You know it’s getting close to summer being here in full force, when they begin to setup the Carnival tents on the Waterfront for the 2012 Portland Rose Festival. We are really looking forward to it this year!  Over 500,000 people each year line the streets of Portland to get a glimpse of the handmade made floats during the Grand Floral Parade.  With over a 100 different types of activities and events to choose from there is without a doubt something for everyone to enjoy.

From past experience, here’s some helpful advice, if you do plan to make a trip downtown for the events consider taking public transportation or the MAX line – parking is at a premium during these events.

For more information on Rose Festival tickets, merchandise and news:  CLICK HERE

To help make your planning easier we have put together a helpful list of events with social sharing features built into each event:

Get a dotCal Calendar!

May sun brings a boost in Homebuilder morale versus the last five years.  May 2007 marked the five-year point at which homebuilders saw a horrible drop in the market only to slowly climb back upwards. Only until recently this year did the National Association of Home Builders, also known as NAHB, finally note that builder confidence has risen to the point where it was five years ago. The rise in confidence measurements has been an ongoing increase that has continued since April 2009.

Since 2007 the industry has been in a veritable struggle to shake off the recession. May of 2012 has been the strongest climb year-to-year for a while, with a 13-point increase versus the same statistics in 2011. The increase was based on three measured factors: buyer traffic, sales outward six months, and current selling figures. Buyer activity and sales provided the strongest parts of the increase total, being represented by 5 points each. The remaining difference was made up by the project sales metric.

What was most notable in the measurements was not just the immediate annual increase; when the sales measurements were compared to annual change going back to April 2004, the 2011 to 2012 measurement was the strongest over the last eight years. The projected sales figure also showed a significant jump of 15 points, the strongest rise in the last 14 years versus prior annual changes in the same metric. Finally, the measurement of buyer traffic only decreased a handful of times over the last 24 months. Instead, buyer traffic reached its highest measurement since April 2007.

Further corroboration of the trend depends on the results expected to be released by the Census Bureau next month, measuring starts data and building permits. Market watchers are taking the increases as significant proof that the home building industry is once again beginning to return to health, that people are once again buying, and that home values have stabilized. This turnaround coupled with low borrowing rates and employment stabilization is expected to help the trend continue upward. Delays, however, are still expected due to very tight lending restrictions in finance and rising building material costs.

Have you ever passed by a house and wondered what it must cost, what it looks like on the inside, or other real estate details about it? Thanks to HomeSnap, a free app from Washington, D.C. real-estate firm Sawbuck Realty, you can do just that.

Whether a home is for sale or not, you simply take a picture of it with your iPhone® (versions for Android and iPad® are coming soon) and in just a few seconds, the HomeSnap app will give you a price estimate, how many square feet and how many rooms the house has, comp houses, and other applicable facts and figures.

How Does HomeSnap Work?

The app uses your iPhone’s sensors and GPS capability to identify the home in question and uses a server cloud to collect the details.

A color-coded banner can be seen on Snaps of certain homes, with green indicating “for sale,” orange indicating “under contract,” and purple indicating a future open house.

If the home isn’t currently on the market, HomeSnap gets the information on it from public records, such as census data, previous sales, tax records, and so on. Homes that are on the market usually yield more detailed info from local listing databases, including bid history and interior pictures.

Maybe your house hunting for yourself or someone else, maybe you’re a nosy neighbor, or just the curious type; whatever your motive, HomeSnap can help you find out all kinds of details about any given home. A funny fact for those that may feel funny about snooping – according to Sawbuck Realty, there’s been about 150,000 Snaps taken so far, but only about 10% of the homes were actually on the market.

HomeSnap works anywhere in the country and despite being founded by a real estate company, the app doesn’t cause users to receive unsolicited spam. It doesn’t even automatically send your data to a real estate agency. This nifty little app allows you to the option of anonymously investigating houses you like, or if you wish, openly contact the home’s real estate agent to gain more detailed info, schedule a tour, etc.

As mentioned, you can be as invisible as you like or as open as you like while using HomeSnap. Take a look through Snaps taken by others while keeping your own Snaps invisible -or- openly share your Snaps with friends and other HomeSnap users; it’s up to you. You should know that Sawbuck Realty does retain your Snaps, whether public or not, on their servers. Read the licensing terms, which reserves the right to reuse, modify your photos, but not materially change, reproduce, or distribute any private Snaps.

Here is a video highlighting some of the features of the HomeSnap app:

Is HomeSnap Worth My Time?

