Spokane Wa Real Estate Voice

My husbands Aunts sent him a family heirloom photo album dating 1869-1943. Wow.

It is amazing! There are hundreds of original photos of his father and grandparents. His grandad (John Long) built homes and there are several photos of homes he built in North Spokane. ( late 1890's and early 1900's)

It really got me thinking how one day we will all be gone. I will be gone. I was looking at a baby picture of his father who has been dead several years, and really feeling sentimental. Look at that baby, I was thinking. His soul was staring at me from the page. It made me ponder how fast time goes by. How life is precious, and fleeting.

It made me feel sad, but also fascinated about how people are so valuable. Knowing a little more about my kids genealogy is amazing. I look forward to studying both sides of my family when time permits. It is quite amazing to know where you come from, and see the pictures of those who are long gone, but not forgotten.

We have identified 3 homes for sure that her built here in Spokane and plan to write the owners letters.

I will share a few photos once we have them scanned and preserved.

Q: Do you mind if I smoke?

A: (from Steve Martin on a Saturday night live skit) No, do you minf if I fart?

I will NEVER forget the first time I heard that. I literally could not stop laughing for DAYS.

But I was not laughing last night after spending 30 minutes in a VERY smokey listing. I smelled like stale cigarettes, my clothes needed to be washed, I had to take a second shower, my eyes were burning, my throat was mucked up, and my husband was complaining about how bad I smelled the second I came through the door.

Now I am very sorry if you are a smoker and you are reading this if I have offended you. Maybe you are wise and do not smoke in your house.

But the truth is that smoking in a home can decrease its value by thousands and thousands of dollars.

Most people don't smoke, and are therefore very sensitive to the smell of ciggarette smoke.

Many people are allergic to smoke. (me)

Smoking in a home is bad for all who live there, as proven by second hand smoke research.

We all have our habits and nobody is perfect. But if you smoke, may I suggest that you do so outside your home if you want it to maintain its best value.

Keep your home in tip top shape! Smoke OUTSIDE or... not at all.

I have written 10 posts on why I love Spokane Wa. This is the final, number ONE!

To sum it up, I am a lifelong resident of Spokane and I truly believe in the quality of life here.

I love Spokane (number one) simply because it is HOME SWEET HOME!

Spokane is not too big, not too small, has lower than average cost of living, lower unemployment, 4 great seasons to enjoy, great outdoor activities, a thriving downtown, spectacular river, arts, music, culture, shopping, and my personal favorite is the dozens of nearby lakes.

Spokane also has a more stable housing market than many other places.

If you are considering relocating to Spokane Wa. feel free to contact me for a free relocation package!

There is truly no place like SPOKANE WA. !!!

photo of the Spokane River takn by BethAnn Long

to see all Spokane MLS Listings visit my website! www.BethAnnHomes.com

The tax credit crunch is on.

Buyers are writing offers.

Sellers are trying to hold what little ground they have.

Tug o War is on the rise and Realtors better have their best negotiating game face on.

The thing I am personally noticing is that even if the gap is not far, both parties are holding ground.

That middle place for putting a deal together is often quite narrow. So what can we do?

My best opinion is to stand back and advise that your party see the bigger picture. Step out of what feels like a game long enough to ask the right questions of yourself.

In the LONG RUN...Do you want to lose this deal over a xxx  thousand dollars? In the long run, it can make very little difference to both parties.

This market and the current tax deadlines have created a bit of a relay game. READY, SET, GO!...

Maybe we need to lose the team pride just a bit and rather than become too stubborn, sellers may have to wave that white flag sooner, and buyers may have to consider how much they want a specific property- over how much they beat down the seller.

The line is fine. YES I think buyers should be getting a good deal- even a GREAT deal in this market. And SELLERS need to de-personalize their property sale and realize that for a year and a half we have all been programmed for the bottom and they are not being targeted in a personal way.

But it is tough out there for everybody. Buyers that are loan worthy should be darn proud, and feel that they have gotten what they came for.

Sellers should seriously ponder it when they receive a decent offer, as there are still a whole lot of homes that are not moving toward escrow.

We need to realize, as agents that we are NOT "playing a game". We may be coaching from the sidelines, but now more than ever we need to remain calm, cool headed and help both our buyers and sellers attain their goal of a sucsessful transaction.

3/5/2010

Only 56 days until the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit and Repeat Home Buyer runs out!

