At last week's meeting, the Nampa Board of Trustees discussed adjustments to the daily schedule and voted to shorten the elementary school schedule.

Idaho Gives is the state’s largest celebration of charitable giving. The campaign kicks off its 13th year of supporting nonprofits on Monday, April 28.

The Boise State defensive end made history Saturday when the Detroit Lions drafted him.

As a precaution, the shelter has closed its doors to the public and volunteers to minimize the risk of cross-contamination.

Authorities think there may be more victims who have not yet been identified.

Plans are underway for a "Hetero Awesome Fest," initiated by a bar in Eagle, to take place in Cecil D. Andrus Park, located directly in front of Idaho's Capitol.

The Idaho Department of Insurance is requiring insurers to submit data, as homeowners in wildfire-prone areas face rate hikes and cancelations.

The team honored Kiley Jones and Umpqua Community College Coach Jami Strinz by wearing green bows during a nationally televised softball game.

16-year-old Abdullah Hraidin, a student at Capital High School and the Dennis Technical Education Center, died at the scene of the crash.

Bishop Kelly's kitchen manager doubles as an ice sculptor.

Eligible voters can complete their registration online using a valid Idaho driver's license or visit their county clerk's office during business hours.

Caldwell aprobó los diseños de las estaciones de bomberos 1 y 4, y avanza con los planes de construcción luego de la aprobación de un bono contra incendios en 2023.

ACHD shared pictures of employees' families, reminding people of the importance of slowing down in work areas.

We’re hearing a lot in the news about inflation right now.

The inflation rates have been going up at record-breaking paces. Some of that is to be expected during a period of economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are concerns being echoed by some financial analysts.

Inflation refers to the decline of purchasing power of a currency over time, to put it somewhat technically. Basically, what inflation means is that you have less purchasing power with the same amount of money.

So, how does this affect real estate?

Right now, one of the most obvious and direct effects we see of inflation on the real estate market is in the rising cost of the items used to build a home.

For example, for the past year, lumber prices have been rising. Those prices have added a significant percentage to the cost of new homes. That’s just one example of an item that’s used to build new homes. There are bricks, drywall, concrete and more that go into it. When the required items are more expensive for homebuilders because of inflation, those costs do ultimately get passed onto the buyer.

The fast rises in home prices have actually played a role in inflation being pushed to a 13-year high. Housing costs this year went up by 0.4% between just April and May. The rising home prices accounted for more than ¼ of the overall inflation increase in May.

As was mentioned above, if a home builder is paying more, then the buyer is going to be taking on the consequences of that inflation.

That’s not the only factor that means inflation is going to cause home prices to rise, though.

If the Central Bank increases the money supply in the economy, which is a big cause of inflation, then home prices go up as well.

Sometimes when there’s inflation, then debt is affected. Specifically, if inflation goes up, it’s more expensive to borrow money. With rising interest rates, then people might not borrow money at all. Then, when there are fewer home purchases being financed with a mortgage, economic growth may be affected.

The price of rent tends to go up with inflation and higher home prices.

Unfortunately, it’s not like rent is a discretionary expense you can cut out if you have to.

More than nine million renters are considered extremely low-income right now and are burdened by their housing costs. That means they spend more than 1/3 of their income on expenses related to shelter. Many of these low-income houses spend more than 50% on housing.

There may be more renters during times of high inflation, despite the increase in rental prices. This is because it can be harder to get a mortgage in high inflationary periods. An expensive mortgage also means less buying power, so it’s more likely that someone might continue to rent.

What about housing inflation's effects on current homeowners?

Well, if you already have a fixed mortgage on your home, your cost of living with regard to your home isn’t going to change much. Your taxes and insurance might a bit, but still, not a huge impact.

You don’t see the change unless you’re moving.  

There’s a note of distinction to be made here, though. Inflation is not appreciation, which some homebuyers may confuse.

Appreciation refers to the increase of your property value over time. The value’s not increasing in relation to the currency. It’s increasing because of demand. Your home can appreciate more or less than the rate of inflation at any given time.

