RE BarCamp Portland is on track for April 23rd and unless you've been living under a rock you should know we are SOLD OUT!  Yes, we filled up our 200 person capacity venue CubeSpace with 6 weeks left before the event.  In addition to filling up, we have about 80 people on the waiting list.

Everything is coming into place nicely, some of the sessions are taking some form.  A few things that you may get to experience while attending are:

Blogging training presented by the one and only Lorelle VanFossen.

How to engage and participate in the blogging community by Kelly Guimont.

All about Twitter and facebook by the magical, mystical Nicole Nicolay.

Perhaps a little something something about networking using Flickr by yours truly?

Maybe some teaching/training/conversation about video in real estate.  Video in communication with our sphere.

I think that Lorelle might even stick around and do a presentation about the power & passion of Woopra!  Can I get an AWESOME!!!  Woopra rocks the analytics world and this will be an awesome opportunity.

Did I mention the WordPress Workshop?  Yes, I think we may have a hands on workshop for those with laptops in hand wanting to "build one" before they go.  With some of Portlands finest tech geeks on hand you will be able to get er done while onsite.  This means you can go home from the event with blog up & running and only having to focus on writing content.  Did I mention we will have sessions in the AM about blogging?  We will.

There might even be a Bloggers Idol contest at the end of day.  Who knows.  You won't want to miss this.

Remember, these are a few of the things that have been discussed.  Someone may show up and want to share most anything else too.  Ya never know.  That is the beauty of RE BarCamps.

Live video connect with RE BarCamp Phoenix?  Half Baked?  The skies the limit...

It's going to be a great day huh?  Guess what is still missing?  More sponsors!!!  We have covered the venue, lunch is taken care of.  Name badges are set.  We have a start towards the t-shirts but we still need some more sponsors to make this event be complete.  Please consider what a great opportunity this is for only $250.  Yes, only $250 will get you a sponsorship (you could give more if you wanted).  Please go here and click on the PayPal button and be a sponsor.  We need you!  Thank you so much!  Please do this as soon as possible since we have to get the order in ASAP for the t-shirts.

Thanks to our official event photographer Aaron Hockley for the train photo.

Yes, you read that right.  On April 23rd, 2009 Portland will host the next Pacific NW Real Estate BarCamp.  So, if you missed the Seattle BarCamp here is your chance to attend one.  Maybe you were fortunate enough to make REBarCamp Seattle.  Great!  You can come to Portland as well.

Each REBarCamp is made up of a different group of individuals and I guarantee you'll learn new things at this one too.  Maybe you can share something you learned in Seattle and have implemented in your business.  Let the group know how it has worked out.  Pay forward your experiences!  That's what this is all about. 

For those not familiar with REBarCamp's, they are about learning and using social media in the real estate industry.  It is a place where we can come together and learn in a peer to peer environment.  Come prepared to share what you know and ready to learn from others.  Whether you have been immersed in the online world for years or just heard about facebook from your friends.  This event is for you.  No one is "too new" or "too uninformed" to attend.

Our event will be held at CubeSpace in Portland and seating will be limited to the first 200 people.  So, make sure you can attend and then RSVP on the site.  We'd love to have you.  How much does it cost to attend?  Great question.  REBarCampPDX is FREE!  Yes, the event is free due to donations by local and national sponsors.  Do we have all the sponsors we need?  Not yet.  Our venue is covered but we still need quite a few more sponsors to cover lunch, t-shirts & the rest (you do want a t-shirt don't you).  Typical sponsorship is $250 and if you have any interest in this please check it out here.

CubeSpace is rocking with WiFi so you can bring your computers, webcams and whatever else you want to use to capture and share the day with the rest of the country and world.  Please pass the word to those not here at ActiveRain and to those not involved in the online world yet.  Let's get them schooled.  Remember, this event is not limited to just real estate agents.  Lenders, inspectors, title, escrow, appraisers, stagers, virtual assistants, etc. are more than welcome to attend.

Who knows, maybe we can even get Ginger Wilcox, Todd Carpenter (new NAR Social Media Manager) and Jeff Turner to attend?  How about it guys?  ;?)

Today is Blog Action Day and all the bloggers of the world are asked to take the day to post on one single topic. Poverty The aim is to raise awareness, initiate action and to shake the web! We are asked to discuss the issue of poverty in our own unique way within our own voice. Upon seeing this topic three different organizations immediately came to mind. Two are local to the Vancouver, WA/Portland, OR area. One focuses their attention around the world and the other focuses in our local area. The third is based in California and focuses on Africa.

