Come see Harris North in East Boise!

Join us at 6129 E Hootowl Drive for our Sip & Sunset event, Saturday, January 20 from 3-5pm and get a view from the top.

Come see why this community is so special. Nestled amid breathtaking scenery and wildlife, you have easy access to the many trails in the Boise Foothills, the Boise River and Greenbelt, Lucky Peak Reservoir, Barber Park and Marianne Williams Park. And, you’re just minutes away from great neighborhood eateries such as (our home) Bown Crossing’s Bier 30, The Tavern, Boise’s Fry Company and Locavore, as well as Harris Ranch’s Lucky 13 and one of our favs the Coffee Mill. Throw in great schools and a fabulous new library…and you’ve got it all!

If you are considering a move to East Boise, you will want to put Boise Hunter Homes' Harris North on your must-see list. See you there!

Gorgeous views - CLICK HERE to see aerial footage!

We all want to make more money, right? And, the Boise real estate market is hot, right? Well, why not take advantage and sell your home. Maybe you’ve been thinking about it for a while, but were a little unsure about the best time to do it. Now could be the right time.

Low inventory, low mortgage rates and record numbers of people relocating to the Treasure Valley - Boise, Eagle and Meridian areas - could mean more money in your pocket and a new start for the new year.

Be prepared to do a little work, however, if you want to capitalize on the sale of your home. The work may include everything from refreshing the interior and exterior paint to repairing small jobs you’ve been putting off. Your house will be competing against new homes that are being built all over the Valley so it needs to shine.

In fact, Boise Regional Realtors reports that in December 2017 there were more new construction homes for sale in Ada County over existing homes. Local inventory is low, which translates to, homes are in demand.  “In demand” is good for you, the seller. While some people like the idea of buying a new home, others prefer an existing home in an established neighborhood. Make your house as move in ready as possible and you can tout that the buyer won’t have to live with the construction noise and mess, and emphasize that the landscaping and perimeter fencing is already done, thereby, saving the buyer more time and money.

So, where do you start? If there are obvious things to fix, fix them. Then, find a good and experienced Realtor® who will provide you with the steps you need to take and guide you through the process. Interview the agent or agency team to find out what they bring to the table. For example, here at Templeton Real Estate Group, we believe that professional staging is a must to bring you a faster sale and for more money, and we offer that service complimentary with all of our listings. Also, some agents may tell you your home is worth more than it is to encourage you to choose them. However, overvaluing a property can be just as dangerous as undervaluing it. If the price is too high for the area or property type, your home could end up on the market for months. Eventually it will be necessary to drop the price, and some buyers may interpret this as a sign of desperation and will offer even less than the property is worth. Make sure your agent has a plan to market and sell your house and will clearly communicate with you.

The thought of selling your house can feel overwhelming, however, you are not alone. Talk with your agent about a plan, use their expertise to guide you and the pieces will fall into place. Keep your eye on the prize – the new home you’ve been dreaming about – and you’ll see it was all worth it.

In the meantime, here’s some good advice from HGTV "Property Brothers" stars who share their inside secrets on how to price your home to sell! Good advice for our Boise real estate market right now.

Click here for more tips here on getting your house ready to sell.

If you are considering selling your current house and would like to talk with us about what your options are, give us a call! Templeton Real Estate Group—208.473.2203 or via the web. We offer a free and confidential consultation. And, remember if you choose to list with us, we offer a complimentary staging service that, combined with our marketing expertise, will sell your house for more. You may not need to spend a lot in improvements to sell…staging may be all you need to make your house shine. We are TOP BOISE REAL ESTATE agents who know Boise real estate.

Are you a buyer looking for a new home? Come see East Boise and everything that makes it great — Boise River, Boise Greenbelt, and our beautiful Boise Foothills. 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 in Harris Ranch and River Heights.

By Bonnie Way Snider, Licenced Realtor® and Blogger

Sources:

Boise Regional Realtors. http://boirealtors.com/new-construction-homes-available-existing-ada-county/

Business Insider. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZIv4ulmzww

If you’ve been thinking about buying or selling your house this spring, now is the time to jump in and start planning! Coming off of a record year that topped $3 billion in sales for 2017, the Ada County and Boise real estate market is hot.

Traditionally, spring is when real estate is most active, but last year it amped up early with buyers and sellers getting busy in February. We expect more of the same this year, and with a proper game plan, you can take advantage of the excitement. But, you need to get to work now.

