REAL Magazine, June-July, 2014

Get away to the Idaho Botanical Garden

JUNE/JULY, 2014

With 4 offices to serve you,Coldwell Banker Tomlinson Group is YOUR SOURCE

for real estate in the Treasure Valley!

w. b o i s e 3 3 6 . 3 3 9 3 | d o w n t o w n b o i s e 3 4 3 . 3 3 9 3 | e a g l e 9 3 9 . 3 3 6 3 | n a m pa 4 6 7 . 5 2 7 2

May MarketReport

Things To Do

Boise-Based My Family TraditionIsn’t Your Ordinary BBQ Sauce

Keeping Yourself ANDYour Pets Cool this Summer

Welcome to REAL, and thank you for spending a bit of time with us.

We know you’re busy, so we’ve designed REAL to be a quick read, with different articles to appeal to your varying tastes and needs.

Not seeing what you want? Email us!

[email protected]

“Then followed that beautiful season... Summer... Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.”

~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

w. b o i s e 3 3 6 . 3 3 9 3 | d o w n t o w n b o i s e 3 4 3 . 3 3 9 3 | e a g l e 9 3 9 . 3 3 6 3 | n a m pa 4 6 7 . 5 2 7 2

12Easy and affordable ways to ensure your home - and your power bill - stay cool.

Home Insulation Tips

14Homes of all shapes & sizes are available in Canyon County. We’ve included just a few here.

Canyon County Homes

18A fast-view calendar of some events throughout the Treasure Valley.

Events

contents

A mere sampling of the great homes for sale in Ada County. Price ranges to fit every budget.

Ada County Homes 8As temperatures soar, your 4-legged

familiy members need to stay cool, too.

Keeping Your Pet Cool 10

4Bring your friends and family toexplore the Idaho Botanical Garden

Idaho Botanical Garden

6My Family Tradition (MFT) BBQ Sauce and Rub will get you outside and grilling!

Boise-Based BBQ

16A quick look at home prices and market trends.

May Market Stats

COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON GROUP

JUN

E/JU

LY, 2

014

Fun for All at the Idaho Botanical Garden

Nestled in the east Boise foothills, the Idaho Botanical Garden offers

all ages a respite from the outside

world. Whether your preference is Tai Chi in the morning, a visit with the kids in the afternoon, or a date-night concert at Outlaw Field, the

Garden and its staff, including an army of volunteers, are at your service.

According to their website, the Garden’s mission is to provide a full garden experience for all ages that enhances community quality of life through plant collections, education programs, and entertainment, cultural, and community events.

The Garden began as the vision of Christopher Davidson, Ph.D. in Botany, who brought together the Garden’s first Board of Directors in 1984.

Situated on land once known as #2 Yard of what was once Idaho’s Territorial Prison and later the first Idaho State Penitentiary, the Garden leases 33 acres from the State.

Approximately 15 acres are currently under cultivation. Educational programs and cultural events for all ages occur year ‘round.

Athena SnowColdwell Banker Blue Matter

cbboise.com

PAG

E 5

The Idaho Botanical Garden has blossomed into numerous specialty gardens including a contemporary English Garden, a Children’s Adventure Garden, and a Lewis and Clark Native Plant Garden.

Completely dependent on tax-deductible contributions from the community, the Garden is a private, non-profit corporation existing without state or federal funding. Their success is made possible by the support of its robust volunteer program and supportive Garden members.

The Garden is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to dusk. Admission is free to members. General admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and youth 5-12. Children under 4 are free. Special event admission prices vary. For more info, visit the website by clicking HERE.

COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON GROUP

JUN

E/JU

LY, 2

014

MFT (My Family Tradition) BBQ Sauce originated as a base sauce created by Scott Tharp’s grandmother who passed it on to his mom. The rest, as they say, is history.

