Our community is united by friendship.  Everyday people in Spokane work together to clean up our neighborhoods, feed our hungry, and take care of our children.  I encourage you to look at www.SarahSpokane.com  on the Friendship Based Community page to see where you can lend hand. We all need each other. We just want to thank those in the community that came out to participate in our very first "Friendship Based Community Event!!!" It was a success!!! We thank you! We were able to raise a truck full of food and just under $300 for City Gate . The winning youth group was "SWAT" from Spokane Christian Fellowship! They won 16 Disciple tickets from Spirit 101.9!  WAY TO GO!!!!!! 10/19/2007

Hello to all from the Beautiful Northwest.  I feel sorry for southern CA residents.  Fall, crisp winds, crimson leaves...Now, mid Feb. I will wish I was in San Diego.  However, right now there is no other place I would rather be.  Wood fires, apple cider, and pumpkin pie.  YUMMMM!  I have to admit though...showing houses in a blizzard STINKS.  My little Saturn was all over the place.  Oh well, I think I'll go eat some pie  :) 10/17/2007

10 Ways to Sell Your House Quicker.Ok. So you are ready to sell your home. But with so many other properties on the market competing with yours, and fewer buyers able to quality for financing, you have a challenge. That's the bad news. The good news is that people will always need to buy homes - regardless of the current state of the real estate market.  People get married, divorced, have kids, get job transfers and retire no matter if the housing market is up or down.Here are 10 ways to sell your house quicker:Price it competitively. Buyers have choices, and if there are similar or better homes in your neighborhood that are listed for less, they know it. Make sure your realtor does an in-depth CMA and takes into consideration how fast you need to sell.Clean, Clean, Clean.  This is by f... 10/13/2007

After graduating from University and moving to Spokane I was looking to make a difference in my chosen hometown.  As Spokane is entering a hypergrowth stage of its existence I believe that our city is full of opportunity.  At 25 years old, the decision to start my own business was not done lightly.  Finding a business as reputable as 1-800-GOT-JUNK? made my decision a lot easier.When I was a kid I remember my parents stressing the importance of school and reminding my brothers and I that "even a city garbage man needs a high school diploma".  Looking back at my childhood I find my parents advice quite ironic.  One day I will be able to tell my kids that "even a junk man needs a university education".The past 17 months have been like a roller coaster.  Challenges, successes, threats and ... 10/11/2007

 Sarah Reinhart with Friendship Based Real Estate is one of the most energetic, pleasant and delightful REA's I have ever had the pleasure to work with. I have worked with several through the last few years and none has ever been this delightful and with it.   She's efficient and quick she has a knack and what seems to be a God given ability and special talent to work with people as well as very smart and extremely creative. It seems even though one would need money to pay the bills she will most assuredly put the interests and special needs of her clients before hers. My husband & I had one of the most creative and difficult needs as far as combining a residence and a special commercial business property. We had to make sure it was presentable, complete and allowed for a reputable busi... 10/08/2007

 I live in Spokane because I love it!  Spokane is the heart of Eastern Washington and the biggest transfer point between the peninsula and the open skies of Idaho and Montana. It is an amazing place to live! Surrounding CitiesSpokane, WACity Website   City Web Cam   Spokane HotZone  Local Weather   Map "The City of Spokane is home to some 195,500 residents; there are around 418,000 residents in the metropolitan area. Spokane is located in the heart of the Inland Northwest, and it serves as a shopping, entertainment, and medical hub for an area that includes Eastern Washington, Eastern Oregon, North Idaho, Western Montana, and southern portions of Alberta and British Columbia. The Spokane River runs through our downtown with spectacular falls on the western end of our city core. Beautifu... 10/08/2007

Just an idea. As you look around Eagle Ridge for a property, or live here already and want to move, why not give me a call? If you'd like to buy and would like to work with a Licenced Loan Originator If you are selling and would like the viewers to be, at least, pre-qualified If you'd like to buy before selling Maybe, you are just checking out your options. The benefits to you are many. My home is in Eagle Ridge so a call to my cell phone may mean a convenient meeting 'right now' with startling results to help you buy or move away to a new home! You will be working with one of the oldest Spokane Mortgage Broker firms which means you have access to reliable lenders who deliver the loans you need. You'll have access to a group of proven referral partners who offer services to help make yo... 10/05/2007

