ISSUE 121
NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 2021
@home
WITH COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON
Giving back this holiday season with 'tree of sharing'
I
t’s for the people who are often forgotten. That’s what we say at KREM 2 when asked, “Whom does the Tree of Sharing serve?” The long-standing Northwest tradition provides gifts to people of every type and every age: from newborns to seniors of 100 years plus, just as it has for more than thirty years. In the beginning, it served a few hundred people. Now the Tree of Sharing tradition serves around 8,000 people through more than fifty agencies. And while recipients tell KREM 2 they are grateful, in truth it is most often the donors and volunteers who feel they have received the greatest gift of all.
or mittens to keep a baby warm. In the end, it’s often less about the gift itself and more about letting people know that there is a community that cares; that indeed, people in need are not forgotten.
Tree of Sharing allows a donor to select one of many ‘gift tags’ containing requests from members of our community. Fair warning: those requests will tug at your heart.
Every aspect of the Tree of Sharing program is handled by volunteers; no one is paid a penny for the time and resources they invest. This year, even the tiny percentage of their revenue that had to go to insurance is being covered by a generous donor. Consequently, it can now be said that every penny donated to Tree of Sharing goes directly to those it was meant to benefit.
Dozens of senior-citizens will ask for simple gifts like a blanket, slippers, or a food card. Teens will ask for a warm coat to get through the winter. Parents will ask for socks
That is why KREM 2 is committed to supporting the Tree of Sharing and why we were so excited to partner with Coldwell Banker Tomlinson on the upcoming seasonal Tree of Sharing. We hope you can join with us. Visit the Tree of Sharing website to select a tag or two that you find there, or to make a cash donation.
The selection of tags is a time-honored Spokane tradition. However,as with so many other things impacted by COVID, sadly, this tradition must be put on hold. This year, we are not offering tags for selection at our area malls. The entire tag selection process will be done online, though you will still be able to select tags by age group. Together, we’ll make a holiday season for everyone to remember.
Spokane Tree of Sharing treeofsharing.org Submitted by Julie Delaney
New Build or Existing Home: Which One Is Right for You?
H
ome-buyers today are facing a huge dilemma. There simply aren’t enough homes for sale.
Nationwide, there were 1.27 million active listings last month, down 13% from the previous year. According to the National Association of Realtors, that’s about 2.4 months of inventory, which is far less than the six months that is generally needed to strike a healthy balance between supply and demand. Given the limited number of available properties, if you’re a buyer in today’s market, you may need to expand your search to include both new construction and resale homes. But it can feel a little like comparing apples to oranges. Let’s take a closer look at some of the factors you should take into account when choosing between a new build or an existing home. TIME-FRAME New Build: While historically it took around five to six months to build a home, many builders are now reporting construction timelines of a year or more. And rising costs have led some to raise prices or cancel contracts— extending the timeline even further. I can help minimize surprises by negotiating better terms and advising you about the potential risks involved. Existing Home: If you're in a hurry to move into your next residence, then you may want to stick to shopping for an existing home. The average time it takes to close a home purchase is around 51 days, but it can vary based on loan type and market activity.
LOCATION New Build: With a brand-new home, you're more likely to move into a neighborhood that's located on the edge of town and is still undergoing development. This could mean a longer commute and ongoing construction for some time. However, amenities like water features or hike-and-bike trails could offset the inconvenience for some buyers. Existing Home: An existing home is more likely to be located close to town in a neighborhood with mature trees, established schools, and a deeply-rooted community. As a result, you may find the neighborhood's trajectory to be more predictable than an up-and-coming area. MAINTENANCE New Build: When you build a home, everything is brand new. Therefore, you can expect less required maintenance and repairs in the beginning. However, some home builders have variations in building practices and materials, which can require specific maintenance needs. I can provide information that may be helpful in evaluating these differences. Existing Home: While an older home is more likely to need repairs, there are ways to prepare for these expenditures. I always recommend that our buyers hire a certified home inspector, whether they buy a new or existing home. Once we have the inspector’s report, I can negotiate with the seller on your behalf for reasonable repairs or concessions. WHICHEVER PATH YOU CHOOSE, WE CAN HELP So give us a call today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation—and let’s start searching for your next home!
