Welcome to Lake Oswego!

Tips For Getting A Mortgage!

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Are you considering buying a Lake Oswego property as a second home or investment? Perhaps you are looking for a small cottage or apartment where you can escape for vacation, or maybe you want to have another home closer to family. Maybe you want to rent out your second property and make a steady income from your investment. Whatever the reason, a second piece of real estate can be a fantastic investment. However, sometimes getting a mortgage on your second home can be a challenge.

Generally, a mortgage lender will have tougher standards for second home loans than primary home loans. This is because usually when you are buying a second home your finances will be stretched thinner and you will have less money to spare because you are already paying a mortgage on your primary home. This will mean that your second home mortgage can be harder to get and might have a higher interest rate.

Here are some tips to keep in mind that will help you to get the best mortgage on your second property: Build up a decent amount of savings. Your mortgage lender will want to be able to see that you have a large amount of savings so that you will have enough to pay for the mortgage even if you were to lose your job.

Pay off any credit card debt. Many lenders will be hesitant to approve your second home mortgage if they see that you have a lot of debt on your credit card. They will want to see that you have a low debt to income ratio so that you will be able to pay back the loan.

Use the first mortgage as a good reference. If you have always made your payments on time and you are most of the way through paying off your first house, you could ask someone from your current mortgage company to vouch for you. The lender for your second mortgage will be reassured that you are a reliable person to loan money to.

These are just a few tips to keep in mind in order to make getting a mortgage for your second property as easy as possible. To find out more about investing in Lake Oswego property, please click on the “Buy Real Estate” tab at the top of the page to begin searching.

Lake Oswego Home Décor Trends

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What Are the Hot Lake Oswego Home Décor Trends?
Just like fashion designs and hair styles, home décor trends are constantly changing and evolving. Each new season brings a new must-have feature for your home. In order to keep your Lake Oswego home looking fresh and chic, what are the hot trends that you can incorporate into your décor?

Bright Paint Colors
Vibrant (and even neon) hues are very popular in fashion at the moment and they also look really chic on your walls. If you are looking for a way to freshen up a dull room, a bright pop of color can really do the trick. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming if you keep the rest of the room neutral and use the bright color as an accent.

Original Artwork
Decorating your home with unique and original works of art from funky local artists is a hot trend this year. You could find such pieces at a local art fair or on online craft auction websites. You could also check out a local art school or university art program in your area where you can buy some student artwork at cheap prices.

1920s Inspired Designs
With the Roaring 20s being revitalized on the silver screen in the show Boardwalk Empire and the film The Great Gatsby, designs from the 1920s are becoming more popular. Why not incorporate some gorgeous Art Deco furniture or decoration into your home? Check out auctions to find authentic vintage pieces for cheap prices.

Simple Wood
Another hot trend is unfinished exposed wood furniture, with a very natural texture and feel. These simple wood pieces give your home a natural beauty that compliments any color. It works well with neutral accents to give the home a very peaceful and welcoming atmosphere.

Stripes and Graphic Prints
Crisp patterns, graphic prints and stripes are popular at the moment in everything from fabrics to wallpaper to furniture. If you really want to make your home décor look cutting edge, incorporate some of these eye-popping graphic designs into your décor.

These are just a few of the hottest home décor trends for the year. Which ones will you incorporate into the décor of your Lake Oswego home?

Resources:

Art Deco Furniture or Decoration
Artwork at Cheap Prices
Bright Pop of Color

 

House Hunting in Oregon? Home Values on the Rise!

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If you are currently, or plan to be, house hunting in Oregon then let us tell you some of the top reasons you should consider moving to Oregon:

If you are looking for an excellent area to settle down with a family or even just for yourself a commonly overlooked state to settle in these Oregon. From the eclectic art scene of Portland to the natural beauty of Oregon city to the fantastic outdoor activities in Bend, Oregon has cities and areas that are perfect for nearly any personality type. Here’s some of the top reasons you should consider Oregon as a house hunter:

  1. Property values are on the rise: Oregon is becoming an extremely attractive place to live, some cities in Oregon such a sure would have a crime rate that 67% lower than the state average and high school graduation rates are 15% higher than most of the nation. It stats like these that raise the property values and the desirability of settling in areas across Oregon. This makes the state a great investment opportunity and the perfect place to raise families.
  2. It’s not as rainy as you may think: While the Pacific Northwest is often portrayed as a rainy and miserable place Oregon isn’t even in the top 10 for rainfall out of the 50 states. Although there is some precipitation through the spring and winter it helps Oregon citizens to really embrace the summer and enjoy delights like some of the United States best truffles.
  3. Oregon is perfect for produce and farming: If you have ever dreamt of living on a farm or starting your own garden it’s important to note that property in Oregon is made for growing. Oregon has some of the best growing lands around especially through the Willamette Valley. There are over 200 wineries across this area as well as some of America’s best farmers markets..

Most Oregon residents don’t leave the state once they move there: culture and Oregon is unique and all its own and if you are planning on making the move it’s important to note that Oregon ranks amongst the highest in overall happiness of state residents. Oregon residents enjoy zero sales tax and an extremely friendly atmosphere. When most people settle in Oregon they simply don’t want to live anywhere else.

Don’t forget to browse the homes for sale by clicking the “Buy Real Estate” tab at the top of the page, and conversely if you are looking to sell and leave our beautiful state for somewhere else, click the “Sell Real Estate” tab and we’ll help you make the transition seamless.