Blythe Creek's Mt Hood Real Estate Blog

Market Snapshot: February 2012

2012-02-17T21:27:00.000-08:00

February 17, 2012

Homes, Cabins & Condominiums: Mt Hood Area (153)

104 Active homes and Cabins Currently listed for sale. ( includes Single Family Residences,Condos & Cabins)
24 Pending Sales of which 7 homes were REO/Bank Owned & 2 were Short Sales in the pending statistics.
9 Homes and cabins sold to date in 2012,

Lots and Acreage: Mt Hood Area (153)

51 Active land listings in the Mt Hood Area or Villages of Mt Hood
1 Pending Sale
0 Sold Undeveloped Land Properties to date in 2012

Market Snapshot is a Periodic Peek at Mt Hood Real Estate Market Conditions provided by Blythe Creek. Call for a more detailed look at the property you are interested in or the property you own.

Mt Hood Real Estate Properties includes Welches Real Estate, Brightwood Real Estate, Government Camp Real Estate and Rhododendron Real Estate plus Mt Hood Lots and Land.

January 2012 Closed Home Sales

2012-02-07T13:03:00.000-08:00

The Following list of four homes closed in the month of January in the Villages of Mt Hood from Alder Creek to Government Camp on the Western slopes of Mt Hood. This area includes Welches Oregon Real Estate, Brightwood Oregon Real Estate, Rhododendron Oregon Real Estate and Government Camp Real Estate.

The Total Sales volume for the month of January 2012 vrs. January 2011 is DOWN 17.12%
Check out all unique Homes and Cabins in the Mt Hood area by property type:

Mt Hood Cabins (Private and Forest Service Leased Land)
Mt Hood WaterFront homes and cabins
Mt Hood Golfcourse homes
Mt Hood Foreslosures
Mt Hood Condominiums
Mt Hood View Properties
Mt Hood Homes on Acreage

Interest Rates are excellent and Home Prices are affordable, a winning combinationto to buy in 2012. When looking to buy Mt. Hood Real Estate come to MtHoodRealEstate.net

Occasionally there are sales posted late. These numbers are as of 2/6/12.

Market Snapshot: January 2012

2012-01-28T11:06:00.000-08:00

January 28, 2012

Homes, Cabins & Condominiums: Mt Hood Area (153)

120 Active homes and Cabins Currently listed for sale. ( includes Single Family Residences,Condos & Cabins)
17 Pending Sales of which 29% were REO/Bank Owned Properties
3 Homes and cabins sold to date in 2012, 2 Homes were REO/Bank owned Foreclosure Sales.

Lots and Acreage: Mt Hood Area (153)

48 Active land listings in the Mt Hood Area or Villages of Mt Hood
1 Pending Sale
0 Sold Undeveloped Land Properties to date in 2012

Market Snapshot is a Periodic Peek at Mt Hood Real Estate Market Conditions provided by Blythe Creek.

Mt Hood Real Estate For Sale includes Welches Oregon Real Estate, Brightwood Oregon Real Estate, Government Camp Oregon Real Estate and Rhododendron Oregon Real Estate plus Mt Hood Lots and Land.

Elegant Welches Oregon Home

2012-01-21T10:33:00.000-08:00

One of a Kind Quality Built Custom home close to Mt Hood winter and summer sports. Lovely Huckleberry Mountain View from private bluff location overlooking the Resort at the Mountain #2 Foxglove Golf course.

Beautiful Hardwood Floors throughout most of the Home. Three Bdrms plus 3 & 1/2 baths. Gourmet kitchen with Oak Cabinetry, Huge Master Suite. There is tons of Natural light throughout home which includes floor to ceiling Windows plus 9 skylights. Cherry Bookcases in Family/Home Theater Rm. Huge Deck. Oversized Garage. There have been many updates like Hardwood Floors, Granite counter tops, Kitchen and Bathrooms, New appliances and Heat Pump over the last 7 years. Over 70 Rhododendrons on the property for beautiful spring color on into the summer months.

Take the Virtual Tour.

Mt Hood Real Estate For Salein the Villages of Mt Hood includes Welches Oregon Real Estate, Brightwood Oregon Real Estate,Government Camp Oregon Real Estate and Rhododendron Oregon Real Estate plus Mt Hood Lots and Land.It is an excellent time to buy! When Looking for Mt Hood Real Estate come to MtHoodRealEstate.net for the latest Information.

2011 Market Snapshot: A Year In Review

2012-01-13T15:31:00.000-08:00

Last year there were 104 Home and Cabin Sales in the Mt Hood Area, including Brightwood, Rhododendron, Welches and Government Camp. One more sale than in 2010. Compared to 2010 the Sale price Change was down 8.9% (figure from Market Action, An RMLS Monthly Publication)

1st Quarter had 17% of the Total Home Sales
2nd Quarter had 19% of the Total Home Sales
3rd quarter had 33% of the Total Home Sales
4th quarter had 31% of the Total Home Sales

The first two quarters were significantly down in the number of sales from 2010's first two quarters due to the Stimulus Federal Tax Credit offered in 2009/2010.

The Average Sale Price in 2011 was $194,938 and the Median Sale Price was $168,000

Now some additional statistics:

36% of the transactions were distressed Sales with 28% REO or Bank Owned Properties.

The Average Sale Price of these distressed Properties was $157,893 and the median Sale price was $155,000, with 71% of the distressed transactions were under $200,000.

Waterfront Properties accounted for 28% of the transactions in 2011 and Forest Service Leased land cabins accounted for 13% of the total sales. There were an increased number of Golf Course Properties, including Single Family Homes, Condos and Townhomes, that sold in 2011, with the majority closing in the 3nd and 4th quarters.

Mt Hood Real Estate For Sale in the Villages of Mt Hood includes Welches Oregon Real Estate, Brightwood Oregon Real Estate, Government Camp Oregon Real Estate and Rhododendron Oregon Real Estate plus Mt Hood Lots and Land It is an excellent time to buy with interest rates the lowest they have been in close to FIFTY (50) Years!

When looking forMt Hood Real Estate come to MtHoodRealEstate.net for the latest information.

December 2011 Closed Home Sales on Mt Hood

2012-01-04T12:48:00.000-08:00

The Following list of eight homes closed in the month of December in the Villages of Mt Hood from Alder Creek to Government Camp on the Western slopes of Mt Hood. This area includes Welches Oregon Real Estate, Brightwood Oregon Real Estate, Rhododendron Oregon Real Estate and Government Camp Real Estate.

Two of the properties were REO's and one was a Short Sale
Check out all unique Homes and Cabins in the Mt Hood area by property type:

Mt Hood Cabins (Private and Forest Service Leased Land)
Mt Hood WaterFront homes and cabins
Mt Hood Golfcourse homes
Mt Hood Foreslosures
Mt Hood Condominiums
Mt Hood View Properties
Mt Hood Homes on Acreage

Interest Rates are excellent and Home Prices are affordable, a winning combinationto to buy in 2012. When looking to buy Mt. Hood Real Estate come to MtHoodRealEstate.net

December Market Snapshot:Mt Hood Real Estate

2011-12-11T19:46:00.000-08:00

December 11, 2011

Homes, Cabins & Condominiums: Mt Hood Area (153)

133 Active homes and Cabins Currently listed for sale. ( includes Single Family Residences,Condos & Cabins)
19 Pending Sales (47% REO/Bank Owned Foreclosures and Short Sales)
95 Homes and cabins sold to date in 2011 of which approximately 27% were REO/Bank owned Foreclosure Sales.

Lots and Acreage: Mt Hood Area (153)

47 Active land listings in the Mt Hood Area or Villages of Mt Hood
0 Pending Sales
7 Sold Undeveloped Land Properties to date in 2011 of which 4 closed sales were in Government Camp

Market Snapshot is a Periodic Peek at Mt Hood Real Estate Market Conditions provided by Blythe Creek.

Mt Hood Real Estate For Sale includes Welches Oregon Real Estate, Brightwood Oregon Real Estate, Government Camp Oregon Real Estate and Rhododendron Oregon Real Estate plus Mt Hood Lots and Land.

November 2011 Home Sales on Mt Hood

2011-12-06T21:37:00.000-08:00

The Following list of eight homes closed in the month of November in the Villages of Mt Hood which includes Welches Real Estate, Brightwood Real Estate, Rhododendron Real Estate and Government Camp Real Estate on the western slopes of Mt Hood.

One of the sales was an REO Sale.
Check all the Homes & Cabins for sale by the following towns in the Mt Hood area.

The 26 years I have been selling homes on Mt Hood! It is an excellent time to buy! When Looking for Mt Hood Real Estate come to MtHoodRealEstate.net for the latest Information.

Price Reduction on Great Private Land Getaway

2011-12-06T21:07:00.000-08:00

Waterfront Cabin on Private Land & Gated Road in Rhododendron, Oregon.

Mt Hood Real Estate For Salein the Villages of Mt Hood includes Welches Oregon Real Estate, Brightwood Oregon Real Estate,Government Camp Oregon Real Estate and Rhododendron Oregon Real Estate plus Mt Hood Lots and Land. It is an excellent time to buy! When Looking for Mt Hood Real Estate come to MtHoodRealEstate.net for the latest Information.

Community Meeting sponsored by the Villages of Mt hood

2011-11-13T22:33:00.000-08:00

Clackamas County community meeting planned for 10-11:30 a.m., Saturday, November 19, at The Resort at the Mountain.

Learn more about:

Where the Sandy River has been in the past
The importance of purchasing flood insurance
What permits are required and how to get them
What the County is doing to prepare for future channel shifts
What you can do to protect yourself and your community

Discuss options for the future:

Where will the Sandy River go next?
What can I and my community do to make sure we have safe access?
What options does the County have for continued repairs?
What is the role of the state and federal governments?

Please pass on this information to friends, family, neighbors and others who you think might be interested.

Thank you to the Villages of Mt Hood for Hosting the meeting with Clackamas County Commissioners and the Mt Hood Chamber of Commerce for distributing the information.

Looking for a home or cabin on Mt Hood? The perfect piece of Mt Hood Real Estate in Welches, Brightwood,Rhododendron, Sandy or Government Camp at a great price can be found. Interest rates are at there lowest in close to fourty years. Happy Hunting!

Road 20 Bridge Closure Over Still Creek

2011-11-10T13:53:00.000-08:00

LOCAL UPDATE

As of 0900 Tuesday, November 8, 2011, three barricades have been installed on both ends of the Still Creek Bridge on Road 20. This bridge is located at the intersection of Road 12 and Road 20. Road 20 is not closed, just the bridge. The public and cabin owners can access the National Forest by using either Road 12 or Road 32. Until Bill Westbrook from the Zigzag District Ranger, Mt Hood National Forest knows more, he is keeping the bridge closed to vehicle traffic for safety reasons. Foot, horse, bike, skiing is still allowed. Check back for updates provided by the Mt Hood Chamber of Commerce.

Still Creek from the Still Creek Bridge

Mt Hood Real Estate For Sale in the Villages of Mt Hood includes Welches Oregon Real Estate, Brightwood Oregon Real Estate,Government Camp Oregon Real Estate and Rhododendron Oregon Real Estate plus Mt Hood Lots and Land.

Photo by Blythe Creek, all rights reserved.

October 2011 Closed Sales

2011-11-09T19:05:00.000-08:00

The Following List are the October closed sales For the Villages of Mt Hood which includes Brightwood, Rhododendron, Welches and Government Camp, Oregon.

From the 13 closed Sales for the Month of October, 1 sale was an REO (Bank Owned Foreclosure Sales), quite different from the 44% of the sale in the month of September that were foreclosures!

Check all the Homes & Cabins for sale by the following towns in the Mt Hood area.

The 36 years I have been selling homes on Mt Hood! It is an excellent time to buy! When Looking for Mt Hood Real Estate come to MtHoodRealEstate.net for the latest Information.

