Saturday mornings I try to watch the Garden Time TV show on KPTV-12 here in Portland (CLICK HERE) along with some other gardening shows I enjoy on our local Public Broadcasting Station - OPB in the a.m.  I had never looked at Garden Time's website until today.  It has all sorts of gardening resources.  They had mentioned on the show how to plant the "perfect" perennial garden so I wanted to check that out -  CLICK HERE  - to find perennials to include in your garden.  

And, of course, there's the wonderful Thursday Home and Garden supplement in The Oregonian. CLICK HERE for their event calendar of all kinds of things to see and do.  They have articles written by their contributing editors and lots of other gardening tips too.

The Garden Time site has an events calendar, links to "Gardens to See" in our area, "Gardening Tips", "Plant of the Week",  and a "How To" section that includes that list for a perennial garden.  There are specialized nurseries to visit listed which include some of my favorites - Heirloom Roses, Adelman Peonies,  Swan Island Dahlias (their dahlia show is in October which I always like to attend) and more.  Don't forget the Champoeg State Park 1860 Kitchen Garden (their festival is coming in August) and of course in the spring there are the iris', tulip farm, lilacs, peonies, etc. etc. There's an upcoming water lily festival, bamboo festival, Oregon Master Gardener's College event and more.  Lots to do this time of year.

Another nursery that has classes and events every weekend is Joy Creek Nursery in Scappose.  They have a rich selection to cover every aspect of gardening.  CLICK HERE for their classes/events.  Although for some of you it may be quite the drive, trust me when I say it is worth it.  I have been there many times over the years and I always enjoy getting their newsletter early in the year to let me know what they are planning.

Gardeners are always looking for new ideas, or how to solve a problem in their garden, so I thought these might be some good places to check out.   Once I had a friend ask me if I was done working in my yard.  She wasn't a gardener and most of us know if you truly are a gardener, you are never done working in your yard. 

Enjoy your gardening adventures!

©Betty Jung 7-26-2008

All Rights Reserved.

(For more local and national real estate news, click on my monthly newsletter - JUNG'S JOURNAL - on my website www.bettyjung.com).

FHA financing is becoming popular once again with buyers, particularly first-time buyers, due to the new increased loan limit of $417,000 here in Portland, Oregon.

You can borrow up to 97% financing for a purchase and up to 95% for a refinance.  The down payment can be 100% gift and Down Payment Assistance Programs are allowed. A seller can pay up to 6% towards allowable closings costs and/or pre-paids.  There are no reserve requirements and no minimum credit scores.  Make sure you speak to a lender and get pre-approved before you decide to make an offer.  FHA loan amounts vary from state to state, so make sure you check on your particular area and become familiar with the requirements where you live.

Following is Part 2 of the FHA-approved Condominium projects in Portland, Oregon.  CLICK HERE for the link to the Part 1 list for Portland.  Two other posts were written for FHA Approved Condos in Lake Oswego  (CLICK HERE) and Tigard (CLICK HERE) as well.

PORTLAND OREGON APPROVED FHA CONDOMINIUM LIST - PART 2

2. Cancel at anytime
My philosophy is that you hired me, so you should be able to fire me. I give my clients the opportunity to cancel their contract at any time. My first-rate customer service skills ensure that once clients begin working with me, they will not need to look for other realtors. I will be the last realtor you will ever need!  Click here to view an example of the Easy Exit Listing Agreement

3. Easy to Get A Hold of Me
This may be one of the biggest complaints I have heard, that people aren’t able to get in contact with their realtor! I ensure my clients are always able to get a hold of me, as I never turn my phone off and I always have it at my side. If I do miss a phone call, I return it as soon as possible. In fact, I will reduce my commission for every occurrence in which I don’t get back with them in a timely fashion. (This has never happened.) Click here to view Papa's Video's On YouTube!

4. Market Knowledge
I have lived in Kansas City nearly all my life, so I am familiar with the entire metropolitan area, especially Olathe real estate. From the Plaza to Olathe, I can offer extensive knowledge on your neighborhood. Selling is about much more than asking price, you are selling a lifestyle, not just a home. Click here for some Tips On How To Stage Your Home.

