It's all over the news that our recession is over.  Let's be real here folks. They determined this because our economy grew 3 consistent quarters.  It grew because of stimulus driven gains in consumer spending and home building which are now over.  Household purchases may have climbed 3.4 percent nationally but we are a long way from where we should be.  Here locally, according to the Willamette Valley Multiple Listing Statistics, 2009 is down 14% from 2008, 2008 was down 34% from 2007 and on down from there.  So it isn't hard to climb a little after hitting rock bottom. Can this be sustained in 2010 and generate the much needed jobs for those still unemployed?  Will they give us what we need in revising the tax credit that was only given to 1st time home buyers?  We are still waiting ... 10/29/2009

‘TIS THE SEASON.....FOR SOUP THAT IS!! YUMMY TACO SOUP!! SALEM OREGON HOMES FOR SALE'S FAVORITE TACO SOUP RECIPE!!  Now that the beautiful fall colors and colder weather are here, nothing warms me up like sitting in front of the fireplace with a warm bowl of soup. This soup is super easy to make, and you can just throw in the crockpot in the morning before you leave for work, and its ready and waiting for you when you get home in the evening. I usually double this recipe and add another can of tomatoes and kidney beans. I substitute a can of yellow hominy for the second can of corn, and add 1 or 2 cans of garbanzo beans. I also add an additional half packet of taco seasoning mix and salad dressing mix. The basic recipe: 1 lb hamburger browned 1 onion 1 can of diced tomatoes-I like to us... 10/24/2009

Tuesday October 27, 2009  7:00 to 9:00 PM at Outward Church, 775 Front St NE Salem, OR. Come join Esterlyn and Pastor Bob Caldwell for an evening of passionate worship and fresh vision for reaching others with the love of Christ! They are visiting Salem, Tuesday, on their Open Your Heart Tour.  They do a fabulous job of showing people how to get involved to help their communities.  If you have never been to something like this you don't want to miss it!  I promise you will leave forever changed, so bring your family and friends.  There will be a required donation of 3 cans of food or non-perishable food items to get in, but bring all you have!  Proceeds go to Hope Station, a local food bank in Salem.  They are a faith-based non-profit organization dedicated to providing support to work... 10/23/2009

SALEM OREGON REAL ESTATE AND HOMES FOR SALE-TIPS FOR HOME BUYERS AND SELLERS!!  LOOKING FOR A NEW PLACE TO SHOP FOR HOME DECOR??   TODAY IS THE GRAND OPENING FOR REAL DEALS IN SALEM, OREGON.  There is a great new store in town!!  Today is the Grand Opening for Real Deals in Salem, Oregon. Real Deals will be open only two days a week-Thursdays and Saturdays! They are located at 1320 Liberty ST NE (corner of Liberty and Gaines). Hours of operation are 10-6 on Thursdays and 10-3 on Saturdays.                                                 Whether you are a seller that could use some new home decor for staging your home, or a new home buyer looking for some home decor for your new home,  Real Deals has some great items for you at WAREHOUSE PRICES!!!    As a seller in the  Salem Oregon Real... 10/22/2009

Dear Salem and Keizer Residents; In July 2008, President Bush signed into law the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA).  This legislation includes $4 billion of grant funds for the Emergency Assistance for the Redevelopment of Abandoned and Foreclosed Homes program.  Under the HERA, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has allocated $19.6 million in grant funds to the State of Oregon.  Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) have allocated $845,564 to the City of Salem and Keizer to provide down payment assistance and potential rehabilitation for families with 120% or less median family income for Salem and Keizer.  This figure is up from what they allowed previously!  These funds can only be used for bank owned properties and properties within desig... 10/15/2009

OCTOBER IS FIRE PREVENTION MONTH-SALEM OREGON HOMES FOR SALE WANTS TO KNOW-DO YOU HAVE AN ESCAPE PLAN?? October is Fire Prevention Month and a good time to ask the question, "Do you have an escape plan?" That is, a plan to get out of your home safely if a fire breaks out? According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), only about one in four of us has taken the time to draw a home escape plan and practice it. That means a lot of us are in danger of doing the wrong thing, with possible tragic results. In addition to not being prepared, many of us are also misinformed! For example, in a recent survey the NFPA learned that one-third of us think we'd have at least six minutes before a home fire became life-threatening, but the available time is often much less. And only eight ... 10/04/2009

