realty: State of the Real Estate Market for Sandpoint & North Idaho 2011 - 12/08/11 03:01 PM

According to the Selkirk MLS, our market has a total of 2,677 various properties (condos, land, homes, timeshares) on the market.
Average Days on Market: 305
Total Price: $799,187,649
Closed Sales January 1, 2011 – December 8, 2011: $190,495,221
Total List Price: $206,855,029
That is 970 sales with an average Days on Market of 166.
These sales represent 92% of asking price.
There are an additional 125 properties Pending, representing another $29,736,360 in sales.
While historically this is roughly 100-200 below our averages during better years, it is significant considering that for 2010 we sold 940 for $200,536,119 in … (0 comments)

realty: Bio-Luminesce Fire Dancers perform at Pend d'Oreille Winery for Sandpoint Winter Carnival: Sandpoint Blog - 01/14/11 11:39 PM
The Bio-Luminesce Firedancers have performed for the last five years at the Sandpoint Winter Carnival. They have always performed in the courtyard at Pend d'Oreille Winery. However, in the last two years they have attracted a crowd upwards of 200 people, so this year, the street was closed off. I was there tonight, and though I estimate there weren't more people this year, there were as many as previous years, and we all had a better view and more room. The winery was packed, the rain held off, and it was a good time had by all.
Here is a cool … (0 comments)

realty: More pics of downtown Sandpoint for Country Living Magazine: Sandpoint Real Estate Blog - 03/27/10 05:50 PM
So, as I wrote in my previous blog, besides being featured in a 6-page article in Where to Retire magazine, Country Living has asked me for photos of Sandpoint. They specifically wanted Main Street, but I let them know our main place of happenings is First Avenue. So, I took these pics this morning and sent them in to their New York headquarters.
You get a sneak peek at them first.

Cedar Street Bridge on First and Cedar

Farmin Park at Main and Oak in Sandpoint, Idaho

First Avenue in Sandpoint, Idaho

Historic Panida Theater on First … (2 comments)

realty: Relay for Life: the Mardi Gras Kickoff Party sponsored by the American Cancer Society - Sandpoint Real Estate Blog - 02/11/10 03:06 PM
Cancer is still the scourge of our planet, with most forms having no known cure. Our own Sandpoint Mardi Gras culminates with the kickoff on Fat Tuesday of the Relay for Life Mardi Gras Kickoff Party, sponsored and hosted by our own local volunteers.
Come and learn how you can get involved with this year's American Cancer Society's event which will be held in June..."It's a celebration"...
Put it on your calendar for Fat Tuesday, February 16th at the Masonic Lodge in Sandpoint.
Festivities start at 5:30 pm and appetizers, wine, and beer tastings will be provided by Pend d'Oreille Winery … (0 comments)

realty: Sandpoint is a manufacturing town and Smart Plugs is our newest green, high-tech manufacturer: Sandpoint Real Estate Blog - 02/11/10 02:31 PM
People think of Sandpoint as a tourist town, and that is true. However, tourism ranks way below the other main employers. In order, our biggest employment sectors are manufacturing, government, education, and then tourism. So, while tourism provides a healthy boost to our economy, without producers such as Coldwater Creek, Quest Aircraft, Airtow, Lignetics, Thorne Research, Unicep Packaging, and Litehouse Foods, we would have far fewer high-paying jobs.
Our most recent addition is Smart Plugs: a green technology company that manufactures high-tech, cleaner burning spark plugs, and a combination catalytic converter/smart spark plug.
This new technology helps not only our cars … (1 comments)

realty: Lot's more to do outdoors this winter than skiing: Sandpoint Real Estate Blog - 02/06/10 10:33 AM
Last Tuesday, on my North Idaho Business talk radio show, I had the pleasure of interviewing two upcoming events.
The first is the Moyie Springs Sno Cross. This event has Trophy Class snowbike racing and snowmobile races. Up there, past Bonners Ferry and north of Sandpoint is the Moyie Springs Sports Park. The races have the qualifiers Saturday and the Finals Sunday.
Looks to be a pretty cool event. Here are the vitals:
MOYIE SPRINGS SNO CROSS
February 13th & 14thSaturday 10am - 4pmSunday 10am - 2pm
For more info, contact Arron Dabbs (208) 277-5413 or inyourfacemotorsports@gmail.com
Also coming up is … (1 comments)

