The storm clouds have been massing on the economical horizon for some time, and the sun is having a hard time breaking through.  More tough times ahead.  As the storm rolls in more fierce, our correct natural instinct is to kick into survival mode.  I plan on surviving this storm, will you join me? Depending on who you talk to, we are either already in a recession or will be soon. The writing is on the wall. According to Bill Bartman, said to be the 27th richest man in the country, here's what we ALL need to do to ride out the storm - get lean, get focused, and expand marketing like never before.  Mr. Bateman says there are five things we need to understand about recessions: 1. They regularly happen, usually about every 8 or 9 years.2. More than 500,000 businesses fail during a recessi... 11/14/2008

My dad, Ron Rankin, had a vision to build a veterans memorial plaza between the old courthouse and the new administrative building in Coeur d'Alene.  Dad was elected Kootenai County Commissioner in 1996, and served two terms from January 1997 through January 2003. Dad began to raise money from private individuals for the three flagpoles and dedicatory stone. In 1998 the 8-ton black marble "Killed In Action" monument was placed in the plaza. Over the next few years the 13 wall panels of battle scenes from history, and the Hall of Heroes/Medal of Valor recipients and Purple Heart Honor Roll were added. Dad considered this memorial to veterans as his legacy. To this day, no public money has been used for the memorials, including the 14th marble wall panel honoring those who have and contin... 11/10/2008

The local Women's Gift Alliance (WGA) has been one of the best kept secretes of North Idaho for the past 4 years.  This group of selfless women have been giving back to their communities in a really BIG way virtually unnoticed by anyone other than those that have benefited from their generosity.  And that is just the way this fantastic group of women like it!  They feel it is more important to make a difference in their communities quality of life than to get noticed for it. In 2004 this group of women gathered together to form an alliance "to make a difference through philanthropy."  They shared meals, discussed community needs, friendships developed, jobs were assigned and money was contributed to aid non-profits in Kootenai County.  Fifty-two women joined that first year and WGA has ... 11/05/2008

Who said nothing is selling??!!   I just hung 3 SOLD signs this week.  Two SOLD for the highest prices for their type of property ever!! That includes our "PEAK."   We may not be selling at that fast paced frenzy of 2005 but we are actually selling quite a bit.   As long as it is priced competitively and shows impeccably.... it will sell. The worst thing a Seller can do is price too high hoping a Buyer will make an offer.   Buyer's are bypassing the "Overpriced" and going right for the "Good Buys."    By the time the Seller decides to price where they should have been to start with... they end up Selling for much less than they would have if they had priced correctly to start with.  The first 4-weeks on the market are CRITICAL.  Pam's Pending Sales or Solds for this week: $300,000  -  .... 11/05/2008

If you are buying or selling luxury real estate in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, here is some valuable information for you.  Let me know if you would like me to email these graphs to you full size so they will be easier for you to read.  The graphs might be easier to read at http://activerain.com/blogs/jscharf I have spent the day crunching numbers and gathering data to build these market graphs.  It's a breakdown of all the activity of homes in the MLS search area of Coeur d'Alene. I included all single family homes from $400K and above.  I would be happy to share with you the search criteria that I used, and help you interpret the information on the graphs, just give me a call or fire off an email. I am also posting identical market report graphs for Post Falls, Hayden/Hayden Lake and North I... 11/05/2008

Life Care of Coeur d'Alene is heading off Operation Christmas Child again this year.  Pack a LITTLE shoebox to make a BIG difference for a child. With so many people down on their luck and beaten up by a troubled economy, this is a community service project that practically EVERYONE can participate in, regardless of financial circumstance. This can be a fun and meaningful activity for the whole family.  Even the youngest kids can use their creativity to fill a shoebox and make a difference this Christmas in the life of a child less fortunate . Use an empty shoebox or any small plastic container. Determine the approximate age and whether your gift will be for a boy or girl. Be creative and fill your box with gifts to delight a child Ideas for contents are toys, school supplies, hygiene i... 11/03/2008

Some of my happiest childhood memories involve huge piles of leaves under the ancient poplar trees that framed our house at 9th and Sherman.  They're all gone now, our home and those trees.  But each fall as the leaves pile up around town they live on in my memories. The city's annual leaf pick-up program begins on November 12. Residents are asked to rake their leaves and pine needles into the streets, about a foot out from the gutter line to allow for water drainage.  Please do not put bagged leaves, branches, rubble or refuse in the street.  There is no cost to you. City crews will be moving fast, beginning south of Sherman and working their way north.  Once an area has been cleared they won't return, so if you're too late you're just out of luck.  City crews are unable to provide an ... 11/03/2008

