A Real Estate Guide Featuring Member Offices of
THE LEWIS- CL ARK ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS
K R A L C LEWIS
s e m o H y e l l Va
m o c . s e m o lcvalleyh
Printed & Published by The Lewiston Tribune
MAY/JUNE 2021
LEWIS-CLARK
ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS
®
INDEX
On Q Financial ............................................................................................. 3 Coldwell Banker Tomlinson ...................................................................... 4-6 P1FCU ......................................................................................................... 7 Jan McCoy ................................................................................................... 7 Mann Mortgage ...........................................................................................8 LCCU ......................................................................................................... 10 Bay Equity ................................................................................................ 12 Wells Fargo Bank........................................................................................13 P1FCU ....................................................................................................... 15 American Pacific Mortgage ........................................................................ 16
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LEWIS CLARK VALLEY HOMES
May/June 2021
Builders Add Escalation Clauses to Offset Lumber Prices o help protect themselves T from ongoing price increases in the lumber market, more
their sales contracts,” according to the most recent National Association of Home Builders
clauses are similar to price escalation clauses in that they tie the final house price to
builders are adding escalation clauses to their sales or construction contracts. The rising and volatile costs of lumber continue to hamper the new-home and remodeling markets. Lumber prices nearly doubled over a four-month period in 2020 and have continued to reach new highs. The price and availability of building materials have been cited as one of the top challenges that homebuilders face at a time when the real estate industry is calling for more housing inventory to meet surging buyer demand.
association’s Eye on Housing blog. “The difference is that, in the typical shared price clause, the home builder agrees to absorb part of the material price increase, with the home buyer covering the rest,” he writes. While these price escalation clauses may help to protect builders from rising costs, customers unable to afford the escalated house prices will result in lost sales, Emrath said. Builder actions to deal with rising lumber prices
and Wells Fargo Housing Market Index survey. Also, 10% are including shared price clauses in their contracts. Shared price
Forty-seven percent of builders said they were “including price escalation clauses in
the price of building materials, Paul Emrath, NAHB’s vice president for survey and housing policy research, said on the
More builders are pre-ordering lumber to help avoid cost increases, and 22% are obtaining price guarantees from suppliers. But those price guarantees don’t often stretch past two months.
Courtesy of National Association of REALTORS® website
LIZ OWENS
Branch Manager
NMLS: #634638 | ID MLO-21138 MT 634638 | WA MLO-634638 c: 208-503-7196 e: Liz.Owens@OnQFinancial.com w: OnQFinancial.com/Liz-Owens 618 D Street, Suite A Lewiston, ID 83501
SPRING INTO A NEW HOME!
Liz Owens and On Q Financial can help to find the best possible loan option for you! • • • • • •
Purchase Refinance FHA, VA, and USDA Down Payment Assistance One-Time Close Renovation Loan approval is subject to applicant’s qualification for a loan program. On Q Financial does not guarantee that each applicant will receive a loan.
