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)

I have been very behind the times on keeping y’all updated and I sincerely apologize.  I don’t know that I’ve ever truly found the “balance” between truly working with buyers and sellers and keeping this blog updated so that buyers and sellers can stay informed.

Frankly, blogging takes a lot of time.  The beauty is, I very much enjoy my interactions with y’all, both virtually and live.  It’s been busy the past 2 months.

So, what does “busy” mean?

The North Idaho Dream Team LLC is now powered by SKE Realty Group LLC. The brokerage we were affiliated with, GMAC Northwest Real Estate essentially went “belly-up”.  The owners closed down the business and we had all of 24 hours to relocate.  Thank goodness we had already begun the work necessary to form our own brokerage.  It was our intention to open our brokerage in late spring of this year (2009) but with the advent of the actions of our previous brokerage, we opened on January 5th, 2009.  So, it was up to me to do 5 months worth of work in as short of a time as possible - and yes, I achieved that, but not without some downside - one being consistent updates to y’all via this blog.

I also was inaugurated as the local chapter President of the Coeur d’Alene Chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors. An honor and I very grateful for and am enjoying immensely.

AND, although number of sales are down this year over last year (so far), I’ve been incredibly busy working with sellers (and Chuck has been busy working with buyers) and well, actually ASSISTING you in your real estate transaction is our number 1 priority so this blog became a #3 priority.  But that is OK!

So, although we are still very busy helping you buy and sell real estate, I’m not as busy with the “nuts and bolts” of opening up a new business (SKE Realty Group LLC) as I was in January and February and, I feel as though I’ve “settled in” to my position as President so, I am fairly sure I’m back to keeping you updated on the real estate goings on of Kootenai County.

It is my absolute pleasure to assist you!

Posted under For Buyers, For Sellers, General Real Estate

Here’s what’s been happening in the Kootenai County real estate market in the past 7 days…

Residential Real Estate in Kootenai County:

• 2,521 residential properties are available for sale
• 30 properties received offers and went into pending status.
• 39 properties were closed and recorded (sold)
• 144 properties expired (failed to sell)
• 32 properties were canceled (taken off the market until another time)
• 5 properties were withdrawn (temporarily taken off the market)

Inventory is decreasing which is very typical for this time of the year.  So many people think of it as taking the last gulp of air right around the end of October and start breathing again in March.  The thing is, properties still sell in the winter - people still move.  The key?  Price your home perfectly so it doesn’t languish on the market over the winter months.  Buyers are in a prime position - plenty of options, not much buyer competition.

Multi-Family Real Estate in Kootenai County

• 91 multi-family properties available for sale
• 0 properties received offers and went into pending status
• 1 property was closed and recorded (sold)
• 2 properties expired (failed to sell)
• 0 property was canceled (taken off the market until another time)
• 0 properties were withdrawn (temporarily taken off the market)

There are plenty of Multi-Family properties available right now.  This is a ripe time to buy as properties have been languishing on the market and many sellers are ready and willing to consider lower but serious offers.

Posted under Market Reports

Here’s what’s been happening in the Kootenai County real estate market in the past 7 days…

Residential Real Estate in Kootenai County:

• 2,619 residential properties are available for sale
• 28 properties received offers and went into pending status.
• 31 properties were closed and recorded (sold)
• 65 properties expired (failed to sell)
• 38 properties were canceled (taken off the market until another time)
• 3 properties were withdrawn (temporarily taken off the market)

Homes are still selling, buyers are still buying.  North Idaho Real Estate is still going strong.

Multi-Family Real Estate in Kootenai County

• 93 multi-family properties available for sale
• 0 properties received offers and went into pending status
• 1 property was closed and recorded (sold)
• 7 properties expired (failed to sell)
• 1 property was canceled (taken off the market until another time)
• 0 properties were withdrawn (temporarily taken off the market)

There are plenty of Multi-Family properties available right now.  This is a ripe time to buy as properties have been languishing on the market and many sellers are ready and willing to consider lower buy serious offers.

Posted under Market Reports

This project isn’t so much ‘in Rathdrum’ as it is just north of major residential areas of Post Falls - ie, it’s between Idaho Road and Greensferry Road and south of Burlington Road - this area is just north of Fieldstone (a major residential sub-division in Post Falls).  Rathdrum ‘proper’ is typically considered areas east of Hwy 41,  this is west of Hwy 41 by about a 1/2 mile.

In other words, this location is very central to all areas including Spokane, Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene and a somewhat easy drive to Sandpoint.

“900 residential units as well as commercial and industrial properties and land for parks and schools on 302 acres of property.”

Article here.

Posted under For Buyers, For Investors

Local Area Events:

June 6-8 - Post Falls Days, Q’ emiln Park. 208-773-0539.

