Let’s Say Thanks: a simple gesture for our troops overseas

It’s difficult to be away from your family and friend, but especially during the holiday season.  Please take a moment to send a quick greeting to our troops overseas. 

The mission of Let’s Say Thanks is to provide a way for individuals across the country to recognize U.S. troops stationed overseas. By submitting a message through this site you have the opportunity to send a free personalized postcard greeting to deployed servicemen and women.

The postcards, depicting patriotic scenes and hometown images, were selected from a pool of entries from children across the country.

All you have to do is click on your favorite design and either select the message that best expresses your sentiment or draft a personal note. The postcards are then printed on the Xerox iGen3^® Digital Production Press and mailed in care packages by military support organization Give2TheTroops^®.

To date, more than 12,000 postcards have been mailed to soldiers. With the launch of www.LetsSayThanks.com, more soldiers can expect to receive messages from home.

Xerox is committed to helping people across the nation express their gratitude to our troops overseas. The launch of this program is aimed at reminding them how much Americans appreciate their service.

~Kori

Holiday Light Displays Around Portland

The Grinch on Peacock Lane - click for larger image

During the holidays, I don’t care if you’re Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, Atheist, Pagan, whatever, you’ve got to be a real Scrooge if you can’t find a little joy in the beautiful light displays that illuminate our city.  I make it a point to take a different route home during the holidays just so I can see that one gem that’s not written up in the Oregonian or featured on other local websites while singing Christmas Carols at the top of my lungs – I’m a holiday dork and not ashamed to say so.

So, here’s a list of some famous and less famous light displays you might want to check out this holiday season.

Christmas Ship Parade
2009 marks the 55th year for the Christmas Ship Parade on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers in Portland, Oregon.  The parade runs nightly now until December 20, 2009.  For those of you who require a nice warm watch spot, you most likely have missed out on dinner reservations at the many restaurants and hotels that flank the rivers so you’ll need to buck up and bundle up – it’s well worth braving the frigid elements.  Cost: FREE from the river banks or the cost of dinner and a cocktail depending upon your watch site.   

Peacock Lane
Since the 1920s, each house in this quaint southeast neighborhood has been decorating for Christmas.  A little local insider tip, just park the car and even better, park a few blocks away.  The intersection at 39^th & Stark can become a nightmare (so word to the wise, avoid this stretch of SE 39^th until the New Year).   Although it’s a popular destination, when you park away from the traffic congestion you just saved yourself a ton of aggravation and walking down the street really gives you the full experience.  There are carolers, a hot chocolate stand, Santa is often found walking the street with candy canes in hand, I’m telling you, it doesn’t get much better.  If you’re of the legal drinking age and have a DD – I also suggest hot cider with a cinnamon stick and a splash of Marker’s Mark.  Happy Holidays! Cost: FREE 

Oregon ZooLights
See the zoo transformed into a winter wonderland, aglow with a million lights.  ZooLights run from now until December 23, 2009 (see the site for specific times).  Admission to ZooLights is almost as much as the regular Zoo admission but members at the “Plus” levels get in FREE.  Seriously, if you have a family of 4 or more, just get the membership!  For $94 you get admission to ZooLights, the Zoo for the next year (remember, they offer free Zoo Tunes concerts in the summer with zoo admission… you go for FREE as a member), member discounts at the Oregon Zoo, discounts with Zoo partners and other member benefits.  If you think you’ll go to the Zoo more than once a year, it’s worth the investment (I don’t even have kids and I have a Zoo membership).  

Candy Cane Lane
Sorry, the link doesn’t take you to a website but I included a link to a map of the general area.  As I’m thinking about it, the name of the light display may not be “Candy Cane Lane” but that’s what I’ve always called it since childhood and I’m not changing now (although, maybe there is a website if I do have the name incorrect).  Anyway, at the southwest corner of Mt. Tabor is a little street with houses on only one side; don’t let that discourage you from taking a peek at this mid-century modern neighborhood and their fantastic light display.  If you head down SE 60^th, North of Division you can’t miss it.  You’ll turn West off SE 60^th but like I said, don’t worry, you’ll know it when you’re there.

