9 remodeling tips to make your home feel bigger

(MONEY Magazine) -- You don't have to be underwater on your mortgage to feel trapped in your home. Now may be a less than ideal time to put a house on the market or to take on big debt -- icing your plans to trade up or build an addition anytime soon. But that doesn't mean you're stuck living in an uncomfortable home.

1. Multitask the dining room ... Cost: $500 to $2,000 If you have an eat-in kitchen, your dining room is probably used for special occasions only. "Why have a prime spot sit vacant except for two or three holidays a year?" says Susanka.

To view the full article visit:

http://money.cnn.com/2012/01/20/real_estate/home_remodeling.moneymag/index.htm

Please call or e-mail Melissa for any of your real estate needs at (509) 879-7858 or melissadailey@comcast.net.

Whether it's your first home, selling your home, investment property or land, Melissa has the expertise in diverse range of real esate to help you today.

Finally, a foreclosure settlement (Maybe)

WASHINGTON (CNNMoney.com) -- States have until late Monday to agree to the latest draft deal aimed at relieving homeowners struggling with mortgages bigger than their home's value.That means federal officials and states attorneys general could be days away from announcing a deal with some of the nation's largest banks that could yield.

"Documents have been shared with the attorneys general," said U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan during a White House briefing on Wednesday. "They are making decisions as we speak. A number of them have already announced support for it, and it will be finalized, I would expect, in the coming days."

To view the full article go to: http://money.cnn.com/2012/02/03/news/economy/mortgage_settlement/index.htm

Please contact Melissa for any of your real estate needs at (509) 879-7858 or melissadailey@comcast.net.

Home Sales Continue to Improve

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Home sales ended a difficult year on a high note, resulting in a gain in full-year sales volume.The National Association of Realtors reported that the annual sales pace in December reached 4.6 million homes, up 5% from November's pace and 3.6% from a year ago.

It was the third straight month of improvement in the pace of sales. The fourth-quarter sales volume lifted full-year sales to 4.26 million homes, up 1.7% from 2010 levels.
"The pattern of home sales in recent months demonstrates a market in recovery," said Lawrence Yun, the group's chief economist. "Record low mortgage interest rates, job growth and bargain home prices are giving more consumers the confidence they need to enter the market." Home prices, however, remained depressed, largely because distressed sales continue to make up a significant part of the market.

Please contact Melissa for any of your real estate needs. Whether you're buying or selling Melissa can help make the transaction smooth and seamless with her experience, professionalism and integrity. (509) 879-7858 or e-mail her at melissadailey@comcast.net

To read the full article: http://money.cnn.com/2012/01/20/real_estate/home_sales/index.htm

Cashing In On Rental Property

THE CASE FOR BUYING NOW Many factors make this a great time to invest. Mortgage rates are at a 40-year low, and homes in many areas are ultra-cheap. Meanwhile, demand for rentals has risen in more than 500 cities, according to recent Census data. That, in turn, has enabled landlords to charge more. Hotpads.com, a real estate research firm, reports that rents nationwide jumped 11.6% in 2010, to $1,320 a month. You'll need that rental income to tide you over until home prices bounce back; in fact, the typical investor today plans to hold for 10 years, according to a survey by the National Association of Realtors.

It's a great time to cash in on investments! Melissa has the experience to help with your rental income property needs. Please call or e-mail today for more information at (509) 879-7858 or melissadailey@comcast.net.

To view the rest of this article please visit: http://money.cnn.com/2011/08/30/real_estate/rental_property_investing.moneymag/index.htm

LEASE OPTION! Quiet Valley Rancher on Large Lot with Mature Trees!

17722 E. Sprague Ave.

$120,000

3bd/1ba/1 car garage

Lease Option! Quiet Valley rancher on large lot with mature trees. Most remodeling complete-just needs a few finishing details to shine! Newer roof, vinyl windows, wood floors, updated kitchen with tile floors. Three good sized bedrooms and main floor laundry and large living room wioth lots of light. Possible lease purchase at $1000/month. CLA for details.

Please call or e-mail Melissa for more information or for a showing at (509) 879-7858 or melissdailey@comcast.net.

Virtual Tour at:

www.tourfactory.com/819212

Spokane WA is number 8 for Top Winter Cities!

Top 10 Winter Cities

Spending the winter in Spokane, WA, can be a gamble – but only if you spend it in one of the city’s casinos, such as the new Northern Quest Resort and Casino. In fact, winters in Spokane sizzle with arts, entertainment and nightlife. Nightlife isn’t the only thing heating up in Spokane; the city’s economy is also aglow. Spokane was named one of the top 100 cities to live and launch a business by CNNMoney.com and noted for its growing technical sector.Spokane’s arts and cultural offerings are topped off by a burgeoning wine trail of more than two dozen vineyards and wineries, and yes, most wineries keep their tasting rooms open throughout the year. Treasure hunting is another favorite cold-weather pastime – whether at the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture in Spokane’s historic Browne’s Addition neighborhood or at the city’s many shops, boutiques, malls and shopping centers. Other hot spots include the INB Performing Arts Center, which plays host to a number of musicians and comedians throughout the winter months, and Gonzaga University, which has a strong men's basketball program. The Spokane Symphony kicks off the season with holiday and special performances that continue well until the spring.

http://livability.com/top-10/top-10-winter-cities/spokane/wa

Fannie Mae, banks halt foreclosures for the holidays

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Happy holidays struggling homeowners! Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and several large mortgage lenders have pledged not to foreclose on delinquent borrowers during the Christmas season. For homeowners with loans through Fannie Mae (FNMA, Fortune 500) and Freddie Mac (FMCC, Fortune 500), the moratorium will run from Dec. 19 to Jan. 2. During this time, legal and administrative proceedings for evictions may continue, but families will be allowed to stay in their homes, Fannie said in a statement.

"No family should have to give up their home during this holiday season," said Terry Edwards, an executive vice president for Fannie Mae.Among some of the major banks that offer mortgage loans, Chase (JPM, Fortune 500) Mortgage said it will not evict anyone between Dec. 22 and Jan. 2. Wells Fargo (WFC, Fortune 500) will also suspend evictions during that period, but will not shut down its eviction machinery entirely.

For the rest of the article visit: http://money.cnn.com/2011/12/01/real_estate/fannie_mae_foreclosure/index.htm

For information on any homes please call Melissa at (509) 879-7858 or e-mail her at melissadailey@comast.net