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Monday Morning Inspiration

Monday, May 12, 2008
by Liz Warren

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Begin to be now . . . what you will be hereafter."  

~ St. Jerome

TAKE THIS QUIZ!

Here's a short list of questions. Take time to answer them and today's message will be crystal clear. It needs no further explanation, so enjoy!

Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
Name the last five Heisman Trophy winners.
Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are not second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

List four teachers who aided your journey through school.
Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.

Easier?

The lesson?

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

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EVEN MORE RULES COMING for INVESTOR LOANS

Thursday, May 8, 2008
by Liz Warren

Here is some more credit squeezing news. On August 8th of this year Freddie Mac is clamping down on invertor loans. The limit for multiple owner investment units will be a total of four vs. the ten they currently allow. Cash out refis on rental units will also be eyeballed closely with a high probability of higher interest rates.

An even larger looming problem is the PMI or private mortgage insurance issue. PMI is required when a downpayment is less than 20% of the total purchase price. Investor loans in declining or depressed markets will be completely out of luck, in other words, no PMI, no loan if less than a 20% downpayment. Shades of the 1980's! When I first started selling homes on the mountain we could not sell anything without at least 20% down because the lenders would not provide PMI for buyers in our area.

What does this mean as a buyer or seller in the markets of Government Camp, Rhododendron and Welches? So far we have not been declared a "distressed" or "declining" market for real estate sales so we have dodged that bullet. What it does mean is that there will be a shrinking pool of investment purchasers with credit restrictions and the probability of higher interest rates on those loans.

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Zig Zag Riverfront Cabin Close to Government Camp!

Wednesday, May 7, 2008
by Liz Warren

Need a weekend getaway in the mountains? This charming 1930's cabin sits along the banks of the Zig Zag river in the pristine Mt. Hood National Forest. Located only 5 minutes to the ski slopes of Government Camp's Ski Bowl and Multorpor and just 5 minutes from Rhododendron and Welches for shopping. It has a toe warming stone fireplace, vaulted ceilings with wood beams, skylight and tons of windows. There is a kitchen that opens to the dining area and a big window to watch the wildlife go by. What's even better is that it is only about 5 minutes to premium skiing and just over an hour from Portland. Forget those expensive out of state vacations and use this getaway summer and winter and just a short drive from Portland! leased land in the Mt. Hood National Forest.

$129,500

Take a tour here

 

 

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Monday Morning Inspiration

Monday, May 5, 2008
by Liz Warren

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Lose this day loitering - 'twill be the same story
To-morrow - and the next more dilatory;
Each indecision brings its own delays,
And days are lost lamenting o'er lost days.
Are you in earnest? seize this very minute -
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
Only engage, and then the mind grows heated -
Begin it, and then the work will be completed!"

 ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

ENGAGE IT!

Ever driven a car? Of course you have, but what makes it move?

You enter a car with a standard transmission, place it in neutral, and start the engine. It idles - waiting for what? The engine is running, but you are going nowhere. What must be done to get to your destination?

Your vehicle is like your mind and body. Goethe says, "Are you in earnest? . . . Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." He questions whether you are in earnest . . . calls attention to the fact that there is genius, power and magic in boldness. It's like your vehicle idling in neutral. It has the power to take you wherever you want to go . . . yet is goes nowhere - until what happens?

"Only engage," urges Goethe. The only thing keeping you from moving is your willingness to engage. Place the transmission in first gear, and what happens? You begin moving - slowly at first. Moving the gearshift into 2nd, your movement speeds up. As it does, you are soon in 3rd, and well on the way to your destination.

Goethe speaks of achieving your objectives in life: "Only engage, and then the mind grows heated . . . ." In other words, put your life in gear - get started - get moving! When you do . . . when your "mind grows heated" . . . that which you desire to achieve will be attracted to you.

So - what do you say? Are you in earnest?

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Credit Crunch Changes The Game

Thursday, May 1, 2008
by Liz Warren

What will the credit crunch bring to today's market in the Welches, Rhododendron, Government Camp and Brightwood area?

1. Reduced equity lines of credit.

2.Removing subprime and Alt-A loans completely

3.Higher fees for loans that lenders do make.

Lending practices of the years 2002-2007 are over.

Results:

Builders will be building smaller homes.

Lenders will be lending much less money.

Buyers will be saving home and borrowing less.

Fewer buyers, fewer loan products, and higher loan costs create an even more competitive market for sellers and lowering  prices through that competition to sell.

 

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Inspiration for Today

Thursday, May 1, 2008
by Liz Warren

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Leaders are like eagles. They don't flock - you find them one at a time."  

~ Unattributed

BE FREE!

In Stephen Covey's "Seven Habits," he talks about focusing on the important to the exclusion of the unimportant. In his own words, "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing."

