George Tallabas - Idaho Real Estate

For the past several years Boise Idaho and Idaho in general has been touted as a place that is great for families and businesses.

Early this year of 2008 Amy Bickers from the Kiplinger News Letter personally visited Boise Idaho and was very impressed asking the question "How do folks get any work done around here?" Amy was referring to the Skiing, Snow Boarding, Fishing, Biking and Kayaking all offered in and around Boise and in most parts of the state.

Idaho is one of the most diversified states anywhere in the nation. The northern part of the state has one of the most beautiful lakes and cities in the nation in Coeur d Alene and its natural lake all located near the Canadian border.

Central Idaho is an outdoorsman's dream come true. The Salmon River offers some of the most scenic and breathtaking tours avid water enthusiasts will ever find. If you like to kayak, fish, or take float trips you must put down the Salmon River on your list of places to visit.

South Central Idaho with it's vast farms that run for miles and miles are made even more beautiful with the massive Snake River that cuts through this vast farm country. This area is where the majority of the famous "Idaho Potatoes" are grown.

In the South West area of Idaho where Boise is located and where I was born and called home for my entire life the economy is one of the stongest in the nation. There is a diversification of agriculture, technology, medical and service industries. The Boise River runs through the middle of the city and the magnificent mountains located on the east side of Boise offer snow skiing, snow mobiling, cross country skiing and hiking just minutes from downtown.

Idaho Real Estate remains very affordable. In Ada County where Boise is located the median price of a home stands at $235,000. Homes in neighboring Canyon County just west of Boise are even more attractive with median prices well under $200,000. In many rural areas of Idaho that are less than an hour from major cities good housing can be found for prices under $100,000.

Take the same tour Amy Bickers took that impressed her so much, Tour Boise Idaho

Posted By: George Tallabas - Boise Idaho Real Estate Agent - Associate Broker
with RE/MAX Advantage, Canyon Counties #1 Brokerage in sales and listings
specializing in Boise Idaho Real Estate and Southwest Idaho Real Estate.

Early this year in 2008 Amy Bickers from the Kiplinger news Letter wrote about the best cities in 2008 in which Boise Idaho was name the 4^th best city in the nation

In that article Bickers asked the question, "How do any folks get any work done around here? The skiing, snowboarding, fishing, biking and kayaking in Boise are an almost irresistible temptation to desert your desk".

Now Kiplinger News has written about "The Best Cities to Work and Play" and again the writers have named Boise the 4^th best city to work and play

The formula used to select the top 10 cities to work and play were based on not only past performance but with those cities that had all the right ingredients for future success. All the cities chosen had people in the creative classes such as scientists, engineers, architects, educators, writers, artists and entertainers.

Boise Idaho has long been recognized for it's beauty and positive business and family atmosphere. Boise attracts the young at heart and the empty nesters as well. There is a nice blend of old and new housing which remains very affordable. The median price of a home in Boise Idaho stands at $235,000 and the cost of living is very attractive.

Boise Idaho is the home to Micron Technology, one of the largest computer chip manufacturers in the world and the home to the printer division of Hewlett-Packard.

The Boise River meanders through the center of the city with parks, restaurants, walking/bike baths and housing developments bordering the river for miles. One can float the Boise River in the summer months or hike the mountains that border the city on the east side. In the winter months Bogus Basin Ski Resort is less than an hour from Boise with many cross-country ski and snow mobile trails along the way.

Discover why so many people relocate to Boise Idaho every year. Go to Boise Idaho Real Estate to learn more about this fascinating city and start your Boise Idaho Real Estate Search.

Take a tour of beautiful downtown Boise: Tour Boise

Posted By: George Tallabas - Boise Idaho Real Estate Agent - Associate Broker
with RE/MAX Advantage, Canyon Counties #1 Brokerage in sales and listings
specializing in Boise Idaho Real Estate and Southwest Idaho Real Estate.

