Portland Farmers Market to open The Portland Farmers Market opens April 5, 2008. Downtown Portland residents do much of their shopping there, and can't wait to get out after being required to shop at a store all winter. However, do not expect much variety at first, just lots of greens and roots. Also, the full complement of eateries probably will not show up until May. Please bring your reusable shopping bag and lots of small bills. Located in the Park Blocks by Portland State University. Portlandfarmersmarket.orgWayne B. Pruner is a Realtor® at Oregon First, who works in the Portland and Tigard, 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. 04/02/2008

Portland Oregon: 5 Things to Do in April 2008Oregon Zoo - Packy's Birthday - The Oregon Zoo is noted for it's Asian elephant program. Come celebrate Packy's 46th birthday on April 12th.OMSI - The largest collection of Chinese fossils is on display, featuring over 20 complete skeletons. After that, enjoy the planetarium, OmniMax Theater, and the science exhibits. All April.Portland Saturday Market - Celebrating its 35th year. Features handmade arts and crafts; food and entertainment too, from over 300 artisans. Portland Saturday Market2008 Portland Auto Swap Meet - http://www.portlandswapmeet.com/ - Presented by six Portland Oregon area antique car clubs, The Portland Swap Meet is the largest auto parts swap meet on the west coast with approximately 4,200 vendor stalls and over 50,000 sh... 04/02/2008

*************** UPDATE Home has SOLD and CLOSED **************   Real estate Sales in Oregon are on the move. Recent sales have been brisk and it looks to be a pretty good year. Many Real Estate companies are reporting gains in sales in all Oregon real estate category's. The increase of sales will bode well for real estate home values for owners of all types of Oregon Real Estate. If you own real property in Oregon be it Land, Apartments and Duplex's, or a Single family Home or Condo now is a great time to call your Oregon Real Estate Broker Associate Herb Hamilton of RE/MAX Preferred Inc. Realtors. If your looking to purchase a Condo with a View. Now offered as a short sale. Check out 1019_NE_68th_97213_in_Portland_Or. priced at $185,000.  End unit next to Rosemont Bluff Natural area. ... 04/02/2008

Views of the Arboretum in this light-filled contemporary in Arlington Heights.  4 Bedroom, 2.5 baths with 2681 sq ft of family living on three levels.  Remodeled European style kitchen with stainless Dacor appliances, cook island, and large nook with built-ins. Here are photos of some of the staged rooms in this home: 03/28/2008

The Tony and Libby Kelly Group | Keller Williams Portland Premiere | 503-753-7300 9128 SW 40th Ave, Portland, OR Remodeled Multnomah Village Daylight Ranch. 4 Bdrm Single Family House offered at $394,999 Year Built 1978 Sq Footage 2,342 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 9,583 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Remodeled Multnomah Village Daylight Ranch. Great location, home features lovely black walnut flrs, new lighting in the kitchen & baths, newly painted inside & out, cen air, newer furnace & vinyl windows. Remodeled lower level is light & bright. Lrge private backyard w/patio & cedar deck with mtn views. see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Central heat Fireplace Hardwood floor Family room Living room Balcony, D... 03/28/2008

The daffodils are starting to bloom and so are the stats.  According to RMLS the month of February was promising for Sellers, and still great for buyers.  Inventory is at 10.4 months, 2.4 months lower than our record high of 12.8 in January.  This means at the current rate of sales it would take 10.4 months to sell out of our inventory.  Homes are still moving much slower than they did last year at this time, but the optimism in the air is refreshing.The fact that closed sales are up over 25% and that pending sales are up almost 10% suggests that the trend will continue through March.  This is a good sign that buyers are starting to come out again to take advantage of good rates and a lot of housing choices.Again, we are seeing an appreciation in housing prices throughout the  city with... 03/27/2008

 TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE IN SOME WAY IN REAL ESTATE MARKET HAPPY EASTER FOR BUYERS: I WISH YOU FIND YOUR DREAM HOME FOR SELLER: I WISH YOU SELL YOUR HOME FOR A TOP DOLLAR FOR AGENTS: I WISH YOU HAVE A LOT OF BUSINESS THIS SPRING HELPING YOUR CLIENTS FULFIL THEIR DREAM FOR MORTGAGE PROFESSION: I WISH THAT MORTGAGE BUSINESS IMPROVES  FOR ALL WORLD: I WISH TAHT EVERYONE CELEBRATE EASTER AND SPRING TIME IN THE PECASE  03/22/2008

Here is the Oregon Radon Map. Yellow is a very low "threat' of radonOrange is a medium "threat" of radonRed is a very high "threat" of radonEveryone that argues there is no threat for radon in Oregon always points to this map. The maps were originally developed by the National Geodesic society based on the likelihood of certain mineral deposits being present. The results of suspected radon concentrations based on those maps and actual radon concentrations found by testing were found to be quite different.  Once the EPA was able to gather data from actual radon measurements they revised the maps to reflect those results. However the EPA being a political organization passed these results out to the individual states to review. Of course all of the states said "this can't be right, we nee... 03/21/2008

HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS: CHOOSING A HANDYMAN*  Whether it's a big project such as a bathroom remodel, something small like putting up shelves, or repairs and routine maintenance, many homeowners turn to handymen to get the job done. It used to be that everyone knew "a guy down the street" who could do everything, but these days finding a qualified, professional, and reliable handyman can be a real challenge. Here are some tips for homeowners to ensure that they have the right person for the job: MAKE SURE THEY ARE QUALIFIED FOR THE WORK Certain projects require specific skills that all handymen may not have. Make sure that they have the qualifications and experience to do the job. In addition, many states and provinces require persons performing certain work to be licensed; electrical and p... 03/20/2008

The Real Estate Housing market has suddenly created a glut in the market place of Real Estate Experts. Each and every one of them in one venue or another spouting the same rhetoric. " Now is a Horrible time to buy " or " Buy Now if you want to see your Equity go down the drain ". Or how about this one. " It might not be a bad time to consider buying, that is if you could get a loan ". If there is anything the general public should have learned by now given the position of our struggling economy is this " The Experts Don't Know Crap ". If they did would we be in the position that we are now ? This week Dave Liniger International Chairman and Co-Founder of the largest and most successful Real Estate company in the world RE/MAX was in Portland Oregon to present his Be Great In 2008 seminar... 03/19/2008

Owners hope to head off trouble and speed sales by hiring their own inspectors.  By Frank Nelson, Special to The LA Times August 26, 2007JUDY MELLO wasn't looking forward to buying a new place to live, imagining a lengthy, complicated and perhaps stressful experience."I figured it was going to drag on for months and months," she says. "But it wasn't like that at all."In fact, it took Mello, a retired registered nurse, a total of only 3 1/2 weeks to buy a $500,000 condominium in Carpinteria, a small coastal town a few miles south of Santa Barbara.Although a number of factors smoothed the process, Mello says an inspection report commissioned in advance by the sellers played a large part in her decision to buy and helped speed the sale.As housing sales continue to bog down -- last month So... 03/17/2008

CONTROLLING ALLERGENS IN THE HOME  For many people, household allergens can cause a variety of symptoms, including sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, and shortness of breath, and may be a contributing cause of asthma, especially in children. However, it is possible to minimize the effects of such allergens by taking steps to control their presence and dispersal in the home.The most common household allergens include dust mites, mold, mildew, pollen, and pet dander (dried flakes of skin shed by pets, particularly cats and dogs). Effective control relies on a combination of measures that, when used properly, will reduce the levels of allergensIncrease ventilation to the home. Opening windows whenever possible promotes good air exchange and will reduce the concentration of airborne allergens... 03/17/2008

CARBON MONOXIDE: AVOIDANCE AND PREVENTION  Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas produced by the combustion of fuels such as natural gas, oil, and propane in devices such as furnaces, water heaters, and stoves. These items are normally designed to vent the CO to the outside, but harmful interior levels of CO can result from incomplete combustion of fuel, improper installation, or blockages, leaks or cracks in the venting systems.Homeowners can take action against potential carbon monoxide poisoning by taking the following steps:Have all fuel-burning appliances professionally inspected yearly, preferably before the start of the cold-weather season when heaters and furnaces are first used These appliances include gas stoves and ovens, furnaces and heaters, water heaters, gene... 03/16/2008

