Portland Population hits #23

Portland is in the top 25 now with a showing at 23, for the largest Metropolitan areas in the US.  942 Metros were tallied the top 3 were not surprising.  NY, LA, and Chicago.

Portland is calculated from Beaverton to Gresham, and from Ridgefield, Wa. to Wilsonville.  That's the unscientific way to put it.  I believe they include McMinnville to St Helens as well.  Basically a 5 county area, and the total population was figured at 2.26 Million. 

Most people don't think Portland is that big.  Geographically, it's not a gargantuan sprawling city.  With the last 20 years of smart planning, most of the growth has been done by high density and vertical growth.  In the last decade Portland has slyly moved up this list from around 26 to 23.  More people (mainly the 20 something) move in, rather than move out of the area.  With a net migration that hovers around .9 to 1.7%.  And the 2 states with the highest percentage of our new recipients are the neighbors:  CA and WA. 

With growth, can come problems.  However, Portland makes it's mark with a talented and educated work force.  Companies, feed off this talent, and companies are born from this talent.  The jobs will come.  The traffic will be it's own separate blog for a later date.

When the foreclosure goes wrong.

According to the Oregonian Story on June 29th 2011, a Vernonia woman who fell behind on her mortgage payments, was foreclosed on December 2010.  The first lien holder put the home up for auction and the 2nd lien holder purchased it to protect their interest in the debt collection.  However, the owner wasn't moving out.  She hired an attorney and what they discovered was the first lien holder never had the right to foreclose.  They actually never had a recorded deed of trust. 

Something has been occurring in our industry, where lenders will sell the loans to other banks, and then never officially record the deed transfer in a county record.  They have developed an electronic system to keep track of these transfers.  It's called MERS.  It seemed to be a fine system for them to keep track, but as of late, investigators are uncovering a sloppy mess of disorganization.  The original notes and deeds have been getting lost.  And now, when challenged, if a bank that actually foreclosed on a property, never was truly in possession of the original trust deed of the property, they may have not had the right to foreclose.

As in the case with the Vernonia woman.  A judge just ruled that the bank didn't have the right to take back her house.  But they sold it?  Good thing they didn't sell it to another couple who was trying to move in...  No one knows what is going to happen next.

The editor's note:
Something has to be done to control the banks. This is most important.  However, does a person who defaults on the obligation have the right to have their home back too?  NO.  You don't pay, you cannot stay.  It's that simple.  Do we, as US citizens, let murderers out on on the streets, just because someone accidentally tampered with the evidence?  NO. oh wait...  yes we do.  Good luck fixing this one America.

http://mobile.oregonlive.com/advorg/db_/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=yljDufJC&full=true#display

Can't fight the Wal-Mart anymore

Whether we like it or not, Wal-Marts are coming. 

Portland's adversity toward the big box chain has kept the mega company and it's low prices and controversial/alleged low-waged-underpaid-discriminated employees, mostly outside the cities limits.  With the exception of SE 82nd and the one in Cornelius.  But not any more.  Wal-Mart is anouncing, not just plans, but acquisitions, and lease-ups in 10 identified sites already.  And plans for 7 more. 

Those 2 near Portland must be doing very well, for Wal-Mart to want to expand that big, and that fast.  Below is the list of sites you can expect to see a Wal-Mart pretty soon.  One could be right in your neighborhood.  Don't be fooled by their strategy to call these new stores "neighborhood markets".  They are just smaller versions of the BIG BOX. 

I guess on the bright side, they will create a lot of jobs.  Or replacing jobs.  Look at what they are replacing.  We've lost a lot of Hagen's, Zupan's and Gi Joes.  Even the famous empty WHOLE FOODS in Lake Oswego will be a new Wal-Mart!!!  Do you think these same employees are going to put on the blue apron?  Do you think the same clientele that attended these shuttered stores will be walking right into the sliding doors of hospital white floors and aisles of anonymity?  Probably not. 

I guess I am just sad, that our economy has gotten so bad, that we are replacing character with that sterile sameness.  It's so mid 70's.  

1. Raleigh Hills: Ex-Zupan’s at Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway and Apple Way.
2. Lake Grove: Ex-Whole Foods at Boones Ferry and Jean roads.
3. West Linn: Ex-Lamb’s Thriftway at Highway 43 and Hidden Valley.
4. Gresham: Ex-QFC at 182nd and Powell and ex-Food 4 Less Powell and Burnside.
5. Beaverton: Ex-Haggen’s at Southwest Murray and 147th.
6. Vancouver: Ex-Fred Meyer at Fourth Plain and Grand; and ex-Winco at Highway 500 and Thurston Way and land parcel in the Salmon Creek area at 134th and Interstate 5.
7. Oregon City: Land at Molalla Ave. and South Beavercreek
8. Tigard: Southwest Greenburg Road and Highway 217.
9. Oak Grove: Ex-G.I. Joe’s at Southeast McLoughlin and Concord.
10. NW Portland: Ex Ashley Furniture.  173rd and Cornell.

Huge Corner Lot in Cedar Hills

Sorrento Ridge 1/3 acre plus artist studio

Sorrento Ridge 1/3 Acre

14479 SW Arabian, Beaverton, OR 97008 View Map

Complete remodel and floor plan do over. This is a ranch turned contemporary in Sorrento Ridge on 1/3 acre. Features include Hardwood Floors, Granite counters, Vaulted Ceilings, Greatroom style. Master on the main plus 2 more bedrooms on the main level. Also includes 2 bedrooms plus bath and loft upstairs.Fantastic schools in the area: Hiteon, Conestoga and Southridge. Beautiful fenced back yard, with Deck and paver patio. Covered trellis and artist studio complete with power & heat.

Details

Asking Price:

$359,900

Sq. Feet:

2552

Lot Size:

.32 acre

Bedrooms:

5

Bathrooms:

3

# of Floors:

2

Garage Size:

2

Subdivision:

Sorrento Ridge

Year Built:

1978

Property Amenities

- Range/Oven - Sink Disposal - Dishwasher - Fireplace - Hardwood floors - Patio - Deck

- Fenced Yard - Great Room - Tool Shed - Secluded Setting - Central A/C - Family room - Living room

- Bonus/rec room - Office/den - Dining Room - Granite Countertops - Stainless steel appliances - Laundry area - inside

Community Amenities

- Garage Parking

Contact Info

Steve Roesch

Principal Broker/ Mentor & Coach

Main 503-748-8387


Dir 503-318-6351

Email | Website

All information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.