The Forest Grove Senior Center is a typical type senior center where older adults spend time socializing, quilting or volunteering at tasks such as washing breakfast dishes for the Lions Club.  An hour away, in east Vancouver, The Firstenburg Community Center has sewing but down the hall, toddlers romp in the day-care area, mothers bob in a water aerobics class, and teens on summer break scale Sadri's Summit, a rock climbing wall.  The two centers could not be more different, or representative, of past and present attitudes about leisure time of those 55 and older. Across the Portland metropolitan area, senior centers are revamping in preparation for the aging baby boomers and their redefinition of retirement.       A major trend in this revamping is the idea of multigenerational ce... 07/04/2007

Gretchen Dow Mashkuri is photographer from Silverton, Oregon who doesn't have a business card or a website.  So how did this mother of four end up taking the first pictures of Sam Alexis Woods?  Tiger Woods and his wife, Elin, didn’t want some high-profile celebrity photographer to take the first professional pictures of their new baby.  Gretchen's brother's sister-in-law was the interior decorator for Tiger Woods and recommended her for the job.  They picked Gretchen because she is an unknown and a mother who lives on a farm.The birth of Sam Alexis Woods was announced on the golfer’s Web site June 18. In keeping with the couple’s desire for privacy, the announcement omitted many details, such as the baby’s height and weight.  A contract she signed prohibits her from discussing many det... 06/29/2007

    A seasonal shortage of blood donations could leave hospitals in Oregon, Washington and Alaska with a dangerously low supply during the Fourth of July holiday.  Highway accidents tend to increase in summer, especially during the holiday.  Colleges and high schools, whose blood drives usually provide a fifth of the agency’s collection, are out of session.  Those who donate regularly tend to skip an appointment or two in the summer due to vacations.  This year the 4th of July falls on a Wednesday so the "long weekend" vacations are even longer and for all these reasons there is are blood shortages in the summer.  The shortage has come even sooner this year and a "red alert" has been issued which means there is only half-a-day supply on hand, the norm being 3 days.  The Red Cross is ask... 06/29/2007

    Too many realtors have not yet realized the power of their photos.  Perhaps they don't know how many people start with the internet, or even solely use the internet in their home search but it just isn't enough to have a description up.  You could be taking those who are relocating completely out of the running four your place.  99% of home-seekers using the internet found photos to be the most informative part of the website.  Believe it or not, the quality of your photos matters a great deal.      You cannot "run out" and grab some pics really quick.  It is vital that things like light and staging are taken into consideration and this takes time.  Spend sometime pretending you are looking for a home.  Check out the various websites and take note of the compelling photos.  First yo... 06/28/2007

    Construction has already started on lengthening Murray Boulevard by a mile.  Progress Ridge, a development south of Scholls Ferry Road and east of the new extention, has 1,100 people who will be given a much needed outlet.  This will also benefit those who live in Beaverton and Tigard, Murray will now stretch all the way to Walnut Street where it crosses Barrows Road and now Scholls Ferry and Barrows will be connected.  The project is expected to eventually have 4,000 to 6,000 cars a day.       The $3.25 million dollar street will come from the Oregon Department of Transportation, Washington County but mostly transportation funds.  Also the project developer, Polygon Northwest, will be creating a local improvement district that should provide about $400,000 toward the increased cost... 06/26/2007

Can't list in MLS.  The Multiple Listing Service is only available to licensed real estate brokers and agents.  You also have to be an agent to advertise on sites and search engines like Realtor.com.  So if you are trying to do a FSBO and you don't happen to be an agent, very few people are going to see your place.  Only those in your neighborhood who see your sign or read the local paper, if you advertised, which puts you at a huge disadvantage.  This pretty much takes out of the equation those who are relocating or do their search exclusively online and leaves unqualified and unrepresented buyers.  Agents won't show a FSBO.  With a FSBO there is no listing contract that automatically provides a commission to the buyer's agent.  So if there is no guarantee that they are going to get pa... 06/26/2007

    The real estate market has become a buyers market and for those who don't get to choose when they move, it makes for really bad timing.  It's not just bad timing for the employee but also for the employer who is asking for the move.  Not only is it causing delays in getting that employee where they need them but it is also costing them money.  No one is going to want to sell their house at a loss by choosing to do it in this market, so either the company is going to pay the employee the difference or the raise will have to make it worth their while.      Although now some companies are putting restrictions on the home sales like preventing the worker from selling their place for more than a set percentage above appraised value.  Other restrictions include requiring an approved real ... 06/25/2007

