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Look Out! Here Comes Ikea!

Thursday, May 31, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties
Submitted by Sandy Morley
 
It appears the arrival date is almost here! Portlanders have been waiting anxiously for the doors to the new Ikea to open since we first heard rumors over two years ago. The date scheduled is for 9 am on July 25th – not soon enough for many of us! The 280,000 square foot store is the second Ikea to open in the northwest. Many locals have made the trek to Renton (just south of Seattle) to pick up Ikea goodies, but with gas prices so high it has been almost more affordable to order from online.
 
Our Ikea store will be located on 19 acres near the Portland International Airport. (There is already some controversy over the giant sign obstructing views of Mount Hood and the gorge.) The best news for Portland may be that Ikea plans to hire 400 locals which will hopefully boost our economy.
 
Many of our home buyers joke that their first stop after receiving keys to their new home will be to Ikea to pick out furnishings, accessories, and utensils. I know that my 55 day count down until it opens can’t possibly go fast enough!
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Holiday Weekend in Washington

Wednesday, May 30, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties

Submitted by Shawn Headlee

Hello all,

 

Hope you all had a great Holiday weekend!!  I traveled to Hoodsport, WA to visit some family.  Hoodsport is on the Olympic Peninsula, great little town to oyster and clam hunt.  It is also a great scuba diving destination.  There is a beautiful lake nearby also called Lake Cushman, excellent water skiing and swimming.  I hadn’t taken my new car for a road trip yet so this was the first time I got to test out highway mileage.  I am happy to report I received 34 miles per gallon on the highway!!!  I averaged the speed limit of 70 most of the time.  With gas prices on the rise, I had to get rid of my old car with a V8.  I used to get 22 on the highway and 14 around town. 

 

Well I hope you all stayed out of trouble this weekend!!

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Year-Round Sports in Portland

Wednesday, May 30, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties

Posted by Cathy Hill

Portland is widely known as one of the best year-round outdoor playgrounds in the United States.  In the fall and winter, we're less than an hour away from snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and downhill skiing at or near Mt. Hood.  During spring, we enjoy the tail end of winter sports and head towards summer options, including hiking, biking, and anything on the water!

An old favorite of mine from my days in Hawaii is outrigger canoeing, which I describe to people as "what they did on Hawaii 5-0".  Outrigger canoeing is widely recognized in Polynesia as a sport which honors the water, in addition to enjoying it for fitness, camaraderie, and sportsmanship.  Here in the Northwest, the Pacific Northwest Outrigger Racing Canoe Association is a great resource for interested folks.  The association is comprised of clubs in Washington, Oregon, and Montana and offers opportunities for people of all fitness levels.  Before moving to Portland myself just about 3 years ago, I did some research to be sure I could continue this personal favorite, even on the river!   Enjoy the summer - there are so many options for enjoying the outdoors and for getting fit!

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Selecting a Real Estate Team!

Tuesday, May 29, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties
Submitted by Sandra Hanis
 
It is an important decision who you choose to represent you as a buyer or a seller. On Rob Levy’s Team, each associate is experienced and knows the Portland market inside and out. We are backed up by a support team who takes the transaction from beginning to end…that translates to not missing a step for buyers and sellers in a very complex process.
We are prepared to work with your lender or we work very closely with Shawn Headlee of Columbia Mortgage who gets raving reviews from our clients. Shawn always treats our clients as he would his personal clients assisting them in finding the best loan for their situation and most importantly making sure our clients’ home closes when they need to!
We have worked with Fidelity Title for years to allow homes to close in a timely, professional manner. In the situation where you have a relationship with another title company, we respect that and will work with the clients’ needs first.
Prudential Northwest Properties offers a unique service to our buyers with Home Services. Our personal coordinators are there for you to assist with all kinds of related services to aid your move…whether you are in the Portland metro area or are working from long distance. Home Services has been invaluable so many times as they find reliable contractors for you, it saves you time…and they even offer a discount on services!
You can check out more valuable links at www.roblevy.com. Feel free to give us a call anytime for a complimentary estimate on your home or to speak with one of our experienced broker/agents. Maybe this is your year to make a real estate decision!
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Camping in Oregon - Memorial Day Weekend & I Found a Great Spot!

