REAL Magazine, March-April, 2020

MARCH-APRIL, 2020

Zoo Boise Truly an Idaho Gem

Plus

Animal Conservation Efforts Spring Cleaning Hacks Market Report With 4 offices to serve you, Coldwell Banker Tomlinson will GUIDE YOU HOME. BOISE 208.343.3393 | MERIDIAN 208.336.3393 | EAGLE 208.939.3363 | NAMPA 208.467.5272

We are definitely in a weird time right now. While it's good to stay informed, how much is too much? We'd like to suggest that you get the daily information you need to stay safe and then take steps to keep your psyche healthy, too.

Listen to some positive music, get outside to enjoy our beautiful spring, play with your dog, snuggle your cat, play a board game with your kids, check on your elderly neighbors, make sure those less fortunate in your communities have enough to eat.

Above all, remember that we are all in this together. It's not a competition. Let's help where we can.

“

When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too."

~ Paulo Coelho

"The Alchemist"

CONTENTS Features

4

Zoo Boise - One of Idaho's Greatest Gems

6

Behind the Scenes

8

Spring Planting

10

Though most locals know and love our zoo, many don't realize how special this gem is.

Get up close with some of Zoo Boise's most popular residents!

Take a behind-the-scenes tour.

Itching to get your garden ready? While nicer days are a sure sign of spring, be sure to follow the locals when planting!

Spring Cleaning Hacks All that spring cleaning leaves your home sparkling, but, perhaps, these hacks will make even more of a difference.

In Every Issue

12 14 18

Market Stats What's going on in the market these days?

Treasure Valley Homes Take a look at what's for sale.

Things to Do It's Spring. Go outside!

MARCH-APRIL, 2020

A message from the City of Boise: Effective Tuesday, March 17, all City of Boise recreational facilities, including Zoo Boise, will be closed until further notice. In addition, all programs, camps events and volunteer opportunities are cancelled or postponed until May 9. For more information please click HERE.

Zoo Boise

One of Idaho's Greatest Gems

Ever-evolving, Zoo Boise is a fantastic place for everyone in groups or by oneself.

Spend a lunch hour there roaming the grounds, or come with friends and family.

Y

ou might say Zoo Boise has definitely evolved. In fact, the zoo came about almost by accident.

Exotic birds and an escaped circus chimp!

In 1916, Zoo Boise began as a menagerie to house a

collection of exotic birds and an escaped circus chimp. For the last 100 years, Zoo Boise has continued to grow, adding new exhibits and programs to become a community treasure that provides a wonderful educational and recreational opportunity for more than

340,000 visitors annually making Zoo Boise one of the largest attractions in the state.

Unfortunately, as Zoo Boise has grown, so have the threats facing animals in the wild.

Elephants, lions, tigers, rhinos, gorillas, pandas, polar bears and countless others—all face extinction within a couple decades.

For Zoo Boise, simply being a nice place to bring your family to learn about animals is no longer enough. We had to do more in order to address this crisis that threatens the world’s most iconic species, the same species our children hold so dear.

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PAGE 5 Zoo Boise turns the act of visiting a zoo into a conservation action!

In 2007, Zoo Boise became the first zoo in the country to create a conservation fee. The 50¢ fee, charged in addition to the admission price, was designed to fund conservation projects taking place in Idaho and around the world. More importantly it changed the purpose of a zoo visit—empowering visitors to help save the very creatures they were seeing.

Additional mechanisms were created, including a conservation fee on memberships, the chance to feed a giraffe or a bear in exchange for a small fee, the opportunity to take a conservation cruise to see monkeys or feed goats and sheep in our Zoo Farm. All

these little conservation fees, multiplied by our hundreds of thousands of visitors, have now generated $3 million to date for the conservation of animals around the world.

While we all care about animals and want to protect them in the wild, knowing how to help can be a challenge. So, Zoo Boise has redefined itself as a vehicle to help our visitors save endangered species. Now, when families visit Zoo Boise, they don’t just see animals, they help save them as well.

Learn more by visiting www. zooboise.org/conservation.

Gorongosa National Park Exhibit and other iconic species!

Zoo Boise is home to more than 100 different species including

lions, tiger, giraffes, sloths, penguins, bald eagle, snow leopards, spider monkeys, Komodo dragon, and red pandas.

In 2019, Zoo Boise opened its brand new Gorongosa National Park Exhibit! Gorongosa was once one of the greatest parks in Africa but was destroyed during 25 years of war in Mozambique.