Homeownership is more than just a mortgage payment.  In fact, it is more than just closing costs and down payments.  Those preparing to buy their first home might want to take some possible extras into consideration when planning out their budget.    Annual insurance premium.  Hopefully you had renters insurance before, but a house can be very different and more than likely the size of your house will be more than your apartment.  Definitely shop around, it can save you a lot of money! Property taxes.  Property taxes are based on the value of your home, this is a major one in Oregon.  There are tax breaks involved for homeowners but property taxes are still another bill you are not in the habit of paying. Utilities.  It's possible that you are going from an apartment to a house or condo... 06/22/2007

    $670,000 has been authorized to buy the Clute property on Bull Mountain from the water capital improvement project.  The Water Board was using it to provide access to the reservoir but found themselves with a 1.36 acre excess.      Preparing the site will cost about $30,000 which will leave the land to be appraised at $700,000.  The proceeds from the sale are to be put in the water capital improvement project fund.         Also, two lots in the Ash Creek Estates subdivision will be purchased for $345,000, which will be used for a pocket or neighborhood park.  There was concern about the steepness of the lots but it has been determined that it is still doable.      Oregonians love any project that will help keep Oregon green so setting aside these local parks now will benefit Tigard... 06/22/2007

    For a few weeks now bicyclists, walkers and joggers have been using the Ki-a-kuts bridge, which links Tigard’s Cook Park, Tualatin Community Park and Durham City Park, but it won't actually be dedicated till this weekend, Saturday at 11 a.m.  Following the ceremony, everyone is invited to enjoy a free ice cream social at noon at Tualatin Community Park’s newest playground.  Tualatin Mayor Lou Ogden, Tigard Mayor Craig Dirksen, Durham Mayor Gery Schirado, Washington County Commissioner Roy Rogers and project managers will be on hand along with William “Wink” Soderberg of the Grand Ronde Tribal Council.      The original inhabitants of the Tualatin Valley were the Atfalati band of the Kalapuya Tribe.  In the 1850s Ki-a-kuts was the head of this band which is where the name comes from... 06/22/2007

Many investors start by buying their first property, and then find out later, they had no idea what they planned to do with it once the owned it. This is why I ask the question to all investors prior to them buying a property through me. What is your exit strategy?                                                   An exit strategy maybe as simple as renting the property and get the tax deductions from the property, or it maybe as complex as buying 6 properties all at the same time for the purpose of rehabbing and doing a lease with an option to buy. When the options are all exercised, you can then purchase a 12-plex on a 1031 exchange.These are all good exit strategies, but if you just are buying a property because it looks like a good deal, make sure you have an exit strategy in case i... 06/22/2007

    In February Oregon became one of the few areas in the nation to offer green home feature options on its real estate forms.  The main change is the Green Certification Field letting buyers know that the listing has received ENERGY STAR, Earth Advantage or LEED for Homes certification.  This Green Certification Field is only available for homes listed as New, Proposed or Under Construction.      They have also added options to fields that were already there, things like ENERGY STAR appliances under Kitchen Features.  Other options includeBamboo or cork flooringHigh-efficiency 90 AFUE furnacesSource of electrical power, including specific utility service and solar featuresAdditional home modifications, including sustainable materials, water filters, rain collectors and solar tubes    S... 06/20/2007

    The Boomers kids are leaving home and retirement is being redefined.  Sitting at home and tending to your garden is just not enough.  People still want to live active, adventurous lives and don't have time for big, high maintenance houses anymore.  Lake Oswego is answering the call with townhomes and condominiums that just built or being built just off the heart of downtown.  These homes are being marketed to aging baby boomers who are still in good health but want to downsize into something big enough for the grandkids to visit but small enough to require minimal upkeep.       City officials are hoping to make downtown Lake Oswego an urban, compact shopping district turning the area into a self-sufficient city.   In 2003 the high-end shopping district of Lake View Village opened in... 06/19/2007

    Govoner Ted Kulongoski just last week signed a law requiring major utilities to generate 25 percent of the state's electricity from renewable resources by the year 2025.  Some types of renewable resources include wind, sunlight and biomass.  It has been said that this should not only make Oregon a leader in clean energy but also promote economic growth in Oregon's rural areas.  Those who are opposed state that there is a chance for rate increases since these alternative sources are still more expensive and a lot of times inconsistent, like wind and sun.  The thing is, not only are we protecting our quality of life, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and stimulating our economy but over the long term the varied sources should make our utility rates more stable and predictable.  This i... 06/11/2007

