SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS Janna Rankin Scharf     Photo Gallery   Tranquility in Idaho     Free Flowing Stream     Private Setting     Welcome     Skylights and Ceiling Fans     Timber Frame Construction     Massive Beams     Bright and Cheerful     Soaring Ceilings     Roomy Kitchen     Skilled Craftsmanship     Spring Fed Pond     Pretty Pool     Luxurious Bath     Large Bathroom Two     Convenient Large Laundry     Natural Splendor     Professionally Landscaped     Your Idaho Retreat   Description You have found your private Idaho paradise! Here is a stunning, one-of-a-kind Englemann Spruce log home on 28+ acres. The massive 18 inch log timbers were harvested from the mountains surrounding McCall, Idaho and have been masterfully crafted into a home of architectural artistry. Your pri... 02/16/2013

 One of the hobbies that I have developed in the last couple of years is gardening which sounds awfully mundane and fuddy-duddy-ish. It probably is but I'm balancing it out by learning to kayak. The rules for my garden are simple: anything I plant must be edible and I don't weed. That's pretty much it. A huge assist was discovering the Square Foot Gardening method popularized by Mel Bartholomew, a retired engineer. His book takes you on a journey to a simple garden that is both productive and easy to manage. My ego and taste buds need the former, my career demands the latter. One subject that that wasn't covered in his book though was how to handle cats. We have stray cats and we have the "indoor/outdoor" cats next door. And they look at my garden not as a miniature eden but as an enor... 05/01/2012

    The image of the old model of senior citizens finishing their lives in nursing homes or extended care facilities has never truly been accurate for the retirement years of most seniors. Just under 7% of seniors are in nursing homes. The remainder are either still in their own homes were living with their children. In fact, among those people 85 years old or older, only 11% of men and 23% of women are in nursing homes.    The nursing home model costs too much and institutionalizes the residents.  A further complication is an inability to get enough nursing homes built to replace the monolithic gray buildings put up in the 1970’s during Johnson’s Great Society programs and the real estate market crash that wiped out much of the enormous equity seniors had to provide for their future c... 04/30/2012

We’re Not Getting Any Younger Darlene, my neighbor, still gardens and has the prettiest roses on our block.  She is backing to walking to and from the United Methodist Church just down the block which is a major step for her.  She had her hip replaced this past year, a serious issue for someone who lives in a turn of the century Victorian home.  In her mid-80’s, Darlene is emblematic of the new senior citizen.  Today’s senior citizens are living longer, healthier and more independently than at any time in the past.  The vast majority expect to live in their homes as long as possible.  Seniors are also the fastest growing demographic group in America. As of the 2010 census, 13% of the population was over the age of 65 and it was the fastest-growing segment in America. Combined with the ... 04/24/2012

A primary source of roof leaks doesn't actually invovle the roof covering but the flashing. Unfortunately, flashing is one of the easiest items on the roof to incorrectly install. It's not that the parts are that complex - they're not. The manufacturers have made them easy to install. And, properly installed, the flashing is nearly leak-proof when installed on a simple roof. However, there are very few simple roofs. Examples of simple roofs are dog houses and small outdoor sheds. Rarely will you find a plumbing vent stack, chimney, fan vent, valley, side wall projecting above the roof, etc. on a dog house.  Most of these are common on a typical home. The easiest way to think of flashings is to consider them the transition from the roofing materials (shingles, for example) and projection... 10/02/2010

Here's my most recent video.  Nothing very fancy here but I ended up telling my clients that the fault that was found just isn't correctable in any practical way.  Hate it when that's the case and especially in a brand new home. This was a house built in 2008 that has not yet been occupied - they were using it as the model home - so there's a limited warranty on the place.  The buyers wanted to get ahead of the curve and hired me to go through the house to help them develop a punchlist.  The siding issue was actually the least of our concerns - there was an inch of water over about 1000sf of the crawlspace among other things.  Anyway, on to the video - and my apologies, I will get better at stabilizing the camera - this one's a bit jerky. 02/14/2010

I thought this was interesting. The University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction (ReCHAI) finds dogs do a better job of getting older adults out for exercise. ReCHAI sponsors several projects that attempt to further the understanding and value of the relationship between humans and animals. In 2008, ReCHAI sponsored the “Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound and Stay Fit for Seniors.” In the preliminary program, a group of older adults were matched with shelter dogs, while another group of older adults were partnered with a human walk buddy. For 12 weeks, participants were encouraged to walk on an outdoor trail for one hour, five times a week. At the end of the program, researchers measured how much the older adults’ activity levels improved. “... 09/29/2009

