Real Estate Information Archive

New Fannie Mae Survey

Saturday, December 4, 2010

by Liz Warren

Here is a link to the latest survey by Fannie Mae on National Housing. Some of the more interesting numbers are:

People trust homeownership as an investment over buying stocks (66% to 16%. People trust homeownership over their 401K investment, purchasing mutual funds or annuities. The only thing they rate safer as an investment is a savings account.

96% of homeowners feel that homeownership has been a positive experience.

Demand for Rental Properties Likely to Increase – Delinquent Borrowers Now More Likely to Rent If They Move

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Fannie Mae Survey

Mt. Hood Sales Stats Year to Date for 2010

Sunday, November 21, 2010

by Liz Warren

Here are the numbers from RMLS for 2010 to give you an idea of what is happening as of the end of October. Average sale prices are down nearly 20% compared to last year. This is obviously due to the foreclosure sales this year at the lowest end of the pricing range. Our pending sales compared to last year at this time are down 23%. This reflects the difficulty in getting mortgage money in current times. Most sales that become pending through the rest of the year will probably close in 2011 with the banks moving at a snail's pace. Here's hoping 2011 will see lots of improvement!!

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Mt. Hood Sales Stats Year to Date for 20

Mt. Hood Sales for October 2010

Sunday, November 21, 2010

by Liz Warren

Eight total sales for the month of October. Here they are:

Three foreclosures this month and several second homes with price tags over the $300,000 mark. Finally, a sale in Government Camp!

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Mt. Hood Sales for October 2010

Time to Buy On Mt. Hood-Great Interest Rates

Thursday, November 4, 2010

by Liz Warren

Is this the perfect buying opportunitiy? Motivated sellers left and right and some of the best interest rates in 50 years? Sellers with their properties on the market right now going into winter are the most serious sellers of all!

Rates can't be beat! Here are the predictions from the National Association of Realtors and the Mortgage Broker's Assocation for the next year plus:

Interest Rates

So, to keep your monthly payment low and manageable, now is the time to make that purchase because even if prices go down, your monthly payment will be fixed at a lower unbelievable rate.

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Interest Rates on Mt. Hood

Mt. Hood Land Swap

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

by Liz Warren

U.S. Forest Service planners of the Mt. Hood/Government Camp land swap have just held a public meeting in Portland on Tuesday to present the exchange plan and to take comments by the public. This swap of 769 acres of land owned by Mt. Hood Meadows Oregon LLC and includes the Cooper Spur Ski area and lodge would be traded for around 120 acres of National Forest land on the South side of Mt. Hood.

Proponents of the swap include the Hood River Valley Residents Committee who want to protect the Crystal Springs watershed that services around 25% of the Hood River Valley drinking water. Details of the discussion can be found here

Mt. Hood Land Swap

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Mt. Hood Land Swap

The Cost of Foreclosures

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

by Liz Warren

What is the real cost of foreclosures in a neighborhood? There are a few of them in the Mt. Hood area. Most are in Brightwood and Rhododendron but more are heading our way. This chart is taken from the web site Center for Responsible Lending and shows how much each Oregonian has lost due to foreclosures impacting the value of their homes. The average loss of value from homes that are near foreclosures is $8,442!

Mt. Hood Foreclosures Loss in Value

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Mt. Hood foreclosures

Mt. Hood Land and Lot Sales 2010

Sunday, October 24, 2010

by Liz Warren

Many buyers and sellers are asking how are bare land sales on the mountain. Well if you take a look at Brightwood, Welches, Rhododendron and Government Camp you'll find sales are averaging about one a month this year. Not bad considering new home construction loans are difficult to find these days. Here are the ten sales since the beginning of the year.

Mt. Hood Land sales for 2010

Three sales were in subdivisions of Timberline Rim and Zig Zag Village. One Government Camp sale in Alpenglade, a couple of waterfront lots and a couple of acreage parcels. This has been a surprisingly good report for this year!

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Mt. Hood Land sales 2010

September Mt. Hood Real Estate Sales 2010

Sunday, October 24, 2010

by Liz Warren

September saw an increase in the number of sales with nine closings for the month. A variety of properties sold including two foreclosures, one forest service cabin and one Government Camp single family residence. Interestingly, five of the nine sales were cash sales. Fortunately, for many sellers, the banks have been taken out of the equation since their standards are so restrictive. This could also be a move by investors to make their move into the market.

Here are the nine sales:

September 2010 sales on Mt. Hood

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September Mt. Hood Real Estate Sales

Mt. Hood Real Estate Sales for September 2010

Sunday, October 24, 2010

by Liz Warren

Recent sales for September 2010 in the Mt. Hood area from Welches, Rhododendron, Brightwood and Government Camp are in. Here's the info direct from multiple listing services: