Tips to Revitalize Your Home This Spring

Photo credit to Unsplash Spring has sprung and it is the perfect time to breathe new life into your home after a long winter. As the weather warms and nature reawakens, take the opportunity to revitalize your living space and enhance your curb appeal. Whether you're focusing on refreshing the interior of your home or sprucing up the exterior, here are some tips for reviving your home this spring.   Interior: Photo credit to Unsplash Clean and deodorize carpets and fabric furniture. Over time, carpets and fabric furniture can accumulate dust, dirt, and odors. Start your spring refresh by giving these areas a thorough cleaning. Try renting a carpet cleaner or hiring professionals for deep cleaning, and make sure you use fabric-safe cleaners and deodorizers to freshen up furniture. Wash windows. The inside of windows can build up dust and dirt over the months. Removing this gunk and brightening up a room is as easy as grabbing your window cleaner, a squeegee, and a microfiber cloth to remove dirt and grime.  Dust commonly missed areas. While regular dusting may cover the basics, there are often overlooked areas that could need some attention. Take the time to dust these areas which can accumulate dust quickly and impact air quality. Examples are: Ceiling fans Bookshelves Top of picture frames, TVs Let fresh air in. After a long winter of closed windows and indoor heating, your home can benefit from a breath of fresh air. Open windows to let in the spring breeze and allow stale air to circulate out. Not only does this freshen up your space, but it can also reduce heating and cooling bills. Add a vase of fresh-cut flowers. Nothing says spring like the beauty of fresh-cut flowers adorning your kitchen or dining table. Choose seasonal blooms in vibrant colors to add a pop of color and a delightful fragrance for a simple yet effective way to brighten up any room.   Exterior: Photo credit to Unsplash Wash windows. Winter can lead to a build-up of dirt and streaks on the outside of your windows. Just as with the interiors, clean exterior windows are essential for enhancing the outward appearance of your home. Consider hiring a professional for second and third-story windows, or tackle them yourself with a ladder!  Weed garden beds. Prepare your garden and flower beds for spring growth by removing any weeds that have taken root over the winter. To prevent regrowth and get a tidy appearance, pull weeds from the root. Place fresh mulch in garden beds. Mulch not only adds to the visual appeal of your garden beds but also helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Spreading a fresh layer of mulch evenly throughout your garden beds helps refresh your yard and provides a clean backdrop for new growth. Touchup paint on trim. Walk through and inspect the exterior of your home for any areas where the paint may be chipped or faded on trim and accents. A quick and easy touch-up on trim with matching paint can greatly improve the appearance and protect against weathering. Repaint the front door. Your front door is the focal point of your home's exterior, so adding a fresh color can greatly improve the curb appeal. Consider repainting it in a bold color that complements your home's style to give your residence a new look. Be sure to properly prepare the surface and choose a durable exterior paint for lasting results. Plan and plant the garden. Spring is the perfect time to plan and plant your garden for the season ahead. Start by researching suitable plants for your climate and soil conditions, or talking to local experts about what grows best. Whether you're growing flowers, vegetables, or herbs, a well-planned garden can greatly enhance your outdoor space. Add beautiful flower pots to the entry. Add a splash of color and elevate your home's curb appeal by adding decorative flower pots to your entryway. Choose different-sized pots in coordinating colors and styles to complement your home's exterior, and fill them with seasonal flowers or greenery for a vibrant entryway that welcomes you inside.  

