february's all things real estate newspaper 2012
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February 2012 www.AllThingsRealEstatePdx.com 503.317.5834
“Portland Metro’s ONLY Local Real Estate Newspaper”
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What do you look for while buying a
house? Price of course, Neighborhood?
Move in ready? Yard? If it‘s an older
home, is the Restoration quality important?
How about the furnace and mechanicals of
the house? Oh, a little extra space perhaps?
Well, if you are in the market to buy a
home right now, you might be experiencing
that it‘s a little difficult. You‘re not alone in
feeling that way. Inventory is
down and maybe what you want in
your new home hasn‘t come up yet.
If you are looking in North Port-
land, or perhaps want to be in a
neighborhood‖y‖ area and said yes
to any of those questions above,
you‘re in luck! This beautifully
Restored 1908 Queen Anne Style
home just came on the market.
With a newer kitchen, refinished
floors, natural wood work, formal dining
room, a WRAP AROUND PORCH!
8018 N Oswego just might be the home
you‘ve been waiting for. Don‘t take my
word for it, go see for yourself! I asked a
few of our North Portlanders to tell me
whatever they wanted about their
neighborhood and here‘s what they had to
say; ―North Portland is not trying to hard,
it just is what it is. Its not pretentious or
"hip", its filled with down to earth commu-
nity minded people that all work well
together. There are lots of opportunities to
live a more simple life there walking and
patronizing locally owned businesses has
become very easy. There is amazing hiking
at Forrest Park across the bridge. and I
could go ON AND ON! ♥ St. Johns.‖ -
Tamara Young @ Consign Coture.
See More on Page 3
“Bungalow’s & Backyards” Issue
Look for All Things
Real Estate at the
RMLS Trade Show!
Feb Page 2
Ad’s run all
Month long & are
in FULL Color.
Over 150
locations are to
Real Estate, Banks,
Mortgage & Title
Companies.
We distribute up to
10,000 copies to
over 350 locations.
Realtors get the
paper delivered
directly to their
office mailbox
every month.
Tracey Hicks 503.317.5834
Why place your ad in All Things Real Estate?
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It's a tool used by house flippers all across
the nation. Stagers know its power. Real
estate agents push its importance. What is
this not-so-well-kept secret of real estate?
A kitchen can sell a house.
A kitchen is the heart of a home. This is
true all across the globe. The old saying
that the "stomach is the way to the heart"
carries a lot of truth. Kitchens are where
we spend much of our time and most of
that is with our families. It's the room
where we nourish our bodies and our
spirits.
Kitchens are integral to entertaining and
in today's age of open floor plans, they're
a focal piece of many family rooms. It's
because of this that kitchens play such an
important role in the buying and selling
process.
This one room is the showpiece of the
house. You'll see it every day and your
guests will see it during most visits. This
means buyers want homes with up-to-
date kitchens.
Kitchens, however, can be one of the
most expensive rooms to renovate. These
projects can also be the most labor and
time intensive of all home renovations.
It's not just a new layer of paint.
Instead you find a complicated array of
flooring, tiling, cabinets, and counters.
This means buyers may want a home with
an up-to-date kitchen but they aren't
willing to tackle this problem themselves.
Most buyers want a kitchen that is ready
to use the day they move in.
What do buyers look for in up-to-date
kitchens? A lot of this depends on what
price range your home is in.
The main thing to remember as a seller is
to not price yourself out of your market. If
homes in your neighborhood are selling
for $100,000 with tidy, but not luxury
kitchens, then this is no time to upgrade
to granite, travertine, and marble at the
price tag of $40,000+. You simply won't
find a buyer.
Scope out the competition. Use open
houses in your area or MLS listings to find
out what your competitions' kitchens look
like.
Do area homes have new solid wood
cabinets and granite counters in today's
designer colors? You'll be wise to consider
making the same move. Are they includ-
ing new stainless steel appliances and add
-ons like dishwashers, wine-coolers, and
trash compactors?
Are you in a higher-end neighborhood?
It's time to think high-end. Your older
home may have a highly functional
kitchen, but a buyer will take one look at
your formica counters and white appli-
ances and become lost in the stress of how
much money and time it would take to
remodel. If you don't want to put in the
time yourself to make upgrades then
you'll have to make concessions in the
price.
Don't become overwhelmed, though.
Sometimes a kitchen update can mean
doing just a few minor changes. Change
the paint color to a warm, neutral tone.
Get rid of any clutter. Update your
appliances, paint your cabinets, change
the pulls, or get a high-end looking coun-
ter for a fraction of the cost (faux-granite
or lower end granite). You might even
save a bundle by doing much of the work
yourself.
The bottom line is a kitchen can sell a
home. Do a little research and find out
what your kitchen needs to make it
competitive with area listings.
Carla Hill
www.linkedin.com/realtytimes
Kitchens Sell a House
CoreLogic‘s chief economist Mark Fleming
says housing statistics and the duration of
the downturn to date indicate 2012 may be
the year the housing market begins to turn
the corner.
In the first release of CoreLogic‘s new
MarketPulse newsletter Wednesday,
Fleming explained his rationale for such an
assessment.
He notes that housing is an industry with
long business cycles. Regional housing
recessions have typically taken anywhere
from three to five years to find their
bottom, and Fleming says the national
housing recession has behaved similarly in
that it has bounced along a bottom for the
past two years.
Fleming points out that housing affordabil-
ity is rising dramatically due to a combina-
tion of home price deflation and
rock-bottom mortgage rates. In fact, he
says, after adjusting for inflation, this has
been a ―lost decade‖ for housing as prices
are the same as at the beginning of the
millennium.
―The time is right in 2012 for prices to
begin growing again,‖ Fleming said, ―and
housing affordability will put a floor under
any further significant declines.‖
Fleming says he will be watching the
spring and summer buying season closely
for positive signs of demand.
He points out that households are paying
off their debts and at the same time access-
ing credit more easily, with some even
adding Home Equity Lines of Credit in the
third quarter of last year – the first such
movement for these second-lien mortgage
products since the financial crisis began.
Fleming cites a quarterly survey by the
New York Federal Reserve Bank, which
shows total household debt continues to
decline. At the same time, consumer
sentiment rebounded strongly in the latter
part of 2011, posting a six-month high in
December – an indication that consumers‘
confidence in the strength of the economy
is growing, according to Fleming.
Most housing statistics basically moved
sideways in the latter part of 2011, but
Fleming finds several positives in the
numbers. Although market indicators are
coming off of very low levels, he notes that
both existing-home sales and single-family
housing starts have begun to increase,
homebuilder confidence is improving, and
affordability is at an all-time high.
Putting all of these statistics together
suggests that while there is a very long
way to go, the housing market is likely to
sustain these upward movements in 2012,
according to Fleming.
―While we cannot say with a high degree
of certainty what 2012 has in store for us,
indications based on the latter part of 2011
are that both the broad economy and the
housing market are moving toward posi-
tive growth in 2012,‖ Fleming said.
He concedes that some impediments do
exist, including slower global economic
growth, a recession in Europe, and fiscal
and political uncertainty in the United
States.
But Fleming says when you look at the big
picture, ―we are bullish on the prospect of
improving economic performance in 2012
from 2011.‖
www.linkedin.com By Carrie Bay
Housing May Turn the Corner in 2012: CoreLogic
North East Homes
ML# Address Bdr Bth SF Price
The houses shown in these lists are randomly selected and new on the market within the last 30 days. For more information on these homes,
visit www.rmls.com
Feb Page 3
If you live, work, or play in Portland, especially in
the Hawthorne, Irvington, or Nob Hill neighbor-
hoods, you‘ve probably come across a bungalow
home. ―What a charming house that is!‖ is
something you may have even said to a friend while
passing the house. While the official definition of a
bungalow varies, they are typically 1 – 1 ½ stories
with large front porches, low-pitched roofs, open
floor plans, and were generally built in the early to
mid-twentieth century. Though small homes,
bungalows resonate with so many people because of
their simplicity and functionality. We‘re all doing
more with less these days, and bungalows truly
epitomize this concept.
The concept of simplicity should be carried through
in the décor of bungalows as well. Bungalows
boast craftsman features such as arches or columns
between the living and dining rooms and built in
cabinets. These elements of charm should not be
hidden with dramatic décor. Let the beauty in the
details of the home shine through!
Interior colors
Use natural earth tones in your selection of interior
colors. If you are not planning on painting, then be
sure to take into account the current palette when
choosing rug, furniture, and textile colors. If the
walls are a rich, dark color and the floors stained in
a deep shade, then select brighter earth tones to
balance the space and bring in a light and airy feel. Textiles and furniture
For textile selection, gather fabric samples in colors
that speak to you and start by choosing a main
fabric color. Warm color tones such as orange, red
and amber are excellent to accent rich earth tones.
From there, play around with different accent
colors and subtle patterns to achieve a warm and
inviting look. When selecting furniture, you don‘t
need to break the bank! Select pieces that speak to
you in styles such as contemporary or transitional.
Furniture from stores such as Pottery Barn works
well in this type of home.
Finally, remember to have fun with the process.
We live in a city full of culture, art and natural
beauty. Take a walk in your neighborhood, go to
the park, or check out an art gallery – inspiration is
all around us! Use those elements to inspire your
creativity, find your style, and help make your new
house a home.