Wednesday, May 23, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties

Submitted by Kate Baldus

I don't know how it happens but every three-day weekend my friends like to get together and somehow I am responsible for choosing a location and making arrangements.  (I secretly love planning these kinds of outings 97% of the time!)  However, this year I asked that someone else take charge so that I could just come along, show up and have some fun without fretting over rides, food, reserving sites etc.  Well... it didn't happen.  Tuesday - four days before quite possibly the biggest camping weekend of the year - I found out we did not have a camp site reserved.  We hadn't even officially chosen a location yet either!  To the beach? To the Gorge? Detroit Lake? Mount Hood?  No one could decide!  I have never actually camped much in Oregon, mostly off-road camping during college in Idaho where there aren't nearly the number of people trying to get lost in the woods on Memorial Day weekend.   I quickly began scouring the web for any sites listing open campgrounds.  I actually was surprised to find a few, but none that seemed to accomodate the number of people or location we wanted, plus I didn't know in relation to Portland where all the campgrounds were until I found a great map of sites! 

 I also found a site that let me enter the number of people, location and dates and checked availability of all sites in that area.  The one I continuously heard my friends asking for was Detroit Lake (usually booked out at least nine months in advance.)  After four hours of refreshing the screen to see if there were openings - I had found it.  One campsite popped up and I clicked "Book Now" faster than I could imagine (I had to register to actually book the reservation which slowed me down... tip to you - register before you start searching so that when a campsite pops up you don't risk losing it!)  Even better, the campsite next to it opened up so I booked both - easily able to accomodate 15 people.  I was so excited to email all my friends and tell them the good news.  Two campsites for Saturday and Sunday night, actually located on the lake - you can't get much better than that... one of the best reasons to live in Oregon!  I am so excited for this weekend - I can't wait! 

By the way - some great off road camping about an hour away in Washington is up the Washougal River past Dougan Falls (23 miles up the river's winding road.)  There are usually a lot of people swimming in the falls but the furthur up the river the less crowded and you can find some great spots in the summer!

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Understanding Property Taxes and Terminology in Oregon

Tuesday, May 22, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties
Submitted by Tamara LeMaire, Fidelity National Title Insurance Company
 
Property Taxes can be very confusing for home buyers.  Here is a brief explanation to help explain the way Oregon Property taxes work:
 
Oregon Property Tax are levied and become a lien on the property July 1st of each year with payments due November 15 of the same calendar year.   Taxpayers may elect to pay in thirds and if they do so, no discount is allowed, and the first one-third is due November 15th, the second one-third is due on February 15th and the final one-third is due May15th. A discount of 3 percent is allowed if full payment is made by November 15th; a 2 percent discount is allowed for two-thirds payment by November 15th. For late payments interest accrues at a rate of 1 1/3 percent per month and is assessed from the 15th to the 15th. Taxes are delinquent as of May 15 if not fully paid. Remember that although the taxes can be paid in one-third increments, that any unpaid taxes are a lien and need to be considered as such on a refinance or sale.
 
The tax year runs from July 1st to June 30th. Taxes are “certified” usually by October 15th, which means the values are set for the year. Taxes are due November 15th. When you pay in November you are paying for the previous July to the next June 30th.
 
You can appeal your property tax value from October 15th to December 31st of the tax year. To do this, you would appeal to the Board of Property tax appeals; sometimes called the Board Equalization. Call your county for details. Property taxes are still expected to remain current during this process.
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Why Buy a Home in Portland, Oregon?

Monday, May 21, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties
Submitted by Bruce Hecht
 
Have you seen the latest real estate news from Portland Oregon?  The headlines
talked about the continued downtrend in the national market and that it is NOT appearing in Portland Oregon housing market!
 
