Living in the paradise of Sandpoint, Idaho, where I have found more and better friends than any place I have ever been before, though these troubled times have weighed heavy on my soul, these thoughts have prevailed upon me: This I commit: I commit to be positive every day, to help others to find that which can help us all to discard depression and see that which is best in the world. I commit to buying locally, helping my fellow business people survive in this down economy. I commit to look back on the last thirty days and if I haven't done something to help another in my community, to do something beneficial over the next seven days. I commit to speak well of my neighbors, whether they are deserving or not. I especially commit not to be detrimental to those in my community. Not to gos... 03/15/2009

I recently spent an afternoon with Clay Hutchison, owner of The Spires PUD at Schweitzer Mountain in Sandpoint, Idaho.  We skied a handful of runs off Schweitzer's West Bowl, which is accessed from the triple chair of the South Bowl. This was really a cool experience, as we were marking the ski trail that will provide direct ski-in and ski-out access for residents of The Spires community.  Of course there is already incredible skiing accessed from the out of bounds off the end of Schweitzer's South Bowl.  This is typically very untracked powder that lasts for a week after a snow storm.  However the true definition of ski-in/ski-out property is that it be accessible by an intermediate skier.  Clay has already cleared most of the ski trail to his community, and plans to start grooming thi... 03/13/2009

What a fantastic week and weekend it was at Schweitzer Mountain!  First of all, the snow all of last week was absolutely epic.  From Monday on it got better every day.  This was really a great week to be a local.  My brother and I managed to get up the hill for at least a couple hours each morning, as I stayed up late every night working to avoid feeling guilty.  Thursday was one of those all-time powder days that I will carry with me forever.  There was one particular run that was so pure that it literally left me with chills of excitement.  This was the second or third run of the day, dropping in somewhere between Big Timber and Puccis chutes, off Schweitzer's North Bowl.  This is probably the longest of the steep runs at Schweitzer, with a fall line that stays consistent and just goe... 03/04/2009

There really are some great values right now at Schweitzer.  We didn't see this as much at the beginning of the ski season, but as the season starts winding down it appears that some sellers are getting very aggressive in their pricing.  And as we have seen so far this Winter, the really well-priced property has sold rather quickly. My client just closed last week on a Glades unit at $675,000!  This was not far below the final listing price of $699,000, and he was ready to jump immediately when this new price was listed.  The most recent sales in the Glades from 2008 and before were in the $800s price range! On the lower end of the market, there is now a 1bdr Black Bear condo reduced to just $129,000!  I guarantee this will be under contract within a matter of weeks.  The initial price ... 03/01/2009

Saturday night we experienced yet another fantastic evening at the Panida Theater in downtown Sandpoint.  This 100+ year old theatre brings everything from big name jazz and blues, to off Broadway shows, to adventure films and Warren Miller flicks. The Follies at Sandpoint was the name of this past weekends performance.  This was the 7th annual show that can best be described as an adult, comedic variety show.  All the performers were locals, and it was impressive to see how many are actually very talented.  There were comedy sketches that had me literally crying they were so funny.  There were several really good singers; there were a couple of dance numbers.  This was all in the spirit of Mardi Gras, with many people getting fully into character with beads, etc. This was definitely no... 02/23/2009

We had a great little family snow shoe outing today, and it was just a stunningly beautiful afternoon!  My wife Mandy, myself, our son Trace, and our dog Bentley took the trails that start at The Spires.    This is located at the top of Mogul Hill Road, where it turns into Tall Timber Road and ends at the Hemlock Hamlet.  Their is a gravel road that already winds quite a bit further to access future homesites, but it isn't yet plowed.  So you can park your car and snow shoe or cross country ski from the snow-covered gravel road.  There are numerous snow shoe trails that intersect this road, where you can hike up the back of Schweitzer's South Bowl or across to The Ridge, another planned community at Schweitzer Mountain.                   This trail system is located at around 5400 feet,... 02/20/2009

Yes, its true.  The luxury real estate market at Schweitzer has had solid activity since the first of the year.  Prices at Schweitzer Ski Resort have always been exceptionally low when compared with other comparable ski resorts, and I would define the luxury market at Schweitzer as above $500,000. There has NOT been a wholesale price reduction across the board at Schweitzer, or in Sandpoint for that matter.  As I typically explain to my clients, it is difficult to put a percentage on how much market prices have dropped.  This is because you have too many sellers with independent motivations and pressures, some much more than others.  The key as a Buyer in this market is to find the place that really fits and to be ready to pounce when the price is right.  As you can tell by the followin... 02/18/2009