I found it to be an excellent investigative tool to find out more than just the standard info I might get from other online real estate sites. The quality of nearby schools is a perfect example. The app provides third-party vendors that provide a quality rating for nearby schools. These vendors also provide investment value data, appreciation data, and past sale prices and dates.

While there are other real-estate apps and websites that you can get this type of real estate info from, you’re most always asked to provide either personal information first or type in some type of physical information on the home.

HomeSnap’s Stealth Mode enables you to take a picture from a non-direct angle, meaning you can even be inside another nearby home, pull up an aerial of area homes, and pick any particular property out.

On the down side, I found the HomeSnap data to sometimes be inaccurate or incomplete. I made a Snap of my own home and found the app to be inaccurate on the number of bedrooms. Such errors can be reported for correction. The app has difficulty exacting a specific unit within multi-unit buildings. Rental home properties lack detailed information.

Overall, given you own an iPhone, HomeSnap is an innovative idea and useful tool for curious minds and house hunters alike.

****Compatible with iPhone, iPod® touch (4th generation), iPad 2 Wi-Fi, iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G, iPad (3rd generation) and iPad Wi-Fi + 4G.Requires iOS 5.1 or later.

Great News!

The Denver real estate market is looking up and going strong.

Earlier this week, Metrolist® released a report comparing the current market to a year ago (You can view this report below).

According to Metrolist, inventories are at their lowest level in 3 years while residential prices increased 6% in April.

For your reference, check out the press release from Metrolist below.  As always, feel free to contact your local First American Business Development Representative with any questions.

If you’re looking for some of the freshest fruits and vegetables to put on your table this spring and summer, then look no further than your local farmers market.  Shopping for your produce and more at these local markets ensure outstanding flavor and freshness while supporting your local family operated farms.

Farmers markets around Portland are known for their vast variety, healthy choices and fun atmosphere.  Often, you can find beautiful flowers, artisan crafts, fresh local honey, tasty baked goods and more at the market.

To make it a bit easier for your enjoyment, we’ve listed most of the local farmers markets below with information and live links to their websites.  Enjoy!

P O R T L A N D

DOWNTOWN

World Trade Center
Thursdays 11 am – 1:30 pm

6/28 to 9/27

Pioneer Courthouse Square
Mondays 10 am – 2 pm

6/18 to 9/24

PSU
Saturdays 8:30 am – 2 pm

3/17 to 10/27
9 am – 2 pm

11/3 – 12/15
South Park Blocks between Montgomery and Harrison

Shemanski Park
Wednesdays 10 – 2

5/2 to 10/31
South Park Blocks at Shemanski Park

NW PORTLAND

NW PDX Farmers Market
Thursdays 3-7

6/7-9/27
NW 19^th Ave & NW Everett
NORTH PORTLAND
Kenton Farmers Market
Fridays 3-7

6/1-9/28

N. McClellan St. @ Denver Ave.

St. Johns
Saturdays 9-2

6/2 – 10/13

NORTHEAST PORTLAND

Cully
Sundays 10-2

6/3 to 9/9

5600 N.E. 42nd Ave / Portland 97218
Hollywood
Saturdays 8-1

5/5 to 10/27

Saturdays 9 – 1

11/3 to 4/20

NE Hancock St. between 44th and 45th
Irvington
Sundays 10:30 – 2:30

6/3 to 10/7

NE 16^TH Ave @ Broadway / Weidler
King Elementary
Sundays 10 – 2

5/6 to 10/28

NE 7^th Ave & Wygant St.

Lloyd
Tuesdays 10 – 2 (all year)

Thursdays 10 – 2

6/7 to 9/27

NE Holladay between NE 7^th & NE 9^th

Parkrose
Saturdays 9 – 3

5/5 to 10/27

11800 NE Shaver St. / Portland OR 97220

SE PORTLAND

Buckman

Thursdays 3 – 7

5/3 to 9/27
1137 SE 20^th Ave / Portland, OR 97214
Lents
Sundays 11-4

6/17 to 10/28

SE 92^nd Ave & SE Foster Rd.

Montavilla
Sundays 10 – 2

6/3 to 10/28

SE Stark @ 82^nd Ave.

Moreland
Wednesday 3:30 – 7:30

5/9 to 10/17

SE Bybee @ SE 14^th

People’s Coop
Wednesdays 2-7 All Year
3029 S.E. 21st Ave / Portland 97202
Woodstock
Sundays 9 – 1

6/3 to 10/28

4600 SE Woodstock / Portland, OR 97206

SW PORTLAND

Hillsdale
Sundays 10-2

5/6 to 11/18

Wilson High School Parking Lot

OHSU
Tuesdays 11 – 3

6/5 to 10/30

In front of Mackenzie Hall, across from BICC

E A S T  M E T R O

Fairview
Thursdays 3-8

4/5 to 10/11

1601 NE Market Dr. / Fairview OR 97024
Gresham
Saturdays 8:30 to 2

5/12 to 10/27

NW 3^rd St & NW Miller Ave.

