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Quick StatsFri June 25, 2010, 6:19 pmBill Metzker
From my Chicago Tile friends, who sift this from the latest RMLS reports.

PORTLAND...

Real Estate NewsFri June 11, 2010, 5:54 pmBill Metzker
There's so much out there that I find I'm having trouble keeping up so many blogs. Rather than do it all twice, go...
Random ThoughtsThu May 13, 2010, 4:02 pmBill Metzker
If you want to have some fun, check out the Footprint Network's...
Portland area Real Estate ValuesTue April 27, 2010, 8:02 pmBill Metzker
Zillow's take on market values always differs from the RMLS' a bit.
Portland area Real Estate ValuesTue April 27, 2010, 8:02 pmBill Metzker
Zillow's take on market values always differs from the RMLS' a bit.
The True Cause of the MeltdownThu April 22, 2010, 1:59 pmBill Metzker
I do not recall a time in my life, ever, when the financial markets dominated the news.
Updated StatisticsMon April 19, 2010, 12:25 pmBill Metzker
For the record--a lot of Orenco Station-area homes changed hands in the last month or so, including (especially)...
Sustainability at Orenco StationWed April 14, 2010, 11:30 amBill Metzker
I have to say, I was thrilled at the turnout for the Neighborhood Empowerment Program at Orenco Station last...
New NeighborsFri April 2, 2010, 6:28 pmBill Metzker
Orenco Station proper has seen several homes turn over lately. Welcome to all new neighbors, and to old ones--did...
My DaughterWed March 24, 2010, 11:15 pmBill Metzker
I have to pull away from Portland real estate every so after and do something else. Today, can I direct everyone to...
Green--The FutureTue March 16, 2010, 2:38 pmBill Metzker
I will be taking the two-day Earth Advantage Institute's two-day training course beginning tomorrow....
A Buy and Fix ProgramFri February 26, 2010, 1:07 amBill Metzker
Leissa Gebert of the Mortgage Consulting Group brokered many of the original Orenco Station home mortgages. Later,...
NewsbreakTue February 16, 2010, 5:55 pmBill Metzker
In the past, this space has been critical of Whole Foods. We stand pat on the legal strategies they used that swept...
Something to HARP AboutMon February 8, 2010, 5:28 pmBill Metzker
This is a post I’d usually write for The...
Why Aren't Townhomes Selling?Wed February 3, 2010, 12:18 pmBill Metzker
Why townhomes aren't selling perplexed me. After all, unlike condos, they're eligible for FHA financing. Pricing, in...
Stiff 'EmWed January 27, 2010, 11:44 amBill Metzker
Maybe It’s Time to Stiff 'em.
Sell or Hold?Wed January 20, 2010, 1:43 pmBill Metzker
While prices have not recovered and won't for a long time, sales activity may be going up this spring. Most everyone...
2009 a Dog Poop BagMon January 4, 2010, 1:56 pmBill Metzker
I’d racked my brain to come up with a suitable blog post to close out 2009 and welcome 2010, without success....
Home EvaluationsThu December 31, 2009, 12:13 amBill Metzker
The Orenco Station rowhomes--the brick-faced  tri-levels on Rosebay Park, those on the pool/Pavilion...
Foreclosures, Leases and Market CommentFri December 18, 2009, 2:57 pmBill Metzker
First--whether you're a tenant or landlord, be sure to see if your lease has a Subordination clause. Whether or not...
2010 Prices and SalesSun December 13, 2009, 2:48 pmBill Metzker
RMLS and national sources such as Inman News are reporting a stabilization of inventory.  That's true, to an...
Market UpdateMon November 30, 2009, 2:48 pmBill Metzker
Terradigm Real Estate Consultancy reports on the inconclusiveness of...
Home PricesTue November 10, 2009, 6:56 pmBill Metzker
The greater Orenco Station area is experiencing what much of the rest of the market is--a lack of sales to...
Tax Credit Extension and Other StuffFri November 6, 2009, 7:19 pmBill Metzker
Lots of real estate news today, not the least of which was the extension of the $8,000 federal tax credit first time...
RantsFri November 6, 2009, 12:11 amBill Metzker
Sorry for the delay in posting.  A lot happening lately, with a new business and all.

