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Displaying blog entries 151-160 of 1911

STR Rental Regulations are Back in the News at Clackamas County

Friday, July 14, 2023
by Liz Warren

The Clackamas County Board of Commissioners has set a public hearing for Thursday, August 10, on proposed regulations regarding the operation of short-term rentals (STRs) in unincorporated Clackamas County. A news release with more details is attached or you can read it online. All interested people are encouraged to testify, either in person or remotely through Zoom at this evening meeting. There will also be a second public hearing, which will be scheduled later. More information about the proposed new regulations on operating STRs, as well as the Zoning & Development Ordinance (ZDO) amendments that became effective May 30, 2023, allowing STRs in specific areas of the county, are available at

www.clackamas.us/str

. The full proposed regulations for STR operations can be found online. STR owners and interested parties with questions can contact Policy Advisors Caroline Hill or Everett Wild at

503-655-8581

or [email protected]. For questions related to communications about STRs, please contact Senior Community Relations Specialist Dylan Blaylock at [email protected] or

503-742-5917

. Thank you. Ellen Rogalin, Senior Community Relations Specialist Clackamas County Public & Government Affairs Clackamas County Transportation & Development 150 Beavercreek Road, Oregon City, OR 97045 Primary:

503-742-4274

Secondary:

971-276-2487

Hours of operation: 9 am – 6 pm, Monday-Friday

www.clackamas.us
 
Here is a link to the site mentioned above:
https://www.clackamas.us/str
 
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Fire Season Begins on Mt. Hood

Friday, July 7, 2023
by Liz Warren
 
Mt. Hood National Forest
Forest Service News Release
 
Fire Restrictions on local Forest Service lands
 
 
Due to dry and hot conditions, campfires are prohibited across both the Mt. Hood National Forest and Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, beginning Monday, July 10, 2023.
 
All campfires, charcoal or briquette fires, pellet fires, or any other open fires are prohibited under a Forest Order, including in developed campgrounds. Portable cooking stoves, lanterns, and heating devices using liquefied or bottled fuel, such as propane, are still allowed as they can be instantly switched off. Additionally, target shooting is temporarily prohibited because of the risk of wildfire.
 
Over the last week Fire Danger Indices have risen quickly, following rain and cooler temperatures in mid-June. Fire personnel anticipate drought and the potential for fires will continue to remain high or increase through September. With the current dry and warm long-range forecast, any wildfire start poses a greater threat to firefighter safety, public safety, and personal property. 
 
“With a dry summer ahead, we want to limit the unnecessary risk caused by abandoned or escaped campfires to our local communities and Forest visitors,” said Dirk Shupe, Fire Management Staff Officer for the Mt. Hood National Forest. “We’re grateful for the vast majority of folks who take fire safety seriously and help us protect our public lands.”
 
 
For more information about the local and regional fire outlook visit: https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/predict/outlook.aspx
 
 
And remember, fireworks and other explosive devices are always prohibited on national forests.
 
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
 
 
Photo: Campfires are prohibited on Mt. Hood National Forest beginning Monday, July 10, 2023.
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Important Credit Score Information for Buyers on Mt. Hood

Thursday, July 6, 2023
by Liz Warren

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Mt. Hood Real Estate Market is a Sweet Spot for Sellers

Thursday, July 6, 2023
by Liz Warren

Today’s Housing Inventory Is a Sweet Spot for Sellers



 

One of the biggest challenges in the housing market right now is how few homes there are for sale compared to the number of people who want to buy them. To help emphasize just how limited housing inventory still is, let’s take a look at the latest information on active listings, or homes for sale in a given month, as it compares to more normal levels.

According to a recent report from Realtor.com: 

 “On average, active inventory in June was 50.6% below pre-pandemic 2017–2019 levels.”

The graph below helps illustrate this point. It uses historical data to provide a more concrete look at how much the numbers are still lagging behind the level of inventory typical of a more normal market (see graph below):

It’s worth noting that 2020-2022 are not included in this graph. That’s because they were truly abnormal years for the housing market. To make the comparison fair, those have been omitted so they don’t distort the data.

When you compare the orange bars for 2023 with the last normal years for the housing market (2017-2019), you can see the count of active listings is still far below the norm.

What Does This Mean for You? 

If you’re thinking about selling your house, that low inventory is why this is a great time to do so. Buyers have fewer choices now than they did in more normal years, and that’s continuing to impact some key statistics in the housing market. For example, sellers will be happy to see the following data from the latest Confidence Index from the National Association of Realtors (NAR):

  • The percent of homes that sold in less than a month ticked up slightly to 74%. 
  • The median days on market went down to 18 days, showing homes are still selling fast when priced right. 
  • The average number of offers on recently sold homes went up to 3.3 offers.

Bottom Line

When supply is so low, your house is going to be in the spotlight. That’s why sellers are seeing their homes sell a little faster and get more offers right now. If you’ve thought about selling, now’s the time to make a move. Let’s connect to get the process started.

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Fire Caution for Mt. Hood Over the Fourth of July

Tuesday, June 27, 2023
by Liz Warren
 
Mt. Hood National Forest
Forest Service News Release
 
Do your part to prevent
wildfires this Independence Day
 
For many, the Fourth of July means celebrating our country’s independence with barbecues, camping, and fireworks. The Mt. Hood National Forest encourages people to enjoy the holiday weekend safely – and to be especially mindful of wildfire prevention on your public lands.
 
