Barb Huff Realtor

Have you been waiting for the "perfect" time to buy a home? 🤔

You're not alone. It's one of the questions I hear most from buyers.

The reality is that history shows there's rarely a time when home prices, mortgage rates, AND affordability all improve at the same time. Waiting for one thing to get better often means another factor becomes less favorable.

The best time to buy isn't necessarily when the market is "perfect"—it's when your finances, your goals, and your lifestyle are ready. Every buyer's situation is different, which is why having a strategy tailored to your needs is so important.

This is a great read if you've been wondering whether to wait or make your move:
👉 https://www.homes.com/news/what-history-teaches-about-the-risks-of-timing-the-market/1073767152/

If you're curious about what today's market means for Spokane, Spokane Valley, Cheney, Medical Lake, or North Idaho, I'd be happy to help you weigh your options and create a plan that makes sense for you.

What history teaches about the risks of timing the market - Homes.com News One of the most common questions first‑time buyers ask is also one of the hardest to answer:“Should I wait?”Thanks to home‑price data going back to

🏡💡 Thinking about upgrading your home? Not all smart home gadgets are created equal!

Some upgrades are more than just cool tech—they can actually help lower your utility bills, reduce waste, and make your home more attractive to future buyers.

According to this Better Homes & Gardens article, some of the smartest investments include:
✅ Smart thermostats
✅ Leak detectors
✅ Smart lighting
✅ Smart plugs
✅ Energy monitoring systems
✅ Smart irrigation controllers
✅ Energy-efficient smart appliances

The best part? Many of these upgrades can save homeowners hundreds of dollars per year while making everyday life a little easier. That's a win-win in my book!

📖 Check out the full article here:
https://www.bhg.com/smart-tech-upgrades-worth-the-money-11898337

I'm curious...what's your favorite smart home feature? A smart thermostat? Video doorbell? Smart lights? Or are you keeping it old school? Let me know in the comments! 👇

The 7 Smart Home Upgrades That Actually Help Cut Costs Just as most homes have moved past wood-burning stoves, modern household energy management has adapted to the future. Invest in these smart upgrades to save more.

🔥 BIGGER LOT. BIGGER POSSIBILITIES. 🔥

Commercial land opportunities of this size are becoming harder to find.

📍 1635 Spring St
📏 1.77 Acres
💰 $150,000

This BP-zoned parcel is the largest available lot in the development and offers tremendous flexibility for future business growth, office complexes, or commercial projects.

Need room to expand? This property delivers.

📩 Message me for details, zoning information, and development possibilities.

📊 SPOKANE MARKET UPDATE | MAY 2026 📊

Wondering what's really happening in the Spokane housing market?

The answer may surprise you...

🏡 Inventory is up.
Buyers have more choices than they've had in years, with approximately 1,415 active listings available at the end of May. That's a significant increase from just 1,095 homes on the market during the same period in 2024.

📉 Sales have slowed.
Closed sales totaled 521 homes in May, compared to 611 in May 2025 and 542 in May 2024. Buyers are taking more time to make decisions and being more selective about the homes they pursue.

💰 Prices remain strong—but the market is finding balance.
The median sales price reached $437,500 in May.

What makes that interesting?

👉 It's higher than May 2024's median price of $420,000
👉 But lower than May 2025's median price of $450,000

This tells us we're not seeing a market crash or runaway appreciation. Instead, we're seeing a healthier market where inventory is increasing and price growth is moderating.

🔑 What This Means for Buyers:

✅ More homes to choose from.
✅ Less pressure to waive contingencies.
✅ Better opportunities to negotiate.
✅ More time to find the right home.

🏠 What This Means for Sellers:

✅ Home values remain historically strong.
✅ Buyers are still actively purchasing.
✅ Strategic pricing is more important than ever.
✅ The best-prepared homes are standing out and selling.

🎯 The Bottom Line:

The Spokane market is shifting toward balance.

We're moving away from the frenzy of the past few years and into a market where both buyers and sellers can make thoughtful decisions.

That's good news for everyone.

If you were planning a move in the next 12 months, would you rather buy now with more inventory or wait to see what happens with interest rates?

👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments.

📩 Want to know what your home is worth in today's market? Send me a message for a personalized market analysis.

🚨 COMMERCIAL LAND OPPORTUNITY IN CHENEY 🚨

Looking for a smart investment in one of Eastern Washington's growing communities?

BP-zoned commercial lots are now available in Cheney, offering the flexibility to develop office, professional, medical, technology, and business uses.

💰 Starting at just $80,000
📍 240 Fred Johns Way
📏 0.48 Acres

With Cheney's continued growth and proximity to Eastern Washington University, now is the time to secure land for your future business or investment portfolio.

Interested in available lots and pricing? Send me a message today!

📊 CDA AREA MARKET UPDATE | MAY 2026

If you've been wondering whether it's a good time to buy or sell in North Idaho, here's what the latest numbers are telling us:

🏡 Home prices are still climbing.
The median sold price increased over 6% year-over-year, rising from $531,990 to $564,250. Sellers are continuing to see strong appreciation, while buyers should expect competition for well-priced homes.

📈 Inventory is growing.
Active listings are up significantly from earlier this year, giving buyers more choices and a little more breathing room than we've seen in recent years.