I have been a real estate broker for 30 years and a pet owner for alot longer.  It occurred to me the other day that there are similarities between the two.  Such as: EDUCATION  Before you go out and get a pet, you read books about the different kinds, their personalities and needs.  For example you shoudn't  get an energetic outdoor dog if you live in an apartment.  If you want a cuddly lap animal you don't go out and get a Lama.  The same goes for real estate.  Before you go out to buy or sell your home you do some research on the Internet and you talk to your broker .Your broker will educate you as to how the buying or selling process works.  Don't be afraid to ask questions; that's what we're here for. PATIENCE   After you get your new pet you will need a lot of patience to see it t... 09/30/2009

NEW HELP FOR OREGON HOMEOWNERS FACING FORECLOSURE.  SALEM OREGON REAL ESTATE NEWS AND NEW LAW-SENATE BILL 628.  This new law is aimed at helping homeowners facing foreclosure.  Oregon homeowners facing foreclosure have new rights thanks to a new Oregon law-Senate Bill 628.  This law now requires lenders to meet with borrowers, either in person or by phone, to determine whether or not they qualify for a loan modification.  A loan modification could lower house payments and allow homebuyers to remain in their home. Oregon RealEstateRama has the complete article along with tips for homeowners to follow once they have received their Notice of Foreclosure. If you know someone who is struggling to make their mortgage payment, please forward this article to them. 09/29/2009

SALEM OREGON HOME SELLING AND BUYING-100 FABULOUS FALL DECORATING IDEAS FROM SOUTHERN LIVING.  ALSO, GREAT FALL PARTY IDEAS,  PUMPKIN CARVING TEMPLATES AND DIRECTIONS!! As we say goodbye to Summer and head into fall, if you are currently trying to sell your Salem Oregon Home, you may be looking for some quick decorating ideas to "spruce up your home" for a Fall look.  The Salem Oregon Real Estate Market currently has many options for buyers looking to purchase a home in our area.  Make your home stand out by feeling warm and inviting, while sporting a new fall look.  Here is a two minute video highlighting some great decorating ideas for you!   Make your pumpkins stand out with these great pumpkin carving designs and directions.  Need some more pumpkin carving ideas?   Be sure to check ... 09/28/2009

SALEM OREGON HOME BUYERS-WOULD YOU LIKE TO CUT YOUR SPENDING BY UP TO $500 A MONTH??   CNN Money has a great article with tips on how to do just that.    Whether you are saving for your first home, or a homeowner already, we can all use some tips to save money on our monthly expenses. If you are saving to buy a home in Salem, Oregon these tips can help you get your downpayment together in no time. If you save $500 a month for one year, that is $6000 that you have saved towards a downpayment for your new home.  That $6000 downpayment is enough to buy a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in our area.   These money saving tips cover everything from grocery shopping to insurance savings and more. If you would like more information on the Salem Oregon Real Estate Market or buying or selling a home in th... 09/27/2009

Today I read an article in Realtor Magazine; called "Putting the Prestige Back in the Profession" I was taken back with the thought that as Real Estate Brokers our perception by the general public is below, that of stockbrokers, bankers and even Members of Congress...I was shocked!!!!! What does that say about us? I strive to be proficient, ethical, trust worthy, helpful, principled, moral, decent, proper and just down right professional. I have to admit that sometimes, well a lot of the time, well most of the time this is a thankless occupation. We are dealing with huge hiccups in peoples lives, whether these are good or bad they are clearly change and one thing is for sure people hate change. I attended a class yesterday that made a very loud point "Most people we work with blame us f... 09/25/2009

Triathlon This Weekend For a Fellow Active Rain User!!!!!!!- Well for some of you that have been following my blogs, you have been reading about my training for a triathlon. Sorry for the gaps in the blogs about it. You might be saying whats the big deal with that? Im 6'1" and weigh about 225lbs. I am large framed and athletic. But this is an endurance event. Something I lack. After college, I got a desk job and was introduced to the almighty "Beer." Its amazing how quickly you can gain 40 pounds. And how difficult it is to lose it...However, needless to say it was the mountain I chose to climb this year. Each year I find something ridiculous to accomplish and put my mind to it. Sometimes I accomplish it. Sometimes I don't. This year I set off to do a triathlon. Not a sprint. which is 1... 09/24/2009

One of the major events in my life that drove me into the home inspection industry was learning of thermal imaging/infrared and the benefits of this technology for home inspections. I was doing a home inspection the other day on a very nice, and newer home here in south Salem today.  The home had very few minor issues but one thing popped out when I used the thermal camera to scan the master bedroom. The circuit did not appear to be hot enough to cause a fire however there was no significant load on this circuit and it should not have been heating-up.  As it turns out there was a loose wire in the heated outlet in the picture.  The heat was produced because of the looseness/resistance of the connection. Just another issue that can be easily resolved with the help of thermal imagining/In... 09/19/2009