• I have seen an increasing number of SOLD SIGNS on homes as well as homes going contingent on the Spokane MLS.
• There is still time to get in on this tax credit if you are qualified.
• Interest Rates are still FANTASTIC!

If you are wondering if you are qualified to take advantage of these tax credits, call your Realtor or mortgage broker today!

This tax credit is unprecedented, and may never happen again.

It takes time to find a home, write an offer, do inspections and allow 30-45 days for loan procsessing, so NOW is the right time to get a move on if you want to buy a home!

BethAnn Long 509-362-4607 Coldwell Banker Tomlinson

I show a fair number of houses each week. It gets cumbersome discussing them with buyers by address or MLS numbers, so I nick-name them as we go,

It is super fun, and my buyers all get into it!  It makes each home memorable, even the ones you want to forget!

Try it- you'll like it! There are a few times I haven't done this, but I usually do.

Here are a few favotites we have come up with:

• The Mayors House
• The " essence of cat" house
• The " unkitchen" house
• The retirement home
• The White House
• The mouse house
• The Pimpin' House
• The garage sale house
• The court house
• Pottery Barn House
• Haunted House
• The monestary
• Smoke House
• The music house
• The carpet project
• Fill in the blank...

I could go on forever... Why not have fun on the journey!?

I have had a few scarey situations with random online lenders that buyers have chosen.

They were made to believe they would save money, and that is why they decided to work with a stranger.

Now, it is completely up to the buyer who they want to use. It is normal to want to save yourself as much money as possible. However, you are taking a huge risk if you don't have a personal recommendation for a lender.

One reason you may want to at least speak with the lender (s) your Realtor suggests is because those lenders want us to continue to refer to them, so they are "on their toes" with our clients. It is a built in accountability when there is a proven relationship of success.

Rest assured, your Realtor is not getting any kind of financial perk by recommending a lender. That is simply not allowed. Their reward comes when you recieve the service you deserve on your biggest purchase.

Be sure you have actual references when choosing a Realtor and a lender.

Interview them, ask questions. See who you communicate well with and who gives you the time of day. Ask your parents, mentors, and experienced home buyers who they recommend. There are some things that are worth more than potentially saving a few bucks.

I have had a few discussions lately in regard to the outstanding attitude and positive vibe that we have at my office.

These were brought on by "outsiders" and they both told me that I didn't know how fortunate I am that I am in an office where the morale is great.

Wow, I don't think I could survive if I had a downer environment. There is so much to deal with in this business, that I am glad I am surrounded with people who are encouraging, fun, positive and above all professional.

I really appriciate my office and I wanted to say so! :)

Surrounding yourself with like minded people is important. If your office is a negative environment, I suggest being the change you want to see, and talking with the management about some morale boosters. As an independent contractor, I don't have to like where I work- but I do!

BethAnn Long- Realtor with COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON-SOUTH 4102 S Regal Spokane Wa 99223

509-362-4607

Spokane is a great place for DAY TRIPS!

There are so many cool places to take an incredible day trip from Spokane. Way too many to list, but here are a few of my favorites.

• Just 35 minutes to the world famous Couer d'Alene Idaho- a spectacular resort town very well known for its pristine lake and mountains, with a quaint downtown for shopping- right on the lake!

  Visit this website for more info! www.cdaresort.com

• Sandoint Idaho: Winter, Spring Summer or Fall- Sandpoint is a gorgous mountain city with an incredible lake for summer fun, and great winter skiing! Check out www.sandpoint.com  you will be amazed!

• Kellogg Idaho www.silvermt.com  For a cool indoor water park and great snow skiing!

• Grand Coule Dam is just a couple hours from Spokane. This is an incredible sight to say the least! visit www.grandcouleedam.com

GRAND COULLE DAM

BethAnn Long- Spokane Realtor : 509-362-4607 Coldwell Banker Tomlinson

                        Spectacular Daylight Craftsman Rancher with View!

7618 E Garnet Ln. Spokane Wa. 99212

• 4 bedrooms
• 2 1/2 baths
• Gormet kitchen
• Formal Dining Room
• Great Room
• Fully finished daylight basement
• 3 car garage
• Great Views
• Gated Commuity
• $340,000

for a private showing call BethAnn Long Coldwell Banker Tomlinson 509-362-4607

take the VIRTUAL TOUR! http://www.tourfactory.com/587971