Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park, that generous green swath of grass and trees alongside downtown, used to look very different than it does today. Those of you who moved to Portland within the last 30 years might not even know that the park was once a freeway.
I want to share a couple of videos (full disclosure, they are a tad lengthy but you'll learn so much about Portland from them) about the history of Portland's freeways, the ones that got built, the ones that didn't, and the one that got moved! The story of this aspect of our city's development is evidence that citizen organizing–to protect neighborhoods, to prevent further harm to historical black neighborhoods, and to safeguard the state's natural resources from environmental harm–does have an impact. I mean, who would have thought that you could get the city to move a freeway?
RMLS Market Action Report /
In the latest Market Trend, it appears that listings are on the rise and pendings are going down. Does this mean we will have a slowing of the price increases we have seen?
Let's see if the old Supply and Demand operate the way they should! It would be a welcome relief from the breakneck speed and frustration factor that has been affecting buyers in the market.
How Much Would it Cost to Swap Out That Floor? /
I know that many of you have this question as you walk through properties with wall to wall carpet where you wish there was hardwood or vice versa. As a buyer, it can be challenging to make a realistic tally of rennovation costs for the properties you're considering.
Realtor.com has teamed up with Home Depot to create Flooring Forecaster, a tool that helps you estimate cost of materials and tool rental or labor to make flooring changes. The forecaster can pull square footage data from property listsing on Realtor.com to help you get closer to a realistic estimate. Learn more>>
Home Renovation "as-seen-on-TV" /
Everyone knows someone who is obsessed with house stuff–interior design, remodeling, restoration–in fact, some of us see that person every day when we look in the mirror. It's a thing.
If you've been looking for an interdisciplinary academic exploration of, "Fixer Upper and its vision of Waco through the lenses of religious studies, space/place/geography, post-colonial studies, and architecture and design," you can call off the search. For those of you who really needed this: you're welcome.
This will take you to the internet rabbit hole of your dreams>>
Important Updates to Tentant Protections & Landlord Support SB 282 /
The Oregon legislature passed SB 282 into law, extending the grace period for tentants for paying back rents to February 2022. The bill also provides tenants protections from negative credit ratings and eviction history resulting from hardship experienced during the pandemic.
The Landlord Compensation Fund program is still active, but it does expire this summer. The deadline for applying for assistance is June 18th, 2021. Learn more here. All of these protections and supports will go a long way to preventing avoidable evictions.
Support for tentants needing emergency rental assistance>>
Landlords interseted in helping tenants apply for rental assistance can learn how to do so here>>
Mortgage Interest Deduction Reform: Senate Bill 852 /
I am so encouraged by the recent movement around Oregon Senate Bill 852, which would phase out the mortgage interest deduction for Oregon’s richest 5% and those owning second homes. There is literally no reason to subsidize this demographic, especially in this day and age when we are reckoning with the results of decades of racial and economic injustice.
We have an opportunity, with SB 852, to reform a tax structure that unjustly subsidizes high income earners and costs Oregon approximately one billion dollars every other year.