tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839136571711364072024-03-13T06:17:33.341-07:00John Blom HomesMaking Real Estate Simple by Providing Relevant Market Data and Tips for Living in Portland and SW WashingtonJohn Blomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414172713278552365noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183913657171136407.post-26504329890397692832012-09-27T14:01:00.001-07:002012-09-27T14:02:13.377-07:00High School Options in VancouverThe schools in SW Washington are one of the great parts of living in Vancouver. While most people know about the quality of the "standard" schools, not as many know about some of the magent programs available offer a more specialized educational experience. Here are a few of the opportunities available:
Vancouver School of Arts and Academies - located at the historic Shumway John Blomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414172713278552365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183913657171136407.post-156611491835081072012-09-11T11:00:00.002-07:002012-09-11T11:00:56.792-07:00Making Money While Your Kids Are in School
According to the US Department of Education, the average college tuition at a public school has increased 41% over the last ten years, and 18% for a private school. Based on 2010-2011 tuition rates, it would cost over $70,000 for a 4 year degree at a public school and over $120,000 at a private school...and this isn't even including room and board.
These are daunting figures for most John Blomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414172713278552365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183913657171136407.post-522954147135943192012-09-10T15:24:00.001-07:002012-09-10T15:24:54.744-07:005th Annual Taste of Portland
This Thursday the Hasson Company is proud to be one of the presenting sponsors for the 5th Annual Taste of Portland. The Taste of Portland features 25 local restaurants and caterers sharing their culinary art to benefit the Oregon Association of Realtors HOME Foundation, a non-profit community organization that helps make home ownership a reality for those at or below the median income John Blomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414172713278552365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183913657171136407.post-28032934202443589242012-09-06T18:08:00.001-07:002012-09-06T18:13:23.031-07:00Open Sunday 9/9 from 1 to 3 PM - Hollywood Gem
This beautiful home in the heart of Portland's Hollywood District will be open Sunday from 1 to 3 PM - stop by and check it out! Click on the flyer below for more details on this exceptional listing.
John Blomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414172713278552365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183913657171136407.post-75558734383803398242012-08-31T14:33:00.001-07:002012-08-31T14:56:08.722-07:0050 Things I Love about Vancouver - #1 Multi-Use PathsSchool 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 John Blomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414172713278552365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183913657171136407.post-61101663682060293442012-08-15T11:45:00.001-07:002012-08-15T11:45:56.630-07:00Portland Metro Market ReportThe RMLS released their market trends for July 2012 today. Here are the highlights from the Portland Metro area -
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 John Blomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414172713278552365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183913657171136407.post-63361406935922783892012-08-15T11:39:00.001-07:002012-08-15T11:39:52.864-07:00SW Washington Market ReportThe RMLS Market Action for July was released today. Here are the highlights from SW Washington -
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
Homes that are priced well are selling quickly and with mortage rates still incredibly low, John Blomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414172713278552365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183913657171136407.post-72051461449658735502012-08-05T14:16:00.001-07:002012-08-05T14:16:33.613-07:009 Ideas for Staging Your HomeHere'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 John Blomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414172713278552365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183913657171136407.post-76284721860997157062012-07-27T14:16:00.000-07:002012-07-27T14:16:16.423-07:00Home Prices IncreaseLow inventory and great interest rates are starting to have an impact on home values, as one national home values index showed a small increase in year-to-year home prices. This is the first increase in over five years. The most recent RMLS Market report also showed positive movement on price. Compared with June 2011, average sale price last month grew 4.8%. The median John Blomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414172713278552365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183913657171136407.post-6244933133437906282012-07-26T14:49:00.000-07:002012-07-26T14:49:52.833-07:00Snowman Foundation - Open House
Help support an amazing charity and get to hear a live performance by Michael Allen Harrison this weekend at Sherman Clay Pianos. The Snowman Foundation helps provide access to the musical arts for children who otherwise might not be able to afford it. It is an incredible foundation and the managing director is one of my previous clients. It's a cause well worth supporting!John Blomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414172713278552365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183913657171136407.post-78265059248085628572012-07-23T10:27:00.001-07:002012-07-23T10:28:16.813-07:00Distressed Property StatsLast week the RMLS released quarterly stats regarding distressed property sales. Distressed properties are either short sales or bank-owned homes and have a negative impact on home values. Here's a quick summary of the numbers:
In the second quarter of 2012, the number of new listings that were non-distressed properties increased from 71.2% to 81.2%.
The percentage of short John Blomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414172713278552365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183913657171136407.post-38280551622336442692012-06-04T14:42:00.000-07:002012-06-04T14:42:34.756-07:00New Listing - 6919 N Mears St, Portland
Great new listing in North Portland - Beautiful 3 bedroom/1 bath with recently remodeled kitchen, newer roof and windows, and a fresh coat of interior and exterior paint. 1188 square feet - listed for $165,000.