Spokane is an amazing place to live!  If you are thinking about relocating to Spokane, or the surrounding areas, I would love to send you an informational packet about your area of interest. It will be customized to your needs and full of practical information, special offers, and moving guides. Please feel free to contact me! Sarah@SarahSpokane.com 10/04/2007

Reflections  What if every restaurant served the same meal for the same price?  How would you choose where to eat?...Imagine with me .... SCENE ONE is in a dimly lit restaurant.  The windows are grimy and there is a thick coat of dust on all the sticky tables.  And for some reason, half the clients are standing eating from the table top. ENTER POTENTIAL CLIENTCLIENT :"Hello, we are new in town and don't know anyone.  What is the house specialty?" SERVER: "We all serve the same food around here.  We all charge the same price too.  You want to eat don't cha...well come on over and let me serve you..." (thinks to himself that these two dumb out of towners won't know what the market is like and he will give them the scrapings from the last customer and while he's at it, the paper plates mig... 09/30/2007

Here are some helpful ideas that don't cost much, but can bring lots of money back to you!!!  These ideas were gathered from some of our friends (clients) who had great success and have now offered them to help you!  ENJOY AND FEEL FREE TO WRITE BACK WITH YOUR OWN  :)Tips for Staging Your Home Here are a few helpful tips to make your home shine!    1) LandscapingLawn watered, green, and mowed in the summer Walks cleared and shoveled in the winter Edges trimmed around: Walks Driveways Trees Fences Trees and landscaping pruned All hoses/accessories stored Seasonal flowers in pots add quick color 2) Exterior Paint and gutters in good repair All exterior lights working Missing roof shingles replaced Driveway surface in good repair Patio/Deck wood stained or painted Fencing secure and clear ... 09/30/2007

Food And Clothing Banks Second Harvest Food Bank of the Inland NW http://www.secondharvest.org/ SNAP: Spokane Neighborhood Action Program http://www.snapwa.org/  Feed Spokane http://www.spokaneblessingnetwork.org/         Volunteers Needed Volunteermatch is a wonderful resource for you!  It will link you to many different needs and allows you to specify the area of Spokane you wish to help in. www.volunteermatch.org/   Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Northwest is looking for you to help young children as a role model.  Visit their site to see how you can help. http://www.bbbsspokane.org/  Spokane Community Oriented Policing (C.O.P.S.) is always looking for community volunteers.  Visit them at http://www.spokanecops.org/                   American Red Cross is currently recruiting... 09/30/2007

First, a disclaimer - I copied the title of this post from an article in Business Week (source provided below).It will be interesting to see how much press this article gets in light of the recent hysteria over "toxic" mortgages and how their use is the cause of the current mortgage and housing crisis.In short, the artilce cites a new study by professors at Columbia and New York universities conclude that the "best" mortgage is a fully negative amortization ARM loan - better known as the Pay Option Arm.The study is 65 pages long but here's my two cents - if you are a SAVER you should seriously consider refinancing your home loan into one of these ARM programs.  If you are a SPENDER it would be a disaster for you to do so.Do you have any clients or friends in Option ARMs? If you live in ... 09/26/2007

Business by Referral, to me, does not mean a simple relationship between me & Real Estate professionals. My clients have many more needs than money and property.As a BNI Chapter member, I have access to many other trade professionals all of whom provide excellent service & product. I refer my clients to them regularly and I know they are well served.My value and referability is enhanced with my client.My client buys a necessary service or product from a reliable source, whichIncreases the income of my referral partner, andTheir sphere of influence.My referral partner thinks well of me (I just gave a pay check) so my referability increases.I publicise my referral partners list with all my clients & prospects and I ask for referrals to expand the list of trades.If you are there already - ... 09/26/2007

    Hi, my name is Sarah Reinhart.  I am 28 eight years old.  I have a BA in education and was pretty darn close to my MA when I realized that I didn't want to be what I thought I would grow up to be (anyone else out there?).  So, I put my potential teaching job on the shelf, and jumped into the river of real estate adventure.  After coming up for air, I fell in head over heels.  I am in love!!!!  It is exciting and wonderful to see the dreams and hopes so many people I care about become a reality.  Now granted, there is quite a bit of drama involved in that process, but it is such an honor!     A home is so, SO much more than an entry on a CMA.  It is where we go to feel safe.  It is  the one place in the world where we should be able to walk around in our old ratty tee shirt drinking ... 09/22/2007