Zoo Boise is part of a partnership to rebuild the park, increasing animal populations while also addressing the needs of the very poor people who live nearby.

Besides housing amazing animals like Nile crocodile and baboons, the exhibit also tells the story of the agricultural, medical, and education programs that are in place to partner with the people of Mozambique. cbboise.com

MARCH-APRIL, 2020 COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON

PAGE 7

behind the scenes

Get Up Close at Zoo Boise

Have you ever wished you could get a little closer to the animals when you visit Zoo Boise? If so, plan a behind-the-scenes tour as soon as you can!

Z

oo Boise will be offering special behind the scenes tours!

Boise penguins, but you’ll learn how the penguins are taken care of by one of our staff members.

These special tours are your chance to get up-close with some of your favorite animals like giraffes, penguins, anteaters, Aldabra tortoise, and more.

These tours are very affordable, starting at only $20!

Aldabra Tortoise Come meet our favorite Zoo Boise resident, Mr. Mac, a 375-pound Aldabra tortoise on a private behind the scenes tour.

Not only will you get to meet and touch Mr. Mac, but you’ll learn how he’s taken care of by one of our staff members.

Giraffes Get up-close and personal with the tallest animal on land, with a private behind the scenes giraffe tour. Not only will you get to meet and feed the Zoo Boise giraffes, but you’ll learn how the giraffes are taken care of by one of our staff members.

Penguins Get the best view of Zoo Boise’s penguin colony, from inside the exhibit on a private behind the scenes tour. Not only will you get to meet and feed the Zoo

your favorite Zoo Boise animal and then watch as the animal interacts with it. Enrichment is important, because it encourages the animals to use their natural behaviors and abilities.

Visit www.zooboise.org/tours to learn more about these very special tours!

Anteaters Are you ready to meet and feed a giant anteater? You can go on a private behind the scenes tour with one of our staff members and feed them some yogurt.

Create an Enrichment Join one of our staff members to make an enrichment for cbboise.com

MARCH-APRIL, 2020

spring planting

When is It Safe to Start Your Garden?

New to the Valley? First garden? Heed what locals already know!

S

ome would say that our winter here in the Treasure Valley was just about perfect. Not much snow on the valley floor, great skiing up above, and enough wind to keep the inversions at bay most days. Many would say an ideal winter is one that doesn't require lots of time spent shoveling so more time can be spent on the mountain!

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Though our region is behind on mountain snowpack at 84% of normal, we typically see an increase through March and early April, according to the National Weather Service.

This time of year, skiers boarders are still seeing conditions, while golfers hitting the links across valley. In fact, many take

and fair are the the

opportunity to ski or board in the morning and golf in the afternoon.

Even as the days warm (and let's face it, we've had some incredible days lately) it's too early to think about planting most of the garden. Admit it.

A day or two in the high 60s, and it’s easy to get lulled into a false sense of weather-security.

PAGE 9

The rule of thumb is to wait until all visible snow is off Shafer Butte before planting most of your vegetables.

You want to get those veggies planted and on the way to your table! If you don’t have a greenhouse or haven’t started your seedlings indoors, though, you might be in for a heartbreak if you plant too early.

Boise and the Treasure Valley are considered “high desert,” meaning we not only have four distinct seasons, but also that the region is very dry with hot, arid summers. With an average of just 13 inches of precipitation yearly, one might think getting a jump on the planting season

when days are cool and rainy would be the way to go.

While this seems logical, it’s not the best plan of attack. Ask anyone who’s “been around,” and they will most likely share that the rule of thumb is to wait until all visible snow is off Shafer Butte before planting a good share of your vegetables, and even many annual flowers.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac gives May 7th as the date of the average last spring frost, although it can happen as late

as June. The last frost in 2013 was May 5th, but 1995 saw a record low in June of just 31°.

The Almanac has a great—and printable—planting guide that breaks down the best time to sow a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Visit your local garden store, or do a little research online to get your garden ready and before planting, but, most of all, trust in the local lore, and wait to plant until Shafer Butte tells you it’s OK! cbboise.com

MARCH-APRIL, 2020

spring cleaning hacks

That Will Last All Season Laura McHolm Co-Founder, NorthStar Moving

Follow these spring cleaning hacks to a cleaner, brighter home.

S

o, it’s that time of year again when we get down on our hands and knees to scrub our home top to bottom. Sponge? Check.

