MetroSpokane

For Sale: Casa Don's Condo for $275K

We have no idea who the Don in Casa Don is, but he sure could design a helluva good looking building.  Built in 1938 this place is a charmer if your tastes are old world Spanish eclectic.  Besides all the nicely aged brick, terracotta, and views of the apartment building roof to the north it's the location that sold us.  Walking distance to Lindamen's, Bittersweet, Blockbuster, Manito, Qdoba, and hell if you feel like taking in a little Sunday service, St. John's Cathedral is across the street.  NOTE: Must like the color orange.

• Listing - Casa Don [Keller Williams]
• 1107 S Grand Blvd [GMAP]

For Sale: 2 floors of the BlueRay Building-any takers?

It's been a rough few months for BlueRay Technologies.  The latest wrinkle in the ongoing BlueRay soap-opera shows that the top two floors of the company's building at 1111 W. 1st Ave are up for sale.  No less than a reasonable $1.5 million gets you close to some of that sweet Blu-Ray action at The Commercial Building.  The turn-of-the-century brick eye-candy is a nice looking piece of work and in a great location given the level of reinvestment in the surrounding area (Railside Center, the Fox, the Otis/Norman/Madison)  Go on, what are you waiting for?

• For Sale:  Commercial Building (Floors 2 &3) [NAIBlack -pdf]
• Commercial Building 1111 W. 1st Ave [Birdseye View]

USA Today - Please. Stop. Don't.

Dear USA Today, 

Please, no more favors.

We read with great earnest your article on the housing and economic conditions in the Spokane area.  We've always been big fans of your cute little graphics/charts on your front page, however we think your in depth analysis should really stop there.  We're not quite sure what elite group of writers you have working on this drivel, but the comparison of the most expensive house for sale and a median-priced house was classic.  As one commenter put it, "A 1949 house with bars on the windows for $177,000. Hold me back."

Best Regards,

MetroSpokane

 

• Diversified Economy helps Spokane home prices hold up [USA Today]

Breaking: Burgan's Furniture Block Sold

Breaking news people:  The Spokesman Review is reporting that the Burgans' Block, that amazing collection of early 20th century warehouse buildings between Ruby and Division on Desmet has sold to a 'mystery buyer'.  Given the dramatic changes of the area brought on by Gonzaga's investment of millions in residential development nearby this was bound to happen.  Add to it their recent purchase and rehab of the Fuller Building across Ruby and this place is on it's way.  Next up:  Ye Old CompUSA, and the mill buildings. Dibs on the huge F-U-R-N-I-T-U-R-E sign.

• Touching Base:  Kennedy Anchors Ruby [MetroSpokane]
• Touching Base:  Fuller Academic Center gets glassy [MetroSpokane]
• 44 E Desmet [GMAP]

Spokane Raceway Park - not quite a fiasco...

Better than a made-for-TV movie the drama surrounding Spokane Raceway Park continues to build.  It's unclear what the fallout will be now that the Spokesman Review revealed the private investor who was hopelessly bidding for Spokane Raceway Park against the County, is really kind of ticked off about the whole thing.  And the word is he had plans for NASCAR.

BREAKING: County bids highest for Spokane Raceway Park & 3 parcels for over $4 million

Congratulations Spokane County.  You are now the highest bidders on one raceway track plus 3 parcels for the tune of roughly $4.3 million including a 10% buyers premium.  In a process that lasted 2 1/2 hours and was reminiscent of the 29th round of a Fantasy Baseball League draft Spokane County bid for parcels 1, 5, 10, & 11 totalling 314.7 acres of nitro-fueled property.  See red $$$ above.  As they say, "You pay for the whole seat, BUT YOU'LL ONLY NEED THE EDGE!!!"

MLS Deathmatch: Trulia Streetview Vs.Windermere Birdseye

The world of online realestate continues to get better and better.  Via the Seattle PI this morning, the latest enhancement comes from Trulia.  They've officially integrated Google Streetview with their real estate listings in those cities that Google currently has photographed.  In total that's 40 metros where streetview is available. 

For Sale: Hutton and 319 Riverside

DOWNTOWN - It's a two-fer-Tuesday this week and we have to wonder what's the deal with all the commercial properties on the market in downtown Spokane?  Seriously.

