About Us
Tony and Libby Kelly, MBA, M.Ed. are ranked in the top 1% of REALTORS in Portland Metro. They have been featured on HGTV's "House Hunters" 3 Episodes & "My House is Worth What?" 4 Episodes.
5870 SW Ralston Dr, Portland OR 97239
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.
15535 SW Beverly Beach Ct, Beaverton OR 97007
Meticulously Maintained Beaverton Traditional. This gorgeous home features a dramatic two story ceiling with skylights, hardwood flrs, large gourmet kitchen with granite counters, family room w/views to greenspace. Perfect home for pets or hypo-allergenic needs, no carpets. Covered patio and extra private patio area w/ Mt. Hood view. Backs to greenspace. Office & Bonus room.
14874 SW Cochran St, Sherwood OR 97140
LEASE OPTION & SELLER FINANCING AVAILABLE. Striking Sherwood Remodel! Beautifully renovated one level featuring a large great room, stunning gourmet kitchen w/SS appls, modern interior colors & light fixtures, elegant tile flooring,cent.air, & light filled floorplan w/tons of windows. Master suite bath w/granite dbl sinks & tile shower, and views of Mt. Hood & Mt. St. Helens.
5126 NE 15th Ave, Portland OR 97211
Location, location, location! Fantastic Portland bungalow in the heart of the Alberta Arts District. This clean, neat and spacious home features extensive hardwoods, all new windows, remodeled kitchen and bathrooms, high ceilings, period built-ins and touches, and tons of room in the light filled basement. Just yards away from Alberta St and shopping & dining.
Taking Advantage of Interest Rates
It seems like everywhere you turn there is some letting you know how amazing rates are now and how you MUST take advantage. At the same time you will hear story after story of people with decent to great credit not being able to get one of these amazing loans because of stricter standards. So how do you give yourself the best chance possible?
To start you are going to want to see if you qualify for a refi. Banks are currently wanting a credit score of at least 740 and 20% equity. These are not hard and fast guidelines but if your credit score could use some help, now is the time to work on it. If you don’t have the 20% equity there are some programs out there but your loan must be held by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae.
Next you are going to want to get rid of any home equity loans or lines of credit. Otherwise you can be adding significant time to the loan process and/or some interest could be tagged on.
You will also want to know where to look by shopping around. Where one bank may reject you, another might see you as a perfect candidate. Lately the best rates seem to be coming from small local banks and credit unions.
If you have the option, it is a really good idea to pay a point up front. A point is 1% of your mortgage and paying one off up front can buy your loan down an eighth to a quarter of a percentage point off your rate. Some lenders will even take off a full half of a percentage point just to avoid serial refinancers. This could also help you lock in a rate. Before you really only need about a month so locking in your rate wasn’t so difficult. Now it can take closer to two months and paying a point can get that rate locked in for 45 days.
The loan application process has gotten a lot harder and more complicated, but not only will it be easier if you know what you are getting into but also completely worth the effort to get these historical rates.
http://money.cnn.com/2009/04/17/real_estate/low_rate_loan.moneymag/index.htm?postversion=2009041711
PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR NEW PODCAST ON THE HOMEPAGE OF OUR WEBSITE http//:www.TonyandLibby.com
12755 SW 138th Ave, Tigard OR
Charming Rose Meadows traditional on very quiet street. Great home, great neighborhood, great location! This Lovely homes features hardwood floors, custom interior colors, dining room wainscotting , skylights, central air, open floorplan, large kitchen with center island & walk-in pantry. Very efficient use of space w/3 bedrooms & large bonus room. Private backyard with patio.
Stats From A Friend At Umpqua Bank
House Still Buyable
The economic climate has been a bit stormy lately, but that doesn’t mean your dream of buying a cozy cottage by the seaside has to go by the wayside. Learn more about what’s still possible when it comes to home buying.
