Even though the weather was not the greatest, I’m sure Kuna’s auction this year will be a success. Just knowing the generosity of this small community, proceeds will surely top last year’s $44,000.
Why are smaller communities so generous? Probably because there is a real connection between people that need the help and your efforts.
Last year 13 local families, people that we know, suffered from fire or flood damage.They were helped by the proceeds from last year’s auction.
So you can actually see where your efforts have helped and know you were part of the solution.
Neighbors helping neighbors, that’s what makes rural living so wonderful.
Home with a terrible cold, I did not get to catch any of the action. But I did find some fun to share with all you.
File Attachment: Dumb_People_Shouldn_t_Have_Horses.wmv (665 KB)
The City of Kuna has given the OK for a development that would include a “big box” store plus various commercial and residential buildings. I have listened to many citizens concerns and this is what I am hearing.
The Pluses:
1. Competition: This is the American way. In order for businesses in Kuna to directly compete with a Walmart-type store, they will have to offer better and different products and superb customer services. That’s not a bad thing for the consumers.
2. Convenient: This is the most verbal aspect. As a Kuna resident, I’m always planning any shopping to correspond with going into town for other reasons. It’s a 20 min trip to the nearest big grocery store. With gas prices soaring, this shopping opportunity would definitely be easier and more economical for every Kuna resident.
3. Progress: Any growth in our community seems to attract more growth. This is understood and excepted by everyone that lives here. A necessary evil when living in a community that offers so much. Build one and the others will follow.
The Minuses:
1. Increased Traffic and Noise. This development will be on the corner of two already busy roads, Deer Flat and Meridian. Projected to add 12,000 more cars daily at the completion of this project, the current infrastructure will not be adequate. And with the High School so close, foot traffic will be certain along this busy road.
2. Downtown Business May Suffer. The concept of a “big box store” is to offer people one stop shopping. This will effect our downtown shops. Kim, the owner of the Wild Ivy, stated in a recent newspaper interview,”Lots of people shop at her store for last minute gift items”. Kuna will have to plan ways to keep the traffic coming to downtown area. Most of these stores already have competitive pricing and unique items.
3. Losing Our Small Town Quality: Kuna is a town that is quiet, safe and friendly. This is what many people who moved to Kuna don’t want to lose. Most big box stores do not fit into this image. The Planning and Zoning department needs to use this opportunity to keep Kuna’s character.
Attempting this will be a challenge for the City of Kuna, to control growth and sustain the quaint, agricultural atmosphere that make Kuna unique. I think the majority of residents in this town are ready for a change, needing more recreational options, jobs and conveniences closer to home. Change can be a good thing. I wonder if Kuna is up to the challenge?
This blog is dedicated to featuring real estate issues and properties in the Kuna area. With the owner’s permission, I what to make you aware of unique opportunities that may not be on our MLS system for one reason or another.
This featured property is earth insulated, with solar features and is surrounded by mature vegetation and gardens. It is very unique to this area because of it’s energy savings features. Our hydro electricity has been so cheap, we don’t see enough energy efficient building being done with the future in mind. This property has been on my wish list to see for a long time
Built into the side of a hill along the creek,the north side of this house uses the earth as an insulator from the elements and the noises of the country road. You can feel quite secure and private on this 10 acre waterfront property. It even boast a small portion of earthen roof.
The owner states there is over 2400 sq ft of living space, a two car detached garage and a 19x30 ft shop on the property. According to Ada county’s tax roll, there are two parcels that make up this 10 acre lot.
Built in the 80’s during the last gas crisis, this home has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths and a wall of south facing windows to capture that winter sun we enjoy here in Idaho.
The covered patio, I can imagine is well used in the summer time, facing Indian Creek with plenty of farmland and mountain views.
I think this would be a wonderful opportunity by using the second parcel as another building lot. A great homesite with easy access to the interstate and with beautiful Idaho scenery.
Call me if you are interested in exploring this great real estate opportunity. I still haven’t got to see the inside!
Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens, these are a few of my favorite things……
I always feel like humming this song when I visit Kim’s shop on the west side of Kuna. If it’s a crummy day(weather or business wise) I just lose myself in this nostalgic boutique.
There is so much to see, and I always walk away with something in a bag or in my next dream project.
Besides tea and cookies daily, there is always something fun going on at the Wild Ivy. Contests and promotions that you can join in, as simple as guessing the number of candy hearts, to giving gifts of warm clothes to children at Christmas time. The prizes are always generous and lots of fun. (I won a $25 gift certificate the first time I entered my name!)
You will not find anything to compare for prices. I find this to be true in most of the downtown Kuna stores. Prices are very reasonable compared to the same item in Meridian or Boise, probably because of the ability to keep the overhead low.
Kim or any of her sales associates are so willing to help you find just the right piece. So if you don’t see want you what, be sure to ask!
It is a little tricky to find the Wild Ivy.If you are traveling west on Main St, instead of staying on that road as it turns south to cross the river,stay on Main, and go straight towards the flag pole and you’ll see it. (291 Ave E)
These are just some of the themes the Wild Ivy carries.
Country Primitive
Victorian
Garden and outdoor decor (and great basics to start a project with)
Western and Northwest Outdoors (John Wayne too!)
Children's (cutest baby shoes I’ve never seen)
Kitchen chic (including antiques)
Seasonal (Great sales)
So much more!!!
The shabby chic exterior just begs you to explore the inside. This shop has been featured in trade magazines and is one place that you need to visit when you come to Kuna.
I just simply remember my favorite things. and then I don’t feel so bad
1. Location: This is one of the most important aspects of investing in any type of real estate.
Kuna is a town of approximately 15,000 people with it’s roots being agricultural. Only about 30 minutes south of downtown Boise, Kuna is closer to Nampa and Meridian for shopping and medical needs. Though Kuna is swiftly adding on more and more conveniences, it is still considered a small town. South of Kuna is the Snake River and Owyhee Mountains.
Ada County Highway is studying and acquiring land for a bypass that will go south of Kuna and reconnect with the interstate system by Caldwell.(projected within the next 10–30 years) Kuna could potentially be situated between the bypass and the interstate someday.
Also in the works is a new interchange at Ten Mile (2009) and numerous arterial road widening, such as Lake Hazel projected for 2011. These projects will make an easier commute for anyone in the Kuna and surrounding area.
We don’t have the traffic problems some of the surrounding communities have and with these additions,Kuna should stay ahead of the growth and added traffic.
2. Interest Rates: Vivian Chan, a mortgage consultant from First Horizon,could not have said it better.
“ Boy, what a crazy week! The feds cut the rates and mortgage backed securities went on a crazy roller coaster ride with drops in rates we have not seen in years! We are stable now at 5.625% on 30 year mortgage rates which is just AWESOME! Boise, Idaho nationally is the 5th strongest real estate market. Be patient, be positive.”
Vivian knows what going on in the mortgage world and in the Treasure Valley. She is a wonderful resource for any kind of home loan.
Vivian Chan
First Horizon Home Loans
Eagle, Idaho 83616
(208) 938-6553 www.buildingwealthidaho.com
3.Wealth Building: Always one option to save for retirement is buying a piece of rural land. The one thing people have a hard time doing is holding on to it long enough to build equity, sometimes taking 30 years.
Opportunities to buy low and sell high the next year are hard to find but real estate is reliable product if done right.
Even a greater benefit would be to use part of this investment for your primary dwelling so you can avoid capital gains when you do sell.
4. Prices: Look for sellers that are motivated. If they don’t need to sell, they don’t have their property priced to sell. Although land prices in Kuna are not cheap anymore, we have seen a peak in prices in recent years, with a dramatic decrease in the last six months. The fear in the sellers market right now is that the prices are going to go lower. Sometimes you can capitalize on that and help a seller unload his debt. It is a buyer’s market for land too.
5. Labor and Material: With the slow down in new construction starts, you have more bargaining power with builders and suppliers. You should get more of their undivided attention.