5. Weekly Contact
Many realtors get the listing, and then do not contact their clients until their get an offer. I take pride in keeping the lines of communication open with my clients. I call my sellers each Monday to give the updates as to the status of their home. Including how many showings, feedback from the showings and any ideas on how to improve the traffic to their home. Click here to view Client Testimonials from satisfied clients!

6. Showcase Listings on Realtor.com & Virtual Tours
I make sure my listings are marketed to their fullest potential by offering Virtual Tours and Showcase Listings on www.realtor.com Realtor.com is the #1 real estate web site and with so many homes on the market, it is essential to make sure your home stand out from the crowd. According to REALTOR.com, Showcase Listings on their site are viewed 299% more often than homes that only offer one exterior photo, yet very few real estate agents subscribe to this extra service. All my sellers receive Showcase Listings to ensure they get maximum exposure to help sell their home fast! Visit www.realtor.com to view Showcase Listings.

7. Full Time Agent
Unlike many other agents, real estate is my full time career, so I have many hours a week to devote to my clients. Whether it’s during the day, evening or on weekends, I put my clients (not another job) as my number one career priority. Click here to read my blog for more information on Olathe real estate and beyond!

8. Monthly Contact
Many realtors assist their clients with the transaction, and then they never hear from them again! Not me! I keep in touch with all of my clients monthly either through a quick e-mail, a phone call on your birthday or a fun gift of movie tickets. My business philosophy is to invest in my clients rather than utilize ineffective advertising methods. I also keep my clients informed of what other homes in their neighborhood are selling for so they can keep track of their investment.

9. Financial Background
My background in finance and statistics gives me a leg up on many other realtors and helps me analyze the market to ensure you get your home priced correctly in any market.  Click here to see how your home will be a Featured Listing!

10. Wal-Mart Relocation Program
I have a connection with the Wal-Mart Relocation Department. Whenever Wal-Mart is relocating someone to or from Kansas City, I am one of the first people they call. This helps me to nationally market your home instead of just limiting myself to the local markets.

The Walk Score algorithm awards points based on the distance to the closest amenity in each category. If the closest amenity in a category is within .25 miles (or .4 km), the maximum number of points is assigned. The number of points declines as the distance approaches 1 mile (or 1.6 km)—no points are awarded for amenities further than 1 mile. Each category is weighted equally and the points are summed and normalized to yield a score from 0–100. The number of nearby amenities is the leading predictor of whether people walk

The TOP 10 cities for being "walkable" as rated by Walkscore.com are (in order of ranking):

San Francisco, California

New York, New York

Boston, Massachusetts

Chicago, Illinois

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Seattle, Washington

Washington, D.C.

Long Beach, California

Los Angeles, California

Portland, Oregon

They also have a Walker's Paradise category and the following Portland areas made this list with their rankings as follows:

A Walker's Paradise Category:

(you can click on each one for a map from the City of Portland)

Pearl District ranked #15

Old Town-Chinatown ranked #31

Downtown Portland ranked #54

NW Portland ranked #100

Lloyd District ranked #116

Hosford neighborhood ranked #134

Buckman neighborhood ranked #136

Portland ranked #10 overall, so I checked a listing of mine to see how accessible it was, and it proved disappointing.  It got a low 58 score with 100 being the best.  CLICK HERE to see my results. 

If you are concerned about gas prices, prefer to walk, or want to check out a neighborhood before you look at properties for sale, you might want to insert the address to see how convenient and walkable that neighborhood actually is.  The latest trend in real estate advertising is to put the walking score in the advertisement or listing.  When I checked my own address, I found that the grocery store that seemed so far away was indeed "walkable".  So, no more excuses for me! 

Often times, the problem with being successful in real estate (or any business for that matter) is you want to enjoy the fruits of all your labor so you start to slack. Not saying you don't do the JOB as well as you did, you just don't do the PROSPECTING as well as you did. Let's face it folks, business gets good, you are getting referrals and repeat business so you don't have to knock on doors, hand out freebies or cold call anymore. You are runnin' with the big dogs now! Problem is, if you don't CONTINUE prospecting, those leads start to dry up so you have to turn on the prospecting faucet once again and it just goes on and on and on. That is why this business is such a roller coaster for so many agents. They prospect, prospect, prospect....business gets great....not more time to prospect....business dries up....gotta prospect again. It's a never ending cycle of unbelievable stress, especially if you are in this business for more than just a "hobby" (in other words, survival depends on selling!)

