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cary perkins • kitchen ideas • OR • Portland Oregon • Portland Oregon Restaurants • Restaurants • Things to do in Portland OR • March 2, 2016

World’s First Vegan Supermarket Chain to Open in Portland

by Cary Perkins

 

 

Good News for Healthy Food Lovers!

 

Screen Shot 2016-02-24 at 12.28.35 PM

Vegan products are usually relegated to a tiny section in conventional grocery stores, but Portland, Oregon will soon be home to an entire vegan supermarket.

Veganz, the first and world’s largest vegan grocery store chain, will set up shop in the famously crunchy city later this year. Along with a supermarket, Veganz also plans to open a shoe and clothing store and restaurant in Portland.

The chain was founded in February 2011 in Berlin, Germany by former Mercedes-Benz manager Jan Bredack after he found bountiful vegan options during his travels around the U.S. and Russia, German news site The Local reported.

Bredack, who became a vegan in 2009, said he found it hard to “shop normally” at home. Germany, after all, is the meat-loving home to 1,500 different types of sausages and cold cuts.

Bredack said he wants to make vegan shopping easier for everyone and noted that his stores appeal to omnivores as well, estimating that 80 percent of his customers are neither vegan nor vegetarian.

“It should be really simple,” he told The Local. “People shouldn’t have to cut out anything.”

Veganz imports goods from 30 countries worldwide and sells thousands of vegan products, including plant milk and cream, fake meats and fish, vegan ice creams, vegan cheeses and sweets, as well as toiletries and cosmetics. You can see the incredible range of products they have at its Berlin branch here.

Currently, there are more than 10 branches across Europe, including Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Essen, Cologne, Prague and Vienna. Veganz’s first branch in the UK will reportedly offer more than 6,000 vegan products.

In the video below Bredack, talks about his plans to take Veganz food products on-the-go with a food truck for festivals, music and sports events.

Although the U.S. is still heavily a nation of meat eaters—vegans make up roughly 6 percent of the U.S. population—Americans have certainly reduced their meat consumption in recent years.

Besides a growing list of health concerns, more and more people are also considering the environmental consequences of meat and animal products. That’s because a Western-style diet rich in meat and dairy produce will lead to an 80 percent increase in greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, according to Tim Redford of the Climate News Network.

A 2014 research paper from UK think tank Chatham House, Livestock—Climate Change’s Forgotten Sector, explained why it may be necessary for a lot more people to go vegetarian or at least dial down their consumption of meat and dairy products.

Greenhouse gas emissions from livestock, the study said, account for about 14.5 percent of the global total, more than direct emissions from the transportation sector and more than all the emissions produced by the U.S., the world’s biggest economy.

Article courtesy of :  Lorraine Chow, EcoWatch

cary perkins • Portland Oregon • Portland Oregon Restaurants • February 7, 2016

New face on an old friend, Besaw’s

by Cary Perkins

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After a brief time spent looking for a new home, Besaw's really landed on their feet, and only a couple of blocks away from their old home on NW 23rd.  What a gorgeous space!  Stunning wallpaper, mini-tile pillars, and tons of natural light – welcome to the new Slabtown's best new restaurant.

Once they finally opened, I knew the buzz would make it next to impossible to get in for breakfast.  Thanks to opentable.com I was able to score a nice reservation for our breakfast networking group last Friday. 

We tried the liege-style waffles with basil cream and glazed apples, (you get to choose your garnishes from a fun selection) the farmer's hash with brussel sprouts, potatoes, cheddar and escarole, plus a fabulous scratch biscuit, and the rey-rey's chile relleno burrito, with tasty house-made mole.  The coffee kept coming, and we only wished we weren't working, because the full-service bar looked tempting with its innovative cocktails for day drinking!

Everything was delicious, the coffee refilling was non-stop, and the atmosphere was sparkly!  The service is still working out kinks but hoopefully it'll calm down once the newness wears off.  Give this place a try!  Now that reservations are an option, there's no reason not to! 