One of the oddities of this region is that you can have a 10-15 degree temperature swing just by driving from Moscow, ID to Lewiston, ID.  They are, quite literally, different micro-climates. For those that think that the difference in temperature is important, try running in it.  I'll be heading out the door in the next hour or so.  The weather just outside my door is 26 degrees - cold by our standards. Moscow is 10 degrees.  The difference for runners or any outdoor athlete is tremendous.  Not only can I breathe better down here but I don't have to wear nearly as many layers.  Add in the diminished wind (Moscow is frequently blustery) and this is just a more hospitable environment.  And no snow on the ground means that I don't have to worry about falling.  One of my friends in Moscow ... 01/26/2009

Heating can be one of the greatest recurring costs associated with owning a home.  The rising cost of fuel doesn't just hit you hard at the gas pumps - it can be a difficult pill to swallow when you get that monthly oil or natural gas bill too.  And despite the current downturn in fuel costs, those expenses will rise again. This double whammy has caused many people to think outside of the box and look at options outside of traditional climate control systems. Some people are a little wary of green heating and cooling systems because they worry that they might have to radically renovate their home in order to accommodate modern apparatus.  This is especially in older homes that were built during an era where the fine point of technology was heat emanating from a central source such as a ... 01/25/2009

Current Period 01-01-08 through 12-31-2008  these are just residential SOLDS  in the LC Valleytotal SOLD:   720     total volume   126,698,706  average price $175,970One Year Ago     SOLD: 976      153,569,078     $157,345 Increase/(Decrease)   (256)  -26%  volume(26,870,372) -17%  $18,625     12% Interest Rates are at a all time low .... Paying rent on property owned by others is not an attractive proposal.  Even if you, as a new home owners understand that you may not realize high equity gains for some years, owning a home offers a quality of life that we Americans desire.  We are an independent society and having control of our home drives many of us home buyers.  Let's talk about owning a home! 01/16/2009

In my profile, I mentioned that I am a runner -at least when everything is going well.  Every once in a while, things don't quite go according to my plan.  An example; I trail run, often solo (I know, it's dangerous but I'm careful), and will turn 20 or 30 miles.  Every year, I like to make the trip down to the Seven Devils Wilderness Area just outside of Riggins, ID.  For those of you not around here (and that's most), the Devils are an absolutely spectacular area to hike, fish, horseback ride and camp.  It is a family favorite when you want to get away and only a couple of hours from Lewiston ID. Anyway, back to the topic of unintended consequences.  The last time I ran down there, I did the loop trail which is about 28 miles long.  Spectacular views.  Unfortunately, the picture below... 01/14/2009

I had a client in Lewiston ID recently who closed on a house over by Lewis-Clark State College.  Eric, the dad, was active duty military and had only had a few minutes to spare when we did the inspection.  His wife was also busy plus they had three kids under the age of four.  These were busy, busy parents. The night that they closed on the house, I got a phone call from Eric.  The gas furnace was dead, no good, muerto.  7:30 pm on a Friday night and my clients have no heat with the temperatures supposed to drop to the high 20's that night.  Not good at all. So I bundled up, headed out and went to see what I could do to help.  When I got there, the Realtor was already there (which impressed the heck out of me since it was a Friday night!) and the kids were running from room to room havi... 01/13/2009

  Lewiston ID  Clarkston WA 3rd Quarter year comparison report.... Date Range=07/01/2008-09/30/2008 as compared to 07/01/2007-09/30-2007 TOTAL - RESIDENTIAL (All Areas)   Current Period 152   27,657,207   181,955       506     One Year Ago 182   32,606,647   179,157       596     Increase/(Decrease) (30) -16% (4,949,440) -15% 2,798 2%     (90) -15%   Statistics for: Class=RE,LD,CI,MF,FA AND Type=SFR,SF-2A,MWL,MW/OL,CDO AND Date Range=07/01/2008-09/30/2008 AND Area=Astn/Clmns,ClarkDtown,ClarkHghts,LewisEMain,LewisWMain,LewisDtwnE,LewisDtwnW,LewisDtwnS,LewisOrchE,Tammany,Waha,LewisNorth AND Grouping Selector=3; As Of: 12/16/2008   Qty Sold % Chg Volume Sold % Chg Average Sale % Chg Median Sale % Chg Qty Active % Chg   RESIDENTIAL   All Areas   Asotin/Clemans   Current Period 4   943,150  ... 12/16/2008

