Oregon is Nation's Number 2 Destination for Moving Vans

by Mark Miller, Lake Oswego, Oregon Realtor®

According to a study from United Van Lines, Oregon is just behind North Carolina in "in-migration" from other states. Popular areas are along the I-5 corridor and Bend with more people moving from California into Oregon than from any other state. I guess I can't blame them as mild, sunny winters can get pretty boring!

from StatesmanJournal.com
read the article at:
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007701280329

2006 Market Statistics for Metropolitan Portland by Area

by Mark Miller, Lake Oswego, Oregon Realtor®

Statistics collected from published RMLS data

Here are the statistics for the whole Portland area. RMLS does not break it down to specific cities so feel free to contact me if you wonder where your city falls (Tualatin is part of the Tigard / Wilsonville area).

RMLS Area	Area	Median Sales $	Average Sales $	Appreciation %*
141	North Portland	$235,500	$253,700	17.5
142	Northeast Portland	$265,000	$295,800	15.4
143	Southeast Portland	$234,500	$280,500	15.8
144	Gresham / Troutdale	$248,000	$289,200	15.2
145	Milwaukie / Clackamas	$307,200	$347,800	20.3
146	Oregon City / Canby	$286,000	$370,800	15.6
147	Lake Oswego / West Linn	$443,800	$454,100	16.7
148	West Portland	$378,100	$467,500	10.3
149	NW Washington County	$359,000	$341,600	7.6
150	Beaverton / Aloha	$251,000	$273,200	12.7
151	Tigard / Wilsonville	$322,000	$363,000	8.6
152	Hillsboro / Forest Grove	$260,000	$306,800	15.9

*appreciation percent based on comparison of average sale price for the last 12 months with the prior 12 months.

As I mentioned in an earlier post 2006 turned out to be the second highest total sales volume year for the Portland Metro area.

• 2006 volume was $10.4 billion
• 2005 volume was $10.6 billion

2000 - 2006 Home Sales Statistics: Lake Oswego - West Linn

by Mark Miller, Lake Oswego, Oregon Realtor®

Lake Oswego - West Linn Market Area

Statistics collected from published RMLS data

	Average % Appreciation *	Average $ Sales Price	Number of Closed Sales
2006	16.7	528,100	1,560
2005	13.6	452,600	1,884
2004	14.8	397,000	1.810
2003	4.5	345,000	1,834
2002	6.8	329,800	1,691
2001	-5.4	308,500	1,715
2000	9.5	325,700	1,430

*appreciation percent based on comparison of average sale price for the last 12 months with the prior 12 months.

2006 turned out to be the second highest total sales volume year for the Portland Metro area.

• 2006 volume was $10.4 billion
  
• 2005 volume was $10.6 billion
  

December 2006 Market Activity

by Mark Miller, Lake Oswego, Oregon Realtor®

Lake Oswego / West Linn Area
From RMLS published data

For the Month of December
Active Listings: 623
New Listings: 110
Pending Sales: 75
Pending Sales 2006 vs. 2005: -21.9%
Closed Sales: 85
Average Sales Price: $454,100

Year to Date
Closed Sales: 1,560
Average Sales Price: $528,100
Average Appreciation: 16.7%*

*comparing the last 12 months (01/1/06 – 12/31/06) with the 12 months before (01/1/05 – 12/31/05)

Snow Day in Portland

by Mark Miller, Lake Oswego, Oregon Realtor®
Tuesday January 16, 2007

Last night the weatherman said we might get a little snow..."a light dusting, up to an inch in some areas, but turning to rain as temperatures rise".

I woke up at 5am, looked outside and thought, "No snow. Good, I'll be able to meet clients at the Bryant Road house, no problem." I crawled back into bed and dozed off. 55 minutes later it seemed unusually bright on the ceiling. The ground was totally covered in snow!

This is Indy enjoying himself as I shoveled the driveway.

"Housing Market Pain Not Revealed by Stats"

"Home sellers are crying but the data doesn't seem to reflect their woes."
from CNNMoney.com

Here's an interesting article that addresses the question, "Why is there a disconnect between the media headlines concerning real estate market woes and the actual statistics?"

read the article at http://money.cnn.com/2007/01/11/real_estate/housing_pain_statistics/index.htm?postversion=2007011118

Consumer Handbook on Adjustable Rate Mortgages

The Federal Reserve Board has put out a handbook on adjustable rate mortgages that "explains how ARMs work and discusses some of the issues that borrowers may face."

"It includes ways to reduce the risks and gives some pointers about advertising and other ways you can get information from lenders and other trusted advisers."

"Important ARM terms are defined in a glossary. And the Mortgage Shopping Worksheet can help you ask the right questions and figure out whether an ARM is right for you."

The sections above in "quotes" are taken directly from the Federal Reserve's site.

You can read it online at: http://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/arms/arms_english.htm

Also available in Spanish at: http://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/arms/arms_spanish.htm

Interesting Article Links....

America's Fastest Appreciating Housing Market: Salem, Oregon
from CNNMoney.com
read the article at http://money.cnn.com/popups/2006/real_estate/best_worst/9.html

Frommer's Top Travel Destinations for 2007: Portland, Oregon
from Frommers.com
read the article at http://www.frommers.com/destinations/article.cfm?destid=2529&articleid=4056&t=Frommer%27s%20Top%20Travel%20Destinations%20for%202007

Top 10 News Stories in 2006 from The Lake Oswego Review
from LakeOswegoReview.com
read the article at http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/news/story.php?story_id=116742490409063700