For my view on...
Market UncertaintyTue October 27, 2009, 4:04 pmBill Metzker
 

So much real estate news, and so little time! First, the mortgage...
Portland Metro Real Estate SalesFri October 16, 2009, 8:24 pmBill Metzker
For all of Portland Metro, both pending sales and closed sales were up from a year ago.  Listings fell off...
MortgagesTue October 13, 2009, 2:12 pmBill Metzker
Mortgage rates continue to hover around the 5% level,  according to...
New PostingsFri October 9, 2009, 8:36 pmBill Metzker
A lot to write about today.  I have real reservations about extending the $8,000 federal tax credit, for...
InvestorsWed October 7, 2009, 5:01 pmBill Metzker
I spoke with a woman a few days ago who’d bought some residential rental properties at the height of the...
An Increase in RentersMon October 5, 2009, 12:40 pmBill Metzker
 

Inman News, an online news source for real estate and mortgage...
Some Mortgage Tips.Mon September 28, 2009, 7:47 pmBill Metzker
I wrote this today for Terradigm and wanted to pass it on to...
Loan Modification ScammersThu September 17, 2009, 6:59 pmBill Metzker
According to Inman News, the Feds are talking anbout cracking down on people and companies, even law firms, who want...
Loan Modification UpdateMon September 14, 2009, 1:32 pmBill Metzker
One economist has suggested that mortgage loan servicers are cherr-picking whose loans they'll modify. The...
Dispatch from RenoSun September 13, 2009, 5:46 pmBill Metzker
Foreclosures, short sales and overpriced homes seem to uneaslily co-exist in Reno, Nevada, were I'm writing this...
What Will Lenders Do?Thu September 10, 2009, 12:10 pmBill Metzker
Bloomberg News is reporting a sixth straight months of foreclosures rising above 600,000 for the sixth straight...
Foreclosure MythsTue September 8, 2009, 7:43 pmBill Metzker
As with many other aspects of real estate, a lot of myths surround foreclosures and foreclosure avoidance...
Loan Modification CostsTue September 8, 2009, 7:39 pmBill Metzker
Loan modifications should be free.  Don't pay upfront. There are, however, certain cases where you might want...
Local ForeclosuresFri September 4, 2009, 3:04 pmBill Metzker
The greater Orenco Statiion area has seen it's share of foreclosures, short sales and Notices of Default.  But...
Foreclosure TrendsThu September 3, 2009, 2:37 pmBill Metzker
RealtyTrac, a national provider of foreclosure data used by major news gathering organizations, often has cutting...
An Agent's StoryWed September 2, 2009, 12:08 pmBill Metzker
I got a kick out of this agent's story. Kind of funny, kind of...
Loan ModificationsThu August 27, 2009, 10:53 amBill Metzker
Check outthis blog for some good information.

...
Is the Market Stabilizing?Wed August 26, 2009, 8:23 pmBill Metzker
My own view is that it's too soon to tell. The past few months have seen stabilization and even an uptick in sales....
Property TaxesWed August 19, 2009, 2:18 pmBill Metzker
Valuations will come out in October, and if they're anything like last year's, a lot of folks will be...
Neighborhood TroubleWed August 19, 2009, 2:16 pmBill Metzker
There's been some rather unsavory activity going on at the Seneca Village apartments across 231st from Orenco...
Deficiencies, House PricesWed August 12, 2009, 5:56 pmBill Metzker
Deficiencies: I had yet another contact for whom short sale was the most likely option, but these folks were, and,...
Market UpdateThu July 2, 2009, 7:50 pmBill Metzker
Are we in a Recession or  Depression?

That depends on who you are and what you're doing. If you have a...
Market UpdateTue June 23, 2009, 2:39 pmBill Metzker
Ever think that the number 84.2% would mean much?

It has it's fifteen minutes of fame today. It represents...
Mortgage NewsMon June 15, 2009, 1:11 pmBill Metzker
Bloomberg is reporting today that the 10-year note and Fannie Mae rates are getting closer in synch, with a...
The "Market"Thu June 11, 2009, 11:40 pmBill Metzker
Of the many things I've become deathly ill of listening to, one is references to the "housing...
Twitterer?Wed June 10, 2009, 8:48 pmBill Metzker
Are you one of the grwing number of who likes to use Twitter? I am.  If you'd like my occasional tweets, you...
Road TripMon June 8, 2009, 6:34 pmBill Metzker
I just returned from a road trip to Colorado to visit my sons.  It took a day and ahalf to get there, and we...
How Defaults Affect EveryoneWed May 27, 2009, 11:52 amBill Metzker
The temptation is to think that if too many houses in your neighborhood go into foreclosure, the value of yours will...
Sinned Against of Sinning?Tue May 12, 2009, 2:53 pmBill Metzker
Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.

I sneaked off and went to a matinee yesterday. Alone.
Is the Good News Bad, or the Bad News Good?Tue May 5, 2009, 12:15 pmBill Metzker
Go figure.

