Articles Of Law

posted by EmilEmilov on Jun 30

If you’ve been involved in real estate investing for any length of time, chances are you have tried to obtain 100% investment property mortgages. If you have made the effort recently, you know that these 100% loans are becoming increasingly difficult, if not impossible to find. The reason is simple- these 100% investment property mortgages default at a much higher rate than most other types of mortgage, and the end result is often foreclosure.

This puts many investors in the unenviable position of ‘motivated seller’ and forces them to look for creative ways to unload their property, in many cases even phoning other investor’s ‘We Buy Houses’ hotlines. These circumstances give rise to a vicious circle of investors, feeding off one another, giving the entire industry a black eye in the process.

These scenarios are being played out in cities across America (and also Australia), and investment property mortgages, particularly 100% loans, are taking a bad hit. Lenders are eliminating these products from their portfolio of services in droves, and investors are scrambling to find alternate sources of funds.

One such source is Private Money. Another, the self-directed IRA, allows investors to use their own retirement funds for real estate investments. Investment property mortgages and creative loans from sources other than institutional lenders and mortgage brokers are increasing at a record pace.

But are these alternatives to investment property mortgages a good idea?

If used wisely, they can be, but there may be a wiser way of looking at the situation. First, we need to examine the question of why investors would need investment property mortgages for 100% of the appraised value of the property in the first place. The only real answer to that question is that too many investors have been overpaying for their properties.

The real estate bubble, and rapidly rising property values, caused a buying frenzy by investors in many areas of the country. This rush spilled over, even into areas where there was no true bubble. Now that the bubble has burst in most areas, investors are feeling the pinch. The old tactic of buying at market value and letting the fast-rising market build in your profit no longer works… in many cases it NEVER worked.

The ONLY way to guarantee profit, and avoid the meltdown that comes with over-paying, is to buy value. The investor must do his or her homework and buy for well under market value. Then he will have no need for 100% investment property mortgages. When you routinely buy your properties for 80% of market or less, obtaining investment property mortgages becomes much less problematic. You have a greater selection of loan products to choose from, and qualifying is much less stringent.

The moral of the story? Buy value, and do your homework.

This is Emil from investing-in-property.com coming to you with this article on property investment. If you’d like to find out more please visit my website.

posted by RobSkubiak on Jun 30

Driving was once an efficient means of transportation, with strict rules and regulations to keep motorists safe and help them to be courteous to other drivers. In today’s fast paced, time-crunching society, driving has become more like a battlefield, where drivers are pitted against each other to see who can make it safely to their destination. So many people multi-task while driving that motorists have never been at a higher risk of being involved in an accident. You see them on your morning commute all the time; people on cell phones, PDAs, even shaving, reading the newspaper, and eating breakfast while driving to work. This creates a hazardous environment for everyone involved. The most common driving distractions are listed below, to inform you of what to watch out for.

#1- Cell Phones

You’re driving down the highway, and suddenly you get cut off, nearly causing an accident. Then you notice that the driver is on his cell phone, and not paying attention to the road. You toss a few expletives out the window and honk your horn at him, but he doesn’t even notice you. Ten minutes later, you’re driving along, and your phone rings. It’s your boss, you better answer it. But you aren’t like that jerk that cut you off, right? Wrong. No matter how competent you think you are at driving and carrying on a phone conversation, taking that focus away from your mind can always cause a distraction and lead to traffic violations or accidents.

#2- Kids

Oh, how we love our children. Thanks to modern technology, many children are kept peaceful in the car by means of televisions and DVD players, so that mom or dad can focus on driving. Unfortunately, kids are kids, and whether they are entertained or not, they can be a distraction. As soon as Jimmy starts picking on Susie, or Susie has to “go potty,” your brain is once again taken away from the task at hand: operating your vehicle. The main reason kids become a distraction, and a dangerous one at that, is because too many parents turn around to talk to them, pick something up for them, or to take something from them, while driving down the road. If you are looking in your backseat, you aren’t paying attention. Reaching for things and turning around while driving is a main cause of vehicles winding up in ditches and in minor fender-bender accidents. NEVER turn your back on the road.

