Earth Day

Today is Earth Day, and in Portland this is a very important and meaningful day. As one of North America's leading green cities there is a lot of attention paid to treating our planet with respect and preserving our space for future generations.

At our office we are collecting used computers and electronic devices for ecological recycling. This morning, my wife, Dianne, and I attended a breakfast sponsored by Habitat for Humanity. I learned that their new Restore in Vancouver has recycled enough used building material over the last month to keep 91 tons of material out of the landfill.

Gardening has become popular again as the "bad" economy has provoked many to consider growing their own food.

Portland has a reputation of being weird. I like to think we are quirky and intelligent.

Chicken Farmers hatch new plan

Our family loves the eggs and chicken we buy at the Hillsdale Farmers market booth, run by Kookoolan Farms. So do many others, as the egg supply runs out about fifteen minutes after the opening bell.

Recently, Kookoolan Farms owners Chrissie and Koorosh Zaerpoor announced that they are dramatically reducing the number of chickens they raise in order to pursue more natural and sustainable practices, including letting the birds spend their lives outdoors foraging on grass and insects.

The chickens will only be sold at Kookoolan Farms in Yamhill and once each month at the Hillsdale Farmers Market. Mark your calendar for April 19, the first weekend of availability in Hillsdale.

For more info on Kookoolan Farms, visit them on the web - http://www.kookoolanfarms.com/.

Source - The Oregonian

Gardening at South Waterfront

The first South Waterfront community Garden planning meeting will be held next week on Tuesday, March 17th at 6pm. All South Waterfront residents are encouraged to attend. The purpose of the meeting will be to get hear information, contribute ideas and learn how to be involved in process.

The meeting will be held at Community Relations Town Home #115 in Atwater Place (entrance at street level on Gaines

Getting Involved in your Neighborhood Association

The following is from an article printed in The Oregonian late last year. We liked it and thought it would make a good post on the blog.

If you really care about an issue or have an idea for a project in a Portland Neighborhood, you might find support at your neighborhood association.

The City's 95 associations do everything from planning festivals to reviewing land-use proposals. They are run by volunteers, and their agendas tend to reflect the interests and priorities of the people who come and participate, according to Paul Leistner, the city's neighborhood program coordinator.

To get started, look up your association by entering your address at www.portlandmaps.com/. The name of your association will appear in the upper left hand corner next to your address.
then go to www.portlandonline.com/oni and click on the "my neighborhood" tab at the top for a directory of leaders and meeting times.

For downtown residents, you will find six different neighborhood associations depending on where you live.

For more details you can call 503-823-4519.

Wireless Internet for All

Many of today's condominium owners depend as much on Internet access as they do on electricity, heat, and water. After all, who needs the fridge to run if you can't get online to order the groceries or take-out? Who needs a morning shower when you're working from home on the computer? Being online is a basic, and as such, homeowners expect their online services to be not just impeccably reliable, but high-speed and low-cost, too.

A new service has rolled out in Portland from a company named Clear. They are promoting heavily so you may have seen their ads. The Clear Network is powered by WiMAX, which is specifically designed for high speed Internet data usage. You can have home service or city wide access. It's a great concept and I hope the performance of the system lives up to the potential.

Consider having wireless service anywhere you go in Portland with your laptop. Good idea.

The service is priced less then other Internet options and the data speeds are supposed to be very fast. Clear has opened a sales boutique across from our office on NW Lovejoy. I'll check it out today to learn more about this exciting technology. For now, their web site is a good source of information about the service - http://www.clear.com/.

Inauguration day

On this very important day in the history of our country, we wish President Obama and his team all the best. Our economic problems are complex and will take time to resolve. Hopefully we are now turning the corner on a new era of prosperity.

Condominium Furnace Maintenance

Many people choose condo living for the ease of maintenance. There is a management company that takes care of most of the community maintenance needs and is a source of reference when something inside the unit needs attention.

This is very handy, but at times, causes us to forget that certain items in the unit need routine maintenance. One of the most often overlooked maintenance tasks is the heating/cooling unit. Most new modern buildings use either an electric furnace or a water based heat pump system. These systems need to have their filters replaced twice each year. It's like changing oil in the car - if you don't do it routinely, serious problems can result.

Additionally, these units should receive a minor tuneup every year or two. This is done by a service technician. Because newer buildings use sophisticated systems, make sure you contact a firm that is factory trained and certified to maintain the unit. This comes in handy if the work needed is covered under a warranty. It's not hard to locate such a technician. Just note the manufacturer of the unit, contact their customer service phone (or web page) and ask for a list of certified repair people.

Stay Safe While Keeping Warm This Winter

National Public Radio recently ran a story about a piece of advice from the latest edition of The Old Farmer’s Almanac. The suggestion was about how to stay warm throughout the winter with just one log: chuck it out of an upstairs window, run downstairs and outside to pick it up, and then sprint back upstairs and chuck it out the window again. Repeat until warm.

