Have a very sweet "Sweetest Day" ...  Sweetest Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in October as a day to make someone happy. It is an occasion which offers all of us an opportunity to remember not only the sick, aged, and orphaned, but also friends, relatives and associates whose helpfulness and kindness we have enjoyed. Sweetest Day is not based on any single group's religious sentiment or on a family relationship. It is a reminder that a thoughtful word or deed enriches life and gives it meaning. Because for many people remembering takes the form of gift-giving, Sweetest Day offers us the opportunity to show others that we care, in a tangible way. This holiday is much more important in some regions than in others (Detroit, Cleveland and Buffalo being the biggest Sweetest Day citi... 10/14/2011

 Pam Jank  Receives New “Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE®)” Designation  Professional negotiation skills are a must for all real estate agents helping home buyers and sellers, especially in the current market Pam Jank has been awarded the Certified Negotiation Expert designation by the Real Estate Negotiation Institute (RENI).  The CNE® is earned by real estate professionals after successfully completing formal negotiation training.  Agents who receive this certification are in the top 1% of all agents nationally. With professional negotiation skills, agents are able to help clients obtain better results in the sale or purchase of their home.  CNE® agents have a powerful competitive edge because of their ability to 1) communicate effectively to uncover more information, 2) help client... 10/01/2011

Fall Tips for getting the Inside of your home ready for winter. Have a heating professional check your heating system every year. Replace your furnace filter. Woodburning stove connector pipes and chimneys should be inspected by a certified chimney sweep at least annually. Make sure you have proper insulation in both your attic and basement. While checking your insulation, if you see any dark, dirty spots, it may indicate you have air leaks coming into your home. Remove hair from drains in sinks, tubs, and showers. Test all smoke alarms. Replace batteries as necessary. Check your home around windows and doors for air leaks. An easy way to check for leaks is to move a lighter around the window or door frame and see if the flame moves with a breeze. If you find a leak, you can caulk it or... 09/28/2011

  Fall is the time to get the Outside of your home ready for winter. Clear debris out of window wells, gutters, downspouts, and storm drains. Remove garden hoses from spouts. Drain and store for the winter. Wrap spouts in insulation. Drain in-ground sprinkler systems. Check windows, doors, and siding for holes and cracks. Caulk as necessary. Check weather stripping on windows and doors for fit and condition. Replace as necessary. Inspect all soffit vents and other venting systems to make sure they're clear of debris. Check painted surfaces for paint failure, water damage, or mildew. Repair or repaint if necessary. Check caulking where two different materials meet, where wood siding joins the foundation wall, at inside corners, and where the window and door trim meets the siding. Check f... 09/28/2011

Steps to prevent your pipes from freeze Before the cold hits   Insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic. These exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing. Remember - the more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be. Heat tape or thermostatically-controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes. Closely follow all manufacturers' installation and operation instructions. Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out and the heat in. With severe cold, even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze. Disconnect garden hoses and, if practical, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipe... 09/25/2011

Fall Home Maintenance Tip #4   Clean and Inspect Your Chimney.   Haveyour chimney professionally cleaned and inspected before using your fireplace. It’s important to remove built up soot, nests, and other materials that could present a fire hazard. Repairing your chimney can prevent heat loss and keep your fireplace working as efficiently as possible.     FREE MLS Listings Search at: http://www.SellingNorthIdaho.com 09/24/2011

There's 'No Free Launch" at Honeysuckle Beach Anymore! - Hayden Lake, Idaho The City of Hayden will now charge for launching your water craft at Honeysuckle Beach. They start collecting launch fees next month (May). The fee to launch is $6 for Hayden residents and $8 for non-residents.  Yearly passes can be purchased for $30 for residents and $60 for non-residents. Launch fees are paid by the "Honor system."  via an on-site Drop Box. Launch users fill out a form and deposit it with their payment into a collection box. While fees are only in effect from Memorial Day to Labor Day, passes go on sale beginning May 2nd at the Hayden City Hall.         FREE MLS Listings Search at: http://www.SellingNorthIdaho.com Please contact: Pam Jank , Your North Idaho Real Estate Pro, with any of your Re... 04/12/2011