Gretchen & Mel Ahrens

This Guy Is Fun & Feisty... Meet Arnie!

Arnie is a 2 year old chihuahua, who is super fun and friendly and how cute is he?! He's up for pretty much anything and seems to love most everyone. Talk about happy-go-lucky... this guy is active and playful, but is also a softy at heart who settles down nicely to snuggle and cuddle. He's so funny when he rolls around to scratch his own back. Arnie is truly the life of the party.

Portland Area Real Estate Inventory Is Down. Will This Strengthen Or Weaken The Industry?

In the March 1st issue of The Oregonian, it was reported that real estate inventory in and around Portland is down as new listings dropped 25% in 2011, even as sales rose 4%. As a general rule of economics, this should indicate that supply and demand have aligned, prices will stablize and the market strengthen.

But it doesn't feel like that's what's happening. Rather it seems to indicate that sellers aren't confident in the value of their homes and thus are sitting on their real estate, waiting for the market to improve, unless, of course, they have to sell. Likewise, buyers are limited in their choices so are taking longer to find the home they want and end up waiting to make that big move into home ownership. Neither of these are good for the industry.

In the good news department, The Oregonian pointed out that many buyers are purchasing new homes, a move they wouldn't have considered before the housing crisis, simply because there are more choices.

The paper went so far as to call this a "builder's market", which can be good news as jobs are created and more money is put into the local economy. As I mentioned, sales are up 4% and any increase is a positive indicator.

I wonder if local real estate agents agree with me that the current situation has put the industry in a bit of a stalemate. As buyers and sellers wait to see what the market is going to do, no one does anything and the stalemate continues. It's a vicious cycle.

I am generalizing, of course, as there will always be people buying and selling, but I contend they are not doing so in nearly the numbers the improving economy could and should be warranting. I've felt we've been on the verge of a recovery and maybe even an upswing for a while now, but we seem to remain merely "on the verge".

So what do we do to change this? Is this happening in your area and what does this indicate to you? Is it a public perception of the industry problem or is something more fundamental at fault?

Wordless Wednesday - Take A Swim Break

Swimming is one of my (Gretchen) and our boys' favorite pass times and the Hood River Aquatic Center offers a great place to do it. There are two different pools: one a warmer therapy pool, the other huge, warm and includes lap swimming lanes, a slide, basketball hoops, a zipline and a rope swing.

Hood River School District releases students two hours early twice a month for teacher development and now open swim hours are available to students on those afternoons. The cost is $1/student, but the first 50 students to arrive get in for FREE, thanks to community donations. So, take a swim break at the Hood River Aquatic Center, 17th Street and May Avenue, Hood River.

Calling All Roller Babes! Gorge Rollergirls Wants You!

It has finally come to Hood River, the sport that is making a resurgence nationwide... Roller Derby. And Gorge Rollergirls is recruiting. Already about 10 ladies strong, the team is looking to make up two teams of 20 ladies each to compete locally and regionally.

No experience is required. All you need is the will to work hard and the readiness to have a ball! You'll need knee and elbow padding and be ready to pick up a bruise here and there.

In case you don't know, roller derby is a contact sport played by two teams of five players each who skate a circle around an arena/gym. Each team designates a "jammer" who scores by lapping members of the opposing team. The opposing team members try to hinder her progress and her teammates try to help her along while hindering the other team's jammer.

The sport had a massive following in the 1940s through the 1960s (think Laverne and Shirley) and in recent years has regained popularity. It is even being considered as an official sport for the 2020 Olympic Games.

For more information, attend the Gorge Rollergirls informational/recruiting meeting this Thursday, March 8th at 6:30 at Double Mountain Brewery, 8 Fourth Street, Hood River. Maybe try the sport on for size to see if it's for you! For more information, e-mail gorgerollergirls@gmail.com