spokane real estate: Where do I get a downpayment? - 07/14/08 11:07 AM
For first-time buyers, often the first thought that comes to mind is, "I need a down payment." This is often followed by the question, "Now, where do I get that down payment?"
Depending upon the loan type, a home mortgage typically requires 3 to 5 percent down. If you have the money, then you're set. But what if you don't?  What if you're renting? You can afford a mortgage within your means, but coming up with the down payment money needed to begin the transaction can be challenging. So, where can you turn?
One of the most overlooked sources of down … (2 comments)

spokane real estate: Right now couldn't be a better time to invest in a home in Spokane! - 07/10/08 01:18 PM
In 2007, Spokane was one of only a few cities nationwide where the median price of a 
home increased in value.  Contrary to many major markets, "Most of Spokane's 
speculative builders dramatically reduced the number homes they will build in 
2008," said Robert Henry, President of R&D Construction and board member of 
the Spokane Home Builders Association.  The result of declining home starts 
means that at the current rate of market absorption (the rate at which new 
homes are currently selling), the current inventory of new homes will have 
been purchased by the first quarter of 2009.  Production builders are likely 
to … (0 comments)

spokane real estate: Spokane Realtor, Donna Henry raising the bar in the Spokane Real Estate World! - 04/10/08 01:17 PM
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spokane real estate: Builders, REALTORS® Speak Out at the Spokane Planning Commission - 04/10/08 12:21 PM
These impact fees are crazy and it was nice to see such a good turnout to change the direction that the city is trying to impose.  I'm not sure if people really understand the impact that these fees will have on the building industry.  The city is trying to saddled builders with 95% of the cost of the new roads. 
Builders, developers, and real estate professionals turned out in force on Wednesday at a Spokane Plan Commission public hearing regarding the proposed transportation impact fee.  The message was clear: Don't impose the fee before completing the baseline traffic study, and don't saddle development with … (0 comments)

spokane real estate: Spokane's Home Show is next weekend! - 04/10/08 12:09 PM
Don't miss the 2008 Premier Home Improvement Show where Association Members and Sponsors alike are gearing up for a show you won't soon forget! 
As a Spokane Realtor and the wife of a builder (http://www.rdspokane.com/) and an active member of the Spokane Home Builders Association (http://www.shba.com/), I'm immersed in the local Real Estate market in so many ways.  I particularly enjoy these large events that bring us all together and up to date with the latest technology and home ideas.
The Premier Home Improvement Show is Spokane's premier show for connecting the public with the industry pros that will make their home improvement … (2 comments)

spokane real estate: Get your Spokane,WA home ready to sell with Spokane Realtor Donna Henry - 04/05/08 10:24 AM
Get Your Home Ready To SellIn preparing your house to sell, ask yourself over and over if your house looks like someone else's dream house. Houses in move-in condition tend to be inviting to buyers; houses that are like new typically sell the fastest and procure the best price.With that in mind, here are a few things to consider when getting ready to sell:ExteriorRemember the 60-second rule: that's all the time you have to create a good first impression! Mow the lawn, rake leaves, trim trees and shrubs that keep light out of the house and remove dead plants. Pick up … (0 comments)

spokane real estate: Spokane Real Estate, Buying a home in Spokane, Spokane Realtor - 04/05/08 10:20 AM
It's a  great time to buy a home here in Spokane,WA.  Home prices aren't going to get any lower, get in while the interest rates are still low and there are quite a few nice choices in all price ranges with more coming on the market daily!  
Top 10 Signs That It's Time To Own Your Own Home10. You're ready to stop paying your landlord's mortgage payment, and start building wealth of your own.9. You could use the property tax and mortgage interest deductions.8. You want a vested interest in your community.7. It's mid-August and you can no longer tolerate waiting for your landlord … (0 comments)

