As much as we’d love to take on a few extra jobs, we’re limited by availability of subcontractors and materials,” Martinez said. 16
“Labor is the barrier in market.” Tradewinds builds upper-end homes starting at around $850,000, but local builders in all price points are feeling effects from the labor shortage, said Jennie Johnson, who leads the Jennie Johnson Team. She is also the sales manager for Brighton Homes, one of the largest builders in the mid-to-upper market. Brighton is working on a ton of new development. The builder’s website lists 10 communities where it is actively selling, which doesn’t count the Pinnacle community that will eventually contain 2,000 homes. Work in Pinnacle has already broke ground, and the first
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homes will be available in spring 2020, Johnson said. In addition, Brighton is already working on the 485-lot Arbor community in Nampa. The first 122 lots in the community, which Johnson said is Brighton’s first in Canyon County, will be available around May. Nevertheless, Johnson said Brighton expects its total production to fall from 218 houses last year to around 185. Part of that is the company plans to rent some of the homes it builds, including some as part of three Cadence 55-and-older communities. But Brighton is also limited by the same labor shortage as everybody else, said Kirk Hessing, lead listing
agent for the Jennie Johnson Team. “We’ve already seen from our competitors that everybody in the building world is looking at pretty similar production (to 2018), Hessing said. “We’re mostly maxed out on trade.” Signs of growth in the Treasure Valley abound. Boise seems to land on another Top-10-places list every month. New subdivisions are popping up everywhere. Commutes take longer. More people live here than ever before. But that doesn’t mean home construction is at an all-time high. In 2005 4,735 new homes were sold in Ada County, according to the Intermountain Multiple Listings Service. In 2018, that number was just 3,148, or about a third less. Meanwhile, 1,018 new homes sold in Canyon County last year, compared to a pre-recession peak of 1,805. That’s a 43 percent drop. Those numbers could at least begin tipping back towards a balanced market in 2019. The overall, year-over-year inventory increased in both December and January, the first such two-month increase since November of 2014, according to statistics provided Top: Brighton Homes’ Bayshore home. Center: Brighton Homes tweaks designs for each of its models to fit buyer preferences, to buyer preferences. Bottom: Jennie Johnson, third from the left, is related to every member of the Jennie Johnson Team, which manages new home sales for Brighton Homes. Photos provided by the Jennie Johnson Team. IDAHO Real Estate M A R K E T P L A C E www.idahorem.com
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Top: New homes continue to sprout up in Harris North in Southeast Boise. Bottom: Framers and painters are among the trades in short supply. Photos by Karen Day.
by Boise Regional Realtors. That suggests that builders are picking up the pace. But the resale market inventory has declined for 51 consecutive months. Between few homeowners wanting to sell and an influx of out-of-state buyers, the Treasure Valley real estate market will likely remain skewed towards sellers. 18
Half of Tradewinds’ buyers move from other states, Martinez said. About 30 percent of Brighton buyers do, too, Johnson said. In the case of Brighton, the buyer trends have changed in recent years, Hessing said. Some homebuyers are looking at moving here before retirement rather than after.
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“What’s changed is the global economy,” Hessing said. “They travel back and forth a few to California or wherever a few times a week because they want that affordability and that quality of life, even if they are still a few years from full retirement.” While Tradewinds sells to many out-of-state buyers, Martinez said he sells his most lavish homes to locals looking to upgrade. One buyer bought a home for $1.3 million, demolished it and replaced it with a Tradewinds home. Wealthy buyers are getting more creative in their requests, which Martinez attributes to being influenced by watching HGTV and spending time on Pinterest. “People are bringing exciting ideas we’ve never seen, from bowling alleys to climbing walls to indoor basketball courts,” Martinez said.
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5 Feb 16
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Treasure Valley Roller Derby Season Opener at Expo Idaho When: Feb 16th Where: 5610 N Glenwood St, Garden City, ID 83714 Description: Treasure Valley Roller Derby is back at Expo Idaho for our first game of the 2019 season! Doors open at 5pm and the All Stars take on Lava City at 6pm followed by the Boise River Rollers vs. Wasatch B-team.
