How do you know when a mobile platform has entered the mainstream? When J. Lennox Scott says that making an app for it is a “no brainer.”
That’s the take on Android from the Pacific Northwest real estate scion, whose company this week released its first app for Google’s mobile platform.
The John L. Scott real estate app, available in the Android Market, uses a map-based interface for listings in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.
Meanwhile, wireless analytics startup RootMetrics today released its Cell Phone Coverage Map for Android, with capabilities similar to its existing iPhone app.
As I told RootMetrics CEO Paul Griff recently on the GeekWire Podcast, I wish somebody would combine these two concepts — mashing up a real estate app with wireless coverage data, allowing people to take mobile reception into account when deciding where to live.
19625 NW QUAIL HOLLOW DRIVE – MLS# 12118071
This peaceful condo retreat is nestled in the trees, and has terrific living spaces inside & out. Enjoy warm beverages on the south facing front porch, barbecue on the back deck facing the yard, or relish a quiet moment on the upper level deck off of the master suite.
9322 SW LEHMAN ST TIGARD OR 97223 – MLS# 12440386
This wonderful homes is tucked back off of the street which gives a very quiet and enjoyable feeling. You approach a wonderful high entry with rock pillar. The backyard is very usable to grow a garden or perhaps enjoy the private deck for entertaining.
16765 LEROY LANE OREGON CITY, OR 97045 – MLS# 11492926:
This home features two attached garages. The Main Garage is located on the entry level, holding two vehicles, with five steps up into the house. The Second Garage is found on the lower level, with separate entry through two standard garage doors and internal stairwell access from the main living level.
17370 KEASEY ROAD VERNONIA, OR 97064 – MLS# 11592525
This captivating Vernonia farm features 24 fertile acres with full southern exposure currently set up as a working horse ranch. Approximately 8 acres is cross-fenced into five pastures, while 15 acres is planted in grass hay. The picturesque farmhouse, guest cottage, and shop are found on the remaining manicured acre. Native salmon can be found in the 770 feet of creek frontage at the southernmost edge of the farm.
9180 SW RARITAN CT TUALATIN OR 97062 – MLS# 12382053
Wonderfully updated 1 level home that’s clean as a whistle. Wood flooring throughout, stainless steel appliances, wood burning fireplace, newer paint inside and out, spacious great room with an open feel, wonderful deck with private fenced-in backyard on a quiet street near I-5 and shopping. Hurry, you don’t want to miss this one!
There are a lot of real estate websites in the Portland metro area. Here are some of our favorites to search for homes in the various suburbs of the Portland Metro area:
http://lakeoswegorealestatesearch.com – ever wanted to live on your own private island? There’s one for sale on Lake Oswego right now. Too much money? This site will help you find something in your price range.
http://sherwoodarearealestate.com – for our friends just South of Portland, this site offers the ability to search all the homes for sale in the Sherwood and Tualatin area.
http://jewelofthepearl.com – a pretty kick ass site if you’re looking for condos and lofts for sale in Portland’s Pearl District neighborhood.
http://clackamasorrealestate.com – Looking out East? Check out Clackamas County or the Happy Valley area. This site has great info for both…
http://matinrealestate.com – On the Western front, namely the Beaverton Hillsboro area, this site provides info and a view of the homes for sale in the area.
A Realtor’s search of current listings can yield everything from new construction boasting a green certification to an older home with added insulation, double-paned windows, a tankless hot water heater or other energy-efficient features.
Not too long ago, this type of search was far more difficult. In fact, back in 2007, when the Portland-based Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS) first added a green-certification field on its listing forms, it started something new.
Over time, RMLS added an additional field for energy-efficiency features. Now, it’s increasingly common to find some nod to energy savings or an environmentally friendly upgrade in new and pre-existing homes for sale in the metro area. The publicly accessible site, www.rmls.com, does not include the green-feature search, but Realtors have access to the industry site and can easily search for the desired green features on a client’s behalf.
“Everyone has a different wish list when it comes to what they’re looking for in a home,” said Kirby Gibson, a broker with Salient Properties. “But a green certification can be a major selling point, especially once people have a better understanding of what that means.”
To earn an Earth Advantage certification, a new home must be inspected by experts at least twice. Homes earn points for energy and water efficiency; indoor air quality; material conservation (such as the use of locally manufactured products); and practices used during the land development and construction process to reduce waste and prevent potential erosion. Depending on the number of points earned, a project may qualify for a Silver, Gold or Platinum level of certification.
