Salem Oregon Real Estate Blog

noreply@blogger.com (David Brown) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:59:00 +0000

Flooding Wreaks Havoc in Salem
City of Salem Publishes Flood Map, Schools Close, and Governor Declares State of Emergency
This level of flooding here in Salem Oregon is a"40 year event". But it could get worse. Posted yesterday by the City of Salem re: the crest of the Willamette River today at 4pm @ 30ft. Map, warnings, and safety issues.
Evacuation in Turner / Photos of Flooding in Turner, Salem, and Albany /
Flooding Videos / Local News

view flood map
from the City of Salem flood map:
"The Willamette River is projected to reach its crest at approximately
4:00 p.m. on Friday. The areas shown in blue on this map indicate
locations that may be at higher risk of flooding as a result of the
rising levels in the Willamette River and its associated creeks. This
information is provided to residents and businesses to alert them to
areas of added risk. Note:
IMPORTANT:
This map is provided to alert residents and businesses of potential
flooding.
This map is based on rough estimates and is able to only
approximate areas at additional risks.
Regardless of where you are in relation to the areas shown on this
map, you should always be aware of your surroundings and take all
appropriate safety measures based on what you see.
This map is not 100% accurate. Flooding has, and will occur at
other locations.
All residents and businesses in Salem should continue to exercise
prudence and caution regarding rising water levels, flooding, and
personal safety."

noreply@blogger.com (David Brown) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:35:00 +0000

Just published today in Wired Magazine:
Facebook in Oregon

Facebook and other high tech companies will help the economy of Oregon.
by David Brown

The "Silicon Forest" that centers around Beaverton and Portland is not the only tech hub in Oregon. Prineville, located near Bend, is the location of a Facebook data center. It is also an example of how high tech companies do not always have to be located near a major metro area such as Portland.

Facebook, the amazing social media giant with over 800 million users and millions of posts and sharing going on daily, continues to expand and is building another facility next the current one in Prineville. Seventy per cent of the 55 jobs in the current data center are local residents. That's good news for an unemployment rate of 21%. Full story >

Oregon can benefit from the continued increase of high tech and other businesses locating here. It's good for jobs, good for business, and good for the real estate market! Welcome Facebook, Google, and Yahoo!

Share this page on Facebook? See tabs below. - David Brown

noreply@blogger.com (David Brown) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:44:00 +0000

News from the NAR - National Assn. of Realtors

Strong Temptations for Home Buying
The monthly cost of owning a home is more affordable now than in the past 15 years, and is less expensive than renting in numerous cities, according to The Wall Street Journal’s third-quarter survey. more >

New Home Sales Post Biggest Gains in Months
New-home sales for single-family homes rose 1.3 percent in October, marking the best pace for new-home sales activity since this May, the U.S. Commerce Department reports. more >

Don't Let Foreclosure Buyers be Tempted by Price Alone
Buyers may be swayed by the big bargain prices that foreclosures often offer. But before they jump in, some housing experts say they need to be warned that it may not be as big of bargain as they believe. more >
NAR Awards Grants to Promote, Expand Affordable Housing
The Housing Opportunity Program Grants, a National Association of REALTORS® grant program, has presented $62,500 to 19 local and state REALTOR® associations. Those associations will use the funds to promote and expand affordable housing opportunities in their communities. more >

noreply@blogger.com (David Brown) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 17:50:00 +0000

Real Estate Forecast
"As the Economy Goes, So Does the Real Estate Market"
by David Brown, broker

Although we hear of some mixed good news and bad by various real estate market analysts, in general it seems that the overall market will continue to humdrum along with the rest of the economy, i.e. as the economy goes, so does the real estate market. Interest rates continue to remain very low but so does the number of qualified buyers. Seller-occupied properties continue to compete with bank owned REO's.

The Oregon State Office of Economic Analysis just released it's full report - Oregon Economic and Revenue Forecast Nov 17th. In this report they summarize a key indicators that have already obviously affected and will continue to affect the housing market here.

"Employment in Oregon in both the second and third quarters was essentially flat following a very strong start to 2011. The recent weakness can largely be attributed to public sector cuts as the private sector continues to add jobs. Overall, job growth is up 1.5 percent on the year, which ranks 13th across states.

After a rocky start in the first quarter of 2010, the private sector has added jobs each of the past six quarters, for a total increase of 36,900, or 2.8 percent. In the third quarter there were notable job increases reported in construction, computer and electronic products, information, education and health services and leisure and hospitality services. Some of the weakest private sector industries were natural resources and mining, wood products, transportation equipment, food processing and retail trade. Budget shortfalls have caught up with the public sector, with declines in all three government levels, notably local education.

OEA forecasts an employment increase of 0.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011 and 1.4 percent in the first quarter of 2012. Job gains will remain subdued in 2012, improving at a 1.3 percent pace, following 1.5 percent gains in 2011."

Nationally, we get mixed reviews depending on the source:
(But isn't real estate local? Why does national data help?)