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Feb 16
33rd Annual Idaho City Chili Cook Off When: Feb 16th Where: 100 Main St, Idaho City, ID 83631 Description: Serving starts at Noon, and continue until the contestants run out of chili, so get in line ASAP. There will be a limited number of Will Call, commemorative cups available online
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Feb 19
Two for Tuesdays - Indian Creek Plaza When: Feb 19th Where: 347 S 10th Ave, Caldwell, ID 83605 Description: Celebrate 'Twos-day' at the Ice Ribbon! On select Tuesdays in January and February, buy one skate pass and skate rental and get one free*! Who are you going to share your BOGO skate passes with?
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Feb 22
CWI Night at the Idaho Steelheads When: Feb 22nd Where: 233 S Capitol Blvd, Boise, ID 83702 Description: Support students while enjoying a night out! College of Western Idaho (CWI) is proud to partner with the Idaho Steelheads for a night of hockey and fundraising. Students, alumni, employees, family, and friends of the CWI community are invited to join us Friday, Feb. 22 as the Steelheads take on the Tulsa Oilers.
6 2 5 Giuseppe Verdi's - Aida - The Egyptian Theatre When: Feb 22nd Where: 700 W Main St, Boise, ID 83702 Description: One of the most popular operas of all time, Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida has never before received a fully-staged performance in Idaho
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6 Kid's Fair Boise 2019 - Expo Idaho When: Feb 23rd Where: 5610 N Glenwood St, Garden City,
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ID 83714
Description: Kid's Fair 2019 benefiting The Discovery Center, brought to you by Toyota. It's the 21st Annual Kid's Fair at Expo Idaho!!!
7 2019 Starlight Snowshoe Benefit When: Feb 23rd Where: Bogus Basin Description: The Starlight Snowshoe Benefit is a homegrown Boise event which began in 2005 with Greenwood's Ski Haus as our founding sponsor. All proceeds go directly to fund research for a cure, better treatments, and prevention methods for type 1 diabetes (T1D)
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Feb 28
The Roadshow at Taco Bell Arena
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When: Feb 28th Where: 1401 Bronco Ln, Boise, ID 83706 Description: Award Winning Talents Matthew West, Matt Maher, Tenth Avenue North And More To Perform Alongside Very Special Guest Michael W. Smith Compassion LIVE’s Popular “The Roadshow Tour” Celebrates 10 Years
BOISEEVENTS
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February and March 9
Feb 28 - Mar 2
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When: Feb 28th Where: 405 S 8th St #121, Boise, ID 83702 Description: Andrew Santino was the star of ABC’s comedy MIXOLOGY. His COMEDY CENTRAL HALF HOUR standup special was just released alongside his debut album SAY NO MORE on COMEDY CENTRAL RECORDS. He also is a regular guest on COMEDY CENTRAL’S @ MIDNIGHT with Chris Hardwick.
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Mar 1-3, 8-10
Race For Life! - Idaho Indoor BMX When: March 1st - 3rd and 8th - 10th Where: 111 S 22nd Ave, Caldwell, ID 83605 Description: Idaho BMX Racing in MARCH! Who knew!? Don't miss the RACE FOR LIFE this weekend to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! Whether you're a seasoned racer, or want to try it for your first time, everyone rides! Unlike other sports, there's no bench warmers in BMX!
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Mar 9
Wicked at the Morrison Center For The Performing Arts
Liquid Laughs Presents Andrew Santino
When: March 9th Where: 2201 W Cesar Chavez Ln, Boise, ID 83725 Description: Wicked is a Broadway musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman. It is based on the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, an alternative telling of the 1939 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film The Wizard of Oz and L. Frank Baum's classic 1900 novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The musical is told from the perspective of the witches of the Land of Oz.
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Mar 13
Jimmy Buffet at The Taco Bell Arena
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When: March 13th Where: 2201 W Cesar Chavez Ln, Boise, ID 83725 Description: Boise, ID (Tuesday, November 13, 2018): The wait is over! Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefer Band is returning to the Taco Bell Arena for one night only with the Son Of A Son Of A Sailor Tour on Wednesday, March 13 at 8:00 PM. Tickets go on-sale Monday, November 19 at 10:00 AM.
