|
With fuel costs skyrocketing, North Idaho residents are turning to CitiLink's free bus service with increasing numbers and leaving their gas-guzzling vehicles at home. Citylink is a partnership between the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, the Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization, the State of Idaho and Kootenai County. Citylink provides free public transportation. Citylink serves Southern Kootenai and Western Benewah county, including the Coeur d'Alene Tribal Reservation. Citylink was designed to provide free transportation for employment, education, medical appointments, shopping, recreation, entertainment activities, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and the general public. Citylink is operated by the Coeur d'Alene Tribe through the transportation department at the Coeur D'Alene Casino Resort Hotel. Citylink is a fixed route system consisting of four routes covering over 200 miles. Six busses with a total yearly capacity of more than 600,000 riders serve the system. All busses are wheelchair accessible and have bike racks. Citylink has over 30 trained drivers and support staff. For route schedules and more information visit www.idahocitylink.com. Janna Rankin Scharf, GRI, CSP, CLHMS (208)651-9700 Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty |
Just about every kind of group has a component here in beautiful North Idaho. If you are looking for a place to volunteer, serve, participate, contribute - here is a list to get you going. I'm sure there are others, but these are ones I have come across as I look for places to get involved in my community. Make some calls, get involved, make a difference and HAVE SOME FUN!
Civil Air Patrol Auxiliary 772-2531
Coeur d'Alene Art Association 659-0469 Cd'A Business Referral Group 664-6359 www.cdabrg.com
Business & Prof. Women 666-0594 Audubon Society 664-5318
Coeurly Qs Square Dance 664-5692 Cd'A Coin Club 667-5606
Cd'A Eagles Club 664-2218 Coeur d'Alene Elks Lodge 772-4049
Coeur d'Alene Garden Club 772-7255 Cd'A High School Boosters 667-4507
Rotary Club 664-3482 Daughters of American Revolution 765-4516
Duplicate Bridge 772-2356 Embroiderer's Guild 772-2295
Idaho Character Council 664-4952 IDFG Sportsmen 769-1414
Panhandle Kiwanis 659-3438 Idaho Writer's League 762-4081
Jewett House Bridge 667-5194 Jewett House Pinochle 667-5194
Kootenai Co. Democratic Club 777-1588 Republican Pachyderm Club 762-7091
Lake City Harmonizers 667-5813 Lake City Striders Exercise Club 772-3417
Lake City Toastmasters 772-0374 Log Cabin Spinners & Fiber Arts Guild 689-3109
Marine Corps League & Auxiliary 772-3705 NI Building Contractors Womens Council 765-5518
North Idaho College Booster Club 769-3348 North Idaho Computer Users Group 667-0855
North Idaho Road Runners Club Post Falls Leads Club 777-0128
Post Falls Rotary 661-1880 Post falls Toastmasters Club 699-3719
Red Hat Ladies of Fun 773-9582 Red Hot Mamas 772-7439
River City Gardeners 773-7577 Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation 664-6076
Saturday Night Singles 765-8655 Selling North Idaho Toastmasters 667-5577
Senior Social 765-8800 Sons of Italy 773-8522
Sons of Norway 772-2903 Soroptimist International 667-0644
Sweet Adelines 772-3379 Mothers of Preschoolers 666-6027
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho is certainly gaining a reputation as THE place to be! Just hitting the stands, the October/November of Robb Report Vacation Homes has named our neck of the woods one of the top five best US based locations where the time to buy a second home is right now. We're in good company - Las Vegas, Miami, Aspen, Maui and Coeur d'Alene! We've come a long way, baby! Rounding out the top ten list are the international destinations of Abu Dhabi, Belize, Croatia, Curacao, St. Kitts & Nevis. I have to admit, it does seem a little strange to see Coeur d'Alene on that exotic list. Our little town? I spent my childhood summers barefoot and sunburned on the log booms, running amok on Tubbs Hill and cruising Playland Pier and the dike road. Our town was tiny then, undiscovered and undeveloped. But it still is and always will be one of the most beautiful places on earth.
The Robb Report research pointed to three distinct sectors within the real estate market: places that are perennially strong; those that have yet to peak and are seemingly undiscovered; and those that offer investment opportunities because their values have dropped," according to Robb Report Vacation Homes Senior Editor Samantha Brooks in a press release. As I read those three areas, I checked them off in my head. Yep; yep; yep, that's Coeur d'Alene, all right. One big clue that Coeur d'Alene has grown up are the common celebrity sightings around town. With several years' supply of higher end homes on the market in Kootenai County, local Sellers should be bolstered by this latest bit of international notoriety in The Robb Report. I fully expect to see this report directly result in a little surge in Vacation Home sales here in beautiful North Idaho.
