Experience the Pacific Northwest Marching Band Championships

Mark your calendars for October 12th, as the annual Pacific Northwest Marching Band Championships return to Mead High School! This cherished Spokane tradition showcases some of the finest marching bands and color guards from across the Northwest. Whether you're a music lover, a student, a proud family member, or simply a fan of the arts, this event promises an inspiring day of talent, precision, and musical excitement.   Event Details Date: October 12th, 2024 Time: Morning Session: 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM Evening Session: 4:30 PM - 8:55 PM Location: 12509 N Market St, Mead, WA 99021 Admission: $15 - $25 Contact: (509) 465-7047   What to Expect Outstanding Performances: Witness some of the best marching bands and color guards in the Pacific Northwest as they compete in this prestigious event. The competition highlights precision marching, intricate choreography, and impressive musical talent. Rich History: This event, created by Gary Green and the University High School Band and Parent Boosters in the 1970s, has become a beloved annual tradition, bringing together students, teachers, and communities to celebrate the art of marching bands. Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Whether you're a marching band aficionado or attending for the first time, the event is perfect for all ages and offers an exciting way to support local arts and education.   Why You Should Attend Support the Arts: Show your support for the incredible talent and dedication of the students, teachers, and staff who make these performances possible. Entertaining and Inspiring: From powerful music to stunning visual performances, this event offers a day filled with awe-inspiring entertainment. Spokane Tradition: Join the community in celebrating one of Spokane’s longest-standing arts events. Join Us for a Day of Music and Precision Don't miss this chance to experience the incredible artistry and energy of the Pacific Northwest Marching Band Championships. Whether you're cheering on a loved one or just enjoying the performances, this event is sure to be a highlight of the fall season in Spokane.

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Halloween X-Spo: A Spooktacular Weekend of Fun and Frights

Get ready for an unforgettable weekend at Halloween X-Spo on October 5th and 6th! This two-day Halloween extravaganza brings together celebrities, live shows, tarot card readings, costume contests, and much more at the Spokane Convention Center. Whether you’re a horror fan, a cosplay enthusiast, or just love all things Halloween, X-Spo is packed with entertainment and activities for the whole family.   Event Details Dates: October 5th - 6th, 2024 Time: Doors open at 10:00 AM (VIP early access at 9:30 AM) Location: Spokane Convention Center, Hall B & Hall C, 334 W Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA 99201 Admission: $16 - $41 Contact: (509) 279-7000 What to Expect VIP Experience: Pre-sale VIP tickets offer 30-minute early access to the show floor on both days, plus exclusive perks like a commemorative badge, lanyard, logo tote bag, and access to the VIP lounge with complimentary water, phone charging stations, and freebies. Celebrity Guests: Meet horror icons and fan-favorite stars including Alex Vincent, Ve Neill, Thom Mathews, Christine Elise, Kelli Maroney, Jon Abrahams, Eric Roberts, and Brett Wagner. Photo Booths: Capture spooky memories with free Halloween-themed photo booths perfect for sharing on social media. Costume Contests: Show off your creativity by entering the Adult Costume Contest on Saturday night or the Kids Costume Contest on Sunday afternoon. Prizes await the best costumes! Tarot Card Reading: Curious about your future? Visit the professional tarot reader, Douglas Lovecraft, for an insightful tarot card reading. Exhibitors & Artists: Browse a variety of comics, collectibles, props, and handmade crafts from local artists and vendors, perfect for finding one-of-a-kind treasures. Live Magic Show: Don’t miss the live magic show on Saturday, October 5th at 11:30 AM on the main stage—fun for all ages! Why You Should Attend All-Ages Fun: Halloween X-Spo has something for everyone, from family-friendly activities to more adult-oriented fun like tarot readings and costume contests. Exclusive VIP Perks: Enjoy early access, exclusive merch, and a quiet VIP lounge when you grab a VIP ticket. Meet Horror Icons: Get up close and personal with stars of the horror genre and snag autographs or photos. Halloween Spirit: Celebrate Halloween early with themed events, live shows, and plenty of spooky photo opportunities. Join Us for a Weekend of Halloween Magic Bring your friends, family, and best costumes to Halloween X-Spo for a thrilling weekend of entertainment, shopping, and spooky fun. Whether you’re coming for the celebrities, the magic show, or the costume contest, there’s something for everyone at this exciting event.