Since we are essentially "starting from scratch" with out new company, KELLER WILLIAMS, (shameless plug and link to website) we decided to focus on "Back To Basics". So what does that mean? you ask. Maybe you don't even know what the basics are! When I say go back to basics, I mean develop a system, yes, a system of how you will prospect. This business is fraught with issues that pop up. There will always be that client that demands immediate attention. There will always be a phone call that you need to answer. There will always be data to enter onto a website. Getting back to basics just means making MONEY MAKING ACTIVITIES a PRIORITY. Each and every day more and more details will need to be attended to but none of these details would exist without your PROSPECTING.

And it takes more than just saying, "I am going to prospect every day". Yea right. I can't tell you how many times I have made that promise. It's not enough to make a vague statement, you have to commit. By commit I mean BLOCK IT OUT. Block it out? Of your head? No silly, on your CALENDAR! Commit to making a certain time, every day, to prospecting activities. I will continue with this post more tomorrow because it's been a tiring day see. Goal setting, committing to prospecting and getting a game plan all in the midst of a hurricane takes a lot out of a gal!

To be continued......Lisa

If you're like most other investors then chances are you're bank account has taken a hit because of the market. I know mine has.  So I've decided to try something different.

I've decided to challenge myself to take $2,000 and turn it into $10,000 over the next 90 days.

There are two reasons why I'm doing this:

1. If I were to loose everything, How would I make it back?
2. If I were starting out today, How could I get involved without too much risk?

The good news is that if you fall into one of the categories above we can do this together.  I'm going to take you on this journey with me.  I will share the whole experience with you in hopes that you will join in on this profitable adventure.

Yesterday was the first day of the 90 day challenge.  We have 89 more days to make this dream a reality.  Join us on this adventure by clicking here:

Learn How To Turn $2,000 into $10,000 in 90 Days

P.S.- Next week we will be back to our regularly scheduled NEWS commentary.  Thanks for reading!

By asking the following questions, you can dramatically improve your odds of having a successful homeselling experience.

1. What makes you different? Why should I list my home with you?

2. What is your company's track record and reputation in the market place?

3. What are your marketing plans for my home?

4. What has your company sold in my area?

5. Does your broker control your advertising or do you?

6. On average, when your listings sell, how close is the selling price to the asking price?

7. On average, how long does it take for your listings to sell?

8. How many buyers are you currently working with?

9. Do you have a reference list of clients I could contact?

10. What happens if I'm not happy with the job you are doing to get my home sold? Can I cancel my listing contract?

11. Am I comfortable with this person? (This question is not for the agent- It's for you!)

Glen

610.792.3000

www.GlenRussell.com

Bob Chiodo

                                      Equity Home Mortgage, LLC

                                      bobchiodo@equityhome.com

*Rates:

• 30 yr conforming=6.375
• 30 yr jumbo=6.625  (to $600k)
• 7/1 jumbo=5.750  (to $650k)
• OR VA=5.500
• State Bond FHA=5.750

I have - all of the markets have - been discussing inflationary pressures for most of this year. It's funny that, although everyone knows that inflation is an issue, it seems to all of sudden cause the interest rate markets to bolt. Last Wednesday the CPI numbers came in higher than expected and we saw rates move higher for the rest of week. There is talk again of the Fed moving rates up to stop the inflationary pressures. Many economists are still thinking that inflation is temporary….oil has dropped 13% over the last two weeks and global demand is slowing. The credit crisis hasn't resolved itself and the US housing market isn't any better. Most of us are hoping that the Fed just holds steady until things look a little better.

The stock market did better last week and that also pressured rates. When the stock market improves, we often see investors selling bond holdings (causing rates to increase) and buying equities.

Honestly, from all I read and research, I can tell that no one knows where rates are heading. Many are thinking up, some are thinking down. We'll see what happens but 6.50% is still good. It was only 7 years ago that mortgage rates dropped below 7%. Low down payment loans with mortgage insurance are very close to 7% now. Besides, with the tax deductible feature, a borrower in a marginal bracket of 35% is only paying 4.3% after taxes. That is still cheap money.

