Living in Portland

Portland has four distinct seasons but none of them are extreme. Summer temperatures average around 80 degrees but do go over a 100 for one or two days a year. Overnight temperatures average around 60 degrees. Summer really starts in July and ends in September. This is a 90 day period that typically has very […]

[Read more →]

For the 12 months rolling average ending in September, 2008 vs. the previous 12 months, the average price in the Portland Metropolitan area is down 5.6% according to RMLS.  The average sales price declined from $331,300 to $315,300 and the median price fell from $280,000 to $267,000 for the same 12 month period.  At the end […]

[Read more →]

1) it is NO MORE difficult to get a mortgage today than it was 8-10 years ago.  Interest rates are still under 6%.  The main difference is that you can no longer have a credit score under 580, in most cases, you need a downpayment to purchase now, and you must PROVE your income with […]

[Read more →]

if (typeof YAHOO == “undefined”) { var YAHOO = {}; } YAHOO.Shortcuts = YAHOO.Shortcuts || {}; YAHOO.Shortcuts.hasSensitiveText = true; YAHOO.Shortcuts.sensitivityType = [”sensitive_news_terms”, “illegal”, “adult”]; YAHOO.Shortcuts.document_language = “english”; YAHOO.Shortcuts.annotationSet = { “lw_1220648137_0″: { “text”: “Yahoo”, “extended”: 0, “startchar”: 481, “endchar”: 485, “start”: 481, “end”: 485, “extendedFrom”: “”, “predictedCategory”: “”, “predictionProbability”: “0″, “weight”: 0.25, “type”: […]

[Read more →]

Oregon has the lowest foreclosure rate in the Nation according to Dr. Lawrence Yun, economist for the National Association of Realtors.  That’s great news for homeowners because foreclosure directly affect home values in the area.
Other bright spots include:
Portland is the most affordable city on the West Coast.
Portland’s job market is strong.
Portland’s housing values should increase […]

[Read more →]

June 2008 Update:  In May 2008 we saw an average sales price decrease of -4% compared to the last twelve months.  This was the second month we have seen a decrease in value in the Portland Area.  However, the average sales price in May 2008 is UP 3.1% from the average sales price in April […]

[Read more →]

Unlike the rest of the country, the number of foreclosed homes in Oregon is less than one half of one percent.  That’s 0.5% which is among the lowest in the Nation.  Foreclosed properties are listed on the MLS by banks and represented by Realtors just like any other property.  The condition varies widely depending on […]

[Read more →]

In simple terms, a short sale occurs when the seller of a property owes more than the property is worth.  The property may or may not be in the process of foreclosure.  Agents often list ’short sale’ properties on the MLS but they do have to clearly state that fact.
Are these a good deal?  NO, […]

[Read more →]

 
Coming off a somewhat slow 2007, I see 2008 shaping up just like any other year.  We usually start getting busy by the end of February and are in full swing by March.  As a Buyer Agent my business this year is right on track if not a bit ahead.  I talk to other Agents […]

[Read more →]

Removing ceiling asbestos before selling your home can be a plus to the Buyer and may improve the value of your home.  The process can be messy and time consuming, so professional removal is probably best for most homeowners.
There are guidelines governed by the Environmental Protection Agency for the removal of asbestos.  It can be […]

[Read more →]