Watch our future magazines for easy, creative, and healthy recipes!

cbboise.com

PAG

E 7

Good Summer Eats with Boise-Made BBQ Sauces

Scott Tharp learned how to cook from his mother, Cynthia, as soon as he

could reach the counter. It was love at first bite, so to speak, and he couldn’t learn fast enough.

“I was the kid hovering around the kitchen as my mom prepared the meals, tagging along to the store and helping her in the garden,” Scott says. “Of course, ‘helping’ could mean eating everything I picked!”

He learned early on how to pair foods to enhance their natural flavors and traveled the world tasting everything in his path.

“Even in all my travels, I never found any-thing that compared to my mom’s cooking sauce. She’d use it on barbeque, noodles, her famous meatballs, crockpot recipes, you name it.”

Scott’s mom passed away in 2006, and it became his vision to keep her recipe — and her longstanding tradition of bringing

family together — alive and thriving by providing a product that “facilitates home-cooked creations with natural ingredients. It seems the demand for better options is endless,” he states.

“People have started to avoid barbeque sauces and ketchups because of the unhealthy ingredients.” As a result, My Family Tradition BBQ and Cooking Sauce was created.

The products, including a dry rub developed by close family friends and partners, Jeff and Steve Bittick, are made in Boise

and are gluten free and all natural with no high fructose corn syrup.

MFT sauces include some interesting flavors. “Chocolate Raspberry is our best seller. It’s amazing on chicken and ribs and also as a pizza sauce for barbeque chicken pizza.”

You can buy MFT at Whole Foods, Rosauers, the Boise Co-op and Natural Grocers.

For more information, visit their website at mftsauceandrub.com

Ingredients:

5-7 lbs pork shoulder•1/4 c. MFT Seasoning•

(flavor of your choice)1/2 c. honey•1/2 c. MFT BBQ & Cooking •Sauce (flavor of your choice)

Smoked Pork Shoulder

Coat entire surface of shoulder with MFT •Seasoning and rub it in.Smoke at 250• °F until internal temperature of shoulder is between 140°F - 150°F.Apply honey on surface of shoulder, wrap •in foil, & continue smoking at 250°F.Remove shoulder from smoker when •internal temp is between 200°F - 205°F.Rest shoulder for one hour at room temp.•Remove excess fat, shred pork & place in •serving dishDrizzle MFT sauce over pulled pork & serve.•

COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON GROUP

JUN

E/JU

LY, 2

014

Ada County Featured Homes

1068 E. Shadow Creek Ln. EagleStunning patio home in the heart of Eagle. Quality construction & amenities throughout. 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1947 square feet. Gorgeous, open kitchen with stainless steel appliances, granite counters & plenty of cabinet space. Open great room with gas fireplace. Main-level master with soaker tub. Lot of windows, large 3-car garage.

653 W. Kingsley NW MeridianIf you like handcrafted details coupled with old world finishes, you’re going to love this home. The result of the attention to detail is emanated in the fine cabinetry, aged bronze fixtures, earth-toned tile & rigid granite countertops found in the master bath & kitchen. This open yet intimate design is ever so inviting. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2207 square feet.

3524 E. Quin Dr. SW Boise/MeridianTerrific, easy-living patio home in Sutherland Downs. North-facing, covered patio with Boise Foothills views, close to 3-acre park & pathways galore. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1779 square feet. Hardwood flooring in entry, kitchen & eating area. Granite with tile backsplash in kitchen. Stainless appliances, spacious laundry room with sink, cute front porch.

2332 N. Old Lace Ave. KunaThe Casabella is a brand new home with some of the newest design concepts available. Spacious, split-bedroom design with 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2270 square feet & a roomy 3-car garage. This plan is perfect for entertaining with its open kitchen & covered patio. Located in Ruby Creek with a great community atmosphere & community pool.

cbboise.com

PAG

E 9

Ada County Featured Homes

1245 W. Hempstead Dr. EagleOne acre of lush landscaping in desirable Banbury & a single level home ready for a new owner. Freshly painted exterior & interior, new carpeting throughout, tiled entry & kitchen/eating area & newly tiled master shower. New HVAC system w/air filter system installed, new kitchen stove & dishwasher give the feel of a brand new home.

