Second Saturday at WAAAM

1600 Air Museum Road, Hood River, Oregon

If you are an antique airplane, automobile, or motorcycle enthusiast, you will not want to miss the Second Saturday at WAAAM event, occurring this Saturday morning.  The Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum is proud to open its huge hangar doors, and start rolling out the antique cars and motorcycles, beginning at 9:00AM.  If you arrive early, you may be asked to assist in getting the vintage, yet still operable, planes, cars, and motorcycles ready to fire up, and go on exhibit.

WAAAM possesses an extensive assortment of rare aircrafts, including a 1917 Curtiss JN-4D Jenny, a Piper Cub collection, an Aeronca collection, and a Stearman collection, just to mention a few.  All of these aircrafts are still flying, and are ready to be put in the air.  Bring the entire family out to be entertained and amazed, by these “full of life” airplanes.

Oh, and don’t forget about the cars.  WAAAM is very proud of its assemblage of over 130 automobiles, including a 1914 Detroit Electric, a Ford Model A, a Packard, a Studebaker, and even a Locomobile.  And, if two wheels is more your style of transportation, come out to see the vintage collection of Harley Davidson’s, Indians, Cushman’s and more.

This very well could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  WAAAM offers you the opportunity to get up close and personal with these legendary planes, cars, and motorcycles.  There will be a select amount of people chosen to go for a ride.  Come out this Saturday to see if it is your lucky day.  I will see you there!!

Saturday November 9^th

9:00AM-5:00PM

For more information regarding this event, please click here.

Gabby Tyer - CRS, GRI
Real Estate Sales and Property Management
Managing Principal Broker/Owner
Realty Solutions
www.allaboutportland.com
www.jessicashope.com

Gabby Tyer is your ultimate real estate resource for Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.
Portland Real Estate market stats news and education. Complete search access to all homes for sale in Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas.

Photo courtesy of Rudi/Flickr.com

Homeowners Insurance

Do You Know What Is and Isn't Covered?
 

A survey released in May by InsuranceQuotes.com shows that many Americans are not fully aware of what their homeowner insurance covers or doesn’t cover. It shows, for example, that about half of those surveyed did not know their insurance policy would not cover damage caused by an earthquake. "Many consumers are purchasing insurance without really [comprehending] what they're buying," InsuranceQuotes.com Laura Adams told TheStreet.com.

Here are some of the more common misconceptions:

· Homeowners policies usually do not cover replacement of all of your possessions. Check for coverage caps on personal belongings in your home. These can include jewelry or firearms. You may have to arrange to pay more to get complete coverage.
 
· 55% of those surveyed didn’t know that damage from mold resulting from a leak is frequently not covered. Mold remediation can cost thousands of dollars, but you’re probably not covered if it happens to you. You can pay more to get mold damage coverage.
 
· As noted above, your policy probably does not include damage caused by earthquakes.
 
· Your policy probably does not cover flood damage. You’ll need a separate flood policy if you want to protect yourself. If you live in a flood zone, you may be required to have such a policy. But, if you live near such a zone, you should consider a flood policy. They’re usually quite inexpensive if you don’t live close to water.
 
· You need to make sure you’ve got enough coverage to replace your house, but that isn’t the market value of your home, which can also include the price of the land.
 
· The report also showed 73% of those surveyed didn’t know their homeowner’s policy covers thefts from a self-storage unit or even your car, no matter where it was when the crime was committed.

The key takeaway from this report is that you need to read and understand your policy. Your insurance agent should be more than happy to spell out the ramifications of your policy in plain English. If not, perhaps you need another agent! Because, as a homeowner, you need to know your investment is as protected as it can be. 

Gabby Tyer - CRS, GRI
Real Estate Sales and Property Management
Managing Principal Broker/Owner
Realty Solutions

www.allaboutportland.com
www.jessicashope.com 

Gabby Tyer is your ultimate real estate resource for Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.
Portland Real Estate market stats news and education. Complete search access to all homes for sale in Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas.
 Photo courtesy Angela de Marqo/flickr.com

End of the Year Closing

Closing on the purchase of a new home, prior to the end of the year, offers a buyer a multitude of incentives.  These incentives, or inducements, range from tax saving opportunities, to the indulgence of celebrating the upcoming holidays in a new home.  Closing on your new home in the last few months, up to the last day of the year, can offer huge financial savings, compared to closing at any other point in the year.  When buying, your realtor will give you an estimated timeline for completing the purchase, from signing the contract, to sitting down at the closing table.  Delving into the opportunities of an end of the year purchase may just inspire you, and your realtor, to reevaluate and adjust your plans to close sooner than later.  Be sure to sit down with your realtor today, to discuss your options.