HOME RECIPES Tender Pecan Sticky Buns
Ingredients 4 cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup sugar 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup 2% milk 1/4 cup butter, cubed 2 large eggs Toppings: 1/3 cup butter, cubed 2/3 cup packed brown sugar 2 tablespoons light corn syrup 1 cup chopped pecans Filling 3 tablespoons butter, melted 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/3 cup sugar 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Instructions 1. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, sugar, yeast and salt. In a small saucepan, heat milk and butter to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat just until moistened. Add eggs; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky). 2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. 3. In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and corn syrup until combined. Pour into a well-greased 13x9in. baking dish. Sprinkle with pecans. 4. Punch dough down. Turn onto a floured surface. Roll into a 12x8-in. rectangle; brush with melted butter. Combine sugars and cinnamon; sprinkle over dough to within 1/2 in. of edges and press into dough. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal. 5. Cut into 12 slices. Place cut side down in prepared pan. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°. 6. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately invert onto a serving platter. Serve warm.
The History of Thanksgiving Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving Day in the United States? Here's a brief history of this all-important American holiday. (In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October.) In a 1789 proclamation, President George Washington called on the people of the United States to acknowledge God for affording them "an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness" by observing a day of thanksgiving. Devoting a day to "public thanksgiving and prayer," as Washington called it, became a yearly tradition in many communities. Thanksgiving became a national holiday in 1863. In that year, during the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln made his Thanksgiving Day Proclamation. He asked his fellow citizens "to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise ... " It was not until 1941 that Congress finally designated the
fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day, thus creating a federal holiday. Of course, Thanksgiving is not born of presidential proclamations. Native American harvest festivals bad been celebrated for centuries, and colonial services date to the late 16th century. Thanksgiving Day, as we know it today, began in the early 1600s when settlers in both Massachusetts and Virginia came together to give thanks for their survival, for the fertility of their fields, and for their faith. The most widely known early Thanksgiving is that of the Pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts, who feasted for 3 days with the Wampanoag people in 1621. Why Is Thanksgiving Celebrated with Turkey?
Turkey has become the traditional Thanksgiving fare because at one time it was a rare treat. During the, 1830s, an 8- to 10-pound bird cost a day's wages. Even though turkeys are affordable today, they still remain a celebratory symbol of bounty. In fact, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin ate roast turkey in foil packets for their first meal on the Moon. Contributed by Susan Crosby
Coldwell Banker Tomlinson 4102 S Regal St, Suite 201 Spokane, WA 99223
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ISSUE 121 | NOVEMBER 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 October 2021 snapshots Spokane County
Coeur d'Alene
Average Sales Price
Median Sales Price
Average Sales Price
Median Sales Price
$403K
$373K
$654K
$520K
Up 16.5%
Up 16.6%
Up 27.7%
Up 31.2%
Current Listing Inventory
Average Days On Market
Current Listing Inventory
Average Days On Market
493
5
684
75
Up 21.3%
Down 68.8%
Down 6.8%
Down 13.8%
Closed Sales
Annual Residential Sales
Closed Sales
Annual Residential Sales
666
6,779
421
3,919
Down 17.6%
Up 1.1%
Down 29.6%
Down 8%
October 2021, as compared to October 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.
Although the weather is cooling down, the real estate market shows no signs of doing the same. Average Sales price climbs above $400,000 and the average days on market has decreased to only 5 days on the market from listing to contract. Our current listing inventory has increased by 17% which means that there are more options out there for home buyers. Mortgage rates continue to rise but are still historically low at 3.1%. Article by Abbey Parsons
October 2021, as compared to October 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.
CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR FOR DETAILED MARKET INFORMATION.