Eco-friendly cleaning solutions?

Check. Rubber gloves? Check.

Ready, set, clean. You step back to admire your hard work only to realize your home doesn’t look any different after hours of scouring.

Avoid the spring-cleaning blues.

Put the duster down and actually make a visual difference to your home. Remember that feeling when you just moved in? It’s like a new car smell. Everything had its place, décor was new and you had just what you needed.

Find that home again! It’s simply a change of mindset, look beyond the mop to the tasks COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON

that will actually transform your home for the entire season.

Follow these spring cleaning hacks to a cleaner, brighter home: Out With the Poinsettias Replace houseplants with fresh spring plants from a local farmer’s market. Fresh plants help improve the flow of oxygen in your home, bringing in that clean spring-like air.

Toss the Pillows In the spring, it’s time to put heavy fabrics, throw blankets and extra toss pillows in storage.

Less stuff and textures will make you feel cool and clean.

Raise Your Kids Beds, that is. Purchase bed raisers for your kids’ rooms to

create under-the-bed storage.

You can store everything from shoes, the laundry basket, and books to any bulky items that might otherwise clutter their room.

Sort the Soups Done with winter’s comfort foods? Sort through your kitchen cabinets and box up canned foods you have not used in three months. Donate them to your local food bank.

An organized pantry creates space for fresh spring meals and perhaps a cleaner diet.

Seasonal Style Assessment Take a look at your winter shoes, coats and purses. Will they make it another season? If so, remove them from your closet and put them in storage. If they

PAGE 11 won’t make it another season, donate them. And, no shopping for new spring clothes! That is, until you make room for them.

Get rid of an old item for every new item. Then say hello to your organized closet!

Clear Clutter Magnets What are the places in your home that attract the most clutter? By the front door? That special junk drawer? Bedside table? Coat closet? Identify your clutter magnets and pick one per weekend to de-clutter.

To de-clutter, empty everything out and create four piles: keep, give away, throw away, and store. If you can’t remember the last time you used something, get rid of it! Only put the items back that you really need.

Create “homes” for items that end up attracted to each spot.

For example, make a basket

for each family member so little Logan has a place to dump his schoolbooks when he walks in the door.

Stack the baskets close by their former drop spot. Then, take a picture of your new “anti-clutter magnet” and place it on the inside of a drawer or underneath a table to refer to, so you can keep it that way! You will be amazed at how happy that clutter-free spot makes you feel every time you walk by.

come over, they will be sure to ask for the name of the cleaning service you used!

Laura McHolm is an organizational, moving & storage expert and co-founder of NorthStar Moving Company, an award winning, “A+” rated company, which specializes in providing ecoluxury moving and storage services. northstarmoving.com

Now step back, take a deep breath and soak in the clear clean space of your refreshed home.

When your friends cbboise.com

MARCH-APRIL, 2020

Monthly Market Report

Record Low Number of Homes for Sale

The number of homes for sale in Ada County reached a new record low in February, with just 1,039 homes for sale.

Breanna Vanstrom, Chief Executive Officer Boise Regional REALTORS®

F

ebruary 2020 saw a new record low number of single-family homes for sale in Ada County, falling below the previous low of 1,143 in March 2018, bottoming out at 1,039 homes for sale. This was 23.4% less than the number of homes for sale in February 2019 and the lowest number since at least 2004 (when the Intermountain MLS started tracking the metric).

hand, if you’re considering selling, keep in mind sellers are getting a great value for their properties with today’s home prices.

Speaking of prices, the median sales price in February 2020 was $361,350, up 11.3% compared to the same month last year. The lack of existing supply compared to demand was a main driver of prices, as well as the increasing share of new home sales — While the inventory of new which makes sense as buyers homes for sale was down have limited options among 13.7% year-over-year, the lack existing/resale properties. of existing/resale homes for sale is the main drag on inventory, New homes made up 42.7% of hitting a record low in February all home sales in February 2020, 2020 with just 344 existing/ a 9% increase from a year ago. resale homes for sale — 37.6% New homes are typically priced less than the same month last higher due to increasing cost of year. land, labor, and materials, so as the share of new construction If you’re hoping to buy, keep sales grows, it will have a greater in mind that low inventory isn’t impact on the overall median the same no inventory. There sales price. are options available, and rates are making mortgage payments While our market reports typically more manageable. On the other look at single-family homes with COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON

or without acreage only, there are additional options available in the condos, townhomes, and mobile/manufactured homes segments throughout Ada County.

