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Liz Warren

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Displaying blog entries 1741-1750 of 1886

Monday Morning Coffee for Inspiration!

Monday, November 17, 2008
by Liz Warren
Monday Morning Coffee

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Temperance in all things!"

~ Harry S. Truman

Extreme or Temperate?

You can see it on TV almost every day - extreme football, extreme wrestling, extreme police chases, extreme everything. The TV networks seem to be competing to capture our attention with one-upsmanship to the extreme.

If you're in your 20's to mid 30's, doing things to the extreme may be attractive to you. If you're 35-45, you may be starting to question whether it's necessary to carry things quite so far. If you're over 45, your age of wisdom may have set in - leading you in another direction - towards temperance. The good news is that it's beneficial at any age.

Recently on TV, there was an old interview with Harry Truman at the age of 77. The interviewer David Susskind asked, "To what do you attribute your energy and vitality at age 77?" Truman shot back with noticeable conviction, "Temperance in all things. I take plenty of rest, sleep well at night, and eat the right foods. That leaves me ready to face the challenges of being president."

What a simple word - "temperance." Webster defines it as "moderation in action or thought; restraint; marked by moderation, as in keeping within limits." It does not mean total abstinence or prohibition of action. It is merely a concept that takes into account reasonable, self-imposed limits.

Some see temperance as "clean living." By whatever name, it can bring peace, tranquility, good health, high self-esteem, satisfaction, and financial freedom. What are your self-imposed limits?

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Wine and Arts Events for the Weekend of November 15 and 16!

Saturday, November 15, 2008
by Liz Warren

 

 

Check out this link to see the events scheduled for this weekend. Lots of art and wine events hosted through many local businesses.

Events and participants are at this link

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Oregon Trail School Bond Passes

Wednesday, November 12, 2008
by Liz Warren

Dr. Shelley Redinger , superintendent of the Oregon Trail School District sends this thank you:

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Negative Equity Numbers

Wednesday, November 12, 2008
by Liz Warren

wHow does the Mt. Hood area fair compare to other areas of the country as far as negative equity in homes? Well, I can't say specifically what happens on the mountain but it is a reflection of the general Oregon market. Sources such as First American CoreLogic says 18.3% of properties with mortgages are underwater. Most of these states are Nevada, Arizona, Florida and hard hit Michigan with the Detroit carnage.FAC says Oregon mortgages are at 7.5% underwater which, believe it or not is the 6th lowest percentage of all states. Washington is right behind us.

So, if you think it's bad around here-it isn't! It's GREAT compared to the rest of the U.S.!

Here's a little more info mapping the negative equity states from the Wall Street Journal.

 

 

 

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Monday Morning Coffee for Inspiration

Monday, November 10, 2008
by Liz Warren
Monday Morning Coffee

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

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

~ St. Jerome

GIVE YOURSELF A PRESENT!

Regardless of who you have been in the past - why not give yourself a "present"? Each of us experiences regret from time to time over what we have done - or left undone - in the past. Perhaps our transgressions were great - or just seemed so in our heart.

To become a different person in the future, St. Jerome suggests that you must "begin to be" that person now. If your career is overwhelming you, begging to be tamed, begin now to untangle it. Begin today to simplify your activities.

If you would like to be more caring, begin today by complimenting someone. Want to be more understanding? Listen carefully to one you love - today. Want greater financial independence? Analyze your income and your expenses, then earn more and live on less - beginning today.

Nothing happens until you "begin to be." Interestingly, however, the moment you BEGIN, you actually ARE the person you desire to be, provided you continue to be. The moment you change anything in your life, the past is over, forever.

Want a new beginning in your life? Don't wait for some earth-shattering, life-changing event to get your attention. Get started today!

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More Updates On Foreclosures on Mt. Hood

Thursday, November 6, 2008
by Liz Warren

Looking to purchase a foreclosure in the Mt. Hood Area? foreclosures are popping up in Welches, Government Camp, Rhododendron and Brightwood.

Foreclosure and Short Sales Info

 

Over the last 24 months, Oregon went from number 2 to having the 23rd highest foreclosure rate on a national basis. As of September 2008 there have been 2,344 foreclosure filings which equivocate to 1 filing for every 644 housing units. Foreclosure filings are up 26% from August 08 and up 139% from September 2007. The majority of these distressed properties are located in the greater Portland metropolitan area. 

 

In comparison, the state of California, which accounts for ~60% nationally of all foreclosure activity has 69,548 properties with foreclosure filings, equivocating to 1 in every 189 housing units.  Washington has 1 foreclosure filing out of every 1,383 housing units.

 

Below are some comments from our partners that actively work in this arena.

 

  • Most properties in foreclosure are so debt laden that they are reverting to the banks. 
  • An investor interested in buying a foreclosed property on the courthouse steps is not likely to get a good deal.
  • Banks have not been discounting the debt on these properties in order to sell them. 
  • It can cost a bank anywhere from $30K-60K plus, to take back a house.  This doesn’t include the cost of capital, refurbishment, marketing and sales costs.
  • So why are banks taking the homes back?
  • Some banks have been bundling multiple properties, with varying degrees of debt-to-market value ratios and selling them to large, institutional buyers.  This seems to be easier and more profitable for the banks right now.
  • In Multnomah County, who is buying foreclosed properties at this time? There are a few larger, private equity buyers and some individual investors.
  • The SE & NE corridors have the greatest percentage of foreclosed properties at an average value of $125K-225K.  However, more expensive properties are now entering the picture.
  • So where are some of the opportunities now?  Short Sales.