    I am probably not the only one around here who thought that Oregon was sitting pretty when it came to doing our part.  I had always considered Oregonians pioneers in the pursuit of being green, but as it turns out, we aren't even top ten.  Actually we aren't even top 50!Pelzer SCHastings NESan Carlos CAMill Valley CATopeka KSDover DESpring TXLawrence KSWalnut Creek CAFairfax VAAlthough Oregon did have 9 cities out of the 300 listed.Beaverton #73, Corvallis #122, Portland #136, Eugene #156, Cottage Grove #161, Hillsboro #229, Tualatin #267, Lebanon #275, Salem #291http://better.yahoo.com/planet/map/   PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR NEW PODCAST ON THE HOMEPAGE OF OUR WEBSITE www.TonyandLibby.com& OUR NEW PORTLAND METRO BLOG AT www.TonyandLibby.blogspot.com (make sure you leave comments) 06/08/2007

Tigard Balloon Festival  By Wayne B. Prunerhttp://www.yourhomeinportlandoregon.com/ Wayne's Portland Oregon area Real Estate blogwww.activerain.com/wayneprunerThe Tigard Balloon Festival offers the spectacular sight of  colorful hot air balloons rising and filling the sky with color, while raising money for non-profit organizations. This premier Tigard event features a pancake breakfast, live entertainment, classic car cruise-in, a BBQ cook-off, carnival rides, and of course, crafts and food for sale. This event takes place at Cook Park June 15, 16, and 17, 2007.For more information about the Allstate Festival of Balloons in Tigard, visit www.tigardballoon.org. 06/07/2007

    Infill means developments that plant large new homes in older neighborhoods, which is becoming more and more common in Tigard.  The problem is that the original Tigard residents feel that the character of their town in being compromised.  A survey showed most residents would rather have new developments be more compatible with current homes.  Part of keeping with the style of Tigard would be to leave the bigger lot sizes the way they are.  Most lots are cut into halves or thirds to make more houses, which makes more money.  The problem is that more that 5000 people are expected to move to the Portland area in the next five years, and they have to live somewhere.  Tigard residents would appreciate city planning to include more condos and townhouses in areas like downtown, along 99W a... 06/06/2007

    In fall 2007 Tigard will get a new spot for the kids to hang out.  The 15,000 square foot park will have stairs, ledges and two large bowls.  It will also feature a rotating top "volcano" where skaters ride onto a 6 foot diameter cylinder that can be spun manually.      The concrete park has even been endorsed by skating legend Tony Hawk and $5,000 of the construction cost was provided by the Tony Hawk Foundation plus $1,000 in promotional materials.  Every bit helps since skateboarders in Tigard have been trying to raise the money for the park for years.  The local skaters, and therefore the community, were very much involved in the whole process making the park truly feel like it belongs to Tigard.  http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/stories/index.ssf?/base/metro_southwest_news/1... 06/06/2007

    In the long lived tradition of wine touring in the Northwest for Memorial Day, here are some things to consider before heading out.  Plan it out ahead of time.  Check out the hours of the places you want to go ahead of time.  Plan out a route that makes sense and don't try to squeeze in too many in one day.  You want everyone to be relaxed, not rushed.Pack snacks and water.  There maybe restaurants planned along the way but wine is dehydrating and you'll never know when some might NEED a snack.D.D.  Don't forget your designated driver.   The D.D. should also have reviewed the map/itinerary ahead of time and a second person should also be aware of the plan so there isn't only one person making sure everything is on track, and in the right direction.You do NOT want to take 99W during ... 05/22/2007

    What is ADDI?  ADDI is a specialized loan to help first time home buyers in Washington County.  It has a 0% interest rate which is huge but it doesn't stop there.  There are also no payments required until you sell your home, the title is transfered, there is a default or the home is no longer your principal residence.  No payments!  So as long as you make money off your home sale you will never have to make a payment.  Now, this loan is not for the entire purchase price of the home, it is intended for the downpayment and/or closing costs of the home sale.  Also, the borrower is not the only one who has to qualify, the property must also qualify.  Borrower Eligibility: Be First-Time Homebuyers: Defined as a household in which no member has owned a home as their principal residence w... 05/18/2007