Grease fires in the kitchen can lead to disaster and tragedy. Knowing how to put one out is a simple skill that anyone can learn. Check out this quick video on how to and not to extinguish a grease fire in your kitchen.

Boise’s ‘Curb It’ street side no-sort recycling and automatic trash pick-up program is offering you a freebie!  For the week of April 26th-April 30th, you can set out additional ‘over flow’ refuse without using one of your overflow stickers!  It’s called the ‘Residential Cleanup Week’ and there are a few requirements to note:

• Make sure your trash and recycling are out by 7:00 a.m. on your regular service day.
• Extra trash must be in 20-32 gallon trash cans.
• Yard wastes must be in compostable paper leaf bags or in 20-32 gallon trash cans.
• The maximum weight limit cannot exceed 60 pounds for each extra trash can and paper leaf bag set out for collection.
• Bundle tree/shrub branches into 4-foot lengths. The weight of the bundle cannot exceed 60 pounds. No overflow sticker is needed.
• Large items such as appliances and furniture can be collected by calling Allied Waste at 345-1266 to schedule a free pickup.
• Televisions, computer monitors, and batteries must be taken to a household hazardous waste mobile collection site.
• Recycling is always unlimited—no “overflow stickers” required! Set extra recycling out in containers labeled “Recycling” or order a second recycling cart.

Not a bad deal considering that spring cleaning results in extra rubbish.

The Curb-It program started last year with an intent to make recycling easier and encourages Boise residents to “curb waste” by “promoting the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle.”  Since the program has begun, we have certainly enjoyed the ease of the no-sort recycling and are proud that Boise offers it to it’s residents!

How do you like the Curb It program?

Swiss Army Knives can do almost anything, so can the new and improved Boise Real Estate Soup! It’s taken some time but I’m excited to get the new site up an running.  The changes were pretty straight forward; mostly design/graphic, but more important are the navigational changes, but, I’ve added some great features that are very useful for home buyers and home sellers alike!  Check out the updates and sign-up now for email updates or RSS updates.  Also, find me on Facebook, Twitter and Linked-In!  The site doesn’t have a corkscrew, but, if you bring your bottle of wine over, I’ll open it for you!

Searching For Boise Real Estate Just Got Easier!

I’ve added three options for getting to my Boise Real Estate home search.  You can now access the entire Boise MLS by clicking the icon in the header of the site, you can also search for Boise homes by clicking the link under the ‘Multi-Media Box, that says “Search Like An Agent” or, you can follow the tab in the navigation tab at the top of the page under the header image.  ***I am still waiting for my new search engine to be uploaded which should be done by the end of the week, so for now, enjoy what’s available!***

What’s That Home Worth?

Another feature of the site that I am really happy about is the Market Snapshot.  The Market Snapshot is a free tool that I am offering home buyers and home owners.  Basically, Market Snapshot will give you the ‘SOLD’ Market for any neighborhood.  So, if you are looking to buy and want to know what sales have been like in a particular area, submit your request and get a Market Snapshot of the area.  Likewise, if you are selling a home and want to know what homes like yours have sold for, feel free to use the tool by punching in the required info.

It’s pretty amazing information, you should try it out just for fun!

Linked-In, Facebook and Twitter, Oh My!

Like an article?!  Please share it with your friends using the ‘Share and Enjoy’ buttons below each article.  Connect with me on popular Social Networking sites like Twitter, Facebook and Linked-In.  Also, do me a favor and sign up for the RSS reader feeds or RSS Email Feeds.  You’ll be notified of important community events, market updates and other valuable information as it pertains to Boise Real Estate or the Boise Area at large!

Tweet This!

If you read a post that you like, do me a favor:  Click the green “Tweet” button at the bottom of the article.  Your “Tweets” are tangible ways to help me become a more recognized and trusted authority in the Boise Real Estate World!

Continued Updates and Content

As things develop, I will continue to make important changes and upgrades to the site.  Look for new content weekly by subscribing to the RSS feed and please please please leave your comments, ideas and support!!!

