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Move Up or Downsizing Homebuyers

Saturday, January 30, 2010
by Liz Warren

If you have lived in your home for five of the past eight years in the Mt. Hood area from Welches, Rhododendron, Brightwood to Government Camp, opportunity is knocking and you should take advantage of it! Say you want to move into a larger home and take advantage of today's lower prices or you are ready to retire and want to downsize, a unique opportunity is at hand. Not only are you able to take advantage of today's incredibly low interest rates, there is a stimulus  bonus of $6,500 if you purchase before April 30, 2010 and then it goes away!

There are income limits but most people in our area will meet those limits. I've already had one set of clients take advantage of this. They sold their home on the mountain and relocated to Bend to purchase a foreclosure. Not only did they reap the tax free gain on their primary home, they will get the $6,500 tax credit in the purchase in Bend.

Time is wasting, ACT NOW to get this tax credit!

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Bank Foreclosures at Collins Lake

Thursday, January 28, 2010
by Liz Warren

This might be a great time to purchase a Collins Lake Condo. There are eight units for sale right now including two bank owned units. Here are the details on the bank owned units:

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Morning Coffee

Monday, January 25, 2010
by Liz Warren
Monday Morning Coffee

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"First of all, you must find the right track,
So you can start right away and not be held back.
But which track is yours? Well, that all depends
On which way it's going, and where it might end."

~ Craig Dorfman in "I Knew I Could!"


THINK YOU CAN?

Regardless of your age, you were probably introduced as a child to a wonderful book entitled "The Little Engine That Could." If you will recall, it was the story of a small red locomotive personality who believed it was possible to pull a very heavy load uphill - a task that was shunned by other larger locomotives. The little engine huffed and puffed up the hill, all the while repeating the mantra, "I think I can! I think I can! I think I can!"

It was a cute story that contained a very powerful message about persistence and the ability to overcome adversity. Now there's a sequel entitled "I Knew I Could!" A quick ten-minute read, it clearly outlines our ability to make our own choices in life. Using illustrations of train tracks and those cute little locomotives, you are easily led to the understanding that we choose the life "tracks" upon which we travel.

The book suggests that before picking one of those tracks, we should determine the direction it might take us, and the destination we might reach by so choosing. Sounds like real life, doesn't it? How many times, and in how many ways, must we be taught this lesson? If we fail to make our choices wisely, we have consciously made the choice to live at the mercy of happenstance - as did Alice in the following excerpt from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland":

"Cheshire-Puss...," said Alice, "Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?" "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat. "I don't much care where -" said Alice. "Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat. "... so long as I get somewhere," Alice added as an explanation. "Oh, you're sure to do that," said the Cat, "if you only walk long enough."

Life - it's your choice. Toot! Toot

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December 2009 Sales

Saturday, January 23, 2010
by Liz Warren

Take a look at what sold in December:

We have two bank foreclosures, two forest service cabins on leased land, a couple of Government Camp condos and a scattering of second home purchases.

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2009 Sales Stats for Mt. Hood

Saturday, January 23, 2010
by Liz Warren

The recent listings/sales numbers are in from Portland Multiple Listing Service for December and for year end 2009.

 

Notice pending sales were up 266% this December compared to last December! The market made a turn for the positive in July and has continued on through the rest of the year at a steady pace. December saw 13 closed sales for the month.

There was a surge of inventory this year although only 125 properties are currently for sale right now. 2009 saw 333 properties for sale over the year. Nearly one third of the properties on the market sold this year.

The first part of 2010 will probably continue at the current pace with the first time home buyer and repeat buyer stimulus packages driving the market. Interest rates will go up slightly probably by mid year.

Financing will contiue to be a challenge. FHA requires a 3.5% downpayment and if your credit score is 580 or less you will need 10% downpayment. Other FHA fees are going up too. Reserves are falling so the premium for an FHA loan is going from 1.75% to 2.25%.

Major changes with lending are difficult to keep up with. What may be ok one week gets changed the next so if you are getting a conventional loan, put your seat belt on!

 

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Salmon Riverfront Price Reduction!

Saturday, January 23, 2010
by Liz Warren

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! If you've ever experienced the Salmon River in Welches you know it is one of the most pristine and senic rivers on the mountain. This easy to own updated and remodeled Shadow Hawk Condo has one of THE BEST VIEWS of the river you can find on the mountain. You can see the river from EVERY ROOM in the upstairs unit. There is even a covered tiled patio deck where you can look up and down the river!