For example, 47 townhomes sold in Ada County in February, with a median sales price of $289,900.

The median sales price for condos was at $286,000, and for mobile or manufactured homes with an owned lot, it was at $153,000 in February 2020. (NOTE: Learn more about sales activity and median prices of these property types in our new Condos, Townhomes, and Mobile/Manufactured Homes Market Report.)

If you’re considering a move, work with your REALTOR® and a trusted lender to find solutions that meet your individual needs and circumstances.

Get in touch if you'd like to know how all of this information affects your situation!

PAGE 13

By the Numbers Ada County

700

HOMES SOLD FEBRUARY 2020*

50

AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET*

$361,350 MEDIAN SALES PRICE*

1,039

HOMES CURRENTLY ON MARKET*

* Numbers reflect year-over-year comparisons. Statistics provided by Boise Regional REALTORS® Single arrow denotes change of less than 10%; double arrows denote 10%+.

Canyon County

358

$265,000

52

591

HOMES SOLD FEBRUARY 2020*

AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET*

MEDIAN SALES PRICE*

HOMES CURRENTLY ON MARKET* cbboise.com

MARCH-APRIL, 2020

Treasure Valley

Featured Homes

3768 S. Riva Ridge SW Boise Meticulously maintained home with 28x30’ heated shop in private setting. Updates include kitchen, baths, roof, HVAC, exterior paint, & flooring. Abundant windows for natural light, 3 living areas. Kitchen is open to the family room.

Master suite with balcony, sitting area, Jacuzzi tub, tile shower, & walk-in closet. Walkout basement with rec room, guestroom & bath.

10337 W. Heceta Head Dr. W Boise Rare opportunity to own an exquisite waterfront home in Lakeland Village. Steps to the Greenbelt & minutes to Downtown Boise, you'll marvel at this .57-acre park-like setting. View sunsets from the private dock & white sand beach. Huge flex room with wet bar & elegant master suite with private balcony. Expansive lake views, too!

2888 E. Falcon Dr. SE Meridian High quality upgrades & immaculate throughout! 4 beds, 2.5 baths, 2,594 sq.ft., & a 3-car garage. Stunning gourmet kitchen with a 10-ft. island/breakfast bar that has pendant lighting. Kitchen dining & family room steps out to a wonderful covered patio overlooking a groomed yard & big hot tub. Located in Tuscany subdivision.

2542 W. Tenuta Ct. NW Meridian Open great room concept features a chef's kitchen & living room with two-story ceilings & gas fireplace. Formal dining + den/office/ bonus room. Master suite with his & her walk-in closets, dual vanities, soaker tub, & separate shower. Cul-de-sac location, huge lot with mature landscaping. Tandem 3-car garage.

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Featured Homes

3917 W. Anatole St. NW Meridian Beautiful & brand new single-level 3 bed, 2.5 bath home with 2,644 sq.ft. Large sliding doors off main living area & expanded bonus room create the ultimate space for indoor/ outdoor entertaining. Vaulted ceilings, fireplace, open kitchen with island, lovely master retreat with big shower, soaker tub, & dual vanities.

4593 W. Greenspire NW Meridian Beautiful 3 bed, 2 bath home with 1,840 sq.ft. in Spurwing Heights. Unobstructed view of pond & park & on a corner lot.

Open concept, split bedroom plan, & plenty of space for entertaining. Terrific kitchen with island, quartz counters, & Bosch SS appliances. Master with dual vanities, walkin shower, walk-in closet.

620 E. Clearvue Dr. Meridian Stunning estate with panoramic views & 500' of rim frontage! Tastefully renovated in 2019 with luxurious finishes. Main level includes family room, bonus room & sitting area, perfect for gatherings. 4.93 manicured acreage with 36x56 insulated shop & 20x40 storage building, geothermal heat. Room for animals, gardens, & RV parking.

2831 Timber Dr. Eagle Situated on 1.1 acres, this 5 bedroom home has high-end finishes, formal dining & living, gourmet kitchen with large island, informal eating area, & open concept family room.

