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Displaying blog entries 31-40 of 44

Opportunity Knocks!

Thursday, January 24, 2008
by Liz Warren

HELLO BUYERS

In case you haven't noticed, interest rates plummeted to under 5.5% for 30 year fixed rates. The Fed meeting for "economy" control produced incredible opportunity for buyers who want to get in the market and act now for some of the best rates we've seen in FIVE years. If you've been sitting on the side lines, get off the bench.

BIGGER BONUS!

Greater inventory to choose from! Talk about the best of both worlds....low rates, a buyer's market, increased inventory: if this isn't a Buyer's Nirvana I am not sure what is.  

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Cold Weather Coming to the Mountain! Take Precautions Now!

Sunday, January 20, 2008
by Liz Warren

OK, get ready. It looks like three evenings of plummeting temperatures coming up tonight, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, dipping down to 18 degrees or so. We all remember what happened the last time temperatures plunged to the teens on the mountain.  Many homes were flooded and suffered extensive damages. So take precautions now! Here are some handy tips from Liberty Mutual Insurance Company’s web site:

       During a cold spell:

  • Keep heat at 55° F. or higher.
  • Turn on both hot and cold faucets near outside walls to allow a small trickle of water to run during the night and, if seldom used, during extremely cold days as well.
  • Keep sink cabinet doors open to allow more heat to circulate around pipes underneath, particularly if located near exterior walls.
  • If you need to be away from home, leave the heat on or drain your water system before you go. Ask someone to check your house daily.

If your pipes freeze:

  • Open all faucets.

 

  • Remove insulation and wrap pipes in rags. If possible, pour hot water over pipes, starting where exposure to the cold is greatest. If that doesn't thaw them, call your plumber. Don't try to thaw pipes with an open flame of any kind.



If your pipes burst:

  • Shut off the water immediately to prevent additional damage.

 

  • Take proper precautions to avoid an electrical shock from being in or near standing water.

 

  • Call your plumber.

 

  • Take an inventory of any damaged property or possessions. Do not dispose of any items without the prior approval of your insurance adjuster.

 Before the cold weather hits

  • Make sure adult family members know how to shut off water and call a plumber if needed.

 

  • Insulate pipes, especially those close to outside walls, in attics or crawl spaces where the chance of freezing is greatest. If you have an outside electrical water pump, don't forget to insulate it as well.

 

  • Wrap pipes with heat tape.

 

  • Seal leaks surrounding or near pipes.

 

  • Remember to bring garden hoses in and turn off and drain water to outdoor spigots at the cutoff valve.

 

  • If you have an outdoor pool or spa, check with the manufacturer on how to protect it from freezing.

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Recent Dumping of Snow in Welches January 2008!

Thursday, January 10, 2008
by Liz Warren

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Measure 49 Update for Buyers and Sellers!

Thursday, November 22, 2007
by Liz Warren

Read the latest on Measure 49 :

Hit this link

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The Real Mortgage Story

Tuesday, November 13, 2007
by Liz Warren

How about some real statistics about what is happening in the "mortgage crisis".

Did you know that the "mortgage problems" are mostly in seven states? Three are Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. These three states had problems three years ago and these problems were due to job losses. Real estate is "local" and jobs have a great deal to do with any local real estate market. Until jobs are increasing, these areas will continue to have problems.

The other states, California, Arizona, Florida, and Nevada were basically overbuilt. They now have excess inventory. the speculators that were purchasing mutiple homes and condos in mass- picking up 5 or 6 properties are the ones who are crashing and cannot make their mortgage payments.

The other 43 states are doing pretty well. In fact, in these states foreclosures have actually fallen from 2006 to 2007.

Did you know that 35% of homeowners in the United States have NO MORTGAGE!

The real numbers are that 94.88% of loans are doing fine. Even 75% of subprime mortgages are performing fine. In reality, only 3% of loans are "in trouble".

To read some of the articles in the news you would think the entire market was crashing when it really isn't.

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National Association of Realtors Portland Area Outlook

Sunday, November 11, 2007
by Liz Warren

To keep you updated on the latest info on the Portland Metro area real estate outlook, I have provided a link to the October 2007 National Association of Realtors info. You can read this document and find out appreciation rates, subprime lending numbers, foreclosures and other interesting projections based upon economic factors and interest rate movement. Hit this link to download.

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BUY vs. RENT? No Brainer for building wealth

Thursday, October 18, 2007
by Liz Warren

Consider this recent information from NAR, National Association of Realtors, with reasearch completed by Lawrence Yun:

Consumers and homeowners who are in it for the long-term are once again coming out well ahead.

Because of the power of leveraging, $10,000 used for a down payment on a typically priced home in the United States at a typical appreciation rate of 5 percent will return $110,000 after 10 years. The same $10,000 invested in the stock market appreciating 10 percent annually will result in $23,600. No wonder the data from the Federal Reserve show consistent results year-after-year of the staggering difference in net worth between homeowners and renters. A typical homeowner had $184,400 in net worth versus only $4,000 for a typical renter.

Historically low interest rates and an increased inventory of homes make this a fantastic time to pick up a primary or second home on the mountain. Opportunity Knocks! With a projected population increase of 1,000,000 in the Portland Metro area, this will create automatic wealth for any property owner in the future!

Liz


 

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MONDAY MORNING COFFEE----NEW!

Wednesday, October 17, 2007
by Liz Warren

 

Join me for Monday Morning Coffee! I'll give a brief update on the local market and a little weekly inspiration! (This week, only inspiration) If you would like to receive this every Monday by email, please send me an email at
Place Monday Morning Coffee in the subject line.  Your copy will be on its way every Monday morning!
This week's

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Slowing Market This Summer?

Tuesday, June 5, 2007
by Liz Warren

     

The factors in play which may impact our summer selling season are listed below. The greatest impact locally will be the interest rates and the tightening lending standards. Well be keeping a close eye on the Portland market as this is reflected in our local market especially the second home market sales. Inventories are expanding rapidly for a summer of sales.

  • Interest rates have shot up in the past three weeks over a quarter of a point and could go higher!.

     

  • Lenders are tightening their underwriting standards. Some say this has slowed sales by at least 5%. We don't know the full effect yet but there's more to come. The Homeowner's Act of Oregon could have an impact on our state market! 

     

  • Inflation is somewhat stable but what about FOOD and ENERGY prices!!! Yikes. I need to sell a house just to fill my gas tank each week. 

     

  • Investors have left the "price sensitive" housing market and moved back in to the stock market with the DOW reaching record highs.

  • Housing deflation? So far it has hit the big "bubble markets" of metro areas like California and Florida. It could filter down to other areas too.

  • Builder sentiment is at a 16 year low so new construction will drastically slow.
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Over 55 Community

Sunday, June 3, 2007
by Liz Warren

Fabulous new home on the market in Over 55 Community with lots of bonus items. Over sized lot with an immaculate three bedroom, two bath home. Vaulted ceilings and a huge kitchen, fireplace, eating bar..and the list goes on. Men will love the oversized two car garage wtih 8 foot doors. Bonus covered deck, covered patio and a view of Hunchback Mountain. You can even walk to the 27 hold golf course or up to the store for groceries.

 

 

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Displaying blog entries 31-40 of 44

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Liz Warren
Merit Properties Group - Keller Williams Realty PDX Central
Box 131
Welches OR 97067
Direct: 503-705-3090
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