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Rob Levy's Portland Real Estate Blog

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Displaying blog entries 281-290 of 301

Family Friendly and a Dog Parks in Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas!

Wednesday, October 25, 2006
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties
OK, I'll admit it, I was born and raised until I was 11 in the UK, Leicester, England to be specific. So like most all Brits, I love dogs. Recently, I was working with some buyers who were moving to Portland Oregon from out of state because of the way of life, cost less to live in Portland Oregon, the schools are better and as they put it and as they continued to say, "Family Friendly and lot's of dog parks! In fact, Portland even has it's own dog park site (www.portlandpooch.com/dogparks.htm)This site includes a map of all the sites. As we were driving around Beaverton Oregon, Tigard Oregon and Hillsboro Oregon. All they kept saying was, look, there is another park, there is that school I looked up on the internet that had a great report card and good scores. They were so excited to find a home that was priced $20,000 lower than they were ready to pay, in better condition, in a better location and had a bigger backyard than they were expecting to get! Needless to say, we wrote an offer for a few thousand dollars below the asking price, asked for the appliances to stay, the seller accepted it, it closes in 27 days. Both the buyer and seller are very excited! But most of all their dog will be when he gets to visit Gabriel Park dog park (www.portlandpooch.com/dogparks/gabriel.htm)
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BUYING INVESTMENT PROPERTY IN PORTLAND

Wednesday, October 25, 2006
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties

In the last couple of weeks I have noticed that our out of state investors have really started calling again. Our market has always been popular with California investors in particular, and that is one reason we developed our investor education site at www.InvestInPortlandRealEstate.com .  

I think these investors were  taking a wait and see attitude as to what the market was going to do.  Now that they have seen that the market is not going to take the huge hit that had been forecasted they are seeing it just stabilize back to what it should be.  With that being said, Portland and the surrounding areas such as Beaverton, Tigard, and Tualatin just to mention a few that are still a good investment.

 

The Portland market over the last 18 years has gone up each and every year although not with the huge increases that such places as California, Florida and Arizona have had, on the up side of that is we don't have the drastic dips in prices that these markets experience.  An investor can still find a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home that rents out nicely in the 250K range.  Portland is still the most affordable West Coast city.  If you own an investment home here in Portland, you can check it's value and get auto-emailed with all the active, pending and sold comps at www.roblevy.com or www.emailhomevalue.net 

 

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On The Road Again - Speaking at STAR POWER’S Dallas Success Summit

Wednesday, October 25, 2006
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties

In Willie Nelson’s popular song, On The Road Again, he says: “The life I love is makin’ music with my friends, And I can’t wait to get on the road again.” While I miss my family each and every time I hit the road, I also treasure that part of my life where get to share best practices and related life lessons with other Real Estate industry professionals (to me, it’s like makin’ music).

I have the pleasure of sharing the stage ( OK, following Ralph Roberts) on this speaking engagement as we did recently in Indianapolis, Denver, Chicago, and New York City.  All of us presenting are delighted and honored to be asked to speak at such an event, and to be able to "give back" to the industry which has given us so much.

Star Power systems ( www.gostarpower.com ) truly is THE place to go for Realtors to get non-brand specific general training as you hear from the best of the best about how they do what they do, and run their businesses.  I look forward to this event as I did all the others, and will see you next in New Orleans in November Ralph !   The other speakers, for this week’s event are:

Thursday’s event provides Real Estate professionals from around the Dallas area to tap into the latest thoughts and trends related to:

  • Pricing strategies
  • Creating urgency for buyers
  • Scripts and dialogues that get results
  • Thriving in a slow-paced buyers market
  • What it means that “sellers buy image” and “buyers buy houses”
  • Using facts, data, and logic to overcome emotional objections
  • Marketing approaches that factor in current and anticipated market conditions
  • Educating sellers that it is a mistake to believe that they will get more by asking more

If you’d like to know more about this week’s Success Summit, visit GoStarPower.com and click on the “Events & Seminars” link in the top nav bar.

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The Lending Timeline

Wednesday, October 18, 2006
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties
So you found the house of your dreams, have an accepted offer, and are ready to move in as soon as you get a loan, right? It is important to have realistic expectations of the time frame to complete the loan process, appraisal and reach the closing date. Once you have applied for a loan, the lender will request an appraisal, work through all the numbers and prepare your loan documents for the title company who will handle your escrow account. Depending on your lender, this can take a few weeks or over a month. Sometimes this can be the hardest part of the home buying experience because you will not have an active role in this and you just have to sit back and wait.
 