Home Sales Rise to Boost Housing Market (Housing Predictor)

2012 - A Better Market Coming ? Make Money in 2012 Housing?
Strategies for Buyers and Sellers - Another Opinion - CNN.com

Where will Housing be in 2012 ? (Bloomberg)

CNN using data fro Fiserv: Salem, Oregon

Forecast change: second quarter, 2011 – second quarter, 2012	+3.7%
Forecast change: second quarter, 2012 – second quarter, 2013	+5%

Market fundamentals
Median Family Income (2010)	$55,800
Median Home Price (Second quarter 2011)	$137,000
Change in Home Prices (From second quarter 2010 thru second quarter 2011)	-10.2%
Worst 1-Year Home Price Change (1980-2011)	-11.7% (2008:Q1)

So how does the market affect your timing in buying or selling? This involves personal preferences combined with common sense. I have worked with both buyers and sellers who had great timing and others who did not. If sellers are also buying after they sell, usually it could me a lateral move and the "loss" in their sale is picked up in their purchase. For first time home buyers, this is great timing as long as they plan to not resell soon. The formula is much more complicated than this as every situation with a buyer/seller and a property has its own particulars. Working with a professional real estate broker is advised to help you navigate through the stormy waters of the process.

- David Brown
www.RealEstateSalem.com
503-302-2333

noreply@blogger.com (David Brown) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:50:00 +0000

Poems, Gnomes and Homes

As the blustering winds blow through the Northwest, some real estate deals will still close.
I had one close the other day I do not jest
Just in time for the Thanksgiving fest.

Garden Gnomes may be a gift for your home, and here's a link to browse an Amazon store. They can smile, sleep, and even some have good looks. They're not just pests in the Harry Potter books. Consider them as a gift, and enjoy browsing a few, but if it's homes and not gnomes that your seeking, then use the other link in blue.
Garden Gnomes on Amazon.com / Search Homes for Sale

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving !
David Brown

noreply@blogger.com (David Brown) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:54:00 +0000

Time to Change Course
(and to launch a new and unique real estate search program)

This is the title of the October issue of the Realtor Magazine published by the National Association of Realtors. It was to provide a preview of one of the main topics for those of us committed to stay the course after five years into this tough housing market. We are reminded in the article that some of the world's best innovations, and successful corporate startups were launched during tough economic times.

Although I did not attend, the annual conference for the National assn. of Realtors was in Anaheim, Calif., home of Disneyland. The keynote speaker was Michael Eisner, former CEO of Walt Disney Corp. He spoke on leadership lessons and how to survive in difficult times.

Another keynote speaker was Bill Taylor, the co-founder of award-winning business magazine Fast Company. In his new book Practically Radical: Not-So-Crazy Ways to Transform Your Company, Shake Up Your Industry, and Challenge Yourself, he showcases lessons from 70 leaders who implemented radical changes. Umpqua Bank, one of our Oregon-based banks, was also featured with their boost in customer base after offering a coffee-house experience at all of its 184 branches, with tellers receiving barista training!

More than 350 companies from around the world set up shop at the expo in Anaheim, displaying some of the best business-enhancing technology tools, and innovative products. I didn't need to be there to browse through the list and check the best ones out online. The category of technology and MLS solutions was the largest and I am researching this area. I am lucky that Coldwell Banker, my real estate company of choice, has cutting edge technology tools and resources already developed that I can integrate into my own web marketing. The bottom line for me is to provide the best service for my clients.

New Real Estate Search Program Launch
I am about to launch a new search program that is innovative and new, that no one else is offering locally. Like many other real estate search programs, it has the basic saved searches, bookmarked properties, setting of preferences, and accessing Home Value Reports. The unique aspects of this program go beyond any other out there: it is a geo-spatial search platform that delivers a totally new way to search for real estate online.

Every aspect of the search process is conducted on a map, creating a fluid and entertaining user experience.
Through the innovative Lifestyle Search System, users can visually see the relational perspective between all things important in their real estate decision making process. Looking for a home within a quarter mile of a high school, a half mile of a coffee shop, and 2 miles from a grocery store? This program can find you those homes.

Their platform is built on deep levels of data, including for-sale homes, historic ‘sold’ data, 60+ million not-for-sale houses, 130,000+ schools and universities, 12+ million businesses, demographics and statistical data, and much more. If you would like to try this out, please complete this online form below and I will notify you when it is available on my website.- David Brown, licensed Oregon real estate broker (503) 302-2333.

noreply@blogger.com (David Brown) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 02:39:00 +0000

FROM : Salem-News.com

Salem Police Warn of Rental Property Scam

Salem, Oregon – The Salem Police Department would like to warn the public about a probable online scam involving rental property applications.

The Salem Police Department has taken at least two reports recently where people have responded to advertisements on Craig’s List regarding rental properties. One property was a house and one was a condominium.

When the potential victims responded to the ads on Craig’s List for the properties, both of them later received e-mail replies requesting that they submit to a credit check online before they could see the properties. In both cases these e-mails contained links to websites to submit to the credit checks. Those links were for “creditreport.com” and “ckureport.com”

One of the victims did go to creditreport.com and filled out the requested information, including social security number and other information that would be of value to an identity thief. This link became inactive and the victim received a similar e-mail the next day from a different party, but requesting the same information. The victim said that the creditreport.com site looked legitimate and professional, but she felt something wasn’t right and did not fill out the information again.

