Just in case you have not heard.  Fred Stewart recently decided to run for Portland City Council.  He is running because he knows he can make a difference in how Portland moves forward into what will most likely be a rough economic period.   His background and experiences have given him a unique perspective Portland needs.  A friend of his, Commissioner Eric Sten, has decided to step down on April 4th and there will be a special election during the May primary.   He needs your help as he has decided this weekend to try and participate in the voter owned election.   This means he will need 1,000 people from Portland to donate $5 and sign a petition to grant his campaign with $150,000.  This will mean he will commit to not seek financial support from anyone else, as the public is financin... 01/28/2008

What Method do you use to Select a Realtor®?When I took Economics back in college, we all learned that there are many approaches to making a decision. The two methods that I think most apply to how people choose a Realtor are: Satisficing and Optimizing.You have done your groundwork and put together your list of questions to ask Realtors and now you need to decide how to utilize this list.Satisficing is the approach most people take. This is basically considering one option at a time until a satisfactory option is found and then accepting that option. They interview one Realtor at a time and stop when they think they have found the right one. The last Realtor they talk to gets the job. Unless you are very experienced in dealing with real estate, you may not know what you are missing.Mos... 01/26/2008

Lessons in business are all around us if we just take the time to recognize them. Take this story for example.For the last week or so I have been considering purchasing a new camcorder. I am tired of taking short clips with my  Canon_A630_Digital_Camera.  It works okay for emergency situations doing an okay job but because it is meant to be a digital image camera there are many features it does not have, Like Zoom in or out while shooting. So I began my quest with a trip to the brick and mortar stores. I listened intently to most of the sales people about their thoughts on which camera they thought that I should purchase and the reasons why. Most of these small stores were very helpful but each and everyone one of them had a only a very small inventory to work with. On the third day whi... 01/24/2008

FitPregnancy Magazine has listed Portland, OR as the top city in the nation for having a baby. Just another reason to live or move here. Portland, and the surrounding cities are considered some of the best places to live for many reasons, and according to a number of different sources.In this study, Portland ranked high on low maternal and infant mortality, health of baby, breastfeeding, use of midwives, doulas and lactation consultants. The availability of high-risk pediatricians was also stated as well as the number of parks and state laws allowing breast feeding in public.So, if you live here, CONGRATULATIONS!! If not, pack up and move here. Home values are relatively stable and I've got a loan program with your name on it.Larry Morris is a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist (CMP... 01/24/2008

Are Banks Really Suffering?Bank of America reported fourth-quarter earnings 95% below 2006. The headline suggests that this is just one more example of just how our economy is slipping into recession. However, mentioned practically at the end of the article, was that B of A profits for the year were 15 billion dollars. It's hard for me to think that B of A is in trouble with only 15 billion in profit.It turns out that many large banks have been profitable for the year, even with dismal fourth- quarters. John Berry has an article that does a good job of explaining this.My take on this is that banks may have missed forecast earning targets for the end of the year, but are still healthy enough to make loans for credit-worthy endeavors.The article led with the bad news, but is it really all... 01/23/2008

Free Aerial PhotographsTerraServer-USA is a Microsoft website that provides free access to maps and aerial photographs of the United States. The usefulness of this site to a real estate agent is that you can explore the neighborhood of your buyers and sellers and see what is around their house. The images are free to download and distribute. Be advised that some images are old and there may be significant changes to the neighborhood. Here is the link TerraServer-USA.Wayne B. Pruner is a Realtor® in the Portland, Oregon area. He is ready to help you with all your real estate needs. His phone number is 503-891-0795. Here are links to his real estate website and his real estate blog. 01/22/2008

Fantastic light and bright Columbia Ridge Condo.  This spacious home features a fully finished lower level bonus rm w/tile flooring, living rm w/fireplace and soaring ceiling, two master suites, one with jetted tub and skylight, kitchen with cozy balcony, and a large deck perfect for entertaining.  All appliances included! Awesome location w/ quick I-84, I-205 and MAX access.  $199,999 Address:   12142 NE Fremont Street #7    City/ST:   Portland, OR   Zip Code:   97220   Location:   12142 NE Fremont, Portland   Property Type:   Condo   New or Resale:   Resale    Square Footage:   1689   Bedrooms:   2   Bathrooms:   2 full, 1 half   MLS#   8007216    For additional photos and details visit http//:www.TonyandLibby.comor call 1-800-395-1151 code 609 for 24 hr recorded information This list... 01/22/2008