IMG_0866

 

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1545 NW 21st Avenue, Portland 97209

 RESERVATIONS via opentable.com or contact@besaws.com 228-2619 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cary Perkins,
Windermere Top Producer
Fun With Real Estate
Current Portland Oregon Real Estate Information,
Highlights of Portland Oregon, House Ideas
Portland Oregon Homes

by Cary Perkins

Portland Real Estate, Portland Oregon Top Producer, Windermere Top Producer, Portland Realtor, Portland Homes for Sale

 

Windermere Top Producer Cary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moving to Portland • Portland Oregon Restaurants • Restaurants • Windermere Top Producer Cary Perkins • January 20, 2016

Restaurant review – Tastebud

by Cary Perkins
Tastebud
 
 
We recently met friends in Multnomah Village for pizza – we'd heard a lot about Tastebud & love wood fired pizza, so we gave it a whirl. They don't take reservations, but there are a lot of nearby bars to grab a drink while you wait, and Tastebud will call your cell when your table is ready, so we had a martini at Renner while we waited.
 
The service was quick, they had a nice choice of beers, and the pizzas we tried were dynamite. 
Tastebud pizza
We ordered the Yoder, which had lamb sausage, jalapenos, fresh mozzarella and parsley.  The Nausicaa had pork sausage, olives, mozzarella & fennel.  Both were extremely good and two pizzas fed four hungry people perfectly.
 
Tastebud pizza
 
 
This isn't just a pizza place, though, so don't hesitate to try the fish, chicken or chops!  Everything they make comes from this beautiful oven!  Dinner Menu
 
I'm super happy to not have to cross a bridge for really good wood-fired pizza!  Once in a while you like to just roll down the hill to dinner.  We love you, Tastebud.
 
7783 SW Capitol Hwy. Portland, OR 97219
503.234.0330  •   restaurant@tastebudpdx.com
 
 
Cary Perkins,
Windermere Top Producer
Fun With Real Estate
Current Portland Oregon Real Estate Information,
Highlights of Portland Oregon, House Ideas
Portland Oregon Homes

by Cary Perkins

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Windermere Top Producer Cary Perkin

Current Portland Real Estate Market Information • House Ideas • Portland Oregon • Things to do in Portland OR • December 2, 2015

2015 Holiday Events, Sports, New Movies & Shopping

by Cary Perkins

Portland Holiday Ale Festival
December 2-6, 2015
Pioneer Courthouse Square

Beaverton Tree Lighting
& Holiday Open House
December 4, 2015
4:30-6:30pm
Beaverton City Library

America's Largest Christmas Bazaar
December 4-6, 2015
Portland EXPO Center

Portland Christmas Ships Parade
December 4-20, 2015
Various Locations

2015 Portland Spirit
Cinnamon Bear Cruise
Various Dates & Times

EastBurn 2015 Ciderfest
December 5, 2015
4:00pm
EastBurn

PDX Urban Wine Tour
December 5, 2015
11:00am
Pick Up/Drop Off: EastBurn

Pacifica Annual Holiday
Warehouse Sale
December 5-6, 2015
3135 NW Industrial Street

Hip Chicks Holiday Market
December 5-6, 2015
Noon-5:00pm
Hip Chicks do Wine, Portland

Sleigh Rides on the Water
December 7-20, 2015
Caruthers Landing

Billy Gibbons and The BFG's
December 11, 2015
Doors at 7:00pm
Revolution Hall

The Great Figgy Pudding
Caroling Competition
December 11, 2015
5:30pm
Pioneer Courthouse Square

A Bubbly Spectacular
December 13, 2015
4:00-7:00pm
Pix Patisserie

2015 Holiday Concert Series
w/ Aaron Meyer
December 17-19, 2015

FestiBUS
December 15-23, 2015
7:00pm
$50 / 21+
Portland

Weekend Tea
Dec. 16, 2015 – Jan.1, 2015
2:00 & 3:00pm
Pix Patisserie

Stumptown SantaCon 2015
December 19, 2015
FREE
Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Bulletproof Stockings
December 27, 2015
7:00pm
Aladdin Theater