12809 N. Town Ridge Rd. NW BoiseAn Entertainer’s delight! Excellent floor plan loaded with upgrades & designed for proper feng shui. Great room, family room, rec room with pool table & bar/kitchenette, formal dining, huge upgraded kitchen, multiple patios & 360° foothill views - perfect for gatherings. No back neighbors! Soak in the hot tub or relax in the sauna after a long day on nearby trails.

5195 N. Fox Run Way NW MeridianWelcome to the new & enlarged “Sedona” plan with 3 main-level bedrooms plus 2 more upstairs, 4 baths & 3558 square feet. Large bonus room, spacious great room, cook’s kitchen with large island & lots of counter space. Luscious main-level master with dual vanities, tiled walk-in shower & spacious closet. Covered patio, 3-car garage.

1925 S. Travertine NE BoiseAmazing custom home in premier Boise location. Enjoy incredible views across the valley & the city lights on your covered patio. Walk down to the Boise River/Greenbelt & golf course or hike Table Rock right out your front door. Huge .47 acre lot next to a common area for added privacy & enough room to add a swimming pool. Custom finishes throughout. Oversized garage.

COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON GROUP

JUN

E/JU

LY, 2

014

Keeping Your Pet Cool When Temperatures Soar

Compliments of The Humane Society of the United States

humanesociety.org

Pets are family, and, as such, we like to have them along when we hike, bike, or even

run errands. The summer months, though, can become dangerous quickly for both pets and people if precautions aren’t taken.

Following a few simple tips can keep everyone safe:

Not even for a minute. Not even with the car running and air conditioner on. On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels. On an 85-degree day, for example, the temperature inside a car with the windows cracked can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees. Your pet may suffer irreversible organ damage or die. Learn how to help a pet left inside a hot car.

Limit exercise on hot days.Take care when exercising your pet. Adjust intensity and duration of exercise in accordance with the temperature. On very hot days,

limit exercise to early morning or evening hours, and be especially careful with pets with white-colored ears, who are more susceptible to skin cancer, and short-nosed pets, who typically have difficulty breathing. Asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet’s paws, so walk your dog on the grass if possible. Always carry water with you to keep your dog from dehydrating.

Don’t rely on a fan.Pets respond differently to heat than humans do. (Dogs, for instance, sweat primarily through their feet.) And fans don’t cool off pets as effectively as they do people.

Provide ample shade and water.Any time your pet is outside, make sure he or she has protection from heat and sun and plenty of fresh, cold water. In heat waves, add ice to water when possible. Tree shade and tarps are ideal because they don’t obstruct air flow. A doghouse does not provide relief from heat—in fact, it makes it worse.

Cool your pet inside and out. Whip up a batch of quick and easy DIY peanut butter popsicles for dogs. (You can use peanut butter or another favorite food.) And always provide water, whether your pets are inside or out with you.

NEVER leave your pets in a parked car. Ever.

cbboise.com

PAG

E 11

Keep your pet from overheating indoors or out with a cooling body wrap, vest, or mat (such as the Keep Cool Mat). Soak these products in cool water, and they’ll stay cool (but usually dry) for up to three days. If your dog doesn’t find baths stressful, see if she enjoys a cooling soak.

Watch for signs of heatstroke.Extreme temperatures can cause heatstroke. Some signs of heatstroke are heavy panting,

glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, seizure, and unconsciousness.

Animals are at particular risk for heat stroke if they are very old, very young, overweight, not conditioned to prolonged exercise, or have heart or respiratory disease. Some breeds of dogs—like boxers,

pugs, shih tzus, and other dogs and cats with short muzzles—will have a much harder time breathing in extreme heat.

