ALL ABOUT.....Seniors.Boomers And Small Houses

Betty Jung

RE/MAX equity group

503-804-9685

Looking For A One Level Home? Downsizing?

Portland Real Estate Smaller Houses Cottages One Level Houses

May 17, 2012 in Senior Housing Options, Small Homes by Betty Jung | No comments

This blog isn’t only about seniors and boomers, I’ve written a lot on this blog about smaller houses as well. In fact, there’s been a huge amount of interest in not only smaller homes, but also one level houses, ADUs, etc.

Portland Real Estate Smaller Houses Cottages One Level Houses

Therefore, when I saw this article from OPB By Cassandra Profita , I thought I’d not only mention it here but reproduce it (why redo a good thing!).

Of particular note is the number of ADU permit requests that have soared in 2012.

A Sneak Peek Into Portland Smaller Houses

Reprinted from OPB:

“I went on a small home tour in Portland last week and met Jordan Palmeri, a Oregon Department of Environmental Quality waste prevention specialist who oversaw this study about the environmental benefits of smaller homes.

On the tour, we met people in Portland who are shrinking their environmental footprints by shrinking the physical footprint of their homes. I saw examples of people building a 160-square foot tiny house on a friend’s driveway, people building a 670-foot retirement home in their own backyard, and people sharing acreage to fit four 530- to 1,600-square-foot homes on one valuable lot.

Small homes have a smaller environmental impact right from the start because they use fewer building materials, Palmeri said. But the benefits keep accruing as the years of less energy use add up. That quickly puts small homes built to code on par with bigger homes that have all the green building bells and whistles.

“People know smaller homes use less materials and energy,” Palmeri said. “The real ‘Aha!’ moment for people was when you compare the benefits of all the other green building practices we incentivize – insulation or PV solar, for example – building smaller is the biggest bang for your buck.”

Palmeri’s report looked at all the impacts of a house from the extraction of raw materials to the deterioration of the waste and quantified the benefits of building small. It found that more than 80 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions over the 70-year life of a home come from occupancy – not construction. So, if you shrink the size of your new home by 50 percent, you can get a 36 percent reduction in total emissions over the life of the house.

Want to save money on green building certifications? Just build smaller, said Palmeri.

“You could achieve the same environmental benefits of a 2,200-square-foot Energy Star Home by building a 1,600 square foot home to code,” he said. “You don’t have to put all the extra money into Energy Star. By simply building less you’re going to get the same benefits.”

Within the last few years, the size of the home has been incorporated into Oregon’s optional green building code (aka Oregon Reach Code).

“Now, if you build a bigger house, it’s required in the Reach Code that that house be more energy efficient to recognize that inherently smaller homes use less energy,” said Palmeri. “It incentivizes smaller homes by requiring more for bigger homes.”

The EarthAdvantage green building certification system has dramatically increased the number of points homeowners get for building smaller. So it’s easier for smaller homes to be certified.

And accessory dwelling units – the small homes people can build on their property in addition to their living quarters – now get the same Energy Trust incentives as a larger home that’s more energy efficient than code requires. ($800 to $3,000, according to this homeowner who did it)

And to top it all off, the City of Portland eliminated the system development charges on building ADUs in 2010 – basically giving homeowners a $10,000 discount on ADU projects.

Palmeri said that sent the number of ADU permit applications soaring from 20 a year before 2010 to more than 100 so far in 2012.”

Looking to Downsize?

Give me a call if you’re thinking of selling your larger Portland home at 503-804-9685. Portland is now a seller’s market with 4.7 months of inventory for sale. It’s a good time to sell Portland real estate!

Betty Jung

RE/MAX equity group

503-804-9685

Looking For A One Level Home? Downsizing?

Happy Mother’s Day 2012

May 12, 2012 in Holidays, Special Days by Betty Jung | No comments

Happy Mother’s Day 2012

I took this picture last year at the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. Here’s the link to the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.