The other victim suspected this was a scam and attempted to contact the other parties directly, but was not able to do so.

The Salem Police Department Crime Prevention Unit advises that financial and personal information should never be given out unless you absolutely and positively know to whom it is going and for what purpose. In these cases, the victims eventually did become suspicious of why they would have to submit to a credit check before they could even view rental property. Credit checks are often conducted as part of a final background check once somebody has filled out a rental application, but are not necessary just to view a property. The public should be vigilant anytime their personal and/or financial information is requested and always be sure of the reason for the check and know where their information is going. Both victims did the right thing in trying to obtain further information on the parties requesting the information, but in both cases they got no response and the contact information was bogus. Also, if you have a business name, take the time to verify with the Attorney General’s Office Consumer Affairs Division if the business is legitimate and also check for complaints about that business.

For further information and crime prevention tips, contact the Salem Police Crime Prevention Unit at 503-588-6175.

News Release from: Salem Police Dept.

noreply@blogger.com (David Brown) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:26:00 +0000

by David Brown, Licensed Real Estate Broker
Coldwell Banker Advantage One Properties
Owner and webmaster - Logion Web Design and Development

It's 6:49am in the lobby of the Westin Seattle and I have arrived early to do some work before the Facebook conference here. This conference is one of four being given around the country for developers to learn more about the Open Graph platform and the new Timeline features in Facebook. It is a follow up to the annual F8 conference that was held earlier this year to announce and launch new technologies involved with the Open Graph and Timeline. The roadshow event will include "technical deep-dives", "office hours" - where Facebook engineers will be available for individual questions, and a Q&A session with the Facebook platform development team.

I am attending this conference to ramp up my development skills for Facebook pages for business and to mesh my own creative ideas for real estate and business page presentation with the tech tools and programming to make it happen for my own pages and my business clients.

noreply@blogger.com (David Brown) — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 16:33:00 +0000

Moving a Kitchen

Moving into a new home is always exciting. Then the reality of moving day suddenly comes upon us and can seem like a hurricane of packing and organizing and letting go of those things that you had moved before but never used since. You want to stay in the eye of that swirling hurricane, but sometimes that's easier said than done (kind of like emotions and challenges during a real estate transaction).

A smart woman that I know had the idea of moving the kitchen first, before the movers came the following week. It was not a cross country move (of course) but just within the same town. She had heard of this before from a friend and it made sense, especially for a gourmet cook moving a gourmet kitchen!

I offered to help in this process (sometimes a realtor's help goes beyond escrow, yes?), and I knew that it may be a learning experience.

The Spice Rack
By knowing the spaces in the new kitchen and the things that needed to be moved, there was an intuitive and common sense approach that worked to get everything organized. For example, I have seen all sorts of spice racks but not the one that was used in this kitchen. It was like a bookshelf that folded out when opened, so it saved space within a cupboard area. There were about four shelves in the white plastic unit with about four racks per shelf. It was easy to alphabetize the spices in the racks for easier reference. You could pull the shelf out and then it pivoted like a door and faced you with the four racks. The only catch was that the hinged part of the shelf need a bit of clearance when it opened, reducing the storage space of about an inch there. Otherwise it was a very efficient and space saving utility for this kitchen.

The pantry was also organized in a way for easier viewing, as were the cupboards and shelves for the pots and pans. A step ladder was needed to access the taller cupboards and shelves as there was a tall ceiling and room for height in this kitchen. On top of the cupboards were placed a number of baskets for decoration and because there was room there to accomodate the space that they took up. I discovered a creative way to increase the storage in this kitchen when everything else was full. The inside of the baskets were empty. This space could be used for kitchen items that were not used as often, not too heavy, and didn't need to be in view. They would be accessible just as the other items in the shelves that needed a step ladder.

Moving the kitchen first seemed to be such a great idea that when moving day came it was already in place, ready to go. I recommend this strategy for everyone moving within a reasonable driving distance. One more idea - this would also work well for the master bathroom. With these two rooms already set up when you move in, you may experience some of that peaceful eye within that swirling hurricane. :)

Need help with buying or selling a home? I have clients in both the Salem and Eugene area.

David Brown
Licensed Oregon Real Estate Broker
503-302-2333

noreply@blogger.com (David Brown) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 16:37:00 +0000

What About Foreclosures in Oregon ?

A recent report from Housing Predictor, who bases their analysis on a variety of market data, states that

"An over-supply of homes and other residential properties are creating doubts among home buyers accompanied by a weak economy in Oregon, sending home values lower and into what appears to be the initial steps of a double-dip in housing. Growing unemployment in manufacturing, professional services and finance are hurting the economy." Further declines are forecast for the Salem Market, so we all can get real about what's happening. full story

Relocating to Salem ?

I work with a number of clients who are in various stages of relocating here. They find my website, www.RealEstateSalem.com at the top of Google when they search for Salem Oregon real estate or similar search phrases. I have appreciated the positive feedback and reviews from clients that I have helped here as their exclusive buyer's agent.