Take a look at this clip from a research report I read yesterday:

"Next year there will be 2.3 million weddings in the US, at an average cost of $30,000. That is $72 billion on weddings. And many of those new families start with the need to find a place to live, furnish a home, and build their nest."

"Last year a record 4.3 million babies were born in the US. Each of them will need all sorts of "stuff" - food, education, and places to live - in (hopefully) 20-25 years."

Obviously, the babies don't need their own home but you can be sure that many of the families will be looking for larger homes. Just these numbers alone show that there is always a large demand for purchasing a new home. And that's not counting divorces. I don't have any stats on that but I met with three separate clients last week who were in the planning stages of separating. There is no question that, even with the difficult market, our services as Realtors and lenders will always be needed.

Thanks and have a great week!

*Rates quoted are for the use of Realtors and others in the real estate/financial service industries.  They are not meant to be a quote for an individual situation.  Rates change daily and those above are only listed to assist market participants by keeping them informed for current interest rates.  Quotes are usually shown for a 30-day lock period and a 1% origination or discount fee.

 ©Betty Jung 7-23-2008

  All Rights Reserved.

(For more local and national real estate news, click on my monthly newsletter - JUNG'S JOURNAL - on my website www.bettyjung.com).

Keeping personal items lying around. Your favorite basketball team may be the Miami Heat while the potential buyer might favor the New York Knicks.  You may enjoy hunting when the buyer is completely against it.  For whatever reason, sellers have been known to ignore the rule of removing personal items only to find out they’ve ruined any chances of a potential offer.

Showing off your artistry. Homeowners sometimes choose to paint the walls with some color choices that look good to them but might be seen by home buyers as bizarre, such as black and white which some have been known to say makes the interior feel like a “funeral parlor”.

Allowing pets to stick around during the walkthrough. Many pet owners assume that everyone loves their kitty or canine as much as they do when in fact, some people are either allergic or simply don’t like them.  Plus, if the pet doesn’t take kindly to strangers, that’ll only make things worse if it’s constantly barking or trying to bite the home buyer doing a walkthrough of the home.

Failing to take care of the upkeep. Doesn’t it seem counterproductive to leave leaky faucets or roofs unfixed?  Some sellers have been known to employ the “sell it as is” approach in order to save on the costs required to renovate which simply doesn’t make any sense, especially if the property in question is not in foreclosure in which case some necessary repairs are expected.

When the number 5,000 showed up on my screen I was surprised.  5,000 hits on my blog in such a short period of time from May 1 to July 21, 2008.  A little more than 2 1/2 months of posts.  I don't know if that's good or bad but it really doesn't matter.  What amazes me more than anything is the far reaching effects of the Internet, the growth of the on-line community, how connected we really all are and what a small world this is.  Spain, Pakistan, Turkey, Morocco, China, UAE, Australia, Europe, Canada, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Phillipines, Japan, Russia, Africa are just some of the countries that have somehow found All About.....Portland.Oregon.Real Estate not to mention from all the different states across the U.S. No one knows this, but the reason I started my blog on May 1, is because that is when I immigrated to the U.S. - it has always been a special day for me. So, to have all these countries connecting in this way is sentimental to me in someways and none of these countries now seem so far away.

You can click on the map in the sidebar to see the major countries that have viewed my blog.  There's another view at the top of the map (under navigation) where you can click to see the smaller dots (or hits) that shows everywhere the hits have come from.  I didn't add this widget until midway through the month of May, so there are even more countries, I am sure, that aren't shown.

When I first started blogging, I was surprised how people would do their searches.  Some people would just search by typing in "Betty's Blog".  There are millions upon millions of "Betty's" in the world, yet they found this blog.  That is amazing to me.  Did they really expect to find my blog that way?  But they did!  Oh, the power of search engines! 

There is a learning curve in anything new you attempt.  There is still a lot to learn.  Every corner I go around, there's yet more to learn.  There are lots of things, I wish WordPress would change or add.  There are a lot of tricks to blogging.  However, this blog is forcing me to also sharpen my skills and mind as I research and delve into whatever subject I am discussing at the moment.  There hasn't been anything in my real estate career, I don't believe, that has taught me as much in such a short period of time as learning how to write a blog, except when I first starting selling real estate in '75.

