This week I celebrated another birthday. I won't admit to which one it was, but here's a riddle for my clever readers: My age is now the same as my birth year!
I came across this sign in my travels:
"When was the last time
you did something for the first time?"
It got me thinking. Since my last birthday, I started a quest to stop sitting on the sidelines while life passes me by. I got up, got moving, lost a lot of weight and did a whole lot of things I had never done before. For most of them, I was blessed to have my sister, Kerri, at my side. It has been exhilarating!
I made a list of my First Times accomplished this past year. I'm sure more will come to me, but here's the list I came up with:
Began working out with a trainer
Entered and completed (walking with a cane) my first fun run - 12K Bloomsday 2011
(And several other fun runs after that, caneless)
Was a fashion model, Women's Council of Realtors Fashion Show
Swam the Long Bridge
Rode the Route of the Hiawatha Bike Trail
Hiked to the top of Canfield Mountain
Paddled around in a Kayak and decided to join a Kayak Club
I told Kerri it was past time for us to schedule another First Time sister adventure, and we decided to put para sailing on our calendars this summer! That should give us a little time to shed a few more pounds for less drag on the sail! Keep an eye out for us above Lake Coeur d'Alene!
It's been a good year full of fun activity. Two high points were participating with my kids and my granddaughters in the Route of the Hiawatha ride and a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot.
The old Janna would have sat it out and cheered them on from the sidelines. The new Janna was there with them, joining in the fun and making memories! It was a pinnacle moment, and I plan to have many, many more of them!
When was the last time you did something for the first time?
Janna Rankin Scharf, GRI, CLHMS, SFR - Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Real Estate Sales
These days, one thing EVERY buyer has in common is that they are looking for a SCREAMING DEAL! Often, they look for that deal in the form of a foreclosure. These are properties that unfortunate homeowners have lost to 
their bank. They are now bank owned, and the banks refer to them as REO properties, short for Real Estate Owned. REO is one of the lines on a bank's balance sheet.
As of today, 1/29/12, there are 106 active REO foreclosure listings of homes for sale in the Coeur d'Alene Multiple Listing Service. Another 26 Coeur d'Alene REO foreclosure properties are in escrow with pending sales.
The active Coeur d'Alene REO foreclosure listed 
properties average in list price from $19,900 to $675,000. They come in all shapes and sizes and are found in just about every neighborhood.
If you are considering purchasing a foreclosure in the Coeur d'alene area, give me a call. There are certain things you can do to improve your chance of success. Preparation is key, and often with the best REO properties in the best price ranges we will find ourselves in multiple offer, competitive bidding situations! Let me help you come out on top, with SUCCESS in getting your smokin' hot screaming deal on a Coeur d'Alene bank owned foreclosure home for sale.
The link above will remain active and update daily with new listings and status updates for 30 days. If you stumble upon it after that, just give me a call and I will gladly send you a fresh link!
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Janna Rankin Scharf, GRI, CLHMS, SFR - Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Short Sale Specialis
A former short sale client of mine called me the other day. He asked me to look up some information for tax purposes and I was more than happy to help him out.
In our conversation I mentioned how many people I have recently run into who have simply given up in despair and let their house go back to the bank in foreclosure. Most of the time, they would have been far better off in several different ways to have sold their house through a short sale.
The next morning I awoke to find this kind endorsement in my mailbox. If you or someone you know is wondering if a short sale may be a good option for you, please read Jake's experience and then give me a call for a confidential consultation:
For anyone out there going through the foreclosure process and weighing your options between attempting a short sale and just plain giving up, please look no further.
I was there just over a year ago and thought there was no hope in sight. I luckily stumbled across Janna's information online and took a shot in the dark. I don't know if I can say enough!
I don't think I could have imagined anyone taking my personal case more serious. Even though she didn't stand to make a fortune off of my problem she literally jumped in head first and through the entire process of struggles she remained focused, dedicated, and positive until I actually SOLD my home!
Even writing this now I still can't believe that I escaped my foreclosure and I'm so much better off financially because of it. I owe all of this to one person and although it might sound cheesy - Janna Scharf solved my problems and saved the day!
