Negotiating in a strong market

Regular readers know that we consider ourselves in a strong market. Of course, as with all things real estate the market is very specific to your location and although North Idaho real estate is moving at a comfortable pace, not every nook and cranny of our market is booming.

Udall swipes at opponent's birth-control plan

WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. - Democratic Sen. Mark Udall went after his opponent's proposal for over-the-counter birth control Friday, bringing big names to a suburban Denver battleground to argue that Rep. Cory Gardner's plan doesn't make him the "new kind of Republican" he has been claiming to be in ads.

Surprised again

My how low interest rates are for mortgages! We have watched over the last several months as interest rates languished below 4 percent. Usually, we check for the lowest rates on guaranteed loans at ihfa.org, the website of Idaho Housing and Finance Association. For quite awhile the rate has hovered around 3.75 percent for a 30-year fixed mortgage. Friday we checked and low and behold, the rate was 3.5 percent!

Frugal food can be found

Healthy eating can cost less, study finds

Verizon ditches contracts; consumers could benefit

Apply for unclaimed controlled hunt tags by Aug. 15

For a wide variety of reasons, some of the lucky hunters who drew tags in the deer, elk, antelope and bear controlled-hunt drawing did not buy their tags.

OTC medications at wholesale prices

Diabetes is an awful disease.

Marty and Max: Real Estate Recipes

Today we will discuss two ways to buy an actively marketed home at a bargain, where you actually want to live.

Taste, taste, taste

Mary and I affectionately refer to tasting wine many times as "homework." For us while it really isn't work at all it is a big part of the job, as we never feel comfortable or confident recommending a wine to a customer if we have not tried it first regardless of the price we pay and therefore charge our customers, it has to meet our standards. Allegorically, customers can and for their own protection should approach wine the same way.

Playing the health insurance shell game

Last Wednesday, we were treated to another nonsensical "My Turn" by Chuck Malloy, where he started off by thanking goodness for insurance. He went on to say that he needed to purchase an insulin pen and the cost of a five pack over the counter without insurance was $500, but thanks to the wonderful insurance world, he only paid $35.

Finding the best child care for your budget

Choosing child care can be daunting. You want the best quality and care for your children, but that care has to fit into your budget. It's similar to buying a car: you may want a Mercedes-Benz but you buy a Honda Accord because it fits into your budget and still offers high quality, but at a lower cost.

Cold snap draining fuel supplies, prices spiking

American orders 460 new planes from Boeing, Airbus

Company has fallen from world's biggest airline to No. 3 in three years

FORT WORTH, Texas - American Airlines is revamping its fleet with a record order for at least 460 new jets, a move it says will save fuel and give passengers a quieter, more comfortable ride.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — How we choose our wines

As our shop has grown and the wine collection has expanded, we frequently get asked how we choose what wines we work with?

I deserve something nice for not being naughty

Ask The Propellerheads

Hitting the slopes won't break the bank

Industry leaders: Skiing cheaper than you think

Buying direct

For all wine consumers visiting wineries in wine country is one of the really special experiences. The passion the beverage elicits from many of us goes to a whole other level when we are actually in the winery and walking among the vines, it is just different. When any of us visit wineries it is customary to buy wine directly from them, especially when tastings are complimentary it would be rude to not do so. Many of us too enjoy being in the wine clubs from our favorite wineries. It is not only a way to demonstrate support for a business we appreciate but it may also be a way to access certain wines that are winery only, or not distributed.

Embittered Facebook investors ponder next move

To say that Facebook's debut as a public company was bungled is something like saying Facebook is a website you might have heard of.

Selling in a hot market: One homeowner’s experience

Neighborhood of the Week: June 27

'Gross' comment raises eyebrows, ire

Hayden councilwoman heard saying 'gross' during apartment discussion

White says she was making pun about number