You may have heard that the Federal Reserveraised rates last week… But what does that mean if you are looking to buy a home in the near future? Many in the housing industry have predicted that the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), the policy-making arm of the Federal Reserve, would vote to raise the federal fund’s target rate at their December meeting. For only the second time in a decade, this is exactly what happened. There were many factors that contributed to the 0.25 point increase (from 0.50 to 0.75), but many are pointing to the latest jobs report and low unemployment rate (4.6%) as the main reason. Tim Manni, Mortgage Expert at Nerd Wallet, had this to say,
“Homebuyers shouldn’t be particularly concerned with [last week’s] Fed move. Even with rates hovering over 4 percent, they’re still historically low. Most market observers are expecting a gradual rise in home loan rates in the near term, anticipating mortgage rates to stay under 5 percent through 2017.”
Bottom Line
Only time will tell what the long-term impact of the rate hike will be, but in the short term, there should be no reason for alarm.
This article by Wannabe Portlandy (http://www.wannabeportlandy.com), offers some great suggestions for showing your friends & family around our fabulous city of Portland.
Downtown Portland – Broadway
Every year, I get requests from friends and followers to create Portland itineraries for them. This is something that I enjoy doing and I go the extra mile of even making detailed presentations for friends. Each traveler is different and so I make it a point to tailor fit the itineraries that I make for each individual personality and preference.
I recently crafted a personalized 7-Day itinerary for three of my friends and three of their kids. I am sharing the itinerary here because it might help you plan your trip to Portland too.
But first, a little bit of perspective on why I made this itinerary the way it is. First of all, my friends are world-travelers. They have been around Asia, Europe, and North America. So I wanted to suggest places that are more unique to PDX. For instance, I intentionally did not suggest for them to eat in any Asian restaurants even if this is popular in Portland. Most of my foodie suggestions are focused on good American food. Secondly, my friends were traveling with kids that are 5-years old and below. So most of the places that I have suggested are kid-friendly and places that won't require waiting in line for more than an hour.
So here it goes!
Day 1 (SUNDAY) – Welcome to Portland!
Screen Door
10:30AM – I immediately had my friends go to Olympia Provisions for brunch. Don't forget to order the Steak Eggs Benedict here. Advanced reservations is a must!
2:00PM – After brunch, I had my friends take theBest of Portland Walking Tour. This is a great crash course on what makes Portland, Portland. This tour will take you around downtown Portland's key highlights for 2 hours. Advanced reservations is a must!
5:30PM – Screen Door is a PDX foodie hall-of-famer so go here for dinner and make sure to order the buttermilk fried chicken. Tip: Screendoor opens at 5:30PM for dinner. Try to arrive at least 15 minutes earlier or else you'll end up waiting in line for a much longer time.
Day 2 (MONDAY) – Foodie Day Part 1
Guero
9:00AM – Have breakfast at Tasty 'n Sons. Make sure to order the Potato Doughut, Meatloaf Cheddar & Biscuits, Auntie Paula's French Toast, and Salmon Hash. Tip: This is a popular restaurant so try to go at least 15 minutes in advanced to line-up. Otherwise, you'll end up waiting for an hour.
10:00AM – Tasty 'n Sons is in a great quintessential Portland neighborhood called N. Williamsso just walk around the area and enjoy the different stores.
11:00AM – Today is an immersion into the amazing PDX food scene so be ready to taste a lot. Have one of the best ice creams you'll ever taste in your life at Salt & Straw.
12:00NN – Portland is all about the food trucks. Head on over to Guero and order the No. 3 Torta.
2:00PM – A second snack is in order. Head on over to Pip'sfor some seriously amazing doughnuts. Don't forget to get the Bacon & Maple Doughnut and Matcha Tea. Tip: Pip's closes at 4PM so make sure to go before then.
4:00PM – You might be having a bit of a food coma at this point so walk it off and head on over to the Tilikum Bridge to do some brisk walking.
7:00PM – Portland is NOT about snooty fine dining. Instead, PDX is into laid back casual dining that is all about the good food. Have dinner at Le Pigeon and make sure to order the burger–it's consistently ranked as one of the best in the city. Reservation is a must!
Day 3 (TUESDAY) – The Best of Both Worlds
Multnomah Falls
10:00AM – The best part about Portland is how close it is to enjoy some natural wonders. Head on over to the Multnomah Falls and enjoy the scenery.
