1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6.
1. 2.
3. 4.
Deductible Dilemma
The purpose of insurance is to shift the risk of loss to a company in exchange for a premium. Most policies have a deductible which reduces the amount of the claim that is paid by having the insured share in the first part of the loss. In the process of managing insurance premiums, policy holders often consider higher deductibles to lower the premium. Lower deductibles mean less money out of pocket if a loss occurs but also results in higher premiums. Higher deductibles result in lower premiums but require that the insured bear a larger part of the loss. A small fire in a $300,000 home that resulted in $2,500 of damage might not be covered if the policy holder has a 1% deductible. If the homeowner can afford to handle the cost of repairs in exchange for cheaper premiums, it might be worth it. On the other hand, if that loss would be difficult for the homeowner, a change in the deductible could be considered. Homes in high-risk flood areas with mortgages from federally regulated or insured lenders require additional flood insurance. However, each homeowner needs to assess the risk of being able to financially sustain a flood loss on their home when flood insurance is not required. The recent events in south Texas and Louisiana are evidence that the unexpected can happen. It is important to review your deductible and discuss risks with your property insurance agent so that you’re familiar with the amount and make any changes that would be appropriate before a claim is made. The FEMA website has information and frequently asked questions about flood insurance.
@HOME | Ideas & Insights
n to be a d s y a W lor 12 e Land m o s e w A
Better landlords attract better tenants. Why? If you consider your rental properties as a business, then your tenants are your customers. You’re providing a service that they’re paying for. In that case, wouldn’t you want to keep your best customers for as long as possible and attract new customers? Good landlords are able to keep long-term, qualified tenants. Following these guidelines can save you hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars.
1. Help the Tenant Get Adjusted to the Area: It’s quite likely that the tenant is new in town. Giving them an insider’s look at the town will help them adjust quicker. Give them a printout that gives directions to local grocery stores, pharmacies, and other facilities to smooth their transition. You can pull a list directly from any map service online. 2. Write Them a Welcome Letter: Leaving your tenant a brief note welcoming them to the unit, as well as reiterating how happy you are to have them, will set the right tone for a positive lessor/lessee relationship. Be sure to write down your contact information again, just in case. Provide any special instructions for the apartment (when trash pickup / recycling is, contact information for cable and utility services, etc.). 3. Stock the Bathrooms: If you stock each bathroom in the unit with a roll of toilet paper and a soap dispenser, the tenants will be so grateful that you helped them out in a pinch. Also consider leaving a roll of paper towels and an all-purpose cleaner. This will encourage them to keep the place clean and let them know you also have cleanliness on your mind. 4. Help Them Change Address: Including either address labels for their unit or change-ofaddress packets from the post office with your welcome letter will show the tenants that you think of the little things. 5. Dress Neatly: If you are clean and tidy, they will assume that you will keep the unit clean and tidy and that you expect the same from them. First impressions mean a lot. 6. Follow Lease Guidelines: Always, always, always follow the guidelines outlined in your lease since that is what everyone agreed to at the outset. If there are issues that come up that weren’t addressed in the lease, you can always refer back to your city’s local ordinances or check on local landlord forums for tips and best practices. 7. Keep Your Cool: If you find yourself in a disagreement with your tenant, or if they don’t pay the rent on time or make major problems in the apartment, be sure to remain calm. Never yell or swear at your tenant. It’s illegal to threaten your tenants or withhold their rights as a tenant. Also remember that the tenant is your customer. 8. They’re Your Tenant, Not Your Friend: Of course it’s great to have a friendly professional relationship with your tenant, but draw the line there. It is important to keep some emotional distance just in case one day you ever have to evict them or meet up against them in court 9. Be Consistent: Always follow the lease guidelines. Always respond to maintenance requests, even if it’s just to take a quick look. Always make the tenant feel respected. 10. Be Accessible: Ultimately, if your tenants need to talk to you then you need to be there. That means offering multiple phone numbers (if you have them) and an email address at the very least. And although they shouldn’t abuse the privilege, tenants should be able to contact you at night should there ever be an emergency. 11. Walk Them Through the Lease: Even before the tenant has moved in, you can establish yourself as a high-quality landlord. When it comes time for the tenant to sign the lease, be willing to walk them through it as they review the clauses. Communicate about the rights and responsibilities that both parties have in signing the rental agreement. This will get everything out in the open from the start, and show your tenant that you’re someone to trust. 12. Respond Promptly: Whenever a tenant calls or emails you, be sure to respond to them as soon as possible. It’s always important to remember that any interaction with your tenant is a business interaction, no matter how well you know them, and business etiquette calls for quick responses. If you know you are going to be away, say, on vacation, tell the tenant in advance that you may not be able to respond to any communication as quickly as before.
SPOKANE REAL ESTATE MARKET STATISTICS
Get ready for FALL!
