Spokane Real Estate Voice

2011 Spokane Real Estate Statistics Year End 

2011 was an unusual year for many Spokane area Realtor's. Being in the trenches, I see a variety of attitudes and outcomes.

There was a total of 8701 homes listed for sale (represents Residential homes in Spokane under 1 acre) and a total of 4020 closed respectively.

The average sales price was 167,665 (down from 183,483 in 2010)and the median price was 154,900 (down from 167,665 in 2010 end).

This reflects a 5.1% decrease in value for median homes..

Interest rates were at a historical low average at 4.42%. This had less effect on boosting home sales than I personally had hoped for. However, Spokane has a far more stable market than many. We are lucky to be here! 2012 has a great ring to it! :)

If you would like a monthly report e-mailed to you directly,or a personalized neighborhood review-  feel free to e-mail me at bethannlong@gmail.com

(Statistics provided by the Spokane Association of Realtor's.)

BEWARE of Craig's list SCAM and spread the word!

This is old news to most of us. But it has been happening in greater frequency so I think we should help get the word out to the public.

Scam Artists are copying photo's of homes for sale on the Internet. They are posting them at a good price for RENT on Craigs list and other sites. They even e-mail potential renter's "proof of ownership". They also make up false e-mail addresses in the name of the actual owner (which can usually be researched quite readily). The scam artists then asks the potential renter all kinds of questions, often obtaining a whole lot of personal and financial information.

Now, you wonder why on earth someone would agree to rent a home they have never walked through. Well, it happens all the time with folks relocating. The scammers pose as property management companies, have official looking documents and ask for things like: first and last months rent, deposists and other fee's. They usually say the are out of the country for some noble reason such as missions. They claim they will mail the keys once they get the deposit money.

Having increased Internet exposure for our listings is great, but of course the crooks have to come up with something like this.

I got two calls last week when people drove by my listings they were hoping to rent from these criminals! They saw my for sale sign and called me. I was able to save them both right before they were ready to give out their information! The scammers charge what appears to be reasonable, but realistic rents for these homes, but under what is the likely rent. This makes it extra appealing and tempting on the consumer.

It just infuriates me that out listings are being abused this way! Luckily- I don't know of nay instances where seller's can be harmed.

BEWARE and be on the look out for YOUR LISTINGS FALSELY ADVERTISED AS RENTALS! Of course most of us don't have time to check this out- but just be mindful that it is happening.

And to the rest of us eeking out an honest living, all the best to you!

I am a life long resident of Spokane WA and I am proud of it!

Many feel they have to move away from their home town to have a fulfilling life. I chose to stay and I love the connections and roots I have here.

As a Realtor, I feel that I can service people moving to Spokane and help people who are considering relocation to Spokane WA in a unique way. I have a history of success in the local real estate market here, and more importantly I have a feel for all of the different areas.

Downtown Spokane is spectacular! We have a huge, gorgeous, rugged river that runs through our city. Talk about natural beauty!

Just a few miles west of Downtown Spokane

In short, we have it all in Spokane. 4 distinct seasons, a more stable real estate market than many, arts, culture, lakes, community, skiing, fishing, hiking, great Universities, shopping, and much more! If you would like to know more about Spokane Real Estate, or relocation to Spokane Wa. I would be glad to mail you a relocation packet!

River Park Square Downtown Spokane! has Nordstrom, Pottery Barn and so much more!

It would be my pleasure to talk with you about the benefits of relocating to beautiful Spokane Wa!

If you are not familiar with the Title Nine Retail stores, maybe you should be!

I was so excited when the new Title Nine opened it's doors in the progressive Perry District of Spokane Wa. on the South Hill.

This is a quaint, artistic area with charming older homes, local business, great restraunts and the soon to be famous Perry Street Pizza. As a local resident and professional I just want to say WELCOME TO TITLE NINE SPOKANE! I love the new clother I got there! 

 Brick Bungalow for sale in fantastic Perry District Spokane WA.!

This adorable brick home is in the amazing Perry District of Spokane WA. Enjoy neighborhood shops and the unique flair this progressive neighborhood has to offer!          

 Hardwood floors, loads of great character, cure kitchen, fenced yard, so much to offer for only 134,000!

2 bedrooms one bath on main floor- 2 (non conforming) bedrooms upstairs.

VIRTUAL TOUR: http://www.tourfactory.com/766785

Updated, newer furnace, tile roof, PRICED TO SELL!

Call today for a showing: BethAnn Long Coldwell Banker Tomlinson 509-362-4607

With all of negative press, discouraged Realtor's, and talk of the bad economy, I sometimes get worn down. It is a wonderful feeling when your clients take a moment to say thank you!!!

Today- I opened my inbox and found this wonderful e-mail from a client, it truly made my day!!! :

BethAnn,

Just wanted to take the time to write you a say thank you so much for helping us buy our first home! We definitely feel like the shoe fits! BethAnn made buying our first home as smooth as possible. She is a very strong woman who put us first no matter what day it was or time even driving us around in snow storms looking at not only what she picked but what we wanted to look at as well. Her communication skills are second to none she always kept us in the loop as well as communicating to our lender.   We interviewed five different agents and we hired her because she was very honest and up front with us; furthermore, she understood our budget and stuck to it along with our expectations and style of homes we were interested in. We were in the market looking for a home about 2 months and in that time we never felt pressured by her to buy at any time. Also because of her extensive experience in this business she negotiated a large sewer connection fee to be paid for by our seller along with the closing costs. BethAnn- thank you for working hard for us we love our new home and most of all thank you for treating us like not just a customer but a friend who always had our best interest at heart through the whole experience. 

