Short Sales: much has been written about them. From my personal experience on the listing side of a short sale, they are not for the faint-hearted – either as sellers or as buyers. Depending on the lender, the time is much different than in a normal sale for closing time, number of accepted offers, and communication with lender. Time is anywhere from 60 to 180+ days, the number of accepted offers, well we now have 4 and still accepting others, and the communication with the lender is very one-sided. My patience has been tested when speaking with the lender because I am continually told to call back in x amount of days, but on that appointed day, I am told “no status update” and call back in x amount of days–a little like “Groundhog Day”.

Bottom line: if you have a specific close date, if you require answers within a reasonable amount of time, and if you think that you should be the only accepted offer — Short Sales –RUN the other way.

What goes best after tasting good wine–great food. On our return trip from Maryhill Winery a week ago, we stopped at the Solstice Cafe in Bingen, WA. What a wonderful surprise. Scrumptious food with just the right presentation + daily menu made with local ingredients + knowledgable and enthusiastic food servers and chefs + a casual ambience = A dining experience worth the trip and stop. The special salad of the day and the Thai Chicken pizza were highlights for both my husband and I. In fact, the pizza was one of the best we have in a very long time–thin crust and just a hint of peanut sauce.

http://www.solsticewoodfirecafe.com/

So—venture out, you will be glad you treated yourself so kindly.

Rain, hail, sunshine–common Spring elements in Pacific NW weather–accompanied my husband and I as we travelled to the WA side of the Columbia River last weekend. Our destination–Maryhill Winery (Goldendale, WA about 2 hours to the east of Portland) to participate in their Spring Release party. The musicians, guests, the most accommodating staff and the wine, of course, made the venture a great experience. By the way, Maryhill Winery, if you are not familiar, has a rather new impressive amphitheater and is setting its summer concert program. We were told Jackson Browne will be coming. You may want to watch for the additional summer musical artists at www.maryhillwinery.com.

A bright note for those of us living in Portland, Oregon regarding the real estate future! Forbes magazine reports on the latest S&P/Case-Shiller 20-city home price index that shows Portland is 1 of 5 of the best housing markets in the US. To read the whole article, click on the link below.

http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=18080758&gt1=35000

I have been in real estate since 1997 and have represented both buyers and sellers throughout the very active markets–both during the frantic Seller’s Market and in the current Buyer’s Market.

Prior to my real estate profession, I was an educator in the Beaverton School District. While there, I taught elementary, middle, TAG students and education professionals.

Just as in my prior profession, I believe that professional education is important, and have pursued obtaining my Certified Residential Specialist certificate, a GRI certification and just recently, the EA S.T.A.R. certification. The last certificate proves me with the knowledge needed to assist buyers and sellers wanting to “go green” when buying or remodeling.

My husband and I love venturing out to Portland restaurants, trying new “hot-spots”, cozy neighborhood corners, and comfortable “tried and trues”. The first tip: You might want to try Sel Gris if you haven’t already–http://www.selgrisrestaurant.com

Traveling all over the globe and close-to-home is on the top of our list for adventures. One of our favorites: Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa on a photo safari.