OnQFinancial.com | © On Q Financial, Inc. | NMLS 5645 | ID MBL-6579 | MT 5645 | WA CL-5645 022221-A_OnQ_MC-AD--Liz-Owens.indd May/June2021
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LEWIS CLARK VALLEY HOMES
2/24/2021 3:41:00 PM
GUIDING YOU HOME 208-746-7400 | 325 Main Street, Lewiston www.cbtvalley.com
TOMLINSON ASSOCIATES
• Beautiful View Lot in the Heights • Build Your Dream Home Here • Perfect for Daylight Basement • Close to Schools & Shopping • IMLS # 98766363
$39,900
Cara Thompson 509-254-1244
• 50+ Community Just Minutes from World Class Fishing & Hunting • Quaint Development Near Kamiah • 5th Wheel is 40’ Under Cover • Stunning Views from Gazebo • IMLS # 98799115
$69,000
Chris Goff 208-413-3060
• Panoramic Valley Views • ¾ Acre Lot to Build On • Lots of Room for a Shop • IMLS # 98797547
$75,000
Ken Miller 208-791-6101
NEW PRICE
• Breathtaking Panoramic Views! • Easy Building Site on Over 5 Acres • Cut in Access Road, Terrain to Hike • Plant a Vineyard, Raise Cattle • IMLS # 98791828
• 4 Building Lots, 50x125 Each • Great Investment Opportunity • Excellent River & Valley Views • Close to Shopping & Schools • IMLS # 98790156
$79,000
Ken Miller 208-791-6101
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Darce Vassar 208-790-3328
• Great Sweat Equity Opportunity • Double Lot Close to ½ Acre • 24x28 SHOP w/ Carport • 3 BD, 2 BA, Large Office • IMLS # 98800850
• Unique Opportunity • On a Busy Commercial Street • Call for Details! • IMLS # 98789949
$174,500
$105,000
Kristin Gibson 208-791-2740
$197,000
LEWIS CLARK VALLEY HOMES
Kristin Gibson 208-791-2740
• Excellent Affordable Housing! • Equity Building Opportunity • 3 BD, One Level, NEW Roof! • Large Backyard w/ Room for Shop • Will Look Great w/ New Siding! • IMLS # 98792740
$135,000
Katy Mason 208-305-3899
• Dream Home Potential w/ Opportunity for Income While You Wait! • Two Homes Located on One Lot • On Quiet Dead End Street • 1.14 Acres, Clarkston Heights • Call for Details! • IMLS # 98800308 Ryan Higgins 208-503-0622
$275,000
May/June 2021
Residential • Commercial Land & Lots
Find us on NEW LISTING
• The ONE You’ve Been Looking For! • One Level, 3 BD, 2 BA Home • 2 Car Garage, Vinyl Fencing • Large Backyard with Fire Pit • Garden Space & Garden Shed • IMLS # 98799996
$315,000
TOMLINSON ASSOCIATES ASSOCIATES
HISTORIC ORCHARDS PROPERTY
Jennifer Menegas 208-791-9592
• 3.8 Acres in the Orchards • Offered For Sale First Time Since 1927 • Owner Occupied Single Family Homes Only • Call For Details! • IMLS # 98778753
$349,900
Jennifer Menegas 208-791-9592
NEW PRICE
• 3 BD, 2 BA, 1 level, Refurbished interior • New Quartz Countertops • New custom tile shower • New sinks, fixtures & toilets • New laminate floors & carpet • IMLS #98796720 Kathy Parsells
$400,000
208-791-7298
KING OF THE HILL!
• Over 3,300 Sq Ft Asotin Home • 4 BD, 3 BA, 2 Kitchens • 30x40 SHOP, Nearly 1 Acre • Great River View, 2 Car Garage • 500 Sq Ft Covered Deck, Hot Tub • IMLS # 98798925
$475,000
Katy Mason 208-305-3899
• Self-Reliant Complete w/ Solar Panels • Underground Bunker w/ Cold Storage • Well, Water Catchment System • 60x30 barn, 28x40 Shop • Guest Cabin, Preppers Paradise! • IMLS # 98794306 Katy Mason
$495,000 ANIMAL RIGHTS
• Live in the Daily Luxury of River Views! • Half Acre Lot in Pristine Location • Next to Quail Ridge Golf Course • 4366 Sq Ft, 5 BD, Office, 3 BA • Rare Opportunity in Upscale Setting • IMLS # 98786029
$650,000 May/June2021
Katy Mason 208-305-3899
208-305-3899
4.6 ACRES
• COUNTRY STYLE LIVING in the ORCHARDS • No need to commute for your horses! • 5BR/4BA Pella windows, Oak Flooring • 2.8 AC Irrigated Pastures, 2 Arenas • Barn 4 Stalls/Runs/TackRm/Hay Loft • Nice SHOP! Gunite POOL w/ Views! • IMLS # 98798262 Heather Meeks 208-816-8498
$874,500
• Beautiful 6.61 Acre Parcel • In the Orchards • Next to Canyon Crest Estates • Call for Details! • IMLS # 98798856
$649,000
Kristin Gibson 208-791-2740
NEW PRICE
• BREATHTAKING RIVER VIEW • Mediterranean Architecture • Two Luxury Master Suites • Dream Kitchen w/ Breakfast Island • Circular Drive, Large 3 Car Garage • IMLS # 98794080
$1,775,000
LEWIS CLARK VALLEY HOMES
Jennifer Menegas 208-791-9592
D L
O S
• List with me! • Free Home Market Analysis • Homes Selling Quickly • Don’t Lose Money Call Me Today to Schedule an Appointment
208 305-8460
Listing and Buyers Agent
Holli Ruddell,
REALTOR®
COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON ASSOCIATES
325 Main Street, Lewiston ID 6
LEWIS CLARK VALLEY HOMES
May/June 2021
Let love grow in a new home! Complete your mortgage application online in minutes at p1fcu.org.