Written by: Alyshia Allaire, Certified Home Stager, Imagine Home Staging & Finishes
503 643 0282
www.connectingpeopletospaces.com
Portland Bungalow Style
Bungalow in North Portland, staged by Imagine
Home Staging & Finishes
12166967 8715 NE ALBERTA ST 2 1 720 $65,500
12221467 226 NE 183RD PL 3 1 912 $82,900
12118451 8706 NE SUMNER ST 3 1.5 2072 $100,000
12508614 5331 NE HOLMAN ST 2 1 1148 $115,000
12621390 6404 NE ALBERTA ST 4 2 1679 $124,900
12697861 409 NE 94TH AVE 2 1 672 $133,900
12623946 1152 NE 64TH AVE 3 2 1306 $134,900
11417526 4564 NE 83RD AVE 3 1 936 $139,900
12348558 2320 NE 159TH AVE 3 2 1302 $147,900
12271004 4815 NE 77TH AVE 3 1 1848 $148,900
12068989 1703 NE 101ST AVE 3 1.1 1550 $149,900
12570324 4545 NE 78TH PL 3 1 2372 $149,900
12110791 4014 NE 134TH AVE 3 1.1 1370 $149,999
12484263 17909 NE EVERETT CT 3 2 1480 $150,800
12071849 1531 NE LIBERTY ST 2 1 600 $154,900
12076772 954 NE 114TH AVE 4 2 2540 $155,000
12096887 3533 NE 102ND AVE 3 1 2105 $155,000
12627774 6117 NE SUMNER ST 3 1 1456 $159,900
12376691 1323 NE 63RD AVE 2 1 704 $162,000
12149500 11404 NE SISKIYOU ST 3 2 1161 $164,900
12229125 4640 NE 112TH AVE 2 1 1924 $166,400
12238230 2352 NE 150TH AVE 2 2 1124 $169,900
12381906 3915 NE 115TH AVE 3 1 1508 $169,990
12158156 1202 NE 188TH PL 3 2.1 1972 $175,000
12365273 4348 NE 78TH AVE 3 1 2124 $179,000
12652545 14021 NE RUSSELL ST 3 2 1440 $179,900
12099461 741 NE 93RD AVE 4 3.1 1794 $184,900
12615074 1238 NE 70TH AVE 2 1 1648 $189,000
12294244 4505 NE JARRETT ST 2 1 1260 $189,900
12550262 3316 NE 83RD AVE 3 1 1280 $189,900
12176697 6125 NE 37TH AVE 2 2 1740 $193,500
12438043 13207 NE FAILING ST 4 2 2112 $195,900
12629328 15931 NE HANCOCK ST 3 2.1 1391 $197,600
12475544 2540 NE 92ND AVE 4 3 2136 $199,000
12290796 5145 NE JARRETT ST 3 2 1569 $199,950
12462730 4552 NE 81ST AVE 2 1 2044 $209,950
12225411 1019 NE 75TH AVE 2 2.1 1212 $219,000
12480303 11448 NE FARGO ST 3 1 1120 $219,900
12240095 3742 NE ROSELAWN ST 3 2 1440 $224,900
12042609 6102 NE AINSWORTH ST 3 2.1 2444 $225,000
12336661 940 NE 172ND AVE 3 2 1600 $225,000
11278294 554 NE 167TH PL 3 3 2410 $229,900
12499291 5833 NE 72ND AVE 4 2 1700 $230,000
12607744 3660 NE 133RD AVE 4 2 2150 $235,000
12627467 6328 NE 37TH AVE 2 1 1064 $244,500
12299786 7011 NE MORRIS ST 3 1 922 $249,000
12565796 3206 NE DEKUM ST 3 1 2336 $250,000
11022087 14411 NE BROADWAY 3 3 2292 $255,000
12035379 2004 NE 75TH AVE 3 1 1916 $259,900
12452413 4430 NE 77th AVE 3 2.1 1875 $269,950
12493851 5026 NE 35TH AVE 3 1 1846 $269,950
12698764 4428 NE 77th AVE 3 2.1 1875 $269,950
12507563 14342 NE SISKIYOU CT 3 3 2570 $272,900
12185396 6845 NE GARFIELD AVE 3 2 2020 $274,950
12186901 4428 NE 65TH AVE 2 1 2022 $275,000
12561598 4027 NE 67TH AVE 3 2 1731 $285,000
12273326 5125 NE DAVIS ST 4 2.1 2922 $300,000
12554924 4622 NE SHAVER ST 2 2 2078 $314,900
11308010 4332 NE 76TH AVE 3 1.1 2183 $319,900
12179429 2737 NE 33rd AVE 3 2 2268 $325,000
12683375 12612 NE ROSE PKWY 5 3 3622 $359,960
11661341 16204 NE FARGO CT 3 2.1 2612 $364,900
11283934 4225 NE 21ST AVE 3 2 2270 $375,000
12421169 6311 NE 35TH AVE 4 2.1 1983 $379,000
12474178 3442 NE 38TH AVE 4 3 2809 $379,000
12497050 3435 NE 128TH AVE 4 3 4250 $379,960
12626904 2707 NE MASON ST 4 2 3007 $399,000
12159991 3031 NE 157TH AVE 4 3.1 3199 $399,890
12597958 7005 NE 29TH AVE 4 3 3216 $424,900
12104909 3015 NE WEIDLER ST 3 2 2279 $429,900
12255454 9272 NE LEVEE RD 3 2.1 2205 $499,900
12560522 2917 NE 8TH AVE 4 2 2690 $524,900
12526300 3434 NE ALAMEDA ST 3 2.1 2774 $549,000
12414532 3413 NE 33RD AVE 3 2.1 3177 $549,900
12117400 4904 NE 26th AVE 4 3.1 2817 $559,900
12596573 1105 NE Going ST 4 2.1 2808 $559,900
12162940 535 NE COOK 5 4.1 3780 $585,900
12058273 4928 NE 26th AVE 4 2.1 3055 $599,900
12225806 4916 NE 26th AVE 4 2.1 2976 $599,900
12390554 2434 NE 15TH AVE 6 4 3800 $649,000
12123394 2954 NE FLANDERS ST 4 3.1 4000 $699,900
12553141 2547 NE 32ND AVE 4 3.1 3090 $749,900
12380150 2144 NE 22ND AVE 4 2.1 4174 $759,000
11283242 2405 NE 45TH AVE 5 3.1 3853 $759,900
8018 N Oswego continued from the front page.
―Shhh.. its our secret...best parks...best
people… concerned and committed
communities.‖ - Our friends @ Copy Pilot.
We really could go on and on, but let‘s get
down to the nitty gritty, here‘s the house
info:
$325,000
1710 SF + 1055 SF Basement
3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths
Bonus Room on main
Metal Roof
Taxes $2815
Art Studio in Out Building
Story written by Tracey Hicks and the Beautiful
photos were taken by Mark McHugh,
503.313.1802.
Please call Celia for a
private showing.
Oh , and “Don’t let the
Bunny out!”
ML# Address Bdr Bth SF Price
Feb Page 4
NW & SW Condos How to love your garden back to life This time of year, we see a lot of challenged outdoor
landscapes in need of some extra TLC. Luckily,
February is a great month to show your love for
your garden! Here are a few things that you can do
between the important work of winter planning and
getting into your fair-weather routine.
First and foremost, if there is exposed soil in your
yard or garden, lay down a mulch as soon as
possible. This will help prevent soil structure
damage that occurs in the remaining hard winter
rains. Just about any mulch will do, but ―arborist
chips‖ are an especially great bet for protecting soil
without spending a lot of money. Here‘s how to
work it: if you see an arborist working in your
neighborhood, ask if they can leave their chips in
your yard before they leave the ‗hood. Spread those
4-8 inches deep over top of your bare soil, and take a
breath: that mulch blanket is like a bear hug for
your garden that will last the rest of the winter.
If you were thinking ahead and lovingly used a
sheet mulch in the fall to protect soil or expand
garden areas, your garden is already ahead of the
curve. But you‘ll want to keep an eye out for pests
around this time of year: they may be thoroughly
enjoying the living conditions created by fall mulch,
and starting to get active very soon. Spend some
time in your garden space, looking closely, at
various times of day. If you see critter activity, don‘t
automatically assume that it‘s a major problem.
You‘ve got time, so work on recognizing the specific
issue and identifying non-toxic control strategies
before you decide how to proceed.
For areas that were planted with a cover crop in the
fall, late winter and early spring is when those
plants are doing their best work: minimizing
compaction and erosion of the soil while continuing
to prevent nutrient leaching. But watch your cover
crops closely. If they begin to go to seed, you‘ll need
to remove them and put them in your great green
roll-cart for ―away‖ composting. Seeds that get left
in the garden or the home (not-hot) compost pile
will come back and can cause weed problems; there
are some cover crops that are especially prone to
escaping in this way, such as annual ryegrass.
The rainy season may not be the most fun time to be
outside in your yard and garden, but it is the time to
get to know your landscape and learn to love it
better. Enjoy!
Karen Wolfgang
Independence Gardens
These tips will help you get started with
saving, no matter your income.
Saving doesn't come easily for us young adults. Entry-level
salaries don't give you a lot to work with. And, well, we
also tend to spend what we make -- and then some -- on
the latest gadgets and flashiest fashions.
But don‘t worry. We‘re not doomed to frivolity and the
wreckage it can make of our finances. Here's how you can
start saving smart throughout 2012:
Periodically calculate how much you spend. What
better time to review your budget than at the start of a
New Year? ―It‘s really hard to [track your spending] each
month, so aim for just once or twice a year,‖ says Jill
Boynton, a certified financial planner in Newington, New
Hampshire.
Just be sure when you do it that you track everything.
Boynton recommends filling out a spreadsheet with a
month‘s worth of spending. Or you can try an online
budgeting tool such as Mint.com. But note: Mint works
best for those who deal mostly in plastic as opposed to
cash. When you make an ATM withdrawal, the site labels
the transaction as ―Cash & ATM.‖ Unless you diligently
manage your cash transactions (you can manually edit
Mint‘s labels), you can easily lose track of where the mon-
ey goes.
The drudgery of tracking spending can pay off when you
find surprising expenses you could easily cut. At the end of
2011, I crunched my own numbers and found that I
shelled out about $200 a month at Starbucks and other
restaurants. I‘m sure I could cut that by at least half. That‘s
like finding a $100 bill every month in my back pocket.
Open a separate account to keep your hands off
some of your cash. Use your checking account for
regular expenses, including rent, utilities, food, clothing
and even entertainment. But think of your savings account
as off limits.
If you set up automatic transfers to your savings account,
you won‘t even notice the money is missing from your
checking account. And by paying yourself first, you avoid
spending everything and having nothing left over to save.
