JUST LISTED! Beautiful updated Mt Tabor Bungalow with large sunny yard. Flex flrplan- Master & Bonus up and 2BR on main plus unfin basement with shop. A/C, woodflrs (no carpet), blt-ins, gas firepl, remod master bath, lg walk-in closet. To-die-for yard with deck & hottub- a Gardener's Paradise! Close to Hawthorne/Div shops/cafes, and 5 blks to Tabor. Incl all appl + home warr.

Stunning 4BR/3BA townhouse, backs to greenspace. Spacious versatile plan with BR/full BA on main and lower level fam rm. New hardwoods. Light & bright! 2c att gar. On culdesac, no thru traffic. Incl fridge, W/D, 1 yr home warranty. HOA incl ext maint and landscaping. Move in ready! Steps to park with path. Excellent schools. Close to Bethany shops/amenities. HURRY!

Stunning remodeled bungalow with a spacious and versaile plan. Features 4BR+bonus+storage / 3.5 baths / 2904sf total. Gorgeous kitchen with granite, premium dishwasher, and custom eating bar. Oversized garage with high ceilings perfect for shop (has half bath in garage). Awesome front porch to overlook garden beds and deck. MUST SEE!

One of the best units in the Historic Wickersham- 3BR/2BA/1285sf with Master suite with private bath and two closets. Grand spaces and period features, nicely remodeled with charm intact. Hardwds, boxbeams. Glorious formal dining rm. Stunning plantation shutters. Perfect loc betw the Pearl & Nob Hill. Tax freeze til 2014. Includes W/D in unit.

Stunning spacious remodeled gem in desirable Catlin Crest. This home features a versatile plan with 4BR+bonus+den/3.5BA/4909sf. High quality updates, incl gourmet kitchen with granite and ss appl, and spa-like Master bath. Huge lower level bonus. Den on main. Too many bells & whistles to list. Level private yard. In Portland's premier gated comm, min to downtown!

Spectacular NW Retreat on 1.32ac! A true blend of a "Lodge" and "Loft" feel. Versatile plan with 8,520sf, open spaces, giant exposed beams, and soaring ceilings. Truly one of a kind. Gorgeous gourmet kitchen. Stunning master suite with spa-like bath. Media rm, workout area. 5 fpl, A/C, cherry hwd flrs thruout. Huge 3 car gar. On priv lot with stone patio, mult decks. MUST SEE!

In Portland, San Francisco, Minneapolis and Washington, D.C., the premium to buy--the spread between what you'd spend on renting and what you'd pay each month for a mortgage--is far narrower now than its 15-year average. And economists predict a significant home-price hike in five years. So upgrading will cost much less than usual, and home buyers are likely to get a good return on their investment.

Note that buying isn't necessarily cheaper than renting in these metro areas. In fact, it often remains a more expensive proposition. But for those determined to own, that investment is a better one now than it normally is.

Full link to article: http://www.forbes.com/2010/01/21/buying-versus-renting-lifestyle-real-estate-homes.html?partner=email

But do not worry - I am home in Portland and not moving to Asia or leaving for a trip any time soon.

I know it is late for holiday chatter, but call me, email me, or leave a comment below and let me know how your holidays were.  I would love to reconnect!

Loking forward to making "twenty-ten" (2010) a 10!!

- Sarita

To see this information, updated real-time, click here or click on the "View REAL-TIME Market Statistics" tab of my website anytime.

You can also subscribe to more detailed market reports.  Call or email me anytime for more information.

Long-term mortgage rates are near the lowest levels since Freddie Mac started keeping track in 1971, with the average 30-year fixed rate falling to 4.87 percent this week.

That’s the lowest 30-year average since falling to 4.82 percent in May. A year ago, 30-year fixed-rate mortgages were averaging 5.94 percent. Rates have been below 5 percent for four straight weeks now.

If you are thinking of re-financing, the dip in rates could mean hundreds of dollars in savings per month (the article quotes a $134/mo savings for a re-fi on a $200,000 loan taken out at rates from one year ago). 

Call me to discuss - I can put you in touch with some great lender resources.

Here are the first couple of paragraphs of the market summary for the Portland Metro area: 

I am someone who does not get flu shots because I probably erroneously think they give you the flu.  When I finally got over that and tried to get them a few years ago, there was no supply and children and pregnant women were the priority.

Well, now I am ready.  To get vaccinated for the flu and for H1N1 - and I have no idea where to go.  There seems to be no place that is a sure thing with supply in stock.  Any comments or suggestions are appreciated.   And any arguments pro or con for flu vaccines will be listened to with an open mind.

This is not going to turn into a medical blog, I promise.  But I do like to chime in on current events and there is nothing more current and top of mind then this topic as we head into weather and especially for parents.

Thanks in advance for your time and input.  Stay healthy everyone! 

10) I am from Michigan and have lived in New Jersey, Arizona, California, Massachusetts, and Oregon.

9) I am married with two kids - a 10 year old daughter and an 8 year old son.

8) We love to travel and try to travel whenever and whereever we can.

7) I love photography but I am not very good at it.  I can't tell you about f-stops and apertures but I can tell you if I take 1000 pictures I can usually get 1 or 2 good ones.

6) I majored in Electrical Engineering and I have an MBA and if anyone ever told me I would sell real estate when I was younger I'd have probably laughed.

5) I love watching sports and like basketball and NFL football but have never gotten into college football.  As a family we are super obsessed with the Portland Trailblazers and go to every game we can.

4) My favorite color is red and my favorite beverage is diet coke.

3) I love Math and numbers.  Seriously, I could do Math for fun and enjoy Soduku puzzles with my daughter.

2) I have never seen Star Wars and have not read any Harry Potter books.

1) About a year and a half ago I embarked on journey to get healthier.  I am exercising and eating better and though it is killing me, I am sort of enjoying it.

There you go - I can go back to real estate now but hopefully this gives you a glimpse of me and my weird quirks.  Feel free to comment!

I am not sure if it is the credit, the low rates (I have had clients this week get 4.875% on a 30yr fixed and 3.75% on a 5yr ARM - also at conventional, limited to $417K loan amount), the recent reports of the economy picking up, or if it is just Mercury in retrograde, it is clear to me that things are hopping and it is at the pace where I like it (crazy, intense, and awesome!).

Hope you are having a good week and would love to see your comments on anecdotal feedback on the housing market - both positive and negative news are welcome.

Thanks for reading!

Check it out and please let me know what you think... http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/calculators/