Chris Schreiber CCIM

Ok, first off I never even read jokes that are forwarded to me and I NEVER forward them onto anyone else. But my wife and I read through these and found virtually everyone of these statements was true, so I had to share ...

FORGET REDNECKS; THIS IS WHAT JEFF FOXWORTHY HAD TO SAY ABOUT IDAHOANS !
If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you live in Idaho.
If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you live in Idaho.
If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed the wrong number, you live in Idaho.
If "vacation" means going anywhere south of Salt Lake City for the weekend, you live in Idaho.
If you measure distance in hours, you live in Idaho.
If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you live in Idaho.
If you have switched from "heat" to "A/C" and back again in the same day, you live in Idaho.
If you install security lights on your house and garage but leave both unlocked, you live in Idaho.
If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in Idaho. If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, you live in Idaho.
If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph -- you're going 80, and everyone is still passing you, you live in Idaho. If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow, you live in Idaho.
If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction, you live in Idaho.
If you find 10 degrees "a little chilly" you live in Idaho.
If you actually understand these jokes and forward them to all your IDAHO friends, you live in Idaho.

So what's Idaho like? We get that question often and here's my response ...

Conservative, religious, hearty and independent, family and relationship centered, but nothing extreme.

In the five years we've lived here I've found people to be friendly outgoing, God-fearing, helpful and empathetic. While we're independent and usually can do it on our own, I've also found the sense of community spirit to be overwhelming. From a benefit two weeks ago where 1,700 people showed up and raised $50,000 for a little boy with cancer, to volunteers fighting house fires or performing search and rescue operations, Idaho is a great place to live, a great place to raise a family and a great place to call home!

There are some crazy first time home buyer loan products out there now and I'd like to hear your experience with the various programs.

Buyers - are you aware of and utilizing these programs offered by the USDA, FHA, VA or state programs?

Agents- are you getting offers from buyers with these programs?

I really don't think that many agents or buyers are aware that some of these programs were never even heard of before and they might not be available ever again.

USDA Rural Development Guaranteed Loan Program

www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs

Spread the word and let's get buyers back into the marketplace!

Cocolalla (Southern Bonner County), Idaho
Market Report - Year End 2008

The Communities of Cocolalla and Careywood comprise the majority of the southern portion of Bonner County. Primary access into and out of the area is via Highway 95 running north/south through the northern portion of the State. Picture-perfect Cocolalla Lake is an 800 acre public lake with more than 50 streams of various sizes flowing into the lake. The shoreline is dotted along the north, south and western sides by smaller rural lots developed with single family residences. The eastern shore line is lined by a rail line leading south with international trade coming from Canada to the north. Highway 95 also lines this side of the lake. The lake is well known for fishing, the Department of Fish and Game has information on their website.

The community is serviced by the Bonner County Sheriff's Department, Bonner County EMS, and Sagle Fire Department. Much of the land is designated into 20 or even 40 acre minimum lot sizes by Bonner County, thus reducing the population density. Much of the land continues to be dedicated to farming and timber land.

Homes Sales- This is relatively small submarket within Bonner County and there were only a reported 9 home sales during 2008. The average marketing period was 201 days. Total residential volume was just over $2.4 million and the average discount off the original list price was 11%. Considerably longer marketing period, larger discount from original list and high median sales price are all due to the inclusion of waterfront homes along the lake shoreline. For reference the range of sale prices were from $80,000 to more than $695,000.

Land Sales- There were 6 land sales in the community during 2008, total volume of just under $800,000, average days on market at 66 with an average discount off the list price at 8%. I expect the list to sale discount will increase in 2009 both due to economic conditions and a change in the method of reporting the figure made by the local MLS.

In general, we expect 2009 will report fairly comparable numbers. Land inventory will continue to be absorbed, homes sales will continue as buyers search for bargains and sellers get more realistic, and overall we will see a return to a more typical sales volume.

Statistical data supplied by the Selkirk Association of Realtors, Multiple Listing Service.
For more information, contact the OnPoint Team at Century 21.

One of the best things about our community is the overwhelming spirit of volunteerism, the community involvement in fund-raising and community support, and the fact that 99% of the time when you volunteer is so much fun you'll probably forget why you came in the first place! Here's another great opportunity to get involved ...

Great even coming up next weekend at Schweitzer. Think you are up for a challenge, try strapping on your skiis or snowboard for 24 hours straight including all night long in the dark and cold! All money raised during the event will go to the Cystinosis Research Foundation, which is seeking a cure for the disease. A local toddler named Henry Sturgis is one of only 2,000 children worldwide who has the life-threatening metabolic disorder.

24 hours of Schweitzer is a team relay for skiers, telemark skiers, and snowboarders beginning at 10:00am on Friday and ending at 10:00am on Saturday. 3 Intermediate runs and 3 lifts will be used over the course of 24 hours. Teams will ski and ride for prizes, bragging rights and most importantly fund-raising for Cystinosis research and Hank's future.

For more information :

www.24hoursofschweitzer.com

or

www.schweitzer.com

Priest Lake, Coolin, Nordman (Bonner County) Idaho

Priest Lakeis the undiscovered and pretty much untouched jewel of the North Idaho Panhandle. From Outlet Bay on the southern end of the lake to Tule Bay on the northern end and further to Upper Priest Lake, there is very little development found around the shoreline of the lake. Priest Lake with it's deep blue water, surrounded by walls of heavily treed national and state forest land, is home to some of the most desirable hiking trails, snowmobile and cross country skiing in the country.

The coomunities that surround the lake gain their primary access from Highway 57 running north out of the City of Priest River. The community is serviced by the Bonner County Sheriff's Department, Bonner County EMS, Priest Lake Search and Rescue, and several volunteer fire departments. Population in the communities swells in the summer months and ebbs into the colder winter months.

This is relatively small submarket within Bonner County and there were only a reported 10 home sales during 2008. The average marketing period was 142 days. Total residential volume was just over $5.7 million and the average discount off the original list price was 14%. Considerably longer marketing period, larger discount from original list and high median sales price are all due to the inclusion of waterfront homes along Lake Pend Oreille. For reference the range of sale prices were from $167,000 to more than $1 m.

Land for residential development is extremely limited with a few small concentrations along the southwestern side of the lake (Priest Lake) and a few scattered developments on the east side including Huckleberry Bay. Huckleberry Bay is a secluded enclave of multi-million dollar waterfront estates complete with private beach and common facilities. The vast majority of the land on the east side of the lake is within the boundaries of the Priest Lake State Forest. The west side of the lake is dominated by national forest.

There were 9 land sales in the community during 2008, total volume of just under $900,000, average days on market at 155 with an average discount off the list price at 11%. I expect the list to sale discount will increase in 2009 both due to economic conditions and a change in the method of reporting the figure made by the local MLS.

In general, we expect 2009 will report fairly comparable numbers. Land inventory will continue to be absorbed, homes sales will continue as buyers search for bargains and sellers get more realistic, and overall we will see a return to a more typical sales volume.

Statistical data supplied by the Selkirk Association of Realtors, Multiple Listing Service.

For more information, contact the OnPoint Team at Century 21.