At Home With Coldwell Banker Tomlinson - September 2019

ISSUE 95 | SEPTEMBER 2019

WITH COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON

OFFERING SPOKANE’S MARGINALIZED YOUTH A CUP OF COOL WATER Article by Melissa Blaine, Realtor®

While issues of government policy make headlines, we should not overlook the many examples we have in Spokane of the power of individual initiative in dealing with social problems. Few are more inspiring than the non-profit group, Cup of Cool Water, or “Cup” for short, founded by Mark Terrell in the mid-‘90s to improve the lives of marginalized youth in our community.

According to Jeremy Clark, a Cup staff member, “In the beginning, Cup was very grass-roots. Mark felt called to build relationships with youth who were experiencing homelessness, so he started doing outreach in downtown Spokane with just one volunteer. Our mission statement is to walk alongside youth who are homeless on their journey of reconciliation with themselves, God and society. We live out our mission through Drop-in services, outreach, a Life Skills program and mentoring.”

Cup’s drop-in centers are its primary means of contacting youth in need. Young people can get their basic needs met at the center in a loving and non-judgmental environment.

Jeremy Clark explains: “We work to keep a balance between youth coming as they are into this environment and maintaining a culture of showing one another dignity, honor, respect and love.

Youth ask us honest questions about faith, life, and their value. We mourn together, laugh together and hope

together for a brighter future.We welcome everyone and those who are the most difficult are often the individuals that we are called to give the most attention to”.

The center offers meals, showers, clothing, and internet access. Staff and volunteers also arrange for mentor sessions, group outdoor adventures, lifeskills training, and job training to help youth exit homelessness. “Cool Water Bikes” is run under Cup and acts as a second drop in center, offering job training and raising money for Cup by selling and repairing bicycles. www.coolwaterbikes.org Volunteers are critical to the success of this organization.

“Here at Cup we take a committee approach to mentoring youth. The youth we work with are in need of community, not just one mentor. Often times we have several volunteers or staff spending time with one youth. This is invaluable for the success of the youth,” says Clark.

Want to get involved? There are several ways to help: you can volunteer for a weekly drop-in session, be part of a meal team once a month, or provide donations. Cup is always in need of in-kind donations such as underwear, socks, pants, shoes, sleeping bags, food, cleaning supplies or bikes and related gear. Contributions of money are deeply appreciated, and return joy and fulfillment to the donor far beyond what the dollar amount suggests. More information can be found at: www.cupofcoolwater.org

TITLE COMPANIES: WHO NEEDS THEM? Figuratively speaking, six people have a place around the closing table of most real estate transactions: The Seller, the Buyer, the Realtors, the lender and the title agent.

In the minds of most people, the roles of five of these participants are quite clear, while the sixth is cloudy.

Who needs the title company? They don’t buy, they don’t sell and they don’t lend. In fact, the role of the title company is crucial, especially in today’s extreme Seller’s market, where emotions run high, causing details to get overlooked that can short circuit a sale, and, worse, lead to nasty legal action. The cool, competent demeanor of the closing agent conceals a tremendous amount of demanding work accomplished out of the view of the other participants.

To sell his property, the Seller must provide “marketable title,” that is, he must be able to convey all of the rights of ownership to the Buyer. If he or a former owner has agreed to any legal encumbrance or compromise of those rights, such as agreeing to allow the power utility to come onto the property to service a power line, that has to be made known to the Buyer. If it is not, the new owners can be compelled to remove the beautiful new pool they just installed, or tear down a costly addition they made to the house.

Such agreements, or encumbrances, are recorded as they occur, and become part of the title history. The title agent’s job is to find all such encumbrances, and

Article by Larry Lapidus, Realtor®

set them out clearly, or, as in the case of the lien placed on the property by the Seller’s mortgage lender, see to it that they are removed prior to closing.

In the case of older properties with long, complex histories, the research required to achieve marketable title demands tremendous skill and knowledge. After the title search is complete, the title company arranges for two insurance policies, one benefitting the Buyer and another benefitting the lender, in the event anything was missed. As with all insurance policies, those provided by a title company can change overnight from a pointless expense to a godsend.

Title companies also very frequently provide escrow services, which entails seeing to it that all of the requirements of the Purchase and Sale Agreement are met, and that the large sums of money coming into the settlement from the Buyers and their lender are routed correctly, principally to the Seller, of course, but also to the brokers, the County Assessor, the water department, the State Department of Revenue, and any contractors whose work was to be paid for out of closing.

This is complex, demanding work, often executed under the extreme pressure of looming deadlines, and sometimes frantic and intolerant Buyers, Sellers and lenders, who would do well to be aware of the importance and difficulty of the work involved, and to replace impatience with compassion and a bit of grace.

PUMPKIN SOUP WITH CILANTRO-GINGER PICADILLO

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 tbsp minced cilantro • 1 1/2 tbsp minced red bell pepper • 1 1/2 tbsp fresh lime juice • 1 1/2 tbsp minced green onion • 1 tsp minced pickled ginger • 1/s tsp seeded and minced habanero chile • 1/2 tsp sugar • Salt and fresh ground black pepper • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 small pumpkin (about 2 lb), or an equal amount of butternut squash • 4 cups Chicken or Vegetable Stock • 8 oz Coconut Milk (optional) • 1 large yellow onion, quartered • 1 clove garlic, chopped • 1 tsp peeled and grated fresh ginger • Sea salt and freshly ground • white pepper • 4-6 tbsp sour cream

2.