For example, just last night I found out I can make the box bigger, much bigger, that I type my posts in.  What a find!  I thought I had to use the small box that WordPress has but you can change the size.  Geez, only been blogging for 2 1/2 months and I never knew that.  It's in settings.  Now I can see the entire post on a full page just as it would appear.  I've been depriving myself all this time without realizing it.  This has taught me again not to take things at face value- guess I had to learn that again.  So unlike me not to question. All the books I've read never said you can make the typing box bigger.  This is much better and so much easier.  Maybe the rest of you already knew this. For those of you that don't blog you may not understand what a find this is.

Learning yet again!

When I was in grammar school I used to love going on scavenger hunts.  Blogging to me reminds me of that.  I happen to have an insatiable curiosity about everything and when I get an idea I have to "check it out".  Sometimes it takes more time that I would like but in each post I write, I am also learning along the way.  Not only am I learning more about the subject but I am learning more about the Internet and the world we live in and are all a part of.  I hope you are too.

Thanks for tuning in....and please come back again, and again.

©Betty Jung 7-22-2008

All Rights Reserved.

(For more local and national real estate news, click on my monthly newsletter - JUNG'S JOURNAL - on my website www.bettyjung.com).

The demand for real estate is always hot. Every day, there are new properties up for sale. If you intend to list your property for sale, you will be fighting with other sellers in your area for buyers. But once you are experienced in the selling process, it will not take you too long to market your property and sell it successfully.

In this article, let us discuss some of the key process that you need to take when selling your property. This will give you a clearer understanding of the selling process which will in turn help you to sell your house faster:

1. Prepare your property for sale. To sell your property fast, you need to attract buyers. Buyers are attracted to properties that are in tip top condition. That is why you should make sure that the property is clean and ready for sale. If you find any wear and tear in your house, you should either repair or repaint it. Pay attention to every detail. If there is a garage, make sure tidy it up. Every area of your property is part of the overall selling package. First impression is extremely important. So in order to sell your property quick, you need to impress your potential buyers right away.

2. Determine the selling price of your property. Get your property valued by a professional before you put it up for sale. Get an assessor to evaluate your property and suggest a price range for you. With the price range, you will be able to determine the right price for your property. One thing to note is that during negotiations, you should always quote a much higher price. This is to ensure that you will have enough room to play with the price when the potential buyers ask for discounts.

3. Write your listings and market your property. With the necessary information on hand, you can now move on to create your listings. Internet is one of the best ways to market your property. There are many good real estate portals on the Internet that you should leverage on. These websites have high traffic volume, with thousands of potential buyers visiting them every single month. When creating your listing, make sure that you only upload nice photos of your property. Nice photos will make your listing more attractive to potential buyers and thus increasing the inquire rate for viewing.

With this process, you are now better equipped to sell your property successfully. If you intend to use a real estate agent, make sure that you check every single detail before signing any contract to prevent getting yourself into any legal tussle.

Source : Real Estate Agent ]]> http://scooparoundatlanta.wordpress.com/?p=21 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:11:26 +0000 scooparoundatlanta http://scooparoundatlanta.wordpress.com/?p=21 I heard a story today about a home seller in Gwinnett County who wanted to place his home on the market.  He was calling agents to list his home and couldn't find a 'taker.'  My curiosity was instantly piqued, because there are plenty of agents who live by the philosophy that there is no such thing as a bad listing.  Well, as the story goes, the seller calls the 6th agent and names his price which was $50K higher than any other home had sold in his neighborhood.  The agent understandably wants to know where he came up with that figure.  The seller explains that he bought the house in the mid $100's, refinanced last year at $260K, did some improvements and bought a bass boat and a Suburban.  The agent (I love this gal by the way) responds, "do the bass boat and the Suburban come with the house?"  I guess agents are rethinking the 'no bad listing' idea.  As agents, we are so often a shoulder for our clients to whine on, and that is ok...it goes with the territory.  But I think many of us have grown tired of trying to help those who cannot or will not listen to logic and face the facts.  We spend too much money and time on each listing.  Sometimes, especially during lean markets, it pays to be selective.

