Mortgage Fraud…Exactly How Does This Happen??? More on the “State of Portland Real Estate”!

September1
Chris Isaak sings "Wicked Game" I guess I don't have the mind of a criminal because I'm always fascinated by how people arrive at in-depth schemes to commit fraud or outrageous cons!! In my simple mind, I've often wondered what these particular people could actually accomplish should they have directed this energy towards some legal entrepreneurial endeavor instead of illegal behavior.  But, what do I know?  Well, I do know that our real estate market, mortgage markets and the economy in general has suffered due to unscrupulous schemes that continued unchecked.  Now even the innocent m… Read More

Rumor vs Reality: The Truth About Short-Sales/Foreclosures in the Portland Marketplace and Elsewhere!!

August26
young song writer, Anica, sings an original composition:  "Escape Reality".  I'm sure we're all tired of hearing about "Short-Sales" (attempting to negotiate with the existing lender to accept less than is owed on the property) and "Foreclosures" (the bank has taken ownership of the property) and we'd like to escape the reality of this present real estate market.  However, short sales and foreclosures are heavily impacting values of Portland real estate (and across the country) and they surface in almost every real estate search at all price points! So, unfortunately we can't ignor… Read More

“Oh, the Humanity”. More Remodeling “Tales of Woe” from the N Mississippi area/Portland Duplex Remodel!

August23
Arno Sluismans - Songs of Woe I am happy to report that I have no sordid tales of murder or general mayhem visited on any IKEA employees or patrons but you may have heard some loud "wailing and gnashing of teeth" at the end of last week as my partner an… Read More

The Mortgage Industry as a “Shape Shifter”….Changing, Always Changing! FHA Loans!

August20
Carrie Underwood "Change" Major FHA mortgage loan changes that were slated to go into effect on 09/07/2010 are now delayed till 10/04/2010.  Sighhhhhhhhh!  It's definitely hard to keep up with the mortgage industry these days with almost daily modifications, corrections and reformations being launched.  Some good, some bad in my humble opinion. What is an FHA loan?  FHA stand for Federal Housing Administration and is a federal agency in the Department of Housing and Urban Development.  FHA has been in existence since 1934, however FHA does not actually lend money.  They simply in… Read More

August 2010 Portland Metro Real Estate Update!

August17
  "Just Breathe" by Pearl Jam AUGUST 2010 PORTLAND METRO REAL ESTATE UPDATE! Well, it was a late summer to arrive but it’s definitely here!!!  August can traditionally be a slow real estate month in the Portland Metro market due to last minute summer vacations while the weather holds and prior to school starting!  However, the slowdown started earlier than usual this year and our market activity has been trending down.  When comparing sales activity in the Portland metro area in July 2010 to the same time last year, July 2009, closed sales declined 29%.  Pending sales also decrea… Read More