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Pubs, Real Estate, Yankees?

Tuesday, April 24, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties
Submitted by Shawn Headlee
This weekend while sitting at my favorite pub, Hart Road Pizza, thinking about the mortgage business another patron asked me how the slowing real estate market had affected my business. I had to let him know that as far as I was concerned, the real estate market didn’t really feel all that slow. I stated that he had to keep things in perspective and that the last 5 years have been the best years for real estate in history, so a correction back to more sustained growth was always expected. This seemed to push his brain power into the red level area, so I switched the conversation to sports. He then proceeded to let me know how much the Yankee’s sucked, but that’s another story.
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Mint Juleps on the porch anyone?

Tuesday, April 24, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties

When choosing to relocate to West Linn, recent clients of mine decided to "follow their hearts" this time. They believe that the large master bath and walk-in closets just don't provide the charm of an original historic home in The Willamette Historic District of West Linn. After an extensive search they chose a 1900 Victorian and were fortunate to find one that had much of the remodeling done for them.

They are looking forward to adding color and personality as well as new windows to their "designated historic district" home. They will need to be aware of making historically correct choices to the exterior but already love the friendly sidewalk atmosphere, the short walk for the kids to neighborhood schools and the Farmers' Market close by. It is even just a few blocks to stroll to the Willamette River. Small town America still exists right here in West Linn!

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Family Friendly, Great schools and Dog Parks Galore

Tuesday, April 24, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties
Submitted by Bruce Hecht
I was working with my buyers last week who were moving to Portland Oregon from out of
state because of the unique northwest way of life, cost of living in Portland Oregon, and because the schools are better.  As they put it - and as they continue to say - "Family Friendly and lots of dog parks!"
 
As we were driving around Beaverton, Tigard and Hillsboro, Oregon they kept noticing "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, and it closes in 27 days.  Both the buyer and seller are very excited, I know they are going to love living in the Portland area!
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1031 Exchange – Save your Tax Dollars!

Tuesday, April 24, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties
 Submitted by Tammy LeMaire
1031 Exchange provides investors with one of the best tax strategies for preserving the value of an investment portfolio.  By using an exchange the investor is able to defer the recognition of capitol gain tax that would otherwise be incurred on the sale of investment property. The investor can then use the entire amount of the equity to purchase substantially more replacement property.  To qualify as an exchange the relinquished and replacement properties must be qualified “like-kind” properties and the transaction must be structured as an exchange.
 
Exchanges are most often handled by a “Qualified Intermediary” who provides the necessary reciprocal transfer of properties to create the exchange and the “Safe Harbor” protection against actual and constructive receipt of the exchange funds as required by 1031.
 
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Meet Our New Team Member - Truckster!

Monday, April 23, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties
Submitted by Sandy Morley
Moving across the country - or even just across town - is one of the most dreaded parts of purchasing or selling a home.  To make this process easier we have hired a new team member... Truckster.  When you work with the Rob Levy Team you can use our FREE 17' moving truck to haul your furniture across town - all we ask is that you return it filled with gas!  Most moving truck companies charge you a set daily fee, mileage charges, and require you to return the truck during business hours, with Truckster you can return the truck when you are done using it and drop the keys in the mail.  
 
Truckster is also available for your friends, family, and charitable organizations you support.  If your school or non profit needs to move large items we are happy to have you use our truck to support your cause.  You may also donate "use of the truck" for any fundraisers you help with - just ask for a "Good for Two Day Use" coupon and donation letter when you call the office.
Conditions: The drive must be 21 and have valid insurance.  There is a 50 mile radius, and the date of use must be booked with the Rob Levy team office and is subject to previous bookings.  Other conditions may apply.  To reserve the truck please call (503) 906-1444. 
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Auctions in Real Estate

Monday, April 23, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties
Submitted by Rob Levy
Last week I was invited to sit on a committee by the president of NAR ( National Association of Realtors).  This meeting was a 2 day event and in Chicago near the headquarters of NAR.  First, with 1.3m members I  was honored to be invited and I found it very interesting.
What they were talking about was using auctions to sell real estate.  While this is very popular in some countries, particularly the UK and Australia, it hasn't happened a whole lot in the USA - yet.  It seems with eBay becoming so prominent, that the buying public is now very familiar with the auction process, so the time may have come for this to be a viable part of the home sale process.
NAR will be exploring this more, but in the meantime you can explore some auction sites such as the National Association of Auctioneers and RealEstate.com.au in Australia.  Stay tuned for more to come on this topic......
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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

Monday, April 23, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties

Submitted by Cathy Hill

In the midst of decorating a new home, we sometimes get caught up in finding places for all of our things, rather than figuring out if our things fit at all.  What might have been perfect in one living room may not work at all in another.  I've found Goodwill a great solution to this problem.  In addition to the tax write-off, which is detailed in IRS publication 526, I like knowing that something I loved will find a happy new home with a new owner.

