We love living in East Boise and all it has to offer. Though we are seeing a lot of growth in recent years, we still have the Boise River, Boise Greenbelt, and our beautiful Boise Foothills to enjoy. Whether walking, hiking, jogging, biking, or just appreciating the views, these are Boise gems and treasures of our Valley. And, a large reason why builders like Boise Hunter Homes and Brighton Corporation are developing the area with new homes and people are moving here from out-of-state.

You know who else enjoys the Foothills and the Boise River? Our wildlife! In fact, the Boise River and Boise Foothills corridor is critical to the well-being and migration of area wildlife. And, while we all want to live here, we are vastly reducing wildlife habitat and migration corridors for our furry, hairy and feathered friends.

The Department of Fish and Game believes a functioning wildlife corridor maintained in the Maynard Gulch area that connects upland habitat in the Boise River Wildlife Management Area with floodplain habitat along the Boise River in the Barber Pool areas is critical. That connection currently exists, but poorly planned development between the Foothills and the Boise River could damage or destroy it. Migration corridors along Warm Springs Avenue need to be considered for wildlife to safely access the Boise River.

How You Can Help

You can do your part to join the efforts of your neighbors and the Barber Valley Neighborhood Association (BVNA) to preserve a small part of our Foothills.

Come to learn more and get the full details about proposed future use, and see just how important this property is to adding a quality of life amenity for the entire Barber Valley and beyond:

Meeting on Wednesday, April 5th, 7:00 PM @Harris Ranch Mill District Clubhouse (4057 S. Mill Site Ave.)

 

The drive to help keep our hills open by buying the 25 acre Ramaker property is off to a very promising start. Fundraising began with the BVNA Board kickoff on March 9 when 100% of the Board pledged various amounts reaching 14% of the goal. On March 14, River Heights neighbors contributed another 20%. Since then, additional pledges from throughout the Valley have been made taking it to 36%. On March 27, a pending sale status was reached and both the seller and broker/realtor contributed towards the campaign with the largest pledge thus far. There has been a very collaborative relationship with the seller. The fundraising goal must be reached by May 26. The BVNA is asking you to please come join the team! This is an extraordinary opportunity for Barber Valley and all citizens of Boise to make a difference that will last beyond many, many lifetimes.

Why Should You Help?

Perhaps Chuck McDevitt, former Foothills Conservation Advisory Committee chair and past member of the Parks and Recreation Commission of Boise, said it best in an Idaho Public Television interview with Joan Cartan-Hansen about preserving open space in the Boise Foothills, “I think if you are going to enjoy the banquet of life, every once in a while you’ve got to do some dishes and this is doing some dishes, as far as I’m concerned. This is some payback for what my kids, my family and I have enjoyed.”

 

Brief History of the Barber Valley and Harris Ranch Area

In 1902, James Barber built a lumber mill by the river, and a whole town developed there that carried his last name. In its heyday, railroads converged there to pick up loads of lumber grown in Idaho forests and milled in Barber.

Half a century or so later, Dallas and Alta Harris acquired land in the area and eventually established a cattle ranch. Dallas envisioned the area as the future site of a village occupied by families committed to the same ideals he cherished — preservation and stewardship of the environment. He drafted a plan in 1976 and, decades later, dreams have evolved into a very real legacy. Harris Ranch bills itself as a 1,300-acre development that “strikes a careful balance between new development and the protection of the environment, wildlife habitat and historic values in the Barber Valley,” according to its website.

[Excerpt from Ellie McKinnon’s November 21, 2015, Special to the Statesman, History, Serenity in eastern Boise]

 

by Bonnie Way Snider, April 4, 2017

Sources and Read More: http://www.idahostatesman.com/living/article45877590.html#storylink=cpy

https://pds.cityofboise.org/media/307816/barbervalleyspecificplan_1-10.pdf

http://idahoptv.org/outdoors/shows/foothills/chuckmcdevitt.cfm

Even if your Idaho home is kept tidy, decluttering your home is essential to getting it ready for your open house and for showings.

When potential homebuyers are shown your Boise home, they can easily become overwhelmed and distracted by visual clutter. Here are eight easy ways to eliminate the mess and make your home show-ready.

1) Get rid of stuff you don’t need. Keeping your home clutter-free is an ongoing process, but during this important time you’ll need to remove things you’re not using. Go through every room in your home, one at time and sort into piles:

1. Sell – move into storage bins during showings or have a garage sale
2. Donate – load up the car right away and donate it
3. Trash – take it right to the curb

If you’re having trouble deciding, sometimes it’s helpful to ask yourself, “If I was in a store right now, would I buy this?” If the answer is no—let someone else enjoy it, or toss it.