March 2
Idaho Sportsman Expo - Expo Idaho When: Mar 2nd Where: 4106 W Sand Creek St, Boise, Idaho 83703 Description: Guides, outfitters, and sportsmen of all stripes converge here for a gear-filled good time. With tips on fishing, hunting, elk calling, and more, there’s plenty to do for those who chase the call of the wild. There’s even stuff for the kids with an archery shoot, live trout pond, and other fun things to hunt out.
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March 2
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LED - Jabberwock - Morrison Center presents When: March 2nd Where: The Basque Center 601 W Grove St, Boise, Idaho 83702 Description: LED is returning to the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts in Boise, Idaho for the one-night-only premiere of their newest evening-length production: Jabberwock. For the past three years, LED has dazzled Boise audiences with their unique blend of athletic, contemporary dance, live original music, and film.
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March 2
ILLUMiBRATE: A Light and Color Festival - JUMP When: March 2nd Where: 1000 W Myrtle St, Boise, ID 83702 Description: ILLUMiBRATE: A Light and Color Festival is coming back around for year two! This march we'll be offering you more community collaborations, art installations, silent discos, performances, and more!
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GOOUT
LOCAL.COM
THE EXPERTS AT GOING OUT
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IDAHO MAKERS
AR TI S T: SUE L AT TA Medium: Metal sculptures and wall art, including custom Contact: suelatta.com
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AR TI S T: N I CK SAW Y ER Company: Sawyer Designs Medium: Handmade wooden furniture, including custom Contact: sayerdesigns.com
IDAHO Real Estate M A R K E T P L A C E www.idahorem.com
AR TI S T: R EHAM A AR TI Medium: Custom glass and tile mosaics Contact: Mosaics Essentials page on Facebook Images provided by the artists.
Contact me today to buy, sell or invest! “Karen is diligent, respectful, open and hard working. A real straight shooter. I have worked with Karen on two transactions and hope to work with her again. When asked to recommend a realtor, she is the first I recommend.” -B. Siemer
Karen Province
Realtor®, GRI, CPRES, Relocation Specialist Owner: Province Properties, LLC Coldwell Banker Tomlinson Group 3006 E Goldstone Dr., Meridian, ID 83642 cell (208)720-1992 eFax (208) 331-6753
“Our relationship with Karen Province as our Realtor has been an extremely positive experience. We have bought and sold 10 homes over the last 40 years and Karen’s personal service and attention to detail surpasses any other realtor that we have used. Karen has helped us to buy a house and sell a house and is an expert at both. When selling, her advertising is amazing and when buying, she researches potential houses thoroughly. Thank you, Karen, for making the complicated process of buying and selling a home an easier journey.” -Tom and Gwyn
Doing the right thing, in the right way and on time.
How to Choose a Real Estate Agent By James Dawson So, you’re in the market
age firm in person? The internet
shy, either. Asking what could’ve
current one. In a white-hot market
· There are many websites
you narrow down what you want
to buy a home, or maybe sell your
can be your friend.
like the Treasure Valley, having
you can choose from to find a
knows the real estate game inside
feature reviews so you can let the
a professional by your side who
and out can make all the difference. But how do you find that
person, and how do you know if
local real estate agent. Some even cream rise to the top.
Use your network:
· If your friend or relative
they’re a good fit for your goals?
just got a great deal on a ranch in
tips to help you in your search.
galow in the North End or sold
No worries, we’ve got some Don’t feel like pounding the
pavement or heading to a broker28
Kuna, found the perfect bun-
their home without any hassle,
ask them for a referral. Don’t be
IDAHO Real Estate M A R K E T P L A C E www.idahorem.com
made their experience better helps out of your agent and can save you future headaches.
Maybe it’s destiny:
· Keep an eye out for home
listings or open houses in your local newspaper or favorite
listings website. You’ll likely see agents specializing in certain
types of homes or parts of town. Reach out and see if they’re a perfect match.
