Can you believe it is September already?  Where did the summer go? Well, don't fret, the Northwest has allot of great events that happen all throughout the year, including the month of September. Here are some of the events to look forward to this month: including the unveiling of the Mudgy Moose Trail and the five life-size bronze sculptures along the trail on September 13, 2008 (If you know of an event that has been missed, please let me know and I will add it) 30-Sept 1 St. Maries Paul Bunyan Days - St. Maries. Three days of Logger competition, food booths, carnival rides and games. Other activities include a car club breakfast and evening dance, street dance, parade, 3 on 3 basketball, swim pool events, Idaho's largest "topless" beer bar (no roof), and a great fireworks show Sunday ... 09/01/2008

It is more important now than ever, that you price your home very competitively and have it Staged when listing your home in this market. We currently have over 4-Years supply of Residential Homes priced $600,000 to $1,000,000  in Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Hayden / Hayden Lake & Rathdrum. Supply and Demand ReportOver Last 6-MonthsFor 3/28/2008 To 8/28/2008Todays date: 8/28/2008Price Range: $600,000 to $1,000,000 Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Hayden / Hayden Lake, Rathdrum, Idaho.Residential Listings Only There are currently 254 active Residential Listings priced $600,000 to $1,000,000 in Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Hayden /Hayden Lake and Rathdrum. 12 Have SOLD over the last 6-Months 14 are PENDING SALE Assuming all 14 of the Pending Sales actually close escrow, we currently have over 4-Ye... 08/28/2008

It's Paul Bunyan Days again!  Just follow Lake Coeur d'Alene over to St. Maries, Idaho this Labor Day Weekend. Don't miss this Family Friendly send-off to Summer. There will be fun for everyone! 3 days of Logger Competition, Food Booths, Carnival Rides and Games.  There will also be a Car Club Breakfast, Evening Dance, Street Dance, Parade, Swim Pool Events.  And, if that's not enough, Idaho's largest "Topless" beer bar (no roof).   On Sunday Night there will be a great Fireworks Display! Oh, and I almost forgot, there will be 3 on 3 basketball, ping-pong ball drop from a helicopter with prizes and discounts from local businesses, 5K fun run and walk, junior Olympics, Wagon rides,  pig-kissing, Tug of War events and logger's awards ceremony.  I know I've missed a few things so check out... 08/28/2008

A funny thing happened with my relocation to Coeur d'Alene.  My husband and I postponed our move until our graduating senior had a chance to graduate.  Yay, Kristen!  She is now happily off to college and enjoying her new freedom.  But my youngest son, 14 year old Derek, had no choice but to head north with us.  He spent months trying to convince us that he should remain in Colorado to graduate from the same school as his four older siblings while living with his older brother and sister-in-law.  Came up with all kinds of reasons.  Some of them pretty good!  They included all the advantages to Rick and me of finally being empty nesters and not having to worry about him for the next 4 years.  How blissful our lives would be!  Of course, he lost his debate and he is here in residence.  No... 08/27/2008

                                                                                                                                                         No one was more surprised (and pleasantly so) than I was that my home sold so quickly.  I was expecting to have more time to get my life in order for my relocation from Colorado to Idaho.  Being a Realtor, I knew what it takes and figured I better practice what I preach.  I had been watching the neighborhood comps closely for about 6 months.  I needed a quick sale, which meant I needed to PRICE my home correctly.  Like everyone else, I didn't want to leave any money on the table. But the happy circumstances of my son, daughter-in-law and darling granddaughter unexpectedly relocating back to Colorado and moving in with me until we found ... 08/27/2008

I have had a very pleasant couple of weeks following orders to RELAX and enjoy the period of time that I am in transition from Colorado to Idaho.  Destress.  Remember what it was like to have down time.  I am so proud of myself, I did it.  I had lots of time to read, and dug out all of my workbooks and seminar notes on Lead Generation 101.  Starting from scratch in a new state, it's back to basics for me again.  Dang.  I received the news yesterday that my liscense has come throughI am now officially licensed by the State of Idaho. LET THE GAMES BEGIN! 08/27/2008

What happens when a moose and a mouse decide to play hide-and-seek in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho? Answer:  The City of Coeur d'Alene creates a 2-1/4 mile  Adventure Trail lined with 5 Life Size Bronze Moose and Mice statues and calls it the Mudgy Moose Trail. What's it all about?  A new childrens adventure book that centers around Lake Coeur d'Alene. This charming tale for children is all part of a public art project funded by a grant from the Coeur d'Alene Arts Commission.  As an accompaniment to the book, the town of Coeur d'Alene has commissioned a local artist, Terry Lee, to create 5 life-size bronze statuesof Mudgy and Millie, which will be placed at strategic points along Mudgy's route-now officially christened the Mudgy Moose Trail.  The Trail begins at the base of Tubbs Hill in Downto... 08/26/2008

