Living South of Portland

Portland Distressed Property Statistics: January - June 2011

Mark Miller — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:07:00 GMT

Here are some facts about distressed properties recently published by our local multiple listing service (RMLS) for the first half of 2011:

These figures compare the first half of 2010 with the first half of 2011.

- Distressed Listings as a percentage of new listings increased by 4.5% (from 20.9% to 25.4%).

- Distressed Sales as a percentage of closed sales increased by 9.9% (from 28.1% to 38%).

- Short Sale properties comprised 13.4% of new listings and 10.1% of sales in 2011, up 2.1% and 1.1% from 2010, respectively.

- Bank Owned properties comprised 12.1% of new listings and 27.9% of sales in 2011, up 2.4% and 8.8% from 2010, respectively.

Bank-owned (REO) and short sale listings are considered "distressed properties", it doesn't mean the property is in poor shape physically; although it may be!

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2011 West Linn Farmers Market

Mark Miller — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 12:14:00 GMT

The West Linn Farmers' Market runs Wednesdays, 5:00pm-8:00pm, from June 22 - August 24

Fresh local produce, flowers, art, live music.

At the corner of 13th Avenue and Willamette Falls Drive in Willamette.

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2011 Molalla Rodeo

Mark Miller — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:44:00 GMT

The Molalla Buckeroo runs this Friday July 1st through Monday July 4th.

Details are available online at www.molallabuckeroo.com

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2011 Lake Oswego Farmers Market

Mark Miller — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:11:00 GMT

Saturdays

May 14 - October 8, 2011

8:30am - 1:30pm

Millennium Plaza Park

200 First Street at the corner of First Street and Evergreen Road, downtown Lake Oswego

This is the 11th anniversary of the Lake Oswego Farmers' Market. Details and information are available online at http://www.ci.oswego.or.us/farmersmarket/

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2011 Oregon City Farmers Market

Mark Miller — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 14:19:00 GMT

Saturdays

May 7 - October 29, 2011
9am - 2pm

We went to the last of the OC Downtown Winter Market today and look forward to the start of the summer season. The 2011 Saturday Summer Market kicks off May 7th and runs every Saturday through October 29th. Hours are from 9am to 2pm on top of the hill in the county parking lot at 2051 Kaen Road. Details and information are available online at www.orcityfarmersmarket.com.

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West Linn Curbside Cleanup; Week of April 4, 2011

Mark Miller — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 20:57:00 GMT

The City of West Linn, West Linn Refuse & Recycling and Metro are partnering to bring free curbside clean-up on your regular garbage day during the week of April 4th. Regular household garbage is not included and must be kept separate from cleanup items.

This is a great opportunity to get rid of stuff you've been meaning to get rid of. There are rules and limits as to what will be picked up. Details are available in the most recent edition of "West Linn Update". You may also direct questions to West Linn Refuse & Recycling at 503-557-3900.

UPDATE: if you missed this year's clean-up you can call Metro for ideas on where to take your stuff. There's always next year as West Linn usually does this yearly.

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Lake Oswego Short Sale Activity

Mark Miller — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:07:00 GMT

There were 22 detached houses listed as a "short sale" sold in Lake Oswego in the last 6 months. On average they sold for 94.49% of the asking price.

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Lake Oswego Bank Owned Sales

Mark Miller — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:05:00 GMT

There were 33 bank-owned, detached houses sold in Lake Oswego in the last 6 months. On average they sold for 95.71% of the asking price.

You can see currently listed bank-owned houses for sale in Lake Oswego, West Linn, Tualatin, and Wilsonville under the "Bank Owned/REO" tab at www.markmillerhomes.com.

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Oregon Kicks Off First Foreclosure Prevention Program - Money Available!

Mark Miller — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 15:10:00 GMT

Oregon homeowners struggling to pay their mortgage can apply online for the new Mortgage Payment Assistance (MPA) program at http://oregonhomeownerhelp.org. Applications for the program will be open from December 10, 2010 to January 14, 2011.

