School might start next week, but the weather is good and there is still time to get outside! Whether you're running, riding a bike, or just going out for a casual stroll, Vancouver has a number of great multi-use trails for you to enjoy. Here's a few of my favorites:
1. Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway - The Burnt Bridge Creek trail runs 7.7 miles along the greenway created by the BPA power lines, across SR-500 and through Leverich Park, all the way to Lakeshore Ave. There is parking available at both trail heads, as well as several parks along the route.
2. Padden Parkway Trail - Running from NE 162nd Ave/NE Ward Rd to NE 55th ave, the Padden Parkway Trail covers 5.5 miles. Looking for longer trip? At 117th Ave you can head north on our next trail...
3. Highway 503 - Not quite a complete trail, this is a mix of asphalt trail and sidewalk that runs for 7 miles north of Padden Parkway up to Battle Ground. When combined with the Padden Parkway Trail, this creates a 25 mile loop perfect for a long bike ride.
4. Salmon Creek Gateway Trail - The shortest of the features trails, the Salmon Creek Trail starts at Salmon Creek Regional Park (NW 117th St and Highway 99) and follows Salmon Creek for three miles to NW 36th Ave, just south of NW 139th St.
This is the first post in what will eventually be a list of 50 Things I Love about Living in Vancouver. I had the idea for this series while riding on one of Vancouver's many multi-use trails, so trails got the #1 spot. The list is in no particular order (I haven't even written out the whole list - so I will just be writing as things come to be). If you think I have missed something, add a comment and let me know! Be sure to check back in a couple days for #2...
Friday, August 31, 2012
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Portland Metro Market Report
The RMLS released their market trends for July 2012 today. Here are the highlights from the Portland Metro area -
There is an abundance of information available for consumers today...let me help you simplify all the data to make smart financial decisions when buying or selling a home. If you are buying/selling a home, I'd love to help guide you through the process into your new home.
Oregon - 503.212.2322
Washington - 360.977.8329
johnblom@hasson.com
Licensed in OR and WA
- Pending sales rose 23% over July 2011
- Year-to-date average sales price increased 2.5% over last year
- Average days on the market dropped from 149 in 2011 to 120 this year
- Inventory increased 3.9 months of supply in June to 4.6 months in July. Inventory between 4 and 6 months is considered a stable, healthy market.
There is an abundance of information available for consumers today...let me help you simplify all the data to make smart financial decisions when buying or selling a home. If you are buying/selling a home, I'd love to help guide you through the process into your new home.
Oregon - 503.212.2322
Washington - 360.977.8329
johnblom@hasson.com
Licensed in OR and WA
SW Washington Market Report
The RMLS Market Action for July was released today. Here are the highlights from SW Washington -
Whether buying or selling, my objective in every transaction is to simplify the process for my clients while helping them make wise, long-term financial decisions. If you'd like a better real estate experience, give me a call today!
OR - 503.212.2322
WA - 360.977.8329
- Average sales price in July rose 7.6% over July 2011
- Closed sales grew 6.5% over July 2011
- Average sales price year to date is stable compared with last year
- Inventory remained unchanged at 5.4 months
Whether buying or selling, my objective in every transaction is to simplify the process for my clients while helping them make wise, long-term financial decisions. If you'd like a better real estate experience, give me a call today!
OR - 503.212.2322
WA - 360.977.8329
Sunday, August 5, 2012
9 Ideas for Staging Your Home
Here's nine tips for staging your home, three cheap and easy things every seller should do, three "mid-sized" tasks that provide a good return, and three big projects that will maximize the value you get for your home.
Simple Staging
1. Clean up and de-clutter - If you are serious about selling your house, you are going to be packing soon anyway, so get an early start but putting away as much "stuff" as possible. There's nothing wrong with your stuff, except that its "yours." You want buyers to be able to focus on the house and envision their stuff in there. You don't want buyers to spend their time looking at your awesome vacation photos and miss seeing the house. Quick tip: A mixture of one-part vinegar/one-part water for getting finger prints off of stainless steel appliances. Also, a mix of bleach and water is great for cleaning grout lines.
2. Touch-up the paint - Hopefully if you did any painting, you had some leftover you can use to touch up any scratches or dings on the wall. If you've personalized any rooms (very bright or very bold colors) repainting with a more neutral color will appeal to a broader range of buyers. Quick tip: If you have one room that is a little too small, like a eat-in nook or family room, try painting it the same color as the adjacent room. Matching colors make the rooms flow together and make the smaller room appear larger.
3. Make luxurious bathrooms - some inexpensive bath soaps, candles, lotions placed on the bathroom counters will give your home a "high-end" feel that buyers like.
