Water firms wanted in area

A Portland-based company created to own and operate water utilities throughout the Northwest is proposing to buy the assets of three local water companies as "a platform for potential additional acquisitions in Idaho," according to a filing with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission.

Little: Idaho needs job 'talent'

POST FALLS — North Idaho has taken huge steps to tap into booming industries like technology and aerospace, Idaho Lt. Gov. Brad Little said.

Continued improvement seen locally

Far from a speeding train metaphor, yet the local real estate market continues to show improvement. Staff at the Coeur d'Alene Multiple Listing Service has completed the year-to-date statistical analysis and we are maintaining the 4 percent increase we first saw months ago.

We are holding our own

Interest rate changes last week were inconsequential, moving up to 4.4 from 4.39 percent the previous week. This offers buyers some stability, however fleeting it may be.

Volunteering ... It nourishes the soul

Volunteer Corner

Punit Dave' had spent much of his life moving from country to country. Working from home as an information technology consultant he became restless. Looking for a new adventure and more social interaction, he decided to move to North Idaho and live with friends. He wanted to start a new chapter of his life, and with a job that required him to be home he was searching for an opportunity to get out of the house. "Why not look for a volunteer opportunity, he thought." So after a simple Google search he found Crosswalk of North Idaho. Yes, he had done some sporadic volunteering before but nothing on a consistent basis. The volunteer opportunity with Crosswalk to engage with youth sounded like a good fit for the new chapter of his life.

Labor chief touts tax credit

Madsen kicks off listening sessions in Post Falls

POST FALLS - As the economy slowly begins to show signs of recovery, there's help for businesses with Idaho's new Hire One tax credit.

Movers & Shakers November 16, 2010

Tax, fiscal director to speak on economy, policies in Post Falls

How will the shutdown affect the market

At the time of this writing we are still uncertain of the status of the federal government shutdown but we assume nothing has been resolved to increase the debt limit. Many are asking if their home loans will still go through. The last we were told is that FHA and Veteran's Loans are still being funded. That means that, if you were already approved for financing, your loan will continue to be processed and you will likely meet your closing date. Not so for USDA Rural Development loans. Those loans are reportedly at a standstill until funding is approved by Congress.

Missed it again

We told you here a few weeks ago that if you were waiting for the bottom of the market in Coeur d'Alene and Hayden you likely missed it. Last month's sales figures continue to prove that point. If, on the other hand, you were waiting for the mortgage rates to bottom out, you likely have missed that too.

Risch: Debt a huge problem

Republican seeks another term as U.S. senator

COEUR d'ALENE - Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Risch is not done giving back and wants to continue his long streak of public service, and that is why he is seeking re-election.

And the upBeat goes on

The August year-to-date comparisons are complete. As anticipated, the North Idaho real estate market continues to outperform the last several years of activity and prices continue to climb. It appears that shadow inventory is coming into the market albeit at a slow enough pace that it is not dampening prices. Shadow inventory is foreclosed inventory that has been held off the market until a reasonable price can be expected. With our strong current market we have begun to see an increase in foreclosure sales even though we are seeing fewer “notices of default” that indicate pending foreclosure.

Snowshoes and science

Mountain becomes classroom on water quantity for Post Falls students

MOUNT SPOKANE STATE PARK, Wash. - For T'ariq Arp, the mile-long trek up the side of a mountain here on Wednesday was well worth the exercise.

Henry 'Hank' Stelzer, 84

Henry "Hank" Stelzer went to spend eternity with the Lord on Feb. 27, 2015.

2014 exceeds expectations

The Coeur d'Alene Association of Realtors was excited to tell you last October that we had surpassed our 2006 sales volume for residential real estate. Because our production is not tallied until the last sale of the month has completed, even we were not aware of how well the market would finish at the end of December.

FEMA suggests ways to help Harvey victims

When disaster strikes, Americans want to help.

Movers and shakers

Feeling that local vibe

By DEVIN WEEKS

Ronald D. Bevans, 63

Ronald D. (Ron) Bevans died June 7, 2004, at the Idaho State Veteran's Home in Lewiston from liver and heart problems.

Where the money goes

This is an expensive business. With advertising, fuel and membership fees, all necessary to serve our clients, Realtors make a significant investment each year. This time of year, with holidays and gifts that each of you budgets for, Realtors must also budget for annual dues. This year we face an increase in dues and may lose members who are just not able to pay them. Many other members bite the bullet and pay their bill, but wonder, "Where does that money go?"

Realtors lobby for help with home ownership

In a market many describe as "sluggish" Realtors continue to press for solutions. This past week a number of sources report that Washington is considering several proposals to breathe life back into the housing industry. Even though mortgage rates persist at their lowest levels seen in 40 years, sustained high unemployment and challenges to obtaining financing have prevented many would be buyers from realizing their dream of home ownership.