The year is almost out, but we’ve got one final bit of great news for 2010. We’re very pleased to announce the addition of Debbie Smith to the Summa Real Estate Group! With over 19 years of experience in real estate, Debbie knows all the ins and outs of the industry and she excels at adapting to an ever-changing market. Read More +
A long-talked about casino-resort in La Center, Washington is again being discussed seriously. Last Thursday, the Bureau of Indian Affairs—an agency within the United States Department of the Interior—approved the Cowlitz Tribe’s application to create a 152-acre reservation just outside La Center, clearing the initial hurdle of finding reservation land on which to build. La Center has not reached a formal agreement with the tribe, but many city council members are now open to discussing plans for the casino with the Cowlitz, a reversal of La Center and Vancouver’s recent opposition. Read More +
In a second major look-ahead to 2011 commercial real estate–this recently published study conducted by Principal Real Estate Investors–we see more reason for optimism in the United States’ commercial real estate market, as well as the economy in general. Among other things, the report documents how the current macroeconomic climate in the US will dictate activity in the four major real estate quadrants. These include, as shared in the recent press release: Read More +
Portland residents are growing younger and more educated over the last several years, according to the Census Department’s American Community Survey, the annual report conducted by the government in non-Census years. (Full 2010 Census data will not be available until next year.) Read More +
We always try to include things in the Summa blog that might affect our clients and friends in their day-to-day business, as well as our own. So being that the iPhone is, for many, the number one business necessity, this is some pretty big news. Prevalent rumors have indicated that Verizon Wireless, the largest mobile service provider in the US, will begin selling the iPhone in early 2011–most likely January. And while there has been no official confirmation from Apple or Verizon, Apple’s recent manufacturing trends seem to support that theory. (As does the fact that even respected publications such as the Wall Street Journal have reported the same information.) Read More +
We’ve had a great year at Summa Real Estate Group in 2010, adding some fantastic people to the team and expanding rapidly via our franchising program. But we couldn’t do it without all of our friends, family and clients out there. So from all of us here at Summa, we wish happy holidays to you and yours. We’re very excited about 2011 and some big things on our horizon, and we hope all of you out there have great things to look forward to as well.
While people continue to slowly recover from the current recession, it appears that some consumer confidence is creeping in the right direction. November numbers show an increase in the sales of new homes, after another decrease in October. Sales of new homes in November rose 5.5 percent to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 290,000 units, reflecting a recovering confidence in the housing industry as well as a growing willingness to spend. Contrary to popular belief Summa is not entirely responsible for the November high.
Ever consider buying a new house but waver because you’re not sure your price range would allow you a large enough space? Well, you could take a page out of Fuyuhito Moriya’s book and really make the most of what you have. Moriya had his home built on 30 square meters (yes, 30) and he shares it with his mother! Moriya’s home is known as an ultra-small house, an invention spawned from necessity caused by Japan’s recent economic slump. Originally sold as a car parking space, Moriya did extensive research on ultra-small homes before coming to the realization that one could be built on the plot by building as vertically as possible, opting for rooms on top of one another rather than side by side. Read More +
Last Wednesday, the Portland City Council endorsed two significant projects along Portland’s South Waterfront area. The move would increase taxpayer investment by around $80 million, to at least $175 million, from local, state and/or federal sources. Read More +
We’re finally able to announce some news that we’ve been very excited about—Taylor Group Realty will be joining the Summa Real Estate Group, operating the latest Summa franchise out of their current office at 931 SW King Ave. They bring along as impressive a roster of brokers as just about any office, including their management team of John Taylor and Robert Braud. Read More +
