Archive for the ‘Moving To Portland’ Category
Monday, May 9th, 2011
One of our favorite things about Portland is how dog-friendly the whole city seems to be. Portland was recently chosen the most Pet Friendly City in America on Livibility.com, and it’s no surprise to locals. Many parks, hotels, coffee shops, and even some stores are happy to welcome your four-legged friend, and a lot of Portland businesses have canine mascots. One of our local vintage shops, White Rabbit vintage off of SE Belmont on 29th Avenue is home to a very friendly and often sleepy black lab, and one of our local radio stations, KINK.fm, has a studio dog named Scouty that can occasionally be heard barking On Air. Organized events include the cult-classic Doggie Dash, with 2,000 dogs a year participating in this fun run. The Pug Crawl fundraiser for the Oregon Humane Society features a costume contest, parade, Pug kissing booth, retailers and, of course, pub fare. Oregon’s passion for dogs also means that it possesses some of the toughest anti-cruelty laws in the nation, and Portland employs two full-time humane investigators with full police authority. Portland even hosts Dog Bakeries – that’s right, restaurants and bakeries cooking up treats for your dog – there are more than 37 Dog Bakeries in the Portland-metro area!
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Posted in Moving To Portland, Neighborhoods & Areas | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 4th, 2011
Portland is surrounded by some of the most amazing natural resources in the Pacific Northwest – from the waterfalls of the Columbia River Gorge to the majestic forests, pristine mountains, and fertile valleys. Combined with the urban metropolis of Portland, the opportunities for breathtaking views of both the cityscapes and natural environment are seemingly endless. The Auto club AAA’s bi-monthly magazine, VIA (a publication specializing in travel in the Western United States) featured readers’ favorite scenic vistas in their current issue. Many of those views and overlooks are right here in Oregon, so we thought we’d share them with you here on the McDonald Group Portland Real Estate Blog. Why not take a peak at these sweeping panoramas before choosing to buy a home in Portland – you might see the perfect for sale sign from these popular spots!
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Posted in Moving To Portland, Portland Landmarks | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011
This week, the Oregon House approved House Resolution 1, honoring the city of Gladstone’s 100th year anniversary this year. Sponsored by state Rep. Dave Hunt (D-Gladstone) and state Sen. Alan Olsen (R-Oregon City), the resolution passed unanimously. “From this small community of settlers 100 years ago, Gladstone has grown and flourished into a bustling center with a population of approximately 12,000 people and with outstanding schools, infrastructure and a strong local business climate,” said Hunt. “The rich history of this region is reflected in the deep traditions and strong values of this community we are all proud to call home.”
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Friday, April 22nd, 2011
Still looking for the perfect gift for your mama this Mothers’ Day? Friends of Trees, a local organization that brings people in the Portland-Vancouver metro area together to plant and care for city trees and green spaces, will plant a young native tree as a special gift for your mom, in exchange for a $35 donation. Or, for a $100 donation, Friends of Trees will plant a grove of six trees in honor of your favorite mother. How cool is that?
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Posted in Green Homes, Moving To Portland | No Comments »
Friday, April 22nd, 2011
Check out this article in the Clackamas Review, detailing the Passivhaus movement that is slowly catching on in the Portland Area. Hailing from architecture hot-beds Germany and Austria, the Passivhaus concept is pretty straightforward: “insulate a house so well that it’s airtight, then heat it with a small electric heater or heat exchange pump. The result: potential energy savings of more than 70 percent. As U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., wrote to the recent Passive House Northwest conference, ‘It is incredible to think that you can heat your entire home with as little as a hairdryer!”’
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Posted in Green Homes, Moving To Portland, Portland Home Styles | No Comments »
Thursday, April 21st, 2011
The Metro Council, the government agency that makes land-use decisions for the Portland area, voted this week to approve an urban and rural reserves plan for Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties that will determine where future homes will be built in the Portland metro area. The area in question includes about 27,500 acres of urban reserves – areas where the urban growth boundary will be developed for homes and businesses over the coming decades.
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Tuesday, April 19th, 2011
Be sure to check out the Spring Beer & Wine Festival coming to the Oregon Convention Center (777 NE MLK), this Friday and Saturday, April 22 and 23, 2011. Festival-goers will enjoy samples of more than 80 craft beers, 30 regional wineries and many local artisan spirits, plus delectable tastes of specialty cheese and handcrafted chocolate, all while mingling with brewers, winemakers and other craftspeople. In addition, the festival will also offer a global shopping marketplace, cooking demonstrations and educational seminars on the Chef’s Stage, and live music featuring Northwest bands including Keegan Smith & the Fam.
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Posted in Moving To Portland, Portland Activities, Portland Food | No Comments »
Thursday, April 7th, 2011
You’ve got to check out this inspiration and beautiful video from Travel Oregon – Hike and Explore Oregon – about Teddy Keizer, a seventh-generation Oregonian who has hiked almost every mountain, trail, lake, park, and natural area in the state. Teddy’s ancestor Thomas Dove Keizer led the Keizer wagon train over the Oregon Trail in 1843 (It is said that he was the first to bring covered wagons over the entire trail) His homestead was used to name Keizer, Oregon, outside of Salem.
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Thursday, April 7th, 2011
Here at the McDonald Group Portland Real Estate Blog, we know Portland is the best city in America, but it’s extra special when people outside of Portland recognize that fact. This week, Seattle Weekly posted a list of the Top Ten Reasons Seattle should be jealous of Portland – and we totally agree. It’s no coincidence that the list is primarily food-related. Portland has the best food scene in the country, and it’s only getting better. You probably know that Portland (and the state of Oregon) have no sales tax, so these great eats are often cheap eats. What more could you want?