We are getting ready for the the Holiday Season in the Lewis-Clark Valley! Winter Spirit Christmas Lighting  @  Locomotive Park  2101 Main-Lewistonwhere the Steam Engine 92, and Camas Prairie RR Caboose all come to LIFE!Thanksgiving weekend .... Music, entertainment & Great Family FUN! for any questions ... call  208-748-3000   photos from http://www.winterspirit.com/ Winter Spirit, IncPO Box 1813 · Lewiston, ID 83501 (208) 791-7017 The volunteers of Winter Spirit, Inc., ignite the spirit of the community during the winter holiday season with lighted sites located throughout the Valley. Performers at Lewiston's Locomotive Park, courtesy of Winter Spirit. Photos below by Larry Kopczynski, whom has been a steadfast supporter of the Winter Spirit since it's beginning.                      ... 11/13/2008

Single family home sales in the Lewis-Clark Valley1.  Number of homes on the market...3652.  Homes sold since beginning of 2007...4433.  Average sales price of those homes sold...$169,4324.  Average days on the market...96LAST YEAR, SAME PERIOD...1.   there were 308 ACTIVE Residential listings in the Lewis-Clark Valley2.  Homes sold in same period in 2006...3333.  Average price of those homes sold last year 2006...$157,7494.  Average Days on the market...86To take a look at the listings in my area check out my Website  http://www.pattyluther.com/YOUR LEWIS CLARK VALLEY REALTOR OF CHOICE. 07/30/2007

The first people of European ancestry to visit the Lewiston area were members of an expedition led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark in October 1805. At the future town site the Lewis and Clark Expedition encountered settlements of the native Nez Perce.  Named after Lewis, the town was founded in 1861 in the wake of a gold rush which began in the area the previous year. The first newspaper in present-day Idaho began publication in Lewiston in 1862. In 1863 Lewiston became the capital of the newly-created Idaho Territory.Lewiston's stint as a seat of government was short-lived. A resolution to have the capital moved from Lewiston to Boise was passed by the Idaho Territorial Legislature on December 7, 1864. The move was made in 1865. According to legend the move was very unpopular in ... 07/30/2007

Summer is still here!  Time now for Hot August Nights!  The Lewis-Clark Valley is located at the confluence of the snake and Clearwater Rivers on the Idaho/Washington state border.  The twin cities were named in honor of the Corps of Discovery explorers, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.   The community serves as a regional service and shopping center for northcentral Idaho and eastern Washington and Oregon.  The community is the side of the furthest inland seaport, Port of Lewiston, 465 miles from the Pacific Ocean.  Lewiston was the site of Idaho's first capital.  This scenic valley is referred to as the Banana Belt due to the mild winter climate that allows for year-round golfing.  The Lewis Clark Valley is packed with many activities year round, but one of the biggest events is Ho... 07/30/2007

Welcome to the first installment of the Member Spotlight.  This was inspired by my thought on how to get people networking with each other.  I put a call out to the members and everyone liked the idea so here we are!  The basic idea of this Spotlight is simple, when it is your turn to do it, you are going to write about someone that you did not know before, call them and share some information on that person.  Your second task is to also interview the following week's author....   My selected person this week is from Lewiston, ID, the town name caught my attention, growing up right next to Lewiston, NY.   Quickly approaching 20,000 points I thought she would be a perfect person to feature this week.  Slowly, steadily she has become #1 in in Idaho.  Something being in the very competitiv... 02/28/2007

Since I'm a Realtor in an area surrounded by acres of timber, farm land, and purple mountains majesty, I answer enquiries on a daily basis on land that is for sale in my area.  Many of these people are from out of state, usually from big cities who have heard that moving to Idaho is the best thing to do.  I'm not going to argue about that, I wouldn't be living in the Valley if I didn't think it was true.  The other day while I was on floor, I received a lead from an out of stater who said that her friend bought acreage in Idaho and she was jealous, and wants to do the same.  GREAT!! I gathered some listings-100-400 acre parcels all with lots of timber, streams and solitude for miles around-all beautiful pieces of land.  I can't help but wonder, though, will these people be happy once th... 12/14/2006

When you think of retirement you usually think Florida, or Arizona, but what about  Lewiston,Idaho ? Yes, Lewiston Idaho!!  With several golf courses, mild weather, fishing, the walking and biking paths, (and did I mention fishing?), the Lewis-Clark Valley is a place that many people have come to spend their retirement years.                                                    Lewiston, Idaho and Clarkston, Washington is the home for four 18- hole golf courses and with the banana belt weather, there are very few days where you can't find a golfer on the course!  The average temperature in the Winter is about 40 degrees, and the average summer day heats up to about 90.  There is very little snow in the winter, mostly rain, and the average precipitation is 13 inches a year.. but don't expe... 12/10/2006