It's morel hunting season in North Idaho! - 04/28/10 12:27 AM
I came across an interesting status update on Facebook from an old friend from high school.  Doug Peoples posted:
"Another successful morel hunt Saturday. Found alot more than Friday and Lins got tons of great pictures. Will post later. I have a feeling its gonna be a great year for morels because this is way early to be finding this many."
Now if you have spent any time in North Idaho, you know that Idahoans love to hunt!  Our local paper regularly features stories about the achievements of local hunters and their prize trophies. 
Recently, a story and photo announced the killing … (14 comments)

An Afternoon at a Coeur d'Alene Idaho Real Estate Auction - 04/26/10 12:21 AM
Janna Rankin Scharf, GRI, CLHMS, SFR - Coeur d'Alene Idaho Real Estate
I had an opportunity to attend a Real Estate auction on a beautiful home at Kidd Island Bay.  This unique home looks remarkably like a big red barn.  Although unusual in appearance, it is a lovely home near the lake with pretty, filtered views of Kidd Island Bay on Lake Coeur d'Alene.  It was built in 1998 with 1800 square feet on 1.3 acres.
Listed for sale with several different brokerages, on and off since 1995, at a peak price of $529,000, the home had finally been lost to foreclosure.  … (5 comments)

Did you know our copy machines are a security risk? - 04/23/10 01:19 AM
Until I received this video from a friend, I had no idea that the copy machines on which we rely are a huge potential security risk.  This only makes sense, now that I have watched it, but is is something that never occurred to me before.  And it is something that I never heard a word about from anyone else. 
Copies, copies and more copies.  Seems I am making copies constantly.  But even more, I am scanning documents so as to email them to lenders, other agents, and clients for signatures.  I am certainly going to rethink where and how I make and scan … (8 comments)

USDA Rural Development Loan Update - 04/22/10 05:29 PM
A few weeks ago we heard that the USDA would exhaust their funds for Rural Development loans in April.  Locally, these RD loans have been the mortgage of choice for a majority of first time home buyers seeking to take advantage of the first time homebuyer tax credit. 
Homes anywhere in Kootenai County, with the exception of Coeur d'Alene/Dalton Gardens/Hayden qualify for the USDA funding.  There are loan guarantee programs as well as direct funding with terms that require lower down payments than FHA loans.  Interestingly, these loans also have a lower default rate than FHA and most others.  Post Falls has been … (3 comments)

Coeur d'Alene Idaho Real Estate Success Story ~ A Happy Ending After All! - 04/21/10 01:43 AM
Janna Rankin Scharf ~ Coeur d'Alene Idaho Real Estate Success Story
It's been a long and winding road for my dear client who has been trying to sell her home for more than two years.  A few years back she decided to move out onto a large acreage in the country with room her horses.  She never dreamed she would have any difficulty selling her first home.
Her darling little home backed to the sixth fairway of beautiful Avondale Golf Course.  It was well kept, convenient and had some really great features.  But as time went on, the feedback from prospective … (3 comments)

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Realtor Janna Rankin Scharf Earns NAR Short Sales and Foreclosure Certification - 04/21/10 12:25 AM
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho ~ Janna Rankin Scharf Earns NAR Short Sales and Foreclosure Certification Buyers and Sellers Benefit from Expertise in Distressed Sales
Janna Rankin Scharf, an associate broker with Keller Williams Realty Coeur d'Alene, has earned the nationally recognized Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource certification. The National Association of REALTORS®offers the SFR certification to REALTORS® who want to help both buyers and sellers navigate these complicated transactions, as demand for professional expertise with distressed sales grows. 
Scharf has been working with both buyers and sellers of homes in short sale situations for over two years.  "As an advocate for homeownership, I believe that any family … (3 comments)

Quaint and Picturesque Fernan Lake Village in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho - 04/18/10 09:38 PM
Fernan Lake Village is a quaint enclave located on the northwest shore of Fernan Lake.  Downtown Coeur d'Alene's main street, Sherman Avenue, begins at the City Beach of Lake Coeur d'Alene on the west, and runs right into Fernan Lake Village at it's eastern end, just a couple of miles away. 
Fernan Lake Village is a small residential neighborhood of about 70 households.  It is interesting to note that although homes in Fernan Lake Village have a Coeur d'Alene mailing address, the village is an incorporated town and not part of the city of Coeur d'Alene.  It elects its own mayor and city council.
The lakeside neighborhood … (4 comments)

