Portland Mall Light Rail
Filed Under Going Green, Portland · Tagged:
Opening in 2009, a new MAX light rail line to Clackamas County-dubbed the “Green Line”-will run the length of the Mall, connecting Union Station and Portland State University.
Mortgage Rates Plummet Thanks to the Fed!
Filed Under Real Estate · Tagged:
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In Late November, an announcement that the Federal Reserve and US Treasury would purchase up to $600 billion in asset-backed securities sent mortgage rates plunging below 6%. This is a bold step towards a more stable economy. Not only will this increase the availability of credit, but it should help support the housing and financial markets as well. For new buyers and for homeowners looking to refinance, this is great news. While no official announcement has been made, there is rampant speculation that the Treasury will purchase additional mortgage backed securities to force 30 year fixed rates down to 4.5%. With interest rates near historic lows, home prices at 2003-2004 levels in many markets, and a tax credit up to $7500 for first-time buyers (anyone who hasn’t owned a home in the last three years) the current real estate market is ripe with opportunity!
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Portland Outlook
Filed Under Portland · Tagged:
Greenlight Greater Portland
Clothes Dryer Efficiency
Filed Under Going Green · Tagged:
Venting~Open a window when using the dryer. A closed up laudry gets very humid and that humid air just gets sucked into the dryer; decreasing its effectiveness. If your dtyer has an exhaust leading to the outside; ensure that it’s cleaned regularly.
Lint~A clogged lint filter can extend the drying time (and therefore boost energy use) by a massive 30%! Additionally, a build up of lint is a fire hazard.
Should You Buy Your Home Now?
Filed Under Real Estate · Tagged:
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Now is a good time to buy before prices climb on the upswing. Now is a good time for buyers who’ve been on the “sidelines” to take a closer look at what’s available to them now in terms of financing and incentives.
If you buy a home now, you will benefit from the federal housing stimulus and the buyer’s market condition. You can get a great deal, or essentially more house for less money. Don’t miss the opportunity to take advantage of low interest rates and reasonable home prices. Next year’s housing market may present an entirely different picture. Will you be able to afford the same home next year? If sale prices rise significantly, you might be priced out of the house you really want. |
Going Green – Eco Tips
Filed Under Going Green · Tagged:
Eucalyptus oil is an all natural product with many uses. Eucalyptus oil can be used to remove sticker residue from glass, remove paint, grease and ink from clothes, and act as a stainless steel cleaner!
Online shopping saves on fuel and emissions.
Good News for Portland!
Filed Under Portland · Tagged:
It seems as though there’s no stopping the positive media attention our beautiful city is getting this year. Earlier it was the New York Times and just last month we were named the #1 city for sustainability by Sustain Lane! Business Week has joined in the love-fest with an article about Destination Realty’s own neighborhood, Alberta Arts, and how it is one of the top 15 urban areas in America where homeowners “will see big returns in coming decades”. We already knew this, of course, but it’s always worth mentioning again!
Environmentally Friendly Flooring
Filed Under Going Green · Tagged:
Floors are the forgotten workhorses in a home. They take a lot of abuse, stand up to wear and tear and withstand a variety of products and cleaning. When it is time to replace or upgrade the floors, stylish and eco-friendly options exist for every room of the house.
The benefits of environmentally friendly flooring are seen throughout the lifetime of these products. Manufacturing processes have less harmful impact, the flooring releases fewer chemicals into your home and they’re durable and beautiful.
When it comes to greening your floors, consider how you use each room and make sure to use the appropriate materials. There are natural choices to match every style and application.
You can make an environmental difference when you’re replacing the floors in your home, your choice of flooring can positively impact the health of your home, your family and the planet.
How to Find Your First Real Estate Investment
Filed Under Real Estate · Tagged:
1) Determine a location and strategy
Define the area you want to invest in based on economic fundamental research; this includes breaking down your criteria to find the best neighborhood to suit your investment style. Next, you’ll want to determine your strategy. Are you specializing in long term holds (and if so, how long will you hold)? Short term flips? Renovation deals? Foreclosures? Tip: Review your financial plan and personal goals for the next 15, 10, five and three years. This will help you decide which strategy to use when looking for your property. Start from the end goal and work backwards.
2) Get pre-approved
Do you have your financing in place? Get pre-approved. You may not always know where your financing is coming from, but it is less stressful to have a few options lined up, and doing so makes you look like the professional you are. Be certain to have a back-up plan, or Plan B, to close your deal if things don’t go as expected at the bank or lender. Tip: Before you go to the bank, prepare a detailed financial binder. Include your employment history, tax statements, asset and liability sheet as well as current financial statement.
Road Trip – Anne Amie Vineyards
Filed Under Portland · Tagged:
Anne Amie vineyards
One of the most beautiful vineyards I’ve seen, Anne Amie is perched atop a hill covered in grape vines with a breathtaking view of the Wilamettte Valley. Make sure to take some cheese and crackers and grab a seat on their patio to enjoy a bottle of wine while you watch the sun set.
From their website: “At Anne Amie Vineyards we strive to spin a symbiotic web that combines nature’s bounty with human creativity to produce profound wines. Our sustainably farmed vineyards are located in the rolling hills of the Yamhill-Carlton District and on the steep hillsides of the Chehalem Mountains, both nestled in Oregon’s verdant Willamette Valley. In our cool, hillside vineyards, pinot noir, pinot blanc, pinot gris and riesling have found a distinctive home.
Directions: Anne Amie is located in Carlton, Oregon on Highway 99 between Lafayette and McMinnville. We are about an hour south west ofPortland. From Portland: Head south from Portland on I-5. Take the Tigard-99W exit (#294) and continue south on 99W through Tigard, Sherwood, Newberg and Dundee until you reach Lafayette. Go through Lafayette and take the first right as you come out of town on Mineral Springs Road. Proceed 1.5 miles until you see the Anne Amie sign on the right.
