Portland Area Real Estate Blog - "Did I say that already?"

Election 2008

Phil Anderson — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:09:00 GMT

It was a long process. Honestly, I'll say I was not initially enamored with either McCain or Obama, but given those two as reasonable choices and the hit-and-miss of the last few months between the camps, I selected Mr. Obama. Today, November 5th, I feel...(read more)

Laissez-faire Economics

Phil Anderson — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:58:00 GMT

In my humble opinion, we cannot have a “let the market decide” economy and invite/beg/pray for our (USA) government to bail us out under circumstances which were created by our greed (yes, OUR, as we ALL have some ownership of this crisis). Most of you,...(read more)

Green Printing for a better Earth and a healthier bottom-line!

Phil Anderson — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 23:31:00 GMT

I’m trying a new FREE software that works with your word processor and computer by evaluating what you are printing BEFORE you print it. Per the Wall Street Journal: Now, a start-up company in Portland, Ore., has come up with a software product that aims...(read more)

MLS Opportunity Lost

Phil Anderson — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Do you use the same text in the “Public” remarks area of a listing, as you do in the “Only Agent Can See” area? I'm sure you don't but here's a REAL example from the Portland metro MLS: Public Immaculate 3BR/2.1BA w/ open flr plan and plenty of natural...(read more)

New Sales Contract Guidelines – Post Mortgage Biz Meltdown

Phil Anderson — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:45:00 GMT

In the Portland metro area, Realtors make offers using the association’s standard sales agreement (we still refer to it as an “Earnest Money Agreement” or “EMA”. Old habits die hard, I guess…). Then, if a counter offer is made, we use our standard Addendum...(read more)

Staging Power!

Phil Anderson — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:12:00 GMT

We all know, I hope, good staging works... Still, it's a question of expenses vs. income. Recently, I had a condo listing for almost 4 months... (average time on the market here is 6 months). It was In an upscale area of NW Portland (Forest Heights)......(read more)

Oh yeah?...Well, my MLS can beat-up your MLS!

Phil Anderson — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:51:00 GMT

In the Portland metro area we are fortunate to have a very powerful MLS system. It can really make an agent shine when used to its full extent. One of my favorite features is the ability to set up automatic searches, "Prospecting Searches" , which notify...(read more)

Real Estate License Revocations

Phil Anderson — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:57:00 GMT

In Oregon, licensed real estate agents receive a monthly newsletter published by the Oregon Real Estate Agency (the agency which issues real estate licenses). Along with other helpful information, the agency publishes the names of agents who are being...(read more)

US Health Policy and Health Economics, yada, yada...

Phil Anderson — Sat, 10 May 2008 00:11:00 GMT

Here's the full speech that Angie Adams, 2 posts below, used in her blog. http://tinyurl.com/62nrwe Perhaps she intended to give credit to Ulla Schmidt, the German Federal Minister of Health, but forgot. Earlier, I very kindly, pointed this out to Angie...(read more)

Does your MLS give you a "level playing field"?

Phil Anderson — Wed, 07 May 2008 21:03:00 GMT

My dear, fellow Realtors, Does your local MLS have “non-branding” rules for your listings? For example, do they prohibit having a photo in the MLS on-line listing clearly showing the listing agent’s name and contact info; or, and even more egregious,...(read more)

Webpage Info Accessibility Compliance

Phil Anderson — Fri, 02 May 2008 19:56:00 GMT

Recently I received an email from my local MLS organization: Dear RMLS Participant, In response to a lawsuit filed against Target Corp. regarding Target.com's accessibility for the seeing impaired, RMLS.com was recently updated to comply with accessibility...(read more)

How about a REALTORS' Recipe Book?!

Phil Anderson — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 23:07:00 GMT

Yesterday, I had to stop by my auto dealership, as I had worn out the driver’s side floor mat (filthy from all the times I climbed in with soaking wet shoes; Portland, Oregon, ya’ know…PLUS my shoe heels always seem to wear right through the carpet of...(read more)

COS and other amazing facts (OK, not facts) explained!

Phil Anderson — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 01:33:00 GMT

This is a sequel to another thread, because I’d like to be able to moderate it: Tim..my good friend.....”COS”... Some might say it was begging answers to the question of, "Completion of Sale". Some might not, of course. But, we just report the news…we...(read more)

COS

Phil Anderson — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 01:06:00 GMT

COS....(read more)

Whether the Weather....?

Phil Anderson — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 15:03:00 GMT

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we are just beginning our 6 months of wet weather. Most who have lived here more than 2 years just ignore it and do mostly what they want outside; drive, shop, hike, golf, etc. And I don't see a slow down in home viewings,...(read more)