As we near the end of the year, it is nice to reflect back on a wonderful year in Salem, Oregon. I couldn't help but take a moment to celebrate all of Salem's great things. And so, with these thoughts, I've decided to share my Top 10 reasons why everyone should choose Salem for today and tomorrow! #10 Small Town Feel. Nearly 152,500 people live in Salem making it the 3rd largest city in Oregon, yet still feels small and distinct. #9 Clean ware, clean air, clean energy sources. Many admire Oregon's environmental commitment. You might not know that Salem was the first state capital to be named a Green Power community but the EPA-Environmental Protection Agency. #8 Outdoor Recreation. Salem offers an abundance of outdoor activities ranging from walking, hiking, water sports and more. Minto... 12/05/2008

Fellow Members of SAR, I would like to encourage you to donate your taxes to the REALTOR Political Action Commitee (RPAC) and receive a dollar for dollar donation up to $50 ($100 for married filing jointly) contributed. Times are tough but ask yourself: Would a real estate transfer tax impact your clients? Would increased business or cell phone tax have negitative impact on your industry? Would a limit of mortgage interest deduction make your job harder? You are going to spend the noney one way or the other.   Make your contribution TODAY! 12/03/2008

Imagine a lovely front entry door -- it's so important to creating a great first impression! But, what if the window is covered with a piece of poorly hemmed fabric - taped to the inside of the door . . . This is what I saw yesterday at my staging consultation.  Not the first impression I want any home for sale to make!  The Challenge: The owners have no money for improvements door is a metal door the room really needs the light this window offers the owners need the privacy of having the window covered What's your recommendation? Frost those windows!!  -- and you don't even have to buy the adhesive film -- frost them with Epsom salts!  I personally have used this technique in my home and it turns out wonderful.  Removes easily with soap and water.  Supplies Needed: 1 cup Epsom salts (a... 12/03/2008

Dear Local Real Estate Agents   You’re faced with the challenge of informing your readers about how the rapidly changing real estate and credit markets are affecting them locally. I’m here to help.   I’ve worked in the mortgage industry for 15+ years, and I’ve funded many loans in my career – and I’ve seen this market hit many highs and survive some tough lows. Let me be your resource as you cover this rapidly changing market.   In February, the President signed into law the Economic Stimulus Package in an effort to revive our battered economy. I wanted to be sure you knew that the legislation is about more than just rebate checks; it can also have a positive impact on current and future homeowners.   Many readers may not be aware of how this bill could create opportunities to save mone... 12/01/2008

I have had more than one buyer fence sitting. Why? I have asked myself that a lot. I think it is fear. Fear of paying too much. Fear of prices dropping more. The problem is nothing happens. They are not motivated to get off the fence. It is like bungee jumping. Looking over the edge fear keeps people from jumping. Next time your out why not try writing offers on three properties your buyers like. An agent in our office is doing this with great success and gave me the idea. Be careful and put a contingency stating your actions. Tell the sellers  that your buyer chooses which offer to accept. (Check with your principal broker for language to use) This does three things. It tells sellers that they are not the only game in town. It gives the buyer freedom from fear because they get to see w... 11/25/2008

When I was in college I struggled to get good grades. It was not till late in my junior year I learned a very important lesson. Meeting my professors. So easy but rarely done. Once I met my professors they put a name to a person. They say me attend class, ask questions and my grades improved. I was not studying harder but they knew who I was. The same is true for your local Association of REALTORS. It may take a couple hours a month to go to a meeting, but you will benefit. First, other agents will know you and when a couple offers come in at once hopefully you have an in. They also will push for your listings and pull for your buyers. It is so simple. The best part about involvement is what you get back. 11/24/2008

Earlier this year I had the idea to get rid of the old honda and get a newer car. I looked at a lot of different vehicles. I found one that I never saw myself in. A Scion Xb. Yes the boxy one. Yes the hipster cool retro throwback to those taxi cabs that zoom around London streets. I figured what better car than a Taxi for real estate. Besides lots of leg and head room the gas mileage is great. Also it is a clean and open canvas for obnoxious and shameless self promotion. So now that it is done I am hoping to raise others awarness of the RE/MAX brand but also my webstie. I think the best thing about this vehicle is that is proclaim Trevor is not a "secret agent" and I want my clients to know that I am commited to them and there well being.   11/21/2008

