Liz Warren
Displaying blog entries 1731-1740 of 1886
It's coming soon so get prepared for colder weather on the mountain. Take precautions now so your garage doesn't look like this.
For information on how to prevent frozen pipes and to get ready for winter storms, click here to visit the Red Cross page.
Rates are incredible right now! If there ever was a time to take advantage of low interest rates, this is it. A 30 year fixed at under 5.5% is historic. Yes, this is incredibly GOOD NEWS!
Now we are somewhat lucky on the mountain because we don't have THAT many foreclosures and sub-prime loans. The larger picture in the country paints a different picture though. Tightening underwriting standards and a larger increase in homeowners who are "underwater" in their homes has presented a problem. About half of the people who need to take advantage of these low rates can't due to the standards and plummeting home values mostly in Arizona, California, Nevada and Florida.
How many are in this pickle? According to Zandi of Moody's Economy.com there are around 12 million homeowners in trouble. Step back to the end of 2007 and only 6.6 million were in trouble and at the end of 2006, only 3 million! Things happen quickly as we know.
To qualify for a $400,000 30 year fixed loan you would need a credit score of 680, a downpayment of 10% and a debt to income ratio of 45% or less. Jumbo rates are still high at around 8% interest per annum.
So, if your house hasn't dropped 40% in value recently and you have a good credit score and a job, you are in good shape and you may very well be able to take advantage of these incredible interest rates!
Price reductions on the mountain are coming in by the bushel full so call today to make that investment in rental property, primary homes or second homes!
TAKE A SIESTA!
When setting goals and planning our future, we sometimes fail to look far enough ahead. Consider the following story:
An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The Mexican replied, "Only a little while." The American then asked, "Why didn't you stay out longer and catch more fish?" The Mexican said, "With this I have more than enough to support my family's needs." The American then asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"
The fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, then stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life."
The banker scoffed, "I'm a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing; and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats. Eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. You would eventually open your own cannery and control the product, processing and distribution. You could leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles, and eventually New York where you will run your ever-expanding enterprise."
The fisherman asked, "But, how long will this all take?" To which the American replied, "15 to 20 years." "But what then?" asked the fisherman. The banker laughed and said, "That's the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions."
"Millions? And then what?" The American said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos." (!!!)
So . . . what are you working for? The IPO or the good life? Stop working toward "someday," and appreciate your success on this day. Take time to enjoy the siesta!
JOIN THE VOLUNTEER BRIGADE!
Back in the '70s, CB radios became popular, especially among the nation's truckers. You could tune in Channel 19 and listen to a constant chatter among truckers and others with radios. If you were traveling on an interstate highway, you could get info on traffic, weather, wreck scenes to avoid, radar traps, and other useful tidbits. It was like there was a whole other world of activity going on around you IF you had a CB radio. Those who didn't were oblivious to the activity - yet it was still there.
The same is true of the volunteer brigade - those who offer their time and talents to worthy causes without reward. In any given community, there is a work force that operates 24/7 without any expectation of reward. If you're not one of them, you are probably oblivious to their daily actions to serve the community - but they are out there working whether or not you know it.
There are many ways to make a life-altering contribution to others as a volunteer. Most are not as glamorous as saving a life, yet all contribute to the many unmet needs of community members. Each of us has talents that can be put to use for those in need. A little self-examination will help identify your potential contribution. With all the blessings we enjoy in this country, each of us should make an effort to reach out to others. Why not join the volunteer brigade today?
NO MISPRINT!
Zigzag waterfront cabins was just reduced by $15,000. Only 5 minutes to the slopes! Enjoy the stone fireplace and the beautiful setting in a pristine forest setting! Only $90,000!
How do you cash in on one of the best deals on the mountain right now? Looking for homes in Government Camp, Rhododendron, Brightwood or Welches? The current drop of around 1% in interest rates this week presents great opportunities. Rates went from 6.5% to around 5.5% and under.
TWO GREAT THINGS COME OUT OF THIS:
1. A buyer with borrowing power this week with a similar payment as last week using their purchasing power to buy a house for 10% LESS with the rate decrease.
2. One other way to look at it is a buyer now can buy 11% MORE house than last week.
This has improved purchases in some areas but when will rates be this low again!
Looking for a great holiday outing now that Thanksgiving is over? Why not head for the Mt. Hood National Forest and cut your own holiday tree? Snow levels are not that low yet so it's the perfect conditions to take a trek to the mountains and find that tree. You'll need a permit which you can get in Sandy or up at the Zig Zag Ranger Station. They're only $5.00 for the permit and there is a five tree limit per family!
check out this link for details
It's coming soon!!!!!!!
How important are FICO scores these days? Extremely. If you are purchasing anything and need credit your FICO score will determine if you can get credit and what interest rate you'll pay. Credit scores range between 300 and 850.
Scores under 680 are on the fringe of scrutiny with lenders. Some will charge a much higher interest rate to borrow so it will cost you more in the end on your credit cards, your mortgage rate, and your car loan.
FICO scores come from a combination of your debt load, payment history, amount of credit you are using and other miscellaneous factors such as foreclosures or other debt defaults
A good resource to learn how to increase your FICO score and other questions about how this scoring works, go to www.myFICO.com
If you are ever looking for a good book to read or just want a peak at some local artist works, you can't beat the Wy"East Book Shoppe and Art Gallery located in the Rendevous Center in Welches.
Tonight, Friday, fNovember 21st at 7:30 featured Portland author and writer for the Oregonian, Chelsea Cain will be at the store to sign books and talk about her latest books "Heartsick" and "Sweetheart"!
If you are looking for a good deal on ski (Alpine and Nordic)and boarding equipment, clothing, accessories, poles and other ski related stuff you should head straight to the Sandy Ski Swap on Friday and Saturday this weekend. If you go to the Sandy high school on Friday at 6:00 to 9:00 or Saturday at 9:00-5:00 PM you can check out the great gear to purchase. Consignment and donations are accepted also. No straight skis please. There is a small admission fee to get in. Consignment items can be dropped off at the high school between 4-8 on Friday. Cash and checks only!
This is the biggest fund raiser for the Sandy High School Ski Team. Details can be found at www.SandySkiSwap.com
There is huge inventory at great prices from Gresham's Hillcrest Ski Shop!
Displaying blog entries 1731-1740 of 1886