Sales Data Since 2000 For Mt Hood Homes

2011-11-05T16:34:00.000-07:00

The Following table illustrates sales data every two years since 2000, for the Mt Hood Area including Rhododendron, Brightwood, Government Camp, Welches, and part of Sandy, Oregon. Condominiums and In-Park manufactured homes were not included in the data.

Mt Hood Real Estate For Sale in the Villages of Mt Hood includes Welches Oregon Real Estate, Brightwood Oregon Real Estate,Government Camp Oregon Real Estate and Rhododendron Oregon Real Estate plus Mt Hood Lots and Land.

Market Snapshot: October 25, 2011

2011-10-25T16:56:00.000-07:00

Homes, Cabins Condos in Mt Hood Area (153)

139 Active Homes and Cabins currently on the Market (Includes Single Family Residences, Condos & Cabins)
17 Pending Sales (29% REO/Bank Owned Foreclosures and 18% Shortsales for a total of 47% of pending Distressed Sales)
80 Homes and Cabins sold to date in 2011 of which 30% were REO/Bank owned Properties and 5% Shortsales

Lots and Acreage: Mt Hood Area (153)

52 Active Land Listings in the Mt Hood Area or Villages of Mt Hood
0 Pending Land Sales
7 Sold Undeveloped Land Properties of which 5 Closed Sales were in Government Camp

Mt Hood Real Estate For Sale includes

Welches Oregon Real Estate,

Brightwood Oregon Real Estate,

Government Camp Oregon Real Estate and

Rhododendron Oregon Real Estate plus Mt Hood Lots and Land.

A Graphic Look at Interest Rates....

2011-10-23T19:10:00.000-07:00

Take a look at the following informational charts from Freddie Mac (FHLMC).
Interest rates over the past 30 years have never been better! So, take a look at today's home prices and then look at what financing could have been 10, 20, 30 years ago. It hasn't been a better time to buy in YEARS!

This is a very interesting graph to take a look at. To me, I see computer servers in lending institutions and better communications. .

If you need to talk to a lender, please give me a call. I have great Mortgage Brokers to refer you to.
Mt Hood Real Estate For Sale in the Villages of Mt Hood includes Welches Oregon Real Estate, Brightwood Oregon Real Estate,Government Camp Oregon Real Estate and Rhododendron Oregon Real Estate plus Mt Hood Lots and Land.
Thank you to Jerry Iverson at Evergreen Home Loans for turning me on to these very cool graphs.

Closings for Homes and Cabins in September 2011

2011-10-16T18:44:00.000-07:00

The Following List are the September closed sales For the Villages of Mt Hood which includes Brightwood, Rhododendron, Welches and Government Camp, Oregon.

From the 9 closed Sales for the Month of September, 44% of the Sales were REO (Bank Owned Foreclosure Sales).
Check out links for Mt Hood Foreclosures

Check all the Homes & Cabins for sale by the following towns.

Interest Rates have never been lower in the 36 years i have been selling homes on mt Hood! It is an excellent time to buy!. When Looking for Mt Hood Real Estate for Sale come MtHoodRealEstate.net for the latest Information.

Market Update

2011-09-27T18:13:00.000-07:00

September 27, 2011

Homes, Cabins & Condominiums: Mt Hood Area (153)

155 Active homes and Cabins Currently listed for sale. ( includes Single Family Residences,Condos & Cabins)

21Pending Sales

24% REO/Bank Owned Foreclosures and Short Sales (not all Short Sales Close)

69 Homes and cabins sold to date in 2011

Lots and Acreage: Mt Hood Area (153)

49 Active land listings in the Mt Hood Area or Villages of Mt Hood

2 Pending Sales

5 Sold Undeveloped Land Properties to date in 2011

Market Snapshot is a Peek at Mt Hood Real Estate Market Conditions provided by Blythe Creek

Mt Hood Real Estate For Sale includes Welches Oregon Real Estate, Brightwood Oregon Real Estate, Government Camp Oregon Real Estate and Rhododendron Oregon Real Estate plus Mt Hood Lots and Land.

Dollar Lake Fire-Mopping up...

2011-09-21T18:28:00.000-07:00

All information provided by the Mt Hood National Forest

During the late afternoon yesterday, the majestic summit of Mount Hood
was seen for the first time in the last three days. As the clouds
parted, they left between 1” of rain on the west side of the fire and
¼” on the east side. As the warmer, drier weather prevails for the
rest of the week, smoke will reappear in the afternoons on those parts
of the fire that still have heat.

Firefighters are focused on rehabilitation of the trails, roads and
firelines that are in the fire area, as well as mop-up. Their work
now consists of moving slash and trees that were cut down in the
suppression efforts, from view of the major trails. They are also
constructing waterbars and other drainage features where necessary.
They are using water to dose-out any hot-spots within 100 to 300 feet
of the fire perimeter. Most of the existing heat is in the northern
part of the fire area, that burned on September 11th.

In order to allow fire equipment better access to the northern part of
the fire, a masticator is being used on the 1811 road. This machine
chews up small trees and brush, in a much more efficient manner than a
hand crew could do.

The Northwest Oregon Incident Management team led by incident
commander Carl West, assumed control of the fire at 6 am. this
morning. Today is a day of shadowing and transition, as PNW 3 team
members pack up and go home.

The fire closure still affects many trails on the north side of Mount
Hood. For example, it is still not possible to walk the Timberline
trail. Specific information about these and other closures on the
Mount Hood National Forest can be found at;
http://www.fs.usda.gov/mthood.

As soon as conditions allow for public
and firefighter safety, these closures will be lifted. The campground
and resort at Lost lake is open, and the lake is open to recreation.
Thank you to the Mt Hood Chamber of Commerce for the distribution of current and critical information concering the Villages of Mt Hood.

Mt Hood Real Estate For Sale in the Villages of Mt Hood includes Welches Oregon Real Estate, Brightwood Oregon Real Estate, Government Camp Oregon Real Estate and Rhododendron Oregon Real Estate plus Mt Hood Lots and Land.

Dollar Lake Fire Update

2011-09-16T14:32:00.000-07:00

Fire Update – 09/15/2011 7:30 a.m. PT
All information from the Mt Hood National Forest

The Dollar Lake Fire was visited Thursday by small quantities of mist and

drizzle. The highest rain-gauge reading was 7/100ths of an inch at Ghost

Ridge. The moisture hasn’t penetrated far into the forest floor, however,

and forest fuels continue to smolder deep into the ground.

Hand-held infrared sensors are helping firefighters locate and eliminate

hot spots which may not otherwise be seen or smelled at this stage of the

fire. With the help of the IR sensors, firefighters have completed mop-up

along the eastern quarter of the fire perimeter.

Crews are making headway with respect to establishing firelines, but 3

miles of line remains to be built.

Excess resources are being demobilized. Two hotshot crews who have

been camping in the wilderness and working on Cathedral Ridge will be

extracted today because of deteriorating weather conditions. Some air

resources are also being released -- six aircraft remain. Some of the

158,000 feet of hose that were delivered to the lines over the duration of

the fire have been returned to fire camp for cleaning, drying, and rolling.

Temperatures are expected to decline another 10 degrees at higher

elevations, and winds will decrease from gusts of 30 to gusts of 20 mph. A

light rain is forecast to reach the Hood River drainage on Sunday. Today,

however, the fire may experience clear skies in the afternoon. Warming is

expected next week, and the number of visible smokes will likely increase.

CLOSURES

Area & Road:

Forest Roads: 16 and 18 are closed and all forest roads within the area closure boundary.

Forest Roads 2840, 3511, 3512 are closed. For details on area closures please see:

www.inciweb.org/incident/2563/

Campgrounds:

Lost Lake resort & Campground are open but the surface of lake remains closed (no swimming

or boating is allowed on the lake), McNeil, Riley Horse Camp, Lost Creek, Kinnikinnick, Tilly Jane, and

Cloud Cap.

Trails:

Pacific Crest Trail from the Rushing Water Creek crossing, north to Wahtum Lake;

Trail #600 from Gnarl Ridge Trail #652 northwest to its terminus at Ramona Falls Trail #797;

Burnt Lake Trail #772 from the Burnt Lake north trailhead, south to the wilderness boundary;

Cast Lake Trail #773 and Horseshoe Trail #774 from the trailhead in Riley campground south to the wilderness boundary;

Sandy River Trail #770 and Ramona Falls Trail #797;

Yokum Ridge #771;

Mazamas Trail #625;

Vista Ridge Trail #626, Elk Cove Trail #631 and Pinnacle Ridge Trail #630

FOR ADDITIONAL AND UPDATED FIRE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:

Dollar Lake Fire Information: www.inciweb.org/incident/2563 & Mount Hood Nat’l Forest: www.fs.usda.gov/mthood

Thank you to the Mt Hood Chamber of Commerce for the distribution of current and critical information concering the Villages of Mt Hood.

Mt Hood Real Estate For Sale in the Villages of Mt Hood includes Welches Oregon Real Estate, Brightwood Oregon Real Estate, Government Camp Oregon Real Estate and Rhododendron Oregon Real Estate plus Mt Hood Lots and Land.

Market Action Report-August 2011

2011-09-15T15:29:00.000-07:00

All Information & Graphics from the Monthly Market Action Report, RMLS of Portland

August Residential Highlights

Sales activity in the Portland Metro area showed improvements in closed and pending sales this August compared with August 2010. (Please see “NOTE” below about increased pending sales.)

Closed sales grew 30.7% in August 2011 compared to August 2010. Pending sales were up 29.6%, and new listings dropped 24.8%. See residential highlights table below.

Comparing July 2011 with August 2011, closed sales increased from 1,709 to 1,805 (5.6%). Pending sales also went up from 1,928 to 2,187 (13.4%). New listings went down from 2,942 to 2,879 (-2.1%).

At the month’s rate of sales, the 11,276 active residential listings would last about 6.2 months.

Sale Prices

Average sale price for August 2011 declined 9.2% compared to August 2010. Median sale price also fell 10%. See residential highlights table above.

Month to month, comparing July 2011 to August 2011, sale price activity fell slightly. Average sale price went down from $275,100 to $271,800 (-1.2%) while median sale price decreased from $227,200 to $225,000 (-1%).

Year-to-Date

Comparing January-August 2010 with the same period in 2011, results were mixed. Closed sales decreased by 0.5% (13,185 v. 13,114), while pending sales increased by 2.8% (14,248 v. 14,645). New listings fell 26% (34,043 v. 25,189).

Area 153 Statistics for August 2011

Looking for a Mt Hood Ski Cabin? Check all the Homes & Cabins for sale by the following towns.

Interest Rates are Hitting another low point for 2011. When Looking for Mt Hood Real Estate for Sale come MtHoodRealEstate.net for the latest Information.

Dollar Lake Fire Update

2011-09-14T21:33:00.000-07:00

Reposted-Mt Hood National Forest

Fire Update – 09/14/2011 8:30 a.m. PT
For the latest information on the Dollar Lake Fire, go to www.inciweb.org/incident/2563/

Tuesday was a quiet day on the fire, with very little active fire behavior. The fire crept and smoldered throughout the understory, producing dramatically less smoke and consuming unburned areas. Contingency lines are being constructed or planned in critical locations, while mop-up along the east side of the fire approaches the final standards developed by Forest Service resource advisers. Much of the fire which had pushed north past the decommissioned road in the new wilderness area has now been lined.

A hotshot crew was able to “hook” the extreme northwest corner of the fire along Cathedral Ridge yesterday, and will continue strengthening it today, blocking any further advance of the fire along the ridge. “This is a crucial point of the fire because of the values at risk”, said Operations Chief Alex Robinson. It is the closest point to the Bull Run watershed, the transmission line, and privately-owned land. To the east of Cathedral Ridge, fire crews have been assessing access to the persistent hot spots on ridges above Stump Creek and the two forks of Ladd Creek. The steep, rock walls in these canyons have slowed progress in eliminating the widely-spread hot spots.