June 7 - Post Falls Days “Home Sweet Home” Parade - 11:00am. 208-667-2314.

June 7 - Gary Miller Memorial Race NW Modifieds - Early Stocks - Stateline Stadium Speedway. 208-773-5019.

June 8 - North Idaho Bed & Breakfast Association’s Spring Tour - 12:00-5:00pm. 208-664-9650.

June 8 - NIC’s Really Big Raffle Open House - 12:00-4:00pm - 2806 Marceille Dr., Coeur d’Alene. 208-769-3271.

June 9 – NIC’s Diversity Events Committee presents “Physicians From India: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Health and Healing” – 7:00-9:00pm – Molstead Library’s Todd Hall. 208-659-9447.

June 11 - Second Annual WMBA Silent Auction benefitting the Children’s Village - 205 E. Seltice Way, Post Falls - 5:30-8:00pm.  208-773-3555.

June 11 - SCORE Workshop “How to Write a Business Plan” - 9:00am-12:00pm - BIZSTREET Resource Center, 801 W. Riverside, Spokane. 509-459-4118.

June 12 – Open House at Life Care Center in Coeur d’Alene – 4:00-7:00pm. Food and refreshments will be served, along with music. Come see our newly remodeled facility. Please RSVP. 208-762-1122.

June 12 – Children’s Village presents “Have a Heart, Help Build a Home” – Come learn about helping to build a third home for the youth of Children’s Village – 7:00pm – Coeur d’Alene Inn. 208-667-1189.

June 12 - Show N’ Shine Car Show - Red Lion Templin’s Hotel - 3:00-6:00pm. Open to the public, great food, entertainment and awards show. 208-773-1611.

June 14 - INSSA Super Stock Series - Hobby Cars - Street Stocks - Stateline Stadium Speedway. 208-773-5019.

June 14 – Post Falls Kid’s Duathlon. For info call Post Falls Park & Rec – 208-773-0539.

June 15 – Post Falls Duathlon. For info call Post Falls Park & Rec – 208-773-0539.

June 15 - NIC’s Really Big Raffle Open House - 12:00-4:00pm - 2806 Marceille Dr., Coeur d’Alene. 208-769-3271.

June 20 – Post Falls Chamber Annual Golf Tournament – Highlands Golf Course – 1:30pm shotgun start. 208-773-5016.

Posted under Activities and Events

Please note - this information only encompasses Rathdrum / Hauser residential properties. It does not include the entire Coeur d’Alene MLS (commercial, businesses, etc nor other geographic areas included in the MLS).

Residential Stats for May 2008

Active Listings: 295
Average listing price $328,353
Average square feet 2,076
Average list price per sq. ft. $160.84
Average days on market 88

Pending Listings: 22
Average pending price $272,379
Average square feet 1,857
Average pending price per sq. ft. $146.92
Average days on market 165

Closed Listings: 19
Average closed price (listed) $228,395
Average closed price (sold) $224,417
Average list/sale price: 98%
Average square feet 1,840
Average closed price per sq. ft. (listed) $127.19
Average closed price per sq. ft. (sold) $124.79
Average days on market 135

Months of inventory
… based upon closings: 15.5 months
… based upon pendings: 13.5 months

More North Idaho residential real estate stats for May 2008:

County:
Kootenai County

By Town:
Coeur d’Alene/Dalton Gardens | Post Falls | Hayden | Rathdrum/Hauser

By Community:
Coeur d’Alene Place | Harmony Place | Hawks Nest | Sunshine Meadows | The Landings at Waterford | Broadmoore Estates | Best Hill Meadows | Bentwood Park | Armstrong Park | Fieldstone | Prairie Falls | Woodbridge | Avalon Estates | Greensferry Landing | Riverside Harbor | Hunters Glen | Northridge |

Don’t see your community? Let me know.

Posted under Market Reports

We’ve just updated our website with this week’s newest rentals now available. If you are looking for a home, condo, town home or apartment for rent Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, Rathdrum or Post Falls, Idaho, check out our website and view photo tours and more information on properties available for rent. You can also get an application and more information about renting from us on our property management website: D&M Management LLC.

Posted under For Renters

We’ve just updated our website with this week’s newest rentals now available. If you are looking for a home, condo, town home or apartment for rent Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, Rathdrum or Post Falls, Idaho, check out our website and view photo tours and more information on properties available for rent. You can also get an application and more information about renting from us on our property management website: D&M Management LLC.

Posted under For Renters

We’ve just updated our website with this week’s newest rentals now available. If you are looking for a home, condo, town home or apartment for rent Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, Rathdrum or Post Falls, Idaho, check out our website and view photo tours and more information on properties available for rent. You can also get an application and more information about renting from us on our property management website: D&M Management LLC.

Posted under For Renters