#3- Getting Dressed/Putting on Makeup

For every person that gets up an hour early to get ready for work or school, there are another three or four people who simply don’t have the time, and do all of their necessary primping while driving. We’ve seen just about everything, too: men shaving on their way to the office, women putting on a full face of makeup (including eye makeup), people getting dressed, fixing their hair, and so on. If it can be done by getting up a little bit earlier, please do it. Nothing is mroe frightening than to be driving next to a car where the driver is more focused on their appearance than the road. Take the extra fifteen minutes and do it at home, and make the road a little bit safer for all of us.

#4- Eating While Driving

In today’s go-go-go society, you’re lucky if you get through a fast food drive thru in less than ten minutes, but what do you do once you get your food? Some people park and eat, while others take it home to enjoy, or to share with their familes. Unfortunately, too many people simply chow down while driving, which again distracts them from the task of driving and increases the risk for accidents and traffic violations. Snacking on some fries or even a burger isn’t necessarily that bad, but we’ve all seen people attempting to eat more complicated things while driving. If you’ve never encountered someone attempting to down a burrito or a salad while driving, consider yourself lucky. Even though most of us have been eating on our own since the early stages of toddlerhood, it’s still not a good combination to eat and drive. Especially when you’re more focused on your meal than you are on driving. Is it really worth the trouble of causing an accident or risking a traffic violation to save ten minutes? Next time you think about eating while driving, take ten minutes to park and enjoy your food instead.

#5- Stress

This may sound like the odd man out on this list, but if you have a lot on your mind, you’re not going to drive as carefully and as focused as the next guy who is only concerned with driving. We all have stresses in life, from bills, to work, to the kids, and so on. Although it’s hard, if you can work on shutting down your brain while you drive, you’ll decrease your chances of dangerous driving by allowing yourself to focus more on the road and less on your thoughts. We’ve all sat behind the zoned out driver that sits at a green light for ten or fifteen seconds until someone honks and brings them back to reality. Believe it or not, when many people get in fender benders or run stop lights or signs, the most common response is “I’m sorry, I guess I wasn’t paying attention. I had a lot on my mind.” If you’re that stressed, try yoga, or writing in a journal. Even take ten minutes everyday to sit down and process all of your stresses and thoughts, so that you don’t have to focus on them when you should be focused on driving.

Anything that you do in combination with driving is bad. It doesn’t matter if you’re on the phone, thinking, eating, getting ready, or tending to the children; it’s all a distraction to what should be your only priority: driving safely. The more distractions you allow yourself to have while driving, the more likely you are to end up getting in an accident because you’re not paying attention to the road. We all think that we’re the best drivers in the world, and that we are fully capable of multi-tasking while driving. Whether or not this is true, you shouldn’t do it because you can. Just don’t do it because it’s safer not to.

Rob Skubiak has appeared in courtrooms all over Florida defending his Florida traffic ticket clients. Official Website of Skubiak and Rivas, P.A. Florida Traffic Ticket attorneys / Florida DUI Lawyers.

posted by JustinBoyce on Jun 30

Dubai is currently one of the top of the list for fastest growing cities worldwide and has a real estate market others are highly envious of. As a result everyday new apartments, villas and luxury bungalows are entered onto the market. Dubai is a free tax haven, which has lead to many investors taking advantage of the huge capital gains to be made in property investments. An investor can expect to make around 30 percent returns on their investment. Dubai has a solid and stable real estate market.

The huge returns being made from Dubai property investments has pushed the prices up for locals and expatriates wishing to either buy commercial or private property worry about being able to afford to live in Dubai the mortgage repayments are often significantly higher than rental payments. Due to high demand and rapid growth particularly in apartment and seaside dwellings building costs have skyrocketed. Some market experts predict a slump or a correction to prices by a reverse trend sometime in the near future. To date however there appears to be no slowing down and demand way out exceeds supply. The fast profits being made have lead to a worldwide awareness and a rush to invest and as a result there have also been dubious realtors and scams being conducted.

If you are considering buying commercial properties in Dubai then it is prudent to do your research first. You cannot expect to just jump off a plane and find yourself a profitable short-term investment. Foreigners in particular need to be wary and get sound advice before even considering a purchase. As an investor you cannot apply other market results to expectations of returns. To avoid being scammed or sold over priced properties then you really need to spend some time having a trusted person look over any prospective deals and comparing them to others in different regions. Never buy a property unseen.