NMLS ID #527990
WE SELL HOUSES TOO! LIST TODAY! 208-305-9989
Land, lots of Land. Ranches, Farms, Acreages-Large and Small.
Jan McCoy Properties
# 245102
1490 Fair St. Clarkston, Wa
LIST YOUR HOUSE ONLINE: www.janmccoyproperties.com EASY! We do the rest! Jan McCoy Properties is a licensed Brokerage in Idaho & Washington. Jan Marie McCoy Broker/Owner •
208.305.9989 May/June2021
Jan McCoy Properties
www.lewistonidahohomes.com LEWIS CLARK VALLEY HOMES
Teri Lynn McCoy ID Licensed Realtor 208.553.4077
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LEWIS CLARK VALLEY HOMES
May/June 2021
524 Bryden Ave. • Lewiston, ID 508 Sycamore St. • Clarkston, WA
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Each office is independently owned and operated
524 Bryden Avenue, Lewiston ID 508 Sycamore Street, Clarkston WA
©2006-2017, Assist-2-Sell, Inc.
G!
DIN
PEN
Great investment coupled with an opportunity of a life! An outdoor enthusiast paradise! Pristine property on the Grande Ronde River!!! Turn-key operation! Take ownership of the famous Boggan’s Oasis on the river! Includes all buildings, (8) R.V. spaces, (5) cabins, (1) trailer, (1) 5th wheel & all new restaurant equipment! Enjoy spectacular river views, world famous steelhead, bass & salmon fishing. Well established business offers lodging, cabins, restaurant & guide service. IMLS# 98784651 $585,000
Are you looking for an affordable and Serene surroundings in this beautiful piece of heaven. Need Commercial? This multi - use Lush tree lined pastures and trees galore in the crest property features updated kitchen, spacious home? This one may be the apartment and multiple office one for you!! Featuring 4 bedrooms, 2 and on down the canyon. Views from the crest are of spaces. Superb location!I bathrooms a large lot and a 1 car garage. the distant majestic mountains . The peace you are Call today to schedule a tour of this rare looking for is here. Just think of the many options for IMLS# 98732713 $310,000 the use on this land. Farm or ranch, development find. IMLS#98800270 $229,900 Shelly Montoya 208-816-1477 of smaller acres for homesites, harvesting the dense Christie Scoles 208-816-3469 timber. This is a rare, once in a lifetime chance to own a homestead property that has not been offered in hundreds of years. IMLS# 98792919 $1,440,000
Over 164 ACRES of recreational land with timber & annual CRP income. Gorgeous property with amazing panoramic views to build your dream home or cabin. Endless all-seasons outdoor recreation, spring-fed ponds, wide-open spaces, and abundant wildlife. Great hunting & fishing possibilities! Minutes to canyon access, Clearwater River, Deyo Reservoir & quaint towns. No HOAs/ CC&Rs allow infinite land use possibilities from solar powered property to a small farm. County maintained road & power to lot line. IMLS#98798185 $574,490 Theresa Reynold 208-413-1111
Great home in the Orchards on a quiet street with tons of parking. Two bedrooms on the main and two in the basement (the master without egress). Nice bright dining area or use as a den with access to the mud room and garage. Main floor has updated vinyl double pane windows and newer laminate flooring. Spacious fenced backyard with nice storage shed included. New gutters to be installed. Make this your home! IMLS#98800720 $275,000 Theresa Reynold 208-413-1111
Sweeping view of river and big skies. All utilities to street including water, sewer, gas and electric. No manufactured homes. IMLS# 98784588 $38,900 Paula Earl 208-305-6760