It was just announced on the news that pending sales are up from a year ago.  Even...
Mini Market UpdateThu April 30, 2009, 1:59 pmBill Metzker
I have two separate sets of people coming in to look at Orenco Station and downtown properties.  Nothing really...
VideosSat April 25, 2009, 5:35 pmBill Metzker
Real estate marketing is, to me, still locked in the 1950s in some ways.  I don't know, maybe it works. You see...
Distressed Property ExpertiseSun April 19, 2009, 7:40 pmBill Metzker
Last year, for every short sale completed, there were six REO (real estate owned) transactions.  That means the...
Uptick?Mon April 6, 2009, 11:44 amBill Metzker
If it fees like there's a little more home sales activity of late, it's because there is.  Right this moment,...
I Heard It on NPRThu March 26, 2009, 8:27 amBill Metzker
Did anyone catch that bit on the house hunters in Boston this morning on NPR?  A woman and her husband had...
New!Mon March 23, 2009, 11:06 amBill Metzker
In the coming weeks, watch this space for some really great news on real estate services for the 21st...
Foreclosure, Short salesMon March 16, 2009, 2:23 pmBill Metzker
Hillsboro and Orenco Station are not immune to the foreclosure wave.

Did anyone catch the story on NPR this...
Property DistressWed March 11, 2009, 3:17 pmBill Metzker
Distressed properties, which include not just those in foreclosure but those whose mortgage payments are behind,...
News...or Is There?Fri March 6, 2009, 6:10 pmBill Metzker
If you go only by the dates of the blog posts, you'd swear I haven't been keeping up.  Well, sort of yes, sort...
TrendsWed February 18, 2009, 10:36 amBill Metzker
The real estate website Zillow has come out with its 2008 4th Quarter Report (
25 Things (cont)Mon February 16, 2009, 3:09 pmBill Metzker
8.  In the course of showing homes, I have met a Romanian who wanted to create an Eastern European cured meats...
25 Things (cont'd.)Fri February 13, 2009, 4:28 pmBill Metzker
5. Noticing similarities between the real estate market and other markets.  Such as a report in the New York...
25 Things I Like About Real EstateThu February 12, 2009, 9:56 amBill Metzker
1. Clients, at least interesting ones. Which, I guess, is most of them.  When there's no simpatico between...
Mortgage Rates Up?Mon February 9, 2009, 3:57 pmBill Metzker
The 30-year rate move up to 5.44% today. Still good by historical standards, but it's unclear where they're...
Economic HumorMon February 2, 2009, 10:17 amBill Metzker
A joke I shamelessly stole off a New York Times discussion post.

