Sky high rents

Many people think renting is a great way to save. But I think it really depends on your goals. Forbes recently published a top 10 list of some of the most expensive rentals. Antonio Cosentino is quoted as saying, "sometimes, a $100,000 rental can be considered...well, cost effective."

Here in the Valley, we are fortunate to have a relatively low cost of living. This enables many people to get into starter homes and eventually move up. With the state of our market and the looming question marks of rising interest rates, we are finding there are a number of potential buyers but a relatively low inventory.

If you have a home to sell, we can put you in touch with buyers who want to stop renting and move on up. Let us know what you got and we'll give you an idea of what you might get! Get a free CMA.

Investing before buying

There is a new trend in Australia of picking up investment properties as a first home. According to Mark Bouris of Wizard Home Loans, it's a smart financial decision to "[pay] off their mortgage while still living somewhere affordable."

The reasoning with this is simple...

1. Invest in a rental property


2. Build equity by letting the renters pay down the mortgage

For the Aussies that do this, they cannot afford to buy a home in the areas that they want to live. So investing is their way into the property market.
Investments in Idaho, including single family homes, are nowhere near the prices of places like Australia's east coast. However, rental properties in the Lewiston and Clarkston area still seem to make good investments. In fact, because they are so much lower they are great investments.

Take a look at our housing statistics pages to see the average prices of homes in the area. For one reason or another there are always people looking for a place to live whether they're college students or people just waiting to build their dream home. Contact us and we'd be happy to discuss investment potentials in your price range.

Lewiston Idaho Technology

Time to be brutally honest... Sometimes we (I) are snobs. When it comes to technology in the Valley, it seems we are very far behind the rest of the world. Especially coming from the hustle and bustle of Seattle, Lewiston, Idaho technology is simply archaic. Well, it's not true!

Lewiston Technology Ahead of Seattle

Technology in Lewiston is amazingly advanced for such a small town (30,904 people as of 2000 census). I remember thinking how ridiculous it was living in the heart of Microsoft town and not able to get anything faster than dial-up at home. No cable because there was simply no service. No DSL because we were "too far". And no satellite because, well, the skies weren't clear enough :). When we decided to move to Lewiston, I looked forward to finally getting broadband Internet at home. In fact, I think we got hooked up to CableOne Internet before any other utilities!

Lewiston Idaho Technology Search

So how advanced are we? Well, have you ever looked in the computer section of the yellow pages? We have more computer businesses in the Valley than Starbucks! Okay, maybe that's not a great standard. So instead, I did a search for "Lewiston Idaho Technology" and found that we have quite a bit going for us.

• Tech Savvy College


• High Tech Crown Vics


• Broad Economic Development


• Wireless Internet Service


• Skilled Surgeons


• U.S. DOT Technology A List

Obviously there are a lot more results and technology that's not listed (including the many secret WiFi HotSpots). However, it was a good reminder that Technology in Lewiston isn't all that bad. And frankly, there's a lot that is good!

Lewiston Idaho Real Estate Podcast

Real estate podcasting is a fairly new concept (podcasting in general is fairly new, too)... and we're doing it! Look for Judy's newest podcast.

Stay tuned because we're working on our exciting podcasting lineup for the year. In our plans we'll have some great local Valley information that will keep you updated with our area's progress--not to mention all the fun promos that reward dedicated listeners. We'll also have some podcast interviews with local real estate related businesses. If you want to share your knowledge of your field and how it may help our clients, let us know and we could work in an interview!

Contact us to be a part of a future podcast!

New Normal Hill/Lewiston Downtown Ready

We've added a new page dedicated to the Normal Hill/Lewiston Downtown area homes. In addition to a brief history of the homes in the area, we've included the newest home listings. We're thinking about adding more content that will allow you to see and feel what Normal Hill and the Lewiston Downtown is like. If you have suggestions of the kind of historical facts or information to place there, we're listening!

And if you're curious about home prices in the Normal Hill/Lewiston Downtown area, give us a call or shoot us an email. We have some great statistics that show what homes are going for in the area. Do you have a home to sell on Normal Hill? List with us and we'll feature your home on the page!

Cougar Ridge and Harvest Vista Homes

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve the usability of the site, we've incorporated a page dedicated to the newest listings of Cougar Ridge. Eventually we will do this for all areas in the Valley to provide you with easy access to the information you are looking for. As of this writing, there is only one listing in Cougar Ridge, but it's a great one! We think it is so great we've made it a featured home on our website.

What kind of Cougar Ridge information would be valuable to you? Or for that matter, let me know whatever information you're interested in on the site by leaving a comment or sending us an email. Again, the information we provide is to make things easy for you. Tell us how we help!

CyberStars Summit 2006

As official team "tech dude", I had the privilege of attending this year's CyberStars Summit in San Antonio, Texas. The CyberStars are a group of top producing REALTORS^® who strategically use technology to effectively meet the needs of their clients. There I was able to network (the people kind, not the computer kind) with some of the most tech savvy minds in real estate. As a result, our clients can expect to see more pioneering services as we implement some of our top secret ideas.

Okay, it's not all completely "top secret". Here's a few things that you can watch for:

• An exclusive client login area to view MLS information not accessible via public websites AND allow clients to view transaction information and always know how things are going.


• Improved one-on-one personal contact thanks to the streamlining of our many systems. No, we're not trying to automate our communication. We're leveraging our use of technology to give us more time to work with you, our clients


• Even more Valley information so you can always find what you're looking for. The information will be easier to search and you'll see how our technology will connect you to the rest of our community.

Yes, I know. Some of this real estate technology stuff can be extremely boring sounding and even vague. But I'm certain that you'll be positively impacted by the results. It may take a year to bring some of the project to fruition, but it will be worth the wait.

And by the way, we rely on you to make this site the best it can be. Please provide comments on features or information that would be helpful to you. We are constantly updating and upgrading to make sure we can give you service that moves you®!

New Year Starts Strong in LC Valley Real Estate

I continue to receive several calls daily from folks who are using their computers to search out a gentler, slower pace of life.

Ah! Idaho! Specifically, the Snake River/Clearwater River areas with mild winters (63 degrees Jan 5,2006) where fishing and golfing enthusiasts gather. Yet the snow lovers drive about 45 minutes to Fiield Springs, Washington and cross country ski, snowshoe, and snowmobile all day, to return to no snow and mild temperatures. Yesterday two friends left early morning and drove to Silver Mountain Ski Area and spent the day snow boarding. I took a brisk stroll along the Snake River walking trails, soaking in Vitamin D and the balmy day!

Two internet entrepeneurs called on my 208-750-JUDY phone, which is always at my side. One was from Alaska, and wants to bring his wife down to see a 5 acre home with shop and set up for horses on the Snake River, about 25 minutes from town. He is curious how he can get water rights to irrigate pastures, and a 35x80 shop for his hobbies and a lovely 4 bedroom, 2 bath home! He and his wife now plan to come and visit end of the month!

I also had the privilege of meeting a delightful couple who spent the week looking at property and are en route to their home in Sonoma to sell and relocate here in the Valley. They were giggling with glee at the cost of lots to build several duplexes for their retirement. They made an interesting comment-"-we are not telling anyone where we aree moving!"

This morning I have an appointment with a couple from Northern Idaho, wanting to see about burning their shovels in effigy and moving to our area. Fun folks!

Make it a great day wherever you live! Judy