GayRealEstate USA

LGBT Gayest Zipcodes -- News on the Realty Front -- Oregon

By Jeff Adolph

Urban Growth

Portland, Oregon has fields of land that are just ripe for development, which are said to be only a stones throw from the metropolitan area. In fact, in any other major city these scenic plots would have been covered with housing complexes, however Oregon has different ideas about progress and has growth controls to prevent the region from losing its rural ambiance and feel.

Apart from this unique legislation the state also as a few other factors that set it apart from its counterparts, these being:

* Home prices that are relatively stable, with the Washington County area rising 4.5% in home value, and Charlotte, one of GayRealEstate USA's gayest zip-codes, also faring well.

* Oregon has a bottle bill in place which promotes recycling and denotes the state as a leader in environmental issues.

* Builders report healthy work levels, which is thought to be attributed to Asian trade associations, in addition to well-paid 'Intel Corp' workers who are said to boost the housing demand.

Main Story Sources: Tankersley, Jim (2008) The Growth Limits in Oregon Ease Pain in Housing;available online at www.baltimoresun.com

Picture Source: legendsofamerica.com and businessfacilities.com

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By Jeff Adolph

Urban Growth

Portland, Oregon has fields of land that are just ripe for development, which are said to be only a stones throw from the metropolitan area. In fact, in any other major city these scenic plots would have been covered with housing complexes, however Oregon has different ideas about progress and has growth controls to prevent the region from losing its rural ambiance and feel.

Apart from this unique legislation the state also as a few other factors that set it apart from its counterparts, these being:

* Home prices that are relatively stable, with the Washington County area rising 4.5% in home value, and Charlotte, one of GayRealEstate USA's gayest zip-codes, also faring well.

* Oregon has a bottle bill in place which promotes recycling and denotes the state as a leader in environmental issues.

* Builders report healthy work levels, which is thought to be attributed to Asian trade associations, in addition to well-paid 'Intel Corp' workers who are said to boost the housing demand.

Around the Nation -- Residential Real Estate Update - Oregon

By Jeff Adolph

State-by-state

Situated in the Pacific Northwest region of the U.S.A, this state is ranked as the 28th largest by population with 3,421,399 people residing in this region.

This states economy relies heavily on potatoes, peppermint, apples, hazelnuts and wine, as well as manufacturing.

Income in this state ranges between 5-9%, and there is no sales tax. Property tax in this state is assessed locally and collected by the counties at fair market value on all land, buildings and fixed machinery and equiptment.

Eugene

Homes are typically sitting on the market for 60-90 days in this region with the median home price hovering around $250,000. The market trend in this area is said to be increasing with the market trend up by 5-10% compared to last year.

Buyers are getting 95-100% of their asking price and the hottest valued market in this region is the University area with repeat buyers and population growth being the driving force behind this trend. 

LGBT Real Estate Facts: There are approximately 16,198 same-sex couples residing in North Carolina making this region the 11st gayest state in America. The gayest zip codes in this locality are 28205 Eastway, Charlotte; 27705 West Durham; 28806 Haywood -- Asheville; 27707 Shepard/South Square/Lakewood/Forest Hills -- Durham; 27701 Northgate -- Durham. -- gaydemographics.com

Main Story Source: House Hunt (2008) Real Estate Market Trends; available online at http://www.househunt.com

Picture Source: wikipedia.org

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Have Your Say On the LGBT Political Front - August 19th 2007

By Jeff Adolph

LGBT Politics

In a national first, the Democrats are challenging the Republicans by staging a debate that is dedicated to the LGBT community and will answer many of the issues facing Lesbians, Gays, Bi-sexual's and the Transgendered across the nation.

The leading candidates for the Democratic  nomination for presidency will actively involve themselves in this debate on August the 9th, which is being telecast by LOGO, a gay cable network. Alternatively, you may view proceedings on http://www.logoonline.com/ if you are unable to access the network.

