North Idaho Real Estate Blog Keeping the “invisible” property owners of Kootenai County in-the-know, as if you were here on a daily basis. 208.769.9464 * dreamteam @ nidt . com * Author: Christina Ethridge, REALTOR(R)

It’s important to stay on top of your credit report on at least an annual basis - and now, you can obtain a free copy of your credit report - with no strings attached… IF you go to the right website. If you pick one of the 3 major credit agencies website, there are strings.

For more information on your credit report - and what to look for when obtaining it - read this article.

To obtain your bonafide free copy of your credit report - go here.

Posted under For Buyers, For Investors, For Sellers, General Real Estate

It’s important to stay on top of your credit report on at least an annual basis - and now, you can obtain a free copy of your credit report - with no strings attached… IF you go to the right website. If you pick one of the 3 major credit agencies website, there are strings.

For more information on your credit report - and what to look for when obtaining it - read this article.

To obtain your bonafide free copy of your credit report - go here.

Posted under For Buyers, For Investors, For Sellers, General Real Estate

It’s important to stay on top of your credit report on at least an annual basis - and now, you can obtain a free copy of your credit report - with no strings attached… IF you go to the right website. If you pick one of the 3 major credit agencies website, there are strings.

For more information on your credit report - and what to look for when obtaining it - read this article.

To obtain your bonafide free copy of your credit report - go here.

Posted under For Buyers, For Investors, For Sellers, General Real Estate

We’ve had a few questions about property taxes in North Idaho. Hopefully the following information will help you.

In the state of Idaho, the assessment ratio is determined by the State Tax Commission and the tax rate is determined by the budget of the county/city your property is located in. The county/city can increase their budget on an annual basis - up to a 3% increase.

For 2006, the average property tax rate in Kootenai County was 1.4%. For 2007, the City of Coeur d’Alene has elected not to use any of the allowable increase, resulting in a 26.4% decrease in property tax assessments (you’ll see this in June 2007 when assessments come out).

The city of Post Falls has elected to use the entire 3% increase, which will result in approximately a $10 per $100,000 assessed increase for property owners. So, if your home is assessed at $200,000, you’ll see about a $20 increase in your 2007 taxes.

How are assessments determined? The beauty of living in Idaho is that we are a non-disclosure state. This means that sales prices are not a matter of public record, and, you do not have to provide your sales price to the assessors office (even if they ask). Assessments, for the most part, are considerably lower than true market values of properties. The newer the property, the closer the assessed value is to true market value (obviously the assessor can see what a builder is selling properties for, just like everyone else).

Any other questions? Let us know.

Posted under About the Area, Economics of North Idaho, For Buyers, For Investors