Off The Beat Ideas: What To Do In & Around Portland, OR

Oh, so sad, summer is coming to an end (it’s really not fair that Labor Day came so early this year)!  Fortunately, for us Oregonians, we know that we still have several weeks of sunny skies (maybe it’s because I’m a true Oregonian (yes, born and raised in the state) and a die hard Duck), I honestly don’t believe our summer comes to an end until the beginning of October (I know, you’re wondering what being a Duck has to do with that…)  The University of Oregon always starts classes the last week of September, in my four years at the U of O, I cannot recall a single year starting with rain!  We were always out in the quad playing Frisbee or hanging out on East 13th (between classes of course).

My point, don’t fret, summer is not over yet but this is a warning to take advantage of the sun drenched days today and throughout the month!

This week in and around Portland:
Portland Riverfest 2008
Tom McCall Waterfront Park
August 28 – September 7, 2008
http://www.portlandriverfest.org/

Riverfest offers a family-friendly chance to come down by the riverside, get out on the water, take river tours, enjoy live music, learn first-hand about the river’s history and environment, clean-up the riverbank, and view river spectacles.

Oregon Football: Ducks vs. Huskies
August 30, 2008 at 7:00 PM on FSN
www.GoDucks.com

Okay, I know I’m telling you to get out and enjoy the sun but hey, by 7:00 PM the sun is ducking (pardon the pun) behind the West Hills and it’s time to grab a couch cushion or a bar stool and hunker down for a few hours to support our Ducks season opener against those dawgs from up north. A few favorite watch spots if you can’t be there in person: Tyron Creek Sports Bar, Silver Dollar Saloon & Pizza, Claudia’s, McPeets, or any local watering hole… heck, it’s Oregon playing the Huskies, the game better be on! I’ll be camping and have already told the crew I have to venture back to civalization for a few hours Saturday night. Go Ducks!

Art in the Pearl 2008
August 30 – September 1, 2008
North Park Blocks
http://www.artinthepearl.com/

The twelfth annual Art In The Pearl Fine Arts and Crafts Festival will be held Labor Day weekend in the beautiful and historic North Park Blocks of Portland, Oregon. Considered one of the nation’s premier art festivals, Art In The Pearl features the jury-selected work of 125 artists from across the USA and Canada.

Just a reminder that Fall is around the corner…
Portland Corn MAiZE
August 30 – October 31, 2008
The Pumpkin Patch, Sauvie Island
http://www.portlandmaze.com/

What began back in 1999 as a great and “weird” Portland idea has grown into a Portland tradition. The MAiZE, a giant puzzle carved into a towering cornfield, has become a classic fall event for tens of thousands of visitors craving adventure and laughter and to connect with life on a family farm.

The “Bridgetown MAiZE” at The Pumpkin Patch features the city’s bridges, rivers, mountains and outdoor spirit. Easterly promises that crossing the newly built Sauvie Island Bridge, and finding The Pumpkin Patch, is the easy part. Finding your way out of the 5-acre labyrinth will be both a physical and mental challenge for kids of all ages to enjoy.

Check back next week for more off the beat ideas for events in and around Portland!

Have a happy and safe Labor Day weekend!

Off the Beat Ideas: What To Do In & Around Portland, OR

I know it may not seem like it now but it is still summer and the sun is supposed to return this weekend.  So here are a few fun things to get you outside:

“Paint Your Art Out!”
Plan B – 1305 SE 8th Avenue – Portland
August 21, 2008 from 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
http://sirennation.com/

A unique summer festival featuring: live painting exhibitions by four local street-influenced artists, a silent auction of local and national fine artists, music and performance art. The evening begins at 7:00 PM with drinks and food and the silent auction will be open until 10:00 PM.

Festa Italiana 2008
Pioneer Courthouse Square
August 21-24, check website for the hours
www.festa-italiana.org

What could be more fun than an Italian celebration? Celebrate Italian-American culture in Portland’s Living Room with non-stop Italian entertainment, food, dancing, been, and of course… vino! There is fun for the whole family and the event is FREE!

Oregon State Fair
August 22-September 1
Oregon State Fairgrounds, Salem
See website for hours
http://www.oregonstatefair.org/

A 144 year-old Oregon tradition! The Oregon State Fair brings together the best of Oregon, including: agricultural exhibits, animals, food, wine and beer competitions, cultural events and world-class entertainment. You won’t want to miss out!

Annual Dahlia Festival
995 NW 22nd – Canby, OR
August 23 – September 1
Field Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Daily
http://www.dahlias.com/

Take a trip to Canby for the Swan Island Dahlia Festival (yes, it’s Swan Island but they are in Canby). If you love Dahilas or just flowers this is the event for you! Over 400 floral arrangements from teacup size to floor to ceiling extravaganzas! This is the largest display by any grower in the United States.

Check back next week for more off the beat ideas for events in and around Portland!

Kori

Foreclosure Rate Up – Not in Oregon!

Well, this is timely.  I just posted here yesterday that ALL real estate is local.  So you can only imagine my reaction when I was driving into the office this morning and heard this news on the radio:

RealtyTrac, a leading on-line marketplace for foreclosed properties, announced today foreclosure activity increased 8 percent in July.

I thought, great, another global statement that has very little bearing on Oregon but is stated in a manor to make people think we are all losing our homes.  Now, I’m not trying to be Pollyanna about the real estate market – we are not seeing the momentum of the “golden years from 2004-2006″ but does that mean real estate is all doom and gloom… No!

In fact, foreclosure rates are down in Oregon -4.49% from June 2008.  So what does that mean?  Well, let’s put this into perspective – in Multnomah County, population 660,486 as of the 2000 census, 278 properties were in foreclosure as of May 2008 – which equates to 1 in every 1,104 housing units.  Not too horrifying!  Oh, and by the way… 

“29% of housing units in the Portland Metro Area are owned free and clear,” stated Sheila Martin, Ph.D., Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies, Portland State University.

Latest RMLS Market Action – July 2008 Stats

July sales activity closely mirrored that of June.  Take a look at the most recent RMLS Market Action report, just out today.  Something to keep in mind for both buyers and sellers – on average, the total market time for the Portland Metro area is 72 days (remember, real estate is local from city to county and even to neighborhood). 

You’ll see on page 2 statistics broken out by “RMLS Areas”, this is the first step to knowing what’s happening in your area but again, remember, real estate is local.  We’ll use area 142 “Northeast Portland” for example – this area is defined as east of the Willamette River all the way to the edge of Fairview and Gresham.  There are a number of different neighborhoods in that area!  Which is what makes Portland so unique!  So when you’re listening to real estate news nationally, remember, real estate is local.  When you’re listening to the local real estate news, remember, real estate is as local as the neighborhood you live in or would like to live.

As real estate brokers, it’s our job to make sure our clients not only find the homes of their dreams but that they understand the market and current trends.  If you’re currious about your “local” stats, drop us an email and we’ll run a preliminary “Current Market Analysis” (CMA) of your neighborhood.  Just like neighborhoods vary, homes are truly unique, so a complete CMA cannot be conducted without a formal walk through of your home (which can also be arranged) – a 3,000 square foot fixer in Irvington vs. a 3,000 square foot totally remodeled home in the same neighborhood would certainly justify a higher market value.