Dangers of Broker Price Opinions, an article in April's Realtor Magazine,really caught my attention.  I have been doing a fair amount of BPOs to pick up the slack after relocating last summer.  It never entered my mind that they could be dangerous!  There were some very thought provoking points made in the article, which originated from the NAR Legal Affairs podcast. 

1.  The first danger listed was Not Having a Policy.  When I joined my office I went through a process with my broker about just that, and we did come to an agreement about how the BPO fees would be handled.  Apparently, a BPO fact-finding group in Nevada found that in most cases real estate professionals were preparing and getting paid for BPOs without their brokers knowledge, and with no record keeping.

2.  Using the wrong terminologywas the second danger mentioned.  It points out that unlike appraisers, who determine property market value, Realtors preparing a BPO determine a recommended property price.  We need to make sure that third parties aren't calling our BPOs a market valuation, which is the work of appraisers.

3.  Breaking state laws.  Reading this section spelled out some of the differences from state to state in what is allowed, with a caveat to investigate what's legal in your state. We did this as part of #1 above.

4.  Being uninsured.  Hmmmm.  Now here is a question I don't know the answer to.  A member of the Nevada BPO Taskforce, Pamela Kinkade said "Most brokers have no coverage for liability arising out of the purpose for which BPOs are being done."  (Nevada has a BPO task force?)  Note to self  - Check my E&O policy.

There you have it.  I think it is wise advice to those of us who are doing BPOs to make sure we are conducting that segment of our business with the same high level of ethics and record keeping that we do our other activities.

Janna Rankin Scharf provides a superior level of real estate services to home buyers and sellers in Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho. Visit www.JannaScharf.com to search for homes in the Coeur d'Alene MLS for anywhere in spectacular North Idaho.

Janna Rankin Scharf, AB, GRI, CSP, CNS, CLHMS  208.651.9700  NorthIdahoJanna@gmail.com 

Thanks to my buddy Christina for this bit of comic relief, blog style.  Just one more reason North Idaho is a spectacular place to call home!

The cat has been out of the bag for a while now, but the latest endorsement of The Lake City as a spectacular place is made in April's Every Day with Rachel Ray magazine. 

The April edition of the famous cook's national magazine features Coeur d'Alene in a photo essay and highlights a few businesses that give some funky character to the town. 

My good friend John Hough, who with his wife Tina own the historical Roosevelt Inn Bed & Breakfast, sums it up.

"What is there not to like about Coeur d'Alene?  I've been all around the world," he said, "But the lake keeps calling me back."  That's a sentiment echoed by most all of us lucky enough to call North Idaho home.

This is just the latest in a string of national headlines singing our praises.  Coeur d'Alene was recently named 2nd best performing smaller metro city, as well as placing on a prestigious short list with Miami, Maui, Aspen and Las Vegas, of areas where the time is right to buy a vacation home NOW.  On the quirky side, just yesterday CNN did a feature story that provided great exposure for a nearby nudist colony. (Pun intended!)

Ray's magazine has a circulation of around 1.5 million readers.  From a tourist standpoint in a tourist town, this is great publicity.  From a real estate standpoint in a buyer's market, a little surge in relocations couldn't hurt, either!

Janna Rankin Scharf, AB, GRI, CSP, CNS, CLHMS, provides a superior level of real estate services to home buyers and sellers in Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho. Visit www.JannaScharf.comto search for homes in the Coeur d'Alene MLS for anywhere in spectacular North Idaho.

Janna Rankin Scharf, 208.651.9700  NorthIdahoJanna@gmail.com

I thought it was interesting to find that Coeur d'Alene has a forest of "street trees" managed by the Urban Forestry department of the Parks Department.  Did you know that it is the responsibility of every property owner to assist in the care of our city's trees?

Coeur d'Alene's Urban Forestry ordinance sets tree care standards and gives guidelines for the care and maintenance of all public trees and shrubs. 

Public trees include all those growing in the city rights of way such as the grassy area between the sidewalk and curb.  On those streets without a sidewalk, the city could own a right of way of 4 to over 20 feet inside your property.  the Urban Forestry department can check your address if you aren't sure where there easement ends.  The city doesn't have tree crews so it relies on abutting property owners to  assist in performing tree maintenance activities.  Beware though, the city requires a free tree permit before you can work on city trees.  The permit comes with information that is important for you to know, such as importance of matching tree characteristics to the site and pruning techniques. 

