Did you know that for most people, owning a home is their largest form of net worth and an important move in gaining personal wealth and assuring continued security?Even today now that many property values have declined in some areas of the country, Americans have nine trillion in equity in their homes. For most Americans home equity is their largest share of net worth.

Home equity is not only valued in financial terms but also gives a sense of stability in peoples minds as well as adding value due to the pride of ownership factors.Home ownership strenthens communities and is the American dream.

I sell Dreams, give me a call or send me an email.

The time is right to buy or sell real estate! Rates are low at 4 3/4% for a thirty year loan today and 5% for a 30 yr fha loan. Rates have not been this good for over 40 years and prices are unbelievable. The $8,000 tax credit that the government is offering first time home buyers is making the market move, I just sold a listing of mine in 27 days.

Stop sitting on the fence and start looking or put your home on the market.

The city of Salem has recreational events all year long making it a great place to visit and live.

We have world famous Iris and Tulip farms and  nearby Iris and Tulip festivals each year, we have award winning wineries and are home to the Willamette Queen Sternwheeler where you can enjoy the Willamette river while enjoying a meal onboard. Explore the surrounding countryside and enjoy covered bridges, farms, river ferries.

Sports nuts can watch minor league baseball at the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes stadium or see the Cascade surge soccar team at Mcculloch Stadium in our 24 acre Bush's Pasture Park. Wallace Marine Park also has softball and soccer tournaments. Bush's Pasture Park has also hosted The Soapbox Derby. Other outdoor activities include golfing, fishing, cycling, boating and hiking. The mountains , the coast, and large cities are only an hour away, snow skiing, scuba diving, surfing and more are available.

The Oregon Garden is only a half hour away. Enjoy walking through the gardens or plan a wedding or reception at the facility.

The states #1 attraction is Spirit Mountain Casino and is only a half an hour away. The casino is open 24 hrs and has live entertainment, gaming tables, lodging, great restaurants and activities for children.

Salem Saturday market starts in the spring and features farm grown produce, food itiems, fresh flowers etc., also festivals include the World Beat,Marion County Fair, Oregon State Fair, The Bite and The Salem Art Fair and Festival.

For the children we have The Enchanted Forest and The Discovery Village which is home to the first authentic toy museum, The Toy Hall of Fame.

At Christmas time  the PGE Festival of Lights Parade travels through Salem's core and is telecast.

For the shopping junkies we have two major shopping centers as well as locally owned shops and boutiques.

Salem also has a plethora of great restaurants that feature local wines and local meats, seafood and produce.

Salem has everything needed for a wonderful quality of life!!!

Come see us and enjoy for yourself.

 

Reo/Bank Owned/Foreclosures in 2004 there were 270 that sold in the Wilamette Valley Multiple listing Service.

2005-231

2006-140

2007-145

2008-236

and as of January 2009 there were actively on the market 130.

That shows us that the trending market is not what we are hearing on the news. What we are hearing is the national report which is very dismal and not what we are seeing in the Willamette Valley.

A buyer needs to have great patience when purchasing one of these properties as the banks generally will do no repairs (sales are as-is) and sometimes it can take up to six months to get an answer regarding your offer. Unfortunately many times better offers come in during this period and the bank will take the best offer. Another problem with these homes is that the homeowner usually didn't keep the home in good condition and maintain problems as they arose and you could be purchasing a can of worms. Remember there are good deals out there regardless.

Call me if I can help you with your real estate needs.

St Paddy's day is a religious holiday, feast and the anniversary of Saint Patricks death. The Irish have observed this holiday for over a thousand years. On St. Paddy's day the Irish traditionally eat, drink and dance. The traditional meal was Irish bacon and cabbage.

The first St. Patricks day parade was not in Ireland but in the United States on March 17,1762. Today the parade is the oldest and largest civilian parade in the United States. Nearly three million people line the route to watch the procession.

Today, St. Paddy's day is celebrated by people of all backgrounds.

If you find a home that you would like and have the purchase go through before April 15th, you can get your tax credit this year. Wouldn't it be great to start all of the improvements that you would like to make on your home right away? Wow! Find your home now!!