Next, make a list of those who
you think might be a good fit. It’s rare that you’ll find your dream real estate agent with a single
· What’s your strategy for
pricing my home, or for bidding on homes for sale?
A hot market gives sellers
phone call, and that’s OK.
pricing options. Should you set
will help you winnow down your
Should you set a low price and try
Asking the right questions
top picks:
· How long have you been in
the business?
Plenty of newer real estate
agents are perfectly professional.
However, with experience gener-
ally comes a deeper knowledge of
a high price and see if it sells?
to entice a bidding war? For buy-
ers, should you bid over the asking price, or include escalation clauses in your bids? A savvy agent will
read the market, and each listing, and offer sound advice.
· What’s your commission?
the market and techniques that
Real estate is a business and
especially when negotiating a
a deal. Compare rates and see
can give you a competitive edge, purchase or sale.
the knowledge or experience to help you get what you want.
Those are the basics that
should get you started. Don’t be afraid to call several agents and ask a bunch of questions before
picking one. Remember, they are auditioning for you. You won’t become friends overnight, but
with a little homework, you ought to find an agent who understands your goals, is easy to talk to and
conveys that they value your time. Good luck!
agents get paid when you close whether you think someone has
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explore Explore Nampa HISPANIC CULTURAL CENTER OF IDAHO
Located just off the freeway on Stampede Drive, the Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho is a nonprofit organization working to improve the quality of life in the Hispanic community, as well as preserve and celebrate its arts, heritage, and culture. Housed in a building that is looks a little like a really fun and artsy post office, it’s been open since 2003 and works to increase cultural engagement through a variety of events, including education for kids and adults. Course topics include a Mariachi music, Mexican folkloric dance lessons, and obtaining citizenship. The center is a lot of things to a lot of people, and they frequently act, unofficially, as a referral service, connecting folks to resources in the larger community. The center often hosts an assortment of community and cultural events, including everything from panel discussions to musical performances. Check out their art gallery, open to the public Monday through Friday, from 9 to 5. It’s free, but like most nonprofits, 30
Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho. Photo by Karen Day.
they’ll happily accept donations. Support them by shopping in the gift shop too. If you need an event space, HCCI can help you out there also. They host everything from small groups to quinceaneras and banquets, and offer parking, highspeed internet, a computer lab, and office space. There’s always something fun happening here, so stop by and check it out.
Dis co v er C a l d w e l l WHITTENBERGER PL ANETARIUM
Nestled in the picturesque College of Idaho, the Whittenberger Planetarium offers the chance to explore the far reaches
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of the universe. Around 1970, the planetarium pivoted to public outreach, allowing people to see northern and some southern constellations, planets visible to the unaided eye, the sun, the moon, and even deep-space objects. The high-tech projectors rest in an impressive 24-foot dome, which seats 50. Thanks to digital overlays, images, and multiple projectors, viewers see the sky from different locations and at different times. While you were spending the 90s buying Beanie Babies, the Whittenberger Planetarium was buying a portable planetarium, referred to (very awesomely) as Starlab. Starlab can be rented by anyone, so long as you have a
treasure
va l l e y 21-by-21-foot empty space to put it in. For the right kind of kid, this could be make a pretty great birthday party, but it is also a great option for schools or hip workplaces. If the full-size planetarium is more your speed, plan your group event for a minimal cost and have it all to yourselves, so long as you schedule at least two weeks ahead of time. Of course, the planetarium offers public shows every month, typically on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in late afternoons and evenings. The schedule may vary in the summer. Tickets are available online.
