Kent Anderson

This isn’t what I signed up for when I became a Realtor®…I don’t think.

"The core of mans' spirit comes from new experiences."

— Chris McCandless, (Super Tramp from “Into the Wild”)

The above quote quite adequately sums up my involvement with the Sandpoint Association of Realtors (SAR) HARVEST PARTY last night. Long story short…I played the role of Dracula in the Haunted House portion of the event and, in so doing, stepped far out of my comfort zone. The fact that my wife was on the HARVEST PARTY committee and is also the vice president of the SAR MLS pretty much sealed my fate.

My “nature” would not typically allow me to volunteer for a role such as this but, in this instance, my “nature” was not part of the equation. I squirmed a little, but I quickly realized this was a path I was going to have to walk so I accepted my fate and became Dracula for a night (as best I could, anyway). My pain was eased when I was informed I would have two beautiful “Draculettes” at my side in the frightening “Haunted House Bedroom Scene”.

The committee set the Haunted House up as a “typical” Brokers’ Open and created a 1-bedroom, 1-bath home within the confines of the Bonner County Fairgrounds Field House in Sandpoint. My wife (affectionately called AGENT SLASHER) played the role of the Realtor® hosting the Broker Open and she lead several groups of four to five agents into the dark, dank, frightening portals of the home throughout the evening. (Doesn't she make a lovely hostess?) The rest of the players in the scene did their best to scare these groups of “seasoned agents” as they passed through. Our nineteen year-old black cat, Chester, even joined in the fun…his job? … to meow, moan or howl and add to the atmosphere of fear we created (who cares that he never made a sound from his cage in the kitchen …thanks a lot, Chester).

From left to right: Norman (dressed as Norman's Mom), Psycho Shower Screamer, Dracula, the Little Kitchen Creature, Agent Slasher, the French Maid, the Crazy Chef, Beautiful Vampire #1, Beautiful Vampire #2, the Boogie Man, Norman's Mother, the Main Course for Supper, the Clown (we all fear the Clown) and the Head of the Dinner Table. Missing: Susan (the mastermind behind the event - she is taking this photo) and the Chainsaw "killer" lurking at the back door.

A good time was had by all! We were able to raise much needed and appreciated funds through donations and a silent auction to benefit the Grant & Scholarship Fund the Sandpoint Association of Realtors sponsors. We should ALL be proud of the shared efforts our Realtor Boards put forth to find ways to positively impact the communities we live and work in.

MANY THANKS TO ALL PARTICIPANTS AND HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

“Happiness is real when shared”

SANDPOINT, IDAHO QUARTERLY MARKET TRENDS

Here's a look at what happened in Sandpoint, Idaho in the third quarter (Bonner County). I like the fact I can make some comparisons between the current quarter and the 2009 second quarter report and the third quarter in 2008.

This was actually not a bad quarter for Sandpoint homes (relative to the general state of the economy). We have seen an 11% increase in the number of homes sold and basically unchanged average sales price since the same time last year. The "remaining months inventory" has lowered in the under $250K range, which is encouraging, but the upper-end homes are still troubling...almost a three year inventory. Overall inventory has decreased 25% from the same period last year...a very good sign. A slow recovery appears to be happening in Sandpoint.

...on an unrelated note...Snow expected in the mountains above 2500' tonight. Ski season seems to be on track for a Thanksgiving opening on Schweitzer Mountain.

SANDPOINT TENNIS...FALL EDITION

If you read my blog with any regularity, you'll find I am pretty impressed with North Idaho and Sandpoint, in particular. There are many reasons for being such a "Babbit" for the area...world class skiing (SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN RESORT), world class lake (LAKE PEND 'OREILLE - 5th deepest lake in the U.S. and not overly cold), spectacular mountains (SELKIRKS, CABINETS, BITTERROOTS) and unlimited activities for sport enthusiasts.

...But you know what is really cool? Sandpoint Middle School is one of the VERY few Middle Schools in North Idaho to have an organized tennis program. This is just another reason to consider Sandpoint for your next home. "Lifetime" sports are definitely a priority for the residents of this community.

As the tennis coach for both the varsity in the Spring and the Middle School in the Fall, I feel privileged to be able to work with the kids in both schools and, somehow, be a piece of the puzzle in their life journey. It is part of my journey as well and a great release from the stresses of a Realtor® (especially in this market environment).

On a practical note, the Middle School is a wonderful feeder program for varsity and a big reason Sandpoint Tennis is so strong. As a native of Minnesota, I am used to Middle School tennis programs and appreciate the value of getting the kids started early in this sport. Sandpoint's emphasis on tennis made my transition from Minnesota that much easier. The lifelong sport concept is definitely alive and well in the tennis community. The Sandpoint Tennis Association is pushing 100 adult members and the ages cover the gamut.

The Fall season will be coming to an end tomorrow (October 22) and, once again, I have seen marked improvement in our players. It is always fun to watch them mature and move on to the next level. I need to add...the young people that I have been so fortunate to coach in this town are such outstanding individuals...every one of them. I am very appreciative and thankful for this opportunity and proud to be a member of the Sandpoint community!

GO BULLDOGS!

I think it was ad-out in our doubles match today when we all had to take a break (A POETIC MOMENT) and gaze at what was happening in the park outside the courts...you've got to have priorities in life. (By the way, I was playing with my lender and one of my clients. Real Estate never rests.)

It was a little cloudy but warm, calm and beautiful here in Sandoint, Idaho.

New Zealand never received the brunt of the September 29th earthquake, as predicted, but they sure got a nice rainbow out of it. The tsunami was triggered by a magnitude-8.0 earthquake, the world’s largest in two years, that struck south of Samoa. Waves reached at least 20 feet high in parts of American Samoa and swept more than a half mile inland. This photo was taken by my daughter (a New Zealand resident) from Takapuna Beach outside of Auckland during the event. That is Rangitoto Island several miles in the distance across the Pacific. (The sea was up a few feet, but no giant surf).

The photo below was also taken on September 29th, but in Sandpoint, Idaho. That is Gold Hill, a few miles across Lake Pend Oreille viewed from my dock on Kootenai Bay. If we had a rainbow, the visual would be almost the same. It is a small world.

By the way, it is still Saturday here in Idaho, but it is Sunday in New Zealand...hence...SPEECHLESS SUNDAY.