Wednesday's weather is again expected to assist firefighters. The onshore push is expected to strengthen, bringing a deepening marine layer. Some clouds may develop over the western portion of the fire, and temperatures are forecast to be 6 degrees lower than Tuesday. Winds from the west may gust to 20 mph. These conditions are unlikely to result in active fire behavior, because of the forecasted high humidity’s. The amount of smoke being produced will decrease, however it will continue to be visible in the fire area for weeks to come.

Because of the recent availability of privately contracted helicopters, all three Blackhawk helicopters from the Oregon National Guard were demobilized. Eight helicopters remain on the incident. Lost Lake Resort and campground have been reopened, but the surface of Lost Lake remains closed due tosafety concerns with helicopters dipping water.

CLOSURES

Area & Road:

Forest Roads: 16 and 18 are closed and all forest roads within the area closure boundary. Forest Roads

2840, 3511, 3512 are closed. For details on area closures please see: www.inciweb.org/incident/2563/

Campgrounds:

Lost Lake resort & Campground are open but the surface of lake remains closed (no swimming or boating

is allowed on the lake), McNeil, Riley Horse Camp, Lost Creek, Kinnikinnick, Tilly Jane, and Cloud Cap.

Trails:

Pacific Crest Trail from the Rushing Water Creek crossing, north to Wahtum Lake;
Trail #600 from Gnarl Ridge Trail #652 northwest to its terminus at Ramona Falls Trail #797;
Burnt Lake Trail #772 from the Burnt Lake north trailhead, south to the wilderness boundary;
Cast Lake Trail #773 and Horseshoe Trail #774 from the trailhead in Riley campground south to the wilderness boundary;
Sandy River Trail #770 and Ramona Falls Trail #797;
Yokum Ridge #771;
Mazamas Trail #625;
Vista Ridge Trail #626, Elk Cove Trail #631 and Pinnacle Ridge Trail #630

Thank you to the Mt Hood Chamber of Commerce for the distribution of current and critical information concering the Villages of Mt Hood

FOR ADDITIONAL AND UPDATED FIRE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:

For the latest information on the Dollar Lake Fire, go to www.inciweb.org/incident/2563/

Mt Hood Real Estate For Sale in the Villages of Mt Hood includes Welches Oregon Real Estate, Brightwood Oregon Real Estate, Government Camp Oregon Real Estate and Rhododendron Oregon Real Estate plus Mt Hood Lots and Land.

LockBox Openings Dipped Labor Day Weekend

2011-09-14T21:27:00.000-07:00

Here are the latest Lock Box openings that show a dip for late August & Labor Day weekend.

Looking for a Mt Hood Ski Cabin? Check all the Homes & Cabins for sale by the following towns.

Interest Rates are Hitting another low point for 2011. When Looking for Mt Hood Real Estate for Sale come MtHoodRealEstate.net for the latest Information.

Dollar Lake Fire Update

2011-09-10T14:31:00.001-07:00

Fire Update – 09/10/2011 8:30 a.m. PT, Information from the Mt Hood National Forest Iniweb ( see link below)

Governor John Kitzhaber visited the Dollar Lake Fire heli-base on Friday afternoon. The Governor was briefed by Incident Commander Jeff Pendleton and answered questions from the media. He thanked firefighters for all of their hard work and efforts. Burning conditions improved on Friday, enabling firefighters to continue burnout operations along the northwest corner of the fire. Unburned fuels deep within the fire interior ignited in the headwaters of the Ladd Creek drainage, creating a plume of smoke that was visible from adjacent communities. Hand crews and air tankers successfully tackled a four acre “spot” as the fire became increasingly active along Cathedral Ridge. Air tankers made four retardant drops high on Cathedral Ridge to assist hotshot crews working in the wilderness. Fire officials remain concerned about continued drying in the days ahead and this weekend’s forecasted critical fire weather.

The fire is burning 9 miles east of homes along the Lolo Pass Road and 2 to 3 miles southeast of the headwaters of the Bull Run watershed. The fire is 19 miles east of the intake for the Bull Run water system. On Friday, the fire did not move any closer to transmission lines, private land, homes, or the watershed. A community meeting in Welches, was attended by 180 people Friday Evening. Fire officials provided the latest information on the status of the fire, strategies, and tactics.

CLOSURES

Area & Road:

Forest Roads 13, 16, and 18 are closed and all forest roads within the area closure boundary.

Forest Roads 2840, 3511, 3512 are closed.

For details on area closures please see: www.inciweb.org/incident/2563/

Campgrounds:

Lost Lake,
Wahtum Lake,
McNeil, Riley Horse Camp,
Lost Creek,
Kinnikinnick,
Tilly Jane,
Cloud Cap.

Trails:

Pacific Crest Trail from the Rushing Water Creek crossing, north to Wahtum Lake;
Trail #600 from Gnarl Ridge Trail #652 northwest to its terminus at Ramona Falls Trail #797;
Burnt Lake Trail #772 from the Burnt Lake north trailhead, south to the wilderness boundary;
Cast Lake Trail #773 and Horseshoe Trail #774 from the trailhead in Riley campground south to the wilderness boundary;
Sandy River Trail #770 and Ramona Falls Trail #797;
Yokum Ridge #771;
Mazamas Trail #625;
Vista Ridge Trail #626,
Elk Cove Trail #631
Pinnacle Ridge Trail #630

Thank you to the Mt Hood Chamber of Commerce for the distribution of current and critical information concering the Villages of Mt Hood. For the latest information on the Dollar Lake Fire, go to www.inciweb.org/incident/2563/

Mt Hood Real Estate For Sale in the Villages of Mt Hood includes Welches Oregon Real Estate, Brightwood Oregon Real Estate, Government Camp Oregon Real Estate and Rhododendron Oregon Real Estate plus Mt Hood Lots and Land.

Market Snapshot

2011-09-08T13:04:00.000-07:00

September 8, 2011
Homes, Cabins & Condominiums: Mt Hood Area (153)

160 Active homes and Cabins Currently listed for sale. ( includes Single Family Residences,Condos & Cabins)
20 Pending Sales , 40% Bank Owned (REO) and Short Sales (Short Sales have lower incidence of closing)
63 Homes and cabins sold to date in 2011

Lots and Acreage: Mt Hood Area (153)

44 Active land listings in the Mt Hood Area or Villages of Mt Hood
2 Pending Sales
5 Sold Undeveloped Land Properties to date in 2011

Market Snapshot is a bi-monthly Peek at Mt Hood Real Estate Market Conditions provided by Blythe Creek

Hiking Mt Hood....Great Trail Not Affected by Trail Closures on Mt Hood

2011-09-04T18:15:00.000-07:00

The question is this weekend, where to go Hiking to avoid closed trails due to the Dollar fire.

Here is the most resent article on the Dollar Fire I could find, but I will also include other information on closed trails and some good Alternatives for a Labor Day Jaunt. All information on the Dollar is updated on the InciWeb, Mt Hood National Forest's Incident Information System. here is the most recent release on the Dollar Fire InciWeb & Dollar Lake Fire Evening Update
As of September 3, 2011 here is a list of the Trail & Campground Closures on the Mt Hood National Forest. Primarily up Lolo Pass to trails up Zig Zag Mountain and the Alpine lakes on Zig Zag Mountain, McNeill and Riley Horse camp Part of the Timberline trail. See the complete List
Now some good alternatives for a Hike On the Mt Hood National Forest. The Old Salmon River Trail and the Upper Salmon River Trail are old favorites.

They are on the west side of Hunchback Mountain and not at all close to the fire. The Upper Salmon River Trail goes all the way to Trillium Lake. With no East wind blowing today, it shouldn't be smokey either. On the Upper Salmon River Trail there is eveidence of an ancient fire on very large Old Growth. Here is a the link to the Salmon River Trail #742

Enjoy Labor Day on Sept 5, 2011 and Drive Safely!!!!
No, you won't find any Mt Hood Real Estate for Sale on this outing, but you will see some
AWESOME Mt Hood Real Estate!

August 2011 Mt Hood Closed Home and Cabin Sales

2011-09-03T14:42:00.000-07:00

The Following List are the August closed sales for the Villages of Mt Hood which includes Brightwood, Rhododendron, Welches and Government Camp, Oregon.

From the number of closed Sales for the Month of August, 21% of the Sales were REO (Foreclosure Sales) and Short Sales, 1 Forest Service Leased Land Cabin closed and 1 New Construction Home Closed. Check out links for Mt Hood Foreclosures and Forest Service Leased Land Cabins. Also check out the link to Mt Hood Waterfront Homes & Cabins.
Check all the Homes & Cabins for sale by the following towns.

Interest Rates are Hitting another low point for 2011. When Looking for Mt Hood Real Estate for Sale come MtHoodRealEstate.net for the latest Information.

JUST SOLD Homes and Cabins Listed for Sale by Blythe Creek

2011-09-02T15:43:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the New Owners of these great homes and cabins in the Villages of Mt Hood, including Rhododendron Oregon Real Estate & Welches Oregon Real Estate.

Mt Hood Golf Course Home in Welches, Oregon

Beautifully maintained Golf Course Custom Home with 4 bedrooms plus 3 full baths, A Master Suite on Main Floor & a Den/office too! All Knotty Pine cabinetry, trim & doors. Refinished Hardwood Floors. Every Bedroom has a Walk in Closet. 7 Skylights! Sunny Location on the Red Course at the Resort at the Mountain on a Sun Filled location.
If you know a friend or relative looking for a Mt Hood Golf Course Home, click on the Link.

New Construction on Secluded One Acre

Live with the Tree tops out your Front Windows. Hardwood Floors in Living Room & Dining Room. Island with eating bar in Kitchen. Hickory Cabinetry & Granit countertops. Large Deck, Covered Porch. Master Suite Upstairs. Bedroom on Main with Bath. Family/Bonus Room on the Lower Level with 3rd bedroom & Full Bath too. 1 car garage downstairs. Shingle cedar siding.
Check out Kott Mt Homes
Click on the Link if you know a friend or relative looking for a Home on Acreage in the Mt Hood area.

Awesome Zig Zag Riverfront Getaway

Remodeled 1931 ZigZag River cabin. View of River & Flag Mountain from the great room & deck. Also, the ZigZag Riverside and Pioneer Bridle trails just outside the door! EZ access during snow.Cabin has oversized river rock fireplace & Energy efficient windows wood windows,Metal roof,clear cedar siding, Knotty Pine interior and vaulted GR ceiling. Generous under-cabin dry storage
Click on the Links if you know a friend or relative looking for a Leased Land Cabin on the Mt Hood National Forest or other Mt Hood Real Estate For Sale on Waterfront sites..

Classic Mt Hood Log Home on Private Land

Step Back in Time and enjoy this Vintage Log Home on Bear Creek. Great Ski Cabin! Vaulted Living Room. Rock Fireplace with newer wood stove insert. Large Detached Garage. Plumbed for Washer & Dryer in Down stairs bedroom. Bedrooms are non-conforming. Electric Fireplace in Back Bedroom with Back Deck by Creek.
Click on the Links if you know a friend or relative looking for a Mt Hood Cabin on Waterfront Homes and Cabins

Check out all of the Mt Hood Real Estate for sale:

Waterfront Homes and Cabins

All of the Above Homes and Cabins were listed for sale by Blythe Underwood Creek

Take a look at the local market conditions by searching Market Snapshot on www.MtHoodRealEstate.net ,your place for Mt Hood Real Estate.

Market Snapshot for August 28, 2011

2011-08-28T19:21:00.000-07:00

Homes, Cabins & Condominiums: Mt Hood Area (153)

166 Active homes and Cabins Currently listed for sale. ( includes Single Family Residences,Condos & Cabins)

18 Pending Sales

17% Short Sales (Short Sales have lower incidence of closing)

59 Homes and cabins sold to date in 2011

Lots and Acreage: Mt Hood Area (153)

49 Active land listings in the Mt Hood Area or Villages of Mt Hood

2 Pending Sales

5 Sold Undeveloped Land Properties to date in 2011

Market Snapshot is a bi-monthly Peek at Mt Hood Real Estate Market Conditions provided by Blythe Creek

Sandy Riverfront Secluded Getaway

2011-08-25T16:44:00.000-07:00

Remodeled Home on private,gated Road located on the Sandy River.