Get more info on 6919 N Mears St
Search for other homes for sale in North Portland
Want to know what's happening in North Portland Real Estate? Request a free John Blomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414172713278552365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183913657171136407.post-86832099039416662832012-05-18T10:19:00.001-07:002012-05-18T10:19:05.919-07:00New Listing - 7031 N Armour St (North Portland)John Blomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414172713278552365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183913657171136407.post-55437528419203131212012-04-14T09:05:00.000-07:002012-04-14T09:05:38.459-07:00Concordia Market Report
If you'd like a copy of this report for your neighborhood, delivered to your inbox in less than 15 minutes, go to www.pdxmarketreport.com or e-mail me at johnblom@hasson.comJohn Blomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414172713278552365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183913657171136407.post-74847422151518082842012-04-12T19:07:00.000-07:002012-04-12T19:07:52.605-07:00RMLS Market Action - Portland Metro AreaThe Portland Metro Area showed signs that prices are starting to stabilize. In the first quarter of 2012, the average sale price dropped less than one percent compared with the same period last year. Sales in the first quarter were higher than any first quarter since 2007.
Comparing March 2012 with March 2011, closed sales increased 4.9% while pending sales rose 12.8%. John Blomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414172713278552365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183913657171136407.post-48376597259384837822012-04-12T18:48:00.001-07:002012-04-12T18:52:07.659-07:00RMLS Market Action Report - SW Washington Inventory across the area dropped to 6.4 months, the lowest level since September 2006. Closed sales in March grew 5.6% over March 2011, although pending sales dropped slightly. New listings dropped 17.6% from last March, which played a role in the decrease in inventory.
Prices continued to slide. In the first quarter of 2012, average sales price dropped 8.1%John Blomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414172713278552365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183913657171136407.post-80024216482535549582012-04-12T08:51:00.000-07:002012-04-12T08:51:06.175-07:00Neighborhood Trends: Fisher's Landing (Vancouver)Inventory is down significantly in the Fisher's Landing neighborhood in Vancouver. With 60 homes on the market and an average of 19.1 sales per month over the last year, the current supply would last just over 3 months. New listings have dropped significantly. Not since September have more than 20 new listings come on the market.
While sold prices have trended downward John Blomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414172713278552365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183913657171136407.post-23458349355636347972012-04-10T11:35:00.000-07:002012-04-10T11:35:05.521-07:00Cheaper Than RentJohn Blomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414172713278552365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183913657171136407.post-77597149993395668982012-04-10T11:33:00.000-07:002012-04-10T11:33:00.164-07:00Main Floor Living - No MaintenanceJohn Blomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414172713278552365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183913657171136407.post-54195951502696676062012-04-05T14:58:00.000-07:002012-04-05T14:58:31.961-07:00New Listing - Parkrose - $134,900John Blomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414172713278552365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183913657171136407.post-9359147279173372852012-03-22T14:52:00.000-07:002012-03-22T14:52:31.522-07:00Legacy Salmon Creek Recognized as One of the World's Most Beautiful HospitalsHealthexecnews.com released their list of the world's most 25 beautiful hospitals and Vancouver's own Legacy Salmon Creek was ranked #15 on the list. The rankings praised the hospital for it's outdoor courtyard spaces and terraces, as well as the placement of the two patient towers, which are "situated to optimize the views of Mt. Hood and the surrounding natural habitat. No one wantsJohn Blomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414172713278552365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183913657171136407.post-57997699622778444132012-03-22T08:25:00.001-07:002012-03-22T08:26:06.185-07:00Unemployment Claims Drop to 4 Year LowMore positive economic news - new unemployment claims dropped last week to their lowest level since February 2008. The four week moving average of claims also dropped, which indicates a continutal trend of improving employment conditions. As American begin to feel more secure in their jobs, they will be more comfortable either purchasing a home, which will help prices continue to John Blomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414172713278552365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183913657171136407.post-10219965949648108292012-02-28T14:56:00.000-08:002012-02-28T14:56:20.319-08:00Warren Buffet on Housing
In an interview with CNBC, one of America's best known investors said if it were feasible, he would "buy up a couple hundred thousand homes." When combining today's low prices with low interest rates, buying a home provides an excellent way to build wealth.
Today, a single share of Berkshire Hathaway (Warren Buffet's investment company) stock costs over $119,000. John Blomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414172713278552365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183913657171136407.post-66138323145696128232012-02-26T15:46:00.000-08:002012-02-26T15:46:35.624-08:00Buy vs. RentA group of researchers at Florida International University recently finished a study that compared the long term economic advantage of buying vs. renting. The study looks at the "hurdle rate," that looks at whether a person would accumulate more wealth by purchasing a home or investing money elsewhere. In all 23 markets they studied, they found that buying a home was more advantageousJohn Blomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414172713278552365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183913657171136407.post-11690588513703507792012-02-22T14:01:00.000-08:002012-02-22T14:01:32.942-08:00Real Inventory in Clark CountyOne of the first indicators people often look at to determine the health of a housing market is the months of inventory. The RMLS releases a market action report each month that shows the current inventory levels. The Market Action report that came out earlier this week estimated the level of inventory in Clark County at 8.8 months. In other words, if no new listings came on theJohn Blomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06414172713278552365noreply@blogger.com0