Archive for the 'Some Of My Favorite Things' Category

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas: Treasure Valley Baskets and Gift Shop, Kuna Idaho

April 18th, 2008 categories: Community Events, Some Of My Favorite Things

Do you need to send your Mom something special for Mother’s Day? My mother loves flowers, but they don’t last long ( of course that’s what some people like about them!).   But if you are longing to send something special and unique and you need it delivered, call Treasure Valley Baskets and Gift Shop.

This great gift shop features wonderful basket ideas and products plus unique gifts ideas for the whole family.  They have  recently expanded and  moved to 173 4^th St.(the building behind Vic’s Pharmacy)

This shop has something to fit everyone’s gift essentials including your pets.  They carry baby clothes, gifts  for the gardener on your list, gourmet foods and an assortment of whimsical, decorative and practical ideas. Renee is also carrying some local artisan work in her shop.  

Treasure Valley Baskets will deliver to anywhere in Kuna for free! That is a big plus if you forgot your wife’s birthday, or you have family here in Kuna and can’t be there to celebrate their special day.

They will handle your gift with the same love and care that you would. They have some great inventive ways to present your wishes, from baskets to cute and crazy or just ordinary gift wrapping. Simply let Renee know what you need and she’ll come up with a great idea for you.

Visit their website at TVGiftandBaskets.com  or call  (208)922–4823.

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Warning: Don’t Make This Mistake.

March 4th, 2008 categories: Down to Earth Information, Some Of My Favorite Things

When buying your country property, one thing to keep in mind, is your route to work. That is one trip you have to make on a daily basis and should be a major consideration when you choose your property.

Though we do not have traffic jams here in Kuna, every year we see more traffic on our roads. Properties in the Kuna area have two challenges you should be aware of. Read the rest of this entry »

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Kuna’s Annual Auction: Saturday Fun

March 1st, 2008 categories: Community Events, Some Of My Favorite Things

Even though the weather was not the greatest, I’m sure Kuna’s auction this year will be a success. Just knowing the generosity of this small community, proceeds will surely top last year’s $44,000.

Why are smaller communities so generous? Probably because there is a real connection between people that need the help and your efforts.

Last year 13 local families, people that we know, suffered from fire or flood damage.They were helped by the proceeds from last year’s auction.

So you can actually see where your efforts have helped and know you were part of the solution.

Neighbors helping neighbors, that’s what makes rural living so wonderful.

Home with a terrible cold, I did not get to catch any of the action. But I did find some fun to share with all you.

File Attachment: Dumb_People_Shouldn_t_Have_Horses.wmv (665 KB)

Tags: auction, Kuna, horses

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Earth Sheltered Home With Acreage In Kuna

February 20th, 2008 categories: Featured Properties, For Sale By Owner, Some Of My Favorite Things

This blog is dedicated to featuring real estate issues and properties in the Kuna area. With the owner’s permission, I what to make you aware of unique opportunities that may not be on our MLS system for one reason or another.

This featured property is earth insulated, with solar features and is surrounded by mature vegetation and gardens. It is very unique to this area because of it’s energy savings features. Our hydro electricity has been so cheap, we don’t see enough energy efficient building being done with the future in mind. This property has been on my wish list to see for a long time

Built into the side of a hill along the creek,the north side of this house uses the earth as an insulator from the elements and the noises of the country road. You can feel quite secure and private on this 10 acre waterfront property. It even boast a small portion of earthen roof.

The owner states there is over 2400 sq ft of living space, a two car detached garage and a 19×30 ft shop on the property. According to Ada county’s tax roll, there are two parcels that make up this 10 acre lot.

Built in the 80’s during the last gas crisis, this home has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths and a wall of south facing windows to capture that winter sun we enjoy here in Idaho.

The covered patio, I can imagine is well used in the summer time, facing Indian Creek with plenty of farmland and mountain views.

I think this would be a wonderful opportunity by using the second parcel as another building lot. A great homesite with easy access to the interstate and with beautiful Idaho scenery.

Call me if you are interested in exploring this great real estate opportunity. I still haven’t got to see the inside!

