I recently had the opportunity to hear from Steve Scranton, Chief Economist for Washington Trust Bank, for a wide-ranging discussion about interest rates, housing affordability, Washington taxes, AI and data centers, wildfire recovery, and the future of our regional economy.

There was a lot to unpack. Here are the takeaways I found most relevant for homeowners, buyers, sellers, and anyone paying attention to the Spokane and North Idaho real estate markets.

Are Today's Mortgage Rates Really That Unusual?

One of Steve's most interesting points was that today's mortgage rates feel extraordinarily high largely because we spent nearly two decades in an unusually low-rate environment.

Using historical data going back to 1971, Steve shared that the average 30-year mortgage rate has been approximately 7.7%. His tak...

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If you're relocating to Spokane and want a neighborhood with character, Manito and Kendall Yards will probably come up in your search. Both are close to downtown, both have a strong sense of community, and both are highly recognizable Spokane neighborhoods.

But living in them feels very different.

Here's what you should know.

Manito: Historic, Established & Full of Character

Manito sits on Spokane's South Hill and is known for tree-lined streets, historic homes, beautiful parks, and an established neighborhood feel.

One of the biggest draws is Manito Park. With 90 acres of green space, gardens, walking paths, playgrounds and open space, it's one of Spokane's best-known parks and a major part of everyday life in the neighborhood.

The homes are a big part of Manito's appeal. You'll find Craftsman homes, Tudors, brick homes and other early-1900s architecture mixed with properties from different eras. If you love original hard...

Click Here to Read More...

If you're relocating to Spokane and want a neighborhood with character, Manito and Kendall Yards will probably come up in your search. Both are close to downtown, both have a strong sense of community, and both are highly recognizable Spokane neighborhoods.

But living in them feels very different.

Here's what you should know.

Manito: Historic, Established & Full of Character

Manito sits on Spokane's South Hill and is known for tree-lined streets, historic homes, beautiful parks, and an established neighborhood feel.

One of the biggest draws is Manito Park. With 90 acres of green space, gardens, walking paths, playgrounds and open space, it's one of Spokane's best-known parks and a major part of everyday life in the neighborhood.

The homes are a big part of Manito's appeal. You'll find Craftsman homes, Tudors, brick homes and other early-1900s architecture mixed with properties from different eras. If you love original hard...

Click Here to Read More...

August 2026 Market Report

Explore the latest trends for the Spokane County residential real estate market in our comprehensive monthly report.

August 2026 Market Report

Explore the latest trends for the Kootenai County residential real estate market in our comprehensive monthly report.