Beware of Nosy Neighbors! - 04/17/10 12:07 PM
We've all heard of them, and have often run into them. Who didn't laugh at famous nosy neighbor Gladys Kravitz on Bewitched? I even have fun stories of my own I could tell of my time spent living near some nosy neighbors. 
I had a close encounter with one nosy neighbor yesterday that almost torpedoed a pending sale.  It's not over yet but I am hopeful that we will get this one closed.  Cross your fingers and wish me luck with damage control this weekend.
Wednesday was the scheduled closing day on a home that my client has been trying to sell for more … (126 comments)

Extreme Makeovers and dashed dreams as recipients lose their homes - 04/16/10 12:53 AM
Every week 9.4 million viewers tune into ABC's Extreme Makeover.  They watch as a struggling family with a heart-tugging story is wisked off on a vacation while an army of volunteers transforms their humble home into a spectacular showplace.  For most, the experience has been a dream come true. But for some, the experience turned into a financial nightmare.
Observers have seen a new trend developing as some lucky recipients of the extreme home makeovers struggle to keep up the mortgage payments, utilities, maintenance and higher tax assessments. 
Some of these extreme homeowners fell into the same trap as so many others during the boom years … (11 comments)

Smokin' Hot Interest Rates Still Available! - 04/15/10 09:50 PM
Janna Rankin Scharf, GRI CLHMS, SFR ~ Coeur d'Alene Idaho Real Estate
There has been a lot of hoopla in the press this week about the rising iterest rates.  In fact I blogged about it last week when the average rate jumped .3% in a week.  But in spite of that surge in the average rate, there are still spectacular rates available in an impressive variety of loan products.  My friends at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage sent over their current rates today. And for those of you contemplating the purchase of a luxury home, these jumbo loan rates are certainly noteworthy.  Check it … (2 comments)

Rare REO Agent Sighting Thrills Researchers - 04/13/10 09:36 PM
I have been so busy the past few weeks that I haven't been able to log onto ActiveRain and do much posting or reading of blogs.  Tonight, after a long and frustrating day, I logged on and came face to face with this post.  You probably have to be a real estate agent who has spent long, frustrating days trying to show or make an offer on an REO to really appreciate the humor.  An REO agent is one who is fortunate enough to receive a lender's foreclosed property listings. 
I enjoyed the comic relief and am reblogging it here for your enjoyment.  If … (3 comments)

Bayview Centennial Committee to host Taste of Bayview - 04/13/10 09:53 AM
The weatherman is predicting sunshine and temperatures into the 70's in North Idaho later this week, just in time for the Taste of Bayview wine tasting on Saturday, April 17. 
Bayview is the lovely little town that sits on the southern shore of Lake Pend Oreille.  It's known for its quaint and quirky float house communities, and it's always a pretty destination for a pleasant drive.  The event is being held at the Dromore Manor Bed & Breakfast.  The Victorian manor and gardens will be open for public tours during the tasting. 
For $25 you will receive an etched Bayview Centennial goblet and seven unique wines … (4 comments)

Waterfront Open House ~ Sunday 1-3 ~ 10846 N. Avondale Loop, Hayden, Idaho - 04/10/10 12:03 AM
GOLFERS PARADISE! Live on the Golf Course AND the Lake!Location: AvondaleSELLER JUST SLASHED $100K from the price! Live the north Idaho lifestyle in this daylight rancher with Avondale Golf Course out your front door and Avondale Lake out your back! Some of the best deep water views on the lake, and 125 feet of water frontage. Designed for gracious living with beautiful hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings and stunning views from EVERY ROOM. Spend your mornings on the golf course and your afternoons on the lake, and never get in your car! The Main level features a dramatic vaulted entry with big … (4 comments)

Open House ~ Saturday 1-3 ~ 2627 W. Timberlake Loop in Sunshine Meadows, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho - 04/09/10 11:57 PM
Elbow Room, Pretty Views and GREAT Location!Location: Sunshine MeadowsPerfectly situated across from Sunshine Meadows Park, this lovely home faces south to soak up the sun and let natural light filter through the big windows. It sits on one of Sunshine Meadows' larger park view estate lots, and is approved for a shop. The yard is beautifully landscaped with concrete bed edging, blooming shrubs & trees, and a lawn sprinkler system front and back. Watch spectacular sunsets from the back deck, the perfect spot to relax. Enjoy mountain views and picture-pretty rural vistas with NO REAR NEIGHBORS! This spacious home has a … (1 comments)

