Leslie Hampton Realtor Boise and Eagle Idaho Homes

CableOne, in conjunction with Meridian Parks and Recreation, has another fun-filled summer of movies planned for area residents.

Thank you to CableOne and Meridian Parks and Recreation for bringing back the awesome, FREE, highly attended summer movie nights. These terrific events are held Friday evenings (beginning at dusk) at Settler's Park in Meridian, at the corner of Ustick and Meridian Roads.

CableOne projects good, family friendly movies onto a HUGE screen; the movies are free- just bring your family, lawnchairs, snacks, mosquito repellant and blankets.

My family has attended these movies in the past and we had a really great time, watching fun movies under the stars.

The movie schedule is as follows (this information is from the City of Meridian website):

June 5: Nim's Island

June 12: Speed Racer

June 19: Babe: The Gallant Pig

June 26: Space Chimps

July 3: Star Wars: The Clone Wars

July 10: Hotel for Dogs

July 17: Journey to the Center of the Earth

July 24: The Princess Bride

July 31: Kung Fu Panda

August 7: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

August 14: Horton Hears a Who

August 21: The Sound of Music

August 28: The Tale of Despereaux

*** Additional thanks to movie and event sponsors: Integrity Audio Visual, Power Smiles, Meridian Automotive, Meridian Dairy Days, Real Life Boise, Drug Free Idaho and MADD, Peterson's Stampede, Warm Springs Counseling Center, KIDS Choice Child Care Center, Idaho Banking Company and Reflections Church

 Enjoy!

There are hundreds of short sale properties on the market in Boise, Idaho.

We have 467 "possible" short sales in Boise, Idaho as of May 22, 2009. That's according to Intermountain MLS stats I pulled yesterday evening. Prices run the gamut: on the entry level, there is a 1 bedroom, 1 bath condo available for sale for just $60,000, and on the high-end, a 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath, 5526 sq ft Boise home can be found for $950,000. The average sales price of a "possible" short sale in Boise is $200,562 and all together, we have $93,662,614 in short sale inventory on the market.

Short sales seem to be everywhere these days and the good news is that banks, Realtors, buyers and sellers are becoming more knowledgeable about the short sale process. Many banks are streamlining their processes and there are educational resources everywhere for Realtors, buyers and sellers. Short sales benefit sellers because the property is sold prior to foreclosure and short sales benefit banks because they usually sell for more money than property that has been foreclosed upon.

If you are a buyer or seller, and would like more information on the purchase or sale of short sale property, please feel free to contact me at lesliehampton@msn.com, or (208)713-0574.

The skyline in downtown Boise will be changing again next year. 

Construction is set to begin in the spring of 2010 on Jack's Urban Meeting Place, a complex that will occupy nearly 4 city blocks downtown.

Jack's Urban Meeting Place will be bordered by Front and Myrtle, and 9th and 10th Streets.

Jack's Urban Meeting Place is named after JR Simplot, the billionaire Idaho businessman that passed away in May 2008. The Simplot Family Foundation will pay for the development, which is expected to cost approximately $100,000,000. This project will benefit the Idaho economy (jobs will be created in a difficult economy), plus it will transform lots that are now vacant and unattractive into an appealing meeting place.

Proposed features of the project include:

• 4 acre park
• Studio space for artists
• Amphitheater
• Sculpture garden
• Room for gatherings (weddings, classes and other events)

Downtown Boise condo and loft living has taken off in recent years and this will be yet another welcome addition to the downtown urban scene. It will be one more added benefit and incentive to living and doing business downtown. Kudos to the Simplot Family Foundation!

Congratulations to Boise's North End!

The North End, in Boise, Idaho, has received praise from Men's Journal magazine, being called one of "the best neighborhoods" in the United States, in an upcoming issue.

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I have always referred to the North End as one of Boise's "destination locations". There are several factors that make the North End appealing:

• proximity to the lively downtown core (some would argue that portions of the North End are downtown)
• the charming neighborhoods (including Hyde Park) and historic boulevards
• easy access to foothill hiking trails and bike paths
• there are longtime, established restaurants and shops
• it has a history!

Downtown Boise and the North End have a rich history. I highly recommend that visitors and longtime residents alike ride the The Boise Trolley or visit The Idaho Historical Museum. There is much to learn about life in Boise's North End, from architectural facts to cultural history (Basque and Chinese, for instance). The trolley and museum are excellent resources for North End Boise information.

Sales of homes in the North End have been some of the strongest in the valley for years. There is an appealing, eclectic mix of homes from charming little bungalows to stately mansions. I'll post more later about homes that are available in the North End.

Kudos to Men's Journal magazine for highlighting what Boiseans have known for a long time about our jewel of a neighborhood!

Merrill Park, Eagle, Idaho

From May 16-26, 2009, 600 full size flags will fly at Merrill Park in Eagle, Idaho. Appropriately named a"Healing Field of Honor", the flags honor the service and sacrifice of our military veterans, as well as current members of the military.

My husband and I visited the park this morning and the massive display of beautiful American flags was a real sight to behold.

It was an emotional and sobering experience to walk the rows of flags, and to read the names written on the yellow ribbons that were attached.

This is the third year that the City of Eagle has hosted this event. The flags can be sponsored for $25. Once this tribute has concluded, flag sponsors can pick up their flags. Additional information can be found here.