Welcome to West Linn!

The city of hills, trees and rivers!

A Few Simple Tips For Improving Your Personal Health

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Summer is the time for family vacations and road trips, backyard barbecues, and days at the beach. But as the pace of life slows down after the hustle and bustle of winter and spring, it’s also a great time to make some small health-conscious changes that can make a big difference at the end of the day. Here are a few simple-but-effective tips for improving your personal health this summer.

Eat more berries
Eating a cup of mixed berries each day can have tremendous health benefits. Berries are rich with antioxidants, which help prevent tissue damage and lower the risk of age-related illnesses. It’s just a small change to your diet, but a little goes a long way!

Have some fun while exercising
This doesn’t have to mean hitting the gym. Make the most of the summer weather by doing activities that are both fun and keep you moving. Cycling, hiking, swimming, playing games with the kids—these are all great ways to get some exercise without making it feel like a chore that you have to squeeze into your schedule.

Wear your sunglasses
I know this seems like a no-brainer, but there’s a lot more to wearing sunglasses than just fashion. A good pair of sunglasses should block out at least 99 percent of harmful UV rays.

Play in the dirt
Planting and maintaining a garden can be a great stress reliever. Even something as simple as a few flower boxes or potted plants is a good start.

Tips For Getting A Mortgage!

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Are you considering buying a West Linn property as a second home or investment? Perhaps you are looking for a small cottage or apartment where you can escape for vacation, or maybe you want to have another home closer to family. Maybe you want to rent out your second property and make a steady income from your investment. Whatever the reason, a second piece of real estate can be a fantastic investment. However, sometimes getting a mortgage on your second home can be a challenge.

Generally, a mortgage lender will have tougher standards for second home loans than primary home loans. This is because usually when you are buying a second home your finances will be stretched thinner and you will have less money to spare because you are already paying a mortgage on your primary home. This will mean that your second home mortgage can be harder to get and might have a higher interest rate.

Here are some tips to keep in mind that will help you to get the best mortgage on your second property: Build up a decent amount of savings. Your mortgage lender will want to be able to see that you have a large amount of savings so that you will have enough to pay for the mortgage even if you were to lose your job.

Pay off any credit card debt. Many lenders will be hesitant to approve your second home mortgage if they see that you have a lot of debt on your credit card. They will want to see that you have a low debt to income ratio so that you will be able to pay back the loan.

Use the first mortgage as a good reference. If you have always made your payments on time and you are most of the way through paying off your first house, you could ask someone from your current mortgage company to vouch for you. The lender for your second mortgage will be reassured that you are a reliable person to loan money to.

These are just a few tips to keep in mind in order to make getting a mortgage for your second property as easy as possible. To find out more about investing in West Linn property, please click on the “Buy Real Estate” tab at the top of the page to begin searching.

West Linn Home Décor Trends

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What Are the Hot West Linn Home Décor Trends?
Just like fashion designs and hair styles, home décor trends are constantly changing and evolving. Each new season brings a new must-have feature for your home. In order to keep your West Linn home looking fresh and chic, what are the hot trends that you can incorporate into your décor?

Bright Paint Colors
Vibrant (and even neon) hues are very popular in fashion at the moment and they also look really chic on your walls. If you are looking for a way to freshen up a dull room, a bright pop of color can really do the trick. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming if you keep the rest of the room neutral and use the bright color as an accent.

Original Artwork
Decorating your home with unique and original works of art from funky local artists is a hot trend this year. You could find such pieces at a local art fair or on online craft auction websites. You could also check out a local art school or university art program in your area where you can buy some student artwork at cheap prices.

1920s Inspired Designs
With the Roaring 20s being revitalized on the silver screen in the show Boardwalk Empire and the film The Great Gatsby, designs from the 1920s are becoming more popular. Why not incorporate some gorgeous Art Deco furniture or decoration into your home? Check out auctions to find authentic vintage pieces for cheap prices.

Simple Wood
Another hot trend is unfinished exposed wood furniture, with a very natural texture and feel. These simple wood pieces give your home a natural beauty that compliments any color. It works well with neutral accents to give the home a very peaceful and welcoming atmosphere.

Stripes and Graphic Prints
Crisp patterns, graphic prints and stripes are popular at the moment in everything from fabrics to wallpaper to furniture. If you really want to make your home décor look cutting edge, incorporate some of these eye-popping graphic designs into your décor.

These are just a few of the hottest home décor trends for the year. Which ones will you incorporate into the décor of your West Linn home?

Resources:

Art Deco Furniture or Decoration
Artwork at Cheap Prices
Bright Pop of Color

 

House Hunting in Oregon? Home Values on the Rise!

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If you are currently, or plan to be, house hunting in Oregon then let us tell you some of the top reasons you should consider moving to Oregon:

If you are looking for an excellent area to settle down with a family or even just for yourself a commonly overlooked state to settle in these Oregon. From the eclectic art scene of Portland to the natural beauty of Oregon city to the fantastic outdoor activities in Bend, Oregon has cities and areas that are perfect for nearly any personality type. Here’s some of the top reasons you should consider Oregon as a house hunter:

  1. Property values are on the rise: Oregon is becoming an extremely attractive place to live, some cities in Oregon such a sure would have a crime rate that 67% lower than the state average and high school graduation rates are 15% higher than most of the nation. It stats like these that raise the property values and the desirability of settling in areas across Oregon. This makes the state a great investment opportunity and the perfect place to raise families.
  2. It’s not as rainy as you may think: While the Pacific Northwest is often portrayed as a rainy and miserable place Oregon isn’t even in the top 10 for rainfall out of the 50 states. Although there is some precipitation through the spring and winter it helps Oregon citizens to really embrace the summer and enjoy delights like some of the United States best truffles.
  3. Oregon is perfect for produce and farming: If you have ever dreamt of living on a farm or starting your own garden it’s important to note that property in Oregon is made for growing. Oregon has some of the best growing lands around especially through the Willamette Valley. There are over 200 wineries across this area as well as some of America’s best farmers markets.
  4. Most Oregon residents don’t leave the state once they move there: culture and Oregon is unique and all its own and if you are planning on making the move it’s important to note that Oregon ranks amongst the highest in overall happiness of state residents. Oregon residents enjoy zero sales tax and an extremely friendly atmosphere. When most people settle in Oregon they simply don’t want to live anywhere else.