Rare one level home with Master Bedroom & Bath. Just the right size to easily care for. Kitchen has been beautifully updated with stainless appliances. Low maintenance yard and extra parking next to carport. Location is close to stores and restaurants. Perfect for that buyer looking for a smaller footprint. This home is smoke free, pet free! IMLS# 98798608 $209,900 Debbie Keller 208-413-2993
Bring your ATV’s, snowmobiles and all the toys. This is a recreation area for all the family. Includes a pole barn that houses a 25 ft Trailer to stay in, complete with free standing stove for heat & a 9000 watt generator for electricity. Lots of outbuildings, sits on 4 acres of beautiful wooded acres. A great get away or all year home. IMLS#98800668 $220,000
Well updated Orchards home! Offering Beautiful 22.67 timbered acres! One Sweet home near Sunset Park. Three Are you thinking a one level home with 3 bedrooms and 3 baths, with a main bed & 1 bath, downstairs is plumbed Level Home with 2,880 Sq Ft!! Shop, a shop for the toys is for you? Look no floor Master. Knotty Pine cabinets with for a second bathroom. Nice, detached snowmobile shed, machine shed, further, this well maintained move in butcher block island and gas stove. Green House, 2 living rooms, 4 BRs, garage and storage shed. Roof is about ready home may be the perfect fit for 10 yrs old, updated appliances and oak you! Offering a lovely master suite, plus Laminate floors with neutral colors. Open 2.5 B, Carport, Garage Big Kitchen concept with lot’s of natural light. Super with cabinets galore!! Fireplace and cabinets. Furnace and hot water heater 2 other bedrooms, an open concept cute and move in ready! are newer. Hooked into sewer 10yrs ago. and spacious floor plan, beautiful low a separate Woodstove, Propane IMLS# 98792892 $280,000 Maintenance free landscaping. Lennox Heat pump, CA.....Park like maintenance landscaping, lots of parking IMLS# 98801121 $240,000 gorgeous and quiet!! Casey Barney 208-791-3964 and shop! IMLS#98801178 $315,000 IMLS# 98801174 $525,000 Debbie Keller 208-413-2993 Christie Scoles 208-816-3469 Pam Trees 208-790-2258
INVESTORS ALERT-$1,950/MO. in rents. Nicely remodeled duplex with laminate flooring throughout and separate gas/electric meters. Unit A-features 3 bedrooms 1 bathroom, large eat in kitchen, spacious family room, nice covered porch, & laundry hook-up (washer/dryer included). Upper unit features open floor plan with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, beautiful updated kitchen & laundry hook-up (stackable washer/dryer included). Fenced front yard, extra parking in the back with alley access. Great investment! IMLS# 98800890 $289,000 Theresa Reynold 208-413-1111
Paula Earl 208-305-6760
Marilyn Flatt
Debbie Lee
208-791-8103
509-751-7711
Casey Barney
Witney Branting
208-791-3964
208-791-6294
Debbie Keller 208-413-2993
Theresa Reynold 208-413-1111
Beth McKarcher 208-305-1354
Patti Brockman 208-305-3800
Pam Trees
208-790-2258
Well built 3 bdr, 1 full bath & 2-3/4 baths in the desirable neighborhood of the Reno Addition. Newer carpet & new stainless appliance. 24 x 38 Shop with electricity and cement floor. A must see! IMLS#98796498 $425,000
Cam Bickford 509-254-1877
Cam Bickford
509-254-1877
Paula Earl
208-305-6760
Debbie Keller
208-413-2993
Robin Meacham 208-305-3125
Lacey Herndon
208-413-3739
Maggie Waits
208-816-8370
Debbie Keller 208-413-2993
Christie Scoles 208-816-3469
Teresa Kamerrer 509-751-6532
208-816-1477
Wade Tobin 208-413-7098
Liz Eddy 208-610-2403
Business Operations Mgr.