Troutdale
Saturdays, 10 – 2

All Year

551 Historic Columbia River Hwy / Troutdale 97060

W E S T  M E T R O

Beaverton
Saturdays 8 – 1:30

5/12 to 11/17

Wednesdays 3 – 6

6/20 to 8/29

SW Hall between 3^rd & 5^th

Cedar Mill

Saturdays 8 – 1:30

5/12 to 10/27

NW Cornell across from Sunset High School

Forest Grove
Wednesdays 4-8

5/16 to 10/17

Mainstreet @ 21^st & Pacific

Downtown Hillsboro
Saturdays 8 – 1:30

4/28 to 10/27

E. Main & NE 2^nd

Orenco Station

Sundays 10 – 2

5/6 to 10/28

NE Cornell & Orenco Station Pkwy

Tanasbourne
Wednesdays 4:30 – 7:30

6/6 to 8/29

Cornell Rd @ Stucki

Tuality
Thursdays 10:30 – 1:30

7/19 to 9/20

Tuality Hospital

North Plains
Saturdays 9 – 1

6/16 to 9/29

NW 314^th Ave @ Commercial & Kaybern

Scappoose
Saturdays 9 – 2

5/19 to 9/29

Scappoose City Hall

S O U T H W E S T  M E T R O

Lake Oswego
Saturdays 8:30 to 1:30

5/19 to 10/13

Millennium Plaza Park in downtown

McMinnville

Saturdays 10 – 3

All Year Long

755 NE 8^th St.

Sherwood
Saturdays 9 – 1

5/5 to 9/29

City Hall

Tigard
Sundays 9 – 2

5/13 to 10/28

11831 SW Pacific Hwy

Tualatin
Fridays 4 – 8

6/15 to 9/28

Tualatin Commons at Nyberg / Martinazzi
West Linn
Wednesdays 5 – 8

6/10 to 9/19

Willamette Falls Dr. & 13^th

S O U T H  M E T R O

Aurora
Sunday 11 – 3

6/29 to 10/15

14936 Third St. NE / Aurora OR 97002

Boring
Saturdays 10 – 3

5/5 to 9/29

28151 S.E. Highway 212, Boring OR 97009
Canby
Saturday 9 – 1

5/5 to 10/27

252 NE 2^nd Ave / Canby OR 97013
Estacada
Saturdays 10 – 2

5/5 to 9/29

SE 3^rd Ave & Broadway

Gladstone
Saturdays, 10 – 4

6/2 to 9/29

580 Portland Ave, Gladstone 97027

Milwaukie
Sundays 9:30 – 2

5/13 to 10/28

SE Harrison @ Main St.

Oregon City Saturday
Saturdays 9 – 2

5/5 to 10/27
2051 Kaen @ Beavercreek
Oregon City Downtown
Wednesdays 3 – 7

6/6 to 9/26

8^th between Main & Railroad

Sunnyside
Sundays 11 – 3

All Year Long

13100 S.E. Sunnyside Road / Clackamas OR 97015

W A S H I N G T O N

Camas
Wednesdays 3 – 7:30

6/13 to 10/10

600 block of NE Fourth Ave, between NE Everett & NE Franklin
Vancouver
Saturdays 9 – 3

Sundays 10 – 3

3/17 to 10/28

Ester Short Park Downtown

Salmon Creek
Thursdays, 3-7

Opens July 12th

1309 NE 104th Street, Vancouver 98685

A new, long-awaited premium bus service from Greyhound Lines Inc. called BoltBus is finally available on the West Coast. It features a direct connection between Portland and Seattle with amazingly low fares both ways.

On May 17, express service between Portland and Seattle will begin at the stop beside International District Station located at King Street and Fifth Avenue South in Seattle. The other stop will be located at 647 Southwest Salmon Street in Portland, according to a press release issued by the company.

Passengers can expect all of the buses to come equipped with leather seating, free wireless internet and electrical outlets perfect for charging laptops, cell phones and other portable devices. A one-way fare can be extremely cheap, even including the booking fee. As opposed to many bus lines, BoltBus fares are based on demand. The further ahead of time you book your tickets, the less you can expect to pay. When buying tickets at the counter, you will be charged the full price.

