ALL ABOARD!  "Cruise" through our Commerce & Community Expo presented by Horizon Credit Union on May 20th to explore the businesses and organizations that make the Greater Sandpoint area a great place to live and work.  You'll be welcomed by tour guides and receive a map and passport for your journey, touring the ship and ports of call excursions.  After touring the expo with your passport, enter to win a North Idaho 3-Day Getaway Giveaway and enter to win many fabulous prizes while on board!    EVENT DETAILS Date/Time May 20, 2010 3 to 7 pm Location Bonner County Fairgrounds, 4203 N. Boyer Av. Ship Tours PURSAR'S OFFICE Horizon Credit Union - ANCHOR SPONSOR Panhandle State Bank STCU US Bank GANGWAY SPONSORS Bonner County Daily Bee AAging Better In-Home Care K102 Reynolds Auto Sales Mo... 05/12/2010

For eight weeks, starting May 5th, the Northwest Film Institute will be hosting a lecture series with some great filmakers and Hollywood's finest at the Panhandle State Bank Auditorium. An 8-part series of 3 hour, weekly lectures presented by film industry professionals -- all experts in their field. The series is designed to provide the novice with a well rounded understanding of the complete filmmaking process and offer seasoned professionals some new tips, tricks and contacts with industry experts. The lectures take place every Wednesday, beginning May 5th through June 23rd, from 6-9pm at the Panhandle State Bank Auditorium - 414 Church St, Sandpoint (second floor). Enrollment is limited to the first 75 registrants per lecture. Sign up ala carte or save 15% by registering in advance... 05/12/2010

On May 22, 2010 from 9am to 2pm at the Sandpoint Business & Events Center will be the first Senior Empowerment Expo 2010. This venue is to provide trusted resources for seniors and caregivers. Several guest speakers and presenters will be there to give info and resources for seniors and their families to learn about options for the twilight years. I interviewed Rob Redford of Hearthstone Village and Annie Miller from the Sandpoint Life Care Center on Tuesday on my show: North Idaho Business broadcast on KSPT and KBFI. Visit the Event Center at 102 S. Euclid Avenue in Sandpoint, Idaho for this great show. Gary Lirette, featured in Where To Retire magazine and host of the Tuesday noon local radio shows: North Idaho Business as well as North Idaho Arts. E-mail Gary or call 208-610-1384Read... 05/12/2010

At our weekly Wednesday morning meeting for Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby's International Realty, we are very ardent at keeping up with current market trends, education, and staying involved in our real estate essentials. While in a previous blog article we have covered the malaise affecting our entire region (http://sandpointid.net/N.Idaho_Market_Conditions.html) our economy and housing is reflected by both Coeur d'Alene and Spokane. (See page 2 of my Activerain blog for more info on our economy and housing numbers) In that market analysis, the numbers were sobering. However, there is additional data that points to our market in Bonner County (smaller than our MLS region) being better than we thought. Cindy Bond, associate broker for Sotheby's Realty had this info: http://www.mgic.com/gu... 05/12/2010

Sandpoint Upcoming Events - This Week from the Sandpoint Chamber Coeur d'Alene Upcoming Events - from the CdA Chamber Check out all daily Sandpoint Events in the Bonner Daily Bee Weekly - Sat. & Wed.: Sandpoint - Farmer's Market An open-air market Sandpoint tradition where you can find locally grown fresh produce, crafts, flowers, food and music at Farmin Park, Saturdays 9 am - 1 pm and Wednesdays from 3-5:30 pm. For more info get this pdf 2nd Friday monthly April - Dec: Coeur d'Alene - Art Walk The Coeur d'Alene Arts and Culture Alliance has organized a monthly Art Walk, that takes place from 5-8 pm the 2nd Friday monthly, April through December. Enjoy an evening of exceptional art, fine dining and friends in downtown 208-664-3194 www.artsincda.org May 1: Sandpoint - Sandpoint Farmers ... 05/10/2010

Sandpoint, Idaho Market Trends through April, 2010. The stats are in and there are some interesting developments in sales here in Sandpoint, Idaho. The City Planners focus this year has been on the revitalization of Sandpoint's city limits and appears it has been working.  The average price is now on the rise (up 2.6% from 2009 and almost 6% from 2008) and the volume is up 80% from 2009!  I would suggest the volume increase has a lot to do with the end of the first-time home buyer program based on the fact that "days on market" increased almost 50%. It would appear buyers were picking up the listings languishing on the market in the attempt to beat the "first-timer" deadline. Prices seem to have stabilized near the 2008 benchmark for now.  ...stay tuned.    05/08/2010