Sound depressing?  That's the number one excuse I hear from people that have never been to one.  I've been to a share of animal shelters and rescue groups, and I will admit, some are sad and dank and have an utterly hopeless feeling about them.  Others however are inspiring and educational.  These are the shelters where the dogs are exercised daily and the cats can hang out in an area that has the appeal of your grandmother's living room.My all time favorite place is the Oregon Humane Society.  I was once an active volunteer there, but now only get the opportunity every now and again to visit the animals.  They have approximately 80 kennels for dogs and space for at least that many cats.  There is also a room for small animals (rabbits, birds, snakes, guinea pigs and the like).  This la... 01/18/2008

With the brisk winter weather upon us, it can be hard to stay positive.  It usually starts in the morning when the alarm goes off for the first time.  Snooze, snooze, snooze (I believe the work day should start no earlier than 11am, but the powers that be have yet to catch on to my logic).  Then of course comes the decision on what to wear.  It's freezing outside but warm in the office.  The clothes that fit in October are now snug from all the wonderful goodies I indulged on during the holidays, so aside from being cold, I'm uncomfortable.  Next comes the drive to the office.  stop, go! go, STOP!!  After I've said a few expletives and wiped the coffee off the dashboard as best can be, I pull into the parking garage.  By now, the car has heated up to just perfect and my favorite song is... 01/17/2008

Are you facing the possibility of a foreclosure? No matter what your circumstances waiting for the last moment is NOT the best thing to do. Action must be taken to protect your Home and you're Credit.So, What are your Options? What can you do other than accept the foreclosure? :You could make up the deficiency by paying the back payments.You might be able to re-finance.You could possibly negotiate with the current Lender for more time.You may have to sell the house.If making up the back payments is not an option for you and all attempts to negotiate with your Lender have failed and a refinance option is off the table for you then Selling the home may be your only option left.Selling your home in the greater Portland area market today might surprise you. Contrary to recent media hype of ... 01/17/2008

 Often times I hear people exclaim when they have come to Portland for the first time " Wow I didn't know you had Tall Buildings here".      Standing in Downtown Portland in the Center of Pioneer Court House Square.     On South West Broadway in Downtown Portland.      Looking to the North East from Portland Oregon's West Hills.     From the Water Front in Portland Oregon Looking North towards the twin Towers of the Convention Center.     From the East Bank of the Willamette River at Tight Shot West into Downtown Portland.     A Panorama of Downtown Portland from the East Bank esplinade walk way.    http://www.travelportland.com/visitors/portland_profile.html  Travel information City of Portland Online Link http://www.portlandonline.com/ Portland City Search http://portland.citysearch.c... 01/11/2008

Announcing New Dates & Locations for Oscar's Short Sales A-Z ™ Seminar Back by Popular Demand, Oscar's Short Sales Seminars will fill up fast. Hurry and Reserve Your Spot Today! Do You Have Over Mortgaged Listings? Do You Know of Clients in Foreclosure? EARN EXACTLY HOW TO EXECUTE SHORT SALES (8) real estate broker C.E. Clock Hours Class Size Limited to 60 Below is Oscar's Current Short Sales A-Z™ Seminar Schedule Holiday Inn Express-Airport, "Oakland, CA" Wednesday, January 23, 2008 from 8:00am to 6:00pm Holiday Inn - Burbank Media Center, "Burbank, CA" Friday, January 25, 2008 from 8:00am to 6:00pm Phoenix Inn, "Portland, Oregon" Wednesday, January 30, 2008 from 8:00am to 6:00pm Hotel Nexus (formerly Ramada), "Seattle, Washington" Saturday, February 2, 2008 from 8:00am to 6:00pm Recei... 01/11/2008

Home should be your castle, your shelter and your refugee.If you are thinking "I want to be anywhere but here" you can't be a Portland Oregon resident.  Portland and its surrounding communities offer everything good from lifestyle to economics.  There are modern day big city amenities and job opportunities on one hand and sweet quiet suburban/country living on the other. The Portland communities go the extra mile to not only preserve the environment and lifestyles of its citizens but to improve them as they change and grow.  As an example in 1979, Portland separated urban land from traditional farm land.  As a result, pastoral farmland and red barns are within 15 minutes of downtown. This design has contributed to better living, making possible more efficient public transportation and o... 01/09/2008