CALL US TODAY: 208-798-7822 OR VISIT: LewistonClarkstonHomes.com May/June2021
LEWIS CLARK VALLEY HOMES
Shelly Montoya
Brenda Shope
Lewis-Clark Association of REALTORS® 208-746-2019 810 Main Street, Lewiston, ID Whether looking for your dream home, wanting to downsize or needing to upsize, call a local REALTOR®. They have the professional knowledge to make all of your Real Estate transactions smooth. MEET OUR MEMBERS: All Around Realty Assist-2-Sell Discovery Real Estate Cargill Real Estate Central Idaho Properties Century 21 Price Right Clearwater Realty Coldwell Banker Tomlinson eXp Realty
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Grand Realty Inc. Highland Realty Home Smart Premier Realty Idaho Country Properties Idaho Land & Home Jan McCoy Properties Kamiah Property Keller Williams – KW Lewiston
Kelly Right Real Estate of Idaho, LLC NW Rural Properties Poleson Realty: Tim Wold Professional Realty Services Quad Cities Realty Ray J White Rental Department Real Deal Realty
LEWIS CLARK VALLEY HOMES
RE/MAX Rock-n-Roll Realty River Cities Real Estate Ridge River Realty Salmon River Realty Solberg Agency The Real Estaters Windermere
May/June 2021
HOW TO DESIGN YOUR DREAM HOME By Erica Sweeney www.Realtor.com
W
hen you design your own home from the ground up, the sky’s the limit when it comes to design. You get to choose the architectural style, the floor plan, and all the flourishes that make this place uniquely, well, you. Sounds fun, right? It is, but figuring out what you want to build can also be incredibly intimidating. Before you start picking out tile and light fixtures, you need a plan. In this final installment of our Guide To Building Your Own Home, we’ll help you focus on the joys—and potential pitfalls—of designing your space. We’ll show you where to get inspiration, how to narrow down your needs versus wants, ways to make trade-offs to stay on budget, and much more that will help your architectural plans come to life with as few hiccups as possible.
Where to get home design inspiration You probably already have a picture in mind of your dream home—its style, feeling, and design. If not, scour sites like Piterest and Houzz for visual ideas, suggests Elizabeth Sanchez Vaughan, creative principal at In-Site Interior Design. These sites often let you create “idea books” and save images you like. “When you look at all these images as a whole, you will start to see a pattern of the things that you like, and it will inform your style deciMay/June2021
sions,” she says. “If there’s an element that repeats itself within those images, then chances are good that it’s really something you will like to live with.” This process will at least give you a starting point. Sharing these images with your builder and designer will also help them get to know your style so that they can guide you through the process.
Questions to ask before you build a floor plan Don’t get ahead of yourself when designing your dream home. Justin Riordan, interior designer, architect, and founder of homstaging company Spade and Archer Design Agency, suggests thinking broadly first. Some questions to consider: Who will be living in the home and what will the home be used for? Are you planning to grow your family, or will you become an empty nester soon? Will you be working from home for the foreseeable future? The answers will help you choose a functional layout that will meet your needs now and in the future. “Once all of these questions are answered, you can then start to create a bubble diagram to show how the spaces needed will be laid out to best accommodate the various uses of the house,” Riordan says. This will guide the schematic design, which includes a floor plan. And a budget and timeline for construction can be set based on these drawings. The biggest mistake
people make when building a home is not spending enough time planning, Vaughan says. You may be eager to break ground and start the construction, but don’t skip the prep stage. After all, this is when the budget is set and gets everyone on the same page. “If the plan is 100% right, then the rest of the construction process will go smoothly and not require time-consuming changes,” she says. “Really have the professional walk you through the space and describe what the fl ow will be.” And don’t make these decisions alone—make sure your builder, designer, and anyone else on your team is involved, says Amla Raj Swenson, an interior designer working in Los Angeles and San Diego. “Designers, architects, and the builder will all have knowledge specific to their trade that can help the other plan details more accurately.”
