portland: Chris Balmes Properties Adds Broker Melinda McGrath
- 06/19/08 03:52 PM
May 19, 2008 (Tualatin, OR) The Oregon branch office of Chris Balmes Properties announces the addition of Melinda McGrath. McGrath brings 14 years of successful corporate marketing, sales and recruiting experience to her new role as a Broker. She has successfully bought and sold eight personal or investment homes in the past ten years and during that time learned a great deal about what works and what doesn't work in the real estate market. "As your Broker, I promise to deliver on the three hallmarks of a trusted real estate partner: strong market knowledge, ethical behavior, and a focus on detail. … (0 comments)
portland: I need your support!
- 06/19/08 03:49 PM
Dear Friends and Family, I recently accepted the challenge to raise funds to support the Komen Portland Race for the Cure® on September 21st in the fight to save lives and end breast cancer forever. Did you know that Susan G. Komen for the Cure® locally helps to provide more than 7,000 free screening mammograms for the uninsured women of Oregon and SW Washington who otherwise cannot afford them? Unfortunately, 37,000 more local women need mammograms but don't get them. That is why I am fundraising and joining this year's Race, to help Susan G. Komen for the Cure save lives through early detection. Imagine the … (0 comments)
portland: Experienced Broker April Rose Joins Chris Balmes Properties
- 05/19/08 05:27 PM
May 7, 2008 (Tualatin, OR) April Rose joins the Oregon branch office of Chris Balmes Properties. She brings nine years of experience in real estate, new development/construction and property management. Rose's goal is to build a relationship with her clients that goes beyond just a "transaction". She is there every step of the way for her clients and has trust, communication and respect with lots of enthusiasm. "I have known April's family for over 30 years and even helped her buy her first home. She is extremely articulate, bright and motivated to build her clientele. I am proud she has … (0 comments)
April 1, 2008 (Tualatin, OR) Chris Balmes Properties (CBP) is pleased to announce Broker, Paola Soles has joined the Oregon branch office. Soles recently obtained her license from the Norm Webb Real Estate School. She was born in Peru and therefore will be able to help Spanish speaking individuals with their real estate needs. Soles has a Bachelor's Degree in Education and worked as a teacher for 11 years. She also owned and managed a language school in Peru. She is currently working for Clackamas County in Public Health administration. Her family loves to travel, enjoys camping … (0 comments)
Lisa Balmes Named Portland Business Journal 40 under 40 Runner-Up March 31, 2008 (Tualatin, OR) The Portland Business Journal named Lisa Balmes PC, e-PRO as a 2008 40 under 40 Runner-up in the March 21, 2008 issue. Balmes hangs both her Oregon & Washington licenses with Chris Balmes Properties (CBP), which she is a partner with her mother, Principal Broker, Chris Balmes PC, GRI, e-Pro. They also have a Property Management division in both states. "I am honored to have been nominated for such a prestigious award. I know a few of this year's winners and am privileged … (1 comments)
portland: Portland home prices up, says report
- 02/26/08 09:16 AM
Across the country, Americans saw home prices drop precipitously in the fourth quarter. That wasn't the case in Portland. Portland was one of only three U.S. markets where home prices increased in the latest quarter, according to new data from Standard & Poor's. Only Charlotte, N.C., Portland and Seattle showed year-over-year increases in prices. Charlotte's growth was the biggest, at 2.3 percent, followed by Portland at 1.2 percent and Seattle at 0.5 percent. South Florida home prices plunged. Home prices in the Miami area dropped 17.5 percent in the fourth quarter, the biggest decline in the country, according to Standard & … (0 comments)
Lisa Balmes PC Earns Realtor e-Pro Certification January 30, 2007 (Tualatin, OR - Lisa Balmes PC, e-PRO of Chris Balmes Properties has successfully completed the REALTOR e-PRO course to become one of a select few real estate professionals to earn the prestigious certification offered through the National Association of REALTORS.® The REALTOR e-PROÒ certification course is an educational program unlike any other professional certification or designation course available, comprehensive and interactive. It is specifically designed to provide real estate professionals with the technology tools needed to assist consumers in the purchase or sale of a … (0 comments)