Heaven is a place where the police are...
Fixing Up Your HomeFri January 30, 2009, 3:55 pmBill Metzker
If you don’t have a compelling reason to sell in the current market but think you might down the road in a...
The Far FutureMon January 26, 2009, 2:21 pmBill Metzker
If the economic stimulus packages work (not the plural--they have to work in all countries) and economies stabilize,...
Is It Hard Times Yet?Fri January 23, 2009, 2:07 pmBill Metzker
 It was more than Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) when Intel announced yesterday the layoff of 1,000 workers...
Appraised ValuesWed January 14, 2009, 11:33 amBill Metzker
Home owners are flocking to their lenders to refinance their mortgages.  No surprise--this always happens when...
Good Real Estate NewsMon December 29, 2008, 5:54 pmBill Metzker
Don't know if anyone read this article on the Portland real estate market. It gives a little more positive spin for...
Market Direction (?)Mon December 15, 2008, 3:13 pmBill Metzker
The online real estate website Zillow has teamed up with the biz magazine Business Week to digest the national...
Buying ForeclosuresSun December 14, 2008, 11:42 pmBill Metzker
It's possible to get  really good deal buying a foreclosed-on home, but not as it was in days past.  Too...
Short Sales (again)Sun December 14, 2008, 1:33 pmBill Metzker
When I first started receiving the Notice of Default lists a couple of years ago, you might see one to four pages of...
Diamonds in the Stone FieldWed December 10, 2008, 10:05 amBill Metzker
Yes, a tough mortgage market can be tough on first-time homebuyers, and the resulting problem ripples up the...
What's Up, Anyway?Tue December 9, 2008, 1:51 pmBill Metzker
Bearish real estate markets like the one we're in now take years, not months, to recover.  Maybe we'll catch a...
The Current MarketMon December 8, 2008, 2:34 pmBill Metzker
This is my third really, really bad real estate market. The first was in the late 1970s and early 1980s....
Defend New Seasons!Wed December 3, 2008, 9:08 pmBill Metzker
Whole Foods, whose Tanasbourne location is looking more and more like the aftermath of Requiem, is trying to nail...
With GratitudeWed November 26, 2008, 2:23 pmBill Metzker
I've had so much to blog about lately but I've kept my keyboard quiet. I was going to do a piece on the market ,...
Short Sales (Redux)Tue November 18, 2008, 9:00 pmBill Metzker
If I seem to be fixating on short sales lately, it's for a reason.  Think there aren't many foreclosure or...
Housing SolutionsMon November 17, 2008, 9:58 pmBill Metzker
Bloomberg had yet another okay article on what to do about the housing mess. You can read it at
Orenco Woods DenialThu November 13, 2008, 11:28 amBill Metzker
The Hillsboro Planning Commission on Nov. 12 denied the developer of the Orenco Woods Crossing subdivision...
Short SalesSat November 8, 2008, 1:47 pmBill Metzker
The number of short sales in Portland Metro started popping up about a year ago.  Now, sometimes it seems as...
Market MusingsTue November 4, 2008, 3:42 pmBill Metzker
Everyone knows the real estate market is down. One of my peeves is the number of people saying it's the media's...
Home Selling 101Mon November 3, 2008, 1:33 pmBill Metzker
I take a long time with buyers, especially first-timers. I want them to see as many houses as they can stand to...
Home PricesWed October 29, 2008, 1:45 pmBill Metzker
The Oregonian reported today that local
Interesting FactsTue October 28, 2008, 2:37 pmBill Metzker
One of my favorite sources of information is Harper's Magazine. For years, I've enjoyed Harper's Index, which...
Solar WorldWed October 22, 2008, 2:41 pmBill Metzker
Amidst the gloom and doom making the headlines, let's not forget to note the opening of Solar World.  Its $400...
Financial CrisisWed October 22, 2008, 1:31 pmBill Metzker
I thought I'd write a couple of blogs about the financial crisis (no more "bailout," huh?) and try to...
Zillow (Redux)Sat October 18, 2008, 2:21 pmBill Metzker
Of interest to Orenco Station Neighbors buyers and sellers--or just property tire kickers--is a story in both the NY...
AlohaTue October 14, 2008, 1:31 amBill Metzker
Aloha is both "hello" and "goodbye" in Hawaii, where I've been for the last few days.  The...
Bailout IIIMon September 29, 2008, 3:28 pmBill Metzker
Let's hope this "bailout" metaphor that's in use to characterize the Treasury Department's plan to call in...
More Bailout ThoughtsSun September 28, 2008, 3:51 pmBill Metzker
Whether it was to make Wall Street safe from Wachovia or because of the Great Wail Of China, we may never find out....
BailoutSat September 27, 2008, 10:51 amBill Metzker
As I make these notes, the U.S. Congress is trying to cobble a deal together that, by all accounts, will save the...
Home Price ForecastMon September 22, 2008, 4:50 pmBill Metzker
Good news/bad news for home sellers.  Economic forecaster Global Insight teamed with financier National City...
Rock Creek Golf CourseFri September 19, 2008, 2:51 pmBill Metzker
I'm not a golfer, so I didn't realize the Rock Creek Golf Course was not open to the public. I was surpised to...
BookendsWed September 17, 2008, 10:51 amBill Metzker
What a day for real estate! Anyone see todays' Oregonian business section?

One front page article...
Current Market DataTue September 16, 2008, 3:59 pmBill Metzker
I admit to being an information nerd, and one of my chief complaints with RMLS data is that it's a  month old...
Wall Street and Main StreetMon September 15, 2008, 11:59 amBill Metzker
Remember the kind of loopy homily from the 1960's, "What if they had a war and nobody came?"

Now,...
Tax AppealsThu September 11, 2008, 11:54 amBill Metzker
Ah, spring, when young peoples' fancy turns to love.  Ah, fall, when a property owner's fancy turns...
Freddie and FannieMon September 8, 2008, 2:09 pmBill Metzker
Freddie and Fannie.  Fannie and Freddie.  Almost sounds like a Coen Brothers movie, doesn't it?  Or...
NewsWed September 3, 2008, 4:53 pmBill Metzker
A bit of good news arrived in my mail box for Orenco Station area home (and other property) owners. I receive...
Real Estate TidbitsThu August 28, 2008, 10:51 amBill Metzker
One of the things I struggle with when talking about real estate data and trends is the reliability of the...
Book ReviewThu August 28, 2008, 10:27 amBill Metzker
My New Year's Resolution, to be made either tomorrow or next Tuesday, is to post every day.  First, a slight...
Hateful Property SearchesThu August 21, 2008, 3:16 pmBill Metzker
An article on property searches in real estate trade journal Inman News caught my attention this...
Celebrate Live TheatreTue August 19, 2008, 1:57 pmBill Metzker
The Venetian Theatre in downtown Hillsboro is open for business with a delightful expresso and wine bar...
Luxury Home SalesFri August 15, 2008, 3:38 pmBill Metzker
Sales patterns in the greater area of Orenco Station might reflect the upper end market.