   Willamette Valley home sales are becoming more and more competitive these days due to the economic turmoil spreading across the country. In spite of that, here are a few tips you can use to sell your home in Willamette Valley  faster. Any home can be sold, and any home in Willamette Valley can be made into a home that a buyer can fall in love with.   #1 - Make your Willamette Valley  home feel warm and comfortable.   First impressions are always the best, and when a prospective buyer walks into your home he is looking for a certain environment. After a long day at work home is the place you go to relax and be yourself. Set your home up with this kind of an atmosphere and the buyers will feel it and want it.    #2 - Be Flexible   The price that you are asking for your Willamette Valle... 09/18/2009

Today is the last day to attend the Oregon State Fair. The Big Tomato is offering a $1 coupon off of your admission fee. Some of today's highlights include The Cherry City Roller Girls, and the first time ever roller derby event at the fair, and Reba in concert.See you at the fair!!! 09/07/2009

Eeesh - Looks like I'll be the one to apologize to the nation on behalf of my local colleges performance last night. Many of you watched it on television. It was nationally recognized and will unfortunately never be forgotten. My team, the team I wait for all year long. The team I follow the scouting reports and training camps. The team that has 720 different uniform combinations. The team who has uncle Phil (Phil Knight). Played an absolutely terrible first game of the 2009 season. Besides the fact that we handled the ball for no more than eight minutes the entire game. Besides the fact that we didn't even get a first down until the end of the 3rd quarter. Besides the face that Boise State fumbled the ball 3 times. And even besides the fact that we scored only 8 point the entire game. ... 09/04/2009

Relocating to the Salem Oregon Metro Area One of the hard things about moving to a new area is trying to decide if that area is right for you, or if you are moving for a job relocation, trying to find things out about what a city has to offer.  Here is a snippet of what the Salem Oregon area has to offer residents that are thinking about moving to our area. Dog Lovers Salem Oregon does have leash laws.  Dogs are expected to be on leashes and make sure you have your bags available to scoop the poop.  That’s not to say we don’t love dogs here, I have one myself, but we do have designated off leash areas at some local parks for your dogs to run around and have a good time. Dog Parks in Salem Oregon Downtown Salem Salem Oregon is the capital city so you can’t help but be downtown and see t... 09/03/2009

NEW OREGON STATE FAIR EVENT!!  COME SUPPORT THE CHERRY CITY DERBY GIRLS!!   FIRST TIME EVER FAIR EVENT FEATURING OUR LOCAL CHERRY CITY DERBY GIRLS!! If you are interested in something besides corndogs and fry bricks this year....you will want to check this out!! This is a first time event. Here is an brief summary-you can visit their facebook page to confirm attendance and get all of the information!!To commemorate and celebrate their upcoming first public bout (on October 10th), the CHERRY CITY DERBY GIRLS and the Culture Shock Community Project are hosting, not one, but TWO ALL STAR Multi-League All-Girl Roller Derby Scrimmages at the Oregon State Fair on LABOR DAY!!On MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH, skaters from all over the Northwest will be converging in Salem Oregon to give you two full-fl... 08/28/2009

Relief, After waiting for 6 months, finally closed on the short sale my young clients made an offer on back in Feb, 09. We almost bailed a few times, but in the end, we got a great deal on a home in Silverton. It was very stressfull, cause we had the appraisal done in March (before the new HVCC rules) and we had to relock twice on their loan. I was afraid the the lender would not take the appraisal cause it might be to old and also we did the USDA 100% financing deal that brought another agency in the U/W the loan process. But, after waiting all this time for WaMU/Chase to sign off on the 1st and 2nd held against the the property, another offer came in and we almost lost the deal. I requested the Listing Agent to immediatly request the 'letter of approval' so we could move on. She compl... 08/25/2009

SALEM OREGON REAL ESTATE, RELOCATION, WINES, FOOD, COMMUNITY EVENTS AND FREE RELOCATION PACKAGE. Whether you are a Salem resident, or looking to relocate to the Salem area, you will find some great information on local wineries and community events/places to visit on these two blogs which are written by friends of mine.  The Taste of Oregon and Willamette Valley Wines.  You will also find some great recipes to try out.    If you are planning to relocate to the Salem Area, I have a special relocation package that includes a guide to Salem area house prices and maps, along with community information, that I would love to send to you.  You can get your free relocation package and Guide to Salem Real Estate Prices here!    08/24/2009