Oregon Mortgage News

Local Update:

Are Home Values Increasing?
I'm not sure about your neighborhood, but I have seen a gradual increase in my home's value over the last 3 months. It actually came in at a healthy 4.8% increase in the last 30 days. While this isn't a guarantee that I could sell it at that price, or that it wouldn't sell for more, I do like the trend I'm seeing.

This also supports what I see on the streets, homes under $350,000 are appreciating. In fact, homes under $250,000 are pretty hot right now. There are a lot of First Time Home Buyers in the market. Rates are low and the $8000 Tax Credit is set to expire soon.

There are still great First Time Home Buyer programs available; the USDA Guaranteed Rural Home Loan and the FHA loans.

Refinance rates are still good, but are still struggling to get much below 5%. Best rates for 30 year fixed rate loans are at 4.875% on short locks. 5 Yr. ARMs are at 4%!!!! APR's will vary based on how we structure the loan.

Check out what rates would be based on your scenario.  Instant Rate Quote

The Real Estate Market Minute:

Refinances in Second Quarter Reduce Mortgage Payments by $3.4 Billion in Coming Year (it might be time for you to refi!)

In the second quarter of 2009, half of borrowers who refinanced their loan lowered their annual mortgage interest rate by at least 20 percent according to Freddie Mac's quarterly Refinance Report. The new interest rate was about 1.25 percentage points below the old rate.

Click Here to Read the Full Article by RealEstateChannel.com

If you're considering a Home Purchase or Refinance then now is the time to take action! Check out the "Resource Center" in the left-hand column of this newsletter for an interactive online tool that can help answer just about any mortgage or real estate related question.
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Brian Tracy Inspirational Article of the Month:

7 Disciplines for High Performance
Brian Tracy is a world-renowned personal and professional development coach that has helped millions of people achieve their goals and develop a positive mindset. Brian will be contributing to our newsletter every month by providing us with an article to help inspire you, our clients, to reach higher and achieve more than ever before.

Click Here to Read this Article by Brian Tracy
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Interesting Articles of the Month:

Walking Backwards May Sharpen Thinking
Next time you're facing a challenge, you might not want to stand your ground. Maybe you should try walking backward instead, Dutch researchers suggest.

Click Here to Read the Full Article by WebMD.com
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Lack of Vitamin D in Children 'Shocking'

About 70 percent of U.S. children have low levels of vitamin D, which puts them at higher risk for bone and heart disease, researchers said today.
 

Click Here to Read the Full Article by LiveScience.com

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Seattle Bank Teller Chases Robber Loses Job
A Seattle bank teller has lost his job because he ran down a would-be bank robber and held him until police arrived.

Click Here to Read the Full Article by Yahoo News
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51 Headless Vikings Found in English Execution Pit?

Naked, beheaded, and tangled, the bodies of 51 young men—their heads stacked neatly to the side — have been found in a thousand-year-old pit in southern England, according to carbon-dating results released earlier this month.

Click Here to Read the Full Article by NationalGeographic.com
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YouTube.com Videos of the Month:

America’s Funniest Home Videos & Hilarious Babies – A Fantastic Selection!

The AFV videos are a great compilation of a tradition we’ve all grown to love – people having some really bad moments caught on tape. The babies are not only adorable, but they’ll leave you in stitches as well. Overall, this month’s video selections are a blast. Be sure to forward these video clips to family, friends and co-workers!
 

Click Here to Watch the Video Clips by YouTube.com
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Delicious Recipe of the Month:

Beef Parmesan with Garlic Angel Hair Pasta

This is a great, inexpensive alternative to veal parmesan. The beef is moist and tender and the buttery garlic angel hair pasta makes it out of this world! Be sure to forward this recipe to family, friends and co-workers!

Click Here for the Full Recipe by AllRecipes.com
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Dumb Criminal Story of the Month:

Drunk Australian Man Stops at Police Station for Directions
An Adelaide man will face separate drink driving charges after going to a police station to ask for directions. Talk about drunk and clueless!

Click Here for the Full Story by DumbCriminals.com