Oregon’s beautiful scenery is a year-round source of enjoyment. Driving in Oregon’s winters, however, can be challenging. Follow these recommendations so you arrive safely at your destination! Please click here to download the Oregon Winter Driving Guide
What if Your Teenager Doesn’t Want to Move to Your New Wilsonville Home?
You’ve got a new job offer across the country and you are planning to pack your things, buy a Wilsonville home and make the big move. However, when you tell your 17 year old daughter your plans, she lets out a mournful wail and cries that it is not fair. How can you possibly take her away from all of her friends, her favorite hangout spots and the cute boy she just started seeing?
Moving house is a difficult transition and it is even more traumatic for teenagers. The teenage years are an important stage where young adults establish their individuality and independence and during this time their social circle is extremely important to them. Being removed from that against their will can make any teen feel sad, confused, angry and resentful. Also, fitting into a new social scene in a different location can be a challenge for a teen that might be singled out as the “new kid.”
How can you help your teen during this transition so that the experience will be easier on them?
How to Help Your Teen Move
Here are some tips that will make the experience of moving house a little bit easier on your teenager:
- Give them as much notice as possible so that they have time to adjust to the idea of moving. They will feel like they have enough time to say goodbye to their friends and close a chapter of their lives.
- Try to schedule the move around the school calendar, as moving in the summer is much less disruptive to your teen’s life than relocating in the middle of the school year.
- Make sure that they have ample time to spend with their close friends before they leave and once you arrive, understand that they might go through a grieving process of missing their old pals.
- When you get to your new home, make sure that your teen has plenty of ways to keep in touch with their old friends, such as an internet connection and a cell phone plan.
- Encourage your teen to get involved in the community of your new hometown, such as joining sports clubs or attending events. This can help them to make new friends.
Can They Stay Behind?
In some situations, the better option might be to let your teenager stay behind. If they are in their older teens, they will have finished high school, maybe have a job and be independent people of their own. Perhaps they could stay with a family member or parents of a friend for a while until they are old enough to move out on their own. This might make them a lot happier in the long run, rather than taking them along with you if they really don’t want to move.
For more advice on moving to your new Wilsonville home, please contact our team by clicking the “Buy Real Estate” tab at the top of the page and identifying a property that you’d like more information about.
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Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector
When you buy a Wilsonville home, you need to know exactly what you’re buying. Imagine how frustrated you’d be to find out that the hot water heater wasn’t working—in the middle of a shower! This is why you should have a home inspection before you buy your home. A home inspection is an important part of buying your home. Before you hire a home inspector, ask candidates a few questions to make sure you hire a trustworthy inspector.
- What does your inspection cover? Not all inspections are the same. Ask for copies of previous home inspections so you can see exactly what they will check inside the Wilsonville home. If you are concerned about something specific, like a leaky faucet in the bathroom, mention that to the inspector so they can check it out.
- Are you licensed or certified? If you live in a state that licenses home inspectors, ask to see their license. At the very least, choose a home inspector who belongs to American Society of Home Inspectors. This shows a level of professionalism and education that you can trust.
- What kind of report will you give me? You should expect a written report detailing what the inspector found. Most inspectors will give you a typed report within a week of the inspection. Make sure the inspector will be available to explain anything on the report that doesn’t make sense to you.
- Will I be able to attend the inspection? If the inspector refuses to let you be present during the home inspection, find someone else. This is your chance to know exactly what you are buying and what potential repairs you or the seller will have to make.
Let us help you find your new Wilsonville home. Click on the “Buy Real Estate” tab at the top of the page to get started working with one of our amazing buyer’s agents.
Resources:
Home Inspection
American Society of Home Inspectors
Easy Household Repairs
Tips For Getting A Mortgage!
Are you considering buying a Wilsonville 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 Wilsonville property, please click on the “Buy Real Estate” tab at the top of the page to begin searching.
Wilsonville Home Décor Trends
What Are the Hot Wilsonville 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 Wilsonville 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 Wilsonville home?
Resources:
Art Deco Furniture or Decoration
Artwork at Cheap Prices
Bright Pop of Color
The Great Mountains of the Pacific Northwest
If you are planning on moving to Oregon is very important to note that Oregon is perfect for hiking, sightseeing and photography because of its numerous mountains. The Northwest is home to a variety of different mountain ranges which can be extremely picturesque as a view from your back window. If you’re planning on settling in Oregon it is important to note that you could be in close view of some of the most spectacular mountain ranges in the Northwest by carefully selecting your property. Mountain range is really add to the value of your home and can give you plenty of opportunity for hiking, exploring and getting in touch with the outdoors. Here’s a breakdown of some of the top mountain ranges in the Northwest that you could enjoy by purchasing real estate in Oregon.
