Bittersweet but here it is time for the 2012 North Idaho Fair.  Bittersweet as the fair signals the end of summer and the start of school.  The fair opens to day and run through Sunday August 26th.  There is so much to see and do from rodeos, kids day (Aug 23rd), 4-H exhibits. and Demolition Derby on Sunday. The weather looks to be as nearly perfect as it can be, so gather up your family and friend and come on over to the fair where you will surely meet up with other friends and neighbors. Fairgrounds is located just north of Kathleen on Government Way here in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and there is plenty of parking Patsy Barten provides a level of Real Estate Service that “You are proud to Refer” to buyer and sellers in Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho. No matter how bi... 08/22/2012

Last 3 days to view this years Parade of Homes in Coeur d’Alene!  The weather is great and the tickets only cost $5 and there are 14 homes to view.  Starting today at 1pm until 7pm, Saturday from 11am to 6pm and Sunday from 11am to 4pm.  Small homes. Large and homes in between.  Grab your friends, Go and Have fun.   Patsy Barten provides a level of Real Estate Service that “You are proud to Refer” to buyer and sellers in Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho.   No matter how big or small your real estate dreams may be, you can call me in confidence.  Please call today and let me know what I can do to be of service to you.  Patsy Barten 208 818-6622. 08/17/2012

Keller Williams Realty Coeur d’Alene Client Appreciation Luau was a fabulous success.  Over 400 people were fed a roasted pig dinner last evening at the Coeur d’Alene Eagles Pavilion.  The weather was beautiful, there was live music, games for the kids and prizes.   Agents and clients had an opportunity to get together and catch up on happenings. What a great time for this annual summer event.  You will want to watch for it next summer if you missed this one.   Patsy Barten provides a level of Real Estate Service that “You are proud to Refer” to buyer and sellers in Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho.   No matter how big or small your real estate dreams may be, you can call me in confidence.  Please call today and let me know what I can do to be of service to you.  Pat... 08/17/2012

Coeur d'Alene/Spokane MeetUpThursday, August 30th5:00 to ??? Bardonay Restaurant and Distillery1710 W. Riverstone DriveCoeur d'Alene, ID 83814      (208) 765-1540         In connection with this summer's RainCamp, The Best of the Best, I'm hosting an ActiveRain MeetUp in Coeur d'Alene. Any and all of my fellow 'Rainers are invited to join me.  For that matter, any of you Realtor types interested in  hanging out with us are welcome too! There will be MeetUps happening all around the country, come out and join in the fun and camaraderie!  It will be a blast meeting some of my  cyber friends, live and in person! 08/16/2012

Frontier Ice Arena in Coeur d’Alene Idaho is now open!  It has been almost 4 years since the old KYRO Arena collapsed after a heavy snowfall.  The skating community here in North Idaho is getting ready for an all day Grand Opening on Saturday September 8th.   The new ice arena is a NHL regulation size ice sheet and the total size of the new facility is 34,000 square feet.  There is a 4,000 square foot radiant floor viewing/lobby area with tables over looking the playing area.   Mark your calendars for the 8th of September because during the Grand Opening they are planning demonstrations on the ice all day.  You can expect to see youth hockey, figure skating, curling, broomball and sled hockey. Frontier Ice Arena is located 3525 W. Seltice Way in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Patsy Barten provid... 08/14/2012

The 2012 Parade of Homes starts today in the Coeur d’Alene area.  There are 14 homes on tour, 6 homes in Coeur d’Alene, 3 homes in Hayden, 1 home in Athol, 1 home in Rathdrum and 3 homes in Post Falls.  The cost is only $5.00 for everyone including children.  The Parade of Homes is open this weekend and next weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The homes range in size from the largest at 4,586 sq ft to the smallest at 1,418 sq ft.  Half of the homes are in the 2000 + sq ft range. This is  a good time to check out your local builders and see new innovative ideas in home construction. Patsy Barten provides a level of Real Estate Service that “You are proud to Refer” to buyer and sellers in Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho. No matter how big or small your real estate d... 08/10/2012

The new Frontier Ice Arena has ICE!  It will not be long now until skaters will be on the ice, rumor has it that hockey players will be on the ice as early as this Friday.    This is a beautiful new facility and you need to stop by and take a look.  It is hard to estimate how many of our youth in the community will be down there skating but we expect a lot of activity at all hours.  It has been a long wait, but now we can all enjoy this new facility here in Coeur d’Alene in North Idaho.   I've included two pictures one showing the ice after 3 or 4 layers of ice and the next picture showing the ice with lines in.  They still have several more layers of ice to do before they can turn the skaters out on the ice.  But it is very close.  YEA!   Patsy Barten provides a level of Real Estate Se... 08/06/2012

