It's Winter time at last in Idaho and that means plenty of snow! Other than being fun to play in and watch come down from inside your cozy warm cabin, snow can also make a wonderfully delicious old time treat that folks have been enjoying since the pioneer days!

All you need is some evaporated milk, sugar, vanilla, and the star of the show: fresh snow!
Stir the first three ingredients together, mix in the snow, and you have a delicious vanilla treat that only takes about 5 minutes to make.

Ingredients

    1 can evaporated milk (12 ounces)
    1 cup granulated sugar
    1 teaspoon vanilla
    Bowl of Snow (about 1/2 gallon)

Instructions

    In a small bowl, mix the milk, sugar, and vanilla together until well combined.
    In a large bowl, add about 8-10 cups of snow. Pour the milk mixture over the top and stir well to combine. The texture will be close to that of homemade ice cream (thinner than store-bought ice cream but still have some structure when scooped).
    Serve right away, adding sprinkles if you’d like.

Delicious!
Here's a link to the full recipe and more details and in the meantime if you find yourself short on snow come on up to Garden Valley, we're happy to share!

Getting your property sold is only the first step in your relocation journey; fact is the moving itself can be one of the most stressful parts of the whole process. We want your move to be as easy as possible, and while our agents help make sure everything is handled on the paperwork side of things we've put together some helpful tips for all the rest of things.

Packing Too Much
One of the biggest mistakes you can make it moving a bunch of stuff you don't need! Moving is an excellent time to pair down clutter, and there's no point in moving stuff to your new home just to throw it away there. Less stuff, less to move!

Waiting Until the Last Minute
Failing to plan is planning to fail! Don't wait until the last moment to start packing - or worse yet to find a mover! Things will move pretty fast once the paperwork is signed, so you should be starting to get things put away long before that.

Hiring a Shady Mover
Take a little extra time to find a good mover. Talk to friends, ask your real estate agent, and shop around for a bit before just picking AAA Movers because they're the first one listed. You want to make sure your mover is not only one that is concerned with taking care of your items but is also providing a good cost for their services.

These three simple things will be a big help in making your move hassle free!
If you're stuck on selling your current Idaho home, or are looking to buy a new one just get in touch!

February might be the shortest month of the year, but it's chock-full of national holidays
and observances!

In February we celebrate culture, history, food and even our beloved
pets. Below is a list of just a few of the 100’s of national holidays and observances for
the month of February.

Find a reason to celebrate this month, but don’t forget that
everyday is a great day for a visit to Garden Valley Idaho!

February 2nd – It’s Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day.

February 4th – It’s Stuffed Mushroom Day.

February 6th – It’s National Chopsticks Day.

February 9th – It’s National Pizza Day.

February 10th – It’s Umbrella Day.

February 11th – It’s Make a Friend Day.

February 11th – It’s White T-Shirt Day.

February 12th – It’s Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.

February 13th – It’s Get A Different Name Day.

February 14th – It’s Valentine’s Day.

February 14th – It’s Organ Donor Day.

February 17th – It’s Random Acts of Kindness Day.

February 18th – It’s National Drink Wine Day.

February 18th – It’s President’s Day.

February 20th – It’s Love Your Pet Day.

February 24th – It’s National Tortilla Chip Day.

February 26th – It’s Tell a Fairy Tale Day.

February 28th – It’s Floral Design Day

Truth is, EVERY DAY is a reason to celebrate living!
All of us here at Garden Valley Properties hope that your new year is already off to a great start - and if it's not give us a call so we can help make it one!

Most homeowners will consider refinancing their mortgage at least one time throughout the lifespan of their home. Refinancing your mortage allows you to pay off your previous loan by applying for one that will provide better financial benefits. While not every situation is the same, there are any number of reasons why this may be advantageous to you, but here are the most common ones.

Check your interest rate
The top reason homeowners refinance is to gain a lower interest rate. This saves money in the long run, decreases your monthly payment, and allows you to start building equity in your home sooner.

Shortening the loan's term
There is a chance you may be able to get a shorter loand term with almost no change to your monthly payment is interest rates are decreasing.

Switching from and adjustable rate to a fixed one
If you chose an adjustable rate mortage when you first signed because of good introductory rates you may have already found out that the rate decreases over the years. By switching to a fixed rate loan when interest rates are low you can gain protection from future market changes.

Cash out your equity
If there is a big purchase in your future - like a wedding, or major expense - your best choice might be to use the equity you've already built up in your home in order to borrow money at a lower cost.

Improve your credit
Your credit score has a big impact on your purchasing power, and even if interest rates in the market have not changed an improved credit score may be able to reduce your mortgage rate.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT US AT 208-462-4620

Living in Garden Valley in the winter can be a magical place!
However, not so much for your four-legged fur babies. When winter’s cold weather descends and temperatures begin to plummet, there are some special precautions to keep in mind when it comes to keeping your pet safe and warm. It is important to remember that pets are members of the family and should always be treated as such. When it comes to extreme conditions – be it cold, rain, snow or storms – it’s always best to be prepared.

Just like people, pets cold tolerance can vary from pet to pet based on their coat, body fat stores, activity level, and health. Be aware of your pet's tolerance for cold weather and adjust accordingly. You will probably need to shorten your dog's walks in very cold weather to protect you both from weather-associated health risks. Arthritic and elderly pets may have more difficulty walking on snow and ice and may be more prone to slipping and falling. Long-haired or thick-coated dogs tend to be more If your dog does not enjoy cold weather, make sure you bundle him up for his daily outing.  It's a common belief that dogs and cats are more resistant than people to cold weather because of their fur, but it's untrue. Like people, cats and dogs are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia and should be kept inside. Longer-haired and thick-coated dog breeds, such as huskies and other dogs bred for colder climates, are more tolerant of cold weather; but no pet should be left outside for long periods in below-freezing weather.
Cats are better off inside or in a warm place.

Make sure you do not leave your pet alone in a car.  It can be like a freezer and a running car can trap carbon monoxide from the exhaust. Also, remember that cats may find the engine compartment a good place to get warm. So, make sure you check for sleeping kitties before you start your engine.

Ice is another hazard for pets. They can slip and fall or even cut their pads with sharp ice edges. If you use ice melt, make sure you wipe your pet’s paws when they come in. Licked paws can cause an upset stomach.

Keep your pets away from antifreeze or wiper fluid. Antifreeze has a sweet taste that dogs like. Just a little can cause kidney damage and wiper fluid may cause seizures.

Both you and your pets can enjoy the mountains, snow, and cold weather, but do it responsibly. Your pets will love you for it!