Treating heatstroke.Move your pet into the shade or an air-conditioned area. Apply ice packs or cold towels to her head, neck, and chest or run cool (not cold) water over her. Let her drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes. Take her to a veterinarian immediately.

Your companions are as vulnerable to sunburn and skin cancer as you are and may require sunscreen on their noses and ears. Light-colored animals are particularly sensitive to the sun.

How long does it take for a car to get hot?OUTSIDE TEMP

75

75

85

85

85

100

TEMP IN CAR

100

120

90

100

120

140

TIME IT TAKES

10 minutes

30 minutes

5 minutes

7-10 minutes

30 minutes

15 minutes

COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON GROUP

JUN

E/JU

LY, 2

014

Keep Yourself Cool with Easy Home Insulation Tips

Summer is here, and it’s time to start thinking about how to keep cool as temperatures

rise. If you live in an older home, weatherproofing for both hot and cold weather can be challenging and expensive, but there are many relatively easy, low-cost home insulation tips you can try first.

Plant Shade TreesShade trees not only add beauty to your yard — they can also block the sun’s rays during warm days and help your home maintain a cooler temperature. Strategically shading the area around your central air conditioning unit helps prevent overheating and allows the system to run more efficiently. A shaded air conditioner uses as much as 10 percent less electricity than one exposed to sun. If you’re unsure what to plant and where, a landscape designer can assist you.

Insulate Your WindowsWhen choosing window treat-ments, look for those with insulating properties. For example, double cellular shades block out

a greater percentage of sun rays than single cells and may be worth the higher price. To maximize natural light while minimizing heat, window films or the newer low-e window coatings are great choices. Films block solar heat but are not typically insulating, while low-e coating provides some insulation properties for year-round efficiency.

Sealing is also important. Make sure windows close tightly. For larger openings around window frames, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Saver Guide recommends foam sealant (also known as foam-in-place insulation, available in small pressurized spray cans). Caulk around cracks and small openings and install weather strips to seal around doorways.

Size Up Your AtticDon’t overlook your attic: Warm or cold air circulating up there can drastically affect the temperature of the rest of the house. Invest in proper ventilation (such as attic fans to blow out hot air) and

insulation. If you have a finished attic, make sure it’s properly sealed and insulated behind kneewalls.

Replace Your HVAC FilterOne of the easiest, most affordable home insulation tips is to replace your HVAC filter regularly. Replacement HVAC filters can cost less than $5 at home improvement stores, but changing them frequently removes clogged dirt from your air conditioning unit and allows the system to run more efficiently. Reusable HVAC filters are more expensive, but you can simply rinse them off, rather than throwing them out.

Generate Less Heat IndoorsAnother way to keep your house cool when temperatures rise is to avoid using appliances that emit heat. Air dry dishes rather than running the dishwasher. Hang your laundry on drying racks or clotheslines instead of using your dryer. Grill outside rather than heating up your oven.

By following these home insulation tips, not only will you benefit from cooler interior temperatures during the hot summer months, you’ll also decrease your utility bills and overall energy consumption.

Jennifer A. Digiovanni, Coldwell Banker Blue Matter

A shaded air conditioner uses as much as 10% less electricity than one exposed to sun. Download the US Department of Energy’s “Energy Saver Guide” HERE.

cbboise.com

PAG

E 13

By following these home insulation tips, not only will you benefit from cooler interior temperatures during the hot summer months, you’ll also decrease your utility bills and overall energy consumption.

A shaded air conditioner uses as much as 10% less electricity than one exposed to sun. Download the US Department of Energy’s “Energy Saver Guide” HERE.

COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON GROUP

JUN

E/JU

LY, 2

014

Canyon County Featured Homes

6432 Brimley NE NampaBeautiful home! Extensive updating has been done. New fixtures, hardware, carpet, tile floors in baths, bathroom vanity, sinks. New hard-wood flooring under the carpet on the main floor. Open & airy plan with master suite on the 2nd floor. Redwood deck & garden shed in the rear yard & fully fenced. New utility sink, new hot water heater & furnace heat exchanger.