Open House Saturday 10-12 ~ 27815 N Fall Street, Athol, ID - 04/09/10 11:50 PM
Lovely Log Home on 5 Wooded Acres Near Twin LakesLocation: Holiday AcresPride of ownership shines brightly in this charming home. Recently remodeled by a master woodworker, it has real log siding! It's privately nestled in a wooded setting right out of a picture book! This manufactured home has been completely remodeled inside and is pit set as real property into a concrete foundation. And wow, what a transformation! All the cabinets in the home have been custom crafted from Ash and finished with a special conversion varnish that even fingernail polish remover won't damage! The vaulted ceiling is spectacular with real … (1 comments)

Interest rates are on the rise, up .3% in just the past week! - 04/08/10 11:32 AM
Janna Rankin Scharf, GRI, CLHMS, SFR ~ Coeur d'Alene Idaho Real Estate
We've been spoiled with historically low interest rates for so long now that it is a bit jolting to see such a large increase in just a week's time.  The average rate on a 30-year loan jumped from about 5 percent to more than 5.3 percent in the past week.  And as the rates rise, more aspiring homeowners are priced right out of the market.  And the higher the rate, the higher the threat to the recovery of our fragile real estate market.
Homeowners looking to refinance at super low rates have made … (5 comments)

Click here for foreclosure and unemployment statistics for your state - 04/08/10 09:02 AM
I came across this nifty map that shows at a glance how your state is faring, in either foreclosures or unemployment.  It's an eye-opening visual!  Times are tough all over, no question, and this little map sure brings that into focus.  It's interesting to see how one state compares to the next, and how one region is faring over another. 
Click here to view the interactive foreclosure and unemployment map
 
… (5 comments)

Golden Spikes Estates in Rathdrum, Idaho receives AARP Special Recognition! - 04/05/10 01:10 PM
Golden Spike Estates, a community for adults age 55 and older, has been awarded Special Recognition in AARP's 2009 Livable Communities Awards.
Golden Spike Estates is a 75 acre project located on the south side of Rathdrum, just off Highway 41.  What's different about this community is that residents buy their homes, but lease their land, which cuts the cost of home ownership. 
The lot leases are $295 and include water, sewer and garbage service, taxes on the land, and a clubhouse with an exercise room, TV, lap swimming pool, sauna and large jetted tub.  Sounds like a bargain to me!
The … (0 comments)

Cooking up more than real estate deals in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho! German Apple Cake - 04/04/10 11:58 PM
I came across this recipe months ago and have been drooling over it ever since.  Waiting for an occasion to bake it.  Today seemed like such a time.  A pleasant, low key Easter.  No big gathering or extended family festivities, but I decided to set a pretty table and cook a nice meal, just for us! The sun surprised us and made an appearance for most of the day which had been forcasted to be overcast, with rain and snow!
In the past I have posted some of my favorite family recipes to my blog with great response.  After all I don't … (5 comments)

How's your bedside manner? Building Credibility and Trust. - 04/02/10 07:05 PM
For the second Thursday in a row I was the recipient of an OFF THE WALL horrible customer service experience.  Last week it was with a rental car company and this week it was with an eye specialist! Both incidents occurred in neighboring Spokane, Washington, which lead me to comment on Facebook that I will be sure to stay in Idaho next Thursday! 
Easily the worst customer service experience of my long life was at the car rental counter when dropping off my rental car truck before picking up my car from the body shop.  It all started when my car was hit by a dog....  I … (9 comments)

Short Sale or Foreclosure? - 04/02/10 11:59 AM
Janna Rankin Scharf, GRI, CLHMS, SFR ~ Coeur d'Alene Idaho Real Estate
An article in the Wall Street Journal a couple months ago reported that about 25% of all homeowners with a mortgage were upside down on their mortgages at the end of 2009.  This translates to about 11.3 million households which explains why I am getting so many phone calls from distressed homeowners. 
Just this week I have spoken with several people who are trying to decide what their best course of action is.  Interesting to see that the distress is the same, whether the homeowners have a modest starter home, a … (3 comments)

 
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Janna Rankin Scharf

Coeur d'Alene, ID

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Keller Williams Realty Coeur d'Alene

Address: 1450 Northwest Blvd. Ste 301, Coeur d'Alene, ID, 83814

Office Phone: (208) 667-2399

Cell Phone: (208) 651-9700

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Coeur d'Alene Idaho Real Estate Blog By Janna Rankin Scharf of Keller Williams Realty is a Great Place For Real Estate Agents and Potential Buyers and Sellers to get to know more about Coeur d'Alene Idaho as well as other parts of Kootenai County and North Idaho.
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