It‘s true that living in a low-interest-rate world makes it
harder for your savings to grow. Find banks offering the
highest rates at Bankrate.com, and look for accounts with
no required minimums and no fees. As of late January,
Ally‘s savings accounts fit the bill, yielding 0.84% with no
required minimums and no fees. Sadly, 0.84% qualifies as
―high yielding‖ these days, but it‘s better than nothing,
and it keeps your money secure. But, as Boynton notes,
―with interest rates so low, you need to be saving even
more.‖
Start off small. Even if your salary is on the low end, you
can always save at least a little bit. In fact, Susan Veligor, a
certified financial planner in Portland, Maine, says the
best way to start saving is with really small amounts that
will eventually add up big time. For example, stash away
just $25 a week, and in six months you‘ll have a cool $650.
In a year, your cash pile will grow into $1,300. Plus, start-
ing out slow and having small successes will reinforce the
habit.
Play money mind games with yourself. Here's one:
When you‘re spending money, don‘t just think about the
price tag; also think about how much money you had to
earn before taxes. The mind trick will force you to realize
that you had to earn, say, $12 to pay for that $10 movie
ticket.
Another savings trick: When you‘re budgeting, round
down your income and round up your expenses. For ex-
ample, if your phone bill is $92.37 per month, budget for
$100. If your monthly income is $1,692.99, round down to
$1,600. This move guarantees you‘ll live below your
means and free up some money to save each month (Read:
Just Say No to Extras to Save Money).
Resist the temptation to splurge. ―It really is easy to
spend nowadays,‖ says Veligor. ―You have to disconnect
yourself from society [to avoid it].‖ One tactic that saves
me a lot of money is finding time on the weekends to plan
out my lunches for the week. Buying my lunch supplies
on the weekend helps me avoid splurging for $10 or more
each day on convenience foods. I also eat healthier this
way.
Set savings goals. Having a worthwhile target in mind,
such as a luxury vacation or (thinking more long-term) a
happy retirement, will help you remember that saving is
not about denying yourself what you want today; saving is
really about working toward future rewards. Plus, with a
specific number attached to your goal, you‘ll be forced to
figure out how much you‘ll need to save each week and
month to reach it by a certain date.
Seeding an emergency fund should take first priority for
your savings. You should have at least three to six months‘
worth of living expenses, and the money should be risk-
free -- that means savings accounts insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corp. -- and instantly accessible.
By John Miley
www.kiplinger.com
6 Strategies to Save More This Year
12596134 7528 SW BARNES RD A 1 1 598 $68,000
11465767 2109 NW IRVING ST #210 0 1 312 $95,000
11135283 4368 SW DICKINSON ST 2 1 921 $97,000
12676312 4686 SW COMUS PL 1-F 2 2 1058 $99,500
12517682 4632 SW COMUS PL 2 2 998 $99,900
12486138 1205 SW CARDINELL DR #704 0 1 368 $112,999
12092874 1205 SW CARDINELL DR #410 0 1 533 $114,999
12423884 1205 SW CARDINELL DR #607 0 1 533 $114,999
12242521 2680 SW 87TH AVE #19 3 1 911 $115,000
12599345 1205 SW CARDINELL DR #507 0 1 533 $119,000
12182825 6566 SW TERRI CT #14 2 2 952 $122,800
12528100 3515 SW BARBUR BLVD 1 1 831 $130,000
12646831 7931 SW 40TH AVE E 2 2 894 $139,900
12485923 6665 W BURNSIDE RD #447 2 2 1126 $159,000
11252858 4816 SW CALDEW ST C 2 2 1360 $165,000
12643181 1829 NW LOVEJOY ST #304 1 1 571 $169,500
12095203 111 SW HARRISON ST 19C 1 1 611 $169,900
12154326 2533 NW MARSHALL ST #100 0 1 468 $169,900
12245041 507 NW 22ND AVE #104 1 1 656 $189,900
12449864 1630 SW MONTGOMERY ST l 1 1 669 $189,900
11507104 2034 NW OVERTON ST D 1 1 638 $199,000
12024765 722 NW 24TH AVE #101 1 1 492 $199,000
12682701 1410 NW KEARNEY ST #722 1 1 836 $199,000
11267043 3601 SW RIVER PKWY #1704 1 1 782 $219,000
12243981 1500 SW PARK AVE 1 1 727 $219,900
12574397 1033 SW GIBBS ST #304 2 2 980 $224,698
12157543 1234 SW 18TH AVE #405 1 1 694 $224,900
12191824 821 SW GREEN AVE #5 1 1 644 $224,900
12021267 1410 NW KEARNEY ST #616 1 1 847 $230,000
12211437 1500 SW 11TH AVE #1105 1 1 505 $235,000
12148720 3570 SW RIVER PKWY #1005 1 1 797 $240,000
12051870 1420 NW Lovejoy ST #433 1 1 710 $244,900
11481096 3642 SW BAIRD ST #5 2 2 1584 $259,900
12462717 3543 SW TROY ST #15 3 1.1 1270 $265,000
11116150 2129 NW NORTHRUP ST #7 2 1 1056 $275,000
12537541 8333 SW 24TH AVE 3 3.1 1800 $275,000
12398115 1320 SW HALL ST #204 2 1.1 981 $279,000
12674405 327 NW PARK AVE 3A 1 1 926 $279,500
12547653 3707 SW 52ND PL #3 2 1.1 1093 $280,000
12140399 1441 SW CLAY ST #203 2 0.2 1029 $284,900
12251102 255 SW HARRISON ST 7H 2 2 959 $289,000
12415831 420 NW 11TH AVE NW #502 1 1 952 $289,000
12644391 949 NW OVERTON #1407 0 1 693 $293,000
12495822 2083 NW JOHNSON ST #26 2 1 1075 $299,900
12484956 3601 SW RIVER PKWY #1500 1 1 1207 $300,000
12336851 7398 SW EASTMOOR TER 2 2 1864 $309,000
12084253 2211 SW PARK PL #804 2 2 959 $310,000
12583757 2060 NW VILLAGE CIR 2 2.1 1686 $325,000
12118761 1009 NW HOYT ST 1 1 876 $329,900
12523070 0841 SW GAINES ST #437 1 1.1 1163 $379,000
12491601 2351 NW WESTOVER RD #301 1 1 1234 $390,000
12251405 937 NW GLISAN ST #1032 1 1 945 $392,000
12003706 1830 NW RIVERSCAPE ST 1 1 828 $399,900
12296251 1504 SW MONTGOMERY ST 3 2 3243 $415,000
12531266 1926 W BURNSIDE ST #501 2 2 1331 $419,900
12203455 1025 NW COUCH ST #1119 1 1.1 1025 $425,000
12109468 937 NW Glisan AVE 934 H 1 1 968 $435,000
12144698 408 NW 12TH AVE #206 2 1 1221 $439,900
12530167 1748 NW RIVERSCAPE ST 101F1 2 2.1 1934 $439,900
12536779 841 SW GAINES ST #1504 1 1.1 1170 $449,000
12406577 9854 NW JUSTUS LN 3 2.1 2428 $450,000
12271478 1746 NW RIVERSCAPE ST 100F1 2 2.1 1934 $459,900
12458627 1930 NW IRVING ST #305 1 6 1522 $475,000
12343268 1708 NW RIVERSCAPE ST 82F 3 3.1 1885 $499,900
12381069 300 NW 8TH AVE #903 2 2 1590 $518,000
12626138 5668 SW RIVERPOINT LN 2 2 1665 $519,000
11091202 3570 SW RIVER PKWY #1413 2 2 1605 $539,000
12647639 819 SW PENNOYER ST J 2 2.1 1796 $549,900
12440947 0841 SW GAINES ST #2102 1 1.1 1375 $565,000
12685402 725 NW 10TH AVE #307 2 2 1375 $584,000
12269858 0841 SW GAINES ST #1500 2 2 1595 $585,000
12314900 1221 SW 10TH AVE #1507 2 2 1355 $585,000
12440786 820 NW 12TH AVE #610 1 2 1330 $589,000
12522567 1680 NW RIVERSCAPE ST 71 F 3 3.1 1885 $589,000
12398676 1738 NW RIVERSCAPE ST 96F 3 3.1 1885 $619,900
12663715 416 NW 13TH AVE #601 1 2 1646 $629,000
12693941 3570 SW RIVER PKWY #2103 2 2 2009 $629,000
12362624 1736 NW RIVERSCAPE ST 95F 3 3.1 1885 $639,900
12387241 1716 NW RIVERSCAPE ST 86 H 2 2.1 2153 $649,900
12026747 1420 NW Lovejoy #715 2 2 2337 $679,000
12418251 1500 SW 11TH AVE #2304 2 2 1248 $685,000
12344945 841 SW GAINES ST #1910 2 2 1671 $711,000
12356834 416 NW 13TH AVE #206 3 2 1930 $725,000
12299162 1001 NW LOVEJOY ST #408 3 2.1 1734 $749,000
12567191 836 SW CURRY ST #902 2 2.1 2032 $869,900
12299639 3328 SW BARBUR BLVD #3 2 2.1 2128 $880,000
12447272 949 NW OVERTON #308 2 2.1 1974 $935,000
12325568 1712 NW RIVERSCAPE ST 84FF 3 5.1 3820 $1,199,900
12590027 1221 SW 10TH AVE #1801 3 3.1 4387 $2,375,000
Q. I have a fold-down staircase to my attic that is uninsulated. With the stairs in the way, it isn’t easy to add insulation. What is the best
way to do it?
