New Stats for Portland/Vancouver Real Estate

You can take a look at these great stats either by using the QR Code or following the link...Fantastic information comparing Portland/Vancouver to the National Stats as a whole.

Stats Link

New Medical High School in Vancouver, Washington

If you are looking for a Real Estate Opportunity in SW Washington, this may be the time and place to look TODAY!!!...This is a very exciting project coming on line for the Vancouver/Evergreen School district and the Medical Center that it is attached to...call, text, Email, tweet, facebook me today for a list of homes that may work for you, your family or your investment opportunity.

Evergreen school district’s $23.7 million magnet Health and BioScience High School

2010 Census Data - 2010 Census

The 2010 Census results are available for review...Where does your State Rank...here in the State of Washington we picked up one new Representative spot in the House.  We are ranked #27 in density in the Country...

2010 Census Data - 2010 Census

A Short Sale is not for Everyone..

There is more liability that you would think when talking about a Short Sale...Why do you think you want a Short Sale?  Are you not able to pay for your home, is it social pressure?  Are you going to sell your car, clothes, furniture, appliances, everything else that is not currently worth what you paid for it?  What value are you giving your home?  I enjoy living where I live, having friend and family come by, my dog in the yard...there is so much more value in my home then what I paid for it...I hope that you feel the same.  This Holiday Season, give yourself the gift of loving where you are, if you can still afford to be there...My heart goes out to those who can no longer afford the home that they live in with their families..

Here is an article for you to read regarding additional liablity in the Short Sale decision...


Considering a short sale? The state (Washington) has some tips

Washington regulators have put out new advice for the increasing number of people looking to get out from under mortgages larger than the value of their homes.

"Recent economic challenges have resulted in many homeowners needing to sell their home but owing more on their home than the home is worth," the state departments of Financial Institutions and Licensing noted in the advisory.



In a report released Monday, CoreLogic said nearly 14 percent of mortgages in King and Snohomish counties were larger than the value of the properties in the third quarter. Looking at King, Snohomish and Pierce counties, Seattle-based real estate website Zillow found that share to be 23.2 percent in the third quarter.

In a short sale, lenders accept less than they're owed because the home is worth less than the mortgage and the borrower doesn't have the money to make up the difference.

"In some cases however, the lender's approval of a short sale does not necessarily mean the lender relieves the seller of liability for repayment of the entire debt," regulators noted. "It is possible the seller can sell the home and still owe the unpaid difference, plus interest and penalties, to the lender."

Also, regulators noted: "Simply 'walking away' from the property through foreclosure also does not necessarily relieve a seller of these debts."

That's because, when a first lender forecloses, the holder of a second mortgage can still go after the borrower.

So, if you are looking at a short sale, make sure you know the liens on your house and what would happen to them in such a sale. Also, know that debt forgiven in a short sale may be treated as taxable income. And a short sale and missed payments can harm your credit rating.

The best advice is to hire a lawyer, tax consultant and qualified real estate agent with experience in short sales.

The federal Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative program includes incentives for short sales but has stringent criteria, the state agencies noted.

Lenders also may modify mortgages rather than foreclosing or going through with a short sale, or allow the homeowner to simply over the property in lieu of foreclosure.

But look out for fraudsters promising to help with such deals or otherwise prevent foreclosure.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has good advice on this, including a list of counselors it has approved

Kathy Amorin of Realty Pro presents - Washougal $390,000 4 Beds, 2 Baths

Kathy Amorin of Realty Pro presents - Washougal $390,000 4 Beds, 2 Baths

Kathy Amorin of Realty Pro presents - La Center $750,000 4 Beds, 3 Baths

Kathy Amorin of Realty Pro presents - La Center $750,000 4 Beds, 3 Baths

Something to do NOW if you want to buy in 2011..

There are lots of purchases that are highly prone to impulse buying: shoes on sale, puppies at the pound, we can all find something, especially since we are all out looking to spend..

 

But houses? Not so much. Savvy, regret-free homebuying can take weeks or months of financial and lifestyle research and planning. If you want 2011 to be the year you become a homeowner, here are 5 things you should be doing, as we speak.

1. Minimize your holiday spending and save your cash. Instead of using the holiday sales to acquire a new winter wardrobe of cashmere sweaters, hold the discretionary spending down so you can give yourself the gift of homeownership! If you are serious about buying a home next year, don't run up additional credit card debt on gifts this year. Instead, make homemade cards or write holiday letters this year for everyone except the kiddos. And even for the kids, consider scaling back on the stuff, spending more of your time with them than your money, and getting started now saving toward your home purchase. (I don't think too many folks would argue that a less materialistic holiday season would hurt anyone, at any age.)

