Shedding Some Light on the Value of Today’s Low Mortgage Rates!!!

May25
"I Saw the Light" - Todd Rundgren   I know I go "on and on" about how interest rates affect a buyer's ability to purchase real estate. But, I can't drive the point home enough. Maybe it's because I started my real estate career with interest rates at 13%, that I know what this means to the average buyer!! So, this is a re-post from Hammer Financial Group.  If you like to crunch numbers or are interested in comparing the absolute value of a low interest rate, take a look at this set of calculations: If we compare average 30 year rates (non-owner occupied) … Read More

What is a 1031 Tax-Deferred Exchange of Real Property?

May23
"Taxation Trap"   Ok, last week I reprinted a First American Title Company Exchange post talking about 1031 Exchanges or tax deferred sales of real estate investment property.  Here is some more information that could be helpful. 1031 exchange, otherwise known as a tax deferred exchange is a simple strategy and method for selling one property, that's qualified, and then exchanging it for another property (also qualified) within a specific time frame. The logistics and process of selling a property and then buying another property are practically identical to any standardized … Read More

May 2012 Portland Metro Real Estate Update!!!

May18
Leonard Cohen - "Hallelujah"   May 2012 Portland Metro Real Estate Update!! Hallelujah!!  x2 might I add!! Not only do we have sunshine in the greater Portland metro area but we are having some kind of frenzy in our real estate world.  We've been watching this progress through March and April.  The continued shortage of "good inventory", pricing diminished by the last few years of financial unrest, the obvious resurgence of faith in our local economy combined with the low, low interest rates have pulled home buyers back into the marketplace.  This is producing many multiple … Read More

Tax Saving Strategies Utilizing a 1031 Tax-Deferred LEGAL Exchange!!!

May15
"There's Taxes Everywhere" - Matt Cline   reprinted from the First American Title Company Exchange Newsletter!  Remember:  having a strategy for your investment properties, 2nd homes and even re-thinking your primary residence could save you big bucks on the tax front.  Just something to think about..... Tax Saving Strategies Utilizing 1031 Exchanges The 1031 tax deferred exchange is widely known and utilized by investors to defer capital gains tax when selling and buying investment property. To qualify under IRC Section 1031 the basic requirements to maximize your tax-… Read More

Short Sales Might Get Easier???? I’ll Believe It When I See IT!!

May11
"Falling Short" - Generation Song   Short-sales have been a challenge in our market for the last few years. New legislation is supposed to make it better. My personal experience is that, "I'll believe it when I see it"!! But, of course, I hope that it's true!! Here is an article from RisMedia: (MCT)—The short sale process could get a lot quicker starting this summer under new rules that will require lenders to respond to offers within a month. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the nation’s two largest mortgage backers, will implement the guidelines on June 15. The changes requ… Read More
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