Top of the morning all.  I have a weekly feature 'Friday Flag'.  Shots of our USA Flag being flown in the North Idaho area.  Business's and residents in and near Sandpoint Idaho.  I especially enjoy being able to highlight one from our listings.  This particular shot is of the flag at the Sandpoint Airport where we have a 'hangar lot' listed.  The weather has been turbulent the last week, which made for a nice 2nd shot looking south down the runway.  For further information regarding Hangar Lot: https://www.sandpointnorthidaho.com/idx/listing/featured/301810686/160-Airpark-Sandpoint-ID-83864  04/11/2021

How Tech Helps You Buy or Sell a Home With much of the country mostly staying home, it's not your typical spring homebuying season.  You might think social distancing has made it difficult to meet with lenders, view properties and sign paperwork, but fortunately that's not the case. In fact, prospective buyers and sellers continue to move forward with their housing needs and doing so with safety in mind.While the process may look a little different, modern technology is making it possible and, in some ways, more convenient.So how does it work?  Can I buy or sell a home during covid 19? Yes you can! Most areas have some kind of stay at home order and social distancing restrictions to prevent the spread of disease. While the process looks a bit different today than it did a few months ago... 05/05/2020

Stay in home is so much better when you have a home. Yes houses are still selling and it is my extreme pleasure to be able to find a home for a family and get them in at the perfect time. I was a little worried that things might get held up and my people become homeless with the shut down. Luckily the governor deemed real estate essentional and that people are in the middle of moving.  We are getting pretty good at doing everything long distance and we were able to get this home closed without any risks. I had an awesome team in lenders, seller, buyers, and escrow and all of us pulling together made this happen.  Congratulations Julie and Chris on your new home in Sandpoint. I am so very happy for you and your children. 04/01/2020

Congratulations on the new home!!!  I will never forget how you fell in love the second you walked in the door of this gorgeous private log home.  I am thrilled to be a part of this and hope you have many wonderful years here.   03/14/2020

 Sold By Rain.  Congrats Tyler Francis and Taylar Doolittle, the new owners of the Cedar Street Bistro and Wine Bar who will adopt a new name: Taysty’s. It’s a winning combination of the owners’ names and it is sure to be a crowd pleaser.   It was my extreme pleasure to help this young dynamic duo achieve their dreams and I am asking everyone to swing by the Cedar Street Bridge to get them off to a great start.  Congrats!!!  The Cedar St. Bistro brings the European cafe experience to beautiful downtown Sandpoint. Great-tasting food, drinks and desserts in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Taystys is located on the historic Cedar St. Bridge, with its massive tamarack logs and huge glass passive solar wall through which you can enjoy a view of peaceful Sand Creek and the mountains beyond. S... 03/14/2020

Last year I was asked to speak in front of a large group and afterwards several people congratulated me and told me how comfortable I looked up on stage.  It was funny because my perception was that my voice was cracking, hands shaking, and I couldn't read my notes, so I was winging it.   I also remember waiting behind a curtain with my heart racing and my feet stuck to the floor.  It felt like an hour to muster the courage to walk out on the stage.  I can’t even tell you what I was afraid of, this was a group of my peers, associates.  Even the worst failure would not be earth shattering, yet the fear was real.   I heard a speech that I haven’t been able to forget.  It pointed out that you don’t live your life needing to be courageous all the time, you only need to be courageous for 20 ... 03/05/2020

Have you applied for you Idaho Homeowners Exemption yet? If you recently purchased a house or own a home and made it your primary residence, you may be eligible for a property tax exemption.  A property tax exemption reduces the net taxable value of your home and up to one acre of your property. Instead of calculating your property tax percentage based on the full value of your home, the Idaho Homeowners Exemption subtracts $100,000 and determines your tax rate based on the resulting amount. HOW THE HOMEOWNERS EXEMPTION WORKSLet’s say your home is valued by your county assessor’s office at $200,000. With an approved Homeowners Exemption application, the taxable value of your home would be reduced to $100,000. In other words, your property tax burden could be cut in half with an exemptio... 02/24/2020