LEWIS CLARK VALLEY HOMES
Don’t pick trendy designs you might regret Have you fallen in love with the latest home design trends on Instagram? Think twice before incorporating them all in your new home. Think about your long-term needs and whether you’ll get sick of decor fads down the road. “I recommend a mix of long-term classic style incorporated with more trendy, modern styles,” Swenson says. “I find that adding accessories—sofas, throw pillows, and lighting—that are more trendy makes it easier to change in the long run, if you want to update anything.” A big mistake homeowners make, she adds, is focusing on a specific aesthetic and not considering the functionality of the home. “It’s so important to consider the use of the space, just as much as the look of it,” Swenson says. Functionality should drive the design, not the other way around.
Continued on next page
Make trade-offs to keep your home construction on budget If you have expensive tastes but a modest budget, you might have to rethink some of your design choices to avoid spending too much. That’s why making a list of needs, wants, and like-to-haves and setting a budget early on are such important steps. All homes need a roof, for example, but Riordan says an inexpensive composition roof accomplishes this need, even if you have your eye on a pricier option like slate. Maybe you’d rather spend that extra money elsewhere. Home fixtures and features like appliances, lighting, countertops, tile, and floor-
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ing come in all price ranges. Most likely you’ll find something you like that’s also budget-friendly. “If you need to make trade-offs to stay in budget, I would focus on putting the finances toward anything that is structural,” she explains. “I advise against cutting corners on items like cabinetry, flooring, or paneling because these are the long-term items that will cost more in the long run to update or change.” And keep revisiting your priority list. Vaughan says it’ll help you make all the important decisions along the way.
Check in on your construction site often Building a home is a huge investment, so you should
keep tabs on how it’s progressing. Vaughan suggests scheduling regular meetings with your builder, designer, and any contractors involved. “Make sure you spend time in the space— without the contractor, as well as with them—just after framing and just after sheetrocking,” says Vaughan. “This is so critical to make sure the fl ow of the rooms feels right, as well as the size of the rooms.” At this stage, think about how you might arrange your furniture and where electrical outlets should be placed. Visit more frequently when finishes are being placed to make sure everything is correct. Regular check-ins can save you time and money in the long run, since your questions and concerns are being ad-
LEWIS CLARK VALLEY HOMES
dressed along the way, Swenson says. “The best way to have fun and not get too stressed about everything being Pinterest-perfect is just to remember what an achievement and blessing it is to be able to build your home,” she adds. “Have fun with the process, and truly take time to enjoy and take in all the details of options, layouts, and materials that are out there.” Erica Sweeney is a writer whose work has appeared in the New York Times, Parade, HuffPost, Business Insider, Money, and other publications.
May/June 2021
Mortgage Rates Drop, Home Prices Soar as Spring Buying Season Heats Up By Clare Trapasso Apr 22, 2021
T
he spring housing market is heating up faster than the temperature. Already-high home prices continued to climb to yet new heights as mortgage interest rates dipped below 3%. Median home sale prices soared 17.2% year over year in March, to hit a record high of $329,100, according to the National Association of Realtors®. This was for existing homes and did not include new construction. Sale prices of single-family homes were even higher, jumping 18.4% annually in March, to reach $334,500. This comes as buyers have flooded the market and found a severe shortage of properties for sale. Sellers have been hesitant to list during the pandemic, and builders haven’t been able to keep up with demand. The imbalance has led to offers well over asking price, frenzied bidding wars, and the waiving of all sorts of contingencies. Median list prices, which is what the sellers are asking for homes, not what they sell for, also shot up 17.2% on Realtor.com in the week ending April 17. One the big reasons for the meteoric rise in prices has been low mortgage rates. The lower the rates, the lower the buyer’s monthly mortgage payment. This
May/June2021
has enabled many buyers to afford more expensive homes without having to shell out more for them every month. “Today’s mortgage rates
rates,” says Hale. “But I expect the increases to be more gradual, which will make it easier for buyers to adjust to higher monthly payments. The top
ber of sales. Closed transactions dropped 3.7% in March compared with February on existing homes, according to NAR. However, sales were 12.3% higher than a year ago, at the start of the pandemic when many buyers were not allowed to visit properties in certain parts of the country. The number of homes for sale was just 1.07 million units in March—a 28.2% plunge from the previous year. And they sold quickly, at a median 18 days. Roughly 83% of homes were sold in less than a month.
