ISSUE 117
NEWSLETTER
JULY 2021
@home
WITH COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON
The Joys of Cycling in Spokane
I
have been cycling in and around the Spokane area for the last 20 years and I love the sport. I am drawn to the challenge, the exertion, and the risk of pushing myself out of my comfort zone, urged on either by competition with others or by the simple joy of being outdoors. Not only is cycling a lot of fun, it is also an amazingly effective form of exercise, burning around 500 calories in an hour and providing you with increased muscle endurance and strength, as well as excellent cardiovascular fitness. Best of all, cycling has a low impact on the body and can be enjoyed by anyone. The greatest thing about cycling is that it gets you out and exploring new places that you may have not even known existed if you had not been on a bike. I can’t believe how many beautiful places spots there are in the Spokane area that are readily accessible by bike. Most of these places can be reached straight from your back door without requiring any motorized help. Some single track trails that are accessible on South Hill are mountain bike trails over the bluff by High Drive. In the Valley, there are great trails to the Rocks of Sharon, as there are around Beacon Hill in Northeast Spokane. For a great family ride, take the paved path of the Centennial Trail that
winds through Nine Mile Falls to the Idaho border. One of my favorites is a 40 mile ride on Valley Chapel Rd that winds through the wheat fields of the Palouse with little car traffic. I myself love a morning ride in the fresh air. Not only is it good exercise, but it gets me focused for my workday and boosts my sense of well- being. There is a part of me that is very competitive and so I set challenges for my rides, like conquering steeper and longer hills, reaching higher speeds, cycling longer distances or competing against other riders. It is a fantastic feeling to overcome my body’s craving to quit by pushing through to complete a challenge I have set for myself. It provides a sense of achievement I cannot find in any other way. Some enjoyable competitions are Spokefest in September, Dirty Spokanza gravel ride, and Rim Ride in Liberty Lake. Among the greatest joys of cycling are being able to socialize with others while riding in a group, or enjoying the post-ride beer and food at one of Spokane’s local pubs. I have found cyclists to be a great group of people to include in your social circle, to turn to for insight into the challenges of life while exploring Spokane’s ever-expanding horizons of food and drink. Cycling enables me to see the world in a more positive way. Contributed by Michael Shannon
Most REALTORS® contribute a portion, sometimes a very considerable portion, of their revenue to the REALTORS'® Political Action Committee (RPAC), which is managed and maintained by the National Association of REALTORS®. Local associations, in turn, obtain support from this national fund to lobby and consult with local and state governments as they craft legislation related to real estate. Did you realize, for example, that lobbyists and experts engaged by the REALTORS'® Issue Fund are largely to thank for the crafting and content of these current and ongoing bills?
RPAC: Protecting industry and client interests alike
I
n a previous article, I explained that, unlike the salespeople with whom we are most often compared, Washington State REALTORS® are bound by two rigorous sets of requirements. One, which is required in order to obtain and maintain a real estate license, requires a high level of competence in mastering our state’s body of law related to real estate and in managing a business on which the public can rely. The other is the Real Estate Code of Ethics, to which all REALTORS® must adhere, and which is rigorously monitored and enforced by local associations, like the Spokane Association of REALTORS®. These standards are largely invisible to our clients, though we hope that their influence in felt in every aspect of the relationships we have with them. What is even less evident to the public are the actions taken by REALTORS® functioning as an industry in representing the interests of present and future property owners in the halls of government. Here again, our actions are driven not merely by financial self-interest, but by the very standards of competence and fairness that underlie the actions we take individually.
1. House Bill 1335 Sponsors: Rep Valdez (D), Rep. Rude (R) An act concerning review and property owner notification of recorded documents with unlawful racial restrictions, such as the racist covenants that still appear on many deeds to property in Spokane County. 2. House Bill 1157 Sponsors: Rep Bateman (D), Rep. Gilday (R) An act relating to increasing housing supply through the growth management act and housing density tax incentives for local governments. 3. Senate Bill 5024 Sponsors: Sen. Padden (R), Sen. Pedersen (D) An act relating to reducing barriers to condominium construction. 4. Senate Bill 5221 & House Bill 1298 Senate Sponsors: Sen. Gildon (R), Sen. Liias (D) House Sponsors: Rep. Vick (R), Rep. Springer (D) An act relating to regulation of accessory dwelling units located outside of urban growth areas. Industry leaders, like Eric Johnson, President of the Spokane Association of REALTORS® and VP Education at Coldwell Banker Tomlinson meet with lobbyists and legislators to make sure that the needs of our clients and of other real estate professionals are properly considered in formulating laws and policy. The Governor’s edicts relating to the marketing of homes and protection of both buyers and sellers during the present pandemic owed much of their final form to the efforts of Eric and his colleagues on the Government Affairs Committee. Similarly, local associations interview and vet candidates for public office on the basis of their knowledge of and interest in real-estate-related issues. On the basis of their investigations, candidates of both parties receive monetary support from RPAC, as was the case with the successful candidacy of Nadine Woodward for Mayor of Spokane, who has indeed maintained a steady focus on the housing needs of our community since the start of her term, despite the unexpected demands placed on her administration by COVID-19.