A picture of William and Danielle is on the home page of my website, with the very positive review of how I was able to help them find and buy the perfect home. If you are relocating here, then feel free to contact me with your plans on the phone. Life goes on and I have an ongoing inspiration to help people just like yourself move forward to live here in your own home. Salem is an excellent market and centrally located about an hour from Portland, the beautiful Oregon Coast, and the Cascade mountains to the East. Snow -capped Volcano mountain peaks can be seen from certain areas here. Mt Jefferson, Mt Hood are two. To contact me : call or text: 503-302-2333 Email : davidbrown@realestatesalem.com

About this Salem Oregon Real Estate Blog - Last month stats: 619 people viewed this blog last month. Whoever you are, thanks for visiting, and best wishes to find a home or whatever else you seek in life.

“In any given moment, we can celebrate the adventure of living at a deeper level . We can create or discover something new and make it extraordinary. ” - David Brown

David Brown
Licensed Oregon real estate broker
Real estate webmaster
Owner : Logion Web Design and Development

noreply@blogger.com (David Brown) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 18:44:00 +0000

New Real Estate Tweets:

Dog Comments on Salem Real Estate Market

New Background added on Twitter page: Fall colors, vineyard
(Facebook post linked to Twitter page) Like?

Batter Up! Homebuyer hits home run on Salem Oregon real estate blog:
_____________________________________________________________

noreply@blogger.com (David Brown) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:57:00 +0000

Salem Oregon Real Estate Market Overview and Perspective

In the month of August 2011, there were 1066 new listings that came on the market and a total of 6426 listings available. In the month of August 2010 there were 1437 new listings that came on the market and a total of 7925 on the market. That is a 18.91% decrease in listings available this year over last year at the same time.

In August 2011, there were 597 closed sales. With that number of closed sales we have approximately 10.76% months of inventory on the market.

Days on the market (averages only - once recently sold in 7 days) :
Salem/Keizer: 154
Benton County: 143
Linn County: 152
Marion County: 164
Polk County 160

Closed Sales in Units for the last five years:
Through the end of August 2007: 7383
Through the end of August 2008: 4180
Through the end of August 2009: 3442
Through the end of August 2010: 4058
Through the end of August 2011: 3921

The percent of sales price to list price :
This does not include any closing costs paid for by seller.
was 88.3% in Salem/Keizer, 91.8% in Benton County, 87.6% in Linn County, 87.1% in Marion County, and 88.5% in Polk County.

Average Sales Price comparing last year to this year:
Area August 2010 August 2011 %change
Salem/Keizer $199,639 $178,756 -10.5%
Benton County $267,232 $255,960 -4.3%
Linn County $160,362 $143,037 -10.0%
Marion County $201,393 $183,728 -8.8%
Polk County $194,800 $169,591 -13%

Source: Willamette Valley Multiple Listing Service

noreply@blogger.com (David Brown) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 16:04:00 +0000

Two Blogs in One : Batter Up and Home Staging Tips

Batter Up!

You've stepped up to the plate,
and have already scored a run batted in (prequalified by lender).

Bases are loaded (so many homes to choose from).

It's the 9th inning and the game is tied.
(You've been looking for months and finally find a home you love)

The count is 3 balls and 2 strikes (you already wanted to make 3 offers on other homes that were sold before you took action - then had two others that were rejected). Now is the final opportunity to win the game for your team.

Your coach (David Brown, broker) sends hand signals from the bench that says
"watch for the low pitch".

The pitcher winds up, looks to first base, looks back at the plate, then releases a fast ball that seems low but coming right in front of your knees - a strike if not swung at - in split seconds you make a decision and swing low and up connecting with a solid hit that goes, goes, and then sails over the center field fence for a grand slam! (The agent, David Brown, helps you manage a strategic offer which is accepted. )

You run around the bases preceeded by the three runners on base and the team and crowd cheers you on.

(The inspection, appraisal, and financing approval are all in and you arrive at home base - your new home - on schedule and with a smooth escrow).

Any players? This broker is ready to do some more coaching!

David Brown

Broker
www.RealEstateSalem.com

503-302-2333

Home Staging for Sellers - article courtesy of Room Service Home Staging

Home Stagers Aren't Necessary In Todays Market.
REALLY? With home prices shrinking due to foreclosures and short sales why should you bother investing in a home staging service? First time buyers, along with emerging traditional buyers, are looking for value and affordability first, and 81% said move-in conditions were at the top of their criteria.

A home staging expert can identify what a home seller doesn't see as potential red flags to losing a sale. Surprisingly many forego the few hundred dollars it cost to get a professional evaluation, step by step guidance, and detailed tips on how to present their homes to stand apart from the competition. More surprising, you can vastly improve your home's appeal for very little money. In many cases we're talking maybe a few hundred dollars along with some sweat equity. It's hard to dispute such a small investment when compared to the thousands of dollars potentially lost in an offer on a home that has not been presented as "move-in" condition.