First, whether buying or selling, interview local agents who have expertise in the area and hire the one who answers your questions confidently, listens to you and presents a strategy. If you are selling your house, select an agent who will stage, professionally photograph and market your home, and will communicate with you/advise you throughout the process. If you are buying, select an agent who listens to your wants and needs, communicates well with you and you feel comfortable knowing they have your best interest at heart.

Also, learn about the market where you are buying or selling so that you have reasonable expectations on pricing. Some people think their home is worth more than the market will bear, because of sentimental reasons or what they paid for it. Overpricing your house results in it not selling. Eventually you will have to lower the price anyway, so price it right in the beginning. Ask your agent for comparable sales in the area and have reasonable expectations. Likewise, if you are buying, you will of course want to get the best deal possible, but the sellers know what their house is worth.  Low-balling likely won’t result in a positive outcome for you.

Tips for Spring Cleaning and Getting Your House Ready to Sell

If you are selling, you know you will have to do some spring cleaning and decluttering, so you may as well get started now so you won’t have to do everything at once. Because of low inventory, buyers are making decisions quickly, so you need to be sure your house will show at its shining best. We recommend staging – we offer complimentary staging with every listing – however, before staging you will have to declutter, pack up (you’re moving anyway, so you might as well get a head start), and clean.

After doing some research, we liked Martha Stewart’s spring cleaning tips best.  However, Joanna Gaines has a good blog also. We liked Joanna’s recommendation on organizing before you start your cleaning. She says, “This spring cleaning is a perfect opportunity to rid your home of the “stuff” you can live without. I can’t stress this enough—your whole family will feel the benefits of rooms and spaces that can breathe, so before you even start the cleaning, get five trash bags and start filling them with items your family has outgrown or no longer needs. If you don’t love it, toss it. Trash anything that is broken and serves no purpose and donate items to local shelters and you’ll feel much better before you even start.” Click here for Joanna’s full blog and checklist.

Back to Martha — she recommends, “After you read through the tips and techniques, tailor the list to your home and yard. Create a realistic schedule, keeping in mind that a single weekend won't suffice, as you'll need several days for more involved projects, such as shampooing carpets and organizing closets. Whether you prefer to proceed from the attic to the basement or start outdoors and wind your way inside, focus on one task at a time. And be sure to enlist the help of family members.”

Click here for a thorough and printable Martha Stewart spring cleaning checklist.

Watch this for in-depth information on how to organize and prepare your house for sale!

And, don’t forget about the outside of your home. Check out our blog on tips for spring cleaning the exterior of your home:  https://www.templetonrealestategroup.com/blog/top-tips-to-spring-up-your-boise-house/

By Bonnie Way Snider, Licenced Realtor© and Blogger

Sources:

http://boirealtors.com/3-billion-worth-homes-sold-ada-county-setting-new-record/

https://magnoliamarket.com/spring-cleaning/

http://www.marthastewart.com/267295/spring-cleaning-checklist. The information was excerpted from "Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook" (Clarkson Potter/Publishers; 2006).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvTsOklDY50&t=70s

Are you thinking about relocating to Boise? Well, join the ranks – you are not alone!  Boise, and the Treasure Valley as the area is known, is growing faster than the national average. In fact, the Washington Post claims in an article dated Dec. 26, 2017, “Idaho is the fastest-growing state in the union. …And Boise is booming. Most newcomers have settled in the capital and the cities and suburbs surrounding it, compounding the state’s urbanization advantage. They appear to be drawn by the city’s combination of size and low cost of living. Idaho has the fourth-cheapest cost of living in the country, according to a 2017 index from the Council for Community and Economic Research.”

People have discovered our grand city and want to enjoy the quality of life that so many of us appreciate here. Good jobs, affordable housing and a safe, clean and vibrant downtown make Boise a great place to live.

Downtown Boise with Idaho's Capitol Building and snow-covered foothills

Boise has something for everyone – four seasons; including hot, dry summers and snowy, cold winters! The seasons afford outdoor activities year-round, including golf, river rafting, paddle boarding, boating, biking, and hiking to downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and now roller-coastering at our local ski hill. Indoor enthusiasts can enjoy all that larger cities offer including concerts, professional theatre, ballet and philharmonic. Sports enthusiasts enjoy pro sports with local minor league hockey and baseball teams, and Boise State University showcases its nationally-ranked football team each year and BSU basketball is quite popular also.

The Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce describes Boise as, “…a great place to live, work and visit! Whether it’s the vibrant cultural and recreational opportunities, the friendly people or the mild climate, Boise and the surrounding communities afford a quality of life second to none. Nestled in the Treasure Valley against the majestic foothills, Boise is part of a thriving metropolitan area of over 550,000 people. Boise is the largest metropolitan area in Idaho, and also the most remote metropolitan area in the United States, fostering a “unique sense of community.”

Watch this HGTV spot on a family’s journey relocating to Boise from California.

If you are thinking about moving here or just wondering about all the hubbub, give us a call. We’d love to talk with you about our city and our housing market. Though housing prices are rising, they are still very affordable and there’s something here for everyone. We specialize in East Boise, but our agents are well-versed with the entire valley, work with out-of-state buyers all of the time, and with a few questions can help you find your ideal neighborhood.

Templeton Real Estate Group – 208-473-2203. Call us today!

By Bonnie Way Snider, Licensed Realtor© and Blogger

Source:

http://www.boisechamber.org/relocation

http://www.hgtv.com/videos/relocating-to-boise-idaho-0195004

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/12/26/2017s-fastest-and-slowest-growing-states-are-neighbors-heres-why-their-paths-diverged/?pushid=5a42b759873fb41d00000029&tidr=notifi_push_breaking-news&utm_term=.828db34092d1

We love Boise, and we love Bown Crossing block parties  -  the annual Summer Extravaganza and the Winter Holiday Mix & Mingle! It’s a great opportunity for us to thank our valued clients and friends, and let you know how much we appreciate you! 

At this year’s event, we did some wonderful holiday arrangement giveaways, as well as a children’s prize, and hosted a VIP soiree! Thanks to everybody who stopped by to share in some holiday cheer, and to those who couldn’t make it, we hope to see you next time! Or, any time you're in the neighborhood.

Happiest of holidays to you all and our very best wishes for a joyous New Year!

Many people feel nostalgic during the holidays. They long for Christmas’ past, to their childhood homes, and warm family memories. Often these memories are made by sharing in family traditions. Perhaps it’s a memory of baking and decorating cookies with your grandmother, cooking a special Christmas-eve dinner or Christmas-day brunch, watching a favorite movie, or caroling with family and friends around the neighborhood.

Whether you have these memories or not, the great thing about traditions is that you can always begin new ones! You can start something this year that your kids and family will look forward to for years to come, and maybe carry on with their families.

We have a few in our family, but one in particular we look forward to every year, is a visit to Boise’s Botanical Gardens, “Winter Garden Aglow,” on Christmas Eve. Some years friends join us, and other years we go alone. But, every year – rain or sleet or snow or verrrry cold - we go. The thousands of twinkling lights look so much more magical to us on Christmas Eve, and after we return home, we make hot chocolate and eat cookies by the fire to warm up. I realized how important this tradition was to my daughter when I mentioned about possibly doing something else this year, and she gasped in horror at the very thought. The gasp was followed by an adamant, “No!”

Traditions help create the fabric of our families. And, like sewing a square onto a quilt, we can add to that fabric, square-by-square, tradition-by-tradition, and let it encompass us with warmth.

If you would like to start a new tradition with your family this year, check out some events to participate in and some great ideas provided by Parents.com:

• Count down to Christmas
  Build suspense for Santa’s arrival with a countdown calendar. Feeling crafty? Follow this step-by-step tutorial that uses paper cups, a bulletin board, and tasty treats to create an Advent calendar. Or, transform a magnetic board into a countdown calendar with tiny tins, magnets, and glue. If you’re not so DIY, a store-bought calendar will still equal big-time fun for cuties who can’t wait until Christmas!
• Visit a tree farm
  Start your family's holiday festivities off right by bundling up and heading to a local Christmas tree farm to search for the perfect tree. Chances are, you'll get to enjoy more than finding the perfect fir: Many tree farms offer hayrides, sleigh rides, and other family-friendly activities (Santa may even show up!). Hot cocoa so not optional!
• Trim the tree together
  Your Christmas tree is your home's focal point for several weeks, so deck it out in style. Step one to achieving an Instagram-worthy tree: Fluff those branches, then hang lights (make sure to perform a Clark Griswaldesque bulb check first) starting at the base and working your way up, before stringing garlands. Be sure to supervise the unpacking of ornaments and hooks to avoid breakage or injury to little hands. Then, take turns hanging fave ornaments on the tree. A boost from mom or dad to reach high branches is sure to induce giggles and a photo-worthy moment. Just remind eager tree-trimming tots to be careful with the delicate ornaments and family heirlooms.
• Start an ornament collection
  Capture memories in the form of special ornaments that grow your collection each year. Commemorate your baby’s first Christmas, a child’s special interest, frame school photos to hang on the tree, or even personalize ornaments with names and dates. Another idea: DIY one together with your kids as a fun craft project. You can give one each year when you trim the tree, or attach them to wrapped gifts as a special decorative touch.
• Set up a Christmas Eve hot cocoa bar
  Break out the hot cocoa and Christmas cookies—but step up your presentation a notch: Instead of just serving everyone a mug of cocoa, set up a hot-cocoa station complete with mini marshmallows, whipped cream, colored sprinkles, candy canes, and more.
• Go holiday "light-seeing"
  Whether your house is aglow in holiday lights or you prefer to let others do the outdoor decorating, pick a night where you all pack in the car and drive around to see the dazzling displays in your neighborhood. Pack hot cocoa or apple cider in insulated sippy cups and set off!
• Wear matching holiday PJs
  Admit it: Matching holiday PJs are just fun—and not just for your kids, either. Start a Christmas Eve tradition where you all open up one special gift that you can use right away—coordinating pajamas—and start the holiday off in sweet matchy-matchy style.
• Incorporate a new cultural tradition
  Broaden your family's cultural awareness and spice up a typical holiday celebration with traditions from around the world. Look to your own roots for inspiration, or explore a culture that has always fascinated you. It can be as simple as teaching the kiddos how to say "happy holidays" in another language, or as elaborate as fixing a traditional holiday food from across the globe. One idea: Celebrate Nochebuena. Another idea: invite friends over for a multicultural holiday soiree!
• Give back
  Make others' lives merry and bright during the Christmas season. Some fun ideas for giving back: Wrap gifts to help kids who need it have a happier holiday season. Volunteer at your local homeless shelter or senior living community. Or, send supplies and greeting cards to soldiers stationed abroad, and away from their families, for the holidays.
• Create a holiday playlist
  Whether you're trimming the tree, preparing for a party, or just in the car or getting dinner ready, help your family get their groove on with a customized holiday playlist. Ask everyone to add their favorites, from classics like 'Jingle Bell Rock' to Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas is You.'  Add different artists' interpretations of familiar songs, and challenge each family member to discover a festive new find.

For fun ways to make the holiday extra-magical for your family, click this!

And, if we can help you with a new Boise-area home to create those wonderful family traditions, please call us today @ 208.473.2203.  As a FULL SERVICE real estate brokerage, our mission is to provide you, our clients with the pinnacle of service, staging and redesign expertise, as well as top notch real estate marketing when buying or selling your Boise Home.

From our Templeton Real Estate Group family to yours, Happy Holidays!

By Bonnie Way Snider, Licensed Realtor© and Blogger

Source:

https://www.parents.com/holiday/christmas/traditions/creating-family-traditions/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtPqLWUW1zU

One of the things I, and pretty much everybody I talk with who lives in and around Boise, love about living here is the sense of community and generosity of the people. Year-round, people get involved, donating their time and treasure, to the many wonderful non-profit groups and do what they can to help those less fortunate thrive. That is most obvious around the holidays.

There are so many ways to offer help, whether it be serving holidays meals to the homeless through the Boise Rescue Mission or buying gifts from hanging wish tags on a downtown tree for moms and children who are sheltered at the Women’s and Children’s Alliance. And, what I have found is that once a family engages together to help people, it feels so good that it becomes something they all look forward to doing together each year — and a family tradition is born.

In addition, to helping others during the holidays, families can continue or begin new traditions that may carry on for generations. Some of the events, such as the Holiday Parade, Saint Alphonsus’ Festival of Trees, and The Grove and State Capitol tree lightings have already occurred. But, there is still plenty of time to take in some other of our favorite holiday events.

A must see is the Idaho Botanical Gardens, Winter Garden Aglow. It features a display of more than 300,000 sparkling lights with special visits from Santa and his reindeer Prancer and local choirs, visitors can also enjoy cocoa, cider and cookies. Open 6-9 pm daily through Jan. 1.
More info at: http://idahobotanicalgarden.org

Another steadfast holiday event is Ballet Idaho’s annual production of The Nutcracker.  Shows are performed at the beautiful Morrison Center and run evening and matinee times from Dec. 15-17.  Then, take in another holiday favorite at Morrison Center with the sounds of Mannheim Steamroller.
More info and tickets at: http://www.morrisoncenter.com/events/detail/the-nutcracker and http://www.morrisoncenter.com/events/detail/mannheim-steamroller-christmas