2616 Toma Ct. S NampaQuiet, low traffic cul-de-sac on a .32 acre lot! Single level home that shows true pride in ownership. Abundant windows allow natural light throughout. 9’ walls, open great room featuring gas fireplace. Expansive kitchen with granite slab countertops, island with cooktop, built-in oven & breakfast bar. Spacious master suite with private access to deck.

1106 S. Spring Valley Dr. S NampaThis is a fabulous, 1934 square foot, single-story home with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a 3-car garage & an RV pad. The beautiful master suite features coved ceilings, a large soaker tub & a tiled walk-in shower. The large, elegant kitchen showcases granite counters, travertine backsplash, under-cabinet lighting, a built-in desk & cabinets galore!

1229 W. Sandcrest Ct. S Nampa4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths & 2340 square feet of living space. The open kitchen has great storage & is perfect for entertaining. The dining room offers a door onto the back patio for a relaxing summer evening. This home features a office/den along with a master bedroom on the main level. The remaining bedrooms are upstairs with the utility room for great convenience.

cbboise.com

PAG

E 15

Canyon County Featured Homes

458 E. Sunrise Rim Rd. S NampaThis stunning custom home is a rare find! Maintained to perfection, the home includes 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2916 square feet & a 3-car garage. Custom chef’s kitchen with granite counters, dovetail cabinetry & island with separate prep sink. Custom staircase with iron & wood accents. Huge master retreat with fireplace & private, covered patio.

9444 Ridgeview St. SW CaldwellElegantly set on just over 2 acres, this home welcomes the tranquility that country living brings! The interior beams with natural light & features a lovely sunken living room. Great family room with floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. Fully loaded gourmet kitchen with custom walk-in pantry, large center island, gas cooktop & fridge.

15593 Eclipse Dr. SW CaldwellEnjoy life in this wonderful 4 bedroom, 3 bath home with 3011 square feet on .82 acre. Open living area with a gas fireplace, bayed dining & stunning kitchen with beautiful cabinetry, hardwood floors, granite counters, walk-in pantry & double ovens. Private master with trayed ceiling, double sinks, corner soaker tub, separate shower & walk-in closet.

17130 Stiehl Creek Dr. NE Nampa.65 acre of absolute perfection! You will not find another house with the amenities, quality, appeal & price to match this house. 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3845 square feet, 3-car garage & an open design. 2nd-level entertainment area that will blow you away! Full wet bar with granite, tile & a full theater room with stadium seating & state-of-the-art technology.

COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON GROUP

JUN

E/JU

LY, 2

014

The spring selling season has been in full force in both Ada and Canyon Counties for

the past couple of months. April and May of 2013 were particularly strong months with regard to sales activity, so it’s been tough to compete with that metric year-over-year. However, there is still much encouraging to report with our local market.

Most notably, median sales prices in Ada County have increased over 13% since May of last year. Canyon County’s prices are also

up a respectable 6% year-over-year. Like much of the country, we are firmly in recovered, pre-bust territory with regard to average and

median sales prices.

The number of available homes listed for sale is

up, as it usually is this time of year. Not since 2011 have we seen this kind of an inventory.

Buyer demand is keeping pace, though, as interest rates have remained low, and the market, with less than 4 months’ supply of homes available, is still favoring

sellers. (A “balanced market is 6 months’ of inventory. We call it a “seller’s market” with less than 6 months’, while a “buyer’s market” is more.)

Sellers are also discounting their asking prices less than they had to in previous months. Right now, we’re seeing average sales prices at over 99% of average listing prices. Translation: The timing may be good if you’re considering selling your property.

Real estate is most definitely local. Call to find out what all of this means for you in your own neighborhood.