Holy Halloween, Batman! Well, they did it again this year!  The Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association pulled it off! What a great time for family and friends. The streets were crowded with little girls and boys dressed in their Halloween finest.  You couldn't turn around without knocking elbows with someone you knew with friendly smiles and open arms to greet you. Ok, that's a lie!  I would guess about 150 screaming kids, pumped up on sugar, running with their frantic parents in tow.  You would try to stop and greet, do the polite thing, you know: "Nice to see you.""Oh what a cute - insert name of costume here - you are.""Wow!  You look scary!" But, I can tell you, there was very little of that.  Of the few parents whose eyes actually did meet mine, I saw the same look of terror: "...pleas... 11/03/2008

The other day I took a spin through the At Home in North Idaho Home Expo at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.  Having never been before I wanted to see what it was all about.  About 50 vendors were there with information, handshakes, and answers to consumer questions about building, remodeling, and home improvement.  I found myself having a good time as I made the rounds. Let me lead you on a VIRTUAL Home Expo tour here in my blog.  Take a minute to scan these resources for great ideas.  Some of these folks will give you a Realtor Referral discount, so be sure to tell them I sent you! I keep list of resources for my clients, so if there is a service you don't find here and would like a referral, just give me a call and I will provide you with some local resources for whatever it is you need. Ho... 11/01/2008

Trick or Treating in Downtown Coeur d'Alene - Safe Family Fun I can't tell you how much I love living in Coeur d'Alene.  It seems that no matter the time of year, there is ALWAYS something to do.  This Halloween weekend is no exception. Tomorrow, Friday Oct. 31st, the Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association and member businesses and merchants on Sherman Ave will open their stores and shops to little witches and goblins for trick-or-treating fun from 4 p.m. thru 6 p.m. Happy trick-or-treating and please stay safe! Maryellen GaraskyMortgage BrokerKMG Mortgage Group(208) 664-3600(509) 638-3455www.kmgmortgagegroup.com 10/30/2008

    High Tea I'm always on the lookout for new things to do in beautiful Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.  Now here's an idea for a delightful afternoon of fun with your best girl friends.  Take a guided tour of this quaint North Idaho historic landmark, then settle in with your friends or associates for a girlie afternoon of catching up, complete with your own little pots of English (or herb) tea and a bevy of English delights. The English tradition of having High Tea translates to a relaxing and memorable afternoon at The Roosevelt Inn. Served personally by my dear friend and Roosevelt Inn owner Tina Hough, on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons by appointment only. She will accommodate individuals or private parties of ten or more. Good times! Formal Afternoon Tea Fruit Sorbet Trio Shortbread Cra... 10/27/2008

Downtown Fall Fest - This weekend in Downtown Coeur d'Alene Fall is my favorite time of year.  Luckily enough for those of us who live & play in North Idaho and Eastern Washington, we aren't short on things to do this time of year.  From apple picking in Green Bluff in Eastern Washington to the many, many festivals and celebrations, my family's calendar is always full. Join us this weekend as we celebrate Autumn with other small business owners and their families & and friends in Coeur d'Alene in North Idaho. The Downtown Fall Festival is bigger and better than ever! All with the usual Fall Festival activities of arts and crafts, food vendors, live music, pumpkin painting and FREE hay rides. This great celebration will include the Downtown Farmer's Market between 5th & Sherman. Also thi... 10/24/2008

I have recently had several people outside of our area ask me to describe what there is do do here in Coeur d'Alene and North Idaho.  So here it is, Things to Do in Coeur d'Alene.  Where do I start? In Kootenai County alone there are 87 parks and campgrounds, biking and hiking trails, swimming, fishing, golfing, hunting, tennis, horseback riding, softball, ski resorts, amusement parks and, always, magnificent scenery everywhere you turn. Dining & Shopping There is lots of great shopping variety in Coeur d'Alene.  The Silver Lake Mall, four large antique malls, the Coeur d'Alene Resort Plaza Shops, a vibrant downtown shopping area, the new Riverstone District and numerous national retailers provide shoppers with anything they could be looking for.  Area menus boasts everything from award... 10/21/2008

Pathways to Independence Breakfast: $130,385 WORTH OF SUCCESS! Yesterday was the First Annual "Pathways to Independence Breakfast" to benefit TESH, Inc.  I attended the benefit with a friend and colleague of mine, Cheryl Shippy of Pioneer Title. Since I forgot my camera at home, I took the above photo with my cell phone while speaker Vickie Lesley (whose son, Zach, was diagnosed with autism at two years of age) detailed her story.  In her speech she detailed the joys and challenges of raising a special needs child.  She was informative and passionate, invoking feelings and love she has for her child.  As a mom of a two year old, I found myself engulfed in her words and moved by her frankness. On each of the tables was a poem that Vickie wrote for Zach when he was almost three years of a... 10/18/2008