The seller just reduced this unit by $20,000!

It's now $220,000!

 

 

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Immaculate Cabin Reduced by $10,000!

Saturday, January 23, 2010
by Liz Warren

Tucked away in the Mt. Hood National Forest on leased land sits a remodeled cabin that is turn key ready for your use! There's a wonderful fireplace for after ski evenings, an updated kitchen, open areas with the living room, dining room and kitchen which is great for family and friend gatherings. One bedroom on the main level and two more upstairs plus a huge loft!

The seller JUST reduced the price by $10,000! Currently asking $169,000. Enjoy the peace and quiet of the forest and a short walk will take you to the Zig Zag River! Only 15 minutes to the slopes. Located at Road 20D Lot 18 in Rhododendron

 

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Morning Coffee

Wednesday, January 20, 2010
by Liz Warren
Monday Morning Coffee

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Only the educated are free."
~ Epictetus


READY TO BEGIN AGAIN?

Have a child or grandchild who graduated this last year? Whether it's high school or college, commencement exercises mark the end of a full curriculum of education - or do they? In fact, why not ask the graduate?

After four or more years of study, homework, reports, science projects, and exams, many graduates would quickly answer that commencement marks the end of their education. In fact, you can often hear students reinforce that line of thinking in their lament, "I'll never pick up another book as long as I live!"

The definition of "commencement" leads, however, in another direction. It is the beginning, not the end, of a bright future. It is the beginning of a life-long quest for knowledge, not the slamming shut of the books that opened so many new doors.

If it's been a few years since you graduated, perhaps you might also benefit from a renewed commencement - by opening some new doors to your own life-long learning curve. When's the last time you attended a workshop, bought a recorded educational series, or thought about taking college courses or embarking on a new degree track?

No longer are books the only on-ramp to education. Distance learning over the Internet, tapes, videos, workshops, seminars, and many other educational resources are yours for the taking. Why not let your graduating family member be the inspiration for your own commencement?

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A quiet event that will have a BIG impact on real estate

Monday, January 4, 2010
by Liz Warren

Here is a quiet little tidbit of information that happened over the holidays that will have a huge impact on real estate for the next couple of years. The Treasury Department will now give unlimited funds to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae over the next three years. Previously their commitment was only 200 billion each but the Obama Administration made the change over the holidays.

What does this mean for real estate?

These two companies fund at least 50% of all home sales in the United States. This will keep the money flowing for sellers to sell their homes and buyers to have funding for purchases. By being backed by the Treasury this should keep interest rates lower because Freddie and Fannie can get better lending rates.

Here is the biggie-both companies will offer loan principal forgiveness to delinquent and underwater home owners. This will help many people in foreclosures and prevent the “walkaway” syndrome where some owners are turning in their keys leaving the home for Freddie and Fannie to take losses.

Hopefully this new policy will have a greater impact than the Home Affordable Modification Program which has had minimal effect up to this point.

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Morning Coffee for Inspiration

Monday, January 4, 2010
by Liz Warren
Monday Morning Coffee

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"It's important to let people know what you stand for.
It's equally important to let them know what you won't stand for.
- B. Bader


ARE YOU POLITICALLY CORRECT?

How careful we must be today - to avoid the slightest slight to others. If we continue, we will become totally homogenized - each looking, acting, talking, and walking like each other. The unique identity into which we were born will mellow, fade, and eventually become transparent. The gifts and talents we have to offer will be so diluted as to go unnoticed.

What ever happened to our right to speak out against wrong? Why do we allow ourselves to be hushed and shushed when we verbalize our expectation of respect from the very young? Why are we so sensitive to what "they" think of our actions when we attempt to do good?

Each of us is uniquely individual. We are one of a kind, not just an ingredient in the soup of humanity. Each of us is born with the ability to make a difference, to contribute our talent, to expect the best. We have the ability to set standards for ourselves, to choose the principles upon which we live and serve.

We also have the responsibility to teach our children "what we stand for" as well as "what we won't stand for." By unashamedly living those principles, and expecting the same from our children, we help set the course for others who have not the strength to do so. We are the example.

Political correctness, as it applies to granting full respect for others is perfectly acceptable. Political correctness, as it is often applied as a choke-chain to restrain the desire to uphold what is right, is a gross misuse of the desire for simple courtesy and politeness.

Let's just drop "political" and be correct!

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Displaying blog entries 1-10 of 11

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