Please give her the opportunity to do the same for you. You will never regret having her on your side, and just like she did for me I guarantee she will work her tail off - that's just who she is!
~ Jake Hoskins
Janna Rankin Scharf, GRI, CLHMS, SFR - Coeur d'Alene Idaho Short Sale Specialist
If you are in the market to purchase a short sale property in Coeur d'Alene, or in Kootenai or Shoshone counties, here is a handy link that will take you to all properties currently listed as short sales in the Coeur d'Alene Multiple Listing Service:
All Properties Currently Listed as Short Sales in the Coeur d'Alene Multiple Listing Service
As of today, January 29, 2012, there are 211 active short sale property listings in the Coeur d'Alene area, and another 70 Coeur d'Alene area short sale listings are in escrow with sales pending. A little bit of trivia - 5 of those pending short sale properties are my listings!
At the high end of the price spectrum is a stately home at The Club at Black Rock, listed as a short sale for $2,495,000. Wowser! It has 6,734 "nearly finished" square feet on 1.4 acres. Here's proof that being in a Coeur d'Alene short sale situation is an "equal opportunity" condition.
At the other end of the spectrum is a tiny and cute little house in Smelterville for just $16,000. Yes, that's right, just $16,000! (If you'd like some comic relief, click the link to read how Smelterville recently gained prominence in the Silver Valley...)
Of course, between those two extremes are all manner of short sale homes in every conceivable price range and location.
The link above will update with new Coeur d'Alene area short sale listings and status changes daily. It will remain active for 30 days. If you stumble upon this link after that, just give me a call and I will gladly send you a fresh link.
Below are some links to some of my recent Coeur d'Alene short sale success stories. Nothing is more gratifying than to have a part in helping someone avoid foreclosure and achieve the best possible outcome in a very unfortunate situation.
If you or someone you know is wondering if a short sale might be a good option, please call me in complete confidence. I can help you weigh your options and give you information to make the best decision based on your individual circumstances.
Seafaring Short Sale Success Story
Coeur d'Alene Short Sale Success after 30 Months!
My December Short Sale Success Stories
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I'm a full time, full service real estate broker in my spectacular hometown of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. I specialize in GETTING RESULTS while delivering world class service to both Buyers and Sellers.
Coeur d'Alene Idaho Real Estate Success Stories
Captain Jake was out at sea, afloat in his boat but underwater big time in his mortgage. The mortgage meltdown and the financial crisis that followed left him high and dry. He had no choice but to set sail where he could find work.
Jake had hoped to get some kind of loan modification with Chase, but ended up a castaway in their process. He wanted to keep his house, but eventually had no choice but to deep six that idea. Captain Jake desperately wanted to avoid foreclosure, so we battened down the hatches and set out together to cross that deep and wide short sale abyss.
Months passed, and a looming foreclosure sale date threatened to throw Captain Jake's hopes overboard. Then, in the nick of time we would get an offer, and the sale would be postponed. But alas, the buyer would lose patience and sail on, leaving Captain Jake listless and forlorn as the foreclosure clock started ticking again.
This same scenario happened a number of times, I lost count actually. Each time, poor Captain Jake would feel that he was all washed up. Eventually, the process completely knocked the wind out of his sails. But up in the crow's nest, determined to fight to the bitter end, I kept a keen eye on the horizon for another buyer. (Janna's secret to short sale success: never, never never give up!)
At the 11th hour, when all seemed lost, success! Another buyer, and she fell in love with Captain Jake's house. She had the good fortune to appear at the most opportune moment, that period of time when Chase countered an offer we had, the buyer declined to accept the counter, and her offer at their countered price could be slipped right into play and accepted without the mind-numbing delay in response time. Now our buyer, to add another fun story line to the tale, is a wildfire fighter, and while Jake was inaccessible out at sea, she was inaccessible out of state fighting wildfires. Big fun for the buyer's agent and me as we worked this transaction!
The inspection as well as the appraisal turned up some issues that needed to be dealt with to keep our transaction on an even keel. When I finally tracked down Captain Jake, who had last come ashore in Amsterdam, he was a prince and agreed to pay the bounty for what needed done to satisfy our buyer as well as the underwriter's FHA loan conditions. And then came his call to "the boys." All hands on deck!