 :-)  If you didn't hear the tune to Johnny Lee's "Looking for Love" in your head as you read the blog title, I'd be surprised!I have someone who is looking for a Lodge, possibly with a bar/restaurant option, but with emphasis on the lodge portion, for sale in the Sandpoint, Idaho area.  I know what properties are currently listed in Loopnet in Idaho, so am wondering if there are any pocket listings out there or if any of you have properties that you know are coming up but are just not quite active yet?  I am only licensed in CA so this would be a referral...hence the "wrong places" ;-)  Please DM me if you have anything!   02/19/2020

VERY RARE opportunity to have your own PRIVATE runway access on .30 acre of industrial/commercial land adjacent to the Sandpoint Airport (SZT). Level parcel with outstanding mountain views and ready to build. City water, sewer and power to property line with a paved TaxiWay Easement to the airport. Great opportunity to acquire one of the few private airport access lots remaining. Whether you would like to have your own plane or build a hangar for office space, this gated access parcel is ready for you! 02/17/2020

Congratulations Carol and Anthony on your beautiful new home in Sagle Idaho.  I am so glad we found the perfect place for you to call home.  This beautifully landscaped entrance invites you home to this newly updated open concept rancher. Inside you will find hydronic heated hardwood floors, solid wood shaker doors and freshly painted interior. The Great room has a vaulted ceiling, a natural gas stone fireplace and large windows for a bright and inviting space. The kitchen has granite countertops, breakfast bar island, natural gas range and newer slate appliances. The adjoining family room is a great space that opens tothe back deck and can be used for multiple purposes including a 4th bedroom, office orbonus space. The Master Suite is generous with walk-in closet and spacious bathroom ... 10/07/2019

Congratulations on the sale of your home Deb!  I hope Hawaii is a fantastic new chapter in your life.  Breathtaking panoramic lake views fromalmost every room of the house. This wellbuilt 2649 sq ft home has 3 en-suitemaster bedrooms 3.5 bath 3 car garage on1.52 acres. Vinyl siding, central vac, Gas fireplace and rock hearth, forced air heating, multi room audio system, plumbedbarbecue, back up generator, full lengthentertaining deck, built in bar, automaticsun shade, Berber carpeting, Italian porcelain tile, cathedral ceiling, architecturalangles, high quality fixtures, securitysystem and AirPipe wifi. Gourmet kitchenwith European cabinets, center island with gas cook top, wall oven, trash compactor,dishwasher and built in kitchen appliance station. All 3 bedrooms are large and havea p... 10/06/2019

Last year I sold a piece of land to a young couple I had been working with for quite some time. They had come to Idaho for the second time in 3 years looking for that special place. Their parents thought they were crazy to move from Colorado to Idaho to build a home. We looked at everything and one of the last ones on the list was a piece that had been on and off the market a few times. When we got there, they werent overly impressed. We walked the land which was heavily treed, trying to keep the kids from tripping on branches. There was a small kinda level spot by the road and then went way down a hill. It was a mess but I saw a huge potential for it to be so much more and with some work to be exactly what they were looking for.  They looked at me a bit sideways when I told them "This... 10/04/2019

I was sitting on the deck having my coffee and watching the flock of turkeys that come greet me every morning. The breeze kicked up and at first I thought it was pine needles coming down then I realized it was snow. I remember a few times when the kids were growing up that we had snow around halloween but not in September. We have been professing that this was the year we would get a long winter and it appears to be coming true. I am sure schweitzer mountain ski resort is loving this.  So get your winter prep done, your water hoses put away, close up the vents on the house, and get the lawn furniture covered and enjoy the early winter to come. 09/28/2019

