Bank Owned Properties

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.

2801 NW 155th St Vancouver, WA 98685 – MLS# 12148490

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.

17563 SW Cobb Lane Beaverton, OR 97007 – MLS# 12295452

“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.”

15205 SW Warbler Way #102 Beaverton, OR 97007 – MLS# 12623613

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.

More Real Estate Listings.

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.

View Portland Homes for Sale: http://portlandsbesthomes.net

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.

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Less long ago, Hillsdale has been home in order to more cows compared to people except the expanding economic and population inside years after WW II converted that. Growing affluence as well as the nation’s blossoming romance with the automobile led to help Portland’s southerly downtown expansion, covering the hill and inside dale. You can find older property in North Burlingame among others scattered over the major roads, but nine out of ten Hillsdale’s house were put together between 1948 and 1970. Sorts dominant are generally ranches, sunshine ranches, share levels as well as mid-century moderns. The hillside terrain meant a few of these homes acquired views to florida or western. The area’s more advanced homes constructed dynamic used to remedy glass in manners not seen in pre-war homeowners. (See degrees of the variety of Hillsdale home styles in the Photo Gallery tabs. )#)

Click in order to determine Hillsdale Real Estate.

Hillsdale’s housing market has slowed to the crawl these past couple of months. Only three homes through either expected or was able to sell status have tried offers accepted in earlier times 2 1/2 straightforward. (August 1-Sept 13) By comparison, six property’s had provides accepted through June on its own. Five of such successfully closed; the sixth is in impending status. You can still find plenty with buyers actively trying to find homes to buy but they are a cautious bunch. Since always, location is also important; Hillsdale is still very more pleasing. These middle SW Portland potential buyers, though, are extremely sensitive to the fitness of the homes because it relates to help price. They’re not ready to accept the chance of updating except when the home’s value is sadly below the expense of needed messages. [The area covered by this data is bordered on the south by Capitol Hwy., on the west by Dosch Rd., on the east by Terwilliger Blvd., and on the north/northeast by Fairmount Blvd.].

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.

Buying a home? These eight tips can help make your house-hunting experience positive and rewarding.

1. Location counts. You’ve probably heard the old real estate joke about “location, location, location,” but the point still bears repeating. Location is crucial. How far are you really willing to commute to your place of employment? How good are the local schools, shopping centers, public transportation, seniors services and other public amenities? Will your new home be next to a vacant lot or a commercial property? Even a picture-perfect dream home can be a mistake if it’s in an undesirable location, and a poor-location home can be a particularly bad choice if you anticipate reselling the home within a few years.