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Beaverton, OR Real Estate News

By Tony and Libby Kelly, CRS, ABR, ePro, SRES, CLHMS, CDPE
(Keller Williams Realty Portland Premiere)
    A recent study of 195 cities over the last 30 years found that the East and Southeast of the USA is getting wetter while the West gets drier. In fact, the Pacific Northwest didn't even enter the list until number 24, Olympia Washington.  Of course there are other things to consider, Olympia still had the most number of rainy days which probably means we get more of those "drizzly" days when it rains but it doesn't.      The top ten wettest cities include:Mobile, Alabama - 67 inches avePensacola, Florida - 65 inches aveNew Orleans, Louisiana - 64 inches aveWest Palm Beach, Florida - 63 inches aveLafayette, Louisiana - 62 inches aveBaton Rouge, Louisiana - 62 inches aveMiami, Florida - 62 inches avePort Arthur, Texas - 61 inches aveTallahassee, Florida - 61 inches aveLake Charles, Lou...
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By Todd Clark - Retired, Principle Broker Oregon
(eXp Realty LLC)
The number one reason people don’t get into investing is they don’t think they have the money to do so. If you are thinking you would like to invest and are under the assumption that you don’t have enough money to invest, I can show you many ways to get your first investment property for as little as $500 down.One of the problems is finding someone to loan to you when you either don’t have good enough for the purpose of investing. One way to get around this is either purchase the home from a seller willing to do owner-financing, or to buy a fixer property through government programs where they lend you money to fix up properties in certain areas of town.Don’t let your fear of needing a lot of money keep you from investing. Give me a call and I will help you find your first of many inves...
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By Todd Clark - Retired, Principle Broker Oregon
(eXp Realty LLC)
Most of the buyers I work with are looking to buy a home for the first time. They have had credit troubles and are now ready to find out what they need to do to buy a home. When they call me, and I start to answer their questions and give them advice they tell me "You are the first agent that hasn't hung up on me," I hear this from so many people everyday and it irritates me to no end!                                                     You are a buyer and you are just asking questions about the home buying process and if an agent doesn't want to talk to you because you have bad credit or are not ready to move today, then they are not the agent for you. I have 5-10 people call me a day that are either not ready to buy today because of a lease with their apartment or don't have good enou...
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By Todd Clark - Retired, Principle Broker Oregon
(eXp Realty LLC)
When selling you home first impressions are last impressions. You will never get a second chance to show a potential buyer your home. So don't put it on the market before it is truly ready for showing.If you are truly ready to sell your home, walk outside to the curb and turn around. Now you are a buyer! Just as you are going to look at new homes, do the same with your present home. Do you like what it has to offer for curb appeal? Or would you immediately start criticizing the home? A potential buyer will do that exact thing.Now, walk up to the front door. Don't just walk in, really look at the front door and everything around the front door from about 3 feet away. This is what every buyer is doing while they wait for their Realtor to unlock the front door. Is the door painted? Is the ...
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By Todd Clark - Retired, Principle Broker Oregon
(eXp Realty LLC)
            There are many different values to a home. First, what can your home be rebuilt for? Second is what it appraises for, and last, what can your sell your home for. All these values are very different and can differ by thousands.            Let us look at all three values separately. The value your home can rebuilt for can be a lot less than appraisal value and sales value. The reason for this is when you go to rebuild a home you won't need to replace the land. I suggest when you talk to your insurance agent that they base your insurance on the value of the home minus the value of the land.            The second value that you want to consider is the appraisal value. This value is very important. This value is based on a non-exact science of determining value of a home for bank...
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By Todd Clark - Retired, Principle Broker Oregon
(eXp Realty LLC)
As a landlord you can get a lot of advantages by doing a lease-option. It can be win-win for a landlord and a tenant.The advantages to a tenant of a lease-option is that they get the chance to buy a property that they normally couldn't afford and set the price for anywhere from 2-5 years. Their cleaning deposit, if they should exercise the option to buy, becomes part of their down payment along with a portion of each months rent.What the landlord gets in return is more money every month that is on time. If the tenant is late more than two times during the contract period, they lose the right to buy the property and the seller gets to keep the original deposit along with any money that was the portion of each months rent check that was set aside.The advantages for you the seller are you ...
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By Todd Clark - Retired, Principle Broker Oregon
(eXp Realty LLC)
            Why do I call Real Estate a friend? Well, because through thick and thin economic times, Real Estate has been an investment you can count on. Even when homes are not selling, with time, the market comes back and prices go up. Stick with a friend, and with time it will show you why you can count on it.            Do you think every Real Estate investor was born rich? If you answered yes to that you are dead wrong. Most start out using the equity in their present home to buy their first investment property. Unlike your primary residence, you have someone else paying your mortgage. It is like a 401K at work where your employer contributes. Only the person contributing to your future here is your renters and the appreciation that goes up year to year. Does your employer give you...
