What a fantastic Fall season we have had in Sandpoint, and at Dover Bay!  The foliage is amazing, the sun has been shining every day, and the pace has been relaxed and tranquil.  For those of us fortunate enough to live at Dover Bay year round, the months of Sept and Oct are one of the best times here. One of the more overlooked aspects of the Dover Bay location is the incredible mountain biking and hiking trails out our back door.  Within two or three minutes from home I can access miles of single track trails in the hills behind Dover that locals call 'Syringa'.  These trails are a local favorite and are user-friendly enough to be a great introduction to mountain biking.  At the same time there are challenging, more technical routes that can be taken.  Picturesque views are offered to... 10/30/2008

Despite the slowing of the real estate market, the ownership of Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort is continuing to do the behind the scenes work to ensure that our ski resort gets better and better.  Last year we saw the creation of the new arrival roundabout, and more importantly the addition of two new ski lifts. This Winter 08/09 season will see a substantial increase in snow-making ability, with the goal of being able to open for Thanksgiving weekend every year.  The installation is the most energy efficient and low impact snow making system available with the latest proven technology. Nine fully automated Techno Alpin M18 fan snowmaking guns will be moved between twenty-three hydrants. These high tech automated snowmaking guns are able to produce 25% more snow for the amount of energy... 10/20/2008

Having managed the Schweitzer Mountain Discovery Center over the past winter, many people have asked me what is going on with Schweitzer Mountain Real Estate.  I had been recruited to take over the sales of Trappers Creek and the other Schweitzer owned property last year, bringing the Sothebys brand as the new exclusive listing agency. Here is the good news:  The decision makers for Schweitzer are very engaged and have been in direct talks recently with Jeff Bond (Tomlinson Sandpoint Sothebys).  Howard Trott has been hired as the new Pres of Schweitzer Mtn Real Estate, essentially replacing the position that was held by Steve Wood.  When they do move forward (if not this winter then certainly by next year), the new plan is likely to be just what Schweitzer needs. Trappers Creek, Schweit... 10/20/2008

While my wife and I are working with Dover Bay Development to build our Cottage at Dover Meadows, we decided to go ahead and move from downtown Sandpoint to a rental property at Dover Bay.  We found a Bayside South condo and have just settled in this past week.  When I got a text message from my wife today saying how happy she was that we were living out here, I knew this was a good decision. What we really like about the Bayside condos is the spacious, open feel and the incredible amount of natural light that comes in.  The ceilings are approximately 12 feet high throughout, which really gives you a spacious feeling, not to mention the fact that the Great Room and the Master Bedroom are very large for a condo.  There are windows that go almost from floor to ceiling all the way around t... 10/16/2008

Our company, Tomlinson Sandpoint Sothebys, continues to sell more real estate than any other agencies in Bonner County.  Through the third quarter of 2008, Tomlinson Sandpoint Sothebys had sold $92 million in real estate, for a 23.6% share of the total Bonner County market.  This is with just 16.6% of the total number of Realtors.   Sothebys has maintained roughly 1/4 of the total market share year after year, with a particular emphasis in high-end properties including waterfront and resort.  In fact our Sothebys office is the exclusive representative of most of the resort projects in the area, including Dover Bay, Seasons at Sandpoint, and Schweitzer Mountain Real Estate (Trappers Creek).  This is due in large part to the international network that Sothebys benefits from and the exposu... 10/10/2008

In the Sandpoint area, the most desirable property is unquestionably 'waterfront'.  All else being equal, you will typically pay more for waterfront, with big view property and ski property being the next level of pricing.  Some may find it interesting that waterfront property is so valuable and in such high demand in a four season destination, where the summer season is truly the only time that most people are in and on the water.  This has alot to do with the fact that Sandpoint (and the Northwest in general) is in such high demand in the summertime, with the resident population almost doubling from June through August.  Summertime in Sandpoint centers around Lake Pend Oreille and the Pend Oreille River.  The majority of second home buyers here who can afford it, are specifically inte... 09/24/2008

The Parkside Bungalows at Dover Bay Resort are one of the more exciting resort real estate opportunities to be offered in the Sandpoint area in a few years.  This is a prime example of a developer who anticipates and responds to the current market and interests of the buying public.  The key to these bungalows is the value, efficiency, and location in the heart of all the new amenities at Dover Bay. Earlier this summer (2008) Dover Bay completed construction of 19 Beach Bungalows, along with a new Fitness Center and Pool, Volleyball court, Cafe and Market.  The Beach Bungalows are intended to be a rental product only (not for sale), to be retained by the developer as a means of supporting the amenity structure at Dover as the resort becomes a four season destination.  By all accounts th... 09/21/2008

Everyone has certainly seen the troubled headlines in the national media regarding the financial crisis.  And this concern has certainly had an impact on our local marketplace in Sandpoint, as some people have been scared away from taking action.  However it is important to note that real estate remains in large part a 'local' business.  People are buying in Sandpoint because of the 'lifestyle' it affords.  The core attractions to Sandpoint remain the same:  great skiing, an amazing lake, a cool artistic town with a good music scene, and most importantly some of the best and most genuine people you'll ever meet.  Consider also that Sandpoint is still one of the most affordable of all resort communities in the country.  There is a limited supply of waterfront property in this area (with ... 09/19/2008

Several recent national surveys are showing that real estate buyers are placing more importance on cutting gas bills and commute times, and that homes near urban centers and bus stops are selling faster than those in distant suburbs.  More and more, people want to live, work, and go to school within a 6 block radius, a fact that is changing the way people look at property.  As evidence of this trend, real estate agents around the country are starting to offer bicycle tours of property. This makes total sense and certainly applies in my experience in and around Sandpoint.  When the snow melts in town in early Spring, it is amazing to see how Sandpoint transforms into a bicycle town.  The appeal of downtown and South Sandpoint stems in large part from the ability to bike anywhere, includi... 09/10/2008

The town of Sandpoint, Idaho offers its residents a quality of life that is second to none. Life in Sandpoint is characterized by wide open spaces and the countless amenities that come along with living in a year-round resort setting. This popular vacation destination is quickly becoming a place to which more and more Americans are choosing to relocate. Situated in Bonner County, Sandpoint boasts some of the nation's finest natural beauty. With this backdrop, locals here enjoy a more relaxed pace, and a sense of serenity that would be nearly impossible to find anywhere else. Sandpoint truly has it all. At the edge of town, Schweitzer Mountain begins its ascent, rising over six thousand feet into the sky. In the summer and spring months, locals enjoy hiking along the mountain trails, st... 09/05/2008

Well Everyone. . . About the time people start asking this question, it's too late.  Yep we are.  So instead of dwelling on all of the bad things that are happening in the world maybe it's time to capitalize on the positive things.  EXAMPLE  Real Estate values have dropped 30% - 40% world wide even 50% & higher in some areas.  Holy moly !  Do you think this would be a great time to invest in real estate??? Do you think that real estate values will bounce back???  Answers are YES AND YES! These are the times when the Rich get Richer and the shoulda woulda coulda's don't really do anything but have great stories to tell their kids in 3 years...Oh my god I could of bought that house on the corner for less than $100,000 back in 2008. Nobody has a crystal ball.  Nobody knows exactly what's g... 09/05/2008

NPR radio ran a special on August 20 talking about how more and more people are moving to resort towns in order to live where they want to rather than where they have to live.  It says that people are moving to towns with water, mountains, and skiing. This naturally got me thinking about Sandpoint, Idaho and I realized this is the very same phenomenon going on here.  It certainly fits the profile of myself and my young family, when we decided not too long ago to seek out the perfect town to raise kids and live an active, outdoor lifestyle.  We cast a wide net, with the main criteria being: good snow skiing, summer time activity (such as a lake), a town that was smaller but still had alot going on, and finally a decent price of real estate. Our short list ended up being Sandpoint, McCall... 09/02/2008

Exciting plans are underway at Dover Bay Waterfront Resort.  This summer marked the opening of several new amenities around the Marina Village.  Dover Bay Marina itself is without doubt the nicest marina in the area, with covered boat slips and public docks.  Finally people have a place to stop as they towards Sandpoint from the Pend Oreille River or from Sandpoint to water ski or wakeboard. The Dover Cafe and Market opened this summer, giving boaters and others a place to eat outside on the water and to stock up on beverages for the day.  Adjacent to the Cafe is the new Fitness Center and outdoor Pool and Jacuzzi.  The pool will be open year round with hydronically heated pavers to keep the snow from sticking.  A new Activities Director has just been hired who will plan a number of act... 08/28/2008

Dover Bay Waterfront Resort continues to sell real estate at a very healthy pace in what it otherwise a soft market.  There are several reasons for this, in my opinion. First, the developer, Ralph Sledager, has stayed very responsive to today's market and today's buyers.  He has priced various products at a point that provides very good value and is competitive to what is selling around Sandpoint.  So many developers fall in love with their own product and refuse to adjust pricing.  Secondly, there is a great deal of activity at the resort with the opening of the Beach Bungalows for rent, the Dover Cafe and Marketplace, the Dover Fitness center and Pool, and other amenities in the new Marina Village.  People are stopping in on a daily basis by boat as this makes such a nice stop off the... 08/22/2008

The resort and second home market has certainly slowed considerably as these purchases tend to be an optional luxury item.  Now more than ever it is imperative that a prospective buyer see real value in their purchase and in the resort as a whole. Whether than focus on a specific piece of property, the credibility and vision of the developer/development must be communicated.  The financial position is also important with the failure of so many larger developments to secure enough financing to finish what they started.  If you can show that a particular project is well capitalized and can convey that the developer will deliver what is promised, that is a good start. Ideally a developer has the means and foresight to complete as much of the infrastructure and amenities as possible before ... 08/04/2008

 Sandpoint's  market is staying strong. We have 56 listings pending in our MLS in the first 22 days of January.Interest rates dropped again and are at an almost 40 year low. It is a buyers market in Sandpoint which is very rare. We have lots of inventory to choose from and sellers are accepting offers well below asking price. Don't buy into all the negitive press. Money is cheap right now and they are not making any more land.If you are interested we have a project called " The Ledges Over Pend Oreille" only 12 miles from downtown Sandpoint. It is going to be an eco friendly development with 33 lots and about 40% green space spread over 320 beautiful acres. Lots will be between 2.5 up to 10 acres. This project borders Morton Slough Wild Life Area to the west and 600 acres of the Clark F... 01/23/2008

Welcome to Sandpoint, Idaho!Whether you are looking for a home in town, a waterfront estate, or a mountain cabin, you've come to the right place to find Sandpoint, Idaho real estate.Moving in? We can help. Our specialty is helping new arrivals find the perfect piece of real estate and relocate to or make a vacation home in this wonderful place.Discover Sandpoint on the shores of gorgeous Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho's largest lake, and one of the most beautiful in the country! Sandpoint, Idaho is an outdoor person's dream. This very special community of 7,920 people is surrounded by water and mountains, and conveniently located 45 miles north of Coeur d'Alene and 60 miles south of the Canadian border on Highway 95. Sandpoint is an ideal place to call your home. Whether browsing the downtown... 07/25/2007