Oregon Shows Faster Job Growth than the Nation

PORTLAND -- After a battering in the Great Recession and a slow recovery, Oregon's job market is showing springtime vigor.

The state Employment Department said Tuesday Oregon added about 15,000 jobs in March and April, the largest two-month increase since 2005.

The department says that, compared to national trends, Oregon lost a larger share of jobs during the recession and was slower at first to regain them.

The department says Oregon is now adding jobs at a faster annual rate than the nation as a whole, 2.6 percent versus 1.7 percent.

Despite that, Oregon's unemployment rate remains at 6.9 percent, because baby boomers are retiring and shrinking the workforce.

The percentage of Oregonians employed or looking for work is at its lowest level since comparable statistics began to be compiled, in 1976.

Check out the Original article HERE

Fix It or Not? What to Ask When Prepping Your Home for Sale

When you make the decision to sell your home, it can be tricky to know which changes would make your home sell more quickly or boost the sale price — and which would just be a waste of your time and resources. Each home (and each homeowner) is different; that’s why we’ve come up with 8 key questions to ask yourself before making any changes to prep your home for sale.

These first three questions will help you take the temperature of the real estate market in your area and assess the competition.

1. How hot or cold is the market in your area? Are homes being snapped up after the first open house, or are they languishing on the market for months? Are homes being sold at or near the asking price, or for much lower? Are open houses bustling with people, or is attendance sparse? Get a feel for the market in your area by talking with your real estate agent and checking local listings. If it’s a seller’s market, you may be able to get away with doing fewer repairs and modifications before selling, and still have good results — in a buyer’s market, expect to do more work to make a positive impression on buyers.

 

2. How fast are you looking to sell? If you need to sell your home immediately — say, because you have already committed to buying another home or need to move because of work — it is in your best interest to do everything in your power to ensure a quick sale at the highest price possible. If you have more flexibility, and you feel uncomfortable making too many pricey changes to your home before selling, it may make more sense to focus on cleaning, decluttering and making small cosmetic changes (like painting) — particularly if the market is hot and favors the seller. If you aren’t getting the offers you would like, you can always decide to spring for a few bigger changes later and relist your home.

 3. What is the condition of comparable homes on the market? It can be quite helpful to know a little about the homes that buyers in your area are looking at. Examine photos of homes for sale in your area or even attend a few open houses, and make a mental note of how the other homes compare to yours. Are the kitchens updated? Are the floors in good shape? If all of the other homes you see have a certain feature (for instance, an updated kitchen) that yours lacks, consider making that a priority. You don’t need to make your home exactly like all the other homes on the market; just make sure there isn’t a single factor that could give your home a disadvantage.


To Fix or Not to Fix: Deciding Which Repairs Are Worth Tackling
The next five questions will help you assess whether or not to make a specific repair or change before selling your home.
4. Does the faulty item give the impression the property has not been well cared for? Leaky faucets, cracked tiles, an overgrown lawn, broken appliances or anything else that doesn’t work as it should can immediately turn off buyers. At an open house, people often zip through quite quickly, and if they notice one or two things that send up red flags, they may not give your home another chance.

5. Can you find a less expensive fix? Let’s say you scoped out the comparable homes on the market in your neighborhood, and they all have updated kitchens, but yours hasn’t been touched since the ’80s. Rather than spend big on a full kitchen remodel, why not give your kitchen a less costly refresh? For instance, you could paint the cabinets, swap out cabinet hardware, change the light fixtures and upgrade the appliances to something current and functional but not top-of-the-line. You will put some money into it but not nearly as much as with a full remodel — well worth it if it gets your home in the running in a competitive market.

 

6. How much will you realistically need to lower the price if you don’t fix it? If you have a lot of costly repairs to tackle to get your home ready to sell, you may be considering selling it as is. But keep in mind that buyers looking for a fixer-upper will also be looking to discount the selling price for the repairs plus the hassle. In other words, you won’t be able to simply estimate how much the repairs will cost and deduct that from the selling price; you’ll need to deduct even more to make it worth the buyer’s time and effort. Discuss this with your Realtor and look into other fixer-uppers for sale in your area to come up with an appropriate selling price.

 

7. Is it one of the first things potential buyers will see? First impressions are key, and that is never more true than in the real estate business! If you have a repair you are unsure about tackling, use this as a litmus test: Is it something the buyer will see as he or she approaches your house and walks through the front door? If so, fix it.

