Very POSITIVE Lewiston Clarkston Real Estate Udate

Good News! Our area has excellent numbers considering what the national media would want us to believe...NOW is the time to buy real estate! Don't wait! Buy while the interest rates are at a near all time low! And qualifying First Time Buyers can recieve up to $7500 off the top of their 09 Income Taxes!

Local Certified Appraiser, Gary Chase, of Chase Appraisals, gave the following report: The FHFA house-price indicators for the 3rd Quarter of this year show Lewiston, ID -Clarkston,WA, as up a cumulative 4.0% for the last 1 year 32.5% for 3 years and 65.5% for the past 5 years. The one year figures compare to a -2% for Idaho overall and a -2.1% for Washington overall.

Year end stats will be available next week, but a quick glance at market conditions in the LCValley show that our sales numbers are down significantly per the LCAR MLS. Our sales prices remain stable, and the number of foreclosures is stable. National News stat's are incorrect for our area! Good News!

Join Me In Giving Thanks to our Troops!

Brrrr ... It's cold in Lewiston Valley

Rarely do we see the Lewiston Clarkston hill "snow white" for more than a day or two! The weatherman says we will be having this 'snowscape' for the next week to 10 days. The Snake and Clearwater Rivers are also showing signs of icing over at the confluence, another rarity! We are thinking positive - - the blue sky and the crisp air are energizing. Remember- this is referred to as the Banana Belt of the Pacific Northwest. We're not used to sub freezing temperatures! Our friends have blanketed their horses to keep them toasy warm!

Peter Pan live at Lewiston Civic Theater- a MUST see!

Fantasy reigns with Peter Pan "flying" into Wendy's room, magic dust is sprinkled in the air, and Tinkerbelle twitters - the live music plays and we decide we will.... "Never Grow Up"! Our Civic theater presented one of its best productions ever, as the cast included many young-ins, a host of teens, various grown ups, the BEST Nana ever, and most innovative ticking Alligator. Captain Hooke was not too scarry for Liza and Lauryn Higgins, 31/2 and 5 years old, attending their first live theater performance on Opening Night. So enthralled, they would not hear of going home at Intermission. They wanted to stay to the end and experience every moment. Thank You to all involved in the over the top event! We LOVE living in this Valley!

Asotin County Aquatic Center Update

There will be a County Planning Meeting at the Clarkston City Hall tonight, 12-2-08, 5:30 PM. Anyone interested in attending can do so, but there may not be any time to speak to any issues. One issue is whether the City of Clarkston will opt out of the 0.3 tax levy which would allow the Aquatic Center to stay fully open and continue to serve the needs of the entire valley, as was previously agreed upon and budgeted for until the City changed its mind and decided to opt in. The figures show that the Aquatic center is used by all age groups, from infants to the elderly, for recreation as well as health and therapy, and there are over 70,000 yearly swims! Its presence in our Valley is far reaching!

Housing Interest Rates Fall Back to Record Lows 11-25-08

Just in from our local lenders, NOW is the time to buy a home in the Lewiston Clarkston Valley! Conventional 30 year fixed rates fell again today, and some lenders offer no points to qualified buyers! FHA/VA/IDFHA rates are also down today. Don't miss out this time! There are many wonderful buys, as sellers who must sell are just waiting for buyer's! A list of properties in your price range is available upon request!

National Statistics

Today I was sent a wonderful map showing the market changes around the country! Click Here to see it. Click on the little homes representing the areas and it will show the median price and percentage of drop or rise in that area. From looking at this map the LC Valley would compare best with the Spokane, WA maket changes.

First Time Homebuyer Informational Seminar

Anyone who has not OWNED a home in the last 3 years is now considered a First Time Homebuyer, and is invited to attend a free seminar at the Asotin County Library on 5ht and Elm in downtown Clarkston, Wa on December 4, 2008. The seminar will be from 6-7 Pm, and will be Hosted by Keyna Willett of The Advisor's Mortgage Group and Judy Higgins, Realtor, of Coldwell Banker Tomlinson.

Topics to be covered include: Myth vs. Reality in the LC Valley Housing Market-- now is a great time to buy! Tips of how to get the best price in today's market, how to get the most value in a mortgage lender, and how to choose the right home based on monthly payments, not asking price. Limited seating is available, call 305-7896 to reserve your place today.

Real Estate Market Update for LC Valley

Our local MLS numbers are showing a steady market pace in the Valley as we end our 2008 real estate year. Our average residential dwelling is now selling at about 8% above last year's price, and buyers are paying $168,500 as average price for a 3 bedroom, one plus bath house. Interest rates remain at an affordable 6.25%. The combination of these circumstances makes this a great time to buy in our market.

Clarkston, Wa Super Wal-mart construction to begin

Super Wal-mart is going to change the feel of our Bridge Street/Costco area. The will be adding 2 traffic lights! We will become a rush hour statistic! The City of Clarkston, Washington has approved a permit for a 184,133 sq ft store with a parking lot for 953 cars. The building is expected to be completed in July 2009, and employ 350-400 workers.

The good news is that the type of Supercenter is only the thrid one to be built in the United States. It will have envronmentally friendly features, the roof line and entrances will be of more than one style and add to the building's visual appeal, according to the write up in today's Lewiston Morning Tribune.

Because I love to walk the bike trails down by the river, I look forward to the store coming to town. It will hopefully encourage the Port and others to modernize the area, make it a gathering center for bikes, walkers, and roller bladers. The friendly atmosphere of Clarkston is sure to warm the hearts of those who visit and live here alike!