Meridian Idaho Real Estate ~ Pam Pugmire

So you're thinking about coming to Boise, Idaho to visit! We would love to have you! There are many wonderful sites to see (like actual Oregon Trail ruts), and fun things to do (Idaho Shakespeare Festival).

The summer before I was a Sophmore in High School I went to visit my cousins in Oakland, California. In Boise, Idaho it is hot in the summer, so all I would wear was shorts. When I arrived in Oakland at my cousins house, they informed me that I looked like a tourist! They were embarrased to be seen with me the next few days as we saw the sites. So to help you avoid the stigma of being a "tourist", here are a few pointers to blend in with the locals.

Say Boise correctly! Saying it the wrong way is the surest ways to stand out like a "tourist". The correct way to say it is BOY-SEE. It is NOT BOY-ZEE. Pretty much the only people who pronounce it with a Z are newcomers to the Treasure Valley, or Sports Announcers who are visiting to broadcast a Broncos game.

Wear Blue and Orange-especially in Football season! Of course, this is to pay homage to our beloved Boise State Broncos, winners of the '07 Fiesta Bowl. If you don't think Blue and Orange is a fashion statement, then you haven't been to Boise!

When you get dressed up for dinner, wear your "good jeans". In Idaho we enjoy a relaxed way of life, so you CAN get dressed up if you want, but don't expect everyone else to follow suit.

If it looks like rain, get EXCITED! Our wettest month on average is March with just 1.41 inches, and the driest is August with just .30 inches. So it goes without saying, that Rain is a precious commodity. We are actually coming out of a seven year drought, so rain is not something we typically curse!

Another sure sign of a true "local" is if you complain about traffic! If you have to put your foot on the brakes while on the freeway, SOMETHING IS WRONG!!! Being stuck in traffic on the freeway for a few minutes is becoming slightly commonplace. Sigh! Newcomers think the traffic is GREAT. They just don't know how good it used to be!

I hope you will come to Boise, Idaho. Maybe you'll decide it's such a great place that you want to move here! If so, I am your Idaho Real Estate Professional and would love to help you find a home in Idaho. Visit my website to find Boise, Meridian, Nampa and Eagle home for sale, and to find lots of Community information.

Feel free to call or text me at 208-921-4800.

If you haven't gone to the BCASWI 2008 Parade of Homes your time is running out! The last day of the parade is May 11th. The Parade has been a great success, with many builders reporting large numbers of visitors! Tickets are required for the event, and are available at all Select-a-Seat locations or at IdahoTickets.com.

The judging is completed, and the winners have been announced! Drum Roll Please.............

2008 Best Overall

1st Price Category - $210,000 and under (lot price not included)

The Hillcrest - Brighton Homes

2nd Price Category - $210,001 - $238,000 (lot price not included)

The Fairway - Whitney Homes LLC

3rd Pice Category - $238,001 - $269,000 (lot price not included)

Danmore - The Legend Company LLC

4th Price Category - $269,001 - $295,000 (lot price not included)

The Rosemary Margaret - Eric Evans Construction Inc.

5th Price Category - $295,001 - $415,000 (lot price not included)

Amy Jean - Zach Evans Construction

6th Price Category - $415,001 - and Up (lot price not included)

Reflections - J Bar K and Associates, Inc.

Congratulations to all the Winners above, and all the winners from other categories. You all did a beautiful job!

You still have time to get out and judge for yourself! Make sure you plan to see these beautiful show homes for your self, and get lots of ideas for your own Dream Home!

I am your Idaho New Construction and Custom Homes Specialist! Please call or text me at 208-921-4800 or email me at pamp@cableone.net. I look forward to hearing from you soon! Visit my Meridian, Boise, and Nampa Homes website for Market Reports, Virtual Tours, Community Information and more!

Today, April 26, 2008, marks the first day of the Building Contractors Association of Southwestern Idaho Parade of Homes! The Parade lasts from today, April 26,2008 to May 11,2008. Hours are Monday-Thursday: 5-8p.m. Friday: 3-8p.m. and Weekends: 12 Noon-8 p.m.