Boise Idaho recognized as 4th best in 2008

Something takes place every year like clockwork.  What I am referring to is Boise Idaho.  Yes, every year some national publication or organization writes something wonderful about the little city of Boise Idaho tucked away at the base of beautiful majestic mountains with the Boise River running through the heart of the city.

Amy Bicker from the Kiplinger news letter visited Idaho and came away amazed. Amy ranked Boise Idaho as the 4^th best city in the Nation for 2008.  Amy wrote she doesn't understand how anyone gets any work done in Boise with the skiing, snowboarding, fishing, biking and kayaking which is all available in and around Boise. 

Susan Thayer, who relocated to Boise four years ago from Albany Oregon states "Boise Idaho has evolved into a magnet for the arts."  She and her spouse, Terry, frequent the theater, as well as Boise's own symphony, opera and dance companies.

Micron Technology and Hewlett-Packard are the Boise Valley's two largest employers.  Micron is one of the largest computer chip manufacturers in the world with their headquarters in Boise.  Hewlett-Packards printer division is headquartered in Boise and has grown beyond anyone's expectations over the past 15-20 years.  When not casting a fishing line, skiing down a hill or floating down a river or stream most people return to work at one of these two companies or one of the many health-care or service industries located in Boise Idaho.

Employers like that fact they will find a high proportion of college graduates in Boise (37%, compared with the national average of 27%) and that new hires will find plenty of affordable housing.  Boise Idaho real estate is amazingly affordable and wonderful with an eclectic mix of old and new neighborhoods and homes can be found at a median price of $235,000.  And for those living in Los Angeles or New York, get this:  The average commute to work is 18 minutes!

It is no wonder that the USA Today wrote the article "No end in site for Idaho's growth" in September of 2007.  Like I mentioned at the beginning of this article, it seems every year some publication or organization is writing something wonderful about the Idaho Gem known as Boise Idaho.

 Posted By: George Tallabas - Boise Idaho Real Estate Agent - Associate Broker 
with RE/MAX Advantage, Canyon Counties #1 Brokerage in sales and listings
specializing in Boise Idaho Real Estate and Southwest Idaho Real Estate.

Some little bedroom communities close to a major capital city wither away and die a slow death. Others rise above the challenges and create a wonderful little city that gets everyone's attention and attracts those seeking an attractive and prosperous environment away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

I was raised in the small town of Caldwell Idaho and in the 50's and 60's it was the envy of many residents of the Treasure Valley which included the capital city of Boise. Caldwell had a large Sears store, Idaho Department Store, a wonderful men's store and other thriving businesses.

Along came the progression of neighboring Nampa Idaho and the Capital of Boise Idaho and Caldwell soon started to drop off of the map. Businesses closed right and left in search of greener pastures. By the mid 80's Caldwell Idaho had more vacant buildings than people living in the community it seemed.

Caldwell had one of two choices. Be content with being a ghost town or take advantage of sound leadership and be all it can be. Mayor Garrett Nancolas took control of the city and embarked on a vision that would transform a city. A dream was born and the rest is history.

Indian Creek runs right smack through the middle of Caldwell and 50 plus or minus years ago was covered up with concrete and pavement. Mayor Nancolas introduced his vision to uncover this magnificent waterway treasure and just this spring the Indian Creek Restoration Project was officially declared a completed project with its pedestrian bridges, walking paths and water wheel. There are a lot of park-like areas where one can lay and soak up the sun as well. Trout have been planted as well in the creek and one can see a Dad and his son out once in while trying their luck.

The Franklin Road Interchange east of Caldwell is also due to be completed the fall of 2008. This will transform a two lane overpass into a much needed four lane overpass which will help Caldwell immensily. The multi-million dollar project will allow traffic to flow freely between the downtown core and the growing residential/commercial area located off of highway 20-26.

Also, this week of the 19^th of May, 2008 I announced that AFI Packaging had selected Caldwell Idaho as the site for it's new start-up company. This is a company that will produce allergen free foods, primarily bread and cake mixes and already has a national contract in place. I was fortunate to be selected as the Realtor to represent AFI Packaging and am excited about adding yet another wonderful company to the little city of Caldwell.

