Ultimate Open House

Prospective first-time home buyers who have been sitting on the fence now have a significant financial incentive to explore the opportunities available in today’s housing market.

H.R. 3221, the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 — which was passed by the Congress on July 26 and signed by President Bush on July 30 — allows first-time home buyers to take a $7,500 tax credit from the purchase of a single-family home, townhome or condominium apartment.

Check out Federalhousingtaxcredit.com for more information on this opportunity of a lifetime for first-time buyers.

Join us next Friday August 15th in celebrating the 25th Anniversary of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Over the last 25 years, this opening night celebration for NW Natural’s Street of Dreams has raised more than $1.2 million for 72 charities. Enjoy live entertainment, hosted beer and wine and delicious food. Be one of the first to see the five newly completed Street of Dreams homes. Tickets are $125.00 and are available for purchase online.

The 2008 A Midsummer Night’s Dream charity event will support the following charities: The ALS Association, Community Vision, HOST Development, Kruseway-Lake Oswego Rotary Club, MLD Foundation, Women for Children/Friends of Doernbecher, YMCA of Greater Portland

In Lake Oswego, a larger number of people have these characteristics than in surrounding neighborhoods.

Education: Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees, Professional school degrees

Employment: Self-employed (incorporated businesses), Work in business and financial occupations, Work in management-level occupations, Work in sales and related occupations

Income: High rent compared to income

People & Culture: Born in the Northeast, Wealthy retirees

There are these main types of people:

New Suburbanites - Mobile suburban singles. A high proportion of these pre-middle-age to middle-age singles have moved to the suburbs in the past 4 years. Some have a college education and work in professional or management careers.
Suburban Elite - Suburban super-rich couples with children. Middle-aged married couples with a luxurious lifestyle in the suburbs. More than 15% have a family income of $200,000 or more. The majority have a college or graduate school degree, and most own their homes.
Country Clubbers - Wealthy married couples with children. These affluent families live a very comfortable life in the suburbs. More than 20% have a family income over $125,000. Most have earned a college or graduate school degree, and most own their homes.

At noon today Eastern Oregon farmers, city officials and Hermiston, OR residents will be handing out farm-fresh watermelons, cantaloupes and potatoes in Pioneer Courthouse Square free of charge.

Festivities will include a watermelon seed spitting contest between City dignitaties like Hermiston’s Mayor Bob Severson and Portland Parks Commissioner Dan Saltzman. Last year’s contest winner was the returning champion, Hermiston City Councilor Jackie Meyers who spit her seed 22 feet!