This method may not cut it for the majority of condominium residents because the Almanac, as well many other weather forecasters, is predicting an unusually cold winter for Oregon. So people may be more inclined to chuck that log into the fireplace and set fire to it than use it for exercise.

Obviously, it is vital to only burn fuel meant for that unit. Don’t put logs in a gas-fired unit or use lighter fluid to get the wood burning. Beyond that, there are many options for wood-burning fireplaces. Condominium owners who build fires only for the ambiance may be inclined to use manufactured logs instead of cordwood. Manufactured logs are easy to transport and light; they make fire building look easy. The Chimney Safety Institute of America has certified three types of manufactured logs for use in fireplaces: the Duraflamebrand of logs, the Javalog, and the Creosote Sweeping Log.

Stay warm and safe.

Condo Trends: Universal Design

If you're nearing the age of 50, then you've probably already heard about a type of design in housing called "universal design."

On a practical level, Universal Design allows for the day in which mobility and energy of Baby Boomers may be reduced. For example, designers can create easily accessible, functional and beautiful bathrooms by integrating a large turning radius, wide doorways and lever handles allowing those in a wheelchair easy access.

While it may not sound like much of a difference in traditional design, universal eliminates “steps or floor-height differentials and incorporating broad doorways and hallways throughout that take into account the potential for future lifestyle changes." Says Nanette Overly, vice president Epcon Communities.

North Carolina State University's Center for Universal Design just introduced an upper undergraduate and graduate course study called Universal By Design. The center designed the course to "help address inadequacies" currently found in universal design where untrained developers of universal space are trying to support federal laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Housing Amendment Act. The course should help designers in training to conduct "more creative work beyond mere code compliance."

Overly stipulates "the ultimate compliment paid to Universal Design residence is that while it provides an ideal venue for mature residents, it doesn't feel like a space that has made any design concessions."

A well-designed universal dwelling is one that anyone would be happy to call home.

Wheels When You Need Them

Stopped by the Meriwether yesterday to pickup Dianne's mother. While there, we noticed that the Zip Car had not been used in a few days. That may explain the huge crowds riding on the Streetcar.

Mice suspected in Million-Dollar Cheese Destruction

Mice are the unlikely villains of a new setback for the Italian cheese industry after allegedly spoiling more than $1m (€777,000) of products in the Northern city of Parma, say news reports.

Mice excrement and carcasses were found by police at a warehouse in the city, leading to the seizure of 2000 cheese rounds weighing about 80 tons, according to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti.

The cheese, produced by a local manufacturer, was partly destroyed with further tests determining whether other samples are still safe for consumption, according to the report.

Parma is famously associated as a key area for the production of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.

Mice seem to be in the news frequently these days. They apparently are the prime suspects in a deadly cat fire near the Canadian city of Toronto. More on that here.

Snow Picture

This bird was watching us this morning while it was snowing.

Planning the Budget for a Successful HOA

I came across an article on HOA budgets in one of our real estate related newsletters. Since I work on the finance committee of a local HOA, it caught my eye. Here is an edited version:

Every homeowner association needs a well crafted annual budget to calculate the fees to be paid by the members. A review and revision should happen each year without exception because costs change every year. Failure to revise (read "increase") each year will put the HOA deeper and deeper in the hole. There are number of areas that every budget review should include:

Historical Operating Expenses. Examine the most recent 12 months' expenses to determine your base for each expense line item.

Anticipated Increases. Utility costs typically increase every year. Contract services also are subject to increase.

Contingency. HOAs often experience unforeseen expenses and/or revenue shortfall. Add 5-10% of the total budget to cover this.

Reserve Funds. Every HOA should set aside funds for future common element repairs and replacements. Both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the entities that underwrite most home mortgages) require at least 10% of the condominium annual revenues be dedicated to reserves. For HOAs with little common area or few common elements, 10% may suffice but condominiums often need 25% or more of the annual budget dedicated to this purpose.

Experts advise not comparing the fees of one association too closely to that of another association. The financial fingerprint of each HOA is unique...no two are alike. The budget needs to be based on the specific services required to maintain the operation and reserves, not what the Joneses are doing. The Joneses may be headed for disaster. Even similar HOAs can have very different financial requirements. Some have higher insurance premiums due to prior claims. Some have funded their reserves appropriately, some are catching up, and some haven't even started yet. Some take care of repairs on a pro-active basis and some have deferred maintenance. Some have earthquake insurance, cable TV and Internet access and some don't. In other words, the "HOA fee" doesn't include the same costs in all complexes so comparing the bottom line without knowing what created it is meaningless. Your HOA fees should be based on specific needs, not the neighbor's.

What about cost cutting? Most HOA expenses are not discretionary but there are some areas with great potential for savings, such as:

Insurance. Increasing the insurance deductible lowers the premium. However, if this is done, there should be an Insurance Deductible reserve spread over, say, three years to cover at least one claim. If no claims are filed during the three years, the money is saved.

Landscaping Renovation. Older HOAs often have vast turf areas which are very expensive to maintain. Replacing turf areas with planting beds filled with drought resistant plants and bushes can dramatically reduce costs.

