Today I spent the afternoon with my Dear Dad!    He has been such a help to me the past several years with all sorts of projects!   Dad retired 4-5 years ago!    And since then my sister, Janne, and I have kept him quite busy with what we call "daddy-do's"     He helps me out with my yard....that really is to much for me to handle on my own....he has helped me weed, dig up, transplant, and weed and weed and weed....LOL    my yard.    Today we tackled my back  jungle yard...we haven't really worked on it this past year....concentrating mostly on the front yard.   He has come over to help me pick my very thorny black berries....even getting him self scratched up in the process.    For the past several years he has helped me to set up and even sell at the various craft shows that I work ev... 09/15/2010

I know many blog posts have been written today in honor of 9/11. I wanted to write one in honor of a guy I went to high school with in  Nampa, Idaho!    Ron Vauk was killed while on watch in the Pentagon.   Ron was the editor of the school newspaper--the Nampa High Growl-- at the high school we both attended.   He was a year older and about as pesky as an older brother would be to his younger sister....he loved to tease many of us in the 2 years we attended school together. We had many long night "putting the paper to bed"    I can't remember for sure but I think we published a school paper every other week.    During these times we laughed a lot and we argued a lot as well!   We all rejoiced with Ron when he was accepted at the Naval Academy in Annapolis.   I remember that the newspape... 09/11/2010

Yesterday I attended a great class over in Boise Idaho sponsored by Guild Mortgage and First American Title.   This class was extremely informative and set up in an Agent Forum arena.  Guild Mortgage covered how and when a buyer could get a loan who has previous bankruptcies, foreclosures, or has completed a short sale.   What extra tool they did have to offer was the services of Advanced Credit Solutions.    Advanced Credit Solutions specialize in helping a client to dispute incorrect, inaccurate or misleading information found on many peolple's credit reports.   Some of the areas they have helped with disputes include Past Due Amounts, Charge Offs, Judgements, Bankruptcy's, identity errors and child support.    They actually will audit the credit bureaus' for you, to ensure that the i... 09/10/2010

Happy Labor Day to all of my Active Rain buddies! I hope all of you got to do what you wanted ...whether it be to work or to relax....or work around the house.... I worked all weekend long on projects I have been wanting to complete for awhile! It was tiring but so rewarding as I got a lot done! And very refreshing to have the time to complete what needed to be done!   Sometimes we need a weekend where we can clear the monkeys off of our backs ...getting all the little stuff done around the house or on our to-do lists that have been piling up....or at least they have in my little world!   When we get these things done our brains are free to do real work...we aren't bogged down with the minutia!!!  I did show property today..and after looking since early Spring...i think we have it narro... 09/06/2010

Short Sale Homes in Nampa Idaho Statistics as of September 1, 2010: 1142 active single-family Nampa homes listings were available as of September 1st. 50% of these homes are "distressed properties" 160 are REO by banks (foreclosures) and 405 are short sales (36%). Nampa SOLD Data: As of 8-31-2010, 1255 Nampa Homes have SOLD. 67% of these Nampa homes were "distressed properties" 616 Bank owned REO's and 226 Short sales (18%). There is approx. 7 months of inventory available for Nampa Home Buyers to choose from. Typically anything over 6 months of inventory is considered a "Buyer's Market" and when inventory drops below 6 months, it becomes more of a "Seller's Market." When searching for Nampa Homes for sale, contact Nampa Realtor and Nampa Short Sale Specialist, Don Wixom with RE/MAX Ad... 09/05/2010

Today I went to the Nampa Farmers Market.... We are very fortunate to have such a beautiful farmers Market that is currently right in front of the Old Train Depot and Museum.   At our Farmers Market as well as many other Farmers Markets I have attended in the past....you can find all sorts of fresh veggies and fruits...cut flowers as well as landscaping plants....beef and eggs....baked goods, jams and jellies...in many flavors...and all sorts of hand crafted items from many artisans!   Oh and did I forget to mention the snacks you can pick up...tamales and breakfast burritos...kettle corn...mini donuts...hot dogs...and I am sure much more that I am forgetting.... The best thing about shopping the farmers market is the fact that you are supporting a local small business person...I used t... 09/04/2010

