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Displaying blog entries 61-70 of 73

Buena Vista Homes Come to Auction in Sandy

by Liz Warren

If you've traveled through Sandy recently the signs are hard to miss. Auction signs spring up on both East and West sides of the town signaling an  auction of 32 homes owned by Buena Vista builders.

Twelve of the homes are located in Cascadia Village and the balance are in the Hamilton Ridge subdivision.

Details may be found at this link:

Buena Vista Auction

It's the case of overbuilding during economic changes and not selling your inventory. This impacts not only other single family homeowner's in Sandy who are trying to sell right now but also homes further up the mountain in Welches, Brigtwood and Rhododendron. Single family homes in subdivisions are up against some stiff competition with auctions and standing inventory from Rhodododendron to Gresham!

 

 

Top Five Pricing Considerations In This Market

by Liz Warren

Here are the top five pricing considerations for today's market and selling your property.

1. Increased  Inventory

2,Increased Mortgage Rates

3.Increased Mortgage Restrictions

4. Increased Vacancy Rates

5. Increased foreclosures

(cutesy of  Steve Harney)

 

Mortgage Industry Update

by Liz Warren

The mortgage industry is not in chaos and there is plenty of money available to loan. The industry has changed though. To  summarize some of the changes, and there are a few, here is a bullet list of some items for consideration when searching for a new loan and for understanding what is different since last year.

*161 lenders have closed their doors since 2006

*Underwriting standards are stricter than ever

*Credit scores less than 620 with little money  down are not eligible for subprime loans

*Buyers are turning to FHA and VA loans to get 97%  and 100% loans at reasonable rates

*Non-profit down-payment assistance programs are gone

*It's very tough to do a 1st and 2nd mortgage to finance a 90-95% loan of the sales price

*Jumbo loans (over $417,000) are now quoted at  7.5% or more depending on the borrower and their down-payment

*Jumbo loans often require two appraisals-one by  the lender and one by the investor

*Lenders are very cautious about fraud these days

Lenders are searching for risk reduction. and scrutinizing loans heavily which have low FICO scores (credit scores), stated income borrowers, low down-payments, and high dept to income ratios.

I would highly recommend  you search for an experienced mortgage broker if you're looking for a first mortgage or refinance!

 

Fall Home Maintenance Tips

by Liz Warren

As we head into fall, here are a few tips to keep your property in tip top condition, Courtesy of Amos Home Inspections:

Winterize exterior faucets.

Check caulking around doors and windows. Repair or replace, if necessary.

Check for cracks and openings in exterior siding, fill with caulk, if necessary.

Check exterior siding and trim for peeling paint or exposed wood. Prep and paint, if necessary.

Clean leaves and tree debris from gutters and downspouts.

Trim vegetation away from house and roof.

Drain or maritally drain water heater. Follow manufacturer's recommendation.

Check furnace filters, repair or replace, if necessary.

Pending Sales

by Liz Warren

Despite the doom and gloom of the media drums, the mountain market currently has 21 pending sales! 

Under $200,000    8 pending

$200,000 to $300,000    4 pending

$300,000 to $500,000    9 pending

These numbers include three forest service cabins and two properties in Government Camp. Forest cabin invenotry is down to three properties listed so if you want a cabin for skiing this winter, now is the time to buy.

And for my shameless plug: This forest service cabin is on the market right now at $109,500!

 

Call me today for details! 503-705-3090

Three Upcoming Musical Events and Festivals!!!

by Liz Warren

Three musical events and festivals are heading to the mountain next weekend!

September 14 through 16th

First is the Festival of the Forest held at Wildwood Park right off Hiway 26. This event will be held September 15th and 16th. This event celebrates Mt. Hood’s culture, arts & forest. Over 12 hours of live music, food, beer garden, booth with activities & crafts, art contest and forest activities for the whole family. Don’t miss the 20 year musical reunion of legendary Portland nightclub The Last Hurrah. We are talking some great Portland bands such as Burnside Bombers – Bob Voll & the Too Loose Trio - Cowboy Angels -  Hank Rasco - Hurrman Burrman – Jeff Lorber – Marlon McClain - Jack McMahon - John Bunzow – Jon Koonce (of the Distractions) & One More Mile  - Lone Coyote Club - NuShoozOrchestra -  Thin Man
Trigger's Revenge -  Billy Rancher's Unreal Gods - Wheatfield

Lineup Subject to Change

Hit this link for details: http://www.mthood.info/forestfest/

 

This year is the first annual 3900 Foot Festival event on September 14th and 15th.  The event will take place over Friday and Saturday at Mt. Hood Skibowl East (Multorpor) on two outdoor stages. The goal of the festival is to feature the best of independent music in the West, and make it accessible to everyone--families, kids, teenagers, and others, as well as to celebrate our beautiful natural resources at Mt. Hood. Details are listed at this link. http://theunionrecords.net/index.php

The third event: Spirit on the Mountain Christian music festival on September 15th at the Mt. Hood RV Village. This event features 14 well knows Christian bands and details can be found at this link: www.spiritonthemountain.com

Here's a brief update on the market statistics from multiple listings service on the mountain activity. Fifteen residential sales and one Condo unit sold for a total of 16 sales. Pending sales are down 44% from 2006!

 

Mt. Hood Area Real Estate Appreciation Numbers!

by Liz Warren

 

The numbers are in for 2006. Take a look at the mountain's appreciation over the past thirteen years. National news doesn't sound good for the real estate markets but with steady numbers like these the Mt. Hood market is maintaining fairly well.

Naturally there are market segments which can be taken out of these figures to give a more realistic picture of true appreciation but on the whole, we are maintaining very well compared to other areas rampant with foreclosures and pricing pressures bringinig values down.

Market Statistics for Mt. Hood

by Liz Warren

Mid February has shown an incredible slowing of listings and sales. Only two properties have closed this month and inquiries are down. On the other end of the spectrum, listings are not exactly hitting the market. It just seems to be a total slowing of the entire process. Interest rates aren't bad at all but with the home equity faucet turned off, spending is down and sales have drastically slowed down.

Traditional Four Bedroom Home New On Market

by Liz Warren

If you're thinking about moving to Welches, here is a great home that just hit the market. It's a four bedroom, two and a half bath traditional style home built in 2001. Features include a bonus family room with woodstove, fully fenced back yard, arched hallways, walk in master closet, fruit trees, fire pit and garden area. You can walk to shopping from the house and it's very close to the Welches Grade and Middle School.

Take a tour here: http://www.visualtour.com/show.asp?T=896856

Displaying blog entries 61-70 of 73

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