This community alert was passed along to me today.  I find it very important to pass this information along to all Columbia Village Homeowners so that they can decide for themselves whats appropriate and whats not when it comes to their money and their community.  Get active!!

“The Annual Meeting of the Columbia Village Homeowner’s Association will be held Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at the Columbia Village Recreation Center at 6:30 p.m.

Homeowners will have the opportunity to meet with Board Members to discuss the 2009 proposed budget including a possible increase in Homeowner dues.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, please fill out a Proxy statement and scan/email it to Kenneth.lock-smith@wgint.com. In this tough economic time, we will vote “No” to any dues increase, and will encourage Board Members to cut out wasteful spending (Watering streets, sidewalks, replacing grassed areas that already have grass etc.) and spend reserves before raising dues.

CVHA has approximately $400K in cash in CDs and other near cash investments.The $400K number came from their cash balance in April 2008. From looking at what they just sent out, their cash balance should be about the same, maybe a little higher. We could pose the question “Why does CVHA need so much cash on hand?”

The statement they sent out to homeowners was the “Budget.” They have gone way over budget over the last few years, and they have been using this as an excuse to increase dues. The correct way to use a budget is to question why they went over budget. Their performance should be evaluated based on how well they stayed within the approved budget. They should have to explain why they went way over. They shouldn’t raise dues based on the budget, but the income statement. In looking at their income statements you will see that the Association made money every year instead of losing money (They make between $10,000-$50,000 a year).

Again, if you are unable to attend the meeting, please fill out a Proxy statement and scan/email it to Kenneth.lock-smith@wgint.com. We will vote “No” to any dues increase, and will encourage Board Members to cut out wasteful spending.”

Instructions for your Proxy Vote

1. DOWNLOAD YOUR PROXY VOTE FROM: HERE

2. FILL IT OUT -If you don’t know your lot/blk/phase info. we will fill that part in for you as long as we have your address

3. SCAN/EMAIL IT TO Kenneth.lock-smith@wgint.com

Please SHARE this article with anyone that you know that lives in Columbia Village that may be affected by this!

As the days get shorter and the nights get colder, many Boiseans turn to their fireplaces for heat and for comfort.  But be careful, during the holidays, fires injure 2,600 people and cause $930 million in damage. A few simple steps can keep your family and your home safe this holiday season.

Smoke Alarms

Properly installed and maintained smoke alarms are the surest way to prevent fatalities.  Some studies show that alarms decrease your chances of dying in a fire by 50%!  Each level of your home should have at least one smoke detector near bedrooms and the kitchen.  Be sure to test and clean alarms once a month, and change their batteries at least once a year.  Life expectancy for a smoke alarm is approximately 10 years.

Fire Extinguishers

Install A-B-C fire extinguishers in strategic locations-near the kitchen, etc. Teach your family how to properly use them. Check them regularly for functionality and correct pressurization. If any leaks or corrosion is found, replace the extinguisher.

Decorations

Before you deck the halls with strings of lights, inspect them for frayed wires, gaps in the insulation, broken sockets, and extensive kinking or wear. Once you have determined they are safe, be safe with electrical outlets. Don’t link more than three strings of lights and plug them into a surge protector instead of straight into the wall socket.

Keep holiday candles and other dangerous decorations away from flammable materials and out of reach of children and pets.

If you are using an artificial tree, be sure it is flame retardant. Never use lit candles on a tree, whether it is artificial or real. And keep your tree away from heating sources like fireplaces or vents.

Never leave holiday lights on unattended. This goes for both inside and exterior decorative lights.

Have a Plan

Create an evacuation plan with your family. Designate safe exit routes from each room as well as a meeting place. Practice your plan often. Teach kids to stop, drop, and roll and how to stay low to the ground when leaving the home.

Ensure that all windows in your home open easily from the inside. Remove nails or excess paint that would make them difficult or impossible to open.

For more information and tips, please visit www.firesafety.gov.