Looking for a new home in Boise? Concerned about maintaining a healthy lifestyle for you and your loved ones? Here are a few factors that will help you choose the right neighborhood for your search.

Parks and Recreation

It’s no secret that being healthy is about staying active. That’s a lot easier when you can take advantage of local parks for outdoor activities and organized recreation opportunities like sports leagues and fitness classes. Living near open space and forested areas will also help you protect your family from air pollution as a result of traffic congestion.

Local Ordinances and Neighborhood Associations

Some towns and cities like Boise and Eagle do more than others to protect the local environment and promote the health of their citizens, with ordinances about noise pollution and zoning.While some neighborhood associations exist largely to enforce arbitrary standards about the superficial appearance of homes, others have more substantive standards about sustainable landscaping and other environmental factors.

Walkability and Bikeability

Whether you’re eight or eighty years old, walking and biking are great ways to stay healthy in Idaho. Residents of walkable neighborhoods tend to weigh up to 10 pounds less than those in less walkable neighborhoods. Walk Score offers a neighborhood’s walkability and bikeability score using the proximity of shops and services as well as features like sidewalks, bike lanes, and crosswalks.

Water Quality and Other Concerns

Unless you’re willing to spend hundreds of dollars every year on filtration systems, you’ll want to make sure the neighborhood you choose in Boise has a high quality public water supply and is free of other chemical and industrial contaminants. The Environmental Protection Agency’s website aggregates data on water quality, air quality, known and threatened releases of hazardous substances, and former industrial sites (or “brownfields”), allowing you to search by zip code.

As the Boise real estate landscape changes over the years, buyers, sellers, and homeowners have started doing more with less house. Here are a few simple tips for getting the most out of your humble abode:

Use walls and ceilings.

Optimize your floor space by getting as many things as possible off of it. Hang your bicycle from the wall or ceiling. Install shelves for books and other items over doorways and, if possible, in walls themselves. Use the space above your kitchen cabinets for unused appliances, empty boxes, and china sets. Take advantage of corners, which are underused and provide a lot of storage space if used properly. If the storage space you gain this way is still not enough, you could also rent a self storage unit in Boise and deposit there the items you’re not using on daily basis, such as seasonal clothing, sports equipment, holiday decorations, baby stuff, and so on.

Brighten things up.

The more light you let into a room, the more spacious it will appear. If you have access to natural light, take advantage of it with sheer window curtains. If not, be sure each room is well-lit with lamps, chandeliers, and sconces. When it comes to paint, darker shades tend to impose on space. Instead, opt for lighter, softer shades, using bright colors sparingly as accents.

Use multi-function furniture.

Instead of that big wooden coffee table and bold, angular couch, opt instead for chests, sleeper sofas, ottomans and benches with interior storage space, etc. Use collapsible, or nested end-tables that can be folded or tucked away when necessary. Stick with vertical bookcases and push larger furniture pieces against the wall to avoid breaking up open space.

Take advantage of the outdoors.

Keep your lawn trimmed and your flowerbeds neat to avoid feeling crowded out by overgrown landscaping. Expand patios and hardscapes or install a grill to extend your kitchen and dining areas. Relieve the congestion in your garage with a tool shed or sheltered area for recreation equipment.

Not sure how to get even more out of your small Boise living space? It may be time to consider upgrading to a larger home. Before you consider selling, check out our Quick Tips for Staging Your Boise Home for information on how to enhance your home’s aesthetics. This may not increase functionality but could help to raise your level of comfort and satisfaction!

Reach out to your Boise realty specialist for more tips, tricks, and real estate advice.

It seems like farmhouse and country décor are everywhere you look these days! People love it, as evidenced by HGTG’s most highly rated tv show, Fixer Upper, which remodels older, rundown homes and revitalizes them with a farmhouse charm. But, it isn’t your grandma’s décor…the farmhouse look has become quite chic. The key is to not overdo it, but rather blend some time-honored items with more contemporary pieces.

Farmhouse style can really be suitable for today’s living. Less fussy furnishings replaced with sturdy, relaxed décor is easier to clean and a better fit for our busy lives and active kids. Think simplicity and solid surfaces. If you’re looking for inspiration, sites like Pinterest have a plethora of ideas, or you can simply visit open houses in East Boise on the weekends to see that most stagers are now incorporating some forms of farmhouse style into their designs.

Before you start to transform your living space, you should have a plan. Decide how much or how little you’d like to change. If you are unsure, plan to redo one room in your house – a sunroom, an office or guest bedroom, to get a feel for your style and use as a jumping off point. By starting small, you’ll have a chance to develop your own style with a small investment without breaking the bank on your whole house before you really know what you want.