Point 2 puts together numbers each month to show how things are going in regards to the confidence levels according to agents. April showed significant improvements. Check out the full report here: http://agent.point2.com/RECI/RECI_April2010_Report.pdf Pending home sales were up 5.3% as reported just three days ago: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-05-04/pending-sales-of-existing-homes-in-u-s-rise-5-3-update1-.html In our own market pending sales represent over $11,000,000 with an average price of $245,000. All in all, not bad news. 05/07/2010

It just wouldn't be right if I didn't reprint portions of the recent "USA Today" article about our quaint little town up here in North Idaho.  Sandpoint truly is a gem and, even though it kills me to see it discovered, when it becomes a headline story in major periodicals I just need to relax and relish in the beauty around here.  Besides, because of the rather narrow corridor between the Selkirk Mountains and the shores of Lake Pend Oreille within which Sandpoint finds itself residing, it would be hard to imagine a situation where rampant sprawl could occur.     Second homes: Having it all in Sandpoint, Idaho By Larry Olmsted Special for, USA TODAY Photo by Chris Bessler, Keokee     SANDPOINT, IDAHO: Best for: Lake sports, winter skiing, year-round arts. Claim to fame: The annual Festi... 04/28/2010

Sandpoint Activities and Attractions for our warm season Fall Activities & Recreation Winter Activities & Recreation  2009 was a great summer. Check out these happenings!Sandpoint 4th of JulySandpoint Wooden Boat Show PicsDover Bay Days PicturesSandpoint Long Bridge SwimFestival at Sandpoint PicturesA Day of Fun on Lake Pend Oreille While Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort and winter sports and carnivals peppers snow season in Sandpoint, Lake Pend Oreille is the central figure of life in Sandpoint. Water sports and activities is the lifeblood of Sandpoint, but the events and festivals enhance the pastoral feel of North Idaho. The events are varied and wonderful: Lost in the 50's kicks off the season with it's tribute to rock n' roll featuring dances and big name acts, plus a grand vintage c... 04/23/2010

A few years ago when the Sandpoint Film group needed a website, I built one for them. We have some great film personnas in our town, including the likes of Ted Parvin and Academy Award-winning documentarian Eric Daarstad. These great writers and filmakers came together to form the Northwest Film Institute. Read this Spokesman Review article about the Northwest Film Institute. The institute is raising funds for its first class of students, and is a finalist for a cash award of up to $50,000 from the US Chamber of Commerce. To find out more about the contest visit http://www.freeenterprise.com/take-action/video-contest/ The way it worked, we had to have a certain number of clicks to the NFI's YouTube vid. To view it, go to YouTube, and key in Northwest Film Institute. We are finalists. Pr... 04/23/2010

So, in the post below we talked about Sandpoint being featured in Country Living Magazine's June issue. USA Today also featured Sandpoint in its Great Deals segment on April 15th, 2010. Read all about the article titled: Second Homes: Having it all in Sandpoint, IDaho Gary Lirette, featured in Where To Retire magazine and host of the Tuesday noon local radio shows: North Idaho Business as well as North Idaho Arts. E-mail Gary or call 208-610-1384Read Gary's BlogFor more detailed local info & real estate   Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby's International Realty 200 Main StreetSandpoint, Idaho 208-255-3474 www.SandpointID.net - To learn all about Sandpoint and North Idaho www.RealtySandpoint.com - For Sandpoint Realty www.SkiSchweitzer.net - To visit Schweitzer Mountain's Community Web 04/23/2010

A beautiful spring day in Coeur d'Alene. Gary Lirette, featured in Where To Retire magazine and host of the Tuesday noon local radio shows: North Idaho Business as well as North Idaho Arts. E-mail Gary or call 208-610-1384Read Gary's BlogFor more detailed local info & real estate   Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby's International Realty 200 Main StreetSandpoint, Idaho 208-255-3474 www.SandpointID.net - To learn all about Sandpoint and North Idaho www.RealtySandpoint.com - For Sandpoint Realty www.SkiSchweitzer.net - To visit Schweitzer Mountain's Community Web   04/23/2010

Saw this young moose up Baldy Mountain Road last week. Pretty cool. Gary Lirette, featured in Where To Retire magazine and host of the Tuesday noon local radio shows: North Idaho Business as well as North Idaho Arts. E-mail Gary or call 208-610-1384Read Gary's BlogFor more detailed local info & real estate   Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby's International Realty 200 Main StreetSandpoint, Idaho 208-255-3474 www.SandpointID.net - To learn all about Sandpoint and North Idaho www.RealtySandpoint.com - For Sandpoint Realty www.SkiSchweitzer.net - To visit Schweitzer Mountain's Community Web 04/23/2010

