Spokane Real Estate Voice: December 2008

WINTER IN SPOKANE ...IS SIMPLY MAGICAL!

I am looking out my window to what some people dream of.. A WHTE CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND IN Spokane, WA.

Check out the website : WINTER IN SPOKANE AT www.winterinspokane.com for all of the great ideas for Spokane shopping, Spokane skiing and other great winter sports and activities.

One of the many things that makes Spokane WA a great place is the four picture perfect seasons we experience here.

There is no place like Spokane in the winter!

SKIING, SLEDDING, SNOW SHOES, BUILDING A SNOWMAN, SNOW BOARDING, A MAGICAL RIDE IN A HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE IN DOWNTOWN SPOKANE, A GOOD BOOK BY THE FIRE, SNOW ANGELS...THE LIST GOES ON. YES, SPOKANE WA. IN THE WINTER IS NOTHING SHORT OF A STORYBOOK SETTING.

BethAnn Long, REALTOR , e-PRO

www.bethannhomes.com

I have been made aware that it would benefit all homeowners, our clients,  customers, friends and family to be very CAUTIOUS when hiring a MOVING COMPANY.

NOT ALL MOVERS ARE CREATED EQUAL.

There are increasing numbers in reports of MOVING SCAMMERS. They give low bids, have no insurance and have been known to keep peoples posessions as ransom for more payment than initially quoted.

As realtors, I think we can help raise awareness in regard to this matter, so people we service and care about don't become the victim of a shoddy mover.

The moral of the story: The cheapest bid may NOT be the best bet. REFERENCES are always a must when someone is handling all of your eartly goods.

Perhaps you are wondering ...where would be a nice place to RELOCATE? I imagine you are doing your homework about home prices, cost of living, recreation, weather, and all of the things that make a good place to hang your hat.

CONSIDER SPOKANE, WA.! Our median home price is what most folks think of as affordable (184,370) and there is so much to do here!Why  NOT Spokane, Wa.?

• Spokane, Wa. was featured in FORBES.COM in 2008 as the 9th best place to start a new business!  (Read on... http://www.forbes.com/business/forbes/2008/0407/097.html    )  
• Spokane WA has had a stable real estate market since the 1950's!
• Spokane WA is a beautiful place with lots to do both outdoors and otherwise. (www.visitspokane.com)
• Spokane  WA has great resteraunts and shopping! www.experiencespokane.com
• Spokane WA is the home of incredible sporting events such as BLOOMSDAY (www.bloomsdayrun.org) the worlds largest timed footrace! and HOOPFEST the worlds largest BasketBall 3 on 3 (http://www.spokanehoopfest.net/site/)
• Spokane WA is the home of several great colleges such as Gozaga University, (GO ZAGS!)Whitworth College, Spokane Falls College, Spokane Community College and nearby Eastern Washington University with extension campusus of Washington State University.
• Spokane WA is rich in arts and culture and ever growing to experience more. The Spokane Symphony, Civic Theatre, Interplayers Theatre, The Bing Crosby Theatre, and the amazing Fox theatre. (http://www.foxtheaterspokane.com/ )  host a varirty of great performances!
• How many cities have a raging, amazing river running through the center of downtown? There is a trail along the breathtaking river that is incredible for walking, biking, and rollerblading! www.spokanecentennialtrail.org    Wow!
• Spokane WA has a varity of wonderful neihborhoods, something for every budget and taste. 

Spokane has FOUR SEASONS , absolute perfection of each I may add! For  COMPLIMENTARY SPOKANE WA. RELOCATION PACKET  and consultation contact me at : bethann@tb.com   BethAnn Long, REALTOR, e-PRO Tomlinson South, Inc. 509-362-4607

 As a lifelong resident of Spokane, WA I truly believe in the quality of life here!

Here in Spokane, WA. The source for much of our area's gas and electricity is AVISTA UTILITIES .

Avista does a nice job helping educate the public on wonderful suggestions to conserve energy. More than ever, people are pinching pennies and needing to save every cent they can!

Avista even has education for children in regard to energy conservation. Their mascot is" Wattson" and they have a website dedicated to children, www.avistakids.com   and they also do community education events.

For helpful information on natural gas and electricity , go to www.avistautilities.com

You can learn alot!

BethAnn Long, REALTOR and e-PRO 509-362-4607 

12/14/08 It's very cold today in the northwest. We are expecting a wind chill well below zero for the next few days.

If you have a vacant listing, or rental property , or if your friends, family are out of town for awhile, or lucky enough to be snowbirds, WINTERIZING the house is critical!

 You may want to have the water source turned off to avoid frozen pipes, which can lead to disaster!

Talk to your local handyman,  plumber , or home service store to see how to best winterize a vacant home. It's important to have someone check on the property from time to time as well.

Be safe, be careful and be cautious! Snow removal, shoveling walks and driveways, keeping ice off the stairs are very important in vacant homes, especially if they are for sale!

 BethAnn Long, REALTOR and e-PRO 509-362-4607

In one of Spokane's most progressive and prestigious neighborhoods, lies a very affordable condominium with a sweeping MILLION dollar VIEW! For only 129,900$ call this condo your new home!

This condo has many amazing features and ammenities!

• WASHER AND DRYER INCLUDED
• SPECTACULAR VIEW
• GREAT AREA
• OVER 1100 sq. ft. of living space!
• Assigned parking
• No yard work
• Cats welcome
• 2 BD. 2 FULL bathrooms
• Cozy Fireplace
• Formal Living and Dining Rooms
• Great Deck overlooking beautiful condo yards and city lights!

VIRTUAL TOUR!!! http://www.tourfactory.com/470529

For a showing of this wonderful condo, call BethAnn Long Tomlinson South Inc. 509-362-4607

Residential closed sales (single family homes and condos on less than one acre) for Spokane County reported by the Spokane Association of Realtors  MLS totaled 252 for November. The average sales price for November was $200,086 and the median price was $179,950 up slightly from last month. Year to date sales total 4,619 compared to 6,489 for the same period last year. The average sales price through November was $206,607 down 2.2% compared to the same period in 2007 when the averages sales price was $211,309. The median sales price through November stands at $184,370 compared to $185,000 last year. Inventory is down over 200 properties compared to last month, 2,925 compared to 3,173. New home sales reported to the SAR MLS totaled 38 for November.

From the Spokane Association of Realtor's

BethAnn Long, REALTOR and e-PRO Tomlinson South, Inc. 509-362-4607