2) Consider furniture with hidden storage solutions. Decorative storage trunks that double as guest seating and beds with built-in drawers are smart long-term investments.

3) Invest in inexpensive storage containers. After you’ve removed items you’re no longer using, keep your belongings in storage containers so everything has its place. These can be as simple as baskets for magazines, blankets or pillows, media boxes for electronics and cords, or plastic bins for seasonal items that you can store in your attic, garage, or basement.

4) Use storage systems. Keeping shoes in a hanging shoe rack in a foyer or bedroom closet, and hanging bags in the closet are a great way keeps your floors clear of clutter. Same goes for closets—you can find some inexpensive hanging systems to hold foldable items and keep them out of sight.

5) Keep counters clear. In the kitchen, keep small kitchen appliances like toasters and coffee makers stowed when you’re not using them to show off your home’s abundant counter space. In the bathroom, keep personal items in baskets or cabinets and completely out of sight.

6) Handle mail right away. Don’t let mail or magazines pile up. Go through the new mail when it arrives, sort and throw away anything you don’t need right away. Use a simple filing system for mail and papers you’ll need or take photos of items with your smartphone and toss them right away.

7) Start a basket system. Designate a basket for each person in your family and, as you’re decluttering, drop each family member’s items into their basket and have them put items away at the end of every day. You can keep these baskets on the stairs or under an entryway bench.

8) Make decluttering an ongoing activity. Decluttering shouldn’t only happen before an open house. Keep your Boise home fresh and clutter-free all year long by using some simple tricks like throwing out five items every time you clean a room, tossing or donating old clothes every time you buy something new, and filling a bag to donate every week. Being mindful of new items you bring into your home will also help maximize your decluttering efforts.

“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” – William Morris

Looking for more homeowner tips? Check out more advice here and reach out to your local Idaho realty expert for one-on-one guidance.

You’ve packed your bags, double checked your flight time, and tucked your passport into your bag. Remember to safeguard your Boise home from potential burglars before you sip a frosty beverage on a sandy beach. Here are some smart ways to protect your home:

• Lock up. This might sound overly obvious, but make sure you’ve secured all door and window locks, including night locks when you leave.
• Put lights on timers. A well-lit home should detract potential burglars so set timers on lights to go on and off when you’d normally be home.
• Make sure your mail doesn’t pile up. A pile of newspapers on your front porch or an over-stuffed mailbox are sure signs that no one has been home for a while. Have a trusted friend or neighbor collect your mail and any packages once a day or every few days to make it look like someone is home. Putting a stop on your mail isn’t necessarily a smart idea because your mail carrier will know you’re away.
• Keep a car parked in the driveway. Your empty driveway can be a signal that your home is empty too. Make arrangements with a neighbor or friend to park in your driveway randomly during the day or overnight when they arrive home each day.
• Keep your curtains or blinds as you normally do. If you normally keep your blinds open but close them when you’re on vacation, this is an obvious signal that something is different. Keep them as you normally do to not attract unwanted attention.
• Ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on your home. Let your neighbors know you’re going out of town and leave them your contact information. They know the neighborhood so are well-suited to spot any out of the ordinary activity.
• Make sure your home looks kept. If it’s winter and you’re expecting snow, arrange for a neighbor to clear your driveway (this will also be a nice treat when you arrive home and can easily pull in your driveway). If you expect to be gone more than a week in the spring or summer, arrange to have your lawn cut.
• Consider hiring a house-sitter. One of the best ways to avoid worrying about your home while you’re away is hiring someone you trust to stay at your home while you’re away. This can be especially helpful if you also have pets, so you can avoid the hassle and fees associated with boarding.
• Turn off electric garage door openers. This will reduce the risk of a burglar attempting to enter your garage using a universal electric remote.
• Avoid posting your plans and whereabouts on social media. You’re excited about your trip, but avoid posting the details of your trip including when you’re leaving and where you’re going. Only tell a few trusted people about your plans, and save vacation photos for your return.
• Install a security system. This will not only protect your Boise home when you’re away but also when you’re home.
• Let the local police know. If you live in a small town and will be away more than a week, there’s no harm in letting them know you’ll be away. When they have some downtime, the local police can take a quick cruise past your home to make sure everything looks okay.

Check out these other tips for living in Boise and surrounding areas or reach out to your local Idaho realty expert for one-on-one advice.

Finally, spring has sprung in Boise! After a long winter, it feels great to get outside in the East Boise sunshine, spruce up our yards and think about planting flowers and adding color to the outside of our homes. Whether staying or selling your house this spring, a little exterior cleaning, sprucing up and gardening will go a long way to adding curb appeal.