Today's...
Places to GoTue August 12, 2008, 2:45 pmBill Metzker
Now and then, I need to break away from the Orenco homes for sale and Bethany real estate news and all that to...
Market SnapshotMon August 11, 2008, 4:30 pmBill Metzker
In looking at the homes in the Orenco Station, Orenco Gardens and other nearby areas for the last sixty days, I...
Orenco Area RowhomesWed August 6, 2008, 3:45 pmBill Metzker
A questioner on Truila asked a couple of weeks ago about the value of Hillsboro rowhomes as an investment. She'd heard...
Good News?Sat August 2, 2008, 2:15 pmBill Metzker
Since I've been kind of P & M'ing about mortgage rates and the ten-year Treasury bonds, something good needs to be...
UpdatesWed July 30, 2008, 5:07 pmBill Metzker
This space will soon undergo a major site reconstruction to include a stronger presentation of the greater Orenco...
Look Homeward, AngelTue July 22, 2008, 4:16 pmBill Metzker
We lived in San Francisco until 1994, with my three children all graduating from high school there. Two attended Urban...
Interest RatesFri July 18, 2008, 5:20 pmBill Metzker
The 10-year treasury moved past 4% today, settling in at 4.08%. This move probably portends two things--a rise in...
Your KidsFri July 18, 2008, 5:12 pmBill Metzker
A curious feeling comes over me on occasion when I look at my adult children. Curious, I say, because I can't really...
What If?Mon July 14, 2008, 4:57 pmBill Metzker
I read an Inman news article wherein the author recalled walking through his town, and a sign on the savings and loan...
State of the MarketMon July 14, 2008, 4:44 pmBill Metzker
I did not take the time to post the May RMLS stats. No excuses, except for the arrival of our daughter and first...
Earnest MoneySun June 29, 2008, 10:21 amBill Metzker
Two different buyers have asked me over the past few weeks about earnest money--the why and the how much. The main...
Name the (New) FairgroundsSat June 14, 2008, 10:33 pmBill Metzker
Plans for rebuilding the Washington County fairgrounds into an events center are underway (cut and paste into your...
Real Estate CommissionsTue June 3, 2008, 5:19 pmBill Metzker
Since most of my professional life has been in real estate investing and developing, I understand the public's...
Istanbul DiariesSun June 1, 2008, 2:55 pmBill Metzker
Here's a typical instance of how her Turkish MIL annoys my daughter. Yesterday (Saturday), she called Sarah up and...
Market ActionSun May 18, 2008, 4:25 pmBill Metzker
The latest data from RMLS has been posted under Data and Trends. Market activity remains slow over all. Worse, we...
Curiouser and CuriouserTue May 13, 2008, 3:00 pmBill Metzker
I updated a price evaluation for a customer who owns a condominium in the Pearl District. The initial report was...
Market TrendsMon April 21, 2008, 3:24 pmBill Metzker
If you're a seller, the numbers stink. But they don't if you're a buyer. Time on market is up. The numbers say 98...
The State of the MarketThu April 17, 2008, 5:46 pmBill Metzker
People trying to sell their homes right now must feel cursed. It's taking longer. Prices get cut. No one even comes to...
Explaining the Mortgage CrisisThu March 13, 2008, 12:04 pmBill Metzker
While I'm not adept or educated enough to fully explain the mortgage and credit crisis, I'm offering a bit of a primer....
Market ThoughtsFri February 22, 2008, 9:44 amBill Metzker
The current RMLS data has been posted. Portland Metro is trending towards longer market times and price stabilization....
Goodbye, Super TuesdayWed February 6, 2008, 2:30 pmBill Metzker
Remember Y2K? That moment in transitioning from the 20th to the 21st century and how all the computers were going to...
Market ReportWed January 23, 2008, 1:03 pmBill Metzker
There still hasn't been a lot of sales activity in the Orenco Station/Orenco Gardens area. There aren't a lot of...
Whither Sell?Sat January 12, 2008, 3:34 pmBill Metzker
New listings are popping up on RMLS like puppets in a broken Whack-a-Mole game. Nothing unusual, there. At the risk...
Building DefectsFri January 4, 2008, 2:05 pmBill Metzker
A word to the wise, for Orenco Station cottage owners: Do not put off having your invasive home inspections done and...
Market ActionFri January 4, 2008, 1:58 pmBill Metzker
The latest market data from RMLS was just posted. Sorry for the delay, but then, it doesn't look like the world was...
End of YearSun December 23, 2007, 3:04 pmBill Metzker
I've been remiss in keeping postings current, of late. We have quite a houseful--our two sons are in from Colorado, our...