12:00NN – Have lunch at the Timberline Lodge and don't forget to order their 5-time awarded Clam Chowder. And after lunch, enjoy Mt. Hood for all of its majestic glory.
4:00PM – In Portland, you can be outside the city and enjoying nature one minute, then having fun downtown the next. Go to Union Wayin front of Ace Hotel to do some window shopping.
6:00PM – Have dinner at Hot Lips Pizza at the Eco Trust Building. Note: Other blogs and websites will recommend other pizza places. But I specifically took my friends here because Hot Lips Pizza's concept is much more unique to Portland given its focus on Fresh, Local, Organic, Seasonal, and Sustainable ever-changing menus.
Day 4 (WEDNESDAY) – Foodie Day Part 2
The Waffle Window
8:30AM – 10:00AM – Portland is the #1 food city in America so naturally, this trip needs more than one day of pigging out. For breakfast, get waffles at The Waffle Window and a sandwich from Fried Egg I'm in Love.
3:00PM – A second cup of coffee is in order. Head on over to Coava. Tip: Coava is near two buildings called Rejuvenationand Grand Marketplace. Walk off the carbs and do some window shopping here.
4:00PM – Have dinner & drinks at Multomah Whiskey Library. NOTE: Leave the kids at one of PDX's awesome day care areas such as PDX Play Date.
Day 5 (THURSDAY) – Wine & Beer Day
Rogue Farms
9:00AM – Today is all about wine and beer tasting. But first, have breakfast at Gravy and don't forget to order the Corned Beef Hash.
11:00AM – Do the Wine Tasting at Stoller Winery. NOTE: Not everyone can spend the day hitting up several wineries. And if you could only go to one, I recommend Stoller Winery because their concept is unique to Oregon.
9:00AM – Portland has four seasons so the places that you can see and do are dependent on which month of the year you are planning to visit. Since my friends went during Spring, I had them go to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival.
3:00PM – Drop by Powell's Bookstore to buy some souvenir and just get lost in the thousands of books on display
5:00PM – It's almost time to say good-bye to the city so head on over to Pittock Mansion and go straight to the garden area to enjoy an amazing city view
7:00PM – Our friends requested to have dinner at Hot Lips Pizza (that's how much they loved that place). But go and try another dinner place such as Ned Ludd.
Day 7 (SATURDAY) – The trip is over so cap it off with a trip to the Portland Saturday Market
The SW Corridor refers to the large area extending from SW Portland down I-5 to Sherwood, an area which is growing quickly yet lacks public transportation options to keep up with the increasing traffic.
The upcoming SW Corridor plan includes the addition of a new Max line that would extend from the South Waterfront all the way down to Bridgeport Village, added bike lanes, bus lanes, sidewalks, and park & ride lots to help clear up the I-5 traffic.
According to Tri-Met, voters in Tigard will have the power to make this reality in the November ballot.
I'm really hopeful this next phase of Portland's light rail project will come to fruition. Traffic to and from Tigard and all around 217 is just a bear!
Take a look at this article to learn more about the project:
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.
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.
When planning your trip to Oregon, be sure to include a weekend in wine country!
The Vintages is a trailer resort located in Dayton, among the rolling hills of Oregon’s wine country. The "hotel" is a collection of 8 retro trailers grouped into a compact neighborhood on a 14-acre RV Park in Willamette Wine Country. What a fun vacation idea!
These retro trailers provide an idea of what it would have been like to stay in a trailer of the 1950s and 1960s—with the comfort and coziness of a hotel." Each trailer offers a unique lodging experience tailored to compliment your wine tasting, dining and exploration. A short list of amenities includes gourmet pour-over coffee from Caravan Coffee, luxurious terrycloth robes, comfortable mattresses and fine hotel-quality linens. Should you decide to put your culinary skills to good use, your trailer features a propane grill and all the tableware and utensils you could possible desire (including a wine opener, of course!)
The park offers a breathtaking view of the neighboring vineyards, a pool & hot tub and outdoor lawn games for all to enjoy. Additionally, should you bring your pet along for the ride, we’re right next door to a dog park where your four legged friend can run around while you pick wild blackberries. We have cruiser bikes you can pedal over the bridge to the neighboring town of Dayton, a gateway to many of the local vineyards.
Holiday in style, relive the past, in the heart of Oregon’s wine country. Join us at The Vintages!
