BethAnn Long REALTOR, e-PRO

ON NOVEMBER 29TH 2008 There will be an incredible, unforgettable evening to benefit the Spokane WA chapter of the STARLIGHT CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION at the Bing Crosby Theater, Spokane WA.

"EMERALD LEGACY" An evening of music with the O'Neill family:

Festivities begin at 5:30 with a silent auction, small bites and wine till 7pm.

Then at 7:30 there will be a concert given by the O'Neill-Long families. This will be a concert great for all ages, as there will be a wide variety of music performed from the O'Neill family, made up of several professional musicians.

The event tickets are available online through the Starlight web site: www.starlight-wahsington.org

Price: 50$ ea for both events, OR- 20$ ea. for just the concert.

The O'Neill family will begin by opening the concert with a bit of Irish Music, as a tribute to their heritage. The evening will progress somewhat chronologically as the music moves through time, and ends up showcasing several family soloists and songwriters.

PLEASE JOIN MY FAMILY FOR THIS WONDERFUL EVENT AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF SERIOUSLY ILL CHILDREN and their families.

BethAnn Long, Realtor and Musician 509-362-4607 bethann@tb.com (e-mail)

www.bethannhomes.com (web site)

Our favorite fall family activity, by far- is visiting GREENBLUFF where there are several family orchards at the base of Mt. Spokane.

This is some serious down home old fashioned fun! You can pick your own apples and pumpkins in the orchards, and on the weekends, there are all kinds of fun activities! Live music, home made apple pies, and more!

VISIT: http://www.greenbluffgrowers.com/ for information on what is happening in GREENBLUFF!

CREATE LASTING MEMORIES WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY, VISIT GREENBLUFF!

BethAnn Long, Realtor Tomlinson South Inc. 509-362-4607

When I was a child, I vividly remember playing " HOUSE" with my friends. (OK I bet you are wondering if I also played "doctor" and that is a subject for another blog!)

Back to the subject at hand... Playing house was great fun. You could do it anywhere! In the yard, piling leaves into rooms, in the basement sectioning off peoples bedrooms with whatever your imagination desired. We also created houses in tents made from blankets and sheets. We even made snow houses!

At the park we would make imaginary houses with sticks and stones. " This is the kitchen, here is the living room..." It was magical.

Why do we play house?

I believe it is because each of us possesses an inate dream of home ownership. From the time we are children we begin wondering what it would be like to have our very own house!

The dream is still alive, and still possible. I would like us all to shake off the dreary and limiting words of the media and the oppressive restrictions of the mortgage industry and the doomsdayers and naysayers of the economy.

CREATE YOUR OWN ECONOMY.

If you dream of owning a home, or buying a different home, don't allow the market to control your personal decisions. Truthfully, this is an amazing market for buyers!

If you wonder if you can ever own a home, DON'T GIVE UP! Keep saving, guarding your credit score, and keep your eye on the prize.

Remember the child in you that played "House" and keep dreaming, planning and researching.

Life is short... buy your own piece of the world...

BethAnn Long, Spokane realtor www.bethannhomes.com

Join the Spokane Home Builders Association for the spectacular FALL FESTIVAL OF HOMES 2008!

Showcasing some of Spokane's most amazing builders. http://www.spokanefestivalofhomes.com/

Sept. 26th-28th and October 3-5th... come see!

BethAnn Long Tomlinson South Inc. 509-362-4607 www.bethannhomes.com

From the Spokane Association of REALTORS:

Aug. 2008:

August closed residential sales totaled 473. This total is down from 586 closed sales reported last month and down from 708 closed sales in August 2007. The average sales price for August was $203,493 and the median price was $185,000.

Year to date sales continue to lag behind last year. Through August closed sales total 3,454. The average sales price through August is $208,300 down 1.8% from one year ago. The median sales price of closed sales through

August is $185,500 compared to $186,000 over the same period last year.

Inventory as of this report is up slightly from last month. Compared to last year the inventory is up approximately 7%.

Sales of newly constructed homes totaled 74 in August up one from the 73 closed sales in July.

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In August of 2007, there were 709 closings, and in 2006 there were 807. With our current number of 473 for this year, it shows the incredible slow down as far as sales go.

The GOOD NEWS is that we are not seeing depriciation here, and intrest rates are great, so it is still great to buy real estate here in good old Spokane, WA.

posted by Spokane realtor: BethAnn Long Tomlinson South Inc www.bethannhomes,com