New Year's Eve Governor's Ball
December 31, 2015
7:00pm
The Sentinel Hotel

Brew Year's Eve
December 31, 2015
7:00pm
Aladdin Theater

Resolution 2016
December 31, 2015
6:30pm-1:30am
WaMu Theater

InspireTruth New Year's
Eve Celebration
December 31, 2015
Portland Art Museum

 

PORTLAND
PSU Farmers Market
Saturdays Year-round
8:30am-2:00pm
1717 SW Park Avenue

TROUTDALE
Open Air Market
Saturdays Year-round
10:00am-2:00pm
531 E. Columbia River Hw

 

Friday, December 4th
Krampus
Life
The Letters

Friday, December 11th
In the Heart of the Sea
Bleeding Heart

Friday, December 18th
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Sisters
Carol
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip

Friday, December 25th
Concussion
Daddy's Home
Joy
Point Break
The Hateful Eight

Pollard Ranch
Quail Creek Ranch
Zenger Farm
Portland Brewing
Grand Central Bowling Lounge
Hiking in Portland
Crown Point
Glendoveer Golf Course
Oregon Museum of Science
and Industry
Oregon Historical Society
Blue Lake Regional Park
Portland Japanese Garden
Oaks Amusement Park
Oregon Zoo
Lan Su Chinese Garden
Pittock Mansion
Washington Park
Oregon Convention Center
Waterfront Park
Portland Institute for Contemporary Art
The Forest Park Conservancy
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
Portland Children's Museum
Bonneville Dam
Pioneer Courthouse
Portland Art Museum
Wahclella Falls
Hollywood Theatre
Museum of Contemporary Craft
Blue Sky Gallery

 

Button Up Your Home:
Winterizing Solutions

Baby It's Cold Outside!

As the seasons change and your family migrates indoors for the winter, a lot of energy can be wasted to keep your home comfortable. Between 40 and 70% of all home energy is wasted, but we could save about half of that by buying efficient appliances and taking energy-saving measures.

The 10 Biggest Energy Users:

  • Water Heaters
  • Refrigerators
  • Freezers
  • Air Conditioners
  • Ranges
  • Clothes Washers
  • Clothes Dryers
  • Dishwashers
  • Portable Heaters
  • Lights

And here are some inexpensive solutions to consider:

  • Cover your air conditioner: If you can’t remove your window unit, consider covering it both inside and out. Besides protecting your air-conditioning unit, these covers also help keep cold air from entering your home through the space around the air-conditioner and can be a great way to lower utility bills.
  • Caulk it: Small spaces and gaps around windows and pipes and wires entering the home create create energy wasting drafts that can cut the efficiency of your heating system. Most caulking products cost under $10; rope caulk, one of the easiest types to apply, sells for about $4 for 40 or 50 feet.
  • Block drafts: Draft blockers are foam plates that fit behind light switches and electrical outlets to reduce drafts that enter through those spaces. You can get a packet of 10 for about $3 and they're easy to install with just a screwdriver.
  • Install heat reflectors: These are thin sheets that fit behind radiators, to reflect heat away from the wall and into the room, thereby maximizing each radiator’s energy efficiency.
  • Perform regular maintenance: If you have a forced air furnace, make sure to clean or change the furnace filter about once a month. Most furnaces will need to be professionally cleaned and tuned once a year.
  • Upgrade your thermostat: Changing your thermostat to a programmable one allows you to control the temperature in your home at different times of the day without you being home. Keep the heat off when you're out of the house and set it to turn back up before you get home. Some also have a second set of settings for weekends, when people usually spend more time at home. The thermostats range from $90 to $175, but can save 12% or more on your energy bill and pay for itself within three years.
  • Reflective Window Film: Place these thin, plastic sheets directly on the inside of window panes and glass doors. The film reflects inside heat back into your home, reducing the amount that is conducted outside through windows. The film costs about $10 a window and is easy to put on – it adheres to the window directly, or with the help of water from a spray bottle.
  • Storm Window Kits: It can be expensive to have storm windows installed throughout your house, but there is a less-expensive way to weatherproof home windows. Storm window kits consist of plastic film or sheets to cover the window. Attaching the plastic is done with tape or tacks. Prices range from about $3 to $10 per window.
  • Weatherstripping: Create a tight seal around all your windows to reduce heated and cooled air from escaping outside. Weatherstrips are plastic, foam, felt or rubber strips that fit around window and door frames with a self-adhesive backing. Prices vary, but average about $5 per window or door.