Overall, what this means is that, yes, real estate is affected by inflation in both direct and indirect ways.

The last year-and-a-half has been focused on home design. The pandemic has led people to spend more time in their homes than maybe they ever envisioned, and that’s meant a lot of home renovation projects.

Many people are focused on really making their homes completely their own, and that includes when it comes to their kitchen appliances.

With that in mind, the following are some of the appliance trends that are popular right now and can quickly turn your kitchen into your favorite room.

Samsung recently debuted a beautiful appliance in their 4-Door Flex Refrigerator. The refrigerator has customizable door panels. You can choose between classic colors like black and unexpected options like pink glass and navy blue glass. There are a total of eight color options, and you can mix and match each of the front panels on the front of the refrigerator.

In addition to being a chic, statement-making appliance, the refrigerator also has five cooling zones, an auto-filled water pitcher, and a complete beverage zone.

There’s another way you can customize your appliances too with BlueStar By Design. BlueStar has a reputation for color-matching appliance finishes, but now you can work with the company to fully customize your refrigerator and range with any graphic.

While some people prefer that their appliances make a statement right now, for other people, they want them hidden altogether. Appliances are increasingly being included in kitchen designs in an integrated, hidden way.

There are a number of appliances being developed that are panel-ready.

Even in kitchens where appliances aren’t fully hidden, a lot of people are opting to put them under their counters to give them more countertop space and make them less prominent.

Since 2020 and into 2021 has given people a lot more opportunities to cook at home, whether they wanted to or not, it makes sense that there’s a growing interest in professional-grade appliances and, in particular, ranges.

For example, Signature Kitchen Suite has a collection of new professional-grade ranges with modalities that include a steam oven, induction, and sous vide.

There seems to be a general trend in home design that’s focused on self-expression and doing what feels right for you. With that comes the desire to include a decorative range hood in kitchen design. That might mean something sculptural or colorful, for example, rather than the typical stainless steel range hood.

These hoods can be custom-designed in terms of not only materials and façade but additional features like lighting and dimmer switches.

Steam isn’t just popular for ranges and cooking. Appliances are increasingly using vapor to clean. For example, LG has their new QuadWash dishwasher with a TrueSteam feature. This feature can loosen any food that is still on a dish and it can also help reduce water spots.

The SuperSteam built-in wall oven from Sharp heats up at high temperatures so you can grill food without smoke.

Whether it’s a coffee bar or a cocktail bar, you might be interested in bringing a bit of the outside world into your kitchen.

Some people are adding wine refrigerators and even wine dispensers. The Dacor company has an integrated wine dispenser that lets you store four open bottles for up to 60 days. Bartesian has cocktail makers that go onto your countertop and create the perfect libation.

As people return to entertaining, a lot of these appliance trends are likely to continue serving them well.

Inspections are par for the course when selling a home, but when the inspector comes back and says something is wrong with the plumbing, sellers either panic or shrug it off and assume that it’s the buyer’s problem.

Most buyers won’t commit to buying a home until after it’s been thoroughly vetted by an inspector, and if there are problems, the inspector will certainly find them.

Making repairs after an inspection can be a hassle and will certainly eat into your profits, but what repairs are you required to make?

The first step is to check your contract to make sure that you haven’t locked yourself into making repairs that you don’t want to make.

As a general rule of thumb, you don’t want to sign a contract until you fully understand its obligations, especially when it comes to repairs.

And here’s the good news: you don’t have to fix everything that the home inspector say could be improved. The report is not a to-do list.

Repairs typically fall into one of three categories: ones that are required, ones that are optional, and ones that are up for debate.

Some repairs will be required before lenders will release funds to make the purchase. Typically, these repairs are related to structural defects, safety issues and building code violations.

Safety issues may include mold or mildew that is discovered during the inspection process. Water main leaks and damaged plumbing systems that go unrepaired can lead to mold growth.