spokane real estate: The One Minute Listing Presentation - 03/29/08 11:33 AM
Here is a simple and easy script to stay on track during listing presentations...I just used it in a listing appointment yesterday with seller who is interviewing agents to sell his 2 million dollar property(Not many of those around here!).  It worked out great and I nailed the listing appointment.  I got throught to the second interview which is tomorrow, wish me luck!
Mr. and Mrs. Seller I've written down three very important questions. May I ask them?
1. Do you absolutely have to sell your home? 2. Are you willing to price it to sell? 3. Would you like me to handle the … (17 comments)

spokane real estate: Three keys to Real Estate Success.... - 03/29/08 11:27 AM
Whenever I run across information that seems different or better, I like to share it with you all out there.  Not sure where this originally came from but it sure does make sense!
Three Keys to Real Estate Success:
1. You have to learn to make a fool of yourself and not care.
2. You have to learn to ask for business and not be attached to the answer.
3. You have to learn to state the obvious or common in emotionally powerful ways. \
The Process for Learning Scripts, Dialogues and Power Phrases:
Memorize - understand it Internalize - know it Customize - … (5 comments)

spokane real estate: Spokane ranks 9th on Forbes "Best Places for Business and Careers" - 03/24/08 04:34 PM
 Forbes recently announced their 10th annual ranking of the Best Places for Business and Careers. The findings help to paint a picture of what is happening in the overall U.S. economy, as well as in specific metro areas across the country. Plus, the rankings offer a wide range of choices for the best places to launch a new business, consider for relocation, and much more. This year, Raleigh, N.C. is number one for the second year in a row due in part, to its strong job growth. For the third straight year, the Southeast is home to half of the top … (2 comments)

spokane real estate: Lexington Homes Breaks Ground For Home Donation for Wishing Star - 03/24/08 12:33 PM
I'm on the fundraising committee for the Wishing Star foundation and just wanted to share with you all one of the projects that Lexington Homes here in Spokane is donating to their wonderful cause. 
Wishing Star Foundation will be the recipient of a major donation through the work of Lexington Homes. The Spokane residential home builder will hold ground-breaking ceremonies Wednesday (February 20) for a very special home to assist Wishing Star.
"We will build a home in the popular, family-friendly, Twin Bridges sub-division in the Valley, and all net proceeds from this home will go directly to the local Wishing Star Foundation," … (1 comments)

spokane real estate: Realtor found Dead;Suspect Held - 03/20/08 06:20 AM
 
 I'm not sure how to post this story I just ran accross but wanted to share this news story with you all....
Mar 20, 12:05 PM (ET)
JEFFERSON, Wis. (AP) - A 71-year-old real estate agent was found dead inside a home she had been showing, and authorities said Thursday that the man she had met there was arrested.
Ann B. Nelson, of Cambridge, was found dead Tuesday night next to a smoldering mattress at the smoke-filled rural home in the town of Oakland, authorities said.
The man she had seen there was arrested after he was brought in for questioning Wednesday night, said Jefferson … (9 comments)

spokane real estate: More people are moving to smaller cities like Spokane.... - 03/04/08 03:48 PM
Fortunately, much of the media about a failing housing market hasn't affected the Spokane market in the same way as larger cities have felt the impact.  We don't have builders like D.R. Horton, Centex, KB Homes, etc. building hundreds of homes at a time.  Therefore, we don't have a huge glut of inventory (some cities in Florida have thousands of new homes sitting vacant).  While the market certainly slowed, we currently only have a 4-6 month inventory of new homes available.  
Clicking on the table above will take you to http://www.housingpredictor.com/
On the left side of the page is a link that … (2 comments)

spokane real estate: Spokane's Real Estate price appreciation ranks among highest in US!! - 02/28/08 12:06 PM
Hearty Market here in Spokane(Another reason why Spokane is one of the best places to live!!)
written by:
Parker Howell Staff writer for Spokesman ReviewFebruary 27, 2008
When Debbie Mills put her late mother's northeast Spokane house up for sale in November, her Realtor suggested she ask just less than market price. Mills received a full-price offer in a little more than a week.
But in a time of tightening credit nationally, the would-be buyer couldn't secure financing and the contract expired. Mills expects a new, $119,900 deal on the roughly 900-square-foot bungalow to close soon, and she attributes her success to pricing.
"I looked at … (2 comments)