Hutton Building - First there was the Habitat Building, then we heard The Montvale was up for grabs, and now the Hutton?  Sweet mother it's a clearance sale.  All seven-stories and  77,000 sqf can be yours for just shy of $4.95 million.

• Listing - Hutton Building [NAIBlack]
• Hutton Building - Streetview [GMAP]

319 Riverside - Dania's always been the closest we'll ever get to having an IKEA downtown...a tall, pale, characterless IKEA.  However, the descriptive title on the flyer for 319 Riverside leaves us a bit puzzled and wondering if we're all looking at the same building.  $3.2 million.

• Flyer - 319 Riverside - pdf - [Tomlinson]
• 319 Riverside - Streetview [GMAP]

For Sale: Pacific Ave's Sylvan Warehouse

West Pacific Ave is gradually developing into a funky and unique collection of buildings and businesses.  So we were pleasantly surprised to hear from a tipster that one of our all time favorite warehouses (that was still being used as a warehouse) down there was finally on the market. 

The longtime Sylvan Warehouse at 116 W. Pacific is a gem, and it has the three critical amenities that make any warehouse ripe for a conversion to some other use:

Flipping Spokane...

The 'art' of the flip is still very much alive and well.  Aside from the popular Flip that House TV show YouTube can also be a wonderful resource.  Take for example 27 E. Bridgeport here in Spokane.  Last purchased on 12/14/07 for $61K (according to County records), it's now on the market for...$144K and there's room for you to build a garage.  We smell a bargain.

For Sale: Interplayers Building

So have you ever wanted to own your own theater?  Now's your chance...kind of.  The Interplayer's building is up for sale for the asking price of $1.1 million.  The one condition is that the theater organization will be able to lease back all of their existing space critical to putting on performances.  That arrangement should still leave about 5k-7k sqf to do whatever floats your boat.

Our choice:  buy it, lose the wall of glass blocks, lease back space to Interplayers while opening a bar/lounge restaurant on the ground floor.  Theaters generate large volumes of people wanting to spend money on good food and drink (NOTE: AMC, Fox, Magic Lantern, Crosby).  And anyways, wouldn't more evening foot-traffic of the positive kind be nice south of the viaduct?

• Listing: Interplayers Building [Cornerstone]
• Wall St. Condos - Bonus Project? [metrospokane]

Touching Base: Pioneer Park Place getting torn up

Internal demo is underway at Pioneer Park Place the mod-looking mixed-income project on the lower South Hill.  Actual construction should begin shortly as final costs and specs are firmed up.  When all is said and done the project will be sportin' twenty-six condo units ranging from 600 to 1500 sqf.  The top floor is reserved for approximately three to four penthouse units.

Real Estate Wrap Up: U-District Gateway, More than mufflers, Californians losing interest?

U-DISTRICT - We remember the good ol' days when the Globe Building was home to the first and shortly thereafter the last organic grocery store in downtown. Though brief, we felt so alive being able to buy soy milk on Division and Main of all places.  Now the iconic Globe Building and accompanying parking lot are on the market - Asking price:  a cool $2.9 million.  But hey there isn't a higher-profile property in the U-District so quit your complaining. 

When does a garage become a warehouse?

A tipster sends in this photo and raises an important question:  When selling your home at what point should you emphasize the amenities of the garage versus the house? 

"I just couldn't resist snapping a picture of this "For Sale" sign on 57th and Crestline.  8 car garage.  Thats no garage; thats a warehouse!  Shouldn't the sign should read:"

Garage 4 Sale:
4 person home
448-2401

Follow-up question:  Does the duct-tape and spray-paint sign instill confidence?

For Sale: One slightly used Elk Farm

COEUR D'ALENE - One reality of the Inland Northwest is the ability to drive 20 minutes or so out of the city and be in a completely rural location.  For all the growth in Coeur d' Alene over the past five years this rule still holds true.  Tired of the big city?  Always wanted to get back to the earth and earn a real living working off of the land?  We may have the opportunity for you.  There just so happens to be an Elk Facility for sale about 20 minutes south of the city.  83 acres, 400 head, all International Champion Genetic ELK valued at $2mil plus.  With Cabella's in Post Falls serving elk burgers what could go wrong?  Asking price:  $2.75 million.  You'll kick yourself.

