InvestorLoft.com is a website with a new tool called PropScout that can help out those who are looking for the investment.  There are those buyers out there who do not care what the house looks like, only what the house could be worth.  Included are search filters that can find the biggest discrepancies between the listing price and the estimated value.  They can also be ranked by amount of profit or percentage of profit.

Trulia.com has a new filter that enables consumers to search listings for price reductions.  You can also look up the number of times the price has dropped, when it dropped, by how much and the percentage of the reduction.  This way you can gage how desperate the seller is or if they are due for another price reduction.

Some say the future of real estate marketing is in video.  Which is why YouTube and Coldwell Banker has started a channel where you can watch agents talk about real estate in their specific areas.  It will even feature video listings which can offer greater detail of a home before you even head out to see it in person.

Finally we have Cyberhomes.com for a market report.  This service costs $9.95 and offers projections for specific neighborhoods and includes 12- and 24-month price-change forecasts. It also reports the number of distressed, foreclosure and REO properties within a ZIP code and then compares that to the rest of the metro area and the state.  You can also find the strength of your market and the predicted volume of sales in the next year.

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/real_estate/0906/gallery.New_homebuying_tools/

PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR NEW PODCAST ON THE HOMEPAGE OF OUR WEBSITE http//:www.TonyandLibby.com

Oregon has always had far too few BBQ joints so it makes sense for one of the chains to finally make it’s way out here because if they are any good, I guarantee it will be extremely popular.

http://tigardtimes.com/news/story.php?story_id=124287187716194400

http://www.famousdaves.com/

PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR NEW PODCAST ON THE HOMEPAGE OF OUR WEBSITE http//:www.TonyandLibby.com

When preparing your home for the real estate market, few things are as important as a good first impression. Anyone who has sold a home in the past will tell you that few methods are as effective as home staging. Home staging is the act of presenting your home in the most appealing way possible. While there are many ways to take advantage of home staging, one of the quickest and easiest ways is through the use of home lighting.

Even the most beautiful home may come across as mundane without the proper lighting. You want to create an inviting atmosphere for prospective buyers. The trick is to avoid relying on a single lighting source. If you combine both overhead lighting with accent lights, then you avoid the risk of your lighting becoming too harsh or too dim. Multiple lighting sources will help you achieve that warming glow you desire to help create the perfect ambience.

When lighting your home for potential buyers, you should also utilize the help of Mother Nature by incorporating as much natural light as possible. Sunlight is an instant mood lifter, so leave the curtains open and make sure your windows are clean. Sadly you canít always rely on the sun to help you showcase your home, but it is important to make the most of it when you can.

While the inside of your home is very important, you canít forget the outside as well. Use flood lights to shine a spotlight on your home and make it pop against the night sky. Not only will this help your home look more striking, but it will also make it easier to find at night. Sometimes address numbers can be hard to spot, especially at night. By illuminating your home once the sun goes down, you can assure that prospective buyers can find your home with little effort.

By utilizing simple home staging tips, you can easily get a leg up on the housing market. By sprucing up your home for buyers, you can be sure that you make a great first impression every time. Take a look at your home lighting scheme before your next open house. With a few simple tricks, you be able to make your home shine brighter than the competition.

While sales activity continued a steady month-over-month increase in the Portland metro area, it still fell short of 2008’s same month marks for April. Comparing April 2009 with the same month in 2008, pending sales were down 10.1% and closed sales decreased 17.7%. New listings also dropped 28.1%. On the other hand, comparing April 2009 with March 2009, pending sales grew 13.6% (1,860 v. 1,637). Closed sales also rose 10% (1,302 v.1,184). New listings increased 3.3% (3,808 v. 3,685). Pending sales continue to rise month-over-month at a steeper than usual rate (13.6% in 2009 vs. 6.8% in 2008 and -2.3% in 2007). Inventory also dropped to 11 months and this is the first time it has dropped from March to April since 2004. Active residential listings in April numbered 14,328 – up from 14,158 in March.

Sale Prices

The average sale price for April 2009 was down 10.4% compared to April 2008, while the median sale price dropped 9.1%. Month-to-month, the average sale price and median sale price were mixed when compared with March levels; the average sale price decreased 2% ($291,100 v. $297,000) and the median sale price was up 1.4% ($249,900 v. $246,400).

PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR NEW PODCAST ON THE HOMEPAGE OF OUR WEBSITE http//:www.TonyandLibby.com & OUR NEW PORTLAND METRO BLOG AT pdxrealtynews.com

Great  news for first-time home buyers. This week, Shaun Donovan, secretary of  the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development stated that the  Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is now going to permit it’s lenders  to allow home buyers to use the $8000 tax credit as a down payment.  Previously, buyers had to wait to file their taxes to take advantage of  the tax credit, which hindered some home buyers from buying.