Though selling a home isn't easy in most markets today, a well showcased home reflects a well maintained home and that appeals to someone buying a home for the first time. First time buyers are skeptical of buying homes that need improvement. Due to the general requirement of larger down payments now, they won't have money left for improvements nor repairs. "While foreclosures that are in severe disrepair can be a huge turnoff for a first-time buyer, some banks will make improvements to their foreclosure stock, fixing them up so that they meet FHA standards and a buyer's needs, said Chuck Whitehead, of Coldwell Banker Associated Brokers in Southern California. These homes can be stiff competition for the rest of the for-sale inventory." (REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE June 09')

Value is clearly motivating potential home buyers and home staging services are all about improving the value of your home.
article courtesy of Room Service Home Staging

noreply@blogger.com (David Brown) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 14:35:00 +0000

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noreply@blogger.com (David Brown) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 20:06:00 +0000

Real Estate News and ...
local stuff

Cougar Spotted in Salem -
I Take My Dog to the Great Off-Leash Park in Salem - Minto Brown Park every morning about 6:30am
A cougar was spotted in Minto-Brown Island Park in South Salem a few days ago, officials said.
A person called Salem Public Works and reported seeing the animal on a trail near the park’s cherry orchard, said Mark Becktel, Salem Parks and Transportation Services Manager. Cory Bakkala spotted the animal and first thought it was a dog. “It had a long tail and looked like a dog from farther away,” Bakkala said. “It turned around and saw us and ran. It looked like a wild animal.”

I used extra caution and kept my dog nearby!

Featured Properties (for showings contact David Brown 503-302-2333)

Fairmount Hill for $250,000 ! ? 4 bdrm, 3 baths, 3136 sq. ft !
Single owner for 58 years! Vintage, one-of-a-kind home in heart of Fairmount Hill! Fireplaces in Living & Family Rms & Master Suite! Wet bar in Fam Rm. Real wood 3/4" paneling, myrtle wood veneer in Dining Rm! French Doors to Deck, Patio. Parquet in Dining, Kitchen. Office off Furnace Rm, also Laundry Rm. Unfinished fir under most carpet. Possibilities galore! View MLS info >

Restored Vintage Brick Home with Views!
Historic Georgian brick colonial home with view of Willamette Valley on .71± acre lot. 4 BRs, one could be used as office/apartment, 3.5 Baths, & 4 car garage, 4263± SF, built in 1949 using bricks from provision State Capitol bldg. This exquisite home has been extensively restored & updated in keeping with its vintage style. Amenities too numerous to mention. (View Assoc Docs). This is truly a one-of-a-kind home & garden, well located to downtown Salem, Minto Island Park & approx 45 minutes to Portland.
View the "Must see" pictures on MLS

Search for other Salem Real Estate Listings Here > (testimonial from recent client)

Blog Stats - Subscribe to this Blog by Email
wow - I didn't realize how many views this blog has received until I checked in with the "Stats" report provided by blogger......763 visits last month ! This tells me several things. There's a lot of views of this blog from the link to my main website www.RealEstateSalem.com , and that I better keep it interesting, and include some real estate information! So thanks for visiting! If you would like to receive this blog by email, then go ahead and send in the form below. You will receive an email when we post a new blog. We use a anti-spam opt-in compliant email management program that is very user friendly.

Email Marketing You Can Trust

________________________________________
David Brown, Licensed Oregon real estate broker
Prudential Real Estate Professionals
Salem, Or
cell: 503-302-2333
office: 503-371-3013

noreply@blogger.com (David Brown) — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 19:03:00 +0000

Salem Yelpers

Have you yelped yet? Yelp is a website service that allows you to give reviews and see other reviews for various services in a city, such as Salem ! Here's the Salem yelp link
http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=&ns=1&find_loc=salem%2C+or

Originally used for restaurants, yelp has other categories also such as auto, events, shopping.

On the Salem Oregon restaurant site CapitolCuisine.com , I have included a number of top rated, locally owned restaurants based on their positive reviews on Yelp. Beware: competitors may say bad things about excellent restaurants. One example is Kwans Chinese restaurant in Salem. Consistently an award winning restaurant, Kwans has been the target of competitors spamming negative reviews.....so try to see through the one liners about cockroaches !!!!!

What About Salem Real Estate ?
Well, the market is what it is: a mixed bag. One home that I showed had an accepted offer the next day after being on the market for seven days. Another in Silverton was sold then the buyer didn't qualify at the last minute (10 days before closing) after being "pre-approved". (If you scroll down you will see it on another blog - $150,000 vintage Silverton home, 1906 sq. ft. move-in ready for $150,000 bargain price ! ) Interest rates are still very low and now is a great time to buy. If you are looking for a home, or thinking about it, learn more about how a buyer's agent can help you save money and stress (at no cost to you). More info.>

Google : www.RealEstateSalem.com
still # 1 for searches for Salem Oregon Real Estate.

RealEstateSalem.com, a website designed and managed by yours truly David Brown, licensed Oregon real estate broker and webmaster, continues to show as # 1 for searches of Salem Oregon real estate, in the "organic" listings below the paid ads. Many people both in Oregon and nationwide click on the Homesearch button and see the attractive young couple who provided a rave review for me, in addition to links and search tabs for local homes for sale. Over 1000 people view the site every month, and use the tools for saved searches, favorites, requesting more info., and asking for showings on the site.