 

Portland Basketball
Portland Hockey
Portland Soccer
Portland Arena Football
COLLEGE
Portland State Vikings
Oregon State Beavers
University of Oregon Ducks
 
 
 
Thanks to Chicago Title for the fab list!
 
Cary Perkins,
Windermere Top Producer
Fun With Real Estate
Current Portland Oregon Real Estate Information,
Highlights of Portland Oregon, House Ideas
Portland Oregon Homes

by Cary Perkins

Portland Real Estate, Portland Oregon Top Producer, Windermere Top Producer, Portland Realtor, Portland Homes for Sale

 

Windermere Top Producer Cary Perkin

 
Current Portland Real Estate Market Information • Portland Oregon Real Estate • Selling your home during the holidays • Windermere Top Producer Cary Perkins • November 5, 2015

Waiting to Sell Your Home Until After the Holidays

by Cary Perkins

 

Waiting until after the Holidays, Isn’t a Smart Decision | Keeping Current Matters

 

Every year at this time, many homeowners decide to wait until after the holidays to put their home on the market for the first time. Others who already have their home on the market decide to take it off the market until after the holidays. Here are six great reasons not to wait: 1. Relocation buyers are out there. Companies are not concerned with holiday time and if the buyers have kids, they want them to get into school after the holidays. 2. Purchasers that are looking for a home during the holidays are serious buyers and are ready to buy. 3. You can restrict the showings on your home to the times you want it shown. You will remain in control. 4. Homes show better when decorated for the holidays. 5. There is less competition for you as a seller right now. Let’s take a look at listing inventory as compared to the same time last year: Supply of Homes | Keeping Current Matters

 

6. The supply of listings increases substantially after the holidays. Also, in many parts of the country, new construction will make a comeback in 2016. This will lessen the demand for your house.

Bottom Line

Waiting until after the holidays to sell your home may cause you to miss a very good selling opportunity!

 

Please call me if you'd like me to walk through your home with suggestions on how to position it in the marketplace for top dollar!

 

Cary Perkins,
Windermere Top Producer
Fun With Real Estate
Current Portland Oregon Real Estate Information,
Highlights of Portland Oregon, House Ideas
Portland Oregon Homes

by Cary Perkins

Portland Real Estate, Portland Oregon Top Producer, Windermere Top Producer, Portland Realtor, Portland Homes for Sale

 

Windermere Top Producer Cary Perkin

Current Portland Real Estate Market Information • Moving to Portland • Portland Oregon • Portland Oregon Restaurants • October 7, 2015

Best New Portland Restaurants October 2015

by Cary Perkins

New Restaurants of note in Portland …

 

The St. Jack spin-off La Moule; (look at the wallpaper!) 2100 SE Clinton

The new restaurant from former Little Bird executive chef Erik Van Kley, Taylor Railworks;

and The Zipper, a buzzing complex of micro-eateries.

The Oregonian says, "Dubbed "The Zipper," the former used car lot will be home to four micro-restaurants, a TBD bar, a "punk rock" nail salon, coffee shop and common dining room for more than 60 people by mid-March. During the warmer months, the dining area will open onto an outdoor patio with fire pits, bike parking and more. 

Tenants for the space include Rua, the Vietnamese food cart in downtown Portland; Slice Pizza Company, a New York-style pizza restaurant from Randy Swerdlick, the former owner of Manhattan Pizza Co.; a to-be-named Middle Eastern food cart going brick and mortar; Bywater Grocery, a New Orleans-style sandwich shop serving a menu of overstuffed po-boys and cooked-to-order fried seafood; Seven Virtues Coffee Roasters, offering a menu of espresso drinks and grab-n-go breakfast options; and BANG!, a "Bishops meets CBGBs" nail salon. "

Shift Drinks - Portland, OR, United States

I'm super interested in Shift Drinks  (a professional drinking establishment) at 1200 SW Morrison –  There's a "nerdy" wine list, craft cocktails, and refined snacks from chef Anne Garcia.

and

Bit House Saloon – Its historic architecture and veteran staff crossed with cutting-edge mixology and booze-sourcing know-how represents a new era in Portland: that of the gourmet gastropub.  Swooning over the ancient brick, cozy booths and the thought of a formidable burger followed by an adult version of the Otter Pop.

