It's August already, summer about gone and fall fast approaching. Sure we'll have some more hot August days, and a few in September but before long November 30th will be here, and then gone. That's important because the $8000 credit, the Feds are giving first time home buyers will be kaput on December 1st.
And since it's taking longer to get all the paperwork, loans, appraisals and inspections completed to buy that house - as long as 60 days in some cases, more typically about 45 days - that really means first time buyers may not have much time to act.
Count backwards from December 1 and see what happens. If you allow 45 days AFTER you locate the house you want to purchase, that means you, as the buyer, need to have an accepted offer no later than October 15th.
The way time flies, that's not much time to act. If you are planning to take advantage of the first time buyers credit, and have questions about how it works and what it means, I encourage you to watch the video.
$8000 Tax Credit (Re/Max Agents Know)
Oh, one more thing - the rumors that the credit will be renewed? Or increase if renewed? We don't know. It's a pretty good idea to make your decisions based on today's conditions and your individual situation.
Imagine this: it's a soft summer evening, with a light breeze, in the early twilight before sunset.
Now picture yourself lounging on the grass, sitting at a picnic table or in your own lawn chair listening to the sweet sounds of jazz. Perhaps you'd prefer a Big Band sound, funk, rock or a taste of Cuban Son.
None of those appeal? You could choose some Rockabilly, Calypso or Salsa. And if these don't work for you, check the schedules below, because you can hear almost any type of music you like, at some point in one of Portland's Summer Concerts. For free.
The Neighborhood Concerts, held in the Portland Parks are favorite events in the summer season.
They are one of the many attractions that make our city such a wonderful place to live! Find your favorite park below, or venture out to one you haven't explored yet. Bring a picnic or buy some food at the park, most have local vendors who help sponsor the concerts and have food available.
Dates, locations and times are below for a number of neighborhoods. For even more information visit Portland Parks.
SOUTHEAST
Sellwood Riverfront Park - Mondays, 6:30 PM (SE Spokane at Willamette River)
art activities for children beginning at 6:00 PM
July 20 - Conjunto Alegre (Tropical Dance Party)
July 27 - Midnight Serenaders (Vintage Jazz Vocals)
Mt. Tabor Park - Tuesdays, 6:30 PM (Crater Stage, enter at SE 69th & Taylor) art activities for children beginning at 6:00 PM
July 21 - The Ty Curtis Band (Blue/Rocks)
July 28 - Craicmore (Kilts-On Celtic)
Aug 1 & 2 - Mt Tabor Park Centennial Celebration
NORTHEAST
Fernhill Park - Fridays, 6:30 PM (NE 37th, north of Ainsworth)
July 17 - Norman Sylvester Band (Original R&B)
July 24 - The Valiant Arms (Rock)
July 31 - Voodoo Bar-B-Q (Zydefunk)
Aug 4 - National Night Out BONUS CONCERT - Locust Street Taxi (Eclectic Horn Rock)
Rose City Park - Saturdays, 6:30 PM (NE 62nd & Tillamook)
July 18 - Quartette Barbette (Seriously Fun Saxes)
July 25 - Michael Manning & the Carolina Pump 
Station (Original Rockabilly)
Next posts will feature East, North, Park Concerts; Northwest and Southwest Parks and Special Concerts.
Really need no words to explain this one. It's the before and after photos that tell the story! Perfectly charming house on the interior, well maintained. great updates, lovely hardwoods and perfectly chosen paint colors, high ceilings and large rooms, fireplace and rooms filled with light.
But, it was hard to see from the street. Didn't want people driving by and deciding not to go in for any reason. Especially beause the interior photos were going to look like dynamite; the exterior had to look as good. Great clients - they listened and worked with one of the talented landscape people in our list of great vendors.
Results? Spectacular curb appeal - and an accepted offer on the first day! Fingers crossed for the inspections and appraisal - and anticipating good outcomes with those too.
Before.
After
MSNBC, in their web coverage of U.S. News and the Elkhart Project leads a recent story, "Which States Will Be Early Risers?" with the following: "If you want to be in the right place when the recovery starts, that place may be in Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Texas or Washington."
Moody's is predicting that job growth will start to return in these 5 states in the 4th quarter of this year. That would be good news for Oregon, where the unemployment rate for the month of May, at 12.4%, was the second highest in the nation. June figures will be released Monday 13 July. The Moody report posits that Colorado, Idaho, Oregon and Washington will benefit from their strong high-tech industries, while Texas benefits from an energy base.
The story also reports on the monthly Adversity Index, an index that focuses on the economic health of 381 metropolitan areas and all 50 states. The interactive map provides a fascinating and sobering look at current housing starts, housing prices, employment and industrial production. By clicking on any state, the key cities and their statistics appear on a side bar.
Even more interesting is the historical perspective provided, month by month for the previous 14 years!
Of the 381 metropolitan areas reported on, there are only eight not judged to be in recession.
The story and the site are information rich, reporting on recession resistant areas and the Elkhart Project, a project focused on the nation's hard times and responses to those hard times in Elkhart, Indiana. There are numerous links to Project stories and data.
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I love Portland, houses, & working with people. Personal care and service, being your advocate and negotiating to meet your needs, getting practical outcomes, easing your transitions - I love it!
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