Dubai’s government opened up shop for those of any nationality in may of 2002 this lead to an overnight boom in the real estate market there is however no guarantee that this will remain the status quo. Dubai investment bank, Emirates Financial Services (EFS) has launched a $20.4 million (Dh75 million) real estate fund that will invest in profitable short-term opportunities in the UAE’s surging property sector. EFS, a unit of Emirates Bank International, said the UAE Real Estate Arbitrage and Trading Fund is managed by a unit of Investment Boutique, a partner of Better Homes, the largest estate agency in the UAE.

Dubai as mentioned earlier has a tax free law which means that no taxes are imposed on people who want to venture into Dubai real estate. There are currently many Dubai real estate and property projects which are coming up in various locations in the city like The Walk, Jumeriah beach residence, Business bay, The Executive Towers, The Villa, and Bay Avenue. Dubai sure is the ideal place to invest in real estate and you will find different types of apartments ranging from studio, to three bedroom apartments, villas and luxury homes being built and put up on sale.

Clifton Real Estate runs a site dedicated to providing advise and information for those wishing to learn or invest in the Dubai property or Dubai real estate markets.

posted by RobSkubiak on Jun 30

Okay, so you’re not the best driver in the world. Maybe you’ve got a few speeding tickets or other moving violations. Perhaps you got that one DUI that night coming home from the party, and it added two or three points to your license. As long as you don’t have a maxed out driving record, you can always find cheap insurance if you know where to look.

First, you need to know where to look. There are hundreds of insurance companies online that offer free quotes and comparison shopping services for your insurance needs. Companies such as NetQuote.com and Insurance.com will help you to find the cheapest deals on insurance, no matter what your driving record looks like. They offer comparisons on insurance rates from some of the top companies in the industry. In less than five minutes you can get a myriad of quotes, saving you time and the effort of searching with multiple companies.

Once you’re aware of the different options you have for insurance shopping, you need to know your driving record. You might not be aware of how many violations you have on your record, but you can obtain this information from your state or local DMV, in order to understand why you’re paying a certain rate for insurance. For example, if you get quotes that are higher than you expected, knowing your violation history will help you to understand why you have to pay more for insurance than average, and vice versa. Visit your state’s specific DMV website for more information.

Finally, it is imperative that you compare your insurance options, and don’t focus specifically on the cheapest insurance quote. Instead, you need to compare the policies and coverage that you are offered versus the rates you’re quoted. This will ensure you get the best deal on your insurance, and that you have adequate insurance coverage, should you ever need it. To get the best insurance rates, keep these things in mind:

• Less violations equal lower rates; be a safe driver and save money for it.

• Opt for traffic school when you can; this looks better on your record than just paying the fine

• Look for companies that offer discounts. Many car insurance companies will offer discounts on your rates for multiple vehicles, or even if you have your car insurance and other types of insurance, such as home or motorcycle insurance, with the same company.

• Shop around. Each company will offer something different, and if you don’t consider all of your options, you may wind up paying more than you have to for car insurance.

Remember these tips when you are shopping for car insurance and your quest should be a simple one. Also, keep in mind that all traffic violations only stay on your record for three to five years, depending on the offense and your particular state’s laws, so you need to periodically have your insurance re-quoted to see if any violations have been removed, which will lower your rates. Drive safe and good luck in your insurance search!

Rob Skubiak has appeared in courtrooms all over Florida defending his Florida traffic ticket clients. Official Website of Skubiak and Rivas, P.A. Florida Traffic Ticket attorneys / Florida DUI Lawyers.

posted by MarkWalters on Jun 30

Oh sure, everyone knows that there are opportunities for investors to buy real estate at below market value if the property is facing foreclosure. But have you considered homeowner association foreclosures?

As you know, when a lender begins a conventional foreclosure the law requires them to publish a public notice. Oh boy, does that make it easy to find the name and address of a distressed homeowner.

The problem is that it also means you will have plenty of competition for that property. Every foreclosure investor in your area follows the legal notices of foreclosure.

Home Owner’s Associations

The trick is to do something others aren’t. One area of buying foreclosures that is not so well known is homeowner’s association (HOA) foreclosures.

In most cases, long before a home owner stops making mortgage payments, they stop paying their HOA assessment. That’s your signal that the homeowner has serious financial problems and may be interested in getting out from under both the HOA and mortgage payments.

That is a gigantic opportunity! Yes, it is opportunity to not only buy a property, but to help a homeowner out of a tight spot. .