portland: Top 10 Most Walkable Cities
- 12/07/07 07:51 AM
Daily Real Estate News | December 4, 2007 Top 10 Most Walkable CitiesA Brookings Institution researcher says after the advent of the shopping mall, developers forgot how to build great cities, but that's changing as urban areas again strive to be walkable."For 50 years we had this collective amnesia about how to build great places," says Christopher B. Leinberger, a real estate developer and visiting fellow at Brookings.Leinberger quantified the walkability trend by ranking the 30 largest metropolitan areas in terms of the number of walkable urban places they had clustered about them, then divided the number of places by the total population to … (1 comments)
portland: Brokers Tours-To Do or Not to Do
- 11/26/07 03:57 AM
As I talk to more and more agents, they feel the same way as I do. Why am I spending money on food, beverages and "prizes" for attending my tours? Some clients request them and therefore I do them, but even with advertising and posting I haven't had one agent attend my last 8 Broker's Tours. I always end up leaving the food or coming home and putting it in the fridge only to throw it away in a few days. I know I don't attend them (even with the bribes to attend :)) and I know why I don't. It's the … (2 comments)
portland: Advertising...Internet vs. Print
- 11/15/07 10:32 AM
The statistics these days say that 80% of purchasers are spending an average of 40 hours looking at listings online before they ever call a realtor. With the number of pictures increasing that we can post on MLS systems (16 in our RMLS), as well as virtual tours it only makes sense. (On another note-this is why Broker's tours aren't as successful as in the past. When I can see every corner of the house online I don't really need to preview it!) Recently, I heard that 75% of realtors are spending 80% of their advertising dollars on print. Something is … (14 comments)
portland: Join Chris Balmes Properties Today!
- 11/14/07 10:30 AM
Chris Balmes Properties Ranked #17 Top Real Estate Firm by Portland Business Journal • CBP Virtual Office-Use Your Own Home Office • No Desk Fees • No Franchise Fees • No BAC Minimums • Oregon & Washington Branches • Individualize CBP Marketing Materials • Aggressive Online Advertising • Extremely Experienced Principal Broker • Family Owned Company • Straight 10% Commission on Each Transaction • Agent Pays for Own E & O Insurance & Signs Chris Balmes Properties Licensed in Oregon & Washington Visit us @ http://www.chrisbalmesproperties.com/ Oregon Branch 503.427.0372 Washington Branch 509.493.1951 … (0 comments)
portland: NINE Party-A networking event
- 11/13/07 06:41 AM
On Friday evening, I was invited to attend a networking party called NINE (New Integrated Networking Experience) in downtown Portland. It was a faulous event with a live band, food and wine until midnight. The event was a great way to network in a multi-cultural atmosphere. There were all kinds of people there and business cards being passed around the event. There was someone taking pictures, as well as a TV station interviewing people. After midnight the event turned into a club atmosphere with a DJ. The whole event was a lot of fun and I would highly recommend that anyone in … (4 comments)
portland: IS NOW STILL A GOOD TIME TO BUY A HOME?
- 11/13/07 05:58 AM
IS NOW STILL A GOOD TIME TO BUY A HOME? By Matt Stashin, President/CEO Pacific Residential Mortgage, LLC What a great question! It seems as though everywhere we turn the media is bombarding us with negative information about housing markets nationwide. While there are some area of concern across the U.S., the top six states for foreclosure related activity per household (Nevada, California, Florida, Georgia, Ohio and Michigan) actually account for a whopping 60% of the entire nation's foreclosure activity, skewing the national averages and the perception that much of the media creates in the public eye. The news about the mortgage market meltdown has … (0 comments)
portland: Veteran's Are True Heroes!