Australian Cedar Floors,Cedar Ceilings,Slate entry, Slate surround for upstairs shower with double shower heads. Kitchen has Granite counter tops plus slate back splash.Slate tiles used for the Woodstove surround.New cherry cabinets, New granite countertops,new appliances,New roof & New cedar lap siding too!
2 Bedrooms plus loft 1.1 Baths 1188 Square Feet ( not including the loft)

Visit the Virtual Tour

Check out all of the Mt Hood Homes For Sale on Waterfront sites which include Welches Oregon Real Estate, Brightwood Oregon Real Estate, Government Camp Oregon Real Estate and Rhododendron Oregon Real Estate.

July 2011 Mt Hood Closed Home and Cabin Sales

2011-08-12T14:29:00.000-07:00

The Following List is the July closed sales For the Villages of Mt Hood which includes Brightwood, Rhododendron, Welches and Government Camp, Oregon.

From the number of closed Sales for the Month of July, 33% of the Sales were REO (Foreclosure Sales) and 11% Short Sales

Interest Rates are Hitting another low point for 2011. When Looking for Mt Hood Real Estate for Sale come MtHoodRealEstate.net for the latest Information.

4 Steps to Minimize the Risk of Owning a Home

2011-08-11T18:38:00.000-07:00

Sometimes common sense prevails.......originally posted in Trulia by Tara Nelson (personally I am not a giant fan of Trulia, but I can't fault Tara Nelson on theis one.)
Not so long ago, in a not-so-distant land, owning a home was thought of as the safest "investment" around. Fast forward to the present day, and home ownership seems super scary to many people who can afford homes, and would like to own them, but are paralyzed by the fear of buying a lemon, or having a mortgage catastrophe.
Here are 4 simple steps to minimize the risk that you'll become the main character in a homeownership horror story.

1. Stick with a fixed-rate mortgage. (The Rates are Awesome now!)

Recent data shows that adjustable rate mortgages, or ARMs, are increasingly popular, rising from 9 percent of the mortgage market in the fourth quarter of 2010 to 12 percent in the first quarter of this year. This might seem crazy to some, but in financially aggressive crowds, the lure of low, 3 percent(ish) interest rates on ARMs is enough to overcome any qualms. As well, today's ARMs tend to have lower lifetime interest rate caps and require payment of principal, so they don't adjust as violently as the subprime interest-only and option ARMs that contributed to the foreclosure crisis.
If the thought of your mortgage payment changing over time gives you the shakes, you don't want to live in a state of interest rate obsession for the next few decades, or you simply crave the simplicity and predictability of knowing what your housing payment will be for the next 15, 20 or 30 years, then stick to
a fixed-rate mortgage. The rates are higher, but with a fixed-rate loan, the risk of scary payment changes are not only lower, they are non-existent.

2. Put - and keep - a home warranty in place.
One of the most frightening things about going from renter to homeowner is the prospect of being solely responsible for the care and feeding of your home and all its systems and appliances. Responsibility for both the costs and the actual logistics of repairing things like a leaky roof, a broken hot water heater or a haywire electrical fixture looms large in the minds of first-time buyers, in particular.
A home warranty plan kicks in when escrow closes, and depending on the coverage you select, will cover your home against the breakdown of major systems and even some appliances, like furnaces and water heaters. In some cases, you can even upgrade the coverage to protect against roof leaks and some plumbing issues. When a covered item breaks down, just remember to call the home warranty company first - for the cost of a service call you can get the item repaired or even replaced, if necessary. I remember the home warranty company replacing a $900 water heater in my first home; what a godsend!
Talk with your agent - you might even be able to negotiate for the seller to pay for the first year's cost of the warranty. Just remember to renew it when it expires every year, to keep a cap on your risk of unexpected repair costs for the duration of your tenure as a homeowner.
(This is the heat Pump that Blythe Creek's Home Warranty from First American Home Warranty installed in April of 2011. Sweet!)

3. Get repair bids and estimates, not just inspections.

After you find the home of your dreams (or the home of your budget!) and get into contract, you'll have a contingency or objection period ranging from 7 to 17 days during which you can obtain all the inspections you want. Most buyers start out with a general property inspection, a pest inspection and a roof inspection, then get more specialized inspections if the property calls from it. Pest and roof inspectors will generally provide an inspection report AND a repair bid for any work they find needs to be done.
But the overall home inspection could very well list a dozen needed repairs, upgrades and maintenance items, without providing any information about how much those repairs will cost. If your inspection report surfaces work you'll need to have done to fix things (or avoid bigger fixes down the road), work with your agent to schedule actual repair contractors to come in and give you bids on the work before your contingency or inspection period expires. That will position you to negotiate around repair costs with the seller, or to know what you're getting yourself into, cost-wise, if you take the property as-is.

4. Buy on the 10-year plan.

Warren Buffett once famously advised stock investors to "only buy something that you'd be perfectly happy to hold if the market shut down for 10 years." The same advice is good for buying a home in today's real estate market. Take on a mortgage you know you can sustain, buy at a price you can comfortably afford and avoid having to sell because you need to move for some urgent reason, or because the home no longer meets your needs.
You can take this last step to hedge against losing money on your home by planning your space, career and lifestyle needs out 5, 7, even 10 years in the future - everything from how many bedrooms and garage spaces you'll need to where you'll want to be located, geographically - and selecting a home that will meet those needs for that foreseeable future. As a general rule of thumb, the harder hit the area was in the recession, the longer you should plan to hold it.

Click on the link to see the Original Tara Nelson Blog Site article on Trulia.com.

Mt Hood Real Estate For Sale includes Welches Oregon Real Estate, Brightwood Oregon Real Estate, Government Camp Oregon Real Estate and Rhododendron Oregon Real Estate plus Mt Hood Lots and Land.

FUN ON MT HOOD- Sandy Ridge Trail System

2011-07-30T13:01:00.000-07:00

Blythe Creek

Information from the Sandy Ridge Trail System, BLM, Salem District.

INTRODUUCTION

The Sandy Ridge Trail System provides new recreation opportunities for hikers and mountain explorers in the foothills off the Cascade Range.

In 2009, roughly 5 miles of single-track trail were completed and are available for use. However, work is ongoing and portions of the trail may be partially completed. A bridge spanning Little Joe Creek (see map)) has not yet been completed. Once finished, the system will contain over 15 miles and provide a variety of difficulty levels.

LOCATION

The trail system is located approximately 13 miles East of Sandy, OR and 400 miles east of Portland, OR within the Sandy River basin. Elevations range from 1000 ft. at the Barlow Wayside to 2260 ft. at the top of Hide and Seek.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Designed and built with assistance from the International Mountain Biking Association, the trail system offers trail features including bermed corners and jumps that can challenge all ability levels.

DIFFIICULTY

Laura’s Loop (0.75) ‐Easiest

Hide and Seek Trail (4..25 miles) ‐Intermediate

For more information, contact the Salem District Office at (503)) 375‐5646 Salem District BLM website at http://wwww.blm.gov/orr/districts/saalem/index.p

ACCESS

From the east side of Sandy, head west on US Hwy 26 (Mt Hood Highway) for 11.4 Miles and turn left on Sleepy Hollow Drive soon after a large sign indicating a left turn for Marmot ( this will be the 2nd turnoff for Sleepy Hollow). Take the second right onto E. Barlow Trail Rd and over the Sandy River.

After 1 mike on E Barlow Trail, look for a gate blocking a Paved Road (Homestead Rd/FS 14) on your left. Trails intersect with paved Homestead? Rd north of the gate.

RULES AND ETIQUETTE

Show respect for other users and the area. Trails are open to NON-MOTORIZED USE ONLY (bicyclists and hikers). Be courteous and control your speed. Pack out all trash.

Public access to the Bull Run Watershed Management Unit (see Map) is strictly PROHIBITED and PUNISHABLE by Law.

For more information, contact the Salem District Office at 503-475-5646 or the Salem District website of the Bureau of Land Management

Take a look at the YouTube of the New Trail System. Have Fun on Mt Hood.

You won't find any Mt Hood Real Estate for Sale on this ride, but you will see some AWESOME Mt Hood Real Estate! Call me for the latest on Mt Hood Real Estate for Sale in Welches, Brightwood ,Government Camp or Rhododendron, Oregon.

Hiking On Mt Hood-TopSpur Bald Mountain Loop

2011-07-30T12:53:00.000-07:00

Reposted from Portland Hikers.org. An Excellent source of great Hikes around portland Oregon!!!

Bald Mountain from Top Spur Hike

• Start point: Top Spur Trailhead

• End point: Bald Mountain

• Trail Log: Trail Log

• Distance:

2.0 miles round-trip

• Elevation gain:

550 feet

• High Point: 4,591 feet

• Difficulty: Easy

• Seasons: July - November

• Family Friendly: Yes

• Backpackable: No. (unless you Head up the Timberline Trail to Carin Basin on North Side of Mt Hood or Go South on Timberline Trail to Ramona Falls)

• Crowded: Only to the Bald Mountain Spur Trail

Mount Hood spreads out before you from the summit of Bald Mountain. (Blythe Creek's photo from 2009)

Description

This hike begins at one of the more crowded trailheads, but quickly moves to one of the most forgotten spots on the mountain. At the summit of Bald Mountain, you'll not only be treated with a stunning view of Mount Hood, but will also see traces of an old fire lookout that stood here in the 1940s. You'll likely have the summit to yourself.

From the Top Spur Trailhead, climb through handsome, old-growth noble fir forest for one-half mile before joining the Pacific Crest Trail (no. 2000). Turn right and immediately arrive at a confusing junction of four trails and Mount Hood Wilderness registration box. In 2010 new signs were been posted at this junction, making it slightly less confusing (albeit missing basic mileage and directional arrows). The trail to the right, and downhill, is the continuation of the Pacific Crest Trail (#2000) and is marked with a sign to Timberline Lodge. The route to the left is the northward section of the Timberline Trail (#600), with a sign to Cairn Basin. The trail straight ahead, and uphill, is the southbound section of the Timberline Trail (#600), with a sign to the Muddy Fork, and is the route to Bald Mountain.

From the registration box at the junction, continue on the Timberline Trail toward the Muddy Fork for about 450 feet, and then watch for an unsigned trail heading left and uphill, between two large trees (ignoring another boot path just beyond the junction, near a large stump, that dead-ends in the brush). This is the historic Bald Mountain Trail. Follow this rustic path over a couple of logs as you climb parallel to the Timberline Trail, below. After a few hundred feet, switchback left, and soon reach the more open forest on the slopes of Bald Mountain. The tread is always obvious, though you'll step over a number of fallen logs that have accumulated over the decades since this trail was maintained. They present only a minor obstacle along the way.

As you approach the summit, you'll re-enter a band of huckleberries and false azalea, and the trail will quickly level off on the broad, forested top of Bald Mountain. Walk through an opening in the woods, where concrete blocks mark the location of the former lookout. Here, the 40-foot trees around you mark the time that has passed since the lookout stood here in the 1930s, and the summit was open. The final few yards to the viewpoint at the east end of the summit curves through a thicket of alder and mountain ash, then suddenly ends at a steep overlook of the Muddy Fork valley, and a stunning view of the west face of Mount Hood, towering above.

There are convenient rock outcrops at the viewpoint for sitting down and enjoying the spectacle, and photo buffs will want to time their visit for late afternoon, when the scene is most dramatic. From the viewpoint, you can also see a section of the Timberline Trail, just below, where the steady stream of hikers will pass your lofty perch, oblivious to your location.

To complete the hike, simply follow the same route back to the trailhead -- and take a moment to clear twigs and brush from this beautiful old trail on your way down. This is the only maintenance that the trail gets, but it's just enough to keep it open for all to enjoy.

