Sandpoint, ID

A photographer that I sometimes use for aerial photography of larger listings is taking ongoing aerial shots of the Sandcreek Byway Project in Sandpoint Idaho. This gives a really clear picture, for better or worse, of where the new highway is going and how it will fit into the current Downtown Sandpoint picture.

Here is the link: http://calljerry.biz/BywayProgress8-09/

My personal opinion on the Sandpoint Bypass is that it is needed, but that we really missed an opportunity to have a much better and less obtrusive routing of this new highway bypass. I think everyone in town agrees that there were more preferable routes that would have allowed us to retain the smaller town feel along Sandcreek, including the famous rope swing. There will definitely be some negative impact from this location.

Having said this however, I think there will still be a net gain for the community and businesses of Downtown Sandpoint. The current situation having semi trucks driving through the heart of Downtown Sandpoint is definitely unsatisfactory. I've heard some people argue that bypassing downtown will hurt merchants, but I think it is the opposite. Our downtown will become much more pedestrian and bicycle friendly, encouraging even more people to make it a destination for shopping, eating, and just strolling. The trucks that are cruising through aren't what is supporting the downtown businesses; rather its the locals and the tourists here for vacation.

I also have seen some of the plans surrounding additional park space along Sandcreek, and a connection from the Cedar Street Bridge allowing another way to cross over to the City Beach and other amenities. All in all our town will ultimately be better off.

For more information you can visit the Cedar Street Bridge where a model is available, or continue to watch the web link shown.

Rick Evans

www.SandpointResortRealty.com

208-304-5665

rick@sandpointresortrealty.com

Today, a group of about 12 Sandpoint Rotary volunteers and a few assorted other "nature lovers" converged upon the Sandpoint Fish Hatchery to continue the efforts to revitalize this vital piece of Sandpoint history.

The Sandpoint Hatchery, located on the south shoreline of the Pend Oreille River about two miles south of Sandpoint, was created by the Idaho Department of Fish & Game in 1904 to help stock Idaho Panhandle lakes. The Hatchery survived until 1985, shut down for five years, then reopened in 1990 in response to public demand in the Panhandle Region. Hatchery production costs rose due to limited water supply and the Hatchery morphed into a small-scale specialty station rearing Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Chinook Salmon, Kokanee Salmon and Kootenai White Sturgeon.

The Sandpoint Hatchery relies heavily upon the goodwill and hard work of local, concerned citizens to bring this beautiful piece of Sandpoint history back to life and sustain it for generations to come. Given the nature of the Sandpoint residents, bringing the Hatchery back to life has not been a problem. In fact, the Hatchery has expanded it's vision and created an education opportunity on the grounds called the Waterlife Discovery Center. The original building has been refurbished into a "lecture-hall" great room where students learn about water, wildlife and how civilization impacts nature. Interpretive nature trails have been created by volunteers throughout the site. North Idaho is all about water...whether it is the lakes, rivers, streams or rainy seasons. It is a treasure that is truly cherished and respected in this part of the country.

Today our project was to create a nature-meditation bench overlooking a serene pond on the property along with smoothing out and seeding a 1/4 acre area to be enjoyed by visitors to the Center. Typical of North Idaho hospitality, it wasn't all labor. We sat down to a feast of grilled chicken, elk and moose at lunch time.

Many thanks to the continued efforts of the volunteers working in unison with Mark Taylor and the rest of the folks from the Idaho Department of Fish & Game. This is volunteerism at its finest making a difference in the Sandpoint Community! It is this type of effort that makes my job as a Sandpoint Realtor a joy...what better place is there to live?

Dover Bay Resort is now offering incredible finance incentives for standing inventory, to anyone who initiates a Purchase offer before October 1. Dover Bay has worked with Mountain West Bank to create this opportunity, with rates that really provide an exceptional savings. However this is a short term offer that applies to any Purchase & Sale agreements that are initiated by October 1.

For conforming loans (up to $417,000) the following rates are being offered: 3% Interest Rate for year 1, 4% Interest Rate for year 2, and 5% for years 3 through 30. This is based on excellent credit, 10% down, and a primary residence purchase. Second home purchases however should be much the same, except for potentially requiring 5-10% additional down payment. For a Bayside South condo priced at $388,000, your payments would be as follows: $1472/month in year 1, $1667/month in year 2, and $1875/month for the balance. No funny business with these loans- simple 30 yr fixed, but with Dover Bay negotiating what amounts to a 'rate buydown' for its purchasers.

Special finance packages at Dover Bay are also being offered on Jumbo loans (loan amount over $417,000) as well as Home Site Loans. The Jumbo mortgage market has been particularly challenging in the past year because of the lack of a secondary market to purchase these loan funds, and rates have typically been at least 7%. Dover Bay's offer will provide a 5% rate for year 1, 6% for year 2, and 7% thereafter with just 10 to 20% down. Home site loans will be offered with 25% down on a 20 year loan with 5 year call, at 7.5%. Of course all of these rates are subject to change based on market conditions.

For those people who have been sitting on the fence waiting for the right time to purchase the perfect home, this should provide the motivation for many to jump! Coupled with new pricing on the Cabins in the Woods, new floor plans and aggressive pricing for the Cottages and Parkside Bungalows, this is probably the best buying opportunity in the history of Dover Bay.

Signs have been pointing to a real estate market recovery, both nationally and locally in the Sandpoint area. Many don't realize that our market in Bonner County has actually been trending downward going into its 5th year, which is typically the longer end of down market cycles. The price per unit is definitely stabilized, with inventory leveled off in most submarkets. Our office of Tomlinson Sandpoint Sothebys Intl Realty, which accounts for roughly 1/3 of all transactions in the county, has been experiencing incredible volume in closings and pendings over the past couple of months.

To discuss the real estate market and buying opportunities in Dover Bay or the Sandpoint area, please email me at rick@sandpointresortrealty.com, call 208-304-5665, or visit my website at www.SandpointResortRealty.com where you can search the entire MLS and find more detail on Dover and other area developments.