EAGLE FUSIONS GL ASS STUDIO
It takes years to master glass fusion, but most who try their hand at the artform produce work pretty enough to be proud of. That’s why we’re lucky that Fusions Glass Studio offers courses. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, Idaho’s fused glass art experts have something for you. There’s a gallery too, if you’re more the walk-in-and-buy type, and there you can get kiln-formed glass artwork made both locally and regionally. With open studio time, onsight kiln firing, guided projects, and cold-working equipment time, the studio supplies everything you need to become a master glass fusion artist… or at least give it a shot. Anytime the studio is open, you can drop in and
work on a project, no reservations required. Projects are available to people of all ages, and start at only $5. For groups, reservations are available for guided project experiences, as well as private parties. More specialized classes are also available if want to up your fusion game, and the studio is totally into hearing about additional classes you might want. Beginner classes are usually on weekends, and additional classes vary, though they’re great about working with you. Alternately, you can commission a custom design and project for your business or home if you want something unique but aren’t excited about making it yourself. Fusions is open every day except Monday, and late (until 9) on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which gives you plenty of time to fit it into your schedule. MERIDIAN-ISH WESTERN HERITAGE HISTORIC BY WAY DRIVE TOUR
These cold winter days are perfect for being indoors, and going for a drive is a great way to accomplish the warmth of a cozy heater
Melissa Reche, artist and owner of Fusions Glass Studio, shows off work on display at the studio. Photo by Karen Day. IDAHO Real Estate M A R K E T P L A C E www.idahorem.com
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The Western Heritage Historical Byway follows the Snake River Valley. Photo courtesy of the Idaho Bureau of Land Management.
while honoring the adventurous spirit that tells you to get out. Plus, there’s something super nostalgic about “going on a drive” that people of all ages can get behind, particularly in the American West. What better route than the 40-mile Western Heritage Historic Byway, which runs south from Meridian to Swan Falls Dam, providing views of Boise, the Owyhee Mountains, and the beautiful Snake River Canyon? The drive takes you past historic landmarks like Initial Point, Dedication Point, and Indian trails turned fright and stagecoach routes, eventually ending at the Snake River dam, which hosts a museum run by Idaho Power. There are various overlooks and pullouts along the way,, and, if you’re aching to get outside, there’s also hiking trails and exploration opportunities for all abilities. In this case though, the beauty is truly in the journey, which is mostly runs through the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. See swooping raptors and possibly even wild mustangs. Other sights include vast desert juxtaposed to fertile green, bodies of water and landscapes that look like they never seen rain. Make a day of it, or spend an hour checking things out. Year-round, it’s a good trip to enjoy with a great playlist, and it doesn’t cost more than a few snacks and a little fuel. 32
Boise IDAHO STATE MUSEUM
Old reviews describe the Idaho State Museum as “outdated,” and maybe that was true before its renovation. Now, the museum is beautiful and modern, with 18,000 square feet of shiny, new construction and plenty of interactive exhibits for Idahoans of all ages. Don’t just read about history. Participate in the exhibits and explore what, exactly, it means to live in Idaho. The building sits on the edge of Julia Davis Park, near the zoo, so it’s the perfect setup for a picnic lunch and then post-meal entertainment. After a lengthy closure for construction, the museum recently reopened, bigger and better. The space now houses the museum, as well as traveling exhibits,
Idaho State Museum. Photo by Karen Day.
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a gift store, two classrooms, and a community room available for rent. The museum itself focuses on the relationship between humans and the land, as well as the role of water in carving out uses for each region in the state. The exhibits are chock-full digital displays and things begging for interaction. One exhibit delves into the history and culture of Idaho’s five federally recognized Native American tribes. Another, the Boomtown exhibit, allows children to replicate pioneer activities. The museum offers a robust experience for everyone. With a day’s worth to see and do, Idaho State Museum offers chances to read history, absorb history, and even make history.
The annual Treefort Music Fest is nearly here! The five-day extravaganza kicks off on Wednesday, March 20, and runs through Sunday, the 24th. This year, 432 bands will play 22 Downtown Boise venues, including the main stage. Some of the big names include Vince Staples, Toro y Moi, Liz Phair and hometown favorite Built to Spill. There’s more than just music: Alefort, Foodfort, Comedyfort, Kidfort, Yogafort, Storyfort, Skatefort, Filmfort, Hackfort and various performance arts will give you plenty to do.
All photos taken at the 2018 Treefort Music Fest by Andy Lawless.
