ISSUE 100
NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2020
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WITH COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON
pompeii at the mac Article by Larry Lapidus, Realtor®
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n 79 A.D. the city of Pompeii, on the east side of the Italian boot, was a vast construction site with cranes and scaffolding dissecting it: a bustling, vibrant city on the move. Tragically, Pompeii and the neighboring city of Herculaneum were buried by a catastrophic volcanic eruption in just 24 hours. While it violently ended the lives of the inhabitants, the eruption of Vesuvius also preserved Pompeii’s living environment, making it possible for us to explore what life was like nearly 2,000 years ago. The site was lost for almost 1500 years. Now, visitors to Spokane’s Museum of Art and Culture at 2316 W First Ave in Browne’s Addition will be able to view an exhibition of the extraordinary achievements of Pompeii and the Roman world, brought to light by the most advanced scientific research. By roaming The MAC, they will be able to examine over 100 unearthed objects from Pompeii demonstrating the advanced state of Roman knowledge of nature, science and technology over 2,000 years ago. MAC executive director Wesley Jessup was interested in bringing the exhibition to Spokane not only because of the historical importance of Pompeii but also because 2020 is the 40th anniversary of the Mount St. Helens eruption. “Of course one was more devastating to human life than the other, but I think we all felt that this universal geological phenomenon striking two totally different parts of the world was an interesting connection,” he said. “Because of that anniversary, the staff and the board felt like, ‘If we’re going to do this, this would be a great moment.’ ”
Here are only some of the experiences the exhibit holds in store: A Pompeiian Family You’ll begin your visit by meeting the characters who will accompany you throughout the exhibition. Caius junior and his close relatives are excited about preparations for a forthcoming banquet and are busy rebuilding the thermal baths destroyed by that earthquake 17 years earlier. You’ll learn what life was like for Pompeiians in the first century A.D. The Destruction of the City An immersive multimedia experience will plunge you into the heart of the drama as you hear the roar of Mount Vesuvius and feel the earth move under your feet when it erupts before your eyes. Next, you’ll discover Pompeii as it was in ancient times. 3D reconstructions, artworks and artifacts excavated from the ruins take you into the world of an ancient Roman city. Practical Science The Romans scientific know-how helped them devise machines, instruments and a variety of mechanisms. You will see reconstructions of a number of them. Meet the Inhabitants Another immersive moment, no doubt the most emotional. The bodies immobilized in ash speak from beyond the years and are transformed, come back to life as the inhabitants of former days. For information on times, special rates and group tours, call The MAC at (509) 456-3931.
The Vanishing Realtor? Not Likely! Consider These Five Constants Article by Larry Lapidus, Realtor®
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e have been hearing a great deal recently about the “disrupters” who have set about dismantling the real estate industry as we know it. These are companies who seek to take advantage of changes in technology and in people’s buying habits by promising to save time and money by eliminating the Realtor from the purchase or sale of a house. Companies have sprung up that purchase homes directly from their owners, promising to save them the trouble of employing an agent. Even considering the fact, as determined in a 2019 study by Marketwatch, that such sellers net on average 11% less than those who use a full-service brokerage, this is an approach that might work for certain sellers. Still,the vast majority of buyers and sellers continue to depend on a professional agent. In fact, the percentage of home buyers using a professional agent rose from 85% in 2012 to 90% in 2019. Why? There are five reasons, five constants that apply to real estate transactions across the board that explain it: Frequency Current statistics show that the average frequency of a real estate transaction is once in ten years, during which time laws, regulations and market dynamics are constantly evolving. Realtors are considered essential in guiding a client through these changes to a safe harbor.
Uniqueness No two transactions are alike. Even if they concern properties that are next to one another, they will differ in their position in the current market cycle, their physical characteristics, the character of their seller, their buyer, and the competition. Determining how all these factors balance out is beyond the capability of any algorithm. Significance The purchase of a home is usually the largest single investment anyone makes, and the emotional commitment it entails dwarfs those surrounding any other decision. Complexity As they look back over the course of a real estate purchase or sale, real estate agents usually isolate 80 different details which they have been responsible for handling. Adding these to the myriad tasks associated with moving is more than most people are willing or able to do. Risk Because of factors 1-4, the risks entailed in finding, evaluating, marketing and negotiating for a home are seriously large. Having the resources of a trained professional and an established broker (like Coldwell Banker Tomlinson) behind you just makes sense.