Mid-Sized Projects
1. Lay fresh mulch - If you are getting ready to sell immediately, it is probably too late to make drastic changes in the landscaping. But, putting down some fresh mulch will upgrade the curb appeal of your house instantly. Don't buy mulch from a big home store, though. You can save a lot of money purchasing from a wood recycling facility, like H&H in Vancouver or Compost Products in Portland. Quick tip: Wood recyling places also except yard debris and wood scraps for a small fee, so if you have some shrubs that need major pruning you can drive in with a load of yard debris and drive out with some fresh mulch.
2. Update cabinet hardware - You can update kitchens and bathrooms just by adding new hardward to your cabinets and drawers. Replace brass knobs and pulls with more contemproary brushed nickel or oil-rubbed bronze pieces. Quick tip: If you have wood cabinets that have seen better days, rub some orange oil over them to help return some of their lost luster and shine.
3. Purchase new towels or linens - Putting a contemporary comforter or new towels in a bedroom or bathroom will make draw buyers attention and make the home feel new, even if it is not. The best part is after your home sells, you will have already have new towels for your new home!
Big Projects
1. Update appliances - HGTV's staging experts say that most sellers get a dollar-for-dollar return when they purchase new appliances. Not only will they give your kitchen a newer feel, having the manufacurers warranty will give the buyers some extra piece of mind...just be sure to save all the purchase and warranty information to pass on to the buyers.
2. Re-finish cabinets - If your cabinets need a little more than new hardware and a coat of wood polish, but you don't want to purchase new ones, consider having the cabinets refinished. It's cheaper than replacing them but gives the appearance of a brand new kitchen.
3. Paint your trim - Repainting your baseboards, window, and door trim white will lighten up the entire house. It can be a time-consuming project, but will make your home stand out from the competition.
Simple Staging
1. Clean up and de-clutter - If you are serious about selling your house, you are going to be packing soon anyway, so get an early start but putting away as much "stuff" as possible. There's nothing wrong with your stuff, except that its "yours." You want buyers to be able to focus on the house and envision their stuff in there. You don't want buyers to spend their time looking at your awesome vacation photos and miss seeing the house. Quick tip: A mixture of one-part vinegar/one-part water for getting finger prints off of stainless steel appliances. Also, a mix of bleach and water is great for cleaning grout lines.
2. Touch-up the paint - Hopefully if you did any painting, you had some leftover you can use to touch up any scratches or dings on the wall. If you've personalized any rooms (very bright or very bold colors) repainting with a more neutral color will appeal to a broader range of buyers. Quick tip: If you have one room that is a little too small, like a eat-in nook or family room, try painting it the same color as the adjacent room. Matching colors make the rooms flow together and make the smaller room appear larger.
3. Make luxurious bathrooms - some inexpensive bath soaps, candles, lotions placed on the bathroom counters will give your home a "high-end" feel that buyers like.
Mid-Sized Projects
1. Lay fresh mulch - If you are getting ready to sell immediately, it is probably too late to make drastic changes in the landscaping. But, putting down some fresh mulch will upgrade the curb appeal of your house instantly. Don't buy mulch from a big home store, though. You can save a lot of money purchasing from a wood recycling facility, like H&H in Vancouver or Compost Products in Portland. Quick tip: Wood recyling places also except yard debris and wood scraps for a small fee, so if you have some shrubs that need major pruning you can drive in with a load of yard debris and drive out with some fresh mulch.
2. Update cabinet hardware - You can update kitchens and bathrooms just by adding new hardward to your cabinets and drawers. Replace brass knobs and pulls with more contemproary brushed nickel or oil-rubbed bronze pieces. Quick tip: If you have wood cabinets that have seen better days, rub some orange oil over them to help return some of their lost luster and shine.
3. Purchase new towels or linens - Putting a contemporary comforter or new towels in a bedroom or bathroom will make draw buyers attention and make the home feel new, even if it is not. The best part is after your home sells, you will have already have new towels for your new home!
Big Projects
1. Update appliances - HGTV's staging experts say that most sellers get a dollar-for-dollar return when they purchase new appliances. Not only will they give your kitchen a newer feel, having the manufacurers warranty will give the buyers some extra piece of mind...just be sure to save all the purchase and warranty information to pass on to the buyers.
2. Re-finish cabinets - If your cabinets need a little more than new hardware and a coat of wood polish, but you don't want to purchase new ones, consider having the cabinets refinished. It's cheaper than replacing them but gives the appearance of a brand new kitchen.
3. Paint your trim - Repainting your baseboards, window, and door trim white will lighten up the entire house. It can be a time-consuming project, but will make your home stand out from the competition.
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