Congratulations Dave and Kathy Johnson for selling your Clark Fork home.  I love repeat business and we have bought and sold a few together and I am so happy for you both.  Now we just have to drag you back to Idaho.  smile I also want to thank you for sending so many people to me over the years.  They have all been jewels and I am grateful that you tell yours friends about me when they are ready to buy or sell.  No amount of money could ever buy that and not much could ever really show you how much I appreciate it. THANK YOU!!!A big thank you to Rachel Noordgaarden of Coldwell banker for bringing  us the perfect buyers for this home.  John and Jena you guys soared high over each and every hurdle and I hope this home treats you well for a very long time.   06/05/2019

 Congrats Katy on buying your new home in Kootenai.  They say it takes a villiage to raise a child but it only takes a band of girls to find the perfect house!  I find that I often get to be the "family Realtor" servicing the kids the parents, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles.  In this case it all started years ago with you Brooke and you did a fantastic job at searching through the listings each day and pointing the good ones out to your mom.  (What will you do with that free time now that you aren't looking at houses every day?)  When Charesse Moore listed this nice and affordable home you two were right on it and I am so glad it was THE ONE.  Katy I wish you many years of happiness in your new home and I thank you for placing your trust in me.  I am so excited that  you saved all... 06/05/2019

 I have been lucky enough to have 3 home sales close in a day a few times, but it is always exciting and I am always grateful.  I have always said that I have the best clients in the world.  You are loyal and thoughtful and I feel blessed that such good people are drawn into my life.  Thank you always for letting me help you with one of the most important decisions in your life.   You always make me strive to be better.  Thanks to the title companies for your hard work@northidahotitle@alliancetitle@CommunityTitle 06/05/2019

Congratulations to the Till Family for their new home on 70 Williamson way.I hope you have many happy years here.    This home is situated on 15 private acres and it has beautiful brand new floors, cabinets, countertops and fresh paint. Two new decks front and back and all new stainless appliances. There is room for a garden and more. The land is so beautiful with several natural granite rock outcroppings and large pine cedar and larch trees. The location is less than 8 miles from Sandpoint. 06/04/2019

  There is hope! (I  think) Spring has sprung ! Literally just a week ago we had 6-8" of new snow!This is a picture of a tree we have growing through our deck. Why a picture of a tree?A tree symbolizes change, growth, seasons, good times and bad and life.If that tree could talk.When we bought our house here  last year, it was springtime (early summer), the tree was beautiful and just barely turned it's beautiful green colors. The house had been built by a young man who was building his dream home on a lot his father had left him. For whatever reasons, the poor kid ran out of money and could not complete it.It wasn't our style of house because was a contemporary style. It was meant to be a temporary house while we built our Idaho house about 7 miles away. It was less expensive for us to ... 03/19/2019

 Oh geez, my last blog was about the first snow. Yippee!Ok, I admit, that was A WHILE BACK.Being "new" to North Idaho, I was feeling pretty good about the mild winter we'd had so far (that is until the end of January).I'm dancing around in the office telling everyone I see Pussy Willows already and what a mild winter and how much everyone was a baby complaining when they thought it was "cold".....THEN February hit!Snow, snow and more snow. Wind and snow, and then more snow.Again (being new) I have to ask everyone, is this as bad as it gets? Well, I'm learning!Everyone says the winters are unpredictable. I guess I had forgotten the weather in Alaska! Yes, winter is always unpredictable. Especially the further north you go it seems.I'm told "Sometimes the winter season brings on a plethor... 03/14/2019

I just wanted to share with you my visit the annual Schweitzer Fall fest, 4 days of fun for the family. Tons of events for the kids and for the adults alike. Beer and wine from 75 area micro breweries served in souvenir glasses and steins. In the villiage you will find Arts and Crafts vendors, Live music and lots of fun.  Bring your mountain bike to ride the trails or take a sight seeing ride up the chair lift to the Sky house.     11/25/2018