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Morning Coffee

Monday, February 23, 2009
by Liz Warren
Monday Morning Coffee

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"All that Adam had, all that Caesar could, you have and can do . . . Build, therefore, your own world."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

IF I WERE A CARPENTER . . . !

Picture a builder hiring a new framing carpenter to help construct his new homes. The first day on the job, the new carpenter shows up without a tool belt . . . and without any tools . . . and asks, "Where do I begin?" How much progress do you think would be made by the end of the first day?

Most of us at some point in our lives are like the unprepared carpenter. We show up, but have no tools, and haven't the slightest clue what we want to build. Within us, we have the power to build any life we choose, yet at day's end, nothing has changed.

Oh sure, we actively pursue the day-to-day activities of our chosen career, yet we don't take time to visualize the finished product - our life. Thoreau said it best: "Live the life you've imagined." Steven Covey said it this way: "Begin with the end in mind."

To "build your own world," begin by deciding what that world will be like. Next, gather the tools required to begin construction. Finally, begin practicing until you are an accomplished master.

If you want to be a renowned musician, choose an instrument, take lessons, and practice eight hours each day. If you want financial independence, determine a method, learn how others have achieved wealth, and mimic their approach and techniques.

Just remember, the world you get is the world you chose. It's an awesome responsibility - knowing that what you become is the result of the choices you have made. It's also an awesome opportunity to enjoy all the peace, contentment, freedom and riches life has to offer.

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Two Living Areas In One Home!

Saturday, February 21, 2009
by Liz Warren

You will love the killer views of the Salmon Valley and golf course from this home. Walls of windows from ceiling to floor let the outside in with tall trees and incredible views. There are actually two living areas on this over sized lot (.32 arcres)! Upstairs there's a one bedroom with a toe warming fireplace with a super efficient propane insert. Enjoy the open vaulted ceiling with wood beamed ceilings. Nice sized kitchen with cooking island and breakfast bar open to the family room. A huge walk around deck with a nice slider off the kitchen to haul the ribs outside for the barbeque.

At the ground level of the home you enter separate living quarters throught the lightfilled French doors. The ground level features a bedroom, living room and its own kitchen. There's even a shop area and tons of storage attached!

This is the perfect set up for in-laws, caregiver, students, separate rental shared home or whatever you need!  Plenty of parking and the asphalt driveway is easy care. All natural landscaping makes the outside easy. There's even a ton of room to park your RV!

Walk to the golf course across the street at the Resort at the Mountain. You've got the Mt. Hood National Forest nearly in your backyard with miles of hiking trails!

$230,000 with Great Salmon Valley Views and Golf Course!

take a tour here

This home sits right across the street from the Resort at the Mountain.

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Oregon Takes a Hit

Friday, February 20, 2009
by Liz Warren

First American CoreLogic Inc, which is a company that predicts loan performance for banks, posted a recent report stating that the Oregon real estate market, although relatively stable in comparison to other areas across the nation,  saw some major declines at the end of last year.

Rhode Island, Arkansas, Maine and Pennsylvania were other states which were hit with some declining prices. First American predicts that the declines will continue into 2010.

There are some areas which saw some appreciation though. This list included eleven cities and most of these were back East in New York and Pennsylvania.

 

 

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Mt. Hood Buyers: caution on increased fees coming!

Friday, February 20, 2009
by Liz Warren

Buyers for Rhododendron, Welches, Brightwood and Government Camp homes, get ready for fee increases coming on Freddie and Fannie Mae loans as of April 1st of this year! Now it's going to cost even more to get a loan even with a great credit score and large down payment.

Shades of the 1980's lending requirements are coming! What does that mean, if you have a down payment of less than 25%, even with a good credit score, you will be charged a three quarter point loan fee.

If you have little or low equity in your home and complete a refinance, the lenders plan on charging a 3% fee. Talk about tightening up the credit! This is really a whole new ballgame. The pendulum has gone completely the other way from the free for all of the past couple of years. The message lenders are giving is SAVE SAVE SAVE. Home ownership will become a very coveted item.

Beware! In this type of lending environment an owner of a home should do everything in their power to hang on to it or it could take a VERY long time to be able to buy again.

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Listen Up Mt. Hood Buyers!

Friday, February 20, 2009
by Liz Warren

Is there light at the end of this tunnel? There are some major factors happening that are going to make buying a home on Mt. Hood VERY attractive this year. Recent reports coming from Moody's Economy are saying we may hit the bottom of this market by the end of 2009. This could be the first sighting of the bottom although history tells us, the bottom usually has already passed once we realize it.

The continual decline of prices, likely further reduced interest rates (some sources believe they will hit 4.5%), and the first time home buyer tax credit up to $8,000 will make this a premium buying opportunity. If you look at the larger metro declines averaged nationally, homes have lost around 25% and many areas are expected to continue to decline an additional 11% before stabilizing.

On the mountain, new listings for January and February have jumped up the inventory making an even more competitive atmosphere for home sellers. The increased inventory will make even more buying opportunities for purchasers who can make their move now.

For information about new listings or what is selling in today's market, give me a call or shoot me an email!

 

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Great News for Mt. Hood Investors!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009
by Liz Warren

The credit crisis saw a tightening of investor loans in the fourth quarter of 2008. Fannie Mae said an investor could only have three mortgages. This was extreme and really put the slow down on investors able to enter the market but things are loosening up for investors. As of March 1st this year, Fannie Mae is changing their requirements and investors may have as many as 10 mortgages.