With no insulation at the attic stairs or hatch cover, a tremendous amount of heat can escape. It is almost as if there was an open hole in the
ceiling. There are two relatively simple ways to insulate the stairs and opening: 1.) Install a lightweight, pre-formed, insulated foam cover
that fits over the stairway on the attic side, or 2.) Build a framework of plywood or insulated sheathing around the opening that the stairs
will recess into and cover the top with a loose or hinged panel. If a wood frame is used, insulation must also be added around the sides of
the frame and on the cover. If a foam frame is used, additional insulation may be required depending on the thermal (“R”) rat ing. In any
case, the minimum amount of insulation needed in any attic is about R-30 (and higher in very cold climates). This can usually be obtained
by using 4-6 inch thick foam panels or 9-10 inches of fiberglass. Look for a specific rating on the product. The stair hatch edges should also
be weatherstripped. www.enewsletter.housemaster.com
Oregon History Museum: Two children admitted free per one paying adult on the third Sat-urday of each month
Oregon Zoo: $4 admission on the second Tuesday of each month
Portland Children's Museum: Free admission on the first Friday of each month from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
World Forestry Center: $3 admission on the first Wednesday of each month
Oregon Maritime Museum: Free admission for families with children younger than 18 on the third Saturday of every month.
Washington County Museum: Family Day from 10-2 on the second Sat of every month, free admission.
Sometimes Free really is FREE!
Feb Page 5
Cocktail of the Month:
Gertie belongs to Wendy & Sean in the Brooklyn Neighborhood
Wide Angle Lens
The first thing most people
want when photographing
interiors is a wide angle shot
to cover the space. This is not
always a good idea for
showing the characteristics of
a room. However, you will
still need to show the homes flow and special
orientation. Using a wide angle zoom lens will
satisfy most of your interior photography needs.
Most point-and-shoot camera will provide you with
a 35mm camera equivalent focal length. The small
the number on the focal length equals a wider
view. For most interior photography a lens with a
3 mm equivalent focal length of 16 to 35mm would
be ideal to cover most spaces. With the focal length
set to 16mm this will cover about 95 degree or
about a quarter of a circle. The longest focal length
I‘ve used for an interior shot was 50mm, not great
for shooting a room but great for pulling in details.
Let‘s take a look at a couple of examples. This
photo was taken with the lens zoomed in to about
30mm (again, that‘s 35mm camera equivalent). In
this specific case I don‘t think it shows the room at
it‘s best. There is still more of the well staged room
off camera left.
Here‘s the same photo taken from the same
position. The only difference is that the lens was
zoomed out to about a 16mm focal length. I believe
this photo show the space and more architectural
features of the room such at the vaulted ceiling and
beams.
There are issues with shooting with wide angle
lenses and that is distortion. All lenses have some
degree of distortion but, the wider the angle the
more pronounced the distortion becomes. This is
called barrel distortion. Barrel distortion makes the
straight lines appear to be curved and items near
the corner to appear stretched. Wide angle lens
may also introduce vignetting which is darkness
around the edges of the photo. Correcting barrel
distortion and vignetting are corrected in most pho-
to editing software. In Photoshop there is a selec-
tion in the filter menu labeled ―Lens Correction‖.
Use the wide angle lens to capture the room but
don‘t be afraid to zoom to show the room in a little
more detail.
Kent Skewes
503.708.2486 | www.BareFootStudio.biz
Go the Extra Mile in Thanking Customers
When you ship out a product, include a
hand-written thank-you note to your
customers. Call a client to see how they
liked your service earlier that day. They’ll
be shocked you did it. These customers
might spread the word about this amazing
thing you did and potentially bring you
more business.
Keep Your Website Simple
Time is a precious commodity these days.
More than ever before, website visitors are
looking for a solution to their problems in a
quick and timely manner. They don't
have time to dig. So keep your web copy
concise and to the point using short
paragraphs, bulleted lists and bold text to
highlight items of importance.
The Best Time to Ask for Referrals Is...
The best time to ask is immediately after
you've delivered your product or service
and your customer received the value
they were expecting--and then some.
Make a follow-up call, if necessary, to
check on their level of satisfaction--and
ask!
M
A
N
T
A .
C O
M
Feb Page 6
Real Estate Photography Tip: “Public Art” by Jewel Robinson
with M Realty
Give It a Mini-Makeover With WaterSense Bathrooms are by far the largest water users in the home,
accounting for more than half of all the water that families use indoors. If you are planning to remodel your bathroom, did you know plumbing fixtures are available in a wide variety of colors, models, and prices to help
you save water and money?
Advances in plumbing technology and design mean that faucets, showers, and toilets can use significantly less water than standard models while still delivering the rinse, spray, and flush you expect. Just look for the WaterSense label to find products at retailers nationwide.
Dec Page 7
ML# Address Bdr Bth SF Price 10 Facts You Must Know To
Avoid Getting Ripped Off
As difficult as it may be to stay
cool and collected when debt collectors hound you,
knowing what to expect when dealing with these
agencies will help you formulate a plan and lessen
the chance of being taken advantage of.
Ten Rules for Handling Collection Agencies
1. Realize that Credit collection agents are usually
working on commissions. This is a JOB to them and
the more they get you to pay, the larger their
paycheck. They will be persistent, so be prepared.
2. Don't argue with the agent, because you will lose.
This is what they do all day, every day and they
have heard every excuse in the book. They are pre-
pared with an answer to everything. State your case
but don't argue.
3. It usually doesn't help to ask to speak to
someone's boss. In this case, talking to the supervi-
sor normally won't help (in fact it could be worse).
Remember, he ended up with his job because he
was good at what he did and was able to squeeze
every dime out of past consumers who had disputes.
4. Never give information out over the telephone to
a collection agency. This includes your driver's
license number, social security number, debit card
numbers, check numbers, credit card numbers, or
bank account numbers. They should already have
this information.
5. Use a money order or certified funds to make all
payments. Make a copy of it and staple it to the bill.
6. Keep records of everything (including dates of
phone calls and what was said), and make sure that
anything sent through the mail has a return receipt.
7. Make sure you get written confirmation of any
deals or negotiated payoffs. Make sure you have
something that says the collection has been
satisfied.
8. Never take their first offer when negotiating a
lower payment as they will always call back with a
better offer.
9. Use powerful sentences like, "This is all I can
afford to pay," rather than "this is all I am going to
pay." This is a much better negotiation tactic when
you are trying to lower the payoff with the
collection agent.
10. When repairing your credit, it is a good rule to
keep copies of all your credit reports. That way you
can track the process of what has been repaired and
make sure that what you negotiated is coming to
pass.
While it would be impossible to include everything
there is to know about dealing with collection
agents, these 10 tips will almost always result in
more money in your pocket and less in their
Written by
Ella Gurfinkel, Mortgage Expert
Branch Manager at Executive Financial Solutions
Group (a dba of American Pacific Mortgage Corp)
Office: 503-977-0810 NMLS #188161/50085/1850 Equal Housing Lender
www.PortlandLoanExpert.com
Dealing With Collection Agencies
Feb Page 7
NW & SW Homes
2012 Game Schedule
MARCH 2012 FEBRUARY 2012 APRIL 2012
vs. Charlotte 2/1/2012
@ Sacramento 2/2/2012
vs. Denver 2/4/2012
vs. Oklahoma City 2/6/2012
vs. Houston 2/8/2012
@ New Orleans 2/10/2012
@ Dallas 2/11/2012
vs. Washington 2/14/2012
@ Golden State 2/15/2012
vs. Los Angeles 2/16/2012
vs. Atlanta 2/18/2012
@ Los Angeles 2/20/2012
vs. San Antonio 2/21/2012
@ Denver 2/29/2012
vs. Miami 3/1/2012
vs. Minnesota 3/3/2012
vs. New Orleans 3/5/2012
@ Minnesota 3/7/2012
@ Boston 3/9/2012
@ Washington 3/10/2012
@ Indiana 3/13/2012
@ New York 3/14/2012
@ Chicago 3/16/2012
@ Oklahoma City 3/18/2012
vs. Milwaukee 3/20/2012
vs. Memphis 3/22/2012
@ Los Angeles 3/23/2012
vs. Golden State 3/25/2012
vs. Oklahoma 3/27/2012
vs. New Orleans 3/29/2012
@ Los Angeles 3/30/2012
vs. Minnesota 4/1/2012
vs. Utah 4/2/2012
vs. New Jersey 4/4/2012
@ Dallas 4/6/2012
@ Milwaukee 4/7/2012
vs. Houston 4/9/2012
vs. Golden State 4/11/2012
vs. Dallas 4/13/2012
@ Sacramento 4/15/2012
@ Phoenix 4/16/2012
vs. Utah 4/18/2012
@ Memphis 4/21/2012
@ San Antonio 4/23/2012
@ Utah 4/26/2012
Compliments of:
Rick Herz, Fidelity National Title Company. [email protected]
12008875 9715 SW 53RD AVE 3 1.1 1177 $112,000
12148540 6571 SW TAYLORS FERRY RD 3 2 1376 $225,000
12230019 701 SW SPRING LN 3 2 1255 $228,800
12331011 10235 SW 80TH AVE 3 2 1211 $229,000
12198331 15373 NW TWOPONDS DR 3 2.1 1524 $229,500
12133282 4025 SW 99TH AVE 3 2 2660 $239,900
12399863 12304 NW CRESTON RD 3 2 2418 $249,000
12371610 9281 SW BOONES FERRY RD 3 2 1416 $249,850
12401203 7835 SW 11TH AVE 5 2 3375 $250,000
12092517 7822 SW TERWILLIGER BLVD 3 2 2216 $252,000
12646134 5205 SW ALFRED ST 3 2.1 1542 $267,000
