Near Nature, Near Perfect. All REALTORS® enjoy the opportunity to sell others on our region, but the Greater Spokane region really sells itself. Spokane – the name meaning “Children of the Sun” – was named for the Spokane Indians who lived near the Spokane River. Their living was sustained by fishing, trading and gathering. The tribe once sprawled out over 3 million acres. History relates how the first white men to the area were fur traders in the early 1800’s. Samuel Jackson, the first missionary, arrived in 1836.

History doesn’t sell the locale, but it does portray our long-standing appreciation of our desirable water access, pleasant weather and abundant natural resources. These are still the primary reasons we love our home. Spokane REALTORS® thrive on showcasing our community to those contemplating a move here. Our economy is diverse and thriving with agriculture, forestry and manufacturing, plus Fairchild Air Force Base, all our quality medical facilities, award winning schools, bio-science and technology companies. So much to appreciate!

What has real meaning is the tour we often give visitors. Have you ever thought of all the highlights – Manito Park, Riverfront Park and the vibrant downtown area, the Museum of Arts & Culture, and several interesting art districts? Drive by our education districts and try to name all the universities and colleges serving our citizens. While taking a quick trip around the area, the geographic variety is breathtaking. The Palouse wheat country, rivers and dams, nearby mountains and lakes all only minutes away, whatever your address.

The Greater Spokane region is renowned for our sporting events – Bloomsday, one of the world’s largest foot races, and Hoopfest, the nation’s largest three-on-three basketball tournament. Love to be active? Think boating, skating, golfing, biking and swimming. Of course, we have snow sports too, at their finest! And who would think of missing the Lilac Festival, or skipping a visit to our well known wineries? We have it all.

Statistics alone cannot convey how we love our Inland Northwest. The conversations give our home its meaning. It is not unusual to hear someone explain how they felt after being away for a period of time, driving from the airport, going east on I-90 and seeing the familiar skyline of “home.” It brings so many of us back to our roots. This is where we choose to raise our families and find refuge from chaos. With 260 days a year of sunshine, ample rain, good drinking water and four seasons of fresh air, Spokane REALTORS® enjoy selling the Inland Northwest, even though it sells itself. Near Nature, Near Perfect.

Published in the Spokesman Review July 18th, 2010.

Spokane REALTORS® want to help consumers make the most out of owning a home, and we have a gift for you.  It’s called HouseLogic.  This is a new, comprehensive consumer Web site about all aspects of homeownership. It’s FREE and created by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) for you. The web site is designed to help homeowners across our region make smart decisions regarding their property’s value.

HouseLogic is a great resource for helping homeowners plan and organize their home projects.   You will find timely articles and news; home improvement advice and how-to’s;  information about taxes, home finances and insurance. Unlike other homeownership Web sites, HouseLogic helps consumers view their home through a financial lens. It’s important to consider our homes as an investment. Families can set goals for saving money on their home…or perhaps increasing its’ value. How about the ability to track the progress made on those goals!

Registered users can save relevant information, create to-do lists and set project reminders. The Web site can also be customized for individual homeowners depending on how handy or ambitious they are regarding home projects.  How much money do you want to spend or save? Where do you live?  What are your priorities? Maybe its’ increasing the value of your home or improving the neighborhood.

HouseLogic can also empower homeowners who want to get more actively engaged in shaping community life. Are you interested in becoming an advocate in your neighborhood? What homeownership issues matter most to you?  The site provides users with the tools and know-how to effect change and address concerns, like establishing a neighborhood watch program, building a community playground, or participating in city or county planning efforts.

HouseLogic takes owning a home to the next level, empowering consumers to build their futures through homeownership.  Visit HouseLogic at www.houselogic.com.  Two other great online resources to remember are www.WAhomeowners.com and www.SpokaneOpen.com.

Last year, Spokane REALTORS® helped over 4,660 homeowners achieve their goals of owning a home.  For 99 years, Spokane REALTORS® have been serving our community with heart and bringing families home.  Contact a Spokane REALTOR® today. Remember that the Homeowner Tax Credit expires April 20!

Printed in the Spokesman Review: March 7th, 2010

Let’s put a little effort into the thought process… haven’t we seen economic cycles before? Hasn’t the American spirit shone each and every time to reach new heights? Can’t we believe in ourselves? Of course. Here are a few statistics that will brighten your day.

Wait, isn’t that the aroma of sweet, fresh and beautiful roses in our future? The Federal Housing Finance Agency published statistics – results of the last 5 years (based on Third Quarter 2008.) Spokane was in the top twelve stable marketplaces – ranking number nine! The United States rate of appreciation, on average for the last five years, was 28.78%. Spokane was 62.03%. Considering the backward trend of recent months: national was an average of -4% (remember, that was also considering places like California and Arizona with huge losses.) How encouraging it is to look at our community with a decline of only 0.70%?

Yes, we have had an abundance of homes on the market, yes it has been more difficult for buyers to secure loans but there are still buyers and sellers in the marketplace. Where are the roses? It’s time to invest. Interest rates are low and there are good properties available.

I heard Donald Trump interviewed this last week and the question was asked of him “what are you doing, Donald?” His reply, “buying”. The quote from author and speaker Denis Waitley sums it up “Success in life comes not from holding a good hand, but from playing a poor hand well.” Do you smell those roses yet?