Sandpoint, ID

DO NOT move to SANDPOINT!

I have coveted a life in Sandpoint, Idaho ever since I discovered this mountain town in the early 70's. Life's twists and turns did not allow me to actually move here full-time until 2005. I had many valid reasons for delaying the inevitable and I stand by them. One of the big reasons, however, was that I was worried Sandpoint wasn't ready for me.

I'm a tennis player. I have been playing year around (indoors and outdoors) for the last thirty years. This included local and regional tournaments, USTA leagues (summer and winter), fanatical tennis buddies who retained the same indoor permanent court times for 20 years running, tennis drills, tennis parties...you know the scene. The question always was...can I be happy in Sandpoint without indoor tennis?

Well, I'm here to tell you...if that is a stumbling block for any possible Sandpoint transplants today, you can put those fears to rest. (You'll have to also put some of your preconceived notions about appropriate "tennis weather" aside also. We just don't care about that here.) This place is EXTREME...the weather, the people, the geography, the politics, THE PASSION.

I just got off the court after a grueling 3 hour match with three of my close tennis buddies (Steve Kirby, Eric Plummer and Joel Wahlin). The match started in rather cool 31 degree weather and ended in a warmish 35 degree blizzard. Two amazing things happened; 1) the level of play never wavered and, 2) we just got the perfect 3 hour cross-training workout in preparation for the November 27th ski opening of Schweitzer Mountain - the pride and joy of North Idaho. The perfect start to the day!

While we were playing, there was an ultimate frisbee match taking place at the other end of the park. People don't hide from blizzards around here, they rejoice. (That is Eric above...he wasn't down long).

Bottom line, I'll be playing outdoor tennis here probably into December...I'll play about ten times indoors this winter in either Coeur d'Alene or Spokane...then, on February 25th, the high school tennis season begins (did I mention I coach the team?) and I'll be on the court five to six days a week until the middle of May. The middle of May marks the beginning of the "summer tennis season" (weather permitting...in other words, it will have to be pouring rain for us to "bag it"). Like my wife says, "Kent, you get your fair share of tennis in Sandpoint!" ...and that is my message to you. Do not let our lack of indoor tennis dissuade you from moving to Sandpoint! This place rocks it. (and, by the way, with a little luck we'll have an unbelievable indoor tennis facility here in the VERY near future...more on that later...)

When I am not playing tennis with passion (...or skiing), I am selling real estate with passion from the Coldwell Banker Resort Realty, Schweitzer Mountain office. CALL ME! I HAVE MORE STORIES!

For the first time we will have a farmers market during the winter months. Come join us from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday, beginning Nov. 14, through the end of April. Over 30 vendors will be selling their wares, Just like the outdoor Farmers Market in the summer - except indoors!

The Bonner County Fairgrounds is hosting its annual ski swap. Come trade in your old skis for new ones. The proceeds benefit the Schweitzer Alpine Racing School. For more information see http://www.schweitzer.com November 14, 9:00am - 2:00 PM Bonner County Fair Grounds 4203 N. Boyer Ave, Sandpoint Idaho 83864

As I was getting ready for a quick mountain bike ride the other day, our dog Bentley (a Shih Tzu) gave me the full guilt trip for leaving him at home. I wasn't looking to work too hard anyway, so I figured I'd bring him along and at least let him run around for a bit before or after my ride.

We drove to the trailhead off of Pine Street Loop just past Syringa, and I figured I'd go ahead and ride half a mile in on the flatter part and let Bentley chase after me. I almost turned back in the first couple minutes as he was already falling behind. But every time I started to go back for him he would be coming around the corner. Long story short, we ended up at the top of this fairly substantial climb that ends just off of Janish Drive several miles away. I almost called my wife to meet me at the road to take my little dog back home. But he just seemed to have his A game going, so I headed down and he followed. I was absolutely shocked- this is a pretty fast and long downhill, and Bentley just scampered over everything and basically stayed with me all the way to the car.

What a stud! I'd like to see another Shih Tzu that can hang like that!

Incidentally, this is a great local Sandpoint ride that not many people know about. There are a bunch of ways to go, but essentially this is single track that connects all the way from Pine Street Loop to Janish Drive (way up Baldy Road). There are some relatively technical sections and also tons of fast and fun riding.

Idaho first-time homebuyers may be eligible for down payment assistance funds of up to $20,000 in conjunction with a mortgage loan from IdaMortgage, a program of the nonprofit Idaho Housing and Finance Association. The funds are available until Jan. 1.

Anyone who meets income qualifications should take advantage of this limited-time funding opportunity that will allow them to purchase a home.

The dollar amount buyers may receive from this federal program funding ranges from $1,000 to $20,000 and is based on need. Borrowers must be at or below 80 percent of area median income and be a first-time homebuyer to qualify for this no interest, due-on-sale loan. For example, according to the Idaho Housing and Finance Association, a four-person household in the Treasure Valley must make $50,000 or less to meet income requirements.

In addition, Idaho first-time home buyers may also use their $8,000 tax credit toward the down payment of their home through the use of a bridge loan from their lender. Borrowers must still come up with the required 3.5% down payment using their own funds, but after that, they can use the "short-term" tax credit bridge loan to increase their down payment, cover their closing costs or buy-down their mortgage rate.

The down side? ...credit scores. You will still need to pay close attention to your credit score to qualify for any sort of mortgage. In general, a score under 650 will make the process difficult.

There are real estate opportunities for the right Idaho home buyer, the problem is getting the information out to them.