A Special Day At The Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden On Mother’s Day

Strolling the winding paths of Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden on Mothers Day weekend has been a tradition of many families The garden is at peak bloom and the sun is warm and gentle.

But that’s not all! There is a judged flower show in the Exhibit Hall and a big plant sale in the front parking lot. See something you like at the show? Go ask the rhododendron experts at the sale. They can help you find the perfect plant for your garden.

Betty Jung

RE/MAX equity group

503-804-9685

How Can A SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) Help You?

Portland Real Estate Senior Property Tax Deferral Two Year Extension

May 4, 2012 in Real Estate Property Taxes by Betty Jung | No comments

By now, regardless of which county you live in, if you were denied having your property taxes paid for the 2011-12 tax year because you had a reverse mortgage, you should have received a letter regarding a two-year extension.

Portland Real Estate Senior Property Tax Deferral Two Year Extension

In 2011, the Oregon legislature made changes to the Senior and Disabled Property Tax Deferral Program. Once of the changes inactivated property owners with reverse mortgages.

Tax Deferral Two Year Extension

In February, the Legislature granted a two-year extension to those property owners inactivate solely for having a reverse mortgage. A letter was sent to all applicants who had been denied saying they were reactivated.

What Happens Now?

Your property taxes will get paid for 2011-12 and 2012-13.
Any deferred taxes will accrue 6% compound interest
The counties will refund you any payments you made for the 2011-12 tax year
At the end of the two-year extension, your account will once again become inactive and you will be responsible for the 2013-14 property taxes.
You will receive a refund for the 2011-12 taxes that you paid by June 2012.

Want more Information About Real Estate Property Taxes?

If you have any questions regarding property taxes in Oregon, give me a call at 503-804-9685.

Betty Jung

RE/MAX equity group

503-804-9685

How Can A SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) Help You?

Portland Seniors And Boomers It Is Time To PLAY

May 3, 2012 in Events by Betty Jung | No comments

The month of May has been designated as Older Americans month with special opportunities to PLAY!

Portland Seniors And Boomers It Is Time To PLAY

Did you know that PLAY stands for Positive Living And Active Aging for The Young At Heart?

Opportunities To PLAY

There is an up-coming event for Portland Seniors and Boomers that will provide great information on positive aging along with interactive exhibits. At the PLAY event, you will also be able to try out and learn some new activities such as art, blogging, storytelling, and more.

Event: May 8

Time: 4:45 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Place: Milwaukie Center 5440 SE Kellogg Creek Drive, Milwaukie

Sponsored by the Lake Oswego Adult Community Center and Milwaukie Center.

To register or more information go to http://www.ci.oswego.or.us/acc or call Ann Adrian, ACC Director at 503-635-3758.

Learn some new things and keep your brain active as a deterrent to aging! You’re never too old to play.

Betty Jung

RE/MAX equity group

503-804-9685

How Can A SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) Help You?

Seniors And Boomers Coffee With Betty

April 24, 2012 in Coffee With Betty, Events by Betty Jung | No comments

***There were no RSVP’s for this meet-up, so there will be no Coffee With Betty today***

At the beginning of the year, I started a “Coffee With Betty” series. Unfortunately, I only had one coffee meet-up before I became ill. I picked up all the pneumonia, whopping cough and respiratory infections that were going around. I was sick for 6 weeks. After that I continued to play catch-up with real estate. Only now am I getting back into the swing of things. As they say “Betty’s got her groove back”!

Seniors And Boomers Coffee With Betty

This next meet-up is scheduled for May 9 at 3 p.m.

I am requesting RSVP’s this time so I know how many will be attending.

Please email me at: betty (at) bettyjung.com and let me know if you plan on being there.

Coffee With Betty

When: May 9

Time: 3-4 p.m.

Place: Starbucks. 15645 Boones Ferry Road, Lake Oswego. (On the corner of Boones Ferry Road and Douglas Way where the old KFC once was). The phone number there is 503-635-2266. My phone number is 503-804-9685 if you need additional information.

