It is almost unreal to think my youngest children, Colin and Meghan are leaving grade school. They have had 7 wonderful years at Hamblen Elementary K-6. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly time goes by. I see them blossoming into tweenager's and it is exciting and sad all at once.
The world changes at lightening speed, technology is becoming a central part of our moment to moment living, and I sometimes long for simpler days when, as a former stay at home mother of five, I changed diapers for what seemed like decades. I remember at times longingly looking forward to the days when all of my kids would be fully independent. Now I look back with an even deeper longing wondering where time went. The challenge is to enjoy the present and rejoice in the ages and stages that make up the here and now. When our children start sporting cell phones instead of blankies, and laptops instead of lego's, it is truly a bittersweet goodbye. And so it is with tears and giggles, we move on and beyond , away from primary school and into the new challenges of Jr. High years. Meghan and Colin, congratulations !
This is a photo of Meghan and Colin, age 2 ...time goes by so fast!!! Here they are now:
June 2009 6th grade promotion ceremony ~
posted by BethAnn Long, Realtor, Tomlinson South Inc.
Here is a great home with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a huge yard, covered pation, Central a/c/ fully fenced back yard, and a 100% full unfinished basement for you to customize how ever you need to!
I think it started when the Beatles came over from London. Their long hair was offensive to the hard working generation of the great depression. This created a chasm between adults and teenagers. Ok truth be told, I have no idea when it started, that was just a guess.
But now at age 50, I am proud to say that I talk to my kids daily on facebook. I talk to my friends kids too and my 20 something clients as well. I blog, I text, I twit, I facebook- therefore I am.
Actually we used to utilize this thing called " the home phone" which has also been known as a "land line".
Now, my daughter texts me when I am up in my room working to tell me she is going over to her friends house. I am not suggesting this is all good, but the technological advances are now becoming a way of life, yes in fact the new norm.
I guess if you can't beat 'em you gotta join 'em ! I do enjoy the convenience it brings to my business and my family life.
We live in Staycation Paradise here in Spokane Wa. With over 70 lakes within a short distance, you can snap your fingers and be relaxing in Pacific Northwest rustic wooded small lakes, or the grand and awesome larger lakes that make this area near famous.
Just this weekend, we jotted over to Couer d Alene lake for a staycation and all though I have seen this lake my entire life, it is still a jaw dropping experience.
The stunning mountain lake, the quant city, and great shopping makes me glad I love nearby.
Another favorite is a trip to Sandpoint Idaho to the majestic Lake Pend Orielle. You have to see it to believe it!
In general I am bragging about the livability of the Spokane Wa. area. I highly recommend researching the area if you are considering relocating. As a lifelong resident, I can honestly say I love living here. Our real estate market has proven to be quite stable when compared to many other parts of the country. We have 4 very distinct seasons, and as far as I am concerned, there is no place like Spokane!
BethAnn Long, Realtor Tomlinson South Inc. 509-362-4607
It was a wild and crazy ride. You hear that it is a slow market these days. I have been in 3 multiple offer situations lately.
This past weekend was a real nail biter. I was representing a buyer in a multiple offer situation...it was especially tense because they live out of town , and I have to relay everything long distance,- 3 hours time difference. It was like a good movie. Suspense, surprise, mystery, missed connections, high emotions, multiple high spirited personalities, and for me...and especially my buyers, a HAPPY ENDING! I think it is good to report that the market is alive and well in many respects.
It was a total adrenaline rush for 48 hours. I have been on the other end before too, when my buyer has not gotten the house and that is a real let down.
I advise my buyers to use escalation clauses when in a multiple offer situation. In this case, the seller chose to counter rather than use the escalation. It became very tense and confusing. Now that we got the house, all is good and I am believing that they will live there happily ever after!
Closed sales for May were up 18.5% over last month. 390 closed sales were reported in May up from the 329 sales last month. Compared to May 2008 closed sales were down 98 sales or down 20%. The average sales price in May was $181,677 and the median sales price was $165,500.
Year to date sales total 1,357 compared to 1,812 sales in '08, down 25.1%. The average sales price through May is $194,308 compared to last year's average sales price of $202,623, down 4.1%. The median price is $170,000 down 5.6% compared to the same period last year when the median price was $180,000.
Inventory continues to be lower than the previous year for the sixth consecutive month. Currently the inventory is approximately 3,159 homes for sale compared to 3,354 at this time last year. New home sales total 193 closed sales this year compared to 310 over the same period last year.
As for me personally, I have been incredibly busy which is great! :)
Manito Park on Spokane Wa. south hill is one of the most desired locations for homes. This great house is on a huge lot for the spectacular neighborhood. And just one half block to Manito Park tennis courts!
One level living, a classic 1957 rancher built amoung beautiful rock out croppings. 2 car garage, central air conditioning, amazing yard and gardens, 3 bed. 1.5 baths, original charm and character!
It is a touchy subject...pricing a home for sale. If you study the current absorption rates and understand your markets actual odds of selling, then perhaps what we really need to educate our sellers on is how to determine the VALUE of their home.
When you shop for a new outfit, you pass by all kinds of prices you are NOT willing to pay, until you find something of VALUE.
Realtors and Sellers do not determine home values. Appraisers do not determine home values. Only current market conditions and buyers determine actual value. Once a deal has been struck between a buyer and seller, that is where the value is determined. A home is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
I think showing several comparable properties is good, but how about getting in the car and actually taking your sellers through their competition? Information is POWER. In order for the market to loosen up and begin to have a better flow of properties selling, the issue of pricing and value must be addressed by all of us in this industry.
The longer I am in this business, the more I want my listings to sell, not sit. I want my seller's to be able to get where they want to go in their desired time frame. I welocme your comments and ideas.
It was a lazy Sunday afternoon May 18th 1980 and I was at my in laws home.
My husband went to the grocery store with his dad and I was in the kitchen awaiting their arrival to get dinner started.
They came in the door with several brown bags and this gray-white dusty stuff fell all over the counter.
I said what is that? They said it is VOLCANIC ASH! I am like... Oh sure. Then we walked out side to see a blackish gray sky, and low and behold, the entire ground, trees, homes, cars, roads, were covered with a layer of ...VOLCANIC ASH. It was an eerie site. The quiet afternoon suddenly felt like something out of a Sci-Fi movie. As far as the eye could see, all was covered with ash. We are several hundred miles from the Volcano, so this was just crazy.
The town shut down. It was a difficult undertaking to figure out how to clean up such a ubicutous mess.
Here, there and EVRYWHERE our world looked like a black and white photograph. So odd and yet so captivating.
For several days life slowed down for all, and we did not even drive anywhere. We were on a "Manacotti" kick and made this Itailian dish 3 times that week. First that night at my inlaws, then once at our house for friends, and then again at our friends home. It was as if the whole world stopped to make this historical event. It was really something amazing to live through. The ash stayed around for years. It is really hard to clean up, and does not disepate in water, so even when we would try to hose it off it would still be there. Evetually over the years it was absorbed. However, 20 years later you could still see it along the highway. At present, I am guessing there is still some to be found.
I could ask anyone where they were, what they were doing when the ash fell and covered Spokane Wa. like a felt blanket. Most will recall instantly.
What an incredible experience, 29 years ago TODAY!
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