The last day of 2008 seems like the perfect day for all of us to take a look back and review what we have accomplished over the past year, and look forward to the exciting opportunities of 2009.  As I reflect on our many stagings this past year, one success story in particular sticks out in my mind.        We were contacted the week of December 17, 2007 by a homeowner who needed to sell their home.  After sitting vacant on the market for over four months with no offers, the owners of this quant 600 square foot 1919 Craftsman bungalow knew they had to do something different.        The unique space provided challenges to potential buyers who could not envision how the small space could work for them.  Their Realtor had suggested they do not stage and he hung a few pictures throughout the... 12/31/2008

Well we made it through the toughest year I have had in Real Estate, and I know that many of you feel the same. Blow off some steam this weekend and come back ready to DEFINE 09! What does that mean? It means that we are really going to have to DEFINE, not only for ourselves but for our clients what to do regarding the real estate market in 2009. We need to be well educated, up to date on any and all mortgage news, the economy, job market ETC. The days of being single minded are gone, I do not think that in this market we can be a specialist in just one thing, we need to diversify our scope of business. The clients are going to expect us to know more then we have in the past. We are really going to have to set ourselves up as being the one they need to go to with any questions regarding... 12/31/2008

Thanks to Kathy Nielsen for getting this started ~ it's been fun to check out everyone's great entries! This home staging project was memorable because although this vacant vintage 1940 home in Portland Oregon had some interesting architectural features, for some reason the house just didn't come "alive" until it was staged .... does that ever happen on your staging projects? 12/30/2008

Well, I've lived in Oregon my whole life and it is true, if you head down to Swan Island, you aren't going to see any swans, and you won't be on an island. I do suggest if you want to see some swans there are some great places in the Milwaukie area that have some.But, back to the island that isn't an island. You see in Swan Island used to be an island until the 20s when they filled in the space between the island and the neighborhood to make them connect. I'm guessing that was so they wouldn't have to build a massive expensive bridge.You see, Swan Island was where the original Portland Airport was located and sometime during the 20s it was dedicated by Charles Lindbergh. It was later converted to a naval shipyard during World War II. Even today, if you head down to the Northwest end of ... 12/30/2008

This last week we have had some difficult weather here in Portland, Or.  It's pretty well-known that we have a lot of precipitation, but its generally not the white, fluffy kind.  We got about 10-12 inches of snow, depending on where you live in town.  I live in SE, near Hawthorne, and we had about a foot.  I can imagine that King's Heights or Forest Heights had it much worse, and I'm currently working with clients on a purchase in Lake Oswego, so I know they had some dangerous roads. The point, however, is that there are certain responsibilities that are unknown for residents of the city, and the inclement weather highlighted those responsibilities.  There was actually an Oregonian article the other day referencing the fact that residents are responsible for shoveling their sidewalks a... 12/29/2008

I have not visited this subject in over a year. Perhaps it is time once again. There are many elements that can make a Post not only interesting & informative but interactive as well. How do a write such a Post? Do not over think the subject matter. Touch on a subject matter that all can relate to. Give us a good Title to lead us in. Tell us your story then ask for our opinions. Do not beg for comments, but by asking for oppinions you are inviting the readers to become part of the post. Remember great communication requires participation. Readers there are rules for you to follow also. Read the entire Post and Comments first before jumping in and giving your two cents. A comment such as " Great Post " ( by itself ) is not only insulting to great writing but useless to all. Do not highja... 12/27/2008

Not enough words to describe the snow today. All the trite ones have been used - fluffy, drifting, winter wonderland, magical, and so on.  The flakes were lazy, floaty, light appearing, but still heavier than air. The snow fell. The fallen snow was greater than a dusting, and while there were white-out conditions in the Gorge, I don't think it could be classified as a blizzard - at least not by mid-west standards. The trees are more than frosted, flocked. Walking leaves a crunch that lingers in hat covered ears. Chained tires roll past the walkers with off-key notes of worry. Sidewalks have disappeared and skis and sleds have claimed the side streets. There are drawbacks, there always are when Lady Nature throws a loop at us. Planned life was interrupted, days and nights disrupted.  Peo... 12/20/2008

