Boise Idaho Real Estate Blog - Buying A Home

Know Your Resources: What's the Real Crime Rate in Boise?

Boise is well known for its below-average crime rate when compared to cities of similar size – it’s one important reason factoring into people’s decisions to move here. In fact, the crime rate in Boise has been steadily declining for 25 years.

Yet when moving to a new neighborhood, it’s natural to worry about the unknowns, and one of those unknowns is safety. What is the crime rate in Boise? How does it compare to nearby cities, like Eagle and Meridian? Where do you even begin finding that information? And how do you know if the data is current and reliable?

Below, we’ll give you the resources to help you do your due diligence and ensure that your next neighborhood is everything you want it to be, including safe.

Ada County Crime Map

If…

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House Hacking 101: How to Buy Property Without Paying a Mortgage

Joe retired from a national technology company at the age of 44. Soon after that, he spent a year traveling around the world: Europe, the Grand Caymans, Asia, and South America.

See, when Joe was 22, he bought a fourplex. He lived in one of the units and rented out the other three. As part of his job, he was frequently transferred. Each time he moved to a new city he bought another fourplex, always keeping the last one and the previous ones he had purchased. By the time Joe was 44, he was a millionaire.

Before I tell you the amazing part, you should know Joe repaired ATMs for a living. He was in no way a jet-set executive. The most he made in any one year was $55,000, including overtime. So how did this average Joe become a millionaire real…

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A Local’s Guide to North Boise’s Sunset Neighborhood

Quaint wooden signs greet visitors to this charming neighborhood known for its mature trees, modest brick homes and 1950s bungalows.

Boise's Sunset Neighborhood signs feature a family in silhouette walking their dog into a colorful sunset. They are a promise that deliver: Sunset is full of outdoorsy families eager to take advantage of the diverse activities the area has to offer.

This is a small, tight-knit neighborhood of do-ers: hikers, walkers, runners, gardeners, golfers and most predominantly, bikers.

Nestled up against the foothills, the neighborhood has direct access to mountain biking trails via the Hillside to Hollow Reserve – a 260-acre protected open space in the central foothills. Serious road cyclists also have access to the…

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Boise Housing Market Forecast 2020

As I write this, home prices are hitting new record highs as the Boise real estate market leads the nation in appreciation.

In the past year, Boise home prices have risen 11 percent while the supply of homes for sale has declined by 10 percent.

What will the new year bring?

By definition, a forecast is an opinion about future events. Even so, I’ve made a point to focus on the facts and current trends that are already in effect, avoiding any wild speculation. Read on for an insider take on the Treasure Valley housing market in the months to come.

Boise Home Prices Will Continue Rising

Today, one in six listings are seeing multiple offers. By spring, we expect that number to jump to one in three.

Driven by low interest rates and a…

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An Insider's Guide to Southeast Boise, ID

One of Boise’s fastest-growing neighborhoods is Southeast Boise, a flourishing area with enviable access to the greenbelt, river, and the downtown core. One of Boise’s largest and most diverse neighborhoods, Southeast Boise is home to Boise State University and area landmarks such as Barber Park, Bown Crossing, and the Simplot Sports Complex.

The Southeast Boise vibe is one of casual comfort: close-knit neighborhoods look a bit like streets of the past with kids playing in front yards and families walking their dogs. Despite this old-fashioned community feel, the area is also experiencing a rapid renaissance with an influx of shops, restaurants, and attractions as the neighborhood grows. Trendy new brunch spots join established local haunts while…

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Top 10 Affordable Boise Neighborhoods for Home Buyers

Looking for an affordable neighborhood in Boise? You are not alone.

It’s no secret that Boise is a great place to live. The City of Trees routinely tops national “best of” lists for its low cost of living, quality of life, inner-city gems like the Boise River and Greenbelt, and its close proximity to outdoor adventuring.

While Boise is ranked as “more affordable” than the average city on a number of factors, such as healthcare costs and transportation, housing costs are now higher than the national average. Housing prices are also among the fastest-rising in the U.S., which can make finding your dream home at an affordable price challenging.

Fortunately for home buyers, there are still relatively affordable neighborhoods in Boise – you just…

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Know the Neighborhood: Collister Boise, ID

A mixture of old and new, rural and urban, quiet days and entertaining nights, make the Collister neighborhood what it is: an uncommonly versatile community with a bright future.

The Collister Neighborhood is a quintessentially Boisean area, where urbanity and old school rural practices mesh to create a happy medium. This established and highly walkable neighborhood is known for its family-friendliness; on any given night, you’re likely to see residents walking their dog, tending their gardens, sipping iced tea on their front porches, or strolling the sidewalks with their kids.

This is an area where residents put down roots and spend weekends brunching with friends, holidays with family, and summers at the local pool with the kids.

One of…

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Boise's Highlands Neighborhood Really Does Have It All

On Boise’s northern border sits an oasis of a neighborhood that truly has it all.

The Highlands neighborhood has something for everyone: outdoor access, closeby schools, a sprawling golf course, and a short commute to downtown. It’s nestled against the foothills and has unparalleled access to Bogus Basin Ski Resort.

The Highlands is one of the most unique communities in Boise because unlike many newer developments, it isn’t built with a standard urban grid in mind. Instead, Highlands streets curve and twist along with the geographical landmarks that border it. The neighborhood is made up of over 35 distinct subdivisions, all with their own defining characteristics. However, the area has a sense of community and cohesion and is defined by several…

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Celebrating Our Clients: A Night Out With Old Friends and New

Here at We Know Boise, the heart of our business is you, our clients and partners.

That’s why we host client appreciation events throughout the year—to say thank you and express our gratitude. In July, we hosted a “Last Taste of Summer” client appreciation party at Bodovino at The Village at Meridian and the event was a success!

Our client appreciation events are the highlight of our year. Without our clients, we wouldn’t be in business and we look forward to every time we get a chance to connect. As a team, we enjoy catching up with clients we assisted years ago, as well as current and recent clients.

At last month’s event, we reconnected with some of our very first We Know Boise clients—a special treat—as well as newer faces. Held at…

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Take an Inside Look at the Latest in New Construction at Oregon’s Street of Dreams

I may not be able to predict the future, but I can give you some hints about what you’ll see in Boise’s new home construction in the coming years. That’s because I recently attended the NW Natural Street of Dreams at Stafford Meadows in Wilsonville, Oregon, just 20 minutes outside of Portland.

Just like our highly-anticipated local Boise Parade of Homes, the 2019 Street of Dreams showcases stunning examples of modern and innovative design, construction, floor plans, landscaping, and finishing touches.

The six homes I toured were excellent examples of what we’re seeing and will continue to see in the Boise new construction market and provided ample inspiration for those looking to build.

Priced from $1.1 to $1.8…

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