Short Sales - An option for those who have money & the time.

 

A short sale is where a property owner wants to sell their home but they have a higher mortgage debt on the property than the price they can sell the house for. First, seller and buyer must agree on a price and then they go to the lender with comparable homes sales data to support the decline in value plus a compelling story and documentation that proves the seller does not have the funds to pay off the entire mortgage due.  Sound simple?  Not really.  Short Sales on average take 90-120 days to complete if successfully negotiated.  Clients and real estate brokers should work with a professional who knows the ropes. 

Investment property owners who sell under a Short Sale agreement should be aware of the new exclusionary rule coming that will tax all or a portion of the ‘gain’ the home seller realizes from a short sale closing.

 

 

 

A big thanks for sharing this information Kim:

Kim Dodge at Usher Financial (503) 595.1600

 

 

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Monday Morning Coffee for Inspiration

Monday, November 3, 2008
by Liz Warren
Monday Morning Coffee

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Just because you're the lone voice in the wilderness,
it doesn't mean you're wrong."

~ Ghandi

ME, MYSELF & I - A GROUP OF ONE!

Remember this tune from the protest era? "One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do." The poignant lyrics call attention to the reality that being alone, being a group of one, can be a very lonely, uncomfortable, and sometimes challenging situation.

When it comes to the important issues in your life, it's much more comforting to know that others are standing with you. You stand up for a student issue at a PTO meeting, and others stand with you. You call attention to a social injustice, and are backed by a majority of the members in your organization. Together, the group gives strength and credibility to the views of its leader.

What, then, if the leader and followers are a group of just one? What value is there in taking a position with no one to back you up? What's more, acting alone often stimulates inner questioning, self-doubt, and ultimately self-defeat.

So, where do you stand when it comes to defending your own principles of living? When you witness cheating, dishonesty, or unfair criticism of others, do you stand up as a group of one when no one else cares to stand with you? Do you then feel like the "lone voice in the wilderness?"

Our world has few leaders and many followers. The stand you take alone may provide the inspiration needed by followers who agree, but who do not have the ability to speak out on their own. As Ghandi counseled, just because you're "the lone voice . . . doesn't mean you're wrong."

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Residential Sales For October on Mt. Hood

Monday, November 3, 2008
by Liz Warren

Are we glad October is over? What a wacky month! Between the fluctuating stock market and election news I am more than ready for November!  The weekend rain has done a good job of knocking another third of the leaves down for yard clean up. I am having my ususal fall back transition issues  and getting my internal clock adjusted. What the hec  am I'm doing up this early? I don't know.

So, here are the numbers! These are the sales for October for Government Camp, Welches, Rhododendron, and Brightwood:

The good news is that Government Camp had another sale over $500,000! This market has been hard hit with few sales of single family homes in the upper price range.

One forest service cabin closed this month. This segment also has lots to choose from and less buyers making it quite competitive. New lease fees are coming up this January so we will see what the increase does to inventory at that time.

Ok, it's on to November and election night is tomorrow. Hopefully once this is settled things will loosen up a bit.

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Forest Service Cabin Inventory Is Up

Wednesday, October 29, 2008
by Liz Warren

The hidden jewels in the Mt. Hood National Forest are these forest service cabins. Scattered along rivers and creeks in the pristine Mt. Hood forest you can find these special cabins. Many were built in the 1920's and 30's as summer cabins for Portland residents.

Here is the current inventory right now. These cabins are mainly in the areas of Government Camp and Rhododendron. For additional details, send an email or call me.

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Monday Morning Inspiration

Monday, October 27, 2008
by Liz Warren
Monday Morning Coffee

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Your imagination is the preview to life's coming attractions."

~ Albert Einstein

YOU'RE THE STAR!

Do you believe Orville & Wilbur were first to fly because they had a hammer, nails and a free weekend? Think the television was created by accident? Did Bill Gates just stumble upon the software code that has changed the world? Not a chance!

The Wright brothers created the previews of their first flight in the theatre of their minds. Naturally, there were no limitations to their imaginings as they dreamed of flying. Who knows how the dream of television became reality . . . how it was transformed from a mere visualization into vacuum tubes, knobs, and channels?

What went through Bill Gates' mind prior to his early experiments? Surely his first visions were not of a colorful package entitled "Windows 2000." Nevertheless, his vivid imagination took us all from the concept of "1's" and "0's" to today's monumentally complex world of computer software and internet browsers.

What about you? What goes on in your mind's eye while no one is looking? What do you see yourself doing in one, three, or five years? Do you hear a special future beckoning you to create an action thriller from the previews running through your imagination? Is there a stirring inside you that begs to be brought to fruition?

Why not grab some popcorn, a soft drink, and settle quietly into your favorite chair to enjoy the previews of your own imagination? Then, with a clear picture fresh in your mind, create the main attraction - your life!

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Displaying blog entries 1741-1750 of 1886

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