Life In North Idaho

Buyers Category

Simple Fixes to Make Your Home Sparkle for Buyers

  This is the time of year where my sellers get overwhelmed thinking that they need to put a lot of money into their home to get the highest selling price.  Here are simple fixes that put your homes best foot forward, and make buyers feel more at home! MAKE MINOR REPAIRS: Replace cracked floor or counter tiles. Patch holes in walls. Fix leaky faucets. Fix doors that don't close properly and kitchen drawers that jam. Consider painting your walls neutral colors, especially if you have grown...Continue Reading!

Understanding ‘Obama Care’, and How it Will Affect You

Thanks to my weekly email update from the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce, I am passing on some upcoming informational meetings regarding 'Obama Care' (The Affordable Care Act) and how it will directly affect you and your family.       Choice of 3 Meetings: Tues. & Wed. April 23-24  The Executive Round Table of the CDA Chamber in cooperation with the Post Falls and Hayden Chambers presents "Understanding ObamaCare"   The implementation date is fast approaching for The Affordable Care Act  (ObamaCare). Our country is about...Continue Reading!

Top 10 Real Estate Tax Deductions for Homeowners

If you haven't filed your taxes yet, here are the top 10 deductions for homeowners - grab them while you can!! Mortgage Interest Deduction - One of the best benefits of being a homeowner! Home improvement Loan Interest Deduction - The interest on home equity loans used for Capital improvements (not items like carpet or paint) can be a deduction up to a loan balance of $100,000. Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) Deduction - If you put less that 20% down on your home,...Continue Reading!

New Listing in Dalton Gardens on 2.5 Private Acres!

Great new Listing in Dalton Gardens on Private, fenced and gated 2.5 acres! Beautiful views of Canfield Mountain from all of the Living Spaces in this custom built home. Over 3100 Square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths with very private Master Suite located on the upper level. Gourmet Kitchen with granite counters, double oven, new 5 burner gas range, granite counters and plenty of cabinet space. Downstairs is an oversized rec room with half bath, could...Continue Reading!

Newly Launched App – NORTH IDAHO HOMES

I took the big step last week and launched my own app for Android, IPad and IPhone - NORTH IDAHO HOMES!  This free app is available in the app store, and directly links buyers and sellers to the Coeur d'Alene MLS for up to the minute home searches.  No need to use the third party apps that are frequently out of date and frustrating to use.  The app just launched today, so I will be working on adding more details and...Continue Reading!

Foreclosure Trends in North Idaho

I spent some time this morning looking at the statistics for all foreclosures in our MLS from 2008 to this date, and found an interesting trend that is great for local homeowners. When I started in Real Estate in 2000, bank owned properties were rare and buyers were hesitant to deal with a bank.  The other trend that we are familiar with, Short Sales, wasn't even a term taught in Real Estate School!  Over the past 5 years, real estate professionals...Continue Reading!

Great deal on Condo in The Villages!

[youtube width="425" height="344"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYXsQtbua3A[/youtube] I just listed this wonderful one owner condo in The Villages, centrally located in Coeur d'Alene.  The home is spotless, with over 1400 square feet.  Main floor Master Suite with double vanities, walk in closet and shower.  Upstairs is another bedroom, bath, and a large loft/office area.  The living room features a gas fireplace, and a glass slider out to a private, fenced terrace.  The development offers an indoor swimming pool, tennis court, and is walking distance to...Continue Reading!

Home Sales and Prices Rise in North Idaho

Well, I haven't seen this headline in a few years!  The front page of the Coeur d'Alene Press laid out the optimistic outlook for the housing market in Kootenai County for 2013.  Overall, Year-to-Date single-family sales for all of the county were up 6 percent through the end of October compared to last year.  The average price was up 4 percent countywide, with the median price up 5%.  Driving through our new developments, we can see a flurry of construction...Continue Reading!

4 Quick Tips For Prepping a Home for Sale

Years ago when I used to go to listing appointments, I was too timid to tell the sellers what I thought they should do to their home to make it more presentable and marketable.  Then I went to too many conventions and classes, and the list was too long for most to accomplish!  Now I have 4 basic items that I have my seller do to maximize their chance to sell: Super Clean.  Make the house shine from top to bottom. ...Continue Reading!

The Hot Market in Coeur d’Alene? Condos.

Being a downtown condo dweller, I thought that I would write about the surprising numbers in that segment of the market.  First, a little history.  In 2003 in Kootenai County,  there were really only 2 large condo developments  - Northwest Village located just north of downtown, and what was the 'luxury' building, Coeur d'Alene North.  There was high demand, frequent calls from buyers, but just no existing product.  Then 2004 happened...tons of builders, investors and local developers decided to introduce a...Continue Reading!