Watch our for crooks that contact troubled homeowners. They make false promises of helping them avoid foreclosure. They are really trying to get your home. Government agencies have issued warnings to consumers.

One of their schemes is when they offer to pay the owners mortgage payments and they say that the owner can rent back from them. Watch our for this. They can raise the rent, sell the house or evict you! And you will still be liable for the mortgage payments.

Another scam is someone that says they will negotiate a repayment plan with your lender. They end up having you make the payments to them and they keep the money instead of paying the lender.

Still another is when they say that they are a lender and will get you an affordable payment and they keep the money.

Watch out and don't lose your home to a crook who says they will "Help You".

Salem being the capitol city has  many cultural art and historical sights. Salem has a Historial tour route to follow including the gorgeous Capitol grounds.

Salem has Mission Mill Museum. It is a five acre property that includes the Jason Lee and John Boon houses which were before the Oregon Trail. The park also has its millrace, ducks, cafe' and shops along with the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill Museum and its water powered turbine. The Marion County Historical Society is there as well and has photos,exhibits and records of the area.

Bush House is a museum in an old victorian home at Bush's Pasture Park and was built by Asahel Bush, one of the founders of Salem's Ladd & Bush Bank which is a historical bldg of its own, and now is occupied by US Bank. On the grounds of Bushs Pasture Park is also the Bush Barn Art Gallery and the Salem Art Assoc. which are occupying the remodeled barn of the Bush Family.

Deepwood Estates is a Queen Anne Victorian on 5.5 acres that abuts Bushes Pasture Park. It was designed by an architect, W.C .Knighton who later designed other historical bldgs. such as the Governors Hotel in Portland. It has formal English gardens that were created by the N.W.'S first female landscape firm, Lord Schryver. It can be rented for weddings and parties.

Oregon Symphony Assoc. in Salem has been performing for over 40 yrs. and the Salem Community Concert Assoc. for over 60+ yrs.

Salem Chamber Orchestra promotes classical that provides opportunitesfor local musicians through a partnership with Willamette University.

Elsinore Theater in Salem is a Tudor Gothic built in 1926 and resembles a castle . Stage, Inc. has  performance events there on a regular basis and has many well known performers.

Pentacle Theater is a local theater group that has been in West Salem for almost 50 yrs. It is a local favorite.

Just take a stroll through the city and enjoy our many historical bldgs. that are still being actively used. Salem is a great place to live, come check us out!

More on Salem, Oregon in future blogs.

 

The market in the Salem area is not as bad as reported. If you listen to the newspapers and TV reports you would think that the whole real estate industry is in chaos but here in th Salem area things are not as bad as reported. According to the Willamette Valley Multiple listing statistics it shows that in 2004 that 270 Bank owned properties were sold average price $132,327 and in 2008 there were 236 that sold, average price $161,540. Now in 2009 we have 130 that are currently on the market with an average sale price of $242,114.

Now is the best time ever to purchase a home with reasonable pricing, low interest rates, and incentives that we have never had before. Don't let the national statistics fool you!

To get your home ready for sale and to do it at a low cost try to incorporate these items.

1) House plants add a lot to your home. Try grouping some of different heights and fullness or maybe a large one by itself to add color or to make a statement.

2)Get rid of clutter and unneeded items. Rearranging furniture can make a big difference also if you don't already have enough, just adding accessories, rugs, and lamps to make the room have a new look. Make sure that all of the colors enhance each other or have the same tones.

3)Painting is a great way to freshen up a home. Make sure that you test a sopt before painting the whole room to make sure that it is going to be the shade that you were after. Dramatic colors are best in bathrooms and diningrooms, and neutral colors in the living area. Buyers like to be able to picture themselves in your home and you want them to be able to picture their furniture as well. If you are unable to paint, please try to camoflage any nicks and dings.

4)Try replacing cabinet hardware, switch plates, toilet seats, exterior house numbers and try updating light fixtures.

5)Cleaning!! Look at your home with someone elses eyes and make sure that you home is clean and clutterless. Sometimes this is hard to see and you might want to ask for an objective view point.

6)Clean up the Yard. Leave pots of flowers at the front porch. Paint your front door. First impressions are everthing!