First-Time Buyer Tax Credit Expires Nov 30th, For Now....

For the most part I think buyers should keep in mind the extension has NOT passed.

If you are looking to take advantage of the tax credit, just plan on closing before November 30th.

____________________

Source: Washington Post Writers Group, Kenneth R. Harney (08/22/2009)

First-Time Buyer Tax Credit Extension Possible Bills to extend the maximum $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers, which expires Nov. 30, are pending in both the U.S. House and the Senate.

Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, a Connecticut Democrat and chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, is co-sponsor of a bill with Georgia Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson that would raise the credit amount to a maximum of $15,000.

Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid of Nevada favors an extension of the current credit.

He was quoted by the Las Vegas Sun saying, "It's something we can get done."

Odds are that the credit will be extended and broadened to cover all buyers next year, but the chances of the amount increasing aren’t as good, observers say.

New Truth in Lending Rules Start 30 July 2009

If your buying a home or selling for that matter.
You should be aware of the new Truth in Lending Rules that start at the end of July
(Click on the title link to read the full 17 page section of the Federal Register)

Realtor.org published the follow:
NOTE: Remember these rules only apply to loan applications filed on or after July 30,2009. There is some talk that the closing of a home will be affected by the new rules. Really only time will tell but, I can't imagine closings getting any more delayed then they are right now with the HVCC rules on appraisals.



Revised TILA Disclosure Requirements Take Effect on July 30, 2009
Lenders will be subject to new disclosure requirements for mortgage loans under the
Federal Reserve Board Truth in Lending Regulation (Reg Z).
The new requirements apply to loan applications filed on or after July 30, 2009 (about two
months earlier than originally planned).
The new rules are complex and compliance will be a challenge for lenders.
REALTORS® will want to learn the basics so they can advise clients of potential delays and
the new procedures. Here are key highlights of the changes:
• The new requirements apply to all mortgages secured by a borrower’s home, including
primary and second homes and refinancings. Investor loans continue to be exempt.
• Lenders must give good faith estimates of mortgage loan costs within 3 business days
after the consumer applies for a loan (early disclosure). The lender may not collect any
fees before the disclosure is provided, except for a reasonable fee for obtaining a credit
report.
• The closing may not take place until expiration of a 7 day waiting period after the
consumer receives the early disclosure.
• Consumers may shorten or waive the 3‐day and/or 7‐day waiting periods for a “bona
fide personal financial emergency,” but only after receiving an accurate TILA disclosure.
In the final rule’s preamble, the Fed stated that it “believes waivers should not be used
routinely to expedite consummation for reasons of convenience.” The Fed decided not
to insulate lenders from liability even where a consumer modifies or waives the waiting
periods.
• If the annual percentage rate (APR) changes by more than 0.125 percent, the lender
must provide a corrected disclosure to the borrower and wait an additional 3 business
days before closing the loan. The APR includes not only the interest rate on the loan but
certain other costs related to settlement, so it will be important for any fees that affect
the APR to be as accurate as possible, as early as possible, to minimize the need for a
corrected TILA disclosure. - Realtor.org (http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/files/RegZ.pdf/$FILE/RegZ.pdf)

Movies in the Park

Summer is by far the best time to be in Portland. There are so many things happening it's hard to keep up. The Portland Park Department has already started the Movies in the Park series for this summer. But it's not too late to enjoy a free movie under the stars. And there are some good one's coming up. Enjoy at your local park or get to know a new park close by. (click on the link for a Full Events Calendar)

DATE MOVIE / PARK

SAT July 18

Journey to the Center of the Earth in 3D

Dickinson Park

WED July 22

Hairspray

McCoy Park

THU July 23

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

Holly Farm Park

FRI July 24

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

Brentwood Park

SAT July 25

Dirty Dancing

Colonel Summers Park

MON July 27

Singin’ in the Rain

Laurelhurst Park

WED July 29

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (in Spanish, subtitled in English)

Fernhill Park

THU July 30

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (subtitled for those with hearing disabilities)

Argay Park

FRI July 31

Zathura: A Space Adventure

Cathedral Park

FRI July 31

Kung Fu Panda

Kenilworth Park

SAT Aug 1

Shrek

Earl Boyles Park

SUN Aug 2

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Sellwood Park

TUE Aug 4

Charlotte’s Web

Glenfair Park

THU Aug 6

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Brooklyn Park

FRI Aug 7

Hairspray

Willamette Park

FRI Aug 7

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Multnomah Arts Center

SAT Aug 8

Coraline

Dickinson Park

MON Aug 10

Casablanca

Laurelhurst Park

THU Aug 13

Hotel for Dogs

Grant Park

FRI Aug 14

The Wizard of Oz

Laurelhurst Park

FRI Aug 14

The Tale of Despereaux

St Johns Park

SAT Aug 15

School of Rock

Sewallcrest Park

SAT Aug 15

Iron Man

Lents Park

WED Aug 19

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

McCoy Park

THU Aug 20

High School Music 3: Senior Year (subtitled for those with hearing disabilities)
Parklane Park

FRI Aug 21

Iron Man

Irving Park

SAT Aug 22

Blue Hawaii (Salute to Elvis)

Washington Park

WED Aug 26

The Longshots

Peninsula Park

WED Aug 26

One Night in Frogtown

Sellwood Park

THU Aug 27

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Hazeltine Park

FRI Aug 28

Mamma Mia! (Sing Along)

Washington Park

SAT Aug 29

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Laurelhurst Park

TUE Sept 1

Casablanca

DeNorval Unthank Park

FRI Sept 11

The Neverending Story

Multnomah Arts Center

Warm Fuzzies

I ran across these wonderful creations and LOVE them!
Yes it's knit, Yes it's gloves, wraps & scarves. Yes it's hot here right now but it never stays this way. She's local and her stuff is so cute I just had to share.