I think it was the movie, "WEIRD SCIENCE" where my favorite line was revealed..."Don't F#%* with the fantasy!".  Moving to Sandpoint (full-time, that is) in 2005 was the answer to all my searching..."most" of my fantasies.   Today I rode the BMW to the Sandpoint/Post Falls tennis match (I coach the Sandpoint HS tennis team when I'm not selling real estate) and watched my team, once again, perform almost flawlessly.  (That's the Beamer in the background of the first picture).  It's all part of the fantasy...and here, the fantasy is real.  I've been a lot of places...I guess I'm just lucky to have found the spot that nurtures my soul. I will say this...all the accolades Sandpoint has received over the past few years, certainly are well deserved from my (rather biased) perspective. The sno... 04/20/2010

Schweitzer Has Record Snow Two Years in a Row! Another record ski season for 2009, even with the difficult economy, and 2010 beat last year. What a great season Schweitzer had in 2009, but in news reported by the Bonner County Daily Bee April 18, 2010, this year was even better with a 7.5% increase in visits. 217,000 skier visits marked the 2009-10 season even though only 177 inches fell on the mountain. Part of that can be attributed to proper grooming, and the snow making capabilities that new, state-of-the-art equipment provided. Read more below. Weather prognosticators predicted a warmer winter for our region, due much in part to el nino, (follow this link for the NOAA predictions) as well as lower precipitation. All of their predictions came true. For those that live here, this is ... 04/18/2010

Every week 9.4 million viewers tune into ABC's Extreme Makeover.  They watch as a struggling family with a heart-tugging story is wisked off on a vacation while an army of volunteers transforms their humble home into a spectacular showplace.  For most, the experience has been a dream come true. But for some, the experience turned into a financial nightmare. Observers have seen a new trend developing as some lucky recipients of the extreme home makeovers struggle to keep up the mortgage payments, utilities, maintenance and higher tax assessments.  Some of these extreme homeowners fell into the same trap as so many others during the boom years of rapidly rising home values.  They pulled the equity out of their fancy, big new homes only to fall behind on the higher mortgage payments.  Some... 04/15/2010

GOLD HILL ON KOOTENAI BAY       Not a bad view looking across Kootenai Bay here in Sandpoint, Idaho.  Kootenai Bay is one of the "smaller" bays on Lake Pend Oreille.  It is about 3 miles across and 2 miles wide.  Now that Schweitzer Mountain is enjoying the LAST day of the ski season today, I'll be spending my quality time playing on the lake. My office remains up at Schweitzer, however, so please do not hesitate to join me up here for "non-winter" fun (and sales with a little luck...).                 04/11/2010

This photo (the view I see every day driving away from my house here in Sandpoint) ALWAYS puts things in perspective.  As I write this post, once again this view serves to calm the nerves.  ...I've been trying to post this photo for two hours without much luck.  I find myself involved in a major battle with the AR Proxy Error Dialogue Box.  I think I have finally one this round.  (I have an idea...how about extra points for dealing with this boondoggle?) Please enjoy the view.  The geese are relaxing in a meadow off of Whiskey Jack Circle and that is the Selkirk Crest in the distance.  ...the pride of North Idaho.  Yesterday we received 10" of new snow on Schweitzer Mountain but, once again, Sandpoint dodged the bullet and basked in the Springtime warmth.       04/04/2010

THE FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER TAX CREDIT IS STILL ATTAINABLE!   The home buying process can be a convoluted and even difficult process.  With the April 30th deadline fast approaching, it is imperative to be prepared and organized  to insure a successful closing and to insure first-time home buyers will qualify for their $8,000 tax credit! The FIRST TIME HOME-BUYER must also close on their home by June 30th, 2010. If you are trying to beat that deadline, these reminders may help you avoid costly delays while in escrow.    1) Make sure your money is available: When it comes time to put your down payment into escrow, make sure that your money is accessible. You may have the assets for your down payment and your share of closing costs, but if they are tied up, it could delay your access to thos... 04/01/2010

WHISKEY JACK CIRCLE, SANDPOINT, IDAHO – A WATERFRONT COMMUNITY Most of us want to be a integral part of everything around us.  Not only a member of a community, but a member of the natural order of things.  When living in a town like Sandpoint, it seems to me that to be removed from the energy of the town itself, is a little defeating.  …and yet, when one chooses to live in the beauty of North Idaho, there is also that sense that we need to remove ourselves from the trappings of a modern society and return to the natural order…conversing with nature.   WHISKEY JACK CIRCLE somehow addresses many of these issues.  Located on the shores of Kootenai Bay, Whiskey Jack Circle integrates itself with the insurmountable beauty of Lake Pend Oreille while watching the twinkling lights of Sandpoint... 03/30/2010