When a seller is living in their home while it's on the market, stagers can sometimes find that working with a homeowner's existing furniture can be challenging!  We do our best to edit the seller's items and also provide accessory items & greenery or small furnishings as needed to add life and make the home more appealing to the target buyer.  Many times, sellers are suprised to see how we move their items around from one room to another, and often pull things out of closets or the garage to use in staging! Here are a few Before & After photos of Occupied Homes that we've staged in the Portland, OR area ... most of them were lingering on the market without offers, then were Staged & SOLD!   Sellers and their listing agents should consult with a professional stager to prepare your prope... 12/20/2008

Everyday, if we search even just a little in our community newspapers, we may find ordinary Americans doing extraordinary things to benefit others within our communities.  Today as I read through our local Portland paper, The Oregonian, I found myself reading about my own little brother, Pat Rice in a column written by Margie Boule.  Why didn't he tell me that he was going to be in the paper?  Perhaps he thought I'd just laugh and see it as another stunt as his part to get some attention as the little brother in a family of nine.  But, for whatever reason, I am very proud of Pat - he has gone out of his way to not only make a contribution to main street America, but without seeking accolades from his own family.  What a great example to me of what it means to give back out of your abund... 12/16/2008

Back in 1956, one of the biggest songs of the year was performed by a fellow who went by a number of nicknames, any one of which gives you some idea of his style of singing. They called Johnnie Ray the Prince of Wails, the Cry Guy and the Sultan of Sob. His first big hit came in 1952. The song sold millions of copies. I played "Cry" on the radio as an oldie in the 1960's.One point of interest: Johnnie Ray was extremely hard of hearing. Ray had trouble hearing the musicians accompanying him and the hearing loss contributed to his unique phrasing. Ray's biggest hit, in the year 1956, was a cover of a song called "Just Walkin' In the Rain". It had been previously released by a group of inmates from the Tennessee State Prison. While that group, the Prisonaires, got ample attention for the s... 12/16/2008

It's been a hard year for many people, and this is a season where families and individuals often feel even more of a pinch.  Unemployment is up, savings are down and personnel at the Food Bank have said that the demand for emergency food is greater than ever. On the  Oregon Food Bank web site the OFB reports that the Network's first-quarter reports (July 1-Sept. 30, 2008), distribution of emergency food boxes increased 13 percent in Oregon and 8 percent in Clark County, WA, compared to the same period in 2007. 46% of households receiving emergency food have at least one working member.  Let's see how much we can help. The Oregon Food Bank has placed a contribution barrel in the RE/MAX equity group office at 7886 SE 13th Ave in the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood -- the library building. ... 12/15/2008

There has been many homes that have been sold at bank auctions lately. This is an area that I have had mixed feelings on for sometime but think that a negative situation can open up to a positive one. I have been to a few over the last 15 years, long before I became a Real Estate Broker.  I did not like them much when I went. Maybe it was that it was a BLIND bid auction, or a fast pace one that I did not feel as though I could keep up with.  As time went on I decided that unless I needed to I would really like to stay away from the auctions. That was just me and how comfortable I was. Some of the things I will point out is at auctions you really need to come in with CASH for several reasons.The Price is due within 45 days or less (30 being the average). You will find it near impossible ... 12/15/2008

Thank goodness this frozen kind of day -- it will be a week of cold they say -- is rare!  We are breaking records that are 36 years old.  Last night we broke a record low set in 1972!  People are covering their pipes, letting water trickle in vacant houses - better a slightly higher water bill than the plumber's bill for a broken pipe! Photo courtesy of Tami Vroma under the Creative Commons license   Our office was closed today because the streets are iced. I drove there this mornng -  six blocks in very slow motion, feeling extremely grateful for the chained and studded tires of the day before that left so many little ruts in the ice! Walking like a first time skater on ice. Wouldn't have gone out at all except I needed to send an offer for a client's signature. Our average December te... 12/15/2008