Discussion Points

As indicated in my introduction to this monthly meeting, I cannot answer any questions if:

1) you currently have your home listed with another agent/brokerage

2) have signed a buyer’s broker agreement

3) you are in a current transaction to purchase property

If there are any real estate issues you’d like to discuss with me, I’d be happy to do so. If I don’t know the answers, I will direct you to the proper sources.

Depending upon attendance, these meetings will be held once a month. If it starts becoming crowded (which I hope) there will be more than one a month scheduled at some later point.

Looking forward to seeing you there and meeting you. I will be wearing my RE/MAX equity group name tag.

Betty Jung

RE/MAX equity group

503-804-9685

How Can A SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) Help You?

Portland Real Estate Seniors Need A Village

April 23, 2012 in Senior Housing Options, Villages For Seniors by Betty Jung | No comments

I enjoy finding new information that will benefit seniors. Today I read about another senior housing option where a couple are creating villages for seniors back East. Unfortunately the couple isn’t building any here in Oregon

Portland Real Estate Seniors Need A Village

How great would it be if a developer or builder would build a village for seniors in Oregon.

The couple’s fledgling organization, “It Takes a Village New Jersey,” is part of a national grassroots effort aimed at helping seniors and disabled people live independently, in their own homes.

What’s A Village?

Villages are communities where residents have banded together to help one another.

The villages don’t use public funds. They help seniors run errands, do chores, provide companionship while seniors live independently.

I am assuming they are similar to our 55+ communities in Oregon, however, they sound far more personal and individualized than those neighborhoods we have here.

Would You Like To See A Village In Oregon?

Here’s a link to the article about the villages for seniors. How great it would be to see such a planned village for Seniors in our Lake Oswego or Portland areas.

Betty Jung

RE/MAX equity group

503-804-9685

http://oregoneldercareservices.com/index.php/2012/04/2012-50-senior-expo/

Portland Real Estate Senior And 50+ Boomer Expo

April 18, 2012 in Events by Betty Jung | No comments

There is an upcoming Senior and Boomer Expo again this year.

Portland Real Estate Senior And 50+ Boomer Expo

On April 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Vancouver Hilton, Vancouver, WA. there will be a senior and 50+ boomer expo.

What’s It All About?

The 50+ senior and boomer expo will have exhibits, seminars, free health screenings, grand prize drawing and more.

How Do I Find Out More?

Here’s the link to the site:

Need any additional senior information? Give me a call at 503-804-9685.

How Can A SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) Help You?

Betty Jung

RE/MAX equity group

503-804-9685

How Can A SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) Help You?

Portland Real Estate Public Benefits For Food And Heat For Seniors

April 17, 2012 in Aid, Sr. Discounts by Betty Jung | No comments

AARP on their website the other day had a list of public benefits to help seniors. Even though economists say we are in a financial recovery, I know many seniors are still struggling.

Portland Real Estate Public Benefits For Food And Heat For Seniors

Help with Your Home

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Benefit: Pays heating and cooling bills, and some energy-related home repairs.

Who can apply: People with limited income. For your state’s specific annual income qualifications, visit the Benefits

QuickLINK website and click “Help in My State.”

How to apply: This varies by location. Please go to Benefits QuickLINK and do a benefits screening.

Telephone Assistance

Benefit: Helps pay for the cost of basic local telephone services.

Who can apply: Qualified low-income older adults. You are automatically eligible if you are in one of the following programs: Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Housing Assistance/Section 8 Programs, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP; formerly food stamps), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Programs, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) General Assistance, and Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

How to apply: Call your local phone company and tell the sales department that you want to apply for Link Up or Lifeline.

Help Buying Nutritious Food

SNAP Program

Benefit: An Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, similar to a debit card, that you can use like cash to pay for food at most grocery stores. Here’s a link to the Oregon USDA Map.

