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Mt. Hood Real Estate Blog

Liz Warren

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Displaying blog entries 1691-1700 of 1886

Listen Up Mt. Hood Buyers!

Friday, February 20, 2009
by Liz Warren

Is there light at the end of this tunnel? There are some major factors happening that are going to make buying a home on Mt. Hood VERY attractive this year. Recent reports coming from Moody's Economy are saying we may hit the bottom of this market by the end of 2009. This could be the first sighting of the bottom although history tells us, the bottom usually has already passed once we realize it.

The continual decline of prices, likely further reduced interest rates (some sources believe they will hit 4.5%), and the first time home buyer tax credit up to $8,000 will make this a premium buying opportunity. If you look at the larger metro declines averaged nationally, homes have lost around 25% and many areas are expected to continue to decline an additional 11% before stabilizing.

On the mountain, new listings for January and February have jumped up the inventory making an even more competitive atmosphere for home sellers. The increased inventory will make even more buying opportunities for purchasers who can make their move now.

For information about new listings or what is selling in today's market, give me a call or shoot me an email!

 

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Great News for Mt. Hood Investors!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009
by Liz Warren

The credit crisis saw a tightening of investor loans in the fourth quarter of 2008. Fannie Mae said an investor could only have three mortgages. This was extreme and really put the slow down on investors able to enter the market but things are loosening up for investors. As of March 1st this year, Fannie Mae is changing their requirements and investors may have as many as 10 mortgages.

The lending requirements on the borrower is strict. Once the investor has the first four the next ones, five through ten require a credit score of 720, a 75% loan to value, no bankruptcies or foreclosures for seven years, no delinquencies on any mortgage for at least 12 months back and six months reserves required for every property. Yes, these are very strict items but at least it will open up the gate a bit for investors to get back in the game and help buy up foreclosures and other properties!

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Mt. Hood National Forest Cabin Fee Postponed

Tuesday, February 17, 2009
by Liz Warren

If you own a cabin in the Mt. Hood National Forest, or if you are thinking about purchasing one, you might be interested to know that the potential fee increase owed for 2009 has been postponed for one year while the 111th Congress considers if the increases are fair. At this point the fee for 2009 will be 2% added on to the 2008 fee.

Here is the info straight off the web site for the forest service:

NOTICE TO HOLDERS

 

INFORMATION REGARDING 2009 RECREATION RESIDENCE FEES and LAND USE AUTHORIZATIONS

 

In response to requests from members of the 111th Congress to suspend fee increases required by the Cabin User Fee Fairness Act of 2000 (CUFFA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service considered postponing implementation of the 2009 fees required by CUFFA.  However, the Department’s Office of the General Counsel now advises that the agency lacks proper authority to postpone the billing of 2009 fees as required by law.

 

The Forest Service efforts to suspend increases in the 2009 recreation residence fees created some delays in billings and the re-issuance of land use authorizations.  These delays came about through efforts to clarify internal agency direction and billing procedures. 

 

This notice is to advise you that the recreation residence fees for 2009 must to be based on the most recent approved appraisal of your recreation residence lot, plus annual fee adjustments required by CUFFA.  To avoid confusion regarding the required fees and billing procedures, we want to describe your current bill and the status of your annual payment for your recreation residence.

 

If you have not paid your 2009 bill yet, please do so now but be sure to follow the instructions included in the letter that we sent you with your bill.  You must send a copy of the bill with your payment, and write the bill number on your check.  The bill and payment must be sent to the Los Angeles address included in the letter.  We will also send you a notice similar to this one in the mail.  Your bill will be due 30 days from the date that we send you the notice in the mail.

 

We regret any confusion that may have developed regarding the 2009 billing cycle.  Please contact Fran Lanagan by email at [email protected] or by phone at 503-622-3191 ext 605 with any questions or concerns.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

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1925 Original Zig Zag Riverfront Cabin

Monday, February 16, 2009
by Liz Warren

1925 Original Cabin

Step back in time and enjoy today's updates in this 1925 original located along the ZigZag River in Rhododendron. Nestled in the tall firs and cedars of the Mt. Hood National Forest, this cabin is close to all mountain activities from ski areas to hiking to golf. Only 15 minutes to skiing!

The cabin has been refurbished down to the studs. Fir floors, a propane fireplace, updated electrical and many other upgrades have been completed.

All the sleeping areas are upstairs with one private bedroom and loft areas.

The kitchen boasts new cabinets, built in sitting benches, tile countertops, bead board ceiling, pened windows, and even a washer dryer.

The cabin has one of the largest bathrooms I've ever seen with the amenities of refurbished clawfoot tub, pedestal sink, rebuilt tile shower, tile flooring and stained glass windows!

$160,000 Take a tour of this little gem here.