A: Here are several questions you and your spouse can use when hiring a Real Estate Agent or Broker to represent you. Keep in mind these questions are answered more honestly by the agent's actions than by his or her words:

(1) Does the agent/broker's motivation reflect a sincere desire to serve?
Does he have a frame of mind and heart to put your best interests at the top of the priority list, even above his need to earn a living?

(2) What business is the agent or broker in? Is he in the real estate business? The money-making business? Or is he firmly grounded in the trust business, making earning and keeping your trust and confidence his highest goal?

(3) How well does your agent/broker communicate? Is he articulate in explaining how the home-buying or selling process works? Is he prompt about returning your phone calls? Is he approachable? Do you feel you can call him nearly any time you have a question or a concern that needs addressing? Is he sensitive to your frame of mind and possible apprehension? Does he encourage you to ask lots of questions or do you feel like an idiot after asking him?

Is frequent communication with you a top priority or relegated to a lower position?

(4) Is he customer-service driven? Does he ensure your appointments are structured around your schedule or do you feel you're primarily accommodating him? Does he meet with you face-to-face often or are your interactions primarily via telephone, e-mail, or fax? Does he hand-deliver documents so he can explain them in person or do you receive paperwork in the mail that leaves you scratching your head in bewilderment?

(5) Does your agent-to-be have integrity? Is he up front with you? Does he look you straight in the eye when answering your questions? Does he remember your name? Does he have a firm and hearty handshake or is it wimpy and non-committal? Is he candid and forthcoming in answering your questions or do you feel you can't get him to give you a straight answer about important issues? Does he ever say "I'm not sure" or "I don't know"? Being honest is risky sometimes as people don't always want to hear the truth. But above all else, that's your agent's job — to tell you the truth.

(6) Does your agent/broker have a positive, "Let's make it happen" attitude? Is he best described as a problem-solver or a problem-maker? Is he creative in finding ways to make things work instead of looking for reasons why they can't?

(7) Ask your prospective agent/broker for references from previous clients, both buyers and sellers. Get several names and telephone numbers. Then follow up with those people. Ask, "Would you work with this agent again? If so, why? If not, why not?" How someone conducts himself with others in the past is a good indicator of how he'll probably treat you in the future. Don't be afraid to probe a little. Ask, "Do you feel your Agent had your best interests in mind at all times?" "Do you trust your agent?" "Why or why not?"

This set of questions and action items should help you find a true professional by ruling out those who simply don't measure up. Remember that this is probably the single largest investment you'll make in your lifetime. Be selective, be careful, and listen to your intuition. Bestow the honor of your trust to one who earns it, not to just anyone who managed to pass the state licensing exam.

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       Guest Author:  JOHN MAULDIN                                                  

John Mauldin, Best-Selling author and recognized financial expert, is also editor of the free Thoughts From the Frontline that goes to over 1 million readers each week. For more information on John or his FREE weekly economic letter CLICK HERE.  This is only a partial reprint of John Mauldin's latest weekly newsletter.  For his complete weekly newsletter CLICK HERE. 

Housing starts rose 9% and the market cheerleaders proclaimed that we have seen a bottom. But not if you look at the actual numbers. New unemployment claims were OK, but not if you look at the actual numbers. And inflation was simply ugly, no matter what numbers you look at. However, oil is down and there is reason to think it may have further to go on the downside. We cover all this and more, as we first look at why the world is not going to end.

Take a Deep Breath

It is easy to find bad news these days, and the torrent that seems to keep coming can ruin a person's summer (or winter, for my southern hemisphere readers). The credit crisis, as noted last week, is nowhere near an end. Housing, as we will see, is actually getting worse. Foreclosures, auctions, government bailouts, higher taxes, inflation, the price of energy and food - the list goes on and on.

I thought, since so many think of me as a rather bearish person, I would show you my more optimistic side. Yes, I am bearish in the short term, for reasons I have documented at length in this letter. But long-term I am a wild-eyed optimist.

With all the negative news thrown at us today, why is the United States not in the midst of a deep recession? How, many of you ask, can I be so sanguine as to suggest a milder recession and a Muddle Through Economy?

First, things are somewhat different now than in the '70s and early '80s. Back then, a great deal of the US and developed world economies and their resulting employment were linked to manufacturing, which was largely geared to domestic sales. Exports were a much smaller part of the economy for most businesses. When the economy and consumption slowed down, manufacturers laid employees off rather rapidly. Unemployment would soar and a V-shaped recession would occur.

