Obama: Fuel-efficient cars an answer to gas prices

Automakers on track to deliver an average 55 mpg by 2025

'Safe' to buy

Home buyer confidence up, realtors say; lower-prices homes represent higher percentage of sales

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!

New microchip card for US purchases in Europe

NEW YORK - If you've traveled to Europe recently, you may have had the frustrating experience of being unable to use a U.S.-issued credit card for automated transactions, like renting a bike from a stand on the street, paying for highway tolls or buying a train ticket from an unmanned kiosk. A new prepaid smart card from Travelex solves that problem by utilizing the microchip and PIN technology that is standard in credit cards in Europe, but not here.

Assumptions can be dangerous to investors

Every day of our lives, we make assumptions. We assume that the people we encounter regularly will behave in a manner to which we are accustomed. We assume that if we take care of our cars, they will get us to where we want to go. In fact, we need to make assumptions to bring order to our world. But, in some parts of our life - such as investing - assumptions can prove dangerous.

Lower jet fuel costs help airlines, not passengers

Giving you the heads up online

Ask The Propellorheads

Crazy, but good

Good times keep rolling at the pump as Americanspaying less than $2 a gallon

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 in newspapers worldwide. Of course we are not the rest of the world and it would be many months before our local market began its decline. At the end of 2007 our Multiple Listing Service reported the average price of all residential listings was still 4 percent ahead of the previous year. Ten months later, we found our market had shifted. By the end of 2008 our average sales price had declined by 5 percent. Although our declines were not as rapid or severe as in other areas, we had to admit that we were headed for tougher times.

Ask Fish and Game

Ho, ho, holy cow! I've been scammed!

What does this time of year mean to you? Snow? Maybe. Colder temps? Maybe. Turkey? Of course! Gift giving? YES! Scammers and crooks? Without a doubt!

Washington's pricing problem, getting worse?

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — GEORGE BALLING: Reaching up, dipping down

We just recently received an order from a client of ours to reload their wine cellar. “Cellar” may be overstating it. He basically just wanted to fill in the gaps in his collection that have evolved over the last year or so. This customer has one of the most sophisticated palates we know. He has lived and traveled all over the world. While he most always defers to us on wine choices, my sense is he knows far more than we and most of our wine professional friends know on the subject.

Joseph Ginter, 63

We write this in Loving Memory of Joseph Michael Ginter. Joe was born to Harold Lee Ginter and Annie Ginter on February 11, 1950 in Moscow, Idaho. Joe was a hard working logger from the start of his early career! He fell his first tree at ten and hauled his first load to the mill at fourteen. He saw the big trees come off out of the mountains and built roads with his feet! When someone asked him in 1971 if he wanted to buy a Diamond Rio, his destiny than was set in motion! Joe is survived by his three children: Brian Lee Ginter, Cynthia Ann Marcella (Nick), and Neil Michael Ginter. They were his life’s pride. His brother Daniel Ginter (Vicki), and his sister Linda McGill (Murry), and his precious grandchildren: Kassandra Elizabeth Marcella, Grace Kelly Marcella, Coral Ginter, and Lucas James Marcella. Joe was a man of pride built on strong work ethics, love for his family, honesty, and dedication to his friends. God welcomed Joe back to Heaven on September 9, 2013 at 9:00 pm. To be our Guardian Angel to watch over all of us and to rejoin his parents, Harold and Annie , and his wife Cathy once again. Daddy you will forever be in our hearts and we will remember you always. A Memorial Service for Joe will be held at New Life Church ( 6068 W. Hayden Ave.) Rathdrum, Idaho on Sept. 28, 2013 at 2:00 pm. Immediately following his service there will be a potluck dinner at Rathdrum City Park. Bell Tower Funeral Home is in care of arrangements. Please visit Joe’s online memorial at belltowerfuneralhome.com

They're back

A breed not seen for awhile on the real estate landscape is becoming active again.

Marty and Max: Shadow demand

Home Buyers are ready to pounce at any opportunity. One mortgage lender’s perspective is there is so much pent-up demand that is simply waiting for any break in the market.

Extended vehicle warranties might (or might not) be OK

If you’re considering a new vehicle purchase or made a recent purchase, here’s advice on extended warranties.

Apple's earnings fall despite rising iPhone sales

Consumer prices rise after 3 straight declines

WASHINGTON - A rise in the cost of gas drove consumer prices up last month by the most in nearly a year, but overall inflation remained tame.

TARIFFS: Hold on, folks

If you think Trump’s tariffs aren’t going to affect you, think again. The price of a new car could increase $5,800. The cost of washers, dryers and dishwashers already have increased 17 percent and televisions 25 percent. His tariffs on aluminum will even increase the cost of a Coke and a beer.