“Broken water mains can cause leaks to go undetected and result in high water bills, mold, mildew, and rot, which is why routine plumbing maintenance is recommended for all of our clients on a yearly basis,” says Bob Oates Plumbing.

If a home inspection reveals such problems, you will likely be responsible for repairing them.

Many sellers choose to give the buyer a repair credit, which allows them to make the repairs themselves. The benefit to going this route is that you don’t have to oversee the repairs.

Damage due to normal wear and tear or cosmetic issues doesn’t have to be repaired by the seller.

Some contracts will expressly state that the buyer cannot request cosmetic repairs and can only ask for the required repairs listed above. But state laws will also affect the seller’s liability for any issue uncovered during an inspection.

Make sure that you understand your local ordinances to know which repairs will be your responsibility.

Somewhere in between the required repairs and optional ones are repairs that are negotiable. How they’re handled is really dependent on the market.

If it’s a seller’s market, the seller has more leeway to call the shots. If it’s a hot seller’s market, the contract may state that the buyer will purchase the home “as is” or may only request an information only inspection. Such language in the contract would absolve the seller of any need to pay for repairs.

In a normal market, a seller would not be able to enlist such hard and fast rules.

It’s up to the seller to determine how to negotiate these repairs. Some offer a home warranty, while others may choose to offer something of value to the buyer.

Most homeowners have a desire to decorate in a manner that suits personal tastes while also being visually appealing. All those home magazines make it look so easy, but can also come with steep prices. When you are limited to a budget that’s somewhat smaller, you can still achieve the look you desire without breaking the bank.

Before you start buying new furniture, bedding, and fixtures that will quickly eat through your budget, start by taking an inventory of what you already have. Think about ways that things can be reused. Simple furniture pieces can be painted or even just have the hardware changed out that will change the way a piece looks.

Many types of furniture can serve a different purpose. An unused dining table can become a desk. That old sofa table can be used as a mobile bar if wheels are added. Even a broken dresser can be salvaged and transformed.

Bigger is not always better. Sometimes a few simple changes can make a big impact, with minimal expense. Updating paint colors or just adding an accent wall is one way. You can also change out throw rugs and light fixtures. A small thing, like changing lamp shades or the glass covers on your ceiling fans or overhead lighting, can have a big visual impact as well.

Add covers to pillows and duvets to bedspreads. But what is a duvet? Think of the duvet like a pillow case for bedspreads. You can put an existing bedspread inside the duvet and create an entirely different look. Duvets and pillow covers can be purchased in a variety of patterns and colors, but you could also make your own if you want something more custom.

If you still plan to make some purchases, consider used pieces. Second-hand or thrift stores are often great places to buy décor items without spending a fortune. Wholesale, liquidation, and salvage places can also help save some money. Remember to consider possible alternate uses for items as well.

Keep your eyes open for things that people are trying to sell, too. Visit yard sales and flea markets. You can find a wide variety of items that people are selling for low prices. Swap meets are also good places to locate what you might need, while giving you the opportunity to get rid of something that no longer suits your tastes or needs.

An alternative to pricey reprints, or even more expensive originals, is to create your own artwork to display. Try your skill at painting or decoupage. Frame your child’s latest art piece. You can even find free artwork to print and use at home. Spruce up some old wooden frames. Things like foiling and sponging can help you turn drab frames into decorative displays.

The most important thing to remember is to take it one step at a time. Try not to redecorate every room at the same time. You may need to divide your budget into chunks for each room that you want to redecorate. If you go room by room, you may find that you have some money left over that can be used for other rooms. By going one room at a time, you can avoid getting overwhelmed because you have taken on too much at once.

There are numerous options for redecorating on a budget, regardless of how small that budget might be. In your redecorating efforts, you can make huge changes just as easily as you can make small ones, both impacting the final result of a room. In the end, your home can be a display of the things you enjoy in an atmosphere that best suits you.

Keeping the house together during the selling process is a challenge. Making sure everything is just right for showings and open houses can be exhausting and overwhelming Throw kids into the mix, and things can get downright chaotic. Fortunately, a few small decor choices can help conceal kid clutter—changing your “for sale” sign to “sold.”

