sandpoint: WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: SANDPOINT SPRING means intense tennis...Don't mess with the fantasy!
- 04/20/10 04:33 PM
I think it was the movie, "WEIRD SCIENCE" where my favorite line was revealed..."Don't F#%* with the fantasy!". Moving to Sandpoint (full-time, that is) in 2005 was the answer to all my searching..."most" of my fantasies. Today I rode the BMW to the Sandpoint/Post Falls tennis match (I coach the Sandpoint HS tennis team when I'm not selling real estate) and watched my team, once again, perform almost flawlessly. (That's the Beamer in the background of the first picture). It's all part of the fantasy...and here, the fantasy is real. I've been a lot of places...I guess I'm just lucky … (10 comments)
sandpoint: SPEECHLESS SUNDAY: NORTH IDAHO'S SELKIRK CREST
- 04/04/10 06:06 PM
This photo (the view I see every day driving away from my house here in Sandpoint) ALWAYS puts things in perspective. As I write this post, once again this view serves to calm the nerves. ...I've been trying to post this photo for two hours without much luck. I find myself involved in a major battle with the AR Proxy Error Dialogue Box. I think I have finally one this round. (I have an idea...how about extra points for dealing with this boondoggle?) Please enjoy the view. The geese are relaxing in a meadow off of Whiskey Jack Circle and … (16 comments)
sandpoint: WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: Winter returns to SANDPOINT after a 2 month Hiatus. It's about time!
- 03/09/10 03:28 PM
Will wonders never cease? We woke up to 25 degree temps and 4" of new snow on Schweitzer Mountain this morning. Even though the Sandpoint valley warmed up to, a less than balmy, 40 after lunch, the slopes remained under 32 degrees and the snow was fabulous! This was an unexpected gift after experiencing the mildest winter in the past few decades here in Sandpoint. This has been the "perfect winter".
… (14 comments)
sandpoint: Now is a great time to buy, but BABY BOOMERS...YOU BETTER TAKE A VERY HARD LOOK!
- 02/27/10 10:21 AM
Attention Baby-Boomers – Now is the time to buy your ski escape! …but for a different reason than you might think. Everyone knows the drill… 1) Prices are great (even if they do continue to self-adjust downward, the deals are still incredible today); 2) interest rates are still at historic lows and, 3) lenders are looking for clients…believe it or not! But, You know what? These are not THE most compelling reasons for you “baby-boomers” out there to take the plunge and invest in your skiing dream. I had an epiphany on the slopes today (while skiing some more great - albeit heavy - “Schweitzer … (7 comments)
sandpoint: SPEECHLESS SUNDAY: Kootenai Bay Sunset, Sandpoint, Idaho
- 02/07/10 02:10 PM
I just can't get enough of this stuff. We have had a magically mild winter here in North Idaho but, as if that wasn't enough, we have also been blessed with an endless stream of magnificent sunsets. Today was no exception. As I started my evening walk with my wife today, we were intercepted by my neighbor, Jason. Noticing we were walking in an easterly direction (away from the explosion occurring in the western sky), Jason commented, "What's up you guys? Trying to get as far away from that sunset as possible?" (I think the whole neighborhood was out watching the … (10 comments)
sandpoint: Sandpoint/Schweitzer Mountain Condo Stats
- 02/05/10 10:28 AM
The stats are in for condo sales in Sandpoint. Idaho and Schweitzer Mountain! As we can see from the graph below, prices have been holding fairly well (only 16% below 2007's "sold" prices).
The lack of volume in 2009 is alarming but not much of a diversion from what we have seen nationally. Note the sale price/list price ratio and the days on market. ...fairly solid. North Idaho is a strong retirement/baby-boomer area and the numbers above support that. Condos are one of the "homes of choice" for retirees and their value has held well through these difficult times. … (1 comments)
sandpoint: SANDPOINT SALES STATISTICS...