Now, the number of people employed in manufacturing is less in percentage terms than it was back then, and more of what is produced in the developed world is bought by a growing developing world. Exports from the US are booming. The number of TEUs (the large containers on ships: Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) moving through the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach is up 23% in May year over year and up 26% since the beginning of the year. Because of the weak dollar, imports are down by 7% year to date. It is export growth that is keeping the US from sliding into the usual deep recession.

So, not only is manufacturing not down as in usual cycles, it is up quite handsomely for many products, except of course for automobiles, which are not just in a recession but facing a depression. But that growth in exports is keeping unemployment from going to 9%.

But let's take a longer-term outlook. My view has been, and is, that we are in for a period of very tepid growth that will last through at least 2009. We have to work our way through the after effects of the twin bubbles of housing and the credit crisis bursting. There is no magic Fed wand. That simply takes time. No (rational) government or Fed policy is going to change the facts on the ground (although they can make things worse). But, in the fullness of time, we will in fact get through this.

If you look back over the decades, things are getting better. Goldman Sachs estimates about 70 million people a year worldwide are entering the "middle class" and that by 2030 two billion people will be in a far better condition than the poverty they experience today. That will also keep demand steady for all sorts of products and services produced in the developed world, even as our population (except for the US) declines.

The old joke is that a recession is when your neighbor loses his job and a depression is when you lose yours. And a rise in unemployment and lower corporate profits are no laughing matter. But the simple trend is that we will adjust and free markets in America and the world will grow, as they have always done. 3 million babies were born in the US. Each of them will need all sorts of "stuff" - food, education, and places to live - in (hopefully) 20-25 years.

Yes, consumers are cutting back, but they are still buying the basics. (See more below.) Manufacturing in the US is starting to make a comeback, with the lower dollar and management driven to compete globally. In free-market economies, every economic slowdown is followed by a period of solid growth driven by innovation. The point is that life goes on. Births, weddings, eating, living and enjoying friends and family. It is all part of the cycle.

The next 20 years are going to see the most powerful wave of technologically driven growth the world has ever seen. The accelerating pace of technological change did not slow down last century through multiple world wars, scores of " minor" wars, a depression, all sorts of natural disasters, and an unbelievable amount of government folly. Why should that trend stop now?

As we add two billion people to the middle class, we are also going to bring the internet to even billions more. The explosion in information and creativity that we have seen in the last 20 years will double and double again. A small percentage of those people are going to invent amazing new technologies, new drugs, and create companies that will make life better for all of us.

That is one reason that technological growth will continue to accelerate. We will simply be throwing more people at an ever wider array of problems, and they will be able to share their discoveries at the speed of light.

We are on the verge of a revolution in biotechnology that is going to truly revolutionize medicine. No one in 20 years will look back on today as the good old days. And it will probably create yet another stock market bubble, but that is a story for another letter.

US diplomats are talking to Iran. Iraq may actually work out. In most places of the world, most people are better off today than they were 20 years ago. There is still a lot of progress to be made, but the point is that we are making it. There is a ton of opportunity for those prepared to look for it. It may not be in the usual places, it may not be where we would like it to be, but it is there. World GDP will have roughly doubled (or more) by the end of the next decade.

Yes, I know there are a lot of problems. Really big scary ones. I write about a lot of them all the time. But go back to any year ending in 8 for the last 100 years. When were there not problems? And in most times and places, the problems were bigger. And in the next ten years? There will be lots of problems. Some will be the same old problems and some will be new. I am not certain why mankind seems to have a need to find new ways to create mischief and lose money when the old ways work so well. But those too will pass.

So, when you read about current problems - and I will point some out in the next few pages - just remember that things will work out. Markets will adjust, and the world will be a better place. Things will work out better for you as an individual if you anticipate the problems and make the proper adjustments, as much as possible, in advance.

The next 20 years are going to be the most exciting time that the human race has experienced. Yes, there will be issues, but we will adjust. That is what we do.

For more reading about housing starts, unemployment rates, etc. that John Mauldin has written in his weekly newsletter CLICK HERE.

 ©John Mauldin 2008.  All Rights Reserved.