Abutting property owners can choose to hire a city-licensed tree service to do the work, and a list is available from the Urban Forestry Division at City Hall, 710 E. Mullan Avenue.  They can also provide you with other resources and brochures on the care and maintenance of public trees.  You can check out the Urban Forestry section of the City's website or contact Karen Haskew, Urban Forestry Coordinator, at 208-769-2266.

Janna Rankin Scharf, AB, GRI, CSP, CNS, CLHMS, provides a superior level of real estate services to home buyers and sellers in Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho. Visit www.JannaScharf.comto search for homes in the Coeur d'Alene MLS for anywhere in spectacular North Idaho.

Janna Rankin Scharf, 208.651.9700  NorthIdahoJanna@gmail.com

March 24 is the 21st Annual American Diabetes Alert Day.  It's a one day call to action, encouraging everyone to  find out if you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.  Click here for a risk test that you can take online to determine if you are at risk, or you can call toll-free, 800-342-2383.

Diabetes is called a "silent killer"because people can have it for years and not know they have it.  Nearly 24 million people in the US are diabetic and 57 have pre-diabetes.  The number of people developing diabetes continues to grow. 

The good news is that once diagnosed, diabetes is a disease that can be successfully managed.  However, if it is ignored, over time it can destroy the organs of the body.

Don't put it off, it takes less than a minute to take the risk test! 

Janna Rankin Scharf, AB, GRI, CSP, CNS, CLHMS, provides a superior level of real estate services to home buyers and sellers in Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho. Visit www.JannaScharf.comto search for homes in the Coeur d'Alene MLS for anywhere in spectacular North Idaho.

Janna Rankin Scharf, 208.651.9700  NorthIdahoJanna@gmail.com

These are the statistics for Coeur d'Alene area real estate including The greater Coeur d'Alene Area of Coeur d'Alene as well as the surrounding Idaho communities in our local MLS, including Post Falls, Hayden Lake, Rathdrum and others.  I pay to have these Total Market Overview Reports compiled weekly, although I don't post them to my blog each week.  If you would like the most current, up-to-date report, just give me a call.  I would be happy to email a report to you in PDF format.  I am also happy to help you interperet the data and discover how it can help you.  As a buyer, this information will help insure that you don't overpay for a home.  As a seller, the information will help us determine a selling strategy for your success.

Janna Rankin Scharf, AB, GRI, CSP, CNS, CLHMS, provides a superior level of real estate services to home buyers and sellers in Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho. Visit www.JannaScharf.com to search for homes in the Coeur d'Alene MLS for anywhere in spectacular North Idaho.

Janna Rankin Scharf, 208.651.9700  NorthIdahoJanna@gmail.com

Here is some great, up-to-date information on the Coeur d'Alene, Idaho real estate market.  I pay to have these Total Market Overview Reports compiled weekly, although I don't post them to my blog each week.  If you would like the most current, up-to-date report, just give me a call.  I will gladly email you any reports that would be helpful to you.  I am also happy to help you interperet the data and how it can help you.  Knowledge is power!  As a buyer, this information will help insure that you don't overpay for a home.  As a seller, the information will help us determine the correct listing price and a selling strategy for success.

This report contains some great information on the Post Falls, Idaho real estate market.  I pay to have these Total Market Overview Reports compiled weekly, although I don't post them to my blog each week.  If you would like the most current, up-to-date report, just give me a call.  I can email you a copy of any of these reports that would be of interest to you.  I am also happy to help you interperet the data and how it can help you.  As a buyer, this information will help insure that you don't overpay for a home.  As a seller, the information will help you determine a selling strategy for success. 

I pay to have these Total Market Overview Reports compiled weekly, although I don't post them to my blog each week.  If you would like the most current, up-to-date report, just give me a call.  I am also happy to help you interperet the data and how it can help you.  As a buyer, this information will help insure that you don't overpay for a home.  As a seller, the information will help you determine a selling strategy for success.

I pay to have these Total Market Overview Reports compiled weekly, although I don't post them to my blog each week.  If you would like the most current, up-to-date report, just give me a call.  I am also happy to help you interperet the data and how it can help you.  As a buyer, this information will help insure that you don't overpay for a home.  As a seller, the information will help you determine a selling strategy for success.