- 02/04/10 10:25 AM
The numbers are in. The Real Estate "market adjustment" is frightening (from a homeowner's perspective) but not surprising based on the stats we have been seeing nationally. As you can see below, the median priced home is down 24% from 2007. The massively daunting statistic, however is the sales volume from 2007 to 2009 in the Sandpoint City area...almost a 60% decline! In Sandpoint and surrounding area, almost a 50% decline in sales volume! While these numbers do reflect the national real estate crisis they also support the fact that now is the time to buy. A client of mine said … (4 comments)
sandpoint: It is January 23, 2010 in Sandpoint, Idaho and tennis is alive and well!
- 01/23/10 08:29 AM
Sandpoint High School is an athletic powerhouse…So far this year: State Finals in football, State Champs in both boys and girls soccer, Conference and District Champs in volleyball. Sandpoint is perennially strong in wrestling, track and baseball. In short, Sandpoint athletes are a focused group.
Tennis is no exception. The Sandpoint Bulldog tennis team was the 2009 Conference and District champion and finished 4th at the State Tournament. Tennis in Sandpoint follows a long and outstanding tradition. In fact my son, lost in the finals of the U-16 Sandpoint City Tournament back in 1993.
2010 marks the tenth year of tennis … (9 comments)
sandpoint: SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN Saturday Shots
- 01/22/10 05:20 PM
The perfect winter continues here in North Idaho and these photos, in my humble opinion, attest to that fact. I woke up this morning to yet another "balmy" day in Sandpoint (around 45 degrees), bright sun and brilliant snow covered mountains in every direction. Today was one of the few days this winter where I didn't seek out powder stashes. Today was meant for letting it all loose on the impeccable groomers and testing the edges of the old GS skis.
The photo on the left looks out over the South Bowl toward the Northeast. In the background is Lake … (38 comments)
sandpoint: Can my blog make me millions? Yipppeeee!
- 01/13/10 03:38 PM
5 Tips for Increasing Your Blog Readership I try to stay away from New Year's resolutions. They never work...at least they don't seem to have any staying power. This year, however, I'm going to take a leap of faith. Let's call it a leap of faith by necessity... My broker has asked me to present my 2010 business plan next week so I intend to center much of my plan around my internet presence. (Can a strong internet presence translate to meaningful real estate sales?) All I ask, is that I get a minimum of 750 comments on this blog … (6 comments)
sandpoint: SANDPOINT WINTER CARNIVAL 2010!
- 01/05/10 10:52 AM
Gear up for the 36th annual Winter Carnival provided by the Downtown Sandpoint Business Association. This year's event is Thursday-Monday, January 14-18, 2010. The long-standing tradition promotes area businesses by drawing visitors from across the region to enjoy the snowy playground in the Greater Sandpoint area...while also providing fun activities for the entire family. The Big Sky Journal has this to say about the event... "Whether it was the dogs, the skiing or the fireworks, I’m convinced: Sandpoint is no longer for the beach bum in me, it’s a winter haven I won’t soon forget." Kicking off Winter Carnival is the Chamber’s Taste of Sandpoint presented … (7 comments)
sandpoint: Bad Weather Makes Good Neighbors.
- 01/03/10 05:52 PM
My blog ("KENT'S SANDPOINT, IDAHO / SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN BLOG") centers around the uncompromised attributes of Sandpoint and the rest of North Idaho. There is a part of me that feels a little guilt about exposing what we have here to anyone who is willing or able to read about it. I have to say, I'm over it. In a weird way, it seems that what is wrong with North Idaho is the very thing that makes it such a great place to live. Our weather is definitely questionable. If you are looking for bright sun, low humidity, moderate temperatures and calm … (26 comments)
sandpoint: SPEECHLESS SUNDAY: Schweitzer Switchback #7
- 01/02/10 02:50 PM
I drive by Schweitzer Switchback #7 twice a day every day. This is the highest and last switchback on the trek up to Schweitzer Mountain Resort and, fittingly, has a viewing turnout. It is a rare occurrence when I don't stop just to look out over our beloved Sandpoint Valley. This is truly an inspiring view in virtually any weather condition. Today I couldn't pass up a photo of the colorful morning sky! Enjoy!