Good news Coeur d'Alene, Idaho! Homeowners with adjustable-rate-mortgages who are in hardship should be able to benefit from Idaho's $100 Million share of Mortgage Revenue Bonds.  The Idaho Housing and Finance Association will administer much of the funding in Idaho. This is all part of the Federal Housing and Economic Recovery Act that was signed into law on July 31st, 2008.  The bill gives the Federal Housing Administration authority to ensure refinancing for borrowers in trouble.  It is a foreclosure rescue plan in which lenders would refinance homeowners with sub-prime loans into fixed-rate, 30-year mortgages backed by the FHA. This should be a boon for first-time home-buyers and homeowners struggling with sub-prime loans, as well as the mortgage industry. This money will also be av... 08/26/2008

What a great place to call home!  My husband, Rick, and I have spent all of 2008 working on transitioning our home back to North Idaho from Fort Collins, Colorado.  The college town of Fort Collins, with it's wonderful quality of life, is always highly ranked in Money Magazine's Best Place to Live lists.  It was 1st in 2006 and is currently ranked 2nd.  We've been there happily raising our family for the past 16 years.  But, something about North Idaho, where I grew up happily running amok in, on and around the lake, has always been quietly calling to us.  We finally answered the call and made the move, and here we are! I love it here!  The towering tall pines and natural beauty make it seem as though I am living in a postcard!  (In fact, only after I moved away did I discover that most... 08/26/2008

Speak up if you don't want DPA - Down Payment Assistance to go away on Oct 1, 2008 ! A Buyer with no money down already has very few finance options in which to purchase a home.  Now it is going to be even worse!   Just a few short weeks ago President Bush signed into law legislation that contained a provision to eliminate charitable down payment assistance, effective October 1, 2008.  This is a program has helped over 1,000,000 families purchase a home.  Approximately 80% were 1st time home buyers and it was reported that 94% met their mortgage responsibilities! If we act IMMEDIATELY, we do have an opportunity to get DPA back but it has to happen no later than September 30th, 2008. The very day after Bush took DPA away,  Congress introduced bipartisan legislation H.R.6694 that would re... 08/25/2008

Coeur d'Alene no longer has an excuse to be "Computer Illiterate" - Free Classes The Coeur d'Alene Public Library is holding Computer Workshops that teach computer basics, setting up email accounts, using the Internet, Word, Excel & Publisher. The Workshops are FREE and available on a first come, first served basis.  Space is limited.  You need to arrive at the computer lab 15 minutes prior to the scheduled class. It's never too late to Learn!! All of the Computer Workshops are in the Computer Lab at the CDA Library. 702 E. FrontCoeur d'Alene, ID 83814Phone: (208)769-2315Fax: (208)769-2381Email: info@cdalibrary.org The Coeur d'Alene Public Library is located downtown, next to City Hall, at 702 E. Front Ave in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The Library now has WiFi Access Point connected to high-... 08/21/2008

Coeur d'Alene is #3 on the Small Cities List of "Best Cities to do Business." This list is an annual guide to the places in the US that are thriving even in an economy that is considered to be in a Recession.  The list also focuses on Short and Long Term growth.  It tells where jobs are being created and where the momentum is shifting.  If you are an entrepreneur, this suggests the best places to locate or expand your business. Joel Kotkin and Michael Shires have written a great article about the "Best Cities to do Business List" - http://www.inc.com/articles/2008/07/where-are-the-best-cities-to-do-business.html Please contact me with any of your  Real Estate and/or Relocation needs: Pam Jank, Realtor, GRI, CRS, ABR, RRS, PPSYour North Idaho Real Estate ProFREE MLS Listings Search at:We... 08/17/2008

Annual Dryer Maintenance is a MUST. Build up of lint in your dryer vent or trap is flammable and can set fire by the heating element in the dryer or by a spark from the motor or switch.  Put this on your ANNUAL August calendar: Clean lint build-up from vent system.  Here is a quick "How To:" Look at the back of your dryer.  There is a 4-5 inch round pipe that goes from your driyer through the wall of your house to the outside.  Outside there is a "flap vent" that swings open automatically from air pressure when the dryer is running, then closes when the dryer shuts off.  The entire piping and flap vent should be inspected and cleaned of lint or any obstructions.  Seal any hose joints with duct tape. Clean behind and underneath dryer.  Moisture, dirt, and lint tend to accumulate behind a... 08/17/2008