PERCEPTION REALITY
Banks Have no money for mortgage Loans Umpqua Bank has plenty of money to lend, and we’re ready to use it to help you get settled into your new home
No one can get a home loan right now We’re closing nearly $60 million in new mortgage loans every month; our customer are building, buying and financing their homes.
You must have 20% into the deal not Government – sponsored loan programs can require as little as 3.5% down, and loans with a 95% loan-to-value with out on finance are still available. We’ll help you evaluate what you can borrow and connect you to the program that makes sense for your specific situation.
Down payment assistance programs have disappeared Some down payment assistance programs have disappeared, but many are still available through city, state and local community development organizations
You must have stellar credit to get a mortgage loan Though the industry overall has seen a tightening of credit criteria, our lending practices have not dramatically changed. Talk to us to see where you stand.
THERE ARE NUMEROUS LOAN PRODUCTS AVAILABLE:
- Conventional – fixed and arm products with a loan amount less than $417,000.
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Non-Conforming – fixed and arm products with a loan amount greater than $417,000.
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FHA – 3.5% down payment (can be gifted by acceptable source). Flexible downpayment sources.
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Oregon Bond – Loan must be conventional, FHA or Rural Housing. Income restrictions and designed for first time homebuyers
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Rural Housing – Must be in rural housing area. 100% financing based on appraised value. Adjusted household income can not exceed the maximum allowable income
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VA – Guaranteed by federal government based on the amount of entitlement to the veteran in the conjunction with loan amount.
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ODVA – loans are conventional fixed rate designed for veterans.
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All-in-One Construction – Must be for primary or second home
PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR NEW PODCAST ON THE HOMEPAGE OF OUR WEBSITE http//:www.TonyandLibby.com
New Rules Could Cost Oregon Sellers
According to this article, when a home’s soil is test to see if the oil tank is leaking they are testing for a carcinogen call benzene. If too much benzene is found the oil tank has to be decommissioned. This just means making sure that chemicals are not leaking to the home or groundwater. Most of the time this does not require much soil removal to comply with guidelines but two new chemicals have been deemed carcinogenic by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Naphthalene and ethylbenzene are now considered carcinogens and are a part of the updated screening test for leaky oil tanks. Now more and more home owners are finding that the amount of work needed to fall within the guildelines can be more like $7,000.00 instead of $2,000.00.
Usually these types of things get tested when trying to sell or buy a home and since this is a buyers market sellers are getting hit with an unexpected expense.
It is very much a case-by-case scenario but home owners should know that passing this “test” has gotten a little tougher.
Oil Tank Decommission
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/02/new_epa_and_oregon_rules_doubl.html
PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR NEW PODCAST ON THE HOMEPAGE OF OUR WEBSITE http//:www.TonyandLibby.com
Real Time Portland Metro Real Estate News
The PORTLAND market is currently quite strongly in the Buyer’s Market zone (below 30). The 90-day Market Action Index stands at 16. With several months of inventory available at the current sales rate, buyers should find ample choice. The Market Action Index has been trending lower for several weeks while prices have remained relatively stable. If inventory continues to grow relative to demand however, it is likely that we will see downward pressure on pricing.
Beware
I was reading a blog by a RE/Max agent in New Jersey, Mr. John Nyiszter who made me aware of some very important information.
Apparently there are identity thieves out there who will borrow an address and pictures from your listing website and post an ad on craigslist posing as a renter.
Then when this person finds a renter via craigslist they will request payment for the home they are going to rent you.
The potential renter in this scenario figured it out when the person who posted the craigslist ad asked for a wire transfer to Nigeria.
Especially nowadays, there are a lot of shady people out there and I want you all to be careful.
PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR NEW PODCAST ON THE HOMEPAGE OF OUR WEBSITE http//:www.TonyandLibby.com
Recent Blog Posts
May is National Moving Month
Friday, May 4th, 2012
May marks the official beginning of the moving season, and is known as "National Moving Month". 10 Tips To Prepare Your Home to List
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012
Ten tips to prepare your home to list. Agency Info
Keller Williams Realty Portland Premiere
17700 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd
Portland, OR 97224