By Gary Lirette, Host of North Idaho Business on KSPT and KBFI and Realtor for Tomilinson Sandpoint International Realty. How are things here in North Idaho? Besides being named to Sunset Magazine's Top 10 Resort Towns this year, and according to the United Health Foundation, Idaho was just named the nation's 8th healthiest state (http://www.americashealthrankings.org/2008/results.html). In Sandpoint and Priest River, several new businesses just opened, including a Jack in the Box, Big 5 Sporting Goods, the Priest River Inn, and Zip's. The new Mountain West Bank building on the way to Priest River now graces Highway 2, and the Panhandle State Bank is a monument downtown. As Paul Schaller, CEO of Quest Aircraft told me on my North Idaho Business radio show, Quest just hired 60 new employ... 02/14/2009

The sales in the Sandpoint area were down considerably from our peak in 2007. (See figures below) However, our sales are still robust and better than the previous years of 2001-2004. So, if our market has declined, we are ahead of those years. Certainly, nobody would have thought of the earlier part of the decade as anything but a successful real estate market in Sandpoint. Another facet is how our market is retaining value. Our median price is down, but not as much as many, many other markets in the United States. See the Market Conditions representing October 2002 to October 2008 Bonner/Boundary County Real Estate Trends, 2006, 2007, and 2008 2008   LIST PRICE: SOLD PRICE: DOM:   HIGH LOW AVERAGE MEDIAN TOTAL PRICE $2,575,000 $26,000 $308,954 $230,060 $187,226,260 $2,350,000 $21,750 $... 02/14/2009

These days, as bankers commit acts that many believe should be criminal, and mortgage brokers make loans that are questionable at best, it seems that expectations have been lowered to an all-time low. As Americans we should expect more. So, what should you expect from your Sandpoint real estate agent? Certainly you should have a knowledgeable REALTOR®. What kind of knowledge should your agent have? College educated? A builder? An interior designer? Someone who renovates homes? Knowledge of the area? Here is what I offer for a base of knowledge: •·         College educated. •·         Investor and owner of several homes locally. •·         Renovated and built several houses doing much of the work myself. This helps you in that knowledge helps you make informed decisions. •·         As th... 02/14/2009

The Northwest region of the United States is full of the natural beauty of forests, mountains, and glacial lakes. Offering something for just about everyone, the climate, terrain, activities and attractions vary from rugged ocean coasts to rain forests to gigantic mountain ranges. But, there are more than just outdoor activities to this area; fine dining, microbreweries and a vibrant arts scene also draws in visitors from around the world.   Located in Northern Idaho, Sandpoint isn't very far off the beaten trail of the magnificent Northwest, but it feels like an undiscovered secret. The cafes, coffee shops, fine restaurants, boutiques, nationally renowned stores, art galleries and antique stores meld with the performing arts, music jams and poetry readings to keep any resident active a... 02/12/2009

One of the aspects I love about Schweitzer Mountain is the great side-country/backcountry ski terrain that is accessible from the lifts.  We all know that we haven't had a whole lot of snow since early January, but I was amazed at how good the powder was off 'Big Blue' today.  Its pretty cool to be able to find face shots right now, even if you do have to work a bit harder for them. I got to the mountain around noon today, hoping the 3 inches from yesterday would have blown in nicely on the North Bowl.  Seeing that this last little storm is still on top of crust in most places, my pal Travis let me know that Big Blue had been good a few days before.  We hiked the T bar, headed out of bounds and charged up Blue.  We came down skier's right, and kept cheating more to the right. As these p... 02/11/2009

You know, the economy is tough on everyone.  The stimulus plan is questionable.  Almost 10% of America is officially unemployed.  Life is a downer.  NOT! Guess what?  Life goes on and we can defeat the pessimissim.  What really matters is what goes on in our heads.  I just finished a day of phenominal skiing at Schweitzer Mountain and there is no way life can get any better.  It's not just about skiing...skiing is just MY motivational tool.  Find that tool and use it!  Skiing does take a financial commitment, but the benefits far outweigh the expense.  ...but it is not just about skiing for a day.  Right now, the opportunities to own your own place on the mountain can be a reality to those who never could entertain the concept.  The current bad economy may be the only open window certai... 02/08/2009