An Oregon MomentMon December 10, 2007, 12:04 pmBill Metzker
I was walking a treadmill at the fitness center this morning and was joined by another agent from our office. I'll...
Mortgage RatesThu December 6, 2007, 11:27 amBill Metzker
The San Francisco Chronicle reports today, December 6, that mortgae rates have fallen to a two-year low. Freddie Mac...
People Buying and SellingTue November 27, 2007, 5:33 pmBill Metzker
Years ago, when I was part of a management team at a small, high-end department store, we frequently talked about why...
October MarketMon November 19, 2007, 2:39 pmBill Metzker
October's data seems to continue September's trend--number of transactions dropping and prices still increasing a bit...
Market ComfortSun November 18, 2007, 12:13 pmBill Metzker
There are two basic types of stock market investors. One buys stocks to hold over time for retirement, college savings...
Politics, the MediaThu November 8, 2007, 4:39 pmBill Metzker
We've all been inundated with the presidential race, and lately, more and more, we're being told who the primary...
Real Estate and the Media IITue November 6, 2007, 2:02 pmBill Metzker
The news media's effects on the market are, in my view, more ancillary that direct. I do not concur with many of my...
Real Estate and the MediaSat November 3, 2007, 1:22 pmBill Metzker
At our last sales meeting, several experienced agents expressed irritation with the news media, blaming it for the...
More FallTue October 30, 2007, 3:22 pmBill Metzker
For some of us, it's in our DNA to lament the end of the major league baseball season. It seems to me that more and...
Hillsboro AppreciationThu October 18, 2007, 4:41 pmBill Metzker
In the September RMLS report for Portland Metro, three regions clocked in with better than 9% appreciation. Southest...
Things I Wish ForThu October 18, 2007, 3:24 pmBill Metzker
I love Fall. In Nevada, where I grew up, the changing light just before sundown glimmered a pale gold as the distant...
CorrectionSun October 7, 2007, 9:50 pmBill Metzker
A trivia buff site URL correction, from an earlier blog: poodwaddle.com doesn't go anywhere very interesting, but...
Istanbul DiariesWed October 3, 2007, 1:59 pmBill Metzker
My daughter, Sarah, had decided to do her own blog. You can follow her thoughts by clicking Istanbuls Stranger. If...
Tech SupportThu September 27, 2007, 2:28 pmBill Metzker
My grandfather was a teamster (a real one) in the early 1900's. His advice was to always buy the best, because the best...
Market TrendsMon September 17, 2007, 2:49 pmBill Metzker
Well, it continues to be a great market if you're a buyer and a so-so one of you're selling. In the Hillsboro MLS...
The MarketSun September 16, 2007, 9:46 pmBill Metzker
I worked an open house in Sherwood today. Yeah, it's a long ways away, but you do what you have to do. There were...
Amusing WebsiteThu September 13, 2007, 12:09 pmBill Metzker
Check this one out: poodwaddle.com It's for true trivia lovers!...
ForeclosuresThu September 13, 2007, 11:57 amBill Metzker
Interesting info from Civic Realty, a PDX firm specializing in short sales and mortgage workouts: 1. What percentage...
Istanbul DiariesThu September 6, 2007, 3:25 pmBill Metzker
Long-time readers of this blog know that I occasionally write about my daughter, Sarah, who lives in Istanbul with her...
Market TrendsThu September 6, 2007, 3:11 pmBill Metzker
Market data and trends from RMLS has been out for a few days. While it's too soon to make any definitive judgments,...
Giants' FansTue August 28, 2007, 8:55 amBill Metzker
Is anyone excited about the future of the SF Giants? I remember the Braves in the early 1990's, when they were a...
ZillowThu August 23, 2007, 11:48 amBill Metzker
Over the weekend, I once again became a non-agent house hunter. I think real estate agents often forget what it's like...
Market NewsWed August 15, 2007, 4:17 pmBill Metzker
Watch for (or if you don't get it--ask for) my newsletter, coming out probably next week. It talks about market...
Orenco StationMon August 6, 2007, 4:06 pmBill Metzker
I just returned from a wedding of my young cousin at Lake Tahoe, CA. Wonderful time! She's an adorable young woman,...
Market ConditionsFri July 27, 2007, 5:33 pmBill Metzker
Activity was slow, then it tapered off. Wish I had some good news, but it seems as though buyers are outta here so...
ThanksTue July 17, 2007, 4:28 pmBill Metzker
Before I forget, I'd like to give a quick and sincere thank you to all the neighbors who have referred someone to me,...