There are 31 Show Homes in this year's Parade in Boise, Meridian, Eagle, and Star Idaho. The homes cover the gamet; from modest sized 1600 square foot homes, to lavish 5,600+ Square foot 'mini mansions' and everything in between.

One home you MUST see is "A house Moderne" by Burgundy Homes at 579 E. Orion Ct in Somerset Heights Boise, Idaho. This is a 5600+ show home inspired by the Frank Lloyd Wright tradition. Many exotic woods were used in the construction of this home including African Wenge', Macassar Ebony, and Kirei woods.

Another can't miss choice is the "Amy Jean" by Zach Evans Construction at 1920 Salerno St in Bridgetower, Meridian, Idaho. This is the ULTIMATE Entertainer's home! The home wraps around a front courtyard, featuring custom made gates and an exterior fireplace. The interior is packed with all the extras to make entertaining a breeze-separate ice maker, professional grade appliances, two home theater systems.....I could go on all day but you get the point! Even the garage is impressive! There is plenty of room to park an RV or Boat; it's even painted and heated!

Tickets are required for the Parade, and are available at Select-a-Seat locations, or at idahotickets.com. Mondays are Family Days-Everyone is FREE (no tickets required).

I hope you all enjoy the BCASWI Parade of Homes, and get lots of ideas for your Custom Home .

Call or text me at (208) 921-4800 or email me at pamp@cableone.net. I specialize in Boise, Meridian, Eagle and Nampa ID homes for sale.

I want to introduce you all to Pamelyn Meller, the NICEST person on Active Rain.

Last week I received an offer on one of my listings here in Meridian, Idaho. The offer was contingent on the buyers home in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin selling. I got on Active Rain and searched for a Cottage Grove, WI agent and found Pamelyn Meller. I emailed her, and she promptly responded with an email containing everything I would need to know, including the time on the market, that this was the only home listed on the street, how the price per sq/ft compared to other active and sold listings, current market information and more. After seeing all this information, I felt completely comfortable recommending that my clients accept the contingent sale. I even got an email today letting me know that this listing just lowered their asking price-WOW, was I impressed!!!

Contrast that to the listing agent of that home who didn't respond untill today (after 2 emails and 2 calls). She gave me very vague information, with no stats on how her listing compared to the competition, or what their market is doing. Had this been my only info, I may feel very uncomfortable with that contingent offer!

I can tell you one thing, when I know of someone moving to Wisconsin, I know who I will refer! Pamelyn is not only friendly and professional, but she also is thorough and knows her market!

Thanks Pamelyn

Well, we had one of our first beautiful, warm (70* which I know isn't warm for some parts of the country, but for us that was almost hot!) days last Saturday. It made me want to get out the camera and snap some photos. Then I remembered that Shelly Houston from the Meridian Mayors office had already taken some fantastic pictures that she gave me permission to share. Since I am naturally lazy, I thought I would not re-invent the wheel and just use hers....Here is a beautiful springtime picture of Meridian City Hall. A new City Hall is under construction, but for now, this is it!Here is St. Lukes Hospital in Meridian.Here are some of the local subdivisions front entrances. Thousand Springs and Lochsa Falls have beautiful waterfalls and flowers The Lakes at Cherry Lane is one of the subdivisions surrounding Lakeview Golf Course. As you can tell, Meridian Idaho is a beautiful place in the Springtime-but the true beauty is its people! I'm not just saying that either. I've lived in Idaho all my life-41 years-and I can't believe I just told you all that! The South Western part of the State of Idaho is High Desert, so there is lots of brown dirt and sagebrush. I have visited beautiful green places like Seattle, but I have never wanted to move from Idaho! It's a great place to live, work and raise kids! You can go for walks and feel safe, talk to stangers in a grocery store and have them talk back, and meet best friends next door!

If you are interested in information about Meridian, Idaho homes for sale, give me a call or text at 208-921-4800.