The Story Behind The Star Nothing beats an iconic brand
Article by Kristin Whitaker, Senior Director of Marketing
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e have set upon a path to retell our brand story by rebuilding our visual identity, solidifying our mission statement, and recommitting to our core values. Our mark is seen every day. It’s on front lawns across the country and around the world. It’s on our agents’ name badges. Our network is on the cutting edge of real estate and our traditional logo was no longer a reflection of that. We needed a new, modern mark that is deserving of our rich heritage, yet contemporary, fashionable and iconic at the same time. The new mark challenges assumptions about who we are. It gives us the chance to retell our brand story in a way that resonates with today’s agents and customers. It is a signal that we are recommitting to our mission and staying
laser-focused on our future and our growth. We believe the new mark more accurately tells the world who we are. Known as the “CB North Star,” the most striking addition to the logo is the star in the top right corner. This symbolizes our position as a guide, a constant beacon like that used by explorers for centuries, to help our clients find their way home. leave their mark on the world of real estate. These themes have long been The North Star mark is also a a part of our brand, but in the same visual representation of the brand’s way that we wanted to update our logo commitment to excellence. It is clean to match the caliber of our brand, we and simple, yet elegant. It is modern but wanted to clearly and succinctly re-state still pays homage to the brand’s storied our mission and our values. We wanted 113-year history. there to be no question about who we are and what we stand for. Alongside the logo, we also recommitted to our core values: home, awesomeness, We are guides. We are leaders. We ingenuity, and excellence. Our new are visionaries. We are Coldwell mission is to empower our people to Banker Tomlinson.
NOW TRENDING: ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS – INCREASE LONGEVITY conduct heat to their surroundings and benefit the most from readily available pipe insulation. Plastic pipe types, such as PEX and CPVC, don’t conduct as readily, but insulating them is beneficial. Pipe insulation comes in various thicknesses and is easy to cut and install for both ½” and ¾” pipe.
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ike most appliance failures, water heaters break down at the most inconvenient times and can be very costly – especially without a home warranty in place. Most water heater maintenance, however, is simple and inexpensive. When combined with some energy-saving techniques, the lifespan and the efficiency of a tankstyle water heater can be greatly increased.
Death for most electrical devices is the result of the constant on/off cycles that break down the internal components: think light bulb filaments. Is a new water heater in order if one of the elements or thermostats fails? Likely not, as these items are quite simple to replace with readily available replacement parts.
Again, reduce the on/off cycling by also insulating the water heater body. Ever notice how much warmer the water heater location is? This is great if you need that area to stay warm - in most homes this is water heating energy that is needlessly wasted. Insulation kits are readily available at most home improvement stores.
$50-$100 worth of parts and insulation Reduce the on/off cycling by insulating could save $100’s in the long run. the hot water pipes throughout the house. Copper and galvanized pipes readily ® Article by Dale Smith, Realtor
Coldwell Banker Tomlinson 4102 S Regal St, Suite 201 Spokane, WA 99223
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ISSUE 100 | FEBRUARY 2020 ©2020 Coldwell Banker Tomlinson. All rights reserved. Each office is independently owned and operated. If you currently have an Agent assisting you with the purchase or sale of property, this is not a solicitation for business.
SPOKANE REAL ESTATE MARKET STATISTICS 2017 2018 71 57 55 62 55 50 59 53 45 53 45 35 53 39 30 52 35 31 53 37 35 average54sales 43price 33 55 44 35 56 42 36 59 45 39 60 49 44 2016
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
2019
january 2020
48 44 40 36 31 28 31 29 MEDIAN 23 21 26 26
2020
January marks a great start for 2020’s Spokane real estate market, especially if you’re a seller. Demand steams forward at a record-setting pace, with sales exceeding last January by 18%. Buyers, however, face more inventory challenges, which translate to fewer choices and many more multiple-offer (competitive) scenarios, which are pushing prices upward. There are also fewer distressed sale properties (foreclosures, short sales, etc), for the bargain-hunters looking to find a great deal.
33
$286K $273k
SALES PRICE
457 432 closed sales
current inventory listings
MARKET UPDATE
days on market JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
2016
71
62
59
53
53
52
53
54
55
56
59
60
2017
57
55
53
45
39
35
37
43
44
42
45
49
2018
55
50
45
35
30
31
35
33
35
36
39
44
2019
48
44
40
36
31
28
31
29
23
21
26
26
2020 33 The information in this report is compiled from a report given by the Spokane Association of REALTOR®’s and to the best of our knowledge is accurate and current.
Early spring traditionally brings more homes to market. If however, current trends continue, demand for those homes will likely be strong, keeping available home inventories low. February and March are two of the hottest months of the year for overall buyer activity, and may present great home sale opportunities again in 2020! Article by Russ Marshall, Realtor®
CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR FOR DETAILED MARKET INFORMATION.