David Brown
503-302-2333

Real Estate Salem Oregon / Salem Oregon Real Estate / Salem Oregon real estate blog

noreply@blogger.com (David Brown) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:01:00 +0000

SOLD
A big THANK YOU to Gary and Angie from Washington who found my website at the top of Google and had me help them save $9000 a year in dorm fees by buying a small bungalow for their son, a Willamette University student, in central Salem. It was remodeled, and had a full clean unfinished basement. Lots of potential for increasing sq. footage down there.

Relocating ?
Read about the history of the Willamette Valley (click here) , search for homes in the greater Salem area (click here), find Salem restaurants (click here) , search Eugene for homes (click here) , and contact me with your questions about the area (email me)

noreply@blogger.com (David Brown) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 16:25:00 +0000

Silverton Oregon Real Estate Vintage Home
Price Reduced!- 713 S. Water St.

Now priced at $150,000 - Updated, well maintained vintage home built in 1900. Close to downtown, park & library. 3BR + bonus room upstairs, office & family room, large kitchen, living room, breakfast nook & separate dining room downstairs. New roof, windows, stove & fridge. Wood-burning stove will warm your heart & soothe your soul. Bring your design ideas to decorate this 1906± SF historic home that is shown on a downtown mural!
Contact David Brown for more information: 503-302-2333
View photos, MLS 634913 for info.

Silverton Oregon Real Estate

noreply@blogger.com (David Brown) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 16:01:00 +0000

Salem Oregon Real Estate Market Update

In the month of July 2011, there were 1097 new listings that came on the market and a total of 6406 listings available. In the month of July 2010 there were 1364 new listings that came on the market and a total of 7825 on the market. That is a decrease of 3.01% in listings available this year over last year at the same time.

In July 2011, there were 478 closed sales. With that number of closed sales we have approximately 13.4 months of inventory on the market.

Days on the market currently are:

Salem/Keizer: 158

Benton County: 145

Linn County: 152

Marion County: 165

Polk County 163

Closed Sales in Units for the last five years:

Through the end of July 2007: 5584

Through the end of July 2008: 3652

Through the end of July 2009: 2885

Through the end of July 2010: 3554

Through the end of July 2011: 3324

The percent of sales price to list price was 87.9% in Salem/Keizer, 91.4% in Benton County, 87.8% in Linn County, 86.7% in Marion County, and 88.4% in Polk County. i.e. (Sellers are willing to take offers that are lower than the asking price. )

Average Sales Price comparing last year to this year:

Area July 10 July 11 %change

Salem/Keizer $198,588 $178,997 -8.9%

Benton County $259,760 $254,759 -2%

Linn County $160,724 $144,543 -10.1%

Marion County $203,814 $183,068 -10.2%

Polk County $193,791 $171,501 -11.5%

noreply@blogger.com (David Brown) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:26:00 +0000

Run Like Fire and Dance Like Rain
Almost everyone is getting hit hard in this economy one way or the other. Small business – ouch. Real estate – double ouch. There’s a lot of changes going on especially in the internet – mobile – social arena. So, as I see it, there are two ways to run like fire in this economy.
The first is to run away from or ignore all the problems. This usually doesn’t work. They are still there.
Second, we may need to retool ourselves, our job skills, our attitudes, to not only endure tough times but run with the flow of what works best for our lives, and I am especially referring to those who own a business. As an example, certain expenses like newspaper ads and print media are being used less as the online development continues to increase. We need to run with this like fire. Get the website updated, set up a Twitter and Facebook page correctly, invest in SEO or search engine optimization to get found on Google more easily. As local searches have exploded and especially with 4G mobile devices, people are searching for everything, everywhere, at all times. It’s time to run like fire, reset priorities to match what’s happening with this user experience online, and package our products or services to be as competitive as possible without giving the farm away. People will pay for quality, but also like a good value. Trader Joe’s is a great example of good products, good quality, and good prices. Their marketing is fun! Have you seen the Fearless Flyer? It’s their newsletter that has such a creative funky twist that it gets your attention.

Here’s the description of the Fearless Flyer from their website :
“A cross between Consumer Reports and Mad Magazine, The Fearless Flyer is kind of like a newsletter, a catalog and a bit of a comic book all at the same time. It's our chance to give you loads of interesting (hopefully) information about our products. And along the way, we like to toss in some witty (we try) tidbits and even a few old-fashioned cartoons.”

Imagine the result if you had a blog and email list that were looking forward to your next newsletter. It’s something to think about and you may need to hire some creative talent to help. The Fearless Flyer runs like fire and dances like rain. Go to their “Soapbox” page and subscribe to the Fearless Flyer.

Dance Like Rain
Sometimes we don’t even have time to rethink strategies, spend moments with creative problem solving, or get inspired to create a new twist on our products or services. If we make time, and I mean force ourselves to set aside a certain amount of time to do whatever it is that we know will help ourselves, then now is the time to do it, and we will see the results. Like Nike’s motto: “Just Do It”, it may involve a commitment to yourself to block out a certain amount of time. As the saying goes, “the joy is in the journey” and just by starting to do some of those things it adds a new dimension and inspiration to your personal and / or business life. We spend a lot of time putting out fires, dealing with issues of the moment, worrying about finances, job security, etc. etc. By taking the time to do a few things that you know will help move things forward, it becomes like a dance. In fact, if you don’t need to be on the phone, or in those moments when it is appropriate, maybe listen to more music. Not just anything on the radio. Maybe create your own CD that has selected songs that you love and that keep you inspired. Play these during your times of dancing with your new ideas, retooling strategies, and networking plans, and watch what happens. It might help to keep a log or journal every day of the time spent on those important things that you thought you never had time for. Then enjoy the process. Run like fire and dance like rain.

noreply@blogger.com (David Brown) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 20:54:00 +0000

New Home Appliance Beats Out Dysan (and it's a robot)

OK, maybe you've heard about it when it was in beta testing, but chances are you've never seen one.
You most likely own a smart phone, but how about a smart vacuum cleaner?