The lending requirements on the borrower is strict. Once the investor has the first four the next ones, five through ten require a credit score of 720, a 75% loan to value, no bankruptcies or foreclosures for seven years, no delinquencies on any mortgage for at least 12 months back and six months reserves required for every property. Yes, these are very strict items but at least it will open up the gate a bit for investors to get back in the game and help buy up foreclosures and other properties!

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Mt. Hood National Forest Cabin Fee Postponed

Tuesday, February 17, 2009
by Liz Warren

If you own a cabin in the Mt. Hood National Forest, or if you are thinking about purchasing one, you might be interested to know that the potential fee increase owed for 2009 has been postponed for one year while the 111th Congress considers if the increases are fair. At this point the fee for 2009 will be 2% added on to the 2008 fee.

Here is the info straight off the web site for the forest service:

NOTICE TO HOLDERS

 

INFORMATION REGARDING 2009 RECREATION RESIDENCE FEES and LAND USE AUTHORIZATIONS

 

In response to requests from members of the 111th Congress to suspend fee increases required by the Cabin User Fee Fairness Act of 2000 (CUFFA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service considered postponing implementation of the 2009 fees required by CUFFA.  However, the Department’s Office of the General Counsel now advises that the agency lacks proper authority to postpone the billing of 2009 fees as required by law.

 

The Forest Service efforts to suspend increases in the 2009 recreation residence fees created some delays in billings and the re-issuance of land use authorizations.  These delays came about through efforts to clarify internal agency direction and billing procedures. 

 

This notice is to advise you that the recreation residence fees for 2009 must to be based on the most recent approved appraisal of your recreation residence lot, plus annual fee adjustments required by CUFFA.  To avoid confusion regarding the required fees and billing procedures, we want to describe your current bill and the status of your annual payment for your recreation residence.

 

If you have not paid your 2009 bill yet, please do so now but be sure to follow the instructions included in the letter that we sent you with your bill.  You must send a copy of the bill with your payment, and write the bill number on your check.  The bill and payment must be sent to the Los Angeles address included in the letter.  We will also send you a notice similar to this one in the mail.  Your bill will be due 30 days from the date that we send you the notice in the mail.

 

We regret any confusion that may have developed regarding the 2009 billing cycle.  Please contact Fran Lanagan by email at [email protected] or by phone at 503-622-3191 ext 605 with any questions or concerns.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

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1925 Original Zig Zag Riverfront Cabin

Monday, February 16, 2009
by Liz Warren

1925 Original Cabin

Step back in time and enjoy today's updates in this 1925 original located along the ZigZag River in Rhododendron. Nestled in the tall firs and cedars of the Mt. Hood National Forest, this cabin is close to all mountain activities from ski areas to hiking to golf. Only 15 minutes to skiing!

The cabin has been refurbished down to the studs. Fir floors, a propane fireplace, updated electrical and many other upgrades have been completed.

All the sleeping areas are upstairs with one private bedroom and loft areas.

The kitchen boasts new cabinets, built in sitting benches, tile countertops, bead board ceiling, pened windows, and even a washer dryer.

The cabin has one of the largest bathrooms I've ever seen with the amenities of refurbished clawfoot tub, pedestal sink, rebuilt tile shower, tile flooring and stained glass windows!

$160,000 Take a tour of this little gem here.

This is the perfect weekend getaway to avoid those long drives in winter back from skiing.

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Morning Coffee

Monday, February 16, 2009
by Liz Warren
Monday Morning Coffee

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Never think that God's delays are God's denials."
~ Author unknown

WHERE THERE'S SMOKE . . . !

A lone shipwreck survivor on an uninhabited island managed to build a crude hut in which he placed all that he had saved from the sinking ship. He prayed to God for deliverance, and anxiously scanned the horizon each day to hail any passing ship.

One day he was horrified to find his hut in flames. All that he had was gone. To the man's limited vision, it was the worst that could happen and he cursed God. Yet, the very next day a ship arrived. "We saw your smoke signal," the captain said.

Hmmm! Ever have a big sale fall through? Been disappointed when a friend or loved one failed to come through for you when you needed them? Have you wondered why a goal or objective wasn't achieved as expected?

If you're over the age of 18, you've probably noticed that we don't get everything we would like, exactly when we think we should. Yet, it's amazing how certain things just show up in our lives when we least expect to see them - like the rescue ship.

It is often said that we "shouldn't get too attached to outcomes." We can set objectives, believe they can be achieved, and work to make them happen, but it's best not to get too attached to the outcome. What appears to be a worthy goal may go down in flames, only to be replaced with a magnificent result we had not anticipated.

When you find your hut in flames and fear the worst, think back to this oft quoted reminder: "Fear knocked at the door - faith answered - no one was there!"

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January Sales Figures Are In!

Monday, February 16, 2009
by Liz Warren

The market action statistics for the Mt. Hood area in multiple listing service just came out for the month of January 2009. Take a look at the numbers:

There were a total of six sales in the month of January. Pending sales are at five currently. Four of these are homes and one is land. There were no land sales or commercial sales in January.

Here are the six sales in January:

These sales included one forest service cabin in the Mt. Hood National Forest and one Government Camp Condo at Eidelweiss. The balance were scattered throughout the lower cascade area, mostly in Rhododendron.

Currently pending sales show five in the bucket. Lets hope the stimulus plan with the up to $8,000 tax credit with "no payback" will spur this market into orbit with these incredible interest rates!

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Displaying blog entries 1-10 of 21

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