6. Kuna Communities: Kuna is still rural and has numerous subdivisions of 3–20 homes that may have small acreage lots for sale. There are at least three newer subdivisions with one acre lots they have been building in for the last couple years. Some subdivisions are just a homeowners that was able to split off a couple of parcels for building lots, not your normal subdivision concept.
7. Agricultural community: In most areas of Kuna you can still have chickens or a family cow and not be snubbed because of them. Be sure to check with the HOA within your subdivision, or with the county before buying if this is important to you.
8. Weather: We have four seasons, with the longest being spring and fall. Low humidity,lots of sunshine and a great water source.
9. Opportunity: Good land is becoming scarcer and will get more and more dear. The best investment on Earth is Earth.
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Real estate agent that loves the country and selling real estate. Helping you navigate your rural property purchase whether a hobby farm, horse property, or a building lot with elbow room
Whether you are a first time home buyer or moving into the Boise area, let me help you discover why so many people call Idaho home.
I work and play here in Kuna and the surrounding communities and specialize in rural property. There is something to be cherished about rural America and understanding the value of owning land to carry out your dreams is essential.
From my experiences when I relocated here from Wisconsin seven years ago, it is very important to work with someone that understands the area and your desires and needs. So whether buying, selling or just browsing the listings, you'll find something useful here. I'd love to tell you more in person about the rural community I'm a part of.
We value your privacy. The information you entrust to me will be held confidential. Your contact information will never be sold to or shared with a third party. There is never any obligation.
I love to sell dirt! There is something about helping clients that are looking for a little land to play with that I can relate to.
I grew up on my Dad’s hobby farm. He was a farmer’s son and it was in his blood to raise his food and spend his free time tilling the soil and feeding his family. The hard, back breaking work was never discussed, it was just part of our lives.
But it does get in your blood. I love the smell of fresh turned dirt. And I’m always sneaking my husband’s truck to fill up with good rich well composted cow manure.
So it’s easy for me to connect when people call looking for a house with a little land too.
But what is rural living in this neck of the woods?
My definition of rural is defined as a community (that could include a city) of less than 20,000 where the majority of the local income is agricultural. So Kuna and Star are the only towns in Ada county that I would considered rural and they will probably outgrow that definition in 10 years.
Suzie Benkstein from Emmett Idaho, defines rural as an area with no bright lights, not a lot of traffic, quiet, where you can ride bikes and you can see the stars. I like her definition.
There are still plenty of larger acreage lots within Ada county that are not located in a defined rural community. You may have more road traffic, can’t see the stars all the time or have to put up with more noise, but they definitely meet the requirements for most people that want to raise animals, gardens, or numerous other reasons people need more land.
Rural living is completely different from urban living. You deal with different issues, it’s easy to get involved in the community, entertainment is very different, and it’s easier to give. Community Giving
Of course that’s only if you like that social interaction. You can be isolated and private in the country if that is what you need.
I think people get discouraged when they move to a rural community for the cheap land or housing, build or buy their dream home and then decide they don’t like driving all the time into the city to do the things they were use to doing with their free time or to conduct business.
My office is in Boise but I like being here in Kuna. I like dealing with people that like rural communities and know what that means. If you are relocating, I make sure you understand what kind of community fits your needs before I start showing you homes.
This is my envision of someone that would enjoy living in a rural community. They enjoy quietness, don’t care for crowds, are OK with a slower pace, only go to the mall if necessary, they lift their heads to take in the smells of the country and they can’t wait for the weather to straighten around to venture out to do yard chores. Then rural living is probably something you would enjoy.
From first time home buyers, John and Amanda: Sara never made us feel bad with all the questions and doubts we had. Her patience made us comfortable with the home buying process.
Deanna was told to not even bother trying to buy a house with her financial challenges, but she took the information I gave her and ran with it. She was able to purchase a home in the town she wanted to be in and she told me" Thanks for listening and understanding my needs. You helped with financing options others didn't think of to help me reach my goals."
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