Did you know the word blog was recently the most looked-up word in Merriam Webster's online dictionary? Clearly, people are interested in blogs – but why? The word blog is short for Weblog, and refers to a website that contains an online journal with views, reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer. A blogger is the one doing the writing, and blogging is the act of writing itself. Blogs are utilized for anything and everything: breaking news and commentary, business, personal journaling, educational resources, and political observations. Quickly becoming a mainstream method of communicating, blogging is a dynamic, flexible tool that requires minimal technology know-how and little-to-no cost to maintain. In fact, many in the business world are now using blogs as... 11/20/2008

Habitat For Humanity -  Hope Builder Breakfast I had the opportunity last week to attend the Hope Builder Breakfast sponsored by The Mid Willamette Valley Habitat for Humanity.  I was invited by fellow broker, Michelle Hendricks whom graciously offered to fill a table for ten.  Our office decided to attend as part of our regular office meeting.    According to the written information on our table: full time employment at Oregon's minimum wage translates to $318.00 per week before taxes In Oregon, the fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $682.00 per month.  In order to afford this, a minimum wage earner would have to work 74 hours week, 52 weeks per year.   Held at The Salem Oregon Convention Center, the room was filled to near capacity.  This event was very well organized wit... 11/10/2008

This editorial was in the Stateman Journal on Sunday and I felt it filled with so many wonderful economic aspects about Salem, that I wanted to share it.  It seems that negative and sensational news is what we remember, while there are so many positive aspects of our local economy we can focus upon!  The future does hold promise for Salem! Economic news is not all bad in Salem - Bill Church - November 9, 2008 Eons from now, when media archeologists pick through the rubble of 2008, they'll find remains that will make them pause.  There, on the front pages of the Statesman Journal, they'll discover headlines that 2008 wasn't a complete economic wasteland. Amid the scorched landscape of plundered pensions, job losses, slumping sales and credit-default swaps were signs of new life - at leas... 11/10/2008

October 25th was National Make A Difference Day, and we participated in improving a day center for a local homeless shelter.  About 30 volunteers joined us in West Salem at the Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network for fun while painting, cleaning, doing yard work and repairing flooring and dryrot.  The local newspaper stopped by and Joe's picture (my husband and licensed contractor) was in the newspaper article which covered the event.  He prefers to be a behind the scenes kind of guy, but was key in replacing some dry rotted flooring and installing new vinyl for a bathroom.  http://www.statesmanjournal.com:80/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008810260350 While it isn't the typical staging or repair job, huge strides were made and we were thrilled at the results!  The kitchen, living room, di... 11/02/2008

Thinking of doing some home improvements and don't know where to start?  Free Clinics are available at your local Home Depot!  As the weather begins to turn cooler, get a head start on preparing your home for more energy efficiency, decorating and more!  In Salem and Keizer the following clinics are scheduled: Energy Efficiency in Your Home - installing dimmer switches, caulking and sealing windows Tiling Floors and Walls Decorative Paint Techniques Visit www.homedepotclinics for more information or to sign up!  Whether you are preparing your home for sale, sprucing up your interior for the holidays or just looking for new ideas -- these clinics sound like a great resource of information to get you started!     Creative Concepts and Contracting are The Prepare to Sell Experts - providin... 11/02/2008

So the essay contest for the home in Yachats, OR was too much for you?  You didn't want to Win this home because you had to write a 250 word essay? Have no fear...there is now a home that you can win here in Salem, OR that just requires you to complete a sentence.  Yep...just one. There is another contest to get rid of "sell" a home here in Oregon using the contest method of marketing.  Win a House Now is having a contest for their home located at 1155 Morningstar Pl NW.  All you have to do is finish one sentence.  You gotta like it.  If an idea doesn't work, revamp it and try again.  You even get to choose which one from several options... Some samples are: My world could do without... (okay...no naming names here...be nice) I have never...(wait a minute...wasn't that a college drinkin... 10/30/2008