The Top Spur trail climbs through beautiful, old-growth noble fir forests. (Photo from Tom Kloster on Portland Hikers.org)

Map

You won't find any Mt Hood Real Estate for Sale on this hike either, but you will see some AWESOME Mt Hood Real Estate!

Purchasing Information For Cabins on Special Use Permits

2011-07-23T15:27:00.000-07:00

This posting is from the Mt Hood National Forest Portal Site
Cabin owners tell us they like owning a recreation cabin on National Forest System lands because of the scenic setting, the rich history and sense of tradition, and because they appreciate the standards and regulations regarding the use and maintenance of the cabins and lots. Will a recreation cabin on National Forest System lands be the right fit for you? The following information should give you a good idea of the nuances of recreation cabin ownership. Please also contact the Zigzag Ranger District for additional information.

Recreation cabin owners own only the improvements situated on the land. The land itself belongs to the United States and is managed by the Forest Service. The Forest Service issues Special Use Permits to authorize cabin owners to maintain and use their recreation cabin on National Forest System lands. It is important to understand the terms and conditions of the Special-Use Permit before making a commitment to becoming an owner of a Recreation Residence on National Forest System lands.

Purchasing a cabin and obtaining a Special-Use Permit
Cabin sale transactions are handled through real estate agents or are done by the owners themselves. The Forest Service is not involved in the actual sale of the cabins, and does not maintain a list of cabins for sale.

The Forest Service will conduct a presale inspection when a cabin goes up for sale. The owner must bring the cabin and lot into compliance with the permit terms and conditions before a permit will be issued to a new owner. Certain compliance items may be transferred to a new owner through a Transfer Maintenance Agreement (TMA). The TMA will list due dates for transferred items and the new owner is bound to complete those items as a condition of their permit. In some cases a new permit will not be issued until non-compliant conditions are remedied at the cabin or on the lot

A Forest Service representative will meet with new cabin owners before a permit is issued to discuss the details of the Special-Use Permit and answer new owner questions, and both the new owner and the Zigzag District Ranger then sign the paperwork to make the permit official.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR NEW CABIN OWNERS
Please read the sample Special-Use Permit in order to understand the terms and conditions that apply to Recreation Residence owners. These documents, and other information are available on the web at The Mt Hood National Forest Portal

Some of the important conditions included in Recreation Cabin Permits are as follows:

1. All modifications to the cabin or lot, including but not limited to changes to roofs, siding, windows, doors, decks and porches and outbuildings, including paint color must be authorized in writing by the Forest Service before implementation. The authorization process takes from a couple of weeks to a couple of months depending upon the proposed alteration and the workload of Forest Service personnel.

If your cabin has historic status, or is located in an historic tract, there may be tighter restrictions on the type of modifications that can be allowed, and the time frame for their approval may be longer.

2. The Special-Use Permit allows use of the recreation cabin for recreation only. The cabins may not be used for one’s primary place of residence. Commercial use of or conducting business from a Recreation Residence is prohibited.

3. The cabins must be used at least 15 days per year.

4. The annual permit fee is equivalent to 5% of the base value of the lot. The value of the cabin structure does not factor into annual permit fees. Fees are billed December for the following year.

5. The area covered by the Special-Use Permit, including the improvements, must be maintained in good repair. Improvements are inspected periodically to insure compliance with the terms of the Special-Use Permit. The Self-Inspection form posted on the website explains the details of items that are inspected through this process.

6. No soil, tree or vegetation shall be removed without permission from the Forest Service.
Historic Cabins and Historic Tracts

The Still Creek, Mile Bridge and Zigzag Ski Club tracts have all been determined to be eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. There are also some cabins in other tracts that have historic status in their own right. These tracts and cabins retain features from as far back as the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s that make them very rich representations of this area’s remarkable past.

The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966 requires the Forest Service to protect and enhance the qualities that qualify historic properties for listing on the National Register. For these cabins, modifications must meet the general guidelines for residences, and also must be done in a manner that does not adversely affect the historic integrity of the cabin or tract. Zigzag Ranger District staff work with cabin owners to achieve this outcome whenever possible. The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) must also concur with decisions on alterations to these historic properties. Cabin owners should know that the timeline for approval of alterations for cabins that are in historic tracts, or are historic by their own right can take up to two months.

Looking for the perfect piece of Mt Hood Real Estate in Welches, Government Camp, Brightwood or Rhododendron? Also, check out the link for Forest Service Leased Land Cabins on www.MtHoodRealEstate.net

YouTube - 67421 E. Jennie Welch Ct..wmv

2010-03-28T18:00:00.000-07:00

YouTube - 67421 E. Jennie Welch Ct..wmv

2009-07-05T15:03:00.000-07:00

Salmon River Getaway

Quiet Riverfront Location, Beautifully maintained home with EZ Care yard. Vaulted ceilings, picture windows w/ view of River, firepit, front and back decks. Listen to the river while relaxing in the HotTub. Two Decks. Tile Back Splash in Kitchen. Wood Blinds. Sleeps up to 10. Furnished turn key. Minutes to Resort@ MT Public Golfcourse and Summer & winter recreation areas on MT Hood. Check out the full Single Property Website at the following link: 28137ewaterst.epropertysites.com/

2009-07-05T14:23:00.000-07:00

6 Ways to Tell if You Need to Paint Before Putting Up Your Mt Hood Home for Sale

It's Summertime on the Mountain and it's time for summertime projects. If you’re putting up your Mountain Property for sale In Rhododendron, Welches, Brightwood, Sandy or Government Camp, it may be time to bring out the brush and spackle. This doesn’t just mean on the outside, but everywhere. If you’re not sure whether you need to do it, here are a few ways to tell:

1. Peeling exterior – You may be used to the home and not see the peeling paint, but, as any real estate agent will tell you, curb appeal is very important. If buyers don’t like the way your home looks on the outside, they very seldom go inside. If the paint is peeling, it’s time to redo it.

2. Eye-catching colors – While you may enjoy your robin’s egg blue house with canary yellow shutters, buyers may not. A home on Mt Hood for sale needs to be painted in a way that the buyers can see themselves living in it. If your house is painted in unusually eye-catching colors, you need to repaint in neutral tones. Stick with neutral colors for interior painting also.

3. Peeling/stained shed – If you have a wooden shed on your property, you might need to repaint it or even replace it. Exposed wood under the paint is a major detractor and an eyesore. It may not matter to you, but it will matter to the buyer.

4. Cracks in the walls – If the interior of your home has little cracks, seal the drywall with spackling and repaint. Though small, the cracks will be seen as a negative, even if the rest of the house is well cared for.

5. Cracked tiles or water spots on the ceiling – Who looks up at the ceiling anymore? The buyer will and will see that unsightly stain in the corner that you haven’t noticed for years.

6. Artistic inspiration – If you’re an artist and you found the need to express yourself on the walls, you might consider repainting. Ask your real estate agent before hand; some forms of expression may sell better than others. It might be slightly painful, so it’s okay if you let someone else do it.

When you have a Mt Hood home for sale you have to be honest with yourself. Look at the house with fresh eyes and in a buyer’s point of view. If something stands out, it probably needs to be fixed. If you need a painter, just give me a call and I can refer you to a good painter.

If you’re thinking of selling your home, I'd be happy to give you suggestions on how to make it sparkle so it will sell faster and for more money. Call me today at 503-706-7101 or email me at blythe@servingmthood.com for more information.

Links:
Curb appeal
www.hgtv.com/curb-appeal/show/index.html

Neutral tones
www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Paint_Color_Selection-Painting-A1873.html

Seal the drywall
www.drywallschool.com/crack.htm

2009-06-20T18:21:00.000-07:00

This House Will Surprise You!
Step onto the main living level and enjoy the River Views from all Three Floors. Capturing old world charm, this home is 3 levels with a bedroom, bath and living or family room on every level plus 5 covered Porches and 11 foot ceilings!. Gorgeous,secluded quiet and private location on over an acre with wonderful year round light!.
Check out this Virtual tour link: 22483eautumnln.ePropertySites.com

2009-06-20T17:26:00.002-07:00

3 Tips to Pay Off Your Mt Hood Home Mortgage Early!

If you own a home in Brightwood, Rhododendron, Welches or Government Camp, you're probably trying to figure out how you can save money. One of the best ways to add a bit of cash back into your pocket is create a budget, and work on paying off your mortgage early. With a little research and a lot of focus, you can be mortgage free.

1. Make Additional Monthly Payments

One of the easiest ways to pay off your home mortgage is to simply make extra payments towards your principal balance. This helps decrease interest over the years, which helps you pay off your mortgage loan at a faster rate. You could pay as little as $100 extra a month and make a huge difference in the amount of interest you'll pay over the life of your loan. Use a mortgage calculator to check out figures and help you get an idea of how much you could save over the years.

When you make principal only payments, be sure to write a separate check and write "Principal Pre-payment Only" and your account number in the memo area of the check. Also enclose a letter instructing the mortgage company to apply this to pay down your principal balance. If you don't do this, the bank may apply it to your next mortgage payment instead of just to your principal.

2. Pay Bi-Weekly

Another way to pay off your Mt Hood home mortgage early is to pay twice a month, or bi-weekly. Paying bi-weekly could potentially subtract up to nine years off your loan. You simply make two smaller payments, instead of one big one. Therefore, you save a significant amount of money in interest charges.

However, if your loan company requires that you pay a fee to pay bi-weekly, or if they require that you switch plans whereby you are required to make a bi-monthly payment, don't do it.

Instead, stick with your current monthly payment schedule and simply pay more on your principal each month as described above. This way you'll still save a significant amount of interest, but you won't be locked in to making bi-weekly payments. If you run into a rough patch, you can go back to paying your normal monthly amount. This keeps your options open, rather than being locked in if you converted to the bi-weekly payment plan.

3. Refinance Your Loan

When you refinance, the goal is usually to get a lower mortgage payment. But if you want to pay off your mortgage early, you could refinance, get a lower interest rate, but continue to make the same payments you were initially paying on your previous loan. This would allow you to pay more on your interest charges, and ultimately shorten the life of your loan.

When trying to pay off your home mortgage early, you have several options. Just make sure to thoroughly research all the available plans of action until you find the one that's right for you.

Want more tips like this? Subscribe to my blog to receive weekly tips like this one. It's easy and free.

Mortgage calculator:
www.somersetmortgagelenders.com/MortgageCalculator/LoanPaymentCalculator.aspx

Bi-weekly:
www.bankrate.com/brm/news/mtg/20010920a.asp

Refinance:
www.mortgagefit.com/refinance.html

2009-06-13T18:54:00.000-07:00

6 Great Reasons First-Time Mt Hood Home Buyers Should Purchase Now

Although the housing market has had its fair share of ups and down, many home buyers, particularly first-time home buyers, are reaping the benefits. If you're thinking about purchasing a home in Sandy, Brightwood, Welches or Rhododendron, there are many good reasons to make your move today. Here are six of them:

1. Low interest rates – Right now, interest rates are lower than ever before. This means you can get an extremely affordable loan and save big on interest payments.

2. Cheaper home prices – Not only are interest rates low, but homes all around are cheaper. Since the market is packed with homes for sale, selling has become harder. As a result, prices have fallen significantly, allowing you to get a more expensive home for less money. The Bubble has been sliced off!

3. Potential tax credits – As a first-time buyer, you could be eligible for thousands of dollars in tax credits. Best of all, you do not have to pay it back, as opposed to previous years.

4. Less competition – Many people no longer have the money to purchase homes, so fewer people are visiting model homes and open houses. This is great news for you. If you're ready to buy a home on Mt Hood, you don't have to worry about floods of people bidding up the price on the property in Bid wars.

5. Huge inventory – With new homes constantly being built, not to mention an array of existing homes, you can take your pick from a wide variety of available properties.

6. Big bargaining power – Because so many people are trying to sell their homes, they're more willing to be flexible. As a buyer, you could greatly benefit and may be able to save on closing costs, upgrades, repairs and more. Work with a skilled real estate agent who can negotiate a great contract for you.

