Here’s something to consider the next time you’re stuck in traffic in downtown Portland: If city planners succeed, that congestion won’t improve. In fact, it might even get worse. As they work on a wide-ranging plan for the future of the central city, a blueprint to ensure that downtown Portland’s next 20 years are as successful as...
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Many experts are beginning to call a bottom in house prices. Why? Writing in the Financial Times, Roger Altman, former deputy Treasury secretary, explained why he is so bullish on housing: “This surge will be driven by a combination of improving house prices, a lower inventory of homes for sale, rising rates of household formation...
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Twelve years ago, the U.S. Green Building Council launched a rating system called LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, hoping that architects, engineers, designers and real estate firms would improve energy efficiency and increase the use of recycled materials and nontoxic paint in their projects to win LEED-certified recognition. Now LEED has grown...
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There is some good news on the housing front with two reports indicating the long-stagnant U.S. real estate market is climbing to its feet and growing more stable. The first indicator comes from CoreLogic, which says the nation’s current “shadow inventory” of homes is in decline, a healthy sign more houses are moving off the “for sale” market....
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The buyer should always look at the COST of a home, not just the PRICE. The cost is determined by the price and the mortgage interest rate which is available at the time. Below is a list of the interest rates over the last ten years and the impact they have on a $100,000 mortgage...
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eclipse
September 19, 2012
Trulia’s Chief Economist reveals how you can save hundreds of dollars a month by buying a home instead of renting – especially if you can get today’s low mortgage rates, itemize your tax deductions and plan to live there for 7 years. The most important housing decision that most consumers face is whether to rent or...
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eclipse
September 9, 2012
If you’re about to put your home on the market, understand that you are about to engage in a war of sorts. Selling your home is a battle with other listings for the qualified buyers that are out there, a battle with everything else a buyer has to do for their time and attention and...
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Renaissance Homes Custom Homes Division recently broke ground on 16 acres of private land off SW Scholls Ferry Rd. Renovations has teamed up with the owner of the property to complete site improvements and build a 3,800 sq ft home, which was designed by our in-house design team specifically for their property. The entire project...
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When construction started for our new Ainsworth on NE Dean, we were excited to become a part of such a unique, up-and-coming neighborhood. We couldn’t have picked a better time to do so either, as the neighborhood is about to make history with the opening of the first ever non-profit bar. Although the bar won’t...
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Taking steps to reduce your electricity and energy use at home is a smart choice — and the good news is you won’t have to replace all your windows or move to a yurt do it. Here are a few quick and easy projects to get you started. 1. Insulate electrical outlets. Insulate the electrical...
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