• Listing - 83 acre Elk Facilty - [LoopNet]
• 83 acre Elk Facility - [GMAP]
   

Where in the world is Yardley Point...?

UNIVERSITY DISTRICT - The name Yardley Point is a new one to us.  For years, we've been living with the understanding that Yardley is located in the Spokane Valley near Havana and Broadway.  Apparently it's also the name for the little lobe of land near Trent and Hamilton that is home to Habitat for Humanity Surplus Building Supply.  While not the most beautiful corner in the city, it sure sees a lot of traffic and that's a big driver in the $2.5 million price tag.  Being smack-dab in the middle of the University District and near the river doesn't hurt either.  At one time there were mumblings of plans for this parcel - something about student housing to serve the University District.  New Rule: No more properties/developments using the word YARD.

Until that time, Habitat for Humanity has some good deals on surplus tile.

• Listing - Yardley Point [NAIBlack]

Extreme Makeover: Ye Ol' Selkirk Building

If Extreme Makeover had an office building edition this would be it.  The former Selkirk Building (506 W. 2nd) and the adjoining parcel sold last year for the tidy sum of $770K.  The new owners, Sun Devil Development, look to be dropping some change to spruce the place up.  The reconfiguration will mean two retail condos, four office condos, and a basement space.  The upside:  The 13,000sqf building is losing the fancy sheet metal, revealing the transoms, cleaning up that brick, adding a new side entry, and throwing in some  nice awnings.  The downside:  That side entry will front on the ample new surface parking for 32 (There's a parking shortage downtown, remember?).  Eh, can't have it all.  BUS DRIVER - MOVE THAT BUS!!!

• Listing - 506 W. 2nd [NAIBlack]
• 506 W. 2nd [GMAP]

Ashplace Cottages: A Northside answer to innovative infill

NORTHWEST NEIGHBORHOOD - If The Abbey wasn't quite your location or your thing the Ashplace Cottages just might do the trick.  Located across the street from Drumheller Springs on the bluff overlooking the city, this is some smart infill and quite possibly the first of it's kind in Spokane. 

Ashplace Cottages (floorplans and sample house above) will sport nine units on just over an acre of land.  Each unit will have it's own private landscaped area, front on a shared open space, and will be no bigger than 1,000 sqf. per the zoning code that encourages this type of infill.  A key element is that parking is also centralized and deemphasized from the individual homes which are meant to reflect the existing neighborhood design.  The focus of the project is to offer decreased square footage for higher-quality finishes thereby keeping the costs down.  The units will go for around $169K and include two beds and two baths.  Building is expected to begin in March and three of the homes should be done by mid-to-late summer. 

Long a popular infill option in Seattle and Portland, it's nice to see some innovative (and attainable) housing starting to hit the market in Spokane.

• The Abbey: Density everyone should love [MetroSpokane]
• Ashplace Cottages [GMAP]
• Listing Agent [Windermere]

For sale: Your very own Flour Mill

It's not every day that the Historic Flour Mill comes up for sale and the price at $5.9 million may seem a touch steep.  Consider though the long list of amenities:  City skyline views, riverfront, arena, walk to Upper Falls Senior High Condos for swank summer parties at the Bretts, the list goes on.  Own a sizable chunk of Spokane History.

• Listing-Flour Mill [Kiemle-Hagood]
  

On the Market: A friggen' block+ of the Lower East End

LOWER EAST END - The holidays may be over, but the bargains are still available if you dig a little.  We spotted this 'little' gem on a drive-by the other afternoon. All said it's a block and a quarter.  OK, it's more like 2.25 acres, and no it's not Wendel Reugh's surface-parking-bonanza on Riverside it's Roses & More.

As the Lower East End continues to be a hot-bed of small business and redev activity, adding this little nugget to your portfolio pretty much gives you your own urban playground.  Owned by RJH III, LLC and Pacific Avenue Properties, the 2.25 acres was originally platted as twenty-seven individual parcels and contains a mix of warehouses (Old Roses & More Bldg), multi-story apartments, commercial buildings, and vacant land to boot.  A stone's throw to Ichiban, LazerQuest, Thomas Hammer, and the House of Charity, it's yours for the taking at $5.4 million.  Bidding begins now.