 

 

Managua Dump Imagine living inside a garbage dump. Not near a dump, inside the dump! Imagine all your food, clothing and shelter comes from within this landfill. Now, imagine you have the opportunity to get to go through the garbage as it comes off the truck first. The cost? Your 10 year old daughter to be used sexually however the driver sees fit. Seems like this can't happen. Guess again. This happens everyday in the "village" of La Chureca in Managua, Nicaragua. It has been like this over 40 years. Most of them have never known anything but this. Fortunately Forward Edge International, a local Vancouver, WA organization has been serving the citizens of La Chureca since the mid-1980's. What can you do? How can you help?

Portland & Vancouver Street Kids There are thousands of kids living on the streets in the Portland & Vancouver area. Many of these kids are literally abandoned by their families. They come home to find that their family has moved away or changed the locks on them. They are "thrown away". Many resort to life on the streets where they struggle for food, water, shelter, clothing and the most basic necessities. It is a hellish existence. Fortunately there is Transitional Youth. Transitional Youth is founded by the owner of Prudential NW Properties (my brokerage). Bert E. Waugh, Jr. and his wife Susy started TY in 1991 to help get these broken kids off the streets and back into society. It only takes a moment to know that this is Bert's passion and hearts calling. Is it yours? What can you do? How can you help?

Orphans & Underwear Yes, underwear. When you put yours on you probably didn't even think about it. Imagine living in Africa where something as simple as underwear is an unattainable luxury for millions of people. That is exactly what is happening there. In addition, every single day children are orphaned into extreme poverty. Orphaned into a life we cannot comprehend. Life with no safe food, no clean water and no hope. Enter Mothers Fighting For Others. MFFO is dedicated to providing these children with the basic necessities that we provide for our own children. They will give them a roof over their heads, safe food and clean water, and a chance to learn, to grow and to thrive. A chance to have hope. This amazing organization is run by an incredible woman whose heart and soul pounds for these children. Rocky Turner has dedicated her life to give a voice to those who don't have a voice for the masses. Will you listen? What can you do? How can you help?

So, the question is simple. Will you continue to live your comfortable life complaining about tough times or stop to look around you and see how truly blessed you are? I've given you three different opportunities to help out local and across the globe. I've personally supported all three. Will you? Please search your heart and dig deeper than you think possible and help make a difference. I promise it will be the best feeling ever.

Take care, Dale Chumbley Photo credits: Managua Dump Street Kids Orphans & Underwear

As a cancer survivor myself, this touches me as close as it possibly could. Not only am I a survivor, I have lost many family members and friends to this horrible disease.

10 Years ago, I finished my treatment for Hodgkin's Disease. Today I stand clean and clear. I am thankful to be here today. Unfortunately, not all are as fortunate as I have been. There is still so much to be done in research and development.

Some of you can do a little, some of you can do a lot. If each of us did something, the results would be off the charts! Please consider skipping a few drinks at Starbucks, a few lunches out, a round of golf or whatever thing you can think of to help raise funds! I promise you will feel better for it! I thank each of you from the bottom of my heart with whatever amount you can give!

Potential giving is off the charts. As I write this there are over 2,700 "Online Now". What if each of the 2,700 were to give only $10? What kind of an impact would that make? Skip a lunch and a coffee and together raise over $27,000 in just minutes! Imagine if that were to happen...

Go here to help!

Pressing on together toward a cure!

Last week, Dale and I got to dine at On the Border while they were training for their grand opening. Having been raised in Southern California, I tend to be skeptical of Mexican food in the Northwest…especially if it comes in the Tex-Mex style. But I was more than pleasantly surprised by our meal.

We started with an appetizer called “Guacamole Live!” This guacamole is made to order at your table and we both agreed it was quite good. Smashed avocados, red onions, jalapeños, tomatoes, cilantro, and fresh lime juice all combined to make a fantastic guacamole. Scoop it up with the monstrously sized tortilla chips and I was more than happy!

Dale had the Border’s Best Lunch Fajitas and they looked fantastic. A taste of the chicken from Dale made me realize how good they were. Grilled chicken, onions, bell peppers, guacamole or cheese, and your choice of tortillas make this a delicious meal. Dale ordered the refried beans and rice with his meal. The refried beans were partially mashed and partially whole and looked darn good from across the table!