For ideas on what to plant, check out neighborhoods with properties you like to see what they have planted. For example, builders such as Boise Hunter Homes are constructing new homes with varying house and yard styles in Harris Ranch, Harris Crossing, Dallas Harris Estates and Harris North, and have professional landscapers that know what grows well with low maintenance in this climate. Or, you can look at more established neighborhoods such as Harris Ranch Spring Creek / Mill District, or River Run and Lakewood, to see how plants will mature. Before you invest in trees, shrubs or plants, you should know your Plant Hardiness Zone, so you can assess how to proceed.

Once you gather some great ideas for inspiration, you will need to get started. And, like any list of chores, dividing them into manageable areas will help:

For the Garden

Whether you have a large garden, medium flowerbeds, or just a small planted area, completing these chores will make a big difference:

• Weeding: Removing weeds is much easier when they’re small and the soil is moist with spring rain. To minimize the reappearance of weeds, consider using weed control fabric or tarp in your garden or flowerbeds.
• Plant New and Uncover Established Plants: If you use covers to protect delicate plants, remove them as soon as the danger of frost has passed.

• Pruning: Spring is a fine time to prune trees and shrubs. Consider their overall size and shape when you’re and recycle the clippings in a brush pile for the birds or by creating mulch or compost.
• Insects: Spring is the best time to treat your garden area and flowerbeds for insects to minimize any pest problems.
• Mulch: Rake the mulch in your garden and flowerbeds to mix air closer to the soil and refresh the color of the mulch.

For the Lawn

Even a beautiful home will look dingy if the lawn is in poor shape. While you don’t want to wash your lawn, there are several spring cleaning chores that can help it look its best.

• Litter: The first task is to pick up any litter and dispose of it properly. Remember to check underneath trees, shrubs, and bushes as well.
• Raking: Dormant grass is easily flattened and matted by months of snowfall. Gently rake your lawn to remove dead grass, perk up the dormant blades, and give your lawn a boost.
• Aeration: Over time your lawn can become compacted, making it difficult for water and air to reach the roots of your grass for the lushest, greenest growth. Consider an aeration service to help loosen your lawn and encourage thicker, sturdier grass.
• Fertilizing: A spring fertilization treatment can give your grass a boost of nutrients for strong spring and summer growth. You can apply a fertilizer yourself, or contact a lawn care company for an estimate.
• Sprinklers: If your yard has a sprinkler system, check the condition of the visible pipes and valves, and test the system to be sure it is working well.

For the House

Cleaning the actual structure of your house is easy and will instantly improve its appearance.

• Windows: Washing windows and screens will give you a sparkling view of spring even if it’s still a bit too cold to be outside enjoying it as much as you want.
• Gutters: Cleaning out rain gutters is a fall chore for many homeowners, but checking them again in the spring will ensure that no debris has become clogged in them during winter storms.
• Siding: Pressure wash the siding of your home to remove grime. Be sure to start at the highest points of your home to avoid washing dirt down onto clean areas.
• Garage: Cleaning out the garage will give you more space for summer equipment such as bikes, outdoor games, and gardening equipment. This may be a good time to hold a yard sale as well.

And, if you’ve seen something you like while looking around in Harris Ranch or another East Boise neighborhood, please give Templeton Real Estate Group a call. We offer a free and confidential consultation, and with your listing, complimentary staging services! As your East Boise real estate experts, we will walk you through each step, make the process easy and stress-free for you, and sell your house faster and for more!

Read what our happy clients are saying about us! Call Templeton Real Estate Group today @ 208.473.2203 or visit our websitefor more information.

Sources:

http://www.boisehunterhomes.com/

http://cleaning.lovetoknow.com/Exterior_Spring_Cleaning

http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/

Did you know that 95 percent staged homes sell on average in 11 days or less and for 17 percent more? Did you also know that Templeton Real Estate Group believes so strongly in the importance of staging the homes we sell, that we employ a full-time, accredited staging team? According to a 2015 report by the National Association of Realtors, the median dollar value to stage a home is $675 for each home, but the larger and higher priced homes may cost a lot more. However, with a listing contract, Templeton Real Estate Group offers clients exclusive and custom staging services for free!*

The East Boise real estate market is hot right now, and because of that buyers are forced to make decisions quickly. Houses in Harris Ranch, River Heights, River Run, and all over Northeast and Southeast Boise are in high demand. Appealing to those buyers quickly is of the utmost importance, and home staging is one of the best ways to do it.