For the home on North Princeton, Gibson can list almost two dozen green features that set the structure apart. The most unique is a ductless, mini-split heat pump that allows for zonal heating and cooling. Sleek, high-tech air-handling units are mounted high on a wall in the main-floor great room, upstairs master bedroom and upstairs hallway. They come with remote controls that make it easy to turn the system on and off, so that no energy goes to waste inside the different areas of the house.
Although green-certified homes still represent a relatively small percentage of all new home construction, the practice is expected to grow locally as well as nationwide as homebuilders continue to look for a competitive edge in the marketplace. As of early April, Portland had 307 active listings for green-certified homes, according to RMLS. Within the last 12 months, 714 green-certified homes were sold in the metro area.
Pre-existing homes with one or more energy-efficient features represent a different shade of green. Yet they can still offer reduced energy costs and support for a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.
Luxury-home prices in central London rose in April as demand, particularly from overseas buyers, exceeded the number of properties for sale.
Values of houses and apartments costing about 3.7 million pounds ($6 million) increased by an average of 11.4 percent from a year earlier, a London-based broker said in a report today. Prices gained 1.1 percent last month.
Overseas investors have turned to London residential real estate to preserve wealth as they face political, economic and financial upheaval in their home markets. Sales of properties valued at more than 2 million pounds were subdued in April 2011, when a higher tax rate came into effect and caused a rush of buyers trying to avoid the levies during the preceding months.
“Activity was relatively weak last April,” said Liam Bailey, Knight Frank’s head of residential research. The number of property sales agreed to in February through April was 50 percent higher than in the same three-month period a year ago, he said.
Knight Frank compiles its luxury-homes index from its own appraisal values of a sample of properties in the 13 most expensive central London neighborhoods, such as Belgravia, Kensington and Knightsbridge.
Standing on the large, covered Craftsman-style front porch of the model at Arbor Oaks in the Bethany neighborhood, with a view of the close-by protected wetlands, it’s easy to picture yourself lounging with a cup of coffee and the Sunday paper on a sunny, summer morning.
The gracious, wood-frame porch, which runs the full width of the front of the home, is an example of the expanded living spaces created in the new plans being offered by Arbor Custom Homes. With a large two-car garage set below, the builder is able to deliver more square footage on a smaller footprint.
“People still want square footage,” said Jennifer Walsh, broker and community manager at Arbor Oaks. “By putting the garage underneath, you can have your larger, open great room concepts and also that awesome front porch that’s covered. “It has that charming, Craftsman look, which is really inviting.”
Inside the Sablewood model, the main floor is a well-connected series of smart and open spaces. Wide-plank hardwoods cover the entry and dining room. A big, granite-topped island anchors the great room, brightened by a wall of windows to the rear. A convenient butler’s pantry connects the gourmet kitchen to the dining room.
Second-level bedrooms are large and serviced by a full bath with dual sinks, a laundry room and a big linen closet.
Random Bethany Neighborhood Video:
The master suite features a box-beam ceiling with crown molding and a bath with soaking tub, separate shower, water closet and a walk-in wardrobe.
Steps to a third level reveal a surprise — a flexible rumpus room with a skylight. It’s another unexpected space afforded by building up instead of out.
“We have buyers who say, ‘I want a big garage. I want a big family room,’ ” Walsh said. “Now you have that, and storage all over the place.”
The 2,937-square-foot Sablewood has three bedrooms, three baths and a convertible den and attic room. It’s priced at $439,900.
Located just off Northwest Springville Road in Washington County, Arbor Oaks is a large master-planned community of 230 homes that will grow to more than 500 homes when completed over the next several years. It features a community pool and boasts an adjacent elementary school — Springville K-8 — rated “outstanding” by the Oregon Department of Education.
The project is also close to Portland Community College’s Rock Creek campus, Westview High School and a 32-acre Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation complex.
Natural light illuminates architectural extras in the great room, including art niches, built-in bookshelves and detailed woodwork on the fireplace and stairway newel post.
Arbor Oaks just opened 55 new lots on the west side of the property, where the rolling, hilly topography is perfect for a few new daylight basement plans that Arbor Custom Homes now is offering.
“We had a lot of anticipation with this new phase that just opened,” Walsh said. “The confidence is starting to come out. Buyers are loving being right by the school, and they’re loving North Bethany and the fact that there’s more to come.”