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A Few Of My Favorite Things….Wild Ivy Gift Shop, Kuna Idaho

February 5th, 2008 categories: Community Events, Some Of My Favorite Things

Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens, these are a few of my favorite things……

I always feel like humming this song when I visit Kim’s shop on the west side of Kuna. If it’s a crummy day(weather or business wise) I just lose myself in this nostalgic boutique.

There is so much to see, and I always walk away with something in a bag or in my next dream project.

Besides tea and cookies daily, there is always something fun going on at the Wild Ivy. Contests and promotions that you can join in, as simple as guessing the number of candy hearts, to giving gifts of warm clothes to children at Christmas time. The prizes are always generous and lots of fun. (I won a $25 gift certificate the first time I entered my name!)

You will not find anything to compare for prices. I find this to be true in most of the downtown Kuna stores. Prices are very reasonable compared to the same item in Meridian or Boise, probably because of the ability to keep the overhead low.

Kim or any of her sales associates are so willing to help you find just the right piece. So if you don’t see want you what, be sure to ask!

It is a little tricky to find the Wild Ivy.If you are traveling west on Main St, instead of staying on that road as it turns south to cross the river,stay on Main, and go straight towards the flag pole and you’ll see it. (291 Ave E)

These are just some of the themes the Wild Ivy carries.

Country Primitive

Victorian

Garden and outdoor decor (and great basics to start a project with)

Western and Northwest Outdoors (John Wayne too!)

Children’s (cutest baby shoes I’ve never seen)

Kitchen chic (including antiques)

Seasonal (Great sales)

So much more!!!

The shabby chic exterior just begs you to explore the inside. This shop has been featured in trade magazines and is one place that you need to visit when you come to Kuna.

I just simply remember my favorite things. and then I don’t feel so bad

Tags: Gift+shop, Kuna, Wild+Ivy

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9 Reasons To Invest In Kuna Idaho Land Right Now

January 30th, 2008 categories: Buying Land Advice, Real Estate News, Some Of My Favorite Things

1. Location: This is one of the most important aspects of investing in any type of real estate.

Kuna is a town of approximately 15,000 people with it’s roots being agricultural. Only about 30 minutes south of downtown Boise, Kuna is closer to Nampa and Meridian for shopping and medical needs. Though Kuna is swiftly adding on more and more conveniences, it is still considered a small town. South of Kuna is the Snake River and Owyhee Mountains.

Ada County Highway is studying and acquiring land for a bypass that will go south of Kuna and reconnect with the interstate system by Caldwell.(projected within the next 10–30 years) Kuna could potentially be situated between the bypass and the interstate someday.

Also in the works is a new interchange at Ten Mile (2009) and numerous arterial road widening, such as Lake Hazel projected for 2011. These projects will make an easier commute for anyone in the Kuna and surrounding area.

We don’t have the traffic problems some of the surrounding communities have and with these additions,Kuna should stay ahead of the growth and added traffic.

2. Interest Rates: Vivian Chan, a mortgage consultant from First Horizon,could not have said it better.

“ Boy, what a crazy week! The feds cut the rates and mortgage backed securities went on a crazy roller coaster ride with drops in rates we have not seen in years! We are stable now at 5.625% on 30 year mortgage rates which is just AWESOME! Boise, Idaho nationally is the 5th strongest real estate market. Be patient, be positive.”

Vivian knows what going on in the mortgage world and in the Treasure Valley. She is a wonderful resource for any kind of home loan.

Vivian Chan

First Horizon Home Loans

Eagle, Idaho 83616

(208) 938-6553 www.buildingwealthidaho.com

3.Wealth Building: Always one option to save for retirement is buying a piece of rural land. The one thing people have a hard time doing is holding on to it long enough to build equity, sometimes taking 30 years.

Opportunities to buy low and sell high the next year are hard to find but real estate is reliable product if done right.

Even a greater benefit would be to use part of this investment for your primary dwelling so you can avoid capital gains when you do sell.

4. Prices: Look for sellers that are motivated. If they don’t need to sell, they don’t have their property priced to sell. Although land prices in Kuna are not cheap anymore, we have seen a peak in prices in recent years, with a dramatic decrease in the last six months. The fear in the sellers market right now is that the prices are going to go lower. Sometimes you can capitalize on that and help a seller unload his debt. It is a buyer’s market for land too.