Your house should not only look great in person, but also in pictures and video online. Nine in 10 home buyers today rely on the internet as one of their primary research sources, and 52 percent turn to the web as their first step. So, to get buyers into your house, it should be staged and marketed appropriately and professionally to appeal to the 90 percent who will research online first.

In addition to selling faster and for more, staging your home will give you a head start on packing! You have to pack anyway so why not start now? Staging will require you to declutter and pack up personal belongings to allow buyers to imagine themselves living in the house. By “de-personalizing” the house, you help buyers to see the house as a good fit for their family. You don’t want them to see yourfamily living in it. If they see your personal items, such as photos and knick knacks, they’ll have a harder time making a personal connection to the home. By staging the home, you’re making your job easier when it comes time to move!

Let us go to work for you! Call Templeton Real Estate Group today @ 208.473.2203 or visit our website to arrange for your confidential and complimentary consultation! Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our happy clients! As your East Boise real estate experts, we will walk you through each step, make the process easy and stress-free for you, and sell your house faster and for more!

* Costs may apply depending on the scope of work client requests

Sources:

https://www.stagedhomes.com/PDF/ASP%20Home%20Stagi…

https://www.nar.realtor/reports/2015-profile-of-home-staging

https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/Study-Digital-House-Hunt-2013-01_1.pdf

http://www.homebuyinginstitute.com/mortgage/stage-your-house-166/#ixzz4byrv2s8b

It’s move-in day! Moving into your new Boise home is both exciting and exhausting. There’s no arguing that moving is a lot of work, but there are some easy ways to make sure the day goes smoothly.

1) Pre-move the bathroom and kitchen. Once you’ve closed on your new home and have your new keys in hand, visit your new abode and make a list of everything new you’ll need to buy. These might be things like an additional garbage can, toilet paper holders, or a shower curtain rod. Purchase these items before you move, and move them into your new Idaho home before moving day to have these in place.

2) Measure your new rooms. Moving a bulky couch can be labor-intensive so it’s important to make sure all that hard work will pay off. Make sure to measure the dimensions of your new rooms to evaluate which furniture should be donated or left behind instead of transported.

3) Deep Clean. Most sellers leave their homes swept but, while it’s totally empty, you’re provided the perfect opportunity to get into every corner for some TLC. Don’t forget those extra crannies you don’t regularly clean (like the tops of door frames and appliances) for a special feeling of starting fresh once you finish moving in.

4) Fill the fridge and pantry. Before moving day, visit the grocery store and stock up on food items you’ll need during the first week at home. Cooking a big meal likely won’t be on your to-do list for a while, so stock up on canned goods, frozen pizzas, plenty of beverages, and quick snacks for yourself and your moving crew.

5) Stock your moving supplies. Keep box cutters, paper towels, all-purpose cleaner, and some tools like screwdrivers and hammers handy. It’s also a good idea to have multiple sets of these so you can have a few in each room. Use zippered sandwich bags to hold screws from furniture, then tape to the furniture item for easy reassembly.

6) Label with contents and room name. Make sure each box is labeled with the contents as well as the room to help unloading run smoothly. As you unload boxes from your moving truck, bring them straight to their correct room– this way, you won’t have dozens of boxes overwhelming a single space in your home, only to shuffle them around again later.

7) Decide which rooms to unpack first. Generally, you’ll want to unpack your bedroom and bedding first. Moving day is going to be long and tiring, so you won’t want to be searching for your pillows and blankets at midnight. Do this first so you can get a good night’s sleep and prepare for the next day. Which room you prioritize next also might depend on where your agenda takes you. Maybe you want to unpack the living room so you can relax and watch television on day one. Or maybe you want to enjoy a homemade breakfast on your first morning in your new home so unpacking your kitchen might be a good idea to tackle first. If you have kids, you’ll likely want to unpack their rooms first so they can start to adjust and settle in.

8) Unpack box contents by room. Go through one room at a time and unpack the contents. It will feel less overwhelming to focus on one small, manageable area instead of tackling your entire home all at once.

9) Pack an overnight bag with essentials. Treat it like your carry-on bag when you travel. What do you need for a day or two? Pack a few changes of clothes, toiletries, and some soap.

10) Have someone watch your kids and pets. This will make the day go smoothly so you can focus on the move without taking away from the needs of your kids and animals. If you’re eager to get everyone adjusted, plan to have them dropped off at your new home in time for dinner, just in time for a break after you’ve gotten through unpacking all your top priority rooms.

Now that you’re prepared for moving into your new home, make sure you’ve covered your bases with financing and take a look at some other Boise real estate tips on our blog. Don’t forget to ask all of your other questions about buying a Idaho home!