This really is a great time to buy a home.  At least in Sandpoint Idaho, all is not gloom and doom.  In fact if the national media wasn't constantly reminding us of how bad it is supposed to be, you would think the real estate market is doing just fine.  There is definitely NOT a wholesale tumbling of prices in our market, but on the same hand the savvy buyers are getting tremendous values.  The key is that certain sellers are in a position that they either have to or really want to sell.  Identifying who is serious about selling is an important component right now.  There is certainly a great deal of uncertainty in the economy today, and those people who are able and willing to buy should and are being rewarded.  I recently had a cash buyer that bought waterfront property at an almost ... 02/04/2009

I am recovering from participating in the '24 Hour for Hank' Ski Race at Schweitzer Mountain Resort, which took place Friday morning into Saturday.  The turnout, the generous sponsors, the comraderie, and the community support for this first ever event served as yet another reminder of how good we have it here in Sandpoint, Idaho.  This 24 hour Ski Race was held to raise money for the Cystinosis Foundation.  A local toddler here in Sandpoint, Hank Sturgis, has a terrible disease called Cystinosis which affects only 2000 people nationally.  Every single dollar that was spent for registration, sponsorship, raffle tickets, or the final night auction went directly to this Foundation at the request of Hank's parents.  I have not heard the final dollar amount raised, but it sure appears to ha... 02/01/2009

The Australian Open just ended...OMG!  The finals may have been the best final ever between the best two players ever.  Nadal finally bested Federer in five sets...7-5, 3-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-2.  The emotional awards ceremony was as great as the match!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFHbGCgx4jI This brings me to tennis in Sandpoint, Idaho...yet another reason to look at Sandpoint for retirement, 2nd home or a career move.  I can't wait for the weather to cooperate and start the new season.  We have a very active tennis community and a long season to enjoy the sport.  It is not rare to head up to SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN to ski in the morning sunshine and then return to the Sandpoint valley for tennis in the afternoon.  It just doesn't get better. We have a very active tennis association (The Sand... 02/01/2009

As a resident of Dover Bay Waterfront Resort, this is our first winter.  We had been really excited about living here in the summer and fall, with the great lake access and mountain biking/hiking at Syringa next door.  But Winter here has really been a treat as well.  I've spoken about all the great trails that we use for cross country skiing and snow shoeing.  It is so pristine out here, with our back door really opening up to the wilderness around us.  It seems as if we live out in the country, yet of course we are 2 miles from town with all the conveniences we can ask for here at Dover Bay. In the past few weeks, I have seen Bald Eagles, Moose, and Deer all over the place.  While I had seen an occasional Eagle in the past, there are now a handful of them that appear to be living out ... 01/29/2009

Construction is definitely moving forward rapidly on the first units of the Parkside Bungalow neighborhood at Dover Bay Waterfront Resort.  These most recent photos were taken on Thursday, and already the framing is almost complete and the walls are going up on the 1-bedroom plan that will be next door to these.  These first two bungalows are both 2bdr plans with lofts.  At around 1200 square feet, the Parkside homes are significantly bigger than any of the Beach Bungalows (the current rental product at Dover Bay). Many people have a tough time envisioning the difference in size between these for-sale bungalows versus the rental product.  The largest of the Beach Bungalows (rentals) are 600 square feet, and none of them have lofts.  When you walk through these new framed homes (each wit... 01/26/2009

My wife and I have had a listing on the mountain here at Schweitzer Mountain Resort since August. It is a great little 1 bedroom condo, wonderful views, priced right, clean and located very near the slopes...not quite ski-in/ski-out, but close. It should have been an easy sale.NOTHING. All the realtors on our mountain MLS tour agreed..."GREAT CONDO" they wrote on their evaluation cards..."PRICED RIGHT"...."NICE LISTING!" So what's up? I know the economy is trashed, the real estate market is down but, hey, this is Schweitzer Mountain Resort...This is Sandpoint, Idaho! This place rocks! My wife and I decided to switch it up.We decided to follow the rules of Feng Shui and "redecorate" the condo (we did get the clients approval, by the way). We needed to cure what was wrong. We didn't go to... 01/25/2009

By Gary Lirette Recently, I reported about a new way to promote a development on ActiveRain: http://activerain.com/blogsview/847148/A-New-Way-to-Promote-Your-Development-The-Midwinter-Art-Fest-at-Dover-Bay This article was before the event. We had high hopes. What actually happened was so much better than expectations. Not only was our Dover Bay shown in the best possible light, we actually wrote up a reservation for a sale, and supported our community and art movement in a way better than we could have dreamed of. Here is what happened, and will be published in the Sandpoint Reader. By every account, the 35th annual Sandpoint Winter Carnival was a great success. Certainly, as the pictures prove, there were hundreds of people at virtually every event. Congratulations, Sandpoint. These a... 01/24/2009