It has not been front page news, but many HOAs are experiencing increases in past due assessments. In the Arizona counties that are the most populated it has been reported that 20% to 35% of HOA dues are delinquent. That’s a huge jump from previous years.

HOA Assessments

Normally past due assessments are collected by means of past-due notices, pre-lien letters or filing of HOA liens.

HOAs are facing an even larger problem now with lenders foreclosing at record rates and with some home owners filing bankruptcy to discharge debts. The HOA is faced with collecting through small claims court or judicial vs. non-judicial foreclosure.

Remember that fees are the HOAs’ only source of income to fund community upkeep. When assessments are not paid other homeowners in the development must make up the difference. That means their assessments are increased. Many of them are already teetering on the brink of financial collapse and an increase in HOA dues could be enough to push them over the edge.

HOA Regulation

It varies from state to state, but an HOA has the power to foreclose on the property if the late payments on HOA dues reach a certain level. That foreclosure power is governed by HOA bylaws and state law. As an example, here’s how it works in California:

Before an HOA can foreclose, either judicially or non-judicially, for delinquent assessments, one of two thresholds must be met

Number One – The HOA assessment debt must be $1,800 or more, exclusive of assessment charges; or

Number Two – The debt, no matter what amount, must be more than 12 months delinquent.

Pre Foreclosure Investing

This could be considered a pre foreclosure investment, because you will be watching published notices of default filed by home owner’s associations. Just remember that any published notice will attract from dozens to thousands of other bargain seekers.

Could you get late assessment payment information directly from the HOA before it is made public? Probably not, but it can’t hurt to ask.

Another tactic might be to offer to pay the late assessments to the HOA in return for the information. The average HOA fee probably ranges from $125 to $250 per month. A few months assessment might be a bargain price to pay for information you would get before anyone else.

In my opinion your best course of action may come through neighborhood marketing. You can target developments that have an HOA, and that’s about all of them that have been built in the last ten years.

Using door hangers or direct mail, offer to pay a home owner’s delinquent assessment. This can get you access to financially distressed home owners. Then it’s up to you to find a way to make a profitable purchase of the home.

You might offer a lease option, buy subject to the existing financing or workout an equity sharing deal. There are many ways to buy from those facing foreclosure that can benefit both you and the seller.

Foreclosure investors are falling over each other trying to profit through conventional methods. You can cut the competition to near zero by understanding the opportunity offered by home owners behind in HOA assessments.

Mark Walters is a third generation real estate investor offering a free guide to investing in Real Estate Property Tax Liens.? You can get the big, 50 page free guide here http://www.property-tax-liens.com

posted by FrankRodriguez on Jun 29

If you’re in the market for a home or have purchased a home you’re all too familiar with closing costs. When it comes to closing costs the list seems to go on and on. The bad news is that many of these closing costs are just not avoidable, but the good news is that many of the costs can be reduced or eliminated completely.

Over the last few years lenders have become accustomed to relying on buyer closing costs as a regular source of income. They know that buying a house is an emotional purchase. So, when you sit down at that closing table and you’re presented with a new list of costs, most people just don’t want to risk the loss of their dream home, so they accept it as inevitable. But, it does not have to be that way. In fact, many of the nefarious fees your lender presents you with are negotiable. You just need to speak up. Ask for an explanation, item by item. This is an excellent way to negotiate, as your lender should be able to justify each and every cost. Individuals that have tried this have had their closing costs reduced drastically.

Some of the fees you’ll see are things like processing and underwriting fees. What the lender is doing here is charging you a fee to process the loan that you’re paying them to underwrite. So, you’re paying them to do the work that they will get paid for. It may sound ridiculous, but lenders are notorious when it comes to this double dipping. They’ve been doing it with title insurance for years. They require title insurance, which protects them, and not necessarily you. This protection is seldom needed, yet they require that you have it, so that they’re protected. What’s more, they commonly get kick backs from title insurers, as they almost always refer the business because most people don’t know where to look when it comes to title insurance. So, again you’re paying them, so that you can purchase insurance that protects them. Always proceed to the closing table with caution, you’ll save a great deal.