Participants in the debate will include Hilary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards (pictured above), with the moderators being singer Melissa Etheridge and Joe Solmonese, Human Rights Campaign's president.

If you would like to actively participate by lodging questions for the candidates to answer you may do so by logging on to LOGOonline.com as well as on HRC.org.

Source: Demorcrats to Hold Gay Debate (2007) available online at www.wweek.com

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Public Opinion Ignored as Community Center is Given the Go Ahead

By Jeff Adolph

Community Investment

Recently, the Lake Oswego city council asked residents if they would be in favor of a $20 million community center that 'catered to residents of all ages, included recreational facilities, swimming pools, classrooms and meeting places.' However, this saw an additional $162 per year added to land tax on a $300,000 property, something the residents were not overly impressed about.' This did not occur as a short time later the council members voted unanimously in favor of the center and the allowed the community no further say in the matter.

The results of the councils question saw only 19% of residents in favor of the centers construction.

Now you would think this would lead the council to believe the center could possibly not be as the community envisaged or wanted. And, yet councilors deemed it a sad state of affairs when those who do support the facility did not come forth.

Campbell DeLong Associates who conducted the survey felt that, 'if council believe that a community center would be a valuable community asset, it would have to work to build greater support.The reasoning behind this is because the cultural minority are more inclined to have children than the white majority of same-sex couples.'

What's even more disturbing is the projects budget has now blown  out to a $100 million. The council has evidentially purchased the Safeco property for the community center development for $20 million and now believe a further $80 million will see the community center reach fruition.

This now pushes the annual property tax up by $700 for that home worth $300,000 and if your house is valued at more then look out... because it becomes even more expensive.

However, the most disturbing news is that the council took out a bank loan instead of using general obligation bonds.

Why?

So the tax payers could not disapprove of the development. Bonds require the tax payers approval via ballot to be used.

Therefore, the community is outraged and the council refuses to allow their input, which is adding fuel to their already smoldering hip-pockets.

Source: Surret, J (2006) Safeco Purchase Generates Questions: available online at http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/opinion/story.php?Story_id=11666614723442300

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© 2006 Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

Recently, the Lake Oswego city council asked residents if they would be in favor of a $20 million community center that 'catered to residents of all ages, included recreational facilities, swimming pools, classrooms and meeting places.' However, this saw an additional $162 per year added to land tax on a $300,000 property, something the residents were not overly impressed about.' This did not occur as a short time later the council members voted unanimously in favor of the center and the allowed the community no further say in the matter.

The results of the councils question saw only 19% of residents in favor of the centers construction.

Now you would think this would lead the council to believe the center could possibly not be as the community envisaged or wanted. And, yet councilors deemed it a sad state of affairs when those who do support the facility did not come forth.

Campbell DeLong Associates who conducted the survey felt that, 'if council believe that a community center would be a valuable community asset, it would have to work to build greater support.The reasoning behind this is because the cultural minority are more inclined to have children than the white majority of same-sex couples.'

What's even more disturbing is the projects budget has now blown  out to a $100 million. The council has evidentially purchased the Safeco property for the community center development for $20 million and now believe a further $80 million will see the community center reach fruition.

This now pushes the annual property tax up by $700 for that home worth $300,000 and if your house is valued at more then look out... because it becomes even more expensive.

However, the most disturbing news is that the council took out a bank loan instead of using general obligation bonds.

Why?

So the tax payers could not disapprove of the development. Bonds require the tax payers approval via ballot to be used.

Therefore, the community is outraged and the council refuses to allow their input, which is adding fuel to their already smoldering hip-pockets.

Source: Surret, J (2006) Safeco Purchase Generates Questions: available online at http://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/opinion/story.php?Story_id=11666614723442300

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© 2006 Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

Austin Set For a Record Year

By Jeff Adolph

Market Update

If you reside or are looking to invest in Texas then Austin just may be your locality, whether you're in the market for a condo or conventional home, up-market or middle of the road, it seems Austin home builders are struggling to keep-up with demand and the resale market is headed for an all time high.