12531485 10245 SW 80TH AVE 3 2 1616 $279,900
12037681 5375 SW ELM AVE 3 2 1312 $294,000
12510410 9380 SW MEADOW LN 3 2.1 2157 $299,000
12519556 14445 NW OLD GERMAN-
TOWN RD 3 1.5 1098 $299,000
12642876 16 SW BOUNDARY ST 2 1 1492 $299,000
12259427 11410 SW 47TH AVE 3 1 960 $299,900
12607908 3636 SW TROY ST 2 1 1832 $299,900
12670499 9445 SW TAYLOR ST 3 1 1972 $300,000
12649642 3025 SW UPPER DR 4 2.1 2726 $328,680
12063805 7343 SW 28TH AVE 3 3 1840 $329,500
12558567 11737 SW 35TH AVE 3 2.1 2000 $339,900
12366880 11505 SW 58TH CT 5 2.1 2405 $360,000
12125290 535 SW COLONY DR 3 2.1 2140 $364,900
12445386 1248 SW DICKINSON LN 4 2.1 2290 $365,000
12299015 3165 NW SKYLINE BLVD #3 3 2 2176 $379,900
12407566 4940 SW POMONA ST 5 3.1 3624 $429,000
12546565 11911 SW 34TH AVE 4 3 3469 $429,900
12548185 5510 SW MARTHA TER 5 3 2096 $439,000
12360364 9214 SW SALMON ST 4 2.1 2910 $459,000
12003303 6122 SW 36TH AVE 4 2.5 2863 $460,000
12641039 3215 NW SKYLINE BLVD #6 4 3 2768 $479,000
12129376 4725 SW CANTERBURY LN 3 2 2892 $479,900
12638496 3232 SW SEYMOUR CT 4 3 2896 $485,000
12376583 2341 NW BIRKENDENE ST 3 2.1 2827 $487,500
12385715 7114 SW 8TH AVE 4 3 3516 $489,900
12618620 3235 NW SKYLINE BLVD #10 4 4 2768 $495,000
12331077 1831 SW DOLPH ST 4 2.1 3888 $499,900
11541717 9990 SW MORRISON ST 3 3 3424 $519,000
12612916 5863 SW TERWILLIGER BLVD 3 3 2260 $539,900
12233353 3204 SW UPPER DR 5 3.1 3740 $545,000
12477577 11705 SW LANCASTER RD 3 2.1 3882 $545,000
11342000 9026 SW LANCELOT LN 3 2.1 3152 $579,000
12152189 4342 SW GREENHILLS WAY 4 3.1 2816 $579,000
12175160 11518 SW 27TH AVE 6 4.1 4005 $585,000
12191903 30 NW 99TH AVE 4 3 3223 $589,900
12694153 10049 NW SKYLINE HEIGHTS DR 4 3.1 3765 $609,900
11415894 1626 NW MORGAN LN 3 2.1 2924 $620,000
12606020 1993 SW ABERCROMBIE PL 4 2.1 3363 $624,000
12410733 8505 NW TIMBER RIDGE CT 4 3.1 4358 $635,000
12560379 350 NW Royal BLVD 4 3.1 3506 $645,000
12637207 1334 NW MAYFIELD RD 4 2.1 3161 $645,000
12239663 7704 NW BLUE POINTE LN 4 2.1 3592 $659,900
12164587 4021 SW 45TH AVE 3 2.1 3705 $685,000
12225270 2303 SW VISTA AVE 4 3 3700 $695,000
12033746 1636 SW ELIZABETH ST 4 2.1 2868 $699,000
12375694 8230 NW HAWKINS BLVD 3 3 4159 $699,900
12072638 10818 SW SUMMERVILLE 4 3 3815 $749,000
12569156 12230 SW EDGECLIFF RD 4 3 3043 $799,000
12055775 672 NW MELINDA AVE 3 3.1 3808 $799,900
12354945 4027 NW DEVOTO LN 4 3.1 5204 $824,000
12356820 4622 SW GREENHILLS WAY 5 3.1 4600 $849,000
12023887 8025 NW PROMINENCE CT 3 3.1 4219 $895,000
12267970 373 NW 81ST PL 5 4 5282 $995,000
12178612 1817 NW ASPEN AVE 5 2.1 4200 $1,175,000
12449807 2769 SW BUENA VISTA DR 4 3.1 4280 $1,175,000
12479713 14190 NW McNamee RD 4 3.1 5387 $1,195,000
12420362 1917 NW TIVOLI LN 4 3.1 5500 $1,295,000
11101228 11033 SW ESQUILINE CIRCUS 6 6.1 6799 $1,490,000
12395650 3917 NW LEWIS LN 4 4.1 5662 $1,499,000
12180402 1960 SW PALATINE HILL RD 4 3 6296 $1,690,000
12058827 5526 SW HEWETT BLVD 5 6.1 8102 $2,900,000
12116804 11505 SW BREYMAN AVE 6 6.2 8698 $2,998,000
12079048 2422 SW 16TH AVE 4 4.2 6245 $3,195,000
12491200 2000 SW PALATINE HILL RD 5 5 6925 $3,200,000
12082747 465 NW ROYAL BLVD 5 4.1 6303 $3,475,000
12642226 1551 SW UPPER HALL ST 4 6.1 7528 $3,950,000
12325370 2896 SW Patton RD 4 5.3 9168 $5,850,000
Favorite Facebook Finds
“Thank You Friends of the Trees for my new trees!”
Jennifer Lundstrom's
Real Estate News
Did you know that the City of
Portland is waiving permits
fees for ADU's (additional
dwelling units) on properties
through March 2013? That
means a savings of up to
$14,000 on your backyard
studio build!
Feb Page 8
It‘s now 2012,
and before you
know it, the
time has come
when you will
need to put all
things aside
that are FUN
and finish the
job of getting
your taxes
done. A simple suggestion is get an early start to
ensure that you make tax time easier on yourself.
Below are a few tips to help make your tax-filing
process go smoother:
Get Organized– make sure that you have all your
records and documents that are needed when you
begin filing for your tax return. Be sure to have all
cancelled checks, receipts and any other documents
that will be needed to help support income or deduc-
tions that you will want to claim on your tax return.
Watch the mail– all W-2‘s and 1099‘s are needed to
file your 2012 tax returns and should be arriving in
your mailbox soon.
Tax Questions? find answers for instance to a
number of different tax questions about deductions,
credits, or just questions about your general filing and
more. Visit the Interactive Tax Assistant on the IRS
website for help to all your tax questions.
File it for FREE– keep in mind there is an option for
everyone when preparing their tax returns to be able
e-file them for free. A couple things to pay attention
too, if you made $57,000 or less, you will be able to
use tax software for free thanks to a partnership with
manufacturers. For those of you who like to prepare
your own returns you do have access to Free File
Fillable Forms, which are basically the electronic
version of IRS paper forms @ www.irs.gov/freefile.
E-File for Safety- the easiest and safest way to file
your tax return is through the IRS e-file process. Most
tax preparers are required by law to use the IRS e-file
system. The best news about using e-file is that if you
are issued a refund it will be directly deposited into
your account within 14 days, assuming no problems,
and you could even see your refund in as little as 10
days.
Use a Pro if you Prefer- if your tax picture is a little
bit more complex you might want to enlist the help of
a professional tax accountant. Remember to also take
advantage of the many volunteer tax preparers around
the country, even if your tax return is pretty straight-
forward. Be sure that you check with your local IRS
office for locations nearest you.
Need cash fast use Direct Deposit- if you choose
to have your refund direct deposited into your
account there is a good chance you will get your
money faster than by mail.
Owners Guide to everything Taxes- download
the IRS Tax Guide for a starting point for all kinds of
tax returns, from the complex to the simple. You can
download the PDF here.
Check out the IRS Website often- make sure to
visit the www.irs.gov for tips, publications, and
answers to questions plus detailed instructions for all
specialized forms.
Don’t Rush your Tax Returns- the bigger mistakes
commonly happen when we rush to get things done.
Plus a big mistake will only slow down the processing
time on your return. Make sure to double-check all
Social Security numbers as well as any account
numbers that will be used for the direct deposit. If you
do get stuck, whether you‘re filing electronically or a
paper return, remember to seek out the IRS website or
call the IRS Help Line @ 1-800-829-1040.
Posted by John Reinwald
www.firstamtech.com
2012 Tax Planning Tips
Top 5 Winter Gardening Tips
For most people, their garden never stops growing.
Year round, there is always something to be done and the work is
never quite finished. Winter, however, can be an especially tricky time
of year, with frost to worry about as well as rummaging animals and
tremendous storms. That said, it’s good to know a few tricks for the
winter months!
Number 1. When the Ground isn’t Frozen, Water: Remember, the air above the ground
gets cooler quicker than the ground itself, which means you may still have time to water
your plants and trees depending on where you live. If the ground is becoming solid, try
watering with some lukewarm water to loosen it up. Whatever you can do to get water to
those plants in the coming weeks will help. On the plus side, most plants won‘t be using
much water because they are dormant.
Number 2. Plant in-Season: In regards to veggies, depending on where you‘re at, you
have a lot of options. In some areas, tomatoes aren‘t even out of the question. For states on
the West Coast, apples, cantaloupes, honeydew, tangerines, pomegranates, and strawberries
(before the freeze) will be freshest in early to late winter.
Number 3. Plant Maintenance and Storm Protection: With the leaves now falling to
the ground, use the time to your advantages. Prune you shrubs and trees, paying close atten-
tion to waterspouts, crossed, or dead branches. You should also, in conjunction with the first
tip, apply some winter mulch to your plants before the freeze becomes constant. This would
also be a good time to tack up a barrier of wire between your plants and rummaging animals.
In preparation for the storms, tie down the trunks of your multi-stemmed evergreens. This
will keep stability in storms as well as provided protection for the core of your plant. If
you‘re interested, wrap the base of your trees with tree wrap to offer similar protection from
storms and winter sun scald.
Number 4. Use a raised bed: If you had time in the early months of this year (or if you
want to plan ahead for next year), consider using a raised bed. In a raised bed, the soil warms
quicker and will stay warmer because of its limited space. Plus, protection become easier
because of the clearly defined areas around your garden. For the same reasons, the overall
management of the bed becomes simpler.
Number 5. Winter Composting: First, consider an indoor system. If that is too much for
you, I suggest a semi-indoor system (bin in the garage) or outdoor system with proper insula-
tion (strawbales) and heating. The best methods I have heard of tends to be the semi-indoor
system with worms. The best part is, once the thaw occurs, you have nutrient rich soil to mix
into the ground, which is sure to perk up all your plants for the new season.
Most of us heard it in math class
and hated the process, but the
truth is there is some serious
value in showing your work. The
days are gone where we just
drop things off at any dry cleaners or quickly snatch any
goods off the shelves of a local grocery store. Consumers
want to know what goes into the products and services
they pay for and real estate isn‘t exempt from the process.
