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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 Coffe- Inspiration to start your day.

Monday, April 7, 2008
by Liz Warren

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"You were born an original.
Don't die a copy."  

~ John Mason

DUPLICATE YOURSELF!

Watch young children on the playground and you will notice them trying to duplicate each other. One hangs upside down on the monkey bars, and soon everyone is doing the same. Check out a pre-teen with a punky new hair-do, or a new style of "radical" footwear, and soon their friends are following suit.

It continues in high school too, with "tricked out" hot cars and cell phones. So . . . is it any wonder that we attempt to duplicate each other as adults as well? We look at our desk mate's approach to getting new business, then we do the same - regardless of the fact that said desk mate is getting no results.

Is there an alternative to this senseless copy-cat approach to life? Yes - but making the change may not be so easy. You begin by looking inside rather than outside. With all the distractions competing for your attention, this may be the most difficult step. Nevertheless, take a look inside to determine your best talents and skills. Ask yourself, "What do I do well? What are my strengths? What do I enjoy doing most?"

Next, write yourself a plan that incorporates your answers into a personal action plan. Remember, you were born an original, so put that originality to work. To help the plan work, avoid distractions from those who question your new direction, and learn to "duplicate yourself".

To avoid distractions, consider moving your desk, working from a home office, or avoiding the social scene at your office. Focus your time and attention on achieving your new-found objectives. To duplicate yourself, hire assistants to prepare direct mail or update your website. Avoid all tasks that you can hire someone else to do.

In short, live and act the part of the original you really are!

 

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What about those JUMBO loans?

Monday, April 7, 2008
by Liz Warren

I read a recent article about Jumbo loans in California.  The temporary raised loan amount rate in the California market is $730,000 vs. $417,000 for our area. Lenders are reporting that it hasn't exactly helped the situation because rates on these loans are at least a point higher than stated rates on a 30 year fixed. In other words, if the rate quote is 6% for a 30 year fixed, a JUMBO loan, one over $417,000 locally would be around 7% and possibly more. Jumbo loans have had stricter qualifying conditions and good credit is a must.

These loans are sold to pensions funds and other secondary markets who are spooked from the sub-prime disaster. Therefore they are requiring tougher standards for the buyer qualification AND a higher interest rate. Well, the Californians are not rushing in to get these loans for new home purchases nor refinancing as the feds thought they would who raised the temporary limits to help things "move along".

We have seen the impact here in our local market from Government Camp to Welches and Rhododendron. The market above $500,000 has slowed substantially.  There have been three sales in the past seven months in the over 500K range for single family homes.

The Grand Lodges Condos in Government Camp are now closing and should produce several sales substantially over the barrier.

Agents in California feel it will take a year or so for Jumbo rates to come down. We'll see more movement, and sales when they do but until then, buyers will need great credit to even qualify for these Jumbo loans and count on at least 1% higher interest rates than the sub 417K conventional loans.

 

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2007-Second Home and Investor Numbers Will Surprise You

Tuesday, April 1, 2008
by Liz Warren

This is a real eye opener considering 2007 reports on the market! Second home and investment buyers purchased about one third of properties sold in 2007 according to the National Association of Realtors. Vacation home sales only declined two percent from 2006 to 2007. (12% of total sales in 2007).

Despite the fact that we are in a credit crunch and in tough economic times, second homes are elective purchases. Locally we know that at least a third of homeowners in Portland have no mortgage. We also know that Oregon ranks 47th in the subprime problem-which means there is extra money available for purchasing second homes.

Actually, it’s a bonanza of an opportunity for buyers with super low interest rates, softening prices and increased inventory. Yes, primary home sales have softened the most but second home sales have not seen the declines locally that many media outlets have declared.

Believe it or not 28% of second home buyers paid cash for their purchase. Many second home  buyers are looking to purchase now knowing their investment will appreciate greatly in the next five to ten years. Portland metro has a particularly great opportunity with a recreational area so close to the city, many weekenders take advantage of the quick one hour drive making the Mt. Hood area a premium destination for a rec home that can be used year round.

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Hiway 26 is Widening in the Hoodland Corridor

Monday, March 10, 2008
by Liz Warren

If you've noticed lots of BIG TREES coming down in the Brightwood area, the highway widening is beginning now. Streams of florescent tape mark  the North side of Highway 26 near Wildwood Park. Not only is the visual impact going to be huge, I feel sorry for the homeowners who have lost a major noise and visual buffer from their homes along this stretch!

This is the beginning of a summer full of road construction  and paving in the corridor from Brightwood, Welches and Rhododendron.  Locals and second homeowners will need to be armed with lots of patience this summer.

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Wildwood to Wemme Safety Improvement Project

Thursday, January 17, 2008
by Liz Warren

This meeting will give information concerning the future widening of hiway 26 in the Wildwood-Wemme area. There will be an informational meeting January 24th at the Mt. Hood Lions Club on Woodsey Way and US 26th at 24730 Woodsey Lane presented by ODOT-Oregon Department of Transportation. You can stop by between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM for an informative open house.

The good news is that the project has a new name and is actually combining two paving projects, The new name is US 26: Salmon River Bridge to East LoLo Pass Road Project. Paving will be completed at both ends of the project so traffic distruption will be at a minimum for local residents and travelers.

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Location Location Location!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, January 14, 2008
by Liz Warren

Upper Lever Fairway Estates Condo Unit with the most amazing views you've ever seen. Two bedrooms and two baths with 1200 square feet of living space.  Check out the million dollar view! Located right on the Fairway at the Resort at the Mountain. Take a visual tour here. Very affordable at $234,950.

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Displaying blog entries 51-60 of 73

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