Check out the new neighborhood profile detailing the Clinton area in Southeast Portland, filled with quirky boutiques and restaurants, classic Old Portland homes, and some of the best dining and shopping in town. The Clinton neighborhood is full of charm and community, featuring the fun Clinton Street Theater. Clinton is close to several bridges, providing easy access for commuters to downtown Portland, and is also near the popular Division Street area. Combining the best of urban accessibility and comfortable, small-neighborhood atmosphere, the Clinton District is quintessential Portland.
Archive for the ‘Tips When Buying a Home’ Category
Portland Realtor Guide: NEW Hollywood Neighborhood Guide at Your Road Map to Home
Thursday, August 26th, 2010
Check out the new neighborhood profile detailing the neighborhood of Hollywood in Northeast Portland, filled with quirky boutiques and restaurants, classic Old Portland homes, and some of the best dining and shopping in town. The Hollywood neighborhood is full of history, featuring the stunning 1926 Hollywood Theater, and provides easy commuting access to all of Portland via the Banfield Freeway (I-84) Sandy Boulevard, Broadway Boulevard, and César E. Chávez Boulevard. Hollywood is close to the Rose City Golf Course, an expansive green lined with trees and wildflowers. Combining the best of urban accessibility and comfortable, small-neighborhood atmosphere, the Hollywood District is quintessential Portland.
Portland Realtor Home Improvement Tips: Paint Colors
Wednesday, August 25th, 2010
A lot of first time home buyers are faced with the challenge of restoring and decorating small spaces. One of the quickest and easiest ways to maximize the look of a small room is to use paint colors to trick the eyes, making a room appear larger, taller, and more interesting. Carefully placed splashes of color and creative use of dark and light paint can make a world of difference. Whether you’re planning on buying a home in Portland or preparing to sell, here are some tips for maximizing small spaces with paint, as well as the best places in Portland to get the richest colors, most reliable finishes, and expert paint advice.
Portland Realtor Guide: NEW Garthwick Neighborhood Profile at Your Road Map to Home
Wednesday, August 18th, 2010
Check out the new neighborhood profile detailing the neighborhood of Garthwick in Southeast Portland, filled with lush greenery and luxury homes. The neighborhood is arranged around the Waverly Country Club near Sellwood, providing easy commuting access across the Sellwood Bridge. Garthwick is private and serene but within easy walking distance to the dining and shopping paradise of Sellwood. Combining the best of urban accessibility and comfortable, luxury country atmosphere, Garthwick is truly exceptional.
Portland Home for Sale: Gorgeous Listing in the Terwilliger Trees
Wednesday, August 18th, 2010
If you’re thinking of taking advantage of low home prices and historically low interest rates and finding your perfect Portland home, be sure to check out this amazing listing filled with natural light, nestled in private woods with a private drive on Marquam hill off Terwilliger Parkway. You’re sure to fall in love with this stately family home and all of its amazing features, from the 17 foot high ceiling and walls of windows in the grand entry room, to the sweet white tile kitchen and lush backyard. This house is the deal of a century, truly a luxury house without the luxury price tag! In fact, the price was just reduced further, so hurry up and schedule a viewing before its gone. With unbelievably easy access to OHSU and downtown, this is the perfect home for commuters and anyone who desires a bit of the mountains in the heart of the city.
Portland Realtor Guide: NEW Homestead Neighborhood Profile at Your Road Map to Home
Tuesday, August 17th, 2010
Check out the new neighborhood profile detailing the neighborhood of Homestead on Marquam Hill in Southwest Portland, filled with lush greenery and luxury homes. The neighborhood is home to OHSU, the Portland Veteran Affairs Medical Center, and Terwilliger Plaza, providing easy commuting access and fun opportunities to ride the Portland aerial tram down the hillside to the dining and shopping paradise of Portland’s South Waterfront. Combining the best of urban accessibility and comfortable, luxury country atmosphere, Homestead is truly exceptional.
Portland Real Estate Trends: Homeowners Slashing Prices
Thursday, August 12th, 2010
In a report published in the Portland Business Journal yesterday, we learned that thirty-two percent of Portland homes for sale, listed since the beginning of this month, experienced at least one price reduction. That ranked Portland No. 16 on the website Trulia’s list of price reductions in America’s 50 largest cities.