Fort Stevens State Park (Fees) Fort Stevens State Park (503-861-1671) features camping and day use areas located near several mile of ocean beach and a variety of historical and recreational attractions. Park Attractions WE DO NEED HOMEBUYERS CALL ME @970-736-2573 The camping area at Ft. Stevens provides 9 yurt sites, 253 tent campsites, 128 water/electrical sites and 215 full-hook up sites. Five campsites and one yurt site are accessible to those with disabilities and are located near the accessible restroom. The park also features 5 group sites and 7 hiker/biker campsites. Yurts (circular domed tents with plywood floors) are available for nightly rentals. Furnished with a space heater, lights and beds, they are reservable up to 11 months in advance, as are the campsites, by calling 1-... 10/24/2008

Staging has many aspects, and each job seems to highlight a special need or aspect that we pay close attention to.  Sometimes it's special architectural details a lack of lighting that needs to be addressed, or paint colors that need to be changed.  Many times, it comes down to some very simple strategies.  We recently had a HUGE staging job and it really highlighted some basic staging techniques!  These include:  Order -- brings about a peaceful and sereneness to a setting Neatness - helps buyers desire the property Symmetry - gives a sense of order and being in control Organization - if I live here I'll be organized too! Space - a visual space for the eye to rest Repetition -  is calming and relaxing We've been working day and night this fall on this project and while it seemed overwh... 10/21/2008

A1 Realty.Com is the place to come for painted ladies and ski in and ski out homes, vacant land, perhaps it is a simple Oregon Coast Home? The Beach, The Bay, The river/ 10/21/2008

As winter approaches, there are a lot of things you can do around the house that will save you money and energy.  Knowing where to start and how to do what is needed can be daunting!  Learning how to do these projects is now as easy as heading to your local Home Depot.  Home Depot is sponsoring do it yourself workshops teaching basics such as installing dimmer switches and properly caulking your windows, sealing gaps in your walls and weatherizing your doors.  These small improvements to your home can help you save up to 20% on heating costs and up to 10% on your total energy costs. The Home Depot in Salem and Keizer have these classes scheduled on Sundays from 1pm to 2pm.  Call 503-381-9688 to sign up. To locate a workshop in your area, or to sign up on line visit  www.homedepotclinics... 10/17/2008

Time for stats reports...forget going for a massage, manicure, or game of pick up ball at the gym. Real estate market stats are totally exciting! You need to pay attention because there is a test at the end...Here is where our local markets currently stand. Here is what is occurring in the city of Salem in real estate...Average Sales price:Well...you may remember me saying in my last quarterly report, that the plateau we were seeing was a possible indicator of stabilization in our market.   Clearly that was presumptuous. I really should have stuck with my original thoughts which was that high inventory was going to finally catch up with us.There is a normal real estate dip in September due to August being a huge vacation month. From September of last year there has been an 8.5% drop in ... 10/10/2008

  For nearly ten years Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network has been making a difference in Salem, Oregon by providing emergency shelter for families.  They also help families solve life issues so they can become self sufficient and provide a stable environment for their children.  The Day Center is used by families as their "home base", where they can do things we take for granted such as shower, do laundry, search for work or meet with the case manager.  This "home" is in need of repairs, updating and cleaning.   Please join us for a special day that will Make A Difference for the families that the Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network serves!  How you can help - - - ?? •-         Volunteer to help on October 25th •-         Sponsor a room or project •-         Volunteer to purchase ne... 10/05/2008

School is back in session so it's time for parents to relax.  What could be more relaxing than reading real estate market condition reports.  I mean forget massages, manicures, spa treatments...market condition reports are where it is at...    For residential homes sales in Salem, Oregon...  The 180 day trend: Average sold price: $223,076Average original list price: $228,752% of listing price to sale price: 97.5% % of listings to expire/terminate: 19.2%Average DOM: 122 Listed vs. sold: 41.2% The 90 day trend: Average sold price: $227,232 Average original list price: $233,125 % of listing price to sale price: 97.5% Average DOM: 125Listed vs. sold: 40.3% The 30 day trend: Average sold price: $230,274 Average original list price: $237,660% of listing price to sale price: 96.9% Average DOM:... 09/16/2008