Gov. Chris Gregoire, urging potential home buyers to put aside their worries about the national economy, said she's reminded of Franklin Roosevelt's old line that the only thing to fear is fear itself.

Addressing the politically powerful Washington Realtors, the Democratic governor said she sometimes wishes people wouldn't watch the evening news because of all the "doomsday" talk of a home mortgage meltdown and a pending recession.

Gregoire said that in actuality, the state economy has seldom been so strong, with record low unemployment, 222,000 new jobs created in the past three years, and national publications praising the business climate here.

She conceded that the national news is having a psychological effect on home buyers, even though there are relatively few mortgage failures here.

“This is a very frustrating time," the governor said, adding "Our economy is strong – buy your home. ... There is no good reason for a slowing of home purchasing in the state of Washington today."

The decision by the Federal Reserve Board to lower the prime interest rate and the possibility of another downtick could revitalize home sales and economic activity here, Gregoire said.

Article courtesy of David Ammons and The Spokesman-Review

Buy, sell or search Spokane WA real estate, Spokane Valley real estate, Liberty Lake real estate and Eastern Washington real estate with the help of Doug Burke, a Windermere Real Estate agent and e-PRO Realtor. Find homes for sale in Spokane WA, homes for sale in Spokane Valley WA, homes for sale in Liberty Lake WA & homes for sale in Eastern Washington.

For the third year in a row, Spokane County has been named one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People.

America's Promise Alliance picks communities every year based on how well a place delivers on five "promises" that help children succeed: caring adults, a safe place to live, a healthy start to life, an effective education and opportunities to help others at home and in the community.

More than 300 communities across the nation applied for the award.

"Spokane is committed to our children and youth, and for the third time, America's Promise has recognized our efforts," Spokane Mayor Mary Verner said in a news release. "Our investment in the next generation is critical for the success of our youth and the success of all of Spokane."

Among the achievements included in Spokane's application was last year's "Our Kids: Our Business" project, a collaborative campaign spearheaded by The Spokesman-Review that included other local media, social service agencies and the business community and that put the spotlight on child abuse prevention.

Bellevue and Lakewood, Wash., also are three-time winners, as is Nampa, Idaho. Boise also won this year, as did the Lower Yakima Valley.

"We've submitted the application three times, so I guess we're doing quite well," said Dawn Picken, marketing director at Greater Spokane Inc. – formerly the Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce – which applied for the award in conjunction with the city of Spokane. Joanne Benham, Spokane's youth department director, said the application process is rigorous. "You can say glowing things about your community, but you really have to prove it."

Benham said winning the award for the third time in a row means Spokane is consistent. "We are not just doing this one year, we are really focused and we truly make children and youth a high priority," she said.

Article courtesy of Pia K. Hansen and the Spokesman-Review

Abraham Lincoln lost his home twice due to problems with the title. The purpose of title insurance is to help you avoid the same fate. Simply put, it insures you and your lender against errors or potential problems with the ownership documents of your home. For example, if someone was to claim to be the rightful owner of your home, the title insurance protects you against possible loss or damages.

Two types of title insurance are available. The lender’s policy protects only the lender from title defects, liens or judgments. The owner’s policy protects the buyer against the same problems, and can be expanded to cover additional title risks, such as unrecorded liens. A lender’s policy is required in order to obtain a mortgage. An owner’s policy is not, but since it’s only slightly more expensive than the lender policy, buying it is certainly not a bad idea as it gives you added peace of mind.

Have a tough real estate question? Your calls and e-mails are always welcome!

Sincerely,

Doug Burke

REALTOR®, e-PRO® Certified

Windermere Real Estate / Valley, Inc .

Spokane, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake and Eastern Washington (WA)

CELL: (509) 220-8358

FAX: (509) 928-4250

MailTo:Doug@Doug-Burke.com

www.Doug-Burke.com

www.SpokanesHomeSource.com

There have never been more choices for home buyers and sellers than there are today.  It seems that every week there’s a new discount broker, online real estate site or for-sale-by-owner company.  So why is it that four out of five consumers still choose to work with a full-service real estate agent?    

Our customers tell us that it’s a combination of achieving desired results, trust in our experience, convenience, and peace of mind.

Every real estate transaction is different, with variables that include the characteristics of the property, the timing, and the motivation and personality of the buyer and seller.  When an agent does their job well, it all looks easy. Full-service agents anticipate problems, manage contractual issues, and utilize their experience and good judgment to act as an advocate for their clients

Between mutual acceptance and close, many unforeseen events can occur: a fair housing claim, a dishonored earnest money check, an abandoned on-site sewage system, a pest inspector who lacks a proper license.

With the moving parts of a transaction ever changing and the financial repercussions so great, the peace of mind gained by working with an experienced, full-service agent is invaluable. 

Even when everything goes smoothly, a lot of work goes into selling a home. Here’s what a professional full-service agent does as part of a transaction:

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