Introducing the NEW! iRobot Roomba^® 780

Vacuum Cleaning Robot

"Roomba 780 is the premium product by IRobot offering featuring Dirt Detect™ Series 2 technology which helps the robot perform concentrated cleaning in the dirtiest areas and ensure the whole floor is thoroughly vacuumed. Roomba 780's state-of-the-art touchpad eliminates buttons and gives you control of the robot at the touch of your fingertips. The Full Bin Indicator lets you know when the dust bin is full and needs to be emptied."

This cordless smart vacuum cleaner will move around the room looking for dirt. For $599 its not cheap, but it seems to beat out Dysan because it's a robot, it's smart, and you can tell it what to do.

If you're buying your home with my help as a buyers agent in Salem, Oregon area, ask me to include it in the deal to be paid for by the seller in escrow. We need to specify the type and model of the robot vacuum cleaner as the more expensive ones could be a deal breaker. :) Watch the video !

The Most Coveted Piece of Salem Oregon Real Estate ?
Minto-Brown Off Leash Dog Park - My Favorite Place in Salem

Every morning about 6am I take my dog to Minto-Brown Park, the off-leash dog park in Salem. There are two large fields.....a mown grassy field about the size of a football field and another field that is overgrown and surrounded by a wood bark chip walking path. My dog loves to prowl the overgrown field for field mice, or other rodents. Fortunately, he doesn't catch very many, and the "joy is in the journey". If you have seen dogs in fields they may run and jump in the air. I finally figured out why this is. Instinctively, they jump in the air to create silence so that they can hear where the mice are scurrying through the grass and then know where to pounce, stick their noses around and start digging if they have to to get their prey. It's kind of like some real estate buyers today, looking for that perfect deal - a foreclosure priced way below market and in pristine condition, in a perfect location with the best schools. "The joy is in the journey", even though the prey may never be found.

I enjoy walking around the overgrown field and combine some jogging with walking to increase the calories burned. The morning is a very special time there and the picture just begins to give a glimpse into the beauty of the open fields surrounded by evergreens, with the sun rising over the treetops......and on some days there is a low lying mist that hugs the ground, and creates a different look and feel of being there. The summer is ideal since it gets light so early, and I can be home before 7am to start the day. However my day, and my dog's day really starts at Minto Brown off-leash dog park. In my book the most coveted piece of Salem real estate !

David Brown
Salem Oregon real estate broker
503-302-2333
Prudential Real Estate Professionals

noreply@blogger.com (David Brown) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:16:00 +0000

Home Sales, Prices Reflect Malaise

From Wall Street Journal online: "Home prices and sales of new homes lost ground in recent months, with real-estate agents and builders saying the debt-ceiling debate in Washington is rattling an already-fragile market. According to the Standard & Poor's Case-Shiller home price index, released Tuesday, prices for existing homes in 20 major U.S. cities fell 4.5% in May from a year earlier, with declines stretching from coast to coast. Only Washington, D.C., saw a year-over-year increase. Compared with April, prices in May were virtually unchanged on a seasonally adjusted basis." Full story

Salem Oregon Real Estate Market Overview and Perspective

Willamette Valley MLS Area - Benton, Linn, Marion, and Polk County
Through In the month of June 2011
There were 1165 new listings that came on the market and a total of 6582 listings available. In the month of June 2010 there were 1384 new listings that came on the market and a total of 7730 on the market. That is a 15% decrease in listings available this year over last year at the same time.
In June 2011, there were 583 closed sales. With that number of closed sales we have approximately 11.2 months of inventory on the market.
Days on the market currently are:
Salem/Keizer: 159
Benton County: 150
Linn County: 151
Marion County: 163
Polk County 168
Source: Willamette Valley Multiple Listing Service

Benefits of a Buyer's Agent
Would you use the same attorney representing the opposite side of your case?
This is what happens if you buy a home from a listing agent and do not have a buyers agent.
The listing agent is representing the seller. The buyers agent represents you only, does not cost you a dime, and can save you thousands of dollars in home price, and repairs. Read on ...

David Brown
Licensed Oregon Real Estate Broker
Prudential Real Estate Professionals
office: 503-371-3013 cell:503-302-2333

noreply@blogger.com (David Brown) — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:03:00 +0000

From the Oregon Dept. of Justice on Foreclosures
"Oregon's foreclosure rate spiked 236% in April. Current trends in the real estate market are not likely to reverse course anytime soon. Please share this important information with your friends, family and neighbors - you may be able to help someone in danger of losing their home.