- Mount Hood: Mount Hood is home to some beautiful ski resorts and spectacular lakes. If you are looking for a weekend getaway or you want to take to the slopes through the winter close locations to Mount Hood could be perfect for you or your family.
- Mount St Helens: located northeast of Portland Oregon this volcano erupted last on July 10, 2008. Mount Saint Helens is perhaps America’s most famous volcano and it features spectacular views as well as a national park. Taking in its beauty or exploring the natural Park and reserve center can be a wonderful experience for you and your family.
- Mount Adams is located in nearby Washington and is a potentially active volcano in the same category as Mount Saint Helens. It’s the second-highest mountain in the entire state of Washington and plays host to a wonderful US national Park which can offer the perfect getaway for any outdoor adventurers settling in Oregon.
- Mount Jefferson: Mount Jefferson is part of the cascade Range and brats on the most recognizable mountains in Oregon because it’s the second-highest. Mount Jefferson is itself a volcano as well but its latest direction took place in 950 A.D. The area surrounding Mount Jefferson is pristine and perfect for outdoor explorers.
These are just a few of the great mountains of the Northwest that you could potentially explore or have views of from your new home in Oregon.
Why Is Everyone Moving to Oregon?
There are numerous hot spots around the nation, locations that people are flocking to in droves because the quality of living and offered amenities is simply extraordinary. Of these hot spots, it may come as a surprise to many that Oregon has topped the list for two years in a row. For us native Oregonians there is no question, this is the place to be!
In a recent study from United Van Lines where over 129,000 moves were tracked, the company found that “66% of all interstate moves in Oregon were from people moving into the state, rather than leaving it.” This again confirms what we just said, we Oregonians are here to stay. So what is it that’s attracting so many new residents?
The answer to the question is multi-faceted, though at the very core it can be attributed to the “long-term trend of migration to southern and western states where house costs are lower, climates are more temperate and job growth is at or above the national average.” The median price for a single-family home in Portland is $285,000, compared to $481,000 in Los Angeles and $881,000 in San Francisco.
In addition to lower real estate prices and a lower cost of living, Oregon is home to many great amenities including public transit, green space and the local arts and entertainment scene. Oregon is also an incredible Mecca for outdoor enthusiasts with endless hiking/biking trails, the Pacific Coast, Mt. Hood and countless other excursions. Portland’s central location to all of these amenities make it comparatively desirable to other Oregon towns.
Oregon is attractive compared to its northern and southern neighbors, Washington and California, so for those seeking a move to the west coast in general Oregon is a good place to land. Did you know that Portland has more breweries than any other city in the world? It also has the country’s highest percentage of two-wheeled commuters and is consistently voted as bike-friendliest. If you’re considering a move to Oregon then please start your property search by clicking the “Buy Real Estate” tab at the top of the page!
Welcome to Wilsonville, Oregon!
Wilsonville is currently Oregon’s 25th largest city, with a population just over 20,000 residents. Originally founded in 1880 at the Boones Ferry crossing on the Willamette River, the city has grown into a thriving community renowned for its beauty, environmental stewardship and convenience. As part of the Portland metropolitan area, and given its convenient location near I-5, Wilsonville is situated in the perfect location for commuting employees. Beyond its convenient location, Wilsonville also offers residents a gorgeous and thriving community to call home.
Winner of a Bronze Walk Friendly Community award for commitment to pedestrian safety and accessibility, Wilsonville has maintained its dedication for convenient and safe transportation for residence. The city has also been recognized for its sustainability, commitment to the environment and waste prevention with the State Recycler of the Year award in 2010. Wilsonville’s environmental stewardship received further public acclaim when awarded the State Land Board Award in 2003 and 2006 for the Lower Boeckman Creek Fish Passage and Stream Restoration Projects. Wilsonville’s dedication to managing natural resources has also earned it a Tree City USA designation for over nine years! It is no wonder then that the city’s motto is “Serving the Community with Pride!” View more of Wilsonville’s awards here.
Wilsonville not only boasts a beautiful and safe community, it is also home to some of Oregon’s best fine dining restaurants with a delicious variety for residents to choose from! Visit Dar Essalam for delectable Moroccan cuisine, or head to renowned Oswego Grill for American cuisine at its finest! Abella Italian Kitchen, located in downtown Wilsonville, offers Italian dining for the discerning palate. Abella Italian Kitchen also features locally sourced produce, meats and seafood. For a more relaxed dining experience, head to Boone Town Bistro & Bar for American fare including filet mignon, burgers, regional seafood and so much more! To learn more about live music events held at Boone Town Bistro & Bar, visit their event calendar page here. To sample some truly local fare, be sure to visit Wilsonville’s Farmers Market, located in Sofia Park, where local farmers and chefs serve up a fantastic array of regional delicacies.
For more information about Wilsonville please click here or click on the About Wilsonville tab at the top of the page!