HOME RECIPES Fresh Cherry Crisp Ingredients 4 cups pitted sour cherries 1 ½ cups white sugar 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 1 cup old-fashioned oats 1 cup brown sugar ½ cup butter ½ cup shortening
Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). 2. In a large bowl, combine cherries, 1 1/2 cups white sugar, and 4 tablespoons flour. Pour into 9x13 inch baking dish. In a medium bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, oats, and brown sugar. Cut in butter and shortening until crumbly. Sprinkle over cherries. 3. Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until topping is golden brown.
Summer Mountain Biking In Spokane
W
arm, dry weather and a beautiful landscape make Spokane an ideal place for summer mountain biking. Strap on your helmet and head out to these challenging and fun trails around Spokane homes for sale recommended by our real estate agents. Beacon Hill With its convenient location on the outskirts of Spokane, Beacon Hill is a great option when you want to fit a ride into a busy schedule. There are more than 50 trails for beginner, intermediate, and expert levels, so it's a popular place for newbies to refine their skills. Trick riders love the skills park, which takes advantage of natural features for practice jumps. The park also includes a sizable dirt jump section. Fish Lake Trail If you're looking for a family-friendly outing, including four-legged members, Fish Lake Trail fits the bill. As a recent addition to the collection of bike trails around Spokane, users give Fish Lake Trail high marks for its wide, well-maintained trail and mild, gradual inclines that are easy to navigate. The path is "rails to trails,"
meaning it follows the route of a railroad. At Marshall Canyon, you can travel along active railroad lines known as "The Funnel," which is still a major point of interest for railroad buffs. Plans are underway to close a gap and link Fish Lake Trail to Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail. Mount Spokane State Park You know you're deep into nature when the Mount Spokane State Park website warns about watching for moose crossing the mountain bike trails. Sprawled across 12,393 acres near Mead homes for sale, Mount Spokane is one of the largest state parks in Washington. The grounds include more than 79 miles of mountain bike trails, providing plenty of territories to explore. Elevations range up to nearly 6,000 feet, with trails passing through cedar forests, wildflower meadows, and other alpine vegetation. Shuttles are available for transport to the higher levels. Park hours are 6:30 a.m. until dusk, and a daily admission fee is $10 per vehicle. Contributed by Delta Media Group
Coldwell Banker Tomlinson 4102 S Regal St, Suite 201 Spokane, WA 99223
@HOME WITH
ISSUE 117 | JULY 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 & Coeur d'alene REAL ESTATE MARKET STATISTICS June 2021 snapshots Spokane County
Coeur d'Alene
Average Sales Price
Median Sales Price
Average Sales Price
Median Sales Price
$415K
$380K
$587K
$495K
Up 33.6%
Up 28.8%
Up 37.2%
Up 41.8%
Current Listing Inventory
Average Days On Market
Current Listing Inventory
Average Days On Market
265
6
604
58
Down 51.2%
Down 57.1%
Down 43.8%
Down 38.3%
Closed Sales
Annual Residential Sales
Closed Sales
Annual Residential Sales
717
3,550
462
2,204
Up 3.5%
Up 6.4%
Up 6.5%
Up 12.1%
June 2021, as compared to June 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.
June 2021, as compared to June 2020. The information in this report is compiled from a report given by the Coeur d’Alene Association of REALTORS® and to the best of our knowledge is accurate and current.
While inventory remains low, we are starting to see more homes priced under $300,000 come on the market. Many of these homes, however, are in worse condition than was normal in previous months. As a result, buyers will pass them over and keep looking. Despite the attractive price, these homes remain on the market, rather than being snapped up. It would not surprise us to see inventories rise in July, swollen by these shopworn properties. Homes priced in the mid $300,000’s and well-maintained are often selling for $30,000 or more over list price, as their Sellers receive multiple offers the first weekend on market. Buyers prefer nicer homes and are willing to compete for them, rather than choose homes requiring additional work and offering no competition. It is important to understand that many homes never become “active” on the market, because agents bring their buyers to the owner before the homes hit the market. This is what allows inventory to be so low, while closed sales increase in number.
CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR FOR DETAILED MARKET INFORMATION.