Nationwide Open House Weekend, April 28th - 29th

It's Nationwide Open House Weekend this Weekend...

April 28 - 29th..

Find a House, Call, Text or EMail  and I can assist you with your move...

Winter in the Pacific NW

Welcome to the Pacific NW..we are so blessed with this spectacular scenery...Mt. Hood and the Columbia River, on a beautiful Winters Day..

Driving to an Appt. this morning with my Co-Broker this is the view that we saw.  We are so blessed that we have the beautiful backdrop for our day.  William Amorin, Broker, Realty Pro and I were driving out to a clients property today to meet up with inspectors and we were blessed with spectacular views of Mt. Hood and the Columbia River.  What a wonderful way to begin the New Year and Winter Season but with this majestic scene.

If you are looking to make a move in the near future, please feel free to call on us.  We would the opportunity to speak with you regarding your move from First Nest to Empty Nest..

Free Lunch!!

Let's all join in and reach out to our Community here in Portland, Oregon and SW Washington.  What a great idea to offer a free lunch to someone in need.  Panera is doing just that in the Portland Area.  We need more activity like this in these days of less.  So, when you plan on meeting up for lunch next time, go and do something for the good of all and leave a little extra so the next person can have a little to eat that day. 

Free Lunch?...there is one...   and you can be the benefactor of it...:)

First Time Homebuyers..

If you are a first-time Homebuyer we know that:

• You had a median household income of $59,900, in 2009
• You are typically 30 years old.
• 84% of you us an Agent to purchase your first home.
• 53% of you purchased a home because you desire to own your own home.
• 3/4 of you purchase a single family residence

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Free Admission to the Portland Chinese Gardens

The Portland Chinese Gardens as a welcome to the New Year has been offering Free Admission, and this is the last weekend for that offer...Go and Visit if you are just visiting Portland or if you live in or around the area.  http://www.portlandchinesegarden.org/

Why Buy a Home?

You're a Homeowner, what now...

Homeownership provides a sense of stability and security. Instead of wondering when the landlord might decide to sell the home, you are in control of that decision. Additionally, homeownership provides immeasurable values of belonging to a social community. Also, as a homeowner, you'll have a greater influence on community affairs. Renters, being usually more transient, have less influence on policymakers.




What it comes down to is how long you plan on staying in a particular home and area and what you can afford. Owning your home weds you to a property which some people feel limits them. However, many others see a home as their life and the legacy they'll leave behind... a place where they raise children, enjoy company, experience life's ups and downs, and eventually pass on their home to loved ones.

Vancouver Washington Libraries..

If you are living or working around the Vancouver, Washington area, you have just got to visit your FVRL..November is full of great events for all of the Family...Laura Bush is coming to town for a fundraiser for the Library...It's not all about Green Eggs and Ham...

FVRL

Homebuyers Credit 2008,2009,2010

Do you have to repay your Home Buyers Credit...the rules changed a couple of different times during the offering.  When did you buy and what was your credit?  This article may be helpful in looking back and seeing what your Home Buyers Credit was all about...

HomeBuyers Credit

Halloween Safety Tips

Follow this link to some great Halloween Safety Tips for home, family and friends..

Halloween Safety Tips.

Home Buyers Tax Credit still available to Military

The Homebuyers Tax Credit is still available to the Military Families until April, 2011...if you are in the Military and are looking to purchase a home this tax credit is still available to you and your family...the Interest Rates are fantastic, the lowest in decades, and the price of homes are down...what a great time to buy you and/or your family a new home!!  Just go to this link and then call your Lender and Realtor!!

http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/service_mem.php

Back to School

Our education doesn't end with reading, writing, well maybe arithmetic...when you add 2 + 2 you still get 4, but...when in 2001 you got a loan for $200,000 at 7.5% you paid $1398 a month for this loan...in 2010 on the same loan you will pay $984, because your interest rate is 4.25%...you do the math this is a savings of $414 per month...

Maybe we need to get back to basic math...1 + 1 = 2...

Time to have a Class...get your lenders to work with you ...

A House is still a Home...we need a little Home Schooling...

Tax Credit Extension for Closings

Extension of the Tax Credit if closed by September 30, 2010

Let's get your home Market Ready!!

