Janna Rankin Scharf, GRI, CLHMS, SFR - Coeur d'Alene Idaho Real Estate Coeur d'Alene MLS Neighborhood Sales Report 2010 3rd Quarter Here's a snapshot of the real estate sales activity in some of our most popular Coeur d'Alene area neighborhoods during the 3rd quarter of 2010.  Neighborhood            Sales        Average Price        Low             HighBentwood Park          4             $237,000              $185,000    $300,000Broadmoore               1             $159,900CDA Golf Course        5              $235,500              $199,000    $260,000CDA Place                 21            $231,033              $134,000    $355,000Dalton Gardens          5             $281,666              $175,000    $354,000Fieldstone                13             $191,207              $153,522  ... 10/26/2010

This morning after church, someone overheard snippets of a conversation I was having.  She approached me to see if she had heard correctly, that I was actually keeping really busy in real estate. I told her that indeed I was.  She looked skeptical and astonished, and said, "That's AMAZING! Nobody has money.  Nobody's buying."  I laughed and said that I had just had two closings on Friday, one was for cash. I brokered a private deal with a happy buyer of their spectacular riverfront retirement dream home for $850,000 CASH!  I am working with other buyers looking for a their retirement dream home who will close as soon as they find it, for up to $400,000 CASH.  I have buyers under contract for a smoking hot deal on a lovely Coeur d'Alene Lake waterfront parcel on which they will build the... 10/17/2010

Doing a municipal energy audit on a museum in northern Idaho this week just kept bring back memories to this baby boomer. This job turned out to be more fun than work. Each room kept turning up things that I used as a teenager. I remember manual typewriters and "carbon paper" and low and behold - don't ever make a typo as you can't back up and erase it. Not too many kids these days would even know what this "gadget" was much less how to even use it. Imagine TEXTING on one of these. 10/15/2010

During a municipal energy audit on a museum in Idaho this week I looked down from the equipment and did a double take. I have not seen one of these in 30 years, and this one is in the greatest shape. I know for certain not many gen-X or gen-Y people would have a clue what this is. This is the best thing since "sliced bread". I had such a fun day working in this building all day. It sure brought back a bunch of memories. 10/15/2010

Janna Rankin Scharf, GRI, CLHMS, SFR - Coeur d'Alene Idaho Real Estate One beautiful morning not long ago, business took my husband and me to the Riverstone area of Coeur d'Alene.  As I drove through, beautiful Riverstone Park caught my eye.  Its signature fountain was spurting the familiar huge burst of water, which was sparkling in the sunlight.  The grounds were meticulously maintained and picture perfect.  And there wasn't a soul to be found taking advantage of one of Coeur d'Alenes most lovely park settings! Riverstone is just one of North Idaho's premier development projects that became a victim of the mortgage crisis and real estate market meltdown.  Although the vision was grand, the timing was unfortunate.  There are more commercial vacancies than there are tenants.  Real estat... 10/05/2010

Janna Rankin Scharf, GRI, CLHMS, SFR - Coeur d'Alene Idaho Relocation I am currently working with some buyers in Indonesia.  It's been fun and interesting maneuvering communications and the purchase process through a 14 hour time difference!  Skype has been wonderful, but timing has been interesting since mid-day here is middle of the night there, and vice-versa.  I should know today if their offer has been accepted and they are going to be the proud owners of a beautiful piece of property on the shores of Coeur d'Alene Lake. Perhaps these international clients of mine are why this particular story caught my eye this morning: 28 percent of Realtors reported working with at least one international client in the past year.  This is up from 23 percent during the previous period ending Marc... 09/30/2010

Janna Rankin Scharf, GRI, CLHMS, SFR - Coeur d'Alene Idaho Real Estate New short sale bill would require lenders to provide response in REASONABLE time!  Now that would be AMAZING!  I won't be holding my breath..... The new bill, H.R. 6133, Prompt Decision for Qualification of Short Sale Act of 2010, has been introduced in an effort by Congress to require lenders to speed up their time table of response.  It routinely takes MONTHS for a response, while potential buyers bail on their attempts to purchase the home and frustrated sellers lose their home to foreclosure.  National Association of REALTORS President, Vicki Cox Golder, said, "The short sale, which requires lender approval, is an important instrument for homeowners who owe more than their home is worth. While the lending communi... 09/29/2010