For those things you simply can't part with, or to make more space, get creative!  I hired a contractor who does custom woodwork to make a focal point of my fireplace, and to create a design solution for a space problem.  He lowered the mantel above the fireplace so that I could create a new TV spot, allowing me to relocate a large piece of furniture, thus creating seating for 8 in my condo dining room!  I found him through Prudential Home Services, a division of Prudential Northwest Properties that provides an array of contractors serving every possible home need you can imagine.  When you buy or sell a home through The Rob Levy Team at Prudential Northwest, Home Services is at your disposal at no cost to you.  Enjoy the reduce, reuse, recycle process in your new home!

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Free WiFi in Portland Now !

Tuesday, April 17, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties

Check out our updated "Recommended Links" page at our main site www.RobLevy.com

We now have well over 100 links posted on our site with everything from mapping systems, lot sizes, all the way to sex offender sites and much more useful information to view. 

Our featured site of the month is for MetroFi, the Portland area's FREE wireless access.  They just increased the coverage by 140% and most of SE/NE and downtown is now covered.  MetroFi promises to have 98% of the city of Portland covered by 2008.

Also don't forget that Portland International Airport offers free wireless throughout most of the concourses too.  So bottom line, if you have a computer with a wi-fi connection, Portland is THE place to be.

In regards to our links, when you think real estate or anything related, go to www.RobLevy.com and click on the "Recommended Links" button at the top, most likely we have the link you are looking for.  Check back often too, we are always adding links as we find useful ones. 

If you know of a good link for our site, please email it to [email protected]

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Move to Portland & Love Your Wine Festivals!

Tuesday, April 17, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties

Submitted by Sandy Morley

The Third Annual Portland Indie Wine Festival is a weekend celebration of Oregon's most talented limited-production wineries.  This year's event will be held May 5th & 6th in the historic Pearl District in downtown Portland.  Each winery represented produces less than 2000 cases of wine per year with diverse styles and movements toward sustainable production.  This weekend, like many of Portland’s popular cultural events, will include food prepared by Oregon's top chefs and a selection of "best wines" selected by a jury - you might even get to meet the winemakers!

Oregon has a growing wine industry with numerous wineries across the Pacific Northwest. A drive to the coast is peppered with wineries - great for stopping along the way or gathering friends and organizinga wine tour.

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Portland's Top Neighborhoods!

Tuesday, April 17, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties

Submitted by Kate Baldus

 

Each year Portland Monthly magazine releases their Top 20 Neighborhoods:

  • South Waterfront
  • Pearl District (extension)
  • Damascus
  • North Bethany
  • Ladd’s Addition
  • Portland Heights
  • University Park/John’s Landing
  • Sauvie Island
  • Orenco Station
  • New Columbia
  • Richmond
  • Piedmont
  • Sellwood-Moreland
  • West Linn
  • Northwest District
  • Mount Tabor
  • Alberta Arts
  • Pearl/Downtown
  • McMinnville
  • Multnomah Village

Portland's unique layout, divided by rivers and highways, has created over 90 individual neighborhoods within these main "sections" of town.

Each community has something special to offer and local shops and restaurants to explore.  Choosing your favorite neighborhood is almost as difficult as choosing your favorite color.  It can be difficult to separate the officially name neighborhoods and those that Portlanders call home.  The Portland Monthly magazine should help buyers identify these neighborhoods and learn more about the "culture" of these great places to call home!  If you have specific questions about Portland neighborhoods check out the Rob Levy Team relocation guide or send an email! 

Neighborhoods within the Portland area!  This can be a great resource for home buyers relocating to the city or even simply considering a move to a new part of town. 
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Displaying blog entries 1-10 of 29

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