ISSUE 112
NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2021
@home
WITH COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON
Eric Johnson Elected President of Association of Realtors: A Uniquely American Story
E
rland Droivoldsmo had worked hard before emigrating from Norway to the United States, and continued to work hard after he arrived. As he lay on his deathbed, he told his son, Leroy Johnson (the family name had long since been changed to a more Anglo-friendly form), to accept the fact that he was born into a life of poverty and hard labor, that it was simply his lot and that of his offspring, and that hopes for improvement were futile.
As Eric explains it, his service to our local Association and to others on both the state and national levels allows him to extend to people he will never know, in communities he will never visit, the same benefit he offered his clients as a Realtor: professionally managed access to the American Dream. His ambition is to help eliminate whatever barriers still stand
His ambition is to help eliminate whatever barriers still stand between large groups of American citizens and the pursuit of happiness promised to them as an “inalienable right.”
Leroy, however, was not a product of the Nineteenth Century, or of the culture of northern Europe, and he knew that he could choose a path different from his father’s, that he lived in a country where the proceeds of hard work and ingenuity could be invested in an asset of genuine value, value that, if properly managed, could continue to grow, affording not only oneself but one’s family a higher standard of living than earlier generations ever dreamed possible. The valuable asset in which Leroy Johnson invested his time, money, ingenuity and determination was real estate, specifically, real estate in Spokane, Washington. That investment paid off, not only for Leroy and his family, but for the entire Spokane community, which has benefited for decades from the services provided by the Johnson family, first under the name of Windermere Johnson, then Coldwell Banker Northwest Group, and now as partners in Coldwell Banker Tomlinson Group of Companies, with a footprint extending from central Washington to western Montana. Eric Johnson, youngest of Leroy’s children, saw what participation in the real estate industry had done for his family and was determined to follow the same path. After 27 years as a real estate agent, manager, trainer and political activist, Eric has just been installed as President of the Spokane Association of Realtors. Like many assignments for which Eric has volunteered, this is a position which demands much time and energy, while offering little in the way of power or prestige, and no monetary compensation whatsoever. The compensation it does offer, however, is, by Eric’s reckoning, far greater than any of these.
between large groups of American citizens and the pursuit of happiness promised to them as an “inalienable right.” By combining his talents and experience with those of other members of the Spokane Association of Realtors, Eric feels that he can make, not incremental, but geometric progress toward achieving the goal of access for all to the opportunity of home ownership. Unintended present inequities are very often the result of deliberate past policies to promote ethnic, religious and economic biases, as illustrated in a bill currently before our state legislature. As a direct result of efforts by Eric and his colleagues, our legislature created HB 1335, which has to do with racial covenants or deed restrictions preventing homeownership by racial minorities and are an explicit legacy of racial discrimination in housing. While such covenants have been ruled unconstitutional and unenforceable, they are still on the title of properties in Spokane. HB 1335 would create a statewide review of recorded real estate documents to provide notification to homeowners whose properties have a racial covenant, and to inform them of how such a covenant can be repudiated through the county administrative process created by the Legislature. The course of Eric’s career is a vibrant and ongoing testimonial to the good that American society allows to spring from a child’s decision to disobey their parents.
Partners in Vision: A Conversation with Albert Tripp, City Manager of Airway Heights
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he identity of a City is not its boundaries and buildings – its foundation and character is in the people who reside, work, and play there. Located on the western border of Spokane, the City of Airway Heights has become a thriving community, rich in culture, traditions, and opportunity. For a clearer understanding of the challenges facing Airway Heights during a period of unprecedented growth, we were fortunate to have the guidance of Albert Tripp, City Manager since 2008. He explained that Airway Heights’ government has reached out to its citizenry in a common effort to achieve a clear vision of communal identity. Part of their work includes developing their City Center, as well as enhancing cohesion between areas which offer rural living with those comprised of higher density residences, retail and office activity, or industrial development. According to Tripp, “We continue to listen, so that the programmed growth of our city is organized and beneficial to everyone.” He outlined for us four distinct growth opportunities that emerged from their public outreach: The Arts With a population rich in its varied backgrounds and traditions, the potential for artistic expression in Airway Heights is great and necessary. This energy requires planned opportunities for it to flourish. As Albert Tripp described it to us, this will take many forms, “laying a framework for honoring and elevating the multi-cultural aspects of the community.”
