SOLD! In Five Days!

Yes!  it can still be done.  Last Tuesday The Jackson Group put a new listing on the market in Bridlemile at 4907 SW 39th, which, by Saturday, received 5 offers and sold for over asking price!

SOLD!

SOLD!

There are several bits of good news in this.

  • The new buyers are thrilled with their purchase – they have been waiting and watching for the right home to be for sale and now they can move out of an apartment (they already sold their prior home) and into the home that is the right fit for their family now.
  • The sellers are thrilled to have the deal done so that they can move on with their relocation out-of-state without delay or separation of the family waiting for a house to sell.
  • And, for those of us watching the market or selling a home, it is encouraging that there are still 4 buyers out there who are ready, willing and able to purchase a home provided the right package of features, location, condition and price are in place.

The lesson here for home sellers and brokers is that a good property, priced right and looking good, will sell in any market.  That says something about the 11,000 listings in the Portland metro area that are not sold!  Sure, sometimes there are issues about a property that make it more challenging to sell, but there is a point here that if presented well – starkling clean and professionally staged – and priced for the market - properties will sell.

Backyard- one of the highlights of the home

Backyard- one of the highlights of the home

May 18, 2009 · Filed Under Coaching for Sellers, Neighborhoods, New Jackson Group Listings, Pricing Your Home

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Council Crest Open House Tour This Sunday 5/17

Clear skies will highlight the stunning city views that will be on display from some of the homes on Council Crest’s Collaborative Open House Tour this Sunday, 5/17, from 1-4pm.  Join us and take advantage of the opportunity to view a group of homes in an iconic Portland neighborhood.

The Jackson Group has organized a group of Realtors with listings in the Council Crest area to open their “for Sale” properties as a group to make the tour more efficient for buyers and more effective for brokers and sellers.  Council Crest has a distinctive nature as a neighborhood with its high altitude, numerous parks, diverse architecture and convenient location to downtown, Northwest Portland or Hillsdale.  The schools are among the best in the city and if you in a view location it is also the best the city has to offer.

4405 SW Council Crest Offered at $1,395,000

4405 SW Council Crest Offered at $1,395,000

The Jackson Group listing being featured is 4405 SW Council Crest Drive located at the far east end of the neighborhood and offering a panoramic view of the city and mountains to the east.  Join me there on Sunday to see a traditional mid-century 4 bedroom home in the French Colonial style.

See you then,

Becky Jackson

For a map of the tour click here and download the PDF:  council-crest-open

May 14, 2009 · Filed Under Neighborhoods, New Jackson Group Listings, Portland Listings

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Update on First Time Home Buyer $8000 Tax Credit

2009 is the time to be a new home buyer!  The government is making a strong effort to boost the housing market and the presence of first time home buyers with this update on the tax credit.  Last year- the credit was worth $7500 and you had to pay it back each year in $500 increments- basically an interest free loan from the government for 15 years.

But as of January 1st, 2009- the credit was increased to $8000 and you no longer have to pay it back!  What a deal!  And just this week- the government will now give you the $8000 at closing to put towards your downpayment.  Therefore you could get away with little or no cash needed to purchase a home.

Here is an example of what it would look like to buy a $200,000 loan.  FHA requires a 3.5% downpayment right now so that’s $7000 on a $200,000 house.  Your closing costs might be around $6000 so the cash needed to close the loan would be around $5000.  And the tax benefit that you will receive by being a home owner is significant- you get to write off your interest, mortgage insurance and the property taxes that accompany your home payment.  You will likely come out ahead compared to renting.

Prices are low.  Interest rates are WAY low- 2009 is the time to buy your first home.  Our team is experienced and has help many new home buyers be successful in this market, so give us a call and we can detail your numerous options.

Call Sarah at 503-416-4178 or email at snorton@realtytrust.com

May 10, 2009 · Filed Under Coaching for Buyers, First Time Home Buyers

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Portland’s Mounted Patrol Force

by Sarah Norton

Last week, I was walking in the Pearl District from the Henry back to the office and stumbled upon this scene at the intersection of Couch and 11th.  It was one of those moments that made me distinctly appreciate our Portland community.  A community that has both the old and the new intertwined even in the middle of one of the busiest intersections of the downtown area.

Portland Mounted Patrol

Portland Mounted Patrol

I have run by the stables for the mounted patrol horses- it is located on the waterfront next to the new Waterfront Pearl condominiums – and I’m always curious what types of problems these equestrian agents of the Portland Police force have to deal with.  I found out that the mounted patrol is very effective in the downtown corridor at controlling crowds and small crimes.  The police officers are able to see and hear more because of their higher position on top of the horse.

I love that not only do these horses help the police fight crime- they also take me back to another era. Portland still has many throw backs to our “wild west” days- the underground smuggling network of tunnels, the horse tie up rings that are now blocked with car parking stalls, the smoke stack in the Brewery Blocks, even the streetcar has a certain element of nostalgia.  The charm of Portland’s blend of the old and new struck me especially on this particular day even though we get to experience it often in the Pearl.

May 2, 2009 · Filed Under Neighborhoods

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