This is the perfect weekend getaway to avoid those long drives in winter back from skiing.

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Morning Coffee

Monday, February 16, 2009
by Liz Warren
Monday Morning Coffee

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Never think that God's delays are God's denials."
~ Author unknown

WHERE THERE'S SMOKE . . . !

A lone shipwreck survivor on an uninhabited island managed to build a crude hut in which he placed all that he had saved from the sinking ship. He prayed to God for deliverance, and anxiously scanned the horizon each day to hail any passing ship.

One day he was horrified to find his hut in flames. All that he had was gone. To the man's limited vision, it was the worst that could happen and he cursed God. Yet, the very next day a ship arrived. "We saw your smoke signal," the captain said.

Hmmm! Ever have a big sale fall through? Been disappointed when a friend or loved one failed to come through for you when you needed them? Have you wondered why a goal or objective wasn't achieved as expected?

If you're over the age of 18, you've probably noticed that we don't get everything we would like, exactly when we think we should. Yet, it's amazing how certain things just show up in our lives when we least expect to see them - like the rescue ship.

It is often said that we "shouldn't get too attached to outcomes." We can set objectives, believe they can be achieved, and work to make them happen, but it's best not to get too attached to the outcome. What appears to be a worthy goal may go down in flames, only to be replaced with a magnificent result we had not anticipated.

When you find your hut in flames and fear the worst, think back to this oft quoted reminder: "Fear knocked at the door - faith answered - no one was there!"

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January Sales Figures Are In!

Monday, February 16, 2009
by Liz Warren

The market action statistics for the Mt. Hood area in multiple listing service just came out for the month of January 2009. Take a look at the numbers:

There were a total of six sales in the month of January. Pending sales are at five currently. Four of these are homes and one is land. There were no land sales or commercial sales in January.

Here are the six sales in January:

These sales included one forest service cabin in the Mt. Hood National Forest and one Government Camp Condo at Eidelweiss. The balance were scattered throughout the lower cascade area, mostly in Rhododendron.

Currently pending sales show five in the bucket. Lets hope the stimulus plan with the up to $8,000 tax credit with "no payback" will spur this market into orbit with these incredible interest rates!

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Mt. Hood Area First Time Home Buyers

Sunday, February 15, 2009
by Liz Warren

 If you are ready to purchase your first home in the Mt. Hood area from Welches, Government Camp, Rhododendron to Brightwood, you should take advantage of this updated First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit. Here is the revised edition!

 

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Custom Built One Level Resort Home

Saturday, February 14, 2009
by Liz Warren

Live the good life at the Resort at the Mountain! Custom built three bedroom, 2.5 bath home all on ONE LEVEL. If you are looking for a home with two master suites, this is it! Completely repainted and new carpeting on its way, you will love this entertainer's delight.

Huge deck off the kitchen and dining area that runs the entire length of the home. Perfect for summer barbeques or just to sit and watch the territorial views and golfers as they walk by on the par three fairway of Foxglove.

Skylights, windows everywhere, let the light shine in. High vaulted ceilings make a grand entry way with hardwood floors and a toe warmingwood stove. The living room has a nice brick fireplace too.

There's a newer heat pump installed and the roof has just been cleaned and treated. All the hard work is done. It's time to enjoy this great home.

You'll love this gourmet kitchen with granite counter tops, a cooking island and TONS of cabinets. The pantry is handy too.

Each master suite has a spacious bathroom with tubs and showers. The vinal is getting redone too.

Enjoy the common areas at the Resort including nature trails along the Salmon River, a heated swimming pool and tennis courts. World class dining at the Altitude on property.  Don't forget the recent purchase of the resort which is undergoing 17 million dollars of renovations.

Welches is only 15 minutes to premium ski areas and boasts year round skiing on the Palmer lift at Timberline. Since this home is only 45 minutes to the airport it has a great location for family to fly in for a visit or as a quick drive up from Portland.

Take a tour here

$370,000

 

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Oregon's 150th Birthday Event

Friday, February 13, 2009
by Liz Warren

February 14th is the day that Oregon became the 33rd state in the US. It was in 1859 specifically. To mark this event the Villages at Mt. Hood is offering a pictorial postal cancellation for the 42 cent commemorative stamp, designed by local historian Gary Randall.

The cancellation will be offered at the Hoodland Fire Station in Welches from 10:00 am through noon. The postmasters from the Welches, Brightwood and Rhododendron post offices will be available to hand cancel envelopes. This event is also a fund raiser for The Villages of Mt. Hood.

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Historical Chart of Interest Rates

Wednesday, February 11, 2009
by Liz Warren

Take a look at the chart below provided by Freddie Mac showing the average interest rates over the years. If this isn't the best time to buy a home, I don't know what is!

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Displaying blog entries 1691-1700 of 1886

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