With overflowing toy boxes and tea-party set-ups overtaking the living room, it may be unrealistic to banish all kid stuff to other rooms. Instead, make use of your furniture’s built-in compartments and drawers. Have a storage ottoman next to the sofa? Fill it with everything from action figures and dolls to coloring books, art supplies, stuffed animals and more. Divide the credenza in the family room so that your little ones can store toys behind its closed doors. Accent the open shelves with ceramic vases, family photos, decorative carafes and other appealing decor items.

If your built-in storage is already in use, opt for two or three woven baskets with lids instead. Place them wherever you want, whether it’s next to the loveseat or on the bottom shelf of a console table. Buyers will be too busy appreciating your home’s cleanliness and open floor space to think about what’s inside.

Families in smaller living spaces might consider another strategy—underbed and attic storage. While the underside of your child’s bed may be already home to all sorts of tchotchkes, encourage kids to neaten it up with rolling plastic or rattan storage bins. Discreetly stow away everything from dress-up clothes to seasonal clothing in multiple containers. Slide them out of sight, then help your little one make the bed with an oversized quilt that conceals what’s hidden below. The best part? These containers can still be used after moving into the new bedroom or playroom.

For toys that are too big to fit in this space, such as kids’ teepees and play tents, consider collapsing them and stowing behind a dresser. If the dresser has legs that makes it easy to spot what’s behind it, opt for a chest instead.

Consider storing bins of toys longer-term and swapping them out every few weeks. In addition to the attic and basement, the back corner of a deep closet is a great place to stack storage tubs filled with everything from building blocks and board games to miniature cars and pull toys. Strategically hide them behind long coats so a quick peek inside the closet doesn’t give anything away. Better yet, switch out the storage tubs for suitcases. Rotate the toys in storage every few weeks--kids will have renewed interest when they come out of hiding.

Rather than attempting to conceal every toy, consider downsizing. Prior to the first showing, help your little one sort through toys, determining what still gets played with and what doesn’t. Sort into “keep,” “donate,” and “throw away.” This streamlines the cleanup process and makes it easier to stow away what remains. Bonus? You’ll have less to move when the time comes. For every item your children give up, consider rewarding them with small change or a trip to a favorite restaurant or ice cream shop.

For kids’ areas like bedrooms and playrooms, embrace the playful nature and just add a little style. Choose bookcases and desks with useful cubbies and shelves, and dress up the space with vibrant and unique artwork. Inspire imagination in potential buyers (and keep the space useful while your home is on the market) by choosing a few colorful supplies and knick-knacks to display.

Strategically rearrange home decor to hide kids’ messes while your house is being shown, and potential buyers will see a clean space that they’ll want to make their own.

Heather Cordonnier is a writer for Crate and Barrel. She specializes in sharing her style-savvy tips on DIY and lifestyle blogs.

I was with a friend the other day, as we both went to an exhibit at the convention center. She stopped and wanted to ask a question about a friend of hers at work. It seems her friend was extremely studious about his money. He was a devout saver. She told me that he would literally buy a bucket of chicken and eat that for lunch throughout the work week. Instead of eating out for lunch, he saved his money to eventually buy a home instead. How much did he save? A little over $100,000 over the years. She told me he was going to make a nice down payment but then later on he was going to take the remaining amount and pay down the mortgage therefore reducing his monthly payment. She asked if that were the right strategy.

Of course, I didn’t personally know the situation nor him at all, just what my friend had told me. But I was able to give an answer. I asked if the loan he was going to get was a fixed or an adjustable. She of course didn’t know but I told her to give him some advice or even to feel free to contact me directly for a conversation. I gathered just from his frugal nature he would be taking out a fixed rate loan due to the continuing low rate environment. 

From what I understood about his financial attitude, he wouldn’t want to take on the additional risk of rising interest rates at some unknown point in the future. It’s important to know in advance, especially if he hadn’t already bought a home and was waiting to make a sizable principal reduction, because making an extra payment down the road, at any time, has a different outcome depending upon if the loan taken out was a fixed or an adjustable mortgage. Why the difference?