To begin, mortgage interest, property taxes, and points paid on loans acquired, can all be tax deductions for a homebuyer, if they close on or before December 31^st.  In addition, interest costs associated with the loan, can also be deducted.  These tax deductions can significantly add up, and will ultimately lower your income tax for the upcoming year.

In many cases, the current seller, by the year’s end, has already paid the property taxes on the home in which you are looking to buy.  Meaning, if you close by December 31^st, you will have less of a property tax expense to pay.  Closing costs can accumulate quickly, so anywhere you can shave off an expenditure, is money saved.

Oftentimes, people are somewhat put out by the duration a real estate transaction can take.  Closing near the end of the year can expedite this process.  The seller, lender, and other involved parties, are anxious to wrap things up quickly, as to get paid, prior to the end of the year.  Profits from an end of the year sale can be beneficial for everyone involved.  So, if you fall into the category of “I want to close quickly”, call your realtor, and begin your house hunting today.  An end of the year purchase will have you in your new home before you know it.

While house hunting, realize that sellers at this point in the year are oftentimes more motivated, and builders of new construction homes are offering incentives of their own.  A seller’s motivation frequently offers you leverage in negotiating a better deal, or asking for perks and bonuses.  The seller may feel the need to sell quickly, in order to purchase their own new home, prior to the year’s end.  They too, want to reap the same benefits that you are out to obtain.  As far as new home construction goes, builders need to sell as much of their inventory as possible, to avoid being taxed on it at the end of the year.  Henceforth, they will commonly be offering discounted prices, upgrades free of charge, and many more extras.

With the holidays quickly approaching, many people have more days off from their job, or they must use the days given that they have not yet taken.  Because buying a home requires several tasks to be performed, this is an ideal time of the year to utilize those unused days in house hunting, purchasing, and closing on your new home.  And, because you have chosen to do so, at the end of the year the moving process should also run much more smoothly.  During other months of the year, one can wait upwards to 8 weeks for the services of a moving company.

Finally, who wouldn’t want to prepare their Thanksgiving dinner in a brand new kitchen?  And, Christmas morning this year will be one you won’t soon forget.  Celebrating the holidays with friends and family in a new home can be rewarding in so many ways.  So, instead of putting off the purchase of a new home until spring, call your realtor today.  An end of the year closing proposes a host of incentives, both financially, and for personal gain. Begin your house hunt today, and be sure to close on your new home before December 31^st.

Gabby Tyer - CRS, GRI
Real Estate Sales and Property Management
Managing Principal Broker/Owner
Realty Solutions
www.allaboutportland.com
www.jessicashope.com
 
Gabby Tyer is your ultimate real estate resource for Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.
Portland Real Estate market stats news and education. Complete search access to all homes for sale in Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas.

Photo provided courtesy of Dave Dugdale.

31st Annual Harvest Fest

Hood River Event Site on the river, Hood River, Oregon

For 31 years running, the Annual Harvest Fest, held in Hood River, is one of the most heavily attended events, each fall.  Whether it is your first time, or you attend yearly, you will want to come out this weekend, and enjoy the splendors of fall, while taking part in the best festival, Hood River has to offer. 

There is no better time than now, to get your holiday shopping started.  There will be a wide variety of arts and crafts for sale at this year’s Harvest Fest.  Included are:  glass items; wood sculptures; ceramics; photography; fiber art; jewelry; and much, much more.  Be sure to shop the local produce and food tents, for yourself.  You can pick up some Anjou pears, heirloom apples, pumpkins, berries, and fresh flowers.  Don’t stop there.  Take home some homemade jams, pies, and hand-dipped chocolate covered cherries, for dessert.

The entire family is welcome to attend, as there will be day-long entertainment for all ages.  The children will be happily occupied in the kids’ fun zone, while the adults take to the wine and beer tasting tents, to indulge in craft beers and Gorge wines.

There is too much to see, taste, and experience, in only one day.  So, plan on spending the weekend with your neighbors, family, and friends at this year’s Harvest Fest.  See you there!!

Friday October 18^th

1:00PM-7:00PM

Saturday October 19^th

10:00AM-7:00PM

Sunday October 20^th

10:00AM-5:00PM

For more information regarding this event, please click here.

Gabby Tyer - CRS, GRI
Real Estate Sales and Property Management
Managing Principal Broker/Owner
Realty Solutions
www.allaboutportland.com
www.jessicashope.com
Gabby Tyer is your ultimate real estate resource for Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.
Portland Real Estate market stats news and education. Complete search access to all homes for sale in Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas. 

 Photo provided by flickr.com