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Spokane Real Estate Market Predictions: What Zillow and CoreLogic Forecast for 2025

  If you're keeping an eye on the Spokane real estate market, you might be curious about what the future holds for home prices. Zillow just released their mid-year price predictions, and things look a little different from the boom we've seen in recent years. In this blog post, we'll break down the predictions from Zillow, CoreLogic, and other industry leaders, as well as check in on some of the forecasts I made earlier this year. Let's dive in. Zillow’s 2025 Spokane Home Price Forecast Zillow recently released its national home price forecast, predicting a modest 0.9% increase across the U.S. in 2025, with the average home price hovering around $366,000. However, when we zoom into Spokane, things look a bit more subdued. Zillow predicts that Spokane’s home prices will increase by just 0.5% year-over-year, a stark contrast to the double-digit jumps we’ve seen in recent years. While this may seem low, it's a sign that prices are stabilizing rather than plummeting. If you’re a buyer wondering when prices will drop, this indicates that while they won’t rise rapidly, they're unlikely to drop significantly either. CoreLogic’s More Grim Outlook CoreLogic, another major player in real estate data, takes a more pessimistic view of Spokane’s housing market. They’ve listed Spokane as one of the top five markets most at risk for price declines in 2025. According to their data, there’s a 70% chance that home prices could decrease. However, it’s important to put this in perspective. When people hear “price decline,” they might think of a sharp drop, but even a 0.5% decline could mean just a $2,000 difference on a $400,000 home—not exactly a massive drop. What About Interest Rates? Interest rates have been a hot topic lately. While many expected rates to climb higher, we've actually seen a drop in mortgage rates in recent months. Currently, rates are around 6.1% to 6.2%. Predictions from the Mortgage Bankers Association and Fannie Mae suggest that rates could trickle down slightly, ending 2025 at around 5.9%. However, this isn’t a huge change from where we are today, meaning we’re not likely to see much relief in terms of financing costs in the near future. My 2024 Predictions So Far: A Mid-Year Check-In At the start of the year, I made a few predictions about Spokane’s real estate market. Let’s see how they’re shaping up so far: Interest Rates: I predicted rates would hold steady for the first half of the year and drop slightly by 0.5-0.75% by the end of the year. So far, rates have dropped from around 7.8% to 6.1%, and while the Federal Reserve rate hasn’t shifted much, mortgage rates have come down. Closed Sales: I anticipated about 1,500 more homes would sell this year, but the actual increase has been modest—about 30 more homes closed year-to-date, reflecting a slow market. Home Prices: I predicted a 4% increase in home prices for 2024, but so far, we’ve only seen about a 1.2% increase year-over-year. Affordability: Unfortunately, I was right in predicting that affordability wouldn’t improve. Prices have remained relatively high, and interest rates haven’t dropped enough to make a significant impact on affordability. Investor Activity: I expected investors to return to the market, but while there has been some activity, particularly with flippers, rental property investments have slowed due to high interest rates and low cash flow potential. New Construction Prices: I predicted that new construction prices would hold steady, but they’ve actually dropped by over 10% since early 2023, bringing them closer in line with resale homes. The Road Ahead: 2025 Predictions and What to Expect Looking ahead to 2025, the general consensus seems to be that the market will stabilize, with modest price increases and relatively steady interest rates. Zillow predicts a 0.5% increase in Spokane home prices, while CoreLogic sees a potential decline, though likely a small one. Interest rates are expected to hover around 5.9%, meaning we’re not likely to see a drastic improvement in affordability. For buyers, this could be a sign to stop waiting for major price drops and consider entering the market while things remain steady. Let’s Talk About Your Plans What are your thoughts on the real estate market for the rest of 2024 and into 2025? Are you planning to jump in now, or are you holding out for more favorable conditions? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear what’s on your mind. If you’re thinking about moving to Spokane or want more detailed information about the market, feel free to reach out! Use the links below to schedule a meeting, download our relocation guide, or explore more resources. Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you in the next update!

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