While not for the faint of heart, some out-of-town home buyers just can't be there to see every new listing, and have to make the offer without having seen the house. This requires a high level of trust, and the Realtor must be very careful to guide, but not sell. (Though it helps to have spent considerable time with the buyers on at least one previous visit.) Obviously, there is a distinct possibility that once the buyer sees the home, it may not be exactly what they had envisioned.
This is why mobile devices are so useful in the home buying process. With a portable hot spot, a realtor can use Facetime to walk through the home with a live feed to the buyer. Questions can be asked real time, and Realtors can show nooks and crannies that aren't normally photographed. Panoramic photos can show the entire yard and its surrounds, so buyers can see whether there are homes peering into their private spaces. Videos of the street, and all the neighboring houses can help the far away buyer to get a good feel for the neighborhood. Texting, phone calls and email from the home make for instant answers to any questions the buyer may have. Once they've "seen" the home in this way, they can feel a level of comfort in buying a home sight-unseen because they've actually "seen it."
The home above looked like a nice, private new construction option for my buyers. When I previewed the home, it was sandwiched between one large home that overlooked the entire site, and another too close for comfort. One panoramic photo told the tale better than any telephone conversation.
It can sometimes be difficult helping people through the emotional decisions and proceedings as they buy and sell their houses. Certain people rise to the occasion, and others try to drag you downwhen they get tired, grouchy or worried. I've experienced both lately.
Years ago I was told that I'd meet "givers" and "takers," and to try to stick with the "givers." (I don't mean material gifts – I'm talking about their spirits.) Below are little notes from two "givers" who I have had the pleasure of working with recently. They both arrived yesterday, and they absolutely made my day, especially after wrestling with my feelings after a "taker" got super grouchy last week. It's no surprise that these "giver" clients were referred from other clients and friends who are also "givers."
" Dear Cary,
You are amazing! I can't thank you enough for working so hard for us through this entire process. We knew from the get-go you were a stellar realtor, but honestly, you are such a good friend too. We are so blessed to be working with you! You really are our Care Bear 🙂 "
Nghi & Aaron
"THANK YOU!!!!
For everything, over and over. You are such a gem. Pure sunshine.
It was so lovely to see you today, as always.
Have a great week and weekend.
I don't have words for how much I appreciate you.
Best to you always 🙂
xx"
Deaunne
I'm giving thanks for having the opportunity to work with such lovely people!!
Giving Thanks for Love is the name of the Linda Cote print at the top of this post. This beautiful print is available on greeting cards for $5 here, at Linda Cote Studio Printmaking. I'm going to order some today!
Yaw's is legendary in old Portland…this drive-in restaurant in Hollywood was the cause of many traffic jams and missed curfews in the good old days. Having been gone for 30 years, it's wonderful news to Portlanders to hear that Yaw's Top Notch Restaurant is back.
Grand opening festivities on Monday, October 15 include classic cars in the 14 space car-hop service, and live music on Friday and Saturday, October 19-20 by Johnny Limbo and The Lugnuts. Enjoy the oldies in the new old favorite, Yaw's.
Portland’s newest streetcar line (and the first on the city’s eastside in more than 50 years) opens in less than a month on September 22, 2012. In anticipation of this substantial expansion to the existing streetcar network, Mayor Sam Adams, along with members of the Portland Streetcar board and Bureau of Transportation, rode on the first passenger-carrying train to traverse the new alignment earlier this month.
The eastside expansion will bring passengers over the Broadway Bridge from NW Lovejoy Street, connecting to the Lloyd District, the Oregon Convention Center, the Central Eastside’s Produce Row, and OMSI. When the new segment opens, streetcar service will be divided into two lines, which will overlap on 10th and 11th avenues in NW Portland and downtown. The opening of the eastside line will bring enhanced service to the most heavily used section of the Westside alignment (on 10th and 11th between Portland State University and the Pearl District). This section will see trains arriving every 7 minutes, down from the current 12-13 minute wait times. Trains on the eastside, NW 23rd, and the South Waterfront will arrive every 14 minutes. For a map of the new two-line system, click here.
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The park offers a breathtaking view of the neighboring vineyards, a pool & hot tub and outdoor lawn games for all to enjoy. Additionally, should you bring your pet along for the ride, we’re right next door to a dog park where your four legged friend can run around while you pick wild blackberries. We have cruiser bikes you can pedal over the bridge to the neighboring town of Dayton, a gateway to many of the local vineyards.