Here are four ways seller-agents can show their work and
prove their worth in today‘s market.
1) Data Driven E-mails
Features like Trulia‘s Client Listing Report are helpful
beyond just being automatic. They provide powerful data
that helps sellers understand site traffic, search atten-
tion, and how real life buyers interact with your proper-
ties online helping them to feel informed, and tapped into
the home marketing process. Earn the approval of your
sellers and set up these automatic alerts today to start
showing your work.
2) Share the Toolbox
You spend good time and money marketing your proper-
ties. Why not share your tactics with sellers? In your list-
ing presentation, be sure to mention your listing manage-
ment resources, marketing tools like Trulia Pro or Local
Ads, and any other tools that play a part in getting your
clients the exposure they want.
3) Automate Your Alerts
Automation can be your friend when it comes to keeping
sellers in the loop. Setting up weekly client listing reports
to update them on their listing activity, search alerts
to inform your clients of what‘s happening around their
property, and sharing industry updates can be powerful
ways to avoid the awkward question of ―what‘s going on
with my property?‖ or ―is there any news?‖ For every
new tool you use, ask yourself (or the salesman) ―How
does this make it easier to update clients?‖
4) Show Activity
Last but not least on the list of ways to show your work is
to ―look busy‖ or better said, show your activity. The
reality is, most agents have very busy schedules and
whether it be through Trulia‘s iPhone App for Agents or
foursquare, showing business related activity can be a
great way to communicate to current and prospective cli-
ents that you‘re active in your market and work hard for
your dollars.
Selling homes isn‘t easy and isn‘t easily understood. These
are just a few of our tips for bringing your seller clients
into the loop. What are some of yours?
Jovan Hackley | www.truliablog.com/sellers
Get Approval: Four Tips for Showing Sellers Your Work
Energy Conservation vs. Energy
Efficiency To continue…
Energy Conservation is behavioral. It‘s all about
how we do things, or rather how to make the most
out of what you have. These can be the easiest or the
hardest changes to make. They can also make the
greatest difference in every homeowner‘s energy
costs. It‘s great to have a new 95% furnace, but the
cost of replacement eats up a lot of the energy
savings. Simple changes in how you operate your
home can pay huge dividends, but require commit-
ment and discipline. A 10 year old, 80% furnace can
use up to 40% or less fuel from the simple and proper
use of an inexpensive, (say $50) programmable
thermostat. Setting the temperature at 50 degree
Ferenheight., at 9 or so and setting it to come back
up to 65 degree Ferinheight an hour or so before you
get up. Most people sleep better if it‘s cooler anyway.
It‘s so much more comfortable snuggled under the
covers. If you‘re away from the house during the
day, let it go back down during the time you‘re
away. You won‘t save as much during the daytime as
it‘s warmer outside, but it all adds up. Most
programmable thermostats are not actually
programmed. I inspect hundreds of houses a year and
less than a score of them are really set up. A half
hour with the manufacturer‘s instructions (usually
available online for those who have lost them) is a
small commitment to substantial conservation.
Tankless water heaters save a TON, but a new
installed unit can cost $2,000 or more. A timer can
be installed on your water heater (units cost about
$50 for electric $110 for gas) that can reduce your
energy waste, heating water that isn‘t used. This is
actually a bigger commitment than you might think,
particularly in homes with several people. The most
substantial savings would be if you let the hot water
go off at bedtime and back on late afternoon (when
you‘d be away). That would me no hot water in the
morning. The problem this makes is that if you ramp
up hot water a couple times a day, the additional
energy used to heat cool water up cuts into the
savings. If, this is done too many times, it won‘t be
worth it overall. Using a local space heater to heat
one area while allowing most of the house to be
cooler can make a significant difference. Keeping
windows and doors closed and latched (for a better
seal) will help. Becoming more like your father and
keeping lights off in empty rooms, cuts electric use. ―Phantom‖, ―vampire‖ load or base load on electric
use is a killer; it‘s the constant drain of power,
whether you are there or have anything really in use
at all. An extra refrigerator in the garage is cool, but
it‘s the biggest waster of electricity there is in most
homes. A refrigerator or freezer is a compressor
motor that runs constantly. Let 7-11 keep your extra
beer cold. Most of all the solid state electronics you
get now doesn‘t ever actually shut off. It stays in a
―stand by‖ mode so that when you press the on but-
ton on your remote, it comes on fast. Shutting this
stuff completely off can reduce unused energy use.
You can put them on a timer, or even a power strip
that you turn off when you go to bed.
All this stuff matters, it all adds up. In the end, a
combination of Energy efficiency and conservation is
what will really make the difference. You can‘t just
buy better stuff. You can‘t just do without (at least
most of us can‘t). By making a plan to do what you
can, about the things you can change, really can
make a difference.
When it comes to conservation, it‘s hard to change
our ways. However, how can we not? Using less, is
the one thing we can all do, there is really no excuse
and it‘s something we owe ourselves, our children
and everyone else.
Scott Harris
www.propertyexam.com
Tales from the Crawlspace
ML# Address Bdr Bth SF Price
Feb Page 9
North Homes
What’s “App”enin?
Make Your Home This application provides a wealth of information to the
user how to furnish, decorate & sort your future home. The
software can be very useful if you decide to simply furnish
your modern apartment or house.
You can get ideas for your future repair of your home or
you can just simply look
some BEAUTIFUL
pictures of Bathrooms,
Bedrooms, Kitchens,
Kids Rooms, Chairs,
Corridors and Living
Rooms. The program
allows picture sharing
via the social net-
works. You can share
this application with
Facebook, Twitter,
GMail, Yahoo Mail, SMS
Message or other. The
application can be
moved in to the SD
Card.
Houzz Called the "Wikipedia
of interior and exteri-
or design" by CNN,
Houzz has the largest
database of home de-
sign ideas on the net,
with over 200,000
high resolution pho-
tos. Browse photos by
style, room and loca-
tion and save them to
your virtual idea book
— it's the equivalent
of clipping design
magazines to a scrap-
book — making ideas easier to search, save, and share.
Experience Houzz.com as an iPad app and save your pho-
tos locally for offline access. Find everything from local
designers to architects and contractors who can help you
realize your ideas. The best part is, browsing your idea
book, they'll get exactly what you're trying to do.
IRS2Go IRS2Go is an
IRS-developed app
designed to help
taxpayers in several
ways. The app lets
taxpayers check on
the status of their
refund, sign up for
helpful tax tips or
get the most recent
IRS Twitter feeds.
Download IRS2Go,
then connect with
the IRS whenever you want, wherever you are.
Decomash
Once you‘ve got
the perfect colour
painted on the
walls, you can use
this app to advise
you on a comple-
mentary piece of
artwork to match
the room. Simply
take a photo of
the space and
Decomash will
analyze it and
search through
thousands of artwork to find appropriate pieces.
The app is budget conscious, so when it finds art
that has the same matching quality, it will show
you the less expensive option.
12606972 8635 N GLOUCESTER AVE 1 1 1144 $80,750
12671444 3520 N HOUGHTON ST 3 1 960 $100,000
12387296 7702 N COLUMBIA BLVD 3 1 942 $103,900
12669593 936 N MORGAN ST 2 1 850 $114,400
12212105 5432 N FESSENDEN ST 2 1 1168 $121,500
11201800 8633 N HAMLIN AVE 2 1 1344 $125,000
12315849 7915 N HUDSON ST 1 1 1662 $130,000
12456654 9668 N WOOLSEY AVE 3 1.1 1356 $144,990
12592492 9543 N Mohawk ST 3 1 936 $149,000
12401898 8723 N CHASE AVE 3 1 936 $150,000
12302961 7323 N WILLAMETTE BLVD 4 2 1494 $154,900
12166175 9304 N HODGE AVE 2 1 1759 $159,000
12654465 8937 N DWIGHT AVE 3 1.1 1344 $159,900
12001670 7920 N WABASH AVE 3 2.1 1236 $168,500
12433354 4047 N ATTU ST 3 1 905 $169,900
12479152 8511 N HURST AVE 3 2 2976 $169,900
12289123 9016 N TIOGA AVE 4 2 2891 $174,900
12305188 3924 N ATTU ST 3 2 1896 $179,000
12680074 6528 N BURRAGE AVE 2 1 1210 $179,900
12371651 8717 N DANA AVE 2 1 1239 $180,000
12099921 7711 N WOOLSEY AVE 2 1 1212 $185,000
12577457 3704 N WINCHELL ST 3 1 1070 $187,500
12241951 7833 N OMAHA AVE 2 1 731 $189,900
12371052 634 N WINCHELL ST 2 1.1 2126 $189,900
11175944 8610 N ENDICOTT AVE 3 2 1432 $194,000
12431020 7736 N OLYMPIA ST 3 2.1 1433 $194,900
12441513 2038 N SCHOFIELD ST 1 1 872 $199,900
12695062 9526 N LEONARD ST 2 1.1 1416 $199,900
12052190 6530 N WILLIAMS AVE 2 1 1208 $200,000
12591400 8216 N DWIGHT AVE 3 1 1694 $208,900
12231296 N Macrum Lot17 3 2.1 1346 $224,900
12309159 N Macrum Lot18 3 2.1 1346 $224,900
12011601 N Macrum Lot 6 3 2.1 1346 $229,900
12120467 10126 N JAMES ST 3 1 1804 $229,900
12467696 N Macrum Lot 1 3 2.1 1346 $229,900
12491283 8017 N POLK AVE 2 1 1928 $232,000
12096068 7337 N KELLOGG ST 3 1 2208 $239,900
12562150 7034 N IVANHOE ST 3 1.1 2480 $239,900
12209596 8285 N WABASH AVE 3 1 1828 $244,950
12105279 6415 N CAMPBELL AVE 3 1 1512 $245,000
12130841 6651 N WILLAMETTE BLVD 2 1 1484 $247,500
12001311 1712 N SUMNER ST 3 2 1232 $249,500
12287399 8316 N DWIGHT AVE 3 2.1 1460 $249,900
12519189 8630 N OLYMPIA ST 3 2 2880 $249,900
12360981 6206 N OBERLIN ST 3 2 2050 $265,000
12667475 2025 N Saratoga 2 1 1754 $269,000
11379808 8423 N LEONARD ST 4 2.1 3068 $269,900
12375762 8309 N HURST AVE 3 1.1 2942 $274,900
12557356 9558 N ALLEGHENY AVE 5 3 2763 $289,000
12234969 7064 N WELLESLEY AVE 3 2 2102 $299,000
12369142 3963 N MISSOURI AVE 2 2 1796 $299,900
12584963 6911 N ALBINA AVE 4 2 2168 $299,900
12163784 6807 N AMHERST ST 3 1 1980 $304,950
12501551 7067 N DWIGHT AVE 3 1 2301 $314,950
12445977 1536 N SCHOFIELD ST 3 1 2750 $319,900
12386553 3308 N HOUGHTON ST 3 2 2276 $325,000
12091313 6727 N HAIGHT AVE 4 2 2530 $364,950
12307207 832 N RUSSET ST 4 2.1 2067 $369,900
12509221 3764 N MISSOURI AVE 3 2.1 1792 $369,900
12234881 5634 N MISSOURI AVE 5 2 2688 $389,900
12283194 838 N RUSSET ST 4 2.1 2467 $389,900
12493895 3756 N MISSOURI AVE 4 3 2174 $389,900
11636494 1327 NE GOLF COURT RD 3 2.1 2740 $409,900
12068956 2107 N VANCOUVER AVE 4 2.2 5070 $425,000
12254105 5704 N COMMERCIAL AVE 4 2 3193 $429,600
12564368 6434 N MOORE AVE 3 2 2468 $439,900
12397880 6444 N OMAHA AVE 5 3 3036 $465,000
11289946 3827 N MASSACHUSETTS 3 2 2917 $519,000
12388603 3435 N BRYANT ST 6 4.1 5788 $699,900
12066726 6117 N HAIGHT AVE 5 4 4652 $725,000
South East Homes ML# Address Bdr Bth SF Price WALLS-THEY DESERVE MORE THAN WHITE
The old standard of updating your walls is to hit the paint
store for an endless amount of paint chips, torment yourself
over exactly which shade and sheen of red you like best,
then slap on that much debated new paint color and call it
good. Don't get me wrong, I love paint. It's one of my best
friends in the design process. Cheap, relatively quick once
you find the perfect color, and sure to make an impact. I
would just like to propose a few additional options that don't
seem to get as much mileage as the good old paint can.