Happy Dining!  I know where I'll be meeting my clients and friends for our next night out!

 

Please enjoy the original article by PDX Eater here.

 

Cary Perkins,
Windermere Top Producer
Fun With Real Estate
Current Portland Oregon Real Estate Information,
Highlights of Portland Oregon, House Ideas
Portland Oregon Homes

by Cary Perkins

Portland Real Estate, Portland Oregon Top Producer, Windermere Top Producer, Portland Realtor, Portland Homes for Sale

 

Windermere Top Producer Cary Perkin

Portland Oregon • Portland Oregon Real Estate • Selling Your home • September 23, 2015

Timing is Everything

by Cary Perkins

3 Graphs That Scream List Your House Today! | Simplifying The Market

Why you should LIST your House in the Fall!

 

 

Thinking about waiting till Spring to sell?  Capitalizing on the shortage of homes for sale in the market now, will translate into a better pricing situation than waiting until Spring.

 

In school we all learned the Theory of Supply and Demand. When the demand for an item is greater than the supply of that item, the price will rise.

 

SUPPLY

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently reported that the inventory of homes for sale stands at a 4.8-month supply. (it's more like 3 months in the Portland region)  This is significantly lower than the 6 months inventory necessary for a normal market.  We are currently experienceing a seller's market.

Inventory | Simplifying The Market

DEMAND

Every month NAR reports on the amount of buyers that are actually out in the market looking for homes, or foot traffic. As seen in the graph below, buyer demand this year has significantly surpassed the levels reached in 2014.

Foot Traffic | Simplifying The Market

Many buyers are being confronted with a very competitive market in which they must compete with other buyers for their dream home (if they even are able to find a home they wish to purchase).

Listing your house for sale now will allow you to capitalize on the shortage of homes for sale in the market, which will translate into a better pricing situation.

HOME EQUITY

Many homeowners underestimate the amount of equity they currently have in their home. According to a recent Fannie Mae study, 37% of homeowners believe that they have more than 20% equity in their home. In reality 69% of homeowners actually do!

Equity | Simplifying The Market

Many homeowners who are undervaluing their home equity may feel trapped in their current home, which may be contributing to the lack of inventory in the market.

Bottom Line

If you are debating selling your home this year, let's get together to evaluate the equity you have in your home and the opportunities available in our market.  Buyers are lining up for homes in Portland.  

Cary Perkins,
Windermere Top Producer
Fun With Real Estate
Current Portland Oregon Real Estate Information,
Highlights of Portland Oregon, House Ideas
Portland Oregon Homes

by Cary Perkins

Portland Real Estate, Portland Oregon Top Producer, Windermere Top Producer, Portland Realtor, Portland Homes for Sale

 

Windermere Top Producer Cary Perkin

 

 

Current Portland Real Estate Market Information • Earthquake Preparedness • House Ideas • Portland Oregon • Portland Oregon Real Estate • August 14, 2015

What should you do to protect your home from “the big one?”

by Cary Perkins

 

Today at lunch with clients we talked about the big earthquake scare that's been all over the news lately. Is  the "Big One" hitting Oregon in the near future?  In our lifetime?  How can we protect ourselves and be prepared?

Mega earthquakes (8.7–9.2) occur regularly in the Pacific Northwest. The last mega quake that shook Portland occurred on January 26, 1700. For the past 10,000 years, the average time between mega quakes has been 300 years. Is it time?

The next mega quake may shake the foundations from Vancouver, BC to northern California. It could  be the largest natural disaster in U.S. history, dwarfing Hurricane Katrina in damage, suffering and costs. In Portland, thousands of people could die and tens of thousands might be injured. Thousands and thousands of Portlander’s could end up homeless, as homes built before 1980 slip off their foundations, crumple and collapse. (Note: Older houses were not attached to the foundations – only gravity keeps them in place.)