Jeanine Matlow, from Your Home & Lifestyle Magazine says you should play with various items to see what works:

• Mix colorful quilts with woven baskets and wood crates for added texture. Fill a tall pitcher with sunflowers for a casual arrangement that’s easy on the eyes.
• Painted pieces work wonders, like a lone chair that fills in as a nightstand, or a set of pegs on the wall to catch jackets and hats.
• Family heirlooms, such as an inherited hall tree or cedar chest, lend a sense of history to your surroundings and contribute to the lived-in look.
• Window shutters can act as a display piece for your favorite photos, while a worn toolbox can be used as a unique serving piece. Round up an authentic farm piece, such as a feed bucket to use for storage.
• A farmhouse table, paired with metal chairs and/or benches lay the foundation for casual family meals and great conversations.
• Barnwood can be used on an accent wall, or as a sliding door as a cool feature into a pantry. Beadboard can be added to a bathroom with a pedestal sink for some country charm.
• Bring comfort to an old rocking chair with a grain sack pillow and a crocheted rug below.
• For lighting, try a metal chandelier, a pair of traditional sconces, or a lamp made from old farm equipment.
• Artwork and paintings, depicting natural scenes, in pretty frames can make for a great focal point, on walls, side tables or on the fireplace. East Boise and the surrounding area have some great sceneries if you want to take your own photos!
• Rustic wood beams can be added for architectural interest on ceilings, as well as for shelving and fireplace mantels.

Look around you for inspiration and decide what you like. Keep your eyes open for a treasure you might find at the next garage sale. Remember when it comes to farmhouse, simplicity is important. Happy decorating!

And, if you are thinking about selling your East Boise home, we are your East Boise Realtor. Call us today @ 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. We deliver results with decades of area expertise, service, property pricing, and negotiating.

Link to Pinterest Farmhouse Décor: https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?rs=ac&len=2…

If you are thinking about selling your home in 2017, you may feel a little overwhelmed at everything you have to do to prepare. In addition, if you’ve sold a house in the past, you may think you know the drill. However, the real estate process has become more specialized than it was in the past, with the use of technology, new marketing techniques, and buyers’ expectations for a beautifully staged home.

Follow these simple tips and getting ready to sell won’t seem so daunting. And, you will ensure you sell your house fast and make the most profit.

Be sure you hire the right agent! Your agent should know the ins and outs of your neighborhood. Check their track record in your area. Find an agent who understands the type of buyer looking in your area, and one who will stage and market your home appropriately – essentially manage and guide you through the steps below.

Use the latest technology! You will want to be sure your agent has the ability to not only showcase your home using professional photography, but also make your home stand out in a competitive market with the use of a virtual reality tour and, if applicable, drone shots to highlight a beautiful landscape/property.

Go social! Make sure you agent employs all marketing channels, including online social marketing tools. Buyers look online first, before they view a home in person. If your home is not marketed effectively through these channels, potential buyers may not see it at all.

Freshen up! Take a walk around your house with an objective eye. Purple may be your favorite color, but chances are it won’t be a potential buyers’. While it will take a little work, paint is inexpensive. Neutralize and depersonalize your space so that it will appeal to everybody. Buyers should be able to imagine their own furniture and pictures in the space. Find an agent who is experienced with staging techniques to help guide you.

Price it right – from the start! This is not ‘new’ news, but it’s amazing how many people refuse to do this. Your house will sell faster and likely for more if it is priced right when you first list it. You don’t want to be part of the price-drop game. Your house will sell for what the 2017 market dictates it will sell for, and not what you ‘want’ it to sell for. Templeton Real Estate Group has recently had multiple homes that sold for well over asking price, because they were priced right to begin with, attracted multiple buyers, who then engaged in a bidding war. This resulted in the homeowners selling very quickly and for more profit!

If you are looking for real estate experts that use all of the above tips, call the Templeton Real Estate Group. We understand what buyers want when they look for a home in Boise, and specifically East Boise, and we can sell your house faster and for more profit. We also utilize the latest marketing and technology techniques, and employ a full-time staging professional who will visit your home once a listing agreement has been signed! If you are thinking about selling your home in 2017, call us for your free and confidential consultation – 208.473.2203 or visit our website ? www.TempletonRealEstateGroup.com for more information. We’d love to talk with you.

Source: https://www.trulia.com/blog/infographic-2017-home-…

If you are thinking about selling; now may be worth it. The low inventory of homes for sale in Ada County has driven home prices for months now. According to Boise Regional REALTORS®, in November 2016, there were only 1,730 homes for sale in Ada County, just 66 more than the historic low point of 1,664 in January 2013. Compared to a year ago, inventory in November was down 9.8%, but between October 2016 and November 2016, it dropped 21.3%, with 220 fewer homes for sale.