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By Tony and Libby Kelly, CRS, ABR, ePro, SRES, CLHMS, CDPE
(Keller Williams Realty Portland Premiere)
http://www.oregonlive.com/pets/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/living/117978994482340.xml&coll=7     Many people consider their pets to be a part of their family. Since more than two-thirds of Oregonians own pets you would think there would be more options for pet owners who want to rent.  But actually many of those renting out homes see nothing but property damage no matter how well behaved the animal.  Some had a bad experience with a previous renter and some just heard a horror story, regardless, it's hard for pet owners when all else is equal the pet-less renter usually wins.  Here are some hints when looking to rent with pets...Try not to be in a hurry.  It cannot always be avoided but if you can help it, do not be in a rush to move.  There are a lot more things to take into consideratio...
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By Todd Clark - Retired, Principle Broker Oregon
(eXp Realty LLC)
I have many clients call me everyday and say "Todd, please help! I've been told NO everywhere I go. I don't have bad credit due to reckless spending or anything like that" Most of the time it is divorce, medical bills or a job loss and to me it just doesn't seem right that someone should not be able to own a home for reasons beyond their control.Are you someone that have been told NO by others and still think you can get a home? Are you willing to do a little work to get that dream home? Then I have the program for you! If you are someone with very little down payment, then a lease with an option to buy may be the best program for you. I can have my team of mortgage brokers work with you during you lease term to improve your credit enough to buy the property at the end of the lease. If ...
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By Todd Clark - Retired, Principle Broker Oregon
(eXp Realty LLC)
Credit repair isn't a quick fix and I want you to understand that! This isn't a "I'll fix your credit tomorrow" promise either. I also want you to understand that when you do hear someone telling you for $500 that they will fix your credit that they are lying to you and just want to take your money!The reason I am telling you this is because I do sell homes in Oregon and I do believe that traditional financing is the best way to acquire a home. But, sometimes that just isn't an option and I can help you with home ownership through other avenues such as Lease-Options or Owner-Financing. Here are some FREE helpful hints to getting your credit back on track.Pay your bills on time and online •-           This is very important to getting your credit score back in check to realize the dream ...
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By Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
(RETIRED / State License is Inactive)
Population: 76,129 Total Households: 30,821 Median Age: 32.60 Median Household Income: $47,863 Source: U.S. Census Bureau; Census 2000 Beaverton is a great mix of newer homes and mid-century modern.  Can you imagine, already talking about "mid-century" ... referring to the 1950's? A little Beaverton history:  The 6th largest city in the State, incorporated in 1893. Beaverton has its own police department, school district, water services.  Annual events are aplenty, and I encourage you to visit their website for details.  Our Mayor, The Honorable Rob Drake, has been serving his constituents well.  He's a very nice guy, very approachable and sponsors a summer Walk in the Park, where he visits with folks from the community in various parks around town. The only sad thing about Beaverton is...
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By Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
(RETIRED / State License is Inactive)
The Sexton Mountain neighborhood is one of Beaverton's finer, up-scale neighborhoods. Homes were built, for the most part, circa mid-80, and into the early '90's. But the styles, combined with form and function make this area highly sought after. Larger lot sizes, compared to some of the newer developments doing on presently, also make this neighborhood stand out. Added to the mix, or some new townhomes and condos close by. Schools are desireable, Nancy Ryles, Sexton Mountain Middle School, and Beverton High are appealing to families with school-aged children. Close enough to downtown Portland, or the Hillsboro (high-tech) area, and close to newer shopping centers of Murray Hill with 24-Hour Fitness, makes Sexton Mountain a good choice! Read about my Metro Portland neigbhorhoods on my s...
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By Todd Clark - Retired, Principle Broker Oregon
(eXp Realty LLC)
Owner financing is a way that a seller can make more money from the sale of their property without raising the price of their homeWhat is the difference to a home owner is bottom line when they sell their home on owner financing? How about an extra $417,000! This is how much the bank makes when they loan on a home priced at $275,000 at 7.5% interest. That is correct; on a 30 year loan the bank makes $417,000 in interest over 30 years.So why can't that be you the home owner? The answer is there is no reason you can't be. The bank wants you to think you can't, but in reality it is completely possible. With my help of bringing you a qualified buyer, you could be well on your way to making more from your property.Why don't most agents do owner financing? The simple reason is they just don't...