… (7 comments)
sandpoint: MY BUYER WAS NOT IMPRESSED. NEITHER WAS I!
- 12/20/09 04:07 PM
Realtors® struggle with the "professional" moniker. There are definitely Realtors® who deserve the label but it is tough to get the general public to play along. Here is an example of why that is the case: I set up a 1:00 p.m. Sunday showing last Friday for my Buyers. I confirmed the showing on Saturday and my Buyers and I arranged our schedules accordingly. The showing was to be at a home located in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho - 45 miles from my house in Sandpoint. My Buyers were coming from Post Falls, Idaho about 12 miles away. The Buyers were coming from … (106 comments)
sandpoint: I don't want a million customers.
- 12/19/09 09:54 AM
I just read Chad Weber's latest post about the importance staying in touch with everyone who visits your web site in a timely manner: Every Realtor Needs an Autoresponder! Every serious Realtor or salesperson should have an email autoresponder in place. An autoresponder is a pre-written email, often times a series of emails, saved online and then used when someone opts in to your website. The purpose is to utilize it to stay in touch with you clients. an autoresponder can be used to broadcast TONS of emails to your target audience, with out have to do it all manually. Often … (12 comments)
sandpoint: Moose Monday - Moose in Sandpoint...always.
- 12/18/09 04:55 PM
I was reading Jenny Kotulak's post about Moose tonight and noticed for the first time the MOOSE MONDAY group. Well...I had to join you guys! North Idaho has moose everywhere, including a family that lives right in our backyard! Unfortunately, the only moose photo I could find at such short notice is a shot of one from September out at a listing of mine called Salishan Point here in Sandpoint. It's not the greatest shot, but trust me, now that I have discovered MOOSE MONDAY, some great moose shots will be coming! By the way, please check out the Salishan Point link. … (8 comments)
Here’s the deal. I just got off the mountain. You can see from the pictures what I was dealing with. No clouds, no wind, bright sun and some of the most breathtaking views in the world. Sandpoint, Idaho and Schweitzer Mountain have, once again, lived up to all of my lofty expectations. …So, as a Realtor®, I have a dilemma.
Do I blatantly promote the area and reveal to the world what we have here in North Idaho so I can selfishly profit from the ensuing real estate sales … (12 comments)
sandpoint: LAKE PEND OREILLE FISHERY RECOVERY PROGRAM...Save the Lake Pend Oreille Fishery!
- 11/28/09 10:38 AM
When my out-of-town friends visit Sandpoint, Idaho and Lake Pend Oreille, they are always amazed that there is actually a bounty on some of the best tasting fish in the world. Every lake trout of any size and rainbow trout more than 13 inches long harvested from Lake Pend Oreille through March, 2010, pays $15.00! This opportunity is pretty amazing and easy to cash in on.
As I was mowing the lawn today, I kept thinking, “Man, this has ‘blog’ written all over it!” I don’t blog JUST for the fun of it. I also want my “thousands” of followers to understand that life in Sandpoint, Idaho is NOT your typical 48º: 18' N. latitude experience. (We’re only 8º south of Moscow, Russia for God’s sake!). So, what’s my point? Sandpoint is special! The lawn is green, Schweitzer Mountain has had 45” of snow so far this season and is opening Friday, heat bills are nominal and I … (7 comments)
sandpoint: SPEECHLESS SUNDAY: The SANDPOINT calm before the storm.
- 11/07/09 02:07 PM
This is what I saw on my way to Starbucks this morning. That's Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort in the distance with a skiff of snow showing. I'm constantly awed by the beauty here in Sandpoint, so I never go anywhere without my camera. As always, the camera really doesn't do it justice.
It wasn't long after this shot that "the storm" came through and dumped 12" of snow at Schweitzer Mountain.
I think it was the movie, "WEIRD SCIENCE" where my favorite line was revealed..."Don't F#%* with the fantasy!". Moving to Sandpoint (full-time, that is) in 2005 was the answer to all my searching..."most" of my fantasies. 
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