What a great weekend in Coeur d’Alene!  Families were out enjoying our great North Idaho weather with Art on the Green, the Downtown Street Fair and Taste of Coeur d’Alene all happening this past weekend, there was something for everyone.   My grandson Noah had a booth at Art on the Green selling a game that he makes called Finn Pin.  I couldn’t be prouder as he did very well in spite of general slow sales as reported by the other vendors as compared to past years.  If you have interest in his game you can send him an e-mail finnpingame@gmail.com with your questions.   Patsy Barten provides a level of Real Estate Service that “You are proud to Refer” to buyer and sellers in Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho.   No matter how big or small your real estate dreams may be,... 08/06/2012

Coeur d’Alene’s annual trifecta is here starting today in downtown.  Art on the Green, Downtown Street Fair and Taste of Coeur are all happening this weekend.  So Coeur d’Alene is the place to be. Art on the Green is on the Campus of North Idaho College, Downtown Street Fair is on Sherman Ave., and Taste of Coeur d’Alene is at Memorial Field.  So bring the family and come down to enjoy the great weather and the type of summer fun that North Idaho is famous for. Patsy Barten provides a level of Real Estate Service that “You are proud to Refer” to buyer and sellers in Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho. No matter how big or small your real estate dreams may be, you can call me in confidence.  Please call today and let me know what I can do to be of service to you.  Patsy... 08/03/2012

Just a couple more days until “Art on The Green” in Coeur d’Alene so hope you have made your plans to attend this fabulous 3 day event starting this Friday, August 3, at noon.   There will be over 150 vendors present for you to view or taste their products.  The breakdown of vendors is approximately in this order.  Food – 10, Cloth & Fiber – 11, Glass – 7, Jewelry – 22, Leather – 3, Artist – 38, Photography/printmaking – 24, Pottery – 16, Wood – 13. Miscellaneous – 5, and Youth -7.   “Art on the Green” is held on the NIC Campus in Coeur d’Alene.   Patsy Barten provides a level of Real Estate Service that “You are proud to Refer” to buyer and sellers in Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho. No matter how big or small your real estate dreams may be, you can call me in conf... 08/01/2012

Wow we are so fortunate to live here in North Idaho!  “Art on the Green”, a fabulous mix of vendors and artists will be in the park and on the NIC campus showing off their creations.  This is the 44th annual “Art on the Green” and they are expecting over 50,000 visitors to this year’s event.  The weather promises to be perfect and the best part is that with all the trees in the park there will be ample shade so grab some friends and come down to take in all the sights and see what the wonderful people here in North Idaho have created.   Hours for “Art on the Green” are:  Friday Aug 3rd noon-7:30pm,  Saturday August 4th 10am-7:30pm, Sunday August 5th 10am-5pm.   Come spend time in Coeur d’Alene and visit with vendors, young and old as they share their stories about their products.     Pa... 07/25/2012

Frontier Ice Arena is getting closer to opening!  Expect to see ice this week or at least by next week.  They are expecting to open here in mid August.  The county has been there inspecting the facility in advance of issuing a “Certificate of Occupancy”.  The landscaping is coming along, you will see over 40 trees that are now planted and looking good.   The young skaters are over at the ice arena checking daily on the progress.  They can hardly wait to get their skates on and test this new ice rink.  The community is so ready for this facility to be up and running.  As soon as an opening day is announced I will be getting the word out.  So Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Hayden, Rathdrum, and all the communities here in North Idaho get ready to skate.   Patsy Barten provides a level of Real... 07/24/2012

Ironman 2012 Coeur d’Alene, is now in the books.  Race day was close as can be to perfect; starting with high overcast skies in the morning, temperatures in the mid 60’s, then sunshine later in the day warming to the mid 70’s. Over 2400 people were participants this year, swimming 2.4 miles in Lake Coeur d’Alene then moving on to the bike ride of 112 miles and then they had the running part of the race of 26.2 miles, all in all it is one heck of an accomplishment to just finish this race day.Congratulations to all who participated, the many volunteers who helped, and to all the local residents, as the Ironman participants have been practicing in many of our neighborhoods. Coeur d’Alene just signed for another 5 years to do Ironman, this is such a boost for the local businesses. Patsy Ba... 06/25/2012