Janna Rankin Scharf, GRI, CLHMS, SFR - Coeur d'Alene Idaho Waterfront Homes For Sale I viewed some Coeur d'Alene Lake homes for sale "by sea" with potential buyers today.  The sun never made an appearance, and a bit of drizzel fell upon us.  But the sights were still wonderful, and I continue to marvel that I am blessed to live in such a picture postcard beautiful part of the world! 09/26/2010

Click here to see all waterfront homes currently for sale in the Coeur d'Alene area.We have just sailed through our summer selling season here in beautiful north Idaho.  Here are the stats for all of the waterfront sales in the Greater Coeur d'Alene area for the six month period of March 23, 2010 to September 23, 2010.  These statistics include all lakes and rivers in all towns in the Coeur d'Alene Multiple Listing Service.  Let me know if you would like the stats for a specific body of water and I will get them to you quickly!ACTIVE LISTINGS: 507PENDING LISTINGS: 25CLOSED LISTINGS: 51EXPIRED LISTINGS: 110Average Original Listing Price:  $668,472Average Final Listing Price:  $614,837Average Sale Price:  $562,382List to Sale Price Ratio:  91.5%Average Days on Market of SOLD Listings:  19... 09/24/2010

Coeur d'Alene Real Estate Snapshot One of the best ways to get a pulse for the market is to check out the vital statistics of the market.This is what is happeniing in the greater Coeur d'Alene Area As of September 2010: ACTIVE LISTINGS:    - 4108 PENDINGS:              -  380         Percentage of Pendings 9.3% Months of Inventory  - 10.8 CLOSED LISTINGS LAST 6 MONTHS - 1,511 Average Original List Price of Sold Homes   $235,228 Average Final List Price of Sold Homes       $221,038 Average Sale Price of Sold Homes              $210,996 Average Days on market SOLD          126 Average Days on market ACTIVES     150 The 75K to 99K category has 6.1 months of inventory / The 100K - 125K category has 5.7 months of inventory. By far the fastest moving category right now.       09/22/2010

Janna Rankin Scharf, GRI, CLHMS, SFR - Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist Here's an interesting snapshot of real estate market activity in the Greater Coeur d'Alene area in the million dollar and above price range.  This report is as of September 16, 2010, and covers the six months immediately proceeding that date.  250 - Number of Active Listings  11 - Number of Pending Listings11 - Number of Closed listings4.4% - Pending Ratio22.7 - Months of Inventory (Assumes all Pending listings close) 59 - Number of expired listings$1,722,091 - Average Original List Price$1,568,816 - Average Final List Price$1,438,091 - Average Sale Price91.7% - List to Sales Price Ratio (Based on Final list price)167 - Average Days on Market, Sold Listings219 - Average Days on Market, Active Listings Give... 09/18/2010

Janna Rankin Scharf, CLHMS - Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist Fairly regularly, someone will ask me what the letters CLHMS after my name stand for.  It is one of several professional designations I hold, and one that I am very proud of.  Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist, Million Dollar Guild Status This designation was acquired through the top luxury home marketing organization in the country, The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing.  It's one that has to be earned.  It can't be acquired by simply doing the requisite course work. Five years ago I first had the opportunity to represent a custom luxury home builder.  In an effort to provide exceptional service to him, I sought out the best training that was available for luxury real estate agents.  That search led me t... 09/13/2010

Is Coeur d'Alene's 105 year old Roosevelt Inn Bed & Breakfast haunted?  According to proprietors John and Tina Hough, absolutely!  Fortunately, they report that the ghostly residents at the Inn are quite friendly.  Ever since I first got into the real estate business, I have heard stories of haunted homes for sale and the pranks the apparitions play on unsuspecting real estate agents.  Fortunately, I have not had to find out for myself what it's like to try and sell a haunted house! For the first time, The Roosevelt Inn Bed & Breakfast is bringing in specialists from the International Paranormal Reporting Group, just like the ones on the Ghost Hunters T.V. show.  They are opening up the Inn to guests for the event on Friday, October 29, 2010.  Wow!  John and Tina are certain that the ex... 09/11/2010