Not all damage will be physical. The equity in the house they live in is where the wealth is stored for most middle class Americans. For unprepared homeowners, an earthquake could not only destroy their homes, if they survive, it could also leave them with nothing except a mortgage payment for a house that no longer exists. Bankruptcy may be final aftershock.

We cannot prevent earthquakes. We can, however, be prepared. Minimal preparation includes:

  • Attaching your house to the foundation (also called seismic retrofitting).  The city estimates that there are 105,000 Portland homes that were built before 1970 and therefore were probably not initially bolted to their foundations. That makes them highly vulnerable during a major quake; they could be knocked off their foundations and damaged to the point that they are uninhabitable. Of course, some homeowners have bolted their houses down in the years since they were built, but we don't know how many. The city's best estimate is that at least 50,000 homes are still not bolted down.  Fortunately, in most cases, it is not insanely expensive to bolt a house down. A local contractor that does a lot of seismic strengthening says the average cost is $3,400. For some people, that's a lot of money. But for people who can afford to spend $20,000 remodeling their kitchen, it's feasible. That's why the Bureau of Development Services, supported by Commissioner Dan Saltzman, is developing a strategy to make sure that whenever Portlanders apply for building/remodeling permits, they get information about the importance and relative ease of quake-proofing their homes.
  • Buying earthquake insurance (most insurance companies require seismic retrofitting).
  • Having emergency provisions of food, water, pet food, prescription medicine, etc.
  • Creating a family plan. All communications except satellite phones will be down for several weeks—Who picks up the kids? Where does your family meet? Who is out of area contact to convey messages?

Protect yourself.  Prepare your family for an earthquake. To learn how to prepare for an earthquake and other natural disasters, go to the following link:

http://www.oregon.gov/DOGAMI/pages/emergencykit.aspx

We can preserve our neighborhoods by taking simple steps to ensure that our neighborhood houses survive The Big One.

Please call me if you'd like help in locating resources for seismic retrofitting, earthquake insurance and earthquake survival kits.

Courtesy of: All Things Real Estate Newspaper/Oregonlive.com

 

 

Cary Perkins,
Windermere Top Producer
Fun With Real Estate
Current Portland Oregon Real Estate Information,
Highlights of Portland Oregon, House Ideas
Portland Oregon Homes

by Cary Perkins

Portland Real Estate, Portland Oregon Top Producer, Windermere Top Producer, Portland Realtor, Portland Homes for Sale

 

Windermere Top Producer Cary Perkin

Moving • Portland Oregon Real Estate • Portland Real Estate Data • Selling Your home • July 8, 2015

How is my home sale taxed? What about capital gains?

by Cary Perkins

 

 

When it's time to sell your home, I start by preparing a seller's "net sheet," which outlines the sale price less your outstanding mortgage, pro-rated property taxes, etc.  Often people are worried about how much tax they're going to have to pay on that big (hopefully) number on the bottom line that says "Net to Seller."

 Most times the answer is ZERO taxes!  When you sell your principal residence and make a profit, you get to exclude $250,000 of that profit from your taxable income. And that's just the exclusion for single owners. Married couples can exclude up to $500,000 (if both spouses each meet the ownership and use tests below). So, depending on how much of a profit you make on the sale, you and your partner could potentially have no capital gains tax bill at all.

Here's the fine print:  in order to claim the maximum exclusion, you have to pass the IRS ownership and use tests. The test questions are:

  • Have you owned the house for two years?
  • Have you lived in the house as your principal residence for two out of the last five years, ending on the date of the sale?

There are a few exceptions to these rules–for example, if you had to move before owning the home for two years because of a job change or due to "unforeseen circumstance," such as a divorce or natural disaster. In these situations the IRS may allow you to prorate the exclusion.

And here's more fine print that is ususally helpful:   the two years residency doesn't have to be consecutive–you just have to have lived in your home for a total of 24 months out of the five years prior to the sale.