This is great news for anybody considering putting their home on the market. Homeowners may think that they should wait until spring to sell their homes, as was the case traditionally. But, if you live in Boise, with the market as strong as it is, selling during the winter months is as good a time as any.

And, if you currently own a home in East Boise, you might be happy to learn that price-per-square-foot numbers are up over last year. Check out the East Boise Real Estate Market Report below, which illustrates by subdivision the numbers of homes sold, average price-per-square-foot, average sold price and average days on market for 2016 (statistics provided by Intermountain MLS). If you don’t see your neighborhood, please call us, the Templeton Real Estate Group, for your FREE market analysis – 208.473.2203.

Here are three tips you can use to attract buyers if you are selling during the winter:

1. Have a cozy, crackling fire (or not). If you have a gas fireplace or new clean-burning woodstove, go ahead and light a fire to welcome visitors. But if your home’s wood-burning fireplace is older and leaves a smoky smell in the room, hold off. Those with allergies or smoke sensitivities can be turned off — or literally turned away when they have to go outside. No fire? Consider offering warm apple cider instead.

1. Keep entryways scrupulously clean. As with any time of year, a clean and clutter-free house will sell more easily (and maybe at a higher price) than one with more visible clutter. During winter it is especially important to remove mucky boots outside and keep family gear hidden in a closet or trunk, where potential buyers won’t trip over them. A Swiffer-style mop kept in the coat closet can be used to quickly freshen entry floors before each showing.

1. Give each room a warm touch. A folded throw draped over the back of an armchair, a plump quilt at the foot of the bed or an area rug in warm hues are a few small additions that will make a big difference in the way a room feels to prospective buyers. Also, be sure that every light is on — even for daytime showings. Winter days can be quite dim, and your house will look its best when it’s as warmly lit as possible.

If you are thinking about selling, give the Templeton Real Estate Group a call at 208.473.2203 for your complimentary and confidential consultation. We are a small yet highly skilled real estate team with decades of area expertise, service, property pricing, and negotiating. We are passionate about providing our clients with the best real estate experience available. We will sell your house fast and for more! The Templeton Real Estate Group is experienced and trained in preparing your home to maximize your net profit and appeal to more buyers. Whether it’s simply rearranging & decluttering your personal items or whole home staging, we’ll help you achieve the look that buyers DEMAND!

Source:

http://boirealtors.com/category/market-info/

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/5619970/list/9-tips…

As the New Year approaches, you are likely already thinking ahead and making some sort of New Year’s resolution. How can you improve your life? What changes can you make to live a more fulfilling life?

Perhaps one change you could consider is to simplify. The trend of wanting “more, bigger, better” is waning in favor of “less is more.” Twenty somethings and baby boomers are giving tiny houses a try, and dedicated survivalists are going off the grid. But, these types of lifestyle changes require major commitments, and the whole family needs to be on board. Thankfully, you don’t have to go that far to get back to the basics. Here are a handful of ways to simplify your at-home lifestyle while maintaining modern comforts.

Edit Your Belongings

It’s okay to like things. If a pretty piece of china makes you smile, don’t ditch it in an attempt to adopt another type of happiness. But, does every item in your home bring a smile to your face? William Morris said, “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” If you don’t really love it, let it go. This applies to clothing, accessories, and even furniture. Donate or consign any items that you and your family don’t absolutely love, and your home may feel lighter and happier as a result.

Reevaluate Your Technology Usage

You’ve likely heard that it’s important to disconnect from technology, but have you ever actually tried it? It’s so easy to become accustomed to constant contact that it might seem impossible to disconnect. If you want to make a change but can’t push yourself to do so under your own roof, take a short trip to a nearby destination with poor cell service. The remote surroundings will force you to put down the phone and ignore your e-mail and social media feeds. The short break might be the cold-turkey action you need to limit communication and media consumption going forward. If your e-mail inbox is always full (of mostly spam), start a new account and give the address only to friends and family.

Shorten Your To-Do List

This might be easier said than done, but give it a try anyway. If you keep a running to-do list, you might notice that you add more things to that list every day that you cross off. If your tasks are starting to overrun your life, keep only the essentials on paper. Set up auto-pay for your monthly bills so you don’t have to fret about missing a payment. Reevaluate your cleaning tasks by delegating chores among the members of your household, or even hire a cleaning professional to deep clean once a month. If your budget allows, consider enlisting a gardener to maintain your front yard or various tradespeople to handle those nagging once-a-year tasks , such as cleaning your gutters or power washing your hardscaping elements. This will also reduce your need for bulky chore-specific tools, such as lawn mowers and weed whackers. For everything you can’t delegate to someone else, seek a short-term solution. Consider setting aside one extra hour per day for one week to get ahead of your to-dos.