3.

BLACK JACK. Has a lot of personality and is looking for a new home where he can relax in comfort (on your lap, perhaps?). #2019-10932

INSTRUCTIONS

Sweet cooking pumpkins, called ahuyama or zapallo in Colombia and in other regions, are one of the most loved and frequently used indigenous foods in all of Latin America. Pumpkin is used for soups, side dishes, breads, and sometimes tamales. At times when pumpkin is not available in Spokane, butternut squash makes a delicious alternative. This recipe is an updated version of a traditional soup garnished with a signature Colombian picadillo, a zesty pepperand-onion salsa.

1. To make the picadillo, in a bowl, stir together the cilantro, bell pepper, lime juice, green onion, pickled ginger, habanero, sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and olive oil. Let stand at room temperature to

allow the flavors to blend for at least 1 hour or until ready to serve.

Cut the pumpkin in half. Scoop out the seeds and discard. Using a sharp knife and following the contours of the squash, cut off the skin. Cut the flesh into 2-inch chunks. You should have about 3 1/2 cups. In a soup pot over medium heat, combine the pumpkin, stock, yellow onion, garlic, grated ginger, 1 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of white pepper. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pumpkin is tender, about 15 minutes.. For added richness, stir in an 8 oz. can of coconut milk. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. Working in batches, transfer the soup to a blender or food processor and process until smooth.

Return the soup to the pot and reheat gently over medium heat. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Garnish each serving with about 1 tablespoon of the picadillo and 1 tablespoon sour cream. Serve hot, passing the remaining picadillo at the table.

RIKER. A very happy, funloving dog. He works well on leash, loves treats, knows how to “sit” and “shake”. He also likes to go hiking. #2019-6920

Interested in adopting or donating? Call SCRAPS Today! 509.477.2532

NOW TRENDING: OFF-SEASON IRRIGATION SYSTEM UPGRADES

It is well known that fall is the time to make sure an irrigation system is blown out so that it doesn’t freeze and rupture over the long winter.

However, fall and winter are also a great time to explore the newest innovations and upgrades available for an existing system. From smart timer technology to water-saving rotors, many improvement options are available.

Upgrades can be done on various components of the system separately, as time and budgets permit. These improvements are not dependent on one another. Water-saving technology and the associated cost benefits are often at the top of the upgrade list – without making the grass look as though the water got turned off, of course. The constantly improving, water-saving rotor technology by Hunter Industries is a great way to water the landscape effectively, yet economically. The spray patterns can be precisely customized, as well.

Another easy upgrade is to change out the existing controller to a smart controller. These can be remotely operated and adjusted and, when used in conjunction with a solar sensor, can help to maximize the

effectiveness of the water applied to the landscape.

Once the system is OFF for the season, there is no need to worry about down time of the system when making these upgrades. Program the controller and adjust the new heads next season.

Check out Hunter Industries for more information at www.hunterindustries.com/ proven-water-savers-0

Submitted by Dale Smith, Realtor®

Coldwell Banker Tomlinson 4102 S Regal St, Suite 201 Spokane, WA 99223

@HOME WITH

ISSUE 95 | SEPTEMBER 2019 ©2019 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 REAL ESTATE MARKET STATISTICS 2016

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

2018

2017

MARKET UPDATE

2019

AVERAGE71 PRICE57UP 11.4% 55

48

The average closed price 62 55 for August 50 2019 was 44$288,256 compared to August 2018 when the average price was $258,826.

(Does 59 53 45 40 not represent home values) 53 45 MEDIAN PRICE UP 9% 53 39

35 36 30 31 The median closed price35for August 2019 was28$267,000 compared to August 52 31 2018 when the median price was $245,000. (Does not represent home values) 53 37 35 31 54 43 33 29 55 single family 44 35on less than one acre including condos for Closed sales of homes 56 42 August 2019 total 869 compared to36August 2018 when the total was 915.

59 45 39 60 49 44

SALES DOWN 5%

INVENTORY UP 6.8%

Current inventory, as of this report totals 1,559 properties which represents a 1.9 months supply. (Months supply based on closed sales for August) Information comes from the SAR’s Monthly Activity Report which looks at single family residential/site built properties on less than one acre and condominiums.

DAYS ON MARKET JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

2016

71

62

59

53

53

52

53

54

55

56

59

60

2017

57

55

53

45

39

35

37

43

44

42

45

49

2018

55

50

45

35

30

31

35

33

35

36

39

44

2019

48

44

40

36

31

28

31

29

In the Spokane market, about 15% of purchases are paid in cash. Cash buyers often don’t get appraisals. When selling your property, you may be lucky enough to sell an overpriced listing at the list price, because there’s an 85% chance of financing and that means an appraisal.

If you’re buying with cash, make sure that your broker is doing, at least, a quick CMA to make sure the comparable sales support the listing price. Maybe you just want the property, but it’s good to know if you’re paying a fair price. It also helps to know that about 22% of buyers use FHA or VA financing.

If you’re selling and your property doesn’t meet FHA/VA conditions, consider making a few repairs so that your property available to this market segment. Ask your Coldwell Banker Tomlinson agent for more info!

Article by Cody Kerr, Realtor®

CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR FOR DETAILED MARKET INFORMATION.