ARTICLES BY SPECIAL TO

We are all in it together

In this last column of the year we reflect a bit and project a bit, at least as well as we are able in these uncertain times.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS AGO

Cheer up, things could be worse

So the old saying goes. "And then I cheered up and sure enough, things got worse," said the curmudgeon. But things don't appear to be getting worse in our real estate market.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Foreclosures have impact beyond their neighborhoods

Anyone living in a neighborhood where foreclosed properties proliferate has seen their impact. If you have a home for sale and right down the block is a foreclosure, it can be difficult to sell yours for a fair price. The bank that owns the foreclosure is more interested in getting …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Discussing financial matters with aging parents

Talking to your parents about their financial affairs can be emotionally challenging for both you and them. But for your peace of mind, and possibly your financial security, it is a process that needs to happen sooner rather than later. I say process rather than event because it often takes …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Recession brings changes in housing desires

The housing landscape is ever changing. Times like these where recession looms have a tendency to change perspectives. These perspectives affect the housing market, just as high interest rates, expiring tax credits and an influx in foreclosures changes the perspective of what a good price is for a home.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Business relationships are two-way streets

My new favorite pastime, talking about jobs, has reinforced my belief that people work for bosses as much as they work for companies. By that I mean that given a good boss in a good company, employees are far less likely to leave for greener pastures.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Managing retirement income - and needs

Managing income in retirement can be challenging. For many, the total income in retirement is often less than it was during working years and some income usually has to come from investments that previously were allowed to grow untouched.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Market movement continues

March statistics are complete and the pace of 2010 single family home sales continues to outperform previous years. As the table clearly shows we have surpassed both 2008 and 2009 year to date in number of sales. This renewed activity is welcome news to many of us although our average …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Two springs are better than one

I have a confession to make. I cheated and have already seen spring. Actually, I just returned from a two-week trip down south. As we drove through Utah, spring began to appear in the form of big clumps of daffodils and lots of flowering trees.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

'Undercover Boss' helps make business personal

So there's this new guy/gal, older than most entry-level employees, who shows up at your workplace one day and wants to learn the ropes. A little unusual, you think, but you train the person to do your job and explain why what you do is important to the company.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Realtors are committed

In Idaho, all real estate agents operate at the will and under the tutelage of their broker. Ultimately, it is the broker who controls the business dealings you have with the agent. Although all Realtor agents subscribe to the National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics, from time to time …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Local real estate still moving

Headlines this past week show that housing sales stalled for the fourth straight month nationally, while sales in our market continue to outperform last year. As of this writing our Multiple Listing Service reports that sales in Kootenai County are still ahead of 2009 by 25 percent. This reflects a …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Achalasia tough to swallow

DEAR DR. GOTT: I was recently diagnosed with achalasia. This all started a year ago when I had trouble swallowing food. One doctor stretched my esophagus, after which I could hardly eat anything, and drinking hot or cold beverages was no good, either. I also had a Botox injection in …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Spring has sprung!

Happy Spring, everybody! Sorry to use such a "bad" picture, but it's a bit too early to be taking pictures of flowers, etc. I don't know about you, but I wasn't one bit sad that we had such a "non-winter" this year. We got enough cold and snow the past …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Financial spring cleaning

Springtime is here! Actually, North Idaho has enjoyed spring-like weather for much of this past winter, but it's wonderful when the season officially arrives. It's one of my favorite times of year - a time of re-birth, new growth, and fresh starts. As Janet and I are cleaning up around …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

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