The temperature is rising.. here are some tips on how to keep cool!

How to Keep your Home Cool

Hot weather can drive up your energy bills, and an inefficient air conditioning unit can leave you sweaty and uncomfortable. Here are some ways to keep your home cool and save money in the process.

Close your blinds.
According to The Family Handyman, around 30 percent of heat comes in through your windows. By closing your blinds and drawing the curtains you can keep unwanted heat out.

Grill your food.
Avoid using the oven and stove. Clear skies allow you to fire up the grill and get more use out of outdoor furniture.

Switch to CFLs.
Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) cut lighting costs as well as cooling costs. They give off very little heat, and when your house feels uncomfortably warm, every small improvement helps. 

Allow air flow.
Keep interior doors open to let air flow freely between rooms, which helps regulate the cool air. Open windows in the evening to bring the cool breeze in.

 

Five Star award recipient 2011-2017 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Rachel Sheller, Principal Broker, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, MASTERS CIRCLE, Diversity Specialist, HOWNW, CSA-Certified Staging Agent, Oregon First, Realtors

Direct-503.380.9634, Email-homesforyou@frontier.com

See ALL available houses at my website!

Licensed in the State of Oregon

***I’M NEVER TOO BUSY FOR YOU AND YOUR REFERRALS***

SOLD!! FABULOUS FIXER ON .39 ACRES-3 separate tax lots-Perfect location

16207 SE Grand st. Damascus, OR

Opportunity knocks! This is a perfect candidate for a REHAB loan! Fiver on 3 parcels of land that equal .39 Acres.  3 bedroom home with BIG 2 car garage with shop area & 220, Covered RV parking, Enormous fully fenced yard. house is plumbed for gas dryer and stove. This fabulous fixer is just waiting for you and your tool belt! Check with the county to see if you can build additional homes on one of the tax lots. Wonderful location! RMLS# 17303999

Five Star award recipient 2011-2017 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Rachel Sheller, Principal Broker, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, MASTERS CIRCLE, Diversity Specialist, HOWNW, CSA-Certified Staging Agent, Oregon First, Realtors

Direct 503.380.9634, Email- homesforyou@frontier.com

See this home and ALL available listings at my website!

Licensed in the State of Oregon

***I’M NEVER TOO BUSY FOR YOU AND YOUR REFERRALS***

Lets make the most of this Oregon sun!!

 

Creative Ways to Use Sunlight

Solar panels aren’t the only way to harness the sun’s energy. Try these creative ways to use sunlight and cut energy costs while protecting the planet.

Skylights
This one might seem simple, but skylights have many hidden benefits. If you love the ambiance of natural light, a skylight provides ample illumination with privacy that windows facing your neighbors do not. This energy-efficient window allows you to ditch the light switch and save on electricity.

Solar backpack
Low battery shouldn’t keep you from enjoying the outdoors. The ECEEN Solar Backpack allows you to hike, bike and enjoy sunlight while your backpack stores energy. The ECEEN Solar Backpack utilizes high-efficiency solar cells to provide power for your phone, GPS system or MP3 player.

Outdoor clothesline
Give your dryer a rest and hang your clothes in the yard. As long as the temperature outside is above freezing and it’s sunny, your clothes will be just fine on the line. Use clothespins to make sure laundry doesn’t blow away, and give it a few hours to dry. Once clothes are dry, use a steamer or the air-tumble cycle on your machine to get any wrinkles out, while still reducing energy usage.

Mood booster
Without enough sun exposure, serotonin levels in the body can drop. Low serotonin levels can be linked to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is a form of depression caused by seasonal changes in weather and sun exposure. Phototherapy, or exposure to the sun, can help boost your mood.

 

Five Star award recipient 2011-2017 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Rachel Sheller, Principal Broker, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, MASTERS CIRCLE, Diversity Specialist, HOWNW, CSA-Certified Staging Agent, Oregon First, Realtors

Direct 503.380.9634, Email- homesforyou@frontier.com

See ALL available homes at my website!

Licensed in the State of Oregon

***I’M NEVER TOO BUSY FOR YOU AND YOUR REFERRALS***

 

$159,000 AFFORDABLE 2 BEDROOM CONDO IN REALLY NICE COMPLEX 4768 W Powell Blvd #322

This gallery contains 18 photos.

WELCOME HOME! This Condo is affordable, clean, and comes with a whole host of amenities: 2 spacious bedrooms Master suite with attached bathroom 2 total bathroom Detached 1 car garage (G12) Carport close to entrance of condo (P49) 1079 total SF … Continue reading →

LATEST PORTLAND/METRO RE STATS

September Residential Highlights

The Portland/Metro area saw some clouds roll in our real estate activity this September 2016.

Pending sales (2,857) fell 3.8% short of September of last year (2,971) and 14.1% short of the 3,325 offers accepted last month in August 2016. This is expected as the market tends to cool a bit right after the school season starts. The swing of the market does lend itself to a further cooling. It is still very strong seller’s market, but sellers are having to try a little harder for the sales, as we are seeing an increases of “fail sales.” You will begin to see this a little more with more frequent price reductions, if a home is a priced a little on the high side in the first place.  Buyers are still making offers in high numbers on homes that are very competitively priced. Consequently, the total market time increased by only one day, climbing to 35 days.

Average And Median Sales Prices; Prices continue to rise in the Portland metro area. Comparing 2016 to 2015 through September, the average sale price rose 11.4% from $352,500 to $392,600. In the same comparison, the median sale price rose 13.1% from $305,000 to $345,000. Even though the prices have rose (The September numbers were coming off the HOT summer selling season) we are currently in the middle of a slight adjustment. Prices cannot continually increase in price by 11 % every month. It wouldn’t be long before no one could afford a home. I think we will see more modest increase in sales price and the buyers becoming more picky.