One of the reoccurring closing costs that can’t be avoided is the property tax. The property tax has never been a popular form of taxation. Save for a major tax repeal the property tax is here to stay. It plays a major role in our local infrastructure, without it our schools, fire departments, and other municipalities would scream to a halt. So, until something drastic happens we just have to accept. Some states are more property tax friendly than others. You can pay anywhere from the low 1 percent range all the way up to over 5 percent depending on your state of residence. This can be rather painful with the recent rise in housing costs. Many states enacted prop 13 like measures, modeling after California to insure citizens didn’t get stuck with unreasonably rising taxes. For recent purchasers this can also prove beneficial, as adjustments can be made as property values drop.

Regardless of what state your reside in property taxes probably make up one of your largest housing costs. When that property tax bill comes around it’s nothing short of agonizing. One way to reduce some of the property tax pain is to spread out that property tax bill. You can do this rather easily through your lender. Setup an escrow account with your lender that includes your monthly house payment, insurance, and property tax all in one payment. By spreading out these housing expenses you’ll improve your budget and won’t be feeling quite as much pain.

If you’d like more infromation on closing costs, you can visit the site for a more comprehensive list, as well as national averages. For more property tax info feel free to stop by as well.

posted by FrankRodriguez on Jun 29

We have all heard the horror stories of probate. In fact, most infamously, the estate of the late Elvis Presley was significantly reduced in value to probate taxation. Just because the King himself didn’t follow the proper estate planning procedures doesn’t mean you should too. For good reason, it’s a good idea to avoid estate probate whenever possible. The good news is that it’s not a difficult or complicated thing to avoid probate.

When it comes to clearing out your estate, the probate process can be both time-consuming and costly. Even if you have a will set up, your estate must still go through the probate process. There are a few ways to avoid this, most commonly setting up a living trust. A living trust can be a great way to pass along assets without the long delays that are so commonly associated with the probate process. There are a few more ways to avoid probate like life insurance, for example, but establishing a living trust covers your entire estate.

Establishing a living trust used to be a big ordeal. You have to find an attorney well versed in estate planning issues that could draft you up a suitable living trust based on your situation. For obvious reasons, things could get pretty expensive, pretty quickly. In the past, it was just easier to draw up a simple will. But, it no longer has to be that way. He advances of the Internet have had a rather large impact on our lives. These advances have made it much easier to research living trust issues. In fact, you can do everything online now, from the research to setting up your custom living trust. And the beauty of all this is that you don’t have to pay an expensive attorney to just fill out forms on your behalf. If you’re like most of us that like to do things themselves, filling out simple forms is a great way to reduce the costs associated with setting up a living trust. Taking this approach has the potential to save you thousands of dollars, in fact. It’s not at all unusual to see online services offering living trust set-up for small fractions of what it used to cost.

Setting up a living trust is one of the best ways to transfer your estate to another entity, but how do they work? The individual that puts their property into the living trust is named the trustor. He trustee is the individual that manages the assets and property. And of course, the individual or entity that receives the benefits from a living trust is called the beneficiary. Most of the time, the trustor plays the role of both trustee and trustor.

A living trust has several advantages when compared to a will. A living trust allows anyone to be chosen as the trustee. Also, when it comes to a will, a will is a matter of public record, where is a living trust is not. The costs associated with going through probate, with a will, are considerably more expensive when compared to setting up a simple living trust. This is important for a number of reasons; it avoids the headaches that are often associated with estate probate, saving your beneficiaries the trouble. Also, for the sake of your beneficiaries, avoiding the costs of probate will leave them with more of your estate, much like you intended. It is always recommended that you seek a qualified estate planning attorney, well versed in estate probate and living trusts, if you have complications or questions that may not be the norm.

Setting up a living trust is one of the most critical estate planning steps in avoiding probate. for your family. However, probate is just one of the several benefits you can get from a living trust. Don’t delay, set one up today.

posted by LaurieCooper on Jun 29

As with any business venture, assuring that you are investing on the right field is of utmost importance. And when it comes to investing in real estate, knowing and understanding the trends that go with it will definitely prove beneficial to you and your money. The same holds true for investing in Panama real estate and in any other country for that matter. The following Panama real estate highlights should give you a clue as to whether it’s indeed a wise idea to put in some money on some real estate project in the great land of the Panama Canal.