Spokane Active Listings
3,400 2014
2015
2016
2017
3,016 2,804
2,900
2,908
2,703 2,638
2,628
2,523 2,400 2,270
1,900
2,106
2,007
1,985
1,509
1,400
900 January
1,364
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November December
Spokane Average Sales Price 2014
2015
2016
2017
$236,325
$228,925
$216,272 $219,019
$216,424
$204,861
$202,357
$200,245
$195,000 $192,087
$185,000
$191,790
$182,945
$204,534
$202,228 $195,829
$191,240
$187,054
$190,207
$182,040
$177,939
$210,612
$198,060
$192,847
$187,343 $183,373
$207,285
$203,150
$204,262
$206,059 $204,709
$216,173
$217,891 $212,056
$205,472
$205,000
$235,116 $223,149
$224,512
$215,000 $206,649
$236,676
$233,756
$220,984
$165,000
1,301
964
$225,000
$175,000
1,636
1,120
945
$235,000
$189,077
$182,336
$183,029
With summer inching closer to an end, the fall real estate market is leveling off. Even though the most active spring market has passed, there is still time to take advantage of the affordability of the Spokane market. The inventory is loosening up as more homeowners are putting their house on the market. Our average days on market is holding steady at 44 days, compared to the previous month of 43. Home values have risen throughout the year and continue to do that, but not as much of a margin as the spring market. The average sale price came in for the month of September at $236,676 compared to last year at $216,173, but not very much higher than the previous month of August at $235,116.
$175,476
$163,945
$155,000 January
February
March
Ap ril
May
June
July
August
September October
November December
“The world
Spokane Days On Market
90
82
81
80
78 74
73
70 66
71
66
63
65
57
62
60
57
59 50
1,663
1,583
1,611
1,457
$245,000
70
1,878
1,355
1,021
80
1,837 1,790
1,802
1,687
1,682
1,588
2,150
1,959
1,910
1,816
1,684
2,236
2,165
1,908
1,944
1,956
1,907
2,240
2,323
2,255
57
55
53
53
53
66
64
55
57
52
53
45
40
39 35
30
66 61
60
81 79
72
64
55
43
44
A u g u st
S e p t e mb e r
56
by your example,
60
54
is changed
59
not by your opinion.� ~Paulo Coelho
37
20
10
0
2014
Ja n u a ry
2015
Fe b ru a ry
2016
Ma rch
2017
A p ril
Ma y
Ju n e
Ju ly
Information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.
O ct o b e r
No ve mb e r De ce mb e r
Issue 72 | Oct - Nov 2017
12 2
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
TOP 10 TIPS FOR HYDRATION
Spokane C.O.P.S. Block Watch is one of the most effective and least costly ways to prevent crime and reduce fear. Block Watch fights the isolation that crime both creates and feeds upon. It forges bonds among residents, helps reduce burglaries and robberies, and improves relations between the police and the communities they serve. Today, community oriented policing allows the C.O.P.S. shops, police and residents to work together to solve issues involving crime and social concerns in their community. Block Watches are one of the original foundations of community policing and are referred to as the eyes and ears of law enforcement. Members look out for neighbors and their property and report suspicious activities to the police. However, Block Watches are more than looking out for suspicious activity in neighborhoods. Through community mobilization, citizens form an active partnership in the community. Watches allow individuals the opportunity to discover common interests and goals that they share with their neighbors. The residents work to prevent the possibility of crime in their area and develop a sense of community spirit that encourages more activism. The Benefits of Forming an Active Block Watch • Having the fast track to reporting crime and unsafe conditions. • Notifications about crime trends and scams in your neighborhood. • Being a part of community crime prevention. • Education on how to protect yourself and your property. • Having the means to stop crime in your neighborhood. How to Start a Block Watch in the City of Spokane: 1. Obtain a Block Watch Representative application from this link or go to your nearest C.O.P.S. shop. 2. Contact your neighbors. Ask them if they would be interested in meeting. Your needs and interests should fit the uniqueness of your area and your neighbors. Stay flexible (meeting locations, frequency, topics, size, etc.). 3. Once your application has been approved, a volunteer from your substation will call you to set up a time and place for your first meeting. A Block Watch Coordinator is available to run this meeting. 4. Notify interested neighbors. Once you and the C.O.P.S. volunteer have decided on a meeting time and place, let your neighbors know. C.O.P.S. volunteers can help develop a flyer for you to distribute, or you can call your neighbors direct. 5. First meeting. At this time the C.O.P.S. volunteer will help people feel at ease, explain the value of Block Watch, and address particular interests and concerns they have about the neighborhood. This will include filling out the Block Map – a list of names, addresses and phone numbers which are reproduced and distributed to each of the member homes. Topics for future meetings can also be explored. If you’re interested in starting a Block Watch in your City of Spokane neighborhood, contact the Spokane C.O.P.S. main office at 509-625-3301. The City of Spokane Valley also has a terrific neighborhood security program. For information, contact Venus Delcambre-Morris at 509-477-3055 or vdelcambremorris@spokanesheriff.org. 509.535.7400 office 509.534.2621 fax www.cbtomlinson.com 4102 S. Regal, Suite 201 Spokane, WA 99223