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Displaying blog entries 1341-1350 of 1922

Foreclosures and Short Sales

Wednesday, January 12, 2011
by Liz Warren

Considering buying a foreclosure or a short sale in the Mt. Hood area? There's a lot going on with robo-signers, recent court rulings and bank decisions. Recent news articles declare housing has just hit the "D" word, Depression level, in loss of values for the fourth year in a row. That's right, a loss of 26% since June 2006 nationally.

A recent court rulling in Massachusetsmay be good news for homeowners facing foreclosure. Did the banks have the legal authority to foreclose on homes and have all the legal paperwork in order? Robo-signing and loan servicers are under major scrutiny as to if the banks had the legal right to foreclose and did that bank actually own that mortgage.

Major banks, Freddie Mac (the largest underwriter of loans right now, all are reporting that the first half of 2011 will see further price declines. Numbers are anywhere from nearly 4% to 8% nationally. These are the same people who control the flow of foreclosures into the market place. Be aware that as these foreclosures hit the market they will increase the supply therefore depress prices a bit further.

Short sales may increase in 2011 as banks find out the foreclosure action may not be as easy or attractive this year. Many companies that insure these loans (mortgage insurance companies) covered the bank losses through foreclosures but since there is so many questions about the legalities that applications were fraudulent, banks may not get that insurance paid so short sales will look more attractive as an option.

Despite potentially a further price decline in the market, interest rates may tend to move upwards this year. The "cost" of buying a home is still excellent right now. It's a great time to lock in the monthly payment that you can afford!

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Monday Morning Coffee

Monday, January 10, 2011
by Liz Warren
Monday Morning Coffee

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"If you want to learn something new, concentrate on getting that 'right feeling' that is true to yourself. Take the risk of letting go the precious little control you've struggled to gain, letting go enough to immerse yourself in what you are doing. Then - do it!""
- Drs. Tom Rusk & Randy Read


THE SEARCH IS OVER!

Have you ever read Shel Silverstein's wonderful book, "The Missing Piece and the Big O"? It's a whimsical fable that has touched readers of all ages. It chronicles the search most of us have undertaken at one time or another in our lives to find the one person who can make us whole.

As the "Missing Piece" searches, it encounters other "parts." Some of them fit, but cannot roll. Others have too many pieces missing - while still others have too many pieces. The missing piece continues the futile search until one day it meets the "Big O" - a whole (not a part) with no pieces missing.

Thinking it had, at last, found its whole, the Missing Piece exclaims, "I think you are the one I have been waiting for - maybe I am your missing piece . . . I was hoping that I could roll with you." The Big O replied, "But I am not missing a piece . . . perhaps you could roll by yourself."

How often have we all felt that we needed someone else to be whole (or to roll) - not realizing that we are all in fact already the "Big O." We are already self-contained, have the ability to roll in any direction we like, and need nothing else to achieve every dream we've ever had. Then, unexpectedly, we find that there are others who are also "Big O's," with whom we can share our own "wholeness."

If I've lost you with this mysterious tale, go by the library or pick up a copy of this unusual story. Trust me - you'll understand. It's the type of book you can give to a loved one who may be feeling like a "Missing Piece."

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Mt. Hood Winter Recreational Hike with Bruno

Sunday, January 9, 2011
by Liz Warren

There's  a new and very popular event up at Timberline Lodge near Government Camp this winter for people who don't ski or snowboard. That event is offered by the Forest Service and it's a walk with Bruno, the Saint Bernard that is the mascot for Timberline Lodge! These walks are on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at Timberline. It's a stroll through the outdoors with an informative guide teaching history and ecology plus Bruno. Details may be found in this article from the Oregonian. Special tours can be arranged also. To schedule a visit, call the Zigzag station at 503-622-2033.

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Mt. Hood Housing Factors to Watch in 2011

Friday, January 7, 2011
by Liz Warren

There are five factors to watch in housing over 2011 and the impact they will have on our housing nationally and locally.

1. Good news on mortgage rates. They should stay under 5% for the balance of 2011. Four out of five current mortgage applications are for refinancing homes.

2. Nationally, housing prices will possibly bottom out in the first half of 2011. Locally, it may take longer due to our "lagging behind" nationally in Oregon. The second half of the year may see a slight stabilization.

3. Affordability: The affordability index started in 1971. The home affordability has never been better since the inception of the index. There has never been a better time to purchase a home. This could cause an increase in sales for 2011!

4. Fewer mortgage originations: Well, if most people have already financed over the past year and four out of five will be refinancing now, there will be less mortgages taken out over 2011. Estimates are, because of tightening credit and low credit scores that nearly a third of Americans cannot qualify for a mortgage.

5. Gradually lower delinquent rates on mortgages. As the foreclosure mass comes to the market this year there will be lower delinquent rates due to some stabilization in employment. Bernanke predicts 4 to 5 years before employment returns to "normal" rates.

So, with a large inventory of homes and cabins in the Mt. Hood area, super low intersest rates, motivated sellers left and right and many foreclosures to choose from it is a perfect time to buy!

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Still Creek Cabin-Brand New!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011
by Liz Warren

If you are looking for that perfect getaway on Still Creek that sleeps a bunch and is in brand new condition with absolutely no work, you have found it. The four bedroom cabin sits right on Still Creek with easy access to the highway to get to the ski areas, or walk over the foot bridge to Rhododendron for groceries and movies!