give home buyers a much needed boost in purchasing power that will help them navigate higher home prices, which nearly every housing market across the country is seeing right now,” says Realtor.com® Chief Economist Danielle Hale. Rates fell well below 3% for the first time during the coronavirus pandemic. They rose above the 3% threshold only in March, but they’ve since come back down a little. They dipped to an average 2.97% for a 30-year fixed-rate loan in the week ending April 22, according to Freddie Mac. “Going forward, there will be no shortage of buyer interest in housing, and we’ll still see climbing mortgage
challenge for buyers will still be finding a home, but even that should get a bit easier as we see a seasonal ramp-up in sellers.” The lower rates have also been a boon for homeowners who refinance their mortgages to capitalize on the lower rates. “Low and declining mortgage rates provide [lower-income] homeowners the opportunity to reduce their monthly payment and improve their financial position,” Freddie Mac Chief Economist Sam Khater said in a statement. However, the high prices, coupled with a dearth of homes on the market, coupled with the high price tags, is hurting the num-
LEWIS CLARK VALLEY HOMES
“The sales for March would have been measurably higher, had there been more inventory,” NAR’s Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said in a statement. “Without an increase in supply, the society wealth division will widen with homeowners enjoying sizable equity gains while renters will struggle to become homeowners.” Clare Trapasso is the deputy news editor of realtor.com. She previously wrote for a Financial Times publication, the New York Daily News, and the Associated Press. She also taught journalism courses at several New York City colleges and obtained a real estate license. Contact her at clare. trapasso@realtor.com.
6 Essential Lawn Care Tips To Revive Your Winter-Worn Yard By Margaret Heidenry Apr 21, 2021 The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, the trees are leafing out, and your yard is, well, kind of greening up. But it’s also mostly patchy brown. It’s no wonder, as winter—and its accompanying snow, ice, and whiplash temperatures—beats up on those slices of backyard heaven.
Use a spade to cut out dead areas of turf, pull out all of the discolored grass by hand or with a spade, and gently rake up the debris. 2. Reseed where needed Once you’ve cleared your ground, it’s time to reseed any bare spots.
a gardener and founder of home and gardening blog ConstantDelights.com. Just be careful not to flood the lawn with water, as it will wash off some of the soil from the upper layer. Instead, lightly mist your lawn in the morning every day for about 15 minutes. You want to give just a bit of moisture
The good news is, brown grass doesn’t always equal dead grass. And spring is the absolute best time of year to revive all of your turf with a few easy steps. “The temperatures are cool enough for the seed to germinate, and performing upkeep before June will put you in good shape,” says Bryan Clayton, CEO of GreenPal. Here’s what to do for your yard to make sure it’s summer-ready (and that your maintenance will be even easier the following year). 1. Figure out if your grass is alive Once the winter’s snow and ice melt, the first thing to do is check whether your lawn has actually survived. Simply pull on any sections that look iffy. “If you’re met with resistance, the roots are hanging in there and your grass is still alive,” says Ryan Smith, a gardening expert and owner of Ant and Garden Organic Pest Control in Beaverton, OR. The brown areas simply need more time to revive from the cold and should perk up soon. But if the brown grass pulls out from the earth easily, it’s dead. Those alternating winter freezes and thaws can turn turf roots brittle. And note that if you live on a street that’s plowed, road salt also kills grass.
