Currently, or previously as the case may be, vehicles were tested annually at a fee of between $10 and $15 (depending on testing station). Vehicles that did not pass their test were required to be serviced and re-tested in order to maintain their registration. I say this with some certainty, but am unable to say for sure as I can find no information about this on the
emissiontest.org website, and of all the vehicles that I have ever owned, none have ever failed the test. Apparently, maintaining vehicles in good working order appears to do wonders for ensuring that they run with some degree of cleanliness. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for other drivers here in the greater Boise area. I’m sure that many of you have been stuck behind the old clunker blowing blue smoke out the tailpipe, or the weekend warrior’s version of a monster truck that belches smokes constantly. Choking on fumes in traffic, it was always at least a small (ok, very small) consolation to know that hopefully those vehicles would fail their emissions test and get some service at SOME point. Well, with the new regs on the books, that may not be the case, at least not quite.

From 1984 to present, all vehicles manufactured on or after 1965 were to be tested annually. The new law states that all new vehicles for the first four years will be exempt along with hybrids and cars older than 1981. All vehicles that do require testing (built between ‘81 & 2006) will be tested every other year. Call me crazy, but if you’re going to exempt cars from testing, doesn’t it make more sense to exempt vehicles early in their lives when they’re the most likely to be running well with minimal maintenance? The first 5, 10, 15, or even 20 years make more sense to my keen unscientific mind for a pool of vehicles to be exempted. But everything built before 1981??

Taken from the Ada County Air Quality Board’s own website:

Over half of all vehicular pollution comes from only 10% of the vehicles. By identifying the dirtiest vehicles and getting them fixed the emissions testing program has been able to reduce vehicular pollution by about 18%.

Only time will tell if this shift in testing younger vehicles, every other year will have a negative impact on the air quality. But call me crazy, it doesn’t seem like a brilliant idea to this driver. The other kicker in parting… unless you drive an older vehicle, you won’t even save any money. Annual testing can be had for $10/year, bi-annual testing will be capped at $20 and as testing stations will now no longer test 15 years worth of vehicles and those that are tested only come by every other year, I would expect that it will be much harder to find sweet deals on pricing.

While Boise has not escaped unscathed in these trying economic times, it has fared better than many. Jobs and housing will be key to any recovery and despite recent layoffs at several large employers in the Treasure Valley we continue to attract new business (both large and small) to further diversify and expand our economic base. The high quality of life and affordable cost of living continue to draw individuals, families, and investors from around the country to the city of trees.

For those of you that may not check out the article (it’s not that long, but I understand you may not click), we were beaten out of the top spot by Buenos Aires, Argentina & Winnipeg Canada. Check out the news for yourself, http://xrl.in/27d5.

This is a very new program and has enormous potential to help even more first time home buyers (FTHB) achieve their goals of home ownership. Coming up with thousands of dollars in closing costs and down payment is difficult at any time, today is no exception. The good news is that rates are at historic lows, prices are down, and inventory abounds in most price points here in the Treasure Valley. Rates are not likely to go much lower and when the FED begins curtailing their involvement in the purchase of mortgage backed securities rates will almost certainly rise later this year.

If you’re thinking about purchasing your first home, I’m here to help. Give me a call at your convenience and we can get started putting together a plan to get you into your new home in time to take advantage of all the fantastic incentives available to you. In fact, feel free to try out the new Google connection widget, top right of every page on this site. Just enter your name and your phone number and click connect.

The benefits of the crazyness are that we typically have the opportunity to enjoy winter activities like sledding, snowman building, snowball fights, snow angels etc. without being completely snowed in with 10′ of paralizin, life halting conditions that some areas are saddled with year after year. Within a few days, or sometimes by the end of the day, its warmed enough that the roads are clear and it’s smooth sailing.  Another perk of living in the valley is that we are within a quick drive of winter activities that require a bit more snow.  With 3 resorts within just a few hours, and one just 30 minutes from downtown there is always great skiing to be found without having to pack the family up and going on a major outing.  Of course, if you would like to get out of town for a bit it’s a quick drive to McCall, Tamarack, or Sun Valley resorts.

Today we’re a little overcast with no snow to speak of, except that which has been piled in parking lots or lawns from recent shoveling.  We’re expecting the daytime high to be flirting with 50 and should be holding steady there for the better part of the week.  It’s a great time to be planning a trip to see the Treasure Valley and see for yourself how great life can be.  There is something to be said for Boise as we continue to grow and incorporate many of the benefits of “big city living” while avoiding many of the pitfalls.  If you’re considering a move and have plans to visit let me know.  I’m happy to help make sure your stay is fantastic with recomendations from where to say and what to see and do while you’re here!

While we are almost never prone to the storms of the Midwest or back east with their everyone owns a snow blower, get buried under 6 feet of snow issues, we do enjoy four distinct seasons and winter is finally here.  Last night we saw about 4 inches fall in the valley.  Unfortunately its the dry, hard to do anything with but shovel off your driveway variety.  This past weekend, Saturday night I believe, we got an inch or two of good, slightly wet snow.  Perfect for snowmen/snowballs and sledding.

Also up after a late start, the local ski resorts in McCall, Boise, and Sun Valley are all operational, at least partially.  If the forcast for the rest of the week holds true (snow possible or likely each day) then we should have everything fully operational and ready to really enjoy all the winter sport activities available here in Idaho.

It’s been a rough holiday travel season for many with delays, flight cancellations and many people being stranded and forced to camp out in airport lobbies.  My own brother-in-law had to walk 5 miles through snow & storm to catch a train after his bus broke down to get to the airport.  He missed his flight and got to spend the night on the floor.  Hopefully though, everyone will make it to where they are going and enjoy a warm holiday with good food and drink with family and friends.

Have a safe and happy holiday all and a very prosperous 2009.