5. Labor and Material: With the slow down in new construction starts, you have more bargaining power with builders and suppliers. You should get more of their undivided attention.

6. Kuna Communities: Kuna is still rural and has numerous subdivisions of 3–20 homes that may have small acreage lots for sale. There are at least three newer subdivisions with one acre lots they have been building in for the last couple years. Some subdivisions are just a homeowners that was able to split off a couple of parcels for building lots, not your normal subdivision concept.

7. Agricultural community: In most areas of Kuna you can still have chickens or a family cow and not be snubbed because of them. Be sure to check with the HOA within your subdivision, or with the county before buying if this is important to you.

8. Weather: We have four seasons, with the longest being spring and fall. Low humidity,lots of sunshine and a great water source.

9. Opportunity: Good land is becoming scarcer and will get more and more dear. The best investment on Earth is Earth.

Tags: land, Kuna, building

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The Best Kept Secret In Kuna: Greenfield Custom Meats

January 4th, 2008 categories: Some Of My Favorite Things

Kuna is a small town, but that doesn’t mean we have a lack of business to meet our needs, just that you have to look harder. 

If you want some fresh local meat, we have a couple of great sources in the Kuna area.

One of my favorites is Greenfield Custom Meat on the corner of Ten Mile and Amity. They are close to my home, and I have never been disappointed with their product. Their facility is clean, inviting and the butchers always helpful and efficient. All of their beef is “natural” and hormone free, most of it is locally raised. (They have to purchase more steaks because they fly outa there!)

Using only a few local suppliers that follow a similar regiment for feed and raising, the meat is always reliably good. The beef is finished on corn so you have that great marbling that makes beef taste so good. Butchering and processing the meat on site, there is always fresh or frozen on display. Or you can order a  half/whole for your freezer.  They carry beef, pork and lamb plus various processed meats, bacon, yummy jerky, side pork, smoked pork chops, and I’m sure they will do customs cuts for you.

The best advertising in a small community is word of mouth. I have not seen any advertisements for this great business, but they are always busy. Their hours are the hardest thing for me to get use to. They are not open on weekends and close promptly at 5:00.  

So if you want a perfect steak for the grill, plan ahead and get there during opening hours, or you will be disappointed.

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Kuna Has Doubled In One Year?

July 19th, 2007 categories: Community Events, Real Estate News, Some Of My Favorite Things

Kuna staged for more growth

This is one of the recent headlines published by the Associated Press

Citing statistics that acreage annexed into the city limits has doubled the size of the city,from 3000 to 7000 acres, and expected to continue it’s growth.

This, of course brings developers who what to hook up to city services and turn farmland into subdivisions.

What was really happening was a land grab. Meridian was closing in from the North and Boise from the east. The mayor thought it wise to capture that land and the money it would eventually bring.

Our populations has not doubled in one year. It probably will, eventually. We need to moderate and plan for that growth so we can anticipate problems before they arise.

We don’t even have a Walmart yet! Just got our first electric stop lights last year. I can say that most people in Kuna what to keep the small town atmosphere and feeling in Kuna. Quite a tall order for the next mayor.

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One Thing The Kuna Real Estate Market Has That Surrounding Communities Don’t Have

July 1st, 2007 categories: Real Estate News, Some Of My Favorite Things

The average days on the market in Kuna last week, were only 32. 

Twenty single residence houses sold within Kuna’s city limits last week.  The good news is that there were only 19 new listings. Previously we were listing 3 times what was sold. 

The median price is $213,349, which is actually higher from earlier this year.  The average price per square foot is $119. 

But the unique thing? Average days on the market were lower than any of the surroundings communities. 

And those 246 listings that are still hanging on out there,  recheck your figures.  Are you offering something that a buyer would consider a deal?   Location? Features? Price?  and really price is what finally determines whether it will sell in any market.

To Be Fair:

Meridian:  34 sold, 73 DOM, Median Price $289,063, 127/sq ft

Star: 9 sold, 73 DOM Median Price $374,911, 129/sq ft

Nampa: 50 sold, 38 DOM, Median Price $181,950, 112/sq ft

Boise: 87 sold, 40 DOM, Median Price $241,900, 135/sq ft

 

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