May Market Stats What’s Happening

in the Treasure Valley

Ada County home prices are up 13% over 2013; Canyon County is up 6%.

cbboise.com

PAG

E 17

Ada County

Canyon County

800HOMES SOLD

MAY 2014

$209,200MEDIAN

SALES PRICE

44AVERAGE DAYS

ON MARKET

2,654HOMES CURRENTLY

ON MARKET

372HOMES SOLD

MAY 2014

$130,500MEDIAN

SALES PRICE

24AVERAGE DAYS

ON MARKET

1,419HOMES CURRENTLY

ON MARKET

COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON GROUP

JUN

E/JU

LY, 2

014

FARMERS’ MARKETS

Capital City Public Market Saturdays; 9:30a.m.-1:30p.m. 8th & Idaho, downtown Boise www.capitalcitypublicmarket.com

Boise Farmers’ Market Saturdays; 9:00a.m.-1:00p.m. 1080 Front St., downtown Boise www.theboisefarmersmarket.com

East End Market Sundays; 10:00a.m.-2:00p.m. Bown Way, SE Boise www.facebook.com/eastendmarketatbowncrossing

Eagle Saturday Market Saturdays; 9:00a.m.-1:00p.m. 185 E. State St., Eagle www.facebook.com/eaglesaturdaymarket

Kuna Farmers’ Market Saturdays; 9:00a.m.-noon Kuna City Park, Main St., Kuna www.kunafarmersmarket.com

Nampa Farmers’ Market Saturdays; 9:00a.m.-1:00p.m. 1350 Front St., Lloyd Square, Nampa www.nampafarmersmarket.com

Caldwell Farmers’ Market Wednesdays; 3:00-7:00 p.m. Blaine & 7th, Caldwell www.caldwellidfarmersmarket.com

cbboise.com

PAG

E

Events

Alive After Five Summer Concert Series Every Wednesday, 5:00-8:00 p.m. Grove Plaza, downtown Boise www.downtownboise.org

Idaho Shakespeare Festival “Deathtrap” - May 30-July 25 “As You Like It” - June 6-27 5657 Warm Springs Ave., Boise www.idahoshakespeare.org

Great Garden Escape Thursdays, June 12-September 18 Check times & schedule online Idaho Botanical Garden 2355 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise www.idahobotanicalgarden.org

Meridian Dairy Days June 16-21 Parade, June 20, 6:45 p.m. Main St., Meridian www.dairydays.org

Movies Under the Stars June 21, 7:00 p.m.; “Despicable Me 2” Julia Davis Bandshell Julia Davis Drive, Boise www.boiseschoolsfoundation.com

Boise Music Festival June 28, 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Expo Idaho, 5610 Glenwood, Boise www.boisemusicfestival.com

July 4th Activities Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast 8:00-11:00 a.m.; Julia Davis Park, Boise Information Boise Liberty Day Parade 11:00 a.m.; downtown Boise http://boiseparade.blogspot.com/

City of Boise Events all day; Ann Morrison Park, Boise Check schedule online http://parks.cityofboise.org/

City of Meridian Events starting at 3:00 p.m.; Storey Park 205 E. Franklin Rd., Meridian Check schedule online http://www.meridiancity.org/independenceday/

City of Caldwell Events 10:00 a.m.; Parade & events; Memorial Park 618 Irving St., Caldwell dusk; Fireworks; Brothers Park Corner of Ustick Rd. & S. Indiana Ave. http://www.cityofcaldwell.com/

Eagle Fun Days July 11-12 all day; downtown Eagle www.eaglechamber.com

Boise Twilight Criterium July 12, 1:00 p.m.; downtown Boise http://boisetwilightcriterium.com

Canyon County Fair July 24-27 111 22nd St, Caldwell http://www.canyoncountyfair.org/

Stay busy this summer with some fun valley events!

19

w. b o i s e 3 3 6 . 3 3 9 3 | d o w n t o w n b o i s e 3 4 3 . 3 3 9 3 | e a g l e 9 3 9 . 3 3 6 3 | n a m pa 4 6 7 . 5 2 7 2