real estate
Get Ready To Grumble!
The GUARDIAN has some official figures about land values in Boise which are of the “good news, bad news , worse news variety.” If you are looking to sell a piece of bare land in Boise, chances are it is worth a ton of money. Small lots averaged $53,000 during 2005 with a median price […]
Justice Center Unjust to Taxpayers
EDITOR NOTE–THE FOLLOWING POSTING IS BY FORMER COUNTY COMMISSIONER SHARON ULLMAN. THE GUARDIAN HAS READ THE CONTRACT AND IT LOOKS TO US THAT ULMAN HAS IT RIGHT ON THIS ONE. THE COUNTY WILL PAY TAXES THEY SHOULDN’T PAY AND THERE IS NO VOTER APPROVAL FOR WHAT IS OBVIOUSLY A LONG TERM DEBT. Ada County has […]
Power Plant Poses Problems
The proposed gas-fired electrical generating power plant on Boise City owned land presents some ethical concerns of potential financial conflicts of interest. The site of the proposed generating facility is on a desert sage covered parcel off Gowen Road near the Outlet Mall. It was originally purchased as an “Industrial Park” site during the Brent […]
Tale of Two Cities
Eagle and Boise represent a tale of two cities when it comes to development philosophy. A proposed high end development in Eagle built around a designer golf course along with a designer swimming, tennis, and soccer sports programs is a far cry from Boise’s penchant for “infill.” Boise provides those amenities at taxpayer expense. Both […]
Avimor Moves Closer
Avimor, the planned community which will eventually eat up 26,000 acres of Spring Valley Ranch in parts of three counties, obtained Ada County Planning and Zoning Commission approval last week. At the public hearing a lone supporter testified in favor of the subdivision which will include 685 houses and 75,000 square feet of commercial structures. […]
Give Me More, Give Me Bigger!!
Like the odor from the sugar factory and feedlots, we have become inured (for you non-library types that’s “accustomed to something unpleasant”) to the effects of growth in Idaho. Easy to sound like an old fart that wants to return to the “good old days” on this issue, but folks we are assaulted daily with […]
Big Lie Continues
The Idaho Statesman ran a front page puff piece Sunday about BoDo, the newest development about to open in downtown Boise and included the ”big lie” which remains untrue, though oft repeated. The Statesman reported, “The project will also boost Boise property tax revenues, create hundreds of jobs and is expected to trigger new Downtown […]
Infill Out…Sort Of
Southeast neighbors led by Fred Fritchman took a 2×4 to the Boise City Council mule Friday and apparently “got their attention.” Once they got whacked between the eyes with complaints of three duplex homes sneaked into a tiny space in the middle of the night on Hale St., they called an emergency council meeting and […]
Property Tax Solution
Here is a novel idea which should raise the ire of developers and realtors while offering some relief and hope to current property owners. How about charging the 5% sales tax on real estate transactions–at least NEW RESIDENTIAL units? Before you start screaming too loudly, take a look at the potential benefits. –The 5% tax […]
Low Cost Flight To Real Estate Heaven
Like the bankrupt airlines, Idaho government keeps looking for more passengers (residents). Just like the airlines, we have plenty of crowded flights (subdivisions) that don’t pay their way. Just like the airlines it’s good for the aircraft (housing) industry. Never mind the comfortable flights we once knew in the form of great service, real meals, […]
Property Tax 101 (Bend Over)
Here is an easy way to figure your approximate property taxes after getting that “assessment notice” in the mail. –The notice is the value of your property which gets taxed (minus the homestead exemption). It is the basis for all taxes. If you think it is too high you can call the assessor for an […]
Humpty and the Inept City
This is the story of Boise City Council, Humpty Dumpty, and location, location, location. Once upon a time about five years ago Boise’s urban renewal agency the CCDC (Capitol City Development Corp.) bought land at 25th and Fairview to be used as a parking lot. The deal had questionable legal authority since it was outside […]
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