Some lenders will be able to expedite the loan process and assure the buyer that all documents will be in order. This greatly helps the title company, real estate agent and home buyer to feel confident that the house will close on the correct date. Once again, this is a reminder of how critical it is to choose a trusted lender who will work for you, the buyer. While waiting in this limbo of time between selecting a home and receiving the keys, I recommend you relax, stay busy and let your lender do the work.
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FINDING THE RIGHT CONDO IN PORTLAND

Tuesday, October 10, 2006
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties
Over the last couple of weeks I have been working with a client that currently lives in SW Portland and is considering selling her home and downsizing to a condo.  When looking over her wish list we are finding that there may have to be some compromises either in location or the year the condo is built or converted.
 
While this client would like to live in Lake Oswego or the John's Landing area what we have looked at so far doesn't seem to fit the bill.  We have found many nice condos in Lake Oswego and John's Landing but the lack of updating in these units is not desirable.  Lake Oswego which fits the criteria of walking to shops and restaurants with its quaint downtown area might be a bit out of the price range with the updates they desire.   John's Landing also has the amenities of shops and restaurants within walking distance but there is not much inventory there as condos in both these area tend to move quickly.  My client has the luxury of time and with our Prudential Transaction Platform they have immediate notification of anything new that comes on the market immediately and we can get them inside that day.  If you think that this is something that would help in your search for a home please contact us.
Blog entry submitted by Sandy Morley, Sandy Morley - Broker / Buyer Specialist with The Rob Levy Team
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FINDING THE RIGHT CONDO IN PORTLAND

Tuesday, October 10, 2006
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties
Over the last couple of weeks I have been working with a client that currently lives in SW Portland and is considering selling her home and downsizing to a condo.  When looking over her wish list we are finding that there may have to be some compromises either in location or the year the condo is built or converted.
 
While this client would like to live in Lake Oswego or the John's Landing area what we have looked at so far doesn't seem to fit the bill.  We have found many nice condos in Lake Oswego and John's Landing but the lack of updating in these units is not desirable.  Lake Oswego which fits the criteria of walking to shops and restaurants with its quaint downtown area might be a bit out of the price range with the updates they desire.   John's Landing also has the amenities of shops and restaurants within walking distance but there is not much inventory there as condos in both these area tend to move quickly.  My client has the luxury of time and with our Prudential Transaction Platform they have immediate notification of anything new that comes on the market immediately and we can get them inside that day.  If you think that this is something that would help in your search for a home please contact us.
Blog entry submitted by Sandy Morley, Sandy Morley - Broker / Buyer Specialist with The Rob Levy Team
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Lower interest rates and more, making buyers start to buy again

Tuesday, October 10, 2006
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties

Last week and this week I have been working with a number of buyers that have determined, based on the market from the past 60 days, current market news, positive state of the economy, lowering interest rates and the comfortable level of inventory, they are all starting to buy again.

 

I have 5 buyers that have been in a "holding" pattern for the past 20-40 days, waiting to see what the market would do, they have all started buying again.  I have written 5 offers in the past 9 days, twice the amount from the previous 40 days.  The buyers are looking at the increased inventory as a positive sign.  They are also seeing positive signs from the national news, job growth, consumers spending money and the price of a gallon of gas is way down.

 

Many areas are attracting interest right now in Portland, Oregon.  Close in SE, Sellwood, Hawthorne, Belmont and a bit more East in SE.  We are also seeing many buyers wanting to move from very close in SE and NE Portland to close in SW Portland, getting more home, larger lots and from what they are telling us, better schools and lower taxes!


From what we are hearing and reading, we are expecting the interest rates to continue to fall, have more buyers move from the sidelines and become more active in the next 60 days, we expect to see a strong finish for 2006 and 2007 start very strong!


This blog entry submitted by Bruce Hecht - Broker/Buyer Specialist with The Rob Levy Team

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Lower interest rates and more, making buyers start to buy again

Tuesday, October 10, 2006
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties

Last week and this week I have been working with a number of buyers that have determined, based on the market from the past 60 days, current market news, positive state of the economy, lowering interest rates and the comfortable level of inventory, they are all starting to buy again.