If you live in the Kootenai County, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho areas be sure to contact me regarding this limited time federal tax credit. If you haven't owned a home in the Past 3 Years or are looking into purchasing your 1st home...  You need to hurry because this Federal ousing Tax Credit is only available between April 9th, 2008 and June 30th, 2009. And, it is only available to First-Time Buyers and/or Buyer's that have not owned a home in at least 3-years. This tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the property up to a maximum of $7,500. This credt does NOT apply to High-Income buyers. This credit is actually a -0- Percent Interest Loan that the Buyer pays back over 15 years starting the year after purchase. To learn more about this, NAHB has created a web site that gives you more informa... 08/11/2008

Route of the Hiawatha Mountain Bike Trail Adventure - The Last Continental Railroad Stretched from Milwaukee to Washington. I had Relatives visiting from Southern California for the 4th of July week and needed to keep them busy with more than just Boating, Swimming, Golf, floating the river, Shopping and Eating.  We had already done all the usual "Worlds Only's," Theme Parks, Water Parks, regular Tourist stuff, etc., etc, during their previous visits.  My Cousin Amy is really cute, thin and fit.  So, she of course, decided the 46 mile "Route of the Hiawatha Mountain Bike Trail" was just the thing for us all to do.  And I mean ALL.  She was not about to let anyone stay behind.  So, with her very strong forceful encouragement we filled up 2 Suburbans and headed out on the 45-minute drive ... 08/10/2008

Be sure to join me and my family at this year's North Idaho Fair & Rodeo.  New exhibits and attractions, traditional favorites and sensational food awaiting you at this years fair.  There will be Blue ribbon exhibits of arts, crafts, photography, baked goods, flowers and garden produce. Be sure to get there in time for the Rodeo, motocross and demolition derby. All of this is at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds August 20-24th, 2008. Fairgrounds Directions & Address: (4-Miles North of Downtown Coeur d'Alene)To get to the Fairgrounds, take Exit 12 off Interstate 90 and proceed North for approximately one mile. Turn right on Kathleen Avenue, then left on Government Way. The Fairgrounds will be on your right.  4056 N. Government Way, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83815 A bit of History on the Fair:  ... 08/03/2008

July, August and September are our most Action filled months.  Every day is a new event or happening in Coeur d'Alene and surrounding Towns and Cities in Kootenai County Idaho. Don't miss this month's events in North Idaho: August, 2008 Events Calendar:       AUGUST 1-3 CITY Coeur d'Alene Downtown Street Fair-The Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association hosts this three day event that features some of the finest arts and crafts in the region, along with food and entertainment on Sherman Ave. Downtown Cd'A, Sherman Ave. 208-667-5986 or www.cdadowntown.com 1-3 Coeur d'Alene Art on the Green-A three day celebration of the arts on North Idaho College Campus, complete with hundreds of booths, children's hands-on-art projects, famous ears of corn and "clothes line" art collections. North Idaho Col... 08/03/2008

It was perfect weather for this 3-day annual event that Started on August 1st and ended on August 3rd, 2008.   Everyone was there! Or at least it seemed like it. We started off our Art on the Green experience by sitting on the "Lake View" deck of our friends home, people watching.  There was nothing but a steady stream of people coming and going from the Art on the Green.  We'd visit with friends and neighbors over the hedge as they passed by. We finally tore ourselves away from our comfortable view setting and joined in with the crowds at the 40th Annual Art on the Green and Street Fair. Families and people young and old crowded the Parks, Sidewalks and Streets meeting, greeting, window shopping and Buying.   You could by anything from Fine art to Folk Art, Gemstones to dough art, silv... 08/03/2008

The Taste of the Coeur d'Alene's has come and gone.  If you missed it, you'll have to wait untill next year.  But it's worth the wait.  Waiting in line at some of the food tents didn't seem to be a problem for most people.  They were willing to wait up to 30 minutes for some of the delectables.        Once you got your food you could sit and bask in the sun on the sandy beach of Lake Coeur d'Alne, sit in the park and listen to bands playing in the Pavilian, watch a basketball game, enjoy watching the children play in the elaborate playground, people watch or walk the Art Walk.   Chances are you were going to meet and greet with most of your friends and neighbors.          Please contact me with any of your  Real Estate and/or Relocation needs: Pam Jank, Realtor, GRI, CRS, ABR, RRS, PPSY... 08/03/2008

Downtown Business Owner's fears have been put to rest.  It has been reported that Business in Downtown Coeur d'Alene, ID, is "Better than Last Year."  More proof that Coeur d'Alene is a destination people don't want to miss even in an Economic Downturn! Even with the economic downturn and people being more cautious with their money and distance they will travel by car, the Downtown area has had a great summer.  A number of businesses are exceeding more than their projections. This is especially surprising since much of the Downtown customer base is "Visitors/Vacationers."   Let's hope the winter months fare as well.   Please contact me with any of your  Real Estate and/or Relocation needs: Pam Jank, Realtor, GRI, CRS, ABR, RRS, PPSYour North Idaho Real Estate ProFREE MLS Listings Search... 07/31/2008