Investing Clues - Where To Look When Investing in North Idaho Real Estate The old adage, "success leaves clues," can be extended to just about anything. Failure, leaves clues, good health habits leave clues ... you get my point! So I started thinking about investment apportunities. There must be certain clues in regard to investing in real estate and finding value properties. CLUE #1 - properties that cannot be built for what they are selling for. CLUE #2 - stable neighborhoods with few rentals and little turn over. CLUE #3 - value buys - everyone knows a bargain when they see one.  CLUE #4 - the ability to read neighborhood trends. CLUE #5 - all the other clues that are specific to your area! An obvious clue for me where I live is the eligibility of financing. We have a great program f... 09/07/2010

About 400 Harleys added to the vibrant sights and sounds on Sherman Avenue in downtown Coeur d'Alene, Idaho on Friday evening.  They came from far and wide for the H.O.G. Idaho Rally. H.O.G. stands for Harley Owners Group. Is Coeur d'Alene a great place to live, or what!  (Ok, I know this is not being speechless, but for me it's pretty darn close!) 09/05/2010

Janna Rankin Scharf, GRI, CLHMS, SFR - Realtor in Coeur d'Alene, IdahoThe tiny town of Fernan Lake Village, Idaho, located at the eastern end of Coeur d'Alene's main downtown street, is being touted as an example of fiscal responsibility. At their August 2010 meeting, for the 4th year in a row the mayor and city council of Fernan Lake Village declined to raise property taxes. Fernan Lake Village is an enclave of just 60 households and 52 families, according to the 2000 census. Located along the shore of Fernan Lake, just a stone's throw to I-90 and vibrant downtown Coeur d'Alene. Fernan Lake Village proper is just one-tenth of one square mile. Quaint and Picturesque Fernan Lake Village in Coeur d'Alene, IdahoBecause of the premier location Fernan Lake Village is a highly desired address... 09/04/2010

Janna Rankin Scharf, GRI, CLHMS, SFR - Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource Certified Realtor in Coeur d'Alene I have no photos of smiling faces at the closing table, but today was a good day!  After a long and grueling short sale adventure spanning more than six months, I was able to get my short sale listing successfully SOLD!  It is a day of victory in getting a difficult transaction to close, finally, mercifully.  It took much perseverance, persistence, wrangling and extreme highs and lows of emotion on both sides of the table.  One interesting thing about short sales is that so many wild cards come flying out of left field, just when you think you have overcome all the obstacles.  My seller isn't celebrating today, but she has brought closure to this chapter of her life and can now ... 09/03/2010

Post Falls Bus Route - It's FREE I rely on my car for quite a bit. My business as a REALTOR that gives top[level service dictates that I have to be ready with a clean gassed up vehicle to show property. As a result I have not had a need for public transportation. I came across a client this week that is unable to drive but still enjoys an independent lifestyle. I recalled seeing the local bus signs around town and suggested it as a great alternative that would get them around town. As I researched the citylink website I found that there are several different routes and that the bus runs quite extensively. BUT BEST OF ALL ... that's right it is free. They also have wheel chair accesable units and bike racks. So you can ride to or from a stop and stow your bike. IHere is a sample of one o... 09/03/2010

I can't believe Labor Day is upon us, where did summer go?  Nevertheless, we are heading into the long weekend that bids adieu to summer whether we like it or not!  Our own Coeur d'Alene Symphony is once again staging a free Labor Day concert at Coeur d'Alene City Park.  What a great opportunity to enhance your quality of life, soak up some artistic culture and enjoy this talented performing arts group at no cost!  That's right, this performance is FREE!  Bring your lawn chairs, your kids, friends and neighbors and say farewell to summer in style! The concert begins at 1:00 and will feature patriotic, Broadway and classic numbers in our beautiful city park overlooking spectacular Coeur d'Alene Lake.  See you there! Click here for more information about the Coeur d'Alene Symphony. 09/02/2010

Coeur d'Alene - Open House This Saturday Sept/4th from 11 am to 3 pm and Sunday Sept/5th from 11 am to 3 pm Scott Lewis of Keller Williams Realty will be holding open 909 Mullan Street in Coeur d'Alene. Check out this and other listings on the web. Scott Lewis of the Scott Lewis Group at Keller Williams recently adjusted the price on this great downtown home by about 12%. This is a unique downtown bungalo and is close to just about everything downtown. You can see the lake if you know just where to look. The street restuarants and side walk cafes are within easy reach. The Coeur d'Alene Public Library is two short blocks down the street. If you want to swim then Sanders Beach is a few blocks straight south and City Beach to the west. Live here and: attend NIC sip coffee in the mornings ... 09/01/2010