And, it seems Raleigh-Durham in North Carolina, Central Texas, and Portland Oregon are all in similar situations.

As Connie Floyd, a broker in Raleigh-Durham said of the market in her state, 'if a well maintained house comes on the market and it is priced well, it's gone. We are not part of the national bubble you hear so much about. We have not seen appreciation rates skyrocket. We just keep trucking right along.'

The median price of homes in this region is around the $227,000 mark, whereas, in Central Texas you can expect to pay $173,800.

Gay Puckett, in Central Texas realty believes the market growth in her state is attributed to the jobs that have been created recently. As she stated, 'our relocation department has never been busier with corporate incoming moves, and I'm sure this is happening all over Austin.'

Portland's demand in Oregon is a little more niche orientated with waterfront properties being the biggest sellers. These range between $250,000 for a riverfront cabin, to $1.6 million for a lake front property.

While for some states the housing market bubble has truly popped it seems others are remaining unscathed by the incident. Basically, it depends on the economic climate of each state independently, and whether they were caught in the up-surge of appreciation.

Source: Novak, S (2006) If You're Hot You're Hot; available online at http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories

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© 2006 Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

By Jeff Adolph

Market Update

If you reside or are looking to invest in Texas then Austin just may be your locality, whether you're in the market for a condo or conventional home, up-market or middle of the road, it seems Austin home builders are struggling to keep-up with demand and the resale market is headed for an all time high.

And, it seems Raleigh-Durham in North Carolina, Central Texas, and Portland Oregon are all in similar situations.

As Connie Floyd, a broker in Raleigh-Durham said of the market in her state, 'if a well maintained house comes on the market and it is priced well, it's gone. We are not part of the national bubble you hear so much about. We have not seen appreciation rates skyrocket. We just keep trucking right along.'

The median price of homes in this region is around the $227,000 mark, whereas, in Central Texas you can expect to pay $173,800.

Gay Puckett, in Central Texas realty believes the market growth in her state is attributed to the jobs that have been created recently. As she stated, 'our relocation department has never been busier with corporate incoming moves, and I'm sure this is happening all over Austin.'

Portland's demand in Oregon is a little more niche orientated with waterfront properties being the biggest sellers. These range between $250,000 for a riverfront cabin, to $1.6 million for a lake front property.

While for some states the housing market bubble has truly popped it seems others are remaining unscathed by the incident. Basically, it depends on the economic climate of each state independently, and whether they were caught in the up-surge of appreciation.

Source: Novak, S (2006) If You're Hot You're Hot; available online at http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories

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© 2006 Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

If you reside or are looking to invest in Texas then Austin just may be your locality, whether you're in the market for a condo or conventional home, up-market or middle of the road, it seems Austin home builders are struggling to keep-up with demand and the resale market is headed for an all time high.

And, it seems Raleigh-Durham in North Carolina, Central Texas, and Portland Oregon are all in similar situations.

As Connie Floyd, a broker in Raleigh-Durham said of the market in her state, 'if a well maintained house comes on the market and it is priced well, it's gone. We are not part of the national bubble you hear so much about. We have not seen appreciation rates skyrocket. We just keep trucking right along.'

The median price of homes in this region is around the $227,000 mark, whereas, in Central Texas you can expect to pay $173,800.

Gay Puckett, in Central Texas realty believes the market growth in her state is attributed to the jobs that have been created recently. As she stated, 'our relocation department has never been busier with corporate incoming moves, and I'm sure this is happening all over Austin.'

Portland's demand in Oregon is a little more niche orientated with waterfront properties being the biggest sellers. These range between $250,000 for a riverfront cabin, to $1.6 million for a lake front property.

While for some states the housing market bubble has truly popped it seems others are remaining unscathed by the incident. Basically, it depends on the economic climate of each state independently, and whether they were caught in the up-surge of appreciation.

Source: Novak, S (2006) If You're Hot You're Hot; available online at http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories

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