Inspired by the recent news headlines that Portland has been named as one of the cyclist commuting capitals of the US, I decided to dust off my bike parked on its trainer in my office and put it to good use. Since it had been some time since my shoes had hit the pedals, I soon found myself not part of a pack, but a follower. Have you ever noticed that if you are always simply following, if you never are able to get out in front of a pack as a leader, it can get discouraging and perhaps overwhelming, thus leading to complacent dreaming? The view from behind may not always be that refreshing or exhilirating. A cyclist friend of mine recently commented how energizing it was when he finally put some energy to his pedal and set his own pace out front, rather than letting everyone else determine his speed or timing. Recently so much in Real Estate news has been about whether or not we've hit the bottom - whether prices will continue to fall or will we now begin to see a turnaround. Our view of the real estate market seems to depend on who we listen to, who we read, or who we are associated with. As short sales and auction prices grab our attention, and as recent news reports about the welcome increase of home sales, we may find our blood starting to warm up and cycle again - thinking that maybe now is the time to sharpen our pens, call a mortgage broker or call Realtor Norm Rice. Maybe it is time to not just be a follow of twitter or sound bites, but to get out in front of our dreams. Real estate today is not and should not be just about the first time home buyer and $8,000 tax credits. It is also about realizing our dreams and more importantly turning those dreams into reality. Dreaming of that escape near Mt. Hood, or that Rockaway Beach second home need not be like the tax credit that will soon go away. I suspect many of us have Real Estate dreams born not yet experienced by the first time home buyer - dreams born from home-owner experience. Perhaps it really is time to down-size and save, or even to upsize where we can entertain a life style we've finally deserved. Cycling may find you at times following from behind, but isn't it time to get out in front for a fresh perspective? Don't you deserve at some point to turn your dreams and hard work into reality. From many perspectives, is there really a better time?
Each morning, on a hill above Highway 26 my wife & I begin our day, coffee in hand, with a view of hundreds of people making their way into work or shopping in Gresham or Portland. Within a short time we will be joining that stream into the city. Over the last 8 years we have noticed a steady increase of morning traffic. We are continuously amazed at the number of people who have chosen to live out here in rural Clackamas county. What brings them away from the city - away from the advantages of inner city Portland life or being able to commute by bike? Why would anyone want to live in a place referred to as Boring? I'm sure there are as many reasons or answers as there are people in these hills. If you do live out here, what are your reasons for choosing the lifestyle of Boring?
Over 8 years ago, my wife and I enjoyed the neighborhood life of the Rose City area in NE Portland. Being able to walk pretty much wherever we wanted to go, whether it be to the LLyod Center or to have a beer at the Horse Brass Pub had all but become part of our family culture. As a Realtor, I've always enjoyed all that Portland has to offer and still do to this day. Having grown up in a rural community, city life was, and is, fun and convenient. The rural life though never left my blood. Having room for only a few tomato plants, perhaps an eggplant and a small patch of lettuce just never seemed enough. Why could I not have a goat or two - what do you mean I had to close all the curtains or shades in the morning so that the neighbors didn't have to be embarrassed caught looking? Rural life called & we answered.
Today, as the snow falls, we enjoy our Boring view, the soup made from the fresh produce from out large garden, watching the goats play, wondering where all the rabbits came from, and knowing that if we choose we are only minutes from a snow-trek on the Springwater Trail. Without any curtains to have to hide behind, we enjoy our Boring life.
Not everyone will hear the call to join us in Boring. Some will wish to just pass through on their way to Mt. Hood, perhaps enjoy a bowl of soup at the Full Moon, get a chuckle out of our name, and return to their search for a quality of life in Portland or beyond. Just know that in Boring, "It's an exciting place to live."
Oh by the way .. we even have a life on Twitter - Drop us a message or follow us for regular updates.
Everyday, if we search even just a little in our community newspapers, we may find ordinary Americans doing extraordinary things to benefit others within our communities. Today as I read through our local Portland paper, The Oregonian, I found myself reading about my own little brother, Pat Rice in a column written by Margie Boule. Why didn't he tell me that he was going to be in the paper? Perhaps he thought I'd just laugh and see it as another stunt as his part to get some attention as the little brother in a family of nine. But, for whatever reason, I am very proud of Pat - he has gone out of his way to not only make a contribution to main street America, but without seeking accolades from his own family. What a great example to me of what it means to give back out of your abundance. And then there is the other lesson - sometimes we need to give credit to those within our own families. We don't always have to look far to find good people with extraordinary abilities giving. Thanks for the challenge Pat.
In case you missed it above, click here to see why this Rice is so proud.
Are you one of those that avoids the day after Christmas sales? The lines are too long .. the ridiculous traffic .. and who wants to get up early when it is your day off. The Portland Real Estate market is shaping up to be like those day after Christmas sales that if you are a potential buyer you may want to avoid. Why get involved in bidding wars, or having to wait days in line getting in to see your favorite mortgage broker. Today the November real estate market statistics were released and show that there are over 15,000 homes on the market in the Portland metro area. If only 1,000 of those sold per month, our present inventory would last us a good 15 months. That much housing inventory on the market has not been seen in years Will it last? Sales have also been sluggish in the Portland market. The 1041 sold listings during November was the lowest sales volume since 1993 and a 39.9% decrease from last November. But what does any of that have to do with your avoiding bidding wars, and waiting in mortgage traffic?
As the news media daily reports, and you can't avoid hearing, mortgage interest rates are in the low 5's and perhaps even lower depending on your credit and the day. These rates can and do fluctuate daily. There is no question that the interest rates are in your favor at this time. Check with a mortgage broker who knows your particular situation and credit score for the very latest. Housing prices have also declined on the average 10.7% since November 2007. Now .. how long will those declines continue? How long with the interest rates continue to go down? No one exactly knows. We may well bounce a little at the bottom for a while, but once word gets out that the market is changing for the better, then everyone who has been sitting on the fence all tend to jump off at the same time. Don't wait until the crowd all decides to move at once,
By waiting for the stampede, you may think you will be able to snatch the "best" deals - the best prices, or the choice properties, but in reality, you just may miss out. Don't take that chance that the property in Ladds Addition or the Riverfront property in West Linn that you had been watching is now sold or pending. Perhaps you have been trying to convince your parents to downsize and live in a one level home in Summerplace, a 55+ community. Don't wait until those one-level homes are gone.
Jump now , start your Portland Real Estate search now while you still have time and room to actually acquire those choice properties.
Norm Rice
1-800-339-0980
Family-owned, local businesses are suffering on Main Street - something we hear everyday. While bail-outs are being talked about in the halls of senators and corporate executives, main street America is talking, and helping via social networking such as Twitter and Facebook. In Portland, Oregon today, peeps throughout the city were paged with a simple message from an everdaydude to read http://tin yurl.com/5vs5oz. - a son, with a simple plea, a simple Christmas wish to his local community - help save our family bookstore. Is he naive to think it will work? As I walked into the store today, I believe the message is out.
Hopefully Broadway Books, in Portland, because of the power of Twitter and blogging and the desire of the people of Portland, Oregon to support local businesses will not only survive, but thrive in our economy. Is it really possible that our social networking, our Tweet messages, and our blogging can help bail out Main Street America? To me it is amazing what 140 characters sent out by business professionals, marketing specialists, Realtors, and sons and daughters can accomplish. Watch what can be accomplished without a bail-out.
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