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Terry Lipe
REALTOR®, CRS, ABR, CLHMS, SFR, CNHS, RCC
(509) 999-7916
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Date Archives: June 2021

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June
16

Green Bluff Growers Spotlight

Posted on June 16th, 2021

Green Bluff Growers

The Green Bluff area is known for its beautiful scenery and fertile soil, which allows local farmers to grow a wide variety of delicious, high-quality produce throughout the year. Many of the best local farms and fruit stands are part of the Green Bluff Growers' Association, a local organization dedicated to sharing all that local farms have to offer. And it's not just about great food! They also host many fun, family-friendly activities available at local farms throughout the year. Coldwell Banker Tomlinson has all the details on the fun you can expect at local farms, in our Green Bluff Growers Spotlight.

  • Get to Know Green Bluff and the Growers
    Green Bluff is a scenic community located just 15 minutes north of Spokane homes for sale, in the beautiful foothills of Mt. Spokane. The fertile land of Green Bluff has long been a major attraction for farmers, and a large number of those farmers formed the Green Bluff Growers' Association in 1902. For more than 100 years, the Green Bluff Growers have offered fresh, delicious produce to the community, and the many visitors who come to experience these wonderful farms.

  • Family Fun on the Farm in the Spring and Summer
    While there is much to experience all year long, spring and summer are especially good times to experience some fun on the farm. Start by sampling fresh strawberries, which are typically available to be harvested from the middle of June through early July. Next up is the famous Cherry Pickers Trot during the cherry season in July, when you can go for a run/stroll through local orchards and find fun family activities on the farms.

    Summer wraps up with peach season in August, the perfect time to find out why Green Bluff peaches are so well-known for their quality. Stop by a local farm to find juicy, ripe peaches prepared in nearly any way you can imagine, from traditional peach cobbler to peach ice cream that's as fresh as it gets.

  • Fun in the Fall with the Apple Festival and Holiday Memories Celebrations
    The fun continues in the fall, with the Apple Festival kicking off at the end of September. During the Apple Festival, many local farms offer both apple and pumpkin picking, which are both fun activities for families with kids. Some farms even take things to the next level with live music, corn mazes, and plenty more activities for families to enjoy. The year wraps up with Holiday Memories celebrations during November and December. Visit a local farm to cut your own tree for the holidays, have your kids take pictures with Santa, then sample some outstanding, holiday-themed food and drink.

  • Shop at Green Bluff Produce Stands or Pick Your Own on the Farms
    When you're in the mood for fresh produce, the Green Bluff Growers offer a variety of ways to find what you seek. Many local produce stands are also part of the Green Bluff Growers, making it easy to quickly pick up fresh produce for your next culinary creation. If you enjoy picking your produce almost as much as you enjoy eating it, then try a visit to one of the many Green Bluff farms that offer pick your own produce.

Have you been searching for a home that makes it easy to enjoy all of the family fun and fresh produce around Green Bluff?  Reach out for assistance in buying and selling homes throughout the Spokane, WA area.

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June
8

Take Advantage of Your Home Equity: A Homeowner's Guide

Posted on June 8th, 2021

Homeownership offers many advantages over renting, including a stable living environment, predictable monthly payments, and the freedom to make modifications. But one of the biggest benefits it offers is the opportunity to build wealth over time. Researchers at the Urban Institute found that homeownership is financially beneficial for most families, and studies have shown that the median net worth of homeowners can be up to 80 times greater than that of renters in some areas.

So how does purchasing a home help you build wealth? And what steps should you take to maximize the potential of your investment? Find out how to harness the power of home equity for a secure financial future.

WHAT IS HOME EQUITY?

Home equity is the difference between what your home is worth and the amount you owe on your mortgage. So, for example, if your home would currently sell for $250,000 and the remaining balance on your mortgage is $200,000, then you have $50,000 in home equity.

The equity in your home is considered a non-liquid asset. It's your money; but rather than sitting in a bank account, it's providing you with a place to live. And when you factor in the potential of appreciation, an investment in real estate will likely offer a better return than any savings account available today.