Morning Sun Estates Nampa ID South Nampa Location,just west of 12th Ave. Road on Greenhurst, Morning Sun Estates offers large residential lots with a variety of construction styles from various builders. Offering nice common areas and extensive landscaping berms, Morning Sun is a mid to upper style subdivision development in Nampa, Idaho. Morning Sun Estates Nampa Idaho Subdivision Report 29 homes have sold YTD (Sept. 1, 2010)  26 homes are actively being marketed in this subdivision, according to ourIdaho Intermountain MLS The average Days on Market for homes sold in Morning Sun Estates, has been 193. The average sales price is $105,680 at approx. $69 / SF Morning Sun Subdivision offers a great class of living, an excellent value and a well-cared for community. If you're looking for a ... 09/03/2010

First off you might be wondering what is a DOFI??    A DOFI is what we call at Keller Williams a Director of First Impressions.....or our front desk receptionist!   Isn't that a great  job title??  And it is so aptly named....at another Real Estate office my broker used to say it correctly....the first person that anyone has contact with is our Receptionist....if she is cranky or short or rude then they may think all of us are that way!   Our DOFI answers the phone every time with a smile in her voice....as she says..."we are having a great day at Keller Williams....may I help you?"     In the 4 years our Keller Williams office has been opened in Nampa Idaho we have had several DOFI's...some have been better than others....We have Debbie Salek now....what a wonderful addtion to our Kell... 09/03/2010

At our weekly tour meetings held on Thursdays for the Nampa Association of Realtors.    We pitch our listings and hear announcements of upcoming events for our association.... One thing they started doing earlier this year is to ask.....   What is good in your life ???   Really such a great question to ponder....we focus on so much of the negative that is going on that we forget to be thankful for the good in our life..... So I ask you ... What is good in your life ??? 09/02/2010

Are you the Ultimate Bronco Fan?    Do you get crazy in your dress to show your support of the Broncos?   If so then this contest might be for you .... Here is your chance to win two tickets to the Boise State vs Oregon State game to be held on September 25th.   What do you have to do??    Have the best decorated Boise State Bronco House ..... Grand Prize is the game tickets but weekly winners will receive a $50 gift card to teh Bronco Shop located in the Treasure Valley Marketplace in Nampa Idaho.   Contest starts today and will run through September 21...with the winner being decided on September 23rd.   To help you in your decorating needs the Bronco Shop will be offering a 20% discount on selected house decor merchandise...including flags, mail boxes, lights and flamingos!!! This co... 09/01/2010

Mark your calendar to attend a Hollywood and Wine at the Nampa Train Depot.  Saturday September 11th will mark the date of the gala.   Tickets are $50 per couple or $30 for a single ticket  for advance sales ($35 per peson at the door) Come out and support the Restoration of the Nampa Train Depot in an evening of live jazz music, plenty  appetizers and desserts as well as live and silent auctions.  Wine tasting from various wineries in Canyon county  will be available...and everyone who attends will recieve a Nampa Train Depot Wine Glass.    Bob Richards, Movie Critic for KIVI-TV  will serve as the Master of Ceremonies and is also auctioning off many items from his private collection of movie memorabilia.  The event will help to cover costs associated with restoring the Nampa Train Depo... 08/30/2010

I was talking to my sister in law yesterday, about carpet cleaning!    She was talking about getting her carpets cleaned and I was recommending the gentleman who cleaned my carpet recently!   I explained what an excellent job he did at cleaning my carpets, however he was very late....by almost an hour!    I explained to her how upset I was at him although he cleaned the carpet very well... he wasted my time.  I was on a tight schedule ....that didn't allow for any real wiggle room that week.... ....on top of the fact that my hairdresser was an hour and a half behind schedule the day before... I was extremely frustrated, as was my sister in law....she is a stay at home Mom...who is never home due to running her kids to many activities as well as to school every day (they go to a private ... 08/30/2010

I got a call this afternoon from the daughter of a  couple that I had sold a house to earlier this summer.   They were having a BBQ tonight and wanted to remind me to attend.....This was a client who had only moved to this country about 2 years ago. Well I hadn't gotten the original message that it was tonight so it was a surprise to me.....I had so many things to do tonight that I really didn't want to go....but I knew it was very important that I was there to celebrate their home purchase!!! I hustled and got stuff done around the house and headed over to the "house-warming" party.   When we got there (my lender and I and her boyfriend) and it quickly became apparent  that it was a Thank You party for Katie and I.  It was very overwhelming .....but they had food galore...and we were t... 08/29/2010