CREATIVE PAINT TECHNIQUES AND COLORS
Let yourself get crazy with
the Frog Tape. You can
create so many designs and
shapes. You just need a
little patience and the
proper tools. Levels, rulers,
tape measures, templates,
and artist brushes are a
necessity. Another thing to
remember is that you aren't
limited to the beige family
of the paint store. Go bold
and bright. Remember, it's
only paint. You can always
change it if you don't like
it.
WALLPAPER
It's baaaack. And I couldn't be happier. Today's modern
wallpaper is not like you remember from the 80's. Bright
colors, funky patterns, varying textures and much easier to
apply and remove then it's ancestors. Do one wall or the
whole room. You can also incorporate molding to create
panels or a half wall.
IN OREGON, WE LIKE WOOD
Talk about texture and warmth. By adding wood panels or
beams to a space, you have instant coziness. With so many
varieties of wood and stains on the market, it would be
almost impossible to not find one you love. And I'm pretty
sure you can find a local lumber store around for the
supplies.
Lora Coburn
CoCo Designs
Design Junkie
Feb Page 10
Via: realsimple.com Pump up the volume by placing your iPhone / iPod in a bowl – the concave shape amplifies the music.
5 of 25 clever ideas to make life easier
Via: amy-newnostalgia.blogspot.com Why didn’t I think of that?! We guarantee you’ll be uttering those words more than once at these ingenious little tips, tricks and ideas that solve everyday problems … some you never knew you had!
Via: athome-withrealfood.blogspot.com
Stop cut ap-ples browning in your child’s lunch box by
securing with a rubber band.
Via: instructables.com Gotcha! Find tiny lost items like earrings by putting a stocking over the vacuum hose.
Via: savvyhousekeeping.com Re-use a wet-wipes container to
store plastic bags...
Want the rest of these clever ideas?? Go to
www.thedailybuzz.com or you’ll have to wait for next 5
in March’s edition of All Things Real Estate!
Honestly... WTH?
Canadian House and Home
Jonamor Decor
12626172 2720 SE 168TH AVE 2 1 748 $70,500
12452189 6208 SE 72ND AVE 2 2 1518 $75,000
12136877 3305 SE 182ND AVE 3 1 1090 $76,000
12111164 5113 SE 128TH AVE 2 1 793 $79,000
12291490 9820 SE 73RD AVE 3 1 928 $84,900
12103498 1621 SE 158TH AVE 3 1 984 $89,000
12333857 2123 SE 179TH AVE 3 1 1008 $93,500
12357764 2251 SE 139TH AVE 3 2 1335 $94,500
12001031 3610 SE 141ST AVE 4 3 1452 $97,900
12249441 10854 SE SCHILLER 3 1 1157 $107,000
12414773 545 SE 164TH AVE 3 2 1088 $114,900
12360428 8221 SE 69TH AVE 3 1 912 $117,950
12004689 660 SE 151ST AVE 2 1 1544 $119,000
12127972 10306 SE CENTER ST 2 1 765 $119,500
11612152 6242 SE DUKE ST 2 1 1654 $120,000
12414949 2609 SE 151ST AVE 2 1 1180 $120,000
12190493 7010 SE CARLTON ST 4 2 2634 $124,900
12268706 15502 SE BUSH ST 3 1 1098 $124,900
12440058 635 SE 84TH AVE 2 1 2160 $124,900
12031680 10135 SE REX ST 3 1 1020 $125,000
12549235 11633 SE LINCOLN CT 3 1 1304 $127,900
12412190 4414 SE 104TH AVE 3 2.1 1277 $129,000
12479079 7802 SE ELLIS ST 2 1 1841 $134,900
12298520 3624 SE 130TH AVE 3 1 1064 $135,000
12426065 16502 SE STEPHENS ST 3 1 1180 $135,000
12404459 6806 SE 83RD AVE 3 1 1180 $139,900
12641729 4915 SE 113TH AVE 4 2 1320 $140,000
12190211 9516 SE 77TH AVE 3 1.1 1056 $142,500
12210037 814 SE 178TH AVE 3 1.1 1383 $144,900
12269706 9135 SE TAYLOR ST 2 1 1004 $145,000
12152394 420 SE 91ST AVE 2 1 1906 $145,600
12698758 4136 SE 102ND AVE 3 1 1200 $149,900
12532760 4206 SE 76TH AVE 3 2 1954 $150,000
12308989 16685 SE NAEGELI DR 3 2 1288 $153,500
12159942 4346 SE DIVISION ST 3 1.1 2600 $157,500
12450013 4718 SE 115TH AVE 3 2 1172 $159,000
12085152 16044 SE GRANT ST 4 2.1 1589 $159,900
12091425 6446 SE 84TH AVE 4 3 1640 $159,900
12541766 9704 SE REEDWAY ST 3 2.1 1808 $169,000
12332213 6125 SE MITCHELL ST 3 2 1194 $169,900
12377909 2925 SE 145TH AVE 2 1 1098 $172,000
12035577 17429 SE FRANKLIN CT 4 2.1 2220 $174,900
12069957 16600 SE SALMON ST 4 3 1796 $174,900
12350831 5634 SE 22ND AVE 2 1 1005 $174,900
12383313 7716 SE CENTER ST 3 2 2860 $174,900
12432627 40 SE 129TH AVE 2 2 2188 $175,000
12462954 6422 SE 137TH AVE 3 2.1 1824 $179,900
12474702 3303 SE 167TH AVE 4 3.1 2630 $179,900
12525568 12015 SE REEDWAY ST 4 2.1 1559 $180,000
12502498 16100 SE Mill ST 4 2.1 1971 $185,500
12625566 7328 SE INSLEY ST 2 1 1980 $189,000
12529933 3608 SE 130TH AVE 5 3 3512 $189,500
12100046 747 NE 93RD AVE 4 3.1 1850 $189,900
12088844 7908 SE HARNEY ST 3 2.1 1653 $194,900
12164778 7906 SE HARNEY ST 3 2.1 1653 $194,900
12275946 4216 SE 29TH AVE 3 1.1 1040 $197,000
12017525 6718 SE RHONE ST 3 2.1 1338 $197,600
12042949 8023 SE CARLTON ST 2 2 1079 $199,000
12406358 13305 SE ALDER ST 4 2 1476 $199,950
12666863 8514 SE STARK ST 4 1 2657 $200,000
12063151 8 SE 108TH AVE 3 3.1 1589 $205,000
12059317 4025 SE 125th PL 3 3 1639 $206,900
12301436 13610 SE Foster RD 4 2 2226 $219,500
12608304 10901 SE Liebe CT 4 2.1 1770 $229,900
12163947 14255 SE ELLIS ST 4 2.1 2277 $239,900
12585052 7831 SE SHERMAN ST 4 2.2 3130 $239,900
11689366 6120 SE ANKENY ST 3 1.1 1134 $245,000
12492780 10903 SE Liebe CT 5 3 2034 $249,900
12542491 8046 SE 57TH AVE 4 2.1 1735 $255,000
12596126 15834 SE NEHALEM ST 3 2.1 2605 $295,000
12414513 15543 SE KNAPP DR 3 2.1 2293 $299,500
12298749 15 SE 79TH AVE 4 2 2736 $329,900
12501399 2936 SE 18TH AVE 4 3 2620 $339,900
12321988 6513 SE IVON ST 2 3 3430 $348,400
12229831 13915 SE TENINO ST 5 3.1 3820 $369,000
12033353 3532 SE FRANKLIN ST 3 2 2460 $385,000
11338921 710 SE 34TH AVE 4 2 2620 $390,000
12665408 1344 SE SPOKANE ST 3 2.1 2014 $399,000
12136107 229 SE 50TH AVE 4 3 3196 $424,900
12199288 7710 SE 35TH AVE 3 3 2535 $457,500
12514283 2930 SE REX ST 3 2.1 2288 $549,000
12191086 3748 SE CARLTON ST 3 2 2646 $579,900
12499318 1626 SE 35TH AVE 4 2.1 2724 $599,900
12641711 2877 SE Brooklyn ST 4 2.1 2976 $669,900
12593047 826 SE 53RD AVE 4 3 4100 $699,000
12309792 1025 SE 71ST AVE 4 3.1 3131 $765,000
Feb Page 11
Completing your “Honey-Do” list by Valentine’s Day? How Sweet! By Betty Benson, Rubbish
Works of Portland
Appreciation and gratitude
are two key emotions that
resonate in a relationship;
especially during the
―Month of Love.‖ However, finding an origi-
nal way to demonstrate your feelings is not
always easy. Here‘s a unique idea for you…
Are you lucky enough to have one of those
infamous ―honey-do‖ lists filled with
de-cluttering, organizing and home repair
tasks? If so, and if you‘re like most of us,
you‘ve procrastinated to the point where list
is so long your honey may feel you‘ll never
complete it… leaving even the most
understanding partner feeling disappointed,
unappreciated, and frustrated.