HOW DOES HOME EQUITY BUILD WEALTH?

A mortgage payment is a type of "forced savings" for home buyers. When you make a mortgage payment each month, a portion of it goes towards interest on your loan, and the remaining part goes towards paying off your principal, or loan balance. As your loan balance goes down, your home equity goes up.

Additionally, the value of your home generally increases, or appreciates, over time. And when you sell it, even if you've only paid off a small portion of your mortgage, you get to keep 100% of your property's appreciated value. That's the wealth-building power of real estate.

WHAT CAN I DO TO GROW MY HOME'S EQUITY FASTER?

There are two basic ways to increase the equity in your home:

  1. Pay down your mortgage. Some homeowners do this by adding a little extra to their monthly payment, making one additional payment per year, or making a lump-sum payment when extra money becomes available. Another option is to decrease your amortization period. For example, if you can afford the higher monthly payment, consider refinancing from a 30-year or 25-year mortgage to a 15-year mortgage

  2. Raise your home's market value. Many homeowners enjoy do-it-yourself projects that add value at a relatively low cost. Others choose to invest in larger, strategic renovations. Keep in mind, you won't necessarily get back every dollar you spend on upgrades, so consult a professional before making any major investments.

A word of caution: neglecting routine maintenance could decrease your home's value (and equity), so be sure to stay on top of recommended upkeep and repairs.

HOW DO I ACCESS MY HOME EQUITY IF I NEED IT?

What if you want to tap into your home's equity while you're still living in it? There are several ways to borrow against your home equity, depending on your needs and qualifications:

  1. A Second Mortgage (or Home Equity Loan) enables you to borrow a lump sum, which you are responsible for paying back—with interest—over a set period of time. Most second mortgages have a fixed interest rate and provide the borrower with a predictable monthly payment.

  2. With a Cash-Out Refinance , you refinance your mortgage for a higher amount than you currently owe. Then you pay off your original mortgage and keep the difference as cash. This option may be preferable if you have a high interest rate on your current mortgage or prefer to make just one payment per month.

  3. A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC ) is a revolving line of credit, similar to a credit card. It allows you to draw out money as you need it. The interest rate on a HELOC is variable, so your payment each month could change depending on how much you borrow and how interest rates fluctuate.

  4. A Reverse Mortgage enables qualifying seniors to borrow against the equity in their home to supplement their retirement income. In most cases, the loan (plus interest) doesn't need to be repaid until the homeowners sell, move, or are deceased.

It's important to note that borrowing against your home's equity isn't always the best option, and it carries the risk of foreclosure if you default. Please ask for a referral to a lender or financial adviser to find out if a home equity loan is right for you.

ALWAYS HERE TO HELP

If you're ready to begin building equity with a new home purchase, grow the value of your current home, or access your equity through a home sale or loan—help is here.  Schedule a complimentary consultation!

The above references an opinion and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be financial advice. Consult a financial professional for advice regarding your individual needs.
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June
4

Spokane Real Estate Market Report - May 2021

Posted on June 4th, 2021

View our comprehensive Spokane real estate market report for the month of May!

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 correct.

 

Download the May Market Report PDF here.

Want more info about the current real estate market? Contact us today to speak to an agent. 

 

View Article >
June
4

Coeur d'Alene Real Estate Market Report - May 2021

Posted on June 4th, 2021

View our comprehensive Coeur d'Alene real estate market report for the month of May!

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 correct.

 

Download the May Market Report PDF here.

Want more info about the current real estate market? Contact us today to speak to an agent. 

 

View Article >
Terry Lipe
Terry Lipe Cell: (509) 999-7916 Email: Contact
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Disclaimer: All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information on this site was last updated 01/29/2023. The listing information on this page last changed on 01/29/2023. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of Coeur dAlene MLS (last updated Sun 01/29/2023 9:24:04 AM EST) or Spokane MLS (last updated Sun 01/29/2023 9:16:30 AM EST). Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Coldwell Banker Tomlinson may be marked with the Internet Data Exchange logo and detailed information about those properties will include the name of the listing broker(s) when required by the MLS. All rights reserved. --


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