Get help right away. If you receive a foreclosure notice or are having a hard time making your mortgage payments, seek help right away. You may be able to obtain forbearance or a loan modification. Call 1-888-995-HOPE or visit www.hopenow.com to get connected with free counseling or assistance contacting your mortgage company. The FTC's mortgage website also provides lots of important information for homeowners facing foreclosure.

Make sure your counselor is HUD-approved. If you decide to work with a foreclosure counselor, make sure they are HUD-approved. Scammers may contact you by mail, on the phone, online or in person, and sometimes try to appear associated with your lender or the government. Ask your counselor if their agency is HUD-approved, and then double check for yourself. Visit the HUD website or call 1-877-483-1515 to confirm that your counselor is HUD-approved.

Never agree to pay up-front fees for foreclosure counseling. Up-front fees are illegal under Oregon law. Charging excessive up-front fees is one of the most common foreclosure relief scams.

Keep a record of everything you do. When working with your mortgage company, keep excellent records. Note the times and days that you call and the name of the representative who you speak with. Make copies of every document you sign or provide to your lender during the loan modification process. Write down the confirmation number and dates of every transaction. If problems develop, your notes and records will help you reach a resolution faster.

Don't get scammed. Those who are facing foreclosure are particularly vulnerable to scams. That is why DOJ aggressively pursues mortgage and foreclosure fraud. Mortgage-related scams can include phony offers of counseling or help, cons where homeowners unknowingly sign away their home, and lease-to-own schemes where a scammer purports to sell a house and pockets all the payments. Learn to spot the signs of a scam .

If you think you have been victimized, or want to notify DOJ about an individual, company or agency that may be engaging in mortgage or foreclosure rescue scams, complete a Consumer Complaint Form or call the Attorney General's Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392." Oregon DOJ website

noreply@blogger.com (David Brown) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:48:00 +0000

Good Vibes?

A new website, AreaVibes, provides a ranking of cities based by scoring the 10 most important metrics for your city or neighborhood. Stats such as the cost of living, crime rates, education, employment, health and safety, housing, weather, transportation, local businesses and even user reviews help to paint a picture.

However, for Salem, maybe there are more factors than these metrics that would increase the score in my opinion.

What about the geography and location?

Salem is centrally located in one of the most diverse and geographically beautiful places in this country. Just a short drive in any direction and you are on the stunning Oregon Coast, the amazing old highway in the Gorge next to waterfalls, the scenic Cascades, not to mention the world class wine tasting in the Willamette Valley.

Salem features more reasonable housing prices than Eugene to the South or Portland to the North, less congestion, nice parks and open spaces, and a renovating downtown. Hey, Trader Joes just opened up here and they do their homework. So, while AreaVibes ranks Salem as a 75 out of a score of 100, I think it could be bumped up a bit more from the other facts about the area.

David Brown
Licensed Oregon real estate broker
Call or text 503-302-2333 for good vibes in buying or selling a home.

noreply@blogger.com (David Brown) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 13:26:00 +0000

Welcome to Salem!
and thanks for the rave review William and Danielle !

"David Brown knows how to make the home buying process simple, stress free, and immediate. When we began our search for the perfect home, we found David Brown through an online buyers agent search. As soon as we saw his picture (which included his dog) we knew he was our guy. When questions arose throughout our buying process, David was quick to retrieve answers and paid close attention to every detail along the way. We moved to Oregon from Oklahoma, so we had to rely heavily on David for a smooth transaction and he delivered beyond our measure. We would recommend no other than David Brown for future home buying assistance, and we will use him again when the time comes. We could not be more satisfied with your assistance on our first home buying experience, David! Thank you! ...

The home buying process can be a very stressful time if you don’t know what you’re doing. And I most definitely did not know what I was doing. If it wasn’t for David Brown and his buyers agent team I would have been in way over my head! David not only helped my fiancee and I buy our first home, but he helped us do it before we ever even moved into the state. We linked up with David through our searches for real estate online. We sent David an email, hoping for advice, on the home buying process, but got much more. We spoke numerous times on the phone and via email before meeting for a one week house hunting trip that we had made from Oklahoma to Oregon. David had an entire itinerary built for us to view as many houses as we could. Our dream house was the second house we saw! We kept looking at other houses but our minds were already made up on what we wanted. We told David that we wanted to make an offer and from that point on we sat back and relaxed while David guided us through the rest of the process.
I can’t express enough gratitude toward David and all the work he did for us. I recommend David Brown to anyone looking to buy or sell! He didn’t disappoint us and I’m sure he won’t disappoint you either!
In addition, as anyone knows the transition from one location to the next can be stressful in many ways. Although our home buying process was smooth sailing, we are currently looking for full time employment for Danielle. If anyone is looking to hire a well-educated, organized, hardworking, detailed, positive and energetic professional, she is your girl! Please contact David if you are interested." - William and Danielle

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Eugene Real Estate and Homes for Sale

Salem Oregon Real Estate Blog

Silverton Oregon Real Estate Vintage Home Price Reduced!- 713 S. Water St.

Salem Oregon Real Estate Market Update

Home Sales, Prices Reflect Malaise

Silverton Oregon Real Estate Vintage Home
Price Reduced!- 713 S. Water St.