The program is not first-come, first-served. Program participants will be randomly selected from eligible applicants and notified soon after the application's closing date. All eligible homeowners who apply within the application period will have an opportunity to receive help with their mortgage payment.

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Ugly Holiday Sweater Dash Dec. 11th

Mark Miller — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 14:37:00 GMT

Saturday December 11, 2010 at 9am.

The Ugly Holiday Sweater Dash is a one mile fun run for people and dogs (no bikes) to raise money for the West Linn Food Pantry.

Check-in at Fields Bridge Park and run one mile down Willamette Falls Dr, ending in Historic Willamette in time for the Annual Holiday Parade.

$10/adult, $5/kids (under 10), or $25/family. Register online at MOMS Club of West Linn.

Brought to you by Historic Willamette Main Street, MOMS Club of West Linn, and the City of West Linn.

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Preparing your Home for Winter

Mark Miller — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 17:41:00 GMT

The tasks aren't overwhelming when you tackle them one at a time.

This list is not all inclusive, just some of the things I think of as we head into the cold weather.

Shut off and drain outdoor faucets when you think a hard freeze is coming
Learn how to turn off water at its source so you can stop leaks immediately if they start
Take care of known issues with pipes that freeze. Heat tape can be used to keep them warm during extremely cold weather
Close foundation vents when really cold weather is expected
Drain garden hoses, roll them up, and store them inside
Set sprinkler system to "off", turn off water and drain the pipes
Clean gutters and downspouts
Trim tree limbs that are hanging over or touching the roof
Cover outdoor furniture or store it inside
Have chimney inspected and cleaned
Close fireplace damper when not in use

Emergency Supply List

Candles, matches (or lighter)
Flashlight, batteries
Hand crank or battery operated radio
Weather radio
Extra batteries
Bottled water
Non-perishable food
Hand operated can opener
Paper plates, plastic eating utensils
Paper towels
Propane or charcoal for outdoor grill
Extra firewood
Fuel for generator (keep generator outdoors when in use)
Snow shovel

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Clackamas County Fair & Rodeo

Mark Miller — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:09:00 GMT

The Clackamas County Fair runs through Sunday August 22nd at the Canby fairgrounds. The weather the rest of the week won't be so hot which is a real plus for attending the fair. We enjoy checking out all of the animals: sheep, goats, cattle, llamas, pigs, rabbits, chickens. The rodeo annoucer did a great job entertaining and explaining the events while the pace went at a nice clip.

Adult admission is $8 for the fair and another $6 to $8 for the rodeo. Get your wrist stamped when you leave if you plan to come back later in the day.

Parking in the nearby lots was $5 for all day, you can leave and come back, just hang on to your stub.

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St. Paul and Molalla Rodeos Now!

Mark Miller — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:13:00 GMT

St. Paul Rodeo: Thursday - Sunday, July 1 - 4. Tickets are $12 to $18.

http://www.stpaulrodeo.com/

Molalla Buckeroo Rodeo: Friday - Sunday, July 2 - 4. Tickets are $13 and $15.

www.molallabuckeroo.com

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New Law Regarding Uncertified Woodstoves

Mark Miller — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 15:25:00 GMT

Beginning August 1, 2010, anyone selling a home with an old, uncertified woodstove will be required to remove and destroy it.

Senate Bill 102, signed into law in 2009, requires the removal of any uncertified woodstove from a home when it is sold.

For more information about this upcoming requirement (including a Frequently Asked Questions page), please visit http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/burning/woodstoves/heatSmart.htm

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2010 Wilsonville Farmers' Market

Mark Miller — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 09:48:00 GMT

The Wilsonville Farmers' Market is on Sundays May 23rd through October 3rd from 10am to 2pm in Villebois.

It is located at the Villebois Village Center, at the corners of Villebois Drive and Barber Street in Wilsonville, Oregon.

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2010 West Linn Farmers Market

Mark Miller — Tue, 18 May 2010 17:08:00 GMT

The West Linn Artists' and Farmers' Market, 'Taste of Tuesday', will run every Tuesday 4:30pm-8:00pm from June 1st - September 14th, 2010.