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Hidden Gems: Underrated Areas in Boise

Photo credit to Lysi Bishop Real Estate Boise contains a diverse tapestry of neighborhoods, from the famous North End to the breathtaking Highlands and historic East End. However, many wonderful neighborhoods often go unnoticed in the shadow of these well-known areas. While Boise is known for its friendly atmosphere and stunning natural surroundings, it's the lesser-explored neighborhoods that truly capture the essence of Boise's unique character. Dive into these underrated areas in Boise with us and discover Boise’s best-kept secrets!   Boise Bench: Photo credit to Lysi Bishop Real Estate Perched right above downtown Boise sits the Boise Bench, a historic area that has homed Boise citizens for over 100 years. The Bench has a unique, eclectic energy that is beloved by its residents. Homes in this area are a mix of mid-century modern, newly built residences, and longstanding homes with lots of character. Within these streets, you will find Spanish Mission, Colonial Revival, European Cottages, Cape Cods, and Tudor style homes, a testament to this spot's vibrant mix of cultures. Its central location is prized, sitting minutes from downtown Boise, the airport, the Boise River, the Greenbelt, and Boise State University. The culinary scene here is very active, with highlights including Wyld Child, Luciano’s Italian, Blue Bench Brunchette, and locally sourced handmade ice cream spot The Stil.   NW Boise/Sunset: Photo credit to Lysi Bishop Real Estate This charming northwest Boise neighborhood is known for its mature trees, long standing homes, and tight-knit community. With prime access to the foothills through the Hillside to Hollow Reserve, this neighborhood is full of active hikers, mountain bikers, and walkers. This area also has an abundance of public parks, from Veteran’s Park to Sunset Park, a 10-acre public park with a 4.3-acre off-leash dog area. Quail Hollow Golf Course is nearby, and there are plenty of locally-owned restaurants to grab dinner at. Residents often say living in Sunset is like the North End lifestyle without the price tag, and homes do not stay on the market long in this area.    Mountain View: Photo credit to Lysi Bishop Real Estate Located in West Boise and centered around Mountain View Road, this area contains a charming neighborhood with incredible homesites overlooking views of the Boise Front. This area features close access to the Boise River and Greenbelt trails. It is a short 9-minute drive to downtown Boise and about 15 minutes to the airport. Mountain View Elementary is only a few minutes walk, and homes in this area are mainly prebuilt, as well as a mix of remodeled or new construction. This neighborhood is beloved by families for its proximity to elementary and secondary schools.   Garden City: Photo credit to Lysi Bishop Real Estate Garden City is a vibrant neighborhood that is quickly growing in popularity. This neighborhood sits right next to the Boise River, Quinn’s Pond, and the Boise Whitewater Park, beloved recreation spots for paddleboarders, kayakers, and surfers. The Greenbelt runs right along the river, inviting residents out for a morning jog or an evening walk. With many trendy breweries and wine-tasting rooms on nearby Chinden Blvd and the popular venue the Revolution Concert House, there is plenty to do. Homes vary from newly built subdivisions, townhome complexes right by the river, and existing homes. There is an exciting culinary scene here, with favorites including Cafe Lucios, Push and Pour coffee, Wildflour Bakery, and Dickey’s BBQ Pit.

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February 2024 Market Update

February typically tends to be a slower pace season in real estate. However, you’d think it was the middle of a normal spring market looking at sales activity. It could be the mild temperatures or stabilized interest rates, but whatever it is, buyers are out and about looking at homes and swooping up available inventory. Some homes that were sitting on market in the winter months of 2023 are seeing a surge of interest and offers. New-to-market listings in certain segments are generating quite a bit of showings and offer activity. This healthy market pace is exciting for sellers as heightened demand and incredibly low inventory are keeping home prices from sliding. Home values for single-family homes in Ada County increased nearly 5% since this time last year! “Positive year-over-year trends in the median sales price show a shiny outlook on homeownership. Even as some aspects of the market fluctuate, the value of owning a home remains steadfast” said Elizabeth Hume, Boise Regional REALTORS® 2024 President. Low inventory levels coupled with lower rates and increased demand are building home prices again. Buyers may see a little more competition as we continue on this path of normal spring conditions. Currently there is about 1.7 months of available supply of homes in Ada County, leaning towards a sellers market. A balanced market is 4-6 months MSI (Month’s Supply of Inventory).      

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