If you have the funds to step out and purchase one of the many Mt Hood homes for sale, now is the best time to take advantage of all the possibilities. I'm ready, willing and able to negotiate the best price and terms for you. Call me today at 503-706-7101 or email me at blythe@servingmthood.com

Interest payments:
Mortgage Calculator

Tax credits
www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204672,00.html

Closing costs:
financialplan.about.com/cs/mortgagesloans/l/aaclosingcosts.htm

2009-06-09T11:42:00.002-07:00

Great GetAway or First Time Home Buyers Dream!

Totally Updated One Level Home In Timberline Rim, Rhododendron, Oregon near Brightwood, Oregon. This home has New Windows, New Carpet, New Appliances, New Trim around Windows and Base, New Fixtures, New paint In and Out. EZ Care yard! Timberline Rim has Pool, Tennis Courts and Hiking Trail along the Sandy Riverfront Common Area. One hour to PDX, Roads are Plowed, Minutes to winter and summer sports on Mt Hood.

If you haven't yet qualifiend for a loan, call me at 503-706-7101. Great for First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit.

Check out the Full Page Web Site at: 65459ealpineway.ePropertySites.com

2009-05-31T22:39:00.002-07:00

How to Decide if You Should Remodel Your Mt Hood Home or Move

From birthdays and anniversaries to graduations and weddings, your home has seen many great days. But, you also may find yourself making repairs more often, and you could begin to get the feeling you need a change. This change can come by remodeling your Mt Hood home whether in Brightwood, Rhododendron, Welches or Government Camp or selling it. Before you make a decision, consider a few very important factors.

• What does remodel mean to you? — If your idea of a remodel is as simple as replacing flooring and adding fresh paint, that should be an easy fix. But if a complete demolition job is involved, you'll probably save yourself money and a lot of headaches by buying a new home.

• Factor in finances – Whether you plan to remodel your Mt Hood home or move, money is involved. Figure out if it financially makes more sense to make updates to your current home or move into a new already updated home. You'd be surprised how quickly renovation costs can add up, so keep that in mind. Expect the unexpected!

• Assess your neighborhood – Do you still recognize the area you once knew? Are your neighbors still "neighborly?" An important point to consider is whether or not the neighborhood still has value. You want to make sure it is well kept and safe. If not, selling could be the answer. You also don't want to price yourself out of the neighborhood. If updating your home would make it the highest valued home in the neighborhood, you'd be better off moving into a neighborhood where you can purchase one of the lowest valued homes.

• What about the children? Most times, when kids practically grow up in a home, many strong friendships are made. Think about how moving can affect your kids. Starting over in a new neighborhood and a new school can be life changing for children. In this case, remodeling your home could be the better option.

Bottom line, when trying to figure out if you should remodel you home on Mt. Hood or sell, take your time. You should exhaust every possibility to ensure you make the right choice for you and your family.

Remodel:
www.bobvila.com

Renovation costs:
www.trustyguides.com/home-renovation1.html

Moving can affect kids
www.tlcinst.org/Moving.html

2009-05-29T15:49:00.002-07:00

$8,000 Tax Credit for First Time Home Buyer's and Immediately accessing the credit for downpayment and Closing Costs.

The following is posted directly from Us Department of Housing and Urban Development's Web Site.

"DONOVAN ANNOUNCES RECOVERY ACT'S HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT CAN IMMEDIATELY HELP THOUSANDS OF FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS TO BUY A HOME
FHA plan will stimulate new home sales and help stabilize housing market

WASHINGTON - Speaking to the National Association of Home Builders Spring Board of Directors Meeting, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will allow homebuyers to apply the Obama Administration's new $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit toward the purchase costs of a FHA-insured home. Donovan said that today's action will help stabilize the nation's housing market by stimulating home sales across the country.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 offers homebuyers a tax credit of up to $8,000 for purchasing their first home. Families can only access this credit after filing their tax returns with the IRS. Today's announcement details FHA's rules allowing state Housing Finance Agencies and certain non-profits to 'monetize" up to the full amount of the tax credit (depending on the amount of the mortgage) so that borrowers can immediately apply the funds toward their down payments. Home buyers using FHA-approved lenders can apply the tax credit to their down payment in excess of 3.5 percent of appraised value or their closing costs, which can help achieve a lower interest rate. To read the FHA's new mortgagee letter, visit HUD's website.

"We believe this is a real win for everyone," said Donovan. "Today, the Obama Administration is taking another important step toward accelerating the recovery of the nation's housing market. Families will now be able to apply their anticipated tax credit toward their home purchase right away. At the same time we are putting safeguards in place to ensure that consumers will be protected from unscrupulous lenders. What we're doing today will not only help these families to purchase their first home but will present an enormous benefit for communities struggling to deal with an oversupply of housing."

Currently, borrowers applying for an FHA-insured mortgage are required to make a minimum 3.5 percent downpayment on the purchase of their home. Current law does not permit approved lenders to monetize the tax credit to meet the required 3.5 percent minimum down payment, but, under the terms of today's announcement, lenders can now monetize the tax credit for use as additional down payment, or for other closing costs, which can help achieve a lower interest rate. Buyers financing through state Housing Finance Agencies and certain non-profits will be able to use the tax credit for their downpayments via secondary financing provided by the HFA or non-profit. In addition to the borrower's own cash investment, FHA allows parents, employers and other governmental entities to contribute towards the downpayment. Today's action permits the first-time homebuyer's anticipated tax credit under the Recovery Act to be applied toward the family's home purchase right away. Unlike seller-funded down-payment assistance, which was a vehicle for abuse, this program will allow homebuyers to shop for the best home price and services using their anticipated tax credit.

According to estimates by the National Association of Home Builders, the Administration's homebuyer tax credit will stimulate 160,000 home sales across the nation - 101,000 of which will be first-time buyers who will receive the credit. Another 59,000 existing homeowners will be able to buy another home because a first-time buyer purchased their home. Given FHA's current market share, it's estimated that thousands of families will be able to purchase a home by allowing the anticipated tax credit to be applied toward their purchase together with an FHA-insured mortgage.

Homebuyers should beware of mortgage scams and carefully compare benefits and costs when seeking out tax credit monetization services. Programs will vary from organization to organization and borrowers should consider whether the services make sense for them, as well as what company offers the most suitable and affordable option.

For every FHA borrower who is assisted through the tax credit program, FHA will collect the name and employer identification number of the organization providing the service as well as associated fees and charges. FHA will use this information to track the business closely and will refer any questionable practices to the appropriate regulatory agencies, as necessary.

###

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to sustaining homeownership; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov."

Are you a first-time buyer?
You have just made a fabulous decision for your future. There are tons of great buys in the Mt Hood Real Estate market in the towns of Brightwood ,Welches, Rhododendron or Government Camp. I'm a specialist in the Mt Hood Corridor communities and would love to help you buy the home of your dreams. Call me now at 503-706-7101 or email me at blythe@servingmthood.com.

New Ruling From Secretary Donovan:
portal.hud.gov/portal/page?_pageid=153,8026931&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

Hud Web Site:
www.hud.gov/

2009-05-23T13:53:00.000-07:00

Wishing you and your

loved ones a

Happy and Safe

Memorial Day Weekend

from Mt Hood!

2009-05-19T21:18:00.000-07:00

Great Cabin on the Mt Hood National Forest.
Zig Zag River site. A lot of updates in the past 20 years!!! Cozy up by the fireplace in the winter. Sleeping area downstairs, Lotf and bedroom upstairs. Separate dining area. Metal roof. Located in Tract of Forest Service Cabins in Government Camp Oregon. Fully furnished. $179,900

Check out the full single property web site at
78419eroad35lot109.ePropertySites.com

2009-05-19T20:49:00.000-07:00

Knotty Pine Interior.

Located in Rhododendron, Oregon. Kitchen has Tile countertops Not in a Homeowner's association. Perfect getaway on private land. 2nd Bedroom is a sleeping loft. Fully Furnished. Minutes to Mt Hood Outdoor recreation activities during the summer or winter months. $179,900

Check Out the Single property Website at http://71320ethimbleberryst.ePropertySites.com

2009-05-19T20:17:00.000-07:00

Prepare Before Buying to Get the Best Deals for

Mt Hood Real Estate.

You’ve finally decided you want to buy a piece of real estate in Brightwood, Welches, Rhododendron or Government Camp Oregon. What do you do now? Here are a few tips for getting the best deal for your money:

Check Out Your Credit

Remember, everything is credit driven. That means your interest rate on your new home loan. The first thing you’ll want to do is order a copy of your credit report from the three major credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. Look for inaccuracies in:
• Name
• Address
• Creditors
• Late payments
• Delinquencies

After you’ve reviewed your credit report and know your credit score, you’re ready to make improvements to your report, if your credit score is too low. Send a written “Notice of Correction” to the credit bureaus. It can be up to 200 words. If needed, you can explain why you fell behind on a particular debt, and every time a lender accesses the report, they’ll see your explanation.

It can take several months to for your credit score to go up. However, it's well worth the effort to get a better interest rate. It can save you thousands on your real estate purchase in the Mt Hood Corridor.

Get Pre-approved

Before you start looking at properties, it’s a good idea to get a pre-approval letter from a lender. The lender takes into consideration your income and credit history. Then the lender determines the loan amount for which you qualify.

Most pre-approval letters list the maximum amount for which you are approved, not necessarily the amount you can afford. Look carefully at your budget so that you don’t get too excited about the number and get into more house than you can afford.

There are several benefits to getting pre-approved. It allows you and your Mt Hood real estate agent to narrow down the house search. That way you won't waste time seeing properties you can’t afford. Also, sellers will give your bid more weight if you're pre-approved.

Are you a first-time buyer?
You have just made a fabulous decision for your future. There are tons of great buys in the Mt Hood Real Estate market in the towns of Brightwood Welches, Rhododendron or Government Camp. I'm a specialist in the Mt Hood Corridor communities and would love to help you buy the home of your dreams. Call me now at 503-706-7101 or email me at blythe@servingmthood.com.

Credit report:
www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp

Pre-approval:
loanlane.com/preapprove.php

Budget:
financialplan.about.com/od/budgetingyourmoney/Budgeting.htm

2009-05-14T11:08:00.001-07:00

3 Things to Avoid When Preparing to Purchase Real Estate

If you are thinking about buying real estate in the near future and need loan to acquire the property, there are three activities you should avoid. These are normal things we all do from time to time, but are unwise when contemplating a new mortgage application.

Change careers: This is different than just changing jobs. If you have recently gotten a new job in the same field, at the same or better pay, and your past history shows long, solid employment, all should be fine. Changing careers entirely is more of an issue. You have no history of steady employment and income in the new field. Since you're new to the field, you may be bringing in less income than in your previous career. That's why a recent career change makes your mortgage application less appealing to a loan officer due to difficulity with underwriting the loan.
Open new bank accounts: When you apply for a loan for real estate on Mt Hood you need to provide bank statements for several months. Although your money is still in your possession, moving it to new bank accounts generates a series of big withdrawals and deposits which gives an image of instability. If you have withdrawn large amounts of money and not redeposited the funds, that looks even worse. Even if you invested the money in something solid, you no longer have the cash and thus appear less solvent.
Buy Big Ticket Items: The reason for this is simple. When reviewing a loan application for real estate one of the biggest things a lender takes into consideration is your debt-to-income ratio. Purchasing expensive items on credit can negatively impact your debt-to-income ratio. Wait until after you've closed on your home to buy new furniture or appliances.

Thinking of buying a home? Remember Interest rates are credit driven. Protect your credit score. I can help you get financing and buy the home of your dreams. Give me a call today at 503-706-7101 or email me at blythe@servingmthood.com.

loan officer:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loan_officer

debt to income ratio:
www.lendingtree.com/mortgage-loans/advice/qualifying-for-a-loan/calculating-debt-to-income

apply for a loan: www.homeloanbasics.com/articles/PurchasingAHome/WhatNotToDoWhenApplyingforaHomeLoan/

2009-05-09T11:21:00.000-07:00

Information to Have On Hand When Selling Your Real Estate on Mt Hood

Selling your property, whether it is a primary home or income property, is easier if you have the information your buyers are likely to want to know on hand.