Spokane Home Sellers, do you really understand the local Real Estate market?  If you have a home you want to sell it is important that you seek professional advice at the local level.  Why is this important?  It's important because national statistics and statistics from other states and communities may not match what is happening in your local market.  While it is true many areas are experiencing a decrease in housing prices there are many more that are continuing to experience an increase, even if slight.  In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors, of 149 metro areas surveyed 97 actually saw an increase in the median house price, including Spokane at an increase of 10.4% to $197,700 (2nd quarter numbers ending June 30, 2007).Does that mean you can rush right out, put ... 09/14/2007

DON'T MISS OUT on this fun, fabulous festival coming to Riverfront Park, Spokane, WA!  A 6 day event, Pig Out in the Park begins August 29th and runs through September 3rd.  The hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and the cost is FREE!Food vendors, arts and craft vendors and live entertainment fill the park and provide for one of the finest events held in Spokane.  With a 28 year history, Pig Out in the Park has attracted people from all over.  There's something for everyone, young and old alike!  Read the history of Pig Out in the Park or find out who's playing and what kind of food you can expect right here.  www.spokaneagent.net  08/24/2007

"I'm so bored", "there's nothing to do".....The all too-familiar cry of school-age children in the middle of              summer.  Nine weeks ago there was nothing more exciting than staying up late, sleeping in late, and playing all day long.  Now, excitement worn off and restlessness setting in, all they can think about is going back to school.  Bored or not, like it or not, it is the reality.  Summer is quickly coming to a close, pools are shutting down until the next season, fall and Halloween items are filling the stores and we are getting ready to go back to school! By now many have already stocked up on pencils, notebooks, markers, crayons, glue, scissors, kleenex, baggies and all the other necessary items found on the school supply list.  If you haven't started shopping for supp... 08/22/2007

I'm curious. Hawking your loan all over town sounds like hard work to me. For ANY LOAN OFFICER to give a truthful, accurate indication of rate and terms they must understand the needs & motives of the client, see a full Credit Report & Scores and take a detailed application.If all the borrower targets is rate - he WILL be unhappy at the Closing table. Besides, I'd lay money that if the borrower is rate shopping he was unhappy with the last transaction. I wonder how he found THAT lender? Shopping, maybe?WAKE UP! A LOCAL Mortgage Broker can be checked against the DFI records, Better Business Bureau and the National Association of Mortgage Brokers records. The credentials will be published. An internet search will yield more data. A MB offers CHOICE of lender & program and, in this rapidly... 08/19/2007

Here's a novel idea - why not give someone a gift that could really help them? Well, here in Spokane we just survived high winds, torrential rain and multiple lightning strikes. When I say 'we' I mean me and many others. Sadly, the power outages were numerous and took time to fix. Then the fires started by lightning were worriesome and threatened property. In fact, about 6 houses away from my own, lightning struck and set fire to a home. The owners were out and as I drove home to mine I wondered how prepared I would be?Then I found this from the Dept of Homeland Security:  http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/index.html There's a list of the basics, such as water, food, radio, flashlight and batteries - including guidance on quantity. Also, advice for "Unique Family Needs"- for people w... 07/14/2007

Downtown Spokane has a lot to offer whether it be for living, working, or playing. From nights at the Spokane Symphony to walks in Riverfront park, Downtown Spokane has something for everyone. A lot of Profseslionals that work and play downtown also choose to live there. There are a number of fantastic Condo and loft projects in the works. The Morgan Lofts is a new and very elegant downtown Spokane Condo Development that has a lot to offer.Sarah Leverett-Main of RE/MAX of Spokane Says " We've sold 23 condos at the Morgan Building and only have five left," When asked how the new owners like the downtown lifestyle.? Sarah Says   "Our owners tell us they love the downtown location, low-maintenance lifestyle and reasonable fees," she said. Monthly fees cover electric, gas, water, sewer, gar... 07/02/2007