If you feel like being a little more active, take part in the Downtown Boise YMCA Christmas Run on Dec. 23. There’s something for the whole family to enjoy as participants dress up in holiday costumes and are encouraged to walk, jog or run!
More info at: http://www.ymcatvidaho.org/runs/christmas-run/

Those are just a few of our favorites, however, there is much more to do. Check out these links to find more information about Treasure Valley holiday events!

https://downtownboise.org/events/christmas-in-the-city

http://www.boise.org/boise/events

https://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/eventsearch

http://www.idahocalendar.com/events/holiday-seasonal-browse-38.aspx

And remember this is a great time to list or buy a home. Please call us – our team of professionals at Templeton Real Estate Group are here to help if we can be of service 208.473.2203! Happy Holidays!

By Bonnie Way Snider, Licensed Realtor© and Blogger

Selling your house over the holidays can be difficult, however, keep in mind that with less inventory this time of year - and overall low inventory in Boise, your house has less competition! You have an opportunity to make your house shine. So, how do you do that and also decorate for the holidays so you and your family can still feel festive?

You will want to be careful to not overdo the holiday decor. But, if you follow the tips below, you can achieve both objectives - appeal to buyers and still honor your family traditions.

HGTV.com contributing writer, Kara Wahlgren, offers these tips on staging your home over the holidays:

• Clean and stage. “Before you decorate, your house needs to be staged,” Powers says. If your living room is already piled high with clutter and tchotchkes, your ceramic reindeer collection is only going to add to the sense of overcrowding.
• Create a cozy vibe. The less-is-more mantra of home staging may tempt you to forgo holiday cheer this year. But a few subtle touches like a bowl of pinecones, an evergreen wreath, or a pot of cider simmering on the stove can create a warm and festive feeling in your home.
• Complement your palette. Before you start untangling your tinsel, make sure your holiday collection matches your current decor. If your living room is painted a soothing ocean-blue hue, skip the clashing red garland and opt for white snowflakes or a silver glass-ball wreath. If you’ve got an earthy color scheme, accent with rich tones like cranberries, forest greens and gold.
• Accentuate the positive. Too many trimmings may distract buyers, but the right accessories can draw attention to your home’s best features. Dangle mistletoe in an arched doorway, or display your menorah on the ledge of a bay window; just don’t block a beautiful view with stick-on snowflake decals or clutter an elegant fireplace with personalized stockings.
• Go light on lights. Step away from the inflatable snowman, Clark Griswold. One man’s “merry” is another man’s “tacky,” so tone down any garish light displays while your home is on the market. (No, your neighbors didn’t pay us to say that.) Instead, use simple string lighting to play up your home’s architecture or draw attention to the gorgeous fir tree in your front yard.
• Be an equal-opportunity decorator. Leave the life-sized Nativity scene in storage this year, because overtly religious flourishes may be off-putting to some buyers. “You want to keep neutrality throughout, so you can attract any type of buyer,” Powers says. Not sure what qualifies? Powers adds, “No matter what your religion is, you’re not going to feel offended by a nutcracker.”
• Mind the tree. A tall Christmas tree can help you show off your two-story great room, but make sure the wide base won’t overwhelm the floor space. If your living area is on the small side, save space with a skinny tree. Swap the gaudy heirloom ornaments and trim your tree in a cohesive theme such as icicle lights and silver tinsel, for example, or blue and gold glass balls.
• Clear the clutter. A few decorations can stir the holiday spirit, but don’t feel obliged to hang every last ornament. “A lot of people, when they decorate, tend to use all the extra space in their house,” Powers says. “You still want each space to look as spacious as possible.” Limit yourself to a few hints of holiday flair, but stash the rest in the basement for now. If you start to miss your Santa figurines, just remember that with a little luck, you’ll be celebrating next year’s holidays in a new home. And you can decorate that place any way you please.

Tips for Staging Over the Holidays

A great real estate agency will professionally stage or help you stage your home appropriately. This service is complimentary when you list with Templeton Real Estate Group. And, staging when done well has been proven to sell houses faster and for more.

If you are thinking about selling your Boise area home, call us today for a free market analysis – 208.473.2203. All Templeton Real Estate Group clients receive a home preparation consultation, a home preparation report, photo styling assistance and whole home staging by Silver Sage Staging.  We deliver results with decades of area expertise, service, property pricing, and negotiating.

By Bonnie Way Snider, Licensed Realtor© and Blogger

Source:

http://www.hgtv.com/design/real-estate/staging-tips-for-selling-during-the-holidays