Spokane Real Estate Voice: Washington: Spokane

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.)

Spokane's South Hill is buzzing with the excitement of our brand new Trader Joes!

The store had it's grand opening on Friday October 28th and it was like sardines in there, no pun intended. The steady flow of the crowd was endless from open to close.

People came from neighboring towns just to shop and experience the excitement!

This is great for the South Hill in Spokane. They re-did the entire strip mall and its beautiful!

I must say, I was almost giddy I was so happy to have this great store just blocks from my house!

In fact, the day before it opened, I was peeking in the window and ended up being interviewed by KXLY Television and was ont he news!

CHECK IT OUT THAT'S ME (THE STALKER)

http://www.kxly.com/localvideo/index.html?v=27675

WELCOME TRADER JOES!

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

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:

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!

The long awaited opening of the WEST WING OF THE WHITE HOUSE GRILL has happened! You can smell the garlic for miles!

The WEST WING is on Spokane's South Hill at 4334 S. Regal. This is such a popular place, they do not even take reservations! I must tell you...it is my husbands FAVORITE place on the planet!

Bursting with flavor and personality, the legend lives on with Raci and the rest of his groupees!

It is downright exhilarating having such a legendaey place open on Spokane's South Hill!  You can probably smell the garlic while I am typing!

Check out the video on the link above, and see you at the West Wing! I will probably be one of the people in line before you!

We have the most AMAZING EVENT for NEW YEARS EVE IN SPOKANE WA!

It is called First Night Spokane !  There is nothing like it anywhere! Our whole downtown Spokane for miles is one huge FESTIVAL of art, music, activities, and s much more.

This is an event for the WHOLE FAMILY. It is just one more reason why there is NO PLACE LIKE SPOKANE WA.!

I WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011 !

BethAnn Long, Spokane Relocation Specialist www.bethannhomes.com

Coldwell Banker Tomlinson 509-362-4607