Silver Lake Mall's silver lining

Staring down the main concourse at the Silver Lake Mall is downright eerie.

No emergency school levies

Area school districts opt to not pursue stop-gap funding this year

Even if they qualified, area school districts opted not to pursue emergency levies. Many reported flat or small increases in attendance numbers the first week of school compared with the beginning of last school year.

Cheer up, things could be worse

So the old saying goes. "And then I cheered up and sure enough, things got worse," said the curmudgeon. But things don't appear to be getting worse in our real estate market.

Contrary conditions

The predominate theory about real estate is that after school starts the market slows down. Our year-to-date statistics prove that conventional wisdom may be rooted in theory rather than fact. Prices are up and activity was steady throughout September of this year. Most geographies posted gains in production and in average price.

Inventory pain continues

A dearth of inventory continues to challenge would-be homebuyers in the North Idaho real estate market. As of the end of April, we had 23 percent fewer homes on lots smaller than 2 acres to sell than we had last year. Even as prices continue to increase, the demand is not slowing and is not being met by new listings. In fact, new listings are barely keeping pace with sales.

Moving out

We have discussed here before “the roll” of real estate. That is the term used to describe how the market moves upward and inward following the major interstate highways of our region. Due to the impact rising prices are having in major cities along the West Coast we are seeing in migration from those cities as sellers capture equity and take the opportunity to get out of high-priced, high-traffic, high-crime and high-anxiety metropolitan areas.

LIQUID GOLD Lake Cd'A captures nearly half Idaho's total lake real estate

North Idaho lakefront property is some of the most desired real estate in the Gem State. Lake Coeur d’Alene properties have the most million-dollar listings, according to a national real estate marketing group.

Idaho bullish on gas prices

Region's tight inventories blamed for keeping local pump prices up

Gas prices are dropping all over - but not in Idaho.

Higher gasoline prices are on the way

NEW YORK - Drivers, here's the bad news: You'll be paying more for gasoline in the coming weeks.

U.S. consumer prices unchanged in October

Gasoline pump prices fall for fourth month

Japan inflation ebbs in May, jobless rate flat

Gas prices decline

OPEC issues surprise announcement of additional crude oil cuts beginning in May

Gas prices

Idaho gas prices drop

Idaho ranks eighth in the country for most expensive fuel

Great holiday wines for 2011

As we approach the Christmas and New Year's holidays it is always good to have a "go to" list of wines to choose from whether they be for your own large gatherings or those you may be attending at friend's or family's homes. When with large groups it is always fun to seek out alternative size bottles, large formats like magnums and larger are a nice treat as they allow all to have more than just a taste or one glass of wine. Small bottles too like 187ml bottles of sparkling or champagne or half bottles of still or sparkling wine strike a festive tone when placed at each spot at the table or when floated in an ice bucket. This time of year we stock up on these big and small bottles to accommodate our customer's desire for the fun factor at their parties.

NEIGHBORHOOD OF THE WEEK: Spruce up, stay at home

While much of the local real estate industry remains active, many buyers and sellers have decided to pause their efforts until the easing of federal and state stay-at-home recommendations.

Pot problems

Washington faces difficulties launching legal marijuana

Neighborhood of the Week: Twin Lakes Village

We all remember the good ol' days. Even if you're too young to remember them yourself, you've heard your parents and grandparents reminiscing about them. Those days when neighbors watched out for each other, brought over a casserole when someone was sick, played games, walked their dogs, sat on porches, shared meals - in other words, formed a community.

BOOKS: Where Twice is nice

Twice Told Tales, the charming little used book store nestled in the corner, near the lobby, at the Post Falls Library is now fully open each day except Sunday. The hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Supported and staffed by the Friends of the Post Falls Library, the book store offers hundreds of books, puzzles and gift items mainly priced from 25 cents to $2. Over size books and special editions are priced a little higher.

Soda's Salvation

COEUR d'ALENE - Shawna Eversole has an addiction. She admits it. She can't go without her daily fix.

Soda's Salvation

Despite studies that say it's not good for us, Americans have long love affair with pop

COEUR d'ALENE - Shawna Eversole has an addiction. She admits it. She can't go without her daily fix.