Retired Portland architect William Badrick has a big idea for a new bridge crossing the Columbia. Instead of adding yet another big-ticket item to the already overstuffed city budget, or just another traffic-jam for interstate commuters during rush hour, Badrick has envisioned an ambitious solution: turning an over-water route from Portland to Vancouver into a park that would collect water, provide recreational green space, and reflect Oregon’s eco-friendly values. To offset the carbon footprint of the bridge, Badrick envisions a roofed bridge with a water-collecting park powered by solar panels. In an article written for the Portland Tribune, Badrick explains: (more…)

This weekend is bound to be an exciting one, what with all the city-wide events that are really going to showcase the best of Portland. Be sure to check out these celebrations, whether you’re a visitor thinking of moving to Portland or a long time resident, this weekend is going to be all about beer, wine, bridges, and local food. Don’t miss out on all the fun in the sun!

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Portland Mayor Sam Adams announced yesterday that he was moving forward with a city plan to eliminate plastic bags throughout the city. The “Ban the Bag” movement has been gaining strength throughout the city, where vocal “bag monsters” – activists dressed in costumes made of over 500 plastic bags, the number an average American goes through in a year – give impassioned speeches and show up at city meetings. Portland activists have gathered 6,000 signatures in support of the ban and a letter of support signed by 70 local businesses and neighborhood groups.

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Check out the newest neighborhood profile detailing the area around the NIKE World Campus in Beaverton. If you’re looking for homes for sale around the NIKE Headquarters, check out this information page filled with demographics, the best restaurants in Beaverton, neighborhoods, parks and entertainment. 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.

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A creative response to widespread foreclosures is popping up in areas of the country hit hardest by the housing market downturn. Grassroots movements in Detroit and suburban Ohio are encouraging the development of foreclosed property as parks, nature preserves, urban gardens, recreational areas, and even side-yards with decks and patios.  In some of the hardest hit areas like Detroit, foreclosed houses sell for under $40, yet many are damaged beyond repair and lay vacant for years, lowering the property values of surrounding buildings and neighborhoods. These grassroots organizations may receive help from federal funding through the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which provides limited grants for the development of neighborhoods struggling with foreclosures. Some of this money is being used to buy groups of foreclosed homes and rehabilitate them, either as restored residential properties or as green spaces and urban gardens.

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There’s more good news for alternative energy and energy efficiency in the Portland Real Estate world! Last week I wrote about the potential statewide expansion of the Portland Clean Energy Works program, and the city of Beaverton is hedging their bets and establishing their own version of the homeowner energy-efficiency support system. With qualifying good credit, equity, and up-to-date mortgages, Beaverton residents seeking to update the energy-efficiency of their homes will be able to apply for a loan between $3,000 and $10,000. Energy-efficient improvements are vital if you’re planning on selling a home in Portland in the future, as buyers are increasingly demanding sustainable homes that save money over time.

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If you’ve ever spent time in Portland, as a resident or on a visit, you know that city’s rich history is evident almost everywhere you look. Street names and parks recall past city leaders and community figures, theaters and hotels have maintained their historic facades and architectural quirks, and every other person you meet lives in a house or apartment building built before 1920. Though we’re known as a city that values preservation and restoration of historic homes, facilities, signs, and landmarks, many people are surprised to find out how many majestic buildings and cultural treasures have been lost to redevelopment, natural disasters, and changing times in Portland.

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It’s late afternoon June 30th a courier is in route to the Clackamas county recording office with 22 files, many of which need to be recorded that day to get the tax credit (potentially worth up to $176,000 to those tax payers) and of course, the courier gets stuck in traffic and just misses that offices closing time. Now, obviously this is getting close to being a moot point as the home buyer tax credit is about to be extended for buyers already in contract, BUT, what if it wasn’t about to be or what if Obama decides not to sign it (I know, extremely unlikely, but what if)? That’s just one courier and one county recording office; I’d be willing to bet there were a LOT of situations like this occurring on that day across the country.

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So we now have overwhelming approval from both the house and senate to extend the home buyer tax credit for those already in contract and it’s been sitting on Obama’s desk for two days. I’m 99.9% sure he will sign it, but until he does it’s not a done deal and I’m sure there are a lot of people out there (according to NAR over 180,000 people to be exact) that are anxiously awaiting his signature on the bill. I know, I know, government is usually slow to move, but come on already and releive some stress!

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WHOO HOOO! See this!!!  CLICK HERE for NYTimes article just out!

Last day to close for tax credit; I can’t tell you how many lenders, appraisers, agents & escrow people have busted their butts ALL DAY for SEVERAL DAYS trying to get our clients through to close on time and our Senate can’t say yay or nay to the extenson but can spend ALL DAY rambling about things of the past! ??? Is THIS how they spend their time working on our behalf? Did anyone watch the ritualistic ramblings of the Senate today? To top it off, here in Clackamas County, the courier got stuck in traffic and JUST MISSED the Clackamas County closing time to close home sales today…. no credit for these people….   DID THE COUNTY NOT THINK (not care) that maybe this is the one single most important day of the year to think beyond their short work day? Is it not enough that they have “half work day Fridays” but that on THIS day there was no consideration to those that may be running late as everyone is busting their butt to meet deadlines?  I’m pissed.  -Kristie McD.