KNOW THE FACTS AND AVOID COSTLY SURPRISESWITH A PRE-LISTING HOME INSPECTION. As a real estate professional, you invest a great deal of time, money, and energy to market your listings. Between advertising, open houses, and meeting with clients, you need to get a good return on that investment. Don't be caught unaware of problems that could seriously undermine your dedicated efforts to sell a home. Having a home inspected before you list is more important than ever in this buyer's market, so make the most of your time and effort by getting a Pillar To Post home inspection prior to listing.A pre-listing home inspection can uncover previously unknown problems - major and minor - allowing sellers the opportunity to make repairs or replacements as needed. By addressing these issues before the... 03/14/2008

 Radioactive Shock A remodeling project sparks an alarming discovery - radon Thursday, January 17, 2008 Ruth Mullen The Oregonian StaffIt was to be a simple basement remodel, salvaging an extra 350 square feet or so out of a 1927 English cottage in Northeast Portland. Homeowners Chris and Kathy Berg had permits in hand and a contractor lined up when they decided to check for radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas found in the soil. What they found derailed their project temporarily: The house had high concentrations of radon, nearly nine times what the Environmental Protection Agency considers safe for residents. The couple were especially alarmed because their remodel was to include a play area for their 18-month-old son, Caden. Children are more adversely affected by the gas tha... 03/14/2008

The Tony and Libby Kelly Group | Keller Williams Portland Premiere | 503-753-7300 7215 SE Franklin Street, Portland, OR Absolutely Charming Portland One Level. This lovely home has been nicely renovated, while still maintaining original period touches. 2 Bdrm Single Family House offered at $235,000 Year Built 1952 Sq Footage 819 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 1 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking 1 Car garage Lot Size 4,320 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Absolutely Charming Portland One Level. This lovely home has been nicely renovated, while still maintaining original period touches and character. Features include a remodeled kitchen, remodeled bathroom, new vinyl windows, extensive original hardwood floors, large spacious corner lot. Great location with easy access to shopping, park, res... 03/12/2008

Portland Oregon is a nice place to visit. The town has been called by some folks "the big city with the small town feel." Its has pretty calm and mild weather, beautiful scenery, great locations and nice people.Thisl contributes to its appearance on a ton of "Best Of" lists, including Online Insider's "Top 10 Least Expensive Cities", Money Magazine's "Top 10 Places to Vacation" and "Top 10 Best Places to Live", and American Style Magazine's "Top 25 Arts Destinations"If your thinking about moving to Portland visit Mortgage Portland to find a Realtor or a mortgage in Portland Oregon. 03/12/2008

I just wanted to make sure all of your portlanders know that this Sunday is the 30th Annual Shamrock run on the Waterfront! Join us down there for some good times! Race starts at 8:00 wear your green! Register at: www.shamrockrunportland.com 03/11/2008

Stunning new home in a fabulous hillside neighborhood in Bonny Slope near Forest Heights ... 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, gourmet kitchen with custom glazed cabinets.  Great room has box beam ceilings and Brazilian cherry hardwoods.  The adjoining covered deck extends your living space with a beautiful Jenn Air built-in BBQ while you enjoy great views.  Very large master suite with spa bath & double rainhead shower.  This home was staged, listed, and SOLD!  Photos of some of the staged rooms in this home ... 03/09/2008

Nothing makes me feel better than when a client gives me a gift. It tells me I'm doing something right, but the gift that I was given last night CHANGED MY LIFE! You see my client gave me tickets to the longest running one man show on Broadway, "Defending the Caveman", and my wife and I were laughing from beginning to end!If you haven't seen this play, you have to! You see, this one man production tells why men and woman are so different and helps you create a stronger relationship with your significant other. My wife and I have been married 15 years coming up this July, and are as happy as we are, we discovered things about each other and ourselves at this show that just was like turning on a light!OMG - I DO THAT!It wasn't one sided, it wasn't about men, it wasn't about women, it was ... 03/08/2008