Visitors to national forests should always use caution to prevent human-caused wildfires. Every year, unattended campfires are the number one source of wildfires on Mt. Hood National Forest. To reduce wildfire risk, please consider the following:
 
  • Before visiting, learn of any local fire restrictions by checking our website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/mthood/fire or by contacting one of our district offices.
  • Build campfires in open areas, preferably in existing fire rings.
  • Make sure campfires are fully out and cool to the touch before leaving the area using the water and shovel technique. Never leave a campfire unattended. This video demonstrates how to properly build and extinguish a campfire: https://tinyurl.com/4drjvu3e
  • When smoking, always dispose of cigarette debris in an ashtray.
  • Avoid driving and parking in tall grasses. Exhaust particles and hot exhaust pipes can start grass fires. Even chains dragging along the ground, such as those on ATVs, can spark fires.
 
Fireworks (including sparklers, bottle rockets, and smoke balls) are prohibited on federal land regardless of the season or weather. Violators can be subject to a maximum penalty of a $5,000 fine and/or up to six months in jail. Anyone who starts a wildfire can be held liable for suppression costs.
 
As you plan your visit to the Forest this summer, please “know before you go.” Road and trail conditions can change quickly, and recreation sites can fill up early in the day, so it’s important to have a backup plan. Always check the weather forecast, carry the 10 essentials, and contact one of our district offices for current conditions before your trip.
 
More information about recreation sites, seasonal road closures, and areas impacted by wildfire damage is available on our website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/mthood
 
Have a happy and safe Independence Day!

  

 

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Why You Need a Real Estate Agent to Sell Your House

Tuesday, June 27, 2023
by Liz Warren

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How Owning a Home On Mt Hood Grows Your Wealth with Time

Friday, June 16, 2023
by Liz Warren

 


 

Some Highlights

  • If you’re thinking of buying a home this year, be sure to factor in the long-term benefits of homeownership.
  • Over time, homeownership allows you to build equity. On average, nationwide home prices appreciated by 290.2% over the last 32 years.
  • That means your net worth can grow significantly in the long term when you own a home. Let’s connect so you can start your homebuying journey today.
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Comparing Today's Mt. Hood Market to the Past

Friday, June 9, 2023
by Liz Warren

Why You Can’t Compare Now to the ‘Unicorn’ Years of the Housing Market 



 

Some Highlights

  • Comparing housing market metrics from one year to another can be challenging in a normal housing market – and the last few years have been anything but normal. In a way, they were ‘unicorn’ years.
  • Expect unsettling housing market headlines this year, mostly due to unfair comparisons with the ‘unicorn’ years.
  • Let’s connect so I can share the data that puts those headlines in the proper perspective.
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Buyer and Seller Guides for Buying and Selling This Summer

Thursday, June 8, 2023
by Liz Warren

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Mt. Hood's Real Estate Market Is the Strongest of Our Lifetime

Thursday, June 8, 2023
by Liz Warren

This Real Estate Market Is the Strongest of Our Lifetime



 

When you look at the numbers today, the one thing that stands out is the strength of this housing market. We can see this is one of the most foundationally strong housing markets of our lifetime – if not the strongest housing market of our lifetime. Here are two fundamentals that prove this point. 

1. The Current Mortgage Rate on Existing Mortgages

First, let’s look at the current rate on existing mortgages. According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), as of the fourth quarter of last year, over 80% of existing mortgages have a rate below 5%. That’s significant. And, to take that one step further, over 50% of mortgages have a rate below 4% (see graph below):

Now, there’s a lot of talk in the media about a potential foreclosure crisis or a rise of homeowners defaulting on their loans, but consider this. Homeowners with such good mortgage rates are going to work as hard as they can to keep that mortgage and stay in their homes. That’s because they can't go out and buy another house, or even rent an apartment, and pay what they do today. Their current mortgage payment is more affordable. Even if they downsize, with today’s higher mortgage rates, it could cost more.

Here's why this gives the housing market such a solid foundation today. Having so many homeowners with such low mortgage rates helps us avoid a crisis with a flood of foreclosures coming to market like there was back in 2008.

2. The Amount of Homeowner Equity

Second, Americans are sitting on tremendous equity right now. According to the Census and ATTOM, roughly two-thirds (around 68%) of homeowners have either paid off their mortgage or have at least 50% equity (see chart below):

In the industry, the term for this is equity rich. This is significant because if you think back to 2008, some people had to make the difficult decision to walk away from their homes because they owed more on the home than it was worth.

But this time, things are different because homeowners have built up so much equity over the past few years alone. And, when homeowners have that much equity, it helps us avoid another wave of distressed properties coming onto the market like we saw during the crash. It also creates an extremely strong foundation for today’s housing market.

Bottom Line

We are in one of the most foundationally strong housing markets of our lifetime because homeowners are going to fight to keep their current mortgage rate and they have a tremendous amount of equity. This is yet another reason things are fundamentally different than in 2008.

 

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Displaying blog entries 151-160 of 1911

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