Today I attended the City of Post Falls “Strategic Plan Forum" hosted at Real Life Ministries in Post Falls.  This was a another step in the City’s strategic planning and outreach process, in which they were soliciting input from the Community as a follow-up to a prior “Community Assessment Survey”. At this meeting, the preliminary survey responses were presented.  The participating members from the community were divided into groups that had similar professional backgrounds/interests and were asked to think about, discuss, and identify strategies aimed at achieving the overarching strategic goals in the areas of: (1) Economic Development, (2) the Focus on Businesses (current & future) and (3) achieving a Well Planned and Livable Community.  Each of the groups was asked for input on the... 05/21/2012

We knew it was coming but now we have a date.  Post Falls officially will be ineligible for USDA Guarantee Loans effective October 1st 2012.  The impact on both Buyers & Sellers is huge.  Data collected for 2011 showed that over 60% of Post Falls transactions were completed with USDA funds.   Why am I writing about this? Well if you are thinking about selling your home or buying here in Post Falls, you had best get off the fence and let me help you, so we can still take advantage of the next  4 months, while USDA funding is still available here in Post Falls.   Let me help you with a lender if you are thinking about buying so we can get you pre-approved and then find your dream home.   As Sellers the USDA loans make it easier for buyers to get a loan, so you the seller, can sell your ho... 05/16/2012

Janna Rankin Scharf, PMN, GRI, SFR, CLHMS - Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Homes For Sale It was just confirmed today that as of October 1, 2012, property within the city limits of Post Falls, Idaho will no longer be eligible for USDA Rural Development direct or guaranteed mortgages.  We are awaiting formal boundary lines and I will update you when I receive that information. These USDA loans have been a significent percent of our local market in rural Kootenai County.  With the exception of Coeur d'Alene and Hayden, all of Kootenai County has qualified.  Qualification is based on population.  Now with the growth in Post Falls, property in that town will be excluded.  In order to close before October 1st, buyers will need to be under contract by early August at the latest.  USDA offers loan progr... 05/15/2012

Beck Road and I-90 Interchange in Post Falls, Idaho, is finally getting underway! The contactor is bringing in dirt moving equipment this week, which should be visible from the freeway.  They expect to start moving dirt next week and even through they are getting started a few weeks behind schedule, they still plan to have the interchange open for the Thanksgiving weekend this fall.   There is a lot of interest in this exchange and the developer of “The Pointe at Post Falls” is talking with a number of businesses from restaurants to other retailers.   By having Beck Road Interchange it will open up another connection to Highway 53 and will provide a direct route to Stateline Speedway.   The contactor says that there will not be any detours and only plans on single lane closures through-... 05/15/2012

Express Employment Professionals are doing it again!  They are having another benefit to support the Post Falls Food Bank, on Wednesday May 16th. They are proud to be presenting an exciting LIVE simulcast leadership training, and they are inviting fellow business leaders from throughout our community to learn from world-renown speakers; who have built distinguished careers based on the principles of great leadership.   The 4 speakers and guest emcee are:  Patrick Lencioni, author, Troy Aikman & Emmitt Smith, professional football players, Dr. Beatrice Berry, sociologist, Andy Buckley, actor from the TV show The Office.   There are 8 spots remaining so pick up the phone and reserve your space.  The cost is $25.00 per person and that includes lunch and training handouts.  So remember this... 05/14/2012

Red Day was a success in Coeur d’Alene!   Keller Williams Realty, Coeur d’Alene, had Realtors working out in the Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene communities lending a helping hand.  Some Agents were cutting and delivering firewood for Eldercare, agents showed up with their chain saws, energy, and pick-ups and many folks were helped with the delivery of firewood. Other agents could be seen at several of the Transitional Homes operated by St Vincent DePaul and did massive clean up work on the garden areas at these homes. Then planted large vegetable gardens that the residents will take care of and harvest the crops.  Yet, another group of agents helped several people that needed help with yard clean-up due to the fact that they were notified of code violations by the city.   The day was beau... 05/11/2012

The Clydesdales will be in Post Falls, Idaho at the City Hall Parking lot at 4pm today!   Don’t miss this opportunity for young and old to enjoy a few hours of fun for a good cause.  The proceeds from this fundraiser will go to the Children’s Miracle Network.   There will be wagon rides and photo opportunities with these big gentle giants standing over 8 feet tall and weighting in between 1800 and 2300 pounds. Post Falls Lions Club will be there selling hot dogs, cotton candy, and beverages. The good folks bringing in the Clydesdales is Express Employment Professionals of Post Falls.  This a great cause and lots of fun for all. So plan to see the Clydesdales at the Post Falls City Hall parking lot today from 4pm to 7pm.   And if you need help with any Real Estate questions please call P... 05/10/2012

Should you find yourself in a Short Sale situation here are a few things you should know before you start to move out.   Most Lenders would prefer that you stay in the home doing regular maintenance until the Short Sale goes through.  Many Lenders will offer an incentive amount to you, the home owner, for keeping the home in broom clean condition.  Don’t get mad at the Lender and think you will cause them grief by trying to remove bathroom fixtures such as toilets and plumbing fixtures.  You will be happier with cash in hand and the new buyer can move in without a lot of out of pocket expense.  And you won’t have a bunch of used home supplies that you can’t get rid of.   The better condition the home is in to sell, the more money it will go for and the Short Sale difference between what... 05/04/2012

Hey remember one week from today is the big day in Post Falls, Idaho.  The Clydesdales will be in the parking lot at Post Falls City Hall (201 E. 4th Ave.)  On May 10th, from 4pm to 7pm, and of course remember to bring your cameras.  This big event is a fund raiser to benefit Children’s Miracle Network and is being sponsored by Express Employment Professionals of Post Falls.   There will be many donation opportunities available:           Wagon rides           Photo opportunities with the Clydesdale and their trainers           Hot dogs, cotton candy, & beverages available from the Post Falls Lions Club           And fabulous prizes   These are big guys; Clydesdale are over 8 feet tall and weigh between 1800 and 2300 pounds. The Clydesdales are owned by Express Employment Professionals ... 05/03/2012

Do you use common sense when opening your front door? The most common point of attack is through the front door or garage. Sometimes the home invader will simply kick open the door and confront everyone inside. More common is when the home invaders knock on the door first or ring the bell. The home invader hopes that the occupant will simply open the door, without question, in response to their knock. Unfortunately, many people do just that.  Home invaders will sometimes use a ruse or impersonation to get you to open the door. They have been known to pretend to be delivering a package, flowers, or lie about an accident, like hitting your parked car. An Ounce of Prevention Methods of preventing daytime burglaries will go a long way to preventing forced entry home robberies. If you can de... 05/01/2012

Ever wonder where Buyers find the home that they buy?  According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) here is the latest information from their survey of Buyers.  It is not surprising to find that Buyers are really using the Internet to search for their new home.  40 % said that they found their home while searching the Internet.  People are shopping on their computers while in a comfortable environment or after hours.   The next biggest percentage came from people using Real Estate Agents, 35%  and that is huge, as a Real Estate Agent people come to us as a trusted professional.  People that are looking for a new home will give us, the Realtor, a set of parameters to search for, but rarely do they make a decision on their list, but rather a combination from the list and a lot ... 04/30/2012

It is with bittersweet emotion that I write about a business closing its doors in Post Falls Idaho.  Anderson Iron Works is one of Post Falls oldest businesses.  They have been in business for 43 years and in those years have left their mark in many of the area homes as well many businesses.  You might remember seeing the Petunia Tree off I-90 as you head east through Post Falls on I-90.  That is one of Norm Anderson’s creations.   Norm and his wife Bonnie were originally from Minnesota but moved to Post Falls in 1969 and have raised their children here and now have grandchildren who love to work with “papa“ in the shop.   So it sad that the business is closing but it is a happy time knowing that these fine community members can relax and spend well deserved time with family and maybe f... 04/27/2012

Post FallsIdaho is the place to be! I am so proud to live in a community where local businesses step up to the plate to help those less fortunate.  In this tough economic time so many people are in some kind of need.  Our local food bank helps by providing food to many families that are struggling.   Express Employment Professionals is presenting an exciting Refresh LIVE simulcast leadership training for fellow business leaders throughout our community to learn from world-renown speakers.   The speakers are Patrick Lencioni a best selling author, Troy Aikman & Emmitt Smith, Football Hall of Fame, Dr. Bertrice Berry, sociologist-author-lecturer & educator, and Andy Buckley from hit TV show The Office.   All proceeds to benefit Post Falls Food Bank. This simulcast will be Wed May 16th fro... 04/25/2012