⏱️ Homes are selling faster.
Average days on market dropped from 90 days last May to just 81 days this year. Well-priced homes are attracting attention quickly.

💰 Sellers are getting close to asking price.
The average sold-to-list price ratio is hovering around 97%, showing that buyers are still willing to pay strong prices for homes that are properly priced and presented.

What This Means for Buyers:

✅ More inventory means more options.
✅ Less pressure than the ultra-competitive pandemic market.
✅ Interest rates remain an important factor, but negotiating opportunities are improving.
✅ Waiting could mean paying more if prices continue their upward trend.

What This Means for Sellers:

✅ Home values continue to rise.
✅ Buyers are active and purchasing.
✅ Correct pricing is critical as inventory increases.
✅ Well-prepared homes are selling faster and closer to asking price.

📌 Bottom Line:
We're moving toward a healthier, more balanced market—not a buyer's market and not the frenzy of years past. Buyers have more opportunities, and sellers are still benefiting from strong home values.

Thinking about making a move in 2026? Let's talk about what these numbers mean specifically for your home, your neighborhood, and your goals.

📩 Send me a message or comment "MARKET" below, and I'll send you a personalized analysis of your home's value and local market trends.

🚨 Commercial Land Opportunity in Cheney, WA 🚨

Looking for a place to build, expand, or invest in the growing Cheney market?

I currently have 7 commercial vacant lots available, priced from $80,000 to $150,000. These lots are zoned BP – Business Park, offering flexibility for a variety of commercial and professional uses.

Whether you’re a business owner looking for your next location, an investor exploring future growth, or a builder/developer searching for well-positioned land, this is a great opportunity to secure commercial property in Cheney.

📍 Cheney, WA
🏢 7 commercial vacant lots available
💰 Priced from $80K–$150K
📌 BP zoning
🌱 Build, hold, or invest for the future

Cheney continues to grow, and commercial land at this price point is worth a serious look.

📲 Message me today for lot details, pricing, zoning information, and availability. Let’s find the right parcel for your goals.

🏡 OPEN HOUSE TOMORROW! 🏡

📍 2423 S Grand Blvd, Spokane, WA
🗓 Saturday, May 30
⏰ 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM

✨ PRICE REDUCED TO $499,000! ✨

Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to own a charming South Hill home with over 2,100 square feet of living space, situated on an oversized lot with a massive detached 3-car garage!

Recent updates include:
✔️ New Roof (2019)
✔️ Beautiful Main-Level Bathroom Remodel
✔️ Updated Flooring
✔️ And more!

Whether you're looking for extra space, room for hobbies and storage, or a convenient South Hill location close to parks, schools, shopping, and dining, this home checks all the boxes.

🔗 View the full listing:
https://www.compass.com/app/listing/2423-S-Grand-Blvd-Spokane-WA-99203/2090977862219807521

📲 Homes with this much character, space, and garage capacity don't come along often. Stop by the Open House tomorrow or contact me today to schedule your private showing before someone else calls it home!



Listed by Joel Elgee with Avalon 24 Real Estate

2423 S Grand Blvd, Spokane, WA 99203 | MLS #202616135 2423 S Grand Blvd, Spokane, WA 99203 is a single family home listed for sale at $499,000. This is a 4-bed, 1-bath, 2,168 sqft property.

🏡 OPEN HOUSE | Saturday, May 30 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM 🏡

Join us this Saturday to tour this beautifully maintained South Hill home at 3703 E 18th Ave, Spokane, WA 99223!

✨ Offered at $429,500
🛏️ 3 Bedrooms
🛁 2 Bathrooms
📐 Just over 2,000 SF
🔨 Detached 30' x 32' Shop
📍 Located in the highly desirable South Hill neighborhood

This spacious home offers comfortable living, plenty of room to spread out, and an incredible detached shop perfect for hobbies, storage, projects, or additional workspace. Conveniently located near parks, schools, shopping, and all the amenities the South Hill is known for.

View the full listing here:
https://www.compass.com/app/listing/3703-E-18th-Ave-Spokane-WA-99223/2068504200620987473

Don't miss your chance to see this fantastic property in person! Stop by the open house or contact me today to schedule a private showing before it's gone!



Listed by Joel Elgee withAvalon 24 Real Estate

3703 E 18th Ave, Spokane, WA 99223 | MLS #202614050 3703 E 18th Ave, Spokane, WA 99223 is a single family home listed for sale at $429,500. This is a 3-bed, 2-bath, 2,096 sqft property.

💰 BUYERS: DON’T LET HIDDEN COSTS CATCH YOU OFF GUARD 💰

A lot of buyers focus ONLY on the down payment…
but there are other costs that matter too.

Here are a few things buyers should plan for:
✔ closing costs
✔ inspections
✔ appraisal fees
✔ moving expenses
✔ home maintenance
✔ insurance & taxes

The GOOD news?
There are often ways to reduce upfront costs, including:
✅ seller-paid closing costs
✅ down payment assistance programs
✅ rate buydowns
✅ strategic negotiation

Having the right plan can save you THOUSANDS.

If you’re curious what buying would realistically look like for you financially, I’d be happy to put together a customized game plan.

📩 Send me a DM — I’m always happy to help.