The community offers a variety of home styles, from 1,707-square-foot courtyard terraces starting at $289,900 to manor-style homes ranging to nearly 4,000 square feet and priced from $624,900. Base prices for the daylight basement plans featuring four bedrooms and four baths range from $439,900 to $550,900.
Some of the smaller units include front and back landscaping, perfect for a lock-and-leave lifestyle.
“We have a variety of styles and a variety of price points, which makes for a really nice mix,” Walsh said. “We can find something to fit almost anyone. It’s nice to have options.”
All of the homes at Arbor Oaks are built with energy efficiency in mind, and Arbor Custom Homes’ “Arbor Green” program is designed to promote the overall long-term physical, environmental and financial health of its buyers.
“We’re really implementing healthier living and more durable, efficient products,” Walsh said.
Portland area home prices lost 2.2 percent in value over the year that ended in February, mirroring a national trend that a California data researcher finds compelling. While local and national prices remain one-third below the 2007 peak, the modest declines of 2011 came against rising foreclosure rates. That signals the market could be stabilizing, Clear Capital, a Truckee, Calif.-based data research firm, said Tuesday.
Clear Capital found Portland area home values fell an average of 2.4 percent on a year-to-year comparison but were actually up a modest 0.2 percent compared to the prior quarter. According to the most recent data from the Regional Multiple Listings Service, the average sale price of a Portland home was $249,100 in January. Foreclosed homes being sold by banks, or Real Estate Owned (REO), represent 20.1 percent of the local market, according to Clear Capital. Portland area home prices remain 32.1 percent below the market peak set in May 2007. Nationally, home prices lost a little less than 2 percent in value on a year-to-year comparison, while quarterly losses were under 2 percent. Foreclosed homes represent 25.8 percent of the overall market. Clear Capital said real estate values improved in every region of the country even as foreclosed homes saturated the market, and that continuing strength in the face of rising foreclosure activity is an encouraging development.
“The good news is the improvements in the job market, stronger consumer confidence, and the heightened activity of investors — often with cash — in the lower price tiers. These effects put upward pressure on prices, and could be in play with the resiliency we’re seeing in prices against increasing REO this month,” said Alex Villacorta, director of research and analytics.
View is the one of the major factors that affects the resale value when buying homes. Buying homes with a pleasant view of a beach or the horizon often sell at a premium above similar homes without the view.
Though you may place a considerable dollar value on the view, future buyers may not be so like-minded. It may take you longer to find a buyer when it comes time to resell the house. Or you may end up dropping your price to more nearly match other sales prices in the neighborhood.
In short, if you are buying a house with a view, try to pay as little extra as possible. Otherwise, you might not get your money back.
Most real homes today are usually concentrated on the building itself but the lot is important too. Home with a good resale value should have lots that are as level as possible.
Assuming the property is in a typical neighborhood, the lot should be rectangular with no odd shaped lots or oddly situated lots.
Courtyard sizes are smaller in modern homes than in older homes, but there should still be a decently sized front and back yard.
Do not buy an over-landscaped property, either. You would normally pay a premium for that, which you may not be able to recover when you sell. You will get your best value if the house is moderately landscaped or under-landscaped for the area. Check this website out for more information on Portland homes.
You can always perk up the landscaping during your ownership by humanizing the grass and adding bushes and trees. Just do not waste too much.
In each residential neighborhood, houses will vary in size and rooms, but they should not be too different. If resale value is an important consideration, you should not buy the largest model in the neighborhood.
When determining market value, the homes nearest to yours are most important. If most of the nearby houses are smaller than your house, they can act as a drag on appreciation.
On the other hand, if you buy a small or medium house for the neighborhood, the larger homes can help pull up your value. This is one of those times where determining your “wants” versus your “needs” can be extremely important.
Buying what you need in a more prestigious neighborhood may provide more financial reward than getting what you want in a less desirable neighborhood and according to Inman News Portland fared better than most metro areas in this last “recession”.
Three and four bedroom houses are the most popular among homebuyers, so if you can stick in that range you will have more potential buyers when it comes time to resell.
There ought to always be at least two bathrooms in a house, preferably at least two and a half. One bathroom with a place to wash up for day-to-day visitors, one for the master bedroom, and at least one to be shared by the other bedrooms.
Walk-in closets are extremely desirable for the master bedroom. For the rest of the house, just be sure there is ample closet space. Don’t disregard space for linens and towels.
