Community Events (3)

Archive for the 'Community Events' Category

Tis A Magical Time In Kuna Idaho, Christmas in the Country.

November 30th, 2007 categories: Community Events

DSCN0003 I just love the weather here in Southwestern Idaho, which is the reason many people move to this area. Our temperatures have just officially turned to winter in tune with the holiday decorations. Very cold nights give way to glorious sunny days with mild temperatures.

The neighborhoods are being transformed with Christmas lights and fantastic winter scenes. No excuses this year with this great weather, encouraging us to do more than we planned on.

Downtown Kuna is also morphing into a old fashion winter scene. Downtown businesses are getting ready for the opening of the holiday season.

Kuna’s Down Home Country Christmas is this Saturday, December 1^st. Festivities start off with a holiday Bazaar in the 4^th street gym. Santa arrives at 10 for pictures and has time to hang around Kuna until after the parade. There is live entertainment in the gym all afternoon and a “Christmas tree, wreath and basket” auction to raise monies for the Kuna Youth programs.

The most magical part of the day is the night light parade that starts at 6:00 pm.

And of course the shopping is great! The shops in town, not only have unique gifts but you can’t beat the prices! Wild Ivy, Treasure valley Gift Shop and Ideal Decorator are just some of the stores I love! Besides the inviting prices you don’t have to deal with the traffic at the mall.

This is another opportunity to get out and enjoy a rich slice of our community and it’s friendly crowds.

Tags: Christmas, parade, Kuna+Idaho

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Spoken by Sara Brosier | Discussion: No Comments »

One Tool Every Realtor In Ada County Should Have

November 18th, 2007 categories: Community Events, Down to Earth Information

Tool for realtors What is one tool that tells you all about the current issues a town is dealing with? What can give you an insight into what your real estate investment or that of your clients will do in the future? In the case of Kuna, Idaho that would be a simple subscription to the Kuna Melba News.

I will be so bold as to say that every realtor that sells and buys in the Kuna/Melba area needs to be a subscriber and reader! How else can you best represent your clients?

Not all weekly newspapers of smaller towns are the same. I am no expert on the subject, but this is the first paper that I’ve subscribed to that I don’t want to miss a single issue for fear I will not be that well-informed realtor that I am striving for.

I was not totally surprised by this recent article about the decline of readers of local news. Newspaper readership declines

You can read online and perhaps glean some good information, but you will miss out on the complete story. I was surprised that on the day of our last mayoral election, there were numerous citizens of Kuna that I talked to that did not even know what we were voting for! So obviously they are not reading it online either. Something about getting it in the mail that makes it harder to ignore.

I am guilty of not subscribing to the local news in the past. I’ve lived in larger cities and the larger the community, the more money is riding on what is decided in the chambers of the city council. That usually complicates the issues making it hard to know if you are agreeing with the right side. I think it even complicates the decision making of the politicians that are in office. So the newspaper reporting is not clear or easy to believe nor did I feel it involved me.

The same is true for the reporting done on the national elections. It is all so complicated and muddled by big business and money. I don’t believe half of what I see or hear, and have a very hard time when it comes to knowing who to put my trust in with my vote.

The Kuna Melba area has a big advantage and that is a good source of unbiased reporting. The community is small enough that the issues are not that complicated, and our votes can still make a big difference in how our community grows.

I would not be ashamed in any way to encourage citizens of this great community to spent money on this well written source of news.

This is especially true for the real estate agents that sell real estate in this community. The Kuna Melba New has reported on important issues that affect the value of people’s real estate investments such as:

Kuna’s plan to annex an additional 5000 acres…..
The early end to Kuna’s irrigation season….
Development of a Big-box store…..
Ada county Highway department plans for a Kuna Highway….

Besides all the community events, business ads, guest columnist sharing their wisdom (my favorite by far is “This is the Life” ranks right up there with Laura Wilder!) local school and sports, and of course the classifieds.

I would not hesitate to pay the minimal fee for this great source of information that Scott and Nicola McIntosh at the Kuna Melba News prints.

Tags: newspaper, Kuna+Melba+News, real+estate+agents

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Spoken by Sara Brosier | Discussion: 1 Comment »

“They Did It Without A Real Estate Agent”

September 27th, 2007 categories: 3 Legged Horses, Community Events, Real Estate News

Mudstone Those words just jumped out at me! They realized their dreams and bought a house that they had fallen in love with but couldn’t afford until it showed up on ebay. Read the whole article Ebay Bid Earns Them A Home. I think it’s great they were able to get a good deal, but my question is “who represented the buyers?” Who was there to promote and protect their best interest?

Something to consider, the seller normally pays the real estate commission, which in this case was probably between $3000–$4000. So the wonderful price reduction of $30,000 was “not” because they didn’t have to pay a real estate agent. Another thing to consider, was that savings of $3000–$4000(always negotiable) worth it? I’m not saying that this is what happened, but buyers need to remember who the agent they are working with, is working for!