Please call, email, or text me if you would like to talk about selling your home and/or buying in todays market. I would love the opportunity to talk with you.

Months of inventory; What it means 

A quick gauge of the health, and swing of the real estate market is done by looking at the months of inventory on the market. Six months of inventory is considered a healthy, balanced market.

0-5.5 months of inventory- Seller’s Market

6.5 months on up of inventory- Buyer’s Market 

The very latest numbers sit us at 2.0 months of inventory. We are in a Seller’s  Market. We have been in a sellers’ market for well over 3 full years. Our numbers are on the rise. I expect a higher number next month.

 Five Star award recipient 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.  

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!! 

Rachel Sheller, Principal Broker, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, MASTERS CIRCLE

Diversity Specialist, HOWNW, CSA-Certified Staging Agent

Oregon First, Realtors, Direct 503.380.9634, Email-    homesforyou@frontier.com

View ALL available Houses on the market on my website 

Licensed in the State of Oregon 

***I’M NEVER TOO BUSY FOR YOU AND YOUR REFERRALS***

    My business is primarily based around referrals
from my clients.  If you or someone you know is
thinking about buying or selling real estate,
please feel free to pass along my information
or just let me know!

 

PORTLAND/METRO MOST CURRENT REAL ESTATE STATS & NUMBERS

October Residential Highlights

October brought some cooling to real estate activity in the Portland metro area, but pending sales were still on the rise this was the strongest October for pending sales in the area since October 2005. Inventory in the Portland metro area decreased slightly in October to 1.8 months. Remember 6 months is considered a balanced market. Anything under 6 months is considered a sellers’ market and above 6 months is considered a buyers’ market. We are in a STRONG sellers’ market right now. We have actually been in a sellers’ market for well over 3 years.

Total market time in holding steady at 46 days (Time it takes to get an accepted offer on your home).

Sale Prices and the Future of Real Estate

Prices continue to rise. The median sale price rose a whopping 7.0% for all areas (All neighborhoods are different-for your call, email or text me).

The interest rates are still very low making it affordable to purchase even though the prices are rising. The economic forecasts I have heard say we are in in for another year of increased prices!

This is very good news people! If you are waiting to make a more or wished you would of done it before the crash NOW is the time! Call, email, or text me for information on selling or buying residential property. You’ll be glad you did!

Five Star award recipient 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Rachel Sheller-Principal Broker, Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES,

Diversity Specialist, HOWNW-Oregon First, Realtors

Direct 503.380.9634 Email-    homesforyou@frontier.com

View ALL available Houses on the market @ my Web Site-

WONDERFUL WOODBURN HOME FOR SALE!

Welcome home to your wonderful Woodburn home! Nestled in a charming side street this home has many fabulous amenities! Wood floors under carpet (bedrooms and living room), lots of windows, 912 SF of living space, BIG, BRIGHT kitchen with appliances included (FS-Range, FS Fridge AND clothes washer & dryer too!!). Spacious 11 X 7 utility room, detached 1 car garage, room for RV parking in driveway…..just needs a little TLC to make this darling home shine!! see more photos & information at my website. RMLS#15170094

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS!! Build your own sweat equity! NEW LISTING!!

Bring your tool belt! This beauty just needs some TLC to shine. This is an amazing opportunity for you! This fabulous home features an enormous 3 car garage that has 220, an office and storage area-VERY RARE. This home also features covered RV parking, calming deck overlooking the spacious private back yard, extra large kitchen with lots of light. Open floor plan throughout and hardwood floor.
This beauty is in a perfect location off the main thorough fair but with easy access to public transportation. You are also located at the foot of Powell Butte-Walking trails just down the road. RMLS# 15430922
SEE ME on my website!!

BASIC LAW OF ECONOMICS IN REAL ESTATE.

It’s a basic law of economics: Demand goes up. Supply goes down. Prices rise.
Nationally, that’s happening right now. With normal population increases and an improving economy, demand is growing, and supply is tight in many areas.

Additionally, despite analysts’ predictions, interest rates have held at relatively low levels. Low rates keep home payments more affordable.…

What might this mean for you?

• If you’re in the process of buying or selling, you’re probably in a good spot. Many sellers are seeing higher bids, and many buyers can afford to make them because of currently low rates.
• If you’re planning to stay in the home you now own, it’s likely your home value is growing. More equity and the possibility of refinancing at today’s rates create a comforting combination that’s tough to beat.

If you are looking to buy or sell real estate give me a call. I’m here to help.

Thank you Randy Drizwicki for this great article
All Western Mortgage

RARE ONE OWNER HOME IN ONE OF GRESHAM’S FINEST NEIGHBORHOODS!

Welcome Home! RARE, one owner home has been lovingly cared for and maintained since new! This gorgeous home features 4 spacious bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms (both full baths have been remodeled/updated), 2 oversized car garage with room for a good sized shop/work area, large living room with vaulted ceilings and cozy wood fireplace, fabulous 19 X 14 family room with another cozy fireplace, and wood wainscoting, plus big fenced, private backyard all situated in one of Gresham’s highly sought after neighborhoods. Sam Barlow School district.
Remodeled (In approx. 1999), bright, great room concept kitchen  includes all appliances, new neutral flooring, and vaulted ceilings. The expansive dining room also has vaulted ceilings and a slider to your gorgeous deck that overlooks your private, fenced back yard. AHS Home warranty included!
Move in ready and just waiting for you to can it HOME!! RMLS#15077480