THE BOISE AREA real estate market had a banner year in 2018. It looks like 2019 is starting the same. The median single-family home price in Ada County rose 12.45 percent to $314,739 over the previous 12 months. That’s up nearly $35,000 from the previous high set last January of $279,900. In Canyon County, prices jumped 20 percent to a new alltime record high of $235,000. 34
Lisa Kohl carefully studies the local housing market to give her clients the edge when buying or selling a home in Idaho. We Know Boise is a full-service real estate team that combines our LOCAL expertise with traditional know-how to create exceptional results for each of our clients.
That’s up nearly $40,000 from the year prior, also a previous record. Boise’s median price rose 15.23 percent to $295,000. The lack of homes for sale continues to push Treasure Valley home prices to new highs. While we continue to see a small uptick in new construction inventory, with 1,360 homes for sale In Ada County, the supply of available homes is
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still at record lows. Typical inventory for this time of year would be closer to 3,000, with that inching up to around 4,500 by September. Measured in months of supply, there is just under a month and a half of supply in Ada and Canyon Counties, meaning if no new homes were listed for sale with current demand, everything would sell out in six weeks.
SPRING ARRIVES EARLY Over the last five years, the winter season has brought new highs, and this one isn’t any different. For people wondering when the buying season starts—it never really stopped. The uptick in interest we used to see in March moved up to February, and then to January. Today, we are very much in a year-round market. We will see more homes start to hit the market by March, but that will also bring in more buyer competition. The half-of-a-percent decline in mortgage rates we saw between mid-November and January is holding, offering more purchasing power and affordability for buyers. If appropriately priced, you can expect multiple offers on “movein” ready properties priced below $300,000. TIPS FOR BUYERS If you’re looking to buy in 2019, expect a competitive market pitting bidders against one another. You’ll need to get your ducks in a row in order to give yourself the best chance.
With that in mind, the lender you choose matters right now. The first thing that most sellers and agents look for is how you are going to pay for the property. If it is a cash offer, they want to see a Proof of Funds, essentially a statement or letter from a financial institution showing you have the means to purchase the house. For financed offers, they want to see a pre-approval, which is not the same thing as a pre-qualification. There is a big difference. That used to go without saying, but even some national lenders don’t offer preapprovals anymore. Choosing the right lender is important, and can be the difference between whether or not you land that house at all. You want someone prompt, responsive, and on top of every detail. That means a lender that’s experienced, has a good reputation, and preferably local. UNNECESSARY (AND COSTLY ) RENOVATIONS Half of the money spent on renovations when preparing to sell is wasted.
B O I SE R E AL E S TATE M A R K ET • Median list price: $294,900 (up 13.86%) • Median sold price: $295,000 (up 15.23%) • Price per square foot: $184 (up 18.71.42%) • Total home sales: 252 (down from 277) • Median days on market: 19 days (down 1 day) • Available homes for sale: 0.89 months supply (up from 0.76) • 30-year mortgage rates: 4.46% (up from 4.03%)
It starts with the desire to finish all the projects you have been putting off, or just never completed. It’s then compounded by spending too much time watching HGTV and thinking every dollar put into it will come back two-fold. To make matters worse, the design is done in the seller’s taste without giving much thought to what buyers are actually looking for. By the way, right now that’s light hardwoods over dark floors, quartz countertops over granite, and (believe it or not) brass or gold fixtures over brushed nickel. You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve seen homeowners unnecessarily spend $20,000 or $50,000 or even $100,000. That’s money they never get back. ▲ FOR MORE INFORMATION: The online edition of Idaho REM: idahorem.com/publications/ We Know Boise’s interactive map of new developments in the Treasure Valley: weknowboise.com/idx/map/ We Know Boise’s builder page: weknowboise.com/boisehome-builders.php
M E D I A N SALE S PR I CE BY A R E A Ada County: $314,739 Eagle: $485,000 Garden City: $242,500 Kuna: $269,990 Meridian: $308,495 Star : $340,995 Canyon County: $235,000 Caldwell: $219,900 Middleton: $297,990 Nampa: $229,900
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A L L OF TH E
POWDER pose NO N E O F T H E
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A second home should be a sanctuary for peace and authenticity, not a place of pretense and pose. At Whitetail Club, the premier private community in the Pacific Northwest, you’ll find just that: a natural haven for your family to retreat to when searching for both adventure and serenity alike. Where backcountry skiing, indulging at our spa and dining at our lakefront clubhouse are everyday occurrences.