(For more local and national real estate news, click on my monthly newsletter - JUNG'S JOURNAL - on my website www.bettyjung.com).

Most art or garden events usually occur over the weekends, which is when I work and which tend to be my busiest days, so I miss many of them.  However, one garden art show you must put on your calendar starting Tuesday, July 22 is the Cracked Pots Art Show (CLICK HERE for info on Cracked Pots) at the Edgefield McMenamins. (CLICK HERE for more information on Edgefield McMenamins, times and directions.) 

Now in its 9th year at Edgefield, the non-profit Cracked Pots holds its annual two-day show that features amazing garden artwork made from recycled, found or reclaimed materials -- tires, hoses, ropes, scraps of metal, cans and more. This ain't your mama's garden party.  There will be 70 artists showcasing art made from recycled materials.

Edgefield Gardeners will also hold a plant sale -- select from estate-grown trees, perennials and more. Afterwards, enjoy one of McMenamins ales, wines or spirits at one of their small bars or a hearty meal at the outdoor Loading Dock Grill, Black Rabbit Restaurant or Power Station Pub.

Hope to see you there as I have been wanting to see this show.

©Betty Jung 7-19-2008

All Rights Reserved.

(For more local and national real estate news, click on my monthly newsletter - JUNG'S JOURNAL - on my website www.bettyjung.com).

So for those of us in the Real Estate Market (and all home-owners are "in" the Real Estate Market), we have to accept the fact that potential buyers are watching the news and that these reports are, in fact having an impact on their decision making process. However, the reality is that now is a great time to buy a home. Interest rates are low, home prices are lower than they were a year ago, and there's an abundance of homes on the market to choose from. Unfortunately, most buyers either don't realize this, or are too nervous about the market to try to sell their current home.

Coincidentally, this shortage of buyers doesn't necessarily mean that it is a bad time to try to sell your home. There are still people out there buying, so it's important to get your home to stand out above the rest. It's vital to choose a REALTOR who understands how to do this, who will come up with a realistic asking price, and who will use the most effective marketing tools available. You need a REALTOR who will proactively try to sell your home, as opposed to simply adding it to the list of the countless other listings they may have.

If you are currently thinking of putting your home on the market, I encourage you to consider my services. I assure you that your home will not simply be added to "the list," but it will be marketed in a way that will make it stand out above the rest. It's estimated that 90% of potential buyers start their search for a home on the Internet. So, I invite you to tour the rest of my website at http://www.davidwilliamsrealtor.com/. I believe you will agree that this is where you want the marketing of your home to begin. 

Many of the agents from Keller Williams in Collegeville, PA participated by choosing a few of their listings to show off through open houses within the town. In total, 38 properties were shown last Sunday with astounding response! Not only did it open the door for interested or potential buyers, it also got the sellers excited and involved in the selling process. It was productive and FUN.

Amongst the agents involved in the event, were 6 agents from The Glen Russell Team. Together we showed off some of our best listings within and around Collegeville, PA. They include: 79 N Savanna Dr, 1513 Finley Circle, 2121 Store Rd, 1591 Buchert Rd, & 213 Royersford Rd.  

There are also plans for the future to do other areas such as Pottstown, Skippack, Exeter, Royersford, Phoenixville, Douglassville, Blue Bell, Plymouth Meeting, Conshohocken & more!

 “Paint the Town Red” is just one of the many ways Keller Williams and The Glen Russell Team can get your house sold, or find you the home of your dreams. To hear about some more of our ideas, or for any of your real estate needs, please visit www.GlenRussell.com, or call us direct at 610.792.3000.

Make it an awesome day, & you’ll be hearing from me soon!

Glen

In addition to the art show there is an area towards the end of the park that has art activities for the children, there are concerts scheduled throughout the day and into the evening for adults and puppet and dance shows/music for the children, there's a garden center selling plants and lots of different varieties of food and drink. 

If that isn't enough you can tour the historic Bush House Museum and the Bush Barn Art Center, or you can just walk through and admire their beautiful gardens.

If you've never been before, plan on spending most of the day there.  I've been going for years and really enjoy it. 

©Betty Jung 7-17-2008

(For more local and national real estate news, click on my monthly newsletter - JUNG'S JOURNAL - on my website www.bettyjung.com).