Just off I-205, in the historic Willamette area at the corner of 13th Avenue and Willamette Falls Drive. The Willamette area is fun to walk around, shop in the stores and eat at one of the many restaurants.

Local produce, art, live music, flowers, crafts and more.

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2010 Oregon City Farmers' Market

Mark Miller — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 19:46:00 GMT

The 2010 Oregon City Farmers' Market opens Saturday May 1st and will be open every Saturday until October 30th. The hours of operation are 9am until 2pm at 2051 Kaen Road (off Beavercreek Road) in the Clackamas County Public Services Parking lot.

The market on Saturday is great ...very clean and uncongested, lots of vendors, live music and easy parking.

Oregon City has an additional market on Wednesday afternoons in the downtown area.

Directions:

From I-205, take exit 10 towards Molalla
1. Take exit 10 for OR-213 South toward Molalla 0.2 mi
2. Merge onto OR-213 3.1 mi - 5 mins
3. Turn right at Beavercreek Road 1.1 mi - 3 mins
4. Turn left at Kaen Road 0.1 mi

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First Friday OC Art Walk: Tonight April 2nd

Mark Miller — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 16:25:00 GMT

The first Friday of the month merchants and businesses in downtown Oregon City sponsor an art walk celebrating commerce and culture downtown: Main Street, 7th Street and Washington Street. Try the eats at Mi Famiglia right at the OC end of the bridge.

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GardenPalooza Saturday April 3, 2010

Mark Miller — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 12:09:00 GMT

Head on down to Fir Point Farms in Aurora this Saturday for GardenPalooza 2010, an event that will have over 50 local nurseries and vendors displaying plants, garden tools and garden art. We like going to Fir Point for their produce and enjoy seeing the farm animals. In years past they've had goats that walked up in the trees on wood walkways. I hadn't seen that before. The show runs from 8am until 4pm and it's free.

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What's Up with the Gold Silk on Trees?

Mark Miller — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 10:58:00 GMT

For a few months I've been wondering what the gold cloth hanging from the tree near the intersection of Country Club, C and A Streets means. It turns out this is an art installation, part of the Century Tree Project. I see them all over the city although they are each different in how the cloth is draped around the tree. They'll be up until April 12th. Alright, mystery solved.

Here's the tree over at Lake Grove Elementary.

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Better Living Show March 26-28

Mark Miller — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:03:00 GMT

The Energy Star Better Living Show is this weekend, March 26th - 28th, at the Portland Expo Center. This is billed as the largest sustainable living event in the Northwest for your home, garden and lifestyle.

Admission is free but you have to pay for parking, $7 per car.

Information on the web at www.betterlivingshow.org.

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Electronics Recycling Ban

Mark Miller — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 20:20:00 GMT

Since January 1, 2010 computers, TVs, monitors, and laptops are no longer allowed in the garbage, they must be recycled. Oregon E-Cycles provides free recycling for these items.
Find a recycling location.

Learn more.

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2010 Lake Oswego Farmers' Market

Mark Miller — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:20:00 GMT

The 2010 Lake Oswego Farmers' Market is scheduled to open Saturday May 15th and be open every Saturday until October 9th. The hours of operation are 8:30am until 1:30pm at Millennium Plaza Park at the corner of First and Evergreen in downtown Lake Oswego.

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West Linn Curbside Cleanup : Week of April 5, 2010

Mark Miller — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:15:00 GMT

The City of West Linn, West Linn Refuse & Recycling and Metro are partnering to bring free curbside clean-up on your regular garbage day during the week of April 5th. Regular household garbage is not included and must be kept separate from cleanup items.

This is a great opportunity to get rid of stuff you've been meaning to get rid of. There are rules and limits as to what will be picked up. Details are available in the April 2010 edition of "West Linn Update". You may also direct questions to West Linn Refuse & Recycling at 503-557-3900.

UPDATE: if you missed this year's clean-up you can call Metro for ideas on where to take your stuff. There's always next year as West Linn usually does this yearly.

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