Tuesday, October 18, 2016

10 Reasons to Call Boise's North End Home

SPOTLIGHT ON A BOISE COMMUNITY: The Northend, Boise
Whether you spell it North End or Northend (both seem to be acceptable), ID-BUY Real Estate uses these words to describe homes and this area in general:
Historic. Eclectic. Eccentric. Funky. Charming. Relaxed. Gentrified. Original. Quaint. Hip. Organic. Quirky. Diverse.
This area of Boise known as the North End is always sort of evolving but never really ever changing. The footprint is there. The historic heart is there. Homes get remodeled, repainted, razed, rebuilt or never altered. The different historical groups often need to give homeowners permission to tweak or change preserved homes and features here.
Centrally located to downtown, it is just a couple minutes from the State Capitol Building, Hyde Park shopping and dining, State Street businesses and parks galore. Hiking, biking, running, strolling and getting outdoors right out your back door is a wonderful reality.
Here are 10 reasons why North End area residents love living there.
1. Camel's Back Park
Flanking the north end of the North End and up against the Boise Foothills, this 11 acre park offers tennis courts, volleyball courts, practice fields, open play areas, trailheads to foothills hiking and biking, picnic areas, an outdoor gym, hillside snow sledding and maybe best of all, chilling out and people watching.
2. 10 Other Parks
There are 10 other parks within this area that are diverse in size and use. Go discover Elm Grove ParkQuinn ParkC.W. Moore ParkGordon S. Bowen ParkMcAuley ParkMemorial (Union) ParkDewey ParkSunset ParkFort Boise Park and Skate Park, and Veteran's Memorial Park.
3. Old Growth Trees
The North End is definitely "cooler" because of its old growth shade trees and densely treelined streets.The North End has a shade canopy of its own that practically covers its entirety in the warm, dry summer months.
4. Harrison Boulevard
Harrison Boulevard is a classic old boulevard with lampstands at every intersection and a center road median adorned with trees and flowers.The street is lined by old trees and historic homes leading the way north and south through different decades of style, architecture, materials and design.
5. Churches
Holier by a mile, the Northend has more churches per capita than any other neighborhood in the state. There are over twenty is this community. These places of worship represent many faiths and ideals. The original settlers to this Boise area were quick to build their churches and establish their congregations.
6. Hyde Park
On the National Historic Register for its old buildings and unique architecture and its historic and ahead of its time "sub" urban retail area, Hyde Park is always buzzing. Filled with a very eclectic array of locals, the 13th Street venue of Hyde Park is where everyone comes together to hang. Great restaurants, great antique shops, great cafes, and small locally-owned specialty stores all make Hyde Park very convenient and inviting.
7. Relaxed Living
There are very few Codes, Covenants and Restrictions (CC&Rs) and this can be very attractive to homebuyers. As a resident, there are not too many rules for maintenance and upkeep on properties. So some North Enders show off their wild hairs, others keep them trimmed and coiffed. Some exhibit their individuality, others are more introverted. Some have English gardens, some have xeriscape. Some have chickens, some have koi ponds. There is a mix of housing & architecture throughout the neighborhood streets- Craftsman, Victorian, Cottage, Bungalow, Apartments complexes, duplexes, mansions...
8. Community Diversity
Like we mentioned before, people watching is a real treat in the North End. There is a very eclectic feel in the North End and it is in the faces of those who reside there. Dense in varying ethnicities, refugees, "Millennials," Baby Boomers, long-time old guard, hipsters, the chic, the sporty, the spicy... Sounding worldly and exotic? Yes, it is very much that.
9. Boise Foothills Trails 
The backdrop of the North End is the Boise Foothills which is an interconnected network of roads and trails , linking not only the North End to public lands but also connecting people to nature. With over 190 miles of trail, there are always new directions to go on bike, on foot and on hoof.
Camel's back Park is the gateway for the Hull's Gulch system of trails. There are many trails to discover, though, in and around the North End.
10. Bogus Basin
The North End also offers recreational opportunities that people flock to from across the city and beyond. Rising above to the north is Bogus Basin Mountain, our local ski mecca offering Nordic and cross-country trails, alpine skiing, snowboarding and tubing in the winter; mountain biking and hiking with gondola lift options in the summer. Live music on weekends, an alpine wedding venue, night skiing, disc golf... Bogus is anything but bogus these days.
ID-BUY Real Estate has current and upcoming listings in the North End so give us a call to learn more.
If you are, or anyone you know might be considering a move, please let us help to find the right Boise community.
Call Rick Bennett at 208-407-0532 or our office at 208-955-6448.
ID-BUY Real Estate/Keller Williams Realty Boise
Your #1 Real Estate Team for Selling & Buying Properties

Friday, October 14, 2016

Home for Sale 4600 Ginzel St., Boise ID 83703



Not a "MUST SEE" but instead a "MUST EXPERIENCE!"

Captivating property! Mesmerizing Valley Views! Unparalleled property located in Boise! Mid-century modern meets Treasure Valley skyline. The most exquisite view in the Boise foothills, this home grabs your attention the minute you walk in. Designed in 1974, remodeled in 1985 and refurbished in 2016, the view captures Table Rock to the Owyhee Mountains. Single level living with a below grade living space. Each level has a kitchen, master, 2nd bedroom and 1 full and half bathroom. An 8 car shop with RV parking rounds out the secluded and private retreat. There is never a bad day at 4600 Ginzel.

Call today to get your personal tour today- 208-407-0532.

If you are, or anyone you know might be considering a move, please let us help find the perfect place.

Call Rick Bennett at 208-407-0532 or our office at 208-955-6448.
ID-BUY Real Estate/Keller Williams Realty Boise 
Your #1 Real Estate Team for Selling & Buying Properties

5 Essentials to Buying a house

Looking to buy a home? Here are five essential tips for making the process as smooth as possible.
Get your finances in order.
Start by getting a full picture of your credit. Obtain copies of your credit report. Make sure the facts are correct, and fix any problems you find. Next, find a suitable lender and get pre-approved for a loan. This will put you in a better position to make a serious offer when you do find the right house.
Find a house you can afford.
As with engagement rings, there’s a general rule of thumb when it comes to buying a home: two-and-a-half times your annual salary. There are also a number of tools and calculators online that can help you understand how your income, debt, and expenses affect what you can afford. Don’t forget, too, that there are lots of considerations beyond the sticker price, including property taxes, energy costs, etc.
Hire a professional.
While the Internet gives buyers unprecedented access to home listings and resources, many aspects of the buying process require a level of expertise you can’t pick up from surfing the web. That’s why you’re better off using a professional agent than going it alone. If possible, recruit an exclusive buyer agent, who will have your interests at heart and can help you with strategies during the bidding process.
Do your homework.
Before making a bid, do some research to determine the state of the market at large. Is it more favorable for sellers or buyers? Next, look at sales trends of similar homes in the area or neighborhood. Look at prices for the last few months. Come up with an asking price that’s competitive, but also realistic. Otherwise, you may end up ticking off your seller.
Think long term.
Obviously, you shouldn’t buy unless you’re sure you’ll be staying put for at least a few years. Beyond that, you should buy in a neighborhood with good schools. Whether you have children or not, this will have an impact on your new home’s resale value down the line. When it comes to the house itself, you should hire your own home inspector, who can point out potential problems that could require costly repairs in the future.

If you are, or anyone you know might be considering a move, please let us help find the perfect place.
Call Rick Bennett at 208-407-0532 or our office at 208-955-6448.
ID-BUY Real Estate/Keller Williams Realty Boise 
Your #1 Real Estate Team for Selling & Buying Properties