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Posted in Moving To Portland, Neighborhoods & Areas, Portland Food | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 5th, 2011
It’ll come as no surprise to our friends and clients, but the word is getting out to the rest of the Portland area: Happy Valley real estate is BOOMING. Just today, our fantastic custom home builder Tom Leisy of TA Liesy Homes and our new development in Happy Valley – Sunrise Heights – was featured in the Clackamas Review, the newspaper of the Happy Valley, Damascus, and Estacada area. This isn’t boom construction, this is quality new construction that is building community for the Happy Valley area, and the McDonald Group real estate experts are so happy to be a part of the growth of this awesome area of the Pacific Northwest. (more…)
Posted in Happy Valley, Moving To Portland, New Construction, Sunrise Heights | No Comments »
Monday, April 4th, 2011
The city of Portland is a hub of arts and culture, drawing thousands of talented artists, musicians, photographers, and more to the banks of the Willamette River to get a taste of the good life and great community. Portland’s film scene is also thriving, as evidenced by the many successful film festivals happening throughout the year and the large number of independent movies shown at theaters throughout town. One of the central gathering spots for Portland movie lovers is the Northwest Film Center, adjacent to the Portland Art Museum – in Downtown Portland’s Cultural District, home to a fantastic array of urban condos for sale.
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Posted in Condos, Downtown, Moving To Portland, Neighborhoods & Areas, Portland Activities, Portland Landmarks | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 30th, 2011
Most homes for sale in Portland’s metro area are approved for raising chickens, which means fresh eggs for your family’s breakfast every day, and a bit of the country in the heart of the city. But even if it’s legal, and you like your omelets fresh, you might not have any idea how to raise your own chickens. This Saturday, grab some friends and get a primer on proper care and equipment during the “Chicken Chat” this Saturday, April 2 from noon to 3. The The event takes place at the Wade Creek House, 664 Wade St., Estacada and is $5 for the class and coop tour. For more information www.thewadecreekhouse.com.
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Posted in Estacada, Green Homes, Moving To Portland, Neighborhoods & Areas, Portland Events | No Comments »
Monday, March 28th, 2011
This Friday, April 1st, is the official 2011 kick-off of Downtown Milwaukie’s Art a la Carte, a monthly First Friday festival of live music, art exhibits, poetry readings, an authors corner, entertainment, kids activities, and special deals offered by local merchants. Though it’ll be April Fool’s day, there’s more fun than fooling in store for the whole family. Take advantage of warmer temperatures and get in the mood for summer as you stroll through downtown Milwaukie’s charming retail district, listen to great local bands, and enjoy an ice cream cone (come on, we can pretend it’s July – and given the sunny weekend we just had, it definitely feels as though summer is on its way).
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Posted in Milwaukie, Moving To Portland, Neighborhoods & Areas, Portland Activities, Portland Events | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 16th, 2011
The latest RMLS Market Action Report is out for February 2011, and we’re seeing some minor improvement in the overall health of the Portland real estate market, even as prices continue to drop. Portland-area home sales rose in February (closed sales this month were higher than both last February – up 5.8% – and the last monthly report in January 2011 – 3.8% jump), though the average sale price for February dropped 10.5% compared to February 2010 and the median sale price also fell 9.1%. Compared to February 2010, the average sale price dropped from 273,100 to $244,500 – Home prices are now comparable to mid-2004 levels. Inventory dropped 20% from last year (the inventory of unsold homes relative to sales). It’s still very much a buyer’s market, as interest rates are currently extremely low and we have a good inventory of well-priced homes, foreclosures and short sales.
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Posted in Market Report, Moving To Portland, Neighborhoods & Areas, Portland Real Estate | No Comments »
Thursday, March 10th, 2011
Just a quick reminder: The Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland‘s annual Tour of Remodeled Homes is happening this weekend, March 12-1, 2011 from 10 to 5. Only $17.50 for both days, tickets can be purchased online or by calling 503-684-1880. This event is a great way to get inspired to remodel your next home in Portland, or to make your current house ready to be a successful sale in the Portland Real Estate Market.
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Posted in Archetecture, Home Improvement, Moving To Portland, Portland Home Styles, Portland Real Estate | No Comments »
One of our favorite things about Portland is how dog-friendly the whole city seems to be. Portland was recently chosen the most Pet Friendly City in America on Livibility.com, and it’s no surprise to locals. Many parks, hotels, coffee shops, and even some stores are happy to welcome your four-legged friend, and a lot of Portland businesses have canine mascots. One of our local vintage shops, White Rabbit vintage off of SE Belmont on 29th Avenue is home to a very friendly and often sleepy black lab, and one of our local radio stations, KINK.fm, has a studio dog named Scouty that can occasionally be heard barking On Air. Organized events include the cult-classic Doggie Dash, with 2,000 dogs a year participating in this fun run. The Pug Crawl fundraiser for the Oregon Humane Society features a costume contest, parade, Pug kissing booth, retailers and, of course, pub fare. Oregon’s passion for dogs also means that it possesses some of the toughest anti-cruelty laws in the nation, and Portland employs two full-time humane investigators with full police authority. Portland even hosts Dog Bakeries – that’s right, restaurants and bakeries cooking up treats for your dog – there are more than 37 Dog Bakeries in the Portland-metro area!