How to convert your home to a rental.For the unfortunate people who cannot sell their home now, and need to sell, it may be worth considering renting it out until the market improves and you can sell it. This certainly is not an option in all cases and takes careful financial analysis. Becoming a Landlord is not to be taken lightly, but it may be an option for those facing foreclosure. Being aware of the issues facing you will help you decide if this approach is right for you."How much can I rent can I get for my House?" This can be determined by researching rents in the weekend newspaper and on Craigslist. Most likely you cannot rent it out for your mortgage payment and will have to make up the shortfall. Will the extra rental income improve your situation?The whole key to being a succ... 01/06/2008

Steven O'Neill, Mortgage Banking Specialist, has over 10 years of experience in the residential, commercial, and equipment lending industry.  Steve's history in the industry includes working as a processor, underwriter, and since 2004 as a loan originator. He has worked for some of the largest banks not only in the Northwest but in the entire United States. Steve chose to work with every bank at the same time on the wholesale level as a loan originator for a mortgage banking corporation/ brokerage firm, Northwest Lending Group. The two greatest benefits of working through Steve at Northwest Lending Group are; 1) He will shop the various banks for you, and 2) Will be able to pass on to you the price breaks associated with working with banks on the wholesale level versus with the banks on... 01/04/2008

My TomTom is TerrificBy Wayne B. Prunerhttp://www.yourhomeinportlandoregon.com/ Wayne's Portland Oregon Real Estate blogwww.activerain.com/wayneprunerThis Christmas I received a TomTom as a present. Not the usual ties and sweaters, but something far more useful. The TomTom One XL is a GPS navigation system for a car. This is a really useful device for a Realtor and it works very well. Today was the first day I had a chance to use it and it was great. Easy to use right out of the box and it took me to an address in an unfamiliar part of town without me having to use a map book. (Speaking of map books, have you noticed that the 2008 Thomas Guide pages are smaller? What's up with that?)There is no service to buy or maps to purchase. The maps are preloaded. It has a large screen that you to... 01/03/2008

Room Solutions Staging was hired to stage a very cluttered occupied home in the Portland, OR area that was on the market for 6 months without an offer!  The listing agent felt that staging it might make a difference.  It was a lot of hard work but the results were satisfying:  a sale shortly after our staging.  Here are a few of the transformed rooms, using the seller's items and some of our accessories ... and removing a TON of things!     01/02/2008

Portland has become a place for the homeless to come. The city embraces them, and even is willing to drive hard working mom and pop stores out in order to help the homeless. We have something called dignity village here that is a homeless camp, is on public land, and doesn't have to be up to code. The question I have for this community is if one of these tents, with FREE electricity and FREE water supplied by the city, should burn down, who do they think they are going to sue if someone should get hurt? I do think we should help our homeless, but they also want to help themselves first. One of the long time residences of dignity village is an ex-college professor that even admits he can work, but chooses not to. He would rather live free and have less stress in his life! Great! It is fr... 12/31/2007

Its True its True its True. The Sky is falling. The real estate market in Portland is going in reverse. All of the terrible media reports are now confirmed. This is the worst thing ever. What we thought would never happen is now happening. The Market as we knew it is kaput.What is it you ask? Well it's the stats of course. Thats right the RMLS cumulative Market Stats.The stats for the November Real Estate Market in Greater Portland Oregon for the Last 12 months show the median price for a Portland Oregon Home only rose by  7%. Compare that to the previous years gain of 14% over it's 12 month period. There I've said it. Now are you happy? Good! Then let's get back to work. The Stats also showed that in the last couple of months from September though November there was a slight improvemen... 12/27/2007

Mortgage Insurance is Tax DeductibleBy Wayne B. Prunerhttp://www.yourhomeinportlandoregon.com/ Wayne's Portland Oregon Real Estate blogwww.activerain.com/wayneprunerA law sponsored by Oregon Senator Gordon Smith, called The Mortgage Insurance Fairness Act, and signed into law by President Bush, extends the tax deductibility of mortgage insurance premiums to 2010. The law allowing the deductibility of mortgage insurance premiums was going to sunset in 2007. This is some needed good news during the current housing crisis.Mortgage insurance is typically required when the down payment on a home purchase is less than 20%. It is meant to reduce the risks of default to lenders, because home purchasers with 20% down are far less likely to default on the loan.While there are many conventional pr... 12/27/2007