Located in spectacular McCall, Idaho, just two hours north of Boise, this is the mountain-lake community that you have been dreaming of. An authentic, luxurious life brimming with endless adventures, only at Whitetail Club. Explore more at WhitetailClub.com/Discover or call 877.634.1725. Homes starting from $739,000. Homesites starting from the low $300s.
Left Elevation
Obtain a Property Report required by Federal Law and read it before signing anything. No Federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. Whitetail Club is represented by Whitetail Club Realty, LLC. This is not an offering in any jurisdiction where prior qualification is required and no marketing or sales literature will be forwarded to or disseminated in such jurisdictions unless or until we have met such qualifications. We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. Scenes and views may be of a location not on or related to the property.
CO N T R I B U TO R S
H E AT H E R H A M I LTO N - P O S T writes from Boise where she lives with her husband and two sons. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona and writes for a variety of publications across the web. She’s into coffee, books, and DIY projects in all forms.
J A M E S DAW S O N
A N DY L AW L E S S
K A R E N DAY,
has been an award-winning journalist for nearly a decade covering just about everything you can think of in Idaho, Delaware and Washington. An Idaho native born and raised north of the time zone bridge, he now lives in Boise. When he’s not in the office, you can find James fly fishing, buffing up on his photography skills or watching the Seattle Mariners’ latest rebuilding season.
is a 30-year veteran of theater, film and television arts. His career has taken him around the world in pursuit of engaging human interest stories. He’s currently working with Idaho Public Television creating content for their American Graduate grant, a public media initiative to illuminate pathways to post-secondary education and career placement for 16-26 year olds.
author, journalist, filmmaker and publisher of Idaho REM, likes to dabble, albeit professionally, with Nikon cameras. In this issue our publisher takes to the local roads to showcase Explore Idaho and New Build Boom. A member of Journalists Without Borders, Day has dragged her cameras through war zones and wilderness for TIME, O Magazine, Marie Claire, NBC Nightly News and CNN. The boss lady of Idaho REM describes her day job as, “showing people why anytime is a great time to be in Idaho!”
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Interfaith Sanctuary: The People-first Shelter By Zach Kyle ∙ Photo by Andy Lawless
Religion, like politics, too often divides us. We obsess over the differences from one faith to the next rather than bond over shared themes of service and compassion. As its name suggests, Interfaith Sanctuary is all about setting aside those differences and coming together to shelter Boise’s homeless and vulnerable. The nonprofit started in 2005 when leaders from local Jewish, Catholic and Presbyterian congregations saw a need for a new kind of shelter and decided to do something about it. More religions and congregations have come into the mix since. Their shared dedication 40
to service is the ethic that powers the sanctuary, Executive Director Jodi Peterson said. “Every year, we have Jews and Muslims and Mormons make and serve Christmas dinner for our guests,” Peterson said. “This is a very accepting place. That’s a special part of how we operate.” Interfaith Sanctuary was formed because many of the shelters in Boise either require sobriety —no small ask for a population suffering from high rates of addiction—or that reserve their beds for either men or women or families. Interfaith Sanctuary takes all guests, period. The shelter’s 164
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beds are fully occupied most nights. The staff of 21 and large volunteer team offer a plethora of services, including programs catering to family needs and others helping guests pursue documentation, health insurance and job opportunities. Peterson said she’s thankful for the donations and enthusiastic volunteers that make Interfaith Sanctuary possible. “It’s such an amazing, strong, courageous group of people that we serve,” she said. “They have the ability to survive and take on each day despite so many challenges. They are inspiring to us.”
Alicia C. Ralston 208-850-7638 www.ralstongroupproperties.com
420 W MAIN STREET · SUITE 102 BOISE IDAHO 83702
191 SUN VALLEY ROAD · SUITE 202 KETCHUM IDAHO 83340