BethAnn Long, Realtor, e-PRO Spokane Wa Real Estate

I have five kids.

This day and age that is A LOT.

I have two sets of twins, identical and fraternal! (mind boggling isn't it?!)

So, I did not set out to have 5 kids, but I am blessed!

It is so hard to explain the love a mother has for her children. When I look at my kids, the love is so overwhelming and all encompassing. I believe it is like no other love. A human bond that is truly sacred.

I am so blessed to have 5 incredible, beautiful, interesting, talented children. That IS my mothers day gift!

I have had it with every Tom Dick and Harry.com providing " real estate" information online.

For one thing, many of my buyers are on total overload, spending countless hours online searching for homes, and driving themselves crazy with the " too much information" situation.

Honestly if you are a buyer looking for a home online I hope you are reading this!

Many of these websites provide partial and outdated information. The general public does not understand the difference between the MLS (private for licensed real estate professionals) and MLS listings. (provided online to the public).

As Realtor's, our data base for listings is updated in real time, and provides far more information than the public has access to. I am frustrated because many people come to me with scores of homes they want to look at, and something that you would think would make my life easier, has indeed created many problems. Buyer's have too many homes to choose from online, particularly if they are not familiar with the area. Plus, there are sites tha pull partial information and leave them thinking they have enough information to make a decision about a property when they simply do not. I have had several buyers just on total over load after spending waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much time looking for a house online. This is a service I am happy to provide for them, and I think it would be really beneficial all the way around. I do think that it is good for buyers to have a good idea what is available, but they need to understand that many of the homes floating around on sites are already under contract! The primary agency sites are the best source of updated information. (not the we want every one to pay a referral to us.com)

Another pet peeve of mine is that some of these sites are bothering my sellers as well. They see their home being half represented online and then they call or e-mail me, and I have no control over those sites. So, online exposure is great, but it has gotten kind of out of control.

So be careful what you believe on websites because not all of the information is being brought forth. They will give all kinds of information about what homes are " worth" which is a whole different (sore) subject. Don't get me started! It is not a good idea to have a website " average" the value of a home when they cannot see the condition and other factors. This takes a real person. Like a real -tor.

The moral of the story: Hire a Real Estate professional (with great references) and trust that they will provide you with the information you need, when you need it in regard to buying and selling homes!

I might be open to going back to the " book" of listings only privy to Realtors! (just kidding) How about a balance of limited, dependable information, rather than zillions of sites with TMI? (too much (mis)information!

OK I feel better now.

Wow... it has been a very busy week for me as a Realtor! I have shown dozens of homes (literally) to 3 sets of out of town buyers who are relocating to Spokane!

I have 3 more coming within the next 10 days to Spring has most definitely arrived. This is music to my ears, as many a seller waited out the winter without a sale. And new listings are also coming on the Market, so choices are good.

What a great opportunity to buy a home- while Interest Rates are GREAT and if you are a first time home buyer in Spokane Wa. or anywhere else...that 8000 tax credit is quite the incentive!

Here is to each of you who are looking for a home this Spring 2009. I hope you find just what you are looking for and live happily ever after!

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It was another hard winter in Spokane Wa. and we experienced record snowfalls. This is somewhat increases the slow down for us in regard to home sales. That coupled with the impact of negative news, much of which does not apply to our local market, has contibuted to lower numbers of homes sales. However, SPRING IS NOW HERE and all the snow is long gone! I am working alot of 12 hour days, and it is a great time to buy a home in Spokane Wa. as intrest rates and other perks such as the first time buyer tax credit make this an exceptional buyers market.

Here are the numbers recorded for March 2009:

March 2009 closed sales increased 68% over February 2009 closed sales. 326 closed sales were reported for March 2009. The average sales price was $200,229 while the median price was $176,200.For the first quarter of 2009 sales totaled 638 which are down 241 sales compared to the first quarter 2008. The average sales price for the first quarter was $200,475 which is approximately the same average price for the first quarter last year. The median sales price for the first quarter 2009 was down 1.5% from the median price for the first quarter last year, $175,000 in 2009 compared to $177,700 in 2008. Inventory for the fourth consecutive month is less than the inventory at the same time last year. Current inventory as of this report is 2,687 units compared to 3,044 a year ago. New Construction homes sales totaled 52 in March up from 39 last month.

Posted 4/19/09

It is really an incredible experience to hop on google and be able to virtually drive down the street! If you have not experienced google street views, which are limited to only a few cities, you can drive down almost any street in Spokane Wa. ! What a great way to check out neighborhoods. I often look up an address before I get a new listing. It's alot more comprehensive that the tiny snapshot I can get on the county website. You can zoom in all the way down to the road. It is truly amazing! Just " google" street views" and put in the desired location.

You can look up specific addresses and !*! badda boom there you are!

HOW COOL IS THAT?!

Go to : Google Maps and have at it!

Our website www.tomlinsonspokane.com also has great mapping features. You can see google street views, and also search for all kinds of things like listings in any given area, and search for schools, hospitals, stores, churches, and much more.

Fun with maps! Just like 5th grade! Great tools for those who are searching for a new home!