BoltBus even offers a special rewards program for frequent riders. For every 8 trips you take, you will earn a free one-way ride! Currently, BoltBus provides bus service between many major cities on the Eastern coast, such as Washington, D.C., New York City, Baltimore, Boston and Philadelphia.

Recently, Facebook implemented a new way for people to interact on Facebook Timeline with the introduction of Action Links.  So, what exactly is an Action Link?

Example – When someone checks in on foursquare, how do people usually respond?  Up until now, they might click on ‘Like’ or comment on the check-in.  With the new Action Link, foursquare now added the ability to ‘Save This Place’.

Other developers are adding Action Links such as “Save this Recipe” or “Fave that Product”.  These action links are taking engagement beyond the usual ‘Like’ but still make it ‘one-click easy’ for Facebook users.

So, have you seen these Action Links showing up recently?  What’s your take?  Let us know in the comments section below!

***Compatible with iPhone® 4, iPhone 4S, iPod touch® (4th generation), iPad® 2 Wi-Fi, iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G, iPad (3rd generation) and iPad Wi-Fi + 4G.Requires iOS 5.0 or later.

***As soon as there are enough Android devices with a gyroscope out there, expect to see MagicPlan on the Android App Marketplace.

The iPhone 4/4S, iPad 2/3 or iPod Touch apps that people create never cease to amaze me. The engineering genius of the developers who designed these apps and the mobile devices themselves is truly revolutionary when you come to think about it.

To highlight my point, I just found a new app for IOS devices only called MagicPlan that lets you make floor plans just by using the camera on your iPhone 4/4S, iPad 2/3 or iPod Touch. The idea behind the app is to map the room by photographing the windows, each of the corners, the doors and other major features of your rooms. You can even include other rooms, furniture, appliances and hallways in your plans. Check out the video and have fun with it!

You can save your results as a jpeg, PDF or any other file type that won’t work with design programs. The plans are for private use only and cannot be sold. If you want to use them for, say, a real estate business, a license doesn’t cost much. You could also just “Like” them on Facebook and they’ll give you a commercial use license that is free. It’s a good way for MagicPlan to build their reputation and gives you an incentive to give their product a try.

I found the MagicPlan app to be extremely simple and user-friendly and thought that the quality of the results were excellent.

Click Here

Summer will be here before you know it! I don’t know if you realize it but there are only about 35 days left of school. DO NOT FREAK OUT! Summer is a great opportunity to create some wonderful memories with your kids. (No I’m not talking about “remember the summer where I duck taped the kids to the ceiling fan?”)

While effective, it may cost more in the long run with years of counseling and “no show’s” at family gatherings and holidays. There is a better way! We really have a lot of great things to do right here in our own backyard. Arm yourself with some ideas, provided below, then pack some snacks, slam a 5 hour energy, grab the kids and head out for an adventure! You only have so many years with your kids, show them how great life can be!!

Things to do with the kids in Snohomish and King County:

http://www.snohomish.org/index.php?page_id=407

http://www.visitseattle.org/News-Room/Press-Kit/Family-Fun-In-Seattle.aspx

http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/dnrp/newsroom/newsreleases/2008/may/0516FamilyActivities.aspx

Did you know it takes 100 million trees to produce the junk mail delivered in the U.S. every year? Save a tree or a few million!  Below is a quick & easy way to stop unwanted phone books. Spread the word & go green!!

How many trees does it take to produce enough phone books to blanket the country? Just handing out one phonebook to everyone in Seattle might take a forest.  So we think there’s only one thing to do.  Opt out.  And it’s easy. Extremely easy.  You can go to Seattle’s Stop Phone Books website (www.Seattle.gov/stopphonebooks) or opt out at the National Yellow Pages Consumer Choice and Opt-Out site (www.yellowpagesoptout.com).

It’s as easy as putting your information in the database and pressing send.  Once you do, you won’t have a ten-pound book show up on your doorstep.  This is a no-brainer since all of the information in the book is also on the web.  You can get apps for your phone. There are just so many ways to get the exact same information.  It doesn’t seem like anyone would miss the yellow pages if it went entirely digital.  Until it does give up its paper format, join us in opting out.

Imagine how much space those phone books take in landfills every year. If American’s recycled their phone books every year, we could save an estimated 650,000 tons of paper!  Imagine how much paper, chemicals and energy it takes to produce those books.  Imagine a cleaner world without this waste of paper and resources.

Now tell your neighbors, Facebook friends, coworkers and that nice person at the coffee shop.  Twitter it.  The only way that the opt out will really work is if enough people get on board.

Spread the word.