Large master suite has walk out to the patio, enviable closet space, jetted tub & walk in shower. Huge bonus/game room on main level. Full size tennis court, too! cbboise.com

PAGE 15

Treasure Valley

MARCH-APRIL, 2020

Treasure Valley

Featured Homes

3417 N. Croft Way Eagle This stunning Colonial Estate home was renovated in 2019 to update/upgrade the entire main level. Multi-Gen or families that need room for guests, there is a 1,400 sf carriage house on its own HVAC & with radiant heated bath floors. Total of 6 beds, 6 baths, & 6,283 sq.ft., along with a 9-car garage all on 5.047 acres!

73 S. Grandean Way Eagle Nestled in the quiet community of Alderwood Village, this beautiful home will not disappoint! Proud to boast a master ensuite, spacious office suite, huge gathering rooms, & private outdoor living, all on main level! French doors from all main level rooms open to the immense & private front courtyard. Outdoor gas fireplace!

1613 N. Watson Pl. Eagle Prime location & exquisite 5 bed, 3 bath residence present an incredible opportunity!

The beautiful home is nestled on a .25 acre lot deep within Brookwood along a seasonal creek & common area. Enjoy Idaho's living with peaceful views from the wrap around country porch & east facing shady covered patio.

2602 N. Munger Rd. Star Feels like living in the country, yet minutes from town. New exterior paint, expansive wrap-around, covered hardwood deck, new vinyl fencing, freshly stained rear deck, new sod, new exterior light fixtures. Modern light fixtures throughout. Gourmet kitchen with painted cabinetry, tile backsplash, top quality appliances.

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Featured Homes

12499 W. Deep Canyon Dr. Star Breathtaking views of rolling hills & mountains!

Step out front to BLM land,perfect for horseback riding or hiking! Inside the home, step in to a generous open-concept floor plan & plenty of space for gatherings around the stacked-stone fireplace. Dine & entertain in the beautiful chef's kitchen. 5 beds, 3.5 baths, 3,114 sq.ft., 3-car garage.

15060 Willis Rd. Caldwell 25x25 shop! Spacious home sits at the rise of the hill to capture the views. Easy freeway access but no freeway traffic. 4 huge bedrooms, 2.5 baths, spacious kitchen & dining areas, main floor master. Yard has fire pit, fruit trees, sprinklers, irrigation, room for RV parking, fenced. Beautiful mature landscaping, plenty of outdoor space.

959 Valiant Ave. Middleton Wonderful 1998 sq.ft. home with numerous upgrades, 9' coffered ceilings, tile flooring, custom moldings & vanities. The great room has a marble-faced gas fireplace. Formal living room near the front entry that could also be used as an office. Knotty alder cabinets & granite counters in spacious kitchen with a built-in desk.

6944 Beatrice Fruitland Sit high on the Fruitland Bench with outstanding views of the Snake River! This horse property has a second 2-car garage or shop with additional storage. Mature fruit trees, including plum, apple, peach, & room for garden. New carpet in family room, updated flooring on main lvl, & new roof!

Private drive, 4.060-acre property. cbboise.com

PAGE 17

Treasure Valley

MARCH-APRIL, 2020 COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON

PAGE 19

Things to Do Go For a Hike. Walk Your Dog. Help a Neighbor.

FARMERS’ MARKETS ARE COMING SOON! Boise Farmers’ Market

Each Saturday - check website

9:00a.m.-1:00p.m.

1500 Shoreline Dr., Boise theboisefarmersmarket.com

Capital City Public Market

Each Saturday - check website 9:30a.m.-1:30p.m.

8th and Idaho, downtown Boise

capitalcitypublicmarket.com

Check venue websites for schedule changes.

Keep yourself & your families safe!

Earth Day Celebration

Wednesday, April 22, 4:00-7:00 p.m.

Nampa Rec Center 131 Constitution Way, Nampa nampaparksandrecreation.org

Glow in the Park Fun Run

Saturday, April 25, 9:00-12:00 p.m.

Merrill Park 500 E. Shore Dr., Eagle cityofeagle.org

Eagle Saturday Market

Saturdays check website 9:00a.m.-2:00p.m.

185 E. State St., Eagle

cityofeagle.org

Nampa Farmers’ Market

Saturdays - check website

9:00a.m.-1:00p.m.

Front & 13th, Nampa nampafarmersmarket.com

Meridian Main Street Market

Saturdays starting - check website

9:00a.m.-2:00 p.m.

33 E. Broadway Ave., Meridian meridianmainstreetmarket.com

cbboise.com

guiding you

home since 1906

BOISE 208.343.3393 | MERIDIAN 208.336.3393 | EAGLE 208.939.3363 | NAMPA 208.467.5272 Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.