Istanbul DiariesTue July 17, 2007, 4:21 pmBill Metzker
Well, Sarah and baby Ender departed for Turkey on Monday after staying with us for a month. They're gone and we're...
Home SalesTue July 17, 2007, 4:00 pmBill Metzker
This is the time when I'm supposed to offer some sort of perspicacious analysis of the market data (see the link Data...
Fallout from Politickin'Thu July 12, 2007, 12:07 pmBill Metzker
My July 3 blog generated the second highest number of replies since this site began. One neighbor said she was...
Pardoning Scooter LibbyTue July 3, 2007, 3:22 pmBill Metzker
Newshounds have been patiently waiting for the moment when President Bush would/should/might/won't pardon Scooter...
Currently ReadingTue July 3, 2007, 2:37 pmBill Metzker
I'm currently reading Cosmic Jackpot by renowned physicist Paul Davies, author of the popular work, "The Mind of God."...
Market NewsWed June 27, 2007, 12:26 pmBill Metzker
Well, it's in: For May,listings are up and both closed and pending sales are down 8.3% and 16.4% respectively....
Istanbul DiariesWed June 20, 2007, 10:49 amBill Metzker
Istanbul meets Portland Metro for about a month, as daughter Sarah arrived with son (grandson) Ender James over the...
Mortgage Rates, House PricesWed June 13, 2007, 5:31 pmBill Metzker
What will rising mortgage rates do to house prices? Last week, a client closed a loan at 6.2% or so. The loan had...
SurvivorThu June 7, 2007, 5:08 pmBill Metzker
I've written a little about my daughter in Istanbul, but this time, I'd like to talk about my younger son. Ben is 31...
Istanbul UpdateWed June 6, 2007, 11:39 amBill Metzker
Chores we consider routine in the U.S. have a different slant in Turkey. Here's sarah's rendition of a recent outing...
Hamlet Follow-upSat June 2, 2007, 12:04 pmBill Metzker
How do I deal with the conflict raised in an earlier blog? I pretend as hard as I can that I'm buying the house and...
LobbyistsSat June 2, 2007, 12:02 pmBill Metzker
Between 1998 and 2004, 43% of ex-congressmen and congresswomen became lobbyists at salaries near or exceeding $1...
A Hamlet MomentWed May 30, 2007, 2:49 pmBill Metzker
Ever thought your real estate broker wasn't representing you? I was having lunch with an attorney friend at Hale's...
Latest Market ActionWed May 30, 2007, 10:19 amBill Metzker
We have a mixed market in Portland Metro. Closed sales increased a measly 1.4%, while new listings shot up 23.1%....
Istanbul DiariesMon May 21, 2007, 3:09 pmBill Metzker
Sarah's mother-in-law, Sirin, called her again to ask about Ender. Sirin says, "How is he," and Sarah says, "He's...
Market MusingsTue May 15, 2007, 4:35 pmBill Metzker
It's weird how some homes are staying on the market for months, while others are still getting multiple offers. The...
Market ReportTue May 8, 2007, 4:54 pmBill Metzker
ORENCO STATION MARKET REPORT (Last Five Months from 5/8/07, according to RMLS) Rowhomes ...
March Market ActionMon April 30, 2007, 4:52 pmBill Metzker
Portland Metro is showing clear signs of slowing. New listings have increased nearly 24% (check the Data and Trends...
Istanbul DiariesSun April 22, 2007, 9:26 amBill Metzker
My daughter, Sarah, has been fretting over getting her new baby son, Ender James, an American passport. She's had to go...
Last Place GiantsTue April 17, 2007, 1:09 pmBill Metzker
I kind of suspect the SF Giants will trade for some major offense. They've got a closer available in Benitez and even a...
Market MusingMon April 9, 2007, 12:04 pmBill Metzker
The latest RMLS reporting period (ending 2/28/07) notes a 5.2 month supply of homes in the Portland Metro area. It's...
Istanbul DiariesSun April 1, 2007, 12:21 pmBill Metzker
We just returned from nine days and eight nights in wonderful Istanbul and can confirm that our new grandson, Ender...
EFIS, LP SidingSun March 18, 2007, 7:55 pmBill Metzker
Two months ago, I submitted an offer for clients on a home in the $300,000 range (not in the Orenco neighborhood, I...
House ValuesWed March 14, 2007, 1:56 pmBill Metzker
Before looking at a house on which she thought she might want to make an offer, a buyer sent me a list of homes sold in...
Low Mortgage ratesThu March 8, 2007, 3:00 pmBill Metzker
Th San Francisco Chronicle reports today that mortgage rates hit the lowest point yet for 2007. Freddie Mac says that...
Market TimeMon March 5, 2007, 2:41 pmBill Metzker
I'll be updating the market Data and Trends later today or tomorrow, but there's really not much new. The current...
