About Me
I am a top ranked agent serving the Portland area for over 23 years specializing in residential real estate sales and investments. I created this site as a real estate resource for buyers and sellers who want to be well informed about current inventory and pricing. If you are interested in actively tracking the market, please sign up to receive my daily listing email. We map every new listing each day then update the neighborhood maps. The map is emailed to you...simply click a neighborhood to see the listed properties for sale, complete with pictures, price and address. -
Happy Thanksgiving!
There are many things I am thankful for this holiday. I’m thankful I get to celebrate my upcoming 23rd year in the business and I am able to help buyers and sellers close tranactions to acheive their real estate dreams. May you and your loved ones have happy holiday!
HUD Report Indicates Portland Metro has Increasing Homeownership
Together with several government entities & housing data sources, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has released a new website with a variety of different publications at the regional, state, and local levels.
Within the Portland Metro area publication, there is recent data that has been collected for the past two decades that indicates the market is still seeing an increase in homeownership percentages from decade-to-decade. Similarly, the percentage of renters is decreasing.
When consumers make the transition out of renting to homeownership, it signifies a higher quality of life and increased financial stability. This is an indication that our city is still thriving on a long-term basis–even if the real estate market has an immediate gloomy outlook.
For the FREE full report, please feel free to email me at: joelle@pdxhomeseller.com
Joelle’s October Lake Oswego Market Minute
Click video below to watch Lake Oswego specific real estate market statistics:
Lake Oswego Annual Holiday Tree Lighting: Black Friday at 5pm
Celebrate the holiday spirit by joining your community downtown Lake Oswego for the lighting of two trees! Starting at 5pm on Friday, November 26th at the corner of A Avenue and 5th Street the Bigelow Plaza tree will be lit up, then the Millenium tree as well. There will tasty treats as well!
visit www.ci.oswego.or.us for more information!
Foreclosures Fell in the 3rd Quarter
According to Mortgage Bankers Association, the number of foreclosures has decreased slightly from quarter 2 to quarter 3. While the difference is only one percent, there are some who say this might be strictly from the halt in foreclosures due to state and federal investigations.
Mortgages that are 3 months overdue have also fell in the 3rd quarter.
Its unclear whether this shows any indication for a healthier market. Many officials say its too soon to tell especially with many foreclosures still suspended.
Portland Metro Named on America’s Favorite Cities by Travel + Leisure Magazine
The Rose City is a fav among residents and visitors alike! Portland has gained more national attention and praise by Travel + Leisure Magazine.
The scoring system ranked cities in a variety of different areas such as the people, type of trip, hotels, nightlife, culture, food, quality of life, and more!
Portland’s highest scoring areas were Public Parks and Outdoor Access, Environmental Friendliness, Public Transportation and Pedistrian Friendliness, Safety and Summer Vacation. Portland’s lowest scoring areas were Luxury Stores, Big-name Restaurants, and Big-name Luxury Hotels.
For the complete breakdown go to: http://www.travelandleisure.com/americas-favorite-cities/2009/city/portland-oregon
I’m ready for my close-up…Watch me on HGTV Tonight at 8pm!
My 15 minutes of fame is finally being aired on HGTV on November 18th at 8:00pm. The show is “My First Place” and last fall Ben and Emily purchased a new home that I had listed.
For more info on the episode, go to:
http://www.hgtv.com/my-first-place/house-hunt-without-a-net/index.html
Why Home Ownership Matters to People…
Here’s an article by REALTOR.org, on why owning your home is the best option.
WHY HOME OWNERSHIP MATTERS TO PEOPLE…
_ Home owners are happier and healthier and enjoy a greater feeling of control over their lives.
_ Owning a home is one of the best ways to build long-term wealth. Historically, a home owner’s net worth has ranged from 31 to 46 times that of a renter.
_ Home owners are free to redecorate, renovate, and modify their homes as they wish.
_ Most home owners enjoy stable housing costs—a fixed-rate mortgage payment might not change for 15 to 30 years while rent typically increases 3 % a year.
_ Home owners can typically deduct mortgage interest and property taxes on their federal individual income tax return.
TO COMMUNITIES…
_ People who own homes vote more, volunteer more and contribute more to their neighborhoods.
_ Home owners do not move as frequently as renters, providing more neighborhood stability. In turn, this stability helps reduce crime and supports neighborhood upkeep.
_ Children of home owners do better in school, stay in school longer, are more likely to participate in organized activities and spend less time in front of the television.
TO AMERICA…
_ 67% of American households are owner-occupied. America is a nation of home owners.
_ Home owners pay 80 to 90% of federal individual income taxes, contributing to federal programs that benefit all Americans.
_ Every home purchased pumps $60,000 into the economy for furniture, home improvements and related items.
_ Housing accounts for more than 15% of the national Gross Domestic Product, a key driver of our national economy.
_ For these reasons and more, home ownership is the American Dream!
To watch a video on why home ownership matters, visit:
http://www.youtube.com/user/NAREALTORS#p/a/u/0/5uyMmSSknWw
Lake Oswgeo Foothills Development Plans
The City of Lake Oswego and developers Williams/Dame & White (WDW) are in the planning stages for the redevlopment plan that would turn the 107 acre Foothills District of Lake Oswego into a unique new neighborhood. The area would be a blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces. It would offer a special opportunity to have a pedistrian/bike friendly neighborhood close to downtown Lake Oswego and offer public transportation directly to downtown Portland.
There currently a variety of challenges the project has to overcome, such as flood mitigation strategies for the nearby Willamette River, mitigation for the Tyron Creek Wasterwater Treatment Plant, and infastructure and zoning changes.
This project, however, has great potential to become a exciting new neighborhood of Lake Oswego and offer downtown Lake Oswego amenities and transportation to Portland’s downtown area as well. This kind of community would give a much-needed boost to our local real estate market and economy in the upcoming decades.
For more detailed infor, go to www.lakeoswegobusiness.com
PGE is offering a limited time heating tune-up offer…
Need a furnace or heat pump tune-up??
PGE is partnering with 2 area heating contractors, offering a special $75 tune-up special until Dec. 31, 2010. This is a great deal considering this is their busy season! So give one of them a call today and start saving energy! Be sure to mention the “PGE Update” when asking for the special.
Portland area, west: Bruton Comfort Control 503-632-1563
Portland area, east: Clean Air Act, 503-632-1563