Congrads to the ebay winners and may all your dreams come true.

Tags: ebay, real+estate, representation

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Spoken by Sara Brosier | Discussion: 1 Comment »

Mineral Springs: Looking for something different in Kuna?

September 11th, 2007 categories: Community Events, Neighborhood Reviews, Real Estate News

Mineral springs 001

Mineral Springs is going to be a subdivision that will capitalize on the needs of Kuna’s growing community.

Kuna is composed mostly of subdivisions that are very similar. We need diversity. Maybe it is the natural progression, to attract the first time homeowners with entry level homes. But we have too many subs with the same size lots, houses that look the same, and with the same amenities.

Mineral Springs is a upscale subdivision with over 5 acres of common area and home prices ranging from $300,000–$500,000. A great place to upgrade into a larger, more satisfying shelter but still be in town and close to local conveniences. Mineral springs 010

Mineral Springs is located on Deer Flat between Linder and Ten Mile, walking distance to all the schools in this area, plus easy access to Meridian Road and to the Ten Mile interchange that is planned to happen in 2009.

According to the agent selling these lots, they are the largest in any subdivision in Meridian or Kuna, ranging from 8100 sq ft to 14000 sq ft (I think he means this in a general sense, because these are just larger than a standard lot, and there are subdivisions in Kuna that have 1 acre lots.) Priced from $84,000–$130,000. There are 50 available lots in phase II, with a total of 140 homes that will finish this subdivision. Mineral springs 012

One interesting amenity is a water feature for the children, therefore avoiding the high cost of a swimming pool and higher Homeowners Association Fees to maintain and insure a pool. The other community amenities include a tot park, bike and hike paths. HOA fees will start out at $150/year.

There are 4 homes for sale at this time, for an average list price of $323,600 or $123/sq ft. In 2007, Mineral Springs has recorded 6 homes sold in the MLS for an average price of $304,745 or $126/sq ft. This is a good share of the market for a custom built home in this price range. Only Crimson Point has sold more in this price range and the homes are not comparable. Mineral springs 013

The developer is still making final plans on the builder team. The homes are custom built homes with wonderful exterior appeal and well thought out floor plans and many upgraded features.

Unfortunately, there is not a great website featuring the community plans or to see details of what is available, but they do have open houses regularly and a great handout on this premier community by P&F Development.

Tags: Mineral+springs, kuna, real+estate

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What We Are Trying To Avoid In Kuna Idaho

September 9th, 2007 categories: Community Events, Down to Earth Information

Community Living

“(Suburbs) do nothing to satisfy our social human needs; they do nothing to encourage us to be anything but strangers who happen to park their cars on the same street every night.”

Source: Ferenc Mate, A Reasonable Life

In my opinion, the best way to keep this from happening here in Kuna is to become involved in your community. Take time to get to know your neighbors. Become informed and Vote!!!

Tuesday, Sept 11th, is the day to vote concerning the School Bond. If you are not sure, read the most recent issue of the Kuna Melba News for a very in depth article concerning this bond. Kuna Melba News

Tags: suburbia, community, Kuna

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Spoken by Sara Brosier | Discussion: No Comments »

What Country Sounds Will Matter To Me?

September 2nd, 2007 categories: Community Events, Down to Earth Information

Meadowlark This is one attribute most people don’t take into account when relocating, but it is one I noticed immediately after moving into Kuna. The sense of hearing is very important to our well being. Noise pollution can be a detriment to real estate causing real physical and psychological problems. So lets list the sounds that are typical of Kuna.

1. Meadowlark: Because we have lots of fields, this bird is abundant, especially in the spring and again in the fall. It has the prettiest song, and you’ll see them perched on anything, mouths open wide just belting out their song. This is now my favorite bird!

2. Farm Animals: Towards evening is a good chance to hear the bellowing of sheep, cows demanding attention, or horses signaling their owners. Occasionally, on my morning walk, I hear a rooster off in the distance. If you have one in your backyard, this can be a early morning alarm even on holidays.

3. Farm machinery: We have one neighbor that mows and bales his hay at night. I’m sure it is much cooler to do it then. He has a older machine that has this pleasant rhythmic clicking, whirring sound. Usually doesn’t last long and not an annoying sound once you figure out what it is.

4. Crickets: One week this summer the crickets were so loud, it must have been mating season, or they all gathered in my backyard for a party. Made me wonder as I drifted off to sleep.

5.Train Whistles: Kuna became the train depot for this area because Boise is in a valley and too hard for the trains to get to. So Kuna became “the” delivery stop for the trains. We still have about 30 trains in one day go through this little town. Probably because there are so many, I never hear them. Also my house is not directly next to the tracks. I have heard this can be a potential problem if you are a light sleeper.