Lighting. Compact fluorescent bulbs use 70% less energy and last years longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. They usually work with existing fixtures and the brighter light they cast enhances security.

Heating & Air Conditioning. If the HOA provides central heating and air conditioning, it is often worth installing new energy efficient equipment. Your utility company usually can provide you a cost/benefit analysis. The older your existing equipment, the faster the payback.

Hot Water Heating System. The same cost/benefit approach applies to central hot water systems. Investing in new equipment can often pay back in only a few years with the energy costs savings.

In the final analysis, the board is charged with running business in the best interest of all members. Sometimes that means ruffling a few feathers. But the board has the fiduciary duty to set the HOA fees at a level that is adequate to cover realistic operating and reserve expenses. Budgeting for success means planning, leadership and execution.

Zip Car Memberships on sale

Zipcar is offering discounted memberships to residents of the Pearl District.

Between now and December 31st you can join Zipcar for $25 and receive a $35 driving credit (a savings of $50). Make sure to use the promo code "bigreveal" when filling out the application.

Zipcar has more than 20 vehicles located throughout the Pearl District, pick from over 15 different makes and models, BMW 380, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Prius, Volvo S40, MINI and so many more... Gas, insurance and parking included!

You will find more information about this offer at http://www.zipcar.com/bigreveal/

Entering the Blogosphere

We are pleased to be a part of the collective community of blogs known as the Blogosphere. Since all blogs are on the Internet by definition, they may be seen as interconnected and socially networked.

I did some research on the Blogosphere and found this on wikipedia: The term was coined on September 10, 1999 by Brad L. Graham as a joke. It was re-coined in 2002 by William Quick and was quickly adopted and propagated by the warblog community. The term resembles the older word logosphere (from Greek logos meaning word, and sphere, interpreted as world), the "the world of words", the universe of discourse.

For those of us who are more visual, here is a simple picture of the Blogosphere -

Asa Lovejoy

The Sunday Oregonian had a really good story about NW Lovejoy St. The gist of the article is that Lovejoy is a downtown street that provides a bridge between the past, present, and the future. What I found interesting in the article were several bits of information that were "a ha" moments for me.

First, the street is named after Asa Lovejoy, one of our city's founders. There is a new apartment building right across the street from our office on Lovejoy Street named Asa Flats and Lofts. I had been wondering how they came up with that name. Clever of the building owners to apply the first name of this city founder to a building located on a street bearing his last name.

The second bit of interesting info is the story of how Portland received it's name. I had forgotten this tale. Seems that in 1845, Asa Lovejoy and Francis W. Pettygrove each wanted to name the new town after their home towns: Boston, Mass. and Portland, Maine respectively. They settled the argument with a coin toss. Pettygrove won two out of three coin tosses.

Third, the article talked a little about the historic Marshall Wells building, now lofts. It referenced one of our listings in that building. It's one of the best priced lofts in the Pearl; a 722-square-foot, one-bedroom, one-bath unit for $259,900.

First snowfall hits downtown

While driving to work this morning I spotted the first recorded downtown snow fall of the season. Apparently, sometime over night, an isolated snow shower fell near the corner of NW Davis and 12th in the Pearl District. City crews must have been notified because they cleared off the intersection leaving several piles along the curb on both sides of NW Davis.

As of this morning the snow was quickly melting. Pedestrians were seen hopping around puddles of snowy slush as they made their way in and out of the nearby Portland Art Institute building.

New Safeway opens in the Pearl District

The long awaited Safeway super market opened last Friday in the Pearl. Located on NW Lovejoy between, NW 13th and NW 14th. It is a full feature store with pharmacy and up scale wine list.

While we were taking our first stroll thru the isles, I took the opportunity to get a flu shot. They were being offered at the pharmacy counter and there was no wait.

For those of us who work and/or live in the Pearl, this new store is a welcome addition.

You can even order your groceries online. they will be delivered in a cute van like this one here. More information can be found on their web site Safeway.com.

Five Reasons why Portland is a Great Place to Live

1) Housing prices are still more affordable then other major west coast cities.

Median Sales Price

Phoenix/Masa/Scottsdale, AZ $205,100
Sacramento $230,000
Salt Lake City $234,200
Portland $286,100
Seattle/Tacoma $380,500
Los Angeles $417,800
San Diego $459,000
Anaheim/Santa Anna $553,300
San Francisco $684,900
San Jose/Sunnyvale $755,000

2) Portland is ranked No. 1 for public transportation and pedestrian friendliness, safety, cleanliness, public parks, and environmental awareness according to Travel & Leisure’s 2008 survey of America’s favorite cities.

3) Portland was selected by the League of American Bicyclists to be the 1st large US city to receive the Platinum level designation and ranks first in the nation for biking to work.

4) Portland has terrific restaurants because it is a magnet for talented chefs from across the nation. It is second ranked by Cooking Light Magazine as a city that best fits it’s philosophy.

5) Portland is among AARP Magazine’s top five places to live (and retire).