How much should you spend In preparing your home for the market, spend as little money as possible. Buyers will be impressed by a brand new roof, but they aren't likely to give you enough extra money to pay for it. There is a big difference between making minor and inexpensive "polishes" and "touch-ups" to your house, such as putting new knobs on cabinets and a fresh coat of neutral paint in the living room, and doing extensive and costly renovations, like installing a new kitchen. Your realtor, who is familiar with buyers' expectations in your neighborhood, can advise you specifically on what improvements need to be made. Don't hesitate to ask for advice.

Understanding your Credit

Understand your credit If you have ever applied for a charge card, student loan, or other kinds of credit, you probably have a credit report (or credit profile). Credit reporting agencies collect and organize information about you and your repayment history, and make it available to those who are considering granting you credit. Landlords, employers, government licensing agencies, and insurance underwriters can also obtain your credit report. Lenders will look at things like: How promptly do you pay your bills? How many credit cards do you own? What is the total amount of credit extended? How much do you actually owe on all of your accounts? If they find a history of late payments, bankruptcies or other collection activities, too many accounts, too much indebtedness, maxed out lines of credit, or multiple inquiries in the past 12 months, this could negatively impact your ability to get credit. What is on your credit report? Personal identifying information - name, social security number, date of birth, current and previous address and employers Credit account information - date opened, credit limit or loan amount, balance, monthly payment, payment history Public record information - bankruptcy, tax and other liens, judgements, and (in some states) overdue child support Inquiries - names of companies that got your credit report Your credit report does not contain information on checking or savings accounts; medical history; race, gender, religion or national origin; credit scores; friends; political preferences; or criminal record. Negative information stays on your credit report for 7 years--10 in the case of some bankruptcies. Positive information stays on indefinitely. Inquiries stay on for 6 months to 2 years, depending on the type of inquiry.

First Time Homebuyers!!!

Time is running out for First Time Homebuyers and those who have not owned a home in the past 3 years...

You must close on your new home by the end of November to participate in the $8,000 Dollar Tax Rebate program...

It could take up to 45 days for closing so time is running out for the current program.

Wine Event in the Gorge...

http://www.columbiagorgewine.com/

As seen in the WSJ, 13 March...


Wine Event in the Gorge...

Columbia Gorge region, Washington and Oregon
The Columbia Gorge AVA is about an hour east of Portland, Ore. and Vancouver, WAsh. and spans 40 miles. The region was granted appellation status in July 2004. This will be the inaugral passport weekend and 25 wineries will participate. Wineries are waiving basic tasting fees and some are offering discounts on purchases. Erin Glenn Winery will sample eight wines and the winemaker will give tours of the cellar (the winery is housed in a historic building constructed during the gold rush) Naked Winery will pour a vertical teasting of Merlots in teh VIP tasting area. Winery list and ticket information at Columbiagorgewine.com.

WHEN: March 27-29 most 11am to 5 pm
WHERE: Washington and Oregon's Columbia Gorge
HOW MUCH: $15.00 for the weekend

Market Conditions...

Market Conditions
by Realty Times Staff

Buyer are still hesitating on whether to enter to market, but the National Association of Realtors estimates "the impact of the stimulus package and lower interest rates on the housing market to be about 900,000 additional home sales in 2009 compared to conditions before the stimulus package."

The NAR also reported on regional existing home sales figures, noting that the biggest drop in January was seen in the Northeast, dropping 14.7 percent. The only region not seeing a drop was the West -- where the rate was unchanged.

The Midwest and South both saw a 5.7 percent decline.

Median prices were down across the board.

The Best and The Worst in housing...

Pick your 10 best and worst housing areas...

Portland is listed in Forbes as #4 in the Best...Prices were last this low in 2005

click link to view...

http://www.forbes.com/2009/02/24/housing-cities-ten-lifestyle-real-estate_home_prices_slide_17.html?thisSpeed=15000

Caution on HUD closings...

ALERT: Some HUD Transactions Held UpWe are following reports that several U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Real Estate Owned (REO) property transactions in Washington and Idaho are being held up due to contract negotiations between HUD and their contracted escrow services. It seems the escrow services are waiting for the new contract to become effective (possibly as early as March 1st). We have contacted the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and HUD representatives to reach a speedy conclusion to this issue so that transactions are not further log-jammed. We will keep you up to date on the matter