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Unlimited access to all the journalism we offer, plus the full digital experience. Secured peace of mind that your rate plan never increases.
Real Estate News
Stay informed on major Kootenai County real estate news. Browse our articles below.
Marty and Max: Fernan Lake — Passion, Persistence, and Community Spirit
Fernan Lake and its surrounding area offer a unique blend of country charm and urban convenience.
2013 outlook is good
As we zero in on a new year, we reflect on 2012 as the year the real estate market turned a corner. At this year's end we see another downward adjustment in mortgage interest rates to which most react with a ho-hum…
Optimism for 2013
One doesn't have to look far to see a lot of positive news about the housing market. Interest rates are low, sales of homes are up and home prices are gradually increasing, helping some who lost so much equity in t…
Realtors in the giving spirit, always
Especially this time of year it is impossible to ignore the less fortunate in our community. Our mailboxes are filled with cards and letters soliciting donations for homeless humans and pets, folks with disabilitie…
Headed toward a good finish
With one month left in 2012 we are pleased to see a sustained recovery in the real estate market. A review of our November statistics provides evidence that we are closing in on our best year since 2007 - the last …
Market continues to encourage
When we started this column in 2008 it was predicated by the need for accurate local information. The real estate market had begun falling in many parts of the country in 2007 and the resounding crash was evident i…
It's that time of year again
Time for us to be thankful that our market continues to show signs of recovery and for the third, record setting, low interest rate in a month. That new low can only help as we continue our slow climb out of the re…
Conditions right for market, for now
They did it again. Last week mortgage rates set a new record for the lowest rate since 30-year fixed rate mortgages came into existence. That's good news for those who want to borrow money and can qualify. We all k…
Rising prices show stability
We now have six consecutive months of average price increases in the Coeur d'Alene/Dalton areas of our multiple listing service. With that succession and the continued increases in sales over last year, we will now…
Short sales and housing shortages
A press release last week assures that the process for getting short sales approved is about to get easier. As you know, a short sale is the sale of property where a seller (debtor) agrees to sell for less than the…
Reminders and reflections
As we near the end of another year we take this opportunity to remind you of some important changes with regard to real estate that may affect you or someone you know.
Promise holds out for home sales
As we ease into the fourth quarter of our year we continue to see signs of a slow, but steady recovery in the housing market. Builders reported another increase in new home construction last month. This marks the b…
Weak appraisals fuel slow recovery
You have noted our frustration with the slow recovery in the rural areas of our Multiple Listing Service geography. The increased number of sales in those areas, unlike the more densely populated ones, have not pul…
Realtors concur, market is improving
Last week at The Coeur d'Alene Resort more than 220 Realtors converged to conduct the business of the Idaho Association of Realtors, participate in continuing education and network with peers from across the state.…
Rates low, lenders slow
Many are enjoying the newer, lower mortgage rates it seems, but now borrowers are vying for lenders' time as they compete with those refinancing to take advantage of the lowest rates in history. A quick search of t…
Fed action not panacea for real estate
While it is true that the announcement of the Fed's intent to buy $40 billion of Mortgage Backed Securities was received well by Wall Street and interest rates pierced previous historic lows, consumers may not see …