We all seem to have these long lists, right?
The truth is, with the right team, many
cleanup-related items could be handled
pretty quickly. Imagine… how satisfying it
would feel to check these items off your list
and waltz your honey into the new found
space to witness their sheer delight?
With Valentine‘s Day right around the
corner what better time to get that garage,
spare bedroom or other living space in order
to surprise your honey? If your Valentine is
like most of us, a clean garage or organized
workspace scores more points that a box of
chocolates or bouquet of flowers… any day of
the week! Rubbish Works can help make
that magic happen.
It‘s easy. Call Rubbish Works at
503-349-1190 or go online today at
www.rubbishworks.com/portland with your
―honey-do‖ list. Once you have sorted the
―trash‖ from the ―treasures‖ we‘ll come in and
whisk away the junk you no longer need or
want, and leave your space looking fresh and
clean!
We‘ll even leave a box of chocolates to
celebrate a job well done, and then let you
take it from there… a sure way to show
your honey how much you truly appreciate
them.
Now that‘s Sweet!
Let’s Talk Rubbish
"If you do just one thing -- make one conscious choice -- that
can change the world, go organic.... No other single choice
you can make to improve the health of your family and the
planet will have greater positive repercussions for our
future."
That's a bold statement. Is eating organic more important
than avoiding meat, stopping coal plants, biking instead of
driving or donating to worthy causes?
Yes, declares Maria Rodale, the CEO of the Rodale Inc.
publishing empire (Mens Health, Prevention, Runners
World) and author of the aptly named Organic Manifesto: How Organic Food Can Heal Our Planet, Feed the World and Keep Us Safe (Rodale Books), from which the quote is
drawn.
"There's so many benefits that come from that one choice,"
Maria explains. "You've removed a bajillion pounds of dan-
gerous, synthetic, disease-causing environment-destroying
chemicals from the soil, the water our bodies. We would all
immediately be healthier. Our children would be healthier."
Farmers and their families and farm workers would be better
off, too, she goes on: "And our kids would be smarter. There
are actually studies that show that a lot of these chemicals do
reduce intelligence."
I arranged a phone interview with Maria after meeting her
last spring during Cooking for Solutions, a great conference
and food fest on sustainable agriculture and fishing
organized by the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I'd read her book
and wanted to delve deeper into the issues surrounding
organics. Tomorrow, I'll offer a dissenting view from Steve
Savage, an agricultural consultant who is dubious about
many of Maria's claims.
Maria, who is 49, is the scion of America's first family of
organics. Her grandfather, J.I. Rodale, started Organic
Farming and Gardening magazine, which is now known as
Organic Gardening, in 1942. He put his ideas into practice on
a 60-acre farm near Emmaus, Pa. She was raised nearby. "I
grew, I weeded, I picked, I cooked," she said. "I was very
aware that we were a little different from everyone else, at
least once I started going to school." The family farm became
a tourist destination. "For many people, it was like a
pilgrimage," she remembers. Those were the days when
organic food could be purchased only in health or natural
food stores.
Today, while the acreage farmed organically remains small --
less than 1 percent of U.S. farmland -- organics are a big
business. U.S. sales of organic food and beverages have
grown from $1 billion in 1990 to $26.7 billion in 2010,
according to the Organic Trade Association. Organic fruits
and vegetables represent more than 10 percent of all sales of
fruits and vegetable, the group says.
Conventional foods are worse for us than we realize, Maria
argues. The government responds to problems after the fact
and is overly influenced by big agricultural firms, which also
shape university research. In her book, she writes:
There is enough evidence to know now that
synthetic chemicals are destroying our health and
our ability to reproduce and, thus, our ability to
survive as a species. Agricultural chemicals have
statistically and significantly been implicated in
causing all sorts of cancers, behavioral problems,
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism,
Parkinson's disease, reduced intelligence,
infertility, miscarriage, diabetes, infant deformities
and low birth weight.
No specific studies are cited in the book, so I asked Maria for
a couple of references. She sent me a link to Beyond
Pesticides, website, where a blog with headlines like Low
Doses of Pesticides Put Honey Bees at Risk. Mount Sinai
Medical Center in New York provides a fact-sheet about
pesticides here which says, among other things, that
Pesticides have been shown to cause a wide range
of adverse effects on human health including acute
and chronic injury to the nervous system, lung
damage, injury to the reproductive organs,
dysfunction of the immune and endocrine systems,
birth defects, and cancer; these effects can manifest
as acutely toxic effects, delayed effects, or chronic
effects.
For its part, the agricultural industry says pesticide residues
on food are harmless and regulated by the government.
The picture is darker when it comes to farm workers. A long
-term government study of more than 80,000 farmers and
their wives from Iowa and North Carolina, called the
Agricultural Health Study, offers some warnings. While the
farmers studied are generally healthier than the general
population, pesticide exposure has been linked to Parkinson's
disease, prostate cancer, lung disease and some brain
disorders. (Details here.) One study found that farmers who
"used pesticides longer and more often said they had more
neurological symptoms than those who had not used pesti-
cides or had used them less frequently and for fewer years."
What's more, anecdotal evidence on the impact of
synthetical chemicals on birth defects is downright scary, as
Barry Estabrook reported in Tomatoland. [See my July
blogpost, Rotten tomatoes.] Tom Philpott of Mother Jones
recently reported on methyl iodide, which is sprayed on
strawberry fields and has been called "reliably carcinogenic"
by the Pesticide Action Network.
That's probably reason enough, for many of us, to choose
organic. But what about the costs? Maria makes a couple of
good points in that regard. First, she says: "If you can, grow a
garden, which is fun and good. It's great exercise, and kids
love it." If not, shop carefully and cook more: "Eat less
processed food. Do more cooking. Every step of processing
food add more cost." In Maria's Farm Country Kitchen, she
offers gardening tips, recipes and political commentary:
Stop wasting American tax dollars supporting,
subsidizing, and encouraging the toxic chemical
and GMO farming that are promoted by unethical
companies who spread lies and poison around the
world in order to line their own pockets. We've
been ripped off and contaminated long enough.
I asked Maria about evidence that organic growers are less
productive that conventional farmers. That's not so, she says,
noting that most big farms in the U.S. produce corn and soy
for non-food use.
"Most people don't eat that corn and soy," she says. "It's made
into high fructose corn syrup. It's made into feed for factory
grown animals. It's made into biofuels that do not feed
people." She's right about that -- more than a third of the US
corn crop goes into the making of ethanol. Something's
wrong, she says, when "a farmer who is growing chemical
corn is getting subsidized and a farmer who switches to
growing food that people need to eat gets no help
whatsoever."
What do you think? Should we be subsidizing organic
farmers? Or not?
By Marc Gunther
www.greenbiz.com
Why Eating Organic is the Single Greenest Thing You Can Do
Salt Scrub
Here's the best way to clean cast iron: Scrub it
with coarse salt and a soft sponge. The salt, a
natural abrasive, absorbs oil and lifts away bits
of food while preserving the pan's seasoning.
Rinse away salt and wipe dry.
DIY Oven Cleaner
If you don't have a self-cleaning oven (which
burns off residue at very high temperatures), try
a paste of baking soda and water. Coat the
oven surfaces with the paste (avoiding bare
metal and heating elements), let stand over-
night, and, while wearing gloves, use a plastic
spatula to remove it.
To prevent future buildup, line the oven floor
with aluminum foil, and wipe oven walls and
ceiling after each spill. If you do have a self-
cleaning oven, remove oven racks before run-
ning the cycle.
Cleaning Stainless Steel
Conventional wisdom holds that pots and pans
should be given a good soak. But every metal
has different properties and requires special
care. Stainless steel is prone to stains from heat
and hard water. To remove them, apply white
vinegar with a soft cloth and rub. Always dry
thoroughly after washing to prevent a film from
forming. Never soak stainless steel cookware;
this will result in pitted surfaces.
www.marthastewart.com
Natural Whiteners Tea and coffee stains can be removed from ce-
ramic cups with denture-cleaning tablets. Just fill
the cup with warm water, and drop in a tablet.
When the tablet stops fizzing, empty the cup, and
if it's still stained, repeat the process. To whiten
cloth napkins, linens, and even socks, fill a large
pot with water, and drop in several slices of lem-
on. Bring to a boil, then turn off the heat. Add the
linens, and let them soak for about an hour. Then
launder as usual. Many bathroom cleansers are
gritty; they may be effective at cleaning grout,
but they can scratch tiles. Baking soda is a safe
and inexpensive alternative. First, wet the grout,
and apply the baking soda to the stained area
with an old toothbrush. Work on a small section at
a time, and then rinse clean.
Feb Page 12
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