Today is the day for the 3rd annual Pooch Party at Nampa Idaho's Lakeview water park!   Many fun events are planned for today including a 1 mile walk around Lakeview Park, plenty of splashing around in the water park, as well as many doggie and owner games, contests and raffles.    40 pet friendly booths will be set up around the water park. Registration is $30 per adult and dog.   Included in the registration is an owner t-shirt, a doggie scarf and a goodie bag from sponsors.     Don't forget, if you attend, to participate in one or more of the following contests....Costume Contest, Super Dog Tricks, Doggie Idol, Owner - Dog look alike, and a Doggie Musical Chairs!!!!   Fun will be very evident throughout the day!   All proceeds will go to benefit the new and already very popular 6 acr... 08/28/2010

There are a lot of people looking for an acre of land, with a home, in Nampa, Idaho. So, what are some things you could do with an acre? Some people simply want elbow room. They may plant a large grassy lawn with a little landscaping or maybe even a few fruit trees. Others are looking for space to park several vehicles, maybe trailers or construction equipment. Yet other acre shoppers may want room to build a shop. Most buyers who are looking for a home with an  acre or more need a place for animals. A small pasture for the horse, the goats, maybe a llama or an alpaca. I have had a few buyers needing place to park an 18-wheeler. No matter what the use, most are looking for not only the space, but also the peace of mind of no CC&R's or someone telling them what they can or can't do with ... 08/27/2010

Lake Lowell Area (South of Nampa, ID) New Subdivisions MLS Area 1290 Locate New Communities, Search Real Estate plus Building Lots Lake Lowell Idaho Area Home Values & Real Estate Report Average Quarterly Sales Price of New and Resale Homes in Lake Lowell area of Idaho Source: Intermountian MLS   Legend Community Profile Available Community Building Community Golf Course Pressurized Irrigation Community Contact Fiber Optics Community Park Lots by Water Community Walking Path Gated Community Community Pool     The following list includes new subdivisions with building lots and/ or new homes available. The database is researched utilizing a variety of resources and is updated regularly. Idhao MLS Listings Note: While the list is comprehensive and accurate, s... 08/26/2010

I wrote about my class reunion last week here on Active Rain.   It was an 80's Decade reunion...of all those who graduated from Nampa High School in the years 1980-1989.  I went with a bit of trepidation on Friday night to a mixer.....One of my friends had roped me into helping out at the registration table.   That was the best thing to do as I got to see everyone as they came in to the door.   I am always amazed at how easy it was to talk to friends I hadn't talked to or communicated in pretty much any form for nearly 30 years.   Lots of hugs were given and connections made---even with people that you knew in name only when you were in school.   I came prepared and gave away a bunch of Refrigerator magnets with The Boise State Bronco Football Schedule printed on it as well as my contac... 08/23/2010

It is sure to be a fun weekend in Nampa Idaho.... Through the amazing long reaching arms of Social Media the graduating classes of 1980-1989 will all meet for an 80's reunion this weekend.  Many of these class mates have reacquainted themselves through Facebook...including a Facebook Page for the Nampa High School 80's Reunion. The weekend actually started with a Poker Tournament last night.    The main mixer will be held tonight at the Nampa Civic Center at 6 pm.  I have heard that there will be an old time photo booth for photo strips like we used to take at the arcades of the 80's.    Tomorrow will bring an early morning Golf Tournament and a family potluck at Lions Park and who knows what the evening will bring....rumors of a Karoake night at Nampa Bowl are circulating.   If any of ... 08/20/2010

It was announced last Friday that Pepsi and Mountain Dew will be supplying local stores with a Retro soda pop made with 100% real sugar ...this in the place of the usual ingredient -- high fructose corn syrup.  In Nampa, Idaho this new formula will have thier sugar supplied by the Amalgamated Sugar Company who produces sugar from locally grown Sugar Beets.  These Retro...or Throwback sodas are aimed at the Baby Boomer generation with new flavor and packaging.   Product hit the shelves this weekend.   Pepsi Bottling Ventures (PBV) is the nations largest independent Pepsi bottler with 7 plants across the United States including the one in Nampa, Idaho.   It is hoped that the Pepsi products will soon be endorsed by the BuyIdaho campaign. What an exciting new venture that is sure to keep mo... 08/09/2010

‎"We can't change our past. We can't change the fact that people act in a certain way. We can't change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude." ~ Charles Swindoll   Isn't this the truth....so often we blame our outcomes on everything except for us and our attitudes...maybe if we started facing up to certain truths we would be a lot more productive!!  Have a wonderful week everyone! 08/09/2010