Happy Leap Day 2008!

I hope you all have a magnificent leap day! Get out and do something special on this "extra" day of the year!

Redneck Mansion

I just saw this and thought it was too funny not to share!

For Sale By Owner, What Are You Really Saving?

I recently learned that in 2007 only 12% of for sale by owners were successful in selling their home. The other 88% ended up listing their home with a real estate agent. Being in real estate, I understand the benefits of having a qualified professional market your home, but home owners are often to concerned with saving money so they decide to go at it themselves. Most home sellers find that this is a quite tedious process that they were not prepared for. I found this educational article that explains why it is beneficial to use a licensed real estate broker. If you are currently trying to sell your home on your own or are considering, this is a great article to read.

Great Job Windermere Realty Group!

My office was featured in a full page article that was published Sunday on the front page of the homes section in the Oregonian! It is a great article that explains the details and benefits of the broker tours that we go on each week to view new listings.

Here is the link to if you would like to read the article online. Touring Tuesdays

The Secret to You

Add Me as a MySpace Friend!

Only the best will do for me!

Below is a copy of Windermere's Mission Statement. This mission statement is only the beginning to the incredible things that Windermere has to offer. It was apparent to me from my first meeting that this company was different than the other real estate companies I had previously worked for. I am proud to be associated with such an elite group of Realtors that are always striving to set the bar higher!


Windermere is a network of real estate businesses and a community of people who seek trust and mutual respect in each of our relationships.

We serve neighborhoods throughout the West and, through our affiliations with related firms, we can link to neighborhoods and services around the world.

We are committed to:

Leadership in the real estate industry.
Windermere is committed to being a leader among our peer firms. We build and support close-knit teams. Our wish is to foster teamwork while preserving the freedom each of us needs to satisfy buyers and sellers and find personal satisfaction.

The highest ethical standards. Uncompromising honesty and integrity.
We will continue to grow while exercising practices that meet the highest ethical and business standards.

The best from and for Windermere people.
Our greatest assets are Windermere people-the sales associates, managers, supporting staff and owners with whom we hope to sustain mutually satisfying, productive and lasting relationships. We place high priority on their growth, development and job satisfaction, and provide all the opportunity for reward commensurate with contributions.

The improvement of life in the neighborhoods we serve.
We will be personally involved in civic and community affairs that improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods, and will contribute both financial and human resources to achieve these ends.

America's 50 Greenest Cities

Here is great study was published on www.popsci.com and lists Portland, Oregon as the #1 Greenest City in the US with Eugen coming in close at #5. Great Job Oregonians!

America's 50 Greenest Cities

Want to see a model for successful and rapid environmental action? Don't look to the federal government—check out your own town. Here, our list of the 50 communities that are leading the way. Does yours make the cut?

By Elizabeth Svoboda, with additional reporting by Eric Mika and Saba Berhie Posted

How the Rankings Work:

We used raw data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Geographic Society’s Green Guide, which collected survey data and government statistics for American cities of over 100,000 people in more than 30 categories, including air quality, electricity use and transportation habits. We then compiled these statistics into four broad categories, each scored out of either 5 or 10 possible points. The sum of these four scores determines a city’s place in the rankings. Our categories are:

• Electricity (E; 10 points): Cities score points for drawing their energy from renewable sources such as wind, solar, biomass and hydroelectric power, as well as for offering incentives for residents to invest in their own power sources, like roof-mounted solar panels.
• Transportation (T; 10 points): High scores go to cities whose commuters take public transportation or carpool. Air quality also plays a role.
• Green living (G; 5 points): Cities earn points for the number of buildings certified by the U.S. Green Building Council, as well as for devoting area to green space, such as public parks and nature preserves.
• Recycling and green perspective (R; 5 points): This measures how comprehensive a city’s recycling program is (if the city collects old electronics, for example) and how important its citizens consider environmental issues.

1. Portland, Ore. 23.1

• Electricity: 7.1 Transportation: 6.4 Green Living: 4.8 Recycling/Perspective: 4.8

America’s top green city has it all: Half its power comes from renewable sources, a quarter of the workforce commutes by bike, carpool or public transportation, and it has 35 buildings certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.

2. San Francisco, Calif. 23.0

• Electricity: 6.8 Transportation: 8.8 Green Living: 3.5 Recycling/Perspective: 3.9
• See how San Francisco turns wasted roof space into power, here.

3. Boston, Mass. 22.7

• Electricity: 5.7 Transportation: 8.7 Green Living: 3.4 Recycling/Perspective: 4.9
• CASE STUDY: Grass Power
  Boston has preliminary plans for a plant that would turn 50,000 tons of fall color into power and fertilizer. The facility would first separate yard clippings into grass and leaves. Anaerobic bacteria feeding on the grass would make enough methane to power at least 1.5 megawatts’ worth of generators, while heat and agitation would hasten the breakdown of leaves and twigs into compost.

4. Oakland, Calif. 22.5

• Electricity: 7.0 Transportation: 7.5 Green Living: 3.1 Recycling/Perspective: 4.9
• See how Oakland's hydrogen-powered transit helps the city cut pollution, here.

5. Eugene, Ore. 22.4

• Electricity: 10.0 Transportation: 4.7 Green Living: 2.9 Recycling/Perspective: 4.8
• CATEGORY LEADER: Electricity
  Much of the wet Pacific Northwest draws its energy from hydroelectric dams. But Eugene draws an additional 9 percent of its municipal electricity from wind farms. It also buys back excess power from residents who install solar panel

• : 2.0 Green Living: 2.1 Recycling/Perspective: 3.9

Welcome!

Thank you for taking time to stop by and read my blog!

I will be updating this blog frequently with real estate facts and news that I find might interesting for anyone with interest in real estate. Please stop by from time to time to see whats new! Also, please feel free to e-mail me at lindseygoins@windermere.com with any comments, suggestions or if you come across anything that you think I might want to publish in my blog.

Have a fabulous week!

Lindsey