Did I mention the hand bags...I've gotta make room in my closet!




How about a sale "Christmas In July"?
Check it out, be fun and fashionable!


Cofygirl
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=100719

Farmers' Markets

Farmers' Market's I Love them, here are a few in the area you should check out.


Hollywood Farmers’ Market
NE Hancock /44th & 45th
May - Oct
Sat: 8am - 1pm

Interstate Farmers’ Market
Overlook Pk N Fremont/Interstate
Mid May - Sept
Wed: 3pm - 7pm


Lents Farmers’ Market
SE 92nd & SE Foster Rd
Mid June - Mid Oct
Sun: 9am - 2pm


Lloyd Farmers’ Market
NE Holladay St /7th & 9th
June - Sept
Tue: 10am - 2pm


Montavilla Farmers’ Market
7600 block SE Stark St
June - Early Oct
Sun: 10am - 2pm


Moreland Farmers’ Market
SE Bybee & 14th St
Mid May - Sept
Wed: 3:30pm - 7:30pm


Parkrose Farmers’ Market
NE 122nd & Shaver St
May - Oct
Sat: 8am - 2pm


People’s Farmers’ Market
3029 SE 21st Ave
Year-round market
Wed: 2pm - 7pm


Portland Eastbank Market
SE 20th & Salmon
Mid May - Sept
Thurs: 3:30pm - 7:30pm


Portland Farmers’ Market
South Park Blocks
Apr - Oct
Sat: 8:30am - 2pm


PDX Farmers’ Market Downtown
SW Salmon & Park
May - Oct
Wed: 10am - 2pm


PDX Farmers’ Market EcoTrust
NW 10th / Irving & Johnson
June - Sept
Thurs: 3:30pm - 7:30pm


Milwaukie Sunday Market
SE Main across from City Hall
Mid May - Oct
Sun: 9:30am - 2pm

Clackamas/Sunnyside Grange
132nd SE Sunnyside Rd
April - Oct
Sun: 11:30am - 3:30pm


Oregon City Farmers’ Market
2051 Kaen Rd at Beavercreek Rd
May - Oct
Sat: 9am - 2pm


Estacada Farmers’ Market
3rd & Broadway
May - Oct
Sat: 9am - 3pm
Fairview Farmers’ & Artists Mkt
Fairview City Hall 1300 Village St
April - Oct
Thurs: 4pm - 8pm


Gresham Farmers’ Market
Miller St between 2nd & 3rd
May - Oct
Sat: 8:30am - 2pm


Canby Saturday Market
1st Ave at Holly Street
Mid May - Mid Oct
Sat: 9am - 1pm


Boring Farmers’ Market
Boring Station/Trailhead Park
June - Early Sept
Sun: 10am - 3pm


Beaverton Farmers’ Market
Hall Blvd between 3rd & 5th Sts
Mid May - October
Sat 8am - 1:30pm


Beaverton Wed Farmers’ Market
Hall Blvd between 3rd & 5th Sts
Mid June - August
Wed 3pm - 6pm


Cedar Mills/Sunset Farmers’ Market
NW Cornell, 1 Blk W of Murray
End of May - Mid Oct
Sat 8am - 1pm


Forest Grove/Adelante Mujeres
21st Ave between College & Main
Mid May - Mid Oct
Wed 4pm - 8pm


Hillsboro Farmers’ Market
Courthouse Sq, 2nd & East Main
May - December
Sat 8am - 1:30pm


Hillsboro Tue Marketplace
Main St, 1st to 3rd Ave
Mid June - August
Tues 5pm - 8:30pm


Hillsboro Market @ Orenco Station
61st & Cornell Rd
May - Oct
Sun 10am - 2pm


Lake Oswego Farmers’ Market
Millennium Park, 1st & Evergreen
Mid May - Mid Oct
Sat 8:30am - 1:30pm
Hillsdale Farmers’ Market
SW Sunset Rd & Capital Hwy
May - Oct
Sun 10am - 2pm

Zoo Tunes

Thought this Zoo Concert info was good.
I'm thinking the Tears for Fears would be a good one to go to with some friends.



Zoo Tunes Wednesday Concerts
Shows Start at 7:00 p.m. ($10.50 General Admission)
June 17th - Femi Kuti and The Positive Force
June 24th - Sly & Robbie and the Taxi Gang
July 1st - The 234th Army Band
July 8th - TBA
July 15th - Vieux Farka Toure
July 22nd - Riders in the Sky
July 29th - Orchestra Baobab
August 5th - The Wailers
August 12th - Jonatha Brooke
August 19th - Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca
ZOOBEAT Premium Concerts - Shows Start at 7:00 p.m.
June 19th - The B-52s $27
July 11th - Tears for Fears with Wainright $22
July 17th - Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Los Lobos $22
July 24th - Indigo Girls with David Ryan Harris $19
July 31st - Jewel $22.50
August 14th - Joan Baez $22
August 21st - Susan Tedeschi with JJ Gray & Mofro $22
August 28th - Amos Lee $19

Five States That Will Lead US Out of Recession

Wednesday, 3 Jun 2009

Five States That Will Lead US Out of Recession

Posted By:Cindy Perman

Topics:Employment Recession Economy (U.S.) Wall Street
Sectors:Technology

If you’re not prepared to go to Australia to ride out the recovery, great news! A new report shows the five U.S. states poised to lead the nation out of recession.


You might want to get out your hiking boots and trail mix because most of the states are out in the northwest: Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Texas and Washington.

Those are the states where job growth is expected to sprout first — in the fourth quarter of this year — according to Moody’s Economy.com, which conducted the survey.

Read More Here:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/31086859