Eric, and several others of Captain Jake's mateys, rallied to get 'er done. I was privileged to observe as they scraped barnacles and swabbed the deck and spiffed up Jake's house from stem to stern. In record time, so as to meet the negotiator's deadline to close, they walked the talk of what a true friend is. We should all be so blessed as to have such a band of friends like Eric, Brian and Chris to count on when the chips are down.
Today was a GOOD day! Eric, with Jake's power of attorney, signed the closing documents. Jake has avoided foreclosure and salvaged his credit. I'm going to miss "the boys." It's not every day I get to start out a text or email to a client with "Hey, sailor!" or "Ahoy!" And it's not every day I have a client like Captain Jake. Wherever in the world he was, when I needed a document for the negotiator of any kind, he would somehow manage to get it to me at lightning speed. It amazed me, since I have have a hard time getting clients who are on dry land and just a couple miles down the road to return documents as quickly! When I would tell him to calm down and trust me, he would calm down and trust me.
I got a nice hug from Eric today as he thanked me on behalf of Jake. Captain Jake told me yesterday that he would give me a kiss if he were here, but on the cheek of course! Today he had Eric surprise me with a very generous gift. See why I'm going to miss "the boys!" I texted Jake some pictures from the closing so he wouldn't feel completely left out, and this successful Coeur d'Alene short sale seafaring story is history. Except for the fact that at some point in all the chaos of the last month, Jake promised me a steak dinner next time he blows through town. I'm looking forward to a big juicy steak and finally getting a glimpse of Captain Jake. Wonder if he has a wooden leg, hook arm and an eyepatch... Who says short sales can't be fun?
Anchors away!
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This is the story of my awesome homebuyers Henry-Scott and Sherry.
Their saga began many months earlier when they submitted an offer to purchase a home they loved, which was a short sale. They loved the golf course neighborhood, and they loved the home on the golf course. Then came the delays, and the seller's bankruptcy. I explained to them that it would be long and drawn out, but if that was the house they wanted, they could have it. It would take the patience of Job, but I would make it happen for them.
After a few months, I took them to look at other homes. They always came back around to "their" short sale. The waiting was excruciating.
But they trusted me, and hung in there. They were MODEL buyers. I can't imagine that if I searched the world over that I could find clients as pleasant to work a short sale with!
Today, their dream became a reality. Their lender's appraisal came in with a market value of $43,000 more than their purchase price. I love this picture I took at their closing. They just couldn't stop smiling!
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I received an email from Jennifer. She had stumbled in cyberspace upon a story I had just posted to my blog. It was about REALLY BAD photos I had just come across when doing a search of high end homes. Those awful photos are a pet peeve of mine. From time to time I post them on my blog so you can be amazed and astonished, too!
In her email, Jennifer asked me if I could recommend a good real estate agent to sell her LOW end home, since I prefer HIGH end homes. Holy Moses! I quickly convinced her that I love to market homes of ANY price that are well cared for and priced correctly!
We set out to get her cute-as-a-button 728 sq. ft. vintage home sold in time for her wedding. Jen works from home and needs high speed internet. Her fiance had a house and a job in the Silver Valley, without access to high speed internet. Hmmm. Each home was perfect for them as individuals, neither would work well for them as a couple.
As cute as it is, and well maintained, Jen's house proved a challenge because it was so petite! As time passed and her Hawaiian wedding approached, Jen resigned herself to Plan B. As it turned out, the day that Jen and John were saying their wedding vows beside the ocean, the offer came in. I got to call her on the morning of her first day of married life to present the offer. She countered via the fax machine at the library near the beach on Kauai.
This morning, I was privileged to witness Jen get her happy ending to homeownership as a single woman. It's a new beginning for her and John as they begin their search for the perfect house for their life together. May she and John live happily ever after!
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David and Rebecca fell in love with one of the first homes we looked at, but unfortunately it was a short sale. That meant months of waiting with an uncertain outcome, which just didn't work for them. They needed a home ASAP! We put in an offer on that short sale, but kept looking while we waited. Which, by the way, is acceptable practice in Idaho. Nothing else measured up for the price, and frustration mounted.
