Portland was voted #3 with year-round comfortable climates.
Portland’s weather is characterized by dry, sunny summers and mild, rainy winters. This climate keeps the city lush and green and makes it an ideal place to grow roses: Portland’s International Rose Test Garden is home to approximately 9,000 rosebushes that represent nearly 600 varieties.

#1 San Francisco, CA. and #2 Seatlle, WA.

If you would like more information about moving to Portland, please feel free to call me at 503-421-2407 or send me an email, Phyllis@PointClickandPack.com

Whether you have another baby on the way, your aging parents are moving in with you, or you are starting your own home-based business, there is an endless supply of reasons why you may need to move up to a bigger or different home.

However, how do you assess whether now is a good time to move up? Let’s examine a few of the following issues that may help in your decision making.

Interest Rates. There is a huge difference between buying a home at 5 percent interest (June 2010), and buying one at, say, 13 percent interest (February 1983). The available rates can change from week to week, and how you qualify depends largely on your credit rating. The first order of business when considering interest rates is to contact a local mortgage lender to find out what rates would be available to you on what loans. Keep in mind rates also vary depending on the type of loan for which you are applying (fixed, adjustable, conforming, jumbo, 30 year, 15 year, etc.).

Income. Moving up to a bigger or nicer house will more than likely mean a bigger mortgage payment. Take an honest look at your budget to see if this makes sense for your family.

Equity. This is one way to avoid a bigger mortgage payment. If you have built substantial equity in your current home, and are selling in a good sellers market where you expect to receive around your asking price, then you could apply your profits from the sale of your current home towards your new mortgage.

Market Conditions. To find out your own local market conditions, contact me. Is your market favoring buyers or sellers? Are homes selling quickly? Are prices appreciating or falling? These are all important questions to answer.

Wish list. Many first homes are starter homes, and as families grow, needs change. Neighborhoods change as well, as residents age and jobs come and go. Take a moment to consider what area of town would be best for your family. Think about schools, commute times, and neighborhood amenities.

Use these simple issues as a starting point on your journey to a new home.

A new rule for borrowers taking out loans backed by Fannie Mae went into effect on June 1, 2010.

This rule requires lenders to re-check the borrower’s credit just prior to funding to look for new credit that has been obtained between the time the borrower applied for the loan application and the date of funding. Examples of new credit include newly opened credit cards and new car leases.

When buying a home, it is usually best to wait to make major purchases, such as for appliances or new cars, until after the loan has funded.

I would love to assist with your next home purchase. Please call me today at 503-421-2407.

by Kimberly Janeway
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
provided by ConsumerReports.org

Q: We plan to replace our kitchen counters and are interested in using stone. Is granite still a hot choice?

A: Granite remains the biggest seller, having accounted for 56 percent of kitchen-countertop sales in the past year, according to the NPD Group, a market-research company. Quartz (Caesarstone and Silestone) and laminate (Formica), each with 13 percent of the countertop market, trail granite in popularity, followed closely by solid surfacing (DuPont Corian).

Granite, a top seller, accounts for 56 percent of kitchen-countertop sales. It will be interesting to see whether granite’s dominance holds. Consider that about 75 percent of certified kitchen designers specified quartz, according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s “2010 Kitchen & Bath Style Report,” as we recently reported in “What’s Cooking in the Kitchen: 7 Trends in Remodeling and Design.”Granite earned its spot as the most popular counter courtesy of its good looks and durability. Indeed, in our countertop tests, granite was the only stone that could resist heat, scratches, and, when properly sealed, stains

When it comes to natural stone, marble and limestone also offer aesthetic appeal but have their drawbacks. Marble, more porous than granite, is not as stain or heat resistant and scratches and chips easily. Limestone withstands heat very well, so scorch marks aren’t a problem, but this soft, porous material is easily sliced, nicked, and scratched; it also stains easily, even when properly sealed.

When you’re shopping for a granite countertop, remember that veining and pattern can vary enormously from slab to slab, so be sure to visit the store or stone yard to find a piece you love. You can save some money by using 3/4-inch-thick stone instead of the typical 11/4-inch-thick material. (Note that our test results are based on a thicker stone.) Granite costs about $45 to $200 per square foot, including installation.