It said that the real estate slump and downward trend that has been plaguing the nation, missed Portland and the Portland, Oregon real estate market continues to be active, strong and the buyers and sellers are still buying and selling homes.

Why?   Portland, Oregon real estate market continues to be the best buy and best kept secret on the entire west coast!  The greater western Washington market has not missed a beat either.  However, the average priced home in western Washington is almost double of the average priced home in Portland, Oregon.  The average priced home in California, even with their recent drops, is still approximately 2.5 times what it is in Portland Oregon.
 
The average buyer can still afford and buy a great home in great locations, near parks,water,libraries, shopping and mass transportation in Portland Oregon for a great price!



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Portland to the Coast in 90 Minutes - Such a Gorgeous Drive!

Monday, May 21, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties
Submitted by Rob Levy
This past weekend I did what I often do, I went to the Oregon coast for the weekend.  But today I was daydreaming and thinking how lucky I am that I live in Portland, Oregon and can be on the beach within 90 mintues of leaving my home or office.
 
The North Oregon coast is one of the most gorgeous places on the planet and starting from north to south consists of the cities of Astoria, Gearhart, Seaside, Cannon Beach and Manzanita.  All of these can be accessed from the Portland area by either highway 26 (Sunset Highway) or for Astoria also Highway 30.  Let alone though is the coast beautiful in its own right but the drive there is over the coast range and is a gorgeous drive through NW rainforest, over the summit and then following fast flowing streams on their way just like me to the pacific ocean.
 
Things to do on the coast include salmon fishing, whale watching, walking for miles on empty sand beaches, camping and hiking at areas like Ft Stevens state park, or playing tourist in the cities like the Astor Column.
 
As a Portland resident, you need to make sure you go to the coast at least once during each season, they are all different.  Being on the beach on a hot east wind day in the summer is just as delightful as storm watching in the middle of January.  Again, its just one more reason I am so happy I live here.
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Portland Weather - I Will Take the Rain for a Nice Portland Summer Anyday!

Monday, May 21, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties

Submitted by Sandy Morley

Portland's weather is often known to be blah blah blah rain.  What most people don't know is that our average rainfall is less that Atlanta, Birmingham, Houston, Indianapolis or Seattle!  We do get cloudy days... and some with drizzle and others with a good rain storm - but it is truly the summers in Portland that make it all worth the while.  Even better - it is that we have GREEN summers!  Due to our 36.3" of rain on average each year, our trees stay greener longer and it keeps our environment healthy!  All the beauty of our surrounding nature helps Portlanders get outside, go hiking, and appreciate where we live.  We also get to enjoy summer days that are not too scorching hot, but just right.  When it does peak 100 degrees - the kids will love it, and we will know that it most likely won't last more than a day or two.  When the sun comes out in Portland, locals fill the streets downtown sipping mochas, cocktails and enjoying the great city we live in.

 

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Too Old to Play Basketball? Apparently I Am - But I Can Still Get You a Great Loan!

Monday, May 21, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties
Submitted by Shawn Headlee
Hello all,
 
I was out most of last week due to reconstructive knee surgery. I had my ACL replaced... again. I had it done 9 years ago and thought I was going to be able to play basketball like I did as a youth - apparently I was wrong. I am still in recovery mode, but should be walking without a brace in a week or so. My surgeon, Brad Butler of the Orthopedic and Fracture Clinic is amazing if you need a good recommendation. 
 
As many of you may have noticed, rates have been inching upward due to some positive economic news.  The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage went up three basis points to 6.38% according to an article on HSH Associates Financial Publisher.  In the mortgage business, many lenders want the economy to do just poor enough that everyone still has jobs, but that the rates drop to stimulate a recovery.  This is what we saw happen in the first half of the decade and now that things are swinging upward the interest rates may begin to rise.
 
Have a great week!!
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Displaying blog entries 1-10 of 28

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