After a couple months, and dozens of houses, I took them back to their short sale, to see if it still held the same appeal. As soon as we walked in, you could see it written all over their faces. This was their house! She loved it! He loved it! Still, after all this time and so many houses.
No other house of all that we looked at had made both their faces light up like this one. Yet they didn't have time to wait. And wait. And wait...
We looked some more, did some soul searching and made some hard decisions. I explained that although there were no guarantees they would get the house at the price they offered, in time for their deadline, there were good reasons why I believed the odds were very good. I encouraged them to hang in. In the end they decided that they would wait it out for their house. Unless you have been through this process of buying or selling a short sale, it's hard to understand just how emotionally exhausting it is.
Today, their determination and patience paid off. They have the best home of all we looked at, at the best price, with all the features they wanted, in their favorite neighborhood! I am so happy for their little family to finally be able to settle in to start the next chapter of their lives. Today was a GOOD DAY!
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Often short sales are full of extreme frustration, lengthy delays, and emotional exhaustion for everyone involved - but this short sale was nothing of the kind.
Less than three months ago these sellers called to ask for help. Due to circumstances beyond their control they couldn't continue with their house payments and they wondered if they were candidates for a short sale. They owed nearly $50,000 more on their mortgage than the current market value of their home. A traditional sale was impossible. All year, everything that could go wrong with their mortgage, had gone wrong for them.
After determining that they were good candidates likely to be approved by their lender for a short sale, I listed their home. They were relieved to FINALLY have someone helping them, and LISTENING to them! We quickly got a strong, full priced offer and started the ball rolling. We got an amazingly fast approval from Chase Home Finance, with no conditions out of left field. I had a professional and pleasant buyer's agent to work with. Thirty days in escrow without too many hiccups, and today, it closed.
A short sale closing day is never really a HAPPY time for sellers since they are losing everything they have invested in their home - both financially and emotionally. But it is always a GOOD DAY in that it brings closure and relief to good people who have done everything within their power to make the best of a bad situation.l
This is the best part of my job - helping people achieve success and peace of mind with whatever their real estate objectives are. If you or someone you know is running out of options please call me to see if short selling could be a positive alternative to foreclosure. Because honestly, sometimes things really do go RIGHT!
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I was privileged to witness Rick and Janis realize their dream! They had worked hard for years and paid off their mortgage. They saved and they kept their credit scores sky high. The past few years they watched the housing market like hawks, subscribed to foreclosure alerts and started studying homes as they came on the market. They had a plan to find their dream retirement home. They were educated, prepared, patient, and a Realtor's dream clients!
When they called me, they knew exactly what they wanted in that home, and where they wanted it to be. They knew what they wanted to pay, and what they could expect to get for that amount of money. They knew the market was pretty close to the bottom, and interest rates were at historical lows. They knew the time was right for action!
In the end, we found them their perfect retirement home. Priced less than they were expecting to pay, appraised for much more than they paid. Every single feature and amenity they were hoping for, and even more they weren't expecting to get! Their ideal location in their ideal setting on beautiful timbered acreage in the country.
Yesterday Rick and Janis saw THEIR REAL ESTATE DREAMS COME TRUE!
In a climate of so much discouraging real estate news and banter, I love to be able to share the happy success stories whenever I can. To have a part in making dreams come true for such hard working, deserving and delightful homebuyers is truly a cause for celebration, and the best part of my job!
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Today was a GOOD DAY for homebuyers Steve and Alicia. They closed on their first home, which is always a mixture of emotions. Excitement, anxiety, anticipation, fear....
I don't think this cute couple fully realizes yet how big they scored today! For starters, their mortgage payment is LESS than they have been paying in rent! SCORE! They have an interest rate that is just a hair above the lowest interest rates have EVER been! 
SCORE! The appraisal on the home they bought came in at $11,000 more than they paid. SCORE! From here on out, they will be able to itemize deductions and write off their interest on tax returns. SCORE! Uncle Sam is going to send them an $8000 cash gift when they file their tax return! SCORE!
Today was a good day for these young and savvy, buyers. They recognized that the conditions at this moment in time in the real estate industry were stacked heavily in their favor. They seized the moment and opportunity, and scored big time!