See if you recognize which motivational trainer espoused this similar philosophy:

"There are things within your power, and there are things beyond your power. Within your power are opinion, aim, desire, aversion; in a word, whatever affairs are your own. Beyond your power are body, property, reputation, office; in a word, affairs not properly your own. Concern yourself only with what is within your power.

The essence of good consists of things within your own power; with them there is no room for envy or emulation. For your part, do not desire to be a general, or a senator, or a consul, but to be free; and the only way to do this is a disregard of things which do not lie within your own power."

If you guessed Zig Ziglar, Howard Brinton, or Anthony Robbins, guess again. Its author referred to it as a "field manual for soldiers." It was carried by Frederick the Great on all his campaigns. It was written by the Stoic philosopher Epictetus.

Stephen Covey conveys a similar message when he suggests drawing two concentric circles with a dot in the middle. He equates the dot in the middle to you, the first circle as your area of influence, and the outside circle as your area of concern. He suggests that you concentrate only on the circle of influence, things which you have the power to influence or change. He advises that you disregard those in the area of concern over which you have no influence or power.

YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THIS WEEK:

How much time and energy are you wasting through worry and concern over things you cannot control? Focus your energy and your life on the "main thing" beginning now - then watch your circle of influence begin to grow. Do it now!

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55 Plus Communitiy!

Wednesday, April 23, 2008
by Liz Warren

Very Affordable over 55 plus community in Welches Oregon. This home is immaculate and better than the models! Not only is it fully landscaped but includes and upgraded heat efficient heat pump! There's a two car garage and a completely fenced backyard. There's a nice deck for your outdoor barbeques too. Three bedrooms, two baths and a spacious master bedroom with built in vanity and two separate closets. You'll love the soak tub in the master bathroom too.

$194,950.

Take a Tour Here

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Zig Zag Riverfront Cabin

Wednesday, April 23, 2008
by Liz Warren

This is a classic! You'll love the knotty pine throughout and the location can't be beat. Many owners couldn't get to their cabins for months this winter but this one is just off a paved plowed road! Nestled on the banks of the Zig Zag river with a nice sandy beach to place your lawn chairs and watch the fish fly by!

The cabin has a roomy living area with vaulted ceilings, a sleeping nook and a loft over the living room. I love the riverrock stone hearth with a woodstove insert! There's also a free standing propane stove too. Original paned windows througout! A nice privated bedroom with built ins and a remodeled bathroom too. Store your wood or vehicle in the huge garage.

The best part, this is only 15 minutes to skiing and ONE hour from Portland. This cabin sits in the Mt. Hood National Forest on leased land. You can even walk right over to the grocery store in Rhododendron on the walking bridge.

$234,950

Take a tour here

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Sandy Riverfront Acre with Well Built Contemporary Home!

Wednesday, April 16, 2008
by Liz Warren

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! Hit the brakes! You will love this location right on the Sandy River with an entire acre to spread out and enjoy!  The well built home features a spacious great room with vaulted ceilings, skylights and a wall of windows to watch the water go by. Open design from an original Lindal Cedar home. Steps to river. Gazebo and a hobby outbuilding are a bonus. There's even a shop in the garage area for work projects. Throw the kids downstairs in the family room while the adults rule the upstairs.

Located only one hour from Portland, this is a fabulous full time or vacation home in a stunning setting.  Skiers will love the 15 minute drive to premium ski areas and the huge bonus of the Mt. Hood National Forest five minutes away!  Located near Mt. Hood in Brightwood. Only five minutes to the golf course in Welches at the Resort at the Mountain.

$459,950!

Take a tour here

 

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Monday Morning Inspiration on Tuesday Morning!

Tuesday, April 15, 2008
by Liz Warren

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best."  

~ Epictetus

GIVE YOURSELF A LIFT!

Have you ever aspired to be deeply depressed? On your list of major life's achievements, have you included becoming an itinerant ne'er-do-well? Does your daily task list include hanging out at the local pub, gossiping over the back fence with nosy neighbors, or spending time with a loser who does nothing but grouse about how the world has dealt him a lousy hand?

Did that first paragraph seem to pull you down? Did you say, "Ridiculous! Who would want to do those things?" If so, congratulations, you've already received this week's message.

Now, let's give this message a lift. Have you ever met someone with a bright inspiring spirit about them, and thought to yourself, "Wow, I'd like to know them better!" Have you noticed that when you attend a community education course, you leave with many fresh new ideas and a powerful boost in your attitude?

A well-known quote says, "You are what you think about all day long." If you hang out with the losers, your thoughts are likely to be dark and depressing. Spend time with those who possess magic in their attitude and enthusiastic vitality in their work ethic, and your thoughts are likely to soar.

Take a close look at your list of goals for this year. Have you included the addition of positive new personal relationships in your work and play environment? Remember that "to have a friend, you must first be a friend." Consider expanding your sphere of contacts to include those who would inspire you to greatness!

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Displaying blog entries 1791-1800 of 1877

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