About Coeur d Alene's Coeur D'alene Place

WIN A HOUSE...CAR, BOAT and More!
Grand Prize Home is being built at 6619 Madellaine Drive, Coeur d'Alene

This is the 18th year of The North Idaho College Foundation's largest annual fundraiser - The Really BIG Raffle. It kicks off this week as tickets go on sale to win the brand new, $250,000 home currently under construction in Coeur d'Alene Place.

The drawing will take place on June 13, and only 5000 tickest will be sold at $100 each.

The 2011 raffle home will be ENERGY STAR® qualified and a certified Green Home! The home showcases construction methods and green materials that support energy efficiency and sustainability. The house is really taking shape now and will be open to the public later this spring.

For tons of information on the raffle, the house,
and the NIC Foundation which sponsors the annual Really BIG Raffle, go to their website here.

The raffle will be held on July 13. Only 5000 tickets are sold, and they sell out every year! In 2009 the foundation raised $190,000 for North Idaho College.

Janna Rankin Scharf, GRI, CLHMS, SFR - Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Real Estate

Are Open Houses worth the risk? I'm not so sure, what do you think?

Today I received the following email from the executive director of the Coeur d'Alene Association of Realtors:

Open Houses can be difficult with multiple groups touring the property at the same time. Here is a recent example from a CDA REALTOR as a reminder of how critical it is to monitor your visitors:

"I got a phone call from my seller at CDA Place. They had a box of check books stolen from their house they believe from the open house we had on Saturday. Their account was completely drained.
Because of the writing they believe that it was a woman. I'm so bummed that it happened on my watch!!! Although the bank will make things right, it's just a pain in the rear for my sellers.
Can you please blast an email to the team about my unfortunate open house and to keep an eye out."

The subject of Open Houses is actually quite controversial amongst Realtors. Some adamantly oppose them, others are advocates. Personally, I don't care for them for a couple of reasons. First of all, the stats for homes being sold because of an open house aren't even measurable! To me, it isn't worth the risk of opening one's home to complete strangers! I have known agents who require a seller to sign a disclaimer holding the agent harmless in the event of theft or damage if the seller insists on an open house.

I take my cue from my sellers, and if they feel strongly about me holding the house open, I happily comply. I do take precautions, including having an associate of mine stationed upstairs, or downstairs, so there is someone to monitor each level, because I can't be in more than one place at a time!

What I DON'T do is use open houses as a prospecting tool for building my data base and the possibility of picking up a buyer. Again, I just don't believe it is in the best interest of my sellers to open the house to strangers. There are just TOO MANY stories like the one in the email above.

What do you think?

Opportunity is running out, with less than 1000 of the 5000 raffle tickets remaining for the North Idaho College foundation's 17th annual Really BIG Raffle on July 14th.

For $100, you can purchase a ticket to win the 2010 Green-built raffle home valued at $265,000. The home is located at 2880 Marcelle Drive in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. This annual event sells out every year.

This Sunday, June 13, is the last weekend Open House where you can go preview the home prior to the raffle. Open House attendees who hold a raffle ticket, or purchase one at the Open House, are eligible to enter a drawing for a FREE raffle ticket.

For more information about the Really BIG Raffle and North Idaho College Foundation, visit North Idaho College's webiste by clicking this link.

WIN A HOUSE...CAR, BOAT and More!
Grand Prize Home is being built at 2880 Marceille Drive, Coeur d'Alene

This year's theme is GREEN! The 2010 raffle home will be ENERGY STAR® qualified and a certified Green Home! The home showcases construction methods and green materials that support energy efficiency and sustainability. The house is really taking shape!

The first open house is scheduled for next weekend. Click here for the open house schedule and directions to the Really BIG Raffle house.

May 31 is the Early Bird Prize deadline. Don't forget to buy your ticket on or before May 31st to automatically qualify for two more prizes: $500 in groceries or a weekend Bed & Breakfast get-away!

For tons of information on the raffle, the house, and the NIC Foundation which sponsors the annual Really BIG Raffle, go to their website here.

The raffle will be held on July 14. Only 5000 tickets are sold, and they sell out every year! Last year the foundation raised $190,000 for North Idaho College.

Janna Scharf, AB, GRI, CLHMS - Coeur d'Alene Idaho Real Estate

The North Idaho College Foundationis once again offering a brand new home as the grand prize in their 17th annual Really BIG Raffle. It's not too soon to buy your tickets for $100. Ticket sales are limited to 5000 and they always sell out.

The NIC Foundation s a non-profit charitable corporation and was founded in 1977 to encourage private support for the academic mission of North Idaho College.

All proceeds from the Really BIG Raffle stay at North Idaho College. Last year the foundation was able to raise over $190,000 through the Really BIG Raffle fundraiser. Proceeds are used for a wide variety of needs, including funding scholarships for students in need, upgrading technology equipment on campus, and capital improvements.

North Idaho College has one of the areas most respected Carpentry Programs. Support of the raffle from the community provides the funding for this program to continue.

The carpentry students are responsible for all of the carpentry work on the raffle home. Other construction work such as plumbing, drywall, and heating is subcontracted out to local businesses or donated to the project.

Click here to go to the Really BIG Raffle website for information about the raffle house, ticket sales and the North Idaho College Foundation.

And if you are looking to find a home the old fashioned way, give me a call to start the ball rolling!