Queen Anne Victorian Mansion
The miracle of a million lights – with over 2.5 million twinkling lights this light display can been seen for miles when traveling down I-5 or Interstate Avenue (map).  The house is also open for viewing in addition to the spectacular exterior display.  Inside guests will see this richly appointed historic mansion all aglow with 10 uniquely decorated Christmas trees and decorations.  Enjoy homemade apple cider, holiday cookies and other refreshments while being entertained by live performances for local schools, churches and other performance groups.  If you’re touring on a dime the exterior lights are a show in-and-of themselves; however, the mansions interior is something to behold.  Admission to the mansion is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and children under 10.  Visit the website for a $1 off coupon.    

Enjoy the holidays for what they really represent – joy, generosity and goodwill.  Happy Holidays!

~Kori

RMLS Market Action Report – November 2009

The November 2009 RMLS Market Action stats came out this morning with more positive market news.

Closed sales were up 72.4% compared to November 2008 and pending sales rose 19.9%. New listings dropped 7%. 

The 72.4% same-month increase in closed sales is the largest percentage increase on record for the area. The previous high was 56.9% in December 1996.

So I’m not accused of being a “Polliana”, when you compare closed sales in November 2009 over October 2009 we saw a 10.7% decrease.  I’m sure everyone has their theories, personally, I think the uncertainty of the First Time Homebuyer tax credit played a significant role.  We see a decrease in average sales price from November 2008 to November 2009 by 11.4% and a decrease month-over-month by 3.6%.

Does this mean home values are still on the decline?  Yes, no, maybe-so.  Here’s something that has always remained true in the world of real estate, it’s all about location, location, location.  The market is and always has been completely dependant upon area, not just what city/town you live in but what neighborhood within that city/town and where within that neighborhood (are you on a busy street or does your home have a view of downtown?).  The average sales price is down year-over-year because there are incentives for First Time Buyers which also cap the income for one to collect the tax credit.  There are still areas that are experiencing declines but ask yourself what was happening in those areas prior to 2006.

The market is the market – good, bad or indifferent.  The question is, do you want to be a home owner?  If you’re ultimate goal is to own a home, now is a great time to take that plunge.  Great rates and soft values in addition to tax incentives have created the perfect storm.  If you’re looking for a sign the market is turning, 72.4% increase in same-month closed sales is substantial.  If you continue to wait you just might miss the boat.

~Kori

Changes to Energy Trust of Oregon Cash Incentives – January 2010

For those of you who have been thinking about making some energy saving improvements to your home after the holidays you may want to re-evaluate your timing depending upon your specific project.  As of January 1, 2010 a number of credits that had been approved through April 2010 will be amended resulting in a few reduced rebates as well as an increased incentive for direct-vent gas fireplaces.  If you’re thinking about making any improvements to your home you may want to prioritize based on the upcoming cash incentive changes.

Incentive changes for Oregon customers

Direct-vent gas fireplaces – increased incentive and lower requirements

Requirements for high-efficiency direct-vent gas fireplaces are changing from a minimum 80 percent AFUE specification to a tiered approach with varying incentive amounts for qualifying models, based on Fireplace Efficiency (FE) standards. A complete list of qualifying models will be posted to the trade ally and consumer-facing pages of our website by January 1, 2010:

Tier 1: Direct-vent gas fireplace with a minimum 65 percent FE—$100
Tier 2: Direct-vent gas fireplace with a 70 percent or greater FE—$150 
Home Energy Solutions and Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® trade allies can still offer this service to Oregon homes primarily heated with gas from NW Natural or Cascade Natural Gas.

Floor insulation – decreased incentive by $0.15 per square foot

The floor insulation incentive is decreasing from $0.45 per square foot to $0.30 per square foot. Floor insulation can be installed by a contractor or by the homeowner.

Floor insulation—$0.30 per square foot
If existing floor insulation is R-11 or less, insulate the floor to R-30 or fill cavity
Home Energy Solutions and Home Performance trade allies can still offer this service to Oregon homes heated by Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural or Cascade Natural Gas.

Gas furnace and gas water heater bonus - incentive remains the same if coupled with water heater conversion

Gas furnaces will no longer qualify for Energy Trust incentives; the $100 incentive for installing a stand-alone gas furnace expires December 31, 2009.

