Spoken Gently's Blog: Community News

The Parade of Homes is a yearly event whereby the region's builders, subcontractors, and construction vendors showcase their work. This year's Parade of Homes showcases 22 homes throughout the Tri Cities Washington area during September. Tri-Cities residents can view these spectacular homes for a fee of $7.00 The viewing dates are September 12, 13, 16, 19 & 20. For more information, please read our blog entry about the Tri Cities Wa Parade of Homes.

In terms of real estate, the Parade of Homes is a great opportunity for real estate agents to show their listings. Many Parade of Homes viewers come from out of town to view the best that Tri Cities has to offer, often times the catalyst for relocation to the Tri City Washington area. As REALTORS® providing…

Ok, not sure if 1 minute of TV exposure qualifies for 'celebrity' status, but it sure does in the Lane household. Colleen was called this week for an interview aired on our local KEPRTV news channel. We had 15 minutes to get ready, as the interviewer was on the way to our home! I now know we can clean and pick up a house in 15 minutes! Colleen, nervous as all heck, composed herself perfectly. She's like that. The interview lasted about 30 minutes, but only 1 minute was used. If you care to watch Colleen's 1 minute of fame, fast forward the video to where there is 3 minutes, 50 seconds remaining:

The last time Colleen was on TV was when we were dating 24 years ago. When I saw her on "Let's Make A Deal" I thought she was incredibly pretty. Time…

Whether a young couple starting out, a retiring couple looking for a place to settle down, a starving college student looking to survive, or just anyone looking to save some money, Tri-Cities Washington is the place to live! The Tri-Cities has recently been ranked number 1 out of 350 communities in the Pacific Northwest by the ACCRA Cost of Living Index as the least expensive place to live. The Tri-Cities was given an index rating of 88.9 during the third quarter; down from 89.9 in the second quarter. The low cost of groceries and housing is partly to thank for the low cost of living in the Tri-Cities. Communities ranking the closest to the Tri-Cities are Spokane with an index rating of 93.5; Portland at 95.1; and Boise with a rating of 96.0

Tri Cities…

Tri Cities Washington is ranking again! This time, the Tri Cities of Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco, Washington are 29th on the top 124 list of America's Best Small Cities list, up 40 spots from last year's position. The rankings are based on the metro area's ability to sustain employment and economic growth.  

Related: Milkin Institute's 2008 Best Performing Small Cities | Tri Cities Job Market Expected To Stay Strong

Today, the AP reports second quarter home prices drop the largest since the inception of Standard & Poor's Case/Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index. The drop is 15.4 percent lower than last year. I'm reminded of this blog entry!

The Tri Cities Washington market, however, is maintaining property values. Actually, Washington state as a whole, isn't too bad either! Never a better time to buy property in the Tri Cities than now!

Related:

• Standard & Poor/Case Shiller Home Price Indices

• CNN Money - Home Prices Plummet To New Record Low
   

Our local newspaper reports, "Tri-City educators are working hard to ensure students are meeting and exceeding learning standards and are prepared for life beyond high school. That's what the Kennewick, Pasco and Richland school superintendents said Wednesday during the annual Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce State of Education address in Richland." Kudos for the education system in place for Tri Cities Washington students. Certainly the reason why our community stands above the rest.

However, apparently spelling is not high on the list for some. A local school announcing a WASL celebrtaion, er, celebration:

Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco Washington continues it's upward jobs increase. The Tri City Herald reports:

"Consistent growth in the local job market makes the Tri-Cities an island of prosperity amid a sea of nationwide economic gloom, says the regional labor economist. Last month, about 2,000 jobs were added to the Tri-City economy, thanks to continuing demand for construction, wholesale trade and professional services, says a report released Tuesday."

As employment continues it's consistent growth, so will the demand for real estate increase. When considering a home purchase or property investment, consider Colleen and I to service your real estate requirements.

Hairspray, Yakima Capitol Theatre and Tri Cities Washington Toyota Center | Looking for something to do this weekend? Consider viewing a performance of Hairspray. KNDO writes:

It's time to let your hair down at dance the night away at the Hairspray musical. Be swept away to 1960s Baltimore in this smash hit musical, piled bouffant-high with laughter and romance - and enough deliriously tuneful songs to fill a nonstop platter party. Hairspray will be performed at The Capitol Theatre, in Yakima, WA. The event takes place on February 23, 2008 at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM.

The musical also has a showing at Kennewick's Toyota Center, Sunday, February 24th at 7:00pm. From the Toyota Center website:

Broadway’s Tony Award® - winning musical-comedy phenomenon…