This time of year I find myself frantically working in my yard preparing it for spring and summer. When I bought my house, the yard was like an empty canvas. I’ve spent a lot of time adding personality to what was a large and very plain front and back yard. It also adds a lot of value to your home if you are planning on selling in the future. This great video from the Lowe’s Creative Ideas team shows viewers how to make the most of their backyard space with inspiring landscaping and gardening ideas.
How to Landscape and Personalize your Bare Portland Yard!
February 14th, 2012 
admin Five Big Banks agreed to a Deal. Is it enough?
February 13th, 2012 admin 
Likely many of you have heard about the deal reached last week between the Governement and the five largest banks. President Barack Obama made a speech last Thursday where he spoke about the housing crisis and his new settlement that will “speed relief to the hardest hit homeowners and some of the most abusive practices of the mortgage industry.”
23 Locally Owned Businesses Opened in Portland in January!
February 9th, 2012 admin 
Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop is located in Portland's Sunnyside neighborhood, in the Belmont business district.
I always look forward to this article from www.neighborhoodnotes.com. Through starting my own business and at times struggling, I have found a great appreciation for other locally owned businesses. Let me tell you something, it’s hard! So, if I can shine a little light on those new businesses in our city, then I will. And if you can make an effort to visit them and shop local every once in awhile, than I’ve succeeded!
Beat the Competition and Get that Portland Foreclosure!
February 8th, 2012 admin 
While bank-owned homes are plentiful in Portland, they aren’t always easy for a buyer to get. Foreclosures sell at bargain prices — sometimes at 35 percent discounts when compared to nonforeclosures. These ultra-low prices are attracting investors and all-cash offers, which makes it difficult for other buyers’ bids to win out.
Here’s how Portland buyers can make their offers stand out from the competition:
Irvington Neighborhood Home Tour in May!
February 7th, 2012 admin 
Special Agent Jennifer Marsh (played by Diane Lane) fought the bad guys from this house in the 2008 movie Untraceable. See it close up on the Tour this year!
Tickets are $20 and proceeds go to fund charitable giving programs and projects in the area. The tour is May 20, 2012 and tickets go onsale online at the end of March. For more information go here.
by Betsy Ballantyne
betsy@betsyballantyne.com
Interest Rates Tick Downward..Again!
February 6th, 2012 admin 
I feel like I’m blogging this same thing over and over. But I’m guessing you would want to know if rates are going down, even if it means I’m a broken record!
Mortgage rates once again inched lower this past week, lowering the cost of borrowing and increasing housing affordability.
Coming Up: East Portland Home Ownership Forum
February 4th, 2012 admin 
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, February 15th! Rose Community Development is bringing their second East Portland Homeownership Forum to David Douglas High School from 6 – 8:30pm. They will be drawing more finalists for the $4,000 downpayment grant, sharing information for first-time homebuyers and more. This forum is free and open to the public! 503-788-8052 to learn more, ask questions, get details.
Coolest Map Ever
February 3rd, 2012 admin 
I found the coolest interactive map today. This map shows where house hunters are searching in the country. The map features 100 US metro cities. When you click on one of the cities, the map shows you the top ten other cities that people are searching from. So for example when you click on Seattle, the cities from which the most people are searching to move to Seattle are: Bremerton, Tacoma, Portland, LA, Orange County, Denver, Dallas, Chicago, D.C., and New York. Pretty neat huh? To see more, go here.
Questions to Ask before Buying a Foreclosure in Portland!
February 1st, 2012 admin 
You know that whole saying, “If it seems too good to be true than it probably is.” Well that is definitely applicable to foreclosures, particularly ones that have been abandoned. I often encounter new buyers who are excited about the prospect of buying a foreclosure because of the great price they may get. And I usually end up deflating their excitement by explaining why they are so cheap and all the maintenance issues they may have as a result. Usually if that doesn’t make the buyer skittish, looking at a few foreclosures in Portland will.
2011-2012 Cost vs. Value: Which Remodeling Projects Pay Off the Most?
January 30th, 2012 admin 
I’ve talked about this before but it’s one of those posts that bares repeating. When tackling home remodeling projects, you’ll find some projects pay off more than others at times of resale. Remodeling Magazine, in conjunction with REALTOR® Magazine, recently released findings of its annual Cost vs. Value report for 2011-2012, revealing which remodeling projects offer the biggest bang for your buck.