How to Calculate your cost basis

To determine capital gains on the sale of your home, you subtract your 'cost basis' from the selling price. Your cost basis is not just the purchase price. It also includes some settlement fees, closing costs and commissions paid with the purchase and the sale.  Add to this the cost of significant capital improvements (not repairs) you've made  for renovations, additions, roofing, landscaping, and other upgrades. All of these improvements increase your cost basis, and will lower your potential tax liability. (Another good reason to keep records of all your home improvements)

You can also reduce your tax basis (and owe more taxes) for a few reasons –  if you have a home office and have claimed depreciation over time, you now have to subtract those deductions from your cost basis. Or any tax credits for energy-related improvements have to be subtracted as well.  

Estimate sale price and capital gains

Now estimate your sale price and subtract your cost basis. If you bought your house for $350,000, did  $50,000 worth of improvements and had other closing fees and costs of $15,000, your cost basis is $415,000. Now let's say you expect to sell the house for $850,000. Your potential capital gain would be $435,000.

Factor in exclusion

In the above example, if you and your married partner met the ownership and use tests, you could exclude the entire gain from your taxable income. You wouldn't even have to report the sale on your tax return. However,if your capital gain turned out to be $525,000, you'd have to report the sale and pay long-term capital gains on $25,000.

As always, I recommend you speak with your accountant for the rules that apply to your personal tax situation.  But if you want to talk about selling your home, please call.

 

 

Click here for the full article.

 

 

Cary Perkins,
Windermere Top Producer
Fun With Real Estate
Current Portland Oregon Real Estate Information,
Highlights of Portland Oregon, House Ideas
Portland Oregon Homes

by Cary Perkins

Portland Real Estate, Portland Oregon Top Producer, Windermere Top Producer, Portland Realtor, Portland Homes for Sale

 

Windermere Top Producer Cary Perkin

Decorating Ideas • Gardens and Landscape • June 17, 2015

10 Summer Flower Arranging Tips

by Cary Perkins

Did you know I used to be a florist?  My mother owned a flower shop when I was growing up and one Mother's Day she just said, "Here, make an arrangement," and that was the start of my love of flower arranging.  It is one of my favorite summer activities.  Here are some hints for you to become adept at arranging your garden blooms.

 

Tip 1: Water Works

Put flowers in water as soon as you get them home. Fill buckets with tepid water, add floral preservative, and then add flowers.

Tip 2: Must Cut

Cut an inch off the stems using a sharp knife, at a diagonal so they absorb more water, especially if the flowers will sit a while before being arranged. The fresh cut will help the stems absorb water better.

Tip 3: Water Temp Matters

Warm water helps tightly closed flower heads, such as roses or ranunculus, to open fully. Leave them in water for a day or two before using them.

Tip 4: Use Foam

Use florist's foam to keep flowers in place and constantly hydrated so they last longer. Soak the foam for 15 minutes before cutting it to fit the container. Water the foam every couple of days.

Tip 5: Trim, Trim

Recut stems just before adding them to the arrangement. Strip off any leaves that fall below the water line.

Tip 6: Picking Flowers

Add large, heavy flowers first turning the arrangement as you work to ensure even placement on all sides. Fill in with smaller, airier blooms, and leave enough space between the stems so individual flowers have room to shine. Include flowers with various shapes and stem lengths.

Tip 7: Height Matters

Make your bouquet taller than its container by about one and a half times. Also, make the width balance the height.

Tip 8: Similar Colors

Mix in different textures for a monochromatic arrangement that's interesting to look at.

Tip 9: Fill-In

Save larger leaves and stems with leaves on them to fill in around the flowers. Drape some of the greenery over the container's rim.

Tip 10: Proper Placement

Keep flowers away from sunlight and heating vents. Recut stems and add water often.

 

Cary Perkins,
Windermere Top Producer
Fun With Real Estate
Current Portland Oregon Real Estate Information,
Highlights of Portland Oregon, House Ideas
Portland Oregon Homes

by Cary Perkins

Portland Real Estate, Portland Oregon Top Producer, Windermere Top Producer, Portland Realtor, Portland Homes for Sale

 

Windermere Top Producer Cary Perkins

 

Cary Perkins | Perkins & Perkins | Windermere Realty Trust

(503) 720-4455 | caryperk@windermere.com