Who can apply: People with limited income and resources, especially people 60 and over.

How to apply: Visit Benefits QuickLINK to get an application.

Source: AARP

Benefits That Help

I hope these sources will help seniors. On my Senior Resource page here on this blog at the top nav bar, I have other sources of assistance

Betty Jung

RE/MAX equity group

503-804-9685

How Can A SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) Help You?

Portland Real Estate Buying Investment Property As Seniors

April 16, 2012 in Buying by Betty Jung | No comments

Portland Real Estate Buying Investment Property As Seniors

Seniors and boomers are becoming landlords purchasing investment properties to help boost their income and retirement and in some cases purchasing long before retirement is on the horizon using them as rental properties

Buy With Eyes Wide Open

Demand for rentals, along with monthly rents are ratcheting up. Moreover, with the decline in condo and home prices, investors with cash in our Portland real estate market are picking up properties at low prices.

Though investing in rental property has the potential for long-term financial benefits, becoming a landlord isn’t without its hazards and headaches.

Buying A Portland Investment Property

When purchasing a property to be used as a rental, make sure you fully understand the pitfalls and benefits of owning rental property. Look closely at your finances and goals and make purchasing decisions based on your individual circumstances.

Is Purchasing A Rental Property A Good Decision For You?

Determining whether such an investment is right for you–financially and psychologically–and picking the right property are some of your first key decisions.

8 Considerations To Becoming A Landlord

Though the list isn’t comprehensive, here are eight considerations before becoming a landlord.

1. Tap experts. Be certain that a rental is a good fit with your short- and long-term financial strategy, that a Portland real estate transaction is structured to your advantage, and that you’re properly insured. Rely on a team of advisors that includes me as your real estate broker, mortgage professionals, an accountant, a lawyer, an estate planner, and an insurance expert.

2. Know thyself. Owning investment property can create a special kind of angst that you’ve not experienced before. Do you deal with uncertainty well or will a one- or two-month vacancy stress you out? Do you have the skills to get along a variety of people? Can you build good will with tenants without becoming their pals? Are you assertive enough to address tenants’ misdeeds and say no to unreasonable demands? Are you able to make minor repairs? Do you want field late-night calls about burst pipes or broken air conditioners?

3. Location analysis. Understand the history and the future of a potential neighborhood. That entails more than pricing trends, which again as your real estate broker, I can help you with.

4. Read your neighbors. Spend time in the neighborhood during all times of the day. You want to see what goes on on a Saturday night, for example. Is the neighborhood full of partying young adults? If so, it may not be the place to invest if you envision your future tenant being part of your family. Is the neighborhood tidy? Are parks clean? Are lawns mowed?

5. Condition and upgrades–Determine whether you want a Portland investment property that is ready to rent immediately or whether you’re willing to make upgrades and repairs. You’ll need to factor such decisions into your budget.

6. Rising costs. Particularly if you buy in a Portland condo building or a gated golf community, know that you’ll face costs for assessments, club memberships, and so forth, and factor them into your decision-making. Such costs always seem to increase rather than decrease.

7. Future home? If you’re planning to turn your rental into your retirement home, be certain that you like the city, the neighborhood, and the property and that you’ll be happy living there. Be sure that the property can be adapted for aging in place. You may not need that now and be in good physical condition, but when you’re 75, do you want to be hauling groceries up three flights of stairs?

8. Know your audience. Pick a Portland neighborhood and Portland housing type and size that are in demand among prospective tenants. In some markets that might be a three-bedroom, single-family house. In others it could mean a high-rise studio or loft. The Portland rental market can include anyone from divorced singles and middle-aged couples who are downsizing to recent college graduates and college students.

I’m here to help you with buying or selling investment property along with your 1031 tax-deferred exchange. I know the neighborhoods and have sold many single family houses, duplexes and apartment complexes as investment properties.

Betty Jung

RE/MAX equity group

503-804-9685