I pay to have these Total Market Overview Reports compiled weekly, although I don't post them to my blog each week.  If you would like the most current, up-to-date report, just give me a call.  I am also happy to help you interperet the data and how it can help you.  As a buyer, this information will help insure that you don't overpay for a home.  As a seller, the information will help you determine a selling strategy for success.

I pay to have these Total Market Overview Reports compiled weekly, although I don't post them to my blog each week.  If you would like the most current, up-to-date report, just give me a call.  I am also happy to help you interperet the data and how it can help you.  As a buyer, this information will help insure that you don't overpay for a home.  As a seller, the information will help you determine a selling strategy for success.  

Janna Rankin Scharf, AB, GRI, CSP, CNS, CLHMS, provides a superior level of real estate services to home buyers and sellers in Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho. Visit www.JannaScharf.com to search for homes in the Coeur d'Alene MLS for anywhere in spectacular North Idaho.

Janna Rankin Scharf, 208.651.9700  NorthIdahoJanna@gmail.com

A few years ago I was at a gathering where the speaker admonished us to treat everyone we meet as if they were in distress, because more than 50% of people at any one time are suffering or struggling with something overwhelming.  I remember thinking at the time how true that must be, because at the time I was involved in a situation even my closest friends wouldn't have guessed. 

I have lived long enough to know that things aren't always as they appear, it's simply a matter of our perspective.  I LOVED this story about Dr. Joseph Klatt!  It has great application to everyone in a struggle, not just us Realtors. 

I'm reblogging the following post written by my friend Tim Moncrief.  I love Tim's quote, "When ever I start thinking I don't know if I can do this or that, I know that there is a blind man in La Jolla that is kicking my butt...."  What a great way to put, and keep, things in perspective when we get discouraged! 

I am spearheading an educational Brownbagger this coming week at our Association of Realtors.  It will be a panel of Sellers discussing how it is that they came to select the Realtor they are working with, what their expectations are, whether or not they have switched Realtors and why, and so forth.

I had the brilliant idea to include a FSBO (For Sale By Owner) seller to liven things up.  I thought a FSBO perspective would add some interesting insight, if I could find one willng to be immersed in a room full of Realtors for an hour!  So, I perused Craigs List in search of willing FSBO panelists.  I received a very nice and insightful response from Michelle.  I cringed at a few of her comments, and I'm happy to say that I don't see reflections of me, and how I operate, in ANYTHING she said.  I would love to know what you think of her experience.  I have to say, I don't blame her one bit, under the circumstances, for making the decision she did. The highlighted emphasis is mine...  

Hello Janna,

Thank you for your email.  I am unable to attend as next Thursday I am doing an Open House for local agents/brokers.  I am hoping to get at least a small attendance :-)

As far as my position goes, I was with a Realtor for the past year, but with no results.  Part of what drove me to go the FSBO route is that I needed to lower the price of my home (in hopes of generating interest) and the only way to do that and still try and get out of my mortgage was to try FSBO.  I simply can not afford the 6% commission, particularly since I was the one doing all the photo work (I'm a photographer), postings on Craig's List, as well as doing the few showings that I have had over the past 12 months.  Other than putting the listing on the local MLS, I just didn't see any other motivating factor to list with another Realtor.

I certainly understand that many Realtors nowadays are resistant to put the effort and money into a listing that may or may not produce results in an acceptable time frame.  Basically, "we ain't in Kansas anymore Toto" and the days of buyers flocking into agent's offices are long gone.  In light of that, I feel that today's market really requires some aggressive marketing to get a property out in front and my experience is proving that most agents simply do not want to make that type of investment in terms of time, effort and possible financial cost.

From a professional standpoint, this is proving to be very relevant as I used to do full home shoots that include all editing, multiple sized images, uploading to TourFactory, etc., for only $275, which I did dropped down to only $200 and I am still met with resistance from agents who do not want to put any $$$ into a listing.  Even with the advantage and most importantly, the first impression, that professional images make, they are still unwilling to make the investment. I can't tell you how many times I've been told that they "simply have too many listings to worry about".

At any rate, thank you again for the invitation.  I wish you much success as it sounds like you are one of the few making the effort it's going to take to get the job done!

