Construction Begins on New Syringa Bank

The intersection of 10th and Bryden is changing. The open field is the new location for Syringa Bank. Conveniently located near major businesses, including a newer super market, auto services, and fast food businesses, Syringa Bank will be positioned for easy access in the Lewiston Orchards.

Our Team has worked with the loan officers of Syringa Bank through several ownership changes in the last 14 years. The personal, professional and friendly service has not changed. We are proud of Syringa Bank and their new location.

Thank you Syringa Bank for believing in our community and adding a lovely new building for us in the next months.

LC Valley Area is Growing

It is encouraging to have our local newspaper print verification of what some of us have been saying in the last 24 months--our area is growing despite the national media blasting negative trends as nationwide. We appear to be separated from the national downturns.

First American Title Company has just opened a new office at 1428 G St, Lewiston. The 3,900 square foot office building is built in the popular Craftsman style. Albert Pool, manager of the First American offices in Lewiston and Clarkston, expects the client base of his employer to grow in our area. He was quoted in our Tribune (10-21-07) as saying, "we seem to have our very own good economy. It's stronger than the rest of the country."

Good news for us in the LC Valley! Positive energy brings positive results!

The First Green Community

Today is Blog Action Day. A day where thousands of bloggers will blog, in their own way, about the environment. What better time to showcase the first green community in our valley.

The gated Bighorn on the River community offers prime waterfront real estate on the Idaho side of the Snake River. But more than that, Bighorn is the first Valley community with covenants that help to protect the environment... It's green.

To learn more about this riverfront community, visit: http://www.BighornontheRiver.com/

10 Easy Ways to Save Energy In Your Home

Photo credit: Andrea Church

1. Get an energy audit.
   Ask your power company if they provide energy audits. Having one every other year can determine updated methods for saving energy.
2. Install or upgrade the weather-stripping.
   Seal around all doors to the exterior, be sure to check those that lead to the garage.
3. Stop those drips.
   One drip every second can use 20 kilowatts of energy each month.
4. Get rid of those incandescent light bulbs!
   Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs. In spite of their higher initial cost, they are more energy-efficient, last for years instead of months, consume little power, and generate little heat.
5. Use a programmable thermostat.
   Set it to turn your heating/cooling system off a half hour before everyone leaves and to come on a half hour before anyone arrives home.
6. Two degrees of change.
   Adjust your heating and cooling thermostat to run two degrees warmer in the cooling mode and two degrees cooler in the heating mode.
7. Set it and wait.
   Keep your thermostat at a comfortable temperature and wait rather than turning it up and down constantly. Constantly adjusting the thermostat can dramatically waste energy and increase your heating and cooling costs.
8. Listen to the manufacturer.
   Make sure your water heater thermostat is set at the manufacturer’s recommended setting. Setting it hotter wastes energy by keeping the water hot when no one is using it.
9. Turn off your computer.
   When personal computers first hit the market, many computer experts advised leaving the computer on in order to save wear and tear on the hard disk. That’s not necessary with today’s computer. You can either turn it off when you’re not using it or use the energy-saving "sleep," "hibernate," or "standby" mode.
10. Seal energy leaks.
    This is where the energy audit in Item 1 can really help. Caulk over cracks and small holes around windows and exterior walls. Look carefully around plumbing pipes, telephone wires, dryer vents, sink and bathtub drains, and under countertops for holes and gaps and have them sealed as well.
    

Information adapted from Paul Roueche of ARK Home Inspections. Paul has been one of our recommended local inspectors since 2004. He can be reached at (508) 254-1155 or via email at arkhi@clearwire.net.

Lewiston Steelhead Derby

Photo Credit: ©P.Winberg
Excitement is rising for the annual Steelhead Derby held here in Lewiston, Nov. 16-24, 2007. Anglers from the Pacific Northwest join locals and participants that come from far corners of the globe to the confluence (or Tseminicum, the joining of the waters in Nez Perce language) of our scenic Snake and Clearwater Rivers.

It is a veritable boat to boat flotilla of anglers vying for the high-stake, $25,000 big fish prize! Yes, there is elbow room only some hours as the participants fish 'round the clock.

Sound like fun? Contact the Lewiston Chamber of Commerce for details. Happy fishing!

New Listing: 1532 Quail Run Dr, Lewiston

This is a beautiful home (Aren't they all?) on a nice street of all newer homes, with CCR's for protection. Totally updated in and out, nothing more to do. Seller pride is obvious and what a joy to show.

RV parking and dump for convenience. Custom blinds throughout the house and Karndean floor in front living room. New Pottery Barn style paint and decor. Bonus room that can easily be a 5^th bedroom (just add a door). Walk in pantry in kitchen, walk in closets in bedrooms and lots of extra storage.

Check it out here: http://www.HigginsTeam.com/109189

LC Valley Foreclosure Resistance

Another response to the too often used fear tactic, "The Sky is Falling!" was printed in our Lewiston Morning Tribune Sunday, September 30th. Again, the headlines piqued my interest when the article gave statistics about our local real estate market in regards to foreclosures in our area.

The subtitle stated, "As number of homeowner defaults rise across the nation, local experts say variety of factors combine to insulate regional economy from the ripple effect."

Hooray! In our LC Valley there were more foreclosures in 2003 (a total of 35) than in 2007 (a total of 29).

The sky is not falling in the real estate market in the LC Valley! Our local lenders did not embrace the variable rate loans with teaser rates, which are the ones that have plummeted many home buyers into the negative cash flow position that has brought the national foreclosure rates to all time highs.

Another reason I love living in the LC Valley: our business ethics are win-win for the client's best interest. We thrive on building relationships, happy clients, and referrals from friends and families for a job well done. We smile and say hello at the grocery stores. It is still okay to talk to strangers. Small town living becomes more desirable to me weekly, and the sky here is big, open, and usually blue.