- 11/11/07 01:34 PM
Today is a day to honor those men and women who have and continue to fight for the United States of America. It is a thankless job with very too little pay and support. I personally appreciate the luxuries this country affords me thanks to the brave men and women that fight a fight they might not even support. You are true heroes! Lisa Balmes PC www.chrisbalmesproperties.com
… (0 comments)
portland: A Small-Town Feel in an Urban Locale
- 11/09/07 03:32 AM
National Perspectives A Small-Town Feel in an Urban Locale Lisa Bauso for The New York Times NATURAL BEAUTY The Southeast area of Portland, with Mount Hood looming, is getting new projects like the Clinton Condominiums. Published: November 4, 2007 AFTER spending several years in the South, Darrell Wallace and Jennifer Adkins of Greensboro, N.C., decided it was time to move. “We’re both artistic and politically active, and it was really hard to find peers into the same thing in Greensboro,” said Mr. Wallace, 30. The couple chose to relocate to Portland, Ore., last spring because of “how beautiful it is, and … (0 comments)
portland: Identity Theft Education
- 11/09/07 03:12 AM
With Identity theft happening on a consistent basis, all we can do is Deter, Detect and Defend. The following website from the Federal Trade Commission holds fantastic educational information. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft// There is some great information out there to get into the hands of your clients, family and friends. It is incredible the amount of people that don't realize their identity has been stolen until they go to buy something large like a house and their credit is pulled. Help your clients, family and friends deter rather than defend! Chris Balmes Properties Lisa Balmes PC/Chris Balmes PC www.chrisbalmesproperties.com
… (2 comments)
portland: Go Blazers!
- 11/08/07 02:55 AM
So I went to the Blazers home opener game last night. It was a great game, but an even better show with the O Jay's performing before and during half time of the game. They were fabulous! The best part of the game was that I ran into about 6 people I know at the game. That made the ticket prices all worth if for me. Just keeping my face in front of those people was a reminder to them that they bought a house from us and for one she mentioned they might start thinking of getting a new house, … (0 comments)
portland: Today's Open Houses
- 11/04/07 03:54 AM
For those of you out looking at houses today, please stop by one or all of our great houses we have listed. 11/4/07 - 11-1pm - Open House at 1315 Anna Street, Woodburn OR 97071. MLS #7074944 11/4/07 - 11-1pm - Open House at 3264 SE Cedar Street, Hillsboro, OR 97123. MLS #7094730 11/4/07 - 1-4pm - Open House at 22140 Schmeltzer Rd, Sherwood, OR 97140. MLS #7094328 11/4/07 - 2-4pm - Open House at 20788 SW 84th Ave, Tualatin, OR 97062. MLS #7083628 11/4/07 - 2-4pm - Open House at 4070 Virginia Way, Lake Oswego, OR 97035. MLS #7099448 Lisa Balmes PC/Chris Balmes PC www.chrisbalmesproperties.com 503.901.6545 … (2 comments)
portland: Top 5 Markets Where Home Prices are Rising
- 11/02/07 09:21 AM
Daily Real Estate News | October 31, 2007Top 5 Markets Where Home Prices are RisingHome prices have risen in five major markets, while continuing to fall in the rest of the country, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index for August, released Tuesday.The largest price declines are in rust belt cities, although Tampa came out as the big loser as speculators abandoned properties."The fall in home prices is showing no real signs of a slowdown or turnaround," says Robert J. Shiller, co-creator of the index and chief economist for MacroMarkets LLC.The Case-Shiller indexes track multiple sales of the same homes in an attempt … (4 comments)
May 19, 2008 (Tualatin, OR) The Oregon branch office of Chris Balmes Properties announces the addition of Melinda McGrath. McGrath brings 14 years of successful corporate marketing, sales and recruiting experience to her new role as a Broker. She has successfully bought and sold eight personal or investment homes in the past ten years and during that time learned a great deal about what works and what doesn't work in the real estate market. 
;)
;)