Kickstart your 2011 homebuying resolution by starting a "Home" savings account at an high-interest, online bank (the discipline-boosting goal is a bank that isn't super easy to transfer funds out of when you run low on cash), and set up an automatic deposit into it every payday. To get specific about your savings goal, if you're cash-flush, obviously a 20% down payment will get you top notch interest rates and provide you with the maximum ability to manage your monthly payments. If you're going to be more of a bootstrapping buyer, an FHA loan might be right up your alley - they offer a down payment of 3.5% of the purchase price.

All buyers should plan to have at least 3 percent of the purchase price saved up for closing costs, even if you want the seller to chip in. The lower-priced the home you want to buy, the more percentage points you should be willing to chip in for closing costs. It's easy for closing costs on an $150,000 FHA loan to run as high as $4,000 or more, considering transfer taxes, inspections, appraisals and mortgage insurance fees. So, even the scrappiest buyer should have a savings target somewhere around 6.5% of their target home's price. To buy a $200,000 home, for example, that would mean a savings target of $13,000.

Local real estate and mortgage pros can help you clarify realistic "cash to close" expectations and savings targets for your area

Thank you Trulia...

The gift that keeps on giving...

2011 park and boat launch passes make great holiday gifts

Vancouver, WA – Are you still looking for a great holiday gift for an outdoor enthusiast? Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation’s annual parking pass may be just the thing.



The $40 pass is good for unlimited access to four of Clark County’s most popular regional parks and two boat launches Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2011. Passes can be purchased at the following locations (cash only):

• Marshall Community Center, 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver, (360) 487-7100

• Firstenburg Community Center, 700 NE 136th Ave., Vancouver, (360) 487-7001

• Battle Ground Community Center, 912 E. Main St., Battle Ground, (360) 342-5380



“The annual parking pass will pay for itself even if you only use it twice a month,” said Pete Mayer, Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation Director. “For our regular park and boat launch visitors, the savings can be quite significant.”



The annual pass may be used at the following county-owned parks and boat launches:

• Vancouver Lake Park

• Frenchman’s Bar Park

• Lewisville Park

• Salmon Creek Park/Klineline Pond

• Daybreak Boat Launch on the East Fork Lewis River

• Haapa Boat Launch on the North Fork Lewis River



For the frequent visitor, an annual parking pass is an economical alternative to the daily parking fee charged at these parks and boat launches ($2 for motorcycles, $3 for cars, $6 for cars with trailers and $8 for buses and some RVs). The parking fees help pay for maintenance and operations.



For more information, visit www.vanclarkparks-rec.org.

Client Appreciation Breakfast w/Santa

Yesterday, Dec. 4th, was Realty Pro’s Breakfast with Santa and Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival.  It was a wonderful day for the brokers of Realty Pro to visit with their clients.  The children made crafts for themselves and also for 2 charities in our community, benefitting foster children and senior citizens.  When I spoke about this event with friends and family, they were very impressed that this event, along with 2 others in the calendar year, are sponsored by my brokerage firm.  It is a joyful feeling to be a part of a company that is so giving, showing a genuine concern for people and our community.  As I have said before, this spirit of giving is what makes Vancouver and Clark County a great place to live!

Employment Summary and Part Time Workers, Unemployed over 26 Weeks

Chart from 1946

This is a great article to link to...

Employment Summary and Part Time Workers, Unemployed over 26 Weeks

50 Plus in "The Couve"

If you are 50 Plus and living in Vancouver, Washington this is a great resource for you.  Click on the Link for the December Catalog.

.http://www.cityofvancouver.us/seniormessenger.asp?issueID=79085

Mortgage rates continue upward climb | Inman News

                                        
                       Mortgage rates continue upward climb | Inman News

A half of a percent on a $100,000 Loan can be as much as $160 dollars per month in your payment...with Interest Rates still low and the cost of housing still low, maybe today is the day to begin your search for a Home For The Holidays...

Home For The Holidays...



Home For The Holidays



Like many of us you are probably in the midst of making over your home in festive boughs and lights in anticipation of celebrating the holidays with your family. Whether you already have the tree up or candles ready or still in the middle of the tubs and boxes, you may know a family who’s thinking about making the leap to home ownership in 2011.Terry Eccles-Pettet and I are giving up a prime shopping day on December 9th to help families make a plan to buy a home. We have put together a team of experts to help explore the pitfalls and strategies of buying a home in today’s market. The housing market and the financial crunch everyone is feeling has created a need for home buyers to really have their “ducks in a row” well before they start looking. So if you know of a family who is currently renting a home or apartment and really deserve an opportunity to plan for a better future with a home of their own to decorate – have them call me to reserve a place at this special event. December 9th, 6:30-8:00pm at the Cascade Park Library. And next year maybe they will truly be Home for the Holidays! 360-721-2603