Kieley Fox had had enough of cycling through rentals and living with her parents. The 41-year-old single mother found out she was pre-approved for a line of credit that enabled her to buy a new home near Finch Arboretum, making her part of a growing contingent of first-time homebuyers getting into the market even as supply remains low.

A Washington state law has had the unintended consequence of squelching condo development across the state, including in Spokane for developers, who see them as an affordable-housing option in a very tight housing market.

Spokane’s real estate market continues to remain very active with low inventory, high demand and rising home prices. It’s a seller’s market and that is likely to continue across the region this year, brokers and real estate agents say.

Homeowners must consider an offer in the context of market conditions to determine whether to accept, decline or negotiate.

Buying a home has seldom been this easy, especially if you have a solid credit rating and aren’t hampered by student loans or other debt.

If history teaches us anything, says Rob Higgins, executive officer of the Spokane Association Realtors, it’s that opportunity shouldn’t be spurned.

First-time homebuyers in Spokane County face a market full of potential opponents in bidding wars and few houses available at an affordable price. What should, and have, local policymakers done to address the issue? And how big is it?

Local brokers say while more people are searching for homes online, having an open house remains beneficial for sellers.