Economic DevelopmentTue February 27, 2007, 3:38 pmBill Metzker
Yesterday, I attended a part of an all-day economic trends workshop at the civic center downtown (thanks to a tip from ...
It's a Boy!Mon February 26, 2007, 2:11 pmBill Metzker
Sarah gave birth to a marvelous and healthy baby boy. Ender James weighed in at 8 lbs. after kind of a hard birth from...
Istanbul DiariesTue February 20, 2007, 3:09 pmBill Metzker
A baby alert just arrived from Istanbul. Saturday will mark Sarah's 42nd week of her pregnancy. Her water is okay,...
Listed and SoldTue February 20, 2007, 2:36 pmBill Metzker
I don't know how many real estate agents live in our neighborhood, but please-if you're going to list your home for...
Reality BitesTue February 20, 2007, 11:08 amBill Metzker
Reality does bite at times. In January of this year, closed sales in the Portland Metro area fell 9.4%, while new...
Market MusingsFri February 16, 2007, 10:21 amBill Metzker
A seller called me yesterday on her home, which I have listed for sale. She lowered the price last week from $250,000...
There Are Faces I RememberThu February 15, 2007, 2:01 pmBill Metzker
Why do real estate agents nearly always have their mug shots on their business cards? I've done a random interview...
Istanbul DiariesMon February 12, 2007, 3:35 pmBill Metzker
A warning from the Turkish doctor! Sarah's doctor is a German-Turk. Or Turk-German. She's Turkish, but grew up and...
Market Heating Up?Mon February 12, 2007, 3:28 pmBill Metzker
We drove through several East Side Portland neighbrhoods yesterday to look for invesment properties. I was struck by...
Istanbul DiariesSun February 11, 2007, 9:59 amBill Metzker
We're going crazy. It occurred to us first thing this morning that Sarah's baby is due today. We called, and...
Pending Sales (Redux)Thu February 8, 2007, 1:25 pmBill Metzker
Today I re-thought the issue of posting pending sales. I think I'm right not to post them as "solds," but I probably...
Rowhome InsuranceTue February 6, 2007, 4:58 pmBill Metzker
Most major companies offer two types of homeowner insurance--detached and condominium policies. Insurance for detached...
Istanbul DiariesSun February 4, 2007, 9:59 amBill Metzker
Sarah finally sent us pictures of herself so we could see what she looked like when pregnant. A very emotional moment...
What Happened in 1971?Tue January 30, 2007, 9:24 amBill Metzker
1971 Was a big year. Here are a few of the events that occurred: New York Times begins publication of classified...
Quick NotesMon January 29, 2007, 9:39 amBill Metzker
Several people have asked when stuff gets updated. Like this blog, maybe, or market stats. I've tried to be as regular...
Market Time by TypeFri January 26, 2007, 5:24 pmBill Metzker
The average time-on-market varies by residence type, i.e., condominium, rowhome/townhome, or detached home. For the...
Istanbul DiariesTue January 23, 2007, 4:20 pmSarah Metzker
More from daughter Sarah on idiosyncracies of Istanbul society. She teaches there and along with her husband, Engin,...
Market UpdateTue January 23, 2007, 2:37 pmBill Metzker
Ok, according to Regional Multiple Listing Service: All of Portland Metro has a 4.5 month supply of houses. Closed...
Market OpinionWed January 17, 2007, 2:40 pmBill Metzker
After visiting with all the other agents, I think we're in a nether market. Not "neither," as in neither buyers' nor...
StasisWed January 3, 2007, 11:45 amBill Metzker
We had our first REMAX sales meeting for 2007, where the Hillsboro agents kvetch in the conference room. Actually, we...
Istanbul Diary 12/17/06Wed December 27, 2006, 10:36 amBill Metzker
Well, my daughter finally got around to e-mailing us pictures of our first grandchild. This has been difficult for...
A Modest ProposalWed December 13, 2006, 1:14 pmBill Metzker
I'm English major. I worry about lots of stuff. Not just sometimes, but somewhere between all the time and most of...
All Real Estate Is LocalMon November 6, 2006, 2:26 pmBill Metzker
OK, real estate market time! We've all read the news articles and have seen statistics. So, what does that mean to...
Istanbul DiarySun November 5, 2006, 5:58 pmBill (and Sarah) Metzker
ISTANBUL, Turkey -My daughter, Sarah, lives in Istanbul, where she's married to Engin Erdemir. Sarah, who received her...
Voice Mail HellSun October 22, 2006, 3:14 pmBill Metzker
I'll try to be both accurate AND useful with this blog, depending on the time of day I might be writing it--in which...
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