Archive for December, 2011
December 28th, 2011 | 
Author: by Matthew Kish, Portland Business Journal
Portland home prices in October were down 4.7 percent since the same time last year, according to Standard & Poor’s Case-Shiller Home Price data released Tuesday. Portland home prices were also 0.5 percent lower than in September.
Case-Shiller tracks monthly home prices in 20 markets.
Annual home prices improved in 14 of the markets, including Portland. Last month’s data showed Portland home prices were down 5.7 percent in the past year.
Nationally, annual home prices were down 3 percent and 3.4 percent, respectively, for the 10- and 20-city composite indexes. For the month, the 10- and 20-city composite indexes were down 1.1 percent and 1.2 percent, respectively.
The index is based on a base value of 100 in January 2000.
Portland has an index value of 135.44. That means a typical Portland home has appreciated in value 35.4 percent since January 2000.
From the Cedar Mill News
Between shipping holiday packages, planning the family trip and baking cookies, the holidays can be anything but happy. Fortunately, The UPS Store ® hopes to help keep your holidays happy and hassle-free.
For customers who prefer to do it themselves, Tim Kimble, The UPS Store owner, offers the following tips:
- Begin with the proper materials: a new cardboard box designed for shipping, professional-grade packaging tape and packaging material like foam packaging peanuts or bubble cushioning (at least two inches all around).
- Include a label on the inside of the package with the destination and return addresses.
- Use a shipping option that provides a package tracking number.
- Take batteries out of toys, electronics, etc., before shipping and wrap them separately to avoid contact with metal.
- Seal home-made holiday treats in an interior airtight container or plastic bag before packing them and use an expedited air service.
- Ship wrapped gifts and luggage ahead to your destination, especially if traveling by air.
With only 20 shipping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, good timing is critical. Mondays are typically the busiest shipping days and Dec. 12-16 is expected to be the busiest week of the year, but Tim expects to see the holiday rush as late as Dec. 22 for delivery on Dec. 23.
The UPS Store is located at 10940 SW Barnes Rd., Peterkort Towne Square.
If you are looking to take advantage of today’s exciting real estate market and making your move next March or April, then now is the time to contact your broker.
Home preparation is the key to a quick sale at top dollar and the job to get one’s home ready takes a lot longer than most sellers realize. Clean up, bids, color sections, scheduling, the process of getting your home prepared for professional photographing and video filming is extensive and can easily take two to three months. While we see some homeowners rally in a few weeks, most believe they can have it done quickly, only to hit the market a month or two after their initial goal. This is where a good broker who is well connected and has design savvy can save you time and get you lined up to be one of the first fresh listings to hit the market this spring.