Type up an info sheet answering the most commonly asked questions buyers have when looking at real estate for sale in Welches, Rhododendron, Brightwood and Government Camp.

Questions such as:

• How old is the roof?
• Has the roof ever leaked?
• Have you had a recent Appraisal?
• Have you had a home inspection in the last three years?• What improvements were done and when?
• What comes with the property? Window treatments? Do all of the appliances come with the property?
• How old are the appliances?• Is there water in the crawlspace?• Has the basement ever leaked?
• Where are the hot water heater, the electrical service panel, and other important maintenance items located? Are they easy to access?
• What kind of Heating System do you have and has it recently been serviced?
• Are the roads plowed in Winter?• What is the age and condition of the plumbing and wiring?
• Are there schools nearby?
• What is the average utility cost per month/year?
• Have you had any major problems in the past? Your normal seller's disclosure does not require you to list problems you had and have fixed. Some buyers would like to know what those problems were. It can give them an idea if they are likely to be a recurring problem (like flood damage) or if the fact that you already had the issue and fixed it they will not likely have to deal with that particular problem in the future.

Of course, you should always have the general information about your Mountain real estate available such as square footage of the building, property size, zoning and any restrictions or easements.

Having all of the information on hand will prove to potential buyers that you're serious, that you're prepared to be upfront with them about any issues your home may have, and that you've taken excellent care of your home

Thinking of selling your home? I specialize in selling homes in the Mt Hood Corridor between Sandy, Oregon and Government Camp, Oregon. Find out more by calling me today at 503-706-7101 or emailing me at blythe@servingmthood.com.

Income property:
www.investorwords.com/2405/income_property.html

Electrical service panel:
homerepair.about.com/od/electricalrepair/ss/anat_elec_pnl.htm

Seller's disclosure:
homebuying.about.com/od/homedisclosures/qt/Req2Disclose.htm

2009-05-04T08:59:00.000-07:00

How Can Obama's Housing Plan for Mt Hood Real Estate Help You?

The housing plan included in President Obama's stimulus package has many good qualities that will help those seeking real estate in the Mt Hood Corridor, west of Government Camp, Oregon.

There are two main points to the housing plan:

1. To help people once again obtain reasonable mortgages to afford the home of their dreams.

2. To keep people in the homes they already have. If it works the way it is planned, it is reason for a collective sigh of relief for millions of homeowners feeling threatened by foreclosures.

That's really it in a nutshell. There are many incentives wrapped up in each of those two areas to help both homeowners and prospective home buyers, but the very impetus behind the stimulus housing package is simple.

For Current Homeowners

If you have a current mortgage that you can't handle, now is the time to talk to your mortgage company. Don't wait too long because some of the detailed elements of Obama's housing plan are meant to be short-term in their offer so as not to over-tax the budget. While you have the chance, see if your mortgage can be reduced to reflect current home values. That can provide you with the equity you would have already built up but lost due to a drop in housing values. It will also lower your monthly mortgage to a manageable level.

For New Home Buyers

This is your market now. The real estate prices in the Mt Hood corridor between Sandy, Oregon and Rhododendron, Oregon are much lower which gives you a chance to buy a home you might not have been able to afford before. President Obama's housing plan provides tax incentives for you. However, just like with current homeowners, the time to do this is now. Because of the stimulus to the Mt Hood Real Estate Market, housing values are not going to stay as low as they currently are. Also, many of the incentives like the tax credits are valid for a very limited time.

If you’re ready to take advantage of the stimulus package benefits by buying a home, I can help. Call me now at 503-706-7101or email me at blythe@servingmthood.com.

homeowners feeling threatened by foreclosures: www.lvrj.com/business/40917822.html

stimulus housing package: www.recovery.gov/

tax credits: www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/

2009-04-28T17:12:00.000-07:00

Pride of Ownership

.....is evident in this ONE owner Timberline Rim home. Great full time , retirement or Getaway dwelling. Great Room Design. 3 Bedroom/ 2 bath. Large back deck for Summer entertaintent. Tons of storage inside and out. Looking for an Office in the home, Artist's studio or Room with a View for Guests? This home has THE STUDIO in your dreams! Oversized garage too.

Check Out the Single Property Tour on the link below.
http://64884epinetreeway.epropertysites.com/

2009-04-26T16:59:00.000-07:00

Great Welches Home

Great Home in Welches. Family Room Addition with Propane Incert New covered Front Porch in '07. Free Standing Propane stove in Dining Rm. Granite Countertop inKitchen. Fenced back yard w/Garden/Tool Shed. Well maintained home. Upstairs has a 595 sq ft unfinished bonus Rm not calculated into SqFt. Just needs Sheetrock & Carpet.Could be Master Suite,Office in the Home Or Young Person Play area. Lots of Outside Living.
http://68199etwinberryloop.epropertysites.com/

2009-04-17T09:28:00.000-07:00

You Don't Need Paint to Make Your Mt Hood Home Green

The environment is a major news issue and everyone is thinking green. Sometimes it seems difficult to go green in your everyday life, but just a few simple steps can move you down the path to a green home in Brightwood, Sandy, Rhododendron, Government Camp or Welches. You won't even have to break a sweat or crack open a can of paint.

In the Laundry Room pick machines for your Mt Hood home that have an Energy Star rating for peak performance to conserve water and electricity. According to Planet Green, an Energy Star washer saves enough water over the machine's life to provide drinking water for six people for a LIFETIME. It will also save you hundreds of dollars in utility bills over an average 11 year machine lifespan. Use natural drying when possible. Hang clothes on a clothesline in the sun on nice days.Use green products to wash your clothes. Laundry soaps that contain phosphates are dangerous to the environment. Look for products made from bio-degradable phosphate free materials.

At the Store buy your cleaning supplies and cleaning detergents as concentrates so you get more in each bottle. The fewer bottles you buy throughout the year the less ends up in a landfill.Buy florescent bulbs instead of incandescent and carry your purchases home in reusable shopping bags.

Eat Green Right from Your Backyard You can make your home in Brightwood, Sandy, Rhododendron, or Welches your very own grocery store. Check out the Great New Welches Home if you are looking for a site for a Garden in the Links below. It doesn't take a huge space to grow a garden big enough to feed an average family each year. You will harvest fresh vegetables you know are free of pesticides and herbicides that are bad for the environment and your health.If you'd like more tips on going green, subscribe to my blog. Each week you'll get free tips like this one sent to your email inbox. It only takes a few seconds to subscribe now.

Great Welches Home with Sunny Site for a Garden:
68303etwinberryloop.epropertysites.com/

Energy Star:
www.energystar.gov/

Planet Green:
planetgreen.discovery.com/go-green/green-index/index.html

Grow a garden:
www.backyardgardener.com/veg/

2009-04-16T10:38:00.001-07:00

Tips for First Time Home Buyers in the Mt Hood Corridor

Are you considering buying your first home? I'm sure you already know that now's an amazing time to buy your first home. You have the perfect combination of low interest rates, lower home prices and President Obama's stimulus plan which gives you additional incentive to buy now.

To help make your first time home buying experience the best it can be, here are some tips:

Know What You Can AffordIt is easy to get carried away with what you want versus what you can actually afford. Start with reasonable expectations.
Decide Exactly What You NeedConsider your current family status and what your immediate future might hold, then decide on the number of bedrooms you require and the amenities you feel you can't do without. If you love to cook, a well-equipped and spacious kitchen will be important. If you eat out 90% of the time, it is wasted space.
Make Good Use of the InternetIf you're like millions of other Americans, you spend a lot of time online. Make use of the many available free programs and calculators to give you a better idea of what you can afford and what your mortgage payments will be. There are mortgage calculators that give you an instant idea of what each home you find will cost you monthly.
Don't Hesitate to Ask QuestionsCall around to get insurance quotes so that you have a reasonable estimation of what to add to the total cost of your monthly mortgage. Check the information on Mt Hood Corridor towns, like Welches, Brightwood, Rhododendron or Government Camp to find home properties you are interested in & find out what the taxes are, utilities have run, what water system/or well the home is on and what the sewage disposal system is just to name a few questions to find out. Add that amount to your total monthly mortgage cost too. The Taxes will be going up in the area of the Oregon Trail School System. A great new High School was voted in November 2008!!

Buying your first Mt Hood home should be the thrill of a lifetime and with proper planning it can be. If you'd like to work with a real estate agent who specializes in helping first time home buyers get their dream home at the best price, call me today at 503-706-7101 or email me at blythe@servingmthood.com .

Stimulus Plan:
www.premiercapitalmortgage.com/2009_Stimulus_Plan

Mortgage calculators: Link to the mortgage calculator on your website. If you don't have one, link here:
www.mortgage-calc.com/

total cost of your monthly mortgage:
www.loanpage.com/morpay.htm

Welches Home in Great Neighborhood!

2009-04-14T17:17:00.002-07:00

SUNNY Location, Home faces South and back yard is full of SUN! New Carpet, Freshly painted. Fully Fenced back Yard. Fully landscaped, Room for Veggie Garden too. 3 Bedroom,plus Den/Office or 4th bd without a closet. Master downstairs. Laminate Floor in Kitchen and Dining Area. Propane FS Stove. Immaculate-MOVE in condition! Beautifully Maintained!

http://mthoodhomes.vflyer.com/home/flyer/home/2428998

2009-04-14T13:58:00.002-07:00

Stimulus Isn't Just for First Time Home Real Estate Buyers

All the talk is about how the President's stimulus plan helps out new and first time home buyers. The good news is that it also helps homeowners. You can get stimulus plan benefits from your existing Mt Hood real estate too. Add a little green living to your environment and you'll be pocketing some change at the end of the year from your income tax return.

Under the stimulus plan, both eco friendly new home purchases and eco friendly improvements on existing homes are tax deductible. Now's the time to make your home more energy efficient and get a break at the end of the year for your efforts.

Going green saves money, makes your living environment healthier, and improves the world we live in. To reap the benefits from the stimulus plan, you can make major home improvements such as adding solar power or moderate priced home improvements such as adding low flow water fixtures.

You need to make your home improvements soon to get the stimulus plan benefit. The plan only allows for the tax benefits through the year 2010. Why wait? Use this as motivation to get your projects started (and completed) now.

Here are a few additional eco friendly home improvements to consider for your Mt Hood Home whether it's located in Brightwood, Welches, Government Camp Or Rhododendron real estate:
• Re-cover your roof: The color of your roof can make a big difference in how well your attic retains or refracts heat and cold.
• Install an energy efficient Energy Star furnace: Make sure it has a high SEER rating (seasonal energy efficient ratio).
• Install energy efficient Windows, Doors and Skylights

With a little work and a reasonable investment, your Mt Hood real estate will not only pay you back in dividends for years to come, it could get you a great tax break. If you need more ideas for how to make your home energy efficient and get tax credits, give me a call at 503-706-7101 or email me at blythe@servingmthood.com.

