Free Home Buyer Workshops on Wednesdays

September 13th, 2011

Open Door Counseling Center

HUD Certified Home Buyer Education
Wednesday Workshops

September 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
34420 SW Tualatin Valley Hwy, Hillsboro, Oregon 97123

Marty Weil is one of the presenters.
The workshop is free through the generosity of OnPoint Community Credit Union.

To Register: go to www.opendoorcc.net
Click on Pre-Purchase Housing Counseling
Click on Register to Attend a Workshop
Fill out the Workshop Registration Form and Click Submit Registration Form

Latest Market statistics for the Portland Metropolitan area

September 12th, 2011

From the Regional Multiple Listing Service for the month of August, 2011:

The number of homes sold in August is just shy of 15% higher than a year ago.  Also, the number of homes with sales pending is up 18% over last month, and over 43% higher than a year ago.  Compared to last month, the number of sold homes dropped slightly, by 1.5%.

The number of unsold homes on the market has now decreased to the lowest level in over 2 years. At the current rate of sales per month, the inventory of listed homes available would last 5 months. This is less than half the inventory level of August 2010.

After advancing in each of the past 5 months, the median sold price for the Portland Metropolitan area retraced slightly over ½% to $226,000. That is 9.6% lower than one year ago.

You’re Worth More than You Might Think

August 9th, 2011

Many people today have jobs they consider “just a job” with no further thought. This article might give you a different perspective on your job and your worth as a person and an employee. If you’re looking for work, can you change your resume to reflect this view of previous jobs?

What Are You Worth?

If I asked you to tell me your “net worth,” you might simply add up all of the monetary worth of the assets you own, and then subtract what you owe. You could sum up your worth in a single, tidy number.

But what does that number mean? Does it really define what you are worth?

Some people treat it that way, but I say you are worth so much more.

Read more….

By Tim Enochs

Author of Living Your Life Every Day for a Life of Impact

Choosing a Lender for Your Home Purchase

May 5th, 2011

Seems like everywhere you go online there are more ads for cheap loans through an online lender.  Should you choose one online or should you choose a local lender, particularly one your Realtor knows and has worked with successfully?

Read the rest of this entry »

March 2011 Statistics Positive Indications for Portland Metro Market

April 28th, 2011

Latest figures from the Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS) for the Portland Metro Area for the month of March, 2011, show an increase in the number of pending sales (homes under contract) for the third month in a row. Pending sales in January were up 29% over December, 2010, February sales increased 13.2% over January, and March showed a 34.6 increase.

Read the rest of this entry »

5 Things Home Buyers Do That Turn Sellers Off (and Kill Deals)

March 30th, 2011

Tara-Nicholle Nelson, Broker in San Francisco, California posted this on the Trulia blog. Market conditions today are very unusual, and the mainstream media reporting only serves to confuse the issues.  Here is some excellent advice for buyers (and sellers) in any market.

http://www.trulia.com/blog/taranelson/2011/03/5_things_buyers_do_that_turn_sellers_off_and_kill_deals?ecampaign=anews&eurl=www.trulia.com%2Fblog%2Ftaranelson%2F2011%2F03%2F5_things_buyers_do_that_turn_sellers_off_and_kill_deals