realty: Madcap Mardi Gras takes over Sandpoint, Idaho: Sandpoint Real Estate Blog - 02/06/10 10:14 AM
The first year I came to Sandpoint I was invited to putt-putt at the Downtown Golf Scramble. We had a blast. You golf on tiny courses set up at various businesses, several of which serve you cocktails, then end up at a restaurant where prizes for best round and such are handed out. It was a cold February day, and we finished at Ivano's. My team won 'Worst Dressed.'
Another year my restaurant, Wigleys, was one of the vendors for the Mardi Gras Ball.
I love the event. After all, I am from New Orleans.
There are events that take place … (2 comments)

realty: Sandpoint Real Estate Blog: Becoming Friends with your clients can be great, or not... - 02/05/10 08:10 AM
For quite some time I taught adults. One thing we always made clear: it is best to be professional in all cases.
Here is an example I used:
When dining out, or working with a close associate in a transaction, such as purchasing insurance, it is common for the shopper/diner to ask the question, "So, are you from here?" In Sandpoint, a town that has received numerous accolades and national press, this is perhaps the most common question.
While the answer may seem simple, it is probable that we forget the proper answer. We forget who it is being served. We … (3 comments)

realty: Real Estate Blog: Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby's is #1 in Sandpoint & North Idaho in real estate and I am #12 - 01/27/10 02:16 PM
So, my company, Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby's is outselling the competition by a considerable margin, and within my company, I am #12, and am in the top 20%.
Here is the graphic:
 
If you want a REALTOR that works for you 24/7, and is community minded, give me a call at 208-610-1384.
To learn all about Sandpoint and North Idaho, visit www.SandpointID.net
 
… (0 comments)

realty: People ask me if I am busy. Well, yes I am. The crazy life of radio host and REALTOR® Gary Lirette - 01/06/10 06:57 AM
So, what's up in my life? Lack of time.
Who knew when I moved to North Idaho that I would wear so many hats. Let's see, here's my life:
Host of two radio shows - North Idaho Business and North Idaho Arts & Adventure.
REALTOR® for Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby's International Realty. Had two closings in the last two weeks.
Just finishing organizing the Sandpoint Winter Carnival. Among the different tasks for the Carnival has been organizing the Winter ArtTrek: over 80 artists at 17 locations, including map, website, and advertising. See this year's schedule at www.SandpointWinterCarnival.com and check out last year's … (3 comments)

realty: Sandpoint, Idaho: A great place to live - 12/22/09 06:04 AM
The Story of Sandpoint, North Idaho
Sandpoint, North Idaho, Schweitzer Ski Resort, and Lake Pend Oreille gets a lot of attention, with a new article about to come out in Country Living magazine, and me, Gary Lirette, and Sandpoint recently featured in Where to Retire magazine. Now you want to know the inside story. In the last few years we have had literally dozens of articles, television shows, news reports, etc., that have touted our area as the paradise of the West. Sure, we have some of the same issues that most communities our size have to tackle, but the good far outpaces the bad. Tourism … (2 comments)

realty: Idaho ranked as 14th Happiest State in study published in the journal Science - 12/17/09 09:11 PM
In a study just published by the UK's University of Warwick and Hamilton College Idaho was ranked the 14th happiest state in the US. The researchers used the happiness levels of a million individual US citizens to discover which are the best and worst states in which to live in the United States.
The study found a quantifiable correlation between objective quality of life factors such as air quality and congestion and the subjective opinions of those that live in the subject states. This correlation was made possible by a study by Stuart Gabriel and colleagues from UCLA published in 2003 … (0 comments)

realty: Sandpoint Winter Carnival - Schedule of Events - Sandpoint and Schweitzer Mountain Winter Bliss - 12/17/09 10:34 AM

Sandpoint Winter Carnival is a great way to celebrate the winter, with bonfires, rail jam, fireworks, great food, and so much more.
Schweitzer Mountain puts on quite the show, and 2010 looks to be a fantastic repeat of the great fun and success Winter Carnival had in 2009. To see everything that happened last year, check out Sandpoint Winter Carnival-A look back on 2009.