 8. Could it be a deal breaker? Some home repairs, like a new roof, are just so major that they will scare off all but the most determined buyers. If the market in your area is hot (see No. 1) and you have ample time (see No. 2), there’s no harm in trying to sell without making the big repair, as long as you are willing to price it accordingly (see No. 6). If it’s a buyer’s market but you don’t have time to make the repair before listing, you could offer to pay for it as part of the sales agreement — otherwise it’s probably best to make the change first and then put your home on the market.

To read the entire Article written by Laura Gaskill of Houzz click HERE        

Scrapping it forward

Barbara Reed, a homeschooling mom with seven children, needed a refrigerator. Hers was on its last legs and was missing shelves. But money was tight because the family gets by on one income. Her husband, Billy, brings in enough to pay the bills “but we don’t have a lot of extra,” she said.
One day recently, Reed was on Facebook and saw a post from Ron “Boomer” Streit, owner of Westside Metal Recycling, a Hillsboro business, and he was offering to help those in need. She emailed Streit and asked if she could be added to his list for a refrigerator.

by: HILLSBORO TRIBUNE PHOTO: CHASE ALLGOOD - Ron Streit, owner of Westside Metal Recycling, delivers a working washing machine to Aquilla Troutmans Cornelius home.

Streit not only found a refrigerator for the family, he refused any money for it and personally delivered the appliance.
“I think it is the truest form of recycling to repurpose something,” he said. “In my business, I emphasize the word ‘recycling.’”
Streit’s quest to help those who are in need began with a dryer that a friend offered to give him for his recycling business. He didn’t want to scrap a working machine, so he posted it on his personal Facebook page, and within moments had received about 30 responses.
“I thought, there are a lot of people out there struggling, just like me,” he recalled.
Although many scrap metal businesses sell appliances in working condition as a way to add to the company’s bottom line, Westside Recycling decided to invest in the community.
Since he began repurposing as well as recycling, Streit has given away 46 appliances in the past 10 months. While he admits that a couple of the people he has given them to took advantage of him by subsequently putting the gift appliances up for sale, he chooses to concentrate on those who are appreciative.
He has a few partners in the effort, and would love to have more. Real estate broker Lauren Inquinta with PDX Home Group LLC, often provides leads and appliances to Streit from homes that are being updated. Streit said Inquinta’s assistance has reaffirmed his mission.
While many give because they have excess, Streit admitted he is struggling as much as those he helps some times. But he follows the example of his father, Ron Streit, owner of Ron Streit Masonry.
“My father was a prominent businessman in Hillsboro. At Christmas, we would load up the work truck with hams and turkeys and hand them out,” he said. He compared his efforts to the theme of the movie “Pay It Forward,” in which a young boy teaches that doing things for others creates a cycle of giving that returns to the giver.
For example, when Streit’s work truck was disabled, a local business offered him a truck to use while he looked for a replacement.
Although his business is relatively new, he hopes people will realize that it is a real business, run by an honest person who wants his company not only to provide for him and his child, but also for those in the community. Although he has not yet created a 501(c)3, he’s considering the idea. He would also like to spread the concept across the nation in his industry, which he acknowledges does not generally have a great reputation.
Streit advertises the items he has for donation on local Facebook sale and giveaway sites to keep costs low. His trailer has signage about the donation service. Those who need scrap hauled, need an appliance, or would like to donate an appliance can contact Streit at 503-330-9695.
Postings on Facebook
Streit’s Facebook posts explain that he serves those who are unemployed, single parents, elderly or veterans. He qualifies those he is providing appliances to by asking personal questions, but he tells the recipients why he is asking.
“I want to be sure these appliances are really going to those with a need,” he explained.
He attempts to be cognizant that some of those he serves are victims of domestic violence. In those cases, he takes a female with him for the delivery. There is no charge for the appliances or for the delivery.
Barbara Reed is happy to spread the word about Streit, his scrap metal business and his community mission.
“I think it is really important to get the word out that he is honest and he does what he says he is doing,” Reed said. “He is really trying to help people.”


Click HERE for the original link to the Portland Tribune!

John Pelham Service Day at Sunset High School May 10th, 2014

Please consider joining our Sunset High School community on Saturday May 10th, in a day of service to honor distinguished alumnus John Pelham (SHS 2010), who died while serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan.

John is remembered as a warmhearted, charismatic and involved student. Please help us honor his memory in a day of service at Sunset High School, 8am to 1pm.

To sponsor a tree in Spc. John Pelham's honor, please click on the photo below. Or donate any amount to aid with needed supplies to support the memorial day service fund.

Click to make a donation to the John Pelham Service Day fund