Ironman Coeur d’Alene is here this weekend!  If you have been driving around our area lately you will have noticed a lot of bikers and runners out there training.  Coeur d’Alene is starting to show massive signs of Ironman participants and their families as they prepare for the big day on Sunday. This year the bike race goes south of town, so do be extra careful as you drive on Highway 95 south. This event brings hundreds of extra people to our area; they eat, shop, sleep, and just enjoy our fabulous part of the world.  So remember to treat them with courtesy. This is a boost to our local economy. Patsy Barten provides a level of Real Estate Service that “You are proud to Refer” to buyers and sellers in Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho. No matter how big or small you... 06/22/2012

Frontier Ice Arena nearly done!  The end is in sight here in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Today they are paving the main parking lot, but there are lots of small details that still need to be finished.  Everythingthat is needed is here, just the installation is a bit behind schedule.    Frontier Ice Arena is hoping to open here in a few weeks. Of course as soon as I learn when the Grand Opening will be; I will let you know, because you are going to want to check out this marvelous new ice arena.   This arena will be open for all kinds of ice activities like broom ball, public skating, and of course hockey.  Hockey players from all over the Pacific Northwest and Canada will be coming to our community and so this will be a big economic boost.   Patsy Barten provides a level of Real Estate Servic... 06/21/2012

Frontier Ice Arena is in the final stages of completion!  Workers are busy on the many details that need a finishing touch before an opening can occur late this month.  Sand has been laid in the rink area waiting for the pipes for the ice maker, locker rooms are almost done, protective shielding around the rink has to be cleaned up, advertising banners are going up in the lobby area, dasher board signs are starting to be seen in the rink.  It has been a long wait but the community has not wavered in their support of this beautiful new ice arena.   A grand opening celebration is being planned for sometime mid July.  You will want to come and check out the different activities from ice hockey to broom ball to general skating or just having your next meeting or party here.  Our local commu... 06/06/2012

Janna Rankin Scharf, PMN, SFR, GRI, CLHMS - Coeur d'Alene, Idaho homes for sale There was a heart warming story in the local news this week.  Seems a family of 8 was facing foreclosure of their home if they didn't come up with $1005.  Having been unemployed until recently, the newly employed dad wouldn't have received pay enough in time. This family of 8 lives in a double wide mobile home on five rural acres.  They came up with a plan.  They announced a yard sale to save their home.  They would have a yard sale, and sell everything they own, anything they had that anyone was willing to buy.  Their story hit the newspaper, and the rest is history.  People showed up for two days, not to buy their few earthly possessions, but to make donations.  The family raised three times the amount nee... 05/25/2012

IRONMAN COEUR DALENE HOUSING 2012 If you waited to the last minute to secure your IRONMAN COEUR DALENE HOUSING then look no further. The Stoneridge Golf Community offers the greatest possible opportunity to support your training and preparation environment. A clean and secure home with fresh air and only 35 minutes north of CDA. These undiscovered units come complete with a weight room (free & machines) also cardio machines and an indoor pool. The Grill restuarant is also on site and there is always a round of golf for a well deserved day off.                         Modern Units - fully appointed kitchens     Both 2 bed 2 bath & 3 bedroom 2.5 bath units.                         Recreation Center Indoor Pool                         Full Gym with free weights and machines.   Check out th... 05/22/2012

Watch for the RED Shirts On Thursday May 10th!  Keller Williams Realty Coeur d’Alene will be joining thousands other Keller Williams Realtors for RED Day! RED Day (Renew, Energize and Donate) is an initiative dedicated to celebrating Keller Williams Realty’s year-round commitment to improving our local communities.   Each year, on the second Thursday in May, tens of thousands of associates from across the United States and Canada participate in a wide range of projects, devoting their time to renewing and energizing aspects of the neighborhoods in which they serve.   Locally the projects where you will see the RED Shirts on this Thursday are:       Cutting wood for Eldercare           Veterans Plaza, restoring benches Men & Women’s Shelter, Transitional Housing at St Vinnies, preparing ... 05/07/2012

        For Immediate Release                                                                      Contact:          WCR Education Dept 800-245-8512   Performance Management Network Designation Awarded to Local REALTOR®   (Chicago, IL—May 4, 2012) Janna Rankin Scharf, Associate Broker with Keller Williams Realty Coeur d'Alene, REALTOR®, has been awarded the Performance Management Network Designation by the Women’s Council of REALTORSÒ (WCR). The Performance Management Network is a next-generation REALTOR® designation designed from the ground up to deliver the real-world skills, know-how and tools to keep an agent’s business out front and on top of an evolving real estate market.          Scharf is currently serving as the 2012 President-elect of the Coeur d'Alene Chapter of Women's Cou... 05/04/2012