This year there are some new additions. One is Dine Around Sandpoint, offering discounts and other fun events like wine tastings and beer tastings, at some of Sandpoints finest dining establishments. There are prizes and … (0 comments)

realty: Market Commentary from Chris Basset of MetLife Home Loans in Sandpoint, Idaho - 12/02/09 01:30 PM
Fannie Mae's shares are still falling, and they in turn tightening their lending requirements all together. One change is to get rid of all loans <80%LTV and no FICO's below 620.  This will mean a continued increase in volume for FHA loans that require a 620 FICO but only 3.5% down.  If you are selling a house that is in good condition, a good option is USDA Guaranteed.  No money down, and the income limit for a family of four is $73,600.   Condo approvals are available for Fannie and Freddie directly through MetLife.  We will have direct approvals for FHA … (0 comments)

realty: Mission Statement for Gary Lirette: REALTOR® for Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby's International Realty - 12/02/09 10:49 AM
My promise to my community and clients
Commitment, service, and community are words bandied easily it seems these days, but not seen often. This is my promise. I promise to work diligently for my clients, friends, and family: to be a man of integrity, learning the newest methods, becoming not only proficient at cutting edge technologies and practices, but to become an expert for their benefit. I am committed to being their advocate, to helping improve their lives, both professionally and personally, in all ways I am able.
I honor service: service to my home of North Idaho, service to my … (1 comments)

realty: Waterfront in Sandpoint and North Idaho on Lake Pend Oreille - 11/04/09 11:45 PM
Having just closed on 333 Derr Island - a beautiful waterfront home on Derr Island at the mouth of the Clark Fork River and Lake Pend Oreille - I can truthfully say that there are hardly any other  agents in North Idaho that have had more success in 2009 selling waterfront than I have had. My waterfront sales have included Bryce closed at $749,000, which had an asking price of $719,000. I also have sold Raptorview for $50,000 over asking price, and got a fantastic water view parcel for another young couple just a month ago for over $200,000 less than … (0 comments)

realty: Wrapping up the Festival at Sandpoint - A look back on 2009 - 08/25/09 12:38 AM
...and the heavens opened up before us, parting the clouds, for the angels sang on high...
...or at least that's how it felt. For a freakish two weeks we had incredibly unusual cool weather. Gone were the "I could have fried an egg on the sidewalk days" to "Dear Lord, can anybody spare a parka!" Not kidding. The norm of mid-90s to low 100 degree temperatures gave way to nightly lows in the 40s. Plus, given the atmospheric conversion, or is it inversion, daily downpours gave rise to the parting of the Red Sea/Lake Pend Oreille. Okay, enough with the Biblical … (1 comments)

realty: Sandpoint Waterfront Real Estate and North Idaho Waterfront Property - 08/05/09 05:00 PM
Sandpoint & North Idaho Waterfront Real Estate Blog
My name is Gary Lirette and my partner and I specialize in waterfront in and around Sandpoint, Idaho. This includes Lake Pend Oreille and the Pend Oreille River primarily, and Lake Cocolalla. To a lesser degree, we also have extensive knowledge of the Priest River, the Moyie and Kootenai Rivers, Pack River, Rapid Lightning Creek, the Clark Fork River, and the lesser lakes around Lake Pend Oreille.

Here is a link to view those homes: 92 Waterfront homes
Closed sales don't support high prices in this current market, but the truth is … (0 comments)

realty: Sandpoint, Idaho's premier music event: Festival at Sandpoint - 08/04/09 08:23 PM
Festival at Sandpoint
These are some pictures of setting up and scenes from the last couple of years of the Festival at Sandpoint. This year, 2009, marks the 27th annual Festival at Sandpoint.
There is so much more that goes into producing such a large event. Besides running the event for two weeks with international stars appearing four nights a week, there is the wine tasting, other associated events, and the set up and break down takes days.
These photos of the Festival at Sandpoint are just to give you a brief glimpse of that great musical magical time in Sandpoint, … (0 comments)

realty: Another very cool week in hot, hot Sandpoint, Idaho filled with awesome summer activities - 08/02/09 12:07 PM
Okay, so sometimes I just don't have pictures 'cuz I am just having way to good a time to be the snapshot king. So, there are shots of some, but others you are just going to have to use your imagination.
Earlier this week on Wednesday, about thirty of us took to the waves and spent all day on Lake Pend Oreille. It was the annual waterfront tour of homes on the lake for the REALTORS® from Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby's International Realty.
We spent the day checking out the dozens and dozens of lakefront homes we represent, and had just a … (1 comments)

 
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Gary Lirette-Sandpoint Real Estate

Sandpoint, ID

More about me…

Inland Northwest Realty

Address: 120 E Lake St., Sandpoint, ID, 83864

Office Phone: (208) 255-3474

Cell Phone: (208) 610-1384

Email Me

Sandpoint Real Estate Guide and Blog by REALTOR® Gary Lirette of Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby's International Realty


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