One of the Panama real estate highlights that should be given utmost attention is the fact that the country’s economy has been on a drastic upward trend. With these, the cultural aspects of the entire population have likewise changed to keep up with this boost. With the high economic pace, more and more people, locals and tourists alike are on a competitive battle on finding the best investment to risk their money in and real estate is first on the list.

With the recent surveys and predictions being made through studies and research, more and more tourists and a larger percentage of migration are bound to stay permanent in Panama. Among the Panama real estate highlights, this one makes and educational prediction for the need of more and more commercial spaces in the next few years in Panama. These spaces will accommodate the many foreigners who plan to put up their business in the city and for those other companies who intend to relocate. Obviously, at this rate real estate prices are bound to go nowhere else but up.

Now to the residential Panama real estate highlights. More and more individuals plan to invest on condos, apartments, beach real estates, and have them rented or sold out again. Other residents, especially those who are more fortunate, are investing on more commercial buildings that they can likewise sell or rent out to locals and tourists alike all for commercial purposes.

One should not also overlook another popular Panama real estate highlights. With the pleasurable weather and the friendly climate that the country brings, not to mention the place being a favorite holiday destination, Panama is also the target of a large percentage of people to be the place where they want to retire to. Considering this, there is indeed a great possibility for the real estate to be at its peak in the next five to ten years to come and even longer.

The country’s tourism boom should likewise be featured as one of Panama real estate highlights. As the country’s top income-generating aspect, Panama’s tourism is pushing more and more individuals to grab more and more land to be developed and accommodate the nearly one million tourists every year. With the country’s great beaches, endless shopping centers, warm people, interesting places to see, and the priceless natural beauty, there’s no wonder Panama will be a much more interesting and economically stable country in Central America.

Laurie Cooper, of Cpanama Real Estate Corp., is an expert on Panama real estate. For more information, please visit www.cpanama.com.

posted by KateDeas-Smith on Jun 29

A discount Cyprus apartment may not cost as much as you think. Cyprus property for sale is still extremely good value and if you are looking for an investment that you can enjoy, then why not look at investing in Cyprus apartments in Protaras.

With the housing market in UK in its current decline, potential investors and even some first time buyers have realised you can invest your money in Cyprus property for sale knowing that it will rise in value and you can also have that holiday home in the sun. The best way to buy a discount Cyprus apartment is ‘off plan’ which means that you purchase the property some time during the planning and construction phase. Buyers are guaranteed a lower initial purchase price compared to the finished valuation, with the greatest returns being gained from buying in the early stages. In fact buying in the early phases of the development will also widen the choice of plot within the project and also allows you a choice of tiling, fixtures and fittings and colour scheme, allowing clients to customise their property to suit their lifestyle and design preferences.

A discount Cyprus apartment is exceptionally good value now, but any Cyprus property for sale will prove to be a great investment. Look on the internet for “discount Cyprus apartment” and then book yourself on a flight to come and see for yourself. Whether you are looking for Cyprus apartments in Protaras as a holiday home with the possibility of holiday rental or you are looking to relocate the area has so much to offer. Its main attraction is Fig Tree Bay; the bay stretches over 10 miles of pristine sandy beaches which brings locals and tourists to come and enjoy its sparkling turquoise waters.

In Cyprus, apartments in Protaras are in a fabulous location, the beaches are lined with restaurants and nightlife is active with taverns, bars and nightclubs. The water is clean and safe for swimming, which makes Protaras holidays popular with families and there is a great selection of water sports available, including water skiing and jet skiing, snorkeling, diving and a host of others. As well as the main beaches such as Pernera there are a number of other smaller coves in the vicinity where you can find some peace and quiet. The party centre of Ayia Napa is just 10 minutes away by car and Larnaca airport is about a 50 minute drive, so you can be off the plane and in the pool in around 90 minutes!!

Cyprus property for sale comes in all manner of guises from a small studio apartment right up to a luxury mansion; there is property in the coastal areas, mountains and hills and in the small friendly Cypriot villages. The climate also ensures that you can make the most of your discount Cyprus apartment by renting it out in the high season and then using it yourself to take advantage of colourful and fragrant springs and mild autumns and winters.

By purchasing a discount Cyprus apartment you can be pleased with the knowledge that your funds will go a long way, the value for money is excellent and you will have an investment that you can enjoy.