Still Creek Cabin Brand New in the Mt. Hood Forest

Location Location Location! There's hardwood floors, French doors and walls of windows that look out over Still Creek. A gourmet kitchen with granite counter tops makes cooking a breeze. You'll love the covered deck right on the creek with tons of room for summer barbeques. There's even a two car garage!

Still Creek in the Mt. Hood National Forest

Located in the Mt. Hood National Forest on leased land. And the best part-It's only One Hour from Portland. The perfect mountain getaway!

Located on Road 14 Lot 4!   $274,985

Play VisualTour

 

Visit Mount Hood Cabins! 

 

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Morning Coffee

Monday, January 3, 2011
by Liz Warren
Monday Morning Coffee

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference."

- Robert Frost, "The Road Not Taken"


PLAYING FOLLOW THE FOLLOWER?

Every morning a telephone operator in a small town received a phone call in which she was asked the time of day. One day, the operator asked her mysterious caller why he called every day to ask the correct time.

His answer? "I'm responsible for blowing the town whistle every day at noon, and just want to be sure I'm right on the second when I do it." With a chuckle, the operator replied, "Here at the telephone exchange, we set our watches and clocks by the town whistle!"

Watch children in a schoolyard and you'll notice the same thing. Children watch the child they perceive to be the leader, and then mimic his or her actions. They never realize that the other child is following the lead of still another.

So how will your day play out? Have you made original choices for the day, or will you be playing follow the follower? Either way, by bedtime tonight you will have been awake for about 16 hours and involved in some activity. Why not end the day with thanks - knowing that whatever you accomplished was by choice - not chance?

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Mt. Hood Mortgages and Credit

Saturday, January 1, 2011
by Liz Warren

If you're looking to purchase a new home or second home in the Mt. Hood area one of the most important things you should be concerned about is, will I qualify for a mortgage? One of the most critical components of getting a mortgage, a car, credit card or any other type of borrowing vehcile is your credit report.

There's a new site provided by the Feds that is excellent and explains everything you need to know about credit, how to improve your rating, how to clear up credit report errors and more. 

Make a New Year's resolution to get your credit score up so you don't pay a higher interest rate for consumer goods and loans. Visit the site today and pick up your pointers!

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The Unemployment Recession Update

Wednesday, December 29, 2010
by Liz Warren

The unemployment figures are important to buyers and sellers in today's market and is a major component of home values and purchases. In a prior blog post on unemploymentunemployment recession

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Government Camp Condo Foreclosures

Monday, December 27, 2010
by Liz Warren

Looking for a foreclosure in Government Camp? Look no more. Three units are on the market as 2010 ends. Two are Collins Lake Units and one Eidelweiss unit is currently available. Here are the details below.

Government Camp condo foreclosures

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Morning Coffee

Monday, December 27, 2010
by Liz Warren
Monday Morning Coffee

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Who exactly do you want to be? What kind of person do you want to be? What are your personal ideals?
Whom do you admire? What are their special traits that you would make your own?

It's time to stop being vague. If you wish to be an extraordinary person, if you wish to be wise,
then you should explicitly identify the kind of person you aspire to become."

- Epictetus


WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO TODAY?

Microsoft uses that slogan to convince you that with their software you can head in any direction you please. Earl Nightingale, one of the great motivational speakers, said it better. "Imagine that you are the captain of a great ocean-going vessel," he suggests. "Before even leaving the harbor, you lay out plans for your voyage. Using maps, you choose a destination, then employ your navigational skills to arrive safely".

"Without a chosen destination and a map to help you arrive," he continues, "you are akin to a ship without a rudder. If you get out of the harbor at all, you'll probably end up a derelict on some deserted beach."

On this verge of the year 2011, I hope you've decided on a destination for the year and have looked carefully at the map that will take you there. A word of caution is in order. Be careful not to choose too many destinations, meaning don't set too many goals for the year. Including more than a handful of worthy objectives can leave you with maps and navigational instruments strewn all over your desk - resulting in chaos, lack of focus, and questionable navigation.

It's better to have four clearly defined targets for the year, accompanied by a masterful plan for their achievement, than to have only a list of 25 hoped-for achievements. Anthony Robbins suggests the following agenda for achieving your most worthy objectives.

First, write down a "dream inventory" - a list of everything you want to accomplish in 2011. Next choose the four most important major goals. For each of the four make a list of the benefits you will enjoy when you achieve them. Then list all the resources you currently possess which would be of benefit to achieving your major goals, i.e. experience, knowledge, skills, positive attitude, friendliness, perseverance, etc.

Continue by listing the three most successful times in your life. Under each, write down a description of how you felt and acted during those times, i.e. felt invincible, presented a professional image, smiled a lot, wasn't afraid to try a new approach, etc. Next write down the type person you would have to be to achieve your goals, i.e. must be prepared for presentations, must always have confidence, must put others' needs first, must organize my time, etc. Follow this with a list of "What prevents me from achieving this right now." Write down your fears, your lack of action, etc.

Finally, write down the steps you must take to achieve each of the four major goals. This would be a list of each and every task that must be completed in order to produce the maximum results. By breaking down the objective into individual steps, it becomes more manageable.

Notice that achieving a major goal requires major planning. Have you already done your homework and feel completely prepared? Hopefully so. If not, take the first week of the coming new year to build a plan for your future. It's well worth the effort!

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Displaying blog entries 1341-1350 of 1922

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