I am optimistic for the housing market to turn around. For the last several months sales on existing housing has been up and now with the $8,000 tax credit in full swing I think things will really start moving forward. What a great forecast.

With all of the sunshine that we have been enjoying here in the valley and home prices being better than they have ever been I look forward to working with you in the future!!

Please go online today and vote for two of our small rural communities. According to a Pacific Northwest fire truck dealer all we have to do is go online and vote and the winner will get a $150,000 fire truck. Two fire fighters from the towns of Hines and Butte Falls wrote essays on why their fire departments needed and deserved a new pumper unit. There were 650 entrants and now are down to 7 finalists. This will cost the tax payers nothing! The fire trucks that these towns are now using are at least 30 to 35 years old. This is sponsered by E-ONE, one of the nations largest manufacturers of emergency response vehicles.

To vote go to www.e-one.com and click on the large box that says "VOTE NOW".  The vote will count only if a verification is sent.

Because the contest was originally only for fire fighters you must give your email address, name the fire dept. and answer any marketing questions.

Please help these small communities.

Believe it or not every home does sell at the right price. If a home is on the market and doesn't sell a price reduction will always do it!

The ugliest home I ever sold was a black house with  concrete walls running down sides between the owners and the neighbors. The walls were ugly but at least provided a shield for the neighbors of the back yard which was filled with unbelievable paraphenalia. A lean to had a sign on it proclaiming it Pop's Shop and a cage was built with dummies dressed in safari clothing inside. The seller worked for a concrete company and had concrete everywhere and had built two staircases that went to the roof. Why is anyones guess.

It sold cheap and the buyer used it as a rental for a short time. Approximately a year. Every tenant had numerable problems. Drug (police raids), stabbings, etc.    Needless to say the new owner put it back on the market after many changes and updates and was relieved to be rid of it.

The moral of this story is that he still turned a profit!!

Home purchases are good investments.

More buyers need to get out there and take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers! To qualify as a first time home buyer you can't have owned a home before or have owned a home in the last three years. The credit will only be here until the end of the year. Interest rates are as low as they have been in 40 years. Anyone paying rent is not getting their tax write offs, not getting the $8,000 tax credit and could very well be paying as much in rent as they would be to buy. All of you renters need to know that your landlord is saying thankyou for making their payment while they are getting wealthy on you!

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.

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!