Simple Guidance

There are no shortage of resources available on the internet about ways to simplify your life. Here are a couple of links: https://zenhabits.net/simple-living-manifesto-72-ideas-to-simplify-your-life/ and http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carl-phillips/16-ways-to-simplify-your-life_b_7478380.htm. You can also find detailed guidance in the following books. Avoid extra clutter by buying an e-reader version, checking out a copy from the library, or passing along a print edition to a friend when you’re finished reading it!

Voluntary Simplicity: Toward a Way of Life That Is Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich
by Duane Elgin

100 Ways to Simplify Your Life
by Joyce Meyer

Back to Basics: A Complete Guide to Traditional Skills
edited by Abigail R. Gehring

Source: Maresa Giovannini, Your Home and Lifestyle Magazine

Fall may not be thought of as the best time to sell your home; however, with fewer people selling this time of year, you can take advantage of the timing and make yours the one to stand out. With fewer homes on the market, fall could be a great time to sell.

If done by choice, many people choose to list their homes for sale during the spring and summer months, mostly to accommodate families and school schedules. But, not every move is done by choice and many people have to move during the fall and winter months. This results in fewer homes on the market for the buyers, and an opportunity for your house to shine! Buyers might also benefit by purchasing a home in the fall.

Trulia contributing writer Laura Agondoni, writes: Fall real estate can be more of a buyer’s market. A buyer’s market means you, as a buyer, are in the driver’s seat. That’s good news if you’re home-hunting in the fall: There are typically fewer buyers after Labor Day. You might find that competition is down for homes after Labor Day, meaning you’re probably in a buyer’s market. And this is significant. “I find that I am able to negotiate better prices for buyers [during September and October] because we have less competition and the market is slower,” says Joan Brothers, an agent in New York, NY.

If you are selling your house in the fall, Elizabeth Weintraub from thebalance.com offers a few tips to keep in mind to ensure yours is the one to stand out:

Clean Up the Yard

Rake dead leaves and debris in your lawn. Don’t let overgrown vegetation block the windows or path to the entrance. Cutting bushes and tree limbs will let the sun inside and showcase the exterior of your home. Cut away summer vines and cut down dead flowers. Make the most of autumn weather in the fall real estate market.

Create Autumn Curb Appeal

The most popular autumn flowers are chrysanthemums (or mums) and they bloom for a long time. Marigolds are also a good choice for fall. Both mums and marigolds are available in yellow, which is a nice home selling color. Plant them in pots. Place pots on the steps and along the sidewalk. Accent with pumpkins or other types of squash.

Dress the Windows

Rain and wind from over the summer months can make your windows dusty and streaked by autumn. You might not notice smudges, but buyers will, if only on a subconscious level. To sell a home, your windows need to sparkle. Remove screens and spray them down.

Check the HVAC

You want the air inside your home to smell fresh. When was the last time you changed your furnace filter? You can buy 90-day furnace filters. Have the HVAC system checked before you need to turn on the heat. Besides, the buyer will ask a home inspector to look at your HVAC. If you discover problems with your furnace, it’s better to fix them before your home goes on the market.

Clean Out the Fireplace for the Fall Real Estate Market

If the fireplace is filled with cobwebs because it hasn’t been used for months, vacuum it out and wash it down. Some home stagers arrange knickknacks in the fireplace in place of wood logs.

Utilize Autumn Accent Colors

You don’t need to dump a lifeless sofa when you can accessorize its dullness with bright red, orange and / or golden yellow pillows. Toss a quilt or autumn-colored throw over a chair. After you’ve cleared away the clutter and depersonalized each room, bring a little bit of autumn hues to each room by placing bold-colored accent pieces in odd groupings such as 3’s and 5’s. Create an autumn centerpiece for the dining room table by arranging pine cones and nuts around orange candles, stick in a few leaves from the yard.

Turn on the Lights Everywhere

Above all, bring in the light. When days get shorter, the sun sets lower in the horizon and casts wider shadows. Pull up the blinds, open the shutters, push back the drapes on every window. Turn on every light in the house, including appliance lights and closet lights. Brighten darker rooms with few windows by placing spotlights on the floor behind furniture.

Source:

http://www.trulia.com/blog/fall-real-estate-market-characteristics/

https://www.thebalance.com/how-to-sell-a-home-in-autumn-1799056

http://www.talkofthehouse.com/decorating-for-fall-outside-our-house/