Commerce & Industry They welcome business with their 600 acres of industrial zoning. While the normal process of gaining State approval for business development is lengthy, Airway Heights has created a faster track by pre-processing much of the environmental impact data for the State of WA on various business types. City Center Based on citizen/community comments and suggestions, they are designing a City Center which will facilitate pedestrian movement, provide guidelines for focused growth and support traditional community events like Summer Festival, tree lighting, fireworks, art displays, and more. US 2 Corridor “Transportation is a foundational issue,” said Mr. Tripp. They are developing “ready capacity” working with WSDOT. The City planners are looking at a $20 million plan that would alleviate congestion on U.S. 2 This joint project between Airway Heights and City of Spokane would create a vehicle corridor linking sections of 6th, 10th and 12th avenues together, thus easing highway traffic. Airway Heights’ unique location requires the collaboration of multiple stakeholders, which they prefer to think of as partners in vision: The Kalispel Tribe, Spokane Tribe, Spokane City and County, Fairchild Air Force Base, WSDOT, and the Spokane International Airport. They are invested in supporting their sense of community by inclusion and open to smart growth – even annexation into the City of Spokane. What makes this city so rich in culture, strong in tradition, and welcoming to visitors are the people who call it home.
Ingredients 3 medium beets, including greens 3 cups beef broth (a product called “Better Than Boullion” can help you here) 2 Tbs. butter Pepper, ground Nutmeg, Salt
HOME RECIPES
Botwina (pronounced “botveena”) With the possible exception of the carrot, root vegetables are a scandalously under-utilized and under-appreciated element of the American diet. Rich in nutrients, high in fiber, low in calories, inexpensive and delicious, this nutritious family of vegetables deserves more attention than it receives. Turnips, parsnips, rutabagas and carrots are all wonderful foods, but, for our money, the noble beet- high in antioxidents and fabulously tasty- is the greatest. Botwina is a delicious beet soup from Poland, where beets are a staple of the national diet.
Directions
• Boil beets and greens until tender. Drain the juice and set aside. Trim off the beet greens and puree them. Peel and dice the beets. • In a 2-quart stockpot, combine the broth with 2 cups of beet juice, butter, lemon juice and pureed greens. Add seasonings to taste and bring the mixture to medium heat for five minutes. Then, reduce to low heat before adding the cream and diced beets. Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream.
is a home office the new must-have? to telecommute whenever possible. It was perhaps the tipping point the work-fromhome revolution needed. The implications are dire for commercial real estate, but in residential real estate, it could mean more people are free to move away from urban areas and to less expensive places. It also means the home office could be one of the more coveted features buyers are searching for.
W
orking from home was a trend that was already picking up significant steam before the coronavirus pandemic. Now, as more people around the world work from home than ever before, it could be impacting everything including real estate. In just a few months, people have shifted their lifestyles in drastic ways, and companies have asked employees
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) conducted their own preference study, “What Home Buyers Really Want.” According to their results, both prospective and recent home buyers want a home office. In fact, their most recent survey was in 2018, and even then, before the pandemic, 65% said they wanted a home office. Having a home office might even be a tax deduction if you have your own business, or if you’re an employee who qualifies for said deduction, which is one more reason it might be a must-have on the modern buyer’s list.
Coldwell Banker Tomlinson 4102 S Regal St, Suite 201 Spokane, WA 99223
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ISSUE 112 | FEBRUARY 2021 ©2021 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 – Market update january 2021 snapshot Active Homes
Homes Sold
Dollar Volume Sold
Jan 2020
1124
434
$124,379,709
Jan 2021
655
426
$151,221,116
Inc/Dec
-469
-8
$26,841,457
% Inc/Dec
-42%
-2%
22%
Average Sale Price
Median Sale Price
Jan 2020
$286,589
$275,000
Jan 2021
$354,979
$320,340
Inc/Dec
$68,390
$45,340
% Inc/Dec
24%
16%
January 2021, as compared to January 2020. The information in this report is compiled from a report given by the Spokane Association of REALTORS® and to the best of our knowledge is accurate and current.
Each of us sees the world through our own eyes. Consider how three different people involved in the Spokane real estate market - a Seller, a Buyer, and a Realtor - would look at the accompanying chart...... Mr. Seller: "Man oh man! Look how the value of my home has increased! When I consulted my agent last year, she thought it would sell somewhere around $280,000. Today, I might get around $350,000. That's an increase in selling price of almost $70,000. Yippeee!" Ms. Buyer: "Sheeesh! This market is nuts! Last year, I expected to be able to get a nice place for around $275,000. Now, it looks as though I should expect to pay around 16% more. Brother, it's a good thing interest rates have come down; my paycheck sure hasn't gone up that much!" Their Realtor: "Holy cow! Sales are about the same as they were last January, while listings are down 42%! Last February 1st, we were at least able to start out with nearly 700 homes left over from January. Now, we're starting out with a measly 229. Mr. Seller is going to get swamped with offers, but where can I go to find a house for Ms. Buyer?"
CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR FOR DETAILED MARKET INFORMATION.