Congratulations Steve and Alicia! The world is your oyster, and the best is yet to come!
Give me a call if I can be of assistance in helping to make YOUR real estate dreams come true!
Both buyers and sellers benefit from my competency in the traditional residential resale market, as well as expertise in several specialty areas. I have advanced training and experience that benefits buyers and sellers involved in the process of new home construction, and also in the marketing of upper-tier homes and estates. In order to better serve the growing numbert of distressed homeowners, I have become certified as a short sale and foreclosure resource specialist. I continue to take advantage of educational opportunities that enhance my ability to provide world-class service to my clients. I am proud to have achieved the following professional designations:
SFR ~ Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource. According to a recent NAR survey, nearly one-third of all existing homes sold recently were either short sales or foreclosures. For many real estate professionals, short sales and foreclosures are the new "traditional" transaction. REALTORS®who have earned the SFR certification know how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities. These kinds of transactions are more complex and difficult to manage to a successful conclusion. It's extremely important to have the help of a knowledgeable and skilled real estate professional to assist you in avoiding the pitfalls that often arise during these complicated deals.
GRI ~ Graduate, Realtor Institute. Realtors who hold the GRI designation have taken at least 90 credit hours of specialized real estate education and are up to date on the latest real estate trends and issues. They have dedicated their time and resources on extensive real estate education to bring you quality service. The designation is awarded by the state association to members of the National Association of Realtors who subscribe to their Code of Ethics. Designees must maintain that membership to retain the designation.
CLHMS ~ Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist - Million Dollar Guild Status. Awarded by The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing. Members of The Institute have undergone training in analyzing the luxury home market, providing quality service and achieving effective results in the high-end residential market. Members of The Institute who have been awarded the Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist designation have successfully demonstrated their expertise in the luxury home and estate market by meeting strict performance requirements. Million Dollar Guild members are specialists who have met production requirements and have certified success in the million-dollar and above market. Your exceptional property demands an exceptional professional. Guild Members have established their expertise and abilities in helping buy or sell the world's most exclusive residential homes and estates.
CNS ~ The Certified Negotiation Specialist (CNS™) designation is awarded to agents who have successfully completed specialized training in contract negotiations. I have earned the Certified Negotiation Specialist designation to help negotiate the best possible price and terms for my clients when buying and selling a home. Research shows that those with the knowledge and training to conduct skilled negotions will will deliver a smoother transaction and provide thier clients with increased value.
CSP ~ Certified New Home Sales Professional. The CSP designation is a must-have credential required by many builders for their sales staff. It is a professional-level designation for those who specify in new home sales. The CSP designation is earned through an industry-recognized program through the National Association of Home Builders. The comprehensive program provides in-depth knowledge of the home building process and teaches skills to provide exceptional customer service to the builders and purchasers of newly constructed homes.
John and Sherri Morton ~
We listed our property with Janna after nine months with another agent. We were very pleased with the extra effort Janna put forth in every aspect of getting our home sold. She had some creative ideas and angles that targeted different market groups. Janna made us feel like she was really there for us, keeping us informed with regular updates. She went the extra mile, taking care of a variety of details after we moved out of state. Janna's high level of professionalism, her positive attitude and friendly nature make her a true asset to the community. We felt Janna really cared about us and our needs. We would highly recommend Janna to anyone who is seeking a qualified agent. Donna Suer ~I just wanted to tell you that I have worked with many, many real estate agents with numerous transactions, both in California and here. You are absolutely the best agent I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Thanks for all that you do for us.
The Hubbard Family ~
We were so pleased with Janna and her services. She helped us through every step of our home process. She began as our Realtor and she has become our friend.Wes and Trinity ~
I recently received a promotion and had to move out of state before our home sold. We were comfortable trusting Janna to handle all the details of our closing. She thought of everything and was very thorough and professional. We were grateful to have her looking out for our interests.Mike and Kristi Manuel ~
Janna is the best! She has gone above and beyond in every way to help us with selling our house. She has watched over us every step of the way and always took the time to explain and re-explain until we felt good about things. She is personal and professional - really a great representative for Keller Williams.
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