Stimulus plan:
www.reversemortgageadviser.com/blog/reverse-mortgages/economic-stimulus-plan-mortgage/

Eco friendly improvements:
www.toolbarn.com/articles/tips-to-be-green.html

Energy Star:
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_index
OR
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=windows_doors.pr_taxcredits

2009-04-12T09:35:00.002-07:00

How You Can Get the Best Price When Buying Real Estate On Mt Hood

The Mt Hood real estate market is a homebuyer’s dream right now! Whether you're looking to buy a full time home, vacation getaway or an investment property, it's the perfect time. There is a lot of inventory, home prices are down, and interest rates are favorable which means that well-informed buying could benefit you in the long run. There are several tips I can offer you on how to get the best price when you buying a home:

Shop around in the neighborhood where you're looking to buy. The only way to know if you're getting a good deal is to look at home prices in the same neighborhood. Ask your real estate agent for listings that are similar to the other homes in Brightwood, Welches, Rhododendron or Government Camp and the home you are interested in. Evaluate the homes and their prices to ensure that you’re getting a good price. Your real estate agent can help you with this evaluation. Ask for a Market Analysis.
Play the negotiator when writing your contract! One way to try to bring down the price of the home is to offer a lower price on your contract. Offering a slightly lower price than what the homeowner is asking is a place to start trying to save some money. If the homeowner is firm on the listing price, you can look to cut costs in other areas. One way you may be able to lower your cost is by asking the seller to pay your closing costs.
Check how long the house has been on the market. If a home has been on the market for an extended period, the homeowner is going to be more likely to lower the price. A house that has not had any offers in a few months gives you, the homebuyer, an advantage. The homeowner may be willing to lose a few thousand dollars in order to sell the property to you

Especially now, it’s possible to get a good price in the Mt Hood real estate market. Let me help you negotiate an excellent price for your new home. Call me today at 503-706-7101 or email me at blythe@servingmthood.com . If you would like to see Listings on Mt Hood you can sign up for listing alerts at www.servingmthood.com.

Negotiator
www.work911.com/articles/negotiate.htm

Closing costs
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Closing_costs

Investment property
www.investorwords.com/2624/investment_property.html

2009-04-08T11:41:00.002-07:00

Wise Investments to Prepare your Mt Hood Home for Sale

If you're thinking of listing your Mt Hood Home for sale and know it needs a little sprucing up, here are a few tips on the smartest home improvements you can make to help sell your home faster and for more money.

Kitchen remodeling stands at the top of any list of most attractive projects for re-sale value. Crisp clean new cabinets, fresh tile and countertops all make for buyer approval and is money well spent.
Bathroom remodeling is a good bet but not nearly as good as adding additional bathrooms, unless your home already has a lot of them.
Adding central heat and air to replace floorboard or radiator heat is a huge selling point for any Mt Hood home for sale.
Installing a deck or patio. This one hovers close to the middle of the do/don't numbers but it is still a nice investment that can make your home feel more comfortable and give it more 'space.'

Items that are less likely to be worth the money include:

Installing a backyard pool. Some people think a pool is attractive. To many buyers, it's nothing but additional work and expense. Unless you live in a climate where the majority of people want a pool, steer clear of this investment.
Converting your basement into a finished living space. Many buyers like a finished basement, but it's the main living space that counts most to them. Your money would be better spent above ground.
A large landscaping job. It adds pleasure for you but not immediate gain in measurable value.

It is important to fix up your home to get it ready for buyers. But with money tighter than we've seen it in a long time, you need to focus on those improvements that will give you a good return on your money. If you'd like more tips on what works and what doesn't when fixing up your home In Rhododendron, Brightwood, Welches or Government Camp for sale, I can help. Call me today at 503-706-7101 or email me at blythe@servingmthood.com.

www.1to1house.com/fix-ups.html Kitchen remodeling: www.hgtv.com/kitchens/index.html Installing a deck: www.hgtv.com/topics/decks/index.html

Golf Villa Just Sold

2009-04-04T11:08:00.002-07:00

Welches, Oregon Townhome

Part of the Rippling River Homeowner's Association on The Resort at the Mountain 27-Hole public golf course. This townhome is located on the Foxglove Course which has been newly enginerred this winter.

Check out the Virtual Tour at mthoodhomes.vflyer.com/home/flyer/home/2393726

Looking for Golf Course Property in Welches,? Give me a call at 503-706-7101

2009-04-04T10:34:00.002-07:00

Barriers to Selling a Home Here On Mt Hood

The Biggest Barriers to Selling Your Home
Often they are those you create yourself by wanting a quick sale or not learning all there is to know about presenting your house to its best advantage. When you first begin to think about selling your home it seems easy. Put a sign on the lawn and list it. Once the shine wears off of the desire to do it all yourself, you might need some tips to help sell your home:

Clean It Up
That's the first and foremost advice. Nothing deters a real estate sale faster than a messy house. Living in your home while trying to sell it makes it difficult to keep it clean, but if you're serious about wanting to sell your home, it's worth the extra effort. You may want to learn how to clean your home fast for those times when a buyer calls and wants to see your home in 15 minutes or less.

Take Good Pictures
Where do you think people search first for homes for sale? Online. Newspapers used to be the first place people looked for homes. But now, approximately 80% of all home buyers look online before searching anywhere else. Due to cost and space limitations, newspapers usually display only one photo of the front view of the home. On the internet, where space is abundant, buyers expect to see lots of exterior and interior pictures, in fact, the more the better. If you aren't experienced at getting good room photos that show off your Mt Hood home to its best advantage, hire a photographer or a real estate agent who can do it for you.

Looking to Streamline the Selling Process
There are pitfalls you can get tripped up on when selling your home here on Mt Hood. If you'd like to work with a real estate agent who can help you maneuver around those pitfalls, give me a call today at 503-706-7101 or email me at blythe@servingmthood.com.

Tips to help sell your home: www.statefarm.com/learning/life_stages/learning_lifestages_sellinghome.asp

How to clean your home fast:
www.ehow.com/how_2312344_clean-house-faster.html

Room pictures:
www.ehow.com/how_4516889_take-photos-house-sale.html

Great First Time Home....

2009-04-04T09:58:00.002-07:00

Or Fantastic Vacation Getaway In Zig Zag Village on Mt Hood in Rhododendron, Oregon. Adjacent Buildable Lot available too.

Check out the Virtual Tour at mthoodhomes.vflyer.com/home/flyer/home/2376054

Happy Hunting!

2009-04-04T09:44:00.002-07:00

Looking for Your First Home? 2009 is the Year You've Been Waiting For!!!

Buying Your First Mt Hood Home
Is this a good time for first time home buyers to consider a home in Welches, Rhododendron, or Brightwood ? It's a familiar question with the economy in the state it is in. Here are a few reasons why a home is still a great investment for first time home buyers.

Pride of Ownership
This will never go away no matter what the economy is like. Owning your own home is the American dream for a reason. It just feels good to take care of a home in the Mt Hood Corridor that's yours and yours alone.

Tax Incentives
Owning your own home is one of the best tax deductions. The new stimulus plan makes that tax incentive better than ever before. Not only can you deduct your interest payments on your tax forms this year and for every year during the life of your mortgage, the stimulus plan allows a huge homebuyer tax credit of $8,000 for homes purchased in 2009 by first time home buyers.

Your property taxes are deductible too. Many first time home buyers understand that they can deduct the mortgage payment interest but don't realize they can declare their property tax as well for an even bigger yearly deduction.

Equity
Yes, even now, you will begin to build equity with each year you're in your new home. Equity improves your credit worthiness and gives you options for loans in the future if you need them.Take the first step toward buying a new home and contact me. I'll help you find the perfect place for you and your family. And, I'll help you get it at a great price. Call me now at 503-706-7101 or email me at blythe@servingmthood.com.

Homebuyer Tax credit:
www.realtor.org/government_affairs/gapublic/american_recovery_reinvestment_act_home#taxcredit

Tax deductions:
www.alllaw.com/articles/tax/article3.asp

Property Taxes:
www.neamb.com/lifeplan/homelive/hb_tax.jsp

New Edelweiss Condo In Government Camp

2009-03-28T00:25:00.002-07:00

Great Vacation or Investment Condo. Great Room Design. Three bedrooms, one is a HUGE bunk room with 4 bunk beds. Upstairs there is an additional double sink vanity outside of the Full bath and a mini Loft too. Perfect for two families to share or a family that likes to have room for guests. Great Investment Rental or Use in the winter and Rent in the Summer.

http://mthoodhomes.vflyer.com/home/flyer/home/2375129

Blythe Creek's Mt Hood Real Estate Blog

Market Snapshot: February 2012

January 2012 Closed Home Sales

Occasionally there are sales posted late. These numbers are as of 2/6/12.

Market Snapshot: January 2012

January 28, 2012

Elegant Welches Oregon Home

Take the Virtual Tour.

2011 Market Snapshot: A Year In Review

Last year there were 104 Home and Cabin Sales in the Mt Hood Area, including Brightwood, Rhododendron, Welches and Government Camp. One more sale than in 2010. Compared to 2010 the Sale price Change was down 8.9% (figure from Market Action, An RMLS Monthly Publication)

December 2011 Closed Home Sales on Mt Hood

December Market Snapshot:Mt Hood Real Estate

November 2011 Home Sales on Mt Hood

Price Reduction on Great Private Land Getaway

Waterfront Cabin on Private Land & Gated Road in Rhododendron, Oregon.

Community Meeting sponsored by the Villages of Mt hood

Road 20 Bridge Closure Over Still Creek

LOCAL UPDATE

Still Creek from the Still Creek Bridge

Mt Hood Real Estate For Sale in the Villages of Mt Hood includes Welches Oregon Real Estate, Brightwood Oregon Real Estate,Government Camp Oregon Real Estate and Rhododendron Oregon Real Estate plus Mt Hood Lots and Land.

Photo by Blythe Creek, all rights reserved.

October 2011 Closed Sales

Sales Data Since 2000 For Mt Hood Homes

The Following table illustrates sales data every two years since 2000, for the Mt Hood Area including Rhododendron, Brightwood, Government Camp, Welches, and part of Sandy, Oregon. Condominiums and In-Park manufactured homes were not included in the data.

Market Snapshot: October 25, 2011

Lots and Acreage: Mt Hood Area (153)

A Graphic Look at Interest Rates....

Closings for Homes and Cabins in September 2011

Market Update

Homes, Cabins & Condominiums: Mt Hood Area (153)

Lots and Acreage: Mt Hood Area (153)

Dollar Lake Fire-Mopping up...

All information provided by the Mt Hood National Forest

Dollar Lake Fire Update

Fire Update – 09/15/2011 7:30 a.m. PTAll information from the Mt Hood National Forest

Market Action Report-August 2011

Area 153 Statistics for August 2011

Dollar Lake Fire Update

LockBox Openings Dipped Labor Day Weekend

Dollar Lake Fire Update

Fire Update – 09/10/2011 8:30 a.m. PT, Information from the Mt Hood National Forest Iniweb ( see link below)

Market Snapshot

Lots and Acreage: Mt Hood Area (153)

Hiking Mt Hood....Great Trail Not Affected by Trail Closures on Mt Hood

August 2011 Mt Hood Closed Home and Cabin Sales

JUST SOLD Homes and Cabins Listed for Sale by Blythe Creek

Mt Hood Golf Course Home in Welches, Oregon

New Construction on Secluded One Acre

Awesome Zig Zag Riverfront Getaway

Classic Mt Hood Log Home on Private Land

All of the Above Homes and Cabins were listed for sale by Blythe Underwood Creek

Market Snapshot for August 28, 2011

Lots and Acreage: Mt Hood Area (153)

Sandy Riverfront Secluded Getaway

Visit the Virtual Tour

July 2011 Mt Hood Closed Home and Cabin Sales

4 Steps to Minimize the Risk of Owning a Home

FUN ON MT HOOD- Sandy Ridge Trail System

Information from the Sandy Ridge Trail System, BLM, Salem District.

INTRODUUCTION

LOCATION

SPECIAL FEATURES

DIFFIICULTY

ACCESS

RULES AND ETIQUETTE

Take a look at the YouTube of the New Trail System. Have Fun on Mt Hood.

Hiking On Mt Hood-TopSpur Bald Mountain Loop

Reposted from Portland Hikers.org. An Excellent source of great Hikes around portland Oregon!!!

Bald Mountain from Top Spur Hike

Purchasing Information For Cabins on Special Use Permits

YouTube - 67421 E. Jennie Welch Ct..wmv

Welches Home in Great Neighborhood!

Golf Villa Just Sold

Great First Time Home....

New Edelweiss Condo In Government Camp

Fire Update – 09/15/2011 7:30 a.m. PT
All information from the Mt Hood National Forest