Spokane ~ Birthday

Snow for my Birthday

So...it's my birthday. And, NO I did not wish for more snow. However, it is snowing big huge puffy flakes that are covering everything.

Snow Snow Snow

Two days ago we climbed up on our roof to clear some of the snow. Must have been at least 2 feet of snow up there, someplaces maybe 3 feet. Anyway we worked on that until we could not move our arms any more. We pushed off so much snow you could almost walk right off the roof onto snow.

Then, yesterday we had the hugest snow melt ever. It was at least 40 degrees outside and in the sunshine probably 50 degrees. I could even see concrete and asphalt. I wore shorts and a tee shirt and hit snowballs off a rug with my gap wedge.

Snowboarding

My son had a great idea though! He asked if he could snowboard off of the roof when we were done....I may just have to go home and borrow his board today. Now that actually sounds like a pretty good idea! Maybe I'm getting snow delirious.

Spokane - Golf On!

I know it is snowing...I've shovelled and shovelled and shovelled. I wish I was in the snowblower sales business this year because I could make a killing. You CANNOT find a snowblower in Spokane. You can get on a waiting list but trucks are having trouble getting here. Amazing.

So...what to do after shovelling? How Bout Some Golf

Spokane ~ Nothing Like A New Home

Memory Lane

I remember when my wife and I purchased our first "new home". Way back in 2000. Wow - have we made some changes to the home and property over the years!
First of all, the home was about halfway done when we first saw it...and get this ~ we were NOT interested in new construction. Ah, but love has a funny way of changing your mind. We fell in love with the floor plan, the neighborhood and the potential we had to make this home really ours!

We were able to "move some walls" to make some floor plan changes. Specifically, a larger archway from the entry to the, "then" dining room. Next we added windows in the kitchen, had the builder punch another archway/bar area into the living room and re-arrange cabinets. Since we did all this before the wiring, and plumbing was done..it was easy and did not cost any extra money.

I want to share with you the benefits of buying new construction. I never thought I would be in the market for new construction...but here I am 8 years later. And I'm quite happy! Hopefully you will enjoy my journey in creating our home, and maybe, it will inspire you to dream about your new home too.


Since Then...


Where do I begin. Let's go inside first. I think my wife has painted 1,000,000 times. And please note, all these changes have taken place over the last 8 years. We finished the basement, affectionately referred to as the "Man Den". Although the laundry room is down there...so guess who gets to do the laundry in the "Man Den". READ MORE

No Snow - Go To An Open House

No Snow

Whew...

December 3rd, 2008 and NO SNOW!! In fact, I'm looking out my window at blue skies here in Spokane. I may even play a little golf this weekend at one of our local courses that is still open for business...Check out ESMERELDA GOLF COURSE.

Open Houses

Back in April I posted a blog on Open Houses What would I have to do to get you to read it again?

Anyway, with the weather being so nice and incredible buying conditions...why not go check out some open houses? So far there are 78 homes being held open by Windermere Agents in the Spokane area this weekend. You can PREVIEW them HERE

Interest rates are still in the low 5% range...which gives you buyers incredible buying power. We toured new listings on the market yesterday and I was impressed with the pricing. Here is an example...and it just happens to be Open this weekend! 1/2 acre lot, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, shop in the back yard - that has heat...for $167,900!!

Wait...WHAT?!
I've been hearing all kinds of weird comments from buyers. Like, "I'll just wait until things get worse and then the government will give me a loan at 3% to buy a home". WHAT??? First of all, where did you hear that and second...how can you be sure things will get worse in housing in Spokane and how can you be sure that if you wait rates will still be in the low 5% range. Why not take advantage of real rates right now?!

Do yourself a favor, trust us...there are great buys in the marketplace right now. We've been trying to get the word out but CNN steals your attention with headlines like "real estate, worst ever" or something like that. Remember, there are areas in the US that are in bad shape. Spokane is plugging right along. Look at some of my previous posts for market data.

Open Houses are a great way to see, touch, smell and feel homes on the market. You can look at a thousand pictures on the net, but getting inside the home is the only way to really get a feel for it.

Take the time to ask your Windermere Realtor questions about the home, other homes in the neighborhood, school information, etc.

Hey, you can't go skiing so have fun, go see some Opens this weekend and considering buying a home.