Best regards,

Michelle

When I read the part about her being told by Realtors that they have too many listings to worry about, I almost fell out of my chair!  Any real estate agent worth their salt knows that it DOES take effort to get a home sold these days.  LOTS of effort, savvy, and sometimes, depending on the property, it takes lots of marketing $$$.  It takes a real estate agent that knows how to determine the profile of the prospective buyer, and gear the marketing toward THAT demographic. 

Especially in Michelle's case, where she has a stunning and unique property, she needed a real estate agent that knew how to market her property.  Her buyer is likely going to NOT be from our area, but someone looking for a second home, a vacation property, a mountain retreat.  I wonder how much internet marketing, targeted to feeder markets and the correct demographics, her previous Realtor did.  Hmmmm.  I'll bet, NONE!  I'll bet there was a sign in the yard and a listing in the MLS.  Not good enough.  Is it any wonder that many people don't think so highly of Realtors as a whole????

I would love nothing more than for me or one of my ActiveRain associates to bring Michelle a buyer.  Take a look and keep it in mind.  And feel free to add a message to Michelle in your comments, I will be sending her a link to my blog so she can follow along, and perhaps learn something that might help her going forward from the talented, top notch professionals here on the Rain.

Janna Rankin Scharf, AB, GRI, CSP, CNS, CLHMS, provides a superior level of real estate services to home buyers and sellers in Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho. Visit www.JannaScharf.com to search for homes in the Coeur d'Alene MLS for anywhere in spectacular North Idaho.

Janna Rankin Scharf, 208.651.9700  NorthIdahoJanna@gmail.com

I was checking out the blogs of Active Rain members who had recently commented on articles I have posted, and I stumbled across the Battle of the Dogmas.  It made me laugh out loud, no small feat, and I decided to reblog it here for the amusement of my friends and associates.  It brought to mind the quote from Mark Twain:

"Humor is the great thing, the saving thing.  The minute it crops up, all our irritations and resentments slip away and a sunny spirit takes their place."  

Here's wishing you all a sunny day, no matter the weather outside!

I couldn't help but smile when I read in this morning's paper that a local barbershop has an idea to jumpstart the economy, with scissors and hair!

According Legends Barbershop to co-owner Daniel Abrahamson, "Our idea of a stimulous is $8 haircuts.  We all need to get on board, we have a real problem here," he said.  He believes the economy can rebound if everyone works hard and offers good service for a reasonable price. 

I think this is his version of Bloom Where You're Planted.  And how true that concept is! None of us individually can fix the economic woes our nation is mired in, but each of us CAN do SOMETHING to make a difference.  Do you remember the story about the kid, seeing thousands of starfish stranded on the beach at low tide, throwing as many as he could back into the ocean?  An old timer approached him and told him he was wasting his time, there were thousands of starfish, and he couldn't possibly save enough of them to make a difference.  The kid tossed another into the water and replied that it made a difference to that one!

Abrahamson and his partner Debbie Hisig are co-owners of the barbershop which recently opened at 1801 Lincoln Way.  Recent transplants from the Seattle area, they love their work and consider their customers like their family.  I think I will stop in today and shake their hands.  Meanwhile, the world would be a better place if we all followed their example.  Let's consider what we can do personally to help jumpstart the economy in our little piece of the world.

Janna Rankin Scharf, AB, GRI, CSP, CNS, CLHMS, provides a superior level of real estate services to home buyers and sellers in Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho. Visit www.JannaScharf.comto search for homes in the Coeur d'Alene MLS for anywhere in spectacular North Idaho.

Janna Rankin Scharf, 208.651.9700  NorthIdahoJanna@gmail.com

But wait, what was that about changing her major.  Huh?  She has always been excited about her Marketing major. My second thought was "Uh oh, now what?"  My mind immediately went back to this time last year.  I found out from my neighbor which of the colleges to which Kristen was accepted that she chose to attend.  Judy found out from her daughter, who found out on... Facebook!  At that moment I went and joined Facebook, and have enjoyed stalking my children there ever since.  It seemed only fitting that Facebook would be where I learned of her change of major. 

I clicked the link to find an interesting story out of London.  A university in Liverpool has launched a Master of Arts degree in The Beatles, the city's most famous sons, and called the qualification the first of its kind.  Liverpool Hope University says on its website that the course entitled "The Beatles, Popular Music and Society" consists of four 12-week taught modules and a dissertation.  "There have been over 8,000 books about The Beatles but there has never been serious academic study and that is what we are going to address," said Mike Brocken, senior lecturer in popular music at Hope.