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By Todd Clark - Retired, Principle Broker Oregon
(eXp Realty LLC)
I know you have all seen it. You drive into a neighborhood and there are all these house that look about the same. Then there is this one that looks like a castle that has been misplaced. It has been added on to, it has had the best landscaping money could buy. But it just doesn't look right in the neighborhoodSome people buy a home plan to live there the rest of there lives and over improve for themselves. The problem is in 10 years when they decided to move because of a job change they have a home they think is worth 100,000 more than their neighbors home because of all the improvements. This maybe true in your eyes, but to the one that decides how much you home is really worth, (THE APPRAISER) he can't justify your homes value any higher than the 5% above the highest sold home in the...
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By Todd Clark - Retired, Principle Broker Oregon
(eXp Realty LLC)
There are many short sales going on right now and you don't even know about them. Why? Because they are never, ever sold to the general public. They are bought up by savvy investors who know where to look and who to talk to.The secret to finding those short sales isn't looking on the MLS or talking to a bank. MLS properties are already foreclosed or the owners are trying to get full retail for the property and you won't find a money making opportunity looking there.Where do you find the best homes that can make you the most money? You need to find a property that isn't for sale, but the owner is in trouble and in default. If you can present them away to avoid foreclosure with no cost to them, they will listen! The reason most home owners that are in trouble haven't listed their homes fo...
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By Todd Clark - Retired, Principle Broker Oregon
(eXp Realty LLC)
Are you thinking about investing in Real Estate, but feel that it is just to expensive? A great way to get into real estate with a lot less expense is getting in to the condo market.As prices continue to rise along with the interest rates. First time home buyers are priced out of the home market and turn to either renting or buy a condo, As a way to build equity for themselves.How does this help you the investor? First if you have a condo, you have a great pool of renters, willing to help you pay your mortgage. Then the first time buyers are helping you increase the starting price of condos as more and more people compete for the same inventory.As your equity in your condo increases, you now can use that equity to buy other condos. Wouldn't you like someone else to pay your mortgage eve...
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By Tony and Libby Kelly, CRS, ABR, ePro, SRES, CLHMS, CDPE
(Keller Williams Realty Portland Premiere)
According to the authors of "Cities Ranked & Rated, 2nd Edition", Bert Sperling and Peter Sander, say that Portland Oregon is the 3rd best city in the United States to live in.  The other cities in the top ten include Gainesville, Fla.; Bellingham, Wash.; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Ann Arbor, Mich.; Ogden-Clearfield, Utah; Asheville, N.C.; Fort-Collins-Loveland, Colo.; San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, Calf.; and Boise City-Nampa, Idaho.The criteria these decisions were based on include:Economy and JobsCost of LivingClimateEducationHealth and Health CareCrimeTransportationLeisureArts and CultureOverall Quality of LifePLEASE 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)
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By Todd Clark - Retired, Principle Broker Oregon
(eXp Realty LLC)
Some people are unable to get a home because of medical bills, divorce or just bad decisions in the past. This doesn't mean you can't get a home, it just means that you have to find someone willing to help you.First of all I need to tell you that most people have better credit than they think they do. When someone calls me and tells me that they have to do a lease-option or owner financing because of their credit being too bad, I advise them to talk to a mortgage broker and get their credit checked by a professional. 75% of the time they can actually get in to a home with traditional financing and save themselves thousands in interest.Then, the 15% that do have bad credit and not a lot of money that need my help, I can get them into homes with little to no down payment through lease-opt...
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By Todd Clark - Retired, Principle Broker Oregon
(eXp Realty LLC)
The first question you need to ask yourself before you consider a major or even a minor remodel is... Is this remodel for me or am I doing this to increase the value of the home, so I can sell it at a higher price?I tell my clients that if they called me, they must be considering remodeling because they want to sell in the next couple of years. But I still ask if this for them or for a sale. If it is for their comfort, then I tell them to go for it if they plan to not move for many years. But if you are planning to move in the next year or so, I tell them to hold off on that major remodeling project until we can sit down and talk.The reason I want to talk to them is I want to find out what projects they have in mind. Most remodeling projects will lose the owner money on a sale. Let us t...
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By Todd Clark - Retired, Principle Broker Oregon
(eXp Realty LLC)
One of my investors made a good point to me the other day. I commented on time is money when we were talking about a fixer property. He then asked me if I knew who made that statement originally.                             Lucky for me I actually did! Good old Ben Franklin. My investor said "in a way he was right, but let me elaborate. "Time is money if you get paid hourly and I want to go beyond that." He then said, "I want to make money even when I don't have time, invest my money in other people's time"At first I didn't understand what he meant and so we sat down for a while and he really explained it well. To paraphrase what he said I got this out it. If you work for someone else you are earning a paycheck and your time equals some dollar amount. But, if you use your money for inve...
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