• Listing: 24 W. Second and then some [Kiemle-Hagood]

Floorplans: Joel Lofts Upstairs

All appears quiet on the condo-front at Joel Lofts.  We're not sure if they're just laying low until the buying season rolls back around or if they're just waiting to see if the local market has a pulse.  Still, a less than marginal website is up and has eight units listed on the 3rd floor ranging in price from $212K-$304K with two reserved.  Parking makes up part of the 1st floor as does Churchill's and another retail bay. 

• Lofts at Joel's Floorplans, elevations, and other bits and pieces - [spokanehome.org]
• Lofts at Joel's - [GMAP]

For Sale: Mid Cent. Mod on Altamont

Ahhh...the rancher...few things go better with the suburbs.  But for a clever twist how about a mid-century modern rancher rubbing shoulders with turn-of-the-last-century homes in a historic south hill nabe?  2407 E North Altamont Blvd has that and more.  The 1953 custom rancher is a set up that would have even DWELL drooling.  Plenty of built-ins, wood paneling, slate, and a wall of windows with what must be a sweet view of downtown.  And the wet bar...sweet mother, the wet bar.  The price isn't too bad either at $389,000.  But just two beds?

• Listing - 2407 E North Altamont Blvd [MLS]
• 2407 E North Altamont Blvd [GMAP]

For Sale: Pioneer Park Place Condos hit the MLS

What to do with an old convalescent home on the lower South Hill?  How about some affordable condos?  Community Frameworks, an affordable housing developer, is bringing the vacant 1950s structure kicking and screaming into the current century with a complete remake.  Renderings of the building at 424 W. 7th Ave. show ample glass, more windows, and balconies to take advantage of the view north towards downtown.  Four floors with what looks like 6-7 units per.  The two bed one bath listed is asking $206K, while the 1 bed-1 bath is seen wanting $152K.  Lower South has a pulse people.

• Listing: Pioneer Park Place Condos [MLS-Windermere]

Forbes points to Spokane...again

A one year increase in housing values of 10.4% has landed Spokane again on a Forbes list.  This time - Ten Sizzling Housing Markets.  The article boasts:

"Californians are moving up to this valley in inland Washington, driving up prices and leaving locals grumbling about crowded new developments and the lack of affordable housing. Though fewer new homes are under construction, and more "For Sale" signs crop up daily, Spokane is still a bargain. Median prices here are less than a quarter of those in San Francisco and a third of those in Los Angeles."

Thanks for the glowing review Forbes, and an even less flattering picture .  The brunt of their crack analysis:  Move here; we're cheaper.

1615 W. Wilson: Dying on the vine?

Times have been tough for the townhouse trifecta on West Wilson Ave in Peaceful Valley.  Built in 2006 the three ended last year on the market listed at $289,000.  A year later:  one has been sold, one converted to a rental and the last one remains listed at $219,000 - a $70K price chop.  Now that's motivation.  The fact that this property is now asking 24% less than a year ago might speak to a change in the market.  Although it could possibly be blamed on the view across the street...

Listing: 1615 W. Wilson Avenue - $219,000

FOR SALE: Cannon Addition Contemporary - Bring the Windex

SOUTH HILL -  Last week we were underwhelmed in Browne's Addition, so this week we take a trip to the other end of the spectrum at  1416 W 12th Ave.  Here, the law of diminishing returns does not exist, as evidenced by the sheer number of windows on this home.  According to the listing one can expect to find "72 windows +/-" (they're still counting).

1426 W. 12th Ave by the numbers: 5 bedrooms; 5 bathrooms; 2 master suites; 2 garages (3 spaces); 1 carport; 72 windows (approx.); 9 pictures; $675,000.

Listing: 1416 W. 12th Avenue (5/5) - $675,000

As good as it looks? Free Rent on South Hill...

We spotted an outstanding rental listing on Craigslist this evening.

It starts out a little odd, but innocent enough:  "Females only.  I have a new house I am moving into next week. It is rather big. I am offering the downstairs and the use of a car. You also do not need to pay any untilities or groceries."