Now, that does sound like a fun course of study, and Kristen's middle name is Fun.  Could it be that she is actually planning to head off in a new academic direction, via Liverpool?  It's too early to call her, but I am going to guess not.  Because of that part in the title about needing... tuition!  Wherever she wanders, she will always have our unconditional love.  But that need for tuition will temper her wanderlust for adventure, at least until she graduates!

 Janna Rankin Scharf, AB, GRI, CSP, CNS, CLHMS, provides a superior level of real estate services to home buyers and sellers in Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho. Visit www.JannaScharf.comto search for homes in the Coeur d'Alene MLS for anywhere in spectacular North Idaho.

Janna Rankin Scharf, 208.651.9700  NorthIdahoJanna@gmail.com

It's not a news flash to local residents that Coeur d'Alene is a great town.  In fact, we are getting used to the accolades.  We're often recognized for our outstanding natural beauty and wonderful quality of life whenever a new list comes out.  According to Jonathan Coe, president of the Coeur d'Alene Area Chamber of Commerce, "Every time we get another feather in our cap it is one more boost for the economy."  Well, that sure sounds good about now!

The Lake City is a solid 10 in The Great Towns of America,a 624-page book that features the 100 Best Getaways for a Vacation or a Lifetime.  "It beat out every other town in the Rocky Mountain region for its summer weather," said David Vokac, who with his wife Joan crossed the country north to south and east to west to compile the guidebook first published in 1998.  "From June to mid-September it is a flat-out 10."

That evaluation is based on the "shirtsleeve score," the liklihood of days above 65 degrees and dry enough for outdoor activities.

Only towns with populations of less than 80,000 were considered and North Idaho selections shared several attributes that gave them repeat status in the book.  Lake Coeur d'Alene, historic and cultural significance and low crime make Coeur d'Alene stand out on the Vokac's "livability table" that includes weather, education, crime, housing and politics. 

To quote the book: "Coeur d'Alene is now one of the largest and liveliest vacation destinations in the northern Rocky Mountains.  One of America's best resorts connects a picturesque downtown to a superb lakefront park with colorful gardens, tree-shaded picnic sites, a scenic promenade by a long sandy beach, swimming areas, a handsome museum and a municipal pier for a variety of lake cruises."

Like I said, this is not a news flash to those of us who love calling Coeur d'Alene home!

Janna Rankin Scharf, AB, GRI, CSP, CNS, CLHMS, provides a superior level of real estate services to home buyers and sellers in Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho. Visit www.JannaScharf.comto search for homes in the Coeur d'Alene MLS for anywhere in spectacular North Idaho.

Janna Rankin Scharf, 208.651.9700  NorthIdahoJanna@gmail.com

Homeowners in North Idaho benefit from a substantial reduction in property taxes when they occupy the home as their primary residence.  But to receive it, you must apply!  This exemption is provided by state law and deducts 1/2 of the assessed value of the building & the one acre home site, up to a maximum of $104,471 or 50%, whichever is less.  This rate may be adjusted annually.  You qualify if you have:

• A valid Idaho drivers license (if you drive)
• A vehicle licensed in Idaho (if you own a vehicle)
• Registered Idaho voter (if you  vote)
• File an Idaho resident income tax return (if you file)
• Reside in Idaho for a majority of the year

Wondering when to file?  On newly built homes that have not previously been occupied, the owner must apply within 30 days of occupying the home.  On existing or when purchasing a resale home, the deadline for applying is April 15 of the year that you occupied the home.  A good rule of thumb is for you to file as soon as the home is owned and occupied. 

Where to file?  The Homeowners Exemption Applications are available at the Assessor's Office and must be filed there.  In Kootenai County, the Assessors Office is located at 451 Government Way in Coeur d'Alene, on the main floor of the Administration building, next to the information desk.  Questions?  Call the Assessor's Office at (208) 446-1500.

Janna Rankin Scharf, AB, GRI, CSP, CNS, CLHMS, provides a superior level of real estate services to home buyers and sellers in Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho. Visit www.JannaScharf.comto search for homes in the Coeur d'Alene MLS for anywhere in spectacular North Idaho.

Janna Rankin Scharf, 208.651.9700  NorthIdahoJanna@gmail.com