The Caldwell Idaho real estate market has also been imune to the subprime mortgage meldown. Foreclosures and short sale have not affected the area as much as other parts of the country and housing has remained very affordable. As of April 30, 2008 the average selling price of a home in Caldwell was $146,146 and the average asking price of a home was $181,312. There are developments for everyone from seniors to Idaho first time home buyers to those seekig exclusive home sites.

Congratulations major Nancolas. You have taken a sad little town and transformed into a thriving little city that has raised eyebrows across the valley. It seems everyone is talking about the transformation of the "Little City that Could", Caldwell, Idaho.

Posted By: George Tallabas - Boise Idaho Real Estate Agent - Associate Broker
with RE/MAX Advantage, Canyon Counties #1 Brokerage in sales and listings
specializing in Boise Idaho Real Estate and Southwest Idaho Real Estate.

One thing that stands out in my mind when I think about my visit to Colorado Springs are the amazing know capped mountains and beautiful landscape. This city sits at the base of of Pikes Peak which at 14,115 feet provides an awesome backdrop to this wonderful city which is the 2nd most populous city in Colorado.

It is no surprise that Colorado Springs was selected at the No. 1 Best Big City in the "Best Places To Live" report issued by Money Magazine in 2006. With all of it's parks, bike trails, urban open areas spaces, business and commerce, theatres and other entertainment, it has become a destination for residents looking for a scenic place coupled with a vibrant economy.

The Pikes Peak Gold Rush brought thousands of people to the area in conjunction with the California Gold Rush. Founded in 1871 by General William Palmer "Old Colorado City" was established and the intent was for the old city to be a resort community. Today, Colorado Springs is a wonderful blend of "Old and New" with a vibrant economy with includes computer chip manufacturers like Intel, Inmos and Hewlett-Packard. Coupled with strong tourism, Colorado Springs has very diverse economic strengths.

In 2005 the United States Census place the population of Colorado Springs at 369,815 residents which at that time made it the 48th most populous U.S. city. Colorado Springs is home to a number of military installations and to important national defense agencies. It is also home to the United State Airforce Academy.

I love to travel and Colorado is one of my favorite places to visit. I simply love the massive snow capped mountains, the old mining towns and the rivers and streams for outdoor enthusiasts. Colorado has attracted both young and old for years and continues to do so. It is rare to find a city like Colorado Springs that has done such a wonderful job of blending the history of old and complimented it with such a modern and thriving city. Colorado is a skiers haven and I have many friends that have skied in Colorado and just marveled that the quality of the resorts. To ski colorado is to ski close to heaven!

Colorado Springs has yet another great resource known as Patricia Beck. When you plan your visit to Colorado Springs be sure to contact Patricia Colorado Springs Realty . You will have the benefit of having a Realtor that not only embraces her clients and cares for them, but embraces the use of modern technology to give you the information you need and want quickly. I have spoken to Patrica several times and I love her calm and assuring voice and am impressed with her knowledge.

Patricia serves the cities of Colorado Springs, El Paso County and Pikes Peak Region. When you visit a state with a great history you need someone with Patricia's experience and knowledge. Homes of Colorado Springs is a great place to start.

Whether you need Tips Sell Your Colorado Springs Home or you are looking for buyers resourses in Colorado Springs, Patricia will answer all of your questions in the professional manner she is known for.

You can look at Patricia's Colorado Springs Featured Listings or wanting to Search The entire Colorad Springs MLS, Tracy's site has it all. There are resources for City Information, Ski Colorado, Colorado Springs Military Information and read the Colorado Springs Real Estate blog where Patricia has posted a wealth of information.

There is no finer compliment that one can be given than by happy customers and clients and Patricia has many Colorado Springs customers and clients that are elated with her service.

Patricia lives her life as a Christian that embraces integrity, truth and humility.

Patricia Beck
Realtor, GRI
Prudential Professional Realtors
(719) 660-9058
patricia@patricia-beck.com