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“Since you’re starting from scratch, buy the highest-quality grass seed you can afford,” says Erinn Witz, co-founder of SeedsandSpades.com, an educational gardening website. “And make sure to choose a variety suitable for your region.” Another bonus to buying proper seed: It can help reduce the number of weeds this summer, and help you avoid dead patches next winter. The best time to sow your seeds is when the average daily temperature reaches roughly 55 degrees Fahrenheit or above. Generously apply the grass seed to your yard, rake it gently into the soil, and water lightly until you see new blades emerging. 3. Water regularly “Water is the most important thing your lawn needs to revive after being dead for the whole winter season,” says Jill Sandy,
to the soil, seed, and fertilizers. If the soil dries out, seeds won’t germinate.
fertilization,” says Bateman. Bags of fertilizers have three numbers on them (for example, 20-0-8), which represent the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that they contain. If your lawn severely lacks phosphorus, but you purchased the bag with none in it, your soil’s overall health may not improve. To fertilize properly, find out exactly which nutrients your lawn needs with a simple soil test. You can try a mail-in soil test kit, where a lab analyzes your soil and sends back a report. Or you can buy an instant test strip— which can give you a rougher soil analysis—online or at larger home improvement stores. Once you know exactly which nutrients your lawn lacks, you can purchase the perfect fertilizer. New grass seed likes a high-phosphorus fertilizer, the mineral primarily responsible for healthy root development. In that case, look for formulas labeled something like 20-27-5 or 10-1810. This shows that the fertilizer contains a high phosphorus concentration. 6. Plan for next winter
4. Aerate your lawn So what about the rest of your yard that may still be emerging from hibernation? Start with aerating your entire lawn to loosen compacted soil, which can be detrimental to grass. Aerated soil allows oxygen, sunlight, and nutrients to penetrate, resulting in stronger grass roots. Bonus: Plug aerators pull small sections of dirt out of the ground and work significantly better than spike aerators, which simply push into the dirt and can often make compaction worse, according to Josh Bateman, owner of Pittsburgh’s Prince Gardening, a DIY-focused lawn care company. 5. Choose the right fertilizer “One of the best tips I can offer for spring revitalization is proper
LEWIS CLARK VALLEY HOMES
Yep, it’s spring and we’re already talking about what to do next fall. But don’t stress out—this will actually make things easier for you next year. When you’re doing fall yardwork, make sure to rake up any debris and put away anything—from lawn furniture to kiddie pools—to keep your lawn from getting matted over the winter months. When it snows, try to avoid shoveling mounds onto your yard, which can crush blades. Snow can also turn to ice, which is terrible for lawns as ice freezes a grass root’s cells. Additionally, piles of snow take longer to melt and can prevent the lawn from absorbing heat on those first warm days of spring. As a result, it takes longer for the grass to turn green and begin growing.
May/June 2021
¼ÝÛÓ ùÜÏÜÑ×ÜÕ âÖÏâ åÝàÙá ÔÝà çÝã There are many choices when buying a home, from the neighborhood to the number of ÐÓÒàÝÝÛá ÍÝã åÏÜâ Ï ÖÝãáÓ âÖÏâ ùâá çÝãà ÜÓÓÒá ÏÜÒ ÖÝÛÓ ùÜÏÜÑ×ÜÕ âÖÏâ ÒÝÓá âÝÝ Wells Fargo can help with a wide variety of loans and mortgage programs for: • First-time homebuyers • Buyers who need a larger loan amount • Military members and veterans • Buyers of newly constructed homes • Buyers with other unique needs We’ll review your information and let you know what options are available.
Let’s connect. Crystal Nelson Home Mortgage Consultant 208-799-6707 crystal.d.nelson@wellsfargo.com NMLSR ID 189090
Teresa D. Koepke Home Mortgage Consultant 208-799-6204 teresa.d.koepke@wellsfargo.com NMLSR ID 755325
Wesley L. Gossage Branch Manager 208-799-6255 wesley.gossage@wellsfargo.com NMLSR ID 400369 868 Main St., Lewiston, ID 83501
Information is accurate as of date of printing and is subject to change without notice. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. © 2020 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. NMLSR ID 399801 µÇc`gcgf^ ¹æÞ×àÓá c*`^`_ ½¼µ#6954618
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