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PODS & Other Portable Storage Options
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve recommended PODS to my sellers who are feeling overwhelmed with clutter, storage, and the sifting of possessions that comes with moving. Figuring out where to store things while the house is being shown is of great concern, but a POD, or portable storage unit is a pretty simple solution.
The company will deliver a little unit, almost like a very short semi trailer, into your street or driveway, and then it’s up to you to load all your extraneous junk that you want to keep, but don’t want cluttering your home while it’s being shown to prospective buyers. It locks up at night, and you can keep it as long as you need. Once it’s filled, they pick it up and take the unit to a storage facility where it’s kept until you’re ready for them to deliver it to your new place.
Here’s a link to information on PODS. I noted several negative reviews of PODS on Yelp.com, but I’ve had many clients who were happy customers.
And here’s a competitor, and a comparison to PODS rates – Mobile Mini, Inc.
And another, Smartbox
And 1-800-PACKRAT, now available at select Lowes.
U-Haul also has an option.
Door to Door is another….as is UPack!
I hope this helps you with your move. It certainly feels good to get all that junk out of the house. Maybe you’ll be more selective as you bring it back in. If you find that you’ve saved way too much furniture, household goods, or beds, just call Community Warehouse! They accept donations, and will distribute them to low-income people in Oregon who are setting up households. They’ll provide you with a tax deductible receipt.
How to paint interior rooms to avoid the Oregon gloom
If you have a room with little sunlight, how do you decide on paint colors to minimize the darkness?
I’ve just read a great article, with beautiful color photos (which I can’t copy here due to copyright laws) and here is the link.
Happy Painting!
Also see my post on the new colors for 2012…. here.
Front Door Privacy without the use of drapes or blinds
It’s pretty inexpensive and easy to apply an opaque film or etched glass to your front door with just a little slit for peeking. I loved the looks of this on a recent home tour and wanted to share it – and also to remember it for the side panels next to my front door.
Investment buyers – take note!
The cost of renting has continued to climb, as the cost of real estate ownership has dropped during the last few years. Now, with extremely low interest rates and greatly deflated housing prices, purchasing a rental property is becoming a popular notion again. See the attached article for more info.
Home Values Expected to Rise in 2012
Here’s a happy prediction: Home values are expected to rise next year.
Portland-area home values fell 3.5 percent percent during 2011 but are expected to stabilize and even post an increase in 2012, the real estate research firm Clear Capital reports.
The California company forecasts a 1.9 percent increase in home values in the Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton area.
In the company’s ranking of 50 major metro areas’ home prices, that moves Portland from No. 27 in 2011 to No. 14 in 2012. Exactly half of the markets are expected to post home price increases. The Portland market is also among 20 considered to be stable in 2012, with a predicted increase or decrease of less than 2.5 percent.
The company also reported 15.5 percent of home sales in 2011 were bank-owned foreclosures.
U.S. home prices fell 2.1 percent in 2011 and are expected to gain 0.2 percent in 2012, the firm reports.
The Seattle area was one of the hardest-hit markets in 2011, posting a 15.1 percent decline in prices. Clear Capital predicted the city would lose another 7.5 percent in 2012.
Published: Monday, January 09, 2012, 11:42 AM on Oregonlive.com
25 Clever Ideas to Make Life Easier
Check out these simple ways to tidy up around the house, grow herbs and vegetables, organize your computer cords, or make your own microwave popcorn. Which idea is your favorite?
House Idea of the Day
Best bunk beds!
This is a great use of a bonus room, often found above garages in late 90′s construction onward. In addition to making it a huge playroom, how about bunking all your kids on one room? I love the staircase. Little book shelves for their reading, separate lights, and this is just about the smartest custom build I can think of. *Picture found on Pinterest – not sure of the source, but props to whomever designed this beautiful room.
Portland Real Estate Market Outlook
Reflecting on the local Portland Real Estate Market for 2011, the national news, and even the Oregonian’s reporting on the market in general tended to be more dismal than what was happening in close-in Portland where most of my clients live, and where I work. It was frustrating that the overall state of the real estate economy was always portrayed in such a dismal light. We are actually closing out the year with some very positive signs in the real estate market both locally and nationally.
Nationally, existing home sales are up 4% year over year and up 13% from same time period last year.
In the Portland Metro area, closed sales were up 18.9% and pending sales were up 18.2% compared to the same time last year. New listings are down by 16.7%. With sales activity up and listing activity down the balance between supply and demand is in better shape than it has been in 4 years. As of the end of November, there is 6.2 months of inventory (supply) in the Portland metro area.
In SW Washington closed sales are up 17.2% compared to the same time last year. Pending sales are up 21.6%. And, “months of inventory” is down to an 8-month supply.
The latest Case-Shiller report showed the greater Portland area (including Clark Co.) as one of only 3 metro areas of their 20 city sampling with stable to positive home prices.
Through November of 2011, 31% of all home sales in the US sold for cash. That shows that savvy investor buyers are jumping into the real estate market with full force because they sense the bottom of the market values.
Some market experts are predicting that homebuyers will be saying, “I wish I’d bought a home in 2011 when prices and mortgage rates were so low.”
Please call me to discuss putting your home on the market while the inventory is low. I’d be happy to prepare a current CMA on your property to let you know where you stand right now, and what will be happening in the spring market. Together we can figure out what’s best for you.
I’ve had some great sales this year in <30 days, and have lots of buyers looking for the perfect house. Thank you for keeping me busy in 2011.
I’m sending you my best for 2012!
The Best House Ever available again!
I’ve always called this “the best house ever” because the design is one of my favorites of all time! Great room design, two ensuite bedrooms flanking a family room upstairs, and a master suite, studio and office on the main… just an amazing house. For sale or rent! Call me!
