December 2020
The KEY to All Your Real Estate Needs
November Market Report

Here's a look at the November market...

  • There were 887 homes sold in Ada County last month with a median sales price of $425,000 — the point at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less. In Canyon County, there were 449 homes sold with a median sales price of $325,000.

  • This new record is a result of insufficient supply compared to persistently strong demand, fueled by historically low mortgage rates.

  • As mortgage rates have fallen, homebuyers’ purchase power has increased and for some, so has their willingness to offer higher purchase prices to be competitive, which has also had an impact on the overall median sales price.

CHRISTMAS IN COLOR
Comes to Boise
Who doesn't love driving around and admiring Christmas lights during the holidays? Christmas in Color takes this to a new level. Immerse yourself in a Christmas light drive-thru that sends you down an enchanted, winding road with millions of lights beautifully synched to music that comes to you directly through your car radio. Drive-by giant candy canes, snowmen, arched pathways, and more... All of this is sure to get you in the holiday spirit and all from the comfort of your warm and cozy car! 

The multi-colored extravaganza can be enjoyed through the end of December. Tickets can be purchased online only. No drive-up or cash transactions will be accepted.

Christmas in Color is located at Expo Idaho. The drive-thru display is open Monday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. It is closed on Sundays, and Christmas Day. Learn more and get your tickets using the link below:


A portion of all proceeds from each show goes to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help bring joy to local children facing critical illnesses.
And More Holiday Lights...

Not everything has been canceled this year. Here are three area favorites that are sure to get you into the holiday spirit!
Winter Garden aGlow

Idaho Botanical Gardens
Through December 27
Wed-Sun. 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
To ensure room for social-distancing, tickets will be limited to one-hour timed ticketing blocks available every thirty minutes.

Find out more about the event and get your tickets at:


Winter Wonderland Light Festival

Indian Creek Plaza - Downtown Caldwell.

Nightly at dusk through January 10.
Learn more about this free event at:

Scentsy Commons Light Display

Scentsy Commons Campus, Meridian.

Nightly at dusk through January 17.

Find out more on their Facebook page at:

Is Your Home Ready For Winter?

Make sure your home is ready for winter with these helpful tips.
Snow removal
Clear snow and ice from walkways.
If you’re using a shovel, clear the snow after every 2 or 3 inches of snowfall, which is significantly better for your back, heart, and general disposition than trying to lift a foot or more of snow. To use a snowblower and avoid constantly having to adjust the chute, start in the middle of the driveway and blow the snow to one side, then make a U-turn and blow the snow to the other side.

Prevent ice damming
Prevent ice dams in your gutter and on your roof, which can push water into your home. If you live in a frigid or snowy climate, you can install heating cables along the edge of your roof to keep snow runoff from freezing. Don't want to do it yourself - hire a roofing company.
Prevent icy hazards
Take steps to deal with any home issues that could prove dangerous in icy weather. Turn off water to exterior spigots, drain them, and leave them open throughout the winter to minimize chances of frozen, burst pipes. Make sure outdoor stair railings aren't wobbly, which could cause someone to slip and fall on iced-over steps. Wrap exposed piping in your basement and garage with heat tape, which will keep water flowing freely in cold snaps. Trim overhanging branches that could cause roof damage if they snap under the weight of snow or ice. Hire a handyman or landscaping company to help you out here.
Put up/take down holiday decorations
If you hang lights in the same place each year, install permanent hangers, which will save time every year thereafter. When you take down the lights, keep them from tangling by winding them around a cord holder or heavy cardboard, or threading them in and around an old Pringles can. Replace your old, incandescent lightbulbs with LED lights, which stay cooler and decrease fire risk. Want your home decorated, but don't want to do it yourself? There are many companies that will do it for you.
Clean the chimney
This is a must-do, regardless of whether you are burning wood logs or have a gas fireplace. If you haven't gotten a chimney sweep yet this year, now's the time to get on it - dirty chimneys are a leading cause of house fires. You can clean the chimney yourself, but it isn't for the faint of heart. Hire someone to do it for you.
Get rid of critters
Squirrels, rats, and raccoons will crawl through any hole or crack in your toasty attic to stay warm. If you hear the patter of little feet overhead, or notice that the instant ramen in your pantry has mysteriously been invaded, you’ll have to set traps or lay poison.
It’s so much easier to keep pests out than to chase them away. Inspect your home’s exterior to make sure vents are covered, holes are patched, and cracks are sealed. Not something you want to do yourself - hire a professional.
Beef up insulation
Check attic insulation to make sure it hasn’t deteriorated or flattened, which will reduce its efficiency. Look across your attic, and see if the insulation is level with the attic floor joists, or if it's packed below—which indicates you need more. You can lay down fiberglass batts, or hire the pros to do it for you.
Courtesy of Realtor.com
November Circle of Giving...

We at Homes for Heroes, Treasure Valley are so proud to be part of this Circle of Giving and give back to those in our community who give so much.

In November 2020, Nationally, Homes for Heroes...

  • gave back over $1,756,594 in Hero Rewards.

  • connected 3,358 People with Homes for Heroes affiliated real estate professionals.

  • helped 842 Heroes save money when buying, selling or refinancing a home.

  • enriched 552 Communities with Hero related real estate transactions.

  • awarded Grants to Central Oregon Veteran and Community Outreach.

Join the circle by sharing this email and GIVING your HERO friends and family the gift of BIG SAVINGS on the sale or purchase of a home.

To learn more, contact Info@TreasureValleyHeroes.com or (208) 870-9563.
Julie Cendejas | Cendejas Group Real Estate, Keller Williams Realty Boise