The Pointe at Post Falls is getting set for easy access from I-90.  The long awaited project of building an interchange allowing for traffic access off the Interstate at Beck Rd. to The Pointe where Cabela’s and Walmart are located will be starting the 1st of May and is expected to be completed by Thanksgiving.  This should help The Pointe bring in more businesses to this commercial development  and more economic revenue to our neighborhood.   The final design of the new overpass project should be completed this month and they are not expecting to have detours during the construction but rather single lane closures.  This new exchange will provide a direct route to Stateline Speedway and to Highway 53 relieving congestion on Pleasantview Rd.   The subdivision, Woodbridge located just to... 04/24/2012

Mark your calendars for the Express Clydesdales coming to Post Falls Idaho on May 10th.       These beautiful giants will be at The Post Falls City Hall parking lot from 4pm to 7pm.  You will be able to take pictures, go on wagon rides, get photos with the horses and trainers and best of all the proceeds will all go to benefit Children’s Miracle Network locally.   Express Employment Professionals is hosting the Clydesdales as a fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network.  Post Falls Lions Club will be selling hot dogs, cotton candy and beverages.  So gather up the kids and come on down for some great fun while supporting a worthy cause.   For more information on the Express Clydesdale go to www.expressclydesdales.com  and remember to Mark your calendars for the Express Clydesdales co... 04/23/2012

A Big Thank You to all of good folks in the community that supported the Post Falls Chamber Business Fair on Thursday evening.  Attendance was great, food was good and there were so many wonderful prizes that were given away. All the attendees were having so much fun getting their Bingo cards stamped for the gift drawings.  The seminars were very informative. The booths represented a wide variety of businesses, the people were so friendly and they shared so much information.  This is certainly an event to remember so mark your calendars for next April for the Post Falls Chamber Business Fair Thinking of relocating to Post FallsIdaho,  Please call Patsy Barten 208 818-6622 for all of your Real Estate questions. 04/21/2012

Did you miss it!  Post Falls Big Tree Give Away was on Saturday and was a huge success.  They had around 3000 trees to give away at a value of about $30,000.  Mayor Larkin declared that this past Saturday was the most perfect day that they have had in the last 15 years of the tree give away program in Post FallsIdaho. There were long lines of people to get trees but the many volunteers made for a fast organized trip through the lines to pick up the selected trees.  The volunteers provided information on planting and then the care of the trees. We are truly blessed here in the community of Post Falls that so many people take pride in how our neighborhoods look and offer programs like the Big Tree Give Away to celebrate Arbor Day. I live and work in Post Falls and if you questions about R... 04/19/2012

Don’t forget!  Today is the day for the Post Falls Community & Business Fair at GreyhoundPark in Post Falls, Idaho. Lots and lots of prizes available and almost 100 booths from local business owners will be set up to meet you and let you know what is available right here in Post Falls.  There will be appetizers and beverages for you to sample. From 4pm to 5 pm is the Power Hour, tickets are available at the door for only $10.00 and then at 5pm doors are open to everyone at no cost. During the Power Hour you can turn in your ticket for an i-Pad drawing.  The i-Pad drawing will be at 5pm today.  The Bingo card is the really fun part of the evening, you fill the cards with stamps from 25 businesses them turn that card for the big drawing where around 100 gifts will be given out. Don’t miss... 04/19/2012

Free Tree Give Away Post Falls, Idaho Saturday April 14th! The city of Post Falls Urban Forestry is celebrating Arbor Day by hosting a Free Tree Give Away at Q’emiln Park, from 9am to 2pm on Saturday April 14th. They are expecting a nice variety of trees; here are some of the different types of trees that should be avaliable: The Swamp White Oak, a hardy tree that grows to 65 -80 feet tall and can survive in a variety of habitats and grows rapidly.  The Robin Hill Amelanchier is a pretty tree that is tough and capable of surviving in most soil types.  The Frans Fontaine Hornbeam is a columnar tree with dark green foliage so it will fit in those tight spaces where you might need a tree.  The other trees that should be available are the Sugar Maple, Green Pillar Pin Oak, Elm, Locust, and ... 04/11/2012

You will not want to miss this event!  Post Falls Community Business Fair is almost here and there is even a waiting list to get a booth! Booths have been sold out for about 3 weeks now!  The purpose of the Business Fair is to have a one evening event allowing Chamber Members and participating businesses as exhibitors to market their products and services to the Chamber Membership in a trade style event.   One of the great things about the Business Fair is all the food vendors that will be there and this year we have an outstanding list.  To start with we have Emery’s Catering which is ran by the students from North Idaho College in the Culinary Arts Program (they have a wonderful reputation for their fine foods and it will be great fun getting to know the students). A well known local ... 04/10/2012