Kate Deas-Smith suggests that Cyprus apartments in Protaras are some of the best investment Cyprus property for sale.

posted by BenAnton on Jun 29

Portland is home to a number of distinct, eclectic neighborhoods. The Pearl offers ritzy, high-class boutiques and restaurants. Downtown is great for bar hopping. Northeast Alberta and Mississippi are home to a flourishing arts scene. The Hawthorne district overflows with funky shops and colorful characters. But if you are looking for safety, personality and community charm, look no further than Sellwood.

Nestled right next to the Willamette River in Southeast Portland, Sellwood is the place to be for quaint, locally-owned businesses, beautiful historic homes, and a strong, nostalgic sense of community. Sellwood and the adjoining Moreland neighborhoods are family-friendly and feature a number of different architectural styles, from Victorian homes to cozy cottages and bungalows. The streets are cool and the air fresh thanks to the many trees that dot the sidewalks. It isn’t uncommon to see families out for an evening stroll or a group of kids playing a pick-up game of basketball some Saturday morning. The area exudes friendliness and safety; it’s no wonder, then, that prospective home-owners are vying for spots in this beautiful piece of the Pacific Northwest.

The beauty and safety of its neighborhoods aren’t the only characteristics attracting home-buyers and new families to Sellwood. The vast array of locally-owned restaurants and retail shops are certainly sweetening the deal. The Ugly Mug Coffeehouse is Sellwood’s premiere alternative coffee source. Featuring fresh espresso and pastries, beer, wine, and a relaxed, welcoming environment, the Ugly Mug is the perfect spot to crack open a book or catch up with an old friend. The Grand Central Bakery is another great option for a fresh cup of coffee or delicious baked treats. They also do lunch, offering a variety of freshly prepared sandwiches on their own marvelous bread. Try Assagio if you’re looking for more of an elegant dinner option. Featuring gourmet Italian food and wine, Assagio is the perfect choice for an intimate evening for two. And who could resist Papa Hayden’s, specializing in over proportioned, gourmet luscious desserts.

Sellwood is also well-known for its seemingly endless supply of antique shops. Whether you are looking to furnish a whole room or simply find that perfect finishing detail, Sellwood’s antique options will not disappoint. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in the infamous Stars Antique Mall, the Den of Antiquity has been providing the Sellwood area with gorgeous furniture and collectibles for over thirty-five years. The Den features an ever-changing roster of knick-knacks just waiting to be rediscovered. Farmhouse Antiques is a collection of eight different dealers operating under one roof. From pottery to jewelry to old-time postcards, Farmhouse is a great example of what can be accomplished when like-minded business people work together towards a single end.

The antiquing adventure doesn’t end there, either. Kathryn’s Antiques features ornate and beautiful glassware – a lot of it. R. Spencer Antiques focuses on buying and selling locally, and the Raven is home to some of Portland’s most interesting – and dangerous – military antiques. Oh, and then there’s the Sellwood Antique Collective and the Sellwood Antique Mall. Over eighty dealers work out of these two locations, so there’s little chance you won’t find exactly what you need and, as is often the case, a few things you don’t.

After you’ve worn yourself out antiquing, make sure to take in the natural beauty of one of Sellwood’s many serene parks. The Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge is over 140 acres of beautiful wetlands dedicated to the preservation of some of the area’s most precious wildlife. Both the Sellwood Riverfront Park and the Sellwood Park offer fresh air and the chance for plenty of exercise. Sellwood Park features baseball, football, soccer and softball fields, basketball and tennis courts, picnic areas and plenty of native Oregon vegetation. Sellwood also offers the natural beauty and family fun of such destination spots as the Sellwood Community Garden, the Sellwood Pool, the Eastmoreland Golf Course and the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. Sellwood is also home to the Westmoreland Casting Pond, historically used for the Rose Festival Milk Carton Boat Race event. It is frequently used by remote control boat hobbyists as well as for casting.

If you are looking for non-stop noise pollution, antisocial or downright rude neighbors, and the general hustle and bustle of big city living, then Sellwood may not be the best part of town for you. But if what you’re seeking are quiet streets, amicable residents, quaint local retail and fare, and an overall sense of nostalgic charm, look no further. You are already right at home.

~Ben Anton, 2008

Looking to move to Portland, Oregon? We encourage you to visit www.YourRoadmapToHome.com and learn more about Happy Valley, Portland, and Sellwood real estate available and how you can find the right new Portland home or condo for your family.