Real Estate Legistlation: FHA Attempting to Save Buyers Money by Charging Buyers More – September 7th Deadline
Monday, August 9th, 2010FHA is about to begin charging a higher percentage for mortgage insurance on case numbers created after September 7th 2010. The claim is that the amount of the loan will be less because the fees will be less, which is true. Problem is they are off-setting that savings to buyers by increasing the mortgage insurance rates; initially only by a slight amount but with the “authority” to just about double that increase at any point in the future. Even at the slight difference in percentage rate it easily negates the savings on the loan itself within just a few years and at the higher rate they could raise it to those savings would be negated withi
n 1-2 years.
Portland Realtor Guide: NEW Hillsdale Neighborhood Profile at Your Road Map to Home
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010
Check out the newest neighborhood profile detailing the Hillsdale District of Southwest Portland. Combining the best of urban accessibility and small town atmosphere, it’s a fantastic place to live. Walk your dog in one of the beautiful, lush parks, visit the Hillsdale Farmers’ Market for the best local produce, or step into the newly updated library as if it were your own private collection. If you’re looking for homes, apartments, or condos for sale around the Hillsdale District, check out this information page filled with historical facts, the best restaurants in Southwest Portland, and the top parks, shopping, and neighborhood resources. Relocating to a new area can be hard, but it’s a lot easier when you’ve got the best real estate agents in Portland on your side.
Portland Realtor Insider: The Real Estate Market’s Response to Interest in Walk Scores
Monday, July 19th, 2010
Trends in national real estate are showing that home buyers are increasingly interested in walkability, in many cases choosing smaller, more expensive, older houses with better access to amenities in pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. In addition to good schools, low crime rates, and big yards, today’s home buyers are paying more and more attention to the proximity of stores, coffee shops, theaters, and parks. Traffic congestion and long commutes have become a fact of life for many Americans living in urban areas, increasing the attractiveness of a home situated in a place that would encourage them to use their walking shoes more than their engines.
Portland Realtor Fun Tips: Food Lover’s Guide to Portland
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
Some of the most common requests we get from people who are visiting or considering relocating to Portland are pleas for restaurant suggestions in different areas of town. The McDonald Group is full of people who really love food, and Portland’s food scene in particular, but sometimes we bow to the experts. One of those local food experts is Liz Crain, the author of the Food Lover’s Guide to Portland, out this month and on sale at at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powell’s Books, IndieBound or from your favorite local bookstore (in Portland, Powell’s is offering a major discount this month – 30% off!).
Inexpensive Ways to Save Electricity…And Money!
Friday, June 25th, 2010
In this age of high-end sustainable renovations, high-profile LEED certifications, and the seemingly never-ending marketing of the next popular Energy Star kitchen or home appliance, it sometimes feels like you need to spend a lot of money in order to cut back on energy use. However, like many things in life, small changes can add up to a big difference, and some of the most important adjustments you can make in your home are downright cheap.
Top Spots for Restoration Hardware and Supplies in Portland
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010
Whether you’re restoring a historic home for sale or you’ve just purchased a diamond in the rough that needs some polishing, Portland has some amazing resources for classic restoration hardware, fixtures, and furniture that are true to the spirit of Northwest style and sustainability. What better way to be green when you’re fixing up a classic home than to use salvaged antique materials? Here are some of The McDonald Group’s favorite spots for browsing through classic tiles, old neon signs, gorgeous sustainable lumber, rusted scrolled keys, and giant boxes of original tin ceiling plates. Remember to use gloves, those edges can be sharp!
5 Questions for Buyer’s Agent Peter Skei
Thursday, June 17th, 2010
We’re pleased to introduce Peter Skei, the newest member of the McDonald Group Realtors. Peter brings years of experience as a buyer’s agent in Portland, Oregon, as well as an encyclopedic knowledge of Portland neighborhoods, resources, and special events. I recently sat down with Peter to talk about his love of Portland, his experience in the local Real Estate market, and his ideas about the future with the McDonald Group. Here’s Peter!
Bank Owned Home Sales in Portland Soar
Wednesday, June 16th, 2010
According to the most recent RMLS (Regional Multiple Listing Service) report, one in six homes bought in Portland were bank-owned homes. Buying at or near the bottom of the real estate cycle can be the best time to buy a home. It also may be the best time to sell if you are moving into a replacement home that suits your needs better than your existing home. Why buy now? Let me count the reasons. It is now a “buyers market” meaning the asking prices on property is at or near the bottom of their cycle and homes are not receiving multiple offers as they were during the “bubble” days. As you can see from the statistics on bank-owned homes above, there is a high percentage of bank owned real estate and short sale deals out there if you have the right agent to walk you through the maze. (more…)