When paying extra on an adjustable rate loan, it does in fact reduce the monthly payment because the new payment is calculated using the lower loan balance along with current market rates. But that doesn’t happen with a fixed rate loan. With a fixed, the payments remain the same throughout the life of the loan. Someone can have a 30 year fixed rate loan of say $400,000 with set monthly payments. It’s called a fixed rate for a reason, right? Okay, now what happens if that person makes a principal reduction of $100,000 and the loan drops below $300,000. Guess what? The payment remains at the original amount. Yes, the loan balance is reduced but the payments aren’t recalculated.

This is why it’s important to know whether or not an adjustable or fixed is better. Making extra payments is a good thing because it pays down the mortgage sooner. But if someone does have a plan to pay down the mortgage at some point in the future, perhaps an inheritance will ultimately arrive or maybe an annual bonus from work will be used to reduce the loan balance. With a fixed rate program, the payment is not affected. Just the balance.

Question: What is the difference between the CC&R's and the rules and regulations? Even if the rules and regulations were never filed on the public record, would they hold up in a court of law?

Answer: CC&Rs stands for "Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions." CC&Rs include the Declaration, Bylaws, Rules, Regulations, Policies and Resolutions.

As far as standing up in court, no one can predict the outcome of a judge or jury decision. But the HOA has a responsibility to make sure all rules, regulations and policies are in writing, distributed to all owners and residents and easily accessible when needed (website recommended for 24/7 access). If the HOA's rules are fair and uniformly enforced, most judges will rule for the Board.

Question: I am an HOA Treasurer and have been attempting to implement spending controls. We have two Board members who regularly purchase items for the HOA and want to be reimbursed. My concern is that expenditures are unpredictable and hard to track. What do you think is a reasonable policy?

Answer: Your HOA sounds like it has had a long history of directors spending money as they saw fit. The first question that comes to mind is: Has the old routine caused budget overruns? If yes, you have a sound basis for your controls. If no, you may be making much ado about nothing.

That said, it is not common for random directors to routinely spend the HOA's money. In self managed HOAs, the President and Treasurer generally handle payments, occasionally reimbursing a director for an HOA expense that can't wait for the normal payment process. Ideally, if you have a hired manager, all expenditures should be routed through the manager. It is much easier to hold an employee or contract manager accountable than a fellow director.

Your biggest obstacle doesn't seem to be opposition to good financial management practices, but perception that such is not needed. Getting a barge to change course takes time. Continue to press for change. The Board has a fiduciary duty to run HOA business in a business-like way.

Question: I recently took over professional management of an HOA which, I just discovered, has over $70,000 of unpaid water bills. The water department has threatened to shut off service within 48 hours. The Board directed me to impose a special assessment of $1000 per unit without a meeting or member vote. Can an emergency special assessment be imposed without member approval?

Answer: You need to read the governing documents to see what authority the Board has to raise special assessments. Even if the Board has authority to do so, proper and reasonable notice must be given to the members and time to raise the cash.

If a special assessment requires approval of the members, a member meeting needs to be called with advanced written notice. The meeting must have a legal quorum and a legal majority vote as defined by the governing documents. You may be able to pull this off by mail in ballot if your governing documents allow it. But none of this could possibly take place within 48 hours.

The Board needs to make immediate and adequate payment arrangements for the water bill, perhaps by getting a short term loan from the bank (and quick). Or, you might be able to get the water department to leave the water on if money is on the way (special assessment or loan). But they will, no doubt, want to see the written evidence (letter from bank, copy of special assessment notice, etc.).

The bigger question is, if this HOA has allowed things to get so bad that basic utilities can't get paid, what other fires are you going to find that they want you to put out? This crisis didn't happen overnight and the Board likely has others waiting in the wings. Unless you are getting paid extra to deal with these special circumstances, you need to seriously evaluate whether this is an account worth your time.