Garages add to the resale value and you should always make sure to get at least a two-car garage. Lately, three-car garages have become desirable in some areas of the country.
The laundry facilities should be located somewhere convenient on the main floor of the house, but not in a place it will create an eyesore. Think about whether you want to walk up and down stairs when carrying loads of laundry.
Family activity centers on the kitchen, so this is the most important room of the house. Larger kitchens are better, and they should be provided with modern appliances.
Obviously, the dining room and breakfast nook should be located adjacent to the kitchen. In newer houses, the family room should also be extremely close to the kitchen.
There should be easy access to the back yard, as there will be occasions for barbecues and outdoor entertaining.
In addition, it should be a short trek between the garage to the kitchen so hauling groceries in from the car does not become a horrendous chore.
Swimming pools do not provide as much added value as they once did. Safety issues about families with younger children have become more publicized than in the past, so families with small children tend to avoid homes with pools.
As a result, having a pool may actually reduce the number of potential homebuyers when you try to resell the home.
Without, it is very true. Bөllevue was voted #4 out of hundred of the beѕt different places tο imаgine іt rөally іs. Doesn’t may aрpear challenging to think thoυgh. Quite а feω widely known bυsiness owners calling Bellevue their hoмe, lots of рarks, cafөs, graсious schooΙs in addition to careful рroximity to Down-toωn Seattle it’ѕ nο reaΙ shock that ouг Urban centre мay be #4.
Bellevue, WA Public: 124, 000 Redundancy: your fіve. 8% Advantages: Great beauty, exceptional ѕchools, distinctiveness Disadvantages: Pricөy homө buying, water
Any time fοrested cityscapes aгe your current tool, this is exactly yοur current ĸind of position. Bellevue’s sleek and stylish in toωn bristΙes with different skyscrapers іn ωhich find а ωay to hoveг above Wаter Washington — and ωhen the actual clouds facөt, mοuntain vistas lοom… Reаd мore aboυt һow come Bellevue WA haѕ beөn ranĸed #4 of tһe bөst puts to imаgine it really is.
Keen οn relocating to help Bellevue?
Do you tһink үou’re as yet considering calΙing Bellevue CALIFORNIA үour household? Thө majority is, which means don’t neglect the great own homes available. We’rө in thіs case that мay hөlp үou οbtain homөs foг sale іn Bellevυe CALIFORNIA as ωell aѕ wіthin surroυnding arөnas. We’ve got amazіng info on particular neighborhoods so let’s chat about the suitable Bellevue Society іn youг cаse. Not sure how tο start? Searching everү Bellevue Real Estate and get an understanding. Perhaps ѕometimes interaction a Seattle Mortgage company to receive a numbeг of that loan аdvice. Here’s а lot of information many timeѕ comfortablө throυghout findіng out іf thiѕ is actually the propөr area tο finally transfer to. Know more about specific Bellevue Martial arts schools and tһe Bellevue Education Zonөs.
Oregon’s varied terrain and geography makes it surprisingly well-suited for producing both cool climate and warn climate varieties of wine.
The wine culture in Oregon has a refreshingly unpretentious flavor to it. Small handcrafted wineries reign in Oregon, many of which are focused on organic and sustainable production practices.
Now famous for producing award winning Pinot Noirs, Oregon vineyards have come a long way from their humble beginnings in the early 1960s (more history on Oregon Vineyard Land) . In the last 50 years 300 wineries have been founded in the state and 15 wine growing regions have been approved with 72 different grape varieties being grown. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to head out to your local tasting room to experience the quality of these local wines for yourself, the great thing about Oregon is there is always one near by.
For the home on North Princeton, Gibson can list almost two dozen green features that set the structure apart. The most unique is a ductless, mini-split heat pump that allows for zonal heating and cooling. Sleek, high-tech air-handling units are mounted high on a wall in the main-floor great room, upstairs master bedroom and upstairs hallway. They come with remote controls that make it easy to turn the system on and off, so that no energy goes to waste inside the different areas of the house.
Without, it is very true. Bөllevue was voted #4 out of hundred of the beѕt different places tο imаgine іt rөally іs. Doesn’t may aрpear challenging to think thoυgh. Quite а feω widely known bυsiness owners calling Bellevue their hoмe, lots of рarks, cafөs, graсious schooΙs in addition to careful рroximity to Down-toωn Seattle it’ѕ nο reaΙ shock that ouг Urban centre мay be #4.