I ordered the Lunch Fish Tacos. I love good Ensenada style (deep fried) fish tacos so was excited that they advertised a Dos XX beer-batter. I will say just one thing: TO DIE FOR! I loved the light taste of Dos XX in the batter and they were some of the best fish tacos I have had. I also ordered the black beans which were quite tasty and healthy. The Mexican rice was, well, not exciting. But that’s OK…the rest of the meal more than made up for the rice!

One thing is for sure…Dale and I both left there feeling quite stuffed. The lunch portions were more than generous in size and the Guacamole Live only helped make our bellies quite full. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and will definitely go back again.

On the Border has its grand opening on Monday, Cinco de Mayo. Located at 1505 SE 164^th Ave in the Fishers Landing neighborhood of Vancouver, WA this is one restaurant not to miss!

Take care,

Chris Hyde
Dale Chumbley

I have watched many Real Estate Shows videos and always loved them. I have not actually given them a shot myself due to the technology that my company provides for me. I figured it was time to give Real Estate Shows a shot and see what I think.

Let me say, I love this tool! I found it extremely intuitive and easy to use. I created this video in only about 5 or 6 minutes and I like how it turned out. You too can make these types of shows for yourself. You may find out how at www.RealEstateShows.com (it's not just for real estate!).

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

I first discovered Vietnamese sandwiches in Seattle last year and fell in love. They are a french bread sandwich with pate, pickled vegetables, cucumber, cilantro, onions, jalapeno's (I leave them off) and your choice of meat. They are really great. When I came home I tried to find them locally with no luck...

Until now! I just discovered Tan Tan Café & Delicatessen and they make the best sandwich I have ever had. It had a ton of grilled lemongrass pork and the vegetables and pate were just right. Another great thing about the sandwiches is they range from $2.25 to $2.75, so they are most affordable.

Tan Tan Cafe is located at 316 SE 123rd Ave., Suite A3 in Vancouver, WA. You can reach them at 360-892-3400. In addition to sandwiches they offer full Vietnamese cuisine. Go and give them a shot! You won't be sorry.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

Attention all urbanites (or dream of being urbanites):

This Saturday, December 1st is the 4th Annual Uptown Village Sip & Stroll event. It will run from 4 to 8 p.m. and should be a great time. Tickets are $25 and will include wine samples, shopping discounts and a commemorative wine glass. $5 Tickets are available for anyone who does not to sample the wine but still wants to get the shopping discounts.

Uptown Village is located along Main Street in Vancouver, WA between Mill Plain and Fourth Plain. It is a great place with a lot of wonderful boutiques, restaurants and small shops. Come and enjoy some wine, visiting with some nice people and maybe doing a little Christmas shopping.

Last year the event sold out so you may want to buy your tickets in advance so you don't miss out. Did I mention that this is also a fundraiser for Habitat For Humanity? Well, it is! Support your local merchants and go have a great time. There will also be live music at quite a few of the locations. For all the details check out the Uptown Village Sip & Stroll website.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

Hello Clark County,

Our October stats just came in and I thought I'd share a few things.

First off, our inventory dropped slightly from 12 months to 11.4 months.  What does this mean?  It means that if no new listings come on the market it will take 11.4 months to sell all the current single family residential houses currently on the market.  So, if you are a seller do you want to be one that sells in the next month or two or do you want to be at the end of that time?  I know where I'd want to be.  Make sure you are competively priced to draw the most positive attention possible.

While the overall county is currently appreciating at an average rate of 3% from October of last year to October of this year, we had a couple areas that seem to be outperforming the rest.  According to RMLS the area North of the Columbia River, South of Mill Plain, East of I-5 and west of I-205 is running between 18% to 20%.  Not too shabby.  The key is still making sure you are priced correctly.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

This home is a real gem. It has been carefully restored to hold all of it's original character while bringing it into the standard of today's urban buyer.
Refinished hardwood floors, abundant built-ins, a new kitchen with stainless appliances, a fully finished lower level with family room and office.
In addition to this, you also have a separate 500 sq. ft. apartment in the back that can be rented out. It is a one bedroom that is as cute as can be. So many options available.
You are only a few blocks from Uptown Village downtown Vancouver. Starbucks, Vancouver Pizza, La Bottega, antique shopping and so much more!

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team