 

I have 5 buyers that have been in a "holding" pattern for the past 20-40 days, waiting to see what the market would do, they have all started buying again.  I have written 5 offers in the past 9 days, twice the amount from the previous 40 days.  The buyers are looking at the increased inventory as a positive sign.  They are also seeing positive signs from the national news, job growth, consumers spending money and the price of a gallon of gas is way down.

 

Many areas are attracting interest right now in Portland, Oregon.  Close in SE, Sellwood, Hawthorne, Belmont and a bit more East in SE.  We are also seeing many buyers wanting to move from very close in SE and NE Portland to close in SW Portland, getting more home, larger lots and from what they are telling us, better schools and lower taxes!


From what we are hearing and reading, we are expecting the interest rates to continue to fall, have more buyers move from the sidelines and become more active in the next 60 days, we expect to see a strong finish for 2006 and 2007 start very strong!


This blog entry submitted by Bruce Hecht - Broker/Buyer Specialist with The Rob Levy Team

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Tigard buyer asks, Is a Home Inspection Always Necessary?

Tuesday, October 10, 2006
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties
Often a prospective homeowner will ask the question, “With new construction, is it really necessary to have a home inspection?” As any member of the Rob Levy Team will tell you, “It is a small cost, usually only $350-$500, to protect your most expensive investment to say nothing of revealing a potentially life threatening situation for your family. We write it into the sale agreement so the builder knows right up front that a home inspection will be done as soon as the home is complete.
 
While working with out of state buyers in the Bull Mountain neighborhood in Tigard just recently, this question came up. From personal experience, I can say it is not unusual for a home that has had approval of state and local building inspectors to have from small to large items come to light. In fact, there can be things that are not necessarily code violations that can make the home work better if tweaked in a certain way. Certainly in our rainy climate, the least I want my clients to know is that their home will drain properly when our Northwest winters hit. Also a home inspector may know of certain areas of the city that can benefit from having a radon inspection or a sewer scope done.
 
Some builders can be a little defensive, after all, the home is under builder warranty for a year. Even this Bull Mountain builder with an excellent reputation, has much of the work done by sub-contractors and with so many details to cover in a new home, it is certainly not surprising that flaws can be found.  
 
It is peace of mind to the new owner to have both the builder and the licensed home inspector give their new home the all clear…a great new home!  
 
You may be sure as a buyers’ agent of the Rob Levy Team, I will be proactive and treat your home purchase as I would my own.
This blog entry submitted by Sandra Hanis, Buyer Specialist with the Rob Levy Team
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Tigard buyer asks, Is a Home Inspection Always Necessary?

Tuesday, October 10, 2006
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties
Often a prospective homeowner will ask the question, “With new construction, is it really necessary to have a home inspection?” As any member of the Rob Levy Team will tell you, “It is a small cost, usually only $350-$500, to protect your most expensive investment to say nothing of revealing a potentially life threatening situation for your family. We write it into the sale agreement so the builder knows right up front that a home inspection will be done as soon as the home is complete.
 
While working with out of state buyers in the Bull Mountain neighborhood in Tigard just recently, this question came up. From personal experience, I can say it is not unusual for a home that has had approval of state and local building inspectors to have from small to large items come to light. In fact, there can be things that are not necessarily code violations that can make the home work better if tweaked in a certain way. Certainly in our rainy climate, the least I want my clients to know is that their home will drain properly when our Northwest winters hit. Also a home inspector may know of certain areas of the city that can benefit from having a radon inspection or a sewer scope done.
 
Some builders can be a little defensive, after all, the home is under builder warranty for a year. Even this Bull Mountain builder with an excellent reputation, has much of the work done by sub-contractors and with so many details to cover in a new home, it is certainly not surprising that flaws can be found.  
 
It is peace of mind to the new owner to have both the builder and the licensed home inspector give their new home the all clear…a great new home!  
 
You may be sure as a buyers’ agent of the Rob Levy Team, I will be proactive and treat your home purchase as I would my own.
This blog entry submitted by Sandra Hanis, Buyer Specialist with the Rob Levy Team
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Displaying blog entries 281-290 of 301

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