6. Construction: If you are one of the lucky ones, and there is a lot of Kuna under construction, you will hear the trucks and hammers as soon as the sun comes up, especially when it is hot. The only concession is that eventually it stops and the crews move on.

7. Nothingness: After the animals are bedded down, the farmer is in bed and the train has gone by, there is a lot of periods of absolutely no noise at all. I love it.

Tags: Sounds, Kuna, pollution

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Spoken by Sara Brosier | Discussion: 1 Comment »

Selling New Homes On Ebay? What’s Next?

August 28th, 2007 categories: Community Events, Real Estate News

Auction To tell you the truth, I think this is just another marketing tool and a very creative one at that. One thing real estate professionals like to see is activity. And this has splashed excitement all over the Internet. Made me look and I think that is just what the team at CBH was looking for.

Which houses did they decide to market this way? What was the criteria? What can they learn from this activity?

The property in Kuna is in Tomorrow’s Sub. A very nice, middle class subdivision. This house is one of the least expensive in this subdivision. One of the smaller models and it has also been on the market a long time. The asking price is $169,900 now, was at $215,000 at one time.

CHB Homes are featuring five houses on ebay,which are spread out over the Treasure Valley. This is a great way to gather some information about which markets this will work in. There is a reserve price, so they will not lose much. I find it hard to imagine that someone would buy a home without seeing the area or getting an opinion from a real estate agent that is not connected with this deal. It will be interesting to see if there is any potential of getting caught up in the excitement of the moment.

I went to a auction this summer on a 10 acre parcel just outside of town. It had been on the market for quite some time, price dropping on a regular basis. The property was in a great location for future development and I even had a buyer that was interested but waited for the auction to see if he could get a good deal. Well, a lot of people had the same idea, over 50 people were there to bid. Two buyers ended up bidding against each other. After the final bid, the property sold for the asking price…plus the commission to the auctioneer. No good deal to be found here. That buyer would’ve been better served paying a real estate professional to negotiate a much better price.

But in the end, a buyer did bite and that was more than they had at the beginning.

This Kuna property is being offered on ebay for a 10 day listing only and currently priced at $149,900.

I’ll have to keep an eye on this one!

Tags: ebay, real+estate, Kuna

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Tour De Fat, The Name Alone Got My Attention

August 23rd, 2007 categories: Community Events

This sounds like fun. Coming up this weekend in Boise is the Tour De Fat. I know it involves beer tasting and bike riding and that just has to lead to some fun. This festival is an attempt to increase awareness and participation in cycling as the sustainable transportation alternative.

I really think bicycles should be promoted more and should be part of Kuna’s developmental vision. In a small community like Kuna, we should be encouraged and able to ride bicycles safely to local events.

All the proceeds go to a great cause, Treasure Valley Cycling Alliance, a group that promotes cycling as a healthy, economical and practical way to travel and Southwest Idaho Mountain Biking Association, an organization that educates cyclists and helps build and maintain public trails.

I first saw this event’s information at Boise’s newwest blog. This is a wonderful site for all kinds of information pertaining to what’s happening in the West. According to the New West article, ”Tour De Fat is a one of a kind, must-see summer event.” Chris Winn, Tour De Fat’s coordinator promises, “People and bikes parade around decorated in outrageous costumes, great musicians take to the solar-powered stage, and fascinating performers entertain with creative antics, all while we raise money for local organizations that support the two-wheeled lifestyle.

The all-day party begins in Julia Davis Park, Saturday Aug 25^th,near the Rose Garden at 11 a.m. with the Cruiser Bike Parade. Throughout the day, entertainers will perform on the solar stage, including sword swallowers, fire eaters, chainsaw jugglers,1920’s European Cabaret, belly dancers, old world Yiddish theater, and more. For an entire lineup of acts check out the website Tour De Fat

See you there!

Tags: Boise+events, Tour+De+Fat, Bicycles

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Spoken by Sara Brosier | Discussion: No Comments »

How To Give Your Yard An Idaho Touch

August 14th, 2007 categories: Community Events, Neighborhood Reviews, Real Estate News

DSCN0016 Attractive curb appeal makes this home on Mule Ct an asset to its neighborhood. This yard is hidden on a quiet cul-de-sac in a one of my favorite subdivisions in Kuna. The owners, Jake and Suzanne, have artistically succeeded in balancing structure with plantings to give their landscape a very professional look. The homeowners combined family heirlooms with treasures found in the surrounding desert and intermingled them with rocks and beautiful Blue Atlas Cedar trees; truly giving this home an Idaho flavor. In the spring, hanging pots and a whiskey barrel on the porch add splashes of summer color to complete this picture. I love the great retro Jake did with the log porch columns and rustic bench to connect the house with the rest of the yard. This is another great example of a low maintenance landscaping that looks great anytime of the year! Not as easy as it sounds.