Let the nausea begin:  "I am really not into all the drama of a relationship right now, but I do have needs if you know what I mean. So I figured what the hell, if a female out there who has needs she wants met as well, them we can make arrangements. Works out grreat for both of us.  Please send a pic and your number.  Dog or car and a small child are okay as you have the entire bottom of the house." 

Excuse us while we go shower off the filth.

• Free rent and utilities use of car. Roomy with benefits [Craigslist]

See a special listing that you'd like to nominate?  Send it to metrospokan@gmail.com

The Grizzly Condos roar onto the MLS - Browne's Addition trembles

The 1960s and 70s weren't kind decades to Browne's Addition.  One glimpse at the Broadmoor apartments is evidence enough.  Today the tradition continues.  The people who brought you this down in Peaceful Valley have unleashed their designers on Browne's Addition-The Grizzly Condos

Looking more like an extended-stay Howard Johnson, they're asking $598K for 1,900 sqf.  The description boasts, "Single floor construction with impeccable upgrades of the highest quality!"  We're going out on a limb here but when do vinyl siding and sheet metal roofing reflect "impeccable upgrades" (and yes vinyl siding has its place)?  Especially at an astonishing $315/sqf?  We're fairly certain the local chapter of AIA wasn't on a retainer.  Grizzly not included.

On the Market: Trying the Big Flip on Cliff Drive

Cliff Park - In Spokane, appending the words 'Cliff' and 'Drive' to your real estate listing can set you apart from the rest of the chaff in a hurry.  If you thought things had settled down, take a look at 743 W Cliff Drive.  The new listing is testing the theory of whether or not you can sell a property at an 82% price increase less than one year after purchase.  According to Trulia, the 2 bedroom 1 bath home built in 1947 sold last year for $412K.  Now it's rocketed to $750K.  Granted it's on a big corner lot that could be subdivided, but the house looks like something Bear Grylls cobbled together with a stone and a pocket-knife.

Got a rotten neighbor? Let the world know

After finding that sweet apartment/house/condo and you settle in to your new life, you start to notice things.  The honeymoon is over when you realize you've that 'one guy' for a neighbor and the ink's still wet on the contract you just signed.  Worry no more.  Simply visit rottenneighbor.com, type in your zipcode and read the tortured tales of neighbors feed up with each other.  Launched on July 29th it'll hopefully be a great resource to learn something about a neighborhood before you move-in.  They're all here:  Too many cars-in-the-yard guy, the cat lady, the pit-bull breeder, and even the inflatable holiday-lawn-ornament-family.  Collect them all!

This is hands down the most interesting take on a google-maps real estate mashups we've seen in quite awhile, and the Spokane entries are lacking.  So far we're up to only six entries (plus one in Medical Lake labled "neighborhood terror"), and the south side neighborhoods are woefully under represented.

Conversion Bliss: Manito Court

There's a particular style of apartments that sprouted up in established neighborhoods across the city during the 1970's.  Cladded in a beige rock-like sheathing with bulbous patios, teardowns of existing housing must have been an inexpensive option.  Now after 30+ years they're getting a new lease on life as condo-conversions.  The latest one we've spotted, Manito Court, is on Grand Avenue four blocks south of (your guessed it) Manito Park.  There's a frenzy of remodeling activity going on here as all fourteen units appear to be getting the ol' 'fix-it-flip-it updates'.  The new landscaping is so fresh you can see the seams in the freshly laid lawn.  Passing by, an interesting integrated stainless-steel sign/waterfeature makes it clear you've arrived at Manito Court.  Perhaps the most perplexing additions are the new gated entrances, which mean your car will be safe as you pull into your reserved spot in...the carport?

Little Yellow Postcards: Let the bottom-feeding begin...

Fast on the heels of last week's market dump correction, little yellow 3x5 postcards began showing up in the mailboxes of some Spokane residents in the 99201.  Now this could either be just the best freakin' timing ever, or a shrewd maneuver by the folks over at Northwest HomeBuyers.  We tend to think it's the prior.

On the market: A rather large chunk of the Lower South Hill

Got a spare $2.45 million?  If so, might we suggest this sweet opportunity on  Spokane's lower South Hill at 5th and Washington?  Nestled along Washington Street and just across from Lewis and Clark High School a full 1.6 acres is waiting for the discriminating buyer.