However, from January 1, 2010, to April 30, 2010, Oregon homeowners can receive a $100 bonus for combining the purchases of a qualifying gas furnace and a qualifying gas water heater:

Tankless gas water heater: Minimum Energy Factor (EF) of 0.80, or greater —$200
Tank gas water heater: Minimum EF of 0.67, or greater, when available—$35
Gas furnace: 90 percent or greater AFUE, primary heat source only—no Energy Trust stand-alone incentive.
Gas furnace and gas water heater bundle bonus—$100
There is no change to the gas water heater incentives, and they can still be offered as stand-alone measures even if a gas furnace is not installed.

So, if you’ve already replaced your water heater and were thinking about tackling the furnace next, you might want to initiate that project prior to December 31, 2009 to get your Energy Trust tax credit or if you were thinking about insulating your floors, that’s another project you might want to address sooner than later.

Here’s a link to the current incentive brochure for Oregon Residents.  As an Energy Trust of Oregon Trade Ally, I can help you save money and energy with the Energy Trust of Oregon, feel free to ask me how to earn cash incentives for making your home more energy efficient.

~Kori

Portland Perfect… Pretty Darn Close

I’m a local gal so many might say that makes me bias but time and time again “outsiders” have supported my theory that Portland is perfect… or at least pretty darn close.

I just came across an article in the December 2009 issue of Runner’s World which named Portland, Oregon the BEST, as in numero uno, running city in America.  Specifically for our “sweet trails” in Washington Park and along the Willamette River.  Also mentioned in this article, the Hood to Coast relay, as the best “other distance” race.

This made me think, I come across articles all the time that mention Portland as the BEST so do we live in the BEST city in America?  My personal opinion, yes!

Portland has been named amongst America’s Top Ten Green Cities, North America’s Most Bike-Friendly Cities, Top 10 Dog-Friendly Cities for 2009, America’s Best Cities 2009 and America’s Favorite Cities. My favorite article was America’s Favorite Cities by Travel + Leisure.  Portland ranked #1 for public parks and access to the outdoors… our “worst feature”, luxury stores (and even with that we were ranked 29).  As you look down the list of ranked features, Portland ranked #2 for athletic/active people and #4 for intelligence.  We ranked #2 for farmer’s markets, #3 for cafes/coffee bars and #6 for neighborhood joints; however, we ranked 29 again for big-name restaurants.

For this Portland native, Portland is perfect; however, if big name stores and national restaurants are more your style Portland is probably just a little too “small town” for you.  Having lived in New York City as well, I know it’s simply a matter of preference but this tree hugging, Dansko wearing, dog loving gal is perfectly happy in Portland, OR.

~Kori

Treasury sets guidance to simplify “short sales”

By Al Yoon Al Yoon – Mon Nov 30, 6:58 pm ET

NEW YORK (Reuters) – The U.S. Treasury on Monday set long-awaited guidance on a plan for mortgage companies to speed “short sales” of homes and other loan modification alternatives to stem a rising tide of foreclosures.

Choose Local – The Oregon Local’s Loyalty Card!

The other night I was watching Live @ 7 on KGW, the new nightly news magazine that looks specifically at local events and topics.  Last week, they introduced me… a local girl and business owner… to a new “discount” card called Choose Local.

The card is FREE to the community and can be picked up at any of the participating businesses and then activated at the Choose Local website.

Please note: currently, the site does not fully function with Internet Explorer 7+ but if you click on the embedded links, you’ll go directly to the specific page or you can view the fully functioning site using Mozilla’s Firefox browser.

Get discounts on entertainment, home & garden, shopping, bars & nightlife, restaurants, travel & tourism, health & beauty, services and wine & brew businesses from Portland to Eugene. 

So why is it so important to “Choose Local”? 

Did you know… for every dollar you spend with a locally owned business 70% of that dollar goes back into the local economy.  When you spend a dollar at an out-of-state owned business 60% leaves the state.  The more money that stays within our community the better off we all are by creating our own local economic stimulus package – more money that stays in our community the greater number of jobs that also stay in our community.

So, let’s support our local business owners and help stimulate our economy by Choosing Local this holiday season and throughout the year!

~Kori