By  allowing buyers to utilize the tax credit as a down payment, money will  now be freed up for the buyer that would otherwise be needed at closing.  This will allow the first-time home buyer to save their money for a rainy  day or for home improvements.

I believe this new program will  further stimulate the already improving real estate market, attracting  even more first-time home buyers.

There couldn’t be any more  incentives for first-time home buyers, considering that interest rates are  at an all time low, home prices are not over inflated and there are plenty  of homes to choose from. Sellers would have to give the home away for free  for there to be a better deal. This is the absolute best time to be a  first-time home buyer.

Consumer confidence needs a boost and I feel  that this is just the news that will do it or at least light a fire. Now,  if only the news media such as the TODAY Show would report on this great  news instead of always reporting on the negatives about the real estate  market, consumer confidence would increase.

If you are a first-time  home buyer, get out there and find your home before this tax credit is  gone in November.

Mortgage  Interest Rates*
Rates as of Wednesday, 13th  May, 2009:

Conforming APR Payment per
$1,000 Jumbo APR Payment per
$1,000
Conforming FNMA  Fixed 5.0% 5.088% $5.37 % 0.000% $0.00
FHA 97%  Fixed 4.875% 4.962% $5.29 % 0.000% $0.00
Conforming 15  Fixed 4.625% 4.711% $5.14 0% 0.000% $0.00
Conforming 3 year  ARM 4.5% 4.585% $5.07 % 0.000% $0.00
Conforming 5 year  ARM 4.5% 4.585% $5.07 % 0.000% $0.00
Jumbo  Fixed 7.0% 7.099% $6.65 % 0.000% $0.00
Jumbo 5 year  ARM 6.125% 6.219% $6.08 % 0.000% $0.00
*Rates are subject to  change due to market fluctuations and borrower’s eligibility.

Information provided by…

Kevin  Donahue
Executive Mortgage Advisor
Wealthbridge  Mortgage
Phone: 503.501.6468
Fax: 503.597.7525
kevin.donahue@wealthbridge.com
http://www.wealthbridge.com/ <http://portal.mxlogic.com/redir/?FTujKDuX8USDtYQsEEIEzzhOr016fQ-pcx6i17-nMTvHTLuX3XNEVsdTdPZlo_p_g57RS4WRf8l3-ndEIe9I6QkS4QSbI9LCQNNIb7Xek6Rkzh02ZDVEw2qO6PYQg0LZgb6V-7PNo_pgdECQjqtTPhOyyOyMyrD06O>

PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR NEW PODCAST ON THE HOMEPAGE OF OUR WEBSITE http//:www.TonyandLibby.com & OUR NEW PORTLAND METRO BLOG AT http://pdxrealtynews.com/

Last week your “Best Cappuccino” chasing Portland Realtor was preparing one of our new Pearl District listings (1410 NW Kearney St., Unit 910, THE EDGE LOFTS) and decided to stop by Stumptown Coffee Roasters on SW 3rd.  Okay, it isn’t in the Pearl District, but I figured any excuse to have coffee at Stumptown is worth taking.

Now on to the coffee: Awesome presentation.  The style appears to be cappuccino chiaro (white cappuccino, also known as a wet cappuccino).  The foam wasn’t nearly as creamy as Costellos.  But upon breaking thru the top layer your palette is pleasantly welcomed by a very honest and intense espresso flavor.  You feel as though you mouth is bathing in a coffee bean puree, and it feels good!  Okay, this review sounds really flowering I know.  But I think I have found a tie for Costello’s cappuccino.

http://tigardtimes.com/news/story.php?story_id=123984496254591400

PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE for Portland Real Estate  http//:www.TonyandLibby.com

Absolutely Fabulous Springwater Heights Traditional. This meticulously decorated and maintained home features beautiful hardwood flooring, large kitchen w/center island, designer interior colors, Rejuvenation lighting, desiger home fixtures, window treatments and hardware, spacious master suite w/double sinks, soaking tub & huge walk-in closet, central air, & upstairs laundry.

Looking for the perfect scenic lot to build on? Looking for a cozy house to dwell in while developing your building plans? This incredibly charming home features gorgeous hardwood flooring with custom inlays, extra large windows for abundant natural lighting, and a very rare .50 acre buildable lot in Hillsdale! Awesome views and lot potential. Adjacent lot also available.

NEW flat screen TV, Washer, Dryer Stove/Oven & Fridge to be included. SELLER SAYS BRING ALL OFFERS! Looking for a great value or first home in Portland . . . this is it. This charming home features a huge master suite w/sitting area, modern interior colors, spacious open floorplan, pergo flooring,