From November 7 to December 20 the library will host "Between Fences," a traveling Smithsonian exhibit that looks at the history of fences and property ownership in the United States. Here's a chance to have a little bit of creative family fun!  The Coeur d'Alene Public Library is inviting patron families to participate in an art display by adopting a picket to decorate on the theme of "This is Our Home."  The decorated pickets will be used to create a fence to be on display in the children's library while the exhibit is in Coeur d'Alene. The unfinished pickets can be picked up at the Seagraves Children's Library on the library's parkside level at 702 E. Front.  Decorated pickets should be returned to the library by October 31.  Other activities related to the Smithsonian exhibit's vis... 10/15/2008

TESH, Inc. "Pathways to Independence Breakfast" Friday, Oct. 17th, 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Friday, Oct 17th, I will be the guest of a dear friend and colleague of mine at the TESH "Pathways to Independence Breakfast"at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.  For those who haven't had the privilege of being introduced to TESH, please read below (information courtesy of TESH website - CLICK HERE). Empowering People to Reach Their Potential TESH is a private not-for-profit whose core purpose is to provide choices and opportunities to people of all ages seeking greater opportunities, self-sufficiency, and participation in their community. Choice, Dedication, Integrity, Progress, Quality TESH Inc. is a nationally accredited rehabilitation organization that assists people who are disabled and/or disadvanta... 10/11/2008

Our 6-Month (April - September 2008) Market Sales Report for Coeur d'Alene Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Kootenai County Idaho - Coeur d'Alene, Hayden, Hayden Lake, Post Falls, Rathdrum, Athol, Bayview, and all surrounding cities and towns in Kootenai County Idaho - Coeur d'Alene MLS   Currently our total sales are below the year 2001 and above the year 2000.  We are at less than 1/2 the sales of the year 2005. This data is for Single Family Residential (SF) listings ONLY - (Residential homes on UNDER an acre - Real Property) sold during a six month period - from *Apr 1st through Sep 30th* of each year reported. Shown are total number of sales, median sale price, and average sales price in each area. Chart reflects data from SF listings only, and provides comparisons of total numbers ... 10/11/2008

Anyone who has been out and about has certainly noticed that the pain at the pump is easing up a bit.  Here is a photo documentary by my sister Kerri of the price falling over three days earlier this week.                Just this past Sunday, October 5, the price for a gallon of regular was at $3.14.  The next day was down to $3.09.  Tuesday, it dipped below $3.00 to $2.99  for the first time in I cant remember how long!  It is still stuck at that $2.99 mark at just about every station around Coeur d'Alene.  These falling prices are good news for all of us who have been squeezed by hyper-inflated gas prices.  Yesterday, it cost me $17 dollars less than it did in August to fill my gas tank. Multiply that by AT LEAST four tanks a month and it adds up to $68 a month in expendable income t... 10/10/2008

The new Prairie Trail is full of activity.  An asset for both tourists and local residents, here's a new opportunity to get out and enjoy our beautiful North Idaho autumn.  As you wander along, the personality of the trail changes with your views. Stride past stunning river and forest scenes, under the highway and along Ramsey Park where neighbors are cheering on their junior football teams.  The Prairie Trail is the result of a cooperative venture between The Centennial Trail Foundation, The City of Coeur d'Alene and the Lake City Development Corporation.  It runs for five miles along the riverside route formerly held by the Union Pacific Railroad, from Huetter on the north to Riverstone on the south.  To discover the new Prairie Trail, lace up your walking shoes or grab your bike.  He... 10/07/2008

Just about every kind of group has a component here in beautiful North Idaho.  If you are looking for a place to volunteer, serve, participate, contribute - here is a list to get you going.  I'm sure there are others, but these are ones I have come across as I look for places to get involved in my community.  Make some calls, get involved, make a difference and HAVE SOME FUN!                   Civil Air Patrol Auxiliary 772-2531Coeur d'Alene Art Association  659-0469             Cd'A Business Referral Group 664-6359 www.cdabrg.comBusiness & Prof. Women  666-0594                    Audubon Society  664-5318Coeurly Qs Square Dance  664-5692                   Cd'A Coin Club  667-5606Cd'A Eagles Club  664-2218                                Coeur d'Alene Elks Lodge  772-4049Coeur d'Alene G... 10/04/2008