In the past I worked in a small town selling real estate although I now work in the city, Portland Oregon. Small towns can benefit greatly from the use of technology. Not all of the technology that is used in the city is needed or appreciated in small towns. More often than not some technologies are even looked down upon in some towns as absurd or frivolous and left with a " City Slicker Nonsense"comment as its epitaph. Such technologies as Twitter have suffered such ridicule in small towns. Yet in reality Twitter might just be the technology that would be very advantageous to country folk. As an example: Your Wife or loved one is a Realtor(R) and shows small country properties. They are often gone for hours at a time. By following them on Twitter you could provide the both of you with ... 12/14/2008

Are you one of those that avoids the day after Christmas sales?  The lines are too long .. the  ridiculous traffic .. and who wants to get up early when it is your day off.  The Portland Real Estate market is shaping up to be like those day after Christmas sales that if you are a potential buyer you may want to avoid.  Why get involved in bidding wars,  or having to wait days in line getting in to see your favorite mortgage broker.  Today the November real estate market statistics were released and show that there are over 15,000 homes on the market in the Portland metro area.  If only 1,000 of those sold per month, our present inventory would last us a good 15 months.  That much housing inventory on the market has not been seen in years  Will it last?  Sales have also been sluggish in ... 12/12/2008

Family-owned, local businesses are suffering on Main Street - something we hear everyday.  While bail-outs are being talked about in the halls of senators and corporate executives, main street America is talking, and helping via social networking such as Twitter and Facebook.  In Portland, Oregon today, peeps throughout the city were paged with a simple message from an everdaydude to read http://tin yurl.com/5vs5oz.  - a son, with a simple plea, a simple Christmas wish to his local community - help save our family bookstore.  Is he naive to think it will work?  As I walked into the store today, I believe the message is out. Hopefully Broadway Books, in Portland, because of the power of Twitter and blogging and the desire of the people of Portland, Oregon to support local businesses will... 12/11/2008

With conventional 30 year rates in the low 5%, it seems like the rush is on to refinance. The Mortgage Bankers Associations index reports double digits increases in refinance loan applications over the last couple of weeks.  If you are a homeowner that has an adjustable rate mortgage adjusting in the next three years and you are not planning on moving in the next two years you should be talking to a mortgage broker about your options sooner than later. Fixing your rate now will minimize risk over the long term. Something to consider... Divide your total closing costs for the refinance by your monthly savings. This will give you the number of months that it will take you to break even (your monthly savings vs. the total cost of the refinance). If you are planning on moving before your br... 12/11/2008

It's been such a busy time and so long since I've blogged.  Hopefully I'll be back more regularly now. One of the houses that we staged recently sold.  The builder had another home next door with an almost identical floorplan, so he wanted us to move the staging to that home in hopes of closing a sale.  We moved the staging next door and used the same inventory, but in different places in the house to create a slightly different feel.  I thought it might be fun to share the photos with the subtle differences, since we wanted to mix it up a little.        Living Room in the first home was more traditional and shifted to a bit more modern in the second home        A dining room with and without place settings        Family room downstairs with different placement of furniture It sure is a... 12/10/2008

The evolution of Real Estate sales is an ongoing process. As I look back at the many changes ( most for the good ) I wonder where we might be in another 10 or 20 years. The first day I walked into my office now some 20 plus years ago I was met by the office manager. She sat me down for an interview. The interview consisted of about 20 pounds of forms that she wanted me to fill out. There were MLS forms, Office forms, Brokerage forms and the big one, the Business Plan form. This was no small form either it was a complete break down including short term goals, a five year plan and a ten year plan. Upon completion of the interview, I was taken into the conference room for orientation. Orientation was memorizing the inventory, our company listings. Back then our listings were all kept in an... 12/08/2008

I want to hear from you! Can you take a moment to VOTE? How would(or did) you begin your search for a home?  (  surveys) 12/07/2008