Sincerely,

Ismael & Danielle R.

I have been working with a delightful young couple. As usual, when they contacted me I set up a pre-showing interview so we could get aquainted. We went over their wish- list of things they wanted in their first home. I also like to find out about their hobbies, and recreation interests. We chit chat a little bit because I want my new buyers to feel comfortable with me. I have a son about their age, and one thing I noticed internally was that I want these kids to be treated the way I would want my own kids treated if they were buying a house. They let me know they had attempted to buy the house they were currently renting and things had gone south. I have no desire to place blame or guilt on other agents. This is a hard business!

I was curious how they found me. I spend a fair amount of dollars creating a good internet presense, and I like to know what works. So I asked them: how did you find me?

They googled " Honest Realtor" in Spokane. They said they did not feel that the other agent(s) they had dealt with in the past were being truthful with them. Sad.

The main reason I am sharing this with my real estate community is because I had some really nice references online, and that is where the adjective " honest" is found in conjunction with my name. I think it is critical in this day and age to have a good, updated variety of testimonials, references on your websites.

Proverbs 22:1 states:

Are you focused on your goals and dreams?

Here is an acronym I created:

F.O.C.U.S.
Forward.
Optimistic.
Centered.
Uncompromising.
Steps of Action

I would like to go through each of these and share my experience.

Forward:Too often I see people with regrets. More damaging I see how the woulda coulda shoulda mentality is like a vice on their soul. It has a grip on them and the insidious thing is that they are creating a present much like their past by regretting it. In order to achieve tangible results, we must use the past as a springboard, not at anchor.

Optimistic: This may sound like an obvious trait for someone to have who wants to remain focused. However, there are scores of things in our daily routines that can derail an optimistic attitude. Sick kids, bad traffic, transaction complications, are a few things we face that can threaten to turn us into a mental detour. Find the bright side, take the high road. The only thing we can control in any given situation is our attitude.

Centered: Being centered is all about knowing who you are, your core values and convictions. Those who stand for nothing, fall for anything. Stand your ground. Be comfortable in your own skin. Feed your soul and spirit with things that build up your spiritual foundation.

Uncompromising:   Don't settle for things that are not good for you. Know your boundaries and limitations.When you feel you might be wavering- take your time. Pause, reflect, wait. Above all- pray.

Steps of Action:None of the above matter if you are not willing to ACT. This might mean planning better, changing your routine, sticking to your exercise plan, making those calls, attending or not attending meetings, ect. But measurable action is the thing that defines leaders. Live intentionally. Action separates those who are participating in life from the spectators.

God has given us one life, this is not a dress rehearsal. Make the most of it! I had the distinct pleasure of hearing Jack Canfield live. He shared that the first step in living a full successful life is taking 100% responsibility for where you are today. I agree. FOCUS.

Your Spokane Neighborhood Review!

I am asked almost every single day..."How is the Market?" Well, that is a loaded question!

There are so many different ways to look at any given current real estate market. Each angle sheds a different light on different aspects of the market. Are you a seller? Buyer? Investor? Flipper?

I think one useful and pertinent piece of information you might find valuable is my customized SPOKANE NEIGHBORHOOD REVIEWS! This report can be e-mailed or snail mailed to you either monthly or annually. It will give the NEIGHBORHOOD low down on what is going on in your  neck of the woods or perhaps an area of interest to you.

Recieve homes for sale, statistics, SOLD homes, and more!

You can also be set up to receive EVERY new listing in any given area, price rangeor style of home - just to keep an "eye on the market". For instance, you can receive all brand new listings via e-mail from me in your neighborhood, or desired location. It is just like window shopping! It helps you know the market, see prices, and makes you more estate of the changing market.

I always welcome the question: "How is the market!"...just know you may get a long answer to a short question. Or, e-mail or call me today and I will get you set up on your own Neighborhood Review, and/or e-listings! It is a lot less time consuming than making a sport of going to OPEN HOUSE'S! I know, I did that for years! Enjoy the convenience of my customized "Neighborhood Reviews" and check out the neighbor's homes for sale in the convenience of your own home via e-listings.

My e-mail is : bethann@tb.com cell phone 509-362-4607 Glad to help! :)

www.bethannhomes.com

What are the odds of selling your Spokane home?

I think the most critical piece of information you can share with a potential seller is their actual odds of selling. When people list their home for sale, they assume it will sell- not always the case.

Here are the actual number for 2010: Odds of Selling by month:

JAN. 6%

FEB. 7%

MARCH 12%

APRIL 15%

MAY 16%

JUNE  15%

JULY 10 %

AUG.  10 %

SEPT. 9 %

OCT. 10 %

NOV. 9 %

DEC. 12%

This clearly shows us that in the BEST POSSIBLE MONTH your home has an 85% chance of NOT SELLING!

Good grief, does this tell you that marketing a house is a difficult job?

Here are some things that will INCREASE THE ODDS of Selling your Spokane home:

          First before first: Hire an agent that has a written marketing plan and good references!

1. PRICE IT COMPETITIVELY : Sellers often make the mistake of saying they will over-price a little because people can offer less. I have heard this dozens of times. The truth is price is like you are aiming for a TARGET. Just being a little off is not a good idea. (The agent who gives you the highest list price may be trying to flatter you to get the listing).

2. Rely on SOLD COMPARABLES not just homes currently for sale for target pricing.

3.PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD: Make sure your home is presented in it's best possible light. Staged well, clean, and free of personal items.

4. LISTEN TO FEEDBACK: If you get the same comment more than once, address the issues at hand quickly.

I hope these tips are useful when selling your Spokane home!