Janna Rankin Scharf, GRI, CSP, CLHMS
Associate Broker
Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty
1924 Northwest Blvd.
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83814
Cell (208) 651-9700
Toll Free (208) 829-2555 X1387
In a conversation last night with some friends who have their home for sale, we were discussing the state of our Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai Coeur d'Alene real estate market. Forget the spin, the facts from a SELLER'S perspective are grim. At least in terms of number of sales and sales volume over last year. At one point, tongue in cheek, my friend asked, "What's the GOOD news?" Well, actually, there IS good news! In spite of the fact that in the past six months the number of homes sold in Kootenai county were down 29% from the same period last year, and sales volume was down a whopping 34%, the average purchase price has only dipped a relatively puny 1%. That's REALLY GOOD NEWS! It means that prices are holding steady and sellers aren't taking such a disastrous hit in equity loss being seen in many other markets around the country. The trick is finding a buyer, with sales plummeting and inventory at the end of August up 10% over last year. If I needed to sell my home, you can bet I'd have it on the market this fall and winter, because this is the time of year when the inventory will be the lowest it will be. Fewer homes on the market competing with me and the better my odds to snag one of the few buyers coming our way.
Janna Rankin Scharf, GRI, CSP, CLHMS
Associate Broker
Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty
1924 Northwest Blvd.
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83814
(208)651-9700
NorthIdahoJanna@gmail.com
It's no surprise to those of us who love living here that the Coeur d'Alene metro-statistical area ~ Kootenai County, including Post Falls and Hayden ~ placed 2nd on the Milken Institute's Best Performing Small Cities list for 2008, up four points from last year's 6th place finish. "Coeur d'alene is not a secret anymore. We're well known on both the East and West coasts," said Steve Griffitts, president of Jobs Plus, Inc., the Coeur d'Alene area economic development organization. The index ranks U.S. metro areas to reveal where jobs and prosperity are being created based on economic growth, long- and short-termed measurements of employment, salary increases and high-tech output.
The cat has been creeping out of the bag for some time now. Locals and tourists have long known that North Idaho is a treasure. But Coeur d'Alene, the jewel of North Idaho, has landed on the world wide radar screen of spectacular places to live ~ or own a vacation home. Recent articles sang our praises in USA Today as well as the current Robb Report Vacation Homes, which ranked Coeur d'Alene as one of the top 5 great places in the country where the time is right to buy NOW.
Considering the current grim home sale statistics in Kootenai County ~ August saw only 39 home sales as compared to 119 last year ~ sellers should be welcoming these latest reports and the buyers they will surely attract.
Here is the verbiage from the Milken Report:
"Placing 2nd among the 124 smallest cities in 2008 is Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Despite the housing downturn, overall job and wage growth in this region outperformed the national average. Our five-year indicators, which encompass the period fom 2002 to 2007, show that employment and wages in Coeur d'Alene grew 18.8 and 21.8 percent over the national average, respectively.
The area's fast-growing tourism industry has recently been a major engine of growth, adding 1,800 new jobs in 2007 alone. This sector now accounts for 3.1 percent of total jobs in the metro area. Coeur d'Alene has also emerged as a regional health-care hub; hospitals and health-care services accounted for 51.7 percent of job growth from 2006 to 2007."
For the full Milken Report, go to www.milkeninstitute.org.
Janna Rankin Scharf, GRI, CSP, CLHMS
Associate Broker
Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty
1924 Northwest Blvd.
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83814
(208)651-9700
NorthIdahoJanna@gmail.com
 |
|
|
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.
As your real estate agent, my philosophy is simple: to assist YOU in achieving YOUR goals. Your priorities become my priorities.
On a personal level, as well as professionally, I understand the challenges involved in moving. Whether you're moving across town or across the country, I will provide the resources you need for a seamless relocation.
Communication is key. Based on an honest, straightforward approach, I will work to exceed your expectations and guide you successsfully through the buying and relocation process.
The smarter I work, the luckier you get!
Give me a call so I can get to work for you!
Janna R. Scharf, Associate Broker, GRI, CLHMS, CSP 
Both buyers and sellers benefit from my competency in the traditional residential resale market, as well as expertise in two specialty areas. I have advanced training and success that benefits buyers involved in the process of new home construction, and also in the marketing of upper-tier homes and estates. 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:
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.Rulon Stacey ~
Janna brings a level of diversification that really separates her from the rest. She has demonstrated an extraordinary ability in everything from buying to selling. At every step of the process she is there to help you and guide you through the challenges that always come up. And, she is able to do this while keeping her infectious positive attitude. When you interact with Janna, you will not only get first class service, but you will always leave feeling better for the interaction. You really can't go wrong working with Janna!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.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2009 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