Don’t forget to browse the homes for sale by clicking the “Buy Real Estate” tab at the top of the page, and conversely if you are looking to sell and leave our beautiful state for somewhere else, click the “Sell Real Estate” tab and we’ll help you make the transition seamless.

Why You Need to Move to Oregon!

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If the previous article wasn’t enough to sway you to consider Oregon as a place you’d like to live, then please read on and let us remind you why you need to move to Oregon today!

Many people consider relocating to Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas for several reasons. Do you love the close proximity to the famous Oregon Coast, St Helens, Mt Hood and more? There are seemingly endless acres of large forest available for hiking, fishing and camping. Furthermore, there are great attractions where tourists can visit including luxury villas for rent and sale. Real estate business has been doing very well in this region given its close proximity to social amenities as well as other entertainment facilities. This state sets the national bar for bicycle commuting/riding in lieu of cars, making it recognized worldwide as the innovators of revolutionary waste recycling programs. There is a plethora of well established independent performance theaters as well as movie houses which serve homemade pizzas and beer.

What else are you looking for? When you move to this state, you will definitely enjoy the easy commute in the cities and its suburbs. There is a massive transit system connecting both large and small towns in the region. Furthermore, there are lower real estate prices as well as the cost of living thus many people find it easier to live here. This state is the home to several well known amenities including green space, public transit, local arts as well as entertainment scene. If you want to start a community garden, then it will be very easy for you to start one here at Oregon. Do you really love dogs, wine, beer, art and other outdoorsy stuff in general? Then you need to take your coat off and remain awhile because you are already home. Oregon is more attractive compared to the southern and northern neighbors, California and Washington, thus for those who are seeking to move to the west coast, Oregon in general is an excellent landing spot.

If you are considering making the move, please browse properties that are available for sale by clicking the “Buy Real Estate” tab at the top to get in touch with an agent today.

Why is Everyone Moving to Oregon?

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There are numerous hot spots around the nation, locations that people are flocking to in droves because the quality of living and offered amenities is simply extraordinary. Of these hot spots, it may come as a surprise to many that Oregon has topped the list for two years in a row. For us native Oregonians there is no question, this is the place to be!

In a recent study from United Van Lines where over 129,000 moves were tracked, the company found that “66% of all interstate moves in Oregon were from people moving into the state, rather than leaving it.” This again confirms what we just said, we Oregonians are here to stay. So what is it that’s attracting so many new residents?

The answer to the question is multi-faceted, though at the very core it can be attributed to the “long-term trend of migration to southern and western states where house costs are lower, climates are more temperate and job growth is at or above the national average.” The median price for a single-family home in Portland is $285,000, compared to $481,000 in Los Angeles and $881,000 in San Francisco.

In addition to lower real estate prices and a lower cost of living, Oregon is home to many great amenities including public transit, green space and the local arts and entertainment scene. Oregon is also an incredible Mecca for outdoor enthusiasts with endless hiking/biking trails, the Pacific Coast, Mt. Hood and countless other excursions. Portland’s central location to all of these amenities make it comparatively desirable to other Oregon towns.

Oregon is attractive compared to its northern and southern neighbors, Washington and California, so for those seeking a move to the west coast in general Oregon is a good place to land. Did you know that Portland has more breweries than any other city in the world? It also has the country’s highest percentage of two-wheeled commuters and is consistently voted as bike-friendliest. If you’re considering a move to Oregon then please start your property search by clicking the “Buy Real Estate” tab at the top of the page!

Welcome to West Linn, Oregon!

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Located in Clackamas County with fantastic schools, gorgeous year-round weather, and a high standard of living, West Linn is the premiere place to live in Oregon! Currently, West Linn maintains a population of approximately 26,000 residence and also enjoys having a continued robust economy. With easy access to Interstate 205 and Highway 43, West Linn residents have an easy commute to Portland’s urban businesses and industries, while still maintaining ready access to the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Surrounded by spectacular views of the Cascades, West Linn has been named Tree City USA for five consecutive years by the Arbor Day Foundation for its dedication to preserving urban forestry. Given West Linn’s dedication to urban parks and the multiyear Tree City USA awards, it’s not surprising that the city is known as the “city of hills, trees, and rivers”! West Linn also has a long and growing list of other awards, including being ranked the 31st and 58th Safest City in America in 2014 and 2015, respectively, by Neighborhood Scout. It was also named Oregon’s number one most family-friendly city by Estately in 2014 and ranked in CNN’s Money Magazine as one of the Best Places to Live in 2005, 2009 and 2011! For a more extensive list of West Linn’s awards and recognitions, visit the City of West Linn’s webpage that is devoted to its many accomplishments!

For more information about West Linn please click here or click on the About West Linn link at the top of the page!